AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: we're back! DATE: 1/04/2009 09:11:00 AM ----- BODY:
We are back in the UK, so head back over to http://www.harrisongoldin.co.uk to see what we are up to.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Books DATE: 12/28/2008 10:56:00 PM ----- BODY:
So, I decided that pic of Thomas was too creepy to leave at the top of the blog. And I can't download any pics from teh camers (so much for a pic a day, huh?). So I thought I would enlighten you with th books I have collected on my American Odessy (in no particular order)... 1. Green Crafts for Kids. A really great book with loads of ideas for crafting with kids. Pics are lucious as well. 2. Craft Magazine. So cool. Great articles, excellent website, I am in love. 3. Crafty Mama. So cool. Ellis needs a mohawk hat or two! 4. The Unschooling Handbook Very intriguing. I only wish it had a bit more about the benefits of unschooling, as I feel like I need to bulk up my information base before we decide what to do about Ellis' schooling. 5. The Omnivore's Dillemma A look at the food chain in modern America. So far VERY interesting. Although I have known a lot of it, I am really intrigued by how is is looking at every step in the food production line. 6. 12 chilren's books: 3 Thomas books, 4 Christmas books, 5 potty books. Whew! A lot of books!
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Choo Choo! DATE: 12/28/2008 10:33:00 PM ----- BODY:
I take it back. Remember when I said I hate Thomas the Tank Engine and he will never enter my house? Well, like any good child, Ellis has been on a mission to break me down. It started with the wee Thomas bag he almost stole from the yarn shop in Stirling. THen, he and our little neighbour boy colluded in 2 year old speak and Ellis would try and steal all of D's Thomas toys. (yes, I notice the shoplifting trend)
Then, there were several Barnes and Noble incidences, where E screamed bloody murder when forced to leave the Thomas play table that occupies part of the children's section. EWach time, he had to be dragged away screaming "CHOO CHOO!"
Therefore it was inevitable that Thams would enter our house (let's face it it was inevitable the second I said I didn't want anything to do with it). Mom, bought him a wooden Thomas set and its lovely. He spends hours playing with it. Though, we have had to take away the tracks as E is remarkably OCD when it comes to train play and his 20 month old motor skills don't match his ambitions. At least we know what to get him for his birthday...
Joking aside, I am a bit miffed that branded toys feature so strongly in our house at the minute..He has a couple of in the night garden things and some CArs from the movie "Cars". I guess I don't want Ellis to be sucked into the merchandising cycle, but its really already too late. isn't it. He has also watched more tv this holiday then he has in his entire life times two. Its going to be so boring when we get home...
Tomorrow is our last day before we begin making the epic journey back. Driving to Chicago, then flying to London (after a horrific wait at Schilpol Airport in Amsterdam, we were bumped off our original flight and have a 5 hour wait at my least favourite airport in the world.) We are going to be in London for a few days and then its off back home. Although I am really dreading more travel, I am so looking forward to being home! I am ready to get back in a routine.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Sadness DATE: 12/26/2008 01:02:00 PM ----- BODY:
I never know how many people read this, but everyoen who does, can we all put our collective hearts together for some of our very good friends who recently suffered the tragic loss of their wee boy. He was only days old. The circumstances around any loss of a child are always unimaginable and tragic and this case is no different. Please keep them in your hearts. Otherwise, our trip is going well. Watching TV, eating and playing wii have been the main activities. Can I state for the record that Wii is really fun? It is a blast. Oh and I think one will be in our house in January, courtesy of Santa. I'll post more later. Sill very sad about my friends.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Things I Am Loving...Things I am not... DATE: 12/19/2008 09:48:00 AM ----- BODY:
I am loving: - all of this time with Kevin. Now, we are DRIVING EACH OTHER CRAZY, but we haven't had a week together since...well, I can't remember. I think it was last August. - Ellis' love of his Grandpa. The two of them are peas in a pod. - How much E looks like Kevin when he laughs. I guess I didn't quite notice it as much when we were at home. - Only 24 hours until I see my mama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait! - Soy Egg Nog. How did I live 30 years without it? - SNOW!!!! Lots and lots of it. Things I am not loving: - American food. It makes me feel slumpy. I am under no illusions of trying to lose weight while we are here, but I do need to fit into the airplane. - E's mama obsession. He LOVES me and wants no one else, especially dada. - I miss K. We see each other 3-4 times a week and now nothing for over a week. Dinner when we get back will be required! - Not seeing R and N's new baby boy! He's early and I really wish I could be there to visit and help. - E's OBSESSION with the movie Cars. He has been allowed to watch it a few times previously, but it has reached fever pitch. He wanted Car undies at Target the other day. - America seems to open up a greed monster in me. I want want want all the time. I am not normally like that and it scares me. Plus I haven't been crafting and I have watched TV recently...all connected, I am sure. Ok, we are now off for more shopping with Grandpa.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: 10 days of photos...CR. DATE: 12/19/2008 06:07:00 AM ----- BODY:
So, blogger is quite irritating and won't let me upload more than 3-4 pics at a time. So you'll see a bunch of posts following this one, going backwards through our trip so far. Not ideal, but oh well. I am also having formatting problems. Sigh. Nothing is as good as a mac.
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----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: 10 days of photos, part 3...Hanging at the park. DATE: 12/19/2008 06:05:00 AM ----- BODY:
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----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: 10 days of photos, part 2. DATE: 12/19/2008 06:04:00 AM ----- BODY:
Ellis LOVED the fish!
All tuckered out from the excitement.
Ellis' Favourite Uncle.
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----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: 10 days of photos, part 1. DATE: 12/19/2008 06:00:00 AM ----- BODY:
Mmmmm... how else should one eat pasta?
Tata London!
The glorious hotel room in Chicago.
the boys at Shedd.
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----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Hello from the Trenches DATE: 12/15/2008 03:27:00 AM ----- BODY:
Its 6:27am eastern US time...We have been awake since 5, which I just realised is actually 4 central time. But then it is 10 UK time, so mabe I should be thrilled about the sleep in? Jet lag hasn't been as bad this time in many ways. I thinnnnk we are just more used to the sleep deprivation. Unfortunately all of the flying has killed my sinuses and a major infection is on its way. At least if it kills me, I will finally get some sleep. THe trip so far has been pretty good. The flight was fine and we had an entire row to ourselves. Ellis was pretty good, if you ask me. Its such an unnatural situation for a small, busy boy. So I think he did great. The flight from Minneapolis to Chicago was not so good, but we survived it. E man is in major mommy mode. Kevin can't even look at him without making him cry. It makes me sad that Kev feels so rejected. However, I think that once we get to my mothers (and these 2 stupid molars come through) we will be back to normal. We spent 3 days in Chicago with my youngest brother. He was a wonderful host and we had a great time. We took E to Shedd Aquarium and he LOVED it. He started saying "turtle" . Very cute. Kev and I even got to go out for dinner for Kev's birthday. We went to a restuarant that I used to go to with my Grandfather. Oh and Ellis has found his version of heaven. Here in DC, my nephew has every type of car, train, bus and tractor you can imagine. We are going to have to check his pockets when we go! I do have loads of photos, but wil have to wait until I get to my dad's to upload them...
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Welcome Back! DATE: 12/09/2008 08:18:00 PM ----- BODY:
So here we are again, over at Blogger. I am sure we will enjoy our visit. I just took the opportunity to have a look through my old posts. Sigh, how very long ago all of that babyhood feels. For the next few weeks while we travel, I wanted to collect a picture a day to represent our journey. So here are a few tasters from the last few days: its started again. Kevin's constant need to take 600000 pictures a day, mostly of himself. Why does he do it? It is one of life's great mysteries. Ellis loves his tent.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: The Blog is Moving DATE: 2/16/2008 11:32:00 PM ----- BODY:
Hi there-- Due to some problems with blogger and its lack of functionality, we are moving the blog and pictures to a new site. I'll migrate everything when I figure out how, but for now, all new posts and pics will be in one place at: www.harrisongoldin.co.uk
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Ellis has Herpes DATE: 2/04/2008 02:01:00 AM ----- BODY:
Ok, not exactly herpes, but roseola infantum or sixth disease, caused by the same virus as herpes. He got the tell tale rash last night. Still not wanting to sleep. I am honestly going to cry I am so tired. At least he is eating again. This morning he has had: milk, toast, baked beans, rice pudding (off a spoon :gasp:), rice cakes, part of a cereal bar, and some grapes. He has finally started doing some baby sign as well. He does a rather camp interpretation of the sign, "finished". I'll try to get a picture. In other news, my house is a mess. I have managed to clean the nursery. Just the rest of the house to go...thank god its small. I think we are going to stay in today. I am too tired to walk into town and E really needs to get back into some sort of routine. With daddy home since last wednesday, the schedule has gone out the window. Here is a new pic: Photobucket
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger lalajia DATE:2/04/2008 11:40:00 PM Oh, poor boy and poor you! I don't have the car so can't come round easily, but if you want to meet up in town, give me a shout, or if you need a babysitter so you can have a sleep, I'll get a bus to Riverside and walk over!
(I'm off till next Monday 11th) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: As yet untitled DATE: 2/02/2008 09:20:00 AM ----- BODY:
Ellis is still sick. Its official, sicky babies are no fun. He was up all night crying for the second night in a row. All he wants is me, day and night. I suppose its flattering, but it can be so hard. However, in an odd turn of events, he won't fall asleep for me at the moment and must be snuggled by dad. Apparently I am too exciting. I finally uploaded some new pics. They are just random ones from the last month.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: I went to town and all i got was this lousey T-shirt... DATE: 1/31/2008 05:02:00 AM ----- BODY:
Has anyone noticed the messages on children's clothing these days? I admit, I like gag clothing (my favorite item of E's early baby wardrobe was a onesie that said, "mmm...boobies"). However, I think some of it is just so negative. Today, walking past a children's clothing store in town, I saw a girls shirt that said, "Buy Me Stuff". Kevin pointed out one the other day that said, "Daddy is my Credit Card". There are a ton of others. The ones I really don't like are the ones that say things like, "Spoiled Brat" "little monster" or tell the world that the wearer is bad, loud, obnoxious, messy, etc. You are what you wear, right? Moving on from Arlo Guthrie songs, the new theme tune of the Harrison-Goldin house this week is Diarrhea. Official lyrics here. Kev is off sick, E isn't eating solids and I am taking every vitamin known to woman.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Ellis' Breastaurant DATE: 1/26/2008 12:04:00 AM ----- BODY:
You can get anything you want, apparently. However, as of Wednesday night, Ellis' Breastaurant has new opening hours in place. Rather than being the open all hour establishment that was known and loved for the last 10 months, we have decided that it must close its doors between 11pm and 5am so that the chef can get some much needed down time. So far, so good. Ellis has slept through on two of the last three nights. Now, he has been on the floor in the living room with daddy, but I still consider it a success. Bring on the sleep! The weather here is vile. Honestly, imagine the worst, most miserable weather you can and then multiply it by 2 weeks with no respite in sight. I miss the sun.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger lalajia DATE:1/29/2008 02:36:00 AM Ha, then you get your ex neighbour dropping by the all night coffee house instead ;) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: All Quiet on the Western Front DATE: 1/23/2008 05:40:00 AM ----- BODY:
OK, so we aren't quite West from anyone we know, but you get my point. We have been busy as usual and I have been neglectful of the blog. Sorry. Its just been busy and exhausting and I haven't felt like I have a lot to say. Ellis is coming along just great. I honestly can not believe what a wonderful wee man he is turning into. He is all smiles these days. In fact, when out in public if people aren't looking at him to smile at, he will yell so they look at him. Cheeky little man. He really loves women and "big boys" (aka boys under about 10). He is so social and has so much personality. just wonder how it is I got so lucky?!?!?! He had his first tantrum last night. It was a proper stamping of feet and batting daddy away tantrum. I have never seen anything so bloody cute in my life. Man does he have a temper!!! I honestly have no idea where he gets it from... All else seems to be going well. I am definitely getting itchy to go back to work. However, I am also really nervous. I don't worry so much about E now that we have a nursery place. I just worry about doing a good job and people thinking that I shouldn't have come back. I am sure that is all very normal. I have been really bored staying at home lately. I have started cooking and baking all the time. I need to get out more!! OK, gotta try and get the wee fella down for a nap.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Now That the Rain is Gone DATE: 1/15/2008 04:38:00 AM ----- BODY:
You know when you wake up and you know its going to be a bad day? You get that certain feeling that if you dare step out of your bed it will trigger a series of irreversible calamities that will ruin your day, so you think its best to pull the duvet up and ignore the alarm and wait until tomorrow. Now true. most of us don't have that luxury, so we get up, get dressed and wait for disaster to hit whilst going about the day. Well, that is how I have been feeling lately. It just seems like nothing is quite right and I have felt incredibly sorry for myself since new years. This morning, I moped around the house, did nothing, and generally fretted about how horrible everything is. Then, I got the post. I got two pieces of good mail...a check for £40 that I was sure I wouldn't ever get due to a bad ebay deal and my credit history, which I thought would be bad, but was actually excellent. So all good. Then, I phoned the nursery. I have been lying awake at night worrying about how on earth I was ever going to make that situation work, with not enough days at the night nursery or the right number of days at the wrong one. Well, the right nursery has 2.5 days for me from the beginning of April!!! Not the days I had particularly wanted, but enough days so Kev doesn't have to take any time off! Plus E will be just down the hill from my work. SO all is going to be OK. I am off into town to celebrate with depositing the check and a piece of cake and coffee somewhere nice!
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Achievement Fortnight DATE: 1/05/2008 01:48:00 AM ----- BODY:
Ellis has been quite a busy guy the last few weeks with lots of firsts. On Christmas day, he said "Mama" for the first time. I was quite skeptical at first that he understood what mama meant. However, over the course of the last week or so, he has proven that he does know what and who his Mama is. It usually involves an angry, yelled, "Mama!!!!" when I attempt to leave the room. E can now also balance himself when standing up. He likes to climb up the bookcase or the fridge and then let go. He gets a bit frustrated as he can't do anything yet, but at least his hands are free, right? He has also learned to climb stairs, but gets tired after one or two. All of this increased mobility has meant that the baby gate has gone up. It feels like a significant milestone. Honestly, where did my wee babe go? He's this strapping boy now! E has also learned to blow raspberries. Which he does constantly. He had been doing it without tongue which was very sweet. With tongue is just too wet. Sleep, however, is still escaping us. He just won't do it. We are off to the bookshop to look for solutions this morning.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Its Snowing! DATE: 1/03/2008 06:14:00 AM ----- BODY:
Its been snowing most of the morning here. Its not really sticking, but was lovely as it fell. Of course I had to get some photos and this video of Ellis...try not to die of his cuteness.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Christmas Video DATE: 1/03/2008 03:25:00 AM ----- BODY:
Here's E opening up his stocking
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Biscuits and Gravy DATE: 1/02/2008 01:19:00 AM ----- BODY:
Happy New Year! As I predicted, NYE was a pretty quiet affair, with a lot of this:



Aren't they cute? Kev stayed up and I fell asleep and woke up (with some help from Mr E) to watch the fireworks. It was fine, but I have to admit that I was in a bit of a strop. I guess I don't like New Year. Anyway, we survived and made it to 2008.

On New Years Day I still felt a bit down...so what to do...make biscuits and gravy of course! There is nothing like hot biscuits (scones) with butter, hamburger gravy and a ton of black pepper to get oneself out of a funk. It worked for a wee while and even Ellis liked it.

We spent most of the first day in the new year pottering about, cooking and playing with a very grumpy baby. He just hasn't been sleeping well and we have all been feeling it. I am not sure what is going on, but he'll sleep when he is a teenager.

I have been worrying a lot about going back to work. E doesn't really take a bottle very well. We do try when I am not around, but he only drinks a wee bit. He also has lots of problems falling asleep and I know that a nursery won't be able to give him the individual attention. I need to get this sorted, but I am not sure how. Maybe the whole nursery mix up is a blessing in that he'll have a couple of weeks with Kev to get things sorted.

Ok off to make brekkie.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: For Auld Lang Syne DATE: 12/31/2007 05:14:00 AM ----- BODY:
Well, another year is over...Jesus, has it flown. I honestly cannot remember any period of time that has gone quicker. I have heard that this is an occupational hazard of motherhood, but I still wasn't prepared. I can not believe that on Wednesday, Ellis will be 9 months old! Almost a year! Sigh! He'll be going to college before I know it. Its been quite a nice week with Kevin off work. We've spent most of it trying to get the house sorted. We are almost there..just the second bedroom to sort out and the vacuuming to do. Not too bad, if you ask me. It feels so much lighter to be here. I just need to sell a few things on ebay, give some things away on freecycle and get Kev to go through his paperwork and I think we will be done (for now). Christmas itself was fine. Quite full in the house, but we all survived my cooking and temper! Here are some pics: New Years Eve will be quite a quiet affair. we are going to a friend's house this afternoon for a wee while and then we'll probably watch the fireworks from the river. I think I get less exciting every year. Actually, when I think about it, I don't think I like NYE. I usually end up feeling like a failure...at work, at home, in life...its not that I don't keep my resolutions, because I don't usually make them. I think its just a time for reflection and I am just not sure what I am doing, you know? Things were a lot easier when I knew what I wanted to do with my life. For the longest time, I was going to be a midwife. Then a series of unfortunate events meant that that wasn't going to be my path (most recently cemented by my own experience in hospital with E). So now what. I do enjoy what I do, my life, my friends, etc. However, I sometimes think I should have tried harder, earned more money, provided for my family more. I come from a family of the traditionally successful--big salaries, senior VPs, stalwarts of business. Me, I am a civil servant. Ooh, babe is up. gotta run, but I will come back to this discussion later.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger lalajia DATE:1/09/2008 12:33:00 AM Happy new year! No shame in being a civil servant, bring down the system from within ;)
Back home soon, looking forward to catching up! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Festive Festivities DATE: 12/24/2007 12:16:00 AM ----- BODY:
First of all an apology to you, my adoring fans, I know reading this blog is the highlight of your days. You sit down at the computer with your coffee/tea/wine/beer expecting to read the hilarious/poignant/fascinating antics of the Harrison-Goldin household and you get...nothing for wees and weeks. Well, I am sorry that the light of your dark days has been so quiet the last few months. What can I say, its a big responsibility being the entertainment for so many and I cracked under the pressure. I could no longer handle the attention, so like any good celebrity, I went into rehab for a month to recover from the prying eyes. Ha ha ha. Ok, so I have not been living the celebrity lifestyle. I have been busy mothering, wifing, cleaning, packing, scheming, organising, decorating, cooking, traveling, buying, selling, drinking coffee, and not sleeping. Whew. Its hard work just thinking about it. Obviously a blow by blow recap is too much when its Christmas eve and I am supposed to be cleaning for Kevin's family. However, here are some highlights: -Planned a surprise trip for Kevin to Barcelona for his 30th. He was so surprised, it was great. Barcelona is AMAZING. Ellis loved it and picks are available here. -Ellis' treatment with the osteopath has really helped. He is much more settled, sleeping better, and generally a happier wee fella. YEAH! - Been trying desperately to make room for all of the people and presents that are arriving by the day. Dearest sister, your gift to Ellis has arrived and its bigger than the living room, plus took 4 hours to put together. Welcome to parenthood, huh? -Went out on a work Christmas do, got to drink and chat and had a lovely time. I almost didn't go after having trauma with what to wear. I always thought I wouldn't be one of THOSE women who didn't fit in their clothes almost a year on...the joke is on me. However, by the end of the night I am sure no one noticed as they would've been blinded by the fact I'd gone up 2 or 3 bra sizes! I am sure there are other highlights, but panic is setting in about getting ready for the visitors. So gotta go!
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Quite a Day DATE: 11/30/2007 10:21:00 AM ----- BODY:
Sorry all has been quiet...it has been manically busy here. Who knew flitting from coffee to coffee would be so much work. Anyway, just have a couple of quick stories and then I must clean the house. As some of you may now, Ellis HATES his car seat. Whenever he is in it, her cries so hard, he vomits. He is inconsolable whenever we go anywhere in the car. I had thought it was car sickness, as both my sister and I suffer quite badly and E was always worse on small curvy roads. Well, recently he has also hated being on his back to have his nappy changed. I thought this might be his age and wanting to go go go. However, both the car seat thing and lying on his back have gotten much worse. So I took him back to the cranial osteopath and it turns out E has quite a problem with his back. He also has a problem with the back of his head. She started treating him and we are going back next week. It should also help his sleep and I have to say that today for all of his naps, he just fell asleep without any fuss!!! Fingers crossed we get more sleep! We got home and E needed to eat. So I sat down on the sofa and proceeded to give E a wee snack. There was a knock on the door and I quickly got up and grabbed Ellis. I answered the door and my retired male neighbour was there with a package. I felt strangely cold and looked down and thought that my shirt had just slipped down a bit. We chatted for a few minutes and I went back inside and felt under E's bum to pull my shirt up. Well, it wasn't just a bit slipped down, I was completely exposed, covered partly by E, but the...uh...interesting bits...were exposed under his bum. Oh well, half of stirling has seen them anyway... sigh...
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger lalajia DATE:12/01/2007 01:56:00 AM Did you flash Ugly Naked Guy? Classic!

Natalie ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Sad news (by Kevin) DATE: 11/22/2007 04:35:00 PM ----- BODY:
Yesterday I heard that my aunt Linda has passed away very suddenly. It was a huge shock as I am sure everyone would agree that within the Harrison tribe Linda had the most energy and enthusiasm for life. It was often quite contagious. I can't stop thinking about Peter and Sean and hope that they are able to manage this terrible time. It was so unexpected. My thoughts are certainly with them. It is always at times like these that you reassess things. Unfortuately, I hadn't seen Linda for a while, but I had done a fair job of keeping regular contact after I moved to London. I have always felt very much a part, if only from a distance, of the family and often think of days spent with gran and Linda, drinking tea until I could barely stand. We know Linda died in her sleep and that it was most likely painless. I take some comfort from this. Linda was so happy about her new role as grandmother and also of the life she had carved out for herself and the rest of the family in Wolverhampton. My thoughts go in particular to Peter, Sean and Sarah, but also to the many other friends and colleagues that I know will miss Linda.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger lalajia DATE:12/01/2007 01:57:00 AM Sorry to hear that :(
Natalie ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Busy busy busy DATE: 11/10/2007 03:49:00 PM ----- BODY:
Well I know that you all have been waiting anxiously by your computers for the latest update, and the pressure of this guilt got me up, out of my bed at midnight just to make sure everyone knows what is going on...ha, ha, ha. It wasn't the guilt that woke me. it was a certain 7.5 month old who wanted to scream for mum, even though he ate only a few hours ago. Of course, he falls straight back asleep... blogs are good company for insomniacs. its been a bit of a rough few weeks. Maybe not rough, just exhausting. We have hit major separation anxiety, where only mummy will do and all the time, thank you very much. Plus, I've been running around like a maniac, which means my tolerance and energy is at zero. I can't wait to go to work for a break. Some highlights of the last wee while: At the weekend, we visited some friends and saw their new house. Its huge! Really lovely with a ton of space, but I wouldn't want to clean it. It did get us thinking about moving. I love the location of our house. The price can't be beat either for what we get. However, it is pretty small. I keep having dreams about bigger houses. The problem is we'd have to move to a much less desirable neighbourhood and I am not sure the extra closet space will make up for it. I've also been working hard on the NCT newsletter. I'm taking over as editor. I think it will be OK. THe deadline is fast approaching, so I am a bit panicky about it all coming together. I saw the doctor about my hand and foot. It turns out I have ganglion cysts. The ones in my foot are huge and will require surgery (just outpatient, she thinks). The one in my hand isn't very big, but my inflamed tendon is catching on it, which is why I spend considerable amounts of time not being able to move it and then popping it back in place. Its painful. I also may have one in my hip, but I am going to see a physio to see if I can sort it. driving lessons are going OK. I just want to pass the test, so I am trying to stay positive and not resent the £23.50 per lesson. I think I'll take two more and then just try to get some practice...somehow. I feel the anger building up already. E is sleeping better. He is generally up once or twice a night. Not too bad. The other night, he only woke at 4am. On one hand, it gives me hope. On the other, it makes me resent when he doesn't sleep. He is also pulling himself up on everything he can reach and trying to walk by holding onto objects. He's still not really crawling, but he is determined to walk. Ok. I have to try and sleep. Here is a video of him yelling on a walk. He was so happy to turn and face outward, he yelled in glee the whole way back to the house. Sorry for the staged nature of the walk.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Where has the week gone? DATE: 11/01/2007 10:38:00 PM ----- BODY:

Whew! Friday already? Hard to believe. This week has been very busy with babies, mum and baby groups, driving lessons and nursery visits. PLus we still have baby cinema and lunch and a trip to Edinburgh to go! So here is our week in summary...

