Alixkid in Wonderland

FW: My drawing

2012-01-03T21:20:00.001Z

What Emily will look like at ballet

Sent from my iPad

Butterflies and birds

2012-01-03T21:16:00.002Z

Emily's beautiful picture

Sent from my iPad

Oxford street

2011-12-19T16:30:00.001Z

Buzzy Bee

2011-11-08T22:23:00.001Z

Emily's picture of Emily

2011-10-18T22:52:00.001Z

Sent from my iPad

Cycle ride by the river

2011-10-18T20:33:00.001Z

Emily's drawing of Natasha

2011-10-18T20:13:00.001Z

Sent from my iPad

Actually ice cream

2011-02-08T08:42:00.001Z

Ice cream

2011-01-30T14:21:00.000Z

With the star chart there are more treats in our life.

The luggage children

2010-12-29T20:35:00.001Z

Tomorrow we in on holiday for a few days. So today i'm packing the children.

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Sent from my Nokia Phone

Hello

2010-12-27T13:34:00.001Z

Wow

Winter in Wonderland

2010-12-18T22:07:00.003Z

10 cm of snow landed this morning on my house and surrounds. This is enough for snowball fights, Sliding down the hill and giant snowmen. Two Giant Snowmen took up residence in the neighbourhood constructed by other people probably large children who know how to make snowmen properly.

I did some sliding down the hill, to make a run for the little ones of course. They were not into the sliding and were getting cold. I hope the snow is still there tomorrow to try more sliding.

Is it June already

2010-06-09T21:21:00.002Z

Yes, well, I am still alive. There have been trips, and splashing, flowers and parties. And a wedding or two. Lots of spots have come and gone, biscuits have been rolled and cut. Some plans have been executed and some have not.

And the grandparents are coming, good. I have children that like to run in different directions and NOT do what they are told when I seem harried. The little one swiped two giant plush Spot the Dogs from the book shop and ran ran ran. Funny though.

2010-04-12T21:06:00.002Z

Easter was good. There was an easter egg hunt in the back garden, many poorly hidden eggs were found and refound and found again by toddlers.

Though now she asks - can we find some eggs? Easter is over little one.

There has also been a lot of sun this weekend. We took the small children to the big park, lots of others had the same idea. There were lots of flowers. lots of picnic consumed and lots of harassing other picnicers while wielding bread roll and looking cute. The first icecream of the season has been consumed, in all it's dribbily chocolatey glory.

Spring

2010-03-21T20:48:00.002Z

The first flowers of spring prompted a trip to kew. A lovely day, if a bit windy cold later on.
We picniced by the pond. It would seem people haven't been going so much over winter as we got mobbed by fairly polite geese for our bread.
The day continued with some climbing through the hole in the park bench, some running in circles then jumping like a frog, walking with Daddy, and making mummy do talking made up words in the flower circle.

Planning to go back soon for the daffodils.

ooops

2010-02-18T22:34:00.003Z

OOoh it has been how long since I blogged?
I am going to blame it on winter. There is not a lot happening.
Except the attack of the raspberries. Natasha has learnt to blow raspberries on mummy. It makes mummy laugh, so Emily gangs up on me as well. I don't stand chance.

A day off to visit the fish

2010-01-17T21:41:00.003Z

I had the day off. It was freezing cold so I took the children to see the fish. They were facinated and charmed all the foreign tourists. Surprisingly none stood on them and some people even took photos of them.

Half baby half eel

2010-01-03T22:08:00.002Z

I have been singing the half baby half eel song. Little miss wriggly has become super wriggly and has been doing a lot of almost walking today.
I tried to explain to Emily, Natatsha's imminent transition from baby to toddler. We have had this conversation before, it is to prepare for the move of the cot from parents to children's bedroom.

Mummy : Natasha is learning to walk - soon she won't be a little baby any more
Emily : No, she will be a monster.

Excellent! Maybe, you had to be there.

A good year

2009-12-26T13:34:00.004Z

THis has been a good year. Late last year with the birth of little Natasha or Snuffle Bunny as she is affectionately known. This caused me a sleepless early 2009 but a glorious summer. My summer was spent with My mother who visited in June and my Sister-in-law Lisa, who spent 5 months with us over spring and summer. Without their help I would have been drowning under children, but instead managed some glorious adventures. Most of which included ice cream.

We had small adventures like going to the Zoo and the Seaside, flower shows and the great parks of London. And one big adventure to camp bestival (music festival) and Weymouth british seaside resort late September. This I would rate up with my most fantastic holidays.

I returned to work in August, and my work has been kind enough to allow me 2 days working from home a week. I like being back at work, and though I have little me time I enjoy the work/life balance. I get to take the children for coffee, yes they probably go to cafes too much. Emily asks if we can go to Starbucks or the cafe so she can have muffin and babychino.

