My as haircups – I have the hiccups

Hairplane goes wussssss – Airoplane goes whoosh

Hub de bulder – Bob the builder

Dutball – Football

Boy und pengin – Lost and Found DVD

Am got sawbewwies – I have strawberries

Darego – There you go

Want mulk – Please may I have my milk

I’m did it – Look what I did

and this mornings favourite ….

Dat poo not normous – that is not an enormous poo (actually it was enormous!)

Changes at work are turning everything upside down, theres the new boss to get to grips with who definitely seems to be shaking things up, its feeling alot more like IBM used to which on the one hand is great because there are smart decisions being made about how we should make progess faster and better, but at the same time its abit of a shock to the system. Then to top it off within the first 2 weeks she has announced a restructure so theres lots of manouvering going on and uncertainty which can be pretty stressful. It has also meant I have been last Mum to nursery three times this week and I hate that so must try next week to elave a little bit of extra time to get there. At least I will be able to collect him early tomorrow. Working mothers guilt – its a killer.

Ted is a good grounder though because he cares nothing for any of that and is entirely focussed on ‘playin’ and Postman Pat and making sure that he is getting as much Mummy and even more Daddy time as he can. Daddy is flavour of the month and T has really got much closer to R in the last month or so and it is lovely to see how excited he is when R gets home and he squeals ‘its mine Daddy’ and goes rushing off dragging R back going ‘look Daddy, come’ and shows off his latest picture or toy or that he is eating his dinner. R is also making great in roads into getting him to brush his teeth so thats a real plus too.

Funniest line of the week was when I ran up the stairs and sat at the top singing ‘I’m the king of the castle, you’re the dirty rascal’ he climbed up and said ‘no mummy, I’m the dirty castle’ bless him

On the weekend we went to visit Zana and Patrick and to meet little Al – he’s a lovely little baby who looks just like his Dad, bravo to Zana as the birth sounds like it was far from what she would have wanted but they are all safe and well and home, and it seems like Al has slotted in and Z and P and Guy have adjusted brilliantly to having a little baby in the house again. I have some pics but not yet downloaded so will post them at some point over the weekend as I managed to get all three of them in a pic together with Ry and Zana which will be a treasure for Granny P especially (although I suspect I don’t have any where they were all looking the same way at the same time!)

Tomorrow I have a day to myself so I will be having my nails done in the morning, then doing some chores and then working in the afternoon to clear some of the backlog. My team are all having to work really hard at the moment and I know they are looking to me for support while we get through a couple of crazy weeks so I feel like I should put in some extra time even though I normally have Fridays off to lead by example as it were.

Ry is doing great and actually seems pretty laid back at the moment, having completed the business planning cycle at work and now not having to go to Canada before our Cape Town holiday means he is more relaxed than usual. Mind you it helps to know that in 2 weeks time we will be heading of for an awesome holiday in the sun where there will be lots of lazing and relaxing and general family time and some quality time with Granny and Grandpa P. For once I am hoping the time flies by.

Bed for me now as it was a late one last night being out for a team dinner – Ry took care of things on the home front with T and was brilliant which makes it just that much easier now to get on and do my own thing every now and then. Night all.

They speak for themselves

BANG

High energy Ted

on latest arrival to Gubbins clan, little boy, this morning, all fine, love to you all, will be coming over as soon as you are settled

xxxxxxxxxxx

Well it has been a little while as time again has not been my friend. Ted’s clock has changed again and though he is now sleeping through until 7am most mornings (finally – touch a million pieces of wood) -  I think now he has his nightlight and ‘miffy’ to keep him company he is no longer scared of the dark – he is going to bed later – at 8 or 830 now most nights. In some ways this is good – Ry gets to see a little more of him and we can have some quality time after work to play and have dinner. But also means there is now precious little of what was already precious little time for me in the evenings to do anything other than just about stay of top of the house, the tenants, my job and my waistline (and the waistline has been suffering some of late).

Events of note over the last 10 days – a day trip to Reading with GW to see Claire, Amelie and Charlie for lunch was a great success. T now gets the headphones out, turns them on and tunes into Peppa Pig on the car DVD so GW and I had a good chance to chat on the way and a little shopping was done before we went to lunch. T learnt a valuable lesson fairly easily when he burnt the end of his finger by dragging it along a glass window too quickly!! I know, of all the things that might present a hazard for a parent to try and avoid how are you supposed to figure that one? Anyway, we were able to talk about it being a burn that was caused because it was hot and that now it was sore. Now anytime I say something is hot and it might burn he backs off which is great. But I think this was the first time he has had a ’sore’ that Mummy hasn’t been able to kiss better, it felt terrible when he kept asking me to kiss it better, then looking at me as if to say ’so why is that not working anymore?’ because it still hurt.

