Wordless Wednesday: the expressions of Smiley

Smiley's "what the heck is that/I'm slightly scared" look

(when seeing a a big, black, swan eating the bread he threw)

Ticking along

Gosh, has it really been that long?

Life is ticking along nicely, and every day, I am just so grateful.

It feels like a period of calm after a long, hard struggle.

I often find myself just staring out the window at the view or looking at our big kitchen or at our spacious car

(which we're paying off but I'm still so grateful for).

I guess I haven't had much motivation to blog or even take photos.

I am just being.

It's nice, actually.

Turbo is still a bit of a challenge at the moment. His language is not the best...and I have no one but myself to blame.

"Go away!" is one that I hear about a hundred times a day.

Good one, Penny.

And Smiley and I had a little trip to Starship Hospital on Friday for his cough that he's had since late March!

Yes, that long.

I have been to the doctor so many times and been told he's ok, but his day care lady insisted that he needed a chest x-ray (because she's a doctor!! not) and got me really worried.

Turns out mother's intuition is best.

Turbo's going to see his first ever movie tomorrow with his Aunty and cousin...and I'm going too. He's even missing kindy for it. And Smiley's spending the time with his much loved Nana.

Can't wait!

Hope you're all having a fab week so far

Moving on

I can't believe that in two sleeps time, we'll be moving. Out of this little place, in which so many good memories were made. I think I will always look back on this place with a fondness.

I'm sure lots of people wondered how we managed to live, all four of us in such small surroundings. But it was perfect for the season we were in. It was the first place (not counting the very first year of our marriage) that was just ours. We've flatted, lived with both sides of the family, house-sat and even boarded way back before the kidlets came along, just to get us through while Mr Samoa studied.

This was the place I laboured (a little too long at home, I must add. I nearly gave birth in the car!) with Smiley, walking up and down in the lounge. The place Smiley has spent his whole life so far, and the place he learned to sit, crawl and walk. The place Turbo came home to after his first day at kindergarten.

The little back garden was a haven in the Summer, decked out with a trampoline, sandpit and paddling pool, and big leafy trees to shelter under.

We've made friends with the many neighbours who have come and gone. We're not going far though. In fact, our new three bedroom house is a short walk out our back gate, down the driveway, through the landlord's back gate, up his driveway and there it is! So close we can actually walk some of the lighter stuff over when we move.

I love that we don't have to reacquaint our ourselves with the area or move the kids' kindy/daycare.

When we first moved in, we promised ourselves this was just for six months. Six months came and went. Then we said we'd move when Smiley became mobile because two kids really was too much living here. Smiley crawled then walked and still we stayed, making adjustments as things changed.


I've been cleaning like a maniac these past few days, and have a war wound to show for it. The corners of alumium framed windows are so sharp! A bloody (in the literal sense!) head wound. Ok, not that much blood but it did break the skin and it's bruised. So not kid-safe! And who knew clean windows, outside and inside, could look so nice. Just in time for the next people to enjoy.

I'm not sure when the internet will be up and running, but hope to back soon.

Two lunchboxes

Last night I packed not one, but two lunchboxes. And right now I am at home, kid free. Turbo is at kindy. And it's Smiley's first day at a home-based day care which he's going to attend for two mornings each week.

He didn't even cry when I said goodbye to him!

And so here I am with time on my hands. Lovely!

Well actually I'm supposed to be working. My friend and I have set up a small business contracting administrative support to other small businesses. But as we have only prospective clients at the moment, there is no work to do.

Plenty of packing and cleaning for next week's move though....which I'll get into soon. If you know me well, you'll know I can't do nothing for very long.

I'll leave you with some gorgeous pics of some family time we spent at the beach last weekend. New Zealand is truly beautiful!

A little bit glad it's all over

Warning: this is a long, rambling post. Probably indicative of the state my head is in. Stick with me if you can.

It's been a huge weekend with our 6 year wedding anniversary and Turbo's third birthday. And I have been as sick as a dog. Seriously. I haven't felt this sick in ages.

It started on Wednesday with a sore throat, and as I was going to the doctor for something else anyway, I got her to check me out. "It's viral," she declared, "so gargle with salt water, take some Panadol and you'll be ok in a few days." Great. I actually hate that virus word. It means there's nothing you can do about it so suck it up and get over it.

