Regular family Saturday

Up not too early – Ted had rubbish night woke lots of times – no Mediced last night as he seemed so much better. At 6 he and I went in the waterbed for his bottle and with hope in my heart he would go back to sleep but a precautionary departure from the marital bed jsut in case so at least Ry could have a lie in – necessary for me to negotiate a Sunday morning lie in as a fair trade. AnywayTed went back to sleep until 8 – yippee, huzzah, much waving of flags and loud applause, so we all got a lie in.

Ry got up and made me one of his mega lattes, then announced that we should go to Westfield shopping centre for an outing and to get a new watch strap for his Tag – the only official Tag shop in the UK is in Westfield – I think he was also wanting to check out the competition as its not one of Hammersons shopping malls!! My initial reaction was to question his sanity – to go to the biggest shopping centre in the UK with a toddler on a Saturday seemed like something only a crazy person would do, but following our discussion this week abotu doing more together and spending family time I thought it would be better to go together than send him off on his bike while Ted and I sat at home going stir crazy. Still I had my doubts about whether this would be the sort of bonding activity I was looking for!

Didn’t have time to wonder too much about it as Ted and I had swimming class to go to – it was at swimming that I realised his toe and fingernails needed a trim rather badly as they dug into my legs and shoulders where he clung on. He did really well although is getting rather too keen on just sitting on the edge and throwing himself in – even though he sinks like a stone – safe in the knowledge that Mummy will retrieve him. I am not sure he is fully aware of the ramifications should he throw himself in without Mummy being there and as such am feeling a very close eye should be kept at all times until he is old enough to get it. I am also going to get him a swimsuit with a float belt which look ridiculous but will at least mean he would bob up to the surface by himself in the event of such an incident occuring. Post swim chat with the girls and beans on toast for Ted. Was reassuring to find yet further evidence that the introduction of a child to the mix can result in resentments brewing around load sharing with respect to childcare and chores. It seems a very common complaint. I am glad Ry and I talked about it as it seems that a couple of the girls have not yet ‘had that conversation’ but are waiting for the right moment.

Back from swimming and Ted was asleep in the car so grabbed Ry who was not ready but didn’t take too long to shower and dress and finish up on the computer…… and we were off. We had considered going to look at the Lexus we are thinking of buying as a replacement to the Prius and the Laguna on the way but since Ted was asleep and he will et a real kick out of climbing in and out of cars we decided against – well I did and Ry reluctantly agreed. We will go tomorrow. I am quite sure the sales team will be delighted to have mr sticky fingers pushing all the buttons in their new cars….

Got to Westfield by which time we were over the disagreement about what to do when, joined in a shared scorn for bad drivers and people who don’t know how to indicate. Its huuuuuuuuge. We had a wander round, and couldn’t believe the shops, the scale, the restaurants – I mean it is masssssssive. We tried to go and have lunch at The Real Greek but it was rammed so we went to sort the watch and buy the Wii fit we have been wanting and looked around for an hour before going back for lunch late. Lovely food and we were just getting back to the carpark through the mall when a lady with a 20% off voucher outside the Aspinal bag shops thrust herself in front of me and said – 20% off everything. Since Ry had jsut spent over £200 on a watch strap I felt it was a good time to position an expensive but discounted bag, and since I had been oggling on the way past on the way in I was lost. Ry to his credit took Mr Sticky Fingers for a run around so I had time to browse albeit briefly and I found a beautiful navy leather mock croc laptop / shoulder / handbag which is perfect for work, but could also pass as a smart day bag. It was £395 but with the discount £316 – I had to have it, but then I went into my tooing and froing – did I prefer the other bag, did I need another bag, should I buy it just because of the discount…. I reinded myself that my old laptop bag has sellotape round the handles and was bought 5 years ago and that I am curently having to use the ugly canvas bag that comes with the laptop which has no style at all … but still….. fortunately Ted chose that moment to get himself stuck in the window display where Ry could not reach him where he started laughing hysterically as he thought it was a brilliant game, and knocking bags over left and right – after the sales assistant retrieved him I had no choice but to buy the bag – partly to make up for the chaos we had caused and partly because we had to get out quick and there was no further time to browse, procrastinate or go through mental justification. So the downside of shopping with a toddler is you are more likely to make rash decisions, the upside is that you get to bring a beautiful bag home with you!!!

Back home and it was already time for the bedtime hour which Ted loves, so we did that and bedtime and he went down well with ot much fuss, no returns and I went straight outside the door to read where he couldn’t see me so we will see how tonight goes but I am still feeling we will be going down awake again in the next 4 – 5 days. I went off to the gym while Ry set up the Wii fit. 40 mins on level 5 fat burning – 300 calories and more running than I culd do at the beginning of the week – I was feeling much better and energised. Came in and got set up on the Wii – its very cool – I have set my target weight loss – a stone in 2 months – my BMI is overwieght and my weight is too high! and with the Wii Ry can see all my stats so there can be no excuses or hiding the odd pound here or there anymore. Did some hula hooping and strength excercises to complement my run and finished up with abit of yoga.