Christmas was very fantastic with too many presents and a wonderful dinner cooked by Auntie Sharon.

The weather outside is frightful

2009-12-14T21:26:00.003Z

Christmas cheer has descended on the family with the arrival of Auntie Sharon. We have put up the tree with multicoloured lights and a shiny star. Also of course there is wine and cheese.

happy birthday

2009-11-16T20:52:00.001Z

A night off

2009-11-14T21:12:00.002Z

Dave and I snuck away for a whole 17 hours overnight to a nearby hotel for champagne and breakfast.
The nanny got vomitting and 3am wakeups.

he he he he he he he he he he he he he he

No Peeking

2009-10-23T21:25:00.002Z

At the park

2009-10-11T20:12:00.003Z

Today we went to the big park by train. It was threatening rain, but it was still fun.

BWF Champion

2009-09-23T22:17:00.003Z

The Baby Wrestling Federation will be signing my littlest one soon.

In the ring (bed) we have one baby vs not one but two parents trying to lie in. Back flop to the mummy to start, then Gooba kiss to daddy, bouncy bouncy on the mummy, then the feign cuddle - bite to the nose and the crowd goes wild.

Natasha and the cat

2009-09-18T21:35:00.003Z

Hello Cat

2009-09-09T07:21:00.004Z

On the move and making friends. The neighbour's cat came over to play. And Emily is being helpful.

Working for the man

2009-08-27T22:35:00.002Z

On Wednesdays we have tea.

I applied for a promotion/sideways different job last week. I will be very happy if I get it. I am not sure if I will be happy if I don't.

We are currently at the "we have received your application and will get back to you" stage.

Back to your regularly scheduled program

2009-08-23T22:44:00.002Z

Maternity leave has come to an end and Auntie Lisa has left the building. There is a bit of summer left and some decent prospects work wise so things are still going well.
We started a bit of project spring clean - of which Dave has done wonders in the Laundry, but I have so far still failed to clear the desk to make space for work papers. Though I have had a few, I wondered where that had got to moments.

Summer Fun

2009-08-01T20:40:00.006Z

Swim

Bounce

Swing

Rock

Fly

food glorious food

2009-07-08T22:29:00.004Z

Summer is here

2009-07-01T21:48:00.002Z

Summer is here - the children are naked. They are in the back garden discussing the best way to consume ice cream.

They were also in the pool with balls and the plush frog.

Garden update

2009-06-06T20:45:00.007Z

For those of you facinated with the grass, here is the garden update.
I decided to go easy on it this year, what with the new baby and no real time to grow and plant seedlings. Fortunately everything I planted last year came back stronger this year without any work required. Yay for gardening by neglect.

June

May

April

March

It may be a long night

2009-05-31T21:19:00.003Z

She has been cranky all day and has woken a few times already. Watching TV seems to help. The first tooth is cut and the second can be seen beneath the skin.

It may be a long night.

But doesn't she look pretty in the little blue dress

Maybe some May

2009-05-29T16:08:00.008Z

Big adventure

2009-04-23T19:48:00.003Z

Today was a day of big adventure.

We went to the beach, built sand castles and ate ice cream. We sorted rocks and slid down the slide. Emily and Natasha were exceptionally well behaved. Emily fed me chips but didn't like the fish. She also insisted we buy two windmills, (one for mummy) and carried hers around for the rest of the day. We changed nappies on the beach, and ran up and down the train giggling. Natasha got to ride up front, and thought that was the best.

I'm tired now.

Sisters

2009-03-11T18:53:00.005Z

March

2009-03-05T14:54:00.003Z

The dog ate all the buns

2009-02-25T22:20:00.003Z

Recently Emily and I have been reading a book about going on a picnic. In the story the family goes for a picnic on a windy winter day, feedsthe ducks, have a picnic and then the ducks steal all the buns.

Saturday was very mild and sunny, so I thought that we should go on a picnic on Sunday. It turns out that Sunday was more overcast and windy, but I had already told the toddler what I was planning, so there was no escape. We caught the bus and fed the ducks (swans) as planned. We even had a fairly successful picnic, if you don't count the toddler footprints in things. While I was feeding the baby, a young black labrador visited us and ate all the buns.

Now Emily tells me about the dog, everytime we read the story.

I can juggle one ball and it does not fall

2009-02-07T19:34:00.003Z

I can juggle one ball and it does not fall.

I can do much better than you. Look look, I can juggle two.Juggle Juggle Juggle

Balls Balls balls

Books Books Books

Have you heard about the snow?

2009-02-02T20:26:00.006Z

I woke up this morning to about 20cm of snow in the back garden. London is a city that sleeps on snowy days, the children were not in school, the adults were not at work, the cars did not stir from under their thick white blankets.

