Bathtime for a 9-month-old

Steve took Ben downstairs while I had a lie-in with Charley. That was quite a wonderful start to the weekend! Steve had fun chilling with Ben too.

Did very little today really. Steve put shelves in a cupboard and a mirror on the bedroom wall, and fixed some floorboards in the office while the boys and I occupied the bathroom.

Photo is of Charley in his bathtub in the shower. It's a full-room affair, bathtime. Ben takes the bath, I have a shower, and Charley ambles between us saying hello and splashing in his own little tub.

And then, the boys refused to go to sleep til very very very very late....

Last words today go to Charley who is 9 months old today!! Our mini chatterbox who rarely shuts up, wittering away in Charley language; who makes some good attempts at words including mama (mama, funnily enough) mummy (mummi), Ben (ba), more (maaa) and makes a good attempt at signing "more food". He crawls in a funky Mowgli style, cruises, occasionally stands and lets go and balances - he's got prety decent balance, is very sturdy on his feet, will walk quickly when holding on with both hands to your fingers until he gets where he wants to go, and will walk a little slower if holding on with just one hand. He sleeps at night (no middle of the night playtimes here thank goodness), eats or at least tries whatever you put in front of him, knows that spoons are useful but has only got as far as trying to pick up both spoon and food in the same fist. He loves his mama milk still! He will accept sticky porridge and hulled strawberries for breakfast but will shout if you make toast and don't offer him any. He wrestles with his brother, tickles him and laughs with him, wants to be with him. He loves his brother. He's in size 9-12 month trousers if he's got a big nappy on, or 3-6 months with a 'sposie. And 6-9 months in teeshirts so no consistency there! He doesn't have any teeth yet. He doesn't like being picked up by strangers - or even friends, unless he's got to know them a bit first. He doesn't like medicine - of any sort, but especially not piriton, the antihisthamine syrup. He doesn't like having his face cleaned after eating because usually by then Ben is off playing and he wants to be too! He loves his stacking cups, the duplo, Ben's shoes, and whatever Ben is playing with. He will amble around the house with a drinking straw stuck in his mouth, happy as anything. He sleeps nestled under my right arm, or in the wrap, or in the car. He likes wandering round with his tongue sticking out..... He's as much of a loony as his brother is and I still can hardly believe I've been blessed with the two of them sometimes!