Alby Finds His Feet

I like my toes!

A rather long post...

It feels like a while since we last were here so we have lots to show you... 

Firstly here is a video of Alby's Splashathon. One of his classmates Grandparents kindly filmed it for us. Thanks to everyone who sponsored Alby. The money is going to a wondeful charity.

A couple of weeks ago Don was away working so Alby and I went on a City Break to London and stayed next door to the Hill's while their neighbours were away. It was a lovely couple of days. 

Here are some snaps of Alby on their lawn.

And here is Han and Alby having a chat.

It was a bit sunny.

But lots of fun.

Alby loves Sylvie.

And Orla.

 The next day was our NCT reunion. Everyone made it apart from Chole. I think you've met most of Alby's friends. From Alby clockwise there is Gabriel, Cerys, Hazel, Charlotte and Noah. Amelia was there too but she was snoozing so missed the photo!

On Thursday Don came home and Stan and Marion returned from their trip up to Scotland so we are back to a full house. We have been trying to spend as much time with Hannah, Jon, Orla and Sylvie as we can as they leave in a few weeks. They came and had a picnic with us on Friday. It was great!

Sylvie and Alby hung out in the living room for a bit.

Orla told Marion a great story.

We had a lovely spot in the park and the sun shone all afternoon.

And Alby had his first taste of food... Two spoonfulls of pear. He LOVED it!

There were lots of cuddles for everyone.

And Baxter watched on.

It was a very special afternoon.

On Sunday evening after Don got home form work we headed to Wales for a few nights in our favourite place on the Gower Peninsula.

We stopped and had fish and chips in Windsor Great Park on the way. Alby enjoyed it...

And Baxter met a swan.

We went back to the Shepards Huts we stayed in last year. It was a bit of a squeeze with the four of us (Don, me, Alby and Baxter) but we managed. 

Here's breakfast and a story.

We went for a lovely walk on the beach. Alby looked pretty groovy with his straw in his hat.

 

Stan and Marion stayed in the other hut so Alby got lots of cuddles with Grandma.

The horses were interested in breakfast.

And we made some space for Alby to roll... which he can now go from back to front and front to back... from both sides!

The sun came out on Tuesday and we had another lovely beach walk.

Then after breakfast this morning we headed homeward.

A wonderful holiday!

We are home again now for a few days and then hope to head to the South Coast for a few days next week while Don is working on the Isle of Wight.

See you soon.

Please Sponsor Alby!

Next Tuesday Alby is taking part in a Splashathon as part of his last swimming lesson to raise money for Tommy's - a charity which researches stillborn, premature birth and miscarriage. As part of his usual lesson he will do an extra 'swim' and I think there are prizes for the best one... It would be great if you had a few extra pennies to sponsor him. Here is the link.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ARutherford

Alby says 'Thanks!'

A few weeks ago we took part in another fundraising event - this time to raise money for Cancer Research. The Mummies from our NCT group did a 5k walk at Kempton Park. We raised £370 online and I know some of the girls had other sponsorship too so I think we did pretty well!

Here are a few pics from the event.

We all had a lovely walk and thank you to all who sponsored us!

Some of the Dad's came to support us and this is what they got up to while we were busy strutting our stuff... Hmmm.

Here are a few pictures from a picnic we had with Stan and Marion a few weeks ago.

And here is Alby on the floor of the new Camera Corps office. We went to visit everyone at my old work and see how they are getting on. It was lovely to see them all. 

Check out Alby's rosy cheeks... Those together with the dribbling, chewing everything he can get his hands on and the rather loud screams that come form him make me think he is teething... Not sure if the necklace is working!

He also has a new chair. Cute!

Don has been away a bit recently so Baxter and I have been walking with our lovely neighbour Gillian and her dog Medlar. Him and Baxter have great fun and love fighting over sticks.

We are looking forward to Marion and Stan coming back on Sunday after their trip up to Scotland with Malcolm and Amanda. We are going to try and get to France for a few days with them. Alby's first overseas trip... He'll have to decide which passport to use since he is lucky enough to have two!

In the meantime Alby and I are heading into London for a city break tomorrow to stay in Hannah and Jon's neighbours house. We are looking forward to spending time with them as it is not long now before they head home to NZ.

Speaking of NZ we are in  the process of booking flights home for December and January. We are very excited to be able to come home for a couple of months to spend Christmas with some of the family and celebrate Joe and Asha's wedding. Yay. Can't wait.