Constant balancing act

Trying to be a supermum at the moment, just about keeping on top of things. Ted was ok this morning but had a temperature and was clearly not himself so I gave him Calpol and although he improved I knew if I took him to nursery I would be getting that call – the one that makes you feel like a terrible mother – ’sorry mrs perryman Ted is not well can you come and collect him please’ – even if he was well when you took him in – you still feel like someone must be thinking you are prioritising your work over your baby! So the prospect of taking him in when he had already had Calpol was too much and I kept him home. Fortunately he was in the cot having a nap at 915 and didn’t wake up until GW came to the rescue at 1130. This was a lifesaver as it meant I could go into the office and with meetings from 12 to 1, 1 to 2, 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 it would have been a bad day to cancel.

I got loads of work done – even  with the meetings and worked late as GW informed me T was fine and although doing ok still had a mild temperature and would probably still need to be off tomorrow so she is staying over to look after him then too!!

It just feels like I am constantly juggling everything to try and stay of top of work, and home and give T time and look after him properly. I am glad I am not full time at the moment as then I would need even more time off which would be harder to manage. But at the same time I am doing a full time job so the workload is pretty crippling. Still my boss is great and is being very supportive and flexible which makes it much easier, I don’t have to dread sending the e-mail that tells him I will be taking a day off because Ted is poorly because I know he is happy for me to make up the time when I can. I am sure there are companies and bosses alot less flexible and understanding and it must be a total nightmare going back to work after mat leave and working in that environment.

Off to bed now so can go in early and get the most out of the day. Thank goodness for the GW.

Calpol call – mid presentation

Ted has had a little cough and chesty wheeze over the weekend so when he went to bed last night Ry and I were not optimistic it was going to be a good night – ironic since today was probably my mmost important day back at work. Sods Law – poor boy was awake at 3.15, 3.45 and by 4 was out of his cot and in the spare room with me. His nose was so blocked he couldn’t breathe and suck his dummy. I tired and failed to get him back to sleep and by 5, having practised clapping, rolled the bobbin up several times, had some water, had some milk, had cuddles, crawled almost off the side of the bed, lost his dummy twice, pulled my hair and poked me in the eye he was back in his room having his bedtime story and going back in the cot. He was fine for a couple of minutes, cried for ten (during which time ryan and I just put our heads under the duvet) then went back to sleep until 6.30. At 6.30 he came into bed with both of us and thankfully slept until 730 which gave me a chance to shower and put my face on ready for the day.

He seemed fine for nursery which was good news as I had a big proesentation this morning and a Forum to facilitate – about 20 people – so I dropped him off and rushed off to the conference centre to get set up. Mid presentation around 10 a phone rang – everyone looked at everyone else and then I realised it was mine – I left it on in case the nursery called – it was the nursery giving me the Calpol call – ie his temperature is 38.2, we are going to give him Calpol – is that ok – we will call in an hour and update you. People were very understanding but it totally threw me off my stride. Fortunately soon after we started the breakout sessions and so when an hour later the call came to say, his temperature is still high can you come and collect him please I had made plans to cover me for the remainder of the session.

Once we were out of nursery he seemed fine, I took him to Godalming so Grandpa could take him for a walk and I could prepare for the interview I am doing tomorrow – recruiting my one of my team I hope. I at least got to read the CV, prep some questions and think about how I am going to position the role. Teds temperature did go back up this afternoon so I gave him Calprofen and tonight Medicet before bed – although he seemed fine this evening – very bright and had great fun in his bath so it may be that we are over the worst.

Tomorrow I am going to keep him home for breakfast and see how he is once we are up and running – if he doesn’t have a temperature by half nine will take him in and see how we go. GW has offered to take him tomorrow afternoon – from midday, so if I get the call she will collect him and so on. Its good as I have back to back meetings from 12 until 5. Grim.

I was warned the first 12 weeks would be like this but I thought people were exaggerating – clearly they weren’t. We are in week 8 – 4 to go – fingers crossed we just have temperatures and colds – no more vommiting bugs or ear infections.

Bed now – in case tonight is like last night. Oh no. Just heard coughing from the bedroom…..

Teds first proper kids party

Ted went to Piglets playcentre in Hersham for Archers party this afternoon which was great fun – he got to do lots of activities including his first time in the sandpit, soft play, mini car and so on.

