31 January, 2012

Walking and waiting...

Waiting Room
Hrm...How right they were when they wrote that sign. It really hit home, sloping in (again) yesterday morning to the Antenatal day unit's very small waiting room, with it's very small TV and very small radio...Flyingpops was asked to make a very quick visit to the little girls room to provide a very small sample (for mysterious testing purposes) and then, in very short order we were having another of the very short treatments designed to hurry up the little baby who is clearly enjoying it's not-so-short gestation (far too much)...
Reigate Hill 2012
...and so we walk...
Reigate Hill 2012
Reigate Hill 2012
...while Thomas climbs up things...
Reigate Hill 2012
...pretends to be Maria von Trapp...
Reigate Hill 2012
...or Ray Mears...
Walk on Box Hill 2012
...and we walk some more...
Walk on Box Hill 2012
...while Thomas pretends to be Tenzing Norgay...
Walk on Box Hill 2012
...or Peppa Pig...
Walk on Box Hill 2012
...and we wait and we wait (and sometimes even manage to get some sleep)...and one day, hopefully in the not-too-distant future (insert slightly inappropriate "Very Hungry Caterpillar" reference about beautiful butterflies and nibbling holes here)...

Come on baby...I'm not sure the house can stand much more nest making before it just gives up and collapses around our ears and I'm pretty sure my shoes have already worn out...! ;)

28 January, 2012

The potty is the place!

A proliferation of potties...
Okay, so we've sat quietly for about 6 weeks and not said anything at all on this subject, as we didn't want to jinx anything, and with the new baby due any day now, it perhaps isn't the best timing...but Thomas seems to have has decided that the 'Potty is the place' (to quote one of our little toddler books)!

Cast your mind back to before Christmas when quite spontaneously, Thomas got up from breakfast sat down on the potty and had a wee...I was so genuinely pleased (prior to this he point point blank refused to even sit on the potty) that my smile, clap and cheers dancing around the room were enough for him to realise how clever he was. This went on for the next hour or so as he continued to get a round of applause for every tiny wee, no matter how small was the amount he squeezed out. Poor Fink was on his way into London and got a text message every time and must have had about 10 when he finally finished his commute (as I was slightly impressed to say the least)!
Anyway, we didn't *really* want to be potty -training- so just sat back and followed Thomas' lead putting him in pants whenever we were home and nappies to go out. Initially, we introduced a small bribe (a single raisin or sultana) for a wee along with a 'big clap' and (no joke) he just seemed to get it (only taking a couple of days)...we've had a (very) few accidents, but you can count the number on a single hand...so I then stalled - our next step was to decide when to put him in pants going out (eek!)...This bit, I've been dreading...I'm heavily pregnant, its hard enough going out and about chasing a toddler around without having to worry about carrying potties/pants/shoes/changes of trousers etc.

When in the home, Thomas now automatically takes himself off to find the potty each time he needs a wee so I finally decided that I needed to be brave...and to my astonishment, he has taken to it like a duck to water! The novelty of going on another potty is so great, that we seemed to spend more time in various toilets than enjoying toddler groups or visiting friends houses!

Mummy and Daddy are very impressed with the progress so far, we do (admittedly) still have to tackle number twos (he desperately spins around demanding a nappy to be put on immediately) and getting through the night is still a long way off...but for now I'm just so very proud of my little boy...

If anyone is reading this and thinking, when should I potty train? I would honestly say it's right to follow your child's lead and start to watch carefully for their signals...Thomas really did show us he was ready and if he regresses a bit when the new baby comes along, then so be it! All children get there eventually and by exerting no pressure what-so-ever we have a very happy little boy, wearing some pretty cool Lightening McQueen pants and weeing on some very impressive VW Beetle potties (even if we find ourselves caught short in the middle of the countryside)! :O)

25 January, 2012

Hanging on in there!

East Surrey Hospital
I can't believe I am now 39 weeks pregnant.. it just goes to show that no two pregnancies are the same and you just have to go with the flow! (Something against my planning/controlled/organised nature) Everyone is excited, you can feel it in the air.. a bit like waiting for Christmas to come.. although I know that those 'on call' are just waiting now to spring into action! I've had a few niggly Braxton hicks, a little bit of monitoring at the hospital for lack of movement, but so far everything is fine and Baby is just happy to wait before making their grand entrance!

Now, little one...Mummy, Daddy and Thomas have cuddles waiting for you.. whenever you are ready. xxx



18 January, 2012

Happy Birthday Flyingpops!

Flyingpops Birthday
Happy Birthday Sweetheart! This morning has already seen lots and lots of lovely presents waiting on the breakfast table (which Thomas helped to unwrap, when he could keep his eyes off the) -
Flyingpops Birthday
...lovely (hopefully) cake (thanks to Mum and Jamie Oliver for their help cooking it and thanks to Thomas for help filling it and decorating it - and not eating *too* much of it before it was finished)...

...and Thomas even sang Happy Birthday to Mummy...! Oh and everyone is looking forward to our lovely meal out later on...! Many happy returns of the day! ;)

11 January, 2012

Ready for the new baby?

Surrey Sunrise
Well, here we are at 37 weeks (or "full term" as it is generally known), for comparisons sake, Thomas was already born 2 weeks ago(!) when it was his turn - we have the names chosen (no idea if the little one is a boy or a girl so we need both to hand), we have the bags all packed (ipod - full of relaxation music, portable CD player, Shinco portable DVD player, battery powered speakers (with spare batteries), high energy food and drinks, wash bag, lots of Mummy clothes, lots of teeny tiny baby clothes, lots of teeny tiny nappies, 99% water baby wipes, a big bath towel, a V-shaped cushion and even a little present for Thomas (from the baby))...the big new camera has a nice clean memory card in it and two fully charged batteries standing by...Mummy is huffing and puffing and walking around slowly holding her tummy (or bouncing around on her birthing ball)...Daddy and Thomas are creeping around quietly trying to avoid being told off, the changing station is down in the living room and the nursery has been patiently waiting for weeks (now it is free of Christmas goods)...just one teeny tiny thing we need to arrive now! ;)

02 January, 2012