Aimee's Anecdotes

life

2012-02-12T19:47:00.001+11:00

is not always easy. Sometimes, maybe often, it's tough. I'm feeling that with some things I'm working through at the moment.

But God is love.

I reakon you can cope with a lot when you know you are truly, deeply loved.

hooray

2012-02-12T19:43:00.001+11:00

for the interwebs.

It turns out that washing powder gets food dye out of stone counters and clothes.

Now to convince P that she doesn't need a bandaid for the red 'blood' stains on her hands...

dye

2012-02-09T15:14:00.003+11:00

I made play-dough with P today. It was meant to be a fun, enjoyable activity together while E was napping.

Then I discovered that food colouring dye, little children and light coloured stone bench tops do not mix. I hope it 'rubs' off by the time we move out of this rental property...

elephants

2012-02-09T12:26:00.003+11:00

Our girls have two soft elephant toys. One P has had for years and named 'Ellie'. The second was a Christmas gift for E.

P told us this week that this second elephant now has a name.

And it's "Daheminaherd".

Yes, we checked a few times. It was definately "Daheminaherd".

Then she said, "You know, like the song."

This song.

(We discovered this song in the year after E was born)

A morning with E

2012-02-06T11:01:00.003+11:00

E has been wandering around the house this morning, asking "Where's P?". It seems very quiet with only one child at home.

For some reason it never felt this quiet when there was only P before E was born. I guess I've adjusted to being a mum-of-two.

So far, E and I have painted, made jelly with banana bits, hung out washing. Although it's quiet, it's also a treat to have some time just with E, even if she misses her big sister.

First day

2012-02-06T08:36:00.002+11:00

She has been walking around with her backpack on, asking for the last hour if it's time to go to preschool yet. She is so excited about going and is currently tapping my arm saying "I think it's 9 o'clock mummy!"

joint play

2012-02-05T16:55:00.003+11:00

Now that P is 4 and E is 2, they are at an age where they can both play together. This, of course, means that there are more fights and squeals when they both want the same toys. Mostly though, it is delightful seeing them interact together in play. Their shared joy in an activity, giggles together and just simple delight in each others company is wonderful.

Here they are, having made a 'bed' together, lying down and pretending to read to each other. This pretty much captures their relationship, despite the occasional arguments. It is such a privilege to watch these two grow in their enjoyment of each others company. Sisters. Friends.

Firsts

2012-02-05T16:50:00.003+11:00

E can now open doors on her own. She is little, so she has to reach up as high as she can, standing on her tippy-toes. She is so pleased with herself, she stands at a door and just has fun opening it, going through it, and opening it from the other side (over and over again).

And P?

P starts preschool (2 days a week) this year.

This afternoon

2012-02-04T18:42:00.001+11:00

I called my nana. She was asleep, but she tells me she sleeps 90% of the time, so this is not unusual.

She is 93 and still lives on her own in a two story house.

It was nice talking to her.

Is it 'normal'

2012-02-04T18:39:00.001+11:00

for a four-year old to regularly spill drinks?

We average a tipped over cup of milk every week or two.

Animals

2012-01-19T18:31:00.002+11:00

We took the girls out for a walk at Tidbinbilla today. It was hot, but lovely.

Saw lots of kangaroos (including a joey with it's mum), swans, ducks, kookaburras, emus, blue-tongue lizard, dragon lizard, black snake (swimming across the pond), a swan on a nest of half a dozen eggs, and even an elusive platypus. E's favourite was watching the drake dive down for food. She thought it was hilarious.

A great day, even if we did end up carrying the girls for most of the walk. Unsurprisingly, they both had plenty of energy for the playground afterwards...

Can you tell

2012-01-12T21:21:00.001+11:00

I had both girls napping at the same time today? First time in months (P rarely naps anymore), hence the numerous posts!

sisters 2

2012-01-12T17:00:00.002+11:00

sisters

2012-01-12T16:43:00.002+11:00

both a few days before their second birthday.

E at...

2012-01-12T16:27:00.002+11:00

3 days old

One year old

Two years old

Christmas

2012-01-12T16:22:00.003+11:00

For Christmas, PH's parents and brother came to stay. It was lovely. PH made his much requested coca-cola glazed ham.We had a Birthday party for Jesus. P and I made a cake. She chose the star shape - pretty apt, I thought!

E is 2

2012-01-10T22:01:00.003+11:00

E turned 2 last week. She is such a cutie, I love having a two year old in the house again - I kinda forgot just how much fun they are!! I love how - now she is starting to say a bit more and put two words together - I can get a glimpse into what she is thinking and what is important to her. I love that her face lights up when she sees P, or her dad, or me. I love how she likes having one last little snuggle before bed time, calling out 'mum! mum!' until I come and give her a cuddle and then put her back in her cot, calm and ready for sleep.

I love how her cute chubby cheeks bounce up and down when she runs, and how she giggles with joy at playing catch-me-if-you-can. I love how she is always the first to spot the neighbour's cat sneaking into our back yard and the way she calls out 'miaow' at the top of her lungs. I love how adventurous she is and how she and P laugh at each other, sharing secret giggles back and forth, gradually getting louder and louder until they are practically squealing at/with each other.

She is delightful and she is loved.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T11:24:00.003+11:00

This is our 'Christmas corner':

Here we have our tree, our children's bibles and Christmas story books. We have also set up our wooden nativity items (Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus) and our finger puppets, as well as including the nativity set P made at Bible Study creche.

Each night before bed we sit next to our (little) tree and read a part of the nativity story together. We don't follow a structure, but have read or discussed different aspects together. We've talked about how the girls sleep in a comfortable bed, but Jesus slept in an animals food box. We've talked about how Mary sang a song of thanks and sang a thank you song to God ourselves. P has enacted out the nativity story many times herself.

At the end of each Bible reading time, the girls each choose one Christmas decoration to put up on the tree. They both love this tradition.

I've been trying to think of ways of making Christmas not all about the presents. I decided this year to not put the presents under the tree but instead put our nativity scenes and Bible stories there. I'm still not sure whether to have the girls open their presents on Christmas eve (so that Christmas Day is all about Jesus) or not.

What are your thoughts?

Saddened...

2011-12-07T08:00:00.001+11:00

by the finiteness of our existence in this world.

Gladdened...

by the infiniteness of eternity.

Mary Mary, quite contrary

2011-12-06T21:22:00.005+11:00

Wondering how our garden is growing?

Pretty good, considering my lack-of-green-thumb.

These Earth Boxes are gold, I tell you. Gold.

E sick

2011-12-01T19:45:00.002+11:00

E has been sick this last week. I took her to Emergency at the hospital down the road from us on Sunday night/early Monday morning. She was very upset in the middle of the night (unusual for her), had a fever despite being given meds to bring it down, seemed to be short of breath, and was going blue around her mouth as she cried. It was her breathing that worried me most, so I took her in to make sure she was getting enough oxygen.

I'm thankful that:

- we have a hospital literally 5 minutes drive away

- there was no-one else in the waiting room

- they were able to monitor her oxygen levels and determine that, when calm, she was getting the oxygen she needs

- they were happy to take a monitoring approach

- E was able to sleep a bit while we were there

- the nurses were so kind and thoughtful (although I did have to ask them to leave us alone when they were so intent on 'cheering' E up - poor thing was tired and terrified of all these people wiggling toys/balloons in her face. But they meant well!)

- there was zero cost. Didn't even ask for our medicare or insurance cards, despite being a private hospital.

- that PH was home for Monday morning and could look after P while E and I caught up on some sleep

I'm also thankful for children who are normally healthy and well. It's not something I take for granted.

Finished - birthday banner

2011-11-24T07:00:00.003+11:00

I made this banner in the week leading up to P's 4th birthday.

