4 weeks to Go!!

until the holidays!!!!!!!!! Not that I'm looking forward to them or anything :)

Fairly quiet week really. Went to Jo Jingles on Monday. DD was a little strange with it as we have missed all the classes since Easter due to illness and doctor's appointments - but she settled down eventually and enjoyed the last 15 minutes. Will hopefully enjoy it more next Monday.

Went to the Art Stamps fair at the Corn Exchange today..won free tickets on UKS to get in which was fab...I never win anything...cheered me up no end. Was very good and only bought some bits and pieces. Some felt alphabet stickers. some paint dabbers, brads and a really cute set of Xmas stamps for this year's cards! Will probably forget I have them by November but they are lovely! Saw some absolutely gorgeous stuff but had to walk away as I need to start saving for the summer. Have booked our hols...going to the Lake District and to N. Ireland..really looking forward to the break.

Going to start a mini book for DH tonite for Father's Day and need to package up the card I made for my Aunt and Uncle's 50th wedding anniversary..Will post it tomorrow at ASDA, as I forgot today.

What's been happening.......

not a huge amount really but still too busy to put time aside for my blog!

May has flown by, cannot believe how this year has gone so quickly - what with work and DD I seem to be running just to stay in the same place at times. Mums who work full time have my respect - just for how organised they must be.

The family are all doing well. DD's walking is getting more confident. We went to try and buy her a pair of proper shoes but the shop wouldn't sell us any, as they said she needed to be steadier on her feet. Bit of a wasted journey but at least proved the shop were not just going to sell us any old thing to make a profit.

Haven't scrapped alot this month - missed the Edinburgh crop as the whole family went down with a tummy bug in quick succession......me being the last one and I was tucked up in bed for most of the weekend. Felt awful but nice to get to lie in bed...a real luxury in our house at the moment. DD usually wakes up at 6am and makes no distinction between the weekend and the working week. Hence we are early risers in our house and will be for the forseeable future.

Photo is of my lovely Aunt Laura and Uncle Walter..its their 50th wedding anniv next month!

Trundling along.....

is what I am doing at the moment. DD's everlasting cold of the last 6 months took a turn for the worst last week and we ended up at the doctor's again. Her chest was clear but her cough had got alot worse..luckily improving now..but now I've got it! Lost my voice in work on Thursday and Friday, much to the amusement of everyone I was working with...by the end of Friday I sounded like a very quiet version of Barry White.

Enjoying the warmer weather - I've been taking DD to the park to play on the swings and at the weekend we put up the swing that we got her for her birthday. Now she has LOVED the swings in the park and her friend's identical swing...so we put her in her new swing in the garden expecting big smiles and lots of laughs. Cue crying and mass hysterics on 3 separate occaisons. Not even the sight of her favourite bunny being pushed in the swing by Grandma made any difference.


The photo is there to prove she will....hopefully...eventually...like it.

Holidays!

Sorry for not posting in so long - busy and distracted for most of the last part of March!

On holiday at the moment which is lovely. Spent a week with my folks which was very relaxing. Mum and Dad haven't seen DD since Xmas, so they had a great time getting reacquainted. Funny to watch my Dad - was very nervous of DD as a baby but now having a whale of a time with her and she absolutely loved him. The weather was fantastic all week, probably the best week we have had in Ireland for years. Mum was very good and minded DD for us and let us get away for lunch on a couple of occaisons. Nice to have time to ourselves and talk about adult things with no interruptions.

Back home now - DD in nursery today, so trying to get a bit of tidying done around the house while I have some peace and quiet. Also got my hair cut this morning - was very sick and tired of my growing out bob, so got in in a much shorter (for me!) bob which is layered at the back. Feels very strange...much less hair than before!

1st Birthday ...Part 2

DD's birthday on Monday went really well. We had a quiet morning - opened some presents and pottered about the house. Then Grandma came down at lunchtime and we opened the rest of her pressies and then went to the Botanics for a walk. Had a nice wander around and fed the ducks, then went to the cafe for a coffee and home.

MIL came back around in the evening for tea and to watch 'March of the Penguins'. I gave it to DH for Xmas and it has taken us until now to get to watch it! Really enjoyed it - the photography was stunning and the story of the conditions the penguins endure was actually quite gripping.LOL

1st Birthday Party!

