Callum is 3 months old... time whizzes by

Lots to report… I have been meaning to do a blog update for absolutely ages but it is slightly trickier to find time with two kiddies…. To add to complications the washing machine broke this week and I got mild mastitis – luckily a friend had warned me of the symptoms so I was able to go straight to the doctors and now have a course of antibiotics. Needless to say I am feeling much better now.
As is always the way with holidays; they happen far too quickly! We had a great time in Scotland. Bethany’s affection for dogs certainly didn’t diminish; she and Hamish had great fun getting to know each other. He’s a BIG dog! Bethany’s speech continues to develop and she is now beginning to talk in sentences… its interesting how she still uses her sign language when she’s tired or can’t quite communicate something in words.

With so much help from Gran, Grandad, Aunty Helen, Uncle James, Aunty Clare and cousin Eleanor I got a lot of really lovely one on one time with Callum. He continues to thrive. He weighed in at a whopping 16lb 6oz this week, hitting the 98th percentile on his growth chart. Whilst we were in Scotland he really started to communicate, chortling away in between all his wonderful big smiles. He is following you round the room now with his eyes and grabbing all his toys on his playmat, discovering the sounds they make. His head is getting quite strong now and when he’s on his tummy he can actually wriggle forward – minute distances but very impressive (don’t I sound like the proud mum!).

Mark arrived in Scotland on the Thursday evening and we went to Andy and Carolyn’s wedding in Bridge of Allan on the Saturday. The weather was lovely and it was a great day with a Ceilidh in the evening. Callum kindly slept until 0830 the next morning so we felt pretty good after all our dancing.

On the following Monday the four of us drove down to the Peak district for our family holiday. We had a brilliant time, with pretty good weather considering the time of year. We did end up getting rained on a couple of times but that just gave us a good excuse for tea and cakes in the little cafes. We went to a small aquarium and a farm park, which Bethany absolutely loved, especially as she got to feed the fish and the animals. We managed to do a couple of really nice walks around some of the amazing country parks – Ilam park and the grounds of Chatsworth house. Our accommodation had a swimming pool which meant that Bethany swam every afternoon and absolutely loved it. She is now confidently swimming across the pool with her swimming noodle and has a little bit too much confidence when it comes to jumping in! Callum also went swimming for the first time. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of it and demonstrated a great quivering bottom lip after Bethany splashed him! Mummy and Callum enjoyed sitting in the little café and watching Daddy and Bethany.

Luckily we had caught up on all the holiday washing before the washing machine decided to pack up this week and friends kindly did a couple of loads for me… the new machine arrives on Tuesday:-)

After a rather manic week we had a great trip to London yesterday to see friends Hanne and Cian and meet their gorgeous little girl Astri. Bethany was very excited to go on a choo choo train. We then walked through Hyde park, played on the swings, chased the pigeons and kicked the leaves before going for a lovely lunch. It was a great day despite the fact it was raining and blowing a gale!!!!

I will post some photos once I’ve had time to sort them… A long update I know, but we’ve been busy:-)