Yankee in England

Time Goes On

2011-10-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

This poor blog has been neglected and I am not sure it will get better to come. As with everything else the day seems to be over before half of what I want or need to do gets done. It is not to say that our days are not rich and full.

Jocelynne continues to grow and each milestone seems to happen faster than the last. Creeping around furniture quickly turned into tentative steps and now she toddles as if walking has been something she has done all her life.

First shoes were purchased and quickly out grown. Chattering seems to be turning into recognizable words here and there.

Eating and feeding herself goes well and I am glad every day that we chose to do Baby Led Weaning.

Teething continues on an almost daily basis and only a few remain to come through but they seem to be taking their time and causing both Jocelynne and all those around her as much grief as possible.

Jocelynne's ingenuity never ceased to amaze me and her lack of fear and self preservation give me fear EVER SINGLE DAY.

Some of her favorite things are to help me empty the washing machine, we have a front loader and she has figured out how to open the door and pull the laundry out or if the drum is empty leave me presents to find when I go to add the next load. She also loves to hand me clothes to hang on the rack to dry. When all the items to be hung are on the rack she very much enjoys pulling stuff off and handing them to me so I can hang them again.

Philip continues to love his job and we are so happy he has a job that allows him to be home with us every weekend. Almost unheard of in his trade.

I have passed my Weight Watchers training and have taken my first meeting and right now this tends to drain much of my free time. Just before I started training I reached my goal weight of 140lbs and am trying to learn how to maintain at that weight.

I also joined a gym which has nursery I can use while I work out allowing me to work out during the week while Philip is at work. I have really enjoyed the gym and love pushing myself and seeing the progress I am making. It still excites me when I think that last year I would be lucky to do 10 "girly" push ups and can now do 15 "real" push ups and am starting to push myself by doing them on the Power Plate or balanced on a fit ball.

Life moves quickly but is never dull and at the moment I just try to savour each moment even if I can't share it on the blog in the way I hope to.

Practice Makes Perfect

2011-07-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

With Madame's cousins visiting this weekend we thought it would be a good time to grab some cupcakes and head down to Grandma Kay's house so they could help Jocelynne celebrate her birthday a little early. As Jocelynne had her first go with a cupcake it made me laugh that she was not overly impressed.

Getting some pointers from Mummy

" Really I'm suppose to like this"

Think the grass might taste better

Really I am not impressed

Maybe it will taste better if I put my foot in it

No definitely no better after putting my foot in it

Let me give it another go

Hmmm this might just be edible

Always important to coordinate your cloth diaper with your food

As one door closes

2011-06-10T01:18:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky enough to have a years maternity leave from my job, it is something that is available to all new mothers here in England and I am truly grateful. I know that many women in the US don't have the option to be stay at home moms for financial reasons and most must return to work about 12 weeks after their child is born. I know personally I wouldn't have been ready, I would have been a nervous wreck. While I have not been earning my full salary while on maternity leave I did receive 90% for the first six weeks followed by £125 a week up until 9 months and the last three months are unpaid. It has been amazing to spend the first year with Madame as we are both finding our feet in the new world we belong to.

My maternity leave ends a month from today and after a lot of discussion and looking into child care options I have decided that returning to my role in London is not the best option for our family. Due to my commute and the long hours that Philip works as a chef Madame would spend 12 hours a day five days a week in child care of some sort and I would only bring home a few hundred pounds a month after train fares and child care. Not only am I not thrilled by the prospect of Madame spending 60 hours a week in child care but the monetary benefits don't seem to justify it.

In some ways it was a very easy decision to make as I knew I didn't want Madame in child care that long but in another sense I loved my job and loved being part of the working masses. It also kind of feels like the last door closing on my Pre-Madame life.

While I won't be returning to my role in London not working at all would leave our finances stretch just too tight and leave absolutely no money for any fun things like holidays, and activities for Madame. What started out as a weight loss journey with Weight Watchers has opened the door to me becoming a Leader in the Weight Watchers organization. A couple of months ago as I was getting closer to my healthy BMI and also struggling to make decisions about returning to work or taking a part time job closer to home I made enquiries into becoming a leader. I truly believe in the Weight Watchers program and have been so lucky to have an amazing leader who has helped me so much over the last 9 1/2 months and I thought it would be amazing to have the chance to help other reach their weight loss goals. I have now made it through the interview process and start the training to become a leader in a few weeks. I am so thankful that while I am leaving one job that I really loved that I am able to start another that I feel really passionate about.

I am nervous about learning to juggle motherhood and work at the same time but Weight Watches offers me a position that can grow and evolve as I am ready. For the moment once I finish training I will only take on 1-2 meetings a week but as both I and my manager feel ready for me to take on more and if it works with my role as a mother I can look into taking on more meetings. It exciting to think that as Madame grows and starts things like nursery and school that I have the option of taking on more hours.

Closing the door on my Pre-Madame work life does not seem so hard when there is such an exciting door for Post-Madame work life to open.

Colchester Zoo

2011-06-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

As Madame is growing I am getting excited to start having family days out with her that are more based on things she will enjoy than just having her tag along with Philip and I on our adventures. The Friday before late May Bank Holiday we got our first experience with this when we took Madame to Colchester Zoo. I have to admit that I knew she was probably too young to really appreciate it but was not wrong when I expected her to just enjoy a change of scenery and a day of being dotted on by Mum and Dad.

I did learn a really important lesson, in a move uncharacteristic of me I forgot to pack either of our slings and arriving at the zoo realized that Madame's push chair was too low to see into many of the enclosures so we spent a lot of time getting in and out of the pushchair. In the future I will definitely remember to at least throw the ring sling in with our stuff.

Madame loved the African exhibit where most of the animals were in large enclosures roaming around. I think as most of these animals were also larger and in more open areas it was easier for her to see them. I think we will probably wait a year or so before doing it again but we all had a great time!

BBQs, Bonnets, Bluebells and Much Much More

2011-05-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

After two four day bank holiday weekends in a row we are a little hung over on fun and excitement here. It seems like we have been going non stop for almost two weeks and while it has been fun it will be nice to get back to normality. I also feel that I have been failing to document Madame and how quickly she is changing and growing and the new tricks she learns almost daily.

The Wednesday before Easter saw a trip with Auntie Pauline to Hyde Hall gardens which have some stunning gardens and views of the area around it.

Madame decided to wear her outfit that Auntie Jeanette got her which says I love my Auntie. Different Auntie but as Auntie Jeanette lives far away in America we thought Auntie Pauline would enjoy it. (Thank you Auntie Jeanette she looks way too cute in it)

Good Friday Madame had her first swimming experience and she loved it so much we have been back twice already and have plans for many more trips.
That evening we attended a BBQ at Auntie Pauline’s and Uncle Richards. Jocelynne had a great time playing with all the fun toys Auntie Pauline had for her and the yummy food Auntie Pauline had made just for her. Thanks Uncle Richard for getting such great photos of Madame!

Saturday I made my first of what I think will be many Easter Bonnets over the years to come. Tooting my own horn I think it turned out lovely.

Easter Sunday I decided to indulge Madame with a few small pieces of Easter chocolate from Grandma Kay against my better judgment and Madame repaid my kindness by being sick all over her Easter dress. Luckily there was a cute back up dress.

As we came out of church service the Salvation Army marching band was marching in front of our church on the way to theirs just down the road Madame had a lovely time waving to them as they passed by.

Grandma Kay joined us for Easter lunch and Madame enjoyed having someone else to terrorize um I mean entertain her. Monday while Daddy attended the annual motor bike show on the seafront I wore Madame out with another trip to the pool and then we joined Daddy for lunch at Bobby Jo’s American style diner.

After a few days of boring day to day we got back to it again Friday with a Royal Wedding and a Royal Wedding themed first birthday party for Madame’s friend Amelia. Madame had a fittingly patriotic outfit.

Amelia’s mum did an amazing job with the food and cakes to match the theme.

Daddy also braved porriage with Madame for breakfast while Mummy got to sleep in. Even after the best attempts to clean her up with a wash cloth we just gave in a threw her in the bath before we headed off for the birthday party.

Saturday we attended a belated Easter party thrown by the great Baby Sensory leader Jenny Sexton, Madame and I love attending her weekly sessions and I think Daddy had a good time being able to join in the fun with Madame.

Yesterday after church Madame enjoyed her first walk in the woods with Grandma Kay as we went out to see the bluebells, unfortunately Mummy forgot to take any pictures.

Today we had another trip to the swimming pool and then a quiet afternoon. Daddy goes back to work tomorrow and I know we are going to miss him, especially at dinner and bath time by that point of the day Mummy is worn out and has appreciated all the help that Daddy has been around to give.

We do have the bank holiday at the end of the May to look forward to and Daddy has taken the Friday before and the Tuesday after off. We are already planning lots of fun activities hopefully to include a first trip to Colchester Zoo for Madame.

Weight and Fitness Update

2011-04-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

So it turns out it is harder and takes longer to get out of the house without a baby than with. Philip was off on Friday and was kind enough to offer to keep Madame while I went to my weekly Weight Watchers meeting. After a bad night with Madame and trying to get her settled for her nap before I went I finally got out the door with just enough time to slide in for the tail end of weigh in before the meeting started, only to realize half way there that I had left my membership card and weight card at home in Madame’s changing bag. I am so accustom to always having Madame therefore the changing bag. I raced home but by the time I made it home weigh in would have been over and it was still a 10 min drive to get there. Luckily there is a meeting just down the road from me on Saturday mornings so I was able to go and get weighed. I am realizing as I go on that similar to AA I need my meetings to keep me going. The accountability of getting on the scales each week and the inspirational discussions afterwards keep me on track. After a good week with tracking and sticking to my points I was not disappointed with a 1.5lb loss bringing me down to 153lbs and a total weight loss since September of 33lbs it averages out to just over a pound a week since I started back at Weight Watchers. My weekly weight loss is quite different as I seem to follow a pattern of nothing or very little weight loss for a few weeks and then 3lbs falls off, but to see an overall average of around a pound a week makes me very happy. Last week I made the big leap of actually setting my goal weight. I knew what my healthy weight range should be but was having a hard time actually setting a number in that healthy range. After some thought about times in my life that I had been happiest and where I was weight wise at the time I decided that I wanted to set my goal weight at 140lbs which just leaves me 13lbs to loose. Once I hit 140lbs I might decide to rethink the goal but to be honest I really like food, it is a huge part of my life with a chef as my husband and baking as a hobby I will never be one happy to go completely without treats but it seems at the moment I have found a balance that is allowing me to enjoy in reason and still work on my weight and health. Fitness wise the last month has been a big turning point, the weather has finally started to show signs of spring and a number of sunny and decently warm days have seen the push chair come back out for long strolls with Madame. I am having to learn what works best for both of us as I never realized how easy I had it last summer and fall with a newborn that was quite happy to spend hours a day in the pushchair as long as she was fed and changed when required. Madame as a nearly 9 month old still loves walks but does not have the same tolerance for being in the pushchair for hours on end. I have learned to time our walks for 30-45 mins before she is likely to nap and she is happy to enjoy the scenery while walking and then to nap in the pushchair when she gets tired giving me another 45-60mins should I want it. I have also learned that instead of walking a great distance from the house and then back again to wander and weave around through the areas near the house so that I am never too far if she decides she has had enough. We are lucky to have lots of parks and walking trails which link up to each other quite near the house that are easy enough for me to turn off and head home or continue on if Madame is happy. I have also joined a weekly fitness class just for mums of young children set up in a large church hall with lots of room for children to play while mums work out. Madame thinks this is great and enjoys watching Mama doing funny dances and when she gets tired of this she can crawl all over the room with a few kids who are 2-4 years old doing a great job of entertaining the little ones as well. Looking to the future I am excited about the next two weeks as I am trying a kettle ball class twice while the mum’s on the move takes a two week holiday for Easter. My mother in law has been gracious enough to offer to take Madame while I do the class and if I like it I might have to see if I can make the evening classes now and again to add some exciting new things to the mix. With walks back on the cards and the aerobics classes I am finally seeing changes in my body shape and size and how clothes fit not just numbers dropping on the scales. I have to admit that this has been a huge boost for me as I had kind of hit a rut and while the scales were still slowly going down the fact that dress size wasn’t and learning to deal with a new body image since giving birth had started to become demoralizing. I am happy to report the last purchase of bras saw a reduction in band size and I have now realize I probably should have actually gone down two band sizes, live and learn it will be exciting to buy even smaller the next time. I am also close or fitting into cloths that I brought over with me from the US five years ago that have been hiding in my closet for almost five years after I found the joys of hard cider and chocolate bourbons not to mention chocolate digestive, bakewell tarts, and the discovery of Lola’s Cupcakes when I worked in London. While lots of people would rather buy new as they get smaller due to luggage allowance and everything I wanted to bring with me when I started my new life in England only my favourite and most sentimental pieces of clothing came with me. It is exciting to find dresses and old Levi jeans that now fit again. While loosing the last 13lbs is going to be exciting I am more excited about my new level of fitness and the new attitude to exercise. I never would have had the guts to take a kettle ball class before “fat” people didn’t do that and I was stuck in the fat person mentality. I won’t be signing up for the London Marathon anytime soon but I am now excited about finding new ways to push my body and try new things, who knows in a couple of years I might just be signing up for the London Marathon but maybe I should sign up for a couple 5 and 10k races first um actually maybe I should learn how to run first as I have never run for exercise.

