We are having a really lovely time catching up with various people across Perth. My niece Lauren slept over last night and we had a load of fun making fairy cupcakes and decorating them with edible pink glitter, although I think most of them were licked by Lauren who was 'making sure the icing wasn't going to fall off'! Sophs has been packed in Lauren's bag in this pic - I think Lauren would love to take Sophs home with her!

We sat on the back lawn in the early evening twilight and I blew bubbles up into the sky which Lauren merrily and gleefully chased and swatted out of the air. Phoenix the dog got in the act as well and as I sat blowing streams of bubbles from the bottle, Phoenix was leaping and snapping to my left and Lauren was leaping and whirling to my right amidst plumes of glistening bubbles. There was so much contentment in such a simple activity.

This afternoon we had a relaxed happy time at Chloe's new(ish) home where we were spoiled with a delicious BBQ (I'm still salivating about the lamb cutlets) and great company. I do miss the outdoor lifestyle when I'm back in London...

Sophs on our bed in her red party dress... Stu commented that in almost every photo he's seen from our holiday Sophia is smiling, and it's true, she is generally a happy little lady. She usually ends up in my bed at some point during the night (more often than not spends the whole night in there when I'm tired) and it is delightful to hear the sweet little coos and musical aaahs right next to me waking me up in the morning, and when I turn to her and open my eyes the first thing I see is this precious little face grinning at me and little hands reaching out to pat my nose and face! She's started practising different sounds, and her favourite at the moment is a kind of 'bwah bwah' sound, it's so sweet to listen to. Sophia has just the prettiest voice!

My brother Brad (boat maker and diver extraordinare) is keeping me supplied with freshly caught seafood...here is Thursday night's fare...

Lookie what I received on Valentines Day from afar...thank you babe!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

We had a lovely morning at cousin Lauren's 4th birthday party today. Unsurprisingly given the location and weather water has featured predominantly on this holiday, with lots of beach and swimming pool outings. Sophia loves the water as much as I do and happily kicks and splashes about in it. Although she will no longer wear a hat. You put it on her head, she gropes around until she grips it and throws it off. We can repeat this process until I stop laughing and get bored by it! At least she lets me smother her in sunscreen, I think she enjoys the little massage when I rub the cream in!

It's been a medically eventful holiday thus far: we had a hospital trip last week (viral gastro for poor little Sophs; a LOT of vomit to clean up for poor me), I had a throat/chest infection, and now Sophia has been mauled and reacted badly to mosquito bites and it covered in red welts. We share the same room and bed - they mozzies don't touch me but just love Sophia for some reason. At least we are all getting better slowly.

Sophia continues to be loved and cherished by everyone she meets. Saying au revoir in a few weeks is going to be horrible, I am dreading it. I am so enjoying seeing the happiness she brings to people. She is my sweet natured, gentle, precious, chilled out little lady and I love her more than I can say.

Splashy baby fishy with splishy mummy fishy!

My little babygirl is growing up so fast, she's looking more like a little person and less little baby with every day. Today she worked out how to turn on an all-singing-all-dancing baby toy that plays music and spins around. She was so pleased with herself and spent the next half an hour turning it on over and over again. I love watching her develop and grow :)

Sophs has definitely settled into Nan and Pop's house now!