Peace treaty?

Since moving into our flat, the friendship between our two little cats has suffered massively. They used to sleep together in a basket, play fight, wash each other - but when they started being outdoor cats they became very territorial and the bond of sisterhood was shattered! Now when they come across each other on their day to day travels, fur flies and growling and snarling commences.

They have VERY distinct boundaries on our property, which they guard fiercely, and if one strays into the others' territory then they are promptly chased away. There are a few neutral areas that they do not fight in, and simply pass each other quickly.

Cat territory

So this evening, I was genuinely gobsmacked to come across this scene in the hallway:

This is the closest the cats have been to each other without ripping fur from each others haunches for almost 2 years! I am hoping this is the beginning of the healing process between them, although I know there is a lot of work to do. I may have to send them to a counsellor to get through some of the really deep seated issues.

Please leave us alone mum

Bruises

Note to self - Next time you think about going back to jitsu after 2 and a half years of NOT training, take a look at this picture and think twice.

Ouch.

I think my body is a different shape compared to my pre baby figure, and the new lumps and bumps were definitely catching on the ground/on my jitsu outfit in ways that didn't bother me before. I really enjoyed the training session, I felt really nostalgic and was pleased that I hadn't entirely forgotten everything I learnt in the 7 years before I stopped.

It's now 3 days since the session and I'm now managing to get up and down off the sofa without thinking of taking painkillers, and now I'm starting to think that it wasn't all that bad and I'll probably do it again someday. A bit like labour really!

Balance

I don't think it'll be very long before we need to seriously baby proof our house. Hannah has been able to work her way slowly around the furniture for a little while now, but can only do so as long as she's keeping a tight hold to either the coffee table or the sofa. This means the rest of the house can remain as dusty/cluttered/tangled with cables as we like.

However, in the past few days, Hannah has perfected her ability to balance. Observe:

I'm predicting that she'll be off before she's 1. Watch this space....

The perfect bath

On our wedding anniversary last year, Colin gave me this:

I have been putting off using it, as I wanted the "perfect" day to use it - one free from disturbance from Hannah/Colin/phone/cats... anything really! And it can't be a day that's too hot/too cold outside, otherwise I don't enjoy baths either. I'm so fussy.

Anyway, today was the day I used it!

At first, it just looked a bit like the bath water had gone mouldy....

But after a few minutes it started to look a little more inviting...

Candles lit.... a good book.... bath toys easily accessible...

I would highly recommend a jelly bath!! It felt so weird at first, but it was like pulling a warm duvet over yourself which just heated up my cold bones perfectly!

The only criticism - I'm finding un-melted jelly around the place since I got out. It's been sitting in my collar bone, and I just skidded on a bit on the bathroom floor... But it was definitely worth the mess.

Jelly-tastic

Trip south

Last weekend we headed south to stay with Granny and Grandad Robertson for the weekend. It was also a good excuse to try out Hannah's fancy new Recaro car seat (which we are both incredibly jealous of! It looks very comfortable.) She was quite upset when we first put her into it, but once she realised we were able to turn round and entertain her whilst on the move she decided it wasn't so bad after all...

It had been mum's birthday earlier in the week so to celebrate I had decided to have a go at making some cupcakes. I made white chocolate and raspberry flavour (with the peach and white flower decorations), and then lemon flavoured ones (with the pearly balls). I can honestly say I've never baked before 7.30am before! The joys of motherhood...!

Unfortunately the yellow food colouring I used on the lemon ones didn't give the frosty lemony look I was going for - instead they look like they are canary flavoured. This didn't seem to affect the taste though! I will definitely be making them again - YUM.

On Saturday after a long lie (thanks mum!) we headed out to Yarm. We stopped for lunch in a little Italian restaurant, it was a nice chance to have a good catch up, and now Hannah sits in a highchair happily mealtimes are much easier!

We stopped in Preston Park on the way home, somewhere we used to go a lot when I was younger. I had a sense of excitement as we drove up, as it really was a fun day out in the past - but I have to say I was quite upset at how much it had been allowed to fall into disrepair! There used to be loads of animals in various enclosures, which are all now empty and overgrown. Hopefully the park will be improved at some stage as I'd love to take Hannah there at some point in the future!

We did get to go on a very muddy woodland walk however, which we had to abandon half way round. Prams just don't seem to be made for off-roading.

Hannah doesn't seem bothered by the bumpy ride

The pram gets a clean off before going back in the car

On Sunday we had another lovely lie in, then went for a walk in the local park in Hartlepool. It was a cold day but Hannah was quite happy watching the world go by! She is fascinated by ducks, to which we fed ONE WHOLE SLICE of bread! We are so generous.

We then stopped at the cafe for a hot chocolate and took the chance to give Hannah a shot on the swings, which she LOVED.

Weeee!

Back at home, Hannah spent some time shredding some tissue paper, a new much enjoyed activity.

On Monday we headed back up north again, but not before stopping at a farm shop/cafe near Hartlepool for some lunch with mum. The food was home cooked and so tasty, but the highlight was probably the piglets and calves who were sitting in a barn near the carpark. Hannah was very confused by them and the noises they were making! She was quite happy as long as they sat still, but inquisitive animals soon started coming over to the fence and snuffling about so we had to take a few steps back.

Hanging with the coos

We had a really lovely time in Hartlepool and felt very rested upon our return! It does however make the 5.30/6am starts that little bit harder when you've been spoilt with lie-ins for three days.