Curtis Aaron Hughes

Nyla Macey Hughes

2011-11-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

Hello again!!!

2011-06-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

It's been too long since we updated the blog which is a shame as Curtis has been doing so much and having such fun, as well as keeping us smiling. He is now 3.5 years old and is doing all the things we'd expect him to at that age.

He still attends his nursery 4 days/week but from April this year he also started 'big nursery' at big school which he totally took in his stride after just a brief settling in session. He goes 3-4 afternoons each week and is gradually making new friends there but is still most settled at his regular nursery with best friend Morven and spends an increasing amount of time with the slightly older boys Kyle, William and Lewis who are all obsessed with superheros, pirates and fireman.

Curtis loves dressing up - most recent obsession is Spiderman - he was delighted last week to receive a spiderman cap from nanna and taid and said 'wow, I will wear it every day'. He loves the spiderman pants Anutie Deborah bought him and this all ties in perfectly with his insistance on wearing his favourite colour Red most of the time.

Today we are having a lazy day at home, about to cook some filo pastry 'boreks' and mango muffins. Curtis has been watching Breakdance championships DVD and managed to create himself a breakdance outfit of joggies, T shirt, baseball boots and the all important cap worn backwards....I've managed to convince him breakdancers eat chicken adn sweetcorn soup to get him though his lunch too - great! You did know Spidermans favourite foood is brocolli didnt you?

Bought him a fantatsic 'French is Fun' card game, CD and DVD set and he is loving it all, quite to my surprise. Serge the monkey and Pascale the parrot DVD has not been off the TV since we got it and he is pickign up a few words. Not fussed about that so much as him just understanding that other languages are there and not to be scared of them as I was at school.

Tomorrow we are off to swimming lessons then in pm to a childrens show with Morven and her parents. I'm keen to do as much as we can with Curtis in the next few months as we are expecting another baby in early November and I know we'll not have as much time to do it then.

Thanks to Nanna and Taid, Uncle Tim and Deborah we all had a great holiday in Portugal a few weeks ago, lots of good weather, good food and fun. Curtis was so much easier than last year too, and had a bit of a holiday romance!! Just happened to find that a couple we knew with baby same age when Curtis was born were staying at the same resort - we hadn't seem them for 1.5 years since we moved, so this was a welcoome reunion, Curtis and Milli making the most of days in the pool and nights dancing for hours in the restaurant. They were hilarious dancing together, so confidend and funny, Milli so girly with her twirls and spins and Curtis very much the guy hands on hips and a spot of breakdancing too -magic. Wish our camera hadn't broken...grrrr!

Well, I've no idea if anyone reads this anymore but thats our up-date just now - it's still nice for us t keep a record of changing events, hope to add some photyos soon, Steph

Not Again!!!

2010-12-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

After 6 full on days of snow we finally had some relief Saturday and Sunday as we saw some thaw and managed with 5 hrs+ of digging to find parts of our driveway again. I rather hopefully dug a route from our bins in back garden to the drive, tho I dont think we will actually get the bins emptied for some weeks yet. No snow fell Sunday so we thought we may even get to drive to work and get Curtis to nursery Monday morning...but, early on it begun to snow again and has only just stopped about 2.45pm Monday afternoon! It has left us another 8cm of snow. We have had staff stranded on buses for hours as the raods went to gridlock and others who havent managed in at all. Everyone is getting tired of it now...apart from one wee blondie who says he loves the snow...'because we get to stay inside and play all day'. And, here he is now...with a new boook to read....oh, it's the very hungry caterpillar...thank goodness, thats a change from The Forgetful Little Fireman....we're off for afternoon snack aad story....byeeee...S&C xx

Brrrrrrrrrrrr...

2010-12-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

For the 1st time in a week we witnessed a slight thaw, as the snow ladden gutters began to drip. A slight rise in tempertaure alone wont remove the snow from ours cars tho' so we spend Friday evening digging them out, hoping that the weekend brings us closer to getting back to normal. Hope not to be walking into work next week too. Just before the snow fell Curtis chose this little xmas decoration for our house......seems his wish came true!! just a bit!

Quite literally knee deep in snow! (or waist deep if you are only 2 yrs!)

2010-12-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

where did our garden go?

Seat anyone?

Here are a few pictures taken at our house today. We have had almost continual snowfall since Saturday afternoon. Luckily it hasn't frozen much but the sheer depth of snow means we have not been able to move cars, or walk far for a few days now. Our shop was closed Monday as we could not get out and the past 2 days it's been over an hours walk in to get there. No let up in sight either!

It's maybe 1.5feet of snow on our decking, nearly up to back window, and despite cars and drive being cleared Monday and again Tuesday, these pics from today show them covered all over again. So far, so good though. Curtis is off nursery, one of us staying at home with him each day....a snow racing car, and snow xmas tree as well as snowman built to keep him amused, though he is happiest in the warm, as doesn't have much liking for wind, rain, snow....lucky boy being born in scotland then! Hope everyone else is coping okay in the weather - and no comment from you now Lee, we don't want to know how warm and toasty Sydney is the noo! :-)

Compare the snow from xmas day last year to this week in november. Now we cant even get on the decking and today the snow is as high as the bench behind Gareth in last years photo, and therefore just 2 inches from our dining room window!!! Its beautiful soft powdery snow though, light and fluffy....just praying we dont get the big icy freeze next.

Some people have still tried to drive down our street!! Many have had to be dug out, pushed, and heaps of cars abandoned.

1.5ft of snow on decking ....... quite tempted to just jump in it tomorrow!

Oops, we seem to have lost Gareth!

Snow covered after being completely cleared 24 hours earlier.

Jamie and Dan visit

2010-11-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

Curtis was very excited in November when Jamie, Dan and Milli came to stay for the weekend. Delighted to have someone to show his halloween costumes to and loved the big walk we had on the beach with Milli on Sunday. We managed a picnic at the beach as it was bright and not quite as chilly as might otherwise be in November, but Curtis did feel at some disadvantage when Dan offered him a game of golf! Big hugs and kisses for everyone when they left. Ahhhhh :)

happy halloween!

2010-11-20T08:55:00.000-08:00

2010-11-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

Forth Bridge and Green Beans!

2010-09-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

If you're ever looking to clear your mind... and your sinuses!...we'd recommend a jog across the forth road bridge! Great views too and we found some lovely wild raspberries on the way back...

It was a bit nippy, so Curtis stayed snuggled in his pushchair with his face to the inside much fo the time just so that he could breath! Then we went for a stroll around North Queensferry, and played in the park.

Mmmmmm...apples and beans...

'I wonder what will happen if I put my finger in the end of this hose' thought Curtis

Hahahahahaha....that's funny....

I think I'll do that again!

...and again...

...although this is a more effective way of getting wet!

...ooh I'm nearly as tall as the tower now!

