2 - 2 1/2 Year Review

My Little Lady is due her 2 - 2 1/2 year review soon and when I received the letter with the appointment, it also had an Ages & Stages Questionnaire.

This questionnaire is the 24 month one. 

It is quite excessive, asking lots of can your child do X, Y, and Z? Can they do it: Yes? No? Sometimes?

It is from an American book, so it refers to diapers and soda pops.

I feel that I shouldn't be having to go through these tests with her, she's 2. 

I do feel a bit 'why am I doing this?' too, I mean they want to know, they can do it.

Although the sensible part of me knows that it just isn't possible to see every child for long. We haven't seen a Health Visitor is around 18 months.

So, I'll fill in what I can, however I will not be completing the section that asks me to compare how well she's doing against other toddlers. Firstly, every child is different, and secondly, I don't know enough other kids. 

Reasons to be Cheerful

The reins have been passed to Becky over at Lakes Single Mum for July.

This week's Reasons to be Cheerful:

• I'm starting this with a big one, and hoping saying it will help it keep going.
  I had a really hard morning at the therapy group, I'm not going into details, but it left me with a lot of self-destructive feelings. Right now, I'm trying to think & compile a list of coping strategies that are helpful, not destructive. Please feel free to add any you can think of in the comments.
• I have had some good days this week. On Friday I went to the Dino Jaws exhibition, it was interesting and fun.
• On Saturday, I went to a plant sale, yes, that is exciting in my world! Lol; to a deli market; had a walk; and spent some time with people I care about. 
• I have done some productive things this week, even though that was the last thing I wanted to do.
• Feeling crap this week has given me lots of time to think. I'm thinking of trying some things, but not sure I had the strength or ability, but some times just the thought is empowering. 

So over to you, what have you been up to this week?
What are your reasons to be cheerful? Do let me know.

Reasons to be Cheerful

Michelle at Mummy from the Heart started running the link up as a way for us to appreciate the small things in life. However, since my break from blogging she has passed over the reins to oJo over at oJo's World.

This week's Reasons to be Cheerful: 

• As I mentioned in Wobbles Wednesday, I've tried to be good and have tried to get out for a walk when I'm up to it.
• I've registered for my next O.U. course, nerves and apprehension already but at least I will try.
• I have cut down the amount of time I'm online. I use Swagbucks to try and earn some Amazon Gift Cards for things I need and for Kiki's birthday presents, but I cannot be bothered at the moment.
• Kiki hasn't been herself for last few days, that in itself obviously isn't a reason to be cheerful, but she has being giving me lots of cuddles and Daddy got lots too.
• I'm thinking about deleting my A-Z of Me and starting again, although not sure as it shows where I was and how far I've come.
• I shared some of my old blog posts I have mental health problems! and Depression, self harm, pregnancy, and F*ck ups on Facebook, not something I ever do, they are separate friends to this part of my life, if that makes sense; and they were received quite positively. One friend actually asked if she could share on her own page.
• I was invited to Stockeld Park for an exclusive VIP pre-opening event for the Summer Adventure, I'm excited as I've never been, but have heard great things. 
• As always, people who matter, are around us.   

So over to you, what have you been up to this week? 

What are your reasons to be cheerful? Do let me know.

Reasons to be Cheerful

I've not been around for a while, my mental health has needed more attention than the blog, but I am at the stage I need to start acknowledging the small wins again.

Michelle at Mummy from the Heart started running the link up as a way for us to appreciate the small things in life. However, since my break from blogging she has passed over the reins to oJo over at oJo's World.

This week's Reasons to be Cheerful: 

• I had a good holiday, quite stressful in places, but lovely to be out in the sunshine, even if I'm paying the price now. 
• The sunshine, I always feel better when the weather is sunny and warm, don't you?
• I had a telephone call that I think I handled ok. Normally I email or snail mail, but I had problems that needed a point of contact and he wasn't good at getting back to me. I didn't get the answers I wanted but still, I managed a call.
• My daughter continues to amaze and astound me on a daily basis.
• The World Cup is on, we crashed out very early, but there's some great football being played.
• As always, people who matter, are around us.

