Christmas Fun

Identify these familiar holiday songs:
Colorless Yuletide

Castaneous-Colored Seed Vesicated In Conflagration

Singular Yearning For The Twin Anterior Incisors

Righteous Darkness

Arrival Time: 2400 Hrs Weather Cloudless

Loyal Followers Advance

Far Off In A Feeder

Array The Corridors

Bantam Male Percussionist

Monarchical Triad

Nocturnal Noiselessness

Jehovah Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers

Red Man En Route To Borough

Frozen Precipitation Commence

Proceed And Enlighten On the Pinnacle

The Quadruped With The Vermilion Proboscis

Query Regarding Identity Of Descendent

Delight For The Planet

Give Attention To The Melodious Celestial Beings

The Dozen Festive 24 Hours Intervals

Answers in comments!!!!!!

Our Angel

Our Angel
Originally uploaded by kazza70uk.

Just heavenly.

What A Guy!!!

Julio Iglesias Sr. and his wife Ronna Kneit are expecting their second child together. That's Julio SENIOR- Julio Iglesias' father and Enrique Iglesias' grandfather! Abuelo Iglesias is 90 and Julio Jr. just turned 62.



source: hello!

I Want A Pay Rise

This Mummy lark is tough.

I have just had a VERY bad week.

The Princess has been very ill and it has in turns been exhausting, scary and plain messy.

I really didn't realise just how ill something simple like an ear infection can make some children.

Some kids sail through these illnesses with maybe a disturbed night and a minor temperature - they get a dose of calpol and continue causing chaos.

The Princess is not like that. When she is ill - SHE IS ILL!!! It's just they way some kids are.

I need to get used to it I suppose - we are going to have more weeks like this *buries head in hands and gently weeps*

I think we are on the road to recovery - although we are having a bit of a sleep issue now ie she won't go to sleep unless I am holding her hand. Oh well in the grand scheme of things it's just a minor problem and I am sure when she is back to fighting strength she will return to her normal ways (I hope!!!!!!!!!)

I Worry Too Much

I have spent the past couple of days reading up on 'toddlers and their feeding problems' as the Princess has been refusing pretty much all foods. I have been playing tough Mummy and not letting her snack between meals and only allowing unsweetened food (as I was worried a sweet tooth was developing) but last night we found out why she hadn't been eating.....

She has some kind of tummy bug and I spent most of last night cleaning up vomit. This morning the bottom end is going crazy and so hopefully whatever has been bothering her will soon pass.

I have learnt yet another lesson. Stop worrying about food issues. We have a little chick who loves veggies, adores fruit and always drinks her milk - so I need to chill out and realise that when she refuses food - it's for a blinking good reason!

Competitive Tiredness

I am sick (and tired) of everybody I meet telling me just how tired they are. It has become a modern day sport - I'm more tired than you - I have a much harder life than you.

BORING!!!!!

I have been guilty of having a moan but I chose this situation, I chose to have a baby and now tiredness is a fact of life. I have decided to shut up on the subject and I wish others would too.

RANT RANT RANT

No Surprises There!

You're a girl power mommy! You love to be girly,
but you're no pushover. Your kids are learning
that gender differences don't have to mean
gender inequality. You've taken back pink, and
you don't care who knows it!


What kind of a freaky mother are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Party On

Tomorrow I am going to a Christmas Party with all my Yummy Mummy pals.  There will be much wine, laughing, talking and dancing going on and I will be feeling very glam in a dress *YES -  A DRESS*.  I feel very strange as I am a trouser girl usually but this dress is so beautiful I had to have it!!  AND for once in my life I reckon I look a million times better in it than the model in this picture.

Not only am I wearing a dress but also jewellry (that's spelt wrong!) and sparkly shoes.  So there'll be no dancing on tables for me tomorrow - unless...........

Actually, it's been about 4 years since I danced on a table/podium or even a chair - it could be time!!!!!!

I Know That I am Never Going To Change The World

and my blogging reflects this.

I just want to make you smile.

Try this - I love it. Type in whatever you want to say and it will sing the words back at you.

Good Stuff

I could get down in the dumps with hubby working so much and the Princess being sick but I am very happy. Life is good. Christmas is coming and everything else in our lives is fab.

We had some great friends back in the pre-princess days whom we had a bit of a falling out with (long boring story). They were really close buddies and we shared some fab times (and drunken ones!). They now have two children and we are back in contact. Looks like time has healed the rift and we are hoping to get together in the new year to laugh at how our lives have changed. This couple were party animals and we four were always the last to leave any party. Our friendship will never be the same but I am so hoping that we can rekindle that bond that we had only this time maybe not quite much red wine, g strings (there is a story there)and dancing will be involved.

Today we put up a couple of Christmas lights and I feel so warm and cosy with my hubby and princess.

Also - who wants to be my partner? I so want to do latin dancing. Strictly Come Dancing has finally grabbed me and I feel the urge to dance with a slightly effeminate man wearing far too many sequins!!!!!!! I am off to a christmas party on Thursday - look out dance floor I'm about to hit ya!

Do You Know Soren Lorensen?

We do!

It's The Final Countdown

This time of year is so busy. There are presents to buy, meals to plan, parties, meals, trips to pubs. That's without Sinterklaas, writing cards, seeing friends, wrapping presents, dealing with sickness, coughs and colds,getting hair, nails and legs sorted out. There are vistors to plan for, packing to go away on a break with friends to sort out and the small matter of eating and drinking to fit in.

With all this it's great to take a moment each evening to light our Advent candle, to take time out to reflect and to think about the season and what it means to us other than all of the above. For those few minutes every day - I am thankful.

Wet and Wild Weekend

The Princess has a cold and is currently coughing gently in her sleep. I am so hoping she won't wake up tonight but by the coughs I can hear, that's pretty unlikely. Oh well, as I have said so many times before 'sleep is for the weak'.

Despite feeling a bit under the weather the Princess is coming on in leaps and bounds. Her language is developing daily and she is a real mimic now. She copies everything she hears and loves to sing along to songs.

She is so clever and is doing things that we didn't think would be possible until she was three or so.

She makes my heart swell.

She is also now awake and crying - it's 21.45 - it's going to be a long night!

My Blog Has Gone All Weird

It's all in the wrong place. It's too late for my brain to sort it out - tomorrow!

QUESTION

Is it right to feel excited by THIS?.

ANSWER: Probably not!

But my real thought is will Howard wear THOSE chaps again? I do hope so!

What Is Happening To Me??????

I'm becoming a sensible Mother and Housewife - NEVER *I hear you cry* but it's true.

I am finding myself making soup, planning meals and organising cupboards - and loving it!

I have a freezer inventory pinned up (why had I never thought of that before?) and am setting up so many routines that I scare myself.

Obviously, having the princess does mean that life is very ad-lib most of the time but these routines are helping me from drowning in a sea of chores (is that possible?)

The past couple of days our newspaper has been printing extracts from a, soon to be republished, 1949 housework book - I have found this disturbingly exciting and have even been looking at tips from the National Trust Manual of Housekeeping (at £49 a bit steep for use in our modern 3 bed house!!!)

Anyway, must dash off and prepare a cosy sitting room and delicious (and nutritious)meal for my hard working husband.

Stuff

2 Nicknames you go by...Mummy and Kazza

2 Parts of your heritage...Irish and Yorkshire (how exotic)

2 Things that scare you...Dogs and clowns

2 everyday essentials...kisses and coffee

2 Favorite bands or musical artist...Jack Johnson and Boy George

2 Favorite songs... I'll have to come back to this one

2 Things you want from a relationship...love and trust

2 Physical things that appeal to you in the opposite sex...nice eyes and soft hands

2 of your favorite hobbies...playing with my girl and listening to music

2 Things you want really badly...a holiday in the sun and a new kitchen

2 Places you want to go on vacation...Italy and America

2 things you want to do before you die...take tea at the Ritz and see my princess grow up to be a happy adult

2 Ways you are a stereotypical chick...love chick flicks and go soppy over babies

2 Things you are thinking up right now...what to do today and when to finish my Christmas shopping

2 Stores you shop at...Next and Gap

I Like

Take a look HERE.

Calendario Romano

This is Father October from the 2006 Calendario Romano. Looks like a good month!!!!!

Makes my new Miffy calender look a little dull!

You're All Dark Sided

This woman is Maragaret Perrin.  She recently appeared on the American TV version of Wife Swap. 

It appears that during the show she spent her time with a family who were not Christians, and judging by her reaction on arrival home, she wan't too happy about that!

If you want to see the woman that all America is talking about in action, follow this link.

WARNING: This link is to a site which may contain dubious material!!!

WARNING: This woman is frightening!!!

 

 

UPDATE: Ebay purchase here

Wow!!!

This morning the Princess told me that she needed a 'poo poo' so I whipped off her nappy sat her on the toilet and bingo - we had a splashdown!!!!

Now, this might not happen again for another 6 months but hey it happened. She was a bit confused by the whole situation and immediately afterwards said 'off' and 'no' so I'm sure it was not so great for her!

Amyway, this has made my mind up about Father Christmas bringing her a potty. I feel the time is getting closer!