Hmmmm....if I wear my pirates scarf as a cape...I become....

SUPERDUCK!!!!

Nursery Painting Day...

2010-09-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Curtis's nursery has recently been extended and some of the garden cleared. A lot of work was left to do to get the garden finished so all thre parents and kids got together for a painting and BBQ day. Much fun had and a very productive day. It was lovely to see Curtis playing with his friends. He has made some great relationships here and had a wonderful time...the three muskateers - Morven, Owen and Curtis are still the main trio. Curtis and Morven played on this rocker for about 40 full minutes - the main aim being to see who could fall off the quickest and laugh the loudest! It was slightly dangerous as they catapulted themselves and the rocker about but that's Curtis and Morvens sense fo humour!

This week I will mainly be wearing.....

2010-09-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

....my new fireman jacket that nanna and taid bought me. Since it arrived in the post early this week, it has, as you will see, hardly been off him. He wears it all day at nursery too! Perfect match for the boots nanna and taid previously bought him.

Firemen have been the main theme of this past month...so it was an easy choice when we looked through the list of buildings which were open for tours to the public for the towns 'open doors' day! Curtis said it was 'amazing' and made the most of clambering in the fire engine and ambulance.

Curtis is still enjoying gardening, and we've recently picked up a couple of blueberry bushes and a raspberry bush for his fruit and veg garden. He loves going out to pick and eat the berries etc.

Watch out daddy! Special agent Curtis is stalking you with the bubble gun. Hahahaha...got you again!!!

Grandad Music comes to stay...July 2010

2010-08-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Photos (belated as usual!) from a recent visit from Grandad Music (a.k.a.Stephs dad) this July. Grandad Music drove all the way from Norfolk in his converted van. When Grandad told Curtis he had a fridge and sink in his van Curtis thought this was a very funny story, then was very excited when he found he wasn't joking after all. During the week we took a trip to Almond Valley Heritage Centre where Curtis, Grandad and Steph did a spot of trampolining which gave Curtis the giggles, and finally at lunch Curtis did his Charlie Chaplin impersonation with the help of a rather large chocolate cornetto. The last photo shows his very own take on bob the builder. I could not stop laughing when Curtis ran in the room like this announcing...'mummy look I'm bob!' Genius work on the nappy toolbelt Curtis.

:-)

2010-08-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

July News

2010-07-11T00:20:00.000-07:00

Here's our funny boy drenching himself in the garden and having a great ol' time.

It's been a while since we've up-dated so I thought I should let you know how Curtis is doing. As ever, we are constantly amazed at how fast Curtis's language changes and watching and hearing the little differences in his speech. Recently he's been playing around with yesterday, today and tomorrow words in which pretty much anything that has happened recently occured 'last night'. Sometimes just randomly he'll annouce that he is going to do something on Saturday!

He still enjoys playing around with language just for fun. Yesterday morning he said to me 'Good Mornick Mummick', then calling himself Curtick all morning. He will also do a whole nursery rhyme like this such as 'twincick, twincick, little stick, how I wonder what you ick, up above the world so hick, like a diamond in the sick'. Lovely!!

Curtis is still very settled at nursery and life is still so much more settled for him as a walking talking boy than it ever was as an immobile baby. Its an amazing time to have this little person growing up before your eyes. Despite the busyness of our new working lives we are very much happier at the 2.5 year old stage. Curtis is still best buddies with Morven and owen at nursery and has many great frriendships with the staff at kids at nursery. Today Curtis identified his very first letters from the alphabet...he pointed to and announced C for Curtis and M for Morven! Ahhh, sweet :-)

June weekend

2010-06-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Curtis wanted to find daddy at work so we headed off to town. We had an event on with balloons and leaflets to give to customers - so siezing the oppurtunity Steph got Curtis to help with a bit of on street marketing. He was amazing standing there with an armful of balloons giving them out to all the passing kids ...going up to them and saying 'you wannnta balloon?'. He was in his wee elf's costume so we got lots of admirers that day...and hopefully some new customers too. Seeing as he'd earned his keep for the day, he was rewarded with a trip to the park. Then at teatime we met daddy and took him out for a meal. Curtis made it through the starter and main course before asking mummy for a cuddle and promptly falling asleep.

On Sunday Curtis and mummy went to St Andrews for the day. Curtis slept for half the journey, then when we arrived he said he'd like to go to a cafe so we found a little place for lunch and got bagels. He was in such good spirits and very cuddly too. On days like this you get to see how grown up he is....he's not a baby anymore, he picks and chooses what we can do and we have full conversations all day, plus lots of jokes....it's easy to forgot on days like this that he's only 2.5 yrs old. Such fun. Afterwards we decided to visit the castle and later the beach.

There was a re-enactment going on with lots of people in costume and a very loud gunfire every few minutes...it made us jump. Curtis coped pretty well at the 'loud castle' and earnt a trip down to the beach for being so brave.

ON the beach we found some brilliant big sandcastles that someone had built. We spent over an hour filling the moats with water and getting soaked and covered in sand. The sun was still hot at 6pm but we figured it was time to get some food so we nipped back into the town and found a lovely restaurant with outside tables. It was one of my favourite days with my wee man in ages, it was just perfect sitting with him eating our tea in the sun - we even ordered non-alcoholic cocktails. Curtis was being funny the whole time and ate so much food I thought he'd pop.

We got home about 8.30pm in time to tell daddy all about our adventures and show him Curtis's new knights hat.

Lovely Sunny Holiday...

2010-06-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

At last, after the busy year we've had since we moved, we finally got to go on a lovely sunny holiday in Portugal....here are a few quick pics to show you what a great time we had. Special thanks to Nanna and Taid for looking after us all when we were there. xx

Some of my favourites things, aged 2 yrs and 3 months

2010-04-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

1. Talking, almost non-stop about anything
2. Nursery Rhymes and music - loving Grand old duke of York just now
3. Peppa Pig is still a top favourite for DVDs
4. Milk - I still almost cry with excitment at getting bedtime milk.
5. My best friends Morven and Owen at Nursery. Morven and Curtis hit it off instantly when they met and have been known as Bonnie and Clyde at Nursery ever since. They have very similar sense of fun and humour. Owen is Curtis's other wee best buddy, they can happily spend the days together, chatting, running, playing and laughing. Owen is the happiest wee fella, forever smiling.
6. Hiding, running, deliberately falling over and laughing (usually in that order)
7. Insisting that other people hide, run, deliberately fall over and laugh with me (as any visitor to our house will know)
8. Pretending to be an elf, a pirate, cowboy, bob the builder, characters from Finding Nemo etc. Curtis involes everyone around him in acting out various nursery ryhmes and stories. This week Curtis is Nemo, Steph is Doree and Gareth is Nemo's daddy. We swim, rescue eachother and meet all sorts of other underwater creatures.
9. Reading books and making up my own stories
10. Fruit, fruit and more fruit - mango hedgehogs are this weeks favourite.
11. Going to nursery - if we ask Curtis what he wants to do in the morning he usually says 'nursery to see morven and owen'.....just the way you want it to be.
12. Watching himself on video - see previous video blog!

