End of January

January blues is a bit of an understatment really. It's just been one thing after another.  The poor kids have just been so poorly and its been very hard and draining work.  Of course there has been happy and fun times too but just generally the kids have been unwell.

Rather pleased with his face paining efforts.

We have spent a lot of time at home over the last few weeks, with Ellis missing quite a few days of school too.  I never thought he would miss school and so far he's missed one day in September (including a disco) and then was sent home early on a Thursday, missed Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the next week (including another disco!).

Before Christmas I could see that Ellis was struggling a little bit at school, not academically but with friends, and it was upsetting him and causing him to be quite naughty at times.  I just put it down to the fact that it was very hectic at school and out of school clubs because of all the extra Christmassy stuff that was going on and was therefore tired and irritable.

Anyway after Christmas I spoke with a few friends (well actually I blubbed at them) and they convinced me that it was something that I should mention to the teachers.  I don't want to go into details about what was going  on but after I actually witnessed what was happening, along with one of the other Mums, I blubbed again at the teaching assistant.  She spoke to me for a while and assured me that things would be looked into and then later phoned to check I was okay.  How nice is that?

After school I picked Ellis up and ran him home then popped back to speak to his teacher.  She was really, really nice and reassurred me and explained what things they were going to put into place to try and sort a few things out.  She said he is a very smart boy, doing really well, loved by all the staff members and she can't see any problems and that I shouldn't be worried.  What a relief and I'm so glad I spoke up for him.  He has been much better since then and I'm happy that he is feeling better about things.  Although at the moment he is really nervous about going back to school after half term as he has had so much time off.  Pretty normal I think.

Ellis has been moved up to level 3 books which is amazing and we are so proud of him. He is loving all the learning.  He is constantly trying to read things, writing and counting. I love it.  He was also recently given a very special award from the Head Teacher!  He got to go to her office for a chat, a sticker and a stamp.  He was so chuffed and he phoned the grandparents to let them know.  Of course we took pictures.

Leo has been quite ill, so much so that I booked in to see the doctor with him.  It just seemed to be going on for so long and he had started to lose weight, had no energy or appetite and was very pale.  After seeing the doctor she just basically said that he has been very unlucky over the winter and that hopefully by the summer he will be much better!  She did suggest I get his weight checked, which I did, and it was fine, so no blood tests yet.  If he is still struggling by his 3rd birthday she will order some.

At the start of January Leo started at his new preschool and seems to have settled in quite quickly but actually hasn't been to all his sessions as he has been too ill.  Hopefully that will pick up now.

Oscar is just as adorable as ever.  He is such a good boy and is coming on really well.  He has lots of new tricks he can do (when he wants) but really isn't bothered about walking.  He has strong legs, cruises around the sofas and stands holding on with one hand for a long time so I'm pretty sure he is ready to walk but he is happy not to.  I'm not going to rush him either as I love that he crawls around.

Charming!

New pyjamas

Oscar can climb the stairs now so we have had to put a stair gate on the living room to stop him leaving.  It seems to be working okay as long as Leo or Ellis shut it behind them.  This in itself causes problems though as I don't want them to catch Oscar's fingers.

Oscar has been ill too over the last few weeks which means extra cuddles, lots of medicine and napping.

In between illness we have managed to get out a little bit.  Mainly for local walks as usually one of the kids aren't 100% so it's safer to stay close to home.

This is my favourite picture at the moment.

There has also been plenty of firsts going on too.

Oscar turned 10 months on the 10th so I did a video diary and tried to take some pictures.

Leo at 10 months.

Ellis at 10 months.

The boys together.

Here are the rest of the pictures and videos from the month.  Nothing else really to report.

We had a visitor.

Leo and I messed around with the camera.

Favourite time of the day.