Catch up

Wow, we really are behind this week. So much has happened, that I`m not sure if I can remember it all!

Monday - went to Hoo Farm with Rachel and Mae. Both had a good time and the sun came out which was great. Spent quite a bit of time on the trampolines bouncing - one of our favourite things to do there at the moment. Tom still wanted to eat every stone in sight, only managed to get about 5 in his mouth - dirty boy!

Tuesday - Tom in nursery whilst I caked (yes I`ve started to use cake as a verb). Cooked a chocolate sponge for an order tomorrow and a fruit cake for Sammie`s wedding cake, made some trees for Matt's birthday cake and coloured some icing ready for tomorrow. Can't remember what we did in the afternoon?

Wednesday - Tom in nursery whilst I baked 2 dozen cupcakes, decorated the sponge cake from yesterday and then decorated the cupcakes. Timed it to the wire. At one stange I didn't think I was going to make it and got quite stressed, especially as I had trouble with the green icing again. But I made it. Hope the client likes it (Michelle's head teacher - I delivered them to Michelle so didn't get to see her reaction)

Then we put the cat back in kennels, had lunch, packed the car, picked up Tom and headed South West to Devon. Had a very easy journey and Tom was very well behaved. Arrived just on 5pm which was great. Simon, Clare and Jake weren't very far behind) Tom and Jake played really nicely together and both went to sleep without too much trouble, leaving us free to have a lovely takeaway - Chinese and Indian fusion.

Pics will follow when we get back home.

Back home

Today we got up early so we could leave early and get back home to pick up the cat before the kennels opened. Tom had another good night's sleep. He woke up just before 6am but was incredibly good. I was also awake, but not ready to get up. Tom kept checking on me. At first it was every 10 minutes (he would sit up to see if I was awake - I would quickly close my eyes and play dead). He then checked every 5 minutes, every 2 minutes and finally about every minute until he threw his dummy out of the cot and started to cry. By then it was 6.55 and almost ready to get up. So good that he amuses himself quietly though.

We were on our way at 8.30, so we said goodbye to Grannie and Grandpa and came home. Tom was asleep for most of the journey which was good, only started to get miserable on the M54. Got the cat and then had a picnic on the lawn before heading off to Granville for a walk to get Tom tired for his afternoon nap. He then napped for 2 hours, had playtime at home (he didn't wake up miserable which was a nice change) then dinner, milk, bath and bed. We carried on with the milk before bed routine. Didn't go down particularly well, he arched his back and was very unhappy with me when we sat down for a story before bed. He was looking everywhere for the milk bottle. He did submit and take some from his water bottle - but I think he only had about half what he normally takes from his usual milk bottle. It is something we will persevere with though. Problem now is that he won't sit still for a story before bed now. Oh hum.

Had easy dinner of sausages, chips and beans with Matt's weapons grade homemade cider. I was feeling fuzzy after one mouthful. Guess we will be early to bed tonight.

A lovely time in London

We're just back from a few days down in London. We'd been planning to stop in for a couple of days on the way to the Branch family reunion in Maldon, which didn't happen in the end, so we ended up staying an extra day with Grannie & Grandpa, and I think everyone was very pleased we did.

We had a fairly easy journey down on Thursday morning; Tom only slept for half an hour and started yelling on the M40, so we stopped for lunch at Cherwell Valley services, which seemed to do the trick, and he then spent a good 20 minutes charging round and round the aisles of WH Smiths laughing like a drain, much to everyone's amusement.

We got to London around 2.00 and tried to put Tom down for a nap in his very nice cot there. Not a chance. Red in the face and apoplectic with rage. He may have been over-tired, but we think is was more because he hadn't finished exploring the house/garden and was furious that he'd been put to bed. Exactly the same happened after dinner & bath. There was no way he was going to sleep. In the end, Nik sat with him on the bed until he fell asleep and then put him in the cot. Not a peep until the following morning after that. Little bugger.

We all decided to head to the RHS gardens at Wisley after Tom's morning nap. Ha ha. More screaming and fury. Ho hum. So, in the end he had about 30 minutes kip in the car on the way. However, he loved Wisley and walked his little legs off, especially round the huge glass house, where we could hardly keep up with him at times. Just like last time we took him there, he was fascinated by the waterfall and sat there staring at it. Perhaps we should make a trip to Niagara. We then had lunch in the family room of the restaurant, where Tom wolfed down a very large lunch and a good chunk of our bread pudding before heading off into the soft play area and riding the hell out of a frog. We took him out onto the lawn with a football to try and tire him out good and proper, and Nik then sat in the back of the car on the way home to keep him awake. It worked. He was absolutely shattered and actually looked grateful when we put him down in his cot. So, planning works sometimes.