The street I live on is usually busy in the morning, with traffic negotiating for right of way as they try to pass each other in the narrow bits. It is a short cut from here to there. It was empty with white slippery ice filled tire tracks where some people had perservered. The main road was black and slushy with use, but also very empty, not even buses.

I bundled the children and headed out, with the 3x3 buggy making squeaky noises as the tires cut through snow. I tried to go to play group at the library, but the lady who was to take it hadn't made it. So Emily and I did coffee and watched the older children making snowmen on the green.

January

2009-01-30T22:23:00.003Z

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T13:55:00.002Z

Saturday

2008-12-13T16:19:00.004Z

Today was dark, wet and cold. I have achived quite a bit today.
I got up. I got Emily up. I fed Emily and Natasha. I got all three of us dressed. Well, Dave helped. We went and met people for brunch. I had a snooze. In the afternoon I pulled out the box of drawing materials and played with crayons with Emily. I drew an apple and a bee and a rabbit, which were all correctly indentified - yay.

Nothing is safe anymore, Emily can get on the table.

Babies are cute

2008-11-21T21:35:00.005Z

Babies are small and have helpless little baby bodies. They are so light and cuddly soft. They look around at the world with eager eyes and mixed expressions.

Snuffle bunny

2008-11-17T21:23:00.005Z

Natasha Ann, born 6:45 on the 15th November 2008

Some time

2008-11-11T16:37:00.002Z

I have had some time to get my hair cut and see the new bond movie. Emily has been to the Aquarium and the Zoo. My days are slow and sleepy. Here is a cute photo.

Still here

2008-10-30T10:42:00.001Z

Yes - I still have a fat belly.

The double buggy of missing parts managed to get all it's bits together and come home, completing our preparations. Ironically it comes all the way from the windy city.

Last day of work

2008-10-24T19:22:00.002Z

It was my last day of work today. There shall be no more trips to the office. I lost my computer to my replacement last week and have been working off the laptop since then. No more carrying the laptop, or asking people for a seat on the train.

I am shutting down into baby mode and will need to shop locally.

.... Fortunately

There is a new world class super mall about to open up the road. http://uk.westfield.com/london It has a fairly unlikely but pretty promo video.
The site is pretty big. It is served by 4 tube stations and a new overground stop. It is a 15 minute walk away from home (10 if you are speedy).

I am hoping there will be a children's play area for the winter.

A good day

2008-10-16T19:02:00.003Z

Today was a good day.

I am not so fluey.
I went to work in the morning and ranted my handover speach to my workmates.
I went to the hospital in the afternoon and read my book - someone prodded my stomach - it prodded back.
I came home and read a story involving popup pictures, to my giggly little girl.
I had a wonderful dinner and relax with my husband.

The midwife told me I should go dancing and eat pineapples

Flu

2008-10-11T14:33:00.002Z

I have the flu. Fortunately I have large piles of really nice chocolates and biscuits that I was given for my birthday.

Much to do with nothing

2008-09-27T18:37:00.004Z

There is a milestone in preganancy that they don't mention in the books. There is a point at which they is still much to do and no longer any drive or abilty to do it.

I have come to the conclusion that the only way forward is to cheat. By this I mean to find every shortcut, loop hole, and most direct path climbing over the backs of others, to achieve the minimum requirement.

I have 4 weeks left of work, and only two days a week of that when I can actually do something useful. I will be the cheatingest cheater there is.

And here is a cute video

Officially autumn

2008-09-19T20:26:00.003Z

The season changes, the tomatoes are dead and there are yellow leaves.

Tomato Relish

2008-09-15T12:06:00.002Z

I searched the internet for a tomato relish recipe. I found a few, but none quite what I wanted, so I took a bit from here and a bit from there and made my own.
As I had only written it on the back of an envelope, I thought I should write it here so I could find it again later. I am not sure how well it will last in the cupboard - longevity tests are currently in progress.

This quantity makes one jar - yes one.

1/2 kilo of tomatoes
1/2 large onion
1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of malt vinegar
caynenne pepper ( a shake)
paparika ( a few shakes)
a gerkin

Peel and chop tomatoes - keeping seeds and juice.
Chop onion finely.
Lightly cook onion in olive oil, add tomato and sugar, pepper and paprika
simmer for an hour
add vinegar
Simmer till you get the consistancy of jam
Add chopped gerkin, cook futher 10 min.
Seal in sterilized jars.

Can be eaten next day.

a change of season

2008-09-05T19:59:00.002Z

Autumn has begun with rain. The weather has been mild and the tomatoes are ripening. The second planting of beans is now fruiting. Emily and I went around this evening picking and eating. I like a baby who eats her veg and she will insist on beans and tomatoes fresh from the vine. She also likes to feed them to me, which is OK yum yum.

