Four!

This cheeky little girl is four today. Oh my how the years have flown. She was the biggest of my three precious children and she made me work for her arrival into the world.

I am so blessed to have my precious little Amber. Such a loving, tender and kind child with a healthy dose of cheeky defiance for good measure.

I thank God for her life and pray that she will always be as happy, healthy and carefree as she is now.

Happy Birthday gorgeous girl. Mummy and Daddy love you to infinity and beyond xxxx

A pattern emerging....

Source
It would be quite nice to be here right now.

I'm not sure if it's just me (I sincerely hope not), but I have begun to notice that things get chaotic in my household as the school term draws to a close.

Admittedly my girls have only been going to school for two terms, but already it has become rather apparent that at the beginning of term I'm super bright and breezy, getting the children up early, having a leisurely breakfast, strolling to school and generally being well ahead of schedule.

As term time draws to a close, it's like all my energy has been zapped. It's a struggle to get up in the mornings subsequently I'm rushing around like a headless chicken trying to get everyone washed, dressed, fed, hair done, teeth brushed. It is such a contrast to how the term begins.

I thought last term was maybe a blip, but these last few days has been precisely the same. We've either been late or running to the school gates. It is a bit rubbish, but what can you do if you're completely exhausted? I guess the fact we're getting over this bug doesn't help.....

Oh well my youngest daughter has her last day today and my eldest tomorrow, so two weeks of festive rejoicing, good cheer and battery recharging should do the trick. Please God.

Sickness

My goodness. It's been a ROUGH few days. I've been staying at my parents house and for the past four days we have all been struck down with this horrid winter vomiting bug. The thing is it wasn't just vomiting but the other stuff too. Truly awful.

It all started on Tuesday evening when my little boy fell down the stairs. A terrible accident which I pray never happens again. We had to go to A&E, he was thoroughly checked over for breaks and fractures. Thank God he's OK apart from some limping. My mum advised me to go to A&E the next day (because of the limp), which I did, but they said because he was walking, running and in good spirits, it was probably just bruising, so I'm  keeping a close eye on him . Whilst we were waiting to be seen (on both occasions), there were so many children vomiting in the waiting room area. It was crazy.

On Thursday my son started vomiting every 20 minutes, the next day he had diarrhoea. Then on Friday my youngest daughter started vomiting, along with diarrhoea, then one by one we all began to drop like flies. On Saturday it was me, then my mum, then Sunday it was my eldest daughter and my Dad. It really did spread like wildfire.

This past few days has been a real test, but thank the Lord for carrying us through it all and allowing the sickness to pass as quickly as it came. I am now praying for my son's complete healing, so this limp will go quickly. I'm sure it is only bruising, but I can't stop feeling guilty that this even happened......

I keep reminding myself that it could have been so much worse, allowing feelings of guilt to be replaced with those of joy and thanksgiving.

Five

At 10.10am five years ago today. This little girl came into the world. She was due on Christmas day, but she obviously took pity on her perpetually sick and exhausted mother and decided to make a very unexpected early exit!

My eldest daughter is a joy. Chatty, inquisitive, giggly, clever, she is a bundle of fun and I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful child.

Happy birthday beautiful girl. Have a glorious day. I know you will.

I love you forever. Mummy xxx

Goodbye first tooth

Last Saturday night my eldest's first tooth fell out. Well I say fell out, I gave it a bit of a pluck. Don't be grossed out, it was hanging on by a thread. How she was managing to eat I really don't know. This is how it happened.

For the past few days I'd been giving the tooth a wobble but it wasn't really ready. Well on Saturday night after giving the girls a shower and washing and doing their hair I got them ready for bed and read them a story. It was after the story I asked to see my eldest's tooth. I wobbled it and it was just hanging there. It got me remembering when I was a little girl and my dad used to do all kinds of unexpected things to pop our wobbly teeth out.

Anyway I was wiggling away, and my daughter was flinching a little so I stopped then I asked to look at it again and I wiggled it bit harder then I quickly tugged at it and it fell out onto her duvet. She was giggling and I was cheering. Daddy went wild too. There was a little bit of blood but that was sorted with a bit of a wash out with water. Such a big brave girl.

Egg on face

That little girl in the blue is something else. Lol

Last Thursday, after only a day (well 3 hours) of being at pre-school my youngest daughter informed me, that she didn't get any snacks and she wasn't listened to when she asked to go to the toilet at pre-school. I thought nothing of it and just put it down to it being her first day and her maybe not speaking up enough. When she told me the same thing for a second day in a row, I thought I'd have a quick word with the teacher just to clarify what was going on for my own piece of mind.

