Today we are so proud.....
Jamie counted to 10.
And he did it more than once.
Even counting to 10 to Nanna on the phone.
And we filmed it so no one can say he didn't!!
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Stock Take
I have had a wonderful day today catching up on all the paperwork that seems to be taking over at the moment. This is one sure way to make me feel less stressed and as the pile of paper at the back door increases (to be thrown out) so my stress levels decrease.
One of the pieces of advice that I read in the week was to every now and again sit down a have a stock take of your current position. Think about where you are in your life; whether you are happy being there and where you would like to go in the future. We need to all take time out occasionally to remember what is important.
I am (mostly) happy in my job. The pay could be better and I allow myself to get too wound up sometimes, but if I can keep reminding myself that I am not paid enough to get so involved, then I think I will survive! At the moment the hours that I do fit perfectly around the rest of my life and Jamie. Mondays (mostly) and Tuesdays are my days for being with Jamie and we have a full social life, so I don't feel too bad when going to work for the rest of the week. Especially as Jamie has two full days at Nursery - which he loves - and a full (ish) day with Nanna.
I have started attending a local writers group which meet once a month on a Tuesday evening. I still attend another writing group which meets once a month on a Saturday. Although I don't feel the need to go every month, the new group seem a great bunch of people and it can only be good for my writing.
I have also joined a readers group which meets within walking distance of the house. Again, they meet once a month and I feel being given a book to read and then discuss it will be good for my brain!!
I have always loved photography and always taken photographs wherever I go. I have wanted a new camera for a while and have decided to upgrade myself. With this in mind I have booked myself on a Digital SLR workshop at the beginning of December. Hoping for a new camera from Santa....
Have also joined Weight Watchers with the aim of loosing a stone before Christmas!
Having said all that, I don't actually feel too overloaded. I feel I have picked activities that compliment me and the person I want to be. Joining WWs has made me think about what I eat and this in turn has made me look at what I eat and drink on a night out, which in turn has made me consider exactly why I am going out and with whom!! Consequently, I don't have many meals out booked before December!
Life must be full of pleasures. Jamie and Daddy are my pleasures at the moment with writing, reading and photography my hobbies. WWs and keeping fit (I need to take more walks in the fresh air, in green spaces) are an important part of being able to maintain the lifestyle I desire.
Remember: Change the situation or change the way you look at the situation. Select your pursuits and company well. Forgive quickly and freely. Seek the best in everything and everyone. Compliment others. Be Nice. Be Happy. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy life.
Forward Focused....
One of the pieces of advice that I read in the week was to every now and again sit down a have a stock take of your current position. Think about where you are in your life; whether you are happy being there and where you would like to go in the future. We need to all take time out occasionally to remember what is important.
I am (mostly) happy in my job. The pay could be better and I allow myself to get too wound up sometimes, but if I can keep reminding myself that I am not paid enough to get so involved, then I think I will survive! At the moment the hours that I do fit perfectly around the rest of my life and Jamie. Mondays (mostly) and Tuesdays are my days for being with Jamie and we have a full social life, so I don't feel too bad when going to work for the rest of the week. Especially as Jamie has two full days at Nursery - which he loves - and a full (ish) day with Nanna.
I have started attending a local writers group which meet once a month on a Tuesday evening. I still attend another writing group which meets once a month on a Saturday. Although I don't feel the need to go every month, the new group seem a great bunch of people and it can only be good for my writing.
I have also joined a readers group which meets within walking distance of the house. Again, they meet once a month and I feel being given a book to read and then discuss it will be good for my brain!!
I have always loved photography and always taken photographs wherever I go. I have wanted a new camera for a while and have decided to upgrade myself. With this in mind I have booked myself on a Digital SLR workshop at the beginning of December. Hoping for a new camera from Santa....
Have also joined Weight Watchers with the aim of loosing a stone before Christmas!
Having said all that, I don't actually feel too overloaded. I feel I have picked activities that compliment me and the person I want to be. Joining WWs has made me think about what I eat and this in turn has made me look at what I eat and drink on a night out, which in turn has made me consider exactly why I am going out and with whom!! Consequently, I don't have many meals out booked before December!
Life must be full of pleasures. Jamie and Daddy are my pleasures at the moment with writing, reading and photography my hobbies. WWs and keeping fit (I need to take more walks in the fresh air, in green spaces) are an important part of being able to maintain the lifestyle I desire.
Remember: Change the situation or change the way you look at the situation. Select your pursuits and company well. Forgive quickly and freely. Seek the best in everything and everyone. Compliment others. Be Nice. Be Happy. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy life.
