Apologies for the interruption of service, the computer has been to the doctors.
A quick format and installation and I'm back up and running.
A fairly uneventful few days to be honest, although Leo appears to be developing apace. He has mastered 'hello', 'bye', 'up' and 'down' along with 'wet' and various animal noises (on demand no less!). Of course none of this happens when I am in a position to catch him on video. A shame as he is so cute when he's talking (I know I am biased, but hey).
No doubt you have all heard about the terrible events in the Nairobi shopping mall and the heroism of the survivors and the security services.
The story which got me was posted on Facebook via the Metro.
http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/24/british-boy-4-tells-nairobi-shopping-mall-terrorist-youre-a-very-bad-man-4099859/?ITO=facebook
Thanks to (insert deity/prophet here) for children and the mercy and compassion they inspire in others.
My thoughts are with those who have been affected by this outrage.
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Thursday, 19 September 2013
What a dreary day
It's cold wet and miserable.
Thankfully I have my own ray of sunshine to see me through.
Sorry I missed you yesterday, Leo was having a very clingy day and I didn't really have any time for self indulgence. By the time I got all the chores sorted and had a shave (how simple things become a treat) he was awake again. It seemed like he had only napped for five minutes, not an hour and three quarters.
He has been his normal cheerful self this morning, and despite the leaden skies we still risked a jaunt to the park.
He didn't spend a lot of time on the swings etc, he was more interested in chasing tractors (the council were mowing).
I had to track down parkie this morning. I wondered over to the council compound and asked one of the workers if the park manager was around. Parkie wondered around the corner smiling, "I don't mind being the manager" he quipped. "You may not want to today" I commented. He looked at me quizzically.
I informed him that the spinning tyre swing in the adventure play area was covered with vomit. His face fell. "Okay, I'll sort it out, thanks for telling me" he said as he wondered off looking for a bucket. Some people are charming aren't they? As if he doesn't have enough to do, without cleaning up after people who can't keep their breakfast down.
M.d.w. called on her lunch break and Leo promptly stole the handset and wondered off chuntering to his mummy. I caught him and tried to have a conversation with m.d.w. which was difficult as Leo seemed to need to tell his mummy everything he had been up to today. M.d.w. can only get reception when she is outside the building where she works, so she was freezing, appropriately enough, outside the cryo labs.
After m.d.w. rang off to go and eat, I found Leo sitting on the bottom step of the stairs. I walked over to him and he stood up, arms raised, ready to be taken upstairs for his new favourite story 'The Gruffalo' and bed. I guess he was tired bless him.
Well lets see what tomorrow brings.
Cheerio.
Thankfully I have my own ray of sunshine to see me through.
Sorry I missed you yesterday, Leo was having a very clingy day and I didn't really have any time for self indulgence. By the time I got all the chores sorted and had a shave (how simple things become a treat) he was awake again. It seemed like he had only napped for five minutes, not an hour and three quarters.
He has been his normal cheerful self this morning, and despite the leaden skies we still risked a jaunt to the park.
He didn't spend a lot of time on the swings etc, he was more interested in chasing tractors (the council were mowing).
I had to track down parkie this morning. I wondered over to the council compound and asked one of the workers if the park manager was around. Parkie wondered around the corner smiling, "I don't mind being the manager" he quipped. "You may not want to today" I commented. He looked at me quizzically.
I informed him that the spinning tyre swing in the adventure play area was covered with vomit. His face fell. "Okay, I'll sort it out, thanks for telling me" he said as he wondered off looking for a bucket. Some people are charming aren't they? As if he doesn't have enough to do, without cleaning up after people who can't keep their breakfast down.
M.d.w. called on her lunch break and Leo promptly stole the handset and wondered off chuntering to his mummy. I caught him and tried to have a conversation with m.d.w. which was difficult as Leo seemed to need to tell his mummy everything he had been up to today. M.d.w. can only get reception when she is outside the building where she works, so she was freezing, appropriately enough, outside the cryo labs.
After m.d.w. rang off to go and eat, I found Leo sitting on the bottom step of the stairs. I walked over to him and he stood up, arms raised, ready to be taken upstairs for his new favourite story 'The Gruffalo' and bed. I guess he was tired bless him.
Well lets see what tomorrow brings.
Cheerio.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Mike Oldfield Eat Your Heart Out
Just a quickie today as there are still chores to be done, and I expect Leo to wake up in half an hour or so.