Monday:
I went to visit the "other" nursery. Apart from being on the other side of town, it was pretty awful. Facility-wise, it was very nice. Each room was big and bright and had a garden off of it. The manager was lovely as well. However, in the baby room there weren't enough staff. It turns out (from reading their inspection reports) that there is a chronic problem with too few staff members. Also there was a baby crying and the manager told a staff member to put him out in the garden in his pram. He was left there. THe staff didn't speak to me at all. I just felt awful afterwards. You really begin to understand why women stay home. I can say that, while I will go back to work, it will be with mixed emotions.

In the afternoon, we went to mum's group over in Tilly. It was nice as we went to see a christmas display. Ellis loved the lights. It did get me slightly excited for Christmas (I know how early it is!!!)

Tuesday:
HOuse cleaning day. I must of done 15 loads of laundry. OK that is a complete lie. I actually pretended to clean the house and sat around and ate bon bons all day.

Wednesday:
Baby sign in the morning. Ellis went dressed as a lobster. It wasn't in the normal room and was very cramped and busy. However, its still fun. There are two women who are pregnant in the group and I have to admit I was getting a wee bit broody. However, I'd like to find my waistline before I destroy it again. Then it was off to lunch at the MacRobert for the best burgers in Stirling. The whole waistline thing may have to wait.

In the evening, I took my first driving lesson to convert my license. The Brits are ridiculously strict. Obsessively checking of mirrors and handbrake use. Honestly, its a good thing I waited to do this as the younger more violent me might have killed someone.

Thursday:
Busy day, but I can't remember what we did in the morning. We were going to watch the neighbor's wee boy, but in the end we didn't need to. In the afternoon, E and I went and swung on the swings in the local park. He loved it of course.

At about 5, there was a knock on the door. Our other neighbour knocked and asked if we'd heard anything last night. It seems their house had been egged. No one else in the street had been and they hadn't done anything to upset anyone. W was sick about it as it looked like it could have been motivated by racism. God, I hope not. She has the two most lovely boys.

Friday:
The plan for today is to go see As You Like It and meet some friends for lunch. I also need to stop at the grocery as all of the lights have blown in the kitchen. Those little halogen spotlights are so crap. Most of the house has been fit with the energy saving bulbs, but the spotlights are hugely expensive. I may just go ahead and get them, as I can't be organised enough to keep buying things in.

Saturday:
Off to see the lovely K in Edinburgh. I need to start thinking about anniversaries, Christmas and someone's 30th birthday. I am sure K will help me plot.

----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Broccoli DATE: 10/27/2007 10:00:00 PM ----- BODY:
Another video of E
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Anonymous DATE:10/29/2007 02:14:00 PM Kat and Kevin..

Love all of your posts.. Oh, the Erma Bombeck concepts of it all!!
Love it!!
Sue ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger Kat and Kev DATE:10/31/2007 01:04:00 AM Hey you!!! I can't access my my space account, email us, so I can apologize profusely for being out of touch. Hope all is well!
Love
Kat ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Anonymous DATE:10/31/2007 06:07:00 AM What a charmer Mr E is!! I am very happy for you..

Cherish these moments~ it goes by way too fast..

I often find myself bitching/griping/ and whining all of the running around required right now with Zach's schedule... Day care in the morning~home for lunch~preschool in the afternoon~bus to mom's work~waiting for the babysitter to pick him up~ going to get after work~~ Oy!!

But then I think how fast these 5 years have gone and that next year will come all to quickly... Then it gives me a little sad.. It ceases the bitching pretty fast!! :)

Love to you all...

Sue ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Cute Ellis Video DATE: 10/26/2007 05:39:00 AM ----- BODY:
I Have spent the morning uploading videos of the baby. So here is your first treat. Ellis mesmerized by the lights on his playgym.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: But I Can Spell Equanimity... DATE: 10/24/2007 06:50:00 AM ----- BODY:
I once knew a boy who could spell equanimity. He was about 9, blind, had cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. We were all amazed at his ability to spell a word most of us didn't even know the meaning of. After a few days someone asked him if he could spell cat. No. Dog? Nope. In fact he couldn't spell any other word except equanimity. We realised that he had been taught to repeat the letters as a clever party trick. Man, can I relate. Ellis is currently trying desperately to crawl. He has now done it properly on two occasions, but most of the time he just can't get himself coordinated. It starts with him sitting. He then leans forward and tries to get his legs in position. This is often where it fails and gets stuck. Sometimes the legs do move and he is on all fours. Scooching often happens but most often he just rolls onto his back and screams for his mother. He announces his frustration to the neighbourhood with howls and yells, tears and screams. It is the most irritating, heartwrenching, pathetic and wonderful thing. But man does it drive me crazy. I just want to run in there and pick him up and move him towards the offending object. But I can't. He has to learn. So, I try to remain calm and balanced. I hide in the kitchen with a glass of wine and the computer. I am not sure its working. E-Q-U-A-N-I-M-I-T-Y
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Panic Stations DATE: 10/23/2007 02:43:00 AM ----- BODY:
Well we are pretty much screwed. It seems the nursery that I had planned to send Ellis to, that we sent a check to, that we reserved a place at, has no record of us and are now full. Of course they don't have any more spaces until at least July. The nearest nursery is literally on the other side of town from where I work. Completely impossible to get to. ARGH!!!! Update 10:00am: I have now reserved a Tuesday morning and a Thursday from sometime in April. I also am first on the list for any extra days and K can do some through Annual Leave at first. I have to admit I find this all pretty stressful. Of course there is the whole issue of arranging with work...(sheepishly waves in the direction of Inverness) Update 12:30pm: It now turns out that Kevin sent the check and application form to the wrong nursery. We now have a place there but its very far from work and home oh and not accessible via bus. So what to do... At the moment, I think I have no choice but to hang on and wait for a place at the one close to work, while keeping the place at the one on the other side of town hoping between it all we get things covered. I think this happened because I was feeling all smug that we had the nursery thing sorted. Lesson learned.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: I Ran to Arran DATE: 10/21/2007 04:45:00 AM ----- BODY:
Sorry things have been a bit quiet on the blog. Its been busy busy here. David arrived on Thursday and then it was off to Arran on Friday. The weather was nice, but Mister was grumpy!!! We suspect teething, but aren't sure yet. Yesterday I worked at the NCT Nearly New Sale which was great fun, though I had to do maths as I was on the till. I am really glad I got involved in the NCT. Its nice to do something that I care about and just get involved. Also I got the wee man some things very cheaply, though it does mean the stuff in outweighs the stuff out in the equation.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Grrrrrrrrr DATE: 10/17/2007 07:00:00 PM ----- BODY:

Its 3 in the morning and I can't sleep. Mr HG on the other hand, hasn't woken up since 11. A 4 hour stretch of sleep has been unheard of in our house for months and of course, I am typing this instead of enjoying it. I had a horrible dream and then woke up thinking my house was being burgled (it was just Kevin snoring). I don't lament about sleep like many other new mums, but I do miss it. But then, I never really slept that well anyway.

Lets see, whats going on around here...Finally got a mattress for the cot. I am seeing slight trend of sleeping longer for E and once he is in a bit more reasonable sleep pattern, I will move him to his own bed. Frankly, with him waking every hour or two, I am just too lazy to be getting him up and down to feed.

My father in law is coming later this afternoon. I think we are going to head off and out somewhere nice like Arran or Dunkeld for one of the days. There is a half off rail tickets promo at the moment, but of course its impossible to find the fares that are cheaper.

