Gemma's fifth weekend is almost over. Big news today as Grandmother Ann - Nana - arrived from Montreal, with squeals of delight and plenty o' presents from the Homeland. Gemma complied by being up for the arrival then falling asleep in her grandmother's arms. Aaahhhs all around. Nana is still "working up" to the diaper/nappie change stage of involvement. Tonight Kathy, Gemma and I went for a stroll around the nieghborhood; the strategy of getting a baby to sleep with the motion of a pram didn't quite work, but it the pitstop for ice cream was a success.

Lots of new and developing things on the Gemma front: she's tracking things with her cute little eyes (or cute big eyes when interested in something). She has what sure looks like a smile, although we're not sure necessarily sure what activity - emotional or if some bodily function - inspires it. She sure lurves her Chicco Bouncer,where she plays with her hands, sleeps, squawks or calls out for her next meal. On the topic of food, Gemma has:

• Started to play with her schedule: sometimes she'll go for a big meal, and take a long nap afterwards (unlike her clockwork three hour intervals before)


• Gone to her first restaurant, Ask. She slept throught it.

Another week, another 200 grams or so. Gemma went to the health clinic today for her official weigh-in, and she's bursting the scales at 2.61 kilos / 5lb 12oz. Healthy progress and smiles all over the place. Apparently there was a lot of oohing and aahhing at the clinic and during the subsequent trip to a shopping centre, where mother and daugher are developing an afternoon mall rat habit.

Last night Fred, Cyndi and David popped around for dinner; earlier in the day Kingley, Clare and boys were here for a round of knock knock jokes. In the morning I whisked Gemma off to a coffee shop. The stated reason was to get new coffee beans and the paper, the other objective was to test the celebrated chick magnet qualities a cute young baby represents. Unfortunately large strollers with covers on them deters from the latter, although provides ample room to store papers and coffee bags. We need to get Gemma into one of those Baby Bjorn carriers soon for maximum exposure.

Gemma's had a social week. Yesterday she went to her first birthday party, a 30th for Peter Culley. This also meant Gemma's longest car ride, first time in the Highgate area, another chance to see her mate Bonar and experience the wafting smells of celebratory champagne in the room. She pretty much slept through the entire experience, except for the effects of a few pangs of hunger on the drive home. Some would suggest that leaving the party at a more opportune moment would have prevented this little burst of discomfort, but we wouldn't want to get her in the habit of splitting too early.

Last night she was whisked off to Christine and Simon's for a dinner party. Her meal was the same old, same old; but Kathy and I had stilton & broccoli soup and a tomato and sausage pasta (which I guess means Gemma is having some of that this morning, sort of). Another doze through most of the evening, with a few squawks here and there to let us know she was around.

Friday night Arndt and Karin came over for dinner, two people also in the 29->30 transation period. They're about to go biking in Slovenia. Gemma might go for a walk to a coffee shop today.

Other Gemma activities during the week included sleeping while Kathy got a haircut, doing a little shopping, receiving visits from Jasmin Aquan-Assee and Sandi Wasserman. Tomorrow it's off to the health clinic for another weigh-in, although we think she feels heavier.

We had a few firsts this weekend. Early Saturday afternoon we packed up an unsuspecting Gemma into the car for the first time (car seat pix) and scurried off to Portobello Market. Bought some household stuff and cheap fruit. Was able to fold stroller in less then two minutes.

Next was a visit with Gemma's new mate Bonar, son of Daveanderson and Penny Chooi. Bonar was also scheduled to arrive in July, and also decided to beat the rush and was born on June 24 (one day after Gemma).

Movie theatres being off the agenda for the near future, we rented a bunch this weekend, including Unbreakable, The Idiots and Invisible Circus. Watched them too. Christine came by and went with Kathy and Gemma for a walk in Hyde Park, and this afternoon Elaine (ex Agency.com) came calling before her move to County Kerry (well, Limerick actually) later this week.

A fab news day. Gemma had a weigh-in on Wednesday and she rocketed up to 2.46 kilos (for non metric types, that's 5.4 pounds as you can check here). That's over her birthweight and well above the last official reading of 2.11k on Friday. And if that wasn't enough for a day in a young girl's life, she went with her first solo walk with Mum today - and had her first celeb spotting, local resident Alan Rickman.

Tuesday night Susie and Phillipa from Agency.com popped round, filled with nice presents: a soft cuddly bear for Gemma, loads of work gossip for Kathy and drinking partners for me.

Gemma visited by Doris, from Canada. An excited Gemma wakes up and is alert and vocal during Wimbledon's Men's finals, where she gets to soak up the atmosphere as Goran Ivanisevic finally wins his title .

Women's finals about to start. Gemma still sleeping in anticipation.

1:30: Henmam loses the semi-finals. Gemma sleeps through UK's disappointment.

Today's highlight: advances in breastfeeding and gaining wait. More and more, wee Gemma is getting her meals only from the breast (no cup supplements). This keeps Greg out of the feeding loop - a nice thing at four in the morning, less so during the day. Gemma's also ratcheting up the scales, packing on a whopping 100g since last Wednesday.