Apparently I live in the 14th richest town in Britain, not that I am one of the well-to-do folk that live in the seven figure houses - I just drive past on the way to the Sainsbury in Basildon. The fact that I am living in a place that I can't afford was made very clear over the weekend when our family was in Manchester for the game against Arsenal (we won 2-1 by the way!). On recommendation from Puppy's godmother, we decided to go to the local chippy in Prestwich, which was better in quality and significantly cheaper than the one we usually go to in Hutton. The Chinese next door wasn't bad either, and certainly cheaper than the one in Ingatestone. Before you say anything, Prestwich isn't one of the dodgy areas in Manchester, but a reasonably affluent bit - it has a large M&S supermarket and good enough schools*. House prices? 30-50% off what you would pay in the '14th richest town in Britain'.

* To be fair, the schools around Ingatestone are outstanding, but they would have to be in order to cater to parents with outstanding pay packets.

Ratty's baptism last week progressed without too many hiccups, considering the week it was in. She didn't bother rousing from her sleep when Father David poured the water over her head, nor flinch when he marked her with the oils. She did give a very loud cry later on though, but that was only through hunger!


Family photo


Proud Godfather, Richard

Por Por had hoped to experience her first snowfall this winter. She finally got her wish.......in March.


'I'm dreaming of a white......Easter'?!!


'Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow'


'Springtime Wonderland'

Last night was the first time we made a conscious effort to commence potty training with Puppy. He managed to do a wee while watching 'In the Night Garden', and this morning, did a poo in his potty while reading some books.

Too good to be true?

Soon, all will be revealed.

Ratty's finally come to stay! 3.23kg (7lb 2oz) at 3.11pm on 8 March 2008. VBAC as well!


Puppy has a new playmate


Feeling happy with the world


Mother and child

Days before Ratty is due to emerge, Puppy decides he wants his cot back. I found him looking at the cot with all intent (more the mobile), decided to ignore him and do something. When I turned back, Puppy was sitting in the cot, saying hello and kissing the soft toy animals. Ahhhh, so sweet, but remember no climbing into cot when Ratty arrives!

Puppy's taken to watching TV big time now.....his favourite is In the Night Garden. He's already got a singing/dancing IgglePiggle toy for Christmas, the programme songbook, learnt the actions to the Tombliboo song, blow kisses like Upsy Daisy, and goodness knows what else is to come. Can't pry him away from it at all, lest the mother of all tantrums rain down on you!

Any bets on square eyes wearing glasses by the time he's 3?

The latest tables on maternity services in England place the hospital trust where Puppy was born as 'least well performing'. Somehow I'm not surprised, considering my experiences during and post labour, as well as current knowledge about its maternity services. On the other hand, the hospital trust that I'm using for Ratty's birth has so far, in its antenatal care, been wonderful. We shall see if I still feel that way in 6 weeks though!

We've been in Singapore for the past 3 weeks now. It's been great, apart from the weather, which has been predictably miserable for this time of the year. I'd plans to take Puppy to the beach, but this has had to be put on hold due to heavy raining this whole week.

The weather aside, Puppy has discovered that he really likes Singaporean food - he has been indulging in chai tao kway most mornings, in addition to his cereal, and pigging out on all the fabulous cuisine.

Only 2 more days to go before we head back to the even drearier land of the UK. Anymore things to eat before we leave?

Seeing that we're going to Singapore in a couple of weeks, I have been unbelievably efficient with getting (and wrapping) this year's Christmas presents. I've to say that they aren't for me, they're for DH's evergrowing family. It's something I've just never understood....I suppose it's alright to do something for the kids, but do grown adults actually need Christmas presents, like a real NEED? I vaguely remember going on about this in a previous post, so I'll *zip* on this topic until next time when I feel like another rant!

On a more uplifting note, Puppy is becoming cuter and cuter by the day. He is definitely sticking more to me now, with a very clear 'MUMMEEEEE' on virtually everything, from wanting me to give him a biscuit, to 'I want a hug' requests. I wonder if it's all to do with Ratty coming next March......? His bed will be arriving next Friday, so it'll be interesting to see how he takes to it once he finds out that he's being turfed out of his cot.

Photos from last weekend's trip to Dublin:

Puppy actually paying attention at mass!

Congratulations Mary and Jonathan

Symmetrical faces?


Playing a duet with cousin Isobel

We had planned to be in Walsingham for the Youth2000 festival this August bank holiday. We were partially successful, being able to attend the morning sessions, before Puppy decided he had had enough. Our afternoons were spent visiting the lovely towns on the North Norfolk coast. We went to Cromer, Wells and Sheringham, where Puppy had a wonderful time playing on the beach and taking in the sights.

