We have written out our notice to our current landlord, whom have confirmed they have recieved our paperwork and it looks incredibly promising that we will be in our new home in 3 weeks time. We are looking at getting contracts signed and the keys on May 17th. Bf is off the 18th where we will get some smaller items over that we can live without for a few days then on the 21st, his next day off we will be leaving the young ones with family and borrowing a friends van to get the beds, sofa, dining table, kitchen electricals over.
It's all very exciting.
So much to do yet, I seem to thrive on the pressure. I am loving the sorting out, the cleaning, the planning. I love doing the wedding planning. I can't see how people find it stressful (aside from the financial issues of them all). I'm too good at this.
We made a few calls the other day and Matthew has a place in the village school. It is about a third of the size of the school he is at. He will only be there two years as things work differently in Suffolk to what they do in Essex. Matthews school has a baby and toddler group up to the age of 3. From there there's the pre-school until the little ones are around 5.Then the main school takes children until they turn 9. After that they move to a "middle school" that will take them through to age 13 and "upper school" until they leave. This is a whole new thing to me. I only ever went to 2 schools in my life. Primary school from 5-11 and secondary until I left at 16, Matthew will attend 4. His current one, future one and the "bigger" schools. Thats without thinking about further education.
I wont be cut off from the internet at all as we already have gone over to mobile broadband so I can keep up with the day to day life and not miss whats going on.
I have decided too that I am going to get into a new hobby when I move home and feel settled. I've made my bridesmaids fascinators and I am so pleased with them I may make some in other colours to sell on ebay. They are a simple concept yet effective and I may have found some sort of craft I am good at. They are inexpensive to make but can cost a fortune in the shops and online so I can bring a little money to the new home by working on small projects. I could also go into making jewellery with the same tools and sell them as sets.
I am also going to be a good little kitchen wifey. I am going to get more cookbooks. Try more recipes and have fun doing it. I'll get the kids involved. I'm going to be a real stepford wife/mum in my little pink cottage.
I've really got this life thing figured out these days.
The kids are just amazing little people. Matthew is looking forward to his new school and meeting new friends and having a new school uniform. James and Liam are now beginning to play together. James will give Liam toys, share his own blanket with his little brother and even on occassion, tries to feed his baby brother. James sees it as helping and just tries to copy what mummy does. James seems to see himself as a big boy despite being only 18 months. They do make me smile.
Liam is so full of smiles and giggles. Whilst the other two have been happy babies, neither Matthew nor James laughed as much or as often as Liam does. Liam is also becoming a little chatterbox. He has found his voice and is always experimenting with new sounds. His favourite being "roar" as we do that to him. It's a big game to see who can "roar" the loudest. He normally wins. :) Liam is pretty much off all baby food. He eats some of the same meals as us. Like James he loves his mashed potato and vegetables. Yesterday he enjoyed some homemade bolognese sauce and the shepherds pie earlier in the week really went down a treat. He also loves his bread.
Tomorrow night, bf and I are going to a friends 30th birthday party. It's prom style. Bf's mum has made me a gorgeous wine red dress with matching corsage. I was measured up for it 2 weeks ago and tried it on last Saturday. It had to be taken in and I had a second fitting Wednesday. Again it had to be taken in as I am over my little weight loss block and have lost 6lbs in two weeks. So hopefully, when I get to wear it tomorrow it will fit perfectly. I may even get photos. I never wear dresses and having had it made specially makes it feel that little more special.
It should be a good weekend.
Sadly, I end this on a low note. Just to prove that April still isn't quite over, I have heard some very sad news in the past few days.
Tribute.
This man was my English teacher in Year 7 at school. He was always eccentric but had his heart in the right place. He retired from his job early to take care of his mother and the poor man suffered this fate. They have now found the remains of what they believe to be his mother also.
I stand by everything in this tribute and hope Mr Carter rests in peace. x
Friday, 30 April 2010
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Every Cloud
First of all, I've not gone crazy with trying new designs. I was having problems with my comments and trying lots of ways to get them back but I think I have finally got it sussed.
Now we all know the world has a form of balance. For every bad there's a good.
We are only on Tuesday and I've had a huge mix of emotions.
On Sunday night my great uncle lost his cancer battle. It really seems no time at all since he was diagnosed with his brain tumour, but such a cruel and fast deterioration followed. His funeral is next Friday.
Onto the next subject. We've all heard the saying, Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining.
Well, maybe I've found mine. Maybe April can bring some good news for once.
We have found our dream house.
And it's OURS. We get the keys May 17th (out of the dreaded month) and I am going to be moving out of my home town.
I've never lived out of Colchester. Not only am I leaving my hometown, but my home county. I am moving from Essex to Suffolk and a little village called Long Melford.
Long Melford is a picturesque village near the town of Sudbury. Our house backs onto fields as it is that rural and it's a very historic little area as the link shows.
