Saturday, 31 December 2011
Friday, 16 December 2011
Dear Santa.....
It's kind of with a heavy heart that I post this picture of BB's first hand written Santa List.
We've been meaning to get round to doing it for a couple of weeks - all the groundwork had been done regarding thinking about what he would like Santa to bring with Daddy taking him for visits to the toy section in John Lewis. He spoke excitedly and animatedly about how he couldn't decide between the Lego Oil Tanker or the Police Rescue boat. Hard decision to make for a 5 year old! We were so pleased that we'd managed to avoid the console culture for another year. Or so we thought!
Big sis rather frustratingly has come for her last two visits proudly clutching her ds and it has been whipped out at every opportunity and gawped at by BB and LL. interactive play was replaced by one person sitting glued to the screen with an audience of two peeking over their shoulder. It didn't matter who was playing...the scenario remained the same - and it's for that single reason I didn't want BB to be too exposed to them. Why couldn't it have waited until after christmas?
Anyways BB came home from school today and announced that he had to write his Santa list. He was really excited about it and told me he wanted to whisper in my ear what he was going to ask for (which is what he does when he wants to tell you about something he really wants but is a bit shy about...) and my heart sank like a lead balloon when he excitedly whispered 'a DS!' it sank even more when I said to him I wasn't sure if Santa would be able to bring him that and his face fell. I told him it was quite a big thing to ask for- but that doesn't make sense to a five year old as he just explained that it was actually rather small! I told him he could put it on the list, but that he had to realise that we didn't always get all that we asked for. Why oh why didn't we do it as I said a couple of weeks ago? That way it would have been 'posted' and been unable to be altered.
He was so gracious about it though, and said that he understood that he might not get it, but could he put it on anyway? I helped him with the spelling of the words and he did all of the writing without a grumble. I did help with suggestions of what he might put on the list and we did manage to wait until number 5 before the question of the ds came up again.
With such a beautifully scribed letter and a lovely picture which he did whilst I wasn't looking, its the first time he's actually asked for something off of his own back.
How can Santa possibly shatter this little boys Christmas dreams?
Gutted, but let's see what christmas brings?
We've been meaning to get round to doing it for a couple of weeks - all the groundwork had been done regarding thinking about what he would like Santa to bring with Daddy taking him for visits to the toy section in John Lewis. He spoke excitedly and animatedly about how he couldn't decide between the Lego Oil Tanker or the Police Rescue boat. Hard decision to make for a 5 year old! We were so pleased that we'd managed to avoid the console culture for another year. Or so we thought!
Big sis rather frustratingly has come for her last two visits proudly clutching her ds and it has been whipped out at every opportunity and gawped at by BB and LL. interactive play was replaced by one person sitting glued to the screen with an audience of two peeking over their shoulder. It didn't matter who was playing...the scenario remained the same - and it's for that single reason I didn't want BB to be too exposed to them. Why couldn't it have waited until after christmas?
Anyways BB came home from school today and announced that he had to write his Santa list. He was really excited about it and told me he wanted to whisper in my ear what he was going to ask for (which is what he does when he wants to tell you about something he really wants but is a bit shy about...) and my heart sank like a lead balloon when he excitedly whispered 'a DS!' it sank even more when I said to him I wasn't sure if Santa would be able to bring him that and his face fell. I told him it was quite a big thing to ask for- but that doesn't make sense to a five year old as he just explained that it was actually rather small! I told him he could put it on the list, but that he had to realise that we didn't always get all that we asked for. Why oh why didn't we do it as I said a couple of weeks ago? That way it would have been 'posted' and been unable to be altered.
He was so gracious about it though, and said that he understood that he might not get it, but could he put it on anyway? I helped him with the spelling of the words and he did all of the writing without a grumble. I did help with suggestions of what he might put on the list and we did manage to wait until number 5 before the question of the ds came up again.
With such a beautifully scribed letter and a lovely picture which he did whilst I wasn't looking, its the first time he's actually asked for something off of his own back.
How can Santa possibly shatter this little boys Christmas dreams?
Gutted, but let's see what christmas brings?
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Welcome Eileen Lilly
The newest member of our family, another little cousin for the boys was born today at 3:18am, weighing in at a healthy 7lbs 5ozs. Congrats bruth and K. She's a gem.
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Our last night together?
Well today I built CC's cot in his own room. It's been a job needing done for a while but one thing or another has gotten in the way. He'll not beat his brothers record of slumbering in with Mum & Dad for 9 1/2 months now...
In fact the mental preparations have begun for my baby taking the next step into independence as I'm sure that when BFS returns tomorrow from his overnight stint for work he will take great joy in removing him to his own room! It will be with reluctance on my part....
I will put him down for his daytime naps in there tomorrow so it's not too strange come bedtime. I did sit him in his cot this afternoon whilst I put the finishing touches to the rest of his room and he was pretty relaxed.
In addition - tonight I will be giving him a formula bottle when he awakens in the early hours rather than nursing to wean him off of that feed from me...BFS, I'm sure will be pleased to know that he, can also take a turn at traipsing through in the cold to settle our disgruntled boy - that job need no longer be exclusively mine!
In fact the mental preparations have begun for my baby taking the next step into independence as I'm sure that when BFS returns tomorrow from his overnight stint for work he will take great joy in removing him to his own room! It will be with reluctance on my part....
I will put him down for his daytime naps in there tomorrow so it's not too strange come bedtime. I did sit him in his cot this afternoon whilst I put the finishing touches to the rest of his room and he was pretty relaxed.
In addition - tonight I will be giving him a formula bottle when he awakens in the early hours rather than nursing to wean him off of that feed from me...BFS, I'm sure will be pleased to know that he, can also take a turn at traipsing through in the cold to settle our disgruntled boy - that job need no longer be exclusively mine!
Mummy - come and see the colour of my poo dirt!...
BB shouted as he held out his piece of loo roll which had been freshly wiped up his bum! Admittedly it had a bit of blood on it which confuddled him a bit!
I had a gushy mum evening though as I watched my 'big boy' enthusiastically writing his own Christmas cards for the first time. He even refused my offer to write the recipients names inside the cards or on the envelopes. He even threw one from leftfield when he did his sums and informed me that 14 ( no. Of pupils in the school) + 6 (no. Of pupils in the nursery) = 20. Then asked what 20-2 equals. I told him the answer, then enquired 'why minus two?' to which he replied - well you don't write cards to yourself mummy! .....duh obviously! My boy thinks of everything - and forgets nothing as he reminded me today about CC's first birthday present which apparently I purchased in August and have put up into the attic. I can only confirm the latter part of the statement - but have no doubt as to the accuracy of him being correct about the purchase date!
I had a gushy mum evening though as I watched my 'big boy' enthusiastically writing his own Christmas cards for the first time. He even refused my offer to write the recipients names inside the cards or on the envelopes. He even threw one from leftfield when he did his sums and informed me that 14 ( no. Of pupils in the school) + 6 (no. Of pupils in the nursery) = 20. Then asked what 20-2 equals. I told him the answer, then enquired 'why minus two?' to which he replied - well you don't write cards to yourself mummy! .....duh obviously! My boy thinks of everything - and forgets nothing as he reminded me today about CC's first birthday present which apparently I purchased in August and have put up into the attic. I can only confirm the latter part of the statement - but have no doubt as to the accuracy of him being correct about the purchase date!
Monday, 5 December 2011
Coco the reluctant clown!
Poor LL, we've discovered, has spent the entire weekend traipsing around in a pair of shoes that wouldn't look out of place in a circus ring!
BFS and I have just had our first night/weekend away together in just over a year - the first since CC's birth. We had headed down to London Town with a group from BFS's work. The weekend was good, but the highlight for our boys was getting a weekend at Gran's with the usual spoiling that comes as standard. We left pretty soon after the school run on Friday and left Gran armed with a pile on instructions to tide her over for the weekend (safe in the knowledge that most would be wittingly or unwittingly ignored at some point!) the biggest blunder had to come when she went to collect LL from nursery. She wrapped him up and asked him for his shoes, to which he dutifully handed over a pair (which, to give him his dues, were the same style as his) 3 sizes bigger than his feet. In fact they were bigger than his big brothers shoes. You'd think gran might have noticed that he went to nursery donned in a pair of snow boots that morning! She put them on and LL informed her that they were too big... now this is an understatement - the shoes were hanging off of his feet! You'd think that you'd maybe look for another pair, or perhaps even ask his teacher if they were the right ones? But No! (and this is where I take offence) instead she presumed that BFS and I would send him off wearing ridiculous shoes that he can barely walk in - and then....to make matters worse doesn't then look for a different pair when they get back to the house for him to wear over the weekend.
Just to compound it, as a treat the boys were taken through to Edinburgh to visit the Winter Wonderland fair which I'm sure under normal circumstances would have been great fun, but poor LL would have had to do more than his fair share of walking in sub zero temperatures in shoes with the air circulation equivalent to a pair of flip flops with them flip flopping as he attempted to keep up with the grown ups!
She could have called....
Rant over!
well almost! A note has to be made of the poor boy from nursery who was left with a pair of shoes which were as much use to him as a chocolate teapot!
BFS and I have just had our first night/weekend away together in just over a year - the first since CC's birth. We had headed down to London Town with a group from BFS's work. The weekend was good, but the highlight for our boys was getting a weekend at Gran's with the usual spoiling that comes as standard. We left pretty soon after the school run on Friday and left Gran armed with a pile on instructions to tide her over for the weekend (safe in the knowledge that most would be wittingly or unwittingly ignored at some point!) the biggest blunder had to come when she went to collect LL from nursery. She wrapped him up and asked him for his shoes, to which he dutifully handed over a pair (which, to give him his dues, were the same style as his) 3 sizes bigger than his feet. In fact they were bigger than his big brothers shoes. You'd think gran might have noticed that he went to nursery donned in a pair of snow boots that morning! She put them on and LL informed her that they were too big... now this is an understatement - the shoes were hanging off of his feet! You'd think that you'd maybe look for another pair, or perhaps even ask his teacher if they were the right ones? But No! (and this is where I take offence) instead she presumed that BFS and I would send him off wearing ridiculous shoes that he can barely walk in - and then....to make matters worse doesn't then look for a different pair when they get back to the house for him to wear over the weekend.
Just to compound it, as a treat the boys were taken through to Edinburgh to visit the Winter Wonderland fair which I'm sure under normal circumstances would have been great fun, but poor LL would have had to do more than his fair share of walking in sub zero temperatures in shoes with the air circulation equivalent to a pair of flip flops with them flip flopping as he attempted to keep up with the grown ups!
She could have called....
Rant over!
well almost! A note has to be made of the poor boy from nursery who was left with a pair of shoes which were as much use to him as a chocolate teapot!
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Tooth No. 3
So when did tooth number two arrive I hear you ask? Well it pretty much came at the same time as CC's first tooth so it was overlooked from the diary aspect. This little slither of sharpness appeared a day after CC celebrated turning 8 months old. It's at the front on the top on his left. It would explain a rather tetchy night!
I hithered and dithered if it was teeth which were causing his unsettled manner, and considered getting a sachet of the powdered gold (Ashton & Parsons teething powders). The elusive powders are like hen's teeth to obtain - apparently because of the bureaucracy in Brussels regarding herbal remedies, the manufacturer instead of paying £100,000 for a licence to continue producing the powders has chosen to simply pull the product from production. I had only three sachets as a friend had managed to obtain a box from a back street pharmacy in Aberdeen and kindly gave me some. So they are not to be wasted!
A few evenings beforehand CC had been crying in the most heartbreaking manner for about 1 1/2 hours and no amount of cuddling or dentinox would settle him. I went and got one of the wraps of powder and poured it's contents into his agape wailing mouth and I kid you not 3 minutes later the tears had stopped and he then settled himself to sleep! Therefore I really don't want to waste the remaining sachets on a false alarm!
I have subsequently managed to purchase another box - so hopefully future teeth won't be so troublesome!
On another note the loveliest thing happened the other day when I walked into the bedroom whilst CC was having his afternoon nap. He actually started laughing out loud in his sleep. We will probably never know what babies dream about - but on this particular day there is no doubt that something in the land of dreams was causing great amusement to the sleeping soul. It was infectious and I left the room with a huge grin on my face.
Friday, 25 November 2011
Monday, 21 November 2011
Just a wee app trial!
