Miggle C

Big A: At a recent piano lesson, she called Middle C "Miggle C"!! Made me smile, she's still so little, because she's the oldest, sometimes I think she's older but she still only 5 ... and 3/4.

Mr. R: His imaginary friends, previous one was Lee who was a combo real/imaginary friend. Details of real Lee's life were exaggerated, much to my amusement! Current imaginary friend is "The Witch", she's friendly! And does lots of amazing things everyday!!

Little A: Her latest trick is kissing the animals in her 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear" book. So cute. :-)

My Huggy Bears

Just read this wonderful blog post .
Inspired me to share some of these photos!
Hope you like!!

Mrs. C and My Huggy Monster!!

Big A and Tigger!!

Sisterly Love

Big A and Mr. R 

My Career break started today!! I am now officially a stay-at-home Mum! I'm so glad I can take this year out to mind my children. I will be busy but so looking forward to it. I predict I'll be in the car driving kids to school, preschool, ballet, etc most of the time thanks to the school and preschool hours not matching up at all.

Mr. C took today off to see Big A and Mr R go off to school.  So tomorrow will be big test of my resources, getting them all out, looking presentable and myself! I am not one of those mums with full make up on arriving to drop of their children. I'm lucky to have my hair brushed! And that's only if we get a red traffic light en route to school!

I have two hours free with Little A everyday so looking forward to that Mummy and Baby time. I hope to catch up with my other Mummy friends.

Another plan I have is take up exercise. Thinking of power plates. Anyone hear of this/try it out?

And perhaps take piano lessons again ....

So many plans, will I get any achieved? Ill let you know!!

Tooth Fairy

Big A is expecting a visit tonight from the Tooth fairy. It will be her second visit in less than two weeks!! Bottom tooth was practically dangling from her gum today! Squeamish Mammy handed her tissue and told her to take it out!! She did and she was so happy! Tooth fairy will bring 2 Euro! I've heard stories of Tooth Fairy bringing 5 or 10 euro for the first tooth but isn't the tradition she bring a coin!! And it is the recession after all!! 

She celebrated her loss by playing her tune, Tooth Fairy, on the piano. And finished her lunch. No big deal!! 

I have horrific memories of losing teeth!! Glad it's been a positive experience for her! 

Hello!!

1. In the past few years when online shopping has been the new consumer Mecca, I've been good, stayed away from Ebay and other such sites!! But since I've heard of Amazon's free delivery if you spend min £25,I've been sucked in. I've become an Amazon addict!! I've bought a Bumbo for Little A, piano books for myself and Big A and other books and stickers for Mr. R and Little A! And a Father's Day CD for Mr. C! I love when postman arrives with package for us!! (This sounds like a sponsored post but it isn't but if Amazon somehow want to send me some vouchers etc tweet me) (Shameless/Worth a while!)

2. I've started teaching Little A Piano. She has flown through Little Mozarts Book 1. Just starting Book 2 now. She is doing really well. Recognises some notes and musical terms. I love teaching her and it's revision for me too. I've also started playing my old Grade pieces too! I'm thinking of taking lessons in September and signing Big A up too! Hopefully she'll continue to enjoy it and it won't become piaNO!

3. Big A has a wobbly tooth. Little A nearly 11 months! Sitting up - no crawling/moving yet!, 6 teeth, bit Big A today!! Mr. R is great little man, loves clothes, has lovely long blonde hair! Changes his clothes few times a day! Coming to end of his creche days very soon. Mr. R and Big A doing gymnastics camp for one week this summer. I'm also doing Kindermusik week with Mr. R too! Big A nearly finished first year of primary school, going on first school tour next Friday. She was so excited today to discover she has a wobbly tooth!!

Am going to have a look around my favourite blogs to see whats going on with everyone else. xx

I've been tagged by the lovely VeryBoredinCatalunya! 


Here is my 5 year Meme ...


Q1 – Where were you five years ago?

