First Christmas in our family home

We had our own little Christmas yesterday (unfortunately we are all ill at the moment but we enjoyed it nonetheless). Here's a video of Zachary opening and playing with his presents. 

Zachary's Progress and Preparing our new house

We've completed the purchase of our new house in Stoke Hill, Exeter and have spent the last few weeks doing it up a little before moving in. Zachary hasn't seen much of the house yet, as we've made every effort to keep him away from the wallpaper, paint and new carpet - his Grandma Bumble has been looking after him. 

Scraping the walls

 

Zachary jumps on a roll of carpet

We've now finished the painting and have lovely new looking bedrooms, just needing a few finishing touches of curtains and lampshades. The plan is to move in during the middle of the coming week, so it's back to the familiarity of shifting boxes, lifting furniture and unpacking. It's satisfying to know that this time it's more permanent. 

Daddy uncovers a hidden fireplace

Wallpaper gone and ready to paint

Zachary's new room is now turquoise

Zachary has developed a lot in the last few weeks. His understanding of our speech is excellent and he can now answer 'yes' when you ask him something and shakes his head for 'no'. His favourite song is row row row your boat which he requests by saying 'row row' and he moves backwards and forwards in a rowing action, as well as lifting his arms and screaming 'ahh!' after the crocodile comes.

Grown up little boy

Zachary always wants to go outside, especially if he sees a door opening and he has a little tantrum (stamping his feet, waving his arms and crying loudly) if he doesn't get to go out. He is now walking extremely well and is very stable (and quick!) on his feet.

He eats well, although he can be a little fussy with savoury food (particularly veg), especially if he sees something else he'd prefer. He loves sweet things and is a real fruit monster - if nothing else, he'll always eat fruit.

Zachary still loves books, especially those with flaps (although lots of the flaps have been pulled off) and enjoys toys that make a noise. Peek a boo is still one of his favourites and he loves wearing sunglasses.

The South-East, the North-West and Wales

This October half term has involved a lot of travelling. We travelled to London and stayed with Bev and Caleb for the first weekend. We were delighted to be able to celebrate with Pete and Josie on their wedding day. Daddy was an usher and Zachary had a great time running up and down, following the bigger children.

Playing in the creche room

Chasing Elijah

Feeding a younger baby a pen lid

The happy couple looking beautiful

We then travelled to the opposite end of the country, to Lancashire, to visit Swith's parents and some of his siblings.

Playing the piano with Uncle

We enjoyed a visit to a Victorian underground reservoir which is soon to close to build houses.

Wandering around the empty reservoir

It was pretty busy, as everyone rushed in to see what it was like

Zachary tried out his new wellington boots and splash suit from Grandma Jeanette and Grandad Harry. He loved walking along, holding hands with Grandad Harry and standing in the middle of a very large puddle, kicking his feet to make a big splash.

A fun but slow walk

The inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre

Eating porridge with Grandma Jeanette

We all had a lovely time visiting Zachary's Great Aunt Eileen and Great Uncle Mike. He was given a lovely gift of a new outfit and some soft crocheted blankets. 

Zachary models his new hat and jumper; unfortunately he was sick all over it on the way home

Then after a long delay-ridden trip, we finally made it to Cardiff to visit friends, party and see fireworks.

Zachary is thrilled by the fireworks

Zachary and the animals

Zachary loves animals and is always very inquisitive whenever he sees them. He smiles when he sees a dog and approaches cats to attempt to stroke them (although he tends to pull on their hair a little too hard and scares them away!). We've had the chance to visit a few places with farm animals for him to have a look and he also loves the wide open space of a field to enjoy a run around.

Here we are at the Donkey Sanctuary, near Sidmouth. Zachary especially liked stroking a donkey.

So many donkeys!

Stroking but no pulling

Donkeys with Daddy

The recent Powderham Food Festival was a favoutire for Zachary as there was a hugh field with deer. He couldn't get too close to them but enjoyed following other people around while Mummy and Daddy sat and watched.

Running down the hill towards the deer

A stag just before it ran away

See if you can spot Zachary stalking some children

There is a lovely variety of farm animals at Thornhill Farm shop in Cardiff. Here's Zachary enjoying a trip there.

