Tuesday 21st August 2012

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY
FREDDIE MARK

On this day last year at 9:58am you arrived into our world. The following weeks were very tough as we watched helplessly as you fought for your life. If someone had said to us then that in one years time we would only have to worry about things such as what you will think of cows milk instead of formula and what time will you go to bed, we wouldn't have believed them.

There are so many people that love and care for you. Your brother worships you and is already your best friend.

You bring so much joy and happiness into our lives and we promise to fill your world with fun, excitement and most of all, love.

Mummy and Daddy

Freddie Mark Sawyer's Naming Ceremony

18th August 2012

Rushcliffe Registry Office

Freddie's special day finally arrived.

The ceremony was lovely, as emotional as expected to be, a very special way to celebrate a very special little boy.

The ceremony (started by a grand entrance from Freddie, Samuel and myself and Jon to Pirates of the Caribbean music!) was all about how much joy Freddie has bought into our lives and the lives of those who care about us.

As parents we promised to love, support and protect Freddie. His mentors (Sarah, Darren, Uncle Steve and Auntie Michelle) did the same.

Freddie's lovely grandparents took the stage and also made promises to him.

There were some very emotional and heartwarming readings by Uncle Steve, Sarah and Freddie's lovely Mamma. 

Samuel presented his little brother with his naming ceremony teddy bear which was very cute. 

After the ceremony, family and friends gathered on the park for a picnic.

Freddie enjoying cuddles with Auntie Lisa

Me and my mate! Freddie and Daniel

Zachary enjoying the picnic

Samuel having fun with Nanan

Singing 'Happy Birthday'

Fun in the sun

Enjoying Mamma time

Gorgeous Boy

A big thank you to Colin who took some wonderful photos over the weekend. 

Thank you to everyone who made Freddie's day so special.

xx

Wednesday 15th August 2012

We have been making the most of the warm weather..

A bike ride/walk to Beeston Marina

I love you Mamma...you give me ice cream.

If I pull this face do I get more ice cream?

We went to a teddy bears picnic that had been organised by Heart Link at Glenfield hospital. It was the first time we came away saying that we had fun!

Samuel and Freddie with the Olympic torch.

Good times!

PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPOPS!!

Sunday 12th August 2012

In nine days Freddie will be one.
Where has the time gone? 
Thinking about his naming ceremony and his birthday which are approaching fast has made us think a bit more than we would usually like to about his traumatic start in life and just how tiny and fragile he was.

Thankfully anytime we are thinking about those times we are rapidly reminded (via a Freddie face mauling or him shouting at us) of how strong and healthy he is now.

On Wednesday I took him for a hearing test at the Ropewalk centre in town. He did really well as it is very difficult to get a nearly one year old for sit still for any considerable amount of time.

The specialist was happy with how he did we just have to go back in a couple of months because he got bored towards the end so they couldn't get one of the last results.

As I am writing this Freddie is currently attempting to pull himself up in his cot which is something very new so I better go rescue him!

Monday 6th August 2012

Cheeky Monkey!!

It is official, Freddie has the cheekiest grin, the cheekiest giggle and has generally become one cheeky little monkey man.

It is quite unbelievable how fast he is progressing at the moment.

He loves to stand up now, and finds it very amusing when you hold his hands and he wiggles around. 

Anything you can do, I can do better!

He has learnt to shake his head when you say 'yes' or 'no' which is very cute but during meal times can make things a bit tricky!

His legs are that chunky that on several occasions he has got them stuck in the bars of his cot! 

He absolutely wants everything his brother has.

Gorgeous cheeky monkey!

Freddie could have the most noisiest, brightly coloured toy in his hand but if Samuel has a bit of paper then that bit of paper becomes the most desired possession there ever was. 



We are having so much fun with him, he is very interactive now and you can see how much he wants to be involved and play with Samuel. 

Because of the significant time Freddie spent in neonatal care he has to have a more thorough hearing test which is this week. I will write a post about how that goes after Wednesday.

Monday 23rd July 2012

Freddie's First Summer Holiday!


The lack of blog updates has been due to the fact that we were in Newquay all week last week for our summer holiday.


I have such fond memories of Newquay from my childhood and youth, especially from Crantock beach and Travella campsite. I was so pleased when we booked to take the boys there and it did not disappoint!

Lots of time was spent having fun in the outdoor pool on the site.

We were lucky with the weather and had a couple of days on Crantock beach which is perfect for Samuel because he had the estuary to play in.

The best possible childcare! He's not going anywhere!

Freddie enjoying lots of Daddy time on holiday

At the Lewinnick Lodge on the Headlands in Newquay

1

Good times!

A bit of rain one morning didn't dampen spirits. The solution....eat biscuits!

Watch out Rory Mcilroy Samuel is now a pro crazy golfer!

A very proud me with my boys...one appears to have morphed into a Cheetah

Beep Beep!

Its just not a holiday without a bit of panning for gold!!

My gorgeous Newquay Lifeguard boys.

Daddy's boys.

Sand....yum!

Action shot of my surfer dude in his wet suit jumping into one of his sand pits!

Freddie has recently started wanting to put his weight on his legs much more...must have been the need for a paddle!

Apologies for the ridiculous number of photos I have posted. We took so many, it was very difficult to choose!

We had a wonderfully, exhausting time! 

Newquay, you have not seen the last of the Sawyer family!

Wednesday 11th July 2012

Today Freddie got to be a very proud little brother as his big bro had his first 'big school' session. 


The four of us walked to school for the 8:50am drop off and then Freddie, Jon and I returned to the school at lunch time to sit and have school dinner with Samuel. 


We then had a parents meeting chatting about what the children need for starting in September and what to expect!


There were a few tears (from Samuel not me!) but Samuel was a very big boy and we were very proud of him. 

We even got to buy his school sweater which he tried on and was very happy with.


At the parents meeting the teacher told us that usually children are OK for the first couple of weeks in September because of the excitement of a new place, new friends and new toys. It is once they start feeling the tiredness of having to go every day that it becomes a challenge to convince them that school is fun. I think with Samuel it will be the other way round. I think it will take him a couple of weeks to settle into the routine and get used the separation but then he'll hopefully enjoy having new things to do every day. 

How did he grow up so quickly? Yes this is Samuel not Freddie.

Freddie take note....take your time please! 

xx

Wednesday 4th July 2012

Yesterday Freddie had his 9-12 month review with the health visitor.

Just enjoying a cream tea at Newark!

He weighed in at 20lb, 6oz and is still on the 75th centile on the growth chart for his corrected age.
Freddie is on the 91st centile for his height at his corrected age so it looks like he is going to catch up with his brother height wise!


The review went well, the health visitor was happy with how he is doing. He's eating well and is very active! He's not interested in taking his weight on his legs yet but he's got seriously strong legs so I'm not concerned. 


Last night was the first night for a while that the little monkey slept through! He seems to have gotten into a bit of a habit of waking up and chattering away (loudly) for a considerable amount of time. Hopefully last night was the first of many better nights sleep for us all!

Do not disturb!

xx