What To Wear - Part 1

I always knew that baby clothes were cute, but I didn't understand just how much fun it would be to dress up our little bundle. She has so many adorable outfits and it is often difficult to choose what she'll wear, after all, I want to make sure she gets to wear everything at least a few times before growing out of them. She is definitely the best dressed in our home.

These photo's were taken a couple of weeks ago after church (this was going to be her Easter dress but I ended up finding something even more wonderful), as you can see, Amelia is already very comfortable in front of the camera, and was having a real giggle. Look how well she is able to sit unattended these days too, she is growing up so fast, I can hardly believe she is 6 months old, at her doctor's appointment last week she was 16 lb 12oz and 27 inches long.

stay tuned for more 'fashion' photo's to be posted this week.

"Cheese!"

"That is so funny, you crack me up!"

Time to relax.

Adorable!

The Prettiest Flower in the Bunch

A couple of weeks ago, Matthew, his mum, Amelia and I headed for the Tulip Festival in Woodburn, it takes place for about a month each year between March and April and is always an awesome sight, rows upon rows of tulips in every colour imaginable.

Of course, this was Amelia's first trip so we took her 'bumbo' seat and sat her amongst the beautiful flowers. It was all I could do to stop her trying to reach and eat them.

It was one of the sunniest days we have had yet this year here in Oregon, so, whilst I'm not complaining about the weather, it was so bright that it wasn't easy trying to get the perfect photo, but I think we did pretty good.

To me, she is the prettiest flower in the bunch...

No matter where we sat her, Amelia tried to grab the flowers.

Just look at that curious expression, what is she thinking?

Amelia also got to feel what hay is like...

...of course, she wanted to eat that too!

It's is the perfect place for a family day out.

Just look at that perfect blue sky.

Isn't it amazing? You can even see Mount Hood in the background.

You can really appreciate the awesome colour in this extreme close up.

We found some new shoes for Amelia too, I think she'll have to grow into them!

Just One of Those Precious Moments

A couple of weekends ago, I was up and working around the house, Matthew had gone back to bed after answering a couple of early work calls, Amelia had been fed and changed and given to daddy. I went into the bedroom for something and saw the most beautiful sight I believe a mother and wife can see.

Matthew was asleep and Amelia was sprawled across his chest, they were both out for the count!

See for yourself...

You may notice the beads wrapped around her arm, they always seem to end up there, perhaps she's practising for when she carries a handbag. Also, notice the remote, it should never be too far away.

Sweet Dreams!

A Tearful Reunion

When we were pregnant, Matthew and I attended Birth Preparation Classes for several weeks at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis. The last class was to be a reunion with our little darlings. So, last Friday, off we went to meet up with everybody who we had shared this life changing journey with.

At the previous class, photographs had been taken of all the 'mums' and 'dads' in a line, in order of due date, so, the idea was to line up all the babies and take their photographs, in order of birth dates. All was going well, we met each others bundle, shared a potluck dinner and exchanged birth experiences, then it was time for the photograph. Let's just say one little bundle wasn't happy at all and just screamed, it just so happens that he was next to Amelia so you can guess what happened, she started crying too, before we knew what was happening almost all of the babies that had been propped up against each other were crying. Below are some of photo's of Amelia, showing her not so happy "get me out of here" side. Kind of cute all the same!

It was all going so well in the beginning,

happy, proud parents and cute, adorable babies...

But then...oh dear,

Brandon looks on wondering what the fuss is all about.

It's all too much, he joins in too...

Here are nine out of the twelve little bundles...

And a photo showing the other three...

At the end of the reunion..

"Just take me home, I'm ready for bed!"

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Obviously, I normally focus this blog around my dear daughter Amelia, sharing wonderful moments that Matthew and I are experiencing in our life together as she grows. Today however I am writing about my dad, today he celebrates his 60th birthday!

Last year he was diagnosed with the beginning stages of a type of Alzheimers condition, so, I have been working on a special project to celebrate this special birthday. Using 'Picaboo', an online program, I have created a book full of my memories of him, using photo's and journaling. It has been so much fun, selecting different background layouts and papers that have made it completely personal and unique. I submitted it for publishing yesterday and the result will be a very professional looking, bound book full of memories.

It has been a wonderful and often emotional journey traveling back through the years and remembering all of the many ways and moments in which my dad has blessed my life, he has always been the best father a daughter could ask for. Even though living in the USA I don't see him as often as I would like, we normally talk on the phone every week, each conversation ends with blowing each other a kiss or two, which actually sounds like we are blowing raspberries to each other, but to us it is very special.

Following are just a couple of my favourite photo's of us together...


This photo was taken just a few years ago during one of my visits back home to England.

I cannot wait to see him this September when we visit home, and of course I can't wait for Amelia to meet her Grandpa 'Lollipop'.

The Newest Exercise Craze...

If you saw my last post, you have seen the photo's of Amelia rolling her legs over to the left. Well, this post is for all who want to know what the latest exercise craze is in Oregon. Below, Amelia provides step by step instructions, complete with photo's, to show you how to keep fit. Who knows, maybe she'll have her own fitness video when she's older called 'RAWE MOVES'!

Ok, ready?

Bring your legs up and hold onto your calves...

Now Open, feel that outside thigh muscle working...

And together...

Next, pull your foot towards your mouth...

Now try and bite your toes...

And down, and relax!!!!

Finally check your weight - SUCCESS!

What A Cutie!

I just had to post this photo of Amelia dressed in a little casual number, her hat says it all, CUTIE!

Although she doesn't roll over too often, she is really getting strong and enjoys pulling up her legs up and rolling them over to one side, usually to her left, her own little exercise routine!

Got Cereal?

Yesterday, we gave Amelia her first taste of cereal, Matthew had been accusing me of depriving her since she is already 5 1/2 months old and hadn't yet had the privilege of anything more than milk. So, around 6pm, we sat her in her bumbo seat, complete with tray, dressed her in a bib (knowing that it was likely going to be a messy ordeal) and made up the cereal.

It was so funny when we first put the cereal in her mouth, she didn't know what to do with it, but after another couple of spoonfuls really got the hang of it and in fact enjoyed it very much (I could tell by the way she was grabbing my hand and putting the spoon in her mouth). After finishing the cereal, she drank an additional 6oz of formula (more than she normally drinks).

Of course we wanted to record this special event so here are some photo's of our growing girl with her 'got cereal' look.

"Mmm, Mmm this is pretty good mum"

"More, I want more..."

"Delicious!"

A View From My Window

Whenever I mention that I live in Oregon, the response I usually get is about how rainy it is. Although it does rain a fair bit here, we have great weather too and the summers are perfect. Personally though, I love Springtime the best.

Salem, Oregon is a great place to work and I am privileged to work in the Labor and Industries building which is located right on the Capitol Mall close to the Oregon State Capitol building. Right now, the trees are covered in light pink blossoms and it's just an awesome sight to behold. I am also blessed to have a desk by a window where the view is just wonderful.

Today I remembered to take my camera with me and had fun during my break-time taking some photo's of the beauty that I see each and every day!

This is literally the view from my office window - not bad is it?

This sculpture is called the Sprague Fountain, just look at that blue sky!

A view from the other end of the fountain shows the Oregon State Capitol Building

Looking towards the Capitol Building down one of the tree lined paths

A view of my office building

My dad always told me to look up into a tree toward the sky and take a photo, so I did!

What a wonderful world!