It feels like Littl’urchin has always been around now. I really can’t remember what life was like without her!
As she’s grown, we’ve gradually become more organized, as her needs change on a daily basis.
To think she’s six and a half months already. Struth!!! How I’m enjoying seeing the world through her eyes. The sheer wonder of it all.
She has a high chair and her toy box grows by the day. I’m trying to buy recycled goods whenever possible as it’s horrendous hearing how many items end up in landfill.
That high chair only cost me £12, yes it’s an awful colour, but perfectly functional! It’s so easy to clean plastic items and donate them back to charity shops when no longer needed.
All the dogs dogs are now in the same room with littl’urchin, which is just wonderful. None of them show any signs of predatory behavior towards her. Sam always stays close, on the off chance that he can snatch a lick of her fingers, which are always coated in something, now she’s on solids. To date he’s been thwarted!
Annie has always been around Littl’urchin; she’s always appeared uninterested in her until she yells or cries, then rushes over to glare accusingly at me as though I’m at fault somehow, and Buddy ignores her but obsesses over her toys, especially anything that squeaks, makes animal noises or looks like something he’d play with.
Now all three dogs race over if there is even the slightest hint of a cry…..that gal now has three wolves that have her back. How wonderful!!!
Daughter is a fabulous mum, who’d guess she’d had a baby recently?
The garden is now overgrown and utterly unruly. I’ll deal with it all WAY down the line. The apple tree and the rambling roses are in need of a severe pruning, along with every other tree, shrub and border.
Can you make out the pond here? The water lilies have taken over, as another year has passed without me dividing them. The older I get, the less I worry, and although I’m loathe to admit it, I rather like nature reclaiming the garden, I always find a little wilderness soothing.
Autumn mushrooms are now appearing, I love these ones, and their name, shaggy mane! Apparently they are edible when young but poisonous when mature.
On the animal front…
Peanut and her family have been making themselves scarce, but another of Paul’s peahens has been spotted with a peachick.
Nine mallards in the rescue have all failed to develop their wings resulting in them being unable to fly. This is the first time we’ve seen this; the vet thinks it may be the result of an early vitamin deficiency, or a genetic abnormality. They won’t be released but will live on the farm.
And finally…
I released the little hog that Laura, our dog sitter found. I’ve had her for a couple of months as the rescue was full. She’s now an ideal weight to be returned to the wild. I wish her well.
I’m relieved to see the dogs all accepting Littl’urchin. It’s fun watching her watching their antics. How true re time flying by! I can’t believe we are now into Autumn already. I’m so happy that everything worked out with Peanut, she is certainly happier now. Thanks Menhir.xxx
Love it that the dogs hve taken on a ‘baby caring ‘role. Time really flies with little ones and their early growth stages. She has a nice gentle curiosity.
I was delighted to see the pea chick, even if it wasn’t Peanut’s. There is something fulfilling about knowing that Peanut is now doing what Peahen mums do.
Your hedgehog looks very well. As you say, best of luck out in the world.
Your garden shows every sign of being loved.
xxxx
Thanks Jason. Oh yes, we have to prioritize…who wants to miss out on a baby’s development!xxx
Your granddaughter is adorable! Spending time with her is much more important than the garden.
Good morning dear Dina…
Little Urchin is absolutely beautiful….I want to squeeze her:). How fascinating it must be for you to observe her daily changes….and her Mum looks fabulous.
I was with my friends in Kent this weekend and met their new grandson Cosmo….and he is gorgeous. Babies are very special little creatures.
Glad that the dogs are well and enjoying their new friend and the garden, looks great…end of summer great.
Sending lots of hummingbird love
Janet XXXXXXXXX
Thanks Janet, littl’urchin is at that curious stage so it’s fascinating watching her grow. Cosmo sounds just lovely, yes, babies are special little creatures. It’s lovely seeing the dogs playing around our grand and her enjoying watching them. Love and hugs, hope all is well.xxxx
What a gorgeous baby… she is very cute Dina…we can’t imagine life without our wee Grandbaby .. who has just turned two!
Sorry to hear about the poor ducks … thank goodness they have a centre that will look after them.
Thanks Gerrie. Goodness, I can’t believe your grand is already two! They are such a delight aren’t they? Hopefully all will be well with the ducks as they adapt to life on the farm.xxx
How strange about the mallards. Makes you wonder if some form of warervpollution could have caused it. Some strange chemical or somethingl
Thanks Sue, water pollution never entered my head. These day who knows what’s in the water.xxx
Your beautiful grandbabe is so adorable. Also your three dogs. The way you described them makes me smile.
Ha ha, I absolutely agree about what you said about your beautiful daughter.
Your overgrown garden does look beautiful to me. Very natural. Love the unique-looking autumn mushroom. We can’t see them in our country.
Poor mallards. Luckily they have you all at the rescue!
Laura looks lonely in the picture. I wish her well too.
Thanks Jade, there’s never a dull moment around here. Daughter certainly is glamorous! Oh…I didn’t know that Malaysia doesn’t have mushrooms, I thought they were everywhere. Hopefully the ducks will enjoy their freedom on the farm where they can roam free. Our native hedgehogs are solitary that little hog won’t get lonely. xxx
I hardly can believe that six months have passed. That babe is beautiful, and it’s so good to hear that her “pack” has accepted her, and is being protective. So odd about the mallards. I can’t remember ever hearing of such a thing, but I’d bet on genetics, unless perhaps the nest was affected by some toxin while all the ducklings were still in the egg. It’s good that they’ll have a home where they can be at least relatively safe and well cared for.
