Category Archives: General

Well, no probs there. A friend and her 2 children – one SB’s age, and one 2 years younger – came over for lunch. We haven’t seen them for v long time, and SB had forgotten who they were. However, on arrival, she got out toys for both to play with, and then they disappeared up to her bedroom to play with a few more toys and jump on bed. No arguments or wails between them for whole time they were hear [about 4 hours!!].
I could hear her tell them they couldn’t go in our bedroom or box room, as we must keep house tidy to sell! obviously the other 2 also v well behaved, and 2 eldest children v good at putting away the toys scattered about. What a lovely day.

After getting rid of bits and pieces in box room, I gave chris a plastic bag with about 300 [luckilly anonymous] questionnaires from some research I did in ’99 about seatbelt use in pregnancy. This bag went into the recycling bin. Unfortunately due to the horrendous wind blowing open bin lid, the contents are scattered over our patio.

Hmm, box room doesn’t look any better, and garden significantly worse. I think this may be a sign!!

ps 1 min 26 secs for set = personal best

Must do better tomorrow, but lots of cuddles with my 2 girls, and used cbeebies to discuss cerebral palsy, what we grow up into, interesting gardens. Used house details to discuss budget [over her head] what we think makes a good family house [leaf covered and own garden] and the fact that our furniture is old, doesn’t mean we get that already in new house, or that we can buy more. she was relieved that we would be taking her things with us! BTW, she liked the most expensive house that we had decided not to view best!!
I took a lovely photo of BB smiling yesterday, so hope Chris adds some photo’s to these post soon.

in our defence, i have had another migraine. [and the online british national formulary suggests not to take imigran while bf]
The main thing we have been doing is getting house ready for the estate agents. [in fact one here now] Elinor intrigued by their measuring with the red dot. Most of house OK. Kitchen needs painting, and a ceiling fix. A few DIY small jobs. The box room a disaster, filled with homeless stuff. Anyway, first 2 estate agents didn’t faint on entering, so a good sign! This lad managing well with Elinor ‘helping’ him! fingers crossed that they suggest good price, and that we get it!
we will catch up in retrospect.
[see below in correct date order if interested for some catch up including christmastide, visiting and new year home ed resolutions!!]

1. As every year, lose weight is at top! last years number 2 [get pregnant] and number 3 [get new job - vv stressful] combined completely ruined it, but no excuses this year.

2. Combining with number 1 is…….. excercise!!! Walk more often, swim when possible, yoga with Elinor, family cycling/walking trips. Also ? find pilates class and ignore that I am fattest/unfittest in class.

3. do my own piano and violin practice.

4. make the most of this precious time with my children

5. when I restart work, do so with no regrets and a positive attitude to make the best of all I have – a loving family and a fantastic job, that I also love. If I can shift the balance towards family, to do so.

plus a few in head only ones!!!!!

Well, we started the year with key aims
1. to have another child [and started, finally on the clomid since I had got down to BMI 30]
tick!!! We welcomed Alys into our family in November
2. Me to get a consultant post, ideally in Leeds, and a 4 day week
tick, cross, cross. However, started in Sept in Cambridgeshire and is a great job. Hours are far too long though, and now must move]
3. Think about Elinor’s education
tick – here we are!

So,additional good things – continued health of us, a good holiday with Chris’s parents in Wales, some lovely family visits, getting my research published, and presenting at conferences – including Athens where chris and Elinor came too, and we exposed her to the cradle of civilisation! Our house finally looking nice. Elinor being 80% gorgeous and only 15% frustration and 5% up the wall!
Sad things – luckilly not many. My Nan’s breast cancer recurring. Mum’s heart attack scare – turned out to be fibromyalgia. Living in hospital accommodation in Huntingdon for 8 weeks with Elinor and Chris just visiting at weekends [hopefully we will never live apart again]

Today we took advantage of the sun and went to golden acre park.SB getting far more confident with bike.