The Charlotte celebrations...

Hi again!
I've had the most exhausting two days of my short life, but it's been great!
It was first birthday yesterday - I was thoroughly spoiled with lots of great pressies. Better than anything, my Uncle Andre, Uncle Len, Aunty Michelle and cousin Mary Ellen came to see me from all over the place. I felt thoroughly spoiled, and had a lovely day.
I was still pretty tired from my late flight and had a little bit of jet-lag, but hey, I am just one!
Today - June 20th - was my big day. I had my baptism and birthday party today, and it was great fun.
I wore a beautiful dress for my christening (thanks Aunt Jean), as you can see ...




The baptism was lovely - the church was pretty and my Aunty Margaret and Uncle Pete came down from Manchester to cheer me on. I was pleased that the water at the baptism font wasn't too cold.



After the christening, we headed back to my house for some snacks and lunch ahead of my party. My friends from baby group came over, and they hung out with me and my family (there were lots of people in my small house, but we had a great time).
We all got a bit tired around 4pm, so my friends went home, my family cleaned up the house and I had a nap.
But not before I had my birthday cake and enjoyed my first ever chorus of Happy Birthday to you.
What a BRILLIANT day. I can't wait until I am two...


Thanks to everyone near and far for their cards, pressies and good wishes. I'll be getting my personal assistants to send out the thank you cards shortly!
Talk soon,
Love Little Lottie xxx

From holidays to birthdays...

Hi all,
My sincere apologies for the lack of email updates... I've been inundated with visitors, and I've been on hols too!
My Aunty Claire arrived from Australia almost two weeks ago. It was great to meet her again, and I wowed her by filling my nappy for her to sort out. I am SO considerate.
A couple of days after her arrival, she, Mummy and I went to Spain to visit my Paps, as I hadn't seen him for a while.

It was lovely and warm - I was in his pool loads and at the beach. I loved the sea, although I did have a little a toilet emergency in the waves... :-)
I ate out lots while I was in Spain. I went to the vegetarian restaurant The Spice Hut... TWICE! We also went to The Wok, the local Chinese eatery for Aunty Claire's birthday. I took her to the beach and swam with her for her birthday and we had a lovely time.

I missed my Daddy, but I knew he was ok as his twin brother - and my uncle - Andre was over for Hong Kong. Sounds like they had lots of fun hanging out.
We left Paps on Monday and arrived back in chilly North Devon just an hour before my first birthday, but I was wiped out after the late flight back so didn't really stir. It was nice to be home with my Daddy and my doggy, but I miss my Paps.
Talk soon,
Love Little Lottie xxx

This time tomorrow... I'll be one!

Hi all,
apologies for the lack of postings, but I've been on holiday with Mummy and Aunty Claire. It's the middle of the night in Devon now, but I will write more tomorrow... when I am ONE!!!
Talk soon,
Little Lottie xxx

Getting some pressie-opening practice in...

Ready to pounce...

They keep me locked up, you know...

Hi all!
Do you like my cage? Paps sent it over for me because I was getting into everything and up to mischief. This way, Mummy and Daddy can keep me in one place, and generally away from the stairs which is officially my favourite thing to climb at the moment!

Life is good - I am still swimming atleast once a week and love the water. So much so that Mummy and Daddy take me to the local pool on the days I don't have proper lessons. I can't wait to get into the pool at my Paps' house. I'm hoping he'll swim with me. I'm going to see him next Sunday with Mummy and Aunty Claire, who will be here from Australia by then.

Another of my favourite things to do is to hide the car keys! I just love keys, but I think it's annoying for Daddy when he wants to go someehere but can't!

I now have all four of my front teeth through - two and the top, and two at the bottom. Hopefully they'll be fully through in time for my christening photos - I want my smile to look as beautiful as possible!

I've been going to the common lots to play on my trike, and spent yesterday at work with Daddy at the beach. Mummy burned herself but thankfully I was in the shade for the most part, so just have a healthy glow. Looking good!

Anyway, time for bed for me. Only 19 more sleeps until I am one! Can't wait to be a big girl...

