This Little Clan Mac

Of late Ewen has argued against, and refused, eating his evening meal. Quite frustrating, yes. And tonight was no exception. However, he was making demands for one of the biscuits in the box on the table. There was one proviso—he eat all his dinner.

A debate ensued where Ewen had the choice to eat his supper, and have the pleasure of eating a chocolate biscuit, or not eating and so losing the biscuit. I had warned him that if he didn't start eating by the count of three, then he had elected not to have a biscuit. He chose not to eat. I had to carry out my threat, so removed the biscuit box from the table which meant the biscuit was a no go. Suddenly, Ewen was motivated to eat the remainder of his food.

A little later, he proudly waved a clean plate, and exclaimed, "You very impressed, Daddy!" Clare and I both struggled to contain ourselves. Fortunately, I had the fridge open so had my back turned toward him. Now that he had finished his meal, he asked for the bisuit; I suspect feeling he had earned the biscuit. I reminded him of his earlier decision not to eat and the consequence to that decision. He moaned a little, then settled for a Scooby yoghurt. He dealt with his disappointment exceptionally well, and we are so proud of how well he is developing.

Posted by Keith at 06:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ewen had eaten most of his sandwiches when he told Mummy he was tired and wanted her to carry him upstairs. He pointedly refused Dad's offer to carry him instead. So I kept Iain company while he drained his little yoghurt (fromage frais) pot. When he was finished he began removing his bib, so time for the post-meal face and hand wash.

Iain was quite comfortable amusing himself with a duster ... dragging it around the lounge, the kitchen and between the two.

Then all went quiet!

I called to Clare to check if he was with her. Nope. We dashed upstairs to find him standing next to Ewen's bed. He had just pulled the covers back and was reaching toward Ewen's face. Iain was looking for his brother so they could play together.

Posted by Keith at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Iain woke with complete words on his mind. And then he called out, "Mama, dada!" No-one responded, so he turned his attention to the cot toys hanging within reach and banged until he received that which was sought. It was surprisingly later than usual, 6h45 rather than the normal six o'clock. Mom and Dad were happy.

Ewen was really well behaved today while we went "shopping". He walked with us, and would run ahead through the automatic doors and excitedly exclaim, "I beat you, Muddy!" Recognising the route we were following, he enquired whether we may go and see Percy. We advised him that was dependent on him listening to us, which he did even through the boring visit to Jessop's to collect a recent set of photographs. So we went to visit Percy!

"Who is Percy?" One of Thomas the Tank Engine's friends. The toy shop has a model railway and Percy has been one of the display trains on each of our recent visits. However, he was nowhere to be seen today. But, Thomas was! And, he was going round the track too, pulling trucks. Ewen was very pleased. Iain became quite insistent about being removed from the buggy! He wanted to walk and would have no arguments either. Yes, he was all over the store, along the aisles with me in hot pursuit. He wasn't happy when he had to go back in the chair when we left, but that's normal if he's had opportunity to walk.

During the afternoon we rushed off to Stevenage to purchase an aerial for the radio transmitter for Ewen's radio controlled quad bike. To save time, Ewen joined Keith, and Iain went with me to Tesco. Keith was saying Ewen was really well behaved in the shop he went to, even though there was a bike Ewen wanted to play on. When we finished our two errands we popped into bookshops where Iain wanted out of the buggy again. I hid behind the door and watched him walk just outside, but when he saw me he turned and headed towards the neighbouring store entrance with a very definite sneeky grin. Both the boys then walked all the way back to the car, with only one distraction. That being a kiddie ride-on Thunderbird.

A little later, at home, Iain was in the lounge and called out very clearly, "Daddy!" He did so again when I took him out of the bath this evening. Words! They come so quickly!! Ewen converses quite capably now, which is also so amazing.

Posted by Clare at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Running through the bedtime routine again, Iain decides to do just that—go running. Clare called from the landing to have a look at what Iain was up to. He was running, as a recently walking toddler is likely to try and do, headlong onto the linen bag in the centre of our bedroom. Then climbing further.

He would turn with that smile of pleasure and repeat the exercise.

Posted by Keith at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The three of us boys have just been out for a walk around the college while Clare watched the blessing service for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla. On our return Iain spotted a wee little puddle, and a glint passed over his eyes.

He walked discreetly over to it, placed his left foot into it, and looked over his shoulder with a mischievious look of, "What you going to do now, Daddy?" I just watched him mildly amused at the sneaky smile on his face. He then proceeded to lightly stamp both feet in the puddle. No real splashes because there was barely any water. His look was worth all of it!!

