Extreme Closeups...Can You See Amelia's First Tooth?

Last week, Amelia's first tooth appeared, it's the bottom right tooth and is very difficult to see, especially since she clamps her gums down tight whenever you try to put your finger anywhere near. If you double click on the photographs above and below, you just might be able to see it.

I took these photographs a couple of days ago after Amelia had eaten dinner, she hates having her face cleaned up afterwards and so to make it less traumatic, I pretended to clean my face first, as I did this I squeeled as if surprised by how cold the flannel was, she thought it was the funniest thing and just started cracking up, I grabbed my camera and tried to capture some extreme close-ups of her cute little face. The photographs are all kind of similar but how could I choose? Best of all, she didn't mind me cleaning her face quite so much.

The photograph below is what she looks like when she's possessed...um, I mean when she squeels out loud!

And the "I'm a sweet angel" face...

I love her so much!

And She's Off!

At exactly 9 months, Amelia has started to crawl. She hasn't quite figured out a smooth rhythm yet and looks like a clumsy caterpillar as she drags herself around the floor. It's so cute to watch and her determination amazes me. First she puts her hands and arms in front of her, then lifts up her bottom and legs as if to do a push up, although doesn't stay in this position, after laying back down on her tummy, she pulls herself forward using her arms, often grunting as she moves along (she can already move pretty fast). I can hardly believe it, time to child-proof the house.

Amelia is also learning to make noise, she loves tapping her shapes together, perhaps she'll be a percussionist.

Of course, playtime with daddy is always fun, and try as she might, there's no hiding the giggles!

Smiles Brighter Than Sunshine

Amelia is such a happy baby with a huge smile that brightens any day!

The photo above, just makes me laugh, her sunglasses stayed on for all of 30 seconds before she grabbed them and started trying to eat them.

Snuggling with a soft pillow is always fun.

Amelia's First Independence Day

Even though I am British and Independence Day or 4th July is a day when Americans celebrate chasing away the Brits, I love to join in the festivities. This year was extra special since it was Amelia's first 4th of July holiday, Grandma and Grandpa Rawe had bought her a special red, white and blue outfit for the occassion, and even better, it fell on a Friday which meant a lovely long weekend for Matthew and I.

The day started bright and early with 'Breakfast in the Park' with other members of our ward, it was a beautiful morning and it was nice to be together.

New play equipment has recently been added to the Park and so we put Amelia in one of the baby swings, at first she was a little nervous but after just a minute or so, began to laugh and really enjoyed it, perhaps because her little friend Addison was swinging right next to her.


After the breakfast, we ran to my friend Alice's house, it was her birthday, we took homemade sausage rolls for her to enjoy and after a quick hello, headed back home. When we arrived home Grandma and Grandpa Rawe were already there, ready to go to the Oregon Coast with us. We fed Amelia and off we went to the seaside.

It was quite cool at the coast, so we warmed up by shopping at the outlets. Of course, Amelia, who really didn't need any clothes, came home with many more outfits, I just couldn't resist jeans at $2.99, and tops at $1.99, I justified my purchases by buying many 12 month sized clothes which will be great for our visit to England in September. It's just so much fun buying things for her. After lots of shopping, we went to the Pig 'n' Pancake restaurant for a late lunch, I absolutely love their 'eggs benedict and hashbrowns'.

Next, we went to the beach, as I said earlier, it was a little cool but I wanted Amelia to feel the sand between her little toes anyway.

She was rather curious...

...and of course even tried to eat it, urgh!

After a little while, we went down to the ocean and dipped her feet in the cold water to wash off most of the sand...

afterwards, daddy wrapped her up tight in her blanket (and his jacket) to keep her warm and we posed for a little family photo.

Ever since Matthew proposed to me by writing in the sand, we always write something when we are on the beach, we decided to write Amelia's name today, the little scuff marks on the right hand side above the letter 'l, i and a' are her little foot prints.

We headed home and ate at the new Round Table Pizza (after all it was Friday, and the Rawe Tradition is Friday Night Pizza at Round Table.)

Family times are good times.

Amelia was tired out after a fun-packed day and caught up on some zzzz's while snuggling with her little dog, Max.

When we got home it was already dark, so we introduced Amelia to a few fireworks and sparklers.

Unfortunately the photo's are a little fuzzy, perhaps I will call them 'artistic'.

So, as you can see, all in all, it was a very long, but very fun, day.

Happy '4th' everybody

Amazing Skies

Oregon has the prettiest sunsets. On Sunday night, I looked out and saw this amazing sight. The colours were magnificent and glorious.

I wonder how people can see the beauty in nature and not believe in God, and in the beautiful world that he has created for us. It is a reminder to me of how blessed I am. It also reminds me of one of my very favourite primary songs I learned as a child called "My Heavenly Father Loves Me", it goes like this:

"Whenever I hear the song of a bird, or look at the blue, blue sky. Whenever I feel the rain on my face or the wind as it rushes it by. Whenever I touch a velvet rose or walk by our lilac tree, I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me."

"He gave me my eyes that I might see the colour of butterfly wings. He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things. He gave me my life, my mind, my heart: I thank him reverently. For all his creations, of which I'm a part. Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me".

Now I sing this song to my daughter and hope that she will appreciate the beauty the world has to offer as she grows.

Amazing!!!