Post via Ipad

Don't get excited... It's a borrowed iPad, we don't have that kinda money - I just had to get a post out there before I went crazy from withdrawal!
I also wanted to see how easy it was to use to post with this thing... Typing seems O.K. so I'm in business!
This quick post goes out to those who are in potty training battle....

The Potty Training Games

I started potty training OJ in August, for two amazing weeks he had it cracked. No accidents and no reminders to use the potty. He took it in his stride. I couldn't believe my luck... and I was right to be suspicious of it! It has since been a huge struggle and a battle of wills. I've tried various reward systems but it continues to be unsuccessful with OJ seeming to choose if he uses it or not..
Yesterday, I could feel that my fuse was getting shorter. I was on shaky ground. After OJ proudly told me that he had wet his training pants again in the space of half an hour (and after asking him every 5 minutes if he needed to use the potty) I finally snapped. Whilst changing him, I asked him how weeing in his pants made him feel, expecting him to offer some remorse for his actions. He looked at me thoughtfully and replied: "soggy"

Well, I couldn't help but laugh which relieved all the tension.

It got me thinking as to why I have put so much pressure on myself to get OJ past this milestone. Why am I so intent on making him grow up so quick? Maybe on some level I thought people would judge me if I hadn't got my son out of nappies. In wanting to support OJ with this learning experience, I have only succeeded in stressing us all out. Time for a change of plan.

OJ has had his fair amount of change to contend with, with me going back to work and being expected to be a "big boy". I have caught our little lads' behaviour regressing in other areas too. Such as wanting to crawl about, wanting his dummy (when he has only had the thing at night since forever) and wanting to climb back into his high chair. He is in his own battle of dependence and independent. It may even be a spot of jealousy of his little brother.

Whatever it is, I think we are going to have to go at OJ's pace and hope for the best. He is supposed to be starting pre-school soon so I am a little concerned about what other parents and staff are going to think. But whatever. As long as OJ is happy, he will come around in his own time.

I just wanted to pass this experience on to others and, if you and your tot are going through potty training - hang on in there!

Getting Back to Work

*Flumps into computer chair.*

Well. That was certainly a bumpy kinda week!

Back in the hot seat...

Image source

It's sooooo good to be writing a post again! It's felt like forever!

As many of you will know, my year's maternity leave came to an end and I was back to work on Monday. My first week back to work was... Hard.
I am only going back to 20 hours a week, but believe me, this is more than enough and more than I would like to be doing. But "needs must" as they say and, with a mortgage to pay and hungry mouths to feed then this is just the way of it.

Going back to work was always going to be difficult  for me. I knew that I was going to have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I want to be out there earning a living, I have always worked for what I have, but then on the other, leaving my own children (and so young) to work with other peoples' leaves me feeling rather odd.

I also hadn't been realistic about what the impact of going to work was going to have on the me-time I had been carving for myself during maternity leave... I'm just physically and mentally exhausted. So much so that by Thursday, I hadn't read a line of my current novel, been anywhere near my running shoes and I hadn't even managed to get a single note/idea down for my writing projects... Withdrawals? You bet!

Confession? I was going to write up this post yesterday, but my own work-in-progress-hoping-to-be-a-novel-someday was calling and I couldn't help but go with it. It felt glorious to sink back into the mind space of my story. Finally. Some normality! (I'm in the midst of re-working chapter three - it really does suck!)

My week:

Monday came with butterflies in the stomach and pangs of guilt that threatened to crush me like a bug under a shoe... Okay. I'm open to suggestion for similes a little less gross but with the same kinda impact...

After a shaky start leaving the house, I was fine as I walked from my car and through the doors. That was until my colleague looked at me with the same sympathy and concern one would give to a kitten in the rain and that just did it. I ended up an embarrassing, blubbering mess!

It was all her fault of course.
Yeah. Way to go on sucking it up and getting on with things Schez!



