2016 in Pictures

I have good reason to have not updated this blog in a year but have managed my end of year update - if only for me to look back on in the future!

January

We hit the ground running with parenthood.  Estelle is an absolute delight - but she was also a mobile, energetic one year old and we didn't have any slow introduction to get acclimatised.  I don't think either of us had ever felt so tired, and I lost about a stone in weight from just being on my feet all the time!  We faced all the new challenges head on, and Estelle began to settle into her home, her family and it started to feel as if she had always been here.

February

We were delighted to attend Corey and Monika's wedding as a wee family.  Estelle's first wedding and party!  She coped well with the flight to London, staying at a hotel and meeting lots of new people.  We were glad to have my mum, dad and Sarah with us to help!

March

Estelle started to climb, balance and get herself into all sort of precarious positions!  This photo is a good representation of that month.  She moved her rocking horse over so she could stand (and rock) while playing on her keyboard.  This was a nightly activity - usually when we mentioned bed time....!!

April

Here is Estelle with her first pair of proper shoes!  She had been cruising round furniture, standing on her own and climbing for months...but it was around this time she was properly walking.  She seemed to be growing so fast!   It was also my birthday - mum watched Estelle so we could go for dinner.  I think we were back by 6pm and in bed by 9pm ;-)  Our new rock and roll lifestyle!

May

Estelle's first trip down to Hawick for Ross' 40th Birthday this month.  She was in her element playing with Andrews cousin's children.  She had a ball!  We also had some lovely weather in May, so a lot of time in the garden.   Here she is looking for Seb - who is hiding from her in the bushes! Poor Seb didn't quite know what had happened when this whirlwind arrived.

We also had a family photo shoot courtesy of my friend Kirsty.  Estelle was impeccably behaved -posing away. Seb on the other hand, managed to get into the staff kitchen, ran wild and acted like a complete diva.

June

We had a week of amazing weather, which coincided with Andrew having a weeks holiday from work.  We did lots of day trips - to Luss, Briarlands farm, Blairdrummond safari park and Loch lomond shores.  The photo is Estelle wading into the freezing cold loch at Luss - because she wanted to be in with the ducks.  There was also much fun in the garden and we ate dinner outside every night, which Estelle thought was great fun.  She had her paddling pool out and was absolutely wild in it!

July

We attended our good friends Barry and Louise's vow renewal party - Estelle was in her element!  Up on the dance floor and running wild :)  We had a couple of days in Hawick and also managed to attend our friends wedding, while mum looked after Estelle.  That was the first and last good nights sleep of the year haha!

August

We had a family holiday to Arran, and were lucky to have amazing weather.  Anne and John came with us and Estelle had a fantastic time.  Here she is feeding the ducklings, which was the high light of her holiday!

September

Estelle's Christening- what a lovely day we all had.  Uncle Hugh baptised her, which made it even more special. Estelle had a fantastic time at her party afterwards, and for the next month did nothing but talk about it!

Estelle also discovered one of her favourite things to do was walking Seb.  Puddle suit, wellies, and puddles to jump in  = one happy girl!

October

A month of lots of autumn walks, visits to the play park - for the swings and also lots of quieter days inside learning new things.

November

There is little to  say about this photo, other than her mad aunty Sarah is responsible for the panda suit.  Seb was very accepting of it.  I think he was glad someone else was getting dressed up for once..!

December

Estelle has loved all the Christmas buzz - the tree, the lights and the parties!  We had a weekend of festive fun with our lovely friends the Levinsohns and also a family day out to santas grotto at lomond shores.  Estelle had an absolute ball on Christmas day, then more celebrations with Andrew's family on boxing day - followed by her birthday yesterday!  She thinks that you get to open presents every day!  What a lovely ending to a fantastic year.   All I want for 2017 is for all my family and friends to have much happiness and joy :-)  For Estelle, I want her to just be herself - the beautiful, funny, clever and kind little girl we all love.