A Work In Progress

Gracie has cruised through the daylight savings transition. Chad and I feel like we have been hit by a tonne of bricks. As a result, if you see us today please don't comment on the fact that Grace has her top on backwards.  These things happen when you are weary.

So Grace and Chad thought it would be funny to mess with my mind.

Me: It's you Gracie Grace: OMG Mama I'm gorgeous! Me: Yes you are Grace. Grace: I look like Dadda don't I? Me: That's what people seem to say. Grace: He and I are soooooo good looking!!! Me: Yes Grace you both are. Grace: You must be quite jealous Mama. Me: Indeed Gracie. But you did get my chin. Grace: Yeah I noticed that.  I guess I can't be perfect can I? Me: Sigh.

I was 37 weeks pregnant when I gave birth and this week my girl is 37 weeks old. There is a symmetry in that that I like. My life has changed so much and I'm a happier and stronger woman as a result. Some days I miss my independent and gloriously selfish life. Other days, as I snuggle into bed next to someone who loves me and watch the baby monitor and see my baby girl throw her toy bunny over her head, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. 37 weeks of planning and 37 weeks of action...no wonder I'm knackered.

Grace has recently discovered that she can refuse to do things and protest when things aren't her way.  She has let me know in no uncertain terms that last night dinner and today's lunch SUCKED and there was no way on God's green earth that she was putting that slop in her mouth. She has decided that screaming when you can't reach your toys (or things you think should be your toys) is the ONLY appropriate response. Hair pulling and pinching are also a growing part of her repertoire. So I'm now realizing that the hard part of parenting is beginning. Saying no, deciding how to deal with dinner battles and how to tell her off are things we have to work out. Kids are smart. They put together patterns and if you let them create unhelpful ones (eg if I scream I get things my way) you set yourself up for a heap of pain. So as my darling girl stretches her muscles of independence, I'm learning to stretch my parenting muscles. It's a crazy ride ahead of us. And f...

Lots of playing, and a much enjoyed visit from granny. I love how Grace is slowly warming up to the people I love and sharing those beautiful smiles and giggles.

Today was the second to last swimming lesson for this term. And guess what, Gracie has graduated from being a Seahorse and next term she will be a Turtle!!! I'm so proud, although reading the list of criteria to graduate from being a Seahorse I think that she has only just scrapped through. The first item to be achieved is to be "happy and confident in the water". Guess which part I think she struggled to achieve..... God bless her, she has gone from crying in lesson one, to now being unphased and calm as I dunk her under water. No smiles yet but maybe we'll get one next term. Well done my girl. You are already more confident in the water than your Mama.

Broken tooth removed. Cat happy now. Bank balance not so much. Hmmmmmm, if I was feeling more creative I could make that into a haiku poem but I haven't had my coffee yet.

Mentally preparing ourselves with some quiet playing.

Off to the doctor to sort out those spots.

Today Gracie had a play date with a friend from coffee group. She was fascinated at how this little fella can touch his toes and his bouncing techniques on the Jolly Jumper. I loved having my friend here to chat and share stories and sympathy.  I been lucky enough to meet some great people through having Grace. Then there was much excitement when Dadda got home (as usual) and giggles as Penzance tried to get in on the cuddles. A good day. Only down side was the development of spots on Grace. They have been coming up the last few days. I suspect maybe a food intolerance as I introduced banana and custard recently so might be one of those. Doctor tomorrow! 

What a lovely Sunday. Bit of a sleep in, then off to the park for a walk. Chad and I looked adorable in our matching jackets (don't ask how that happened, long story) and then home for a healthy lunch (picture sadly shows how big I am and therefore how in need I am of being on a diet!), and then playing with Gracie. She has just gone to bed so I'm listening to a podcast from This American Life and just poured myself a wine. I'm sitting in my favourite big red chair and feeling happy with all that life has given me. It's good to stop for a while and remember to be grateful. By the way, if you have not listened to This American Life then I thoroughly recommend you check it out at www.thisamericanlife.org

So I just came across a post from 2010 where I babysat an 8 month old baby. At the time I had no idea what the future would hold...but in my heart I dreamed of what I have today. Funny how life works.

In 2011 I wrote about the very small window in which I like to eat bananas (see link below). Today my groceries arrived and I have eight bananas that are all within the acceptable window. Problem is how will I eat eight bananas before the window passes?

