Reflection

Another new year. So much to be thankful for, so much to learn from, so much to look forward to.

The start to the new year in this household has been snot filled. Munchkin has a cold....again. Munchkin is also teething....again. So you can imagine the fun and games here. Still, Munchkin remain his cheerful self. He still laughs a lot and he still manages to wind us round his little finger with the faintest hint of a smile.

2007 was a very good year. A year filled with blessings, happiness, laughter, about 3 days of excruciating pain and oodles of joy. 2008 me thinks is a year of hope, promise and a little adventure (to Texas perhaps?)

Only 360 days till next Christmas!

It has been a busy week. Here is how it all went.

We were reunited with Chief Oracle and her lovely family on Christmas Eve. The girls looked absolutely beautiful in the Christmas dresses (complete with festive ribbons in their hair!) and Chief Oracle and her lovely man never looked better. A fine feast was prepared by T and a few hours of scoffing later we all slumped back in our chairs, slightly uncomfortable but happy. The boys dissapeared into the cold dark night to partake in a festive cigar (special consessions were made to allow this) and the girls chattered in the warm indoors (spot the clever ones) till it was half past late and it was nearly time for Santa to arrive. Promises were made that the little ones would go straight to sleep when they got back as this would ensure that Santa could go about his work swiftly and efficiently and be on his way. And T and I retired for our long winter's slumber.

Munchkin was gracious (he obviously thinks that the longer he sleeps the more pressies Santa will bring). He granted us a lie in till 0900 which totally threw us. Breakfast had to be postponed to brunch which we eventually had at about lunchtime. We had to have 2 sessions (with a nap interlude in between) of present opening as Santa had been very kind to Munchkin. I guess as Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice and since Munchkin is only 6 months old, he hasn't had the time nor opportunity to be naughty yet (which I am sure he will make up for in the coming months) Toys, books and clothes galore. Munchkin is a lucky boy and I have told him that all his thank you letters are going to have to be in the post by the end of this week. He is working on it....signed in snot....as he is with cold.

Then disaster! Whilst "row row row your boat" ing with Munchkin, I managed to put my back out.....ON CHRISTMAS DAY! So the rest of the day was spent hobbling about like a little old lady with a zimmer. T had to take over bath duties and all activities lifting related. I could only just about carry out Daisy duties. Sitting was painful, standing was impossible. Thank heavens the grands were arriving Boxing Day.

Christmas isn't Christmas...

"Christmas isn't christmas till it happens, in your heart. Somewhere deep inside you, is where Christmas really starts."

Amidst the wave of clever (and in many ways very effective) marketing and commercialism, I decided to take time to reflect on what Christmas really means to me. I have come to the conclusion that for a long time the true meaning of Christmas has taken a back seat, hidden from view perhaps by the piles of presents, the mounds of food and the buckets of fun. This Christmas will be our first Christmas with Munchkin. This is a new beginning, a start, a time to reflect on the greatest gift of all. The gift of unconditional love.

" For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten son; that whosever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16. I have heard this verse read Christmas after Christmas over the years but this year it holds a special place. It is all about overwhelming love, the ultimate sacrifice and a gift so priceless that it cannot be bought with all the riches in the world.

So I make a promise. Amidst the stockings, the tree, the presents and the overindulgence I will take time to be thankful for the many blessings that we have received. The blessing of Munchkin, the blessing of happiness and contentment, the blessing of love and true friendship and the blessing of hope - all those gifts that cannot be bought, cannot be wrapped up (well, we could try but I don't think Munchkin would sit still long enough...and imagine the willful retaliation to being stuffed in a box!) and cannot be valued. The best gifts in the world.

Please mummy.....

Don't stick my finger in that socket anymore!

I'll be home for Christmas!

That's what Chief Oracle told me when she left for Merkin land in September and she has kept her word! SHE IS BACK!!! Good thing too else I would have taken a hit out on her very lovely husband. My very stern words to him when he came to dinner in November were "Don't you dare come back without her!"

I am exceedingly excited. We are spending Christmas Eve together this year. It will be an extra special Christmas wot with having Munchkin AND having our nearest and dearest with us too.

It has been a week of Christmas celebrations and the week ended with a bang. Our annual Remote Operations family Christmas dinner. One of the very sage members of our little family summed things up a treat "This is the one Christmas do that I would not miss for the world and I would travel anywhere for. Every year, this is the do I look forward to and this is the one that makes it feel like Christmas is here" We are a very tight knit bunch. We hardly see each other all year, some of us hardly speak but when this special time of year comes around, the importance of being with loved ones brings us all together. We drink, we eat, we catch up, we hug, we laugh and best of all, we come home. There is talk about "home" being somewhere in Texas next year...a bridge too far I hear some cynics cry....not for Remote Ops. If it were in Timbuktu we would all be there, somehow. Such is the spirit of Remote Ops. Long may it continue.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

As you can see, the Munchkin is ready for his first snow. I wonder if we will have a white Christmas. The headgear serves a dual purpose; to keep his little ears warm and to tame the mad muchkin mop. As they would say in Sad land...."it is a win-win situation"

Extreme makeover

What does the public think of my new hairdo?

Tonight! Tonight!

Chief Oracle and her little rudolf's get on the plane tonight.

Me? Excited? Never........

P/S Got a bit ahead of myself there....tis tomorrow night that the Chief Oracle begins her journey home....but it will be "tonight" soon enough.

Par-Tay Monster

Hello there, everyone. Guess who? Tis I, Munchkin the Par-Tay animal. Phew it has been a weekend. Places to go, people to see....all that dressing up.

Today is my Grandee's birthday and I got to give her a nice (sloppy- she seemed to like it) Munchkin Maul on her birthday (all this was AFTER breakfast of course as one has one's priorities straight). You see Grandee and Grandad stayed with us yesterday. On Sunday, we had Sir Prise for Grandee (Who is he by the way? I don't recall being introduced to him on the day. Though I did meet many people...some had strange hair on their faces...called beards). We all huddled in a room and gave her our best smile when she walked in through the door. Our smiles must have been quite bad! Either that or we must need dental work (not me though as I only have two teeth through and they are, if I say so myself, pristine - for now), as Grandee shed a tear or two when she saw us all. It was a relief...as I thought for a while that mummy and daddy and everyone in the know about this little plot were going to burst under the strain of being secret squirrels (what is that all about? How can you be a secret squirrel? You are either a squirrel or you are not in my opinion but who am I to question the quirks of the beautiful language?)

In preparation for Grandee's do though Mummy and Daddy felt it in their duty to read me the riot act on the way to the restaurant. I was a little insulted but they were only doing what they had to do (and also they were getting their own back as they must have been read the same riot act when they were pint sized too and felt the need to "share the pain"). Did they honestly think I would risk my own reputation? Hurumphhh...Parents of little faith. So, I thought for my own sake (and definitely not theirs though they probably think that they were in control - so wrong!) I would be a nice Munchkin. I allowed strangers to give me a cuddle, I sat in my push chair and let the adults have their food before I did and I went to sleep (eventually as the lighting at the venue was not at all condusive to rest - note to self :must have words with the management about this for future reference). I smiled at most people and tried to not sound too similar to a hyena. I saved that till later when I got home (and after GAF and GUR left as I didn't want to give them a bad impression! Got to keep the greats sweet!) My perrogative...after all, my pent up agression had to be released sometime. Better out than in! Not sure what this means but Daddy uses the phrase all the time and Daddy MUST be right.

P/S I am starting to get a complex about my hair and will be shortly, with the aid of a photograph of yours truly be asking for public opinion on the matter. Watch this space!

Let the festivities BEGIN!!

It has been a busy weekend. On Friday, T was in the Brixton academy to watch the Chemical Brothers live. Judging by the bags under his eyes when he got back on Saturday, I would say that I very good time was had. On Saturday, Munchkin attended his first Christmas party. It was a Christmas Tree decorating party, so we picked a decoration and headed off. Munchkin was very, very tired as he had missed his nap (as we had to go and retrieve T from a public car park in Cirencester where he had been dropped off by the coach) but managed to hold it together for long enough so that his parents could enjoy a festive drink and bite to eat.

Sunday was a special day. We have been secret squirrelling for weeks now organising Grandee's surprise birthday party which was to be held on that day. Munchin was read the riot act in the car on the way to the venue. The usual was said (Mama will find these words VERY familiar) i.e. don't scream like a hyena, don't touch anything you shouldn't etc. After a bit of a delay, the proceedings commenced (much to the relief of the chef who had been spotted pacing and biting his nails at the prospect of making adjustments to the timings in the kitchen) and a good time was had by all.

