8 Months

Dear Britta,

Has it already been 8 months since we welcomed you with proud arms? You seem to be growing every day. The days of cradling you are dwindling as quicksilver through my fingers, as you lean to grasp everything around you.

It has been 8 months and time has flown. Our little one is 8 months grown.

Today, she finished her first swimming course, Starfish, and looked resplendent in her swim diaper and frilly swimsuit, torn from the pages of a 1930's catalogue. Britta was best at back float and front float, though she also didn't seem to mind the dunking underwater. Blowing bubbles eluded her; she took more water in than a leaky canoe.

She has her two bottom teeth and is really loving solid food. Her favourite meal is avacado. She leans forward and swings her arms vigorously willing us to get the next spoonful in.

Tibetan throat singing

Britta has developed a new habit, and it's slightly disturbing: it's a raspy growl that I refer to as Tibetan throat singing. I am not sure if it is because Britta is mimicking all the "guard" labra-doodles the neighbour has, or because I make a growl when I pick her up and tickle her tum.

Britta has two teeth already and more are sure to follow.

Christmas Uber-Post

Christmas and New Years was a blur! Britta proved that no diaper could contain her and sullied two different Christmas dresses. I suspect she was trying to avoid the awkward visit to liver-spotted mall Santa. In the end, force of will alone got her there for a special Baby's First Christmas moment (minus her Christmas dress).

We spent a few days with Grandma Alice and then Boxing Day with the extended family. It was a great time! Britta helped unwrap Christmas presents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She made out very well indeed! Apparently, the old Naughty or Nice list has been replaced with the Cute or Not-so-Cute, because Santa brought cute little Britta a load of presents! When Kristine put a bow on Britta's head it caused a pout that could have melted any heart.

We made a trip to visit Britta's Great-Grandma Agnes and Britta also met her second cousin Zoe, who is just ten days her junior.

Britta now has two teeth, both on the bottom. She has also started some home-made solids: potatoes, carrots, pears, and apples. The fruits are her favourites; I figure one of those two teeth is her sweet tooth.

Enjoy the Christmas Uber-Picture-Post!

To You and Yours

Merry Christmas from All of Us!

In this season of Advent, we are thankful for the many gifts given; the greatest gift of all in Jesus. And for our own baby, Britta, full of delight, wonder, and life.

WANTED

Click the PLAY button on the applet and enjoy the soundtrack for this blog post.



There is a price to pay for being cute. That is one of the immutable truths of life. These two desperados are wanted for taking hearts hostage. They are considered to be mostly harmless, though the short stocky one has got a mean scowl when in a bad mood. Beware, the little 'un also has been suspected of carrying around high explosives in 'er pants.

Britta's first solids

Have you ever wondered what causes a child to sit in the dirt and put handful upon handful of dust and grit into their mouth? It's because their first meal of solid food, namely Organic Rice Cereal *Great Taste!*, has got the same texture and flavour as your standard mud pie. I made the exact face Britta made when I tested a dollop on my finger to see if the temperature was alright.
Yes, Britta was in for a real treat, with her first solids on Monday. She was at first quite taken aback when we tried to feed her from a spoon. She soon got the hang of it, and by Tuesday was holding on to her bowl with both hands and tipping it to see inside. On reflection, that may have been to see how much gruel she would have to slurp before her ol' dad would declare her, "Allllllllllll done!"

Pumpkin stuffing

Do you know what is more fun than carving a pumpkin? STUFFING a pumpkin, with a BABY! That's right, you take one rolly-polly little girl and conceal her cute chub in a bright orange shell. She endures with mild temperament; writing everything down in her young memory to be recalled on Halloween 2060, when she will return the favour to her 80-year old parents, drooling lips and all. Awwwww, how cute!