Natural Mothers

This weeks gallery prompt is Mother Nature. Each week there are wonderful photos and heart warming posts related to a theme. So go over to the gallery at Sticky Fingers, have a browse at your leisure and be inspired to join in as well

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Time to get a little tenuous, my first thoughts around the theme of Mother Nature centred on my allotment. So I put on my wellies and took some photos of the weather beaten fences, gnawed sprouts and my rusty wheel barrow, but the light wasn't great and my heart wasn't in it. I don't want to force myself into a theme, that's what review posts are for.

Where my heart does lie is with MiniMck and MrsMck, aka MummyLimited.

MrsMck and her best new-mummy friend (lets call her BNMF) are what I would call nature mothers (tenuous link by swapping the words round). They first met at anti-natal yoga class, then at our NCT group. This was not a friends-at-first-site moment, but a gradual friendship, that developed strong bonds through shared experiences and converging ideas about parenting.

Initially, this was when all the mums in our NCT group met together for coffee at each others houses. It was not long before MrsMck used the phrase to me that BNMF was her leveller.

"She grounds me," she said.

Known for her persistent worries, questioning guilt and anxiety about this new thing called motherhood- BNMF provided a constantly positive relief for MrsMck. BNMF never seemed fazed by anything, never talked in a derogatory way about people and always had a good word to say about someone.

And then there were the unrelenting sleepless nights. MiniMck has never been a great sleeper, he was just under a year and a half before there was any semblance of sleeping through the night- he's nearly two and still doesn't now. However, BNMF's daughter was nothing compared to MiniMck. This was the first shared experience that allowed MrsMck and BNMF to bond. Other sharing followed, co-sleeping and baby-led weaning, baby swimming sessions, Mini Monkeys softplay mornings and singing groups. These were invariably linked to a cake and coffee session for mums after. And it wasn't all about the babies, there was also the occasional Sunday afternoon trip into the city for a few glasses of wine or beer, while us Dads looked after the little people and got to know each other.

To top it all off MiniMck and BNMF Junior became playmates, holding hands, chasing each other and kissing without prompting. It was a wonderful site to see.

Those with a literary eye will note, I have been moved into past tense. Unfortunately, this is because BFF and her husband moved to California, for his job, just after Christmas. Communication these days is obviously so much easier, and MrsMck and BNMF have already had their first Skype webcam chat. I sincerely hope that their bond of friendship stays strong

So here's to nature mothers, true friends and levellers in life. Hopefully BNMF and her husband may one day return, because in life true friends do not come along that often, and when they do they are worth keeping hold of.

This slideshow was taken when we visited Best New Mummy Friend a few days before they left.

#Project365 18/365 And it's only Tuesday

#Project365 17/365 Monday Morning- Reality Bites (the right way round)

Silent Sunday- Late night at the Allotment

16/365 #project365 Playing Chase at B&Q

Project365 15/365 Norwich v Cardiff

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes..and nose and eyes and....and

This weeks gallery prompt is Body Parts. Each week there are wonderful photos and heart warming posts related to a theme. So go over to the gallery at Sticky Fingers, have a browse at your leisure and be inspired to join in as well

I would defy anyone not find the miniature hand or foot of a newborn baby cute. That first grip, tightly clenched around your little finger, filling you with so much warmth, love and simple ahhness. 'Look he is holding my finger!' cousins and aunts exclaim. (There is a nerd in me that wants to point out it is called the palmer grasp and it also works on his foot, the planter grasp).

Along with most new parents we have taken endless photos of our addition to the family. Since I got my first Zenith, I have always been interested in the versatility of an SLR camera and it's lenses to find those quirky angles or close up shots, with Mini Mck two loves came together, photography and him.

There were a few days during summer 2009, when our garden was in glorious sunshine and a gazebo was a permanent fixture (until it collapsed in high winds and was 'permanently' replaced again). Mini Mck was about 4 moths old and it meant that he could roll about in his nappy and vest, and I could lie down and get some close up pics of his feet, hands, mouth and most importantly of all his eyelashes. It seems some babies are born with eyelashes that are at full size and ready for adulthood. Mini Mck is one of these babies, they are a feature that many adult female admirers and relatives are jealous of.

When I told MummyLimited that I would be using this series of photos, she advised that I should chose just one. Maybe she was right, but I thought the theme, body parts, is plural, so that gives me an excuse to use several photos. Not that I ever need an excuse to show as many photos as I can of the person I see as the most beautiful in the world.

