Flashback Friday: First Family Day Out

by 7 Comments

This week I've been feeling a little nostalgic about The Boy and when he was a little tiny-weenie scrumpy-bum baby. Ok, a tiny little bit broody too. It's all Jenny's fault over at Mummy Mishaps for having a scrummy little baby boy mid-week!

This weekend sees the return of that annual celebration of Mothers' Day. Over time it's become separated from its original meaning and turned a little schmaltzy and, well, Hallmark. At the modern core of it, it's a celebration of mothers everywhere. In the 16th century, Mothering Sunday saw people return to their mother church for a service, later times saw the day being used for domestic servants to visit their mothers and families.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'll be celebrating it. We'll be going out for a lovely family afternoon, and everyone shall enjoy themselves, because it is my day!

So, after much waffling, I shall wander back onto the main point of this post: Family Days Out.

I am flashing back to my first FDO with my two boys. The day before my 32nd birthday, we went to Bristol Balloon Fiesta after I remembered how fantabulous a time I had with my own parents as an early teen. Unfortunately commericalism sneaked in during that 15-20 years period; along with the loud noises, flashing lights and drunken teenagers. Oh, and there weren't any balloons.

However, we had a fab time because we were together and enjoying our little family. We left early and on the way home we stopped in my favourite pub/restaurant for a lovely meal. The Boy had some rather admiring glances and I had some pitying ones (I was knackered!).

Flat-out after a tiring day of not seeing hot-air balloons.

I vowed then that we would have an afternoon together every weekend, sometimes we manage, sometimes we don't. It's got to be a deliberate decision to throw the washing over your shoulder, cram the chicken breasts/quorn escalopes back in the freezer, ignore the lint-ridden carpet, and shove off down to the beach/farm park/adventure playground.

This is one weekend when we will make the effort though, come rain or shine!

—

Now pop over to CafeBebe's Flashback Friday linky and have a butchers' at the other posts. Don't forget to comment!

Why I Love Being a Mummy

by 33 Comments

With the approach of Mothers' Day, I have decided to be a little self-indulgent. The role that I have taken on since becoming pregnant is the most important of my entire life, and as schmaltzy as it sounds I absolutely never knew my purpose until I had him.

On that note, I give you the reasons why I love being The Boy's mummy:

  • when he opens our bedroom door (sometimes with daddy's help) first thing in the morning and runs in to my open arms, shouting "mummy, mummy!"
  • when out of the blue he looks at me and says "tiss".
  • his hair.
  • his peachy bum.
  • his beautiful cheeky little smile.
  • his legs, they are stunningly shapely.
  • his beautiful, large, sparkly eyes.
  • the way he frowns and says "baby, cry" if any child under 3 years old is making any noise.
  • his curiosity and desire to learn.
  • how he opens my eyes up to the wonder of the world.
  • the fact that he loves the beach.
  • his exploratory nature in the garden.
  • his 'four-eyebrows' (the expression he pulls when he's concentrating).
  • his laugh.
  • his developing vocabulary; he seems to be learning several new words a day.
  • the fact that he's just looked at me, after I gave him his tippy-cup of milk, and said "cold" doing a shivering action, because I forgot to warm it up!
  • the way that he 'reads' to his toys.
  • the way he shoves his entire hand into the cheese part of the Dairylea Dunker to get every single scrap out.
  • the way he delves his hands into something filthy despite the fact that he hates his hands being dirty.
  • the way he climbs up into the highchair and straps himself in.
  • the way he has always chewed with his mouth closed.
  • the fact that we are friends.
  • the fact that he still loves to cuddle up having a bottle of milk and will reach up to touch my face.
  • having him fall asleep in my arms and feeling his little heart beat against my chest.
  • his little breath against my neck.
  • the way that he looks when he's sleeping.
  • his entire being.

ShowOff Showcase

Movie Meme: Chick Flicks

by 18 Comments

I'm not a girly girl. Yes, I wear make-up and, when I have the opportunity, wear my hair down. Yes, I like nice jewellery. I don't do pink. I don't do fluffy. I don't do simpering female. I am the youngest of four children, the eldest two are boys. I'm a bit of a tom-boy.

Chick-flicks? Metal Mummy, really? Cool!

