Eli: "When daddy gets home I'm going to tell him - Daddy it's time to vacuum!"
Me: "thanks honey I appreciate it"
Eli: "I'll be BACK in a minute - I'll just be in the rain!" Heads out dancing on the verandah in the rain...
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
I have this conversation with Eli several times per day, with different food types or toys involved:
"Can I have a mandarin please?
"Yes you may, here you go"
"Sorry baby - it's mine!"
"Share with baby please"
"No I don't want to"
"That's ok, I'll get baby some yummy pear instead."
"I'm sharing! I'm sharing! I want some yummy pear too please!"
"Can I have a mandarin please?
"Yes you may, here you go"
"Sorry baby - it's mine!"
"Share with baby please"
"No I don't want to"
"That's ok, I'll get baby some yummy pear instead."
"I'm sharing! I'm sharing! I want some yummy pear too please!"
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Things that I am happy about:
- Since we moved, Eli has slept in his own bed every night. He has only come into our bed during the night twice, and both times showed up and snuggled in without issue. There has also been 2 nights where he woke a lot upset and we had to get up for him, but all in all pretty good.
- Ziva loves daycare so much. Eli is happy there too. They've sorted out those teacher issues they were having.
- Our new house is very nice. And nobody can make us move again. (Well, except perhaps the bank if we don't pay the mortgage!)
- My husband adores me even though I don't always deserve it. Our relationship is blissfully happy and loving (outside of the occasional parenting tension and stress due to being so insanely busy trying to unpack and settle whilst caring for 2 babies!!!!)
- I have the two most beautiful, intelligent and adorable children in the universe.
Things I am stressed about:
- Commuting with the kids. It's not too far for just me (35min drive or 20min train) but with kids a bit intense. Takes me 90min sometimes from the time I leave the house to when I get to work. INSANE.
- House is still chaos. SO much unpacking to do. Mostly reliant on this shed of Shane's being built so he can get his stuff out of the living room so we can finish re-arranging the furniture and unpacking. There's a huge domino effect and things in each room that are impacted.
- My weight is skyrocketing from the wine + chocolate survival diet! It's been awhile now... super keen to start working out again, but time is tight and my babies come first. Wow, I'm one of those mums! Eeek. Once Ziva stops breastfeeding at lunchtime I could do the gym at lunch (an actual lunch break, haven't had one of those in years!) but until then hard to fit in.
Silly me tried to buy furniture without my husband today. Together we have to beat salespeople off with a stick, but just me with a baby in tow and no make-up on had to work to flag down one of the many unoccupied salespeople to beg them to take my money. Customer profiling at it's finest. Ziva had fun though, and Eli seemed to enjoy staying home to help Daddy build his shed.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Oh such a stressful article! I don't know whether to be ragey at the overall sexist approach, or ragey at the fact men take so little involvement in health decisions (assuming those facts are true!) or ragey that women are apparently so likely to ignore scientific facts (assuming those facts are true!). Still, if you make it to the final three paragraphs there are some good points therein. Particularly those pertaining to the paternalistic nature of medicine and how patting people on the head and saying "there there, don't be silly, just listen to science" is not a very effective approach.
http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2015/02/women_and_vaccine_resistance_mothers_make_health_care_decisions_for_their.html
Friday, February 6, 2015
Monday, February 2, 2015
Happy Birthday Eli - TWO
Dear Eli,
It's hard to believe you're two years old already. It feels just like yesterday you came into our lives.... :-(
We are so proud of the big boy you have grown into. You are such a spectacularly wonderful human being. ...Too much pressure? :-)
2014 was a rough year for you in comparison to the super fun 1st year that you had. On 1st Jan Mummy found out she was pregnant and soon became quite sick and very very tired. I had grand plans for your 1st birthday party, but spend the week beforehand utterly miserable. Fortunately it all came together with a little help from our friends! But things got worse as time went on. I even vomited on the street one day after picking you up from daycare, you were so terrified about what was happening, and a stranger had to carry you to the car for me. We stopped swimming as much or doing as many fun things. From May onwards you refused to sleep in your cot in your own room, and insisted on sleeping in Mummy's bed, in Mummy's arms - nothing else would do. I spent my pregnancy with one baby inside and one sleeping on top of me! Your 18mnth old teething was very painful for you. We all got bronchitis. Both mummy and daddy got very busy and stressed at work. It was a long, long winter. And then your sister came along and suddenly you got a lot less attention. But you are a resilient little man! Most of the time you didn't even notice that Mummy was sitting in her chair sick. You just wanted lots of love, and you have always had lots of that.
