First Christmas Moment

Cara's First Christmas Moment, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

What a great expression for her first Christmas moment. What a cutie! We all enjoyed a lovely Christmas at Nan and Grampi's house. Lots of presents, food and fun.

10 months old today!

Cara had her check-up with the Health Visitor today. The '8' month check. The Health Visitor commented on how good she was, that she has a good attention span, is sociable and happy. We just chatted to make sure everything is OK, and collected our BookStart books.

Measurements were also taken:

Weight: 8.68kg or 19lb 2oz (little below average)
Length: 72cm (little taller than average)
Head Circumference: 46cm (little larger than average)

Cara is perfect!

Cara's first drawing

Cara's first drawing, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

We thought we'd see what happened when we gave Cara a crayon. This is it. She wanted to put it in her mouth more than scribble on the paper. When she did make a mark, it was from banging the crayon on the paper. I'm sure, given time she'll improve. We just thought that we would commemorate this special occasion - Cara's first drawing!

And she's up!

Nine Months Old, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Cara is not only crawling, but able to pull herself up to kneeling as in this photo, or indeed standing. She's still not too steady when she gets there, so Mummy and Daddy have to be more watchful, as there are a lot of things she could bang her head on. She is so adorable!

Eating

Bday-8, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

As you can see Cara is liking eating, and especially likes the food that Mummy and Daddy are eating.

She still prefers fruit, yogurt and rice cakes to anything meaty - but at least she eats some savory things.

Cara almost crawling

Cara almost crawling, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Well.. she has the crawling stance..

I think she secretly can crawl though. Whenever I re-enter the room, I see her move from the crawling position to laying out flat. She moves all over the place in her cot, when I'm not watching, but when I'm around all she does is stretch to get to things.

Poking out her tongue

Poking out her tongue, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Tried to snap a photo of Cara's newest talent - poking out her tongue. She also has one bottom tooth poking through her bottom gum - and the top two, and other one at the bottom are definitely close.

Flexible Cara

Flexible Cara, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

The baby yoga must be paying off.

Happy First Father's Day

Happy First Father's Day, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

It was Daddy's first Father's Day this year. Cara got to be there for it, any brothers and sisters don't get to be there for the first - so it was very special.

Mummy helped Cara to make Daddy breakfast in bed, to get a present - a Wii stering wheel and to make a card. This is the poem on the card:

I'm your little baby girl,
Your little schnuckems pie.

I wanna say 'I love you!'
I really, try and try.

Hmm! I'm just too little,
But one day I wont be!

Then I'll say I love you,
and you'll say you love ME!

Cara the Ballerina

Cara did some dancing today. Helen ordered one of those great doorway bouncers for her, and she's really been loving it. As you can see. She bounces back and forth, and smiles and smiles. Just one of her latest tricks!

First Trip to London Temple

A Shady Baby, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

It was Cara's first trip to London Temple, and it was sunny. It was Bristol Stake RS Temple Day, so Cara stayed with Daddy while Mummy went in the Temple.

Daddy let Cara play with other children in Visitors Centre - that was fun, and then when Mummy and Nancy came out we all had a picnic lunch together before the journey home.

Cara, the Spectator

Cara, the Spectator, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

It was Alex Tovey's birthday, and so we all went to celebrate with him. It was Cara's first trip to the bowling alley. It's quite noisy in the bowling alley - but it was fun. Daddy won! Well done Daddy!

Pram ride

It's been a while, but this was taken when Cara had her first ride in a pram. (Possibly 19th May).

3rd set of injections..

Yes! Today Cara had her 3rd set of injections, and there were three of them!

She did very well, only a few tears. A hug from Mummy was all she needed, now she's sleeping, and hopefully all will be well when she awakes. We have a visit to the Health Visitor later this afternoon, so we'll see how big Cara is getting.

Well done Cara!

Rolling Over

Cara 17.JPG
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Cara managed to roll herself from her back to her front. She doesn't seem too happy when she gets there.. we think she's trying to crawl, but can't quite manage that yet. However, she just keeps rolling over.

I almost missed her first proper roll while I was out 'Running with Angels' lucky for me she didn't quite make it then.

Cara's Baby Blessing

Cute in her bonnet
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints babys are given a name and a blessing. Sunday 8th April 2007 Cara was given special blessings. Daddy spoke the words, but Grandfathers and Uncles assisted. Cara was blessed for all things she needs for a happy and healthy life. She was blessed with a life of service, to find joy in helping others and as well as many other things to be grateful for this wonderful world, and know that Christ is real.