Eating is still going well. Ellis has chomped his was through sweet potato, gnocci, tortellini, pittas, broad beans, apricots, prunes, carrots, peas, risotto and oatmeal in the last two days. I know I need to get more veggies and fruit into him, but he has really gone off pears and I am worried about a cauliflower incident repeat.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Descending Into Chaos DATE: 10/17/2007 12:32:00 AM ----- BODY:
Here are some lovely piccies of Ellis eating a pitta with broad (fava) bean hummus and he and Icarus enjoying B's playmat that we borrowed.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: God Damn Cauliflower!!!! DATE: 10/16/2007 05:09:00 AM ----- BODY:
I look like I have been hit by a truck, baby vomit covering every inch of my upper half like a Jackson Pollock painting, frizzy, unbrushed, unwashed hair, still in my PJs...horrific! I am going to blame that previously innocuous white brassica known as Cauliflower. "Why blame vegetables?" you ask. Because what else could have caused that much gas in one little boys tummy that kept him screaming all night. "The drop on the head?" you reply. A plausible explanation, if each session of crying at 10, 10:45, 11:30, 12:00, 12:15, 12:45, 1:45, 2:15, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:15, 5:00, 5:30, 6:15, and 6:30 hadn't been solved by the little one emitting very large gas explosions from his backside and then promptly falling back asleep. Of course, he has to get his father's digestive system. Who knows what will happen if he ever eats lentils. Lets just hope he doesn't whine about it as much as his father!
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: I swear, I tried... DATE: 10/15/2007 11:40:00 AM ----- BODY:
I swear I tried to clean the house today. I was going to sort out our bedroom so that the mess in the room doesn't explode through the wall onto my father in law horrifically maiming him when he comes to stay. Well, at 10:30am this morning, Ellis learned how to fly...He hasn't, however, cracked the landing and fell flat on his face after leaping from my arms. He cried for a bit, ate and fell asleep. As it wasn't his nap time, I got worried and phoned NHS 24. OF course they thought he was fine, but told me I had to go to A&E. They even phoned ahead, so I had to go. For those of you who are counting, thats twice in one week I've been to A&E. Of course E was fine, but grumpy for the rest of the day. He did eat like a horse though. I think one of his legs must be hollow. One question...was it mean to give him a prune, figuring it would come through when daddy was home???
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Can I Get Some Action From The Back Section? DATE: 10/14/2007 10:30:00 AM ----- BODY:
Its a bit cliche, I know, but I think its impossible NOT to be obsessed with your baby's, eh, eliminations. Babies, eat, sleep,play and pooh and since they become your whole life, it make sense that pooh is a frequent topic of conversation. We have hit a momentous moment in the beasty boy's life...not only are solids going in, but they are coming out as well. The saddest thing, I think his grunting noises are cute!!! I do think we need to make a blanket apology to all of our friends for boring them with the stories. However, I promise to be an understanding ear when their babies start to "drop the kids off at the pool".

Ok, enough crass conversation. Here are some cute pics (which is why you visit, admit it!)

----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Hummus Up The Nose DATE: 10/12/2007 07:57:00 AM ----- BODY:



When I imagined my life as a young mother, I thought I would be glamorous, fun, energetic. My baby would be fat, happy, make delightful noises, funny messes and enjoy time on her own contemplating the world in which she found herself.

In her book, Ourselves as Mothers, Sheila Kitzinger writes about the romanticism that drives many women's desire to have a baby. The image of a new mother swishing around in a frothy pink nightdress attending to a newborn is quite far from the no-shower, yes I am wearing the same underwear for three days in a row, singing the theme tune to Harry Potter for the 3,267th time to a baby who will not go to sleep and has puked all over his outfit for the 289th time that day.

Well the romanticism has been gone for awhile now, but today, as I was picking hummus out of his nose only to have a milky, garlicky, chickpea-infused soup puked back over me, I realised a valuable lesson. Having a baby is just plain fun. Who else treats you like a rockstar and laughs when you are picking their nose?

Spot anything different about the pic??? Yes, that IS a different highchair. I decided I really didn't like the old one. It was too big and he was slipping around. I began to worry about his safety...laying awake at night worried. So I got the shop to exchange it. And its MUCH better!
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Small Successes, Simple Pleasures DATE: 10/11/2007 04:16:00 AM ----- BODY:
Its only 12:16 and its been a lovely day thus far. - Ellis took an hour-long nap this morning - I found pierogies at the local shop, which I LOVE, so I bought all 4 packets. - I've been looking for a smaller table for the kitchen for ages and I found one today on Freecycle. - Ellis went down for his lunchtime nap drowsy, but awake. - I had chocolate for breakfast. - I've managed to clean the house and do all of my emails and blog. - I carried Ellis to the shops on my back in the sling for the first time. - The sun is shining.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: De Quervain's Tenosynovitis DATE: 10/10/2007 09:44:00 AM ----- BODY:
As some of you will now I have had problems with my wrist since the birth of wee man. We today while turning off the shower I further injured it and couldn't move my thumb. Of course my GP receptionist was as helpful as always and instructed me to go see the emergency room as it wasn't her problem. So E was asleep upstairs and I had to get W from next door to get him in his car seat. Then I couldn't get a hold of Kevin and had to have his work find him at a conference. Finally spoke to K got in a taxi and went to A&E. Didn't have to wait long. Saw a doctor and was diagnosed with De Quervain's Tenosynovitis. I got a lovely splint. What a great day.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Bad Mother Day DATE: 10/10/2007 07:01:00 AM ----- BODY:
I am having a bad mother day. I woke up this morning without the slightest desire to play, sing, entertain, change nappies, feed, or cuddle. I want to loll around in my PJs, watch bad telly and eat baked goods and dairy products. Then I would walk into town and have a leisurely lunch that didn't involve getting my boobs out. I might try on some clothes and then go to see a movie. Oh and a long nap uninterrupted by, "Geee" or "Waaaah". I read this book called Confessions of a Bad Mother and I went away from it thinking she really wasn't that bad. Her biggest guilt was that she put her child into day care even though she wasn't working. Big deal. I've done worse in the last 24 hours including: - Left him on his changing mat so I could get dressed (I was right there but I now many people frown on this behaviour.) - Left him screaming while I hung out the laundry because I couldn't hear him. - Left him sitting in a LOT of regurgitated milk because he was perfectly happy and I wanted to finish my lunch - Dropped his dummy on the floor and didn't even wash it off when he needed it - Let him watch TV - Read him the instructions for my Mooncup because I was too tired to go and get a baby book from the shelf. - Gave him a bath in the bathtub that I knew needed a good scrub because of the soap scum ring. - Let him chew on paper - Used his sterilizer to cook carrots for his lunch - Woke up his father at 3 am to take him. He screamed for an hour and then we realised he was hungry To top it all off he is really clingy today and I am just not in the mood. To be honest I don't know what to do other than hope all will be better tomorrow. I think we need a nap...
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: The Algebra of Infinite Baby Stuff Part 2 DATE: 10/09/2007 06:44:00 AM ----- BODY:
 


So I found the exersaucer on ebay for half price and it should be winging its way to me shortly. For some balance, I cleaned out the bedroom and got out 4 bags of donations and 3 bags of garbage. Not sure if the equation works, but I do feel lighter!
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----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: The Algebra of Infinite Baby Stuff DATE: 10/08/2007 11:30:00 PM ----- BODY:
The newest must-have in six month old baby stuff is an activity centre. Walkers and door bouncers are unsafe. Playmats are so last month. Highchairs and interesting, but not varied enough, even with food and toys and mommies. So whats the problem? The price, of course! The fact that there is MORE plastic in the house. The space we don't have. But mostly, the price. £80 for the pleasure. It makes me quite mad, actually. There are two main ones on the market and, surprise, surprise, they are the same price! Does Ellis need this? No. He is bored silly with his toys at the moment, but if he is in the sling all day he is happy. The problem is me. I am feeling just a bit burnt out with carrying him all the time and I'd really like to be able to put him down and leave him for more than the 2 minutes it takes for him to get bored. Is it worth £80 to me. Maybe. With children, you always need something. At the moment, Ellis needs: a new cot mattress, the next size of diapers, and new sleepers. We try so hard to get things used, cheap or free, but it is so hard. So we are trying to practice a certain Algebra when it comes to stuff. Space and money are limited, so if something needs to come in, something needs to go out. So what to sell...Kevin, Ellis, the pushchair we don't use, slings, family heirlooms? Something needs to go. Maybe its me?
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Welcome to Adulthood...Sort of DATE: 10/08/2007 01:41:00 AM ----- BODY:
For the last 4 years, Kev and I haven't had a proper sofa. We had one but it was secondhand and died. We just never bothered to get another one and made due with a day bed. The day ed was never very comfy, but it worked. Getting a proper sofa became a joke between K and I. We felt it would mean we had arrived in adulthood when there was a couch in the house.

Well, faced with a combination of me being here all day, my salary reducing from next month and a string of visitors arriving soon, we decided it was time. As I am completely against buying furniture on credit we found a great deal on a leather sofa online. It arrived this morning and looks lovely.


