These are the smallest memories I will forget as the boys grow older:
Big brother at nearly 3 and Little brother at just 1, sitting in the trailer with their helmets on, little brother sound asleep after a 10 minute ride, snot pouring over his top lip, helmet fallen to one side and squishing the side of his face. Big brother is sitting beside him, sucking his ever-present thumb, and holding onto his sleeping brothers ear.
Biking along the road I hear Big brother yell indignantly - ' I want to hold (Little Brother's) hand'.
Big brother kneeling on the floor, with his toy cars on the couch, play acting -
'Talk to me Lightning Daqueen'
'No No No, I am Fred'
'Brrummmmm'
'Watch out for the sharks, Arrh Arrh, they biting my foot !!!'
Little Brother's Toy of the Day - yesterday was the wine pump, today an old DVD (the most fascinating part being the little hole in the centre to poke your finger through, which comes standard). Each is transported to a distant region of the house, oohed and aahed over, then dropped and forgotten. And in the case of the little paddlle that goes in the bread maker, never to be seen again.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
A Dentist in the family
After all the extending of our extended family we may have cracked it...a dentist among us.
Little brother has taken to heart the lesson of brushing teeth regularly. It is absolutely his favourite thing to do. So much so that every time the bathroom doors opens he is running down the hallway - pointing a chubby little crooked finger and grunting - 'uh, uh, uh'.
Amazing how much you can communicate with only a grunt and a pointer pointing in the wrong direction.
He is pointing at the toothbrushes and toothpaste, and obviously has a bad case of that furry feeling. But every time I go to the bathroom... here comes the little grunter, and boy do we have a tantrum if we cant keep our (limited number of) pearlers in tip top condition. He mostly chews on the brush, and sticks it under the tap for a rinse cycle.
It doesn't fit with my mental picture of a 'good mother' when I hear myself saying - 'No, dear, we only brush our teeth twice a day'. ' No you CANNOT brush your teeth!'. 'Not again!'.
Hopefully this is the start of a lifelong habit which will translate into free dental care and other perks for his parents. Meanwhile I will keep both the toilet and bathroom door closed at all times, and encourage everything (including personal hygiene) in moderation!
Little brother has taken to heart the lesson of brushing teeth regularly. It is absolutely his favourite thing to do. So much so that every time the bathroom doors opens he is running down the hallway - pointing a chubby little crooked finger and grunting - 'uh, uh, uh'.
Amazing how much you can communicate with only a grunt and a pointer pointing in the wrong direction.
He is pointing at the toothbrushes and toothpaste, and obviously has a bad case of that furry feeling. But every time I go to the bathroom... here comes the little grunter, and boy do we have a tantrum if we cant keep our (limited number of) pearlers in tip top condition. He mostly chews on the brush, and sticks it under the tap for a rinse cycle.
It doesn't fit with my mental picture of a 'good mother' when I hear myself saying - 'No, dear, we only brush our teeth twice a day'. ' No you CANNOT brush your teeth!'. 'Not again!'.
Hopefully this is the start of a lifelong habit which will translate into free dental care and other perks for his parents. Meanwhile I will keep both the toilet and bathroom door closed at all times, and encourage everything (including personal hygiene) in moderation!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Welcome to the family
Little brother was the centre of attention this weekend. We all gathered in the middle of the north island, to celebrate his Baptism. We had a great turn out with 4 grandparents, 10 aunties and uncles and 21 cousins!!
He was a little star - only bolting out the church at a run twice! He didn't cry when Father poured water over his head, and looked appropriately solemn in the solemn bits.
Seeing him being picked up, tickled, fed and put down by a series of cousins (some only barely bigger than him), aunts, uncles, grandparents, was wonderful. He ran amongst the big kids playing soccer, and climbed up onto the knees of the various adults sitting around drinking bubbles and mulled wine.
All this ceremonising and celebrating was totally over his head, but I think he got the message - you are one of us, you belong. We believe in you. You belong to something that is bigger than the sum of all the parts.
He was a little star - only bolting out the church at a run twice! He didn't cry when Father poured water over his head, and looked appropriately solemn in the solemn bits.
Seeing him being picked up, tickled, fed and put down by a series of cousins (some only barely bigger than him), aunts, uncles, grandparents, was wonderful. He ran amongst the big kids playing soccer, and climbed up onto the knees of the various adults sitting around drinking bubbles and mulled wine.
All this ceremonising and celebrating was totally over his head, but I think he got the message - you are one of us, you belong. We believe in you. You belong to something that is bigger than the sum of all the parts.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Drying off the herd
It's well and truly done. Winter is here and the herd has been dried off, put out to pasture for the long cold months.
