All went smoothly and we had a whale of a time swimming, going down slides and jumping in the waves. he even managed the jacuzzi today!! Normally the jets put him off too much! He has his arm bands only 1/2 inflated and manages well but I don't know how to move him on to the next step of no armbands. He is confident in the water and now enjoys the freedom of not clinging to me (and so do I !!!). I need to do some research to find out what to do next.

He fell asleep in the car and is nicely passed out in his bed with no arguments today for a change!! I'm off to get some food. Swimming always makes me hungry x

Ok. I'll go and get ready and calm down. Lets go and have some fun!!!

xx

Yesterday we sat in the garden for lunch with our neighbour and Danny's girlfriend. It was hot and sunny and the kids were jumping in and out of the paddling pool having a great time. Totally relaxing and fun.

Today has been ok, but I miss the sunshine (i get cold so easily!!). We went to the hairdressers on the train, which Danny loved! He gets so excited and looks for all the things he can out of the window.

We tried to go to the park, but it began to rain too heavily so we just headed for our appointment.

On the way back Danny fell asleep in Imi's arms all the way to the station and through the train ride aww!!

The rain did not bother him a bit at this point!! The rest of the afternoon has passed lazily and now I have spent nearly 1 & 1/2 hours up here on Mini instead of downstairs, but hey I wouldn't if it wasn't good stuff right?

I forced Imi to give me a lie-in and I feel so much better for it I can't tell you!! (but unfortunately for you I'm gonna try!)

I can smile, I am motivated and even though its grey and raining I feel like its sunny!! Don't get me wrong I could still go back to sleep at any given moment, but at least I don't feel like shutting myself away in a box and crying all day!!

Got loads of work to do, so I'll catch you later. Have a good one!! xx

Very busy w/e with my brother and a friend up. I got no sleep with late nights and early mornings so massively self inflicted!! Danny was very very happy to have another w/e with his favourite aunt & uncle!! They played well and he ca now engage my brother in deep conversations and games, even though Paul still doesn't always understand what he says!!

Imi did next to no caring for Danny over the w/e and that seems to have continued this week too! I have given him 2 lie-ins and looked after Danny day and night for the last 4 days. I know that this is nothing for some Mums. I am lucky to have a hubby who shares care. But that's just it there is no sharing!! 

I deal with nights and get up stupidly early for breakfast whilst he sleeps and sleeps. To say that I am a touch resentful tonight is an understatement!! He hasn't bathed Danny, fed Danny or put him to bed in days!!

Exhaustion is just taking its toll. Sorry to be so whiney!! Hopefully more cheery tomorrow xx

I've tried relaxation, a bath before bed, early nights. Nothing seems to help at the mo. That means that even if Danny has a rare good night I still don't sleep. Speaking of Danny and sleeping... how do I sort him out? He will go to sleep with a minor battle, but then wakes at least once or twice a night for his cover, or mostly when he has a wee in his nappy, which makes him very upset!! I am losing the will to get up in the morning, which is very unlike me as I am normally one of those annoying morning people!!

Oh well. I just keep telling myself it is a phase he'll grow out of. I need to rouse myself and go and do some cleaning. My brother and our friend Clair are coming this w/e and the house is a pigsty. Catch you later. Have a good day xx

When we went to pick Danny up we were told that he had had an accident when he woke up after lunch. Fine I said. It happens right? They then went on to say that there were no clothes for him so they had to put him in dressing up clothes and a nappy and he was extremely upset for a while. I always send him with a bag full of clothes cos I know he has occasional accidents. no bag was to be found! However when Imi went round the corner it had been put on another hook. 

Now I am irrational I admit and I was very angry cos Danny had been upset for no real reason. Some other parent had taken it upon themselves to assume that the bag was their son's and moved it!! I'm not sure I who I am cross at. i'm just cross I guess. 

Anyway, that was yesterday and I am much calmer now - honest!!! Today has been very quite, which is a good job as Danny kicked of so severely last nite at bedtime and the woke up every hour till midnight. A nice early morning 6am call helps things along!!

Gotta go need to take Danny of Imi's hands so he can cook tea! (how lucky am I?) xx

Got to see my Grandma and had a good day out in the sunshine on Sunday. Had a good time with my bro too. Danny adores his uncle and I know its reciprocated ten times over!! 

Today should be good. Danny is in nursery and Imi & I are going on a date to Manchester. We never get to go out together alone, so we are ditching work and having a date. Can't wait. In fact I'd best get ready, or else we'll miss the train xx

I am so lucky in so many ways. Imi can look after Danny when I work and we share child care. I just never expected to be the one who was working when I had Danny. I want another child, but I'm worried the same thing will happen again. 

Sorry for moaning. On the bright side we are going down to see my brother tomorrow, near Oxford. For the first time in over a year we are going to attempt an evening journey to see if Danny will sleep on the way down and we will transfer him to my brother's house when we get there. The last we tried this was well over a year ago and the result was a crying child who threw up in the car seat. Not pretty. But he was ill!!

Fingers crossed it all goes well cos it gives us extra time down there for Imi to see his mum and family. 

My hubby has decided I am an addict and threatens (jokingly I think!!) to cut me off from Minti by blocking the site. I try to tell him that I come away more humble and patient with both him and Danny, but I'm not sure he's interested. 

To sum up. Thank you all. You make me smile and take time each day x

After a few moments I couldn't bear it any longer. I had to go and try to find him to check he was ok. He was fine of course! This is how I spent most of the 2 hours at the centre. Some mums seem able to use it as a rest. Not me. Have I lost the ability to relax?

Its nice to get Danny back in the evening though. He doesn't say much about nursery, but he seems happy there even though he's glad to see us at the end of the day. The evenings are based in routine. Tea, bath, hot drink in front of the children's t.v. and then bed with story and songs. It has been the same since he was just a few weeks old. I have been told it helps with sleep. Hmmm, I'm not always convinced as at times it can take Danny an hour to drop off. Not every night, but at least 1 out of 7. Also I am struggling to convince my other half that play time ends when bath time is over. This means that on his nights to take Danny to bed there is a riot of laughter & noise until Danny is asleep. Am I wrong, or too strict?

I feel that alot with Imi (my husband). Our boundaries are very different. Rules seem much more flexible around Imi and the world can go to hell. Danny seems to have him wrapped around his little finger. I never expected to be "THE ENFORCER" but it appears that is currently my role. At times its like I have 2 kids instead of just one. It can be amazing fun and exciting. It can also be extremely frustrating and lonely. We have so many more arguments now we have Danny than we ever did before. And I want another (baby), am I mad? x

Its frustrating as I was supposed to work this am and look after Danny this pm. Hope I feel better soon.

People tell me I am a soft touch. I guess their right.

Danny has never been a particularly good sleeper. Often waking in the night and struggling to settle. My hubby sleeps like the dead so it was left to me to see to Danny. 2 years 9 months later things seem to be a little better this week (touch wood and crossed fingers!!). Danny has slept from 7:30 to 6 am just waking once at about 11 pm. Trust me that is fab! However now I am struggling to sleep.

To think that I never understood insomnia, but now I appear to be living it!! I know I should get out of bed if I can't sleep, but it is sooo hard when all I want to do is drop off and its so cold outside the covers.

Anyway time to continue dragging myself through the day. Keep your fingers crossed for tonight.

KT