Long days

The days feel long at the moment. There's very little down time in the day (oh how I miss the boy having a nap) and the weather's making going out for long periods pretty unappealing. It's lovely that the boy is really into his play but I don't always want to play too. I'm trying not to be grumpy about it though - I mean look at that face! I can never tire looking at it.

Although he does have a lot to say for himself....

The girl has discovered 'outside'. She was pushing the dog aside every time I opened the door today.

And she can just about reach the piano keys.

We had lots of playing with hats - the sofa is a pirate ship but we only have the one pirate hat so others have to be used too.

Roll on spring!

Getting back into the swing of things

It's amazing the difference a bit of sun can make to the mood even if the swings are wet.

I'm very excited to have received some Spoonflower fabric today designed by the lovely Jeanette. All I need now is some time and space to work out what I'm going to make.

Loss adjustment

So yesterday we had a visit from the loss adjuster about our insurance claim for the hole in the roof. Apparently a week of snow does not constitute a one off event and so we're not covered on the insurance. Tough luck to us. It's easy to be bitter and to rail against the unfairness (there goes my customer loyalty though) but really we have so much to be grateful for and we will find the money and get it fixed eventually. We're still camping out in the back bedroom but that has its charms - I just wish the house wasn't such a mess with all the displaced furniture etc.

But it's hard to be sad when you have this delight

She's very pleased with herself

oops

And tonight we had the obligatory yogurt photos

Here's one from when Isaac was the same age

You can leave your hat on

This boy is changing so much. Not big things but enough that they add up to a whole lotta change. He's playing in such a different way and speaking in a different way that it's hard to see my baby any more. It's tiring playing all the time (for me) - I can't sustain the imagination for very long and still keep on top of the house etc. But I'm trying to play with focus for short periods every day.

Last night he took baby on a bus....

Miss Bel is helping with household tasks.

If ever I need someone to get into the dishwasher she's my girl.

It's got very cold again here. We've started a pattern where Matthew takes her out when he takes the dog so that Isaac gets some time just with me (although often he then doesn't actually want me...) but trying to get her to keep her hat on is a nightmare. Even if it fastens under her chin she manages to get it off.

We were playing with dressing up hats tonight and it was the same - hat on, hat straight off again...

it was there when I picked up the camera...

The boy was easier to picture.

Oh no it's gone again...

Maybe the dog will keep it on...

Maybe not...

Look look look it's there...

but not for long!

One of the joys of childhood

Cleaning out the baking bowl.

10 Months

Note the double standards of a second time parent who couldn't understand parents feeding babies chocolate cake but was happy to share his chocolate mousse....

Who is this boy?

The toddler is well and truly gone and sometimes I get a glimpse of the 6-year-old-to-be or even the teenager he may one day become. He seems to be growing taller by the day.

(photo by Matthew)