A creative week!

I think I've been feeling really frustrated by not having much time for creativity lately - I feel so much better this week! I've finally got the sewing machine set up properly, and started making bags. I made one for my knitting stuff (which has been neglected this week but I'll get to it eventually!) and started one which I hope to offer on the GP forum. I've started to embroider it so hope it'll work! I've been teaching Chloe how to make friendship bracelets too - although she'll only try the plaiting ones at the moment. We need lots more silks!
Friendship bracelets, 4 colours.

Very bad picture of the start of the embroidery on the bag!

Brown cloth bag - handles still to be added!

My new knitting bag - cream fabric with pale lilac floral/berry branch print

I'm really enjoying the sewing as it doesn't take very long so can be fitted in around baby cuddles. Now that our beautiful new Girasol wrap has arrived, Finn will hopefully be back-carried so I can do a bit more as well. I can't wait to try it out properly!

Finn's got bronchiolitis and has been a very poorly boy since wednesday. He wasn't 100% at the beginning of the week but it got worse and he's been very sad and clingy. He seems to be improving this afternoon and evening so fingers crossed he'll be better tomorrow as I've got another Christmas Fair to work at. I had a party on Wednesday night and accidentally sold the advent calendar Chloe had set her heart on. I can't believe it, I'm absolutely devastated that I've done it and I'm trying so hard to get hold of another one but it's been discontinued and no-one seems to have one :( It's just so hard, this parenting business. However much I think I've got right, there's always more that's wrong! Onwards and upwards...

Inspired!

Today is the first day in weeks when I haven't had anything arranged! I thought things had been busy but really hadn't realised how long it'd been since we just spent a day at home. So today we've indulged ourselves and had a long overdue play with some bits of fabric my grandad bought in Africa a couple of years ago. Inspired by the professional babywearers on the GP forum, we've experimented with back carrying (I'm not sure how old this is ok from?) and Finn really loved it - maybe because we were looking in the mirror so he could see me and his favourite chubbly grinning baby friend smiling back at him! The method that came most naturally with the fabric crossed over my chest needs slightly longer fabric than I have though... how tempted am I to nip down the road to the fabric shop.... sometimes it'd be great to be able to afford to do things like that on a whim - my sensible side has almost won out now though. Almost.

Finn has two teeth now and is much happier with them. He's also managing to tolerate wheat gluten - I baked real wholemeal bread yesterday as the flour is just so much cheaper than spelt - and he's been fine! I haven't given him any directly but I've eaten loads and he's not reacted at all!

I've been waiting to post this until I felt less angry as I was just so gutted at the time. We were meant to be attending a fostering information evening on wednesday, which we were both really looking forward to as the next step in discovering if it might work for our family, but our babysitter let us down at the last minute leaving it too late for us to arrange for Phil's mum to come instead (Finn was coming with us anyway so it was literally just sitting downstairs while Chloe slept). I've just felt so frustrated about it, after all our careful planning, that I wanted to let that go before recording it here. We'll book in for the next evening a month from now, but it would've been great to have been able to go this time.

Anyway, I've been feeling really good about creative things this week. I've had some beautiful things arrive from the GPLETs scheme and I've finally borrowed a sewing machine so I can try out lots of ideas. I hope some of them work!

It's only Wednesday!

I can't believe how long this week has been already! Finn's getting a lot of teething pain and gets really upset if I go out of the room. Chloe's swinging between being the perfect, loving, helpful sister (see the photo! Although please ignore the fact that our hallway looks very much like a squat - we inherited the carpet, lol) and having a *huge* attitude problem. Unfortunately she's copying a lot from some less-than-lovely friends and it makes things really hard! She's loving doing a lot more crafty stuff at the moment though - it's working really well for both of us as I'm loving it too!

I'm desperate to borrow a sewing machine - there are so many things I want to try! I'm working on knitting a scarf for Chloe but I've been practicing with horrible wool so I need to get some nice stuff. I'm also trying to make a toy for Finn but just don't seem to have any time at the moment. No time without a small boy in my arms, anyway! Luckily I can type one handed while he sleeps on my lap but I can't knit like that! I'm planning Phil's presents for Christmas too and can't wait to get started on them. I'm really excited about our more economical and green Christmas this year, it's making things a bit different since we're making so much and trying to be good to the world too. No idea how it'll pan out though since we're spending the actual day with the in-laws - both sets!! Watch this space for the panic, which will probably develop over the next month...!

Photos at last!

Finn made us all laugh by chanting and growling for the first mile or so...

Playing pooh sticks

A handy magic unicorn shaped fallen tree - over a less handy patch of squelchy sinking mud which we nearly lost the boots to!

Race to see what's at the top of the hill...more hill!

We had a lovely autumn walk, although we didn't find any conkers, chestnuts or acorns for our seasons display this time. We collected lots of rosehips, which are currently in the fridge awaiting inspiration!

Hungry boy!