Turns out blogger now has its own app which lets me upload pics too. Hopefully this won't prompt me to become too lazy regarding uploading proper edited pics from my camera! Technically it should mean that there's no excuse to not have any pics at all though - even if they're poorly edited phone ones....
Oh and you can save this one as you go - time to retract my previous blog!
Oh and you can save this one as you go - time to retract my previous blog!
It's so easy to start taking things for granted.
This is kind of an ironic post as I'm writing it because I lost a post I was in the middle of writing!
Everything is so fast paced now - technology has moved on in such a way that there's no patience left in this world. The development of the smart phone means that we no longer have to wait until one task is complete before we start another. For people like me this can be a good thing - I frequently flit between tasks in my day to day life (much to BFS's despair) feed a baby, paint a wall, bake some cakes, do some accounts etc. however when you use a device which allows you to do this 90% of the time you start to take it for granted that everything works this way. When you do actually undertake a task within the 10% parameter that doesn't allow multitasking (ie write a blog post on a phone app instead of the pc) it's pretty stupid to 'jump' to another application to respond to a message which has just popped onto your screen. The result is that you lose the thoughts which took a bit of effort to pen and you get so frustrated you can't be bothered trying to recreate the humorous approach you strived for in the first place!
Hence this post instead. Do you remember the days when you actually had to finish a text message and send it, and wait to make sure it had actually sent before you dared press any other button on your phone (and god forbid a call came in whilst you were waiting for this to happen!)
I almost can't....that's how quickly we take things for granted...and that is a scary thought.
Everything is so fast paced now - technology has moved on in such a way that there's no patience left in this world. The development of the smart phone means that we no longer have to wait until one task is complete before we start another. For people like me this can be a good thing - I frequently flit between tasks in my day to day life (much to BFS's despair) feed a baby, paint a wall, bake some cakes, do some accounts etc. however when you use a device which allows you to do this 90% of the time you start to take it for granted that everything works this way. When you do actually undertake a task within the 10% parameter that doesn't allow multitasking (ie write a blog post on a phone app instead of the pc) it's pretty stupid to 'jump' to another application to respond to a message which has just popped onto your screen. The result is that you lose the thoughts which took a bit of effort to pen and you get so frustrated you can't be bothered trying to recreate the humorous approach you strived for in the first place!
Hence this post instead. Do you remember the days when you actually had to finish a text message and send it, and wait to make sure it had actually sent before you dared press any other button on your phone (and god forbid a call came in whilst you were waiting for this to happen!)
I almost can't....that's how quickly we take things for granted...and that is a scary thought.
Turned the feeding corner.
It appears to have happened overnight, but Cc has turned from the weaning nightmare into the mouth agape, can't get it in fast enough feeding monster. It officially happened two evenings ago where I mentally noted that it had been the least stressful dinner feeding since CC had his first spoonful of solids. Every meal since has gone down a treat - and that's without the banana blackmail. In fact his banana intake is now limited to breakfast time (he's been a tad constipated so I'm trying to avoid anything binding!) in fact he actually scoffed his weetabix sans banana today as I had ran out!
I have to confess that every meal has been supplemented 50:50 with 'lovely lentils' but this can only be good right? He's now had beef, salmon, chicken and even liver no question. Long may it continue...
I have to confess that every meal has been supplemented 50:50 with 'lovely lentils' but this can only be good right? He's now had beef, salmon, chicken and even liver no question. Long may it continue...
Friday, 18 November 2011
It's common sense really!
It occurred to me today that CC was not likely to learn how to be mobile anytime soon unless I stopped plonking him on his butt every time I put him down! Because of his stature he's been pretty solid at sitting upright from a young age (starting at 20 weeks) and because of this I've always taken the easy option of placing him on his toosh when I need both hands for my chores! He can sit happily for an age as long as there is activity going on around him.
Although he has mastered sitting, he can't roll over (because he's never on his back outwith the confines of his restricting cot) and he has never been given much tummy time so has had no inkling to get mobile. I decided tonight to rectify this and placed him on his tummy instead. I was pretty amazed at how quickly he moved on from the skydiver position to actually getting his knees under himself in an attempt to shuffle himself forward to reach the items of interest I'd placed just out of reach in front of him. I have to continue with this and give him that important time to let him progress naturally.
I do wonder if he will be a crawler like BB or a commando boy like LL? Watch this space...
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Missions bottle & sleep through...
CC has done a remarkable job of mirroring his closest brothers sleeping habits at the same age. i.e. unlike his biggest brother he is still awaking at 7 1/2 months for a few wee feeds through the night. This doesn't bode well, along with the fact that he still hasn't fed from a bottle, for his pending visit to his Gran's for the weekend in 2 weeks time!
We decided to start a mission to get him fixed!
It started 5 nights ago when he had a grizzle at 10:30pm and both BFS and I were still fully awake and alert and downstairs watching the box. I quickly boiled the kettle and scrambled together a formula feed from the box which had been sitting unopened on the kitchen worktop for about 2 weeks in anticipation of this moment. It was definitely on the spur, and there was no time for any hesitation or mental preparation for this wee milestone. We saw an opportunity and grabbed it!
BFS marched upstairs with the bottle in hand and I sat on a step and listened to the tug of wills going on in the bedroom. Eventually he re-appeared brandishing the pretty much untouched bottle and informed me that CC just kept dosing off with it in his mouth. He then duly informed me that I was going to 'have to stop feeding him at this time'!!!! Yeah - I've only been trying to do that for the past three months! I'm not spending all this time with a small person power sucking at my boob through choice! I too would like for a bit of respite that is longer than three hours - it's only been 206 days (and nights) of enduring this so far....
Anyways on the back of this failed effort BFS decided to take the bull by the horns (2 days before returning to work and therefore leaving me with the brunt of the hard work) (did you nibble at that?) and do the 'night shift'. ie getting up to our crying loon and trying to settle him back to sleep without letting him feed. I fed him a last feed at 10:30pm and the plan was to not let him have any more milk until at least 5am. He did a triumphant job - albeit succumbing to the tiredness and eventually taking him into our bed for the last stretch. He did last until 5 for his feed though. BFS informed that on the second night CC did go back to sleep a bit more easily than he did on the first night, but I did awaken again to find them both snuggled up on the other side of the bed again!
The big test came the next night as BFS had returned to work and CC would smell the milk on me and be less likely to settle. He fed at 10:15pm and actually slept until 3am. When I picked him up he tried latching onto my neck, then he got my hair and started sucking on that, I lay him back down and gave him my fingers to play with and suck on, but my nails kept catching on the roof of his mouth (ouch) I found a dummy in a drawer and cleaned and tried that - all the while making loud shooshing noises. Eventually he flung himself on his side and started nuzzling into his pillow (his signal that he's going to attempt going to sleep) I continued shooshing and crawled back into bed. I then recorded myself shooshing for 5 mins for future use and dosed off. I think this took about 45 mins. He woke up again at 5 so I fed him and he then slept (in his own bed) until his usual 7 am rising time. Phew.
Last night came another breakthrough in that, because he hadn't stirred when I went up to bed, I made up a formula feed and went upstairs with the mission of lifting him from his bed and trying to 'dream feed' him the bottle. Well it worked! He took it all without any problem and I lay him back down feeling pretty chuffed with myself - thanking that (as many know-it-alls have advised) he would sleep longer having a formula feed in his tummy. Total bollox. He actually woke up 2 hours earlier than the previous night at 1am! Aaargh. It just shows there are no rule books for babies! He was pretty frantic, but settled surprisingly well with a chew on my fingers and playing my pre-recorded shooshing on repeat! He woke again at 3am, I didn't pick him up this time and just let him chew, then at 4:30am when he grumbled again I fed him as I was pretty engorged having missed the 10pm feed.
Slowly but surely we're getting there. Not sure whether to do the dream feed thing again tonight or not. I think it may have given him wind last night and that's why he woke early? Anyways really sore boobs for me today having dropped that feed, but I probably need to stick with it now if I'm going to start getting him weaned off...
Well, that didn't last long!
The usual distractions have gotten between me and the pc and the resolution to provide more pics hasn't fully been implemented! Some have been done so it'll just be a case of picking them off as and when.....
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
And so it starts....
I'm going to try and edit a pic a day and get my backlog sorted out, but firstly here's a pic just because.
It's not very often I'm caught on the other side of the camera - but BFS got me on the sly!
It's not very often I'm caught on the other side of the camera - but BFS got me on the sly!
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Photo's anyone?
Gosh BFS isn't wrong - I've just checked out my blog and there really is a famish by way of photo's...
I'm trying to work out when exactly I had the time to do all of the editing that I used to do as I really can't seem to find it anymore. Unless I completely ignore my whole family that is! Now with BB off to school all day, and LL in nursery for a couple of hours every morning I should have no excuse, but it appears that I have less and less time for what was my passion or more realistically my obsession. When BFS is at work I find I'm too tired in the evenings, and when he's home I would rather spend my time with him than at the pc in seperate rooms. I either need to move the pc or get the tv working in the playroom!
For the past two weeks I have an excuse - I busted a gut whilst BFS was away to decorate BB and CC's rooms in a hope to free up some quality time for when he was home. I lived and breathed painting and papering for 2 weeks solid (and I mean every waking hour that I wasn't feeding my boys or keeping them amused during their holidays. I even managed to make watching mummy paint whilst playing around her a novelty thing to do for stints!
The result - a shattered mum who probably isn't the best person to spen QT with anyway. Now there's an irony.....sorry BFS!
I'm trying to work out when exactly I had the time to do all of the editing that I used to do as I really can't seem to find it anymore. Unless I completely ignore my whole family that is! Now with BB off to school all day, and LL in nursery for a couple of hours every morning I should have no excuse, but it appears that I have less and less time for what was my passion or more realistically my obsession. When BFS is at work I find I'm too tired in the evenings, and when he's home I would rather spend my time with him than at the pc in seperate rooms. I either need to move the pc or get the tv working in the playroom!
For the past two weeks I have an excuse - I busted a gut whilst BFS was away to decorate BB and CC's rooms in a hope to free up some quality time for when he was home. I lived and breathed painting and papering for 2 weeks solid (and I mean every waking hour that I wasn't feeding my boys or keeping them amused during their holidays. I even managed to make watching mummy paint whilst playing around her a novelty thing to do for stints!
The result - a shattered mum who probably isn't the best person to spen QT with anyway. Now there's an irony.....sorry BFS!
Where's the 99's mummy?
On a sunny day in summer this may be a common question to hear your 5 year old ask....but hearing it whilst snuggled at bedtime reading his story kinda threw me! He was pointing at a closed bracket symbol in the book and asking if it was the 99! Huh? I explained about brackets and how the words in the middle tell you a little extra information about what you're reading about when he asked where the 99's were?
I was very confused.....then he offered a touch of clarification when first he pointed out a question mark and then to some double inverted comma's at the start of a phrase I was reading and informed me that 'there were the 66's'....just as it registered he also clocked the elusive 99's at the end of the phrase.....
It's amazing how the small mind works. They really do say it as they see it!
I was very confused.....then he offered a touch of clarification when first he pointed out a question mark and then to some double inverted comma's at the start of a phrase I was reading and informed me that 'there were the 66's'....just as it registered he also clocked the elusive 99's at the end of the phrase.....
It's amazing how the small mind works. They really do say it as they see it!
CC's first tooth...
He had a more restless night last night and a chomp on the finger in the morning soon threw up the explanation. CC has finally cut his first tooth. A sliver of white can only be seen upon very close inspection - but it's definitely there! This may trigger the countdown to weaning off of the boob...
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Splish Splash.....I was taking a bath!
BB decided tonight that he'd like a shower in 'Mummy's shower' so in his absence I decided to plonk CC in to the big bath with LL. Boy oh boy did he have fun.
It took me a good five minutes to determine if he was in fact okay as he just kept splashing the water with a spasmic rythmn with his arms. He had that gasping thing going on which babies can have when they are splashed a split second before they start to scream...but the scream never came! LL informed me that CC loved water being poured on his tummy so repeatedly scooped up the bath water in a cup and doused his little brother. I tried laying him down with only my hand under his head whilst I rinsed his hair and his legs took over the spasmic rythmn!
I got soaked, he got soaked, his brother got soaked and the floor got soaked - but who cared? Here was a little boy showing no fear of what must have been the equivalent of sitting under the niagara falls. Who could deny him of that?