She loved it! She even helped me make it, stepping down on the machine pedal to make it sew.
I made a 'celebrate!' banner rather than a 'happy birthday' one, so it's a little more versatile (Easter, special events, etc). You might recognise the fabric from E's quilt.

The pattern and tutorial are from Domestic Nest. I made my own letters to fit.

Hmmm... where are they?

2011-11-23T13:04:00.003+11:00

E swinging

2011-11-21T14:18:00.002+11:00

E loves to hang off things. She is really quite strong and will swing back and forth hanging on to anything she can find. Playground equipment I'm okay with. Bathroom sinks, not so much.

She makes me laugh.

Face painting

2011-11-21T14:09:00.004+11:00

It's the season of school fetes and spring festivals. Which, according to our 4 year old, means one thing - face painting!

Of course, she always asks for the same thing. A pink and purple butterfly.

Yep, some face painters are obviously more talented than others ;)

Galaxy Balls

2011-11-13T20:14:00.004+11:00

P and I made these together today. It was super easy, super quick and super messy!

Perfect for making with children, as there isn't even any cooking involved.

To make these, you will need:

1 packet (250g thereabouts) arrowroot or other plain biscuits

3 tbs cocoa powder, sifted

1 cup desiccated coconut*

1 tin (395g) sweetened condensed milk

2 tbs water

1 tsp vanilla essence

sprinkles and stars

*no - this is not a USA-friendly recipe: you would have to go to a specialist store for this ingredient - shredded coconut is too moist for this recipe, it needs to be dry. And 'biscuits' refers to cookies.

Crush the biscuits in a food processor (or put in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin).

Add all the ingredients except the sprinkles and stars and combine well.

Roll into small balls, then roll them in the sprinkles and stars.

It makes about 30, best stored in the fridge, can be frozen for a few weeks.

Oh, and there's an adult version, too:

Otherwise known as rum balls.

haircut

2011-11-10T18:01:00.001+11:00

glasses

2011-11-10T18:00:00.001+11:00

Finished - E's quilt

2011-11-10T16:43:00.004+11:00

You may recall me saying I was making a baby quilt for E over here.

Well, luckily I made it big enough to be a 'no-longer-a-baby' quilt! It actually only took a week or two to finish once I was able to borrow a proper quilting machine. It's lovely to see E enjoying it. It's a very simple quilting design, but is just how I wanted it to look.

Hard work

2011-11-10T16:40:00.002+11:00

Solo parenting is really tough. I knew this, but after a lovely almost 3 years of having PH at home, I found having him away for two weeks this month really really tough. Incredibly tough.

Am I getting soft or something?

(although I am thankful for the time together and the fact that it does feel really unsettling to have him away, because that means that I'm so comfortable having him home and he is such an integral part of our family life that I sorely miss him when he is gone!)

No 1 Ladies Detective

2011-11-10T16:38:00.003+11:00

Did anyone else find the finale a little weird? It just seemed to have some open ended parts to the story line (I'm thinking of the maid side story...). It just seemed an odd note to finish on. I looked up the series and apparently they are not making any more episodes, so I don't know what was up with that.

Colour

2011-10-17T08:15:00.002+11:00

P having a discussion to herself this morning:

P "We three are white"

Me (interjecting) "What about daddy?"

P "Daddy is brown"

Me "Well, if mummy is white and daddy is brown, what does that make you?"

P "I'm white"

Me "I think you are light brown"

P "No, I'm not brown"

Me "Maybe you are a little bit brown and a little bit white"

P "You are joking me mum"

Me "No, you are a mix of mum and dad"

P "But what does that make?"

Me "That makes for two beautiful little girls"

P "Stop joking me mum!"

(I must note that her favourite teacher is "brown", so I'm not quite sure why she so clearly defines herself as white??)

Ours

2011-09-23T07:20:00.000+10:00

Or rather, mostly ours.

Does this mean we're grown ups now?

Floriade

2011-09-22T07:01:00.004+10:00

We went to Floriade earlier this week and are headed back again today. It's so nice to have a great, free event to take kids to. All this week, CIT students are running a free kid's program that includes:

- water and sand play

- soft play area for younger kids,

- music area, complete with instruments and dancing ribbons

- craft construction activities for older kids

- outside area with hula hoops and parachute activities

There's also a baby animal farm, where the girls could brush the animals.

But I think P's favourite was the (not free) jumping castle with giant slide.

I'm glad we've gone during the week though, can't imagine how busy it must be on weekends!

P's swim class

2011-09-01T10:24:00.002+10:00

P had her first swimming lessons today, she did really well. The teacher was great - encouraging, calm, firm. P got a little upset the first time her head went under the water, but her teacher just calmly wiped the water off her face and taught her how to blow the water out of her nose.

I'm very impressed that in one lesson, they had her diving for rings (with support!), swimming with a noodle to reach a bath toy, and jumping in to the instructor's arms.

She had a great time, and is super excited about going again next week.

Chipmunk

2011-09-01T10:20:00.002+10:00

E at 19 months...

...is it any wonder one of her first words is "cheeks"?

weekend question

2011-08-18T10:01:00.002+10:00

On Saturday, P asked us:

"Can we go to Young Child? I'm hungry"

Can you guess what she was talking about?

Brushing kids teeth and Speech Pathology

2011-08-17T07:53:00.003+10:00

As a speech path, I'm often asking kids to make animal sounds to see if they can actually make a sound they are not using in everyday speech:

The snake sound 'sssss' for 's'

Sing 'la-la-la' for 'l'

Quiet 'shhh!' for 'sh'

Growl 'grrrr' for 'r'

You would be surprised how well it works for some kids! Once they have figured out that they can actually make the sound, they can start practising it with vowels and in short words.

Funnily enough, it's also something I've always used to get my kids to brush their teeth. When they were both little and had a tendency to either close their mouth or try to suck on the brush, I would get them to make sounds to make it easier.

Roar like a lion!

This opens their mouth so you can brush their side/back teeth

Say 'eee-eee-eee' like a monkey!

Then brush their front teeth.

Viola!

Flat

2011-08-15T12:41:00.002+10:00

I've been feeling a bit flat lately, not quite sure why. Maybe the month of sickness and broken sleep catching up with me. Nothing to really worry about, just hoping a few good nights of sleep (and maybe a nap or two) will help!

Still very thankful for so many things. As I was rocking E last night (she had woken up crying), I prayed over her. Such a special moment. I love those evenings when all is quiet, I have a sick but sleeping child in my arms, and the time to pray for them and for wisdom in parenting. Such a privilege.

A daddy-daughter morning

2011-08-11T12:28:00.004+10:00

Two weekends ago, PH took P to the National Gallery of Australia, while I looked after E (who still had chicken pox).

He wrote this lovely comment on facebook:

"Winter sun, National Gallery sculpture garden, Abstract and early Aus Impressionism, a pink macaroon, her first try of pork crackling and a decent Brindabella Hills Shiraz (for me). A successful daddy-daughter morning."

I packed a small drawing pad and some markers for P. PH suggested she draw some of the favourite things she saw at the gallery. He then snapped a few shots of P holding her drawings in front of the artworks.

Until he was told not to take photos of the art.

Oops!

Ruth

2011-08-11T12:16:00.002+10:00

We've been reading the book of Ruth in the Bible. It's such a lovely book and a wonderful story.

PH commented to me yesterday how much of a relief it is to read Ruth after Judges.

I agree. After the depressing news of how deeply and gravely a nation has fallen apart and become immoral and corrupt, there is this beautiful story of a few people, one a Jew by marriage (rather than birth), who are keeping faithful to God.

It's tempting to think that God had given up on Israel after reading Judges. He definitely had the right to give up on them. But then you see him at work in individual lives. Knowing Ruth was the grandmother of King David and the ancestor of King Jesus - that just makes the story even sweeter.

It's refreshing to read.

