And…we’re back

We’re back! Did you miss us? probably not, but I missed you!

I have really enjoyed my little break though. I obviously didn’t do nearly half the things I thought I would in terms of the blog but I have had a lovely summer with my family! And in true family slide show fashion, here’s what you missed…

I left you while we were on holiday in the Lakes (NOTE: Reuben’s groovy little hot pants – sized 0-3 months, poor kid. But he’s only going to get them dirty! oh and please don’t mind the state of my hair!)

Reuben grew a love for his Fire Engine (and anything with wheels, especially his buggy) and spends ages pushing it around.

He’s also learning to express himself and most recently has started to self harm to get what he wants – head butting doors, hitting himself on the head with toys, his hands, etc. Can the terrible twos start early?

Gabby loves making dens.

But Reuben has to have his own den so he doesn’t cramp her style

 We did some throwing

And Gabby taught Reuben to high five

Well sort of (don’t you hate it when you miss?!)

We did a bit of fishing for tiddlers but only got a leech

When we got home Mike moved offices and brought home some surplus fake grass to spruce up the yard

So we went alfresco

Reuben finally learnt to clap! It’s been my ‘thing’ that I’ve been worried about as all his friends have been clapping for months

We went to IKEA and made a den with Isabella. We even ate some raisins in there. It was definitely a den.

I was feeling whimsical (the worst thing in IKEA) so we bought most of the shop but I especially LOVE these little baskets. Reuben likes moving things from one to another and they pack flat so it’s great to take with us for entertainment while we’re out.

Reuben needed his first hair cut

So we all took him! I was getting mine done at the same time so I made Mike take the morning off work. I couldn’t see why he wouldn’t want to be at his first hair cut anyway.

All done!

All Reuben’s mates were turning 1, here we are at Finn’s Birthday party – neither Finn nor Reuben are pleased about the candle being blown out!

The baby shot – over here Reuben, and Finn is that duck really more interesting than my rendition of ‘if you’re happy and you know it’??

This is as good as it gets! I’m sure they used to smile…

Reuben later surprised me by a) demonstrating he could use a straw

and b) deciding he finally liked his bumbo (albeit for about 2 weeks – he now hates it again)

Gabby’s been working on her break dancing

Reuben has also started to demonstrate his prowess for climbing. He can climb up and down the stairs by himself, on and off the sofa (he’s only fallen off once when he was throwing himself around) and cruitially for my sanity out of his highchair, straps are not match for his skillzzzz (is there any place of sanctuary?! Yes. bed.)

And all this before he even turned 1 on the 12th August! To cut a long story short…

Reuben turned 1! I didn’t cry at all. I thought I’d be well emosh but no, heart of stone obviously (I cry all the rest of the time though).

I made cupcakes in the shape of a 1. Gabby asked very disappointedly ‘was that the best you could do?’ ‘yes’ I sobbed (note to self try better next time).

Reuben got a trike that he LOVES and we went to the park on it.

I discovered it’s impossible to take a photo of children where they’re all looking at you (from left: ‘uncle Isaac’, my brother, Cousin Olivia, Gabby and Reubs, Cousin Millie and Cousins Dylan and Harry)

And, we went to Edinburgh zoo. I LOVE THE ZOOOOOOO!

In other news Mike and I are trying the ‘Clean and Lean’ diet. I love it. Mike HATES it (we’re 7 days in now of a 14 day ‘detox’ – no booze, wheat or gluten, or sugar or processed stuff, etc. you get the picture).

And finally, Reuben is just lush (despite the head butting, oh and he’s currently hardly eating anything but it’s either a phase or a tummy bug so patience, don’t panic! And last week he was regularly waking up in the night for a couple of hours. I wasn’t so keen on him on the day he woke up for the day at 4am…but other than that, love of my life!)

There. Bet you feel like you’ve lived it too now, and that was just the fun stuff! I’ll do a proper post soon but I thought I should do something about what the little double and his sis have been up to over his Birthday month!

xxx