We had a play in the garden after Tom woke up, and discovered that the current toy of choice is a large, galvanised wheelbarrow (see video). He quite enjoyed being carted around in it, but was even happier pushing it up and down the garden himself. We were amazed he had the strength to do it, but he did it over and over again, grinning from ear to ear. I feel a trip to B&Q coming up. He had another good dinner, weed all over me in the bath and then went down for another good sleep, this time also without a murmur. He woke once during the night, but it was quite hot.

Grannie & Grandpa offered to babysit, so Nik & I went out for dinner round the corner at an Afghan/Lebanese/Turkish restaurant. Reasonable prices (for London) and excellent nosh. Really delicious. Hope we get a chance to go again before long. We then took a stroll around the mean streets of East Sheen and had a quick pint before heading back. A really good day for all concerned.

Change of author. Saturday saw us doing some typical London things that Grannie and Grandpa had planned:- a ride on a double decker bus followed by a boat trip on the Thames from Richmond to Teddington Lock and back. Tom had a brilliant time. He actually sat still on me for the first half of the journey, staring out at the water and waving at any boat that went by. On the way back, he decided that he was bored of the water, but that charging up and down the boat would be great fun. (Just as well there weren't many people on board). That kept him occupied until we got back. We then had lunch at a local cafe - Tom was in radar mode, his head was spinning from side to side and there was no way I could get any food in, so we gave up.

After lunch we headed off to Richmond Green, so Tom could stretch his legs, which he did. We also managed to convince him to eat lunch which was good. Tom ran his heart out and managed to show us some good moves on the football. Once he showed signs of tiredness we headed back. Tom then got shown off at Pat's shop before being put in bed, whilst I walked up the road to a sugarcraft shop which stocks lots of odd shaped cake drums so I got a whole load ready for the orders I know I have coming up. Lady in the shop was very very helpful, think I might be popping in there each time we visit.

Tom woke up in a grumpy mood in the afternoon. Took a good hour to get a smile from him, but Matt managed to sort him out in the end with a combination of dental gel, dummy and wheelbarrow trips. Then dinner, milk and bed. We forgot to take Tom's bottle with us, so he was forcibly weened from it. We know we can't give him any other drinking vessel after his bath, so I've been filling his water bottle with milk after dinner and trying to get him to drink it before bath. It has been moderately successful.

Saturday night saw us playing Scrabble (as is tradition in the Young household), I of course lost, but it was played in good humour. Matt then watched the MotoGP qualifying whilst I fell asleep on the sofa.

He slept - phew!

He slept. Phew!!!!! Wasn't a great night for us though, I could only sleep very lightly, meaning I was snoring and thrashing about, keeping Matt awake, so last night we all slept separately and we all had a very good night's sleep, so we are all now feeling a little more human, how I survived 3.5 months of that last year I just don't know!

Tuesday, Tom spent the morning in nursery and I finished off two cakes - see pics, first one is a Peppa Pig one for a little girl Daisy and the second a last minute Christening cake, so last minute that the lady had to go out and buy an M&S cake for me to decorate as there wasn't time to make it! Both ladies seemed happy and the Christening Cake lady said she would be in touch again soon for a 'Hello Kitty' cake for the end of August which was great. In fact she paid me more than I asked, which was a good sign.

Tom had had a good day at nursery, came home absolutely exhausted and then spent the afternoon outside.

Wednesday, Tom was back at nursery, Matt went to a local non-networking event for home workers so I was home alone, that doesn't happen very often! I had a productive morning, updating my website (www.lilypadbakery.co.uk) , facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Telford-United-Kingdom/Lily-Pad-Bakery/128974947114212) and flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilypadbakery/), doing some admin and then making a car from icing for a cake next week.

Tom came home absolutely whacked again. It was baby sports day today and Tom came home with a certificate for taking part (apparently he didn't like the bean bags, but liked the multi-coloured parachute). They took photos, will look forward to seeing those. He had another long sleep once home. I had to wake him up at 3.30 and he didn't like me for it, he cried for a good hour, refusing his drink and biscuit. I had to carry him everywhere. I guess he needed even more sleep, but he had been gone for over 2 hours!

