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.