A Mum Not a Mom

16 weeks and counting....

2012-01-27T21:47:00.002-05:00

16 weeks pregnant and I find myself looking back over my life and being amazed. I am nowhere near where I thought I would be. Some dreams have been put down for new ones, others have been placed to the side in the hopes that one day they will be able to be fulfilled.

As I teach my students I look at them when life seems so restricted as you can't do this and can't do that but in many ways it is when you are the most free. Yet the choices they will make in the next few years will define a lot of who they are.

I know my teenage years have defined me but not in stone. For one I would never have dreamed that I would be a teacher or be living in the US. I guess you never can know what God has planned for you.

As I look at my little boy and also begin to feel my baby move I know that I want to teach them that sure you can plan but you should also embrace the curve ball that can be thrown. I just want my kids to know that God will always be in control and will only take one dream away to replace it with an even better one.

Suprise!

2012-01-19T20:26:00.002-05:00

It has been so long since I have written and I believe part of that is over the last couple of months I have been getting over the shock, exhaustion and the sickness of being pregnant. I know when this baby arrives I will love it so much but for now this baby is the surprise of 2012.

This pregnancy has been harder mainly because I am working but also my body I feel knows what is coming and so is kind of well lets just get ready and get on it. This school year is going to be a long year as I am not due till July.

God is in all of this as he is the one that organized this surprised. Now I need to trust him on where we as a family will go when it comes to care for my new born to how I will just get to the end of the school year.

Working Mother's Guilt

2011-11-06T19:02:00.004-05:00

As a working mother I am in a constant battle with time. I am sure all mothers are as I know before I worked there was always a lack of time and I can now say that as someone who works full time for 10 months of a year time becomes even more of a battle. There is time to work, time to clean, cook, grocery shop and then there is your time to spend with your husband and child. Then if you want to see friends or family outside of everything that is another thing to add on. I know that I need to schedule my little better as this school year things have been tough as my family are the ones that have suffered. As a mother I think that the guilt at times can be a good thing as it has made me look over what I have been doing in my life. But this guilt can be a bad thing when it dominates your life stopping your from doing anything. So I need to look at my time and set boundaries and I need to be realistic. Planning on 4 hours of playtime with my son every day will in turn just set me up for failure. But a 30 minute block of activity before dinner of play with my son is a do able thing. December we start swim lessons but this month what about painting and crafts or imaginary play. Then I can say that one weekend day is a no work day. Once a month we aim to go out to something be it a local event or a friends house but something that is not normal. I need to restore my life and balance. God has been present which I believe is why I am able to see this guilt for what it is. God is blessing me daily as I survive this school year. But where he will take me by the end of it I don't know. Currently I don't even know if I will be teaching next school year but whatever it is I know that God has plan and as long as I listen to him our family will be fine!

Potty Rewards

2011-10-03T18:17:00.003-04:00

Since my little man has started the potty training many rewards have traveled his way. After the pee pee was mastered it was onto the poop and the reward given was a monster truck. After about 8 monster trucks we switched to cars and after that candy.

Last weekend me and my husband decided that we wanted to trade in our car for a bigger one. We went and got a nice deal on a SUV. I called home and we were talking about the new car. When asked why we got a new one my little man pipped up " Because Mummy pooped in the toilet." Cars are the reward after all.

I feel this is a moment I will smile and giggle about for a while.

Lots of firsts!

2011-09-10T22:34:00.003-04:00

In the last month lots of firsts have occurred. The first was that my little boy is now going on the potty. I have started a new school year teaching a new subject Algebra 1 and also my little baby is now going to school three mornings a week.

Life has now become busy and this month me and my hubby have been married for 10 years. So because of this I arranged another first and that was a sleep over for my little boy. As he went off to spend the night with a friend me and my hubby for the first time since this little man entered our lives went away for a night.

We eat by the marina and drink some wine, stayed up late without the worry of the sound of feet at 7 in the morning. Mt little boy had a great time at his friends and I have now been able to tell him that he can be a big boy like his friend if he poops on the potty too. My little guy now is the proud owner of a red monster truck for going poop on the potty and although he has done it a couple of times before this time I hope that it will be the start of many as he was so proud of himself.

Around the World and back again

2011-08-07T19:25:00.004-04:00

We are now back on US soil. Ghana was amazing as my little guy got to meet his other Grandparents for the first time. We visited so many family members it was wonderful as we all got to place faces with names. The weather was not too hot and although I got eaten by the local insects no one else did.

Over the summer I have reflected a lot on about the fact I have now gone back to work. In many ways this summer has made it all worth while as we would have not been able to do it. Six weeks away for me and the little guy with family creating memories is something I am willing to work for. I just need to cling onto this memories as I go through the next year.

I found this summer interesting as I watched my baby turn more and more into a boy. He took all the upheaval well as we switched time zones countries and planes. I however was one of those parents that had the screaming child at landing time. I got the stares and the looks like I was some how going to be able to calm the 3 year old even though I cannot hold them, cuddle. put on a DVD or anything else. But I survived and so did he. My little boy has learned more language and has also become more cuddly. I know that this might not last for ever so I am taking advantage while I can. Soon the summer is coming to an end and life will once again fall into the regular pattern of work, and home. But through it all I want to remember the happy memories, and places of the summer. The time spent with family is priceless. We have done Crazy golf, Zoo's, theme parks, botanical gardens, castles, fish and chips. I have many photos to remind me of it and to remind my little guy anytime he wants a trip down memory lane.

Gingerbread and bean pods

2011-07-08T13:54:00.002-04:00

These last few weeks have been amazing in England. My little man has relished the play time and attention with grandparents and cousins. We have been to beaches, theme parks and also a zoo. We have looked and ridden on trains, buses and cars. What more can a little boy want.

We have spent a day at the zoo looking at animals that we don't have in the zoo near us and riding in the monorail. Going through butterfly houses and bat caves. We have then been to a theme park where we rode on caterpillars and dragons as well as trains and Ferris wheels. We have also got the the train to go down town to see cousins and gone to park and slide down ever slide there is.

Today was a quieter day but it still involved in decorating gingerbread men and than battling Granddad with bean pods. So many memories and so much fun. I know that this will be a summer to remember for me and hopefully him too.

Summer thoughts.

2011-07-01T18:39:00.004-04:00

The summer has arrived in our household and with it this year has come trips to see the family on both sides. Currently we are in England visiting with my family. The more I am here the more I think about life back in the US and question is it home? I have also been reflecting on the situations we have focused on this year and the conclusions I have come to.

Since being here in the UK I have come to realise that this is a country that just makes more sense to me than the US ever will. I went to ASDA the other day and my mum found it very amusing how at every turn I commented on things like crisps, cakes, chocolates, biscuits and anything that I cannot find in the US which buy the time we had finished felt like the whole store. I may have lived in the US for over 6 years but I just find that I fit in here in the UK better. The people look like me. To some that statement sounds weird as how can a white woman not fit in in the US, but there is just something about American women that is not like UK women. I can't quite place my finger on it but I feel more at home in my skin this side of the water. I confess I do wonder whether I will ever have the feeling about the US as I do about the UK. I also wonder as my little boy runs around playing with Grandma and Granddad and his cousins whether he will grow into having a fondness for the UK or whether he will look to the US for this. I hope for him that he can look to the US and the UK and Ghana as home.

I know that by the end of this summer my little boy will be a very spoiled little boy. We have taken him to the beach and it was typical british weather in the high 60s. My little boy however had a blast running about and squashing any sand castle attempt made by me or my dad. It is through this that I realised I want to create memories. Memories of fun and laughter, of family. Being so far away from family means the time we get together is precious. I long to come home to England but I have realised that this is not just about it being in the country it is because of the memories. The memories of dad writing Dad is handsome on the beach and me either rubbing it out or writing NOT. It is about the walks and the laughs in the local parks that happen to be near old historical houses. It is about eating fish and chips after a fun day out and catching up with the weeks, months or years news. It is about that feeling you have when you go somewhere and it just gives you that happy feeling. I may not remember the exact memory but I know I was happy whether it was running through the rain or picnics near the lake. I hope that I am able to give this precious gift to my son. I want him to feel this about the US, UK and Ghana, memories and happiness. I know that too give this to my son I need to make sure that I stop and smell the roses. Picnics and time at the beach are not expensive they just take time. I need to make sure that I take the time to create the memories.

Working Mum

2011-06-05T20:45:00.003-04:00

I am now coming to the end of my first year back at work since having my son. As a mother I confess I had many ideas and judgments on working mothers. Not necessarily all bad, but I had ideas on what it would be like and how as a mother you must feel. So after a year of working some of those ideas have been confirmed others not.
Before working I would feel guilty over not having a clean house and making sure I was doing educational stuff with my little boy. Now I feel guilty over feeling tired after the end of day and not having the laundry done at the end of the week. Each week is a matter of survival and by the grace of God I do just that. Looking back over the year I have achieved more than I thought I ever could. With a three year old, evening classes, course work and my first year of teaching special education and all the paper work that goes with it I am still standing and my family still know who I am.
Schedules have become a lot more busy and some of the more pleasant moments in life have had to take a side step as I have juggled, wife, mother, home manager and everything else with it. I struggle with time between my husband, my son, myself and God. Sometimes you wonder how you can fit everything in. Whether I have time or energy I must buy groceries and do laundry. I at some point need to clean bathrooms and tidy up. But through the year I have been able to understand priorities in life. My house is not as tidy as it used to be but my son still gets excited when he seems me and tells me about his day. My heart longs to be with my son all day but I know that he is happy and doing well as he plays with friends.
Through all the year I have had to deal with guilt of not being with my son, for not being able to clean my house when I should. But God has allowed me to be successful and my family to be happy over the year. I know next year I need to be better with my goals and priorities but God will meet me where I am at and will show strength in my weakness.

Mother's Day

2011-05-09T18:55:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was Mother's Day in America. I got breakfast in bed and then taken out for lunch after church. The best part however was when my little guy laid his head on me and said "but I love you so much mummy." My heart melted. It is amazing how such a tiny thing can take over your life so completely and yet you are totally OK with it. I can't believe how big my little boy is. Each new day holds something new whether it is tears because we have missed our nap or giggles over something funny. I would not swap this for anything that is for sure.

THREE

2011-03-31T22:19:00.002-04:00

On Monday my little boy turn THREE!! I can hardly believe it. Over the weekend we had a little party that was great fun for all. My little boy had his friends over or hot dog's and cake. I did make a blue train cake but I must confess it wasn't completely like Thomas. The afternoon was interesting as during nap time there was no sleeping. My little guy found a tub of diaper cream. About 35 minutes later a cry of Mummy dragged me upstairs. "I do mess" Diaper cream was over the shirt, hands and hair. As my little one led me into the room I found his diaper table painted with diaper cream. I look forward to the next year of development and fun as my little boy grows up.

Nearly Three

2011-03-07T21:02:00.004-05:00

This the month that my little guy turns 3. I can't really believe it. Over the last few months we have been to the Zoo and I think my little guy enjoyed running up and down the ramp in the bird house than anything else. Although we did see the panda and the elephant and the gorillas which where very good to. This weekend my little guy had a friend who also turned 3 and had his birthday at a fire station and so all of the kids got to sit in the fire truck. My little guy was in little boy heaven.

