St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

On Thursday, Gemma brought home some St. Patrick's Day artwork to start our celebrations. 

On Friday, I took the day off work, but Gemma still went to creche for most of the day. I did laundry, packed, washed and vacuumed the car, then got the car packed up to head to Mayo. Paul came home a little after 1pm, we grabbed some lunch, then collected Gemma from creche and started our journey west. We got to Paul's parents' house in time for Gemma to eat dinner, play for a bit, then head to bed. 

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day. Paul did some work with his dad, and Gemma and I walked to the playground in the afternoon. She helped Auntie Marie with some chores first though!

On Sunday, Bridget, Marie, Gemma and I went into Westport for lunch, then watched the duck races that were on. Gemma is a huge fan of 'quack quacks' at the moment, so she enjoyed seeing all the yellow ducks in the river!

We looked in a couple of shops, then headed back to Louisburgh. That evening we all went out to eat at a pub/restaurant in Louisburgh to celebrate PJ's birthday a bit early, then headed back to the house for cake. 

On Monday, St. Patrick's Day, we headed uptown to watch the parade. Gemma had been practicing waving the flags that Granny had gotten her all weekend! 

We headed back to the house, relaxed, and had a delicious lunch of bacon and cabbage. 

That evening, Gemma stayed with Granny, Grandad, Auntie, and Uncle while Paul and I went out for a drink in one of the pubs in town and a bite to eat in Westport. We all shared a celebratory drink when we got back. 

On Tuesday we got packed up and headed out in the late morning. After a stop for lunch, we got back to Dublin a little after 3pm. We had a great long weekend, and Gemma really enjoyed having the additional audience! 

19 Months!

Every month goes by so quickly, but this one seemed to go especially fast! Gemma is 19 months old today! Here's a recap of the past month!

-Gemma is saying more words all the time. She is constantly saying the names of two little girls from creche- Lily and Chloe (although Gemma says 'chlo chlo'). She has also been saying owl, eyes, nose, quack quack, hippo, ball, plus more that I just can't think of at the moment!

-Gemma got a little ball and loves throwing and kicking it. She and daddy have lots of fun with it most evenings when Paul gets home.

-She can spot a dog or duck, no matter how small and obscure (in a book) or how far away (in the car or out for a walk). She then says, 'bow wow' or 'quack quack'.

-Gemma continues to love books and has a favourite spot where she sits on the floor and looks through them herself.

-Favourite toys continue to be her kitchen and the eggs with different shaped bottoms. She also got a big stuffed Barney the dinosaur, and Barney (or Bo Bo, as Gemma calls him), has to be included in everything. He sits on a kitchen stool and 'watches' Gemma eat all of her meals. He gets good morning and good night kisses, and Gemma tells him 'hiya!' every morning too.

-Gemma is a great helper. Most mornings she puts daddy's dirty socks in the clothes hamper! She also likes to help with the laundry and to put groceries away.

-Gemma has gotten better at feeding herself with a spoon, and can now eat her weetabix in the morning herself. It helps that it is basically the consistency of paste and sticks to the spoon quite well!

-Gemma continues to be a happy, fun little girl, and she's developed a certain smile that we know means she's up to something!

Photos from the past month:



Lunch time!


Daddy makes a great horsey!


Our first chair and blanket tent-not too impressed at the start!


She had fun after awhile!


Playing on the playground in the square that we live in


I don't really know what she was trying to do here!


We took Gemma to see a mini show of Barney at a local shopping centre. She was transfixed!


Barney!


Emptying her bag and wiping her nose!


She found this bib, then had to wear it constantly for two days!


Had to wear two hats another day!


Helping to take out her diapers!


We went to an indoor play place last week. She made a run for this as soon as we got in the door and had to give Barney kisses!


Peppa Pig was at the play place too!


The new Barney! Paul had to go to the toy store to get a new monitor, as ours quit working, and he came home with this too! They were both very excited. (By the way, Gemma had to have her tights and shoes off as soon as we got home from creche. She's usually not bare legged in March!)


Reading with Barney


'Cheers!' Breakfast at Bewley's on Grafton Street this past Saturday.


Watching the ducks in St. Stephen's Green after breakfast

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