Forward Focused....
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Went to see about my feet yesterday...
...and was told I was stressed. Apparently verruca's flare up when you are under stress and added to this cold that just won't go at the moment, I think she might have been right?
So, what am I going to do about it? Having a lazy day today. Only as its me its not a lazy day. I keep finding things that need doing NOW and its doesn't seem like anything is actually getting finished.
First on the agenda is getting out my relaxation CDs and Relaxation folder. Lets see what needs to be done.....
And I have just read his morning that stress makes you hang onto fat. Another reason to de-stress!!
I have a feeling I have got myself run down because of the decision not to have any more children may have subconsciously been upsetting. I did get a bit teary again when at the Drs for my smear and saw my notes that said 'no more children' so I also feel I need to focus on my Goals for the future.
So, what am I going to do about it? Having a lazy day today. Only as its me its not a lazy day. I keep finding things that need doing NOW and its doesn't seem like anything is actually getting finished.
First on the agenda is getting out my relaxation CDs and Relaxation folder. Lets see what needs to be done.....
And I have just read his morning that stress makes you hang onto fat. Another reason to de-stress!!
I have a feeling I have got myself run down because of the decision not to have any more children may have subconsciously been upsetting. I did get a bit teary again when at the Drs for my smear and saw my notes that said 'no more children' so I also feel I need to focus on my Goals for the future.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Should we share a bed with Jamie?
Many parents don’t share their bed (or co-sleep) with their babies because of the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but new research has shown that sharing a bed with your little one after 12 months-old, has no negative impact on your child.
In western civilisations there is a trend towards solitary sleeping and making sure that each child has it’s own room, but in many other countries around the world, parents sharing a bed with their toddlers is much more acceptable.
Researchers at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York, found that children’s intellectual and social development was not affected by co-sleeping.
The study took a closer look at the sleep patterns of 944 low-income mothers and their toddlers; who were aged between one and three years of age. Of the women studied, almost half said they had shared a bed with their child at some point.
Dr Lauren Hale, associate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook University, found that there was no difference in terms of intellect or behaviour of those children who shared a bed with their mothers and those who didn’t.
Dr Hale also added that mothers should not feel guilty for sharing a bed with their child if it suited their lifestyle.
She said: ‘Parents can do what works best for their family and not feel guilty if they choose to bed-share, because there probably aren’t lasting impacts.’
She told CNN: ‘When you compare mothers of the same ethnicity and the same level of education, whether they bed-share or not, does not predict a difference in cognitive or behavioural outcomes of their children.’
www.gurgle.com/articles/Sleep_Bedtime/37842/Should_you_share_a_bed_with_your_toddler_.aspx
In western civilisations there is a trend towards solitary sleeping and making sure that each child has it’s own room, but in many other countries around the world, parents sharing a bed with their toddlers is much more acceptable.
Researchers at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York, found that children’s intellectual and social development was not affected by co-sleeping.
The study took a closer look at the sleep patterns of 944 low-income mothers and their toddlers; who were aged between one and three years of age. Of the women studied, almost half said they had shared a bed with their child at some point.
Dr Lauren Hale, associate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook University, found that there was no difference in terms of intellect or behaviour of those children who shared a bed with their mothers and those who didn’t.
Dr Hale also added that mothers should not feel guilty for sharing a bed with their child if it suited their lifestyle.
She said: ‘Parents can do what works best for their family and not feel guilty if they choose to bed-share, because there probably aren’t lasting impacts.’
She told CNN: ‘When you compare mothers of the same ethnicity and the same level of education, whether they bed-share or not, does not predict a difference in cognitive or behavioural outcomes of their children.’
www.gurgle.com/articles/Sleep_Bedtime/37842/Should_you_share_a_bed_with_your_toddler_.aspx
Thursday, 8 September 2011
29 months
Gurgle.com had this to say about 29 months (See: http://www.gurgle.com/stages/Toddler/29_month_old/default.aspx?) During this month your toddler may start to experience quite complex emotions, such as jealousy (another child playing with their toys), pride (at building a tower correctly), affection (towards mum and dad) and shame (if he has had a tantrum or has hit or bitten another child). Although their emotions are intense, they are relatively short-lived so he can be having a full-blown tantrum one minute and showering you with kisses the next. Distraction is probably the key to dealing with more negative emotions, but don’t forget to praise your child when he displays positive emotions like pride or he shares her toys with others.
