Dance to the music

This week we introduced 'special play time'. For a while now Bluet's playmat has been placed in front of my records, and she's become fascinated with their spines, presumably because of all the pretty colours. So this week, after dinner, whilst Emily was in the shower, I decided to demonstrate the magic of the record. First I showed her that there was a black disc inside every sleeve, then, I showed her how music was magically encoded into the grooves by placing the record on the turntable. She went wild. Clearly, this is special playtime for both me and Bluet, as I get to teach her about some classic records, and she gets to dance. Looks like she has a great sense of rhythm to me. Check it out.

Before, with the tiger from Uncle Nick

And now, the all singing, all dancing video:

Let us know in the comments which song you'd like to see her boogie to next.

A family Sunday in the park

We went to the park this afternoon to read our books whilst Bluet slept. Unfortunately she had other ideas, although there was just enough time to catch up on the news (of the world). Still, she did look very sweet.

What Bluet likes to look at. Maybe she'll be a botanist

Temporary thing

Inspired by this,


I just worked out how to create this from all the photos posted on this blog so far



When I have time, I'll do this with all the baby photos. Millions of them. Some never before seen.

Some things

Hello, I hope you are all having a lovely Sunday. We are - Bluet is sleeping, Emily is running and I am writing this. So some updates: Bluet is now able to smile at you in response to your smile (although for some unknown reason, she prefers to smile at Mum rather than Dad - it took ages for me to get my first smile this morning whereas Emily had hers within seconds). She is also rapidly outgrowing her clothes so yesterday (for the first time) we actually went and bought her some; we haven't bought anything up to now not because we don't dress her (although numerous photos here may give the impression she usually wears just nappies)
but because everyone has been very generous in donating small items of clothing.

This video features some of those generously gifted clothes:

She is also almost giggling, almost reading books, and very interested in Zebras. And she does some form of baby pilates every time we lay her on the floor. Videos will hopefully be forthcoming, but she isn't great at performing on cue - the vid below was supposed to be her exercising, but instead turned into a sneeze - never work with kids or animals, eh?

Happy America Day!

Elvis Sneer perfected

What better way to celebrate our 50% American baby's first America day than dressing her in the stars and stripes and heading to the hot dog eating contest on Coney Island?

Instead, we are going to relax and read our books this morning (whilst Bluet is considerately sleeping) then we are going to enjoy this National holiday by going for a picnic in the park this afternoon. Maybe we'll catch some fireworks on the way home?

Here are some of the latest videos and pics of Bluet playing for your delectation. Taken yesterday, so almost hot off the press. I think they include footage of smiling and sneezing.

Bluet is already thinking about reading

How time flies - No Jacket Required

A sign of progress, Bluet needs neither straightjacket nor dummy to sleep any more - looks like she has those hands under control. Actually, they now even seem to comfort her (a bit) whilst she is going to sleep. And just for fun, these are the songs we sing as she goes to sleep: me (because there apparently aren't that many songs where I know all the words) Emily (because, randomly).

Look Mum, no blanket

More Garden Pics; Where Bluet has her first handshake

Soon, I shall crawl

Recommended for use as computer wallpaper

The first of a million handshakes; Caroline is def more into it

All photos are by Steve. These are not low quality iPhone pics