Things I dont like
1. All shops and shopping centres most of the time
2. Many foods.
3. 'I don't like a nappy change mummy'.
4. Wearing shirts
5. 'Don't like go to bed mummy' 'I'm not sleepy (yawn), I'm not sleepy!!!'

2010-04-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Best Me!

2010-02-16T15:43:00.000-08:00

Curtis is now at that interesting age when he starts to show a more developed understanding of his world and emotions etc and can communicate in more complex ways. I was quite taken aback the other day when after I commented about Gareth 'oh he's a nice daddy isnt he?' Curtis offered enthusiastic agreement saying 'the best daddy!', he then looked at me and shouted 'the best mummy' before pointing to himself and saying 'the best me!'.

Curtis is very much into talking, singing and telling or listening to stories. He finshes the end of many lines we read him from story books and begins to recite longer and longer sections of nursery rhymes. Current favoutites are Humpty Dumpty and Hey Diddle Diddle. Everything in the house is used to act out stories too....clothes hangers rubbed together are 'fiddles', anything that can be jumped over is 'cow jumping over the mooooooooon', the back of the sofa is humpty dumpties wall on which we all have to sit and then fall dramatically onto the floor. He also likes to assign us all as characters from his favourite TV programme Peppa Pig for which he sometimes provides costume too....mummy pig (usually me) must wear a bedsheet on her back...ive no idea why! A pile of coat hangers becomes the little pigs 'house of sticks' and a big empty cardboard box is the 'house of bricks'.

Mummy is a bumblebee!

2010-01-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

Curtis makes a lot of funny remarks about colours and patterns. His bedroom walls which are a biege colour on 2 walls and green on the others are 'stone' and 'snake', anything spotty and red could be ladybird and when he looked at mummys hair (with terrible roots needing bleached) he proclaimed 'look, look daddy, mummy is a bumblebee'. Time to ring the hairdresser!

Happy Birthday To ME!!!!

2010-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

I'm 2 years old today. What a difference a year makes eh? I can do so many things now. I can sing, dance, run, jump, stand on my head, walk up and down stairs. I talk a lot even though I cant pronounce everything, I talk to everyone and if I dont know their name I just call them 'man' or 'lady'. I'm really settled at nursery and have lots of new friends. I've finallly given my parents some relief by getting over my bad spell with eating (tho' im still very fussy), and since mum invested in a mickey mouse electric toothbrush for me she has even managed to brush my teeth a lot lately. I love story books and my favourite TV programme is Peppa Pig. Mum only realised 2 weeks ago that I'm of the age when I will agree to do something I dont like if Im promised something I do like. I now volunteer for toothbrushing so that I can hear my favourite bedtime story, which is 'I know a Rhino' by Charles Fuge, with 'Gingerbread man', 'Figety Fish' and 'All aboard the Ark' other firm favourites. I still, as ever love wearing things (almost anything) on my head. Just today I've worn a tupperware box, a leather cap, my bob the builder hat (in the shower), some wrapping paper, the sticklebrix box and a shopping bag on my head. I love giggling and laughing and start to play my own games and jokes on people when I can. I've been sleeping in my own bed for about 3 months but I do still wake up crying around 2-3am so often I wake up with mum or dad next to me. I even by-passed the potty and pooed in the toilet this week - twice! When mum offered her congratulations and a little round of aplause I denied that I had indeed done it and shook my head 'no, no' in embaressment/confusion. The next day I was more prepared and took my praise proudly.

For my birthday both mummy and daddy stayed at home from work and last night when mummy asked me want Id like to do for my birthday I said Id like to go swimming with them both so that's just what we did...only they took me to the big pool with wave machine at Burntisland rather than the local duck pond which is what Id suggested. I was so excited when we arrived at the pool that I was actually jumping up and down and whooping and shouting 'wow', and then cried when we had to leave. Now that we know where the pool is though mum says she'll take me at the weekends more often and get me signed up for swimming lessons.

I got some fantastic musical cards from my grandparents today and have played them all day long insisting that everyone in the room dance and sing too. Thanks to my grandparents and friends for the gifts and cards I recieved. Sorry I dont have any photos to upload just now - I think daddy might do that in the morning. x x x

Snowy Xmas 2009 and new year 2010

2010-01-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

2009-12-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but my toothbrush tastes delightful.

Catch up 7

2009-12-17T13:51:00.007-08:00

Catch up 6

2009-12-17T13:51:00.005-08:00

Catch up 5

2009-12-17T13:51:00.003-08:00

Catch up 4

2009-12-17T13:51:00.001-08:00

Catch up 3

2009-12-17T13:50:00.004-08:00

more Glasgow memories...

2009-12-17T13:50:00.003-08:00

Glasgow memories

2009-12-17T13:50:00.001-08:00

Just a few old photos from our Glasgow summer.

Our little Gymnast

2009-11-22T00:46:00.000-08:00

We've found a lovely secondary schol here in Dunfermline which runs toddler classes on Saturday mornings, so Curtis has now been to 2 gymnastics classes. We did try singing classes but both Curtis and I have had enough of these and are keen to move on to more active classes. He loves the gym class where he gets to run about on benches, slides, trampolines, crawl through hoops, balance beanbags on his head, clatter sticks on the floor, dance with ribbons and make new friends. At the first class he kept looking at me as if to say 'am I actually allowed to be doing this' cos it was so exciting for him he thought it must be forbidden! We've also been doing some baby yoga on a DVD at home and he loves this too. He's at the age where he can copy what other kids are doign and enjoys following instructions so he happily copies wit me and all the moves on the DVD. As we get to pretend to be various anaimals at the same time, its heaps of fun.

Captain Curtis

2009-11-22T00:32:00.000-08:00

It's a sad reflection of how busy our new life in Fife is that we don't get time to blog anymore. Its been great using this site to catalogue the development and adventures of Captain Curtis however, so I will try my best to update a little more often. Since last writing we have had visits from Stephs mum, Stephs dad and both Nanna and Taid. Curtis is so happy to have visitors at home and had a great time playing with his grandparents. Everyone had to take part in running circuits around the house, going down the slide, through the tunnel, dancing with him to his favourite tunes, playing hide n seek in the wardrobes and being taken about the house 'hand, look, come, see' to see whatever he wanted to show them.

Curtis is completely settled here and at nursery now and seems to be speeding along with his development. He's a little gymnast at home, quite a comedian and a fully fledged chatterbox now. He speaks fairly clearly so we havent had to much trouble understanding him tho have puzzled for days at a time trying to unravvle some words. He still makes us and others laugh by exclaiming 'MAN' quite loudly when he sees a man on the street. Our cleaner, Martin is also 'man' to curtis. 'Man come see'. 'man, slide', 'man, run' 'man, sit'.

