Above - that's our Phoebe. She was ten months old this week as the card announces. This time she wasn't chewing it!
She remains the loveliest baby you could imagine. She's starting to crawl and can pull herself up to a standing position if there's something to lean on. When we say "Good girl Phoebe!" she claps her hands with glee.
It wasn't planned but for a few months now I have been speaking for Phoebe as her advocate. After all, she is currently unable to speak English herself. I freely admit that I have been the ventriloquist and she has been the ventriloquist's dummy.
Let me give you a couple of examples.
Mummy has just been to the toilet while Grandpa cradles her. Mummy returns. Phoebe says: "Where have you been Mummy? Why did you leave me here with this smelly old man? He has been singing nursery rhymes to me again and I'm sick of them!"
At the dinner table: "How come you get to have that nice stir fry and I get this disgusting baby food and a squashed banana? It's not fair! I want proper food like you!"
Of course Phoebe's voice is quite high-pitched and it is easy to spot Grandpa's lips moving. He's one of the worst ventriloquists in the world but he makes everybody else laugh. Laughter round a baby is not a bad thing.
And here she is in what I call her snow leopard suit. I think Frances took this picture in Canada:-
That last pictures is breath taking. Frame it!
ReplyDeleteFrances did a great job with that one.
DeleteI don't know about the ventriloquism by the eyes sure do have it.
ReplyDeleteEyes that melt your heart.
DeleteShe looks like a baby model in that last shot! How fun to talk for her; I'm sure everything you say is 100% accurate. :)
ReplyDeleteThere are horse whisperers but I am a baby whisperer!
DeleteBeautiful Phoebe! You can tell that this child is loved to the moon and back!
ReplyDeleteShe has quite a few people loving her but her mama is the best.
DeleteShe is a glory.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they should have called her Gloria.
DeleteIn my house we have made a practise of talking for the dogs. Each person gives them slightly different voices and soem are rather more funny than others.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know I'm racking up experience points for the time when I'm a grandmother
When that day comes you will be too busy knitting!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous girl. Those eyes. I can only imagine Mr Pudding speaking in a falsetto. Too funny:)
ReplyDeleteYou got it Nurse LIly!
DeleteThose are great photos! You all have definitely mastered the art of baby photography. Of course, it helps when you have such a photogenic subject!
ReplyDeleteI want my own snow leopard suit.
I have almost given up taking pictures of Phoebe as Frances's images are so good - just using her i-phone.
DeletePhoebe looks like you only much nicer. What fabulous blue eyes. I wonder if they will remain that colour.
ReplyDeleteI think they will as both mummy and daddy have blue eyes.
DeletePhoebe: "Wait until I can speak for myself!!"
ReplyDeleteGrandpa: *gulp*
That last photo is a work of art. Frances has clearly inherited the photographer's gene from you. Phoebe looks rather different there, with those huge eyes and tiny (not smiling) little mouth. And of course, she is stylish as ever - a true princess.
I do like the snow leopard suit.
DeleteWhat a great photo of her bright blue eyes peeking out from her furry hood.
ReplyDeleteShe can look so different in different photos.
DeleteThe last photo is a stunner - a first prize in any competition!
ReplyDeleteLike Librarian, I can envisage that it won't be too long before Phoebe is making it quite clear she has plenty to say for herself!
Gradually, words are forming. Her range of sounds is becoming wider.
DeleteI didn't realise you were Sheffield's Keith Harris. Do you do "I wish I could fly..."? Thankfully, Phoebe looks more like Julie Christie in Dr. Zhivago that Orville the Duck.
ReplyDeleteI could sit you on my knee and stick my hand up your back to operate you.
Delete'ots dy dane? Hoy old ad I daddy?
DeleteThat last photo is incredible! It's hard to believe that little Phoebe will be a year old very soon. Babies grow up so fast.
ReplyDeleteYou just can't stop time no matter how hard you try.
DeleteBoth of our daughters absolutely refused to eat any sort of canned/jarred baby food. We just blended up whatever we were eating until creamy and they happily ate that, even if it was a bit spicy and made their face turn red.
ReplyDeleteI think Phoebe has reached the point where that seems a good idea Ed. I will suggest it to Frances.
DeletePhotos marking the months are always such fun. (love her dress this month)
ReplyDeleteThe snow leopard photo is amazing! Kudos to Frances and Phoebe.
Thanks for this nice comment Kelly.
Delete"A gottle of geer". Keep practicing the ventriloquism YP.
ReplyDeleteOkay Lord Charles.
DeleteOh Phoebe's a beautiful wee girl. The depth of those blue eyes takes your breath away. Can you remember life before her? What richness she adds to your life.
ReplyDeleteMy own wee Princess is 7 months tomorrow, has 2 bottom teeth, loves feeding herself (banana and melon by hand and purees on a spoon), does lots of rolling over and very impressive full push ups. She's a very vocal baby with an amazing range. Today she was at full pitch as she lay on her mat while her father rained down bubbles.
She's brought so much laughter into our lives.
Cheers, Adele
I feel a little sad that I will not see Phoebe become a woman. Good to hear that Charlotte Grace is also developing nicely.
DeleteI feel that too, so never refuse an opportunity to share her day or night. It will be quality not quantity of years.
Delete