Annual London trip - Alice's 1st time

This weekend, we went on our annual outing to London. We go each year to get a tree bauble from Harrods and then have a wander around different places, like tourists do. This year was different, as we were taking Alice with us on her first trip to London.

Before leaving, there was a lot more planning needed, and the massive list of things that we had better not forget, eg. Ali's milk, snack, lunch and extra bits...just incase. There was also the pushchair to get around London, with the blankets to go over Alice...just incase.
          Anyway, the day started off with us having to wake Alice up, which she was less than impressed with. Infact, I believe it went a little like this... (lights gradually turning up) *blink, blink, squint* "no,no,no,no,no,no". All Lucien and I could do for a good few seconds was to laugh at the reaction.

After getting showering and getting our breakfasts, we went and collected James from his house and drove to Exeter to get the train to Paddington.

Judging by this face, it was way to early to be up and out.

Our first stop when we got to London was Harrods to get our bauble, so we caught the tube to Knightsbridge and went exploring Harrods to try and find the Christmas shop. We did get confused with where the Christmas shop was and ended up in the wrong place, "The Christmas Grotto" which was next the Disney Store, Alice loved looking at all the different things for sale.

After Harrods, we walked to the Science Museum, stopping on the way for some lunch and a drink.

Oh, and a quick selfie!

When we arrived at the Science Museum, Lucien and James spotted the "a history of computing" and "a history of mathematics" exhibits. So we headed straight there. Alice went round the exhibits with her Daddy, where he explained lots of things to her

After a while, whilst James and Lucien were discussing how "Ernie" randomises, Alice decided it was time to run around a squeal again and again.

Alice then learnt about uniform polyhedra and about mobius strips.

There was just enough time to go and have a look at the trains and the other modes of transport in the museum before leaving to get back to Paddington.

Alice enjoyed travelling on the train home so much that she didn't sleep a wink, she finally did when we got into the car and drove home.

I wonder what we will do after Harrods next year :)

Laura

Parent & child spaces

I have never had the desire to park in the parent and child spaces be it either in a supermarket or a shopping centre. That is until I had Alice.

Since having Alice there has been a necessity to park in these space, as they are wider to enable pushchair access to the car etc.

It has been brought to my attention how many people park in these spaces without kids, just because they are closer to the store or entrance to shopping centre. It really does bug me, because when you have a young child you need all the space you can get.

I have also found out that the biggest culprit of this is old people. Why, oh why do you feel the need to make parents with young children suffer? They are wider for a reason. I have come to the conclusion that these old people are just selfish, ignorant and that they don't give a rats bum about what people think.

Family funtime

This weekend was really nice, with fun from some of our family. It started with going up to Exeter to have a cooked breakfast whilst waiting for James' car to be MOT'd, thanks for the breakfast treat James ;)

After Exeter, we went to James' place and joined my parents in law for a cuppa and then a walk. Alice also got to have lots of fun with her Uncle James.

On our walk we saw this cool looking fella...

On Sunday, we went to Bicton with my parents. We have'nt been together for a few months now and so thought it would be nice to see the planting at this time of year and also make the most of the warmth and sun whilst its still here.

First things first, tractor riding with Daddy. Mowing other kids down as they got in the way. Alice loved playing on the tractors.

Next on the agenda was the train ride around the park, using our train ride card we have, so my parents didn't have to pay.

Just before going to play in the park and the soft play area Alice was allowed to play on the grass and watch the other children. We also bumped into of our friends from our ante natal classes and so Alice got to play with her friend Betsy on the grass too.

Alice was definitely not fussed for the ball pool, maybe she thought she would be sucked into a black hole and never return. Fortunately the swings were much more fun.

The swings were so fun infact, that she fell asleep in her pushchair before we had left the play park, and we had to leave for home because we were all worn out.

Our family is awesome :)

Laura

Pefkos - What a place!

I first went on holiday to Pefkos in 2002, with my family, and then each summer a few more times. Ever since the first visit I knew that it was a very special place that I would never forget and each time we went back it just got better and better. We always stayed at Pefkos Beach Hotel.

One of many holidays to Pefkos

Now that my husband and I have just celebrated our second Anniversary together, it has made me think about the times we visited together and how Pefkos and our Greek friends have seen us grow and develop our relationship.

In 2009, we went out the first time together and stayed at Pefkos Beach Hotel (Would it be anywhere else ;) ) we were just in our second year of a relationship together at this point. Lucien had also been to Pefkos previously but stayed in Apostolis Studios, up the hill from Pefkos Beach. We had a brilliant holiday together and did a bit of exploring around the southern, western coast and Epta Piges.