Posted by Keith at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After work today, both Ewen and Iain were being a little moany, and wanting to do their own thing. Ewen not listening, Iain wanting to be held then put down and pointing to outside.

I caught a glimpse of Ewen on the other side of the garden fence. He had used the chairs Clare had placed next to the fence to climb to over, then run the length to return to the front gate. I was about to scold him when, instead of stopping in front of the porch, he fell prostrate, sideways with quite a loud thud to his head. The bawling was quite disconcerting, and he required some time to settle down. Ten minutes later he rushed outside exclaming, "I'm better, daddy!" And proceeded to assist me with refilling the bird feeder.

Tonight Iain followed Ewen's example and refused to eat any of his food. He moaned until we removed him from his high chair. So it was bath time. Ewen has been a big hand when it comes to preparing the bath, and tonight would be no exception. However, I needed to change my trousers so he wanted to watch. While doing so, he chirped, "Daddy has to do what Ewen says Daddy does!"

To which I replied, "Oh! Is that so?!" He simply repeated his statement, <grin>.

In the bathroom, Ewen placed the plug in the hole, and started the water running, which attracted Iain. Iain now tries to lean over the edge of the bath like Ewen does to touch the rising water. It's quite remarkable how much Iain tries to mimic Ewen. Sadly, I don't think Ewen understands yet that that is one of the best forms of flattery.

Posted by Keith at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today we went to a wedding in Chelmsford. One of our friends from church was getting married and invited us to the service. As it began at 2pm we thought we would feed the boys early and leave by 1pm to be there in plenty of time. So I cooked spagetti bolognaise for lunch, thinking that would keep the boys going all afternoon.

Iain didn't seem very hungry, unusual for him as he usually wolfs down his food, but he had had quite a messy nappy in the morning, so I thought perhaps he was teething.

Once we had all finished lunch we changed the boys into matching shirts (awww!) and got ourselves ready. We piled into the car and set off for Chelmsford.

Keith decided to go on the A1060, thinking it may be quieter than the A414. This is quite a windy road at times, but quite pleasant to drive on. However, 20 minutes into our drive there was a horrible noise from the back seat...... Iain was throwing up! This is something he never does, so we were both quite surprised. I was telling Keith to pull over, but there was nowhere to stop. Iain was quite upset, threw up three times, but then seemed much happier!

We managed to pull into the car park of a garden centre and so, we began the clear up operation. At first it was a case of who could stomach the smell the most, but I managed to get Iain out of his car seat and stripped him off. I did try and save his trousers but decided the smell would be too much. Luckily I had plenty of water, cloths and nappy sacks in the boot. While I was carefully putting his clothes in a bag, Iain took off down the car park wearing just his nappy, socks and shoes! He is so fast these days.

Keith managed to clean the car seat up as best he could and I found a zip-up jacket in the boot which would fit Iain. (Earlier when packing the nappy bag, I took out Iain spare clothes he has for nursery as he never needs them.... :( :()

So with a trouser-less little boy back in his seat, we set off again for Chelmsford....with all the windows open.

We did arrive in time (I even managed to change a nappy and take Ewen to the loo before the bride arrived...luckily for me, she was fashionably late!) and the wedding was great. Iain even had his photo taken next to the bride, despite having no trousers. It was a lovely day weather wise so Iain was quite happy toddling around in just his nappy.

(We did manage to wash his car seat when we got home, and this had protected the car seat itself so I think we got off pretty lightly!)

Posted by Clare at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While both Clare and myself were upstairs earlier, Ewen had disappeared down below. He was a little quiet, so Clare went to investigate. And there he was standing on a chair and reaching out for my old scout whistle. He had moved the heaviest chair from the kitchen in order to reach the key rack. All those items we really don't want him to get hold of will have to be well hidden away!

Posted by Keith at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Of late during our bath-time routine Ewen requests to climb in first. Once he is disrobed, I have to sit on the floor. He then steps on my leg, swings the other into the bath. That's correct, I don't have lift him into the bath.

Tonight, while I turned to place his clothes outside the bathroom, Ewen climbed in the bath on his own!! He used the step that he normally makes use of to help him sit on the loo. He very proudly agreed he had climbed in by himself. For two nights I've suggested he use the step, but he has ignored me each time.

Iain was downstairs when I started the bath. However, according to Clare, he bolted for the stairs when he heard the running water. He was looking over the bath edge in no time.

Posted by Keith at 09:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)