Our baby boy's 1st Birthday!

You know time is flying when one minute you are holding your newly born son and then then next you're celebrating the fact that a whole year has gone by! That's right peeps, on the 3rd February 2011 Charlie turned in to a 1 year old little boy (so now when Jude asks how old Charlie is we can actually give him a number rather than confusing him! Bless).
I thought it would be a good idea to share with you all what we did:

We had heard of this great place in Melksham for kids which is called "Boomerang". So on Monday 1st February we took Charlie and had a wonderful hour or so.

They had all kinds of soft play toys there, we took advantage of the bouncy castle being empty and dove on to see what Charlie thought. Unfortunately he was a little tired and wasn't too impressed.

We then took him over to the ball park which he loved!

I have to say, this donut thing was probably his favourite thing there. I get the impression he'd have stayed in this for hours!



We then took him on this "fun house" type gaunlet. Unfortunately Mummy was too afraid to come on but did a good job of getting some fab pics!

By this point I think he had completely lost interest... These pics were more for us I think lol!

That night we took Charlie in to Bath and went to STRADA where he had his first ever ordered meal. The waiter brought over some crayons (which said not suitable for under 36 months!) and a childrens menu to use them on a long with a few breadsticks which he LOVED! I was quite impressed that he actually got the hang of colouring in instead of just putting the crayons in his mouth.

Charlie ended up having grilled chicken breast and panacotta for dessert!

On his actual birthday we got some birthday banners and party food and had a little party at home for him. He got lots of nice things including; Money, new clothes & coat, a play telephone, shark towel & swimming shorts plus lots of new toys! AND as we're off to our roots at the end of February he has lots of pressies waiting for him!

To end the celebrations we thought we'd take him swimming. So today we packed our bags and set off for the Olympiad Leisure Centre. It's only a 10-15 minute walk but the day didn't look great so I suggested taking the car... Needless to say this was met by a lot of heckling from my beloved. We arrived and got down to the pool to find a bunch of old perishers  swimming in lanes! Luckily I asked the life guard who said it was ok to get in as they had extended the times for the over 50's so they'd just have to swim round us.
Charlie had a fab time and wee definately going to take him back soon.

We hope this has served as a great birthday celebration in his eyes and that he had lots of fun, I guess we shall never truly know.
Still it's a real blessing be able to celebrate the birth of our baby boy as it really is one of the bestest days of my life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY!!



A bunch of firsts...

As Charlie has just had his first birthday it made me look back at all the "firsts" he has had in just the quick one year of his life:

1. Charlie's 1st day on earth.

What a wonderful day this was. It took a while for him to be born but after lots of complications we were greeted by our little baby boy Charlie Joseph Rowe at 4:59pm on 3rd February 2010 weighing 6lb 7oz at Bath Royal United Hospital.

2. Charlie's 1st bath.

Soon after his birth a very yellow looking boy was introduced to bath time! He didn't seem to mind at all and continues to enjoy bath time... It's when he has to come out that's the problem!

3. Charlie's 1st day home.

After 11 loooong days of being stuck in a 12' x 12' square room Charlie was finally given the all clear and we ran as fast as our legs could carry us!!! And since then we've never looked back.

4. Charlie's 1st day at church.

After being a litle rebelious and not attending church the first couple of weeks we finally were able to dress him in his Sunday best and show him off to all our friends. He was very excited.

5. Charlie's 1st trip to the temple.

We're priviledged to have two LDS temples in the UK, one in Preston and this one in London, East Grinstead. We wanted to take Charlie to the temple as soon as possible, but as I don't have Lauren here right now I can't quite tell you when that was....

6. Charlie's 1st "proper" smile.

There aren't many things in this world that could lift the mood of any person/situation but a childs smile is one of them.I know I'm being biased, but Charlie's is the BEST!

7. Charlie's 1st trip to the park

This must have been sometime in early June of 2010. We thought it'd be nice to take a walk (ride in Charlie's case) to John Coles Park which is a park we used to visit often to chill and listen to the occassional band playing on the bandstand in the park. From what I can remeber it was a gorgeous day and a quality afternoon.



8. Charlie's 1st train ride.

In July 2010 Charlie had his first experience of public transport. He absolutely loved his train ride to London, unfortunately there was a fault on the line on the way home and the train became a nightmare. The car was full to the brim and soon became extremely hot. One man feinted (TWICE!) and Charlie was stripped right down to his nappy! Bless.