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Happy hols!
It's the 'Tattie picking' holidays and BFS has skulked back to work to leave me on my own with all of the tribe full time all day every day (you catch my drift?).
It has, however, been okay!
BB was in the very bad books after starting school on the wrong foot. He has been throwing tantrums at the slightest thing and is really pushing the boundaries (or to be more precise - his luck) with regards to how much he can get away with. It really hasn't been fun to be the parent who is taken aside - daily- at the school gate to be informed about how your eldest has been causing a disruption once again! It climaxed when BFS was informed that he had thrown his latest hissy fit in front of the local Minister and was causing such a disruption that the Head Mistress came in to see what the ruckus was about, only to be faced with his wrath and we almost received a call from the school to come and collect the said screaming child!
Anyways - he lost pretty much all of his treats. TV, stories at bedtime, and the biggy being that he was supposed to be going to the local toy shop to spend a birthday voucher. He didn't get to!
Since then he's been almost angelic. Very responsive to instructions about being good, and only hinting at throwing a wobbly. There have been a couple, but swift reminders of potential story losses have been enough to sort him out. You can tell he's really trying, and cautiously asks every evening if he can have his TV or stories. He's been getting lots of praise re: his good behaviour and in return he's been very pleasant company.
Yesterday we had a swift trip to the shops and whilst in the toy section he spotted a cracking speed boat which he spent ages admiring. Although we bought a couple of toys for his cousins (early xmas shopping) and did ask if he could get it. He was very good when told no. I could see he was gutted! Probably more for my guilt than anything else I treated him to a cookie cutter in the shape of a space rocket. It made his day, and he pestered me all the way home about when we could make some rocket cookies.
Today was a rainy/windy day and the kind perfect for baking! We pulled out a recipe book and together LL, BB and I made cookies in every shape we had cutters in! trains, cars, hearts, dolphins, circles, flowers, upsy daisy, iggle piggle and of course rocket ships! Sugar free too - they were sweetened with banana and a dash of maple syrup! Don't think they'll last very long though.....
.....and he's off!
CC is on the move!!
Amazingly when we were at a visit to Grandma A's he bum shuffled his way across the width of the room, and upon being turned round made his way back! I've only placed him down on the shagpile before, and that - I suppose - would be pretty restrictive so far as motion would be concerned for small beings who wish to shuffle forward with a free and easy movement!
He had clocked the cars that his big brothers were playing with and obviously wanted in on the action! It was done by stealth, under the guise of gaily bobbing up and down as though dancing to a rhythm in his own head. There was very slight propulsion with the bounce which brought him steadily in a forward motion.
He did look very pleased with himself.
I, however, was left gawping in amazement!
Amazingly when we were at a visit to Grandma A's he bum shuffled his way across the width of the room, and upon being turned round made his way back! I've only placed him down on the shagpile before, and that - I suppose - would be pretty restrictive so far as motion would be concerned for small beings who wish to shuffle forward with a free and easy movement!
He had clocked the cars that his big brothers were playing with and obviously wanted in on the action! It was done by stealth, under the guise of gaily bobbing up and down as though dancing to a rhythm in his own head. There was very slight propulsion with the bounce which brought him steadily in a forward motion.
He did look very pleased with himself.
I, however, was left gawping in amazement!
When exactly did I become a clean freak?
I've made it successfully through two weanings without much scarring, however this time the initial stages have been giving me the heebies!
CC celebrated his half year birthday last Monday with a tablespoon of baby rice mixed with some of mummy's finest.
He was suitably impressed, but also suitablty curious about the utensil which was being waved around in a most tempting manner in front of his face. At every opportunity he tried to grab it and direct it towards his mouth (obviously not realising that was where it was headed anyway!) and with each grab came the squidge of grainy slop being squeezed through his fingers. This ends up all over his face and anything else he grabs before I can get in there with a cloth. I particularly don't like the feeling of this all over me!
Since then his menu has consisted of:
Tue - more baby rice & boobjuice
Wed - babyrice, boobjuice and pear
Thu - pear & apple
Fri - apple & purple carrot (looked like a massacre!)
Sat - Weetabix & cows milk (brekkie) apple & butternut squash (lunch)
Sun - same as sat!
He has his first banana on monday which went down a treat. I had to use some to convince him to eat his weetabix on tuesday (and today!) he has now had the magic combination of banana and avocado. Always a winner!
Admittedly he is now getting a bit better with the tongue motion although I am still having to restrain his arms whilst feeding. It has been duly noted that BFS cunningly shyed away from any feeding duties whilst home and has planned it, I'm sure, that by the time he's finished this stint at work CC will pretty much have sussed the whole thing and he'll pick up from there citing that he can't understand what all of the fuss was about......
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
It's Birthday Eve!
The balloons have been blown up, the gifts wrapped, and the cards written. All are laid out and waiting for the birthday boy to find in the morning....
BB is five tomorrow. LL was three a fortnight ago so it's birthday season here at Station House. The cake is yet to come as I've decided to keep it until the weekend rather than waste it on his school chums! There's been a bit of over compensation with a helium balloon and other numbered ones scattered around - ooh I've just remembered a birthday banner I have that I can pop up too - all due to the fact that he's getting no party (which he's been really good about). Instead I took all of the boys to the RAF Leuchars Air Show on Saturday. We went to look at jets and watch displays. Just what little boys love!
BB is getting a shiny new bike - he doesn't know yet. Just hope he likes it.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Photo mojo
It has been pointed out to me by my wonderful hubby that the blog is seriously lacking in photographic content (hopefully by the time this gets to print this will be rectified!)
I've lost a bit of my 'photo mojo' lately. I went through a dry spell regarding volume of pictures taken, and although once again I am picking up my camera, I've not been taking the time to sit and edit the pics. I'm reluctant to post any that I haven't taken the time to perfect and hence the complete absence of pictures to go with my posts.
I'm putting it down to tiredness, and really hope that once I am able to get more than 4 hours kip at a time (which is the most I've managed in the past six months - and that's on good nights!) I'll manage to deal with some of the backlog. Whereas I used to do some throughout the day, I'm now limited to evenings as the boys take up all of my time, and I don't want to sacrifice that time with them. I also want to make sure that this time I spend with them is recorded in such a fashion that our activities and memories are there for prosperity to look back on in years to come. A hard balance to come by. At least if I have the pictures there then at least I know I can go back to them at any time.
I just hope that I get that time - but at least if I don't I know that it's only because I've been spending the time with my boys instead!
I've lost a bit of my 'photo mojo' lately. I went through a dry spell regarding volume of pictures taken, and although once again I am picking up my camera, I've not been taking the time to sit and edit the pics. I'm reluctant to post any that I haven't taken the time to perfect and hence the complete absence of pictures to go with my posts.
I'm putting it down to tiredness, and really hope that once I am able to get more than 4 hours kip at a time (which is the most I've managed in the past six months - and that's on good nights!) I'll manage to deal with some of the backlog. Whereas I used to do some throughout the day, I'm now limited to evenings as the boys take up all of my time, and I don't want to sacrifice that time with them. I also want to make sure that this time I spend with them is recorded in such a fashion that our activities and memories are there for prosperity to look back on in years to come. A hard balance to come by. At least if I have the pictures there then at least I know I can go back to them at any time.
I just hope that I get that time - but at least if I don't I know that it's only because I've been spending the time with my boys instead!
Big boy nursery and big boy school.
It was a big day at Station House yesterday as both LL and BB upped their game regarding the education system. LL promoted to the school nursery from Playgroup and BB started his first 'full day' at school.
Both were delighted about their new status in the 'big boy' world and LL especially skipped in to the new class and literally didn't look back! When I went to collect him he was beaming and proudly grasping a lovely drawing which he'd penned at some point during the session. Gone was the apprehension that hung in the air on his first day at Playgroup - he was more than happy to display his ability to take this momentous step in his stride!
It must all be about familiarity as he hasn't adopted the same confidence at his new 'mini kickers' class. He has been into the nursery on several occasions on 'open mornings' etc and new the script. Actually that is a complete contradiction as he has also sat on the sidelines every week as his big brother participated in the 'mini kickers' class!!
Anyways he was so enthusiastic and willing to join in on his first day, that was until the coach spent some time explaining the first game (of which he obviously didn't understand a thing) then stood up to let them get started. He became suddenly overwhelmed and out of his depth and dealt with it the only way he knew how - he wailed! He just stood there rooted to the spot and cried his eyes out. It reminded me of an episode of The Simpsons where it showed the world through 'Santa's Little Helper's' eyes (their dog) where anything that was said to him just sounded like 'blah,blah,blah,blah,blahrdeeeblah....'and then stood there looking blank whilst Bart looked on expectantly awaiting him to fulfil the command he'd just given!
Poor thing.
His dad tried him again the following week and the result was much the same. Other circumstances have excused him from attending in the last couple of weeks, but we'll give it a go next Tuesday to see if he thinks that now he's at big boy nursery he's big enough to cope with the class. It's a pity too - as he would happily kick a ball around all day!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Potty update
I've just realised that I didn't update how we got on with LL's potty training.
Well - clever boy that he is embraced it to the full, and after only 3 days of whoopees (and me popping a chocolate button into his palm every time he wee'd in his potty) he went accident free. Since then there's only been a handful of occasions where he's not made it to the toilet, but even after a week we weren't having to prompt him and he just toddled off to the toilet on his own and would tell us after he'd been. What a difference waiting until they're ready makes!
Well - clever boy that he is embraced it to the full, and after only 3 days of whoopees (and me popping a chocolate button into his palm every time he wee'd in his potty) he went accident free. Since then there's only been a handful of occasions where he's not made it to the toilet, but even after a week we weren't having to prompt him and he just toddled off to the toilet on his own and would tell us after he'd been. What a difference waiting until they're ready makes!
The ball is rolling...
After taking away CC's carrycot yesterday, I've had a bit of a 'what the hell I may as well resign myself to the fact that he's not going to remain a newborn forever' revelation. Today it was the 'highchair'. We don't actually have a highchair, but instead we have Tripp Trapps - chairs that grow with the child and as such we made the decision this time not to purchase another, but instead to move BB into a 'big boy' seat and fit the baby pack back onto his chair.
BB was chuffed to bits about his promotion, and after a bit of reshuffling of the seating arrangement around the table (LL was moved to the 'big childrens' end) CC was pleased to bits with his new chair and happily claimed his new position at the head of the table.
It's the beginning of a new era at Station House. On Monday BB starts full days at school, and LL starts full time at the school nursery. The mornings will be short again (11:30 pick up for LL) but CC should get some QT with his parents without the interruption of his brothers demanding attention. That's the plan anyway - hopefully the housework and gardening don't get in the way!
BB was chuffed to bits about his promotion, and after a bit of reshuffling of the seating arrangement around the table (LL was moved to the 'big childrens' end) CC was pleased to bits with his new chair and happily claimed his new position at the head of the table.
It's the beginning of a new era at Station House. On Monday BB starts full days at school, and LL starts full time at the school nursery. The mornings will be short again (11:30 pick up for LL) but CC should get some QT with his parents without the interruption of his brothers demanding attention. That's the plan anyway - hopefully the housework and gardening don't get in the way!
When did it all stop?
I've just wolfed down a whole tub of Ben & Jerry's (albeit frozen yogurt) and I think it's because I've felt a little down today.
BFS left for work this morning. Without his constant presence I've had quite a bit of thinking time and as the day has worn on it's occurred to me that a teeny bit of rekindling of love is required at Station House.
I'm not sure when it happened but, sometime in the last couple of months, the small gestures and moments which bind a couple in a way that no one else is privy to have been slowly dissipating. The kiss before you say goodbye, or go to sleep, the hold of a hand, or the quick moment snatched at the bottom step before a small child comes hurtling around the corner. It's not that there's any less love - just a bit less effort I suppose. We've been so busy looking after the house, the garden, the children etc that we've forgotten to look after us.
BFS has been constantly reassuring a very 'I've had three children, and am feeling particularly self conscious' me, that he would jump my bones at the drop of a hat. I'm not quite there yet.
It's always been the small things that matter to me. A look or touch at the right moment can mean more than a thousand words, and I'm wondering if the fact that these are not present as frequently and without a second thought as they should be means that we need a little 'us' time?