You may remember I mentioned Leo had discovered some tubular bells when we visited http://www.oxonchildrenscentres.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/micro/ChildrensCentres/Florence+Park/
Well we were back there this morning. We actually managed the full session as I managed to convince Leo to snack during the morning. I'm glad because Leo does enjoy a good sing song, and the last 15 minutes consisted of Incey Wincey Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep (none of this rainbow sheep nonsense!), Humpty Dumpty and, a new one for us, Five Men in a Spaceship.
Leo showing off his musical talents (click image for video).
Apart from that, laundry done, washing up done, dinner prepped and in the slow cooker, last nights left over bolognese converted into a chilli, apart from the sauce I potted up for freezing with baby pasta for Leo.
I hope to get a shave before Leo wakes up, so cheerio!
You may remember I mentioned Leo had discovered some tubular bells when we visited http://www.oxonchildrenscentres.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/micro/ChildrensCentres/Florence+Park/
Well we were back there this morning. We actually managed the full session as I managed to convince Leo to snack during the morning. I'm glad because Leo does enjoy a good sing song, and the last 15 minutes consisted of Incey Wincey Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep (none of this rainbow sheep nonsense!), Humpty Dumpty and, a new one for us, Five Men in a Spaceship.
Leo showing off his musical talents (click image for video).
Apart from that, laundry done, washing up done, dinner prepped and in the slow cooker, last nights left over bolognese converted into a chilli, apart from the sauce I potted up for freezing with baby pasta for Leo.
I hope to get a shave before Leo wakes up, so cheerio!
Monday, 16 September 2013
Druggies and snotty toddlers
Good afternoon all, I hope you had good weekends.
It was good to have m.d.w. back with us full time for a couple of days, Leo certainly enjoyed having two parents to run around with / after him, especially as he had picked up a cold and was green and crusty.
On Friday, while at the park, I missed the postie and I received one of their red cards of doom. Apparently he had tried to deliver a 'signed for' package for m.d.w.
I used their (awful and long winded) automated service to arrange redelivery for Saturday.
By 12:30 on Saturday nothing had arrived, so I called the Royal Mail for an update (well, the call centre in Northumbria as it appears customers can no longer call the local sorting office). I was assured the item was scheduled for delivery that day and would be with me before 14:00.
So 14:00 came and went, and I called back, the lines close at 13:00 on a Saturday. You know that sinking feeling you get , when suspicion begins to set in that you are told a time by someone who knows they will have left before that time elapses, so they won't have to deal with you again?.....
Well we didn't leave the house until gone 15:00 as Leo was still sleeping. Still no post.
We went shopping, and when we got back we had had our post, well most of it. No signed for item, and no red card of doom. Gits. Total waste of a morning. Hurry up and get privatised.
While shopping we did come across an Italian market. Many yummy and expensive delicacies on offer, which we resisted and candied fruit (kiwi, melon, papaya and pineapple). This we couldn't resist as it looked like a nice alternative to biscuits and cereal bars for toddler snacks.
We bought a small selection to see what Leo would think of them. An instant hit! So after our rounds in Iceland and B&M etc. we stocked up. That blew a hole in our shopping budget, but hey, they should last a few months, and Leo's worth it.
We took Leo to the park as normal on Sunday, and as we left, something shiny on the floor caught my eye (magpie tendencies to the fore). It was tin foil, lovingly crafted by an experienced hand into a crack or heroin pipe, complete with soot staining around the bottom and a vile brown residue lining the insides. Thanks for that Mr. Junkie! I can just imagine a toddler getting hold of that and giving it a good suck. Needless to say we cleaned it up and threw it away.
Sunday evening was relaxed and we enjoyed a beef casserole which I had started in the morning, so by the time we got round to eating it, it had been simmering away for four hours. Rich, juicy and tender, except for the occasional piece of swede / turnip (depending on whether you are from the north or the south) which was unaccountably woody.
The left overs (i.e. what we didn't eat or pot up for freezing in Leo sized portions) is now simmering in the slow cooker with the addition of mince, chopped tomatoes and puree to become a bolognaise sauce for tonight's dinner.
My tummy is already growling at the prospect!
Leo has nearly shifted the cold already and is snoring his little head off next door.
It was good to have m.d.w. back with us full time for a couple of days, Leo certainly enjoyed having two parents to run around with / after him, especially as he had picked up a cold and was green and crusty.
On Friday, while at the park, I missed the postie and I received one of their red cards of doom. Apparently he had tried to deliver a 'signed for' package for m.d.w.
