We're home!!!

Pea has been discharged!  She is now sporting a rather fetching bright pink hip spica - a plaster cast that extends down both legs & up around the hips.  It's tricky to deal with.  If it get's wet or dirty, we're back up to the hopsital for a refit.  But we're home.  It nearly didn't happen.  She has had 2 previous plaster casts, that kept slipping.  If Pea couldn't cope with the spica being fitted, while awake, it would have been traction over Christmas.  But she coped.  And we're home.  The Stamp's have been reunited.

I will post more about the events, but for now we're going to enjoy being together & working out just how you change a nappy on a hip-spica-wearing-bub in under 10 minutes.  For now...here is a picture of my girls when they met the local football team....

http://bournemouthdailyecho.newsprints.co.uk/view/16704647/11644224_jpg

Well...it's not what we had planned....

At the beginning of last week I invited you to join The Stamp's on our staycation.  So, we have had an eventful time, since my last post.  But we weren't having fun. 

Last week Dear Hubby slipped down the stairs, while carrying Pea.  Thankfully Dear Hubby was not injured.  Poor Pea, however, is currently in hospital on traction.  Our baby has a broken leg.  Hopefully, she should be discharged early next week.  So, I am staying with her.  Dear Hubby & Bean are home alone.

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to our friends & family who have looked after us so well.  Hospital visits, feeding Dear Hubby & Bean, babysits, baby purees, love, support...the list goes on.  The Stamps are grateful for all those around us who care.  Thank you.

A Week Off...

This week Dear Hubby has a week off...so I would like to invite you to share our staycation with us! 

We had a really crazy weekend celebrating Bean's 3rd birthday.  The events included:-

• a Charlie & Lola birthday party on Friday.  We played pin-the-tale-on-Sizzles, pass-the-parcel & many other classic games.  Good fun...
• Toy Story 3, with friends Saturday morning.  OK, so I packed Dear Hubby and friend off to the cinema with the kids, while I had some girly time with my friend! 
• Rugby.  We enjoyed watching the Springboks beat the (fair) English.  So, maybe more for Dear Hubby's benefit than Bean's...but she loved having the house FULL of people!
• Birthday Lunch, with Grandparents, aunties, uncles....let's just say Bean was in her element & got spoilt rotten!

So, Monday morning & all 4 Stamp Family members are getting what they need from the day...  Egg in a Basket breakfast once Dear Hubby had enjoyed a sleep in.  Bean is enjoying CBeebies, while playing with all her new toys.  Pea has had milk, breakfast & a nap.  Me...I'm still not dressed!  Ever since I was a preteen I have enjoyed lolling around in my PJ's....

I can't wait to share our week with you.......

Encourage one another into doing good...

So, I can't quite find the reference for this - but I'm sure it's a biblical principle!  The thing is, not too long ago Dear Hubby & I realised that Bean needed some encouragement.  For too long now all she has heard is...don't do that to Pea!  Shush, Pea's asleep!  Don't do that!  Stop!  No!  Don't!

Bean has a very kind & generous heart.  She's not malicious by nature.  She hasn't been doing anything that is naughty.  She has been a two-year-old, adjusting to life with a little sister.  And all she has heard is NO!  I know I wouldn't respond very well to that.  We want to encourage our children to do good works, to have kind & gentle hearts.  We don't want to exasperate them into rebellion. 

Reality is though...we have a vulnerable little person living with us now.  Bean needs instructing, so that Pea comes to no harm from her big sisters enthusiastic attention.  How to balance these 2 things?

Well, in addition to our other discipline tools, we are now using a reward system!  Hopefully this will inspire Bean to do good... In Bean's bedroom now hangs a reward chart, where she gets stickers for achieving certain goals that Dear Hubby & I agreed on.  When the chart is full...Bean gets a surprise present.  One that is all wrapped & looked after by Pea!

I know that this is not a new idea in raising children.  The revelation, for us though, was to encourage Bean to doing good.  To inspire her to keep self-control & make good choices in her heart.  The tool reminds all of us to look for the good in Bean...and stop focusing on the No's & Don't's.  I needed the reminder as much as anything! 

The results...3 weeks in we're already 2 presents down.  Bean & I are enjoying a more loving relationship.  Bean & Dear Hubby are loving hanging out.  Pea & Bean - they've always been good!

