039. Train Rides

Due to writing my car off last week (don't worry we are all fine) i decided that the only way i could carry on getting Isabelle to nursery would be to take her by train.

Her nursery is normally only a 25 minute car journey during rush hour, so taking the train wasnt too much longer of a journey. We would just have to walk to the train station, get the train which is only an 8 minute journey, then it is a 15 minute walk from there.

The only downside is.....i am the laziest person you will ever meet. I just don't walk. Unless it is round a shopping center, zoo or somewhere else of interest then i wont do it. I have to have a nice view and something to keep my mind occupied. I drive even the shortest distances which in reality would probably be quicker to walk. 

Anyway, our little train journey ended up surprising me and i actually really enjoyed it!

 We left the house at 7:30 with Booboo and Sulley in toe and made the walk to the train station, where we live it is quiet a rural area so if you take the time to walk and notice what is going on around you, its actually quite nice. 

Isabelle doesnt go in the pushchair often, she usually rides on her buggy board but i wasnt brave enough for that on our first journey so i had Amber in the sling and Isabelle in the pushchair. It gave me and Isabelle the chance to have a chat and talk about the things she saw. You could see she was deep in thought during the walk and would point to things and say "See tree?" "See Birds?" "See Cars?" and many other phrases along those lines. 

Once we got to the train station Isabelle got very excited once we got on the train and she was able to look out of the window and see what was passing by. 

It was mainly lots of trees but she made sure everyone else in the carriage knew about the trees by shouting "Trees, look trees" at everyone she saw.

The walk from the train station to the nursery is along country roads so we were able to see lots of horses in their fields and even though it was very much up hill and my legs started to feel very sore it didnt take very long and we were at Nursery by 8:10. Just in time for breakfast! 

Not having a car has it's plus sides. I didnt realise how enjoyable a simple walk out exploring the local area could be. Isabelle really enjoyed it and so did i. 

We have to get the train to Isabelle's hospital appointment on Monday so i will be sure to take more pictures to share with you then too! 

038. Growing Up - Isabelle is 23 months

The weather this month has been beautiful, we have had such a lovely time being able to go out and about and learn new things. 

A trip to Monkey world was definitaly Isabelle's favourite thing and she was telling people about it for days afterwards.

She is still an amazing sister and i still get surprised by how much she wants to help me and how loving she is towards Amber. They are going to grow up so close, i can just see it now!!

Likes 

Isabelle's favourite thing of all time this month is Monsters Inc, she adores it. Whatever she is doing will revolve in some way or another around monsters inc, Her favourite charecter is Sulley.

Isabelle drawing a picture of Sully

Dislikes

Wearing a nappy or having her nappy changed. Isabelle has loved the no nappy time we have had in the garden due to the lovely weather and I really want to potty train Isabelle because she really is starting to dislike nappy time but i dont think we are quite there yet. She will tell us when she has a dirty nappy and will tell us when she is going but we havent quite got the grips of the feeling before. 

Maybe next month?

Says

Isabelle has started stringing together 2 and 3 word sentences. She also copies everything she hears you say. She has got so much better with her spontaneous talking and will tell you what she wants, how she is feeling.

Can

Isabelle can now count from 1-10 completely unaided. She also knows circle, square & triangle and most of her colours. She knows red, yellow, orange, green & black. She still gets confused between purple and pink though. 

037. Pet Hates

I stole this idea from the lovely Limara. 

There are so many things that really wind a person up and i have a list as long as my arm with things that really grind my gears, i wont bore you with them all but I'll share my top 3.

 

Pet hates -

1) Judgemental Parents

2) Skinny "fat" people

3) Idiots

Explained -

1) Judgemental Parenting

 

 

There is nothing worse then people who judge your parenting, actually...there is nothing worse then someone who judges your parenting and they aren't even a parent!! 

Since i had Isabelle nearly 2 years ago, and even before then whilst i was pregnant you would always come across someone who has "advice" on your style of parenting. Some of the advice is brilliant and you accept it with open arms, but other advice is not needed, nor is it wanted!! 

 

Being a parent you will always have things that other parents disagree with. 

Formula Vs Breastfeeding? Attachment parenting vs Traditional parenting? Puree Weaning vs Baby led weaning?

Whatever it is everyone will disagree. What happened to just parenting the way you parent because that is what you are comfortable with rather then what Sally, Jill and Katy from Toddler group think, Or what Auntie Beryl did with her children. 

Everyone parents their way for a reason, do what you feel comfortable with don't worry about what others think.

2) Skinny "fat" People

 

Everybody knows a skinny "fat" person. Usually it is your absolutely gorgeous, size 8, petite friend who eats like a horse and doesn't put on an ounce. Then you're sat there with your bland salad picking around the wilted lettuce putting on lb after lb just thinking about the chocolate cake that you've spotted on the menu but have to avoid.

