New words

I'm saying more and more words every day and I can tell that mummy and daddy are very proud! I can pretty much count to ten, say hi and bye, cat, cup, ball, dance, bounce, sing. Loads of stuff! I still get very frustrated when mummy and daddy don't understand me but i'm getting better at making them understand!

One word I like to say a lot is food!

Amelie the Ballerina

Last week mummy took me to a ballet class. My friend Sophie was there and I got to wear a pretty pink frilly skirt (mummy said this was a tutu). I wasn't sure about the class as it was very busy - lots of little girls wearing pink! - but mummy is going to keep taking me to see if I like it more. I'm going again tomorrow, this time with my friend Alexa. We got to run around a lot and we learnt how to point our toes (they were called our good toes!). We also got to wear wings and pretended to be butterflies. I never like classes the first couple of times that mummy takes me because I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the other children.

I love my outfit though and I'll definitely keep wearing that!

Growing up

Over the past few weeks my vocabulary has really improved. I can now count to 10! I'm really pleased about that as it makes daddy really happy as he's an accountant and loves numbers!

I say a lot more now. Today I ran up to mummy and said "poo poo". She asked me if I had poo pooed and I said yes. But I hadn't! I love to fool her!

Here's a few photographs of me now.

Big girls bed

I think I must be getting big now because last week daddy took one side off my cot (he couldn't take the other side off because there's a gap between the bed and the wall and he's worried I might slip down. Silly daddy!). I love my new bed. I do have a bed bar which prevents me from falling out as I love to wriggle. But I can get in and out of the bed on my own and that's the best bit. I love being able to get up and get more books to read. I take around 20 to bed with me which I guess is quite a lot! I think mummy and daddy take them out when I am asleep.

I'm very good really as I never leave my room. Give it time I say! Haha!

Summer is here!

Yes, the weather has finally warmed up, although a little earlier than it should. Its been great, mummy and I have been to the park a lot and I have played in the garden almost everyday. Yesterday I did some painting outside. Mummy really liked that as I could make a mess and it didn't matter!

I've got lots of toys in the garden - a house, a see-saw, a car and a wheel barrow filled with things for the garden. I really enjoy helping mummy water the flowers.

A few days ago mummy invited a few of my friends over and we had an Easter Egg hunt in the garden. It was great fun. We had to look for pretty painted eggs and chicks. I managed to find a few. As a reward we got to eat chocolate. Yum, yum!

My daddy is home next week just in time for Easter. I'm very excited to see him.

NCT Party

On Saturday all my NCT buddies got together for a joint 2nd birthday. We are all two now (I'm the oldest but I was actually meant to arrive last. Haha!) We had such fun. All our mummies and daddies were there too - I was really happy because my daddy came home a few days before the party. I love it when he's home and so does mummy. We really do miss him. Anyway, back to the party. There was a bouncy castle and lots of cars and balloons for us to play with. I loved the bouncy castle and was on there most of the time. There was a slide as well and that was great fun.

We all got to play 'Pass the Parcel' and a secret santa present each. Mine was a lovely wooden tea set which I will add to my collection of kitchen toys. I don't know who bought it for me but thanks very much whoever you are!

Joanna, who is Bertie's mum, made a ladybird cake and it was yummy! I got to wear a lovely yellow dress which I managed to rip on the bouncy castle. Mummy wasn't very happy but she's fixed it so its fine.

My NCT chums are called: Alexa; Adam; Sophie; Bertie; Emma and Henry. Rosie, another NCT baby wasn't there because she moved to Australia last year!

Today, I am at my Ba and dada's with daddy. I'm not sure what mummy has been up to but I hope she hasn't been too bored!

What a pain these pesky teeth are

I only have two more teeth to come through but they are being a real pain. They are my back molars and the last two which came through a few weeks ago were also a pain. I wake up a lot at night and my nappies are pretty horrible (although for the last few days I haven't been able to poo and its been really painful. I'm better now thankfully). Mummy will be very glad when they are through. She is very tired with all the night waking and I can be pretty grumpy during the day as well. Today she had to take my buggy from me as I was throwing it and trying to carry it up the stairs. I got in big trouble for that. Mummy had to put the buggy on top of the wardrobe and I screamed a lot.

I went to nursery today and really enjoyed it. We did lots of singing and dancing and I took my magazine with me (even though mummy tried to take it from me!) and stuck all the stickers on the pages. I love stickers.

Tomorrow daddy is home and mummy has said that he can take over. I'm not that bad. Am I?!

Nursery: what's all the fuss about?

