Turning two in more than one way

So it's been a while since my last entry but we have been quite busy with a new bub, Lydi's birthday and trying to get into a new way of life.

Little Isabel came into the world on 15th Jan weighing 8lb 5 (3748g). She was 3 days early and came very quickly. I won't go into too much detail about the birth but there are so many things I am grateful for. I'm glad I listened to Paddy and got into the car when he told me to, I'm grateful it was a Sunday morning and there was no traffic and I'm so glad the midwife I had seen earlier in the night who introduced herself as Bitchie Ritchie and had told me I hadn't even started labouring, had finished her shift. We left home at 6.45am, arrived at the hospital at 7:05am and Isabel arrived at 7:27am. The other day I had to take Paddy to work and we left about the same time, if it had been a week day Issey would have been delivered by her Dad next to a cemetery. The only negatives was that there was no time for pain relief and they insisted on making me lie down to examine me even though I was telling them I wanted to push. At this point we think Isabel was scratched as she was born with a cut on her head. Gravity certainly sped things along, I highly recommend kneeling up and leaning over the top of the bed. I remember saying how small she was, the midwife said 'she was a chubba'. I couldn't believe her weight. Lydi was 7lb 4 (3333g).



All brand new!



Proud big sister

Lydi seemed huge even though she is still diddy.

Lydi met her new sister that evening and loved her straight away. She was desperate to pick her up and hold her. She has been a great help and it's hilarious watching her mimic me with her toys. I think every doll and cuddly toy has been breast fed (though she has asked where her boobies are), winded and rocked to sleep at some point in the last 10 weeks. Lydi has come through the huge adjustment relatively smoothly. She was pretty much potty trained in the 2 weeks before Isabel's arrival and there have been very few accidents since. I was hoping to just have her dry during the day but once she stopped wearing nappies she refused to wear them at night too. Again there have only been a few accidents. I'm so proud of her.

Three weeks after Isabel's birth we had Lydibug's second birthday. It took some organising but we had a lovely afternoon tea party out in the garden with lots of her little friends. I even managed to make her cake even though I was up past midnight finishing it. Lydi was a very lucky girl and we are in need of a playroom to store everything.

It tasted pretty good too.

Sadly she was bitten by a bull ant just before the cake so not a very smiley b'day girl.

Issey or Wizzy as Lydi calls her is growing fast, already about 5.5kg. She pretty much slept through the first few weeks. Now we're at the only sleeping for 40mins at a time during the day so I'm not getting much else done. Thankfully she sleeps well at night, but she doesn't sleep in like Lydi used to. Occasionally I get them both down to sleep at the same time so I can get a quick nap too.

Life has changed so much with 2 little munchkins and I constantly feel that my hands are full and somethings just have to slide, mainly the housework. But we are having such a wonderful time getting to know Issey and watching her grow. Lydi continues to amaze us with what she can do. She talks so much and seems so grown up at times it is hard to believe she is only just 2. We were looking at pictures of her at Christmas and she was surprised to see herself in nappies and with only a few bottom teeth. So much has changed in just the first few months of this year.

I have lots of video to go through but for now here are some pics of our year so far. Of course Lydibug is still a dancing/music queen and there is a great video of her copying ballet dancers, promise to have it ready next time. She currently loves One Direction, I can't believe she is into her first boyband already!



Oz day




Scooter queen





Multi-tasking

 And finally ... saw this on Brisbane Kids and just wanted to share.

Christmas thank yous.

Little Miss Lydibug was thoroughly spoilt over Christmas so I thought to say thank you and record her gifts I would do this post. We had a lovely morning at home and opened a few presents with Nana and Grandad on Skype before heading out to play on the swing set. After breakfast Aunty Lyn and Aunty Cate (aka Aunty Cake) came over for a play. In the afternoon we went to Granny and Grandad's on the coast. There we met Lydibug's cousin Eliza  and her lovely Mummy and big brother for the first time. The two girls had a great time playing and chatting together. Aunty Kim was also there. We all enjoyed a yummy turkey dinner and Lydi did so well despite battling her ear infection, cutting 2 teeth and only sleeping for about 1 hour. Once home we opened more presents, had a quick snack and went to bed. I'm still not used to Christmas in the sun and I am determined Lydibug and the bump will experience a proper chilly UK Christmas, but may be once they're old enough to remember it.
 


