First Ski, Second Tooth, Family Hol and The Naughty Step

First Ski


We were up in Aviemore for a long weekend last weekend and while we were there, Murray experienced his first time on skis. The point of the holiday was for us all to Ski, but as it has been such a dreadful season, it was clear that we wouldn't get a ski, but if we could find a we patch of snow, we'd get Murray on his skis, and so we did. It may have been blowing an absolute gale, but he got a couple of wee shots any way. He was totally confused as to what we were strapping onto his feet and looked completely non-plussed on his first go, but I think he did quite enjoy it.

Second Tooth

Murray's second tooth popped through 2 days after his first, so at least he's symmetrical. There's been no more since then, but judging from the grimaces he's constantly pulling, it may not be long until some more pop through.

Aviemore

We had a really nice family hol with my folks and my sis and bro in law despite not being able to ski. On the Sat, my sis, bro in law, Al and myself headed out for a nice afternoon hike while mum and dad looked after Murray. It was really good to be on the hills despite the chilly wind. On Sunday after church in the morning, Al and I headed out for a wee hike while Murray napped and then they all brought Murray to meet up with us at the bottom of the funicular. Murray loved the train and it was priceless to see his wee excited face. After his wee ski (which if I honest meant an awful lot to me as I too was first on my skis about 18 months old, so feel like the tradition is being passed on) and a snack we went back down on the train. I don't know whether we passed through a parallel dimension as we travelled down, but ever since it seems like Murray has been on the naughty step an awful lot. He's taken to: throwing his toys when he's cross; refusing point blank to eat his meals (but snacks are perfectly edible) - edit - a few days on he is now a bottomless pit, so perhaps he had a wee bug; shouting car or garden to get out in both (we go out every day, so I have no idea why he's doing this especially as it starts first thing before he's even dressed) and completely ignoring Al or me when we ask him to give us something. As you can imagine he's becoming quite familiar with the naughty step! I'm hoping it's just a wee mini phase and that he'll be back to his old self soon. Fingers crossed it's just associated with getting tooth number 3.

Snack Time in the Cabin before heading out for a Family Walk.

Yeah! I'm out of the Backpack - it's my Time to Walk!

Over The Bridge

On the Shores of Loch An Eilleen

Over the Roots because walking on the Path is far too easy!

BREAKFAST!!!! Noma noma!

Stories With Nanna

Riding in my Big Truck 

  

Soft Play Fun

Riding on the Choo Choo with Big Bird.

One Random Pic from our Walk on Sat

Playing in the Park outside the Cabin

Our Hike on Sunday. It was really Lovely.

On the Funicular - choo choo!

Snack Time at the Top of the Mt after my 'taxing' Ski!

Driving the Pretend Funicular - Beep Beep!

We Have a Tooth!!!!

I can't quite believe it, but, finally at 19.5 months Murray finally has a tooth poking through his gums!!!! Yeah! I wonder if the next ones will ping down in quick succession, especially as the whole of his top gum is v lumpy and bumpy.

On more good news, although the first week in Feb was still pretty rough with lack of sleep, we have now had a week of proper nights. All I can say is: 'Thank Goodness', as it was getting a bit much.

Murray has really grown recently and is now 83cm and his speech is exploding. Yesterday at dinner Al told me he took a big piece of cheese on toast and said: 'too big' and bit off a smaller bit. being a proud mum, I thought this v clever, and then again today he was trying to post things into his house and if it was too big, he said: 'too big'. Clever boy!

Here are some pics and videos of things we've been up to.


At The Park





Choo, Choo!

Sleepy Monster in Mummy's arms as my teeth hurt too much to sleep in my cot. He slept like that for 1.5 hours. I was v glad I had just been for a wee!

Although still struggling with motivation on account of not really having a purpose to my training (except for the vague hope of getting back to running at some point in the future), I've managed to average 4 times a week. Usually 1x5 mile walk; 1x 50 - 60 min gym session and 2x 60 min swim sessions. The only problem i'm having is I'm really struggling top throw the bugs I'm picking up from Murray. I thought I'd got rid of my last sore throat on Tues/Wed and then did a hard swim on Thurs (prob a bit too hard and would have been better to take it steady again) and by that night at work, my throat was sore to swallow again. Soooo annoying. I've almost forgotten what it feels like to feel well!