After dinner he warmed up even more and had a happy time before bath, but he had a very bad bath, screamed all the way through it, and came out in a rash. Not sure why, there was nothing new in the bath, maybe it was the screaming? He cheered up as soon as he came out of the bath, and the rash began to disappear as well. He had a good bottle and story before bed. Haven't heard from him yet...

A bad night

Well last night was the worse night we have had with Tom since December! He woke up at 12.22, I have no idea why - he wasn't hot / cold / coughing etc. We tried settling him as usual - no good, he was crying again within 5 minutes. We tried Calpol, no effect, he was crying again in 5 minutes. We tried teething gel, changing his nappy, water, comforting etc etc. But nothing would work. In the end Matt went downstairs and I put Tom in bed with me. It's not as easy as it used to be with Tom being more mobile, however, he didn't try to get off the bed. It took over 2 1/2 hours to get him back to sleep though. He wasn't in pain because he was laughing at one stage (not sure why - I was ignoring him in an attempt to get him to understand that it wasn't playtime but sleep time)

This is what I have been dreading since last December. I have never taken it fore granted that Tom sleeps now, always going to sleep with a little knot in my stomach wondering if tonight is going to be the night when it all goes wrong again. We never got to the bottom of why he woke last night, but I sincerely hope it was a one off. Think it is going to be hard to get to sleep tonight, wondering if he is going to get me up again. You could tell I was out of practise getting up in the middle of the night - I couldn't find the handle to our bedroom door at first and was scrabbling around for quite a while trying to find it!

So, Matt and I are in a bad way today, neither of us being used to an interrupted night's sleep anymore. Tom wasn't exactly a happy chappy this morning. I took him shopping to Tescos (got lots of money off vouchers - in fact I got our shopping bill down from £79 to £51 through vouchers - most of which were free vouchers ie not clubcard ones which was fab). He grizzled through most of it, I think because he was tired. I put him down for his afternoon nap early - we will see how he wakes up...

He woke in an ok mood, so I decided to take him to Telford Town Park so he could expend his energy. He had a happy time. We bumped into Rachel and Mae and so had lots of fun. Tom was on good form and was walking all over the place, sliding down slides, enjoying the roundabout, swinging, toddling and most of all, falling over and picking himself up. He did really well, and he played 'pick the ball up' with his new football after Rachel and Mae had left.

Got home at 5, had dinner, playtime, bath and bed. He went down well, I wonder what tonight will bring...

Fidget and Football

Today we decided to visit Attingham Park as they had a food and craft fair. Before that though, Tom decided he needed to do some work on Daddy's computer. Doesn't he look a professional (he managed to do something to his Dad's mouse - took Matt ages to get it working again!)

Had a look around the fair - was quite small (but was in its first year - so not a suprise). Had some fantastic Shropshire Fidget Pasties which were DELICIOUS. There was a guy selling cupcakes at £1.50 which looked good - must look him up on the web.

We then had a good picnic on the lawn outside the house. Tom was on good form. He had tomato pasta for lunch, so you can imagine the mess his face was in. He then decided to run his lunch off, by playing with a newly purchased football. Which was great fun.

There was lots of giggling, he was clearly having a good time as were we watching him.

Once done, he tried to climb back into his rucksack, we took that as our cue to move on, so we loaded him back on and did a quick circuit of the estate. I sat with him on the way home to make sure he didn't fall asleep which meant he had a good undisturbed sleep on his return. I then marzipanned a cake and iced a cake board whilst Matt watched the MotoGP.

Once Tom was awake again we played in the garden before dinner and bed. A happy day.

Tractor Tom

Today was a long day. Tom had his usual swimming lesson (last for a while) and then we drove down to the Cotswold countryside near Cheltenham for the West Midlands Translators Walk.

Had a lovely day - the sun came out, the countryside was beautiful and the company good. Tom behaved himself very well. He did some walking, but mostly watched the world go by from his rucksack.

We ended up in a pub which had a number of toys - including this tractor which he enjoyed before having dinner and then changing into his pyjamas before heading home. We weren't sure if Tom would sleep well on his return home as we had to wake him up to get him into his cot, but he was as good as gold, we didn't hear from him all night.

