: : : Here is the news for December : : :

Wednesday 31st December
Grandma has come to visit us today and she has brought all kinds of special gifts from far away for us - I thought that Christmas was over but it looks like it may be starting again. My gift included some lovely crunchy wrapping paper and a beautiful little fire engine with a beeping man. Thank you Maddy and Abbi!

I learnt how to do a kiss today. I can even make the noise that goes with it. I surprised Dad with one just after I dribbled into his face. I think it made up for it.

Tuesday 30th December
Today was the day that I went swimming again. I didn't actually do any actual swimming as such. I managed to do a lot of bobbing around though and I had some special water wings to help me do the bobbing. Eventaully I did a little bit of leg kicking too. I only swallowed 3 mouthfuls of water during the whole swimming, which I spat and coughed right back up again - so no harm done there.

Monday 29th December
I went to the shops with Dad in the morning and we played a new game called "the hat game". This is how is works: Dad puts his hat over my head and I remain silent and still until Dad removes the hat from my head - no matter how long this takes (obviously there are limits). When he takes that hat off I smile at him and laugh and pull the hat over my face again. It's a good game. I couldn't play it all day long, but it filled up a few empty moments in the shop.

Sunday 28th December
I have seen some amazing things today. First there was the train - admittedly it's the second time that I've been on a train, so I'm quite used to it. Then there were the fish. I haven't seen quite as many fish all in one place before - at least - not without breadcrumbs around them anyway. My favourites were the ones that swam very fast past my face all the time. Dad tried to get me to say fish but I wouldn't do it. I said "Dad dad dad dad dad" instead.

I was very well behaved on the train - Dad played "boo" with me with his big furry hat. It takes me quite a long time to get his hat off my head because of my tendancy to pull down instead of up and across. Pulling down usually means that my head bumps into Dad, or something harder, like a table.

Saturday 27th December
I now bring you the latest in block stacking news. I believe it's been a fair old hile since there was any. I am pleased and proud to announce that I am able to accurately stack two bricks on top of each other. I'm ready and willing to stack the hird but it usually manages to knock the second block off the first one which kind of leaces me where I started, which is no good to anyone.

I'm enjoying climbing all over the sofa. Since I managed to climb up onto it I have been undoing al of Dads good sofa tidying up work. He spends a long time tucking in the sofa covers and it only takes me a moment to untuck them all, almost beyond repair.

Friday 26th December
I've had a lovely day today, I was learning to pull the string on the wobbly bee with Dad in the front room for ages. I finally managed to work out that if i pushed my thumb through the little ring on the bit of string and then pulled the bee with my teeth, I would have enough time to stick the wobbly bee on my head so that I could enjoy it's vibrating qualities.

I've done a lot more walking today and I'm sure I'd be getting a lot further if it wasn't for all the "help" that Peter is giving me. I suspect that Mum and Dad are putting steps into place to counteract his nefarious influences.

Thursday 25th December
I never knew that it was going to be Christmas! Look at all the presents! look at all the toys! look at all the wrapping paper that's everywhere!

There were so many toys to play with today that I almost didn't know where to start, my new phone kept me busy for a while - it keeps ringing and it's usually Dad on the other end.

We all went for a walk in the afternoon and I managed to persuade Mum and Dad to let me have a little go on the roundabout and the slide. I even had a crawl around on the ground and eventually Mum helped me do a little bit of outside coat wearing walking. My coat tends to hamper my movement.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Wednesday 24th December
I managed to walk from the living room door to where Dad was on the sofa today. This time I avoided all kind of obstacles and took an indirect route. I had to have a good long rest afterwards - it was mentally and physically exhausting.

Tuesday 23rd December
Dad thinks there is another tooth on the way as I am doing plenty of dribbling.I already have ten teeth - that should be enough for most things that I find on my travels across the floor. I found a chocolate finger and a crisp today. I think they were left over from when Peter was bringing Jenny gifts. Either that or I have discovered his secret food stash.

Monday 22nd December
I've been doing plenty of walking practice today - It's tiring work, but I have to do it. I like to walk inbetween the living room door and wherever Dad is. He usually picks a spot as far away from me as he can get to encourage me to walk a long way. He says I look a bit like fred astaire when I wobble my way across to him. I haven't managed to handle obstacles that may be in the way. I haven't time to concentrate on seeing them yet so a usually fall over when I get to them.