Ry had soup but I though I would leave food since I have a long way to go and came to blog instead.

Tomorrow hodls such excitements as dropping and collecting the dry cleaning, getting 3 pairs of stillettos re heeled, and getting Ted a haircut if possible. Star of the day will be car shopping though – must remember to take the camera.

Feeling more upbeat andcalm – a good bag will do that for you

Warm and fuzzy

Friday night, baby in bed, working week over, done my treadmill, ry is home and got in the grilled chicken kebabs, we are downstairs together, have no plans for the weekend which beckons with time for some R&R and maybe even a movie together tomorrow night with some good food and wine. Feeling a little warmer and fuzzier about life today.

Laryngitis report

Ted seems to be much better. Sleeping well (ish) and enjoying nursery and appetite returning – although has light rash on chest – nowhere else though and has not got worse overnight. Seems fine in himself though.

Tell me if you think this is the image of a sick child…..

Teds day off nursery with laryngitis on Tuesday

The injustice of it all – a womens lot …

I think its a facet of modern motherhood that if you are trying to juggle a million things at once you are going to feel sometimes that
you other half is getting off lightly – especially with babies and toddlers where the demands on the mother are that much higher. And whether working Mum or not the pressures and demands are relentless. In some ways work at least provides some breathing space, time for adult conversation and a hot cup of tea which can be left on a desk that is within 3 foot of the ground and drunk while still hot. I am convinced that its harder to stay at home and deal with the non stop demands of your toddler or small child. I know there are days, which sometimes blend into weeks where my life is an endless line of activities which must be done with small pockets of time which allow me to blog or read for a half hour here or an hour there. All the time trying to balance doing a good job of my job, managing the house, managing Ted, watching my diet, excercising, dealing with tenants and then be a loving devoted wife on top… while Ry’s life seems not so different to hwo it was before.

Today is a good example of a typical day. Ted was awake in the night at 1 so I was awake for half an hour and then fell asleep in the chair in his room, moved back into our bed at 4 after waking up with a very stiff neck. Ted woke up at 6 and came into bed for a cuddle doze and a bottle, we were all up at 645. Ry showered dressed and was out of the house by 745. I gave ted his antibiotic then set him up to play with the shape sorter so he would allow me to shower without screaming at me to let him come in too, got dressed, blow dried my hair with ted switching the dryer off at the socket about 15 times in the process, put face on while Ted chewed on my make up brushes, brushed my teeth, brushed teds teeth, had the nappy change battle (which is exasperating and can result ingetting baby poo on my clothes so I have to change for work – although thankfully not today) and got Ted dressed, brought Ted, empty bottle, laundry basket and my shoes for work downstairs.

Packed Teds clean washing in the laundry basket on dining table so the cleaner wouldn’t put it all away in the wrong places and opened the door to the laundry room for the cleaner which is stiff but which Ry closes religiously even though I have asked him a million times not to. Got my healthy lunch and breakfast out of the fridge which I made last night. Grabbed a banana for Ted and gave him Calprofen, partly in case he has a sore throat, partly to stop him from getting a temperature until at least mid afternoon allowing me to get some work done – just in case. Put on Teds shoes, hat , scarf and shoes and put him in the car, put bag and lunch in car and remembered to leave cash for cleaner and not lock door as locksmith has still not fixed it enough the cleaner can open it – she doesnt have ‘the knack’. Drove Ted to nursery while passing him chunks of banana and singing songs from the night garden.

Dropped Ted off and signed medicine forms for his antibiotics, waved goodbye and went to work. Worked through morning trying to catch up with stuff I missed the other day when I had to take a day off with Teds laryngitis, called a tenant to remind him to send extra money soon so Ry won’t yell at me about late / short payments and how I am too lenient on people, stamped and posted another rent cheque to our accouunt. Got e-mail from church where I left my favourite jacket at playgroup to say they have it in lost property but I need to be there before 230 to collect it. Eat lunch at desk then shoot out to collect coat, get decent coffee on way back to fortify myself for long meeting this afternoon.

Sat in meeting with 3 people who all talked over each other and me and didn’t listen to each other. Sank into slough of despond. Returned to desk and surveyed paperwork – decide to write mine and teams objectives in an attempt to get motivated. Just finished when I got another e-mail from colleague saying I was treading on his toes and challenging my authority to do something that is patently part of my job. Fired off searing response copying in all the people he had and more. Regreted sending it and sinking to his level and resolved to rise above it next time. As always intended to leave abit early to get to Ted before last minute, arrived last minute feeling guilty and finishing last call of the day whiles in nursery cloakroom. Collected Ted.

