June 1998.

At his second appointment with the eye specialist they have confirmed that he has a blocked tear duct, and he has been put on a waiting list for an operation to correct it. It is something that is common, but usually clears up by the age of one. If it hasn't they prefer to operate to avoid complications with repeated infections, since it is unlikely to heal by itself after this.

Matthew has finished teething: he has his four molars, but the canines have not come through.... now he has some catching up to do. I had noticed that he has become shorter than his friends, and his hair hasn't been growing over the last two months. But then suddenly he got his growth spurt, and I'm having to buy new clothes. Luckily he hasn't outgrown his shoes though. He has been called 'She' twice in the last week, so I guess it's about time for that first hair cut, but I don't want to do it. His hair is so beautiful. I don't think I am good enough to do it myself, but I'm sure he would hate going to a barbers.

Matthew is getting pysically stronger. He is walking well, and starting to run. He can climb up ladders on slides and other outdoor toys. His vocabulary is now about fifty words. I have begun to notice that he is taking an interest in what is going on with his nappies, and having the occasional dry one, so we have decided to gradually introduce the potty. I am going to teach him the words so he can tell us when he needs the potty, but we are going to take things slowly and gently for now because he is not quite ready yet. I am warey of "part time" potty training, so I'm not sure how well this will work.

We took Matthew to the beach at Rhyll and he loved it, even though the day was not that great. He had never seen so much sand! He enjoyed digging and knocking over the sandcastles we made, he also paddled in the sea and had a ride on a Donkey. We went to the sealife center too and he loved the fish... not to mention learning a new word "Fish". It was a fun day, although the weather wasn't brilliant, I don't think the children really care in the same way as adults - so long as they are warm enough.