Autumn Colours

Half term week is always hard work. I can't ever seem to get myself organised. I should have things planned for each day but I never do.

Monday we were supposed to see Tilly, Ethan and Noah, but her boys were ill so it was cancelled. Instead I did the food shopping. Boring.

After our busy day on Sunday and with me jumping all over the place to get a good shadow picture, I was really starting to feel the pregnancy. I didn't help this by doing the food shopping with both the boys. Pushing the trolley is hard, running after Ellis is hard, lifting heavy bags and children is hard and I was in pain.

So the following day was going to be relaxing until Mum said she was going to Costco and I really needed to go and she doesn't go that often. This would mean that I might miss Mummy afternoon at Lotty's but I had to get some stuff.

We had lunch and met Mum there. We were shopping for 2 hours! I bought loads of stuff though and got a few Christmas presents for my nieces and nephew. We had a brilliant time going up and down the aisles. Ellis had a good run around and tried all the different food samples.

We stopped for a drink and a cake to recharge our batteries, but again it had been a busy afternoon, lifting, pushing a trolley and lifting the boys so I was still feeling it.

We were too late for Mummy afternoon which was a shame so we just went straight home for dinner. Minted lamb steak with vegetables, pickled red cabbage, potato croquette and gravy.

Rob was home early as he is doing earlier shifts at work. This worked out really well as we all sat together for another family meal. It's becoming a bit of a habit now and I love it.

The following day I had planned to go shopping for some maternity bottoms as my size 12 jeans are cutting in a bit now. They are still done up which is amazing seeing how big my bump is, but I think it would be better to be a bit more comfortable now. That being said, I was feeling so uncomfortable and tired that I just couldn't face it.

I did however spend the day emptying more boxes and trying to sort out the boys toys. Will I ever learn!

I had to get out in the afternoon so I packed the kids into the car and went around delivering cards and gifts for upcoming birthdays. I dropped in on Wayne, Nic, Ella and new baby Harry just to give them their card and prezzie and they invited me in. I said I wouldn't because I had arrived unannounced and I had both the boys with me. Wayne insisted we came in, so how could I refuse? ;o)

We had a lovely time. The boys played nicely and I got to have a cuddle with Harry, which I loved. Wayne had lots of cuddles off Leo even though they haven't seen each other since February!

I tried hard not to outstay my welcome but I didn't really want to put Harry down, and from the pictures below you can see why. We stayed probably for an hour before leaving them in peace. Thanks guys we had a really nice time and it was an eye opener for my future!

Thanks Wayne for the pictures.

I was so shattered by the evening that I went to bed early, which I rarely do these days as I have so much I want to do with my spare time, like blog.

It would prove to be a good idea as between midnight and 3:20am, I had to put Ellis back into bed 12 times! He just didn't want to stay in his bed. I took him to the toilet 4 times, tried staying with him, left a light on, left his door open but none of it worked. I gave up and let him stay in with me where he tried to lay across my head! He isn't a close contact type of boy so I was really surprised that he wanted cuddles, surprised but very happy to oblige.

Leo woke up quite early and I'm pretty sure Ellis would have stayed asleep but he was laid across my arm so I had to wake him to get up for Leo.

Sarah, Toby, Oliver, Naomi and Iestyn came over early and the boys all played in what will be the new play room. It's a bit cramped but I like the idea of it. It still needs work yet. I want to put things up on the wall, get a book case and obviously remove the plastic boxes that should be in the garage.

We had Ellis' swimming lesson and he did really well pushing a ball along with his nose and then his head, which meant his face was right by the water. When it came to jumping in though he wasn't happy. I could tell that something was up as while he was waiting his turn he was jumping around like an idiot! Nerves. Bless him he started to cry but the teacher was really good and didn't force the issue. He thought she was going to dunk him and he was trying so hard to keep his head away from the water that he wasn't able to practice kicking his legs and pulling with his arms.

We went to Nanny and Grandad Rennolds' after. I knew Ellis would nap in the car but I didn't mind as he was exhausted. I woke him up as soon as we got there though.

The house was quite full. Auntie Katie was there with Chloe and Kamron, and Auntie Karen was there with her daughter Stacey who is due 7 days before me, Charley and Morgan. Morgan is Auntie Karen's Granddaughter.

Ellis eventually woke up and had a laugh with his cousins, playing hide and seek, and Leo spent most of his time giving Grandad cuddles and pulling some sticky pads off of the stair gate.

Dinner was beef wellington, vegetables and gravy. Yummy! Ellis was very tired and a bit teary so he just picked at his and Leo was yawning away in the high chair just playing with his food so they didn't have very much. More for me!

I wished we had stayed over that night as I was so tired I didn't even want to get up from the sofa. I hadn't brought the boys rabbits with me on purpose so that I would be forced to go home as I don't think I should make it a routine thing to stay over. When baby number 3 arrives, I may change my mind on that one ;o)

Ellis slept well and got into my bed at 7:20am today. We chatted for a bit before getting up to get Leo who was just laid quietly in his bed.

I was being quite grumpy this morning and didn't want to go out. The weather wasn't that great and I had sort of agreed to meet up with Auntie Lucy and crew at a nearby arboretum for a walk around and lunch. This would mean doing a packed lunch for 3 of us and pack a bag and spare clothes, shoes etc. etc. Like I said I was being grumpy so I kicked myself up the ass and got on with it.

Luckily the boys were being really good so I was able to do everything with no problems, even getting Ellis dressed! I had told him we were going to meet Auntie Lucy though so that certainly helped it run smoothly.

