Friendly Weekends

Fergusson Family Selfie

It still feels strange when my alarm wakes me up for work, that Eve is asleep, cosy in bed under her duvet; and she remains that way until I go and wake her up after 7am. Whilst experiencing severe sleep deprivation over the last couple of years, I don't think that I could see this light at the end of the sleep-tunnel previously, and it's very welcome.

I  sat next to Eve's bed to put her hair clips in one morning last week, (I still can't bring myself to have her hair cut - think I'm going to let it grow until she is old enough to decide for herself), and asked her if she had nice dreams. She looked up at me and said, 'church bells ringing and swings in the park.' What a happy dream that sounds! I love that she can tell me these things now, it was such a nice first thought to start my day.

Mummy and Eve Sunday Swing time!

Eve has been brilliant during bath time and bed time for the past week. She's sleeping really well which is fantastic. Her teeth have been a bit on and off over the last few weeks, but she's dealt with it quite well. However she did have an upset stomach one day at nursery last week, which I'm almost certain was related to her teeth.

We ditched nappies during her day time nap a couple of weeks ago. After doing well initially for the first couple of days, it then obviously affected her because she went through three days of 'accidents' - literally 5 accidents a day - and a lot of washing for Mummy. I quickly realised that this was because she felt nervous about doing 'number twos' in the potty at nursery. I discussed it with the nursery staff in the Bouncies room and asked them to be a bit more open with Eve. I asked them to say to her that they would help her. This seems to be working and within a few days she started to improve.

The nursery staff told me that Eve refused to eat curry for lunch last week. She got quite upset about it and would only touch the rice. But then her good friend Euan fed her some curry sauce with his spoon and she liked it. They both ended up feeing each other curry for the rest of the meal. Euan came into Bouncie's a bit later than Eve and each day that we go to nursery I tell her to look after him and make sure that he is happy there. It's so great that Euan does the same for Eve. We're so glad that she has made such strong friendships already.

Hard at work with her drawings

During the icy weather a couple of weeks ago Eve did not want to get dressed for nursery in the mornings at all. We had struggling sessions each morning, where Sam and I had to hold different parts of her body and put he clothes on as swiftly as we could, whilst she cried and screamed. At the end of last week, for the first time in a while she sat happily on Daddy's lap and let him dress her completely, as well as putting up her hair and putting her shoes on. I went off to work with a spring in my step after not having to struggle at bath time or getting her dressed that morning. These little things make all the difference to a mama's life.

We're fairly sure that she's been going through a growth spurt this past week or so. She's been having two lots of helpings at meal times at nursery and when I get her home in the evening, she wants to sit in her chair to eat toast, a flap jack and bread sticks. Daddy and I stayed up a bit too late on Saturday evening together and I was a bit worried that Sunday was going to be hard work. We woke up to Eve singing happily in her bed - she sang for a good half hour until Daddy got up with her. I looked at the clock and it was 10am - we could not believe it! She had slept for about 15 hours. That's the longest lie in we've had since she was born, this gave us a great feeling for the rest of Sunday.

Jilly and Lamorna

On Saturday morning Jilly and Lamorna, and Sarah and Jake came over to see us. It was the first time that Sarah and Jilly had met each others children - it's been so long since we've been together. We had a lovely day playing with the kids at home, and then went out for a walk through the woods.

Eve and Jake

Eve and Jake

Jilly with Lamorna, and Sarah with Jake

During our walk, Jake found a small birds feather. He and Eve were intrigued by it. He gave it to Eve and she put it in her pocket for safe keeping. It was a very cute scene to witness.

Jake is a real trooper and walked most of the circuit through the woods with us mums. Eve bailed half way round as she was tired. She saw Lamorna sleeping in her pram and asked to have a nap as well.

Daddy and Eve having a laugh at home.

This weekend Eve has started to get the hang of using 'I' when she is talking about herself. Usually she says, 'Mummy, help you,' when she wants me to help her with something. We've been trying to explain the use of, 'you,' and 'me,' to her for a few weeks and now she is starting to understand. Yesterday when she was eating her lunch she said to me for the first time, 'I want helps, Mummy.' 

I cooked my own version of lasagne-crossed with-moussaka yesterday for dinner. Whilst we were eating, Eve looked across at me obviously enjoying her meal and said, 'I love you.' Truly heart warming after so many meals that I've cooked have gone in the compost bin!

After dinner we had a nice time on the sofa altogether. Eve had tickles with Daddy and then came over to sit on me. She snuggled up and relaxed on me for about 20 minutes whilst we watched a funny show on tv. Times like those are gold and I think that we all went to sleep last night feeling very happy and thankful for a lovely weekend together.

