Nine months in. And what a jam packed month it has been!
This month has seen your first ever Christmas, and because of that we were running all over the place as so many people wanted to spend some of it with you. The first day of spoiling you came when we met Aunties Donna, Karen and Dawn for lunch, and they ended up giving me a bundle of bits and pieces for you and I. This should have probably been some indication of what we were in for, but of course, I didn't expect that you would be given as much as you ended up with.
For Christmas itself, we pulled a bit of a crafty move, and opened our Christmas presents for and from us three on the 21st December. We reasoned with ourself that we were doing it because we were going to be so busy away from the home for the actual days of Christmas, but to be honest, it was because I can't wait for anything, so I convinced your dad it was the best idea in the world. It was really nice to have that moment just to ourselves as well, as obviously we were going to be surrounded by people for the rest of it. Of course, you weren't interested in your presents at all, instead finding endless entertainment in the gift tags. If I'd have known this Olly, I'd have saved a packet.
Messy boy
On Christmas Eve we drove up to Milton Keynes, which is where your Uncle Jack and Aunt Chloe are currently living with their mum. Christmas Eve is also Uncle Jack's birthday, so it was a nice extra for him to get to spend the day with you. Uncle Mark and Grandad Mark also drove up so that everyone got to spend the first Christmas with you, which made it a little bit more special I think for everyone involved.
Olly and Grandad Mark
We drove back from Milton Keynes on Christmas Day in the evening, and got up the next day to do it all again at Nanna Jean's house. Which meant that you were further loaded up with a veritable treasure trove of gifts. I made sure to take a photo of your stash so you can see for yourself just how ridiculously spoiled you were for your first Christmas. I have had to clear out a cupboard in the front room and make it into a toy cupboard, and the thought of your birthday being in three months now, and you possibly receiving just as much has me in a panic as to where I'm going to put it all. Quite frankly Olly, we need to buy next door for storage.
We also went to visit Aunty Claire and her parents, as her mum hadn't seen you in a few months and her dad hadn't seen you yet at all! This was bad times on my part, because over the years, certain people like Diana and Mark have really been like parents to me as well, so it's only fair that they get to meet you too. You were a little star as per usual, showing off and smiling away like you're an angel.
Catching up on some sleep
Olly and Grandad Ron
Not appreciating the Christmas banter
Aunty Chloe and Uncle Perry also came home from America and they bought you a fantastic hockey jersey which you wore to the first game back after the Christmas break. We also went to visit Aunty Rita, as they added to the massive pile of goodies you got, and we wanted to go say thank you to them.
Your Christmas Stash!
This month has been fun but very tiring as well. I feel like we haven't had that much time to ourselves this month, as your dad was off of work for two weeks for the holiday as well, which was nice, but definitely a routine breaker.
You have learned so many new things this month, and it seems as though you are going to continue doing so. You pick up on things really quickly, and luckily I'm quite quick on the video camera front, so I manage to catch quite a few of them for others to see. You are almost High 5ing now, which is very cute. You've also seemed to have developed the word Go, and it has become a favourite. You're clapping your hands to everything, and even when I'm telling you off, you try to deflect the attention already by smiling and clapping instead. Not gonna work mister. I've also taught you how to sing, and you now sing 'lalala' when asked to. We've also got you blowing kisses like a pro.
Getting there...
You're sleeping really well now, and I'm even getting less fight out of your daytime naps. The only problem is you seem to have developed the habit of sucking your thumb in order to settle yourself down. Wonder if I'll still be moaning about that in 17 years time, just like Aunty Chloe. Night times are pretty straightforward, and you've got a great routine that you follow to a T. There comes a time between 6 and 7pm, when you let us know that you're ready for bed and up you go. There's still a small amoungt of fighting it, but I think you know now that the game is up, your efforts are futile, and your dad will sit there for two hours if it takes it. Game over.
Eating lemon... and likimg it...
With regards to movement, we are definitely seeing some changes, although as per usual, not in the straightforward way that you would expect. It's almost as though you think where's the fun in that and instead insist on doing things differently and definitely your way. Crawling is just not your thing. There have been moments when you have shown slight promise, and then you sort of wither to one side and instead perform a roll to get to where you want to go. But on the other hand, standing, now this is something you are liking. You'll stand up and clap to say 'yeah look at me' and occasionally bounce a little to show off, and we're even getting some foot movement if I hold you and attempt to pull you forward. So I think that you might have made your mind up to cut out the middleman and just go straight to the two foot jive. Eventually we'll get there pal.
Your eating habits have changed a little in this month too. We have moved you onto more solid food, so you're now having to put a bit of effort in and actually chew. This appears to have displeased you, and added to your woes and unreasonable demands that I, the heartless wench impose upon you. So we've had a little fussing, but nothing I can't handle. The old trickeroo of making you laugh and shoving a spoonful in seems to be working a treat at the moment, but don't think that you are outsmarting me by not eating your dinner and waiting for dessert for you to gobble up. I'm onto you, sweet lumps are just as hard to chew as savoury ones.
Olly's first artwork - 17/1/12
You had your 7-11 month review this month as well, and you were given a 5 out of 5 for every check that they needed to do. They said that you were 9.75kg in weight, which is roughly 24 pounds (although this was an estimate as you refused to sit still while being weighed), and you were 74 cm long, which apparently is long for your age. Where the hell you get that from I have no idea, as pretty much everybody in the family is vertically challenged. Your dad reckons you get it from the postman. But that's a whole other story I suppose. Until next month fatty,