It ticks every box.
Kitchen diner.
Large living room.
3 bedrooms.
Upstairs bathroom and toilet.
Downstairs toilet with room for shower in the corner. (until we get shower it will be the buggy room)
Nice sized front and back gardens.
Larder in the kitchen.
Double glazed.
Energy efficient.
10 minute walk to primary school and village shopping centre.
Not that I would be doing much shopping in the village as it is mostly antique and boutique shops. Not the sort of places I can afford normally. However, there are many pubs and a good few take aways.
It's just so perfect. I am so excited about this.
With 3 more days of April, I hope it doesn't fall through.
Now we all know the world has a form of balance. For every bad there's a good.
We are only on Tuesday and I've had a huge mix of emotions.
On Sunday night my great uncle lost his cancer battle. It really seems no time at all since he was diagnosed with his brain tumour, but such a cruel and fast deterioration followed. His funeral is next Friday.
Onto the next subject. We've all heard the saying, Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining.
Well, maybe I've found mine. Maybe April can bring some good news for once.
We have found our dream house.
And it's OURS. We get the keys May 17th (out of the dreaded month) and I am going to be moving out of my home town.
I've never lived out of Colchester. Not only am I leaving my hometown, but my home county. I am moving from Essex to Suffolk and a little village called Long Melford.
Long Melford is a picturesque village near the town of Sudbury. Our house backs onto fields as it is that rural and it's a very historic little area as the link shows.
It ticks every box.
Kitchen diner.
Large living room.
3 bedrooms.
Upstairs bathroom and toilet.
Downstairs toilet with room for shower in the corner. (until we get shower it will be the buggy room)
Nice sized front and back gardens.
Larder in the kitchen.
Double glazed.
Energy efficient.
10 minute walk to primary school and village shopping centre.
Not that I would be doing much shopping in the village as it is mostly antique and boutique shops. Not the sort of places I can afford normally. However, there are many pubs and a good few take aways.
It's just so perfect. I am so excited about this.
With 3 more days of April, I hope it doesn't fall through.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
The Curse Of April Part III Family Matters
See a trend in my titles?
Well, on Friday, my nan tells me she has to go to hospital in 2 weeks for a mammogram.
There's a possibility that she may have breast cancer again.
She first had it in the early to mid 80's. At the time I was rather young and to be honest I don't remember any of it but obviously the subject does pop up over the years. Where she had her breast removed she has found a new lump. She has known about it months and only told her GP about it on Friday so was booked a follow up appointment within 2 weeks to find out more.
It could be the hardening of the old tissue from the previous op rather than cancer but we won't know until early May.
Of course I am concerned but not in a panic like I was with my other nan. As far as I was aware of my other nan, who died of cancer just over 2 years ago (In April no less) had always appeared well, had never told us how serious things were so to find out she was really ill in the last two weeks came as a real shock when she died so soon after.
This nan on the other hand has been through so much more but she won't be beaten. I know this can't go on forever but she's done so well. At 77, she has beaten two types of cancer, breast and cervical, has type 2 diabetes, angina, is on almost every tablet under the sun but she keeps on going. I'm trying to remain positive.
Things like this always stir up family issues with me. My nan is the person in my family I have always been closest to.
I've always been closer to this nan, more so than my own mum. Ok, I admit it, a GIANT amount more so than my mum.
I've never had a real close bond with my mum. When I was young she used to work evenings so I would see more of my dad than my mum. As I grew older, things didn't improve that much. I did my own thing, had my friends and like most teenagers I spent most of my time in my room or at my nans who lived a 5 minute walk away.
My mum has never seemed to make much of an effort or appeared that interested in anything I do or want from life. She just seems to sit back and do nothing about life and expects everyone to do the same.
My mum didn't appear to be happy any time something big in my life has happened. She's been fine but never shown any interest in anything like that. She recently upset me when I offered to take her to the shop where my wedding dress is coming from to show her my dress on. She blatantly wasn't interested and that did upset me. Alot. I feel like I run an uphill struggle with my family sometimes. No-one tells me anything and I don't feel included on so many points. I'm always the last to hear that someone is ill or that there's any form of problem and to be honest, it makes me shut myself away further.
There's not wanting to impose on your grown up childs life, then theres not having any idea of what they do, what they want, who they are sometimes.
My mum only works 5 minutes drive from here and we only see her once a week for half an hour unless we go to her house. Matthew gets picked up and dropped off on a Tuesday when he goes for tea at nanny's but other than that, we dont see her or my dad. There just seems to be no effort to go out of her way for anything. It's always us making the effort to go there so the two little ones can see their grandparents. She does drive, so it's not like she can't get anywhere.
It's her birthday in a couple of weeks and I will have her and my dad round for dinner like I do every year. I do it for both. So they come round twice a year for dinner and the afternoon. We have NEVER been invited there for dinner. Since I've been with bf, we had christmas dinner there once. Not a single other invite. I even cook all the christmas tea for her every year we've been.