What of Munchkin, you ask (I suspect he will sneak in his point of view shortly)? He did have a short scream like a hyena but once he managed to get himself to sleep for an hour he was fine. So, Mama, I think we won't need to get the purple Kai mou sou (feather duster) out..........just yet.

T-7 and pondering

Next week, by this time, Chief Oracle will be back in the country. Woohooo! I can't wait. It is a very exciting time...but I bet this week will really draaaaaaag.

I have been pondering recently. Feeling very philosophical after some very enlightening conversations with a certain Swiss person (whose house is, presently, covered in snow). Yes, I mean swiss as in chocolates and watches not cloud cuckoo clock land (incidently they didn't invent to cuckoo clock anyway...these were a German invention and I have been taught well not to confuse the Germans and the Swiss by the person in question). My point to ponder this week has been friendship. "A friends is, as it were, a second self". Isn't if funny how true friends can be out of touch for weeks, months and even years, yet when these friends are reunited, conversation flows like it has never taken a holiday.

It is also oh so true that you don't have to see someone all the time for you to have a strong friendship. So what I am trying to say? True friendships (to me, I guess) withstand the test of time, the test of distance, the test of disagreement, the test of busy lives, the test of of the truth(that one sometimes doens't want to hear but needs to) and just STUFF. It is just there and remains there, lying latent, in wait. Then when it is needed, it springs into bloom again, bigger, better and brighter than before.

So, I sit here, on a cold, grey December afternoon, eagerly counting down the days till the reunion with not just Chief Oracle but with our Remote Operations family, a week today. What a special treat!

What ever will they think off next?

This is a bit of an old photo. The toy Munchkin has in his hands is from his Ah Mah. It is called a winkel. I have caught a few people off guard as has T when we remark in a flippant fashion "Munchkin is fine, he is on the mat chewing on his Winkle" I have had funny look before when talking very seriously to Munhckin and asking him if he would like me to get his cold Winkel for him to bite on. I have also been given similar looks when I say things like "Munchkin and his friends have all got winkels and sometimes we get them all mixed up so we don't know whose winkel each child is sucking"

We could argue I guess that it is not what is being said, rather it is in the interpretation of what is said (by sewer like minds). Still, it keeps Munchkin happy though recently joy is acquired by throwing it rather than sucking it. I can see it now. The funny looks when I say "Munchkin! Don't throw your winkel over there! The cat might lick it!" I think I have said enough.

P/S Countdown : 8 days till we are reunited with the Chief Oracle and her family. I have been waiting for this since they left the UK. T-8 and counting.......

Butter wouldn't melt

This week, Munchkin has mainly been practicing the art of being willful. For weeks we have had such an easy time with feeding and the cleaning of teeth in the evening before bed. This week Munchkin has thrown us a challenge. Picture this. Usually Munchkin sees food, Munchkin opens his mouth, food goes into his mouth and dissapears only to be seen in recycled form much later. This week, Munchkin has been choosing to adopt the "I am too busy to eat stance". This is demonstrated by clamping his gums together and welding his lips shut. Munchkin sees food, Munchkin pretends to be preoccupied with something else like his bib or the strap from his harness. He also thinks grabbing the spoon to try and feed himself is fun.

Same goes with bathtime. Munchkin has been very cooperative on the teeth cleaning front. It used to be Munchkin sees toothbrush, Munchkin opens mouth, Mummy cleans teeth, Munchkin babbles. This week Munchkin has clamped his gums together, sealed his lips shut and made "MMmmmmmmm" sounds as soon as toothbrush was in sight.

What Munchkin has discovered is that Mummy is more willful than Munchkin and has had 33 years practice at being a stubborn little madam. And Mummy can be very persuasive when she wants to be. So Munchkin and I have come to a little understanding. He lets me do what he knows I must do and I promise to get it over and done with and leave him be afterwards. Why do I have a sneaky suspicion that this battle of wills will provide for interesting times in the future?

Munchkin returns

It was a bit dark when mummy woke me up yesterday morning. I am not used to this. What am I supposed to do? Every night she and I pray for a peaceful night of deep sleep till the morning when the sun comes out. Correct me if I am wrong but the Sun is that big bright round thing that comes out when the sky is blue, isn't it? Not the big bright thing of changeable shape that is in the sky when the sky is dark...that is the moon. She is obviously addled. The moon was still out when she got me up yesterday

AND I got no breakfast. She gave me my milk then changed me into clothes suitable for public viewing (not the questionable bits and pieces that daddy only allows me to have on at home) and bundled me into my car seat. She was still in her dressing gown at this point. Then daddy whisked me off into the darkness away from mummy. So I chattered away to him until he dropped me of at Mary Poppin's house. I think she is growing on me so I didn't cry and gave her an appeciative cuddle. I grew to like her even more when she gave me my breakfast. Then I went to sleep for a couple of hours. Then I woke up, OUCH!!!! My tummy hurt. So I yelled for Mary Poppins to sort it out. She did. I rewarded her with a loud Belch...Ahhh..that felt better. So I played with Mary till mummy came to get me.

I was very pleased to get home and the kitties must have missed me as they were sitting in the window to welcome me back. I showed my appreciation in the usual way, by giggling all the way to the front door. It felt good to be home.

Munchkin has left the building.

This morning, we had to rouse Munchkin from his slumber. It was half past too early for Munchkin but he had places to go and people to meet. We gave him a bit of a shine and a polish then T bundled him off into the car and drove off into the darkness.

Munchkin is off to his lovely childminder for his second taster session. Last time we came away with no long lasting ill effects (so far). This time we are leaving him for 5 whole hours. So here I am, home alone. T has just rung to say that he left Munchkin cuddling the lovely childminder lady (henceforth to be known as Mary Poppins).

It is a strange independence but a rather enjoyable one. Suddenly I don't really have to think about anyone but myself. I haven't had the luxury for a while. It feels good and almost naughty, almost like bunking off school (not that I ever did that, of course! Ahem!) to enjoy the sunshine. I am looking forward to seeing Munchkin again this afternoon but I am going to savour every moment. Absence makes the heart grown fonder....but for the time being I am just going to sit back and enjoy the silence and the peace of this me time.

Time honoured traditions

"Stir up , we beseech thee O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people" is the opening line of the prayer used on the Sunday before the start of Advent and is the reason why that Sunday is called Stir up Sunday, traditionally the day the Christmas pudding is made.

We have adopted this tradition. Each year, I make a Christmas pudding and we take turns to stir it and make a wish for the coming year. This is going to be Munchkin's first Christmas so, in keeping with tradition, Munchkin got a stir as well.....if you could call it that...well, he sort of held the spoon.

This led me to reminisce about our wishes made last year. Unbeknown to us then , T and I both made the same wish. Our wish came true. He sits here, sort of stirring his first Christmas pudding, perhaps wishing for something for the year ahead. Maybe, just maybe, someday his wish, like ours will come true too.

Ronseal

The advertising slogan for the above product is "It does what it says on the tin"

Munchkin has got the t-shirt and now has illusions of grandeur, me thinks. Those Texans (you know who you are!) have a lot to answer for!!

How you doin'?

It was sunny. Sunglasses seemed like a nice idea. He didn't seem to protest too much so this picture had to be taken if for nothing else, to be shown when he brings his first date home to meet mummy. Ahhh the joys of parenthood!

Do you see what I see?

Being new parents has opened our eyes to many a new experience, most of which are great, a few are less desirable. One which falls into the latter category is the need for some "special" individuals to very kindly share how advanced their little ones are e.g. "My little darling is 3 and do you know he/she has such a flair for art. Look at this, it could be mistaken for a Jackson Pollock" or "Oh! Did you hear that? He/she said floccinaucinihilipilification. Yes, he/she says that ALL the time" Society seems to have bred the necessity to crave over achievement.

I mulled this over with Chief Oracle who seems to be experiencing something very similar over the pond. Pushy parent syndrome seems to be rife. So, here's a picture to ponder. What I see is Munchkin (bored at being left to his own devices) tearing into a magazine, what it could be interpreted as is "Oh look! He really likes the New Scientist. It is his favourite magazine, don't you know". If I EVER come out with phrases like that(and am not being sarcastic), please take this as written permission to put the world out of its misery and shoot me.

