Happy Easter!

The Easter Bunny has visited with a vengeance and so Murray got to enjoy some 'cocolate' on various occasions. I think he's getting a bit of a mega taste for it though. Have had to hide the left overs as I think he needs a few days chocolate free judging from the nights we've had for the past 3. He's been having a total party in the middle of the night. Not crying, just oooohing, Ahhing, weeee eeyore and hello mummy (yelled out when I try to quietly creep to the loo, but stand on every creaky floor board on our landing). Saturday night it went on from 2.30 to 5.30am!!!! At 4.30am last night I abandoned ship and decamped to our spare room downstairs to get away from the jabbering. It is half 8 and he is currently jabbering away and bagning about in his cot! He was absolutely shattered when I woke him from his nap and took forever to come round and now he's hyper!!!!! He is a complete mystery!

On Easter Sunday, my folks came to mass with us and then came to ours for a roast and then an Easter egg hunt for Murray in the garden. He was soo cute searching out the little shiny wrappers and pointing and saying 'egg, egg' when he found one.

Murray chomping on his "Cocolate".

Oh and we have a 3rd tooth: upper left 2 or 3 teeth back. I think more are on the way as he's really chomping down on his hand most days. Maybe that's the reason for the odd sleep, who knows.

Easter Break Starts with A Roar at Blair Drummond Safari!

Al's folk's celebrated their Ruby (40th) Wedding Anniversary on the 30th March, so had booked themselves into a hotel in Edinburgh for a few nights and as they were within easy reach we all met up at Blair Drummond Safari Park to start of the holiday with a roar! Murray loved seeing all the big animals like camels, tigers and elephants from the car, but nearly wet his pants at being able to get close up to the smaller animals in the enclosures. We especially loved the Sea Lions and Meercats. There was also a really good little petting farm.

After lunch, Al and his dad took Murray to play in the pirate ship play park. Al said Murray was so excited about all the different things he would barely get to one before he had to set off to another thing! LOL! Bless - we'll just have to go back another time. It was a really a great way to start the hols, especially as Murray reall recognised Al's folks this time even though he doesn't get to see them that often. We're going over to Belfast in May so hopefully Murray will still remember how to say: 'hello Grandma' and 'hello Grandad' which he said repeatedly on Saturday much to their delight! It was really lovely to hear / see!

Hello Grandad!

Loving The Seal Lions

Seemples: Mercats!

Meercat Digging a Hole!

The Wildest Animal in the Park! Such a Cutie!

Petting Eeyore's Cousin!

After a Refreshing nap in the car, I had a lovely play with Grandma and Granddad at my house before they had to go back to Edinburgh. I'm looking forward to going in the big boat to Northern Ireland in May.

Lurgies and random pics.

It has been a tough 3 weeks since Aviemore. In addition to Murray deciding to become v naughty, Al and I have had a plethora of lurgies. I really can't be bothered with being sick. I find it such a big waste of time, but sick, the 2 of us have been. Mother's Day was rubbish as Al was, in bed shivering with a temperature, sick and Murray was being a nightmare! We've abandoned the naughty step for the mo' as he was getting far too much attention when running off it for 20 mins plus (yes 20 minutes +). He thought it was a great game to hide behind the table etc etc. Nightmare! We've gone back to time out in his travel cot as he can be left quite calmly for 2 minutes without my blood pressure hitting the ceiling!

Any way, by keeping Murray uber occupied, I have made it through a better week and now only have 1 more week of work until the Easter break and I have to say, it simply cannot come soon enough. Al is taking the second week off so with the Easter bank hols will have 10 days off which will be really nice.

Murray and I went to Deep Sea World yesterday for my friend's eldest's 5th birthday. It was great. Murray loved it and literally ran from tank to tank to see the different fish. The only snag was the low down tanks in which they have 'touch the fish' sessions as he thought they were a swimming pool for him to jump into and every time I lifted him up to see better, he'd shout: ready, steady, go and try to jump out of my arms into the tank (we do ready steady jump into the pool when we go swimming). Boy that boy is strong - I had to grip him tightly so I didn't end up with one soggy toddler! The other tough moment was with those stupid ride along machines - why do they always have them? Trying to get him off was a ruddy nightmare. Fortunately it was close to leaving, so it was relatively short lived. It was so lovely to go celebrate H's birthday and to see his brother (my God son) as I haven't seen them since October-ish. We were both shattered when we left and I must admit I was v jealous of Murray sleeping in the car on the way home as it was a busy morning. I made a good decision to go home via my folks, which meant I could at least get a cup of tea. Well worth it though. I will definitely take him again.

We got Murray measured for new shoes today. He is now a 41/2F (same width fitting, but longer) and managed to get another bargain. £10 for this pair compared to £32 for the new season ones!

Here are some random pics taken over the past week or so:

'Bouncing up and down on the Big Red Tractor'

Painting cards for the Grandma and Nanna for Mother's Day. I actually caught him mid 'Ta Da!'

Drawing on the chalk board.

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.