Tricky Situation

I enjoy going out for coffee and in my life have passed many an hour sitting quietly reading the newspaper and sipping on a latte. Now that the Princess is here that has changed slightly. I still enjoy coffee and the atmosphere of 'coffee establishments' but the reading part has gone and I now spend most of the time trying to get the Princess to stay close to me rather than wandering around saying 'hi' to other customers.

I can't use her pushchair or a highchair to keep her close or this would result in screams, therefore the only solution is to allow her some freedom but to be prepared to be up and down every 30 seconds pulling her back to our table. She is very well behaved and doesn't scream or make noise but I am very conscious of how others may feel about her presence. When I was without a child I didn't particularly want them around me whilst I nursed a hangover and tried to catch up on current affairs so I am very very aware of this and try so hard not to infringe on others enjoyment.

I read an article from America with interest this week, where this issue is becoming a national talking point. It appears that many coffee shop owners are taking a stand against wild children who's parents basically let them do whatever they please. This has caused outrage amongst mothers and is now an issue that is being discussed in newspapers and on tv countrywide.

Here's one example
Moms out to lunch on "indoor voices" request
Chicago-based correspondent Jodi Wilgoren's story in yesterday's New York Times "At Center of a Clash, Rowdy Children in Coffee Shops," was all over TV last night and is irresistible fodder for commentary.

As the Tribune's Janet Franz reported on Sept. 15, the owner of an Andersonville cafe recently posted a sign on his front window, "Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices when coming to A Taste of Heaven."

From the Times:

But many neighborhood mothers took umbrage at the implied criticism of how they handle their children. Soon, whispers of a boycott passed among the playgroups in this North Side neighborhood, once an outpost of avant-garde artists and hip gay couples but now a hot real estate market for young professional families shunning the suburbs.....

(Elsewhere) in Chicago, parents have denounced Toast, a popular Lincoln Park breakfast spot, as unwelcoming since a note about using inside voices appeared on the menu six months ago. The owner of John's Place, which resembles a kindergarten class at recess in early evening, established a separate "family friendly" room a year ago, only to face parental threats of lawsuits.

Wilgoren quotes Laura Brauer, 40, an angry mother of two who now refuses to go to A Taste of Heaven with her two children:

"I think that the mothers who allow their kids to run around and scream, that's wrong, but kids scream and there is nothing you can do about it. What are we supposed to do, not enjoy ourselves at a cafe?"

My answer:

Yes, you are not supposed to enjoy yourself at a cafe, movie theater or any other public accommodation where your little curtain-climbers and crumb-snatchers are acting up.

You are supposed to place proper supervision above enjoyment when you take the toddlers out. Yeah, it's a pain and it's much more fun to relax and chat in jolly oblivion or "kids will be kids!" resignation as your little hooligans climb interior poles, lie on the floor blocking a line of customers or run "across the room to throw themselves against the display cases," three examples from the Times article.

You are supposed to be mortified when your best efforts at supervision fail, as they will at times.

You are supposed to translate this mortification to your children so that they learn and exhibit proper behavior in such settings.

You are supposed to pack up and leave immediately if your children don't obey such a simple, obvious, necessary demand as "use your inside voices."

I'm not a perfect parent nor are my children perfect children. But I've always considered it a high civic duty not to inflict our imperfections on others any more than is absolutely necessary.

So these Andersonville moms are taking umbrage at the implied criticism of their parenting skills? Maybe they should take a clue instead.

Where do I stand? On the side of the coffee shop owners and childless people but I do really truely appreciate just how difficult controlling a toddler AND having a normal life can be!!!!

WTH

I just found out that Jimmy Corkhill and Fred the Weatherman (from the old Richard and Judy days) are/were lovers.

I am in shock. Not sure why that shocks me but it has something to do with Fred's jumpers I think!

I Have A Genius Child

Ok so we already knew that, but this week she has proved it beyond all doubt.

She can count to ten (well she only did that once but she can definitely get to six everytime!), she can say ten thousand words (well maybe nearer 50), she talks to everyone she meets and actually has a conversation with them (only she can understand her half though) and her art work is amazing (or is that a Mother talking).

But what if she was a genius? How awful would that be? I would hate it - those kids are always weirdos, who go to Uni at age five and get their degree by age seven but can't hold a conversation with anyone or do anything remotely normal their entire lives.

Maybe, genius is going a bit far but she's darn clever my girl!

I AM TOO GRUMPY TO BLOG

.....but the Princess is ill again and although I know she will be bright as a button in a day or two I am very angry and disillusioned by our most recent visit to the GP.

I feel fobbed off and as though we are neurotic parents.

Will explain why when I am feeling calmer and the Princess is recovering.

Where Did That Extra Hour Go?

I remember a time when the clocks going back meant either an extra hour in bed or and extra hour drinking - both equally good!

Now that we have a small person in the house who really doesn't care about turning over and grabbing another lazy hour, all that this weekend meant was a start of the depression of short days and long nights - but at least we have the excitment and bling of Christmas to look forward to.

Don't get me wrong we had a great weekend. It was filled with toddlers in fancy dress, wine, pizza, sausage sandwiches and a whole lot of drawing, dancing and playing. We spent time with friends and laughed a lot so all that can't be bad.

I miss those long lazy mornings in bed, but when the Princess jumps on top of you and plants a big kiss on your mouth you do realise that there are better things in life than a duvet!

In other news: The Princess has graduated to a new class in her football lessons and I can tell you it was a shock to the system this morning - gone is the singing and gentle playing. We have moved on to a new longer session which is full on activity and ball skills - yes you heard that correctly - ball skills!!!! It is now officially proper football and it was exhausting - FOR ME. The Princess also came home and collapsed into a two and a half hour sleep so I think she felt it too. Look out Beckham there's a new girl in town.

Fun Fun Fun

Since last blogging we have been doing the following....

visiting Oma and Opa

picking up leaves

eating cakes

chilling out

'doing' Ikea

shopping

eating

drinking coffee

drinking wine

flying a kite

now you are up to date!

What The Heck....?

David Copperfield to 'magic' girl pregnant

David Copperfield says he plans to impregnate a girl on stage - without even touching her.

Speaking to German magazine Galore, the illusionist rejected the theory that there were only seven different kinds of magic tricks.

He said: "Bull s**t! There is a great deal of new territory to conquer. In my next show I'm going to make a girl pregnant on stage."

He added: "Naturally it will be without sex. Everyone will be happy about it, but I'm not telling you any more."

The magician is currently on tour in Germany with his show, An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion.

Busy Kicking Leaves

Sorry about lack of recent posts. I have not been in the blogzone mentally, so to speak. For one, the weather is lu-ver-ly, beautiful golden autumn days and not a cloud in the big, blue sky. Brown, crunchy leaves to kick or pick up - perfect weather for hanging out at the park.

So I haven't really wanted to stare at a computer screen much. Plus, me and my blog -we needed some space. I was sensing some negative co-dependency developing.

Sometimes I blog just to give myself the time to think about something and end up sounding like I am moaning or depressed, so the new bloggage from me will be less grumpy from now on - life is good!!!

I Hope It's All A Big Mistake

13 bags of coke!!!!  I so hope this is some awful mistake and that George can move on from this.

Blogs Are Evil

In our house we watch CBeebies and only Cbeebies. The programmes are quality, have an educational angle to them and more to the point - there are NO commercials!!!!

Some of the blogs that I read have recently been mentioning The Wiggles. As they appear on Nick Jr - I had never seen (or heard them). Curiousity got the better of me and I decided to check out their website. Don't do it!!! They are a strange bunch of Australian men who sing and dance wearing primary colours and are as camp as anything can be.

BUT, I am intrigued as to how this bunch of misfits can be rated so highly by people who, although I don't know personally, have come to think of as funky like minded folk. So, tomorrow at midday I might be found watching The Wiggles to get a grasp on this strange other world. I will report back.

UPDATE: The wiggles are awful and creepy - What's the pirate all about????

Look Out There's A Toddler About

The Princess has entered a new level of toddlerdom. Her language is developing at an incredible rate and new words are added to her vocabulary on a daily basis. Her favourite word is "no" and is her answer to most questions - even if she really means yes. She is so overwhelmed at being able to make decisions but is not yet mature enough to link decisions to desires. The result is tantrums and meltdowns. It's like living with someone experiencing a nervous breakdown.

Now that she has discovered the joy of walking she really really really doesn't fancy been strapped into a pushchair, thank you very much, and so that at the moment is our biggest 'flash point'.

Its not all misery. She is also relishing being alive. She loves exploring the world from her new grown up perspective, and Daddy and I are both loving being her parents. Seeing the world through her eyes is such a gift. Leaves, ducks, sticks and cats all take on a new significance in our lives and seeing what she sees is such fun.

She is also so loving and caring. She now gives spontaneous kisses and asks to hold our hands whilst walking. She says hello and goodbye to everyone we meet on our travels. She is so kind. She will share her toys and food with anyone and everyone and gets so upset if she sees another child crying.

She takes my breath away.

She is the coolest.

I love her.

Worry Worry Worry

I worry. It's what I do.