My prayer is that my life and the lives of my family and my church family will be like that. That people will be refreshed by seeing our lives, that we will appear like an oasis compared to the world around us. That our lives will point them to a faithful, good God.

Uh Oh

2011-08-10T19:36:00.001+10:00

We have more spots.

This time on the immunised 3 year old, who is already scratching furiously.

Sigh.

lunch in the sun

2011-07-29T22:33:00.003+10:00

stuck at home with a poxie toddler

but we won't let that get to us!

Otherwise known as: if we can't leave the house, at least we'll enjoy the midday sun in our courtyard!

Gardening

2011-07-28T13:35:00.004+10:00

Last weekend P and I did some gardening together. We finally got word that we will be staying in the same location next year, so I celebrated by going and buying some plants as I hadn't wanted to plant anything if we were going to need to move again in less than a year.

We bought the potting mix, dolomite lime and fertiliser and P helped scoop it into the pots. Great fun and quite therapeutic to be sitting in the warm sun handling dirt!

Then we planted some herbs, some veggies (spring onions and beetroot for this time of year) and watered them.

It was a really lovely activity to do together, and each morning P looks out the window to see how her plants are growing. Which in turn reminds me to water them!

A tip for next time: place the pots where you want them to be kept before putting in the soil. It's a lot heavier afterwards!

the pox

2011-07-27T09:15:00.002+10:00

Two weeks ago, I booked E in for her 18 month check up and chicken pox vaccination. The day before, she came down with a cold, and PH came down with shingles. Thankfully for him, the shingles was just a re-occurrence of the chicken pox he had as a child (it lies dormant in some people and will re-emerge along a nerve - for him it just was along the top half of the left side of his face).

I took E to her appointment and mentioned to the doctor that PH had shingles. She felt that because E was sick, she should not have her immunisation at this stage but be careful not to let her have any direct contact with PH's sores (naturally!).

This week, E has finally seemed to recover from her cold, so I booked her in for her immunisation tomorrow.

And today? She has spots. Very suspicious, rapidly spreading spots.

Oh, well. At least it's not life threatening. And she seems happy enough at this stage, despite the spots.

Another week at home for us!

Moses

2011-07-24T10:03:00.000+10:00

This post is written to encourage all those wonderful Sunday School teachers out there. Children really do listen and remember what you teach them!

P is only 3 1/2. This term at Sunday School, they have been learning about Moses. The other day, she was drawing pictures, and this is one that she drew (I didn't tell her what to draw, she just decided to do that herself).

When I asked her what the picture was about, she said:

- This (in green) is Moses climbing up the mountain

- This (in brown) is Moses with the two tablets, he was very angry and he throws the tablets down and broke them into pieces (the little brown bits)

- This (in red) is all the little pieces, he puts them in the water (blue) and they have to drink it.

Can you guess which part of the Moses story the last bit is referring to?

Book Review - Caleb's Crossing

2011-07-22T07:38:00.000+10:00

I've been trying to read more books this year, a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. One of the most recent books I've read is "Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks. I've read a few of her books now, other's being "People of the Book" and "March", which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2006.

What I love about all her books is that they always make me think. She is rare in that she writes a lot about religion and people's beliefs, often in a challenging, but not demeaning, way. I don't often agree with what I think are her views on religion, but I love the way that her writing challenges me to understand what other's believe and to think about what I believe.

"Caleb's Crossing" is no different. It's set in Martha's Vineyard (an island in Cape Cod, out from Boston) in 1665 and is written from the character of Bethia, a minister/missionary daughter who longs to be able to study the classics and have an education open to the men of her world. She makes friends with a local Indian boy (Caleb), who is given the opportunities she is denied.

Throughout the book there is the underlying theme of rights to education and also the natural clash of English religious beliefs with the local Indian beliefs. These are strong themes, yet treated in a gentle way without being overly "preachy" (for want of a better word!).

I think it would be a great book to read and discuss with friends. I think I'll suggest it to my book club (which is made up of military wives). I like discussing religion and beliefs with others, but often find it hard to know how to bring it up in a way that isn't weird or doesn't feel confronting to others. This book naturally leads to discussions on what people believe, and on the impact that has on the way our lives are lived. It's not a Christian book by any standard, but raises some really interesting themes that are not often discussed in our culture.

image from http://geraldinebrooks.com/the-books/calebs-crossing/

Hmmm...

2011-07-21T13:29:00.002+10:00

I'm running out of space to hang my clothes to dry.

Hurry up winter, I'm ready for some warmer weather!

An easy skirt

2011-07-21T08:12:00.000+10:00

P loves wearing skirts, even in the middle of winter. Thankfully she's also happy to wear tights or leggings with them! I promised her a few weeks ago that I would make her another skirt to wear, and finally got around to it this week.

I based the pattern on two skirts she already has and just guessed the measurements. This is for a four year old, but it is fairly loose fitting and has elastic waist that can be tightened or loosened, so could easily be adjusted for other ages. It cost less than $10 in materials.

It has elastic at the waist and a ruffle when the hem is sewn, so it's pretty quick and easy to make.

Here's how I made it. Please note that I used an overlocker/serger quite a bit. If you don't have access to one of these, then I've put the alternatives in red.

1. You will need 1/2 metre of fabric (with a width of 115cm). I used fine corded material as the skirt can then be worn on it's own in summer, or with leggings or tights in winter.

You will also need at least 50cm of 2cm wide elastic and thread to match the material.

2. Fold the fabric in half (so the raw edges are at the ends, not together) Cut out the four pieces:

(A) cut 26cm of fabric (whole width) - you will end up with a rectangle of 26cm x 115cm

(B) cut 2cm of fabric (whole width) - you will end up with a long thin strip of 2cm x 115cm

NOTE = if you don't have an overlocker/serger, you will need to make this 2.5cm wide

(D) with the left over piece of material from (C) (ie. the piece that is 13cm x 59cm) cut out 2cm strip (OR 2.5cm if you don't have an overlocker) - you will end up with a rectangle of 2cm x 59cm.

(note: this is not the final cut pieces, just part way through, don't use image as a guide)

2. Overlock all the raw edges (zig-zag all raw edges of pieces A and C)

3. Long stitch the top edge of A, about 1/2 cm from the edge. Long stitch again, this time about 3/4 cm from the edge. Gather the material by gently pulling the top two threads gradually move the gathers so they are all along the top edge of the fabric until this edge now measures 64cm in width.

4. Pin the top edge of A and the bottom edge of C together, right sides facing (they should be the same width now A has been gathered). Sew together using normal length straight stitch about 3/4cm or 1cm from edge. Fold out so you can now see the right side of both pieces.

5. Fold this material so the side edges are together (right side facing). Sew together using straight stitch. You now have the body of the skirt.

6. Ruffle. Sew the two 2cm strips together on one edge so you now have a very long, thin 2cm strip. (If no overlocker, fold both the long edges over 1/4cm, iron and sew with a zigzag, so you have two long zigzags down the long edges). Sew the other edge (right side together) so you have a long loop. Then sew long stitch down the middle of the piece (all 170+cm of it!). Gently pull on the top threads to create a gather until the fabric measures 115cm.

7. Fold hem (bottom edge of A) up 3 cm and iron. Pin ruffle on front part of skirt about 2.5 cm from the folded edge. Attach using straight stitch. This will also sew down the hem of the skirt (hooray, no hand hemming!!)

8. Fold top edge of C over 1/2cm, iron. Then fold again, but this time over 2.5cm. Iron. Sew straight stitch, close to the folded edge (ie. about 2.25cm from the top edge of the skirt), leaving about 3cm un-sewn to provide a gap for threading the elastic through.

9. Thread elastic through the gap and around the waist. Measure against the child you are making it for, and sew elastic together at a comfortable width. Then sew the last 3cm of the gap (from #8). You may want to do sew some vertical lines down the elastic to keep it from folding over when it's worn.

