Friday 27 April 2012

(Day 147) Cuddle Bear





Do you know those days when you wake up and everybody wants to cuddle you?

This morning was the first cold (ish) morning of your whole life! everybody was wrapped up in their pj's and wrestling to have a cuddle with you the minute that your little eyes opened!

What a hard life to be so loved by so many people!

Monday 23 April 2012

(Day 143) Why four children?



More times that I can care to remember, I have been asked 'why four children?', and more times than I care to remember, this question has been followed by negative remarks and comments about how much in life is lost by 'having' to raise kids. I couldn't disagree more. And here is why.

Children teach you excitement, and how to see joy in the smallest of things

When you have children, the mornings and brighter and full of joy, adventure and the promise of 'firsts'. First times smiling, laughing, playing, eating dirt or blowing raspberries at Mama. Everything is exciting, because seeing things for the first, second and (sometimes even the hundredth) time through your child's eyes is like seeing everything brand new all over again. There is nothing in the world quite like seeing your little person have their first taste of ice cream, or seeing the expression on their face when they discover that pulling Dada's hair makes him cry out - and seeing them do it again! 

And even into teenage-hood, the thrill of firsts (first dates, first concerts, first time performing on stage) never lose its excitement, as you watch your children experience new things for the first and second times, and grow and change into their own people.

Children teach you adventure!

Everything is an adventure for little people. Just visiting the beach is an adventure for children, who squeal when their feet hit the sand, and they go running head- first into the salty water. Pools are built in the sand by older siblings so that younger siblings can play in the water without fear of sharks or stingers (aww!). Boogie boards get turned into crab sanctuaries by little boys who carefully collect sea creatures, sand and seashells to create miniature theme parks. And something as simple as a crab shell can create hours of fun as children polish and shine it as a present to take home to Daddy, or as a souvenir of their day. 

Children show you how to appreciate freedom

With kids, going to the park is far more than just sitting under a pretty tree. It is full of swinging and jumping, running, roller blading, skating, swimming, spinning and rolling around in the grass. Children, (and even teenage children) when they are free of video games, television and all of the modern things that distract human beings from appreciating life, are the best teachers of freedom. When separated from shopping malls, brand name clothing and toy advertisements, children find ways to enjoy small things, and create joyfulness in the simplest of ways.

 As a parent, I often marvel at how wonderfully co-operative and creative our children can be when they are separated from modern media, and I endeavour to remove television, phones and internet from our day to day household as much as possible to allow our children to be creative, and enjoy spending time with each other. 


In short answer to why we have four children; 

they make our lives so much better, 

and

we are so incredibly lucky to be able to give our children the gift of each other

Sunday 22 April 2012

(Day 142) Sunrise over sea






Please note: due to extensive time commitments with four children (including the lovely layla) this blog entry will be updated properly by the author asap (in between nappy changes, runs on the beach, swimming, playing and nap times). Thank you for your readership and your patience!

Saturday 21 April 2012

(Day 141) Grabbing the camera!



Please note: due to extensive time commitments with four children (including the lovely layla) this blog entry will be updated properly by the author asap (in between nappy changes, runs on the beach, swimming, playing and nap times). Thank you for your readership and your patience!

Friday 20 April 2012

(Day 140) Exploring the world


Today you found a twig on the beach to play with

which wouldn't be anything extraordinary, except that it is the very first day that you have even noticed that there are unexpected toys all around you (twigs, leaves, grass, sand, unsuspecting people's hair!) that you can examine, play and wonder at 

welcome to the wonderful world of exploration!

Thursday 19 April 2012

(Day 139) First time on a ferry!


Today was your first time on a ferry! (or any kind of boat for that matter) and it was also your brother's very first time to a tropical island!

While Sammy was wondering at the water, the waves, the island up ahead, the speed of the boat and every other minute detail

Bella was trying not to throw up

Your biggest sister was jumping around excitedly 

And you were busy trying to chew on Dadda's arm as your second tooth came through!

What a day :-)

Monday 16 April 2012

(Day 136) Love Daddy


After months of persistance, Daddy has finally won you over!

Go Daddy!

Friday 13 April 2012

(Day 133) Beach babe


You are officially now a beach babe

or a beach bum!

I am not sure how many days of your 133 days of life you have spent at the beach, but there have been many of them - so many that sunscreen and a beach hat are a staple in our nappy bag! 