 




  



 


 

                     
         

I think there is more in here!

 Sorry the photos are all over the place, not sure what happened there. She received so many other gifts so thank you to everyone who thought of her. Her other favs include playdough cutters, threading boards, colouring tools, books, clothes, a Charlie and Lola milk and biscuit set and more food for her kitchen. I'll try to add more photos as and when I remember to take them. She got so much we've no idea what to get her as a present from the new bub or for her birthday.

The first week of the new year has gone already and Daddy goes back to work on Monday. But it's not too long till our new arrival will be here and we will be a family of four. This week we have enjoyed breakfast out and Daddy and I went out for the afternoon which was lovely. Not sure when we will get to the cinema again.We also went to the Botanical Gardens which was great fun but Lydi was very upset she couldn't go into the water.

Lydibug is doing so well in her cot bed and we are on the lookout for a proper single bed for her. She has become a real girly girl. Her room is slowly filling with pink plastic and handbags which she loves to take out. We have finally found some knickers in her size and she wore all of them today. She lets us know when she is wetting, next need to learn the about to wet feeling. She also had her first fringe cut, it took two of us and an ice block to get the job done. The photo shows she was not impressed.

So I guess the next post will be to introduce Lydibug's new sibling. Still no ideas about the sex or names but I'm so looking forward to seeing the two of them together. I'm sure Lydibug will be such a help and I hope she doesn't find it a too big adjustment. Just today we had a great time playing with my make-up brushes and the giggling went on and on for ages, ending with a huge cuddle. Another treasured memory to add to the collection and many more to come.

Christmas already!

29/12/11
Ok I did try to get this up before Christmas but the videos were taking far too long and I was far too tired to wait for them. But here it is! I'm busy trying to get photos of her enjoying all her Christmas pressies so the next entry should be up very soon unless the bump decides to come earlier than expected.

I can't believe Christmas is only 2 sleeps away. I thought I was all prepared but keep thinking of things that haven't been done yet. On top of that I'm busy packing and re-packing my hospital bag and looking for all the baby stuff. Only 4 weeks to go! Argh!

Lydibug is pure delight. I'm loving being home with her again. She is so entertaining and such a chatterbox. I love hearing her on the monitor in the morning singing or counting to herself, though she has forgotten the art of lying in. She is loving our half done garden. It has been cleared and new turf laid, she has a great time running around the trees and has a ball when the sprinkler is on. For Christmas she is getting a swing set so I'm looking forward to spending long lazy afternoons in the garden with Lydi on the swings and the baby asleep. Sounds bliss....

She has had her photo with Father Christmas and although there were no tears, there were no smiles either except when there were presents to be had. We've been to a few Christmas get togethers. One at day care where there was a huge bouncy castle, another with all my old school (now mums) colleagues and our mother's group met at Lollipop Land where Daddy encouraged Lydibug right to the top of the jungle gym. She was having a great time till a bigger child rushed by and then she just cried till her Daddy climbed up to rescue her. So pleased he was there, I'm not sure how far I would have got.

Lydi is still loving her music. Every time we flick through the music channels she says 'nooooo' or 'rubbish' until we find a song she likes. Her latest fav is Paradise by Coldplay but Lady Gaga and LAMFO are still up there. I'm not sure where she is getting the dance moves but it sure is entertaining.

Her repertoire now includes more nursery rhymes and she loves the baby karaoke app on our iphones. She is also into drawing. We currently have a huge board on the coffee table that she adds to each day and she is so kind to me about my drawing attempts.

We have just taken the side off her cot as I really want her settled in her own bed before the new bub needs the cot. All has been going well until tonight, I was just skyping two lovely ladies back home when we heard a couple of bangs, then crying. I found her trying to get the door open  from the wrong side. It doesn't help that she has a double ear infection at the moment, poor little lamb. She has had a drippy nose for a few days but last night she was holding both her ears crying 'owweee!' It was a long night for everyone but the antibiotics are doing their job so hopefully all will be well for Christmas. A few new teeth are about to poke through so I think this is the cause of it all.