10. Take a photo of your model wearing her new skirt!

light in the darkness

2011-07-18T07:52:00.003+10:00

In the darkest days after E's birth, in the middle of postpartum anxiety, I found it hard to understand what God was doing. I would beg God for sleep, but then would have another night of insomnia. I would pour out my anxieties to him, yet not feel the peace I thought would come. I wondered if God was punishing me, or if I had done something 'wrong'.

But looking back, I can see God's gentle, gracious, loving hand all the way through.

His kindness in my husband being in a job where, for the first time in three or more years, he was able to be home by 4.30pm each day, and where he was not required to be away from home for weeks or months.

His providence in allowing the Bible devotions I was reading at just that time be on Psalms, which helped me to turn to God in my distress and cry out to Him. And which was about all I could take in in my extreme tiredness. It was perfect and provided me with shafts of hope in my otherwise foggy days.

His mercy in surrounding me with friends who not only prayed for me, but cooked meals for us long after the first few weeks, who took P on play dates with their kids so I could try and rest, or could get to doctors appointments.

His love in giving me a baby, who, despite all my fears, is actually a great sleeper and (after the first two months) was really easy going.

His graciousness in providing direction on where to get help when I most needed it, and in providing a doctor who actually knew what to prescribe to help me get better again.

Light in my darkness, balm to my soul. My saviour, once and for all.

E - 18 months

2011-07-15T14:52:00.000+10:00

Because I'm both a mum and a Speech Pathologist, indulge me for this little post...

_____________________

E has just turned 18 months, and these are the 'words' she is using. It still amazes me how children start to develop language, and discovering what they are most interested in.

Mummy

Daddy

Neni (how she says her name, cute!)

Wow

Oww! (mostly when I'm trying to comb or put up her hair - she learnt this one from P)

No no no

A da! (peek a boo! A favourite.)

Offf (woof - dog)

Miauw (cat)

Ah-men (amen)

Bfff (elephant sound)

Fff + shakes hands (finished)

Brrm (car)

I-ooo (I love you - copied)

Bah (bird)

She also signs for food, drink and sleep. And nods for yes and shakes her head for no. I still love the little babbling sounds she makes when she is happy.

2011-07-14T13:16:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago, P and I made some Chelsea Buns together.

It was fun. And yummy.

But I must say, there are just some things that don't taste equal to the effort required to make them. These were like that. It was a fun activity to do together and all, but the end product for the effort expended, should have been awesome.

And it wasn't. It was yum. But not awesome.

Next time, I'm just going to stick to choc-chip cookies. Or gingerbread men.

Sickness and health

2011-07-13T12:42:00.004+10:00

E has been sick this week. Coughing a lot and up every hour or so overnight. I'm pretty tired, but mentally healthy and actually relaxed and happy, despite the tiredness. Enjoying my three year old's chatter despite the difficulty concentrating on what she is saying to me. Loving the early morning snuggles and smiles, despite wanting more sleep.

I've been pondering why I find the newborn stage so difficult, when I'm fine with ongoing sickness and the sleep deprivation it causes.

Perhaps it's that the sickness stage doesn't last as long as the newborn stage. Though in January/February we had a run of sickness-travelling-teething-sickness-timezone adjustment-new house adjustment-more sickness that lasted a good two months. And ~~I was fine~~ I was okay.

Perhaps it's the hormones that come with the newborn stage. Quite likely.

Perhaps it's that newborns are oh-so-small and needy and I feel so responsible for their health and life.

Perhaps it was just the effect of recovering from a traumatic birth.

Perhaps it's that newborns cry so much more and with less definable or explainable reasons.

Perhaps it's the abrupt change from stability to another new life to look after.

Perhaps it's just me.

Or, perhaps it doesn't really matter, after all. I'm thankful to be happy, to be enjoying my family, despite the lack of sleep, the coughing and crying and grizzling. I'm glad to be well.

If you're going through PPD or a related illness, I want you to know something. Not only can you be healthy again, but you can also cope with the stresses of life again and be okay. Don't be scared that you'll never cope with stress or life changes again. You can, and you can surprise yourself by how well you do it.

Welcome

2011-07-06T15:39:00.003+10:00

If you've linked to this blog from the interview over at The Fountainside, welcome!

I write about a few different things (generally without much organisation or structure!), but if you're wanting to find out more about my journey through postpartum anxiety, or resources I've found helpful, then click on the label 'PPD'.

Taking your kids to Gallery and Museums

2011-06-30T14:30:00.008+10:00

PH and I have always liked going to Art Galleries and Museums. Our first date was to an exhibition of the Book of Kells at the National Gallery. We love history, art and learning new things. Since having kids, getting to see exhibitions is different, but we still do, probably about once a month.

During our time in the U.S., we went to a gallery or museum on almost all of our sightseeing adventures around the country. The MOMA and MET in New York City, the Wright Brothers memorial in North Carolina, the MOMA in San Francisco, the Chicago Art Institute, the Denver Art Museum. Plus, of course, the many free Smithsonian museums in D.C. itself. All these we visited with kids.

Here are some of my tips for visiting Art Galleries or Museums with young kids:

1. If your children still nap, time the visits for the morning. We usually get there by 10am and leave in time to have lunch and be home for nap time. Occasionally, if the gallery is open later, we will go after nap time and before dinner.

2. Find out if the gallery or museum has a children's section. Many of the galleries in the US were great for this. The best we went to was Denver Art Gallery, which not only had a children's exploration room (where they made art works) but also mini art project areas set up that were relevant to particular exhibits.

3. Teach them not to touch. Keep younger children in a stroller or baby carrier where possible, and teach your older children the meaning of "just looking, not for touching". This is a life-saver and didn't take a whole lot of effort, but just needed a few reminders whenever we went to galleries.

4. Play a version of "I spy". Ask toddlers and preschoolers what they see in the artworks. If they are older preschoolers, see if they can find something with clues from you. Share what you think about the artwork (in an way they will understand).

5. Pick somewhere they can run around between viewing the exhibitions. A sculpture garden, an open foyer area, around a fountain feature. It keeps the trip interesting and works off restlessness. If the weather is good, make the sculpture garden a must see. This is particularly good if they are allowed to touch the sculptures. Children can then run around and interact with what they see. Great photo opportunities, too!

6. Pack something to eat and drink. My children's behaviour takes a downturn when they are hungry. They must get that from their mama. Having snacks on hand (even if you have to get it from the cloak room and eat outside) can be a lifesaver.

7. Be prepared to take a lot less time to view the exhibition. Gone are the days we could stand for ages taking in an artwork, or reading the accompanying story to an exhibit. While it's nice to be there with our children, our expectation of what we will be able to absorb while we there is necessarily limited. We just accept this as a given, it avoids disappointment.

8. Choose one or two particular exhibits you are interested in seeing. Stick with those. When we travelled through France and England, we were unable to take in everything in the big museums. We would get a map, look through it together, and decide on a couple of exhibits we were particularly interested in.

9. Make sure that what you are seeing is age appropriate and not too scary. Our three year old gets scared easily by noises, so we avoid any theatre or audio visual rooms. Some art work can also have quite adult concepts, so it's wise to work out how to avoid that as appropriate.

10. If all else fails, take turns. Sometimes, one (or both) of our children are not up to walking quietly through an exhibition. In this case, PH and I have an agreement that one of us will take the child/ren (outside, to the cafe, or to a children's section), while the other views the exhibition. Then we swap.

Waiting

2011-06-29T20:30:00.002+10:00

I'm playing the waiting game.

- Waiting to find out what PH will be doing next year (he will still be with the military, but we will find out what particular job)

- Waiting to find out as a result, where we will be living next year

- Waiting for a home loan to be processed

- Waiting for a building contract to be completed

- Waiting for P to adjust to her new daycare

- Waiting for a dear friend's news on her third baby (due a few days ago).