I was a first time mum to Big A.  She was 6 months old, our pride and joy! She had started the crèche. I went back to work briefly before the summer holidays. I was also taking piano lessons! That only lasted a few months but I'm thinking of resuming these again. I was 2 yrs into my very happy marriage! Mr C and I had been together approx 10 years!! Happy days!! 

Q2 – Where would you want to be in five years time?

Happily married and enjoying motherhood!! Simple as ... I don't ask for much. I'd imagine we'd be in a larger house, we'd have either moved or built an extension. 

Q3 – What are five things on your ‘To Do’ list today?

1. Go to dry-cleaners
2. Buy Wedding card.
3. Get hair done.
4. Go to beauty salon
5. Agonise / Deliberate about whether to bring Little A to the wedding next Saturday.

Q4 – What are five snacks you enjoy?

1. Tayto sandwiches
2. Pesto pasta 
3. Jam Sandwich
4. Bowl of Honey Loops!
5. Chocolate

Q5 – What would you do if you were a billionaire?

I would buy a bigger house, buy few bits and bobs for family, donate to charities, go on fab holidays. Enjoy life. Have hubby home with me everyday. 

My Health Choices

Our health is our wealth and I've been thinking recently about how the way I live affects my quality of life. I'm going to share some choices I've made. I would love your feedback as to weather you agree or disagree.

Vegetarian I'm a vegetarian since my early teens. I haven't eaten meat, chicken, fish since. I've an OK diet. I'm not a very good vegetarian. My main source of protein would be cheese. I toyed with the idea of starting to eat meat again earlier this year but it really got me thinking. Is being a vegetarian the best thing for me, for anyone? The quality of meat and amount is probably quite excessive. I wonder about hormones, chemicals etc. I decided to stick to my veggie ways! And I'm glad.

No microwave! We have no microwave!! By choice!! People are amazed when they hear this. How could you survive without one!! But we do, all our food is oven cooked or boiled. I think it's unnatural to food to be cooked so quickly. And are those microwaves in your food then? Hubby sometimes goes on about how handy it would be to heat up something quickly but I suggest throw it in a saucepan and it'll heat up quite quickly on a hob. What you think?

Deodorant There was a debate a few yrs ago regarding a connection between the use of deodorant and breast cancer. Since then I don't use it regularly! I get away with it! I don't stink!

Organic Food: We try eat as much organic fruit and veg and meat (for Mr. C and kids) as we can.

They are a few of the lifestyle choices I've made. Of course there is room for improvement in my life. What choices have you made? If any? Do you think I sound OTT?!

France 2010

We're back! Had a lovely break away. A week and a half of family fun!!

We were busy! We were in La Rochelle, Port Bourgenay, Nantes, Maillezias ( Green Venice), Les Sables ...we clocked up just over 1000km in the car!

We went to a lovely little zoo in Les Sables, the amazing aquarium in La Rochelle, beaches, outdoor play areas, forests, farms, an adventure châteaux where the kids did a treasure hunt and got medals for completing it. The medals were worn proudly and brought to school and creche when we returned home.

We're on holidays

As per title ..... in France .......... will blog about it when I return!!

Prolific Blogger Award

I've been awarded the Prolific Blogger Award by the very lovely Very Bored in Catalunya.

The originator over at Advance Booking has attached the following rules...


1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to This Post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners.

I now award it to the following, whose blogs have made me laugh, cry, smile and think :

Matt Logelin

Owl Mummy

More than just a mother

Susie

Dear Dull Diary

BareNakedMummy

The Moiderer

Baby-ist???

We've all heard the terms age-ist, sexist, racist.

Do you think some people are baby-ist!! I'm not! There were three baby guests at our wedding and they enhanced the whole experience!

Mr. C and I are invited to a wedding of his cousin.

We can only go if we can bring Little A too.

She won't stay with anyone else only Granny who is also invited to the wedding.

I know some people have no children policies at weddings. I would really love to go!

We sent a text outlining our position and no reply so far. Not a good sign.

