'no hands' Larry

Tilly has several times today stood unaided, as I type she's carefully let go of the computer table to try out the new trick.  Only for a few seconds each time but she's doing it nonetheless. 

She's also just found the phone, put it to her ear and said "Da Da".  Wonderful moments are happening all the time now. 

"I don't know why you're the one crying"

 . . . no one ever likes having them done.  Alongside the media spotlight on Jade Goody's battle against cervical cancer came my reminder letter for my smear test from the doctors.  

The appointment was supposed to be last Friday evening but the nurse cancelled at the last minute, how inconsiderate - I'd waxed and everything!  I rearranged for today, not a great time, 11.30am - when I've got Tilly with me.  I tried to get Tilly to sleep early in the morning so she'd be happy to play by herself during the appointment.  I took a toy and a box a raisins, usually a surefire way of keeping her occupied.  The timing didn't work out, she was still tired and clingy when we got there, I set up her playing on the floor with the toys and her raisins but as soon as I walked a metre away to the bed she started to scream.  

Smears are always undignified, I mean how on earth can you have any dignity with your legs spread apart whilst someone shoves a stick up your bits 'to have a scrape around' for samples.  I'd cleverly worn a skirt, last time I hadn't thought it through and worn jeans and a top and there is that really awkward and embarrassing bit where you have to walk around with all your bottom half on display.  In the end, Tilly's screaming was so distracting that the nurse brought her over to see me and I had the examination with her sitting on my stomach, still howling her head off.  "I don't know why you're the one crying" I told her as the nurse was busy at the other end of the bed.  Believe it or not, it was actually weirdly better than all the other smear tests I've ever had!  The distraction of having her on my tummy and trying to calm her down meant I didn't have time to feel as embarrassed or uncomfortable.  

Examination over and I was able to get dressed.  The nurse and I laughed about little ones and she told me how it gets more difficult as they get older, mainly as they are so inquisitive that they often want to be down at the 'action end'*.  Phew, at least I got away with her just sitting on my tummy.  

*Mental note for the future: I must remember that next time I really need to do them when she can be looked after by someone else.

Going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Today we went to Twycross Zoo for Richard's birthday.   I knew she was on the young side to enjoy it thoroughly but it is always lovely being out.  She didn't like the monkeys as much as I thought she would.  There was a moment when we were inside looking at a monkey that she did seem fascinated by, however all of a sudden another money flew through the door, jumped on a swing which banged loudly on the window and jumped off.   Tilly immediately started screaming, it made her jump (as did we all), after that she didn't seem to trust any of them. 

I spent the time walking around with Tilly on my shoulders and holding her hand, partly to wear her out and to stop her from being frustrated. She is always on the go now and so to keep her confined in the pram just gets her really cranky at the end of the day. 

10 years ago today

gosh, I met Richard 10 years ago today, which means I've spent a third of my life with him . .

Who'd have thought it that 10 years ago when we went to see a band called 'The Dizzy Club' in Sheffield that we'd be here in Coventry 10 years later, married and with a near one year old. 

Jeremy Paxman - a children's favourite?

This evening, after Tilly was ready for bed she was sitting on my knee watching The One Show, she roared with laughter every time Jeremy Paxman appeared on the TV.  I thought it was just a one off but every time he came on she started.  Weird. 

Starbucks family

We used to go to Birmingham all the time but since we had Tilly we've not been.  I think it is the time spent to get there in the car.  We mooched about, down the canals, to IKON gallery and a few other places as well as the traditional shopping trip around Bullring, especially Selfridges. 

Having a break for a coffee we went to Starbucks in Borders, always nice as it tends to be child friendly, near the children's books and keeps Richard happy as he can always have a browse.  

I took a seat while Richard bought the drinks.  No sooner than I sat down and a small child (7 ish) turned to me and said 'hello' and that he 'liked making friends'.  My polite smiles opened the floodgates as he then showed me his pictures in his sketch book.  This all sounds very odd but it was a beautiful thing.  The two brothers were sitting on the sofa in Starbucks, their parents heavily engaged in conversation with friends on the sofa next to them. The boys both had sketch books filled with stories they'd written with accompanying pictures, the table in front of them was full of stickers, pencils, pens and more.  

Early on in this encounter I was sorting Tilly out with her milk and the small boy asked if I liked being pregnant, a weird question but the then clarified by telling me his mum was pregnant again and it was the size of a small tomato.  The constant barrage of questions, explanations and stories continued and I learnt of their parent's desire to have a girl, that they both liked Batman (but had improved his powers in their stories and even designed new logos for every year since 1980), heard about every other 'friend' that they'd made in Starbucks, in fact there wasn't much they didn't tell me!  Their parents seemed very relaxed by this conversation and sat heavily engaged in their own conversations.  Richard approached quizzically as these boys were by now standing up next to me showing me their sketches, many of which were Batman logos, Starbucks logos and a picture story that hadn't been finished as he couldn't decide what should happen. 

Richard always complains about his lack of understanding of what small children are saying and his ability to talk to them.  But that wasn't the case with them, I think it shows how much he has learnt and eased up with children since having Matilda.  He discussed and asked questions about their books and stories and the boys seem genuinely excited that he was interested and they excitedly nudged each other and talked louder to try to get his attention.  After about 25 minutes of this 'entertainment' we decided it was time to go.  Their father had finished talking to their other friends and apologised for them, there was no need to, they really had made it a quirky addition to our trip.  He told us to 'pop in anytime and say hi' which made both of us question if they were there every week, it certainly would explain the Starbucks logos in the sketch book dated 2006 and the boys revelations for customers that had been there.  I must remember that as a cheap parenting tool, let your children be entertained and learn socialisation lessons for free by spending Saturday afternoons in your local Starbucks!

Let it snow

The snow has pretty much brought the UK to a standstill over the last week or so.  Schools have been closed, buses and trains have stopped running and the whole country is snow obsessed. The majority of it hit Thursday and Friday this week.  

Tilly doesn't seem to be interested in it either way.  She is just a little bit too young to enjoy it.   

I thought I'd take her out in the crisp, undamaged back garden.  I spent about 10 minutes putting layers on her, jumpers, coats, hat, gloves, shoes etc and I took her outside and we spent about 2 minutes in it before coming back in again.   The snow was deep and her feet sunk down until the snow was up to her shins. Her shoes aren't really suitable for that kind of weather and she looked uneasy.  I gave her a little bit of snow in her hand, I took her glove off so she could feel it.  She hated it and so we came back in to the comfort of observing it from the warm inside. 

After two days of being stuck in the house as soon as Richard came home we went to the park for a walk.   It was a lovely evening, we went down to Allesley Park where there were loads of children sledging.  We watched them for a while and then walked to the playground where Tilly played on the swings.   As we walked to the playground the sun was setting and it was so beautiful as the snow reflected the fading light.