New pic of Estelle

Here's Estelle. Di managed to catch her for once sitting still and looking intently at the camera. It took a lot of patience. What eyes Estelle has!

Brighton - Estelle's First Holiday

We all went down to Brighton for a long weekend for your first holiday. We stayed at the Hotel Pelirocco, apparently not a baby friendly hotel, but they treated you like royalty! Boiled egg and soldiers were served up for you every morning, along with your usual super-porridge. There was quite a mess on the floor as we left the hoover (Reggie) at home.

We had a great day on Saturday, the sun came out, and Brighton was full of life. Passer-bys were waving at you as we took a stroll down the pier.

We took you for your first dip in the ocean. And you cried! Maybe it was the temperature, maybe it was the pebbles, bet you won't remember!

Daddy also took you on your first ride on a Merry-go-round. You loved looking at the horses and were transfixed the whole way round. There is a video somewhere of the magical moment, slightly ruined by your mother shouting "you're gay!" your Daddy...

You were dancing with mummy to a live band later in the day, opposite the Brighton Center. The sun was still shining and bed time was calling, so we had to go back to the Pelirocco.

Sunday took us up to Petersfield on the way back to see our Friends Toby and Kate, where we spent a comical night on the creakiest bed in the world... On our return back through heavy traffic on Monday, we decided to extend the holiday for another day and took a stroll down the Nav in Barrow for some lunch. We ended up going to Barrow Boating, & thoughts of hiring a rowing boat or a pedalo were eclipsed by the opportunity of taking out a barge for an hour. So you also ended up going on your first boat, which you thoroughly enjoyed. You were also introduced to ducks, which are your new feathered friends!

Estelle, Queen of Cool. This picture was taken with a little bit of help from Grandad Mike

First Laughs

First Laughs

You love to laugh, especially at your favourite hairy beast. And you like to laugh at the dog too! The first laugh came as a surprise - It was about 10-12 weeks old, laughing at your old man of cause. A proper deep baby belly laugh! The second one was with your mother, and this video is about the third or fourth ever laugh! It was when we realised that all we really need to do to make you laugh is on command is to say the magic words: "yaa yaa yaa yaa yaa"!

First Snow in Barrow

First Snow in Barrow [02/02/2009]

It has been trying to snow for days now and it has finally happened - they recon it is the best snowfall in 18 years! That must be about right, I have memories of being about 10 or 11 and being snowed in at Beacon road. There was no power for 3 days, and we played board games & Grandad mike heated our water up for drinks on the BBQ!

Anyway, Daddy took Reggie for a walk in the morning before work and destroyed the virgin snow. Reggie doesn't look so white in the snow, he's more of a grey. It's Reggie's first proper play in the snow too - and he loved it!

Then Mummy took you on a very adventurous walk up a large hill in the local fields to try and get the best views. One massive uphill struggle for your mother! But it was worth it in the end. Shame you slept all the way through it!

Interesting fact: There was so much snowfall in two weeks that the whole country ran out of grit! They had to start emergency imports of grit it from Europe. Some schools got so desperate they even mixed up their own table salt with sand to let the kids play!

Barrow looks very handsome under with a fresh cloak of snow over it's shoulders. Having never seen it before, you could almost mistake it for a Canadian Ski Resort. The snow seems to have everyone in a form of silent panic, locals are walking around the village looking confused - the shops are shut, whatever will we do now..! Motorways are closed, planes don't take off, the country grinds to a halt. Daddy still has to go into work though! The joys of being self employed.

Estelles First Christmas!

Estelle's First Christmas [December 25th 2008]

Mummy & Daddy bought a silver bracelet with diamond stars & a trinket box for our little Star!

You looked cute & festive in your Reindeer hat & booties to match!

After unwrapping your first presents, we all went round to Grannie Barbie & Grandpa Bookers for the day. Reggie was the only missing family member, spending a few days in Doggy Borsel for crimes against cleanliness ;(

More presents followed, you were more concerned with the wrapping paper than anything, although you did seem to like your first teddy bear, which Granny Barbie had knitted you! We called him Vivaldi after one of your favourites on the Caterpillar.