My latest concern is Bird Flu. I don't understnad why more people aren't getting hysterical about it. I am already making contingency plans for locking the Princess away for 12 weeks when the pandemic hits and am considering buying stocks of tinned food, so that we don't have to leave the house.

I have researched where to buy Tamiflu online and am stocking up on antibac soap!!!!!

I recently came across this blog and love the t shirts that they have for sale here.

This is not my only worry.

I also worry about...

The Princess' nutrition

Pesticides in food

How to teach children manners

The children in the NSPCC adverts

The Indian earthquake

Being here to see the Princess grow old

Our water supply and it's purity (local issue)

My inability to be everywhere and doing everything at once

Christmas plans

New Year plans

My husband working too hard

and several thousand other things.

BUT, believe it or not I am so overwhelmingly happy right now and life has never been better - go figure!!!!!

Relight My Fire

Just seen this.....

The former members of Take That will reunite for a Christmas television special charting their careers, almost 10 years after the group split.

Take That, who devastated fans when they split in February 1996 after selling nine million albums, have agreed to a one-off show which will chronicle their rise and fall.

Robbie Williams is the only former band member to have sustained a successful solo career since leaving the group.

Songwriter Gary Barlow has written numerous hits for other artists, while Mark Owen fleetingly regained fame after winning hit UK reality show Celebrity Big Brother in 2002.

Jason Orange transferred his aspirations to acting and Howard Donald launched a DJ career.

Got a bit excited but then realised it doesn't actually say that they will performing, very disappointing.

Vile Vile Vile

I am so glad that the Princess is too young to ask for anything like this for Christmas.

It is My Bling Bling Barbie and has obviously been brought out to compete with those other disgusting dolls - Bratz.

I mean - yuk.  I am all for young girls enjoying fashion and of course young girls always aspire to look like 'big girls' but sluts now thats a different matter.

Clifford

If you haven't already met, this....

is Clifford the big red dog.

There is a Clifford ride at a local shopping centre that the Princess just LOVES.  She has seen the actual cartonn maybe twice in her life and isn't really interested in going on the ride.  She just wants to touch him, kiss him and look lovingly at him.

It's the cutest thing to see.  I'm not sure what it is about Clifford but the Bob The Builder ride across the square from him just gets a glance and if she gets too close she says 'NO' and runs away. Maybe it's his big eyes, maybe it's his redness, maybe it's his big black nose - whatever it is - it's love!

In other news, the Princess no longer crawls at all.  She wants to walk everywhere and explore at her pace.  This is a fantastic development for her, as the world has suddenly become a much more interesting place. 

I've said it before, but where did my baby go?

 

 

The Cream Cakes Are On Me

Last night I achieved my target weight at Weightwatchers and am now an official Gold Member!!!!!

I actually still want to lose a bit more but I now fit in my old pre-pregnancy jeans and that makes me smile!!!!!

Ten Things I Like About Autumn

1 The trees look pretty
2 New clothes
3 Soup tastes good again
4 Pubs light their open fires
5 Dark mornings and evenings mean the Princess knows its nighttime
6 I can nosey into peoples houses when they have lights on and curtains open
7 Candles everywhere
8 I make the move back to red wine after the summer of chilled pinot grigio
9 The princess has funky new boots
10 It's nearly Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Normal Service Is Resumed

I think we are all recovered after a terrible three weeks of bugs, infections and colds. It has hit us all really hard and today, finally, we all seem to be ok.

It really makes you realise how dependant on me the Princess is. I have felt worse in the past two weeks than I have felt in years and it has been so difficult to even lift my head off the pillow some days let alone trying to look after a sick baby (and husband). Anyway, that is in the past and I am ready to get going and try to get some cleaning done in the house. I have had zero energy for the past few weeks and so have hardly touched the thick layer of dust that covers every surface and the fluff balls lurking under the sofas.

So I have signed back up with the Flylady and am going to get myself back into some kind of rountine - wish me luck!!!!!!

Funny

Excellent Viral Marketing thingy. Click HERE to see these Reebok ads.

Bleurgghhhh

Last night the Princess threw up in spectacular style. She did it just as we had taken her out of the bath and it was the hugest amount I have EVER seen. There seems to be a bug going around our group of toddlers and as usual we have to be in the thick of the action. I too am suffering and feel more ill than I have in a long long time, I even had to come home early from a night out last night and drank approximately three sips of wine - see I am really really ill.

Princess L seems slightly better today and has celebrated by walking everywhere at a new confident pace. I on the other hand am slow slow slow and feel like sleeping for a week.

Luckily my Mum has come to the rescue and is staying over tonight to let me get some rest tomorrow - what a star!!!

We Are Still Here!

Things have been slightly hectic round these parts recently.

Things all went a bit 'Holby' two weeks ago when the Princess had yet another Febrile Convulsion and had a little stay at the local hospital. I must admit that although I coped with the actually convulsion really well this time, I really went to pieces in the aftermath. It was particularly worrying that her temperature just wouldn't come down all day even with the full does of paracetamol etc onboard.

It is just so terrifying to see our little whirlwind of fun so pale, still and poorly.

Anyway, we are over that now and have since had a little break away in Corwall, we did lots of grooving with this dude...



Normal service will be resumed shortly!

Take A Minute To Watch This Video

Powerful stuff!!!

Clicky Here

White Trash - Not Me!!!!

Even though my Dad keeps refering to our forthcoming holiday accommodation as a Trailer Park, I have proof that I am NOT White Trash!!!!

I am 15% White Trash.

I, my friend, have class. I am so not white trash. . I am more than likely Democrat, and my place is neat, and there is a good chance I may never drink wine from a box.

Take the
White Trash Test
@ FualiDotCom

By the way - we are staying in GOLD CLASS ACCOMMODATION!!!!

Good Day Bad Day

Today was lovely - scorching hot and sunny.

We spent the morning at the beach followed by a pub lunch. The Princess and I know how to live!!!!!

The afternoon was spent playing with water in the garden and dressing and undressing her doll 'baby'.

The bad news today is that the actor who played Mr Bronson in Grange Hill has passed away.

Sad Sad Sad

Just saw this on Yahoo news...what kind of world is this?


Photo appeal for baby-punching yob


Detectives have released an e-fit impression of the drunken teenager who punched a 10-month-old baby girl as she was pushed in her pram.

Cleveland Police said they are now following up a number of leads.

Sarah Ali was attacked by the youth, who police believe was either drunk or high on drugs, as her mother pushed her along a street near their home.

The child, who was with her mother, Yasmin, 28, was just 20 yards from her home in Somerset Street in Middlesbrough when the attacker struck.

They had been visiting Mrs Ali's mother-in-law in the same street when the incident happened round 9pm on Wednesday night.

Mrs Ali, a mother of two, tried to wheel her daughter out of the way when the teenager came staggering down the street towards her.

But he lurched at the pushchair, grabbing Sarah and trying to drag her free of the buckled straps holding her in place before hitting her twice in the face.

After Mrs Ali raised the alarm, Sarah was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where her injuries were treated.

She was initially in a state of shock but is now back home and playing normally, apparently none the worse for her ordeal.

Police launched an urgent hunt for the scruffy-looking attacker, aged between 14 and 16, who was wearing a grey tracksuit with three white stripes down the sleeves and dirty training shoes.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said today: "We are following up a number of calls and one witness has now come forward.

"Luckily the baby only had slight injuries and appears to be OK.

"However, the consequences of this attack could have been much more serious."

Making Cash The SAHM Way

Autumn is fast approaching and I have started to gather beautiful items of clothing for the Princess to wear for the coming season. The trouble is that everything I love is sooooo expensive.

I need to make money but I have these restraints

a) I have to stay home
b) It has to be earnt whilst the Princess is sleeping
c) I don't want to work hard

Not so easy eh?!

So far I am making a few pennies by

a) Selling our old rubbish on Ebay
b) Doing Market Research on the internet (for which I get paid approx £1 for 15 mins - not great)

I need to think of other things to do. I have considered doing Avon or something similar but there it seems that you have to spend a lot of time chasing people for catalogues etc, so that would get on my nerves.

We have a webcam so maybe I could earn money using that, if you know what I mean!!!! (Note to family - I am only joking)

Or horror of horrors I could resist all the gorgeous clothes out there in the shops. I think we all know that that is never going to happen but I will try to resist anything that isn't absolutely necessary. I have already bought a pink tutu which is covered with sequins - vital for the girl about town!!!! Oh dear!!!

There Must Be Another Way

I have been thinking about food quite a lot recently, what with the Jamie Oliver series on TV highlighting the rubbish fed to our children most of time and the recent documentaries about what the supermarkets are up to with our food.

It got me to thinking about how I want to shape how the Princess thinks and feels about the food she puts into her body. I want food to be a joy to her and for her to understand what real honest food tastes like without all the additives and preservatives which are jammed into so much 'food'. I would truly love for her to understand about how food affects health and for her to discover the joys of organic meat and vegetables and what it means to eat seasonally and locally.

To this end I have just signed up with an organic delivery company for our vegetables and fruit and am looking into the meat aspect. The stuff offered in supermarkets is poor to say the least and so this is my next option.

Our first box will be delivered in a weeks time - I'll let you know what we get!!!!

How Low Can They Go?

