Today Rohan said his first clear, recognisable word (that wasn't mama, dada, nana or roro). It was giraffe.
He's his father's son.
So, plenty of people (well, at least 2) thought that a NaBloCoMo seemed like a good idea, so I propose that January be the month.
My plan (which people can suggest improvements/alterations to), was to comment on at least one blog that I read every day in January. Ideally, during the month, I will also comment at least once on every blog that I read (provided they are updated - I'm not commenting on Elliott's Blog, for example, even though it's on my Google Reader list, because he doesn't update any longer, so there wouldn't be any point in commenting on a post made almost a year ago - especially one that says he's quitting blogging).
Also, if there is anyone who reads this blog who isn't sure if I read their blog (and it is entirely possible that I do, I'm a really bad commenter, hence the challenge), or thinks I don't, but would like me to, give me a link here, you will be added to Google Reader and you will receive at least one comment during the month of January.
I shall attempt to do more than just one comment a day, but I thought I'd set that, so that I wouldn't fail by January 2 (which is what would doubtless happen if I tried to comment on every single blog entry I read in January). I am also trying to make them worthwhile comments, though I'm trying to broaden my definition of worthwhile (another reason for the challenge). Worthwhile is now going to mean that it means something to the blog owner, rather than trying to make myself look clever.
I'm going to try and ease myself into it, by commenting more in the run up to January.
I'm guessing that if you start one of these things there is even more onus on you that normal to actually succeed?
I had a car accident yesterday. Physically, I'm fine. I'm not coping particularly well otherwise. Turns out, I'm really not good in that kind of situation.
I was driving home from a crib match (where I didn't even get to play!) with my mum in the car (thankfully). We were going round a roundabout, about to exit, when a car came out of the turning and smacked into the side of my car, at the back. I freaked and pulled in. The other driver pulled up behind me - then pulled out again and sped off. I was so freaked out that I don't even remember seeing the car at all. My mum saw it (she realised it was going to hit before it did), but didn't get the licence either.
We went to the police and reported it, although they pointed out that without details all that would happen was a paper exercise.
This morning I went through the palaver of informing my insurance company. We've decided not to claim, as we can get it repaired for less than my excess and, not having any details of the other driver, I would lose my no claims.
I am wishing many bad things for the driver who did this to me. I'm very thankful Ro wasn't in the car at the time, but driving with him this morning was hugely stressful. I kept jumping every time another vehicle came near me.
I've lost the ability to think. I've almost managed to get the first issue of the NCT newsletter out, I've got the proof, I just need to OK it and get it sent out. It took way too much effort.
Work is hectic. I'm currently trying to do something that had a deadline of 26/9/07. I've got an extension to Friday, but it's driving me crazy.
Finally, a link to the wonderful competition that Meg is running. Take a look!
Rohan has started communicating. We're getting a lot of DaDa, some at least of which are directed at mUrt. We also have Mum and Nana.
Then yesterday, he started using the sign for milk. The strange thing about this is that I'd pretty much totally stopped signing with him. I'm thinking I should start again.
The biggest downside of this communication is that I feel I should reward him by acceding to his demands, but the reason he signs is because he's frustrated that I won't feed him when he tries the more direct approach of grabbing at my chest (there have been 2 instances thus far, firstly 10 minutes before bed, and secondly when I'd just finished feeding him because he wasn't feeding, he was biting).
I'd better go, he's trying to sneak into the fireplace.
Crystal's entry reminded me. Last weekend I went to see the Cambridge University production of Fame, the Musical.
It really was very good, especially when you consider this is a university without any drama courses. There were issues though.
For those of you not aware, I work with Student statistics. One of our "problem" statistics had a very visual representation. We are not an overly ethnically diverse university. For this reason Tyrone Jackson became a "street kid", which didn't really work all that well and Jose had curly, red hair.
They didn't really set themselves an easy task. Most musicals require people who can sing, act and move a bit. This one (ignoring ethnicity issues for the moment) required singers and actors, ballet dancers, a violinist, pianist and drummer. Other than the ethnicity, the only stumbling block they had was that they swapped the genders of the drummer and pianist.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am planning to go and see more of their shows.
The downside of a new computer is making it work.
I'm pretty sure I will love it once it does, but currently I'm having wireless issues (mostly down to my own fault) and I can't get to grips with Vista.
It's going to take a while to get everything working how I want it to (and I have to get my NCT Newsletter finished this week!), but it is speedy and it does have glowing blue lights.
My new computer is being delivered tomorrow! I am ridiculously overexcited about this. It is a nifty computer with lots of memory etc.
This time last year, I was being prepped for surgery. By the time I actually finish typing this, we'll probably have gone past Rohan's time of birth (18:18 BST). Yesterday we had a party for family. Great Grandma Bramley, Nana and Grandad Bramley, Nana Bow Pom Pom Darling, Uncle Rob, Uncle Mark, Uncle Guy, Auntie Charly, Rhiannon, Phoebe, Tim and Kjersti all came to help us celebrate. mUrt and I wore ourselves out cleaning and cooking in preparation - I now have so much leftover food.
He seemed to have a good time, if not a little overwhelmed by all the presents. Today he's been in a great mood - even when he had an allergic reaction to his lunch (either the tuna or the mayonnaise).
I think it went well. I kind of got another job offer, which was good. The work itself is probably going to get easier once I settle back into it. There are some things I've forgotten and there are lots of things which have changed in the last year. It was nice to see people again though I could have done with a nap about 3.30.
As a special present to me, Rohan has now slept through 2 nights in a row. I'm hoping it's going to continue.