I used their (awful and long winded) automated service to arrange redelivery for Saturday.
By 12:30 on Saturday nothing had arrived, so I called the Royal Mail for an update (well, the call centre in Northumbria as it appears customers can no longer call the local sorting office). I was assured the item was scheduled for delivery that day and would be with me before 14:00.
So 14:00 came and went, and I called back, the lines close at 13:00 on a Saturday. You know that sinking feeling you get , when suspicion begins to set in that you are told a time by someone who knows they will have left before that time elapses, so they won't have to deal with you again?.....
Well we didn't leave the house until gone 15:00 as Leo was still sleeping. Still no post.
We went shopping, and when we got back we had had our post, well most of it. No signed for item, and no red card of doom. Gits. Total waste of a morning. Hurry up and get privatised.
While shopping we did come across an Italian market. Many yummy and expensive delicacies on offer, which we resisted and candied fruit (kiwi, melon, papaya and pineapple). This we couldn't resist as it looked like a nice alternative to biscuits and cereal bars for toddler snacks.
We bought a small selection to see what Leo would think of them. An instant hit! So after our rounds in Iceland and B&M etc. we stocked up. That blew a hole in our shopping budget, but hey, they should last a few months, and Leo's worth it.
We took Leo to the park as normal on Sunday, and as we left, something shiny on the floor caught my eye (magpie tendencies to the fore). It was tin foil, lovingly crafted by an experienced hand into a crack or heroin pipe, complete with soot staining around the bottom and a vile brown residue lining the insides. Thanks for that Mr. Junkie! I can just imagine a toddler getting hold of that and giving it a good suck. Needless to say we cleaned it up and threw it away.
Sunday evening was relaxed and we enjoyed a beef casserole which I had started in the morning, so by the time we got round to eating it, it had been simmering away for four hours. Rich, juicy and tender, except for the occasional piece of swede / turnip (depending on whether you are from the north or the south) which was unaccountably woody.
The left overs (i.e. what we didn't eat or pot up for freezing in Leo sized portions) is now simmering in the slow cooker with the addition of mince, chopped tomatoes and puree to become a bolognaise sauce for tonight's dinner.
My tummy is already growling at the prospect!
Leo has nearly shifted the cold already and is snoring his little head off next door.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Further ramblings
Well we got the shopping done without getting too wet and as luck would have it the drizzle eased off to spitting, so we managed to get to the park after Leo's mid morning snack.
The little man is in his usual snoring state, but the teething is annoying him. He woke up half way through his nap, a mass of tears and bogies. Seemed more annoyed to be awake than anything. A quick clean up and a cuddle and he is back in the land of nod (with the assistance of Calpol).
We had a pleasant surprise in the post from http://www.peacockauction.co.uk/
Before we moved, we arranged to have some furniture taken away in the hope that they could sell it (mostly because it was cheaper than arranging a council collection). Lo and behold a cheque arrived for a little over £20 (after collection costs, auction fees and v.a.t.). So that's pizza taken care of!
I had a conversation with m.d.w. this afternoon. A little difficult as her mobile is playing silly buggers. She is suffering a bit after cycling in to work this week (too many hills in Oxford after living in Bedford), so I have promised her a massage and a hot bath tonight.
I am soo looking forward to the weekend. Although we have spent the same amount of time apart during the day as when I was working, and she was at home, I have really missed her. Strange how the mind works.
Assuming no disasters between now and m.d.w. getting home, my first week (okay 4 days) as a house husband have gone pretty smoothly.
One minor irritation, someone in my locality smokes a lot of skunk. No idea who as about 5 gardens back onto ours. The smell keeps getting into the house and I noticed Leo's bedding smells like a weed factory.
Well I need to get some towels on a hot wash, so I guess the bedding will be joining them after his nap.
Until Monday.
Cheerio.
The little man is in his usual snoring state, but the teething is annoying him. He woke up half way through his nap, a mass of tears and bogies. Seemed more annoyed to be awake than anything. A quick clean up and a cuddle and he is back in the land of nod (with the assistance of Calpol).
We had a pleasant surprise in the post from http://www.peacockauction.co.uk/
Before we moved, we arranged to have some furniture taken away in the hope that they could sell it (mostly because it was cheaper than arranging a council collection). Lo and behold a cheque arrived for a little over £20 (after collection costs, auction fees and v.a.t.). So that's pizza taken care of!