It was a wonderful day, and to have all our families there with us was fantastic. See photos.

Something Funny?

Something Funny?
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Cara wasn't laughing so much today. It was her first set of immunisations today. She did really well, not too much crying at the doctors - less than the doctor expected I think. About 4 hours later is when the crying started.. we had never heard her cry so loud before, I could tell this was not the normal Cara. She had lots of hugs and kisses, walked around a lot with Mummy and then slept for quite a while. The are of skin around the injection in her thigh looked a little red and raised. My poor baby girl. After a few naps she seemed a lot better, and the redness had gone, so hopefully she is all better now. Only 4 weeks until the next set though...

Quiet Alert Time

Cara was being especially cute today. We could really see her responding to us, and smiling a lot. we didn't get the camera out straight away, but we did still manage to catch alittle one, and some cute sneezes.

Baby Yoga

The other day, Cara and I found some time to try out a present from Grandma Munzer, a Baby Yoga DVD. It was really fun, and Cara seemed to really enjoy it - we'll have to try and do it more often. Maybe we could even video us, and add a video clip to the blog. The plan is to add video, it's just finding the time.

Little Shunckums

Little Shunckums, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

What a great photo! Our little girl with her Daddy, Grampi and Bampa.

A Couple of Firsts

Today was Cara's first walk in the rain. It wasn't too wet, but it definately was raining. Luckily, Mummy and Daddy decided to go back home in time that we didn't get soaked. This evening was also Cara's first night out. We all went over to Ceris and Sam's house, with others and played a couple of really fun Playstation 2 games. One was party edition Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and the other was a singing game - you got marked on how well you sang it. Lots of fun!

Baby Shower

Showertime
Originally uploaded by GeoWombats.

OK.. so this isn't our baby - but it was the best photo I could find for the topic.

Southmead RS held a Baby Shower this evening. Everyone was so generous. Cara was asleep for the whole evening.

Gifts from the Baby Shower:

Little Me Toiletries - Deanna Hole
Bear Photo Frame, White Blanket, Baby Album - Mary Savikas
Lilac & White trousers and top - Helen Palmer
Baby Feeding Things - Rebecca Amery
Baby Lotion - Jackie Nash
Wipes, Pink Dress and Tights, Sudocream, Nappies - Tamara Tovey
Wipes, Talcum Powder, Lotion - Louise Camacho
White Dress - Merle Bathe-Taylor
Musical Baby - Viv Hurley
Fabric Bib, Muslin Cloths - Elizabeth Hurdon
Wipes, Lotion, Toiletries - Rebecca Ribbon-Barrett
Babygrows and Dresses - Angela Ribbon-Miles
Baby Book - Jackie Ryan

Thanks Everyone!

(PS more people gave presents at other times.. I'll have to list them sometime too)

The Munzer Families

The Munzer Families
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

More visitors today, and more presents. Cara you are a lucky girl! Today you got to meet Grandad, Uncle Joe, Auntie Hannah and Uncle Ben. We all had fun watching you. You slept a lot as usual, but you are still the focus of attention even then. We love you Cara!

Four Generations

Four Generations
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

You had some visitors today Cara. Your Grandma and Great Grandma came to stay for a couple of days. They were so excited to see you. You had lots of kisses and cuddles. This is you with Daddy, Grandma and Great Grandma Widdowson.

Us, Happy at Home

Us, Happy at Home
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Mummy thought that we'd both be staying in hospital a little longer because of the operation - but we got to come home after just two nights. Mummy was very pleased to get to be home with Daddy.

Your car seat will only fit in the front of the car, and the car is only 3-door. Mummy wasn't too keen on getting into the back of the car, so first of all Daddy took you home. You got to have you first Daddy-Daughter outing, and we had some friends, Alex and Tamara Tovey come and sit with you in our flat while Daddy came back to get me. The hospital is just round the corner, so we didn't leave you long.. but you did have your first time without Mummy or Daddy - You were a good girl, as usual.

Happy Birthday, Cara!