So, this week was my first proper week at nursery. I go two afternoons a week (Wednesday and Thursday) and its alright! Mummy was really worried that I would hate it and cry and cling to her but I have proved her wrong. Hah! I cry when we get there but as soon as one of the staff take me to the window or to play I stop! On Thursday when mummy came to collect me I was so busy eating that I didn't even get up to give her a cuddle! That'll teach her!

So far, I've done lots of craft-y things. I really like sticking pom poms onto paper and have made mummy and daddy a few pictures. I have eaten lots as well and have eaten things that I would not eat at home like pitta bread. I figured that all the other children were eating it so why not?

My key worker is called Paul and he's really nice. He reads me books and we do lots of singing and dancing. Well, all the other children sing and dance and I just watch. I'm not ready for that just yet!

Mummy is so pleased that I'm OK and I've heard her tell daddy that she's relieved.

That's all for now!

Big girls go to nursery

So, I've started nursery! I go two afternoons a week and so far its OK! Mummy thought I would be really upset when she left me there last week but I was fine. No tears (well, a few when mummy was there but as soon as she left I was fine. I've got to make her feel a bit guilty!).

My key worker is called Paul and he's really nice. He's been drawing with me and sticking pom poms onto paper (I LOVE doing this!). He was Jessica's key worker when she was my age (Jessica is mummy's best friends daughter) so I know he's nice. I see my friend Thomas at the nursery on Thursday afternoons as well.

There are 13 children in my room (it's called Honey Bees) and so far they all seem nice. Its a mixture of boys and girls. Paul told mummy I have been a bit clingy - following him round - but that's only because I don't really know anyone yet. I'll be making friends soon I'm sure.

I'm sure I'll have lots to tell you about nursery so watch this space!
xx

I love boots..

..and shoes, but mostly boots. I love walking round the house wearing mummy's! They're much better than mine!

No more sleeping bag!

When  mummy put me to bed this evening I got very confused as she put me under a lovely warm duvet instead of my sleeping bag. It was really odd and I kept looking down to see where my sleeping bag was! I have a lovely pillow as well now. I feel as snug as a bug in a rug. Mummy kept telling me that I was going to sleep like Upsy Daisy and I love Upsy Daisy so I didn't mind at all!

I think mummy has been in to check on me a few times but I'm fine. Lovely and warm! Its really cold here at the moment so I'm glad I'm under a nice duvet!

A snow day

I was very excited when I looked out of the window yesterday morning. Our garden was all white! Mummy said that the white stuff was called snow and that once we were dressed we could go out and play and build a snowman. I was so excited and I tried to put my wellington boots on over my pyjamas! Daddy said I had to wait until after breakfast.

So...I ate my breakfast and then daddy got me dressed. I had loads of layers on and I felt very warm! Once we got outside I wasn't sure that I liked the snow anymore. It was very cold and I found it hard to walk in. I fell over once but luckily I was wearing waterproofs. Mummy, daddy and me made a snowman and daddy threw a few snowballs at mummy! By that time we were all very cold and we decided to go inside!

Daddy went back to Abu Dhabi this morning. We all hate it when he goes and we all get a bit upset. We will see him again in a few weeks though. Mummy is making sure we're busy until then so we don't get miserable without him. We miss you daddy!

I'm two!

On the 17th December I turned two! Mummy says she can't believe I'm two. Silly mummy, of course I'm going to get older! I had the best present ever the day before my birthday - my daddy came home for Christmas! Yippee!

We didn't do very much on my birthday as daddy was tired but I've been promised a trip to the farm next week. I got lots of lovely presents and I was very excited when I opened them. I got a high chair for my dolly, a Little Tikes car which mummy keeps moaning is too big for the house. Really its meant to be in the garden but its too cold at the moment. I also got some wooden food for my kitchen, a baking set, lots of books, a jumper to keep me warm, a hat and a lovely jewellery box with a ballerina inside. I'm fascinated by it!

Sorry, there are no photographs. Mummy has promised that she will upload some soon.

Lots of love

Amelie xx

Its Christmas!

Its really cold here in the UK and its feeling really Christmassy which is lovely. There are lights everywhere and I keep seeing a fat man in a red and white suit! Apparently he's called Father Christmas and I met him in person at one of my toddler groups. Mummy was convinced that I would cry - I didn't - but I didn't like him very much even though he gave me a present (a little dolly). I couldn't get away from him quick enough and mummy didn't even have time to take a photograph! She says that next year I won't be so afraid of him. We'll see!

I have lots of presents to open which is very exciting. They are all stored in the basement. Everytime mummy opens the door to the toilet (that's where they are stored), I sneak a peek! I hope I get a dolls pram as I love dollies.