But you know what. I'm actually okay with waiting. I prefer waiting for something that is in other's hands than to have to make big decisions myself. Making life-changing decisions stresses me. But waiting, not so much.

What about you? Do you prefer to wait on decisions that are out of your hands or to make them yourself?

To be a happy stay-at-home-mum

2011-06-27T11:08:00.002+10:00

I've had to reconcile to myself that I will spend a lot of my time cleaning.

postpartum depression/anxiety resources

2011-06-16T07:52:00.003+10:00

If you or someone you love is finding the postpartum (or pregnancy) period difficult, here are my two favourite online resources.

1. The Postpartum Progress blog

It is written by a survivor of Postpartum OCD and has a huge amount of resources, stories of other survivors, and easy to understand information. I found it very helpful and encouraging.

You can find it here: http://www.postpartumprogress.com/

It has a great list of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety symptoms in plain English here: http://www.postpartumprogress.com/weblog/2009/11/the-symptoms-of-postpartum-depression-anxiety-in-plain-mama-english-1.html

And here is a good list of 6 things that effect how quickly you will recover: http://www.postpartumprogress.com/weblog/2009/09/six-things-that-affect-how-long-postpartum-depression-lasts.html

It is also a helpful resource for those whose loved ones are going through postpartum (or pregnancy) depression and/or anxiety. There are lots of inspiring and helpful stories and lots of information on what women who have recovered found helpful at the time.

2. Postpartum Support International

http://www.postpartum.net/

This is a fantastic resource that links women around the world to support groups in their area. Through this resource, I got in touch with a mom from my area (I say mom, as I was in the US at the time) who reassured me that with help I would be well, and linked me into doctors and therapists who specialise in this field and a support group with other moms who were going through the same thing. It was such a relief to hear personally from another mom who had gone through what I was going through and could say with assurance that I would be well again.

Getting to see a doctor who understood postpartum depression/anxiety and was very knowledgeable about what drugs were safe for me to take was essential in my path to recovery. I would not have found such a doctor as easily if not for this website.

Motherhood and working

2011-06-14T07:44:00.002+10:00

I've been thinking about the comment "It must be nice to be using your mind again" in reference to returning to (part-time/casual) work. I know it was said without any intention of dismissing the intellectual work of being a stay at home mum. Probably just poorly phrased. To me, going back to the workforce isn't finding "me" time. Or "using my mind" for the first time since being a mother to two.

But in some way it is "using my mind" - just using it in a different way to mothering (there's a good - and timely, for me - blog post about this over here). I think the better option is to say that I'll be using my training in a particular context. For me, it's more about keeping up my training and skills in Speech Pathology so that ultimately I'll have the option to continue to work flexibly once my children are at school (if that suits us and our family).

I'll be honest, and say that the changes this is bringing to our family is causing me a little anxiety. Not the sleep-depriving kind, but it is there none-the-less. But I'm also choosing to be thankful for the options we have.

I'm thankful for being able to be a mum to our two beautiful girls. They are a blessing and a joy.

I'm thankful for the wonderful two years in the USA where I was able to stay at home with the girls.

I'm thankful for the past six months of being at home and all adjusting to life back in Australia.

I'm thankful to have training in a profession I love.

I'm thankful that my particular profession has many opportunities to work flexibly.

I'm thankful that my oldest has had such a good experience with her play-school, even if it makes it hard for her to leave it.

I'm thankful to be able to financially afford for me to continue to stay at home with the girls for most of the week.

I'm thankful for the support of a loving husband.

There's a lot to be thankful of, in the midst of feeling anxious. And I'm thankful for that, too.

what not to say

2011-06-13T21:28:00.001+10:00

...to a stay-at-home mum returning to work:

"you must be pleased to be using your mind again"

Today

2011-06-13T21:14:00.003+10:00

Today was the Queen's Birthday public holiday.

We all woke at 8am. This is unheard of for us, and delightful. And likely to be a once-off.

PH did a grocery shop while I got the girl toast for breakfast (we've just got back from a week in Brisbane)

PH made me a coffee and we read through the QB honours roll. There were one or two people he has worked with who received honours awards.

We went to the exhibition celebrating 400 years of the King James Bible (at Parliament House). It was great. Well laid out, lots of old bible copies as well as new ones (Auslan, military bibles, elite sports bibles etc).

We had a BBQ with work friends of PHs. Nice and relaxed.

We got the girls dinner and put P to bed early as she was way over-tired, despite the sleep-in.

I did a work out and lifted 170 pounds (76.5kg). Only a dead-lift but still chuffed as this is more than I weigh.

Had dinner and prepped for tomorrow - I'm starting work two days a week and the girls are starting day care. Feeling unsettled by it, especially as P has to leave the play-school that she LOVES (it only runs in the morning and as she'll be in care two days I want her to have the rest of the time at home with me). Pretty sad about that because I know that if the care/me working isn't working out for us I can stop work and take them out of care, but I can't re-enrol her at her play-school as it has a wait-list. Gulp.

Trusting God that we are making the right decision and that we can reassess it again as needed. I would appreciate prayer for this - that the girls will adjust well and that PH and I will make wise decisions about work/staying at home/care for the girls etc. It's such a tough issue but I feel privileged to have the options I have.

Home

2011-05-25T21:54:00.003+10:00

After three deployments in three years (06-08), it's been lovely having PH home these last two years in the US and knowing he'll also be home this year (because of the particular job he is doing). Guarantees are off for after this year, but that's his job and I support him in it.

All the same, it's nice that it is unusual for him not to be home. It's nice that the girls expect him home for dinner and bedtime.

Last night, PH wasn't able to make it home until very late (due to work). So the girls and I ate pizza and ice-cream (what better excuse!).

Cute little E, expecting her daddy home any minute, stood at the doorway after dinner, knocking and calling out in her loudest little voice "dadda! dadda! dadda!". It was gorgeous, and precious, seeing it's one of only a dozen words she actually uses. I love how much she loves her dad.

Exercise

2011-05-24T08:44:00.003+10:00

Exercise. I never really enjoyed it. I was the last person picked for sports teams so many times. I hate running (still do).

But I married a man who is deeply into exercise. Not sport, just exercise. And in the months of recovery after E's birth, he encouraged me to do some exercise/fitness things with him.

I had no idea how much good it would do me.

It helped me to sleep better, it made me happier (not during - ha! - but afterwards, all those endorphins running around I suppose).

And it was a special time of the day that I would look forward to. A time that my husband and I got to spend together. He trained me, encouraged me, supported me. And I needed that. To be working on something together and achieving things together. It was really lovely. Normally E would be asleep or lying in a rocker chair/under a play-gym, P would watch an episode or two of Playschool and we had 45 minutes to do our training.

And now? It's hard to believe, but I think I'm a bit addicted. Yep, I'm now that person that gets grumpy when I don't exercise. If I've had a tough day, there's nothing like exercise to get the stress out.

Questions

2011-05-24T08:41:00.002+10:00

P (now 3 1/2 years old) turned to me when we were shopping an asked:

"Mum, do you belong to me?"

"Well" I replied, a little unsure of why she would ask such a question "I guess I do, and you belong to me".

"Oh, okay".

Then I remembered. We had been listening to a Playschool C.D. and the song 'Shoo fly, don't bother me', which ends with "because I belong to somebody".

Funny the things kids pick up!

Kisses from my baby

2011-05-20T12:48:00.002+10:00

Lying in bed last night with E. It's dark and we are cozy-ing up together.

She alternates between singing (ah-ah sounds, not actual words) the opening to 'Twinkle Twinkle' while making twinkling star and diamond shapes with her fingers, and leaning over to give me sweet kisses on my head.

