THE DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES OR HOW AM I GOING TO SURVIVE 6 WEEKS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!!

Grotbag had his last day of Kindy yesterday. Because we are now in Summer here in Australia the School year is a Calendar year so Summer school holidays also started yesterday!


This was Grotbag on his first day of Kindy. I can't believe he has completed the year and has amased a great group of friends as have I with the Kindy mums.


He looks so young in this picture and I have to remember that he was only 3 when he started Kindy! He was just a baby!!!


Of course big changes happened in the first week of his Kindy in that I gave birth to his little brother so our household had alot of adjusting to do - and so I am really proud of him!


Below is Grotbag now - a precotious 4 year old who often sounds like he is 14 - God help me when the teenage years come!



So, we got a letter home saying that the last day of school there would be an incursion where a Magician would come in, they could dress up (Ben 10 is Grotbags hero of choice) and to bring a plate of "healthy" party food!


Now I am all for the healthy stuff, but come on it's the last day of their first ever year at school! So I have rebelled on behalf of and made Mini White Christmas Chocolate Crackles.

Recipe is from my Happy Baby Womans Weekly Cookbook and are really easy:

35gm Rice Bubble/Crispies or whatever you call them in the country your from

35gm Coco Pops (pretty sure these are universal)

70gm of Mini M&Ms

200gm of Melted White Chocolate

Mix all the ingrediants in a bowl and divide into 24 mini muffin cases then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes!

Now that is party food!!!!

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T TRY AND TAKE CHRISTMAS PHOTOS OF CHILDREN IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN THEY HAVE HAD NO SLEEP!

My cousin Bling called me the other day and we were trying to arrange a time to go into the city so that her son Pickle (8.5 months), Grotbag and Bugalugs could have their photo taken with Santa. We are such social butterflies we couldn't sync our schedules so I suggested a little photo shoot at my house which we did this afternoon.

Now granted doing the shoot in the afternoon wasn't one of my most brilliant ideas. Especially since Grotbag had been to a play centre in the morning with his buddies from Kindy then went straight to a swimming lesson and so was kind of exhausted. Bugalugs hadn't slept all morning so woke up just before the shoot and poor little pickle hadn't slept all day either after a morning of swimming and mum's group. Yeah I know, set our selves up really didn't we!!

Anyhoo I wasn't very organised (ha funny that!!) I originally thought about doing the shoot outside on the grass (I thought the light would be better) but that would involve me actually picking up the dog poop when Hubby would be home tomorrow! So we decided to do it inside but I have brown leather couches and no Christmas Decorations up yet (Hubby home tomorrow and is the first job on his list, after the dog poop!!) so thought I would improvise with a bit of background colour. Naturally I thought red so I fished around in the linen cupboard and found Grotbag's single red fitted sheet to drape across my dull unfestive brown leather couch. I fitted it on but I had put it on the 3 seater instead of the 2 seater and realised that the boys wouldn't be able to sit on it without it pinging off. Grotbag, who loves a photo shoot, had been on at me all afternoon about taking the photos and instead of waiting (like he had been told 10 million times!!!!) he just jumped on the sheet.

Well it all happened quite quickly really and before I knew it all 4 corners had pinged off and completely surrounded Grotbag! It made him jump as he wasn't quite sure what was going on and then proceeded to burst into hysterical tears and try (unsuccessfully) to wriggle out of it.

So I did what any caring mother would do....I laughed hysterically and took photo evidence!

After he finally got out of the sheet he took off his Santa hat threw it on the floor and stormed out of the photo shoot! The male version of Naomi Campbell in the making!

But through the whole thing all I kept thinking was.....WOW! This is going to make a great entry in Parenting BY Dummies Merry Effing Christmas Competition. If you haven't checked out Parenting By Dummies you must having been living under a Blog Rock! It is one of my favourite blogs, so get out from under the rock and go check it out!! So have submitted the above for the competition and I am still laughing thinking about it!!!

The afternoon wasn't a complete disaster. After cajoling Grotbag to come back to the shoot we got underway. I now know why they say never work with animals and children (is there a difference?).

Here are a few choice picks of the good ones...not brilliant...but OK!

Bugalugs & Grotbag

Bugalugs

My gorgeous little cousin Pickle

Da Boys!

Think we might co-ordinate the photo shoot a bit earlier next year!!

So what are you waiting for - off you go to Parenting BY Dummies and vote for Grotbags picture - I might win a prize!!