Prassonisi 2009

Prassonisi 2009

In 2010, Lucien and I went back again to Pefkos Beach, we were now engaged. We explored a lot more this year and enjoyed ourselves a lot. We also met with Karen from Lindos Weddings to discuss what sort of wedding we would like. Neither of us wanted to go home.

Prassonisi 2010

Prassonisi 2010

In 2011, when we went back again we met with Lindos Wedding to plan every detail of our perfect day, which would include St Pauls Bay and then evening reception at Nostalgia. We also did the usual amount of exploration of the island, and climbed up Tsambika mountain.

Tsambika mountain 2011

Tsambika mountain 2011

In 2012, we went with all our families and friends to get married. It was a brilliant 2 weeks, and an amazing day that couldn't have been more perfect. We couldn't believe that so many of our family and friends came out to celebrate our joining together as a family. I wish I could do it all over again.

Mr and Mrs Caldwell at St Pauls Bay 2012

In 2013, when we went back I was 5 months pregnant with our gorgeous baby daughter. All our Greek friends were so excited to see that there would soon be a new member of our family and would greet my bump before me. We still managed to do our usual amount of exploring and we even climbed a mountain.

West coast 2013 (5 months pregnant)

West coast 2013

So this year, 2014, we are going to take our lovely baby daughter to meet all our friends and show her Pefkos. We are heading out to Pefkos a lot later than normal as I am not working but it will be nicer for our Alice as it won't be too hot for her. 

We are so excited to show Alice off, and to see our lovely Greek friends again.

Laura

Weaning

Alice is now 8 and half months old and she has learnt to roll, crawl, turn on the spot and is cruising any piece of furniture she can get her hands on, she also has got her two front bottom teeth.

However, she doesn't seem to be able to eat anything with lumps in. We have tried the freeze dried foods that you hydrate and the jars of food and she just gags until, what looks like, the entire contents of her body coming out. Now this my seem like I am exaggerating but, ask anyone who has seen this scene and they will agree.

Recently we have tried to give her sticks of cucumber and mild cheese and because of her two front teeth these also end up turning into little lumps in her mouth which she then gags and throws up with too. What are we doing wrong? Any ideas welcome for helping get our little Alice on more textured foods.

I feel like its something that we are doing as it seems that every other baby is happy to eat textured or lumpy food and Alice is the only one who won't or can't.

Laura

National speed limits

Recently, I have noticed that nobody seems to know what the national speed limit is anymore. I quite often find myself being slowed down and held up by drivers doing 30mph in a national. Now I don't necessarily mean that people have to drive either 60mph or 70mph (depending on single or dual carriageway) but half of the speed limit is taking the biscuit somewhat.

The other type of driving I have noticed is other drivers driving 45 - 50 no matter what the speed limit is. Especially driving through Woodbury, which is a 30mph speed limit. It's such a shame that there isn't police officers around to catch them out.

Anyway, rant over...

Passports and Holibobs

Now that I am not going back to work in September, we have decided that we are going to try and go on holiday and yes, you guessed it...to Pefkos Beach Hotel!

We sent off for a renewal passport for Lucien and a new passport for our lovely Alice, we did this 3 weeks ago and are hoping that we get them back soon so we can go. Hopefully the passport office isn't too far behind anymore ;)

It will be the first time we will have taken Alice away and so we are doing the usual place, so that we don't have to worry about anything other than how she will manage with a new place and the heat. Being later in the year, the heat shouldn't be as intense and easier for her to cope with.

We are both looking forward to all our Greek friends meeting Alice, as they were all so excited about Alice's arrival last year. It is also special for us, as we got married there and so we feel that there is always a place in our heart for Rhodes (Pefkos especially).

Just need to get the passports back and book it ;)

Laura

Being mobile

At the grand age of 7 and 1/2 months, Alice has decided that laying and doing nothing is for chumps and that moving around and being mobile is the way forward.

Alice has been rolling around for a few weeks and attempting to crawl for a few weeks, which has now turned into dragging herself along with her hands. She will also happily walk up the stairs whilst holding you hands. This last week or so she has been climbing up anything and everything she possibly can, including me and her favourite... the sofa.

Video of Alice standing

The funny thing is she won't climb to a stand on the edge of the sofa whilst you are looking, as soon as you look away she stands up and is extremely pleased with herself. Then the funniest part, she looks towards you and waits for your congratulations for her being so clever.

I can't believe she is so grown up already and how clever our little baby is.

Laura

Sleep! At last!

I am probably just about to jinx this now, but I am going to say it...

Alice is asleep!

