Disappointment

Well today I was going to report back on Tom's birthday party. It was the NCT birthday party - everyone was there and we had a playbus turn up and use of Andy's St John's Ambulance Hall. It would have been a really good day - it's not often that we all get together.

We had a good morning - Tom was in good form, very busy, ate a good lunch and had a good nap. However, when we got to the party he was in full grizzle. He went all floppy and had to be held by me - as soon as I gave him to Matt he screamed. Not a great beginning, but we put it down to him being difficult. We took him to the playbus, once again he grizzled and I had to almost force him on (unlike him as he likes soft play areas) he sort of did OK once on, but kept crying intermittently for no reason. After a while he pointed to the exit so we took the hint and took off and back into the hall.

Once there, we thought maybe he needed a sugar rush to perk him up, but he refused sugary biscuits, and crisps and fruit! Something was up. We then felt his forehead, it was hot. Lucky we were with a St John's Ambulance person - he had an ear thermometer in his car, we took his temperature, it was 38.8, so we stripped him to his vest and then he nuzzled into me. He almost fell asleep on me. It was clear he wasn't going to enjoy the party, so we decided to cut our losses and return home. So he didn't get his present, I didn't get to see my cake cut, and we didn't really get to see anyone else as we were so busy all the time trying to stop him grizzling.

Oh hum, here's a picture of the cake anyway. Mike and Michelle dropped everything off on their way home, so he now has a present and some cards to open in the morning. Didn't get any cake back though - so guess it was popular.

He did get better once home, spent some time playing with his train set and even managed an OK dinner. We put him to bed early with some medicine, so fingers crossed he has a good night and is better in the morning. Really disappointed because the party and the playbus were both my idea.

On a happy note, it was Dad's birthday today, we did a Skype call. Tom was a little too busy to talk much but Dad did at least get to see him.

A day at the zoo

Thursday was the first really nice day since Tom's birthday, when we'd planned to take him to Dudley Zoo, so we thought better late than never, and set off with packed lunches. Being half-term, it was quite full for a weekday, but Tom was genuinely interested in some of the animals, but not as much as in the road train thing that transports kids around, which caused standstill, pointing, waving and even cheering whenever it was in sight. Some animals did hold his attention, such as the giraffe, which he seemed particularly in awe of, but others seemed to be of little interest, such as a trio of beautiful lynxes (see photo), from which he ran away at great speed. Incidentally, I now have to run, rather than walk briskly, to catch him when he legs it, which seems to be happening more and more frequently as he gets further into the terrible twos. We had a nice lunch by the lemur enclosure, had a quick peek at three very lazy (comatose) lions and headed into the big grassy area inside Dudley Castle, around which the zoo sprawls. We had the foresight to take his football, and he spent a wonderful 15 minutes throwing and kicking it all over the place, until another slightly older boy took a fancy to it and hoofed it into a fenced off area. After much apologising by the lad's mother, normal service was resumed. We went back to have another look at the previously immobile tiger (Makari, Jude's adopted tiger from WHF funnily enough), but he hadn't moved a whisker, and neither had the snow leopard next door, so it wasn't a great day on the big cat front, but on the plus side Tom walked/ran some serious distance and was asleep almost before we left the car park.

Today (Saturday), we undertook a mini tour of Shropshire, calling first for half an hour or so in Shrewsbury to pick up Japanese food supplies at Setonaikai and change a certain young man's underwear in M& S's loos, then on to Oswestry for lunch with Auntie Jude at Gillham's deli, makers of the best sausage rolls I've ever had. It was very nice nosh indeed - the sausage rolls were outstanding again, as were the onion rings, most of which were snaffled by a greedy boy (although he did manage to find room for a piece of millionaires shortbread). Following another change of undercrackers in the boot of the car in full view of the world in Oswestry's central car park, he nodded off fairly quickly upon departure, so we came back to Telford the slow, scenic route via Ellesmere, Wem & Shawbury rather than flogging down the A5 as usual. Thereafter, more nap, a play outside, tea and a Skype call with Granny & Grandpa before bath, bottle & bed.

Miserable Weekend

The weather this weekend was terrible - typical British winter: grey, cold, damp, rainy and foggy. Nothing good about it at all.

We tried to make the most of it. Friday I met up with Sammie, Jen and Sophie to try out a walk for the BEST weekend walks that Sammie is setting up. It was freezing cold, but dry so we headed out. Jen had a stick, so Tom found one for himself. Took quite a while for him to work out how to hold and use it, but he got there in the end, even though for a little while it looked like he was trying to play quidditch! When he had it right, he looked like a mini Gandalph.