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself

2011-04-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

So I am not a jump right in kind of person, never have been. I like to think things over for a LOOOOOOOOONG time. Make up a pro and con list, do research, bang my head on the wall, drag my feet, get scared, chicken out, deal with all the guilt I can pile on myself IF it happens to be a bad decision before the decision is even made and then start back at step one and go through the whole process a few more times before I do anything. Yes you read right I berate myself for hypothetically making the wrong decision before I even make the decision. So this morning I finally made a decision I had been thinking about for over six months and have been seriously considering for the last three. In a lot of ways it’s a decision that would have been made for me in 3-6 months anyway I just decided to expedite the process. Got up (okay was woken by my lovely, adorable, love her to bits even when she wakes me at 5am with the worlds largest dirty diaper baby) put my baby in the car (after refreshing that diaper of course) headed to the shops and bought all the items needed and I started. The world did not end, I was not struck down by a lightning bolt, no one pointed at me in horror or disdain. If anything a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Maybe I should in the future stop after the research part and just go for it a little more often.

Giving into the Mess

2011-03-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that when I chose to do BLW part of my decision was based on laziness. The last thing I really wanted to do was sit and shovel spoonful after spoonful of food into Madame’s mouth. I would rather put it out for her and let her do the hard work. Yes there is TONS of mess to begin with but I also looked at it as an investment, hoping that it would improve her fine motor skills and with any luck learning to use utensils sooner, which is still to be seen. However when starting out I also knew I wanted Madame to allow me to spoon feed her when necessary, this quickly turned into a big fail. I am not sure if this was due to what I tried to start Madame out on with spoon feeding (quinoa cereal) or just the fact that Madame is terribly independent and was not going to have the whole being fed thing when she thought she could do it herself. After a few weeks of failed attempts I pretty much gave up on things like porridge and soups and anything Madame could not easily pick up herself.

Someone suggested letting her feed herself by putting a bowl on her tray with a spoon and while I did not mind the mess all over her I knew it would be all of 10 seconds before Madame had the bowl up in the air and on the floor and I really had no desire to constantly be cleaning up porridge or soup off the floor. Today the answer became clear as I was grocery shopping. A bowl that suctioned to her high chair tray, I suctioned it close enough for her to use a spoon (not that she does hands are much easier) and let her go to town.

I am happy to say that Madame is terribly efficient at using her hand to scoop porridge into her mouth and towards the end even perfected a technique to scoop up the porridge with rice cake. Way to go Madame!

Pancake Day

2011-03-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

In honour of Pancake Day Madame used her teeth to pick the blueberries out of some pancakes (see if mom ever makes her pancakes again!)

Madame's Monday Update

2011-03-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

Sideways because she can

Dear Jocelynne,

So no new teeth this week I think that is a first for you at least in the last 6-8 weeks. Don’t feel bad or like you are falling behind really 9 teeth is plenty for the moment. I finally looked up how many baby teeth you will get and it is 20 so we are not even half way there. Seems like a lot of work to not even be half way there. Not that I am in any hurry for you to get the other 11 you have plenty of time really most of your friends your age only have 2-4 teeth.

You have made up for your lack of teething this week with a lovely runny nose. It is never ending I feel bad that all I do is wipe your nose. I turn around for two seconds and you have two huge ribbons of snot running down your face. Sometimes you blow the hugest snot bubbles it makes me laugh. Yup I said it snot bubble, said it on my blog for posterity to read hundreds of years from now, that’s right your great great grandchildren are going to know that you blew really big snot bubbles. On the not so funny side those snot bubbles turned green and you got a fever and started to pull your ears so we got to do our first round of antibiotics. They are fluorescent yellow and imitation banana flavour and you love them. I feel like the last two months of feeding you wholesome food is flushed down the toilet by how much you like your imitation banana flavoured antibiotics.

Speaking of wholesome food I have now realized that when I give you blueberry pancakes you put the whole pancake to your mouth and use your teeth to pick out the blueberries and leave the pancake untouched. I don’t know if I should be impressed at your skills to pick blueberries out of pancakes with your teeth at less than 8 months old or if I should be insulted that you are leaving the perfectly good pancakes I laboured to make you untouched.

You slept from 6pm to 3am last night without waking. I was so excited when I realized that you had slept for 9 hours without waking I almost woke your father to tell him. Luckily just before I did I realize he might not be that impressed with the news at 3am. I am hoping this was not just a fluke but will now become a habit.

Love you much,

Mummy

Madame's Monday Update

2011-02-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

Madame attacks a blueberry pancake

Dear Jocelynne,

It has been another crazy week with teething, you have two more new teeth number 8 and 9. We also had two trips to the doctors this week one for a cough I was worried might be a chest infection (turns out your fine) another for really bad diaper rash which turned out to be a yeast infection. The rash was the hardest part as your cried and screamed ever time I tried to change your diaper, it made me feel like the meanest mother in the world.

The teething has made sleeping a little interesting, Tuesday night Daddy took you and Mama for a long drive to get you to sleep and after you had been asleep for over an hour we brought you home but you decided to wake up. Mama was so glad that Daddy took over and got you to sleep because she was so tired at that point she pretty much passed out on the bed and fell asleep herself.

Grandma Kay watched you for the first time on Saturday so Mama and Daddy could go out for a bit. It only lasted for about an hour till you woke up and decided that you were not going to be soothed by Grandma and Mama and Daddy came home luckily we had not gone far so we go back in ten minutes.

You have become so vocal and in addition to random shrieks and gobbledy gook you now make repetitive da-da-da sounds and every now and again ma-ma-ma sounds.

Fingers crossed now that those teeth have cut through Mama and Daddy can get a few nights of sleep.

I love you so much

Mama

Madame's Monday Update

2011-02-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Jocelynne,

You never slow down these days, you just go go go. Whether you are rolling all over the living room trying to find something you shouldn’t to get into (amazingly you can do this is less than two seconds) or shovelling food in your mouth, or learning new skills it is non stop with you. You love everything that is loud or lights up or flashes or moves. Mama has a hard time thinking of new and fun things for you to do and tries her best to rotate your toys over a few days so things seem new and exciting. I have resorted to pulling out cooking ware just to keep you occupied.

Sometime I think you should have been a younger sister as you love to watch older kids play and love it more when they entertain you. You love to go to Lynda’s house and play with Issy who is four and Amelia who is two months older than you. You also love going to Grandma Kay’s house and playing with your cousins who are eight and five. This weekend we took you to Daddy’s best friend Tina’s house for the first time in a long while and her girls Holly four and Shauna almost 11 had a great time with you.

Not only do you stand now but you have in the last few day started to stomp your feet and today while at your friend Ivy’s house you started to take a step or two going forward while holding Mama’s hands I was so proud of you.

Our nursing relationship is changing as well you are learning to eat so well and have started to nurse less. It is bittersweet in some ways I am ready to start getting my body back as my own and in other ways it is hard knowing this is the beginning of a still long road to the end of nursing.

I love you

Mama

7 Months

2011-02-12T02:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Jocelynne,

What a month it has been in some respects I think it has been the hardest month that you and I have faced. You had a really hard time adjusting to the time change when we got back from the US and this stressed Mama out because she adjusted faster so we were on different schedules. Mama was not getting enough sleep which is never a good thing.

Just about the time you started settling back into a decent nap and night time routine you decided to start teething. You went from no teeth to cutting seven teeth in just over two weeks. I guess you decided you needed seven teeth when you hit seven months you have four teeth on the top (the front two and one either side) and three on the bottom (the front two and one to the right side). It looks like your eye teeth are also close to coming through on the top.

Needless to say the teething really messed up your sleep again and also made you grisly during the day which was not the best combo when I was sleep deprived. We made it though some days we both cried. What helped me get through was the fact that even in the worst of the teething you would have some of the happiest moments, you would start laughing at something and you would just get hysterical with your laughter, big huge belly laughs while you kicked you feet.

You also finally decided you were ready to sit with out throwing yourself backwards after 30 seconds. You love to sit now and will happily sit and play with you toys on your mat for long periods of time. Within days of picking up sitting you decided you wanted to stand and now you want someone to help you stand ALL the time. You like to stand holding onto the furniture but are not really steady enough yet to do it safely so you and I spend a good portion of our day working on your stability.

You love to give kisses which are actually more like being slimmed but I love the fact that you love to do it. You have a new trick if I am holding you but not paying you enough attention, you reach up and gently pat my face until I look down at you, and then you smile at me and tell me a “story”.

You are getting so good at eating food you love pears, rice cakes, rusks, oranges, courgette (zucchini) fritters, cucumber, carrots, cheesy vegetable nuggets, potato wedges, sweet potato wedges and ham egg and cheese omelettes. I love watching you learn to eat; it makes me so happy that other than bananas you have not really refused any food.

This may have been the hardest month that you and I have faced so far but in some regards it has been the happiest too. You know when I need to see you smile, and you have decided you are a daddy’s girl and are quite happy to chill with Daddy for a few hours on his days off so Mama can head out for some me time. You are becoming more independent every day and while most of the time you would rather be down on the ground creating havoc than having a kiss and a cuddle it makes me proud to see you entertaining yourself.

You teach me to chill out all the time. Like giving up your pacifier cold turkey at less than 5 months old, even though I worried we would have to have it surgically removed when you went to college. I can’t tell you how much I worried about giving up the pacifier and all for nothing. Now that your teeth have come through you have decided that you will go back to decent naps and with a little guidance from Mama are back in your cot and starting to settle at night better, so I guess the hours of worry over the last two weeks that you might never go back to your cot and that you were going to wake every hour all night until you were 12 years old were useless as well.

I am so glad everyday (even the ones I cry) that I am your Mama and each new trick you come up with delights me beyond belief I hope that 7 months will be just as good or better than 6 months.

Love,

Mama

Happy Birthday Daddy

2011-01-25T00:51:00.001-08:00

From someone who thinks the world of you!

And not forgeting Uncle Frank who shares the same great looks and birthday as daddy.

Fitness Fridays

2011-01-21T04:50:00.000-08:00

Man nothing like six weeks in another country and a six hour time change to kick your butt when you try to get back to normal. I have been going to my weekly weigh ins and meetings I just have not been able to find the time to sit down and blog about it.

The new ProPoints plan that I hinted at before I left for the US that I was worried was too fiddly has been becoming second nature slowly. In some ways it is more time consuming but I don't notice as much anymore and it seems to be working so I guess that is the important thing.

So before Fitness Fridays too a holiday break I was down to 170.5lbs, I managed over the holidays not only to maintain but some how (who knows how) even loose .5lb so that at my first weigh in when I got back to the UK I was 170lbs.

Now before I mention how much I have lost in the last two weeks I want to mention something that has played a huge part in it. Madame has always shown some signs that she might be dairy and soy intolerant. It is not a huge deal most kids out grow dairy and soy intolerance and I was dairy intolerant as a child so there is a family history. After accidentally giving her some oatmeal that had a soy emulsifier in it the week we got back she had a big problem and I decided to cut dairy and soy out of my diet to see if it would clear up so other issues she has been having. I bring this up in regards to weight loss because dairy and soy are in everything and especially in processed foods so it has pretty much meant that I have had to cut ALL crap out of my diet. I can still eat a healthy diet and my diet is probably healthier for cutting out the crap. I am getting plenty of lean protein, carbs, vegetables, and fruits just not a lot of chemicals I can't pronounce anyways.

So after almost two weeks with out dairy and soy I have lost 7.5lbs bringing me down to 162.5. I don't expect to be loosing around 3lbs a week every week I think it was just cutting out all the crap and now my body will start to balance out again and I think I will go back to a healthy weigh loss of up to 2lbs a week.

With this large chunk of weight loss I have also hit another milestone. I have lost more than 10% of my body weight. Weight Watchers breaks your weight loss down into small goals you start with 5% then 10% and then your goal weight which is between 20-25 BMI. I have to say that while every week I lost weight felt good but hitting 10% really feels good. I am starting to see it and feel like it is starting to show. While what other people see and say is not the most important thing it is nice to hear the compliments from friends and family about how good I am looking.

On a not as happy note between the really truly crappy weather and trying to get Madame back into the swing of things here in the UK there have been very few walks and none of the epic proportion I was doing before the holiday season. I have been a little rebellious and refused to put my pedometer on as I don't want to be disappointed with the totals each evening after being cooped up in the house all day due to monsoon like rain. The most excitement Madame and I get these days and going up and down the aisles at the supermarket. I am blah I miss my walks and I really don't want to find another way to exercise. There is no point in me trying formulate a plan until I am done moaning and complaining about the state of affairs so for the moment exercise has gone down the tube. Hoping for some nice weather or some inspiration in that department.

6 Months

2011-01-12T12:05:00.001-08:00

Jocelynne you are six months old today I have not idea how we have made it through half a year as it seems both just like yesterday they laid your squishiness on me moments after you were born and also like a life time ago.

You gained 4lbs in the six weeks that we were staying with Grandpa and Grandma America (I think they were sneaking you pork pies while I wasn’t looking!) and are up to 18lbs 6oz. You have jumped from the 50th percentile to the 90th percentile for weight but I am not too worried once you figure that crawling out you will probably slim down again!