I feel closer to my future mother in law as she does do things for us. She's currently making me a dress for a party next week, she's making the bridesmaid dresses. And I've even asked if she can make me a special dress to take on my honeymoon after the wedding that she has agreed to.
Of course, my mum is my mum and I love her regardless, I just hope I don't do the same things with my boys in the future and learn from these feelings.
Well, on Friday, my nan tells me she has to go to hospital in 2 weeks for a mammogram.
There's a possibility that she may have breast cancer again.
She first had it in the early to mid 80's. At the time I was rather young and to be honest I don't remember any of it but obviously the subject does pop up over the years. Where she had her breast removed she has found a new lump. She has known about it months and only told her GP about it on Friday so was booked a follow up appointment within 2 weeks to find out more.
It could be the hardening of the old tissue from the previous op rather than cancer but we won't know until early May.
Of course I am concerned but not in a panic like I was with my other nan. As far as I was aware of my other nan, who died of cancer just over 2 years ago (In April no less) had always appeared well, had never told us how serious things were so to find out she was really ill in the last two weeks came as a real shock when she died so soon after.
This nan on the other hand has been through so much more but she won't be beaten. I know this can't go on forever but she's done so well. At 77, she has beaten two types of cancer, breast and cervical, has type 2 diabetes, angina, is on almost every tablet under the sun but she keeps on going. I'm trying to remain positive.
Things like this always stir up family issues with me. My nan is the person in my family I have always been closest to.
I've always been closer to this nan, more so than my own mum. Ok, I admit it, a GIANT amount more so than my mum.
I've never had a real close bond with my mum. When I was young she used to work evenings so I would see more of my dad than my mum. As I grew older, things didn't improve that much. I did my own thing, had my friends and like most teenagers I spent most of my time in my room or at my nans who lived a 5 minute walk away.
My mum has never seemed to make much of an effort or appeared that interested in anything I do or want from life. She just seems to sit back and do nothing about life and expects everyone to do the same.
My mum didn't appear to be happy any time something big in my life has happened. She's been fine but never shown any interest in anything like that. She recently upset me when I offered to take her to the shop where my wedding dress is coming from to show her my dress on. She blatantly wasn't interested and that did upset me. Alot. I feel like I run an uphill struggle with my family sometimes. No-one tells me anything and I don't feel included on so many points. I'm always the last to hear that someone is ill or that there's any form of problem and to be honest, it makes me shut myself away further.
There's not wanting to impose on your grown up childs life, then theres not having any idea of what they do, what they want, who they are sometimes.
My mum only works 5 minutes drive from here and we only see her once a week for half an hour unless we go to her house. Matthew gets picked up and dropped off on a Tuesday when he goes for tea at nanny's but other than that, we dont see her or my dad. There just seems to be no effort to go out of her way for anything. It's always us making the effort to go there so the two little ones can see their grandparents. She does drive, so it's not like she can't get anywhere.
It's her birthday in a couple of weeks and I will have her and my dad round for dinner like I do every year. I do it for both. So they come round twice a year for dinner and the afternoon. We have NEVER been invited there for dinner. Since I've been with bf, we had christmas dinner there once. Not a single other invite. I even cook all the christmas tea for her every year we've been.
I feel closer to my future mother in law as she does do things for us. She's currently making me a dress for a party next week, she's making the bridesmaid dresses. And I've even asked if she can make me a special dress to take on my honeymoon after the wedding that she has agreed to.
Of course, my mum is my mum and I love her regardless, I just hope I don't do the same things with my boys in the future and learn from these feelings.
Friday, 23 April 2010
All Things Go
I do believe I promised a wedding planning update.
Today, I like lists. Lists in categories at that.
Wedding booked - check
Wedding reception - check, deposit paid, full reciept
Wedding dress - ordered.
Bridesmaid dresses x 3 - ordered.
Groom Suit - check.
Pageboys suits x 3 - check.
Wedding rings - Ordering next payday.
Bridal tiara - check.
Bridal jewellery - check.
Bridesmaids fascinators - under construction.
Bridesmaids jewellery - check.
Flowers - found the ones I want but need to be ordered when funds are in bank. Will be silk flowers due to budget, so I can have them plenty in advance.
Food for wedding - we are now doing our own catering and taking it to reception venue the evening previous.
Wedding cupcakes - ordered. Awaiting sample box from baker to my design then full order if they look as good as I hope.
Caketopper - check. Was made to order and it looks great. Very impressed.
Decorations for reception - Found all we want, ordering balloons (including a VERY special balloon) next week with deposit. Skipping on the table confetti and going for flower petals instead.
Have I forgotten anything??????
Today, I like lists. Lists in categories at that.