Today

2008-08-14T20:39:00.003Z

Today the baby ran across the room into my arms and giggled - before I went to work. It is not a bad way to start the day. The TV in the office was showing mens floor gymnastics. Some of it in slow motion so you can see just how amazing those buff teenagers are. There were meetings most the day and I came home early because the office was too warm. Dave cooked me roast duck.
Life is good.

come to daddy

2008-08-10T14:46:00.004Z

Look who's walking.

And some shots of the garden by request

row row row

2008-08-04T20:41:00.003Z

I know all three verses to row row row your boat in common use in the UK. Emily still has to work out the details, but she certainly has the row row row part under control. The second verse has crocodiles and screaming, which certainly livens up the very twee boat journey.

Before I got had my first child I went to a BBQ where there was a woman with a small child that she followed 1 metre behind for the whole afternoon. I used to take this as an example of extreme parenting and thought she could probably do with a baby harness and an extendable dog lead.

I went to a BBQ on the weekend and I have to admit I did my fair share of following. She was pretty fast - even though she was still crawling. She found and identified many toes and the two dogs there were correctly named dog. Later in the evening to follow tradition she got naked and went swimming in the dog bath. I'm sure I won't be anywhere near this indulgent when I have two.

I did manage to talk to some people and drink a glass of champagne. Though the baby stole the best bits out of my burger.

Ducks

2008-06-28T20:27:00.003Z

One of the few discernable words Miss Emily says is ducks. Many things bird like are ducks and definately geese and swans. She gets quite excited when she sees one and says ducks a lot. The family outing to Hyde Park was very successful on the duck front. There is even a cafe where you can enjoy coffee and cake while you watch them. Very civilized.

Happy Birthday Miss Emily

2008-06-05T21:33:00.003Z

Miss Emily would like to thank you all for such a wonderful birthday. She had a big birthday cake shaped like a butterfly and lots of presents from her friends and family. She especially thanks Grandma and Grandad Walker and Uncle Gavin and Auntie Helena for the wonderful drawing crayons. And Grandma Jenny and Aunties Sharon, Lisa and Wendy for excellent clothes and toys. Also I would like to than Granddad and Nana Matthews for the clothes and books. The socks look really pretty.
And special thanks to her friends for coming to the party Lottie and Matthew and Aoife and their mummies and daddies.
To illustrate how much she like some of the presents, Miss Emily's second word is Duck. First word is Dad and I am not counting Mum until she starts to use to refer to me.
And here are some pictures - Check out other pictures in Belly of the Beast.

Here we go again

2008-05-14T19:48:00.002Z

A short note to announce the future expansion of the Family in Wonderland. Sometime in early November we hope to expect a new White Rabbit.

Transforming the garden

2008-04-29T07:43:00.002Z

The garden has undergone an amazing transformation over the weekend with my fantastic husband laying new turf. It was the first really good day of the season and we were outside (without coats) preparing the garden for the bbq season. It looks almost English gardenesque. Emily helped too, but mostly by playing with sticks and eating dirt.

Imprommmptu holiday extension

2008-04-14T14:08:00.002Z

Stranded in Scotland with husband, sister, baby and Mercedes. The sun is shining. Life is good.

Easter

2008-03-24T14:25:00.004Z

It has been snowing all Easter. It is enforced lazyness. I was planning to spend the whole Easter in the garden. But more than 5 min outside makes my fingers freeze.

Bring on the summmer.

To work or not to work

2008-03-11T20:01:00.005Z

I am currently negotiating new working arrangements. The main decision I will get to make is do I work 4 days or 5. 4 days is managable with the little baby and our current arrangements. 5 days is doing some evenings to make up. But to add to the mix, I have a lot of leave. And If I did 5 days I wouldn't have to do it all the time. And If I did 4 days, I could have some leave this summer.

The money or the time?

oh and here are some cute pictures

My living room is dark

2008-03-05T20:15:00.003Z

So I needed to impulse buy video editing software. I think many of you out there know what type I should have bought. But what I have is corel Ulead. So far so good.
And here is a cute video.

Adventure or misadventure

2008-02-24T20:37:00.003Z

This weekend I did something that everyone else does all the time and realised how sheltered my life is.

On Saturday I went to Ikea. I booked my zipcar for four hours. Printed out all the maps on how to get there, packed up the baby, pram, carseat and carseat base, food and bottle for baby and headed off to get the car. (Car seat goes in the pram, baby goes in car seat, base sits on little prongs on the front of the pram)

Halfway there I find I don't have the map that tells me where the car is. Oh well I will just walk down this street where I think it is and hope to find it. I did, it had zipcar written on it.