Christmas Reviews and Competition

Here a a few things MiniMck and I have had the chance to review and play with over the past few weeks. Competition details are at the bottom of the post.

Trio

When Holly at Mattel asked me if I was interested in letting MiniMck lose on a box of Fisher Price's new Trio building system, I jumped at the chance.

Trio is a construction toy with bricks, sticks and panels, with which you can make animals vehicles and generally whatever you can imagine. It is aimed at years 3 to 5. My own childhood involved a lot of Lego, imaginative vehicles and spaceships which after being intricately built would eventually end up involved in a fatal crash, from the top to the bottom of the stairs.

MiniMck already has his MegaBlocks, so I was hoping the new Trio construction kit would engage him. I wasn't disappointed.

As soon as I opened the Crazy Creatures box he was eagerly shouting 'toys, toys' - although he hasn't mastered 'Ts' yet so actually it was 'doys, doys'. I then started to play with demonstrate how to use the blocks (think large Lego blocks with holes in the middle that sticks or flat bits can go into). Mini Mck tried to construct something, and admittedly he is a over a year away from the target age for Trio, but he didn't quite have the strength to join the blocks together. So he preceded to tell me what should go where. We soon had our creation.

It was time for the ultimate construction kit test. How would the creature fare in a DeathStar like explosion at the bottom of the stairs, would it end up shattered in pieces like my childhood brittle Lego creations?

Surprisingly, no. Our wheel based Crazy Creature came through the ordeal loosing only an eye and a fin. The other many legged spindly creature didn't fair as well, loosing several legs. However, what this did show was that unlike his MegaBlocks and Duplo, which seems to fall apart when you look at them, Trio is sturdy; this is a big bonus. When you build something with Trio it stays built. Our wheel based creature, since named buggy for both the eyes and wide wheel base, has managed to stay complete for a couple of weeks and has even been allowed to join the esteemed pantheon of vehicles (a 70's Tonka digger, Lego Ambulance and wooden bus) that MiniMck lines up outside his bedroom.

The Crazy Creature sets are priced around £10, there is an aeroplane at around £6 and larger sets as well. Please note that the Crazy Creature set does not come with a set of wheels. Ours were kindly included as an extra by Holly from Mattel, when I mentioned that MiniMck has a current fascination for anything vehicular.

365 Everyday Games and Pastimes

365 Everyday games and pastimes, by Martin and Simon Toseland includes as it says, something fun for everyone.

I could also see it coming in handy over Christmas. For that time when everyone is slouched on the sofa in the post lunch full-belly-boozy-slump or simply to gather everyone together and have some wholesome family fun together.

The main impetus for the book is the author's grandmother, whose shop turned into a local pub, where people would gather to drink and play games. The authors have included games that are practical, easy to learn and require a minimum of equipment.

The book is split up into sections such as, Children's Party Games, Games on the Go, Rainy Day Games, Word Games and Christmas and New Year Games and Pastimes. It includes many games that we (I'm assuming) all know, Charades, Consequences, Picture Consequences (the one where you each draw the section of someone/thing), Battleships, I-Spy, etc.

However, there are five versions of charades and several other 'acting/miming' games. For adults there are drinking games, lists of forfeits, if you are stuck for any. The Victorian Body Challenges seem like they could be quite entertaining, especially if Uncle Bob or Aunt Fanny tried to do them after a few jars of ale or several snowballs.

As a teacher, I have also found a use for several of the games, some of the number based games are great as warm-ups for maths lessons and this years end of term Christmas party will include a few more interesting games than the usual musical statues and pass the parcel.

So for the games you have long forgotten or ones you never knew this is a great book to dip into and reminisce or find something for a particular occasion.

Paramountzone.com

A fantastic site for gifts and gadgets to suit all ages, from stocking fillers for a few quid to £1500 150-in-1 arcade machines.

MiniMck and I have been playing around with one of their a light changing glow balls and some spa lights. He was not to bothered with the spa lights, which I didn't mind as I could then use them for a relaxing bath after he had gone to bed. However he loves playing with the light changing glow ball.

I put it in his bath, add some Matey and then let the bubbles build up around it. The foam then has an ethereal glow. With the main lights turned off, it is quite effective and he has fun trying to find the ball in all the foam. It is also a useful way to entice him into the bath, without tears, when he is being in one of his obstinate moods.