We met Claire at Pizza Express and on arrival I tried to explain to the waitress (having had considerable experience in this role in my teens) that it would be best of she didn’t give a party of six with three under fours a table in the middle of the restaurant, especially when there were tables with benches at the rear, out-of-the-way. By the time we had negotiated one of these tables I would say ’surly’ would best characterise her demeanor. I was only trying to help. Fortunately this had moved us out of her zone so we had a very nice chap instead who didn’t seem to mind where we sat. Pics from the lunch are below. It was great to see Claire looking really well and happy and Amelie so grown up in her school uniform. Teddy was not in great spirits being tired, hungry and with his sore finger, so it was a challenging lunch for him, but good to have a catchup on all news Cholsey and to find out alls well in Claire’s world at the mo.

That was Friday and the weekend was pending with all the usual chores and activities. Saturday morning was swimming for T and I for the first time in a while. Unfortunately Laura our normal teacher was off. T is not good with strangers at the best of times but since the new interim girl was rather shrill he took an instant dislike to her and refused to have anything to do with her for the rest of the class! So we did some nice swimming together, but not a lot of structured stuff. Still it was nice to see Ellie and Mattie and Oscar and the kids had a lot of fun playing afterwards. T now eats a full portion of scrambled eggs on toast which is brilliant for him, but means I can no longer delude myself that there is anyone helping me eat the full english breakfast!

Ry had to go into London on the train having been out the night before, to collect his bike which was due for a service. Suffice to say his already somewhat jaded mood was not helped by the rail replacement service which caused his journey to take much longer than it should  have. But at least he had the good grace to identify that if he hadn’t been out on the lash, he wouldn’t be feeling so crap or need to go get his bike in the first place. Then I got a call from Ry at the bike service centre, when Ted and I had got home and Ted was having his nap, to say they needed to keep the bike for a week and he would need a lift home. T was ok with being woken up and moved to the car and excited to play the try and spot Daddy walking game, T saw him first even though I was looking which was a bit of a shocker!

Once home we chilled out for the afternoon and I tried again to tackle the big car scratch where we got keyed in Sheffield. It is improving but it is clear that to really fix it we are going to have to part with some major cash for a respray. Such is life. Some people are real idiots though I mean what is the point?

Sunday we had a lovely day, Ted and I cooked pancakes in the morning and then we went out to Windsor so Ted could scoot down the long walk from the Castle in the afternoon. T was a bit tired and not really in the mood to scoot when we got there so we ended up going for a pub lunch and then going for a walk in the Great Park afterwards. It was sunny and fresh and my favourite kind of day. Crisp clear sky and a blue haze. Perfect for walking. Pic of the castle from a distance below captures it nicely.

This week has been busy for me at work with the new boss starting so all the politics are kicking and there is a lot of positioning going on.   I am anticipating a restructure which would not be uncommon when someone new starts and I think it will be good to stir things up a bit. But it does mean we are all having to adjust to some new ways of working. This was evidenced most clearly this week when someone in another team that I had asked to prep some data, that I thought I might use for my first meeting with the boss next week, in conjunction with some other material I was planning to pull together, happened to mention to the new boss, when she was floorwalking, that she was putting a report together for her and that the deadline was Friday. The new boss said great, I would love a copy by 4pm Friday to review on the weekend – this was on Thursday morning. The Friday deadline was to get the data to me, and then I was going to figure out how and if I was going to use it … instead I had to cancel my day off, Ted’s playdate with Isla and Mac and my manicure with Bex to work all day Friday to pull a report out of nowhere that made enough sense and added enough value that my new boss wouldn’t think I was a complete numnut. Not what you really want in terms of advance warning for pulling together  report for your new, detail orientated, meticulous director. I think I managed to pull a decent, useful overview together and position it in such a way that it is the right level of detail in the context but I would much rather have pulled a more comprehensive report together by next Wednesday which is when the meeting is. Just a little bit stressed about that….

The week has also not been helped by the lack of Ry’s bike, which has meant he has not been home in time to see Ted before bed. Although has made the most of not being on the bike to catch up on some drinking nights out – which is not so healthy but every once in a while … The big downside is that this has also meant lifts to the station in the morning which is a nightmare.  I am trying to get myself and Ted out and Ry is hurrying me as he needs to get his train. The peak of my irritation was on Friday morning when I was trying to get Ted to brush his teeth – which is always a battle, and get out of the door to get Ry to the station and when I said ‘ I havent got time to fight him on this any more’ and Ry told me I should get up earlier. It did not go down well … lets leave it at that.