It sounds nice, but at this point in time it's not something we're likely to get. CC is still 100% breastfed and will be for another 3 weeks. Even then although he'll be introduced to food, he'll still get his milk from me for a spell. Sleep in blocks longer than 3 hours would also be nice. Hopefully that will come with solid food. Babies do require a proper commitment, and for the next few weeks that's where my priorities lie, but once CC is settled into his feeding routine, and hopefully settled into his own room I need to address the commitment I made on 20th November 2005 and re-install the small things back into my relationship.
BFS left for work this morning. Without his constant presence I've had quite a bit of thinking time and as the day has worn on it's occurred to me that a teeny bit of rekindling of love is required at Station House.
I'm not sure when it happened but, sometime in the last couple of months, the small gestures and moments which bind a couple in a way that no one else is privy to have been slowly dissipating. The kiss before you say goodbye, or go to sleep, the hold of a hand, or the quick moment snatched at the bottom step before a small child comes hurtling around the corner. It's not that there's any less love - just a bit less effort I suppose. We've been so busy looking after the house, the garden, the children etc that we've forgotten to look after us.
BFS has been constantly reassuring a very 'I've had three children, and am feeling particularly self conscious' me, that he would jump my bones at the drop of a hat. I'm not quite there yet.
It's always been the small things that matter to me. A look or touch at the right moment can mean more than a thousand words, and I'm wondering if the fact that these are not present as frequently and without a second thought as they should be means that we need a little 'us' time?
It sounds nice, but at this point in time it's not something we're likely to get. CC is still 100% breastfed and will be for another 3 weeks. Even then although he'll be introduced to food, he'll still get his milk from me for a spell. Sleep in blocks longer than 3 hours would also be nice. Hopefully that will come with solid food. Babies do require a proper commitment, and for the next few weeks that's where my priorities lie, but once CC is settled into his feeding routine, and hopefully settled into his own room I need to address the commitment I made on 20th November 2005 and re-install the small things back into my relationship.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Moving too fast.
The growing out of teeny baby clothes is inevitable (especially when we had to discard all the newborn stuff by the time CC was a week old), however the transition through the sizes doesn't hurt too much as you can still hold onto your 'baby' by not dressing them inappropriately. It's not a true sign of your baby growing up.
As your little bundle learns to do new things, each tiny little hurdle overcome starts to amalgamate and snowball and before you know it your little dependee is maturing right in front of your eyes and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Even if you try!
You can't stop them gurgling and learning to make sounds, you can't stop them watching you as you walk around the room, learning to grasp things, giggling at things they find amusing, or learning to sit by themselves. Much as you want to hold onto your baby, sometimes you have to accept that you have to give in and give them that extra inch to embrace their independence. Today I did. It was a simple thing, and it came in the guise of packing away CC's carrycot and converting his pram to the sitting upright position. It doesn't seem like a big thing, but to me it's very significant. He is no longer lying flat - at his own request (he spent yesterday grumbling everytime I tried to lay him down to the point where I had to sit him up and rest him against the end of his carrycot - from where he beamed with sheer joy and pride!) even I can take the hint and have to accept that he is ready for the next stage in his little life.
I'm just not sure if I'm ready for it yet?
As your little bundle learns to do new things, each tiny little hurdle overcome starts to amalgamate and snowball and before you know it your little dependee is maturing right in front of your eyes and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Even if you try!
You can't stop them gurgling and learning to make sounds, you can't stop them watching you as you walk around the room, learning to grasp things, giggling at things they find amusing, or learning to sit by themselves. Much as you want to hold onto your baby, sometimes you have to accept that you have to give in and give them that extra inch to embrace their independence. Today I did. It was a simple thing, and it came in the guise of packing away CC's carrycot and converting his pram to the sitting upright position. It doesn't seem like a big thing, but to me it's very significant. He is no longer lying flat - at his own request (he spent yesterday grumbling everytime I tried to lay him down to the point where I had to sit him up and rest him against the end of his carrycot - from where he beamed with sheer joy and pride!) even I can take the hint and have to accept that he is ready for the next stage in his little life.
I'm just not sure if I'm ready for it yet?
Monday, 15 August 2011
Sleep tease....
I was going to blog last week and commendate CC on his new found ability to stretch out his feeds at night-time.
I had tried dream-feeding him at 10:30-11pm and thought this was helping as he was then sleeping until around 3am before needing to feed. I eventually got so shattered though that one evening I couldn't actually stay awake for the dream-feed and he woke me himself at 12:30. He fed and then slept until 4:30 am. I then reassessed as to what exactly I was achieving with the 'dream-feed'.....not much really so just let his natural clock decide when to feed once again.
This was a good choice as within a few nights he actually did a stretch from 8-2, then a 9-4 and then a whopping 8-6! woohoo. He was 19 weeks old, and I recalled that BB did this at 19 weeks and then never looked back.....could I actually believe he'd started sleeping through?
Ah - I was a bit premature with my hopes. Admittedly it was still pretty cushty for a few nights as he went back to waking once (normally between 2 and 4) Not to be sniffed at, however for the past three nights he has regressed back to twice nightly feeds - around 1am and 5am. I know that most people would start introducing solids to help with the sleep, but I believe a small amount of sleep deprivation for me is a small price to pay to ensure that my boy gets the best start he can, and if they say it's best to wait 6 months before introducing solids, then that's what I intend to do....sleep or no sleep!
I had tried dream-feeding him at 10:30-11pm and thought this was helping as he was then sleeping until around 3am before needing to feed. I eventually got so shattered though that one evening I couldn't actually stay awake for the dream-feed and he woke me himself at 12:30. He fed and then slept until 4:30 am. I then reassessed as to what exactly I was achieving with the 'dream-feed'.....not much really so just let his natural clock decide when to feed once again.
This was a good choice as within a few nights he actually did a stretch from 8-2, then a 9-4 and then a whopping 8-6! woohoo. He was 19 weeks old, and I recalled that BB did this at 19 weeks and then never looked back.....could I actually believe he'd started sleeping through?
Ah - I was a bit premature with my hopes. Admittedly it was still pretty cushty for a few nights as he went back to waking once (normally between 2 and 4) Not to be sniffed at, however for the past three nights he has regressed back to twice nightly feeds - around 1am and 5am. I know that most people would start introducing solids to help with the sleep, but I believe a small amount of sleep deprivation for me is a small price to pay to ensure that my boy gets the best start he can, and if they say it's best to wait 6 months before introducing solids, then that's what I intend to do....sleep or no sleep!
Big school and big boy pants
Well, here it is....
the eve of my eldests first day at school. He is bathed and clean with his uniform all labelled up and pressed ready for him to adorn tomorrow. His shiny new pencil case has pride of place in his nice new school bag and his shoes are pristine and scuff free.
I am already beginning to get emotional at the thought. I'm by no means apprehensive. I think this is due to the fact that he attends a very small rural school, and therefore for him it won't be such a huge culture shock as it might be for his friends up in the big smoke. I'm simply realising that my original baby is growing up faster than I'd like to acknowledge, and now even more so I'm willing his newest baby brother to not grow up at all! Although he's re-buffing this by now sitting on his own for short spells at a mere 20 weeks. (4 weeks ahead of his biggest brother) Simply not allowed! If I had my way I'd leave him lying on his back for the next few months, but he gets so frustrated that you simply have to sit him up or he wails his little heart out!
So back to BB. As I said - not apprehensive. He is more than ready for school. He has an avid interest in grammar and words and now he is extending his curiosity to simple mathematics. He can't wait to 'read his little brothers bedtime stories' although I think he may be disappointed once he finds out it will take more than a few days to be able to do this. I think he thinks that as soon as you start P1 you will wake up with the amazing ability to read.
I think that we may find doing homework a challenge at times, as he gets very frustrated when things don't 'click' and the I'm tired argument creeps in when he can't be bothered trying any more. I hope as a mother I can find the right tools to encourage him in the correct manner that leaves him eager for more rather than willing to give up. Personally I LOVED primary school, and just couldn't get enough to satiate my appetite for learning. I really hope he takes after his mum in this respect.
He is a different child to me though, in that I was very forthcoming. He lacks a bit of confidence in himself and can be somewhat shy at times. I hope he manages to retain his individuality though and not try too hard to conform to his peers.
We have decided to bite the bullet and potty train LL also (as though there isn't enough going on as there is!) Today was day one, and it didn't start too good, but there was a definite shift by the end of the day (once I actually removed the pants completely as he kept weeing through them just to get a nice new pair on!) He actually started going to his potty of his own accord, and there was even a triumphant wee on the loo before bath time.
One downside however is that I will have to stay at home with LL to keep a watchful eye over his potty visits whilst BB trots off to school with his Dad. In fact should the weather be agreeable they will in fact be riding off to school on their bikes. I think this was in fact a ploy by his dad so he didn't have to stand next to a blubbering mum at the school gate!
Kleenex at the ready.......
the eve of my eldests first day at school. He is bathed and clean with his uniform all labelled up and pressed ready for him to adorn tomorrow. His shiny new pencil case has pride of place in his nice new school bag and his shoes are pristine and scuff free.
I am already beginning to get emotional at the thought. I'm by no means apprehensive. I think this is due to the fact that he attends a very small rural school, and therefore for him it won't be such a huge culture shock as it might be for his friends up in the big smoke. I'm simply realising that my original baby is growing up faster than I'd like to acknowledge, and now even more so I'm willing his newest baby brother to not grow up at all! Although he's re-buffing this by now sitting on his own for short spells at a mere 20 weeks. (4 weeks ahead of his biggest brother) Simply not allowed! If I had my way I'd leave him lying on his back for the next few months, but he gets so frustrated that you simply have to sit him up or he wails his little heart out!
So back to BB. As I said - not apprehensive. He is more than ready for school. He has an avid interest in grammar and words and now he is extending his curiosity to simple mathematics. He can't wait to 'read his little brothers bedtime stories' although I think he may be disappointed once he finds out it will take more than a few days to be able to do this. I think he thinks that as soon as you start P1 you will wake up with the amazing ability to read.
I think that we may find doing homework a challenge at times, as he gets very frustrated when things don't 'click' and the I'm tired argument creeps in when he can't be bothered trying any more. I hope as a mother I can find the right tools to encourage him in the correct manner that leaves him eager for more rather than willing to give up. Personally I LOVED primary school, and just couldn't get enough to satiate my appetite for learning. I really hope he takes after his mum in this respect.
He is a different child to me though, in that I was very forthcoming. He lacks a bit of confidence in himself and can be somewhat shy at times. I hope he manages to retain his individuality though and not try too hard to conform to his peers.
We have decided to bite the bullet and potty train LL also (as though there isn't enough going on as there is!) Today was day one, and it didn't start too good, but there was a definite shift by the end of the day (once I actually removed the pants completely as he kept weeing through them just to get a nice new pair on!) He actually started going to his potty of his own accord, and there was even a triumphant wee on the loo before bath time.
One downside however is that I will have to stay at home with LL to keep a watchful eye over his potty visits whilst BB trots off to school with his Dad. In fact should the weather be agreeable they will in fact be riding off to school on their bikes. I think this was in fact a ploy by his dad so he didn't have to stand next to a blubbering mum at the school gate!
Kleenex at the ready.......
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Friday, 5 August 2011
Belly laughs
The most amazing thing happened today, just after the first signs of a giggle from CC! I was in a different room from LL and CC (who was standing in his activity centre) when I heard LL shouting that CC was laughing. I could hear what I thought was cries coming from the room so I dashed in to see the most beautiful sight... LL was whirling round and round with a colourful streamer on a stick in front of his baby brother - and said brother had way bypassed simple giggling to full on squeals of delight.
I didn't think either of them had it in them...
I didn't think either of them had it in them...
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
We had a moment....
This is a post just for me - so's I don't forget a rare special moment I had today with LL. My middle boy I fear may be somewhat neglected - not in a complete way, but in that due to natural circumstances his other brothers at separate times have requested my attention more. This has created a pretty laid back little boy (don't get me wrong he is as stubborn as an ox when he wants to be...) but whilst I had huge guilts prior to his birth about his brother losing his mummy, it turned out that his toddler brother didn't lose his mummy at all - in fact he probably demanded more of her attention than previously, and LL would just sit back and watch as his brother stropped away. Now that his younger brother has come along he is of an age whereby he dotes on his older sibling and follows him like a puppy and copies him like a parrot - hence my attention is now diverted towards his younger sibling!