Talk soon,
Love Little Lottie xxx

'Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go...'

Water baby...

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in...

Hi all,
Thought I would show you my lovely new waistcoat that Aunty Jessie brought me from India. It's so snug and warm, and I've not seen anyone else wearing one... especially not looking as cute as me!
I love my tricycle. It has a big pole at the back so Mummy and Daddy can push me and make sure I don't jump onto the road. I've got this tune in my head all the time at the moment... I think it's Born to be Wild or something, but I think it suits my cycling escapades.

I did my first painting this week. Well, if you don't count the foot-painting debacle when I was five weeks old! I used yellow paint, some sponges and my hands, but the paint itself didn't taste very nice. I thought it would take like yogurt, it was a similar colour, but apparently not!

I am still chattering away... I seem to be great with the d and g sounds. I say Doggy and Daddy all the time... I'm working on the rest of the words! Well, I am just 11 months old.

Anyway, I'd better get back to it. I'll get some more pics on here asap.

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

How much is that doggy in the window...

Hello everyone,
Just to let you know that I have officially learned my first work - it's doggy. I even understand what it means, and when I say it go over to my doggy Zeus and pull his leg.
I have a new night-time routine now, too. I won't go to bed unless I am allowed to climb the stairs all by myself. I'm really fast at it, and am pretty fearless! It's great.
I am a bit of a terror on two legs at the moment, so Paps has sent me a cage to play in. It's not as it sounds... it's just a way to keep me contained and safe so Mummy and Daddy can do important things like go to the toilet and into the kitchen without worrying about me hitching a ride to London!
Hope all is well with you!
Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

I looooooooooooooooove cake!

I had my first piece of chocolate cake this weeek. It was fantastic, but a little messy, as you can see...





I know I need to work on my eating ettiquete, but I hear I'll be having more cake... especially with my birthday around the corner!

Talk soon,
Love Little Lottie xxx

Ho-ho-ho what a monkey I am...

Hi all,
I've had a GREAT week!!! So busy, and I am feeling much better. Might be something to do with the fact that Mummy and Daddy went out last weekend and bought me swing for the garden, a rocking dog (apparently it's like a rocking horse, but a blue dog), a tricycle and a toy that I push around to help me get balance.

I love my swing... I can make it swing by flapping my feet about and I could spend hours in it if I was only tall enough to get in by myself.
The rocking dog is a different story - I can get on and off by myself, though it did take some practice. Mummy caught me trying to get on it by myself and I was slumped across it, stuck on my tummy!!!
And as for my push toy, I struggled with that a bit as the wheels went faster than my legs would carry me, but I seem to have mastered it and when Mum came home from work on Fri night I pushed it across the room with one hand, walking, and waving at her with my other hand. I'm getting co-ordinated!!!

One of my favourite things to do is to lie under the clothes horse and pull all the clean but damp washing off onto the floor. I think it drives Mummy crackers. I've also taken to climbing onto things and launching myself off them.

I do like looking at myself in the mirror, and although I won't give anyone a kiss, I like to kiss what I believe is my own reflection!




With a bit of determination and lots of encouragement, I climbed our stairs this week, too! All 12 of them! Daddy was behind me all the way and Mummy was at the top, but I managed it! I conquered my very own Everest.

It was week two of my swimming lessons this week. I love is so much!!! I think I embarrassed Mummy though... the instructor was talking to all the parents about what they could expect in the lesson. All the other Mums were in the water but looked like they wanted to stay as dry as possible. Certainly, they weren't keen on getting their hair wet. Where's the fun in that??
So, I splashed and kicked and chatted until everyone was soaking!!!
I really am a water baby!

Big news from me - my christening is booked for June 20th. Uncle Andre from Hong Kong, Second Cousin Mary Ellen from Sicily and Aunty Claire from Australia are all coming over. It will be a league of nations! Then we're all off to Blackpool. Lots and lots going on!!!

I'll keep you posted!
Love Little Lottie

Hanging out with my Mummy...