So now we are back to today and its been a good one. Ted was swimming this morning and Laura is back. She said Ted and Ellie are about ready for the next class so she is going to look at availability. It is clear the current class does not stretch them enough now. It will be very interesting as at the next level parents stay out of the pool, so will difficult, I think, for Ted for the first few weeks. But hopefully it will be the same teacher and with Ellie there I think he will be ok after a few sessions. Great that he is progressing, although a lot of the kids in the next class are much older than Ted and Ellie. We will see. We had our brunch and play again and then rushed off home when I got a text from Antia to say they would be over earlier than planned and were close to arriving.

We got home and while Clifton took Ry to collect his bike Antia and I had a cuppa and girly chat. Ted and Nathan were playing nicely together and there was less grabbing this time which was good! We all went to Spur for lunch – soft play for the boys meant we were actually able to chat without too much interruption, and they do easy kids food too. Antia and Cliff told us about their holiday in Turkey which sounds fantastic and we talked about our holiday to SA and it was lovely to see them again so soon after our recent visit to Sheffield.

It was 430 by the time we left so they headed off home via the dry cleaners, shoe heelers and office  so I could collect the shirts, my shoes and my laptop. Once home Ry and I both fell asleep on different sofas and T quietly went about his business in the playroom watching Charlie and Lola and occasionally waking me to replay favourite episodes. He finally woke me at 7(!) because he was hungry, god love him, so we fed him and then Ry took him for some drum kit time before bath and bed. Tomorrow we have no plans other than to try and work off some of this weeks calories.

Pics

So we got back from Sheffield over a week ago and finally things seem to have settled into a more even pace. Normal weekend last week with swimming, house stuff, home play, laundry and regular chores. Normal days at work without having to rush off here and there. Nursery routine back to regular cycle and generally everything is a little easier to manage.

T has just gradulated to his next car seat, just another reminder he is growing up fast and he looks so grown up ow. He told me this morning daddy was ‘jus jumpin in the shower’, that we are ‘avin bunch with ahry care  and ganny on friday’ and that that is ‘not morrow’ but ‘day arter’. Its so sweet some of the phrases he comes out with – although when I tell him to do as he is told it is not so funny when he replies ‘teddy not told’ – basically no!

No plans for this weekend either – swim, fix the car scratches, few odds and ends in the house, bit of gardening if its dry enough. Bliss!!

We spent a lovely weekend last wek with Cliff and Antia and Nathan in Sheffield. It was especially fun as Clifs folks were visiting from South Africa so not only did we get to spend some time hanging out with them but we also got to leave the boys asleep and go out for dinner … twice!!

Ted and I drove up on Froday afternoon, Ry was up there already. I had a busy morning. Mum had styed over Thursday night as she had had a Teddy day on Thursday (see www.janthinajourneys.wordpress.com) for the details of their afternoon, so we all had breakfast and left the house at 10ish. T and I went to see Backy where I had my nails done and T played with Macky before we headed back to Sunbury to get the late rent from our tenant, who thankfully paid up, in full. After collecting some things for Ryan and paying the cash in we left an hour later than planned at 2. There was already heavy traffic on the M25 and the bottom end of the M1 so it was hard going and with slow traffic control roadworks around Nottingham T and I decided to stop and stretch our legs rather than doze off in the car – to be fair T slept for 3 hours from after we left Beckys until somewhere around Leicester! The GPS had said three and a half hours but the reality was clsoer to 5 and I was very relieved to get out of the car and know we were there safe.

Cliff had gone to meet Ry so Antia and I settled the boys in and ordered a curry with the Senior Hills. It was delish and the boys were cute sat at the table together. R and C came back just in time to get their boys stirred up before bedtime and settling them was trying as they kept waking each other as one would go off the other would kick off and vice versa!  R and C went out for a curry and once the littluns were down Antia and I went to join them for a glass of wine and some chat. It was good to catch up and even though we had had a curry its really hard to sit in a curry house and not eat anything! Managed it but only just.

Saturday dawned and we were served up with a hearty hot breakfast which was wonderful. We were all ready to go out around midday so we went out into the Peaks – destination an underground mining cave where you could ride a boat through the samll half full tunnel of water … a claustrophobic challenge for me to be sure and I was not at all sure how T would take it. He was fine and surprisingly so was I. It was very interesting and as you can see from the pics kind of spooky but quite cool. It was very cold though so once wwere back to the surface a pub lunch was definitely on the cards. Back to the house for some afternoon play for the boys.

