Ten Things I Would Like To Achieve This Year - End Of January Review

Earlier this year I didn't write a post on new years resolutions but on how I wanted to change or achieve things in this year. Here's how it's all going after 1 month.

1. Pass my driving test!

I am still learning. Talk of booking a test for spring. That would be great. I don't expect to pass first time but I want to pass as soon as I can.

2. Read 100 books.

If anyone is on goodreads, feel free to add me. I have completed 8 books in my 2012 challenge. 

 3. Lose Weight.

4.5lbs down this month. This is after the christmas and new year period as well as the birth control weight gain so overall it's not too bad. An average of a little over 1lb a week is not too bad at all for one of the worst months of the year.

4. Try a new food every week


Easier said than done. I may not be trying a new food necessarily but I am COOKING new things every week. Last week I cooked using butternut squash for the first time. Today I have made my own bread. (It's currently proving as I type) so it's not a case of trying something new I've never tasted, but more try something I've never done. I am also cooking every sauce from bolognese, to chili con carne to white and cheese sauces from scratch. 

5. Watch more movies.


I am yet to watch a film this year. The last film I saw was Shutter Island which I mentioned in the last post.

6. Spend as Much Time as I can Supporting Each and Every Child


With a little help and encouragement James has become toilet trained. Accidents are few and far between. 
Liam is coming on in leaps and bounds, we count together we look at colours and his vocab is growing very very well. I do like our mornings together when James and Matthew are at school.
Matthew is getting on well. Tomorrow I have to attend a relationships workshop with him at school. He's seen the school nurse and we should soon find out what is going on regarding the ADHD diagnosis or lack of it. His school are being supportive and I am doing what I can to help.

7. Learn a new skill


Not as yet but I am working on it.

8. Sleep More

I go to bed earlier than I used to. I often read in bed to relax and I do think I am sleeping more. However this time of year does make it harder to get out of bed.


9. Be A Little More Daring

I am more confident. I am trying new things, exercising more, trying new exercises. I am doing more than I would have done this time last year and doing things a little differently. I am hoping to go clothes shopping once the season begin to change and go for a little change in clothing. I am also thinking about a new haircut. Currently my hair is this:

But as busy mumma I am thinking about going back to something like this again when the warmer weather comes.

I feel ready for a bit of a change and I need a bit more shape around my face. And warmer weather is a great time to sport a shorter choppier bob (like back here in summer 2007). I just need a change and as I lose weight it can give me that little more confidence.


10.  Be The BEST Person I can be.

This is the daily norm. I do believe I am calmer this year, I am more understanding to Matthews needs. I do think that I have been hasty with losing my temper in the past but I am much more relaxed and talk things through with him much much more now I am getting more of an understanding into the problems he is facing so I can help that little bit more. 

A Good Week Of Milestones.

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I last blogged.

It's been busy busy busy where I am sat let me tell ya.

The little boys are developing by the hour it feels.

James is completely toilet trained in the course of 2 weeks at nursery. We are now at Thursday and we have had no accidents at school since last Monday (Jan 16th)! We've had one or two at home but that's it. We've even had a dry night. So he is really growing up.

Liam is talking so so much. "All gone, mum mum" seems to be the most popular phrase when we have run out of drink or finished his dinner. Frequently this sentance will end with the question "More?" He is also trying to count as he hears James do it, "One, too, five, six, one, six" is the favourite order for today.  He sings along to songs, he can point out places of interst. "Irre Day-shun" for Fire Station, "Toy Shop" He's walking more than ever too. With James at school in the mornings I can now give Liam more chances of independence. Today he did walk back the full distance from the school gates to our house. He did so well. Spurred on by the detour of passing the fire station and with so many puddles for splashing in along the walk back, he did the full 15 minutes holding my hand as we made it home.

I also took James and Liam along the the parent and toddler group at the school on Monday. It's in James's nursery classroom so he is more than familiar with it but I want Liam to get involved in more. He really loved it. I just think it will make the transition into nursery easier for him if he gets to know the place and play in it. He really does look interested and wants to go into school with James and doesn't like it when we leave. James will always give his little brother a goodbye kiss every morning. It is so cute. In a way it is a shame they are not twins as they would absolutely love to do everything together - At least Liam would. James is that little bit older so I wonder how long it will be until James feels it.

Today Matthew is being observed by the school nurse. This in turn, along with the paperwork I have had to fill out will determine if he has ADHD or at least a form of it. It's taken a long time to get this far but I am just grateful that his school has noticed something is different and are now finally doing something about it. I'd rather he didn't need medication but if it's for his better well being then I totally will give it a go.

My routine and freetime appears to be completely out the window. I get blocks of 2 to 2.5 hours at home during the day in between the school runs. No matter what I want to get done, I'll probably get through about half. So for now I am giving myself one job a day I wish to achieve. Today that was the bathroom. Lucky me!