Ok - off we go, oops was I supposed to take that exit. I don't see the second roundabout I was looking for. Hmm Ealing is definately the wrong way. After some map consultation, and bribing the baby with a biscuit, I find Wembley stadium. It is somewhere near here, so I drive through some business parks until... well it is quite big, so I couldn't miss if forever.

I park, unpack the baby (who is now sleeping) and follow the signs to the front of the store. I explain to the nice man at the entrance that I am an Ikea virgin. He gives me a bag, which I hang on the pram and a map and a pen and paper.

I head upstair and I was quite impressed. Lots of model rooms with tags on things to tell you what you are looking at. I consult my map and if I follow the path around the loop I will find the bit I am after. But I wander a bit looking at things. Emily is quite happy. She has never seen so many people. It is a bit like going to an exibition. I linger in bookcases for a while, and then I find them. Desks and chairs. I try everything out, read all the tags. Check out the prices. I find the desk of my dreams and ask the assistant. Apparently I can get all the bits of it downstairs, except for this bit which you get from here and those bits, you can get in another section. The baby has started grabbing furniture as we pass it, because it is funny to see the pram slow.

Cool - mission accomplished... or so I think. I continue on now with only an hour left to get the car back. Through kitchens, where I stop to make up a bottle for the baby. Through childrens, through home decoration. I wait for the lift I get downstairs and Oh no. there is another floor just as large with as many things put in your way to stop you moving quickly or missing a bargin. Ooop sorry, yes I do take up lots of space with the baby and the bag. Which is the way out? Then the logistical problem.

Ok - so I want a desk and chair, and they are in Isle 1 spot xx but everyone else has these big trolleys, where do I get one of those? How will I push it anyhow. Is there noone here who can help?

Ok - well I can order online, I'll take these things to the checkout and leave. Oh but there are queues, and not orderly ones, big trolleys backed up and children and prams and ..... I wait a while but, I have to go, I dump and run. I return the car late - I get a fine even if though there is noone waiting for it.

I could have gone back the next day, with the husband and have my desk then and there (with assembly). But I order online, they charge the same amount as the car late fee for delivery. It will be here in a week. Ikea is wonderous, it is also in the first circle of hell.

A change of pace

2008-02-15T19:28:00.005Z

I have successfully completed my first week back at work. The computer has been reincarnated and is now very shiny. My Daughter is adorable and gives me cuddles and kisses. I have the best husband in the world and life is good.

Wow quite a few topics really.

My return to work was quite good with lots of greetings from my workmates. Since I have just returned they haven't given me any of the nasty work yet. I may even get some pet projects done. A small adult refuge in a sea of baby love.

The new and very shiny home computer is new and very shiny. It has vista - which seems to have a strangly maclike look and feel. It's pretty. Babycam may return soon.

And here are some photos of most wonderful baby in the world.

Baby v Nectarine There once was a baby who was happily cuddling her mummy on the armchair. Being a grabby baby she reached over the arm of the chair and found a coffee table covered in things. One of these things was big and round. I'll put that in my mouth she thought to herself.
HMMMM Sweeeet

Things progress apace

2008-01-23T21:33:00.000Z

I suppose you may all have noticed that I haven't been giving too many details about what is happening in my life. My excuse is that my life takes up more time than my blogging.

2007 Was a busy year. I went to China, I moved house, I went to a ball, I had a baby. We went to cornwall, we went to New Zealand and Australia. All in all a gloriously busy year.

2008 is coming along. The nanny starts tomorrow doing 2 days a week. This will allow me to go back to work a bit (mostly to pay for the nanny, but I am out of the house). I am doing a screen printing course, just a bit of fun but I am out and doing things again. We are organising a car (more on that when it actually happens). We are getting visitors, family is planning to visit this year excellent. The ball is on again this year.

The less positive points are - I should have thought about going to this year's isle of wight festival sometime last year.
The computer has died. Computer death is always annoying. Currently working on the backup computer and having to install things.

And here are some pictures

Little miss wriggly

2008-01-17T07:22:00.000Z

Emily has become little miss wriggly. Not yet crawling but she can get around a room if she wants to.
You may notice the new webcam snapshot on the page. For the benefit of grandparents to see little miss wriggly in action. I will put it on when I am not naked. Usually best seen in the mornings (my time).

And here are some cute photos.

Welcome to 2008

2008-01-02T16:45:00.000Z

We had a lovely Christmas with piles of presents in the fashion of my husband's family. Christmas leftovers lasted till new year, books were read and very little done during the holiday. My favorite present is a the very large box of the best chocolates in the world.

Emily cut her second tooth on Christmas day. She tried the custard and thought it was very good.

We welcomed in the new year at a friend's house just down the road. It was a good night.

And the best news of all is that I am an aunty again. Welcome to the world Master Bryn Walker born 11:30am on the 2nd weighing 3.88kg. Mother, father and baby are all doing well.

