While we were driving home from Seal Rocks today ( Read more... )

Ben has developed a strong relationship with my 6-months-pregnant tummy. He is still breastfeeding a couple of times a day, mostly associated with sleep (feeding to sleep for his midday nap, feeding at bedtime in the evening, and in the early hours of the morning as well). Whenever he comes on to my lap for a breastfeed, he first has a little chat ( Read more... )

I am an aunt! It's been an exciting but nerve-wracking time over the last few days, hearing the updates. It's very hard to be so far away - I felt (and still feel) this strong need to help somehow, but have had nothing to do except wait. I can't wait to see them both soon, hopefully next weekend ( Read more... )

Ben running away from me at bedtime, wearing nothing but two very long sparkly necklaces.

I have had a lovely day today. This morning I stayed at preschool for a couple of hours to help out (most mums do this once a term or so). We were in the blocks room, which is heaven for Ben, so he was happy to wander around while I helped various groups of kids with different activities. Stuart has settled in well now, but still finds social ( Read more... )

I just got back from taking the dog for a brisk half-hour walk, and it was great! It seems like ages since I was able to walk at my own (rather fast) pace, without a pram or baby sling or a child holding my hand. I really enjoy my meandering walks with the boys, finding treasures and pointing out interesting things in other people's gardens, but ( Read more... )

Stuart is exploring words that rhyme. Just after breakfast a few days ago, he went and got a pear from the fruitbowl and carefully put it on the bottom stair. Then he found a teddy and put it with the pear, and last of all asked me to help him move a dining chair over there as well. I suggested one of his little plastic chairs. A few seconds later ( Read more... )

Following a recipe tonight, I was about to start finely chopping some nuts by hand, but then decided that it would be easier to put them in the food processor. I'd forgotten how loud this is - when I turned it on, the poor baby (who had been still for some time, probably sleeping), gave an enormous jump and then started a steady kicking. I felt ( Read more... )

A few days ago I recited 'The Owl and the Pussy Cat' to Stuart for the first time. It was wonderful to see a huge smile spread over his face as he listened, and to hear 'do it again, Mummy' at the end of each repetition. By the next morning, less than 24 hours later, he could recite the whole poem (with the odd prompt when he got stuck) and takes ( Read more... )

This morning at 9am there was a knock on the door. It was the man who had been mowing the empty block of land next door (for the first time since we got home - it had been looking really wild). He said "I've got your window ( Read more... )