Holiday aboard Quintet

Last week we went away for a holiday on the boat. It was a lovely week, although you wouldn't exactly say relaxing!
We didn't get very far along the canal - it took us a week to travel as far as we would have got in an afternoon in the past. But that wasn't the aim of the holiday anyway - it was more about a change of scenery and escaping having to think about the boring things like bills!
During the day we spent plenty of time feeding the ducks and playing the in the park near the canal. Imogen and I also went swimming and to a soft play, while Dave and Buster enjoyed a few long walks. Dave and I also managed to have an evening out at the local pub, thanks to Mum & Dad babysitting.
Sleep was perhaps the most stressful part of the week - the boats not really set up with a safe place for a lively toddler to sleep. On a night she slept on a blow-up kiddie bed which we wedged in the corridor near the bathroom. During the day, naps were in a buggy squashed in front of the wardrobe! The first three nights were awful, with none of us getting a decent sleep - and we nearly gave up and came home - but things got better and she settled into sleeping through the nights, which made things easier.
There are a few more pictures here - feeding the ducks, wearing her life jacket (which, luckily, she was quite happy to keep on) and Buster, the captain!

Painting and drawing

Imogen seems to not have much interest in drawing and painting. She got an Aquadraw mat for her birthday, which she'll use for a few minutes, but that's about it. Try and get her to draw in birthday cards for people, and she'd rather eat the crayon. And painting's not much better. We've only had about 3 paintings from nursery and the last one came with a comment from the staff "I've never seen a child so uninterested in painting"!

Let's hope we can find some other creative outlet for her. I'd hate her to have nothing as she grows up - I think it's very important to have something to "escape" to.

How to...

...wash your face the Imogen way
1. Get Mummy to buy a flannel that has a character or face on it or, even better, one that's a puppet.
2. When Mummy wants me to have a wash, get her to hold the flannel so I can see the face, then put on a silly voice and say "Come on Imogen, give me a kiss!"
3. While the nice flannel is giving me lots of kisses, make sure Mummy is making silly sound effects.

...brush you teeth the Imogen way
1. Get Daddy to help. Mummy's useless!

More Imogen proofing required

Imogen's climbing has taken another step forward (no pun intended). This morning she was playing on the lounge floor while I was clearing the table after breakfast. I came back from the kitchen to find her sat on the sofa. Argh! All that stuff that was out of reach are no more - now very accessible and at risk! Help - where do we move it all to?

"I forgot to tell you..."

Or that's what Imogen seems to say to me some nights when I'm sitting with her while she goes to sleep. She'll be laid there, sucking her thumb, cuddling My Cow, all quiet and nearly sleep. Then suddenly she'll have a little manic phase - sit up, look at me, get all animated, chattering away and gesticulating - and then as suddenly as it started it's all over and she's laid quiet again. It's as if she suddenly remembers something about the day that she _has_ to tell me. Very cute and brings a smile to my face - I'd just love to know what she's trying to tell me about!

A little film

Here's a little film that we've created. Enjoy!

Baby encounters

Mad & Charlie came to visit today. It was good to see them, although I'm not sure Imogen would entirely agree!

Charlie's about 11 weeks old, and I reckon it must have been Imogen's first encounter with a baby a lot younger than her - especially in our house. She kept a close eye on her, looked puzzled when Charlie made "baby" noises (rather than the "toddler chat" that she makes) and seemed fascinated by breast-feeding (despite her still doing it, so she knows full well what it's all about!).

But I guess the most telling point came when I was left holding Charlie as Mad went off to get something. Imogen came over to me & Charlie and gave us a cuddle - all very nice - but then tried to move Charlie out of the way so she could get onto my knee as well/instead.

Still, she can't have disliked her that much - Imogen gave her a kiss as they were going - and they're not given out to just anyone!

No tears

There were no tears from Imogen when I dropped her off at nursery this morning. She was met at the gate by one of the staff and a couple of little friends and off she toddled to play. And that was it! I know that means she's happy at nursery and doesn't mind going, but it was a bit sad that she didn't even look back to say goodbye!

Hugs!

Yesterday at church there was another little girl, about 6 months older than Imogen. We hadn't seen the family before, but Imogen's a friendly kid and made them feel welcome - during one of the songs she walked up to Emily and, unprompted, put her arms round her to give her a big hug. Very cute!

No fear!

Sorry about the sideways video, but I keep forgetting to hold the camera "landscape".

Anyway, we've been to a soft play place today. We've been before and Imogen's always seemed to enjoy it, but today she was really having fun. No fear! Up and down the slides and ladders - yes, even up the slides and down the ladders. And when she realised that I was more scared than she was, she just giggled!

Wonky teeth

No, not individually wonky, just not growing in the "right" order. They started off growing in pairs - 4 at the top and 2 at the bottom. But the last couple have been a bit random. She now has 3 teeth at the bottom and 5 at the top - and the 5th on the top is not next to the other four, but further back in her mouth. We're at the dentist on Monday anyway, although I'm not quite sure how cooperative she's going to be with that!

Shoes

Imogen now has "proper" shoes. Her walking has suddenly taken off, and we decided she needed something to give more support and protection for outside. So, size 3,1/2 G little white buckle shoes have been bought. Yes, they're white, but ti was either that or pink, and pink doesn't always go with the green/brown/purple/red etc that she wears! They're actually pre-walker shoes, as the lady who measured her feet said that until she's really steady (and she's still fairly wobbly) having walker shoes could actually put her back a bit, as she wouldn't be able feel the ground properly etc.

Easter eggs

Imogen likes them! Just like her Mummy!
Creme eggs were handed out at church this morning, and Imogen just couldn't wait. She tried eating it without taking the foil off, so I thought it would be better to do away with the wrapper and let her have it properly. Yum, yum, yum!

Oops!

Imogen went splat! Out of the patio door and down onto the paving slab!
Tears were calmed with cuddles, but the scab on her nose remains!
I'm sure it won't be the last time.

Walking!

Imogen is now walking. It's all very unsteady, and only when she feels like it, but I'm sure that will change!

She's been cruising and walking holding hands for a while, but last Monday she took a few steps when I let go of her without her realising. Then, when she did realise, she wouldn't try again for a few days! Then over the weekend she decided it was worth another try and started walking between bits of furniture rather than going down on the floor and crawling. She needs lots of encouragment, but I'm sure practice will make perfect!