Well, it’s been a while since I wrote anything – have just realised how long! Time is just flying by now we’re in the work / nursery / home routine and I just don’t seem to find time to do much else – although to be fair when you review what a day entails it’s not like I’m doing nothing! We woke up with Imogen as normal at 7 today even though it was a weekend and it’s amazing how long the days can be – in a nice way! I loved my previous slobby lie ins for most of the morning, but equally appreciate the extra time now so we can fit in the chores and lots of family time as well. Just need to work on a regular babysitter so we get some time to ourselves too!
We went to London today to apply in person for Imogen’s passport – which was OK but I am shattered from the whole experience! I have learnt that preparation is the key and last night spent most of the evening ensuring we had enough nappies, change of clothes, bottles and all the rest of the paraphernalia that you need and also that you only need when you don’t have it!
We went by train, but it was exhausting just worrying and thinking about all the aspects that normally when I went to London weekly for work just weren’t an issue! The main dilemma was parking and getting from one side of the station to the other, as at our station there is no lift and pedestrian access between platforms involves very long distances if you can’t manage the stairs. In the end, I parked the side we needed to leave from and carried a very heavy pushchair and baby up the other side when I got back – and still have the scars on my fingers to prove it as unfortunately there were no friendly strangers to help me!
Overall, it was all fine and I can now proudly say that we have travelled on trains, busses and black cabs, all of which catered for disabled passengers fairly well so it was OK. I was feeling very proud of myself and positive as we conquered the transport, passport office and even made lunch with Leigh and a show round of Imogen to his office.
I treated myself to a new book, chocolate bar & huge cup of tea at Waterloo for the train as Imogen was sleeping for pretty much the first time since we left home, due to the excitement of her trip. However, it started to go a little pear-shaped just outside of Waterloo when she woke with a very dirty and leaky nappy that needed urgent attention! The nappy changing unit is a tray that pulls down over the loo with no straps and the floor was very wet with dubious content, so we had a challenging time changing her and all clothes whilst keeping the change bag dry, surfing a moving train and trying to be hygienic – they should try that one on the Crystal Maze! I can’t imagine now that anything can top that for changing challenges for me (& hope not!), but would love to hear others stories!
I never realised before, how the good baby changing rooms have toilets for mums in them as well – a must! Otherwise it’s the disabled toilet, which is also fine as you can fit the buggy in. I was in a town today though where you have to have a special radar key, only issued to disabled people, to access these toilets to avoid vandalism. A great idea, but precludes people with buggies from using them and I haven’t yet figured out how you would use a normal public cubicle as it is often a tight squeeze for a normal adult, let alone including a buggy into the equation! I wouldn’t feel happy either leaving her outside.