It Only Takes A Second!

Finally the weather has decided to catch up with the season here in Perth and today was a beautiful 't-shirt & thongs' warm Spring day in Perth. (Thongs as in Haviana's not Victoria Secret's!!)

Grotbag and I headed off one of his Kindy friends 5th birthday party today and as the weather was nice he was told to bring his swimming stuff so all the kids can go in the pool.

Bit too cold for me and the rest of the mums but we smothered the kids in sunscreen and let them swim standing around the pool watching them enjoy the sunshine! This was the first time I had let Grotbag go in the pool without me being in with him.

Now Grotbag has swimming lessons every week (and had been to a lesson this morning) but is a bit scared of deep water where he can't touch the bottom. Believe me he is no risk taker this kid except when you put him on wheels - scooters & skateboards are a preference then I have my heart in my mouth watching him.

Anyway he decided the best thing to do was hang out with one of his mates on the steps. All us mums were inside the pool fence watching the kids and chatting. No more than arms reach away from the kids. Everyone is having fun.

After about 20 Min's Grotbag decides he would like to have a go on one of the boogie boards, lay on it and have a kick around. I said he could but to be careful.

It happened in seconds, the boogie board tipped and he went under. He came up but panicked and forgot how to swim and so I jumped in and pulled him up (yes fully clothed).

He was OK! He cried! And rightly so he was spooked! So I sat with him on the step. I didn't want to make a HUGE deal out of it for him because I didn't want to create a bad association with swimming and pools. We live in Australia and swimming is a MUST here, the last thing I want is for him to have a big fear of water. So I just held him told him he was fine now and gave him a big cuddle. Within 5 Min's he was fine and back splashing. Mum to the rescue!

It only takes a second. And in that second I was so scared but also focused on getting him up, nothing else mattered.

He has never worn armbands or a float vest but I think I will be investing in one tomorrow and joining him in the pool from now on even if the water is a bit cold! The alternative is unthinkable!

So, have you ever had any close calls with your kids or family members? Has it changed the way you think or do anything to change the outcome next time?

My Mum - According to Grotbag Age 4

I did this little exercise on Facebook about 6 months ago I had great fun going it and thought I would repeat it to see how much Grotbags answers had changed. I wrote them exactly as he said them!

Grotbags new answers are in red and my comments are in brackets.

1.What is something mum always says to you? That you love me. That you love me.

2. What makes mum happy? When I eat all my dinner When I do as I am told & yesterday I was good wasn't I mum?

3. What makes mum sad? When I am being naughty. When I have been naughty.

4. How does your mum make you laugh? When you make a funny face When I dance funny.

5. What was your mum like as a child? You watched Star Wars (this is true!) You tided up your playroom (I keep telling him that I had to tidy my playroom at his age!)

6. How old is your mum? 4 (??) Don't know...21? (ha ha ha ha ha)

7. How tall is your mum? That tall *On tippee toes arms held high* That tall *On tippee toes arms held high*

8. What is her favourite thing to do? Working on the computer and playdoh. Cooking and watching television (I am surprised he didn't say the computer but then when asked what I do for a job he said on the computer so...bonus when I am on here he thinks mummy is "working"!)

9. What does your mum do when you're not around?Look after Harry & set my train set up for me. You tidy the house (Think he has me confused with some other mummy!)

10. If your mum becomes famous, what will it be for?A monster, a nice one, cause your only a girl!!!!!!! For being happy (Ahhhhh sooooo cute!!)

11. What is your mum really good at? Setting up my train set and telling daddy things (LOL) Being on the computer (Ahem!)

12. What is your mum not very good at? Playing basketball, or do the hose to put out fires cause your not a fireman(?) Doing Bowsers castle on the wii - your not very good. (The boy don't lie!)

13. What does your mum do for her job? To look after me and Bugalugs On the computer and looking after me and Bugalugs (See he thinks I am working woo hoo!)

14. What is your mum's favourite food?Meatballs and spagetti Rice (have no idea - think he just pulled these out of the air!)

15. What makes you proud of your mum? Because I love you When you tidy up my playroom (I see a theme here???)

16. If your mum were a cartoon character, who would she be? You can be anything mum an alien or a monster or anything! Naruto (His favourite character at the moment!)

17. What do you and your mum do together? Playdoh & Basketball Playdoh & Junior Scrabble & Guess Who (I do love a board game!!)

