#MeAndMine - A Family Portrait (November 2014)

I can't believe it's December tomorrow!

Where is 2014 going?

Life just doesn't seem to get any quieter. I thought I'd have more time to blog with TC starting to go to Play School a couple of times a week now but I don't. I'm desperately wanting to blog about my huge 80's themed 40th Birthday party but haven't gotten to that yet.  I have so much to do before Christmas and I don't know how I'm going to fit it all in.

Last time I blogged was about TC struggling to settle in to Play School but thankfully that all seems to be working out well now. He goes in without fuss now. I know he'd prefer to be at home or out with Mummy but he reluctantly accepts his time there and talks about all the fun he's had when I pick him up. I've noticed he's becoming more confident and less reliant on my apron strings so it's all a step in the right direction.

I was busy this month organising a charity event for The Lullaby Trust in memory of Matilda Mae. That consumed the vast majority of my time and, with the help of a few fellow bloggers, we managed to raise over £550 which will be doubled to over £1100 for the charity - it's more than I could've hoped for.

I between all the other stuff I've been doing I'm taking the children to private swimming lessons now. TC on a Wednesday and MC on a Saturday. The other Saturday we all decided to go and watch MC but we arrived early. Now, I'm always messing around with selfies of the children so I thought it would be nice to take some of us all. It wasn't my attention to use them for my Me and Mine post - they were for my '23 Snaps' app on my phone where I just share photos of the children with immediate family - but the series I took has made me laugh so much that I want to document them.

MC is a little madam and always like to be the centre of the shot…often to the detriment of her little brother…

Poor TC!

Blogging Confessions And Tiny Ched

My name is Heather and it's been two weeks since I last blogged.

Yes, this feels very much like I need to join some sort of blogging confessions therapy group. I don't know what's wrong with me but I'm not feeling the love right now.

I don't know if it's to do with the summer holidays, the house move, my new life in a new home and neighbourhood, lack of time, lack of motivation or what but I can't seem to get my head into blogging much right now. I've stepped back from Twitter too. That's generally a lovely place to be but, quite frankly, I've heard about some bad stuff on there of late.

I'm also trying to decide where I should go with my blog. I need more time. It is desperately due an overhaul. I haven't got time in the evening as Matt works hard all day so we like to spend time together at night.

Perhaps the blogging mojo will come back after September when Mini Cheddar starts full time school. Who knows?

At the moment we are middle of the school holidays. MC has made lots of little friends in our new neighbourhood and so, when we are at home, she's playing out most of the day. I could be throwing myself into my blog a bit during the day but I'm trying to spend time enjoying my little man (and when he's napping I'm just enjoying time on my own - or cleaning the house!).

Tiny Ched is growing up so fast it's scary. Doesn't seem like a minute since he was born (although it also feels like he's always been here in a strange way) and yet, here he is, almost 17 months old.

TC is my last baby. I said I'd like either 2 or 4 children and, although our new house could more than easily accommodate 2 more, Matt and I feel like we should quit while we are ahead in a way. We have been truly blessed with two very bright, very happy and, thankfully, very healthy children. Plus, I turn 40 next year *screams and runs for the wrinkle cream*

So 2 it is.

2 is more than enough though.

TC is a spirited little man. He's full of smiles and cuddles, has THE cutest waddle and grin but at the same time he is the biggest drama queen when he can't get what he wants. If you tell him no or even just look at him and shake your head he'll act like it's the end of the world.

He's also a climber.

Sir Edmund Hillary scales another chair mountain

I don't remember MC being this bad. Perhaps it's a girl / boy difference or perhaps it comes from the fact the second one always wants to do more to be like their older sibling. It can be exhausting.

Seriously exhausting.

Some days I feel like I'm constantly telling him not to do something. I seem to spend my time plucking him down from cabinets he's trying to scale like Edmund Hillary. Or I'll be trying to grab something from him that he shouldn't have and he knows it. He'll look at me with a cheeky expression, show me what's in his hand and then run off at full speed laughing as he knows I'll take chase. I swear he's going to be a serious contender to Usain Bolt's records soon. The boy is fast.

But I'm enjoying it.

I'm enjoying watching him explore his new and exciting world. I'm enjoying the fun he brings to our lives. I'm enjoying the fact he absolutely loves his sleep. I'm enjoying his cuddles when he's tired. I'm enjoying his loving and incredible bond with his big sister - we will both miss her on a daily basis in September - the kids generally play so lovely together.

Yes, I'm enjoying my kids and I'm enjoying my life.

Each and every day (even when it's not a particularly good day) I am so thankful that both my children are here with us and happy and healthy.

I feel truly blessed.

Blessed with a beautiful family, supportive parents and Sister, amazing friends (both near and far) and a wonderful home.

What more could a girl (I can still call myself a girl at almost 40, can't I?) possibly want?

I guess I want my blogging mojo to return for the sake of these two as I love having somewhere to look back on a record of their lives and I want them to have it to read when they're older.

I am hopeful it will return in full force but, for now, I'm sure they will understand mummy has taken a little break.

Letting Go

My little girl is growing up.

She only turned 4 in March and I'm now facing a real emotional struggle.