Wow...long time, no posts!

So, no posts for such a long time.  I hadn't realised just how long it has been.  I've reconnected with family life!  Much has been achieved.  New frontiers explored.  Peace restored.  Life with 2 under 3 is going well.

During the radio silence The Stamps have seen some good changes.  We have introduced a new discipline tool for Bean, that is yielding positive results!  We have introduced solids to Pea!  The homestead is more under control & a relaxing place to be - it had become a dump & run zone as I tried to live life at break neck speed!

Dear hubby is entering a new phase in his career that is throwing up some great challenges.

I have reclaimed control of my domain! I will fill you in over the next couple of days...

A Timely Reminder...

So, last week was a crazy week.  Sorry you didn't hear from me.  Life really was manic & my head got lost in it all.  Not good.  Not fun.  But today I came across this timely reminder and encouragement to regain focus.  To reconnect. This week I am investing time to assess my endeavours outside the family & home, to ensure that I can fully engage in the call to being a wife, mother & home-maker.

Enjoy...be encouraged...

http://www.truewoman.com/?id=1279

The Stamp Family Cure-All

Last night didn't see any of the Stamp's getting the required amount of sleep!  Poor Bean woke in the wee small hours burning up!  This morning she slept in til really late...not like her!  She is usually up at 7am. 7.30 at the latest - if we've been out partying!!!  So, my pale, poorly & just a tad warm girly is snuggled up on the couch. 

Days like today call for 2 things!  One - Trackie bums!  (All 3 Stamp girls are currently donning a pair...what a beautifully, comfy sight!)  And two - The Stamp Family cure-all...Soupy-not-Gloopy.

In a nod to Dear Hubby's heritage, it's my home grown version of Jewish Penicillin.  When my brother-in-law lived with us, I developed it when he was feeling ill.  Now I whip up a batch whenever one of us is under the weather...or just needing a little TLC! 

So, I thought I'd share the recipe (whilst my girls are tucked up resting!) - just in case any of you are needing comfort in a bowl!

Chicken Soupy-not-Gloopy

Brown off some chicken pieces (with bone in & skin on) in a heavy based, large pan.  Remove but keep the fat in the pan.  Put 2 chopped leeks, 2 sliced carrots, 2 medium sweet potatoes, and 2 large white potatoes into the pan and soften for a few minutes in the chicken fat.  Throw in some dried thyme or fresh if you have.  You can also add in parsnips, celery & onions, if you fancy - whatever you have in the bottom of your fridge!  Add in a good splash of white wine (when Pea is weaning I will leave this out - but the alcohol cooks off so can be eaten by children!).  Put the chicken back in the pan and add water until it is all just covered.  Throw in 2/3 bay leaves & season with fresh ground black pepper.  Bring to the boil & simmer until the chicken is cooked & you can chop the carrots with a wooden spoon, around 45mins.  The other veg will be falling apart.  Remove chicken & strip meat from the bones.  Season the cooking juices with vegetable bouillon powder, to taste.  Return the chicken meat to the pan.  Serve with lots of love, sympathy & crusty bread!

Life interrupted...

This time last week I was happily going about the Stamp Family daily routine.  Pea was due a weigh-in with the Health Visitor.  Nothing special, just she hadn't been weighed for a month.  So, off we all trundled. I had no concerns.  But, to cut a long story short...Pea hadn't gained nearly enough weight since the last weigh in.  The Health Visitor was concerned.  I very quickly became concerned.  Pea - was happy, kicking about and chatting away to herself!  The Health Visitor wanted formula feeds added in.

You'll remember, we had previously tried this.  Before, it was our own idea to try "topping up" after a breast feed.  We'd given up because Pea wasn't interested, so it wasn't making a difference.  But now, it wasn't our choice.  And we're not just talking about top-ups.  We're talking about whole feeds.  My heart broke!  We could still breast feed, just not 100%.  Like Bean had.

Painful emotions mixed together - I'll spare you a glimpse into the full, hormone fuelled, catalogue of emotions.  Feeling sad sums it up!