I got a cough.

2011-01-17T09:16:00.002-05:00

My little guy has managed to get a bug. A cold bug. This is not a happy day but it is the first time that my little guy has been ill where he can tell me what is wrong. He tells me that he needs a tissue for his nose and that he has a cough. Today is going to be a day of TV and cuddles. I am glad that I have the day off as we get to spend together even if it is a sick day.

My little boy is also learning new games like hide a seek although our level of hiding is our head behind our cushion. Watching my little boy grow up is a true delight.

Snow

2011-01-10T16:49:00.002-05:00

As a teacher I am finding a new meaning to the possibility of snow. While wondering I found this rather great teachers prayer for snow and felt I just had to post it

A Teacher's Prayer For Snow

Oh, Lord, Let it snow.
Let it drift and let it blow.
In the morning, no real fuss,
Just enough to stop the bus.

Enough to make the County say:
"There will be no school today."
Let the radio report: "Snow is deep!"
And I'll roll over for more sleep.

Then later on, say maybe ten,
I'll turn the radio on again.
Just in time to hear them say:
"It's strange: the snow has gone away!"

And then I'll know you made it stop,
So I can go to the mall and shop.
Please Lord, just hear my plea,
And make it snow for the kids and me!

Amen
Author Unknown

Cookies

2011-01-08T14:22:00.003-05:00

Me and my little guy made cookies today. It was a first. I have to say I really enjoyed it. We received a jar of all the dry ingredients for Christmas from a friend. My little guy helped to mix all the ingredients and then we added the marg etc. He then helped mix all those together. I decided to create the balls for the cookies but my little guy did squish them. We made oatmeal ones. Normally my guy doesn't like them but he was very happy to eat them once we had made them together. I am going to try and make more food with him as I hope it will encourage him to eat more.

I was watching Ice Age today when there was a scene just after the mammoth saves the tiger about herds and how they stick together and then the sloth says well we are the weirds looking herd I have ever seen. It stuck in my mind that herds are in many ways a family and families can be very strange looking. They are not always created by blood but by friendship and history, common interests and of course love. Family often really includes friends that are so close the only thing you don't have is blood in common. I am grateful for my family and also for my friends which have become my family especially over here in the USA. As our blood relations are not here but our friends our. I am so happy that my little guy will grow up knowing these wonderful people.

Red, Blue and Yellow

2011-01-04T22:17:00.003-05:00

My little guy has discovered that bath time is a great time. When I think back to the days of a toe hitting th water and the screams that would then come it amazes me now that he is asking for a bubble bath. How you may ask? It is called water colour changing tablets. We now bathe in blue, red,or yellow water. Sometimes green, purple or orange too. I got these things as a little stocking filler just for fun along with a colour changing wash puff. Both have been a huge it and have meant that bathing is no longer a nightmare. My only slight concern is now whether my child turns blue but as of yet we haven't so I am not panicking too much. I think I also may have to replace this tablet once they run out and make sure that the rainbow of colours keeps following. It is almost like a skittle advert but instead of tasting the rainbow we bathe in the rainbow.

New Year New Me

2010-12-30T17:18:00.002-05:00

Ok not quite. But I have now ventured into Let's Dish today with my friend. The great part about it is that I now have 16 meals sat in my freezer for the month. My little guy had a great Christmas and has a lot of new toys to play with. I have totally enjoyed staying at home with my little guy maybe a little too much. But I am placing thoughts of Monday far away. New Year will be quite for us.

For the new year however I have decided to take up a challenge of reading the bible in 90 days. I will be blogging about it and feel free to check it out a God's Challenge.

Where is Christmas?

2010-12-24T10:16:00.002-05:00

For about a month now my little boy has every now and again been asking "Where is Christmas?" It all started because we went to a store to purchase a little people Nativity scene which we love to discover a veggie trains train. This little boy hung onto that train all the way around the store. It was on sale and so I decided that he could have it as one of his Christmas presents. So I told him he would have to wait for Christmas. When we got home his first look was for his train which I told home no you must wait for Christmas. And so we had the conversation of "Where is Christmas?" "Well Christmas is a day where we celebrate Jesus' birth and give gifts!" "oh" he then went and looked for Christmas all over the house. Since that point at the mention of Christmas my boy has looked for him around the house. Tomorrow we will meet Christmas and I cannot wait to watch as my little boy begins to understand that Christmas is an event. We are not really going to do Santa in our household. He will be talked about but the main focus will be the birth of Jesus and why that is so important.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas

2010-12-21T17:40:00.002-05:00

Christmas is just around the corner. We gave up on the potty training as I got tired of cleaning the floor and my little guy just loved to pee on the floor. I am really looking forward to Christmas this year as my little guy is going to know what is going on. It is going to be great fun opening the presents and see his excited face. I have managed to get some great deals this season and so I have managed to spread the money and get him some great gifts. It is however amazing that I can never find a pair of scissors when I want them.

This little boy has got so much further in his language. We can have complete conversations and the other morning he said "Daddy why did you switch the light on when you know I am sleeping?" At times a truly forget he isn't yet three.

Time has been flying so fast. I am really looking forward to being at home with my little guy for over a week.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T18:11:00.002-05:00

We are coming to the end of a long Thanksgiving weekend. I have had a 5 day weekend which the only bad thing about it is that it ends after 5 days. But I have had 5 days with my little guy. We had friends over on the Wednesday so we got play. Well my little guy played with his friends and I got to craft. Thursday was then the big day that I got my Christmas dinner cooked a month early and we had friends over which was great fun. My little guy got to play with his friends which was great fun as us adults got to eat in relative peace as they played. I also got some early shopping done on Thursday with some great deals.
Friday meant a new stage in our lives as the potty training began. To be quite honest my little guy just enjoyed running round and peeing on the floor a little too much. Two days later we have managed to pee in the potty a little but not a lot and most of the time we just pee on the floor. However we have got better as he now tells me he has. Hopefully we can conquer this soon as I am tired of cleaning the floor.

Knock Knock

2010-11-14T20:33:00.003-05:00

Today I feel as though a couple of things have happened that just prove to me I no longer have a baby. First of them was that as I was sitting at my desk my little guy started to cry. A kind that means no pain just upset. I turned around to see if he was OK when he said "Don't cry fire engine, It's OK" and carried on with his game. He in many ways he has done this for a while but normally just the basics but tonight it was the emotion of being upset and he tried to make them OK. The other thing that happened is he told me a Knock Knock joke

Little man "Knock Knock"
Me "Who's there?"
Little man" Boo who?"
Me "Boo who who?"
Little man "Boo who I don't cry that's just a joke."

My little guy thought that this was the funniest thing ever and in many it ways it was. It was so cute nad funny to watch my little boy try and make me laugh. And laugh I did. Tonight was a night that makes all those screaming moments worth while.

Quarter One.

2010-11-04T19:46:00.002-04:00

The first quarter at school has now come to a close. It is a job I can still say that I don't quite believe that I am doing it. There has been an a lot of adjustment for the family. As going from stay at home just 6 months ago to working a good 10 hour day means that things have had to change. Evenings and bedtime routines have become very precious to me as it is those few moments of one on one time will my little guy. My little toddler is now almost a boy. I have a feeling the the potty training is going to have to happen soon. Also at the end of the month it will be 6 years since I arrive with my husband in this big old US of A with three suitcases and feeling as though I was going to die as I drove around San Francisco and down to Palo Alto in a "small" American car on what I viewed as the wrong side of the road. Now 6 years later we have a child who is two and half, a house and I am now a high school teacher. Life could not have gone in a more different path than I thought but God knew what he was doing and so I trust him to know for the future as I can now truly say that God has blessed my family in ways I could not have dreamed.

We lost Daddy!

2010-10-02T13:44:00.002-04:00

To say that life has been madly busy is probably the understatement of the planet if not the universe. I am now working full time at a high school as a math special education teacher. I have four intensive classes and 1 co-taught class. So far I am OK with what I am doing just feeling completely overwhelmed with everything that needs doing.

My little guy has been going to a friends about 3 days a week. He has been adjusting really well. However for the last two weeks my husband has been away on business leaving me and my guy by ourselves. I can tell you that getting me and a two and a half year old out of the door for 6:15 am every morning is not what I call fun. The first few days went alright but as time when on my little guy notice that there was no daddy. Then the other day after screaming for 30 plus minutes for not being able to watch TV we settled down for dinner. At which point my little guy looked at me and said "We lost daddy." We then spent the next few mintues discussing that daddy was not lost and coming back tomorrow.

Daddy is now home and no longer lost. To me this was just another indicator that my little boy is growing up.

If

2010-08-06T10:08:00.004-04:00

I was thinking just yesterday about my life and realised that I have a lot of times where I say "If you had told me x number of years ago that I would be about to do or would have done .............. I would have laughed till I cried." This is I feel just becoming the story of my life. If you had told me on my 18th birthday I would be married at 20 I would have laughed. I would have laughed even harder if you told me that 3 year later I would then move to the west coast of the USA and then 18 months after that move to the east coast. I would most likely have informed you that you where mad and should see a doctor. Now I must confess that I did see the child but not a child in America miles away from family. And then if you had told me 18 months ago that come the summer of 2010 you will be a teacher in math Special education and accepting a job at a high school I would have laughed until I turned purple. But yet here I am having just accepted a job at a high school. I definitely feel that God is leading me on a journey that no one would have predicted for me, my family can confirm that and I am sure any person who knew me when I was younger would agree, but I feel God just likes me to not be comfortable as it makes me lean on him. Throughout his process of looking to God back to work, I feel many times when I door could have so easily closed it was held open by God. I had decided that I wanted to work in a Middle school at the start of the summer and when interviews started coming out that is where they were at. Although others had hoped for High School started getting offers at Middle School I who wanted that Middle School got nothing. I went on interviews but after everyone there was something in me that said "No not that one" each time this happened and then I heard that someone else had got the job I wondered why I was not. Then I got a call for a high just 20 minutes from my house without any need to hit those high traffic roads. I could not really believe that this was happening. As I went for the interview I said they prayer I always say, "if this is right God let it be, if it is not then let there be no offer." All I can say is God was in that interview. The questions came and the answered followed. To say I answered everything right was an understatement. The answers were on point every time. 2 hours later after my interviwers talked with the principal, the came through that I had the job. Looking back on this people could argue that I just had got better as I interviewed at more places but for me I just see it as God closing the doors till I reached the right door. God is my guiding light and even out of my comfort zone he and he alone will give me the skills I need to be successful and glorify him in everything I do. That by no means means that it will be an easy ride as this summer has been tough but it is the right path and with God beside me who can be against me.

A New Chapter

2010-08-03T22:12:00.002-04:00

Our family has now moved onto a new stage as I am now looking for a new job as a teacher of Math Special Education. I am really looking forward to this new thing in our lives. My little boy is having a a great time playing his friends. I think that however we have now realised that we are two. My little guys language is jumping in leaps and bounds as he chats away with me as he can tell me what he ha done with his day. However we also have moments of no communication apart from upset and screaming. Fortunately however these are not to long and we can quickly move on with our lives.
My little guy has also realised that the cat and the rabbit will react to him. Sometimes allowing him to stroke him which I have to say is more the rabbit, that cat however runs away much to my sons delight. The cat just dashes up the stairs and then looks back at him with a follow me if you dare kind of look. It is all fun in this house.

