Not All Bad

So, I'm another year older. Not so good but the best present I had this year was the Princess singing 'Happy Birthday' to me all day long - bliss!!!!!

Things Don't Always Go Smoothly.....

I won't go into the long boring and frankly totally stressful story but things haven't gone quite according to plan this week.

Things are back on track now though and I feel like I am in the middle of a whirlwind. I am juggling so many balls in the air that I might apply for a job at the circus.

Anyway musn't moan - I mean - who would want a boring quite easy life????

I can't believe just how many things I have to pack into one day at the moment - but hopefully in about three or four weeks life will be back to it's normal, predictable (but still a bit crazy)pace.

Last night I also went along to my first Alpha meeting, which was interesting and I met a few nice people - will report back on that as I progress through the course.

Number One Rule For Playing With A Toddler

NEVER start a game that you don't want to repeat 500 times!

The Essence Of Me

Whilst doing important things like banking and blogging(?) I sometimes always get sidetracked by totally useless/bizarre stuff.

I found a site (now forgotten the URL) which works out the very essence of your blog.  This is mine.  

Just reading that could save you many hours reading all the rubbish I actually write as it pretty much sums me up!!!!!

My Brain Now

My Brain Five Years Ago

Just Occasionally.....

.....I wish we could hit London town like we did in the old days.

This arrived in my inbox today...

AMANDA GHOST is performing tonight (feb. 22nd, 21:15) at the half moon
in london-putney, 93 lower richmond rd, london sw15.
BOY GEORGE will give a special appearance and will join her on stage
for a duet.

Oh, how I would love to have a beer and a groove with the beautiful people, but then again in reality I would probably spend all evening thinking about you know who!!!!

If you don't know Amanda Ghost, she co-wrote You're Beautiful for James Blunt (don't hold that against her) and is one damn fine chick. She is a mate of George's - go see her website here.

Miffy

I don't think we will be visiting Holland this year but when we next take a trip, we have to take a look here.

It sounds like a fab museum which has childrens height exhibits underneath the adult height ones. It's also really close to where our family live, so we will be making a trip just as soon as we can.

To those who don't know Miffy (or Nijnjte as she is known in her native land) was 50 last year and the artist who draws her, Dick Bruna, is still creating new stories and drawing her daily. He is now 78 and still drawing the little rabbit who started life as a story to entertain his son in the summer of 1955.

In an interview with the Guardian they asked if he had now perfected Miffy to which he replied "No, I'm going to try and do better today, tomorrow. I just try to make a nice shape, the nicest Miffy I can."

And the Princess and I think he is doing a great job.

Miffy News

I don't think we will be visiting Holland this year but when we next take a trip, we have to take a look here.

It sounds like a fab museum which has childrens height exhibits underneath the adult height ones. It's also really close to where our family live, so we will be making a trip just as soon as we can.

To those who don't know Miffy (or Nijnjte as she is known in her native land) was 50 last year and the artist who draws her, Dick Bruna, is still creating new stories and drawing her daily. He is now 78 and still drawing the little rabbit who started life as a story to entertain his son in the summer of 1955.

In an interview with the Guardian they asked if he had now perfected Miffy to which he replied "No, I'm going to try and do better today, tomorrow. I just try to make a nice shape, the nicest Miffy I can."

And the Princess and I think he is doing a great job.

Toddler and TV Part II

We are doing really well with the no TV rule. The Princess gets to watch Noddy in the morning whilst having her milk and cereal and then that's it. The TV goes off and we switch on the radio.

The Princess has not missed the TV for one second and although I have on a couple of occasions been tempted to turn it on for a ten minute 'stress' break, I have held out and found other ways to occupy her. I admit it isn't always easy but I think it will pay off in the long term.

Now, I know that the weather forecast for the rest of the week is terrible but I am officially declaring Spring has arrived to our little corner of the world. There are buds and bulbs sprouting up everywhere. The evenings are now noticably lighter - we can even go to the park after tea in the light if we so wish. AND I have spring cleaning fever. Today we started doing little bits of tidying in the garden and the Princess helped me to sweep the drive and clean the front door down.

This morning the Princess has been an endless source of fun - 'helping' me with the spring cleaning, hiding in cupboards, doing hundreds of laps of our drive with her baby in it's pushchair and doing endless pictures of Tigger (he's a special friend you know). What ever will she have in store for me this afternoon?????

Money, Money, Money

This weekend we spent the a huge sum of money. It has taken nearly all of our savings and for a short while we were scared!

Isn't money for spending though?

Yes, we may have to tighten our belts for a little while but money (or a lack of) isn't the be all and end all. We are improving our home - making it an even more comfortable place to be, live and laugh.

We are a happy and healthy family and you can't put a price on that.

We know people who are never happy with what they have, they think that a larger house or a flashier car will somehow improve their lives. Yes, my dream house is a double fronted georgian property with a huge garden for the Princess to run in, a huge kitchen where we would host huge Sunday gatherings of family and friends and five bedrooms (all ensuite).

