Spring Salad

A springtime salad gathered from the garden: tiny lettuce leaves; baby beetroot fronds; heartsease; violets; shredded young silverbeet; and saw-toothed dandelion greens, fresh from the field.

Ethereal Beauty

I never knew that orchids release a perfume when they're warmed by the sun, but this porcelain beauty smells intoxicating. I bought her at the markets yesterday morning, along with a trove of other delights: huge swathes of folksy-print fabric for pennies; a smart $5 bouncer with a hood for Adam to lounge outside in the springish weather; kilos of crisp Pink Lady apples; and a cactus with the most evil spines I have ever seen for my big boy (who has been hankering after one for ages). I do enjoy market days!

Visitors

We've had both welcome and unwelcome visitors this weekend, since the much-anticipated cousins brought a nasty 24-hour vomiting bug with them. Eric came down with the lurgy last night, and spent most of the day feeling miserable, throwing up, and looking pale.
This afternoon he rallied somewhat, so we set the two boys up infront of the X-box at Mum and Dad's (a perfect entertainment for children who aren't well) and they played happily while the grownups had a relaxing dinner together.
Hopefully tomorrow everyone will have recovered (and Jumps and I will avoid the lurgy altogether -- I refuse to even think of Adam getting it), and the kids can enjoy the lovely weather and play outside.

Eric Feeds the Chickens

Eric subscribes to the Lego Club, which sends him a pile of pamphlets, booklets and other goodies each three months. It's a thrill for him to get a parcel with his name on it, and he pores over the contents for hours.
Last month the club advertised a Lego advent calender, which Eric set his heart on. The only problem is, at $30, Mummy and Daddy are not going to buy such a thing for him. Instead, I offered him a job so he can earn the money himself.
So each morning I hand over the tub of chicken food, and my little man sets off down the garden by himself. He opens he gates, lets the girls out, and gives them their food. Then he checks that they have water (I leave a full watering can beside the bowl), and brings the eggs home to me. For this, each day I give him 50c, which he inserts into his piggy bank (and every now and then, when he's not looking, I pop another dollar or two in -- otherwise it will take him forever to save for this very expensive calendar!).
He's managed beautifully so far, has saved $11.50, and enjoys the responsibility -- and the cash!

Munchkin at Seven Weeks Old

What is this thing?

Really, Mummy, I'm quite astonished!

Brothers and Bottles

Look at this silly pair!

Bamboo Bottoms

I have a huge stash of old-fashioned terry toweling cloth nappies, which I used when Eric was small, and which have been keeping Adam's chubby bottom somewhat dry in the last few weeks. Just a few days ago, though, I pulled out the huge bag of Pea Pods reusable nappies which a friend had given me. The pocket-style cloth nappies are bright and soft, and use reusable bamboo inserts to soak up an enormous amount of moisture.
Adam and I love them! They're super-easy to fit, keep him as dry as disposables (which I'm sure helps him to sleep longer), and are easy to wash. Best of all, they'll fit him pretty much until he's toilet trained, as the snap-fastenings are adjustable.
They're great for my wallet, comfy for baby, and easy on the environment. Wins all round!

Granny and Papa

I love both these photos.

How lucky this little boy is to have such gentle arms to hold him.

Having a Granny and Papa living next door is the nicest thing in the world.

Fixing the Deck

The boys in the family worked hard yesterday morning cutting and screwing new palings around the deck, which is finally in working order again. I must admit I'm impressed with how nice and cottagey it looks, with the added bonus that it will be Adam-proof. In fact, when our littlest boy is mobile, the deck will make a perfect giant playpen!

Now it's just up to me to paint it!

On My Windowsill

The first hyacinth of the year makes the kitchen smell like springtime.
It won't be long until warmer days are here again.

