Snapshot Week

It's been a week where I have focused on the wrong things. That is, I have caught myself being rather negative. This is the offending phrase:

"But I don't have enough time to..."

• read- I don't know about you, but one of my most favourite and comforting places to read is snuggled in bed. So, after a hard day at work (I won't go into it, it was just he said, she said cr*p) I snuggled down under the duvet with my Kindle. Hubby kindly offered to make tea, by the time he came back up with it he found me asleep... on my kindle!
• write - When you are that tired, you can't even squeeze a drop of inspiration from the brain...
• blog - Because I haven't had time to read, I couldn't even finish a book to review... Rather disappointing...

As I sat down to write tonight, I could feel the Sunday night blues creeping in and I didn't want to do that to my readers yet again. I thought that instead, I would share some fun events of the week, things I'm looking forward to and things that have just stuck in the mind...

"Baby Brain" Moments

One of the things I was warned about when I had my boys was that I was going to have more "baby-brain" moments, that is, forgetfulness. I'm sure I have read debates as to whether or not this is proven, but it stands to reason that as a mum, you have so much more to think about and get done, that you are naturally going to forget more.

I have noticed that since returning to work, I have more "funny moments" and they have made me laugh at myself. (Like, no way did I just do that?!) This morning for instance. I learnt that trying to get too many jobs done at once can result in some silly happenings. Whilst getting the washing and breakfast done, I went to put the detergent bottle in the fridge!
I also seem to find myself upstairs wondering what it is that I have gone up there for!

I was just wondering if any other mums have any funny baby-brain moments they would like to share?




Brotherly Love
When the chips are down, I can count on one thing. My boys will melt my heart and remind me why life is such a blessing.
I don't use TV as a back up very often, but one particularly hectic afternoon, I decided that an episode of Thomas the Tank would be Okay. (Goodness knows what was going on, I probably had to preform an emergency hoover or something!) Anyhoo, the theme tune came on and baby Z crawled up to OJ, and using the TV stand, pulled himself to stand next to him. Whilst OJ was singing, baby Z started  to sway and bop along! Oh my word. I was nearly in tears! It was just so, so cute!
OJ can find his little brothers presence somewhat irritating but just lately he has been a sweetie pie... Hmm... Most of the time...

Ice cream
We have been looking at the family's diet and are very careful about treats. We aim to cut the snacking through the week but choose a nice treat to have at the weekend. Hubby brought back some ice cream from he supermarket for this week's treat.
It was Heaven in a tub... Peanut Butter Crunch. Wow. Whoever put that together is a genius.



Celebrations
There are two celebrations I am looking forward to this month. The first is baby Z's 1st birthday. I know every parent must say it, but WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?! And I swear that the first year passes even more quickly with the second child. I am both excited and a little saddened. I'm a little unsure as to why I am saddened by reaching this amazing milestone..
It's going to be  quiet affair. I will get some decorations up and bake his cake; but we shall see what the day brings!

The second is Halloween... (Or Samhain) I love this time of the year. There is something almost magical about it. I celebrate each year by lighting a candle in honour of those that are not with us now. It's just a nice opportunity to reflect. This year however, I plan on making a bit more of a celebration out of it. I have bought a few decorations, plan to buy a pumpkin and have got some costumes (not scary) for the boys.

I also hope to review a scary book or two during this month and to write a post... Fingers crossed!


Aren't these the cutest? Baby Z has a little pumpkin costume to with these booties...
Yep. I'm in trouble when he's old enough to look back at the photos...


 

Fish Update
Yes folks. Those who read the earlier post would have read that we have a pet fish thanks to the fair and despite my worry of having to explain about fishy heaven to OJ, Bubbles the fish is alive and well. I am also considering getting the little fellow a "proper" tank with a pump.. He's moving on up in his little fishy world...

The Perils of Running
I promise, this is the last thing to share...