We had both packed picnics, so we found an area in nearby Blists Hill to sit out. As I said it was freezing, so it wasn't a complete success. Tom was ok, but the two girls were too cold to enjoy it so we had to call it a day and go home.

Saturday was a revolting day, so we went into town to do some emergency shopping (my jeans fell apart during the week) and then Matt took us out for a celebratory lunch (he's reached another milestone in his business) at a new restaurant in Newport (disappointing, food ok, but service very poor).

Sunday we went to Attingham Park for a walk. Tom did ok, his stamina is definitely getting better. We then popped into Sam's cafe for a snack on the way home.

That's about it, nothing exciting I'm afraid. Let's hope the weather is better next weekend.

Yet more birthday celebrations

Another good day yesterday. We thought it wasn't going to be great as Tom was in full grizzle mode when we arrived in Aylesbury and he didn't really cheer up until we went to the soft play area - when he turned into the Tom we all know and love (completely mad!)

So we travelled for 2 hours down the M40 to Simon and Clare's new house in Aylesbury (they moved in on the Friday) where we met up with Mum and Dad and Pat and Bob, so almost all family in the same place at the same time. Neither Jake nor Tom were particularly well behaved to start with. Amber was lovely and behaved impeccably the whole time we were there.

We had a massive present opening session - many thanks to everyone for their lovely presents - Tom is very spoilt. Then off to a soft play area. As predicted it was very busy and very loud - nothing like a rainy Sunday afternoon to fill up a playbarn. However, having said that Tom and Jake had a good time. Tom had soooo much fun that he got a sweaty head! He also ate all of his cod goujons and chips (being very careful to make sure that no peas entered his mouth - he's off them at the moment). He was on good form, didn't mind being knocked over by the older kids and showing no fear at any obstacle in his way.

At 2pm we called it a day and returned to Simon and Clare's for cake before leaving to go home. After cake Tom and Jake decided to play 'run around the house'. They both went mad for a good half hour chasing each other, whilst giggling. It was a joy to watch, although all of us felt tired just watching them. As predicted, we had tears when we told Tom that he needed to go home - he was tired and sad to leave. In fact he was so tired that he slept pretty much all the way home - the longest he has slept in the car for a very long time.

Anyway a good time was had by all and it was good to see him and Jake having so much fun together. We didn't take any photos, but everyone else had their cameras out, so will wait for the photos to make their way over to us. First batch are in from Bob, he took a great close up of Tom doing a silly smile whilst eating his fish goujons - I love it, don't you?

Oh, and here's me, Tom and Matt with the Thomas the Tank Engine Cake I made for Tom. Not as good as other cakes I have made, it was very very difficult and I spent quite a bit of time on other cakes this week, but I have learnt from my mistakes and think I could make a better one next time.

Birthday Girl

Had a really good day today. Had a lie in = Tom didn't get us up until 8am which was lovely. Had breakfast, then Matt noticed Hiromi was on line, so we did a skype. Was good, I think Tom recognised her as he gave her a huge smile and then spent the next thirty minutes showing off, running around, getting her things to show etc etc. He expended so much energy that by the time we said goodbye to her, he was shattered, so he went to bed for an hour. Perfect timing, meant we could do some household chores and he would be well rested for his first party.

Midday saw us in the Scout Hut in Priorslee (never knew it existed - it was great) for Abi's 2nd birthday party. (Abi was born on the same day as Tom, I met her and her mum in the maternity ward and we've stayed in touch ever since) It was perfect, a big hall with toys for the children to run around in. Then lunch of the usual party foods and then the birthday cake. It was a lovely atmostphere, the children all had a good time, hardly any tears, the two hours just flew past, Tom was obviously having a good time, cause he cried as we left.

Came home, Tom had another lie down, then we spent the afternoon doing pictures and trains. Then a good bath and bed.

It looks like Tom was the only child at the party - he wasn't there were a good 20 of them, just they weren't near Tom when we were taking photos. Oh, and yes I made the cake - was really pleased with it. I just need a request for a Macca Pacca now!

Birthday Boy

Wow, Matt and I are exhausted, sitting on the sofa almost comatose. Tom, lucky thing is fast asleep in bed. Today Tom turned 2. How did that happen? His first year dragged (something to do with a severe lack of sleep), but his second year has just flown past, and somehow he has turned from a baby into a boy, not sure when that happened, but it can't be denied he is certainly a boy now.

