Since I last blogged, we've finally moved house, and we're all gradually settling in to life in Oxfordshire. Nathan's had his first birthday, started nursery, and I've returned to work 3 short days a week, so I guess you could say we've been busy!
Nathan's now just over 13 months old, and is still a lovely little boy with a winning smile and lots of reddish hair (which we really ought to trim at some point!). He's really settled in fine to the new house, and loves playing in the garden. He's also become quite a fan of Bagpuss, thanks to Uncle Dan's generosity, and he demands that we put it on the telly as often as possible. He's really starting to change from baby to boy, picking up cars and helicopters and pushing them along the floor making noises (not quite as intelligable as "brum brum" but it's an imitation of the sorts of noises James and I make whenever we play with him!). He's also very good at understanding what we mean, so if I ask him to pick up a CD and put it on the shelf, he will attempt to do so. He'll get frustrated if the CD doesn't go on the shelf quite the way he wants it to go (if other CDs are in the way, etc), but it's all part of the learning process. This last week he's been shaking off a cold then dealing with some painful teething aches - he's got 8 teeth visible now, but it looks like there's more on the way.
I've started back at work this week, and I've definitely got mixed feelings about it. Nathan does seem to enjoy being at nursery, but he definitely misses me while I'm away. He'll gradually get used to it, I guess (this is only his second day), but it's very hard to walk away when he starts to cry. Being back at work is strange - in many ways it's like I never left, but there's been quite a few changes while I was gone. Many people have left, some have joined, and my desk is now occupied by someone else, but at least I can come back to work. It's good to have the opportunity to come back to work on a flexible part time basis. I'm currently spending my time updating my system, installing some new versions of software, and even considering putting Vista on the laptop while I try to learn all I can about Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS).
The location of the new house has turned out to be pretty good for almost everything. James is now able to get to work in around 45 mins, which is a huge improvement. There is a local organic food shop, Arujo Organics literally a few doors down the road, which sells all sorts of fantastic food and home products (lots of fairtrade chocolate and even a dairy-free chocolate spread that is absolutely gorgeous!), and even nappies that are 100% biodegradable. We've subscribed to the veg box and fruit bag services, so every week we get a box with all sorts of locally grown veggies and fairtrade fruits. It's way more fun to see real carrots with knobbly bits and bendy bits, and they taste fantastic. The variety of veggies is great, and if you get stuck for recipes, there's always the vegbox-recipes site. And then there's the local village shop, which sells excellent local meat. These two together are making it much easier for me to avoid having to go to Sainsburys too often, and the walk to the local shop is good exercise!