Wedding booked - check
Wedding reception - check, deposit paid, full reciept
Wedding dress - ordered.
Bridesmaid dresses x 3 - ordered.
Groom Suit - check.
Pageboys suits x 3 - check.
Wedding rings - Ordering next payday.
Bridal tiara - check.
Bridal jewellery - check.
Bridesmaids fascinators - under construction.
Bridesmaids jewellery - check.
Flowers - found the ones I want but need to be ordered when funds are in bank. Will be silk flowers due to budget, so I can have them plenty in advance.
Food for wedding - we are now doing our own catering and taking it to reception venue the evening previous.
Wedding cupcakes - ordered. Awaiting sample box from baker to my design then full order if they look as good as I hope.
Caketopper - check. Was made to order and it looks great. Very impressed.
Decorations for reception - Found all we want, ordering balloons (including a VERY special balloon) next week with deposit. Skipping on the table confetti and going for flower petals instead.
Have I forgotten anything??????
Monday, 19 April 2010
The Curse Of April Part II
In a way, I am glad I have a bad month.
It means it's all done at one point and my bad luck isn't spread throughout the year.
This weekend was no exception.
The biggest problem being the wedding reception venue being scrapped.
To cut a long story short, we booked it the same day we booked the wedding so we knew all would be up to date and we were guarenteed the day we wanted. Bf went to pay a deposit on Friday and they had no record of our booking.
Not impressed, he spoke to the manager who we had booked it with and he was rather rude and arrogant. He then tried to put the agreed price up by £2 per head, which is a HUGE climb and an extra £180-£200 on what we thought we were paying out. He wasn't prepared to lower his prices nor did he actually think that they could cater for that many people, despite us booking it 7 months ago and saying it was no problem.
We were extremely disappointed in the whole lack of any business sense and organisation that we questioned the place completely. Feeling deflated and worried about what may have happened if he hadn't tried to pay a deposit on that day. We agreed to try and negotiate in an appointment with him on Sunday morning.
Already there were doubts and a million questions surfacing.
If he hadn't gone in would we have lost the pub altogether? Would they have booked someone else in? Would we get the food we wanted? Would we have been charged alot more than the agreed price? With so many questions going through our minds we thought it too much of a liability and did not go back to the pub. If he's that prepared to mess about a large party of people, then there's a big problem in management somewhere. Would we have this problem in the future? Would they get funny about other things we wanted? It's just not worth the worry so we didn't turn up and that silly manager has just lost out on a lot of customers who would happily buy drinks for 8 hours. Oh well, that's business. If you don't look after customers, then you lose out.
Thankfully all this went on 4 months in advance and on Saturday we provisionally booked another place for the reception. This one doesn't have the picturesque village background, but it does have itself positioned just a 10 minute walk from the registry office. We have to go and see the manager about what we can and can't do decorating wise and when we can do it, but I will take care of that and we've looked at outside caterers and realised we can get double the food for half the money if we do it ourselves. So the 2 days before we get married, bf is head chef and he is taking care of that. We've both done restaurant work, we've been to enough parties to know what we want and what we can do. So that is his project.
We also lost the car keys. Bf never separated his spare one so it was a bit worrying.
Friday night I had an evening out with 3 of my girly friends. The night ended relatively early, so I asked my friend Sharon if she wanted to share a bottle of wine at mine.
We enjoyed our wine, had a laugh and bf said he would give her a lift home. Sharon only lives a little way down the road but I wouldn't want her walking home by herself late at night after a few drinks. Sharon got her stuff ready to go about 12.30 and bf couldn't find his car keys.
So a lovely mad search goes on. All three of us, with me tipsy and Sharon rather drunk, search the whole downstairs top to bottom. Pockets, sofa, piles of toys, behind things under things. Nothing.
Bf finally walks Sharon home about 1.40am. James has been disturbed so I take him to bed with me and we give up.
From 7am Saturday morning when the kids got me up, I was there starting all over again. Same places, new places, fridge through to bin bags you name it.
Bf gets some advice from his mate who works for ford who tells him how to break into his car. He and his friend must have tried for a good 2-3 hours before they realised it was deadlocked. Luckily, we have a problem with the passenger door as it doesnt central lock so they finally managed to get in and get the buggy, Liams milk, Matthews new school uniform etc out the car.
Bf looks into buying new keys as we think they really are lost.
About 7.30 Saturday night, I am tidying up the kids stuff. I pick up the spiderman bag Matthew likes to take to school and out falls the keys.
I didn't say anything but HAHAHAHAHA.
The keys were beautifully decorated in mashed potato and broccoli leaving James as the major culprit since that was his dinner and no one elses on Friday evening. The little monster!!! He is such a little trouble maker these days but has me in hysterics.
We've certainly had our share of stress this weekend but it's now a new week and much is sorted as it should be. We can look forward to things again.
It means it's all done at one point and my bad luck isn't spread throughout the year.