As soon as you learnt to walk I started letting you walk anywhere you wanted. Around the department store, around the park. You're such an independent little man. You loved the short walk from the carpark to daycare, so many "bike!" and "bus!" to see on the way.
At 13 months I took you to NZ to visit your cousins. You adored cousin Basty and had the most fun time. I really enjoyed travelling with you. Around 15 months of age you became obsessed with books. You would carefully go through your bookcase selecting the next book, and bring it in to us excited. I kept telling Daddy you'd get through that phase soon - but in the meantime we read literally dozens of books each day, and most of them several times each! I would whisper "It's Daddy's turn!" and send you trotting off into the study to get him to read to you. But around 18mnths Daddy introduced you to a new love - toy cars! You still love books but you're down to a much more reasonable 1-3 per different books per day now.
You are really, really smart. Around 18mnths I realised we hadn't really done numbers with you, so I started counting, and we continued singing the alphabet together. Pretty soon you could count to 10, skipping the odd number. For awhile "seven" was the number you always skipped and never said! When Ziva was 3 days old we drove to pick Nan up from the airport. As I drove up into the multi-level carpark I heard you call out "Five!" as we drove past the level 5 pillar. That was the moment I realised you didn't just know things by rote, you actually recognised them individually. By the time Aunty Ju came to visit in November you knew all of your numbers and letters perfectly. And within a few days of her arrival you had suddenly mastered your colours too! You also became extremely articulate all of a sudden, with your vocabulary expanding to the point I really believe there is nothing you can't say. You certainly like to repeat everything we say! Recently you've been causing a bit of a sensation when we are out in public. You and I still have our cafe dates (just with a baby in the pram!) and little old ladies stop to admire you and ask how old you are. Being short makes you seem even more brilliant than you are! I admit I encourage it a little, I asked you to count Ziva's toes on the bus and you confidently counted each one to ten. "He's counting to TEN!" the little old ladies practically shrieked. I love having conversations with you. Recently you've been a huge fan of "I Spy". Late last year we used to play it with me picking the letter and telling you the item, and you would point to it. Now you often know the item just from the letter - "T" for "Truck" or "Tree" is a favourite. "More I spy with little eye?" you will ask me.
The adoration you have for your little sister is beautiful. You are genuinely helpful to me - fetching nappies, putting dirty nappies in the bin, playing games with her to distract her, giving her toys and dummies. Even checking to see if she's awake for me! She dotes on you, nobody can make her laugh the way you can. In the mornings whether you wake up in our bed or climb in, you always lean over and say "Oh! Baby! Hello Baby!" in a delighted tone of voice. I hope you continue to be close as you grow up together.
Daddy is so immensely proud of you. When I was pregnant you often went out together on the weekends - going to bike shops or to Wildlife World! It was such a nice break for me and you always had fun with your Dad. Daddy also became the one getting up to you at night and taking care of you - he was still fetching you middle of the night bottles until I put a stop to that in March! You spent two nights just with Daddy while I was in the hospital with new baby Ziva. You got your special big boy bed in October and Daddy would sometimes lie in your room with you for 1-3 hours to get you to go to sleep. Lately Ziva sleeps more so I'm spending more time at night with you again. You still love your middle of the night cuddles! You seemed to realise that we needed more of a break as Nov to Dec you started earlier nights and sleeping in your own bed, it was heaven. You're back in our bed again now though - I wonder how long until you leave it for good! Recently you said at bedtime "I NEED to sleep in Mama's bed!" how could we ignore that plea?
We also moved house in November. You still call this house "New house" so I wonder if you will realise soon that we're not going back to the old one. You love it here though.
As you grow older and smarter and more aware I'm more terrified that we will do something to scar you. You remember everything and have become so smart and slightly cautious. Gone is that baby who would fling himself down the slide without a second thought. Now you frown and say "Too big! Mama help!" I think it's a sign of your intelligence, you are thinking through consequences. Perhaps you worry too much, just like your mother.
I'm starting to understand why they call it "the terrible twos". Not because you're terrible, but because you're testing out your new skills constantly. And that can be terribly frustrating at times! You definitely keep us on our toes. I love that about you!
You are very, very funny. You make little jokes all the time, and love to play pranks. My friends love hearing stories about things you say and do. Even when you're at your worst you are truly delightful. I often say that's the compensation we get for your lack of napping and staying up so late - at least you're fun while you do it! So daddy and I will be collapsed on the sofa exhausted while you party all around us. Very, very common occurrence sadly!
