November

Long time no blog ... but we're doing great. Jessica is starting to talk and becoming a big girl. We can have conversations now although mostly she says "Muh" or "Ma" which can mean anything from "more please" to "Look, there!"

She enjoys nursery very much, especially Halloween was a lot of fun and she went in her little witch outfit. She is an outdoor person like her papa, every morning if I don't get going quickly enough she brings me my shoes, her shoes and her jacket, indicating that it's really time now for a walk. And since it's cold now, she even enjoys wearing her woolen hat and gloves.

Learning all the time

These days Jessica amazes us with all her new skills, new words and with how much she understands ... in German and Spanish. I can say go and sit down in your beanbag and she does it, I say I need to blow my nose and she goes and gets the Kleenex box. And while she was very clingy a few weeks back, she's now fearless Miss Independent and runs away from me without ever looking back. She also doesn't mind staying with new people or being held by them ... she has a big smile for every one. She also enjoys saying "no" and shaking her head. Even if she means yes. I guess it's just fun to shake your head. We went back to farm the week before last but she's still a little afraid of animals it seems. What she does enjoy though is sandpits ... once she's in one it's hard to get her out.

On Sunday we met with Rodrigo's cousin Rodrigo (another one) which was very nice. It seems Jessica enjoyed hearing Spanish from someone else than just her Papa.

Weekend in Germany

Last weekend we were in Germany again. It was a hot weekend so we spent time outdoors and at the pool. Jessica seemed to be a little homesick as she didn't warm up to the new surrounding until the last day, but we still had an exciting time swimming and on the plane.

A busy week ends

We've had a busy week with my aunt Margrit and her friend coming from Germany. They arrived Tuesday and stayed until Wednesday when I took them out sightseeing. The rest of the week they spent with another friend. This friend celebrated his birthday on the weekend and invited everyone on a city tour with an amphibious vehicle on Saturday (!!!). It was our first major trip to central London in a loong time. The tour started right by the London Eye, one of the busiest and most touristy areas. Jessica was not intimidated at all, she didn't want to stay in the buggy, she didn't want to be carried, I had to put her down and she started walking up and down the street making friends with various people. During the tour she wouldn't stand/sit still and entertained the whole group. Luckily after 15-20 minutes Jessica was so exhausted that she slept for the rest of the tour and we had our peace. After we got off I let her run around on the lawn right by the London Eye and she was happy. She was calm again on the train ride home and in the evening she fell asleep at 5pm! It was another hot and sunny day when we awoke this morning so Rodrigo took the day off from studying and we went swimming to the pool!

Party time

It's party time for us as all of the other babies of our antenatal class have their birthdays coming up. Here is Jessica at her friend Amelie's place last weekend. She doesn't seem interested in babies her own age though, she goes and plays with 5 year olds!

A walk in the park

Can I give her back now?

Jessica wants to do EVERYTHING herself now. She doesn't go into the car seat anymore, doesn't go into her stroller ... she wants to walk herself when we go to the park which takes AGES, of course, as she not only walks slowly but she also often turns around and walks the other way - whatever gets her interest. She wants to feed herself, although not always with satisfying success ... once she gets tired of using the spoon she uses both hands and distributes the food all over her face, she doesn't quite find her mouth yet. Today is another Tuesday where I go to sleep before 9pm (and that's way too late still).

Happy birthday, Jessica!

Yesterday was Jessica's birthday and of course we got her a cake. She wasn't sure at first what to do with it. But then she figured it out: eat it!

Happy birthday, Mama

Today is my birthday. Unfortunately, the weather is bad and Rodrigo has to go to school and study. So it's pretty much like any other day. This morning we went for a walk in Morden Hall Park which is just behind the station yet we've never been. The sun came out for a short while and it was very nice, we smelled roses, saw fish in the little river and took some pictures. When we got home we made a nice lunch (although it was only 10:30) and later it was dress rehersal for Jessica's birthday, trying on the only really good dress she has (present of Maria Church, my boss' wife):

The new car seat

Jessica has grown out of her infant car seat and we now have a new one. She enjoys the new perspective, loves looking out of the window or to the front where I am. Finally riding in the car is fun again!

A Day at the Farm

Today we went to Horton Park Children's Farm, which I seemed to enjoy more than Jessica. She was so scared of all the animals and wouldn't let go of me the whole visit through. I thought we did such a good job preparing her for sheep, goats, pigs, etc through her books, but she didn't seem to make the connection. She prefered pushing her stroller. At least we were outdoors in this beautiful weather.

Proof!

Here is a first video we managed to take on Sunday. Since then she's advanced much more, because as determined as she is, she is now practicing all the time.

Jessica is walking!

Jessica did her first steps on Sunday, 5 July 2009. According to nursery she already took a few steps the week before, but this past Sunday she seemed to have mastered it. She kept practising the whole day, still falling a lot of course.