OCTOBER 2007
So, the first thing we had to face this month was those dreaded pre-school injections. As planned last month, we had collected the prescription for the Emla cream and took it to the Health Visitors an hour or so before his jabs were due. They had been very good and arranged for Callum to go into an office instead of the usual waiting room… that way he would not see (or hear!) other kids going for their injections.
Once the cream and dressings were on, we took a walk along the river until it was time to go back for the injections. When the time came, Callum was still very nervous. It helped that he could not feel the pain of the injections, but he was still very upset as he knew what was happening. All-in-all though, it was much less traumatic than it could have been though and Callum calmed down soon after.
Luke had his 12th birthday this month and we went out to celebrate. Once again though, Shaun was on nights and had to miss out. Why is it that every time a night out is planned, Shaun is on nights!!
Seeing as Shaun was on nights at the weekend too, rather than hanging around at home I decided to take Callum through to the caravan before the season ended. The weather really was pleasant for the time of year and we had a great time. Unfortunately my Mum was ill on the Sunday and stayed in bed most of the day. Me, Dad and Callum still went out for a walk into town. Callum is going to miss the caravan while it’s closed over the winter!
Me and Callum had another trip to the coast this month… this time it was to Blackpool. We were sat at home one Friday; it was a school inset day Shaun was on 12 hour dayshift. I was at a bit of a loss and wanted to do something different. I decided I would take Callum somewhere on a train. Somehow I ended up thinking it would be a good idea to take Callum to Blackpool to see the trams. Bearing in mind that by now it was almost lunchtime and what with train changes and stuff it would take 3 hrs to get there!! Still, I decided a few hours there would be better than none, so I packed a bag with spares clothes (just in case of accidents) and some snacks and books for the journey… and off we went.
Callum was so well behaved on the journey. We played and read stories and the time just flew. Callum fell asleep 3 minutes before we were due to get off the train! I decided to sit on a seat in the station and let Callum get some sleep. It was a shame seeing as we weren’t going to have long there, but he must have been tired. I decided we could get a return train an hour later than I had planned.
Callum had about 30-40 minutes sleep. I then went to check on return train times before we left the station. It’s a good job I did as there wasn’t a train at 7.30pm. By now it was 3.45pm, catching the 6.30pm train home seemed a little too soon so I decided that we would get the 8.30pm train. This meant that he would see the Blackpool illuminations… I hadn’t planned on this as I had always thought it would be the three of us when he first saw them, but hey, these things happen. Anyway, I know that Shaun is not a great lover of Blackpool anyway.
We had a fantastic day. No shouting, no telling off, no raised voices, no stress. Just two best friends having a great time. Callum walked for miles (literally!) and never complained. We went on to Central Pier and Callum went on a few rides. Before that we had walked from Blackpool North Station to North Pier and then walked from North Pier to Central pier, spending quite a bit of time walking up and down on the beach. After the rides we went for a bite to eat before heading out towards South Pier. I took Callum on a short tram ride to complete the journey to the Pleasure Beach. We didn’t go into the Pleasure Beach; it was a bit late really. We just spent some time watching the trams, especially the ones that were illuminated.
Before getting the tram to North Pier, I rang Shaun and arranged for him to meet us at Leeds Train Station as it would be very late when we got back. Despite being so tired from all the walking, Callum walked all the way from North Pier to Blackpool North Train Station (uphill). I cannot put into words how good he was that day.
On the journey home Callum charmed a group of girls who had been on a bit of a boozy afternoon. I sorted out their journey to Wigan for them letting them know their changes etc. and they gave Callum one of their hard won cuddly toys!
For the rest of the journey me and Callum chatted and I read more stories (Thomas books, of course!). I ended up being the calming influence on many a drunk on that train as they sat around and enjoyed the stories too!
Five minutes before we were due to get off the train, Callum fell asleep. A calm end to a very calm day. Beautiful.
I can’t believe that it was Libby’s 1st Birthday this month… so soon! Callum went for tea to celebrate and played lovely with Libby and Bradleigh.
Something else I couldn’t believe… it was time to sort out Callum’s School Admissions forms! My baby hasn’t quite reached 4 and here I am sorting out securing him a full time place at school. It doesn’t seem right!! I can’t bear to think of him being at school full time!
As the month ends, Callum is getting excited for his 4th birthday. The chest problems are back again though and we had to go to the Drs for some antibiotics… although Callum didn’t want to go (given his fear of anyone or anything medical at the moment), we persuaded him it was a good idea so that he could get better before his birthday party.
‘til next time, take care,
Amanda xXx
