Happy New Year 2010

Thanks to all the readers who regularly view this site to get the updates on Joshua and Brandon. The boys would like to wish all their readers the wealthiest and healthiest 2010 and hope you enjoyed the 2009 blog updates and continue checking in on their progress. Happy New Year.

As Brandon approaches his 1st birthday in a month's time we have spent Xmas/New Year cracking on with decorating Brandon's room up in the penthouse opposite Joshie's room. One of the walls contains this amazing 8ft x 10ft nursery rhyme wall mural. Two days ago we lets the boys see it for the first time. Joshua's first reaction was "wow" followed by lots of things like "I see rabbit", "there's the moo cow", "Theres the bar bar sheep", etc.etc. This wall should provide both the boys plenty of fun learning the various nursery rhymes. How many can you spot in the picture? PS 3 blind mice is hidden behind the bean bag.

Auntie Day Out

Well Brandon had the follow-up ultrasound on his eye today and has had it confirmed that the lump is a cyst which will need removing via either needle extraction or surgery (surgeon to advise). The good news is it is not attached to his skull and is not malignant in anyway. We now have to wait a few days for the report of the ultrasound and then discuss with the doctor and surgeon the next steps.


Anyway whilst we were at Nuffield with Brandon, Joshua was off having a day out with Auntie. Clearly Joshua enjoyed himself immensely as he had a grin from ear to ear when we picked him up from the train station. Anyway for the first time ever I hand over the blog commentary to Lisa to tell you about their day out.


Eating orange on the train, he got about halfway through and then started putting his fingers through and wearing the segments as rings- he said "Lisa ring on"


First stop ice cream- well it was too cold for ice cream so we went for a ride in an ice cream van

Next for a bit of gambling check out josh's winnings in the middle

Then it was time for some serious driving

We then discovered the 2p machine which he loved although didn't grasp the concept of winning and kept saying oh no when the winnings fell through

After becoming an expert at the shooting game at Christmas it was time to move onto the next level shot em up on horse back. Josh had two goes at this with a top score of 69

This truck was great and almost did a wheelie at the start, josh loved the way it moved and bumped up and down

Then it was time for a virtual roller coaster and this crazy daredevil chose the big dipper rather than the mickey's challenge- hold on tight and buckle up

The bravery test- the electric chair, josh just sat there saying cheese...and before you ask no I did not put money in, really I'm not that cruel

After all that fun it was time for lunch, when I told josh I need a coffee he said and ice cream too , that kid knows his aunt. Unfortunately it was too cold for ice cream so Josh settled for a bacon and sausage sandwich, you will see there is no sausage in this picture as I was not quick enough with the camera. Josh did really well today, he loved the train and we looked for the boats, the sea and found Hadleigh castle whilst on the train. Not sure who had the most fun me or josh x

Christmas 2009 Part 2

Boxing day for us was as much a part of Xmas as Christmas day itself. Joshua woke up only to find out that Father Christmas must of thought he was an extra good boy this year and had delivered a 2nd lot of presents. So that the day started with the boys both opening lots and lots more presents......

Brandon getting stuck into his animal zoo set...........

Joshua playing on his new Lightning McQueen phone wearing his new Lightning McQueen sweat shirt.

Joshua has become a bit of a sharp shooter over the last few days as he is repeatedly found dragging a chair out to the hallway so that he can stand there playing duck shoot. He is actually getting pretty good now (even if he has somehow managed to break one of the ducks off). When he is not shooting the ducks he is running around the house chasing me from room to room shooting me.

And here is a real moment to treasure and one every father awaits with baited breath until their son(s) are old enough. For me I thought this moment would be a good year or two away yet. However I can gladly say I have been proven wrong and as you can see me and Joshua are sharing our first ever Father-to-son Scalextric race (and yes, I did lose).

