Memories of Hackney

It's almost time to say goodbye to our beloved Hackney flat. We took Aimee to granny and Grandad Macs and she resumed her hyper excited habits once we arrived. The Bletchley home is like a great big playpen for her and I don't think she will spend much time missing me and Cat while we tidy up our flat in readiness for the big move.

As I say, we have loved living here. I first bought the flat in 1999. The same year me and Cat got together. I remember my first night after an amazingly hectic day trying to move all my possessions. The sheer exhaustion of enduring the hardest manual labour I have ever had to do. But the next morning, me and Cat woke up to the most beautiful December morning sunrise piercing through the shoddy temporary curtain we made. In fact I did not even have a proper bed, as it was still in pieces, we just slept on the mattress on the floor.But the morning was so peaceful and tranquil. Of course, later on, me and Cat got married and we had Aimee. All happy memories of my time here.

I've loved how Cat has decorated the home with her paints and photos - something I have to be honest, I was too lazy to do myself. I have loved how Aimee's laughter and energy lights up every room. I will miss the fact that you can see Canary Wharf and the Gherkin tower from my window. I won't miss the nightmare parking or the sinister gangs of youths. I will miss how, London Fields transforms from a sad lonley park in winter, into a thriving riot of festivals in summer, with hundreds of people playing, laughing, cooking, sunbasking and chatting.
I wonder if Aimee will remember Hackney.

So onwards and forwards. Borehamwood here we come. I hope there will be many more happy memories to come in our new home. So, a toast to E8 and a fond farewell. Goodbye lovely flat. Hello, lovely new home.

All smoke and no fire

Stubborn babies seem to be the theme at the moment. Sylvie's baby was in breech position. Now, just found out that our bubba No2 is lying in transverse presentation. This is basically reclining on his back, feet in the air, not a care in the world. Problem is, if he stays like that, the only way he is coming out is via C-section, which we want to avoid.
So my Mum advised using moxibustion. Having never seen or tried this ancient Chinese remedy before, I tentatively approached my local Chinese herbalist.
We tried them last night. You hold one cigar like stick close to the little toe nail and let the heat warm for 20 minutes. The effect is supposedly meant to make the baby turn into the correct position. It needs to be done every day up to ten days. After one night, no change, so we'll carry on. There doesn't appear to be any harm done by the treatment, apart from a strong whiff of dense smokiness in the air.

It is Aimee's last week at nursery before we leave Hackney. She seems in good spirits although a bit chesty with her cough. I couldn;t resist another Hello Kitty purchase yesterday - this time, a fetching winter hat and gloves. Photos soon.

We are an Uncle!

My sister Sylvie just gave birth to a healthy boy today.
Details are sketchy as my Mum, who is in Thailand to help Sylvie out, was exhausted and gave little info over the phone. But I do know that the baby came a week and half early, and was in breach position so Sylv was planned to have a C-section, when her waters broke last night and was rushed to hospital.
More news later...

The Posse

There is a distinct and visible divide in Hackney when it comes to Mums in the Park. I observe this on my days when I look after Aimee. I go to the park or out and about on the streets and there you see them: 'The Posse'.
These are gangs of posh Mums that travel in fours and fives. Their children are all called Toby or Jeremys or Cassandras and Matty etc. Their prams are all over £500 and their clothing is strictly designer mail order.
And then there are the Hackney Mums. These Mums are, sometimes single, or in any case they don't work and they are always alone. Their kid or kids wear the best they can afford, but you can tell the difference. These Mums have only ever lived in Hackney and so did their parents and parents before them.
Whenever I go to the park, I quite enjoy striking up a conversation with any nearby parent as Aimee and their child play together. But I notice that the posh Mums, when in a gang, act instinctively like a herd of bison and form a corral against outsiders. I get barely a nod of acknowledgment or sideways no eye-contact chuckle but it's definitely a case of: you're not from our NCT class/ playgroup/baby yoga group (etc) so we're not gonna engage.
No, these Mums don;t accept outsiders. But the other Mums (and some Dads too) are only too friendly. Maybe the daily drudgery of looking after kids compels them to delight in speaking to another adult, but I really enjoy my time with these people. The common bond that we all share as new parents easily transcends any class barriers. Something that posh Mums could do with learning about.
Maybe I'm overgeneralisating, but Cat has also noticed this and we talked about it today, both commenting on similar incidents.
Ironically, I also notice that these posh Mums use the full width of 'Surestart' services that the borough provides, whilst the target group of parents simply don't.
But toddlers like Aimee know nothing of class barriers and prejudices. She simply smiles and plays with anyone who wants to join her. Life seems far simpler in toddlerworld.

Wheels on the bus

It started off with a loud shout of 'ALL DAY LONNNNNG' and now, Aimee's singing is getting really good as she remembers whole passages of nursery rhymes. Her latest, is 'My Bonny Lies over the water' especially the chorus...altogether now: Bring back, bring back, bring back my Bonny to me, to me...

Changes

I can't believe it but we may finally be able to settle this whole house move thing that's been going on since way back. Months of delays and more delays but finally, a date has been settled and we will be moving out of our Hackney flat and the only area that Aimee has known.
The nursery staff know we will be leaving and one staff member recalled how Aimee first came as a young baby, unable to crawl or eat by herself, now she is this voracious happy eager young toddler who careers around the nursery like all the others. Amazing how they grow.
I wonder how Aimee will take to the new house as she has not seen it yet. Then, quite soon after that shock, will come the next one in the shape of a little brother!
Despite getting its fair share of poor press, Hackney has been great to us and great for us as new parents. The support and services are excellent (if you have the money) and the close proximity of everything is a big bonus. I'll never forget living here, I hope maybe Aimee can remember fondly her many rides on the swings, the rocking horses and slides in Hackneys well run parks.

Aimee's vocabulary is growing too vast for me to catalogue now, but one example of her ability came today during bath time. She beckoned for her favourite pump dispenser and said: soap...(nods)..soap for arms.
Wow! A whole sentance, I nearly fell over and Cat just laughed and praised her. But Aimee just looked on wondering why we weren't giving her the soap as demanded.

Several readers (that's all of them then!) have asked what will I do with the blog once the new baby arrives. Well, I plan on keeping this same blog, but changing the content to include all the news concerning the whole of the family. Maybe I'll rename and redesign it too. Just another sign of the imminent shift that will happen when brother arrives, from Aimee being sole focus of our attention...but will always the No1 daughter.