Our half term holiday - Day 7

Today was our last day in the sun. I started it with a lie in whilst Henry and Marmar walked to the park and the shop, what a treat for me. We then got up and headed out to do a few jobs before heading to the beach for a drink and snack. We went to a beach club right on the sand which Henry loved and it was baking hot, definitely our hottest day all week. Poor Henry was sweating under his little cotton hat and we had to cover him in sun lotion. He's got gorgeous olive skin like his daddy though thanks to those lovely Spanish genes and his little arms, legs and cheeks have gone a perfect shade of brown.

We then went to the pool for an hour back at home before lunch and a siesta. Considering Henry's routine has changed completely from being at home, he's been an absolute angel all week. He hasn't woken up too early, has been flexible about his nap and has had a lovely long sleep with us every afternoon and has then also gone to bed like an angel no matter what time we've got home. He's also slept right through the night once and had really good nights the other nights with just one quick wake up....let's hope he keeps it up back at home!

We did all of our packing after our nap and then headed back to the pool for a last swim. Henry loves the showers up by the pool the most and has loved just running through them. I have so many gorgeous photos and videos of him stark naked standing under the shower giggling; not internet friendly but definitely getting printed for home and to embarrass him when he's older!

We went to a lovely Italian restaurant on the beach tonight and then had a walk along the sand. We are all packed and I'm now dreading the flight home. I really hope Henry is as good as he was on the flight out.

Overall a really lovely holiday in the sunshine and just what we needed. Travelling with a toddler was amazingly easy and he has been an absolute delight all week long, I've been so proud of him. We are both excited to see Daddy tomorrow and more excited about our family holiday to Portugal in 2 months time.

Our half term holiday - Day 6

We were up early this morning so decided to go back to the park in Guardamar for breakfast. We took bread for the birds and Henry was in his element feeding them and exploring the park. We spent hours there this morning in fact, we even got up close to loads of tame squirrels which he absolutely loved. We had breakfast in the little cafe and then headed for the swings and slides too. It was really cloudy today so it was a perfect place to spend the morning. Afterwards we headed down to the beach with our buckets and spades and spent a good hour building sandcastles and paddling. Because it wasn't very sunny, the beach was totally empty which was perfect.

We then had lunch in a restaurant on the beach before heading home; Henry was so exhausted he fell asleep as soon as we got in the car so I transferred him into bed and we all had a siesta.

After our sleep we had a snack and then headed up to the pool and the sun had come out which was good. We had a couple of hours up there before coming back to get ready for dinner.

We went up to the super cheap Chinese restaurant up the road which does such good food. We go every year but I was a bit concerned about what we'd feed Henry...he has my stir fry at home but hasn't really had any Chinese food before. He ate so much though I needn't have worried. He was particularly fond of the roast duck, prawn crackers and rice!! There was clearly something in it that he hadn't had before though because he was absolutely crazy after we'd eaten, so hyperactive and silly! We needed some water in the supermarket and he insisted on pushing the basket around himself, stopping every so often to pick up totally random things to put in it. He absolutely refused any help whatsoever, so funny. He then wanted to be in the driver's seat of the car and was wildly jumping around, pressing every button and leaping between the two front seats. A full on tantrum ensued when I tried to strap him back into his seat, screaming, kicking and arching his back....I have no idea what they'd put in our dinner!!! He's now fast asleep and we are sitting making plans for our final day tomorrow. We'll be sad to say goodbye, but we are really looking forward to seeing Daddy now.

Our half term holiday - Day 5

Today we went straight to the park after breakfast to see all the birds again because Henry loved it so much the other day. We took a whole barra with us to feed the birds and Henry was in his element throwing it for the pigeons, having a few bites himself and then chasing the peacocks. There were swans, tiny ducklings, so many peacocks, ducks, doves and so many other birds, it really is an amazing place to go to. We stopped at a cafe in the park for a second breakfast and it was ridiculously cheap and SO good that we'll definitely be back...possibly in the morning!

After we'd finished at the park we walked down to the beach for an hour and Henry loved it so much. He was digging in the sand and loved splashing on the shore. I'm so glad that his beach phobia seems to be over, particularly because we're off to Portugal for two weeks in August. 

We came home to the apartment for a swim in the pool then had lunch and a super long siesta. We then headed back to the pool again for another swim and then got ready for dinner. 

