Happy First Birthday!

It was Calleigh's first birthday yesterday and boy was she a spoilt little girl.

She woke up around 7:30 and joined us in our bedroom to play with some brightly coloured stacked boxes. She ripped one of them and looked at us as if she had done something naughty bless her. Daddy had to show her how it was done.

 

 

After a good breakfast, a little nap and a bath we got Calleigh dressed in her birthday outfit and headed off to see Nanna and Grandad.

 

 

Nanna and Grandad had lots more presents for her to unwrap. Her favourite was the Disney Princess Ride Along, especially when Grandad pushed her really fast.

 

 

We then did a bit of Christmas shopping while Calleigh had a nap and went to visit Great Nanna (who always spoils Calleigh's tea with lots of biscuits!).

 

Mee-Maw and Auntie Lana came round later on and brought even more presents. We then all went down to our local for a few celebratory drinks. Some of our friends even brought down some presents and cards for Calleigh, it was very unexpected and very very nice of them.

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes. Calleigh had a great day and has lots of new goodies to keep her entertained for, well, about 10 minutes. Now we are looking forward to her party on Saturday!

 

 

 



All Ready For The Birthday Girl

The house is all set for tomorrow morning.

 

My little princess is turning one tomorrow!!

 

I hope you will all join me in saying a big BIG happy birthday to Calleigh!

 

Birthday Presents for my Baby

 

 



Our Trip To Ipswich

Last weekend we went down to Ipswich to visit Grandad. This had been booked for quite a while and I was really looking forward to it.
We arrived at our hotel, The Novotel, around one and got checked in. We fed Calleigh on our make-shift high chair before heading out into Ipswich for a walk around before it got dark.

 

 

 After a walk around the shops we went back to the hotel for a drink in the hotel bar. Calleigh loved the low leather sofas. She was sliding about all over the place and learned very quickly how to slide off them and scurry off across the room. As always she drew a lot of attention to herself.

We went to bed early that night after a long and tiring drive down. However Calleigh had to make a few phone calls before bedtime (we did have to unplug the phone though as the number she liked pressing the most was the number 9).

On Saturday we met up with Grandad and Tess and headed off to Bury St Edmunds for the Christmas Fayre. It was very crowded but we still enjoyed walking around. It was set in the beautiful Abbey Gardens and we saw some Reindeer, Donkeys, Ducks and Squirrels. Paul enjoyed a Pork and Stuffing cob whilst I enjoyed a yummy hot chocolate and Danish Pastry.

 

We had a really good day, even though it was raining most of the afternoon.

Later that evening we went out to Frankie and Benny's for dinner with Grandad and Tess. Calleigh slept through the meal which was good as it was really busy in there. She woke up back at the hotel to have a play with Grandad before bedtime.

 

 

I also managed to catch Calleigh and Daddy red handed sneaking things out of my bag.
Calleigh blamed it all on Daddy of course.
 

 

We all had a really good weekend and we hope Grandad enjoyed seeing us too. We must do it again soon.

 

 

A Day At The Fair

At the weekend Chestnut Fair was in town so we took Calleigh down for a little look. Auntie Lana was also going to be there raising money for Children In Need by sitting locked in a cage all day. She did look cold bless her but Calleigh had a good laugh nevertheless.

 

 

We walked around the fair which took us down the highstreet and eventually found something I was happy with to go on with Calleigh. After afew minor bumps of my head, we got in.

 

 

At first it was a bit too loud for Calleigh with all the other kids ringing the bells, but once they stopped she started enjoying it a bit more.  Daddy and Mee-Maw got a big thumbs up when we past them.

 

 

I banged my head once more on the way out, much to the amusement of the lady who was helping me out of the train. Luckily Paul didn't see that one, neither did he see me walk into the post shortly after. Some days I feel I shouldn't be allowed out of the house, just for my own safety.
 

The walk around the fair really tired her out, when we got back to the car she was fast off and didn't even wake up when we put her in her car seat.

 



First Walkers

Since Calleigh's birthday is coming up and she is inches away from taking her first steps on her own I have been in the market for some new shoes, her first pair of grown up first walkers.
First walkers are important to provide comfort and support for your baby when they are new to walking. A good fit is also important so I used the printable size guide on the Tiny Toes Baby Shoes website to find out Calleigh's shoe size.
It's nice that she now has a shoe size instead of just having to judge it on how many months she is. I always found that they were either too big or too small.

 

The key things I have been looking for are: Comfort, Style and Durability.

 

I have managed to narrow down my choice to 2 pairs of shoes.