Not that I can complain.

My social life is far better than it has been for a long time. Most weeks my friend Kate comes over for a morning, I spend far too much time chatting with other mums around the school lately and I spent the whole day with a fellow mum yesterday. Liam and I went for coffee in the morning, then I collected James from school and we went back for lunch. Luckily she lives 2 minutes from the school so I had a rather easy day yesterday. Her daughter is the year above Matthew and we got talking at the school gates at pick up time. It was lovely to just relax and have lots of talking time with a fellow adult. It also seems that her and her husband are rather social but like hubby and I, struggle to find other couples to have nights out with so we are hoping to book something for the end of next month where we can get the children looked after and have a meal out and some drinks. That would be different and fun.

My driving lessons are improving big time. Last lesson there was talk of 2-3 more lessons then a mock test. If I get on well during that, then my practical lesson will be booked shortly after. It's not too bad a wait at the moment so I could be aiming for an April test. I don't know if I am more excited or scared by the prospect of driving for myself 100%. But it feels good to know I am getting there. :)

Two Little Videos

Liam is such a character. He has a smile on his face all day long and finds the smallest things in life HILARIOUS.

I didn't think my mobile phone sound function worked as it didn't on normal video player but it appears to have worked on her.

Anyway, here's my mad fella in action. :)

He has the most sweet and infectious laugh, I cannot begin to describe how lovely it is to hear it daily.

My little baby just isn't so little any more.

Mothers Day Bouquet

I know it's still a little while until Mothers Day (more so in the US) but I saw this on Facebook and it really caught my eye.

How can someone who really doesn't feel the appeal of cakes and does not eat cakes find them so attractive!!!???

What a lovely simple, cost effective Mothers day gift??

6 homemade iced cupcakes, a little crepe paper and some artificial leaves.

I LOVE this idea big time. I just don't know if my mum or mother in law would appreciate edible gifts like this.

I've always loved flowers and I do think that I have found a little talent in design.

Remember my wedding flowers?

 And the ones that did not get used as my first attempt?

 

All my own work!!!!

So I think that for Mothers Day this year, I am going to create something for my mum with some silk flowers. I'll get some sort of bowl or ornamental jug, some foam and some silk flowers to make into a feature.

All Because The Boy Loves Buzz

James has been going to school every day since he started in pants. Most days we'll have an accident. Some days we had two but he's getting better. Last Thursday he went the ENTIRE day being dry.

Yesterday there was yet another accident. The school are really good with it as he is only just 3 and are very supportive but James and I had a serious little talk this morning.

I explained that if he could try really hard to use the toilet and be a really big boy that when he does 3 out of the 5 days, mummy will buy him a very special toy as a well done present. James' little face lit up as he asked for a Buzz Lightyear. I said I would see what I could do but we had to have 3 days of using toilet properly to get it.

Today was the start of the challenge.

Today James came out of nursery in the same pants and trousers as he started off in.

Something obviously worked. He still has 2 days to do before his reward but I am very pleased with his attempts. His teachers know of my reward scheme and are encouraging him so I am hoping this is a week of good progress for him.

Friday 13th - A Rather Strange Good News Bad News Day

My little bubba is back on a waiting list.

Friday was Liams day at the hospital in regard to the hernia return.

I spoke to a Paediatric Surgeon and admitted I wasn't 100% sure if it was the hernia but when I saw the GP she wasn't too sure either and referred us to the hospital.

Of course, being examined there was only a little swelling around his little boy parts. The PS didn't seem to think it was a hernia so called in the Surgeon who operated on him and listened to what I had said. It appears that hernia is unlikely but they are not willing to take a chance as it could be life threatening if left untreated and strangulates. It could however be something like a pocket that could be filling with air or liquid. It is unlikely to be harmless but they have put him on the waiting list to have an outpatients day procedure to have a little keyhole surgery to investigate what could be the cause of the swelling. So we now have to await a date and time for this.

We are not too worried as he will literally be in for a couple of hours and return the same day and they didn't seem too concerned either though they did more or less rule out what we thought it was.

Also yesterday hubby took me for a little drive in the new car. We dropped the boys at school and got some
"L" Plates before heading off to the local industrial park. It was nerve wracking with hubby in the car and that it was OUR car but I did a little. I just didn't feel 100% comfortable. No disrespect to hubby but I did feel on edge with him over an instructor! There seemed such a difference in pressure. But it's not something I am going to give up on. I need the extra practice and will have to get used to him as a passenger over time anyway.

He took over driving and we were going to do a little shopping in town when the emergency lights on the car came on warning of "Engine Temperature - Stop Now."

We only got the car Tuesday so for major problems 3 days later was a concern. Especially when we had to get Liam to a hospital 40 miles away later in the day. We phoned the dealer and took the car straight back.

