Dinosaur

Saturday turned out to be a very tiring day. We had planned to go to the big shops to do a little bit of shopping but we ended up being there all day.

In the toy shop they had this robot dinosaur which was really good but Ellis didn't like it very much. Later on I let Leo go right up to it and he smacked it right on the head. He wasn't scared.



Lunch turned into a farce. The food court has changed considerably and I think for the worse. There used to be plenty of options for food and then you would just find a table to eat. There was a microwave for heating childrens' food and plenty of high chairs. I never once had a problem finding a seat. Now there are restaurants set up in different areas. They are expensive, don't cater for children, have limited seats and you have to queue for a table.

I selected one place to eat that was up some stairs so as we reached the top, we were told that they were no longer serving as their tills were broken. Back down the stairs I then chose another place which after waiting in the queue for a while I realised that they didn't really have very much for Ellis. I then picked the third place and we had to wait a while for a table, even longer to order our food and even longer than that to get our food. It turned out to be a bog standard panini for £5. Rubbish. And to top it all off, Rob and Ellis downed my milkshake!

We did loads more shopping after that and Ellis had a snooze. I tried to get Leo to sleep too but he wasn't having any of it. I ended up feeding him to sleep to get some peace.

I was hanging by the time we got back in the car and the boys were wide awake.

Leo had baby rice again at dinner but again it didn't go all that well. I suppose it just takes time. I don't really remember what it was like with Ellis so I think I will have a look back at my blog.

Uncle Dave came up and helped with bath time and story time and then Rob and Dave played on the Wii for a couple of hours while I did some blogging.

Today the weather was horrid and I wanted to go out to do some shopping, so Rob had the kiddies while I popped out.

I dropped a few things off to some friends, bought some gift cards and some vegetables so that I could make Leo a sweet vegetable medley.

I had a really good time zooming around sorting things out without having to worry about the boys.

Leo was in bed when I got back, when he woke up I gave him a feed then put him on the floor to play. For some reason he just wasn't happy so I put him back in bed and he stayed there for ages! I was a little concerned so went to check on him and he was just very happily sleeping with his toys. I kissed him and he stirred.

For dinner I tried to give him some carrot. He wasn't too sure but gave it a good go. I hate how much carrot stains everything!





I made the vegetable medley and it turned out really nice. It was supposed to make 5 portions but I filled up 1 1/2 trays with it!

The rest of the day just seemed to pass by.

Not really sure what I'm doing tomorrow. Was going to go swimming but I think I would like to go back to the big shops to try and finish off the Christmas shopping. I am going to write to Santa with Ellis though which should be good fun.

Weaning

We had a late start today as Leo slept in with me for a bit and Ellis was really quiet so I didn't get up. This meant that I was running behind all morning and my friend Sandra was coming for a visit.

I legged it around getting the house half tidy and sorting out the boys when Sandra arrived.

It was so good to see her and we had a lovely time catching up. She was 26 weeks pregnant today so we had loads to talk about and I loved being able to talk pregnancy and babies.



I had asked Ellis before Sandra had arrived if he would give her a kiss and a cuddle, he replied, "no, I'm going to be shy".



We went out for lunch and I was a bit worried how the boys would be as I haven't been out for a meal with both of them before but they couldn't have been better. Ellis was an Angel, he just sat in his high chair eating his food and watching what was going on. Leo played in the buggy until he wanted a feed and then fed for ages! He then sat in his buggy giving Sandra lovely smiles.



We had some time to kill before we had to see the health visitor so we took a walk around Sainsbury's, how exciting!

The health visitor was rubbish! I had some questions and she just said ah right and that was it! Bit annoyed but hopefully my normal health visitor will be there next time.

We went home to pick Rob up for Big Stars and Sandra went home. It was strange saying goodbye as next time I see her she will be a Mummy.

Big Stars was fun as always and Ellis seemed really happy running around. He hadn't had a nap all day and I was half expecting him to fall asleep in the car on the way home but he decided to wait until dinner time.



Well weaning has officially begun. Leo had his first go at some baby rice. I think I will make it thicker tomorrow so it doesn't all fall out so easily. With a bit of practice I'll get the right consistency.



As with Ellis, Rob had a go too and I think he does it better than me.



We had to entertain the boys for 15 minutes before bath time so Rob sat and read to them which is always very cute to see.