Big Boy's Day Out

Eric has played 'second fiddle' to Adam for such a long time now: he has been shunted to Grandma's after preschool, to Granny's during my naptime, and to Daddy when I'm busy with Adam. While he loves all these people to bits, he does seem to have missed his 'mummy time'. I'm noticed lately that he listens intently to hear me wake, then slips into the room and into bed with me to snuggle and chat as soon as I'm up. My big boy also asks for more cuddles at night, and wants me to read his stories rather than asking for Daddy (who is usually more popular for this duty, as he can mimic funny voices wonderfully).
I can understand his feelings, and try to give him as much attention as possible. After all, I spent weeks away from him in the city during pregnancy, and lately there have been afternoon naps, times when I need to put Adam to bed, and housework that takes me from Eric's side. And of course, we're used to it being "just the two of us".
So on Wednesday I announced that we were going to the movies the next day to see Toy Story in 3D, and Adam was staying home with Granny (and a bottle of expressed milk).
A trip to the cinema is a rare treat for us -- it's such a pricey entertainment, when DVDs are only a few dollars -- and Eric was almost too excited to sleep.
It was a wonderful afternoon. We chatted all the way there, ate homemade popcorn and sandwiches at the tables outside before going in, and enjoyed eachother's company immensely. The movie was fabulous (I sobbed at the end, silly girl!), and the 3D very impressive.
And when we came home, all bubbly and bright-eyed, Gran reported that Adam had slept all morning, drank his milk with enthusiasm, played a little and then fallen straight back into a deep sleep. In fact, he didn't wake for another three hours, so big boy and I went home and had the afternoon together doing craft and pottering about the house.
I hope we can make our "mummy and big boy" days out a regular treat to look forward to.

Good Morning!

Here's my lovely littlest boy in the morning sunlight.
We had a treat this morning, as Daddy volunteered to take Eric to his early-morning dentist appointment, so Adam and I had a peaceful time together. (As an aside, Eric was hoping to get a filling today -- our strange boy enjoyed the attention last time, I think -- but told me with great disappointment that they wouldn't give him one!)
Baby slept five hours last night -- a record -- but unfortunately that was between 6pm and 11pm, and I didn't get to bed until 8ish, so missed most of the shuteye. That said, it's a promising start.
I really am enjoying this darling fat boy -- he eats well, goes to sleep fairly easily, and is content to snuggle and stare about when he's up, so there's not much crying.
Every day I think how lucky I am to have him.

Tiny Talk: Brothers

I came across Eric singing quietly to Adam yesterday. The song went like this (imagine Eric counting on his fingers as he sings): "When you're one, I'll be six. When you're two, I'll be seven. When you're three, I'll be eight" ... all the way to Adam turning ten!

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Eric rushed into the kitchen two days ago shouting "Adam's said his first word!" When I exlaimed in surprise and asked what Adam had said, Eric very seriously replied "He said 'oh!'."
Of course then we had to phone Daddy, Granny, Papa, Grandma and even Uncle Richard, who were suitably impressed with our baby's incredible early development.

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Adam has begun to smile! Not the vague, tentative half-smiles at open windows and lights as in the first few weeks, but big eye-crinkling grins while gazing directly at you. It really is delicious. Granny, Papa and I have all been favoured with beaming smiles, but Daddy is yet to see one.

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A dear photo of my boys becoming friends already. Eric is really so sweet with the baby, and seldom gets frustrated or impatient with him. Today he set out all the tea-set things and insisted that Adam be the guest of honour at a celebration of his 6-week birthday! I must admit, our smallest person was very good natured, and seemed quite curious and pleased with his party.

And here's another -- Eric insisted that Adam lie beside him to watch TV for a few minutes one morning.

Monkey Up a Tree

When I was little, my parents would tease me by telling me the story of how I came to be in the family. "When we were visiting the jungle," then would begin ... and I knew what was coming. They'd tell how they found me climbing up the mountain, then they cut off my tail, shaved off all my hair, dressed me in clothes and brought me home to live with them. The idea was that with my red hair, I was really a baby orangutan. It used to drive me nuts.

Now, of course, I tell Eric exactly the same story. At first he'd howl "that's not true!". Now, he plays along.

In fact, look what I found up a tree today ...