Last Chance Sale - Emma Bridgewater Seconds

I love everything about pottery and ceramics. I love making it, I love eating and drinking out of it, I love putting flowers in it, and I love buying it.

Therefore I thought I would share a last chance to buy some 'seconds' items from Emma Bridgewater - the pieces for babies and children in particular are lovely.

Emma Bridgewater is a British ceramics manufacturer founded in 1985. They are well known for their polka dot design and specialise in pottery with motifs drawing on techniques stretching back over 200 years. The company is one of the largest pottery manufacturers in the UK, with all of its products made in its factory in Stoke on Trent. 

Items from the polka dot range

Although their products are quite pricey, it's good to support a British company and their skilled potters.

I bought the Flopsy Bunny baby mug (above) last week on their site for £4.95 for Eve. This is a total bargain as these are usually £12.95. Seconds may have slight faults to the design or shape but each piece functions as it should. Faults are marked on the items in black which easily rubs off when you receive.

We were very lucky to be given a couple of beautiful polka dot cups as a wedding present when we were married. I drink green tea out of one every morning; it's a wonderful way to start the day. The skill can be felt as well as seen, as they fit into your hand just perfectly. I really appreciate the time and passion that has gone into making these pieces of pottery.

I can't wait to receive the Flopsy Bunny baby mug in the post soon. Seeing Eve drinking out of it will be so cute - let's hope it doesn't get broken and makes it all the way through her childhood.

Click the link below to see this lovely Peter Rabbit design baby bowl, and other pieces in the sale.




http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/invt/2ptr010043




Here's a little video taken at the weekend, of Eve and Daddy having fun in the park!

Fuzzy Felt Playtime

Eve playing with Fuzzy Felt - lovely Christmas present from Aunty Katie & co

I thought I'd share a couple of amusing video clips with you today. I absolutely adored Fuzzy Felt when I was young. Eve was lucky to receive a big box of it from her cousins for Christmas. It's been so cold that we've spent a lot of time playing inside lately, so the Fuzzy Felt has done well.

It's a bit dark, but you get the gist.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Adams-Fuzzy-Felt-Celebration-Set/dp/B003VS3UDW

Daddy was trying to covertly film her through the door :-)

New Years Normality

Eve wearing a new jumper, a present from Aunty Claire

We're fully back into the throws of normal day to day life after the lovely Christmas break. Eve was quite sad at being dropped off into the Bouncies room at the beginning of last week and cried out in her sleep for a few nights at home as she got used to the change.

Daddy had a good chat with her one morning as she ate her cereal, and told her not to worry or be sad about being in the new room. When we dropped her off at nursery that day she took 'minnie' (her muslin which she named herself a while ago) and a soft rabbit to cuddle. These made her feel more secure. She didn't cry at all and walked straight in to get involved with the day's events. Her good buddies Eli and Euan have both recently moved into the Bouncies room which is great news for Eve. Her key workers said that Eve helped to settle them in, by giving them toys and hugs.

One night last week when I collected her they told me that she had had a really good afternoon playing and getting messy. She then ate two bowlfuls of vegetable soup, when all the other children didn't want to eat it. Sam and I were both surprised at this as she barely touched a vegetable all holidays. Good to know that being back in nursery is helping with these things.

Last Monday evening after Eve's bath we went into her room. I asked her which book she wanted me to read. She pulled my old Ladybird copy of Heidi (original story by Johanna Spyri 1881). This was one of my favourite books as a child; my dream was to sleep in a loft looking out at the stars like Heidi did. My mum often put plaits in my hair like Heidi for school, and I even dressed up as a little Swiss girl in St. Stephens carnival one year.

It turns out that Eve loves this book as much as I do. I read half of it to her on Monday, the rest on Tuesday and then started it all over again last night (which my own adaptation!)

I love that she pulled it off the shelf by herself and is intrigued by the images, just like I was as a child. It's such a wonderful story, full of morals to follow through life.

                                                   

Eve is sleeping in her new bed really well now. Apart from crying out in her sleep for a few nights last week, she's been sleeping through the night and sings when she wakes up all snuggly in bed until one of us goes to get her.

I feel relieved that this has gone well, and that we had the Christmas holidays to work on it. The nursery girls in her new room told me how she sang herself to sleep on a mat the other day, I told them that Eve has been doing this since she was 5 and a half months old and they seem really surprised. It's normal to us as she's pretty much always done it. I love to hear her singing in the morning, it's a great wake up call.

