Weather

I don't mind the odd day of wind and rain in fact I love cosying up inside but it sort of feels like wind and rain are the norm at the moment. Perhaps I'm noticing the weather more because getting out and about with a baby when the weather is miserable is much more of a challenge. There is more to think of such as waterproof covers, coats, extra blankets, whether it is to windy to get over to St. Marys on a boat. On the plus side it makes me want to make the most of any little bit of sunshine we do get. Last Saturday was glorious, we went on two long walks and then I took Marcus out for a third walk to watch the sun go down, it was just too nice to be inside!

The rain came back on Sunday and it has sort of been on and off all week. We still managed to get out and about here and there, meeting friends, going to a baby massage course, seeing the health visitor. Barney managed a whole day of gardening, cutting the hedge and even planting our four new fruit trees, very exciting. Marcus and I offered moral support, during the breaks in the rain of course.

Sometimes it is best just to go with the weather rather than trying to fight it. As we have started thinking about the bakery next season I took the opportunity to test a few new recipes, gingerbread and orange hearts and crumpets. Trying tasty food is definitely a perk of the job!

The most significant thing that has happened since arriving home is moving Marcus' cot into our room. He loves the space and we have often found him lying spread eagle horizontally across the mattress! But most impressive is he is now sleeping for 11 hours stretches and waking only once or twice. Goodness I'm almost starting to feel human again! Even though it is wonderful that he is sleeping and lovely to have my evenings with Barney back, I can't help but sneak upstairs to look at him every now and then because I miss him.

Such an angel (most of the time!).

Looking back and looking forward

Well 2013 certainly turned into a momentous year. Of course the most significant event was the arrival of our little boy on October 1st. Our lives have changed forever and the last 3 months have been spent learning how to take care of this precious little person and I have loved every minute. However now things have settled down I'm looking forward 2014 and to being a more relaxed and confident parent, making sure Marcus has rich and varied experiences and is generally a happy little chap.

2013 also saw a big lifestyle change for me. I went from working an 8-5 office job, to running the bakery and working with my husband along side working a few hours a week at Churchtown Farm in a new flexible job role. It is fair to say I was quite apprehensive about the bakery. It was very exciting having a new challenge and getting the business up and running how we wanted but also pretty daunting! However the season was great and I learnt so much, especially about my wonderful husband.

This year I am looking forward to developing a few new recipes and changing some things in the shop but now I know what is in store I can enjoy this process much more. Compared to last year it feels like much less pressure.

Aside from these pretty big changes, I will also remember 2013 for the glorious weather. 

It was a truly amazing summer and there really was no better place to be than St. Martin's. We also enjoyed several wonderful visits from friends and family. I so appreciate the effort people went to to come and see us.

I did manage a few crafty makes last year but not as many as I'd have liked thanks to pregnancy induced exhaustion. So to make up for it this year I am aiming to-

• Complete a crochet blanket
• Make a patchwork throw
• Learn to knit

I'll keep you posted as to how I get on!

Christmas time, mistletoe and wine

Not long after we found out I was pregnant we decided that we would take a long break to the mainland over Christmas, making the most of me being on maternity leave and the bakery being closed for the winter.

Barney and I had no idea what taking Marcus away for nearly 4 weeks was going to be like. However it turned out even better than we could have imagined.

I have taken so many photos and we have many happy memories. Our first week was spent with my family in Sidmouth. We enjoyed braving the stormy weather for walks along the seafront, wandering around town, impromptu pub lunches and getting out of the house early in the morning to enjoy breakfast in a local cafe. 

Of course most precious was time with family, mainly in front of the fire and sharing Marcus's bath time with granny and grandad. We got to introduce our little man to my old school and university friends and spent a lovely couple of days with my sister and her fiancée jaunting around Devon.

On the 22nd we headed to Shropshire to stay with my in laws. We had the most lovely Christmas with all the family. Eating lots of fantastic food, sitting in front if the fire, enjoying Christmas TV and occasionally venturing out for walks. Jo really did make it magical.

We had a big family party and Marcus got to meet the majority of Barney's family, including his second cousin who is only a few months older than him. New Year was a low key affair but it was very special for us to see in 2014 with Jo, Stuart, Tom, Ellen and Duane. It was also pretty nice not to have a hang over on January 1st for once! 

