Riding a Bike

As it was such a lovely sunny day on Easter Sunday we decided to let Calleigh play outside. 

We have just finished painting the decking (getting it all ready for summer) so we had to play out on the front. It gave her a lot more space to play and the roads are always quiet, so we decided to let her have a go on her new toddler bike. She has only played with it inside at the moment and hasn't quite got used to pedalling it herself yet so this was the perfect opportunity to try and show her how. 

We had so much fun and she did so well! It wont be long now until she's able to fully ride on her own. 

You can also see on the photo's that she has a band aid on her knee. She feel over the other day outside and got her first little knee graze. So I ran to the store to get her some Dora plasters. 

She loves it! 

Here's a video of her riding her bike :-) 

We Went Trick or Treating!

After a long and incredibly wet and rainy Halloween day we finally managed to take Calleigh out for her first time trick or treating. It was a bit later than we wanted because of the awful weather but when it finally slowed down and we saw other kids walking the street we quickly took our chance to take her out. 

Unfortunately the rain didn't completely stop so we didn't stay out long but I'm happy with the time we did have, Calleigh really enjoyed herself and got into the spirit.

Calleigh's First Pet

I would absolutely love love love to get Calleigh a pet cat. She loves them so much and I would love to let her grow up with a kitty. Unfortunately we are only renting at the moment and part of the agreement states that we are not allowed pets, so she will have to wait until we get our own digs before she can have one. 

Nevertheless we always like to take her to the pet store so she can have a look at the kittens, she loves it. She also spends a lot of time watching the fish and gets quite excited watching them swim around. On this particular trip we took we ended up buying a fish tank. I don't know how it happened really. Calleigh and I were off looking at the kittens and when we got back to Daddy he was busy picking out a tank. 

And so last weekend we brought Calleigh her first pet, or pets to be exact. We only got a few tropical fish as because we are going back to England over Christmas we are not sure how they will get on and it would be cruel to have a tank full. We are hoping because there is only a few the vacation feeder we buy will last them for the whole time. 

Peek a Boo

Calleigh looks at them every now and again but doesn't seem too interested now they are in our home. Although she did say goodnight to them last night. I on the other hand love them, I watch them all the time, it's so peaceful. 

We will get you your kitty one day Calleigh, I promise, but lets start off small.

*sorry about some of the photo's being blurry Miss Calleigh got hold of my camera and mucked up the lens and also how hard is it to take photos of fish?*

Our 4th of July

How we spent the 4th of July in photo's. 

This is possibly the best cookie I have ever had!

Air Show at the Gateway Arch in St Louis

Flags in St Louis

Amazing Air Show

Having fun at the Park with Daddy

"Don't let go Daddy"

All happy before the fireworks started

Paul not happy that I am near him (I had tonsillitis) 

A bit of evening reading before the fireworks

Snuggled up to Daddy under the blanket

Fireworks!!

We only got to see a few fireworks, Calleigh was terrified of the loud bangs they made although really enjoyed watching them when we got back to the car. Maybe next year she might enjoy them a bit more. 

First Haircut

Today, Calleigh has been for her first haircut. No more hair in the eyes for this one. 

We went to a place called Sweet and Sassy as they do a special Baby's First Haircut package. 

She sat in the chair and didn't move the whole time! Even when she got the blow dryer out it didn't phase her. At home, I'm lucky if I can get her to sit still just brushing her hair and the blow dryer has always been a no no with Calleigh. 

After the cut was finished she was sprayed with glitter and got a little flower put in her hair, awh! 

And we got a little certificate with a photo and a lock of Calleigh's hair. 

She obviously didn't want to smile on the photo :-) 

Breaking News!

Finally, finally, finally!

I am no longer Daddy anymore.

Calleigh has finally started calling me Mummy.

It's a breakthrough at the very least.

Here is a little picture I drew for her which she loves (I admit I would never have made it as an artist).
Somehow she knows that it is Mummy and Daddy.
Although she did point to the one with the bow and say Daddy.
I can assure you, Daddy does not wear bows in his hair. 

Introducing the Potty

Calleigh is 18 months old today so Daddy and I have decided it's time to introduce the first step of potty training. 

Our first step is introducing the potty to Calleigh and having it in the bathroom next to our toilet. This way she can become accustomed to it and it won't be something new and exciting she wants to play with when the time comes to start step 2. 

She has also been coming to the toilet with me when I need to go and I tell her what I am doing (no more detail needs to go here as I am sure everyone who reads this will be fully aware what goes down in the bathroom). And when I am changing her nappy I use the same words to create the connection between diaper changes and the potty. 

The potty we chose was a Disney Princess Magical Sounds Potty System by Tomy. It's a 3 in 1 system which means it can be used as a potty, a trainer seat for an adult toilet and a step stool. It also has a handle which plays fun sounds when pushed. 

It's a slow process, last week whilst accompanying me to the bathroom she just ran off with the toilet roll and she still likes to use the rubber seat as a Frisbee at the moment but I'm sure with a bit of perseverance we will be moving on to step 2 shortly (the step I am most definitely not looking forward to).

Calleigh's First Happy Meal

After a hard day emptying our house and trips to the tip we decided to grab something to eat. 

As McDonalds are doing the Monopoly Fortunes again and I love collecting the little stickers you get and the instant win freebies are great, I decided we should go there and get Calleigh her first Happy Meal. 

She had fish fingers and chips (a favourite of hers). 

She knocked back her chips but barely touched her fish fingers, probably too full from all the chips, the little fatty. 

Wanting what Mummy was eating

Learning to Speak

Calleigh's first word was "meow". Now this may not technically be a word, probably more of a sound, but she meows when she sees cat's and that to me makes it her first word. 

Calleigh can now say a few more things, again some of them are not actual words but we somehow understand them and what they mean. She's getting there bless her. 

Here is a dictionary according to Calleigh: 

Wa Daaat- What's that? 

Hu Derrr: Who's that? 

Arr Ditty: Aww Kitty 

Daddy- Daddy 

Dada- Mummy

Muu- Milk or drink

That is the extent of Calleigh's vocabulary at 13 months old.
She does understand a lot more though when we ask her things, she just prefers shaking or nodding her head.
Hopefully she will soon warm my heart by calling me mummy instead of dada all the time.
One can only hope...

Snow!!

The snow fell thick and fast today so I took my chance to let Calleigh have a good look at it. 

We went out for a play in Mee-Maws garden. Calleigh definitely found it interesting. She has been "ooooh"ing at it since it started to fall last night. 

We decided it was time to go in when one of her wellies came off and she had a snow covered sock.

Look how much she had changed since her first time in the snow last year!

Time for some Art

We noticed that Calleigh likes picking up pens and scribbling on bits of paper (or anything and everything for that matter) so for Christmas we brought Calleigh some (age appropriate) felt tip pens and a big A2 sketching pad. 

The other day I plonked her down in front of the pad. She reached for the pens straight away and began scribbling.

Pens blurry because she was dotting like a mad woman

Her first work of art

Unfortunately it wasn't long until one of the pens made it's way into her mouth. It also happened to be when I had turned my back for a few seconds and didn't realise.