Jun 29, 2012

Sprogzilla is Two!

So sorry for being MIA these last three weeks or so, we’ve had a lot on our plate here which I will perhaps explain in a later post. I don’t want to discuss it here, because I’d rather talk about the more positive event that was Sprogzilla’s second birthday!

We had a quiet day as usual, I’d hoped to have a little birthday do but it had to be on the weekend as Sprogdaddy is working. My closest friend couldn’t make it due to work commitments and our only nearby relatives were on holiday. That’s what you get for being born in the summer I guess. We’ll arrange a little gathering for him over the next couple of weeks, at this age it’s not terribly important that he has a party on his actual birthday. He did get to enjoy a rather tasty chocolate caterpillar cake along with some home-made fairy cakes though.

Please forgive the terrible composition of the photo, I had one chance to grab the perfect shot and realised I hadn’t setup the camera correctly! I bought a DSLR a couple of months ago and still haven’t figured out how to use it properly. It’s quite a learning curve! Only the night before did I figure out how to keep a subject in focus when taking videos. I miss my old camera in many ways….

Being that we’re skint these days, we couldn’t afford a lot of presents, but he instantly fell in love with the huge wooden barn we bought. A couple of his presents, a slide and a playhouse, had been opened early due to the nice weather. He also got a little bike, an animal torch and a trampoline from us and a selection of books from his Auntie. The weather was awful and rained all day, but we still had a great time. I’m glad I gave him some of the outdoor toys a bit early when the sun was shining, it would have been horrible to have him open them but not be able to play.

I’m particularly proud to say I’ve now been breastfeeding for two years. The difficulties of the early days are all but forgotten and I can barely believe I nearly gave up! I’ve no idea if we’ll make it to three, that’s up to the boy.

Jun 1, 2012

Supermarket Sweep

Sprogmama clothes, shopping Random 0 Comment

Against our better judgement, we decided to go shopping at Asda the day before a major bank holiday weekend. As usual, the store was heaving with shoppers panic buying because, hey, we’ll be limited to Sunday trading hours for a whole three days. Better get stockpiling!

Anyway, I suppose I can’t whinge because we were there too, but at least it was because we actually needed stuff. I didn’t think the ~~zombie apocalypse~~ Jubilee was going to leave us without food and water indefinitely.

I took a look at the kiddie clothes section and spotted some nice caps for the boy. The options were dinosaur or giraffe, and Sprogzilla chose the latter. Or, perhaps more accurately, he briefly discarded the dinosaur one and we legged it before he could grab it back. He also availed himself of the plethora of free food being given out by hassled staff. Love it when someone else sorts out lunch!

May 30, 2012

Return to Dunwich Heath

Sprogmama Random 1 Comment

The pebble beach at Dunwich Heath is a favourite retreat of mine. I love the cliffs and the panoramic views across the sea and Minsmere Bird Reserve. I’ve always had an affinity with the sea and feel a wonderful sense of calm whenever I visit the coast.

We’d been planning this trip for a week or so. The gorgeous weather was making me keen to spend a nice day in the sun, so we chose our destination and purchased a beach tent. Of course, it then proceeded to cloud over the next day and I was gutted at the prospect of weeks passing before we were blessed with clear skies again. This morning the forecast looked hopeful, so Sprogzilla went down early for his nap at 11am and we got everything ready and packed. This in itself is quite an achievement for us as both Sprogdaddy and I are terribly disorganised.

It was beginning to feel like we were not meant to go because the boy decided to sleep for three hours instead of his usual one hour and twenty minutes. By now, sheer stubbornness had determined that we were going to the beach today, so we no longer cared that it would be halfway through the afternoon before we arrived.

The journey was fairly dull and it didn’t help having a whiny child in the back, but at last we were there. It was a bit windy, but the sun was shining and it turns out we had the beach to ourselves! We pitched our tent in front of a little sand dune and laid out our blankets and picnic.

Sprogzilla was fascinated with the pebbles and industriously collected them in his bucket. He even helped us fill the sandbags in the tent to weigh it down. Whilst I lounged in the shade, he paddled around in the sea with his Daddy and got himself thoroughly soaked. We stayed for a couple of hours and it was a lovely afternoon.

As well as taking photos of the boy, I couldn’t resist snapping some of the scenery and the view across Minsmere to the nuclear power station at Sizewell. To the north, you can just make out the lighthouse at Southwold. Had we more time, it would have been nice to nip up to Walberswick or perhaps walk around the bird reserve.

I’ve linked up this post over at Coombe Mill’s Country Kids, so do pop over and look at the other lovely entries.

May 29, 2012

First Haircut!

