As promised...

I threw a picture of Dylan in, but here are some pictures of the progress we're making in the garden. Wahoo!

We're breaking out the summer clothes now!
The Bridal Wreath that Christine gave us Our (almost) barbeque area.
The ivy is growing like mad. This is a view of the back of our house from the end of the garden.
The view of the garden from the back door. For those of you who have seen our garden, please note the gravel by the back door, the lack of concrete, and the smudge of green back by the ivy covered arch--that's GRASS!!

The beauty of a Saturday off work...

Martin's been working 6 days a week for so long now that it has become pretty normal. But the Place now has an assistant chef and the part time front of house staff are good enough, so Martin is getting every other Saturday off work. It's so lovely, especially when we have nice weather.

Today we got a lot of work done in the garden. The concrete is pretty much gone. We nearly have the gravel down by the door, and we have started replacing the cinder block border with brick (the brick that was laid underneath the concrete)! About 1/3 of the grass has been planted, and another third is ready to go after today. Martin's mum gave us a bridal wreath, and I planted it this afternoon. I also got a lot of the brick courtyard area cleared today. Martin and I are going to have a garden bonfire as soon as we've had a few dry days. I'll try to get some pictures taken tomorrow if it doesn't rain. It still looks untidy as we have to haul away some rubble. Plus I haven't planted anything yet so the borders are a bit bare. But it looks 10 times better than it did a few weeks ago, and a hundred times better than it did with the concrete.

We're all doing well, though it's been a busy week. Tonight was the first night all week that we've had a "normal" bed time with Dylan. It was actually really nice to just have a night in. Yesterday was the Hull Stake Spring Ball. Helen and Emma came over and we got all dolled up together, then we went over to the church in Hull and boogied. Emma looked especially gorgeous. And Martin was pretty darn sexy, too. I might post a few pictures of that.

On Monday we went out to dinner for Laurence's birthday, which was good. Tuesday was a quiet day, but I went to my boxing class (very good, and I wasn't nearly as sore afterwards as I was last week). Wednesday was baseball practice for Martin. Thursday was choir, of course. And then last night. I hope next week is quiet.

Dylan hasn't been very well this week. I've had to do a few extra loads of laundry due to baby sick and poo. Icky! He has three teeth coming in on top, and I think this is just how his body is reacting to teething. He hasn't been that interested in food, and vomits pretty much any time he has solids. But he's still holding down my milk just fine, so I'm not too worried. Today we went in to Scunthorpe to open a bank account for him, and we had lunch in a little Polish restaurant in town. The food was lovely, but as we were about to leave we discovered that Dylan had a diaper explosion. I changed him, and his clothes were all dirty--even his shirt. We stripped him naked and walked to H&M with him wearing nothing but a diaper and a big grin. Good thing it was warm today. He got a new outfit out of the whole thing, anyway.

I think the weirdest part of Dylan being poorly is that he's not fussy about it at all. Sometimes he throws up in the middle of the night and we don't know about it until morning because he just does it and then goes back to sleep. He's so sicky, but he's still so laughing and happy. Thank goodness for that--I had enough of crying baby in the first 4 months of his life.

Incidentally, I'm not pregnant. Thought I might be, but it turns out I just had a stomach bug or something. That was actually kind of a relief. It's a bit soon to be having another baby. I can't imagine having a newborn baby and a 16 month old. That would be so difficult!

Anyway, must go to bed. It's nearly 11 pm here and we have a baby who wakes up at around 7 am regardless of what time he goes to sleep. I miss sleeping in!!!

This is how Dylan spent a large portion of his very first baseball game...

Measuring spoons are one of Dylan's favorite toys!
I put gel in Dylan's hair for the first time. How adorable!
Dylan's first baseball game.

Lonely...

Most of the time I enjoy living in England. Some days I don't. Today is one of THOSE days.

Don't get me wrong--this is a beautiful country and I am glad we moved here. We have some really good friends and our lives are happy. But today I was looking at my sister ShaNeil's photos she's put on Facebook, and I am not in any of her "family" pictures. Neither is Martin or Dylan. And I know it's because we haven't seen her since she created her Facebook account. That makes me so sad.

I feel like I am missing so much, and I also feel that my family are missing so much as well. Dylan is changing every day, and only mom, dad, and Jace have even seen him. I have a niece that I've never seen, and my other nieces and nephews barely know me. I adore Martin's family, but I want to be with MY family. We have always been so close knit, and I miss feeling connected to them.