Thing is, I didn't get over it but got progressively worse over the next couple of days. Now I can handle a sore throat, blocked nose and foggy head. I can even handle a bit of a hacking cough. As mums we have to be a little bit tough and carry on. The kids do not wait for anything. But this! This was way worse. I felt like I had to lie down all the time, and on Thursday, I spent a large portion of the day on the couch while Smiley played around me and on me. Thankfully, Turbo was at kindy for the morning. Although, I nearly cried when I realised I had to drag myself off the couch to go and get him.

This sapped me of all strength, I couldn't talk very well and oh, the pain in my ears! On Friday morning, the pain in my ears was unbearable and Panadol was doing nothing. Back to the doctor I went, thinking she'd take one look in my throat and ears and prescribe me some strong drugs. "All clear, " she said. "Sometimes when your throat is sore, your ears get sore too." No kidding. She gave me some stronger pain relief and a precautionary script for antibiotics and sent me on my way.

By that afternoon, I was feeling no better, maybe even worse and I was starting to cough a very painful, hacking cough. I got Mr Samoa to come home early, get Turbo from kindy (I could not even get myself to the car) and go and get the antibiotics and some fish and chips for the boys.

In all of these happenings, I also had to managed to bake for Turbo's birthday morning tea, which was happening on Saturday at our house. That said, the baking was a disaster. Anyway.

After a night of fitful sleep, as you tend to have when your throat is killing you and you can't breathe through your nose, Turbo woke up at 5am. How can you tell him off when it's his birthday though? So around 6am, we put on our happy faces, grabbed the balloons Mr Samoa had blown up the night before, and entered his room singing Happy Birthday. He opened his presents and the long day began....cleaning the house for the party (which thankfully was just my family - 14 adults and 6 kids!!), cooking popcorn, decorating and getting the garden ready. Didn't quite manage everything. The balloons didn't even get tied up and were all over the floor, but the kids all had fun kicking them around.

Turbo had a ball, which was the main thing. He got a bike from his Nana and Grandad and got to blow out his candles on his dinosaur cake. The 4 older boy cousins (which includes Turbo) ran around, made a mess and had fun. A successful party! I, however, was feeling terrible and sat down for a lot of the party, barely managing conversation. Check out some photos here...thanks Sammy!

After the party, my awesome parents cleaned up and then took Smiley home with them for the night. My first night away from him in almost 14 months! My mom was a bit apprehensive but knowing Smiley, all he needs is someone to cuddle and give him some attention and he's happy. I was right. He was totally fine, slept 12 hours straight during the night, gave them a two hour day nap (which is more than he gives me!!!!) and was all in all, "a delight" - my mom's words.

After a brief appearance at Scrag's awesome Toy Story party, (I thought I might just pass out during the treasure hunt, fun as it was), Mr Samoa delivered Turbo to his sister's house where he was spoiled and adored by his two older girl cousins all of the rest of Saturday and today.

Yes. It's true. We had a totally kid-free night ahead! After a long afternoon nap, I dragged myself out of bed, still feeling no better. I pulled on some jeans and flat shoes (Mr Samoa was lucky I even got out of my pyjamas) and we headed out for the long-awaited dinner at local restaurant. From what I could taste, the food was lovely. Mr Samoa loved his so I guess that's what counts? Instead of living it up, we headed home straight after where I crawled into bed and ate the delicious dessert my friend K had made us...even in my sick state I could taste this was good! Chocolate mousse cake with a biscuit base.
Mr Samoa = one piece.
Me = the rest. Yeah well, you gotta eat something when you're sick, right?

After another fitful night's sleep, slightly improved by nose spray, we woke up....by ourselves...not woken by kids....just by our own body clocks, at 7am. We sat around for a long time, amazed at all the time on our hands. My mom on the other hand informed me later that having Smiley with her and all that that involves made them late for church.

Mr Samoa then headed off to church while I raced over the bridge to pick up Smiley, thinking he'd be pining for me by now. He wasn't. I got a very mild welcome actually. Anyway, by then I was feeling awful again, totally sapped AGAIN so I had a little snooze on the couch. Don't you love moms? You can do that when you're at their house.

And this afternoon we picked up Turbo, who had had the time of his little life. And now, my two blessings are  tucked up in bed, back him, safe and sound. Ah, a night away certainly does make you a bit more grateful.

So I am thankful for the weekend, but also glad it's over. I am starting to feel a bit better now. The antibiotics must be kicking in. Mr Samoa has one more all day meeting tomorrow and then it's holidays for him. Looking forward to that.

Did you manage to stay with me all the way to the end? I'm not usually a person of so many words. And some photos might help but I don't think I'm up to it. So this is it. I'll stop now.