Out little spaceman

2009-10-18T01:19:00.000-07:00

Curtis indulges in 2 of his favourite pastimes - running around the house and putting something on his head. Our crazy spaceman!

Getting along just great

2009-10-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Finally it's happpened...I think I can now say that Curtis has at last settled into his new nursery. It was always going to be a bit of a jolt moving away from someone he knew and loved so much and getting into a routine at a new location, with unfamiliar faces, with several staff and lots of new toddlers and babies to meet. But these past 2 days have been the first that he has not been upset when I've left. It all started last week when he ran back inside when I tried to take him home, then yesterday and again today he wandered in happpily and went straight into the playroom with his buddies leaving me at the dooor with no little Curtis to say goodbye to!! The staff have all been great and its lovely to hear them talk about Curtis in the same way Tracey used to, laughing at his funny little ways and giggling along with him. Best of all for Curtis I think is that he has struck up a great friendship with a little girl called Morven. She seems to have the same energy and humour as Curtis and they play the same type of chasing games Curtis used to play with his pal Daniel.

I know I know, you really want photos, not text. As you may have gathered our new life here is rather busy and we've had little time to upload photos or update the blog since we moved. I'll put a couple on the noo and update properly at the weekend (I hope!). Steph xx

Here he is cuddling his daddy, wearing hats (he loves hats), looking cute and playing on the beach which is just 15 mins drive from our house. (Yes Tracey he IS still wearing that 6-9 month ASDA coat and it is starting to look too small. New winter coat comiong soon!)

Happy Hands

2009-10-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

Curtis amuses us anyhow, but has done even more so these past few weeks with the development of a strange hand wringing action he seems to do when he's very happy about something. It's a bit like the satisfied hand wringing Fagin from Oliver Twist would do on acquiring some more ill gained loot. We, and the nursery staff puzzled over what it could be, thinking maybe he'd misunderstood the sign language for nappy and heard happy, but a few days ago we got it. He is copying an action by 2 Czech animation puppets he's been watching on a DVD lent to us by our Polish friend Agniesvka. Curtis has become completely hooked on the hapless duo featured in these classic Czech cartoons. In Laurel and Hardy style the animated pair make a total calamity of everything from cooking up a simple meal to going for a drive presenting Curtis with many excuses to shout 'Ohhhhhh Noooooo!' Video evidence appearing here soon...

Guys and neigh neighs

2009-09-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Its been interesting to have more two way interaction with Curtis since he's been talking more. Rather than assume what he may want to eat, or whether he'd want to walk, be carried, read a book or play he tells us what he wants to do fairly well. He says yes a lot which we really must enjoy just now before we reach the stage when he says no to everything. He has a very exagerrated and slow nod of the head along with a yesssssss when he agress with you and still uses a repetoire of no's from silly playful no's to defiant and angry ones. His repetoire of animals increases with a mixture of names and sounds: horses are neigh neighs, monkeys are aaah aaahs, dogs are ooooof oooofs, whilst ducks, cockerels, cats, frogs and others go by their name. The one we struggled to get for some time was cow. He'd been saying what sounded like guy for days before we made the link to his Belfast born Nannas recent visit. The guys are of course cows (coys - ooh thats hard to get right phonetically) with a fairly strong Irish accent! For other words he has a Scottish accent, especially when he exclaims with hands outstretched a very dramatic 'Oooooh Noooooo' to any calamity he encounters.

ME!!

2009-09-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

Curtis has been increasing his vocabularly more and more lately (its to be expected at his age I know!!), today reaching a milestone by being able to identify himself. He triumphantly exclaims 'ME!' whilst pointing to his chest which is very cute. This was used to great effect in the park when he stood longingly beside a group of 10-12 year old boys having a kick around with a football. First he won them over by shouting 'ball' and 'WOW' when they kicked it, but was finally invited to join the game when he pleaded 'me?' with just the right tone of voice. I was very touched to see the boys pass the ball to Curtis and patiently let him have a turn, and even encouraged him to have a shot at goal.

Almond Valley Farm

2009-09-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

Muddy Puddles

2009-09-18T13:29:00.001-07:00

Day Out with dada at deep sea world

2009-08-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

My New House

2009-08-13T14:06:00.001-07:00

All packed up and ready for the big move

2009-07-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Farewell to my Glasgow buddies at The Tramway

2009-07-17T15:52:00.001-07:00

One of the places we'll miss the most when we move is the local very child friendly Tramway theatre with its enclosed hidden gardens, chilled out cafe bar and various activities for babies and toddlers. As Gareth and I rarely get days off together it's been a brilliant place we can each go to with Curtis where we can get food and a drink, and meet up with other parents while Curtis can run about safely. We met the 'massage mums' at baby massage when Curtis was wee and more recently attended the Saturday morning music classes. We all enjoyed our time there and have met some great friends. We've been trying to hook up with many of them recently to say farewell. When the music class ended a few weeks ago we managed to persuade Joseph, Genevieve and Curtis to pose on the steps for a photo - so cute and quite a feat since they usually spend their time running up the stairs.

Then last weekend we met massage mums and babes: Emma and Leo, Mags and Erin and Louise and Isla. Sorry we didnt get to see Laura and Zoe, Lynsey and Milly, Lynne and Logan....but we'll be keeping in touch and hope to be back to visit soon.

Curtis starts his first rollerblade class

2009-07-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

We've been waiting some time for Curtis to be mobile enough to entice him into a bit of rollerblading and now with the aid of a local baby roller group we've done it. Here's a wee video of the group practising in the park last weekend...Curtis is the cute one on the blades in a white babygro!

Video from Troon beach

2009-07-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a wee video we forgot to add the other day...Curtis's first steps in the sea.

Curtis discovers....headstands!

2009-07-06T17:06:00.001-07:00

One minute....

2009-07-06T16:59:00.001-07:00

...he's angelic and sweet,

the next he's as mad as a hatter!

First family day at the beach

2009-07-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Today we finally had our 1st family day at the beach as both Gareth and I were off on the same sunny day. We headed to Troon with picnic, tent, sunscreen, hats, buckets and spades. It was like a holiday...Curtis needed no entertaining what so ever as he was completely content playing in the sand. He bravely walked straight into the sea too and was mesmerised by the jetskis and other children playing. What a lovely relaxing day. More photos to follow...here are one or two for now.

Helping us pack?

2009-07-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

Curtis isn't quite getting to grips with this packing business; each time we pack up a box of his toys for our imminent move, he then dives in and unpacks it. Yesterday he happened upon a large box which emmitted various animal noises each time he hit it. This was a box we'd packed some time ago anyway just to clear some space in the flat but obviously hadn't removed batteries from Noahs Ark before doing so. The ark, along with half the other contents are now back on the floor!! Have decided to pack his stuff quietly one day when he's with Tracey! He was funny when he 1st peered inside this big box as he stood wide eyed saying 'WOAAAAAAH' before diving in.

