tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69943231685810975802024-03-17T20:03:38.428-07:00Mumbling MumKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-18474596003339177242013-11-07T14:24:00.000-08:002013-11-07T14:24:28.220-08:00Vomit Was Not on My Agenda.So, you've made it through the day...just you and the wee man (mine is almost 3 now...although it feels like 30 years) since silly o'clock this morning and you are on the countdown....only an hour until bedtime.....20 minutes (start mobilising)....10 minutes (fill bottles, mentally locate pyjamas)...BEDTIME...hooray!<br />
This was my day today. My little squidger went straight to sleep too...no issues (apart from a slight disagreement about brushing teeth).<br />
I sit down and make a start on the pile of admin....even indulged in a glass of wine (wit woo).....and then I hear it....that unmistakeable sound of a vomiting toddler...and he's in MY bed.<br />
Vomit is my least favourite of all the bodily functions and yet, when it's your child, you offer up your hand as a sick bowl while you frantically analyse if your wee monkey is very ill or merely sick from coughing.<br />
We are now watching a particularly rubbish dvd and I have no idea about tonights sleeping arrangements...but I have wine so life is good :)<br />
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Santa...all I want this year is a good nights sleep.....I've been (mostly) very good!Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-34568885910626618512013-08-28T19:32:00.001-07:002013-08-28T19:33:54.632-07:00Alex the Lion can Bugger Off.It is now 3.28am.<br />
We (and by we I mean my son) are now requesting Madagascar on Madagascar on....there was a Pooh Bear thrown in there somewhere in between somersaults (is that really how you spell that?!).<br />
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I made the following statement in response:<br />
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'Hell no'.<br />
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He is now biting at the zip on a cushion and asking to paint.<br />
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Seriously?!<br />
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We are going upstairs.....the stair gate is on so he can do as he pleases....it is most certainly sleep time for mumma.<br />
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Bleugh.....Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-31608890347800547442013-08-28T19:04:00.002-07:002013-08-28T19:04:55.420-07:00Snails Anyone?It is 2.43am.<br />
My son has been up for 20 minutes. As I try to type he is demanding my attention over at the snail tank....every so often the snails are rewarded with a break as he 'assists' the poor hamster to spin his wheel. <br />
This nightime escapade follows, at a rough, weary guestimate, an hour of lying on my sons floor punctuated by singing, cuddling and a bokkie milk. The beast then awoke fully demanding 'pasta and meat'.<br />
Seldom do I give in and come downstairs but I really needed a brew. Saying that, he rarely wakens at this hour so I can forgive a rare nocturnal episode. It just means that he will sleep at nursery tomorrow and piss my £40 fee up the wall slightly. And I will have to work very tired....but that I am used to along with the rest of the working parents out there.<br />
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Anything but crying...or screaming...or biting. Hamster baiting is actually encouraged.<br />
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Look how tired he is:<br />
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Please let it be sleep time soon....amen xKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-40979030580494053802013-08-28T13:21:00.001-07:002013-08-28T13:21:13.556-07:00It has been a while....but here goes!Oh blog how I have missed thee. A chance to ramble on about complete nonsense in the hope that someone finds it remotely interesting.<br />
So, my son is now 2.5 years old...although I need a physicist to explain why I have aged exactly 7 years in this time. I never get asked for ID since having a child, (if I worked in an alcohol shop I would ask weary looking women for ID just to give them a boost). I am now a single mum and have been for just over a year. It's been a tough year. I left my job (as my son was full time in nursery and I felt lonely and missed him a stupid amount) and started my own business. Why I didn't do it years ago is beyond me. Life is good. But I don't write this blog to ramble on about the greater meaning of life, it is my chance to vent about the challenges every day, the mundane and weird stuff that you accept as a parent.<br />
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A few weeks back, when the sun actually appeared, I had to say both of the following sentences to my son in the same day:<br />
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Please stop licking mummys car.<br />
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Please stop lapping water from the paddling pool like a dog.<br />
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Needless to say he ignored both requests and I just shook my head. Each to their own my son but you are weird!<br />
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Today he has been eating glitter. Normally I can hide these strange tendencies but as said glitter will make a dazzling appearance in his nappy at nursery tomorrow I shall have to admit to it in the morning. As the mother who had to explain why my son had taken a bag of potatoes to nursery one particular morning, the glitter will come as no great surprise to the staff.<br />
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Now he sleeps. Now I drink wine. The tipsy calm before another storm.<br />
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I will try to blog every day....but hey, I vacuum about once a month and rarely change my bedding so you might not see me for another year....but I will try.<br />
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Later alligators xKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-83703531261601377752011-12-09T09:54:00.000-08:002011-12-09T09:54:53.351-08:00Dyson Attachment ToysIt's official, I'm a very irresponsible mum. The wee man was playing with an attachment for the Dyson this morning and insisted on taking it in the car to nursery. Played with it all the way home too. I'm quite sure that pieces of vacuum cleaners are not the most sanitary of toys - especially as he must chew on everything like a puppy.<br />
Still, I've always said that if he'd only sleep on sheeps poo then I'd have a flock of them living in the back garden!<br />
I had a quick read of the newspaper this afternoon at work, (I was on my break - honest), and was a tad annoyed to see that Abbey Clancy is getting a hard time for allowing her baby to sleep on the sofa beside her dog whilst she was on a photo shoot. For heavens sake, leave the girl alone. I'm fed up of mums being judged - especially by other mums. Nuff said!<br />
