Who is the parent and who is the child?

Having kids keeps you young they say. I'd agree, but then it also puts years on you!

We were driving up to the local village last weekend to have some breakfast as a family in the cafe there. It takes a good while to pack everyone into the car now there is Rebecca's little brother Alan as well. A newborn is a lot of work, a toddler is a lot of work, but together...go luck!

So my better half is already getting Rebecca into the car seat and I am taking Alan out in the baby chair when I see two of Rebecca's teddies on the floor - TT and Mr Floppsy. Surprised that she's left them behind I check with my wife who suggests sticking one into my pocket just in case. TT is the lucky candidate, mainly because it's a teddy blanket so easier to stuff into a pocket with my wallet, phone, ipod and keys.

We head off and have got about 100 metres from the house when Rebecca starts screaming that we have to go back, TT and floppsy are not in the car. Cue - moment of feeling like Daddy the super hero saving the day when I pass TT back to Rebecca with a smile.

Not so fast super-dad. Rebecca - "Where's Mr Floppsy? We have to get him!"

OK, I can work with this. Daddy - "But Rebecca, someone has to mind the house for us while we're out"

Mummy decides to help - "Yes, she has to take care of meeko" (Meeko is our cat).

I bring it up a notch. Daddy - "Yeah, if meeko needs to get in Mr Floopsy can open the door for her"

Before being brought firmly down to Earth. Rebecca - "Don't be silly Daddy. Mr Floppsy's only a teddy".

Yes Rebecca, yes, he is.

And then there were two

Rebecca now has a baby brother, Alan. He was born back in August, but it has been so busy I hadn't a chance to note it here until now.

So I guess Rebecca is going to have to share this blog with her brother. I am thinking that will be a lot easier to deal with than having to share Daddy, Mummy, toys, the cat, TV, etc. etc.

Today you dressed yourself

I was so proud this morning. Rebecca dressed herself. Every single part - from vest to socks to shoes. Not bad for a two year old!

This was just the icing on the cake for me - yesterday evening after supper we played a little kick around with a ball on the patio and were counting. Rebecca counted from 10 to 1, i.e. backwards, with no mistake. Just did a countdown while I was running away with the ball.

I am so proud of my wonderful little girl, but at the same time want her to stay my little girl. She is growing up so fast!

Can't fault you on logic

We were talking during this week about growing, what with the new baby on the way and us explaining how Rebecca would be a big sister.

I was saying how I was in Grandma's tummy, then a small baby, then a bigger baby, then a small boy, a bigger boy, a small man and now a big man. Rebecca then asked me to tell her backwards which I did.

After I had finished she spent about 5 minutes staring into space with a look of deep thought and consideration on her face before saying "Daddy, next time Grandma is visiting you go back in her tummy.".

New bedroom

Things are all change at the moment for Rebecca. Last night she had her first night in her new bedroom. What we have always called 'the green room' since we moved here five years ago, will from here on be known as 'Rebecca's room'.

The other big change of course is that she will have a new brother or sister in the next month, all going to plan. That one is taking a little bit more getting used to, but Rebecca is on board with the whole idea. While we were doing bedtime this evening she was crying saying "I want the baby NOWWWW!". It is hard to get the idea across that babies come when they want to come and not exactly when we want them to (wouldn't that make things so much easier!?!).

Creativity

When you don't know the right word, improvise.

"Daddy, the toodle on my train is broken"

Smart girl!

Rebecca amazes me every day. Really blows me away. She is such a smart girl.

An example:

Rebecca was having a nap, and had woken up and got out of bed. We were downstairs in the hallway and heard her opening her door (with some difficulty) and were watching from the bottom of the stairs when she came out of the room an stood at the stairgate.

Rebecca: Come and play Mummy & Daddy

Mummy/Daddy: What are you doing out of your room? You're meant to stay in your bed until we come and get you. If you need us call us from your bed.

Rebecca proceeds to run back to her bad, jump in and shot "Mummy, Daddy, come and play with me.

As I say, smart girl!

In a bed, bye bye cot

Getting so big. In a grown up girls world now that you are in your very own bed starting tonight, and your cot is being set aside. Bed rail in place to stop you falling out, and lots of room for all your teddies to cuddle up to. 

We have always done our bedtime reading and playing in the bed, the difference being now I don't carry you over to your cot, instead you get tucked into your bed. My big little girl. Won't be long now before you're borrowing the car...

The things you say

Me: I'm a boy, and you're a girl. 
Rebecca: Noooo! Don't be silly Daddy, you're not a boy you're a Daddy.


Rebecca: Get me out of my way Daddy!

Rebecca: Daddy, thank you for having breakfast with us. (As I head off for work)