Dutch TV to air sperm donor reality show

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Billionaire television producer John de Mol, behind the pioneer show Big Brother, will test the limits of reality TV with a programme in which a woman searches for a potential sperm donor to conceive a child.


His new TV station Talpa, launched earlier this month, confirmed it will air a programme called "I want your child ... and nothing else!" but gave no further details about the show due at 1830 GMT on Wednesday.


"The plan is that we visit potential donors and -- of course on camera -- decide which man is most suitable," the 30-year old woman who will feature in the programme said in an interview with De Telegraaf newspaper.


"Afterwards there will be artificial insemination," said the woman who was identified only as "Yessica" and who has bought a house with a room for a child.


The show is a one-off competing with four other reality TV programmes, one of which follows five former prostitutes starting a cafe. The programme receiving most votes from viewers on Saturday, after all the shows have aired, will be turned into a series.


De Telegraaf also published an email address for men wanting to donate sperm to Yessica.

Rain Rain Go Away

Today was filled with...

Rain
Drawing
Teething
Rain
Playing with Rice Krispies
Rain
Dancing
Climbing stairs
Rain
and
Rain

Tomorrow we are getting out and heading for the sandpit!

Something I Won't Be Trying...

Lilly is just starting to talk to us about wee wee and poo poo. She sits on her dolls potty and says wee wee and her favourite book is the story of Molly and her potty. Childcare experts say that a child is unable to understand about bodily functions until at least 18 months to 2 years old, therefore I am not even going to think about potty training until next year.

I was just reading this article though about Elimination Communication. The author of the article has had three babies and has brought them all up without the use of nappies. Rather her than me I think....

Trust Americans!

We all know how strangely prudish Americans can be, especially when it comes to breastfeeding in public. For some unknown reason they treat it as if the woman is flashing and it really isn't acceptable in many public places such as restauants or coffee shops like it is here in blighty.

I'm not sure how they expect a baby to feed and women to carry on a normal life but they do come up with all sorts of strange garments to try to disguise the fact that they are *gasp* nursing their child.

This has got to be one of the biggest ripoffs. It is basically a teatowel for which they charge you $38. Now you can call me picky but doesn't that draw huge attention to you instead of discreetly lifting your top and placing the baby close.

Classy name too!!!!

Heidi Klum

How can she look like this with just weeks to go?  She really is so beautiful and IF I am ever pregnant again this will be the picture I stick on my fridge to stop the chocolate biscuit cravings.

RIP Jamie Kane

Sadly Jamie Kane of Boy*d Upp has passed away.

Never heard of him?

Don't worry you're not old and past it. He is the latest internet craze.

The BBC have set up a game in which you have to find out how he died by trawling the interweb. There are dozens of sites and blogs set up as well as chat rooms and forums in which clues are scattered. You have to register to play and all the info will be sent to you.

His official site is here and is really good. The music on the site is actually better than most stuff in the charts these days.

To register with the Beeb go here.

Wish I had more time to play.

The Geek Shall Inherit.....

Looks to me like Eugene will do it. Maybe this would be the right result though, if you consider the options......

Kinga - no way can she win, it would be just wrong.

Makosi - public opinion has swung too far from her, due to her lies and the 'news'paper reports about her been an actress.

Anthony - undoubtedly a nice guy but really, what has he done? Nothing much. He will make loads of cash and have his 15 minutes of fame just by being goodlooking. He will get paid for his story by papers and Heat type magazines. When the spotlight starts to dim a bit he will still be able to do the nightclub circuit and make a few bob that way.

Which takes us back to Eugene. It would do his confidence a world of good but I'm still not sure if anyone can really be that boring.

UPDATE: A reason for Anthony to win is that the other three have unusual names and therefore could be spelt incorrectly on text votes. How would that affect the result?

Home Alone

We are now back home after a few days visiting family in Cambridgeshire. We had a lovely relaxing time and we all seem to have really chilled after a few really hectic weeks.

Daddy is still home with us for the rest of the week, so lots of family fun is planned. This involves lots of playing in the garden and walks near the sea - bliss.

Thanks to my fantastic Mother in Law, I have been able to stick to my diet and still eat tons of food, so I am hoping that I will have still lost some weight this week even though we have been away from home.

In Princess news - things are changing rapidly. She now says Mummy which is just so thrilling and now has approximately 10 clear words in her vocabulary. She is standing on her own more every day and is so confident and happy that my heart swells with joy every time I look at her. She still shows no interest in walking alone but then why would she need to when there is always someone on hand to walk with her!

Sadly, my husband has discover the 'joy' of Su Doku and has joined the ranks of the other people lost to this puzzle. Personally, I don't get it but then again he doesn't get www.celebrity-babies.com

I have to go now as Daddy and Princess are hiding from me and I have to go and find them.

Good Stuff

Today the Princess said "Mummy" - I don't think I could be happier!

I was made to cry today by a man in a pub. It was happy tears though. We had a swift lunchtime vino in a very nice public house. We had a very nice time and Princess L was having great fun chatting away and enjoying the ambience. As we packed up to leave the man on the next table leant over and said "what a lovely little girl, she is so well behaved, happy and is a credit to you". Needless to say I was in puddles (again).

The other exciting bit of news is that today we discovered that she LOVES pickled beetroot.

How Did I Miss That?

Kinga and her friend the bottle. Not sure how I missed that but I'm glad I did.

Oh Deer

Been pretty busy this week, as we have two lots of family staying. One set in a hotel nearby and another staying at our house. As you can imagine not much time spare for blogging. Today, though hubby has taken our houseguest to Windsor to soak up some history and the others are spending the day at a nearby attraction. Therefore the princessI have the day to ourselves. So far we have just played played played and she has now collapsed to sleep so I now have to do all the chores (and of course write this).

SO off now to sort laundry, make a lasagne for tonights meal and do some general tidying up - exciting eh?

In other news, I have lost half a stone (so very very excited as my jeans are falling off me therefore I NEED to go clothes shopping very soon) and I forgot to mention the other day that I came face to face with a deer this week. It was so beautiful and I was about six foot away from it. We just stared at each other and then it watched as I walked on past. I don't know why I didn't take a photo as I had my phone in my hand but my heart was beating so fast with excitment that I think I was just concentrating on not scaring the poor thing to death. I love where I live.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is huge in America but not here. I wonder why? Personally, I can see loads of reasons to homeschool but many more against it. I was just browsing an article written by one American homeschooler stating 25 reasons why they do it. Obviously some reasons are a bit oddball but I love these and make for a good argument.......

* No one, and I mean no one, has the right to teach my son how to square dance

* I get to go on the field trips

* To be ready for first grade, you have to excel at kindergarten. To be ready for kindergarten, you have to go to a good preschool. To be ready for preschool, you have to go to day care. At what point do we teach a fetus to square dance?

* Learning never ends — not at 3 p.m., not after homework is done, not on weekends and not on vacation

* Waffle Stix, despite their standing on school lunch menus, are not food (must be the US version of Turkey Twizzlers!)

* Watching the light bulb go on in your child's eyes when he figures out the concept of division

I still don't totally agree with it, but you can see his point

STUPID

How long can you hold it? HoldTheButton.com

How Well Do YOU Know Me?

I made a Quiz for you! Take my Quiz! and then Check out the Scoreboard!

Daddys Home

Well Daddy came home today after a business trip and the Princess was overjoyed to see him. Let's hope he is around for a bit now.

How?

How did Kemal go and Orlaith stay? She brings nothing except her skinny legs to the house and Kemal really is a true character - madness!

She says she will walk today - I don't think so!!!!!

UPDATE: Ok, so I was wrong - she did go. Now who can win? Certainly not the scary stalker Craig (he freaked me out with his inappropriate touching of drunken Anthony - yuck!).

Good Advice

This is at Notting Hill station today - wise words!

Cool!

Tonight's The Night

Tonight I weigh in at Weightwatchers for the first time - I feel like I have lost a few pounds - lets hope the scales show the evidence.

After that I am off out for a curry!!!!!!!! That's the way to do it! I will be good though and be very moderate in my portions - the wine consumption is more of a worry as I will be with the other members of Whiteley Wives - nuff said!

I will attempt to be good.

Sick And Tired

Yes, after three months of good health, the Princess is sick AGAIN. This time it seems to be a tummy bug which has knocked her for six. After a frantic trip to the GP this morning, I feel slightly calmer as he reassured me that she would be fine. That poor man has seen me in tears too many times!!

Yesterday was a complete nightmare as she would not drink AT ALL. This was my main concern as I really don't want her to end up back in the hospital - anyway the genius that he is told me to try Lucozade sport - BINGO she knocked back two glasses of the stuff. Aahhhh I can sleep easier tonight (until she wakes me up that is).

The only other thing I have to say today is that I really take my hat off to single parents. L's Daddy has been very very busy at work and the extra pressure of dealing with a sick child on your own is no joke. I am so tired, not just with the whole day to day stuff but with all the worry of nursing my baby back to health. Going for a lie down now.

Need To Travel More....

create your own visited country map

Happy Birthday

This morning the princess' latest friend arrived into the world. He is another 'miracle' baby who we thought might never join us. His parents have been on a very long journey waiting for him and I hope that his arrival will bring them the happiness and fulfillment that L has given to us.