Party time!

Hi all!
I've had another busy week... life is just so hectic at the moment.
I started swimming lessons this week. Mummy was very nervous about it, and I have to admit when I was put in this special waterproof nappy I did wonder what was going on, but I LOVED it. Mummy had to sit me on the side of the pool and let me fall in. When I finally came up for air Mum looked terrified, but I was kicking my legs and chattering away. It was great - can't wait for next week!!!

Daddy looked after me for a couple of days this week, and I tried to make a run for the stairs. He's on the ball, my Dad, so he was right behind me, but I almost got up the first stair. Freedom... I can smell it, it's that close!

I met the local vicar for the fist time this week. He came over to bless the house and Mummy, Daddy and I, and to organise my christening in June. I crawled over to him and was pretty keen on taking a lump out of his knee, but I gave him lots of smiles instead and held onto his beige slacks... great for dribbling on!

It was my baby group friend Sam's first birthday yesterday. I was feeling a little under the weather, but Mummy and I went along for half an hour. We left HOURS later... Mummy couldn't get me away. All my friends were there AND there was a ball pool with slide and heaps of toys to sit on a drive. I stacked one particular sit-and-ride toy a few times but I didn't hurt myself. I didn't even cry! Well, I am almost one...

I've had a bit of a cold and have been a bit chesty this week. Could have been the swimming... anyway, Mummy wangled an emergency appointment at the doctors, but the nice man in the white coat said I just had a sniffle and he made me laugh lots. I especially liked it when he looked inside my ears. Great fun.

Mummy and I went to Tescos this week and guess what... I sat in the babyb seat for the first time! I was a bit scared at first, as I couldn't see where I was going, but by the end of the shop I was smiling and waving at people. Such fun.

My gums are still very sore - I should have a fair few teeth coming through in the next while. But I am still smiling!
Hope you are, too!
Talk soon,
Little Lottie xxx

PS: Ciao to my Great Aunt Margaret and Second Cousin Mary Ellen, who've just started reading this. Welcome to my world!!! xxx

I love standing up...

Hi all,
Hope things are good with you.
I'm well - had a bit of an adventure this week with Daddy. We were driving up to London in Mummy's car, and she was driving our campervan up as she's sold it to Aunty M (are you with me so far?).
Well, Mummy got to London OK, but Daddy and I broke down and had to be towed back home and it too ages. Mummy was worried as she couldn't contact us, Daddy was stressed because I was out of my routine and I was fed up because I have three teeth coming through and it hurts.

So Mummy was in London by herself and it was just Daddy and I for the night. We had fun though.

We've been going out to the Common in the village lots so I can crawl around without bumping into furniture. I love it and it makes me so sleepy.

The vicar is coming over to see me this week to talk about the Christening in June, which is not long at all. It sounds a bit odd, dunking me in water, but Mummy seems really keen.

I'm still standing up all the time. I won't even lie still when I am getting my nappy changed - I like to stand too much. I've heard the word willful used about me in the last few weeks and I suppose that sounds about right!

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the teeth as they come through, and when I finally let go of the furniture and toddle about. Can you imagine the looks on Mummy and Daddy's faces when that happens? Classic. And to think, this time last year I was still in my Mummy's tummy...

Talk soon,
Love Little Lottie xxx

A party on safari...

Hi everyone,
Hope you're all well.
I'm good - I had a very busy weekend. I went to my first birthday party, a friend from baby group just turned one and asked me along to celebrate.
I wore my khaki shirt-dress (see picture above) and had an absolute ball.
I ate melon and pizza, had a go on a few sit and go toys and fell off a bicycle, grazing under my chin. But I had a great time.
They even had this big, long canvas tunnel and I crawled all the way through it. I think Mummy and Daddy had as much fun as me!
And when I left the party, I got a present - white chocolate buttons and a tamborine. I can't wait to make lots of noise with that!

Mummy has signed me up for swimming lessons - I start next Friday. Apparently it's in a heated pool so I should be ok. I think Mummy is more nervous than I am, but I need to understand how water works as Paps has a pool and I want to make sure I am safe when I am at his house.

