Rasberry cheesecake

After a few weeks of hubby begging me to make the cheesecake that adorns the front of one of my cookbooks, I finally got around to it today. When I say today I mean this evening after Poppy's bath. We have discovered the last few days that keeping her up until 8pm in the (pointless) effort to get her to sleep until after 6am brings out a lovely, contented, cute-as-pie little girl. We thought she may get overtired or grouchy but it's the opposite. What a revelation. It feels like our evenings are less stressed and rushed trying to get her to bed for 7pm. We've been having leisurely walks with the dogs for weeks now pre-bath, but now we can abandon the trike and let her walk with us. It takes ages with her little toddler legs carrying her around the block, picking up stones and pulling leaves off bushes, but oh what fun.

My next sewing project is set. A flag bunting spelling Poppy's name out for her bedroom. I bought the fabric earlier from Dunelm Mill and picked up a very interesting book called 'Applique for little ones' that has great ideas in for bedrooms and for gifts. I know quite a few people having babies this year so I'm hoping this will be useful then. One of the very best gifts we were given for Poppy was a handmade patchwork quilt, I still love it now. If I can make something equally as precious for a friend's newborn I would be really pleased with myself.

Baby walking and our first Evening Meal Out

Isn't it just too cute to see your child starting to walk? A friend's baby has also begun this week and this video is brilliant.

Tonight we were brave and decided to eat out for our evening meal, including Poppy. It didn't start too well as the local pub we'd decided on didn't start serving until 6pm which would have been too late for Poppy to eat when she's used to having dinner at 530. So we legged in back into town to our local Brewers Fayre chain pub, which also has a soft play area. After ordering we went in to play. This is an entirely different experience when you have a toddler, not an immobile baby - she could go where she wanted and go she did. Instead of being confined to the baby ball pit she was off, exploring the areas for older children, climbing, squeezing through holes and following other kids around. Hilarious. As we were leaving to go out for dinner she also walked from my dining room right to the front door, pausing only once to rest her hand on a doorframe, a total of about 20 steps. Think this is the most I've seen her do so far.

How do they have no fear of falling? They know it's going to happen at some point and yet get up and keep going. I think that this is the main stumbling block for me learning to rollerblade and ice skate properly. I'm just a big wimp afraid of hurting myself.

Relaxing day in the sun

The weather is so nice at the moment, I make the most of each and every opportunity to be outside. This morning we took a trip to the park, an albeit short trip after Poppy had a 90min nap. Despite a major tantrum under the boat climbing frame, because of what I'm still not quite sure, the hour was pleasantly spent overall. On the way back to the car Poppy walked most of the way holding to the pram, and when she'd had enough cruised around to the front to be sat back up for a little rest. Bless her.

I've not had time to post but she had finally starting taking some steps unassisted!! She's been doing a little more each day. She looks so very pleased with herself when she does a few steps.

This afternoon a friend and her two daughters came over for a visit. I set the garden up so that the kids were able to play with us sat watching, the sun was shining, a parasol kept the baby in shade, and we both chilled out for a few hours. Its amazing how much happier I feel when the sun is out and I can spend some stress-free time outdoors.