You roll all over the place like you have always done it. You can sit on your own but fail to see the point as it means you have to be stationary so Mama has to watch you like a hawk until you learn how to safely get out a sitting position and back on the ground. Grandma America taught you to blow raspberries while we were in the US and you do it constantly now. When I go in to get you up in the morning the first thing you do is look up smile at me and then blow a raspberry, then you giggle to your self almost like you know you have done something funny.

Nothing is safe from your grasp of death! If you can reach it you grab it and if we are walking by something you want you make a lunge for it, sometimes getting lucky and sometimes just keeping Mama on her toes. You are trying your best to throw yourself off your changing table at every change, it is like you get a bout of the wiggles and CAN NOT stay still every time I go to change your diaper. I don’t mind the wiggles so much I just don’t want you to find a way throw your self off the table.

Your sleep is a mess since we have come back from the US but it has only been a week since we got back and last night we had a small victory in getting you to sleep the whole night in the crib and from midnight you only woke to feed so I am hoping it is a break through and not just a fluke.

You have started Baby Led Weaning and so far you have had potato and sweet potato wedges, rice rusks, oatmeal, cucumber, sweet pickles, bananas, and carrots. You were not a huge fan of the bananas but I think that was more that they made your hands sticky than the taste.

You are pretty much out of 3-6 month clothes and have started wearing 6-9 month clothes and some 9 month stuff from the US. It seems like we just managed to get your 0-3 month stuff stored away and now I need to pack up all the 3-6 month stuff.

You make me laugh every single day (although some days you make me want to cry as well). You will look up at me and give me the world’s largest smile and then go back to what you are doing. I still can’t believe I am your Mama. I love you so much!

Madame's Monday Update

2011-01-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

So Madame and I made it home in one piece though we are still trying to get over jet lag who knew it could be so bad! Jocelynne was so excited to see her Daddy and has been bonding with him since we got home.

Mama has been back for her first weigh in since we got home. Some how miraculously I managed to loose half a pound over the Christmas holidays and will be back with Fitness Fridays this week.

New Years Resolutions

2011-01-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

True to form I am running a little late posting my New Years resolutions, and no being more punctual in no going to be one of my New Years resolutions. I was punctual for years and then I had a baby, I think it could be years before I am punctual again. I think a lot of my resolutions will revolve around one word Simplify I don't think I realized before Madame not that I think I would have believed anyone if they told me but being a mom is hard it takes A LOT of time. Doing stuff with and for Madame takes more time than it looks like it should on paper. Just because I should be able to get us both up and dressed and out the door in X amount of time does not mean that it will ever be that easy. So I can bang my head on the wall and complain that no matter what I do I can't keep all the plates spinning or I can just let a few of the plates drop. So here goes:

1. Stop doing EVERY children's activity I hear about. Even having 1 activity a day is a little optimistic. Choose 2-4 things a week I really love to do with Madame and even those are not important if we don't make it to Sing Song time at the local children's center on a Monday so what the world won't end.

2. Madame seems to like her morning nap, if she continues this when we get to the UK only choose planned activities and invitations for afternoon activities. I know it is impossible to never have to do something in the morning but she has been so much happier since most days of the week she has her morning nap at home and can nap as long as she wants uninterrupted. It means I also get some time to do what I want/need.

3. Realize my goal weight at Weight Watchers. I am roughly 35lbs away from goal so if I stay on track for the year and they say 1-2lbs a week is a good weigh loss, over a year this should be obtainable. While I really want this to happen I also realize that weight loss and life don't follow a magic formula where you always loose 1-2lbs a week. I also have no idea how my body will react as I start to wean Madame onto solids and it may take a while to get my extra points allowance adjusted as we move from Madame being totally breastfed through starting solids and what I envision by the end of this year a child who nurses little or none at all.

4. Use Project Life to be able to continue scrapbooking in a less fussy way. While I love to scrapbook in the traditional way with lots of paper and embellishments I don't have the time right now. I hope that it is something that will return as Madame becomes less dependent on me. However I want my memories to be more than just photo's on a hard or even in a photo album so I am hoping that this will be a way for me to have fun with my scrapbooking but keep the work to a minimum until I can start being more creative. I have seen some cool ideas on how to alter and add to the Project Life kit so that when and if I have time can do more but if I don't just adding photos and journaling will help me to document our live through 2011.

Merry Christmas from Madame

2010-12-25T20:56:00.000-08:00

I could show you how darn cute Madame was in her Christmas morning PJs before we opened Christmas gifts

Or her mad unwrapping skills (pretty impressive considering that she just shy of six months)

Or true to form the box is ALWAYS more exciting than the present.

But the photo that will define Jocelynne's first Christmas?

Turns out sweet pickles seem to be Jocelynne's favorite food. No making gross faces, no throwing it on the floor just gnawing on it for a good 5-10 minutes till it was too soft and she wanted another one. Yeah trust my kid to be strange like that.

Merry Christmas Jocelynne

2010-12-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Jocelynne,

A little note on Christmas Eve for my dearest Madame.

Today you mastered rolling from your tummy to your back. Unlike when you learned to roll from your back to your tummy almost two weeks ago you just up and decided to do it. No teasing us for weeks being close but not quite, no only doing it when no one was watch for the first week, nope you just flipped over like you had been doing it all your life right in front of the whole extended family the first time. Then the second third and fourth time in rapid secession.

You are working very hard on sitting. Your not quite sure how this is going to come in handy yet and every time I put you down on the floor in a sit you look at me like "but mom rolling around on the floor is MUCH more fun" Your learning seems to be exponential and each thing you pick up faster and faster. Just remember while I am so proud of you there is no rush you have your whole life ahead of you, you can stay my baby for a few more minutes.

I am so impressed at how social you are, you have been so excited to meet the extended family and love all the attention you get from them.

Chilling with your Uncle Gabe.

Getting some luvin from Great Auntie Net

Meeting Great Grandma Anderson for the first time a few days ago.

You with your Uncle Camron.

Finally on Christmas Eve we know Daddy is missing the fact that he can't be with you even though he loves you very much so we thought we would wrap him up a special present and send it his way.

Love,

Mummy

Getting to know you

2010-12-23T21:57:00.000-08:00

The best part of being home this holiday season is that Madame has been able to meet so much of my family. My mom was kind enough to take us up to meet up with my cousin Tiffany who is visiting her in laws not far from us and her little boy Lucas who is six months older than Madame. Not only did Madame get a kick out of sitting in a high chair for the first time, but she could not get enough of her new friend. She loved to watch what ever he was doing and would hold her hand out and Lucas would take it and hold on to it. They even swapped toys for a while, very cute to watch. Afterward Madame was well and truly worn out and slept for the over an hour drive home.

Get Them Addicted Young

2010-12-16T20:20:00.000-08:00

So Mama has an addiction that she only gets to feed every few years when she come back to the US to visit. Sonic's Cranberry Limeade. Oh so yummy, I craved them so bad when I was pregnant with Madame I made fake ones at home but they were just never as good. Figured I might as well get Madame addicted while we were here.

(No Sonic Cranberry Limeades were harmed in the taking of these photos)

Madame's Monday Update

2010-12-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Jocelynne,
I took this photo to send to daddy (to show your true allegiance was still with him of course) and two minutes later after I had finished I came back to this
Yup we have a roller, you could have waited for mama so she could see it in person!

Madame's Got a Brand New Ride

2010-12-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

Now I love our gigantic three wheeler SUV of a pushchair we have in the UK, nearly all of he miles I post about walking in Fitness Fridays it has done with me. The problem was even with travel insurance if something happened to it while it was in the cargo hold of the plane the excess was half of what we paid for the pushchair. There was also a space issues with my MIL flying out with us; that was three large suitcases, three carry on items, two adults and a baby with a car seat. That kind of pushed my parents two Ford Focus' to the max space wise.

I was not too worried about going out and about shopping and such with the slings I have carried her for long periods in our ring sling and even thought I had only had a few chances to use the Mei Tai I was sure it would offer the same support. The problem I ran into was our walks. In Kansas a lot of the time it is cold enough that both Madame and Mama would need to be bundled up quite and bit and this is one of the areas that slings and wraps let you down in. It took me all of about two days without a walk to break down and find an inexpensive umbrella stroller online in the sales.

Madame loves the fact that walks are back on the table! The weather has been decent and actually in the picture she is probably over dressed for the 40ish degree weather we were out in.

The advantages to this stroller is I can check it at the gate on the return trip home so it does not go through being put in the cargo hold and while I certainly want to get it home in one piece I also paid less than $30 for it so if something were to happen to it I would be a lot less devastated than if something were to happen to my beloved Phil and Ted SUV of a pushchair. It will also come in handy for trips up to London on public transport. I have used the Phil and Ted on the buses as they have a dedicated area for prams and pushchairs but the thought of using the Tube with a large pushchair scared the crap out of me. I am looking forward to giving it a go when we get back to the UK and the weather improves!

Never Get Tired

2010-12-07T11:50:00.001-08:00

Of seeing Madame's cute little tushie in cute cloth diapers! Some people doing for the green factor, some the cost factor, me I do it for the cuteness factor. Okay a little for the cost and green factor but not as much as the cute factor.

Madame's Monday Update American Edition

2010-12-06T17:05:00.000-08:00

Uncle Grant getting you started early on family game night.

Dear Jocelynne,

We have not done an update for so long I feel like a bad mommy. We made it to the US just fine you did so good on the plane from London Heathrow we were able to get you a seat and you fell asleep in your car seat just as the plane engines roared to life for take off. No problem with take of or landing pressure changes thank goodness. You did have a small melt down when we got on the plane from Dallas to Wichita but once we started taking off you decided to feed and were out the rest of the way.

You had a great time getting passed around on Thanksgiving and meeting so much of your family. I was surprised at how easy you went to everybody but you just took it all in.

You have started to become more willful in the last week or so, you very much let me know when you don't want to do something whether it is a diaper change or going to bed or being put down while I do something. Part of it is funny to watch but I see a very strong willed little girl coming out!

I tried at a couple of meals to introduce to you food and Baby Led Weaning but you were more interested in the forks everyone else was using. I guess your not ready yet, we will give it another go in a few weeks.

You love your Grandma and Grandpa America so much, you especially have your Grandpa America wrapped round your finger. We went with them to church on Sunday and Grandpa took you from person to person telling them all that this was his grand daughter Jocelynne. He was so proud of you!

Dear Daddy

2010-12-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Daddy,

Today was a busy day. I tried toast for the first time, I have learned that toast sticks are good for crushing into crumbs in your hand, rubbing into your clothes, and for throwing on the ground. Eating them I am not so interested in so it a good thing I still have Mama around.

I got dressed up in a festive outfit for the first time

and then supervised Grandma decorating the tree, I was quite mesmerised by the fact that the tree rotates round and round!

Later in the afternoon when Grandma and Mama went to get cat food and drinks from Sonic I stayed with Grandpa and Zadie Mae and they helped me with my rolling over. I am getting pretty good at it but still need some help, I think any day now I will be able to do it myself.

I miss you and Mr. Kitty lots, hugs and really slobbery kisses,

Madame

The Adventures of Madame and her Magical Sling Mei Tai Style

2010-12-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

Madame got a new sling! So she thought she would use it at Heathrow airport on her way to see Grandma and Grandpa America!

Snoozin in the new BabyHawk Mei Tai

Fitness Friday

2010-12-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

Fitness Fridays are on hiatus while Madame and I are in the US. I am still tracking my food using WW and using my parent's scales. I am still loosing some weight it looks like according to the scales but I don't post anything but when I go to my WW weigh in as all scales are slightly different. My goal while I am at home over the holidays is to maintain the 170lb I had gotten down to before I left for the states, if I loose weight it is a bonus but I did not want to put too much pressure on myself while on vacation over the holiday season. We will see you again second week of January!

Fitness Fridays

2010-11-12T13:37:00.000-08:00

A very nice loss of loss of 2lbs this week. This was mostly due to keeping my points in track this week. Walking was bad, a number or extremely stormy days led to a couple of stay at home all day kind of days.

Weight Watchers has completely changed how point values are now assigned and while a lot of the changes are exciting i.e fruit is now for the most part a zero point food, I am also a little nervous. After Madame was born one of the huge draws about going back to WW was I already knew how to do it. I had been doing it on and off for over a year before Madame was conceived so as a sleep deprived new mother I didn't need to really learn anything new. I needed to brush up on portion sizes and what the point values of my favorite foods were but on a whole I knew what worked for me. I am hoping I can take this on board and that it can help me to continue to loose weight and keep me motivated to make it to my final goal weight.

Starting Weight September 8th: 186lbs
Weight November 12: 173lbs

Total Loss 13lbs

Walking:

Weather was crap and I can't be bothered to reveil how bad some of the days were so maybe just an average to give you and idea. 2.5 was the average mileage for the week I knew it would be tough when the weather got bad and this week proved that. I have never bothered to calculate my activity points for the reason that I don't want to be tempted to use them as food points. I am loosing weight at a nice steady weight staying with in my normal points allowance so this week proves that while exercise is important that it is possible to loose even when you can't get as much activity in as you want.

Better Food Choices:

I am really excited that fruit is now a 0 point option. It makes it easier to fit it into the daily allowance of points and now make it more tempting than say a Weight Watchers Biscuit that would have the same point value on the old points system. I just need to work on making it a priority, I am going to start trying to add banana to my porridge each morning so that is one serving down!