I'm hoping I'll be feeling on top form for next weekend as we are heading up to Aviemore for a long weeknd with my folks and my sis and bro in law for some skiing. I don't think we'll have much skiing as we've had a cruddy winter, but if the skiing is crud, we'll simply take advantage of the on tap babysitting and go hiking instead. Can't believe we've had 2 great winters and I've either been preggers or in still in severe pain with a pretty young wee one. Ah well, that's Scottish weather for you. It'll be fun just to get away and spend time with my family.

A Whole lot of January.

Oh my God - this has been the longest month ever!

January is a pretty cruddy long month anyway, but this one I have actually been awake more than I should have been. I would say we have had about 5 full undisrupted nights of sleep in the whole of the month between stomach bugs, colds, high temperatures, teething (yes I know he doesn't have any teeth, but believe me he teethes.) and possible 18 month sleep regression - who knows. I'm so tired now I've stopped trying to work out why!  This is a bad dose of teething too and I can actually feel some lumps and swelling in his gums, so who knows maybe soon I will no longer have a gummy bear. If I have at least got teeth to show for the severe bags under my eyes, all will be forgiven.

 He's actually fast asleep at the mo, about 2 hours before he usually naps as he's (we've) been up since 4.45am. At least there was no chance of sleeping in for my swim! We headed out to Playgroup in Crieff once I was back and breakfasted and he fell asleep en route -had to do an about turn and get him into his bed and he was so tired from his night time nonsense that I was able to remove his shoes, jacket, trousers and put him into his sleeping bag still fast asleep!

As a result, exercise has been a bit erratic - last week I got a 4.5 mile hike, 60 min gym session and 130 lengths swim session (1 hour). This week has started well with a 5.5 mile serious pace on hike with my mate Wendy, and despite the bad night a 140 lengths swim session (1 hour) this am. Hopefully meeting Wendy for a swim on Thursday too so no matter how bad the night, I'll be dragging myself there! I plan to go to the gym on Wed and one day at the weekend. Fingers crossed.


Roll on February! Perhaps a change of month will bring back my good wee sleeper.

Tummy Trouble, Teethy Pegs and New Developments

Tummy Trouble

We suffered first week of term-itis again and Murray came down with a nasty stomach bug. I have never smelled anything like the smells coming out of his wee botty- OMG! Truly gag worthy trumping and pooping! My first week consisted of Al finishing an hour early and me rushing into work late, so I'm already behind and I'm one week in!!!! Every term!!!! Update: now I have it - joy! 2 weeks behind!!!!

Anyhoo, he's a lot better now, but is just uber ravenous, so has been waking in the night for milk and eating like a horse. I'll be glad to get back to undisturbed nights and napping. He totally ditched his nap yesterday. He is down today though. Got him up at 7am on the dot so he was awake longer before his nap as I'm really not ready to say goodbye to his naps yet.

Good Week / Bad Week (Same old Story)

Despite the tricky nights and poor wee soul that has not wanted to let go of "mamma, mamma, mamma", last week I managed, 2 early am swims of 140 lengths (2800m) before Murray had woken and 2 hikes of 2 hours and 1 of 1h30 while Murray was napping. It has been nice to get out in the fresh air rather than be stuck in doors. On Monday and Sunday I headed up to Comrie, while on Friday I powered up to Kilskenneth Cairn. It only took me 1h30 to nip up and down so a good one to remember for another day because the hour of fast hands on knees up was a great work out. It was Alpine clear and still up the top and it was so bitter sweet. So lovely to be up there overlooking the surrounding mountains and feeling the cool air on my face and the smell of the earth, but I can't shake the sense of loss at not being able to run so I could explore further afield and get outside more regularly. Hey ho, that's life.

This week has been crud. I booked in to go to Pilates on Monday. The class was not my cup of tea and the room was freezing. I won't go back, but it was pants as I used babysitter time to essentially do nothing as we were all too cold to relax. Tuesday Murray was up from 3am and then I had to take him to the dentist. Yesterday I got swimming, but then got ill so what a blow out! Ah well!

Teethy Pegs

Murray's trip to the dentist was good. The dentist assured me he does have teeth and showed me what to look for. He says they're on the way, but will be a little time yet as they aren't near the surface yet. Big relief.

New Developments

Murray loves to dance now and he has also started to pretend play which is just great to watch:

Please excuse Al's tuneless whistling and 'pom pom pomming' in the background, but I love Murray's sideways shimmy action and final flourish!