I've been cutting up some of the wee mans old baby clothes. Anything still wearable has been passed alomg to those who need it but I couldn't bear to throw out the stained stuff when there's so many memories attached. Instead I've cut the unstained parts into squares and plan to make a very simple patchwork quilt. As soon as we've moved house I'll do a step-by-step guide to making the quilt in case anyone out there fancies having a go. I plan on doing lots of tutorials next year and posting more photos too....all this writing is rather too boring.<br />
Here's a photo of the wee man for good measure!<br />
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Later Alligators xxKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-10012375772647757602011-12-08T11:52:00.000-08:002011-12-08T11:52:19.010-08:00Back again!What's that? You didn't notice I'd been away? Hadn't missed my ramblings about motherhood?<br />
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My gorgeous wee boy is now 11 months old - holy crapbags! I've been back at work for about 3 months now and with none of that 'staged return' nonsense....I just plunged straight back into full time. I posted a while back about my terror whilst even contemplating leaving the wee man with someone else and then I found the most AMAZING nursery. It's like a state-of-the-art baby school. As soon as I walked in (no appointment needed - big tick in the box) I knew that they could give him the sort of stimulation and education that I could only dream of doing at home. The staff 'clock in' to happy mode at 7.30am whereas it was pushing midday at home before I felt organised enough to get anything done. <br />
The first few days he cried when I passed him over but then I randomly placed him on the floor one morning so he could crawl in himself.....we've never looked back and he doesn't even notice I've gone - he just legs it to the toys!<br />
I have no idea about his stages of development...that is, I don't know what exactly an 11 month old 'should' be capable of. I purposely steer clear of information telling me anything about babies! I also detest people bragging about what their clever little creatures have achieved and frighteneing the bejesus out of the rest of us who's babies have not yet mastered fire-eating or driving the car. All babies are different, as long as they're loved and having a marvellous time then nothing else matters really.<br />
At least people have stopped saying "enjoy him while he's so small, he'll grow up so fast". Actually, no. It feels like he is 11 months old and that's because I have savoured and enjoyed every.single.minute. <br />
He's a cheeky wee bugger though, I can't deny it. Is it wrong that I absolutely love it? I love him being so self-assured that he's a bit cocky even at this age. If you're not watching him open and close the kitchen drawers then he'll shout you. Grinning. His favourite 'game' is to offer you something and say 'ta' so you reach to get it. At the last second he pulls it away and belly laughs at your stupidity. I could play that game with him for hours!<br />
Well, winter is gripping the nation and darkness rules most of our lives (glad I don't work shifts) at the minute. I needed to find a way to keep the wee man toastie warm and i thought 'aaah, tights'. Turns out they don't really have boys in mind when making tights. I've hunted high and low and all I can find (that doesn't have bows or include a pink pair) are from Sainsburys. Why on earth are tights only for girls? They're perfect for the winter - especially if your wee one is a serial sock-remover like mine.<br />
I'd best be moving on...have an old friend in tonight.....no, not a human friend -still not found any of those - but a bottle of wine....oh, how I have missed thy deliciousness!<br />
Just before I skoot, for all you busy folks here in the UK there is a range of meals just out by Somebody Bigham...must be a famous chef but I canny remember his first name....not much use to you really. Bighams.co.uk I think. Had the Thai green chicken curry this evening. It like an uncooked, pre-packed meal but full of flavour and goodness. It's the sort of thing you could serve at a dinner party (not that I ever have those) where people would be convinced you made it yourself. Anyway, it was scrumptious and only £4.50 in Sainsburys (serves 2).<br />
Righto - wine and World of Warcraft now......classy bird me! xxxKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-64193413974870554322011-08-16T04:18:00.000-07:002011-08-16T04:18:49.358-07:00So Much To Do....So Little Time.It's midday, my 7 month old baby has finally given in to sleep and having a nap. Might last 10 minutes or I may get an hour of blissful quiet and precious freedom. I'm half dressed. That is, I've managed clean underwear and a pair of jeans but still wearing the t-shirt I slept in which has now been decorated by my baby with some sort of unidentifiable foodstuff. Time ticks by, slowly.<br />
I've found the lonliness such a shock. Yes, you go places, see people and have plenty to fill the days with but motherhood seems very isolating. Lack of sleep and the need to constantly devote your attention to being a mum is relentless. Don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed or unhappy in any way and I'll soldier on as usual but it's still hard.<br />
My partner has returned to work after 2 weeks off and I'm still trying to catch up with myself not realising how much easier it is with two people.<br />
Tomato soup is calling my name and my tummy is responding with a low growl. It's little wonder I've lost 2 stone in the last 3 months!<br />
I am here, just need to get my blogging groove back again :)Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-74723153619324226602011-05-26T01:30:00.000-07:002011-05-26T01:30:55.632-07:00I'm Still Here!Wow, it's been over a month since I posted. Doesn't feel like that long at all but you know when life just takes over and you go into auto-pilot! <br />
Bubba is 21 weeks old now and has gone from being a wee baby that would play happily on his mat to being a small person who needs a lot of attention. It's amazing to watch him grow and see his skills developing. He was eating two meals per day...usually baby porridge mixed with Ella's Kitchen pouches...but started to wake again during the night for an extra feed. Not good! Thankfully, the inclusion of a third meal during the day has allowed him to sleep right through again and I feel much less zombie-like. How on earth do people cope with a baby that still doesn't sleep all night, must be absolute torture. I'm very lucky. The sleeping routine was nothing to do with me, Bubba decided that 8pm was his bedtime and that was that.<br />
