A Mothers Lament

My spare room is now a nursery
Nappies and toys everywhere
A funny smell; which just won’t go
I’m pretending not to care

Little finger prints tell a story
There’s a very nice hand print in curry
I dread to think what’s under the sofa
I’m pretending not to worry

There’s pasta sauce on the carpet
The sofa is sticky with jam
My once pretty cushions are no longer cream
I’m pretending I don’t give a damn

All my cupboards have been emptied out
Will my house ever again be clean?
Nothing stays put for more than a minute
I’m trying not to scream

A mummy’s work is never done
My washing machine wants to die
My bloody back is killing me
I’m trying not to cry

I don’t own anything fashionable
Something to wear; without a stain, I can’t find
Nothing really fits me anyway
I’m pretending not to mind

It’s been a long time since I went out
But if I did it would just add to my debt
I seem to have aged 20 years very quickly
I’m trying not to be upset

I’ve no idea who’s at Number One
I‘m not ever sure what’s the day
But I can name all the characters ‘In the Night Garden’
I’m pretending that’s OK

I can no longer have a pee on my own
Or read a book, or have a good nights sleep
My time belongs to someone else now
I’m trying not to weep

I’m constantly interrupted
Or having something thrown at me
Always a noise. It’s never quiet.
At least I’m never lonely.

Perhaps I shouldn’t try to be Mary Poppins
Just be the best mum I can, everyday
I’ve been given the most wonderful gift
(Honestly) I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Joanne Borrill

So Proud.... (again)

Picked Jamie up from nursery today to be told he had done a wee on their toilet.

When I droped him off on Wednesday morning I made a point of showing him the toilet at nursery.  Luckily Zoe and Luke were both sat on the toilets at the time, and so we were able (with Beth) to talk about Jamie needing to tell the staff when he wanted a wee, and about using the nursery toilet like Zoe and Luke.

This didn't happen on Wednesday but certainly did on Friday. He even got a sticker from nursery!

It has been a week of break throughs on the toilet front as, although Jamie has wee'd on the floor twice this week, he has also done a number of poo's in the potty as well as sat on the toilet every morning.   He is quite happy to sat in front of the television on his potty in a morning and often goes without a nappy until just before we go out. 

He is now up to Number 7 on his Fireman Sam Reward Chatrt and so very near his Mike the Knight Playset - which he has decided he would rather have than a pet (Thank god!)

"Naughty Jamie"

Jamie has taken to telling us that it was 'Naughty Jamie' that was naughty, and not 'Nice' Jamie. 

I do hope this isn't the start of something deeply disturbing.....

Mr Grey?!

All this talk about Mr Grey! 

I am happy with Mr Tickle, Mr Bounce, Mr Daydream and Mr Perfect thank you!!

What Big Feet You Have!!

Not yet 3 years and 3 months and Jamie is a 10G!  Went for a proper fitting and a new pair of Clarks on Saturday and he is a 10G.  This is actually the first time we have paid full price for a pair of Clarks - £30 - as previous we have bought shoes from the sale rail. 

Granted there is a lot of 'growth' in his Rexy Stomposaurus trainers - they flash as well - but a size 10 seems really big.  And he is the same size as Will now!

A Little Accident...

I suppose it had to happen sometime and I know we have been very lucky that it has not happened until now, but last night Daddy screamed in a way I have not heard him scream for a long while.  The bath water had suddenly changed colour.....

Jamie has been under the weather for a few days now and has had diarrhoea periodically over the weekend.  We had put this down to grandads sugary 'treats' but since Monday he has had sickness as well.  Yesterday was a day of sleep and more sleep.  I really began to worry in the afternoon when, as well as his head hurting, he also kept saying his 'tummys hurting' but after vomiting a few times he seemed better.  I did ring Karen and she said just to keep him hydrated and give him Calpol for his head.

After the bath incident, Jamie shared my bed last night and daddy was on the sofa; which was good as Jamie did wake up in the night a few times and was sick (mainly fluid) about 3am this morning.

He is sleeping at the moment.   He only had a little piece of toast, but is drinking his juice, and has had some Calpol so am not too worried.  He just looks more washed out than anything.  Have (obviously) kept him out of nursery today and I have told them I won't be going into work this afternoon.  Fingers crossed he is better soon.

Can I go to the toilet mummy?

A phrase some of us all dream of.  At least I have been; following the mini traumas we have experienced along the way - not to mention the looks from some other mothers I won't mention when I tell them Jamie is still wearing nappy's!!

Saturday cousin Noah came to play and after changing his nappy, daddy put him in his Fireman Sam's (pants).   Jamie often asks now to wear his pants and not a nappy.  After a while of them running around, uncle Michael came in and said 'someone has had an acciddent'.  We all thought he meant a wee but it was a runny pooh on the hall carpet.  Its like having a cat again!

This afternoon we have been to Rand Farm  with Will and Nicola and after lunch Jamie asked to go to the toilet!  Unfortunately the (disabled) toilet was way too big to put Jamie on and of course I had not taken a potty.  This meant I had to tell Jamie to use his nappy.  Poor lad.  It must be really confusing for him.

Happy Fathers Day!

Although my dad is no longer around and I hate Fathers Day for reminding me of this fact, we have all had a fantastic day today.  Jamie and daddy managed a lovely long lie in this morning - which meant mummy was able to get a few jobs done (including sorting out her blogs!).  When they did awake Jamie was able to present daddy with two cards - one made at nursery and one made with a little help from mummy.  Oh yes, and a new Fred Perry shirt.

