But in the form of words
Showing posts with label Fatherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fatherhood. Show all posts
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Day 227 standing
It now seems every week out youngest daughter chalks something off her to do list of development. Today this was her caught pulling herself up and standing all by herself aided. She then turned to me to smile to show how satisfied she was with her latest achievement
Monday, 6 August 2012
Day 219 Pirates
Yarrrrrrr there be a lot of pirates around these here parts, shiver me timbers and grab me bottle of rum and lets set sail for davey jones' locker,
Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of Rum!!!!!
Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of Rum!!!!!
Friday, 3 August 2012
Sunday, 29 July 2012
Day 214 learning to stand
Youngest daughter seems to be developing very fast these days, it was only the other week that she started to get mobile and started dragging herself through the house. Needless to say the last few weeks has seen us chasing her around the house and not able to leave her along for a minute as she drags herself here there and everywhere.
However she is now a lot stronger in her legs and is now able to stand with the help from myself or mummy....
However she is now a lot stronger in her legs and is now able to stand with the help from myself or mummy....
Day 212 Back to the drawing board
A few weeks ago I posted about eldests artistic ability and how she had not only got her paintings in a show along side adults work, but had won a prize and even sold her art, we later found out that there were 2 people who were interested buying her work and it got quite competitive.
Well she was back to creating more masterpieces today and here's some pictures of her doing so....
She calls these bees and fly, quite something for a 4 year old
Well she was back to creating more masterpieces today and here's some pictures of her doing so....
She calls these bees and fly, quite something for a 4 year old
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Day 206 peek a boo
The postman tried to deliver this today but it couldn't fit through the letter box....
Monday, 23 July 2012
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Day 201 Caught in the Act
She's so cute but in this picture she looks like she's been caught up to no good....
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Day 200 Full of smiles
Wow day 200 of the year, where has the time gone. Soon someone will be 8 months old and now she's acting like a little person. She has likes and dislikes and often shows her emotions, she's a very smiley baby as todays picture perfectly shows....
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Day 192 Art
Eldest daughter entered an art show last week, along with her mother and her nanny. Not only did her pieces get past the judges and into the show but she also won a highly commended prize, and she has even sold both paintings! Wow I might have to start selling more of her other work....
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Day 162 Daddy Daughter
This past weekend has seen us all have some good family fun. I have spent time with all 3 of my girls and its been nice. Thankfully the weather has also been nice, so we have spent the large part of it outdoors enjoying different events and doing a lot of walking. Todays pic, is actually 2 pictures, the first of me a youngest enjoying a ride in daddy's arms....
the second of eldest enjoying a ride on my shoulders....
who needs the gym when I've go to carry these two around!
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Day 112 A visit
Today mummy went off to Blogcamp in Birmingham. Leaving me with the girls. So I enlisted to help of Nana and my nephew CJ, along with his mam. So we took the kids to Winkies, a local play area for children.
Both ER and CJ enjoyed being able to run around,play and be crazy and loud. Meanwhile TV got lots of attention by her Nana and her auntie.
CJ decided to part take on what has become mine and ERs weekly funny face competition....
And of course ER had to have hers taken....
Meanwhile TV was getting plenty of hugs and attention by Nana...
I'm guessing it won't be too long before she's up and playing with her sister and cousin. Meanwhile ER's trusty sidekick Rabbit guarded her shoes by wearing them whilst also getting ready 8 months ahead of time for Christmas by wearing a Santa coat...
After playing at Winkies for a good 3 hours we headed home so we could wave Nana and CJ off. A lively day spent with great family, we hope mummy had a nice relaxing day at her blogfest.
Both ER and CJ enjoyed being able to run around,play and be crazy and loud. Meanwhile TV got lots of attention by her Nana and her auntie.
And of course ER had to have hers taken....
Meanwhile TV was getting plenty of hugs and attention by Nana...
I'm guessing it won't be too long before she's up and playing with her sister and cousin. Meanwhile ER's trusty sidekick Rabbit guarded her shoes by wearing them whilst also getting ready 8 months ahead of time for Christmas by wearing a Santa coat...