Goodbye Nan

Friday wasn't a good day. Mum rang at 7.30 to say that Nan had had a stroke and wasn't expected to last long. She had tried to get hold of me last night and earlier this morning, but with no success - of course we were out!

Tom and I popped out to Asda after his morning nap, I came home to find that I had missed yet another call and that she had gone.

Very sad, although it was good that she went quickly and didn't suffer for too long. She had Alzheimer's so in truth we had lost her a while ago, although I still got a flicker of recognition when I went to see her and she certainly enjoyed seeing Tom. I think the maternal instinct is a very deep instinct, she automatically knew how to hold him, and she loved playing with him, told me how gorgeous he was.

Nan was a lovely lady, she didn't have an easy life, lived on her own for too long as my Grandad died early. Even though, she had an infectious laugh, made the best Welsh cakes ever (always made sure she had a new batch if I was coming to visit) in fact she had a very sweet tooth, battenberg cake also featured very regularly and she never ever remembered that I don't drink tea or coffee - being surprised every time I told her! She always spoilt Simon and I when we went to visit - allowing us to stay up way after our bedtime (ignoring everything Mum had told her). A lovely lady with a generous heart. She hated the fact that I would go off travelling on my own, but was very proud of my exploits, always detailing where I had been in her atlas.

We all have lovely memories of her and we will keep them in our hearts.

Spoke to mum who was doing very well, the people at Nan's home were brilliant, looking after her, she had nothing but high praise for her.

We got on with our day, which meant cup cake making in the morning and decorating in the afternoon and then to Rachel M's for sing and sign. We had a really good session, Tom behaved really well and even took part with some of the signs which was brilliant. I then had to rush home as my customer was coming at 4 to pick up the cupcakes (She said that they looked too good to eat, which was great)

Tom and I then both had dinner together. Once he was down, I drove over to Rachel's to babysit Mae whilst she and Phil had an evening out. I spent the time making cake decorations - got quite a bit done which was good.

Didn't get home until midnight (what a dirty stop out I am - have forgotten what it is like to drive in the dark!)

Our first parents evening

So behind again, I will catch up with separate posts as so much has happened over the last couple of days.

Thursday was a good day. Morning was spent at Jungleland we were hosting the BEST monthly meeting, so it was more chaotic than usual especially as Sammie was away. The afternoon was going to be spent with Rose and Abi, but they blew us out, however Rachel had said that she was going to be at Hoo farm in the afternoon so we went there instead. This time we played on the trampolines which was LOADS of FUN, Tom giggled his way round it and I got lots of hugs as a reward.

Rachel was then back at 7.30 as we had our first parents evening. It went well - mind you they were not going to say anything negative were they. Matt had a great time talking to Deb and he got to see more of the nursery. We also saw his portfolio, was a lovely record of his time at nursery, lots of photos and observations from nearly everyday detailing all the new things Tom's been doing. Lots of work in it considering he's only been going for 3 months for 2 mornings a week.

After parents evening we went to the local Chinese for a good nosh. Yummy. Rachel had had a good night, but had been up to see him once and was amazed that she could go in, settle him and leave just like that - very different to Mae, she goes mental if anyone other than Rachel goes in to settle her - not great as I was down to babysit her on Friday.

Cakes, cakes, cakes

Sorry, been busy busy busy again. My website going up the google rankings has meant that I have got quite a few orders. In fact, I've been a bit too popular, I've had to turn two orders away already this week - at this rate, I think I might have to sort out some childcare on a Friday for Tom - I've got to work out my capacity and make sure that the cakes don't overrun Tom - he is my first priority.

Monday - Mum and Dad took Tom out to Quackers for late morning and lunch, whilst I did a big cake shop at Asda - the kitchen is now full of dried fruit, sugar and flour. Problem is where to store it all? Doesn't matter how big your kitchen is, it is never big enough!

Mum, Dad and Tom came home around 1pm, all of them shattered. Tom went to sleep in his cot and Mum and Dad snoozed in the lounge whilst I continued to do cake things.

Tom then had a play in the afternoon with Granma and Pop Pop, before going to bed. Matt and I then had a rare dinner out - finally went to Monsoon and enjoyed a very nice dinner, mine was very pretty - huge king prawns on a bed of two tone curry sauce (you had to be there, my description doesn't do it any justice!)

