Month 9

Well what a busy month, didn't realise babies could have so many Christmas parties. We started the month with good intentions going for a long stomp along the beach with Michelle and Ellen although this rapidly changed to the consumption of lots of mince pies and mulled wine. Claire, Dougal and Charley came round for a dinner, dinner parties start at 4.30 these days with the wee ones and Charley and Finlay had a great time playing in the ball pool.

This year Finlay provided us with a good excuse to see Santa and the reindeer at Crathes castle, we hope you liked the Christmas card. Finlay saw Santa at the castle and at the baby and toddler Christmas party, but was more bemused than impressed, much preferring the reindeer.

Far from not getting a Christmas night out, Annie managed to wangle two Christmas meals, one either side of Nik's work night out. This was followed by our annual get together of friends from Banchory days. We all just about fit in one room with the wee ones ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years (we won't mention the age range of the adults!). As you can see from the picture the ball pool provided a huge amount of fun and luckily didn't result in too much carnage.

The weekend before Christmas Finlay had two parties so donning reindeer costume again we headed to Lindsay's and all the babes had great fun on the move, and playing with all of Connor's toys. Trying to take a picture of all the babes sitting still and looking the right way was a challenge despite us singing Mr Sun and making funny faces (good job no camera was pointing at the Mums). This challenge was repeated at Claire's on the Sunday, surprisingly none of the balloons burst with babes clambering all over them, and trying to stick them in their mouths. The reindeer outfit was pulled out once again when Christina came round to play so Finlay and Christina were in matching outfits not sure who was Dancer or Prancer!

Christmas saw the arrival of Nik's folks and Nanna, followed by Nik's brother and partner Cheryl joining us all on New Year. A lovely time was had by all and the four generations of the Robinson family can be seen in the photo.

Finlay's Christmas lasted several days, with us opening a couple of presents each day. As the old song goes - all he really wanted was his two front teeth - and they made an appearance on boxing day. And all the presents he recieved helped to distract him from the teething.

Finlay and Charley in the ball pool - Finlay having worked out his "port" and "starboard"

Nik with our little reindeer at Crathes to see the real reindeer

Two little rein-dears: Christina and Finlay

More balls out of the pool than in,
but the kids all had a ball!

All the cherubs in a row at Lindsay's Christmas party

Babes and balloons at Claire's Christmas party

Four generations of the Robinson Family

A New Years eve visit to Duthie Gardens

Month 8

Well we have been donning our work overalls this month, painting the front room, after the installation of the patio doors, which are great. So we now have nicely painted walls, and a new carpet for Finlay to cover with messy hands.

One afternoon early in the month, FInaly started rocking on all fours at baby yoga, a couple of hours later he was on the move crawling. Nik first notice when Finlay crawled over to the light he was painting by in the lounge, and moved it. So we are now rapidly moving everything out of reach. Finlay is loving crawling and at tiny tunes, and baby yoga he crawls to the center of the and sliles around at all the mums.

He has also started to wave, by opening and closing his hand, he is not quite sure of the significance of it, but likes to alternate between clapping and waving. In true scottish style we went to a BBQ (in the middle of November) to celebrate Imogen & Ken finishing their patio. Luckily it was a sunny day, before we started to get snow.

Annie and Finlay had a trip to "The Lemon Tree" a local music/arts centre, to listen to a guy playing the blues & scottish music on the guitar. The wee babes enjoyed listening to the music while having their lunch.

We had a lovely trip to Stirling also this month, Finlay's first stay in a youth hostel! All went well, and he slept brilliantly in the travel cot. He loved having breakfast in the communical dinnign room watching the large party of foreign students who were on a tour of the highlands. On the Saturday we had a train trip to Edinburgh to meet some friends in a nice Italian restaraunt for lunch, where Finaly charmed the staff. Then on Sunday we visited Stirling Castle and whatchsome weavers making a tapestry (it will take them 3 years to finish). At Stirling SYHA we got a map of all hostel stamped for Finlay and we are going to see how many we can take him to.

The Mums and Dads have been out having adventures again (but not both at the same time). The Dads spent a night in a bothy with an open fire, a box of wine and a curry - then walked 4 monroes the following day, including Devils Peak and Angels Point.

The Mums then went and walked up Lochnagar to see the snow. The conditions were fabulous, with a clear blue sky an next to no wind. From the top they could see right across to Ben Nevis. They had a long day out and were all impressed by their achievement. Finally this month we went to a pot-luck supper with Annie's old work colleagues. It was good to catch up with everyone and share good food and company.

We are all excited about Christmas, but more about that next month.

Finlay swinging on his Tigger bouncer

Finlay playing with mucial instruments

Practicing our clapping

Ellen and Finlay at Michelle's house

Finlay helping to roll the old carpet up

Look at those lovely long eyelashes
(and thats the Wallace monument in the background)

Annie & Finlay with our guide in first highlander regiement costume at Stirling Castle

Finlay and Annie outside Stirling Youth Hostel

Nik playing in the white stuff on his walking trip

The "Aber Mums" that Annie went up Lochnagar with