These are a few of my favourite things... Part I

In honour of Miss E and Mr A's five-month birthday last week, I thought I'd compile a little list of their pet likes at the moment (just to remind myself in next-to-no-time when they've changed yet again). They're two separate little people, so I think they deserve a post each. Today is Miss E's turn.

Miss E's current top five:

• Singing the 'Hokey Cokey and doing the actions
• Chatting to herself, especially when falling to sleep (even if it does annoy Mr A)
• Playing 'This Little Piggy' while waiting for Mr A to have his bath
• Grabbing things (particular favourites include mummy's hair, Mr A's clothes, dirty nappies and her butterfly teether)
• Having her own cot (since she stopped sharing a cot with Mr A she has slept through more often than not, though she likes to join Mr A in his cot first thing in the morning to say hello)

And what she really, really doesn't like:

• Having her snotty nose and green gungy eyes wiped

Wardrobe purge!

McCall Homemaking Cover
Originally uploaded by George Eastman House

Today Miss E and Mr A's lovely Auntie Emma came to visit. She hasn't seen the babies since Christmas so it was great to show her how much they've changed.

This afternoon Young Daddy and Auntie Emma have taken Miss E and Mr A out for a walk in the sunshine and I thought I'd grab the opportunity for some baby-free time in the house (a rare gift at the moment). So what did I do with this valuable R&R time? Have a long soak in the bath? Go and get a massage? Finally get past chapter one in that book that I keep starting over and over again? Do some more of my much-neglected tapestry? Nope, I decided to have a wardrobe clear-out...

I went up into the loft to get my suitcases of pre-pregnancy clothes down (smashing my head on the heavy wooden ladder in the process - ouch, ouch, ouch). Some clothes I have treated with cheerful (deluded?) optimism. No, they may not fit at the moment but I'm sure they will in a couple of months' time. Then there were the items that required a serious reality check. I'm talking about things that didn't even fit me pre-pregnancy... those items that you've had since you were at university that you're sure one day, you will magically slip into again. With my wardrobe space limited, and every cupboard, drawer and shelf bursting at the seams I've been stern with myself, and there is now an impressive pile of clothes to be delivered to the nearest charity shop.

It might seem like a dull way to spend my precious free time, but it's these kind of jobs that just can't get done when there are two tiny babies around. I was chatting to a good friend of mine whose little boy is about to go to nursery full-time, and she had to admit that what she was most looking forward to was having time to get mundane tasks done. She's got a list and can't wait to start ticking things off. I'm with her - I've loved pottering this afternoon. Wonder if this could be a weekly occurance? Young Daddy.....?

Is 'baby brain' a myth? Not in my world...

According to a new study, 'baby brain' is a myth, the BBC reported yesterday. 'Neither pregnancy nor motherhood addle a woman's brain say the researchers'. I beg to disagree, as I'm sure do most other mummy bloggers out there! I can say without doubt that every friend I have who has a new baby has experienced 'baby brain' and our conversations often go round in circles (I liken my memory to that of a goldfish and apologise now to all my friends to whom I have told the same stories multiple times!).

I haven't put my keys in the freezer (yet), but yesterday I left the kettle on the hob for THREE hours, though I would have sworn on oath I turned the gas off (luckily the kettle was completely full as I was boiling water for bottles so it hadn't boiled dry and burned down the house). I frequently get sayings and words muddled up, and despite being one of the most organised people I know (close friends dub me 'Monica') I have actually had to get Young Daddy to sort out my weekly diary for me as my brain wasn't up to the challenge. I'm always getting the names of the cats and the babies muddled up. A close friend of mine had a heated debate with her husband about what year it was - 2009 or 2010 (she was wrong). And if you're a car thief you'd be advised to follow my friends and I around because I know that hardly any of us ever remember to lock the car doors!

I'm itching to hear some funny tales from Baby Brain land so please share.....

Wordless Wednesday - Temptation

Young Daddy has left an entire packet of custard creams within sight. Place your bets now - how long can I resist?.....

A natural cat burgler..

I'm happy to say that Miss E has been a lot perkier today, but every time I turn my back she seems to have somehow managed to get hold of something I thought was out of her reach. She was lying in her cot while I was changing Mr A and when I turned around the picture book that is tied to her cot was on top of her. Then last night I was bathing Mr A while Miss E was kicking about in her cot and when I looked round she had managed to get the towel that was hanging over the end of the cot up to her mouth to suck on. I can think of three possible explanations:

• She's crawling when I'm not looking!! Of course she isn't (give her a break, she is only five months old after all)
• She can move things with her mind (this was Young Daddy's suggestion)
• She is stretching and twisting to pull things towards her. We are going to need to be more careful about stuff we leave within her reach such as hot drinks. I'm constantly amazed at how these babies always seem to be one step ahead of you!

I’m really excited to have been included in the latest Best of British Mummy Bloggers Carnival at Insomniac Mummy (a blogging carnival is where bloggers submit their best post to a nominated host, who picks out their favourites). It’s my first carnival and I’m looking forward to reading all the other posts that are on the roundup. I just wish I could take my laptop into the bath with me so I could read them there...

Bag a bargain...

I'm a big fan of ASOS so I was really excited to learn that the people behind it launched a new site yesterday, called Achica. It's a members only site, which means you have to register to have a look (annoying), and then each day there are certain promotions or sales on particular brands under the categories homeware, kids, garden, sport and inspiration. Today I'm loving this yellow wooden ride-on from Brio, reduced from £69.99 to £42. The yellow makes me think of sunny days. I can't wait til springtime...

The snot monster and I? Not great pals...

The last few days (3.5 to be exact) have been my first experience of Miss E and Mr A being properly poorly. Of course they've had some sniffles before but they were a walk in the park compared to the epic battle we're now waging against a terrifying snot monster who has taken the entire house hostage.

And I can officially report that dealing with two poorly babies is hard, hard work. Sleep for all of us has been hard to come by. Even though Young Daddy and I try to take shifts overnight, I find it impossible to snooze when I can hear one or other of the babies in distress or when they're both up at the same time it's definitely a case of all hands on deck. In desperation we've been napping when (or if) we can get Miss E and Mr A to sleep at the same time, whatever time of day, but unsurpringly I still feel like a walking zombie (with my own sniffles and cough).

Yesterday we armed ourselves with more supplies - Young Daddy came home with a sackful of goodies (!) from the chemist including Calpol, Calprofen, Karvol vaporiser and Olbas oil for children. Oh and some paracetamol and tissues for me, though I may need to send him back for some cough medicine (though I bet that's something else I can't have while breastfeeding)!

What I've discovered is that looking after a baby who's ill makes you feel overwhelmingly helpless. Miss E, with her red-rimmed eyes with dark circles underneath, white face, streaming eyes and nose just stares at me as if to say, 'please help me' and I feel so sorry for her. And for Mr A, when he's beside himself because he's so tired but unable to sleep. Then I force Calpol down them (which they hate - cue dramatic gagging and choking sounds) and I feel guilty as well as helpless! Let's hope we're over the worst. Please?!