Hello once more

It's been a good few months since I last blogged, as I was finding the pressures of work and parenthood left me with little time to keep the blog up to date. But I'm keen to start again, partly because I think I can make enough time to keep it going, but mostly because I'm loving the time that Jess and I spend together reading, and I want to keep a record of this for both our sakes. It's been a busy 6 months. Jessicat is now 3 and 3 months, and a strong willed and busy little girl.

Probably the biggest change in our lives recently has been Jess starting a pre-school, which happened last November. In spite of my anxieties about her separating from us, she has settled in well and appears to really enjoy her 3 mornings a week at The Village. It's a small, informally run group, and an ideal place for Jess to build up confidence and make some new friends (quite a challenge for my timid little girl). There is little by way of formal instruction (rightly so at this age IMO), but lots of painting, crafts and pretend play. Jessicat's best friend is her neighbour Rex, and her favourite activity so far is playing with the toy farm, and painting. She is beginning to recognize letters, and can probably sound out most letters, as well as becoming increasingly confident with counting objects up to 10 and recognizing most basic shapes.

We have a slightly longer bedtime routine now. Jessicat still goes to bed at about 7.40pm after a story and milk, but now she is the proud owner of her own bedside cabinet and lamp, she likes to spend a short period in bed reading her books "just like Mummy and Daddy". Our book at bedtime tonight is one from the Charlie and Lola series "Whoops! But it wasn't me". I'm sure I'm not alone in being slow to realise that Lauren Child hasn't written the whole series, but Jess still enjoys the collage pictures and Lola's misdemeanours. She watches the TV adaptation on CBeebies and recently, we enjoyed a family outing to Cardiff to see the fantastic Lauren Child exhibition at the National Museum of Wales. Couldn't recommend this exhibition highly enough: lots of interactive elements for toddlers to enjoy, whilst parents could look at the artwork and learn more about CHild's unique style.

The range of books for children of Jessica's age is splendid, and time and energy permitting, I'd like to note down her reading experiences in this blog over the coming weeks and months.

Inspiring video footage from Bookstart

Found this on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIyMBIAwvDU

I only hope the link works, as I'm not the most technically adept. If not, go into youtube and put "Maia reading" into the subject bar, and you should be directed to the appropriate clip. It shows parents sharing books with their little girl from babyhood into her toddler years. It's lovely footage that manages to encapsulate some of the closeness, fun and sheer joy that sharing books with children can involve.

Just about to embark on my usual bedtime reading with Jessicat. Today, we've got "One Day with Mum" by Helen Oxenbury (short, straightforward little stories that reflect everyday events in the life of an ordinary toddler), and a poetry compilation called "Along the Line With Bernard Cribbins". This anthology is full of short poems for children. It's strong on rhyme and contains a pleasing mix of favourites that can be found in almost any anthology for children and some more uncommonly chosen poems.

Not surprisingly, Jess is exhausted tonight. We met our friends, Zoe and Ian and their kids, to go to the @Bristol science museum this morning, and then after lunch, John and Sarah had invited us over for a BBQ. Jessicat always loves playing with Sean's trains and cars, and today they had their bouncy castle up - another winner. I'm always keen to encourage her to get exercise, for health reasons, and also because I belive in a link between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Doesn't seem to encourage me to do much sport mind.....

New books on the go

Some more new experiences for Jessicat this week: we took her to the City of Bristol Museum at the top of Park Street (great play area for little ones and she was very excited by the fish!) and for a browse round Border's bookshop (I will never forget the few happy hours I spent browsing in there oblivious to the fact I was in early labour).

Our latest crop of books from the library include:

That's Not My Bear - F Watts
Playtime Peekaboo - from the Dorling Kindersley stable
I Spy You - Jan Ormerod (raises a smile this one, just as Jan Oremerod's other book did)
Touch and Feel Fluffy Kitten - Rod Campbell
Lullaby Baby - from the Amazing Baby series.

Had Jessicat weighed last week. She is now 22lbs (and doesn't my back know it!) and is on the 91st percentile for weight and height - perfect. Going to be a strapping lass like her mummy!