The last few days our poor little baby has been a nightmare to settle because she was cutting her first tooth. Last night Lucien tried taking her for a walk as this worked at 10pm the previous evening but to no avail, So we waited for a little bit and tried other things like giving her a little bottle and rocking her this also unsuccessful, it was my turn to take her for a walk.

I decided, in my wisdom, that I would take Ali for a long walk so, I walked from our house in a big circuit past little Tesco, up Brixington hill, up Ivydale and onto Sherwood Drive and then onto Valley Way, Parkside Drive, Birchwood Road and Marions Way then back to ours again (1.20 mile circuit). In theory this was a brilliant plan because Alice usually fall asleep in the pushchair when on a nice walk, however, when I got to the top of Sherwood Drive she decided that sleep was most definitely overrated and that she was going to scream and shout as loud as she could, because we were now about the furthest point from home...

So, if you live on this route I will now apologise for my darling daughter ruining your evening.

This walk was extremely unsuccessful... Lucien then tried a drive along the seafront, another bottle and another walk, needless to say Alice was definitely winning the battle as they came through the door with her crying still.

I took her upstairs as I had had enough of that evening and I sat and sang to her and she eventually fell asleep around 11pm.

This evening however, seems to be back on track and she has settled down and stayed down so far... hopefully this will now be the norm again and we will have a lovely happy and contented baby girl again.

I hated seeing her in pain and discomfort but glad it was only short lived. I really don't know how normal parents cope with getting up throughout the night doing feeds etc. I admire you all.

Laura

We have a tooth!

The last few days our little lady has been a bit more grumpy than usual and hasn't been sleeping as much. So, we wondered what on Earth could be wrong with her.

I felt in her mouth yesterday and felt something sharp, so I tried to look in Alice's mouth, she reluctantly after lots of tears and screaming showed me. I saw to my excitement a little tooth sticking out of her gum and it all made sense.

We are now hoping that this tooth won't take too long to come out and she will be back to her normal chilled out self.

Laura

Tough decisions

As most of you will now know, I have indeed resigned from being a Teaching Assistant at ECC to look after my beautiful baby girl. So, as of 1st September, I have decided my job title is going to be 'lady of leisure'.

This was such a tough decision to make and I really didn't want to leave, as no matter how much I whinged about some things I absolutely loved being a Teaching Assistant and working with all my lovely colleagues. I have made so many awesome friends in the 5 years I have been there and I hope to stay in contact with you all.

There was only one reason for leaving and that was childcare... If you speak to anybody that has had children they all say the same thing, childcare is too expensive. This was very true in our circumstance too, especially on my wage.

Never fear, I hope to be returning (if I am allowed ;) ) when Alice has started at pre-school. In the meantime, I will miss working with you all, my lovely friends and colleagues :(

Laura

Paignton Zoo

Alice and I are having a busy week so far, Crealy yesterday and Paignton Zoo today. Alice got to see more animals than me today, she saw some orangutans, gorillas and lots of varieties of monkey, whilst I was having a cuppa and catch up with my lovely friend Suzy, Alice didn't wander off by herself ;) Granny took her for a walk.

After Alice had a feed I then took her for a walk to see some of the other animals, and to look at the lovely gardens.

We found the crocodile swamp and saw some crocodiles and snakes. After the crocodile swamp we walked round to see the giant tortoise, baboon rock and the pelicans.

We went and picked up Granny and carried on our walk to see the tigers and lions. We all saw both of the tigers...sleeping.

All the lions were visible too, the new male walked towards us and laid down in the sun for a nice sunbathe.

Only thing was, Alice fell asleep just as we got to the lions and missed them all.

On the way out we spotted this fella by the main entrance.

There is still more animals for Alice to see in the future, so Lucien and I will have to take her again to see all the animals she missed this time round.

Laura

Crealy

Alice and I fancied a visit to Crealy to see Granny and my work colleagues on their Activities Week trip. I haven't been since this time last year, I secretly (not so secretly now) love going to Crealy. 

Granny took Alice and made a base camp for us all to sit around for the day and she told me and Rob to go and have a walk around. So, we went to the log flume and rode that, thankfully I didn't get soaked which was the first time ever. After the log flume, I went and found Granny and we went for a walk with Alice.

Alice found a swing just the right size for her and had a little go on it, before continuing on our walk.

 We found the new ride that Crealy have just opened and that Urban and Rural Plants planted.

After all the swinging and the walking around Alice thought it was all too much and fell asleep. Granny and I found a bench next to the log flume and had a sit down to watch the kids get soaked.

After lunch, Alice and I went and had a look around the animal shed. We saw some really cute ducklings, Shetland ponies and piggies.

We had a really nice day out and I really can't wait until Alice can do more of the rides and enjoy herself.

Laura