I remember when I moved to the Grand Canyon at the tender age of 18. Mom and dad and I hadn't been getting along, and I didn't even want to talk to them when I left. So I didn't. I didn't call them or send any letters pretty much all summer long. And I was ok with that. Things sure do change!

Oh my lovely sisters and brother and parents--I miss you all so much today. I'm sitting here in my living room crying like a baby. I would give anything to be able to come for a visit!

Dylan's 7 month check up...

So the little monster had his seven month check up with the health visitor today, and it went really well. It was an inconvenient time because it meant we couldn't go swimming, but that's ok. We went on Wednesday with Jen anyway.

The health visitor was lovely, and totally in love with Dylan. In her words, he's "perfect." Both physically and developmentally. He has reached all of the normal milestones in his development and his height, weight, and head circumference are all spot on. He's actually gained 4.5 oz. in the last 9 days and now weighs 20 lbs 8.5 ounces. He's still in the 75th percentile and his measurements are ALL there. He is a big boy, but he's perfectly proportioned

I feel like mother of the year this morning. Dylan's never really been a roller. He CAN roll over, but he doesn't do it very often. So I always put him down for a nap on our bed and he stays there until I go get him. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case this morning. I heard him crying while I was cleaning the kitchen, so I went upstairs to check on him. I was horrified when I went into our bedroom because he wasn't on the bed--he rolled all the way off. He's not hurt at all--luckily our bed is really quite low to the ground. But I'm going to have to start putting cushions around him for his nap. It's the first time he's ever fallen though, and at 7 months I guess that's not too bad.

My housekeeping schedule...

A while back I posted about my new housekeeping schedule. I just thought I'd give everyone an update on it since I used to be known as the world's biggest slob, then found my inner neat freak when I went to college, and then I married the biggest slob in the western world.

My house has never been so clean! I have stuck with the cleaning routine and it is really paying off. Today was kitchen day, and my kitchen is gleaming! Yesterday was bathroom day, and so those are sparkling as well. I am also using my "Green Clean" book that I got for Christmas, so all of my cleaning products are organic (except the bleach--I can't give up the bleach)! My clothes are all dried on the line outside and ironed that night. I am even ironing my bed linens and dish towels. Sick, huh?

For the first time in my life I feel as though I am really taking care of my belongings as they ought to be cared for. It's a good feeling. I am so proud of myself for sticking to the routine. Now if I can jsut get an exercise routine sandwiched in somewhere, I'll be super mom.

Speaking of supermom, Dylan just woke up from his afternoon nap so I need to go collect him and give him his afternoon feed.

Bye for now!

Dylan keeps trying to crawl. He hasn't figured it out yet, but it won't be long now.

Dylan enjoys cabbage soup.
The great outdoorsman at the Humber Bridge viewing area.
My two best boys enjoying the fresh sea air in Hornsea.
Dylan playing with his blocks tonight.

A GREAT weekend...

Martin just had four days off, and it has been wonderful! We got a little bit done on the house, and a lot done in the garden. We spent the night in Hornsea, Martin went golfing, we shopped and saw a movie. We played with Dylan and I had free time. Life doesn't get any better than this. The only bad part is that he has to go back to work tomorrow, and it will be hard for me because I am just getting used to having him here all day. Dylan and I both miss him when he's not here.

Anyway, I am going to post a few pictures and a video clip. Enjoy!

Dylan and Marley both want this empty water bottle. The most unlikely toys are always the favorites. For once the sound and the picture are pretty good on this one!

Dylan and Marley hanging out in the back seat on our way to go swimming.
Desperately wanting to get the camera!
Those baby blues even look good in sepia tone!
All done in at the end of the day.

New stuff...

Our laptop arrived today, and it is so wonderful! Our internet connection is so fast, and it is a real pleasure to use this computer. So that's new.

Also new, my UK driving license. It's official, I have a full UK license. You may remember that I opted not to be put on our insurance policy when Martin switched out car insurance as an incentive to get off my lazy back side and take the test. Well, that was very effective. I took the test last Wednesday, and passed it quite easily. Which was a big relief, since it was so expensive to take. But I am now 100% legal to drive in the UK. It's nice to have my freedom back.