On a practical note, Dear Hubby started bottle feeding.  He has taught our girl well.  She is taking good amounts of milk, a few times a day.  If you're a breastfeeding mum and you need to add in formula feeds...get Daddy to start it!  It will head off any fights, you may have, at the pass! And really does make it easier all around!  It also has the added bonus of being lovely for Dad to get a hand in with feeding too!

Dear Hubby has also been very wise!  He is gently helping me to let go.  Encouraging me to see this as a new opportunity to shepherd (or guide) our daughter, according to her needs.  Dear Hubby reminds me that Pea is different to Bean.  We want to rejoice in & celebrate this.  Both our girls are unique.  So they each need to be "grown" in a way that is unique to them.  So, Bean was breastfed 100%.  Pea needs something different. 

As a mum, I know that my job is to serve my girls.  So, this means that I should shelve my desire to fully breastfeed and give the child a bottle!  It's what she needs.  It isn't going to harm her.  It will probably do some good!  I'll keep you posted on how the mixed feeding goes...

P.S. If you see any weirdness on my blog - please excuse!  I made the grand mistake of leaving myself logged in.  Bean got to the laptop before I realised what I'd done.  I can't see any nearly-3-year-old type entries...but you never know!!!

Life...

Just thought I'd share a recent Stamp Family portrait.  I love this because it captures our natures really well.  Dear Hubby, content.  Pea, watching big sis.  Bean, just happy.  Me, keeping a watchful eye.

This week I have had the delight of watching my daughters relationship flourish.  Bean dotes on her sister.  When Pea cries, Bean is there.  Comforting her, stroking her head.  Bean is forever talking to Pea.  Already teaching her how to do puzzles!  Pea is returning the affection with huge, special smiles I only see her give Bean.  Pea's face lights up when Bean is near.  They both love to sit & snuggle! 

Long may the bond of sisterhood continue!

Fear...? Keep the Faith!

A couple of weeks back Dear Hubby & I had a very scary moment.  Pea has been drooling, chomping on anything that goes near her mouth and not feeding normally.  Teething had come a calling!  So one evening, as we were getting ready for bed & Pea was waking for her feed.  We gave her some teething gel (yep, we're still doing everything in our power to get her to take a good feed so that she will sleep!), following the directions on the tube. 

5 minutes later, Pea was choking.  Thankfully, Dear Hubby was right next to her.  He swooped her up into his arms.  It resolved itself.  Pea settled quickly, the moment had passed.  Pea had her feed. She then went to bed.  But I was tempted to be afraid.  I stayed awake for hours.  Pea slept beautifully.  I took her to visit the Doctor.  Pea was as fit as a fiddle.  The Doctor confirmed that it was a choking episode, probably caused by a small amount of teething gel.  I was left asking...what if...?

I needed to have a word with myself.  One of Pea's given names means "our God saves."  As I went into labour, I was singing a song called Our God Saves.  At birth, our God saved our little Pea.  But still fear was creeping around the edges of my emotions.  Do I send myself mad, keeping a watchful eye?  Trying to control every situation to keep my Pea safe.  Trying to do God's job.

Where was my faith?  I reached a point where I realised that I have to trust that Pea is created for a purpose.  Her life is in God's hands.  It is my job to nurture & protect her.  Not to sustain her.  Our God saves!

Mind you, this realisation was helped along by Dear Hubby squirting half the tube of teething gel into his mouth.  Lying flat out on his back, he waited.  Apparently, it would cause choking!

Independence Day!

So, I've been mulling over the kind of women we want our girls to be.  Confident, strong, independent...but how does that fit with Godly submission?!  A friend recently commented that modern women have difficulty submitting to their husbands, because from their parents knee they are trained to be independent.  Is this how it has to be?  Can my girls experience the best of both worlds...and live in the benefit of independence & Godly submission?  My heart screams...YES!  They can!

I have realised that I need to model both independence & Godly submission to my girls.  As a woman, a wife & a mother...I need to learn how to hold these in tension. 

The trouble is the longer that I am married, the more complex I found submission & having my own opinion to be!  With Dear Hubby's wise leading...the layers of onion are being peeled away.  I can have an opinion, I can be independent in thought...Dear Hubby reminded me I just need to think of Jesus in the garden, before he was crucifed.  He had an opinion.  He didn't want to face the pain of the cross.  He told Father, passionately, how he felt about the situation.  But he yielded his will to the Father's.  He spent time with Father, talking until they were of one mind.

