Monday, September 28, 2009

ummm, that was weird.

Quincy has always fallen asleep happily on his own. Up until eleven months that didn't mean he'd stay asleep though. However, that's beside the point.

Tonight was a different story. I was washing the dishes and could hear him calling out to me and then start crying. I don't ever recall having to go in to comfort him 30 minutes after putting him in bed, but tonight I did. This is what transpired...

Quincy: Mama, read a book. Need a cuddle.
me: Quincy, it's bedtime, but I could give you a cuddle.
Quincy: Lift you up.
me: (wondering where this was headed) Oh alright.
Quincy: Go upstairs.
me: No, Quincy, it's bedtime.
Quincy: Sit in the rocking chair.
me: (thinking this wasn't going to end well, but feeling the strain of carrying him) For a little bit and then Quincy goes back to bed.
Quincy: (after the Love You Forever song and about 5 minutes of rocking in silence) Tinty go back to bed now.
me: (feeling quite comfortable and rather surprised) Oh, okay.
Quincy: (now lying in bed) Mama, rub your back.
me: Sure, Buddy, for a little while.
Quincy: (in a nice voice after about 20 seconds of a back rub) Mama, go away.

I feel a bit like a puppet, but at least my tea was still hot when I got back upstairs.

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

more spying: the sandpit

Taken on Sunday, 20 September, from the landing below our bedrooms, just after showering:

spying on him in the sandpit 1

Taken on Friday, 25 September, from a kitchen window, while I made lunch, started the breadmaker, and baked chocolate chip cookies:

spying on him in the sandpit 2

Taken today from the dog's area as I peered through the hole beneath the patio, while I cleaned up after the dogs and gathered the week's rubbish.

spying on him in the sandpit 3

The sandpit. His happy place.

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Monday, September 21, 2009

out with the irritability and in with the laughter

Quincy was not himself the last four days. At all. Really irritable and clingy. He has had his rough patches, but for this even-tempered boy, it was truly unprecedented. And relentless.

I guess like most people, I need explanations. Of course, I know it's not always possible to get them, but that doesn't stop me from pulling my hair out trying.

But no matter what kind of mood they were in while awake, when they're fast asleep, they are 110% precious.

sound asleep

Today he seemed better. More himself. Still a little whiny and clingy, but much more recognizable. And let me tell you, this was a welcome site in the bath tonight...

bathtime belly laughs

I wonder what tomorrow brings.

note: Yes, he still uses a schnuller while he sleeps. Yes, I know that is totally unacceptable to most people. Yes, I wish he didn't use it anymore. But don't worry, I won't send you the orthodontist bill.

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

sunshine

Even though spring came early this year, it couldn't have come soon enough, and now we can't seem to get enough of the sun. It has even found its way onto a layout!

CB_200909_QDogsSunshine

Today Q's fever finally broke and we packed a picnic lunch and walked down to the beach. First time since the weather has warmed up. I was not expecting it to be warm enough for him to wind up barefoot and pantless. It almost felt like summer.

my boys

Whining seemed to be much of the day's soundtrack, Q seemed to be moving in reverse, and he wanted to bring everything and carry nothing. But he more than made up for it this evening with this heart-melting moment...He was riding his little bike in the kitchen while I sorted dinner. Suddenly he hopped off and ran to me, while calling out "Mama, mama, I love you." It was the first time he used my name and the I and it couldn't have come at a better time.

I hope I remember how I felt in that moment forever.

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

baking pikelets

fruits of our labour

Today I baked pikelets with a very feverish Quincy. You wouldn't know it by looking at the photos that he has a 102F/38.3C fever, would you?! He is the best sickie I can imagine.

He takes his responsibilities very seriously...

pouring milk mosaic

Notice how disgusted he is by the batter!

disgusted by the batter

It's not easy choosing the perfect one. And spreading honey isn't that easy when you're two. Nor is working out how that sifter works! Oh, and what a surprise, the dogs want to join in on the fun!

baking pikelets mosaic

I think he only took a total of two bites, saying "YUMmy" after each one,

eating the pikelets mosaic

but boy did he enjoy the process! And so did I.

baking joy

I think it's amazing how the simple act of baking with your child can leave you feeling like the best mama in the world.

what fun 1

But if you aren't feeling especially patient, it can just as easily backfire and you wind up feeling like Cruella De Vil.

Fortunately I experienced the former today.

well, that was fun!

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

superpowers

I think every parent wishes on a regular basis that she could stop time. I guess that would be my superpower of choice.