Tuesday Tom went to nursery and Mum and Dad went home. I did cake things (got an order for some farmyard animal cupcakes this morning so spent the morning working out how to do them). Went to get Tom who was very sleepy - he hadn't slept. Put him in his cot, after an hour he woke up screaming, tears running down his face, poor thing. I managed to calm him down and put him down again, he managed 30 mins and woke up screaming again, so I got him up. We were dispatched to Wyevale to get some grass seed and as Tom had perked up in the car, we decided to have tea and a cake ( I forgot to have lunch today - so engrossed in cakes) - he managed to spread a piece of flapjack right across a sofa - mucky boy.

He then had a semi grizzly afternoon, certainly was something wrong and he was tired. I think he was glad to finally go to bed. Matt had to go up once in the evening to sort him out (was wedged in the cot) and we heard the odd grizzle, but he didn't get us up in the night, so can't complain.

He still wasn't the usual bouncy Tom in the morning - he was ok, but not as happy as usual (missing his Granma and Pop Pop?). Took him to nursery where he cried when I left (I knew he was going to do that). Came home and did more cake things. Finished off Winnie the Pooh characters for a cake in August and then got another order for next week - Peppa Pig fruit cake. So the rest of the day was spent researching and making a Peppa the Pig model and baking a fruit cake.

Picked up Tom from nursery, he had had a good morning, he had an hour's rest in a cot but was very sleepy when I got there. He fell asleep in the car on the way back home. He went down in his cot well and managed a 2 hour sleep, but he was very grizzly when I got him up, took him out to the library and post office, came home just in time for his dinner, after which he perked up significantly - we had the good old 'happy chappy' back so had a lovely hour of play and bath before putting him back in his cot for dinner.

Haven't heard from him since, so hopefully he is sleeping off whatever was tarnishing his mood.

Oh, there won't be an entry tomorrow, we have a parents evening to attend at nursery?!! Rachel M is babysitting, so we are going out for dinner again afterwards. I'm reciprocating for her on Friday.

Daddy

We decided this morning to go to the Olympics. Not many people know that the first modern Olympic Games took place in Much Wenlock in Shropshire and they still hold it every year. We thought it would be a big event with stalls and entertainment but we were wrong, it was literally a Sports Day for adults. As we didn't know anyone competing, we didn't stay long but we found a park so Tom had a nice play. We then went for a little look around the village before heading off to Ironbridge where we met Mum and Dad at the Meadow for lunch. They had had an interesting time in Manchester, Dad was made the guest of honour and had to speak to the gathering. Oh, well, means that they have somewhere to stay in Grenada next time they go (if they wish) Our relative they went to see was called Willoughby - such a great name, don't get names like that any more - such a shame.

Came home via our new Netto (built in place of the horrible pub that thankfully got knocked down last year) and then sleep for Tom and rest for us. The afternoon was spent in the garden playing with all the toys.

Oh, think I have forgotten to say that Tom's official first word is Daddy. However, he doesn't seem to be using it correctly. Everything is Daddy: his drink, his food, his toys, his books, me, I think he uses it for his Daddy as well. Anyway it is perfectly spoken - maybe there will be some more coming soon.

Peek-a-boo

A day that started badly, but improved. We were all looking forward to the usual Saturday swimming lesson, especially as Tom's new sharky trunks were making their debut, but for some reason, we had a pretty awful lesson. He just clung to me for most of the 30 minutes, not really joining in with any of the activities. Nik decided it might be better if she removed herself from the side of the pool, but it didn't make any difference. I guess we just have to chalk it up as a bad one.

We then toddled into Wellington for a spot of shopping and lunch in our usual pub by the station. We had our customary 1kg bucket of chicken wings plus a portion of onion rings, one of which Tom ate and seemed to like. He was also allowed two dippy fingers of the local bitter, which made him grin from ear to ear. Should we be worried by this?

As we were in Wellington, we decided it was high time we visited Sunnycroft, our local National Trust property. We've been meaning to go for ages, but never got round to it (it's too close). We spent 20 minutes or so looking round the house, an Edwardian "middle class" house. I think the middle classes have gone downhill over the past 100 years. The house is very large and very plush in places. Full-sized snooker table for example. It also has fairly extensive gardens and grounds, which Tom marched around like a trooper. I kept throwing a crab apple ahead of him, which he was happy to chase time and time again. His walking really is excellent now.

