Park, Park, Park & Park

Michael stopped by the flat today for lunch, and C was on perfect form.

I think he was a little stunned when I took this picture yesterday. It could have been the flash or all the colours on his playmat-thing. He was a bit fraught and cross this afternoon, and put a fair bit of drool down his chin- so maybe the current teething theory does hold.

Apologies that it's been a few days since our last post. Here's Christian sitting in his new Bumbo chair (to support his back), and smiling for the camera.

It's been a few weeks since Christian was last weighed and measured, but he had his eight-week check-up today (at nine weeks) and did very well. He's now 61 1/2 cm (2 foot and a quarter of an inch), and weighs 6.2 kilos (or 13 pounds 10). That puts him in the 91st centile for height and the 80th for weight! But we have slightly more disturbing news ... the poor lad has been a little feisty lately and has been dribbling, gnawing on his fist and running a mild fever. It turns out he's an early teether. His teeth may not come in for a few months but they are starting to bother him. We'll be sad to lose his toothless grin!

Here's a very good shot of Nettie -Bella's cousin- and C. Much better picture of Nettie than C. She was over for tea on Sunday before Dad flew back. Nettie has done a huge amount of work on The Family Trees documenting distant and close relations, and has added a new branch for C.

Dad flew back to the States today. And C cried his eyes out all evening. Yesterday, after a fantasic pub lunch at our local, we came back to the flat for this picture.

Lisa & Nigel's farm house front door is at the foot of the Pennine Way , a famous hiking route that starts in the Peak District. So, Nigel led Dad and I on a 4.5 mile trek up to the highest point within this end of the trail (Kinder Scout)- 2000 feet up. It was a rough trail- lots of rocks and mud- along a brook. And incredibly windy and cold at the top. But, well worth it. This is a shot half way down. C, of course, stayed warm at home.

Just back to London now- 11pm- after a brilliant two days with Lisa, Nigel and family. What a great time of walking the hills, seeing the pubs and kids, kids, kids. Dad was named Grandpa Park (honorary) early on by L&N's kids and it stuck for the week-end. Here's a picture of the valley they live in. Nigel led us to the top of the hills in the back on a great 2 hour hike.

Grandpa Park is now in London, seeing his first grandchild for the first time. He’s here for a week, and we’ve already started the festivities. Dinner last night with Andy and Jack, and a trip to the Peak District this evening. We’re all staying with good friends Lisa and Nigel, who live here in Edale. Walks in the hills and fresh air is in order. Pictures to follow.

Here they are soon after their first meeting.

Mum gets a break, and Dad reads a book to C.

Now that we've got rid of his baby acne, we thought we'd give C some more spots. Thank you to the Kitzings and Larges for his lovely dungarees., which he's wearing on his playmat. C has just started to be interested in all the things hanging off the mat.

He's not perfect all the time... C went on a bit of a crying jag this evening.

Fast asleep.