As you know it had been coming for a while. I was only feeding him once a day - last thing every night - just before bed. Our little cuddle, or Mum's little cuddle as it turned out, he didn't miss a thing once his access was denied. I felt pretty sad, but it helped having my parents here, for moral support ( and knowing my Mum could tell when I was tempted just to give him one more little drinkee).
So he feeds himself now - wielding his spoon and fork with high precision, drinking from his sipper cup, or tipping it out all over the floor when the mood takes him. He totally missed the bottle stage, and won't take it at all, so he's got his little cup and is as happy as a sand boy.
He'll never remember the balmy days of boobville, he will learn about it when he's older and think 'Gross', then later he'll change his mind again. I will always treasure my memories of sustaining him, the amazing antibody properties that kept him healthy, and the joy it bought us both. He has gone forever from being so physically connected to me, it was the halfway measure from being a part of me to now being apart from me.
Off you go into the world, little one. I am always here for you in other ways (out in the back paddock chewing my cud).
As you know it had been coming for a while. I was only feeding him once a day - last thing every night - just before bed. Our little cuddle, or Mum's little cuddle as it turned out, he didn't miss a thing once his access was denied. I felt pretty sad, but it helped having my parents here, for moral support ( and knowing my Mum could tell when I was tempted just to give him one more little drinkee).
So he feeds himself now - wielding his spoon and fork with high precision, drinking from his sipper cup, or tipping it out all over the floor when the mood takes him. He totally missed the bottle stage, and won't take it at all, so he's got his little cup and is as happy as a sand boy.
He'll never remember the balmy days of boobville, he will learn about it when he's older and think 'Gross', then later he'll change his mind again. I will always treasure my memories of sustaining him, the amazing antibody properties that kept him healthy, and the joy it bought us both. He has gone forever from being so physically connected to me, it was the halfway measure from being a part of me to now being apart from me.
Off you go into the world, little one. I am always here for you in other ways (out in the back paddock chewing my cud).
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Movie Reviews
New addition to motheronboard - for those of you who don't have the pleasure of The Informer delivered to your door, I am going to start including my movie reviews. These will be found to rent or buy from your friendly local Video Ezy....Here's the latest couple I've done:
PS I Love You
I admit my end of the couch certainly got misty during this movie, but despite the title this is not a total sodden tissue sop-fest. Holly (Hillary Swank) is a young widow who receives a series of letters from her late husband - letters written by him before his death, as he is not quite ready to say Good bye. Very good movie, funny and poignant and yes a bit welled up in places.
Death at a Funeral
Great British comedy - Daniel is the respectful son who is trying to farewell his father properly, with dignity, the English way. His plan and the funeral deteriorates as the behaviour of collected family and friends spiral out of control. The undertaker makes a mistake, Uncle Alfie is abusive, there is an accidental drug taking. In the middle of it appears a black-mailing dwarf, whom is claiming to be Daniels' fathers' very special friend. If you liked Ned Divine, Saving Grace, and Keeping Mum, rent it - this is the most laughs you'll ever have at a funeral.
PS I Love You
I admit my end of the couch certainly got misty during this movie, but despite the title this is not a total sodden tissue sop-fest. Holly (Hillary Swank) is a young widow who receives a series of letters from her late husband - letters written by him before his death, as he is not quite ready to say Good bye. Very good movie, funny and poignant and yes a bit welled up in places.
Death at a Funeral
Great British comedy - Daniel is the respectful son who is trying to farewell his father properly, with dignity, the English way. His plan and the funeral deteriorates as the behaviour of collected family and friends spiral out of control. The undertaker makes a mistake, Uncle Alfie is abusive, there is an accidental drug taking. In the middle of it appears a black-mailing dwarf, whom is claiming to be Daniels' fathers' very special friend. If you liked Ned Divine, Saving Grace, and Keeping Mum, rent it - this is the most laughs you'll ever have at a funeral.
Hoover
Move over Dyson, little boy is in the highchair.
He's developed a huge appetite, our wee man, not surprisingly requiring vast amounts of fuel to power the motor of his go-go-go-jump-jump-climb attacking style of life.
The other night he had 5 rounds of dinner. I kid you not. We were going out for a potluck with some friends, so I fed him first to keep the grizzlewolf at bay. Dinner number one was rice and mince- he shovelled in with alarming accuracy for one who has one held a spoon for only a fraction of his life. Dinner number two was a helping of Mussel Chowder (including a suck on some garlic bread) sitting up at the table with the adults. Number three was a small piece of fresh snapper, and hot chips and sauce, on high stools up at the bench with the 5 other kids. Followed by a few of Mum's chips and fish back up with the adults again. Round five was a solid exploration of the cheese and grape board - including a few pieces of liquorice.