Where this is leading to is that today we shared a moment. BB and CC were otherwise engaged (outdoors) and LL came in to seek me out. We then spent 5 mins nose to nose exchanging cuddles and numerous kisses (and the odd rub-a-noses). He spent the entire time with a cheeky glint in his eye and a grin from ear to ear and my heart doubled in size in that precious few minutes.
I think in that moment I truly learned what unconditional love is about.
Where this is leading to is that today we shared a moment. BB and CC were otherwise engaged (outdoors) and LL came in to seek me out. We then spent 5 mins nose to nose exchanging cuddles and numerous kisses (and the odd rub-a-noses). He spent the entire time with a cheeky glint in his eye and a grin from ear to ear and my heart doubled in size in that precious few minutes.
I think in that moment I truly learned what unconditional love is about.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Sleep baby sleep?
Well last night CC had the house to ourselves so I decided to try a bit of controlled crying to gauge if his night feeds are through hunger or habit.
He does feed when I pick him up when he grumbles, but I've been so conscious of not awakening the household that I've never actually given him the choice - if he's grumbled he's been whisked up and latched on before he knew what hit him! My uber tiredness has thrown a spanner into any kind of routine because I've been so out of it through the night that I have no clue when I've picked him up and how often and long he's fed for!
Soo, last night he was bedded about 8pm, and I fell asleep about 10:30. He grumbled at midnight, so I fed him. He then started crying at 3:45, but I let him cry for a bit as I drifted in and out of sleep. The guilts forced me to get up to him as I thought he must be frantic thinking he was alone, but patting him and speaking made no difference. I picked him up and that made him worse! I decided to put him back down. Then I remembered that we used to play the plunky lullaby on the baby monitor to soothe BB, so I turned it on - silence! Ooh, that helped. Once the initial surprise was over he began grumbling again, so I started singing along thinking if he heard my voice he'd realise he wasn't alone - and lo and behold it worked! Annoyingly the monitor cuts out after a few minutes and it's on the other side of the room so I had to stay up to keep pressing it - and I found myself running out of lyrics to sing so I ended up singing the alphabet and singing up to one hundred etc. CC was frantically sucking away on his fingers whilst all this was going on (he's never worn scratch mitts as he's never scratched his face, and has now found his left fingers). After about 15 mins I stopped singing but kept playing the lullaby. I did this for another 15 mins, then risked letting it stop. By now it was 4:30, and he got himself over to sleep :0) He'd only actually cried for about 10-15 mins at the start of all that, and then slept until 6:30 - Result!
I may have screwed things up, as when I did feed him then I fell asleep and woke at 8:30 with him still in my arms! Anywho's, I'm hoping from that, that it's been habit that's been waking him up as he obviously wasn't hungry, and that a couple of nights of the same (if I'm not too tired to follow through) may break the habit and that might mean when his brothers come home from their grans he might let me have a bit more rest at night so I have more energy through the day......(well until our camping trip when all of this work will probably be undone!)
I took it a step further tonight and gave him his bedtime feed in our room with the lights low and no tv on in the background (it's normally on) and I've dream fed him at midnight. Fingers crossed for what comes next....
He does feed when I pick him up when he grumbles, but I've been so conscious of not awakening the household that I've never actually given him the choice - if he's grumbled he's been whisked up and latched on before he knew what hit him! My uber tiredness has thrown a spanner into any kind of routine because I've been so out of it through the night that I have no clue when I've picked him up and how often and long he's fed for!
Soo, last night he was bedded about 8pm, and I fell asleep about 10:30. He grumbled at midnight, so I fed him. He then started crying at 3:45, but I let him cry for a bit as I drifted in and out of sleep. The guilts forced me to get up to him as I thought he must be frantic thinking he was alone, but patting him and speaking made no difference. I picked him up and that made him worse! I decided to put him back down. Then I remembered that we used to play the plunky lullaby on the baby monitor to soothe BB, so I turned it on - silence! Ooh, that helped. Once the initial surprise was over he began grumbling again, so I started singing along thinking if he heard my voice he'd realise he wasn't alone - and lo and behold it worked! Annoyingly the monitor cuts out after a few minutes and it's on the other side of the room so I had to stay up to keep pressing it - and I found myself running out of lyrics to sing so I ended up singing the alphabet and singing up to one hundred etc. CC was frantically sucking away on his fingers whilst all this was going on (he's never worn scratch mitts as he's never scratched his face, and has now found his left fingers). After about 15 mins I stopped singing but kept playing the lullaby. I did this for another 15 mins, then risked letting it stop. By now it was 4:30, and he got himself over to sleep :0) He'd only actually cried for about 10-15 mins at the start of all that, and then slept until 6:30 - Result!
I may have screwed things up, as when I did feed him then I fell asleep and woke at 8:30 with him still in my arms! Anywho's, I'm hoping from that, that it's been habit that's been waking him up as he obviously wasn't hungry, and that a couple of nights of the same (if I'm not too tired to follow through) may break the habit and that might mean when his brothers come home from their grans he might let me have a bit more rest at night so I have more energy through the day......(well until our camping trip when all of this work will probably be undone!)
I took it a step further tonight and gave him his bedtime feed in our room with the lights low and no tv on in the background (it's normally on) and I've dream fed him at midnight. Fingers crossed for what comes next....
Thursday, 30 June 2011
The guilts
Only minutes from posting about CC's haircut have I realised my mistake. As a comforter he'd taken to playing and pulling at his hair whilst falling asleep (strangely a habit that both of his brothers also had) and now I've gone and taken away his built in soothed. He's wriggling around grabbing at his head and I feel like the worst mum in the world right now. This is a fight that vanity should never have won!
First haircut
After the comment of 'ooh he looks like Hitler' from his kindly Aunt, I decided to bite the bullet and chop off CC's extra comb over sections at the back and sides which didn't perish during the natural moult which has gradually taken place since birth.
I'm already mourning his little black locks, however I'm sure that I'll realise it was the right decision in a couple of years time when we're looking back at his baby pics. Je still has his bald patch across the back of hid head, but now it blends up to his crown rather than looking like it had been attacked with a razor in a dodgy back alley barber shop!
I only think this, as with BB I never felt he looked anything but angelic as a bambino, however having pulled out his pics to compare him to CC as a baby I've realised that his growing out mop did look somewhat odd (like an undercut gone wrong!)
Maybe I should have just left him as nature intended so I could have had that true 'first curl' for the memory box, but I know that one person at least will be pleased.....isn't that right Granny Babs?
I'm already mourning his little black locks, however I'm sure that I'll realise it was the right decision in a couple of years time when we're looking back at his baby pics. Je still has his bald patch across the back of hid head, but now it blends up to his crown rather than looking like it had been attacked with a razor in a dodgy back alley barber shop!
I only think this, as with BB I never felt he looked anything but angelic as a bambino, however having pulled out his pics to compare him to CC as a baby I've realised that his growing out mop did look somewhat odd (like an undercut gone wrong!)
Maybe I should have just left him as nature intended so I could have had that true 'first curl' for the memory box, but I know that one person at least will be pleased.....isn't that right Granny Babs?
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Missed Opportunity?
Well what a palarva.
What is?
Trying to get CC to take milk from a bottle - that's what!
When he was 6 weeks old (see earlier post) I expressed off a smidgen of milk for BFS to feed him from a bottle. He suckled away no problem (although he didn't finish it - I think the bottle wasn't delivering fast enough) so it gave what now appears to be the false sense of security that he would be like BB and have no problem switching between the two.
Aha no! We didn't give him any more bottles until last week - and it appears that 11 weeks old was just too long to wait. I think there's a wee window of opportunity where you can get them used to the bottle (especially when they don't take a dummy) and if you miss it you make a rod for your own back!
I have an agenda for being so desperate for CC to take the bottle. In precisely 1 week I will be heading down to the lovely Hampden Stadium to see Take That and BFS will literally be left holding the bottle! I will try and leave the most minimal time that I'm away as I'm driving down and back on my own (although a coach ticket from Dundee did arrive with my ticket today - but that would mean leaving at 1pm and not arriving home until the early hours - way too long for a boy who may not feed in that time!). I can leave at teatime and hopefully be back just after midnight (if all goes to plan!) Even still, should CC not take a bottle I imagine I will return to a frustrated and not too happy BFS (broos on chin!)
Last weeks effort was the most atrocious disaster. He got himself so wound up that he subsequently wouldn't feed from me and then eventually screamed himself to sleep. Ever since he's had little episodes of screaming for no reason - as though he's re-living the moment or having panic attacks! I tried him again on monday with me feeding him. I had made the hole a bit too big on the teat and he gulped it down in one breath and almost drowned in boob juice! Never good! Fail.
Tonight I persevered with two different bottles with different teats for 1 1/2 hours - not giving him a feed from me at all. He just kept gagging on the teat and choking. Annoyingly with my stubborness to not give him formula until he's 6 months at least, all of this is wasting what precious little milk I'm able to express. (In fact I hope I manage to produce enough to leave BFS with when I go away!)
Anyways - I finally gave in and let him latch on. Then tried an experiment - with him in his sleepy state (from all of the effort of crying) I slipped out my nipple and slipped in the bottle (which only had about an ounce in it) and the little blighter guzzled it down without complaint! I swiftly replaced said empty bottle with the boob and he carried on oblivious!
Soooo - it's not that he doesn't have the tongue technique to drink from the bottle - he's just being a stubborn little sh1te! I think I may try again tomorrow, but will start with boob in mouth and then bottle and see if I can wean him onto it that way.......wish me luck!
What is?
Trying to get CC to take milk from a bottle - that's what!
When he was 6 weeks old (see earlier post) I expressed off a smidgen of milk for BFS to feed him from a bottle. He suckled away no problem (although he didn't finish it - I think the bottle wasn't delivering fast enough) so it gave what now appears to be the false sense of security that he would be like BB and have no problem switching between the two.
Aha no! We didn't give him any more bottles until last week - and it appears that 11 weeks old was just too long to wait. I think there's a wee window of opportunity where you can get them used to the bottle (especially when they don't take a dummy) and if you miss it you make a rod for your own back!
I have an agenda for being so desperate for CC to take the bottle. In precisely 1 week I will be heading down to the lovely Hampden Stadium to see Take That and BFS will literally be left holding the bottle! I will try and leave the most minimal time that I'm away as I'm driving down and back on my own (although a coach ticket from Dundee did arrive with my ticket today - but that would mean leaving at 1pm and not arriving home until the early hours - way too long for a boy who may not feed in that time!). I can leave at teatime and hopefully be back just after midnight (if all goes to plan!) Even still, should CC not take a bottle I imagine I will return to a frustrated and not too happy BFS (broos on chin!)
Last weeks effort was the most atrocious disaster. He got himself so wound up that he subsequently wouldn't feed from me and then eventually screamed himself to sleep. Ever since he's had little episodes of screaming for no reason - as though he's re-living the moment or having panic attacks! I tried him again on monday with me feeding him. I had made the hole a bit too big on the teat and he gulped it down in one breath and almost drowned in boob juice! Never good! Fail.
Tonight I persevered with two different bottles with different teats for 1 1/2 hours - not giving him a feed from me at all. He just kept gagging on the teat and choking. Annoyingly with my stubborness to not give him formula until he's 6 months at least, all of this is wasting what precious little milk I'm able to express. (In fact I hope I manage to produce enough to leave BFS with when I go away!)
Anyways - I finally gave in and let him latch on. Then tried an experiment - with him in his sleepy state (from all of the effort of crying) I slipped out my nipple and slipped in the bottle (which only had about an ounce in it) and the little blighter guzzled it down without complaint! I swiftly replaced said empty bottle with the boob and he carried on oblivious!
Soooo - it's not that he doesn't have the tongue technique to drink from the bottle - he's just being a stubborn little sh1te! I think I may try again tomorrow, but will start with boob in mouth and then bottle and see if I can wean him onto it that way.......wish me luck!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Water Baby
Well CC is now in double figures - he hit 10 weeks old on Saturday. Time is flying and I'm struggling to hold onto the newborn stage.
I 'dressed' him for the first time last Saturday at 9 weeks. Up until then it had been sleepsuits or stylish 'onesies' but I pulled out a pair of dungarees and started the transition from newborn into baby boy. He is growing at a rate and is now over a stone in weight.