Happy Birthday little man!!!

Look Out Cornwall

We have booked a small holiday to Cornwall, and so this has encouraged me to join Marjorie Dawes and friends at Fat Fighters in an effort to regain something of my old body - wish me luck!

Being Me

Over the years, it seems our natural instinct for mothering has been lost. Maybe its because so many of us no longer live within an extended family, where skills and knowledge are passed from Mum to daughter. Maybe it’s because before we have kids, we think that knowing how to be a good mother and having the right answers just come naturally or from reading all the right books. But we soon learn better.

A lot is expected of mums today. Well-adjusted children don’t just happen. Developing their hearts and spirits must be the main thing, the central focus of our lives.

Well-adjusted, happy children come from families in which mothering is seen as a complex, beautiful challenge worthy of everything we can give to it. Mothering shapes lives and attitudes.

Freud describes the relationship of a young child to his mother as “unique, without parallel, established unalterably for a whole lifetime as the first and strongest love object and as the prototype of all later love relationships for both sexes.”

British psychiatrist John Bowlby states, “The young child’s hunger for his mother’s love and presence is as great as his hunger for food. Her absence inevitably generates a powerful sense of loss and anger.” Young children desperately need the emotional accessibility of a parent. That stability forms the foundation for all relationships to come.

So my point is…. That is why I am so exhausted. I am doing this (the hardest job that I have ever had) to the max. I am truly loving every minute of my day with the Princess as we learn so many things together. Only today we experienced so many new things.

1. she learnt a new body part (elbow if you are interested)
2. she played in sand for the first time
3. she crawled along a balance beam
4. she painted with a brush
5. she learnt to say baa (what sheep ‘say’)
6. she got a new tooth!!!!!!

I hope that I am doing a good job with my baby girl. I think I am! After all she is happy, smiley and bright as a button.

And that’s why I am a Stay At Home Mum!!!!!

Derek or Science To WIn

You Get Me?

ICE ICE Baby

"In case of Emergency ( ICE ).

The idea is that you store the word " I C E " in your mobile phone

address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would

want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".

In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able

to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact

them. It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do.

Please will you also email this to everybody in your address book, it

won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It

really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.

For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

Sunshine

I have mostly been enjoying the sun and chilling out to the sounds of Jack Johnson. I love summer!

A Gap In The Market?

I am an avid reader. Anything will do, even the back of a cereal packet I just love to read. I no longer seem to be able to read a book though, as I am usually so tired at the end of the day that I only manage a page and therefore the average book would take me about a year to read. I therefore get my 'word fix' from newspapers and magazines as I can pick them up when I have 5 minutes spare. It seems to me though that a whole section of the population is missed in the huge magazine industry. I love to read about babies/toddlers and articles related to my strange new life as a stay at home mum (SAHM) but the stuff just isn't out there. There are several Mother and Baby magazines available which are a little too twee for my tastes and cover just the standard pregnancy/first year FAQs and there is the excellent JUNIOR which is great but is very desinger fashion based and is also very much centred on London living (a whole 16 pages devoted to just London).

Surely I am not so unual in that I am a SAHM who is interested in more than just articles which suggest painting your toenails as a way of cheering yourself up or giving you the top ten buys at Mothercare.

In America a new magazine (see here) is just about to hit the newstands which looks interesting, why can't we have something similar. Are you listening out there? I am sure this is a missed opportunity for someone.

Things I Said That I Would Never Do

Buy jars of baby food ( I was going to make ALL of my own)

Let my baby eat something in the supermarket that I hadn't yet paid for

Let my baby watch ANY tv in the first year

Let her crawl in a public place

Buy too many toys

Buy ridiculous amounts of clothes

Let her sleep with the same teddy every night

Talk abut babies/baby stuff constantly

Let myself get fat

Let anything non-nutritious pass her lips

The list goes on and on and on............

and of course I have managed to break every rule on the list in the first year- well done me!

What I have learnt is that you can't learn anything at all from a book as every single baby/toddler is completely different and if you try to follow the 'norm' it will drive you just a little bit crazy.

Life Rating

My life has been rated:
See what your rating is!
Created by bart666

Saw this on Ben's blog. Bit surprised how mild I am!!!!!!

Use Sun Protection Cream

Let this be a warning to all of you sun worshippers.  It's obvious what the little boy thinks of this suntanned 'beauty'!!!!

Bad Morning

Unfortunately, Princess L is waking earlier and earlier and today was jumping around at 5.30am. I left her doing somersaults for a while but eventually decided to go and see if she was ok. I went in to her room armed with a cup of water and a steely determination not to speak to her (so that she would think that it was still night - we don't speak at night!!!). This didn't work. She did swig back a few gulps of water but then decided that I would read her a book, at this point I knew that that was it and my bed would go cold.

I have now done my housework, been to Tesco, had a Starbucks, played 'jumping' and prepared the evening meal - it's 9.30!!!!!!!

Is It Hot In Here?

I Am Not Alone

I have just been reading some blogs written by other women who have been through IVF or other forms of fertility treatment and guilt seems to be a common emotion. We are all trying (and mostly failing) to me everything to everyone. The perfect mother, the perfect wife, housekeeper and friend. I am only just beginning to realise that with a baby this simply isn't possible.

Life is fabulous now and my little princess is a joy to me but I found the first 6 months of her life very difficult and struggled to get through each day. I sometimes feel that because we had such a long wait for her that people think that somehow it isn't so difficult to cope with our if it is, that I shouldn't moan.

Women who are mothers after infertility are just as entitled as anyone else to find it all too much sometimes.

I feel like I should be better equipped to handle it when the Princess is difficult to please or that she won't allow me to clean the house or do the ironing. I feel that infertility should have magically given me unending patience, a constant mindfulness of our good fortune, an unwavering gratitude — in short, an ability to do this job (which I have longed for) as well as I have done every other job in my life and to be happy doing it.

But it hasn't, and it kills me.

I struggle to be the parent she deserves. Is it no more than the same guilt every mother feels? I don't know, but I do believe infertile mothers put enormous pressure on ourselves not only to be fantastic parents, but to love or at least appreciate every minute of it. It's hard to remember this when you are bogged down with the fact that you are unable to make a gourmet feast for each meal let alone clean your windows.

We do it because we know how difficult it was to become mothers at all, and we do it because of every unthinking person we speak to reminds us, "Well, it's what you wanted"

We couldn't enjoy — could barely endure — conception. For us, pregnancy was a time of white-knuckled fear instead of teddy buying fun.

And that's why we should try to liberate ourselves from that special kind of guilt we carry around. We couldn't be normal before, but now, as we feel frustrated or exhausted, as we find ourselves only half as competent as we thought we'd be, we are finally perfectly normal.

I wish I could say that being infertile prepared me in a special way for the everyday challenges of being a parent. No such luck. In the end, the struggle hasn't made me perfect. It hasn't made me anything but a Mother.

Today was MMR day.........

We spent a lovely morning/lunch with friends and then at 3pm we had the dreaded MMR. It went as expected. Very loud screams and lots of tears, but the nurse provided a chocolate button which helped just a little bit. She then fell asleep as soon as we got home. We now have to wait to see if (what do I mean 'if'?) we have any reactions. These should show themselves in about 10 days to 3 weeks.

Of course I will be checking that she is still developing and making eye conatct like the obsessive that I am. I wish I could be more laid back about it but this is my beautiful baby girl and I would never forgive myself if 'the worst' did happen. I know all the facts and I even had a chat with the doctor today to try to help with our fears. Intellectually I know that the chances are minimal but still.........

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

Wow - the past few days have been scorching - who needs the Med?

We have been having lots of fun with family and friends and have spent lots of time in our newly jazzed up garden. This is what it's all about!!!

Sadly today we also found out that we have had a death in the family, so this has put a little cloud over us. It many ways it is a release that she has passed but knowing that still doesn't help those that are feeling very sad and will miss her tremendously. I am sure she knows how much we all love her.

15 YEARS!!!!

It's our wedding anniversary today. Where did those years go?

I Am Back

Not really much to report, hence lack of blogage. We had a fabulous weekend of parties for the babies, and Little Miss L had a fantastic time - she even conquered her fear of grass. There is no holding her back now.

We are all feeling very yuck and sorry for ourselves. Princess L has the most runny nose I have ever seen in my life and both Mr M and myself have developed sore throats and are feeling generally very grim. It doesn't help that we are both incredibly tired and missing spending a bit of time together - all together now -ahhhhh.

On a cheerier note, we have some new cutlery and it is soooo very beautiful and shiny. It makes me happy just looking at it - does that make me very very sad?

One week to MMR and I am becoming more crazed by the minute - I wish I could fast forward a month so that it was all over and we can move on. The more research I do on the subject, the less confident I feel.

Things I Like

My pink sparkly flip flops

Pinot Grigio

Pedicures

Sunshine

Cuddles with the Princess

Lip Gloss

Olives

My Hubby

Good friends


Happily my weekend will consist of all of these elements.

Something Else To Worry About

Just when things were going well, we get our date for the Princess' MMR jab.

It's in less than two weeks so I have plenty of time to obsess.