Bedtime
For some toddlers at this age, going to bed can be a struggle as there are too many interesting activities to do when awake. For parents of toddlers who desperately need some time off and probably a glass of wine, this can be frustrating, especially if they are able to get out of bed and join you. Try to keep your child in a regular routine especially at bedtime so he knows that when he is having her bath, bed comes soon. Make sure his room is dark (with a small nightlight if he doesn’t like it) and that he has had some wind down time before bed. This can mean a story or, if he is reluctant to go to sleep, some quiet play on his own for half an hour to make him sleepy. Bedtime can also mean relaxing in your room rather than having to go straight into sleep, after all it probably takes you time to unwind before you fall asleep, so keep this in mind.
Make sure he gets plenty of time outside in the fresh air everyday so that he uses up all that toddler energy.
Bedtime
For some toddlers at this age, going to bed can be a struggle as there are too many interesting activities to do when awake. For parents of toddlers who desperately need some time off and probably a glass of wine, this can be frustrating, especially if they are able to get out of bed and join you. Try to keep your child in a regular routine especially at bedtime so he knows that when he is having her bath, bed comes soon. Make sure his room is dark (with a small nightlight if he doesn’t like it) and that he has had some wind down time before bed. This can mean a story or, if he is reluctant to go to sleep, some quiet play on his own for half an hour to make him sleepy. Bedtime can also mean relaxing in your room rather than having to go straight into sleep, after all it probably takes you time to unwind before you fall asleep, so keep this in mind.
Make sure he gets plenty of time outside in the fresh air everyday so that he uses up all that toddler energy.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Back to Baby Signing
Yesterday me and Jamie returned to Baby Signing, or rather became two of the first attendees at the new Toddler Signing group www.babysigning.org.uk/home Wendy has decided to start this group for the older babies and it was great to see Harry, Evie and Robert again. They have all grown up! And it was also nice to see their mummies again.
Jamie has started to sing along with songs now. He loves doing 'sleeping bunnies' and 'twinkle twinkle' at night. Time to dust off his CDs again and get out all those Nursery Rhymes.
Jamie has started to sing along with songs now. He loves doing 'sleeping bunnies' and 'twinkle twinkle' at night. Time to dust off his CDs again and get out all those Nursery Rhymes.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Bionic Mummy
Today I honestly felt like something out of a science fiction film; as I lay on the Drs couch staring up at a bright white ceiling while an implant was put in my arm.
After 'Trying, but not really trying' since Jamie was born nearly two and a half years ago, we finally decided to call it a day. Jamie is a wonderful child. I really could not ask for more and if I had my time again I would have had 3 or 4, but I am on the wrong side of 40 now and its hard work; not to mention all the risks associated with an older pregnancy!!
So I am now the proud owner of a contraceptive implant in my left arm. At the moment it is still sore and I can feel the implant if I push on the surface. Apparently I will always be able to feel it but in a few days the bruising and swelling should have subsided.
How do I feel? While sitting in the waiting room there was a little boy with his mummy, who was probably 8 months old. He was so cute and cuddly and I was torn for a moment or two. But when I left the surgery, I felt a sense of relief. From now on I know that the future contains only one child and we can give him everything. It also means me and daddy can get on with our lives and stop thinking 'what if I get pregnant?' Daddy can concentrate on his music and I can concentrate on my writing as well as getting back to the person I was before I initially became pregnant - and that person was a stone and a half lighter!!
To this end I have rejoined weight watchers and tonight will be my second week. I intend to loose a stone before Christmas and buy a lovely new dress to go out in and show off the 'new' me!!
After 'Trying, but not really trying' since Jamie was born nearly two and a half years ago, we finally decided to call it a day. Jamie is a wonderful child. I really could not ask for more and if I had my time again I would have had 3 or 4, but I am on the wrong side of 40 now and its hard work; not to mention all the risks associated with an older pregnancy!!
So I am now the proud owner of a contraceptive implant in my left arm. At the moment it is still sore and I can feel the implant if I push on the surface. Apparently I will always be able to feel it but in a few days the bruising and swelling should have subsided.
How do I feel? While sitting in the waiting room there was a little boy with his mummy, who was probably 8 months old. He was so cute and cuddly and I was torn for a moment or two. But when I left the surgery, I felt a sense of relief. From now on I know that the future contains only one child and we can give him everything. It also means me and daddy can get on with our lives and stop thinking 'what if I get pregnant?' Daddy can concentrate on his music and I can concentrate on my writing as well as getting back to the person I was before I initially became pregnant - and that person was a stone and a half lighter!!
To this end I have rejoined weight watchers and tonight will be my second week. I intend to loose a stone before Christmas and buy a lovely new dress to go out in and show off the 'new' me!!
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