A few weeks ago we had some gorgeous visitors from NZ come and stay. They have a little boy about Lydi's age so we got a good insight into what this place will be like with two little monkeys running about, I am thinking we need a bigger house. But Lydi loved having a playmate about. They had a great time at South Bank, GOMA and Aus zoo. The grown-ups had a great time too, though we didn't get to enjoy our usual night out enjoying cocktails. May be next time.

In the water before the togs were on

She loved all the animals

The double buggy got a workout.

Lydi has come out with some classic lines lately. I think I will have to start writing them down before they are lost in time. The other day she was twirling about like a loon and I asked her if she had gone loco, she replied 'si'. The other day Daddy got some new basketball jerseys and she calls them Daddy's dresses. Lydi is attempting to tell the time. I asked her Dad what the time was and she looked at her wrist and announced it was six. Now every time we ask her she checks her wrist and says 'it's six' or 'about six'. But my favourite recent line was when I offered her Daddy a hand with some work and she came running in, hands in the air shouting 'I've got hands, I've got hands'. She cracks us up but has also perfected throwing a tantrum. It's the full on hands and head down to the floor, bottom in the air and screaming. She gets so worked up I don't think she even knows what started it, but I find the best way is to just find something to do and she normally comes to join me. After a quick cuddle all is forgotten, I'm hoping this keeps working.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love Lucy and Lydibug xx

Dancing up date

Just had to share this clip of Lydibug dancing this morning. She is desperately trying to jump but just can't get both feet off the ground.

This week her ear infection returned, but thankfully this time she kept playing with her ear so we knew what it was. The antibiotics are doing their job and she seems back to her young self.

Lydi has enjoyed playing at the big park and going down the slide on her own. After a visit to the chiropractor she has been busy checking our alignment. She sits on our laps, holds our faces in her hands and turns our heads from side to side, then she lifts up each arm just like the chiro. So far we have all passed and not been charged.

Back to work on Monday but only 9 weeks till the summer hols and then we are in for a crazy time with Christmas, New Year, new baby and a certain little Miss' second birthday. Where has the year gone? At least she is learning to get comfy around the bump.



Ignore me in my PJs



Holidays again and some fab news!

Another term is over and the first week of the hols has flown by. Lydibug is now 19 months and the owner of 9 pearly whites which she loves to brush. She is also getting ready to be a big sister as bug #2 is due mid Jan. Not sure what life will be like with 2 but I'm sure it won't be dull. I'm 23 weeks now, we've had all our scans but didn't find out the sex. I'm spending most my evenings going through baby names books but nothing has stood out yet. It seems harder this time round as not only has it got to be something we both like but it needs to go with Lydi. Lydi is aware my tummy is getting bigger, mainly because she can't get comfy on my lap so easily but she enjoys blowing raspberries on it and playing knock knock.

Lydi is certainly developing her own character. We get plenty of nos, a few yeses and several tantrums. She is talking constantly. Thankfully it is getting easier to understand and each day she is coming out with a new phrase, the latest has included "hmmmm, I like it" and " Daaaaaaay (our neighbour Dave) outside". This also means we have to watch what we say in front of her as she parrots everything back.

Here are a few of her latest favourite things:

Playing golf

Cooking.
A rare but fun time. 

Eating at the big table.

Looking after her new baby.
I say looking after, poor baby has been drowned, thrown but this was a rare tlc moment.

Chalking.

Painting
Any tips for getting blue paint off the high chair much appreciated.

Footie night for Dad, lounge room picnic for us girls.

She has also become a huge Lady Gaga fan. Every time we are flicking through the music channels if she even hears a snippet of a song she is at the TV wanting to see the whole thing. Answering the phone is also a must so sorry if you ever ring and Lydi gets there first, you'll have to talk to her for a bit. I should also prepare you if we get there first as all hell will break loose and we won't be able to hear each other speak.

Promise to do a video update next time, hopefully it won't be a Christmas themed one but the way time is going who knows!

Hi ho hi ho

Well, one blink and three weeks holidays are over.  The first week was a catch up with everything week and by catch up I mean sleep, with a bit of house and school work thrown in. The second and third week were absolute bliss, full of play, cuddles, fun and a few days away.