If the autism and IBD weren't enough to be thinking about I am also very concerned about the after effects. The reaction shows up at 10 days to 2 weeks after the vaccination, so enough time for me to buy Boots out of Calpol.

When will I ever be worry free again?, oh yeah that's right - NEVER!!!!!

Question

Has anyone ever paid full price for a sofa at DFS????

My Favourite Blog

THIS has to be the most interesting blog that I have seen. There are so many stories there.........

Top Class Weekend

Friday night - Had far too much wine to drink with a great bunch of girls in our local, we then continued the fun at one friends house and stayed up far later than I have in long while - it was a hoot.

Saturday - Two nurofen followed by a haircut and coffee at our usual haunt. The afternoon was filled with shopping and was followed by an early night to make up for the hours lost Friday.

Sunday - Very lazy morning. I missed church due to the fact that Princess L wasn't up until 9.30 and so we only had 20 minutes to fit in breakfast, showers and getting three of us dressed. This is simply not possible and Mr M had to go on his tod. We then went out for lunch with friends which was very lovely as both the company and the food were fab.

It is now 8pm and Princess L is having a fantastic time chatting to her teddy bears and is showing no signs of falling to sleep anytime soon. The rest of the evening (when Lady L falls to sleep) will consist of wine, nibbles, George Clooney and Brad Pitt - heaven!

Lil Lil

I Did Battle And Won

If you know me, you know how scared I am of bees and wasps (or basically anything that flies), so you can imagine how I was when this hornet flew into my conservatory the other day.  It was massive and very very loud. 

The beast was making no attempt to fly back out of the open windows so drastic action was required.

We didn't have any wasp killing spray in the house (how did that happen?) so I had to use foaming ant killer - it worked!!!!!  Here is the evidence.

Sorry if the death of this creature upsets you but it was either him or me and as I am (slightly) bigger it was me who won.

Things Are A Changing

Princess L has added a few more 'words' to her vocabulary. First is 'te' which means teddy, 'ba' means baby and the most frequently used one at the moment is 'da' which means 'what is that Mummy?'. It might not sound much to you but it is a hge leap for us.

The other news in L Land is that she is signed up to start football lessons - honest, she really is!!!!!

In my world, get rid of Craig!!!!

Chavs

Some are funny..........

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. What do u call a Chav in a box? Innit.

2. What do you call a Chav in a filing cabinet? Sorted


3. What do you call a Chav in a box with a lock on it?
Safe.

4. What do you call an Eskimo Chav? Innuinnit.

5. Why are Chavs like slinkies? They have no real use
but it's great to watch one fall down a flight of
stairs.

6. What do you call a Chavette in a white tracksuit?
The bride.

7. You're in your car and you see a Chav on a bike,
why should you try not to hit him? It might be your
bike.

8. What's the difference between a Chav and a coconut?
One's thick and hairy, the other's a coconut.

9. What's the first question at a Chav quiz night?
What you lookin' at?"

10. How do you get 100 Chavs into a phone box? Paint
three stripes on it.

11. Two Chavs in a car without any music. Who's
driving? The police

12. What do you call a Chav with 9 GCSEs? A liar.

13. What do you say to a Chav with a job? Can I have a
Big Mac Please?

14. What do you say to a Chav in a suit? Will the
defendant please stand

15. What do u call a knife in chav-ville? Exhibit A

16. Why is 3 chavs going over a cliff in a Nova a
shame? A Nova seats 4

17. What do you call a 30 year old chavette? Granny.

18. How many chavs does it take to change a light
bulb? One, they'll screw anything.

19. What do you call 100 chavs at the bottom of a
river? A start.

20. How many chavs does it take to clean a floor?
None, "That's some uvver bleeders job innit."

21. Why did the Chav take a shower? He didn't mean to,
he just forgot to close the Nova's window in the car
wash

22. Why did the Chav cross the road? To start a fight
with a random stranger for no reason whatsoever.

23. What do you call a Chav at college? The cleaner.

24. A bus full of Chavs were driving through Wales. As
they were approaching Llanfgogogferrinfourasoch they
started arguing about the pronunciation of the town's
name. They argued back and forth until they stopped
for lunch. As they stood at the counter, one Chav
asked the blonde employee, "Before we order, could
you settle an argument for us? Would you please
pronounce where we are... very slowly?" - The blonde
girl leaned over the counter and said,
"Burrrrrrrr-gerrrrrrr-Kiiiiing."

25. Two chavs jump off Beachy Head, who wins? Society

Our Clever Girl

She is hitting all her milestones, infact in some things she is very advanced. Reading for example...........

Which Drink Are You?

Cocktail


?? Which Alcoholic Drink Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

Summer Has Arrived

Wow, it's warm today. We have been to Manor Farm Park - it's a country park which covers an area of 400 acres, the park is a mix of woodland, riverside and open space, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities of Portsmouth and Southampton. We had a picnic and it was just fab. Lilly is still freaked out by grass, so it's really easy to keep her in one place (on the rug!)

In other news, Mr M had a haircut and I was measured for a bra (not at the same place). I have never had this done before, and although it is mildly emabarrasing to reveal your flabby bits to a stranger at least you get to wear the correct size (which was very surprising may I add!). I would recommend anyone who isn't sure, to go and get it done and you might be very surprised by the difference a piece of fabric can make.

BB6

Tomorrow night I will be sat with a scotch egg and a packet of peanuts(no, really!) to see the start of the new BB. I am very sad I know but I don't care as I am very excited.

This year will be different for me, other years I have watched around the clock but this year I feel unable to subject Princess L to such mind numbing tv, therefore I will only be able to catch bits and bobs and the evening shows.

It sounds like a good summer of entertainment if the gossip is to be believed. I read this info from an unofficial source earlier today......

On Friday 13 people will enter the Big Brother house for an action packed sixth series.
But as soon as the group are into the one unlucky resident will be chosen (by means as yet unknown to be the new Big Brother Butler.
The BB butler will oversee the general running of the house and will have to be at other housemates beckon call 24/7 they will sleep in the 'hidden s quarters' and will leave 'a life in hell' for one month.
But the Butler will have the chance to take the ultimate revenge on the housemates in a twist set to rival that of the Bedsit.

Do We Have A Gourmet Baby?

I have just read an article describing two common new styles of childrearing. I think we are more Gourmet with a splash of Wildflower thrown in.

" The gourmet baby's parents are already investigating the "right" nursery school, the best grammar school, the most prestigious college. If the parents both work, they are desperately trying to pack what they think of as "quality time" into evenings and weekends. If the mother does not work outside the home, she has made a deliberate decision to stay home to be a "professional parent."

Read more here.

Ask A Silly Question

Excuse me for being a little forward, but since when did "blogging" mean "asking a pointless question then posting your own half thought through answer, then going on to ask others to answer the same question, just to make it look like you are interested in starting a debate but in actual fact are just after someone to comment on your blog so that you feel that someone cares"?

I happen to think this sort of blogging is really very dull to read. Does anyone else think so?

What do you think?

Make Poverty History

I have four white wristbands available to the first people to request them.

Do your bit and wear it!

Just let me know.

UPDATE: one left now

I Am Very Angry....

There has been much debate over the whole 'yob culture' thing recently. Undoubtedly, set off by the hoodie ban at Bluewater.

I like to think of myself as openminded, forward thinking and quite a funky chick if the truth be known. I have 'lived a bit' and seen things that I think it is fair to say the vast percentage of the population haven't. For example I have been at the wrong end of a gun during an armed robbery, I have been in many social situations where taking cocaine and other drugs is the 'norm'and I was the odd one out for not ever having tried the stuff and have been subject to almost daily threats of violence. I took all of this in my stride as it was part of my life at that time. I now live in a leafy new town, where people smile and say hello and the nearest I have been to drugs is a very strong coffee.

Why then after all this am I so disgusted by what is now deemed as acceptable. There seems to be a certain middle class person who is taking the high ground on the hoodie issue. All I can say is that they obviously live in nice surburban areas where young people are wearing hoodies as a fashion statement. Great! I wear hoodies (in a vain effort to keep young!) but these aren't the people that Bluewater are focusing on. The shop staff there probably suffer, as I did, with treats to their wellbeing and even their lives and as far as I am concerned if that upsets a few kids in the process - sorry. There is a violent and threatening air in many shops these days and unless you have been working for minimum wage and have been threatened with a HIV infected needle you can't comment.

The latest thing to upset me in this 'yob culture' is the current adverts for a new Gordon Ramsey tv programme on C4. Why is it advertised with 'f**king' both verbally and in type many times over. All I can think is that this in some way appeals to a certain viewer.

Is it scarier that this type of person actually exists or that C4 thinks that they exist?

Celebrity Love Island - nuff said

Eastenders - I despair

What messages are we sending to our young people? I am scared of what the future holds for my baby.

Celebrity 'Love' Island

Further to yesterday's comment, I will only add that although I love Big Brother (and am getting very excited about the whole thing) and can handle IACGMOOH, life is far too short to watch this utter rubbish. Who the heck is Paul Danan and I nearly spat out my wine last night when he said "the government should bring in new laws to protect people like us" - meaning celebrities!!!!!

