As I write this I’m sitting in the corner of a soft play area, notebook on the table, a hot drink next to me and my discarded shoes on the floor… I have to apologise if my thoughts seem disjointed, punctuated as they are by shouts of elation, squeals of glee and the general hubbub of a small room crushed to its very brim with over-wrought toddlers. So soft … [Read more...]

As our minds turn to spring and the trees begin to burgeon with blooming buds I, for one, experience a tinge of anticipation for the explosion of blossom on our local trees. It’s one of the small things I always missed when I lived away from home. And yes, I do know that blossom exists in other parts of the country. But it was never displayed with the same gusto as … [Read more...]

I’ve said it before but, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll say it again: time really is flying by stupidly quickly these days. I still stop to wonder, every now and again, just what it is that makes the hours, days, weeks and months rattle past quite so quickly. It only seems like a couple of weeks since, this time last year, we had celebrated … [Read more...]

Time was when I would have marked myself down as a fair conversationalist. I suppose I’ve been brought up to suss out any given situation and adapt my conversation style to suit. Through my work I’ve developed that ability and could, in the majority of cases, be taken just about anywhere and be trusted not to show myself or my companions up in any way. Since … [Read more...]

Perception. It's a funny old thing isn't it? We all look at the world in a different way and my personal perception of the world has changed over the years. But in the past few months, as Holly has become more active and aware, I've found my perception of the world around us has changed once again and the simple things in life bring much delight to my 21 month … [Read more...]

My baby is not such a baby any more. As you read this, she is 18 months old and toddling around the place with all the urgency (if not the lane discipline) of a 100 metre sprinter. But for the majority of those 18 months I’ve struggled inwardly (and sometimes not so inwardly) to find the courage to leave her to sleep overnight with her grandparents. I always knew … [Read more...]

As a family we have now reached a happy, exciting and stimulating time in our little girl’s life. Now is the time when the firsts in her short life start coming thick and fast. Probably the most groundbreaking of these is her first steps. Friday 13 January 2012. This day, unlucky for some, heralded a momentous occasion in our little family. That was the day our … [Read more...]

“Are you going to go back to work?” I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked this particular question since my firstborn’s arrival back in 2010. But the answer is always the same. “Oh yes. I intend to. I run my own business so I work from home. Holly’s such a good natured little thing so I’m sure I’ll be able to work with her at home with … [Read more...]

I remember (albeit vaguely) the lazy, hazy days of my childhood and hold dear some very fond memories from that time. Summer holidays seemed to stretch into eternity and a day, a week, a month, held endless possibilities. So much to do, so much to see, so much to learn. As those delicious, warm and fuzzy memories soften a little round the edges, I truly hope that … [Read more...]

Since becoming a Mummy for the first time last November, a number of things have changed in my life. And I’m not merely talking about the sleepless nights, dirty nappies and a house full of colourful, noisy and well-chewed toys. Everybody knows that with a new baby comes responsibility, unconditional love, stress, irresistible chuckles and gurgles, anxiety and … [Read more...]