A close up of the stain in the middle:


So adulthood has arrived. How do I feel??? A bit pissed off really. I have been trying sooooo hard to keep the downstairs and bathroom clean the last few weeks. I have managed really well, until today. It just exploded with the vacuum breaking again and a husband who can not tidy up after himself. I am feeling like a bit of a slave at the moment. I keep getting lots of comments about how someone works and is now "supporting" us. I don't think its meant with maliciousness, its just a reminder of how my status in this world and relationship has changed dramatically. I used to be the breadwinner. I used to be a stand out star of a worker. Now I am just a bad housewife.

Kev was sick all weekend and I have a sneaky suspicion E has caught it. He is really clingy today and wants to sleep (on me of course). Gonna try and put him down and keep cleaning.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: The Sixth Sense With A Six Month Old DATE: 10/07/2007 08:53:00 AM ----- BODY:


Sometimes I think Mr HG has a 6th sense. There are certain places that he finds upsetting. Take last night. We were over in Edinburgh at M and K's for dinner. everytime we are at their flat he gets very upset. He cries a lot and just won't settle. Also everytime we cross the bridge from town to the village, he does the same. Sometimes he'll even be asleep and then we hit the halfway mark and he wakes up and screams.

Why? What does he perceive in these places that we do not? Maybe he knows his walk will soon be over when we get to the bridge of maybe he knows something about teh history of M and Ks. Or maybe he is just a grump who coincidentally cries in these places.

Other than the crying, dinner last night was fab. Ellis loved the veggie Korma and garlic nan. K crocheted him a lovely hat and I got the coolest scarf for my birthday.

----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Quite Frankly, I'd Rather Slit My Wrists... DATE: 10/05/2007 11:15:00 AM ----- BODY:
I went to see Atonement today. What a horrid movie. I mean who watches films specifically designed to make you feel miserable? Now I know I am not a film connoisseur. My favourite films are mostly fluff. However, I just can't stand depression on cellophane. Atonement has to be one of the top films in the "Being Dragged Under A Bus Thats Being Driven By My Mother In Law While Listening to Kevin Play the Banjo Would Be More Pleasant Than Watching This Film" category. So after my narrow escape with suicide, Ellis and I went to the baby store in town to look for high chairs. Why does all baby stuff have to be so cutesy? Everything had like wee bears or Disney characters on them. We've gone for a retro design, the best of a bad bunch. Kev is going to collect it tomorrow, which is a good thing as his bouncy chair is disgusting. Anyway, introducing solids is still going well. Ellis wasn't too thrilled with lunch today, but seemed to be starving in the afternoon. He tried his first quesadilla, which he LOVED! Refried beans were a hit. Avocado was also good. I am keeping my eye out for a dairy sensitivity. He was a bit pukey after breakfast where he'd had a wee bit of cream cheese. Pictures: Ok is 7:50pm, so its 10 minutes until my bed time! Nighty night!
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: I Have a Husband??? Really?? DATE: 10/04/2007 09:49:00 AM ----- BODY:
So Mr H of the H-G household has absconded. I mean, he still sleeps at our house, but we don't really see him any other time. He's been getting home well after 8 most nights. Not fun. I am tired and, I have to admit, not thrilled about the long days for either of us. I think we are going to have to rethink where we live. THe commute is just too long.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: The Laundry DATE: 10/03/2007 07:43:00 AM ----- BODY:
 


I consider myself a rather capable woman. I have both a high school and a college degree. I have started 2 masters. I can play the piano, sing, play the banjo, cook, read, knit, sew, grow vegetables, install printers, advise small businesses on management, explain the difference between incidence and prevalence in epidemiology, spell epidemiology and countless other things I can't remember.

Why then, can't I manage the laundry for 3 people? You know the Shel Silverstein poem, Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout??? That's me with the laundry. Piles and piles for miles and miles. My laundry stretches to the Western Isles. And though I try until I cry, the laundry never waves goodbye.

SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT
by Shel Silverstein

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout
Would not take the garbage out.
She'd wash the dishes and scrub the pans
Cook the yams and spice the hams,
And though her parents would scream and shout,
She simply would not take the garbage out.
And so it piled up to the ceiling:
Coffee grounds, potato peelings,
Brown bananas and rotten peas,
Chunks of sour cottage cheese.
It filled the can, it covered the floor,
It cracked the windows and blocked the door,
With bacon rinds and chicken bones,
Drippy ends of ice cream cones,
Prune pits, peach pits, orange peels,
Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,
Pizza crusts and withered greens,
Soggy beans, and tangerines,
Crusts of black-burned buttered toast,
Grisly bits of beefy roast.
The garbage rolled on down the halls,
It raised the roof, it broke the walls,
I mean, greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,
Blobs of gooey bubble gum,
Cellophane from old bologna,
Rubbery, blubbery macaroni,
Peanut butter, caked and dry,
Curdled milk, and crusts of pie,
Rotting melons, dried-up mustard,
Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,
Cold French fries and rancid meat,
Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.
At last the garbage reached so high
That finally it touched the sky,
And none of her friends would come to play,
And all of her neighbors moved away;
And finally, Sarah Cynthia Stout
Said, "Okay, I'll take the garbage out!"
But then, of course it was too late,
The garbage reached across the state,
From New York to the Golden Gate;
And there in the garbage she did hate
Poor Sarah met an awful fate
That I cannot right now relate
Because the hour is much too late
But children, remember Sarah Stout,
And always take the garbage out.
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----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger Unknown DATE:10/03/2007 12:25:00 PM Not doing the laundry is inherently an efficient. If you do all the laundry, you will have done a lot of work to build a mountain of ironing. If you do the ironing it won't easily fit neatly in wardrobes and drawers. Male family members (depending on age) will either not put it away, or rummage through it to find the item they want, leaving the rest rumpled or strewn over the bed or floor. Finally they will 'tidy up' when pressed by putting it all in the laundry again.
So wash only what is going to be needed in the next 48 hours and compliment yourself on being an instictively efficient user of your time ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger Slugs On The Refrigerator DATE:10/03/2007 05:31:00 PM Hmmmm...I have a funny feeling a Harrison posted this comment. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Baby Led Weaning Day 1 DATE: 10/02/2007 05:37:00 AM ----- BODY:
Well, the time has come. Mr HG is ready for solids. The big hint was the other night when he snatched my pizza crust out of my hand and sucked the life out of it. So another milestone is upon us and how do we tackle it??? With the normal meticulous research the accompanies every decision. So the research has led us to choose baby led weaning as the way forward. In a nutshell, it seems there is no evidence to suggest that the purees of our childhood are actually that good developmentally for babies. They tend to confuse them with the different stages of textures and mixed tastes. From about 6 months, babies develop both the internal digestive capacity to digest solids and the external ability to "catch" their own foods in their hands, stuff it in their mouths and feed themselves. Studies have shown that babies who get to feed themselves from the get go are less likely to develop into picky eaters. So here we go. No purees. Baby eats finger foods at meal times with us. Today we started out with toast (he LOVED) and an apple (not so keen). At lunch, he and \i shared some roast sweet potato spears. He kept trying to grab the plate and eat it, but he did get the hang of it all. We desperately need a high chair. I have a gift voucher that I could use for it, but I am not sure how to get it home?? An as with everything, do you go cheap and probably needing to be replaced sooner, or expensive and lasts a couple of more kids???? Argh. Too many choices!! I think we had success as after the sweet potatoes and a normal feed, he did this for about 10 minutes. BTW he is talking to our Klimt painting.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: She Sells Seashells by the Seashore DATE: 9/25/2007 07:22:00 AM ----- BODY:
For my birthday, Kevin and I went to Mull with my friend Kerstin. It was sooooooooo lovely. The weather was great and it was beautiful. Highlights included: - The Isle of Iona - Tobermory - Ellis only waking up a couple of times in the night - View from our tent - It didn't rain (that much) - Seeing Jon Snow and Shami Chakrabarti on their way to Iona for a big wedding. Lowlights: - Ellis screaming bloody murder in the car - Falling with E in the sling. I did an impressive somersault to ensure he wasn't hurt. In fact, he quit enjoyed it. - Being the only driver Sigh. I do need to live by the seashore...No, the Forth River does not count
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Baby Love DATE: 9/19/2007 07:59:00 PM ----- BODY:
When you are pregnant and waiting expectantly for the baby to arrive, everyone tells you how much you are going to love this new little person. For me, I always found this concept to be quite an odd one. Maybe not odd, but unfamiliar. How can you love someone you haven't met? Then they arrive and you do love them and its wonderful. In the last few weeks, I have noticed a slight change in my feelings for Ellis. I have loved him this entire time, of course. However, lately there is something more personal about this love. I love him, as a tiny little being with his little personality, his sense of humour, his love of feet and sippy cups, they way he chews on anything he can fit in his mouth, how he REFUSES to sit still. I noticed this change one day when he was sitting with his daddy and all of the sudden he went red and started howling with big tears and sobs. Up until that moment, I had always quieted his cries and soothed him but it may have been ever so slightly more mechanical. More about bringing him back down to neutral and less empathetic. This time, however, it was because of him. I didn't want Ellis to be hurt or upset. I honestly can't WAIT for him to get up and play in te mornings. When Kevin takes him for even a few hours, I miss him. He is just so darn lovely to be around. ::Gush:: Ok enough soppy crap, I am exhausted. That bloody child still isn't sleeping. However, I think that it may be that he is smelling me and wanting lots of midnight snacks. I have been downstairs since 1am and he hasn't stirred. Its 4:19am now. If only I could've slept this whole time. We are off to Mull this weekend. Ellis will be getting his first ferry ride and to see the sea. As an aside to anyone trying to contact me via MySpace...I haven't been able to get into my account for months. There is something wrong with it and it says I am logged on, but can't get through to see anything. I have emailed them, but please know I am not ignoring you!!!! Apparently, I have been hacked into...why they'd pick the most boring person alive, I don't know. However, hackers if you are reading this, could you please let me know. I am very interested.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Look What Happened!!! DATE: 9/17/2007 07:35:00 AM ----- BODY:
Is it pathetic that I start to tear up when see this?
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Blogger goldin DATE:9/17/2007 04:58:00 PM the Weeble Wobble does his own thing! Three cheers for Ellis the wonderboy... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Busy Week DATE: 9/14/2007 04:57:00 PM ----- BODY:
I am sorry I haven't bee blogging much lately. It seems like since we got back there has been just one thing after another. Have I mentioned that E had a cold this week. He's doing better, but on the whole it wasn't very fun. He's gone off his food a bit, so he has been extra grumpy as well. The sleeping situation hasn't resolved itself, though he has had a few better nights. It is amazing how you get used to it. I feel pretty functional considering I've not slept more than a couple hours a night in weeks. However, my body seems to be disagreeing and I seem to have a bit of a sore throat and a sore back. Oh well, I am sure I will survive. We have also had lots going on this week. On Thursday we went into Glasgow for the day. I met up with other mums that use slings. It was fab to see other slings and how they work and just talk to other mums that use them. I am going to be setting up a similar group in Stirling with another woman. I then took Ellis to see Kevin and meet Kev's colleagues. It was nice, but a bit overwhelming. The new building is fantastic. Being in Glasgow had me thinking for a moment that I wanted to move there. There is just so much going on, plus loads of amenities. There are green grocers everywhere (somewhere you can get decent, fresh fruit and veg...not like the supermarket crap) and lovely cafes and things going on. The Sling Meet was at a cafe called Theo's which specifically caters for families. It has a play area and offers loads of things going on like mum and child knitting groups, women in business dinners, toddler groups. Stirling has the MacRobert centre at the university, but its an arts venue and it doesn't have the community focus. And while its child friendly, its not exclusively for kids. Anyway, I started thinking that I want to be back in the swing of city life. Kev and I discussed it and it just doesn't seem feasible. We pay basically nothing for rent here and it gives us a lot of freedom on a limited income. Glasgow rent would be a lot more ad buying wouldn't be realistic there at all. Plus, I am still feeling confined by the state of the house and its size, so its probably more about that than glasgow. Maybe I just need to visit more often. Ellis and I also went to baby sign class yesterday. It was really great. He was fascinated by the bubble machine. Both the sign class and the sling meet were great mum and baby groups because they had a focus, not just competition of the under 1s. we had common interests and there was no sense of cliques at all. I feel much better about mums groups after these two, as mine continues to fill me with dread. Anyway, pic of the day is Ellis in the bath with his toy. He is trying to get both his foot and the toy in his mouth at the same time: and you can see how that ended:
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Leaving the house with a 5 month old DATE: 9/11/2007 09:15:00 AM ----- BODY:
1. Realise you are going stir crazy and must go into town to at least see other adults. 2. Take baby upstairs for new nappy and weather-appropriate garments. 3. Change baby 4. Pick baby up to head downstairs to go. 5. Feel baby filling his fresh nappy. 6. Change baby 7. Go downstairs 8. Deposit baby on floor to get together nappy changing bag 9. Go upstairs to get clean nappies for bag 10. Come back down and realise you need more wipes 11. Go back upstairs 12. Come back down and pick up baby as he's crying. 13. Baby vomits all over you both 14. Go back upstairs and change both of your outfits 15. Come down, put baby in pram, grab changing bag and leave out the back door 16. Realise you forgot a toy, go back and get one 17. Get to the end of the garden and realise pram tires are flat. 18. Go back into house and get pump 19. Start pumping tires, but realise you've actually let all the air out 20. Spend 20 minutes trying to get tires filled 21. Get the tires sorted and head off 22. Get halfway round the block and see that baby spit up and you have no spit rags 23. Go back in the house and get a rag 24. Baby starts screaming bloody murder 25. Walk another 100feet. You are now at the front of your house. 26. Realise its nap time, that baby HATES his pram, and that he's probably hungry from throwing up so much 27. Go back round to the back of the house grabbing the garbage bin on the way so you feel like you've accomplished something 28. Put the baby down for a nap. 29. Promise to try again later, but will just use a sling where baby is always happy 30. Write about it in your blog
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Things no one tells you... DATE: 9/11/2007 06:11:00 AM ----- BODY:
or better titled, "Things no one told me." want to preface this post with 2 pertinent points: 1. I LOVE my baby. He is the cutest, most wonderful, funniest, smartest being on the planet. Hands down. I love spending time with him. I love everything about him. 2. I am not depressed or in need of some sort of consolation that often follows on from my rants. Don't phone to check that I am OK. I am. Anyway, back on topic. No one told me how mind numbingly boring it would be to look after an infant all day. I was warned about the lack of sleep, the vomitting, the pooping, the crying, the never being alone again (especially to pee), the expense, the competition with other mums, the lack of sex, and the mess. However, no one told me about the monotony and isolation that comes with being a stay at home mummy. My days are roughly the same everyday. Wake up, food, diaper, play, food, baby nap, wake up, food, diaper, play, food, baby nap and so on and so forth. We have already firmly established that I don't really clean, so my down time is generally spent on the PC researching obscure diseases my child is likely to get while my ass gets progressively bigger. Its not as if this drudgery s confined to the house. There are essentially two types of interaction with baby in tow. The first (and main one) is the baby talk. How is the baby? Its all anyone wants to know. Gone are the days of discussing the UKs environmental policies against the backdrop of peak oil. People, intelligent people, are reduced to who is walking, crawling, eating and pooing. These interactions are almost always with other mums in baby groups or with pensioner grandparents on the street, as of course these people are the only ones around during the day. The other interaction is the type where you meet new people. There is always the question, "What do you do?". Somehow the response of "take care of a small baby and eat carbs" isn't the conversation starter one would hope it would be. "Well," you say, "you could always go back to work." And I pause, consider it, and then pick up the cause of all of this boredom (Mr HG) and think, "What and miss all this? Never."
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: When it rains it pours DATE: 9/07/2007 12:22:00 PM ----- BODY:
Mister has decided he does like to sleep. In fact, that is basically what he has done all afternoon. Hopefully that doesn't mean that he won't sleep tonight because I am tired. I am sorry my posts have been so dull lately. I think my brain has died. We have turned into the dullest couple on the planet. I just asked Kev if he had anything to blog about. His response was to tell you all that he got some funding at work. *YAWN* Maybe I'll go do something wild...like...umm...make a cup of tea and go to bed. At least I don't listen to audio books and crochet (I love you, K!!!).
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Babies are Gross...so are Husbands DATE: 9/06/2007 12:05:00 PM ----- BODY:
Babies are disgusting creatures. From the moment they arrive, they are pure bundles of muck--covered in unnameable goop. Then their first poos arrive. Meconium is more like asphalt than any organic substance. On it goes. Its rare for there not to be some globule about to drip somewhere. Stained clothes, carpets, furniture, car seats, bed sheets, walls, and pets mark us out as the owners of an under 1. Well, this morning the grossness reached a new level. As Kevin leaned in to Mr HG for a big wet kiss on the lips, said infant vomited directly into his mouth. Curdled breastmilk. To say gross would be an understatement. I can tell you that I have never laughed this hard in all my life!I think that he will not be doing that again. Personally, I have always veered away from kissing that baby anywhere near his mouth--too likely to end badly. Not much else going on here. Ellis still isn't sleeping as well as he had been, but apparently this is quite common so I am trying not to get too frustrated with it. I am not too thrilled with the fact that he would like to be attached to me all night. Honestly, if I could sleep through it, I wouldn't mind. But I can't, so I do. Kev is in Aberdeen tonight. Somehow before he left he managed to trash the house. Can someone please tell me what happens between the time I go to bed and I come down in the morning? Are my friends coming to the house to party while I am asleep? Maybe its the cats..Icarus, lamenting the loss of his beloved Ed, is holding gay cat orgies in the living room that involve lots of frying pans and dishes? I just don't know what could be happening. Anyway, off to bed. Good night and good luck.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Thank God for Online Shopping DATE: 9/05/2007 12:58:00 AM ----- BODY:
Apparently this has been circulating on the internet. Very funny. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675 The wee beastie still isn't sleeping. He did better last night. Our plan was to let him eat every three hours with Kev taking him in between to essentially settle himself. At 10pm it was more crying it out in dad's arms, but he slept until 12:00a. He ate and then fell straight back asleep until 3--the best he's done in days. It was awake every two hours from then. I am supposed to go to a coffee morning this AM, but E is about to take a nap and sleep is so important these days. Have you seen the newest pics online? Kev got a couple great ones. This one is my favourite:
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Back from Outer Space DATE: 9/04/2007 07:08:00 AM ----- BODY:
Just to say we are back. Trip was fantastic. Not really felt like blogging lately. Ellis waking up every hour at night. House is a mess.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Great Day DATE: 7/20/2007 12:46:00 PM ----- BODY:
Just a quicky to say we had a fab day. Mr HG was in a fine mood all day and we only had one session of crying!!! We did get some infant Gaviscon to try, but there wasn't a need today. Also got some meds to help Ellis sleep on the flight if we need it. I am in two minds aout this TBH. I REALLY don't want to drug my child, but if he is miserable I don't know what else to do. Only 4 days left!!!
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: What a Stroppy Cow (me that is!) DATE: 7/19/2007 08:05:00 AM ----- BODY:
So DS and I have thrush AGAIN. I have a bit of a chronic problem with yeast, particularly in my ears, so it was no surprise to feel that familiar hot-knitting-needle-being-jammed-into-my-breast pain. I did exactly as I had been told to do if it comes back--Phone the HV. This I did and she advised that I should see a GP. Fine. So I phoned up this morning at the alloted time to speak to the Guardian of GPs Time, our practice nurse. I explain the problem and she says no worries, I'll get you a script for Fluconizole and you can pick it up at lunch time. Lunch time arrives and I trot into the practice to pick it up. It hasn't been signed. OK, I'll wait. The receptionist returns and says, I'm sorry but I can't give the script as Fluconizole can't be given to BFing women. I explain that it can, and has been given to me previously by this same practice. Thus ensues the drama. Running back and forth between me and the practice nurse and the GP, the receptionist keeps insisting that I have NEVER been given Fluconizole before that it "does something to the milk" and I wouldn't have been prescribed it. I explain that I have been given it before and that no the cream and Nystatin for DS will not solve the problem. How could it if it is deep in my milk ducts?? I then begin quoting research from the BFN about the use of fluconizole in BFing. That while its not licensed for use in BFing mothers, that is merely b/c its not lucrative for the company to do so. All studies have shown the amount that goes through the milk is actually less than what the license is for an infant dose. This went on for half an hour. Finally the practice nurse comes up and says that this is all I am going to be given and that I need to leave. Please note that I remained nothing but calm and collected. At this stage irritation and blind panic begins to set in. I inform the practice nurse that I am about to get on a plane to the US for one month. I will have no access to routine health care and if I don't get something I will probably have no other choice but to give up BFing as thrush is worse than childbirth (none of this is an exaggeration). And how would that look on their BFing stats (my practice has some of the lowest in Scotland) and sorry, what was your name again? She finally agrees that I can see a GP about it. But, I am informed, if one GP says something, they all will say the same thing. Dr. B is certain that the cream and Nystatin will clear it up for both of us, but if I want to waste my and the NHSs time that is up to me. And that this practice has NEVER given Fluconizole to a BFing woman and NEVER will. So I trot down to the OTHER health centre on the other side of town to see a GP. I walk in and she hands me the script and says sorry about all that, have a nice trip to the US. Obviously its a good outcome as I have my script and I can get us started before I embark on a 18 hour flight alone with an infant with reflux! However, you just wonder what would happen if I didn't know my stuff?? I find it absolutely shocking the lack of awareness of BFing in the NHS. We had loads of problems at first and were given terrible advice by some of the nurses and midwives. Its only that we had an IM and I found a community group on my own that I am still feeding DS myself!! Why does it have to be such a battle? ARGH!!!! and WOO HOO for being stroppy! :)
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: Oh Frabjous Day DATE: 7/19/2007 02:14:00 AM ----- BODY:
It seems that today is a better day. Ellis hasn't really fussed this morning and is sleeping quite well. You know sometimes I think he is the infant version of Jekyll and Hyde--one day he is a complete monster the next he just bats those lovely long eyelashes he got from his father and says, "Who me?". Yesterday I made my first excursion on my own to the grocery store since Ellis was born. I usually just order online, but we were desperate for something for dinner, so I plopped E in the pram and out we went. He still hates that thing. I have put the "big boy" seat on it so that he can see around a bit better. He loves i for all of about 10 minutes then he starts to cry. Which I am a sucker for. I don't know why I continue to persevere with it...well, I do know: the hot hot heat in Iowa and the bloody expense and stress the thing has cost me. I still do think they are quite strange contraptions. Wheeled carts, often heavier than the baby that goes in them, where baby is at the exact height of exhaust fumes and pushed first into oncoming traffic. And ours doesn't even have a cup holder. I am going to try it again today as its raining and I don't like carrying the wee one into town in the wet because I am clumsy and don't have a rain jacket big enough for the both of us. At the grocery we saw 4 people we know. Its a good thing I put a bra on and took that shower! I think the dog is dying to escape us. She has started digging escape routes out of the garden. Hopefully she will be rehomed before she hits free air. Not much on today. The weather has resumed its grey greyness. We did have sun and warmth yesterday just to tease us. Oh well, I am of o town to pick up some things and get a muffin. I love muffins.
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: News and Views DATE: 7/18/2007 04:30:00 AM ----- BODY:
So everything and nothing has been happening in the Harrison-Goldin household. Ellis saw the health visitor yesterday and it does look like he has reflux. I am relieved and I did believe something is wrong and its always nice to know one is not crazy. However, we agreed that he shouldn't really take the meds as they often cause additional problems with feeding and usually make the babies MORE fussy and put them off the breast. Not something we particularly want heading off on an international flight. It should go away with time, but the wee guy will continue to be miserable. Shame. However, he is still gaining weight. He weighed 11lbs 11oz yesterday. He's effectively doubled his birth weight in 4 months...something they don't expect until they are 6 months old. Well done, Ellis! He has been so upset the last three days--screaming bloody murder. I am not sure what the problem is, but I can't wait for it to stop as it has meant that I am struggling to do much of anything at the moment. However, you'll all be happy to know that I did manage to take a shower yesterday. On the flight front, I didn't manage to get a bassinet. I am slightly irritated that I didn't book before hand, but then how was I to know? I have been moved to an aisle seat, so at least he won't puke on anyone except me. I have also confirmed that the pram can come through with us to be gate checked. Now its really just about weighing up whether its more hassle than the expense of getting something in the states. TBH the jury is still out on that one. I know that I can get it through, fold it up, and wheel it about with baby in tow. It is a hassle though...
----- -------- AUTHOR: Kat and Kev TITLE: A Word to the Muthas DATE: 7/15/2007 01:35:00 PM ----- BODY:
Thank you, thank you for the comments of concern about my current mental state...However, for the record I would like to remind you that I am highly strung. It is my nature and its unlikely that I will change. So I think we know where Mr HG gets it from. All is OK here. It was boys day and the fellas went into town so that I could have a bit of piece and quiet. It was lovely, but man was I happy to see the wee man when he returned. Kev has uploaded tons more pics, so take a look at Our Photos.
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