There she is, our lovely girl - Phoebe Harriet - now two and a half years old. She had resisted her midday nap but succumbed to sleep when Grandma pushchaired her down to the local post office to mail a letter. This was yesterday afternoon.
As with all normal, healthy young children Phoebe's vocabulary and communication skills improve with each passing week. She can be very funny and seems more strong-willed than most. Whenever she comes to our house she likes to watch Peppa Pig and Trotro on our PC. She sits on my knee and we enjoy the cartoons together.
If I am in another room, she will grab my hand and say, "Come on Grandpa!" Yesterday this happened when I was in the middle of my lunch - a BLT and a mug of tea. Such details appear immaterial to Phoebe when she wants her screentime.
At the computer I will often say, "Just one Peppa Pig and one Trotro Phoebe!" And she will say "Just one!" before high fiving me in agreement. But when the two cartoons have been watched you can guarantee that she will say, "Another one please Grandpa!" and if I refuse her demand she will arch her back and moan as if she has just been sentenced to death.
Last Friday, something very significant happened in her short life. Daytime nappies (American: diapers) were withdrawn and she is now in a phase that all small children must go through called potty training. Shirley and I have absolutely no memory of helping our own children through this process.
Phoebe is doing fine - not too many accidents so far.
Meanwhile in Frances's tummy, Phoebe's sibling is growing. A baby who will steal much of the exclusive parental attention that Phoebe has enjoyed thus far in her short life. She may not appreciate that.
Frances is off work now because the successful London-based tech company she worked for for six years was taken over by an American tech company called Bullhorn and nearly all the original staff were laid off last month - including Frances. She will be seeking another job when the time is right but for now her generous severance package will comfortably see her through several months. She will be able to mother the new baby without worrying overmuch about finances.
And as for Phoebe Harriet, she can always chill out at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
from Yorkshire Pudding https://ift.tt/u8AO6to