It's true .... I was a baby

If you are on this photo then you were at my Christening. Thanks for the pics mum ... did I label everyone up correctly?

Ma Ma

Despite hours of standing in front of Sophie going "Da Da Da Da Da", yesterday and today she said "Ma Ma".

A good week (Part 3)

Which brings us to today. This morning we went to the swimming baths to float Sophie around in warm water. After a slightly hesistant start she took to it, well, like a fish to water and giggled her way through 30 mins of aqua fun. We're thinking of doing proper swimming lessons for her now she's a bit older so that she can be a Nirvana baby. This afternoon was spent enjoying the locally-famous High Tea at the Hotel des Indes (The Hague's oldest and poshest hotel). It was a real treat with numerous courses of sweet and savoury delights accompanied by cupfuls of exotic tea. We didn't want to seem common so decided not to ask for milk. Lottie, for obvious reasons, was excluded from both of the day's activities.

A good week (Part 2)

Jo tells me that most of the people reading this blog want to see pics of Sophie and not Lottie sniffing other dog's bums so I'll try harder. On Thursday it was hot and sunny so we went to Wassenaar Beach (where dogs can roam free). Lottie had a ball licking jellyfish (have you never been tempted?) and rolling in dead crabs (providing a good scratchy sensation and a nice fur aroma to boot). Then we sat at one of the beachside cafes (Holland does this beach thing so well) and I had burger and chips while Jo tucked into a tasty salad. Sophie giggled throughout. Note the "passer-by" picture with the wonky horizon.

A good week (Part 1)

This week was a good week because I took the week off work and the weather was great. On Monday we had a trip to Amsterdam. We walked about a lot, Jo got her hair done and we bought an ocarina (resembling a frog)and a glockenspiel. Don't you think that glockenspiel (a woody word) and xylophone (a tinny word) should switch names? Not sure why new parents with no musical ability feel inclined to buy musical instruments, but there you go. Sophie enjoyed her trip out as much as we did (Amsterdam never seems to quite live up to expectations) but she did go ballistic on the tram home (making us feel like very "bad parents"). Tuesday was a bit more relaxing, with a nice walk in the Haagsche Bosjes where Lottie had some interesting duck, dog and jogger interactions. In the afternoon we went to Trudi's for her birthday tea. Anyone who reads this blog will guess correctly that we left full of delicious cake. Wednesday involved a trip to the Consultatiebureau (where they measure the weight and dimensions of your baby and give you advice on being a good parent). Incidentally, Sophie's length and weight are exactly average and her head circumference a tad on the large size (... that's my girl). Afterwards, the Beast met up with us and we went to Scheveningen Beach to eat Tapas and chase balls.

Sinister Teddy sighting

Anyone who visited us in Victoria Street, Cambridge circa 1992 will remember the Sinister Teddies (left). Spotted in an antique market in Amsterdam this week (right). Could this be the, now somewhat chubbier, henchbear of that cruel gang?

Starting top-left

I saw this link on Ash's blog. Here you can make a map indicating all the countries you've ever visited. I might not be widely travelled but at least I'm neat. I refuse to have a weekend in Germany until I've tidied up Central America.

Sophie's First Blog

/
`b, m
pn8gj

Evening rituals

You can set your watch by our evening ritual. It goes something like this:

5.30 - Sophie has her dinner
6.15 - Simon gets home from work. Beastly goes wild (Hobbes-style). Jo hands Sophie over for some quality knee bouncing.
6.20 - Into the papoose for a 30 minute inspection of house, garden, cupboards and a funny-face pulling session in the bathroom mirror.
6.50 - Simon baths Sophie while Jo prepares tomorrows bottles and starts making dinner.
7.15 - Sophie goes to sleep.
7.30 - Simon comes downstairs looking for wine and to help Jo cook dinner.

OK it's not very interesting but you have to find something to put next to the photos.

Yummy

Beastenders

Sophie has had a very lazy day.

Baby Einstein Animal Cards

.... great chewing!

Pig Riding

Last week Michael, Ashley and Luke (Sophie's cousins) brought Nana and Grandad for a visit. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great so there was a lot of indoor playing with computer games and Play Doh, although they did manage to visit the Omniversum Imax cinema, the beach and Amsterdam for a canal boat ride. The visit was rounded off by a trip to the fun fair and lots of fast and furious rides. Except Sophie, who went with Daddy and rode a pig and a cow on a gentle roundabout. Here are pictures of Sophie with her cousins (go on Luke, give us a smile!).