18. How are you and your mum the same? We both have the same colour hair and we both get grumpy sometimes Because we are happy and we have lots of love for each other (*sniff*)

19. How are you and your mum different?Cause I don’t have a wedding ring. You feed Harry his bottle and I play in my playroom that makes us different (??)

20. How do you know your mum loves you? You play with me and tell me that you love me. You give me lots of kisses and cuddles (*sniff sniff*)

21. Where is your mum's favourite place to go? Seeing Auntie AB and Auntie Bling To restaurants with your friends!! (ha ha have been going out with the girls a bit lately!!)

Can I have my apple now? That was lots of talking!!! (Ahem bribery works every time ha ha)

Got kids/Grandkids/neices & nephews? Do these questions with them, it's great fun to see what they say - post the answers and then link back to me!! Make sure you put in the comments so I can come have a look!! Can't wait to read them!!!

The World According To Grotbag!

The past two days Grotbag (aged 4) has made me laugh with how his brain works. Twice he has made me giggle -hope you do too!

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Grotbag: Hey Mum look at all that rain outside

Me: Mmm I know

Grotbag: OMG Mum it's just so EMBARRASSING?

Me: Huh? What do you mean embarrassing?

Grotbag: Well, just look at it all Mum, it's so EMBARRASSING?

I had said that word on the phone to a friend the day before which is where he got it from and used it with such emphasis.

Me: No honey, the rain isn't embarrassing. Embarrassing is when Mummy makes you do your dancing in front of her friends and you go all red and shy. Or when Mummy gives you a big kiss in front of all your friends.

Grotbag: Oh I see. *Grunts and walks away!*

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Grotbag: Mum, Auntie Bling still feed J milk from her boobies doesn't she?

Me: Yes she does.

Grotbag: Why don't you still feed Bugalugs milk from your boobies?

Me: Well, because Mummy hasn't got any milk left.

Grotbag: *thinking* Well why don't you just go to the shops and fill them up?

Me: *giggling* Because it doesn't work that way honey my body used to fill them up.

Grotbag: Well if I had boobies I would go and fill them up. *grunts and walks away*

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Grotbag

Never a dull moment in this house!!

PS. Thank you for all your kind comments and for those who are now following me I really appreciate it! I will soon be popping into your blogs to say hello and return the bloggy love!

Prince Harry

So this is a blog and why my mum is on the computer so much!

Hi there. My Name is Harry (AKA on Mum's blog as Bugalugs). Today my Mum is pretty excited because I am 7 months old. That's me in the picture above. I'm a pretty happy kid and love to smile for the camera. Mum says it's so easy to take a cute picture of me because I smile so much.

At 7 months I am not quite rolling over yet. But Mum takes me to physio every 3 weeks so I can do some training. Lot's of tummy time which I don't mind sometimes but I get tired pretty quickly and then have scream a bit for Mum to turn me over. Works every time :-). Sleeping is one of my favourite things. Mum seems to like this very much and by 6.30pm I am soooo ready for my cot. I am so sleepy that I don't wake till 6.30am. Mum thinks this is the best thing ever. Something about sleep deprivation?

I am loving the veggies Mum has been giving me. But my favourite time of the day is bath time. If I am lucky my big brother will hop in the bath with me and we have so much fun. He loves to make me laugh by pouring water over his head and making silly noises. I also love making very loud noises at the moment. The sound of my own voice is great. I like the word "bah" a lot so will have to work on my vocabulary if I am to get a word in around here!

Even though today is 7 months since I was born I wasn't supposed to arrive till 5 weeks later! I am what they call a Prem Baby. You see while I was in my Mum's tummy all snug and warm, she was feeding me some really good stuff. Like cakes, chocolates, and pretty much anything she wanted. But then some silly nurse told her she had Gestational Diabetes so all I got from then on was lots of whole grains and not a scrap of chocolate. After a couple of weeks I had had enough so decided it was time to get out!

This was much to my Mum and Dad's surprise. You see Dad was still working away and couldn't fly back in time. When Mum called Dad to say "Guess What? my water just broke" the first thing Dad said was "I told you you should have packed your bag!!!!". He got a flight the next day and I met him that night. I love my Dad! And he picked my name!

