The Simple Life

It's funny how the little things in life can bring pleasure. Yesterday my day consisted of doing laundry - weather is gorgeous at the moment so managed to wash, dry and iron pretty much all of it. The satisfaction rating was pretty high. Today I've made blueberry muffins and banana scones, and have done a lot of baking recently. The process of measuring, weighing, sifting, mixing, stirring, rubbing in, the heat of the oven, soothes me. Yes it makes my hands and wrists ache more but brings me some peace. No noise around me, relaxing.

The Rheumatologist confirmed that I have some sort of undifferentiated poly-joint arthritis that will require treatment with medication. I have to reduce the steroids right down and see him again in 3 weeks, have some more blood tests and xrays, and will probably start it then. It could be a rough few weeks until the right dose is found for me and of course the side effects. Plus to have any more children I have to be off the meds for 3-6 months which will make it all flare up again, and as we had some trouble conceiving Poppy it may mean that I can't be off it long enough to get pregnant without becoming ill again. But I suppose all that is way off and I should concentrate on getting through the next 6 months.
He said also that as treatment is started earlier and more aggressively the joint deformities don't occur, which made me feel very relieved. I shouldn't have the stereotypical RA hands, as that happened 10-15 years ago to everyone when treatment wasn't as good.

Poor hubby has been signed off work with stress down to me being ill and his job not being any help whatsoever in accomodating his need to not work extra hours on top of his usual role. He's really struggling with the idea of being off work as neither of us are the type of people who go off sick willy nilly. We feel the guilt. I told him that give it a day or so and that'll pass, I always feel sick when I first phone in etc. Still can't decide what to do myself about going back, I've got to expect to get worse before I get better as I bring down the steroid dose. As hubby said, my current state is 'chemically induced'.

Sunny day

The weather has been lovely the past few days. I made the most of the sunshine this morning by taking Poppy for a walk on her trike around the local lake. She loved watching all the bird life, especially the madness when someone fed them some bread! Got back just in time for the Tesco grocery delivery too. Then had a busy time during her nap baking a batch of the sweet potato muffins for my friends little boy's 1st birthday party tomorrow. Was good timing as the last lot I made just ran out so did a batch for us too. I'm also in charge of jam and dairylea sandwiches (not a combination, two different sets) so my plan is to make those fresh tomorrow morning during her morning nap, as the party starts at midday.
This is the first in a long line of 1st birthday parties! Already got invites to another two, then Poppy's herself, and know of another one at least she's invited to. Then over the next few months all the younger babies we know will also turn one, although with me back at work perhaps not seeing them at babygroups will mean we lose out on an invite ;-) Who knows what to buy them all, I'm sure they've got plenty of toys already! Perhaps some clothes or Argos vouchers?
Definitely having an early night tonight, got carried away on the internet looking at cloth nappies last night until gone 10 - late night for me, that...

Baking photos

Too tired to post tonight, just wanted to put up the photo of my baking achievement from the other day.

Been visiting a friend in Swindon with her 3 month old new baby & painting in the house after it and the last few evenings so am pooped.

Amendment - photo of Poppy eating a sweet potato muffin a few days later. Not all that fussed on them but I enjoy her leftovers.

Back from our jaunt

Had a lovely weekend away, very peaceful, lots of lovely food and wine. It's amazing how you get out of the habit of having a proper conversation, what with baby, tv, laptop, housework blah blah. The friday night we sat and had dinner, and drinks, and just talked for hours. Visited the town shops and the abbey on saturday which was very pretty, and bought a few knick-knacks for Poppy.

Picked Poppy up from Mum's lunchtime on Sunday, she was just having her lunch when we arrived. It was highly amusing seeing my mum's version of BLW - she'd cut up the cheese on toast into really small pieces and was putting them into Poppy's mouth one by one! Bless her. Didn't say anything as she was eating and happy, and that's the aim right?

Turns out Poppy seems to be a definite carnivore, we've noticed that she'll always go for the meat on the tray over everything else. Tonight we had chicken fajhitas, of which she had the chicken and veg without any spice. After clearing all the chicken she moved onto trying some mushrooms and peppers, but wasn't too impressed. Think that the peppers were still a bit hard, even though we'd cooked it for ages.

Made some sweet potato muffins and banana & raisin bread today also, which was fun. Photo's to be posted tomorrow hopefully. Have been struggling for ideas for lunches for her apart from sandwiches or toast, I know how bloated I feel if I eat too much bread, so hope these will go down ok. She munched the bit I gave her to try so fingers crossed.