The future

On Friday I had a phone call from the Head of Junior School asking me what my ideas were for returning to work next year. To be honest with you, I hadn't really thought too much about it. The times I had thought about it, I felt that I had finished at Rouse Hill - the distance, the hours and that a lot of my teacher buddies had moved to different places, but I hadn't made a definite decision.

I called up James who was so supportive and said to do what I felt I wanted to do and he would back me 100%. We chatted about what I was thinking. Rouse Hill has been such a big part of my life, and has been my whole teaching career. They gave me a full time job, after the public system clearly didn't feel I was suited to it (after my interview). They supported me through tough times. They provided me the opportunity to teach on each stage - Years 3, 5 and 1. They gave me experience with autistic children, hearing impaired students, ADHD students and many more. I have great friendships with teachers on staff and really miss seeing them each day and doing life with them. However, I felt that the distance and hours are just a bit too hard for me to do. I wouldn't be getting home until around 5pm. I didn't feel I could ask Jens to look after both Daniel and Eliza and I don't want to put them into childcare.

So after talking with James I called up Lyn to chat with her and told her that I was sad to say that my time at Rouse Hill has probably come to an end. I did cry as it is such a big move. 

She was so supportive and encouraging which was such a blessing! It really helped me feel it was the right decision. She said that she stayed at home for 12 years and has absolutely no regrets. It is one of the most important jobs that anyone can do and if you are in a position to stay at home, then do it. I am excited to be with Daniel and Eliza each day. I am looking forward to seeing how they grow and continue to develop. I am keen to go on adventures with them both and encourage them each day. But I am also sad to finish teaching for the time being. I know that my identity is in Christ along, however, I need to remember that just because a lot of other people return to work, I don't have to. I can be identified as a mum, one of the best jobs in the world. I am a bit afraid of how far classrooms will develop over the next few years and that I will be starting from scratch when I do return to the classroom. Even in the time since I went on leave for Daniel things have developed in the classroom - iPads, more developments with interactive whiteboards, etc. I hope that I can pick things up quickly when I do return to work, however, I am happy to experience this time at home and know that it is such a blessing to be able to do it.

First train trip

We finally got around to taking Daniel on a train trip. When Jenny was heading into the city she saw a fun train park next to Beecroft station and we decided we'd take Oscar and Daniel there to play. I haven't gotten around to taking Daniel on a train yet - kinda put it into the too hard basket. I knew though that he would either love it or hate it. He was excited to park at the station that Daddy parks at to go to work and was keen to walk up the stairs. We bought Daniel's and my tickets and then waited for the train.

Daniel decided that it would be easier to sit and wait.

I helped him step onto the train and then sat him down next to Oscar. He was pretty unsure about it when it started moving and wanted a hug, however, Oscar was a great distraction and made Daniel laugh and forget about feeling a bit funny on it.

The park was pretty cool, looking like a train. Daniel and Oscar were keen to climb up it, however, the first bridge was a bit wobbly so that made Daniel a bit uncertain. He wanted to hold my hand as he crossed it, and then wanted to be carried other times.

Auntie Jenny carrying Daniel over the bridge

Slippery dip races

We then had a bit of a swing before heading back to the station. It was pretty cute because each train that went past he would call out 'Naniel's train' after his book 'Daniel's Train'. He was very excited.
Daniel had a fun time on the train back home, looking out the window. 

 So all in all it was a successful train trip. We must go on another train adventure soon.

This is real food!

Today (Sunday, 17th August) James and I decided that we would try Eliza on some solids. It's a bit sad because it means she is growing up (which is very crazy!) but she is 5 months old on Tuesday and I like to start trying before 6 months so they become familiar with the food.

After her breakfast milk feed, we popped Eliza into the high chair with a towel around her for support as she can't sit up by herself and needed the support. I mixed one teaspoon of rice cereal and breast milk together so that it clumped together (I remember it being really tricky for Daniel if it was too runny so made sure it wasn't runny). When I brought it over to her, her eyes were focussed. Straight away she opened her mouth and was interested in it. She didn't pull any funny faces implying she wasn't interested in it. She even tried to hold the spoon to help me feed her.

So I think we have an eater on our hands. Now I just need to get back into pureeing food and organising things for her to eat. Fun, fun.

Here are some photos from her first solids.

Daniel checking on Eliza

All ready in the high chair

Is that for me?

I'm watching it

In it goes

It's in there

Chew, chew

Push it back in there

Focus

I can help you Mummy

Too much

Can I eat the bib too?

My turn?

Oh, so much food!

Update: Today I noticed that even though Eliza is going well with opening her mouth and showing an interest in food, she does still have the tongue thrust action which means that not all the food stays in. Will keep trying and she will work it out I'm sure.

