I love my cousins

So where were we? So much has happened.

First of all, I would like to report that Tom's eating has improved considerably over the last week or so. In fact, I can't seem to get enough into him. He is having fully balanced meals as well. He has graduated to proper adult sausages (will eat a whole one in one sitting), and fish fingers, both of which he will eat with potatoes, carrots (current favourite vegetable) and broccoli. He has had 3rds of lunch both days at nursery (as well as 2nds for breakfast) and continues to eat and eat and eat, today he even managed to eat a child's meal at Jungleland (he needed a little help with his sandwich, but he ate most of it himself). As a result he has boundless energy and is a very happy boy. Friends who know him well have commented on how changed he is (might also have something to do with the haircut I gave him earlier this week). He really is a delight, and wants to walk and run everywhere - he even managed to run to and from Asda the other day - first time I've ever got him to do that - normally I have to carry him half / all the way.

Right then where were we? The day after we got back from Chester we had a 'normal day'. Matt worked and I spent the day with Tom after handing over my latest cake (a Portsmouth FC cake and cupcakes). We were supposed to go over to the Gouge's to see the New Year in, but Matt fell asleep on the sofa, so I left the boys at home and went over on my own.

Saturday saw us in Haddenham at last to see Simon, Clare, Jake and Amber. The traffic was amazing, for whole stretches of the journey we didn't see another car, needless to say we got there in good time. We both had good cuddles with Amber who was quite happy to fall asleep on both of us - she is 4 weeks old, but still quite scrunched up and very small with a very floppy head.

Jake was a little wary of Tom to start with (who can blame him - Tom settled in straight away playing with all of Jake's toys). After a good roast lunch (Tom ate a huge lunch - couldn't get enough in him), we took them for a walk and they played with each other really well. Jake ran for miles as he had to keep going back to Tom to 'get him' as he was lagging behind. Unfortunately it rained on us so we went back to the house, after all we had lots more Christmas presents to unwrap (correction - Tom had lots more presents to unwrap!).
This did take quite a while, Tom had a stocking full of gifts as well as a huge Fire Engine which Tom loves and many other bits and pieces too numerous to mention. Before we knew it, it was 4pm and time to say goodbye and make our way home. It was a good day, thanks Simon and Clare.

Sunday we decided to do the last of the Ironbridge Walks from the Greenwood Centre, was a really good walk, but Tom didn't think so and refused to walk and then grizzled for a lot it. (Although he did stop for a while after we took his Welly Boots off). Will do it again when it is warmer as it included an arboretum, a meadow and a stream, all of which Tom will enjoy when in the right mood. Once finished we headed off to a pub for lunch and then back home so Tom could nap and we could carry on fixing bits of the house.

On Monday we decided to walk up the Wrekin (our local mountain). This was a mistake! Tom hated it and grizzled all the way up. For the last 15 minutes he was full on crying. Not sure why, he was wrapped up warm and in his rucksack carrier. It took a good 20 minutes to calm him down at the top and then I had to carry him in my arms back down. I figure it was just too cold for him. Once we had returned to the car we went to Telford Town Centre to do a spot of shopping and have lunch. He cheered up no end and really enjoyed himself as well as eating up for lunch.

Tuesday we were back to the usual routine, so Tom went to nursery whilst I caught up with cakey admin and then took an order for a cake needed on Saturday, so stopped the admin and started getting creative.

Today we were back at Jungleland for Breastfeeding Group (lots turned up today). Tom had his first ever child's meal in between running up and down the building. He had a nap and then we went to another soft play area to meet up with Olly, Mae and the two Rachel's, where once again he ran his little heart out. Came home, he ate well, had a bath and went to bed. He must sleep well tonight. I'm exhausted and he ran further than me!