This weekend was no exception.
The biggest problem being the wedding reception venue being scrapped.
To cut a long story short, we booked it the same day we booked the wedding so we knew all would be up to date and we were guarenteed the day we wanted. Bf went to pay a deposit on Friday and they had no record of our booking.
Not impressed, he spoke to the manager who we had booked it with and he was rather rude and arrogant. He then tried to put the agreed price up by £2 per head, which is a HUGE climb and an extra £180-£200 on what we thought we were paying out. He wasn't prepared to lower his prices nor did he actually think that they could cater for that many people, despite us booking it 7 months ago and saying it was no problem.
We were extremely disappointed in the whole lack of any business sense and organisation that we questioned the place completely. Feeling deflated and worried about what may have happened if he hadn't tried to pay a deposit on that day. We agreed to try and negotiate in an appointment with him on Sunday morning.
Already there were doubts and a million questions surfacing.
If he hadn't gone in would we have lost the pub altogether? Would they have booked someone else in? Would we get the food we wanted? Would we have been charged alot more than the agreed price? With so many questions going through our minds we thought it too much of a liability and did not go back to the pub. If he's that prepared to mess about a large party of people, then there's a big problem in management somewhere. Would we have this problem in the future? Would they get funny about other things we wanted? It's just not worth the worry so we didn't turn up and that silly manager has just lost out on a lot of customers who would happily buy drinks for 8 hours. Oh well, that's business. If you don't look after customers, then you lose out.
Thankfully all this went on 4 months in advance and on Saturday we provisionally booked another place for the reception. This one doesn't have the picturesque village background, but it does have itself positioned just a 10 minute walk from the registry office. We have to go and see the manager about what we can and can't do decorating wise and when we can do it, but I will take care of that and we've looked at outside caterers and realised we can get double the food for half the money if we do it ourselves. So the 2 days before we get married, bf is head chef and he is taking care of that. We've both done restaurant work, we've been to enough parties to know what we want and what we can do. So that is his project.
We also lost the car keys. Bf never separated his spare one so it was a bit worrying.
Friday night I had an evening out with 3 of my girly friends. The night ended relatively early, so I asked my friend Sharon if she wanted to share a bottle of wine at mine.
We enjoyed our wine, had a laugh and bf said he would give her a lift home. Sharon only lives a little way down the road but I wouldn't want her walking home by herself late at night after a few drinks. Sharon got her stuff ready to go about 12.30 and bf couldn't find his car keys.
So a lovely mad search goes on. All three of us, with me tipsy and Sharon rather drunk, search the whole downstairs top to bottom. Pockets, sofa, piles of toys, behind things under things. Nothing.
Bf finally walks Sharon home about 1.40am. James has been disturbed so I take him to bed with me and we give up.
From 7am Saturday morning when the kids got me up, I was there starting all over again. Same places, new places, fridge through to bin bags you name it.
Bf gets some advice from his mate who works for ford who tells him how to break into his car. He and his friend must have tried for a good 2-3 hours before they realised it was deadlocked. Luckily, we have a problem with the passenger door as it doesnt central lock so they finally managed to get in and get the buggy, Liams milk, Matthews new school uniform etc out the car.
Bf looks into buying new keys as we think they really are lost.
About 7.30 Saturday night, I am tidying up the kids stuff. I pick up the spiderman bag Matthew likes to take to school and out falls the keys.
I didn't say anything but HAHAHAHAHA.
The keys were beautifully decorated in mashed potato and broccoli leaving James as the major culprit since that was his dinner and no one elses on Friday evening. The little monster!!! He is such a little trouble maker these days but has me in hysterics.
We've certainly had our share of stress this weekend but it's now a new week and much is sorted as it should be. We can look forward to things again.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Time
Though I am far from what I would describe as a morning person, one of my favourite times of day is just after I get up with the two youngest.
James is an independent little soul and loves nothing more than a bottle of milk and a little cuddle time sitting on my lap before he heads off to do his own thing. This is the time James is most cuddly and affectionate. I get lots of kisses from my little boy and it's nice to just relax with him for a few minutes.
Liam gets up around the same time as James but is happy to wait a few minutes before the attention turns to him. He still has a morning bottle of baby milk, a night time bottle and every now and then a mid afternoon bottle. That's all now as he is fully onto solids. The morning milk time comprises of a big cuddle and him looking up into my face as he strokes my cheek. He is just as Matthew was as a baby, you cannot see his mouth, but his little eyes sparkle and generate smiles in themselves. He is the most placid baby of all three of them. I thought they were all good babies but there is something extra special with Liam. It could just be that he is still so needy and needs his mum for everything whilst James is 17 months going on 5 years.
