Life under a Pepper Tree

Dylan - There's just so much going on right now, it's no wonder you get all cranky and defiant of late.  We had your friend Rory's 4th birthday party a couple of weeks ago, and now you are counting down the days until Jaxon's 4th birthday party this coming weekend.  So much excitement! And now we have a family holiday booked as something to look forward to, and not to mention your own 4th birthday.  This coming week we are sending you off to swimming lessons for the first time. You've been a bit worried about it, but we just keep having to reassure you that you'll be just fine and I'll be watching you from the side of the pool.  Today we've got a Halloween party to go to at your daycare. I can't wait to see you all dressed up with the other kids.  Not that I like Halloween, I just want to see you happy and involved in the festivities.  With the warmer weather this past weekend, after your nap we enjoyed a cheeky ice block. Of course you chose...

Dylan - You followed me around with my camera this afternoon.  I had to stop and smile for you.  Your camera shows pictures from some nursery rhymes, one being Humpty Dumpty which you learnt the words at Kindy recently.  Later you told me in a very concerned voice that when you grew up, you did NOT want to be Humpty Dumpty cos they put him up on a wall and he fell off! Of course having accidents like Humpty Dumpty usually then brings out references to blood and "getting dead", just like Poppy.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016   Tristan - Another milestone achieved!  With only an inch or so of room left in the bassinette attachment of the pram, it was time to let it go and get you upright and looking out at everyone.  We dug out the seat attachment for the pram and got it all figured out again.  Since then we've taken you out twice in the pram and you've been enjoying...

Dylan - Some days we swing from crazy 3 year old silliness, through to deep questions and detailed conversations.  Its days like these I realise how grown up you really are.  Your 4th birthday is just around the corner now and I guess I need to just enjoy the last of your toddler-like behaviours.   A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016  Tristan - Look who learnt to sit up!  It's a whole new world now. I guess the next steps will be off and crawling, but please slow down!! I need you to just be my sweet baby for a bit.  Those first few months were awful and I really didn't enjoy it.  But I'm hoping things are finally falling into place now.  A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016  Joining in with Jodi and Project 52. Bel

Dylan - I'm really really liking this quiet independent play you seem to be doing a bit more of lately.  Its just what I need when I'm having such terrible sleeping periods from Tristan.  You are just enjoying all these puzzles that you have been set up with lately.  Makes me proud to see you relish the achievement  of completing each one. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan - All you want to do is be upright! Laying down on the playmat with your toys just doesn't keep you as occupied as it used to.  So we dug out the old walker and set you up in it.  There's a whole new world of things to look at upright!  A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Joining in with Jodi and Project 52. Bel

The long weekend came and went.  Hubby was on his annual trip to QLD for VW drag racing, and I was faced with my longest stint at home parenting 2 kiddies on my own.  I will say that I think most things got done in a reasonable manner, but some things I just had to let slide.  Everyone got fed, clothed and bathed and ultimately we survived, although it certainly left me with a feeling of needing some time away on my own.  I just hope that I can organise a few days away before going back to work next year.  I can't see anything happening this side of Christmas as there is just too much going on, not to mention Tristan is still breastfeeding and refuses our attempts at taking a bottle.  Dylan - We headed up to my Mum's place on the Sunday of the long weekend.  You had a ball.  Whether it was doing puzzles with Grandpa, riding his ride-on mower, walking with Grandma and I to see the cows, or having another sneaky biscuit you just lov...

Dylan - you are currently obsessed by "reading" through the junk mail catalogues that come every week.  Of course anything with toys in it is a winner, but even just going through the supermarket ones is exciting as you name all the items you can see.  I know at daycare they have already been speaking about Christmas, and so your understanding of Santa bringing presents is clearly evident.  I'm sure you'll have your wish list sorted in no time! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan - just chilling on the cushions on the lounge while you brother sits nearby.  The fact that you lay there for more than a minute without whinging was a miracle in itself.  We hadn't done enough washing and so I had you in an old singlet under your clothes, rather than the press stud in the crotch singlet suits.  So laying back your singlet rose up with your top, your pants came down, and a sweet little belly poked out in the middle! A port...