So the next morning, after walking her into her classroom I went over to the teacher and asked her what the procedure was for going to the toilet and snacks. She said the children are able to go to the toilet whenever they like except for during story time when they have to put there hands up to ask. OK nothing out of the ordinary there. I then asked her about snacks, and she said pieces of fruit were left on a table at one side of the room where the children could graze at their leisure throughout the three hour session. Oh. Again nothing sounded amiss. I mentioned to the teacher that my daughter had told me she wasn't getting any snacks or being allowed to go to the toilet. She said she'd remind her of the process and let the other teachers remind her as well. 

I went over to my little girl and let her know that it was OK to go to the toilet whenever she liked except for during story time and she could eat the snacks whenever she liked as well. She responded loudly; 

'Yes, I know that'. 

Sorry what?? The teacher looked at me and laughed. Apparently children do that quite often, tell their parents one thing, when really they mean something else. *scratches head*

Ahh well you live and you learn.

So brave

Daughter number 2 had her immunisation booster injections today, and brave simply doesn't begin to cover how she handled herself.

She starts pre-school in two weeks time and yesterday it suddenly dawned on me that her boosters were due. Thankfully I was able to get an appointment for today. I was a little concerned because my eldest was a bit under the weather a week or so after her booster, so I didn't want the same to happen to little sis and for it to interfere with her first few days at pre-school.

Last night I told her she'd be having her injections like her big sister and baby brother had had last year. She wasn't phased at all and seemed rather excited by the prospect. She's at that age where whatever big sis is doing she wants to be doing and more. Since my eldest handled her injections so well last year, I wasn't worried, although I did have a nagging feeling at the back of my mind. She's been a bit unpredictable lately, which I think is due to the start of school and the changes to routine, so I wondered if she was putting on a bit of a front. I couldn't have been more wrong.

This morning we dropped big sis to school came home for a bit and counted down to when we'd have to leave for the doctors. She was so eager and kept asking; 'Are we going now Mummy?' 'Is it time yet?' I was so pleased she wasn't scared, because deep down, (I hate to admit) I had a smidgen of anxiety creeping into my heart.

When we arrived at the doctors we waited patiently for her name to come up on the screen. There was a beep, her name flashed up and off we went into room 3 to see the nurse. The needles were out ready and waiting and there was my little girl grinning confidently. I sat down and sat her on my lap. I took off her jacket and the nurse asked her to turn away, but she didn't and kept looking as the needle went into her arm. The nurse was completely surprised and commented on how strong she was. Even when it was time for the second needle in her other arm, she kept her composure and watched the needle go in for a second time. After it was all over the nurse put cotton wool balls and tape over the areas and my little girl beamed a hundred watt smile.

We headed straight to the shops to get her a big bag of marshmallows (her favourite). About 5/10 mins later her arms were a bit achy and she couldn't move them as freely as she'd like, but after some Nurofen and a bit of a sit down she's in the garden with her brother and sister laughing and giggling. 

Such a big, brave girl.

Straight talking

A couple of days ago my eldest took it upon herself to comment on my 'big tummy' for the umpteenth time. I was lucky enough to be spared the input from my youngest daughter, usually they are a tag team.

Here's how the conversation or should I say monologue went;

Daughter: 'Mummy why is your tummy big?'

Me: *Awkward silence*

Daughter: 'You don't want to talk about it Mummy? Is that why you're being quiet?'

Me: Laughing manically inside, and utterly impressed with how on the ball my child is. I reluctantly answer 'Yes'.

I have explained to my children (repeatedly) that mummy's tummy is the way it is because I grew them inside of it, but enough is enough, I can do more. Time to reduce the carbs and the sugar and get back to cardio and sit ups, after all that is what I did before children, admittedly things were very different then. Lord help me.

Temporary

Source

My children are growing. Fast.

It is such a cliché, but since becoming a parent I've come to truly understand the meaning of the well known phrase. 'Time flies'. 

In September my eldest starts school. And in a few days time we'll be taking her to visit and meet her teachers and buy her school uniform. It is insane to me that my little bean, who came into the world five weeks early, weighing little more than five pounds is going to school. 

I blinked my eyes and before me stands my self assured, but sometimes shy, beautiful, giggly, four and a half year old. She is about to enter a new chapter in her life, she will be learning new things, making new friends. I feel so guilty because for a while now she has wanted to learn how to read, but I haven't spent enough time with her teaching her words and helping her to recognise the spelling in the books we read. Life as mum of three is busy, but that's no excuse. I must make the time. 

From now until September I vow to read with my girls everyday and teach them how to write their names and count confidently to 30 so they are ready in September. I say girls because daughter number two will be starting pre school in September too. My babies are getting so big, and my heart although bursting with pride quietly aches. My children are evolving.

Soon they'll be no more 'quiet' mornings. I'll be joining the millions of other parents doing the school run. How quickly things change. Nothing in this life is ever permanent. I must always remember that. 