Fitness Fridays (running a bit late)

2010-11-07T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well as per par I usually follow a big loss week with no loss or only a small loss this weeks .5lb loss brings me to 11lbs loss so far. Looking at the big picture that is 11lbs in 2 months which is a nice slow steady weight loss, slow and steady is not only important in the long run for keeping it off but also as a breastfeeding mother. Making to much of a drastic cut in my calorie intake could affect my milk production and right now being mama cow for Madame is my most important roll.

Walking

Friday 8

Saturday 6

Sunday 2.5

Monday 5.6

Tuesday 2.5

Wednesday 5.6

Thursday 8.5

An overall average of 4.75 for the week which is just shy of the 5 mile average I am aiming for but on a whole I am happy. One of the 2.5 days was due to weather, and one was due to too many activities that required me to drive due to distance. With the nights drawing in I am not sure how walks are going to work as I will need to restructure my days a little as our big walk was usually late afternoon. I am also facing 6 weeks in the US without a pushchair and weather that will be too bitter to walk with Madame so while I will wear the pedometer and get my miles in where I can I am also looking at using my parent exercise bike and I am not sure really how to track that? Time? Distance? I am going to have to play around and find out what works for me.

Eating Healthier Options:

My fruit consumption on a whole was down this week. Not as bad as some weeks but not as good as last week. I did manage however to get both my apples cut up so I felt good about that.

One Year Ago Today

2010-11-06T01:46:00.001-07:00

I woke up to this

This morning I woke up to this!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-03T02:44:00.001-07:00

Madame's Monday Update

2010-11-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Wearing Grandma America's favorite colour in honour of the fact that we will be in Kansas with her and Grandpa America three weeks form today.

Dear Jocelynne,

I can't believe how much you make me laugh. We laugh everyday, you start laughing, which makes me laugh and you laugh harder in response. Sometimes you start to get fussy when you can't do something you want and I laugh at you and then you start laughing.

You have started to become such a Daddy's girl, he walks in the room and your face lights up and you give him a big grin. Saturday as we walked the High Street on errands with Daddy no matter what side of Mommy he walked on you turned your head and watched him the whole time, when he would look at you, you would flash him your killer smile.

You have found you legs and you feet, it is so funny to watch you swing them up from your hips and almost over you head. You also love to grab things now and as soon as you have hold it is shoved right in you mouth.

I love every moment of the adventure!

Mummy

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

With a WHOLE lot of day glo pink Madame wishes you a Happy Halloween!

Halloween Taster

2010-10-31T03:25:00.000-07:00

Just a few quick photos of Madame in her Halloween Nappies. More photos of her in her costume when we get back from Sunday dinner with the family

Letting Your Freak Flag Fly and Tooting Your Own Dork Horn

2010-10-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

It is the most wonderful time of the year! It is time for the annual DorkFest at The Life and Times of Micheal 5000 blog. This is my third year competing though last year my effort was pitiful. This year I just want to make few points before I begin my official entry.

As my bribe to Supreme Dork and Judge arrived one business day too late to be included in last years DorkFest I would appreciate if you wouldn't mind carrying over said bribe to this years DorkFest.
Jenners, you have every reason to seethe you should ascend to Dork just because you were Vice Dork but as you can't I would appreciate your influence in the conclave to choose the next Dork. Why you ask? I quote "And whoever was worried about having missed Dorkfest deserves to be the Dork for 2010. That's my (seething) two cents." Yup that frantic e-mail was mine.
I not only asked for the Dork badge but proudly posted it on my blog, am posting my entry on my blog, and have link to DorkFest on Facebook. In short I am not afraid to fly my Freak Flag in public not just to the other readership of L&TM5K who share my dorkiness.

So without further adieu and in the style of Mastermind my chosen specialist subject being pregnancy, birth and what comes next, let the games begin.

I embody dorkiness by __________

General Knowledge:

Tony Blair had a Deputy PM John Prescott, not really sure what he did other than look after the job when Tony went on holiday each year. When Tony Blair stepped down he did not become PM he just I don't know went back to being a MP for his constituency. Gordon Brown never had a Deputy PM so I am guessing that he didn't feel he needed one. He just had a few different people look after the country while he was on holiday. Then when David Cameron won the popular vote but didn't get the majority in the Houses of Parliament he needed so he formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats and Nick Clegg. One of the condition from Nicky Boy was that he got to be Deputy PM. When I started asking around as how, when, why and such a deputy PM is appointed no one could tell me. Sometimes there is one sometimes not, no rhyme no reason, this bothers me
When the General Election mud slinging started and I could not bear anymore election crap I entertained myself with the choice of tie colours by the candidates, I even wrote a post about it after the elections.
When the election led to a new party in power and a new cabinet my friend and I cut out the cheat sheet of who got what job from the newspaper so we would be able to identify them on Sky News and would quiz each other at work when it was slow. We all know there is nothing worse than confusing the Education Minister and the Foreign Minister.
I really don't like mayo, like really find the whole idea gross, but I like tuna sandwiches so we have an uneasy truce but I need to buy it in a squeeze bottle because I can't bear the thought it might touch my skin if I dip the spoon into a jar. The squeeze bottle irritates me though because you can never get the last bit out. Plus there is the cost factor the convenience of squeeze means it cost more. Sometimes I can't choose between cost and possible skin contact.
I don't believe nuts belong in fudge. It is a mouth feel issue, fudge is smooth and the smoothness gets interrupted by the nuts. Cookies, brownies and cakes are already chunky in their own way and so the nuts add something and enhance the product.
I empathize with others style of dorkiness and even bring to their attention when I have seen something that falls under their specialist dork subject just ask M5K how many blog posts I have e-mailed him about geography, maps, quilting, and even High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Specialist Subject

I am bilingual, I speak both the Queen's English and American English, having a baby brought a whole new set of vocabulary that I was not use to using but feel I have gotten a good grasp on prams, pushchairs, baby grows, nappies, dummies and grow bags.
On the first night at our birth class I was the only person in the group who could place all the labels on the diagram of a nine month pregnant woman. Do you know where your cervix is?
After we had all had our babies 3 of the other 7 women in the group admitted that they didn't even bother to read any books on birth because they knew they could just txt, call or e-mail me any question and I always had an answer.
When the anaesthesiologist came in to give me my epidural he started out by saying he had to go through all the information and risks and have me sign that I understood. I told him to shut up give me the paper to sign as I had read all the possible risk factors and how the procedure worked months ago and give me the &%$£ing drugs.
After reading every book I could get my hands on about pregnancy and birth both while we were where trying to get pregnant and after I fell pregnant when they put a very squishy Madame on my tummy the moment she was born I realized I had over looked reading books on babies. Oops. I had read books on parenting, on sleep issues in babies, on breastfeeding, and on Baby Led Weaning but actual babies yup I missed those.
I researched extensively on cloth diapers looked at all the different styles prefolds, fitted, All in Twos, All in Ones, different brands what worked best for different situations. I can tell you all about how to wash what types of detergent and why, how to strip them. The difference between washing them in an agitating machine or a HE machine. What problems hard water brings to the washing scenario and how to fix it.

I hope that this year I move a small step closer grabbing the title of Right Honourable Dork but until that moment I will just continue tooting my own Dork horn.

Fitness Fridays

2010-10-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

It was really hard this week, really really hard this week, like I wanted to snarf whole cakes in one sitting hard this week. I didn't though I let myself have an off week last week with all the events going on and I know if I don't hop right back on the band wagon it will take me six months to get back on it. So I tracked all my food like a good little Weight Watchers girl and I was rewarded with a loss of 2lbs (but to be honest I think I would have been happier with the cake).

Walking

Um so had a hard time remembering to write my mileage down because well I have a three month old and some times I get to use that excuse. I did not go out for walks on Saturday and Sunday but the other five days of the week I did between 5-6 miles everyday. This worked well for me and while it left me at least 6-8 miles short of my weekly average of 5 miles a day I am not fretting about it, I was happy, Madame was happy, enough said. Back on the Mileage tracking this week though.

Making Healthier Food Choices

I may have dropped the walking or at least tracking of the walking ball this week but man did I nail the fruit eating. I am proud to say that everyday I managed two portions of fruit on top of the veg I am already decent about consuming. They were the same two things everyday a banana and 3 small plums but hey you gotta start some where. I even bought two pink lady apples yesterday because I AM going to make time to cut them up.

So it Begins

2010-10-27T11:13:00.001-07:00

Click on the badge for all the rules and check the comment section of the post for the first of the entries! My entry is in the works and coming soon!

Madame's Monday Update

2010-10-25T03:18:00.000-07:00

Styling in your OshKosh B'gosh overalls from Grandpa America!

Dear Jocelynne,

We have had an over all grisly week, or it would probably be more true to say we have had a Mama just does not get the signals your sending week. Example, you were so happy the first few times I had you in the pushchair in the angled sitting position and then this week putting you in the pushchair became a chore. You would squirm and grunt and grisle and at best put up with it but were not your happy and content self that you usually are in the pushchair. In a rush over the weekend I left it in the flat position from a nap the day before and viola my happy pushchair girl was back, maybe you were not as ready as I thought to be in the sitting up position.

I also got a reality check in Child Led parenting vs sometimes I need to try things that may not seem like they are Child Led but may end up being the best option for you because I am after all the parent and responsible for your care parenting. You started waking every two hours in the night again, having a hard time settling down for the night and naps had gone back to the 1-2 30min power naps a day. I could deal with the waking ever two hours and even the power napping if it was working but the grisly child I had told me it wasn't and to be quite honest waking every two hours in the night makes for a grisly mama as well. After the third night when I was pretty sure it was not a growth spurt I realized that you were not feeding much during the day, I am not sure if this was of your own accord or if I had let things become so busy that I was not giving you the chance to feed as much as you wanted. So after a few days of offering feedings every two hours during the day and you being happy to do a good session at those feeds you seem to have moved back into a good night time routine and are back to only waking twice through the night for feeds. I get the benefit of a happy baby in the morning and a good little napper.

Now that you have learned how to go stiff like a plank and also go all squirmy I feel like I have a little Churchill. "I will fight you on your lap, I will fight you on your shoulder, I will fight you in the bath tub, the push chair, and the car seat." I don't think you are doing it on purpose as you always seem to be in a good natured mood I think it is just you learning you have more control over your body and how you use it.

We have started to really push for you to go straight into your crib at night for bed instead of letting you fall asleep on our bed and then moving you. I have also started to try and get your to nap in the crib. It is all in preparation for our 6 week trip to go visit Grandma and Grandpa America, they own a dog who loves to give kisses so you falling asleep on you play mat or in you bouncy chair for naps may cause problems, plus its just the right thing to do for you I think it will be the right choice in the long run.

Love and Kisses,

Mummy

The Adventures of Madame and Her Magical Sling

2010-10-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

My first experience of Baby Wearing was my youngest sister, my mom had a ring sling and she and Abbie loved it. It was a life saver in many respects for both of them. I too wore Abbie on occasion as I was 13 when she was born. Since then I have had friends who have worn their babies and while we were trying to get pregnant I started reading this blog which lead me to find Dr. Sears and the Attachment Parenting Movement. I had already decided I wanted to wear Madame after she was born but thanks to Meridith from Becoming Mamas and her amazing Baby Wearing Guide I chose to start out with a woven ring sling. My main reason for choosing a woven ring sling was simplicity, while I knew I could learn the wraps I also knew I was going to have TONS to learn as a new mother and I already knew how to work a ring sling, Philip also wanted to use it and I knew I could show him once or twice and he would pick it up easily. While I love my ring sling I also really want to try wrapping and even have my eye on Mei Tai's and other Soft Structure carriers.

While we use our ring sling on an almost daily basis around the house it also goes EVERYWHERE Madame and I go, even in the pushchair as a blankie, more in case she gets grisly in the pushchair then I have it with me to wear her while I push the empty pushchair, it has also been to some really fun places. I try to get a picture of either Philip or I wearing her when we are at the places of note and from time to time I will post them here. For the moment it is just the Ella Roo Woven Ring Sling, but hopefully soon I will have other wraps or slings to show as well.

So for today Madame and I on the sea wall at Paglesham the photos were taken on the last Monday in August, yes I am wearing a jumper the breeze from the sea can be brutal! As it looks weird I will explain in the second picture the white bit is Madame's bib, when I wear her I flip it up so it rests against me to catch any spit up before it hits me.

Fitness Fridays

2010-10-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

I was not hoping for much this week and was even expecting to maybe gain some weight as a trip to London requires a trip to Lola's best cupcakes this side of the pond! Then Tuesday was the bake sale at my breastfeeding support group to support Breast Cancer Awareness month and seriously it would be rude not to buy a cupcake I struggled not to buy two! To top it off a lunch invitation to a friend's house required a batch of Red Velvet Cupcakes. While some of this was planned into my points, not all of it could be swallowed and I know the reason I still managed to loose a 1/2lb this week was my pavement pounding this week.

Weight loss this week .5lb

Total weight loss 8.5lb

Current weight 177.5

Walking

Friday 5.5

Saturday 6.5

Sunday 5.5

Monday 7

Tuesday 5.5

Wednesday 6

Thursday 6.5

This week for the first time since I set myself the goal of doing 5 miles a day I have actually done that every day for a week. Some weeks past I have averaged 5 miles a day due to a few large mileage days. I have to say it felt good and I was proud of myself but. . . . It was REALLY hard with Madame this week, one of the days we went out for a walk and she was grisly for no reason and I ended up heading home very quickly and was lucky enough to get a happier baby in the afternoon. The weather was amazing this week and I was able to dodge any bad weather with a lot of prep and keeping up with daily and hourly weather reports, this is something I can't really keep up on, I just don't have that kind of planning time at the moment. I have also let a lot of other balls drop in my life right now to make the walking work so I think maybe going for an average of 5 miles a day over a week is a better option, that way I can use Madame's good days and good weather days to my advantage. I can also use bad weather days to keep up with non exercise stuff.