Finn getting to grips with some yummy pasta and sauce - he also likes broccoli with the same sauce! This morning he ate masses of gluten free porridge with some banana mashed into it. His second tooth looks about ready to erupt too and he's not very impressed by it all!

Finn's first tooth!

My teeny boy has got a tooth! Chloe noticed it first, which was really lovely :) One of them has been trying to break through for ages, moving around in the gum, but that's gone completely and the one next to it has appeared! Which probably explains why he was so grumpy last night, poor baby boy.

We just got in from an amazing firework display! I think it's because my birthday has always involved fireworks in some way, being two days after bonfire night, but I just *love* fireworks. I know they're a huge waste of money and I'm guessing they can't be great for the environment either (how awful that I don't want to research that as I'll feel guilty for having enjoyed my favourite kind of evening...) but they're just magical. We went down to the Double Locks and tramped across three fields in the dark with some friends (for whom the highlight of the evening was me jumping over a gate with Finn in the sling, lol) and sat with our hot chocolate and treats for the children, watching the biggest firework display in Exeter for free! It really was a lovely night. Phil's still in Berlin, so we'll have to tell him how much fun it was as it'd be a good family tradition.

It wasn't as peaceful as it could have been though, as Finn screamed himself sick in the car :( It was just awful - Chloe's so good and loving with him, but it's so stressful even for a 10 minute journey. I'm not sure if he just hates the car or if he didn't like the dark, but it was horrible. Luckily he fell asleep watching the fireworks (quite how, with that noise, I don't know!) and slept all the way home, which was a huge relief. I'm exhausted now and would love to curl up in bed next to him (he's still in his snowsuit though, must sort that out, lol!) but have to wait for the washing to finish as Chloe's coat's in there.

Can't wait for Marina to send all my photos through so I can add them and brighten up the page - wish I could do it myself but with no phone cable and a borrowed computer it's a bit beyond me! Must go and check on my toothy boy and his lovely sleeping sister :)

It never rains...

The dishwasher's broken (typical that it's the week Phil's away!) and we now have a bill for £95 for the 30 min visit from the electrician to tell us it's not repairable. And my student status has expired six months before they said it would so I'll be paying £20 per month interest from now on - with no way to pay it back. So now I feel really guilty for having a gorgeous pair of boots for £60 for my birthday from my parents rather than money to help fix the problem - they really wanted me to have something for me though, and didn't want to pay for our bills, so I guess I should really just enjoy the first pair of nice shoes I've ever had ;)

Had a lovely day with my mum today but totally exhausted now - Finn won't let me put him down for more than 30 seconds so I'm completely drained and I think I'll have to accept that I can't do any of my knitting today! I've been practising and I'm finding it really relaxing. I've started a toy for Finn and got wool for a scarf for Chloe, and I've also made a completely pointless tube of french knitting just for fun.

I've been thinking more and more about writing. I wish I knew where to start!

Finn's chanting...

Finn chants! It's so funny, he's been doing it since he was about three months old, although it took me a few weeks to work it out. We learned to chant at active birthing classes and used it a lot for relaxation during pregnancy, and during Finn's birth. In the early weeks, Phil would lie Finn on his chest and chant to relax him and it was a good way for them to bond - Chloe also found it a good way to calm him down (Finn, not Phil - we haven't tried it on him!) and would often use it, especially on journeys, to settle him. We suddenly noticed Finn would sing/make long, low rumbly noises before he fell asleep and eventually realised he was chanting to help himself drift off! He does it a lot now, often if he's in the sling, pram or lying on the bed. It's amazing to see him learning already about loving ways to settle and comfort himself. Gorgeous boy!

A hungry boy!

I wonder if babies are supposed to catch on to food this quickly?! Finn devoured some rice cake, pasta with sauce (about 2 whole bits seemed to have disappeared!), a bit of broccoli, some carrot, half a potato wedge, a bit of yellow pepper and some melon today!! He also tried sweet potato but after one lick he made a horrified face and threw both cubes on the floor, which was hilarious!

I'm not sure if he should only be having one 'meal' per day, but he gets really upset if he's not eating and we are so I think that means he's ready for it. He was tired after swimming today too, so maybe he needed the extra energy! Anyway, he seemed to love eating twice today so as long as he's awake at mealtimes I guess we just carry on the way we're going.

What's really a miracle is that he's in bed now! He hasn't actually been in his cot for a month - he used to go in it for about half an hour, then come downstairs and sleep on a bean bag, then go in the cot for another short sleep or come straight in our bed, but he's just been in with us recently as he's been feeding so much and had sore gums. I've just fed him during story time (Olga da Polga!) and he's gone straight into the cot so we'll see how long he feels like staying in there after his busy day!