All grown up

2009-07-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

These past 2 weeks or so Curtis seems to have had a growth spurt, sprouted a bit more hair and seems to look that bit older. He certainly looks older to me in this photo.....and very cute :-)

Tuned in...

2009-07-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

Curtis keeps up with the tennis results whilst watching a DVD. It was his first experience of hearing music or voice through headphones and he was quite amused. Needless to say I've had no peace to listen to the radio since he discovered this new 'toy'.

Hat on, Hat off, hat on, hat off

2009-07-01T03:09:00.000-07:00

Curtis picked this hat from Toys R Us one day and has been wearing it most days ever since. However, he only wears it when he's on his bouncing zebra - very safety conscious! but seems to get much of his fun taking it and on off and admiring himself in the mirror.

Mamma, Mamma....

2009-06-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

So excited...

2009-06-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

Curtis does get just a tad excited when he is allowed to watch one of his favourite DVDs!

Kisses for Bunny

2009-06-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

Curtis has a love hate relationship with his bunny; as often cuddled and kissed as thrown across the room!

Our wee family: Curtis, Mumma and Mumma

2009-06-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm.....although Curtis can say dadda and did say it to Gareth for some time, he now insists on calling us both mumma. Not sure how to persuade him otherwise. Funny boy.

Belated Post: Edinburgh Zoo

2009-06-26T01:07:00.001-07:00

In May we went to Edinburgh zoo with Curtis. Sadly we were a little underwhelmed. The large hilly site meant Curtis had to sit in his buggy for us to get about, few animals were on show and even the highlight penguin parade was over in a flash - even the keeper noted it wasnt their best performance in a while. Still, it was good to have a day when both Gareth and I were free and we did have fun...and chips, as this trip occured during Curtis's 'I will only eat chips week'.

RIP Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson died today aged 50. I'm sure that Curtis, like the rest of us will continue to dance and sing along to his music for the next 50 years and beyond. RIP.

Belated posts: Trip to Pollok with Jamie, Pat and Milli

2009-06-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

Belated posts: Grandad Ken and Wanda visit, April 09'

2009-06-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

More photos from the file I thought I'd lost. Photos from the week that Ken and Wanda came to stay back in April. Luckily, the weather was good enough for a chilled out afternoon laying about and playing in the lovely 'hidden gardens' at The Tramway.

Curtis and his buddy Daniel

2009-06-25T14:02:00.001-07:00

..having fun in the sun, and keeping their hats on outside under instruction from Tracey! What a result.

Trains and boats and planes....

2009-06-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

...and buses, police cars, aeroplanes, helicopters, bicycles, ambulances, fire engines and trucks.....are all of Curtis's current favourite things.

In recent weeks we've been lucky enough to have helicopters and planes (including the loch lomond seaplane) flying over the garden every day. After some direction from Tracey, along with Daniel and Catherine he now waves and shouts 'HIYAAAAAA' to every passing plane. In the car he squeals with excitement at every bus....or 'buurrrrrrrrrrrr' as he calls them. We've already spent an afternoon watching buses up at Breahead. Next plan, a trip out on a bus and train now that he's old enough to be a bit more excited about it.

Curtis and Daniel playing in the Garden at Traceys

2009-06-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

Belated posts: Lunch with Marion

2009-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd lost this batch of photos, but just found them stored on the other part of the hard drive (phew!), so it's a belated hello to Marion who we met at Jamies house in April for lunch. Thanks to Marion for bringing Curtis some lovely gifts of match the picture cards, cutlery and a mummy and baby set of ducks. I hadn't seen Marion in about 3 years and it was so great to catch up and was the 1st time she and Curtis met. Hoping we get to meet up again before we leave Glasgow this summer.

Bungo in the Lanes

2009-06-21T05:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend was 'Bungo in the Lanes', a Saturday afternoon when the residents of adjoining Strathbungo set up tombollo, food, and bric a brac stalls in the back lanes of the streets, theres also beer and cider on sale, live music, stalls by local cafe Grianach and restaurant Shimla Pinks, live music, massage, plants and art on sale. Its such a lovely local event and made for an easy day of fun for Curtis and I as we only had to walk 30 seconds from our front door. We called in on Uncle Paul, a bungo resident himself and nipped into his back garden to play with some stones and admire his new potted plants and window boxes. We will so miss having all our friends and such easy activities on our doortsep when we move.

We also did a bit of train spotting on the way back over the bridge.

BBQ and Pool party with Jamie

2009-06-21T05:09:00.000-07:00

Painting in the garden and choosing pots

2009-06-21T03:40:00.000-07:00

A few photos from last week when Curtis and the dogs did some painting in the garden, and then a trip to the garden centre to choose a pot to plant up for Traceys birthday.

Eating ice cream and meeting Noddy

2009-06-21T02:41:00.000-07:00

Visit to Dunfermline and a trip to the car museum

2009-06-21T01:54:00.000-07:00

During Veronica and Steves trip to Glasgow, Steph and her mum spend the day up in Dunfermline with Curtis looking for a new childminder. The busyt schedule fo seeing 5 people in one day was too much for Curtis however and had to be abandoned after the 1st 2 visits. We spent the rest of the day in the park, passing stones to eachother and playing on the slide. Next day while Curtis was at home with Gareth and Steve, they all went to the car museum in Glasgow while Steph and Veronica went back to Dunfermline to meet the rest of the childminders. It was a lot easier having time to chat to them and not to worry about poor Curtis being shunted here and there in the car and by the end of the day we found two women who wokr from home just around the corner from our new house, who run a mini nursery from a large house. Fiona reminded me in many ways of our curent childminder Tracey and seemed similarly outgoing, active, fun and confident. At Fionas house, ther will be about 4-7 youngers each day, there is a large kitchen with dining table for shared home cooked meals, a playroom, big garden with toys and play house and lots of outings and activities organised. Just what we were looking for. We will take Curtis to meet them all as soon as we can.

Happy Fathers Day 2009

2009-06-21T01:23:00.000-07:00

Grrrrrreat fun in the back garden

2009-06-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

Wasssss thaaaaat?

2009-06-16T16:33:00.001-07:00

Curtis seems to have changed so much in just a few weeks. He is turning out to be a real little chatterbox, and its been so lovely to get to know him and his character more as his ability to communicate with us increases. He is also becoming louder with a greater range of sounds and noises. If we point at different animals in a book he can now make his way through lion, tiger, elephant (those 3 all sound very similar), monkey, cow, dog, duck, pig, fish and camel! Camel is just some absurd noise I made up not knowing what a camel sounds like but he was hapy to copy me.