Meal-times have become a bit more of a challenge in recent weeks, as I've realised if I hold the food in my hand when I'm in my high-chair, I can give it to my doggy Zeus. He loves it but Mummy and Daddy had a bit of a freak out because it means they can't tell if I've eaten enough. So, poor Zeus gets sent outside when I am eating. That said, I am also mastering the art of squishing the food in my hand and making it stick to the underside of my high-chair table. Hours of fun!

I am spending much of my day standing up and get quite upset when I have to lie down. I am pulling myself up from anything I can hold onto, and if I can't do it I put my head on my arm and cry. I get sooooooooooooooooo frustrated. Hopefully I'll be walking by myself in the next month.

Anyway, that's the news from me.
Talk soon, Love Little Lottie xxx

I'm forever blowing bubbles...

Happy Easter one and all!

I love chocolate!
I know I may be regarded as a little young to indulge, but I LOVE it.
Aunty M came down from London on the weekend with her sister Sukhi, and they brought me white chocolate buttons.
WOW.
They're amazing!!!

All well with me. I am now fully crawling, much to Mum and Dad's great fear. I am now totally mobile and EVERYTHING is within my reach.
This week I managed to have a good chew of a slug before Mummy managed to prise it from my mouth. I've had a quick lick of Zeus's pigs ear. I think I will end up being a carnivore after all!!

My current favourite tricks are to scream and squeal as loud as I can for no apparent reason, and to stand up against the kitchen cupboards and slam the doors. hours of fun!

I love the soft toys my Nana got me before I was born. They all make 'grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr' noises and keep me entertained while I have my nappy changed.
I'm also rather fond of my koala, too.

Anwyay, I'll write more soon, and hopefully I'll have a few pics of me in action on the crawl!

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

Ironing to earn my keep...

Trying to send myself back to Paps...

Hanging out with my folks...

My media assault on the world...

Hi all!
I've been on the TV!!!! I can't believe it - I'm a TV star at nine months old!
I was at baby group the other day and TV film crew was there as our group had opened the first Milk Bar for breastfeeding mums and bubs.
So obviously they filmed the kids breastfeeding... I'm a big girl and don't do it any more, but I was on the news item LOADS!!! Lots of close-ups of me playing with all the toys they have there. I think I was playing with a mirror at the time.
We've contacted the TV company responsible, as I'd love to get it on my YouTube page and here on my blog.
I'm a multimedia baby, arent't I??

Other than my TV debut, all is well. I played under a big rainbow-coloured parachute at baby group the other day, which I loved. I laughed and laughed.
I also have invites to two birthday parties, which I am looking forward to.

I am crawling backwards at the moment - it's great for getting myself wedged into small spaces. And under the table. I love it.

I love having my photo taken - each time Mummy and Daddy get the camera out I start smiling and posing. Apparently my Nana was the same, and Aunty Claire does it too. I must have got it from them!

And it's Easter next week and Uncle Lenny might be coming down to say hello to me. I hope so - I love him.

So that's me.

Stay tuned for footage of my TV debut in due course.

Talk soon, love
Little Lottie xxx

Video... clapping my hands

Having fun on my hols...

Hi all,

Sorry for the lack of posts - I have just been so busy having fun!!!

We're in Spain looking after the dogs for Paps. He's gone to the UK to watch football and horses. Hope he's had a nice time.

I've had fun this week. It has been so much warmer in Spain than in Devon, so I've been able to roll around naked in the garden and get some sun. It's been lovely.

I've also been out to lots of restaurants with Mummy and Daddy, though I've been asleep most of the time. I think the sun has taken it out of me!

I had my first taste of pizza this week - it was very yummy and I fed myself. I'll be having more of that, please.

Mummy and Daddy think that I have started saying 'Hello' and 'Hola'. To be fair, it could be more luck than accurately pronounced words, but they seem excited enough. Although I did hear Mummy say that my 'Hola' did sound a bit like 'Allah', whatever that means...

