Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Christmas Hair Crisis!






Christmas Crisis... Maddie is going bald! All her baby hair is falling out and she had to face her first Christmas with nothing but a bit of fluff on top and old man tufts at the back and sides! Simes keeps teasing her and calling her 'little Bobby Charlton"! Luckily she overcame her crisis to have a truly wonderful first Christmas. Although we were sad to be on the other side of the world from our family and most of our friends, we were welcomed by Nattie's parents, Pam and Mike, at their gorgeous house in Stanmore. This is the third Christmas that Simes and I have spent with the Freedmans and each year gets more and more spectacular. Nattie's mum Pam cooked for 16 of us and spoiled us all rotten. Maddie was "the bell of the ball" and was drowned in kisses and cuddles. We all stayed the night and enjoyed a very indulgent Boxing Day brunch before heading home to sloth in front of the TV.

Simes has 3 weeks off work over Christmas and the three of us have been having a blast hanging out together. It's bloody cold outside, but that hasn't stopped us from taking Maddie to the Notting Hill Markets and for walks in Hyde Park and around Maida Vale. The Truth is, she sleeps through most of our outdoor adventures, but we take plenty of photo's to prove to her that she is a little "minx about town"!

We are really looking forward to spending New Years Eve at Richard and Jane's beautiful house in Clapham. So much has happened in 2006 - the same group of friends that were all hideously drunk at a beach house in Cornwell last new years eve are getting back together to see in 2007... the difference is we are now all married, up-the-duff or with child! How times change.

Wishing you a spectacular Christmas and an even more wonderful 2007 xxxxx

Monday, December 11, 2006

A Royal Visit












Little Madeleine had a super busy week with lots of visits from friends and her first big outing. Benny and I took her to Kensington Palace to see the Mario Testino photographs of Princess Diana. She had a lovely afternoon which included a stroll around the Palace, afternoon tea in the Palace Cafe and a lovely walk through Hyde Park (see pics).

She is a beautiful little soul and is getting more and more animated each day. Her gummy smiles are adorable and they make the night feeds much more bearable. She has started to recognise our voices and is fascinated to hear her daddy's voice when he calls from work during the day. One of her favourite activities is when Simes gives her an early evening bath... she is quite the water baby (see pics).

Benny (otherwise known as Mrs Doubtfire) left us earlier today and is on his way home to Sydney (huge thanks to Richie for the temporary loan) . He filled our lives with laughter while he was here and little Maddy fell for him 'hook, line and sinker'.... so much so that she asked him to be her Godfather and was thrilled when he accepted. Simes and I are eternally grateful to him for being such an amazing friend.

Take care & lots of love xxxxxxxx

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Maddy the Minx Hits the Town




Little Maddy has been spotted around Maida Vale being carried by Daddy in her Baby Bjorn. She absolutely loves this mode of transport and dozes off withing five minutes of leaving the house.

London winter has kicked in and the days are getting shorter, but there are still glimpses of sunshine and little Maddy is a ray of light.

Lots of love,
Maddy, Simes and Smythie xxx