Almost Christmas

2007-12-21T19:19:00.000Z

The build up to christmas is always busy busy busy lots of spending and trying to avoid crowds. And even while not working I still have things to do in the last weekend.

We have a big tree this year. My first year for a real tree. We have just secured some friends to come around for christmas dinner. So it is looking like a fun year.

Party

2007-12-15T23:56:00.000Z

Today we got a babysitter so we could go to a party. Yay for doing normal people things again.

And here are some pictures

2007-12-10T16:07:00.000Z

Jet lagged

2007-12-07T19:24:00.000Z

The rockstar is in bed and I am not far behind. I am doing that staying up because it is too early to go to bed thing. And my foot hurts. I was tricked by one of those moving footpaths that was not moving, and I pulled something in my foot. Ouch limp limp

More Grandparents

2007-11-12T19:57:00.000Z

An action packed weekend was spent with grandparents in the windy city. The little rock star wowed them with her frog dancing, beard grabbing and general cuteness. The windy city has been quite pleasant and not as windy (most the time) as it's name may suggest. Our gracious hosts are keeping us fed, watered and cosily warm in their new fantastic home. In general life is good.

Travelling internationally with a cute baby strapped to your front attracts many admirers. All through Hong Kong perfect strangers, male and female staff, security guards and grandmothers have come up to me to make faces and take photos. I am merely the support crew for a little rock star.

Movies

2007-10-24T21:43:00.001Z

I am starting to slip into holiday mode, even though I am not working. I have many projects on the go. I have decided to let some of my projects slip an even drop a few that just don't seem to be happening. I feel a little guilty as Dave goes to work everyday, washes all the clothes and cleans up after me, so you would think I would have time to do things. My list involves decorate the baby's room, make the baby look pretty, plant the spring flowers, generate artwork for living room and bedroom, write a web site, sign some documents for the office and make the house habitable for the house sitter. Instead I am going for coffee, having lunch, shopping, reading books and going to the movies.

The movies have been good. I have discovered the joy of mum and baby screenings and have so far seen Ratatouille and Stardust. Both quite watchable movies. Stardust was quite enjoyable. Ther were some minor story tweaks to make it a movie, but a lot better than the previews made it look. Well done.

Harvest

2007-10-03T20:09:00.000Z

With autumn comes the harvest. The tomatoes were blighted this year halving the yeild, but the runner beans have only just begun.

The new crop has been sewn. Hoping for cabbages, spring onions, carrots and bok choy. I think the carrots may have failed too. But there may be enough for baby carrots.

Appart from the tomatoes I try to plant vegetables that can be eaten early. That way it is not that I can't produce a proper carrot, it is that I like to eat them tender.

Following the yellow brick road

2007-09-29T13:50:00.000Z

Tour dates are set. The family will be in the windy city from November 2 to 22 then the ladies will tour oz and visiting the emerald city from 22nd to 3rd of December.

Hopefully I can catch up with some of you while we are there.

If any of you can arrange some warm weather that would be a bonus.

Emily says:

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]Q[22222[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[11111111111
111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
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c c

I was impressed that the first letter was e, it is like signing it at the start.

And here is a cute photo

Action

2007-09-12T20:15:00.000Z

Blogger has introduced video which gives me a chance to show my favorite baby videos.

Hmmm they worked in preview but they look broken in the blog. Let me know if you can see them, or if it is just me. YAY - The most wonderful husband in the world fixed it for me. (publish from compose)

This one was taken on the day I first bought the ball.

Emily has shown some preference to using her feet instead of her hands. Feet have a better reach.

Some early cuteness.

Family on tour

2007-08-21T11:46:00.000Z

A long weekend road trip to cornwall, proves that we have the goodest baby in the world. She happily fell asleep in the car on the long drive to the coast with only a few grumbles.
Dave was working so I got to swan around with the other wife and baby, eating ice cream, visiting galleries and gardens and sitting on the beach.

The grandparents have left the building

2007-08-13T20:54:00.000Z

It is with a little sadness I see off the grandparents today after their help with the baby over the last few weeks. They have watched Emily grow from a little creature just eating and sleeping to a little person with smiles and attitude. Thank you for your help and support Grandma and Granddad.

Summer has begun

2007-08-04T09:27:00.000Z

Time flies and summer is here at last. My tomato plants are pretty tall with lots of tomatoes, but when will they ripen? There have been lots of sunny days and I am trying to get out for it and do some pushing in the park.

Emily is now quite talkative with great sentences like ooo aaah oaaooo. She has a lot to say.

What an interesting poo

2007-07-13T11:57:00.000Z

We had our first poo today that cleared the change table and left a classic parabolic curve on the window blinds on it's descent to the carpet.

I rate that as an achievement for baby kind.