How contrary am I? I actually do like a good chick-flick, as long as they are the empowering women ones, the ones where the women aren't complete and utter simpering pathetic females throughout. I do like a good song and dance routine, but I've already talked about Strictly Ballroom and Moulin Rouge a few weeks ago. And I broke the rules in Week Two, so am limited to my choice here. Plus Dirty Dancing's already been 'done'.

I'm choosing my other favourite:

All the classic lines:

  • In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.
  • I appreciate this whole seduction thing you've got going on here, but let me give you a tip: I'm a sure thing.
  • Just how obscene an amount of cash are we talking about here? Profane or really offensive?
  • Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now.

Which leads me onto my most favourite scene in the entire film:

 

ShowOff ShowCase: Favourite Post About Being a Parent

by 4 Comments

When I came up with the idea for ShowOff ShowCase it was going to be a 3-part mini-series: Most Popular, The One That Should Have Done Better, and Personal Favourite. The only problem is that, as I quickly discovered, in the world of blogging there are no unique ideas! In the past fortnight I've discovered that there are two very similar, already well-establised linkies, and for one of them the theme this week is Personal Favourite. Once I'd got over my dismay I started having a think whether I could be a little more specific in the theme for the link-up.

And so in light of the Hallmark celebration that is Mothers' Day, the ShowOff ShowCase theme this week is:

 

Favourite Post About Being a Parent


It could be a post that you wrote when you first became a parent where you either poured out all the love and devotion you felt for your first-born, or it might be a cry for help after a really bad night of sleeplessness due to the demon teeth. Maybe it was a moment when you were really proud of your child/children for an achievement, or possibly the first time you realised that you were all grown-up and had created another life. Either way, this is your favourite post, it's not statistics driven this time, it's not comments related, it's your choice. Go on Show Off about being a mum (or dad!).

I'll open the linky on Saturday morning, sometime between 8am and 9am.

6 sticks later…

by 23 Comments

Reading MammyWoo's hilarious tale of 'How it all began' earlier, and almost waking The Boy up as I shook with laughter, has prompted me to share my own 'finding out I was pregnant' story.

Early in the September term in 2008 on a Friday afternoon, my friend asked me if (quite frankly) my boobs were still sore. I replied that they were but that it was probably PMT. She asked me if I was still late, I replied that it was September in school, of course I was. She looked me in the eye and said very seriously, "Chick, I really think you need to do a pregnancy test when you get home!" In that moment, it actually clicked in my head but I truly didn't think that I was pregnant.

I rushed over to Boots (not my local branch, too many people know me) and stood gawping at the selection in front of me. I mean, for God's sake, how many different ways are there of peeing on a stick and telling someone if they're pregnant or not? I picked up the own-brand one because they seemed middle of the road in price (the first step in spending thousands of pounds on your child).

I got home and discovered that I didn't need the loo. I drank three glasses of water. I did starjumps in the kitchen. I drank another glass of water. I did squats. Then I rushed upstairs, read the instructions which said some nonsense about waiting 'til morning, and squeezed some out. It really didn't occur to me to wait for my husband because I wasn't pregnant and I didn't want to get his hopes up. Placing the stick carefully on the side of the bath without shaking it (why do they waive it around on television? It says to hold it steady!), I waited.

I knelt down on the bathroom floor in front of the bath and waited.

I am rubbish at waiting.

I watched the first mark came through (I actually can't remember if it's supposed to be a cross or a line) and my heart sank as the second mark started to come through; it was just a line. Up until that point I really hadn't even entertained the idea that I could be pregnant, but now it's all I wanted. The tears started to flow…

… and then: a CROSS! It was faint as hell, but it was a cross!

I'm not entirely sure I breathed for a few minutes, I just knelt there rocking backwards and forwards staring increduously at this rapidly darkening mark.

I bet you can guess what I did next. Yep, the second test in the box.

I wee-ed on it wrongly. For the love of God, I completely and utterly missed! They need to make these things bigger and longer so you don't end up weeing all over your hands.

Then I did quite possibly the most stupid thing ever; I phoned my husband who was driving home from work. The conversation went exactly like this (it's imprinted in both our memories):

Me: Can you call into Boots on the way home and pick up a twin-pack of Clear Blue digital pregnancy tests please?