N.B. Munchkin is 5 months and 9 days old. He can't talk, he can't read, he can't walk, he can't roll over, he can't sign, he can't do very much really BUT he makes my world a better, brighter place (apart from when he makes really bad smells....in which case my world becomes just a little bit less fragrant...temporarily although the boys seem to be tag team fumigating at the moment so the atmosphere is rather toxic at Chez Munchkin)

Contentment

Recently, I have experienced a bit of a blast from the past. You know how it is...people come and go out of your life and it is always interesting to hear what someone has been up to that you haven't heard from for as long as you can remember a bit like a school reunion if you could call it that. I once had a conversation with Chief Oracle about this. You walk into a room full of professionals dying to tell you how many degrees they have, how they have been jetted around the world, how they are pillars of society, champions of industry and that they have no time to start a family. They have no space in their lives for life's simplest pleasures. If it does not have a huge price tag on it, then it is not worth having...you know the type.

It is funny how parenthood changes you. T and I are going through what is the best life changing experience, the sort that makes you a better person. I guess I am trying to say that I feel complete. We have enough, more than enough. We have each other and we have our boy (and furry girls - who incidently I would like to strangle at the moment as one is yowling downstairs and the other is busy tipping post off the desk, post that I had sorted ready for filing). We look forward to time spent together, a candlelit meal (during a power cut), a chuckle from our Munchkin, a quiet night in front of the TV with our girls. Every night I go to bed counting my blessings and every morning I wait excitedly to hear Munchkin call for me so that I can have my first cuddle and smile for the day. When I hold him, I know I have made it and I know I am holding a great treasure, a blessing in a bundle, joy in an armful!

Temporary abandonment

Phew! I am glad this morning is over. Today I had to do one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I had to leave Munchkin in the care of someone else while he was still wide awake. A first since he was born...apart from being left with T of course but that doens't really count.

I dropped Munchkin off at his childminder's house today. He was all smiles for her. I stayed for a little while just to share insider mummy knowledge on how you can tell when he is tired/is having poo etc etc and I kissed him on the forehead and walked out the door. I couldn't look back. I went off to see my very good friend and her little boy and time passed. I thought of him every second knowing in my heart of hearts that he was going to be OK. When the time came, I got in the car and went back to get him. I was anxious. I hadn't had any messages on my answerphone so all must have been well.

When I got there, all was quite. Munchkin was asleep it seems....all was well.

Another test from T

Another first for wickett world. It seems to work but I don't know what it's like with low bandwidth. Perhaps someone can let us know.

Bye for now

T

ps. play it once and let it buffer then play it again without the pauses.

All in an afternoon's work

Munchkin here. Today mummy took me to see the Health Visitor. I guess if she visits health then she is probably quite glad that my chums and I (with our mummies) go to visit her as it must be quite a drag having to visit the same person all the time.

We arrived at the clinic after my lunch which today was a yummy sweet potato, squash (red kabacha) and broccoli. I am not too sure about brocolli it looks like funny little green worms and makes me look very silly when it is artistically smeared over my face (my artistic side showing). I much prefer the healthy orange glow carrot or sweet potato or squash give me. Rather like a St Tropez spray on tan with a twist (of orange). People pay good money for that mummy says.

Anyway, J and his mummy were there so we had a chat. Basically the mummies told us boys how clever and lovely we are. Too right! Anyway, it was soon our turn and there was a new lady with the Health Visitor. She is PRETTY and YOUNG. Daddy would like her. And she was wearing a nursey's uniform. I decided I would just look at her as she is very easy on the eye. Then the Health Visitor washed her hands and tried to get in my mouth. Excuse me....see these lips? They are shut. Which means "Keep Out". She tried again. So I was forced to resort to extreme measures PQT (Pout, Quiver, Tears).

Mummy then added to my humiliation by stripping me down to skin and then they "popped" me into a big cold basin. There was nothing "pop" about it. They left me there and talked amongst themselves about Cents and Tiles. I don't care how many cents a tile is....I just want my clothes back on and I want a cuddle and I want to go HOME, NOW!

They soon got the message. PQT was executed and was instantaneously successful. It has been a hard day. I am going to sleep now. Beauty sleep don't you know. It isn't easy being a Munchkin. By the way, I now have TWO teeth. The second one must have been scared to the surface by the trauma of this afternoon. Hurumphhh!

This one is for you, Mama!

Photo curtesy of GUR (master photographer and dishwasher)

My Mama can nag, in the nicest possible way. It used to be the standing joke that her sole purpose for ringing me was to nag me to take vitamin tablets (which incidently has reminded me that I have forgotten to take this morning). Since the dawn of Munchkin she has been ringing every day...not to nag but to speak to the little monster. The conversations they have are quite interesting. Mama speaks to Munchkin in Hokkien and in English....in the same sentence. No wonder the boy looks confused. But he chatters away back at the phone and he laughs sometimes (I would laugh at some of the things Mama says too if I thought I would get away with it...Munchkin does...I don't fancy my chances!)

Mama has also requested many photos of Munchkin. Mama's idea Christmas present would be a calender with a picture (life size) of Munchkin peering at her every month. My parent's house in Malaysia is now adorned with Munchkin snaps. I have on good authority that there is a picture in the living room, one in the kitchen, several dotted in other rooms in the house. If they could, they would wall paper the house with Munchkin pictures....like an homage to Munchkin in the form of a very large collage! The one picture they have not got though (I keep getting reminded!) is one of me and my Munchkin. So, Mama..this one is for you!

P/S Yes, ma. We will try and get a photo taken of all 3 of us for you soon. Oh! Did you want one with the cats in it as well?

Lovely babes all in a row

Here they are. Munchkin and his little friends. I wonder if we could get them to pose for a picture every year. Just so that we can see how they have grown. Munchkin is being a good boy there and looking straight at the camera. I think he was rather taken by the pretty lady that took the photo as he always has big smiles for the other mummies. We have started calling our weekly get togethers Duvet days. What you can't see in the picture is 4 mummies shaking toys and pulling silly faces in an attempt to make the babes smile (well, to avoid howling, screaming episodes). Also the photographer was balanced on a small wooden stool.

Still, the children are always pretty pleased to see each other. There is one rose amongst the thorns. It is going to be interesting to see who she favours when they get older. At present though they are happy all holding hands (some are keener than others). Munchkin is not too keen. As you can see, he is holding on for dear life to the side of the duvet. But I guess there are times when even grown ups want to hang on to the duvet and not let go!

Christmas Dinner, here I come!

Our aim has been for Munchkin to be able to partake in pureed Christmas dinner this year. He is as of Friday night, one step closer. Munchkin cut his first tooth on Friday night. His lower left incisor is through and it is SHARP!

We wondered when this would happen. Munchkin has been leaving trails of drool for weeks. You can tell where he has been and you can also tell who he has been with...as his victims are left covered in munchkin juice. In true Munchkin fashion, he took it in his stride and continued to be very good natured....this time. We are truly blessed.

To celebrate his tooth cutting, Munchkin was given a little drop of bordeaux on his lip last night. His father was proud to note that Munchkin smacked his lips and started wriggling, waving his hands and kicking his feet. No!! It was not an adverse "Are you trying to kill me?" reaction. We think he rather liked it! So it might be that he has a tot of red with his turkey....we shall see!

Happiness is....?

I have often pondered the answer to this question. I guess it depends where one is in life and what one needs at the precise moment in time to feel this emotion. So at the time of writing my answer is:

• the fact that the cat has not piddled on the floor by the front door
• there were no bills in the post
• it is not raining
• we have power (there was a power cut last night)
• Munchkin is sleeping
• the cats are sleeping
• we have nothing planned today...it is a duvet day
• it is nearly Friday and T will not be working silly hours anymore after that

Hmm....but what makes me smile?

• Eau de Munchkin when I hold him close to me
• Munchkin gurgles (and the cats meowing in reply)
• Munchkin laughter
• T's dancing
• Watching T and Munchkin together
• Seeing T at the front door in the evening when he gets home
• Seeing the cats on the windowsill welcoming us home from an outing
• Thinking about my parents and my beautiful Sister
• Thinking about Chief Oracle and her family in Texas

So I guess what I am saying is that happiness, to me is in my family (immediate and extended, feline and human) for without them it would be a cold existence!

Munchkin and the gang

Munchkin mullings:

Last week our mum's decided that we would all go to J's house for what they call "coffee and cake" As mentioned before, the latter features very high on the agenda in everything that our mummies do. They always blame us for their obsession with cake. They say it is because they have to use up so many calories feeding us that they need to keep their energy levels up by consuming huge quantities of the sweet stuff. This is all well and good. But they are not fooling us. They leave us to play (as illustrated above) and proceed to put the world to rights while topping up on their Cake-lories.

