We're GOING to America!!!

Oscar's passport arrived this morning, the tickets are booked - it's official. I'm very nervous but I think we'll be fine (Thanks Beege for the tips below!) We fly out on the 7th and come back on the 21st. I know I'm going to miss Rob so much and he'll miss us both but I think it'll be brilliant.

I've already got plans to go out to a proper bar with my friend Tiff who is going to pretend to be British too and be called Camilla! I want to go to the kind of bar I've seen on TV where they have popcorn in little bowls and the bartender talks to you. I want to be awfully awfully british and see how many people tell me my accent is cute. I need to get drunk. And have a laugh. So Kirsti - you'll be babysitting if that's ok! (And morning sitting if I'm hungover.)


I've also got a gathering to go to on the weekend of the 15th in Peoria - a harvest hog roast with 100 people - 20 of whom I know and love and can't wait to see.

Oh I'm so excited and scared and happy all at the same time! I want to start packing now!

I also want to buy Oscar the tackiest halloween outfit I can find. Maybe even get a matching set for me and him....hee hee!!!

Hoorah!

One for your diaries

The episode of the Basil Brush Show that I taped way back in April (I think it was) will be on BBC 1 on the 4th November at around 4pm - check local listings for exact time. It's called "I'm a Celebrity, Let Me Back in the Kitchen" and as you may remember I play a Scottish scary wrestler. I won't look gorgeous or glam as I had the flu and conjunctivitis when we shot it. I can't wait to see it though I'm probably going to be hiding under the sofa to see how ugly I look.

Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, Oz and I will be going to America to see Kirsti - it depends on whether or not Oscar's passport arrives - I sent it off just over a week ago (I left it a bit late) so hopefully it will be here soon so I can book the tickets. I'm scared about flying with a 13 month old so any advice gratefully received.

I'll have internet access (of COURSE at Kirsti's) so I'll keep up the blog when I can. I'm really looking forward to it. I've got a big party to go to with a lot of friends I haven't seen for a long time - all flying in to Peoria for a reunion - on the weekend of the 15th Oct. So I'll be roadtripping with my friend Tiff - should be fun if Oscar behaves. I also want to buy Oz a funky mad halloween outfit - and possibly one for myself! And go to my favourite place to eat in the world - IHOP

Right - off to ANOTHER birthday party once the munchkin awakes so I'll sign off and go wrap presents.

Another silly personality test

I did this one http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html

which was summed up as:

Stability results were moderately high which suggests you are relaxed, calm, secure, and optimistic.

Orderliness results were moderately low which suggests you are, at times, overly flexible, improvised, and fun seeking at the expense of reliability, work ethic, and long term accomplishment.

Extraversion results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity.

messy, disorganized, social, tough, outgoing, rarely worries, self revealing, open, risk taker, likes the unknown, likes large parties, makes friends easily, likes to stand out, likes to make fun of people, reckless, optimistic, positive, strong, does not like to be alone, ambivalent about chaos, abstract, impractical, not good at saving money, fearless, trusting, thrill seeker, not rule conscious, enjoys leadership, strange, loves food, abstract, rarely irritated, anti-authority, attracted to the counter culture

Quite accurate really.......if not too kind...

Emotional this evening

I blame Dr Who. I was watching an episode on BBC3 from the last series - the one set in the Blitz - with the little boy asking everyone "Are you my mummy?". It was very creepy and scary but also very touching and emotional. Then I came upstairs and held a sleeping Oscar's hand for ten minutes while looking at him and feeling as if my heart would burst at any minute because I love him so much, it's so big, the feeling I have for him, that I can't imagine it can be contained in my body.

A friend lost her baby today too - she was 6 weeks pregnant. She contacted me this morning because she was spotting - I had spotting in early pregnancy and I know all too well how terrifying it is. Unfortunately when she had a scan they couldn't find any trace of the baby. I didn't know how to comfort her - she's in Scotland - I wish she was nearer.

Another friend had a baby girl this week. Isadora. Isn't that a beautiful name.

Such a rollercoaster of emotions......

That's what being a mother does to you I think - I'm sure I've said this before. It's like I grew a new gland - a compassion gland. I used to think I was compassionate but becoming a parent gives you a new perspective. You can't bear to imagine a child suffering. You're so much more in touch with fear - you see children on the news or even on fictional TV shows and you ache for them.

Like the post recently when I was so upset by the mother who killed herself with her babies. And that story about the mother who was tied up and had to watch her baby die (though actually they've now charged her with murder so I don't think the original story was true - which is even more chilling).

I never ever imagined how much more I could feel. I thought I was an emotional person before. I've always worn my heart on my sleeve - I'm impulsive with feelings - I blart them out all over the place. Often without thinking. That's increased tenfold since giving birth.

Heh. Do you pity my husband now?

I don't know if this makes sense. I'm just splarging it out now. I'm going to bed!

His first sandcastle 

Walking on Looe Beach 

Oscar in the sea! 

Oscar walked!

Ok - we're back from holiday and it was lovely - chicken pox didn't stop us having fun and Oscar was better by Wednesday - will post full holiday report tomorrow but I just had to share

He walked today - properly - first steps going from me to Rob. He was so bloody pleased with himself as well! Laughing and giggling and throwing himself towards each of us.

He's been practising all day while I followed him round with a video camera and we did get it on film.

I'm so proud! He's so proud of himself - the joy in his face is wonderful.....

Ok - it's late and I'm off to bed - more about holiday plus some pics soon I promise

Off on holiday - with an extra passenger.

Oscar has chickenpox. The spots came out last night - he's been quite grumpy and feverish for a few days - I thought he was cutting another tooth...but little spots popped out last night - all over his scalp and behind his ears.

This morning there are more....

We've decided to still go on holiday - he's only contagious if you touch him or if he coughs on you - so we'll avoid other children and pregnant women. It may be a nightmare - we have a 6 hour drive today - but hopefully he'll sleep a bit more...

I wanted him to get chickenpox - to get it out of the way -but not on holiday.... Anyway - we'll see how it goes - if he's really unhappy we'll come home again... So hopefully I'll speak to you all next Saturday....