Bathtime has developed into a monster that I don't like facing alone. Up until now I've been using a plastic baby bath in the front room but Bubba has learned how to kick and splash....I don't mean just a little bit, I mean half-the-water-out-of-the-bath type splashing and I declared defeat....no more baby bath. No, I don't mean I'm not bathing him any more! It's off to the big bath we go and I'm a little terrified of handling a slippery, writhing eel-baby in that big bath. Today is my first attempt so wish me luck!<br />
Well, we're off to Scotland in the morning to visit my family. My mum and step-dad haven't seen Bubba since he was 6 weeks old and I can't wait for them to be amazed at how much he's changed. I love to show him off, he's an awesome wee man.<br />
Well, got a pile of washing to do ready for our trip so I best skoot. It's 9.30am and I'm not even showered!! No posts from me over the long weekend but I'll be back to daily posting....I promise (sort of)!<br />
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Have a wonderful long weekend everyone xxxKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-70645379083263098102011-04-20T01:03:00.000-07:002011-04-20T02:07:15.545-07:00Are You an Art Tart?To celebrate the launch of the new<b style="color: #3d85c6;"> <a href="http://www.arttart.tv/">Art Tart</a></b> website, I'm very honoured to have been given a unique discount code giving all of my readers, friends and family a whopping 10% discount, (Code BB03).<br />
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This site is usually for members only but I have a sneaky little guest login that everyone can use: NUMB22. <br />
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The site is a custom design gallery for both artists and art-lovers alike. I spent most of last night browsing the hundreds of images and awesome artwork until my shopping cart was overflowing! The thing is, these images, (starting at a mere £4.99), make the perfect pressies and there's a bit of something for everyone.<br />
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You can also make custom prints using your own images. I wonder what my partner will think if he comes home to find a massive multi-panelled print of our gorgeous bubba adorning the living room wall! It would look amazing though!<br />
For those of you out there who are a dab hand at producing your own images then get in touch through their website, you could be selling your own work and earning a nice little commission too :)<br />
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Go on, have a nosey round the site and don't forget to claim 10% off your orders using code BB03 at the checkout.<br />
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I'll leave a link on my blog so that you, your friends and all the lovely bloggers in blogland can benefit.<br />
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Sun is shining and the zoo is calling! Happy shopping xxxKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-18816471910469631892011-04-18T00:42:00.000-07:002011-04-18T00:42:17.982-07:00Baby Walker, Dresses and a Massive Ruddy Coldsore!That about sums up my weekend.<br />
Firstly, my partner was mooching around in the garage and happened upon the baby walker my sister gave me yonks ago. I had totally forgotten it was there!<br />
Here is the wee man having his first ever taste of independent mobility:<br />
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He's made me a little sad this morning due to excessive face scratching again....drawn blood on his nose and it's horrid. He practically lives in mittens or those baby grows with the attached flappy thing but he must have sneaked out a thumb or something. I hope he grows out of this soon.<br />
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I've managed to fit in a bit of sewing and completed 2 dresses so far for the Dress A Girl Around the World campaign. It's just a bugger finding the time, or when I do have the time I can't do anything noisy without waking up Bubba.<br />
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And finally, I have a big, fat, stinking cold sore. Not even on my lip but between my lip and nose. I don't know where it appeared from but I shall mostly be hiding my distorted mutant face from the world today!!Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-8058840078664705072011-04-14T11:28:00.000-07:002011-04-14T11:28:10.671-07:00The Contents of My Fridge!I was tagged a couple of days ago over at the fabulous <a href="http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/2011/04/contents-of-my-fridge.html">QWERTY Mum blog</a> to post a photo of my fridge. The inside that is, the outside would just be boring!<br />
So, here it is in all it's unhealthy and untidy glory. We only have a wee fridge built in to our kitchen units but it still holds a lot of cider....see Exhibit A:<br />
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Thankfully the cider is tucked away behind the cheese so not that easy to spot. There's a distinct lack of greens in there as the lizards eat it all! Just count yourselves lucky that it's not snake feeding day so no dead mice!! I'm serious.<br />
Off to rethink my unhealthy lifestyle!!Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-85846405270275495682011-04-12T09:56:00.000-07:002011-04-12T09:56:22.704-07:00Can I Ever Leave Him?A strange panic has been stalking me for weeks...lurking in the back of my mind ready to lunge at me when I least expect it. <br />
I only have a couple of months maternity leave left....<br />
It's not a case of being ready to go back to work or not...I simply don't know if I could go for even an hour without my baby. The more I contemplate it the worse I feel.<br />
I absolutely adore the wee man, he is my bestest friend in the whole world and we're a team. I can't spend every minute of every day with him and then just abandon him with strangers. What if I missed his first words? What if he missed me?<br />
It's going to be a tough transition and one that I'm not looking forward to but I have to put it out of my mind or I'll waste away my days with worrying.<br />
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Do you regret going back / not going back to work? What would you have done differently?Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-61231859627636887082011-04-11T04:28:00.000-07:002011-04-11T07:32:41.037-07:00I Made a Dress!Having endured a day of interruptions and limited working space, I finally managed to make a dress. Two in fact but I have no finished photos of the second so I'll leave that out for now....batteries died in the camera!<br />
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I am not good at sewing. Fact. Anyone who prides themselves in perfection please look away now.....I hate patterns, (never understand them), can't be bothered to pre-wash fabric or iron as I go, (although ironing always gives a better finish). I want my dress and I want it now!!<br />
