A Work In Progress

Last night I didn't sleep well. Bit on my mind with some work changes and news a good friend of mine isn't well. So this morning one pair of blue eyes in my life told me to sleep. After I woke, much later in the morning, I felt refreshed and I checked my phone to find a message from both sets of blue eyes. Gave my heart such joy to see them having fun. I love them both so much and feel that love right back!!

Today Grace experienced her first time in a supermarket trolley!! She loved it. Lots of colours and things to look at. We watched two small children have spectacular meltdowns.....was a great opportunity to show Gracie what NOT to do. I'm not sure she listened and knowing her she probably was taking notes on how to maximise embarrassment of her parents.....

I leave that with you.....

Grace: Mama, what is baby Cameron doing? Me: I'm glad you asked Gracie. Cameron is practicing crawling. See how he is up on his knees, that's the early stages of crawling. Remember how we saw baby George and Evie on the weekend and they were crawling? Grace: Why are they doing that? Me: Well, when you learn to crawl you can get from point a to point b by yourself. Grace: Don't those babies have staff Mama? Me: Staff? Grace: Yeah, you know, people you command to do stuff for you. Like you and Dad. Me: Ummmm Grace: I used to call you "minions" but baby Lydia said that was a bit rude, so I upgraded you to "staff". Me: Ummmm Grace: Yeah I like minions better too. Anyway, why do I need to move myself when I can just get you to get stuff for me? Me: You raise a good point Grace. Grace: Mama? Me: Yes Grace? Grace: Get me that toy will you, and then I want a snack. Me: Yes Grace.

It's been pointed out that my teddy looks like he is passed out drunk. Now when I look at the class shot it looks like the aftermath of a big party.... Thinking of adding a pile of little wine bottles at the bottom of the cake and a wee wine glass in his paw.

My lovely sister gave me the BEST birthday present: a cake decorating class!! We went today and had such a great time. And I'm so proud of the cake I made, Gracie is going to have a magnificent first birthday cake now!! Oh and the cake itself was delicious, thanks to my sister's brilliant baking skills. Thank you to my sister Lisa and to Kristen at Magical Cake Workshops (www.magicalcakes.co.nz).

We played....... We snacked...... We took selfies...... We giggled.... We got all dramatic...... Typical Friday.

It's been a busy few days which included my birthday. I'm too tired to write at the moment so here is yet another picture of my girl. I fall more in love every day.

It matches my car so it makes sense when you think about it.

Me: While we are out, how about we stop for a coffee.  You have eaten so perhaps you could have a nap. Grace: Sounds good Mum! I order coffee and hot cakes and we move to a table. Grace: I've changed my mind. Me: What do you mean? Grace: I've decide I want to be loud. Me: Okay but could I tempt you with a snuggly blanket and a dummy. Grace: But the dummy is not attached to my bunny. Me: I know but let's be a bit flexible.  It's still a dummy and I just want to eat and drink my coffee. Just give me 10 min. Grace: I hear what you are saying Mama and I'd love to help you out....but no. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Me: I see. Okay what if I give you some of this yummy mascapone cream on your dummy. Grace: Tasty Mama. But still...WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH This continues for a few minutes with the other patrons looking at us. Me: Oh for goodness sake...fine...you win this round. And we exit the cafe....half the coffee and hot cakes remaining behind...

I'm not a big fan of mess. So clearly having a child was always really going to challenge me.  We are now in that stage where Grace is learning to feed herself. ..with the expected results. Today we are both covered in egg. As is the floor. It goes well with the marmite toast already scattered/smeared around from this morning. Can't wait till we can play a fun new game called "let's wash the floor with mummy".

Plunket this morning...asked when I was going to have second child as "you're not getting any younger". Grace told "babies with bigger heads (like her apparently.....) often sit and crawl later". Grace and I don't like Plunket anymore.

Not sure where she got the inspiration for the gift......

Cold day. Sleep in. Still weary but a girl gotta bounce.

Last few days I have had a loan phone while mine is fixed. Haven't taken many pictures due to the loaner so I've missed capturing my wee girl. No doubt I'll make up for it over the next few days!! Nothing else to report. I'm still not sleeping and it means I feel I'm running on empty some days. I crave sleep but it won't come. I need to learn to switch off and just "be" but instead I plan, I worry, I plan some more. Gotta find that off button for my brain.