I’ve just now received a letter from FInD (Families Information Direct) allowing me to book my place in the course you need to take to become a registered childminder. I went to an information session months ago, thinking I’d quickly qualify and get to work as soon as Thor was born. I was told then I couldn’t even start the course until May.

In hindsight, that’s good enough for me. Imagine me trying to start work now, with Thor still not on a routine and me not entirely recovered yet from the birth! Or trying to do the course with that huge belly I had.

So, I’ll take the course now, one night a week from May until July, and possibly start in September. Thor will be almost 6 months old then and Ilias will start full-time school in Reception. Of course, Helena will be at Nursery half-time… I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it! I plan to take on just one or two extra children, just to supplement our income a bit.

Soon, I’ll be officially qualified to raise children, imagine that

Yesterday I tried some of my new BIG pots and pans, to cook for seven people…

I got them from my dad for my birthday , which isn’t until May 6th, but I opened my presents early

I steamed two broccolis in the steamer pot and made cheese sauce in the saucepan with rounded bottom. And it was a succes. I’ve still got to try the spagghetti pot.

Nappies can seem very easy these days. You put them on and the baby fills them with different sorts of smelly substances. It is not quite as easy if you decide to use an alternative to the multitude of disposable nappies. There are ones you fold, ones shaped for a babys bottom, ones with fleece liners to keep moisture out and many many more. At the end of the day you end up with either lots of rubbish in the bin or more washing…

We are primarily using nappies called Bamboozles that are made of bamboo and works better than most of the others we have tried. Thor is pretty sensitive and have been going thru 14 nappies on a normal day so it will lower the cost and at the same time be better for his skin. Compared to the different types of reusable nappies we have tried this is the best one so far. So far we have 10 inner liners and 2 outers + one compatible but it hasn’t been quite enough so we have been stretching them with a disposable nappy over night.

We had the second wave of support staff arrive today in the form of farfar and nonkel Jo. They are coming for two weeks/few days at Thor’s 3 week birthday. I have been at home for three weeks which have been busy but very rewarding. Both Thor and his mother have been getting steadily stronger the last week and apart from the sleep cycle most things have turned into a routine. Handing over to Jo and farfar is probably going to be very tiring and nonkel Jo is already tired as you can see from the picture…

Sometimes baby’s start to smell… not the nice sweet smell of milk and baby but the slightly less appealing smell of pee, poo and regurgitated milk. Then it is time for the baby to have a bath which can be fun fun fun or a screaming & crying ordeal. Mind you the baby might scream too.

Thor is starting to figure out the fun in bathing and is trying out interesting things like dipping his ears and hair. He likes the tummy tub which is great if for standing up in and sort of folding into a little ball in.