Today was no exception - hanging out on a particularly windy day at the beach, watching Bella and Sam jump through very big waves, with one of Bella's school friends. Today Sam was trying out his new surf board, and having a great time getting dunked in the water and running back into it again. 

The wind was that hard and fast that we were struggling to walk against it at one stage, and you were tightly wrapped in your muslin cloth to stop sand from blowing into your face. However, being the curious little girl you are, you kept struggling free of the cloth and putting your face into the wind, then getting a shock when your eyes started to go red and puffy! 

This is a pic of you being stubborn and insisting on looking out to sea!

Thursday 12 April 2012

(Day 132) On the swings




Most little children are first introduced to the joys of the park when they are old enough to at least toddle around the place, and climb up onto the swings - but these are the advantages of having three older siblings to love and take care of you! 

...another day at the park, hanging out on the swing next to the beach!

Wednesday 11 April 2012

(Day 131) High on Bonjela




The funniest thing about you teething (you have one on your bottom jaw and another one emerging just next to it!) is seeing you (on the rare occasion that you are in enough pain to warrant medication) so happy and giggly once the pain relief is administered!

This was taken mid-giggle, as you swung your head back and forth, chattering and smiling

Until approximately two seconds later, when you were completely conked out!

Monday 9 April 2012

(Day 129) Biting everything!




Your second tooth is coming through (only a week after your first had made it's appearance! - though it is only half way out) and you just want to bite everything (including Mama)...

It is quite funny

...and painful!

Saturday 7 April 2012

Day 127: My precious little girl

 Dear Layla-Rae

I looked at you today and suddenly you are a little girl

Not just a baby, or somebody's little sister

But a beautiful, wonderful, spirited little person all of your own

You are starting to scream when you are frustrated, laugh when something is funny, cry out when you want something, struggle when you need a change...perfectly wonderful and amazing just as you are.

I don't know how we could possibly love you any more than we do 

xxx love Mama

Tuesday 3 April 2012

(Day 123) Bare bum on the beach


In the last few days you have been getting your very first tooth! At exactly four months old yesterday, it was a little bit of surprise, but you have been taking it pretty well. You have been a tiny bit grizzly but otherwise you are happy for approximately 23 hours of the day!

It is the second day of school holidays and it is super hot at the moment, so a trip to the beach was in order - there is nothing like heading to the beach first thing in the morning, holiday music blaring (you still have a penchant for John Butler Trio, so that is what is currently playing in our car!) and the wind in your hair (well not yours because you are still waiting for your hair to grow!). 

Your big sister was busy telling us how she couldn't wait until her 16th birthday so that she could get a car and drive off into the sunset, and your brother and sister thought she was crazy - because going to the beach with Mum is one of the most fun things in the world!

We were a little bit worried about letting you swim in the swimming enclosure because it is still stinger season, so your brother and sisters did the only logical thing...they dug you your own swimming pool!


What you are up to this week:

1) you think that your big brother is the funniest person in the universe! You gave him your very first proper laugh last night, when he did a silly dance and a song that he made up for you, which ends in a high pitched "are you fluffy?!" and you laugh and laugh until everybody in the house is laughing at you!

2) you have just got your first tooth starting to come through

3) you are rolling over onto your belly every single time that you are put down (and Bec is very much wanting Sophie to copy you!)

4) You have just started realising who people are (friends and family) and even smiled at your bestie yesterday, and tried to play with her for the first time - she was very happy!

5) you have discovered how to squeal when you want something!

6) you LOVE banana and had your very first meal of banana this week - demolishing almost half of it

7) Sam is constantly trying to get you to laugh again at the moment - doing his funny dance/ song at every moment. So much that every time you look at him you get a big smile on your face, just waiting for him to do something funny

(Day 122) First trip to university


Today we had your first trip ever out to the university, where Mummy went to pick up her graduation gown! It was a very exciting occasion - Mummy has had to wait 11 years to finish her degree and your big brother came and held you while I tried on different sized gowns and hats. 

It is so hard to believe that while your three brothers and sisters have never known a life without Mummy studying, you will never know a life without your Mummy having a degree! It is a wonderful year in our life and I am so happy that you are here to be a part of it.

Mummy stood for the longest time in front of the mirror at the university, trying to decide whether to buy or rent my graduation gown. And finally I decided to buy it. 

With four of you, I am sure that my gown and mortar board will be put to good use again one day 


Sunday 1 April 2012

(Day 121) The forbidden fruit


It is always the forbidden fruit that is the most alluring!