I enjoyed seeing your eryngo. As far as I’ve known, there were two native species here in Texas, but last weekend I found a third species. I recognized it as part of the family, but it was enough different that it clearly was another species. Sure enough, I found it in my books when I came home. I’ll show it eventually: the flowers are blackberry-sized, and the plant tends to bramble about on the ground. It’s not prickly, either.
Thanks Linda, litt’un is a never ending source of joy. Time seems to go by faster each year! We’ve never come across an entire brood affected like that either, whatever it was struck them all. Hopefully they’ll enjoy life on the rescue farm, at least they will have their freedom. Oh, hopefully you’ll post soon on the three species, it would be good to compare them to mine.xxx
Great post and images. The gardening can wait.
Thanks Peter, indeed it can!xxx
Just love the photographs of your adorable grand-daughter, and your daughter is looking good 🙂
It’s quite alarming how quickly the months pass by … looking ahead you are going to have such a magical Christmas.
Shame about the mallards, I’d not heard of that ailment where the wings do not develop properly, pleased to read that will be living on the farm.
Hoping you have a happy September.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, goodness, time seems to fly by more quickly each year! I shall have to buy all singing and dancing Christmas decorations for the little one….back to sparkly and shiny! Hopefully those ducks will adapt to life on the farm, at least they will have their freedom.xxx
Oh look at her thrive! It’s wonderful that you are so often together, acclimating the dogs to their new leader of the pack, and enjoying Hallie’s world.
Though jungle-y, those flowers are vibrant! Whatever those yellow-orangey things are they are beautiful. And the blue eryngium always surprise me with their colors and shapes. Whatever the state of things, seems you’re enjoying this stage of life. Hugs.
How quickly they grow and time rushes by! I’m thrilled that all the dogs are in the same room with her, Buddy especially, who knew he’s be so good, he only coverts her toys!
Those flowers are marigolds, a lovely little version grown by seed this year. Forget the name now…as always! Thanks Anne.xxx
How lovely to know all the pups can be with Princess H., who is looking peachy! And her mother is such a beauty…sure runs in the family!
I love that you recycle baby things when possible; there are so many lovely items that are barely used available!
The gardens look bounteous and rich. I love this time of year! Wild and lush.
I’ve never heard of birds’ wings not developing; how curious, but how wonderful that there’s a farm where they can be relatively safe.
Blessings to the sweet hoggy as she starts her independent adventures. And smooches to all in your sweet life!
Ahhh, thanks Kitty! I am so happy to have Miss H and the dogs in the same room. No amount of rough playing, growling or barking seems to phase her, yet she cries when a fluffy toy makes a noise! She’ll probably grow up to be a lion tamer or something! It’s shocking how many baby items are thrown out isn’t it? The stuff I’m buying is in excellent condition and can probably be returned to charity shops when outgrown.
It’s good that the ducks still get their freedom, such a shame though. I have my fingers crossed for that little hog.Love and hugs to all, hope Latte finds the perfect home soon.xxxx
Your grandaughter is truly gorgeous, when our daughter was that age our dog used to sit underneath the high chair and just waited for the bits to fall down! Your garden is looking beautifully autumnal, no need to worry about it, other things are more important! Hope little hedgehog likes life in the wild, but I feel so sorry for the mallards, lucky that they will have a good home to look after them.
Thanks Pauline. Sam has adopted the hovering around the high chair position in the hope of scraps and Buddy hoping for tossed toys. true, re the garden, there are more important things, although I enjoy it all a little wild. The ducks will spend their life roaming free on the rescue’s farm so not such a bad life. xxx
Awwwwwwwwwwwww – your gorgeous baby grand! Wish you oodles of joy with her! And daughter looks fabulous. I love your garden a bit wild. You’re right – it’s kinda soothing. And I’ve never heard of mallards unable to develop their wings. Poor things! At least they will be looked after. Hugs xx
Who knew grandkids could be so wonderful???? Daughter still looks like a teenager, wish I knew her secret! Oh, a little wildness is so calming, I don’t like to control nature too much, the wildlife thank me for it! Thanks Gill.xxx
Babies grow far too quickly for my liking, though who’d have thought that six months had passed already, this year is whizzing by, as usual. Your daughter is a real glamour puss, just look at that gorgeous figure, though I know what it’s like running round after a baby, that’ll do it! How lovely to have released another hedgehog back into the wild, he’ll be getting ready to bed down, I can feel a real nip in the air now. Such a shame about the ducks but at least they’ll still have a good life at the rescue.
How true about babies growing fast, the change in six months is startling. Oh yes, running around after a baby certainly results in weight loss!!! That suddenly autumn chill has crept in all of a sudden, I’ve almost put the heating on some evenings. Yes, at least the ducks will have their freedom at the rescue. Thanks Jo.xxx
Lovely post and pictures. Sad about the mallards, and good luck to Laura the little hog. xx
Thanks Flighty. At least the mallards will have their freedom on the rescue farm. Hopefully that little hog is doing well.xxx
That photo of your granddaughter is absolutely adorable – and no, you would never guess that your daughter has had a baby recently! How wonderful too that Littl’urchin has her very own protective pack. Excellent use of recycled baby things and I sympathise about the overgrown garden – I’ve reached that stage in the year when it’s all a bit too much, and I don’t have a new granddaughter to distract me! xx
Thanks Veggiemummy, babies are so adorable. I was amazed at how quickly daughter got her figure back. It’s shocking how many baby items go into landfill, most of the second hand items are barely used and are excellent value. Oh…I know what you mean about the garden at this time of the year, how quickly it becomes unruly. I simply can’t keep up with the weeds.xxx