Festive season disaster #1

"Mama I have made a huge mistake" Matilda sadly said and started to sob  

"Oh no what is it?! I asked trying to console her 

"Well...." she breaths deeply " i started to draw a donkey he was red and before I realised it he turned into a blue dragon." 

"Do you need new piece of paper?" I responded seriously without laughing out loud 

"Yes" she said with a small smile. We hug and head off to get a new piece of paper. 

These are moments when I know that being a parent is the best thing to do in this universe for me. I love you Tilda and your blue dragon dramas. 

Bonds

A long time between blogs. If I thought I was busy with three children I am not sure what the term for busy with four actually is. After a holiday away as a solo mum I am renewed and refreshed and in love with my children more than ever. I watched hours of free play and sibling bonds that I am thankful for every day. I have over the past year given birth at home, tandem fed a baby and toddler, started work helped my children forge independence including non adult commute to and from school on bike, bus and train, gone camping, rode bikes and gone on a date! I hope to continue much of this over the next year while getting fitter and getting a little more organized. I had never pictured a life with four children but now I have four I can imagine my life any other way. As "G" enters toddlerhood each of her siblings continue to bond with her and each other in such unique ways. "A" sees his older brother as a physical bouncing mate, elder sister as a second mother and you get sister as his baby who is rapidly becoming a challenge as she want what he has.  As we ready yourselves to celebrate "G" first birthday we reflect on the year that has past the joy our baby brings into our life. It is amazing how a baby bonds you with family and friends and we continue to enjoy sharing the parenting journey. I love watching her connect with her grandparents and uncle regularly and build a strong and extra parent type relationship. 

Balancing act

 My life is definitely attuned to that of a wave. Ups downs and flats. I want to spend quality time with each of children, be an amazing mother aunt daughter granddaughter and wife, get cracking professionally and there is this amazing list I dare not mention. It's wonderful, emotional, tiring like today after a low wave of work challenges all day my day became bright and high waved with the giggle from a baby, joke from my blond lovely, smile and chat with my big girl, bike ride with my big boy and lovely chats with my best friend. I am reminding myself lately of the challenging year we had last year and see on the horizon such amazing adventures to be had.

The little kids

Ambrose

Energy intensity go go. Ambrose is three years 3 months. This year he has adjusted well as a big brother, changed to kinder and toilet trained which such amazing fluidity. He does struggle accepting help from older siblings and when over tired bounces even harder and higher. Four weeks ago he started Steiner kinder only a week after toilet training. He wanted to go to the new kinder which required undies rather than nappies so that is just what he did! Ambrose continues to breastfeed here and there but his intensity about is slowly abating. He currently shares a room with Felix but has a parent with him at night when scared or worried. 

Gracie

Gracie is seven and a half months old. She has been crawling for the last week to ten days after a month or so of commando. She has also started to eat family foods for the last 8 weeks and now eats whatever is on offer. Gracie has adjusted so well to the hectic life of being the forth born and brings such happiness to us all. Her bond with each sibling is loving strong and so unique. She laughs for Felix, waits to be picked up by Tilda and watches Ambrose with strong intensity. Once a week her grandfather ares for her and there is such a lovely connection growing between them. She also attends crèche once a week when I work my second day. I am still popping home to feed her once a day which is a very special moment in my otherwise fast paced work day. 

10 weeks

Our 10 week old daughter is a delight to behold. Each of the family have bonded with her in our own unique way. Her eldest brother loves to hold her belly to belly in the quiet times. On the rare occasions she is upset he reassures her that it is all ok. Big sister mothers her and in confident to pick her up change her rock her and settle her, at times I wonder if I am needed at all. Big little brother kisses, talks, and wants to hold "baby". He still talks about her leaving my tummy with a "Jan" helping us at home. Tata admires, holds and plays Uke to her. I enjoy the quiet hours feeding her, smiling at one another and laughing at her open mouthed smiles and now giggles. It is like our baby who completes our family has been here forever and in her first months has helped to conclude a challenging year on a positive note.