After playing at Winkies for a good 3 hours we headed home so we could wave Nana and CJ off. A lively day spent with great family, we hope mummy had a nice relaxing day at her blogfest.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Day 94 two cuties
Now this us a picture. The two sisters playing happily together. Ok one is a little too old for this toy but this will be a picture we look at often in the future and say, "Aww look how cute they both are playing together nicely and not fighting" once we get to the teenage years and they start fighting instead of playing I'm getting a dog and taking up rambling!
Friday, 23 March 2012
Life's a beach
Last weekend saw us embrace the sunny weather and hit the seaside with the kids. Although the weekend started with a sombre affair for my OH having to attend a family funeral it gave me time to look after the girls by myself, something I don't get much to do.
We decided this was the perfect opportunity to go shopping for mummy's mothers day and birthday pressies. We got our tools and started work, eventually we ended up making this rather nifty looking card for mummy....
The next day mummy again left me with the girls as she went to the salon to be pampered for her birthday. I fed the children whilst youngest decided to have a 3 hour nap straight after hampering our days activities. After this we headed towards Scarborough to grab a bit to eat before meeting up with mummy who looked very relaxed and refreshed after her mornings worth of pampering. We then headed towards the seaside, this was the first time youngest had ever been to the seaside, and the first time I've took eldest there. In Scarborough there's the old tram that takes you down, we opted for this route, although I can never remember going on this as a child myself....
As we reached the bottom if the hill we decided to nip into one if the arcades.....
But eldest was a little scared of them....
As we reached the seafront a thousand memories came flooding back. I hadn't been to Scarborough since I was about 10, but can remember walking along the seafront scaring my mum half to death thinking I've run off when I was busy playing on the games in the arcades trying to persuade her to give me some more money. We then went to get an ice cream, mummy insisted on going to a certain ice cream shop that she'd always go to as a little girl so we each plumped for our individual tastes, mummy went for a full lemon ice cream....
I went for a strawberry topped Ice cream....
And eldest went for a milk lolly....
Youngest didn't think much about daddy's ice cream....
And eldest didn't think much of mummy's....
But as we strolled along the seafront with our ice creams, in what then turned typical colder weather mummy then said, "oh wait, that's the ice cream shop!" she'd made us go to the wrong place, silly ! On our way back we let eldest walk along the beach which she enjoyed but myself and youngest had to walk on the Path as the wheels to the pram wouldn't move in the sand. So eldest was looking cute walking hand in hand with mummy....
As walking on the sand, the temptation is too great not to play with it and allow the small grains slip through her fingers so eldest must pick up the sand and throw it around, I'm just surprised she didn't get any in her eye....
And of course just was the girls get off the beach and back onto tarmac, they must get rid of all the sand that has collected in their shoes, after all we love the beach but we don;t ant to take it home with us....
On our way home both girls had a nice sleep as of course the day was long , and I couldn't resist but take a picture of eldest as she slept, she'll probably kill me for this photo one day when she's older....
We promised her another trip back to the seaside so she can build a sandcastle next time, that'll be interesting!
We decided this was the perfect opportunity to go shopping for mummy's mothers day and birthday pressies. We got our tools and started work, eventually we ended up making this rather nifty looking card for mummy....
The next day mummy again left me with the girls as she went to the salon to be pampered for her birthday. I fed the children whilst youngest decided to have a 3 hour nap straight after hampering our days activities. After this we headed towards Scarborough to grab a bit to eat before meeting up with mummy who looked very relaxed and refreshed after her mornings worth of pampering. We then headed towards the seaside, this was the first time youngest had ever been to the seaside, and the first time I've took eldest there. In Scarborough there's the old tram that takes you down, we opted for this route, although I can never remember going on this as a child myself....
As we reached the bottom if the hill we decided to nip into one if the arcades.....
But eldest was a little scared of them....
As we reached the seafront a thousand memories came flooding back. I hadn't been to Scarborough since I was about 10, but can remember walking along the seafront scaring my mum half to death thinking I've run off when I was busy playing on the games in the arcades trying to persuade her to give me some more money. We then went to get an ice cream, mummy insisted on going to a certain ice cream shop that she'd always go to as a little girl so we each plumped for our individual tastes, mummy went for a full lemon ice cream....