I put it in the bin

2010-06-30T08:00:00.002-04:00

Things have been changing a lot in this house and have in turn been getting madly busy. However me and my little guy have still had time for some fun. My friend came over to watch a movie and we where tidying up before my little guy went to sleep. My friend told him "Put it in the trash." My little ones response was to look a her with a puzzled look of what are you talking about. I turned to him and said "Put it in the bin" with that my little guy ran off and put it in the bin before running back and chanting with delight "I put it in the bin" several times.

We have also some how managed to make the big step of my little guy now sleeping in his big boy bed. It has been a little bit of a see-saw but it appears to be swinging towards the big boy bed. We have now had two full nights in the bed and last night we slept through. The other nights we have woken somewhere between 2-3 and wanted to witch into the other one be it a crib or the bed. I really didn't want to push it as I know that it can be hard, but he has chosen and hopefully he will stay where he is meant to. Currently even when he wakes up he won't get out of his bed he just sits in it shouting "Mum" until you go in and say " Come on"

As for other things I am now out all day and my little one is home with daddy. I love the fact he is getting to spend time with daddy but yesterday as he stood at the door with tears streaming down his face as I left in the morning I found it heart breaking. I just wanted to run and pick him up and never let him go. But alas I had to go and I am hoping it will get easier for both of us.

And so it carries on!

2010-06-05T20:39:00.002-04:00

The year seems to be flying by without me really knowing where it has gone. June already? We have been having some fun now that the sun is shinning with playing out doors and running around. We have walked to the park and played in the back garden which I am loving. We are trying to slowly improve our lawn out front and reduce the bare patches so we planted some seed which meant we have had the sprinkler out with my little guy was having a blast with. I can't believe how much he is growing up. We can have conversations about things and the amount of information is is soaking up amazes me everyday. I am having to do some studying at the moment and so my little guy has been going off to a friends to play. He has taken to it so well for which I am very grateful, but still there is a small part of me that is sad he doesn't seem to miss anything. With the a/c coming on I am trying to reduce the amount of heat I add to the house which means reducing the amount I am using the oven and the drier. I hope that it will also reduce my bill a little. I can save the planet one dollar at a time.

The long weekend that we just had was great. We went over for a BBQ and hung out with friends. My little guy played to he could play no more with his friends and I got to chat and catch up with quite a few people. Sometimes I wonder how I am going to fit everything in once I am working. I am sure however that it will all work itself out and I will just have to be better with my time.

Is it really that bad?

2010-05-24T15:08:00.003-04:00

We have had a lot packed into the last few days as I am currently looking to go back into work as so my little guy has been spending time over at a friends house who is going to be looking after him at some of the points whilst I am working. Part of me feels like I am just going to be missing out on too much but yet I know that it will help him grow in making friends, sharing and other things. Many kids are handed over to daycare from a few months old but my little guy has had over two years with me and now he is getting to hang out with his friend rather than a general daycare.

Now that my little one has passed that magical age of 2 people seem to think that I should be also onto number 2 child. However although I am sure that for a lot of people this will work well and I have seen it so for many of my friends work out well, that glove just isn't going to fit on my hand. I think that maybe some point in the future another child may take part in our lives but for now I am content with just one. I was teaching on Sunday with the Pre k-K class and when it was said that I had only one child one of the kids said that they felt bad for him. I said that I was an only child and so she also felt bad for me too. But is it really that bad to be an only child? Personally I had a very nice childhood. I did get a lot of attention from my mum and my dad because I didn't have to share with anyone, but yet I don't think I was spoiled. I know that we have always met that only child who was spoiled by mummy and daddy and is as selfish as anything but why feel sorry for me? I have grown up knowing nothing else. I had a happy childhood with loving parents. I think that sometimes people have a lot of opinions about only children and why it should not happen which I must confess baffles me. I would never dream of walking up to anyone and telling them that to have more than 6 kids is a silly idea (for those of you that do have more than six. I don't think you are silly) and that you are going to cause you children to not have a good standard of living and that you will never be able to give them the attention they need to be successful and the cost .... well do you know how much a good education costs nowadays. I assume that each family has thought out what they want to do and what is important for them and how it will work out, whether to stop at 4 kids or keep going to 20. Personally I know that I am not one of those people who has a desire to have 6 or more children, but I am also not going to tell you why you should stop at 4, so why is it that people think they should tell those of us with only one child to have more. Ask me the question of are you going to have more and that is fine but you must be willing to accept the answer. You can even ask why I am thinking of only one but don't try and talk me out of the answer as what works for you may not work for me. Children are a blessing from God and I do want as many blessings as I can get however blessings can be other things as well as children. For those of you with large families enjoy them and relish them but know that I also enjoy my family and relish every moment as at the end of they day we all want to be good parents with happy and successful children that will look different for all of us

When did that happen?

2010-05-06T22:54:00.003-04:00

Although many of my friends in the US say that I have a British accent anyone back in the UK would say well I guess it might still be there but it is hiding a little. So when did it happen that I became American or has it not happened yet. In someways I have had to adapt to the new culture I am in. There is no use me asking for a petrol station as all I seem to get is blank stares, so gas is what I now put in my car. And since I had my child in the US he is in diapers rather than nappies and sleep in a crib rather than a cot. But also I have noticed that my way of living has become more like the American. I drive everywhere, granted there are several times during the year that walking would just not work as either it is to cold or to hot and humid, but still why don't I walk on the days I can. The other thing I realised the other day was that I am always using my drier. Now I know that this is a very useful thing to have as, as I stated before drying outside in the cold or humid air doesn't not really help clothes dry, turn them into frozen shirts or even damper jeans depending on the weather yes. But again on those nice days when it is warm with a slight breeze why oh why am I using the drier. I used to love curling up in bed on fresh sheets, the ones that had flapped about outside. I am thinking I might just find that British person who seems to be berried somewhere and get a washing line. I guess also I am starting to view myself as I once viewed Americans as energy, petrol guzzling people without a care. Now before all my friends shot me down I do know this to be different. But still when am I using an item like a drier and a car because it is there or because I need to?

And then there was one.

2010-04-30T19:20:00.003-04:00

We are now down to just one house guest of my husband's sister. All the rest got on a plane and it took them home. It was sad to see them go and I am very glad I got some extra time with them. me and my little guy have been trying to get used to the fact there are no playmates at the moment. I am studying for exams at the moment so we are trying to find a balance in who goes where. Today we took a visit to a pre-school as I was giving a talk about rabbits. My little guy fitted in like he should have been there even though he is a year younger then everyone else. He did find the sitting down to listen hard but once they were colouring and playing everything was fine. Since I am hoping to become a teacher at some point I loved being there with the kids and getting a taste of what life might be like for me in the future.

Where are you?

2010-04-26T09:45:00.003-04:00

We are still enjoying the family at the moment. We have now also got my husband's sister staying so we have a house full for a couple of nights. This has meant that we a sharing a room with our little guy while everyone is here. The other morning my little guy decided that it was time to get up at 5.30am so I just picked him up and put him in bed with me. As he sat next to me and I tried to get to sleep at little voice could be heard "Where are you?" "I am here!" I replied since I was right next to him. "What are you doin?" Was the next question. "Sleeping." was my answer. Even in my half asleep state as I amazed that I was having a proper conversation with my boy. He truly is growing up.

We have also added another new thing that my boy has done and that was to take him to see a film. We went to see How to train your Dragon in 3D. They don't make child size glasses and so they where rather big on his face. There was a little upset in the beginning as we waited for the film to start but once it started he barley moved. This glasses did slip down his nose a couple of times, well a lot of times but he seemed to really love it. I feel that this now means that any kids movie I wish to watch I now have a little one to take with me.

Family, roller-coasters and volcanoes!

2010-04-19T17:08:00.004-04:00

Over the last couple of weeks my family has been in town. My parents, grandma and my cousins entertainment has been 24/7 and my little guy has loved it. We went to the beach where my little guy found great delight in wear Grandma's hat. We thought it was some of the funniest things ever. We all laughed to we nearly fell over. At times he couldn't see out from under the hat and would run around until he ran into something. We have also been to Six Flags. My little guy went on the carousel and had a blast as I held onto him. He also was able to go onto a small roller coaster for the first time. He held on with a grin from one end of his face to the other with no idea what was going on but he loved it. I think we may have to become a seasoned traveler on roller coasters. I did myself managed to get on some of the larger roller coasters and some of the rides that you get soaked on.

It was sad when the time came for everyone to leave but since Iceland had a volcano so we had an extended stay. It has meant that my grass has been cut and my little guy has had a blast with extra time with his entertainers.

Offically a toddler!

2010-03-29T07:46:00.002-04:00

I think my little guy started in the terrible twos a while ago with the throwing of fits and other joys that go with it. This week has been my little lad telling me that 2 is about to arrive. Up until now I have been blessed that although we have thrown many a fit in the home outside we have limited ourselves to just getting a little upset. However this week I did a terrible thing and that was I decided we needed to buy shoes for my little guy. Well I didn't know but the thing to measure your feet eats little boys feet and so we screamed and screamed in the store. The whole thing was very upsetting for my little guy. We did manage to get a guess on the size and I decided to put some sandals on hold while we took a break. Upon coming back to the store my little guy grabbed his feet as if it was the end of the world. I however did find some trainers (tennis shoes to you in the US) and tried them on his feet. It was a good job that I had the right size as they were not coming off once they were on and we discovered as he rain around the store they lit up. We both ended happy which was nice.

Yesterday my little guy became two. We had a birthday party and it was a blast. I set up a ball pit in the play room and I even made the cake and iced it. It was a train and I have to say it really didn't look too bad. It was great fun watching my little guy run around with all his friends and eating food. Due us all being tired we didn't do presents just yet that will be tonight so I guess that his birthday will last a little longer. Family is also arriving this week and so I am sure there will be another short birthday again.

Frugal Makeovers!

2010-03-23T14:32:00.002-04:00

It seems that nowadays it is the new thing to save money and find new ways to make those pennies go a little further than before. I have looked into a lot of what has been said. Especially as my little guy goes through clothes a lot and shoes. Those growth spurts can be a lot. Also with toys going in and out of favour I am always on the look out for something good but not too expensive so that if it gets lost I am not too upset. I have to say though that a lot of things people suggest I already do. We have the energy saving appliances, we program our heating to come on or off. But what I am trying to do now is do better with buying food better. Aldi is now my regular place apart from the fact it feels like being back home as I add my quarter to get my cart. It also has great fun for my little guy as they are doing lots of work with diggers and other things. I am trying to get the better deals it has become a game. my little guy normally loves going around the stores seeing new people and things like that although today at our trip to BJ's there was nothing like fun as with our teeth trying to arrive my little guy just wanted to be held all the way round which really doesn't help when trying to buy stuff, I did inform him that it was all for him as it is for his birthday on Sunday but he was still not convinced about it.