We held DD's 1st birthday party yesterday, as her birthday is on Monday and everybody is working! We kept it small - just a few friends and only 1 other baby. Have learnt from experience that our livingroom is not big enough for lots of crawling babies.LOL

DD was a little bemused by all the attention but enjoyed playing with her friend and getting cuddles from the adults. Can't believe it is a year since she was born, the time has flown by in a blur. Seems like yesterday she was a tiny little scrap and now she looks like she is on the verge of walking.

Made an accordian card up for the birthday from a Lisa Beardsen kit I got from QVC - turned out as a very cute little album with a nice pocket for 2 tags to go in, with messages from me and DH.

DH is taking Monday off work and we are going out for a birthday lunch with Grandma and hopefully if the weather is good, a walk in the Botanics.

Daddy's taking us to the Zoo......

Well we went on Saturday and had a lovely time. Weather was dry and mild and NOT windy..often the zoo is like a wind tunnel as its built on a hill but was very still. We met friends and had a leisurely wander about. DD was fascinated by the penguins and the parakeets - although DH felt obliged to carry her as he felt she couldn't see all the animals properly.

Have to say it was one of the best visits I have had to the zoo, in terms of actually seeing lots of animals. The otters were out frisking about and the 2 new rhinos were having a fight in the middle of their enclosure - very impressive to watch though a little scary. The penguins are beginning to nest, so were sitting right against the wire fence..lovely to see them so close up. Actually thinking of getting a zoo membership - 3 visits a year would pay for it and you can visit as often as you like and the carparking is free.

Photo is DH and DD studying the penguins.

With reference to the day I've had.....

....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






Thank you...I fell better now.

Busy doing nothing.....

Well, bits and bobs around the house anyway. Had a good weekend. Went to the Edinburgh crop on Saturday and had a very relaxing time. Also got to see a demonstration of the cricut in action, courtesy of Jay. Fab little machine but can't justify one at the moment..maybe later in the year.

On Sunday had friends through from Glasgow for lunch and did a cheese fondue, which was very filling.LOL Went for a walk up the Water of Leith later in the afternoon and then back in time for DD's tea. Today finally managed to get DD's 2nd booster injection done..the fifth attempt! First 4 all postponed because of colds, coughs,etc and we were running out of dates to get it done before her 1st birthday. She's got another immunization on the 20th and then her MMR later in the year. Quite nervous about the MMR, have been doing a bit of research on the Net to try and work out what is fact and fiction..very interesting reading.

MIL coming around for pancakes tonight, as tomorrow will be chaotic with me back at work on Wednesday.

Trollie lovely birthday

Didn't think I was going to enjoy my birthday this year. Firstly choked with the cold and then we had to cancel our trip down to see my sister this weekend as DD was poorly. So disappointed and glum on Friday. then Sis phoned yesterday to say if we couldn't come down, they would come up. Which considering they have to drive 4 hours to get here and get a hotel, was a majorily sweet thing to do.

So was with my family after all and DD is on the mend too...have had a nice day :)

Attached piccie is of my trollbead bracelet with my 2 new beads on.

Baby with an ASBO

This is where we are heading for with DD I fear.

First incident took place at the local library on Friday. My MIL had taken DD to the monthly rhyme time taken by one of the librarians. Started off well and then DD decided she wanted onto the floor. Wriggled off Grandma's lap and crawled straight to the librarian taking the group. The librarian, thinking 'aww sweet wee thing' picks her up for a cuddle, at which point DD grabs 2 handfuls of the librarian's lovely long hair and starts yanking away for all she is worth. End result - 1 traumatised librarian and 1 mortified Grandma.

Second incident today - at Jo Jingles, again everything started off fine. DD then spots the Jo Jingles doll sitting at the farside of the circle. Wriggles off my lap, crawls straight for him and rugby tackles him. When I rescued poor Jo and took DD back to our place, she crawled straight back to him and then ,to add insult to injury, tried to rip up the lesson plan belonging to the girl taking the group.

I can see us getting banned..........

