Celebrating Something Special

I am blessed to have had the opportunity for a beautiful breastfeeding relationship with both Eva and Hugo.  

Breastfeeding is so important to me for many reasons.  I am a very determined milk maker… I couldn’t carry them to term, I couldn’t birth them right, I couldn’t even be the first to hold and touch them, but I could do something no one else could. I make breastmilk just for them. 

It has been such a wonderful way of bonding with my children and giving them some amazing food that’s free and very portable.

Hugo is feeding about four times a day and more if he’s grumpy and needs some slowing down and cuddle time.  Being a toddler he’s a bit of a distracted feeder now and gone are the days of me catching up on reading.   Instead he and I had quiet time together, usually with a small toy in his hands.  That keeps them busy enough to avoid tugging on my hair which isn’t fun!

This week I joined in some fun with our local Australian Breastfeeding Association group.  We handed out celebratory cupcakes at our local hospital.  The ABA group is a place that I find a lot of support from like-minded people.

I hope that this year’s World Breastfeeding Week raises some awareness and offer support to those who want to feed their babies this way.  I can only pray that Hugo continues to share this special time with me for a while yet.

In Awe of Her

Sometimes I look at her and am in awe of what she has achieved.  Sometimes I don’t give her the respect that she deserves for that either.

She will always be different and unique due to the journey that she has travelled in her short life. Nature or Nurture: did her personality shape her journey or did her journey shape her personality?  We will never know.

She reached 10x her birth weight before her second birthday. That’s a lot of energy spent on growing. She worked hard for every gram.

She will always be a 25 weeker, one that has successfully survived and thrived. For that we are truly thankful and give glory to God for her.

Today, while baking together, I was cutting just 50g off a 500g block of butter.  Suddenly I was caught by surprise by the fact that at birth she was just a little heavier than 1.5 blocks of this butter.

Yesterday she drew our family complete with arms and legs for the first time.  In the days of labour while I waited to give birth I prepared myself for saying goodbye to my child.  I didn’t let myself imagine that she would be a 3.5 year old.  It was too painful.  Yet here she is living life to the full.

I am so thankful for her and need to remind myself how blessed we are daily.  Today she isn’t well with a mysterious fever, the theme of winter for us.  I have relished the extra snuggles with my little girl who is enjoying her pyjama day.

 

The Show

This evening Hugo and I were treated to a performance by the very talented Eva.

Eva asked us to come and see her show in her bedroom.  We were also joined by a crowd of enthusiastic soft toys just waiting to have a purpose to their day and thrilled to have such comfy seats on the pillow.

The show started with a harmonica solo

 

It quickly moved onto balancing on one leg, practicing the tree pose

Jumping up in the air

There was a repeat harmonica solo

And it finished with some hopping practice

It was a fun interlude between dinner and a bath.  There have been lots of shows lately and it is gorgeous to watch.  A special treat at kinder (pre-school) today was that the teacher had set up a stage with dress ups so I imagine that it was popular today.

There has been lots of jumping lately which make a special noise on the wooden floor boards.  Maybe Eva needs some dancing or gymnastics next term?

Mother’s Day Reflections

I rather like the idea of Mother’s Day.  The spoiling, the taking over of mummy’s jobs, the breakfast in bed and the homemade craft.  It’s rather nice to have a day where my job is acknowledged.  It’s nice to have a day to reflect on the wonderful job that our mother’s did!

I don’t like the extreme commercialisation of the day because I really don’t need to be told that I need a fluffy dressing gown or chocolates.  But I do like enjoying taking a day to thank Mothers.

To those whose mothers aren’t with you I’m thinking of you. And those who are struggling to be mamas. And to those who don’t have a good relationship with your mother I’m thinking of you too.

I had delicious heart shaped pancakes and wonderful coffee for breakfast.

Eva and Hugo presented me with a hand and foot print craft that Daddy had lovingly created with them when I was out last weekend.  Aren’t they clever?

We had lunch out and Andrew took care of dinner and I didn’t touch any dishes ALL day which is just heaven to me.  I shared a little of my journey in faith specifically related to Eva’s birth at our church in the morning.  The sermon was about following Jesus, especially in times of suffering.  I was honoured to be interviewed by Rod and pleased to share our story.  Eva was in the service with us (normally she is in Sunday School in a separate room) and a little confused as to why photos of her where on the big screen.  I always find this sharing part of the healing process.  And as always it’s great to remind ourselves about how blessed we are by the grace that God showed through Eva’s journey.