I went for a strawberry topped Ice cream....
And eldest went for a milk lolly....
But as we strolled along the seafront with our ice creams, in what then turned typical colder weather mummy then said, "oh wait, that's the ice cream shop!" she'd made us go to the wrong place, silly ! On our way back we let eldest walk along the beach which she enjoyed but myself and youngest had to walk on the Path as the wheels to the pram wouldn't move in the sand. So eldest was looking cute walking hand in hand with mummy....
As walking on the sand, the temptation is too great not to play with it and allow the small grains slip through her fingers so eldest must pick up the sand and throw it around, I'm just surprised she didn't get any in her eye....
And of course just was the girls get off the beach and back onto tarmac, they must get rid of all the sand that has collected in their shoes, after all we love the beach but we don;t ant to take it home with us....
On our way home both girls had a nice sleep as of course the day was long , and I couldn't resist but take a picture of eldest as she slept, she'll probably kill me for this photo one day when she's older....
We promised her another trip back to the seaside so she can build a sandcastle next time, that'll be interesting!
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Day 77 Bit Sour...
We had a trip to the seaside today, and eldest child was promised an Ice Cream if she was good enough. She kept her end of the bargain.... Just and so did we. But she wasn't quite sure on mummys ice cream....
But she enjoyed her own.....
But she enjoyed her own.....
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Dealing with stresses and strains
Many who read my blog will usually see how light hearted and family orientated it is, but this post is a little heavier. Many will know my OH and possible have read her blog over at peagreenpod many will know that she has been suffering since the birth of our child.
We've been trying to deal with these issues together and trying to get through it but this is easier said than done. Naturally there are good days and there are bad days you just deal with this. However help is not always what it seems, we have often grown frustrated as the so called help dwindles and twiddles it's thumbs, and the the other night I tried to research help for dads who have to support Post Natal Depression (PND) mothers and found very little offering help and advice. All I was looking for was advice and tips for Dads on how to support their loved ones but found very few websites offering this, and any that did offer advice and help were simply spouting the same things as commonly said, many that sounds that one person has written them years ago in one text book probably written when Freud was alive!
For those of you not aware of this advice it basically consists of a little practical support, such as helping around the house, can go a long way towards lifting there depression. Even the odd hour of babysitting, so you can have time alone. Being there for them and listening.
Now I'm not saying this advice isn't useful or helpful, it is, I just find it very frustrating that there isn't more help or advice for this, as it is very frustrating for myself when I am trying to help my OH go through what she is. You feel useless and powerless and all you want to do is make things better and you really don't know how. But to match this, you grow bitter and angry towards to so called help that is meant to be there for us.
We have recently had a Care Co-ordinator visit us a few times, only to seemingly drop off the face of the earth. OH had a call before an appointment to say her Care Co-ordinator wouldn't be visiting today due to sickness, which is fair do's everyone is entitled to sickness leave, I'm not angry at that. What I am angry at is that 3 weeks later we still had no contact from anyone, not the Care Co-ordinator or the office to offer someone else or see how we were coping, which is quite worrying. If they are meant to be a support network and help us get structured and on to a path health and happiness, then they have left us completely by ourselves to deal with it. As to say if they were our safety net from a fall then they buggered up cos my ass is hurting!
They promised a lot and have delivered very little, they promised us a support worker who would come visit and help set up activities for my OH to do with the kids etc. This was promised over 6 weeks ago and yet nothing has happened. They promised to help give us specifically my OH structure for her days and yet nothing has happened. Key information again missing. This is very worrying, my OH suffers from her condition to herself and has often questioned her existence, I'm sure there are many more woman who feel like this in the area, let alone country and it is worrying to think that they too are being given false pretences by this so-called support.
I know this post might sound like I am complaining and directing my frustrations all in one direction, and I certainly could have done more to avoid this situation, but who do you direct all your concerns in this area to? I want and will help my OH deal with this, and I will do whatever it takes to help, but I'm not ashamed to admit I need help in doing so. I want the help that is meant to be there but I will not allow it to offer us these false pretences and be very sceptical of it until it has followed through.