I had a conversation with m.d.w. this afternoon. A little difficult as her mobile is playing silly buggers. She is suffering a bit after cycling in to work this week (too many hills in Oxford after living in Bedford), so I have promised her a massage and a hot bath tonight.
I am soo looking forward to the weekend. Although we have spent the same amount of time apart during the day as when I was working, and she was at home, I have really missed her. Strange how the mind works.
Assuming no disasters between now and m.d.w. getting home, my first week (okay 4 days) as a house husband have gone pretty smoothly.
One minor irritation, someone in my locality smokes a lot of skunk. No idea who as about 5 gardens back onto ours. The smell keeps getting into the house and I noticed Leo's bedding smells like a weed factory.
Well I need to get some towels on a hot wash, so I guess the bedding will be joining them after his nap.
Until Monday.
Cheerio.
Good morning from Leo
Good morning all.
I will be posting further ramblings as usual when Leo has his nap, but in the mean time....
Click image for video.
Thursday, 12 September 2013
"Thank you" costs nothing.
A fairly uneventful day today.
A bit of shopping this morning, needed milk and eggs for toad in the hole tonight and some glue for my toy soldier hobby.
After Leo's morning snack off to the park as usual for some time on the swings etc.
While he was exploring under the junior climbing platform, and investigating the puddles on the platform left by last nights downpour the 'parkie' (for those of you too young to know who 'parkie' is, he is the council groundsman responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a park) arrived on his little John Deer.
A motorised buggy with orange flashing lights! Leo was enthralled.
'Parkie' (I really should ask his name next time) came into the fenced off toddlers area with his black sack and tongs to pick up any litter.
Leo toddled over to investigate the black rustling bag, much to the amusement of 'parkie'.
"Not much in here little man" he said, or words to that effect, "just picking up the litter and keeping things clean".
I smiled at the interaction and said "it is appreciated, thank you". Well that got me a suspicious side long glance from 'parkie', perhaps he thought I was taking the piss. Then I saw the look of realisation on his face when he realised I meant it.
A quiet "thank you" from 'parkie' as he wondered off to continue his rounds, a smile beginning to spread over his face.
Remember guys and girls, we rely on these public amenities for our children's enjoyment (and ours if we're honest) and sometimes for our sanity. They don't maintain themselves. If you see the men and women who make these facilities safe and enjoyable for our children, take the time to say thank you, it only takes a second.
As the little John Deer pootled off, Leo watched through the fence until it was out of view behind the trees.
"Gone" he said forlornly, before going back to his puddles.
A bit of shopping this morning, needed milk and eggs for toad in the hole tonight and some glue for my toy soldier hobby.
After Leo's morning snack off to the park as usual for some time on the swings etc.
While he was exploring under the junior climbing platform, and investigating the puddles on the platform left by last nights downpour the 'parkie' (for those of you too young to know who 'parkie' is, he is the council groundsman responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a park) arrived on his little John Deer.
A motorised buggy with orange flashing lights! Leo was enthralled.
'Parkie' (I really should ask his name next time) came into the fenced off toddlers area with his black sack and tongs to pick up any litter.
Leo toddled over to investigate the black rustling bag, much to the amusement of 'parkie'.
"Not much in here little man" he said, or words to that effect, "just picking up the litter and keeping things clean".
I smiled at the interaction and said "it is appreciated, thank you". Well that got me a suspicious side long glance from 'parkie', perhaps he thought I was taking the piss. Then I saw the look of realisation on his face when he realised I meant it.
A quiet "thank you" from 'parkie' as he wondered off to continue his rounds, a smile beginning to spread over his face.
Remember guys and girls, we rely on these public amenities for our children's enjoyment (and ours if we're honest) and sometimes for our sanity. They don't maintain themselves. If you see the men and women who make these facilities safe and enjoyable for our children, take the time to say thank you, it only takes a second.
As the little John Deer pootled off, Leo watched through the fence until it was out of view behind the trees.
"Gone" he said forlornly, before going back to his puddles.
One tired out little boy.
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
What a difference a day makes.
An interesting contrast between two mornings.
Yesterday I introduced Leo to the 'Stay and Play' scheme in Florence Park.
http://www.oxonchildrenscentres.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/micro/ChildrensCentres/Florence+Park/
We arrived at 09:00 and hoped to stay until 11:30 ish so Leo could enjoy the singing from 11:00 (he loves music of all kinds, it's not unusual to see him bopping to something on the stereo or the T.V.) and he LOVES being sung to.
