A lot happens in 2 months...

Isla is now off her medication (wahoo!)  at 6 months of age, is such a roller that we got a safety sleep wrap for her at night time, is now sleeping through the night (at 6.5 months)- after a tough mum and dad routine (!), and now at nearly 8 months is starting to pull herself up to stand...with anyone or or anything, can move from sitting to lying to beginner crawling position AND has TWO front bottom teeth!!! Wow! The first tooth popped through on the 12th (7.5 months) and the second two days ago. She seems to be doing things a little quicker than Niamh at the same age...and I'm not use to it :-) Isla is a very alert wee thing who is happiest out and about always watching to see what's going on! She loves people and is such a little delight with a great big smile. She's our little sweetheart!

Niamh has settled back at pre school since being away for 7 months. She is 2 years and 9 months now and is constantly keeping us on our toes. She's a strong willed, independent, spirited wee toddler who is quick to learn new things. Niamh has been doing amazing things at swimming this year and next year will be in the 'advanced chicks' which is a smaller group that sets children up to be independent swimmers. I think she'll do great! Niamh is a little fashionista who is beginning to have a unique way of dressing ...including putting her bracelets on her ankles! It actually looked very cool. She tells me that she likes wearing skirts because they are "good for dancing". Niamh has magnetic letters on the fridge that a few times in the last week has been using to 'write' words. I'm soooo impressed with her beginner writing.... it's all jargon but she can tell us what the words are (grandad = G M F D E; Dad = D H R F S)  She's got the intial sound sussed!! She's our little princess :-)

The past few months have been a blur with moving into out new, wonderful, amazing BIG house....(and sorting out a few issues with it); Anthony's work do at the zoo; a friends' 30th get together; Oli's 6 th birthday party; a sick Niamh with gastroenteristis :-(; coffee group get togethers; Pre school Christmas party/concert and the build up to Christmas. I don't think we have had many weekend days spare! Lots of fun, family, Christmasy things going on :-)


We have just had two wonderful Christmas family get togthers. The Simon's family one was last Saturday and lucky lil Niamh got a trampoline!! Thanks Nanny and Popsie. Isla also got a cute musical wind up ferris wheel. Niamh loves her tramp which took dad a bit to put up, but it's been a hit so far with Niamh's cousins and play friends.

Christmas Eve was complete with Niamh putting out a cookie and beer for Santa, and a carrot and water for the reindeer. It's soooo neat that she is really into Christmas this year. We had the Parsons side at our new place for the day. Niamh got sooo many very cool things- watering can/ seeds/ and pots; books/ clothes/ felts; paints to name a few. Isla got teething things (perfect!); books, book ends; a moving turtle and beach towel. Lucky little girls! From us Niamh and Isla got tutu's; books, duplo for Niamh, a mary lou doll for Isla etc. It was a really wonderful day.

As 2012 is nearly all complete, it has been a truely wonderful, amazing and AMBITIOUS year for the Simons family. We had Niamhs second birthday in March, moved at Easter, welcomed Isla in May, built a house, and moved again in October. Phew! A bit crazy but soooo worth it all. :-)