He was even beginning to babble today and was able to hold himself up when I tried him in the bumbo. He's been trying to 'sit up' whilst he's been leaning on me - and today he had his first trip to the swimming pool.
He took it all in his stride and was exceptionally relaxed. The only complaints were when daddy's attention slipped and his face got dipped in the water.
His big brothers had a ball too. BB wore his 'waistie' for a spell and was jumping in from the side and LL was hilarious. He has much less fear than his big brother and frolicked more happily with BFS. I didn't join them in the pool on this occasion, I chose instead to sit back and record the moment and snap away to my hearts content.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Ouch!
I'm taking the opportunity to check in as I'm stuck in the bed with CC snoozing on my front face down on my boob! He has been pretty grizzly today so I'm letting him lie as an undisturbed sleep for him had been a rare thing of late. No sooner will he get settled when he gets scooped up and put in his car seat to kart his brothers around, or placed in his pram or vice versa!
Picking up on the title of the blog it has been a painful day for a couple of reasons. Firstly CC had his first jabs today (I can't believe that's 8 weeks passed already) he had a grumble, but bless him he settled pretty quickly and fell asleep (probably because he'd spent the whole morning awake and complaining!). He had only gained 2ozs though (compared to 14 the week prior) so I think I have to up my fluid intake. It would explain why he's been wanting to chomp every hour and a half - he's obviously trying to get my supply up!
The other victims of painful outcomes today have been objects surrounding Station House. We had severe gale force winds yesterday and BFS's Mini, a rather large beech tree, our shed contents and window, an outdoor container and teak patio set have all fallen foul. The mini had a large plastic play tower hurtled against it which left lovely divets, the tree has been uprooted (luckily it missed the house) and everything else was generally blown about and either battered or broken! I'm mostly gutted about the tree as it was the bonniest in the garden and it will take decades to establish another one to the same extent.
Picking up on the title of the blog it has been a painful day for a couple of reasons. Firstly CC had his first jabs today (I can't believe that's 8 weeks passed already) he had a grumble, but bless him he settled pretty quickly and fell asleep (probably because he'd spent the whole morning awake and complaining!). He had only gained 2ozs though (compared to 14 the week prior) so I think I have to up my fluid intake. It would explain why he's been wanting to chomp every hour and a half - he's obviously trying to get my supply up!
The other victims of painful outcomes today have been objects surrounding Station House. We had severe gale force winds yesterday and BFS's Mini, a rather large beech tree, our shed contents and window, an outdoor container and teak patio set have all fallen foul. The mini had a large plastic play tower hurtled against it which left lovely divets, the tree has been uprooted (luckily it missed the house) and everything else was generally blown about and either battered or broken! I'm mostly gutted about the tree as it was the bonniest in the garden and it will take decades to establish another one to the same extent.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Is this really it?
The other day bfs coaxed me into ss's room, pointed to a cherished bag in the corner and gently reminded me 'you know what this means don't you?'
What he was hinting at was the fact that the few items held back from ss's clothes collection from over the years which had escaped the 'hand me down' process 'just in case' another little girl graced our family would now have to be involved in the distribution process. Essentially banging the hypothetical nail into our child bearing coffin!
'I know this isn't easy ....but it has to be done' he said as he picked up the bag and took it through to our room for sorting.
A small gesture, but pretty symbolic for me. I was good though, I think I handled it well (no tears at least). In fact I'm not entirely sure it's truly sunk in and that's why I was okay with it. I'm not sure I'll be the same the day when we finally pack up our last cot and transfer our youngest into a 'proper bed'. The realisation may be here that CC will be our last baby, and, probably because of that, I intend cherishing every moment.
He most likely will be the last - and that's something which may just take a little longer to accept - for now I'm living for the present and not dwelling on the future .
What he was hinting at was the fact that the few items held back from ss's clothes collection from over the years which had escaped the 'hand me down' process 'just in case' another little girl graced our family would now have to be involved in the distribution process. Essentially banging the hypothetical nail into our child bearing coffin!
'I know this isn't easy ....but it has to be done' he said as he picked up the bag and took it through to our room for sorting.
A small gesture, but pretty symbolic for me. I was good though, I think I handled it well (no tears at least). In fact I'm not entirely sure it's truly sunk in and that's why I was okay with it. I'm not sure I'll be the same the day when we finally pack up our last cot and transfer our youngest into a 'proper bed'. The realisation may be here that CC will be our last baby, and, probably because of that, I intend cherishing every moment.
He most likely will be the last - and that's something which may just take a little longer to accept - for now I'm living for the present and not dwelling on the future .
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Woop Woop
Premature I know - but I really wanted to note No.3's first stretch of more than 3 hours between feeds through the night. TBH the norm is more like 1 1/2 - 2 hours between munch times, but last night he did a monster 5!
He was pretty settled after his 10pm feed so I put him down in his cot. I woke at 2:30am in a panic! He was still in the land of slumber so I went back to sleep. By 3:30am My right boob was going to explode, so when I heard him have half a grizzle I grabbed the opportunity to whip him out of bed and convinve him he needed to feed....
He went back down again until 7:15.
It's amazing how much brighter the day is when the sun shines and you've managed to get a nights sleep in more than 1 hour power nap batches.
He is doing really well, and although the nights are still a hit or a miss he is obviously feeding sufficiently as he is already over 11lb. Evenings are spent getting cuddles from myself or BFS as lying on hhis own doesn't appear to be an option - but because his days are surrendered to losing his parents to his brothers we don't mind.
In fact - it's my turn for a bozie so bye for now x
He was pretty settled after his 10pm feed so I put him down in his cot. I woke at 2:30am in a panic! He was still in the land of slumber so I went back to sleep. By 3:30am My right boob was going to explode, so when I heard him have half a grizzle I grabbed the opportunity to whip him out of bed and convinve him he needed to feed....
He went back down again until 7:15.
It's amazing how much brighter the day is when the sun shines and you've managed to get a nights sleep in more than 1 hour power nap batches.
He is doing really well, and although the nights are still a hit or a miss he is obviously feeding sufficiently as he is already over 11lb. Evenings are spent getting cuddles from myself or BFS as lying on hhis own doesn't appear to be an option - but because his days are surrendered to losing his parents to his brothers we don't mind.
In fact - it's my turn for a bozie so bye for now x
Friday, 1 April 2011
Welcome Little One
It's been almost a week, but finally here I am announcing to the world that our third boy has decided to join us here at Station House. BB and LL are chuffed to bits with their new little brother (I haven't decided how to refer to him yet).
He finally arrived 5 days late at 2:15am last saturday - 26th March. He is a big boy (10lbs 1/2oz) has a mop of black hair like BB did and is the double of his dad when he was a baby. I'm pleased to say he came out the traditional way with a little aid of gas & air.
BB is smitten. He thinks he's cool and constantly wants to shower affection his way. LL is a bit more apprehensive. I don;t think it helped that when he first met him LL had just woken up, tripped up outside the hospital and his new little brother was stuck to his mum's boob when he first clapped eyes on him. He is coming round though and like to stop and give him a kiss spontaneously which is the sweetest thing.
After a short overnight stint in the hospital to check his blood sugars (apparently he was 'unusually heavy' for his gestation)we were given the pass to come home.
This is new territory for us. With the other two I had stays of 5 days and 9 days in hospital which allowed a period of rest, a chance to get over the initial settling in period with the help of knowledgeable midwives on hand to reassure that you were doing things right. You'd think that by number three that you'd be an expert, but it's amazing how much you can't remember. The big one being - how do you teach them the difference between night and day?
No.3 has literally turned our world upside down. He feeds and rests peacefully throughout the day, but come nightime he just doesn't want to settle between feeds and is falling into a pattern of feeding between 1 and 3am (with a bum change in-between) and then being grizzly until about 5am when I finally give in and decide that he can possibly be hungry again. By this time I'm too shattered to sit up and feed so he snuggles in beside me, latches on and feeds himself a frenzy. I pass out - he drops off once done and when he grumbles again about 2 hours later for the other side I dutily shift my position to let him in. Problem is functioning on about 3-4 hours sleep a night is getting harder!
I can't remember this problem with LL, but for this spell I was still in hospital - so maybe it was the case? Then again maybe the term in his goldfish bowl conditioned him for coming home and he was just happier with his own company than No.3 is or maybe it was exactly the same and I just can't remember.
However I know it will get better and he's most definitely worth it. Welcome to our family little one.
He finally arrived 5 days late at 2:15am last saturday - 26th March. He is a big boy (10lbs 1/2oz) has a mop of black hair like BB did and is the double of his dad when he was a baby. I'm pleased to say he came out the traditional way with a little aid of gas & air.
BB is smitten. He thinks he's cool and constantly wants to shower affection his way. LL is a bit more apprehensive. I don;t think it helped that when he first met him LL had just woken up, tripped up outside the hospital and his new little brother was stuck to his mum's boob when he first clapped eyes on him. He is coming round though and like to stop and give him a kiss spontaneously which is the sweetest thing.
After a short overnight stint in the hospital to check his blood sugars (apparently he was 'unusually heavy' for his gestation)we were given the pass to come home.
This is new territory for us. With the other two I had stays of 5 days and 9 days in hospital which allowed a period of rest, a chance to get over the initial settling in period with the help of knowledgeable midwives on hand to reassure that you were doing things right. You'd think that by number three that you'd be an expert, but it's amazing how much you can't remember. The big one being - how do you teach them the difference between night and day?
No.3 has literally turned our world upside down. He feeds and rests peacefully throughout the day, but come nightime he just doesn't want to settle between feeds and is falling into a pattern of feeding between 1 and 3am (with a bum change in-between) and then being grizzly until about 5am when I finally give in and decide that he can possibly be hungry again. By this time I'm too shattered to sit up and feed so he snuggles in beside me, latches on and feeds himself a frenzy. I pass out - he drops off once done and when he grumbles again about 2 hours later for the other side I dutily shift my position to let him in. Problem is functioning on about 3-4 hours sleep a night is getting harder!
I can't remember this problem with LL, but for this spell I was still in hospital - so maybe it was the case? Then again maybe the term in his goldfish bowl conditioned him for coming home and he was just happier with his own company than No.3 is or maybe it was exactly the same and I just can't remember.
However I know it will get better and he's most definitely worth it. Welcome to our family little one.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Straight = Pretty
Only a week ago we received a letter from BB's nursery which came as a bit of a blow. His utterly lovely and well thought of teacher Claire was heading to pastures new.... In two weeks time!
Now there is no blame felt for her with this decision as she has been through a lot in the past year, and needs to make the move for her health - but personally I was pretty upset. It is because I feel so comfortable leaving our very impressionable eldest in her care that the nursery run has never been a cause for concern. I was also worried about how BB would take the news.....
......surprisingly well as it turned out! BFS sat him down and explained to him that Claire was moving to another nursery and that another lady would be his teacher after she left. His response? I like the other lady better anyway!!!
A week down the line, and only a few days before the departure of his current teacher he informed me that he was going to miss Claire a lot. I asked which he preferred, and he replied 'Claire - she's pretty!' I asked if she was as pretty as Izzy (his 'girlfriend') and he said she was a bit prettier than Iz (a compliment of the highest order). I then asked if he thought his new teacher was pretty too (she's about double Claire's age) and his reply?
No - she's got curly hair like LL!
I enquired if he thought I was pretty (since I have curly hair too) and was put in my place when told - 'only when your hair is straight mummy!'
Let's just hope the keratin treatment which, newly preened from the hairdresser, mummy is sporting holds out!
Now there is no blame felt for her with this decision as she has been through a lot in the past year, and needs to make the move for her health - but personally I was pretty upset. It is because I feel so comfortable leaving our very impressionable eldest in her care that the nursery run has never been a cause for concern. I was also worried about how BB would take the news.....
......surprisingly well as it turned out! BFS sat him down and explained to him that Claire was moving to another nursery and that another lady would be his teacher after she left. His response? I like the other lady better anyway!!!
A week down the line, and only a few days before the departure of his current teacher he informed me that he was going to miss Claire a lot. I asked which he preferred, and he replied 'Claire - she's pretty!' I asked if she was as pretty as Izzy (his 'girlfriend') and he said she was a bit prettier than Iz (a compliment of the highest order). I then asked if he thought his new teacher was pretty too (she's about double Claire's age) and his reply?