9. Charlie's 1st trip to London.

Charlie's train ride in July 2010 led on to his first trip to our nations capitol, London. Lauren and I have a great love for London and love to go. Ironically we don't get much chance now Charlie is here. Still, here Charlie is at Paddington station with Paddington Bear. There were no marmalade sandwiches though.

10. Charlie's 1st meal time at the table.

For Charlie's first Christmas we thought we'd go the sensible route and buy him something that he needed. Before this point he was actually put on the table in his bumbo like some obsurd cannabalistic main course! So we thought it best to buy him his own seat at the table.

11. Charlie's 1st plane journey.

Charlie certainly doesn't do things by halves! My 1st plane journey was at 19 and was 2 hours to Portugal. Charlie braved an 11 hour flight over to LA!! Well I say braved... He moaned for the 1st 5 hours!

12. Charlie's 1st Christmas.

December 2010 Charlie was able to experience Christmas for the 1st time. He was thoroughly spoiled (as all children should be) but not only did he get in-undated with toys and clothes etc he also had two Christmas celebrations AND was able to see Nana Rowe and Nana & Grandad Baxter (Grandad Rowe was sorely missed).

13. Charlie's 1st meal out.

Instead of doing the whole party thing for his birthday we thought that we would spend a lot of time as a family and treat our little boy. So we took him in to Bath and did a little bit of shopping and then went out to eat at STRADA (strange choice for a one year old I know). He ended up having grilled chicken and panacota for dessert!

14. Charlie's 1st brithday celebration.

On 3rd February 2011 our little boy turned 1! Once again it was another wonderful opportunity for his loved ones to show him just how loved is. Not only did we take him to a soft play area called "Boomerang" but we also took him shopping, out to eat and swimming! 

15. Charlie's 1st time swimming.

 As part of his birthday celebration we took Charlie swimming at the Olympiad Leisure Centre. Nana and Grandad Baxter were kind enough to buy him his very own little shark towel and shorts so he looked very cool in his trendy gear! He ended up having a great time and Daddy was brave enough to dunk him.... just once as it was fairly evident that Charlie did not like it!

Well peeps that's all the firsts I could think of right now, I'm sure there are loads, but I am looking forward to a future full of 1sts with my little baby boy; his 1st steps, tooth, words list goes on.

Chippenham's finest!

Lauren and I were sitting at home after a wonderful day with great company debating what we were going to do for dinner. Due to the extreme nature of the day we were both shattered and neither of us could be bothered to cook anything.

After ages of diliberation (about 10 seconds!!) Lauren says "Let's get a pizza!" and I suggested renting a movie. So I suited and booted myself to brave the outdoors (for those of you stateside, it is FREEZING here!) and set off for Domino's. If only I knew what awaited me....

My first stop was Blockbuster. I grabbed my Blu-Ray (Dinner for Schmucks) and headed over to the till... The queue was HUGE! Still, I took my place and waited patiently whilst the CSA ludites bashed at their keyboards offering special deals of empty promises to any and all that would listen.

Half the queue down I started listening in to some of the conversations others were using to pass the time oh, how I wished I hadn't. Among others, these were some of choice excerpts:

"Aw! I LOVE Cadbury's Quality Street!" "You do know that they're not made by Cadbury right?!" "WHAT! You're kidding me? That has blown my world!"

"Angelina Jolie is a pretty good actress... for a girl"

I shook off my disbelief (after sending a quick text to Lauren) and made off with my Blu-Ray and my sanity and made my way to TESCO. Unfotunately I hadn't made it out of crazy town. As I grabbed my bread and Fanta I was once again met by a queue of my fellow shoppers. It was only when I looked over the shoulder of the person nearest to me that I realised that although there was a queue of about 15 people no one was using the "self checkout"....  don't mean to be rude but.... Really?!?

I saw my opportunity. As swift as an eagle diving for its prey I shot past my fellow shoppers and dove for the scanner..... *Beep* I was in!!! Needless to say I didn't look back.

As I exited the store I was met by an unusual sight but it fit in quite well with the night's antics...

Yep that's right people a dog walking itself!! WOW!

By now I was ready to get home, cuddle on the sofa with Lauren and partake of our spoils. I collected our Large Meteor pizza and stepped outside and headed to the car. On my way I had some delightful young man lean out the back of his friends "sensibly" driven automobile and exclaim how he "really" wanted my pizza....

Just to put your minds at ease, I made it home safely just in time to write this blog before we put the film on.

