Berlin Day Two

I didn't sleep too well last night. I woke Mummy up at midnight, 3:30am, 6:30am and then 7:15am.

We had a slow start to the day but had already decided to go to the park.

On our way, Mummy spotted a bear. It has a map of the world painted on it and is called One World. There are loads of these bears dotted all around the city.

We arrived at some high rise office buildings and the pavements were packed with people in suits going to work. Mummy liked the buildings and asked Daddy to take a photo.

Mummy and Daddy needed some breakfast so we stopped off in this posh cafe. They were playing jazz music which Mummy really enjoys, so Daddy and I thought we would show her how good we are at playing the piano.

For breakfast Mummy had a waffle with some honey and Daddy said he had the best tasting muffin ever.

We left the cafe and finally made it to the park.

Yet again it was quite chilly so Mummy wrapped me up nice and warm and thought I looked cute, so she took yet another photo of me.

Mummy spotted a lovely looking duck on the pond so grabbed the camera off Daddy. As she did so, she caught his nose with the strap. Mummy thought it was really funny.

This is a picture of the duck that she liked.

There were loads of other nice things in the park. Birds feeding, flowers and trees. Here are a few pictures.

On leaving the park we saw lots of police with their sirens on. Mummy tried to get a photo of them as they have very strange looking vehicles.

There was a huge monument in the middle of a roundabout and Daddy took a couple of photos of it. It is actually the Berlin Victory Column.

We then started on the long walk back towards an area we knew had a toilet as my bum needed changing.

Mummy spotted a huge building that she liked the look of and got Daddy to take a picture of it. We later found out that it is the Reichstag where the German Government reside.

We walked and walked and walked and eventually we found a shopping centre that had toilets and a food court.

Mummy and Daddy had some Chinese food and a pancake with banana and Nutella.

On our way to the shopping centre, Daddy saw a really fast car called a Bugatti Veyron, and he took a picture of it. Mummy said she loved the colour.

After our lunch break it was time to do another museum. This time we did the German History Museum. It contained some really interesting things. One of them being Napoleon's Hat.

There was also an example of some chain mail that you were allowed to touch. Mummy was laughing at my chubby cheeks and the funny faces I was making while I was feeling it.

After the museum, we were all feeling very tired and hungry so on the way back to the hotel we stopped off at a cafe called Kamps for a baguette, cuppa tea and cake. When we left, there was a very dirty, scruffy lady standing in the doorway who swore at Mummy in English and then said thank you in French. Very strange.

It was raining so we walked very quicky back to our room where I was allowed some more mat time before my wash, feed and bed.

Berlin Day One

Mummy woke up about 8:30am England time and woke me up too as she wanted to keep me in my routine.

Mummy tidied up a bit and unpacked, Daddy and I chilled, and then we all got ready to go out for breakfast. I, of course, had had mine already.

We asked at the hotel reception where the best place was to go for breakfast. We were shown an area on our map, not too far away. We had a quick walk around Checkpoint Charlie before trying to find somewhere to eat.

We eventually found a nice looking cafe and took our seats by the window. Mummy and Daddy had their breakfast and Mummy let me have a smell of some chocolate. I really liked the smell and tried to lick it but I wasn't allowed.

Not long after this, the lady behind the counter came over to me and took me out of Daddy's arms. It was really funny. She was talking to me in this weird sounding language and I thought it was so cute that I gave her a hug. She loved it! I had nice cuddles for a bit and then was handed back to Daddy. Mummy wished she had taken a picture but, again, didn't think of it until after.

Mummy and Daddy decided to do the Checkpoint Charlie museum. We started off by going into the exit and not the entrance, not a good start, and then at the entrance we were told that we couldn't use the buggy and that our bags had to go into the lockers. We did this, then they said we couldn't use a credit card to pay for the tickets but we could use it as a deposit for the audio tour. This obviously doesn't make sense.

We finally made it into the museum and after about 5 minutes, I filled my nappy up. Mummy had to take me back to the locker room to get the bag to change me and then back to the locker room before returning to Daddy.

