May 16, 2014 by Elliotandme

Elliot – 41 months (& 3 days!)

My biggest boy Elliot,

I haven’t done an update on here for you for a little while. What can I say about you at the moment? You are an absolute delight and so very funny!

You have in the past month completely cracked potty training, which had up until then been a bit of a worrying area for you. We are so proud that you’ve made this big step and I really think mastering that has given you much more confidence in other areas.

You are a huge fan of swings, slides, and see saws at the moment – daring us to push you higher and higher. You have also recently taken to your scooter really well and love nothing more than scooting down the lane to the farm near our house.

We are constantly amazed by your reading – it’s true you can actually read pretty much anything now – and since your little till came along (thank you Grandmum!) you have become really fascinated with numbers and working out addition and subtraction sums on your till. I have to say I think we’re going to have to start swotting up on our rusty maths skills to keep up with you at this rate.

You moved up to the Pre School room at Nursery in January and have been getting on famously there also, despite some initial hesitance.

We’re so proud of our little man, even if there are some things you’d rather put off until “tomorrow” or “when I’m nine, Mummy!”

Lots of love and hugs for my biggest one,

Mummy xxxx

January 16, 2014 by Elliotandme

From toddler to little boy all in one haircut

Elliot has recently become a big brother, and has suddenly seemed to have left toddlerhood behind. Add new shoes and a haircut to that and it's a proper little boy that now stands before us, not a toddler.

Pre-haircut, coffee in Cafe Nero (one of Elliot's fave hangouts!)

His speech has also developed even further. He's always been fairly good with conversation, picking up things easily and able to have proper conversations long before he could even walk.

Over the last couple of months I've been noting some little comments he's made, some funny, others really touching, and I wanted to capture these here.

Last year, around November time, when “discussing” whether it was time for bed or not – “but, Daddy, it's not bedtime, it's AUTUMN!”

In December he decided to tell my mum (Grandmum) that “you and mummy are my best friends” (note this privileged position is granted and taken away with shocking frequency, I think currently a Daddy is holding the mantle, although it could well be Grandad as he was so excited to see him today. We all live in hope that it's our turn soon!)

Last week at nursery, looking at one of his photos on the “inclusion board” (a photo of the four of us) – “look, it's my beautiful family”

Last month, having run around a supermarket for a while, Elliot slumps to the ground on his knees – “I can't go any more, I've run out of petrol!”

Post haircut, a little boy emerges:

Posted with Blogsy

December 31, 2013 by Elliotandme

Elliot, aged 3

Dear Elliot,

You turned three a couple of weeks ago. Luckily, I was not in hospital for the big day – the elective c section was initially booked for two days before your birthday which would have meant I would have still been in hospital. Thankfully we got bumped to the following Monday (three days after your birthday) due to lots of emergency sections they couldn’t fit me in. So, we got to have a proper birthday celebration for you, our eldest boy, before becoming a family of four.

On your birthday we had a special morning of opening presents and a lazy breakfast, then we went out for the day to a soft play centre – I sat and drank tea (being 39 weeks and 6 days pregnant is not compatible with climbing through tunnels and zipping down slides!) but you and Daddy had a brilliant time running about. We came home for chocolate cake, but we’re told (by you) that you wanted “no candles and no singing” so we just ate cake!

We also managed to have a small get together for family which you really enjoyed – thankfully more than the birthday cake! You were thoroughly spoilt with presents and attention, but we really indulged this knowing what was to come with the arrival of the new baby shortly after.

So, Elliot, you turned three and became a big brother within the space of three days, and the whirlwind continued with Christmas shortly after. You’re coping so well with everything, and your daddy and I are so proud of you.

Lots of love,
Mummy xxx

December 31, 2013 by Elliotandme

And then there were four…

December has been a busy month in our house. We’ve had the builders finish a loft conversion, a manic weekend of painting and shifting furniture about, a third birthday (to be blogged about shortly), a thirty sixth birthday, Christmas and amid all of that our newest little addition was born.

World, meet little Alexander:

Born on the 16th December at 9.27am, weighing 7lbs5oz, by elective cesarean. The whole experience was so vastly different to Elliot’s traumatic entry to the world, and as a consequence the transition from a family of three, to a family of four, has been relatively plain sailing so far.

Alexander has been putting on lots of weight already, and is pretty easy to look after. Elliot seems to like his new little brother and has only asked me to put him down a couple of times. So, all in all, I’m really enjoying being a mummy of two. Two boys. My sons. Wow.

December 9, 2013 by Elliotandme

All change…

Dear Elliot,

So this week sees you turn 3, move into a new bedroom and, hopefully if all goes well, become a big brother. That’s quite a lot to cope with (and that’s just me, so I’ve no idea how you’re going to cope with all the changes!)

I wanted to write a note to you while you are still my only child, to tell you how very special you are and how even though things will be changing over the coming weeks and months, you will always be my special boy, my first born, and quite simply the best thing that ever happened to us.

I hope being 3 will bring lots of fun and new experiences for you. You’re still liking nursery (mostly) and I think you’ll be moving up to the preschool room in the new year which you’re definitely ready for. You also still very much adore spending time with your grandparents every week – we think you are a very lucky little boy!

My biggest hope for the coming few weeks/months is that we all transition from being three to being four easily and without many trials. I know it’s going to be tough but I really do believe you’re going to be the best big brother ever!

You’re already able to list things you’re going to teach the baby- including how to miaow, names of all the engines in Thomas, and how to smile. You’ll be the very best teacher and I know you’ll be my little helper too. I promise to make lots of time for cuddles.

We are so proud of you and all you achievements to date. Next time I write there’ll be news of our new arrival. Not long to go…

Lots of love,
Mummy xx