That dad of ours

A couple of weeks ago, it was my Dad's birthday. We had a relaxed day with a big family breakfast then an impromptu trip to his favourite beach, before all splitting off to sort out various arrangements for his birthday dinner. Scarlett and I had spent the previous day gathering wild plants for the table, so we bundled them up into a few jars and bottles and lit some candles. Pictures of Dad through the ages were set on the mantlepiece along with his first ever oil painting, circa '72 (isn't it fabulous?).

It was such a magical evening of amazing food (cooked by middle sister, Ruby) and family with a few select friends, all gathered together to celebrate 50 years of his life. 

That dad of ours is great. He's brilliant, honest, funny, loveable, creative and has such great faith. If it's broke, he'll fix it. For dad, it's always time for Aga toast and tea, and throughout our teens (and beyond) we've taken that invitation as the only way to end a night out with friends. And if we're lucky, he's just baked a fresh loaf and boy, are we in for a treat! He makes people feel comfortable and for that, people really love him. His devotion for my mum and us girls is inspiring, he's a great dad, and now he's a superb grandfather.

Home sweet home

We spent the weekend away visiting family. We had a great time, but I always love that feeling I get when we're driving back home. The whole time we were away the weather was grey, and coming up to the border of Cornwall, the sun shines, welcoming us back.

We really do live in one of the most beautiful places.

Queenie

Firstly an apology for the severe lack of posting over the last two months. On the 18th of April, I gave birth to the beautiful 'Queenie Valentine Rose Brannigan'. Since then I've been way too in love to think about anything outside of our new family.
Queenie is amazing. I can't believe how perfect she is and how incredibly happy she's made us. I never thought I could love anything this much, it's overwhelming. For weeks we just lay around watching her, feeding her and sleeping, all snuggled up together. We were abundantly blessed by church friends who brought us meals for over two weeks, so we had all that time and space to just be.
On Wednesday she was seven weeks old. This time has flown by, she's grown so much and learnt so much already. We've watched her start to hold up her head, focus on people's faces, use her hands to grab things (in the last few days my hair - ouch!) and give her first smile - and so many since. I've never been a baby person, but when they're your own and you spend all the time with them, you see their personality. And our Queenie is a little pickle!
She's already quite a cultured chick, we've taken her to her first gig and an art exhibition where she participated in her first piece of artwork!
I'm not saying its all been easy, boy, those first few weeks were so tough. Nobody can express the change it makes, adjusting to hardly any sleep, learning to breastfeed, and all that while recovering from the birth! But it's all SO worth it.
All in all it's pretty amazing to have her around. We're loved up to the eyeballs and apologise beforehand for how soppy this blog is about to become!

I really love these two.