Have I become a social anorak?

A recent article in the Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/is-it-a-diary-is-it-an-ad-no-its-a-mummy-blog-1776163.html) hints that MPLST, and myself to a degree, may be bored or even worse, slightly boring. At the risk of alienating huge sections of my army of readers, I really mean it when I say if you don't like my blog, don't bloody read it!

I'm going to get all defensive now and make excuses for forcing my ramblings on the world at large.

I mentioned once that I don't do social networking sites. I don't want to share my life with everyone who knows me, or once knew me even. I have nothing against these sites if that's your cup of tea, they're not all bad. In the last month or so I have even logged on to my wife's Facebook account so that I can view family pictures in other parts of the world (and witnessed some quality bitching too Sharah!) That's about all it's good for though in my humble opinion. It seems I don't mind sharing my life with the whole world by stealth though - and that is the difference.

MPLST and I blog for different reasons I think. I started blogging because it once was a way of passing away long nightshifts at work which involved using the internet and NOT spending money at the same time. I blether about things in general that MPLST and I don't always find time to blether about. I rant because I can, and the blog gives friends and family the chance to keep up with the boys/us if they really want to.

MPLST, on the other hand, blogs partly by way of keeping a diary of milestones and events because that's what she does. If she had time, I'm sure she'd still write a diary every day. But her blog also keeps me more connected to what's going on at home. The fact she can combine it with her passion for photography means I get to see appreciate her efforts when I'm at work, and she can do something she enjoys at the same time.

I don't have a desire to attract consumer freebies - though I can't promise the wife won't try for some after reading that article! (She does love a good freebie). I never even knew there were forums for this apparent "burgeoning community!" I certainly don't think I'm the wittiest man alive - if I was, I wouldn't have a 360 degree view of the horizon 14 days every month.

I think I know most of the people who read my blog, they even admit to enjoying it and often mention it when we talk - and so I'll keep writing it. Boring or not! Auntie Pops for example, doesn't yet have the child bearing hips she'd like to (fine pins though ;-) I find the occasional compliment to ones most avid reader maintains their interest) yet. She is clucking like an auld hen though and I think secretly just wants to know what's life is really going to be like after her wedding. Other readers are just interested in the boys from a distance. I'm sure because they can read from work also encourages their interest. Let's face it, web surfing is much more fun when you are being paid to do it.

But really, as a modern domesticated dad, I acknowledge that I don't have the time I once did for lifes other pleasures. Football and golf take up a disproportionate amount of time. My kids are too young to come biking with me. MPLST and I used to travel, but it's hardly practical dragging young kids around the globe. So I find myself either working or doing the daddy thing. Let's face it, oilrigs are pretty boring, so I blether about the other thing. MPLST and I have even noted that our conversation these days revolves around work or kids. Must try harder!

My own rather IT phobic mother says my blog is a lot of nonsense - such a typically Guyanese response (even if it is right). My MIL likes to keep up with the lads and us too, because despite what you may think, we talk about other things when we see her.

That explains the lack of MIL jokes and sordid sex stories too then!

Happy Birthday Wee Man

I can literally remember what I was doing this time a year ago. That's because LL was born at 2.57am, and I distinctly remember the events of the preceding few hours. I won't elaborate in case it puts the more squeamish fathers to be off the whole childbirth thing....

LL obviously won't miss me any more that he would (or wouldn't as the case may be) any other day. MPLST will be at her domestic best today though as she gets the house ship shape for the annual mother in law inspection! Think Maree from Everybody Loves Raymond.

The daddy in me should be more gutted about missing the 1st birthday milestone, but I've come to realise that it won't matter for another couple of years. BB is getting excited about his for the first time - it's his 3rd in two weeks. I still wish I was home though.

Aside from birthdays, I'm told that the combine harvester has been in the field next to our house today. Now THAT, I wish I was home for - and not just to share with BB.

Boys will be boys.

Last Day Blues

That's it! Well, almost. I'm back to work tomorrow, and that extra week I offered my services for now seems like a really stupid thing to have done. Next week LL will be one - let's see if anyone saves me some cake!