I was out with the girls a couple of weeks ago...a long story but we ended up seeing a children's entertainer.  One from decades ago...as part of his gig he asked the children to put their hands up if mummy was in charge at home.  All but one child put up their hand.  When asked if Daddy was in charge at home, up Bean's hand shot...  While the entertainer went on to diss women...I had a warm glow.  A glimmer of hope.  Maybe my girl's getting submission after all!!!!

Celebrate...

This weekend we packed our girls into the car.  Turned on the radio & headed north.  A leisurely drive, 2 stops for food (Pea needs to eat regularly!), a short trip down memory lane and, 6 hours later, we finally arrived at our destination.

We had the pleasure of joining my brother & his wife to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary.  As a family we couldn't join them when they wed last year.  Deepest, darkest Brazil was too far to go, with a young Bean.  So we prayed & partied!  We prayed to say thanks for a great 1st year... and please can they have more of that to come!  We partied because...well, we like to party!

And Bean showed my extended family just how it's done!!!

Dear hubby and I watched in amazement at our girlie strut her stuff.  We believe we should raise our girls to be strong, confident women.  Girls who are unafraid to give something a go.  Women who won't shrink back.  Bean did us proud.  She delights in music & moving.  She gave it a go...& had heaps of fun.

As Bean gets older, we need to consider where her confidence comes from.  We need to ensure that it is built on THE firm Foundation.  That she doesn't shrink back, not because she has an overinflated ego...but because she knows the one true love of Jesus.  For it to be a true foundation...we will build that for her now.  At a tender age, we will point her to Jesus.  Encourage her to experience His love & to celebrate it!

Them the rules...final!

So, I took the liberty of adding 1 final rule...in the words of the great Take That...

Rule #5: "Have a little patience..."

These rules don't produce instant results.  Pea took a couple of extra weeks to sleep through than Bean.  But our daily routine was established all the same.  The rules are more for my benefit...to know where I'm at.  To ensure that in the sleep deprived haze, I am fully meeting my daughters needs.

Each baby is different too.  It took me a while to work out that Pea wasn't thriving on the regular 3 hourly Eat, Wake, Sleep cycle that Bean loved.  Bean was having 4 1/2 hours of daytime sleep until quite a late age...Pea barely has 3 1/2 hours!  And the length of sleep they take at each part of the day is SO different.  Without a little patience I wouldn't have been able to respond to their individual needs.

We believe that our jobs as parents is to shepherd...or guide our children.  This begins from Day 1.  We never want to enforce our will upon them.  But we want to shape & influence them.  These rules help me to guide them through each day.  I would never force my will upon them...but I'm the grown up.  I know what they need.  I know what is best for them.  They need our guidance & care.  By guiding them from Day 1, hopefully, as they grow, they will remain open to our guidance.  So as teenagers, they will continue to look to us to lead them, and resist rebellion.  As young adults, they will ask our opinion & seek our advice and prevent ruin.  But this all requires me to...have a little patience!

6 Awesome Years...

Tomorrow, 6 years ago, I received the best gift I've ever been given.  Thank you Father, for being good to me!  Thank you babe, for fearlessly being my man!  I love you with all my heart.  The last 6 years have been awesome...I look forward to many more to come!

Them the rules...3 & 4!

Pea is amazing!  We are now one whole week into sleeping through!  I've chased a dream...and, quite literally, we've made it!  Bliss.  So, the last two rules that helped get us here...

Rule #3:  Make sure they always take a full feed -it helps them to not get used to falling asleep when feeding.
I can only really talk about breast feeding here...I'm not sure how different it is for bottle fed babes.  Any comments...please post them!  My babies always fell asleep, in the very early days, when they were nursing.  I've always worked REALLY hard to get them to wake up & keep feeding.  The aim being to get them into taking full meals & not snacking.  This meant that both my girls (with the exception of growth spurts) fed, at least, 3 hourly.  I would obviously feed them, if they were hungry...but I tried to get them to eat meals not snacks!

The waking Bean & Pea up, to get them to eat properly, meant that they were never used to feeding to sleep.  Which meant one less sleep prop to worry about!