No - she's got curly hair like LL!
I enquired if he thought I was pretty (since I have curly hair too) and was put in my place when told - 'only when your hair is straight mummy!'
Let's just hope the keratin treatment which, newly preened from the hairdresser, mummy is sporting holds out!
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Saturday, 19 February 2011
34 weeks....
Please note, these are my edits on K's original pics, I haven't had her final versions yet (which are bound to be much more fabulous) I just couldn't wait to pop a couple up x
I know there's no bump in this one - but I just like it!!!
Friday, 18 February 2011
Like two ducks....
The last half hour of the evening besides BB, LL and myself had a pretty good day today. Despite the absolutely miserable weather....
BB is off nursery until Tuesday so on wednesday (past) I decided to be proactive regarding things to do, bit the bullet and joined the local 'country club' attached to the hotel in the next village. One sole incentive being the fairly small, fairly warm indoor pool which would allow me to take both boys along on my Jack Jones. (Public pools have a strict adult:child ratio policy). I doubt the gym will be a massive draw - It consists of two treadmills, a low rider bike and a normal one. Oh and a gym ball and aflat screen on the wall so high you'd actually get a creak in your neck if you were to watch it! It does have a sauna and a jacuzzi which may be enough for BFS....
Anywho's we spent the morning at toddlers, which was fairly event free, then after lunch and a bit of playing with BB's alphabet flash cards and LL's jigsaws I used the promise of a trip to the pool as blackmail for tidying up purposes. It worked a treat, and two excited boys helped mummy pack all the things we needed and we jumped in the carand made the two mile drive along to the pool.
The changing room was like a military operation, LL ready, BB ready, armbands on - check - just mummy to go. Oooh we could almost taste the chlorine when I pulled out my bikini from my bag only to discover that I'd actually packed my two sets of bottoms (one shorty and one tie side) instead of the shorts and the top!!! There was no way round it - we had to go home for me to get my top! It was p**sing down outside, but there was no way we weren't going in the pool now. Armbands were stripped off, wellies, coat and hats put on (I should have taken a picture on my phone as LL was only in his swim pants and BB in his trunks underneath - twas a pretty sight!) Our possesions were abandoned. I didn't even bother with my coat and they were taken back through the hotel, out the front and bundled into the car for the round trip back home! LL was devastated - he thought he wasn't getting in the pool, however a solemn promise from Mummy that we were coming back settled him soon enough!
Minor mishap aside we finally got into an empty pool and languished in the fact we had it to ourselves. LL was like a limpet at first. Not surprising considering his last pool experience was on holiday in October and even then it was so cold that he refused to get back in after the first day. I can't even remember how long it was prior to that since he'd been (tut tut). BB was also pretty apprehensive, but slowly both boys started to gain a bit of confidence and the vice grip on my arm lessened. LL spent a majority of the time experimenting with entering and leaving the pool via a set of steps, and mummy to catch, but I was more than happy to let him take it at his own pace. About an hour in a family with three kids came in to join us, and it seemed to bring BB out of his shell. Keen to be involved (and to show off slightly) he clung less to the side and 'swam' a bit more (with armbands still). By the time we finally came out LL's confidence had risen exponentially. He also 'swam' a full length without me so much as touching him - chanting 'I swim mummy, I swim' along the way.
One downside when we came out was that my bump felt like a leaded weight! Oh and I probably spent more time than I realised with my legs wider than they are supposed to be allowed, so I may suffer for that tonight, but all in all we left like shrivelled up prunes, but happy.
Could be the best few pounds I've spent in a while...
BB is off nursery until Tuesday so on wednesday (past) I decided to be proactive regarding things to do, bit the bullet and joined the local 'country club' attached to the hotel in the next village. One sole incentive being the fairly small, fairly warm indoor pool which would allow me to take both boys along on my Jack Jones. (Public pools have a strict adult:child ratio policy). I doubt the gym will be a massive draw - It consists of two treadmills, a low rider bike and a normal one. Oh and a gym ball and aflat screen on the wall so high you'd actually get a creak in your neck if you were to watch it! It does have a sauna and a jacuzzi which may be enough for BFS....
Anywho's we spent the morning at toddlers, which was fairly event free, then after lunch and a bit of playing with BB's alphabet flash cards and LL's jigsaws I used the promise of a trip to the pool as blackmail for tidying up purposes. It worked a treat, and two excited boys helped mummy pack all the things we needed and we jumped in the carand made the two mile drive along to the pool.
The changing room was like a military operation, LL ready, BB ready, armbands on - check - just mummy to go. Oooh we could almost taste the chlorine when I pulled out my bikini from my bag only to discover that I'd actually packed my two sets of bottoms (one shorty and one tie side) instead of the shorts and the top!!! There was no way round it - we had to go home for me to get my top! It was p**sing down outside, but there was no way we weren't going in the pool now. Armbands were stripped off, wellies, coat and hats put on (I should have taken a picture on my phone as LL was only in his swim pants and BB in his trunks underneath - twas a pretty sight!) Our possesions were abandoned. I didn't even bother with my coat and they were taken back through the hotel, out the front and bundled into the car for the round trip back home! LL was devastated - he thought he wasn't getting in the pool, however a solemn promise from Mummy that we were coming back settled him soon enough!
Minor mishap aside we finally got into an empty pool and languished in the fact we had it to ourselves. LL was like a limpet at first. Not surprising considering his last pool experience was on holiday in October and even then it was so cold that he refused to get back in after the first day. I can't even remember how long it was prior to that since he'd been (tut tut). BB was also pretty apprehensive, but slowly both boys started to gain a bit of confidence and the vice grip on my arm lessened. LL spent a majority of the time experimenting with entering and leaving the pool via a set of steps, and mummy to catch, but I was more than happy to let him take it at his own pace. About an hour in a family with three kids came in to join us, and it seemed to bring BB out of his shell. Keen to be involved (and to show off slightly) he clung less to the side and 'swam' a bit more (with armbands still). By the time we finally came out LL's confidence had risen exponentially. He also 'swam' a full length without me so much as touching him - chanting 'I swim mummy, I swim' along the way.
One downside when we came out was that my bump felt like a leaded weight! Oh and I probably spent more time than I realised with my legs wider than they are supposed to be allowed, so I may suffer for that tonight, but all in all we left like shrivelled up prunes, but happy.
Could be the best few pounds I've spent in a while...
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The guilts
Oh boy am I suffering strongly tonight. I am home in an empty house - the boys away to a 'sleepover' at their cousins to let me get some rest. Much needed rest, rest which hopefully will stop them getting the full wrath of disgruntled mummy again!
I really feel I overstepped the Mark with BB today. I recount stories told to me by my mum about occasions where she actually locked herself in the bathroom to vent out her anger rather than take it out on my brother. This is where I was today, but I didn't lock myself away. I really should have.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't hit BB, but I shouted as loudly as he screamed, which to a four year old would be scary enough I'm sure, but when he refused to go up to his room and sat stubbornly at the bottom of the stairs the scary big bellied mummy decided to remove him to his room herself. Being as heavily pregnant as I am, this consisted of me in front of him, hands under the armpits and heaving him up two steps at a time. All the while his rage (and most likely fear) escalating to the point where at the top he was just bundled past the stairgate, the gate was closed and he was left to make his own way to his room tantruming like a two year old.
I think the closing of the gate was my equivalent of the locking of the bathroom door. I took myself away from the situation downstairs, and had the distraction of a nappy change which forced a little extra calming down time. Luckily by the time I returned to his room BB had also calmed down, and was more than happy to listen to mummy explain why she'd been so angry and the reason for him being 'sent' to his room. He accepted he had been in the wrong, and after his apology received the biggest cuddle he'd probably had in a long time.
Subconsciously the cuddles have continued throughout the afternoon, and lots of re- assurances from mummy that she loves him very much. (personally I know that I actually required the reassurance that my son still loved his psychotic mum). Later on I apologised for shouting at him, and promised not to do it again as long as he wasn't naughty. His response?
'I promise not to be naughty again mummy'
Gosh I'm crying again just thinking about it - probably hormones, but by god this one was different, and I just can't shake the guilt.
I really feel I overstepped the Mark with BB today. I recount stories told to me by my mum about occasions where she actually locked herself in the bathroom to vent out her anger rather than take it out on my brother. This is where I was today, but I didn't lock myself away. I really should have.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't hit BB, but I shouted as loudly as he screamed, which to a four year old would be scary enough I'm sure, but when he refused to go up to his room and sat stubbornly at the bottom of the stairs the scary big bellied mummy decided to remove him to his room herself. Being as heavily pregnant as I am, this consisted of me in front of him, hands under the armpits and heaving him up two steps at a time. All the while his rage (and most likely fear) escalating to the point where at the top he was just bundled past the stairgate, the gate was closed and he was left to make his own way to his room tantruming like a two year old.
I think the closing of the gate was my equivalent of the locking of the bathroom door. I took myself away from the situation downstairs, and had the distraction of a nappy change which forced a little extra calming down time. Luckily by the time I returned to his room BB had also calmed down, and was more than happy to listen to mummy explain why she'd been so angry and the reason for him being 'sent' to his room. He accepted he had been in the wrong, and after his apology received the biggest cuddle he'd probably had in a long time.
Subconsciously the cuddles have continued throughout the afternoon, and lots of re- assurances from mummy that she loves him very much. (personally I know that I actually required the reassurance that my son still loved his psychotic mum). Later on I apologised for shouting at him, and promised not to do it again as long as he wasn't naughty. His response?
'I promise not to be naughty again mummy'
Gosh I'm crying again just thinking about it - probably hormones, but by god this one was different, and I just can't shake the guilt.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Can't wait...
I forgot to mention that I had a bump photo sesh with the amazing K the other morning. I can't wait to see the results. Hopefully I get to post something up soon....
Insomniac child for sale...
Any offer considered!
This is where I was heading with BB this morning after yet another disturbed night of sleep.
I thought I was coping quite well through the week, but the knock on effect of not getting a decent nights sleep for the 5 nights since BFS returned to work finally took their toll. I snapped at him at 3am, read him the riot act as to what I would do if he woke up mummy again and left a disgruntled child who had the bloody cheek to come back through at god only knows what time to inform me that he couldn't get his covers to stay on. Aaaaargh.
The grumps escalated as the morning dragged on, to the point where I finally just broke down in tears and even at that he had the audacity to ask me why I was crying as he informed me that 'I wasn't sad'. I told him I was tired because he had kept waking me up - to which he replied 'but I was only crying Mummy'.....as though this wasn't a big deal and that I should have just ignored him.....you can't win!
I banned them both from pulling out any more toys and once I'd finished the ironing I went upstairs to my room (before I throttled one of them) and told them not to even bother coming to get me until they'd tidied up all of their toys from both the livingroom and the playroom. LL came up 5 mins later, and once banished from my room again and told to go back and help his brother tidy up I heard him chanting as he bumped down the stairs 'I no tidy, I no tidy, I play, I play'
We ended up up converting my bedroom into a cinema after lunch and one wrecked mum, one shattered little boy and a square eyed big brother settled into mums bed for a touch of Pixar magic. The former two managed to catch some zeds which at least allowed a touch of calm to wash over Station House before bedtime. I even helped BB make his first valentines card (for his 'girlfriend' Izzy. Too cute when he's 4 and she's 3!)
The riot act was once again read along with the statutory kiss, cuddle and rub-a-noses. Lets just hope that spending a day with grumpy mum is enough for them to actually take it seriously this time.
On another note I have a physio appointment in the morning, so fingers crossed they can actually do something to help my SPD, PGD or whatever else you may want to call the condition which is causing the agonising pain which wakes me every time I move in my sleep.
This is where I was heading with BB this morning after yet another disturbed night of sleep.
I thought I was coping quite well through the week, but the knock on effect of not getting a decent nights sleep for the 5 nights since BFS returned to work finally took their toll. I snapped at him at 3am, read him the riot act as to what I would do if he woke up mummy again and left a disgruntled child who had the bloody cheek to come back through at god only knows what time to inform me that he couldn't get his covers to stay on. Aaaaargh.
The grumps escalated as the morning dragged on, to the point where I finally just broke down in tears and even at that he had the audacity to ask me why I was crying as he informed me that 'I wasn't sad'. I told him I was tired because he had kept waking me up - to which he replied 'but I was only crying Mummy'.....as though this wasn't a big deal and that I should have just ignored him.....you can't win!