A struggle of happiness and proudness but also a struggle of sadness at letting go.

We moved house just 3 weeks ago and it seemed this weekend, after the children finished school for the summer on Friday, that they all took to the outdoors. There are a lot of children of all ages living here and our next door neighbours little boy, who is 7, seems to really like MC.

They first met briefly on Saturday morning as I was popping out to the shops with her quickly. We hadn't been home long before there was a knock at the door.

"Can MC come out to play?"

Before long there were 4 kids in an out of our house and garden. Cries of "We are just going to so and so's house to play on the trampoline", "We are just going to the park","Can we have buckets and spades to collect some rocks?","Can we have ice lollies?".

It was exhausting but it was also lovely.

I know that this is now our life.

The children were 6, 7 and 8 so all older than MC but they were brilliant with her. I watched her play from the window. So grown up but also so small.

We are lucky that we live in a really safe community and we live right in the centre of a quiet cul-de-sac drive with a park opposite.

It doesn't stop me worrying though.

It all feels very alien to me. I don't know if I'm quite ready to be letting her go just yet.

She's my baby. I know she'll always be my baby girl but she's growing up so so fast.

Even tonight, at 7.30pm they called for her. Today I had the boy from next door here for lunch and then the boy down the road walking in the French doors later in the afternoon to come play.

I know that the summer holidays are only just beginning and she'll be making even more friends with the other children who are closer to her own age. I know she's got her head screwed on for a 4 year old but she's also easily led and distracted as any child her age can be.

She starts full-time school in September and I was going to struggle a bit letting her go then, but it seems I've lost her already.

I'm letting her go but tonight I'm holding her tight.

As I sit here typing this she's in my bed, still awake, as we've stayed up to watch Toy Story and the Royal Baby coverage whilst Daddy is away.

I don't think I'm really ready to let go just yet.

#SilentSunday 95

#SilentSunday 94

Tiny Ched Isn't So Tiny Anymore

This is a long overdue post.

I'm a bad Mummy as I haven't done an update about Tiny Ched since he was 12 weeks old.

On September the 28th he turned 6 months.

In 5 days time he'll be 7 months.

Yes...7 MONTHS!

I still can't believe it.

I know the time flew when Mini Cheddar was little (now she's in pre-school but that's a whole other update!) but this has gone even quicker. Once we get past Christmas I'll be starting to think about organising his 1st birthday.

Look how grown up he's getting
*weeps*

That's so scary.

TC is growing up so fast and part of me doesn't want him to. I'm enjoying him being a baby too much. I know the next few years will be incredible watching him learn, develop and grow but I just wish they weren't going so fast. In a couple of months when he's out of his Group 0+ car seat I may actually shed a tear.

Anyway, I have to say that he is an amazing baby. Not that MC wasn't - she was just a bit more high maintenance than this little man. She didn't start sleeping through properly for quite a while and suffered a bit with wind. I breastfed her until she was 6 months old too so it used to drive me mad that she was so windy.

Smiley Smilerson

TC? Well, he is breastfed too and I haven't even started to think about stopping yet. He's such a happy little boy (apart from teething urgh!). He's full of smiles and giggles. He doesn't have a dummy and I can put him in his cot at night and for naps when he's awake and he'll soothe himself to sleep quickly (something MC never really did). He also sleeps through between 10 - 13 hours a night straight. No dummy runs across the landing like we had with MC *cheers*

I'm really glad I've had my children this way around. If I'd had such a contented little soul first time, I think it would be quite a shock to have a 'normal' child!

So what's TC been up to these past 7 months?


* He's smiling
* He's giggling
* He's rolling
* He's sitting up
* He's started babbling
* He's moving (everywhere!)
* He's started eating solid food
* He's getting on great with baby led weaning -  we LOVE it!
* He's loved. Very much.

I know I've said it before but I never thought I could love another child as much as I love MC but he totally has my heart. It's amazing how much my heart has expanded and filled with equal love for both my children.

Yesterday the weather was vile and I curled up on the sofa in the afternoon with MC and TC and we chilled out together.

Right then, at that moment, I wouldn't have been anywhere else in the world.

Silent Sunday #77

Silent Sunday #70

Time For Play School (and some more funnies)

All dressed for play school

I seem to be saying this a lot lately but sorry for my lack of blog and Twitter action lately. My life is just so full on with a million and one things which doubled with Matts birthday this weekend. We went to Chester Zoo on Monday but more about that next week!

Anyway, I thought I'd give you a quick update.

This week Mini Cheddar finally started play school.

I thought I'd be an emotional wreck but I was actually alright - weirdly enough I just filled up a bit when I went to collect her.

Mini Cheddar had been looking forward to play school since July when she had a little taster of it before the school term finished. When the day finally arrived this Wednesday she could hardly contain herself and was so eager to get out of the house - the excitement even continued in the car.

"I'm going to Play School!"

She settled in fine and I felt more than happy leaving her there for 2 and a half hours.

When I came to collect her she was sat facing the door with all the other children, all wearing their coats and with their bags. She was full of excitement about what she had done and eaten. I could have cried. She came out with a collection of paintings and talked about it for the rest of the day.