Which I had to do, in order to take up my new, part time position. It is now all sorted. I can't believe that I have less than 2 weeks left until I'm back at work. In some ways I'm really looking forward to it, Rohan has really enjoyed his practice run with his Nana, so hopefully all will be well. I've been getting in lots of cuddles in preparation for our separation.
Rohan has taken to flopping backwards a lot. He just smacked his head on his change table. He's also covered in bruises where he flings himself with abandon at everything he can. He is walking really well now, but occasionally he loses control and goes flying.
I think that is currently what Rohan wants to be. On Tuesday and Wednesday this week he witnessed many of us decorating Charly and Guy's new house. Since then, he has taken to "painting" the wall above his changing table using one of his rings. He wipes it over the wall, then dips it onto his changing mat before wiping the wall again. It's very cute to watch.
I'm still waiting for details to be finalised, but the work situation looks positive now. I have been told I can pick my own days (not yet confirmed whether that is 2 1/2 or 3 days - I suspect 3), I will be doing my favourite work (stats), working in my preferred location (out of town, opposite the nursery, rather than the town centre). I still need to get confirmation of money, as I'm not convinced they'll be allowed to pay me the same as I currently earn unless they move me up a grade (they changed the pay scales recently so they currently pay me more than my grade maximum, which I can't see being allowed to continue in a new job), just as long as they don't move me down a grade or to the bottom of my current grade. Other than that, I should be getting a roughed out job spec early next week, so fingers crossed. I don't really mind too much what they want me to do, as long as I don't have to be away from my baby full time, but this is better than I could have hoped.
Does anyone know why my Google Reader isn't finding all my subscribed new entries?
I've just discovered that I've missed months of Annika's diary because I was relying on it too much (you'd think I'd notice someone as prolific as Annika going silent for that long, but apparently not).
Pasdar (plus others) at their press conference in the Gherkin in full.
I am currently sitting drinking lime mimosas, which remind me of Sharon (who introduced me to them) and my wedding day. I'm watching Raymond Blanc sending home would be restauranteurs (the dictionary tells me this is wrong, but I don't know what it should be). It's all good. Except the spider. There is a huge spider running round my living room.
Ro is walking really quite well now. We bought his first shoes on Tuesday. They are cruisers, rather than proper walking shoes, as his feet are 3 1/2 G, which is broad and too small for walkers. Oh, and things may be looking up on the job front. I'll let you know when I know more, which will be mid next week.
Sorry there are still no new Ro pics. They are all on mUrt's computer, but I'm working on uploading some for you.
In my spare time, I like to build Sim houses. I'm not very good at names though. So I decided to ask the people who read this diary, to save myself the need for creative thought. You can either have it named after yourself, or you could choose a name you'd like. You can also choose the style of house you would like.
In other news, I've just shown mUrt the bite marks that Ro has left on my nipple. I really need to find a way of stopping him bite. If I get angry, he laughs. During the day, I stop feeding if he bites, but I don't want to do that on the last feed of the day, because then he doesn't go through (he usually sleeps from about 8pm to 5am these days).
At least he's not drawn blood yet.
Looks like I might have been a bit hasty with my walking predictions. Rohan has now decided to give up on unaided walking. I'm sure he'll take it up eventually, but maybe not in the next couple of weeks. He is enjoying being able to eat raw carrot now that he has a top tooth.
I've been with Rohan almost 24/7 for the last 9 and a half months. I leave him for one afternoon to try and sort out my return to work (more on that in a moment) and he takes his first unaided steps. That's right, my little boy can walk now. It's very hesitant just now, but having seen how quickly he picked up other things once he'd worked out what to do, I'd imagine he will be fully mobile in a week or two.
Now, about work. I still don't know what I'm going to be doing, but I should find out within the next 14 days (because that's what the law says). I was dreading this meeting because I felt (and I still think it's pretty accurate) that my boss was very against the idea of me going part time. I can't say I blame her. It isn't really an ideal job to split. The difference between my going in and coming away, is that I've discovered they are keen to accommodate me, it just might not be in my office. I like my colleagues, but given the choice between working with them full-time or working elsewhere part-time, I'd choose part-time every time. As I told them, I'm willing to be as flexible as possible if it means I get the work/life balance that I need.
This is Rohan's new bestest toy. We have a few "That's not my..." books, but as soon as I saw the Pirate one, I had to get it. On that link above, you can see some of the pages. Unlike his train and monster ones, he hasn't entirely worked out where the texture patches are, but he has started working them out quicker than he did with the others.
I was trying to get you some pictures of Rohan standing unaided, or walking behind his push-along toy, but my battery died. He's also a very grumpy boy, as we have imminent top teeth. I can see both and feel one, though neither has broken the skin yet.
Now I'm off for a kiss and a cuddle.
This is a very frustrating read. The pro-breastfeeding comments are annoying me probably more than the anti-breastfeeding comments. It's amazing how many people can put their oar in without understanding what the charities are saying.
They aren't trying to ban formula. They aren't trying to ban choice. What they want to do is ban the advertising of formula. Formula companies spend millions on advertising their products. It costs a parent about £600 to formula feed a baby in the first year. That isn't an inconsiderable sum, which is why aggressive advertising is worthwhile to them. There is no way charities or the government can compete with that, so suggesting that breastfeeding is also advertised as a solution doesn't really hold.
I don't think that you have to agree with the ban. I think it is a good idea, but I can also see there are valid arguments against it. It just drives me crazy when people make it all about something it isn't.
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