Yet again, work and other factors have prevented me from an update until now. Yes, nigh on three weeks have passed without word or photo hoisted upon the screen. We are a very busy family! Actually that is probably not quite true at the moment. Lucinda’s and my working days are in opposition at the moment, so we are not seeing a lot of each other and the days off that we do have are, quite rightly, hogged by Éowyn.
Éowyn is going through one of those phases of rapid skill acquisition and development. I am finding this quite fun. Since our last update she has learnt:
- to climb the stairs (not good for a 16 month old) and climb down the stairs (essential considering the first skill);
- recognise pictures and videos of monkeys and do an impression (ooo-ooo);
- recognise fish and do an impression (the mouthing of the word ‘bob’);
- recognise ducks (and say a word that sounds as if she is saying ‘duck’ and ‘quack’ at the same time);
- understand more complicated phrases such as ‘take your shoes off’ or ‘get your coat’ and action them;
- eat a whole peeled banana, now refusing sliced banana;
- and climb onto the settee to sit next to you;
Not bad for three weeks. She has also used Skype for the first time to ‘talk to” and see her Nanny Fran and Auntie Liz. I think that Nanny Fran had more difficulties with Skype than Éowyn. She didn’t really understand it at first (Éowyn not Nanny Fran) and I think was more fascinated by her own video picture in the bottom corner than Nanny Fran and Aunite liz on the big screen. But soon accepted it as normal and gave Nanny Fran and Auntie Liz a kiss (leaving dribble all over the screen), then made them a cup of tea with her tea set and tried to give it to them. I think that Nanny Fran really enjoyed it as although she saw a lot of Éowyn over Christmas she has not seen her since 2nd January. We will have to make amends.
Last week Éowyn caught a slight case of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is a very contagious disease and so it is imperative to clear the infection quickly, therefore we made a timely trip to the doctors to get a prescription for eyedrops. Éowyn was incredibly brave, lying down to let you put the drops into her eye, we feared it was going to be a struggle but I think she knew that they were for the best. Unfortunately our childminder will not take children while the infection is contagious (which is fair) and so Nanny and Granddad came to our rescue. She thoroughly enjoyed herself especially in the garden with Granddad, to the point of throwing a mini tantrum when Nanny asked her to come in. She is also a big fan of Harvey (their West Highland Terrier) although he is more nonplussed about her.
During a break in the wet weather we took Éowyn to the garden centre in the village (I know what you are thinking – those adventure seeking junkies!) to take a wander around their extensive pet section (it is cheaper than the zoo!). They have a wide range of fish, arachnida (Tarantulas and Scorpions to you), lizards, snakes, birds and rodents (rats, guinea pigs, degu, chincilla, gerbils, mice, hamsters, etc) and lagomorphs (rabbits). She was most interested in the fish (‘bob’) and wasn’t interested in the mammals at all. I am of the firm belief that it is good for children to have pets, it makes them take responsibility and in the case of the short lived creatures introduces them to bereavement. However, Éowyn is far too young at the moment and our house is far too small and with our work patterns at the moment it wouldn’t be fair on any pet that we have. It is far better to play with other people’s pets and pop round the garden centre or zoo when you want to have a look. Far less messy and much cheaper!
I have not seen much of my daughter these past few weeks so there are not many photos in the update. I will try harder for next time. Until then..
Peace and love
Baggie
