Tag Archives: gift

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Pull along puppy

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Saturday, 12 July 2014: One Year, One Hundred and Three Days Old.

Hubby and I gave Ayla a new toy today; a pull-along puppy.

It was a present a friend had given Ayla for her birthday, but we’d kept it aside until such a time that we’d knew Ayla would use it and give it the love and attention it deserved.

And that was today.

Ayla has been such a good girl lately and Hubby and I are both so proud of her, we wanted to reward her and decided to give her a new toy.

It was a big deal because we don’t make a habit of spoiling her with gifts, and Ayla seemed to know that she’d done something good to earn her puppy.

Ayla spent most of the evening toddling around with her puppy in tow, stopping to give him and pat or a kids every now and then.

At one point Ayla even took her puppy over to The Dog’s bowl for some water and Hubby and I melted with love at our smart, happy, precious little girl.

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Balloon

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Friday, 11 July 2014: One Hundred and Two Days Old.

Ayla was given her first balloon today and she wore it on her wrist like she’d been recieving them for years.

We were in an arts and crafts shop that also sell party supplies, and Ayla had become too heavy and awkward for me to carry so I’d put her on the ground to toddle around.

Ayla had a wow of a time pulling packets of beads and spools of ribbon off the shelf while I wasn’t looking; gosh that kid can make a mess real quick!

But although I might not have been watching, the lady behind the counter had been and Ayla’s curious antics won her a new fan.

When we approached the counter the lady ooh’d and ahh’d at how cute Ayla was, and giggled at how excited Ayla got when she saw a bunch of helium balloons ready for some customer to come and collect.

While I was putting my change away, the lady went and got one of the balloons and had a wrist-knot ready before I could blink.

Ayla watched intently as we slipped the ribbon over her hand and when I put her down she began squealing with delight!

Ayla walked out of the shop with the hugest smile, stopping to look up at her balloon every few steps…. Her balloon that read “Happy 15th Birthday”

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This present thing

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Sunday, 6 April 2014: One Year and Five Days Old.

Ayla’s definitely got the hang of this present thing!

It’s not surprising though, considering Ayla’s been showered with gifts every day for the past week!

As soon as we bring a present out and tell Ayla it’s hers, her little face lights up in a huge smile and she comes crawling over to it like a bat outta hell!

Ayla immediately commences banging on the present like a drum, all the while showing her cheekiest, toothiest grin, in a move that makes us think she’s trying to guess what’s inside!

But in all manners of politeness Ayla knows to open the card first, and once Hubby or I have split the envelope Ayla grabs hold of the card and pulls it free before opening it like a book.

Ayla then hands the card back so that Hubby or I can read it out while she goes back to banging on the present.

When the time comes to tear open her gift Ayla still needs a little help, but once the paper-peeling begins Ayla starts craning her neck to see what’s inside!

What surprises me the most is Ayla’s reaction to her gifts…

If it’s a soft toy, she cuddles it. An interactive toy, and she tries to work out where the buttons are. A book and Ayla tries to read it, and if it’s an ornament, keepsake or artwork Ayla strokes it gently and sits back calmly as if she knows it precious.

I guess Ayla’s aptness at present opening is a clear demonstration of how lucky she is, not so much because of ALL the gifts, but because she has so many people in her life who want to spoil her rotten!

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Paper? What paper?!

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Monday, 23 December 2013 Thirty Eight Weeks Old.

Everyone’s been telling me that at Ayla’s age she’ll be more interested in the paper than the presents on Christmas morning, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to beg to differ!

We had some friends pop over tonight for a Christmas Eve Eve celebration and they came bearing a gift for Baby Ayla.

Just like when she opened her gift from “Aunty” Ali the other day, Ayla was quick to realise there was a goodie hidden inside the crinkly stuff with Santa’s printed on it.

As soon as Ayla saw a glimmer of the sparkling FisherPrice fish tank she was mesmerised, staring at the piece of present peeking out beneath the wrapping.

I had to help her peel the paper back further, and once Ayla saw the whole gift she started squealing and bobbing up and down in delight.

Paper? What paper!?

It might have just been that Ayla’s “Aunty” Kez and “Uncle” Collie nailed the gift selection, or it could be a sign of things to come.

And that on Christmas morning in two days time, we can expect our little house to be filled with gorgeous wide eyes and adorable shrieks of excitement as Ayla opens her presents.

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Daddy’s gift

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Monday, 5 November 2013: Thirty One Weeks Old.

Hubby made Ayla her very own veggie patch and herb garden today.

It’s complete with perfect little rows of soon-to-be-fresh veggies, a potted border of herbs, and even a winding pathway for Ayla’s little feet to follow.

Of course Ayla’s still too small to understand what it all means, but I think it’s one of the most beautiful gifts a Daddy could give his baby girl.

See, the garden will grow as Ayla grows and she will be able to learn about plants and food and cooking and cultivating.

She’ll be able to get dirty, catch caterpillars and eat strawberries straight off the bush.

And I know that cooking dinner will be made all the more special when I send Ayla out to pick me something fresh.

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Rocking horse

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Friday, 27 September 2013: One Hundred and Seventy Nine Days Old

Ayla got her first horse today… A rocking horse, from her Aunty Let and Uncle Bill.

Aunty Let is Hubby’s mum’s sister and they’re from one of the most remote cattle stations in Australia.

So it was only fitting that Aunty Let would be carrying a rocking horse in her arms when she and Uncle Bill arrived at our house for a visit tonight.

It made me teary to see my little girl so happy on the back of a colourful wooden pony and I wondered (errr… hoped!) that Ayla will one day share my love of all things horsey.

For most of my life, horses have given me freedom, independence, confidence and unconditional love.

They’ve taught me about exploration, perseverance, patience, following my dreams and the kicks that cone from adrenaline, and its a passion I dearly hope to pass on to Baby Ayla when she’s older.

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Gift of life

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Thursday, 12 September 2013: One Hundred and Sixty Four Days Old.

Hubby and I were chatting tonight when he pointed out that we’ve given the gift of life to somebody, we’ve created a whole person.

Although in tough times we might feel we’ve given a bit of our lives, what we’ve given Ayla is the most ultimate gift of all.

And our reward is sharing her new life with her.

Like the first time she tries sherbet.

Like when she feels proud for the first time.

Like learning why the sky is blue.

Like finding her first shell on the beach.

All the beautiful, wonderful and amazing things that we’ve done during our lives we get to experience again, through the eyes of our little girl.