Put him into coat, hat, scarf and drove home keeping him occupied which took 3 versions of ‘if your happy and you know it’ and a full rendition of ’she’ll be coming round the mountain’. Called Ry – he confirmed he is out for drinks tonight (like last night) and will be home late – and not home to provide assist for bath / bedtime. Put Ted in front of Night Garden and made him a sandwich – ate his crusts, gave him yoghurt and played blocks. Gave him dose of antibiotic and carried him struggling upstairs, came back down to fetch laundry to put away. Spent 10 mins putting laundry away and running bath then played naked chase around with Ted while I got into my gym gear. Put Ted in bath, washed hair and brushed teeth, put in jamas gave Medicet to help him sleep if throat sore and read 2 stories. Put to bed.

Am working through gradual withdrawl (retreat) method and have got as far as sitting outside the room by the stair gate that is across his doorway so he can see I am there but I am not in the room (sidebar – I think this is pretty good in 4 days of doing the method and am well pleased with progress – am hoping he will be going down awake and alone within the next week without the need for too much drama). Read my book for 20 mins while he went to sleep – had to go into room and help him back into bed twice. Once he was asleep cleared up mess in bathroom, came downstairs put laundry basket away, opened mail and did recycling then went and spend 40 mins on the treadmill trying to lose weight and get fit (have baby monitor in gym in case you are wondering). Finished at 9pm, came in checked Ted, put dishes in to soak, tidied playroom and then came and did e-mail before sitting down to write this blog. Its now 945, I will finish up, post some pics, do the dishes, prep my breakfast fruit and salad lunch for tomorrow (especially important as it is fish and chips on Friday) and go to bed so I can enjoy half an hour of reading before I start to worry about it getting late and Ted waking at 1 and me being tired and it all statrting again.

Where is the time in that day for me, let alone the quality time for me to spend with my husband if he was home.

And what was his day like. He left at 745, he will be home late, and what has happened in between which is different to how his days were before Ted was born, Nada, Niente, Nothing – (well maybe he gets woken up a little earlier and his wife is abit more tired and stressed but other than that) – and most days thats fine, and some days I resent it, and I think thats life!

Thats not to say he isn’t a wonderful father and husband – its jsut not as demanding on him and his life hasn’t changed as much.

Anyway article was food for thought and rings true to me in some ways – although I wouldn’t say I am angry – at least not most of the time, I am resigned some of the time – but the upsides (a single smile from the golden child) make it so worthwhile and Ry and I are finding our way through it together.

Angry Moms – interesting article

There are some days where I can really relate to this – MOJ – especially relevent following our recent convo …

Angry Moms Article

On the mend

Helluva day and need to fall into bed so will be brief but wanted to update that Teddy is on the mend – much better today. Still a little bit clingy and needed help at bedtime, but generally seems much brighter, no temperature and appetite is fine as long as the food is simple.

My day started early and hasn’t stopped so am going to bed with book since hubby is out in ‘post conference drinks’ and not likely to be back anytime soon. Ted on the other hand is waking up at least once in the middle of the night and then at 530ish for the day so I can’t be staying up late just now.

Work was not any better today – disillusioned is the word (although I bet that is the wrong spelling) – it doesn’t help that the light above my desk flickers and the window is partially obscured by filing cabinets meaning I sit in a neon orange haze most of the day while idiots take pot shots at me for doing my job.

Nevermind. I should be grateful for all the things I have got and forget about my boring job and not sleeping baby, at least everyone I love is safe and well

Horrible news about David Camerons son, made me cry, some things are just so very sad.

Ahhhhhhh that explains it

Ted has laryngitis – nursery called this afternoon – he was fine all morning – but he had calprofen this morning because i thought his teeth were hurting him so that must have helped – but he had a fever and calpol wasn’t helping so we did a trip to the GP and I was certain it was going to be ears again but strangely relieved to find its laryngitis – which he most likely got from me as I had a mega sore throat last week for a couple of days. He is on anti b’s although GP said its 50 50 whether it is viral or bacterial. Got to hope the latter in which case anti b’s will help and he can go back to nursery weds – so I can go back to work as its not great form to get back from your second holiday in a montha nd have to take time off…. if its viral i may have to keep him home all week as he will be calpol / calprofen dependent to keep his temp down and they won’t take him until his temp is back to normal

Still that explains the wingeing, clingy, night waking, drooling, and general tantruming that has been a feature of his behaviour since we got back. Good to know its not a phase we have to learn to live with and that he willr eturn to form. Shame – poor little man – I had a really sore throat when I had it and nearly lost my voice.

Managed 45 mins in the gym tonight – treadmill and crunches as despite all walking managed to gain 3 pounds in Scotland – pah

So we are home tomorrow – am hoping after a nights sleep and with the anti b’s he will be well enough to go to the toddler group all his friends whose mums don’t work tuesdays go to tomorrow so that will be nice for him and a chance for me to catch up with some friends. Still need to eb back at work Weds as have meetings and alot to catch up on … tomorrow only meeting got canned today by someone else!! Bonus

Really bad news though is that R has a sore throat …..

Last pics from Inshriach

Here they are ….

Priceless

There is a reason why in order to retain some level of professionalism things like this should not be watched at ones desk in an open office! Had to repair make up in the ladies after viewing….

Lord of the Rings – Inshriach version