Me with my nephew, Jago

Something else that is finally improving is washing Eve's hair. She loves getting in the bath now, and enjoys playing with a sponge and likes me to put shower gel on it so that she can wash herself.

I generally wash her hair about once a week (unless it's uber yucky from messy play at nursery), and when I do I wash it with a damp sponge. I've been doing this for the past couple of months and this seems to work the best, minimal water on her face is the key.



Daddy and Eve, during a walk through the woods by our house.

Eve just loves walking up steps, and enjoys counting them as she goes. She can count consecutively up to 13, and knows other numbers in the teens but not in the right order. As we walk home from nursery she likes to point out numbers on shop doorways and houses.

Daddy and Eve

On Saturday Eve had sore teeth for most of the day, so she was a bit grumpy and upset. Sunday was a different matter, she woke up very chipper and enjoyed painting, play doh, a walk in the woods with us. She had a great time dancing in the kitchen and made us laugh waving her hands in the air wildly, shouting, 'Gabba! Gabba!' as Daddy played some amusing, hardcore beats. We also had a quick jaunt down to Bedminster where we met Aunty Claire and Jago in the new vegan cafe, VX.

    http://www.vxbristol.com/#vegan-junk-food                                        www.facebook.com/vxbristol

Jago and Eve were both asleep when we met in the cafe, so my sister and I spent a nice half hour catching up. We ate chocolate brownies - which were amazingly tasty, and drank cups of power matcha chai tea. The tea was lovely too. I really enjoyed both. 

They've recently opened and are as yet to fill the cafe grocery with more vegan products, but the decor and look of the cafe is cool, friendly, has an easy going vibe and we felt very welcome there. The vegan cheese and hot dogs for sale in the fridge looked like good ones and I'm going to enjoy trying those out in the future (as vegan cheese is pretty much always disgusting.)

The only down point - which I'm sure will be rectified when they finish opening properly - was that our food and drink were served on paper plates and cardboard cups, which in my eyes is a bit of a no no, in terms of the environment. We'll definitely be going back there again though; it's a really nice place to meet, and is in between both our houses.

It's been such a mild winter, there is a huge carpet of hostas out in force in the woods

Yesterday Eve was taken to Bristol Zoo with 10 other children from the Bouncies room. I dropped her off in the morning and handed over wellies and other necessaries. I also gave them her portable potty. I left her at nursery, feeling a bit anxious about her first 'school trip,' but of course when I collected her last night her carers told me that she had a brilliant time.

Eve liked seeing the birds, penguins and lions, though was apparently sad that there weren't any sheep to see! (I'm thinking that we'll have to take her to the city farm on Sunday). The group took the bus to the zoo, and Eve did well using the potty throughout the day. She also had a nap in a pram without a nappy on, and didn't have an accident. Eve has been doing well with this the last few weeks, so we've decided: no more nappies during nap time going forward.

As she had been to the Zoo during the daytime, I read Eve 'Rumble in the Jungle' at bedtime last night. These books were a brilliant gift from Jilly, Lamorna and Navi. The books in this animal series are so cool; lovely, colourful illustrations and the poems are amusing too. 'The Lion who wanted to Love' and 'Commotion in the Ocean' feature in the series and are wonderful stories.

'Rumble in the Jungle' by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rumble-Jungle-Giles-Andreae/dp/1408305291

I'll leave you with some thoughts to ponder on for the coming year, by philosopher, Alan Watts.
(It's only 12 minutes long)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts

Toddler Bed Tips

Tuckaire Toddler Travel Bed

Since taking the sides off Eve's cot-bed last week, I've learnt a few things. The first night that she slept in her new bed it took us an extra hour and a half to get her to go to sleep, but she slept through the night and all went well. But the following few nights she either fell out of bed during the night, or woke up slightly earlier than I would have liked, as her duvet had fallen off.

I quickly rectified the duvet situation, and placed a heavy quilted bedspread at the end of the bed, on top of the duvet to keep it in place. We will also attempt to tuck her duvet under the mattress once she is in bed ('attempt' being the optimum word here; her new phrase of the Christmas holidays has been: 'no, mummy, leave it.') 

However, we hadn't wanted to spend money on toddler bed guards so we kept putting her back to bed hoping that she would get used to her new parameters. This didn't seem to happen, and Daddy didn't want to move her bedroom around, so we kept getting woken up by a loud thud as Eve fell out of bed each night. I would find her on the floor next to her bed saying, 'bumped head.' One night I sat with Eve trying to calm her to put her back into bed, but all she could say was, 'want want Daddy.' Thankfully Sam heard her and came to take over.