No matter how diabolical or amazing a situation may seem it will not last forever. Much like life itself.  

Soon my little boy will be following suit and my hands won't be as full as they are now. I must cherish every second with my children while I can. My time with them is temporary.

Tiny talker

Think 'll need to buy this for a certain
somebody.
Image from englishchinashop.com

Please someone tell me. How on earth do you cope with a child who asks a million questions a day and just doesn't stop talking?

My eldest daughter is four, and already, at this tender age she could talk the hind legs off a donkey and it's driving me a little bit potty.

Of course she is my daughter and the apple of my eye, but I'm certain her constant chattering is on another level. Not to mention rubbing off onto her little sis, who has started to gain momentum in the chatterbox stakes too.

As soon as she wakes she's nattering away, asking endless questions, it doesn't seem to stop. I know inquisitiveness is the way children learn, but my daughter asks question upon question upon question and I'm getting to the point where I don't have any more answers. I don't remember my siblings or I being this chatty when we were kids.

Maybe I'm just being a meanie, but I'm sure others are starting to notice how much she has to say and how many questions she asks. It's like a Spanish inquisition and I've noticed eyes beginning to glaze over once she gets going.

Take a conversation she had with her daddy this morning;

Tiny talker: 'Daddy why do you never have breakfast at home?'

Daddy: 'Because I'm always in a rush.'

Tiny talker: 'Why are you always in a rush?'

Daddy: 'Because I'm a busy bee.'

Tiny talker: 'Why are you a busy bee?'

Daddy: 'Because bees are busy making honey and they go bzzz, and I'm busy working too.'

Tiny talker: 'Why do bees make honey and why are they busy...?'

Daddy: 'Because that's what God made them to do.'

Tiny talker: 'Why did God do that?'

Daddy at this point is probably at a complete loss and trying to think of ways he can leave the house without having to give another answer.

As you can see these conversations tend to go on and on and when you're a busy parent who has a million and one things to do, it's hard to keep your concentration long enough to indulge in the great 'Why' debate.

My sister has decided that if there are too many 'Why's', she'll just reply 'Z'.

This has my daughter in fits of giggles and satisfies her curiosity for a short while. I think

I'm going to start using this approach too. It has to be better than; 'I don't know' or a pained sigh lol...

Do you have a super talkative child? What do you do to keep sane?

Wonderful world, wonderful people

Image from petsfoto.com

Just when you think the human race has gone to pot, along comes someone who makes your day.

After a few days of hibernation due to a stressful week, the children and I ventured out. It's always an effort to get out and about with three children and no car, but with resolve in my heart, and a positive attitude I bit the bullet and we left the house.

I took them on a long walk showing them the route I used to take to school. My middle daughter is two and a half and I make her walk much to her dismay. I do feel guilty because she is only little, but it's so much easier pushing the baby in the Maclaren rather than using our bulky double buggy. You can't get it on trains, buses or through doors. Plus getting the monstrosity into a car boot is a nightmare not to mention the lack of storage space at the bottom, so there's nowhere to put your shopping. No disrespect to the buggy because the design is fab and I wish I could use the thing, but it's just too much grief. Better designed for the countryside I think.

Anyway we took the long walk at snails pace and even then my middle child was moaning that she was tired. I gritted my teeth, this was painful, it was bitterly cold and we were only halfway into the journey. Finally we reached the warmth of the local chip shop and sat down for tasty fish and chip lunch. Next onto the soft play area, then into Morrisons to get some bits.

As we left the supermarket I braced myself for the walk back home, at this point both girls were whining lots. I put on a brave face and gave words of encouragement. Ahead of me I saw a lady loading her car, her smiley face looking warm and open. I smiled back outwardly, my face probably failing to hide my inner angst, or maybe she could tell through 'mummy intuition'. As I got closer I saw she had three boys not too much older than my three children. She sympathised with me as she could see my girls were struggling. She asked where I was going, when I told her she balked. She knew I still had a way to go.

Then to my amazement she told me to wait whilst she asked her neighbour to look after her boys so she could drop us home. I was lost for words, here was this wonderful stranger offering to take us out of the cold, out of our misery and give us a lift home. It was so unexpected and I was so extremely grateful. There are wonderful people in this world who seem to pop up out of nowhere to make our day brighter.

Not only was she my lifesaver, but I've made a new friend and already we're planning to meet up with our children for a play date. What a beautiful world we live in!

Thank you Nicola. May God richly bless you and your family x

30 things about me - (part one)

Image from allfacebook.com

I'm reaching a bit of a plateau in my blogging journey. It's still very early days, but I wonder if it will transition into everything I want it to be.