Weekend Away

Last weekend we went away with our Bible Study group to Hawks Nest. There was another couple with a little boy (18months old) and 2 other people. It was our first trip away with Daniel sleeping out of the port-a-cot so we really didn't know how he would go. On Friday afternoon I headed there with the kids. James was to join us on Saturday morning as he had a concert on that night. The kids travelled really well in the car which was fantastic. Eliza slept the whole trip which I was pleased by and Daniel slept for half of it and then just chatted with me which was nice. When we arrived we unpacked the car and I fed Eliza then Kelly and I headed to the park with the kids. Eliza went to sleep in my arms while Tom and Daniel ran around the equipment. We then headed to the shops to get some dinner and food for the weekend. They had some awesome trolleys which had 2 spaces for kids so Tom and Daniel looked very cute sitting next to each other. Eliza was very relaxed as she slept in the pram. 

When we got home it was dinner time and then bed time. Daniel played with Tom while I put Eliza to bed. She went down pretty well for her first time being in our port-a-cot. Then it was Daniel's turn. After changing into his pjs we then followed the rest of his bedtime routine - brushed teeth, story and his Bible then light out, turn on the gro-clock and then prayers in bed. It was Daniel's first time in his ready bed. He seemed quite excited by it but I wasn't too sure that he would stay in it. He has just become good at going to sleep in his bed at home so I didn't know how he would be in a new place. He was happy to climb under the covers and lay there for prayers. When I left the room there was a lock that I flicked so he couldn't come out of the room as there were stairs at the end of the hallway. I went up to chat with Kelly and Simon and then I heard Daniel pulling down the door handle and letting go. I went to him and told him to get back into bed which he happily did. I tucked him in again, gave him a kiss and said goodnight then went back upstairs. Again, he pulled down the door handle. I went back downstairs and as I opened the door, Daniel was climbing back into his bed - that was a great sign! I again tucked him in, gave him a kiss and then left. This time I heard nothing. After 30mins I went down to check on him and he was sound asleep in his bed! Winner! He slept well for the night too which was great.

What surprised me even more was that even though I could lock the door to the stairs, the door to the bedroom where I was sleeping and Eliza too was just a sliding door. Not once did Daniel try to go in and say hi to Eliza which I am so impressed by!

The weekend was a very lovely and relaxing weekend. On the Saturday Kelly, James and I went for a walk with the kids because Daniel woke up on Saturday morning with what looked like conjunctivitis. We went to chemist who said it might just be his cold trying to get out of his body by his eyes, as the eyes, nose and ears are all closely connected, particularly at a young age, so we decided to leave it for a day or 2 and see if it cleared up. Instead we just used some eye wipes to clear up the crustiness. We then went to the beach and Tom and Daniel ran around on the grass while James, Kelly and I chatted away. Eliza was great and just slept the whole time.

We headed back for lunch - tasty fish and chips - and then the boys had a nap. Daniel was fantastic and went straight down to sleep! James and I took advantage of it and also had a nap (until Eliza woke up for a feed). In the afternoon we went for another walk to Tea Gardens and then headed back for dinner. After dinner the kids both went down again without a fuss. I'm pretty sure Daniel got up and walked around a bit but when I checked in on him, he was under his covers sound asleep - champion!! 

That night was a lot of up and down, both to Eliza and Daniel. Eliza decided to feed basically every 3 hours which was pretty exhausting and James was getting a cold so wasn't sleeping well either. Oh well. It just meant we were very tired on Sunday!

Sunday morning we packed everything up and then went for a walk to a park, followed by lunch of fish and chips next to the water. We then got icecream on the way home - yum, yum. 

Again, for the car trip home the kids did great! Eliza slept the whole way and Daniel slept for half the trip and chatted the rest of the way. I'm so glad that they both travel well in the car. Winner! 

The Kiddies

I don't think that I've posted about how I'm going with having 2 kids so here is one for that, but also to show some different things Daniel and Eliza are doing.

I am enjoying having both Daniel and Eliza. I have started to have a set time of just Eliza and I in the day - either when Daniel is having his nap or while he's having a meal in his high chair. It is nice to be able to hang out with my little girl and see her grow. This week she has started to be a lot more smiley which has been lovely! 

Most of the time it has been pretty good having the 2 of them. Daniel has been a very loving big brother - lots and lots of kisses and cuddles in the morning and then throughout the day. He just adores her. However, when Daniel is sick or in a fragile state it is pretty tricky having the 2 of them. Last Friday Daniel came down with conjunctivitis out of the blue. This resulted in a trip to the doctors to get eye drops for him. He has been hit and miss with the eye drops - sometimes happy to have them while being distracted and then other times kicking and moving his head so much so we barely get the drops in. Fortunately it has cleared up, but it has meant a lot of time at home. He has also had a bit of a cough - not too sure if he is getting sick or if it's just because of the weather. After his naps he has woken being quite fragile, wanting Mummy hugs. This has been lovely, however, tricky when Eliza has woken at the same time and needed a feed. On Sunday I ended up calling Mum to come and help as Daniel was having an emotional time, sobbing, and Eliza was hungry and I just didn't know how to help both of them. Even with Mum here he still only wanted me, so I sat there feeding Eliza with Daniel also on my lap having cuddles which I chatted with Mum. I still don't know what the problem was but after Panadol he bounced back straight away and responded the same way at night. Maybe just a 24hr thing. 