We went to my favourite restaurant tonight, Rancho Blanco, which we've been going to since I was Henry's age. He played in the little play park that I used to play in and it's such a special place for us to keep going back to. When I was little I used to adore their pork chops and that's still what I order today. Henry had a huge bowl of tomato and tuna pasta which he loved and he tucked in to some lovely watermelon and pineapple for dessert. The restaurant has a little pond full of turtles which he was fascinated by, as well as a resident stray cat and plenty of birdies. I love how family friendly Spanish restaurants are; this one was full of kids tonight, even at 10pm as we left there were children everywhere and no one thinks anything of it. Henry enjoyed showing off to all the other children that were playing and made a little baby friend in the park too.

After we'd finished we came home and bathed Henry and put him to bed before pouring a glass of wine and sifting through our many photos of the day. It's lovely to capture so many memories to look back on with Henry when he's a little bit older.

Our half term holiday - Day 4

After breakfast on the terrace today we walked down the road to a little park so Henry could have a play. Afterwards we walked a bit further down the road to get some bits from the supermarket and then we stopped for an ice lolly and a drink. We then made our way back home and spent the rest of the morning by the pool. Henry is super confident in the water now and I'm getting used to the freezing cold, I think he'd stay in there all day if we'd let him. We took up a big plastic laundry basket today and filled it up with water so Henry could use it as a paddling pool but every time he saw me sit back and relax, he'd jump out and throw himself at me, pull off my sunglasses or grab my boobs from inside my costume. Charming. No relaxing allowed for mummy apparently. 

We had lunch about 1 then a nice long siesta before heading back to the pool.

This evening we went to La Mata beach for some dinner which was lovely. Henry ate the entire bowl of olives apart from one which poor Marmar was allowed and then he had some Spanish albondigas and patatas bravas which he loved. There was a little fair set up by the beach so after dinner Henry went on the roundabout; he thought it was the best thing ever and kept asking for more once it had finished. I was a bit worried about taking him down to the beach because on our previous trips to the beach in England he's absolutely hated the sand, but today he was a little star. He enjoyed stamping on the sandcastles and loved paddling in the waves. Unfortunately he got a bit deep at the end and the salt water stung his eczema behind his knees so he was really upset. He cheered up with a little go on the playground and then we came home to get ready for bed. Henry wstched Bing and had a couple of Oreos and Marmar and I had a glass of wine and now we are all off to bed. Another lovely day for us all.

 

Our half term holiday - Day 3

We both woke up feeling much better this morning and Henry even had an extra hour in bed, probably because he'd had us up all night!!

We had breakfast out on the terrace and then headed to my Auntie's other apartment which has a lovely garden and pool. Henry and I played in the shade whilst my mum did some housework there and then we came home and had an hour by the pool before lunchtime. Henry loved being in the water again, can't say the same for me and Marmar who definitely seem to feel the cold more than Henry does!! 

We then came back in for lunch and had a lovely two hour siesta this afternoon. Once we were up we had a snack - Oreos and an apple - and then headed back to the pool for an hour. Usually when we're on holiday, my mum and I spend hours sunbathing and reading our books, but this holiday is proving to be very different!! I sat on the floor in the shade and played with Henry's toys with him for the majority of the time, so I doubt I'll be heading home with much of a tan at the end of the week! Never mind.  I've had such a lovely day with my beautiful boy who has been particularly loving; he keeps climbing on to my knee just to give me a kiss or a cuddle which is lovely.

After we'd been to the pool we had a shower and got dressed before heading to Guadamar, a lovely little place about 10 minutes away which has a fabulous park full of peacocks, ducks, swans and terrapins. Henry absolutely loved it and we'll definitely be going back later in the week. We found a lovely little restaurant down on the beach and had a €10 'menu del dia' which was so good. Henry ate loads, spaghetti to start with fish, chicken and chips for his main course and then fresh pineapple for dessert. He was even asking for more once he'd finished that!!

He's now fast asleep in his adorable little summer PJs and I won't be far behind him. A really lovely day in the sunshine.

Our half term holiday - Day 2

We got up early and had breakfast at the hotel before heading to the airport for our flight. Check in and security were a mission as usual, they are definitely not designed for people travelling with little ones. Luckily there was a lovely soft play area inside the departure lounge so that kept Henry happy and used up a bit of energy before the flight. 

I was a bit apprehensive about what the flight would be like with a toddler on my knee but luckily we had a spare seat next to us and even more luckily, Henry chose to sleep on it for the majority of the flight! He was probably awake for about half an hour and then slept for the rest. 