The Last Week

2010-03-21T13:21:00.002-04:00

This is the last week of having a one year old. As Sunday my little guy will be two. I can hardly believe it. In many ways he has stopped being a baby for several months but being two really seems to make it final. Over the last couple of months several things have happened that make me really realsie how far he has come. The language bubble has burst and we chat away without us stopping and somethings I can even grasp at what he is saying. We have also got some really nice weather and so now I can leave the back door open and he goes and plays out happily by himself. digging up dirt and kicking balls.
I can also see him now making choices some of them aren't quite what I had in mind but now I can tell him if you do that again you will get a time out and you can watch his little brain process and decided whether it truly is worth misbehaving. He will happily go and play with other kids now but I love that fact that he will still coming running when I go to pick him up. Currently my little guy is also working on his two year molars which really is not fun for anyone. But I guess that is just another proof that my baby really is now my little boy.

Hair Be Gone!

2010-03-14T20:55:00.002-04:00

My little guy got his first hair cut. I felt with him turning two in couple of weeks it was time for it to happen. It had got very long but with him having such curly hair it was just growing around itself. But now my baby looks like a little boy and that he aged a lot. It is just another step as he grows up. Part of it doesn't feel real but now time to plan a birthday party!

Spiders and Cobwebs

2010-03-09T23:01:00.002-05:00

Today was what I would call my first day of spring. It was a lovely Spring day with sunshine and warmth. I must confess that the piles of snow out front that are resisting the thaw that is happening is a little strange, but me and my little guy got to spend some time outside in the back garden. We also took out Hamish our current foster bunny for a bit of sunshine. We had the great fun of a plane pass over several times and also a helicopter so my little guy was as happy as can be. We got the bubbles flowing and all in all had a great time.

This evening we had homemade drive thru as I got some oven cooked french fries and chicken nuggets. And then we had a family recipe of Spiders and Cobwebs for pudding. It is a little delight that I grew up on. Plain yogurt with honey and raisins added. I also add a touch of sugar too if the yogurt is not as sweet as I would like. It was a simple day in many ways but so many moments to remember of my little guy. As I already know that time just flies by a lot faster than I would like.

Fun Packed Month

2010-03-08T08:43:00.002-05:00

Time really seems to be flying this year. I can't quite believe that it is march already or that my little guy is going to be TWO in a matter of a couple of weeks. This month is going to be packed full of stuff and already has. We had a fun morning of friends over for pancakes. I think including kids it was about 20 people. My little guy got to run around with friends while the rest of us got to have some great conversation. I have decided to make my little guys birthday cake this year and so I did a practice run. The shape is that of a train which is provided by a shaped cake pan but I had to practice my icing which I can honestly say I did years ago and nothing since. I was impressed it did look like a train so I am now ready to tackle the real thing at the end of the month.

At the weekend my little guy got to go to a party where he was able to spend I happy 45 mintues climbing over bridges, slide down slides, crawl through tunnels, catch bubbles and run under parachutes. It was great to watch him get a real thrill out of everything. He came home that night and collapsed into bed without a word. I can really see my boy grow in independence as he will happily run off and play around other kids. Even at church yesterday when we arrived he knew right where he was going and ran there leaving me behind. He didn't even turn to wave good-bye. Part of me was a little said about that but at least when I went to pick him up he was very happy to see me.

Moments of Life

2010-02-18T23:01:00.003-05:00

After several more inches have fallen in snow we have managed to dig our way out to freedom. Me and my little guy did lots of thing that we have not really done before. We have a new game which is Ready, Set, Go at which point my little guy then runs and throws himself onto the sofa or the cover or even daddy and shrieks with delight. We also manage to build a kind of fort with a sheet and also some chairs which amused my little guy for quite a while. But all were glad when we venutred out to build a snow man meet up with friends and feel as though we were living again.

This morning I had a moment it was one of those which was small but I wish I could just package it up with a bow and store it forever. We had just finished getting dressed for the day and I lay on the floor and so my little guy came and lay next to me. I then propped up myself on my elbow and he tried to copy. As I lay my head back on the floor and he did the same we just stared at each other. I said "Are you handsome?" He nodded I said "I love you" and he nodded again. For a little guy who normally shakes his head no I was happy to get a yes. As we just enjoyed hanging out together in his room it was a precious moment to me that I know I will treasure.

My little guy still has his talk button press onto on and is learning a lot more words. We have traveled from dar to car, truck and bus. For a while we got It's a bus as he thought that was what you said for a bus. We have also got cat, dog and bunny. Lots more tumble out through the day although I seem to be being called daddy again.

The silence of snow.

2010-02-08T09:04:00.002-05:00

We have just had the blizzards of 2010 this weekend with about 2 foot of snow. It has meant that we have spent a lot of time indoors and close together which considering I was feeling sick didn't make for the happiest of memories at times. However me and my little guy did manage to have some fun in the snow and once I had dug out the path he could come out with me without getting eaten by the snow monster. We have manaeged a short walk around the neighbourhood where we got to see a lot of people coming out and looking at all the snow and wondering two things...... Which lump of snow is the car? and Where oh where do I begin to dig?

My little guy has been really good over the weekend we have coloured, read, played trains, ran around and watched probably a little too much TV. At times I have had a headache but things have not been too bad to which I am thankful. I am hoping today that we are able to venture out a little way otherwise I think I will go mad with cabin fever even if my little guy does not.

All in the timing

2010-02-02T12:18:00.002-05:00

The other day I was reading Exodus 2. It is a chapter that I have read many times before. I have even completed studies on it. This time as I read it again I was hit by the fact that God is in control of timing. I know this but it really hit me again. God has a plan, he saved Moses. However Moses wanted to do things by himself which in turn lead to someone dying. Many people I know have ssaid how they wish they where like the men and women of the old testamanet but I feel we need to look at who they truly were. Sure God used them and did amazing things through them but at the end of they day they were flawed humans. Moses was murderer. I do not want to be one of those. Moses had all the right intentions but he needed to wait for God. God has a plan. Everything will turn out right in his timing and not ours. It will also be through his glory rather than any other beings. As God challenges me on my use of time and doing things when I should not, worrying about things when I have no control and doing nothing when I am doing something I need to remember that God has the timing of my life down. As long as I listen to him everything will go according to plan.

US soil

2010-01-29T07:41:00.003-05:00

We are now back on the US soil. It was an eventful journey back but not for the reasons I had thought. My little guy was a star on the plane however I was struck with a migraine for about the last 2 hours of the flight and to say that by the time we landed I was so ill I could not move. I was sick and just about managed to get off the plane and into a wheelchair. My poor husband was then left to managed all the coats and hand luggage by himself and then of course the luggage that we had checked in. The guy pushing me in the wheelchair I have to say was not the most helpful of fellows. I left the airport having given the most horrible immigration photo on the planet as just looking into the camera made my brain want to explode. I did however make it home with our friend driving us back which I was very grateful. Several pain killers later and a sleep I did feel as though I had rejoined the human race.

As I look back over the trip I am in many ways so glad that we did it as my little guy got to see my country, the home that I grew up in and family and friends that otherwise he would not have met. I loved how it felt to be home, to feel at home in a way I have not felt for the last five years living in the US. In many ways I am sad to have left it behind. To not have the countryside of England at my door or drive to an old estate and roam around the grounds. But I hope that it will not be as long as it has been before me and my little guy get to go back. I think I have at least left part of my heart back there as it will always be home to me. But the US has it joys and I am looking to them as I miss my family, friends and British humour and tv. I am trying now to be more organised so that I can spend more time with friends here but not at the lack of not doing other things. As I watch my little guy run around the house and play with his ball I realise that a part of my heart is here also, so I guess to the answer of if home is where the heart is where is home? It is both England and the US.

The Last Few Days

2010-01-25T05:30:00.002-05:00

The last week has flew by as we have dash here, there and every where. In many ways I have found myself feeling more at home here than I have in the 5 years in the US. Whether this is because it has been a time to catch up with friends and family or the fact I am in the house that I called home for almost my whole childhood I don't know. I have loved going away and popping back to see my mum and dad. I also love the houses that you get over here and the character, the old historic house that you can walk around the grounds of.

Last week we took my little guy off the the beach. It was like passing on a little piece of family as it was Formby beach that was the first beach I went on as a child and also my mum. S for it to be my little guy's as well just seemed right.

I have been enjoying munching on Cadbury chocolate that now ironically enough has been bought by a US company but hopefully nothing will change in the flavour. Maybe even the UK will become the US and then where will I call home?

Home is where the heart is.

2010-01-18T04:00:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it has been over a week since our adventures. It all began with trying to fit enough clothes for three into suitcases to go to the airport. My little guy had no idea what was about to happen as we arrived and checked in bags. All I can say is when my little guy is not feeling comfortable in the airport when it came to removing shoes and coats. He threw himself on the floor and decided to then screamed. I have to say that people started to step away from the child and me and I believe started to pray 'Please don't let him be on my flight!' While waiting for the plane my little guy was running madly around and screaming at the top of his voice. I have to say that I began to question my sanity of having him on my lap for several hours but in answer to my prayers he was a star on the flight. Our second flight we were tired and so my little guy decided that getting out of his stroller was the worst idea on the planet and so not only threw himself on the floor but then rolled around as he screamed. However once on the flight he was again a star.

Upon arrival I found England to be covered in a blanket of snow. Even where I grew up had 5 inches which although to many sounds a little I think I can count on one hand how many times we have had over an inch or two on one hand. As I looked out over the snowy ground and the English countryside and winding roads came into view I confess I felt as though I was home. I was surprised of the amount of emotion I felt as I whispered to my little guy Welcome to my home!

Since landing on the ground I almost feel like my feet have not touched it. In the beginning everything was a little different but within a day I felt like everything was so right. My little guy has seen so many people. I would love to think that everyone was thrilled to see me but alas I think that my little guy has stolen the show and I am totally fine about that. He has taken everything in is stride winning everyone with his smiles and his giggles. We dashed over to Great gran to see all her friends, had photos. We then rented a car to dash down to London so see family and friends and yes it was very interesting driving on the other side. I was not quite sure whether it was the right side, wrong side or the left side. We had a blast meeting everyone and playing with toys catching up with friends and laughing until our sides hurt.

I am however left wondering if home is where the heart is where is my home?

New Year Goals

2010-01-01T23:02:00.003-05:00

I was reading The Happy Housewife and decided that I to would set some goals. The question that then followed was what are they going to be? I don't want to set a million and miss on to many but I also feel that only setting two really doesn't create a challenge so I will try to provide a few.

Increase the amount I spend reading the bible.
Be better at taking notes on a Sunday or any other church meeting
To help my little guy learn his words
Set a better budget and stick to it!
To set a cleaning routine and use it (instead of fly by the seat of my pants)
Go to the gym 2-3 times a week
Lose the baby weight that really should already be gone
Complete School work with plenty of time (instead of last minute)

I think that is quite enough. I hope that and I pray that I am able to achieve these goals.

