The weather for the last week has been really good, and this weekend has been the hottest this year. It has meant that Heidi has been spending more time in the garden, playing and finding her new world now it’s not wet or dark outside.

The paddling pool that Emily gave as a birthday present was unpacked yesterday and inflated on the little noisy compressor. It has an inflatable sun-shield that fixes to the pool, and gives a little bit of shade. Once inflated it was placed in the back garden and filled with cold tap water. We let it warm up a bit before Heidi ventured in.

Once in the garden, Heidi lost all her previous nervousness of leaving the mat, and crawled without fear all around the garden eating anything in her path. Stones, sticks and some daisies. She liked the cold water and leant in, splashing timidly at first and then more boldly. Soon she was soaked and so we stripped her off, and got her into her swimsuit. On top of that came the wetsuit and we let her dangle her feet in at first. Very cold to her, as she normally only encounters warm water in the bath.

She soon was happy and in the pool, splashing and shuffling around chuckling to herself and occasionally waving at her reflection in the patio doors. She could not master the getting-out sadly and she really did not have a clue how to do it. Once out she was wrapped up and taken in for her bath which she enjoyed as usual.

Today saw us emptying the pool and using it to water the plants, as she had filled it with grass and bits from yesterday. Filled this morning, it warmed up during the day to a reasonable temperature.

A visit to Grandma and Grandad’s house saw her out in their front garden too, crawling as fast as she could – around the flowers beds stopping occasionally to eat some greenery. As it was approaching midday and getting hotter it was time for some shade and lunch at home.

She had her pasta whilst we ate ours, and it was all very pleasant. She was in the pool again, this time mastering the getting in and getting out. Only she did it constantly – clambering in and then out again and again. She loved it and tried to grab the two dragonflies which were trying to share her water.

Once dried and dusted down we headed off for another first. Today was a visit to the beach. Heidi has sat on Seaton beach which is pebbly, for a few moments as well as the beach in Woolacombe just as it rained. Today it was hot and lots of people were there. The fun fair was behind on the Green, and we were there, all three of us. Rachel, Heidi and Hayley. I bought her her first bucket and spade too. We sat on the beach and Heidi soon started to eat the wet sand and dig her hands into the warm sand. She really enjoyed this. It was great for us too, seeing our beloved little daughter playing in this way. All the things we wished Fred would have experienced. She got very sandy and grubby so we took her down to the surf which was very small but gave her feet an icy wash. She looked a little confused at first and then became curios of it.

We returned to our pitch and enjoyed the sun again, with Heidi in her sun cream, under the shade of her parasol. We really need to get some beach things – windbreak, pop-up tent etc etc for when we are away next.

It was still very hot underfoot as we walked to the pub for some tea. Heidi was rather animated and noisy in the pub but was much fun as usual.

On return to home she played for a bit and then suddenly she was fast asleep in her cot, hopefully exhausted after a busy day of new experiences……

Heidi woke this morning, with a full wispy head of hair that really needed a brush. It is great to see here yawn, and do “adult” movements when only one year old. Smacks her lips, rubs her eyes, and scratches and wonders what to do next. That was earlier than normal.

Today is her first birthday. A year ago, Rachel and I trooped in with the bag and awaited the caesarean that was booked for the AM slot. Almost ready for theatre, we were bumped off by an emergency caesarean coming in, and were warned Rachel might have to pack and go home again. That’s was all a bit stress really, as we were ready to roll. The midwife was really good and went off to see what was happening. We were advised that Rachel would be first of the PM list as a tonsillectomy had been cancelled, and that whilst she was till “nil by mouth” I should bolster my strength for the long afternoon ahead by getting some lunch in at the restaurant. I read the Herald and sauntered back to Rachel’s room, where she was craving something to eat. Or at least drink. They eventually allowed her a little cup of water to keep her happy.

Just about 1330h the call was that we were en route to theatre and off we headed. Rachel decided to walk and we trundled off quite happily but rather nervously. Once in theatre the anaesthetist had a quiet chat and said all of the staff were aware of Fred, and that everything would be OK.

At 1436h Heidi arrived grumpily into the world with black piercing eyes and a mad grimace.

One year on, Heidi visited Paignton Zoo. The zoo is only a few yards from our house, and hopefully enjoyed a relaxing morning with mum, dad and god mother, Emily. We had some lunch there too and visited Fred’s bench along the way. In the Gibbon Restaurant we bumped into a lady who was in the next bed to Rachel when Heidi was born. She was the emergency c-section that delayed Rachel. They were in there too celebrating Sebastian’s first birthday as well, so that was a nice bonus.

Once back to the house, it was rest time for her and to open some of the remainder of her presents. We had some friends visit during the afternoon and a few more presents and cards appeared. Heidi seemed to be taking it all in, sensing something good was happening.

We eventually popped over to my mum and dads to say “hello” and see my dad who had just come out of hospital. He was pleased to see the sleeping Heidi, and so we came back and by 1930h she was safely back in her warm cot, with a few new toys to play with when she wakes up.

We treated ourselves to a KFC Bargain Bucket which was immense.

Happy Birthday Heidi, xx

In a few days time, Heidi will be one year old. Today Rachel and the gang (comprising Emily, Emma, Frankie, Helen, Dawn and plus 1800 others) did the Cancer Research Race for Life in Paignton.

We have been there for several years, just watching, but this year Rachel decided to walk the walk, or run the run rather, and entered. The weather was overcast and cool at first and soon became ideal running conditions. Off they set and returned a while after just as the sun came out and the wind dropped.

No apparent casualties and lots of aches made the day rather enjoyable. Rachel’s mum, and my mum and dad, were there to watch the spectacle as Heidi was too.

Afterwards we went to the pub on the seafront and had some great lunch. Heidi experienced her first chip today and did not seem that impressed though.

Once back Rachel had a hard earned shower whilst Heidi played in the garden with Emily and June. In the last few days she is standing on her own now, for as long as she can muster, before she raises her hands above her head and then sinks to the ground.