I MADE IT!!!!!!!

Well a month has gone and my gorgeous man is back home where he belongs! He's totally shattered and is upstairs tucked into our bed sound asleep! It is so fabby to have him home, i've missed him loads!! But it's rubbish as this is just a pit-stop because he's off up to Aberdeen for a very hard course on Monday so i'll be flying solo again!! but it's just for 5 days as on Friday he's back home for another 3 weeks!!! wooooooo!!!!!

Another high point today is that I am sitting here blogging from the couch - because my beloved gave me a fantastic secret surprise today - my own Samsung Netbook!!! YAAY (so a big huuuge thank you to Mr Stenna Drilling!! who must have been feeling generous as this was a gift to all employees on Murs drillship for not being injured or killed over the last year - lol!!) Murray never told me he had it and i'm just really really thrilled he gave it to me - i seriously love getting presents and have had nothing for ages and this is just totally perfect for me and i'm totally over the moon with it!!!!! (totally!) I've got massive changes coming up in my life with so many different things happening that having this is going to make such a difference as is so easy to take around and is much smaller and lighter than my laptop!!! woop woo!!

Any way i'm actually surprised that i am sitting here in one piece blogging at all - after my crazy horrible time over the last wee while! - i am actually sitting here with a tidy house, a tan on, clean blowdryed hair, (i even got waxed!!!) i have 2 handsome sleeping boys upstairs and i'm so very, very happy!!!! My God, I made it!! - I never thought i'd actually get through it!!!! But I know i couldnt have managed a single second without my lovely special mum! My mum has been completely amazing! She's the kindest most selfless person I have ever met and I love her so much! She's been by my side contstantly and i know i can always rely on her support for everything, I am so grateful for all she does and I know i am so lucky to have a mum like i do as there are not many around! xxxx lOVE YOU SO MUCH MUM XXXX

Big Hugs xxxxxxxxxx

OMG - it's OCD!!!!!!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm officially going into hyper mode!! I'm cleaning like a demon!! I think it's because it's about the only thing I can control right now, but my house is sparkling like a new pin! And heaven help anyone who dares leave a crumb or a splash anywhere!

Although to be honest it's me that could actually do with a bit of an overhaul before Mur arrives home on Friday night aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!! I don't know where to start, I look horrific!

Anyways am away to attempt to tackle my feet and face first - although not too sure what good it'll do - but it'll probably make me feel better! A bit done each night should definately help!! lol (i feel like the forth rail bridge!!)

must dash - xxxxxx mwah xxxxxx

(ps - here's a wee cheeky pic of my gorgeous boy taken a month ago! xxx)

This one's for you Kiddo ............

Well it's been a hectic few months in the House of Hughes and poor wee joseph has hardly had a mention for ages and my goodness has he been very busy growing and learning and just being truly wonderful!

Baby Joe is the sweetest natured wee boy you could meet. He's a complete joy to be around, he's happy laid back and utterly scrummy!! He's got wit, charm, a good dose of sarcasm and a funny sense of humour!! He has the most expressive blue eyes - is a complete flirt, with a lovely smiley mouth and knows exactly what he wants! Jospeh really is just been the bestest thing that has every happened to me and I adore him.

Everything has been a complete pleasure to do with him, he's so alert and loves learning new things - and just really enjoys when you spend time with him doing even the simplest of things - he loves his feeding - apple is his favourite so far, he savours his bottles, adores his bath, always has lots of fun - laughing singing and entertaining himself in his funrock and donught! he has a fantastic time lying on his animal quilt with his play gym thingy and still loves chilling out in his bouncer everyday getting his fix of Baby TV - i know i was determined no dummy and no tv but he wanted both and loves them so much!!! - and what i hadnt bargained for was a baby with a mind of its own! lol xx

Joseph's favourite things are DOG, his GLOWWORM, BUNNY, his CRINKLY BOOKS, ZIGGY ZEBRA pram activty bar, his PLAY GYM, slumping down in his PRAM, sucking on his DUMMY and of course cuddling his MUZZY!!!

Over the last week or so not only is he trying to sit up and roll over he's determined to stand (while you hold him and support him) at any opportunity and today whilst standing he put one foot in front of the other in a walking movement!!!! Granny Mary clapped in delight and i almost wept, i was distraught ........... my god - my tiny gorgeous baby boy is getting huuuuge!!! He's like a mushroom growing in front of my eyes!

He tried commando crawling yesterday for the first time which was utterly hilarious - he was yelling, grunting, puffing and panting whilst he dragged himself along the floor trying to move his knees and crawl - it was adorable!! He was exhausted but so chuffed with himself as he lay panting in my arms afterwards following all is effort!

He found his voice last week and is really trying to speak, I just love hearing him and when i go through in the morning the smiles i get would melt your heart!! I find all this just amazing, as i'm not really a baby person but he just seems so perfect and i'm learing so much along with him and it sounds soppy but the world and the way it works feels special and clearer and new!! i'm looking at everything i've ever known or taken for granted so differently now through new fresh eyes!!

Tonight for the first time in days he's been really wild and really funny! He was wrestling, rolling about and generally flinging himself around his cot yelling, squealing and giggling, sucking in his bottom lip covering his new two little toothy bumps! while i was busy running his bath (he needs kept behind bars while i do this now, as he moves so far if he's left on the floor and i'm scared he comes outta the bathroom and falls down the stairs - a stair gate is next on my shopping list, lol!!!) after his bath, he had his favourtie supper and fell soundo, poor we man was absoloutly shattered and was dead to the world, out for the count by 8.30pm!!!

Do you know, for the first time in my life i'm looking forward to autumn - I really enjoy closing the curtains at night now as it gets dark - it kinda just feels like we are all snuggled up in our own special wee nest, nice, cosy and safe! And I can't wait for the next few weeks to come so i can get to spend more time with him, as every single second is worth everything i've been through!! But there is no competition and no descision between keeping on working in my salon or giving it all up and being at home with Joseph trying to be the bestest mummy i can be to the most amazing special little boy that i am lucky to have been blessed with!!! I thank him every single day for coming into my life as i am just so grateful and happy. xxxxx

BYE BYE BEAUTIFUL SALON

Well - what a year I am having! The high's are high and the low's are really low! I cant believe that I am actually closing my salon. It's a weird feeling and I had a complete meltdown this morning but i am on the road to recovery again now i think!

I am already feeling a lot lighter and less stressed and dare i say excited for the changes about to happen! OMG!!!!!!!!!!

But if i am honest thats the sugar coated version - as i'm just totally gutted!!

Over the next few blogs i'm gonna share some pics from years gone past of Astara and all the fun we've had!

As they say you've to reach rock bottom before getting back up and people I am seriously on my Ass so hopefully there's only one way ........!! xxxxxx