The museum wasn't that good. It was very unorganised and very hot. Mummy and Daddy took turns in carrying me but it was very hard work for them. They quickly got fed up and decided to leave.

Right by the exit is a piece of the Berlin Wall. Mummy and I posed for a photo.

Next stop was Starbucks. When Mummy was pregnant with me, she would go to Starbucks most lunchtimes and sit and read her book while having a cuppa tea and a muffin. Mummy and Daddy sat and discussed what to do next.

On leaving Starbucks we walked past a chocolate shop. In the windows they had huge sculptures made of chocolate. We took a picture of the Titanic.



We then stumbled across an area called Topographie des Terrors. There were lots of pictures and stories about Hitler, his secret police and how they persecuted anyone who opposed them - all under a section of the Berlin Wall.

As we were stood for a long time reading all the stories, we got very cold, so Mummy pulled the foot muff up under my chin.

Just before this though, Mummy managed to get a picture of my teeth. If you click on the pictures you should see a larger version.

Here is a picture of us walking down the street.

Daddy spotted something through a fence that caught his eye and made him laugh. I'm not really sure what it was about. You will need to click on it to see the larger version.

Mummy saw a piece of the Berlin wall that had a really funny picture on it. She said that she stood next to a very similar one in New York with her friend Zoe, and they both made a silly face like the picture. You can click on the Travel Diary link to see it if you want.

We walked through a very heavily guarded area and we soon realised why - there were 2 embassy buildings. One was ours and Daddy took a photo.

We finally made it to our destination - The Brandenburg Gate. Apparently, this gate is used a lot in adverts and media relating to Berlin. It seems to be quite a big symbol for the city.

Daddy noticed that there was a photo session going on while we were there. It was very strange. There was a man taking pictures of a couple who were taking pictures. There was also a man videoing the man taking pictures of the couple who were taking pictures, and then also a lady taking pictures of the man videoing the man taking pictures of the couple who were taking pictures. Confused yet? Well Daddy thought it would be funny to take a picture of the lady who was taking pictures of the man who was videoing the man taking pictures of the couple who were taking pictures.

After all that, I needed my nappy changed. There wasn't any toilets in the nearby cafes so we decided to go all the way back to the hotel. It took about 30 minutes or so to get back and Mummy and Daddy stripped me off and let me have a play on the floor as I had been stuck in my buggy all day.

After a nice break we put our coats back on and went looking for somewhere for Mummy and Daddy to have some dinner.

They looked for a very long time and finally settled on an Italian restaurant just off the main strip.

A good time was had by all and it was soon time for us to go back to give me my bath. Unfortunately there isn't a bath in our room so Mummy and Daddy had to improvise.

I was soon tucked up in that funny bed again but this time I went straight to sleep after my feed. I think Mummy and Daddy just did the same as the night before, had a shower and then read in bed for a bit. It must have been quite boring for them as they couldn't watch television or chat too loud.

Getting To Berlin

Monday morning was spent with Mummy doing the final packing. I was in a really bad mood as I wasn't getting any attention. I soon put a stop to that with my constant screaming.

Daddy had gone to Nanny and Granddad Rennolds' house to do some computer work and on his return, Mummy threw me at him and continued with the packing. Daddy got back late so it was quite a rush to get everything ready for when Nanny arrived at 2:45 to take us to the airport.

We managed to fit everything in the car and arrived at the airport really early. It was 3:30 and check-in wasn't even supposed to open until 4:30pm. Mummy and Daddy had something to eat and we checked all our luggage in with no problems. It was well cool using my passport for the first time.

We then decided to go into the departure lounge and we were allowed to go through the barrier and take a special route to the security checking desks because we had my buggy. I had to be taken out of my buggy as it needed to go through the x-ray machine and I was carried through by Mummy. I received a lot of attention with loads of people, smiling, giggling and cooing at me.

In the departure lounge, we had loads of time to kill. Daddy took me for a walk into a duty free shop and I tried my best to grab everything in sight. Mummy and Daddy have both said that I have started to change recently. I am definitely more aware of my environment and not just happy with anything that comes my way, I know what I want and when I want it. The only problem is trying to tell Mummy and Daddy.