I feel there should be more out there to help fellow Dads in this situation, not specifically the support system failing but for Dads who have to support their OH going through with PND. I know its all important that in this situation we have to suck it up and do as much as we can and it's all about the mother getting better, I'm not trying to take that away. All I suggest is more information for Dads and even a kind of support group etc, after all Dad's in this situation need to vent too and to talk to other people in the similar situation or those who have previously experienced it that can help. That way we can help the mothers as much as possible and what works for one Dad might not work for another but it's worth trying isn't it? Theres obviously various different reasons for PND and different ways mothers feel it and cope with it, but the end goal for all is surely the same isn't it, to get the mother feeling better.
I'd love for anyone to comment and air their views, please tell me if you think I'm misunderstanding this whole situation, or whatever....
We've been trying to deal with these issues together and trying to get through it but this is easier said than done. Naturally there are good days and there are bad days you just deal with this. However help is not always what it seems, we have often grown frustrated as the so called help dwindles and twiddles it's thumbs, and the the other night I tried to research help for dads who have to support Post Natal Depression (PND) mothers and found very little offering help and advice. All I was looking for was advice and tips for Dads on how to support their loved ones but found very few websites offering this, and any that did offer advice and help were simply spouting the same things as commonly said, many that sounds that one person has written them years ago in one text book probably written when Freud was alive!
For those of you not aware of this advice it basically consists of a little practical support, such as helping around the house, can go a long way towards lifting there depression. Even the odd hour of babysitting, so you can have time alone. Being there for them and listening.
Now I'm not saying this advice isn't useful or helpful, it is, I just find it very frustrating that there isn't more help or advice for this, as it is very frustrating for myself when I am trying to help my OH go through what she is. You feel useless and powerless and all you want to do is make things better and you really don't know how. But to match this, you grow bitter and angry towards to so called help that is meant to be there for us.
We have recently had a Care Co-ordinator visit us a few times, only to seemingly drop off the face of the earth. OH had a call before an appointment to say her Care Co-ordinator wouldn't be visiting today due to sickness, which is fair do's everyone is entitled to sickness leave, I'm not angry at that. What I am angry at is that 3 weeks later we still had no contact from anyone, not the Care Co-ordinator or the office to offer someone else or see how we were coping, which is quite worrying. If they are meant to be a support network and help us get structured and on to a path health and happiness, then they have left us completely by ourselves to deal with it. As to say if they were our safety net from a fall then they buggered up cos my ass is hurting!
They promised a lot and have delivered very little, they promised us a support worker who would come visit and help set up activities for my OH to do with the kids etc. This was promised over 6 weeks ago and yet nothing has happened. They promised to help give us specifically my OH structure for her days and yet nothing has happened. Key information again missing. This is very worrying, my OH suffers from her condition to herself and has often questioned her existence, I'm sure there are many more woman who feel like this in the area, let alone country and it is worrying to think that they too are being given false pretences by this so-called support.
I know this post might sound like I am complaining and directing my frustrations all in one direction, and I certainly could have done more to avoid this situation, but who do you direct all your concerns in this area to? I want and will help my OH deal with this, and I will do whatever it takes to help, but I'm not ashamed to admit I need help in doing so. I want the help that is meant to be there but I will not allow it to offer us these false pretences and be very sceptical of it until it has followed through.
I feel there should be more out there to help fellow Dads in this situation, not specifically the support system failing but for Dads who have to support their OH going through with PND. I know its all important that in this situation we have to suck it up and do as much as we can and it's all about the mother getting better, I'm not trying to take that away. All I suggest is more information for Dads and even a kind of support group etc, after all Dad's in this situation need to vent too and to talk to other people in the similar situation or those who have previously experienced it that can help. That way we can help the mothers as much as possible and what works for one Dad might not work for another but it's worth trying isn't it? Theres obviously various different reasons for PND and different ways mothers feel it and cope with it, but the end goal for all is surely the same isn't it, to get the mother feeling better.
I'd love for anyone to comment and air their views, please tell me if you think I'm misunderstanding this whole situation, or whatever....
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
A Visit to the Farm....
