Haggle haggle haggle...

I think Rebecca will do a fine job in business. She has the concept of haggling right down,although she is still a bit hasty with her counter offers, prior to doing the maths. An example:

"OK Rebecca, if you eat four more bites you can leave the table."

"No, five more bites!"

"OK love, you win. Five more bites. Now eat up."

Everyone happy with the outcome. Long may it last.

Going to pre-school

Rebecca started a big chapter in her life, which is a big one in Mummy and Daddy's too. She has started going to our local Montessori pre-school.

She started back in January, but with a flu, an ear infection and a bad old cough she didn't really get to go properly until last week.The first few days before she got sick she seemed not to be taking part in things too much, which had us a bit worried.
She wasn't her usual self when we asked about school.  Usually she is a fountain of information, but on school it seemed that she was segmenting that as her out of the house life, and Mummy and Daddy should be happy enough with her in the house life and mind their own business. Or so it felt at least! From the small nuggets of information we were able to pull from her we found out that "The children clean up the toys at the end of the day". Very good, but a follow up "And did you help?" was answered with "No. The children did it.".

I am glad to report that she is now finding herself to be one of the children and is taking part in lots of activities. She has even brought Daddy home a giraffe. Yes, I am prouder of this giraffe creation than I am of my degree in fine art. And why wouldn't I be?

It is a big trust thing for me to let me little girl go off into the care of someone else. I know every parent has to go through the same, I just hadn't been prepared for it myself. I guess it is one of the down sides to being a work-from-home Daddy: I am very attached to my kids.

Still not so bad, I get a huge big cuddle when she gets home.

Feeling loved

This morning I was up before the rest of the house feeding Alan in his room. When mummy and Rebecca got up they first washed hands, face, teeth and then Rebecca wanted to come in and see if Alan was awake.
In she walks to the room, sees me there and sighs "Oh no. Not again." before walking out of the room.

You need to be fairly thick skinned in this house!

Balancing two

It is yet again ages since I've posted. Sorry about that.

Since Alan was born last July it has been a roller-coaster here - fun, exciting, new, adventurous but physically and emotionally exhausting. Trying to balance Alan's need for around the clock care with Rebecca's needs as a 3 year old is a steep learning curve, and good training for a job at the UN in the US-Iran department!

It is also strange the differing reactions we have to the same thing from both children - Rebecca screams out in the night and it is a thought along the lines of "what could be wrong? She is tucked in, has her nightlight, a drink and teddies", compared to Alan doing the same and it is "I guess that's a wet nappy" or looking at the clock and wondering if it is feed time.

Obviously I am totally smitten with both my children and balancing them both isn't really that difficult. It is a fear of missing some chance to give one of them some loving or fun because I am focused on the other that causes me angst. I'm a worrier by nature, and perhaps I should do as one family member suggested - chill out and enjoy being a parent more rather than worrying so much.

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!