The Ordinary Moments #12 First Shoes

Blurry as someone was keen to test out their new shoes!

It's been a while since I've posted an Ordinary Moments post. After declaring I would be more on top of getting them done, it's been a massive fail. I have been getting bogged down with work and other bits and pieces which has made me very unorganised on my blog.

Any-hoo, on Friday I bought Eliot his first pair of 'proper' shoes, so I guess this an 'extraordinary' ordinary moment because it's not everyday you buy your little one their first pair of shoes but they're a necessity.

It wasn't planned, I was out shopping with my mum and as there were sales I thought I'd take advantage and grab a bargain. The shoes had to be Clarks. I remember getting my feet measured as a child and trying on new shoes in Clarks. I want the same for Eliot, the half sizes, the width fittings. Basically getting a good fit, good quality shoe!

We headed into a shop that sold Clarks shoes and Eliot had his feet measured, he was actually a lot more co-operative than I thought he would be whilst they were measured. The mini tantrums began when I was trying to get him to have a wander in a pair and he wanted to go in another direction.

I went with a pair of Clarks Doodle shoes that were in the sale, I think they look very cute!

 

Linking up with The Ordinary moments



The Ordinary Moments #11 Explosions Of The Nappy Kind!

All parents have no doubt encountered many a nappy explosion, they are a perfectly normal ordinary moment. They are just one reminder how life is different as a parent.

Just a few weeks old...

Back in the early days Eliot would have fairly regular nappy explosions and of course they weren't always at home, no, no, no!
 Eliot wasn't mortified when one of his 'explosions' leaked onto the floor in Tescos last summer, nor was he embarrassed when his poop escaped on a train journey and ended up all over me. Nope, the boy was and still remains un-phased about these incidents ;)

These two incidents are particularly crystal clear, like they happened last week. But they didn't, Eliot was a few weeks old. Now he is just over a month away from his first birthday. This is just a stark reminder of how quick time flies and how the ordinary moments can be so precious.

 Now I'm not saying Eliot's nappy explosions are precious, but how small he was is. How much he's grown and changed since then, is. In just over a months time he will turn one. I still can't comprehend how quickly the time has flown.

That's why the ordinary moments are special!

Taken these week on his first Thomas ride.

The Ordinary Moments #10 Sunny Park Times

I haven't joined in with the ordinary moments for a few weeks now. After going on holiday and starting back at work I've been behind with blog bits but this week I'm back! This is one of my favourite linky's so I will do my best to keep up!

Yesterday  London was blessed with some sun so we headed outdoors, armed with a picnic and enjoyed some sunshine! We went to Clapham Common which has a dog free fenced off area and sat down to munch. There was a really nice atmosphere, nearby there was some music going on at the bandstand and there were plenty of families out enjoying the weather.
After filling our bellies, we chilled and had some play time...

A bit of  'daddy and son' rough play.

Watching the clouds go by (well daddy was!)

And it ended with a visit to one of Eliot's favourites...the swing!

Looking at Eliot here, he looks so much more like a little boy than a baby! Where does the time go?!

                                                     

The Ordinary Moments #9 Emotional & Baby Brain

First of all apologies for the not so great photo! I took it whilst checking on Eliot asleep. This week I have been feeling emotional and my 'baby brain' is well and truly frazzled!

On Wednesday I had a meeting at work with the other teachers I will be working with/taking over from when returning to work next Friday. I took Eliot along as it was an informal get together.
On route I became slightly overwhelmed with emotion. I was thinking about a few things, going back to work and being with out him, the workload and how I haven't taught since last June. That familiar lump began to rise in my throat and I actually shed a few tears but pulled myself together before I got to school. After all returning to work after maternity leave is an ordinary moment for many mums.

There have been many significant changes at work since I went on maternity leave and as I listened to some of the new things my brain began to frazzle. I was/am worried about how I will juggle it all but I feel somewhat reassured that it's only for three days a week.

On Thursday I experienced more joyful emotions when I met my friends new baby boy. We got on to the topic of baby brain. I've decided baby brain is a 'real' problem that affects mothers. I have a 'to do' list as long as my arm but always miss bits. I walk into a room to get/do something but forget why I went in there in the first place. If I manage to get myself more organised I'm hoping it will help the 'baby brain'!

Today I am excited to be celebrating my first mothers day, so on that note I wish you all a very happy mothers day whether it's your first or one of many!

The Ordinary Moments #8 Which gender?

Being photo bombed by Mimi

This week has been one of those 'meh' weeks, I've had a cold and sore throat, Eliot has not been 100%. He's been off his food and had a few unsettled nights, I suspect teething has been the problem but I'm not completely sure.

On Friday we met Eliot's prospective childminder, a big moment. She was lovely and I feel happy about  Eliot being cared for by her.

Afterwards we went for a late lunch where Eliot caught the eye of another lady who made a fuss of him. He liked it as he kept turning round in his highchair to look at her. Then came a question we've never encountered since Eliot was born. 'Is it a girl or a boy?' I told her he was a boy and she commented on what a 'pretty boy' he was. The OH and I were just surprised as this has never been asked, I would've expected it months ago but not when E is pushing 9 months! To us he looks very much like a boy. I thought maybe it was the bib he was wearing that might of made the lady question his gender.