And here is a cute photo taken at a different time.

What day is it?

2007-06-27T10:01:00.000Z

Three and a half weeks since Emily was born. It has gone slowly, but hasn't dragged. Emily has been a good baby so far. Last night she needed only two feeds between 9 and 9. This hopefully heralds a new era of more sleep.

It is hard to explain how absolutely amazing it is the first few days after birth. The first week with just Dave and Me and Emily was very special.

Now I am trying to find some structure in my days, appart from feeding and sleeping.

Emily

2007-06-02T21:12:00.000Z

Emily Josephine, born on Friday 1 June at 3:48pm, weighing in at 3.5 kg

Still not broadband

2007-05-21T16:44:00.000Z

Thus is the price for moving house, maybe by the end of the week.... The house is coming together though. I stopped working last week and spent a little time tidying the house. I even got some flowers for the garden. It is starting to look relaxed and cluttered, a bit like home really.

I am the giant walking watermelon. I have managed to change hospitals to the closer one. It is a dedicated baby hospital, and built in 2000 - instead of one built in the 19th century. Of course that means I now have all the choices. Dave and I went to do the hospital viewing today. There are two different "suites" where you can give birth. The midwife lead home away from home, with jungle gym and pools, beanbags and other mats and chairs for your birthing pleasure, but no epidural or other serious doctory stuff. Or the labour rooms amongst the doctors, which actually have most of the same mats and things but also lots of medical like things hanging from the walls (or hidden in cupboards) and much closer to the ceasarian theatres.
Aparently I can make the choice of which one to go to, when the time comes.

No Broadband

2007-05-08T11:03:00.000Z

Sorry for lack of posts. No broadband. It may happen sometime.

Still there is much to do.

Last week of work this week. :) I am really happy about that. I am done with this going to work thing. That means from next week I might have some time to sort out the blue house. Like stopping the sun coming in the window at 6am.

I have my first genuine Flu in months this weekend as well. So no boxes got unpacked. Actually I watched some daytime TV and sniffled on the sofa. Sometimes the body just tells you to stop doing things.

I have to find a dress that fits my generous proportions for the Ball on Saturday. I figure I can have the baby anytime after the ball. That way it doesn't get in the way of my social callendar.

The hunt is over

2007-04-23T07:22:00.000Z

We bagged the blue house on Saturday. Looked at prams and tried out some of the local cafes. Moving on Thursday.

Spent some of a very sunny Sunday outside The Ship watching the London Marathon, run, jog, walk, dance and limp past.

Blue House vs Church House

2007-04-10T21:29:00.000Z

Goldfish Mansion went to someone else, though they took almost a week to tell me. So it's a good thing I didn't trust the agents and did look all day Saturday, and Monday, and Tuesday. Actually Tuesday was the last day I have looked. I found not one but two suitable properties.
The choice between

The shiny new ground floor apartment in large complex by the river. Property is unfurnished with 2 glittering bathrooms, two paved porches, glittering kitchen with whiteware disguised as cupboards and gym and carpark and all, overlooking a pretty overgrown derilect church. Close to the river and large parks, there is a pub sort of close by and then a busy intersection. Situated in Zone 3 near 2 train lines and 1 tube line. We shall call this Church House.

And the ground floor flat of a victorian terrace in a residential street. Property is in poor decorative order, fully furnished with 2 fully featured bathrooms (not glittering), reasonably sized aging basement kitchen, a large living room dominated by dark blue carpet, opening into a green, yet overgrown garden complete with aging bbq setting. Located in Zone 2 with walkable distance to 4 tube lines and 1 rail line, and cafes and shops at the end of the steet. We shall call this Blue House.

I have put an offer in on one of them, can you guess which? Which would you prefer?

Going on a house hunt

2007-03-30T20:17:00.000Z

As my wonderful husband disappears to the other side of the world for a few weeks, I am left to lead the life of a single woman again. Fortunately my fridge is full of food and there a lots of dishes to use before I run out of clean ones. (That goes for underwear too)

No sooner is he out the door, that I give up my lazy affection seeking lifestyle, after all there is no affection to be got for a while. I instead start my renewed emphasis on projects. And as I have done little preparation for the baby and will be homeless at the end of April, I though I might start the house hunt.

I had the afternoon off after a all night release, so I start with vigour (and possibly a little light headed) and call a couple of agents. I get shown, well some very small dark and expensive apartments. But they are newly renovated. I try not to tell the agent that these two bedroom apartments are half the size of my current one bedroom flat. With what is left of the day I head out to Zone 3 and get shown a place that is almost perfect. A whole house with garden, fish pond 3br and although lots of stairs and a fairly silly kitchen, I really like it. It even has a friendly cat. So then and there (because that is how things are done) I put in and offer. There are a few other offers, but well I am the sensible family option, so I have a running chance.