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So, to start with I took a dress I'd made previously and sort of cut around it in a very makeshift and haphazard manner:<br />
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I then had two pieces cut for the skirt:<br />
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I did this for all the pieces I'd need to recreate the same dress, (my second dress is a modification of this as there are at least 3 of these pieces that seem a waste of time to me)!! :<br />
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As you can see I lined the breast bits to stop them being see-through and add a bit more structure. Finally, I sewed them all together in the quickest way possible!! It has a zip at the back which I just did with the normal sewing foot as I have no zipper foot here at the moment. Hey presto, we have a dress!! :<br />
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This fabric was £1 per meter! Very cheap dress and I know it fits me so happy days. Going to make 5 or 6 in total to see me through the summer.<br />
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Bubba is very naggy today so no time to post anything else! Hope you're all well xxx<br />
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Edit : Here is a photo of the second dress I made. Not the most beautiful in the world but looks nice on!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoSoeye2RwAsBKxVykuA9mELqnazSn6iT8FDjKJb5KcyktWLxVj0dbjPn31d8Vhs3WrnFGKtd8IljqPylQQ7gvYDSVNXlUYcLpsils9DUhmxcSNs7BCrFkXdlYJbRquvGC2M1y41O7Zk/s1600/kerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoSoeye2RwAsBKxVykuA9mELqnazSn6iT8FDjKJb5KcyktWLxVj0dbjPn31d8Vhs3WrnFGKtd8IljqPylQQ7gvYDSVNXlUYcLpsils9DUhmxcSNs7BCrFkXdlYJbRquvGC2M1y41O7Zk/s320/kerry.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-82566550147608426002011-04-10T00:03:00.000-07:002011-04-10T00:03:56.915-07:00And The Winners Are:Well, everyone that entered! <br />
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- Caroline<br />
- Becci<br />
- Sian<br />
- Inside the Wendy House<br />
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If you could e-mail me your postal addresses and your free pouches of Ella's Kitchen will be making their way to you this week :) Hope your bubbas enjoy them as much as mine does! <br />
Email me at : kerry_mackay@hotmail.com<br />
Thanks for entering guys!<br />
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Well, it doesn't feel at all like the weekend here as my partner is working overtime so neither of us gets a day off! Still, I can't complain as the weather is fabulous and I have an awesome wee man to keep me company!<br />
After my fabric shopping trip, (where I bought these lovely fabrics):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwimDHl3LEiJZez3lwjE_-rO6pjp0f6CesMEnxzRy4N3c3G8tpaEa4rqJp7V4hCy1JCisY8NEJdh96AlKlY2DwLNKERL69xFi0UslKNXk45j4KeWRMif0TeYBgXdivMRzFAWDnOphiB4/s1600/baby+jones+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwimDHl3LEiJZez3lwjE_-rO6pjp0f6CesMEnxzRy4N3c3G8tpaEa4rqJp7V4hCy1JCisY8NEJdh96AlKlY2DwLNKERL69xFi0UslKNXk45j4KeWRMif0TeYBgXdivMRzFAWDnOphiB4/s320/baby+jones+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP0uctFEqKIwSVhyphenhyphenCpfTV65ZfKya7BmZh_ebE42amxS_LZw_yxStWCfTiLwaoT9VvVGmvnmfOnD0P0drZu8xWe7DlQzIoQqAy57MgiuYVOeyu6RrmCTrkbeRRJ7-q_xX1QwijK4uQVlc/s1600/baby+jones+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP0uctFEqKIwSVhyphenhyphenCpfTV65ZfKya7BmZh_ebE42amxS_LZw_yxStWCfTiLwaoT9VvVGmvnmfOnD0P0drZu8xWe7DlQzIoQqAy57MgiuYVOeyu6RrmCTrkbeRRJ7-q_xX1QwijK4uQVlc/s320/baby+jones+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I decided that I couldn't live without my sewing machine any longer and brought it back out of storage. I plan to make myself a dress out of each fabric as the ones I've made previously no longer fit....this one was my favourite:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL7OEvpS4dXVSnAFRunPTBhsw1EImEfSSJyFJAHs044hVwspHVHHDd4KB3oMgV7HgyZTNQId6nIy9ITcM2KkP17bdIxjcWsmhohZwg9p6tRIPX5rWaLrbsR_iZTw1KAJnXnGhtU2lfOQ/s1600/moi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL7OEvpS4dXVSnAFRunPTBhsw1EImEfSSJyFJAHs044hVwspHVHHDd4KB3oMgV7HgyZTNQId6nIy9ITcM2KkP17bdIxjcWsmhohZwg9p6tRIPX5rWaLrbsR_iZTw1KAJnXnGhtU2lfOQ/s320/moi.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I really like halterneck dresses so I think I'll do at least one of these....no idea where any of my patterns are so will just have a rough guess at it using this dress as a guide. <br />
Note to self - full length leggings are not flattering...three quarter length every time please!!<br />
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Bubba had an all-out screaming session yesterday...the ones where you're scrabbling to get their clothes off and check every inch of them for injuries or any sign of what could be causing such distress. A good burp, bit of sick and a few more tears later and he's absolutely fine....Jumperooing his heart out! It's so stressful though and I was home alone which seemed to make everything worse. <br />
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Off for a look at the car boot sale today...this could be dangerous!!Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-40410866818419870862011-04-08T00:43:00.000-07:002011-04-08T00:43:47.336-07:00Mothership Here We Come!!I'm off to The Mothership today, (aka Abakhan - a large fabric shop). Do I need fabric? No, but if I need an excuse I shall have one thought up before I get to the shop! I have piles of pretty fabric but need some new stuff.....just to look at though as my sewing machine is in storage for now. I'm also going to look out for funky t-shirt material so I can make Bubba little joggers with matching mittens. I've given up trying to find trousers in the shops that a) acually fit and b) are not boring old blue.<br />
They have a whole section for wool too and it would be really silly not to buy any of that too whilst it's right there! Crochet crochet crochet!<br />
Bubba woke up once at 2.40am this morning for a feed but then slept until 7am. Not bad considering he went to sleep at 8pm last night. I love going in to see him each morning as he never fails to produce massive beaming smiles that fill my heart right up with mushy nice stuff! It's this that gets me through any screaming episodes throughout the day!<br />
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It's going to be a glorious day today, the sun is already shining. The flowers are all blooming in the garden and it's getting me excited for summer. Just have to get the campervan back on the road and we can take Bubba on his first tour of the Welsh coast. It's beautiful.<br />
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It's Friday everyone! <br />
