In Development

We have survived young Afnan for almost two weeks now and, indeed, he has survived us. In fact, in just two weeks it's been possible to see him developing new skills, especially new ways of disturbing our sleep. Or, rather, the old ways refined in exciting and noisy ways.

That's the thing about very young children, there's no such thing as a routine. The game of picking up the big coaster from the table turns quickly into the game of turning it over to its green felt side assisted by Uncle Brian, and getting plenty of saliva on that, and then, with the magic of the passage of one day, assistance is no longer necessary - though saliva is routinely plentiful.

All of which means, of course, you can never be entirely sure what the lad is up to as he wrestles with the unforgiving geometry and weight of the world.