It turns out that the radiator had blown and all the water had been lost. There was a chance of damage to the engine. We had a hospital appointment to get to so we had a courtesy car to get us through the day.

However, we were lucky this Friday the 13th and the car was repaired within a few hours.  No engine trouble whatsoever. We took Matthew to an Indian Buffet restaurant as his birthday meal out and he loved it. So did the little two who tucked into Chicken Biryani, korma, mushrooms, courgettes,  chips and washed it all down with ice cream. I ate too much but it is my most favourite food in the world.

Saturday we collected the car and all was great. We went shopping in a little seaside town near where we used to live as the weather has been just beautiful in recent weeks. It certainly doesn't feel like January. Bright sunshine or a little cloud most days and we've been very lucky to have a more gentle winter than last year. That was harsh with a Capital H yet so far we've got away lightly. I hope it stays like this until Spring!

Yesterday was our second Christmas. My mother in law annually does a late Christmas so all the family can get together at hers for dinner. It was the traditional turkey Fayre and it was lovely. As a thank you she is coming to ours for dinner next Sunday where I will do a big roast beef for us all. I don't know what dessert to make yet, but I want to make something rather than just buy one. Ideas anyone? Maybe a fruit crumble for MIL and myself and a chocolate based one for the men of the family.... That may be best all round with lots of ice cream and cream to finish it off.

Exciting but Scary

We collected the new car on Tuesday.

I am fully insured as a learner.

Tomorrow I am going out for a drive with hubby and Liam.

It's one thing driving with an instructor and another driving with your husband.

It's also one thing driving in someone elses car and another driving in your own car.

This is going to be different but an exciting challenge. I just hope I don't mess things up.

A Week to Remember.

This has been weekend of BIG things.

First the fridge freezer arrived.  It is the most beautiful object in my kitchen. We have space for everything we need to be in there. I am really happy with it.

Saturday afternoon we decided to fill it up. Hubby took a little detour to the shops and ended up taking us to a neighbouring village to view a car sales showroom.

We had a look at a 2003 silver Citroen Picasso very similar to the one below.

We left the showroom with a reciept for the £50 deposit we paid. We will get it sometime this week. It's a car I am going to be able to drive and practice driving in.

Currently, I am not able to get insurance for our car as a provisional driver as it is too powerful for a learner. When I pass my test, our insurance premiums will jump £1200 for the first year. That's a total of £2000 a year just to insure the Honda CRV.

This car will have hubby insured as well as myself being insured as a provisional driver for LESS than he currently pays for just himself. So it's a big money saver all round.

We were able to just exchange our car for this. Our car was worth a little more than it cost for part exchange so we've got a years free insurance, A full MOT for the year and 6 months tax to even out the cost.

We should be getting it near the end of the week all being well and anything that needs doing with the MOT should be fixed and ready to go.

One of the first trips the car will be making will be to Cambridge. Liams hospital appointment is almost upon us. On Friday hubby will take him to hospital to speak with the consultant regarding the return of his inguinal hernia. (I will be doing the school runs) I have a list ready for him so he has the full details of why I am concerned so hopefully we will see some sort of answer to correcting this ongoing problem. I am concerned as it is becoming more and more frequent and don't want a repeat of last time where he is rushed into A&E and has emergency surgery. In a way we want him to have another operation. This time we could be prepared for it. Hopefully a second op would fix it for good and we can move on without the worry for a bit.

2 days and my big man will be 8!!! EIGHT! He's getting far too big too quick! He's well over halfway to being a teenager. Agh!!!!!

James had his first day at nursery in pants today. Big thing for a little man who prefers his nappies but he had one accident and had a quick change of clothes but he seemed very happy to use the toilet so his teacher told me. I am very pleased with my little man. We then had another accident as we awaited Matthew coming out of school but this has been the first day he's had pants on since he's been up (including everytime he has been out today)  and is doing very well adapting. It can take time but the main thing is he is improving by the day. He's getting there at his own pace and will improve the more he sees his little friends at nursery do the same thing. I think this will have him coming on in leaps and bounds.

Ten Things I Would Like To Achieve This Year

No resolutions as such, just a few things I would LIKE to do. There's a difference between setting goals that are normally given up on in a number of weeks and things that I can strive towards.

1. Pass my driving test!

Become a proper road user! I've had to cut down on lessons in the last couple of months due to finances but things are looking good. I did the full test route last lesson. Next lesson tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it.

2. Read 100 books.

I've done a lot of reading in recent months and would probably say I average 2-3 books most weeks. I would like to continue that. If anyone could recommend any books then that would be a help too.

3. Lose Weight.

Always a work in progress. Hubby asked what he could do to help. I explained it's something I need to do myself like I'd never be able to help him stop smoking. He accepted that but offered me a cash incentive. Every 1lb I lose he will give me £1 for at the end of the year. £50 would be nice to start 2013.

