Shrek the Third

We had a free afternoon and after an TV programme about Shrek the third and me moaning about how we hadn't been to the cinema in ages. Liam and I decided to bite the bullet and take Martha to the cinema for the first time. It helped that she was free, it costs so much these days! we saw Shrek the Third and Martha was great, she got a little loud but I think that was initially due to boredom from sitting in the same position because as soon as one of us got up to take her out she stopped crying, typical. The film was good, of course it was it was Shrek! Martha got some free Shrek ears, not sure she liked them but it was tough her horrible Mum and Dad couldn't resist! So anyway here is a picture of Martha with her beautiful Shrek ears, reminds me of our wedding day when I wore those terrible big ears- like Mother like Daughter!

Work news

So after having over 7 months off work on Maternity leave, the time has come for me to return to work. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I will be in Year 2 next year with people I have worked with before, two of them being very good friends Theresa and Pinder. I am glad I am in year 2 as it is something I know well and it will mean that hopefully juggling working and being a Mum should be a bit easier- in theory.
I have also found out that when I go back to work next week that I will be based in Reception like I was in September and will have to be a bit flexible in that I may have to do cover in Year 1 or 2. I am pleased also about this as I was concerened that I might have been put in Key Stage 2 to do cover and all I really want these next four weeks are an easy life. Will let you know how it goes, as always.

More news

Martha and I have been doing something recently which is called 'Tiny talk', its a baby signing class and the idea is that by doing some signs for things like milk, food, animals and manners to name a few, Martha will be able to understand what I am saying and then hopefully use these signs herself. A couple of my friends have done it previously with their children and I have seen them sign so I know it works. We have been doing it for a few weeks now and Martha certainly knows the sign for milk, so much so that I can't sign it or say the word unless it is made up as she goes mad if its not there ready. Its really amazing and great that I know she understands me now. I have got one more session this week before I am back in work on Monday and Liam will take her when he is off work and then my parents will hopefully take her for a week. Then they have a break over the summer holidays but as I have got the days I want in work I will still be able to go on a Friday. I will keep you updated on how she is doing with the signs.

Couple of recent pics

Marthas first swimming lesson

A couple of weeks ago Martha had her first swimming lesson, unfortunately cameras are not allowed by the pool so the only pic I have is before hand all ready in her little swimsuit. She really enjoyed it and so did I. This week in her second lesson she got dunked! twice! The second time came as a bit of a shock to her but thats because she was too busy watching what else was going on- as usual. Before the session started we got to see an advanced group of baby swimmers who were amazing, doing little dives and breathing exercises. I would like to continue taking Martha but unfortunately it runs on a Monday and I will be in work on that day so will have to see if I can do the next course on another day. Will keep you updated on how she is doing.

Martha and some of her friends

Just some pictures of Martha and her friends

Eoin and Sara
Sara
Adi
Martha and George
Jac and Martha

Bank holiday week! Very busy!

Bank holiday Monday saw me driving to wales with Martha, it was a miserable day and the sort of weather I hate driving in, oh well nevermind, I took it steady and both Martha and I arrived in one piece! That Monday was fairly quite and was spent planning out the week.
Tuesday saw Martha, my Mum and Dad and myself going down West (Wales) to visit my Gran, it was a lovely day and we spent most of the afternoon in the conservatory. We also spent a bit if time in my grans garden, its huge and it makes Liam extremely jealous every time he sees it, luckily he wasn't there this time. I know that one day both Liam and I want to move somewhere that has a fairly big garden, somewhere we can grow our fruit and veg and also where there is space for Martha to run around.
Wednesday saw Martha and myself head West again, this time we saw my friend Nic and her little boy Jac. When I arrived Nic had to pop out and get some milk so it was me, Martha and Jac. It really put into perspective how difficult twins must be, at one point I had both children on my knees and wasn't sure how I was ever going to move, especially when they seemed to be setting each other off. Anyway Nic came back soon enough and my crisis was over! We had a lovely afternoon and a good catch up.
Thursday was a bit more relaxed and I think it was good for Martha as she had a cold and needed the break from travelling. I also woke up that day with a very sore throat and needed to take it easy.
Friday was spent getting sorted for Saturday, first we went to Swansea, I had some bits I wanted to go back and Mam needed a few things. We then ended up in tescos getting food for Saturdays do.
Anna had been around most of the day and had spent the day with my Dad looking at bathrooms as she is looking to getting a new one.
Friday night Liam and David came down and it was really nice to see Liam after a week away. It was nice to see David too of course.
Saturday morning Liam and I went to view a couple of houses in Pembrey, not sure whether this was a stupid thing to do or not but we did it anyway and fell in love with one house, unfortunately when it came down to looking at figures etc it ended up being a little out of our league.
Anyway onto the exciting bit, back in December it was my Dads 65th birthday and in Jan it was my 30th and both my Dad and I had decided we wanted to celebrate with our family. However when it came to it back in Jan, Martha was stil very small and we just had a low key meal with immediate family and said we would have a bbq in the summer, well summer is here so thats what we did- well almost.
We decided that a bbq would mean someone cooking all day so though better of it and just had a buffet. We had nearly all my dads side of the family and then quite a few of my mums side. The weather was dry which meant people could sit outside, it wasn't too hot either which was nice. It was really good to see everyone and catch up with everyones news. Also a big thank you to those of you that made it, it was a truly lovely day.
So Sunday was time to come back to London and we had a nice packed car with Liam, David, Sarah, myself and of course Martha and all her gear. The journey wasn't too bad and I wasn't as squashed as I thought I would be, not something to do very often though I must say but once in awhile is fine.
Well feels like I have written an essay rather than just some short news so will leave it at that for now and catch up later with last weeks news and some pics too.

Bank holiday weekend

On the May bank holiday weekend we had Liams mum and Steve down, which was nice for them to spend some time with Martha. I went into London and met my sister Sarah and was supposed to go out to a bbq in the evening with some people from work, however that ended up falling through which did make me a bit upset and it took sarah a lot of time to convince me to go out with her and some of her friends that were going out for a drink that evening. We ended up having a mad dash around the shops on Oxford Street of all places to find me something to wear!!! Totally unlike me and I ended buyinga totally new outfit including shoes.
Seeing as we had Lynn and Steve down Liam decided to come and meet us too, if I had known he was going to do that I wouldn't have bothered buying a new oufit! Oh well, I had wanted some new jeans anyway so no problems there! Liam and I had a really good night, we ended up meeting Sarahs new bloke Chris and caught up with my brother David too which was nice. It was also very good for Liam and I to be out together having a drink.
Bank holiday Monday saw me driving to Wales with Martha for the week, see next post!!

Just as everyone thought I was getting better at this!!!

Looks like its been awhile again then. So we had a fairly quiet week after my 5km run and I haven't done any running since!!! I am going to enter a 10km which is in September so that will get me out there again. Also another reason I haven't done much running is because since I gave birth I have been having a problem with me knees. I have now seen the doctor and she was in two minds about the running situation. She obviously said that excercise is good but if my knees play up more when I am running then to take it easy. Basically she said that I have this condition which is an inflammation around the knee. Apparantly it is very common and is often associated with sitting for long periods, something I did a lot of just before I gave birth. Hopefully as soon as I get into the running again and just keeping moving rather than sitting then it will all be fine. Martha is certainly keeping me on my feet at the moment and no doubt as soon as she starts crawling its going to be even worse!!