dottyspots

No the baby hasn’t arrived yet…….

I’ve added a couple of photos to the photos page (ones that have been on the blog already though - I really must get the photos on the PC organised).

Sarah & Co. came round for a visit today. Dino disappeared upstairs with R. and Mimi brought her doll and pushchair so she and Nin had great fun pushing their dolls around, going ’shopping’, etc. and playing with the farm animals. Sarah and I chatted about ’stuff’ (notably how to expand on our respective businesses and our perfect ‘home’) and generally putting the world to rights. Had a taste of bread from her new breadmaker (which was very nice) and some German gingerbread biscuits covered in dark chocolate which for just a second Sarah had R. believing was only for over-18s. Nin was so exhausted she was asleep with a few minutes of them leaving.

Erk went back to school today (I’m finding it hard to believe he’s not even had 2 weeks off!) and I had an argument with R. (again). I’m a bit torn as to what to do but am getting to the point where I think we really do need a bit of a break from each other (working both ways). School in not an option - and I don’t think a Special school is either - both would probably cause all sorts of difficulties for him.

Once I get some regular work in I might consider trying to find a childminder to take him for a day a week to give us both a break, but if I’m honest I don’t think that’ll work either, he certainly wouldn’t be happy there (he probably wouldn’t even try) - so it leaves me with a bit of a dilemma - as unless he knows someone he can be very difficult to talk to and if he doesn’t want to be somewhere will be doubly difficult and TBH I think I’d struggle to find a childminder who I would be comfortable leaving him with (and that’s speaking as a registered childminder who knows some fantastic childminders but thinks that any contract would be shortlived - bearing in mind I used to work f/t and R. had a thoroughly miserable time of it!) Still that avenue may work and give us some much needed ‘time apart’.

Hopefully the re-referral to CAMHS will come through soon and that might throw up some other options. Problem is I’m a little sceptical of them too as I worry I might come across a rabidly anti-HE keyworker/ASW, which considering the behaviour of the LEA wouldn’t surprise me a bit!

I really want HE to work, but it does have to be a two-way thing and ATM R. just isn’t very motivated. He still has some huge ‘hang-ups’ (which isn’t the best word to use because he is justified to a certain extent) about other children (especially children of his own age) and *school* in general, which even 3 years later is still having an impact. Still, I’m trying to hit 2006 with a renewed motivation for the both of us (will have to see how long it lasts……….)

I’ve started knitting a throw to go on the cotbed out of bits and pieces left over (but then realised I’ll still need to buy some more wool to finish it how I like it!) It’s chugging along well enough as it’ll be composed of differently patterned squares - I’ve got a lovely book of knitted throws and blankets and so got my inspiration there! I’d love to make a huge one for my bed - or maybe a throw for the sofa but would probably need a second mortgage to afford the wool!)

R. has continued knitting a present for my Mum (who arrives on Friday so he’s now cutting it a bit fine considering he then needs to felt the piece and embroider/bead it etc.) Still it’s looking good

Nin seems to have had a mini-spurt and whilst she doesn’t quite have long enough legs to fit the jeans she was bought, many of her tops seem a little short for her now, so I think I’ll need to have a sort through - a good excuse to knit some nice new cardis for her I could still do with learning to crochet though………..