I've been back at work for two weeks and I have only been able to run at the weekends. Operation "Lose the baby weight" has slowed down somewhat as a result. Though a little disappointed, I still recognise that to keep it going for this long is an achievement in itself. I have set further goals and find these are good motivation for getting warmed up, jogging between 12-17 minutes and then feeling like I'm about to have a cardiac arrest for my troubles. I have promised myself a new pair of trainers if I hit my first target weight and a new pair of jeans for reaching the second. I would also like to achieve this before Christmas.... Realistic? Hmmm.

I would like to point out that running is a dangerous kind of pastime. So far I have nearly been run down by a cyclist, nearly ended up on my a$$ by an assassin slug and today, I was attacked by a great, hulking, wet faced dog who wanted to play... Sheesh. If only I had room for a running machine... Nah. I would probably do something stupid and break the machine... or myself!

Assassin Slugs
Slippery booby-traps

Whatever you guys are up to,have a fab week!
~Thanks for reading!~



Holidays and Milestones

Holidays

It has been a busy week. Last weekend we packed up our troubles and went for a break by the seaside... 30 minutes down the road! It's a perk of living in Somerset.

It was a very welcome break, plus it was my *cough* 28th (How did I get here? I was 23 the last time I looked right?!) birthday.

I can't believe how the time has gone. It was wonderful to listen to OJ singing "Happy birthday to mum-mum" and watching him eat  birthday cake. (The first thing he asked me on waking on the day was if he could have some of my cake - the kid learns fast; Birthdays=Cake... That's my boy!)

Deeeeeeelish!
(Check out my cute butterfly candles!)

I can't express the emotion I felt listening to him sing in his grown up yet still baby voice... Perhaps I am forever doomed to get emotional at the drop of a hat. I was a sensitive soul before I got pregnant, but now it's just got 10 times worse... (Pass the girl a hanky!)

It doesn't feel that long a go that we were setting him down for the first time in the living room. He was fast asleep in his car seat. Me and hubby looked at each other and said nothing; yet a look said a thousand words. Terrifying... Yet amazing!

OJ was as good as gold, both lads were. Even when it came to night time which left me gobsmacked. Both boys have issues with going to sleep at night. They slept better in the caravan then they ever have at home. Night times are a long game in our house. We don't really know what sleep is over here.... Maybe it was the sea air?!

So we had a fab time; steam train rides, ice cream, swimming, walks on the beach, fish and chips and other various adventures for 3 glorious nights.

Then it was back to reality...

*Crash Landing*

OJ has now added "train-driver" to his many when-I-grow-up occupations...

Milestones

I planned that when we returned we would start OJ potty training... And it is currently in full swing. He is doing great... Any other parents going through the same? Here are my top tips:

1) Only start toilet training when you feel your child is ready - I felt some pressure from others to start OJ earlier because people kept telling me he could cope as "he is so bright" but OJ showed no interest and I also had a tiny baby to look after. There was no point.
2) Choose a time and stick to it - stopping and starting just confuses the issue and children need time to practise.
3) Praise, praise, praise and... Bribe! - Okay, so bribe isn't a term I would use, but some form of reward can be helpful motivation/reinforcement. OJ has a sticker to put on a homemade wall chart every time he uses the potty successfully.
4) Be prepared for accidents - Don't expect things to go smoothly, even if appears your kiddie has grasped it; there will be times when that potty will be just out of reach or there is something for more interesting going on...
Any more hints and tips for this crazy time would be appreciated. ;0)




OJ's train wall trainer!

It's been an incredible week for both boys; whilst OJ is potty training and getting his "big bed",  little Z is crawling around like Speedy Gonzales, clapping his hands and waving bye-bye...

I'm just totally blown away.

I love being a mummy!


What is your little one up to that has surprised you this week, or do you have a favourite milestone memory that still makes you smile? (And if you say "moving out" then shame on you! Heehee!)

Happy weekend peeps!

x


Oh we do like to be beside the seaside - tra-la-la-laaaa!

Who says romance is dead?!

We are Family!