Year Ending

2009-12-31T22:01:00.002-05:00

As 2009 comes to a close I am looking back over a very eventful year. My little guy has learned to walk, say his first word, learned to run, gone through being very attached to independent and so much more. As a family we have gone for a weekend away, bought a house, spent time with family and so much more. This year at times has gone slowly and other times flew by so fast my head has spun but this last evening of 2009 has allowed me to enjoy the moments. I watched my little guy colour on the floor. We had dinner together as a family with my husband and his brother. My little bath had his last bath in 2009 in which he decided to pee everywhere. What does the next year old I don't know but if it is as good as this year I am happy.

The Journey.

2009-12-27T23:22:00.004-05:00

I have a couple of different devotionals that I dip into every now and again and today I decided to dip into 'The Equestrian Devotional'.

'After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.'
1 Thessalonians 4:17

It was talking about the rapture and it being a journey of love and joy. When you think about what Jesus came to do on this earth and the journey he has had to gone to get to where he is now it really makes me realise that God can truly not ask to much of me. It made me also realise that we do not know when he is to return and so I must prepare my heart, my life and my actions so that I am ready for him to return. Am I ready to be mounted in his army on one of his white horses? I hope and pray that I am.

Change

2009-12-27T23:19:00.002-05:00

I have decided to kind of change they way that I use this blog. I will still continue to retell the tails of our lives and label them all life. However I am also going to start adding other types of posts such as a devotional that I am reading or some kind of thought, maybe a recipe or something. I will make sure that each post is labeled do that you can select the ones you want to read if you don't want to read them all.

103, Christmas and trains

2009-12-26T23:16:00.003-05:00

The beginning of the week began with a very sick little boy with a runny nose and a temperature of 103 which I have to say had me really worried. It meant that my little guy was totally and completely attached to me unless he was asleep and sometimes even then. We did however manage to break the fever Christmas eve and develop a rash. But come Christmas day we were a lot more perky and love our train set for Christmas. We had great fun opening presents and then playing wit our trains. Then in the afternoon we went out to see the National Christmas tree which much to the delight of my little guy had a load of little trains running around. It was nice to get out as we have my husband's brother staying and so showing him the area has been fun. I am hoping that the rest of the week can try and head towards normal at least no more being sick and of course playing with trains is now a must!!

Trains, planes and WOW!

2009-12-12T23:17:00.002-05:00

Trains and planes cause my little guy to shout WOW at the top of his voice. My little guy was throwing a huge fit the other day as I had to change his diaper in the car which as far as he is concerned is a punishment worse than death however as his head popped out from the car he yelled WOW and a load of other words that I have yet to know what they mean. With finger pointing upwards I see what the thing is that is causing all the joy and that is a plane.

Today we were watching on TV a movie and in it there was a boy who got an electric train. My little guy ran to the TV with huge WOW and other words with pointing at the train we then tried to look down the screen as the train went off camera he was quite upset that he could not see if off screen even when he looked down at it.

I have to say that having got my little guy a train set for Christmas I cannot wait for Christmas morning and getting those WOW's a hope as James the Train (the red one from Thomas the Tank) runs around those rails.

First Snow

2009-12-05T13:02:00.002-05:00

The first snow of Christmas is falling outside of my window as I write this. Growing up where I did in England the snow was rare and hard to find so I really do enjoy snow around Christmas even if it is wet due to the little rain that came first. My little guy wasn't really to sure what to make of it as we walked out of the gym this morning. Yes that is right people we went to the gym in the snow. Wow I feel dedicated. My little guy hit the snow as he does bubbles in the bath and I think was a little shocked in the beginning about the coldness. However after a quick ride in the car back to the house once getting out again we have a little fun as we through snow flakes at the ground. I am hoping that we can move on to snowballs in the near future. On another note of fun we will be off to see my family soon so although the flight itself scares me I am quite sure that the trip itself will be great. I just need to start praying now!

Memoires

2009-11-25T14:10:00.002-05:00

The other day we were talking about memories and how we can encourage our own children to have them. I wonder if my little guy could talk what he remembers so far of his life. It also got me htinking about what I remember from my childhood. I do remember some of the big holidays and such but things that I remember the most are the smaller things or Saturday mornings sitting in bed together as a family drinking tea. Birthday parties that were full of games and ended in a good bit of rough and tumble with my dad. I also remember one year having an elephant shaped birthday cake that my mum made for me. Some holiday moments that really sick in my mind are camping and the things we did together as a fmaily, like the plastic duck race in a river I believe was in Norfolk, camping in Scotland and having a cold spell which meant we put on extra clothes just to go to bed as it was ground frost at night. I also remember getting given a freshly laid egg in a country pub in night and the following day my dad cooking it to perfection. So many more memories and it makes me wonder what memories will I have as my little boy becomes a big boy and I am sure that they will be very different from the ones that he will have. I am sure that in 20 years time it will be fun to talk about these things and see whether we remember the times the same way or if w2e wonder were ever really spent any time together.

To Concentrate.

2009-11-22T20:19:00.002-05:00

We decided today to take a trip out and go to a place that was recommended. It was said that there was trains. So off we went. It was a garden centre and there was lots of Christmas decorations and other things and then through all the stuff there it was a huge train set with lots of trains all running around it. My little guy was delighted and watched them all go around. He was a little young to realise that one of them was Thomas the Tank but I think the thrill was all the same. We did manage to have a little walk around the centre and see some fish but my boy was thrilled to get back to the trains. I think he must have watched them for about 30 or more minutes. He didn't want to leave and screamed as we took him away from his trains. I think I will try and take him again before it goes away.

Survived and Conquered!

2009-11-14T23:48:00.002-05:00

The week of horrors has passed and this week was a lot more pleasant. Hot water did not arrive until Tuesday and I have to say as soon as it was all systems go with laundry, dishwasher etc. I then celebrated the hot water that night with a lovely hot bath. My little guy did not really realise that anything really had changed. He has however gone back to have a bath in the bath upstairs. We have managed little walks out and friends over. Thursday was a lovely day as we had a group of mums and kids over. There was one little boy who is about the same age and him and my little chap spent a happy few hours playing and chasing each other around the house. It was truly a joy to watch as they played as they are now growing up. Another little joy in the house was a new bunny has arrived. I will be updating my other blog on the new bunny. My little guy loves stroking him and is being very gentle.

Just one of those days!

2009-11-02T20:43:00.002-05:00

I guess in some ways one of those days started yesterday in the sense that I woke up with a headache, sore throat and some changes in temperature. So yesterday was spend very uneventful at home feeling yuck. Monday morning came after a bad night of sleep and my little chap screaming for longer than normal to penetrate my sleep. Upon entering the room the cat dashed out having been shut in all night. I thought nothing of it until I went back to get my little chap ready for the day. The edge of the carpet had been attacked with claws as my little Amelia must have been trying to dig her way out under the door. This was confirmed when I saw her and at places around her mouth she has managed to remove the fur. My cat must having been digging for a while but she seems no worse for wear as she tried to get back into my little guys room tonight.

The next thing to happen to day was at around mid morning about 40 minutes before I had to go to the doctors I could hear a notice that was a lot like a hissing noise. It took me a while to locate it but soon found out what it was when I stood in water flowing around the room where my hot water tank is. The tank has got a leak and so decided today was the day to flood. Calls to a friend where made and he very kindly dashed round to switch it off and help me drain it as I had not clue what to do and my little guy just wanted to splash in the hot water.

As the days carried onwards I then took my little guy to the doctors for some shots and for the whole appointment he was upset. Waiting he was fine as the train made its way around the surgery (a toy train that has a track near the ceiling through all the rooms) but upon entering the room for the doctor we cried to get weighed, we cried to have our ears checked, we cried to be touched and then we screamed to have our shots and then our diaper changed.

Today is a day where I would love to run a bath and relax in it to forget about the sore throat and the trials of the day but alas I have no hot water so I think I might pass as a cold bath or shower just before bed does not sound appealing in any shape or form

A Moment for the Simple Life.

2009-10-29T18:22:00.002-04:00

So many days I find myself with a list of things to do and places to go. Grocery shopping time, laundry time followed by lunch time, nap time and then playtime. Then it is tea time and bed time. There is a time for everything but moments. So often I find myself running around, and I forget that there is a moment to enjoy. I forget that really this is my little boys first Autumn, as lets face it last year he wasn't moving. This is his first year to run through the fallen leaves and laugh as I kick the leaves flying into the air. If I keep on with my list of things to do I may miss these moments of fun and memories for me to cherish. As I am quite sure that in not too much time, running through the leaves and kicking them into the air with mummy with be everything but fun and even embarrassing. So in my list of things to do I must always remember to add time for moments.

Todays moment was when we got out of the car my little boy starting stamping in the leaves. The next 10 minutes was spent with much squeals of laughter as leaves flew into the fair in all directions. I feel we need to go to the park soon and kick as many leaves as we can.

BBQ's and helping out!

2009-10-25T21:34:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we had a group of people over for a BBQ. It was funny because in many ways we had a completely British BBQ and that was it rained and it poured. My poor husband was stood outside under an umbrella trying to flip burgers and turn sausages. My little guy spent all evening running round and entertaining our guests. Smilling and dashing away, even at times he was out stealing peoples food.

Today however my little champ decided that he was going to help me unload a dishwasher. Each dish was picked out and handed to me for me to put away. It went very well until we reached the top of the dishwasher because then he was on his tip toes trying to pick out glasses. So I helped out with the breakables and left him to fish out the plastic. All in all it went very well and I feel that I am doing well having my little guy at 19 months help with chores.

Is it a bird? Is it Superman?..... No it is a PLANE!!

2009-10-23T16:15:00.002-04:00

Plane are the new thing of the month, week or day not to sure which but my little guy can spot a dot in the sky and know that it is a plane and not a bird or Superman. Shouts of Dar can be heard from the back as I try to scan the horizon to fine what it is and it is a plane. I have to say that at times I struggle to find this dot, but my boy has it down. Dar currently is the word for any kind of moving vehicle be it a bus, lorry (truck for all you americans) car or plane. Which means I always have to make sure I know what he is pointing at before I go "Yes it is a plane!"

New York!

2009-10-21T11:59:00.002-04:00

As a family this weekend we dash off to the BIG APPLE for a family wedding. I have to say that my little guy was a star. I was three days of no routine, late nights and napping on the go but he took it all in his stride. We spent the first day at the wedding and the reception and it was only later on in the evening that he really started to meltdown. During the wedding we managed to get at the back of the church and so he was able to run around and also make friends with some other little boys. The reception was time for him to fill his tummy with everything he could although we had a strong preference for the rice and beans. That night however was not pleasant for any of us. My little guy decided he did not want to sleep on his own and so I ended up sleeping on the floor with him as he moves to much in his sleep and was in danger of head diving off the bed.

The following day we made it into the big city itself. My guy was strapped to my back so that I knew where he was at all times. We had a small accident that meant we then had to run around trying to find a store that was not designer to get him some clean and therefore new trousers. After the made dash we made it to the church and met up with family. Then the evening was another late one where we had fun chatting with family. The following day was time to go home and collapse. I have to say that my little guy had a great time and not as many meltdowns as I thought he was going to have. But it does now mean that nap time and bed time are a fight until we get back into sleeping at normal times.

It was a moment or two!

