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Josephine's Monthly Portrait. Taken in her nursery on the 18th of every month.

5 months old and what a month it's been. One of firsts a-plenty. As well as shaking her booty in her bouncer and sampling her first bites of food (which I have to admit to being rubbish about remembering to do and since this post, the poor child's hardly tried anything new - thanks for making me feel better about that Claire!), she's almost succeeded in getting her toes in her mouth and yesterday the top edge of her first tooth broke through her bottom gum. A TOOTH!

It's pretty tricky to get a glimpse of (as whenever you pull her bottom lip down she sticks her tongue out - it's a hilarious game, don't you know), but if you run your finger along the gum you can feel it's spiky edges. That'll be the cause of the red, spotty cheeks (face and bottom), stinky wee and grizzly noises. A tooth, I can't believe it. Time is flying...a little too quickly if you ask me.

It's also been a month of new noises, as Phiney's speech develops. Her favourite sound? Squawking like a bird, leading to the ever-increasing use of nicknames like Birdie and Little Bird. The nickname list is certainly a long one. I'll have to post it sometime.

As well as her bird-like noises, she's got a bird-like flapping of her arms nailed too. And that's not the only moving she's been doing. She mostly likes to sit up now, which she can do for a few minutes now before slowly falling sideways on to the pile of safety cushions, and if she's on your lap chances are she wants to stand or jump. My thighs are actually bruised by her bony little feet. Both Ben and I were walking by nine and a half months and I wouldn't be surprised if this little one followed our lead.

We love you so much Birdie, you and your dribbly ways. Your happiness and utter joy at everything new you experience brightens our lives, and it's impossible not to smile when you're around. There isn't a prouder Mama and Papa in the world.

Yesterday was Father's Day, and this beautiful creation was Josephine's present to her Papa. Ben, you are truly the most awesome Daddy. My heart bursts with happiness when I see you with Josephine; you light up each others lives. She adores you, and so do I. You're our world. We love you.

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