He gets very excited now when he sees things he recognises and enjoys telling us about them. This week he has been pointing out birds, dogs, cars, helicopters, aeroplanes, trains and cats. He is also very keen to discover the name and explanation for anything he doesnt yet know and points at things he's interested in along with an increasingly loud 'waaaasssssss thaaaaaaaat?'.

Yayayayayayaya

2009-06-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

Brunch @ The Tramway

2009-06-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

Big Red Fish

2009-06-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

Sleepy bum

2009-06-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

La Langue

2009-06-09T12:59:00.001-07:00

Bob the Builder

2009-06-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

What a month!

2009-06-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

OK, ok so this blog is meant to be all about Curtis...but here's our excuse for not uploading photos for the past few weeks. We've been busy selling our beloved Southside flat, Steph has also worked her notice in her job at the uni and we have very almost nearly bought a new house in Dunfermline as part of our next big adventure. New jobs, new home and a new life further North begins for us in about 6 weeks! We will be so sad to leave everything and everyone here in Glasgow but feel overall its the best move. For Curtis (and us) it will mean the terrible wrench of taking him away from his precious childminder Tracey and her family who he has grown to love and adore so much, as we have too. Its with a sad heart that I venture to find a new childminder this week. We have a nursery place booked but I really feel he has benefitted so much from the loving family environment at Traceys that we'd like to try and replicate this if we can. Not only we will be leaving Tracey and her family behind, but also Curtis's little daytime pals Daniel and Georgia who he gets on so well with. I just have to be thankful that Curtis (and I) had the good fortune to meet Tracey at all and that Curtis had the best childcare I could have ever hoped for. I'm sure the benefits of these past 11 months with Tracey have given Curtis a very strong grounding for a happy and confident future, and having been such good buddies with Daniel, Georgia, Katie, Maddie and others he'll take with him the skills of making pals and sharing giggles. I know we'll be very busy in the next few weeks so I just wanted now to acknowledge our appreciation of Traceys support and to thank her looking after Curtis so well and for all the fun, energy, love and kindness. Big thanks are also due to Catherine, Sean and Wilma for treating Curtis as one of the family and showing him such love and affection. You will all be missed so much :-(

Present from Nanna

2009-06-07T12:20:00.002-07:00

video to add...

Trip to Loch Lomond

2009-06-07T12:20:00.001-07:00

Pollokshields 'Ready Steady Grow'

2009-06-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the area I live in is the biggest and best planned garden suburb in the UK? Well, nor did I till mum starting tell me all about it today. Appparently, Pollokshields was created in the late 19th century by the Stirling Maxwell family as a unified garden suburb, with wide streets and tree lined routes and lots of open spaces. The Maxwell family also donated the 361 acre Pollok estate which is now Pollok country park. Well, today, many of the green spaces were

part of the ready steady grow event and mum and I trundled down to explore The New Victoria Gardens, this hectare of allotments is in the heart of busy Pollokshields, you'd never know these community gardens were hidden away behind the wee green door....they are not that new either...having been a community allotment for over 130 years. Anyway, whats far more exciting is that when there we saw frogs and tadpoles and I even touched the frog and made him (and mummy!) jump!

Like many days at home now we spent the rest of our time in the garden; this morning we played with Alisha, Chloe and Mark and this afternoon we did some gardeing with George and Anne. I bounced on the trampoline too and shouted and pointed at all the birds and helicopters flying over the garden.

It's only taken me 3 months but I can now...

2009-06-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

...play the harmonica! video to follow...

Where is your oesophagus?

2009-05-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

Tracey our childminder is as daft as us when it comes to enjoying having fun with Curtis so this week when we quickly taught him to point to his oesophagus when asked to, she, like us couldn't wait to show off his new skills to friends. Its so funny to see him pointing straight at the middle of his neck and then sticking his finger up his nose when asked to show his nostril. He also does eyebrow, chin and the usual hair, eyes and ears etc...but oesophagus is our current favourite! Poor boy. Or should I say....poo boy. These past few weeks when I've seen that familiar strained look on Curtis's face I've asked 'Have you done a poo?' and within a day of doing this his was nodding and saying yes when he had. He now calls me, points to his nappy and says 'poo?' ...what a clever boy. Sure he'll be delighted when he's older that I told you all aboug that! In general, he's taken a huge leap in repeating words and having little conversations with us and is becoming quite the comedian. Sorry for lack fo photos...lack of time Im afraid...will try to add some soon.

Conversations with Curtis

2009-05-22T17:09:00.001-07:00

Apologies for lack of photos lately, we just havent had the time to upload any. It's not just us being busy...Curtis has been busy too...busy saying new words and starting to have conversations. This week we've heard 'cat', 'Wilma', cheese, yes, Tracey, Daniel, more, dave, bo-bo and duck. He also starts to say 'yes' which as every parent of a young child will know is a welcome relief after months of 'no' or 'non' in Curtis's case.

This morning I had my 1st conversation with Curtis. He climbed and sat across me when he woke up and I sang him a few lines of 'heads and shoulders, knees and toes', clearly impressed by my effort he gave me a round of applause then put his fingers together to sign for 'more', but also very clearly said more. When I replied 'oh, do you want mummy to sing again', he nodded and said yes. Ha ha - our 1st two way verbal conversation, very sweet :-)

My 1st sentence

2009-05-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

Curtis has been saying a few words for some months now but recently started using them more constructively. 'Go-go' is used to mean start (e.g. the DVD player, or run the tap), move (e.g drive at green lights, mummy to run once curtis has climbed on her back) etc and 2 days ago he made his first very small sentence: 'Go Mumma' as he directed Gareth who was holding him in the direction he was pointing; towards the bedroom where Steph was sleeping.

Some of my favourite things...

2009-05-05T02:24:00.000-07:00

1. My mums hair

2. My mum and dad

3. Breakfast, afternoon and bedtime Milk

4. Breadsticks

5. Cars - especially sitting in real cars playing Brmmmm Brmmmm at the wheel

6. Noisey things that clang, tinkle, jingle or sing

7. Playing peek-a-boo behind almost anything - a tissue, a napy, a towel, a door and especially the big curtains in mum and dads bedroom

8. Fruit - mainly strawberries, blueberries and grapes

9. My DVDs, firstly Makaton nursery rhymes with Dave Benson Philips which I try to sign and dance along too especially the dingle dangle scarecrow, 5 fat sausages and the farmers in his den, my 2nd favourite is Baby Einstein Old Macdonalds Farm, I squeal at all the funny bits.