So, this morning Tom turned our bedroom into a state throwing paper and cardboard everywhere as he unwrapped his presents. Mostly from other people not from us as we decided not to wrap his main present (a balance bike). He was a very lucky boy and very spoilt from his Guardian Father who emigrated to Australia at the end of last year - he got a Koala, a Kangaroo and a book from him, unnecessary but very much appreciated - thank you very much Martin:0).

After breakfast he entered the lounge and found his new bike and helmet. He was very happy and immediately tried to get on the bike. Unfortunately, his legs are just too short, so he'll have to grow into it. The fact it is on two wheels also threw him, so it crashed to the floor on a number of occasions.

As it was raining, our plan to go to the zoo was scuppered, so we decided to go to Cosford instead. After a slightly unsure start, he warmed up and really enjoyed himself, running around the planes. He ran his little heart out. We finished up at the play area where he took a liking to a number of pieces of equipment - including a joystick controlling a plane in an air tunnel (see pic), where he gave passengers a particularly bumpy ride, but his absolute favourite was a plane that you could load up with a parcel and set flying, then press a button to unload the parcel which then dropped onto the floor - he LOVED it - he enjoyed loading it up and watching it fly. We would have been there all day if he could. In the end we had to drag him away and he had a tantrum, he cried and turned red and no amount of appeasement would calm him down.

We left because we were hungry and the food at the museum is pretty bad. We found a pub in Codsall which is in the old station, full of railway memorabilia and on the platform so Tom had a great time waving to the trains. It had a lovely atmosphere, is a 'local'(lots of people meeting for a drink) and had good food. Defiantly a good place to take both Grandads in the future.

Tom crashed out in the car on the way home, so he had his nap and then we all went to the Pirate Playpit to catch up with Rachel, Olly and Mae. Tom showed his Dad around whilst I looked after Olly. We all had a lovely time, Tom, once again cried when we left - think he had a lovely time and he was tired.

Came home, had dinner, then the Gouges came round so yet more pressies and cards to be opened. In the end he didn't go up for his bath until 6.30 - mega late for him.

Definitely a good day. I wonder what the next year will bring...

Ajax supporter

A good weekend. Friday night I babysat for Mae. She was being a little naughty when I arrived, refusing to go to bed for Rachel and Phil. In the end I sent them off and went in to deal with Mae on my own. To my complete and utter surprise, after a little stroking on her head, she lay down under her duvet, hugged her favourite toy and fell asleep to me reading her a story. I have always been very scared of Mae waking up when I have been babysitting, wondering if I would be able to get another baby to sleep, especially Mae, as apparently she gets really upset if Rachel isn't around to comfort her, so I was really chuffed as were Rachel and Phil, when I let them know she was asleep. It also meant that I could do my sugarcraft homework which was good (Honeysuckle and Dog Roses).

Saturday was the West Midlands Translators Walk - around Cleobury Mortimer. Had a great and very cheap lunch in the local cafe and then met with the group and did a 7 mile w alk. Tom managed the first 10 minutes and then we (well I) had to carry him the rest of the way. For some reason he didn't seem to like being carried by Dad, which meant I now have stiff legs! He behaved well, except for one moment where he cried, but a rest, a kitkat and some hot berry punch sorted him out.

Sunday, Jude came round so Tom could take her to his club - ie the golf club. He was in a good mood so was very entertaining. We spent most of the rest of the day outside, it is really windy at the moment, but not cold. Tom doesn't seem to mind the wind, so he was outside playing on his slides for a while.

Oh - and the football kit - my Dutch friend Chananja gave it to Tom for his 1st birthday, we did a skype call with her on Saturday evening and she was asking after it, so I promised I would put him in it for her, it's still a little on the big side, but he does look cute in it doesn't he?

M....ooooooooo

Today Tom amazed me and in response to what does a cow say, said 'M...oooooooooo' - a beautiful 'oo' if you ask me. I was taken completely by surprise. I was with Rachel M at the time, so have a witness. Maybe this really is the beginning of Tom talking. Will try to get some on video for you over the weekend.

He also actually played with Olly today when we were at The Pirate Playpit - our Thursday afternoon haunt with Olly and Mae and Rachel M. Rather than being with each other, but ignoring each other which tends to be what usually happens, they were interacting with each other and trying to make each other laugh. Was lovely to see, made us late coming home as we didn't want to break the spell.

Came home and Tom demolished a plate of fish, homemade pasta, sweet potato and parsnips. He really is eating very well at the moment. (Mummy and Daddy ate up as well)

So a good day, until bathtime, when he decided there wasn't enough water in the bath and added some more of his own. I was in the bath with him at the time - LOVELY!