Here's a pic of him before we left:
And arriving:
He had a fantastic time and didn't want to come home! Clever, confident boy - well done! Mummy is very proud!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Murray's First Morning at Preschool - 19th August 2013
Murray started Preschool in the village today. It was lovely to be able to walk him there rather than put everyone in the car.
Here's a pic of him before we left:
And arriving:
He had a fantastic time and didn't want to come home! Clever, confident boy - well done! Mummy is very proud!
Here's a pic of him before we left:
And arriving:
He had a fantastic time and didn't want to come home! Clever, confident boy - well done! Mummy is very proud!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Summer Holiday at Cloughey and Harris'first tooth.
For the first time in 3 years we took our longest holiday. We've only taken long weekends or maybe 5 days, but this summer, courtesy of Al's cousin Emma, we were able to take a longer holiday as we were able to use her caravan. His Aunty Jane has a caravan at the same site and was taking her holiday there at the same time. As she is a childminder, it was great fun as she just loves kids and was happy to help out with the kids loads.Her caravan was literally just off the beach, so we could walk down from ours and still have a shower after and somewhere to snack/coffee. Our caravan was fab too as it had a fully enclosed fenced in garden so Murray could head out to play safely at any time while we were in the caravan.
We were also in a line of about 6 caravans with a wee path in front of then that was safe to let Murray bike up and down on his own providing he didn't go any further. It was so lovely to give him that freedom and trust and he didn't let us down. He also got really good on his balance bike.
As the site is in N. Ireland and about 1.5 hours drive from Al's folks' house, they were able to visit at the campsite or meet us on a day out and see lots of the kids. Murray loved going on the ferry to get to N. Ireland, the campsite, the rock pools the water, the jelly fish (although he knew not to touch), the crabs. As Cloughey is on a peninsula with the Sea on one side and a Sea Loch (or Lough as it's spelled in N. Ireland) on the other side, it felt like we were on a mini island, especially as we got the little ferry a couple of times to go on day trips.
We were so lucky. Before we went on holiday, we were really lucky to enjoy a solid 2 week spell of fantastic weather and while we were in Cloughey the weather broke here, but was beautiful where we were, so I feel like I've had 3 solid weeks of heat and sun and it is v v gratefully received. Shorts and vests are so lovely to wear everyday. After the past few years of dreadful summers, it has been so lovely to feel like we've been abroad!
We basically spent the week at the beach, but had 2 day trips out to family parks. The first had a bunch of toy tractors and the second had a great park and a miniature railway (a big hit with everyone!).
Al got out running and I got out on my road bike which was fab - I really enjoyed it as it has been nearly 2 years! I used my cleats for the first time and sort of got the hang of them. I was on v quiet rds and I'm not sure I'd enjoy being on busy rds/ town, but they def do help with efficiency. The freedom of being able to get out for longer than hour was really liberating.
The holiday also really helped Murray move on with the potty training. I ended up having to get pretty firm and timing out accidents if I had asked him if he needed to toilet. Sounds so mean, but he totally knew when he needed (wees) and just couldn't be bothered - having to re dress himself helped to move things along too. He has moved on with poops too - generally going in the potty now with the occasional accident when it comes by surprise. That I can handle, just doing it on someone else's garden, I cannot! LOL! Also he's been dry pretty much every morning for nearly 2.5 weeks, so he's agreed that when we run out of nappies, he'll swap to pants! It's great timing as my baby '#1 starts Preschool a week on Monday!!!!! I can't believe he will be starting, but it is good timing as Harris is so nearly moving and atleast I will only have 1 to chase on a Mon, Tues and Fri ams. Wed ams we go to Toddlers so at least we are in an enclosed space and Monday afternoon Murray will have swimming lessons, so that'll be him busy then too!
Final update is today Harris cut his first tooth - bottom right. 11th August at 9 months 3 weeks - only 1 year earlier than Murray! Lets see how long wee last feeding him! He's been up every night for the past week which has been rough, but at least we have something to show for it apart from bags under our eyes!
