Trying lots of new things

On Friday, Kitty had her first day trip out to Skipton. We had a walk around the market, stopped off for lunch in a nice sandwich bar and bought some fabric for me to make a new laundry bag to collect the massive amount of dirty clothes Kitty is generating. Kitty's favourite bit was the car.

On Saturday, Kitty was one week old. To celebrate, Kitty had lots of visitors bringing even more presents.

Darren, Nicky and Ben came over and cooked us a really good lunch.

The Simpson's arrived later for a champagne and cake party, but unfortunately their arrival was a bit of a shock to the system for Darren, Nicky and Ben so they didn't stay for tea. (Don't be scared guys, they aren't as mental as they first seem!)

Pictured clockwise from top left: Dad Simpson, O'Neil Khan (Alison's new hubbie), Alison Khan (my sister), Brodie (Alison's son), mum Simpson with Kitty in her party frock and me.

Kitty was a little confused by Alison's 'boobie' t-shirt!

On Sunday the midwife came to visit and weigh Kitty. Ideally babies should be back up to their birth weight within two weeks. It's been one week and not only has Kitty got back up to her birth weight, but she has put on an extra pound! What a porker. The midwife was very pleased with this progress and said we were doing really well. Perhaps it has something to do with Daddy helping.

Settling in nicely

Kitty is settling in well and seems pretty happy with us. The midwife keeps visiting and says she is doing great, very bright, alert and healthy.

So far, we are coping very well with the new addition. Andy is in a constant state of elation and has taken to shaving every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am finding it all surprisingly easy and enjoying every minute. I'm sure things will get harder, but I think years of staying up late and looking after animals have prepared me well for taking care of a baby. All I keep thinking about at the moment is all the stuff we're going to be able to do while I'm off work. Where other people seem to think having a baby ends everything, I think for us it's the opposite. I feel like I have finally been set free from the demands of work and will now have the time to do the more enjoyable things.

Kitty likes to spend time lounging on the sofa.

















She is also keen on her vibrating chair.






















She has already been introduced to the daily walk down the lane.






















To add to the beautiful flowers my mum bought, work sent me another lovely bunch and for once the house smells wonderful. I'll have to make sure I buy really fragrant flowers from now on as it's not just the smell of the dogs and cats I have to deal with, but that of baby poo and sicky milk. Kitty may be pretty, but boy does she stink!

Something worth blogging about....

I haven't posted anything for a while as I have been busy making something new. It took a while to get right and was hit and miss at times, but after some really hard work myself and Andy managed to turn this......
















.....into this, and she is perfect.
Kitty Moi Moi Simpson. 8lbs 9oz. 54cm.






















She wasn't quite completed on time (just a week over though) and we needed some specialist assistance in the end to help with the finishing touches, but after years of planning, nine months of development, 16 hours labour and a few final snips and stitches, at 6.30am on Saturday August 2nd 2008 she was finally ready to meet the world.

Today we are home from the hospital, well and ready to start our new lives as a family. Thanks to all that helped along the way.

Dumb dog

Rei has arrived !

We finally picked Rei up from the farm on Saturday. He was very well behaved in the van and when we arrived home, he seemed keen to meet Bo.

Andy said we had to call him 'Rei' rather than 'Ray' (sounds the same) as not to change his real name (Reindeer) but just to shorten it.

Bo was a little shy at first introductions.


















Checking each other out for a while.


















Then finally, the meeting.

It didn't take long for them to decide who was boss. Despite his size, Bosie is a real baby so Rei showed him how he likes to eat first! I guess when you are brought up on a farm with loads of other goats, you do have to fight to get your food.

There is plenty to go around here though.






















Of course White Cat came down to check out the new boy.

















I'm sure the two of them are going to get on fine.

Bo has been showing Rei all the best places to forage. Rei follows Bo around like a shadow.

Only a couple of problems really. One, he can jump the fence and does so constantly. I guess we are going to have to get something better. Two, he STINKS. I'm hoping that this is just from the farm and it will wear off. He smells like REALLY STRONG goats cheese. Not good.

Rei has a funny pink lip.

Rei seems very happy with his new home. Running and jumping around.

I can't bring myself to take down the old sign. I think I'm just going to paint another one for Rei and put it above.

Ray

FMD movement restrictions have been lifted, so fingers crossed we are off to collect Bosie's new friend tomorrow. The farm we are getting him from have called him 'Reindeer', but I'm thinking 'Ray' might be better. Peahead suggested just 'Rein', so together they would make a 'Rein-Bo'. Cute. We'll see.

Bo is very lonely without Oscar. He won't forage without someone watching his back, so I have been cutting brambles and branches for him. If I'm out and about, he isn't happy unless he is right there with me.....even in the greenhouse!

We have finally found him a potential new friend, an 18 month old Toggenburg from a Cheshire meat farm but luck has not been on our side. We hired a truck and got everything ready, but the day we planned to pick him up a new case of foot and mouth was announced and a national ban on animal movement was put in place. Fingers crossed, the F&M outbreak will be sorted soon and we'll still be able to get him.

In the mean time, we enjoyed the last few weeks of summer. Eugie discovered frisbee.

The cats window. Now Eugies window.

We went on a trip to London to see Sonic Youth. We stayed with Andy's brother and fiance Suzie. Unfortunately it took about 10 minutes for Eugene to break their cat flap. Sorry guys!

As the weather gets wetter and colder, we are reminded on a daily basis why we call White Cat, 'White Cat' - to remind us that he is actually white under all that muck!

And today, in the wet and wind we ventured out to see the Atom. The new sculpture on the hill at Wycoller, about 4 miles from our house. Bert liked the view from inside best.