Guess what - I have been brushing my teeth! I have a purple and glitter toothbrush, and we use it a couple of times a day to keep my teeth clean. It's a really odd feeling, but I think it is doing some good. I can't wait to do it myself!

I have been taking Jackson and Chica for walks in the pine forest every day. It's so much fun in there... like a whole other world. And I laugh every time Daddy kicks the ball for Chica... it just tickles me for some reason.

Anyway, that's my news from my hols. I think we're going home on Sunday, which is Mother's Day. Am I supposed to buy something for my Mummy? Answers on a postcard, please!

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

Hold the phone... with my teeth

Introducing my second cousin Russell...

He's the newest kid on the block as far as my family is concerned... Russell Blake Mackrell.

He's just two months old - I'm an old lady by comparison.

Do we look alike? He's certainly got more hair than me.

I'm off to Spain later today to say hola to Paps. I'll keep you posted.

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

I love to play...

Hi everyone,

Hope you've had a good weekend.

I am well - I'm off to Spain on Wednesday, which I am sooooooo looking forward to. I might even get in the water if it's warm enough. And I'll definately be trying to walk on the sand. Atleast if I fall down, I won't hurt myself!

So what else have I been up to? I saw the health visitor last week, who said I am a very tall girl. I am 79cm in length... I was 51cms when I was born. So that's quite a growth spurt!!!

My doggy Zeus and I are still playing well together. Here we are sharing the rugby ball Uncle Lenny got me before he knew if I was a boy or a girl. We have lots of fun with it!

I am still loving clapping my hands, but not on demand. We did 'Pat-a-cake' at playgroup on Friday, which has lots of hand-clapping and I went a little shy and didn't join in.

I am still loving spending time with Daddy when Mummy goes out to work. We have FUN!

Mummy is working on taking more video of me with her camera, so you can all see how much of a chatterbox I am. My favourite thing to do at the moment is to wake up at 4am and either start clapping in my bedroom, or chat to myself and see if Mummy and Daddy come in to chat, too.

I've heard Mummy starting to plan my Christening, which I am looking forward to. Time seem's to be going by so quickly at the moment - can you believe I am almost nine months old?? Incredible!

Anyway, I'll write more from Spain.

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

Introducing... my first two teeth

Growing girl...

Hi everyone,

Hope you're well.

I've had another lovely week. Mummy has been at work again and Daddy and I have been hanging out. I love spending time with my Daddy, and we've had lots of fun.

Mummy thinks I'm having a growth spurt. I am growing out of my clothes so quickly at the moment - I'm into 9-12month stuff right now, and at the rate I'm growing, I won't be in that size for long. What can I tell you... I just love my food!!!

I've started feeding myself my bottle, toast, rice cakes and carrot fingers, but they're the snacks inbetween my yummy main meals. Current faves include cheesy pasta, porridge and sweet potato, broad bean and broccolli puree. I just can't get enough.

I am getting very frustrated that I can't crawl in a conventional sense. Truthfully, I think I'm just going to skip it... I'm already standing up all the time and hanging onto the furniture. I hope to be walking before I am one.

Mummy has taught me how to clap my hands, and I love doing it. I love tricking her too - I went to giver her a cuddle in the kitchen, with my arms outstretched, and when she came closer instead of cuddling her I clapped my hands! It was so funny.

I have my first birthday party to attend soon - a little boy called Sam in one of my baby groups. He always gives me kisses when he see's me - and I, in turn, pull his hair. I'm not big on kisses at the moment, but I'm sure that will come.

I don't watch TV much, but I really really love Sponge Bob Square Pants - he's so funny and colourful. I sit so still and quietly when he comes on the TV.

My doggy Zeus and I have been playing together more and more, though sometimes I get confused about which are his toys and which are mine. But we're working it out!

So that's the news from Devon this week.

We're off back to Spain on March 7th - can't wait to see my Paps again. But I'm sure I'll talk to you again before then. There are pictures of my teeth, so I'll get these on here as soon as possible.

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

Musical youth...