MPLST has only been back at work for 3 days - when I get home to being full time daddy, I have a feeling I'll be totally shattered after week 1. Speaking of which MPLST isn't holding back on the work front - 2 days after I get back she's sodding off to Gabon for a week. Oh the joys.

On the bright side, LL and I had some rare QT this morning when BB was at playgroup. It struck me that the two of us have had very little one on one time, which explains to some degree why he's much more of a mummy's boy that his elder brother. Not to mention we've still not had the blood test to establish that he's definitely mine.

As promised, I even managed a pic to let mum see what we've been up to. A bit of peek a boo this morning -

And later, BB showing off his prized broad bean plant which has been drowned at every opportunity. Doesn't it show!

One in a Million

As most parents will know, it is frustrating as hell when a tantrum comes for no apparent reason. It's equally frustrating that you know the said tantrum may last a couple of hours despite your efforts to stop it. And then, when they finally do snap out of it, it's like it never happened and you wonder quite what all the fuss was about.

BB, like the average 2 year old, can be a serious pain in the arse when he want to be. When it suits him, he has the mood swings of a pre menstrual woman (though admittedly he's easier to figure out).

He always, no matter what, snaps out of them at bed time. There is something about the bed routine of bath, milk, brushing teeth, story, kiss and cuddle that makes him as happy as can be. I wish I could bottle it and sell it, because not 10 minutes earlier tonight, he almost went into one - but as it always does, bedtime has been the cure. It's a pretty good feeling when he grabs me behind the ears and pulls me in for his equivalent of a bear hug. At no other point in any day, be it Xmas or birthday or after bribery of the highest order to I get a bozie that measures up to the last one of the day.

Despite all that, the tantrums seem to becoming less as we come to understand each other more. Now I just need to figure out his mother....

Give Me Strength

MPLST was at a toddler group committee meeting the other night. On her return, I asked (because I am interested in these things!) what was discussed. Answer: not a lot, but cleaning of the toys came up again.

Well you can count me out of that says I! I'm of the opinion that germs help develop healthy immune systems - within reason of course. It's not like these toys are filthy, in fact they are kept pretty damn clean - probably cleaner than the toys in my living room.

How wrong was I? This morning, whilst enjoying a cup of coffee, I was handed a pack of Flash wipes. Turns out, all the toys were getting cleaned during this session. Why is it that people need a sterile environment for kids to play in these days? So, rather than moan like the grumpy old man I really am, I played along for a little while before ignoring everyone and drinking more coffee. After all, my other half is at work - if you can't go to "mother" and toddlers and drink coffee, when else can you do it?

But it got worse. I had thought that this was just the annual declaration of war on the bugs that infest all the toys we let our kids play with, prompted by a local mum who is never without her supply of anti bacterial handwipes. But no - it's partially at least down to the dreaded Swine Flu. I heard someone saying that the soft toys couldn't be cleaned with the wipes, and so no one was to play with them until further notice. This because it was apparently along the lines of guidance that local nurseries have been given. I wanted to scream NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I think when (rather than if) the pigs get there own back for all the bacon butties we've consumed in these parts, the poor buggers who get it first will be treated like Lepers by the local community.

Isn't it....

....about time she brought home a wage??

MPLST returned to work this morning. I find myself easing myself back into the role of chief cook and bottle washer, as I only have 3 days of this on my own before I go back to work. I expect it will be a bit harder on my return but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I also expect I should post the odd pic of the boys on the blog given that's how I get to keep up when I'm not here. I don't quite have the eye she does, and I certainly can't be hooped with all the editing that she does, but I'll make some effort occasionally. Otherwise I'll do what I do best - the boring practical stuff.

Whilst I'm here, I'll share an amusing conversation between BB and mum yesterday morning. It went something like this:

Note: BB was in full morning glory as he was taking his PJ's off.

BB (smiling the innocent smile of a 2 year old boy): My willy is big Mummy.

Mum: Is it really?

BB: I like it when my willy is big.

Not really much you can say to that, is there?