We arrived a little early and so we had to wait for the others for a bit. I tried to keep the boys warm as it was very windy and cold. Leo would not keep a hat on but he had 4 layers on so thought he would be okay. Ellis was pretty good with his hat, once he worked out how to wear it.

We met up with the others and after a quick toilet break we started off on our walk.

It was so nice. The trees were all Autumn colours and the leaves were falling down. It was a bit wet but the kids all had boots on so it didn't matter.

We were all a bit chilly and the kids started moaning that they were hungry so we went back to the cafe to eat and have a hot drink.

The others went back for another walk but we had to be home by 2pm so unfortunately had to leave.

It was nice and warm in the car and Leo was asleep before I left the car park but Ellis on the other hand was hyper and would not stop talking and singing all the way home.

At home was Nanny and Grandad George, Daddy and Adam who was going to help us finish off sorting out our Wills. We were supposed to have 2 witnesses to sign the forms but we didn't so Adam just explained what needed to happen next and that was it.

Nanny and Grandad George stayed for a bit, reading and playing with the boys but they had to leave to beat the rush hour traffic.

We chilled out until dinner time and I did ping dinners and garlic bread for everyone. Again we all ate at the table together.

For the past 2 days around 5pm I've been feeling sick. I'm pretty sure it's because I'm hungry but I was still feeling sick after eating today. So this evening I had a huge bowl of salad and a slice of cake and that seemed to help. I do enjoy the salad and should eat more of it really, and less cake.

This blog took ages! I had planned to do another blog entry for my pregnancy diary and to watch a TV programme. Ah well, at least I'm up-to-date on here.

Nothing planned for the weekend yet again. Hoping Rob will go to Ikea to get a couple of bits for the living room/play room and we could do with going to the library but that's about it. If I can get a swimming costume that fits we could go swimming. Suppose you will have to check back to see what we did, if anything.

Wordless Wednesday

More Vancouver.

Science Stuff

My loving hubby let me have a lie in so I didn't take the mickey and was up before 9:30am. The boys had slept really really well anyway and didn't get up until 7:45am.

I had some breakfast and then we all got ready to go on our day out.

First of all we changed Ellis' car seat to the big boy seat. He wasn't too sure of it to start with but soon settled in.

We drove into the city centre to go to a science exhibition where the kids can get hands on with all types of different things. It was brilliant and we all loved it.

We did some exploring then stopped for lunch, which cost £20.80! We had 2 paninis and salad with 2 lunch boxes for the boys. The bottles of diet Pepsi were £3 each! Won't be doing that again in a hurry.

Then it was back to more exploring.

We decided to have a go at the planetarium. They did a session for younger people called Little Stars. It didn't get too dark and the kids were allowed to shout out answers to questions. Ellis said he thought he might see a ladybird in space and everyone laughed. Bless. During the presentation though the man pointed out with his laser pen a constellation of stars that could look like a ladybird. Very cool.

We let Ellis pick a couple of favourite things he wanted to do before going home. We did quite a few. One of my favourites was the shadow catcher. You press a button and there is a flash and your image is captured on the wall behind you. I did some pretty impressive mid jump pictures but pretty sure I pulled something attempting it.

Rob's favourite was the leaning lounge and Ellis' was the mock up airport. They could fly and land a plane on a computer, put suitcases through an x-ray machine, ride wooden planes, stamp tickets and passports, dress up, play air hostess, sit and read books on planes and use paddles to do the signs for controlling the airplane on the floor. I must admit I liked that too.

I also liked the birth experience as they have models of babies at different stages. I picked up the model which showed a baby at 5 months gestation. It was much bigger than I thought it would be. Bit sad I didn't get a picture of it. We then entered what was supposed to be a womb, and the floor moved. There was soft lighting and you could hear the Mum's heartbeat and her talking through the different stages right up until birth, which is when the lights came on really bright. Ellis didn't like it, especially the floor moving so he requested that he should sit in the buggy.

We spent some time in the shop on the way out and I was surprised that we didn't get asked to buy anything.

Leo fell asleep pretty much straight away in the car. Ellis took a little longer but he was soon in the land of nod.

Going, going...

...gone.

The boys slept on the sofa for an hour or so and I did all of the ironing. I was so pleased to have got it done.

I then cooked 4 different meals and we all ate at the table together. We also had a meal together Saturday afternoon too which I really enjoyed.

The boys took ages to wake up properly so after dinner they just chilled out until bed.

We had trouble getting Ellis to stay in bed. 4 trips to the toilet and a few threats later he finally stayed in his room at about 8:30pm. He has stopped sucking his thumb completely now which I think doesn't help him to settle. He has done amazingly well with that. I can see that he gives his rabbit extra cuddles and puts his hand up on his face but doesn't actually suck his thumb. I still can't believe it.

I spent my evening clearing up the kitchen, putting the ironing away, trying to get Ellis to stay in bed and blogging. I had a fantastic day today and hope we have many more in the coming weeks.

It's half term next week so I need to start thinking of things to do to get us out of the house. Ellis' swimming lesson will still be on and we will still go to Nanny and Grandad Rennolds' house for dinner. I need to go to the big shops for some maternity jeans and I could do with going to Ikea and Mothercare. Can't do Ikea on my own so may need to rope my Mum into coming with me.

Rob is working funny shifts next week, 6am - 2pm. This will mean a really early start for him tomorrow, leaving our house at 4am. Not something I would like to be doing, but then I'm sure he wouldn't like to get up in the middle of the night feeding babies, which I actually don't mind doing.

Going to relax for half an hour now before bed. Get me doing all these blog entries, bit proud of myself actually and I'm enjoying it again too which is great.