We avoided the challenges of Friday night by getting Nathan down first and Ted after before getting dressed up (sort of) for a night out. Thinking we were quite smart it transpired that dressed up in Sheffiled (if you are a girl) involves anythin skin tight, butt skimmingly short and preferably with some form of gold lamee! We went for a drink before dinner and then to a Michelin Italian which was spectacular food. We had a great evening, drank too much wine all round and stayed out late while Mr and Mrs H kept an eye on the boys.

Sunday morning we all got up slowly – Cliff and Ry were on child duty so it was lie ins for the girls. Breakfast was in shifts and T and N played up until the point where we set off for hom around midday. It was a wonderful visit and we will definately try and visit again soon.

Sunday 27th we went over to see Suzanne and Patrick for lunch. We were up lateish as Ted for once had an almost lie in as a result of his previous nights excitement and so it was a lazy start to the day. I was still sorting out all the things which have got behind since our crazy string of weekends so beds needed changing and laundry as always. We set off on time and arrived at 1 – which I thought was on time until I found out Ry had agreed 12! Suzanne was fine though as she expected her brother to be approximately an hour late and had catered to that effect!

Ted was pleased to see Guy and they very quickly took to playing together nicely, Guy was watching his big cousin adn Ted was enjoying being the biggest for once! Lunch was wonderful with lively chatter and the boys both eating well. After lunch there was time for more catching up and hearing about all the preparation for the baby which is due in November and more time for Ted to play with Guy. Ted had a spin on a bike that S and P have for Guy which is a little big for him for now and seemed to get the hang of it right away – he still lacks the power to peddle very well but the balance is not bad at all – he definitely needs a bike sooner rather than later.

Home again home again not to late so we could get ourselves ready for the week ahead – with Ryan travelling on business again and a weekend in Sheffield planned it was clear that there would be no slowing of the Perrymans activity bus for another week – roll on October where we have nothing planned….

Saturday 26th October we were up early and getting ready for the long drive to Weymouth for Billy and Charlies chirstening (my 2nd cousins and Teds 2nd cousins once removed I think!! – children of my cousin? feel free to correct me!) We loaded T into the car and had a failry uneventful journey to Dorset. Arrived at the same time as GW and GPa and parked up near the church ahead of the ceremony. T had slept a little in the car and remained asleep in his buggy throughout the ceremony waking to find himself in a church with GW was somewhat of a surprise but he hadled it well and took it all in his stride.

We went back to Katies for tea and play and T was immediately at home in the garden with the climbing frames, slides, sandpit, ride ons and trampoline all seeing some action. Meanwhile there was time to catch up with great granny who was looking really well and Aunty Liz and Katie and Martin about whats going on in the wider family. The table was resplendant with cakes and savouries and we had a lovely tea before heading home.

We stopped at the Bull pub just outside Farnham to have dinner with GW and GPa which was really very good, and had a great debate about what we should do about one of our tenants who is not paying on time – the stresses and strains of being property magnates perhaps! Useful though to get their perspective as they have been in this game alot longer than us!

Back home and T transferred to bed tired and looking forward to seeing ‘cuzzin guy’ tomorrow….

Sunday after the wedding party Ry was shattered – since he crawled into Teds bed at 430am its no great surprise so T and I breakfasted alone. Post breakfast we had a slow start then wandered into the village so Ry could have a steak and coffee for breakfast!! We then walked to the chateau through the woods and spent Sunday lazing in the grass and wandering around the chateau enjoying good company – cold sparkling JP Chenet and the Hog Roast.

Early evening T was tiring so we went for gallettes in town – a speciality of the region – we didn’t think ted would fancy the oysters on offer at the chateau – and me neither – but Ry was a little dissappointed. We made our way back to find that the remaining revellers had also decided a gallette was in order so we returned to the town to the same restaurant and while they had their galettes we had our crepes for desert. Late night again although ted held his own and we were back home to the hotel for bed around midnight.

Monday we had a leisurely breakfast then packed up and left. I swear the proprietor was glad to see us go. It was a long drive back to Cherbourg but we made good enough time to stop for Olive Oil, washing Powder, Pest and Passata and other things whigh are still cheaper in Euros. On to the boat and we got a table near the back – however there were some seriosuly loud families who had the same idea so we moved to the area where they show te film and Ted played while we took turns to read and relax. Back in the UK by seven and home by 830 we put a very tired T to bed and unloaded the car before crashing out ourselves.

It took a week after we got back to work through the unpacking and the laundry and its been pretty busy since then but after this weekend we have a slow run up to Cape Town …..

Heres what you have been waiting for!!