We've had a really difficult time of late with potty training and a lot and lot of pants needing to be washed. We've finally worked out that it's linked to an increase in drinking more milk and not enough water. As a result Vera's been constipated and also been holding it in, which has resulted in many, many little accidents
.
I've found this extremely stressful as I dont know how to fix it and not always been great in not sharing how I feel about it.Not my proudest moment as a mum. The worst thing you can do is turning going to the potty into a more stressful experience.
So now we have moved to drinking much more water, upping the fibre intake, Lactulose in small doses and trying with a set, relaxed toilet time after dinner.I'm lighting candles in the downstairs toilet and setting it up for Princess Vera and hoping that it is a more relaxing and ultimately successful experience for her.
Early days as of yet, but hopefully we're on the right path.
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Summer heat
We've enjoyed a couple of glorious summer days, in the midst of a good summer. These are the type of days we'll look back on in deepest darkest November and wish we could could beam ourselves back to.
Yesterday Mark took an inpromptu day off and Vera and him enjoyed summer in the hood, including paddling pool, a trip to the park, a pedalo boat ride and ice cream and a lovely BBQ when mamma came home from work.
This morning we got up early (for us) and Vera and I went off to her first dance class at the Constance Grant Dance Centre near Vera's nursery. It was a pre-school taster class and there were about 20 children (all girls) and 4 dance teachers. Us parents got to stay to support the newcomers.
Vera was one of the youngest ones there and a bit apprehensive at first. Some of the children who'd had lessons there before were used to the the dance moves. I was very proud of Vera as she tried everything and threw herself into it with gusto, albeit lacking some of the grace of the more experienced dancers. It's entirely up to her if she wants to continue, but I think it's good as she learns to listen to instructions, interact with new friends and most importantly move and have fun to music
In the afternoon, we met some friends in Endcliffe Park for a picnic, we had nice food and Pimms and the children played and then we wandered over to the Folk Forest which is a free event part of the Tramlines music festival. Lots of people and many families about enjoying the sunshine, music and atmosphere.
We got the bus back and had a nice dinner outside, perfect end to a great day!
Yesterday Mark took an inpromptu day off and Vera and him enjoyed summer in the hood, including paddling pool, a trip to the park, a pedalo boat ride and ice cream and a lovely BBQ when mamma came home from work.
This morning we got up early (for us) and Vera and I went off to her first dance class at the Constance Grant Dance Centre near Vera's nursery. It was a pre-school taster class and there were about 20 children (all girls) and 4 dance teachers. Us parents got to stay to support the newcomers.
Vera was one of the youngest ones there and a bit apprehensive at first. Some of the children who'd had lessons there before were used to the the dance moves. I was very proud of Vera as she tried everything and threw herself into it with gusto, albeit lacking some of the grace of the more experienced dancers. It's entirely up to her if she wants to continue, but I think it's good as she learns to listen to instructions, interact with new friends and most importantly move and have fun to music
In the afternoon, we met some friends in Endcliffe Park for a picnic, we had nice food and Pimms and the children played and then we wandered over to the Folk Forest which is a free event part of the Tramlines music festival. Lots of people and many families about enjoying the sunshine, music and atmosphere.
We got the bus back and had a nice dinner outside, perfect end to a great day!
Sunday, 20 July 2014
Cramebridge
This weekend we had visitors from Cambridge, or Cramebridge as Vera likes to call it.
Ana, Mark and Ariane arrived on Saturday after lunch after a rainy drive up from Cambridge. Saturday was full of rain, thunder and lightening - but we had a great time catching up.When the rain let off a bit in the late afternoon, the girls were out playing in the garden and Ariane was holding the fort in Vera's playhouse cooking up a storm :-)
Today we headed down to Millhouses Park and it was lovely in the sunshine, with water play, swings, slides and you name it, followed by a lunch and more play at The Stag's Head in Psalter Lane.
It's lovely see spend time with good friends and sad when they leave.
Vera is continuing to assert her independence and is funny to chat to. She's learn to say shut up (not from us!) and when we tell her off she's saying "I'm NOT saying shut up", When she was really trying to prove a point in the car the other day she said "I'm not saying shut up mamma, I'm saying köttbullar"! This is clever/funny as the k in köttbullar is very close to the sound of "sh" in "shut up". On a par with us adults saying "sugar" instead of "sh*t", but mixing languages in a bilingual way!
Ana, Mark and Ariane arrived on Saturday after lunch after a rainy drive up from Cambridge. Saturday was full of rain, thunder and lightening - but we had a great time catching up.When the rain let off a bit in the late afternoon, the girls were out playing in the garden and Ariane was holding the fort in Vera's playhouse cooking up a storm :-)
Today we headed down to Millhouses Park and it was lovely in the sunshine, with water play, swings, slides and you name it, followed by a lunch and more play at The Stag's Head in Psalter Lane.
