Della celebrates

Not only did the queen celebrate 60 years on the thrown last week, Della also celebrated 1 year on the earth.

The day started with a little drizzle/ rain and we were all mildly worried that we would have to pop all the food for the BBQ in the oven instead. However, just after lunch time the sunshine came out, the BBQ was lit and friends started arriving. All in all about 40 people passed through the door and it was a lovely day - even if Della did stay in bed for the first hour of the celebrations!

Here are a few highlights:

Veg BBQ - smoke in eyes!

Meat BBQ

I made a cow print cake for Della - she can say Moo.

Della plays with Henry and Isaac

Blowing out the candles

Cutting the cake

Ethan enjoys a beer with granda

Old school wibbly, wobbly jelly

Mmm... Jelly is my favourite

Della got a swing from Gran Anne and Granda

So so close - Della's first steps..?

Della is getting closer to walking every day now. It will be such big news when she is up and off alone as she still doesn't crawl so at last she will be able to get the things she wants, when she wants. I'm guessing this will include all things shiny and dangerous!

Here she is the day before her big birthday party (more on this to follow) showing off her newly acquired skills!

Doing some business

It's non-stop in the world of a baby, always a call to make and business to do...

Buy, buy

Sell, sell

That's another million made, now time for a nap

Jubilee Street party

Nursery are going all out for the Diamond jubilee. There is bunting, flags, corgies and queens everywhere. On Wednesday they had a 'street party' which was actually in the playground, but the children didn't realise. An actual old lady with silver hair and a crown was there and many of the older children actually believed the queen had come to visit.

When I arrived staff were in the throws of 'God Save the Queen' in their union jack's. Della wore the obligatory red, white and blue (her knickers were red!). The cutest thing about it all was her little hat. Apparently she had worn it all day and when we tried to take it off she cried. Cute. She also got a medal - I'm not sure what she achieved but she didn't seem to care!

Here she is with the queen and familiy

All this being royal makes me hungry

She couldn't understand why her medal moved when she tried to get it

While being dressed up Della seemed to learn things more quickly, think she might have to dress up everyday and before we know it she will be writing her first novel...

First shoes

It is tradition in my family that my Aunties buy their great nieces/ nephews their first pair of proper shoes from Clarks for their first birthday. So we went off to get Della's feet measured and to purchase these all important shoes.

Whenever she has them on she can't stop looking at them

Not a baby anymore, a proper little girl

Richmond

While Andrew and Maria were her we went to Richmond in North Yorkshire. It is a pretty little market town about an hour from york. We met my parents there and after a coffee and stroll in the market square went down by the river for a picnic. Not only did we have pie and cake we also sampled some reindeer that Andrew had brought, it is surprisingly tasty and tender!

Everyone enjoys a picnic in the sunshine! 

A little cuddle in the car park

Della is never off her feet now - one day soon she will be walking solo

She also take the opportunity to talk to anyone who is vaguely interested in her 

While walking she caught a daisy in her toes

After food we went down by the river for some plodging. Della seems very resilient as even though the sun was hot the water was very cold and the river bed very painful on the feet. She didn't care though. She was straight in and just wanted to play in the water like she does in her paddling pool!

Here she is plodging around, then trying to sit down in the water to play with it





After all that action it was time for a nappy change in the boot of the car!

It's just not dignified by a baby...

Visitors

Andrew and Maria came to stay this weekend. it was so lovely to see them and Della was in good spirits. We did lots of things and Della enjoyed walking with someone other than us!


Then Della got an early birthday present which she was very excited to get into. She loved her paddling pool and stayed in there for far longer than we thought she would. She is very hot in this sunshine though. in fact she is the only baby stripped down to her nappy at nursery when I pick her up!

Cute gap between your teeth Della 

where to start...

It's been a very long time since Della did any blogging. It's been such a busy time it is difficult to know where to start. I thought best just keep it simple and go chronological! Kicking us off are just some nice pictures of us playing in the last Tuesday after Simon got back from work. It's so nice that the sun is still shining.

Peggy

Look, no hands

Outdoors at last

Until yesterday rain had mainly dampened play. Yesterday the sun came out and we got to play/ work in the garden at last. Gran Anne and Granda came down to play too and Della was in good spirits, she was very excited to see them.

Cost blanket time with granda while watching Daddy

Daddy being manly! 

The apple tree is in lovely bloom

Happy families

'I've escaped onto the main street!'

Peek a boo over the wall is hilarious!

I'm one of the men really 

Mmm... tasty

Fire Fire

While out shopping on Friday Della experienced her first fire alarm. We were in Morrisons getting essential items for the weekend. We we half way through the checkout when an alarm starting ringing. Della didn't much notice it but everyone else did. Everything stopped and we were sent out of the shop.

Annoyingly we were only a few items away from paying and the lady wouldn't put the items through and let us pay. So I picked up some f the snaks I had in the shopping for Della and we stood outside for about 20 minutes. It seemed like a very long 20 minutes but Della sat in the trolly looking at people and eating snacks!

Bonsai

Della has enjoyed nursery more this week. Everyday she cried less and less upon drop off and collection. This can only be a good sign. She often comes home in clothes she did not go there in. I think this is a good thing as it means she is having so much fun she gets mucky and has to be changed.

On Friday after work Simon took Della out into the garden to show her something special. He bought a christmas tree about seven years ago. In this time it has lived in a pot in lots of different flats and houses. Trouble is that it has never actually really grown, it's virtually the same height as it was 7 years ago. He now believes that this tree has become a bonsai and has even downloaded 'how to guides' to keep it stunted and looking pretty. Here Della is daring to touch it..

After all this excitement it was time for the bath - Della had fun...

Della meets football

Della took out a loan against future earnings from her dad today to buy a football he she took a shine to at Tesco.  When they got home, the first thing he she wanted to do was to play with it. This is how Della learned to love, and then hate football in under 3 minutes...

You either love it or hate it

So this week has been one full of snots, coughs, sticky eyes, doctor trips and antibiotics. Both me and Della have been ill which turned our work and nursery routine into a spin. I was sick in a bin - an activity which should solely be reserved for those under the influence of alcohol. We are coming out the other end now and by tomorrow I'm hoping we are all back to fighting fit shape.

We also had Aunty Anna visit this weekend which was lovely, although what with all the germs Della was not at her best. We did make it to town for a stroll and sat in the sunshine looking at the minster.

The most exciting news of the week though is that Della does love it. Marmite that is. She isn't officially meant to have it until 12 months but we are only a couple of weeks off so Della tried some Marmite rice cakes. They were a hit much to Simons delight and my dismay!

Tractor ride

Forgot to add this video to the last post - Della rode a tractor!