I have to admit though that the most enjoyable part of the day was sitting by the fire with a glass of wine while the children were sleeping!  Is that bad?  I was happy in the knowledge that I felt very loved and appreciated while simultaneously the children were peaceful and angelic, a win all round I feel.

Last Wednesday Eva’s pre-school invited us for a Mother’s Day morning tea. The class sung 5 very cute songs and then we shared cake and water outside.  We were presented with a  framed picture and a keyring with a photo and thumbprint.  It was delightful.

Gifts made by Eva at Pre-School

Thank you to Andrew for dealing with all the messy faces, nappy changes, cooking duties and dishes!  And a special thank you to him for being such a vital part of my mothering journey.

The best photo to choose from – cheeky 3-year-old!

I want what he’s got

I know it’s just human nature but why is it that whatever Hugo has is just what Eva needs.  It is driving me crazy.

This week Hugo is really finding his feet and is loving pushing and climbing on anything.

Lately I can leave Eva and Hugo playing in the backyard and head to the kitchen with full view of them to get short tasks done.  Hugo has taken a liking to this 3-wheel bike.  I picked it up a while ago from a hard refuse collection and Eva never really used it much.

 

However she has taken a keen interest in it since Hugo has.  There is no fewer than 5 other wheeled toys in the backyard for her to play with, most of them unsuitable for Hugo, but she insists upon stealing his.

I'm not doing anything Mummy

I’m all for learning about sharing and turn taking but when my food preparation is interrupted by Hugo’s screaming as Eva has yet again taken possession of the bike in question causing Hugo to fall to the ground I am feeling a little frustrated.

Seemingly nice sharing at this stage

The same goes for the roller coasters.  Currently we have TWO roller coasters in our backyard from the toy library.  Hugo merrily climbs all over them and really enjoys himself.  This evening I heard him scream and found Eva had ridden the car down the one that he was climbing up!

Using one each!

There’s TWO why does she have to torture him!  Oh the privilege of being a big sibling, torture!

I realise that even as adults we lust after what others have and think that we need it and that it is just a phase but it’s just so tiring to rinse and repeat myself so many times a day.  What breaks me most is that some days it takes a lot just to get Hugo to play happily without sight of me so to have that peace interrupted is just so challenging.

Next week there will be something else to torment him with and this bike will be forgotten.

I think to myself “Just wait until he’s bigger than you!”.  I also realise that soon he will wander around without anything to push!

And Today We Wore Green

Hugo 33+4 weeker, now 1. Eva 25 weeker, now 3.

Today was “Wear Green for Premmies Day“.  Oh what fun to dress up in green to show our support for premature babies and to thank people for their support as well.

In our hallway we have canvas prints of both Eva and Hugo on Day 2 of their life.  Obviously they were both in hospital and had attachments on them.  We walk past these reminders every day, a great way to demonstrate to us the blessings that they are in our life.

Thank you to everyone who wore green today and took a moment to remember our very special cherubs and of course all other premmies.  Each life is precious and sometimes each breathe is part of a memory that will never fade.

Right now our two earlybirds are calmly sleeping and we thank God that we are able to share each and every day with them.  The journey to this point hasn’t always been easy but that’s the case for all parents.

Our bundles of joy were so anxious to meet us and we are thankful for the lessons that they have taught us.

We enjoy much support from Life’s Little Treasures.  Please head their site to visit them and offer support to them if you are able.

Thank you for wearing green today and spending a moment to pray and reflect upon these special little people especially those still in hospital.

Eva’s New Adventure

Today marks an exciting day for Eva and our family as she joins the schooling system in which she will spend a large part of the next 15 years!

Eva has begun 3-year-old pre-school (kinder) for 2 sessions of 2.5 hours per week.  Of course she has been looking forward to the start of pre-school, frequently talking about playing on the playground and painting, obviously her two favourite activities!