Later we were leaving a supermarket and were in the lift with two other women. One asked 'Is it a boy or a girl?', 'A boy' I replied. What was it about Eliot that day that made two people question his gender? Not that I was bothered, it was just expected many months ago as I think it's a very ordinary moment that parents usually experience, just earlier on.

As usual I'm linking up with Katie from  Mummy Daddy Me Makes Three

                                                    

The Ordinary Moments #7 Family

These are my boys, my family. Once I used to wonder if I would ever have a family and here it is. It is truly amazing. It is the most wonderful feeling to love and be loved. Being a mum is hard work but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Yesterday we made the most of the sunny weather and headed to London's Southbank. One of my favourite places in London. We went for lunch before strolling along the Thames, enjoying the sun and watching the street artists.

Our route also took us past St Thomas' hospital where Eliot was born. We reminisced and attempted to work out which room on the 7th floor I'd delivered in. When it comes to views I'm sure this hospital has the best! Big Ben, the Thames and The Houses Of Parliament.

One of the best 'Ordinary Moments' is simply family time.

As always I'm linking up with Katie's blog Mummy Daddy Me Makes Three

                                                    

The Ordinary Moments #6 Me time

This 'ordinary moment' is no longer that ordinary! As a parent your time is dedicated to your baby/child so 'me time' is a rare occurrence. Yesterday I had a 'mummy afternoon off' and went for lunch and to the cinema with a friend.

It does feel strange not having Eliot with me, no pushchair to push, no nappy to change, no wonderful cuddles. But it was nice not having to worry about getting down to the tube on escalators/stairs, struggling. Not many people help in London!

 It was great being able to fully concentrate on an adult conversation with my friend Kim. We had a good old catch up over lunch at Nandos before heading to the cinema.
I was content knowing Eliot was having precious 'daddy time' with the OH. I received no calls or texts so felt happy all was well.

I had an enjoyable afternoon and was thoroughly looking forward to cuddles with my boy. He was not as excited at me arriving home and was more interested in the toy he was playing with. Cue disappointed mummy! But I guess there will be moments as he gets older where he will want mummy cuddles and plenty of others when he is too busy or embarrassed.

                                                    

The Ordinary Moments #4 We made it!

I'm linking up with 'The Ordinary Moments' over on Mummy Daddy and Me, you can read more about it here.

 

You may have seen my ordinary moment last week when we failed to get to the park. This week we finally made it, yay! Eliot had his first ever go on the swings! We thought the weather was going to beat us yet again with winds and showers but we got there!

 

At first Eliot didn't appear too impressed but his reaction quickly changed and he thoroughly enjoyed his first go on a swing.

Not looking too sure to begin...

Followed by big smiles!

A success!

 

 

Eliot also tried the slide with daddy holding on to him but wasn't bothered and definitely enjoyed his swing experience more! He then had a go on the 'big' swings with daddy but obviously prefers being on the swing alone by the look on his face!

Zonked out

 

To end our park visit we fed a flock of geese who were resting on the grass. Eliot quickly fell asleep but enjoyed watching the geese for a fleeting moment.

 

 



The Ordinary Moments #3 Park Fail

Yesterday was the first Saturday we've been at home for a couple of weeks as we've been looking at properties outside of London.
We wanted to have a fairly chilled day and our main aim was to get to the park so Eliot could have his first experience on a swing. We've planning to do this for weeks but due to weather and other factors we haven't got round to it. It may sound a bit silly but it's also something we want to do as a couple.
When we woke up this morning the sun was shining and I thought this would be our day. Then all of a sudden the weather changed to pouring rain. It was on and off for the rest of the morning but cleared after lunch so we ventured out. Typically on route the heavens opened again.We took shelter in the library which we were planning to go into on our way back as I needed to return some books.
I was pleased we popped in when we did as we caught the end of a story and song time which was fantastic. The guy telling the story had one prop and changed it to represent the characters or parts of the story. He was amazing and had the children totally captivated. Eliot was too young to appreciate it fully but did enjoy the singing at the end. We took out some more books and could see the rain had stopped  so we headed to the park.
It was ridiculously windy so I had my reservations but by the time we got there Eliot was fast asleep in his pushchair. Massive park fail! We turned back and went for coffee to warm up. Hopefully we'll manage to get him on a swing soon!

The Ordinary Moments #1 Lego

Today I'm linking up my very first 'ordinary moments' post on Katies's blog mummydaddyandmemakesthree.

I'm staying at my parents this weekend after house hunting in a nearby county. My niece was also staying on Saturday night.
I was washing up in the kitchen when she managed to 'spy' a Lego Star Wars toy high up on a shelf. It was the kinda 'spying' I remember doing as a child. She swiftly 'nabbed' it and got the 'ok' from my parents that she could open it.

Washing up completed I was roped into 'helping' her construct it. My gosh was it more complicated than it seemed at first glance! Mainly because the picture instructions didn't clearly show each next step. I had to keep skipping back to look to check which part I'd missed off.
As I sat there I thought about the future and what my own son will be 'roping' me into. And these of course will include some very 'ordinary moments' :)