Monday - fun with Steph

Steph was a great help with the nighttime routine. A little while before bed, she amused the kids by tickling and chasing them. Ian and I noticed that Angus became very comfortable around her and actually approached her for cuddles and tickles. It's amazing for us to see this, since he and I are really the only ones Angus has been affectionate and social with.

Sunday - sewing project

Check this baby out! I bought this fabric (IKEA) and a zip a year ago but was too scared to try and make a sleeping bag for Angus. He still needed one this year, as it turned out, because a). he kicks off his sheets during the night and b). we don't want him to be able to, er, remove his own nappy. So, fired up with fresh enthusiasm, I decided to tackle this project. I didn't have a pattern, but I can't follow them anyway. So I took his sleeping bag and kind of drew it on to the fabric. It took three goes. Finally I started sewing and if you look closely it's a bit wonky, but hey, I MADE A SLEEPING BAG. I made it. Myself! Yay me.

I really wanted to show it off to Mum but she couldn't make it over today. Steph arrived in the morning and will stay for 10 days over this Christmas period. We're very happy to have her here, as always, but especially for Christmas day, as she's only here alternate years. This year we've decided to have Christmas Day at Ian's parents house, then ours for Boxing Day with my family. That's the compromise when families grow and expand.

Wendy's baby was born sometime this evening, Kirrily Maria Grace. How pretty. Hoping I might get to meet her in January if/when we go to Melbourne. Congratulations Wendy and Brian.

Saturday - cleaning up

Tas joined me for a little walk to do some errands - photos, chemist, bread. She's such good company now. Ian spent much of the day cleaning up the deck for Christmas. I couldn't bear to take a photo, to be honest, it was that bad. The walls caked with chalk-paint, storage boxes, kids toys, dust and cobwebs, leaves and dirt, it was all there. He even trimmed the dried out weeds in the backyard. I tidied the house and the kids' area, and by the afternoon was pretty tired. It was all pretty messy again by dinner time.

Friday appointments

Another busy day - and lots of appointments with both the children. Great success with Angus at the speech pathologist - he said a couple of words (can't remember!) and concentrated really well when the bubbles came out and also the picture book. While he develops skills with games like puzzles, coloured balls, and imaginative play, he is learning to make eye contact, point and make sounds. It's all part of communication. Go, Angus, go!

We popped into the Marion Cultural Centre in between appointments for some lunch. Must make use of this resource soon. I miss theatre and art and craft.

Thursday

It was such a long day, starting at 5.15am when Angus woke up early, interrupting my "me time" in the study, til close to 9pm when both babies were finally asleep. Ian was home late - work Christmas drinks. Still, I managed to get one quick layout finished when there was a quiet minute. You gotta love that!