Sprock has a little rest

It is lovely when Lucy falls asleep in Daddy's arms. But it doesn't half start to ache after a while! The sacrifices we make for our kids :-)

Getting Mobile

Lucy is starting to get more interested in her environment so Mummy bought her this cute mobile. Hopefully she won't be too bitterly disappointed when we take her to Africa and she discovers that elephants don't have green ears and red and green legs.

Uncle David's 60th

Uncle David was over from Australia on a business trip but he had shrewdly set aside some extra time to travel around visiting various folks up and down the homeland. It also coincided with his birthday so a secret party/bbq was organised in his honour in sunny Dorking. It was the first chance that Lucy had to meet her Great Grandad, Don.

Even after all these years you don't forget how to look after a baby and she was soon lying contentedly in his arms.

As evening slipped into night the temperature started to drop - always a great excuse to get the bear suit out. Nana likes the bear suit.

Uncle David was also partial to a bit of bear suit action

Ali chats to Uncle David as the rather fearsome patio heater takes the edge off the nighttime chill.

Lucy's Big Flippers

Yeah! Mummy has got Lucy some new socks. She decided to get socks for 6 to 12 month olds because Lucy has quite big feet.

But not that big! I think she will have to grow into these fellas!

New to Kew

Gah! It had to finish. Paternity leave has now ended. So Daddy has had to go back to work to pay for nappies and cotton wool. Luckily Nana was on hand to help Ali get used to spending days on her own with the Sprock.

After much training from Mr Ports, Ali shows that she is now an expert at collapsing the pram and putting it into and getting it out of her funny little red car.

Lucy makes the first of what will probably be many trips to Kew Gardens.

I'm not sure that Lucy will remember her first trip to the Gardens - but we certainly have proof that she was there before she was a month old.

Burp!

After every good feed - Lucy needs to be winded. Not very elegant for a young lady but very necessary. It is always pretty obvious when she has finished burping - because she starts looking blissfully contented.

Lucy Loves Mummy

Lazy Sunday

Mellon and Holly were over again this Sunday for a smashing lazy day. Nice Roast and a few beers (for me and Marcus) and glasses of water for Ellen and Ali :-(. Notice that the Table Tennis table is up for the first time this year. Marcus and I had a match. He won 2-0 2-0 2-1. He cheats by using skill and technique. The cheek! Perhaps he is peeking too early for the 2nd Barnes International Ping Pong Tournoment later this summer?

Despite how this looks - Marcus hadn't had two dinners.

Lucy and Muji needed a good sleep. Lucy decided not to bother with the Roast and opted for the more milk based option.

Holly ain't no dummy!

We figured out that Holly is exactly 7 months older than Lucy. It is a bit like having a time machine realizing what size Sprock will be in half a year or so.

Lucy and Muji

Life isn't so hard. Lucy and Muji Rabbit hit the zeds.

Lucy and Muji watching a bit of TV

Hello!

Lucy meets rock legends "Sideburner"

I play guitar and sing a bit in an awesome but rarely seen rock band called Sideburner. We mainly play in South West London, specifically the Halfmoon in Putney, and have been described as possessing "Ragged Magnificence". It was obviously about time that Lucy met the band. First up is lead singer and guitarist Al.

Next is our mercurial lead guitarist Lightning Tom

The latest member to join the band is our bass player Lynne

Neil takes care of all the tub thumping duties as our animal like drummer

And of course covering off those all important rhythm guitar duties, Daddy.

Art

For some reason black and white pictures can sometimes appear a bit more classy and arty than the garish colour equivalents. So I was grateful last night when Uncle Lightning Tom fished out his Canon Eos and shot of almost a full film (yes really - some folks still use real film. He's got a record player as well). Little Lucy looking coy.

Here is the Sprock gazing in awe at her fantastic father.

And here is Aunty Lynne looking lovely.

Garish colour photo's will resume in the next entry :-)

Lucy's favorite friend - Muji Rabbit

Despite all the generous animal gifts that lucky Lucy has received so far (Humphrey Bear, Knitted Dog, Plop Bear, Herbert's Bear, Little Cow etc.) there is only space for one in Lucy's little heart. Muji Rabbit.

Aunty Tissy's gift is the only rabbit for her. Perhaps because she has almost as many stripes as Lucy's romper suit.

I think it is beyond doubt that Lucy and Muji are going to be firm friends.

Paul and Lisa pop by

Paul is our mate from the local pub quiz. Sadly I don't think I will be able to attend as much as I used to now the little Sprocket is here so it is nice of him to pop round and introduce himself.

In a similar vein, Lisa is Ali's running mate. They have been running half marathons and such together. It goes without saying that during Ali's pregnancy she had to stop all of that running nonsense but I bet it won't be long before they are running together again. Although now Ali will probably have a pram in front of her (and I'm not joking - just wander around Richmond Park on a nice day and you will see Mums with prams running round. I haven't seen a Dad do it yet though!).

Just some cute pictures

It appears that those Tommy Cooper impressions aren't as easy as they look. "Just like that" indeed.

Dad - there's someone sneaking up behind you!

It's OK, only Mum with the camera. I'll flash my big blue eyes.

Dad's thumb appears to be nearly as big as Lucy's body!

Mellon and Holly stop by

Our mates Mellon (Marcus and Ellen) have been incredibly helpful to us as we prepared for Lucy because they had their own little sprout, Holly, just 7 months ago. They have been trail blazers finding out what are the best prams and car seats and all that sort of stuff saving us massive amounts of time. So it was brilliant for them to meet Lucy for the first time. Here is Ellen having her first cuddle while Herbert's bear looks on.

Lucy doesn't have exclusive rights on being a cute baby. Holly is very cute as well.

Marcus has a go with Lucy.

Ever wondered how much a baby grows in six months? Lucy and Holly were almost identical weight at birth - but Hols looks enormous compared to Lucy. Apparently it is mainly down to Weetabix.

We all know what small hands mean? Small gloves. Lucy compares the size of her hands to Mummy's great big hooves.

Matt rocks up

Ali just can't get bored of looking at the little Sprocket.

Lucy meets her Uncle Matt for the first time. Ali supervises because Matt is so clumsey.

Since Matt didn't drop her we give him a chance to hold Lucy on his own.

Aunty Pink cannot bear to be away from Lucy.

She poaches her from Matt.

Lucy is getting a bit tired

So into the Sprock Rocker she goes.