What brings you and your family together?
Now that I am a mum with two boys of my own, it encourages me to reflect a lot about my own childhood. Especially when I see my two boys together; I wonder what kind of relationship they will have as they grow up. Will they rely on each other? Will they be competitive? Will they fight? Protect each other?

I am the eldest of six siblings, and, although we would often fight like cat and dog, it's now that I can see how close we really are.

When growing up, all you can think about is flying the nest, getting out and making it on your own. Having my own bit of space was important to me, but looking back, I wonder if I was too quick to tell my siblings to erm, "go away" shall we say?!

Now we are experiencing and living our own lives: I have my own family to take care of, two of my brothers are working in different parts of the county, one brother is at uni, one sister has just graduated on Friday (Congratulations Bub!) and the youngest sister is at home and studying at college.

Though we now all lead separate lives, there are still things that bring us together and we remember how close we all are...


Books
This is more between us ladies of the family. We often swap and recommend books to each other. I have recently got my mum hooked on the Morganville series.

Music
We looooove getting together and chatting about music. It's rare that I get to gigs; but the times I have been with my brother (We have seen Ozzy and Nickleback - The awesomeness!)
We are always yabbering about a new group we have discovered; or who we should be listening to by sending a youtube link or two! (God bless technology)

Pizza and movie night
OK...So it doesn't have to be pizza, but pizza is the easiest (and tasties) choice when we all get together! These nights have got fewer, purely because of how busy we all are, and especially since the arrival of bambino#2... Our house is a bit of a squash and a squeeze...

Christmas
This is my favourite time, I don't like the stress that it brings but it appears to be the one time that brings us all back home together. And it's pretty awesome... It's must be a shock to our parents, who only have the youngest living at home with them and then we all come back, bigger, and some with extras!

When we all get together, we end up laughing until we ache, and we have a fantastic time!

This Summer



The summer is a particularly nice time for us. For several years running, we have had a family day out, which has been christened: Family Fun Day (Sounds like the title of a comedy! Ha!) I hope there will be one this year.

And this Sunday, we have a BBQ to look forward to. Hopefully, we shall have some nice weather to accompany it. (Last year was a bit soggy, my dad held the brolly over the BBQ whilst my hubby cooked... We all shivered under the Gazebo to eat in between showers...  Loved it!)


These are just some of the things that bring us together.
So, what about you and your family?











10 Reasons Why I Love Being A Mummy...

Not this kind....

I decided to list ten things I love about being a mummy because just lately I feel that I have been focusing too much on the negative things.

It's been a bit stressful so I hope that by thinking/posting about all the positives, it will help me change my attitude... therefore returning harmony to our little household!

So without further ado:

10 Reasons Why I Love Being A Mummy...

1. Sharing all the "first-times". First time they open their little peepers to the world, first time they cry, first time they hold your finger, first tooth, first time they try a new action... you get the idea.
2. I have a guaranteed supply of cuddles and kisses a day.
3. Life makes sense since my babies came along.
4. I laugh more. Today for example: after considering the fact that milk and cheese are the products from cows, my two year old asked if we could get one... Smart thinking kid!
5. I can be proud of how I "grew" and nurtured two, healthy human beings...
6. I can watch kids cartoons (It's called research people! I have to be up to date and know my kids favourite characters don't I?!)
7. I love how my children accept me as I am. It doesn't seem to matter how I dress/wear my hair/ that I have bags under my eyes/haven't noticed that baby dribble on my shoulder...
8. They bring out my best qualities and I feel I can conquer anything. (Mummies are fearless)
9. WE MAKE A MESS AND HAVE OODLES OF FUN! (Making play dough, sticking, painting etc)
10. I love that the world is a new and exciting place to these little guys, and it makes you see things for the first time. Just looking at a rainbow after a heavy down-pour or finding a lady-bug out in the garden is fascinating...

What about you? Why do you love being a parent?
If you're not a parent, what makes you happy about being you?!


Thanks for reading.

If you look closely; it's a double rainbow! Isn't that supposed to be lucky?
Photo taken from our window after a heavy down-pour