Unlike m.d.w. I am not a particularly confident singer, but I reckon I can carry a tune in a bucket, without needing a lid.
He had a whale of a time, especially when he discovered the water table in such close proximity to the sand pit, and the tubular bells hidden in the little castle.
Unfortunately, there were so many new things to see and do (an so many new adults to adore him) he would not settle long enough for his mid morning snack, or a drink.
Needles to say he started getting a little overwrought and fractious, so we called it a day at 10:45.
Once home and calmed down again, I finally managed to get him to eat. He was so tired from the morning activity he was trying to sleep on me a full half an hour before nap time. So a quick nappy change and off to bed.
His usual routine, two short stories, with his curtains closed to relax him and then the first bump in the road.
No boobs from mummy (I have moobs, but they don't quite fulfil his particular needs) and no lullaby.
Now I noticed m.d.w. has printed out the lyrics to the lullaby and hung them on the nursery wall, so while rocking him in my arms, I quietly read him the words and put him to bed.
This is when it got difficult for me.
The crying.
He was overtired, and his routine had been disrupted. I went downstairs to get on with the chores, hoping the heart rending howling would soon stop as tiredness began to win out.
No such luck, so 15 minutes later I was back in the nursery, (barely) resisting his sobbing pleas to be picked up, lay him back down and came back down stairs. Well lo and behold, after a further 10 minutes the crying stopped.
I finished the chores, and came back upstairs to post yesterdays entry. Just as well really. Recently he has been napping for and hour and a half or so. While I was typing I heard the first warnings of the wake up, I snuck into the nursery and recovered him with his blanket and snuck out.
All in all he slept for the best part of two hours. Result!
Today was a little different as there was no play group this morning. So we had our normal morning of noisy books, Peppa Pig, cuddles and games until his mid morning snack.
After that off to the park for wheee time on the swings, slide, rocking horses and junior climbing platform and back home for his lunch (interrupted by a visit from the poo fairy, and boy did she deliver) and a chat with mummy when she phoned on her lunch break..
Come nap time we went through the same routine as yesterday, two books in semi darkness, and me reading the lullaby to him while rocking him. He has gone out like a light!
Who said this parenting lark was difficult?
Why do I know I'm going to regret that comment...
Well the washing up is done, the laundry done and hanging out (hold off rain, those clouds are ominous) and after posting this an hour with my feet up....... hopefully..
Yesterday I introduced Leo to the 'Stay and Play' scheme in Florence Park.
http://www.oxonchildrenscentres.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/micro/ChildrensCentres/Florence+Park/
We arrived at 09:00 and hoped to stay until 11:30 ish so Leo could enjoy the singing from 11:00 (he loves music of all kinds, it's not unusual to see him bopping to something on the stereo or the T.V.) and he LOVES being sung to.
Unlike m.d.w. I am not a particularly confident singer, but I reckon I can carry a tune in a bucket, without needing a lid.
He had a whale of a time, especially when he discovered the water table in such close proximity to the sand pit, and the tubular bells hidden in the little castle.
Unfortunately, there were so many new things to see and do (an so many new adults to adore him) he would not settle long enough for his mid morning snack, or a drink.
Needles to say he started getting a little overwrought and fractious, so we called it a day at 10:45.
Once home and calmed down again, I finally managed to get him to eat. He was so tired from the morning activity he was trying to sleep on me a full half an hour before nap time. So a quick nappy change and off to bed.
His usual routine, two short stories, with his curtains closed to relax him and then the first bump in the road.
No boobs from mummy (I have moobs, but they don't quite fulfil his particular needs) and no lullaby.
Now I noticed m.d.w. has printed out the lyrics to the lullaby and hung them on the nursery wall, so while rocking him in my arms, I quietly read him the words and put him to bed.
This is when it got difficult for me.
The crying.
He was overtired, and his routine had been disrupted. I went downstairs to get on with the chores, hoping the heart rending howling would soon stop as tiredness began to win out.
No such luck, so 15 minutes later I was back in the nursery, (barely) resisting his sobbing pleas to be picked up, lay him back down and came back down stairs. Well lo and behold, after a further 10 minutes the crying stopped.
I finished the chores, and came back upstairs to post yesterdays entry. Just as well really. Recently he has been napping for and hour and a half or so. While I was typing I heard the first warnings of the wake up, I snuck into the nursery and recovered him with his blanket and snuck out.
All in all he slept for the best part of two hours. Result!
Today was a little different as there was no play group this morning. So we had our normal morning of noisy books, Peppa Pig, cuddles and games until his mid morning snack.
