Charlotte is getting really quite strong on her legs. She can stand up quite well whilst you are holding her. She will put all her weight down, and doesn't get wobbly on her legs when you stand her. At this stage, she seems much better at standing than sitting. Whilst she's good at her head and neck strength, she still gets quite wobbly when she is sitting. Not far to go though, she is learning at such a lightning speed!

Also, yesterday, I assembled Charlotte's new bed. As she is outgrowing the bassinet she was sleeping in, and Isabella still needs the cot for a little longer, we put Charlotte in the toddler bed. She has these baby bolsters on each side of her to stop her from rolling around. These bolsters are connected by flat fabric and velcro - this is the bit she sleeps on. The width is adjustable as the baby grows. I have used this for some months now, and Charlotte sleeps on her sides.

Here is a picture of Isabella using the bolster in her cot when she was 39 weeks old.

Did I forget to mention that Charlotte had her 1st attempt in the pool yesterday? Well she did and she was extremely good. It must be that this time round, I've introduced Charlotte to water on her face and also the shower much sooner than with Isabella. At 5 months, Charlotte is already almost too big for the baby bath and therefore we either shower her now or bath her in the big bath when I have a bath. We will probably be starting her swimming lessons in the near future - perhaps when she turns 6 months.

Also, Isabella has been really good at learning her 'please' and 'thank-yous'. She is also so good at picking up words that she is almost having decent conversations with us. She astounds us everyday with all the learning she is showing us. My little girl is growing up! Here is a cute picture of Isabella.

Happy New Year!

Wow another new year. Already a month has almost gone by. Isabella will be 2 years old in just under 2 weeks. Charlotte is now 5 months old.

The terrible twos are here and I expect it will stay for a while. Some days are better than others. I just try my best to try and occupy Isabella as best I can so she stays in a better mood. Apart from her development, there are a few things that she is probably going through that tends to upset Isabella nowadays. It is unavoidable that I have to spend extra time with Charlotte, with feeding and putting her to sleep and carrying her at times. Isabella has also started attending an early learning centre once a week. So far, she has gone 3 times.

The first day, she didn't know what to expect. Eventually, when I left on that day, she was a little shocked. Then she realised that I had actually left, and started to cry. I did peep through the windows for quite a while. By the time I left and went home, I felt my hurt being torned. I felt bad that she was feeling bad.. that I had actually caused her to cry. However, separation is inevitable, and she has to learn this at some stage in her life. I suppose better earlier than later.

Second time round, Scott actually took her to school (the early learning centre). But unlike me, he just said goodbye, told her he'd be back later and then left. This time, she did not have her afternoon sleep.

Third time, it was my turn again to take Isabella to school. I stayed for a while and then told her I was going and that i was going to pick her up later. She cried immediately. But I don't think it lasted as long as the first 2 times. By the time i had gotten to my car, I couldn't hear her crying anymore (usually i can hear her as they have outside time during that period). She didn't have a nap that day either. I was told that she just sat there and held on to her bag waiting for me to come. Poor thing! Hopefully 4th time round will be better. I have tried to take her in a few extra times for an hour or two with me staying with her so she gets a little more used to it.

Swimming wise, Isabella is doing great. She is getting more confident every time. Hopefully it won't be too long before she moves up to the third level.

Charlotte is now starting to crawl.. slowly. Wow! I think she'll be an early crawler and walker. She has also started solids. It has been much easier to feed Charlotte than Isabella. Even now, Charlotte is a better eater than Isabella is. Isabella is quite a picky eater, where as Charlotte just seems to eat mostly anything and she eats faster.

And not that you needed to know, but I am so glad that her bowel motions are now more solid. No more runny poos! Yey!

Charlotte is also developing really fast. Already she is using her hands lots. This week she has started grabbing things with her hands.. especially my hair! She loves to laugh a lot and talks like there is no end! She is so loud at times, it sounds like a cat meowing, and Scott can hear her from the other side of the house with the doors closed! Her reflux has also vastly improved. She still spills at times, but mostly she is safe without a bib nowadays. Now I can take more pictures of her without those ugly bibs.

Ok.. getting late.. but I thought I'd better do an update before I leave it again for a while. So hard to find time, but I must do it. Looking back at my posts, it is like a diary. Now I have Charlotte, I find it nice to look back and see what has happened with Isabella as well. Good nite! And Happy New Year to you all!