James is very much his own person. Discovering the world around him all the time, James is growing in personality and strength by the day. He loves nothing more than climbing on anything in his path and loves being outdoors more than anything. He is very steady on his feet and is not happy when he is not out walking. A few weeks ago we got him his first REAL pair of shoes. We went along to a well known shoe shop where he had his feet measured and he got his first pair of solid based shoes. He just loves his shoes and is so happy running around in them all day.
Of course the downside with having an incredibly self assured toddler means that we are open to all the dangers toddler years can bring. We do have a fair few accidents as James takes on a little more than he can handle. There's always the bumps to the head and the times that the toy on the sofa is a little too big and comes down on top of him. The time that he just pushes himself a little too hard on his bouncer and as for his Thomas ride on, well, it's for riding on not climbing on. Of course, the little fella does not understand and bumps and bruises are all part of the process. It's all part of the tough world of learning to be an adventurous boy.
Yesterday we went to a park in a neighbouring town and a great day was had by all. James loves the swings and slides and just having the freedom to run around a little.
There is a pretty little lake about midway through the park. I used to come and sit around here when I was pregnant with Matthew and when he was a toddler. It's not the first time we've taken Liam and James, but it's the first time James has really been able to enjoy this park and everything it offers.
Matthew is far from the toddler he was when we used to visit in the past.
Liam was fine, he loved having a look at all the colours, all the people and best of all, he got to relax and drink milk whilst taking everything in.
James the adventurer loved climbing on things without getting told off. He loves his freedom and loves doing the things his big brother does.
The smile says it all. James spends a long time on the swings but has no hesitation when telling us he has had enough. When he tries to climb out in mid air, it's time to find something else to do.
This has to be my favourite recent picture of young Liam. Now 7 months old, he doesn't feel like a baby anymore. He now plays in James' old walker and tries to crawl. He manages to roll and manouvre himself round easy enough. He absolutely loves his food. He is eating absolutely everything right now. Not a tooth in sight yet but both his brothers were around 1 year when they got their first ones so I'm not holding much hope for Liam to be any different.
So there it is, a little update on my little people and they all absolutely mean the world to me. Love you all, kiddos.
James is an independent little soul and loves nothing more than a bottle of milk and a little cuddle time sitting on my lap before he heads off to do his own thing. This is the time James is most cuddly and affectionate. I get lots of kisses from my little boy and it's nice to just relax with him for a few minutes.
Liam gets up around the same time as James but is happy to wait a few minutes before the attention turns to him. He still has a morning bottle of baby milk, a night time bottle and every now and then a mid afternoon bottle. That's all now as he is fully onto solids. The morning milk time comprises of a big cuddle and him looking up into my face as he strokes my cheek. He is just as Matthew was as a baby, you cannot see his mouth, but his little eyes sparkle and generate smiles in themselves. He is the most placid baby of all three of them. I thought they were all good babies but there is something extra special with Liam. It could just be that he is still so needy and needs his mum for everything whilst James is 17 months going on 5 years.
James is very much his own person. Discovering the world around him all the time, James is growing in personality and strength by the day. He loves nothing more than climbing on anything in his path and loves being outdoors more than anything. He is very steady on his feet and is not happy when he is not out walking. A few weeks ago we got him his first REAL pair of shoes. We went along to a well known shoe shop where he had his feet measured and he got his first pair of solid based shoes. He just loves his shoes and is so happy running around in them all day.
Of course the downside with having an incredibly self assured toddler means that we are open to all the dangers toddler years can bring. We do have a fair few accidents as James takes on a little more than he can handle. There's always the bumps to the head and the times that the toy on the sofa is a little too big and comes down on top of him. The time that he just pushes himself a little too hard on his bouncer and as for his Thomas ride on, well, it's for riding on not climbing on. Of course, the little fella does not understand and bumps and bruises are all part of the process. It's all part of the tough world of learning to be an adventurous boy.
Yesterday we went to a park in a neighbouring town and a great day was had by all. James loves the swings and slides and just having the freedom to run around a little.
There is a pretty little lake about midway through the park. I used to come and sit around here when I was pregnant with Matthew and when he was a toddler. It's not the first time we've taken Liam and James, but it's the first time James has really been able to enjoy this park and everything it offers.
Matthew is far from the toddler he was when we used to visit in the past.
Liam was fine, he loved having a look at all the colours, all the people and best of all, he got to relax and drink milk whilst taking everything in.
James the adventurer loved climbing on things without getting told off. He loves his freedom and loves doing the things his big brother does.
The smile says it all. James spends a long time on the swings but has no hesitation when telling us he has had enough. When he tries to climb out in mid air, it's time to find something else to do.