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What are your plans for the weekend? xxKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-29970030564742997882011-04-07T04:03:00.000-07:002011-04-07T10:55:33.901-07:00Bubba has his own Tree!The Welsh Assembly Government run a scheme called <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/forestry/plantatree/?lang=en">Plant!</a> which I'd never even heard of until Bubba was born. An information pack arrived one day letting me know that a tree has been planted in honour of my new baby and even included a grid reference for the exact location of it! What a splendid idea :)<br />
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I'm actually rather relaxed today. Bubba slept from 8pm until 6am without waking so I too got a decent amount of unbroken sleep. I've got lots done already this morning including a load of washing, washing up, hoovered and even watched something I Sky+ed.<br />
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Off to sit in the garden while we have a few rays of sunshine xx<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Day</span> -7<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Total miles</span> - 4.2<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Total calories</span> - 520<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Weight</span> - 73kgKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-59749372492067348562011-04-06T01:50:00.000-07:002011-04-06T01:50:57.592-07:00Maybe I'm not so pathetic after all!It's a long-shot, I know!<br />
Ok, so I'm sat last night watching the last episode of One Born Every Minute, a programme I couldn't bear to even think about until at least 6 weeks after Bubba was born....the traumatic labour still too raw in my mind. I haven't written a detailed birth story as I felt like a complete wimp. I had not coped well with a situation that many women seem so in control of or at least didn't have that look in their eye that I recognised as my own experience. That is, until last night.<br />
A girl called Sam writhing about on the bed shouting and screaming in pain probably made a lot of women laugh at her lack of control. Yeah it's sore love but there's no need to shout. I saw something quite different and when she said "please, somebody help me" it brought tears to my eyes as I had also said those very words.<br />
Could it be that, for some of us, the pain coupled with total lack of progress is overwhelming? It's not that we have any less tolerance or control but the manner and devastating speed of the transitions during labour make it so much more painful?<br />
I went into labour at 3am and right from the very first one my contractions were 3 minutes apart and lasting 45 seconds. It was very exciting. I phoned the hospital just to forewarn them but was quite happy at home watching a film and having a bath. My waters broke and I went down to the labour ward. Family came to visit, I read a magazine and for the first 9 hours it was very, very sore but nothing I couldn't handle.<br />
I believe that had I been left to get on with it then my body would have progressed at a more manageable speed and things would have been different. Instead, a nurse decided to examine me and try to 'walk my cervix forward'. The pain was beyond anything I can describe. My body fought against her hand and clamped down so hard I think I almost broke it. Blood everywhere. That moment traumatised me and I couldn't believe that inflicting that much pain could be of any use. And then they came. My contractions went from pain level 3 straight up to 10 within a matter of minutes. I fell to the floor, blood pouring out of me and crying out in pain. I went from 1cm to 7cm dilated within less than an hour. Everyone kept saying 'come on, calm down' and other such useful things but it was nothing I had any control of. It was another 14 hours before I finally had an epidural. I can't remember any of it apart from being on the floor in the hospital corridor begging for someone to help me. I was given all the drugs but they just made me sleepy in between contractions. Nothing touched the pain. Right before my c-section about 4 people did internal examinations and decided I had un-dilated (!!) back to 5cm....nature is a cruel bitch!<br />
As if the whole thing hadn't been enough of an ordeal, my surgeon fainted whilst guddling about in my belly. Actually crashed to the floor taking a tray of instruments on the way past! Oh how we laughed...not!<br />
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And so I can finally allow myself to believe that perhaps my labour was particularly bad and I'm not completely pathetic after all. Still, it's not something I would do again, just in case. C-section please.....I'll be paying for my own room and won't forget the massive pants and paracetamol!!Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-9465674654996479782011-04-05T07:02:00.000-07:002011-04-05T07:02:24.303-07:00Car Park Police...What Would You Say?Grrrrrrrr, some things really wind me up! Just back from a trip to the supermarket, (muchos baking/cooking supplies needed for our family lunch tomorrow), and pulling up next to me in the mother and baby spaces is an elderly couple clearly without a baby in tow. Now, I don't think mothers with children over school age should be allowed to park there, (lets face it, you no longer need the extra side space for the pushchair...I hope), but these two were clearly taking the piss. The worst of it was, I didn't say a bloody word just scowled a bit.....this was wasted as it was completely unnoticed.<br />
What would you do?<br />
I mean, I'm more than happy to park in the normal spaces if you don't park too friggin close to my car...why do people do that too?? Just reverse out and have another run at it....don't leave it abandoned straddling two spaces!!<br />
While I'm teetering on this soapbox I may as well mention roundabouts. Indicate FFS!!! Yes, I appreciate that you know which way you will be travelling, (sometimes I wonder though), but it's sometimes a good idea to let the rest of us know.<br />
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Time to attack the treadmill me thinks!Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-38589872548581514852011-04-05T00:22:00.000-07:002011-04-05T00:22:01.053-07:00Busy Busy Busy!Oh how lovely it is to be busy.....so busy in fact I've had to make a 'To Do' list. It's not all baby stuff either..woohoo! <br />
I'm currently doing some work for my brother. It's just renaming files but anything more taxing might cause my head to explode! There's over 9000 of them to do so it should keep me busy for a while.<br />
I have a million things I want/need to sew. Not sure how to sneak my sewing machine and overlocker back into the house, (they're in storage as we have the house on the market). For starters I'm sick of boring baby mittens and baby trousers that are WAY too tight round the waist.....seriously, have these people actually measured a baby? The mittens should literally take about 5 mins to make.....I love my overlocker! Baby trousers don't take much longer, they are easy-peasy-poo!<br />
