Day 60: Babysitting

Teeny K came to play at our house.  Hubby and I worked together to keep Girly and Teeny K happy and fed.  It really highlighted the differences in feeding styles.  K puree feeds and we do Baby Led Weaning.  Helping the two babies to eat was an interesting comparison.  Teeny K took longer and ate more but was very passive while Girly tasted rather than ate but took control quickly meaning I had less work to do. 

Having done BLW with Boyo, I know that it can be great fun.  Girly is still taking her main nutrients from her milk so food is more about the experience than nutritional value.  This allows me to be more relaxed about her eating which in turn helps Girly develop a relaxed attitude to food.  Being in control also means she will self-regulate her food intake earlier and lower the risk of accidental overfeeding.

There are pros and cons to both feeding styles and I’m happy to do what Teeny K is used to.  I do like babysitting her.  She is a cute lil munchkin and she is a happy baby.  She loved getting to play with new toys.

Girly and Teeny K babbled to each other and spent time trying to get hold of the other.  They giggle together and have exciting conversations if the noise levels are anything to go by.  Socialising with other babies is great and these two will be constant companions as time goes on.  I just hope they continue to get on so well.

Happiness is… Babbling babies together.

Day 59: Resting

Ah, my bed.  My lovely, soft, snuggly bed.  Resting is vital to recovery and I need to be fit (for me) this week.  Biyo is still buzzing from our trip and he can’t wait to go to school and tell his teachers ALL about it.

I’ve played computer games and cuddled with the kiddos.  I’ve been on hand as needed but mostly today has been about snuggling up in bed.  I’m grateful to Hubby for making it possible to do this.

Happiness is… A duvet day

Dappy Cat

Nothing cures the 4am pain blues like a loudly purring kitty in search of fuss and cuddles.

Dappy cat

Day 58: A Day Out With Thomas

Time for a Family Adventure!

Guess who we’ve been to see?  Boyo had a fantastic day!  It was a full family trip with Boyo, Girly, Granny, Grandad, Hubby and me all setting out bright and early(ish) to the seaside on a freezing cold day.  I was determined to have fun.  We had a minor mishap with train times but luckily Grandad double checked for us and disaster was averted! Thank you Grandad!!!

There was so much for Boyo to do and Girly enjoyed watching her brother bounce around like the lovable loony he is.  Hubby and I decided to have a ‘Yes’ day as today was a special day for Boyo.  A ‘Yes’ day is a day when we relax the rules and say yes more. Yes, you can have chocolate milk again. Yes, you can bounce on the bouncy castle for as long as you like.  Yes, you can have the super expensive toy Granny wants to buy you.  Yes, you can have chips for lunch and tea if you really want.  Yes, you can have more chocolate but just be careful you aren’t sick.  Granny took full advantage and fed him junk til he vomited. But he bounced right back and then asked for more sensible food 🙂

He played with train sets and gave us insights into his next train purchases. (Take n Play Chinese Dragon, I lookig at you!) And he managed nearly all day without a serious meltdown.  Not just because he was spoiled all day but because we did regular check ins with his body.  We had more temper outbursts from Grandad when his blood sugar went a bit wonky.

I carried a mini chill out kit with me just in case but luckily we didn’t need it.  I had a set of his headphones (Thomas ones naturally), a soft cuddly cloth for comfort or chewing, colouring pad and pencils (also Thomas themed), we had his games on my phone and Grandad downloaded a Thomas film or 2 onto his iPad.  I scoped out a quiet area to sit when we got there and combined with his body check ins, he did really well.  I want to make him a sensory calming bottle for the kit too but time runs away these days.

After an exciting ride behind Thomas we had a drink and listened to the Fat Controller tell us Thomas stories which, naturally, Boyo knew all about.  The Fat Controller read “Thomas Goes Fishing,” and Boyo was very happy as it’s one of his favourites.  Sir Topham Hatt signed Boyo’s certificates (we got two as there was one for Girly as well as Boyo but she won’t mind giving it to Boyo) and Boyo thanked him for a lovely day.

We headed home on the train with a stop off in Grimsby (where Boyo was sick from too much cake) and said goodbye to Granny and Grandad.  Normally, we would have a sad Boyo say Goodbye but he was so full of Happy he let them go with a wave. 