 

Option 1

 

Clarks Ida Chic G Slip-on Shoe from Brantano

 

Image Source

This shoe is made from leather with a rubber sole, ideal and robust enough for first walkers. The Velcro fastening makes them easy to get on and off which is a definite plus when you've got a wiggler like Calleigh is.

It retails on the Brantano website for £24.00 which I think is a very reasonable price for the quality of the shoe.

 

Option 2

 

Girls White Flower Mary Jane from Tiny Toes Baby Shoes

Image Source

These shoes are made with the finest Italian leather and a fine soft leather interior for maximum comfort. Each shoe is handmade down to the smallest detail. They are developed specifically to provide support over that transition period from crawling to walking.
These retail on the Tiny Toes Baby Shoes website for £39.99. A little more expensive but they do sound much higher quality. Every inch of this shoe is designed with baby in mind.

 

Both shoes are very good and I may find myself buying both. Even as young as Calleigh, a girl can never have enough shoes!

Birthday Countdown

The countdown to Calleigh's birthday has begun with only two weeks left until the big day.



5 days old

 

I have been very busy shopping for presents and think I am just about done, although I must admit my purse is definitely feeling lighter now.

 

We have planned a little party for her the following Saturday which I am looking forward to. Not only because of the gorgeous cake I have ordered but to get together with family and friends again.

 

It's hard to believe that my tiny little princess is soon to be a big 1 year old. Where does the time go!

 

It seems like it was only yesterday when Paul picked us both up and brought us home.



I remember how she looked like a little frog because her feet were always in the air (she was breech). Now she likes her legs as straight as possible, annoying when your changing her nappy!

 

Tiny little toes

 

At least we have some things to look forward to before then.

This weekend the fair is on and Auntie Lana will be sitting in a cage to raise money for Children In Need.

Next weekend we are heading down to Ipswich to visit my Dad and take a gander at the Christmas Market at Bury St Edmund's.

 

Outfit of the Month: November

Outfit of the Month Is...
 

Mothercare Oatmeal Knitted Dress with Crochet Detail

Tights from Baker Baby at Debenhams




Cheese, Leek and Walnut Tarts

Here's a nice winter warmer recipe for you. It can be cooked as a starter or as part of a main meal.

I got this recipe from the Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook 2012. It actually calls for Roquefort cheese but I am not a lover of blue cheese so I substituted it for Mature Cheddar.

 

What you will need:

• 375g ready-rolled puff pastry
• 40g butter, plus extra for greasing
• 2 medium eggs
• 400g trimmed leeks, thinly sliced
• 2tbsp chopped fresh chives
• 100g extra mature cheese, sliced into six triangles
• 75g chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (gas mark 6). Unroll the pastry and cut in half length ways, then cut each half into 3 equal squares. Using the tip score a smaller square into each to make a frame.
2. Place the squares on a greased baking tray and brush over with one lightly beaten egg, then chill for 10 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes until well risen and golden.
3. Carefully lift the top layers of the inner squares with a fork.
4. Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the leeks. Cook for about 10 minutes or until soft. Beat the remaining egg and add to the leeks with the chives. Season to taste.
5. Put a slice of cheese on each tart (you can use whatever cheese you like) and top with walnuts.
6. Return to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden and heated through.

Perfect served with mini jackets.

 



Our Trip to Copenhagen: Day 3

On our third and final day in Copenhagen we had another early start as we had to leave for the airport at 3 and we still had a lot to fit in before then.

 

This time we headed straight for Amalienborg Palace. We arrived there just before 10 and just in time to see the changing of the guards. It was actually really good to watch, Calleigh woke up during and just had a look on her face that said "Why are these men wearing silly hats?"

 

Frederik VIII's Palace

Equestrian Statue of Frederik V



Marmorkirken



Palace Guards

 Afterwards we took a short walk to Rosenbourg Slot and the surrounding gardens at Kongens Have. It was beautiful, there was even a little  kids park and a duck pond. Unfortunately we didn't have time to wait until the Castle opened to walk round as there was still much to do before check out.

 

 

 

 

We then headed back to the harbour for a hot drink and some Danish Pastries I picked up from breakfast.

 

 

 

Our last stop before the airport was Ripley's Believe it or Not! and the Wonderful World of HC Andersen Museum.

Calleigh was happy looking at all the strange freakish things on display like a two headed cow and shrunken heads. And I enjoyed reading about the life of Hans Christian Andersen.

 







We went for lunch in Hard Rock Cafe and arrived at the airport with plenty of time to do some last minute gift shopping.

 

Huge Chicken Club Sandwich

 

When it came to boarding time we did notice that the plane was tiny and wondered briefly if it was even capable of getting us back home. Thankfully it did and after a very wiggly Calleigh on the flight home it was nice to touchdown back in England.

Home Sweet Home.