This has to be my favourite recent picture of young Liam. Now 7 months old, he doesn't feel like a baby anymore. He now plays in James' old walker and tries to crawl. He manages to roll and manouvre himself round easy enough. He absolutely loves his food. He is eating absolutely everything right now. Not a tooth in sight yet but both his brothers were around 1 year when they got their first ones so I'm not holding much hope for Liam to be any different.So there it is, a little update on my little people and they all absolutely mean the world to me. Love you all, kiddos.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Tuesday Adventures
We are now halfway through the second week of the kids Easter holidays. It's been great fun. When Matthew goes back to school, he is in his final term of being a Year 1 student. It doesn't seem possible that he has grown up this fast.
Yesterday, we took Matthew to a local theme park. James and Liam were looked after by their nan so we could dedicate a whole day to Matthew. We often get to take the little ones out whilst Matthew is in school but Matthew got our whole attention yesterday. The boys would have been far too small for the rides anyway.
Matthew absolutely loved Pleasurewood Hills. It was his first time at a theme park and that little six year old has no fear. He went on every ride he was big enough for. A couple of rides he wanted to go on had him a few cm's too short. Which is good for me as I would NOT have done some of them.
We started gently on the smallest rollercoaster which he loved. He soon found though that the bigger faster rollercoaster The Enigma (based on runaway minetrain) was much more exciting and that was his favourite ride of them all. It was the only ride we only had to queue for so it was very popular.
The weather was bright but windy and rather cold, yet you cannot go to any theme park without going on the log flume and getting a good old soaking at the end of the ride. I thought ahead and decided to go in my faithful joggy bottoms and not wear jeans. Anyone ever caught in a sudden downpour of any water will know just how damp and cold jeans stay.
We saw a circus show that Matthew just loved. A man did tricks on a bike, spinning it with his feet etc, there was a clown that did tricks, there were street dancers and a woman who was very bendy doing things in weird positions and doing lots of things with Hula Hoops.
The only ride I refused to go on was the chair lift. I have always hated these with a passion. It never helps when you go on something you don't like and it breaks down. That little ride many years ago has had me refusing to go on ever since. It was an incredibly slow ride though. Bf took Matthew on the ride and I walked the length of the park and waited almost 10 minutes for them to get to the end of the ride.
We took a picnic and enjoyed that halfway through our day and it gave Matthew a new lease of energy. Matthew was very insistent that he went on some rides himself. He did get that wish for the last two rides he went on as we werent interested and he was of the right height to go on unaccompanied.
Not only did Matthew get his mum and dad to himself for the day, but he got to have a "big boy" day which I think is important when he is growing up with two younger brothers.
When we did get home, the babies looked so happy to see us all. Liam had the hugest grin on his little face as I came in and began talking to him. James was on a nap but had woken up when I went to get him. He just looked excited and shouted "Mum!"
I do believe that on most occassions I do have the best behaved little boys ever. Matthew can have his moments of cheekiness and attitude like any school aged child but he has been so much more mellow and well behaved this set of school holidays, I've been so proud of my big man. He certainly deserved his day out.
I have plenty more to say about the babies, the wedding, future plans but it will make an incredibly long post so I will do my best to make more regular updates.
Yesterday, we took Matthew to a local theme park. James and Liam were looked after by their nan so we could dedicate a whole day to Matthew. We often get to take the little ones out whilst Matthew is in school but Matthew got our whole attention yesterday. The boys would have been far too small for the rides anyway.
Matthew absolutely loved Pleasurewood Hills. It was his first time at a theme park and that little six year old has no fear. He went on every ride he was big enough for. A couple of rides he wanted to go on had him a few cm's too short. Which is good for me as I would NOT have done some of them.
We started gently on the smallest rollercoaster which he loved. He soon found though that the bigger faster rollercoaster The Enigma (based on runaway minetrain) was much more exciting and that was his favourite ride of them all. It was the only ride we only had to queue for so it was very popular.
The weather was bright but windy and rather cold, yet you cannot go to any theme park without going on the log flume and getting a good old soaking at the end of the ride. I thought ahead and decided to go in my faithful joggy bottoms and not wear jeans. Anyone ever caught in a sudden downpour of any water will know just how damp and cold jeans stay.
We saw a circus show that Matthew just loved. A man did tricks on a bike, spinning it with his feet etc, there was a clown that did tricks, there were street dancers and a woman who was very bendy doing things in weird positions and doing lots of things with Hula Hoops.
The only ride I refused to go on was the chair lift. I have always hated these with a passion. It never helps when you go on something you don't like and it breaks down. That little ride many years ago has had me refusing to go on ever since. It was an incredibly slow ride though. Bf took Matthew on the ride and I walked the length of the park and waited almost 10 minutes for them to get to the end of the ride.
We took a picnic and enjoyed that halfway through our day and it gave Matthew a new lease of energy. Matthew was very insistent that he went on some rides himself. He did get that wish for the last two rides he went on as we werent interested and he was of the right height to go on unaccompanied.
Not only did Matthew get his mum and dad to himself for the day, but he got to have a "big boy" day which I think is important when he is growing up with two younger brothers.