Grace takes her newly aquire skill of sitting very seriously.

The last few weeks I have focused on swimming itself. Today I take you behind the scenes to what happens after. The class is over and Grace and I make our way to the side of the pool. My lovely sister takes Grace and wraps her in a towel so I can get out of the pool. Grace starts to cry as she thinks I'm abandoning her. I do a small dance in front of her to assure her I'm still here and we are having fun. She raises an eyebrow in doubt. I quickly get out of the pool and grab my towel and we make our way to the smallest changing room in the world. It's what I now imagine hell is like: 2 x 2m room, six mums and six wet, hungry and tired kids under the age of 2. I try to dry Grace and remove her togs. I seriously consider cutting the damn things off her as removing wet lycra from a protesting baby is not easy. Once she is naked I try drying her with her now sopping wet towel. Cue loud screaming. One of the other small children covers her ears. I wish I could too. Grace is stil...

Chubby cheeks and frowny faces run in the family....

Unimpressed.

Car serviced and brake pads replaced. Expensive.  Donations to my wine fund would be appreciated as I spent it all on the car.  Alternatively, there will now be a charge per cuddle with Grace.

To Grace, you are the light of her life who gets her smiling when you walk in the room. She loves the songs you sing and games you play and those daddy/daughter adventures you go on together. To me, you have been my support since our girl arrived. You remind me how lucky we are to have such a wonderful daughter and you make me feel so loved and appreciated each day. Happy Father's Day!

Chad decided to buy Grace a gift. He found what he was after on Trade Me and placed the winning bid, making us the proud owners of a jolly jumper. Because we don't have any doorways in the lounge, he also had to get a frame. A large frame. My need to accept kid's toys taking over our lounge has had to accelerate with the arrival of this gift. I put it all together while Chad was out and had Grace watching me.  As expected she was very cautious.  Her god mother came over and, being the good sort that she is, she volunteered to show Grace how it worked. Grace found this very amusing. When Chad returned, it was time to try Grace in it. Will surprise you all to know that she cried. Actually it will surprise no one. But she did then realize it wasn't soooooo bad and started to have fun. She particularly liked the added extra Dadda bought of a touch sensitive play mat that makes sounds when you land on it. I can imagine that I may tire of that mat more quickly than she...

Seriously.

Just kidding. Miss Poker Face continued to stare everyone down. This week we got ready to sign up for next terms classes. We pointed out that we felt we are currently in the wrong age group class given Grace is only just 8 months and the other kids are 18 months to 2 years. We are still having fun but there are parts of the class that involve standing and walking. ..two skills that Grace has not yet mastered.  Let's be honest she can't even sit unsupported so clearly walking is a ways off. So next term we might be with a younger crowd. I don't expect that will make any difference to Grace's enjoyment levels and suspect she does enjoy watching the older kids and all the things they can do. Today's photos, taken by my wonderful support crew of my sister, do not show me trying to drown Grace. She is just showing she can put her head under and I'm right next to her the whole time.  The second photo shows another of her "I'm so happy to be swimming" fac...

When you are busy with baby it can be easy to forget the original kids of the household.  Today I found this little girl sitting sadly on the stairs. Gotta give the fur kids more cuddles I think!!

According to Huggies, the answer is yes. As all babies do, Grace started in newborn nappies. She then moved to Huggies "Infant" size, then "Crawler" and now, at almost 8 months, she has just moved into "Toddler" size. What? This is a child that can't even sit, let alone crawl or walk!! How can she be in "Toddler" size? Does my child have an oversized bum or are Huggies sizes weird? In a similar vein, I'm sure there is a conspiracy to make me worry about the length of her arms. Every jumper and cardigan I put on her fits round her body but is about two inches too long on her arms. Does my child have really short arms??? Luckily I know my girl is perfectly formed, even if the people at Huggies and jumper manufacturers want me to think otherwise.

Grace: What the hell is that? Me: That's a jolly jumper. Look how much fun Lydia is having. She's giggling. Grace: I'm pretty sure she is screaming for help. Me: No Grace, she is giggling, she loves it. Grace: Hmmmmmm Me: Would you like a go? Grace: You're kidding right? Me: I think it would be fun. Grace: I really doubt your judgement at times mother. Me: Come on let's try it. Grace: Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Me: Oh for the love of God.   You win this round Grace..........