Skinny fat people always complain about how fat they are, how they need to lose weight and how they need to exercise and get fit. 

If you are going to complain about being fat when their isn't a single bit of fat on your bones then don't complain near me or I'll throw my cake at you (i wont really...that would be a waste).

3) Idiots

 

They are everywhere, and it seems that people who are idiots don't actually realise they are idiots.

The funny thing is, some of the biggest idiots i know are really quite book smart. It just seems to be common sense they are so lacking in. They seem to have the "Idiot filter" switched off on their brain so there is nothing telling them what to say out loud and what to keep in the privacy of their own mind. 

 

It seems also that with more and more people using twitter, facebook, forums etc these Idiots have more access to infecting the world with their stupidity. I am often on forums or reading through my twitter feed and stop suddenly after reading someones post and think to myself "Did i really just read that". 

 

This pet hate kind of goes hand in hand with my number 1 pet hate. Judgemental parents giving idiotic advice about what they think is best for your child or opinions on what they think you should be doing. You often wonder how anyone would let these sort of people breed!!

 What are your pet hates? What really grinds your gears? I'd love to know

036. Guest blogging over at Wriggly Rascals

I was lucky enough to be asked by Wriggly Rascals to write a blog post for their website about sending your children to Nursery when they are poorly!!

Wriggly Rascals is a great site for new and experienced parents to look for advice, fill out surveys and earn points. I really suggest you should all go and sign up. There really is something for everyone.

You can view my blog post here and whilst you are there why not share your experiences here too by filling out their survey!! 

035. Missing In Action

It has been a while since i have done a blog post. 

We are currently looking for a new place to live and its not as easy as had ever anticipated so been spending a lot of time with that recently. 

We have also been having a stressful few weeks with Amber. We think she may have reflux and although she is gaining weight, its slow because she is sick quiet frequently, so that along with colic and hot weather there have been alot of sleepless night and restless days so sadly blogging has taken to the back burner.

I hope to be back in the swing of things very soon 

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer whilst it lasts!

Growing Up - Amber is 1 Month

Can it really be 1 month already since i gave birth to this tiny little bundle?

I refuse to believe the time has gone that fast. 

The last month has been an eventful one, a completely different journey with 2 children. We faced problems feeding, poor weight gain and a very sicky baby. Along with the horribly hot, sticky heat that we have had in July its been a challenge for everyone, but we are over the first hurdle and Amber is gaining weigh beautifully. She now weighs 7lb 4oz and even though she is still a tiny little dot it shows we are going in the right direction.

Isabelle still adores her sister, i hope this relationship between them continues and they grow up to be as close. Isabelle is so kind and gentle and Amber's eyes genuinely light up when she sees Isabelle. 

I am such a proud mummy!!

034. Sunshine, Traffic Jams, Monkey World & Birthday Parties!

So please excuse my lack of blogs this weekend, We have had quiet a busy, fun filled weekend.

On Saturday the girls and i went to Monkey World with some of my family for my cousin Emma's Birthday.

As most people across the UK will probably know it was the hottest day of the year and boy did we know about it!!

If only we had known about it before we all got on the road. A normal trip to Monkey world for us would take just over 2 hours. That sort of time in this heat isn't enjoyable but it is do able. Unfortunately it seemed everybody else had the same idea to head south toward the coast and our nice leisurely drive ended up being a 4 hour crawl in traffic along the M3. 

Luckily i had my Uncle and Aunt in the car with me and the girls because half way down the M3 both girls in unison decided it was time to scream the roof off of the car! I cant say i blame them though, i felt like screaming too.

When we eventually did get to Monkey world we had a lovely day, 

 

As you can see, it was a very hot and sweaty day!! Isabelle loved being able to spend time looking at all the different Primates though, even if most of them were hiding away from the sun. 

  

 

Before we went home though, the most surreal thing happened.

I was stood with Amber next to the Chimpanzee enclosure and there was the Alpha female, She was watching Amber and myself very closely. She kept trying to kiss Amber through the glass and stroke her hair. It was so sweet how lovingly the chimpanzee was staring at Amber and whenever i moved to a different window the Chimp would follow too and if i moved too far away she would call out for me to come back.

Unfortunately i didn't get any pictures but my Uncle did so as soon as he sends them to me i will be sure to share them with you.

We eventually got home that night at 8:30 and Isabelle decided it would be a good idea to stay up till 11:30 and then wake up Sunday morning at 5:30 so it was a day of strong coffee and matchsticks for Eyelids on Sunday as we had another busy day ahead with 2 birthday parties!! 