Today she dashed straight to the painting easels and was content to stand there and layer as much paint as possible onto her page.  This was followed closely by pasting, then play dough and the home corner where she fed the baby doll some cake.  Then it was rest time on the beanbag to read (5) books to which the teacher, Emily, commented that we must like books.  A few puzzles and then it was time for pack up and mat time to listen to a story.

I will admit that I could probably do these activities with her at home but I am looking forward to someone else answering the questions for 5 hours a week.  It will also be fun to spend time with my precious boy just the two of us.  We are thankful that 3-year-old kinder exists in Victoria to entertain and extend Eva this year. It will certainly give shape and routine to our week, especially given that she starts at 8.45am!

I was going to use the pram and have Eva scooter there but I have quickly realised that it is too far for her at this stage.  Thus I have seconded Andrew’s Christmas present (the trailer or “caravan” as Eva calls it) and I rode to Kinder.  My legs noticed that I was pulling an extra 32kg behind me!

It was a fun day and tomorrow Eva is there on her own without the paparazzi mama in the way!

Eva’s First Haircut

Christmas Celebration 2011

Here is a quick round-up of how we celebrated the Birth of Jesus – only a month late!  This year we celebrated in Melbourne on Christmas Eve and Canberra on Christmas Day.  It was lovely to be able to share special time with both families to enjoy Hugo’s first Christmas.

On the 23rd we went to a live Nativity performance at the same church as last year.  It was hot in the afternoon sun but it was a great retelling of the Christmas story complete with live donkey, stable animals and a very life-like baby Jesus.  We then retreated inside to the cool to hear a captivating story teller who even included Hugo as baby Jesus!  There was some craft activities but they didn’t really capture Eva’s attention as much as the playdough.

On Christmas Eve we celebrated with a delicious brunch at Gran and Pop’s house with the whole family waking up in the same house.  We suspect that Eva and Amelia (7) had a very social night sharing a bedroom for the first time.  Hugo had a bad night’s “sleep” but after a sleep in and some nourishing food we were ready for celebrations.

Five Grandchildren - Melbourne

In the afternoon we flew to Canberra.  Both children were very unsettled overnight and neither were very well on Christmas Day.  Mama and Dada were weary after a very interrupted sleep for the second night in a row!

Both children enjoyed discovering new things to love and play with.

We went to Nanny’s church to celebrate the Birth of Christ including a visit to the Nativity set up in the church for a quick rendition of Happy Birthday Jesus.

Lunch was a feast at my sister’s house followed by a refreshing dip in the pool.  As is the way with Christmas we finished the day with full tummies and full hearts.

As is always the case for me in the lead up to big events I can’t help but reflect on this time 3 years ago when we were just about believing that this tiny little girl really was ours and was going to come home with us (eventually).  I love Christmas carols and whilst doing kangaroo care with Eva I used to sing them to her.  During Advent whenever she needed a cuddle I held her close and sung to her again.  We are so blessed to have this vibrant scooter riding girl with us to celebrate in 2011.

Christmas 2008 - 2011

Rest Time

Sleepy Teddy is an essential ingredient

I am sitting here listening to Eva sing “Old MacDonald Had A Farm” as she lies in her bed for rest time.  The era of daily 2.5 hour sleeps is over.

Mummy is a little sad about this however I can see that developmentally she is not needing the big sleep and is consolidating on her night sleep with a consistent 12-13 hours overnight.

Eva is now having a rest in her bed of 40 minutes if she doesn’t fall asleep.  The 40 minutes is marked with a timer and she happily gets up and comes out after the timer goes.  After her rest she is more than happy to sit next to me and do drawing as I “work” on the computer and is becoming quite good at independent play.

Of course it is also fun to have one-on-one time with Eva to do activities that aren’t suited to having a crawling baby around.  So it is a blessing to have this time.

I find that the rest time is enough time for both of us to recharge batteries and have a break from each other.  I need that time to not answer any questions and just have thinking time all to myself.  It gets me through to bedtime as a happy mummy.

About 1-2 times per week she does end up falling asleep but I do make a lot of noise around her room at the 1.5 hour mark or else evening bedtime becomes a very dragged out affair with an energy filled girl.

Eva’s day sleeps have been such a wonderfully refreshing time for me and she has been very gentle in her giving up of them so we are both ready now.  I just have to learn to make the most of my 40 minutes of child free daylight hours!