In my search for inspiration I've come across a number of blogs where writers share 30 random things about themselves. I thought I'd join in and see what I could come up with. It's helped me to remember things I thought I'd long forgotten. A very cathartic process I must say. Here we go:

1. Believer and lover of God.

2. My children give my life purpose and meaning. They are my life.

3. Mummy, daughter, sister and wife to be.

4. A year into my natural hair journey and not turning back (no more chemical straightening for me).

5. I love to sleep but don't get much these days.

6. Walking along beautiful sandy beaches is where I have some of my happiest moments.

7. I met my husband to be in subway (yep the sandwich shop)nearly 7 years ago in March.

8. Have one surviving grandparent who I cherish very much.

9. I loved to ice skate as a child. Now I am rubbish.

10. I have two sisters and a brother we bicker but love eachother lots.

Watch out for parts two and three...

What things could you tell me about you?

Two teeth

I'm loving this wooden heart teether.
Image from thehipstermom.com 

My little boy finally has two little bits of white teeth poking through his gums. I can't believe it.

Despite being the mother of not one, not two, but three children, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly time flies.

Each one of my children seems to have passed the 'baby, baby' stage in the blink of an eye. I know they are still very young (four, two and a half and seven months) and we have plenty more years of child rearing ahead of us, but sometimes I want time to slow down, it feels like everything is happening way too quickly.Yes, day to day can be a struggle sometimes, but in the grand scheme of things these moments feel far too short.

My son has started crawling too. He drags himself across the floor kamikaze style. Little knees working, bottom in the air. He is so cute.

My middle daughter has already grasped the concept of boredom at the ripe old age of two and a half.... and my eldest daughter starts school this year.

We have certainly got our hands full for now, but soon they will be completely independent of us, and will no longer need our numerous cuddles and kisses throughout each day. Time NEVER stays still.

Time to deliver some more cuddles and kisses I think....

Only the lonely

Image from myLot.com

'It's not good to be lonely' My four year old daughter told me yesterday.

'Who said that?' I ask.

'I just know.' She replied.

Kids.They are always a million times more intelligent than you think.

Hair drama

Anyone who knows me, or who has been following my posts will know that I have two daughters a four year old and a two and a half year old. Now with girls comes hair and with hair comes drama. Well that is certainly the case for us in our household.

My eldest daughter has thick hair with very tight kinks that tangle at every opportunity. My younger daughter also has thick hair, but the kinks are much looser, more like curls and although it does get tangled it's easier for me to manage. This used to concern me, because I did not want my eldest to think she has difficult hair, which of course she doesn't.

Luckily I am currently on my own journey towards natural hair, and it is only now, at 32 years of age that I am learning how to properly manage and care for natural afro hair. I'm still a long way off,  but I am so glad I have reached this realisation now and will be suitably equipped to care for my daughters hair and instil the beauty of afro hair onto all three of my children.

In the meantime, as I learn which products and procedures are best for softening, moisturising and most importantly detangling, I have to endure the chaos that is hair washing and plaiting. It starts as soon as I announce the day before, that tomorrow is hair wash day. All manner of objections ensue, but as a mother of daughters it is straight up embarrassing to have to walk around in public, with their hair looking, tired, unkempt and fuzzy. They look neglected and in my book that will just not do.

My eldest daughter. Fuzzy, fuzzy, fuzzy hair. Cute as pie though.

So it's hair wash day and inside I'm dreading the next 3 hours because I know what is coming. Since my eldest was nine months old she would flinch and carry on if I so much as put my hands in her hair. Now it's a million times worse. Washing her hair these days has improved, plaiting has not. As soon as I lift the wide tooth comb, she is screaming at me to put it down. I try the tangle teezer. For what it's worth I think it makes detangling easier, she doesn't and continues to squirm and wriggle as if she's possessed.  I ease her towards me, asking her to 'bend her head' and 'keep still' whilst I try to part her hair ready for plaiting. 'No mummy, it hurts mummy, get off mummy' I haven't even begun the first plait yet and she has a thick, full, head of hair. This is soul destroying.

After an hour of heavy duty screaming and crying from her, patient coaxing and reasoning, then shouting and threats from me, I'm done. I'm sure the neighbours must think she is being tortured. It's a complete nightmare.

Got to use the shampoo shield. I got this from boots.

Lovely thick hair.

As soon as I have finished, the crying stops as if by magic. She is smiling and showing off her pretty hair. The better half is lifting her up, so she can see her beautiful face and perfect hair in the mirror. Is this the same girl?


It's all worth it in the end.


I look on with pride, I got through it. Then remember there's another head to tend to.........

Such a cute, cheeky girl. Fuzzy head number two lol.

Shampoo shield - aka life saver.

Not happy - she knows what's coming.

Work it girl.

Products I used.