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.