Favourite quote thus far...........

And the winner goes to...

"Quick, she's peeing on her face!"

The things that happen when you are trying to stop a baby from being covered in her own poo, eh?

Three continents in under 6 months!

Despite the dire weather warnings blanketing the news we found that there really wasn't any snow blanketing the roads and our drive down to Walton was easy going.  Driving through the frosted Scottish countryside was gorgeous and we were almost sad to leave what we knew would be a guaranteed "White Christmas".

View from the car window

We had a wonderful Christmas, Chloe was the star of the show.  I think, like all young kids, she had more fun playing with the wrapping than anything else!  For that matter, I think her Auntie Kate had more fun wrapping her up than anything else.

Chloe's Greige-y Stash

Wrapped Baby!

We pulled ourselves out of our post-Christmas langour and packed our bags for Marrakech.  Dad had sown some serious seeds of doubt as to whether we'd ever make it to our chosen destination on our second- (or possibly third-) rate airline but luckily Royal Air Maroc pulled through for us.  Flying with a 5 month old was definitely not as breezy as flying with a 10week old and once again I was SO thankful to have found the world of wraps when she was screaming her lungs out on the plane.  Alex and I both agree that we don't think we'll be flying with her again any time soon if it is at all avoidable. 

Marrakech was really interesting.  It was the first time either of us had been to a predominantly Muslim country and the atmosphere was decidedly distinct from our travels around Asia.  As a woman I didn't feel as comfortable, though with a baby strapped to my front and a husband by my side I certainly didn't get hassled at all, nor were there any attempts to swap livestock for me.  I'm slightly disappointed by that to be honest, Kate's worth totalled 5 chickens and 50,000 camels!  

Taking mint tea at Riad Kitula, our home for 4 days.

Demonstrating her readiness to move on to a glass of milk.

Marrakech is known for the shopping in it's Souk and the ubiquitous haggling that goes with it.  It's not really my preferred style but if you don't haggle, you'll get completely ripped off.  In fact, as Kate and Mom found out on the first day, even if you DO haggle you can get completely ripped off.  Basically if they aren't prostrating themselves on the floor swearing you are taking food out of their children's mouth you are probably paying too much.  When you've concluded a deal and the guy is giving you some extra stuff for free you know you've been ripped off!

Gimme that camera, damn paparazzi!

It was quite a laid back city, there was some hustle and some bustle in the Souk but it was very different from the hectic all-hours scrum we've experienced in cities like Bangkok.  Strolling through the shafts of sunlight seeping into the alleys as we walked past trinkets, ancient Berber "antiques", rugs, cardboard Fezes and vats of snails awaiting the pot was really quite pleasant.  As with most places visited for short jaunts, we really felt we were only just starting to find the nice places to hang out when it was time to leave, but such is the nature of travelling.  

Just chillin' while mom has another tagine. 

Snow Joke

Best quote ever from dear sis: "oh really? a few inches of snow and you ruin everyone's christmas? Thanks Britain, its shocking you ever ruled an Empire..."

So Kate's flight is cancelled, our flight is cancelled.  Fun fun fun in "Frozen Britain" - I am sure they overused that headline last year as well.  Guess what? It's winter, snow falls, learn to deal with it, not SHUT THE BLOODY COUNTRY DOWN!

So Alex and Chloe and I will be setting off on a festive road trip through the snow-blasted wilderness of the M1 or M6 corridor (we can't decide yet).  Wish us much luck on our impending journey.

Rockin' and a Rollin'

Chloe has been rocking back and forth a bit recently while on her back but today she made it all that way!  First she rolled from her front onto her back which apparently is what she should be able to do at this age but then after a good feed, and a poo I put her down on her back for a bit of a rest and she decided it was time to figure out how to roll onto her front and away she went!  In fact, I've just noticed she's done it again while I've been typing away so it definitely wasn't a fluke.  In fact, now every time I put her on her back she is over on her front a minute or two later - then grunting frustratedly cause she is tired of holding her head up, silly baby!  It'll be crawling next.

 Right after her turn.

Sleigh-bells ring, are you listening?

If there really isn't anywhere you have to be at any particular time, this winter is shaping up gorgeously!  Chloe and I went and met Alex on his way home from Uni yesterday and it reminded me that I do actually like snow.  I may not like freezing winds and rain, but if the sun is out, the snow is crunching underfoot and there is a baby keeping me toasty warm then it is all good!

A few of her favourite things

Not quite raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens but here are a few of her favourite things:

Singing with Mommy, ideally with actions, brings big smiles and often laughter (yes, that's right, the little pirate can laugh now and it is the cutest thing!) - The Incy Wincy Spider, If you're Happy and You Know It..., The Wheels on the Bus... are the best ones so far.

The airplane game.  Flying backwards and forwards, preferably towards a mirror is much fun.

Peek-a-Boo!

Blowing raspberries, planting kisses on her neck.

Chewing on everything.

"Swimming" in an attempt to learn how to crawl, very funny for everyone else to watch!

Ok, I suck, it's been over a month......

19 weeks old already!  It's well and truly winter up in Edinburgh with snow all around, Arthur's seat looking like a (mini) Himalayan mountaintop, airports closed, roads impassable, cars turned into igloos.  Actually, it's what I would call Winter but the British always seem so surprised and totally unprepared when it happens every. single. year.

I have been foregoing wrapping recently in favour of my new Manduca, more practical in this weather and Chloe seems pretty happy in it too. 

Chloe has been practising her back-arching skills and can almost turn from her back onto her front.  This is about as far as she can get at the moment:

She has also been sporting her Autum/Winter 2010 collection and looking très chic.

Ok, maybe not quite so chic in that last one, but you have to admit, it is a look.

Mom was up visiting for a few days, unfortunately the little chicken was full of snot and poorly but that didn't stop her from oozing cuteness and indulging in a little TLC in the form of a massage from mummy. 

And last but not least, a comparison shot, we call it "Baby in a Bag". 

Just under 3 weeks old

Just under 19 weeks old.