A milestone - Benjy starts writing his name - and other updates

And yet again it's been another two months. I suppose not much of particular note had happened so nothing compelled me to write, but I like to keep this updated with photos if nothing else. However, a noteworthy incident this week made me log on here again. Both at home with me and at nursery, Benjy is encouraged to recognise and write his name. Again, both at home and at nursery, he hadn't shown any interest in writing his name, just asking other people to write it for him. Then a few days ago, I was writing it for him at his request and he stopped me and said, 'I think I know how to do it', and wrote a perfect 'B', half an 'e', no 'n', and then a perfect 'j' and a near perfect 'y'. I was so impressed - I'd had absolutely no idea he could do any of that! He's been drawing some brilliant pictures lately, all very recognisable for what they're intended to be, but no letters. Since then he wants to write it all the time, but always only the 'B', 'j' and 'y'. Nursery are doing a brilliant job at encouraging the 'e' and 'n' while at the same time, all of us know it doesn't matter if he can't write his name at all for another year or so, so there's no pressure on him. But while the interest is there we're encouraging him along! He is still loving nursery, is getting wittier and sharper and funnier all the time, pretends not to love kisses and cuddles but then makes up games where he gets hundreds, and is, as always, just brilliant.

Chloë is also doing brilliantly. Crawling speedily on her tummy now, at 8 months, and just starting to get going on hands and knees. She is still - and long may it last - the happiest, most placid, easy baby, barely recognisable from the very difficult newborn. After a short period of leaving her to cry she now sleeps brilliantly, has no interest in any food from a spoon but will eat very proper finger food, albeit frustratingly tiny amounts, and is becoming quite the expert at getting attention - to say that she beams at people until they can't help but smile at her and engage with her is absolutely the right description. She waves all the time, but not at anyone or anything, and can't yet do it on demand, but a classic, defining Chloë-ism is that waving arm, that beaming smile and a whole bundle of scrumptiousness.

What's also great about now is that they are really starting to play together. They adore each other, they are desperate for each other's attention (particularly Chloë forBenjy's and she will shout him until she gets it) and as the photo below shows, I often find them lying on the floor playing together. Of course there's plenty of Benjy being a bit mean to Chloë too, especially now that she can move, and only wants whatever he's got, but that's all part of the fun of being brother and sister!