My evening is being spent blogging, having a shower and going to bed. Hopefully Leo will sleep until after midnight.

This weekend I hope to get most, if not all of my Christmas shopping done and I also need to make a vegetable medley for Leo. I can't believe my baby is growing up.

6 Month Photo Session

As Leo was 6 months old today, I took literally hundreds of pictures this morning. I wasn't happy with the results apart from a few I took of Ellis. First though here is Leo's first 5 month pictures.













This is Leo at 6 months, followed by Ellis at 6 months.













Ellis...







And this is the rest of the pictures I liked.























It was an early start for us as we had to get to Sophie's house by 10:30, can't tell you why yet but all will be revealed soon, and we made it which was a big shock.

We had fun but eventually every one turned up and it was hectic. Leo wanted to roll around but it just wasn't safe for him in the room I was sat in so I had to go in where the kids were playing so he could play too. I didn't mind, in fact Sophie and Sarah both came in to speak to me and I actually had a lovely conversation both times.

Sophie did a great job hosting. We all had toasted sandwiches and we were given a chart on which we could tick what fillings we wanted, cool way of doing it. We also picked names for the secret Santa but it didn't go too well as everyone kept picking out their own name, or so they say ;o)

I packed up and left first at just after 2:30pm. Leo really wanted/needed a sleep and so did Ellis so the timing was good. They were both asleep by the time I had left the house estate.

I had a very slow drive to my Mum's house and then sat outside with them for a while too. I reversed onto the drive eventually and the beeping of the reverse sensors woke Ellis up a bit too quickly and it took him a while to wake up properly. It was quite sweet as I got to have nice cuddles but it wasn't nice seeing him upset.

Leo woke up as soon as I brought him in and we then all played in the living room until dinner was served.

Ellis ate really well and Leo had a lovely bath on his own. It was all very calm, relaxed and enjoyable. Mum, the food was soooo amazing by the way, I don't think you could have cooked those fajitas any better! ;o)

I didn't do too well on the diet today but one day off in nearly 2 weeks isn't that bad and I really needed the sugar to get me through today. The sleepless nights have caught up on me. Plus I haven't slept too well the last couple of nights. I was scared one night and then last night there was a huge black spider on my headboard by my head!

My friend Sandra is coming down to visit us tomorrow and I can't wait! She is nearly 25 weeks pregnant with her first baby and this will be the first time I have seen her since she got the news, so exciting!

Leo is being weighed in the afternoon and then after Big Stars class we are coming home to give Leo some baby rice. I'm hoping to video it like we did with Ellis so watch this space.

Right I'm off to bed. It's really chilly but I can't have the heating on at night as it makes way too much noise and disturbs me too much. I might bring Leo in with me tonight to save me getting out in the cold later on. ;o)

Story Time

Blogging at the moment isn't particularly easy. I seem to have lost my drive which is a shame as Leo is 6 months old tomorrow and I wanted to do a really good long entry about what has happened over that time. I just can't find the enthusiasm. Maybe I'm just tired.

Tonight Rob arrived home in time to help me finish off bath time. Leo had a quick feed and then decided he didn't want to go to sleep. I put him on Rob's lap so that he could enjoy story time too.







While Ellis was having his nap on the weekend, we grabbed this snap.



I really want to do a family photo session but it is just so much money and I'm not really feeling all that yummy Mummy yet so maybe when I do, I will arrange it.

I have a very busy day tomorrow. I really want to take loads of pictures of Leo to try and get a good one and hopefully get to see my AB girls before going to the shops and then my Mum's for dinner.

As for the house viewings, we put an offer in on one house to rent but they declined. Bit disappointed but not really gutted about it, they might change their minds but we will just have to wait and see.

House Viewing

This weekend has been a strange one. Not sure why but it has.

Rob ended up having a lie in on Saturday, even though he said I could but he didn't go to bed until 2am so no wonder he was tired. I had had a rough night with Leo but I actually felt okay so it didn't matter.

The boys had tickle time with Daddy and I tried to get a good picture. I took a few but these are my favourite.







We put them both down for a nap, then Rob and I sorted out the loft.

In the afternoon we went to view a few houses to rent as we are hoping to get a bigger place. The first house was nice but a bit old fashioned inside. The landlord was there watching the rugby and Ellis was so sweet going up to him and telling him that he was looking at houses, and that he had come from home, before saying, thank you man and leaving.

