"Seriously, Unicorn Haemorrhoids? The glitter gets EVERYWHERE!"

Last week Mrs M came home from work desperate to show us all a video on Youtube for a product called the 'Squatty Potty'. For those of you unfamiliar with the Squatty Potty and its crazy unicorn video viewed 17m times on Youtube, here its is...

The video has become a hit around the house and has spurred on many fun quotes over the last week or so. For the first time in a while too the boys have actually asked if we can review one through the blog (So if you are reading this Squatty Potty, We're up for trying it out).

Today while pottering around the house (because it was so cold outside), Opeie requesting possible his must bizarre LEGO building session and asked if we could make a quick Squatty Potty scene. I like to think I'm quite accommodating with the boys ideas so we set to work armed with a lot of bright colours and a unicorn, enjoy.

"If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts."

Being a parent to two boys it's crazy how sometimes the little daily tasks that you do can become a big issue. Today I was reminded that I take these things for granted, take having a pooh for example. I don't mean to be so blunt but it paints a picture. Laura was working in London today and me and the boys went to Madam Tussauds and then spent some time adventuring on the tube. We popped back at lunch time to meet Mrs M and grab some suitable food for Mr Allergy as she was at a vegan show.

Mrs M queued for almost an hour for the food and when it arrived i wasn't sure what it was and Mrs M looked as confused as i was as she took her first bite. It was repulsive! (I'm kicking myself now for not taking a photo), Seth enjoyed what he had which was lucky but i was really hungry, it was healthy and so I just ate it anyway. Mrs M found it so horrible that she got our money back, go Mrs M. After lunch (if that's what you can call it) Mrs M went back to work and we hopped on a train to continue our adventuring. This was when some very odd noises began emanating from my stomach, uh oh.

Within 20 minutes I was in agony and would have been doubled up had it not been for the fact that Opeie was sitting on my knee while I also held the pushchair against the Side of my chair with my foot. The train was packed and honestly I feared the worse (a complete loss of my bodily functions). Thankfully we made it off the train accident free. 

Have you ever tried to squeeze into a public toilet cubicle with two children with a really upset stomach? No? me neither and today wasn't going to be my first attempt. I'm sure there are many parents out there that have done it but I like privacy during this very private time and I didn't need two spectators that would have been practically on top of me taking it all in. That sort of image could stay with them forever. It was touch and go for the next hour, jumping from train to tube to train, carrying a pushchair up and down the stairs and making sure the boys were okay but we made it through. In the end we found a slanted ramp like wall and we sat there chatting until the pain had passed. It's amazing the things you sacrifice sometimes as a parent (not that the boys would ever know) and it made me realise how much I take Mrs M being there for granted sometimes.

Sacrifices were made and it was a lucky escape but maybe I won't be so fortunate next time.

Yet another proud daddy moment...

Every day without fail Opeie does something that makes me so proud of him. Since starting his potty training 5 weeks ago we have not needed to go back to nappies and for the past three weeks there has been not one accident. He's used toilets wherever we have been and is always letting us know when he needs to go. Earlier while we were tidying the house i walked into the lounge and Opeie was sitting on the potty, he had taken off his shorts and pants and taken care of business himself, what an amazing little chap he is. I was dreading potty training but he has made it all look like a walk in the park.

It's great to know that he is confident enough to go himself and just shows how much more independent he is getting. Lets just hope he never gets to the point where he doesn't need us at all, I don't ever want to feel obsolete.

Well done Opeie I'm so proud of the way your growing up, your an amazing little boy.

Daddy xx

Daily bathroom duties and the dirty side of parenting

Within the first few weeks of meeting Seth I was faced with the 'I need a pooh scenario' while alone with him. It's funny when I think about it now as I found the whole thing a little daunting. I had never had to deal with children's bathroom activities before and I found myself at a quandary. What is the protocol for this kind of situation? 'Right I need to just get on with it' I thought so I took him by the hand and attempted to lead him to the bathroom but Seth stood firm looked up and said 'on the potty', so now I was faced with having to wipe someone else's bottom for the first time (which was scary enough) but had the added extra of transporting it through the house too like some sort of dirty courier. Needless to say it all went fine and thus began my ongoing bathroom duties as a dad.

As a parent you end up going through all manner of (what would seem to most people) gross situations. It may just be me being clumsy but I can guarantee that at least every other day I poke a finger into the contents of Opeie's nappy while changing him. Yesterday while me and Opeie were in the bath together I was having a lovely relaxing time when I saw a bath toy I've never seen before float past me, delightful. But again it didn't bother me in the slightest. It got me wondering when did i become so relaxed about dealing with this sort of thing?

Apologies for there not being any photo's in this short post but under the circumstances...