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I used to sew away to my hearts content....I'm determined to get back to that again. As an inspiration to myself I am posting some photos of past creations:<br />
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Looking through these has just reminded me that I have a small pile of baby trousers already made....just need to see if I can find them. I refuse to buy any more baby clothes for a while as nothing seems to fit properly!<br />
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Right, off to tackle the next item on my list - baking! Off to have lunch with family tomorrow and I promised to make pasties etc. I'm going to do some experimental cooking. I don't know why as it never, ever turns out well! Think I'll take postmortem photos of this cooking crime so you can share in my despair.<br />
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No idea how I'm managing to stay awake these days. Bubba has signalled his desire to commence weaning by waking up several times a night again. I don't really want to see 2am unless I'm at a party, (a good one...rubbish parties are almost as bad as night feeds). This morning I decided that I can't just waste the surplus baby foods I bought a while back so I decided to try Bubs on Banana Custard this morning. The gelatinous substance smelled worse than adult vomit and went straight in the bin!! Eeeeew. <br />
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Right, can't sit here chit-chatting....I have a to-do list don't you know!!<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Day</span> -5<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Total miles</span> - 3.2<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Total calories</span> - 400<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Weight</span> - 73kgKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-63253676648400870162011-04-02T00:12:00.000-07:002011-04-02T00:12:24.185-07:00Bathing Babies - Lather, Rinse, Repeat?I have no idea how often I should bath my baby. I do hope it's not every day. I find the whole process quite stressful and struggle with the standard baby bath design coupled with a slippery baby. In an attempt to make it slightly easier I have cut a strip of cheapo bath mat and suckered it down the length of the bath. He enjoys being in the water, as long as it's not too cold, but hates being lifted out and laid on the towel. Even after I've bathed him I still find neck grubs, (random bits of fluff and the likes), stashed away in his many neck creases or in between his fingers. He guards these areas well. If I try to get at his neck with any sort of cleaning medium he pulls his head in like a tortoise and access is very much denied. I usually resort to a baby wipe attack when he's already crying....usually when we're engaged in our daily battle of putting arms in sleeves. He hates sleeves. Be it dressing or undressing we always lock into a test of will at this point.<br />
My last visit to see the <strike>witches</strike> ladies at Baby Clinic resulted in the following conversation:<br />
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Jamie is being undressed for weighing.<br />
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Lady - Is everything ok?<br />
Me - Yes, he just hates sleeves.<br />
Lady - Are you sure, he seems very upset?<br />
Me - Yes, he just hates sleeves.<br />
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Sleeves complete, Jamie instantly happy and smiling on the table.<br />
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Lady - Oh.....How is his bottom, did you get treatment for his thrush?<br />
Me - No.<br />
Lady - Oh, did you take him to the doctor?<br />
Me - No.<br />
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Silent pause.<br />
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Me - I didn't take him because I knew he didn't have thrush. The rash cleared within 2 days using Sudocrem.<br />
Lady - Oh.<br />
Lady - Any other problems.<br />
Me - No.<br />
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I do not like Baby Clinic, the women there seem hellbent on finding something to criticise and it really annoys me. I resist the urge to tell the woman just to weigh my baby as is befitting her level of knowledge...but I don't. I'm sure if I asked her how often I should bath Bubba she would reel off the government guidelines for baby bathing as they insist that all babies are the same. Annoying baby health care workers is my new favourite sport!<br />
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On a different note, I came across this photo of me when I was little. Now I know I'm getting old because my outfit is bang on trend by todays standards....I wish I looked this good in skinny jeans now:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulX0vaaGrUfIHBuf7f7724f7jSPIWSO0InnmFlAOfdrPgQBJMTJ4w5jonmjAtIif-VLZn9GQ_LsRJZ7TVbAvnlIy6a5RXAkLBmpS0c6Yv_AzfEv_lZM2NuF-mhCNulHswBIEilHQAnpk/s1600/82-34-30+Kerry+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulX0vaaGrUfIHBuf7f7724f7jSPIWSO0InnmFlAOfdrPgQBJMTJ4w5jonmjAtIif-VLZn9GQ_LsRJZ7TVbAvnlIy6a5RXAkLBmpS0c6Yv_AzfEv_lZM2NuF-mhCNulHswBIEilHQAnpk/s320/82-34-30+Kerry+beach.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>Pity about mums DIY fringe cutting service though!<br />
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Finally, I shall be keeping a tally of my treadmilling each day. Feel free to laugh heartily at my piss-poor efforts to lose weight! This will be cumulative so don't think that on day 53 I actually ran 45 miles..lol.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Day</span> -2<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Total miles</span> - 1.2<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Total calories</span> - 150<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Weight</span> - 73kgKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-14107989370786915162011-04-01T03:35:00.000-07:002011-04-01T03:35:03.942-07:00I'm Grateful For....<a href="http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/search/label/Grateful"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62Zr2hs2ZgcSpJrYs-c5F1r5F3TKirALk5wnlSiXj-tZj5VDv4sQz8ZK6WHE73-zmC-N0oCSjo3_7_d_mH1Agp4y3ITciS70Sue7SdP9zoZDNtLTDdfh1Ix0VnupGeDApnTgw_FQMA6I-/s1600/Grateful+button+working.png" /></a><br />
Well, on this dull and dreary Friday I was going to post about being stuck indoors with a very demanding baby and the lengths I have to go to just to get a shower but upon reading a post by the awesome <a href="http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-week-im-grateful-for-little-bits.html">Maxabella</a>, I decided to have a think about the things I'm grateful for rather than wallowing.<br />
