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Emily Vest
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I have no idea what Glee is. Until today I didn't even know that such a thing existed. I now know that there is something called Glee and everyone is talking about it.
But I like the sound of a positive happy dancy Rosie!
Living my life Glee-style
There is nothing better, I have discovered, than a bout of ill-health to make you re-evaluate your life, your health, your diet, your weight, your stress levels and your work-life balance. So, some huge changes are taking place at Scribble Towers, changes for the better. For once, I am actually ...
I think our teacher must have been unusual in being a rare NCT teacher that didn't present medical intervention as negative but more as an option. She went through all the different options, presented them equally, said you should make a birth plan but it seldom happens that it works that way and prepared us for it all to go a bit pear shaped. Wish there were more like her, she was an absolute gem.
You are a failure and an embarrassment, frankly.
So, I was chatting with a new Mum this week and she was telling me about her baby’s birth. After a long labour, she had an epidural, but the labour failed to progress quickly enough and my friend ended up having a c-section to deliver her little boy. Of course, I immediately told my friend th...
We had a very similar choice. Religious school, great OFsted report, slightly further away. Smaller, goodish school that was closer.
We went for the local school. I preferred that it was smaller, and I found the pushiness of the bigger school and its parents unbearable. Schools can change a lot in the seven years they will be there. I preferred the nuturing atmosphere of a smaller school. Adam starts there in April and so far, I'm really pleased with it all!
If someone mentions "School Choice" again...
I will either cry or slap that person! IS THAT CLEAR?! Now that we have gone past the conversations about breast or bottle, sitting unaided, saying “mama”, walking, POTTY TRAINING, we are on the subject of “Alphabet learning” and SCHOOLS! Wherever I go I hear: “Have you chosen the school you ...
Great to have you back! I've had a few of these offers too, really what is the point?
Blog takeover bids
There are some things that make me chuckle to myself in a slightly innate way, while at the same time leaving me feeling quite annoyed. Let me explain. It would seem that since asking on Monday 'Do I really want to write a blog?', there are plenty of people who are happy to write it for me, for...
Love that photo. Love the artwork. Like the red posters on the National Gallery the best. Really well captured.
The Gallery: Colours
Well, I complained that Tara's 'colour' theme for this week's Gallery was too hard because the weather was overcast and grey, and then the sun came out. So perhaps I should complain some more. Perhaps not. Anyway, I'm not over-excited at my entry but I didn't have anything else to include. It wa...
Oh, I love big dogs. She looks gorgeous. x
Wordless Wednesday; the big blond in our house
I was looking at old photos or rather trying to make some space in my laptop memory, when I stumbled upon these old photos of Nala… When I look at this one, I can remember the puppy smell and the sharp little teeth that she would dig in our hands to play. Now she is the softest and mo...
In defence of the NCT - they have a certain reputation but it isn't always true. I think it very much depends upon the teacher. My NCT teacher was amazing and made it her mission to ensure that we knew about all the different options, what they entailed and some of the political issues behind them (eg involving funding etc.). She never made any attempts to say that any one way was better or more preferable than another. I know others have had different experiences of the NCT, but I've only had positive ones and my sessions with them left me well informed and with no particular bias.
You are a failure and an embarrassment, frankly.
So, I was chatting with a new Mum this week and she was telling me about her baby’s birth. After a long labour, she had an epidural, but the labour failed to progress quickly enough and my friend ended up having a c-section to deliver her little boy. Of course, I immediately told my friend th...
Fab shot. They are very white! I love snow drops, such a sign that winter is DONE, we made it through and the good spring times are set to roll!
(I went for white as my colour too - although nowhere near as white as yours!)
The Gallery - Colour - White
Once again time for the weekly gallery photo theme from Tara at Sticky Fingers. This weeks theme is Colour. These are not the best quality because they are taken on my Blackberry. But it's the thought that counts right? My colour is white. The little one had lovely new white trainers (they d...
Sally - as ever, not sitting on that fence. That's what we love about you.
I could not agree more. There is no need to presume that one birth or one woman is better than another. We have enough to beat ourselves up about, why add to that list unnecessarily. We all do the best that we can (mothers, medical professionals) and a healthy mother and child at the end of it all is the most important thing of all.
By all means, ensure that women know about the different options and are educated in the choices that they make, but do remember life doesn't always work out the way it is planned. If the birth plan doesn't run like clockwork, there is no need to stress about it as long as the end result is attained.