The world has gone a little bit mad.

Tonight my viewing will consist of Sarah Beeny and her Property Ladder - every other thing on the box tonight is rubbish unless you like terrible soap operas.

Abi Titmuss

Why??????

The Party's Over

The birthday weekend has come to end. We had a fab time and more to the point so did the birthday girl. Tomorrow, things return to normality as Daddy returns to work and us girls get on with life at home.

I already have a list of chores for the week that's as long as my arm. Bring it on.....me and my little girl can handle it.

Tonight, Daddy and I plan to have a drink or two and chill out on the last night of our holiday but at the moment Pincess L is still chatting in her bed.

It Seems Like Only Yesterday

One year ago, at this time, my contractions started and we knew that our baby would soon be with us. It took longer than anticipated and from this point took another 17 hours but we knew that our first meeting would be happening soon......

The pain I was feeling could never be explained and I thought I would never forget the agony, but one year on those feelings are a distant memory. What I won't ever forget is meeting my baby for the first time, she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and the emotions I felt then still make me cry now.

She has changed our lives beyond recognition and fills every day with laughs and giggles. She is joy and she is my life.

I love her so much that sometimes I feel I will burst and no matter how tired, fed up and lonely I sometimes feel, she makes everything sunny again.

I won't be blogging tomorrow as we will be very busy eating cake, playing with new toys and cuddling all day long.

We're Home!!!

We have just had 5 fantastic days in Holland. It was Lilly's first trip overseas and she loved every minute.

She has discovered that she loves apple cake, has lots of fun cousins to play with, that lekker means yummy and that she enjoys eating exactly the same as us and that plastic spoons are sooooo last year!

We had fun with our family and visited several great towns in the Netherlands (and at apple cake in evey one of them!!!)

More later, washing to do............................

Today I Had My Hair Cut.....

....and I look like action man now. It's really really short but I like it and it is just so easy to deal with (I'm not the type who likes to mess with her hair all day long).

Not much else to report.

We visited some friends this morning and spent the afternoon doing chores. Rock on!

Fridge Magnets

Click here to try out a really annoying game. Basically, you need to make words from the fridge magnets but the other players keep stealing letters from you.

Pointless but strangely addictive.

Proof

I've never quoted Madonna before - proof that a holiday is indeed very necessary.

If we took a holiday....

It would be so nice.

Thanks Madonna, you said it all for me.

I am so ready for a bit of a break.

We have planned a holiday, but due to complicated circumstances our plans may have to change. We will still get a holiday but maybe not the one we anticipated. I don't mind, I just want to have some family time as I think the past 6 weeks of stress have really caught up with me. It would be nice to get the chance to have a bath or read a book or paint my toenails or talk to my hubby - wow that would be great.

In the words of the woman herself.......

It's time for the good times
Forget about the bad times, oh yeah
One day to come together
To release the pressure
We need a holiday

You can turn this world around
And bring back all of those happy days
Put your troubles down
It's time to celebrate
Let love shine
And we will find
A way to come together
And make things better
We need a holiday

I Took This Test With Unexpected Results

Who should I vote for?

Your expected outcome:

Conservative

Your actual outcome:

	Labour 17
	Conservative 13
Liberal Democrat -1
UK Independence Party -11
	Green 3

You should vote: Labour

The Labour Party is broadly pro-Europe and takes a strong line in favour of all anti-terrorism measures, and of course supported the war in Iraq. Labour is against explicit increases in income tax to fund public services and against the abolition of university tuition fees, but has pledged to reintroduce maintenance grants for students.

Take the test at Who Should You Vote For

And They're Off!

Yesterday we fitted our stairgate, today baby L decided to get moving. She crawled at super speed through every room of the house, pointing out hazards along the way. There are hundreds of them....bleach and cleaning products on the bathroom floor. In the kitchen it was worse, bottles of wine on the floor, carrier bags in easy grasp, chemicals ago-go and a pedal bin just asking to be licked. Hot radiators are everywhere. The bedroom has too many small things in low drawers - makeup etc etc. I discovered all of this in the space of any hour. Oh yes, and the toilet roll holder is in handy reach so that was a good game too.

The TV, video, dvd, sky box area is a cool play area too. She is just too funny. She crawls over to them pretends to be doing something that she knows we find cute (dancing or playing peek a boo) and then BAM she reaches out and presses the nearest button.

WOW, she is learning stuff fast.

I love it though. At least I can now move about the house and she will follow if she wants me. How cool is that?

Hell's Kitchen.......

is rubbish BUT Jean-Christophe Novelli is very very tasty.

No More Chocolate Brownies

I am fatter than I thought!

On Saturday I weighed myself at a Boots store with one of those super duper machines which tell you your BMI as well as weight. It wasn't good! I am officially overweight and I am not having it! So with immediate effect I am one a major diet. I know that diets aren't healthy blah blah blah - but something needs to be done rapido.

So, this is the turning point and you will soon see the return of Kazza not 'Karen The Mummy'.

To my friends and family who read this blog - please help me by not putting temptation in my way. I am weak, so if it looks like I'm about to order another Mocha with cream or a chocolate brownie - please feel free to slap me and say 'Lilly wants a slim Mummy'.

I know that some of you think I obsess a little on this matter and that 'I'm still the same person inside' - but I'm not - when the weight piled on, Kazza that dances on tables disappeared. I want her back! Maybe, not to do that too often but hey - you never know!

Off for a chicken salad now.

Where Did My Baby Go?

In the past week she seems to have changed just so much. She is now a proper little girl. She is communicating with us, she understands so much of what we say to her and she is doing some really amazing things - like hiding toys from us and pretending that she doesn't know where they went. This shocks me. It just seems like yesterday when we brought home our little bundle who couldn't do anything for herself. She is so beautiful and makes me laugh everyday. She is currently dancing to 80's music with her Daddy and even tried a bit of rap for herself (honestly). She's loving, sharing, intelligent, happy and just a little bit crazy.

I found all this Mummy stuff pretty tough at first but you know - I think I'm doing a pretty mega job and above else I love every minute. I have lots of friends who are now back at work and are enjoying the challenges, adult conversation and money that going out to work brings. I can safely say that I have never done a more satisfying job than my current role and even though the financial rewards are zero, I have never felt more fulfilled and happy in my entire life. This is what it's all about for me and my girl!

Only in America

Now isn't this the strangest thing ever. How scary are Americans!?

It has to be a spoof, doesn't it?????

We Are Blessed

Today I walked in the sunshine with my baby, we went to the park and played on the swings. We joined the library and brought two books home to read. She is now having a nap and when she wakes up we are going to do some drawing and have tea.

Now this is what I signed up for when I became a Mummy.

U Wot?

These are the last 20 key phrases which directed people to my blog......


moet chandon pronunciation (Google)

JADE GOODY BIG NIPPLES (MSN)

baby's ears pierced (MSN)

matt lucas born little britain (MSN)

3in1 prams (MSN)

sky tv Grand designs Huf houses (MSN)

huf haus (MSN)

kazza 2005 (Yahoo)

hazard signage funny (MSN)

Moet & Chandon - correct pronunciation (Google)

yummy mummy calender (MSN)

link:www.xyandme.com (MSN)

how long did tracy hogg suffer for (Yahoo)

pronunciation of moet chandon (Google)

"footprints handprints" (MSN)

kazza (MSN)

luana mabel (Google)

johan friso mabel luana (Google)

princess mabel van oranje nassau baby (Google)

 Emma Luana Ninette Sophie van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg (Google)




How very interesting. I am very proud to be No.1 for the Jade Goody search!!!!!! Don't ask but really not as bad as it sounds.

Someone send me to Henlow Grange

Our baby fell off our bed today. What next???????

She is fine though - luckily our bed is very very low.

I hope to add some very happy blog entries this week.

My plans for the week so far consist of a visit from a plumber and a trip to the library -think I need to inject some excitement don't you?

Crawling

It's all new and too scary to blog about.

Reality Check

When I say I am tired or unable to find the time to clean the toilet or iron my jeans - shout at me and remind to 'don't sweat the small stuff'.

I love my baby with every bit of my body and soul and the last few days have been just awful. To see her so ill has been heartbreaking and has totally put life into perspective. (For those that don't know she has had fevers, pneumonia, ear infection and suspected urine infection)

When you spend time in hospital and see so many sick babies it really does prove that those people who moan about being busy or tired or bored in their lives really just don't have the first clue about real life. If I was taken back to my pre-Lilly days where all I had to think about was targets, schedules and being completely knackered - I promise I would never complain again

Does that sound like a rant - it is a bit!

Off for a wine now.

(people who stress about setting the video recorder are also off their nut and should know better!)

We Have Lift Off

We now have a crawling baby in the house. She hasn't gone far yet but is now able to cross the living room in search of a toy. I was so anxious for this milestone - now I am very nervous (but also very excited!)

Big Brother

The start date for BB6 is confirmed - May 27th.

I know it's not cool but I do enjoy it.

No No No

Daniel Craig is to be the next Bond. It will always be Pierce for me.

Well I Never

Those who know me well know that in my heart I am a champagne girl (even though I have a chardonnay budget). I love a glass or two of the good stuff whenever the opportunity arises. I think Lilly's birthday will be the next occasion! If anyone has any good sources for well priced bubbles please let me know.