Poor Mum had just had a lovely day at her baby shower with Auntie Bling when I decided to "burst the dam"! I didn't know it was 11pm at night did I? Mum had to call Grandma and Grandad and Auntie Bling and Uncle Pirate to come over as my big brother Grotbag was in bed. Bling and Grandma were running around all over the house because Mum had left packing her bag thinking she had plenty of time. Bling then drove Mum and Grandma to the hospital.

The lady, Dr M who pulled me out of Mummy's tummy is lovely and Mummy always says how special she is. She also pulled Grotbag out of Mummy's tummy too. Dr M apparently also put me in Mummy's tummy when I was just a couple of cells. I wasn't on my own though, I had another cluster of cells with me but they decided not to hang around and left me to have the cosy little nest all to myself. I caused Mum a bit of sickness most mornings and gave her a few scares. She was very worried about these scares as she had lost a two lots of cells like me in the first 8 weeks previously but Dr M always let her come in and have a scan to make sure I was OK. The scares weren't my fault though, there was a little thing called a hemorrhage near where I was that would bleed if Mummy did things that raised her heartbeat too much. Dad was none to pleased about the "no doing things to raise your heartbeat" rule that Dr M imposed (nudge nudge, wink wink).

Still, I arrived a little yellow but apart from that safe and sound. Mum calls me her little miracle Prince Harry that she thought she would never have. Mum said she knew I would be OK because the day that Dr M put me in her tummy it was her birthday - she says it was a sign.

All in all I love being in this house with this family. My Dad sees me every 3 weeks and spends LOADS of time with me and I LOVE playing with him and hearing him say silly sounds. When he is home he baths and feeds me to give my Mum a break.

Anyway, I think Mum is on her way back so I better get off the computer. Nice to meet you all, I hope you pop back to read my Mum's blog. She loves it when people read what she has written, makes comments and follow her. It makes her happy, and I don't really mind her typing on the computer. She usually does it when I am in bed anyway!

See ya..
Love
Harry xoxo

No Blood Thank You, Your A Mad Cow!

Never been before here's a little bit about me to get you started

I LOVE living in Australia.

I believe in the "If You Don't Love It - Leave" philosophy.

And I truly think that my mum's decision to marry my Australian Citizen Step-Dad and move us to this wonderful country was by far the best decision she ever made for us.

BUT - somethings really FRUSTRATE me about Australia. And this is one of them....

I am unable, even thought I am willing, to donate blood.

Phew! Some of you might be saying (especially those who have fainted already at even the thought of a needle!) but it is something that I would love to do. I think it is a very important thing to do that doesn't cost anything but could save someones life.

And this is the reason why the Australian Red Cross Blood Service will not accept my blood....because I resided in the UK between 1980 & 1996 for more than 6 months and I might be a mad cow. Well all those that know me, know I am a little bit bonkers but calling me a cow...humph! The correct name for the disease known as "mad cow disease" is Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Below is the direct passage from the Australian Red Cross FAQ's page (obviously people frequently ask!)

"Although the number of cases of vCJD (the human form of 'mad cow disease' or bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in the United Kingdom is declining, in the absence of a screening test, the full extent of exposure is not known.
Since 2004, there have been a small number of reported cases of patients in the United Kingdom (UK) diagnosed with vCJD who have been infected through blood transfusion.
Based on this information, and in the absence of a reliable screening test for vCJD in blood, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has implemented guidelines to reduce the risk of vCJD transmission through blood transfusion in Australia. Currently we exclude people from donating who:
Have resided in the UK between 1980 and 1996 for a total (cumulative) time of 6 months or more, (that's me!)
or
Have received blood transfusions in the UK since 1 January 1980.
Unfortunately, because of the extensive time period covered by the deferral and the possibility of unknowing exposure to beef or beef products, it is not possible to exempt vegetarians who have resided in the UK for a cumulative period of six months or more during the risk years.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is monitoring progress in the development of a reliable blood screening test for vCJD. Should this deferral policy be changed for any reason, please be assured that this information will be disseminated widely." click HERE for the source.

As per the Australian Bureau of Statistics 23.8% of the Australian population as per June 2005 were born in the UK. That is a HUGE amount of people who could possibly be excluded from donating blood. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the reasoning behind the decision, but it is such a shame that there is the huge divide between those Australian's in need of blood and those wanting to give it.

According to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service Website "...only a very small proportion of people (one in 30) actually give blood. Yet sooner or later, one in three of us will need it."