When we arrived we got our cases, picked up our hire car and drove to our apartment. We picked up a little bit of shopping down the road, unpacked and then headed straight for the pool. Henry was so excited to see it! It was bloody freezing but for some reason toddlers don't seem to care about that and he wanted to be straight in....obviously I had to go with him! Great. We had loads of fun in the pool and then playing in the shade and then we headed back to the house to get ready for dinner. We decided to just go to an Italian down the road because it was easy but I hardly ate anything because I felt so poorly. I hadn't been feeling 100% for a couple of days but by this point was having awful stomach cramps and felt really sick. Henry loved his pasta though and then we went to Carrefour to do our big food shop. We rushed round the shop because I felt so awful and then came straight home to go to bed. Henry woke up screaming and was very unsettled in the night which is very unlike him, so I think he may have the same bug as me. Let's hope we're both feeling better soon so we can enjoy the sunshine.

Our half term holiday - Day 1

This morning Marmar, Henry and I set off for our annual May adventure. My mum and I have gone away together in May for years now, then last year we had a beautiful little baby to take away with us. That baby has now been replaced by a cheeky toddler and I'm so excited about taking him to Spain tomorrow.

Today we travelled up to Edinburgh, where we're flying from tomorrow and Henry slept most of the way in the car. Once we'd checked in we drove to Edinburgh Zoo for the afternoon. Henry LOVED it, he particularly liked the Penguins and monkeys and he was such a good boy. The zoo itself is built in to a hill and is SO steep, not the easiest terrain with a pushchair. After the zoo we went back to the hotel for a while before going to an Italian restaurant just down the road for dinner. Henry was pretty grumpy when we arrived due to being exhausted from a busy day and starving hungry, but he soon perked up with the arrival of his dinner. He ate so much pasta we couldn't believe it and he now smells very strongly of garlic....lovely! We are all off for an early night as we fly to Spain early in the morning. Exciting times.

20 month chatter

Henry seems to be learning new words all the time now and chatters away all day long, even though most of it makes no sense! My mum suggested making a list of all the words he could say so that we don't forget so please feel free to ignore this boring post, it's more for our digital baby book that this blog has become....

Mama

Dada

Marmar

Parpar

George (sounds like Didge)

Zach 

Hoover

Banana

Man

Guhguh (his word for all drinks!)

Uvas (his first Spanish word....it means grapes)

There

Down 

This

Bye

Lola

Peppa

Twittwoo (owl)

Baa (sheep)

Moo (cow)

Ragh (lion/dinosaur)

Woo woo woo (dog)

Bzzzz (bee) 

Uh huh (he always says this instead of yes)

More

Spoon

Balloon 

Cake 

Peacock 

Best Birthday Ever

I really love birthdays, not just mine, but everyone's. Yesterday's was probably my best yet; I had such a lovely day with my beautiful family. Mr B had bought dairy free muffins for breakfast in bed and Henry loved singing happy birthday and helping me to blow out my candles. We then went to my mum's and opened my presents there before heading to baby group for the morning. Henry then had a nap whilst I tidied my gifts away - I was well and truly spoilt this year by everyone.  After Henry's nap we headed to Crook Hall for afternoon tea and a look round the gardens with Marmar and Parpar. They'd made such an effort with my dairy free tea, I really appreciated it, especially after such a long time without decent cake! The gardens there are fabulous and Henry loved exploring/chasing the poor cat that lives there. Mr B then picked me up and we spent the evening at the spa chatting, drinking prosecco, reading magazines and enjoying the many saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis. After we'd finished we had an amazing 3 course dinner before coming home to our sleeping baby boy. 

So all in all, a pretty perfect day, 28 will take some beating!

Shhh, no one mention Weight Watchers

Well I've had a week off from Weight Watchers to enjoy some amazing birthday food. I didn't want to be miserable going out with family and friends to celebrate and counting points while they all ate cake, so decided to just have a week off and enjoy it! Here are some photos of some of the amazing things I've been eating. Normal Weight Watchers service has resumed today, boo!!

Starter platter in The Botanist - houmous, poached salmon, Parma ham and pomegranate, mint and couscous salad.

BBQ chicken and chips at The Botanist

A Rose Cosmo to go with lunch

Tasty dairy free snacks from Pret

A massive roast dinner 

And the most amazing vegan cupcake 

A dairy free Muffin Break coconut and banana muffin

Dairy free afternoon tea at Crook Hall

My starter at Rockliffe Hall - beef carpaccio, corned beef and salted peaches.

My main course of chicken with vegetables and mash

My dessert of strawberries and cream, minus the cream!! It was strawberries done in various ways with strawberry sorbet and strawberry foam, so so good!!