I was worried being away from home would be unsettling for Marcus. But if anything he has thrived from all of the new experiences and time with his extended family. He has been a complete star. 

Sent from my iPhone

A first time for everything

As you get older your first experiences get fewer and far between, maybe trying an exotic food or travelling somewhere new. However as a parent your 'firsts' come thick and fast, even the smallest activity having an extra significance. Of course there is the important milestones, the first smile (although this was debated!).

The first time Marcus rolled over, the first time his eyes followed one of us across the room, the first time he grabbed at something, the first time he kicked his legs in the bath, making his first cooing sounds

Then of course there are the first activities. The first pub lunch in The Mermaid.

The first picnic on the beach.

First swimming lesson, first Christmas Fayre, first afternoon tea outing to Polreath. It is amazing watching Marcus absorb all of the new sounds, people and lights when we take him somewhere different. His little furrowed brow just melts my heart.

Unfortunately not all of the firsts are that enjoyable. This week Marcus had his first injections. He is now suffering with his first cold, heartbreaking and exhausting for us all! The best cure of all being snuggles on the sofa.

Aside from all of these momentous first occasions (well momentous for Barney and I..) there have been a few lovely little things brightening my life.

I was originally going to call this post 'life is rosey' as I've been enjoying theses gorgeous yellow roses I treated myself to.

My wonderful sister also sent me this fab pamper pack the other day. It was completely out of the blue and really brightened my day! Thank you Kate x

The silver lining to the shorter days is being able to enjoy the most magical morning and evening skies. Every day is different; steely greys, mauves, watery pinks and fierce oranges. Just stunning.

However what with the lurgy hanging over our house this title didn't seem quite right. This week would have also seen us celebrating the 40th birthday of my lovely late brother in law Dan. I like to think Dan is looking down and watching Marcus's first experiences, I can picture the big smile on his face. I know for sure he would be proud of Barney for being such a fantastic dad. (And husband of course, do you know I haven't cooked a single meal since Marcus was born. Every day Barney cooks up a lovely home cooked meal without thinking anything of it. Thank you Barney x)

So now we are are preparing for Marcus's first Christmas, much more exciting for us than him! We are flying off on Thursday and I really can't wait to see everyone. But for now I have a serious amount to get organised in the next few days, the list writing has commenced! See you all in 2014!

Settling down

After an exciting and nerve wracking first three weeks as a new family followed by a couple of weeks of visitors, we are now settling down. Settling into a new type of normal now we are plus one.

Thank you cards have been written, posted to the mainland and delivered across the island. Over a hundred new baby cards have come down and the front room is looking a little bare!

But it feels like we are getting into a relaxed pattern and the days seem to be passing by very quickly. The mornings start with coffee, followed by baby smiles as it is definitely Marcus's favourite time of day.

We have small aims each day like to get the house hoovered or attacking bakery paper work. I have learnt to lower my expectations as to what I can achieve. I attempted to get my sewing machine out earlier this week but this was not to be- my plans for homemade Christmas presents have now gone out of the window!

In between these little activities we are busy undertaking important jobs like making friends.

And chilling with daddy on the sofa.

We have also been meeting with friends. Marcus is the third baby to be born in a baby boom year on St. Martin's. The fourth was born 5 hours after him, the fifth was born on Friday and the sixth is due in spring, exciting times for a small island! Marcus is very lucky to already have so many pals and it is pretty good for me too! We have had our first baby and toddler group at the new reading room and it was great fun. Marcus really loved it and soaked up all the noise and activity around him.

The weather has been a mixture of strong gales and glorious sunshine, it is the time of year where I have a woolly hat in one pocket and sunglasses in the other!

We have been meeting up with the other babies and mummies for walks and it has been great to get out for some good exercise and fresh air. In fact our walks have been too long, we haven't had time to stop for tea at the end, something that we need to rectify!

Mostly we have been learning so much about our little man.