I'll leave you with this fab pic of the brothers!
The enclosed garden.
The path where Murray could cycle
We were also in a line of about 6 caravans with a wee path in front of then that was safe to let Murray bike up and down on his own providing he didn't go any further. It was so lovely to give him that freedom and trust and he didn't let us down. He also got really good on his balance bike.
As the site is in N. Ireland and about 1.5 hours drive from Al's folks' house, they were able to visit at the campsite or meet us on a day out and see lots of the kids. Murray loved going on the ferry to get to N. Ireland, the campsite, the rock pools the water, the jelly fish (although he knew not to touch), the crabs. As Cloughey is on a peninsula with the Sea on one side and a Sea Loch (or Lough as it's spelled in N. Ireland) on the other side, it felt like we were on a mini island, especially as we got the little ferry a couple of times to go on day trips.
Walking down to look at the little ferry that we would catch the next day with Fireman Murray!
Ont the ferry, sitting in our car.
So fun. Harris seemed to enjoy it all too and really developed as well - no longer sitting in one place - constantly face planting and now he is trying to tuck his legs up to crawl, but can't quite connect the dots. He can take his time as far as I'm concerned!
We were so lucky. Before we went on holiday, we were really lucky to enjoy a solid 2 week spell of fantastic weather and while we were in Cloughey the weather broke here, but was beautiful where we were, so I feel like I've had 3 solid weeks of heat and sun and it is v v gratefully received. Shorts and vests are so lovely to wear everyday. After the past few years of dreadful summers, it has been so lovely to feel like we've been abroad!
We basically spent the week at the beach, but had 2 day trips out to family parks. The first had a bunch of toy tractors and the second had a great park and a miniature railway (a big hit with everyone!).
Lunch time!
Tractor fun!
Our second day trip - this time with grandma and grandad.
Love this pic of my handsome baby boy!
On the miniature railway.
Al got out running and I got out on my road bike which was fab - I really enjoyed it as it has been nearly 2 years! I used my cleats for the first time and sort of got the hang of them. I was on v quiet rds and I'm not sure I'd enjoy being on busy rds/ town, but they def do help with efficiency. The freedom of being able to get out for longer than hour was really liberating.
The holiday also really helped Murray move on with the potty training. I ended up having to get pretty firm and timing out accidents if I had asked him if he needed to toilet. Sounds so mean, but he totally knew when he needed (wees) and just couldn't be bothered - having to re dress himself helped to move things along too. He has moved on with poops too - generally going in the potty now with the occasional accident when it comes by surprise. That I can handle, just doing it on someone else's garden, I cannot! LOL! Also he's been dry pretty much every morning for nearly 2.5 weeks, so he's agreed that when we run out of nappies, he'll swap to pants! It's great timing as my baby '#1 starts Preschool a week on Monday!!!!! I can't believe he will be starting, but it is good timing as Harris is so nearly moving and atleast I will only have 1 to chase on a Mon, Tues and Fri ams. Wed ams we go to Toddlers so at least we are in an enclosed space and Monday afternoon Murray will have swimming lessons, so that'll be him busy then too!
Final update is today Harris cut his first tooth - bottom right. 11th August at 9 months 3 weeks - only 1 year earlier than Murray! Lets see how long wee last feeding him! He's been up every night for the past week which has been rough, but at least we have something to show for it apart from bags under our eyes!
I'll leave you with this fab pic of the brothers!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
My babies are growing up so fast!
It has been an emotional week already.
On Sunday I put Harris into his own room to sleep for the first time. He looked so tiny in his big cot. I know it is a ridiculously long time to still be in our room (especially as Murray was in his own room before 6 months), but it just seems like he is still such a teeny babba and that it is all going past too quickly. I just can't believe that tomorrow he is 9 months!