My heart swells with love for this baby-almost-toddler of mine. She is delightful.

The difference between now and 14 months ago

2011-05-19T10:57:00.002+10:00

Last night I was woken by a crying child a few times who needed me to calm her and settle her back to sleep. E is sick and is waking often, I think because she has difficulty breathing through her nose. But I’m able to listen to her cries and work out when she needs me without feeling like I’m being run over by a wave of terror. I can work out what she needs without getting anxious. I can calm her and go back to sleep as soon as I get back to bed. I don’t worry about coping the next day.

I can greet the morning, thankful for a new day God has given me, even if I have one sick child needing lots of sweet cuddles and lots of day sleeps at home and an energetic, boundary-pushing three year old who wants nothing more than to head out and enjoy the outdoors. Or even when I have two children both fighting over prime real-estate – namely, my lap.

I can laugh at myself when I forget something or don’t do something exactly ‘right’. Making a mistake or dealing with rebellious children doesn’t make me feel like a terrible mother.

I don’t feel at all overwhelmed by being at home alone with two children.

I can exercise, something that really helps me to feel better and calmer. And I actually enjoy it!

I don’t feel bad about doing things that I particularly enjoy. And I actually enjoy doing these things (going for walks with my kids, knitting, reading, watching movies with my husband, having a bath, hanging out with friends, having tickling cuddles with my girls, etc).

I can concentrate on other people and listen to what they are telling me rather than being consumed by my own worries and anxieties.

I can enjoy the evening and look forward to going to bed, rather than dreading it and wondering whether I will get any sleep.

My prayers are full of thankfulness rather than asking God to give me sleep. I am truly grateful when I thank God for a good night sleep and a brand new day.

On surviving

2011-05-17T09:55:00.003+10:00

I am a survivor.

I have survived Postpartum Depression/Anxiety. There, I’ve said it.

For some reason, saying it sounds like the first statement in Alcoholics Anonymous. Like an admission of wrong. Like acknowledging a fault. Perhaps because it makes me feel faulty. Like I’m less of a person, of a mother, of a Christian for having gone through this. But I am grateful to have survived. Thankful for the lessons learnt. For the grace of God.

For me, 'PPD' (or perhaps more accurately, Postpartum Mood Disorder) was not characterized by sadness. I didn’t think I had it, and I had a doctor tell me I didn’t have it. I didn’t feel “depressed”. I didn’t even cry in the first two months after my second child was born. Instead, it was like I felt like I was in a state of shock. I felt anxious all the time, completely overwhelmed even when things were going well, and worried about coping the next day and the next. I had insomnia. Not the sort where it takes an hour to get to sleep. Not the sort caused by being up half the night with a colicky baby. The sort that meant even when everyone else was asleep, I couldn’t unwind. The sort that left me with only half and hour of sleep because I was worried about how I was ever going to cope the next day if I didn’t sleep (ironic, no?).

I knew things weren’t right, but I didn’t know what was wrong. I knew enough that I needed to keep trying to work out what was wrong. I knew I had to get better, to be able to mother my children. Even though a little part of my doubted I would ever get better again, at least not in the short term.

Finally, after almost two months, I contacted a Postpartum support group. It was the an answer to many prayers. Through them, I was able to find a Psychiatrist who specialized in Postpartum mood disorders and who understood about breastfeeding and what drugs were safe(r) for me to take. Thankfully, the first medication we tried worked. It took a while to kick in properly. But 5 weeks later, I said to my husband “I’m happy”.

Although I didn’t think I was sad or down, I realized that in the midst of all that anxiety and stress and sleep deprivation, I was had not felt happy for a long time. It was such a relief to feel happy again. To feel that I was a ‘good mother’ – even that I could just cope with and enjoy mothering again. I also, over the following months saw two therapists. One who was a Christian and helped remind me of God’s grace rather than the judgment I felt, and the other who specialized in postpartum care and talked me through a lot of my fears and worries, giving me some great resources. In the end, I was only on medication for three months, but I still feel like some scars have been left. I’m happy, content, love being a wife and mother. But it hurts to look back at that time and I grieve the loss of what could have been a much better time.

But, I survived. And I am happy. And thankful.

I'm just like this

2011-05-12T13:46:00.000+10:00

Sometimes I get so cranky with P. She has, most of her life, seen sleep as an imposition. Even, in fact even more so, when she is tired.

Today, I spent a lot of time with her. We baked some cupcakes together and played together. Lots of cuddles. I could tell she was tired, she was being cranky and bossy, which are good indicators of her being tired. And very self centered, when she is normally a very caring, thoughtful little girl. I said at one o’clock (big hand up, little hand at one), it would be time for her nap. Sometimes she just needs some extra notice. Then we went upstairs, snuggled under the covers and she chose a nice, long story for me to read (it’s our tradition that I read one story before naptime/rest time). But when I finished reading, she demanded another story. I was happy to stay and snuggle, but on hearing she wasn’t getting another book, she lost it. Screamed and cried and tantrumed that she wanted another book to be read to her. If I knew this was a once off or that another short book would be enough, I might have complied. But I know from experience that she’ll keep demanding more and more. Meanwhile getting even more tired and cranky.

What she really needed was sleep. But she seems incapable of recognizing this. She didn’t even want to lie calmly next to me.

And all her screaming woke E.

I was not happy. To say the least. Poor E has not had much in the way of naps this week and I really wanted to her get a good nap in today. I got very cross with P and in the end I had to walk away from her and hide. When I had calmed down, I spent some time explaining to her why I was so very cross with her.

I think, I pray, she understood. She certainly gave me a hug and went off to her bed. (did I mention how thoughtful and loving she usually is?)

As I was explaining to her, right in the middle of it, it hit me. As I was telling her that I had spent special time with her, I had read her a nice long book. I had given her lovely snuggles; I just wanted her to say thank you, rather than demanding more. As I was saying this, it struck me.

I’m like this with God. He has given me so much. He has given me way more than I even deserve He has been gracious and merciful to me. But I keep asking, keep demanding more. It’s amazing that he doesn’t loose his temper with me.

So thank you God. Thank you for my many many blessings. And sorry that I selfishly demand more and more, rather than recognizing with joy all that you have already given. Thank you that you are not like me, that you continue to give without begrudging me. Thank you for being steadfast and calm. And thank you for this little girl I love so much.

Good Friday Eve

2011-05-01T19:20:00.002+10:00

The day before Good Friday, we took the girls to the W.A. Museum. P loved the butterflies, but she was initially very scared of the 'Mammal Room'. It consisted of stuffed animals and dinosaur bones. Poor P kept hiding behind me or trying to squeeze herself as far away from a dinosaur/stuffed scary animal as possible by slinking up against a wall.

In the end, I explained to her "It's okay, P. They're dead. They can't hurt you."

After a little while she started walking confidently through the room, repeating to herself: "They can't hurt me. They are dead."

....

Later that night, we were putting P to bed with a bedtime Bible reading. We talked about it being Good Friday the next day, and that we remember that Jesus died. I said to her that he died, just like the dinosaurs and animals at the museum.

She looked so very very serious. I could see her taking it all in and it reminded me again, just how much it cost Jesus to die for us. So often I say those words, but I don't let them sink in.

So we let it sink in.

And then we told her that Jesus came alive again and he is no longer dead. Hooray!

But that the dinosaurs at the museum wouldn't come alive again. (we didn't want to induce nightmares!)

Boston

2010-10-19T05:24:00.003+11:00

We had a great trip. Highlights for us were catching up with friends and seeing some of the sites of history.

We walked the Freedom Trail, went aboard the Mayflower II, went to Plymouth Plantation, drove the coastal route along Cape Cod.