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I'm grateful for:<br />
- My son. Despite being a total monster <strike>all the time </strike>most of the time, he has brought pure joy to my daily existance and can break me with a flash of his gorgeous smile.<br />
- Having the means to purchase my treadmill. We're not the richest of people and I never dreamed I could afford such luxuries, especially with a new baby but an unexpected bonus from work put me in a position to do just that. It will change my life. I love running and finally I can see a realistic way to lose this baby weight. The fact that I used it for exactly 2 minutes total since picking it up last night is hopefully no reflection on my dedication to the cause.<br />
- My fabulous mum. Always at the end of the phone, (she lives up in Scotland), and puts up with my daily phonecalls and endless baby chat. In those moments of panic she will calm me down and always be forthcoming with practical advice.<br />
- Having a crafty mind. Hehe, probably in both senses of the word but I'm grateful for the one that constantly thinks about creating children's books, (see the link to my finished ones top right of my blog), sewing and pretty much anything creative. I'm pretty rubbish at all craft related genres but my love of it wins through and it's something I'll never stop.<br />
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The list could go on but <strike>His Majesty</strike> my son is voicing his objection to the lengthy stay on his playmat so I have to dash.<br />
Check out the post at <a href="http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-week-im-grateful-for-little-bits.html">Maxabella</a> and link your own blog post :)<br />
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Happy Friday everyone! xxKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-3450987460406029012011-03-31T02:58:00.000-07:002011-03-31T02:58:44.567-07:00Smear Campaign!No, it's not a post about slander and scandal. Just simply wanted to say that I had a smear test yesterday and remind all you ladies out there how important it is to have them done. It only takes 2 minutes and may just save your life! Nuff said.<br />
Well, after the joys of Bubba loving his first real taste of solid food courtesy of the fab products at Ella's Kitchen he decided to celebrate with a monumental sleep which lasted from 8pm last night until 6.15am this morning without waking. I had to squint at the alarm clock to check I wasn't seeing things! He's been a happy bunny this morning too and enjoyed some of this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DDDc5u7J2guJ1MHMgbQGVD2DxYcWp6hb8uSp7MoOWtXj_lMb3Pc3bi1ekdaHxpGNHpwvPZjahVHJGXJUb11ct9NLh9SL6KON5HdB5FT7X47MvlY5J1XmemWFqHIBOVmr6Y6oYGTFbyU/s1600/5-apples-bananas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DDDc5u7J2guJ1MHMgbQGVD2DxYcWp6hb8uSp7MoOWtXj_lMb3Pc3bi1ekdaHxpGNHpwvPZjahVHJGXJUb11ct9NLh9SL6KON5HdB5FT7X47MvlY5J1XmemWFqHIBOVmr6Y6oYGTFbyU/s200/5-apples-bananas.png" width="122" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't forget to enter the competition to win some free pouches of Ella's Kitchen!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> On a different note, I got the notion yesterday to make pasties. I have no idea why as I don't really eat pasties but I'm so glad I did. I would show you a photo of the little blighters but I made four of them and they're all gone! It was easy peasy as I used Jus-Rol shortcrust pastry ready rolled, cut it into 4 equal rectangles, lined them with some cubes of cheese and chopped, fresh spinach then filled them with a pre-cooked mix of mince, onions, mushrooms, garlic, a spoon of gravy granules and the usual seasoning. Brushed them with beaten egg and sealed them up before cooking for about 20 mins. Delicious! The filling possibilities are endless and they're so quick and easy to make. Perfect for picnics now the summer is coming again...hooray!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bubba is being babysat by the Jumperoo so I'm gonna whizz round doing some washing, pour away his bath water and make a brew. I need to get myself geared up for the arrival of the treadmill I won last night on Ebay. I am sooooo sick of being 2 stone heavier than my pre-baby weight. Even then I was 10 stone so I'm aiming to lose 3 stone in total bringing me back down to a weight I haven't seen since my early 20's. I knew I kept my favourite size 8 Levi jeans for a reason....now I just gotta run, run, run! I'll keep you posted on my lack of progress.....eating brioche and pasties for breakfast is not a good start!! Hey-ho :) xx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-7951546697035756432011-03-30T01:19:00.000-07:002011-03-30T01:33:04.469-07:00Bubba loves Ella's Kitchen - I'm giving away free samples!!Here we go, another post about the minefield that is baby weaning! This post, however, is a very positive one in which I will share with you my new love of <b><a href="http://www.ellaskitchen.co.uk/">Ella's Kitchen</a></b> baby foods.<br />
I had a dilema, do I use the convenient jars of baby food which contain ingredients that an adult shouldn't be eating let alone a small baby? Or do I endure all the faffing about involved in making baby food myself? I don't have a blender and also have an, (albeit unfounded), issue with freezing and defrosting food to feed Bubba. What will I freeze it in? Probably small tubs with lids. Are there any chemicals in the plastic of these tubs that could pass into the baby food? Who knows! I have all sorts of other questions about using a microwave, (free radicles and all that), as well as the availability of fresh fruit year-round. I could go on and on...but I won't!<br />
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After writing my post about <a href="http://mumblingmum.blogspot.com/2011/03/when-to-wean.html">when to wean?</a>, the lovely lady at <a href="http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/">QWERTY Mum</a> commented that she had posted a <a href="http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/2011/01/ellas-kitchen-review.html">review</a> of Ella's Kitchen baby foods where I could watch a video of her son being fed 'normal' baby rice as well as Ella's Kitchen baby food. You can see that the baby's reaction to the different foods says it all!!<br />
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I didn't think much more about it until I was in Sainsburys yesterday where they have a third off all baby items, (except baby milk but don't get me started on that!), so I swiped a few sachets of Ella's Kitchen Stage 1 into my absolutely ENORMOUS trolley, (the one where you place the car seat on top but then can't see where you're going...I bumped into quite a few people), and thought I'd give them a try.<br />