I was too excited to eat or sleep, even though Mummy and Daddy tried really hard, but it didn't feel like long before we were being called to board the plane.

Because we have a buggy and of course me, we get special treatment and were allowed to board the plane first. Mummy carried me up the wobbly stairs and Daddy sorted out the buggy. When we got on board, this nice lady handed Mummy an orange seat belt, which was to be mine.

Mummy is very selective about where she sits on the plane so we were 2 rows back from the emergency exit on the right hand side, over the wing. We sat by the window which was good as we could see what was going on.

Mummy put on our seat belts and then tried to get me comfortable. It was quite tricky for her as the chair in front was so close, and I just wanted to touch it all the time.

Just as we turned the corner onto the runway, I started to get too fidgety for Mummy so she decided to feed me. This time I was interested and as the wheels left the floor, I was happily feeding and dozing. I was asleep by the time the seatbelt sign was turned off and Mummy was stuck having to hold me very still.

The flight was 1 hour 37 minutes long, not that Mummy was counting, and I only slept for the first 30 minutes or so. For a while after I woke up, I was okay. I looked around, played peek-a-boo with other people on the plane and did singing and clapping with Mummy and Daddy.

By the time we started to descend though, I was bored. Toys were boring and I didn't want to eat, so instead, I kicked the chair in front, screamed, cried and got angry.

The plane landed and Mummy and Daddy couldn't get me off of it quick enough, not sure what I had done.

In the terminal building we had to wait ages and ages for our bags and then the buggy and car seat didn't arrive until ages after that. I was so tired by now that I had given up on screaming and was just moaning a lot instead.

We finally made it out, Daddy got some cash from the machine and we asked at the information desk about where the taxis were.

We walked straight up to a taxi and Mummy strapped me in and we were off. Daddy likes to talk to the taxi drivers, and this one liked to look at Daddy when he was chatting with him. At one point he almost went through a red light!

We safely arrived at the hotel and were given our room keys. Well, I wasn't given a key as that would be silly, but you know what I mean.

We got the lift to the 1st floor and arrived at our nice room. Immediately Mummy and Daddy sorted out my bedtime things, gave me a quick wash and I was put into this funny looking bed. I played on my own for about half an hour and then finally fell asleep wondering what we will be getting up to tomorrow.

Mummy apologises for the lack of pictures but we were so busy that we just didn't get the time.

Apparently, Daddy went out and got some pizza and drinks and then they had a shower and went to bed.

Packing

First thing Sunday morning was pretty much the same as Saturday. I was a bit whiny so Mummy put me in the door swing for a little bit.



Then Mummy was chatting to Charlotte, Faith and Mark on the web cam so we put some music on and had a dance. We danced to Prodigy, R.E.M, Reverend And The Makers, Britney Spears (of course) and some Disney classics. It was really good fun but I think Mummy was a bit too excited at some points and I could do nothing more than just stare at her in disbelief.

I think in a way Mummy is feeling rather nervous about the flight tomorrow so she is acting out at some things. I'm sure she will be fine on the day but it is just getting to that point. As for me, I can't wait!

At about 11:30 we popped up to see Nanny and Granddad Rennolds. They went out last night so had slightly sore heads. I don't really understand why your head would hurt after a night out but I am sure I will find out one day.

We played around a lot and Nanny even scared me with a Boo! at one point. By the time we left, I was shattered. I was asleep by the the end of the road.

Back at home I was put in bed for a nap, while Mummy used the time to type up the blog.

Mummy has prepared a list for all the things that she will need to take for me. It goes as follows:

Car Seat
Buggy
Sling
Nappies - Day and Night
Wipes
2 x sleeping bags
Grows
Vest - short and long sleeved
Outfits
Socks
Shoes
Slippers
Toys
Kitchen sink
Books
Toothpaste/brush
Soap
Comb
Cotton buds
Bibs
Muslins
Blankets/sheets
Play mat
Calpol
Hat, scarf, gloves
Coat
Jumper
Towels
Scissors

I can't imagine what it will be like when I have a brother or sister too.