We got home and had a BBQ – thought Ted might manage to stay up but he was so tired after his busy days activities that he was out for the count by 830 – and it was a stretch to get him until then.

Ted enjoys his first proper play in the garden

Ted has been really enjoying his walker indoors lately, but gets himseelf all worked up when he reaches the end of the road as he can’t turn around just yet!! However once he was let loose in the garden he must have thought that all his Christmas’ had come at once. It also meant I got to put him in a particularly cute hat.

Ted is loving his time in the sun

Like all kids Ted is always intent on removing anything thats on his head – hoods really throw him off

Antia and Little Nate

Had a lovely lunch with Antia and Nate at Tootsies in Putney – they have Anabel Karmel kids food so Teddy even got his own meal for the first time and as you can see from the before and after pics he seemed to enjoy it!! Nathan is doing well, smiling and laughing and really coming into his own.

mmmmm cod and salmon fish pie

It was great for Ted to have his own meal

Teds getting to grips with his new beaker

Congratulations to Tony, Jess and Freya on the arrival of Theo

Arrived this morning, looking forward to meeting him soon. Lots of love and best wished from all Chez Perryman

X-Ray, Ice Cream and a Hoody

Had a good day with T today – it was our first normal Thursday for a couple of weeks and it was good to have a whole day hanging out together. Although he woke early for his bottle (about 550) he then went back to sleep until about 9 so it was a lie in for the both of us (poor Ry had to go to work so no lie in for him!). We had a lazy start, some breakfast and play and then got ourselves dressed ready to go to Kingston for my neckXRays. Ted slept in his buggy throughout so it was fairly easy and he and I shared a smoked salmon salad baguette and a pink lemonade Snapple for lunch which we both enjoyed.

I was going to take him to M&S kids clothes to get some socks and other essentials (probably a few non essentials would manage to sneak into the basket too) but as we we walked into the store he got very upset and wouldn’t calm down until I put him in the Bjorn and carried him. He aparently kicked off at nursery yesterday as well when the chef walked into the room and wasn”t having anything to do with the agency staff so I think he is getting to the age where he recognises some people and they are goodies, but everyone else is a baddy, so all the people peering at him in M&S obviously freaked him out. Anyway we headed back to the car via the book shop where we had a little browse, and then stopped for ice cream (cream and dark chocolate and biscuit, at the gellataria. Must seem from the blog like all he eats is high fat, high salt, high sugar junk – but actually he does very well on fruit and veg too!

Back to sunbury and off to Tesco to get nappy sacks and bin bags (and those few socks, T shirts and a hoody that we didn’t get from M&S). I decided in the end to buy biodegradeable compost bags for his nappys rather than non biodegradeable nappy sack as they are cheaper and will at least breakdown more easily. Ted started to get a little fidgity so I gave him a Babybel and he happily chewed on that while wwe finished the shopping.

Home and Ted had a long nap in his cot – straight down, and I got on with a few chores and phone calls to deal with some work issues that came up during the course of the day. Once he was up we had some play and I made him a whole meal of finger food – pasta with an aubergine pesto and parmesan, hard boiled egg, tomato, cucumber and raspberries to finish – he ate loads, its all with his hands and he grabs a handful and loses half of it onto the tray or into his bib in trying to get it into his mouth but he clears up afterwards! He did manage three raspberries in one go – but the grimacing was an indication that this was too much zing in one mouthfull.

After tea he had a good rummage in the recycling and then spent some time with his books, he opens and closes them, looks at the pictures a little, and chews them! We discovered Daddy had gone to the pub after work and so after night garden and a bottle it was story and bed. Went down like a dream at 9 so hopefully it will not be too much of an early start tomorrow.

Few pics from tonight…

Like his Dad he doesn’t always connect with his drink first time

with his hair like Frank Sinatra

Early introduction to Biltong and Droerwurst

Ted had his first tasters tonight of biltong and droerwurst (just shy of 11 months) – he loved it, lots of drool, but he was biting and chewing and really enjoying it.

Bottlemania

Took some lovely pictures of Teddy with his bottle last night – especially love that he curls his big toes when enjoying his bottle

Lots of play…

Ted did lots of playing tonight… with Dad, with Night Garden, with ‘the remote’ …. loving the last pic – he is such a smiler