Oooooo October.

So October was a pretty crazy month for me, having both good and bad moments. This post will just focus on the good, because I want to always remind myself that there is something positive going on. Due to the craziness it meant that I got a little behind with blogging so I apologise in advance if this post doesn't make much sense, as I am trying to remember everything I did, which is a bigger task than you may think. But I will try my best.

The first week of October wasn't actually that exciting and was mainly just trying to sort things for the upcoming move. So there was a lot of packing, on day one and then chilling in the evening with Dean and Nora watching Waterloo Road (which is essentially most of the evenings this month unless I state otherwise). Day two was a travel to the new flat to wait for someone to come and reinstate the gas. So most of the morning was spent trying to entertain Nora in an empty room. I'd say I did pretty well, and she showed off her physical capabilities. Finally the guy turned up and was able to get the heating working. However, he then had issues with the hot water, and even called a co-worker to help, it didn't, and he said he would return the next day.  Therefore, Nora and I had more time in the flat, this time they arrived a bit earlier. And it was a complication of weird parts but eventually the hot water began to work as well. WOO. This day was also interesting because a neighbouring cat broke into the flat by jumping through a window I had open to talk to my mum, who had come to drive Nora and I back home. He was a very cute cat that I have named Cornelius. We'll ignore the fact

my mum is fairly certain it's a girl cat.. Friday was a fun afternoon out with my sister, as we went shopping around the city, and Nora continued her obsessions with mobile phones by abducting Hariette's. Then that evening Dean and I went on a fun Tesco Shop so he could get some food for his stay this weekend, I remember going down the toy isle and seeing someone had placed a spooky Halloween mask on a Peppa Pig toy. It was pretty funny. Saturday was pretty much just a chilled day, but the team went on a little late night walk, which are always amusing because Nora makes the cutest little faces on these.

Sunday was again rather chilled, but the evening was very nice as Dean took us on a little date to Chiquitos as he has never experienced the delightful food there. I remember this evening quite well. We arrived and sat on one of the cool mosaic tables, and was able to watch all the drama unfold by the kitchen as various types of takeaway drivers would turn up and wait a century for there food order. Some of them would just walk off without even getting it. I also remember taking one of the Sombreros from the stand and letting Nora explore it. She looked very cute when I put it on her head, even if it was very big for her. Unfortunately the food was a bit of a let down. Not because it wasn't delicious, but they had decreased the size of their enchiladas!!! I felt bad for Dean as I had bigged this place up so much. I still had a lovely time though, and I hope he did as well. Monday 7th was pretty boring, as I was just trying to sort flat stuff again. However, my electricity then turned off, so I had to take Nora on a spontaneous walk to Londis to top up the key. She made the funniest faces at the trees. Next day was pretty similar, but also had a Health Visit for Nora, where we mainly discussed weaning. Turns out it is a lot different to what I thought, as it is just about exploring tastes and textures and wouldn't actually replace her milk feeds until she is closer to a year old. Which is a long way a way. Well not that much considering she is almost 4 months old at this point. On the Thursday my mum said about taking Nora and myself to go and see her friend Jane. I like going to Jane's as she is like an Auntie to me. Nora was exceptionally cute round there as well. She enjoys the attention. After this my mum asked if I wanted to go anywhere for lunch, so I

suggested Pizza Hut, and away we went. It was really nice and at one point Nora tried taking my cup of Pepsi Max, and it genuinely looked like she was going to drink out of it. Whilst there Hariette messaged saying that she didn't have her key so she was locked out after coming home from work, and because we were in the middle of eating I suggested that Hal met us. So we waited for her arrival, and she had some cuddles with Nora, and offered her some garlic bread which I'm certain Nora would have just taken. Then we had dessert (yumm, cookie dough) and headed home.

I saw mum and Hariette again on Friday as we had planned to get our haircut at the wonderful time of 6pm. But first mum came over to help me move a few of the smaller items to the new flat, as I had called people about hiring a van the next day. Once that was done she took us back to Horsford to hang out at the house until it was time for the haircut,  I was hoping to see Sebbles, but he had other ideas. Most of the time at the hairdressers was spent trying to take photo's of Nora in front of the Instagram wall. I was pretty happy with my haircut, went shorter which I find easier to maintain. Saturday was an exciting day as this was the official move. So once Dean and I had woken up, we made a start on preparing the items that were going to be put in the van, so Dean carefully dismantled the bed, and I took legs off the sofa and unpacked and unplugged the fridge freezer. The driver of the van was super friendly and we managed to get all the stuff moved within an hour which was pretty good. The family then came round to try and help assemble the furniture. So now I had officially moved! Only downside was that there was no internet until the 21st which was another reason as to why I was so delayed with blog posts and things. But Dean and I had managed to download episodes of Waterloo Road, so we were saved!!! Skipping to Monday 14th

when mum came to visit, bringing Nora some cool new toys. Then she dropped me back at the old flat so that I could clean it now I had moved out. I didn't do the best of jobs, because it's tough cleaning when you have a tiny baby. The next couple days were pretty chilled, until Wednesday evening when Dean offered to help clean the old flat some more when he had finished work. I mean I think the main reason he offered was so he could treat himself to ice cream from Sundaes Gelato. It was good ice cream to be fair.