After daddy had taken Jamie to visit grandad and Nanna Mo - whose birthday it is this week - Jamie and mummy went off to celebrate Tessa's party at the Wacky Wharehouse.  Jamie had a great run around and mummy had a nice chat with Jack's parents - who she had not met before!  

Back home and everyone had a lovely snooze - followed by pizza!

Did get to see Nanna B and my brother yesterday - we actually prepared a little spread for everyone -and Jamie had a good play with Noah so all in all we had a nice family weekend.

Toilet Training?

For a while it seemed we were going two steps forward and three steps back!!

We went through a stage where Jamie refused to sit on the toilet, or the potty, and then he refused to say whether or not he wanted the toilet.  It even got as bad as him not telling us when he had been in his nappy.  I think he thought we would be mad with him.

One night we were in bed watching TV and I put my arms around Jamie for a cuddle.  'Don't touch me', he said.  I was very upset and also worried. I straight away thought 'who else has been touching him?'   A few minutes later and it was obvious why he did not want me to touch him.  His nappy had burst and the bed was wet through!!  He was very upset and embarrassed. 

After a night out with Karen and Kate and a good chat over pizza about potty training, we backed off and left it a while.  The girls had suggested just waiting until we had time with him and let him walk about in just his (Fireman Sam) pants.  The theory being that Jamie won't like the wet feeling and so will learn to ask to go to the toilet. We thought we would leave this until we were off together and the weather was good (which it has not been).  There was also the useful suggestion to make sure Jamie has a step up to the toilet, as letting his legs dangle can be quite scary.

But since Lucy visited, Jamie has been more interested and has reached number 4 on his (Fireman Sam) Reward Chart.  He has even had a few poo's on the toilet!  He almost always has a dry nappy in the morning and (mostly) he does not mind sitting on the toilet first thing.  We have had a few days where he has just worn his pants - and has been asking to go to the toilet - but this seems to confuse him when we then put his nappy on!  However, he has been wearing 'pull ups' for a while now so I think these lessen the confusion.

I certainly no longer worried that we will never get him out of nappies!!

Today I nearly cried....

......because Jamie didn't cry when I left him at nursery!!

Life is one long play date!!

Although I constantly worry whether or not Jamie is getting enough stimulation (other than TV) and is enjoying himself, most of the time he is occupied.  As I said, I try to organise at least one play date on the two days we have together.  He likes shopping and visiting the library and I like to paint or read with him when we aren't out and about.  I worry that I should 'play' more with him, but I know he gets enough of that from his dad and grandad.  He certainly doesn't need a sibling to play with as some people would have me believe!!

Jamie love playing games with both daddy and grandad and I often find Jamie and one or other of them under the table.  This last week daddy and Jamie have been playing 'Jamie's Cafe' and made a chef's hat for Jamie to wear and a menu to put on the table.  Jamie has all his (plastic) food in a large drawer next to his cooker.  He also has a microwave, toaster and kettle!!

In the last few weeks Jamie's life has been full of activities and socialising.   Last weekend cousin Lucy came for the night and it was great to see them together.  After a fun filled Saturday when they refused to go to bed as they were so excited, we went to the park on the Sunday morning and then Daisy Maid for some ice cream and a jump on the bouncy castle.  After Lucy and her family had left Jamie had Tilly's 3rd birthday party and another bouncy castle!!  And after that party we went back to the girls house to have some (more) chocolate birthday cake as it was Emily's birthday on the Monday.

Previously we have had the Jubilee celebrations all over the country but also taking place in Hykeham.  We had hoped for a BarBQ one day but the weather was not that good all Bank Holiday weekend.  Me and Jamie did pop over to see the girls on the Monday to watch the Jubilee concert and on the Tuesday there was a fair in the village.  Unfortunately Jamie did not like all the noise and the weather wasn't that good so we didn't stay too long.  Wendy had organised a third birthday party for the Baby Signing children on the Sunday, but unfortunately it was rained off! 

I did however, organise a play date with some of the Toddlers at Hartsholme park the week before.  Tegan and Harry came for a play and it was really nice to have a real chat with Harry's mum.  We have organised another date for the week after next. 

So life continues for Jamie at an exciting pace.  There is always something happening when you are a toddler.  I even took him to a 'Groove Time' taster session.  He was the only boy and didn't really like it.  He seemed very shy of everyone and refused to join in until right at the very end when we could not stop him!  I don't think we will be going again.   But that won't make Jamie's diary any less full; with the twins coming this afternoon to play, another party invite at Wacky and the library party next week, as well as cousin Noah coming to tea and (rain permitting) a trip to Rand Farm with Will on the calendar!!

I have lost my mind.....

In raising my children, I have lost my mind but found my soul.

Lisa T. Shepherd

Too old to have a toddler....

.......and a night on the town.

Went to a local nightclub for a meal and a boogie last week with the girls from work.  Thought I had better make the effort being the new girl.  We had a lovely night drinking and chatting, chatting and drinking.  I would not say I was drunk and disorderly but I had a few more than would usually have at the weekend.  I did make it to bed before midnight, but we had been out since 7pm!!  And it has taken me nearly a week to get over it!!

Grand Day Out or Child Abuse?

You decide....

Daddy had booked the three days off after Easter so we took Jamie to the seaside at Skegness! Although it rained all day in Lincoln, in Skeggy it was warm(ish) enough to have a little paddle in the sea. 

Not a Vase to be Filled...

Came across a wonderful quote this week:

A child is not a vase to be filled but a fire to be lit.

Francois Rabelais