Beach day

Today we went to Harbord beach (a change from Manly) to give Louka a taste of the sea. First she went in the waves.
Then she climbed over the rocks.

Then she had a paddle in the pool.


We had a late brekky at the café,

then dropped in on Mike and Clare. We hung around so long that they gave us lunch (thanks very much Mike and Clare!)

then we took Louka to the park at the end of the street. She had lots of fun,

though the motion of the swing nearly sent her to sleep, so we weren't surprised when she slept all the way home.

Look mum, no hands!

Today Louka took her first unaided steps. She'd been working her way along the table, then she just let go and kept going. A little later she did it again, this time from a standing start. Then she fell over and cried.

We celebrated with champagne, while Louka got the cork.

Up the coast

Today we drove up the coast to The Entrance.

Merry Christmas!

We'd been dreading Christmas. We had several visits to make, and we thought Louka would miss her naps and be very cranky. Fortunately it didn't turn out like that.

First we opened the presents we'd received from Bruce and Josie. They'd sent Louka some lovely organic cotton clothes, and for us some organic food. We haven't tried the food yet, but the clothes are lovely.


First visit was to Nanna Joyce. Her lovely neighbour Jane had moved away during the year, so she was glad to have some company.


Then on to my parents' place for morning tea and formal gift giving. We drank the champagne that Keith had brought when he came round for dinner ― thanks very much Keith, and Merry Christmas! ― and ate mum's delicious christmas cake, mince tarts, crystallised ginger and mixed nuts. Dad acted as Father Christmas, though without the costume. Louka received a lot of lovely clothes, including a specially pretty dress in dark blue batik pattern, two hats which she pulled off her head before they were even in place, and a tricycle with a push handle and pink and purple streamers on the handlebars. Graham gave me a pair of earrings I'd coveted for years, and I gave him a new digital camera. I also scored a biography of John Donne and some soap hand-made by my aunt Rita. Graham got a leather camera case for his new camera.
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We stayed for lunch (pasta with pesto) then off to Nanna Linda's place for drinks and nibbles. Clara and Michael and many of their family were there, as well as Louka's old friend Ah-Sun. Michael had a Santa that danced and sang "Santa Claus is coming to town" when you pushed a little blue button. Louka was entranced. She also scored some cool toys.


Then it was back to my parents' for a rest before dinner. Michaela and David took Louka for a walk. Max had a PS2 game which kept him (and Graham) enthralled all afternoon. Elin and Lindsay practised cartwheels on the lawn. Mum and Dad cleaned up, and I had a nap.


Dinner was the whole turkey-ham-and-plum-pudding thing, and very nice. Louka liked the ham, and enjoyed chewing on a turkey bone as well as the glowing clown-fish from her cracker.


At home, Louka fell asleep before she'd had a chance of a bath. She'd behaved very well all day, despite the upset routine and lack of sleep.

Boxing Day morning it was off to my parents' for breakfast of mangoes, croissants and coffee. Louka had two pieces of mango, but no croissants or coffee. Back home again, we took Louka for a walk to Chatswood on her new tricycle.