Rule #4:  Before you climb into bed, wake Bub & give them milk!
It just didn't seem logical to let Pea have the long stretch of sleep (that EVERY baby has) when we were awake.  By waking her up at our bed time, it meant that she may have that long stretch whilst we were also in the land of nod!  And it seemed to work!  From about 6 weeks Pea would make it through until 5am, from the last feed.

A couple of weeks ago we tried giving Pea some formula, to top up after the last breast feed.  To see if it would help her to sleep that little bit longer. To go past 5am, until that magic 7am! We both tried...using every trick we knew.  Pea didn't mind the bottle, or the formula.  She didn't scream.  Or fuss.  She just wouldn't take more than 10mls.  So, we tried...& gave up!  But never be afraid to try something...it may just work!

I want to take the liberty of introducing one more rule...have a little patience.  More of that tomorrow!

Them the rules...1 & 2!

So we've turned a corner!  Pea is well settled in.  I don't know this because Bean fully dotes on her.  Or because Pea saves her best smiles for her big sister!  No, I know this because Dear Hubby looked at me the other evening and said "it feels like we're getting there!"  So I thought I'd revisit the rules.  Remind myself how we got here!

Rule #1:  Start the day at 7am.  Wake the babe & start the Eat, Wake, Sleep cycle.
I did this with both my girls.  It's not easy...not throwing the alarm across the room when your sleep's been broken.  But, it does mean that the day gets underway.  And there is a better chance of baby getting enough milk in the day to make sleeping at night (did I mean through?!) more likely.  It slowly eases the family into living.  It also means that a bodyclock has been set...to this day it's very rare that Bean gets up before 7am!  Not bad for a 2 year old!

Eat, Wake, Sleep...why?  Well, it's not normal go to sleep after eating - I only do it when I've really pigged out & it's a Sunday!!  It prevents a bad habit, of feeding to sleep, developing.  After eating, little one will have more energy from the milk.  It just makes sense.  Oh, the obvious exceptions to the rule are bedtime & night time feeds.  This is the time when I put my babes to bed with full tums...you've guessed why!  I'm chasing that elusive full night's sleep!

Rule #2: Establish a regular bed time - try to keep the sleep cues the same.
A regular bed time just kind of makes sense...it's starting as you mean to go on.  I often think that getting good habits established now, is much easier than trying to do it when they are more aware.  It also helps me to know where I am in the day & get much needed time alone with Dear Hubby!

Why keep the sleep cues the same? Think about when you go to bed...you go at roughly the same time each night, right?!  Now what do you do to get into bed?  PJ's on...wash face...brush teeth...read a bit...lights out...snuggle with Dear Hubby...lie there a while...last trip to the loo...dream land!  Or something like that...?  Again, fairly much the same each night, right?!  Babies are just little people!  It will help them settle to sleep.

I've had to think quite hard about when Pea's bedtime is.  Bean used to have a bath, so that she was ready to have milk at 7pm.  With Pea that didn't work for us.  It meant we were staying up later to give enough time between that feed & the last feed.  Which meant tired & very grumpy parents!  Which meant unhappy home! 

So now, she's feeding by 6.15 & is settled in bed well before 7pm.  I had to rejig the earlier part of the evening...to make it work.  But, Bean is now getting much needed Daddy time, while I'm feeding Pea.  And, I get to tuck her in, which I couldn't before.  Chilled out evening.  Earlier bed time for Dear Hubby & I.  Great feed (for Pea) when we go to bed.  Happy, happy family!

The net result is this...we are all refreshed & jumping with energy to enjoy the simple things in life.  Like Dear Hubby bobbing about on the open sea, with Bean, in a boat.  After tucking in to a seafood braai or BBQ for the non-South African speakers amongst you! Glorious, well spent Bank Holiday!  Happy, happy family!

Woo hoo...it's a Bank Holiday!

And I get to spend 3 fun-filled days with my family!  Bliss!  We hope you have fun too.

No man is an Island...

This week I have enjoyed, & lived in the benefit of, community.  The Stamp's thrive in community.  We revel in it.  We believe it's vital for our daughters to grow up in it.  No man is an island.  But why?