But that wouldn't change the important stuff in my life. It wouldn't make me happier, or a better mummy, or love my husband more, and those are the things that really matter, the rest is peripheral.

So although money will be scarce for a few months whilst we try to get back on track - we have spent the money on our home which is a happy one and although the Princess may not be wearing designer togs or be going on holiday to Marrakech or be taken to those awful ball pit play places - she has everything - LOVE.

Toddlers and TV

Before the Princess even arrived we decided that he/she would watch little or no TV.

The reality wasn't quite like this and we started to allow a selected number of programmes be watched. We are always careful to ensure that she only watches CBeebies (a high quality non commercial channel) and that the programmes watched were (in our opinion) suitable.

For some reason TV has started to bother me recently, I have noticed a few things that I don't like and after doing some research we have decided to limit the Princess to a much more restricted amount of images.

Our main reason is the research done in America by Dr. Dimitri A. Christakis, lead researcher and director of the Child Health Institute at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle. Studies there have proven a link between TV watching and ADHD which generally shows up in children at around age 7.

Quick scene shifts of video images become "normal," to a baby "when in fact, it’s decidedly not normal or natural." Christakis says. Exposing a baby’s developing brain to videos may overstimulate it, causing permanent changes in developing neural pathways.

The study recommends that children under age 2 should watch no TV at all and under three it should be less than an hour and in no more than 15 mins at a time.

I have been guilty of using the TV to get something done (I know that I can prepare tea during Balamory for example) - but no more.

An explosion of kidvids for the bouncy chair set has hit the market. These include Baby Einstein, Baby Mozart, So Smart etc. TV shows, such as Teletubbies, aim at 18-month-old toddlers. These videos are peddled as "educational tools" to "give your baby a head start." The truth is, they are a video-tether that keeps baby out from underfoot.

Parents take away crucial life experiences from their child every time they pop in Baby Einstein. But they do love how it takes the baby out of their hair for awhile Listen to what parents say in testimonials about infant videos:

"I love spending time with my boy but let's face it, there are times when you just have to have 10 minutes or so to yourself so that you can wash the dishes or do laundry; that's when you pop this video in. It's 25 minutes of entertainment that holds the attention of even very young children." Chris Hudson (son 10 months), San Antonio, Texas.

"There are times I rewind it and play it again and again until I get the dishes done and order restored. My son is captivated (and hopefully learning something)". Mom In Connecticut

"The only thing I wish is that the videos were longer than 30min." Melissa Perruzi, Clinton Mississippi (From Baby Eisntein reviews on Amazon.com).

So that's it - decision made - much less TV in this house - infact from now on there will be next to nothing for the Princess - but as for us - I'm off for a fix of TV right now whilst the Princess sleeps.

Perfect Housewife

No, not me. Anthea Turner.

I can't wait to see her new programme (clicky). I know that I have a perverse cleanliness fetish which is totally unachievable and unrealistic in my own home, but this programme sounds fab to me.

I know that Anthea Turner isn't everyone's cup of tea and to be honest I have never been much of a fan but I have heard that her linen cupboard is a thing of beauty and she runs her home like a military operation (just the way I would like to in my dreams!) so this programme is on my 'must watch' list along with Desperate Housewives - which features another fantasy figure - Bree - did you see the labelled containers in her utility room last week? Sheer heaven!!!!

Shocked and surprised

I was grooving to a song on the radio the other day. The Princess was also shaking some booty - only when it finished did I realise that we had been enjoying LEO SAYER! It shocked me!

Other cool tunes at the moment are The Message by Nate James (He's from East Anglia - which again is slightly surprising in many ways) and the new tune from Kanye West. What shocked me most about this song though is that it has it's own trailer - a trailer for a pop video!! What is going on??? If you want to see the trailer go here. I must admit it does look pretty cool. (OFFICE WARNING: Contains a swear word and Pammy Anderson in hotpants!!!!!!)

Fever

"Fever"

You give me
You give me fever

Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that's so hard to bear
Listen to me baby, hear every word I say
No one can love you the way I do
'Cause they don't know how to love you my way

[Chorus:]

You give me fever, when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever in the morning
Fever all through the night

Sun lights up the daytime
Moon lights up the night
My eyes light up when you call my name
'Cause I know you're gonna treat me right
Bless my soul I love you, take this heart away
Take these arms I'll never use
And just believe in what my lips have to say

[chorus]

Everybody's got the fever
That is something you should know
Fever isn't such a new scene
Fever started long ago

You give me fever, fever
You give me, you give me fever

[chorus]

Romeo loved Juliet
Juliet, she felt the same
When he put his arms around her
He said Julie baby, you're my flame
He gave her fever

Sun lights up the daytime
Moon lights up the night
My eyes light up when you call my name
'Cause I know you're gonna treat me right

[chorus]

Fever, with his kisses
Fever when he holds me tight
Everybody's got the fever
That is something you should know
Fever isn't such a new scene
Fever started long ago

Captain Smith and Pocahontas
Had a very mad affair
When her daddy tried to kill him
She said, daddy oh don't you dare
He gives me fever
With his kisses
Fever when he holds me tight
Fever, I'm his Misses
Daddy, won't you treat him right

Fever, when you kiss them
Fever, if you live and learn
Fever, 'til you sizzle
What a lovely way to burn [repeat twice]

YES THE PRINCESS IS ILL AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I Could Eat A Knob At Night"

If that means nothing to you, you obviously haven't been listening to the 12 Ricky Gervais podcasts from Guardian Unlimited.

