We were having a picnic supper of good-old Fish and Chips the other day, and Ana loved it. Whether it was the fish, the chips or the ability to run around the garden barefoot while eating, I don't know, but she certainly had a wonderful time.
She's a growing up so quickly. Running around everywhere, chattering away, with new words every day. My recent favourite has to be when she is completely content, the constant murmering of "Happyhappyappyappy"
One of the things which I've really appreciated having Ana is her perspective on the natural world. While playing in the garden she will occasionally pause to consider a non-descript leaf or twig, or blossom, and pronouce it "Be-u" (Beautiful).
So if the gardening carreer doesn't take off, Ana is being trained in all things to do with antique restoration.
Here is Ana digging around the strawberry plants a bit earlier this month. Mummy digs here, so it must be fun!
Ana has recently been helping out in the garden, and loving every minute of the muddy fun she has had. Here she is 'thinning' our border flowers.
Ana has aspirations, and here she is (as she doesn't yet have her own hair) with a toy watermelon on her head in place of buns... It was VERY funny... (not that she's going to be allowed to watch Star Wars until she's 19, but hey, she can dream!).
After a mad morning of running around, a momentary rest on the knee... and then she's off again...
Ana loves her new boots. She runs around the house saying "Boos! Boos! Boos!" Very handy for dewy grass.
This is Ana signing that Mommy is asleep (pr. Sleee). (Everyone was apparently asleep in church on Sunday too during the prayer time!) very cute...
Imagine yourself early in the morning. VERY early in the morning... the whole town is asleep. Except for Ana. And now her Daddy... Yes, it is time for quality time with Daddy. No, sleep means nothing to him... a stupified stumble down the stairs, one hand supporting himself against the wall, the other both holding Ana and preventing her from pulling all the pictures off the wall, 'folding' the air-drying washing or making that last ditch sweep at the pepper grinder....
We went and had a portrait photo taken today of the newest member of the family - we know it is not a very clear picture, but as it is only the size of your thumb, well, in this instance, we'll let the photographer off.
Here is Ana, rather pleased with herself. She has Nana's scarf and is gloriously happy!
So, to be fair to Nigel, he did help rather a lot with the tiling in the kitchen too.
We've appreciated Jenny and Nigel's help over the last few days. Jenny has been keeping us well fed and clean, Nigel has been keeping our garden chairs warm...
Ana had had enough by the time Mr Snowman was finished, she did knock over the first by cuddling it, but number 2 was safe as Ana was done playing with snow... The plastic bags were just too embarrassing ; )
It snowed last weekend and Ana and Daddy went out to play in it. Ana wasn't too sure about the snow (or maybe it was the outfit?!), but here she is toddling about in it. To stop her getting soaked Tim dressed her in a bag over her bottom and bags taped on her feet - poor Ana clearly knew this was not the latest fashion...
Ana likes the Fisher Price garage as much as her mummy did... Here you can see she's rather excited, though not quite dexterous enough to use the lift yet.
Yesterday Ana got a huge treat - her first ever taste of chocolate! As there were over 400 Easter eggs (this is a literal figure) in the house yesterday, we feel it would have been rather mean of us to deprive her any longer from this delectable treat. Needless to say she loved it and went round everyone else asking for their Easter eggs once she'd had hers!
Ana likes to explore. Here she is emptying yet another drawer, this time of our keys - let's hope she didn't hide them afterwards! In the background you can see our latest DIY achievement - glazing and hanging a reclaimed Victorian door. It's not quite finished, as it needs a handle (may be useful!) and a little sanding.
Uncle Simon, today, claimed the match / championship point for Hills Road at the Boys National School Tennis Championships. A glorious victory, by all accounts!
Well, that day arrived - Ana is now walking! It all started on Thursday when she took two steps in a row. Friday brought seven consecutive steps, and Saturday, fourteen.
Gavin recently came to stay and brought a beautiful Peruvian alpaca hat back (from his wanderings in Peru) for Ana , which she LOVES.