Making better food choices:

Well if you read the first paragraph you will see that this week has been heavy on the goodies. I am still struggling with fruit, I am managing to get things like plums and banana's in about once a week. Unfortunately due to bonded front teeth I can't eat apples and pears whole and finding the time to cut them up just isn't working. I know I need to MAKE time but that is easier said than done as I still struggle to make food and food choices a priority. I will just have to keep trying. Philip is great at getting me out of a rut food wise and has been bringing in new more seasonal vegetables into our dinners. He made some rocking sweet potato wedges the other night and now all I can think of are sweet potatoes!

Rose Coloured Glasses

2010-10-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

Parenting comes with a million decisions and from even before the birth you second guess if you are making the right ones. One decision I made a long time before I got pregnant probably from as early as childhood myself was that I was going to breastfeed. It was not really a decision so much as all I knew, my mother breastfed four children exclusively and only put my youngest sister on formula when she needed to treat post natal depression with prescription drugs. All of her friends breastfed and it just seemed normal. My decision was only further supported when I started reading up on how to breastfeed and the information on all the benefits.

So when Madame was born and I was already worried I might have chosen the wrong pushchair or if letting her co-sleep would lead to problems later on but I was not terribly worried about my decision to breastfeed. I though at any moment the ease that I had seen my mother feed her children would come and I would have a bond with my child due to the amazing gift I was giving her. Weeks passed and it didn’t come, sometimes in the dead of the night when I had only drifted off less than an hour before and her cries would come that she wanted more I would cry as I fed her from the shear exhaustion.

Every time she would spit up over and over again I would curse all those women and books who said breastfed babies spit up less than bottle fed babies. Curse every health professional who said it to my face as I tried to find help and make sure the spitting up was normal, especially the one who looked at me like as I was being melodramatic because everyone knows that yup you guessed it breastfed babies spit up less than bottle fed babies (props to Madame for soaking three outfits in rapid succession in front of this woman).

I cried to myself and to my mother on the phone because breastfeeding was suppose to make me love my baby more and sometimes I just really didn’t want to feed her, not that I didn’t love her or want the best for her but I just needed 5 minutes to think. I cried in private when one of the breastfeeding mothers from our birthing class complemented me for how easily I breastfed in public and managed to make it look easy because really I felt like I was falling apart and I was the last person she should look up to. I cried because it was suppose to get easier at six weeks and I held out and it didn’t feel like it did. I cried because my let down was so powerful it hurt and took my breath away

Then I stopped crying, I had options I could bottle feed no one was stopping me I CHOSE to breastfeed, I truly believe it is the best option for my baby. I took a long hard look and made some observations.

1. Maybe breastfed babies were suppose to spit up less, mine doesn’t. It doesn’t mean that she is not gaining all the other benefits from breastfeeding it just means I have more laundry to do. Bottle feeding would not make her less sickie and would probably make her more sickie.

2. 6 weeks is a figure that is thrown out there to when breastfeeding will become established, it is not a magic switch that goes off. To be honest I was established at 6 weeks, the ease and partnership between Madame, myself, and my breasts came it just didn’t come until some where around the 10th week really not that long is the scheme of my breastfeeding career with Madame or her life in general.

3. It was unfair to me to try and compare my lack of feeling ease with breastfeeding with the breastfeeding I remembered my mother doing as most of those memories came from my youngest brother who was my mother’s fourth child. On top of that my mother is a very different person than I am and has a selflessness I am just now starting to understand as a mother and am still years from even coming close to.

Last week that moment happened I had dreamed of happening, I pick up a warm still half sleeping baby at 10pm and she nuzzled in and latched on and in the dark room propped up on the bed she cuddled as she fed and I found peace.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-20T00:42:00.001-07:00

Madame's Monday Update

2010-10-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

Madame tries to snooze on the bus all wraped up snug!

Dear Jocelynne,

You and Mummy made our first trip to London without out our support team aka Daddy. You were perfect I could not have asked you to be better. It messed with you naps though as you tried to sleep on the train but woke as they announced each station, then tried to sleep on the bus in London but did not like the whoosh noise it made at each stop. You pretty much slept the whole rest of the next day to make up for lack of naps on Friday.

You are so interested in the world around you, where ever we go your eyes are open big and sometimes I think you might get whip lash as you whip you head this way and that trying to take everything in.

You have become interested in toys now and I have pick up some too keep you going until Santa brings you your Christmas presents.

I still can't believe how much fun I have with you every day!

Love Mummy

All by Myself

2010-10-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Today for the first time since Madame was born I went for a walk all by myself. I have left her with Philip before now, or he has taken her out but I had never used this time specifically to go for a walk. Philip has prompted me in the last three months to do it but to be honest first I had to get over my irrational but real fear that if I left her and she wanted to be fed or needed me just me that the world would come to an end. Once this hurdle was passed and I was able to leave her with Philip for more than 10-15 mins I had become so use to my walks including Madame that when Philip would offer I honestly was not sure how to go for a walk without the pushchair, it had become a norm, and maybe even a crutch.

Today even though I tried my hardest to get out the door before Madame fell asleep for her morning nap it didn't happen. I knew our favorite route would be swamped with weekend walkers by the time she woke up from nap and they are the worse for not allowing room for the pushchair on the side walk so our walk would have been stop-start-stop-start due to full sidewalks. I made a split decision to ask Philip to keep her while I went for my walk.

Within the first block I didn't even realize that I was minus the pushchair as I had fallen into a pace that was much faster than I can seem to hit with the pushchair. As I approached the cliffs leading down to the seafront I realized I could take the stairs down instead of having to detour a few streets over to take the ramp. I also had the pleasure of getting the stairs back up the cliffs at the high street for which I am sure my bum will be thanking me for a few days time. Over all it was a good experience and one that I think I will have to repeat more often as I try to juggle my desire to be a good Mum to Madame but also to not loose my identity as more than just a mother.

Fitness Fridays

2010-10-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

So I made my first visit to my new Weight Watchers group. I have the same leader that I had for Wednesday night meeting and I have to say that the other ladies (there were no men, this week at least) seemed really lovely and there was even another mother of a little girl just younger than Madame who is also doing WW while breastfeeding.

This week after tracking all but one meal that I ate at a friends house and couldn't really ask for nutritional information and working really hard on getting out to do at least 5miles a day I was able to loose 3lbs including the pound I gained last week which brings me down to 178lbs a total loss of 8lbs.

Walking:

Saturday: 0 (I spent the day at a crafting crop and didn't bother to put my pedometer on)
Sunday: 6.7
Monday: 5.2
Tuesday: 4.0
Wednesday: 5.5
Thursday: 0 (forgot to put my pedometer on it was a bad day for walking I would guess2-3 miles)
Friday:4.5

I usually do my Monday 10mile route with another mother but missed it this week as Madame had her second set of immunizations. I have however on most days picked up the pack and am doing my miles faster, I think this is a result of putting Madame's pushchair in the upright position, it allowed me to have better posture and really have a go of it. I am back to my 10 mile route this Monday and really looking forward to it. I have also started looking into a group called Pushy Mothers which uses a trainer and incorporates more than just walking such as squats and other exercises.

Eating Better

The more fruit goal it still not going too well. I can't eat whole apples due to my front teeth being bonded and as I have little time to "prep" fruit i.e. peel, or chop. A lot of fruit is on my I like it but don't have time list. I have been eating plums and been getting some kiwis in as well. I have though been filtering out the crap and adding in more lean protein adding salads to almost every dinner and bulking up the "nutritious" part of my meals to use up my points. I have some white rice and pasta to use up in the cupboards and then I am looking at switching to brown rice and whole wheat pasta. I have also decided to use some of my extra points on food that in the past I have considered "sinful" but on some thought not as "sinful" and full of crap as a chocolate bar, say a small portion of cheese on things.

ChChChanges

2010-10-13T12:08:00.001-07:00

Over two year ago I joined Weight Watchers and posted this post. With the exception of my pregnancy I spent most of that two years with the same group and love the mainly ladies and a guy or two I see every week at my Wednesday evening meeting. After Madame was born I was itching to get back not just to loose weight but to catch up with all the ladies and have the friendships back.

In my mind Madame would just seamlessly fit in with the 7.15-8.15 meeting. I could take her feed her if needed during the meeting and if she fell asleep put her down in her car seat and carry her into her crib when we got home. I laugh at this thought now, Madame LOVES having a routine and that routine starts at 5.30 and she is asleep sometime between 6 and 7 depending on how tired she is and if she gets wind with her last feeding. This would still allow me time to make it to my meeting if my husband did not work late 90% of the time and not get home to watch Madame.

After much thought and deciding that Madame's routine was the most important thing and the benefits for her out weighed my selfish desire to stay with the group I had come to know and love. I have spoken with my leader and she does a morning meeting on Fridays and this Friday Madame and I will be attending.

I am not much good at carrying over from Friday to Wednesday so weigh in Wednesdays is no more. I am thinking something like Fitness Fridays or something on Saturdays. Last Thursday and Fridays mileage was 7.2 miles both days and I will start from last Saturday's mileage when when I post on Friday so it runs a week at a time.

3 Monthes

2010-10-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

Jocelynne You are 3 months old today

We have pack away most of your 0-3 month clothes only a few are hanging on. We have pulled out a good amount of your 3-6 month clothes though you are so short that we have to roll up the pants legs.

You weigh 12lbs 5oz almost double your birth weight

I can't believe that now I give your age in months instead of weeks

You have had two lots of immunizations in the last month and have done amazing for both, no grizzles or grumps afterwards.

We have started a bedtime routine led by your cues and needs and for the last week you have been asleep by 7pm at the latest. You still wake around 11pm and 4 am for feeds but books I have been reading all say 1-2 feeds until you are as old as a year are normal although Mama is hoping you drop the 4am feed sooner.

You don't show much interest in rolling over, a couple of times you have rolled from your back onto you side by swinging your legs but seem quite content to stay on your side instead of pushing hard to get over your shoulder onto your tummy.

You have started sitting up assisted in between Mama's legs and seem to enjoy it and have good stability I think we might have you sitting before rolling over. Yesterday Mama moved your pushchair from the flat position to a slanted sitting position(see picture) and you LOVE it. You look all around and have yet to realize you can't seem Mama anymore (you have more interesting things to look at). I love how it makes your ears stick out.

You love tummy time and have started doing the parachute position with you arms, legs, and head off the mat at the same time. You have also gotten much more interested in your baby gym and bouncy chair. I think it is the fact that you have a longer attention span.

You have started "talking" you love to tell stories and sometimes just lay under you baby gym and talk to your self.

Everyday when I go to get you out of your crib in the morning you seem to have changed so much. Everyday I am in awe of the fact that I am your Mother I look into you big blue eyes and fall a little bit more in love with you if that is possible. Every single day with you is a blessing.

Madame's Monday Update

2010-10-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

Mama put you down for a few minutes and returned to find this. Usually Kitty ignores you and once you are asleep comes and bugs me to get some loving. Looks like I will have to be more careful to close the door.

After a few melt down days and nights we have started a bed time routine of bath at 5.30 followed by dim lights no TV, or mama on the computer, calm voices, and quiet. for the past 5 nights you have been asleep by 6:30 and only wake for a 11pm feed and a 4am feed and both times you are straight back to sleep to wake for good at 7am. It seems to also have helped with your naps as well as. You are getting into a routine with when you like to take your naps but are flexible enough to sleep at home, in the push chair, car, or sling. I hope this is something you can keep up but we will see when you start teething and such.

I am so glad you are settling easier, you are so much happier when you wake up in the morning and we have a lazy 30 minutes in bed singing song and playing, it is such a joy.

I love you so much,

Mummy

The Many Faces of Madame

2010-10-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

While Mama went out to play with her toys (making christmas cards) and friends, you and Daddy chilled yesterday. Daddy got great pictures of all the new expressions you are making.

While You Were Sleeping

2010-10-07T03:50:00.000-07:00

Kitty kept your bouncy chair warm!

Weigh in Wednesdays

2010-10-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately even though I had hope to hold steady this week after a bad start to the week with Madame being under the weather with a runny nose it was not to be. I ended up gaining a pound. Most of this can be put down to snarfing most of a carrot cake I made on Sunday when I was stressed and rain getting in the way of walking. Update on goals:

Walking

Thursday: Lost Pedometer and rain
Friday: Lost Pedometer and rain
Saturday: 10.5 miles
Sunday: 2.3 miles
Monday: 9.5 miles
Tuesday: Lost Pedometer (yeah I know I am pathetic)
Wednesday: 5.2 miles

It averages almost four miles a day I had really wanted to do better. I am trying to implement always taking off the pedometer and putting it in the same place hopefully that will help. I am also meeting up with another mother one day a week and doing a 7 mile walk plus the mile each way to meet up with her that was the over 10 miles the last two Mondays. I have also started to look at places that I drive when I meet up with other mums and have started to realize that they are less than two miles I might as well walk because parking is hard around where we live, hopefully that will help.