On Monday we were back to the doctors for Eliza to get her injections. She did pretty well but was upset for longer after these ones. After these injections she just slept for 30-40mins and was quite unsettled, so that was draining. I just kept needing to put her down because she seemed tired. This stuck around for a couple of days, but she seems to have gotten back to being herself again.

On Wednesday I went for a trip to the doctors again (yes, 3rd time in one week) because I had come down with tonsillitis. My doctor put me on antibiotics to help heal my throat. On Thursday it was really hard to look after both of the kids. I had absolutely no energy, my throat was very sore and all I wanted to do was be in bed all day. James had to go to work so I needed to look after the kids. I did manage it, but it was very hard and draining. It really made me appreciate sick days when I was working. Fortunately both kids had a sleep at nap time so I go to have a rest too which gave me the energy to survive until James got home. He then took over looking after the kids. I am still struggling with it, but I think the antibiotics are slowly helping my body mend itself. So yeah, on the whole I am enjoying having both Daniel and Eliza, however, when sick I do miss being able to rest in bed all day - reading and watching DVDs.


I don't know where I'd be without my Mothers' Group. I just love the friendships that I have formed with the other mums and the friendships that are forming with our kids. I am enjoying meeting at different houses each week and seeing the kids enjoy different toys. A couple of weeks ago at my house the kids started to make a toddler band.

Daniel on guitar, Ebony on keys and Lachie on vocals

I especially value my friendship with Anne who I go walking with each week. We both find it easy to chat with each other and share what is happening in our lives. We help give advice to try and work out our kiddies and we encourage each other to get out and walk. I love that our boys are good friends (Lachie and Daniel) and now our girls are starting to hang out (Emily and Eliza).

Emily and Eliza

Eliza has continued doing tummy time and is getting pretty good. She has started to roll over - accidentally, but still. The first time she did it was 4th July. I put her on her tummy, she pushed up a few times, fussed a bit and then pushed over. I put her back onto her tummy and she did it again. Of course, when I went to get the camera, she just looked at me and smiled but then eventually rolled over (when videos work again, I will post her rolling).

Daniel just loves stories and really enjoys reading his Bible and another book at bedtime. He still enjoys pulling books off the shelf to read during the day and he is starting to let Eliza join in. When James was reading 'Go Maisy, Go', Daniel wanted Eliza to sit on his lap and read it with them. Too cute!!

Eliza has started to play with her mobile, rather than just swing her arms and hit parts by chance. She is able to grab the ring which I think is pretty impressive. She still does like swinging her arms around to make the noise from tapping the different parts.

Poppy had his birthday and of course there was a cake to help celebrate. The boys helped Poppy blow out the candles and then after the grandkids had a lovely photo with a very proud Poppy.

Oscar still loves being around Daniel and Eliza. I love it how he asks to hold Eliza and how he likes to do things that make her smile and happy. There is a special bond between our kids.

On the weekend the rural firefighters were doing training in the area. We were surprised to see them getting organised outside our house. Daniel enjoyed seeing the fireengine and he and James liked talking to the firemen.

It is amazing the things that go into Daniel's head. He is constantly growing and taking things in both from watching and chatting. As I've posted before, he has started to play with my old Cabbage Patch Kid, Christopher. He has breastfed him and looked after him. Recently, he has started to change Christopher's nappy. One morning I was helping him and Daniel jumped up, ran into his room and brought out his change mat. I needed to change Christopher's nappy on the change mat. Then Daniel would pull it off again and we'd repeat. Such a cute response!

Christopher on the change mat

Doing tummy time

Daniel wiping Christopher's bottom

 Eliza is so happy when she is standing up. She has got such strong legs and enjoys using them.

Standing with Daddy

Happy girl

Sit down break

Standing with me just holding her hands!

Sit down break

 Daniel has started a new routine when getting out his highchair. He will pull it all the way out (he needs to do it, no one else does) and keep pulling it until he is 'stuck' between the chair and cupboard. He then says 'Naniel stuck'. I just love his squashed face.

Eliza is also quite happy to hang out in her bouncer. I have also started to do 'This little piggy' and she gets such a big smile across her face. It just makes me smile too.

As I mentioned before Daniel just loves Eliza and enjoys giving her plenty of kisses and cuddles. I do love watching them together and can't wait to see how the become buddies as they grow up.

'Naniel hold La'

Cuddles while Eliza is on the ground. He loves telling me what Eliza has touched - 'La touch hair'

Daniel loves to imitate James and his musical instruments. There are a couple of songs that Daniel hears on the iPod and will stop what he's doing, run over to his keyboard, turn it on and start playing it. They are certain songs that we sing at church. He also gets his ukelele when James is practicing. Precious moments.

We have had a bit of a stress with Eliza having ebm, or more not having. We haven't given her some for a couple of months, just because of being busy. When we tried she did not want the bottle and only wanted to have milk from me. Over a couple of weeks we persisted, giving her little amounts and her only really having 10mL each time. Then James had a go last weekend and she gladly drank it. Phew! Just means that I will have a bit of freedom and be able to go to a wedding on October as we had planned.