So over to you, what have you been up to this week? 

What are your reasons to be cheerful? Do let me know.

Rest of Birthday presents and Kiki's invitation to play

We got back from holiday last night and after unpacking and settling in a little, we set up Kiki's remaining presents. 

Butlins Birthday

As we were away for Kiki's birthday, we took some of her presents with us to leave out for her in the morning.

I took wrapping paper, but forgot sellotape so left them unwrapped.

Like she cared, she was happy to get straight in to playing. She especially loved her little dolls' house from her Uncle and Aunt.

Blogging Every Day in August: Something Beautiful (Day 11)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too. 

Today's prompt is: Something Beautiful 

Bet you can't guess what that made me think of?! Ha!
Of course, my daughter. Yes, obviously I am biased but I think she is beautiful. 

I have told her everyday since she was born that she is beautiful and clever. I don't just mean in the looks sense either.

But am I setting her up for self esteem issues in later life, as has been suggested recently? Or can we just take things in perspective and realise each and everyone of us is beautiful?

Yes, that does include you. And me! 

 

I found this on Pinterest recently and love it, I can't find a source to credit, do let me know if you know who it is.

Baby Bibs

My little one has been teething for what feels like months now. She is constantly trying to put thing in her mouth to bite on, see previous post about MAM teethers for smaller babies. As well as this, she is a seriously drooly baby! I not overly concerned, I wipe her face often & have cream to add if any redness appears but as any parent knows, drooly baby = soaking wet tops, several changes a day. As if babies don't need changing often enough!

I have been looking at bibs I could leave on, but the either look like she's about to eat or are expensive. I mean seriously £5 for a bib? So I turned to the Internet. I looked for patterns for the bandanna style bibs. The first one I tried was shaped, supposedly to look like it was draped, but I didn't like it.

My next attempt was to use some of the FQ's (fat quarters) of material I bought for making bunting for the nursery, which to be honest I had no chance of making whilst ill and suffering from serious case of CBA syndrome.

I cut the material (2 different fabrics, 1 of the tattoo inspired one and 1 of the Jolly Roger one) in to 14" inch squares and the in half diagonally.

  

I picked up a plain white bath towel in a charity shop to use a backing, hoping it will hold a large puddle. I cut two 14" squares and again cut diagonally.

With the right side of the material facing each other, wrong side up, I machine sewed a seam approximately 1/4 inch in all around, barring a small gap in one of the straights. Not the corner, made that mistake with first prototype, very difficult to turn right way.

Turn material right way out, poking corners out with scissors, knitting needle, etc. 

Sew again on right side (if wanted).

Sew Velcro tabs to either side of points.
I should point out that I made a small error here, I actually picked up the wrong velco, I bought self adhesive stuff. As it wasn't strong enough to remain in place, I atempted to stitch edges. It ruins needles quickly and clogs machine. 
Don't do it! 

And viola. One cute dribble bib.
 

Add to child!

Mothers & Daughters

Mothers give us life; shape us into the people we become. They hold our hands and our hearts, whilst they guide us through life’s obstacles. Mothers try to protect us, keep us safe and out of harm’s way. Mothers remember their mistakes and try to prevent you making the same ones, but will be there with the tissues and emotional support when you do. They will never tell you ‘I told you so’ but will always tell you ‘I love you’.

Daughters bring us joy, laughter and unprecedented love. We try to protect them, look after them, and encourage them to become all they can. We try to motivate and guide them in becoming the women we know they can be. In doing so, we sometimes have to step back and let them make their own decisions, trusting we gave them the strength to make the right ones. It is hard to witness the tears, when you would stop the world for them. Daughters can break your heart with a word, but we will always be there for them, to help them pick up the pieces.