a bedtime ritual to remember // the last baby

The 'last baby' tends to make you cherish babyhood to an extent you never quite did before. Sweet moments become all the sweeter, steeped in a preemptive nostalgia, aware as you are of how fleeting and precious these crazy days really are.

Hence, the bed time routine with my littlest one, Miles, has tended to linger a little longer and feel a little more delightful each night... especially as he gets all the closer to a big boy bed, when I can realistically no longer pretend he is my little baby, heehee! (Just kidding, he is my baby foreverrrrrrrrr, right?!)

I've never been one to drag out bed time too much, but how can I not with this little cherub? Putting him to bed is one of the most tender moments of the day. After bed time preparations are done, books are read and wrestles with Daddy have occurred, I pop him into his sleeping bag (putting it on backwards so he can't take it off overnight and freeze!!) so the snuggles can commence.

Miles is a stickler for routine and loves to remind me of every step. This kid does not forget.
Firstly, he reminds me to switch off the lights. I tote him over so he can flick the switch, then we say 'goodnight' to the little wooden airplane that swings from the ceiling, giving it a little push to send it soaring.

Now, this boy. Simply put, he just gets a kick out of seeing how far he can push things! Yet, it's not in a truly rebellious or stubborn kind of way, he doesn't even seem to really care about the outcome - it's just for his own amusement. As soon as I clearly and firmly lay down the boundary, he accepts it, basically just shrugs and moves on (with a twinkle in his eye that showed he was just testing for his own entertainment anyway!). Perhaps because he knows that a boundary once set is not movable goal, so there is no point getting too upset about it?? But being a little scientist, he just likes to test it over and over again, just in case!? ;)

Case in point, the 'snuggle blanket' for our song time. First, he asked for one blanket to snuggle with while I sang our special song. Sure thing, sweet child! (Trying not to take offence at my clearly too-bony shoulders, haha!). Then a few nights later, he asked for two blankies to snuggle. Ok, ok, sure, why not? I went with it. The next night he decided to step it up a notch, and request three blankies!! Seeing where this is going (and not wanting to collapse under a mountain of blankies), I said 'No Miles, two blankies are enough now'. He responds 'Awwwwww, want three blankies!!!', pretending to whine when really he is simply teasing (I suspect he discovered this whiny tone from older siblings *ahem* and likes to try it on for size). I repeat that two blankets is enough, and he cheerfully just replies 'Ok!' and snuggles in. I mean, really!!This must be a third child thing, haha. This little guy has such a sense of humour, our whole routine is full of little jokes, teasing and 'playacting'. I never knew a two year old could have such a sense of comedic timing :) He also likes to try to add an ever increasing number of steps to the routine, just to see how elaborate he can make it before I pull in the reins. Cheeky... give 'em an inch and they take a mile, right?! ;)

Ahhh, parenting. One day you stop and realise both parent and child are kinda just experimenting on each other, right?!

Anyway! The Blankie issue decided, he lays it on my shoulder, getting it perfectly cosy for nestling. As I begin to sing 'our song', he wraps one arm around my neck and uses the other hand to gently pat my hair - and sometimes even requests that I take it out of its topknot, lol!! Snuggled in, I sing the song that's been his since birth, 'You are my Sunshine'. If I attempt to skip the second verse, he starts to sing it as a prompt, especially the high section that is his favourite,  'I dreamt I held you in my arms'. I swoop him down into bed, blanket smoothed on top and tucked in tightly, rolling it under his arms so he looks like a baby burrito. I coo goodnight as I stroke his forehead and brush his hair to the side in that unrequired but oh-so-satisfying maternal gesture. We exchange smiles and grins and looks that say 'This is our special time, isn't it? We love it.'


'Goodnight, sweet Miles. Mummy loves you, Daddy loves you, God loves you.'
'Love looooo!!' he grins.
He then likes to follow up with 'What you doing? Cuppa tea??'
'Yes, Miles, I'm having a cuppa tea and a rest now. Goodnight, my lovely boy'
'Night, Mummy! See yaaaaaaa'

Grinning and giggling, he watches me as I leave the room, calling farewells. Every night I am aware that it's one more night of this precious routine, and one less night to go. So many moments to cherish in motherhood, surely one could not possibly 'cherish' them all while still functioning as an actual adult! We kinda have to pick and choose. And so, this one? Oh, cherish. Cherish I have and I will.

Goodnight, Baby Boy. Thank you for being so delightfully you, for precious memories and a night time ritual to treasure xx

Secret Tea Party Society

** these photos weren't taken today but am i am posting them today in the spirit of making this blog more managable for me right now**

I spend some of the day at my Mum's house with the kids so I could be with them while also getting some help in caring for them, and some extra rest for me.

Intruding as I was on Lily's regular routine of hanging out at Nana's house, I got to witness a few of their special little traditions. After nap time, Lily started carefully setting up the kids' table, piece by piece, with little vintage china tea settings. I was witnessing the Secret Tea Party Society in action...

Wow, I commented, you get to use all those special things to have a tea party with Nana?

We do this everytime, Lily replied nonchalently.

Indeed.

Such a little lady...