4.  Try a new food every week.

Along with losing weight and exercising more, a good way to get a healthy balance is to not get into a routine. To try new foods, to try new recipes. To enjoy food more.

5. Watch more movies.

One thing we don't do in our household is watch movies. The kids do, I've lost track of the times we've seen Toy Story and Happy Feet since Christmas but hubby and I should watch more films. The last one we watched was Leo Dicaprio's Shutter Island. That was good. We still have Black Swan, The Kings Speech and a number of others that were on over Christmas to watch.

6. Spend as Much Time as I can Supporting Each and Every Child

This is something we all should do but once there are more than one child in the household, you do worry about the amount of time you give one over the others. With Matthew at school all day I feel I should pay more attention to him at weekends and after school. With James at school mornings, the afternoons focus on him. Liam is still the baby and gets the majority of my time. He gets the cuddles, he is the most dependent - I just don't want the other two to feel he gets all the attention. Although, having said all that, Matthew would rather spend his time in his room with his 3DS so I suppose there is more of a balance now he's getting big.

7. Learn a new skill

Whether it be taking my baking to another level or learning a bit of DIY or how to improve my writing I can make a few changes and do something new.

8. Sleep More

I do my best but still occassionally get disturbed by young little boys, the hubbys snoring and general insomnia. It's not that I stay up late, I just don't get as much sleep as I would like.

9. Be A Little More Daring.

Try new funfair rides, try a new clothes/hair/make up style. try new things in the bedroom. You get the idea.

10.  Be The BEST Person I can be.

Normally, as a person I am reliable,a good listener, a confidant. As much as I can be, I am supportive, caring and I have time for people whenever they need it. That goes for friends, family, anyone. I try to be a good person, I try to see both sides of situations, I try to remain level headed. I may make mistakes sometimes but that makes me human. I can only do my best and intend to do so for this year.

New Things For New Year

Happy new year to my lovely blog community friends. I wish for 2012 to be a successful and happy year for you all.

I hope you all had fun celebrating new year. Hubby and I are not "new year people" so were in bed nice and early. It wasn't anything special to us, just another switchover of date.

Hubby and I do not buy each other gifts at Christmas. We are practical minded virgos (well, I am when I want to be, Libran/Virgoan cusp means I'm doubly indecisive) so we would rather spend money on something we would both appreciate.

In previous years we've booked a long weekend away and bought some much needed storage for the new house in the way of wardrobes and doored bookcases for the living room.

Last year we got into the swing of replacing white goods. We got a new washer/dryer and a new oven.

What was left to replace was a biggy.

What was left we have put some Christmas money from family towards and our practical homely present for 2011 is this beautiful beast!! :)

Isn't she just beautiful? Freezer on the left. Fridge right.

We currently have a fridge freezer just the size of the right side. This includes a very small 2 shelved freezer. Probably the size of the two lower right salad drawers. A bag of chips and some frozen peas fill a shelf so we can never stock up on good deals from the supermarkets and more often than not have to throw away leftovers as I don't have space to freeze them. The kids seem very keen that we can have more ice cream when summer gets here.

I am also a stickler for fresh foods. I cook with fresh ingredients as much as possible so the super huge fridge is a real Godsend to us.

At present our old battered fridge freezer is in a cupboard beneath the stairs. Once that is gone, that will have shelving put in and will become a larder for all dry and tinned goods.

We've just had a call to say it will be delivered on Saturday. Woohoo. 

I see how Homer Simpson can be in love with a fridge!
New developments with the kids for the new year mostly focus on James! My little boy is getting big! Whilst Liam still remains true to the love of his life Fireman Sam, James has become obsessed with Toy Story 3. We watch it daily as the school holidays come to a close. The Gruffalos Child follows close behind!

James has also been wearing pants alot since Saturday and only has one accident. Tomorrow we are trying them out all day. This involves the school run for Matthews return to school. He's not been out properly in pants as yet. We've had a couple of long journeys in recent days so he's been in a nappy some of the time. Tomorrow is the big practice for going to school in pants on Thursday.

His little Fireman Sam rucksack is ready packed with a nappy, 2 spare pairs of pants and trousers. Just in case the prospect of going to Matthews school is just so good he can't drag himself off to the toilet in time.

I am so proud of my little Mister.

Poor Liam had a little mishap this morning. He fell off the sofa onto a toy. His cheek bruised immediately and felt like a bump. Kids get lumps easily when they fall at this age so I am not too worried. When he cried it was more of a panic and scared cry than one of pain and trailed off very quickly so I don't think he is too damaged. He's currently on a nap so I will have another look when he wakes up as I now wonder if the lump was part of my imaginiation and was actually his cheekbone I felt at the time. Being a mum sure does make  you an instant worrier.