2009-10-05T23:37:00.002-04:00

The last week has been fun filled but also a little on the tiring side also, but I think that this is most likely how this month is going to go. Anyway today TWO things have happened which I feel should be duly noted and also applauded. First when I went to the gym today my little man walked straight round to the door and then ran in. I smiled as he then ran up to the little girl and stood next to her. It seems that little girls have become his new best friend even if he doesn't really say anything to them just yet, but he does get a lot braver when they are about. He stayed in there for my work out and was ready to some home when I came to pick him up which helped me not feel too replaced.

The next big thing was that he managed to stroke Amelia the cat. For several months since he became mobile they have been playing a merry dance around the house. My little guy sees that cat and for about 4 months has longed to touch the cat. However Amelia who is not the friendliest cat in the book would walk just about 2 feet in front of him before escaping up behind the stair gate and looking back with a look that I am not sure was of pure disdain or simply so there! However Amelia was a little on the hungry side and as she sat to eat my little boy came and sat down next to her, since she did not walk off at first he was at a lost of what to do but then slowly a little hand reached out and touched her back. After a couple of pats Amelia decided that enough was truly enough and left. My little chap could not have been happier.

Today we also went off to visit the local park. We fed the lonely goose and walked around before coming back. It was nice to lie in the sun and stretch our legs I am really enjoying the weather as I find it is not too hot and just right for playing outside. I am loving the back garden of our house and so is my little guy!

18 months!

2009-09-28T13:35:00.002-04:00

Today my little guy celebrated his 18 months birthday. First big thing was that he slept till 8.15 am. There are times when as a mother I can't really decide whether I should be freaking out that something might have happened or to just enjoy the few moments of peace in the morning before he awakes ready to take over the day. My little guy seems to be growing up so quickly, he will now stay in the church nursery without any issues happily playing and doesn't even scream upon me leaving or arriving. Which I have to say that I enjoy. Occasionally when teeth are bad or we just managed to awake from the wrong side life can appear to be ending but most of the time life is good.

Teeth!

2009-09-21T22:01:00.003-04:00

Once again the delights of teething has hit our household. This time however it griped tighter than it ever has before. My poor little guy has had a runny nose which in turn has lead to a cough, diaper rash and just moments of screaming. This so far has been going on for days and finally today I saw white! Yes the smallest bit of tooth has broken through the gum on both sides. In turn the nose is drying up and the diaper rash is vanishing. So hopefully peace can reign. Well OK the crying will reduce.

Getting Dry!

2009-09-13T22:12:00.002-04:00

My little guy has come to quite enjoy his baths now. We have bubbles and blocks and many other things to keep ourselves entertained, whilst mummy dear scrubs out the potatoes from behind the ears etc. The only thing now is once we are out of the bath we have to get dry and that is now what we scream about. However I have come up with a plan! That is once we are out of the bath we play chase. My little guy runs around and I chase after him. Once caught we have a rub down with the towel before being release and chasing again. So drying has now become a game and now only screams of delight can be heard. And since I have wooden floors in the landing I also don't have to worry about soggy carpet. So we all win.

Slides, bubbles and bunnies.

2009-09-10T12:04:00.003-04:00

This morning since the weather as dropped to a cooler level I decided we would go outside and play. While we were outside I also took out the new foster bunnies we have and let them have a run about in the pen. my little guy decided he wanted in the pen and to stroke them. After which we decided to run around after the bubbles and my little guy squealed with delight. Followed by climbing on the trucks we have, backwards. I don't think he has quite figured out which was is which or how you can move them but my little chap is getting closer. Then he decided to climb up and down the slides which was all great fun. This tired out my little guy completely and having got up really early this morning he started to meltdown. And so he is now having an early nap. He tried to protest about the whole thing but fell asleep before he could really scream.

All in the line say "What a cutie!"

2009-09-08T12:51:00.003-04:00

The other week me and my little guy set off to the post office. It was a nice day so I decided to walk the half mile there and back. At the post office it was quite busy and my little guy decided that it was his job to entertain all in the line behind us with giggles and peek-a-boo's. I think all in all he had 12 people laping it up with sounds of "oh he is so cute" and "just look at the smile".

We also went to the store and my little one decided that being in a cart was a thing worse than death and so we screamed till I could think no more. So against my better judgment I let him run around. I have to say that little guy had a complete blast running around the store never going to far from me but staring at people and then smiling before running back to me. Everyone smiled and waved and even gave a few games of peek-a-boo. I think fun was had by all.

Over the labour day weekend we decided to have our house warming. We scrubbed our house till it shone and I doubt it will ever look this good again. We had over about 60 people through the evening and my little guy loved all the fun and kids and everyone. He ran this way and he ran that. Now it is over, I have to clean again but it was all worth it!

8 years!

2009-09-01T22:12:00.004-04:00

Ok people don't panic my little lad has not just leap to the grand old age of eight. There has been no time warp, but what has happened is that me and my hubby have been married 8 years today. So to acknowledge this event we went out on our OWN. I know the hock the horror but it was great. Conversation without screaming or chatter or the clatter of cups and toys being thrown. We also went for a walk around the town centre and it was then that I realised I have truly passed into a new stage of life. Shops that I once viewed as grown up and hip have passed into being too young but kids clothing store now look like fair game. When I think about it I have passed through young and carefree a while ago not that I am in anyway sorry it has gone. But I am married, I have a kid and I own a house! Oh no I am sensible!!! and grown up!!!!!! Quick run for the hills!!!!!!!

On a sad note Sable the fish passed onto fishy heaven, the other two are still going sstrong so now they have passed the first week I feel I might have them for a few months

Moments!

2009-08-24T00:37:00.001-04:00

Throughout this week my husband has been away and so it was just me and my little guy verses the world. We have run around and also had many melt downs to say the least but I feel that we have also had our moments. After a nap me and my little guy hung out on my bed. I was finishing a book that I was reading and I had some crisps (chips to you Americans). My boy was sat on my knee facing me and decided to feed me crisps. One for me and two for him. He was so happy to be doing it and very proud. To me that was what made the whole week all worth while.

We have also expanded our family this week with Sable, Lucy and Albert Einstein (don't ask about the names) but you can ask about the species, they are fish. My little guys loves them as they move and well that's it really. I am hoping that they last a while as I never really had a great way with fish. But my little guy has his first pets. I will make him love animals, I will. Daddy comes home tomorrow and I can't wait.

No!

2009-08-20T18:36:00.000-04:00

For a while my little guy has shook his head when he didn't want something but over the last couple of days a little no has now been added. Currently it is kind of cute but I am sure in about 24 hours I will disagree.

This week has been a little mad as daddy has been away. We have been here, there and everywhere. My motto is tired him out and I should get some sleep and in the most part it has worked. We have played at friends, run around the garden, popped out to the shops and been out for dinner. I am however looking forward to daddy arriving back home next week.

Amazing!

2009-08-14T08:35:00.000-04:00

Something truly amazing happened this morning. My little guy went off to bed as normal between 8.30 and 9. This morning I woke to look at the clock thinking it would be 6 something to discover it was 7.30! I decided that panicking that something was wrong was a bad idea and hopped into the shower. At 8.00 am this morning I went in and woke up my little boy. So for the first time ever he had over 11 hours of sleep in one go. I am praying that is happens again.

Pool side view.

2009-08-13T21:54:00.000-04:00

Today me and my little guy went off with a group of friends to the pool. I had managed to get my new swim suit in the mail, well really it is one of these swim dresses, but anyway off we went. My little boy was not too sure of the water at first and then started splashing happily, that was until he lost his balance and fell into the water. I have to say it was no more than a second of head being in the water but it was quite a shock to both of us. After that he were a little more cautious about the whole water thing and after falling over a couple more times we or rather he decided that a pool side view was much better. Once on the hard ground he would happily walk around and point at the water. Hopefully we will get better with the water the more he goes in it. Hopefully we can have some fun in these splash pools.

Where did it go?

2009-08-12T12:41:00.000-04:00

The summer seems to be flying by fast than I can take. My little guy is having a great time with play dates and just hanging out. We have finally started being OK while I work out at the gym although when I back to pick him up he cries as if he has had the worst time ever. But I know that if I look through the window he is quite happy until he sees me.

The other day I had a moment. A moment where as I was walking across the car park holding my little guys hand it hit me a fresh that I am now a mother. Silly I know but for years I have watch parent drag their children into stores and push them around the store in the trolleys (carts for you Americans) and now I am that mother. I don't feel like I know enough to be a mother just yet. However I am a mother and I am enjoying it. We sat outside today a drew with chalk on the floor, soon it will be time for our nap. Days really do go a lot faster than they used too.

To communicate is a wonderful thing!

2009-08-01T22:37:00.000-04:00

Ok so my little guy is saying huge amount of words etc but we have now got to a point where we point with direction and ask with OK grunts and squeaks but we ask. We also now will say Hi! when we come up to you and we are also achieving Yeah! with a better percentage of when we mean yes. For a long time shaking of the head and yeah was hit or miss but now we seem to be able to shake a head for No and say Yeah with one nod of the head for yes. We have also realised the names of things so I can now send my little guy off to get the phone or his truck or something which keeps him busy.

Today was a great day as we went to the Zoo in the morning. We could see the elephants, monkeys, lions and tigers but no bears today. My little boy squealed in great delight and pointed at everything he saw. He loves any animal that he sees, even my parents cat which he sees on the webcam. He is also loving the rabbits still and yesterday when we had friends over to play I was sure that he was showing them to everyone with huge amounts of delight.

Watching him over the last few days has made me see a little boy rather than the baby I had last year. I am beginning to wonder if time can go any faster. I am almost scared to blink in case I miss a moment.

It is all a ploy!

2009-07-21T13:23:00.000-04:00

I have decided that my little guy has a scheme going on. I try at the moment to go to the gym 2-3 times a week and for that little window of time my little boy goes in the daycare. Now the fuss he puts up as I walk out of the door one would believe he was about to have his arms and legs removed. However within a couple of minutes everything is fine and he is running around without any issues. But we have now devised a plan or rather he has and that is to POOP! So after about 30-40 minutes and I am peddling up a storm on the bike as that is what I finish my work out with. Instead of getting about 30 minutes of peddling and trying to read a book, a staff member arrives at the said saying "He pooped" Now I never bring in a diaper bag and also the screaming as I leave can only be done once for me so I have to go and collect him. I think he thinks well if I poop I know she will come and also I think he likes patting my belly and is scared I will lose it. All in all however it makes trying to work out an interesting experience. I make sure that I have done my walking and rowing before the face appears with the news that my son needs me. Oh what it is to be needed!

Summer Bash

2009-07-20T15:01:00.000-04:00

The weekend held in store lots of fun for us. We or rather I should say I decided that since my little guy never managed to get a birthday party due to us living in the apartment and also us half being packed etc I decided that we should have a Summer Bash this month so that at least my little guy had had some type of party. So the evites were sent out and when the day arrived we had quite a few friends that said they would come. I began to panic that we would have rain but no we had the most amazing weather for the middle of July. There was almost no humidity at all which was a blessing. We have purchased a small pool for my little boy but instead of filling it with water we added balls instead. We also had a small paddling pool for a little water, also we had so truks and cars that could be sat on or in and set off on an adventure. Great fun was had by all that came I believe as the kids ran around exploring the fun of things and throwing balls everywhere. The water was splashed and the food devoured. By the end of the day my little boy had had a wonderful time but also was tired. I wish I could say that he slept for ever that night but no 5.40 the cries arrived, alas no lie in. But still I loved it and so did everyone else I hope!