Hi everyone!

So, I've had a very busy week.

Mummy and I have been back to my baby groups - it was good to see my friends after such a long time. We've all grown so much.

Mummy and I also went to the Bump and Rhyme class I love so much, but we were the only ones there so the teacher lady made Mummy sing nursery rhymes to me by herself. I think she was a little embarrassed.

As you can see by the photo above, I've been playing my piano lots. It's a foot piano for in my cot, but it works just as well in my high-chair. I love singing along, too.

It's been a week of Daddy Daycare for me, too. Mummy went to work a few times this week and Daddy and I spent our days together. It was lovely to have him at home and we had a great time. I missed Mummy a bit, but she came home full of smiles so she must have had as good a time as we did.

I've been back to the health centre this week for my check-up ... I'm 8.5 kilos and apparently developing perfectly for my age and length.

I've also two MORE teeth coming through - the front top ones this time, so four in total. The top ones are still cutting through the gums and have been keeping me awake at night, but I think they're almost through. I'm not really sure what to do with my tongue now - my teeth may be small but they're sharp!

I'm almost crawling, and am getting really frustrated that I'm not fully mobile yet. I can roll and commando-shuffle my way anywhere, but it would be so much easier if my upper arms were a little stronger. Ah well, hopefully ti won't be too much longer.

So that's the news from Devon. Mummy, Daddy and I are heading back to see Paps in Spain on March 7th - he's going over to the UK for a few days so we're going to look after his house and dogs for him. It's a bit chilly and rainy here in England so I am looking forward to the sun.

Hope you're all well - talk soon.

Much love, Little Lottie xxx

Look what my Uncle Andre made...

I'm a little Eskimo...

Hi guys,
Just a quick one to let you see some new pics. Still none of my teeth - yes, that's PLURAL!!! I have TWO bottom teeth now, but they're a little too small to be photographed at the moment.

So you like my lovely new winter coat? My Nana's friend Aunty Pam bought it for me - I saw her and Uncle Malcolm when I was in Spain last month. It keeps me toasty warm, and what can I tell you ... I'm just about the best-dressed baby in Devon!

I got a lovely parcel from Aunty Nicole in California - lots of bath toys. There's this great penguin and it sings a song and when you lie it down it gurgles the song. There were heaps of great sea creatures and the ones that haven't made it into my bath (as yet) have made it into my mouth.

I have started singing lots - not quite sure what it is, but I have a nursery rhyme jukebox on my baby walker and I sing along to that for hours at a time. I think I am rather tuneful!

I'm off to get weighed and measured this week so will let you know how I'm doing development-wise.

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

My Paps calls me smiler...

Crowded mouth...

Hi guys,
BIG NEWS from me - I've cut my first tooth!!!! Mummy put me to bed on Saturday night and all was well, and when I woke up on Sunday morning, I had a tooth! It's at the front at the bottom, and I'll make sure you have updated pics as soon as possible.

I'm adjusting to being back in the UK, but I miss my Paps and the sunshine. It was snowing yesterday!!! Daddy had to chop more wood for the fire to keep us all warm.

I went up to Yorkshire to meet baby India and we had a good chat - she's so little. I can't ever remember being that small. But it was nice to finally meet her since her parents and mine are such good friends.

We also went to see Aunty M and Uncle Dom in London, which was great. They thought I'd grown heaps, and everyone spoiled me with lots of presents.

Our dog Zeus is now back at home with us - I missed him so much when I was in Spain, and it's nice for us all to be together again/

I'm crawling around all over the place the moment - it's driving Mummy crackers! I got wedged under my cot yesterday... I'm such a monkey.

Anyway, I'll keep you updated on my tooth progress, and will make sure there are some up-to-date photos on here as soon as possible.

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

Back on our feet...

Hi everyone,
So my time in Spain has come to an end. I thought we were going to stay here forever - I really like spending time with my Paps and it's nice and sunny here.
But he's back on his feet (much like me in this picture) so my work here is done.

I think we're coming back in March for another blast of Winter sun. So I'll look forward to that.