But my co-workers were great and let me settle in slowly. It helped that I could flex a bit of the creative muscle and, I was also busy getting to know my new colleagues and children in the nurture group I am now supporting.

When I arrived home, there was no gushy reunion. Both my little lads were busy in their own games with Nan-Nan. Cheers then boys!
( Well, at least I know there are both happy. It would have been so much worse if they had been distressed by my absence)

When the alarm went off on Tuesday morning, it was dark and chilly. It also came with the following realisation: Oh good god, it wasn't a dream. I'm actually back to this...

Wednesday I was home ill. Trust me, you really don't wanna know, but it also must be some kind of "How quick can you get ill after your first day back at work?" record...

Thursday was just stressful. Maybe I shouldn't have gone in, but some weird, determined work ethic makes me do crazy things, so I found myself back in there and praying for home time.

Lucky for me, Friday's are spent at home with my boys. So that wasn't too bad. I think Friday's are going to be even more precious from here on in...

I just can't seem to shake how tired I feel. As soon as the kids were in bed, that was it. I was out like a light! I actually managed to get out for a run this morning for the first time since Sunday and it was hopeless. I couldn't get around my usual circuit without slowing to a brisk walk several times.Maybe it's just the combination not running for a while, being poorly midweek and generally being absolutely shattered?!

I  need to establish better routines so I can reclaim my me-time. All I really want to do at the moment is sleep!

Here's hoping that things get a bit easier and I get some routine established!
Happy weekend peeps!




Favourite Places And A Welcome Change

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside;

Tra-la-la-la-la-laaaaaaa!

For weeks now the weather has been poor and I swear this has played havoc with my two year olds' behaviour. He is going through the "terrible twos" (or terrific twos, depending on how you see it in the moment...) and the fact we have had to stop in more then usual has seen him wound up and ready to ricochet off the walls. So today, I bundled the kids into my tiny Corsa and we went to the nearest beach, which for us is only 30 minutes away.

We walked along the sea front (not actually on the beach, too tricky with a buggy), had a Bob the builder ride and finished with an ice cream.

And as an added bonus, though at one stage the clouds looked heavy and ready to pour, it held off and we had a bit of summer sun!

When we all got back, the atmosphere had completely changed... My son was calmer and happier. The house didn't feel like it was buzzing with zingy energy any more. It was a much more positive vibe!.

Maybe we should go again tomorrow?!

How come ice cream is always best by the sea?

Favourite Places

Though it's easy to forget, we are actually quite blessed to be where we live. We are not far from the woods or from a beach; and then there is the reservoir or canal to walk along and the hills that surround us.

Where is your favourite place?

For me, that's easy to answer. The seaside.
Because we're a relatively large family, we didn't travel to many places when I was growing up,and the places we did go weren't very far. The best treat ever was going to the seaside. Even now, as soon as I see the glimmer of the sea my stomach does this tiny, happy hop thing.

I love to sit by the sea and just listen to the waves. It's so therapeutic. I'm not confident about swimming in it, but there is something about splashing about in the water that makes me so happy and giggly. I also think that shell hunting is an in-built function as soon as my feet land on the sand. I can't seem to help it. I have to stop and inspect every interesting shell or pebble that I find.

I often contemplate as to why so many of us find ourselves being drawn to the sea.

As me and my boys strolled along, there were so many people from different walks of life strolling on by.

Old, young, goth, hippy, happy, sullen, community service, and the coolest old dude in roller boots...

Hand on heart, there was the most cheerful, oldest dude in roller boots I have ever witnessed. Who gave as a huge grin and put his thumb up... (I couldn't help but think he really should have been wearing his protective gear though. What if he fell?! Sometimes I really do over-think things!)

Now I have seen it all...

Time To Read And A New "Do" (Bargain!)

Snip Snip Snip...

Today something, magical and wondrous happened... I felt bit guilty about it, maybe even a little selfish for doing it but I reasoned that it doesn't  happen very often...