27

Tomorrow I turn 28, this is officially my last evening as a 27 year old. I've mentioned before on my blog that when I was a little girl I was most looking forward to being 27; I thought it was a good age, where I'd be a proper grown up but still young enough to be 'cool'. I imagined being married, having children, I'd wear cool clothes and always have a takeaway coffee in my hand (that's what cool adults do). Funny how most of those things turned out to be right, I need copious amounts of caffeine due to the sleep deprivation caused by the child, I'm married and beyond happy. Not sure about the cool clothes though....

Anyway that's it, being 27 is pretty much over, and what a year it was. It lived up to every expectation I had as a little girl and I'm excited to see what my 29th year will bring.

Here are my highlights of '27'

Blowing out the candles on my 27th birthday 

An amazing, warm summer full of adventures

A very special first birthday

An amazing week at Disneyland Paris

A pretty magical Christmas in Essex

A Norfolk adventure with friends

Laughing until our tummies hurt

Blowing out the candles of my 28th birthday cake 

Weight Watchers - Week 4 - What I Ate Wednesday

I only lost a pound this week at Weight Watchers, taking my total loss in 4 weeks to 12 pounds. I have been really good and kept to my points so I'm not entirely sure why I only lost a pound, but it's better than putting it on I suppose. A huge positive this week was that I bought a size 12 skirt, wahoo! I'd really like to fit comfortably in to size 12 jeans so fingers crossed that's not too far away. I also went for a 2 mile run at the weekend and I felt really good afterwards; I'll definitely be trying to keep that up once or twice a week. Unfortunately for my diet I have such a busy foodie week coming up with it being my birthday next Wednesday. I have lunch out before going to the theatre with my mum on Saturday, Sunday lunch out with friends on to celebrate my birthday and then a special birthday breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner at the spa on Wednesday!! I think I'll be lucky to be the same weight this time next week.

On to What I Ate Wednesday. Here's my run down of the day.

Breakfast 

40g alphabites cereal with Koko milk (5 points). We bought this cereal for Henry because it's really healthy and full of calcium, but I really love it too and you can actually have quite a lot for the amount of points that it is.

Snack

I had a raspberry fruit yoyo (1 point) at work for my snack. The kids at school all eat these and I absolutely love them too. They're just made from pure fruit and really low in points too.

Lunch 

I had half a carton of this skinny tomato and lentil soup with a toasted bagel thin (6 points) before having a lovely long nap with Henry.

Dinner 

After Weight Watchers I had made sausage casserole (12 points) which was full of different veggies, 5 types of beans and chicken sausages. I used the Heck chicken sausages for the first time and they were amazing! You can have 4 sausages for 3 points which is brilliant compared to the points in normal sausages. I had it with a small serving of brown rice. Henry had the same as it's one of his favourite dinners.  

Snack 

I had a bowl of fruit and an Alpro yogurt (3 points) once Henry was in bed. I didn't take a photo though, I was far too excited about my night time treat to stop and photograph it. 

Salmon and sweet potato fishcakes - recipe

I still absolutely love cooking for Henry, and luckily he still likes to eat everything we put in front of him. Yesterday I made some fish cakes which he loved so thought I'd share the recipe here. I just made it up with the ingredients that I had in the fridge so you could substitute them with anything you might have that needs using up.

Makes 8 small fish cakes

1 medium potato

1 medium sweet potato

2 tablespoons of sweetcorn

1 teaspoon of chopped parsley

1 medium salmon fillet

A handful of kale, chopped finely 

• Bake the potatoes in the oven along with the salmon.

• When the potatoes and cooked though, leave them to cool and then remove the skins.

• Mash the remaining potato with a fork and add the other ingredients to it.

• Once the fish is cooked, flake it with your fingers and add to the potato mixture. 

• Roll into small balls and flatten slightly. At this point you can freeze the fishcakes if necessary.

• Add a little olive oil to a frying pan and cook the fishcakes until golden brown before serving.

Henry ate all of his fish cakes like a little star; he is really loving his food at the moment. After every mouthful he says 'mmmmm' with a huge smile on his face. He really makes us laugh with some of the faces that he pulls whilst eating.

Weight Watchers week 3

Well week three was a success after a shaky weekend where I 'accidentally' ate a fry up (long story)!! 

This week I lost another 3lb taking my total loss to 11lb.

I meant to do a What I ate Wednesday post today but have been so hungry at mealtimes that I just scoff my food without a second thought of taking a photo!! I will try and do a foodie post at some point in the next few days. In the meantime here is my favourite WW friendly breakfast: soya yogurt, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and crushed up shredded wheat. Only 4 propoints and so delicious.