Every marketers dream

I am a minimalist. Brendon is a collector. There are collectors on both sides of the family in the different generations. The other day Owen and Brendon were scratching around in Brendons bedside draw and pulled out 2 travel torches. The light from the first torch on the curtains entertained Owen. Then the second torch came out. Now this one had a button which let out a high pitched wail. The dialogue was as follows:

Wendy: What is that?

Brendon: It is a smoke detector built into the torch?

Wendy: (trying to contain myself) If the house was burning down what would be the point of using the torch? Surely one would know it was on fire, we have smoke detectors on each floor?

Brendon: No, you see this if for when I am in a hotel and there are no smoke detectors.

Wendy: Oh, and how come it has never moved out of the drawer into your travel bag?

Conclusion: Brendon is every Chinese businessmans marketing dream.

Example 2. Wendy and Owen (together) own 1 red hardcase suitcase. Brendon owns 8 pieces of luggage.

Example 3.............

Anyway, the house is now bulging at the seams and I am hoping Owen follows my ability to function with less than the amount of "gwell" Brendon needs otherwise we need to start house hunting!

Fun times with The Daddy

Owen loves his time with Brendon. Brendon horses around with him like a little boy himself. Owen really enjoys being throw about and rough and tumbling. Adrenalin junky in the making. They still have their Saturdays together which is a great time for their bonding. I can't help butting in but try to stay in my study hock for the day and come out only to eat and have a cup of tea. Soon summer will be here and the days will be more enjoyable doing outside activities.

The New Rules

Two new rules have been implemented in the Morris household:
1. Do not eat adult size portion of cereal near the valued New Zealand Wool Rug
2. Do not use expensive Dysan vacuum cleaner as a wet and dry version

Every morning Owen has his breakfast and then ceremoniously shares my breakfast too. This one particular morning Owen and my favourite childrens tv programme was on, BBC's Big Cook Little Cook, and so our focus was not on the bowl nor the contents. At a certain moment Owen had his hand on the bowl and tripped over my foot, whilst his eyes were glued to the tv. Contents went from bowl to rug and the remenants landed on Owen and I. I surveyed the disaster zone and in 30 seconds was carrying out the rescue plan. First I had to put Owen is the "danger zone" (on the wrong side of the stair gate) as he wanted to rub the contents into the carpet. I had to protect the Rug from the Destroyer. Next I had to derobe and whisk Owen off to have a change and a convenient top and tail. Bits of pronutro and rice crispies were evident of our path up to the 2nd floor. I left the rug to absorb my breakfast whilst I ran through the recovery strategy in my head. Vola, I had the solution. The Dysan vacuum cleaner. Now I knew that the Dysan was not intended for purposes such as this but I have a strong bond to my rug and I didn't want to see it heading off to Belgium for a clean. That mean't a bear floor for a week and Eur 58 later. So once Owen and I were taken care of I set to work on the Rug. The Dysan worked like a charm. I emptied the contents and wiped the inside of the container. Job well done. Until the next morning! Brendon put the vaccuum cleaner on and then switched it off. "Check Owens bum, I think he has poohed" he said. I checked. No pooh. Mmm, the vacuum cleaner. Needless to say every item of the vacuum cleaner had to be removed and washed. The Dysan has not been the same since.

Another antibiotic!

A friend and I met at Ikea the other day for a coffee and a chat. There is a small area that the children can run around in. Perfect as a distraction for both Owen and I. Owen had a terrible time. He was coughing continuously and falling all over the place. He couldn't stand on his own two feet. Parents were looking at me strangely and I felt very defensive. Owen and I always seem to be at the doctor for this cough but nothing helps. So I got home and again made an appointment for the next day. I discussed all his symptoms again and the balance issue and the fact that he is just unwell a lot of the time. She had a look at him and said that he had an ear infection (so he got another antibiotic) and that he should have blood taken to check for food allergies. He was also given another round of ventolin and flexotide for breathing difficulties. We immediately scheduled an appointment for 3 weeks time to discuss a visit to the paediatrician based on the test results and use of the respiratory meds. After 5 days the tests came back and all was fine there. Thank goodness. Imagine what a rigmarol it would be to always have to check if an ingredient is in a product! But Owen still had the cough. That Wednesday we prayed at the house group for Owens cough. Since then he has not coughed like he used to. Praise God. He has even started to sleep the whole night through. Not regularly but more often. I was so surprised the one morning I got up at 5am to check if he was still alive. We are thrilled. We have better sleeps and Owen is a happier little boy.

Growning in leaps and bounds

This week I have seen the greatest progress in Owens development. He has learn't (by himself)to post shapes into his car and walker by colour coordination and as well as shape. It has been truely amazing. He doesn't need mommy anymore for that! He also thought that I was feeding him yoghurt too slowly and promptly took the spoon and started feeding himself. I did have to hold the container though.

It is getting warmer and Owen is an outdoors enthusiast. He loves playing with the plants and eating the sand in the garden. Brendon and him visited the animal farm while I had Wendy-time at the gym. They had much fun and when they came to fetch me Owen was sporting a grazed nose from his ventures in the carpark.

Tuesdays are still going well with Owens sitter, Elena. She is a real blessing and loves spending time with him and helping me out. A real God send for this year. Owen loves his time with her.