Eating Better

As I mentioned above I downed almost a whole carrot cake while under stress so I have really failed this week. I can only push to do better.

Madame's Monday Update

2010-10-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Madame was born on a Monday and so when I first started posting updates it seemed reasonable to post them with how old she was in weeks. The problem becomes that in a few years time it would be 152 week post and such. My goal in posting weekly was to keep my friends and family who lived far away updated and also to have a record when she hits milestones or things I didn't want to forget. So in keeping with my goal to keep everyone updated I will continue to post on Mondays with a photo of Jocelynne and a Dear Jocelynne letter. On big occasions like monthly markers I will post on the day it falls in a different format, so just the photo this week no Dear Jocelynne letter, we will be back to the letters next week. I know I am bias but how cute is she?

Weigh in Wednesdays way late

2010-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

So Madame has had a runny nose and been grumpy since Wednesday morning so not much luck in getting on the computer recently. My stats stayed the same this week no weight loss or gain which was not unexpected as I had the sinful week the week before and it usually takes a week or two to show up. Walking break down for the week:

Sept 23-29th

Thursday 6.5 miles
Friday 4.2 miles (rain)
Saturday 5.3 miles
Sunday 1.0 miles (heavy rain)
Monday 10.5 miles (butt hurt next day!)
Tuesday 3.5 miles (no rain but planned activities all day)
Wednesday 5.0 miles

The average for the week ends up being 5.1 miles a day. I wanted to point out because Jacqueline from Marbles Rolling blog commented, I do not go on one walk of 5ish miles a day. I usually do a 2-4 mile walk a day and the rest is toing and froing either in the house or if I pop out to the shops. I wear a pedometer and that is how I keep track. I have the luxury of having a grocery store and high street (British equivalent of a strip mall) walking distance from my house so I only really pull the car out for the once monthly large shop, if I know I am buying an extremely large or heavy item I can not walk home, or to get to a specific shop that is too far to walk.

Goals for this week:

I am not expecting much in the way of loss as I had above mentioned grumpy sick baby for half the week and did not get much walking in Thursday or Friday or track/plan what I ate. I am back on the wagon of tracking and planning what I eat so I am hoping to stay steady.

1. I want to continue to strive for an average of 5 miles a day walking

2. I get 10 extra points on my daily allowance as I am breast feeding, I want to start using these point mainly for fruit and or extra grains and lean protein. I have been eating pre-pregnancy style WW and then throwing in a candy bar or baked good. Not that a treat now and then is bad but in the next three months I will loose 5 points as Madame starts Baby Led Weaning and a further 5 points when she finishes breast feeding altogether and I don't want to go into shock when I loose my daily candy bar ;). I also want Madame to grow up with healthy eating habits and it is never to early to start!

11 Weeks

2010-09-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

You have started to settle yourself at night you like to lay in you crib and stare at the ceiling and talk to yourself. This is one of many looks I get when I come into to give you a kiss good night. You really melt my heart and at the same time it hurts to know you settle yourself now most of the time and you don't need me to feed you to slumber or cuddle and hold you until you drift off.

You love to watch what is going on, especially when we are in new surroundings. Your head just bobs back and forth and you take in everything going on around you.

I pulled out some of your 3-6 month clothing that runs smaller and some of it is fitting you at the moment though some of your 0-3 month clothes still looks large. The size disparity between stores makes me laugh. You have now weighed in at 11lbs 11oz, My bet is you will double your birth weight sometime around the 3 month mark.

Love you to bits,

Mummy

Weigh in Wednesdays

2010-09-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

After a very busy week with lots of temptation that I gave into I was sure that when I went in to weigh in best case scenario I would stay the same. I was pleasantly surprised to loose another 3lbs. I think this was a result of the fact that I don't keep track of the activity points I earn and never use them as food points. I do a lot of walking usually close to 5 miles a day so I think this helped me to stay on track as well as eating really well when I was not giving in to temptation. Goals this week hit 5 miles of walking everyday it is not raining and other than Friday when I am going out with a friend stay with in my allotted points

Original Weight 8/09 186

Weigh in 22/09 180 Total weight loss -6lbs

Ten Weeks

2010-09-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

This week has been a busy week. We took you up to the American Embassy to register you birth abroad and send off for your passport. Your Grandma Kay's Birthday was this week and Daddy has been off from work and doing DIY around the house (which stresses Mama out).

You are such a busy body now, you love to look around and constantly want something to look at or play with. You grasp things with your iron claw and we have to sometimes pry stuff out. You like to have something to hold onto as you feed and when you start to doze off, unfortunately the only thing Mama usually has around is a burp cloth and or muslin we really need to start using your Luvies. No weight for you this week as we missed baby clinic because we were in London at the Embassy.

Bitter sweet

2010-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

These were one of my favorite pants in the 0-3 month size, there was something so cute about the ruffle bum. I put them on her almost every time they were clean. They have the softest pink flannel lining on the inside so the denim will not irritate her skin. Today I had the task of going through her 0-3 month clothes and packing away what no longer fits her. Just as in adult clothing children's clothing is sized different from different shops, so while a good bit of her 0-3 fits her there is stuff that is too small. Sadly the ruffle bum jeans fell into the too small pile and as they were on loan from a good friend who has a daughter two months older than madame they will go back to her. It was hard packing away the clothes that no longer fit I still remember when it drowned her, but in another way it is fun to think of all the fall and winter clothes we have for her in 3-6 month size that she should be coming into in the next few weeks.

Weigh in Wednesdays

2010-09-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

I spent 9 months sharing my body with another human being completely and continue to share my body in part with her even now as I am breastfeeding, but I am ready to claim my body back. As of this week I am officially back to my pre pregnancy weight but still have the 15lbs to loose I put on while we were trying for a baby (because it didn't make sense to watch what I was eating if I was going to get "fat" anyways). Then I also have the 15lbs on top of that to be with in my healthy BMI. I decided that going back to Weight Watchers was the right move for me. They have an adjusted program for breastfeeding mothers and I like the points system and the food log. So with any luck from now on Wednesday I will post my weigh in results so that I have a little more accountability.

First Weigh in 186lbs

Weigh in 15/9 183 -3lbs.

Nine Weeks

2010-09-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

Well you must have sensed my frustration last week because you have started to take a nap now and again in your cot instead of only when you are in the car, or push chair. You have also slept late the last couple of days which has been lush to get a sleep in.

You love to look at things now when we are out on walks, your head moves all over the place looking at things. Sometimes when I pick you up and I smell your baby smell I am over whelmed with home much I love you.

You are Mummy's Special girl and I love you so much!

Eight Weeks

2010-09-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

This week has been a rough week. You have decided that you will only nap if you are in your pushchair on a walk or in the sling next to Mama. This does not really allow from the nap while their napping principle as I have yet to figure out how to nap while pushing your pushchair. Oh well I guess it is your way of helping me loose weight as we have really been pounding the pavement.

Four or Five nights a week you have been sleeping six hours, feeding, then sleeping another 2-3 hours. Mama appreciates this since your not really napping. You have inadvertently created the crazy hour in our house. It is the hour after you fall asleep and Mama runs around like a chicken with her head cut off doing things like cleaning, online banking, laundry, cooking, eating and other things you don't think Mama should do while your awake.

You have finally learned to take a bottle and it is a relief for Mama now I don't have to either A drag you around with me everywhere I go for the next at least 10 months of my life or B plan everything I need to do minus baby around your feeds and rush back hoping you have not died of starvation by the time I get back (and you act like you are dying if you have to wait more than 30 seconds from when you decide you should get fed)

You constantly remind me who is boss when I try to plan too much into our day or forget that I can no longer just grab my keys and run out the door anymore. You have an amazing way of wanting to be fed 2 mins before we need to walk out the door even when I only fed you 15 mins before (refer to the above mentioned acting like dying when not fed in 30 seconds) does not matter that I was pack the night before and all ready to go an hour in advance we still usually end up late.

I think you are trying to roll over already if that can be believed. When I put you on you back in the bed next to me when I am reading you arch you back and push way up onto your side with your feet trying to get closer to me. I would prefer you took your time with learning to roll over as I am constantly worried about you rolling off the bed or the changing table.

You weighed 10lbs 11oz at your last weigh in, you seem to be slowing down in you weight gain now that you have hit the 50th percentile which suites mama just fine as long as you maintain a healthy weight gain.

We love you so much Madame!

Mama

Seven Weeks

2010-08-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

Your personality has really come out this week. I can't belive how much you smile now, wish you would do it for the camera.

You gave Mummy and Daddy our first scare this week. After being grumpy all evening and not really wanting to eat you started to scream at the top of your lungs and felt very warm. Mummy rang Daddy who was just down the road to come home. We took you tempature which was slightly above average but not fever stage and you were still screaming at full wack. While Mummy go dressed Daddy got you in the car and we rushed off to the emergency room. Before we were at the end of the road you were asleep. After a call to your Grandma Kay to decide if we were over reacting taking you to the emergency room (she kindly pretty much said we were probably over reacting but better safe than sorry if we had any doubt) we stop off at a late night pharmacy, spoke to the pharmacist and decided that we were over reacting and took you home still asleep. You slept most of the night and woke up like it was nothing at all

Please no more scares, but sleeping through the night is always allowed!

Mummy

6 Weeks

2010-08-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

Daddy got to go with us to the baby clinic and you are up to 10lbs 8.5oz. Stop growing that's an order from Mummy and Daddy. This week you have been smiling more when people talk to you or tickle you, every time Mummy tries to grab the camera you do your little old man faces though.

Last week on Tuesday we got to meet up with all but one of the mums and babies from out birthing class, even with all the weight you have put on your still one of the runts there is only one baby smaller than you! Though you have put on the most weight since birth as all the other babies were born between 8lbs and 9lbs 8oz.

Mummy has been expressing milk for a freezer stash and this week while Daddy has been off we have been working on introducing the bottle to you. Your still not sure what to make of it, you have realized you can get the milk but are not impressed by the delivery system and after you finished your first bottle with Daddy you jump right on the breast and looked at me like I was crazy for ever thing you would want a bottle.

When you fall asleep all snuggled in the crook of my arm I can't imagine life with out you.

Mummy and Daddy love you so much!

Does this make my bum look big?

2010-08-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

The cloth diapers finally arrived in the right size and I got them through the wash 4-5 time to improve their absorbency. I can't believe how cute she is in them, I love patting her well cushioned bum! We are still using disposables at night while we get use to them also because I can hardly stumble to the changing table let alone make sure I have all the diaper in the cover so we don't have leakage. I think in time when we get more comfortable with the cloth diapers we will use them all the time.

In a side note I realized that since I take a majority of the pictures on the bed and I always have the same sheets on you must think I never change the sheets. In fact the sheets get changed every day to two days because Madame hangs out on the bed when I am in our room and does an excellent job at spitting up and blowing out diapers on the sheets. I happen to have two sheet sets that a are exactly the same, they came to me for free and I have had them for over 5 years so I don't care if she stains them. Maybe one day when she is older we can go back to all the fun sheets I have!

5 Weeks

2010-08-16T10:08:00.001-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

Seriously 5 weeks? Mummy got brave this week while Daddy was away for work on Monday she took a shower without taking the bouncy chair or the car seat into the bathroom. You had fallen a sleep in you sling so Mummy carefully put you in your cot turned the baby monitors on and ripped her clothes off and took the fastest shower she has ever taken. You slept through the whole thing and then for another 2 1/2 hours after that. Mummy was not sure what to do with herself you had never slept so long in the cot before. Mummy was so excited that she sat in bed awake most of the time.

You seem to have shed your nickname Sprog, Mummy is not surprised since we had not met you yet when we picked it. Your nicknames recently are Madame, Madame Mucky Pants, She Who Spits Up A Lot, and Little Miss Fussy Butt. Mummy also refers to you as J when she texts or is typing one handed.

You made your first trips by bus and train this week and Mummy prayed so hard you would sleep as she did not want to be THAT woman with the crying baby. You did good while we were actually on the train and bus but had a little melt down at the train station. Nothing like nursing in public during rush hour at a busy train station to give you nerves of steel when it come to nursing in public.

At your baby clinic weigh in today you were up to 9lbs 10oz, you are definitely working on storing up the baby fat for winter.

Love you so much,

Mummy

Napping House

2010-08-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing better on a Sunday afternoon. Maybe Mama should get in on the action, or lack there of.

Baby Wearing Daddy

2010-08-09T23:42:00.000-07:00

As Daddy is away for work and we miss him I thought it would be fun to post pictures of him from our walk to Leigh on Sea from Sunday. I thought we had done about 6 miles round trip but I plugged it into google and it turns out closer to 10 miles round trip. No wonder my bum hurts so much. Good thing most of it was slow and leisurely and we met up with friends for two hours about halfway!

4 Weeks

2010-08-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

The weeks seem to be passing so quickly unlike Mummy's third trimester of pregnancy that she never thought would end.

We had a cloth diaper fail on Friday when the company Mummy ordered from sent the wrong size diapers. Mummy was not a happy camper, they are sending the right size but it will probably be close to the end of this week before they arrive. Mummy was so irritated to have to buy another pack of disposable diapers.

Mummy packed up the last of you New Born size clothes as you are now to big for them, I can't believe how quickly you are growing. At the baby clinic this afternoon you weighed 9lb 5oz which is right on the 50 percentile.