We were also very lucky in that today was the Sunnycroft summer fête, meaning that the lawn was filled with old-fashioned amusements such as a tombola, coconut shy, skittle alley etc. We ended up winning two toys for Tom, who endeared himself to one of the stall operators by putting all the spilled coloured balls back in the bucket they came from. And then taking them all out again.

By 2.15, we decided it was time we got the lad home for his nap. We were right. He didn't even make it out of Wellington before he nodded off in the car. He had a couple of hours kip at home, and then looned round the garden for a bit before tea, which he is (I hope) eating as I write this.

I like driving tractors

So, sorry I forgot to blog yesterday, was quite busy. Went from being home alone to Mum and Dad and Matt all arriving within 5 mins of each other, so a full house. Tom woke up in a good mood meaning that he had a fantastic afternoon playing with Granma and Pop Pop.

We also had a good time in Jungleland, he really was up and away he kept running off, whilst lifting his shirt up to expose his belly to all and sundry, all the other mums were laughing whilst I was desperately trying to convince them that really I don't do that at home and he's not copying a behaviour of mine.

Bill came round for his lillies etc just after we got back, he was very happy with them and said that hopefully our paths will cross again - so I was very happy with that. I also got a new order today for my signature lily pad cupcakes - a birthday present for a friend who has pet frogs. I quoted £25 (I was going to quote £18) and got a surprised, "oh, that's great" reaction. Bugger, should have quoted higher. It really is hard to know what people will pay for these as everyone keeps their rates close to their chest. Will go higher next time and see what happens.

As I said Mum and Dad and Matt all arrived at the same time, and we had a happy afternoon, Tom showing off his new walking skills to all - even Matt could see a remarkable difference.

Friday - Tom spent half an hour with his grandparents before breakfast and apparently he sat nicely on the bed with them - that's not fair, he regularly beats Matt and me up in the morning and will not stay on the bed for love or money!

Mum and Dad scooted off to Manchester at 10, so we toddled off to Asda to get some squash. When I say toddled, what I actually mean is that Tom refused to walk so I carried him all the way there and all the way back - humpfh.

He had an early lunch and an early lunch and then we went to Hoo farm for the afternoon. Today he decided he wasn't that interested in the animals, instead he wanted to play with the gravel. He kept plonking himself down on the ground to rake the stones with his hands. Great! As a result we did very little of the farm, although he loved watching someone doing farm work in a tractor - he was completely mesmerised by it, which is why he ended up on his own tractor.

We went to the play barn afterwards, he wasn't interested in the soft play area, and instead played with a barn and some farm animals, he managed to stuff every animal he could find in the barn, which needed quite a bit of dexterity. I spent ages going through the animals and noises with him, but I'm not sure if any of it was registering with him.

Got home in time for dinner, a little play and then bath, bottle/cup and bed.

Oh, in case you are wondering the second photo is of Tom's fingernails after his visit to Hoo farm, revolting, think we just about managed to get most of it out during his bath.

Catch up

Sorry, got a little behind again with this blog, blame the cakes!

On Monday I had a visit from a client to discuss an order. Turns out that he has a qualification in sugarcraft and wants some flowers, butterflies and a plaque for a cake he is making (he is a pastry chef by trade) No pressure then. He phoned on Friday, so I spent Saturday night round Seren's trying to work out how to make the lillies he requested. I had them ready for him to inspect when he came round, he liked them - phew!!!!

Monday afternoon was supposed to be spent at Hoo farm, but when we got there, we found it was closed, which is a shame as we planned to go there every Monday. Humpfh! We ended up in Jungleland instead. We had it more or less to ourselves which was great.

Tuesday, Tom was in nursery whilst I did some much needed computer work and then made the plaques ready for piping my inscription tomorrow. Picked up Tom (he hadn't slept there, so he was very sleepy) He cried as soon as I saw him - not nice - hopefully a reaction to being tired, not a reaction to seeing me? He had a good 2 hour sleep and then we took Matt down to the train station (he's off to London to do some interpreting at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show - lucky thing), then usual routine and an evening doing sugarwork and computer work - updated my website. Oh and I got confirmation for my first cake from the website (ie from someone I don't know - a Harry Potter birthday cake for a 16 year old girl - bit scary), very exciting, as I charged what I think are proper rates and not mates rates.

Wednesday, Tom back to nursery and I finished off the sugarwork for Bill, hope he likes it (included pipe work on the plaque which was scary - never done it before). Picked up Tom from nursery, he hadn't slept again, but this time was happy to see me! He'd had another good day, including a second helping of breakfast- greedy thing.

