visit to coffs

Well you bounced back from your recent illness and it was off to Coffs for you and me for a long weekend.  Your favourite parts of the visit?  Oh so many:
- Following Pardy into the kitchen, down the hall, out to the garden, well actually wherever he went you followed and were indulged with lots of carrying around and pointing out the wonders of all things Nene and Pardy.
- The pop-up tunnel was a hit - and a bargain too, spotted by Nene for $2 at the school fete.  Play tent included too!
- Feeding the lizard, a rather large monitor that has become dependent on banana bits for for breakfast and dinner served by Pardy.
- The fairy garden.  You were intrigued and would proudly point it out to anyone who would watch.  Pardy taught you to "shhh - be quiet" around the fairies.
- The pool next to the beach was a hit until you spotted the playground at Nautilus and demanded to test out the fun-o-meter of this particular playground.
- Aunty Hayley was a hit too after a few false starts (you are never in a great mood when you've just woken from your nap).
- The little stroller that Nene and Pardy salvaged from the upstairs neighbour.
- The mini strawberry chocolate ice cream cones that seemed to become your regular morning tea during our holiday.

All in all it was a great weekend and you lapped up to the love with delight.  But the biggest smile was of course when we were met by Dadda at the airport on Monday morning.

Pointing out the fairies

Pointing out the fairies to Pardy

Helping Pardy weed in the garden

Pondering life with Nene

Crawling through the tunnel

Enjoying a chocolate covered strawberry cone

scarlet fever

Yesterday morning I knew something was up when even a visit to the playground and a paddle at the beach did not lift your spirits.  You were oh so very quiet (extremely unusual for you!) and sleepy.  After returning from the beach I noticed a rash of little red spots covering your body from head to toe.  A teary phone call to the local hospital and a visit to the GP revealed scarlet fever and tonsillitis.  Since then you have been up and down (usually up after a dose of medicine).  We had a nice night together, just you and I, although you were quite demanding as your bedtime neared.  It's heartbreaking watching your child suffer and makes me appreciate you so much, even facing another broken nights sleep - I wouldn't change it for the world.

daniel

When you were but a wee ball in my belly we all went on holidays to Italy and you were accompanied by an equally little ball in Natalie's belly.  Together the two of you enjoyed many a gelato.  This past weekend the two little balls were reunited and oh what fun you had with your new friend Daniel!  It was instant attraction as you followed each other around and passed toys back and forth.

Yesterday was a gloriously sunny day after a run of rain so we all picnicked at Mrs Macquarie's Chair and watched the Red Bull Flugtag before capping the evening off with a dinner at Nick's Seafood Restaurant on Bondi.  Luckily Daniel and his parents Natalie and Miller are staying with us later in the week so you'll get lots more quality time with your little UK friend.

Reassessment

Well I don't want to keep harping on about the changes but it seems to be all consuming at the moment.  You're not happy at daycare.  You're very not happy when we drop you off.  And apparently you're very not happy for a lot of the day.  We're re-assessing the situation with Vieve on Friday and things might need to change again.

Ahhh well.  Growing up is hard to do.

working mumma

After over 12 months out of the workforce today was my first day back and all I can really say is I'm soooooooooooooooo tired!  After an early start taking you to your swim lesson, then a full day of filling my brain with things other than thoughts of you, I am ready to drop!  Luckily you had a great day with your Nene so I didn't have to worry about you.  I was even lucky enough to get a "today's pic" emailed to me at work.  Tomorrow it's back to Vieve's for you so we'll see how you go.  Goodnight from very tired mummy.

end of week 1

So we got through it - your first week at daycare.  Well, two half-days, but that is a lot for someone as little as you are.  The first day went well, you went for your morning sleep with no crying and had a good long nap, and were interested but shy around the other children.  The second day you also had a nice long nap in the morning, but were a bit unsure when you woke up and kept wondering where I was.  When I arrived to collect you at midday you were fine but happier when transferred from Vieve's arms back to mine.  We stopped at the park on the walk home and you were full of smiles and enjoying the beautiful sunny day.  You even went down the slide on your own!  Here are some pictures:

monkey's first school bag

I've wrote earlier that things in the Brooks household are changing.  Here is some tangible proof:

Maya's first school bag

Yep.  Your first school bag.  Packed and ready for your first day of family daycare this week.  Although the bag is ready, and you're probably ready, I don't think I am yet.  But I probably never will be.  I can't wait to get some independence back in some of my days but it's going to be hard to relinquish the care of you to someone who is virtually a stranger.  But a very nice, loving, caring, and qualified, stranger.  I know all children and parents have to go through this eventually.  And I've had friends tell me that the only day harder than dropping you at care for the first time, is the day I come and pick you up and you cry because you want to stay, rather than crying because I am leaving you.