Smiley has his first party

Today the nation observed two minutes silence in honour of those lives the Christchurch earthquake claimed. When you live far away from the devastation, one can easily forget what people are going through, even when it's in your own country.

In one sense, life has to go on. Like this couple who got married only days after she was pulled from the rubble. And of course Smiley's party, on that same day. We've all had a rough week, filled with emotion. But we had a great day on Saturday, surrounded by family and good friends. We felt so blessed!

The party was a Summer Fun theme - so easy to put together. We held it at a park, which I highly recommend (no messy house to clean up afterwards!) and the weather was lovely.

We had beach ball biscuits, chocolate fish diving into blue jelly, a fish-shaped cake, the popcorn and chips in buckets, and instead of balloons and streamers, blow up arms bands, tubes and beach balls!

Thanks to everyone who came and helped make it a great day!

And thank you for all your generous gifts. We love you all.

Dear Smiley, you're one!

My little, sunshine boy. You, who bring warmth and light into our world, with your chocolate brown eyes and toothy smile. With your long, deep cuddles where you bury your head in my shoulder and wrap your chubby arms around my neck. I love the smell of you!

You are one adorable little boy. In every way.

You're walking so fast now, and often lean forward with the speed of it. Your legs can't keep up and so often you land up on the floor! But in no time at all, you're up and on the move again.

You love being around your older brother and miss him when he's at kindy. It warms my heart to see you two starting to play together and enjoy each other. 

You're a feisty little thing and hate not getting your way. We have to watch our heads because you show your disapproval by 'hitting' whatever or whoever is near you. Turbo often gets a hard smack on back of the head, using whatever is in your hand. Ouch!

You're sleeping much better now, thank goodness, and often sleep 10 to 11 hours straight at night. You're now completely drinking formula and have three cups a day. You really love your milk. And Mommy feels like a new woman now that you don't want it from her!

You've still just got your six teeth you had when I last wrote about you at 8 months old. Although I think some could be making their way through soon.




You're fascinated by birds and love to watch them in the mornings with a piece of Marmite toast in your hand. But you're very scared of dogs and scramble to get away from them, yowling loudly when they bark.

Your Daddy loves your cute character that is emerging and the way you giggle when he chases you, or throws you up into the air.

You came into our lives, unplanned, at a time when we felt we couldn't handle any more. But you have been an absolute joy, Smiley, and I am so glad you're mine. You came at the right time.

We love you more than words


Love Mommy and Daddy  

P.s. Your party is on Saturday, but Nana came to celebrate with us today. Lucky you, Smiley. You are so loved.

Things I'm loving

Linking up with Paisley Jade today

I am loving....

Making my own bread. And not in a breadmaker! In the oven like our mothers would have done. It's yummy, although quite stodgy dense at the moment. Have some tweaking to do me thinks.

That Smiley is such a great eater. Turbo, my eldest, is THE most fussy eater. So it's so nice to have a boy that eats well and tries most things.

Devouring pasta

That Turbo has started kindy for two mornings a week. It is quite wierd having all this time with Smiley, and I have to admit I have been a little bored. So used to the busyness of two I think.

What you can do with all the free photo editing software out there, like Photoscape. This ordinary image now looks so much better with a few tweaks. Would love a better quality camera but hey, gotta go with what I have for now.

A bowl of chips and coffee (yes they go together fine. Coffee goes with anything don't you know?) with Sammy last night at the Belgian Beer Cafe. Exactly what I needed. Some amazing company and some time to just be me and not a mommy. When I was driving there it felt strange not to have Smiley in the car seat behind me. Like someone was missing.

What are you loving right now?

A little bit of this and that

You would think after receieving such a lovely gift from Mr Samoa, I might remember to wear it more than once. Not the case. Apparently I now need to create a habit of wearing it. Who would have thought?

The culprit has claimed another victim. My wonderful mom stayed the night last to help me out while Mr Samoa is away. After getting up several times last night, my mom took over in the early hours of the morning. Apparently she was up for two hours with him!
And so a rather shattered and exhausted mom has now left me to it. At least she has seen it firsthand and knows I'm not kidding about how bad he is at the moment.

My mom with my gorgeous niece

I feel this leaves me no option but to leave him to cry. I am going to put my mattress next to his cot, though, and offer reassurance every now and then. And if he wakes Angel Turbo, we will just have to deal with that.

Who would have thought I'd he calling Turbo an angel!! But he is. A delight.

Thankful for that.