We're all off on a summer holiday!

2009-07-14T23:17:00.000-04:00

Well actually we have just come back but hey who cares. We managed three nights away in Williamsburg. All three of us had a blast. My little guy had great time running round and seeing new things. He decided that he loved curry to eat a long with BBQ chicken sandwiches. We went on a carriage ride and walked through a maze. We played huge amount of peek-a-boo and all in all had a great few days away. It came after a long couple of weeks in which my little guy got FIVE teeth and four of them were molars so it has been tough but it is over. Having lounge in the sun over the weekend with nothing more to do than have fun and eat the world arrived with a bang as we tried to get back to normal living and routine. However today I got out the paddling pool and the little car and we pretend that the holiday was still on.

Playroom,, fireworks and a night out!

2009-07-06T21:24:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend we had a mass sorting out. My husband spent the afternoon removing what looks to be about 20 years of junk from the shed that was left by the previous owner and the one before that we believe. Everything was found from old car seats, rusty old children's bikes and even a little kids car that once cleaned will be great. I on the other hand spent the afternoon cleaning and organising my little guy's playroom complete with ball pit for the moment. Great fun was had in that as we threw balls all over the place and could create as much mess as we want. It also now means that my lounge is back to being a lounge rather than a toy dump!

We all went out together to see the local fireworks. My little man loved them in the beginning and by the end was trying very hard to fall asleep. Also on Sunday we went out with our little guy he got to stay at home with some friends that came to babysit. He had a ball as they played with him and entertained him while me and my husband managed some adult conversation. Fun was had by all!

Toothbrush and Toilets.

2009-07-03T23:22:00.000-04:00

My little guy has discovered that posting things is great fun. We have left cars in the fridge and blocks down the side of the sofa. We have also left the toothbrush in the toilet. I have to say that was something that we didn't not retrieve to be used again.

We also have been to the doctors to have our 15 month check up. All went well, we discovered that he has about 8 teeth coming through including all four molars which explains the general unhappiness at times. We also had to have a couple of shots and he surprised me by not crying. He just glared at the nurse as if to say 'How dare you!' He even watched the needle go into his arm. I am quite sure if he could have thrown daggers out of his eyes at her he would have. However today we where supper clingy throughout the day, after being around a lot of people we did however begin to come unstuck which was a huge relief.

The new rabbits are still causing great giggles and smiles. I think because unlike the cat they can't run away although I am quite sure they are wishing they could!

Bunnies!

2009-07-01T22:40:00.000-04:00

A new adventure has taken hold in our house and that is that we are going to be fostering rabbits. We have taken in two little babies that my little guy thinks are great. I hope that his excitement will carry on as we look after this babies. We are however going to be stopping the horses as my little guy is loving running around too much as I feel it will cause issues to have loose horses and a child that wishes to run.

My little guy is trying to run around a lot more and climb stairs and pursue adventures that only he knows what they are. He will sit there and giggle about a thought he has or shake his head in great excitement. He managed to stay at the gym daycare today although the result was a very clingy baby. It is at those times I am reminded that he is still so little. Although as he runs around and waves at people I begin to think he has grown so big. I feel torn between thinking I have a big boy and a little baby.

To sleep or not to sleep..........

2009-06-24T15:01:00.000-04:00

To sleep or not to sleep.......... is the question on my little guys mind at the moment and he would much prefere the answer to be NOT. We have succumbed to a cold this week and therefore we have also decided that napping is something we are going to fight with to the very end. I tired mummy tried everything for him to fall to sleep and in many ways knows that she will live to regret this move as once we are better we will refuse to sleep without being held. But my little guy needs his sleep and I cannot anymore listen to his screams for ever. We have tried sitting in the room leaving him to cry but all that happens is that I go into a very wet mess and a disrort little boy who is even more awake. We are now napping however and I am glad to say that we have gone over an hour. So hopefully I will have a happier baby when he wakes.

Today we went off to Toys R Us. I have to say even as I walk through the doors now as an adult I still feel that same thrill as when I was younger and going in after Christmas with all my money to pick out something great. I cannot wait till my little guy is able to feel that same thrill. Anyway we went in to buy some balls as I am having a ball pit for him this summer. I also have a small paddling pool and also my get a sandbox. Have to see how that pans out as I need to be organised for that but anyway we walked around and my little guy decided that it would start talking to the shop assitant which he found very funny, espeically when we did our silly scrunch up our face smile.

I am now beginning to really look forward to the summer and hope to have lots of summer fun with some great memories. As we all know that before you know it they are off out the door to college. Enough of that though as I am going to enjoy water splashing and ball throwing fun!

Gyms, Melt Downs and Grass Cutting

2009-06-15T20:34:00.000-04:00

This evening I had an appointment at a gym for my first free personal training session. I am on a mission to lose all that baby weight and to stop the sagging. I know that as I get older things aren't as toned as they once were but I feel I want to at least be where a person can be before 30. So I have a couple of years to reach my goal.

Anyway I was already ready to burn some calories and work up a sweat. So I start filling out paperwork, those horrible questions regarding what you eat and how much exercise that you do and other such things. Anyway the lady from child care approached me saying the my darling little boy would not stop screaming. Alas no workout could happen, as my child decided that he needed to be attached to my hip. So we did the basics the very basics which concluded that I was fat. I felt like telling him that I could have already have pointed that out but anyway...... my little guy clung to me like his life depended on it. I don't know whether he is being like this because daddy is away or what. So no workout later I stepped outside. I was hoping to be dripping with sweat but instead I quickly became dripping wet with rain. Tomorrow hopefully we will have a better day. I am glad this morning however that I worked up a sweat cutting the front grass with my little guy strapped to my back. Maybe I could ask if I can do a work out with him strapped to my back at the gym.

But this evening as we lay on the floor staring at each other a pulling funny faces, giggling and smiling I felt truly blessed by my little guy. I truly cannot imagine life without him. I am amazed daily by the love that grows for him. This is truly the best gift I have ever been given.

Mac and cheese!

2009-06-14T13:27:00.000-04:00

I truly have an American for a child has he is in love with mac and cheese. He can take or leave most other things but when that mac and cheese arrives in front of him he will munch away for ages. Then proceeds to drip cheese sauce all over the room. Including my legs which I didn't really notice until I was outside. Fortunately I was only at the horse rescue and my four legged friends could not care less whether I had it on my face as long as food arrived in their bucket.

My little guy has been loving the horses or rather the dirt that he gets to play in while we feed. He will pile it all up and then destroy his heap just to make it again. Running round collecting pebbles and flowers is always good too. Our new trick of the week is trying to stand on our head and look at the world upside down. Apparently it looks a lot better that way. We have also decided taht running laps around the house hold an object preferably a pillow is great fun. If you have the pillow you can always stop and lie down on it when you get tired, which he does regularly about every 5 strides. My little guy never seems to stop moving always on the look out for new and interesting things to destroy and eat. Nap time I have to say is a welcome break at times!

The Number Seven

2009-06-06T13:46:00.000-04:00

This week we arrived at the number 7 for the number of teeth that have now arrived in his mouth. I am amazed how much he has grown up. He really wants to run but so far all it has resulted in is falling flat on his face and me watching how large the lump will be. We have seemed to settled into a routine of sleeping until at least 7 which I am very grateful for as I feel like I am maybe becoming human again. The house is beginning to feel more and more like home as the boxes get unpacked and I am hoping by the end of the summer everything will be done and then we can have everyone over who helped us out.

I bought some flowers to go in the pots by the front door this week and when my friend came over we planted them. My little one loved this as he could pull all the flowers off and eat dirt. I am glad to say though the the flowers are now reappearing and the little plants try so hard to grow more. We have had so much rain this week that I haven't even had to remember to water them so I am hopefully they will survive a while, before either I don't water them or my little guy destroys them.

All creatures great and small!

2009-05-30T14:12:00.000-04:00

It was bright and sunny this morning and in a moment of weakness I had said to my husband last night that I would cut the back grass. I was mad totally and completely but I am a woman of my word so out I went this morning ready to take on our very tall grass. My husband set everything up so all I had to do was strap my little one, on to my back and away I went. We however met a new neighbour to us and that was our local friendly Possum. They are meant to sleep during the day but this one was just having a look around before slowly retreating under the shed for it's sleep. I am getting more and more amazed my the wildlife around here. So far we have had Peter the rabbit and Charlie the chipmunk and now (hmmmmmm..... a name???) Twila the Possum. Who knows how many rabbits and chipmunks we truly have but for pointing out purposes we just have the one. Anyway the grass is now cut and my little guy fell asleep on my back and has been now transfered to his crib where he sleeps still. I am hoping for not too much longer as I need to also go and get some shopping done.

Bumps and Lumps

2009-05-22T13:08:00.000-04:00

It happened today. As my little guy finally decided that responding to mummy calling him was a good idea he turned and tried to run towards me. Alas he mind and feet did not manage to keep pace and we crashed with a bump onto the floor. Now this is not the first time this has happened but this time it was hard enough to get a lump right on his forehead. I almost thought he was getting a third eye. But no just a lump from his bump. My little guy however recovered quickly and is back to trying to run. I do keep telling him however that he should really grasp the idea of walking before we try and run!

Sleep is Golden

2009-05-18T17:03:00.000-04:00

For the last few nights my little guy has done the amazing task of sleeping through the night. I can now fall asleep with no fear of waking within the next hour or more. Usually we have woken around 6am but this last two morning it has been 7am before those first cries have occurred.

Other than that life is in many ways uneventful yet full at the same time as day to day events occur. The new house is becoming more and more like home as we hang up curtains and unpack everything.

Number 6!

2009-05-11T23:38:00.000-04:00

If I was into lucky number I would choose 6 at the moment. As finally number 6 tooth has arrived which is a joy to both me and my little guy and also something amazing happened last night and that was my little man slept through to 6.15! I woke to him crying and had to stare at my clock in disbelief! I hope and pray this is now going to be the norm.

However the ret of the day was not so great as my little guy had to go for a follow up scan on his kidney. It was enlarged when he was born. Now this involved no invasive procedures, just a simple task of lying still! This is a task however that even asleep my little one struggles to do, so as mummy had to pin him down while the doctor took the ultrasound the world ended and I went deaf. Recovery was quick and sweet after and a long nap in the car was taken. All we have to do now is wait and see the doctor for the results. Hopefully it willbe a hello, good bye type visit and never see them again.

New House = New Home!

2009-05-09T12:46:00.000-04:00

As I sit surrounded by unpacked boxes and feelings of being overwhelmed creep over me I remember that in the long run this is all worth it. An example was yesterday when we were having breakfast and a Chipmunk sat outside our sliding door eating on some seeds. Lucas stared out and watched this little creature run around outside. It is then I think these a the little memories that bring a happy childhood. Our unloved house is slowly turning into a loved home. The rooms are slowly, very slowly being to take shape. Things are being fixed and I am sure if this house could speak it would be saying "Finally someone cares!" The house is having new this and that added, along with fix this, clean that. I am sure that in about a months time this house can stand proud next to its nieghbours as it will look like a home that someone loves to live in.

