Sitting up

Sitting up 2, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Grub-Grub Heath gets to grips with solids

Grub-Grub Heath gets to grips with solids, originally uploaded by Racmol.

We moved Sofia to her own room at the weekend with zero drama. Seems we miss her more than she misses us - although Wom is triumphant to have seen off the interloper at last!

Six weeks tomorrow until we arrive in New Zealand.

Carrot, parsnip and kumara - all gone

Well fed, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Sofia's room - after painting

Sofia's room - after 2, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Sofia's room - before painting

Sofia's room - before 2, originally uploaded by Racmol.

A very relaxed visitor

The fox in our garden, early morning, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Ready for the World Cup

Ready for the World Cup, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Valencia - our first family holiday

Enjoying a seafood stew in Valencia, originally uploaded by Racmol.

We left for Valencia on Friday morning, carrying everything Sofia might possibly need for three days in Spain - no chance of getting away with just hand baggage this time.

Sofia made friends with the official in charge of the baggage scanner - he offered to hold her while Jules folded the pushchair and she smiled and laughed and patted his face. 'That went a lot better than I expected!' he said, sounding quite chuffed!

That night we got a cab out to the port and had dinner at a place that specialised in rice - not spectacular but quite edible.

On Saturday we went into the old town and Jules and Annie climbed the tower at the cathedral and then we had great tapas for lunch. In the afternoon we went to IVAM, the modern art museum, where there was a clever installation of neon lights, water and tv screens - hard to describe but very effective.

That night was wet, unbelievably, so we just went out for italian near the hotel - not particularly memorable.

On Sunday we went to the Oceanographic - a large aquarium split over several buildings. Introduced Sofia to beluga whales and walruses, as well as the obligatory dolphin show, but she was really more interested in the other people, who I'm sure she sees as her public! She has an equally large fan club in Spain as in England!

Sunday night we went into the old town for dinner and had our first really good evening meal - here we are eating some of it in the picture. Sunday was a lovely hot day as well so it was a very balmy evening and we ate outside.

Monday was mainly spent getting home - we went to the science museum in the morning because it was close to the hotel, but it wasn't great and we didn't stay long.

Sofia was an excellent travel companion - slept obligingly in her pushchair at dinner time (mostly!) and didn't object to sleeping in the travel cot the hotel provided. In fact the first morning she slept until 9 am and we nearly missed breakfast.

So, yes, we'll be doing it again soon.

Jules and the bike

Jules and the bike, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Just for Harold, here is Jules and his new bike. He refused to get back on and ride up the street again so this will have to do.

And now perhaps we can move on and talk about Valencia.

What's coming out of the oven?

What's coming out of the oven?, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Sofia and Daisy

Sofia and Daisy, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Daisy the donkey is the toy du jour, and favourite pushchair companion. Zippy the zebra is finally having his much-needed bath at the moment - in the washing machine in one of those little bags that you put washing tablets in. The Marshall Wace duck is in the machine as well, having been pooed on yesterday (not the best look if you're a white duck!)

Another 15 minutes until we know if either of them made it in one piece...

Blackberry pie

Blackberry pie, originally uploaded by Racmol.

I'm not sure if a rampant blackberry crop is something to be proud of but the pie I made with them was delish! I also made the pastry with the magimix, so I felt very domesticated.

High-quality baby seats - exhibit A

Sitting up, originally uploaded by Racmol.

We took Sofia for her first swim at the pool on Sunday and she loved it. Plenty of giggling and not a bit worried by all the water, people, other babies, compulsory showers...

As of today she is 5.62 kg (12 pounds 6 oz.)

Getting to grips with Zippy

Getting to grips with Zippy, originally uploaded by Racmol.

After two trips to Swiss Cottage today, Sofia is signed up for Aquatots swimming lessons, starting on 10 September.

Our first trip was wasted as we couldn't register for the lessons without Sofia getting a child membership for the leisure centre, and she couldn't get a membership card without her passport. Baby swimming lessons, passport...the connection is obvious, really, isn't it?

Anyway there were only four places left in the September classes, even though registration only opened today, but luckily we snuck in under the wire on my second trip (with the passport).

In other news, Zippy the zebra is getting a good workout, with lots of stretching.

Reading in the beanbag

Reading in the beanbag, originally uploaded by Racmol.

A few more photos are now up on flickr. This is Sofia's favourite book - she enjoys the different textures and the fact that she can turn the pages herself.

In other news, we have a fox as a regular visitor to our garden. Photos to come as soon as the wildlife photographer gets her act together...

Sofia's new baby friend

Millie and Sofia 2, originally uploaded by Racmol.

On Saturday we met up with Adam, Angeline and Millie in a big park called Paddington Recreation Ground. Would you believe Millie is eight weeks younger than Sofia?

Sofia's new friend

Sofia's new friend, originally uploaded by Racmol.

A range of pictures of our new garden are now on flickr.

Club Scream and projectile poo

Yesterday Sofia and I went to see The Painted Veil at the Everyman cinema in Hampstead Village with a friend from antenatal class and her little boy. The film was a bit depressing (although beautiful) but it was very funny when a screaming baby on screen set off all the babies in the audience!

Afterwards we had lunch at Giraffe, which was lovely, and all the waiters were captivated by Sofia. I think she was smiling over my shoulder at them. One said I could have a free lunch if he could have her, but I didn't think that was a very good deal...

...Until this morning, that is, when my daughter pooed on me while i was changing her nappy. Somehow I sensed another poo was coming, so i positioned the dirty nappy underneath her in readiness but the poo shot out of her bottom at high speed, arcing over the nappy and the changing mat and landing on my hand and sleeve. No wonder I spend most of my life doing the washing!

Speaking of washing, I guess i'd better do some dishes so we can have tea.

Signed, sealed and exchanged

Brief update: we finally exchanged contracts on the flat on Wednesday morning, to everyone's great relief. Completion is Monday 14 May (i.e. that's the day we get the keys) and the movers are coming on Thursday 17 May.

We are officially very poor, but happy!

All smiles

Smiley girl, originally uploaded by Racmol.

We have a mortgage. Our solicitor has our deposit. We think we have a flat.

Hopefully we can actually exchange contracts tomorrow (Wednesday).