I am listening to them in bed and I have to say that Karl Pilkington is a genius and has earned himself a seat at my fantasy dinner party.

Black Sweat

Prince is back!!! His track Black Sweat is tres tres funky.

Some might say that it sounds just like his stuff from 15/20 years ago - it does and that's the point. It's got that old Prince groove and sound and lets us all forget the batman soundtrack!!!

The princess spent a good 10 mins dancing to Black Sweat this morning and when it finished her only word was "more" - nuff said!

Go hear it here.

Some people love to go to the cinema

I'm not one of them. I can't stand the noise of people eating, get really frustrated at people who hold conversations on their mobiles and am totally paranoid about a mad man with an axe slaying everyone in the theatre (honestly! The first thing I do is check on the emergency exit!!!)

I may have to face my fear though. There are two movies out that I really would love to see on the big screen.

Firstly Memoirs of a Geisha. I read the book several years ago and loved it. I imagine it would make a fabulous looking movie which would be best appreciated on a big screen.

The second is obviously Brokeback Moutain. I don't need to give my reasons I'm sure. Apart from the fact that it contains beautiful boys enjoying themselves, it really looks like another beautiful film.

The only problem is getting to a cinema. Hubby doesn't have a day off for about 3 weeks and my lack of drving skills has scuppered me.

I need to first make a decision on which movie to see and then formulate how to smuggle a 20 month old princess in to a cinema and keep her quiet for two hours. Any ideas?

Seven

Seven Things to Do Before I Die
1. Learn to love myself
2. Make a difference
3. Write a book
4. Travel
5. Be a better mother
6. Be a better wife
7. Be a better friend

Seven Things I Cannot Do
1. Pluck my eyebrows regularly.
2. Have 'just the one.'
3. Have confidence in myself.
4. Sing.
5. Stop blogging.
6. Stop worrying.
7. Keep my New year resolutions.

Seven Things That Attract Me to Blogging
1. I enjoy the quality of the writing in other blogs - they make my smile and sometimes cry.
2. I love reading about other people’s lives
3. It helps me to think things through.
4. It helps me to be grateful for what I have
5. It’s anonymous
6. If I'm blogging, I'm not ironing.
7. It gives me the ability to see I really have changed, even if I don't feel as though I have.

Seven Things I Say Most Often
1. Right Then
2. Go on then, just one more
3. I love you
4. I’m so tired
5. Black please(!)
6. I’m trying to be good
7. Just a little one

Seven Books That I Love
1. Memoirs of a Geisha
2. The Lovely Bones
3. The Know
4. Life of Pi
5. A Million little pieces
6. Take it like man
7. I know why the caged bird sings

Seven Movies That I (would) Watch Over and Over Again
1. It’s a Wonderful Life
2. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
3. Imitation of Life
4. Snatch
5. Muppet Christmas Carol
6. The Seven Year Itch
7. Breakfast at Tiffanys

2005

I did this same thing last year, so here goes.....

2005

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Start up random conversations with random people

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No but I will make new ones for 2006

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes

5. What countries did you visit?
Holland

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Sleep

7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 12th - Lilly's Birthday

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing weight

9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to get back to driving

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A million colds but that's all!!!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My hubby

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Best left unsaid!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills and Lilly

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Lilly's development

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
James Blunt - Beautiful (still don't like it though)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Enjoying the good times

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
worrying

20. How did you spend Christmas?

At home with my family!!!!!!

A Star In The Making

This evening the Princess stayed up a little later than normal and we had the normal Saturday night rubbish TV on. This week is the start of Strictly Come Soapstar Dancing On Ice Brother or whatever.....

Anyway, the Princess loved it and was transfixed!!! She was skating around the room, dancing and lying on the floor to finish in the normal dramatic ice skating stylee. She applauded each contestant and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. Star in the making?? Maybe!!!!

In other news, the past 48 hours have brought us news of two pregnancies and a wedding - what a great start to the year.

We have three (yep count 'em - THREE) holidays booked for this year and the Princess is getting cuter everyday - 2006 is going to be great!!!!

Life Moves On

Our little family spent our New Year in the depths of Cornwall. It was in turns fun, relaxing, exhausting and thought provoking. The Princess had a fantastic time and after a settlement period of a couple of days jumped into the new wild atmosphere with gusto (we were with three other couples and assorted children!!!).

The New Year is always a time of reflection and more excitingly a time of regrowth, planning and moving forward.

We hope to change many things in our life this coming year, some small and some potentially massive. Just because this is the life we have now doesn't mean it has to be this way always.......

We have lots of talking to do in the coming year(s) but Cornwall could have changed our lives!!!!!!

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!!!!!!