Grandma Does the Ironing

I don't iron.
Jumps works at home -- so there are no business shirts to keep crisp -- and we all mainly wear easycare fabrics and comfy things about the house. And, much as I appreciate an ironed pillowcase or pjs, I'm simply not willing to spend time on that kind of extra chore!
That said, I won't go out in a crinkled cotton shirt or rumpled trousers, and some fabrics look terrible when they're not pressed. And here is when Grandma steps into the breach.
Generally once a week she's invited around for dinner, before which she insists on looking in my ironing basket and dealing with whatever's lurking within. I do keep it to a minimum (so as not to stretch the favour), but if Grandma brings in my washing then even the teatowels are ironed to perfection. After one visit by Grandma, Jumps even found that his outdoor work trousers now had a beautiful press down the centre!

The Good Ship Eric

The Crafty Crow is one of my favourite sites: every day there are great new ideas for kids' craft. Since Adam has come along, one of my goals is to try to have a craft project ready for Eric most days, so that he and I have something nice to do together, and to keep him occupied while I'm busy with the baby.
Today Eric was home from preschool with a nasty cough and rasping throat, so I followed the link from the Crow to a special project by ikat bag -- cardboard ships (based on the Dawn Treader of Narnia fame, although Eric isn't yet all that familiar with the books).

I made the basic frame by myself when my boy was out with Daddy for 15 minutes -- it was fairy quick and easy to do, although it isn't very professionally done at all! Then we decorated our boat together -- the anchor, crow's nest, dragon prow and sail picture were all Eric's idea, and he had great fun glueing and drawing.

Once it was done he was busy and happy for a long time, manning the ship with his lego men while I fed and changed and cuddled Adam.

Playtime

Remember those clever, crafty friends I mentioned? Another gorgeous handmade gift arrived in the mail today from Lisa.

It's a bright and beautiful playmat, made of the softest flannel and machine quilted. Of course Adam tried it out immediately, and seemed to enjoy lying on it and kicking very much!

Walking

Finally I feel up to walking properly again -- for a while too much physical effort made my side ache. But today Eric and I pushed Adam along the road to see the horses, then took the long way home past the donkey, and went through the magic gate to witch Applebottom's land! We hadn't been there for a long time, and it was nice to visit our ice dragons, the white witch and find magic wands along the roadside again.

Paper Boats

This afternoon Eric and I learned to make paper boats, then took our fragile craft to the creek at the bottom of the garden to sail.
We've had plenty of rain lately, so the current swirled them quickly away from the shore and down towards the tumbling waterfall, where my little boy stood ready to rescue them from destruction.

One Month Old

Dear little tubby boy!

Daybook

Daybook

Wednesday, 4 August 2010

I am enjoying ... a rich, milky hot chocolate. The boys are both asleep, Jumps is at trivia, and I am showered and ready for bed. The kitchen is clean, the house has been 'picked up', and a blazing fire is keeping us cosy. It's a real sense of achievement after a busy afternoon!

I am thankful ... for our many generous, kind and enthusiastic friends. Pretty cards and gifts arrive in the mail daily -- some the most exquisite and thoughtful handmade items, which I will share with you over the next weeks -- and we have had a great many visitors and well wishers who have come to see Adam. It's been lovely!

From the kitchen ... Spicy Lebanese lamb meatballs, with currant orange couscous salad and warm flatbreads. An easy and delicous dinner!

I have been ... To the little rainforest with Eric, Adam and Papa on the last glorious Sunday. The daffodils were in flower, and we sat and had milkshakes in our favourite coffeeshop, which has huge windows overlooking the railway line. Every so often the trains thunder by, which gives Eric no end of amusement.

I am reading ... old copies of the Economist. I learn so much each time I plough through an article, and am endlessly astounded by how many social issues are affected by economics and politics.

One of my favourite things is ... unexpected visitors! Terese and Nyah popped in today for tea and a chat -- just the excuse I needed to put away the housework for an hour.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing ... (the magnolias have just begun to bloom, and the azaleas in the front garden are gorgeous -- even the first scraps of tissue-paper blossom have appeared on the fruit trees!)