Last time I exclaimed - there are no sick days for mothers!  How wrong am I?  The offers came flying in...offers of breaks, of entertaining Bean, of company over coffee.  All the things that make sickness bearable - especially when caring for a young brood!  True community cares enough to circle around the weak, to help them get strong.  Like the water buffalo!

I once heard some teaching about the water buffalo.  They live like no other community.  At the watering hole, the strong ones gather on the edge of the group.  Guarding.  Protecting.  Enabling the weaker ones to get a good drink & get strong.  As the weaker ones gain strength, they move.  They take their place.  Moving towards the edge of the group, allowing the once stronger ones to move in and drink.

And a community with faith in Jesus, is a unique expression of Jesus' love for his followers.  It screams & shouts REAL love.  It makes real, the intangible concepts of faith.  We want our girls to witness this.  To have their lives shaped by it.  To see Jesus in it.

My first challenge is to overcome, in myself, the one thing that destroys community...independence!  Our second challenge is...to raise independent girls that thrive in community!  I'll keep you posted on how that works out!!

When the Bug bites...

Today I experienced the one thing that all mum's dread...waking up & feeling ILL!  The bug has bitten.  At least I think it's a bug...it could also be some dodgy pate I ate yesterday!  You don't get sick days in this job! Thankfully dear hubby's boss is sympathetic (thanks fab mum- & dad-in-law!) and gave him time off to set me back on my feet! So, one simple breakfast in bed & a warm shower later I was ready(ish) to face the day with 2 kids under 3yrs & the stomach flu!

What a perfect opportunity to put into practice that partnership in parenting I was talking about last week.  Doesn't God just sometimes stop you in your tracks to LEARN a lesson well?!!  I'm content for it to be that way...I need to learn things well!

So, today I am forcing food & drink down - so that Pea can eat!  And I'm trying to work out just what I can do to entertain Bean.  Especially after I've just been told "Mister Maker is my best friend..."  Oh, the guilt...the child has watched far too much Beebies!  Hey ho...maybe the bug will have had it's fun and moved on tomorrow.  Until it does.  Nothing to do, but ease into the enforced slow pace.  Enjoy the simple luxury of time with my family...without feeling pressure to rush around.  Sleep when the girls let me.  And plan how to make a family meal of the BRAT (Banana ,Rice, stewed Apple & Toast) diet recommended for poorly tums!

TGI Friday...

So this week has been a "hang on in there & survive" week!  Pea has had a growth spurt...2 hourly breastfeedings are NOT for the faint hearted.  It's had me reaching for the bottle!  No, not THAT bottle...the bottle of the AVENT variety (or some other well known brand!).  Only to top Pea up at my bedtime feeding.  But it's a bottle none the less.

Life in the Stamp house has proved challenging for Bean.  Mummy is tired and ratty.  Pea is forever attached to Mummy.  What's a girl to do?  Listen to music - The Music Machine is the favourite at the moment - & practice dancing around the living room.  She's quite a mover.  And I'm not sure the living room carpet will ever be the same again!

But today I'm not going to talk about balancing the needs of my 2 small children...I'm not going to talk about introducing a top-up formula feed, when I have been so set on exclusive breastfeeding...I'm not going to offer any complaints.  When we decided to have to children, we asked for all these things.  My children are one of the most amazing gifts I've been given.  I'm grateful for them.  I love them.

Today I want to talk about my parenting partner.  Dear hubby has amazing instincts with parenting.  Even on the practical stuff...like feeding.  With Bean, he became an expert in breastfeeding, so that he could coach me.  Or discipline...just how does he get Bean to obey first time?! This week, I have learned, I'm not parenting alone.  I have a partner.  We need to work together.  To win at this parenting lark...my parenting partner MUST be prized!  Naturally, as the "professional" mum, I have more time to research stuff.  I'm also the one implementing our parenting 75% of the time!  But dear hubby has a unique perspective, that cuts right to the root of most problems. 

So next week, I will be striving to prize dear hubby & parent together with him!

See you all next week...I'll let you know how the bottle works!!!

Hmm...temptation!

We had 3 blissful, full night sleeps last week! Someone even complimented me on looking "so fresh" for a mum of 2!!!

