For posterity, the things I am loving about my girls at the moment:
When my 1 yr old says "I wuv you" and "cuddles please" (and means it).
When my 3 yr old says "I missed you" and means it.
They both still have a decent midday nap (sometimes it starts closer to 2pm but that's ok too).
The warm, groggy cuddles when they wake up from a nap.
They have healthy appetites and will mostly eat whatever is going.
They don't cry when left with the baby sitter, teacher or carer.
But are still so happy to see me when I pick them up.
They play together so nicely most of the time.
They cuddle each other, say "I'm sorry" if they hurt each other and tell everyone "I love my sister".
The pure joy they get from a simple game of peek-a-boo, hide and seek, chasing or tickles.
That a 3yo knows how to coordinate an outfit with her shoes and hair accessories.
And wants to check her emails.
That a 1yo wants to watch YouTube songs on the "c'puter".
And can sing along to Baa baa, twinkle twinkle and the alphabet song.
They are water babes.
They love animals, stickers, fairies, ladybirds and cupcakes.
They love to watch the same shows over and over and remember the dialogue.
They have dad's sense of humour and order.
And mum's temper (good and bad).
The big open smile (the little one) and impish grin (the big one).
The beautiful auburn curls and golden highlights.
The similarities and wonderful differences.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Water, water, everywhere
I have reached a most important parenting milestone. For me it has been the holy grail for a long time now, a sign that the worst of the anxious "must-keep-an-eye-on-them-every-minute" toddler times might actually give way to a more normal existence. I am finally able to have a decent morning shower. So what you say?
Well first some background. I grew up in a time (the not so eco conscious 80's) and place (sunny Sydney) where I had access to unlimited hot water. So showers twice a day (more in summer) were normal and staying in for 1/2 an hour or so not unusual. Singing A-Ha in my highest (out of tune) register, contemplating boys and school and most importantly making the most of MY time when my numerous siblings were already out. It was a daily ritual that cemented my love of things warm and aqueous.
So imagine my shock when I realised that shower times might need to be dictated by baby's sleep patterns. Having a furious hair wash in the middle-of-the day-nap-time or quick rinse at midnight is just not the same. Trying to shave my legs with one ear listening out for the crying that mysteriously only happened mid-lather, not fun (and dangerous). Stepping out five times dripping wet cause I'm sure I heard distressed wailing, not worth the hassle. Getting up before them didn't work cause it just woke them up in a panic. The worse stage is when baby sits but falls over, crawls but into walls, stands but can't sit back down, walks but not well. Or clings to you for dear life, opens every drawer possible, finds every possible choking hazard and you literally have a hand on them 24/7, or so it seems. With 2 under 2 that stage seems to drag on forever.
But finally this morning I put their favourite show on the TV, gave them a snack, told the big one to keep on eye on the little one and stepped cautiously into the shower. No wails of "mummy, mummy, don't go!" (yes they do think 5 minutes in the bathroom is abandonment). Nobody ran in crying cause one fell off the couch, snatched a toy or spilled milk. Nobody got their hand stuck in a drawer or had an accident on the rug. No crayon graffiti appeared on the walls. I actually got to lather up, wash my hair and shave. Just me, lovely warm water and a bad version of "Take on me". Pure bliss.
Well first some background. I grew up in a time (the not so eco conscious 80's) and place (sunny Sydney) where I had access to unlimited hot water. So showers twice a day (more in summer) were normal and staying in for 1/2 an hour or so not unusual. Singing A-Ha in my highest (out of tune) register, contemplating boys and school and most importantly making the most of MY time when my numerous siblings were already out. It was a daily ritual that cemented my love of things warm and aqueous.
So imagine my shock when I realised that shower times might need to be dictated by baby's sleep patterns. Having a furious hair wash in the middle-of-the day-nap-time or quick rinse at midnight is just not the same. Trying to shave my legs with one ear listening out for the crying that mysteriously only happened mid-lather, not fun (and dangerous). Stepping out five times dripping wet cause I'm sure I heard distressed wailing, not worth the hassle. Getting up before them didn't work cause it just woke them up in a panic. The worse stage is when baby sits but falls over, crawls but into walls, stands but can't sit back down, walks but not well. Or clings to you for dear life, opens every drawer possible, finds every possible choking hazard and you literally have a hand on them 24/7, or so it seems. With 2 under 2 that stage seems to drag on forever.
But finally this morning I put their favourite show on the TV, gave them a snack, told the big one to keep on eye on the little one and stepped cautiously into the shower. No wails of "mummy, mummy, don't go!" (yes they do think 5 minutes in the bathroom is abandonment). Nobody ran in crying cause one fell off the couch, snatched a toy or spilled milk. Nobody got their hand stuck in a drawer or had an accident on the rug. No crayon graffiti appeared on the walls. I actually got to lather up, wash my hair and shave. Just me, lovely warm water and a bad version of "Take on me". Pure bliss.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
School Holidays - help!!
It sounds simple...nearly 3 weeks at home with 2 toddlers. No preschool, only 1 day of care for the little one. Husband at work but granny and/or teenage sisters might find some spare time to help. Easy peasy.
So far we have walked to the cafe for breakfast and avoided eating scrambled eggs, picked up groceries and cheap easter eggs at the supermarket, found a farmyard nursery where we patted bunnies and cried at the goats, popped some coins in Sandy the guide dog's head (no fear he's plastic), made gingerbread man shaped cheese toast, played on the bikes outside and dress ups inside, watched Dora and Little Kingdom (yeah, yeah, bad mummy), had music time, dancing time, colouring time, storytime, snacktime, lunchtime, 3 nappy changes, 2 potty breaks, 1 accident on the bed, a change of bed sheets, one load of laundry, one dishwasher unpacked, handful of emails checked, fairy colouring pages downloaded and photocopied, a squiz at facebook, a one minute shower (me), 10 minute hair-do and dress picking (them), two screaming matches, one Band Aid battle, a "go to your room", cuddles, kisses, lots of whinging, some tantrums and of course the inevitable tears.
Oh, it is the first morning and we have only been up for 4 hours.....
So far we have walked to the cafe for breakfast and avoided eating scrambled eggs, picked up groceries and cheap easter eggs at the supermarket, found a farmyard nursery where we patted bunnies and cried at the goats, popped some coins in Sandy the guide dog's head (no fear he's plastic), made gingerbread man shaped cheese toast, played on the bikes outside and dress ups inside, watched Dora and Little Kingdom (yeah, yeah, bad mummy), had music time, dancing time, colouring time, storytime, snacktime, lunchtime, 3 nappy changes, 2 potty breaks, 1 accident on the bed, a change of bed sheets, one load of laundry, one dishwasher unpacked, handful of emails checked, fairy colouring pages downloaded and photocopied, a squiz at facebook, a one minute shower (me), 10 minute hair-do and dress picking (them), two screaming matches, one Band Aid battle, a "go to your room", cuddles, kisses, lots of whinging, some tantrums and of course the inevitable tears.
Oh, it is the first morning and we have only been up for 4 hours.....
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