Photo is from the Botanics Gardens on Saturday- lovely day so went to feed the ducks and squirrels

What My Birthdate Means

This one comes courtesy of Kat :) I agree with some of it but I don't think 'inner peace' is my strength....I wish!


Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world.
You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm.
Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche.
Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done.

Your strength: Your inner peace

Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds

Your power color: Emerald

Your power symbol: Leaf

Your power month: November


What Does Your Birth Date Mean?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/

Birthday Blues

Not my birthday - DH's in fact. The reason I am blue being that I haven't got him any pressies for tomorrow. In my defence I should say, I have been hassling him for what he wants since the New Year and I did point out that a non driving, part time working mum of a 10 month old has limited shopping time available but to no avail.

Hence his pressies to open tomorrow morning will consist of:

A framed photo of him and DD (from DD)
A box of Chocolates (from DD)
4 creme eggs (from me)

I'm lunching with a friend at the Gyle tomorrow, so if he can come up with any good ideas, I can get him something slightly more 'classy' for tomorrow evening. Tomorrow will be a rush actually - DH's mum and brother and wife are coming around for dinner. We are having spicy carrot and parsnip soup for starters (made last night and in the freezer), roast beef with all the trimmings for the main course ( yes I love my slow cooker!) and whatever looks good in M&S for dessert. I think the "trimmings" for the roast beef will also be from M&S! I am aiming for as stress free an evening as possible.

Jo Jingles went well today. The first week DD clung to me and refused to move - 2 weeks later. I am now chasing her around the room as she attacks everyone's waterbottle. She also crawls up to 'collect' the instruments with the other babies which is cute.

Book Party

is where I have been today. Usbourne books for kids to be more precise. One of my friends was holding it and it was very good. Got 2 books for DD, one for my niece and one for me.LOL

This week has been fine - DD continues to eat like a horse and thos week's entertainment has been trying to start her tooth cleaning routine, which at the moment involves much crying, struggling and nashing of said tooth. We've been assured it will get easier..hopefully very very soon!

DH has ordered me the little mermaid trollbead for my birthday - on behalf of DD. I've also ordered a little mermaid Dollybead to match in the most gorgeous shades of blue/green.

A Good Day

I hope this title doesn't jinx us for this evening but have had a good day. Jo Jingles was alot better this week - DD seemed to enjoy it more and that in turn made me like it more. Had a lovely walk down to the church but the pavements in our estate were so slippy with ice it was untrue. I nearly fell twice.. I was glad to get home in one piece. Another reason for the the good day was that DD's appetite seems to be getting better. Had a full lunch and tea, without the usual cajoling and hissy fits ( her and me!) that we usually go through. Amazing how such a small thing can qualify your day as being good!

In the afternoon a friend came around with her wee one and we had a chat while they played. Spent a lot of time laughing at the wee ones and power struggle they were having for the toys. Had to separate them on several occasions before one got hurt. Goodness knows what they will be like as toddlers.

Off to do some work.

A Busy Weekend

Sitting down at last after 2 very busy days. Saturday up at 5am with DD and then up 'properly' at 8am. After getting sorted I headed out for the Edinburgh crop. Good to see everyone again - I really appreciate DH taking DD for the day so I can go - its my one day all to myself that I am guaranteed a month and I do like it.

Managed to get a LO done of DD and DH - I like it but I don't think it was very inspired..I see everyone else's lovely work and feel more than a bit amateurish but I enjoy doing it, so I'll plod along.LOL. Left at 3.30 to go to K's 1st birthday party. Had a good time but had to leave before the cake was cut. I'd been told it would be cake and juice, so we expected to get away quite early but food was served and it all got delayed. Felt really bad but had to get home to feed DD and get her ready for bed as we were heading out for dinner with BIL andSIL at the Loon Fung.

Had a lovely meal - stuffed at the end and went back for Coffee and then back to rescue MIL from baby sitting duties.

Today had a quiet morning and then met up with friends at the golf club for lunch. Between us we had a 3year old, 14 month old and a 10 month old - spent our time expecting some pringle wearing stalwart of the club to complain but everyone was very nice.

Off to Jo Jingles tomorrow and might call in and see MIL as well.

Let it Snow!