New years resolutions

I know I’m a month out people but it is that time of year again when we’re given an opportunity to look at ourselves and think of all the things that we want to do, become or even change. 

Many people say that a goal is not a goal until it is written down so I thought I’d share my new years resolutions with you all and immortalize them on the waves of the internet super highway.

Goal number 1. Keep a journal

There have been several chapters in my life where I have attempted to record the “highlights” of my life. Unfortunately for myself I end up rambling on for pages at a time and consequently end up losing interest... tragic I know! So in an effort to combat this never ending cycle I have thought of a plan....

To over come the “boredom” that seems to work its way in to my lacking of a creative streak I am now creating posts on my blog to keep track of the important events of my life.

So hopefully with 4 posts down on my blog and many ideas of ones to come I’m actually enjoying documenting the important points of my life. Plus, this way I get to share these moments with you guys ;-)

Goal number 2. PC prep

Even though Wiltshire police has put a hold on their plans to recruit it doesn’t mean there’s nothing I can do to prepare! I have already approached some people at work but if anyone else is willing to lend a helping hand, let me know ;-)

Goal number 3. Find a “quiet time” hobby

For ages now I have wanted something to do in my spare time that doesn’t involve technology for example playing on the playstation or watching TV/movies.

Thing is, Lauren LOVES to read. In fact she amazes me at how much she does read when she puts her mind to it. She reminds me of Johnny number 5 from the film Short Circuit! 

I have tried to get in to reading many times but I can only seem to properly immerse myself in a book when I’m on holiday! Weird huh?! So I have decided it isn’t for me.

Now... After deliberating about what I could do when Lauren is engulfed in the pages of literature I thought back a few years and remembered that I enjoyed painting Warhammer models. Now don’t judge! I actually got quite good at painting the lil critters so for my birthday I asked for some paints and brushes and, well.... tell me what you think:

4th and final goal... The same old same old...

Yes that’s it people, much like many of the Christmas bingers I too am now willing myself to be more active and get back in to some kind of fitness regime. Something like, you can lead a horse to water comes to mind. 

It is a simple case of will power and I shall get round to doing it but for now I am content with 3 out of 4!  

Wishing all you guys a happy new year and hopefully this has inspired some of you to make some of your own new years resolutions ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

Well, it is that time of year again when the day of days comes round. Yes peeps on January 15th 1983 a little baby boy was born to a very welcoming and loving young couple; Adrian and Sheena Rowe. Unfortunately for this little boy he was their first....... one word....... Guinea pig!

Yes, that's right it was me! Since that day to this I have lived 28 wonderful years, some of those years have been happier than others, but I am grateful for what has brought me to this point in my life.


Back to the day of the celebration of my birth!

I went to bed actually quite excited knowing that there was a big pile of cards and presents from loved ones downstairs on the coffee table. Still I managed to put those giddie feelings aside and drifted off dreaming about what wonders awaited me.

Before the sun had time to rise I was awoke by a tiny "DAD DAD DAD DAD DAD" murmur from across the hall. before I had a chance to open my eyes I was pounced on by my beloved who exclaimed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" in my ear. The next thing I know I had one very awake lil boy on me and was surrounded by the presents I was so fondly dreaming of.

Still I was a very spoilt boy and got lots of wonderful things. I got a remote control car/truck, Madden NFL 11 for my ps3, 2 x Blu-rays, a selection of Warhammer paints (don't judge!), some yummy chocs and a top from hollister. I also got some monies too!

I was also blessed with many cards from special peeps. (The Spider-man card has stickers in it!!)

I was surprised by my wife's baking skills as she took me in to the kitchen to reveal this masterpiece! apparently the cake was called "passion cake". Charlie wasn't as impressed as we thought he'd be having never seen a cake on fire! but I couldn't wait to get stuck in! (It was very yummy!)

Although I had to work 2.00pm - 11.00pm I had a fab birthday and was reminded by so many of my friends and family (via txt, facebook etc) just how loved I am. 

Thank you to all who made my day special. Love you all! x

Happy Pre-Birthday to me!!!!

It is that time of year once again to celebrate my day of birth. Sadly, I'm working on my birthday so Lauren wanted to celebrate it on Monday 10th January, my birthday being on the 15th (for those that don't know).

I felt bad as I don't usually get too excited about my birthday due to the fact it is so close to Christmas. But this year Lauren had other plans. The thing was, they were secret plans! 