This phone is hideously noisy, but it's pretty cool he's trying to find twinkle twinkle. Proud mummy moment alert, but Murray can hum the first 2 lines of twinkle twinkle and almost knows the 3rd. Of course I think he is a musical genius!

The new Gordon Ramsay! Well as long as he learns to cook better than his dad, I'll be happy.

Christmas and New Year 2011

We had a lovely Christmas this year. It was quite exciting having Wee Murray running around instead of just sitting and sleeping like last year!

Call us mad, but Al and I set the alarm for 6am so we could have a quiet cup of coffee in bed before the craziness of the day started, and I'm really glad we did. It was nice to chill out for a short while before the day started.

Al's folks came to Mass with us in Comrie which was really nice. I had to laugh as Murray (for the first time) did a really stinky poo in his nappy during Mass. If we had been at Crieff, it would have been fine as the Priest's house attaches to the church, but in the tiny wee chapel in Comrie, there is no where, so I had to take Murray back to our car (a few mins walk away). I managed to hold on until after communion, but I nearly knocked the Canon out when we went up for communion! HAHA! When I got to the car I realised I had dropped my keys in the church, so had to carry the big lump back to the church and then back to the car, so by the time I had changed him, Mass was over - ah well!

When we got home, we put the turkey in the oven, and Murray down for his nap and Al and I headed out for a run/the gym respectively. It was kind of sad not to be running with Al this year, but that's life - at least I got a workout. When we got home, my parents arrived and we got Murray up and we all opened our presents. My dad got Murray a sledge and Murray loved it. He sat in it and said bubbles, because he thought it was like his bath!!!! He also got a his first pair of skis which are so gorgeous and just like the pair I had at 18 months.

I was so busy on Christmas day that I didn't hardly have a chance to take any pics, but my mum in law took a few, so when she emails them I'll post them, but  we did take a video of Murray practising using his ski poles! I just looove it!

New Year was an altogether quieter affair. I cooked Al and I a nice meal and we had a few wines, but I'm afraid I still didn't manage to stay up to the bells! Maybe next year!

Did I make any New Year's resolutions? Nope, not really. I'm sure Murray will keep me learning in the ways of being a mummy. I have booked Al and I a night away in January. Our club always has a dinner dance in Jan, so we've booked to stay overnight for that. I'm really looking forward to getting ready without having to juggle doing hair and make up with bed time routine and also being able to have a few wines without the worry of having to get up in the night! I've also booked a family weekend away in Feb in Aviemore to go skiing. It's my sister's and brother in law's birthdays close to the weekend so it will be celebration weekend for them too. It'll be really nice to introduce Murray to skiing and to get skiing myself as it has been a few years, between pregnancy and young baby ties!

In an effort to make sure Al and I get some baby free time together, we headed out for a hike together while Murray had a day of fun with my folks. Al is doing a club team race in a few weeks and didn't know his route so we recc-ed that. It is only about 3.7 miles, but we walked out and back as it is a point to point and we only had one car which made it a nice 7 miles. It was pretty blowy on the tops and there were a few snow flurries on the way back, but it was great to be out and we rounded the day off with a lazy lunch/dinner. I must admit it was rather nice not to be eating and feeding Murray or trying to keep him in his high chair for longer than 5 mins!

Here are some pics from our hike.

 Trying to stay upright! - Note the rab down jacket - fantastic Xmas present - I've never been so warm!

Oh and Murray is now completely off his bottles.. He was just having 1 at night, but he now has his milk in a cup while we do bed time stories and he's adjusted just fine. I wanted him off them by 18 months and he is, so that's a good feeling!

All the best to everyone for 2012. I hope it is a good one.

Last Week of Term and Chatter, Chatter, Chatter.

Boy am I glad this is the last week of term now. The past 3 have been pretty rough with Murray getting a nasty cough and sinus and sticky eye bug which was duly passed to Mummy and Daddy. My throat was like swallowing razors and the cough was barking throughout the night so sleepless nights while Murray was sick and same when I was. Al thought he'd got away with it  better than me this time, but just as he was feeling better, it came back and bit hard and it has dropped into his chest. I ended up with no exercise for 2 weeks, but there was no chance at all. I count myself quite lucky though as some friends' kids have landed in hospital with it. It might not be the same thing of course and Murray will come down with that version, but I'm praying like mad he doesn't. Finally managed to get a workout on Thurs, Sat and Al and I got a lovely snowy, wintry hilly walk this afternoon, thanks to Nanna and Grandcha's playing services. It was nice to reconnect with Al.

