Crawling...

After more than a month of almost crawling, she has finally done it! She is relieved, I think, to finally be able to get to where she was wanting to go. She had been clearly frustrated at times that she couldn't propel herself forward towards the toy or power cord she was eyeing. Even though she usually reached her target anyway by a combination of rolls, turns, and backwards scoots, crawling forwards is clearly more efficient, and any daughter of mine is bound to love efficiency. Unfortunately, she's also like me in that she isn't incredibly patient. Exactly a day after mastering the forward crawl, she started holding onto the edges of a shelf or table, trying to pull herself up, and whining when she couldn't do it. I tried to tell her to take it slow, but that doesn't seem to help.

Enjoying the views of Wellington from the top of Mt Victoria, during Uncle Chris' visit.
Steve and Chris did the Tongariro Crossing in early January. It is a 7-8 hr hike that starts and ends in different locations, and since the weather was looking a bit unpredictable that day, I volunteered to be the chauffeur for the day.
They ended up having beautiful weather though - once the morning fog and cloud lifted, the sun was out and they had great views from the top.
Madeleine and I hiked up from the other end and met them at one of the huts. It was a long, steady climb for little M and me...
... so I let Daddy have a turn with the pack on the way down. Madeleine loves her new backpack carrier.
While exploring the beach with Chris one day, we saw these interesting "sea wave" clouds, which Steve quickly identified as Kelvin-Helmholtz instability clouds. Naturally, that was what I had thought as well.
Daddy and Madeleine enjoying one of her new Christmas books.
Madeleine, looking her usual messy self after spagetti and yogurt for dinner. She goes straight to the bath after dinner!