We do try to distract them though by doing things that make them go "Awwww!" The most popular "awww-tivity" is holding hands (as expertly demonstrated above by the boys and I). When this doesn't work, we take turns squeezing each other's hand a little too tight for comfort. This causes what we call the cry reflex. My particular favourite technique is the pushing out of my bottom lip initially, followed by a little whimper and then I turn on the tears. This usually gets some attention. If it doesn't we all start to cry in different pitches and volumes (to ensure that the whole audible range is covered). The pain and strife one has to bear just to tear them away from idle chatter about our bottom burps...I don't know!

Change

The transition from being us to be parents has been a relatively smooth one for us. We have been very lucky. The following is not by all means a comprehensive list but rather some observations along the way in our journey into parenthood.

You know you are a parent when:

1. Someone points out the baby sick running down your back and you ask "Is it just on the one side or have I got it down the other as well?"
2. Someone points out the baby sick on your top and you throw something convenient over it to hide it from plain sight e.g. a scarf, a bag strap or even your hair if it is long enough
3. You are never without a packet of wet wipes - never know when you will need one.
4. Leaving the house is a military operation in that the timing is crucial to the success of the mission
5. You trade your handbag in for a nappy bag
6. You have no qualms about sniffing your baby's bottom in public. Well....better safe than sorry!
7. You have no qualms about baring parts of your anatomy in public. Better that than a hungry, screaming baby
8. You start talking in a very strange singsong voice to your child and start referring to your other half as Mummy or Daddy
9. You pick out the baby's outfits for special occasions in advance. You wear what is clean on the day.
10. It ain't over till the little baby sleeps!

Still, it is an exciting journey. Every day is a little different. It amazes me how Munchkin manages to evoke such extreme emotions in us. He can make me very sad but more often he makes me ecstatically glad. He needs us and we most definitely cannot imagine life without him. People told us that things would never be the same again. What they didn't say was how much better it is and how you can hold the true meaning of happiness in your arms.

Munchkin and his Posse

Here he is holding court. His posse consists of our two cats and all his little dangly friends. His particular favourite is the bright yellow quacking duck.

When we brought Munchkin home, the cats didn't really know what to make of him. One of them took to walking up to him and hissing to register protest. The other just pretended he wasn't there. After about a fortnight, reality sunk in. He was here to stay and they would just have to get used to having him around.

This realisation sparked a turn in behaviour. Hissy cat started following him around. Everywhere he went, she followed. If he was asleep in his crib, she would settle herself nearby and fall asleep. If he cried, the cat formerly known has hissy would run up to him and meow until we came to comfort him. If anyone tried to approach him, they would be confronted by two feline bodyguards.

The bond is an interesting one. It will probably get more interesing now that Munchkin is starting to take an interest in touching things and feeling with his fingers. They have allowed him to stroke them to date. His stroking is controlled and supervised (i.e. I have hold of his hand and "help" him along). Ex-hissy suffers from Anti-toddler syndrome as a result of an altercation some moons ago but she seems to be tolerant.....for now.

Magic moments

Not quite that poster of man and child - well, there is a shirt covering the six pack (!?) in this case for a start but a special picture regardless.

Munchkin ADORES his daddy. This is no exaggeration. Whatever sort of day Munchie has had as soon as his daddy walks in through the door the little boy beams and grins. This weekend, they boys have mainly been dancing. Well, T has been dancing and Munchkin has been laughing, really laughing. Everytime his dad walks into the room Munchkin stops anything he is doing and just stares at him and smiles. Not a lot comes between the Munchkin and his food but his Daddy does. Munchkin would rather abandon his food than to miss the opportunity to smile at his dad.

We spent Saturday in T's man cave (the garage). Munchkin has now been introduced to hammer drills, oil stones and chisels. He has also had a peek down the cellar. He seemed quite excited about it all. T is talking about getting him a pair of safety goggles and some teeny overalls.

Ah my lovely boys!!

Mine's a pint!

Munchkin has been introduced to his cup. This week he has been drinking water out of it. Well, drinking is a slight exaggeration. Mostly water dribbles out of his mouth...rather like a bit of a quick rinse to get rid of any sneaky bits of fruit, veg or baby rice that has managed to get stuck in his mouth.

This morning however, he managed to keep most of it in. Perhaps we could give him a tot of red wine in it at Christmas to wash down his pureed sprouts and parsnips. The results could be EXPLOSIVE! Note to self: Keep Munchie away from naked flames.

Today my tummy, tomorrow the world!

You know what they say about pictures and words...enough said.

Nice Nursey with the Nasty Needles Take 3

Munchkin the guest writer muses:

I knew it! She was being extra nice to me this morning for a reason. It was all cuddles and smiles and lots of fruit in my cereal. Then there were MORE cuddles. All this special treatment started yesterday when my GAF and GUR came...with a lovely Whoozit water mat which I am liking very much, thank you.

I should have known something was up when Daddy came home at lunchtime and also gave me lots of kisses and cuddles (manly ones of course...not like the soppy mummy ones). They packed me into my car seat and off we went. I thought we were going on holiday. But no. We ended up once again at the clinic. Once again I was lulled into a false sense of security There were all my little friends Aidan, Amelia and Elizabeth so I thought...hah! Another Coffee morning ( I don't know why they call it that as they don't have coffee, they mainly concentrate on eating vast amounts of cake and they lay us all on a blanket to play then wonder why we cry and fuss. Some cake this way would be nice!).

To humiliate me even more, they took off my trousers. I was sitting there in my nappy. It is a good job I had already done a mess this morning. Then I realised that we were within stabbing distance of nice nursey with the nasty needles. She jabbed me not once not twice but three times! I wasn't made to be jabbed three whole times. If I were meant to have three jabs I would have been born with three legs. These adults obviously can't count. I had to have two jabs in one leg and now that leg is very sore. I am going to bed. To sulk. I shall continue to tell them off whilst I fall asleep. Nyeh! Nyeh! Nyeh! Tchoh! Hurumphhh! ZZZZzzzzzz

From across the Bristol Channel they came....

Munchkin's dear ones are scattered far and wide. His Great Aunt F and Great Uncle R live in beautiful, deepest, darkest Wales. We have been most excited all week as GAF and GUR were going to come and visit. Yesterday was that day.

I had not met GAF till about July last year and I think it is safe to say (she will correct me if I am mistaken, I hope!) that a lasting bond was forged and a rather lovely friendship has developed. (P/S GUR, you are rather special too and you are the better looking dishwasher still!)

All through the incubation of Munchkin, GAF was there (in a virtual ePal sense) to keep my spirits up and keep me laughing and smiling through it all. For this, I am thankful everyday as her encouragement continues still. We still have our giggles, in fact she has sometimes has me in tears with laughter - must be a wavelength thing! The emails fly back and forth often and it was a very special treat to give both these greats a real hug for a change.

Munchkin seemed to approve too. There were lots of smiles and a very deep and meaningful conversation with his GUR (must be a man thing!). It was rather sad to see them drive off into the night but I am hoping that we will see them again soon!


Munchkin

Munchkin's take

When mummy dressed me up all nice this morning, I knew that something was up. She was all dressed up too. She told me it was called a "soup" - I got quite excited then. If it is carrot and squash I will have a double portion please!

I pondered the world as we drove off. I wondered which of my fingers tasted best. I settled for my thumb. Mummy was going on about the fact that this was an important day and that I must behave and not fuss and not spit at the nice people at the new-key-year power station. I drifted off to nodland (can you blame me? She does go on that woman - I think it is the lack of grown up female company. Daddy told me they like to chat)

When I woke up (the stupid woman was walking very fast with clippity shoes on - WHAT A DIN!), I found myself staring at 3 men in uniform. We then went into a lift that talked and told us where we were (just in case mummy's brain was so addled she had lost her sense of being) Mummy walked me into an office where there were quite a few very important looking men wearing strange things round their necks (daddy only ever wears things like that for special occasions - must ask him why he didn't wear one to the hospital when I was born - after all they keep telling me I am special). The men made comments about my lovely head of dark hair. I could understand why. 50% of them didn't have any hair and the other 50% had white bits in their hair. I then went for a cuddle with Aunty S. She is lovely and we went for a little walk around to see all mummy's work friends.

I was just getting used to all the female adoration when Daddy came round. He must be jealous as I am such a Lady Magnet but I guess he is my Daddy and I can just about bring myself to share the attention with him. Mummy was gone for ages but she did appear in the end. I had a nice cuddle with Uncle P (mummy's boss). Then more pretty ladies came to see me and wanted a cuddle. I of course being the gentleman that I am (and Daddy has had words to me about female attention - take it while you have it as it soon runs out) I obliged.