I guess one of the reasons I am fully supportive of giving blood is that Grotbag had to have 2 blood transfusions while in the Intensive Care Unit when he was 4 months old after an operation to correct the bone structure of his skull. (I will blog about this another day soon...when I am ready!). I am totally thankful to those that unselfishly gave their blood so that my gorgeous little boy could have it.

So regardless of where you live, and if you qualify, think about giving blood. Every whole blood donation can actually save 3 lives. You may not know the person who will receive it but you can bet that they will be truly thankful. Like we were.

A Quicky...

Never been before heres a little bit about me to get you started.

Just a quick one today as I have been nursing a hangover all day (will I EVER learn - Big thanks to Mum & Bling for coming and taking care of me and the kids) and have a 50th Birthday Party to go to tonight - and I am taking the kids since Hubby is not home!

Converstation I had with Grotbag last night while he was in the bath...

Grotbag: Where are you going tonight?
Me: Out with the Kindy Mums
Grotbag: Are you wearing that? (my NEW 3/4 trackies and matching top)
Me: Er no, why do you not think I should?
Grotbag: Mum! You can't wear your old clothes to go out.
Me: Their not old...
Grotbag: But they are your indoor clothes (??)
Me: Oh, so what should I wear
Grotbag: Something to make you look like a Beautiful Lady (said like David Walliams from Little Britain which is disturbing as I don't think he has ever watched it)
Me: Like what?
Grotbag: How about your red shoes (he had seen me trying them on earlier with an outfit)
Me: OK then, just for you I will wear my red shoes
Grotbag: smiles and is very pleased with himself for picking my shoes!!

It's the little things!

Love the little guy!! This is why I like to blog as this may have come and gone and been forgotten in a week!

Have a great Saturday everyone!!

Mother's Not Welcome

Never been before heres a little bit about me to get you started.


So as Father's Day is this Sunday here in Australia, Grotbag's school hold a special Dad's Night before Father's Day where Dad's can go with their children to see some work they have done and also give their Dad's the cards and pressies they had made. It was from 6.30pm to 7pm in their class and Grotbag had no Dad to take. This happens to us all the time, as Hubby works away in the mines for 2 weeks and then is home for one week (one of the pitfalls) but luckily we have a great family network and so he had a few other replacements to pick from. He chose his Grandad (my Step-Dad) who was pleased as punch to be asked.


When I dropped Grotbag at school the day before the Dad's Night there were rumblings between the other Kindy Mum's. Knowing my predicament with Dad's Night they cautiously informed me that at the Pre-Primary Class across the playground, the teacher had put up a sign (yes she actually put one up for all to see) that read "Please note: Mother's are NOT welcome on Dad's night" I couldn't believe it. Really in this day and age where there is no such thing as a "normal" family that she could actually put up a sign to say that the Mother's were not welcome!


Imagine being in a situation where the Father of your child, for whatever reason, was unavailable to go to "Dad's Night" at the school and you had no other male figure in your child's life that could also go along. Now imagine having to tell your child that he can't go to school for Dad's Night, even with Mum because the Teacher said Mother's were not welcome. This could have well been the case for our family if we didn't have any other family close to us and it just makes me so mad. How insensitive!!


There are so many what if's like what if there is no Dad around because of separation, illness or because they have passed away. What if the child has two Mummy's or two Daddy's (can they both go?) - and I am sure you are thinking of a dozen more right now - that make the sign SO WRONG.


I am thankful that my child's teacher does not share the same mentality and welcomed any family member to go. Grotbag's Grandad was welcomed warmly and had a great time looking at all of Grotbag's school work.


There are so many family dynamics these days that consideration and sensitivity at these special night should be taken into account. As should we all have the same consideration and sensitivity to others in life.


Mother's and Father's should ALWAYS be welcomed when it comes to being a part of their children's lives.


Sure hope Grotbag doesn't get her for a teacher next year. I can feel my claws coming out now!!!

Grotbag & His Grandad

Masterchef & Sunburn

How cute is this? My friend in Sydney got this made for Grotbag (also known around here as Oliver - yes named after Jamie Oliver!) as she knows that he is a huge fan of Masterchef (who isn't?). He loves it and now we have to make Banana & Chocolate Muffins tomorrow for him to Christen it! My friend is also a big foodie and I am very jealous of the fact that she has been to Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Restaurant in London and Matt Moran's restaurant Aria in Sydney and met both chefs and has lovely pictures to prove it.