CB_200905_QSlowDown
(all supplies from Designer Digitals)

This is a photo from January and a layout from May. Sadly, I haven't done much in the scrapbooking department for about a month.


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Monday, September 14, 2009

dinner time and still fast asleep

Buddy, you are approaching the three-and-a-half hour mark. It's 6:19. Dinner's ready. Do ya think it might be about time to wake up?

bed hair mosaic

This is not unusual. He is such an awesome napper and sleeper in general. I consider myself very lucky.

By the way, I should've just let him sleep. I made shepherd's pie for dinner and after many protests and being ignored through most of dinner ("If you're not going to eat, it's hard for us to include you in our conversation."), he tried one bite which he promptly spit out. In the food department, not so great.

You can't win 'em all.

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it's not everyday

that a cat talks to you at the local 4 Square.

cat at the 4 Square

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milk + a book

A cuppa milk and an Eric Carle book...

morning book + milk mosaic

a toddler's version of a cuppa coffee and the morning paper.

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Saturday, September 12, 2009

reliving memories

reliving memories

Quincy loves looking at photos. I think he enjoys it as much as I do! He sits cuddled up to me as we flip through pictures and relive memories and talk about family and friends. Ordinary everyday photos. Ones from trips, near and far. Ones of his cousins on Facebook.

And especially ones with animals. His most-requested photo the other night...

x-large rooster

At Staglands, this very large rooster caught him offguard and he was less than impressed. But once again, he has become fascinated with that which he fears.

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Friday, September 11, 2009

taking over the driver's seat

No matter where we've been, Quincy loves returning home. As soon as we pull into the garage, he is chompin' at the bit, desperate to get out of his seat and jump into the driver's seat.

driving mosaic

He likes it best when the dogs and I are his passengers.

one blissed out boy + one tolerant dog

I'm not sure if the feeling is mutual.

At the moment, the most popular destinations are the zoo, the museum, or Staglands.

It brings back sweet memories of my dad's 1950s black Oldsmobile. I loved stealing away to the garage and pretending I had my driver's license. Or hopping in the back seat pretending I was someplace exotic and it was a taxi. Or imagining I was at the drive-in watching Footloose.

Anyway, no matter how long I let him stay in his driving fantasy land, it ends in protests, and more often than not, a few short-lived tears.

And now everytime I get in the car I have to figure out how to turn off that bloody rear windshield wiper.

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

mittens

Q: Kai, want to see my mittens?

Kai, want to see my mittens?

Kai: sniff. sniff.

sniff. sniff.

Q: Beekey, want to see my mittens?

Beekey, want to see my mittens?

Berkley: Lick. Lick.

lick. lick.

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Wednesday, September 09, 2009

three conversations on 09.09.09

Busy day today. Two things scheduled. Very rare in our world. I am a nap nazi so it's gotta be pretty good for me to let him skip his afternoon sleep!

When I went into his room this morning...

Q: (noticing I was showered and dressed first thing) Ready to go bye bye.
me: Where do you think we're going today?
Q: Somewhere.

Well, you can't lose with that answer.

This morning somewhere happened to be Playcentre, where good hygiene is critical,

washing his hands @ Playcentre

and play is taken very seriously.

hard at work @ Playcentre

I love watching them having morning tea together. They seem so grown up. And civilized! (pardon the blurred faces)

morning tea @ Playcentre

Here they are learning a Maori song...

learning a Maori song @ Playcentre

me: Cool. Is this a space ship?
Q: No, it's a barrel swing.

barrel swing @ Playcentre

You can always count on a child to state the obvious.

And in the afternoon, a picnic with some of our antenatal group, whom we haven't seen in 70 days. How do I know that? Because the last day we got together was the day MJ died and the press did a good job this week reminding us of how long ago that was.

ridin' down the highway

And finally, in the evening, while getting him in his PJs...

me: What was your favourite part of the day?
Q: Staglands.
me: But we didn't go to Staglands today.
Q: Staglands Sunday.
me: Yup, that's right, Buddy. We went to Staglands on Sunday. Today we went to Playcentre in the morning and played with Lucy and Teegan at the park this afternoon. What was your favourite part of today?
Q: Staglands.

Well, okay then.

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Tuesday, September 01, 2009

hello spring

hello spring

We welcome you with open arms, and to you, winter, I say good riddance. We are ready for fewer layers, bare feet, and good health.

barefeet at the end of winter

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