I was getting a tad hot and hungry so I let mummy know and she took the hint so off we went. I could see her looking at me as we drove off. I was peering at her from under my eye lashes and from the silly smile she had on her face I knew that wrapped around my little finger she was. Haha! Such is the power of the Munchkin.

Munchkin goes nuclear

Today is a special day. I had to go back to work for a meeting with my lovely boss. I had been quite looking forward to seeing him and so many others as I have quite missed them. But, all last night and this morning I had been anxious. What if there was no room at the inn for me anymore? How would Munchkin behave on site? Lots of questions were swimming round in my head.

I put a suit on again for the first time since I was about 30 weeks pregnant. Thank goodness it fit! I hadn't even checked. Munchkin (through my rose tinted mummy spectacles) looked very lovely in his "Cheeky Monkey" outfit. I even had Munchkin's emergency milk supply packed in a champagne cooler no less. We set off and managed to get there on time.

Upon arrival, we reported to security and Munchkin was checked over by 3 security guards. I then walked Munchkin up to my boss' office. The welcoming committee (not put on specially, rather just a coincidence that they were all there) were the Site Manager, the Plant Manager, The Business Manager and the Financial Controller. It was nice. These very important men all stood round looking at the Munchkin (who ignored them and continued playing with his feet). Munchkin was then whisked off by the site manager's secretary and I had my meeting.

A full hour went by. Not a peep from the Munchkin. In fact, it occured to me that the lovely lady was back in her office without Munchkin. Just as the meeting was wrapped up, T appeared with Munchkin who then had a lovely cuddle with my boss. He likes my boss. He was very attentive.....till he saw me then decided that it was time to go home as his tummy was rumbling.

So off we went. Munchkin fell asleep as soon as I pulled out of the gates. I could only look at him and feel proud. He is a very good Munchkin when it counts. (And the answer is no! I didn't drug him before I got on site to make sure that he wouldn't cry!)

P(ersonal) P(rotective) E(quipment) required

Munchkin is enjoying his grub. This is a good phase to be savoured before he decides to be fussy. Today's gourmet Munchkin menu consists of Baby rice and pear and apple puree for breakfast, Squash and carrot puree for lunch and pear and apple puree for tea.



As a result of the above, mustard mess has metamorphorsised into chameleon sausages (it depends what he has ingested)

So far today I have learnt:

• Always keep a wet flannel handy...you never know when you are going to need one
• When you think the sausages will stop coming, leave it 5 more minutes. It ain't over till it is OVER. Think Cumberland ring rather than 'ickle chippolata.
• Little hands and feet can get everywhere. This applies to mush and sausages
• PPE would come in handy - if munchkin decides to sneeze with a mouth full of mush or if he decides it is time for some rain showers when his nappy comes off

Rather than the usual gifts of soft baby blankets, sweet smelling toiletries and cuddly toys, new parents ought to be given a full face visor, plastic coveralls, gloves and overshoes, breathing apparatus (for those oh so pungent aromas - you wouldn't think that something so small could make smells like that) and a lifetime supply of wet wipes.

I am now off to the kitchen to try and wipe up the residual precipitation thanks to Munchkin's series of sneezes while his mouth was full of carrot and squash puree. Shouldn't be too difficult to spot bright orange splodges..I suspect when it gets dark they will glow!

Look what I found, Mum!

Munchkin and I belong to a really good post natal group. There are seven of us in all and we tend to share very indepth chats about the expulsion of wind, pooh-sodes, pee-sodes and small person antics in general. For weeks, all we talked about was bowel movements. Frequency, volume, aroma and even coverage of surface area. We have concluded that the girls are pretty good and stay as girls do, sugar and spice and all things nice.

Those of the snails and puppy dog's tails persuasion leave more to be discussed. This week the boys have mainly been making discoveries....in the nether regions. The approach is quite scarily consistent. General grabbing, tugging and making all manner of noises as if to ask...look here Mum, look what I found while I was rooting around in the bath. Munchkin doesn't seem to know the difference between his discovery and the rubber duckies that bob about in his bath. He treats them with the same delight. Another little step in the voyage of discovery. It is not every day a little boy discovers the family jewels. No wonder he chuckles with glee every time!

Detached Parenting

T was out on the town with the lads last night. This was going to happen tonight but I put in a change request as I didn't want to be at home alone on Halloween and have to face scary children coming to the door. All was well. Munchkin settled down for his beauty sleep (he needs it as he is looking a bit worse for wear skin wise at the moment) and by 1930 I had my feet up and started to wind down for the evening till I had to go and retrieve T at 2200.

But relax I could not. I felt sick. I felt anxious and I couldn't figure out why. At 2115, popped next door to nice Mrs T who had agreed to babysit while I did my taxi girl duties (you didn't think we would be leaving Munchkin all on his own, did you?) As I drove away I felt more and more uneasy. Then it dawned on me, perhaps all this was because I had left Munchkin on his own with someone other than Daddy for the first time. I tried not to think about it as I pulled up in front of the agreed rendezvous spot. T appeared a little later and after dropping a friend off at his abode T asked how I was feeling.

It transpired that we were both feeling a little uneasy all evening. Not that there was any need. We got home and Mrs T reported that there had not been one peep out of Munchkin. She had even gone to check to see he was still breathing. Breathing he was, and SNORING at that! One small step for us, one giant leap towards trusting enough to let go...for a little while at least!

A Grand Weekend

Munchkin had a special visitor this weekend. As some of you know, Munchkin's grands all live abroad. Ah Kong and Ah Mah live in Malaysia and Grandad and Grandee live in Greece. This weekend however, Grandee came to stay. And what a hit she is with Munchkin. They laughed and they cuddled and they laughed some more. Grandee fed him his daily fruit portion and cooked him his daily vegetable portion to have after she had gone home. And when the time came for Grandee to go today, Munchkin put on his most pathetic pout, paused for effect and then opened his lungs to full volume. There were real tears. And to top it all off, when he was being given a bye bye cuddle, he clung on, limpet fashion and wouldn't let go. What a performance! You would have thought that Munchkin will never be seeing his Grandee again, ever. What you now know is that he will probably be seeing her in 2 weeks time. I wonder if there will be an encore then. Thespian Munchkin.

I rather suspect that the Munchkin really, really loves his Grandee. She spoils him....it is her job as a grand. His evil parents don't! Tee hee hee!

Mumbling Munchkin

Me again! The parents have been experimenting again. I fully accept that I was born in the year of the golden pig...GOLDEN....not guinea. Me thinks they might have their G words confused.

This week I have been subjected to this mushy stuff called baby rice in the morning for breakfast. Mummy must want me to take after her foreign taste buds as she likes rice and curry in the morning for breakfast. She has managed to turn daddy to the dark side as he likes it too. And now she has high hopes for me. I must admit it is not all bad. I do like it though it is getting a bit boring now and a teeny bit bland. I tried to tell her this morning but will she listen...no....she just kept shovelling the stuff in. My fault I guess, I just kept eating the stuff as a growing boy needs to keep his calorie intake up. All my calories seem to be going to lengthening my hair at the moment and I suppose my passion for standing up and squats do seem to burn the old C's as well. I am built for comfort and not for speed though. Daddy tells me this is the way to be as it means I won't get too cold in the winter time as I will have reserves. He pats his tummy when he does this...but then he says it is all muscle. Hmm. My tummy is squidgey and daddy says it is just like his so how can mine be reserves and his be muscle?

I have had pear and apple this week. Pear is a bit stringy but I like the taste. Apple makes me screw my face up but I quite like it. Mummy is threatening to give me Have-a-car-doh. I thought cars make a low purring sound and make me go to sleep. I am confused. Still, missed my morning nap today as herself took me to a coffee morning. Still I got to see all my little friends Aidan, Joseph, Matthew and Amelia. I spent the morning trying to catch Amelia's eye. Her pink flowery tights just do it for us boys!

A whole new world...

We have been experimenting with munchkin (yet again!). As previously shared, Munchkin has been showing quite a bit of interest in food. As Munchkin will be turning 4 months old in a weeks time we decided that perhaps it was time to introduce him to solid food.

Day 1 involved a teaspoon of baby rice for breakfast..organic no less and wholegrain at that. Munchkin donned his new bib and braced himself for food. It didn't take long. After playing about with the first little taste, it was all I could do to keep up with his gaping gob and Munchkin shouts asking for more and no hanging about mummy! He started sounding very indignant "keep up woman! Call yourself my mother?". Needless to say, rice was a hit. We then tried pear which dissapeared before you could say "And a partridge in a pear tree". Today we tried apple. Munchkin wasn't too sure about apple. But Ah Ee phoned just on cue and Munchkin proceeded to finish his apple whilst telling her all about it and hiccuping. I am sure this ability to multitask will diminish as he grows to be a big, strong man (or so his father has led me to believe!)

