Preparing for the biggest move of our life

Ok so I finally have time and a clear head to update!

DD's birthday was brilliant, it was a school day but we had visits both weekend either sides so it seemed to go on forever.

DD had the present of her life for her birthday, although he wasn't actually ready to collect until the following week. We now have a new addition to our family! He is beautiful, and gentle and just lovely. Its as though DD has gained a 4 year old brother over night, I've never seen her have so much fun

Mr T (our puppy) did wipe out my savings as I had to pay a pet deposit to my landlord. The intention was to be perhaps over Easter or Summer, but a friend had some unplanned pups and well once I met him I just couldn't walk away.

He has settled in very well, is a perfect mix of hyper play for DD and long snoozes together. I have been coming home on my lunch breaks and have given my neighbour a spare key in case of emergencies. Ive only actually been at work a few days since having him as I had saved some annual leave.

Weirdly, I have slept a lot better since he has arrived perhaps because I am so tired with the 6am garden playtimes?!

Even better, since he has arrived DD's imaginary brothers / sisters have disappeared! It was becoming a real concern, the teachers wanted her to see a support worker after she convinced them she did have a little sister at home. I always thought she had a very good imagination, so have never been too bothered but the teachers said it was becoming a part of every day life, she would discuss them at every opportunity in the class room and they were concerned it would lead to bullying.

About a week later I was told about Mr T and the rest is history!

Its only been a couple of weeks he has brought so much joy to our house!

Now however I have got to quickly get back on track, I'm re-signing tenancy for 1 year - and will be looking to continue until I'm ready to buy - my target is 2019.
In that first year I need to save enough should the landlord sell and I need to find something else - though they have assured me they are not looking to sell yet and were keen to know how long I would stay. I honestly could not afford to buy whilst I am paying out so much in childcare, so it kind of rules me out for the next 3 years at least hence the 2019 target!

DD was quite poorly over Christmas with the flu - started Christmas eve - today is the first day that she hasn't needed medicine for her temperature. It was pretty violent at night, at one point she was stripped, had had calpol and nurofen and it still stayed at 40 / 104. I thought I was going to have to take her to hospital but she was sobbing that father Christmas wouldn't come.

Eventually we managed to break the fever at least for long enough for a few hours sleep.

Back to work tomorrow for 2 days then we are off for 5 days.

Looking forward to taking Mr T for a little walk in the forest next weekend, we are very lucky to be surrounded so no shortage of walks around here!

Thank you all

I think it was definitely loneliness. I'm not the most exciting parent in the world, and whilst she has lots of friends over when they do go the house is very quiet.

Would you believe I started writing this message the day before yesterday in response to MT as I was home early after being called to collect DD. Her viral / cold suddenly started coming out at the holiday club, running eyes streaming nose although her temperature was gone she really wasn't right.

A good night sleep sorted that and she was well enough for her last day at the holiday club yesterday.

Anyway I must have left my laptop on sleep instead of shutting down and forgotten about it!

Yesterday I wasn't in the best mood, for the first night since he arrived Mr T woke ever 2 hours to play - despite going on his walks. I was dangerously tired at work I could have easily fallen asleep at my desk - last time I felt like that I'm sure DD was a baby!

We got back to a mess, my fault completely I had left his puppy pads within his reach (by accident) and they were all shredded all over the floor!

Anyhow today we are all in better moods having had a decent nights sleep.

Busy day today, took Mr T to meet my work colleagues, he loved the attention of course. He is a brilliant car traveller, asleep within minutes of getting in!

I then took some things to the dump that had been building up in conservatory, an old rug, broken parasol etc.
Then onto food shop, we chose Morrisons today, I was quite surprised at the reasonable prices.

I know I have overspent this month mainly with vet fees and puppy treats / toys. Not enough to go over drawn, but lower than my 'safety net'

Still, tomorrow is a new month. I can start again!

Nothing planned for tonight, tv, cuddles and snacks - not sure we will make it to midnight though!

I hope you all have a fantastic evening / weekend, Happy new year to you all!

We had a chilled evening. Mr T & DD were asleep on the sofa by 9pm.

I managed to stay up. I tried to crash on the sofa but with the two fidgets I just couldn't manage it.

I also managed to witness Mr T's poop schedule due to being on the sofa, he was really good and nudged me each time he wanted to go, roughly around 9pm, then 11pm then 2am. I normally go to bed around 10.30 and in the morning always 2 surprises on the puppy pad - he doesn't always wake me to go out so I leave one in the bathroom, his bed is right outside - ie next to my room.

Im not sure if its the food causing the constant poops - its literally around 8 / 9 times a day. He will eat around 6am-7am then 12-1pm then 5-6. After this point I take away the food, conscious that it takes him round 4-5 hours to process it - though now it appears it takes him a lot longer.

I cant really feed him the evening food a lot earlier, I do it as soon as I get in.

Im going to be reading about a few different foods, see if I can maybe get some samples - I don't want to spend £20 a bag for it to go to waste!

We went for a walk this morning, since his walked we have met a fair few friendly dog walkers - I forgot how much I missed random chats!

Mr T loves the local park, there is a small lake surrounded by woodland which is where we go for his 15-20 minute strolls. As he gets a little older and able to cope with longer walks there are lots of other paths that have been recommended so I look forward to trying these out!

Nice little surprise in the post yesterday, £2 off a £20 shop at Sainsbury for the whole of Jan. That is actually my target (excludes dog food / personal hygiene), so if I can stick to my £20 budget I like the idea of saving £2 a week! If not, it will at least make January a little easier!

DD is upstairs listening to her little mix CD, Mr T is asleep beside me, worn out after his stroll so Im going to get reading on this dog food whilst I have time!