Bethany has at last succumbed to the "pickin' pox", and to make up for the delay it has struck with a vengeance. The photos do not do her justice, as she is covered from head to knee with spots (from the knee downwards she is remarkably unscathed). She is currently sitting on my lap, using my beard as a scratching post for her head.

We now have to work out how to entertain two and a half small people for the day without exposing the masses to infection.
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Caleb and Libby had their final midwife check yesterday. Caleb is growing nicely, and has now 'shot past' his birthweight, having reached 7 lb 4.4 oz. Libby, hopefully, is going in the opposite direction! She is now 'discharged', and will only see the health visitor from now on.

Bethany was rather upset to see the midwife leave, as she was hoping for a turn on the 'skateboard' (the baby scales resting on the floor!)

Caleb remains a fairly easy baby, despite his cold (which frequently makes him sneeze up enormous green boogers). It just means that whenever he feeds, he sounds like a pig hunting for truffles!

Wendy has left us now, and we are once again left to fend for ourselves. It now feels pretty much the same as it did before. We watched the latest episode of ER last night, and then went to bed early. I imagine that the level of disruption in our lives is considerably lower than it is for my brother and his wife (and all the other 'first-timers). I mean, its a long time since we had a life anyway...

Speaking of first timers, this is obviously the 'year of the baby' in the Chinese calendar. We know of hordes of babies on the way this year. The register so far is:

• TJ & Narisa had Daniel at the beginning of January (quality name choice there)
• Ben and Lucia had Kalia on 3rd February
  
• Dave and Jackie Camfield had Joanna on the same day (not first time for them!)
• We had Caleb on the 9th February - the cutest so far (!)
  

I'll keep you updated as and when.
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Anyway, I suppose I'd better go and get dressed, and think of something to do with these children.


[With regard to my remarks yesterday, please see the comments thereto, which present the 'true picture' (sort of!)]