But just because I'm going home, don't think I'm getting back into a boring routine. Oh no! I'm off to London and North Yorkshire over the weekend, and I may well find time to pop into my baby group to see if my friends have grown as much as me.
I am going to meet baby India over the weekend, too. She arrived just as Mummy and I went to Spain. I'll teach her a few things about feeding and crying and how to get your own way. I've certainly got it under control in our household.

Mummy says that I keep saying ABBA - she was trying to get me to say it to Aunty Claire on the phone the other day - but as I keep trying to tell everyone, I'm not a show pony. I'm just naturally gifted and funny - I can't perform on-demand.

I'll write more when I've got used to wearing a big coats and lots of layers. I think I'll be suffering from SADS before too long...

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

My Paps has got his pot off, hip hip hip hooray...

Hi guys,
Paps had his plaster cast removed at the end of last week!
The doctors say his leg isn't broken any more, but he's still walking with a slight limp. He says his leg still feels heavy. But he is driving, walking the dogs... everything. He seems much happier.

I'm still having a great time in Spain. I have been playing outside lots - Mummy put my travel cot in the garden so I was contained, but I kept making her laugh by standing up in it and holding onto the edges. It's hard work though! Good thing I've suddenly developed a bum - my arms can't hold me up for very long and I keep falling on my behind.

Paps has a housekeeper called Maria, and she loves to sing Spanish nursery rhymes to me. I love it when she sings to me - but I don't know how to tell her I haven't a clue what she's saying. What's Spanish for pardon?

I am no longer a boobie baby. I am on solid food with a couple of bottles a day. And I am even able to feed myself with the bottle. Though I do cheat and rest it on my toys when no-one is looking.

Paps took me out last week and bought me a new toy - he held up all these different soft toys and they were ok, but nothing really caught my eye. But then he held up a Fox and I was smitten. So I now have a new best friend, Foxy. I'm a Foxy girl.

So that's the news from Spain.

Lots of things are happening in the next few months - my Uncle Andre might be coming over from Hong Kong, which would just be brilliant, and Aunty Claire is coming over from Australia when I am one.

I'm also going on holiday for a few days with Mummy, Daddy, Uncle Len, Aunty Michelle, Aunty Claire and Uncle Andre to a place called Blackpool. Not sure what it's like - they're talking about donkeys and towers and dirty beaches and they keep laughing about it... sounds delightful!
I'll let you know how we get on...

Talk soon,
Love Little Lottie xxx

Latest look at Little Lottie...

My best friend Foxy, and I...


But Mummy, I'm not Amish...

Happy talking, talking, happy talk...

Video taken on Friday January 19 2007 - aged 7 months

Hanging out in sunny Spain...

Hi all,
Hope you're all well and that 2007 has been kind to you so far.
It's being kind to me in so far as I'm not freezing in Devon - though I do miss my doggy Zeus.

Paps is getting better - his plaster will be coming off for good on Jan 19th, and he is so excited to be able to be fully mobile.
Mummy, Daddy and I made him a pretend shoe out of an old sandal and some sellotape, which he was able to put on the bottom of his foot to help him get about. Poor Paps.

Mummy, Daddy and I have been having a nice time in the sun, and I am back in a good routine, which I think they're all pleased about.

Daddy is going home for a few days this week as he has to go to the dentist, but he's coming back and by that time Paps will be out of plaster and on the mend, and we can all have some fun.

I am not the youngest in my family anymore. Mummy's cousin Graeme and his wife Amanda, who live in Canada, had a little boy on Thursday. He's called baby noname at the moment, but I am no longer the youngest in our family. I'm a big girl!

Uncle Andre send me some cool stuff from Hong Kong - apparently he looks just like my Daddy. I think I will find that very confusing when I am giving him a cuddle. Hope I get to hug him soon!

OK, I am off to practise my Spanish on Charlie, Chica and Jackson.

Talk soon, love Little Lottie xxx

I heart my Paps...

What did I say about dressing me up...

Making a meal-time mess...