And now a cute story: the day of your 2nd birthday party, Jan 31st, I put Ziva on the bed for a moment while I popped into the bathroom. I heard you climb up next to her (as usual!) and thought how nice, you would distract her. Then I hear you cooing "Helllooo! Helllooo!" again, quite usual. Then it turned into "Hello munch-kin! Hello munch-kin!" awwwwww! You are such a cutie pie.
I really couldn't be more delighted with you. Everyday you have something new and wonderful to share with us. I love you son.
Love always
Mama
It's hard to believe you're two years old already. It feels just like yesterday you came into our lives.... :-(
We are so proud of the big boy you have grown into. You are such a spectacularly wonderful human being. ...Too much pressure? :-)
2014 was a rough year for you in comparison to the super fun 1st year that you had. On 1st Jan Mummy found out she was pregnant and soon became quite sick and very very tired. I had grand plans for your 1st birthday party, but spend the week beforehand utterly miserable. Fortunately it all came together with a little help from our friends! But things got worse as time went on. I even vomited on the street one day after picking you up from daycare, you were so terrified about what was happening, and a stranger had to carry you to the car for me. We stopped swimming as much or doing as many fun things. From May onwards you refused to sleep in your cot in your own room, and insisted on sleeping in Mummy's bed, in Mummy's arms - nothing else would do. I spent my pregnancy with one baby inside and one sleeping on top of me! Your 18mnth old teething was very painful for you. We all got bronchitis. Both mummy and daddy got very busy and stressed at work. It was a long, long winter. And then your sister came along and suddenly you got a lot less attention. But you are a resilient little man! Most of the time you didn't even notice that Mummy was sitting in her chair sick. You just wanted lots of love, and you have always had lots of that.
As soon as you learnt to walk I started letting you walk anywhere you wanted. Around the department store, around the park. You're such an independent little man. You loved the short walk from the carpark to daycare, so many "bike!" and "bus!" to see on the way.
At 13 months I took you to NZ to visit your cousins. You adored cousin Basty and had the most fun time. I really enjoyed travelling with you. Around 15 months of age you became obsessed with books. You would carefully go through your bookcase selecting the next book, and bring it in to us excited. I kept telling Daddy you'd get through that phase soon - but in the meantime we read literally dozens of books each day, and most of them several times each! I would whisper "It's Daddy's turn!" and send you trotting off into the study to get him to read to you. But around 18mnths Daddy introduced you to a new love - toy cars! You still love books but you're down to a much more reasonable 1-3 per different books per day now.
You are really, really smart. Around 18mnths I realised we hadn't really done numbers with you, so I started counting, and we continued singing the alphabet together. Pretty soon you could count to 10, skipping the odd number. For awhile "seven" was the number you always skipped and never said! When Ziva was 3 days old we drove to pick Nan up from the airport. As I drove up into the multi-level carpark I heard you call out "Five!" as we drove past the level 5 pillar. That was the moment I realised you didn't just know things by rote, you actually recognised them individually. By the time Aunty Ju came to visit in November you knew all of your numbers and letters perfectly. And within a few days of her arrival you had suddenly mastered your colours too! You also became extremely articulate all of a sudden, with your vocabulary expanding to the point I really believe there is nothing you can't say. You certainly like to repeat everything we say! Recently you've been causing a bit of a sensation when we are out in public. You and I still have our cafe dates (just with a baby in the pram!) and little old ladies stop to admire you and ask how old you are. Being short makes you seem even more brilliant than you are! I admit I encourage it a little, I asked you to count Ziva's toes on the bus and you confidently counted each one to ten. "He's counting to TEN!" the little old ladies practically shrieked. I love having conversations with you. Recently you've been a huge fan of "I Spy". Late last year we used to play it with me picking the letter and telling you the item, and you would point to it. Now you often know the item just from the letter - "T" for "Truck" or "Tree" is a favourite. "More I spy with little eye?" you will ask me.
The adoration you have for your little sister is beautiful. You are genuinely helpful to me - fetching nappies, putting dirty nappies in the bin, playing games with her to distract her, giving her toys and dummies. Even checking to see if she's awake for me! She dotes on you, nobody can make her laugh the way you can. In the mornings whether you wake up in our bed or climb in, you always lean over and say "Oh! Baby! Hello Baby!" in a delighted tone of voice. I hope you continue to be close as you grow up together.