Smiley took his first steps a couple of weeks ago, a week before he turned 11 months. And now he's really going for it. So cute to see! Motherhood is so full of contradictory emotions. I am such a tired, exhuasted, frustrated, but very proud and full of love Mama. Here's a little video on the very day he took his first steps:

(Sorry it's sideways but i don't know how to edit it...I did download software and try!)

And nothing like coffee with some other awesome bloggers to pick you up a little.
You probably have already, but check out the great blogs of Sammy, Gail and Simone.
Note to self: remember to pay next time before you leave the cafe!

A sheepish thanks to Gail and Sammy. I owe you!

 

The torture chamber

A.K.A. Smiley's bedroom

It began at 11.30pm. I was in that lovely deep slumber that you fall into an hour or so after going to sleep. Smiley was up.
I fed him quickly and popped him back into bed which is usually all I have to do. He started crying again before I'd even reached the door. Damn.

I picked him up again and fed him again. He finished feeding and looked up at me, wide awake. Double damn.

At that point the options are leave him to cry, which can last for over an hour or try to settle him. Patting does not work, he gets even more upset. And (stupidly in this case!) I prefer not use a dummy with my babies. So into my arms he came and I began pacing the torture chamber, his head on my shoulder.

About 10 minutes later I gently put him down. He starts crying as soon as he hits the cot. I pick him and start pacing again.

15 minutes later I gently lay him down and leave the room. Phew. I lie down and start to drift off. Blissful sleep.

The culprit, who is also criminally cute

The crying begins again shortly after. Mr Samoa gets up. It's his second week of his new job tomorrow. Not a good look to be yawning. Anyway.

10 minutes later he emerges from the chamber. The crying starts up again. I storm into the room and yell at Smiley. Yes, I did. I am a crazy woman in the middle of the night. Of course, this makes him cry even more.

I try feeding him again. This doesn't work. By this time I've been up an hour anyway. Should have just left him to cry. Problem is, in our small unit, you hear, with clarity, every gut-wrenching wail. And despite ear plugs, I can still hear and am on edge the whole time, almost crying myself. O, and he'll often wake Turbo. And another thing, I swore I would never leave my Smiley to cry after all we went through with Turbo.

So the pacing starts again. I am deperate by now. Eventually his body goes limp and I am able to lay him down. I fall back alseep.

You would think this would be all for the night but no, there's more!

1am the crying begins again. In hindsight, I should have given him paracetamol at this point, but instead I stumbled groggily into the chamber and began pacing, tripping over my own feet in my exhuastion. Thankfully this time it was quick.

3.45am he's up again. I feed him this time. I know I shouldn't, but I am at my wits' end.

5.20 am he's up. And this time, despite both Mr Samos and I settling him, he will not go to sleep. At 6am I turn on his light and put some toys in his cot. He screams even louder. 5 minutes later he settles down. It's shortlived though. Turbo is now up. The day has begun. I am not ready for it. I am exhausted.

Please, please, God, may tonight be better.


So now you also know why I am absent from blogland every few days. Just trying to survive.


{Note: Sorry, but I'm not looking for advice. I know enough sleep training methods to write a book after all I've been through with both boys. I did have Smiley sleeping through the night at 5 months, but at great cost to me. What you can do is pray for me. Thanks!}

Dear Smiley

Nine months today! I feel like I just write the post about you being 8 months.

In honour of turning 9 months, yesterday you stood all by yourself. You were holding onto the washing basket and, oh so casually, let go and stood for 3 seconds before plopping down onto your bottom. Woah! I'm not ready for a walker. You're not even crawling so don't go walking on me. Ok?

You are a very cuddly boy which is a bit different to your big brother so it's taking some getting used to. You want to be attached to me constantly, even when we're sitting down together playing with your toys. You reach over for cuddles every few minutes!

Your sleep patterns are still up and down. Yesterday you did a 2 hour afternoon nap. I cannot remember the last time you slept more than 40 minutes during the day. I got so much done! Can you do that more often please? I still can't believe you've only done 40 minutes naps for most of your life. Don't you just wanna roll over and go back to sleep when you wake up?

Night times are also up and down. You are not at all predictable and wake at different times each night. I've given up trying to make you do anything with your sleep.

Today I also heard you say "Mama" for the first time. Pretty momentous day, hey?

Your favourite food is yoghurt or custard. You eat quite a variety now and I'd say your favourite fruits are strawberries and oranges.

Everywhere we go you charm people with your smile. I get constant comments about what a happy boy you are.

