A busy week...

I had a good birthday, though 29 is not my favorite age. Time keeps creeping up on me, and I don't like getting older. Martin and I went on a date, just dinner and a movie, but it was nice to get out of the house together without Dylan. Christine (mother in law) came to babysit, and Dylan cried the whole time. I'd like to take this opportunity to assure people that it's not because he's spoiled. He just doesn't really know Christine. How can this be, you ask, when we spend three to four hours at her house every single Sunday? Well, I'll tell you.

My mother in law does not play with her grandson. She was all excited for him to be born, and then once he showed up she ceased caring. She never comes over here--the only time she sees Dylan is when we bring him over to her house. And even then, she doesn't really hold him or play with him. Sometimes she does try to play with him, but he likes songs and jumping around, and she pretty much just shakes his toys at him. He doesn't know who she is.

This has been a major source of frustration to me, because I know if we only lived 10 miles from my mom, she'd see him all the time and love him to pieces. And not only does Christine not really bother with her grandson, she gives ME unsolicited advice about how I should be raising him. I know my baby--I spend every waking moment with him. I very rarely go anywhere without him, and I don't need her telling me when and how much I should feed him or how I don't put him down for naps often enough.

Since she's being like this, I've decided that I no longer want to go over there every week. We are going every other week, and we aren't staying very long. If his grandparents want to see him, they can come over here once in a while!

Anyway, got that off my chest now!

Dylan and I went swimming on Wednesday AND Friday--with Martin on Wednesday and with Joanne and Marley yesterday. On Thursday we went to the church for an Enrichment day mini class in family history. Then we went grocery shopping and to choir. And today we went to Hull to the "Big Fun" for a birthday party. It's a giant indoor playground for kids. Dylan is a little young for some place like that, but he enjoyed all the people and noise.

There have been changes at the Place again. They are no longer going to open on Friday and Saturday nights. It'll be nice to have him home on weekends, but it'll really cut his hours a lot. He's still planning on leaving, but hasn't decided which job he wants to take yet. He's applied for a couple and has had a few offers. Had a bit of a scare on Tuesday. The landlord at the Place served them with a notice of eviction as the owners hadn't paid the rent. Its due quarterly and they were a month late paying it. Martin took Wednesday off and wasn't sure if he'd have a job to go to on Thursday, but all is well.

So that's the update. got to dash now.

Update...

Dylan weighs 17 lbs 5 oz! I also had him measured when they weighed him, and he is 70cm long (that's just short of 28 inches)! He is in the 75th percentile for weight, but the 99th for height. I knew he was long and skinny, but now it is confirmed--he's built like his daddy!

A miracle occurred today--Dylan let me put him down for a nap at the house. I got my bathroom cleaned. It was the best, and I really hope he continues to sleep in the house. I never thought I'd be so excited to scrub my toilet.

Enough of that. I am going to post some pictures of the adorable little man. Enjoy!

Don't worry!

There seems to be some concern about Martin looking for a new job. Just wanted to tell everyone not to worry--he has had an offer, and may actually stay on at the Place and really take charge there. He and Karen (the chef) might lease the business from the current owners. At any rate, he won't be out of a job at all.

Dylan and I had a GREAT weekend. Sometimes it's really hard because Martin is at work all day on Friday and most of the day on Saturday. Entertaining Dylan by myself is a job and a half. But he was good, and he's gone to sleep really well for the past week. We didn't do anything particularly special, but we had a good time doing it. He really is a joy!

I finally got a web cam with a mic and a headset, so I am signed up to Skype and am looking forward to video chats with friends and family. Our Skype identity is gilbertsfridge, just like the blog. Can't wait! In fact, I have to go now so I can finish setting it up!

Dylan and little Beth, my friend Charlie's daughter. She was born a week before Dylan and is TINY! She weighs what Dylan did at about 9 weeks. Incidentally, as of last week he weighed 16 lbs 11 oz.

The orange of the butternut squash all over his face really sets off Dylan's gorgeous blue eyes, don't you think?

Dylan loves twisting and turning in his new bouncy swing--for about 20 minutes at a time, any way!

Martin's manly tool belt.

Dylan and Great Grandad Priestley.

Christine's Christmas mantle & flower arrangements.

The Christmas feast!

Our family!

Quick update...

Well, after a week of sickness in our house Dylan and Martin are finally feeling better. I never got sick, but wanted to take a break after caring for 2 big babies for a week!

Martin got this weird stomach bug that has hit Britain really hard. He spent about 4 days straight in the loo and he lost about 10 lbs. He is doing much better now though, which is a relief. Dylan just had a cold, but he had his third round of vaccinations and has been teething, so he was difficult to say the least. And after 3 weeks or so of sleeping around 11 hours a night, he is back to waking up for a middle of the night feed.

I've been keeping myself busy with Dylan and the housework. Being a house wife is HARD! I got a fabulous book for Christmas called "Green Clean," which has all natural and organic cleaning tips and cleanser recipes. So far I've only done their laundry tips, but they are so good. I have started putting baking soda in with my detergent when I'm washing whites, and my clothes are so bright! I will never use bleach again! Also, it recommends using vinegar instead of fabric softener. The smell fades as the clothes dry, and it really works. Not only is it less chemicals, but it is MUCH cheaper. Next up, home made air freshener and dryer sheets.

There's turmoil and upset at The Place. Nadine, Martin's boss, said she wasn't going to sell the lease on it, but she's changed her mind. Martin has started looking for new jobs, just in case. Depending on how his job hunt goes, we may be moving home sooner than we thought. But don't get your hopes up, mom. We still have to wait until our penalty period on our mortgage is up and everything is very much up in the air at the minute.

Martin and I finally got my paperwork sent off for my visa renewal, which is good. Once my visa is through I can leave England and they will let me back in. And our finances are looking pretty good, so we may be able to plan a trip to the States soon (ish). I am so homesick and lonely!

We've changed to morning church again, which is actually really good for us now. Dylan is such a morning person, so church is much more enjoyable now since we aren't having to constantly be walking and feeding him. He just sits and plays with his toys, and he even does it quietly. He doesn't talk or laugh much--he's very self contained. I think he's going to be a quiet, shy, and deeply stubborn little man!

Anyway, enough typing. I'm going to get a few pictures of the little man posted while he is still in a good mood!