Mummy did lots of packing in the afternoon and I sat with Daddy for a bit until my favourite part of the day, bath time.

I get so excited that I just can't stay still, and it is probably the time of day where I am the most vocal as you can see from these videos.







After my very long bath, I was fed and put in bed. I know Mummy still has loads to do to get ready for tomorrow so I don't think we will be going to yoga after all. I think Mummy may attempt to do some on her own though.

Shopping

Saturday morning was a bit boring. I was in a mood because no one wanted to give me any attention. Mummy and Daddy were busy with the new computer, ironing (only Mummy), cleaning (only Mummy), and generally pottering around the house.

Mummy bagged up my squash and parsnip and I think she will be doing spinach and sweetcorn next. One week today and I will be trying baby rice for the first time. Keep a look out for a video.
Daddy had to go out to the Mall to pick up Mummy's mobile phone that had been repaired, so Mummy and I decided to join him. We didn't leave the house until about 2:30pm and once at the Mall we were rushing around every where.

Mummy bought me a new hat and gloves for our trip to Berlin and I was also bought 2 new books! One of the books has puzzles in it which is well cool. Because we bought books about Spot, I got a free cuddly toy.







On our way home, we stopped off at some more shops. Mummy went into Tesco for some nappies and came out with nappies, wipes, a top for me and 2 packets of hot cross buns. Naughty.

Then Mummy ran around Ikea to get another storage box for all of Daddy's computer stuff and then I was taken into Mothercare to have my bum changed. Whilst in Mothercare Mummy bought me some t-shirts and she wanted to buy some pyjamas but Daddy wouldn't let her. Boo.

By now I was really fed up of shopping and I was really hungry too. I cried all the way home.

At home Mummy fed me immediately and Daddy emptied the car. As we were home so late, it was only 30 minutes until my bath time.

Mummy and Daddy no longer let me have Mr Seahorse when I am in the bath. The problem is, is that I can fit part of Mr Seahorse in my mouth and when Mummy and Daddy try to get him back, I don't let them. I then get really mad when they finally manage to get him back. I am now stuck with Mr Crocodile, Mr Octopus and Mr Dolphin.

One last big feed before bed.

Spongy Wedge

Last night I slept really well again. I don't think it will be long before I am going through the night.

I have been waking between 3am and 4am for a feed before going back to sleep until 7:30am. I usually play in my cot for 30 minutes and then Daddy gets me. Not a bad routine really. I'm sure it wont work when were on holiday though as I will be in a strange bed and Mummy and Daddy will have the lights on in the room. We will see.

I had a really good time at swimming. There were lots of people there for a change so there was lots going on. Chloe seemed to enjoy herself a lot too. She was really confident and was going off swimming and playing with the floats. Usually she runs around the outside of the pool and barely gets in. Kamron wasn't feeling too special so he wasn't in long.

I was starving by the time we got out. We went straight home but I fell asleep in the car, so I didn't get fed until nearly 1 o'clock! That was 5 hours since my last feed!

Mummy had lunch and played with me for a bit and then we were off in the car on our way to Twinkling Stars.

This week we had coloured sticks with brightly coloured bits of material attached to the end. We waved them about and Steve, the man who runs it, did really big waves with about 100 different coloured sticks! Obviously that was a slight exaggeration.

The rest of the time was spent trying out the different bits of apparatus. Mummy is unable to get any videos or pictures as we are always so busy.

As you have probably seen, I can now roll from my back to my front with no problem. At Twinkling Stars, Mummy puts me on this spongy wedge and helps me to roll down it. I used to be able to roll from my front to my back and then Mummy would help me the rest of the way. Well, not this week, as to Mummy's surprise, I rolled from my back, all the way over onto my back again. This took me to nearly the bottom of the wedge in one quick movement. I think Mummy was very proud of me.

I was shattered when we left and I was quickly asleep when the car started to move. At home, Mummy put me straight to bed and I didn't wake up until about 5:30pm.

The evening was spent doing the usual things of reading, playing, chatting, singing and dancing before my bath and bed. I have such a good time everyday and my Mummy and Daddy are doing a great job.