He loves-

• Music, he concentrates so hard when it is playing and has such a funny expression.
• Light, there is nothing more interesting than our living room lamp.
• Bath time, he loves being in the water and has learnt in can kick his legs against the side.
• The bell in his stripy whale, it provides entertainment for approx. 3 mins.

He hates-

• His hat, is there anything more insulting than having a hat put on?
• Getting ready for the bath.
• Getting out of the bath.
• 5pm, not a good time of day!

A new addition to the family

Last week was the week of the McLachlans. Despite a slight set back with the weather everyone made it over to St. Martins. And it turned out being stranded on St. Marys in the Star Castle hotel presented Tom with a pretty good opportunity...

Barney and I couldn't be happier for a more lovely couple!

Ellen is already a firm part of the family but I am a believer that marriage cements relationships, not just between husband and wife but between family members. I am very excited to have a lovely sister-in-law and fellow Mrs E McLachlan!

I am sure Ellen will agree with me that the McLachlan family is a special family to be a part of.

Plus Jo needs some help with all those boys! That is slightly unfair, they all managed very well with a week full of baby and wedding talk!

We had some lovely weather when everyone was here and spent a particularly nice day on Tresco. It felt more like spring than autumn with the hydrangeas coming into flower already.

We had hoped to spot the red squirrels that have been recently released on Tresco but instead we saw this very colourful and confident pheasant!

We had lunch in the New Inn, I will always have a special affection for that pub given it's where my waters broke! We spotted this signed picture of the Culdrose navy helicopter and of course Marcus had to have his photograph taken next to it. Poor thing, he's never going to live down his arrival into this world!

Back on St. Martin's we took advantage of a low tide and some sunshine to walk across the flats, it was hard to believe it was November.

Marcus loved the week with his family. Grandma got lots of smiles, Ellen got lots of cuddles and Uncle Tom got hi-fives. But one of his favourite times was being sung to by Grandpa.

Barney and I are now desperately trying to remember the songs of our childhood to sing to the little man because he really does love it. However I don't think it will be a patch on Stuart's rendition of The Rose of Tralee!

Everyone has left now but it is less than a month until we head back to the mainland for Christmas. We can't wait for more memory making times with our families.

Against the odds

As October came to an end these gorgeous narcissi have come back into season.

Narcissi are associated with the islands as the warmer winters we have here means the season starts much earlier than on the mainland. Their heady scent takes me back to when I arrived on the island nearly five years ago to work at Churchtown Farm, a postal flower company. I still work part time at Scilly Flowers as the marketing assistant (although I'm now on maternity leave) and the novelty of having a jug of narcissi in the house still hasn't worn off!

At this time of year Barney and I usually head off on holiday and to catch up with family and friends on the mainland. However with the arrival of Marcus this year family came to see us. Last week when they were due to arrive the storms were forecast and it wasn't looking too good. But against all of the odds everyone made it. We have had the most wonderful week filled mainly with lots of baby cuddles...

Walks in the wind, rain and sun...

Sewing, Mum helped me finish off the chair cover I started nearly a year ago, such a relief it is now done!

Meanwhile Mike helped Barney build a chest of drawers and Kate baked some seriously tasty muffins for our little Halloween party.

Of course it wouldn't have been a Halloween party without a pumpkin, a joint sisterly effort!

Thank you Scotts, it's been fab!

Now for the McLachlans to arrive. So it turns out there are storms this weekend too... Against all of the odds and a rather bumpy flight Tom and Ellen made it to St. Mary's this morning. However the sea is too choppy for the crossing to St. Martin's. We have our fingers crossed they will make it over tomorrow!

(This photo doesn't do stormy weather justice but trust me I had sand blowing in my eyes!)

It's funny to think when we planned for our family to come and stay we were worried Marcus wouldn't be here yet and they would have travelled all this way to see a very grumpy pregnant person! But we needn't have worried.

Our little boy is now one month old. He has grown and changed so much. This photo was taken in hospital and it does make me a little emotional when I see it. Such a small little thing!

The main change is his strength, he can lift his head and is not far from being able to roll over. He has also found his lungs, boy can he make a noise! He also loves looking at light and every day seems to be taking more and more in. One thing is for sure, he still a real cutie.

He is also a very lucky boy to have such dedicated family travel all this way to see him.