Thought I would share a champagne related bit of trivia with you. Next time you order a bottle of Moet et Chandon in a bar or restaurant, make sure you are pronouncing it correctly. Most people say Mo-ay but this incorrect. The correct pronunciation is 'mo-ette' but when you say that people think that you are a wally. Jean Remy Moet was Dutch not French as most people assume.

Therefore it is funny that when the script writers for 'Only Fools And Horses' tried to make Del Boy look stupid by getting him to pronounce the T in Moet, it turned out he was one of the few people who actually got it right.

Just thought I would share.

Stuff That Makes Me Smile

My baby's giggle when I kiss her tummy

Springtime - there are buds, bees and birds everywhere

Romance - there are some great romantic men out there and my friends and I have got some of them

The smell of my baby's neck

Getting dirt under my finger nails - look out Alan Titchmarsh I'm pulling on my wellies

My baby's smile when her Daddy comes home.

My baby's Daddy!!!!!

May 5th Prediction

I am subscribed to several market reasearch companies online. I enjoy being nosey at what companies are up to and I get financially rewarded (only the odd Amazon voucher here and there). The latest one was regarding the upcoming general election. From the results it looks like the Conservatives are in the lead.

Michael Howard. Is he really the most dynamic and inspiring leader that you can think of? Thought not! But then again - Tony Blair!

I personally think that this election will be based on local issues as much as national, but what do I know.

Boredom and Beautiful Boys

I am never bored these days (no time) - but if you are take a look here at a very beautiful boy. A new one each day live from noon for the month of April.

It's art don't you know. Ich bin kunst.

More Middle-Class Maternal Neurosis

This time it's milk.

All the books and Health Visitors tell you that 'breast is best' until 1 year. I'm sure it is (apart from the Iron issue, which I won't start on now) but there comes a time when you feel that you want you body back and that we both need to move on to the next step. I was no longer really enjoying breastfeeding (mainly due to Lil's huge fangs) so I was delighted when she appeared to take to formula from a cup like a professional and the only breastfeed left is the all important (to her) bedtime one.

This only lasted for a few days though and she is now refusing to drink any more than a couple of ounces a day. Babies should drink milk, right? According to the books at least 21 ounces a day or 3 breastfeeds. Going back to breasfeeding is not an option so we are just offering the cup of milk constantly in an effort to wear her down until she thinks 'ok, let's neck this down so that Mum will leave me alone to get on with important stuff like smashing my toys onto the glass coffee table'. At the moment she is not having any of it though.

I have spoken to a couple of other Mums today and they are in exactly the same situation. Why then does it still bother me?

If - when - I drop the bedtime feed, that means no more milk at all. Should I hang onto that feed in which case? Or just cram her full of cheese and yoghurt? Our latest strategy is making the bedtime feed less breastcentric: more stories, more cuddles, less udders.

Oh well, I'm sure it will all work itself out and in a years time I will have forgotton all of these current problems, in the same way that I now find it hard to remember just how tired I was last May/June and just how awful colic is.

Ho Hum.

The Sun Has Got His Hat On!

Fab weekend!

We now have a patio, Starbucks now do 'Light' Frappuccinos and my baby was able to wiggle her toes in the sunshine. Here comes summer............(ok, I know the weather forecast is for rain this week but I'm on an up).

Unbelieveable!!!!!

A gift of more than $350,000 to fight AIDS in Uganda has been rejected by an Anglican bishop because the Episcopal diocese which offered it supported the election of a gay bishop in New Hampshire, USA.

Uganda has one of the highest per capita rates of HIV/AIDS in the world.

Homosexuality is a crime in Uganda, punishable by life imprisonment.

Sick people will die who could have had their lives improved!

WOW.

Blogging About Holland

The last two posts are about the Netherlands - could I be getting ready for a holiday???????

Sem and Sanne

WHO? - They're the top Dutch boy and girl names, respectively for 2004-it's interesting to compare the classical Dutch names that were popular in 1939--Johannes, Jan, Hendrik, Willem, Johanna, Wilhelmina--with the more international-sounding mix of 2003 and 2004--Emma, Jesse, Amber, Demi, Kevin.

Hey, we picked an 'old skool' second name for Lills!!!

De populairste kindernamen van 2004, 2003, und 1939 [Sociale Verzekeringsbank]
* The SVB is what pays you your Child Benefit, the EU900 yearly subsidy paid to people with children to offset the costs of raising a child in the Netherlands.

New Dutch Countess

Prince Johan-Friso of the Netherlands and his wife Mabel became the parents of a daughter on March 26 named Emma Luana Ninette Sophie. The baby was born in London. It is the fourth grandchild for the Queen. The baby will be titled Countess Luana van Oranje-Nassau, jonkvrouw van Amsberg.

If you can read Dutch, here is the official statement.......


Dochter voor Prins Friso en Prinses Mabel

Namens Zijne Koninklijke Hoogheid Prins Friso en Hare Koninklijke Hoogheid Prinses Mabel deelt de RVD mee:
Hare Koninklijke Hoogheid Prinses Mabel heeft op zaterdagavond 26 maart om 19.17 uur te Londen het leven geschonken aan een dochter. De baby woog bij de geboorte 3085 gram.
Het vierde kleinkind van de Koningin krijgt de naam Luana. Haar volledige naam luidt Emma Luana Ninette Sophie. Prins Friso laat weten dat hij en Prinses Mabel erg gelukkig zijn en dat moeder en dochter het uitstekend maken.

Maybe, I Should Put Up My Sails

I had an email sent to me recently that I have only just had time to read, it has made me think about the pressures that I am putting on myself and that maybe I should take some time to see where I should be going.

I will paste a couple of paragraphs to try to explain....

God's Breezes are blowing all around us. When we put up our sails we will catch His Breeze. But when we are stuck in our perfectionism; thinking that weknow best; we don't have time to put up our sails up. This is when wecan miss some of the most wonderful directional Breezes in our lives. Here is the problem. Because we think we don't have time(perfectionism) we don't put up our sails. When we refuse to go whereGod is guiding us; we are saying that we can pilot our little boatsbetter than He can. Do you see this for what it is; A lack of faith inGod and more faith in our own abilities. I have a dear friend that used to be so rigid with her time schedulethat she would not take even five minutes to take a walk with afriend. All she did was push, push and push harder to make herselfwork more at her job. She did not want any help and did not delegateat all. I volunteered to help her and it was hard for her to evenaccept my gift. Was it because she didn't think I could do it. NO! Itwas because she didn't have time to tell me what needed to be done.This did not fit into her schedule. Do you see how sad this is? Herperfectionism was keeping her from accepting the help that would makeher life easier. Eventually I backed away. You can only offer so often and then youhave to quit because this is not where God wants you. No amount of myasking was going to make her put up her sails and accept the Breezethat God was sending our direction.

When you hear yourself saying I don't have time; I want you to stopright then and there and listen to what you are really saying. I don'thave time because I am in control of my little boat. God does not knowwhat He is doing. One day the Breezes will stop and you will be deadin the water or worse yet beached on some desert island because youwould not allow God's Breeze to guide you! Let's Catch those Breezes Together!

I was meant to read that email today.

This probably makes no sense to you, but it really does to me!

Another Ebay Classic

Ebay is great. We have made a little bit of money from selling odds and ends and have purchased a couple of bargains, but really some of the things for sale are well a bit strange. Look here for an example.

Long Time No Blog

It's been a while and lots has happened.

We spent Easter in Ely and had a lovely time with Lilly's Grandparents. It would have been perfect if it hadn't been for Lilly getting another chest infection and the temperature to go with it. We had to spend much of the Bank Holiday Monday either driving to find a doctor in some wild west village or waiting for the pharmacy to open or sponging (sp?) down a very grumpy baby to keep her temperature from going skywards. Not much fun! I hate this part of being a parent, it's so terrifying to see your little chatterbox turn into a limp little noodle. Anyway, antibiotics are now doing their job and we have the 'old' Lilly back again - hurray!

Lilly is also teething so we are also having trouble feeding her and getting her to take her milk but I'm hoping that this will only last a day or two.

All this makes me feel very inadequate, am I good enough at this being a Mum game? I find it hard to find the time to clean my teeth sometimes - how do other people do it? (Maybe they don't spend 10 mins writing a blog!!!!!) I'm also really hard on Tony - I expect too much from him. He too is exhausted from working hard and trying to be super Dad, but I still want him to do all the DIY jobs, get the garden landscaped, help me with Lilly and take us out for some fun. All of this on top of doing his normal job (which is more demanding than most to start with!).

In short I am on a downer but don't worry I WILL pull myself out of it. I know that it is just tiredness. Every time I blog something like this I get friends thinking that I need to 'see' someone. Honest, I'm ok - sometimes it just makes me feel a bit better to write this stuff down. I can then laugh at it next week when I'm on a high again!

On a happier note, on our way back from Ely we stopped at Ikea Lakeside. We only wanted two items but ended up with 21 and a plate of swedish meatballs each - love it!!!!

Ok, off to shower now - it's only 11am not bad!