Singing to my baby #MagicMoments

Today’s #MagicMoments with Jaime at oliversmadhouse.co.ukis an oldie (time-wise) but a goodie.

My oldest son is now 19, he left home just over a year ago and is establishing his own way forward in life.

It took two miscarriages and some Clomid (with first husband) before C came along. I began to wonder if I would be one of those women who wouldn’t be blessed with children. Here I am years later, having had 3 successful pregnancies, I am SO grateful.

C was nearly two weeks late and when he eventually appeared he had the cord wrapped around his neck. It was my one and only hospital birth, I couldn’t wait to get home and start motherhood.

That euphoria didn’t last long as, being the main wage earner, I had to go back to work when C was under 3 months old. It was tiring, it was extremely hard to leave my longed-for son, but it had to be done. Made even harder by the fact that my OH at the time was very prone to just quitting whatever he was working at at very short notice (it was no real surprise when he decided to leave before C was 3, saying he “couldn’t take the responsibility anymore”).

The song that got me through that first summer was Love Is All Around by Wet Wet Wet. Click here to watch the official video.

It was number 1 for weeks, if not months, and whenever it was played, I would sing it to C and rock him to the music, him smiling at me.

Those days are long gone but that song still makes me think back to the summer of 1994 and my little son, smiling in my arms.

Mañana mañana Mon 10th June 2013

It’s probably no coincidence that in National Carers Week I’m starting the week feeling shattered. But, like so many autism parents, the need to “keep calm and carry on” takes priority, this week will be better!

Our day didn’t start brilliantly, D was extremely grumpy and T very tired, it’s six weeks to the summer break and it’s much needed.

But, routines adhered to, and both in their separate schools happily (ish), I wanted to walk away whistling Things Can Only Get Better.

And they sort of did. D has alternated between being excited about her school trip tomorrow (they’re going to a country park and then a soft play centre) and worrying that she’ll be sat next to the child who wants to drop bombs on her (he’s very fascinated by the Battle of Britain and wants to rein-act it in the playground daily),

The thing she’s most excited about though..is having an ice-cream, D is definitely governed by her tummy.

T’s had a good day too, he’s also looking forward to tomorrow as he has after-school club football.

So, I’m hoping that a decent sleep is had by all and tomorrow will be a good one.

I’m ending with D’s favourite Youtube video ever because it’s guaranteed to make anyone smile – Here Comes The Sun.

Happy Monday Jx 😘

Happy Birthday to D! Mon 20th May 2013

A very happy, smiley girl is settling to sleep tonight, she’s had a great Birthday.

The whole day has felt like a Magic Moment (click here to read my earlier post and see some pictures), it’s been lovely.

She’s had a fab day at school, we’d taken in some M and S chocolate cake for a little party they were having this afternoon, complete with party games and singing. She rushed out delighted to see me and told practically every parent also collecting their child that it was her birthday. She had fallen over at lunchtime and bruised her knee, normally that would have meant a bolt as soon as she see me (from built-up anxieties) but not today.

We popped over to get her an ice-cream from the van and because it was her birthday, the vendor gave it to her for free! One very happy girl!

Her cake with candles (sort of) in the shape of a Number 9, they twinkled and sizzled and took a lot of puffing to blow out!

I can’t deny that T’s been a bit jealous today, I’ve tried to combat that by him receiving a couple of books (all about weird science facts, with b u r p and f a r t s in the titles) and we’ve talked about when his birthday is etc. So, it was lovely to see this, the two of them sharing and playing on D’s main present:

Moments like the one above don’t happen much and very often moods can change certainly as if a switch has been flicked, but today, all was good.

She’s been overjoyed with her presents, played with them and been a joy to be with, roll on next year!!

I hope everyone’s had a good day, comments/RTs/shares as ever welcomed, thanks for reading Jx 😘

#MusicMonday – Mr Blue Sky by ELO

This seems an appropriate Music Monday for today, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping away and the flowers are blossoming. Spring has sprung!

Today’s Music Monday is the first record I saved up and bought with my pocket money. I bought it from WHSmith in Guildford and I paid 77p! *crosses arms and thinks “those were the days…”*

Mr Blue Sky by ELO – click on the link to watch the most visually appealing video. I love the dancing flowers, the singing snails…everything! Looking forward to seeing if D enjoys watching it later too.

Here’s the lyrics:

“Sun is shinin’ in the sky
There ain’t a cloud in sight
It’s stopped rainin’ ev’rybody’s in a play
And don’t you know
It’s a beautiful new day hey,hey

Runnin’ down the avenue
See how the sun shines brightly in the city
On the streets where once was pity
Mister blue sky is living here today hey, hey

Mister blue sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long
Where did we go wrong?

Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration, mister blue sky’s up there waitin’
And today is the day we’ve waited for

Hey there mister blue
We’re so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Ev’rybody smiles at you

Mister blue sky, mister blue sky
Mister blue sky

Mister blue, you did it right
But soon comes mister night creepin’ over
Now his hand is on your shoulder
Never mind I’ll remember you this
I’ll remember you this way

Mister blue sky please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long
Where did we go wrong?

Hey there mister blue
We’re so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do
Ev’rybody smiles at you
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba”

Must be impossible to hear this song and not have a “life is good” moment!

For more information on ELO, please click here to go to their website.

Music Monday – “Temptation” by Heaven 17

Today’s Music Monday is “Temptation” by Heaven 17, a song that always makes me sing along and laugh as I do so due to the different pitches of voices.

Here’s the video from YouTube – click to view – I prefer listening to it without the video, sometimes squeaking away to the high notes or low and meaningful a la Glenn Gregory.

Temptation is all around for those who are on diets, very helpful when your twitter friends send you pictures of chocolate bars – yes, you E! – but resist, resist!

This is why I’m resisting chocolate today, but will be partaking of a bit of cake tomorrow:

Here’s a link to my JustGiving page as I’m fundraising 4 National Autistic Society & I’d love yr support! Text AMUM76 £1 to 70070 to sponsor me today.

To visit Heaven 17’s website click here, it looks like they are playing Glastonbury this year which sounds fun!

Here’s the lyrics, enjoy!

“I’ve never been closer
I’ve tried to understand
That certain feeling
Carved by another’s hand
But it’s too late to hesitate
We can’t keep on living like this
Leave no track
Don’t look back

All I desire
Temptation
Keep climbing higher and higher
Temptation
Adorable creatures
Temptation
With unacceptable features
Temptation
Trouble is coming
Temptation
It’s just the high cost of loving
Temptation
You can take it or leave it
Temptation
But you’d better believe it

You’ve got to make me an offer
It cannot be ignored
So let’s head for home now
Everything I have is yours
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can’t break away
Leave no trace
Hide your face

All I desire
Temptation
Keep climbing higher and higher
Temptation
You can take it or leave it
Temptation
But you’d better believe it

Step by step
Day by day
Every second counts
I can’t break away

Keep us from temptation (x3)
Lead us not in temptation

All I desire
Temptation
Keep climbing higher and higher
Temptation
Adorable creatures
Temptation
With unacceptable features
Temptation
Trouble is coming
Temptation
It’s just the high cost of loving
Temptation
You can take it or leave it
Temptation
But you’d better believe it

You’ve got to make me an offer
It cannot be ignored
So let’s head for home now
Everything I have is yours
Step by step and day by day
Every second counts I can’t break away
Leave no trace
Hide your face

Trying to find it
Temptation
You’ve got to get up behind it
Put your dime in the hot slot
Temptation
But it’s a million to one shot
Temptation
You think that you’re right
Temptation
Your gonna face it tonite now
Temptation
Give me a breakdown
Because it’s time for a shakedown
Temptation (x10)
Then repeat last verse
Eg.
Trying to find it
Get up behind it
Dime in the hot slot
Million to one shot
Think that you’re right
Your gonna face it tonite now
Give me a breakdown
It’s time for a shakedown”

Music Monday – “Ghost Town” by The Specials

Today’s Music Monday is in honour of my friend who’s birthday it is today. She doesn’t text/tweet/email so I’m going to have to *quelle horreur* use snail mail and post it off to her.

I’ve mentioned the song previously that got me into music – Ultravox’s Vienna – and this is hers.

This video – click to watch – used to make us really laugh at the point 1min 35 seconds in where Terry Hall goes from suddenly serious to manic. Those were the days, along with Slush Puppies, bags of Revels and what time we’d get a bus at the weekend to buy a new single from Boots and a lipstick.

We met (omg) DECADES ago in secondary school, seated next to each other in a macramé class (pot hangers), seated together because our surnames began with the same letter and that was that!

We had plans for a flat in London, I was going to be an air hostess, she was going to be in a band. Naturally life didn’t turn out like that, but ….you know..it’s okay.

Here’s the lyrics to the song, just as relevant now as then:

“This town, is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place, is coming like a ghost town
Bands won’t play no more
too much fighting on the dance floor

Do you remember the good old days
Before the ghost town?
We danced and sang,
And the music played inna de boomtown

This town, is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against themselves?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place, is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Can’t go on no more
The people getting angry

This town, is coming like a ghost town
This town, is coming like a ghost town
This town, is coming like a ghost town”

To visit The Specials official website click here.

Now feeling very very old, but we always remind each other that she is two weeks, one day older than me and therefore much older…for two weeks anyway!

Thanks for reading Jx

Music Monday – “This Is Your Song” by Ronan Keating

I dropped T and D off at their schools this morning and, as usual on a Monday, my thoughts turned to what song I’d choose for today’s “Music Monday”. The obvious choice was something from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”, I’m surprised I didn’t dream in musical format last night as we listened to the songs so many times yesterday.