Him: Why?

Me: Because I wee-ed wrongly on the second one and it didn't work.

Him: What about the first one?

Me: Oh yes, that one was positive!

Him: <silence, then> I'll be home as soon as I can!!!

Yes I know: he was driving, he could have had a crash. When he did get in, he raced up the stairs where I was still sat looking at the first test.

The third stick provided us with another positive conclusion: I'm rubbish at aiming when I wee!

The fourth stick was dipped into a pot that I'd decided to use instead (pregnant!)

Both the fifth and sixth sticks (he'd been despatched for more) came up with that oh so familiar affirmation: you are 2-3 weeks pregnant! The feeling is one that I have never come close to before or since: your life has just changed (for the better) forever.

We spent the entire weekend wanting to tell everyone (we're both rubbish at keeping secrets) and not telling anyone. However when I walked into the school grounds on Monday morning and saw my friend crossing between the two buildings I called to get her attention. She took one look at me and squealed with delight. She also completely roared with laughter that I'd done six tests.

Well come on, be honest: how many did you do?

Census 2011

by 13 Comments

I've seen and heard a lot of comments about the Census 2011 over the last month or so. Some of it positive, a fair amount of it is negative, some of it ridiculous; it is called the Census, not the Concensus you plonker!

I can understand people's scepticism about it, but personally I find it really exciting. As soon as The Boy is asleep (this may take some time, he's currently singing to his daddy upstairs, interspersed with occasionals squeals of glee and shouting), then hubby and I are going to sit down and fill it in in a ceremonial fashion.

The census is such an important way of collecting data; initially because of the impact to local services that it has. It is a crucial piece of data collection to ensure the correct and relevant provision and funding of public services. Health-care, child-care, public transport, schools, etc. How do you think they are able to predict the need for school places in the area if not for the census?

The aim is to get an idea of who is living in the UK on a specific day, and how they live their lives. Yes, some people may find it intrusive, but I find it fascinating and it just goes to highlight the impressive social, cultural and religious diversity that exists in Britain today.

Aside from the impact on today's services, just think about in the future. I've been researching my family tree over the past five years or so, and although I take a break every so often because it can become complex and confusing, whenever I return my first port of call is always the census records! Through the online collation and access of the records from 1911 and before, I have been able to find over 300 members of both my paternal and maternal family tree. I can trace the shift in social standing, find out what jobs they had, ascertain what happened to my great, great, great grandfather's children and where they lived. None of this would happen without the collation of information through the census.

Personally for me, this census is extremely exciting. Last census, I was about to embark on the biggest journey of my life! Ten years ago I was 23 and in my final year of my teaching degree, living at home with my mum and dad, borrowing my mum's car, jobless and in a long-distance relationship with an English bloke. This census I am married to that English bloke, a mother, a teacher, living in my own (ok, mortgaged) home, driving my own car. My world had changed and I can't wait to share that information on the census!

Listography: Time-Travelling!

by 4 Comments

This week KateTakes5 has come up with a marvellous idea which got me thinking "oooh!" straight away.

So with a selection of Quantum Leap inspired thoughts, here are my moments where I 'strive to put right what once went wrong!' Sorry I lost myself with Sam and Al then, here are my top five places and times to visit to experience.

  • South Wales, 1970s: My Bampi died when I was two years old and while I have just the one very powerful memory of him, I do regret that I never had more time with him like I did with my other grandparents. From all accounts, not just my mum's, he was a gentle, kind and loving man, father and grandfather. I would love to see him when he was fit and healthy, learn from his gardening expertise and bask in his kindly smile.
  • 2075-ish: Let's face facts here, I'm 33 and have had a 1yr old son. There is a very slim chance (especially taking into account my grandparents' ages when they died) that I am going to be alive to see my grandchildren get married, so I'd really love to see The Boy's own children walk down the aisle or wherever is fashionable at that time. I'd also like to check out if Apple have sorted out iTunes yet into a decent piece of software.

I'm actually struggling! I thought I'd have loads of ideas to write down, but one of my favourite philosophies is "You can't regret something you have done, only something you haven't". So I can't very well go back and tap myself on the shoulder and say, 'oi, no! Don't do that!'