Spent most of the morning watching snowflakes drift past the window - freezing cold here but not the terrible storms that England is having. A good day - DD much more settled at nursery ( sorry if I sound obsessed but I am!) and eating much more. Little monkey had us up for 1 1/2 last night between 2.30am and 4am...a bit bleary eyed in work today, going to give her a dream feed tonight to see if it stops her waking up.

Still waiting for my trollbead to be delivered :( Hopefully will arrive tomorrow.

Off to do some work and try to get organised for tomorrow and for the crop on Saturday

Week 2.....

back at work. Had a lovely day today but worried about DD going into nursery as has been clingy child from hell for the last 2 days, which is very unlike her - we think she is just unsettled with my return to work, plus restarting nursery and being poorly for so long. Evidently upset when DH left her off this morning - hoping she settled down ok as the day went on and actually ate something for once.

We went to the drop in clinic yesterday and she weighed in at 18lb 3oz - 10 oz heavier than the start of November which isn't great but understandable given how off colour she has been the last few weeks. To be honest I was relieved that she had put any weight on at all. I was convinced she had lost some but the health visitor was very reassuring and gave us some good advice about feeding.

Weather here very cold this evening, evidently snow was falling yesterday evening but we didn't even notice.LOL. Its forecast for tomorrow as well but I hope it doesn't come - nice when it is white and crisp and clean but hate the slush and the dirt that comes after it.

What else? Got a new trollbead - the love heart print and it looks very cute on the bracelet - decided I needed to cheer myself up after returning to work...any old excuse will do really

Jo Jingles

That was the name of the class I took DD to today. It was good fun..not as well organized IMO as the tinytalk classes but fun for DD. Was actually a bit taken aback with DD - she is not a shy child and has always been great at any class/group we have gone to but today clung to me like mad, must be unsettled after being ill and starting back to nursery. We wondered if she saw all the other babies and thought it was nursery and that I was going to leave her..hence crawling up my leg and clutching on..poor wee soul. She settled down after a while and seemed to get into it more.

A Quiet Day

Just checking in, I did say I would make a bigger effort to post in my blog, so this is it.LOL

Had a nice weekend - didn't do a great deal but relaxed and managed to get a lie in until 8am both Saturday and Sunday..though DD did come into bed with us. Went to Mothercare on Saturday to get a birthday present for Katie's 1st birthday next Wednesday and then zipped home, as the weather was just so stormy. DH was out with his badminton club, so I had a quiet night in and watched The Lake House on teleport movies. Just as I was going to bed at midnight, DD woke up and didn't go back down until 2am...I have been shattered today!

DD has been looking a lot brighter the last couple of days..still not keen to take anything lumpy but eating bigger portions and drinking more milk. Hopefully this is her on the mend and she will avoid catching any more viruses until she is a bit more recovered. We are starting a new class tomorrow up in JG. Its called Jo Jingles and is a music based activity class for wee ones. Sounds quite good and its on a Monday so I'm not at work. We really enjoyed the baby signing classes on Wednesdays but unfortunately had to give them up because of me returning to work. Fingers crossed we will enjoy these classes and maybe meet some mums from the local area.

Off to do some work for school

Catch Up Time

Guilty of not blogging at all for a very long time! My main reason being the run up to Xmas got a bit hectic and my poorly DD is still poorly - She has caught one cold after another and has been off colour for about 6 weeks now. We are back on smooth purees and fighting to get her to eat anything other than fruit and yoghurt. She's bright enough most of the time but tires out quickly and has been very clingy. Keeping our fingers crossed that when she shakes this cold, she won't catch another bug immediately.

I'm back to work..started on Wednesday. Not as bad as I thought it would be..The anticipation was worse than the event.LOL It's going to be very hectic but actually good to get a bit of my 'old life' back. DD has found it a bit strange as has missed nursery the last 3 weeks because of Xmas and being ill but hopefully will settle in better next week.

What else to report...looking forward to the Edinburgh crop next week, DH has marked it in his diary and will give me a lift in to town. Will try and get some pages on Shona done and maybe have a look at the Book of Me kit I got from Creating Keepsakes before Xmas.

Got a lovely trollbead bracelet for Xmas and have enjoyed following the trollbead thread on UKS - DH and MIL are going to buy me some more beads for my birthday in Feb, so I am trying to resist buying too many on my own.