No. 2

A few days late, but perfect in every way. After hours of labour, our second little babe arrived via c-section at 1.16pm on Friday 28th December 2012. 8lbs 7oz. As of yet, no name. For now, just Bubba.


Peahead was amazing. When he could see I was really struggling he pretty much insisted on an emergency c-section. The surgeon said it was a good job he did as we might both have been in trouble due to some complications. Thanks Peahead. xx

First christmas at home

Due to the imminent arrival of our new little babe (due date 25th December), we thought it unwise to make the usual trip to one or the other grandparents houses for Christmas. For the first time, we spent Christmas day in our own home. Although we missed everyone, it was quite nice to put out the stockings on our own fireplace, wake up in our own beds and make our very own Christmas dinner (and no smell of roast turkey!).

We didn't miss out though as we Skyped everyone we know and then on Boxing Day (as babe had still not put in an appearance) EVERYONE descended on us! It was quite a squish in our little house and as this wasn't a planned event, we didn't have much food in to cater for so many visitors. However, Daddy some how managed to pull off quite a good 'everything in the fridge' veggie curry and all were fed and watered - sitting, standing, kneeling - with a mish-mash of odd plates, cutlery, glasses and mugs. A noisy but nice day.

To move or not to move?

Our house is small but we love it. It isn't in the best area, but the actual location couldn't be better. Our dilemma about whether we should move or not has been rumbling on for a few years but now there is another reason......

No. 2.

I was hoping to get this one in before I turned 40, but just a tad late. We probably now hold the record for keeping it quiet (I didn't even tell my mum until 5 months!), but I just didn't want to deal with everyones opinions about my age. We are very happy and have been given the thumbs up by the professionals - apparently my tests show I have the same risk factor as a 21 year old, so I guess I must be in better shape that I thought. Fingers crossed all goes well and she should be here Christmas Day.

Halloween disco

Kitty's first school disco. Dressed as a cat of course.

RIP Bo 2004 - 2012

At the beginning of October, we lost our lovely Bosie. He had been losing weight for a while and the condition of his coat was pretty poor so I had been giving him supplements to try and get him back into shape. He was eating well and running around as normal, so I didn't worry too much but one night  when I went down to shut them in he didn't get up. Normally they both get up as soon as they hear me coming. I gave him some tea (usually a good pick-me-up for a sick goat) and called the vet out, but by the time he got here Bo was gone. The vet thought he might have had some kind of internal abscess. This along with his age wasn't a good combination. He went quickly and I'm glad I was there to sit with him. I miss him a lot. So does Rei. I'm going to start looking for a new home for Rei where he will have some company.

Bosie and Oscar 2004 as babes. We miss you both. xx

Last and first

Kitty's last day of nursery was full of fun, but we will truly miss that place and everyone in it. She has made some wonderful friends there and they have given her a cracking head start. The staff have played a massive part in her life so far and we are very grateful that she was able to go to such a nice place.

Kit lovingly made a bracelet for her best friend Riley (who is going to a different school) and together we made some fruit friends for everyone else as a leaving gift. She gave her nursery teachers lovely little thank you gifts too - scented candles, scrummy body scrub and yummy chocolates.

The very next day was first day at school. A really lovely little rural school just a mile or so over the tops. They don't have a uniform and seem to have a really friendly and relaxed approach which we like. I'm sure Kitty will thrive here. I love the metal tree sculpture on the front of the building (just visible in the picture) and the fact this seems to be one of the only schools in the County that doesn't have an 8ft high mesh prison fence around it has to be a bonus.

Caravan Club

This year, we decided to take Kitty to the seaside for a few days for her birthday. She liked the idea of a caravan, so we went to a holiday park in Filey on the Yorkshire coast. Not really our kind of thing, but she really enjoyed it.

Southfield loop

Our little babe is now a big girl. Four years old. We took a walk around the Southfield loop in the sun.

In Liverpool

A day out to Liverpool. We did bit of shopping and grabbed a pizza before meeting up with Uncle Darren and Ben to explore the sights.

 

Butterflies, fish and star fish at the Museum.

Fascinated by a stuffed dead badger in a gallery.

Daddy's girl

In June, Mummy was still feeling poorly, so Kit spend some quality time with Daddy.

A special trip to London for cousin Olive's 4th birthday.

A trip with Daddy to Manchester Museum to check out the dinosaur.

LOTS of Adventure Time. Kitty and Daddy's latest obsession.

Pictures courtesy of Peaheads iphone.

May

I didn't take many photos in May. Strange, but I guess I was a little preoccupied with being ill.

Together with a neighbour we rented the big field next to our house with a view to moving the goats in for the summer. Unfortunately the goats weren't as keen and kept jumping over the wall and running off to the near-by pub. We now have a very expensive private kite flying field.

We had a special tea party to celebrate and eat the cress Kitty grew at nursery. Eggy-cress sandwiches, cheese and biscuits, salad.

April Update

I have been neglecting this blog for a while. A number of reasons, but for now I will try and update with a quick run down of events over the last few months.

April - freak weather conditions provided some extra winter fun and a few days off work.

We celebrated Easter in style with Mama and Grandad and a homemade rabbit cake with extra lumpy lemon icing!  Fab rabbit cake mould courtesy of Auntie Alison - thank you!

Daddy was away a lot, working hard in France.

A trip with Mama and Grandad to Skipton museum to look at the pottery exhibition.

I wish I had a kiln.

Kitty had fun trying on some period costumes in the museum.





Making the most of the time daddy was at home - Tapas in Darwen.

Planet spotting

Since Kitty learnt about the planets, we have all been a little obsessed with the solar system. We are lucky to have wonderful views of the night sky up here on the hill, so when Uncle Colin mentioned how good the planet viewing was at the moment we decided to check it out. No expert, but with the aid of GoSkyWatch on the iPad and a bit of Googling we are thinking we can spot Jupiter and Venus over Pendle (two central dots above). Then, Mars (the teeny tiny dot in the middle below), looking very pink over the Pennines. Would love to know if this is right?

I'm afraid the pictures are more than unimpressive. The real life view is pretty staggering.

We watched Melancholia recently. An interesting movie, but makes me a little worried about what might be up there - especially with all the recent reports of meteor showers, solar storms and beached whales.

Fence didn't last long

Our lovely new fence didn't last long.  I noticed someone had been pushing it a bit last week and last night they obviously built up the strength to pull out several posts and the gate. What a mess.

Yorkshire Coast

A weekend break on the Yorkshire coast. We stayed in a cottage that was part of a big farm. The weather was amazing. The beaches at Scarborough and Filey are lovely. I think we all liked the giant hot tub in our garden the most though!

Showing off

A weekend of proper showing off, with both sets of grandparents visiting.

Spring sunshine

Today was a good day. No work, first sunshine, spring bulbs finally showing and two parcels arrived.

Wool to quickly knit a present for new baby Tommy (expected soon by Kitty's nursery teacher) and Wildwood, a lovely book I pre-ordered for Kit and me before Christmas. It tells the tale of two children who brave the wilderness after a baby is kidnapped by crows. I really like the illustrations, especially the maps.   

We played out in the sun all day.