Yesterday we got to meet up with Laura and Frasier from our birthing class and their new daughter Charlotte, I am so hoping you two will be friends as you get older.

In other news Mummy is getting much more confident with nursing you in public so we don't have to plan our outings around your feeding times places that have feeding areas. I am so happy that this is coming along I want you to be use to coming and going.

I love you so much,

Mummy

P.S. You have gone vintage with your outfit today, you are sporting a dress that was made for Mummy by your Great Grandma Eubank. Grandma Traci was kind enough to pack it away and move it oh 35 times while Mummy was growing up. I love you little ruffle bum!

Every Choice You Make Has a Consequence

2010-08-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

This phrase has never been as real for me as it is right now having just dropped my mom off at the airport to fly home a few hours ago. The freshly bathed, recently fed, warm bundle strapped to my chest in her sling is a constant reminder of the decision I made to follow the man I cared deeply for to England and eventually marry him and have a child with him. Mr. Y in E thought it our much better than me and asked on multiply occasion when we discussed trying for children and also while I was pregnant if I was OK with the fact I was having a baby so far away from my family. Intellectually I knew it would be hard but in much my fashion of late I just figured I would soldier on, anything less would be admitting defeat. I never allowed myself to consider the emotional aspect of my choice. Plus I knew no matter where we lived here in England or in the US we would be "depriving" one set of family from being near Madame.

So this afternoon when I put Madame in her cot and wound up the mobile Grandma Traci got her so I could run her bath, she cooed and watched it go round, I bawled. I cried feeling like a horrible daughter for producing such a lovely grand daughter for my parents but doing it thousands of miles away in a foreign country. This is one choice that living with the consequences may sting for a very long time.

3 Weeks

2010-08-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

What a week it has been for you, on Wednesday you met most of Daddy's extended family when we went to the wake for you great grandma Lilly who passed away a week after you were born. You were passed around from cousins to aunts and uncles and slept the whole time. Thursday we went to pick up you Grandma Traci from Heathrow airport and you were such a champ for the journey. Grandma Traci calls you portababy and you are, as long as you are in your pushchair, your sling, or you car seat in a moving car you are a happy baby. Mummy is so happy she bought such a good stroller for taking you on walks it was definitely worth the investment. At your weigh in today you put on even more weight and are up to 8lbs 10oz. I look at you and you look so big I can't believe that there are lots of babies born around your weight. This week we have moved you into size two New Baby sized disposable diapers while we wait for your cloth diapers to arrive and for Mummy to prep them. Mummy is so excited to get you in the cloth diapers and be done with disposables.

Mummy

P.S. Your little blue dress was a gift from Grandma Traci, Mummy freaked out when we found out that you were a girl that we would be stuck with pink for the first 18 years of you life and banned immediate family from buying pink. So Grandma Traci went to Carters in the US and found the only blue dress ever made probably. Gotta love grandmas!

Two Weeks

2010-07-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

I can't believe you two weeks old already, It seems like forever and not that long all in one. Your growing like a weed and gained more weight at your 10 day weigh in. Your now up to 7lb 3oz. Your eating like a champ and are kind enough most nights to give mum a 4 hour stretch of sleep. You are such a good little one when we go out, you love to sleep in the car, in your stroller, or in you sling. You have started to have more awake time and like to have staring contests with me and like to be spoken to. Dad has become the master of the bath and you just relax in his arms and the water and seem so content. Grandma Traci is coming at the end of the week and I can't wait for you two to meet.

We love you so much,

Mummy and Daddy

One week old

2010-07-19T11:24:00.001-07:00

Dear Jocelynne,

Your one week old I can't believe how fast the week has passed. This week you and mummy have been working hard on learning to nurse. We have had a few hick-ups here and there but were very excited when you put on three ounces at you five day weigh in instead of loosing weight like most babies. Daddy gave you you first bath at home and unlike the one in the hospital where you screamed bloody murder this one you loved. You just relaxed in his arms and enjoyed the water. We can't believe how in love we are with you. Keep growing strong little one.

Meet the Sprog

2010-07-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Jocelynne Olivia Moore

Born 3.45pm Monday 12/07/2010

37 weeks

2010-07-04T02:54:00.001-07:00

Dear Sprog,

I know that you are not trying to hurt mummy when you do you acrobatics but I hate to break it to you, your out of room in there. Please feel free at any point to choose to do your acrobatics out in the real worlds. I think you will find you have lots more room to punch and kick to your hearts desire.

Love,

Mummy

36 Weeks

2010-06-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

I am a week late posting this picture it has been sitting on the camera but I have been too lazy to actually upload it to the computer. The bump keeps growing not sure how much bigger it can get before my tummy might just explode but I have a feeling Sprog is at home in there and will enjoy her 40+ weeks so I think we will all get to see home much bigger my tummy can expand.

The first of many

2010-06-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

So today I did the first of what will be probably millions of loads of laundry for the Sprog. I figured I had better have a few things washed and ready to go in case she decided to make an appearance early. I am thoroughly convinced she is going to hang out in there until 40+ weeks but it never hurts to be prepared.

I realized that my first baby had not made an appearance on the blog for a while so here he is in all his splendor sleeping the afternoon away. He really can't be bothered with all the furniture moving and craziness that is going on!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks for always being behind me pushing me forward.

35 down 35 to go

2010-06-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

So today marks the magical 35/35. I have been pregnant for 35 weeks and have 35 days to go until Sprog makes her appearance if she is a good time keeper. 35 days sounds like a lot and not enough all at the same time.

I have to say the last four days since I have given up work have been bliss. I have not had very much swelling at all, some but nothing to even mention. My PSD issues have been so much better very little pain to mention. Most importantly "Preparation Sprog" has begun. I am slowly going through the house room by room deep cleaning in prep to move everything around and start setting up Sprog's stuff. Looks like the cot will go up on Sunday, fitting activity for Philip on Fathers Day!

34 Weeks

2010-06-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Sprog,

We are getting so close now but still have over a month until you are scheduled to make your appearance. Mummy finished up work on Friday and looks forward to spending the next five weeks prepping for your arrival. There is still much to be done, I want to give the house a deep clean as who know once you arrive how much more than a wipe down and a vacuum it will get for a long time. Furniture needs to be moved around so that your cot can be put together, your pushchair has arrived but it is still in the box and will need to be put together. Your clothes need to be washed and put away and I need to get your cloth nappies and prep them for you. I also want to have some meals in the freezer so that we have good eats when you first get here. Hopefully this will all keep me busy for a while as I await your arrival. I can't wait to meet you.

Love,

Mummy

The belly is not all that swells

2010-06-12T12:01:00.001-07:00

In the absence of my bump photographer you will have to make do with photo of swelling I can take. That would be my before and after photos of my ankle swelling. The first was take about 6.30 am before I left for work. The second was around 7pm when I got home.

BEFORE

AFTER I should mention that even the before shot is more swollen than my ankles were before pregnancy but that seems to be the norm now. My Midwife has seen my ankles at their worst and says even though it looks bad it is not out of the normal range for pregnancy especially given the hot weather of late. I am hoping now that I have given up work I can keep the swelling down by being able to put my feet up more. I will be trying to get my bump photographer to get a picture soon so you can see something more exciting than my ankles.

32 weeks

2010-05-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Sprog,

Mummy is getting slow, really slow. Daddy now measure how slow people are in comparison to mummy. He said the other day that one of his Chef de Parties made me look fast. Sometimes Daddy forgets how slow Mummy is and looks back after a couple hundred yards to realize that Mummy is far behind.

We had an appointment with the midwife this week and she said you have a very strong heartbeat and Mummy’s tummy is right on target for growth. We talked more about our plan to try a home birth and gave me some advice.

I can’t believe how much fruit and salad I am craving lately, we have tons of fruit and yogurt for breakfast, and usually a huge salad for lunch. Trying to keep things balanced we usually have crap for dinner like a whole package of flapjacks or cheesecake or brownies, gotta have some ying with your yang.

Mummy’s friend Rachel is leaving for the US for a few months and won’t be here for your birth so she gave Mummy your gift early. I think she was worried that mummy would not buy you anything in pink or with frills so she made sure to get you LOTS of pink frilly stuff. You can thank her when she gets back in September.

Love you much

Mummy

30 weeks

2010-05-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Sprog,

Daddy was able to go with us to our midwife appointment last week and got to hear your heart beat, think he liked it. Mummy and Daddy are both learning loads at our antenatal classes, last week we learned all about a natural birth, we like this and would prefer that you decide to come out this way. Also last week I mentioned that full term was 37 weeks and you could come out anytime after that, well we just learned that Daddy does not get paid paternity leave if you show up before the 18th of July so I if you wouldn't mind staying in until then. I retract the before mentioned holding it against you and all that.

Last week we finally got a new Prime Minister after much negotiation and coalition making. Sorry you will be born under a conservative PM. Mummy did not get to vote. Don't worry if you want to grow up and be a conservative I will still love you, goodness know Grandma and Grandpa still love mummy even though she is a little liberal for their liking. I do have to mention though that David Cameron (that's your new PM) is talking about getting rid of Child Tax credits for the income bracket Mummy and Daddy fall into so I hope you were not dreaming of having a pony.

On a less serious note the evening kickboxing class you seem to have enrolled in keeps Mummy amused for the whole train ride home, so thanks.

All the love in the Universe,

Mummy

What is on a Pregnant woman mind right now?

2010-05-14T02:23:00.000-07:00

You asked it's pretty scattered and scary.

Politics:

I wonder if David Cameron realized when joining the Conservative party a million years ago that one day he would never again be able to wear a red tie. I wonder if he wakes up some mornings and thinks, damn I am really bored with wearing the same blue tie every single day.

I wonder if Nick Clegg's choice of a green tie yesterday was a subliminal message about the Lib-Dem Conservative coalition. Might as well throw all those yellow ties away Judas. How does it feel to be sleeping with the enemy? You have so sold out your party and it ideals for what I ask? Being Deputy PM? It is more of a laughable role the Vice President in the US. I will buy you some nice blue ties for Christmas.

I wonder if Gordon Brown is secretly thinking suckers I don't even have to wear a tie unless I want and if I did want to wear a tie I could choose ANY colour, bit me.

29 weeks

2010-05-10T23:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Sprog,

If Mummy gets any bigger they are going to have to roll her like the kid in Charlie and the Chocolate factory who tried the candy he shouldn't have.

Daddy and I started antenatal classes a few weeks ago and have already had the class on a planned c-section, Mummy would prefer you did not come out this way so if you would work on that for me.

We also got your cot a few weeks ago it is sitting at the bottom of the stairs, it is the first big purchase and even though it is still in the box it seems to make it a little more real. Your brother Kitty is not impressed with the new box in the house or all the other little things that seem to be appearing. However he does like to curl up next to Mummy's belly to sleep at night so I am hoping the two of you will be good friends in time.

The books say you are about the size of an acorn squash now. Seem very big, but not big enough to come out yet. Just wanted to let you know that 37 weeks is considered full term so if you felt you were cooked enough by then to come out Mummy would welcome you with open arms. If not I will just remind you how long I served for as your host on every single occasion available until you are at least 40 years old. No pressure.

Love,

Mummy

P.S. we are working on a name for you, I promise you will not be know as the Sprog FOREVER, just the first five years of your life or so.

Sorry

2010-04-23T03:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates and pictures. I am just getting over a sinus infection from hell and Philip has been working crazy hours so I have had no photographer.

Sprog is doing well even though my body has done its best to be a hostile enviorment and I will try to get some pictures this weekend and update the blog.

25 Weeks

2010-04-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

So I am late this week with the Belly shots and since I am 25 weeks tomorrow I thought we would just skip week 24 and get closer to on track.

-How far along? 25 weeks!

-How big is baby? About the size of a papaya

-Weight gain/loss? +10

-Maternity clothes? Pretty much all the time I have a few non maternity tops that I wear around the house.

-Stretchies? Just on my bust.

-Sleep? Not very good at it.

-Best moment this week? It was a good week all around, short week at work and then I got to see the little one again at my hospital appointment. To top it all off I had my friend Rachel down for a few days and the baby stash has grown a large amount.

-Movement? Morning, noon, and night.

-Gender? Girl

-Labor signs? none.

-Belly button in or out? In but getting shallower by the week.

-What I miss? Not lugging around the extra weight.

-What I am looking forward to? First class seat on the train in two weeks!

-Weekly wisdom? Stop before your back hurts!

23 weeks

2010-03-28T07:03:00.001-07:00

-How far along? 23 weeks!

-How big is baby? About the size of a papaya

-Weight gain/loss? +10

-Maternity clothes? Think I really need to give up on my non maternity tops it just seems that maternity tops are too big.

-Stretchies? Just on my bust.

-Sleep? Not very good at it.

-Best moment this week? The Sprog kicking morning noon and night. Now my tummy actually bounces when the sprog kicked hard enough.

-Movement? Morning, noon, and night.

-Gender? Girl

-Labor signs? none.

-Belly button in or out? In but getting shallower by the week.

-What I miss? The hour I lost to British Summer Time.

-What I am looking forward to? Starting to buy bits and pieces.

-Weekly wisdom? Have a cupcake it make you happy!

22 Weeks

2010-03-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

-How far along? 22 weeks!

-How big is baby? About the size of a papaya

-Weight gain/loss? +10

-Maternity clothes? Still refuse to give up a few non maternity tops but pretty much all maternity now.