After that off to the park for wheee time on the swings, slide, rocking horses and junior climbing platform and back home for his lunch (interrupted by a visit from the poo fairy, and boy did she deliver) and a chat with mummy when she phoned on her lunch break..
Come nap time we went through the same routine as yesterday, two books in semi darkness, and me reading the lullaby to him while rocking him. He has gone out like a light!
Who said this parenting lark was difficult?
Why do I know I'm going to regret that comment...
Well the washing up is done, the laundry done and hanging out (hold off rain, those clouds are ominous) and after posting this an hour with my feet up....... hopefully..
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Hello all.
My name is Matthew and I am a house husband.
This is my first attempt at a blog, so I make no promises that it will be interesting, helpful or informative. Or maintained for that matter.
I just though it may be helpful to other dads out there who are joining the role reversal revolution to know they are not alone.
A brief background.
On 22/02/2012 @ 22:32 Leofric arrived, via Cesarean section, weighing in at 8lb 14oz.
After paternity leave I returned to work, while my dear wife (m.d.w. from here on) stayed at home to bring up our son.
I was hugely jealous I am ashamed to say. I wanted to be at home with our boy.
As time ticked on and money started getting thinner on the ground, m.d.w. agreed it would make sense to make use of her greater (than mine) earning potential and go back to work, and for me to take over the day care of Leo.
Plans started to be hatched, and m.d.w. started job hunting.
We soon realised the chances of her earning enough to support us all, while living in Bedford were zero. That left the option of going back to commuting to London or us moving.
I have to say at this point that my former employers at http://www.moneysavesolutions.com/ were hugely supportive and helpful throughout.
This all began at the beginning of the year.
We didn't get very far to start with, then our hand was forced so to speak. Our former landlord was in a deep financial mire (ironic considering what I was doing for a living) and needed to sell the house, so we had to move.
Needless to say this upped the ante.
M.d.w. grew up in the vicinity of Oxford and had happy memories of working there. On further investigation, salaries were closer to London rates than she would ever achieve in Bedford, and the cost of living somewhere between the two....
A plan rapidly formulated, followed by house hunting and 3 months of fruitless and frustrating job hunting (with many wasted trips to Oxford for interviews, some of which were at 24 hours notice. I refer you back to my earlier comments about my previous employer, as this would not have been possible without their help).
Finally everything fell into place.
We moved to Oxford on 20/08/13 (our wedding anniversary as it happens) and m.d.w. started her new job today.
Here begins day 1 as my career as a full time house husband!
My name is Matthew and I am a house husband.
This is my first attempt at a blog, so I make no promises that it will be interesting, helpful or informative. Or maintained for that matter.
I just though it may be helpful to other dads out there who are joining the role reversal revolution to know they are not alone.
A brief background.
On 22/02/2012 @ 22:32 Leofric arrived, via Cesarean section, weighing in at 8lb 14oz.
After paternity leave I returned to work, while my dear wife (m.d.w. from here on) stayed at home to bring up our son.
I was hugely jealous I am ashamed to say. I wanted to be at home with our boy.
As time ticked on and money started getting thinner on the ground, m.d.w. agreed it would make sense to make use of her greater (than mine) earning potential and go back to work, and for me to take over the day care of Leo.
Plans started to be hatched, and m.d.w. started job hunting.
We soon realised the chances of her earning enough to support us all, while living in Bedford were zero. That left the option of going back to commuting to London or us moving.
I have to say at this point that my former employers at http://www.moneysavesolutions.com/ were hugely supportive and helpful throughout.
This all began at the beginning of the year.
We didn't get very far to start with, then our hand was forced so to speak. Our former landlord was in a deep financial mire (ironic considering what I was doing for a living) and needed to sell the house, so we had to move.
Needless to say this upped the ante.
M.d.w. grew up in the vicinity of Oxford and had happy memories of working there. On further investigation, salaries were closer to London rates than she would ever achieve in Bedford, and the cost of living somewhere between the two....
A plan rapidly formulated, followed by house hunting and 3 months of fruitless and frustrating job hunting (with many wasted trips to Oxford for interviews, some of which were at 24 hours notice. I refer you back to my earlier comments about my previous employer, as this would not have been possible without their help).
Finally everything fell into place.
We moved to Oxford on 20/08/13 (our wedding anniversary as it happens) and m.d.w. started her new job today.
Here begins day 1 as my career as a full time house husband!
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