Dylan has started making clicking noises with his tongue. That's new as well. He started doing it a few days ago, but he didn't stop doing it pretty much all day today. He loves playing with his tongue. He's not that bothered about moving around, but he wants to communicate so bad! He gets cuter all the time.

Martin has started playing baseball again. He has Wednesday practices and Sunday games. We bought a couple of second hand bikes and are going to get a baby seat so we can go on family rides together. Martin is using his to ride over to Hull because cyclists don't have to pay the bridge toll. It saves us £5.40 + petrol every week. So baseball and bikes are new, too.

My back garden is a mess at the minute. Martin and I started digging out the concrete so we can plant grass. Martin and his dad have hauled a couple of loads of rubble to the tip, and nearly all the concrete is gone now. Hopefully we will plant some grass this weekend, and that will be new as well.

I think that brings everyone up to date (sort of). This is a lightening post as I am exhausted and want to go to bed desperately. I just needed to give an update. Martin may post some pictures tonight. If he doesn't, I'll get to it tomorrow night while he's at baseball practice.

It's been a while...

We are not able to go on line at home right now--still waiting for our new laptop. But I wanted to post and let everyone know we are doing well. Our computer should be arriving any day now, and then I will post more (including pictures). Don't desert me, faithful readers!

Dylan eats his feet! They don't make it to his mouth very often, but he always enjoys a nibble when they do.
Daddy and Dylan outside York Minster. Dylan's first trip to York, and he was as good as gold the whole time.
Trying on some stunning shades in Monsoon. They do nothing for his face, but he amazingly left them on for ages. The sales girls were all a little bit in love with him.
The family walk on the York wall with a stunning view of the Minster behind.
Dylan and I went to Baysgarth Park yesterday--a little reward for being the best baby ibn the world while I was sick. He's really starting to like the swings now.

Easter weekend was good. Martin actually had two days in a row off work, which hasn't happened since Christmas. It would be so nice if he had a "normal" job, but I am getting used to us only having Sunday off most of the time. I was deathly ill (ok, maybe that's a slight exaggeration) on Saturday and Sunday. Dylan pretty much just sat on the floor and played with his toys all day Saturday while Martin was at work because I was so weak and achy that I didn't trust myself to try and pick him up. But he was happy all day as long as I kept the food coming. Martin took care of him all day Sunday, just handing him to me when he needed to be fed. By Monday I was feeling a little bit better, so we bundled the boy wonder into the car and went to York. We didn't spend any money on anything but food, but it was lovely to just wander around the city.

I had a comment on my last post about the in-laws reading the blog. I don't think they do, but even if they did it would be ok. I have never posted anything on here that I wouldn't say to their faces. I love Martin's family--I really do. I just love mine more. That's only normal. They have their problems and quirks, just like everybody does. When I'm not well those quirks are less funny and more annoying than other times, that's all.

I hope everybody enjoys the pictures!

Happy Easter...

Well, nearly anyway. It's just after 9 pm here, so it's nearly Easter Sunday for me.

My thoughts always turn to home at Easter. I know I should be thinking about Jesus Christ and what he did for me and you and everyone, but instead I think of my family. Every Easter the Lofleys get together for a big picnic/barbecue in the east desert. A few people camp out, and the rest of us drive out the next morning. The kids have a big easter egg hunt, we hike to see the Indian writings and hunt for ponds (if it's been a wet spring so far). We eat burgers and hot dogs and Grandma's potato salad (and never forgetting mom's pasta salad). We all get sun burnt and go home smelling of smoke and covered in a fine layer of grit from the sand and the ride out in the back of an open pick-up truck. Then we eat potato salad for the next two days.

Doesn't sound terribly exciting, I know, but it was a family tradition that I loved. The longer we live in England the more I miss home and family. Martin's family are lovely. But they're not my family, and so I will never love them as much. I ache to spend time with my mom and dad and sisters and brother. I know how much I am missing with my nieces and nephews--baptisms, blessings, and all of the exciting little bits of them growing up. They don't even know aunt Jamie and uncle Martin. They've never even met cousin Dylan.

England has been a lonely place for me since Dylan was born. I love staying home with him, but I feel the absence of my family so deeply. I know I could drop by unannounced and hang out with my mom or my sisters and they wouldn't mind. I have to give the in-laws at least a day's notice so that I won't show up and the father-in-law is hammered and in a state not fit to have a baby around. My sister in law is lovely, but if you saw the wrong thing to her, she may get mad at you and not speak to you for several months. I don't work any more, and some days the only people I speak to are Martin and Dylan--so only one of them talks back to me.