Place a pool noodle under the sheet on either side of the bed, to keep your toddler secure.

I put a message on our local area Facebook page to see if I could buy a couple of bed guards cheaply from any nearby neighbours, and was quickly informed that I could try a few things without having to spend much money. One tip is using pool noodles underneath the sheet on either side of the bed, or similarly using rolled up towels. I opted for the cheapest option - rolled up towels, and utilised them last night for the first time.  They worked like a dream. Thank you BS4 Connect mums!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Shrunks-85001-Toddler-Travel/dp/B001EQ66WK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451919464&sr=8-1&keywords=the+shrunks+toddler+bed

The Tuckaire Toddler Travel Bed looks brilliant if you are planning on visiting friends and family with your little ones or even staying in a hotel or going camping. It's approximately £65 from various places online and does seem like a great product. I'm definitely going to ponder on buying this, it could prove very handy over the next few years. There are other products similar to this on the market, it's just a case of seeing which one would work best for you.

Today of course, is our first day back at work and Eve is at nursery. She has missed her nursery friends terribly over the Christmas holidays. We have talked about them constantly; during meal, bath and bedtimes. Eve has even asked us to draw her friend Euan on a number of occasions; with amusing results. We drove past nursery on New Years Day, and Eve looked out of the car window at the closed nursery and said, 'Hello friends.' 

Last night we told her that she had to have a good sleep as she would be going to nursery in the morning to see her friends. This proved very successful and she was much happier at the prospect of going to bed. Eve was given some lovely books for her birthday and Christmas presents, which I have loved reading to her at bed time recently. On the whole she has been brilliant with the bed-transition, there have only been a few nights where we had to keep running upstairs to put her back to bed. For the past couple of months when Sam goes up to say goodnight to her she always tells him that Mummy is downstairs cooking; cucumber. This makes us chuckle every time.

Eve having fun with Granny Lops and Daddy at Christmastime

I fear that I am falling into acts of bribery with Eve, but some situations seem to warrant it. I'm hoping that it's normal to bribe children with flapjack bars and gingerbread men... Sometimes they are the only things that will make our determined daughter follow the plan of the day. We've had some food struggles with her during the holidays too. She used to be good at eating vegetables but has recently decided that she will not touch them, no matter what we do.

However, last night during a roast chicken dinner; after crying and screaming for rice pudding, she did give in and put a piece of cooked carrot in her mouth. I was standing behind her in the kitchen whilst Daddy was sitting with her, and was just about to salute the sky when Eve promptly spat it out and told us that she didn't like it. We are trying to not make an issue out of it, and are sure that being back at nursery with her friends (the majority of whom are boys and eat pretty much everything) she'll get back onboard with eating a variety of food.

Eve was very sweet last night though, she knew that she had upset Daddy who had cooked her a lovely meal. I was talking to her and consoling her about the dinner situation. I wiped her tears and kissed her. She kissed me back and said, 'sorry,' and then reached out her arms for Dad. I passed her to Sam who was also almost in tears, she hugged him to show him that she was sorry, and then asked for corn on the cob. The trauma of some of these meal times, eh. We did have some good meals over the holidays though which made me happy after spending time cooking lasagne, stews and other pasta dishes.

Eve threw her first real tantrum during the Christmas holidays. She absolutely adores swiping through photos and videos on our iphones, but her addiction for it has increased and we could see that it was negatively effecting her when we took it away from her. For the past few weeks we had been trying to keep our phones away from her, but because it was the start of the holidays and I had time to spend with her I thought it would be nice to sit together and look through photos on my phone with her. This proved to be a big mistake. She would not let go of the phone and when we finally removed it from her she went completely berserk. I'm not sure if this is the start of the 'terrible twos' as some people like to call it, but let's hope not. In general she has a happy, easy going nature and is communicating really well for her age, so we hope to bypass that stage (as long as the iphone is out of sight).

Eve before Christmas asking for her beloved pictures

Since iphone tantrum mania, we have banned dear Eve from the iphone and have made her go cold turkey. She still asks for pictures most days, but instead we pull a photo album off the shelf - yep, an old school, real life book. I made it online last year, and have been compiling photo year books of each year of her life and plan to keep doing so as she grows up. She loves looking at photos of, 'tiny Eve,' as she calls herself when she looks at her baby photos. 

As soon as Eve spots the phone she wants to look at pictures.