Karen Coates

He did say it was part of his examination to see how alert and engaged the baby was. But it worked a charm with a one year old who has SCREAMED through many recent appointments. God love the NHS.

“I won’t do a full examination if he’ll get upset. We don’t want him terrified of doctors. Let’s do the important bits and see how we go”
“He’s getting a bit antsy… do you think he’d like this tongue depressor if I drew a face on it?” (He really did)

With 4000 winter illnesses, we’ve had a lot of GP visits lately. Today we met the magic doctor who is AMAZING with kids.
“Oh hello! Who’s this?! Is that a lion on your trousers? What does a lion say? Does it do a big roar?”

Being absolutely played by my toddler this evening. Sent home from nursery with a temperature, had a dose of Calpol then climbed the stairs for half an hour. Refused to get in his high chair, ate a full meal from my bowl, with my fork whilst sitting on my knee. Then hit me in the face with the fork.

Nothing can quite prepare you for the random, out of the blue moment when your hair-wash averse 4year old, who would always FREAK OUT at a mere drip from a flannel going near his eyes says “mum, I think we should do a hair wash tonight.” Maybe they DO grow out of (some of) it.

Made a belated non-traditional Burns supper (because I couldn’t be bothered with a neep). Proud of 4-year-old for hoovering up a pile of it. One-year-old had mostly mash and gravy, but didn’t relentlessly scream about his teeth, so still proud.

Brilliant Friday night.

Tonight I had to throw away a broken yoyo, a destroyed book, and a wind up snowman which we’ve had for less than a month that was in multiple pieces. How do people have toys to pass on as hand me downs?!

Having kids comes with its challenges, but tonight my four year old said: “I really love learning. Learning and exercise are my favouritest things. Apart from you, you are my absolute favouritest thing mummy.”

Of course I was having to keep him company while he sat on the toilet at the time.

Utterly mental

I am pleased to see Ian McMillan here.

You have fabulous bone structure Jane. If I shaved my head it would definitely be more potato-esque.

We have, once again, been a house full of illness. I’ve had a week of a flu/tonsillitis combo which has knocked me out. We’re all (I think) on the mend, but I am VERY much looking forward to being able to have a mid morning coffee instead of a mid morning herbal tea with honey.

To see in the new year we had a 5pm pub tea with the kids then battled them into bed.

Now time for the grown up part of the evening: some nice booze in front of some Only Connect Christmas specials. Maybe some cheese.

Happy New Year when it comes.

Last of the turkey gone.

It’s a beauty!

Eldest wanted to make me a beautiful picture with his new glitter glue. Second picture is apparently me. Accurate depiction after a chocolate filled night shift.

The bonus of a Boxing Day night shift: this afternoon I have an exceptional excuse to escape for a nice long nap.

Morning.

The end of an indulgent day. Merry Christmas.

Conversation then spiralled into how letters get to Santa at the North Pole, and how many letterboxes he must have.

Me: I think the most important thing is we TRY really hard to be good. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
Him: Well I try my very hardest!

I think I might have something in my eye. Also, not a hope of him getting to sleep tomorrow night.

Conversation with an (excited) 4 year-old:
Me: tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, which means Santa comes tomorrow night!
Him: Will he bring presents?
Me: I think he brings presents to good boys and girls…
Him: I think sometimes I am good but maybe not all the time…

I’m baffled by this! Surely they don’t want you in the way?!

Best to just assume this is me every evening for the next two weeks. Type of cheese may vary.

Managed to get out for a haircut and when I came back my four year old immediately said: “I love you mummy. Your hair is still long though.”

To which my husband said: “I think you meant: your hair looks lovely mummy”

Chucking it down, still a lovely twinkly evening.

Present wrapping time.

Oh no! I mean I fully understand, I just need someone to snipe with

@janehill.bsky.social I hope you’re watching celebrity masterchef. I’ve no one to discuss it with. Alfie Boe has consistently looked on the edge of tears throughout.