We all loved swimming today, it was lovely watching how confident Chloe is in the water now. Then we had visits from both sets of in-laws (passed the myriad catalogue along to drop hints about the types of gifts we'd love them to discover, rather than sackfuls of plastic... ;) ) We also got four hours from a motherease nappy today, which is a record! We decided to have a seasons table too today, as we've been envious oogling the beautiful displays on the GP forum. We're going to use our dining room fireplace as it's our most central place and we can use the hearth and the mantlepiece. We're going to do an autumn one even though it's almost winter, as autumn is my favourite season and I'll need some thinking time for winter! Can't wait to collect some bits for it tomorrow!

I've got some gorgeous pictures of Finny chomping away, but I can't work out a way of getting them on here from my mobile. Oh to have my digital camera back! Anyway, it was a lovely day. I love half term :)

A girly day together :)

Chloe and I went to the cinema today - we haven't done anything on our own for ages and it was really really great to spend some time together. Sometimes I feel sad that she's growing up so quickly but today it was lovely realising we could share things together more and more as she grows.

We saw High School Musical 3, which was tacky and trashy but great fun. I think she's far too young for things like that, but I also think it's really important that she feels involved in the things all her friends are obsessed with. Maybe it's a stupid theory, but I think she'll stay on board with our family and our shared activities and values for longer if we don't make things like pop culture taboo.

Gorgeous photo from my dad's birthday brunch :)

My gorgeous babies :) Chloe is the teacher today - her class are being very well behaved now that Finn has been sent out for making too much noise!! She's in a creative mood so I want to make the most of it now before she's 'bored' again.

Baby Led Weaning

It's been six months since our perfect baby boy arrived in our world so we've decided to see what he thinks of real food! He's got a beautiful highchair (thanks, Grandpa!) to sit up to the table and it's lovely that we can all share his experiences with food together - he watches Chloe to see what he's supposed to do!! He chewed on a runner bean last night and rubbed sweet potato mash into his chin and the table. When he holds food in his hands and looks at it, he makes chewing motions with his mouth - it's so sweet!

First day of half term today, although Phil's still at work. We're having a winding down morning in our pjs and then we'll walk to the shops and meet Marina and Callum at the park. I found my bag of cystals at last and I've started working on my second driftwood mobile which will hopefully be for Mike's birthday. I'm still very tired but hopefully we can alternate sleeping in during half term so we'll both feel better!

I've been wanting to post on here for ages but life has got in the way this week! Finn was so poorly last week and I'm still catching up on sleep so haven't had much time for anything else. I've been feeling creative and I've discovered some new things to make as xmas presents. We went to the beach on Sunday and collected bits to make hangings/mobiles and I really love this one, which is in our lounge now. It doesn't look great in the picture but it reminds me of a lovely day. I'm trying to find my bag of crystal chips too, so I can maybe add some to the next mobile. Oh and I want to learn to knit, and sew...there's a theme here and I hope my enthusiasm continues as it's quite exciting!

Chloe's finished for half term today so we have some lovely days together to look forward to. She's going to stay with Grandma for a couple of nights next week and they have some fun things planned! It's the first time she'll have stayed away since Finn was born so it'll be really strange.

Had a long chat with my Executive today and came away feeling very positive and excited about my business again. Really hope I can make this work as I'm really enjoying it and it'd be so perfect to work from home!

Cleared lots of bindweed today, which was very satisfying! And had one set of inlaws over for tea, which was lovely :-) Ratatouille and Wedges. Yummy autumn food, with apple crumble afterwards. Finn is desperate to be eating now, and we're assured his highchair won't be much longer so he can really share our mealtimes! He's getting good at sleeping in the evenings so we might start putting him to bed as he seems to want to go after his bath and snuggly feed. He won't go in his cot (don't blame him, the mattress is rock hard and it isn't very cosy!) but he sleeps well on our bed so we'll see how he gets on.

Chloe was lovely today, despite her tiredness and growth-spurt hunger! She's still getting used to sharing us but she loves being Finn's favourite person - he gives her such wonderful smiles. I'm reading Raising Happy Children, which is really useful and practical too. I think the best thing about reading any book about parenting is that it means the issue is more conscious - I'm more aware of myself parenting and constantly analyse the ways I do things - and that works for me!

I love this - it's not like a diary because my words are out there and they're real. I love knowing that no-one is actually going to read them, but they could!

We built a hedgehog house today! Well it looks more like a little bonfire and will improve when the leaves drop properly, but it was really good to feel we were working towards making our garden more like the place we want it to be. We've done loads of pruning and cutting back too, maybe a bit too much in places, but it looks heaps better already. Finn was sleeping in the sling and then in his bouncy chair for a bit, Chloe was on the swings and helping with the gardening. I think that days where all of us are in the garden are my favourite kind of days :-)

We're just thinking about starting along the route of becoming foster parents. At the moment we think we'd like to start by doing respite care or mother and baby placements. We need to arrange a babysitter so we can go along to a meeting and find out more, before we can actually apply. It seems to be something we both believe in and I think it'd be brilliant to be able to use our strengths - those family moments like today - to benefit all of us and hopefully somebody else. I hope it'll be a positive journey for us.

What to say? I'm not even sure what a blog is so this'll be an interesting experiment...