See you all soon

Amelie xxx

Settling in

We've been home a couple of months ago and I have had so much fun! Mummy takes me to lots of toddler groups and classes and I've been able to catch up with all my NCT friends! Mummy can't believe how much I have come out of my shell. I've also been on lots of playdates and we have had playdates in our house too. So far I've caught up with Sophie, Adam, Alexa, Thomas and Henry.

Mummy also takes me to a class called Patchwork Penguin on Fridays. Its a craft class and we make lots of nice things. Last week we made a Reindeer out of a plastic cup but I destroyed mine almost immediately by crushing the cup. Oh dear! There is some messy play at Patchwork Penguin. Most of you will know how I feel about messy play but guess what? I actually picked up a paintbrush the other day. AND got paint on my hand. It was a little bit distressing for me but mummy keeps telling me its OK. What can I say? I'm a tidy toddler!

I start swimming lessons in January. I loved swimming in Dubai but I think mummy is a little worried this time as its freezing here and she's not sure I will like going swimming in the cold. Its not an outdoor pool silly but its a bit of a walk. I think I'll be fine!

Home Sweet Home!

We finally moved back into our house in St Albans on November 16. I love it but don't really remember it from when I was little. I do miss my nana and grandad though and I think mummy misses having them around to help out! We both miss daddy a lot too. I have my own playroom now (it was the office/spare room but my toys were taking over the house!).

Mummy has already taken me to two classes - Monkey music and Caterpillar Music and I loved them both. I danced a bit, clapped my hands and thoroughly enjoyed myself. In fact I am completely different to how I was in Dubai! Mummy saw one of her friends Catherine at Caterpillar Music, she has a little boy two weeks younger than me called Thomas. I don't remember him but as he lives round the corner from us I'm sure I will see him a lot more. Mummy's other friend has bout the house on the other side of the fence at the bottom of my garden. She has a little girl called Alexa. We can wave at each other from our windows! I'm really looking forward to seeing all the other babies I used to know. Lots of playdates methinks!

I'm looking forward to going to the park and seeing all the ducks. St Albans is very green compared to Dubai (mummy says Dubai is yellow!!).

 Daddy is home for the weekend in less than two weeks and I can't wait to see him. I miss his cuddles.

Our house!

This weekend daddy came home to help mummy get the house ready. I visited for the first time since we left last September! I don't really remember it but it was really exciting to be there - and to be with my daddy - I've missed him so much. I have my own playroom now and lots of toys. I have been reliably informed that there will be even more toys in a couple of weeks when all my toys from Dubai arrive. And then there will be even more for my birthday and even more for Christmas! I am so lucky! Daddy has been busy fitting stair gates so that I don't fall down the stairs (or climb up them). There are lots of stairs in the house and I love them. We didn't have any in Dubai so I am fascinated by them. He's also fitting locks to the kitchen cupboards as I like to open them and have a look to see what's inside.

Mummy can't wait to move back in so that she can catch up with her friends and start introducing me to their children. A lot of them are the same age as me but I don't remember them at all. She also wants to start taking me to classes like Monkey Music as well. Hopefully it won't be too long!

Amelie xx

Just call me Imelda!

I am obsessed with shoes at the moment (daddy says I get that from mummy!). I love to wear everyone's shoes, no matter how big! I shuffle around the house and its great fun. Mummy keeps forgetting to take photographs but as soon as she has some she has promised to post them here!

Temper, temper!

I am growing up really fast and every day I'm doing new things and going through different phases. I don't think mummy likes my new phase very much though! Recently I have started having temper tantrums. They involve me hiding from mummy when she asks me to do something (like change my nappy, go to bed, get dressed etc). When mummy finds me I lie on the floor, go really stiff when mummy tries to pick me up, kick my legs and scream. I'm really good at tantrum throwing! Sometimes I have three or four a day and I know that they really upset mummy. I never thrown tantrums when nana and grandad look after me and this weekend my daddy has been here and I have been really good. Heehee! I'm just testing my mummy. I love her lots but I'm just pushing the boundaries a bit ;)

A Parisian adventure

A few weeks ago mummy, daddy and I went on an adventure to Paris. We went on a train and I kept saying 'Choo Choo!' It was very exciting. We went to Paris to see my Auntie P, Uncle Bob and my cousins Poppy, Dylan and Olive. Dylan and Olive are twins and they are the youngest Patels! I had met them before but mummy hadn't and she was really looking forward to it. They live just outside Paris in a lovely house in a place called Maisons Lafitte. We had a lovely time there. Daddy's mummy (my ba) was also there as she was helping Auntie P look after the twins and Poppy. I loved playing with Poppy's things, especially her dolls pram and her high chair. I'm hoping that Father Christmas might buy me my own!

It was sad to leave France because it meant that daddy had to travel back to Dubai. I really miss him when he's not here and I know that mummy does too.