August 9, 2018 at 9:25 pm by Angela
Hola Little H! I read something earlier this month about “Threenagers” always getting bad press but how, in reality, it’s actually a really fun and hilarious age. It made me sit back and realise how the anger and tantrums have subsided a bit now and, when they do happen, how I’ve got much better at dealing with them (or ignoring them completely until you regulate your own mood, which you are getting much better at!). The majority of the time now you really do make me laugh and smile so much. You are so gentle and kind to your sister. You like to help Daddy and I. Your self-play has increased again and you can sometimes get list in your own little world for ages.
In so many ways you have really matured in the last month or so, but you’ve still got that childish innocence which I fear you will start to lose a bit of as you get closer to school age. Exactly as I am trying to embrace to enjoy these early days with Little Z, I am also indulging in all of the time I have with you right now. Thanks for being your awesome little self as always!
[And thanks to The Unmumsy Mum for the reminder that three may be a tricky age but it’s also bloody awesome!]
August 7, 2018 at 9:38 pm by Angela
I’m taking my blog back to where it started with this one – a post which is just a stream of conscious thought rather than something I read and check. There won’t be any photos or links. I just need to brain dump and do it quickly because I’m shattered and I want to go to bed. And feeling tired is the reason I need to write. Because as we approach 5 months into this dual parenting malarkey, I’m now really feeling the fatigue.
July 24, 2018 at 12:40 pm by Angela
At some point in June, the weather forecasters started talk of a ‘heat wave’. They say that every year, right. But this time some hot temperatures did actually appear. Even I was fairly happy to see them and we enjoyed not needing a jacket, the relaxed outside dinners and watching a film inside in the cool whilst the peak of the day passed. But then the days just kept coming and coming. Then the temperature kept creeping up and up. The lovely accompanying breeze that had been there all but disappeared. And now we’re at the end of July and it’s flippin’ boiling everyday and I’ve had enough. Yes. I’ve had enough. ENOUGH!
July 4, 2018 at 9:00 pm by Angela
Oh H, you are getting smarter, funnier and more argumentative by the day. But there is so much going on I find myself laughing or in awe at what you do only to forget too minutes later. This list would be so much longer if my brain didn’t keep leaking memories! You’re really making us laugh now though. And you can be really helpful too – bringing things, picking things up. Often without being asked as well. But if we catch you on a bad day / hour / minute then boy do we know about it. Your growly shouting can either make me laugh or cry depending on how I’m feeling. Then the whining really offends my ears. Earlier in the month though I told you that all I heard when you whine is “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” in my ear; I now make that sound whenever you whine and more often than not you can’t help but laugh and be your best smiley you again! You are, as always, my lovely big girl but there is no question about it now – you’re a full blown Threenager!
June 21, 2018 at 9:01 am by Angela
When I was pregnant with Little H we did NCT antenatal classes. During one of ‘post natal’ training sessions, we were talked through slings and carriers that would allow us to carry our baby upon our person rather than in our arms or putting them in a buggy. At the time I wasn’t really sure when I would wish to do that but we decided to get a carrier anyway – the NCT Close Caboo. Little H arrived and whilst I put her in it a few times, I found it uncomfortable (for me) and felt it was unsupportive (for her). So I mainly used the buggy. To me, such a little being seemed safer in the buggy when we were out and about.
June 12, 2018 at 11:12 am by Angela
Yesterday afternoon (a Monday depending on when I post this), I was out in the garden with Little H and Little Z. I glanced at the clock and noticed it was 5:10pm. In my head I silently whooped because I’d made it almost to bedtime. And then I realised I’d done that and that, in fact, everyday I am looking after both the girls together I get that same feeling! Not because I dislike looking after them both, nor because I find it impossible to look after them. But because the days are just so bone-tiring!
June 4, 2018 at 8:35 pm by Angela
At times this month you’ve been an enigma to me my (not so) little one. You’re mine is developing at such a pace now that your astonish me with the things that come out of your mouth. You make some really insightful and mature observations about things. Your mastery of the English language also continues to grow no end. We’ve found this comes at a price though as you are very stubborn at the moment. Every bath time has become a Mexican stand off which results in Daddy getting cross, me staring blankly at the bathroom wall in disbelief whilst holding Zoe and you crying, declaring you want “Nana-Grandad”. This routine has even spread to Bubble-Sink days so pre-bedtime is not something any of us enjoy right now. But we’ve seen these phases before so I hold out hope it’ll pass soon. And until then you are doing more than enough sweet or funny stuff to make-up for. Although I may invest in ear plugs for the bedtime crying…!
May 30, 2018 at 8:45 am by Angela
So Little Z has been part of our lives for two whole months now – almost 2.5 by the time I actually post this! As millions have said before me, I can’t believe it’s been that long yet it’s also like she’s always been here. I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to be pregnant and I finally feel like I’m getting control of my body again. Today I was nipping upstairs and I felt fairly light on my feet again and like my body is starting to strengthen up. Well, aside from my gammy knee which still likes to play up after going during pregnancy. But what surprises me the most is I am starting to feel in control of being a mum of two!
May 22, 2018 at 11:35 am by Angela
A very good friend of mine told me recently that’s she’s expecting a baby later this year. I am, of course, incredibly happy for her and her other half. However, as she told me all the details I realised something – I was a little bit jealous! To be clear up front, I’m not jealous because I actually want to be pregnant again. Not only is my body just weeks into its recovery from growing Little Z, but I have the two children I had always hoped for. No the reason I’ve got a bit of the old green-eye is because there is something unique and special about pregnancy and birth which I will miss not experiencing again.
May 17, 2018 at 9:21 am by Angela
I was sat in bed the other night feeding Little Z before I put her down for her sleep. As I was reading my book, I suddenly felt incredibly lucky. Not I’ve-just-won-£30k-on-a-radio-quiz-show lucky but a more humble Be-Grateful-For-What-You’ve-Got lucky. The reason is because of the book I was reading. I recently purchased ‘Parenting the Sh*t out of Life‘ by Mother and Papa Pukka. In one of the early chapters they both talk about their experiences with miscarriage and I found reading such a honest account very sad. The way Anna and Matt opened up on what they have coped with hit home more than anything else I’ve previously read. As I was winding Little Z on my shoulder, I found myself hugging her close to me and breathing her in, grateful for her, her sister and her Dad.