This weekend saw ER's 4th birthday. In previous posts you might have seen that she at one pointed requested a baby brother for her birthday, despite the fact that her baby sister is only 3 months old. Well as a world exclusive, on Comfort In Sound I can announce that her birthday wish won't be coming true. Sorry to break that you and to ER but at this moment in time we do not wish to add another little one to our family but perhaps in the future.
Anyway back to the main event, in previous posts ER had mentioned how she would like to spend her birthday on a farm, so this wish was granted. We visited a farm in Bedale called Big Sheep Little Cow and she had quite the entourage for her birthday. The previous day had been spent in Malton and she had a rainbow party, just like in the book Zebras rainbow party. Unfortunately I couldn't be there for this is due to work, but I was there for the farm visit.
The day started like unlike any other day, usually we get woken up by ER in the morning to the dound of her playing on her keyboard or playing in TV's room, that she has been told time and again that she must stay out of. However this day saw me having to wake her up. I had put her to bed the night previously fully dressed as she was quite tired and didn't go to bed late. As I woke her and took her photo suprinsingly to her she resembled her mother after a heavy night out emerging to the world dazed and confused.....
After a spot of breakfast it was time to open the hastily wrapped presents tht had been wrapped around 30 minutes prior as me and mummy are rubbish at organising such simple tasks....
Of course ER especially liked her gift by her little sister TV....
We were undoubtly running late as we had arranged for ER's entourage to meet us at the farm at 11am, so as we got everyone dressed and ready we drove to Bedale to the farm. Upon our drive the entourage consisting of my nephew CJ, my sister (his mummy) and nana (my mum) yes more adults than children
going to a childs birthday party, informed us they had missed the exit and where now going down the motorway in the opposit direction. This would therefore find us arriving first. As we arrived at the farm we only had to wait 5 minutes for the entourage to be complete and then nana shocked us by showing the boot of her car full of presents....
Both ER and CJ were being cute as always together and showing how much they are getting use to one another and becoming good friends by holding hands as well as ER ensuring rabbit is clutched firmly within her grasp for extra comfort...
Of course any trip to the farm would mean everyone needed there wellies so the whole family had there wellies on, even ER's faithful friend rabbit put his wellies on for the occassion....
After getting the kids out of the car we made our way into the farm. Our tour was at 2:30pm so we had a good 2 hours to kill first, luckily the farm has a cafe and a giant soft play area for the kids. Needless to say the kids (except TV) loved this. ER was a bit of a wuss at first as she didn't want to go down the slide whereas CJ was an absolute maniac running around like a headless chicken, so much so he forgot he needed the toilet, whoops!
Inbetween all the madness of the soft play area we had some lunch, but most importantly was the unveiling of the cake that me and mummy made. In keeping with the farm theme we made a farm cake with sheep, pigs, cows and ducks with candles. We sang happy birthday to ER and let her blow out the candles of the cake, then ate the cake, which I am proud of but it had to happen, but at least it was delicious....
As you can see the cake was very tasty and enjoyed by all.
At 2:30 started the farm tour, this started eventfully as the farm goose was walking around freely, whe CJ approached the goose the goose decided to try bite him then his mums feet, I couldn't help but laugh as the goose started chasing CJ around the courtyard....
We then went on the tour where we got to meet and pet all sorts from the very little like mice, who were called choc and chip after the farmer tricked us into seeing them offering us cookies as they were hidden in the cookie jar....
To the very slow like this tortoise.....
To the very prickly like this cute hedgehog....
To the long eared like this rabbit....
To the soft like the chinchilla.....
To the big and hairy like the pigs....
To the bearded hungry ones like this goat....
To the short like this pony.....
And to the cute like this baby lamb....
After the tour we went back to the soft play area for a bit more fun, this time me and mummy played down the slide which was great fun. Once we had decided it was time to go it was time to say goodbye to ERs entourage and loaded up our car with all her presents.
On our way home ER was asked which was her faveourite animal which she replied pigs, but she wouldn't elaborate why. As we got home we unloaded the car and ER immediately started opening everything and wanted to play with everything, which she managed unsuccessfully.
