September 1998.

I finally plucked up the courage to cut Matthew's hair. I didn't think it would work out taking him to a professional... and I'm sure I was right, so I bought a book on hairdressing that I have been reading. I spent a few days thinking about what I was going to do, and I only took a tiny bit off - but he looks so much better. His hair is now really tidy and he looks like a boy again!

Matthew is booked for his operation on the blocked tear duct this month, I am so pleased that it is going ahead now, because the watering has got worse, but I am nervous too. Typically, Matthew got a cold in the week before his operation and we were afraid it would be cancelled, but luckily they decided to go ahead anyway. Apparently the main concerns are of spreading any infection, especially into his chest, but since he did not have a runny nose or any sign of a sore throat - plus the fact he pretty much always has at least a snuffley nose - they were willing to take him on. He seems to have come through the operation well, although his eye is still watery for now. We have a follow up appointment for November, when they will assess him again. He has not suffered any ill effects from the anesthetic, but he had a very bad night two days later. I couldn't find anything physically wrong so I suspect that he had had a nightmare. Since this is very unlike Matthew it must be linked with the operation.

Whilst Matthew was playing at the hospital he "phoned" his daddy on the toy telephone. He had quite a long imaginary conversation - telling his dad all about what was happening! I have actually seen a real change in his play activites over this month, and I think this is a real milestone. He is beginging to do imaginary play. Last night he collected up all our cups in his toddle truck and then had a tea-party with his teddies. He "filled" up the cups from a "tap" going "sssss" as he did it, and then made all the teddies have a drink in turn! I have also seen him playing with toy cars and farm animals on the floor.

I have noticed that Matthew has had a big growth spurt, so I'm getting some last wear out of my favourite 12 months clothes! We have had to adjust his car seat into the second position, and he can now reach onto the kitchen worktops - both to put things "away", because he loves to help, but also to pull things off! He can also reach a standard door handle, and knows how to work it.

We tried to step up a gear in potty training, after Matthew nearly managed to do a poo in his potty and the nursery agreed to form a stratagy for continuing the training during the day, but we abandoned the attempt because Matthew suddenly seems to have become very unsettled. He isn't sleeping well and is quite off colour, but we end the month on a high note with Matthew being invited to a birthday Party! Another of his friend has turned two!