The next house we didn't even get to go in as the current tenant was not playing ball and would just not let us in. It was raining heavily and Leo was asleep in his car seat so I was quite pleased really.

The last house was a house we had viewed in 2004 with an interest in buying. It was strange being in there again and looked a bit different to what I had remembered. The owner of the house had a 2 week old baby and 2 other young children and she watched Ellis and Leo for us as the husband showed us around. The agent hadn't turned up and I was pleased about that as you can find out so much more by talking directly to the owner. I did like the house but I don't have the urge to move there. I'm hopefully going to view it again on Monday with my Mum and without Ellis which would make things a bit less hectic so I can actually remember what the house looks like.

Leo woke at 10pm again and I had gone to bed to try and get an early night so Rob had the first go at getting him back to sleep. He got rather upset so I took over after 20 minutes. I was determined not to feed him again as I knew he had had a really good feed before bed. So I made the hard decision to do controlled crying. He wasn't exactly screaming the house down but he wasn't happy. I would leave him for 5 minutes, then go in to see him and then leave again. It took just over an hour and by midnight he was sleeping again.

The next time he woke was 4:25am! He had a good feed then woke at 6:40am. I brought him in with us then and fed him again. He went back to sleep in our bed and we all got up at 8:15am.

Ellis and I spent some time in bed just chilling and messing around and then it was a mad rush to get ready and up to my Mum and Dad's.

Rob did some computer stuff and Ellis had a great time playing trains with Grandad. Leo had a nap and I helped Mum with some decorating stuff.



Mum said she wanted to get rid of some furniture in her bedroom. She was still using it but I said I could get rid of it on Freecycle for her. Basically you post a description of the item on a message board and people e-mail you back asking for it. Well it was all gone by 4pm! Mum was slightly surprised to say the least and I think Dad may have been a bit annoyed.

We shoved some lush lunch down our throats before the boys and I rushed home as a man was due to fix our fence, which had blown down, after 1pm.



The man never arrived and Rob was left up my parent's house until 6:20pm.

We spent the afternoon at home. Not really doing much. Ellis said he was tired and wanted to go to bed, so he did, and I read to Leo for a bit before putting him down for a nap too. I sorted the washing and started to do some more food for Leo when I had a call from Nic asking if I was in.

Wayne, Nic and Ella came over for a visit. I haven't seen them in ages so it was really nice to see Ella running around and playing with Ellis. She loved Leo too and I tried to get a picture of them kissing but I ended up doing a video instead.







They left and Rob arrived home, not feeling very well. He managed to help me to do the bath time with the boys and then had a bath before lying on the sofa not feeling good.

I did parsnip, potato and sweet potato for Leo and I didn't even sit down until 9:30pm.

It's so late now and I should have gone to bed ages ago! I feel okay though but I might not tomorrow.

Brothers?!

They can't be brothers can they? Surely not? They aren't similar at all really. ;o)









Leo my cutie pie.







Cousin Kamron turned 3 so we all went to his house for a little get together. It was really hectic but good fun. Ellis loved playing with all the new toys that he hadn't seen before and Chloe showed off her hamster and new tongue!





Kamron was asleep for the first bit of the evening but he soon woke up to play with his new toys and to blow the candles out on the cake.



Leo had cuddles with pretty much everyone. I love these pictures of him with Nanny, he looks so grown up!





I'm aware that my blogs are really lacking content but its just trying to find the time to sit and type stuff out. To be honest not much has really happened recently. We are just plodding along really.

Ellis is potty trained. No accidents for ages and he asks when he needs to go. He is dry most mornings but I'm not ready to go the whole hog yet.

Leo is slowly spending more time sat up and I'm sure he will soon be doing it well on his own. He is still a rubbish sleeper past midnight waking 3,4 or 5 times and sometimes wakes around 10pm too. It is hard work and last night I fell asleep feeding him in my chair only to wake up as I was tipping forward out of it! I am also finding that his nappy leaks as he sleeps on his side so I am having to change him totally around 3am and it wakes Ellis up too. Not easy. I really hope the weaning helps him to sleep better although being wet will wake him up anyway.

I'm doing well with my diet. I am sat here really, really hungry though. I thought I might have a bowl of cereal but really I should just go to bed. That's what I'm going to do.