If we don't get a reply Mr. C said we won't go but I'll probably offer to stay home and he'll go with his parents.

What do you think??


UPDATE: Little A can join us! I'm so looking forward to it!!

Pause ...

It's like someone has pressed the pause button,

You must stay where you are for now,

For some it's a prolonged honeymoon,

For others an extended holiday,

For others it's a pain in the ass, preventing you from being with your loved ones,

Hopefully the play button will be pressed soon, allowing life to move on.

The skies to fill again, bringing people to and fro.

Press play soon someone ...

The highs and lows..

Motherhood is often described as a rollercoaster ride, full of high and lows!
Well we've has a few of these in past few days!!

The good bits: We've booked a holiday, going end of this month for a week and a half, to France!! Staying in a Keycamp Apartment Resort. Looks lovely! Can't wait!
Big A and Mr R are back at school and creche so it's quieter after the two weeks Easter hols!!
Little A and I have started Kindermusik lessons! It was our first time going today and she loved it!

The one bad bit - which terrified the life out of me yesterday :-(
I was just changing Baby A's nappy (having changed it approx 10 mins before!) and she had a bright red rash on the left side of her tummy. I was terrified. It was so bright red and it had appeared so quickly (within 10 mins). I was hardly able to breathe, the panic, the fear. I rang Mr. C and told him, photographed it, rang doctor, told to come in, had to drop other two to my sisters en route. I had a feeling she was OK but you can never be sure with babies and rashes. Thoughts of meningitis pierced my mind and I knew I had to act quick. We got to doctor and he checked her out. She was fine, rash was mostly gone but I showed him the photo on my mobile. What a relief! I've learned from this experience I don't handle bad things well. I would have fallen apart only I had to bring her to doctor. No-one else could. The doctor couldn't say exactly what caused it. But good news is she's fine! Just one of those things I suppose! While at the doctor, I got him to check her hips and questioned him about her not sitting independently yet! Got value for my fifty Euro ;-)

Last night I had a little think about life and how I wanted to live mine. I'm on the path I love, motherhood and marriage.

Kreativ Blogger Award

I am the proud recipient of the Kreativ Award.
It was awarded by the inspirational Susie of  NewDayNewLesson.

I have to share seven interesting snippets of information about myself and then pass the Award on!

Well here goes!

1. I'm a mum of three, 2 girls and a boy. Each have been born more naturally! First by C-section, second natural birth with epidural, third natural birth no epidural! Am slightly broody at moment but hubby says NO!
2. I'm Irish! Can speak Irish (Gaelic) and have chosen for Big A to be educated through the Irish language. 
3. I'm with Mr. C for close to half my life! Met him when we both were working in a local fast food outlet! I was nearly finished secondary school and he was in uni!!
4. I am a full-time SAHM now but will probably go back teaching at some stage. Previous employments have been in fast food outlet (incl. BK in Brighton!) and working for local council.
5. My hubby always does the evening wash-up and baby bottle washing and sterilising as I have very sensitive skin!;-)
6. I love the great outdoors, walking in forests, watching kids climb trees etc!
7. I've a bit of an addictive personality :- to t'internet and chocolate at the moment but it changes!!

I now pass this Kreative Award onto

Deardulldiary
Owl Mummy
BarenakedMum
Laxparenting

My Handbag

Ever get a missed call because you can't find mobile in your bag?? Has your 'designer' bag been demoted to changing bag status! Welcome to my world!!

I was tagged by the lovely Snafflesmummy to share the contents of my handbag. in the "What's in yours?" Meme.

Braving the elements in Disneyland Paris
(p.s. I was pregnant with Little A in this photo: very early days)

I got my Guess handbag for my 30th birthday! It was supposed to be for 'special occasions' but quickly became a permanent extension of my arm! It has evolved from being treated with great care and affection to being the holdall I stuff everything into!