Today Murray had his last half day at the nursery he has been attending since he was 9 months! He has enjoyed it so much and it has benefited him enormously. He finished today because we go on holiday this weekend for a week and a half and then he only has 2.5 weeks until he starts Preschool in the village! I can't believe he starts Preschool. Such a big boy!
We've been having cracking weather for the past couple of weeks. Really hot (too hot for getting babies to sleep and causing them to have heat rash) which has been lovely so we've been doing as much outdoor things as poss.
On Sunday I put Harris into his own room to sleep for the first time. He looked so tiny in his big cot. I know it is a ridiculously long time to still be in our room (especially as Murray was in his own room before 6 months), but it just seems like he is still such a teeny babba and that it is all going past too quickly. I just can't believe that tomorrow he is 9 months!
Today Murray had his last half day at the nursery he has been attending since he was 9 months! He has enjoyed it so much and it has benefited him enormously. He finished today because we go on holiday this weekend for a week and a half and then he only has 2.5 weeks until he starts Preschool in the village! I can't believe he starts Preschool. Such a big boy!
We've been having cracking weather for the past couple of weeks. Really hot (too hot for getting babies to sleep and causing them to have heat rash) which has been lovely so we've been doing as much outdoor things as poss.
Picnic time for Murray, while Harris gnaws on Murray's sunglasses!
Paddling Pool Fun!
I'm a sea-monster, Daddy!
Murray on his new balance bike.
Peekaboo Giggles with Harris
Octonaut Murray at the Sea Life Centre Loch Lomond Shores
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Murray's 3rd Birthday
My baby #1 turned 3 on Monday!!!!! H.O.W!!!!! I just can't believe I have a 3 year old.
I threw him a proper birthday party this year and it had an Octonauts theme as he really loves the Octonauts.
I was rather pleased with my efforts:
Murray was so excited to have a birthday party and I felt so proud of him playing so nicely and handing out his party bags and saying: ' thank you for coming!' He also helped with the clear up!
He was sad for it to end, but was happy to get to take some balloons home.
We had the party on Sunday, but his actual birthday was Monday so my folks and my sis and baby Benjamin joined us for the day to have a wee visit to Auchingarrich animal park. Mum and dad were paying for our ticket to the park for the year, so I though it would be nice or them to see what they were buying. They loved it and thought it was a great present.
Murray came into the living room on the morning of his birthday and his jaw dropped as he saw his 'new bike'! He loves his balance bike and already enjoys paddling along on it.
In other news:
Harris is now 8.5 months, weighs 17lbs 2oz and is doing well with solids. We had a shaky blip where he was refusing to eat, but basically the poor lamb had the most awful month of May - sore throat, chicken pox and then to top it all off M, H and I got a tummy bug which (because of H not feeding at all) resulted in me getting mastitis! Ouch! I was so over the Month of May! Anyway, once he felt better he got stuck in and actually a bit too stuck in and I had to get him back to twice a day and just moved up to 3 meals today. he's really got the hang of drinking from a cup and so will take milk from a cup too which takes the pressure off me a bit. I think we're on the cusp of needing to feed from me less, but at the mo, it is a busy time as he still wants a milk feed post meals! Meal times are crazy! Harris is at such a lovely age at mo'. Is happy to sit and reach out for his toys, or explore his leap frog table. I am def enjoying the 'calm before the storm of movement'!
In contrast to May, June has absolutely flown in with lots of fun summery trips to adventure parks, friends' birthdays and M, H and I joined my sis, baby B and my folks at The Highland Show which was awesome - exhausting, but great fun. Murray nearly died over how big some of the tractors were! Of course the best part of the month has been organising Murray's birthday. Finally, this Saturday we are going to the Sea Life centre at Loch Lomond and are going to see 'The Octonauts' there! I think Murray is going to explode when he sees a life sized Kwazii walking about!
