Realised there are a couple of other developmental points I wanted to note on the blog (it has been nice to look back to a few years ago and see when Fidget started doing new things). On the sleeping, the other big step forward is that Squidge is getting able to settle herself, I've put her down in the crib and she may have woken up, but she will get herself back of to sleep after a bit of snuffling and chatting - but not crying. This is a fantastic skill for her to be developing as it will help with her napping and really bodes well for better nights sleep for us all ahead!



Squidge is also becoming more playful, wanting to engage with us, chatting and smiling, she is also reaching out to grab things. On the changemat I prop open a black and white pattern book and she gets really excited looking at it and batting it. The last few mornings I have put Squidge on the bed with a toy rabbit next to her, again she has reached out to bat it, but also has been trying to grab hold of it. This morning I leant over her for a chat - she went crazy for my hair, managing to grab handfulls and yank it about.

Friday night was mummie's Christmas night out. I had expressed 2 bottles of milk for M to give to Squidge, so after getting Fidget to bed, set out of the house on my own - v-strange! We had a lovely meal out and a great chinwag. I got back at about 11, M was part way through giving Squidge a second bottle, so I went up to bed, shortly M brought Squidge up and plonked her on the bed, where she then slept through until 7.30!!! Well done Squidge!

Grandma and Grandad arrived on Friday, Fidget was delighted to see them. On Saturday we just hung around the house, but in the afternoon went for a bracing walk round the park.

There was plenty of time for cuddles...
Fidget got her doctor's glasses out of her medical kit, firstly for Bear to wear...

Then she put them on on which looked very cute...

I wanted to take pictures but she was more interested in tearing about the place!

On Sunday M got the fire going in the front room, Fidget and I sat down to write a letter to Santa. Fidget drew what she wanted, told me and I transcribed her requests to the letter.

Here is the letter...

As you can see, Fidget has asked for a kite and toys, and for Honour has asked for Christmas and also a motorbike!

M then used the fire to send the letter to Santa up the chimney...

Then there was time for more cuddles and books...

On Monday Grandma and Grandad came with us to Cribbs Causeway to get Fidget some new shoes. We ended up with boots rather than shoes, as apparently her old shoes are still ok, even though Brantanos had measured her and said she needed new shoes! It was great having the extra hands and it would have been really difficult without them so thanks Grandma and Grandad!

Squidge was 10 weeks on Tuesday...

Fidget at 10 weeks...

them both now...

On Tuesday afternoon, mummie's afternoon was at our house, we got out the glue, glitter and lots of interesting things to stick down and the girls (the little ones!) got to work. I didn't take any pictures or video at the time unfortunately, but here is Fidgets artwork...

Fidget had a great time, particularly running round with little A "going to the seaside"!

Things have been going well with the sleeping since the weekend as we have finally managed to get Squidge sleeping in her crib for the whole night, so we have got our bed back hurray! Squidge has been sleeping from 10/11ish until 4 when she wakes for a feed, then goes to 6am when she is woken by the house waking up and wants feeding again, but it is all good for me, it may not last but I do feel like we are making progress and am feeling human again.

Friday - M took the morning off and we finally went to pick up our new car. Its estimated due date was the same as Squidge's, but has ended up arriving rather late. But it is a very welcome addition to TeamChallis. The first thing you might notice is the colour...I love it! You don't need to adjust your screens, it is orange. Fidget calls it the "bright car". It is also incredibly efficient, M enjoys telling me the mpg he achieved each evening (usually in the high 60s). It is only beaten on CO2 emissions by the smart 4-2 and the new Prius. Anyway we woke up on Saturday morning to find it still there and beaming at us and no complaints from the neighbours that the brightness was keeping them awake at night. Fidget has been making Christmas cards over the last few weeks, it has been good fun, gluing, sticking and glittering with her. While I have worked her hard, there may not be enough Fidget specials to go round everyone, so apologies if you receive a boring normal one rather than one with a half tube of glitter glue and an upside down christmas tree...next year I'll get her started earlier!!

Saturday was the kiddies Christmas party with the mummy friends, Fidget was very excited about putting her party dress on...

(she has requested she wear it every day since)

Squidge was less bothered about her party dress...

on our way out we took more pictures of the bright car.

The party was at Sarah's house, there was lots of lovely food, the kids were transfixed by some Christmas DVDs in the playroom...

They had a go at pass the parcel. 2 year olds are amazing tacticians, they do understand simple instructions like "pass it onto Anna!", "yes, give the parcel to Toby!" but sit there holding onto it with an expression that says "I haven't a clue what you are talking about".

Then we had the secret Santa presents

(the excitement was a bit much for M...)

Fidget got a hand puppet craft kit and a book of Christmas baking recipes for kids. Thanks Secret Santa - they are super!

When we got back home, M got the Christmas tree and decorations down from the loft, we put the Christmas music on, and got down to decorating the tree.

Fidget found a hat for Squidge, she wasn't that impressed...

Sunday morning we got the girls together to take some pictures for the Christmas cards, Fidget was very patient and unusually compliant! Here are a few that didn't make the cut...!

and the ones that did...

Fidget stretching her legs after the photo marathon...

Fidget and M then got to work in the kitchen, M is making his own mincemeat, and helped Fidget make a recipe from her secret Santa book.

floury angel...

they then had a well earned rest by the Christmas tree...

the Lebekuken they made went a bit wrong, the delicious result has been christened lebeflatten...

Squidge was 9 weeks old on Tuesday...

Fidget at 9 weeks...

them both now...

Fidget has been very good with her little sister, I took some video of them together being very sweet.

Squidge had her 8 week checks and immunisations today, she passed all the checks with flying colours, but was unimpressed by the injections. She did calm down, but has been asleep on my lap the whole afternoon, having little sleepy cries every now and then when she remembers it I guess, it may be time for calpol when she wakes up. Poor squidge.