My trusty phone came up with the answer though, the beautiful song from Ronan Keating, perfect for Mother’s Day this weekend. Here’s a link to the most poignant video from Ronan, tissues may be required – click here to view.

Here’s the lyrics:

“Live your life to the full
With a lifetime of smiles
Made us know right from wrong
Always knowing a lie
You made us to be tough
But never too rough
Rise above what you said
Never easily lead.

And one day we’ll all sing along
‘Cause this is your song
I wrote it for you
It won’t take all day
Just a minute or two

You were a friend
Walk with you to the end
And one day we’ll all sing along
‘Cause this is your song

So I’ll try and go on
Loving all that we know
Through the hardest of times
you put on a show

You made us stand tall
When all around us would fall
Even when you were alone
You believed you could fly

And one day we’ll all sing along
‘Cause this is your song
I wrote it for you
It won’t take all day
Just a minute or two

You were a friend
Walk with you to the end
And one day we’ll all sing along
‘Cause this is your song

And one day we’ll all sing along
‘Cause this is your song
We wrote it for you
It’ll take all our lives
Just to help us get through
You were a friend
Walk with you to the end
And one day we’ll all sing along
‘Cause this is your song”

For more information on Ronan Keating, click here to connect to his website.

This is also a good opportunity to remind readers that I’m hosting a book giveaway from Tesco Mum of the Year Anna Kennedy, click here to read the post, the event – which took place at The Savoy yesterday – will be televised on Channel 5 next Sunday, Mother’s Day.

Thanks for reading Jx 😘

Music Monday “500 Miles” by The Proclaimers

Today’s Music Monday is a “get up, get on with it” song. A bit of motivation too. It’s also one that D sings in music at school. I can’t imagine how cute that must look (and sound), 8 SN children stomping away to this song!

Here is the official video – click to view.

We sing this song at home too, if D’s had a bit of an anxious time. We put the video on and sing and stomp, a really good stress buster!

The Proclaimers are a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid. They are best known for the songs “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles), “Sunshine on Leith”, “I’m On My Way” and “Letter from America”. Further information can be found on their official website – click here.

Thanks for reading, enjoy the song! Jx 😘

Music Monday “Firework”

Today’s Music Monday combines D’s favourite series of films and the song that she likes to sing and hear most of all.

It’s “Firework” by Katy Perry, the lyrics are just wonderful. So positive and basically saying be yourself, accept yourself and others for who you are.

Here’s the lyrics:
“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep six feet under?
Scream but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there’s still a chance for you
‘Cause there’s a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

‘Cause, baby, you’re a firework
Come on, show ’em what you’re worth
Make ’em go “Oh, oh, oh”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make ’em go “Oh, oh, oh”
You’re gonna leave ’em all in awe, awe, awe

You don’t have to feel like a wasted space
You’re original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow
And when it’s time you’ll know

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

‘Cause, baby, you’re a firework
Come on, show ’em what you’re worth
Make ’em go “Oh, oh, oh”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make ’em go “Oh, oh, oh”
You’re gonna leave ’em all in awe, awe, awe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It’s always been inside of you, you, you
And now it’s time to let it through-ough-ough

‘Cause, baby, you’re a firework
Come on, show ’em what you’re worth
Make ’em go “Oh, oh, oh”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make ’em go “Oh, oh, oh”
You’re gonna leave ’em all in awe, awe, awe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon”

D sings this with her class in music lessons and if she’s having an anxious moment, we play it at home/en route too.

She was overjoyed when the third in the series of Madagascar films came out and we went to see it at the cinema. One particularly wonderfully visual sequence was set to Firework and D’s face just lit up, she was transfixed.
You can watch the song from the film here.

Needless to say, the DVD was very eagerly anticipated and it’s been watched and enjoyed already.

You can find out more about Katy Perry here.

I can’t mention Firework without including the duet that Katy did with Jodi – an autistic girl – it was incredibly moving and it needs no further words, just views. To watch it click here.

Music Monday “Vienna”

This is THE song that first got me into music. I remember being in a school play (I was an ant, part of an Ant machine, nothing to do with Adam and the Ants btw) and we were backstage, putting on our black ant costumes, which I think were leotards and tights and the video came on TOTP on the small black and white TV.

I was totally transfixed by the opening scenes with the horse and then the whole imagery of the video, the way it would switch from dark, mysterious and brooding to a party where things weren’t as they seemed – disfigurements, spiders etc.

Here’s the video – enjoy!

Of course it was kept off the number 1 spot by Joe Dolce, who had the most annoying novelty record ever! I still can’t listen to that damn song today.

Radio 2 ran a national poll to find out the Nation’a favourite number 2 song and Vienna topped the poll and was granted a honourary number 1, quality will out and you can read the story here.

Quality will out!

Ultravox (official website details here) released their first studio album in ages last year, it was called “Brilliant” and it was!