You've started nursery...

.... And Mummy is wracked with guilt. Your only doing one afternoon and one morning per week, and in actual fact, I take you late and pick you up early so it doesn't even officially equate to 1 full day, but still I feel so ridiculously guilty. Everyone keeps informing me of how good it'll be for you, interacting with other children and learning new things... But I just can't shift the question of if I'm a bad mother, that I'm choosing to put you in nursery rather than it being a necessity of work? I've not done it selfishly, I can assure you, in fact I spend the hours that your there missing you incredibly and wondering what to do with myself. So much so, that yesterday (your first official morning) I blitzed the house so thoroughly that today I fear if I clean another inch I may risk rubbing away kitchen surfaces or the enamel on the bath. I call a million times to check your okay, and am always assured that you are, when I collect you you always seem relaxed and I'm told of how you played with this and that, how you ate all your lunch and loved playing outside... Surely they don't make all this up??
Yesterday afternoon, after collecting you, we played in the garden, baked cakes, did some painting, walked into the village and had a bubble bath, subconsciously i think i was trying to show you how much i do love you and in some strange way seeking your forgiveness for 4 hours, which in actual fact, you more than likely, thoroughly enjoyed.
Is this an affliction of all mothers, I wonder? An extension of asking to have a shower or use the bathroom when Daddy is around, even though Daddys just go about their daily routine as though it's their right to continue as they please, just jumping in the shower whenever the need takes them, not needing to check that baby will be watched by their other half... Anyway, I digress, but all the Mums reading this will know what I'm talking about.
Yesterday, when I called my Mummy (Grandma), in a rather emotionally vulnerable state having just left you there for the first time, her words of wisdom in response to my feeble "do you think, she'll think I've left her there, Do you think she'll hate me???"
"well I left you at nursery, and you didn't hate me, did you?"

Oh God, I can't remember I might have done??



- love Mummy x

Your Christening - 4th December 2011

The 4th of December 2011 was your Christening day, and what a love filled, happy day it was.

Grandma had waited 30 years for this event, and had lovingly kept my Christening gown for you to wear, and how perfect you looked in it.  You took the whole day in your stride, and didn't even cry when you had the water poured on your head.  In fact i think you quite fancied getting in for a swim!!

You even managed to show the congregation your emerging personality by blowing a rather vocal raspberry at the vicar, right at a pivotal moment, thankfully he saw the humorous side.

Your cake was delicious, and not a piece was left by the end of the celebrations.  It was in fact the bottom tier of Mummy and Daddy's wedding cake, re-soaked in sherry and re-iced, after spending the last 2 1/2 years safely taking up half the freezer!!  I have to say it was worth it though - YUM YUM!

Swings, swimming and a doggy!

You've had a very busy week, with lots of firsts.  The most fun of which being your first time at the park, although judging by these photos, you were rather underwhelmed by the whole event, and Mummy and Daddy had rather more fun than you did...I'm sure inside you were filled with laughter however, and you were merely trying to act all nonchalant, in a "oh yeah, I've been to the park loads of times" kinda way!

We also went round to Grandma's house, (which isn't technically a first) but this was the first time you've been at all interested in Grandma's doggy.  I might add, that here you did not act at all nonchalant, and in fact there were squeals of delight as the Doggy panted, wagged his tail and generally did lots of doggy things with gusto.  Now if the Doggy could be slightly less enthusiastic about your arrival, we could go and visit him much more frequently.

And finally, your latest achievement at your Aquababies class, which mummy was incredibly proud of.... we sound like chickens and "kick, kick, kick!" across the width of the mini pool (i am of course holding you, I'm not completely bonkers), and upon reaching the side, with a little prompting from Mummy you "hold on!".  Your face was an absolute picture of achievement when your 2 chubby little hands reached up out of the water and grabbed onto the side of the pool.

"I can do it Mummy, I can hold on - Look at me!" (is what you would have been saying, if you could indeed talk)

Flash's story

Some years ago, when Flash was only 100 or so years old, he went on holiday to the Maldives. He had a wail of a time, and relished in the fact that he could fly round the whole island in just one afternoon. He even considered packing a light lunch of worms, and flying off on a day trip to the neighbouring island, but Mummy thought it may be a little tiring, all that flying in one day, and he was too young to stay overnight on his own. Mummy suggested that instead he should try and make some friends that he could play with. So he made friends with this big stingray named Spark, although playing together proved a little difficult!!

Flash's Story

Quite a few years ago, when Flash was only a baby dragon of 100 years old, he went to Dublin on holiday.  He partied in Temple Bar, drank lots of Guinness, and flew round all the old cobbled streets and completely exhausted his young wings.   Whilst Mummy and Daddy were stood in the lobby, waiting to check out of the hotel, Flash rested his tired wings and had a little lay down in Daddy's rucksack, leaving his little head popping out of the top so not to miss anything.  A group of men stood nearby spotted Flash, sticking his weary head out of the top of Daddy's rucksack, and pointed to him and laughed (Flash wondered whether he had not wiped his mouth properly after his worm lunch, and felt embarrassed that he might have mud around his chops).  However, Daddy was not at all embarrassed about the bright green dragon head looking over his shoulder, and turned straight to the group of men and asked all nonchalantly...

"are you laughing at my Dragon, guys??"

Now, it was the group of men that were embarrassed.  "errrr, no, no" the group exclaimed, as they bowed their heads in shame, and Flash wriggled his little body higher in the rucksack, puffed his chest out and poked his head out of the opening, just that little bit farther!!!

The story of Flash

The life of our little green dragon began in 2004, when mummy had him made at a "build a bear" factory as a gift for Daddy.  At first Daddy seemed a little less than impressed, but over time, Flash, as he was affectionately named, grew a life all of his own.  I told Daddy, all these years ago, that one day when we had a little baby (ie you), Flash could tell you stories of his adventures, travelling the world with Mummy and Daddy.  So from that point on, Flash went EVERYWHERE with us, and friends even started sending him postcards home from their travels.

So, here is Flash's story..........................