  • Late 2004: I'd like to warn Jen about that Angelina woman so she can keep an eye on Brad.
  • The Year 3000: Just to find out if they really do 'live under water'.
  • Last Wednesday: Then I could tell myself the winning National Lottery numbers and win the jackpot!

ShowOff ShowCase: The One That Should Have Done Better

by 7 Comments

I know, it sounds like an episode of Friends doesn't it?

After last week's spectacular response to my humble linky, I thought I'd go for a theme almost the opposite in nature. The one that you enjoyed writing, read it back to yourself and thought "yep, that's going to go down well", and one person read it and no-one commented. It's the blog-post that makes you question your ability as a blogger.

The One That Should Have Done Better.

So this is your chance to make it shine, shove it in people's faces again, flaunt it and allow it to shout at the top of its lungs:

"Please read me, I WAS A GOOD POST! I do not deserve to fester at the bottom of the site stats chart!"

I know it's a hard one to link up to, especially for more established bloggers who've been going for years. There's a lot of posts to sift through. I've had my own issues finding one because I moved my blog after a month, so I've had to take into account two different site statistics. I've also had difficulty choosing because there were a couple that I could have gone for, the brilliant blogger that I am.

I considered the story of The Chair or the semi-informative teething one (Sleepless Nights and Pearly Whites), but then I discovered the one I really was surprised about.

If you want to find out which one it is, you'll have to read it won't you?

ShowOff ShowCase

 

Flashback Friday: Climbing

by 10 Comments

As I'm sure is the case with many of you, we use the 'My Pictures' slideshow as the screensaver on our laptop; seeing photographs and little videos of The Boy at various stages of development and in numerous poses really makes my day. It reminds me how tiny he once was, all the escapades that he's got into, and how funny he is.

The photograph that I've chosen as this week's Flashback Friday popped up on the screen a few days ago and reminded me of the first time I was filled with that first sense of 'I need to babyproof the house!'

The day I discovered that we needed a stairgate!

This was taken about a year ago, The Boy was crawling over the place and thinking about cruising. This was the very first time that he had pulled himself up against anything though, so I whipped my phone out when he was on his way upwards, took a photo and rescued him before he decided to investigate the stairs even further. I popped him into the playpen, sent the MMS to my hubby and phoned my dad. Half an hour later, there was a knock at the door and my father was stood on the door-step with his toolbox. The stairgate was up before The Boy had a chance to try again!

Not quite sure what I'm going to do now, as he's recently worked out how to open it!

I loved those dungarees (another reason for choosing the photo).

—

This was put together for the Flashback Friday linky over at CafeBebe. Please pop over and view the other entries.

When I grow up…

by 4 Comments

Kate's moved.

Well, she hasn't but Listography has this week. The lovely Mañana Mama is hosting this week and a lovely theme she has come up with too: things I want to be when I grow up.

So rewind to the age of 10, and for some reason I wanted to be a bank manager. I think I was doing well at long division sums in school and had therefore concluded that it was the only possible career.

Luckily I outgrew that when I discovered quadratic equations. Bleugh.

So here's my grown-up wish-list.

1) Own a baby-friendly tea-room. When Woolworths closed down in our local town (God, I miss Woolies. How many times have you thought "I need x, y and z. I know Woolies will have it! Ah, damn.") I was desperate to win the lottery and buy the double-width store. My plan was to sell baby/toddler toys and essentials at the front, and then at the back have a coffee-shop/baby play area with quality toys. The food would be home-made and nutritious, for both children and adults, and a full range of hot and cold coffees etc would be available. But I didn't win the lottery and it's now a Sainsbury's.

2) Teacher. Yep, check. Moving on…

That sounds harsh. I like my job but I wish I could throw the rulebook out of the window!

3) Merchandiser. Shop windows, displays, mannequins, you name it, I would love to make it look.more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Tying in nicely here…

4) Professional gift-wrapper. Yes, I am serious. I adore wrapping presents, for me it is a very serious event. Ribbons (I don't like those silly bows), co-ordinating paper, neat edges, barely there sellotape! Love it!

5) Traffic Warden. It irritates the  chuff out of me that some people think that they can just park where they like, especially the members of the Yacht Club in my town. Arrogant! Book them all!

I've forgotten how to do long division, does anyone ever really know?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...