After bath time there was one more suprise left for ER, her big present. It was all set up for her in her room a wooden kitchen. Unfortunately as she got to bed she was a little too tired to realise what was there and so came to an end ERs 4th birthday.
Happy birthday ER x
Anyway back to the main event, in previous posts ER had mentioned how she would like to spend her birthday on a farm, so this wish was granted. We visited a farm in Bedale called Big Sheep Little Cow and she had quite the entourage for her birthday. The previous day had been spent in Malton and she had a rainbow party, just like in the book Zebras rainbow party. Unfortunately I couldn't be there for this is due to work, but I was there for the farm visit.
The day started like unlike any other day, usually we get woken up by ER in the morning to the dound of her playing on her keyboard or playing in TV's room, that she has been told time and again that she must stay out of. However this day saw me having to wake her up. I had put her to bed the night previously fully dressed as she was quite tired and didn't go to bed late. As I woke her and took her photo suprinsingly to her she resembled her mother after a heavy night out emerging to the world dazed and confused.....
After a spot of breakfast it was time to open the hastily wrapped presents tht had been wrapped around 30 minutes prior as me and mummy are rubbish at organising such simple tasks....
Of course ER especially liked her gift by her little sister TV....
We were undoubtly running late as we had arranged for ER's entourage to meet us at the farm at 11am, so as we got everyone dressed and ready we drove to Bedale to the farm. Upon our drive the entourage consisting of my nephew CJ, my sister (his mummy) and nana (my mum) yes more adults than children
going to a childs birthday party, informed us they had missed the exit and where now going down the motorway in the opposit direction. This would therefore find us arriving first. As we arrived at the farm we only had to wait 5 minutes for the entourage to be complete and then nana shocked us by showing the boot of her car full of presents....
Both ER and CJ were being cute as always together and showing how much they are getting use to one another and becoming good friends by holding hands as well as ER ensuring rabbit is clutched firmly within her grasp for extra comfort...
Of course any trip to the farm would mean everyone needed there wellies so the whole family had there wellies on, even ER's faithful friend rabbit put his wellies on for the occassion....
After getting the kids out of the car we made our way into the farm. Our tour was at 2:30pm so we had a good 2 hours to kill first, luckily the farm has a cafe and a giant soft play area for the kids. Needless to say the kids (except TV) loved this. ER was a bit of a wuss at first as she didn't want to go down the slide whereas CJ was an absolute maniac running around like a headless chicken, so much so he forgot he needed the toilet, whoops!
Inbetween all the madness of the soft play area we had some lunch, but most importantly was the unveiling of the cake that me and mummy made. In keeping with the farm theme we made a farm cake with sheep, pigs, cows and ducks with candles. We sang happy birthday to ER and let her blow out the candles of the cake, then ate the cake, which I am proud of but it had to happen, but at least it was delicious....
As you can see the cake was very tasty and enjoyed by all.
At 2:30 started the farm tour, this started eventfully as the farm goose was walking around freely, whe CJ approached the goose the goose decided to try bite him then his mums feet, I couldn't help but laugh as the goose started chasing CJ around the courtyard....
We then went on the tour where we got to meet and pet all sorts from the very little like mice, who were called choc and chip after the farmer tricked us into seeing them offering us cookies as they were hidden in the cookie jar....
To the very slow like this tortoise.....
To the very prickly like this cute hedgehog....
To the long eared like this rabbit....
To the soft like the chinchilla.....
To the big and hairy like the pigs....
To the bearded hungry ones like this goat....
To the short like this pony.....
And to the cute like this baby lamb....
After the tour we went back to the soft play area for a bit more fun, this time me and mummy played down the slide which was great fun. Once we had decided it was time to go it was time to say goodbye to ERs entourage and loaded up our car with all her presents.
On our way home ER was asked which was her faveourite animal which she replied pigs, but she wouldn't elaborate why. As we got home we unloaded the car and ER immediately started opening everything and wanted to play with everything, which she managed unsuccessfully.
After bath time there was one more suprise left for ER, her big present. It was all set up for her in her room a wooden kitchen. Unfortunately as she got to bed she was a little too tired to realise what was there and so came to an end ERs 4th birthday.
Happy birthday ER x
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