Our new baby

I have no idea who - if anyone - might still be popping in here. I ahven't blogged in such a long time, I guess I just got out of the habit, and for a long time, I had nothing uplifting to write, so it seemed pointless! Anyway, I just wanted to share these pictures of our new miracle baby. I am so thrilled,blessed and overjoyed to be 28 weeks pregnant - baby is due right at the beginning of June. Who'd have thought this would ever happen? Certainly not me. But life is pretty sweet right now :)

No news is good news?!

Gabe in Doctor Who pose with his sonic screwdriver!

Arlo eats an orange!

Well....life trundles along doesn't it, no matter what we do. We have children growing a little more each day, discovering new things, learning new tricks, giving me an extra grey hair or two (erm...this is not a joke by the way!) Our eldest has just chosen which subjects she wants to continue with at school (she's almost 14) and it seems that she's like her mum, as she wants to study languages. Daughter number 2 turns 12 next week and is desperate to be as grown up as possible. A few days ago, she decided that she is now a vegetarian and has even given up eating her favourite sweeties as they contain gelatine. I'm impressed! Girly number 3 will be 10 next month and simply drives us insane in so many ways. She is ALWAYS right. Oh man, it's really hard to live with someone like that!

As for the boys, Gabriel is just plain Gorgeous. There's no denying it. He has started attending a nursery and when we arrive, crowds of little people run up, crying "Gabriel is here!", so it seems he enchants everyone he meets. And Arlo....well Arlo is what's commonly known as a handful......more trouble than all of his siblings put together and then some!

And me & the Doc.......healing. He's had an op, he's healing remarkably well physically. The same op has healed my heart.

Wow! It's been a while!

Now I KNOW I said I'd be blogging. Oh dear. ...I think what bothers me is not knowing who reads here, I mean, what if I were to go shouting my mouth off and any Tom, Dick or Harry found out my innermost thoughts (or mother-in-law/neighbour/strange stalker?!!!)

Anyhooooo! Things are going pretty great here chez OK. Yesterday, we booked ourselves a mini-break. Oh no, not THAT kind of Bridget Jones-esque (though wouldn't THAT be nice? You know, doing things which would be illegal in some parts ;)) Nope, we will be staying in a Travelodge, separate rooms for DrOK and myself so that we can supervise the rabble that is our offspring. Cheap and cheerful. Well, cheap at least! We are going to Brighton during the Easter break and I, for one, can't WAIT! The kids have been planning a major spending spree....we live really and truly in the back of beyond and shopping is something we dream about, the girls have plenty of Christmas cash left which is burning a hole, you know what I'm saying. So we plan to make a detour on our way home and do some serious spending. It seems that Gabriel is most excited at the prospect of sampling Krispy Kreme delights. I think I might help him out!

Arlo is turning into a toddler....in fact, I think he probably already is, seeing that he is nearly 14 months old (sob, sob!) He walks so confidently and is the cheekiest of cheeky monkeys. Gabriel announced last week that Arlo is "a glorious brother", they laugh together a LOT! I guess the fighting will start one day, and possibly soon, but I revel in their love for each other :)

There really is quite a lot I'd love to tell you but I don't feel very safe saying it here. Maybe one day I'll tell all, but now's not the time. It's all good though!

Just saying hello

I really don't know where this year has gone....and it's not been a good year so I'll be glad to see that back of it. We are just getting ready for Christmas here, and after that, of course, a first birthday for little Arlo.

When I was feeling incredibly low earlier this year, I said that my marriage was in trouble. Well, I don't know that it was ever about to completely fall apart, I believe that there is too much love here for that to have happened, but things are back on track and we are working to get back to "us", and I am confident that it will only improve as the months go on.

I reckon that some chirpiness will get me back blogging properly soon, after Christmas I'll have to make the effort for some cheery posting, goodness knows that in a house full of crazy kids there's a story or two to be told! I don't think there'll be a chance to update here again too soon, so I'll wish anyone who pops by a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year xx

Arlo's 11 months old!

Mine is bigger than yours....

So we are attempting to potty train. Gabriel is either a)too lazy or b)too engrossed in other things going on around him to do well at this latest challenge. His sisters had all been potty trained for a year at this stage..... Anyway, we were having a little chat whilst changing his pants (he has LOTS of top-notch undies including Buzz n Woody, Bob the Builder and Spiderman...though he's a bit worried about the Black Spiderman ones as he's a BADDIE!!!)

Gabe: You haven't got a willy, Mum
Me: Nope
Gabe: Daddy has......Daddy's willy is big and HUGE
Me:(silently to myself) Has Daddy been putting words in your mouth my darling?!
Gabe: (sadly) MY willy is only very, very small.......(brighter) but ARLO's is smaller!!

Beanz meanz smilez

Big kids were eating beans on toast and Arlo was eyeing them up, so let him have a munch and he certainly enjoyed them! He saves his best smiles for sweetcorn though!