September 2007 Archives

So Emily and I were reading an alphabet book last night for bedtime ("The A to Z of Canada" in fact - thanks Tamara!).

I was surprised at just how many of the letters Emily could identify by herself - maybe around half of them? We haven't really pushed this with her, so it was great.

We got to 'T' and she was having a little trouble, so I said "It sounds the same as Mummy's favourite drink".

She did her thoughtful face for a few moments, and then, with a quizzical look, said:

"Wine?"

Every day its hard to believe how much our little girl is growing up. Today Emily joined Rainbows, which is the predecessor to becoming a Brownie. I dropped her off just after 5 for an hour of fun and activities. I knew she would love it and she did and was her usual independent self.

Its really nice for her to have things like this, especially when she is so full of beans.

Today was my very first Mums & Chums morning. I have taken over as leader at one of the Mums & Chums groups I have been going to over the past few years. Its nice to finally have something of my own and to have a sense of ownership over something. It took a lot longer to set up than I thought and it was a bit frenzied but other than that it went really well. I even managed to introduce a story and song time at the end of the morning. This was something I have been really wanting to do and it was great that it worked out so well.

Poor Harrison didn't get too much attention though cause I was that busy making sure I had everything sorted. Hopefully once I get myself into a routine, I will be able to relax and enjoy being there with him too.

I am sure there will be many a post like this in the future, so this is the first of many! Today was Emily's third day in pre-school/nursery. She is in from 9 until 12 everyday now. I can hardly believe it! She just seems so grown up and its very strange being away from her for a whole morning every day. I know I will just have to get used to it and its just a build up till next year when she starts P1!

I have already noticed a change in her as she seems exhausted by mid afternoon. I am sure it will take her a while to settle into the new routine and get used to have such a packed day.

On the other hand its really nice to be able to have some one to one time with Harrison, as he really misses out on that quality new baby time that Emily got when she was wee. Its lovely guilt free time all round. I don't feel guilty having the time in the morning with Harrison and I don't feel too bad giving Emily attention in the afternoon! Hope that makes sense.

Isn't that a gorgeous picture of Harrison and Grandad?!

Anyway just to make sure we are not forgetting to record any major events in Harrison's life here are a few more things that have been going on...

1. He has got another 2 teeth. His top front teeth are almost through, but he is still suffering with teething and has bit me a few times when feeding (ouch!).

2. He has decided that he is no longer happy sitting in any way and goes rigid when you try and put him down on the floor, in the highchair or pram and you have to karate chop to get him to bend!

3. As with above he just seems to want to be on his feet and is really frustrated that he can't walk. So I bought his first pair of cruiser shoes to help him grip the floor and get moving.

4. He can almost, just about, nearly crawl! He drags himself about the floor like a wounded soldier, so no doubt he will be crawling properly very soon. I think the slippery laminate floor doesn't help him with this development. A good non-slip carpeted surface would be better!

On another note Emily starts pre-school tomorrow!! I will have to make another post about this..cup of tea beckons...

I am finally managing to sit down to give you an update of what's been going on around here. It'll have to be a quick update to as I had about 2 hours sleep last night and I just want to get a cuppa and veg in front of the TV!

We had a wonderful time in England recently. I went for two weeks with the kids ('kids'! hehe) and Warren came for the first week. It was great being at moms and Emily just loves being there with Nanny & Grandad and the doggies of course. Apart from making him jump a couple of time Harrison loved the dogs too and even kept trying to get Flukes tail. It was a very full and busy holiday. We also managed to go for a weekend to a 4 star hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon while we were there...

...To cut a long story short we will not be going to a hotel again for a while. I was sick for the first night (a bug or something) and Harrison just shouted and screamed the place down anytime we were in public. It was one of those really old hotels were everyone sits about very quietly reading too .I don't normally get embarrassed by such things but this stressed me out! They had a great time in the pool though so at least it wasn't all bad, I think we were just glad to get back to my moms.

I also managed to get out one night to the pub with Jackie thanks to the great babysitters and I took the opportunity to drive to Derby to stay overnight with Chris. It was just great, it was lovely to see the house and catch up with everyone and Ciara and Emily were like best buddies, it was so unbelievably sweet.

Overall we just hung out, went to walks to Bilston, took a double decker bus ride into Wolverhampton and went to a wonderful place called 'Wonderland Park' in Telford. I a sure I am missing lots out but all in all we had a great time and I have about 200 photos to prove it! SOmetime I will get uploading those too!

I really miss having my family around and cause I was there for so long it was strange to come back and go back to being on my own in the day. If only we all lived nearby.

Thanks Mom & Nige especially for having us and looking after us and thanks to everyone else too who we haven't seen in ages. Emily said she missed her Pooh Bear bed and asked when she could come again!