Feeding the chickens some grass

Some entertaining piggies

Running around on the grass while the girls attempt to catch an escaped chicken

Zachary likes goats, just like Daddy

After all that running around, it's time for a break

Living with the grandparents

We moved to Exeter a few months ago and since then we've been living with Zachary's grandparents, Bumble and Grandad Rob in Heavitree while we've been purchasing our new family home in Stoke Hill. We only have a week to go until we'll be given the keys, so looking forward to doing it up a little before we move in. Zachary has been very much enjoying living with Bumble and Grandad as he always gets lots of attention whilst also having lots of friends to play with when Bumble's childminded children are around.

Enjoying the nice long corridor to take Scout for a ride

Zachary's current favourite things to do involve emptying anything he can find, including bins, cupboards and drawers. His grandparents have a lot of examples of these which keep him amused for a long time.

Zachary empties Bumble's cereal bars into his cart before wheeling them away

Zachary has been enjoying the garden when the weather has been good, especially being pushed around in the wheelbarrow (he cries when you get him out again) and likes picking up apples that have fallen from the tree to take a bite.

Clapping to help the plants grow

Eating an apple he was allowed to keep

Zachary loves having the cat around, although he needs watching carefully to make sure he doesn't try to pull its tail (it only has 3 legs so can't run away quick enough!)

That tail looks so tempting...

Zachary loves having cuddles with Bumble and is always interested in what she's doing...

Helping Bumble with her knitting

Looking a little more like Daddy as he tries on Bumble's glasses

Helping to open the post

Zachary says thank you to Bumble and Grandad in the only way he knows how - by leaving a little present!

The day the nappy failed us

A little naked boy in his prison to stop him treading over the mess

Zachary likes to squeeze his little body into even tinier spaces, including behind the sofa. Here he is in Uncle Aaron's little den...

Trapped but happy

Zachary has a bedtime story each night before he goes to sleep. He unfortunately hasn't been sleeping too well recently (could be for any number of reasons), so we're hoping he'll settle down once we've moved into our own house.

Snuggled up with a book

Exploring Exeter

Zachary is now walking fairly confidently and has enjoyed seeing some of what Exeter has to offer since we've been living here.

For some strange reason, Devon is full of random gorillas everywhere you go. Zachary likes the look of them.

Princesshay gorilla

We have made many trips to Exeter Central Library to borrow books, play/read and also to attend a lively baby singing group. Zachary loves reading (more than playing with toys, surprisingly), especially books that have flaps (although we've had to do quite a lot of selotaping recently!). Zachary always needs watching carefully when we're in the library, as he loves running, especially out of the exit!

Zachary's favourite thing to do is to pull all of the books out

Mummy remembers riding on this rocking horse herself when she was about 5 years old

Zachary has visited various playgrounds in Exeter, especially appreciating things he can grab onto.

Playing with Bumble's minded children in Mount Pleasant

This is Zachary's favourite at Belmont Park; it also works well as a play pen to stop him running away!

Peek-a-boo in the train; Zachary shows off his 6 teeth!

Zachary and Mummy often walk (Zachary too!) down to the nearby post office or school (Zachary likes watching the children playing in the playground). Zachary's favourite part of the walk is the shiny 'no cycling' sign which reflects the sunlight. It's always hard to get him to leave the sign and carry on walking home. He seems to love looking at road signs in general too - we often seeing him looking up to see what's on them.

Zachary points out the sign to passing cyclists

 The Tour of Britain cycle race was passing through Exeter a few weeks ago so we went down to watch. There seemed to be a lot more police motorbikes with their sirens going than actual cyclists, but Zachary liked those better anyway. 

Bumble points at the bikes; Zachary looks at the police instead

Zachary has been swimming several times since moving to Exeter. The first time he was very unsure and cried most of the time, grabbing onto Mummy as tightly as possible. The second time he cried as soon as we reached the entrance, as he remembered that this was where the horrible water was. He later settled down and started enjoying it. On subsequent visits he's been enjoying splashng in the water and kicking his legs to swim.

All ready to swim and looking pretty happy

Exeter museum is within walking distance for us, so we visited one weekend and had a look around; it has changed a lot since Mummy last visited. Zachary and Daddy had fun dressing up as Romans.

Zachary is preoccupied by a big shiny necklace