Sunday 21st December
Dad was very sad this morning. I comforted him by giving him a hug and patting his shoulder.

We had some visitors in the afternoon - All the visitors were Gaye, Simon, Toni, BIG Andrew and Jenny, they arrived while I was asleep,There were so many of them that I wasn't quite sure what to do at first. Eventually I warmed to them after an initial period of shyness. I played some lovely games with everyone until they had to go home.

Saturday 20th December
I didn't start the day off very well. I was sleeping with Mum and Dad this morning and somehow I managed to falloff the bed. I made a loud bump, but there was no damage. I did cry quite a lot though. I'm sure I heard Grandad sighing from downstairs as he was woken up AGAIN.

It was very cold today - We did go out but I had to be wrapped up in several layers to protect me. I got a little bit wet from the rain, but that made me laugh quite a lot.

Friday 19th December
I had a go at saying banana today - and another go at saying hot. Sometimes the words come out a little bit wobbly though. My walking is a lso a little wobbly, but it seems to get a little bit better everyday. I can almost walk from one end of the lounge to the other without falling over on my bottom.

I made friends with Grandad today and I even let him sit right next to me on the sofa. He did "this little pig" on my toes a few times after Dad showed him how to do it.

Thursday 18th December
I've been playing some new games today - one is called "sit in the plastic box" - I'll leave you guess the exact rules of the game - it's fun though. I stayed in the box for a very long time.

My other acheivement was climbing onto Dads desk. He had carlessly left a box next to the desk that's about half the height of the desk. It didn't take me long to clmib right up and grab the telephone. I like to speak to Dad on it. Dad was quite surprised about the cimbing activity because he had only looked away for about one second. I was biding my time.

Wednesday 17th December
I am 11 months old today. That is a general warning to ALL who know me that it is now exactly one month until my 1st birthday. I'm looking forward to being one. I will be bigger then.

We went for a lovely walk in the park today with Grandad. He was even, briefly, allowed to push the pushchair. I don't know whether any of his abilities were called into question but he was relieved of his duties. I got to sit in the front because Peter was still ill. I waved at all the pushchairs that we passed. It's great fun being in front.

Later on, after Grandad had gone we went into town for a dull shopping trip. Dad did drive down the main street of the town so that we could look at the lights. I waved at all the lights.

I have a new tooth today. It's just on the top on the right the four that I alreayd have.

Tuesday 16th December
I'm still not ill. I think I may have got away with it - despite the number of kisses that I've had from Peter during the last few days.

I did go to see the tiny tiny Doctor today - it was for my 9 month check up - as if being nearly TWO WHOLE MONTHS latefor it wasn't enough, they made us wait for an extra 40 minutes before we saw them. I didn't mind too much as I was amusing the crowds that were assembled there by popping my head up and down inside the littlehouse that's in the doctors waiting room.

I passed my nine month test with flying colours. I got 91%. My head circumference is on the 75% mark or 48cm all the way around. I weigh 24lbs and 4oz. My wrigglyness factor is at 110% and no one can give more than that.

Monday 15th December
Dad has thoughtfully placed his bouzouki near the hole in the end of my cot. This means that when Mum put me to bed in the afternoons I can have a little bit of a strum before I go to sleep. I'm working on a little tune of my own at the moment I think is going to be a good one.

I seem to have escaped the house illness for now. I'm hoping that this trend will continue.

Sunday 14th December
I've got a sore bottom today which can only mean that I have another tooth on the way. Once again I'm praying to the tooth fairy that it will hurry up and poke through. As soon as it does I can add it to my tissue shredding arsenal of pointy teeth.

Grandma has been looking after me today. She did a very good job and I think I may have managed to charm her once again.

Dad thought of a very good game today. He puts a little hankerchief on his fce and then blows it up into the air. I always try and make a grab for it - sometimes I manage to snatch it away and sometimes I manage to bash Dad on the nose. It's a fabulous game.

Saturday 13th December
I was a bit worried that I would be getting ill today because of all the kissing that I was doing yesterday. The good news is that I am still well. I got up really early to check. I am well. Dad has got hair that needs pulling.

We didn't really go out very much today because it was very cold and wet. Dad took me out to a CURRY HOUSE in the evening there was a lot to look at and some interesting music to listen to. All in all It was a most enjoyable experience - Dad wouldn't let me eat a sweet though.