It stores:

• My Guess wallet - that doesn't match my bag.
• Essential baby items: Nappies (Diapers to my US readers), wipes,baby bottle, carton of Aptamil, few sachets of Teetha.
• Make-up: Tinted Moisturiser, Mascara, Eye Cream, Lipstick ( I sometimes, discreetly, try to apply some/all of these while waiting in the car to collect Big A from school).
•  Bits and Bobs/Misc: Batteries (???), Sweets, Paracetamol, Big A hairclips, Scissors (to open Aptamil carton).

I hear ... I see

I hear foreign accents on TV, a cough, a baby snore, distant giggles, questions only a 3 year old would ask, my Husband answer them, my 5 year olds observations, my fingers tap, silence ...


I see our home, empty yogurt pots, family photos which remind me off wonderful times, a pushchair ready to unfold to bring us on adventures, candles - unlit. 


I feel happy, content, proud. 


I am a wife, mother, woman, learner, friend .


Now I want to hear from you! My first Memes are awarded to


            Susie @ newdaynewlesson.wordpress.com/
            Snafflesmummy
            VeryboredinCatalunya
            DearDullDiary
            Heather @ www.notesfromlapland.blogspot.com


Let me know what you hear, see, feel in a mere minute or two of your life .

Dear Daddy in China

Dear Daddy in China

Today Mammy and Granny brought us to Dromoland as it was a lovely, Spring day. We brought bread for the ducks, loaded in our scooters and all jumped into the car.

When we arrived, Mr. R and Granny fed the ducks. Big A was afraid of them - all that quacking! Mr R scooted over to them and as you can see from the photos they all made a hasty retreat!!

  

We then went into the walled garden and did a lot of running!!!

Then we relaxed and posed for some photos.

Until Big A got sick of all the posing and demanded I stop!!

We had a great time. We don't have photographic evidence but there was a hill and we climbed and ran up it loads of times!!

After all that fun, we had refreshments in the restaurant. Little A had some of Mammy's soup and some crusty bread!

We all miss you Daddy and are looking forward to Sunday.

Love from Big A, Little A, Mr R and Mrs C!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wordless Wednesday - a day late ..

... but couldn't wait till next Wednesday to show off my Gym Tot boy!

I've the three of them and I'm not terrified ...

It's mid-term. I've my three children at home with me all day. We're getting on OK!

It's a rarity really. Usually Big A is at school and Mr. R is at creche. At the weekend, Mr. C is home.

So a full day with all the children is now actually something I look forward to and enjoy. Before in my early days of motherhood, I recruited grannies, aunties, friends to help out. The thought of minding two or even three of them for more than a couple of hours overwhelmed me! I probably sound like a total wuss!!

I think it was a confidence issue (or lack of it) in me. Now as a mother of three, I think I've got better at the multi-tasking thing! Big A and Mr. R are older (still only 5 & 2). In a way, they have replaced the friends, aunties and grannies! We're a team now. Big A chats with Little A now (much to Little A's delight) when I need to do a few jobs. Big A and Mr. R play together. Things have got easier I hope!

Mr. C is going away for a week in a fortnight so I will be recruiting some helpers again, but if they can't oblige, it not the end of the world. We'll be OK!

Anyone else feel overwhelmed sometimes?  I hope I'm not the only one!!

A kind of redemption

I didn't breast feed Little A.

I did breastfeed my other two for a very short time. Extremely painful and awful experience on one hand but also a satisfying and fulfilling one... I was keeping them alive with my milk!

Party Time!

We celebrated Big A's 5th birthday this week!

Went for family birthday dinner on Tuesday.

The beginning ...

Hi. I'm Dymphna. I've three children, 2 girls and a boy.

I've enjoyed reading blogs for a while now.

I made the decision to write my own, don't know will anyone find it interesting but I'll try!!

My favourite blogs at the moment are Matt Logelin, Snafflesmummy, VeryBoredinCatalunya, InsomniacMummy and Laxparenting.

I'm celebrating my daughters fifth birthday later so might post pics of that!!

Looking forward to getting followers and comments!!

D x