Back home, Boyo played with his new Remote Controlled Thomas and curled up cuddles.  His Happy cup was overflowing and he wanted to share it with me.  I’m so proud of him.

Happiness is… A dream fulfilled.

Day 57: Ladies that Lunch

Girly and I went out for lunch with the friend who is leading Girly’s Naming next month.  Ostensibly, we were discussing the ritual but we also gossiped and had a good long chinwag.  The Naming is coming together well.  My friend, M, is thinking along the same lines as me so it will be great.  With the decorating theme of Rainbow Unicorns, it’s going to be a fun day.

This evening is all about preparing for our family adventure to see Thomas the Tank Engine.  Boyo has been a fan since he was old enough to say “choo choo”.  I wanted to do something extra special for him following the birth of his baby sister.

It’s a miracle he slept tonight between the excitement and wanting to talk to his Granny who is staying overnight.  We are as ready as we are going to be.  Let the chaos commence!

Happiness is… Family fun.

Day 56: Getting it Done

It’s done!!! I’ve finished my crochet project.  Cue the happy dance!!!

Yeah, it’s a nice project and it will look cute thanks to Bestie K sewing it together for me (did I mention I love that woman?).  I am freeeeee.  I can start another project.  My crojo can soar.  The guilt of not finishing it is gone. I am lighter. I am happier. I am… Yeah, getting carried away.  But it’s soooo good to get this project ticked off my list.

Babysitting the Mini Ks is getting easier.  Mini K is settling down now so I was able to get a good couple of hours crochet done before K came home.  K and her hubby, P, were home early but I still got to watch Agent Carter.  I have to say, I love my babysitting evenings.  The kiddies aren’t too badly behaved and I get time to watch the TV that I want and craft.  Plus, K keeps bringing me home treats.  Tonight, I got Pannacotta! It was delicious!!! I even shared it with hubby.

Happiness is… Completed projects and treat time.

Day 55: Recovery

Ok so I may have overdone it yesterday.  The chair yoga was great. The trip to Thrifty was great. The super long walk to the bus stop pushing my bargain buggy was less so.  Rest was the name of the game today.  And I’m glad I did.

Baby cuddles and reading a novel are good for the soul.  I totally recommend it.  I now feel tired but ready for tomorrow.

Happiness is… A comfy bed and cuddles with my baby girl.

Day 54: Chair Yoga and Thrifting

I wrote in my Shining Life workbook that I wanted to try yoga.  Then the universe dropped Chair Yoga sessions into my lap. 

Going along to my old workplace to do Chair Yoga was just plain strange.  I looked over the staff board and realised that I barely knew any of them!  Life had moved on and I had no idea where my former coworkers mught be.  It’s strange to realise that people I knew have moved on.  I had envisioned popping into the office to say hi but there was no-one I knew enough to say hi to. 

Chair Yoga was fun.  I stretched and relaxed and felt very chilled out by the end.  My mobility truly sucks but in time I might be able to do more. I nearly swore during the Warrior Pose when my hip crunched. It really hurt.  I moved and the realigned myself and actually it felt much better so I’m not sure if that was a good thing or not!  I felt more energised than I had before I went in so I will definitely be back.

Then I had a most bargainous trip to the Thrift Shop on a local RAF camp.  Bestie K2 used to live there and introduced me to the joy of the Thrifty.  Amazing clothes for a few pounds.  Girly is now in 6-9 month clothes and we needed baby sleeping bags for her.  I managed to pick up 3 sleeping bags for £1.50! Not only that but a gorgeous Mamas & Papas buggy for £12!  I’m a very happy Mama.

Isn’t it gorgeous?  I love it!! It’s the perfect height for me and so light and easy to manoeuvre.  It’s great.  I will be able to take Girly out with me more often. 

Happiness is… Unexpected bargains and relaxing exercise.

Day 53: Getting Crafty

I love to crochet but since Christmas I’ve been in a slump.  I just haven’t had the desire to crochet.  As a result, I’m getting behind on my orders and I need to get back on track.  But the problem is the longer I go finishing a project, the more I really dont want to do it.  So then Im stuck in crafty chaos and my crojo (crochet mojo) heads for the hills.

My crojo finally popped in today and I made huge inroads into the current project.  It feels good to WANT to crochet again.  I still have a bit to do but by the end of the week I WILL have finished this project!

Happiness is… The light at the end of the crafty tunnel.