Rainbows and ponies

No, this isn't Zafra's 6 month (!) birthday wish list but some of what we saw this week. Monday was a lovely day in the midst of lots of grey, rainy English days, so we put on our wellies and headed out to the New Forest. To be more accurate, I put on my wellies. Neil's canvas shoes have now been pushed over the edge to oblivion. After a lovely pub lunch in Burley, we followed a route in one of our little books which took us over the hills, through the heathland and along some of the old railway line. It was brisk, gorgeous and just a little muddy! Neil's been working extra-hard lately, so he got to wear Zafra for more attached parent bonding.

Don't be fooled - this was one of the few dry spots! Parker was covered in mud by the end.

Zafra was bundled up and fell asleep soon after this photo.

About 3/4 of the way through our walk, it drizzled for about 5 minutes, not long enough to get us wet but just long enough to produce Zafra's first rainbow!

Happy First Valentine's Day Zafra!

As we made our way back to the car to head home, we found a few New Forest ponies hanging around the cars trying to hitch a ride. We had to politely refuse them, as the car seat doesn't leave enough room for a pony.

Going my way?

There were more playdates and fun times with friends. Here's Zafra at her friend Imogen's flat.

Imogen kindly let Zafra share her playmat. They were holding hands, but stopped just as the camera came out!

Zafra trying out Imogen's babypod

Zafra's laughter comes fast and easy these days. There are so many things that make her laugh, sometimes as simple as a sideways glance. One particularly fabulous development is that Parker now makes her laugh. Often, all he has to do is walk in the room for her to descend in fits of giggles. Here, though, was a brave moment in which he licked her hand. Not only is it funny because he's just Parker, but it tickles as well! As you can see, she tends to flail her arms when she giggles, so any sniff or lick risks him getting smacked in the face, but he doesn't mind it too much.

Another incredibly cute discovery was realising that kissing her cheeks really fast also causes a giggle fest!

Zafra loves kisses and she gets so many of them that she's starting to learn to give them, sometimes slobbery cheek kisses and sometimes sweet kisses on the lips.

But she does still love a good chew on someones nose!

 We're hoping that we'll be able to capture the elusive hands and knees rocking on video for the next post, but no promises! Until then, here they are, your miscellanous photos.

No autographs, please

Zafra wearing a hand-me-down from her cousin Lucie. I love this dress because the pleats make her look like a cupcake!

Zafra had actually fallen asleep sitting on my lap and stayed asleep while I moved her. She started to stir and only settled back down with her head on my leg. She's so sweet when she's asleep!

Busy baby means less blogging

As she nears the 6 month mark, Zafra seems to be dipping into the well of endless baby energy! Crawling isn't quite happening, but she's figured out an interesting and effective combination of rolling and turning that can get her short distances. Exploration keeps her entertained, especially when her toys are a bit spread out. Although it does mean that she is on her playmat less and less which means baby spit on the carpet more and more. Thankfully, Parker enjoys cleaning up after her. Helpful, if a bit gross [Neil adds: Don't tell people about this - it really is unbelievably gross!]. It does mean slightly longer gaps between blog posts, however, as she doesn't like me devoting too much attention to the computer when she's around (except video chatting - she loves the interactive faces on the computer!). So, I'm nabbing a bit of daddy/daughter time to get one done!

Sometimes, as we all do, she gets a bit bored. We got some good use out of her silver mat, but these days, all she seems to want to do is stuff it in her mouth. Cute, yes, but not entirely safe! So we've been trying out some new toys and some things that we've had around the house.

In the 'new' toy camp, we recently picked up a used pop-up ball pit complete with balls on freecycle, such an amazing find! She's only been spending small amounts of time in it at the moment, figuring out how it feels and sounds, but it seems like a fantastic freecycle catch already!

Look at my new toy!

Hmmm, what does green taste like?

On the side of using things we already have is the mini trampoline. We had moved it from its hiding place to tidy up behind it, and on a whim put Zafra on top of it. She loved the feel on her tummy and the sound it made when she scratched it (a new way she explores most things now).

Trampoline tummy time

We haven't quite got to weaning yet, but Zafra's been really interested in food and meal times. So we found her a lovely wooden high chair and she now joins in meals. Not with food, but with an array of spoons. As long as she has something to put in her mouth, she feels part of the fun!

Zafra sitting in a chair for the first time

Chewing on a spoon

Yummy spoon

We've had lots of playdates and social time at groups and cafes and on walks. She loves other babies, and is at that stage where she's trying to grab their hair and eyeballs. Since most of the babies are around the same age, all the mums are on constant watch for roaming fingers! Zafra also got to experience the best of what our neighbourhood has to offer. Our house had a white picket fence when we moved in, which we have come to realise was not a good fence and was, in fact, made of pretty rotten wood that has been rapidly disintigrating lately. Not so nice for the neighbours, a bit of an eyesore really. So one recent afternoon, a number of the neighbours came round and helped turn this

into the beginnings of a hedge

At the moment, it just looks like a row of sticks, but in a couple of years it will be lovely!

It hasn't been all play and work, though. There have been lovely moments of calm. Daytime naps are often taken on the lounge floor on a wonderfully soft blanket.

And those lovely times when a bedtime story

.
leads to a sleepy baby on the bed.

This sleepsuit makes her bottom look amazingly cute!!

 We're off to have some play time. Here's some more photos:

Zafra models her new vest. It says 'Brooklyn', where lots of her family live! (Thanks E&K!)

Zafra likes the taste of her fingers so much, she wanted to share with her mummy!

They ARE tasty!!!