I miss home. I still love England and find it beautiful, but I would give anything to spend just a single day back home with all of my family near.

The beauty of a routine...

Dylan is currently having a nap. I am so proud of that, since he would not sleep at the house up until about a month ago. At least not during the day. Now we have a daytime routine of sorts established, and he's like a different baby. It just took us a long time to get into it.

We start our day at around 7:30, when Dylan wakes up. I feed him while Martin gets a shower, then Martin keeps an eye on him and he plays while I get my shower. When Martin leaves for work, Dylan and I watch "America's Next Top Model." I make myself breakfast and tidy up the kitchen and front room during the commercials. When that's over, we go for our morning walk. Dylan falls asleep while we are out walking, then we come home and I clean the house while he is sleeping. He has banana when he wakes up, then a feed and a cuddle. We play for a while, and he sits in the kitchen with me while I get dinner prepped. Then it's time for his afternoon nap. I lie down with him and feed him until he falls asleep, and then I either finish the housework or have some free time, depending on how long his morning nap was. When he wakes up he has his afternoon banana, then Martin gets home and we just hang out until dinner and bed time.

My life is so boring.

For all that boredom though, it is really satisfying. And Dylan is flexible with the routines now, so we go swimming some days instead of the regular routine, and he skips his bath on choir nights, and it is OK. We can go out and do fun things, but he knows that he is supposed to sleep during the day now, and he gets horribly grumpy if he doesn't nap. Getting enough sleep has turned him into the happiest baby around.

Now a quick update. Our car broke down last weekend ( I think I wrote about it), and it would have cost more to fix it than the car is worth. We have found a "new" car--a '97 Renault Clio. It has a smaller engine, so we will be paying less tax on it and it will probably get better mileage. Martin's grandparents have kindly let us borrow the money from them, and we will repay it when we sell the house and move home. We are picking the car up on Sunday, so we have been car-less all week. Hence me being grateful for Dylan's routine, because it's made the week bearable.

Anyway, I'm going to have a sit and a relax while Dylan is sleeping. Hooray for sleeping babies!

I know I just posted pictures yesterday, but Martin did this video clip tonight and it's too cute for words. Dylan loves playing the piano--he's just discovering how much fun it is to make a lot of noise.

Dylan's ninja training pays off once again!
Is this where Alice is hiding?
i know, i'm the cutest, you don't have to tell me!
I am so sick of the papparrazzi following me around! stop pointing that thing in my face!
After the first annual fleetgate cup, Dylan and Marley pause for photos

Something new...

Martin didn't get the Grimsby Institute job, but Dylan got his first tooth. He was really horrible all day Thursday (once he woke up, that is) and that evening he had a really high temperature and was all achy. I wanted to take him to the doctor, but decided to wait and see for a day. Then, when he woke up on Friday morning, he had a little tooth poking through. He's also working on his second one already--both on the bottom. I'd take a picture, but it's still too small to see. The good news is that he isn't biting me.

Our car is in the shop. It broke down on Saturday on our way home from Scunthorpe. We were stranded at the side of the road for around 2 hours. Martin's parents were not home, so we didn't know what to do. We ended up calling our neighbor, Simon (Marley's dad). He came right out and towed us to the garage. It is probably our fuel pump, so we might have our car back by Wednesday. But we might have to find a new car. Ugh!

Martin has been doing loads of work on the house (hey, we can't leave Barton so we need to keep ourselves busy), and it's looking good. Our entrance hallway is painted, has skirting board and a chair rail, and is mostly tiled. We need to get another box of tiles before he can finish, and then he will grout between the tiles. They are natural slate, and look beautiful. We also painted our front room a different colour. It was Edwardian pale cream. Now it is Willow Green, and so lovely. The room looks much bigger and lighter. Bamboo floor is next--we hope to have it done before Dylan starts crawling.

Spring is coming quickly to England now. The birds down at Water's Edge are nesting, and we'll have ducklings and goslings in a few more weeks. Dylan and I went for a walk yesterday and fed the ducks and seagulls. He was actually really interested in the seagulls. He's going to love the ducks by the end of the summer. The trees and hedgerows are just starting to blossom. I adore England in the spring. There really is nothing on Earth more glorious. Hopefully I will have some lovely scenery pictures. But most of them will continue to be pictures of Dylan.