Two thoughts following that amazing effort - Thanks Goodness he has his fathers metabolismic chicken legs, and dear, we need to start saving for a farm. Where we will plant lots of potatoes. We need chickens and big hairy stuff that he can chase tackle and eat.
W. George's Quote for the Day
Dad - 'What are you doing, boy?'
W.G. - 'Thinking.'
Saving the planet today driving around on an empty car for one more day...
He's developed a huge appetite, our wee man, not surprisingly requiring vast amounts of fuel to power the motor of his go-go-go-jump-jump-climb attacking style of life.
The other night he had 5 rounds of dinner. I kid you not. We were going out for a potluck with some friends, so I fed him first to keep the grizzlewolf at bay. Dinner number one was rice and mince- he shovelled in with alarming accuracy for one who has one held a spoon for only a fraction of his life. Dinner number two was a helping of Mussel Chowder (including a suck on some garlic bread) sitting up at the table with the adults. Number three was a small piece of fresh snapper, and hot chips and sauce, on high stools up at the bench with the 5 other kids. Followed by a few of Mum's chips and fish back up with the adults again. Round five was a solid exploration of the cheese and grape board - including a few pieces of liquorice.
Two thoughts following that amazing effort - Thanks Goodness he has his fathers metabolismic chicken legs, and dear, we need to start saving for a farm. Where we will plant lots of potatoes. We need chickens and big hairy stuff that he can chase tackle and eat.
W. George's Quote for the Day
Dad - 'What are you doing, boy?'
W.G. - 'Thinking.'
Saving the planet today driving around on an empty car for one more day...
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Testoster-zone
My girlee type hormones were completely overpowered today - by a 3year old, a 2year old and a 1 year old boyfest.
Our friend J came around to play, after a week of separation they took no time getting down to business, dividing the coolest cars into mine and yours (the 1 year old missed out completely, but happily was unaware of this great travesty and went back to kicking his ball around the house.) Luckily there are 2 green cars, so we negotiated one each, and off they zoomed.
They drove the cars around the couch, they rode the bikes round the back of the house, they played in the hut constructed of chairs and duvets. They ate afternoon tea, and smashed their food into the window. They wrestled and both gave as good as they got (except for total low point of WG biting J on the hand. It is horrible to realise that my darling child could do such a thing, ok it is within the realms of 'normal bad behaviour', but still.. am busily consulting parenting advice sites and mags - I don't want people to think he's a "biter".)
The thing I really noticed today was they are starting to work as a team. J backed up WG when I accused him of jumping on the couch I had just told them was for sitting on only (Crazy rule perhaps , but I am trying to retain some small household spaces for adult enjoyment).
'He was sitting on it" J said.
They exchanged a look that said ' if we work together we could really get a few past these adults' - they were found hiding around the corner on the deck, scoffing pretzel sticks from a tin that had been sitting on the bench. Looking both guilty and excited about their daring at managing to pull off their first kitchen raid.
Now they are starting to combine their considerable intellects, and appetites of mischief we are all in trouble. They are basically turning into their Dad's. Those predictions their parents had of 'one day you will have a child just like you...' are all coming true.
Our friend J came around to play, after a week of separation they took no time getting down to business, dividing the coolest cars into mine and yours (the 1 year old missed out completely, but happily was unaware of this great travesty and went back to kicking his ball around the house.) Luckily there are 2 green cars, so we negotiated one each, and off they zoomed.
They drove the cars around the couch, they rode the bikes round the back of the house, they played in the hut constructed of chairs and duvets. They ate afternoon tea, and smashed their food into the window. They wrestled and both gave as good as they got (except for total low point of WG biting J on the hand. It is horrible to realise that my darling child could do such a thing, ok it is within the realms of 'normal bad behaviour', but still.. am busily consulting parenting advice sites and mags - I don't want people to think he's a "biter".)
The thing I really noticed today was they are starting to work as a team. J backed up WG when I accused him of jumping on the couch I had just told them was for sitting on only (Crazy rule perhaps , but I am trying to retain some small household spaces for adult enjoyment).
'He was sitting on it" J said.
They exchanged a look that said ' if we work together we could really get a few past these adults' - they were found hiding around the corner on the deck, scoffing pretzel sticks from a tin that had been sitting on the bench. Looking both guilty and excited about their daring at managing to pull off their first kitchen raid.
Now they are starting to combine their considerable intellects, and appetites of mischief we are all in trouble. They are basically turning into their Dad's. Those predictions their parents had of 'one day you will have a child just like you...' are all coming true.
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