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone...

This past week Munchkin and I have mainly been spending time with my sister (Ah Ee to Munchkin). It has been a very precious time. I had forgotten how nice it is to have adult company and adult company doesn't come any better than with my little sis. For a whole week I have had a partner in crime to eat with in the day, to make me hot drinks, to take Munchkin when I am on my last legs, for a good ol' gossip and best of all, to have a good old laugh with.

She even successfully introduced Munchkin (Munchie for short!) to the bottle which he took quite happily without much fuss. She managed to make him laugh and chuckle and Munchkin always has a smile for his Ah Ee.

Tidying up today, I did shed a tear. The laptop that was parked next to our desktop wasn't there anymore. There were not contact lense cases in the bathroom. There was no one downstairs making a coffee and there was no sweet voice singing childhood songs to Munchkin. All of a sudden it felt empty. The sun is out but it still feels cold.

A grand day out

Today, munchkin attended his first formal engagement. You see, today T was going to be a godfather again. So we all got dressed in our Sunday best and headed for Oxford. Munchkin held Ah Ee's hand all the way there.

We were a bit nervous for a couple of reasons. Munchkin had never been in a church before nor had he been surrounded by hundreds of people nor had he had a mustard mess...for the past 5 days. Our primary concern was the potential explosiveness of the stored mustard.

But, Munchkin lasted through the hour and a bit long service, jigging through all the hymns and keeping very quiet through the prayers, message and the christening itself. He made some new friends then proceeded to sleep all the way back to T's new godson's house (holding Ah Ee's hand of course!). He then slept while we had lunch and woke to watch the other children play.

By noon, we were concerned as the explosion had yet to happen. Still, we had a lovely afternoon in the sunshine and headed home midafternoon. Munchkin (creature of habit) slept all the way home holding his Ah Ee's hand. It was a good trip and it didn't take us long to get home. which is a good thing because Munchkin was entertaining us with melodic botty burps (not good in an enclosed space due to the pong that came with it!) We had been home half and hour when T shouted "It's happening!" and dashed upstairs with Munchkin. Mustard Mess Mayhem had been contained till we got home.

What a considerate munchkin he is! Thank goodness for the little things in life (although T will tell you that there was nothing little about the explosion!)

When Munchkin met...

his Ah Ee. Ah Ee is the chinese title (we are a very hierarchical society) for the mother's female sibling.

Today we were up early, munchkin had a pit stop (feed and full change) and was bundled off in the car to Heathrow to meet his Ah Ee. He slept all the way there are woke in time to beam the biggest smile at his Ah Ee. He gazed at her all the time he was awake on the way home.

Judging by munchkin's reaction to his Ah Ee, if Carlsberg could make aunties she would be it. She is a class one, not just any aunt but a M&S aunt to munchkin. He only needs to catch a glimpse of her and he beams and chuckles and giggles.

It is not all good though....he has sussed her out. You see, every time Ah ee walks past him he shouts for attention...and gets it so much so he now expects to be cuddle by Ah ee and cries when she puts him down. I can put him down, his Dad can put him down but when Ah ee tries to put him down, munchkin extends his bottom lip as far as it will go, makes it quiver then looks up at her like a little basset hound....then he whimpers and goes all teary eyed. She caves. Ah, the power of the munchkin. Resistance is futile!

Munchkin Musings

I'm back! This morning we have been to the supermarket. I decided that I would be particularly nice to mummy today so I sat quietly in my car seat in the trolley while she did the food shopping. I like food. I hope that bag of sweet potatoes that fell in the trolley are for me. Also I spied some baby rice falling into the trolley. She must be getting the hint. For weeks I have been trying my best to look excited when she eats, I have opened my mouth wide and have even perfected the art of salivating on demand..not an easy task I let you know but apart from a measley bit of apple mush and the teeniest bit of carrot mash she has not really made an effort. Perhaps things are about to change.

I am getting very fed up though....everyone thinks I am a "Pretty girl". Hello? I am wearing a blue top with a dinosaur on it and blue trousers AND blue socks. Is that still too subtle? The next time anyone peers into the pram or carseat and says "Aww, what a lovely little girl" I shall belch and parrrrrpppp. They will be in no doubt then what my gender is. Daddy is very proud of my gasseous emmissions (the smells and sounds show) and says that I am a proper little boy like daddy. Note to self: must somehow convince mummy to buy me more masculine clothing with cars, trains and all other sterotypes for boys on it. I don't care if red is lucky to the chinese. Blue and black will now be my colour of choice and no cutesy little motifs either. Tchoh! Hurumphh!! ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz (Munchkin has nodded off again!)

Today..according to Munchkin

Hello all! Munchkin here. I thought I would give my mum a rest from this writing lark and pen a few words myself (being so advanced and all...but seriously, I have to tell you my side of the story as well...it can't be the world according to mum all the time.)

Today I slept in till 0715, although my dad did come in to check on me before he drove off in his noisy car. I pretended to be sweet in slumber though as I want to stay on the right side of him who must be adored. When I woke up, the mummy was still in bed (you can't get the staff these days!) So, I shouted. She arrived...eventually. I then decided that since she did look a bit rough I would give her my bestest smile. She melted, of course. Resistance, is futile in these circumstances. I know my strengths and intend to make the most of them while I can. I then gurgled at her for a bit, after all I was pleased to see her (as my nappy was starting to pong a bit)

She then fed me and changed me and cuddled me. I have learnt to cuddle in the last week. I tend to wrap my arms around hers when she is changing me (to try and cuddle all of her with my 'ickle arms is asking a bit too much at this precise moment in my growth cycle). She keeps saying that I am trying to stop her from putting my nappy on...there is no pleasing some people!

She then talked to me for a bit (she talks and chatters a lot this one about the strangest things, why can't we have an intellectual conversation about calculus for once?) and then she had the odacity to leave me in my cot....to clean out the cat litter trays. I mean, hello lady? Where DO your priorities lie? I decided that I was not going to give her the satisfaction of crying so I played on my own while she sorted the cats out and had her shower.

I was just drifting off when she turned the infernal machine a.k.a. vacuum cleaner on. Right! I had had enough of this mistreatment. So, I wailed and howled...let the neighbours think that she is a terrible parent. She did come to get me, this time smelling a bit better and dressed (though she could have put some make up on first and combed her hair, does she think I don't notice?)

She cuddled me and held me and put me down in my cot again muttering something about it being time for a nap. That's what you think, lady. I'll show you. I howled again. This time I even had tears for dramatic effect. Back she came muttering something about now being too tired and being on the brink of a munchkin meltdown. I beg to differ. YAWN! I'll show her who is boss. YAWN!! Who is she to think that she knows better than me when it comes to time to rest? YAWN!!! Hmm...ooh one sheep, two sheep, three sheep. Sigh....my eyelids seem heavy all of a sudden and mummy is a bit of a blur. Maybe she was right. Maybe, just maybe I could do with a bit of a nap. I'll make a scolding sound...just that she knows that she might have won this battle but if she thinks she has won the war, huh!

To be continued, post munchkin nap.

Oh bed! Oh bed! Delicious bed!

That heaven upon earth to the weary head.....

Yesterday, I was subjected to a visit to the nice nursey with the nasty needles. It is the flu jab time of year and after clearing it with the nursies and the health visitor, off I went leaving Munchkin in the capable hands of the health visitor and my post natal group pals.

It was our last post natal group so we had a grand discussion about child development a.k.a. child amusement 101. T and I adopt the philosophy that if it makes Munchkin smile and coo, it must be good. We don't tend to follow toy trends or worry about how educational something is. The key to us is enjoyment and watching munchkin's face light up. If he learns something, it is a bonus (we still think that his first word is going to be poo though...as we converse about that so much! But it is a word, isn't it?) This week munchkin is mainly obsessed with my hands. He hugs them when I am trying to change him...very nice but makes doing up a nappy a little challenging but lovely regardless.

Last night I got munchkin fed and tucked into bed. He was asleep by 1945. I then glammed up and went next door where our neighbour was hosting a Body Shop party(where you buy Body Shop items and not bodies as some cheeky person inquired..you know who you are!). I got home at 2230. "I haven't had a peep out of him" reported T (proud daddy).