Sprogmama hair, shopping Sprogzilla 0 Comment

Whoa there, Sprogzilla has had his first haircut at nearly two years old? Yes, it’s true. We love his gorgeous blonde hair and were loathe to cut it, but he was clearly uncomfortable with it sticking to his face in the hot weather.

Sorry about the quality of today’s photo, I forgot to take my DSLR and we had to resort to Sprogdaddy’s camera phone instead. Trust me to miss taking a decent photograph of an important milestone. We did remember to keep a lock of hair though!

I expected the session to be a bit of a nightmare, but he was no trouble at all sitting in the hairdresser’s chair. The whole thing took a little over ten minutes and I think he enjoyed being fussed over by three people. A couple of animal-shaped biscuits and mummy’s purse took care of the odd moments he got twitchy.

My goodness though, he looks like a completely different boy! I keep staring at him, it’s amazing how a change in hair style can make someone look so different. I miss the long locks if I’m honest, but it’s nice to have a change every now and then. I’ll get used to it soon enough, though it will be a while before we consider cutting it again. It’s weird, but he looks both younger and older at the same time.

We also nipped to our local second-hand kids/baby shop this afternoon. I didn’t realise just how few summer clothes we had for Sprogzilla, most of the ones we bought a couple of months or so ago are still too big for him so he’s back in 12-18 month kit for the time being. He has recently reached 80cm in height which is still right down on the 1st percentile, but at least he’s not off the bottom any more.

Now if only the sun would come back out and let us take that trip to the beach we were planning for today……

May 29, 2012

What Do Readers Look For In A “Mummy” Blog?

Sprogmama blogging, depression Mummy, Random 1 Comment

I’ve been suffering from blogger depression again and as much as I hate to say it, it boils down to the lack of visits/comments on Mummy Notes. I’m not exactly vain, but it does get me down to write from the heart and post precious photos of my son only to receive next-to-no attention.

I’ve been blogging for over ten years and this niche has definitely been the toughest to earn readership in. I don’t know if the problem is my content, my style, or perhaps this part of the blogosphere is simply over-saturated. I’ve thought about broadening the subjects I write about and being more general, but then surely I’ll put off the (few) readers I’ve already got who are interested in parenting anecdotes?

My reviews are my most popular posts by a long shot, but those readers rarely comment and never come back. I find this the most disheartening because reviews take me much longer to put together and for people to not even say “thanks, that was useful” or even “that wasn’t particularly helpful” makes me wonder why I bother. I guess it’s because I take blogger reviews into account extensively when I want to buy something and I love being able to help out other people doing the same.

So, back to the title of this entry – what do you think readers are looking for? I know that content is king, but what kind of content? What draws you in and makes you want to say something? What makes you want to come back and see what’s new? How important is the look of the site? Are my images too big/small, posts too short/long etc. Or am I really just a rubbish blogger? Go on, tell me the truth. I may not like it, but I’d rather be told I’m doing a bad job and be able to do something about it.

May 27, 2012

Silent Sunday: 27th May 2012

Sprogmama food Photo Memes 4 Comments

May 25, 2012

The Gallery: Picture Postcard

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As soon as I heard that this week’s theme would be “Picture Postcard”, I knew I had to take a photo of our ancient village church. It was built in the fourteenth century and is one of very few churches in the country (and the only one in Suffolk) that has an intact timber-framed chancel.

What makes it particularly lovely is its quaintness, with many people saying it looks like a hybrid medieval house/chapel. It was actually an outreach church in its heyday, commonly known as a chapel of ease, serving parishioners who could not attend its larger sibling in the next village.

I took several photos and had immense trouble deciding which one to use. Then I remembered I didn’t have to pick just one! So I have narrowed it down to my favourite two and here they are.

The first photo is the more typical postcard shot of a quintessential medieval English church. It may not be big, but it is beautiful. I wanted to photograph the much grander interior as well, but sadly it wasn’t open during my visit this afternoon.

I chose the second one because I loved how Sprogdaddy and the boy are holding hands in it. The comparative size of the building adds a dramatic sense of scale. I may not be religious, but I never fail to be awed by such incredible architecture.

As usual, pop on over to Sticky Fingers to see the other entries or even submit your own. This is The Gallery’s 100th week and in celebration there is a very apt prize on offer!

May 25, 2012

Review: Outlook Travel Comfy Wool Pushchair Liner

Sprogmama accessories, pushchairs Reviews 0 Comment

Price: £25-£30 Approx
Retailer: Kiddicare

++ Good value, reversible, multiple fabrics, easy to clean
– Polar-fleece version not available in UK, only one colour

I love to review items which don’t seem to have much coverage online and this is a particularly good example. I googled extensively for user photos and opinions, but didn’t really find anything of help. I felt rather frustrated doing my research because certain details regarding the Travel Comfy are confusing.

Read on to see what I thought of it and view the gallery.

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