life lately - 10 things to talk about

I've been really behind with writing this blog but I've realised just why I do it. This week I thought it had been a quiet week with not much going on. But really when I looked back I realised that I just had a couple of chilled days, that's all! Here's a list of what I've been up to, because sometimes writing is too much, but the reminder is worth it. And because I like lists of 10.

1. The week started with a bank holiday BBQ. We had a bunch of Adi's mates over for a house-warming. There were 8 couples and 10 kids between us which was quite a feat, but luckily the rain held off until everyone was well fed.

Some lessons:

- Do buy a mini-bouncy castle - our friends brought theirs over which was a huge hit and kept all of the kids occupied all afternoon

- Don't put the bbq by the back doors 

- Do sort the back door so that the step isn't so high 

- Do double and triple check that the dishwasher isn't working before hand washing all dishes 

- Don't buy enough food to feed a small army

- Do accept Sam's offer to man the BBQ 

- Do get mum to make pavlova bases 

- Don't worry about stocking up on alcohol - friends with kids don't drink as much

2. Mum and Layla came up to babysit so that me and Adi could have our first date night since Hugo was born. We went to Xscape to play adventure golf and have cocktails. It was so, so lovely! We plan to have a date night each month.

3. My good friend Eve was travelling back to London via Leeds so I finally met her boyfriend over lunch at Trinity Kitchen. We laid Hugo out on the table so that he could have a kick about and had a good catch up. Her new (or not so new) man is lovely - a good smile makes all the difference!

4. Desperate Housewives has consumed my life! It's been 10 years since I studied it for my media ALevel and I never finished all 8 series. I'm almost done - thanks to Netflix for saving the day after it was taken down from sky.

5. My Zumba DVD was put into action and I occupied Hugo with a 45 minute workout. It was the first exercise since Hugo's birth and really it had been a long time before then that I was active.

6. I re-logged on to myfitnesspal to start watching what I eat. It's going to be a slow process but it felt good to regain control.

7. I drove over to where Adi's brother was playing cricket to see his family on Saturday because we couldn't get over together this weekend. I love spending time with Thomas and I can't help but use him as a basis of what I can expect from Hugo in a couple of years time!

8. I popped in to our friends Sean and Karina as they live in the same town as the cricket. It's so good to be able to do that now and gradually see more of people. Their new garden is ace and made me want to crack on with ours!

9. Mum met me at Rothwell Table Tots sale on the way home from picking up an ebay purchase - surprise surprise! Mum bought a buggy to have at hers and we filled it with lots of bargains! 

10. I spent Sunday afternoon clearing out the shed and Adi did some weeding on the front lawn. I'm gradually re-organising the house now that we've lived here for a few months and know how the house works for us. It feels so good to declutter and give everything a home.

(26th May - 1st June)

life lately - a week of lazy days and lovely lunches

Lazy days:

I came home on Monday just before Adi got home from work. He was SO happy to see Hugo and had lots and lots of cuddles!

The rest of the week was thankfully pretty chilled and the sun was shining! We pottered in the garden thinking about what we were going to do to it, went on a couple of walks around the village and focused on a routine for Hugo. I wish we had the money this year to update the garden, but we're starting to think about what we can do now in preparation for next year when we'd like to put some decking down. So far it's mainly been thinking rather than doing, so it could be a while before there is anything to update on! 

On Friday I realised that I hadn't really done much that week, I needed a week like that after so much going on, but I thought it was about time to make plans locally, to fill my days with Hugo now that everything had settled down. I contacted a couple of the girls from NCT and sorted meet ups for the following week. 

Lovely lunches: 

On Tuesday we went for lunch with Adi's parents, bro, sis in law and nephew. I felt bad that I'd taken Hugo down to my family for the entire weekend, but as all of the Pauley boys had worked over the bank holiday, they all had the Tuesday off work which worked out really well. It was a shame it was raining as we would have liked to venture further afield, but you can't beat good pub grub.

Our weekend activities deserved posts of their own, so here's the links. On Saturday I headed into Leeds to the wonderful Trinity Kitchen. While I was out I printed some photos of Hugo for my grandparents anniversary present, which I have to them at their celebratory meal the following day.  Narrowing down pics of Hugo wasn't an easy task, I've probably taken well over 1,000 in five weeks, on top of the amazing photos that Sam took!

A couple of nappy nightmares: 

We had a few incidents this week. At the meal Hugo weed on the table and later that day he pooed in the bath! It's a good job I'm not squeamish!

(21st - 27th April)

discovering Yorkshire - Trinity Kitchen, Leeds

Today I met up with an old friend from cinema days and his gorgeous other half. I realised that it's been five years since living in Leeds for uni and the city has completely changed. They suggested meeting at Trinity Kitchen in the new Trinity centre.

I loved it! It reminded me of the Spitalfields food court crossed with the food courts in the Westfield Shopping Centres. The ceiling is like a warehouse, with lots of different lighting hanging down, each food station is vastly different, with shabby huts, vehicles and open stations where you can see the food being prepared. The seating is also varied and it was jam packed so finding a seat was the first task.

The next task was choosing from the vast array of cuisine. There is Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian and British, American and Italian staples to name but a few. There is also a bar, coffee and baked goods. I went with a hotdog and fries - next time I promise to be more adventurous! 

One of the best discoveries was the feeding station, complete with sink, bottle warner and microwave. The toilets also have a changing room and even a chill out room! I'll definitely be using these when out and about in Leeds, even if I don't plan to eat, as it's open for anyone. (I'm sure I can always manage a chocolate brownie if needs be - tried and tested!)

Aside from Trinity Kitchen, the Trinity centre also has most high street shops that you need, great lift access (important when with a pram!), restaurants, bars and the Everyman cinema. It's therefore going to be a great place to visit anytime of day. 

I'm planning to take Adi for our first date night post Hugo. I may even treat us to the cinema - a novelty after seven years of free tickets!