Daddy is so immensely proud of you. When I was pregnant you often went out together on the weekends - going to bike shops or to Wildlife World! It was such a nice break for me and you always had fun with your Dad. Daddy also became the one getting up to you at night and taking care of you - he was still fetching you middle of the night bottles until I put a stop to that in March! You spent two nights just with Daddy while I was in the hospital with new baby Ziva. You got your special big boy bed in October and Daddy would sometimes lie in your room with you for 1-3 hours to get you to go to sleep. Lately Ziva sleeps more so I'm spending more time at night with you again. You still love your middle of the night cuddles! You seemed to realise that we needed more of a break as Nov to Dec you started earlier nights and sleeping in your own bed, it was heaven. You're back in our bed again now though - I wonder how long until you leave it for good! Recently you said at bedtime "I NEED to sleep in Mama's bed!" how could we ignore that plea?
We also moved house in November. You still call this house "New house" so I wonder if you will realise soon that we're not going back to the old one. You love it here though.
As you grow older and smarter and more aware I'm more terrified that we will do something to scar you. You remember everything and have become so smart and slightly cautious. Gone is that baby who would fling himself down the slide without a second thought. Now you frown and say "Too big! Mama help!" I think it's a sign of your intelligence, you are thinking through consequences. Perhaps you worry too much, just like your mother.
I'm starting to understand why they call it "the terrible twos". Not because you're terrible, but because you're testing out your new skills constantly. And that can be terribly frustrating at times! You definitely keep us on our toes. I love that about you!
You are very, very funny. You make little jokes all the time, and love to play pranks. My friends love hearing stories about things you say and do. Even when you're at your worst you are truly delightful. I often say that's the compensation we get for your lack of napping and staying up so late - at least you're fun while you do it! So daddy and I will be collapsed on the sofa exhausted while you party all around us. Very, very common occurrence sadly!
And now a cute story: the day of your 2nd birthday party, Jan 31st, I put Ziva on the bed for a moment while I popped into the bathroom. I heard you climb up next to her (as usual!) and thought how nice, you would distract her. Then I hear you cooing "Helllooo! Helllooo!" again, quite usual. Then it turned into "Hello munch-kin! Hello munch-kin!" awwwwww! You are such a cutie pie.
I really couldn't be more delighted with you. Everyday you have something new and wonderful to share with us. I love you son.
Love always
Mama
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Push car?
Mama's got to go make dinner now darling, I'm making chicken for dinner tonight
And meat?
Well yes chicken is meat
And salad?
We're having veges tonight
And salad?
Ok I'll make a little salad
And meat?
Yes we'll have chicken
And carrots?
Yes I'm cooking carrots
And ku-mama?
What?
Ku-mama?
Yes I'm making kumara
And meat?
Ok you really have to let me go make dinner now...
Playing letters with Eli this morning, he found an H and started saying "ere! Ere!" I was looking puzzled so he reached out and patted me head. Oh! Hair! Oops.
He's never wrong - we had a similar mix up over "Q for Quail!" last weekend. I was staring at him confused and sure I was mishearing. Then I remembered his NZ ABC book has quails in it!
He's never wrong - we had a similar mix up over "Q for Quail!" last weekend. I was staring at him confused and sure I was mishearing. Then I remembered his NZ ABC book has quails in it!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
1130pm and me and my boy are partying. Sigh. For some reason when Shane is out Eli definitely doesn't sleep. Which is nuts seeing he is such a good sleeper now - four stars on his new star chart to prove it! Four out of five nights down at bedtime, it's a start. Ziva was down shortly after 10 as usual.
Anyway, when I shower he has started passing me my exfoliant which I keep on the lower shower ledge. Just now he followed me into the bathroom to wash my hands, and a minute later in the kitchen he's holding out my exfoliant saying "Want some?" Hehehe. Nope, I did not.
Another special moment tonight - he was watching home videos on my laptop, and suddenly I heard him laughing his head off joyfully. He was watching a video of him and me playing that Shane took on New Year's Eve. There's almost no videos of us playing together - it's usually me videoing him or him with Shane - I think it's the first time he's seen really candid footage of us. Love his reaction!
Anyway, when I shower he has started passing me my exfoliant which I keep on the lower shower ledge. Just now he followed me into the bathroom to wash my hands, and a minute later in the kitchen he's holding out my exfoliant saying "Want some?" Hehehe. Nope, I did not.
Another special moment tonight - he was watching home videos on my laptop, and suddenly I heard him laughing his head off joyfully. He was watching a video of him and me playing that Shane took on New Year's Eve. There's almost no videos of us playing together - it's usually me videoing him or him with Shane - I think it's the first time he's seen really candid footage of us. Love his reaction!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)