Lydibug is such a character who is on the go none stop. She is constantly chatting, moving, exploring and smiling. It has been so lovely to be home with her again, she has made us laugh so many times with all the new little things she can do. We had a great few days down the coast staying at a gorgeous apartment. Lydi wasn't too sure of the balcony at first but her Daddy spent so much time out there taking pictures she soon got use to it.

Getting braver.

Lydi loved playing with all the remotes and we were both impressed with the spa bath. It was deep enough for her to swim in. The weather wasn't great but it's amazing how much you relax when away from home and Lydi got to see her first rainbow. She also got her first piggy tails, so cute.

Yes, she kept them in.

We went swimming at the Colmslie and Lydi loved being able to walk up and down the ramp into the water. She did really well with holding on to the edge and  did some great back floating, I think the reflection of the water on the roof distracted her.

Her most favourite thing to do at the moment is to talk on the phone, real and toy ones. She will chat for ages on her little toy phone and has a screaming fit if she doesn't get to talk on the real phone. The other day I though it was her dad calling the home phone so I let her answer it, turned out to be a charity and Lydibug let them know she was not impressed. Don't think they'll be calling ever again. Here's a clip of her gossipping in the kitchen.

The very last day of the hols we went to New Farm Park with her auntie. We spent a lot of time by the off leash area so Lydi could watch the dogs and we popped into the Powerhouse. Of course we went to the play area and it was manic but Lydibug and her auntie had a great time.

Climbing her first tree

1,2,3,swinnnnnnng

Who's having more fun?

Still attempting to get a nice shot of the 3 of us.

The first week of term 3 is already over and Lydi loved going back to daycare, though the early starts were tough on us all. She is now going 4 days a week which means she gets to go to playgroup, which she loved. Only 9 more weeks till the next hols, can't wait.

x

Holidays!!

The first term is over and we have survived but boy has it been tough. Plenty of illnesses, hard work and sleepless nights have taken their toll. Fingers crossed I don't get sick over the hols. We are all looking forward to me being off for 3 weeks, the house will be tidy , the cupboards will be stocked, the ironing mountain will shrink to a small hill and most importantly we all get to lie in.

Lydibug has changed so much. She has become a little girl who knows what she wants and when she wants it. She loves going to her family day care, now she even walks me to the door to wave me off each morning. It is so much easier to leave a happy smiley girl, but I will admit I rung her Daddy with tears in my eyes the first few mornings she did it.

The list of things she can do now is huge, but here are some of my favourites:

• take her shoes and socks off and put her socks in her shoes every time
• finds her hat, shoes and sunnies to get ready to go out
• get the tomato sauce from the fridge (and puts it back when it's not needed)
• dusting, sweeping and hoovering (honestly, she loves doing it)
• do the actions to Twinkle, Twinkle and other nursery rhymes (yet to get on video, but will keep trying)
• gives out lots of kisses and blows great raspberries on my neck
• magna-doodling

At least we don't have to worry about the white walls

All set to go

My little Cinderella

She is constantly chatting and lots more words and signs are being used. She is always doing the sign for food and has discovered the bag of snacks I keep in her change bag so we often find her with the bib on trying to help herself. At day care she lets the lady know she needs a nappy change by going to get a nappy from her bag, but strangely she doesn't do that at home. I'm hoping to get her back to using the potty while I'm off but she is more interested in putting her toys in it and pushing it around the house.

I got to take her swimming this week and they have all moved on to the next level. Now we have to encourage them to hold on to us, rather than us holding them. Lydibug loves holding herself on the bar and moving around the edge on her own. She is even trying to pick toys up from the bottom. I would love to get some underwater photos of her as she has such a huge smile on her face when she is under. She is not so keen on the holding onto me part as she has never liked facing in, but she is great at kicking and loves falling in.

Lydibug has still only got the 4 teeth at the front but 2 more suddenly appeared at the back on her left and the same are coming through on the right side. She is getting better at brushing her teeth but only when we do ours as well.  She finally has a proper pair of shoes, they're very cute, white with polka dots on them and only size 3.5.

Here's a little montage of what she has been getting up to. Enjoy and I'll try not to leave it so long next time. xx