She's back there next Monday and we are both very excited about it. Her, because she gets time away from Mummy and gets a chance to play and interact with other children without me. Me, because I love seeing her new found independence blossom.

Lots of play school painting

Speaking of independence, whilst blogging I need to share a few more gems Mini Cheddar has come out with recently.

(talking about The Lion King)
MC: I love Simba and Daddy Lion
Me: Daddy Lion is called Mufasa
MC: I love Simba and Move Faster




(remembering when we went to the opticians with my Mum)
MC: We went there with Grandma
Me: How do you remember that? It was about a year ago!
MC: Grandad didn't come
Me: No, he didn't
MC: He was playing golf
Me: (laughing) He probably was
MC: Grandad always plays golf!

(MC passes me something I asked for)
Me: Thank you sweetie
MC: It was my pleasure Mummy

Looking forward to catching up with you all over the next week to see what you've been up to. I've missed reading your blogs!

It Was A Big Day On Saturday

It's been full on in the Lucas household lately but I'm loving it (guess that goes with my name!).  Probably not as hectic as some people, I know, but fairly hectic for us.  I still have more to come too as we are off to Italy in less than 2 weeks - unless the ash cloud has other plans that is!  Anyway, I have so much to do it's untrue.  I still haven't organised my entry for The Gallery this week and I'm starting to get palpitations that I may have to miss it for the first time. How sad is that?

Anyway, last Tuesday I found out I had made it through to the finals of the Mad Blog Awards which was very exciting. I actually got a tweet alert on my mobile phone whilst my Mum & Dad were sat in my lounge.  I nervously pretended I needed to check my bank account online (my parents aren't aware of my blog) and there it was staring back at me.  I got all giddy, may have actually wee'd a little and couldn't really speak.

Then, Wednesday it was our 4th wedding anniversary.  My parents had given us a voucher for a 2 night hotel break for Christmas so we decided to use it over our anniversary.  Did we choose a romantic retreat and pack Mini Cheddar off to my parents?  No, we went to Hampshire and took Mini Cheddar to Peppa Pig World.  Not romantic but lots of fun.

As Mini Cheddar slept in a bed when we were away and coped great with it, we decided when we returned that is was the time to convert her cot into a bed.

We did it on Saturday.

Gulp.

I thought I'd be okay with it.  I was actually really excited about it.

Mini Cheddar even got involved with 'helping' Daddy unscrew the cot. I say helping very loosely indeed and I gained a few more grey hairs trying to stop her running off with the screw drivers and allen keys to antagonise the poor dog.

Then, when it was complete and made up, I saw her climb up onto it and sit there playing happily.  I felt a pang of something I couldn't quite put my finger on.  I'm guessing it's exactly the same emotion I felt when I dropped her school application form off the other week.

My baby has finally turned into a proper little girl. I honestly can't quite explain what I'm feeling over it at the moment.

Incidentally, Saturday was also the first day she asked me put bunches and slides in her hair.


So yes, Saturday was a big day for a number of reasons...

We also accidently spent £491.00 with Next Online.

Balls.

There goes our holiday spending money... so come on ash cloud, do your worst!

Education And Estrogen

I know...usually us Brits call it 'Oestrogen' but cut me some slack...it didn't quite fit right in my blog post title so I'm adopting the other way of spelling it.  Besides, one of my blogging besties Lady Estrogen wouldn't be happy now would she?

Mini Cheddar is already signed up to start Play School this September but I hadn't got her signed up for 'proper' school.  I've had the form for a while but it wasn't until my friend said I'd better get it in last week that I sprung into action. I know, bad mummy! We are quite lucky in that there are 2 great schools within walking distance from our house but there is one that I would prefer her to attend.

So, I filled the form in and rather than post it I decided to drop the form in to the school on my way back home from shopping last week.

Big mistake.

See, the thing is I was quite emotional as it was 'that' time of the month.  You know... the time when any usually serene and angelic woman turns into a mega-bitch from hell?  The time of the month when you could quite easily feel like stabbing someone if they look at you the wrong way one minute or burst into tears watching a dumb TV commercial the next? Yup, if you're a woman, you'll know exactly what I mean.

So, I walked into the school with Mini Cheddar and it was fabulous, very organised but very friendly.  All the staff greeted me warmly and I was taken inside for more of a look around.  They interacted with Mini Cheddar and got her talking (she can be a little shy with strangers) whilst I sorted out where the form was to go.  Next thing I know Mini Cheddar was wanting to leave me to join in with all the school children and even indicated that she wanted to wear the uniform.

All of a sudden, I became aware of overwhelming emotions building up inside of me and I was struggling to hold back tears.  I can't quite describe what I was feeling. A sense of my baby girl growing up, her spreading her wings, the thought of her embarking on an education journey that I wouldn't be able to hold her hand through properly.  I don't know what exactly it was.  I was going to put it entirely down to my crazy hormones but even as I'm sat here typing this post I still feel the same.

I carried Mini Cheddar out of the school, got in the car and then the floodgates opened.

I couldn't stop crying.

If this is what I'm like now, I really need to buy some shares in Kleenex or something before she does start school.