Charlotte's newest friend

Charlotte, Claire, & Mummy went to visit Mummy's friend Karen, Karen's friend Susan, and Karen's dog Maggie on Monday. After some initial uncertainty, Charlotte decided that she really liked Maggie. They even kissed each other. Claire enjoyed being held by Karen, who kindly refrained from complaining about her sore back and arms on Tuesday!

Playground fun

We visited our friends Eric and Diana today and Charlotte and Claire got their first experience of the swings. They both enjoyed it a lot, although Claire was a natural with a proper posture in the seat. Charlotte's position was more just hang there and enjoy the ride! Enjoy the video.

Both of them are rolling and crawling (backwards) a little more. Charlotte has managed to get herself in some odd positions (see photo below).

Privacy

"Close the door, Daddy. I need my privacy" insisted Louise, as she pushed the door to her sisters' daycare classroom closed. Madam is becoming bossier lately, but she's also very solicitous towards her sisters. One of the classroom helpers at C&C's daycare, Ms Verly, used the gift card we gave her at Christmas to buy a toy for C&C. Louise was very excited. Charlotte was fussy in the car during the ride home. "Charlotte want to open her toy," Louise speculated. "Me give it to her at home. Me help her open it."

Big Head

5 January: Charlotte & Claire had their 9 month well baby check-ups today. Charlotte weighs a respectable 18 lbs 7.5 oz (50th percentile for her age, not adjusted), and she's 27.5 inches long. Her head circumference is 45cm (75th percentile). Claire is 21 lbs 6.5 oz and 27.75 inches long. Her head is 47cm (125th percentile). If Claire's head continues to grow off the chart, she may need to go to the hospital for a CT scan. If there is excessive fluid build-up on her brain, she might need surgery. However, it seems very likely that she simply has a Lindenberg head, like Greatgrandpa Lindenberg, Nana Chris and Uncle Adam. There is no medical treatment available for Lindenberg head.

Nana and Granddad returned to Britain on Sunday. We all miss them very much - it was wonderful to have them here.

Louise remains very affectionate towards her sisters, and she enjoys bathing them. Claire & Charlotte laugh and smile whilst in the bath with Louise, so the feeling seems to be mutual.

Louise has been visiting the preschool class in anticipation of her "promotion" next month. Mummy imagines that preschool is something like this: http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player?p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_id=videoPlayer_WAR_sesameportlets4369&p_p_uid=6a014291-f7db-4bb7-9684-4a9dfe2f7a84

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We hope everyone had a great Christmas. We had a busy time (hence slow to update this site). Louise, Charlotte and Claire enjoyed themselves. Louise was really into Christmas this year. We all went on the Santa Train at the Durham museum of life and science which was a great hit. Louise got to meet Santa and some of his elves. She asked Santa for a pair of sunglasses.

Louise also enjoyed the children's Christmas service at Duke Chapel, though she thought the bass singer was "too loud". (She kept shouting out "I want to see baby Jesus!!) She was so excited afterwards that she charged down the hill to the parking lot and tumbled over before Mummy and Nana could catch up with her (thus the band-aid on her nose in the Christmas day pictures).

We've had lots of visitors. Nana and Granddad have come over from England to stay with us for two weeks. Pops and Mary also came down to see us for a couple of days. Pops' sister Candy joined us for dinner last night, and we'll see his sister Nancy tomorrow evening.

A collection of photos are below including one Louise took - see if you can guess which one! Also there are two videos including one of Louise playing the recorder (Alison's gift idea!)