In comparison, the less hungry Pops was -8oz at day 6 days (-7% of her birth weight - normal limit being -10%) and didn’t regain her birth weight until after almost one month.

Breakfast in Bed for Mummy again as it’s her birthday. Despite plans to let Catherine enjoy a well deserved lie-in (especially as Poppy had woken regularly), Poppy camped outside the bedroom door, waving the balloons and wanting to sing ‘Happy Birthday dear Mummy’ which we’d been practicing that morning.

 
After presents and cards (none really as Royal Mail’s still not working), we donned the baby carriers and set out, via the office, to the forest for another two of Poppy’s favourite passtimes - throwing ‘dones’ into water to watch the splash and feeding the ducks.

A lovely Sunday morning (if slightly grey outside) spent in bed together; Poppy playing tents under the covers and Rosie sleeping peacefully beside us 

Rosie’s a little *ahem* runny at the moment (I decided not to post a photo), which she demonstrated amply whilst Catherine and Poppy were out for a walk for her favourite activity of looking at the ‘tains’ running on the Central Line (Poppy quite enjoys it too). Perfect timing, Richard and Claire arrived for the evening shindig and helped make everything better with piles of lovely presents.

left to right: Matt (Rosemary), Vanessa, Claire, Richard, Matt & Catherine

Debbie came to babysit Poppy for us in the evening (terrible tears at being separated) and Rosemary came with us to the Clocktower in Ongar for Rob’s LiveStrong Charity ‘taster meal’ (an orgy of his exquisite cooking) with Richard & Claire, Matt & Vanessa.

 
Matty got broody & Catherine got an early Birthday present to wear on the night.

The end of the first week!
Aunty Maureen had a marathon 2 hour cuddle with Rosie and Grandma and Grandpa left mid morning, much to Poppy’s dismay. 

Immediately after touching down at the airport, Paul, Jen and Samuel dropped in with their car (and eyes) still full of holiday. Samuel (6 months) looked healthy and bouncy, probably due to his holiday romance with an older woman (3 yrs).

I finished fitting out, insulating, carpeting and triple ‘glazing’ the shed (no, really) and we had a quiet evening… meaning we managed to go to bed together and, unusually for me at the moment, before 1am.

Rosemary slept really well tonight, however Pops woke up crying a couple of times - probably because of the cold we’re hoping Rosie doesn’t catch…

Rosie’s stumpy tummy button was pronounced AOK.

Grandma and Grandpa helped look after Poppy and Rosie and as usual, Grandpa couldn’t sit still for long, so insulated Great Grandma’s garage doors then helped put shelves up in the Garden Shed. We were still at it, in the dark, when Stuart and His Girls (Hannah, Chloe and Sasha) came to visit. Dad kindly continued to make a work bench then began populating the shelves whilst we all ate fish and chips (don’t worry, he got some) and the girls played in Poppy’s Post Office (one of the few doing much at the moment) whilst she slept.  Stu and Hannah took turns in holding the new babe.  I’m in the same position as Stu, being the only male in the household, except that he’ll have a house full of hormonal women well before I do as his girls are a few years older.

As usual, Rosie slept well during the day (as newborns have a habit of doing), but decided to wake at 1am, after we’d gone to bed.. and then again about every hour thereafter… poor Catherine was knackered by the morning.

Pops went to nursery today and when Mummy returned via the shops, Rosie and I were still asleep, because I’d worked until 2am and Rosie had a tummy full of milk.

Robbo popped around for lunch and a catchup and kindly valeted the Saab, but then we had to whizz off ASAP to the Registrar in Walthamstow to notify The Authorities of Rosie’s existence. Poppy helped by trying to disconnect the Registrar’s computer. Rosemary Lynda might become a known person if the Communication Workers Union don’t scupper it during their 6 day strike in protest of being modernised.

Poppy and I had a great time at Tumble Tots today, bouncing around on the assault course, playing with lummy sticks & bean bags, singing tumble tots songs and being congratulated on the New Arrival. Poppy revieved a red balloon as a new Big Sister award and delighted in kicking it around for the rest of the day.

I admit here to knowing all of the words and most of the actions to two Tumble Tots albums.. which I don’t believe is really a problem until the realisation that I’ve been driving alone for an hour, singing along gleefully to the CD which plays automatically de facto - as Pops demands it on every journey with cries of ‘Tot, Tot, Tot’ until it the immortal words “hello Tumble Tots and friends” are heard.

 Mummy’s new haircut and Playdough from Paul

Cheffy popped around and made Salade Nicoise with the immense Tuna steaks from yesterdays visit by the Fishmonger’s Van. Richard arrived and we all sat in the garden congratulating ourselves on our luck on a warm October’s afternoon whilst Poppy and Rosemary slept inside. The sun even burst through at one point, what a beautiful day.
 Cheffy

 Bedtime reading

Mummy took Poppy to her to fifth Nursery visit this morning, whilst I cooed over Rosie.

The nursery kindly called to say that both girls were a bit upset when parted, but Poppy recovered quite quickly and was playing nicely.

Uncle Richard visited on the pretence of work, but we knew he really wanted to see his Nieces. Mummy & I had to do a bit more work in the evening.