Thomas's First Birthday!

Tom celebrated his first birthday on 1st December. We had a lovely weekend at Nanna-Rose's, with both sets of grandparents, uncle Paul, auntie Claire and uncle Andrew and cousin Isla. We went to a soft play centre and then had a birthday tea where tom opened up his presents. Here he is at home with his play table - a present from grandma and grandad.

Here are some photos at the soft play centre - on a swing with uncle Paul, peeking through a tunnel and Isla.

Back at Nanna-Rose's Tom tucked into a birthday tea and opened his presents - a ride on rocket from mummy and daddy and a guitar from Nanna-Rose and Grandad.

Before taking a well earned rest from it all!

Nearly 1!

Well, its been a while since we have posted any photos of Tom, who is now just a few days short of his first birthday. He has also just taken his first unassisted steps, so we presume he will be charging around the house before we know it. Here are some photos from the last few weeks!

Trying to escape from his highchair and playing with Daddy...


All wrapped out for the cold weather...and not happy about it!!
Last week we went The Enchanted Garden at Syon Park. This is where the gardens of Syon Park are lit up with fairy lights and it gave us an opportunity to test out Tom's backpack!

Holidaying in Majorca

The Lands / Smiths / O'Higgins-es went en-masse to Majorca at the end of September. Tom was joined by his Nanna-Rose and Chiefy-Pops Land, Grandma and Grandad O'Higgins, and Auntie Claire, uncle Andrew and Cousin Isla Smith!

Here is enjoying splashing in the sea with Daddy.

Isla and Tom and the baby-version of Reservoir Dogs?!

Ever the water-baby

Enjoying the local seafood...

Playing by the pool

Buried in sand

Being spoilt by Nanna-Rose

Tom learning to walk

Here is Tom taking his first steps with his baby walker, and getting his first pair of proper shoes (good old Clarks...)

Tom at 9 months

Incredibly, Baby Tom is now 9 months old! He is spending 4 days a week in nursery, which thankfully he seems to enjoy, whilst Mummy re-enters the world of adult conversation and work! Here are some photos of him taken in the last couple of weeks, including a fine illustration by Uncle Paul of baby feeding!

Learning to Stand

Here are two photos of Tom from this month - one with a very cheeky smile for Nanna Rose and Cousin Isla, and one showing everyone his new standing skills!

Our new garden

We have finally got round to sorting out our garden so Baby Tom will have somewhere to run around next summer. Here it in 3 stages:

1) When we first moved in
2) As a big brown mess
3) How the new turf is looking after a good few days of sunshine, showers and sprinkler sessions!

Some summer photos of Tom

An IT nerd on our hands?

Thomas has developed an aptitude for anything electrical. He manages to bang the laptop until he (we presume) inadvertently turns it on, and makes a beeline for the DVD player as soon as he is set down on the floor. He also likes mobiles, remotes, cameras and calculators???

The secret Ireland player

One hangover from the Ireland trip was Auntie's desire to see him in an Ireland shirt....needless to say, Daddy promptly dispatched Mummy off to the Twickenham shop so he also has a England one...

Tom's first trip abroad

Baby Tom went on his first trip abroad at the end of July, to visit "Auntie" in Wicklow, Ireland.

Here he is at the airport (cleaning the floors) and trying to persuade Mummy to buy him one of those £20 raffle tickets to win a super car. Not sure what it was....but it was red.

"Auntie" is Tom's Great-Grandma's sole surviving sibling. She is Tom's Great-Great Auntie, Mummy's Great Auntie and Granddad's Auntie. Here are the 4 generations together.

The weather was lovely whilst we there and so Tom even got his first paddle in the sea. It was still a bit cold though and he did let out a girly scream...

Every days' a school day.....

At 7 months Baby Tom is learning fast! Firstly, here he is demonstrating the stages of crawling:

1. Do a baby version of the 'caterpillar'

2. Get up on all fours and make a (preferably) forward motion

3. Decide it is all too much and take a well earned rest

And secondly here is learning the alphabet with Nanna Rose. He's very advanced don't you know.

Playing in the park

Here is Tom (on the left) on the swings in the park with his little friend Stanley!

The womble of Wimbledon

Hopefully memorising a few shots that will ensure Mummy and Daddy have a future Wimbledon Champion (and a comfortable retirement) on their hands!

Tom's Favourite Food

Thomas is getting to grips with all types of food now. He particularly likes anything in cheese sauce, but even this doesn't compare to Mummy's phone.....