Scott spent his second Christmas (ie the first one he actually noticed) in a cottage in Staffordshire with Mum's family. He got to take part in all the family meals (though he didn't think much of his turkey dinner) and got more presents than everybody else. Other highlights of the holiday included his first outdoor walk (in his new green wellies, size 3) and whacking cousin Christopher over the head with a lump of Duplo. Then it was up to Aberdeen for New Year (only 48 hours late, thanks to the weather). Scott saw the New Year in safely tucked up in bed, but made up for it by doing lots of visiting on the following days. He also ventured out into the snow in Granny Wilma's garden, but wasn't impressed enough to stay out for long. See some pictures <here>

Scott has lots of friends who were all born around the same date as he was, so the festive party season is particularly active for him - Scott's highlight was when he went to two birthday parties on the same day. First off he went to Conor's party and this was immediately followed by Frank's party. He also had his first encounter with multiple Father Christmases at his various playgroup Christmas parties. Scott was suitably underwhelmed.

Scott spent a week celebrating his birthday. Things got off to a mixed start on the 11th as Scott started getting his first molar that day so he was pretty upset and cried loads. Grandma Rachel came up from London (on the train,so her visit was considerably shorter than anticipated). Scott also had his granny Wilma from Aberdeen visiting and auntie Tracey and uncle Chris down from Glasgow. There was a huge pile of presents and mum and dad borrowed a video camera to capture the occasion. Scott's tear stained face doesn't quite manage a smile as his home baked cake (sugar free! - well done mum) is brought in and his first of many renditions of "Happy Birthday" are sung. The rest of the week went well though, as Scott learned that wrapped packages were for him and got very excited at the prospect of opening his presents.

Scott visited London again and had all sorts of excitement. Firstly he went on the Millennium Wheel; or British Airways London Eye, which was great fun. Scott never saw much though since he was fast asleep throughout the "flight". Everybody else (all twenty of us) thought it was terrific. The main reason for visiting London was to celebrate mum's cousin David's eighteenth birthday. Celebrations started at the eye, but this was followed by a slow train ride to Sevenoaks to Ann's and Simon's home (David's parents and Scott's great-aunt and great uncle). Since there were twenty people present, Scott got lots of attention and the only slight mishap was when his booster chair nearly fell off the seat it was attached to during the splendid meal.

Scott took his first few unassisted steps today. He's been standing by himself for a while now but he hasn't really made any effort to move while standing but tonight he decided to bounce up and down a bit on the spot. This must have built up his confidence a bit and when he was playing in his room before his bath he decided to take a few steps. Three steps to be precise, on two occasions. He also took on and two steps on a few occasions too but to be perfectly honest, he still looks like he'll be getting around on his knees for a while yet. If you're confused by the picture then click <here>

Scott completed his aqua babies PRELIMINARY course today. This meant he got a nice badge, which you can see to the left, and a certificate, which you can see if you click <here>. We're not too sure what we'll do with the badge. It's a fabric one, a bit like the ones for Northern Soul all-nighters in the seventies, so maybe we'll sew it onto one of Scott's vests. The certificate is of course being framed and hung on Scott's bedroom wall. This award is the culmination twenty-four half-hour sessions, spread over the last six months. Scott's achievements include "breath-holding", "short swim", "hold on (aided)", "upright submersion" and "happy baby".

Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to the Dome. Well, yes actually. Despite what the media and bandwagon jumping politicians have to say, the Millennium Dome is just fine with Scott. Since Granny Rachel lives in East Greenwich, visiting the Dome also meant a nice weekend with both grannies, since Granny Wilma from Aberdeen was down in London to see the Dome too. Well, she was probably down to see Scott, but she got to see the Dome as well. James, Miriam, Robert and Christopher came down from Cambridge on Sunday and with Guy and Kate round fron Charlton, a nice big family meal was had on Sunday, followed by a walk to the top of Greenwich Park for views of the Dome and how it fits into the ever changing London skyline. See some pictures <here>

Scott had his first crawl, one day after he was ten months old. We were starting to think he might not crawl at all as he only wants to walk with assistance from furniture and parents, and since he started that he's never bothered himself much with even trying to crawl. He's obviously decided that he needs a bit more independent mobility though and a day after first crawling he's now getting around with ease, even managing to get up a step. One of the best things about him crawling is that he crawls on one knee and one foot, making it look like he's got a limp. It's very cute of course.

Scott is eating dairy produce. After nine months of not eating anything with any dairy produce in it, because of his eczema, Scott was today given the all clear to give it a try again. This is because his skin has been getting better and better, and also because his weight has levelled out at just over the 50th centile. Not only is this great news for Scott because he can eat cheese, but it's pretty good for mum too, since she's still breast feeding and whatever Scott can't eat - mum can't eat. Emma would like to point out that if anyone would like to send her cheesecakes and chocolate trifles, well that would be just dandy.

Scott went to the zoo for the first time when his Granny Wilma came to visit for the August Bank Holiday. Chester Zoo is a pretty short train ride from Manchester, but since the train was heading for the North Wales coast it was completely packed, despite the terrible weather. Scott's favourite thing at the zoo was unquestionably the aquarium. Tears were spilled when we had to leave that. Scott left his mark, literally, rubbing his hands (and possibly his tongue!) on many of the tanks. Click <here> to see pictures of Scott at the zoo

Scott has been on his first Wayward Bus reunion to Fort William in the Scottish highlands. This reunion is a group of friends from across Europe that met up travelling in Australia on the Wayward Bus from Adelaide to Alice Spring. They now get together in various locations in Europe. This week long reunion involved exciting trips to Glen Nevis, Loch Ness, Glen Coe and a trip on a steam train to Mallaig which turned out to be a diesel train but it was still pretty fantastic all the same. Scott got his eighth tooth while in the Highlands, so that must be his Scottish tooth. Click <here> to see pictures of Scott in Scotland

Scott was on his first real holiday to Finland where he was visiting his friends Jani and Hanna and having a swell time playing on some swings. As soon as Scott arrived in Finland he was whisked to a log cabin by a lake, just north of Tampere. Sadly for Scott, he never got to have a sauna or go rowing on the lake. He did get to stay in Jani's very smart, city centre apartment when he got back to Helsinki though. And he got carried around Porvoo in a backpack. This was Scott's first trip abroad and he went to Finland with two teeth and returned with five. Click <here> to see pictures of Scott in Finland