I then spend the evening worrying if I made the right decision. Of course now they haven't called me back. So now I am worrying that I have to look again, and may be forced to live in one of those dark dungeon apartments I saw first.....

My new plan is to go to bed, get up early and put in a really good all day Saturday push to find a place.

Aunty Natal

2007-03-18T11:19:00.000Z

Dear Aunty Natal,

We attended the NCT class on Saturday with 6 other couples. Most of them were more pregnant than me and had the soccer ball strapped to belly look, as opposed to my rugby ball shape. But the social demographics matched as most women were professionals in their thirties with their first pregnancy. Just like me.

What did I learn?

I am not supposed to head to the hospital until I get the stage of labour where it is not possible for me to take myself there. ( I have no idea how women on their own are supposed to decide to go and arrange a taxi, once they have "gone to another planet").
Most of the best labour position involve cuddles. :)
Husbands should not wear good shoes to the hospital, as the blood will be hard to get off them later.

Out of Denial

2007-03-08T23:57:00.000Z

I am starting to let go of my denial. Sometime in the next month or so there will be a child in my life. Small demanding and persistant. I will not be going to work. I will not be living in this flat. My days will not revolve around organising gambling data. I will not be saying, lets try the new restaurant on the corner.
I will be primary caregiver to the squirming watermellon currently strapped to my belly.
Over the next weeks, I will walk more like a penguin than a person. It will be harder for me to focus on any task.

Complete irreversible change is coming, and I am a little scared of it.

I have the steps mapped. I know the tasks that need doing. 1,2,3 just follow the plan. Time to get started.

Holland

2007-02-26T19:17:00.000Z

A decadent weekend in Holland was indulged in. You see there was that spare flight we booked, because we thought we would be fogged in at Christmas and well.... So we had an unfocused by very enjoyable weekend in Holland. I will again praise the virtues of Schipol airport and the fantastic Dutch rail system. Both are excellent.
So what to do in Holland, in February, when the flowers are not yet out, it is off season and your pregnant?
We didn't spend much of the daytime in Amsterdam. We had 3 courses at an excellent friendly Italian restaurant for dinner. We slept in and indulged in a fulll continental breakfast. Yes, they eat more than just cereal and toast on the continent.
We took the train to Den Hagg for the day. Drank coffee in a funky bar, ate Steak Frites and visited the Escher museum. The museum was excellent. We expected about half an hour, yeah seen that before and off for more coffee. But we stayed for 2 hours, there was really cool early work from italy, as well as a lot of good pieces I hadn't seen. Some neat interactive displays on the the top floor as well. I was a little disapointed that most of the early work was not available in the shop, as I am unlikely to see it again.

Fat bellied women make the rocking world go round

2007-02-04T06:27:00.000Z

I'm just a pregnant woman with evil on my mind
beware the pregnant woman she's going to get you

I'm being swallowed by the great grey beast, February. Some silliness is required.
Also it's 6 in the morning and I woke up at 3. You must send me your pity.

Snow

2007-01-24T21:00:00.000Z

Today London was covered in snow. Not a lot, only an inch, but it is still there this evening (on grassy bits anyway). This is a first. Not a first that I have seen it snow in London, but first that it stayed white all day. Yes, Dave did get snowballed, but he can't snowball me because I'm special.

Footprints

2007-01-09T20:53:00.000Z

The alien has little feet. That is the only bit that was really clear amongst the mess of moving pixels. There were other things I was shown, that if you squint the right way may be discernable as body features. Unfortunately it was a little camera shy.

Christmas in China

2007-01-02T19:36:00.000Z

I have just returned from an excellent week in China celebrating Christmas and New Year with the In-Laws. Chistmas was elegant with bountious amounts of excellent food, drink and company.

And as a bonus it snowed on the last two days of 2006.

Photo left was taken on January 1 at a walk about an hour from Beijing.

Currently a little jet lagged, but back to work tomorrow.

Homecoming

2006-12-10T17:13:00.000Z

After my whirlwind world tour I am greeted by the most wonderful husband in the universe. To list some of the many aspects of his wonderfullness. He ..
- travelled all the way to heathrow to meet me from the plane.
- cleaned the house
- Cleaned my clothes
- Put clean sheets on the bed.
- Filled the fridge with food
- and filled the house with flowers.

I am still a little jet lagged, but that will be gone tomorrow because I have to go back to work. It was great to catch up with you all. And sorry didn't catch up with more of you. Photos to follow next post.

Bond Review

2006-11-23T12:31:00.000Z

Bond is really buff.

How did they all get such good hands.

Some scenes should not be watched by men with sensitive constitutions.

How could you do that to such a pretty Aston Martin.

Someone should reallllly cut that extended romance segment. We are not here to watch happy families.