Just after I'd finished writing my last blog entry about how un-Christmassy I was feeling... these gorgeous decorations showed up in the post courtesy of my lovely mum:
(That last one is hanging on the 'self sufficiency and house building' section of the bookshelf. Steven is Mr Anal and has a different shelf for each part of his book collection.)
We have a few Christmas present wrapped and ready to go under the tree. The only problem is:
1) There isn't any space for a tree in the barn, and;
2) The entire floor space is Elmer's territory, and any presents left there are liable to be unwrapped, destroyed and/or eaten.
I'll have to come up with an alternative solution!
(That last one is hanging on the 'self sufficiency and house building' section of the bookshelf. Steven is Mr Anal and has a different shelf for each part of his book collection.)
We have a few Christmas present wrapped and ready to go under the tree. The only problem is:
1) There isn't any space for a tree in the barn, and;
2) The entire floor space is Elmer's territory, and any presents left there are liable to be unwrapped, destroyed and/or eaten.
I'll have to come up with an alternative solution!
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He's quite adept at the bum shuffle now. We nickname him Bum-Shuff (very original I know). I must have said it out loud in the post office because yesterday when I took Elmer in to post some Christmas cards the lady behind the counter said "It's Bum-Shuff. He's back!"
His recent speciality is escaping. From the aforementioned post office (whilst I am innocently licking a stamp), from a shop, whilst I pay at the counter, from people's houses when they open the front door for a SECOND. I think because he's so low down, and so quiet, he's not as noticeable as a child who can actually walk.
Luckily we have a long expanse of grass from the barn to the house build. It takes him a while to shuffle down, then I pick him up and he starts again. That gives us about 15 minutes breathing time. How on earth people cope when their babies start walking... or running (!!) is beyond me.
With all this sunny weather we've had it doesn't feel in the slightest bit Christmassy. Come January I'll be very happy that it's summer, but December ought to be cold and grey, so that we can enjoy open fires, mulled wine, hats, scarves, (maybe a bit of snow?) twinkly lights, big hearty meals, and all the magic of the Christmas season. I'm going to have to move to Lapland.
His recent speciality is escaping. From the aforementioned post office (whilst I am innocently licking a stamp), from a shop, whilst I pay at the counter, from people's houses when they open the front door for a SECOND. I think because he's so low down, and so quiet, he's not as noticeable as a child who can actually walk.
Luckily we have a long expanse of grass from the barn to the house build. It takes him a while to shuffle down, then I pick him up and he starts again. That gives us about 15 minutes breathing time. How on earth people cope when their babies start walking... or running (!!) is beyond me.
With all this sunny weather we've had it doesn't feel in the slightest bit Christmassy. Come January I'll be very happy that it's summer, but December ought to be cold and grey, so that we can enjoy open fires, mulled wine, hats, scarves, (maybe a bit of snow?) twinkly lights, big hearty meals, and all the magic of the Christmas season. I'm going to have to move to Lapland.
Two:
Bum-Shuff is ADORABLE!
(12.10.10 @ 09:09 PM)
Monica:
No need to go to Lapland We have all that in Cardiff!
Aw, gorogeous photos, divine baby.
I trust there's a safety net under Steven??
M x
Becs:
hehehe that is too cute - it looks like he's worn a little path in the grass... : )
(12.12.10 @ 08:46 PM)
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I arrived back from Elmer's Music and Movement class today to find this box waiting for me:
And I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally have this lens in my hands!!! This is my early Christmas present to myself and it is just beautiful!
We had a lovely time in Christchurch by the way. We took Elmer to see the Ron Mueck sculpture exhibition, which was fantastic, although we rushed a little since it was just before naptime. Here is Steven pointing at Elmer pointing at a giant Ron Mueck newborn baby:
Me and my boy...
And I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally have this lens in my hands!!! This is my early Christmas present to myself and it is just beautiful!
We had a lovely time in Christchurch by the way. We took Elmer to see the Ron Mueck sculpture exhibition, which was fantastic, although we rushed a little since it was just before naptime. Here is Steven pointing at Elmer pointing at a giant Ron Mueck newborn baby:
Me and my boy...
Elmer's expression in that last image is saying "I really hope the next stop is NAPTIME".
Liana:
so will I like be able to carry your early xmas present!!!???? A month ago I would have looked at that and gone duh...now I go whoaaaaaaaaaaa!
That baby sculptor is amazing!
Did Steven have the camera on auto....not sure if the lighting is totally perfect...bahahaha bahahaha
Susan Andrewes:
What amazing photos! I love the gorgeous one of you and Elmer. Have a lovely Xmas.
(12.08.10 @ 12:18 AM)
Monica:
I always thought Elmer had your (lovely) big mouth Sinead, but look at both your eyes here. And he still manages to look like mini-Steven! Lovely photo.