Dear Cara,

Yesterday, you were born. It was an amazing experience for your mother and I, and it took quite a while to finally get you there with us. We were awake all Saturday night with you, the contractions getting more and more regular and powerful, until we called the midwife, and arranged to drive to the hospital at around 6am. When the midwife checked up on you, it seemed like you were nearly with us, and we expected to see you in only a matter of an hour or so. At 9am it appeared that things weren't going to be quite so simple, and your Mummy was moved into a different room, and we started listening to your little heart beat through a monitor, and your mother was given some pain relief, so she could rest while you turned yourself round to be in the right position for birth. I snoozed in a chair by the bed, until it was time to get things moving again.

At 2.30pm, Mummy started pushing again, and you quickly moved down the birth canal, to about an inch from daylight. It seemed like you were going to arrive any second, and Mummy was making a huge effort to help you come into the world, but nothing was happening. You'd stopped, right near the end of the journey! Meanwhile, the little monitors showed that after every contraction, your heartbeat would slow down, and a few doctors started coming in, and checking on you. We seemed to be meeting more and more medical people over the next few minutes, as various doctors tried pulling you out with two different venteuse devices. They really leaned back on those things - but still, you wouldn't budge.

Later, we found out that you were facing the wrong way up, coming down the birth canal, and you'd also put your chin back, so the harder Mummy pushed, and the harder the doctors pulled, the more you got stuck right where you were. They whisked us into the operating theatre, asked us to pick our favourite CD to put on, and with me and Mummy behind a green sheet, a team of wonderful doctors grabbed you feet first, and pulled you back out, into this world. You needed a little help to get going, and the doctors gave you a little oxygen, but in a few moments, we heard your first proper cry, and were told that you were our beautiful little girl - Cara Louise. You were born at 4.31pm, and weighed 7lb, 10 1/2 oz.

After they did a few measurements, you were handed to me, and I got to hold you and talk to you in another room, while they finished off stitching your Mummy's tummy up. I was amazed at how attentive you were, moving your little eyes around, and not crying at all - just stretching your fingers, exploring the world.

We feel so lucky to have you, and today we got to know you a little better. We love you, and will do all we can to help you as you start this exciting journey on this earth. Happy Birthday, for yesterday - and well done for getting here as you are - perfect, healthy and happy! love,

Daddy. xx

Southmead Hospital, Again

Southmead Hospital, Again
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Nan and Grandpi came to visit you today! You were born in the same hospital as mummy. You are so beautiful! Nan and Grandpi bought you a beautiful outfit.. Rowan Reynolds and Rebecca Amery also came and visited for a bit today - they bought you pretty clothes too. Everyone is excited that you are a girl. We all love you very much.

One day old

One day old and I already knew you were a good girl. After Mummy's operation, and Daddy having to leave the hospital at 8pm, Mummy was a little worried about how the night would be. You lay in a cot near my bed, but I couldn't turn to pick you up - and I was so tired. I had a buzzer I could ring to ask someone else to come pick you up.. but you were such a good girl all night I didn't need to. Everytime I heard you stir I put my hand in yours or stroked your head and told you that Mummy was close, or that Daddy loves you, and you would go back off to sleep. You are amazing!

Nearly Time for Your Arrival

Dearest Baby,

You're nearly with us, and we're so excited for you to arrive. It's late on the evening of Saturday the 27th January, and since this morning, your mother has been having 'twinges', and later, definate contractions. This evening we've been timing them, and hoping that now is the time we've been waiting for so eagerly. Nothing seems to be vaguely important compared to you - you're going to be our first priority from now on!

A few minutes ago, Mummy showed me how much you're moving around. When you read this, you'll not be able to remember this time - but I know that you're excited too. These changes are not always easy, but they are worth it. Now you move from being in your Mummy's tummy, to a new and exciting world 'outside'.

Right now we don't know whether you'll be a handsome little George, a beautiful Cara, or somebody completely different. But whatever we choose to name you, we promise to love you with all our hearts, and do all we can to prepare you for a happy journey through this life.

All my love,

your father. xx

Dear Baby

From your Dad -

It shouldn't be too long now before you're with us. Your Mum is looking just huge, and is beaming all the time. We're both so excited, it's a shame you can't see us! But all in good time. You're hopefully using all that energy from your mother to grow properly, and get all ready for your big journey in the next couple of weeks. I can hardly imagine what that will be like for you: to go from all you can remember - a world of warmth and comfort - and to be thrust out into a bright, cold place, where all is unfamiliar.

Well hold on, baby. We'll be there with you, and we're determined to teach you all you'll need to know to be able to deal with this world. It's not an easy place to live, but it is a happy and rewarding world, if you let it be.

So, keep growing. We'll see you when you get here - to our little family!