It has been a big year for us all and I feel like Murray's party ad trip to the Octonauts has/will be a big celebration for us all. This time last year, I was really struggling in pregnancy and it was hard for Murray to have Mummy so exhausted and in pain and now Harris is safely here, and Murray and Harris have really bonded. I love my little family even on the hardest days when I want to tear my heart out! LOL! I really have 2 of the most gorgeous boys and I am so v, v blessed.
Pirate Murray! Oooh arrrrrr!
I threw him a proper birthday party this year and it had an Octonauts theme as he really loves the Octonauts.
Feeding time at the party!
I love this pic - Murray is feeding the octonauts on his plates his lunch! Too cute!
I was rather pleased with my efforts:
- Yummy gluten'dairy free cake with an Octonauts personalised topper. I made the cake and bought the topper.
- Yummy g/d free fairy cakes with mini Octonauts toppers.
- Pin the tail on Kwazii instead of the donkey. Quite chuffed with my drawing too.
- Peso paper plates puppets. The kids really enjoyed doing them so I'm really glad I did the prep work.
Octonauts hats and Peso paper plate puppet in background!
- Octonauts hats instead of party hats.
- We also did pass the parcel which the kids loved and they played really well. Putting a choc in each layer of rapping paper worked a treat in keeping them excited.
- I borrowed loads of toys from toddlers and the kids had a great time.
Murray was so excited to have a birthday party and I felt so proud of him playing so nicely and handing out his party bags and saying: ' thank you for coming!' He also helped with the clear up!
He was sad for it to end, but was happy to get to take some balloons home.
We had the party on Sunday, but his actual birthday was Monday so my folks and my sis and baby Benjamin joined us for the day to have a wee visit to Auchingarrich animal park. Mum and dad were paying for our ticket to the park for the year, so I though it would be nice or them to see what they were buying. They loved it and thought it was a great present.
Murray came into the living room on the morning of his birthday and his jaw dropped as he saw his 'new bike'! He loves his balance bike and already enjoys paddling along on it.
In other news:
Harris is now 8.5 months, weighs 17lbs 2oz and is doing well with solids. We had a shaky blip where he was refusing to eat, but basically the poor lamb had the most awful month of May - sore throat, chicken pox and then to top it all off M, H and I got a tummy bug which (because of H not feeding at all) resulted in me getting mastitis! Ouch! I was so over the Month of May! Anyway, once he felt better he got stuck in and actually a bit too stuck in and I had to get him back to twice a day and just moved up to 3 meals today. he's really got the hang of drinking from a cup and so will take milk from a cup too which takes the pressure off me a bit. I think we're on the cusp of needing to feed from me less, but at the mo, it is a busy time as he still wants a milk feed post meals! Meal times are crazy! Harris is at such a lovely age at mo'. Is happy to sit and reach out for his toys, or explore his leap frog table. I am def enjoying the 'calm before the storm of movement'!
I know it's Murray's party, mummy, but I'm starving, so I'll gnaw on this plastic sandwich until you get a minute!
Can you fix it Harris?
Nee Naw!
According to Murray, Harris can go on his old bike as he has his new one!
In contrast to May, June has absolutely flown in with lots of fun summery trips to adventure parks, friends' birthdays and M, H and I joined my sis, baby B and my folks at The Highland Show which was awesome - exhausting, but great fun. Murray nearly died over how big some of the tractors were! Of course the best part of the month has been organising Murray's birthday. Finally, this Saturday we are going to the Sea Life centre at Loch Lomond and are going to see 'The Octonauts' there! I think Murray is going to explode when he sees a life sized Kwazii walking about!
It has been a big year for us all and I feel like Murray's party ad trip to the Octonauts has/will be a big celebration for us all. This time last year, I was really struggling in pregnancy and it was hard for Murray to have Mummy so exhausted and in pain and now Harris is safely here, and Murray and Harris have really bonded. I love my little family even on the hardest days when I want to tear my heart out! LOL! I really have 2 of the most gorgeous boys and I am so v, v blessed.
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