For P, highlights were going to the Boston Children's Museum, playing with her friend C, and sitting on the sculptures of Mrs Mallard and her eight ducklings at Boston Commons (we did have a really cute photo of this, but unfortunately it was on PH's phone which has since been dunked- with PH - into the Chesapeake Bay and is no longer functioning).

And of course, she love this:

Fall

2010-10-09T05:37:00.002+11:00

It is a beautiful day here. The weather started off crisp in the morning, but now it a glorious sunny, warm day. The leaves have started to turn orange.

I love this time of year, it's my favourite. And truth be told, as much as I love Autumn in Australia, it is actually even more beautiful here.

Boston

2010-10-09T05:31:00.003+11:00

We are headed to Boston next week. Looking forward to it a lot.

We've been watching the HBO series "John Adams" in preparation (and visited Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville a few weekends ago). I highly recommend this series if you haven't seen it yet. Gave a really good insight into American History and the founding fathers (although of course it is drama, and some things aren't completely factual).

We plan on doing the Freedom Trail with the girls, checking out some of the galleries/museums, going to Chinatown, catching up with some friends who have moved to Boston, doing some leaf-gazing, and relaxing at Cape Cod.

So I'll be too busy enjoying life (sigh) to post next week. Oh well (sarcasm alert!)

I'll try and remember to post some photos on our return.

More crafty stuff

2010-10-07T06:13:00.005+11:00

I recently made a reversible sun bonnet for E. It was the first time I've made something with my own pattern that wasn't based on a garment I already had. I had to adjust it a bit at the back after it was meant to be finished, but overall, I am happy with how it turned out.

You can flip the front out to cover more of her face from the sun, or fold it back to show the two fabrics, as seen in these photos. It ties under her chin in an attempt to stop her pulling it off.

P liked it so much that she has requested one of her own. So I'm making another one to fit her (but not in matching materials, that's a little too much even for me).

E's quilt

2010-10-07T05:27:00.005+11:00

Here it is, being pinned in preparation for quilting together. It's been like this for a while as I haven't been able to get a proper quilting foot for my sewing machine. Not sure whether to just start sewing and hope for the best, or to wait until I can use my mum's quilting machine next year...

9 months

2010-10-06T00:33:00.006+11:00

E is nine months old today. Wow!

She is our crawling, kissing, teething, happy, babbling, head-butting, food-loving, breath-holding, good-sleeping, loud-shrieking, sister-giggling, peek-a-boo-playing ball-of-energy.

We love her so.

Happy Birthday P!

2010-10-02T10:30:00.006+10:00

Our sweet toddler turned 3 today. It's so nice when you not only love your kids, but really enjoy their company too. She is a great kid.

Here she is just a few days old:

One year old:

Two years old:

And a recent photo:

P-isms

2010-09-30T04:00:00.002+10:00

P to her friends: I got a buf-fie cake.
Friend: oh, what sort of birthday cake is it?
P: (giving a look that says, 'I just told you!): I got a buffie cake.

It was a butterfly birthday cake.
_________________________

P: That truck is very loudy for me
Me: loud. It's very loud, P.
P: Yes, it's too noise for me.
_________________________

P: I like Uncle Josh. He goes (and puts finger in her mouth).
- can you guess what she was trying to do?

This past week

2010-09-27T23:13:00.003+10:00

We have:

- had PH's aunt stay

- had my brother and sister-in-law visiting

- had another good friend staying, too

- done lots of sightseeing trips and walks around our area

- had a birthday party for our (almost) 3 year old P

Lovely, lovely, lovely. And busy.

This morning we said goodbye to my brother and his wife, dropped P off at morning preschool, then dropped PH and our other guest off at the train station. Then I put E to bed for a nap.

I'm taking a quick break before starting on the cleaning and piles of laundry.

Hope you've had a lovely week and weekend too.

E says hi

2010-09-17T23:04:00.000+10:00

E is become more interactive (and more active!) every day. She loves to copy us: blinking her eyes in response to us blinking ours, babbling 'baba', 'mama', 'dada', in little conversations back and forth.

Her latest delight is to wait until we put our heads close to hers, then leaning forward and tapping our foreheads together. It's become a special family activity, P loves getting in on the action, gently leaning her head close to E.

I can see it being something that we may have to watch as she spends time with other babies and children who may not appreciate her head-butts as much as we do. But for the moment, we are delighting in this, her own little display of affection.

Things I'll miss 2

2010-09-17T22:58:00.001+10:00

Having this right outside our front door:

(the playground, not the girl - she lives inside!)

Things I'll miss

2010-09-16T23:00:00.000+10:00

Four distinct seasons

Winter

Spring

Summer

Autumn/Fall

(All photos were taken in our neighbourhood, except for Spring, which was taken at Tidal Basin in D.C.)

I am amazed

2010-09-14T22:44:00.000+10:00

at how easy cloth diapering has turned out to be.

Lots of washing, though!

Preschool

2010-09-14T22:32:00.002+10:00

P has just started Preschool. She attends for three hours in the morning, four days a week.

She is loving it. It's a free program for us, as she is one of two peer models for two Special Needs kids. It's a program run at the local Elementary (Primary) school and so far, she is really enjoying it.

I like that she is having fun, learning empathy and understanding of other children whose needs are different from hers, and that we still get to spend much of the day together.

It also gives me some time in the morning to get administrative tasks done - which is helpful as we have a mountain of stuff to wade through regarding our return to Australia.

Oh, and maybe even the chance to write a blog post..or two.

We're just trying it out for two weeks to see how she goes and whether it suits us to keep going for the rest of the term.

Disappointed

2010-09-14T22:28:00.002+10:00

I'm feeling a little disappointed today.

We have been looking for a place to rent in Canberra. Last night PH and I discussed our options and decided on one that we liked. It's in a good location, has a study away from the main living area (PH will be studying next year), close to public transport, and with a back yard for the girls to play in.

But by the time we had eaten our dinner and put the girls to bed, it was no longer available. The only other options at the moment are much further away from where PH will be studying and no where near as convenient.

We are just trusting that something else just as good will come available in the next little while.

P and her E

2010-09-06T06:42:00.002+10:00

I just picked E up from her nap. When I brought her downstairs, P looked up from her painting and said with joy: "Oh, my Nellie" (our nn for E).

Too cute!

Memories

2010-08-03T07:22:00.003+10:00

I've been backing up my photos and showing P photos of her as a baby and toddler.

She kept saying it was 'E' in the baby photos (which I kind of expected). So I did an experiment with photos of her at different ages.

From 19 months on, she recognises the photos of herself ('that's P', or 'me'!). But up until 18 months, she thinks it's 'E' (even though E is only 6 months old now). Curious.

Gingerbread Man

2010-07-07T06:43:00.002+10:00

P and I have been reading 'The Gingerbread Man' lately. She loves the song:
'Run, run, as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man'.

So today we decided to make some gingerbread men. Really they are more like gingerbread teddies, but never mind.

Summer days

2010-07-04T03:02:00.001+10:00

Grass. A picnic rug. A sweet little girl. Some favourite books.

A perfect summer morning.

Thanks to playschool

2010-06-27T22:25:00.001+10:00

I've had to explain to P:

1. You are not allowed to cut hair.
2. You are not allowed to put paint on your nose, cheeks or hair.

You've gotta watch out with these kids programs...

Singing

2010-06-21T23:03:00.003+10:00

P loves to sing. She sings all day long, making up songs about her day, what she is doing and what she likes.

J and M (my brother and sister-in-law) brought P a Colin Buchanan CD for Christmas. She loves listening to it, especially on long car trips. Her favourite song is "He died upon the cross" and we've made up actions to go with it.

The other day we were walking around our neighbourhood, when I saw a squirrel scurrying across telegraph lines up onto the pole. I pointed it out to P and we stood and watched it racing along for a couple of seconds. Then we went on our merry way.

