THe slow down

I honestly can't remember much of December 2011 and it was even a quiet one! Finally we have stopped and no better place than by the beach at Lake Tyres. It takes us all a few days to finally stay in our PJ till 1pm but finally today we do. The big kids have extended their adventure boundaries to include the beach by themselves although the water is still off limits. The baby now 9 1/2 months enjoys exploring the house, verandas and grass near the house. The local wombat has excavated a new hole under the shed and we wait at dusk to meet her in person. A few more days left to gel together as a family before heading back to the city to enjoy the long summer days of catching up with friends and exploring the city. Although there at many highlights such as the birth of Ambrose it has been a busy year and I look forward to leaving 2011 behind and enjoying 2012.

The baby eats Jelly……..

I am the first to admit that I am completely uninterested in food. However it is thrust upon me daily with the need and wants of a 7yr, 5yr and 9 month old. If I had just one wish it would be an inhome cook but I live in the real world so I am our cook :)

We do not make a big deal of eating or the lack there of and believe that a child knows what is good for them as long as you offer the right food over the course of a week they will take in the perfect amount of vitamins, minerals and energy.

One child is a snake who can eat tonnes then not eat for a week or two. Another loves to try everything but has slowed down their intake as their growth too has slowed down. So all in all I do not worry- they are healthy, active and I know they will starve themselves.

The baby will eat what I eat. So I eat jelly he eats jelly.

Last night I suddenly worried about this (very unlike me)

"oh no should babies eat jelly?" was quickly responded to with "well it is good for your bones". I looked at my husband with scepticism "says who?" (later we google and my scepticism is warranted no evidence easily found.)

he smiles and reminds me

"you like and eat jelly and so you must expect that baby eats jelly and likes it too!"

Goodbye Penny

I attended the funeral of a close family friend yesterday and have felt waves of grief in the past week. Penny was a close friend of my mothers and they had their eldest baby boys at the same time. I have warm, exciting memory of her from my childhood and although I have not seen her in my adult life I have heard of her life via conversations with mum. Penny died after battling cancer which she had put in remission when her first diagnosis was grim. But two weeks ago it jumped her. She died with her husband and three boys at her bedside and never stopped being a strong and loving mother wife sister and friend. It was incredibly hard to watch her sons ( only a little younger than me) say goodbye to their darling mother. I felt their grief and have found myself wondering how I will greave in the future for my grandparents and parents. I looked across to my parents during the service and saw their grief. To lose a friend is also so hard and to know you cant catch up for a chat ever again. I have made it a focus to remember to see my friends and family when ever I can so that I don't miss those incidental connections and time which can make the fabric life.

Second mummy

Give me a boy till he is 7 and I will show you the man.

My first baby is 7 (&1/4)very important to remember that when you are 7! Gaps in his mouth are quickly filling with adult teeth. I am starting to really struggle when we wrestle. He is starting to be better at things like ballet and piano than I ever have been. We are heading towards making decisions in his life that might change his options in the future. Singing or ballet or both.
But what is lovely to see is that the attachment parenting we decided to undetake 7 years ago has helped to create an independent emotionally balanced 7 year old boy who has many friends of all ages and a stunning confidence and optimism that will see that His future will be dynamic and what he wants it to be.
I look forward to seeing this 7 year old becoming a wonderful man.

Postnatal depression

Aaaah depression a world you can not use with some people but thankfully my husband and friends it is a conversation we can openly have. I like every human naturally swing with moods. Some days are great others a little plain and some dark. Very normal but throw in a baby and normal can feel like a 1000 miles away.
What I think makes it hardest is the lack of acknowledgement from some people. You know the ones who only have time for you when success triumph good times are abundant.

I love to share my ups and downs and are thankful that a network of friends family and the community I live have helped to hold me during these first few months of my babies life.

My baby and big kids

I have found my love for my 7 1/2 month Ambrose swelling. Big kids are great but I need to work harder to connect and draw them in. One on one so important and I need to find more time for myself and with each of my children. Matilda love to swim and Felix loves to have first born time. Time for me to direct this attention as the child use negative activity to seek their needs.