Daniel says “that” and points when he wants something. At bath time he says words which his loving mother interprets as “the bath” but his loving father refuses to concur. I feel he is getting closer and closer to talking. He repeats sounds all the time He loves to be read to and is constantly crawling up to me holding out books hopefully. He continues to maintain his bulk while eating nothing. If you’re dieting, may I advise? That full fat milk is a killer. He is normally solemn but has a lovely chuckle when he laughs.
Michael will eat almost anything. On Christmas day, after dinner he slumped in his seat looking sated with his little belly hanging over the straps. On the train to Cork he ate two large slices of ham. He’s unstoppable. He cruises and stands and flies up stairs (whereas Daniel is more ponderous at all these things – he has more weight to carry and gravity to maintain). He is immensely charming and smiles winningly at people holding him (random strangers in the airport, family members) when he is not biting them or hitting them on their heads. He is really excellent at throwing a ball, a skill his sister has still to master.
Yesterday, the boys and I took the train to Cork together leaving the Princess and Mr. Waffle to spend an extra day in Dublin. I was amazed how well it went. They were very good on the train. They took arrival at another new establishment in their stride and patiently let themselves be passed around various relatives. A number of friends visited that afternoon also and again, all was calm as they were passed from stranger to stranger. I am surprised. It was not thus with the Princess. But then that night they woke every half hour – Daniel, in particular was a nightmare – perhaps not so relaxed after all.