It's lovely see spend time with good friends and sad when they leave.
Vera is continuing to assert her independence and is funny to chat to. She's learn to say shut up (not from us!) and when we tell her off she's saying "I'm NOT saying shut up", When she was really trying to prove a point in the car the other day she said "I'm not saying shut up mamma, I'm saying köttbullar"! This is clever/funny as the k in köttbullar is very close to the sound of "sh" in "shut up". On a par with us adults saying "sugar" instead of "sh*t", but mixing languages in a bilingual way!
Saturday, 12 July 2014
The middle of summer
It's been a while since my last update, so time to check in again! We've had a great last couple of weeks, including my birthday when I got properly spoilt. Last weekend (5-6th July) I met up with my Swedish friends in the Millhouses Pub on Friday night and on Saturday morning I headed down to London to see Terese and Cathy. In the early afternoon Terese and I headed to Hyde Park for the British Summer Time festival. We had a great afternoon and evening watching bands such as I am Kloot, Brown Bear, Maximo Park, The Pogues and The Libertines. As it was held in Hyde Park, it was all very civilised and had an early curfew.We were back in Terese's flat by midnight -good for us oldies ;-)
On my birthday I was woken up by Mark and Vera with lots of presents and a beautiful chocolate birthday cake that they had made.
At work they have a tradition where everyone gives money and signs a card to the person whose birthday it is. I got an orchid, a card and cake, a bottle of wine and cash. Very sweet and makes me really pleased to be part of a team and work in an office again.
Work is good and I've had some good feedback, attended some Management training and even got promoted!
Vera is doing well and is showing a real interest in letters and languages. She can spend hours pointing at things and saying, "mamma, what do you call a tree", "mamma, what do you call an apple" etc etc. She loves summer, running around in the garden, enjoying strawberries, blueberries and of course, ice cream!
Today we've had such a great day. We had a lazy breakfast with home made bread, the drove into town.I ran a few errands and Mark and Vera were hanging out in the Peace Gardens. Afterwards we decided to have lunch in "our part of town" and went to the cafe Amici Bici, which is full of cyclists and cycling magazines and serves lovely sour dough bread.
After lunch we went to Heeley City Farm where we saw some chilled out pigs, goats, tarantulas, chipmuunks etc etc. Vera played in the playground and we just enjoyed the lovely summer weather!
Once home, we had a relaxing afternoon including a BBQ - got to make the most of it!
After dinner I started exploring my new sewing machine, a birthday present from mum and dad.As I haven't been sewing for many, many years |I had to cast my mind back to sewing lessons at school and it's weird how much you actually remember from so many years ago.
I'm starting small with curtains for Vera's playhouse, but have some ideas on what to do next!
Tomorrow we're meeting some friends for lunch in a child friendly pub with a playground, so looking forward to that!
On my birthday I was woken up by Mark and Vera with lots of presents and a beautiful chocolate birthday cake that they had made.
At work they have a tradition where everyone gives money and signs a card to the person whose birthday it is. I got an orchid, a card and cake, a bottle of wine and cash. Very sweet and makes me really pleased to be part of a team and work in an office again.
Work is good and I've had some good feedback, attended some Management training and even got promoted!
Vera is doing well and is showing a real interest in letters and languages. She can spend hours pointing at things and saying, "mamma, what do you call a tree", "mamma, what do you call an apple" etc etc. She loves summer, running around in the garden, enjoying strawberries, blueberries and of course, ice cream!
Today we've had such a great day. We had a lazy breakfast with home made bread, the drove into town.I ran a few errands and Mark and Vera were hanging out in the Peace Gardens. Afterwards we decided to have lunch in "our part of town" and went to the cafe Amici Bici, which is full of cyclists and cycling magazines and serves lovely sour dough bread.
After lunch we went to Heeley City Farm where we saw some chilled out pigs, goats, tarantulas, chipmuunks etc etc. Vera played in the playground and we just enjoyed the lovely summer weather!
Once home, we had a relaxing afternoon including a BBQ - got to make the most of it!
After dinner I started exploring my new sewing machine, a birthday present from mum and dad.As I haven't been sewing for many, many years |I had to cast my mind back to sewing lessons at school and it's weird how much you actually remember from so many years ago.
I'm starting small with curtains for Vera's playhouse, but have some ideas on what to do next!
Tomorrow we're meeting some friends for lunch in a child friendly pub with a playground, so looking forward to that!
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