'Catch me if you can!'

'Has the train arrived yet?'

'Oorrhhh EEeeee Orrhhhh!'

'But Daddy! I don't want to go!'

Having, for the past few months, willed Puppy to start walking, I am now entertaining thoughts wishing that I hadn't quite done so at all! Now that Puppy has a newly found freedom, he has been finding his way round the house, investigating every nook and corner!

'Wonder if my favourite DVD is here?'

'What's in this cupboard?'

'Ah! Found the biscuit box!'

'Another box to open!'

'Oops! Caught in the act!'

'Oh whatever, I like sultanas'

Puppy had a jolly good time on a nursery excursion today. He made lots of friends, and I must say, he is turning out to be a bit of a Dr Dolittle!


'Oh there you are, Mr Otter!'


Having a tete-a-tete with Billy the Goat


'My, Mr Scarecrow, I think you look like a pumpkin!'

Puppy has also discovered that rice is rather fun to play with, and that mummy really raises her voice when he shakes the rice packet out:


'I didn't do anything, honest!'


'Let me help you clean it up'

Father's Day took us to Ongar, first to a restaurant for Sunday lunch, then to the Ongar Railway for a bit of train geeking. We also went for mass at St Joseph's, which was well timed, as it was the first communion for a bunch of children. Puppy thoroughly enjoyed himself, having a lot of space to stretch his legs in church, and making a couple of friends on the way.

'Daddy! Daddy!'

'Pick me up, Daddy!'

'Yay! Daddy's got me!'

'I love my Daddy!'

Oh, and Happy 2nd Anniversary to TMBMITW!

Puppy is now 14 months old. News about obese babies prompted me to take him to be weighed at baby clinic after a 3 month absence, not that I was particularly worried about him being obese. He'd put on about 1.15kg, and now weighs 11kg, which is just nice.

Over the past month, Puppy has also started walking, and over the last week, has been managing to get himself to standing position from the floor unaided. I now really have a puppy who follows me everywhere!

I've also got a new camera, a Panasonic DMC-FZ8. My old camera works fine, but I think I've outgrown it, and am ready to start trying to progress in my photography skills.

'I'll just stick to taking photos with the camera phone'

'All that photography makes me sleepy'

We've just returned from a long weekend in Poland. Congratulations to Pzemek and Aneta who got married on 26 May. The wedding was held in a lovely church in the outskirts of Warsaw. The party afterwards was quite out of this world. This is how Puppy fared with all that vodka drinking:



Now what I need to do is get to know more Polish people so I can go to more weddings in Poland!

Recent events are that Puppy seems to have cut his upper right first molar. I'll have to double check on this as it's not easy sticking my finger into his mouth without a high risk of it being bitten off. He's also managed 4-5 unaided steps today.

Puppy has also started driving lessons, here's how he got on over the weekend:

Mirror check

Engaging a corner

Parking the car

I've been a little busy lately, and will post more photos when I get round to it, but the latest news is that on 8th May 2007, Puppy managed to walk unaided. Only a couple of steps, mind, before falling down in heaps of laughter. I took him to Lakeside today, and he decided to push his stroller around, which was a lot of fun for him, although this meant that I didn't get to do any shopping.

You scored as Elizabeth Bennet. As one of Austen's most beloved characters, Elizabeth Bennet represents what most women would like to become: strong, independent, and loyal. Of course, she has her faults including a stubborn will of iron and a clinging to first impressions. Overall, Lizzie is bright and lovable...something to admire and aspire to. Elizabeth Bennet 66% Elinor Dashwood 63% Jane Bennet 56% Charlotte Lucas 53% Emma Woodhouse 50% Lady Catherine 47% Marianne Dashwood 38% Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!! created with QuizFarm.com

I chanced upon this on Erynne's blog - I'm sure DH would love to see the results of this! Like Erynne, it seems I'm also Elizabeth Bennett, although not as clear cut. I have to say that the first time I did the quiz, I was Elinor Dashwood, about 58%, with Lizzie second.

Puppy is ONE!

'Finally! I had to wait an entire year to wear my Manchester United outfit!'

'Hurry up daddy! I want to play with my new toy!'

'So this is how it works'

'I'll just get a wee snooze before the festivities continue'

'Schumacher, look out!'

'We're eating a caterpillar?'

'Wonder what it tastes like?'

'Are you sure about eating the caterpillar?'

'Mmm, tastes rather good!'

'Looks like I'll be doing something with pens when I grow up!'