As we haven't taken any new pictures today, please see below some oldies.

Rolling

The week so far has been rather routine so Mummy hasn't been writing the blog every night.

Monday morning is yoga, which was really good and we stayed for a while after to have a nice long chat with the other mums.

Mummy planned to go to Ikea on the way home but it was just too busy so we went around the traffic and back home.

We stayed in for the rest of the day waiting for a delivery but it didn't arrive until quite late.

Here are some more pictures of me with Mr Seahorse. Plus I have started to get rather clever by trying to hold 2 toys at once.







On Tuesday, first thing in the morning Mummy and I just took our time getting ready. I usually have another feed and a quick nap before leaving for Jolly Babies.

The car park was crammed when we arrived and all these silly Mummies were going to and fro, trying to get into car parking spaces. Mummy was getting rather frustrated as she is a much better driver and wanted to get out and move all the cars herself. Plus I had a dirty nappy which needed to be changed before we started singing.

The hall was really hot but we had an excellent time. We even did a bit of line dancing again which is well cool. My favourite song was played too, "A baby came a dancing".

We went home after and just sat in. Mummy had lunch and then Auntie Lucy came over for a coffee. I really like Auntie Lucy and I gave her lots of big smiles.

Mummy forgot to tell Auntie Lucy that I now have 2 teeth so I accidentally took a bite out of her finger. Oops.



In the evening Daddy sat and read to me. The books are really good but I just want to taste them!



Wednesday was Mummy morning at our house. Mummy made lots of tea, coffee and squash and put out a plate of cakes that went down very well.

Faith seemed to have a lovely time just chilling out on the sofa watching the world go by.



Charlotte and Faith stayed for lunch and Mummy did a fry up. It was the first time she had ever done anything like that and I think she was very proud of herself. It seemed to be eaten very quickly so I think it tasted nice.

For some reason I was feeling rather hungry and sleepy all day. I slept at 10 for 30 minutes, then at 2 for just over an hour, then again at 3:30 to 4:15. I was still in bed by 7:15 and slept through to 4am.

In this short video, if you look very carefully, my face is moving as I am having a dream about something. A few seconds before I was smiling but Mummy missed it.



Our new computer arrived, in bits, and the evening was spent with Mummy building it with Daddy looking on. I think she did a good job and I know she enjoyed it. I think she loved the fact that she was doing something with Daddy and not just sat in front of the T.V., or ironing.

Mummy was too tired to go to line dancing so she just showered and went to bed.

Next week we are off on our first family holiday to Berlin, so there wont be a blog until we get back. I think it will be quite a long one so don't worry if you don't see anything for ages.

Thursday is our staying in day. In the morning I had a nice feed and then a quick nap back in my bed. Mummy noticed that I had fallen asleep still holding my rattle and decided to video me.



Nanny and Kamron came over so we ended up going out after all, for a walk. It was very cold outside but it was nice to get some fresh air.

We went to the library to change my books and then went into the shops. We stopped in the cafe in Sainsburys and had something to eat, well, I didn't but everyone else did.

Then Kamron and I both had a nap in our buggies, so Nanny and Mummy went for a really long walk around the neighbourhood and didn't get home until 45 minutes later.

I had my nap in the afternoon which is when Mummy did this very long blog and then Daddy came to get me from my bed when he got home from work.

I was put on my back, on my mat to play for a bit while Mummy and Daddy were making dinner and messing around with the new computer. When they returned to the living room, this is how they found me.



Little did they know but I managed to grab the elephant toy hanging in front of me, but it fell off and away from me. Well, I thought it was about time that I retrieved my toys myself, so I rolled over and got it.

Mummy and Daddy were so chuffed that they kept putting me on my back and then teasing me with the elephant toy again, and again, and again. I showed them my new trick with pleasure and Daddy did a video for you all to see.



As you probably know, it is swimming then Twinkling Stars tomorrow and I think the weekend will be spent getting everything ready for our holiday. I am so excited about going away. I have to go on a plane for the first time and a bus, and a train, and sleep in a travel cot, and stay in a hotel, and hear a different language! So many firsts!