First it was Isabelle's little friend Kai's birthday Party. 

Kai's Mummy and I have been friends for quite a few years and our due dates where days apart but Kai had other plans and decided to come 6 weeks early!! 

 We also got chance to catch up with the Lovely Beth from Momma B Baby Boy and her gorgeous boys Daniel & Joshua.

 

After Kai's party we headed over to my Cousins house to spend some more time with the family and have a few celebratory birthday drinks.

 

 Amber has not been enjoying the heat in the slightest and coupled with the stinking cold she has caught (Isabelle and I both had it too), She just isn't a happy bunny.

Isabelle was happy as she got to play with her buddy Finlay again! He is still young and boisterous, so she loves being able to chase him around and roll about with him unlike with Bam.

This is our failed attempt at trying to get a nice picture of Isabelle with my cousin and her Fiance. Isabelle was too busy eyeing up the cake and I've only just noticed the 4 is the wrong way round on the cake!! Better luck next year :p

We really did have a lovely weekend, and although everyone is hot, sweaty and sticky we really cant complain about the sunshine because before we know it we will be bundling up in jumpers, scarves and coats again!! 

I hope you have all had lovely weekends whether they were busy or chilled out!!

033. Wordless Wednesday

032. Allergies

Since Isabelle was about 10 months old she has had really random allergies to food. 

Its constantly on and off with the foods she can eat. One day she will be fine, then a reaction and then she will be fine again.

Last week we finally got Isabelle's referral for her to be tested for allergies. 

I'm not too sure how it all works, and I'm a bit scared if I'm honest, wondering what they will find she is allergic too but it will answer a lot of questions for us in the long run and hopefully help us to stop her eating things that will break her out in hives and give her a funny tummy. 

Roll on the 12th August so we can finally get some answers.

031. Phone Dump [04]

01/07/2013 - 07/07/2013

030. Growing up - Isabelle is 22 Months

This month my baby girl became a big sister, and she is an amazing one at that!!

Isabelle loves Amber and is always asking to "help mummy" and "hold?". She loves giving cuddles, getting things i need for Amber and soothing Amber when she cries. 

I think it has shown me how adaptable Isabelle is, regardless of the situation. June was a busy and hectic month for Isabelle with lots of changes. She started a new nursery and Amber was born all within weeks of each other. Isabelle wasn't phased by it at all and took it all in her stride. 

She has shown me how quickly she has grown too. She has always been an independent child, but she seems so much more mature and i sometimes forget she isn't quiet 2 yet. 

Likes 

Colouring, Water play, Bath time, dolls, Mr Tumble, Gardening.

Dislikes

Leaving nursery, going in her car seat or pushchair, not being able to walk.

Says

Her new phrases this month are "Hold on", most colour names. She uses her manners properly by saying Please & Thank you and will say excuse me too.

Can

Name all her colours and choose the correct colour when asked, climb up and down the stairs unaided (as we discovered when we accidentally left the stair gate open), do some puzzles with help, use a correct pincer grip when holding a pencil or crayon.

029. Happy Due date

So today should have been my due date but now i actually have a nearly 3 week old baby.

It's such an odd feeling to think that I should really still be pregnant. Whenever i see pregnant ladies i have a little pang of jealousy thinking about those little kicks inside your belly and knowing you are the only person in the world that this baby is entirely dependant on. 

Then i think about how hot it is at the moment, how much my hay fever is giving me grief and the fact that every night i get to cuddle my precious little baby to sleep and watch her dreamy little smiles and smell her milky scent and i forget all about wanting to still be pregnant.

I am thankful then that Amber decided to come when she did and relieve mummy of the stress and pains my body was going through.

Happy due date Amber June.

028. Fun in the Sun

Today we were lucky enough to have some seriously gorgeous weather so i took the opportunity to blow up Isabelle's paddling pool (By mouth i must add seeing as our hand pump decided to die) and we spent the day outside in the garden!!

(Apologies for photo spam)

I added a few different toys to the paddling pool. Isabelle's doll, a few cups and a tea pot. Isabelle also found a watering can which she had fun playing with too. 

Amber did what she does best to show her appreciation of the hot weather.......She slept!! 

Isabelle had lots of fun pouring the water between the different containers and throwing the water around 

 There was also lots of bubble blowing, dunking and splashing in the water. Isabelle loves kicking her legs and sending the water flying around the garden.

 Isabelle & Amber's cousin Melody came over with her Mummy and both the girls enjoyed sitting at the picnic table enjoying some rice cakes. 

They had lots of fun chasing each other around the garden. Melody is 5 weeks younger then Isabelle and they play so lovely together.

Whilst Isabelle and Melody played, Amber did more of her favourite thing.