Brighton Marathon

It was hard to tell who had it the hardest - Steve running 26.2 miles or Karen looking after two children in the crowds.

At least the girls got to relax in a cafe at one point...

...and judging by how pale Steve looked at the end I think he edged it!

The New Forest

Some days the Forest is perfect for walking....

Michael Jay

For anyone who remembers the (rather unique) entertainment at our wedding and is looking for either singing lessons or booking entertainment themselves, Steve's uncle now has his own website...

http://michaeljay.brinkster.net/home.aspx

Obviously we can thoroughly recommend him!

Harrassed Mum

It has been a while since I have posted. I seem to be so busy all of the time with two children and a husband to look after. Today, like everyday I set myself some tasks to do. Whilst Poppy was at nursery school I was to clean the carpet in the hall with the borrowed carpet cleaner and also to put an the oven a casserole. After taking Poppy to nursery Maisie wanted feeding. It was after 10am before I even thought about cleaning the carpet. Unforutnately I did not know how to use the cleaner. After trying it for a while I realised I had not connected it properly so I tried again. Still the carpet did not appear to be wet although there was some dirty water in the correct part of the machine. I then gave up. Maisie meanwhile had got fed up of playing in her playmat and was crying. I decided I had to press on and start dinner for the evening. Managed to get it in the oven and it was almost time to collect Poppy from nursery.

Maisie slept for all of ten minutes and woke as soon as we got back home. Poppy was demanding milk and something to eat. I realised Maisie needed feeding again and I needed to eat too. After two ounces of a bottle Maisie did a big poo. I started to change her and discovered it had leaked onto her bodysuit - great. Then after I had changed her and put the changing mat away I saw poo on the carpet as I had not placed Maisie properly on the changing mat. Another thing to clean up.

The phone rang as Poppy was having a strop on the carpet. I decided to read Poppy (and Maisie) the story book she had got from nursery. The phone rang again, eventually I finished reading the story and tried to get Maisie to sleep, put her in her cot. Poppy wanted to read the story again. I thought it was be better if the tv was turned off - she then got rather annoyed about this. I read her the story, she fell asleep and Maisie woke up.

Will I ever get to rest?! Maisie is now asleep as is Poppy. There is lots to do but I cannot be bothered.

Our girls

Poppy aged 3 years and Maisie 6 weeks.

Thank you

to everyone who sponsored Steve for his run, sorry we have not thanked everyone personally who has donated. Steve raised £372 which is being matched by Barclays and given to the Muir Maxwell Trust. Of course his online page is still open if you wish to sponsor him. Steve has entered the New Forest half marathon so will be in training for the next few months and has said that the sponsorship will cover this event as well as the Exbury 10k.

Unfortunately, Poppy's epilepsy is still not under control. She is due to start a new medication later today which will increase and then she will come off the one she is currently on. The next few months will be telling on whether it is working or not. As you can imagine we are hoping this drug is the one for her.

On a more positive note despite of her epilepsy she is at the right stage in her development for a child of 2 years and 9 months. She is speaking more by the day and generally a confident, cheeky and fun little girl adored by those that know her. She loves to question "why" at everything and is besotted by babies. Lets hope that continues when she has a little brother or sister.

Exbury 10k

What a nice day for a run - the 10k was great and included a nice stretch along the sea front at Lepe. Anyway I did it in about 51.06 which isn't too bad. The day turned out to be more like a marathon though when you consider all the chasing Poppy around the gardens that I had to do afterwards!!!