It wasn't until I said to her that I was going to be out that evening at a works do that she admitted that she was going to wake me Monday morning offering me train tickets to London. 
Still we came up with other plans to go in to Bristol so that we could go to the cinema, eat out and do a bit of shopping.


We'd managed to get a babysitter for Charlie for the day so, without being mean, we were at our own leisure to do as we pleased. We headed in to Bristol around 10ish and decided to get a hot chocolate as it was freezing! (I mean CHILLED TO THE BONE!). We then headed to the cinema and had a choice between "The King's speech" or "Season of the Witch".

As it was my birthday I pulled rank and chose the latter. So we got our tickets and headed in to make ourselves comfortable. As we were there at 11am we had an easy time picking our seats as 6 people (including ourselves turned up).

So, we'd got our tickets, we'd got our seats and we were set. I was quite looking forward to getting a sneak peak at what was due out but as the trailers started we were met with horrific films about exorcisms and murders! Lauren and I looked at each other wondering what we'd let ourselves in for but decided to persevere. 
Well, the opening scene was three "supposedly" innocent women being accused, in a very monty pythonesque way, of being witches! As the scene progressed I felt Lauren squeezing my hand tighter and tighter. The scene concluded with one of the women being a witch who proceeded to kill the priest reading her her last rights. When the gore had finally ended I looked in to my wife's terrified eyes to hear her whisper "The King's speech would have been nice!" LOL!

As it turns out, it was a very entertaining movie and it was nice to get back to the cinema.

After we'd composed ourselves we travelled to one of our favourite restaurants FLAVOURZ. This is a place (kinda like The Golden Coral Hesbs) where you can go and stuff your face full of Chinese, Indian and mexican cuisine. Plus they have a killer desert section!! Lauren's favourite section is the chef that cooks chow mein made to order.

For my final treat, Lauren took me to Cabot Circus (a nearby mall) where I could shop till I reached my budget. The ironic thing is, we looked in so many shops but I only ended up buying a new shirt/hoodie from Hollister. 


All that being said, I still have birthday cards to open on my birthday and some presents in the post so I consider myself extremely blessed to be loved in the way that I am. 
I would like to say a BIG thank you to my wonderful wife for already making my birthday so special. I love you! X

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life...

Well, as it's the start of a new year and, with much persuasion from a certain sister-in-law (love you hesbs) I thought it was about time that I shared our eventful life with you all!


We are just getting back in to our regular routines after an amazing Christmas break.


As we were off to Salt Lake in Utah we had a Pre-Christmas with Nana Rowe.
My mum had come down to spend some time with us and take us to the airport. This was just the beginning of Charlie being thoroughly spoilt!
Unfortunately the inevitable happened... Charlie was more interested in the wrapping paper!

We had a horrible scare on the way to the airport. As we were driving down the M4 we noticed a white van man swerving all over the place!

As we watched in horror as this WVM drove within inches of his neighbours a moral sense of responsibility came over me like when superman hears the cries of an innocent bystander! I immediately reached for my phone and dialed 999! (Not quite as dramatic as superman I know).


Luckily we arrived safely but the drama didn't end there! We were told that our flight to Chicago O'hare had been cancelled!!!! Fortunately the lady at the desk was very nice and managed to get us another connecting flight to LA!!! 11 Hour flight! still we were on our way!

As Charlie had never been on an airplane we were a lil anxious as to how he'd find it. As we entered the plane we realised we were sharing the row with someone and concern and worry immediately entered our minds. Was Charlie going to behave? Was he going to scream? was this person going to end up telling us to sort him out? Fortunately for us the air-stewardess gave this lady an upgrade so we could have the whole row. Charlie was most grateful.

We finally arrived at our destination after A LOT of flying and 5 hours of dealing with a very grumpy Charlie. Turns out Charlie doesn't like flying...

We quickly got settled and in to the swing of things and relished in the company of our family on the other side of the pond.

I can't believe how much we fit in to our time in America. We went to the Salt Lake Christmas concert (featuring David Archuletta & Michael York), The Saviour of the world theatre production, visited lots of friends and family, visited BYU campus and visited the local eateries.... 

Even the infamous Red Iguana mexican (that didn't give me fries even though they were ON the menu!) You can see my reaction below.

Of course, we found time to celebrate Christmas. Thanks to Dianne we had a wonderful Christmas dinner despite the fact she was really ill.

And of course there were the presents!!!

All in all we had a fabulous time and a wonderful Christmas. Thank you!