Paramount gifts is excellent for general Christmas Present Ideas or specifically if you are looking for Christmas Presents for Kids

MiniMck playing with his glowing ball (apologies for blurry photos, but the light conditions were obviously not great and using a flash kinda ruined the effect)

Competition

Square Peg publishers of 365 Everyday Games and Pastimes have offered 3 books for me to give away. I also have a spare box of the Trio Crazy Creature Set to give away as well.

All you have to do to enter the competition is leave a comment on this post stating what your favourite Christmas Family or Party game is, or what your favourite childhood toy was.

The draw will be made using a randomizer at Random.org

Rules

To enter, leave a comment on this blog.

The competition is open to residents of the UK only
Make sure your contact details are available.
The winner will be drawn at random from all entries after the closing date.
The competition closes at 23:59 on Friday 10/12/2010

No cash alternative offered.
The winner will be asked to provide a full UK postal address with postcode.
If a prizewinner does not provide a full UK postal address within a week of being contacted, the prize will be re-drawn and a new winner will be contacted.

12 weeks and counting

This weeks gallery prompt is Black and White. There are always so many fantastic photos and posts in the gallery so pop over to Sticky Fingers to view some more.

I'm sure MrsMck and I are not the only people who give nicknames to their yet to be born child, so say hello to Sticky Pea. The brother, or sister, of MiniMck, who is due to come into the world at the end of next May.

MiniMck's alias was Sticky Bean. He was given this name by his mum as soon as she had got a second positive test. Sticky Bean had been two years and three miscarriages in the making, so his name was not down to cuteness, but through MrsMck's belief that this time he was going to stick around. She was determined to have a positive attitude. And stick around he obviously did.

However, things were not always so black and white.

We learnt about MrsMck's second misscarriage during a scan. It had never crossed my mind that a scan could be a negative event, films and TV drams always show the positive side, the elation of parents. So we were not prepared for the shock and emptiness when the scan showed something, but something not moving. A small blimp, with no signature heartbeat. All our hopes were crushed. It seemed somehow worse, because we had seen the small beginnings of life, in black and white.

Since that day, I have accompanied MrsMck for four other scans, and we feel nervous every time. That instant grief will never go, but time, talking and having MiniMck have helped heal the wounds. Misscarriage is awful, but so much more common than people realise, sadly we are not a nation that shares or deals well with vulnerability, grief, tears or death.

Back in August, Louise Carpenter wrote an informative and insightful article on miscarriage, in the Observer, Miscarriage: a mother's last taboo. I suggest anyone with a passing interest should read it.

So we await the arrival of Sticky Pea, with a positive mind. MrsMck seems to finally be over her nausea, although as she pointed out, no amount of positive thinking could overcome feeling that ill!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Back in the day, I used to believe society and our environment were the biggest influence on character, that gender was down to nurture, not nature. I already started thinking I might be wrong when I became a teacher, Key Stage One girls were often more capable at literacy and communication. Then I read about the difference between fine and gross motors skills in boys and girls at an early age (fine motor skills favour girls- stickering, etc, gross motor skills favour boys- running about kicking a ball like a loon).

Then MiniMck arrived, since then I have been convinced I was wrong.

Without any encouragement MiniMck has become obsessed with vehicles- buses, cars, trains, planes, diggers and boats, but mainly things with wheels. One of his earliest words was 'car' soon to be followed by 'train', actually 'toot-toot', but the meaning was the same. Bus spotting is now the activity de jour from the comfort of his car seat. When one is seen, a load screech of 'BUS!' comes from the back of the car, quickly repeated, getting louder and louder until he is acknowledged, "yes, it's a bus MiniMck, well spotted".

So where did this enthusiasm come from- we did not buy him any toy cars until his wishes and likes became apparent. I'm far removed from a petrol head and cycle to work, so no influence there. I can only assume that because he is a boy, he likes big moving things and when he pointed at them with glee we told him what they were, his enthusiasm influenced us, he was interested in them and so he remembered what they were called.

This all brings me round to his latest activity, lining up his vehicles. We find them lined up on the toilet seat, in his cot in the morning and against the wall outside his bedroom. When I mentioned it to another parent, I was hoping for an 'Oh, how sweet' reply, but instead they talked about sorting being a development stage at his age. Ya boo sucks to development, wonder weeks and all that claptrap- it just think it is darn cute, and is his thing of the week that makes me smile.