When we did get home, the babies looked so happy to see us all. Liam had the hugest grin on his little face as I came in and began talking to him. James was on a nap but had woken up when I went to get him. He just looked excited and shouted "Mum!"
I do believe that on most occassions I do have the best behaved little boys ever. Matthew can have his moments of cheekiness and attitude like any school aged child but he has been so much more mellow and well behaved this set of school holidays, I've been so proud of my big man. He certainly deserved his day out.
I have plenty more to say about the babies, the wedding, future plans but it will make an incredibly long post so I will do my best to make more regular updates.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
The Curse Of April
Anyone who has been reading any of my blogs, will know that April is my bad month.
Last year, bf was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The more severe of the two types and now is insulin dependent for life.
The year before my nan passed away.
The year before that, a family friend died following a heart attack.
The year before that, I knew how bad April was historically and even put off leaving my husband until May! Life was bad but I felt that anything I do in April would fail to have a positive affect on my life. An argument in April actually resulted in my ex throwing my wedding and engagement rings over a neighbouring fence.
I never bothered to look for them.
It was the pyschological push I needed. Without the rings, I was no longer a wife in my mind. I had the incentive to get out of a destructive relationship. I had not got the rings, I had not got the idyllic marriage, I had not got the will to fight anymore. For myself, for my marriage. Nor had I got the will to fight my ex. Enough got to be enough and as Apri became May, then my life took a dramatic turn for the better.
Still, April 2010 brings further bad luck.
A family member has been given 6 months to live. My mums uncle (nan's sisters husband) is more or less waiting to die. He was taken ill a couple of weeks ago with a suspected stroke. He had had one before so it didn't seem the most huge of shocks. What was the shocker was that after tests, it turned out this wasn't a second stroke but a brain tumour. After trying to reduce the tumour in a London hospital and failing, the prognosis is now terminal. He will stay in hospital another 3 weeks then will be allowed to return home.
He's around 70. His wife, is a little younger but it will be harder for her once he's gone as they are parents to an adopted disabled daughter. F, has been living with them for the past 20 years. She is older than me but will never leave home. She was born with a severe mental disability which means that mentally, she will never be older than 2 years old. She has no speech, no mobility and needs occassional lifting and that will be harder on my nans sister. It's one thing being a single parent, but a single parent when you are almost 70 with a disabled adult to take care of. It's going to be a hard few months for that side of the family.
Somehow though, we are almost halfway through this horrid month and we've had one big piece of bad news. I hope it finishes here.
Oh and before I forget, I am recovering from a water infection. I felt the onset of it Thursday evening and feel that I have helped to relieve it before it really began by drinking lots of water every time I did go for a pee. Now on Saturday, I no longer have urgency to pee and it doesn't hurt half as much when I do empty my bladder.
Last year, bf was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The more severe of the two types and now is insulin dependent for life.
The year before my nan passed away.
The year before that, a family friend died following a heart attack.
The year before that, I knew how bad April was historically and even put off leaving my husband until May! Life was bad but I felt that anything I do in April would fail to have a positive affect on my life. An argument in April actually resulted in my ex throwing my wedding and engagement rings over a neighbouring fence.
I never bothered to look for them.
It was the pyschological push I needed. Without the rings, I was no longer a wife in my mind. I had the incentive to get out of a destructive relationship. I had not got the rings, I had not got the idyllic marriage, I had not got the will to fight anymore. For myself, for my marriage. Nor had I got the will to fight my ex. Enough got to be enough and as Apri became May, then my life took a dramatic turn for the better.
Still, April 2010 brings further bad luck.
A family member has been given 6 months to live. My mums uncle (nan's sisters husband) is more or less waiting to die. He was taken ill a couple of weeks ago with a suspected stroke. He had had one before so it didn't seem the most huge of shocks. What was the shocker was that after tests, it turned out this wasn't a second stroke but a brain tumour. After trying to reduce the tumour in a London hospital and failing, the prognosis is now terminal. He will stay in hospital another 3 weeks then will be allowed to return home.
He's around 70. His wife, is a little younger but it will be harder for her once he's gone as they are parents to an adopted disabled daughter. F, has been living with them for the past 20 years. She is older than me but will never leave home. She was born with a severe mental disability which means that mentally, she will never be older than 2 years old. She has no speech, no mobility and needs occassional lifting and that will be harder on my nans sister. It's one thing being a single parent, but a single parent when you are almost 70 with a disabled adult to take care of. It's going to be a hard few months for that side of the family.
Somehow though, we are almost halfway through this horrid month and we've had one big piece of bad news. I hope it finishes here.
Oh and before I forget, I am recovering from a water infection. I felt the onset of it Thursday evening and feel that I have helped to relieve it before it really began by drinking lots of water every time I did go for a pee. Now on Saturday, I no longer have urgency to pee and it doesn't hurt half as much when I do empty my bladder.
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