My little guy is enjoying all the space to practice is walking and soon running in. Although we are still struggling to nap during the day. I think it is because the room is so light ad=nd having never been a good napper this is adding to his problems. But the new curtains have arrived and hopefully put up today. My boy is now getting better at night although we are still waking up. I also hope soon to encourage sleeping till 7am. But we are taking it one step at a time. The same way unpacking can only happen one box at a time.

Moving, teething and so much more!

2009-05-04T22:18:00.000-04:00

We have finally made it into our new house! Boxes are still waiting to be unpacked and projects are still needed to be finished but we are here. It was an interesting move as when me and my little guy arrived at our new home with the truck ready to unload we found two guys who have broken into the house because they were here to foreclose on the house. No one for whatever reason had told them that we had purchased the house. So after a few tense moments things were sorted and our stuff was unloaded. Since then it has been a whirlwind. Before we arrived our church had come out in amazing force and painted 95% of the house. My little guy has been enjoying the yard and all the space. To christen our first night sleeping in the house my little guy provided us with a new tooth. I can't wait for the parties and the memories in this house to unfold. I truly feel blessed!

The tree is coming out of its pot.

2009-04-24T11:22:00.000-04:00

For sometime now we have been looking to purchase a house. As we have been blessed that we are able to buy while the market has down. We have had so many up and downs in this process that at times I wondered whether we would buy and to be honest there are far too many houses to mention that we nearly got and didn't. However we have now found a house and we had the pleasure and the stress on signing this week so that it is now ours. In some ways it is bitter sweet for me. Why? I hear you cry! I guess I like to say it this way. For a long time I have been a tree in a pot. I pick myself up and put myself down in whatever place we were living but we never quite got settled, roots never went down into the area, and I guess somewhere I was always hoping that roots never would and I could just take that pot back to England. However we are now placing roots as we buy this house and my tree is coming out of its pot. Which is great because I now know that I will live here for a while and there is no more moving (me and my husband have been married for 7 and a half years and this will be our 7th move). But this move means we are staying, I know that we can still move anywhere including back to England but now it will be a lot harder to do as the roots of the tree grow deep into the land. SO although I love all the friends I have made living here, there is in some way is a final stance as we build our home in the US. I am however looking forward to painting my house and having my own home to do with as I please. To watch my little guy play in the yard and grow up here and enjoy the many friends that I have gained and are now helping to make this place home and create a family whilst I am so far away from here!.

Gone Home!

2009-04-16T19:00:00.001-04:00

As I reflect back on the last three weeks of having my family here and the fun that my little guy has had, it makes me realise again that the pain of emigrating is not that first good bye but the good bye's that come every year when the family visit comes to an end and the realisation that they are not just around the corner.

The last three weeks however have been amazing! My family brought over the grey drizzle like weather with them so that I didn't have to feel like I was missing out by not making it back to England for a while. My little guy had masses of attention lavished as well as a huge influx of toys due to a certain birthday. Many adventures have also played out as we travel out and about, ate in restaurants.

Now however it is time to get back to just the three of us, which I think make take some adjusting for my little boy. We do however have a new favourite pastime and that is running around the apartment whilst someone waits around the corner say "Where are you?" The squeals of joy will ring out. Feeding the ducks and swinging in the air will come again but not with Granddad and Grandma for a while. However now it the time to see if he will recognise anyone on the web cam.

Tall, Skinny and a BIG Head!

2009-04-07T12:03:00.000-04:00

The doctor has stated that I have a tall, skinny baby with a big head. I know where he gets the large head and that is from me, he gets the skinny from his dad. However the tall part I am not so sure as the last well know family trait in my family is tall people and the same for his dad too. Also the doctor commented on the fact that my little guy wouldn't or couldn't go from lying down to sitting up and maybe we should look into it. I said maybe it had something to do with his large head. However my little guy was listening and within a couple of days of the doctor warning us, he is now happily sitting up from lying down. It seems that my little one just likes freaking out my doctor and insists on doing everything on his own time.

Over the last week with family we have been having a great time. My little one is enjoying being the centre of everything good and winning over everyone with his cheeky smiles and oohhs and aahhs. We have been out and about looking at the sights of DC including going up and down in lifts (elevators for you americians) and looking at the cherry blossoms. We have also fed the ducks and been shopping. With so much to look at his head has been on a swivel. It is wonderful to watch as he discovers the world for the first time.

Family Bonds

2009-03-30T18:44:00.001-04:00

It is safe to say that most small children run screaming from my dad. Certainly children of around the age of one have been known to burst into tears just from a look. The tickles and funny noises have turn the most bravest of babies into a blubbering mess. However my little guy has no issues what so ever with his Granddad. He have taken everything in its stride and have enjoyed all the tickles and giggles and everything else. The only thing we can think of as peek a boo ensues is that blood truly is thicker than water. My little guy is loving all the attention from Grandma, Granddad and Great Gram. I am not sure how I am going to cope once they leave as he is the rightful centre of attention and he will come crashing down from attention withdrawal once they leave. But for now we shall just enjoy every joyful moment.

One Today!

2009-03-28T11:23:00.000-04:00

A whole year has passed and my family has arrived from England to celebrate. I find my self looking back and wondering where did it all go. Could have been more prepared? I think that I could have in maybe more of the practical but I feel I could have never been prepared for the overwhelming feeling of responsibility or the worry of am I doing OK Is he doing OK and so it goes on....... But have survived a year and I am looking forward to the next. I have a little guy who refuses to crawl and does a strange bum shuffle. He can now take about 8 steps before falling. I wonder where I will be next year but I am sure it is going to be great fun and I can't wait to enjoyed every amazing moment.

Real Life ER Drama

2009-03-10T14:56:00.000-04:00

Sunday night is a night that I have a feeling I will remember for some time. My little guy having gone to bed as normal woke as normal at 12.30 however he appeared to be gasping for breath. He started to cry and cough with this real seal like cough. His chest was heaving in and out as if he couldn't catch a breath. My heart jumped into my mouth as I had no idea what was happening. My husband who had been in India was thankfully back and I was very grateful as I would not want to have done this on my own. Off we ran to the ER. By the time we had signed in and sat in the waiting room my little guy was happily sitting on my lap as if he was the healthiest guy on the planet. We saw the doctor who said that since he was now fine he saw no point in doing anything and it could just be a one time thing. However if it happened again we should come back or follow up with our pediatrician. So a few hours later from leaving we climbed our stairs to our apartment. Around 3 am we climbed back into bed. At 6 in the morning I was awoken by the same desperate attempts to breath from my son. I held my exhausted boy in my arms as he tried to breath and finally it calmed down and he slept whilst I held him up right in my arms. Of to the pediatrician we went in the afternoon and Croup was diagnosed. Thankfully he has a very mild case of it because he is running no fever and the cough subsides during the day. Already he is better and although the nights are long and tiring for me as I nurse him through the attacks he is improving already, of which I am very thankful. It is at times like these I realise how much this little guy in a year has crept into our lifes and how much my love has grown in volumes to levels I never knew before were possible.

Clapping!

2009-03-04T23:07:00.000-05:00

My little guy this morning woke up with all smiles and giggles. As we cuddled next to each other in bed he started clapping. Normally he just waved his hands about with glee but this morning they collided together. Together we clapped and cheered. His joy was truly amazing.

This evening after bath time we stood in front of the mirror as he chatted away to his hearts content. We then both waved at the mirror. He turned and looked at me waving next to him and then looked back at the mirror where I was still waving. The concentration was truly amazing. It was like he almost got it, but yet missed the idea it was him by a whisker. I am sure before long he will finally understand why in front of this strange thing he suddenly has two mums.

We have also started a new thing and that is brushing our four little teeth. My little guy seems to prefere chewing on the tooth brush but it gets done and no screams. I look at him and think WOW! My baby is becoming a toddler!

One Step forward!

2009-03-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

Today my little guy managed to take his first wobbly step on his own. I am not completely sure he knew what he had done as I picked him up and cheered. But it means that my little baby is soon to be a toddler. I truly find it amazing that although he has never bothered to crawl we are on the verge of walking. We have now developed a bum shuffle to get from floor to near chair so that we can walk around. He amazes me, who knows what he will be doing next week.

It is coming.........

2009-02-26T23:42:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe it that is a months time till my little guy turns ONE!! I am not sure I am ready to have a one year old. As I start looking back over the last year I can hardly believe how much has happened. My little one in some ways feels like he has been here forever. I am overwhelmed with love for him more each day. I truly cannot cuddle him enough. I watch him as he changes and his personality comes out more and more and wonder what life has in store for him. But all I know for the moment is I am going to enjoy just that the moment.

Dangerous Sports!

2009-02-04T11:34:00.000-05:00

Having had my best friend come and visit which was great. My little guy decided to reward this joy with his forth tooth arriving whilst she was baby sitting and I was at the dentist of all places. I returned home to a grumpy baby but I was glad that it had arrived as it had been threatening to for sometime. My little one has been spoiled rotten whilst my friend was here and so I am now left with a baby that wants my undivided attention. It scares me silly that he has now turn 10 months old and with that has decided to take on new dangerous sports. Not just one but two. My nerves truly cannot take it.

The first dangerous sport is standing. He loves for you to stand him up and then he hold on to things and generally feels very proud of himself and occasionally he will wobble without holding onto anything. The dangerous part is: he falls down. Either because he fails to manage to grab hold on something or because the something he grabs onto fails to hold him. He wibbles and he wobbles and he falls down with a huge crash and screams and tears.

The second dangerous sport is that with the standing has come the huge need to walk everywhere!! This also causes a lack of balance as we edge around the activity table. Or the best is pushing the walking toy and forgetting to move our legs and so causing our face to eat some carpet. I know that in time these sports will not remain dangerous but my question is will he have any brain left over or will he have simply knocked it all out by the time he can walk!

One, Two Three ........

2009-01-22T11:48:00.000-05:00

My little guy the other day was totally grumpy, we had had a bad night so I wasn't really thinking much about it until he opened his little mouth and there it was number three. That is the third tooth was just beginning to poke through. All of a sudden a light dawned on my as I realised why the night had been so bad and the morning to for that matter. We should soon be counting to four and the grumpy baby continues and a forth budge is there showing another little white spot of the tooth ready to burst through.

I Finally Get It!!

2009-01-17T18:24:00.000-05:00

As I watch my little guy flap his arms in excitement at the world around him or a funny face from Daddy, as I watch him wobble on his legs as he stands holding on to my hands, I finally get it! I finally understand that when my mummy talks to me she doesn't always see the 20 something women but that little girl that lay in her arms, that gave her a first smile all those years ago. Just like in 20 years time when my son walks through the door with a tattoo or something which makes me want to scream, or a girlfriend that is soon to be a part of the family, I won't see the young man I will see the little boy I held in my arms, got up with a nursed two - three times a night, a boy that flapped his arms when you smiled and bounced on my knee. As we all know that from now on until the end of time he will always be my little boy!