As we were walking along, I could hear P singing a little song to herself. I bent down to listen. She was singing "squiwel on a cwoss. squirrel on a cross" (the telegraph pole obviously looked like a cross to her!).

Cracked me up!!

Children's books wish list

2010-06-21T22:57:00.004+10:00

I've been compiling a 'wish list' of children's books. Books here in the US are much cheaper than in Australia, so we would like to get a small collection going for the girls to read over the next couple of years.

We already have a number of classics, such as 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', 'Guess how much I love you', 'Where the Wild Things Are', Dr Suess books, a few Pamela Allen books, Narnia series, Berenstein Bears. And others.

This is my 'wish list' so far:

- books by Mitzumasa Anno (Anno's Alphabet, Anno's Counting Book, Anno's USA, Anno's Journey). I borrowed a few from the library, we all love them. Beautifully illustrated and great calming books for bedtime.

- Robert McCloskey "Make way for ducklings". A classic American book that would be really good to read with P before we go to Boston some time this Fall.

- Robert McCloskey "Blueberries for Sal". Another American classic.

- Paulette Bourgeois "Franklin" books (eg. Franklin Fibs, Franklin is Bossy). Good fun moral stories.

- Peggy Rathmann "Good Night Gorilla". A great bedtime book. Another one we've borrowed from our library and loved.

- Audrey Wood "The Napping House". Recommended as a good bedtime story.

- Alison Lester books (eg. "Magic Beach", "Are we there yet?", "Imagine"). Lovely Australian children's books.

- Janet Ahlberg "Each Peach Pear Plum". Another Aussie kids book.

- Rotraut Susanne Berner "In the Town All Year 'Round". Recommended by a friend.

- Don Freeman "Corduroy"

- Maria Polushkin Robbins "Mother Mother, I want Another"

- Allan Ahlberg "The Jolly Postman"

- Bernard Waber "Lyle Lyle Crocodile"

- Judith Viorst "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"

- Laura Joffe Numeroff "If you give a mouse a cookie" (and other books in this set)

- James Marshall "George and Martha" (set)

- Arnold Lobel "The Frog and Toad" (set)

- Munro Leaf "The Story of Ferdinand"

- Ludwig Bemelmans "Madeline" (series, the original version)

- Laura Ingalls Wilder "Little House ..." (series)

What would you add to the list?

What I'm doing

2010-06-21T22:44:00.002+10:00

Knitting a sweater:
Getting there. I've had to undo quite a few rows to get the fit right, but I'd prefer to do that now than finish it and never wear it because it's too big. Besides, we're in the middle of hot, humid days. So it's not like I need to finish it right now!

Exercising:
Loving it, but boy is it tough! I love that it's time spent doing something together with PH. I love that I feel such a sense of achievement after I've finished my daily workout. I'm loving that I feel healthy. I'm loving that I sleep so well and feel so much happier when I've exercised.

Organising E's Aussie citizenship:
The paperwork has been sent off, so hopefully it will be finalised soon, then I've got to get the paperwork completed for her Australian passport.

Toilet training P:
We've finally had success (who said you shouldn't bribe children????). Rewards for staying 'clean and dry' helped as she got the concept that it wasn't just about going to the toilet when you remembered, but keeping her undies dry and clean. Still getting occasional accidents, but much better progress than earlier on.

Cutting out my midday nap:
Not so much. But it's generally only about 30 minutes long now. So I'm able to get more things done during the day while the girls are napping.

Our Minnesota holiday:
another post entirely. But we had a great time!

Thanking God for my many blessings:
ongoing!

Surviving difficult times

2010-06-21T22:13:00.004+10:00

The first few months of this year were tough for me. I love my babies, but don't find the newborn stage easy (to say the least). I'm really enjoying life with our two precious girls now and am thankful to have made it through those dark days and nights and for the things God taught me during that time.

This blog is not, and has never been, a public journal for me. I don't wish to give great details (though I'm happy to share on a more personal level - email, chats etc). But I want to be real. Life isn't always easy. But God is always good. He sustained me and surrounded me with lovely friends and wonderful family who prayed for me and looked after me in very practical ways.

Here is a great post that gives some good insight into coping through dark days. I think the writer makes some excellent points.

Some things I found helpful:

1. Knowing that many people were praying for me.
I had family and friends a continent away who were not able to help out in "practical" ways (eg. food, childminding), but they were praying regularly for me, and knowing that I was surrounded by prayer gave me so much comfort.

2. Learning to ask for help and thankfully accepting help when it's offered.
I love being able to help others, but I'm not used to asking for help and often find this hard. It was humbling to admit Ineeded help. But it's good to be humble. And it has been such a blessing to realise how deeply my friends love me when I saw how happy they are to help out where they could.

3. Keeping life simple.
I had a small list of things I'd try and get done each day. If I was able to accomplish that, then it was 'good enough'! This included keeping my daily devotions but having it quite simple. I followed a simple booklet, working through a psalm a day with a small perspective written by someone else. I didn't have the mental space to really sink deeply into bible readings, so reading other's thoughts and being able to apply those to my situation was really helpful and positive. It constantly amazed me that my daily reading would often be exactly what I needed to hear at the time.

This looks yummy...

2010-05-28T01:16:00.002+10:00

People say they look exactly alike

2010-05-28T01:12:00.001+10:00

What say you??

And here she is!!!

2010-05-18T12:04:00.004+10:00

She is such a smiley little bub. We all adore her.

Dressed in her Sunday best (which in typical style she promptly pooped all through...)

Sweet sisters. P LOVES her little sister and is incredibly attentive to her

(but she's going to be one very bossy big sister...just like her mama!!)

Update

2010-05-18T10:48:00.002+10:00

Life is busy with two little ones. E is now 4 months old and is just lovely. She is a very happy, content, sweet baby and I fall in love with her more every day even though that hardly seems possible!

It's spring here now and is full of greenery, flowers and squirrels scampering about.

Besides looking after our two beautiful girls, I am:

- knitting a sweater (jumper) for me
- exercising. PH is training me, using a modified crossfit program. It's hard, but I'm loving it.
- getting paperwork together for E's Aussie citizenship
- toilet training P
- trying to cut out my midday nap (8 hours at night plus an hour nap is a bit too much...)
- looking forward to our Minnesotta holiday in a few weeks.
- thanking God for my many blessings

2010-05-18T10:42:00.001+10:00

polarize photos

Please Pray

2010-01-26T23:17:00.002+11:00

I'm not sleeping well - have bouts of insominia, some that last all night long. Even when our little E is sleeping well, sometimes especially when she is sleeping well. I'm not necessarily anxious about her, but I am getting anxious about getting enough sleep to look after my two girls during the day. It's a bit of a catch 22, because anxiety about not sleeping can lead to more insomnia...

Anyway, I'd really REALLY REALLY appreciate a lot of prayer that I will sleep well and not be anxious.

I have a doctors appointment on Thursday (it took a more than a week to get an appointment), so hopefully that will help, too.

Thanks

Baby Quilt

2009-12-30T13:44:00.000+11:00

I've been working on a quilt for our baby. It's the first quilt I've made, so I've purposely chosen a very simple design and instead gone with fun bold fabrics to add interest.

Here's some of the material I'm using - cut up and ready for sewing:

Some of the fabrics are from the 'Red Letter Day' collection by Lizzy House. Others are by Michael Miller and the floral is 'Sophie's Garden' by Erin McMorris. I'm loving how cheaply I can get fabric over here - I mostly order on-line through etsy.com. It is sooo much cheaper than the quilting fabric I've seen in Australia!!

The photo doesn't really do justice to the colours, which are lime green and candy pink, with white. The design will be a simple checkerboard of these fabrics with plain white.

I doubt it will be finished before baby arrives, so will have to be something I slowly, slowly work on over the coming months (unless my mum is happy to finish it off for me???). I'm enjoying doing more creative sewing!