Today is the day of the dreaded and (hopefully) last operation that Nathan will have in a long while.

It's to lower the lad's right testicle, which hasn't descended since his last operation on his 1st birthday. We arrive at the John Radcliffe at 7:15am, and are checked in and the lad examined until his surgery at 8:50. He’s not at all keen on the examinations, and is in a real state by the time it’s time to go down to the theatre.

It's not a pleasant experience to hold your son down as he cries in fear while anaesthetic is given. Moments later he's asleep and peaceful, but it's not a natural sleep. We're told that there is no conception of time while under and that if children go to sleep crying, then they wake up crying.

We go to pick Nathan up from recovery at 10:25. He's not too happy, but it's not as bad as we feared, as he's been given a spinal block which is an extremely effective way of killing pain. He even seems fairly cheerful once we’re allowed to give him some milk (he hasn’t had any since last night, as instructed by the hospital.

At 5:30pm the block wears off but we're lucky, because by this time Nathan's so tired that, with the help of some Calpol, we manage to get him off to sleep.

One of Nathan's little routines is to talk about the day that's been just before he goes to sleep. Tonight was no different and, though he must have been in some pain, Nathan looked up into mum's face and said "today...".

We went to Legoland today with Grandpa.

Nathan really enjoyed it, and it's nice to make the comparison between the last time we went there and now. Back then the lad was just starting to stand, now he's starting to walk. Today we saw the first change of direction while walking.

We went for lunch at "The Thatchers" pub. Nathan played with one of his little friends.

When we got back, and after the lad's sleep, he got nervous about the operation. On a hunch that Nathan's worried that they'll cut his willy off (perhaps that's what he means by "bump-a-willy") we explained that boys had them, and girls didn't, and that he'll still have his, after the operation.

Granny came and mum and dad went out for a meal. It was lovely.

In the evening some old friends came to visit and watched Nathan walking. He'll still only walk to mum or dad, not for any functional reason...et.

We went to the physiotherapist today. She was very pleased with the lad, who performed well for her.

The physiotherapist's name is Liz, and a while after we'd left the hospital and said good-bye, Nathan was chattering away and said:
"Baa baa black sheep"
"Baa baa lack"
"Bye bye Liz".

The lad's started drawing, well scribbling really. As he draws, he mutters away, saying what he's doing... "Circle... Triangle... Eyebrow...".

We've been telling Nathan that he's going to hospital soon. The closest we could get to explaining to him what's going to happen is a "bump on the willy". Nathan's been thinking about this, and today he got a bit upset over his "bump a willy" (who wouldn't?). We had to explain over and over again how we wouldn't leave him, and that it would get better again.

Still teething today and therefore the lad didn't eat much. Until supper when he ate enough for two days.

We've been learning Christmas songs at playgroup (not dad's choice) and as we shopped in town afterwards the lad kept chanting "baby Jesus, baby Jesus".

We went to playgroup where Nathan played in the same independent way as before. He even let dad read the story out at the end of the group.

A spot of teething has reduced the lad's appetite, so back on the milk for the time being.