Fall update

The fall is flying by. We had the first real snowfall of the season this past weekend. There is change in the air. George is also changing quickly. He's five-and-a-half months old. At his second round of immunizations a couple of weeks ago he weighed in at 21 pounds: basically the size of an average one year old. He just started solids this week - oatmeal at lunch time - and is quickly figuring out how to grab the spoon and suck off the food. He's been very interested in watching us eat and drink for awhile. George is quite strong, and can sit on his own unsupported for a minute or so. He started rolling over - in both directions - about three weeks ago, although after performing his new skill quite often in the first few days he's done it quite rarely of late. There is no visible sign of any teeth in his mouth yet, but with all the sucking he's been doing on his hands (and anything he can get his hands on) I wouldn't be surprised if we see some soon. He is also babbling a lot, and doesn't sound like a newborn anymore.

George continues to be quite good natured, although I think he becomes bored a bit more easily than he once did, and is starting to use his lungs to demand attention when he wants it: probably a good survival skill, especially for a second child with an older sister who would take all parental attention for herself if she could! I switched him to just two naps a day a couple of months ago already, which has necessitated stretching out his awake time in between naps and can also make for a bit more fussing. He's a great night-time sleeper, however, and also a much better napper than Charlotte was - she took short, frequent naps for a long time - so the bit of struggle involved is definitely worth it. We've been really fortunate with both kids in the sleep department. Even so, I feel like kids and housework take up 99% of my time and attention.

Charlotte is doing well. She made the transition to preschool smoothly. She was very excited the first morning, mostly about the chance to play with new toys. Since the newness has worn off she sometimes drags her feet getting out the door, but there have never been any tears when I say goodbye and the teachers say she plays contentedly and is increasingly talkative with them. She's fiercely independent these days, and can melt down into tears if we make the mistake of lending a helping hand, or alternatively, if she's unable to do something she'd like to be able to do on her own (i.e. do/undo buttons, open the door, get her backpack on). It can be a real catch-22! She has an active imagination, and sometimes scares herself as a result. Over the past couple of months she's often been reluctant to play on a floor of the house that we're not on, although that fear seems to be lessening. She also recently started sleeping with a nightlight on. Incidentally, someone anonymously sent George a gift of a lovely fabric nightlight, which Charlotte has been using until George is old enough to need it; thank you to whoever it was! Charlotte can also be very particular about how things are done. If she's wearing a sweater or coat she insists on all her buttons being done up and the zipper being zipped "all the way up". There's a spot on her placemat where she insists her cup be placed at meals. She closes cupboard doors and drawers that are left open (usually by James - ahem) and takes care to lock the doors when we come inside. I'd be concerned that she was picking up some of my OCD tendencies but apparently this is typical of being three!

Charlotte is bonding more and more with George, although she still has times when she is less than enthralled to be sharing us with him. Last night she told James she likes George when he is upstairs (i.e. in bed) but not downstairs. Poor George. He already adores her and we're waiting for the day when she wholeheartedly returns the sentiment! I've noticed that she likes it when George wears cuddly clothes like his fleece snowsuit or flannel sleepers, and is then much more eager to give him hugs and kisses. For his part, George loves being held eye level with Charlotte, and if she approaches and smiles or laughs he'll almost always break out laughing too. It's one of my favourite things at the moment.