10. Splashing about in water, putting my hands in a pot full of yoghurt

11. Riding about on my mummys back

12. Playing with stones on the floor and giving them to people and saying 'ta'

Pollok Country Park & Tollcross Children's Farm and Park

2009-05-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

This bank holiday weekend while Gareth was working, Curtis and Steph made the most of some sunny weather and got out to a couple of nearby parks. Each within 10 minutes drive from our door, we really are spoilt in Glasgow for leafy green spaces, it really lives up to its name 'the dear green place'.... in fact, it has 90 parks and formal gardens, and we just happen to live near 2 of it's best. On Saturday we met with Jamie, his dog Milly and his mum Pat (a.k.a Curtis's Fairy Grandmother) for a sun filled stroll around Pollok Country House gardens. Despite being Glasgow largest country park (and voted Europes best park last year) it never feels over-crowded here. We had such a sunny, chilled out time wandering through the maze, along the paths and tulip beds, findings secret garden areas here and there and sitting down beside a huge wooded slope of bluebells. Curtis had a great time. He walked about for almost 3 hours (usually in the opposite direction to us!), climbed lots of stone steps, peeked over walls, pointed and 'ooohed' at the things he saw, fell into a bed of red tulips whilst trying to touch them, got very excited when he and Milly found a cat sitting in one of the gardens, squeeled with excitement watching a young boy (aged 6-7?) climbing walls and riding his bike but froze with fear when a 14 month old girl walked boldy over to hug him!

Curtis loved having Jamie, Pat and Milly for company and showed them many of his new skills....he spun round in circles and fell over with dizziness a few times, he jumped on mummys back and shouted 'go-go-go' to make her run, he showed Jamie how he 'talks' on the telephone, he even said Milly a few times and gave out a few kisses before we all went home. What a lovely day we had.

On Sunday Steph and Curtis took a trip to a park they hadn't been to before;Tollcross Park and Childrens Farm, and were very impressed. The childrens farm had horses, ponies, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits and lots of birds including a pair of peacocks. When Curtis stumbled (almost literally) upon Mrs Peacock taking a nap behind a small wall he seemed to think she was hiding there to play peek-a-boo, so he jumped back and forth from the other side of the wall roaring 'aaahhhhh' every time he appeared before her...luckily she was very chilled out and just let him get on with it. He probably spent as much time spinning in circles over the round drain covers, wobbling the wobbly bin, putting his hands in the hand washer to make the water start and pointing at the grouting in the brickwork as he did looking at the animals - but he thoroughly enjoyed it all. We then ventured out into the park now knowing what was his and found that there were also large paddocks of highland cattle, sheep and goats as well as Glasgows resident baseball team (didnt even know we had one!). We found a good slope to pick daisies and have a game of football then went into the Victorian Winterv Gardens to find they had a great indoor play area for little ones with big connect four, little tikes slides and tunnels as well as a lovely outdoor play park. A great day was ended by Curtis coming home and eating a huge dinner of fishfingers, potatoes, peas, carrots, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, breadsticks (of course!), yoghurt, cranberries, sultanas, along with a few handfuls of cheerios and honey pops! For the boy who tends to focus on 1-2 foods only for a few days at a time this was some feast.

When I finally get around to buying a small compact camera which is less luggage than the SLR and it's bag, I'll be able to add some photos of Curtis from our trips out!

Hello Daddy :-)

2009-04-19T06:14:00.000-07:00

Curtis has not seen his daddy since Monday and says he's been missing him very much. Can't wait to see you tomorrow Daddy x x x x

Mummy....PICK ME UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-19T05:35:00.000-07:00

Like most young toddlers, Curtis has been going through a spell of clinginess. This is the view that Steph sees of Curtis much of the time these days.....

Where's Taid??

2009-04-19T04:47:00.000-07:00

As any of our regular or Welsh blog readers will know...Taid [same pronunciation as the word tied] is Welsh for grandad and is the name we use for Gareths dad John in recognition of the Welsh roots on this side of the family. This Easter, as Curtis has been getting very good at identifying people by name we naturaly began to ask him 'Where's nanna?', Where's Tim' etc to see him eagerily point in the correct direction and then give himself a round of applause. He set us all about laughing however when for every time we asked him 'Where's Taid?' he began rubbing his eyes and looking sleepy!

Splashback!

2009-04-19T04:38:00.001-07:00

The week b4 we came over to Northern Ireland Curtis had for 3 nights refused to go into the bath. Books and online references suggested this was a normal phase at his age as he begins to assert his new found independence. He was however, becoming a little sticky and grubby so we were pleased to find that this week he fell back in love with bathtime....minus the blue seat we used to sit him in. Bath time is no longer a seated activitity, its a fun filled, standing, sitting, walking about, dancing and crawling about extravaganza - with of course...lots of splashing!

Castle Espie Wetland Trust

2009-04-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

This week Curtis has been refusing to eat anything from a spoon or eat food that is chosen for him. Offered a raspberry, he'll reach out and get a breadstick for himself, offered a piece of carrot he'll refuse it and point at a chip, offered a piece of toast, he'll find himself some raisins. Healthy home cooked foods are out the window again this week in favour of his 2 new favourite snacks - chips and prawn crackers!! So much for the healthy organic only diet we'd intended for him. Sure it's just another wee phases that will pass.

Worried that he hadn't eaten a whole meal in a while we recruited his cousin Dylan in to help and made them both a picnic of tuna sandwiches, burgers, fruit and cheese hoping that Curtis would copy Dylan when they ate. Some fun was had crawling about in the picnic tent but Curtis didnt play along when it came to eating. Oh well, it was a lovely sunny day however so we decided to pop down to a nearby Waterfowl Trust centre Castle Espie to feed the ducks. What a fantastic centre; baby ducks, a multitude of coloured ducks, geese and swans, woodland walks, playgrounds, bird watching look outs and a coffee shop with delicioius cake.

Sunday drive with Biggles

2009-04-19T03:14:00.000-07:00

These past 2 mornings Taid and Curtis have been making the most of the good weather; driving off to the duck pond for their morning walk with Molly, with the roof down. Curtis waves like a lord to passers by as they pose along the streets of Newtonards, and with Curtis's new found love of wearing goggles it's not problem if the wind picks up as Taid lends him his old flying goggles. Chocks away! To further nuture this interest in flying attire, Taid bought Curtis a biggles style bear, who also wears goggles as well as full flying leathers. Hmmmm...where could this all be leading? A trip to the airfield perhaps!!

Down on the Farm

2009-04-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Curtis had a lovely day out with his Nanna, Auntie Sandra, Auntie Doris and his 2 cousins Dylan and Josh when they went to visit Streamvale Open Dairy farm in County Down. Curtis is a huge fan of farm animals with his favourite DVD being Baby Einsteins Old Macdonald, and he is slowly mastering some animals sounds too with moo moos here, a woof woof there and anytime he sees a fish it's a blob-a-lob-a-lob-a-lob here and there. So, he was very excited to be seeing lots of animals for real anad spending time with his family in Ireland.