This morning T went to work at half past too early. He checked on Munchkin before he left. Munchkin was fast asleep. I woke when I heard the neighbour's children playing in the garden. Glancing at the clock I realised that it was 0815!! Eek!! Where was munchkin? Was he still alive? I had to wake him up for his morning feed. He went promptly back to sleep. Then I had to wake him up again, as I was meeting a friend for coffee at 1030. We got back from coffee at 1300 (coffee takes a long time for us ladies you know...so much to talk about!). Munchkin was fed and changed...he is now asleep...and has been for the past 45 minutes. I wonder if a rogue tsetse fly has escaped from its exotic home, stowed away on a plane (as it is far too much effort for a 'ickle fly to flap its 'ickle wings all that distance, it'll burn so many calories there won't be anything left) that landed in Britain and bitten my munchkin? Or is it that the flu jab has knocked my munchkin out? Either way, I am not complaining!

A Special Day

We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary yesterday. A lot has happened during that time, munchkin being the most significant occurence....and indeed the most life changing experience. To mark the occasion we had a lovely home cooked meal on Saturday night. T cooked, I ate. It was the exact same meal that he first cooked for me many moons ago. The food tasted just as good as it was then, maybe even a little better and I think it is safe to say that we enjoy each other's company now even more than we did then.

On Sunday I treated the boys to a nice meal in a proper restaurant complete with silverware and starched napkins. It was lovely. Munchkin was in his pushchair throughout and was busy lapping up the attention he was getting from the nice pretty, young waitress. He then turned his attentions to the lady at the next table...she was a more mature lady but she had the upper hand....she had food. How he cooed and gurgled at her with a hope that she would share her cheese and biscuits with him! He then promptly fell asleep as we finished off with pudding and coffee.

So where are we after 2 years of wedded bliss? Older (there is no avoiding that one!), a bit wiser (questionable), sillier (definitely), a bit more prosperous round the middle (well, 50% of us anyway...ahem...I have an excuse in Munchkin!) and undoubtedly happier than we have ever been.

Oh Susannah!

Before the chief oracle left for Texas, she bought Munchkin a very nice toy. It hooks onto his cot and has lots of brightly coloured knobs and knockers (ooh err missus!) for him to pull, push, whack, kick etc. and is meant to help with hand eye coordination, cause and effect etc etc. Very educational and lots of fun!

Munchkin has been showing interest in this toy for a while but one task illuded him. He had not yet figured out how to get the smile face to sing "Oh Susannah!" at him (you've got to punch it)....till today. In the last 15 minutes, "Oh Susannah!" has played about half a dozen times. I have just had a peep at him, he is lying 90 degrees to how he was put down and is repeatedly kicking the smiley face with great feeling. When the music stops, he shouts at it and gives it a sharp kick to get it going again. I am in for a long afternoon........

Independence Day

As you know, we believe in experimentation (ooh err Missus!) and last night we felt that it was time. Munchkin is a big boy now and parental assessment deemed that he would now be ready for his own bed in his own room.

I spent the day pondering whether or not Munchkin would settle and how the night would be. Would Munchkin refuse to settle in a new place? Would Munchkin wake in the night and cry for us when he found himself alone? Would it be a sleepless night all round?

Mighty Munchkin passed the test!! He was bathed, fed and read to as normal. He was then put down in his big boy bed in his big boy room. He did what Munchkin's do every night, he did some angry whinging then 5 minutes later....he entered dreamland. T and I had a peaceful evening until we went up to bed. It was strange. The crib was there but there was no Munchkin. All his stuff was gone. Life, for a split second felt empty. "I miss the Parrrpppps" said I, "Me too!" said T.

Munchkin slept in his big boy bed, in his big boy room until about 0750 this morning. He was gurgling away (we were listening with amusement via the baby monitor) then he started sounding slightly agitated. We left it (parental decision to ignore fussing and not intervene till it is deemed necessary. We believe a little loving neglect goes a long way!). The fussing got a bit louder and angrier. I went to check. Munchkin had managed to turn himself 90 degrees anticlockwise in his cot and was wedged. Once he was unstuck, he carried on playing and gurgling signifying that today was indeed Independence Day for Munchkin and for us too!

This morning, T dismantled the crib and there is once again space in our bedroom. There is no turning back now!

You are what you eat

Since the advent of Munchkin, evening meals have had to be carefully planned and these plans executed to military precision. The basic plan is simple. I (with some help from T) decide what we are having at some point during the day, I prepare the ingredients (with Munchkin) and when T comes home, he puts the dinner on while I sort Munchkin out for the night. This ensures that we have a proper meal each evening, together and has worked a treat so far.

Yesterday, sausages and mash were on the menu. I dutifully prepared the ingredients and everything was put in saucepans etc ready to go. T got home and informed me that he had had a sausage roll for breakfast and sausages and mash for lunch...but being the dear that he is (and reflecting his fondness for sausages and mash) he agreed, matyr fashion that having this for the second time (or indeed the third) was fine.

By 19:45 munchkin was in dreamland and I joined T in the kitchen. We have been trying to be good and subscribe to an organic vegetable seasonal box weekly to help towards our 5-a-day. As I was dishing out the broccoli, I noticed something at the end of the serving spoon. It turned out to be a steamed catterpiller. Now, you can't get more organic than that, can you? T then informed me that the fruit box he had taken in to work the previous day had 3 lots of wildlife in it. Hmm...well, I guess if it is good enough for the wildlife it ought to be good enough for us. Gillian McKeith eat your heart out!!

Nasty Needles Take 2

Yesterday, munchkin had to go back to the clinic for his second lot of immunisations a.k.a nice nurese with the nasty needles place. He must have known this was going to happen as the usually angelic monster woke at 0330 whimpering. He was fed and in true munchkin fashion went straight back to sleep again until he woke at 0630 to beam at his daddy and see him off to work.

After breakfast, munchkin and I sang "He's got the whole world" with actions and everything about 500 times and "Head and Shoulders" about 1000 times (also with actions) before he yawned a few times indicating that "You are boring me now mum, that old repertoire is going to HAVE to change soon". He then played in his cot for a bit and went down for a nap.....this nap went on until 1315 (his appointment was at 1330). So munchkin was quickly changed, tarted up ready to face nice nursey.

We were called in and munchkin gave nice nursey a beaming smile. He then sat like a good munchkin on my lap. Nice nursey produced the needle as munchkin gurgled away, oblivious to the inevitable. Needle 1 landed in munchkin's well nourished leg. Munchkin extended his big fat bottom lip, lip quivered, face screwed up and a howl left munchkins lips as a little tear left the corner of his eye. Needle 1 was removed. Munchkin quietened and resumed gurgling. The whole act was repeated when Needle 2 was administered.

Nursey then put 2 plasters on his little legs (for dramatic effect as he wasn't bleeding at all!) and asked "Have you got a nice little smile for me?" To which Munchkin replied most definitely no by repeating the whole quiverring lip and tear act to great dramatic effect. I wonder where he gets that from?

The Great Grand Seal of Approval

Munchkin has been socialising recently. His antics have been shared both virtually and in the flesh with his great aunts, uncles and his Great Gran D. My observations (through extremely rose tinted spectacles) is that he has done us proud.

Munchkin spent Sunday afternoon with Great Aunty M and Great Gran D. We got him all dressed up in his Sunday best (including socks!) and awaited the arrival of the greats. They arrived for lunch and Munchkin decided it was time to go to sleep and leave the adults to it but not before lots of cooing, smiling and cuddling (and drooling but no gasseous emmissions were detected by the sniffometer). We had a nice Munchkinless lunch and he woke up during pudding (typical!!!) and proceeded to provide the after lunch entertainment. This continued. Munchkin was feeling very chatty indeed. He particularly likes Great Aunty M as she was rewarded with many, many beaming smiles. He was a little more serious with Great Gran D and just "conversed" with her sans squeals and squeeks.

All in all and good time was had by all. He has also been introduce virtually to his Great Aunt F and Great Uncle R who have provided us with lots of chilled out, zen vibrations from deepest darkest Wales for the past year! Their support has been invaluable throughout the incubation of Munchkin and Munchkin....the early days. Those zen vibes sure do travel well and provide a safe (and indeed hilarious) haven from the sometimes challenging world!

One never knows if one is doing the right thing in bringing up Munchkin but the greats have been very generous with their feedback and we now feel perhaps that we are doing some things right! So to all you greats out there....thank you for all that love and support (and the praise is very welcome too!!!) Munchkin is indeed a lucky boy as are we to be blessed with all of you!