He came home and had a sleep. Got him up after two hours and then spent the next hour crying. This is his 'new' thing. He cries when he wakes up. I'm not sure why, took a whole banana, a biscuit and a ride in the car to cheer him up today. Not easy!

His walking has got a lot better this week. He can pick himself up confidently from the middle of the floor and tends to do this rather than crawl. Don't think it will be long before he is looking like a pro.

He had another good dinner and bath and is now fast asleep in bed (I hope)

Back to the 1940s

We really thought that Tom's run of good sleeps was going to come to an end last night. He grizzled from time to time while Nik was out babysitting Seren, but there wasn't a peep out of him after that and he was up at 7.00 as usual, showing no signs of whatever it was that made him cranky yesterday afternoon, maybe his teeth and maybe the same virus that I have just now.

Anyway, we decided to pop down to Bridgnorth today, as the Severn Valley Railway was holding another of its 1940s weekends. We got the last space at the station car park and then managed to get the train to Highley with seconds to spare. I've never seen an SVR train so full, and they were running extra long trains this weekend too. We had a mooch around the various period activities at Highley; a lot of people had made the effort to dress up in what looked like very realistic 1940s garb, including a thoroughly convincing Captain Mainwaring and a 17 month old girl done up in a WW1 "uniform". Very cute. Nik & I each had a (very average) hot dog from the station kiosk and took them down to the river bank to eat. His Nibs, however, had duck risotto. How the other half lives. He also commandeered an unfeasibly large chunk of our Highley Slice, a cross between a flapjack and a Millionaires' Shortbread.

We had a much emptier train on the way back, which Tom took full advantage of, marching up and down the corridor and generally endearing himself to the occupants of other compartments.

We somehow managed to keep him awake on the drive home, partly by Nik making him laugh and partly by me flooring the very potent accelerator pedal of the Lancer (he likes speed). After a couple of hours' kip, during which Nik did cake stuff and I watched a very dull MotoGP race (just not the same without Rossi), he did usual demolition of the lounge. Rather worryingly, he can now climb onto both sofas by himself, meaning that we have almost nowhere left to hide things from him.

As I write, he's having his tea, and it should then be a bit of garden time before bath, bottle & bed. Hope you like the video.

No clothes for a poo monster!

Another fantastic night's sleep, so why oh why am I so tired? I have been yawning my way through the last couple of days. No idea why, I've had plenty of sleep, but I feel sooooo tired all the time, not good! Hoping I feel better tomorrow.

So, usual Thursday routine for us today. Morning nap and then Jungleland for Breast Feeding Group. Had a good time, Tom has either grown a bit or got a bit stronger (or most likely a mixture of the both) as he can now get up all the ramps to play on the slides. In fact he is much more able to manoeuvre around the equipment than some others his age who have been walking for longer (he isn't as cautious as others, just attacks things rather than thinking it through first!)

Had a good time and Sammie reported back on the Flower Fairy Cake saying it was lovely. She wants me to do a cupcake tower for her wedding, but I found out today that her wedding is the day after we get back from Spain (boo hoo!!!!!) However, she is now asking me for a quote for a fruit cake instead - how lovely, although a shame, I would have loved to do a cupcake tower for her.

Tom ate at Jungleland - usual chips and bread, (not a balanced meal, but he enjoyed it) when we got home, he had some fruit (grapes are favourite at the moment) whilst I had my lunch. He then went for his nap whilst Matt and I tinkered on our respective computers.

Once Tom was up we headed out to Lidl to get a new frying pan (oh yes we know how to enjoy ourselves) and then spent the rest of the afternoon outside, playing in the garden. Jodie disgraced herself, she relieved herself on Matt's very expensive rucksack when we were out, Matt was not impressed!

Tom had a huge dinner of left over Japanese stew and rice, a rice cracker and cream cheese, a yogurt and fruit (greedy pig!) then playtime during which he did an absolutely massive poo which leaked out over his clothes and also got my top (yuck!) Hence why today's photo of him has him just in his nappy - I couldn't be bothered to put him in clothes again.

Oh we had a break through with his milk tonight. I gave most of it in his bottle as usual and had a sippy cup with some more in on the arm of the chair. Once he had finished his bottle, he picked up the sippy cup AND drank some of the milk in it. We will get there eventually!