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It's not until I got them home and actually read the packet that I realised they don't put any of that chemical nonsense in there....just fruit and veg 100%...no additives, sweetners...nothing! The banana, apricot and rice sachet contained organic banana, apricot and brown rice.....nothing else at all. This range of baby foods are my saviour, they will not only give Bubba the very, very best nutritional start in life but also save me precious time and as a new mum I couldn't ask for anything more.<br />
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You won't find me slaving over the kitchen counter, chopping, boiling and blending away my weekends...I shall instead be relaxing with a good book and a glass of vino........who am I kidding, probably doing yet another load of washing and dancing round like a loon to entertain his majesty but it's certainly one less thing to worry about.<br />
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To top it all off, as if I hadn't had enough baby food related excitement for one day, Bubba absolutely LOVES them. We *heart* Ella's Kitchen, we really do.<br />
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<div style="color: #351c75;"><b>In order to spread the love to other families I am going to give away two sachets (120g each) to five lucky individuals. To win them, all you have to do is:</b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b>- <span style="color: #38761d;">FOLLOW this blog by clicking the follow button on the right, (if you follow already then just leave a comment), </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">AND</span> </span></b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b>- <span style="color: #38761d;">Leave a comment at the end of this post telling me which stage of Ella's Kitchen you'd like to win, (if you're unsure then just leave the baby's age and I'll get the right ones).</span></b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br />
</b></div><b><span style="color: #351c75;">The competition will end on Saturday 9th April at 23:59 and I'll draw 5 entries out at random</span></b>.<br />
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GOOD LUCK!!<br />
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NB - This post is not sponsored by anyone, it's my own personal opinion and the prizes will be bought by myself :)Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-65261671320073597022011-03-28T23:37:00.000-07:002011-03-29T00:17:20.244-07:00Unleash the Talons!My son is a face scratcher and has been since the day he was born. I'm looking forward to the day that he doesn't have to wear mittens but, for now, his talons are only unleashed at selective times during the day. He has good control of his hands and arms now, reaching for toys and pulling them into his mouth but when he starts to get a bit cross or sleepy he claws at his face in a frightening manner. One time he drew blood and I almost cried, it looked sore but he didn't appear bothered at all. He won't let me near his nails to cut them so I have to clip them when he's asleep....I hate doing it as it requires so much concentration and I'd feel awful if I ever hurt him. So far so good although I should cut them more often.<br />
Here he is the day he was born and the only day he's ever gone without mittens:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjCv0NgEKZBtj53wvnsfXONgGjvC3r5Hapi4-1Fk9lm3OvkrIfBgyJtRI-_7DqzPZUfCf_jm0J1hgvhZ2Ax4SccqT6-Y6VADO64QYzzaxkIxmrR903vOsWv6k7CffI-rYnAEdIgvw64s/s1600/baby+jones+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjCv0NgEKZBtj53wvnsfXONgGjvC3r5Hapi4-1Fk9lm3OvkrIfBgyJtRI-_7DqzPZUfCf_jm0J1hgvhZ2Ax4SccqT6-Y6VADO64QYzzaxkIxmrR903vOsWv6k7CffI-rYnAEdIgvw64s/s320/baby+jones+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had assumed they were just normal and he'd been born with them but no, he did this to himself!<br />
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Well, today is round 2 of his injections and I'm not looking forward to it. It's not so much the jabs themselves, (he really only cried for a few seconds last time), but the worry about any side-effects like high temperature or just being off-colour. I know I'll worry about him for at least a week afterwards but I guess that's all part of becoming a parent.<br />
I wonder if I'll be allowed to have a shower today.....just one of the small luxuries I took for granted before having a baby!!Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994323168581097580.post-24762692055566609852011-03-28T01:28:00.000-07:002011-03-28T02:37:52.692-07:00Central Heating Wars.Perhaps it's just in my house but the central heating and control thereof seems to turn this house into a battleground on an alarmingly frequent basis. To set the scene, (and try to sway you onto my side of the arguement!), I'm on maternity leave and at home all day as well as being the payer of the energy bills so I have more than a vested interest in the central heating. Scottish Power also decided last month that they were increasing my direct debit from £75 per month up to £121 which is smashing news when you have dropped to less than a quarter of your wages thanks to the generous maternity pay!! Anyway, back to the battleground.<br />
Me and my partner have very different views about heating the house, it makes no sense to me that I'm so hot in the day as it's glorious weather outside and yet I'm having to open a window because the heating has kicked in too. I usually tolerate it for 2 days then I go and start fiddling with the radiator settings in each room, (why oh why does the radiator in the spare room need to be turned to maximum??), as well as resetting all the little clicky things on the boiler timer to reflect better the actual requirements for heating. Now, this sabotage will go unnoticed as long as the weather remains roughly the same, however, on random cold nights such as yesterday the tell-tale comment, such as "stop fiddling with the effing timer on the boiler", lets me know that I've been rumbled. I suggest to him that he simply switches the heating on for a while but usually end up being lectured on the most efficient way to heat a house. And so the cycle continues. Hey-ho.<br />
On a lighter note I have happened upon the worlds greatest Disney film, if you haven't seen it then I suggest you do - it's absolutely brilliant!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tXCpWmvBpmsPR3J3zeYPIVi7j9LDh7sOQ-zQjOa1mz6z7Z0sWjScHvmNT2Xg6mmxBpleEhuXdv7k74-OjOZrCIqUeekfKhrg9UTr6UxSSKopTULyVtbj4FobkuehGcFENNEd9RfZgm4/s1600/UP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tXCpWmvBpmsPR3J3zeYPIVi7j9LDh7sOQ-zQjOa1mz6z7Z0sWjScHvmNT2Xg6mmxBpleEhuXdv7k74-OjOZrCIqUeekfKhrg9UTr6UxSSKopTULyVtbj4FobkuehGcFENNEd9RfZgm4/s1600/UP.jpg" /></a></div>The film is called 'UP', the start will make you cry but it's such a wonderful film.<br />
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Hope you remembered to do your census forms xxKerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01046465971089896601noreply@blogger.com4