bubbanoble: Catch up - 6 weeks old

I have fallen behind on blog posting. I have had times where I wanted to write but I have just run out of time or am too tired come night times. So this post is going to be one which has a lot of photos with some comments. They say 'a picture says a thousand words' so this post will say that.

These past 3 weeks with James back at work have had good times and hard times. My first challenge was to get Daniel and Eliza up, fed and ready for his swimming lesson by 8:30am. I was very proud of myself to manage that, as well as a load of washing too.

Eliza 'watching' Daniel's swimming lesson

I am very grateful to Mum and Dad who are happy to do the swimming lessons as I can't go in the water at the moment, and Eliza is often feeding during the lesson too. James and I considered stopping the lessons until he is 2 and a bit years old, but he really loves the lessons and his teacher, Robina, says that he is really good and advanced at it. It is also lovely having the lesson to himself and I love how Robina teaches him. She works so well with him and where he is at, not following a set script. Next week Daniel will have the lesson just with Robina as Mum and Dad are away. Hopefully he will be fine at it. I think he will. He is very comfortable in the water.

The rest of that day I managed to do 2 loads of washing, wash the dishes, clean up around the house, have Eliza and Daniel fed throughout the day, and all 3 of us had a nap in the afternoon. I found that to be a mummy win day. I was very grateful for all those people who prayed for me. Those prayers were definitely answered. My confidence was up in being able to do this with James at work.

Daniel enjoys being around Eliza when she is awake. When she's in the bouncer, he will often 'help' her bounce. He has started to share toys with her when she's there too.

Showing Eliza the car toy

All 3 of us have enjoyed having cuddles with Eliza. I am now just starting to remember that having cuddles is important for her, as well as us. Now that I'm feeling a bit more confident in what I'm doing and in knowing her, I'm feeling a bit more relaxed about holding her when she is close to sleeping (rather than putting her down and just patting - which I still do but not every time). Also, if she is our last baby (which is most likely the case) then I need to enjoy holding her and enjoy having a baby while it lasts. They are very special moments.

My baby girl and I

Daniel loves her

Daddy kisses

It is still pretty crazy that I have 2 kiddies. They are both very beautiful kiddies though.

Eliza is getting better with play time. She enjoys being under the mobile and can fling her arms around, occasionally touching the different parts of it. Daniel likes her being under it - when I put her on the ground he will pull the mobile over.

Daniel is enjoying cars, trucks, trains, buses. Any form of transport really. This week he was pretending to be a truck when he was outside with Mum. He was walking forward, then stopping, and backing up while going 'beep, beep, beep' like a truck reversing. Pretty cute and funny to watch. He also enjoys pretending the drive, using anything from bowls to lids. In the car he was steering the car with his lid wheel.

He has also enjoyed helping Nana and Poppy in the garden on Tuesdays. He loves running around and helping dig or pull up weeds. He is definitely an outside boy.

I do love how much the Howie's love our kids. It's not a surprise as they are family. I do love how much Oscar cares for Eliza. I think he's going to be protective of her as she grows up, as will Daniel be.

Saying hi to Eliza after having lunch

Oscar insisted on holding Eliza, even though she was quite upset because of being overtired. He wasn't fazed. Instead he gave her kisses and cuddles and talked gently to her - You're ok Eliza. So beautiful!

Daniel wanted to join in on the cuddles.

She settled a bit when Auntie Jenny gave her a cuddle

Auntie Jenny - Babysitter pro.

Bath times are a daddy job, like they were (and mostly still are) with Daniel. It is a special time for James and he really does love it. Eliza is hit and miss with enjoyed her baths. It is tricky with timing too at the moment as she doesn't really have a set time for a bath. But she is getting better at enjoying them.

A blue tongue lizard seems to have decided in the past 2 weeks to make our garden its home. It is about 20cm in length and just loves hanging out in our courtyard. Daniel has been very interested in it too. Surprisingly Chilli has stayed away from it.

'Li, Li'

For Good Friday I decided to dress Eliza up. Jens gave her a cute little dress that I think she will grow out of all too quickly. Morning church made a great excuse to dress her up. She looked pretty cute in it.

Daniel is loving hanging out with 'Ji-ji' and 'Okar' at different times. I think that Oscar is the highlight of his week. So much excitement when we see him.

Chasing Auntie Jenny on the bikes at Nana and Poppy's place

Playing with Oscar at Pie In The Sky

I have enjoyed hanging out with Eliza at times during her play time. She hasn't started really making sounds but she is very cute and I'm trying to make a time each day to just focus on her, without having my attention split between Daniel and her.

Since in hospital Eliza has done tummy time, partly because of having a sore tummy when in hospital but also because they say that they can do it. As a result she doesn't mind being on her tummy which is good. She is getting good neck strength too which is impressive.

Daniel has started to try jumping. It's pretty cute to watch. James and I have a giggle each time he 'jumps'.

Eliza and I hung outside while Daniel played in the sandpit and then helped James re-do the fly screens. Eliza's hat is a bit too big at the moment but she will quickly grow into it I'm sure.

Hanging with my girl

'Helping' Daddy change the fly screens

Daniel is loving giving Eliza cuddles and it's really sweet to watch. We are learning to do it on his terms, not force it. He will ask to hug her at times too which is sweet.

Daniel has also started sharing toys with Eliza. He doesn't fully understand that she can't play with him, but it is sweet to see him giving her different toys and driving cars on her. He is doing very well with being gentle.

Have a ball Eliza

Daniel is doing very well at making me laugh lots. He just seems to know when I need to giggle. While eating lunch and having pear, he decided that this was how he would eat it.

Pear smiles

Cuddles, cuddles and more cuddles. I am enjoying having cuddles with my big boy, as well as my baby girl. It is getting tricky to have a photo with Daniel though as he wants to take the photos instead of be in them.

La, La

Tummy time and floor play time is a special time with Daniel and Eliza. When I get a mat out for her, he then pulls one out for him. When I sit and pat Eliza's tummy or back, Daniel signals for him to have his tummy or back rubbed or patted.

On Saturday we had an adventure with Jens, Oscar and Sam. We decided to go to Watson's Bay for fish and chips and to go on a Ferry. It was a lovely day and lots of fun. Eliza was great - happily fed and slept. Daniel was great too - happy in the pram and loved walking around.

Everyone ready for the ferry ride

Sam, you're looking the wrong way!

Fish and chips fun

The rest of the clan

Eliza having Auntie Jenny time

My beautiful boys

Chasings

Climbing trees

The roots make great hiding places

The Gap

Checking out the view

Oscar helping guide Daniel

Daniel has started throwing tennis balls. He is pretty good with his direction. Can't wait for him to be a bit older and have a longer attention with his throwing and catching.

Daniel is enjoying playing with cars - driving them on my legs while I'm feeding, driving them on chairs, driving them on Eliza. He is doing pretty well with being gentle and he is avoiding her head - mostly.

Here are some more photos of my gorgeous girl. After this post, I hope that be able to keep more up to date. We'll see how I go though.