M x
Steven the Husband:
Monica that's why i married her. I thought to myself, Sinead would be perfect for producing children who look just like me, but not quite all the time. That would only raise suspicion. Hence all the comments "Sinead he looks like you here but, strangely, manages to also always look just like Steven!?". Cunning
(12.09.10 @ 02:44 PM)
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I feel like my blogging has been a bit sparse lately. Elmer now has a cold on top of the teething, plus I have a cold, so neither of us is sleeping well, and my days are spent either editing or staring out of the window like a zombie. Hopefully we'll get over it soon because there's always SO much to do.
I guess I'm lucky that Elmer will happily play on his own for long periods of time. He loves his books. He's started bum-shuffling too, so shuffles over to his book collection and 'reads' each one, front to back, before setting up a little pile of books he's read on the floor next to him.
His favourite book is Mr Pusskins 'Colours'. He adores it. When he gets to the centre-page, and the image of Mr Pusskins making muddy pawprints on the white floor, he points a tiny, chubby finger to each muddy print and says 'duga duga duga' quietly under his breath. I just melt when I see him being so absorbed and fascinated and adorable, and it makes the sleepless nights that bit easier to bear.
I had 3 weekends off weddings, but now I'm back into the swing of things starting last Saturday with Jennifer and David's beautiful vintage style wedding in Dunedin, and this Saturday with Richelle and Ian's country wedding in Northburn. Then my next free weekend is the end of APRIL. It's going to fly by, and the best thing about that is that before April my parents will be here, and I can't wait for Elmer to be reunited with his grandparents.
I guess I'm lucky that Elmer will happily play on his own for long periods of time. He loves his books. He's started bum-shuffling too, so shuffles over to his book collection and 'reads' each one, front to back, before setting up a little pile of books he's read on the floor next to him.
His favourite book is Mr Pusskins 'Colours'. He adores it. When he gets to the centre-page, and the image of Mr Pusskins making muddy pawprints on the white floor, he points a tiny, chubby finger to each muddy print and says 'duga duga duga' quietly under his breath. I just melt when I see him being so absorbed and fascinated and adorable, and it makes the sleepless nights that bit easier to bear.
I had 3 weekends off weddings, but now I'm back into the swing of things starting last Saturday with Jennifer and David's beautiful vintage style wedding in Dunedin, and this Saturday with Richelle and Ian's country wedding in Northburn. Then my next free weekend is the end of APRIL. It's going to fly by, and the best thing about that is that before April my parents will be here, and I can't wait for Elmer to be reunited with his grandparents.
Roisin:
Ohhhhhhh!!! Mr Pusskins!!!!
(11.26.10 @ 10:24 PM)
Grandad:
What? Did you say Pushkin? My grandson's reading Russian authors? I told you he was clever.
(11.27.10 @ 04:01 AM)
Steven the Husband:
Not so it seems Mike. I saw him flicking through a Jeffery Archer the other day. We may have passed his brief but promising peak, and all before 14 months!
(11.27.10 @ 10:13 AM)
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I generally try to divide my days fairly between Elmer, work, and doing my garden (new obsession!). Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Today was a less successful day. Elmer is teething (at least that's the excuse I afford him), and hasn't been his usual cheerful self. After a few days of rain, I've been desperate to get outside again. The weather is beautiful!
I carry a big sun umbrella, a basket of toys, a rug, some teething rusks, a drink, suncream, my phone, a couple of snacks, some baby books, a shirt (incase it gets too sunny), my hat, Elmer's hat, a jacket (for him), and all my gardening tools to my vegetable garden and get set up. I come back for Elmer, slather him in suncream (he isn't too happy about this), carry him out to the elaborate outdoors set up and start digging the garden. 15 minutes later Elmer's not happy. None of the teething/toy/snack/drink offerings console him. We come back inside. Since Elmer's sticky suncream skin is now covered in rusk, grass and bits of rug-fluff I give him a bath...
One of the current offenders, poor baby:
He is now happily eating an apple and watching the dogs through the glass door. Long may it last!
Today was a less successful day. Elmer is teething (at least that's the excuse I afford him), and hasn't been his usual cheerful self. After a few days of rain, I've been desperate to get outside again. The weather is beautiful!
I carry a big sun umbrella, a basket of toys, a rug, some teething rusks, a drink, suncream, my phone, a couple of snacks, some baby books, a shirt (incase it gets too sunny), my hat, Elmer's hat, a jacket (for him), and all my gardening tools to my vegetable garden and get set up. I come back for Elmer, slather him in suncream (he isn't too happy about this), carry him out to the elaborate outdoors set up and start digging the garden. 15 minutes later Elmer's not happy. None of the teething/toy/snack/drink offerings console him. We come back inside. Since Elmer's sticky suncream skin is now covered in rusk, grass and bits of rug-fluff I give him a bath...
One of the current offenders, poor baby:
He is now happily eating an apple and watching the dogs through the glass door. Long may it last!
Roisin:
Haha, loved this post!
(11.20.10 @ 10:51 PM)
Monica:
Poor Elmer! Tell him his Grandma and Grandad will be there soon to take his mind off those wretched teeth. You can get on with your gardening, Sinead and everyone's happy. Can't wait!!
M x
Anonymous:
Me neither mum!!!
(11.22.10 @ 09:49 AM)
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