Certainly there are medical professionals that could do with some brush ups regarding patient care and listening to their patients, and hospitals can always improve maternity services. But I've spent time in Sierra Leone (where 1 in 6 women will die in childbirth, think about that statistic - 1 in SIX) and in Bosnia, a European country with a well developed medical system but their maternity services are of a far lower standard than the UK.
Sally is right. There is no need for competition about this. We are lucky to live in a country where good quality medical care is available, for free. We should be celebrating our children and their lives, not mourning the loss of an idealised picture of their arrival. Their arrival takes a few days at most. Their lives are for years.
You are a failure and an embarrassment, frankly.
So, I was chatting with a new Mum this week and she was telling me about her baby’s birth. After a long labour, she had an epidural, but the labour failed to progress quickly enough and my friend ended up having a c-section to deliver her little boy. Of course, I immediately told my friend th...
What a star she is. Wish she could have a word with my youngest, who has just worked out that being put to bed by Mummy and Daddy does not actually mean that you have to stay in bed because you can get out... I'm not happy about this development!
Bedtime update
So last night we took the sides off the cot and replaced them with toddler sides. How did it work out? Well no different. The little one continues to be a total star. I read her story, tucked her in, kissed her goodnight (now possible) and left the room. She lay down and went to sleep as usual. ...
Oh, feel better soon. A hot water bottle, some inane DVD and a bit of piece and quiet should do the trick - I hope. Go kick that lurgy into touch. x
Otherwise engaged
Today, I am unavailable. This is unusual for me as I usually have plenty to say. However, an unexpected and surprising turn of events has taken place in the Scribble household. Something has occurred that has not taken place for a very long time; an alarmingly long time, in fact. There is not a ...
And forgot to say that that is a fab photo too! x
The Gallery: 'Twelve'
Tara's theme for week two of The Gallery is numbers, so I've opted to post this: Twelve telephones boxes. Self-explanatory really except I had to count them three times convinced initially that there were only eleven. The photo was taken a couple of years ago when I was on holiday in Kingst...
So weird to think that they will think we are so ancient, kind of like being around before cars type things. We didn't have answering machines for ages either. And if a boy phoned you they had to call your home and you got so much teasing if your mum or brother picked up the phone! They won't have to do this awful ritual. I'm quite jealous.
The Gallery: 'Twelve'
Tara's theme for week two of The Gallery is numbers, so I've opted to post this: Twelve telephones boxes. Self-explanatory really except I had to count them three times convinced initially that there were only eleven. The photo was taken a couple of years ago when I was on holiday in Kingst...
Hooray for secret agent play. Sounds like a great way for a little girl to be spending her time! x
A reassuring scene
There is something hugely reassuring about discovering IJ at the top of the stairs with a screwdriver in one hand and a selection of different sized batteries in the other. The little girl who for so many weeks has been noticeably anxious and distressed, smiles as she announces to me that she is...
In Europe most children don't start school until 6. I have to say, I think this is a very healthy way of looking at things and can't help wondering that starting at 4 is just, well, very young really. Certainly, to be this stressed about tests at this age is ridiculous. She is at the age she should be enjoying school and school should be about her best interests.
I hope that they support her and work with you to find the best route for IJ. That is what they should be doing. But stick with it, trust your gut instinct.
I went to a Catholic school at that age, didn't do the whole first communion thing at all when everyone else was. Only thing that I really learnt from it is a deep mistrust of most things religious.
Battling on my child's behalf
IJ goes to a Catholic school, not because of any strong religious beliefs on my part if I'm perfectly honest, but because it is the second best school in the area. The best school in the area is also Catholic. Read into that what you will. She spent the first term of her academic life at the pri...
I know Plan B had a similar problem - she might have some ideas for solutions!
http://isthereaplanb.blogspot.com/2009/10/poo-viewers-of-sensitive-nature-may.html
http://isthereaplanb.blogspot.com/2009/12/by-george-i-think-shes-got-it.html
Seems quite a few people have had this problem potty training toddlers, I don't think you are alone. People always say that about boys, but I don't think it is true at all. Depends on the child. Good luck with it, you are well on the way! x
So we are potty training...
I know you have been waiting to hear about our potty training experience since the day I announced that we were going to start. Remember? The day I didn't enjoy being a mummy. It has been 3 weeks and I can say that we are doing fantastically well! He is a boy and I was told on lots of occasio...