Trouble is I've worked out what brought on this treat...some friends (knowing my penchant for fruits of the vineyard) gave me some LOVELY wine for my birthday. Last week, said wine was enjoyed, on 3 nights. Yep, I did the math. Wine = sleep!

Here's my temptation...I could abuse this knowledge.

So desperate for sleep am I that I am tempted to indulge. Every night. Problem is dear hubbie doesn't like a drink, as much as I do. So, I would be drinking alone. Not a good habit (for me) to develop. Poor Pea, must also be getting a hit. If I indulged am I setting her up for a bad habit too? Will she wake with a fuggy head, after a I've enjoyed my vino? I can't be sure.

What am I going to do? Go back to my rules! Work on reducing the feed in the middle of the night! And have a glass of wine when I want one!

On another note...dear hubbie took Bean to the airport, to look at planes today! He did have to collect someone too - they weren't just plane spotting! Dear hubbie has the travel bug at the moment. He's reading a fantastic book by Rob Lilwall, Cycling Home from Siberia. We're raising our girls to (eventually) leave us. Be independent. Today, my girl's world just got a little bigger. Shame she was disappointed with the planes...she was a tad confused that they were much bigger than the ones in the sky! She eventually made sense of it. Lying in the garden, gazing up at the sky..."look Daddy, a tiny plane!"

Surviving the first 6 weeks...

So, we have always said the first 6 weeks, post-baby, is a dog show! 

The first 6 months are tough, but by then you kinda know what your doing & what baby needs.  So, how DO you survive those first few weeks?  How do you enjoy the magic of a newborn? 

Personally, I need to know what I am doing, when.  So I have some golden rules that I (try to!) follow, to make life with bubba more calm.  Obviously, newborns are slightly a law unto themselves...and they have so many growth spurts or developmental leaps that it can feel like you don't know which end to feed & which end to clean!!!  So, when I felt like I didn't know Pea or what she needed, I returned to these basics.  Focused on them.  Eased Pea into the structure.  Enventually, I'd calm down & feel like the experienced mum that I am!  A calm mum, a happy home does make!

The Rules

• Get the day started at 7am!  Wake babe & follow the EAT, WAKE, SLEEP cycle
• Establish a regular bed time - try & keep sleep cues the same
• Make sure they always take a full feed (which also helps them to not get used to falling asleep when feeding)
• Before you climb into bed, wake Bub & give them milk

Second time around, looking after Pea has been a tad easier...we've just faced some other challenges. But those are for another day!

Hope you have a good weekend!  We've got a fun one planned...will be back next week with more on the rules & other stuff!

Introducing...

Introducing...

We are a young family...me, dear husband, the two-year old Bean & 8-week old baby Pea!  We're surviving the arrival of Pea and wanted to talk about how life is for us.  We are people of faith, fun-loving, beach bumming, a blend of cultures. 

Me - I work at home.  I worked as a Community Children's Nurse, before we moved to be near the ocean.  I try to keep my hand in nursing.  But consider myself a professional wife & mum (in that order!). I love Jesus, I want my daughters to as well.  British born & bred.

Dear husband - works hard, plays harder.  Man of wisdom, strength & the biggest wind-up merchant you could wish to meet!  Life is always fun when he's around!  He loves Jesus, and leads us well.  Mostly South African, with a hint of many other nations!

Our philosophy on family life - kids are part of the family, not the centre.  We do things together, we want our girls to have a go.  We honour Jesus.

Bean is kind, nuturing, half monkey, half girl.  Excited about starting (pre!)school after "Pistmas".  Cheeky, but with a killer smile she'll wield to try and get out of trouble!  She was a dream baby, slept through early.  She keeps us on our toes and melts our hearts in equal measure.

Pea - just feeling like we've got to know her.  We have been given another dream babe.  She put herself on a 3-hourly routine, from Day 1.  She eats well, sleeps well.  The most peaceful child you could ever wish to meet.  Mind, she needs to be chilled to slot into The Stamp Family.

This is an opportunity to share what works for us, with 2 young children.  How to keep sane, when it feels like your grip on reality is fading.  How to keep smiling.  How to get The Baby to sleep, when we need them to (feeling rather jubilant that we're 2 nights in to sleeping through the night)!

I hope you enjoy & join in.  Feel free to comment, or ask questions - if I don't know the answer I'll try and find it out.