Experimentation

T and I have been doing some experimentation on the munchkin. Nothing sinister. Just giving him different things to play with and getting him to nap in various rooms in the house. Munchkin has adapted admirably. He can sleep almost anywhere. The whimpering and pretend crying and coughing doesn't last for very long as he knows full well that we sort of have him sussed and won't come unless he really needs us. This of course only works if we can't see him as one assault using his little pouty bottom lip and pleading big, brown eyes and we are reduced to mush and need to be mopped up off the floor.

Yesterday I was eating a banana. Munchkin seemed interested so I (irresponsibly) gave him the teeniest tiniest bit. He woofed it and opened his mouth for more. I resisted. Today, I made myself a cup of fennel tea. Vile stuff but apparently helps prevent colic in munchkin. He seemed interested again. So, I gave him some.....it dissapeared. 3 teaspoonfuls later he was happily gurgling and smiling away, following me and my cup round the room. At post natal group this week, we discussed weaning. We were shown different types of first foods and asked to taste some to get a feel for what babies like. Munchkin sat quietly on my lap until he saw the food. He then proceeded to drool and follow Roz, the health visitor round the room with his eyes. She was holding lots of different types of food. When she came up to me to offer some apple for tasting, Munchkin gave her the biggest smile and lurched towards the apple puree.

We were told to start munchkin on solids at 17 weeks....I don't know if munchkin will be able to hold out till then. I have left him to ponder this on his playmat and have just gone to check on him as it is quiet down there. He has fallen asleep....with his toys on his chest and his hand clenching a rattle. Bless...I would get a picture but I know better than to wake a sleeping baby!

A dozen weeks and 2 days ago..

We were blessed with the munchkin. Here he is at 12 weeks, all dressed up and ready to go to the Nailsworth Farmer's Market to stock up on sausages (we really know how to show the lad a good time!)

His achievements to date include: laughing to the words naked, feet and poo, discovering he has hands and feet, managing to put his whole fist in his mouth, 4 projectile vomits, 1 monster mustard mess, countless parpppps, multiple fountains and best of all, the gift of settling himself to sleep. He likes tickles, peek-a-boo, baths, being naked (!!), gasseous emmissions and silly faces. He has been an angel, a slug (which leaves snot trails), a grumpy little man and so much more.

We still have moments when we stand back, stare at him and wonder how two very ordinary people could produce such a fine little munchkin (ok he has freaky toes and he is stinky but we love him all the same). Our blessings have been countless and they keep coming and for this, we thank God every second of every minute of every day!

Isn't it romantic?

Munchkin went to sleep on cue on Saturday night and T and I had a candlelit dinner complete with alcoholic beverages to set the scene. What I haven't told you is that true to life in this part of the country, we were experiencing a power cut. This threw me somewhat as I had been very organised that day. All the preparations for dinner had been made in the early evening (witnessed by munchkin in his chair) and all we needed to do was to switch the oven on when Munchkin started feeding and dinner would be ready when munchkin drifted into the land of nod for the evening.

But DISASTER. While munchkin was having a bath (or a good drink of the bath water more like) the power went off. Munchkin had a bath by candle light. I did make sure that he was made aware that posh spas charge good money for a foreign birds to bathe you by candle light. I also made him aware that the nappy change would be extra...loads extra! Anyway, his night time ritual went on without a hitch and I descended the stairs to find T cooking dinner on the hob (as we have an electric oven so all grand plans voided!)

Dinner was served by candle light at the dining table (which we should eat at more often) Midway through the meal I asked if streetlights went off in power cuts as well. I was told they did...so I convinced myself that the light I was seeing outside must be moonlight...ahh..how romantic. Dinner for two by the light of the moon, stars shining down, candles for ambience and the music of the night to serenade us.

We had a really nice time, great conversation and no TV (to distract people that can't multitask). When we stopped conversing to clear away the plates, we both noticed a quiet whirring of what sounded like a pump (this had been going on for a while providing back ground noise - or music of the night). We realised that we had been eating in the dark (well, almost) while the rest of Nailsworth had been with electricity for the past half hour! How time flies when you are having fun!

Bugs and Lergies

For the past few days, Munchkin and I have been ill. I started off coughing and spluttering at the weekend and Munchkin was stricken on Monday.

I must say I am very proud. Despite the fact that he is feeling a little under the weather, can't blow his nose and therefore is a walking snot factory, Munchkin shows no signs of manifesting "man cold" traits. A man cold for those of you who haven't come across it before is, the baddest, worstest cold in the world EVER. It bears pains greater than childbirth. The sufferer is usually weak and very miserable for DAYS on end and usually is very, very grumpy most of the time.

Munchkin is obviously too young to manifest these symptoms. Typically, the above is how we get greeted in the morning. However, he doesn't stay that clean for long. The slug trails soon appear and sometimes we get a bubble or two from the nostrils....charming child...He thinks it is really funny and goes cross eyed trying to focus on said snot bubble. Hmm..the simple things in life!

Angels

Some recent events have made me think very hard about what I hold most dear in life. One such event was the birth of the munchkin. The other is the prospect of being parted from one of my closest and dearest friends.

You see, I believe that sometimes we pick our friends and other times we get picked as friends. Very rarely these events take place simultaneously and the results are very special. I have had a handful of such encounters and consider myself very lucky to have these angels with me through thick and thin. Hence my sadness as one of these angels is soon to depart to pastures anew over the pond.

This special lady and her beautiful family have supported me through trying times over the past 10 years. Not everyone would drive a 70 mile round trip just to help a friend worm her newly acquired cat. I also recall a time when I was stuck in a hotel in Kent feeling lonely and miserable only for this angel to appear for the sole purpose of whisking me off to her favourite Chinese restaurant in Sevenoaks for a meal...what I haven't mentioned is that she was working in Suffolk at the time and drove back the same night! The same angel bought me a Christmas Teddy (called Tennyson) so I wouldn't have to spend Chirstmas on my own following the end of a long term relationship.

Since Munchkin has been born, we have been spending Fridays together as "ladies that lunch". She has been everything from my strength (when I was alone at home with munchkin and he was ill and in tears), to my sanity (I can always count on her to tell me that everything will be fine....eventually!). She is also my source of confidence that we are giving munchkin a good start in life...letting him cry isn't going to cost us lots of dosh in therapists bills and it will all pay off. She tells me "well done!" when I need to hear it and gives me a hug when it is just what I need...even if I don't know it yet. She is the closest thing I have to family in this country, an aunty for Munchkin and sister for me. Her girls, I love as my own.

For this my dearest friend, I thank you. You have and always will be an inspiration. I will miss you dearly and am already planning an expedition to Houston...so watch out...you can run but you can't hide!!!

The eagle, his wife, children etc

You know that eagle that landed on Saturday? Well, he forgot to mention that his wife, his multiple children, their spouses, his grandchildred and some neighbours were arriving on Sunday....all at the same time.

We have been planning a surprise for some dear friends for ages. The surprise was to take place at approximately 1230. At 1130, I thought it would be a good idea to try and put munchkin down for a nap. So, up the wooden steps we went with the hope the Bedfordshire would be nigh. Munchkin played in his cot for a bit cooing and gurgling, then he yawned...yes! The train was approaching Bedfordshire. T had nipped out to get some paper plates and extra charcoal (he likes playing with fire!).

Suddenly, Munchkin SCREAMED! He was inconsolable. I picked him up and noticed a familiar yeasty smell permeating from his person. So, like any responsible parents about to receive company, I decided to change him. EEK! As a removed Munchkin's clothing I noticed mustard all the way up his back and in his hair.....what was I to do? This hadn't happened before. I set to work, trying to get his clothes off. This didn't work as clothes were affixed to his person by said mustard. I decided we would continue to mission in the bathroom....

I picked Munchkin up but the mustardy slick resulted in an eel like munchkin. He slid out of my arms and onto the floor with a little thump. I managed to get him into the bath and decided that he needed to be hosed off. I proceeded to do this only to have our wretched high water pressure get the better of me....the shower found a mind of its own and decided to behave ala a cobra being charmed by a snake charmer.....and resulted in Munchkin being squirted square in the face and the orchids high on the shelf getting a watering (saves T a job later!)

Munchkin was hosed down and bathed when the doorbell went. The first guests had arrived. I composed myself and answered the door (with Munchkin in arms wrapped in a towel - I could have said it was a toga party I suppose!). T arrived home at the same time so I bolted upstairs got munchkin dressed and down for a nap.

I then noticed that the mustard had decorated my previously white top. Ah well, I didn't really want to wear that top anyway.