What are you doing in my sitting room? Oh hang on, that's not my child. You mean someone else's looks like this too? Brilliant!
Believe it or not, my intentions were to sort things out...
NOT THIS!!!!
I think we've all had moments like this. Especially when you are just hoping for a bit of quiet. Sounds like she has shaken the virus though, which is good news. x
My Dobby moment
Dobby the House Elf from the Harry Potter books. That's me. I had one of those moments this morning. At 6:30am the little one woke up crying. Her Gro-Clock is set to 7:30 so if she cries to early I give her a chance to settle down and if she doesn't I will go in to see her and settle her. Th...
I'm always poaching my mums shoes and clothes. She is way more glamourous than me. I like the look of these shoes too. Are they expensive?
Granny writes a review
I am never one to turn down a free pair of shoes. Yet, as all companies know (I hope), parent bloggers will always write a completely honest review of any product given to them. At least, I will. These shoes from hottershoes.com were far nicer than I had expected when I looked through their br...
Lovely Abingdon. So pretty. Can't wait for an English summer (a proper one that is). x
The Gallery #1
This week, Tara, whose photography is fabulous despite her Sticky Fingers, has started The Gallery - a fabulous idea to encourage anyone interested in taking photographs to get out and start snapping. Thankfully for me, it is not about taking technically brilliant pictures. It is about having a...
Oh Rosie, that must break your heart. Occasionally Adam tells me that he has bad energy today and it just makes me want to cry.
I think the ideas about seeing if there is someone else that IJ could talk to about her worries and her concerns is a good one. I hope you find someone that you both like soon.
Big hugs. xxx
Mummy, I cannot smile
This morning I feel heartbroken. Today IJ is having her official school photograph taken. Usually it would not bother her but over the last few months, life seems to have been getting her down. Despite my constant efforts to reassure her and comfort her and to encourage her to talk about how sh...
Put me in the hat! We're always desperate for something new to watch. UK address to be sent to too? x
Motherhood the Movie - review and competition
After a long, busy and exhausting day that started with a trip to the doctors with IJ who was complaining of ear-ache and ended with a last minute dash to the supermarket to buy packed lunch supplies followed by a 45-minute wait at the post office to renew my passport, I sat down to relax with ...
I figured as much (just call me Sherlock for my
deductive abilities!). Hope it wasnt too much of a hassle. Glad you are going to enjoy blogging. Its no fun if you aren't enjoying it.
BTW, I keep meaning to tell you - one of my most
home sick moments happened when I'd been having a terrible time with the boys and was really missing having any proper playgrounds here - and then I read your
post when you'd been on holiday in Oxford and had a picture of IJ in my local playground. Literally, we live a minute walk from there. I couldn't believe it, the climbing frame (how many times have mine fallen off that climbing frame). I had a stomping around afternoon reading your post. The playgrounds in Oxford (and the splash park also round the corner, not to mention the pool) are one of
the things I am most looking forward to getting back to. Just over a month to go now - better start packing soon...
Mail order mummies
At six years old, IJ has little understanding of the concept of blogging. Although she has seen some of her own creations on my computer screen and the occasional photograph, but she has no real idea of what I'm doing when I'm typing away on-line. So she refers to 'blogging' as 'typing on your ...
I'll bid against Tim. IJ might find herself making some money this way!
Glad that you are finding typing at your computer less stressful. We like that very much. A big cheer for no cross faces when typing. x
Mail order mummies
At six years old, IJ has little understanding of the concept of blogging. Although she has seen some of her own creations on my computer screen and the occasional photograph, but she has no real idea of what I'm doing when I'm typing away on-line. So she refers to 'blogging' as 'typing on your ...
So many of us are in the same boat as you. It's been a tough one here too. I think it might be winter. Roll on summer when we can run them around outdoors for hours and hours without having to spend hours and hours getting them ready to go outside first (did I mention it has just snowed again here, feet of snow, I'm so depressed). They are so much easier to be around when the edge of energy has been rubbed off. Big hugs. Hope next week gets better. xxx
I am not enjoying being a mummy today...
Well I haven’t enjoyed it one single bit this week and to be totally truthful my favourite time of the day, EVERY SINGLE DAY has been bedtime. Not the fight to get them into their pyjamas or coming back for the hundredth time to say “NO! no more milk!”. No, my favourite time of all was MY bedtim...
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