Thursday 17th was pretty good. It began a little morbid as I had to relive a bunch of stuff as part of my wellbeing call, but the positive from that is there is going to be progress in my mood hopefully. After having lunch, I then decided to test walking into the city as there was a couple of jobs I needed to do. First was going to the library, and I read Nora some books. Then she took a nap as I went into boots to print some photographs as part of my Nannie and Granddad's birthday presents, and once that was finished we headed down to riverside to meet my friends. Which was much needed. First I went into spoons, as I was cold and needed a place to feed Nora, and this then became the meeting place for the group. First Maddy appeared, shortly followed by a confused Amy, who despite staring straight at me couldn't see us, then Emma, followed by Paige and eventually Siobhan. So we all had a little catch up here before deciding on going to grab food at Frankie and Benny's where I discovered that once again a restaurant has decided to get rid of my favourite vegetarian option. But I still had a really good time, it was fun watching Emma interact with Nora, considering Emma has been off in America most of Nora's life. She was singing her these weird songs she learnt whilst over there (Siobhan and I were amused by the actions for foreign car) and Emma also wanted to read all the different library books I had collected for Nora. On the Friday I decided to meet up with Hariette in the city as she was travelling home from London, so we did our usual shopping around. I then took the bus home with her, because the heavens opened up and it began to piss it down. I also experienced how unhelpful some people are when you are trying to get a

pushchair on or off the bus. The weekend was just pretty chilled staying at the flat with Nora and Dean. Which sounds so simple, but it is one of my favourite things to do. On the Monday, Mum wanted to come see Nora, and it was Hal's day off so we ventured into Riverside for a Nando's meal and a little bit of shopping at Morrisons/B&M, where I got a couple of items for the flat, and some things to get me excited for the approaching Halloween.

On the 22nd, I had to stay in as I had an appointment with my Perinatal Mental Health Worker. This was a good meeting as she said she was pleased with my progress and we sorted out me being discharged. Not long after this I also had a guy come to check that everything is working fine with the gas, so it was a pretty uneventful day really. But the next couple of days would make up for that because we were approaching my Nannie's Birthday. So the Wednesday Mum, Hal, Nannie, Nora and I all went to the Castle Carvery for a little celebration, and we gave Nannie her present (it was this family tree style photo thing, and she loved the pictures of Nora), also got to enjoy a delicious carvery. After parting ways, mum took us for a quick shop around Roys, where we got Nora this cute little push along monster car, she really enjoys playing with the fake string hair it has. The Next day Nannie came to collect Nora and myself from the flat and took us to her house. Here she had a whole houseful of family members to celebrate her birthday. Nora enjoyed the mass of attention she got. She was also trying to support herself sitting whilst looking at building blocks her second cousin was passing to her. Friday 25th Mum and Dad came for a visit to

try and help me sort out a cooker and a washing machine, we didn't really have much luck, but Nora was being cute giving them hugs and kisses so that made it all okay.  Another weekend, another chilled time with Dean and Nora, but it wasn't completely chilled as Dean decided he wanted a McDonald's for breakfast, so I ceased this opportunity to go to ASDA and get some Wellies as winter is coming.

Sunday was a little different however as at 1pm a car containing Amy, Paige and Emma came to pick Nora and myself up so we could go and collect pumpkins! I remember pumpkin picking with the group last year and it was a really nice time (distracted me perfectly from the drama that was going on) it was also the time I first told Emma I was pregnant, so to go back a year later with that baby was really good. So we managed to get to the place (despite Amy getting confused on a round-about going around it 3 times) and waited there for Siobhan her sister and nephew to arrive. Whilst we waited we took some pretty cute pictures at the booths. I was disappointed that the tractor had gone though. Once everyone had arrived we headed onto the field, which was cold, but not as wet as I thought it would be, and everyone went straight into choosing pumpkins. I got 3 because they were pretty cheap, besides it was Nora's first Halloween I had to go all out. After we got the pumpkins, we decided to carve them at mine (so this meant a panic run to ASDA to get the right equipment) but safely at mine we all started carving and listening to Emma's Halloween Soundtrack. It was a really nice time, and I was very pleased with everyone's creations. I don't think I really did much on the Monday because Nora and I were all funned out. So we shall skip to the 29th when mum decided she wanted to go in Smyth's Toy store. Oh my god that place is incredible. When I go in places like that I like to think about the Al's Toy Barn scene from Toy Story 2. We got Nora some toys, and a new cot mattress, as she is getting too big for her Moses basket :'( After this we went to the Copper Beach for a little carvery. The next day was a crafty day, as I was making cute Halloween decorations with Nora. I really wanted this Halloween to be special, because last year I went through one of the toughest days of my life so I wanted to replace that memory with some great ones. And I got some really nice ones. So first I got Nora kitted out in a kitten onesie, and

even painted whiskers on my face to join in with the fun, and we headed into the city so I could get some cat ears from Beaujangles to complete the look. When then had a quick stop at the library to get some new books before heading to the doctors as Nora had a spooky injection. She was really smiley and happy until the needle went in her leg. But after a cuddle she was back to her usual self and was happy for her Auntie and Nanny to come visit. After that Dean came round, like he usually does, and we all decorated these gingerbread pumpkins. Super cute!

So that was my crazyish October, and I'm sorry it probably made no sense, but I try and write these around looking after a baby so please forgive me. To be fair I doubt anyone really cares, I mainly just write these for myself to look back on and be like, oh yeah I remember that day... Anyway... See you when I see you!