Three months on

Our baby is three months old. Goodness how did the time go so fast. It passes so quickly it's almost painful. She's not a newborn any more, and all her tiny newborn clothes have been packed away.

Ian took these pics while getting her dressed the other day:

She loves him so much, he's guaranteed to get a big smile from her just by walking in the room. It's the sweetest thing.

We've been going out in the pram lots, making the most of this gorgeous weather. Audrey is getting so curious about the world around her - she stares at people and trees and animals, all wide eyed.

 Audrey had her second set of vaccinations this week. She cried for a moment, but in general she coped so much better than last time. Our dear friend Michael came along for moral support.

She's started grabbing on to the rattles and toys on her bouncer chair now, really improving her motor skills. She also likes to grab blankets (or Lamby) and bring them to her mouth to chew on.

It's lovely spending time with her as she grows and changes. I love her so much, it's overwhelming.

Good on you, Audrey Bea! These three months have been incredible. Life changing.

Current Events in the Life of Audrey

There was a big thunder storm today, and poor Audrey was a little bit scared by it! We curled up on the sofa and read The Very Hungry Caterpillar until she felt better and fell asleep. She loves to look at the pictures of the caterpillar. Oddly, her favourite is the front cover of the book! She could stare at it for hours. I think because the picture is so bold and simple, so it's easier for her to process.

We saw my dear friend Zoe the other day. She's been away and last saw Audrey just a few days after she was born!

Audrey got an awesome baby bouncer a few days ago. She loves it! Especially the red star rattle, she bats at it with her hands over and over and gets all excited. She fell asleep in the seat within minutes of trying it out for the first time - she's been catching up somewhat on her sleep, poor thing.

We're starting to get smiles again now, so hopefully this bout of teething pain is getting a bit better. I love her smiles so much.

She's been wearing some very cool clothes just lately. Nana rocks!

Goth baby! Thank you Ace and Faye :)

She has to wear a bib because she's been drooling so much it soaks her clothes. Oh Audrey!

We love you so much, Audrey Bea!

12 weeks - Silver Linings

Audrey is 12 weeks old today! Here's what she looks like this morning.

 Sticking her tongue out like a pro.

Poor Audrey has had lots of trouble lately with teething. It follows a few nights of her sleeping right through for 8 or more hours - I'm glad we got that rest! The past couple of nights she's barely slept at all, bless her. Her gums have really been so sore, and she's been all hot and bothered and clingy. It's awful when she cries with the teething pain, a really desperate breathless cry. It makes me feel so helpless. We went to see the health visitors at the baby clinic yesterday and they decided to postpone her vaccinations until next week when, hopefully, she'll be more herself. In the mean time there's teething gel and calpol when necessary, and cold muslin cloths and teething dummies for her to chew on.

Ian has also been ill this week, feeling really rotten. All in all, a very delicate time just now.

No matter how difficult or tiring things get, though, I'm still loving being a mother. We go for walks together and it is so precious to spend that time with her, out among the trees and streams and hills. It makes me feel so lucky, to live in this beautiful country and to have such a beautiful life.

When I was little there was a wooden bridge near where we lived, over a stream. We called it the Fairy Bridge. There's one near here where I walk with Audrey sometimes, and I think about her playing there as she grows up.

We sat on a wooden bench on this particular day, in between the trees and all alone and quiet.

Another lovely time we've been spending together is at baby massage classes. These are great fun, and Audrey loves them. She likes to stare at the other babies, especially Oliver who goes with his mum to our breastfeeding group and was born the day after Audrey at the same hospital.

So really, even with all the sickness and grumpiness and soreness and sleeplessness going on in our home right now, life is pretty sweet.