1a. I take Alec into the bath with me, which he seems to like -- at least he doesn't roar or make his composing a letter to the Daily Mail face. Later I give him a massage with olive oil. He falls asleep.
1. In the Grove, at the edge of the shrubbery, a small person in a red rainsuit rolls in the mud. His mother looks back at us a little embarrassed. I hope she knows that we understand completely!
2. Every baby needs The Very Hungry Caterpillar, so my cousins have brought a copy for Alec.
3. Fenella has said before that a winter baby is lovely in this part of town because by the time summer comes around, they'll appreciate the Grove. My aunt has brought Alec a summer outfit in cool blues and greens, complete with sunhat -- perfect for taking in park life. She has also knitted a cardi in the same colours for the cooler evenings... oh let's face it, this is England -- he'll probably wear it every day between May and September. And for next winter, she has tie-dyed a babygrow -- she's even managed to mark it with an A, and to mark in his toes on the end of the feet.
