Baby in a box...

Babies love to feel secure. They also like to feel part of what's going on.

Couple these facts with the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention and somehow we discovered that Emily likes to be in a box. Not in any sort of cruel way I should add. In fact, I would go as far as to say that she loves being in her box. It's been the delight of her week.

Her box fits her perfectly and means she can be up at our level all the time. Sharing in our activities rather than looking up at us. Easy to transport her too as the box has handles. And no more aching arms and backs for us from holding her awkwardly for hours. Plus it cost next to nothing - always a bonus. Poor girl though...hand me down clothes, second hand everything and now a box to sit in? Not sure she will forgive us but I promise you she is a very happy wee one...smile-tastic in fact :-)

However, given her current rate of growth the box won't last long. But for this week at least, being in a box is her favourite thing. It's her i-box....you can judge for yourselves...

 Trying the box out for the first time

 Helping Mummy with the washing up

Up for a grown up dinner

Being transported to bed...Night night all x

The tao of fish...

As a supreme being it is important that you master your own secret path to happiness, in order that others may start to follow you. Emily has been working on her's for the past three and a bit months, and is now ready to publish her own easy 3-step path to baby-enlightenment.

Step 1 - get your own Dad-wallah to set up, stock and maintain a tropical fish tank. One is good but if you can assert your influence to get others, then even better.

Jedi mind-power is useful to influence Dad

Step 2 - get your own Mummy-wallah to hold you in front of the fish tank for hours on end. Don't worry if she develops sore arms and a bad back in the process of holding you in such an uncomfortable position - her unceasing desire to help you achieve enlightenment will outweigh any pain.

Staring out fish aids inner peace

Step 3 - achieve enlightenment. Warning: Watching brightly coloured fish moving in random directions for a lengthy period of time has a mildly soporific effect. Do not operate heavy machinery following a fish-watching session.

Blissed out in fish heaven

Thanks to the fish our supreme being really is the most delightful wee soul. Provided she gets her daily fishy-tation, everywhere we go she manages to recruit disciples to the cause by her winning smile and placid nature. Mummy is pleased as this often means she gets given extra large cake portions in the coffee shops by the baristas coming under Emily's charms. Daddy is just pleased by the fact Mummy is pleased. This is the tao of fish...

Supreme being with disciples 

(Picture courtesy of tripod donated by Grandad after some 'persuasion' from Grandma - thanks Grandad!)

 

1, 10, 100....

1. Today is our 1st wedding anniversary...

And we returned to where we got married. To walk round the grounds of Gargunnock House and where the beautiful adventure all began. It was really amazing reliving all those happy memories - we even saw the gardener again. We told him how the snowdrops he had given us were now distributed from Banchory to Birmingham. He seemed very pleased, but was somehow much more intrigued by the new addition we had with us! The supreme being has that effect...

 

Snowdrops at Gargunnock

 More sensibly dressed than a year ago...and with a wee addition too!

10. We got married on the 10th February...

And so we spent today reliving the tremendous events of a year ago. They really were the happiest few days of my life. From the initmate family wedding ceremony at Gargunnock, to the much more gregarious party in Dunblane. The lovely memories came flooding back... We tried to talk to Emily about it all so she would know for the future. She seemed to be listening in between naps, but it was a big day for her too...Maybe next year she will take more in.

 The happy couple a year ago

 My back's never quite been the same since

 

100. Emily was 100 days old today

It was also a big day for Emily. She was 100 days old today. Our lovely daughter celebrated with us by enduring the constant sleet on our walk round Gargunnock. She didn't seem to mind too much, and plenty of smiles were shared over lunch in Gargunnock Inn. When we got back we both watched the rugby together...quality dad and daughter time, although I think she liked watching all the other men on the pitch more than me...

 100 days old and trying to get answers to the big questions.

NBF (New Best Friends)

Grandma is 80...

And so onto the second part of the adventure.... from the snowy Peak District we were soon speeding down the M1 to an almost equally snowy High Wycombe, to celebrate my Mum's 80th birthday. The journey down got me thinking to how 80 years is a grand old age to be, and that my mother has seen her fair share of events in that time.

Born in 1933, the year saw the start of the Golden Gate Bridge being built, Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany, prohibition ending and bizarrely the first 'modern' sighting of the Loch Ness monster. An average house cost £530 and a loaf of bread about 4 pence...if only prices were the same! My mother's lived through World War II, 18 prime ministers, LPs, cassettes and almost CDs. She's braved the birth of her 3 children and is still grappling with the birth of the internet. 80 years? That's no short stretch and is certainly worth a small celebration...

Preparations began with the all important cake

So a grand old birthday deserves a grand old party, and that's exactly what was arranged. It was an intimate, family affair - with 19 folk attending and a menu fit for the Rooke queen. The chefs were brought in, in the shape of my brother, sister-in-law and myself to prepare a particularly large rib of beef with all the trimmings. The three of us also turned our hands to removals, table design, flower arranging, cake decorating, waiting, sommeliers, photography, and being the quintessential good hosts. By the end, we collapsed exhausted!

T helped clean the dishes

The birthday girl being entertained by her granddaughter and friends

A table fit for the Queen of Rookes (DFM)

Emily also did her bit to help with the proceedings by being her normal, engaging self, and delighting all present with her winning smile. Despite being the first time she had met most folk, she managed to avoid being bashful and win over the family, who welcomed (and carried) her with open arms...thanks all for help and doting on her all day!

My niece Chloe and her new cousin/supreme being

Emily keeing the family entertained...or the other way round...not sure which!

The grand old Rookes enjoying the day

And so the day drew to a close with a final family photo. It was many a year since there had been such a mighty gathering of Rooke's, Parker's, Pestell's, Cutler's and Parson's. I hope a great day was had by all and much laughter, good times and memories shared. Happy Birthday Mum! I hope you enjoyed your day...

Happy Birthday Mum - from all the family!