-Stretchies? Found the first one on my bust of all places.

-Sleep? I tend to wake ever hour or two after midnight.

-Best moment this week? The Sprog kicking morning noon and night. Now my tummy actually bounces when the sprog kicked hard enough.

-Movement? Sprog is a good little kicker, mainly when I am still but throws a punch or two in now and again even when I am moving around.

-Gender? Girl

-Labor signs? none.

-Belly button in or out? In but getting shallower by the week.

-What I miss? Sleep.

-What I am looking forward to? Starting to buy bits and pieces.

-Weekly wisdom? If you tire yourself out you sleep better.

21 Weeks

2010-03-13T04:05:00.001-08:00

Sorry about the crazy look on my face at the time Philip was making comments about the scratches from the cat on my arms making me look like a heroin junkie.

-How far along? 21 weeks!

-How big is baby? About the size of a papaya

-Weight gain/loss? I think I am up 9lb but have not been on a scale in a while.

-Maternity clothes? Still refuse to give up a few non maternity tops but pretty much all maternity now.

-Stretchies? None from pregnancy yet.

-Sleep? I tend to wake ever hour or two after midnight.

-Best moment this week? Philip being able to feel the Sprog kick.

-Movement? Sprog is a good little kicker, mainly when I am still but throws a punch or two in now and again even when I am moving around.

-Gender? I know, Philip knows, we will tell you all soon but not today.

-Labor signs? none.

-Belly button in or out? In but getting shallower by the week.

-What I miss? Sleep.

-What I am looking forward to? Starting to buy bits and pieces.

-Weekly wisdom? There is no shame in using your bump to insure you get a seat on the packed train when you have been standing for over two hours at the station due to massive delays.

20 Weeks

2010-03-07T04:07:00.001-08:00

-How far along? 20 weeks!

-How big is baby? About the size of a cantaloupe

-Weight gain/loss? As much fun as you would all have watching me get fat I am not going to get on the scale every week

-Maternity clothes? Mix and match. Maternity for jeans and trousers and one or two normal tops but most of them have reached max capacity.

-Stretchies? None from pregnancy yet.

-Sleep? Somewhat better than previous weeks but my body seems to think 5am is a good time to be awake.

-Best moment this week? Having the Sprog go crazy after my morning glass of OJ

-Movement? Some pretty good little kicks not quite hard enough to feel on the outside yet.

-Food cravings? Anything baked, I am trying with all my heart with mediocre success to ignore this.

-Gender? Gut feeling is it’s a boy, we shall see March 11th-Labor signs? none.-Belly button in or out? In, but I did notice it was shallower the other day.

-What I miss? Doing anything with speed, I have gotten so slow at everything.

-What I am looking forward to? Philip being able to feel the kicks-Weekly wisdom? If you are going to wake up at 5am no matter what go to bed earlier.

-Milestones? Officially half way though the pregnancy this week.

19 Weeks

2010-02-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

-How far along? 19 weeks!

-How big is baby? About the size of a mango

-Weight gain/loss? Even though I was terrified I might break the scale when I got on I was pleasantly surprised to find out I am only up 6lb

-Maternity clothes? Mix and match. Maternity for jeans and trousers I can still get away with normal tops

-Stretchies? None from pregnancy yet.

-Sleep? I tend to wake ever hour or two after midnight.

-Best moment this week? Hearing the Heartbeat at midwife appointment and feeling baby move more.

-Movement? Bubbles and Flutters, sometimes something more.

-Food cravings? Anything baked.

-Gender? Gut feeling is it’s a boy, we shall see March 11th

-Labor signs? none.

-Belly button in or out? In

-What I miss? Doing anything with speed, I have gotten so slow at everything.

-What I am looking forward to? Philip being able to feel the kicks

-Weekly wisdom? There is no shame in napping over lunch in the staff room even if you have had 8 hours of sleep.

Who flipped the switch?

2009-09-05T14:33:00.001-07:00

Yes I realize that autumn follows summer I just didn’t realize that in England on August 31 at 11.59pm someone flips a switch and that’s it summer is over. I didn’t really realize last year as spring melted into summer and summer to fall. It was more like two seasons last year winter and not winter.

This year we had summer, not the mind blowingly hot for three months kind of summer, but hey I live in England more than one day in the 90s F is a gift. It all ended promptly on September 1st. It was oh so noticeable, the cold mornings, bright sunshiny cool afternoons and crisp evening that had the autumn smell.

I look over at our fire place as I type this and realize that I need to take down my bright cheerful summer banner and think about sourcing some mini pumpkins and Indian corn. The leafy twigs that sit in the urns by the fire place need to be pulled down from the attic and maybe I should think about some Halloween decorations. I can honestly say that this year I am excited for fall. Usually I mourn the days getting shorter, the darkness creeping in, and the temperatures dropping but this year I can’t wait to buy me some pumpkins.

Then there is the food! Cottage Pie, Toad in the Hole, endless soups, and meat pies.
I love the heavy stomach filling stick to your ribs kind of food that fall and winter bring. Brussels sprouts should make their appearance soon and I have found if you eat the baby Brussels they aren’t so bad. Fall deserts are yummy too, pumpkin cheese cake, pecan pie, zucchini bread with the last of the summer zucchini.

The best part of autumn however has to be the fact that the goose down duvet has been pulled down from the attic and I can look forward to its light but warm cover for months to come

Iron Cupcak IV

2009-09-03T22:32:00.001-07:00

Another month another iron cupcake. I don't know why I love the after shot more than the before. I think the pure gluttony of sitting back and realizing that you and your partners in crime just ate your way through more than 20 cupcakes. Yes you cut them in halves and quarters but damn your a pig and you would do it all over again. In fact you will do it all over again next month. For pictures of the pretty cupcakes in the before phase head over to Iron Cupcakes.

Yank Works

2009-08-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

So I realized that I have never spoken much about my work on my blog. Some of that was the whole if I say too much I might get fired issue, some of it was just being lazy.

So what does Yank do?

I work for a corporate reception management firm.

What does that mean?

Basically the company I work for manages the receptions of a number buildings and companies.
Some are what we call Front of House this is where you walk into a large multi tenanted building and someone signs you in give you directions to where the lifts are and what floor you will need. These building only because there is little variance in your job are my least favourite.
Some are client floor(s) this is where you manage a client floor depending on the contract you will do different things from meet and greet, managing meeting rooms, taking meeting room reservations, switchboard, ordering of taxis, ordering of couriers, mail delivery and many other tasks. I like these sites better.

99.9% of the employees who work for my company are static, this means every day they go to the same place and work for the same client. Their shifts may rotate to cover reception during the open hours but they will always be at the same site. The other .01% percent are what is called the Elite Team. Our role is to cover holidays, sickness both short and long term, training, vacancies that have not been filled, maternity leave, busy periods.

I belong to the Elite Team, it was the role I took when I was hired and have been doing it for the last 15 months. I love my job, I love the company I work for, but I need a change, a new challenge. I really don’t want to change companies as I mentioned I love the company I work for. They are not perfect but you can tell they care and are actively trying to improve on a constant basis. This is the first company I have worked for where the training they say they are so big on in the interviewing stage actually takes place.

One of the downside of being on the Elite Team for the last 15 months is that I have been to almost every site my company manages. Some I have spent long periods at and this has allowed me to know which of these sites for whatever reason would not be the right place for me to take a static position. Some of these reasons are a trivial as the escalator is right next to reception and makes the most mind numbing noise all day every day until you want to scream, or they are in the wrong part of London to make my commute as hassle free as possible. Some of my reasons are a lot less trivial, I don’t mesh with manager’s style of management, I have had issues with another employee, as I mentioned above I prefer client floor to front of house services. So once I have ticked of sites I definitely do NOT want to work at, and sites that I would hesitate to work at I am left with a very short list of about 5 sites that perfectly or almost perfectly meet my criteria.

So now I wait, I wait for a position to come up at one of these sites, I wait for contracts for new sites that might be of interest or worse case scenario I start looking outside of the company I work for. I am not really ready to do this yet but if by next summer nothing has come available or I have not been able to secure a position if it has become available that is where I will be.

So raise your glasses to new challenges and opportunities and watch this space.

Death by Cupcake

2009-08-03T23:13:00.000-07:00

This is what a valid attempt to try 24 cupcakes with three mates looks like. More new on last nights Iron Cupcake when the sugar rush wears off.

How can something so pretty taste so bad?

2009-08-03T02:43:00.000-07:00

The frosting I mean, there is nothing wrong with the cupcake itself actually the cupcake is really nice, the frosting however leaves something to be desired. It was my first attempt at boiled or 7minute frosting, and to be honest I can ever remember tasting it in the past. I wanted something that would give the illusion of marshmallow on top of my graham cracker and chocolate chip cupcake. I was going for a s'mores theme but sadly the frosting was so disgusting I gave up. These are not the cupcakes I will be entering in the Iron Cupcakes contest tonight. Really anything that tastes as bad as this did should not be allowed to look as cute as my little cupcake looks. I even "toasted" some of the frosting with a kitchen torch to get the whole roasted marshmallow effect, it did not improve upon the flavor. I think the next time I do it I will add a %#*$ load of flavoring into the frosting so you don't get that whole sickly sweet meringue flavor. Watch this space either to night or tomorrow I will post the pictures from Iron Cupcakes I am now going to contemplate that I made that monstrosity above

Yank Cooks!

2009-08-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

So anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that I can bake at a slightly above average level, but yes Yank can cook too, sort of. Yank chooses not to most of the time because Mr. Y in E is a chef so why waist that talent. A few weeks ago though Yank wanted Mr. Y in E's yummy gammon soup which requires boiling off gammon and having dinner of that one night and then making soup with the stock and left over gammon. Due to schedules if Yank did not boil off the gammon the soup would not get made. So never one to shy away from a large hunk of meat Yank Cooked.

1 Gammon,
2 pepper corns
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1bay leaf

All Rough chopped
1 carrot
1/2 onion
1 leek
2 stalks celery

Cover with just enough water to cover the gammon and bring to a boil.
Gently simmer until temperature probe reads 145F

Transfer Gammon into casserole dish and cover with a glaze of brown sugar, maple syrup, and water (sorry did not measure just made it up)

Bake in oven continually basting until all the glaze is cooked off.

Remove from oven bask in glory of the large piece of pork you just cooked and then eat.

Goes well with warm potato salad and crispy garden salad.

Dear. . . .

2009-07-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

Bob Crow
General Secretary
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
Unity House39
Chalton Street
London NW1 1JD

Dear Mr. Crow,

Earlier this week I wrote an angry letter to you in regards to the strike taking place by members of your union in regards to pay and benefits on National Express East Anglia line. In the letter I compared you to the Antichrist, but after much thought I decided not to send it. I certainly believe that workers should have the right to strike when working conditions and pay are bad. I however don't believe that in the current financial climate asking for a 2.5% raise above inflation and a four day working week is very sensible. Never the less in the spirit of your right to strike I have dealt with the longer train journeys on a train line that is not as easily assessable to where I live ( I don't drive). I am however disappointed that after all of the hardship your union members are putting me through so they can have their strike that I have not seen one picket line either at the station located near me or at Liverpool Street Station in London. I do understand that due to the strike and the lack of train services a number of your union members are probably having a difficult time making it to London but I would enjoy the sight of them at my local train station, which is Southend Victoria should you care to ask a few people to picket for my pleasure.

On a side note after having journeyed home on the C2C line last night and enjoying a train service that was air conditioned, ran on time, and a lot smoother ride maybe you could mention this to the big bosses at National Express East Anglia. I know it is not your concern about customer service I am just thinking that maybe if you came up with some ideas of how to draw more customers to the line so they could make more money and then in turn be able to pay for your 2.5% pay raises and 4 day working week they would be more willing to negotiate.

I do hope that you and your union members enjoy your four day weekends (five days over the bank holiday sweet!) for the rest of the summer, funny how that all worked out for you. While I am no longer upset enough to compare you to the Antichrist I would not worry about leaving your diary open for dinner party invites or keeping you eye out for a card at Christmas.

Kind Regards,

Yankee in England

Whats up with Yank?

2009-07-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

I know I have not been blogging very much lately and I just suck that way. Sorry can't help it. So what has Yank been up to?

One of these has come to live at Casa de la Yank. Great bargain found second hand for less that half of retail price. Always makes you feel good.

Two of these have been ordered to adorn either side of the fire place. Not second hand but on sale feels good but not as good at above.

Spending lots of time reading and studying this. As well as practical lessons, have learned I have no desire to own a Mini Cooper.

Started reading this as everyone say I HAD too it was SO good. I am not taken at the moment but not that far into it. I think I might be getting old as I don't really relate with the teenage character.

Been trying out lots of recipes for these. Next Monday is the third Iron Cupcake competition I think I have found my entry but I have one more recipe to try later this week before I make up my entries this weekend.

Been loving this blog and this blog at the moment.

Gave up these like a month ago I think I don't know not making a big deal of it and so I am not counting days, weeks, months, hours, minutes, seconds. Just bought a whole round of patches and I guess when there gone then I'm done. Going low key this time.

In a cross over from my craft blog I have been really digging Jennifer's Tutorials on how to use Tim Holtz products and have been buy a product or two as I can and have started playing with them. Hopefully one day soon they will make it onto Yankee Crafts in England.

So I think you are all up to date for the moment.