Friday 12th December
Grandma is here and apparently she is going to be the one that will be looking after us tonight. Mum and Dad are going out somewhere to have some fun.

Sadly Peteris feeling very ill, so I have been comforting him in the only way I know how - by using the power of dribble. I gave him at least 20 kisses, some of them were wetter than others and some of them included some teeth. He seemed to appreciate the attention though. He's really rather ill. Mum and Dad did not go out.

Thursday 11th December
I'm afraid I had a terrible night last night. I woke up at around 2.00am and Mum came to comfort me in my hour of need. I'm sorry to say that I was vry very sick all over her jumper, the bed, the floor and some pillow. Not to mention my lovely rocket pajamas. Dad came to help clear the whole thing up and make a new bed. I found the whole thing very amusing. It was lovely to get up late and me allowed to crawl around on the floor and play with the toys. I may try it again tonight - but without the sick bit.

Wednesday 10th December
I was trying to get into the toy box today. I tried and tried forages but It always seems to be too full to get into. Unfortunately I didn't think to empty out any of the toys. That counts as lateral thinking, and that's something that I just don't really do. I had to settle with sitting on the tambourine.

I did quite a lot of freestyle walking today. These days I can usually make it to the item of furniture that I'm aiming at without falling over. If the worst happens, I just sit down and make it look as if that's what I wanted to do all along.

Tuesday 9th December
I think Dad may be getting a little fed up with my constant wriggling. Usually if Dad is at home he has to help Mum change my nappies by keeping a firm hold on my shoulder. This doesn't stop me trying to escape and only actually stops the top half of my body moving - my legs remain free to do as they like.

At bedtime Dad has absolutely no chance. As soon as he lets go of me to put on a nappy or my vest or pajamas, I'm off and over to the other side of the bed as quick as you like.

Monday 8th December
Both of my new teeth have now poked all the way through - the one near the back of my mouth is very sharp and has 4 little spiky bits. The one near the front only has one long cutty bit, so that was easier to get through. Sadly I "fell" over on my face today and cut my lip. There was a small amount of blood.

Sunday 7th December
I been doing a lot of dribbling today and general poking around in my mouth - the new teeth feel a bit funny and I'm trying to get used to them.

I did a little bit of shape sorting with Dad. I didn't manage to sort every shape but I do like to push the shapes into whatever hole is nearest.

Saturday 6th December
Aha! There is a new tooth! And this time it's the tooth that Dad was expecting to come yesterday. It's the bottom one just near the middle one on the right hand side - it's just poking through. This, combined with the other tooth coming through has meant htat I have been wanting to be carried around for most of the day.

I did let Dad put me down for a while though. I helped him tidy up the rainbow rings. He empties them on to the floor and I put them back in to the box one at a time. It's a great game.

Friday 5th December
Aha! There is a new tooth! A secret tooth that no one was expecting. It's my first molar tooth and it's at the bottom on the right hand side. I'm including this information in the hope that it will remind Dad to put together some kind of graph of the whole tooth thing. Anyway - the tooth is mostly through. Everyone is hoping that this will mean that my grumpiness will get better.

Thursday 4th December
There's no new teeth yet. That doesn't tally with my grumpiness factor.

I am sure that I am the wriggliest baby that every lived. Dad had to make 15 attempts to put my nappy on at bath time, I won't tell you how many attempts were made to put my actual pyjamas on.

Wedmesday 3rd December
I've been getting a bit shirty with Mum because she doesn't walk me around holding my hands all day. I think I need the practice and she just isn't pulling my weight. Imade a little joke there. The best she could manage today was 20 minutes walking in between the washing machine and the french windows. Peter could lend a hand if he tried a little bit harder.

Tuesday 2nd December
For some reason Dad was at home today and it was nice to be able to practice my walking so that I coud fall over on his tummy. I had a good poke into his tummy button too.

I forgot to mention that when Mum gave me a bath last night she mentioned that the hot tap would be hot. I also reminded her by saying "hot". I think that that is my 3rd or 4th word ever. I'm starting to build up quite a vocabulary. I have a good role model though - Peter never stops talking. Not ever.

Monday 1st December
I've been very grumpy and sad all day. My other tooth is definately coming through. Dad was right - I don't know when It's dueto come through but I hope its soon.

The grumbling is driving every one mad.

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