Restoration House Gardens: A Love Story

A few weeks ago, my friend Joanna and I decided to ditch the soft play and take our little ones somewhere cultural. We visited Restoration House in Rochester, which is a private residence that opens itself to the public between the months of June and September. We didn't dare visit the house itself with the two toddlers, but we did enjoy the beautiful gardens. They're not designed for children but that didn't stop us (or them) from enjoying it. There were fish to watch and pathways to roam.

I took loads of photos that day (all with my phone, also why it's taken me this long to post it) but I couldn't leave out any of the photos I've used here - it's such a dreamy place. Had I known about it B.E. (Before Emily), I just know I'd have been there regularly, soaking up the relaxed atmosphere with a book and some delicious homemade cake from the cafe.

 

 

Entry is £7 or £3 for the gardens alone. Open 31st May to 28th September 2012, Thursdays and Fridays 10:00-17:00. See the website for further information (like next year's opening dates seeing as how I've posted about it here so late!): http://www.restorationhouse.co.uk

Milestones

We had one of the big ones this week. Not so much for Emily as for me, if I'm honest. We've been having some settling in sessions at a child minder for a few weeks now and today was the first day I was to leave her there alone. I was almost sick with worry yesterday and I came very close to backing out last night. Just didn't think I could do it, especially as I don't technically feel I need to.

I say I don't need to because I don't work. But realistically I work far longer hours than I would in most full-time jobs. I work 07:00 - 23:00 (19:00 - 23:00 is when I cram in as many household chores as I possibly can, and only don't count nights too because she usually sleeps through them), and that includes weekends as well. Save for that time when I had to go to hospital with an eye injury and Emily stayed with my sister, I have never "handed" her over to anyone else.

And it was for that exact reason we decided to do it. It would be good for her, to socialize with others, and it would be good for me, to have a few hours off every week (even if just to fit in appointments and other things like that!)

So this morning came and we got dressed and I told her she'd be going to Iveta's (she only goes for three hours) and that she'd be having lots of fun and she seemed to be excited about it. When we got there, she eagerly toddled in, said hi to Iveta and started playing with another little girl who was already there.

Then after a while, I summoned the courage. I went over to Emily and explained that I would be leaving for a short while but would be back and she will have lots of fun playing with her friends in the meantime.

She turned around to me, completely unfazed, waved and said "Bye, Mummy!"

What's an emotion that is a mixture of relief, surprise and pride? I'm not sure a word exists, but if it does, that's what I was, and am.

I spent the next few hours calmly browsing shops on the High Street (I refused to go home and do chores or waste time, this needed to be ME TIME), and then I stopped for a drink and a snack in a tiny cafe that I love but cannot get into with a buggy! Perfect.

When I went back to Iveta's to pick her up, Emily eagerly greeted me (but carried on playing) and Iveta informed me there'd been no tears at all. I am slightly in awe of my little girl's confidence, I am so proud of her and also of myself (I'm obviously doing something right). Emily has been in a terrific mood since we got back, very chatty, saying her new friend's name and trying to tell me about all the things they did this morning. It's obvious that it's already done her a world of good, and any doubts I had have been swept away in a matter of hours.

I feel like I've done something big today, for both of us. I'm so relieved and so very happy.

(The picture is of her on our way back home. Tired, but very pleased with herself!)


[Update: A couple of weeks later, Emily had become very clingy and was waking up several times at night for cuddles and resettling would take up to two hours. Knowing we would be leaving for Malta in a few short months and this was therefore a very temporary thing, we eventually decided to keep Emily home as it just didn't seem worth the upset for such a short time. We will later focus on helping her settle in a place in Malta that she will be able to enjoy for more than a few months.]

Recently

I've been tired this week. I've only italicised that but in truth, I could use BOLD CAPS too. That's how tired I've been. No doubt punishment for daring to say to someone that it seemed to be getting better last week. Sure, there are blog posts - they're just stuck in my head. Every time I sit down to write anything, I crash. So I've just not bothered. Instead, I've updated the blog header and here is a quick round up of our week.

We've written some very important post-it notes. Very seriously. 

We've become obsessed with the fluff that hides between our toes. 

Obsessed.

We've had sweet, unplanned playdates with neighbourhood friends.

 We were fairies for 4 minutes. "Off! Off!"

 And had colouring sessions with good friends.

 Personally, although I've been a bad blogger, I was apparently a good wife.

Hubby treated me to these beauties yesterday. I have - somehow - managed to save three for tonight.

In reality, I could eat three hundred. They are divine. 

We've chased friends up and down the slide in unexpected sunshine. 

Which reminds me, will someone please tell Autumn to stop teasing and really get here?!

Have a lovely weekend xx

Willows Farm Village

Completely forgot to post this.... brain cells already disappearing!! A couple of weekends ago, we met up with some good friends at a place called Willows Farm Village, in Hertfordshire. It's a lovely place, and really huge so lots to do. Emily even got to "hold" and pet an animal other than a cat for the first time!

There was a pig who was expecting a litter of piglets any day. They seem to have been born since we visited, you can try and get a peek at them here on the live webcam!

Squiggle

:)

Thank you for all the wonderful comments of congratulations. I let the announcement post bask in the limelight for the rest of the week because nothing else seemed to be able to top or even match it! But now it's time to carry on, and I'll do a little pregnancy round-up before carrying on with regular posts.


We found out about this pregnancy while we were in Malta. Our families and close friends all knew from day one. It would have been silly to leave the island not having told them (not that I'd have been able to keep it secret long enough anyway).

Despite being very excited, the first few weeks were laced with dread, with a ridiculous dose of positive thinking. I believed that if I thought it away enough, I'd have no morning sickness this time.

Readers who were around when I was pregnant with Emily might remember just how bad it was that time - and how long it lasted. I was at the time (perhaps jokingly, but often not) advised by people not to bother with a second pregnancy. I, perhaps naively, kept hoping my next would be the pregnancy I'd always hoped for: one I could enjoy.

I always knew I wanted two children. Even that amount of pregnancy sickness wasn't going to put me off, I think it would be selfish of me to deny Emily a sibling just because of a "few" (me in 2010 would kick myself for saying that) months of sickness. In the grand scheme of things, that's a silly thing to use as a deciding factor. Having said that, I have no idea how I would have coped with that amount of sickness as well as a toddler to take care of. I am already struggling enough to keep up with her simply because I'm still so tired most of the time.

I am now in my tenth week of pregnancy. Sickness with Emily began in week 3 and began calming down somewhere around week 23. I have not yet needed to run to the bathroom, nor have I needed that bucket that so loyally waited by my bedside - day and night - when pregnant with Emily. Lately some kitchen smells have made me think I might be sick, but nothing yet. I remain hopeful.

So to all the people who advised that I shouldn't even try to get pregnant again, there are a few words in my mind that I'd like to say to you, but I'm nice so I won't. Sure I'm tired. Ok, I'm exhausted. Emily has born the brunt of it - for which I feel terrible and am really trying to be as patient and as entertaining as I could possibly be. Sometimes it's way more difficult than others, but she is easily pleased and I'm sure I'll be able to make it up to her in a few months' time.

We had an early scan done last week. Want to see 2cm long Squiggle?

(See how I was even nice enough to specify what you're meant to be looking at?)