All the family on Christmas Day

All the family on Christmas Day, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Things to spot in this photo:

• Sofia's fabulous Christmas stocking, courtesy of the Nanny
  
• Mallowpuff the polar bear (star Christmas present of 2007, now slightly off white)
  
• the last recorded sighting of the intact London double decker bus, before Jules stood on it while trying to avoid some other debris later in the day
  
• Sofia's delight over Grandma's present, clutched firmly in both hands. Tragically the little sheep are still a bit big to be worn this year but they are getting lots of airtime as toys anyway!
  

Our daughter was a model citizen at Alison and Stefan's traditional Canadian turkey dinner, remaining cheerful all evening and sitting in her chair for the entire main course. After that she did admittedly get to her feet, bellowing for ice cream, but luckily there was some on offer so we got some excellent quiet baby bird behaviour at dessert time too.

It really felt like we were proper grown-up parents this Christmas. Jules was kept busy preparing our Christmas duck on Christmas Eve and then taking Sofia out on the bike to the park on Christmas morning, so I could make the pavlova and buche de noel I was taking to Alison's for dessert. For one nasty moment it looked like the pav was going to disintegrate completely before I could get the greaseproof paper off the bottom of it, but somehow I managed to upend it onto the plate without smashing it to bits and smother it with enough whipped cream to hide any minor collapses!

Anyway it was very nice to change out of the clothes that were all covered in icing sugar and cocoa and shut the door on the debris-strewn kitchen to go and eat somewhere else. I suspect I may have eaten too much of Alison's wonderful turkey plus all trimmings (even though eating for two!) as all I could manage was one slice of pav for dessert. I blame B2 for occupying valuable space that could otherwise be used for stomach expansion.

New regime mark 2 starts on Monday - once we've eaten the trifle, the remaining mince pies, the Christmas pudding and the ham!

Jules and Sofia ride past our house

Jules and Sofia ride past our house
Originally uploaded by Racmol

The bike came out of its shed again at the weekend, and there was great rejoicing.

It's now parked in the communal hallway and every time we go in or out the front door there are shouts of 'Fia's bike! Dad's bike! Fia and Dad's bike!'

A very merry Christmas and a fabulous new year to everyone from all of us here in London. See you in 2009.

Love Rachel

B2 at 32 weeks

B2 at 32 weeks, originally uploaded by Racmol.

Well, I promised a photo so here it is. It's pretty poor though - the sonographer didn't charge me for the photo as she couldn't get a good shot.

The important stuff though - he's growing well, all measurements within the normal range. Estimated weight: 1.878kg. Abdominal circumference is not quite as average as it was, but still normal. That's the one they were really looking for, as that shows whether there are any problems with growth. Also the placenta appears to be functioning properly.

And dammit, no urine test! So I might as well have had a fruit mince pie for breakfast after all, instead of sensible porridge...

Comments - should I just disable this feature or what?

Doesn't anyone have anything to say about Sofia's stage debut? And by the way I have a scan tomorrow and if noone comments on the fabulous 32-week photo of B2 I shall be posting afterwards I really will disable comments.

Noone has said anything for the whole of December. Which is a bit disheartening, really.

The nursery nativity play (extended version)

Sofia is the white sheep with ears sitting next to the more major players, the gold and silver stars, on the far right.

A stray sheep in the Chaston Nursery Nativity Play

Here is our daughter making an unscripted appearance as a stray sheep in the Chaston Nursery Nativity Play last night. I'm also uploading a longer video on youtube - you can see Sofia sitting off to the right in her sheep costume, next to some more major players (the silver star, the gold star, Mary and the donkey). 

You would never know to look at her that the night before she was down at the hospital again getting more antibiotics for another ear infection. I did actually consider skipping the play, but she was so excited watching me make cupcakes for it that it seemed mean not to let her go. So I strapped her into the pushchair and forcibly administered the antibiotics and some nurofen and off we went. 

As you can see, she had a great time. Several people said to us afterwards 'Your daughter is so smiley!' and 'what a happy little girl you have!' Next year will be interesting - the kids in the big kids room (where you go when you turn two) had actual speaking and singing parts. Some of the boys in particular were very good actors and singers - we were very impressed (when we weren't howling with laughter...) 

A busy Sunday in the garden

Post-gardening tantrum, originally uploaded by Racmol.

We had a frost on Saturday night and a beautiful clear sunny Sunday. About 4 degrees, mind you, but still.

Tasks accomplished:
Leaves raked up and binned (both of us)
Garlic planted (Jules)
All remaining tulips, daffodils and crocuses planted in tubs, the lawn and the borders (me)
New gumboots worn in and trike ridden up and down the lawn (Sofia)


And then Sofia had a tantrum because I wasn't running to carry her down the steps. This photo was taken as the tantrum reached its peak! You can also see Jules planting the garlic and Sofia in her party dress after Saturday's party on flickr.