Murray has taken a mega growth spurt and from being mid way between the 9th and 25th percentile at 13 months is now on the 50th percentile. No wonder he's been hungry - I thought it was just because he wasn't able to eat when he had his sore throat! His language this week has taken a wee burst too. We now have:

door for definite;
ca and mew for cat;
ba for sheep;
ut for out like when he wants out of his high chair.
ook for book and look (you have to use the context);
ta when he wants to give you something he's found, but not when you give him something - we're working on that!;
mik for milk;
had for hat and he even said nanna's had the other day.
He also says something that sounds very similar to in de ca for in the car.

He's following directions more and more - we've taught him to put his books back in his book box, by saying in the box.He thinks himself v clever and claps himself when he does it! He also comes running when I say: 'Come and get breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack' and if I say: 'Let's go and get dressed,' he'll stand at the bottom of the stairs.  My next one is trying to get him to stay near when I let go of his hand to put my coat on.It is a NIGHTMARE - he is off like a shot. I've nearly had a hundred cardiac arrests as he shoots out a door. I NEVER let go in a car park because he'd be away before I knew it. He's obsessed with doors too so the other day he managed to escape at playgroup. He's calmed down quite a lot in the house, but if we go somewhere, he just wants to explore so much he won't even wait to take his jacket off! it certainly keeps me on my toes! Oh and he knows where his nose and mouth are too.

He still doesn't have any teeth, so I've made an appointment with the dentist on the 17th Jan and they'll take an x-ray to make sure they are there!

Oh and we went to his nursery's Xmas party last Wed. It was really good fun to see him play in the nursery. Santa visited and Murray was really good with him - he looked totally non-plussed as he always does when it is something new! Another party this Wed at our village's playgroup and another visit form Santa - wonder what his expression will be this time!

I gave Murray his second Haircut today. I still dare not take him to a barber as it is a blood bath waiting to happen! LOL! I do love my little boy with ants in his pants!

Mojo Dip + A Very Busy Boy!

Well it's been a wee while since I last posted anything. To be perfectly honest I've just been lacking the mojo. It's been a long time of going to the gym and swimming and I was really feeling v v frustrated at not being able to run and quite frankly quite down about it all as it just seems so unfair (probably not aided by being support crew once again for Al at his 1/2 marathon the other week.It's not that I don't want him to run - I do, but I simply wish we were able to take turns) but in my usual style I've given myself a kick up the butt and got back on with what needs to be done. This recovery milarky is a frustrating process, but we are moving forward - slowly - but forward I think, and I just need to keep focusing on the positives (ie - less everyday pain).

I've been trying to post on Debs and Vicky's blogs, but every time I go to upload, it says error. Vicky - well done on your run - please take it steady and not get carried away, but really pleased you had the energy to get out. Debs, take it easy getting back into your running - you had a very heavy year last year and you're probably still a bit fatigued.

Murray is getting even busier. He is climbing now and I keep finding him a top of things he should not be on - like his music table rattling the fire guard or the window sill (we have an old stone house, so the window sills are very deep. The worst one is when he dive bombs from the easy chair, over a gap and onto the sofa!!!!! Needless to say, trying to get anything done is pretty tricky! He does really like books now, but only when he wants to read (ie - when we go to the library, that as far as he is concerned, is NOT the time to read, but to crawl under all the furniture!) I have to admit to being pretty flipping knackered out by him. I asked my mum what I was like at his age and she looked at me with a knowing look and said: "relentless, Karen. You never stopped. I couldn't even get you to stop to eat." I then asked if she was tired to which she replied: "exhausted, I remember looking at the clock more than once and thinking, how long is it to bed time!" Ha ha! Oh well, looks like I've only got myself to blame. I read somewhere the other day that toddlers get a burst of energy between 2 and 3 and I nearly flipping cried - how much busier can he get!!!!!!

Anyway, he is just gorgeous and he's learning all manner of new skills. We've been learning to use a fork and he's really getting the hang of it. The other video is of him on his phone. With both that phone and his pretend mobile, he chatters down into it in this voice that he only uses for the phone - hilarious! Totally adore him!

Chomp, Chomp, Chomp!

Gabble, Gabble, Gabble!