Another latest skill is "pointing" (with your whole hand). It's very cute. You point at things that interest you like the trees moving in the wind, or at your Daddy.

You've got four top teeth now...and still only one bottom tooth. You don't seem to do anything by the book, Smiley!

And that's why we love you so very much.

You're an awesome little boy.

Update as at 23 Nov: You started crawling. Let the games begin!

Wordless Wednesday: Creative play & "I think I'm so clever!"

Cars in the shower with ice - compliments of our overactive freezer

Standing by myself!

Loving, not loving

Loving that...

Mr Samoa (a.k.a clown!) has been offered a job! Yes, I real job for the first time in 5 long, hard years. A few things have to be confirmed, but the offer is official and the champaigne will come out next week after his exam. Gotta keep focused for now.

Smiley, who is 8 months old is already eating what we eat at the dinner table (in smaller chunks of course). I am not having another fussy eater like Turbo, who from around the age of 1, decided a fruit or vegetable would not pass through his lips...unless Mummy cleverly disguised it in his food.

Last night Smiley ate our mince with us and the night before, pasta. And he eats lots of different types of fruit.

Turbo has been fully toilet trained for the last few months. The money it saves on nappies! And he has a bladder like a camel so no trouble when we go out. He just waits until we get home. Awesome stuff, Turbo!

My backyard is a little Summer haven. It's not big, but it's just right for us. A trampoline, sandpit and paddling pool. A shady, leafy tree with a cool afternoon shade spot. We spend most afternoons there.

I bought a skipping rope. Finally doing some exercise. I wasn't quite getting out there, so I brought the exercise home to me. Flip, it's hard! Can only do a minute at the moment.

We are getting out and socialising more at night with our kids. With Turbo, I was so scared to break his routine. This time, we want to have a life! On Saturday night we were here. Thanks, Simone, we really enjoyed ourselves.

Mr Samoa and I keep getting closer and stronger in our relationship, despite the recent rocky patches. He rocks. THE best husband.

Not loving that...

One of my best friends is moving away. Not too far, but far enough that we can't meet up like we do now. I am going to miss her terribly. But, at least we'll have a holiday destination?

The scorching NZ sun season is upon us. Being the colouring that I am, I can never fully enjoy it. I'm the one scrambling desperately for a spot in the shade and constantly lathering myself with suncreen. But hey, you all should be doing the same, right? No one is immune to skin cancer.

I'm so tired. Smiley still wakes at night and so I have a really short fuse at the moment. Turbo often gets the worst of me. Mornings are not good.

Smiley still only naps for half an hour during the day. I don't get much done. I probably should come to terms with that now.

Because of the above, my house is really not that clean. And I don't foresee being able to do anything about it anytime soon. I manage to do the main stuff but I can't remember when I cleaned behind the furniture or in the cupboards for example. So if you come over to my house, please don't look too closely! Sigh.

Dear Smiley

You are 8 months old today. Unfortunately, this day finds you sick again and you are on your third course of antibiotics in the 8 short months you've been alive. I tried to avoid them but you've been sick for a while and in the last few days, your cough has gotten worse.

Maybe that's why you don't sleep very well at night?

I wish you could tell me why!

In spite of the sickness, you are still a real happy little boy most of the time. Your smile lights up the room and you don't hesitate to bestow it on complete strangers too (from the comfort of Mummy's arms, of course).

You're a real Mummy's boy and would be happy to spend all day in my arms if you could. Recently you started to reach out for Daddy too which is nice for him. You LOVE cuddles and often bury your head in my shoulder or "kiss' me (open mouthed).

You're not crawling yet but you are really wanting to. When you're on your tummy, you manage to move yourself backwards. Two teeth have made their way through and another two are on the way.

Your big brother is very fond of you and loves to cuddle you, tickle you and try to carry you around. He still calls you bubba although we're trying to get him to call you your real name. Since having you, he has taken a real interest in dolls and puts them to sleep and cuddles them.

You still won't take a bottle and like your milk 'on tap'. You're now having three meals a day and starting to eat finger foods like bits of toast, crackers and fruit (and the odd biscuit).

Bathing is one of your favourite things to do. When you're tired and whiny at the end of the day, a bath calms you down. You love to splash! Music is another favourite and when you hear it, you kick your legs and flap your arms in excitement. You are no trouble to take out and can sit for hours in your stroller, taking in the world.

  

I could gaze for hours into your lovely chocolate brown eyes and give your velvety soft cheeks a thousand kisses a day.

You bring great joy to us, Smiley, and we love you so much.