Mummy stayed at home and got some work done during the day and got to see some video clips of the days events when everyone came home. Thanks so much to Sandra for taking those....if we can manage to download some we'll add some on here.

The open dairy farm sounded like it was very well set up, with lots of space to accommodate the Easter week crowds and lots of hands on activities for everyone. Curtis was a little scared of the bigger animals and stayed close to Nanna, but was brave enough to stroke one of the baby chicks and took a real shine to the bunnies, even showing off his signing by indictaing bunny ears with his fingers when he saw them. Curtis watched Dylan and Josh giving milk to the lambs and decided at this point he wanted a bottle of his own! His highlight of the day however was sitting on Nannas knee as they went for a ride on the farm train. Whilst most other kids rebelled at wearing safety goggles for the journey, he happily wore his and enjoyed the ride so much he boo-hooed when they had to get off. After seeing cows, sows, bunnies, lambs, chicks, puppies, hens, ducks and cockerels, goats, reindeer, ponies, deer, mice and fish it was time to head home.

Photos from the farms website:-http://www.streamvale.com/thingsToSee.html

Belated thank yous!

2009-04-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Curtis received money from several people for his birthday and/or Christmas and I'm very sorry that it's taken me this long to report back to those people to say what we bought him and to provide some photographs! As you know we've been busy getting our flat all tidied up ready to sell as we make our plans to move to Dunfermline this summer.

Auntie Doris in Ireland sent Curtis a cheque for his birthday and I tried to buy something in keeping with her own interests, so a big thank you to Doris as Curtis now has his very first art box filled with chunky crayons, chubby hand held coloured markers in the shapes of dog, frog and rabbit which he loves, lots of scribbling and painting paper, some mini canvases for his 1st works of art, a big shower curtain to put on the floor when the young master is at work, some paints and some fantastic mini paint rollers for him to use. Watch this space for Curtis and his abstract paintings coming soon!! Thanks Doris x

Auntie Eunice and Uncle Jim in Ireland also gave Curtis some money and with this we bought Curtis a great set of rescue vehicles from the early learning centre; an ambulance, a fire truck and a police car all with appropriate siren sounds which he loves to copy. We also bought Curtis a picture for his room. It looks like a Japanese classic - but look closely, it has a modern, furry twist! Thank you Eunice and Jim, it's very much appreciated. x

Curti's childminder Tracey also gave Curtis some money for his birthday and we added this to some that Nanna and Taid had left for him one weekend to buy him his very first trike. And what a great trike it is too, already tried and tested by his little pal Milli, this trike has a parent handle so we can steer him about until his big and skillful enough to reach the pedals. Thanks to Tracey, Nanna and Taid x

Nanny Ronny and Grandad Stevo also sent Curtis a cheque for his birthday and we used this to get Curtis some toys for the garden...he now has a little tent, a tunnel for crawling through and a fire truck ride on which he loves scooting about on (even if he can only go backwards!). We also bought him Elvis No.1 Hits Cd which he loves. I must get a video of his face when we play it...Hard Headed Woman being one of hsi favourite tracks! I think cos it's one of the fastest ones. So, thanks also to Grandad Stevo and Nanny Ronny and apologies to all for being so slow in posting this message.

Helping Taid wash the car

2009-04-14T04:43:00.000-07:00

Uncle Thomas brings Roary the Racing car to visit......vroooooom

2009-04-14T04:20:00.001-07:00

As to be expected of a young Mr Hughes, Curtis is very excited by red sporty cars such as Roary on CBeebies....so imagine his delight when Uncle Thomas turned up this Easter in the real thing.....vroom vrooom. Curtis was keen to get in the driving seat himself as you can see belwo (photos coming soon) and 'helped' by resetting and moving all the mirrors and dials before Uncle Thomas drove away home!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-14T04:16:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter! Curtis, Gareth and I popped over to Belfast to spend some time off from work with G's family. Sadly Gareth only had 2 days off and had to go back to work yesterday, but Curtis and I are staying for an extended break so that Curtis can spend time with his grandparents and Uncle Tim and I can get some work done.

photos and further up-dates coming soon.....

On Easter Sunday we went for a trip to Bangor to collect Daddys previous car where it had been given some TLC at the bodyshop. Daddy got to drive in the sun with the roof off and has maybe now come to terms with saying goodbye to his beloved black VW beetle....whether Taid is yet ready to part with it is another story all together!

The sun was shining on Bangor so we all went for a stroll along the harbour to see the boats, the really big swans and lots of little dogs out walking.

Lovely weekend in Glasgow

2009-04-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

There was nothing so special about this weekend; Curtis and I (Steph) just did what we usually do when Gareth is working; busying ourselves with trips out, catching up with friends and playing silly games around the house. This weekend was a bit more chilled than usual however as Curtis has had a fever for a couple of days, (possibly just an extreme reaction to teething) tho' he is ok now.

Saturday we had to miss our early morning music class and post class brunch and runaround at the Tramway as Curtis had slept in and was a bit under the weather, so instead we took out time to get up and watched one of C's favourite Baby Einstein DVD's 'Old MacDonald'. At lunchtime Jamie and Milli came to visit followed by Dan, then in the afternoon I took Curtis out on his trike to do the recycling and to visit the local shops before spending some time playing nin the front gardenh and catchign up with neighbours as gthey passed by.

On Sunday we went for an early lunch at The Tramway and even managed to sit outside as it was just about warm enough. There we met some lovely little ones who were also out to play in the Hidden Gardens, noteably Jack who aged only 3 seemed to have the warmth and maturity of a far older child; when Curtis cried as I'd removed a dirty napkin he'd found on the floor from his hands, Jack came running over and gave Curtis a wee car and said 'it's okay you can have this...come and play with me'. How sweet! Once Curtis was fed and suitably tired we drove into town and I transfered sleeping boy from car to pushchair and went off to Borders - ah bliss. Once Curtis awoke we went out to Buchanan Street to watch the street entertainers; first was 5 piece Scottish drumming and piping band Clanadonia, who were as their website proclaims 'keeping it Tribal'. I videoed a wee bit but as I dont know hwo to upload (and that my mum would love to see a clip) here is a clip of them from youtube.

Next stop was watching some younger, less sweaty looking pipers further along Buchanan Street (video coming soon), popping up to the Merchant City to check out the art stalls and then off to Princes Square (Glasgows indoor'designer' shopping mall) which has a large mosiac centred ground floor which is used by any under 5's in the area to dart about and play in whilst their parents sit about on the surrounding steps or the coffee shops resting their legs. It's such a friendly place and again all the kids were very friendly, older kids watching not to run into the little ones and several kids politely returning Curtis's toy ambulance whenever it was borrowed for a quick 'broom' broom' on the flooor or wheh Curtis had left it lying about. The whole weekend represents whats so lovely about this city, it's full of things to do and friendlt people.

Photos and videos coming as soon as I work out how to download them from my phone.