Ratty is now almost 13 months. At her most recent weigh in, Ratty was 8.26kg, putting her at just above the 9th centile. I'm extremely relieved by this, considering she had 2 consecutive months of losing weight. She seems to be eating much better at nursery now, and loves feeding herself. She's started to want to feed herself from a spoon, which is delightful to watch, and is adept at drinking from a open mouthed cup. Drinking from a straw also is proving no barrier to her. Her mobility has also come on by leaps and bounds - she is climbing onto her brother's bed with ease, and the other day, found her on our spare bed, looking very pleased with herself for getting there. She is a budding acrobat, somehow managing to flip herself out of her cot onto our bed to get cosy with us. Communication-wise, she can wave, say 'hi, bye, thank you, NO!, uh oh!, take this' among other words. She waves at things that she wants, which is marvellous (noone taught her that). What a wonderful little girl, so full of smiles, so inquisitive, so loving, so adorable!

Puppy on the other hand, is a right BOY! It might seem a little obvious, considering that is his gender, but, having no previous experience with 3 year olds, am highly amused and entertained by his numerous antics every day. He certainly has a high sense of humour and is very witty, that is apparent. He has a fascination for Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder, but I suppose most 3 year old boys are too, only not many will sing the Bob the Builder theme song on a repeat cycle, at the top of their voices, from a supermarket trolley when mummy is trying to do the shopping.

I have often envisaged that my children would be like the wonderfully behaved ones that I see in our village, sitting sedately in their shopping trolley seat. Instead I have an human loudhailer announcing the latest songs from Nikolodean programmes, and a baby who doesn't like sitting in her trolley seat. My last visit to the supermarket lasted 30 minutes, where I entered with a large shopping trolley, and bought 6 items - most of the time was spent accompanying Puppy to the toilet and trying to manoeouver the trolley while carrying a Rat who preferred to look smug on mummy than sit in her designated seat.

Still, when they give you their biggest grins and hugs every day, and know they mean it from the bottom of their hearts, it then makes perfect sense, and all the blood sweat and tears become worthwhile again.

Ratty has been attending nursery for the past 6 weeks now. During this time, apart from the obligatory runny nose, has had a few bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. This has really set her back, which is rather disconcerting, considering she doesn't have a big build to start with. Her weight has fallen from the 25th to under the 9th centile....mummy is getting worried! EAT!

Ratty had a rough last week. From being her first week in nursery, to not sleeping well, waking up every few minutes to scream in pain. After a particularly fretful Wednesday night, I discovered THREE new teeth! Poor little baby! All is well now.

Happy Christmas 2008 everyone.
The children and husband had a wonderful time. DH seemed truly happy with his presents, Puppy enjoyed watching 'The Snowman' 3 times yesterday, as well as making up a jigsaw from his paternal grandmother and Ratty just enjoyed putting everything in her mouth. Christmas dinner was reasonably successful, and there is loads of washing up waiting to be done. I'd better go do it, hadn't I?

In memoriam





Cynthia Carrington Barrett
15.11.1924 - 10.11.2008
RIP

Ratty is now almost 8 months old, and really really happy!



Puppy is 2.5 years old and more interested in trains than smiling for the camera.

It's amazing to see how a child develops. Since the summer, Puppy has shown a keen interest in expanding his knowledge. He can now count to 12, read letters of the alphabet and identify colours. He has also in most part mastered use of the potty during the daytime, to the extent of emptying waste contents and flushing the loo! We still have work to do on washing his hands after going to the loo though.

In the meantime, Ratty is now almost 7 months old. She is moving around with ease, and in the early stages of babbling. Weaning is still a bit of hit and miss, although her lower left central incisor sprouted a couple of days back.

My children are growing up!