I banned them both from pulling out any more toys and once I'd finished the ironing I went upstairs to my room (before I throttled one of them) and told them not to even bother coming to get me until they'd tidied up all of their toys from both the livingroom and the playroom. LL came up 5 mins later, and once banished from my room again and told to go back and help his brother tidy up I heard him chanting as he bumped down the stairs 'I no tidy, I no tidy, I play, I play'
We ended up up converting my bedroom into a cinema after lunch and one wrecked mum, one shattered little boy and a square eyed big brother settled into mums bed for a touch of Pixar magic. The former two managed to catch some zeds which at least allowed a touch of calm to wash over Station House before bedtime. I even helped BB make his first valentines card (for his 'girlfriend' Izzy. Too cute when he's 4 and she's 3!)
The riot act was once again read along with the statutory kiss, cuddle and rub-a-noses. Lets just hope that spending a day with grumpy mum is enough for them to actually take it seriously this time.
On another note I have a physio appointment in the morning, so fingers crossed they can actually do something to help my SPD, PGD or whatever else you may want to call the condition which is causing the agonising pain which wakes me every time I move in my sleep.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Playing a game?
I'm not sure if this is what BFS's ex is doing or not, but either way she is surely getting under his skin. We haven't had a visit for BFS's DD since before christmas. Now for a man who fought tooth and nail to gain regular access to his little girl this isn't the norm. She comes to stay normally 50% of the weekends that BFS is home from work. The fact that she stays in a different county and is 7 and therefore is in school full-time restricts her time with us to those weekends.
BB and LL absolutely adore her and follow her around like puppies vying for her attention. BB especially is constantly enquiring when she is next coming to stay.
However, as I said she hasn't been for a while. She was due to come 2 weeks ago, but we got a call on the thursday evening saying she was ill and that she would get an emergency appointment at the docs for her on the friday. A phone call on sunday with BFS revealed that 'Mummy was too busy to take her to the doctor' and that she'd actually gone to the cinema with her friend that weekend. Didn't sound too sick to us! BFS offered to have her the following weekend, but she had a 'cinema birthday party' that she really wanted to go to. Turns out this birthday party was on the sunday and so she could have actually stayed over as usual and gone home a bit early on the sunday to attend!
Now here we are two weeks down the line on a pre-arranged contact weekend, and BFS has made the hour or so journey all the way to hers only to receive a phone call (from DD - not even her mum)1/2 hour before pick-up time to be told that she has a 'bit of a fever' and so won't be coming this weekend again. (Strangely DD didn't seem to think she was coming this weekend during a midweek call with Daddy.....) By the time BFS returns from work it will be 2 months since he's managed to get QT with his girl.
Understandably BFS is pretty upset, and very angry. He has called to see if he can see her for a couple of hours since he's down there anyway - but the calls and messages are being ignored. I try not to get pulled into this, and give BFS his space when I can see that he is obviously processing things over and over in his head, but this time I can't help but feel involved as it's not just BFS she's playing games with - it's my boys too.
How do you explain emotional blackmail to a 4 year old? BB is absolutely distraught that he's (once again) not getting to see his sister this weekend. He's been talking about it all week, and to get within a hare's breath of seeing her and then be told it's not going to happen is heartbreaking. He simply cannot understand it.
I haven't seen him yet. I'm at home awaiting the arrival of my despondant boys after their fruitless 3 hour round trip, but I know already I'm going to struggle to not feel just a spurt of anger for the thoughtless b**ch who's caused my boys (all 3 of them) this pain!
BB and LL absolutely adore her and follow her around like puppies vying for her attention. BB especially is constantly enquiring when she is next coming to stay.
However, as I said she hasn't been for a while. She was due to come 2 weeks ago, but we got a call on the thursday evening saying she was ill and that she would get an emergency appointment at the docs for her on the friday. A phone call on sunday with BFS revealed that 'Mummy was too busy to take her to the doctor' and that she'd actually gone to the cinema with her friend that weekend. Didn't sound too sick to us! BFS offered to have her the following weekend, but she had a 'cinema birthday party' that she really wanted to go to. Turns out this birthday party was on the sunday and so she could have actually stayed over as usual and gone home a bit early on the sunday to attend!
Now here we are two weeks down the line on a pre-arranged contact weekend, and BFS has made the hour or so journey all the way to hers only to receive a phone call (from DD - not even her mum)1/2 hour before pick-up time to be told that she has a 'bit of a fever' and so won't be coming this weekend again. (Strangely DD didn't seem to think she was coming this weekend during a midweek call with Daddy.....) By the time BFS returns from work it will be 2 months since he's managed to get QT with his girl.
Understandably BFS is pretty upset, and very angry. He has called to see if he can see her for a couple of hours since he's down there anyway - but the calls and messages are being ignored. I try not to get pulled into this, and give BFS his space when I can see that he is obviously processing things over and over in his head, but this time I can't help but feel involved as it's not just BFS she's playing games with - it's my boys too.
How do you explain emotional blackmail to a 4 year old? BB is absolutely distraught that he's (once again) not getting to see his sister this weekend. He's been talking about it all week, and to get within a hare's breath of seeing her and then be told it's not going to happen is heartbreaking. He simply cannot understand it.
I haven't seen him yet. I'm at home awaiting the arrival of my despondant boys after their fruitless 3 hour round trip, but I know already I'm going to struggle to not feel just a spurt of anger for the thoughtless b**ch who's caused my boys (all 3 of them) this pain!
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Food comparisons
A quick update on operation P.T - after a valiant effort by BFS it was officially abandonded on wednesday. He gave 3 full and dedicated days to it but LL couldn't care two cahoots about big boy pants or weeing in the potty!
I've been holed up in the office again this week - even popped up to the official one in Ellon on thurs and fri to start my maternity handover (yaaaaaay!) so not much to report there....
I decided to make our boys a nice pudding for after dinner yesterday instead of their standard yogurt. BFS was going to make rice pudding, but had left it too late - so I grabbed a packet of semolina from the cupboard and decided to make some good old fashioned semolina and serve it with a dollop of jam (sure to be a winner). After bigging it up to the boys it was duly served looking a bit like dodgy pink gruel as daddy had mixed up the jam into it. Oooh - it's just like porridge mummy was BB's response, ....just......ike....orrid......mummy was LL's (he tends to copy everything his brother says verbatim at the moment). Both boys tucked in enthusiastically, but after polishing off the majority of it BB informed me that he didn't like it!
What don't you like about it? - Me
I don't like the taste - BB
Why, what does it taste like? - Me
Hmmmm, it tastes like (eyes wandering about the kitchen) ...... clocks!
No answer to that now is there?
Monday, 24 January 2011
Operation P.T.
Yesterday BB and myself were banished from the house. Late on saturday evening (after a lovely dinner at a friends house where our boys discovered chocolate fondue!) BFS made the firm decision to start potty training LL the next morning, and apparently to do this properly and the way he wanted neither BB nor myself were allowed to be present!
He suggested taking BB to the flicks, and since this is a treat that I don't normally get to do with my eldest I embraced the idea.
We were up sharp and had left the house by 9am (which on a sunday is quite an achievement!) We had a choice of Shrek 4 or a Tinkerbell movie, and since BB hasn't seen Shrek 1,2 or 3 we plumped for the what would probably be thought of as the 'girlie' option. Not surprisingly though BB didn't mind! (I think it helped that were were sat next to another little boy!) We donned ourselves with a big blue slush puppie to share and a choice selection of about 10 sweets to share from the pick & mix - which still cost about £2! I discovered very quickly that 'sharing' the blue drink consisted of me getting a taster at the start and then having to forfeit any other claim I had to the cup for the entirety of the film!
Film over we went to Fat Face for a gander and I treated him to a couple of tops, and myself a pair of summer pumps (mine in the sale!) then we had a stroll up to the other centre for lunch, but when we got there BB decided he wanted to eat at 'Unit Square' so we headed back down from whence we came. We stopped at M&S cafe to re-fuel and call BFS to see how things were getting on back at Station House. The reply was mixed. Very positive on the fact that LL was choosing to sit on the potty for stints and was proudly sporting his big boy pants and showing his dexterity at pulling them down and back up again, but less positive on the actual use of said potty as he was still choosing to wait until coming off to wee in his pants (hmmm, maybe he thinks they have the same function as a nappy and that's where you're supposed to wee?) Still positive about the whole thing though I said goodbye's and we headed up to see Great Grandma A. (via a stop at Halfords for an inner tube which I was unsuccessful in sourcing!)
G.G.A was in fine feckle. We had a chat, a cuppa and BB had a gingerbread man which was bought for him in M&S which kept him happy and after another check in at home we left the bright lights of the big smoke to head back home....
If you want to know about the P.T - you'll just have to log into BFS's blog to see how it went (once he decides to write about it!) but from a Mummy and BB point of view P.T led to a brilliant day with mum and son and can be repeated as often as daddy likes!
One top tip though....if you do take a little one to the flicks and they insist on blue juice then do try and constrain their portion size. Gross as this sounds it was a source of amusement to myself (and consequently BB after he asked what I was laughing at) when I discovered that almost unbelievably the colouring was so strong that it had managed to turn BB's poo a luminous shade of bluey green!!! I'm sure it would have glowed under ultra violet!
He suggested taking BB to the flicks, and since this is a treat that I don't normally get to do with my eldest I embraced the idea.
We were up sharp and had left the house by 9am (which on a sunday is quite an achievement!) We had a choice of Shrek 4 or a Tinkerbell movie, and since BB hasn't seen Shrek 1,2 or 3 we plumped for the what would probably be thought of as the 'girlie' option. Not surprisingly though BB didn't mind! (I think it helped that were were sat next to another little boy!) We donned ourselves with a big blue slush puppie to share and a choice selection of about 10 sweets to share from the pick & mix - which still cost about £2! I discovered very quickly that 'sharing' the blue drink consisted of me getting a taster at the start and then having to forfeit any other claim I had to the cup for the entirety of the film!
Film over we went to Fat Face for a gander and I treated him to a couple of tops, and myself a pair of summer pumps (mine in the sale!) then we had a stroll up to the other centre for lunch, but when we got there BB decided he wanted to eat at 'Unit Square' so we headed back down from whence we came. We stopped at M&S cafe to re-fuel and call BFS to see how things were getting on back at Station House. The reply was mixed. Very positive on the fact that LL was choosing to sit on the potty for stints and was proudly sporting his big boy pants and showing his dexterity at pulling them down and back up again, but less positive on the actual use of said potty as he was still choosing to wait until coming off to wee in his pants (hmmm, maybe he thinks they have the same function as a nappy and that's where you're supposed to wee?) Still positive about the whole thing though I said goodbye's and we headed up to see Great Grandma A. (via a stop at Halfords for an inner tube which I was unsuccessful in sourcing!)
G.G.A was in fine feckle. We had a chat, a cuppa and BB had a gingerbread man which was bought for him in M&S which kept him happy and after another check in at home we left the bright lights of the big smoke to head back home....
If you want to know about the P.T - you'll just have to log into BFS's blog to see how it went (once he decides to write about it!) but from a Mummy and BB point of view P.T led to a brilliant day with mum and son and can be repeated as often as daddy likes!
One top tip though....if you do take a little one to the flicks and they insist on blue juice then do try and constrain their portion size. Gross as this sounds it was a source of amusement to myself (and consequently BB after he asked what I was laughing at) when I discovered that almost unbelievably the colouring was so strong that it had managed to turn BB's poo a luminous shade of bluey green!!! I'm sure it would have glowed under ultra violet!
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
What to do?
I've been struggling to think about what to write about. I decided not to let this blog go by the wayside as it has been for the past few months, but to be honest, when BFS returns from work and I get holed up in the office day in and out, I kinda struggle for anything interesting to write about. Pictures of the boys sat around the kitchen table soon get repetative, but when that's about the only place I see them (at meal times) what else can I capture?
On the odd occasion, however, when I draw the bedroom curtains I get faced with a scene that asks for me to head downstairs, grab my camera and capture it for prosperity.
So until my life perks up with something noteworthy to write about pretty pictures it will be....
Oh and btw - that's the sun in the picture - not the moon! It was a very foggy morning.
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