Christmas 2009 Part 1

Well Christmas this year was absolutely top draw. Joshua has been a diamond and has been so involved in everything. Such a change from his previous two Xmas's. Brandon has not let Mummy and Daddy sleep much - maybe the little guy suffers with pre-Xmas over excitement like his Dad. Even so the little guy has thoroughly enjoyed playing with all his toys (and his bigger brothers). The picture below shows the tree on Xmas morning, as you can see just a few presents and about 90% of them for the two boys.

Joshua made a bee line straight for the big box which was hiding his new bike. Whilst ripping off the paper he was shouting "presents". Brandon just made a bee line for anything shiny that sat under the tree - but at least he got stuck in there.

As you can see even Brandon got into unwrapping presents (and then playing with the wrapping paper).

Bigger brothers are great for teaching younger brothers a trick or two. Here Joshua teaches Brandon the finer art of ripping into presents.

Uncle Michael was on-hand to assist in setting up all the toys.

Joshua absolutely loved his kitchen set and has not stopping preparing us tea for the last two days. I am getting bored with plastic toast now!!!

Checking on the turkey to make sure it is not overdone.

Uncle Michael again helping Brandon out with some unwrapping duties.

And here is Brandon with his new activity tent.

Joshua seemed to enjoy getting in on the action and playing with all Brandon's toys as well.

And here is a shot of both the boys on their new bikes. Brandon sits very well on his and loves the lights and sounds.

And here is the boys new mega block building table. As you can see all their presents seem to be on the largish size and unfortunately the house can't grow anymore to accommodate them all.

After a hectic day it was time to sit down for Brandon's first ever Xmas dinner.

To finish the Christmas blog update here is a nice picture of Joshua posing after his bath in his new dressing gown..............

..............and Brandon posing in his "My First Christmas" , "Mummy's little pudding...." sleep suit and hat.

So Joshua is now Mummy's little pumpkin and Brandon is Mummy's little pudding!

Christmas Eve

On the Eve of Brandon's first Xmas there is sooooo much to get done. I roped the boys into helping with this years giant Xmas cracker and below are a few shots of them attaching the stickers to the main body of the cracker.

Brandon seemed to be more interested in posing for the camera than helping his Dad and Brother.

Eventually he decided to get his hands dirty and join in.

The end result was well worth it and I think we have exceeded previous years efforts with this stunning looking cracker filled with sweets and presents. Roll on Xmas.

After sprinkling the front lawn with magic dust (so that the reindeer's could find their way to our house), Joshua had one other special task tonight. To prepare Santa and Rudolph's drink and munchies. Brandon did join in for this activity but only because he smelt food, whilst me and Joshua prepared Santa's plate the little guy decided to start chomping into the mince pie!!!

Notice the mince pie has vanished from Santa's plate and little Brandon appears to be stuffing his face!!!! Joshua is concentrating hard on puring Santa's very special drink (a can of Guinness!).

With a carrot for the reindeer the plate was ready to be left by the door.

Finally we hung our magic key on the front door so that Santa can let himself in. Then it was off for the final sleep before Brandon's first ever Xmas.

Dry by day, dry by night.

Joshuas potty training goes from strength to strength and all last night and today he has stayed "dry". Even the nursery have now commented that when we take him back after Xmas he will be ready for proper pants and not the pull-up nappies he is currently in. Whilst I am talking of Joshua - for the first time tonight the cheeky bugger took off his pyjamas whilst in bed and through them on the floor!!!! Then went back to sleep with just his nappy on.

Brandon is still doing well. One thing you might have noticed with Brandon is that he does like his muslin squares as a comforter and it is not uncommon to see pictures like this. Funny as Joshua never really had a comforter of any sort.


Brandon's walking gets braver and braver by the day. With his walker he can pretty much get all around downstairs now. He can pull himself up onto his feet and on the odd occasion lets go and tries to walk off (unsuccessfully). But as you can see from below he absolutely loves being on his feet.

Today we wrapped up all the boys presents for Father Christmas to collect and they have been seriously spoilt. The loft conversion was spot on as we will need all the space we can get!