The gift was also very apt as yesterday I went to the Perth Good Food & Wine show where I saw Gary Mehigan & George Calombaris, two of the judges from Masterchef Australia & Matt Moran "do" their shows cooking live on stage. I went with my mum and we had a fantastic time, quaffing wine and sampling yummy food - especially because I was sans children! Hmm no diet or counting points yesterday! I am going to try a few of the recipes out so will feature them in future blogs.

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As today is Happy Monday and was a beautiful 21 degree Winter day I took Grotbag to the park to meet another friend of his and his mum. It was gorgeous sitting in the sun and I preened like a cat at the warmth. Glorious...until I got home and noticed the sunburn. Now, although I am originally from the East End of London, I have actually lived here in Perth for 24 years, since I was 12. You would think that I would know to put sunscreen on when out in the sun. Some lesson are hard taught.

But fear not, my children were armed with slip slop slap including Bugalugs who had to wear a toddler hat too big for him because I picked up the wrong one!! I just seemed to miss myself out!

So now tomorrow I will greet my Hubby at the airport with owl eyes and a bright red neck and arms that are only half red! He will just shake his head at me and I will give him a look that says "I know I know...24 years!!!"

The Cast

Not sure if I will get a chance to blog tonight as we are going out for dinner with friends, so thought I would take the chance to blog now while Hubby sleeps off his night shift and the baby has a nap...I say nap because he only sleeps 40 mins at a time during the day, hence why I always blog late at night!

After reading many a blog this last week since starting my own after being inspired by a friend of mine (thanks MJ!) I realised that bloggers don't use peoples names and instead use an alias. I love the idea of this and actually don't like writing Master 4 or Baby because at some point Master 4 will become Master 5 and the Baby will no longer be a baby. So have decided to give my cast of characters (of which they truly are) an alias!

My Husband will simply still be known as Hubby. I was thinking all night of what to call him (believe me many names came to mind all suitable but not necessarily to be shared!!) and realised that Hubby how I have him listed in my mobile and plus its easy to type. A bit about Hubby... He will be turning 40 next year (2010), is very laid back especially compared to my mania and a great dad. He loves fishing, watching Sky News and Green Day etc type music. Bit different from when I met him 7 years ago and all he had were Ministry of Sound Cd's!!! He loves everything I cook him and is a great guinea pig for new recipes (even the dodgy ones!). He loves simple pleasures in life and if he had his way we would be living the Busselton Lifestyle now...not in 20 years time!!!

Master 4 will be known in future blogs as Grotbag. I say this lovingly of course, just imagine me ruffling his hair as I say it to him. Grotbag suits as he is turning into such a 'boy'! I shouldn't be surprised seeing as he is a boy, but until this year when he started Kindy I had never seen him be so boisterous and pretending to be an alien etc etc. Plus he has started picking his nose and showing me the spoils of his labour...see...Grotbag!! A little bit about Grotbag...He is 4 years old going on 15. He already has an insatiable appetite and I run out of things to give him to eat daily. His mantra is "I'm Hungry" so I have to take an abundance of food with me wherever I go! He is, as my Mum will tell anyone who will listen, just like me! Poor sod! We are both hot headed, passionate, stubborn, messy but strangely organised in our own way. We both hate clowns. I know the teenage years are going to be Hell and we will clash terribly but I am ready for it! He is however loving, generous, has a great imagination, makes me laugh every day (and sometimes cry!!) and has a spirit in him I will be forever proud of. He also wants to be a policeman and copies his dads Coventry accent only on the week he is home!

The Baby in all future blogs will be known as Bugalugs. Grotbag found Hubby calling the baby Bugalugs (in a English Coventry accent, as in Boogaloogs) and has copied it every since and it makes Bugalugs giggle. A little bit about Bugalugs....at the moment he is 4 & 1/2 months old. Only naps during the day but sleeps 12 hours at night...hey we can't have everything! He is pretty content most of the time but jeez when he cries its like the whole world has come to an end. He screams until his need is met so keeps me on my toes! I am not as strict routine wise as I was with Grotbag as it is impossible so I just do what I can to make our families life easier. He is my little IVF miracle and like clockwork has just woken up so am now typing this with one hand.

So there is the main cast of my life. Others I am sure will make the regular cast, guest appearances, and there may be a few that get special guest star billing and I will give all of them their character alias' when they make their debuts! Right, gotta go before Bugalugs wakes Hubby up with his screams of attention!!