I am indeed talking about an opportunity to venture out into the world without my goslings in tow.

Daddy was left in charge (uh-oh) whilst Mummy had a hair appointment. A trim, an auburn hair colouring and my current read. *Bliss.*

My hairdresser doesn't bother asking me if I want a magazine anymore; he just makes sure I have a book with me! He thinks I just go in there to get some extra reading done. LOL. (When/where do you sneak in some extra reading time?!)

So, as I sat in the chair and my stylist went off to mix my colour, I slowly started to relax. In my head, I went through the list of instructions I had left for my husband to follow, (I wasn't convinced he looked altogether confidant as I left...) checked my phone just in case he had text with a desperate plea for my return; and resisted the urge to text him asking if he was doing okay. By the time my stylist reappeared with the colour; I was feeling a little more relaxed and the usual chit-chat began.

I don't know about you; but I have always found the salon to be an interesting place to quietly observe. So many people from different walks of life walk through the door; the conversations, the relationships between staff etc. A thought went through my head today that a salon may make an interesting setting for a story...

You see, just a simple trip out can get the creative juices flowing and make you feel rejuvenated. A new hair-do into the bargain is a recipe for feeling spruced up and ready to take on the world again. (Swishes locks as in L'oreal shampoo advert  - "cos we're worth it!")

 As a parent you often forget that you may need some time out to feel refreshed and ready to carry on; but carving out this precious time can be tricky...

Time out required

I remember the first time I went out without my first born. It was so alien and nerve wracking. It took me such a long time to relax. You have to deal with an assault of feelings such as guilt and worry and whether it is acceptable that you have left your child for an hour or two with somebody else... (Any one else go through that?!)

I have also found that I find it difficult to remember that I am still the person I was before I became pregnant. Being a parent is supposed to be an additional role; not all that you are. So now I am learning (slowly) that it's O.K to find (and enjoy) some me time. I try to do things that I did before I became pregnant, even if it's something simple like painting my nails or listening to a favourite song.

What do you do to to claim back a bit of you time? Even if you are not a parent; what do you do that makes you feel back on track?!
Oh yes, and just so I finish my tale; when I returned home from my adventure out and about, the house was still in one piece and so was my hubby - bless him...

5 Questions I Seem To Keep Asking As A Parent...

I have been a mummy for nearly two and half years now; (Wow! For real?!) and it has probably been the most fulfilling thing that I have done with my life to date. As a parent I continually ask questions. A lot of questions! But there are some that I seem to ask more regularly than others. I have picked my top five...

1. Where did the time go?! We ask this one on a regular basis. Whether it's a general comment about the day, or be it a comment about how fast our boys are growing up. I don't think we were quite prepared for the effect raising children would have on time itself. It now seems to go at warp speed and there is never enough of it!
2. How can someone so small... this question has a variety of endings such as: be so loud? (I'm sure my son's scream can be heard in the next street) get so mucky? (Have you ever noticed that even if you were to put your child in a sealed vault, dirt can still locate your child within a matter of seconds?) Fill their nappy like that?! (Cor blimey! Change times are epic! Pass me the peg...)
3. What on earth is that?! I am of course, talking about children's T.V. Some of the stuff is crazy but my children seem to love it. I'm talking about things like Waybuloo, and Cloud Babies... I kid you not!

   

   Waybuloo

4. How did he find that? My son is an expert at finding things he shouldn't...
5. WHAT DID WE DO?! This is what we ask ourselves when our son is running rings around us, having one of his wild temper tantrums, pulled all the loo roll off of the roll, tipped all his food/drink onto his high chair tray, etc... *sigh*

Of course the last one is all ion good fun. It's more like:

Wow, look what we did...

What questions do you find yourself asking on a regular basis? (You don't have to answer this as a parent; for example, a question I ask myself frequently is: Why is there always a massive queue when I am a hurry?!)

Happy weekend everyone!