And so, real china plates, little tea cups, tiny tea pots (with real very very weak tea), milk jugs (with real milk), sugar jars (pretend sugar), mini-teaspoons, gingernut biscuits and a few mixed nuts in a dish were carefully placed on the table by the Lady In Charge Of Proceedings (Lily). Everyone took their seats, including a wriggly little brother (special guest) as Lily took the role of Mother, mixing up everyone's tea to their specifications with care and finesse. A paper towel was judiciously used by Mother to mop up any drips and drops from the finicky tea pot, accompanied by a genial 'Ooops, a little spill, that's ok'.

I watched with bemusement from my spot lying on the couch.

It was pretty darn cute.

Most sweet of all - even after watching Eli down four mini-cups of tea - was getting a glimpse into this private world of grandmother and grandchildren. A world where Nana takes the time, every time the grand kids visit, to sit down with them to an elaborate and delicate tea party, practising table manners, acting grown up and partaking of sweet treats and moments together.

These are the memories a childhood is made of. Grandparent memories of special bonds and secret rituals. Precious indeed, and a rich blessing for all involved.

I am besotted with her sweet little hands!

Cuggles

Every day before the afternoon nap, after I read the kids a story in Lily's bed, she asks 'Please can Eli jump in for a little cuddle?'. By now he knows what to expect and has already started clambering back up onto the bed shouting 'CUGGLE!!!!'. They lie their heads on the pillow and shriek, giggle, kiss, cuddle, pinch each others noses, poke each other in the eye and so on, all the while laughing hysterically. Good times!? Lately Lily has also taken to suggesting 'Mummy, do you want to take a little photo of us?' This is rare, she is not usually  fan of photo time, but I think she just enjoys this sweet time so much.... needless to say, so do I!

I'm not fast enough to capture their cute kisses but I think these photos give a sense of all the fun!

Love to see them loving each other...

Pancakes with Daddy

Every Saturday morning, Mark makes blueberry pancakes with the kids for breakfast. He is just that kind of Daddy - fun, dedicated, involved, and always up for adventures with the kids, even the gastronomical kind! It is a Daddy and the Kids tradition, as I am usually off at boot camp at 7.30am on Saturday (or sometimes **cough*sleeping-in*cough**). Although I sometimes feel sad to miss the family time (while I'm also very much enjoying the me-time, but that's another post!), I also love knowing that Mark is getting that quality time with the kids, building their own fun memories together.





Cracking the eggs

 
It is hard to over state what a fantastic daddy Mark is... a wonderful family man, he is just so good with the kids and I love his commitment to spending 'real time' with them, and their pure adoration of him. I can't help but give the guy a little blog-world glory, he totally deserves it! He is extremely patient with them and is particularly good (in contrast to myself!!) at painstakingly helping them master new tasks. For example, with pancake making, Lily can pretty much mix up the entire batter herself, from cracking the eggs to sifting to beating - all learnt step by step thanks to her father's gentle instruction and saint-like patience!




Beating the mixture is a whizz!

 I love that the kids know that Saturday is 'Pancakes with Daddy' Day! Just knowing my three favourite people are hanging out and having a good time together. He always makes it so fun, playing music and laughing with the kids and they eat a crazy amount of pancakes (Eli eats three big ones at least!). If perchance I'm still in bed, I get some delivered along with a cup of tea (Yes, I am spoilt and no, he is not available for hire!). Afterwards he will often take them out to the park, to Questacon or another concocted Daddy-style adventure. I'm sure those mornings are some of my kid's most delightful memories... love that!



Love that bed-head at breakfast!




Oh yes, I should add that Lily is of the opinion that if you aren't dressed in your tutu and pink sparkly dress-up shoes (on the wrong feet) by 8am, well then frankly, you just aren't really living!

After this sweet morning, Mark had to leave for a five night interstate work trip. Travel for work is thankfully rare, for we are already missing him terribly! But I have to recount the conversation that took place this morning...

M: I can't believe I'm going to be away from you all for so long, just stuck in hotel rooms at night eating take away and nothing to do but read or watch TV. (Yes, he really means this)
K: (Jaw dropping) Are you kidding me? That is like my DREAM!!!!

Am I the only mother who has the occasional fantasy (on those rough days) of such a time - kicking back with nothing to do and no one else to take care of??! Only me? Oh, ok then! Anyway, bless his heart, he hates to be away from his family and we sure hate to have him away!

Hurry home, honey! The kids miss you already and so do I!


Goodbye Cuddles

 

7.30pm

Of all our family rituals, we the parents must admit that one of our very favourites is one that occurs nightly at 7.30pm. The kids have been bathed and had teeth brushed, been read to, cuddled and prayed with, then tucked into bed. Oh how we love them, but oh how we also love that magical time of 7.30pm. Mark brews the pot of tea, and we sit down on the couch together to snuggle up and watch an episode of something light (these days it's usually 30 Rock) while we sip a cup of tea and have two  three four a few pieces of chocolate (these days it's Cadbury Dream).

Ahhhhhhh.... sometimes just the thought of this sweet time is what keeps you powering through those long days and more challenging moments of parenthood! Sitting down together, with a job well done (or done at least!) and an evening ahead to relax and reconnect.

Although my precious children are the source of many delights in this family and I'm sure will also be the focus of much of this blog, I also want to document other areas of delight in our family and lives! As much as we adore our children, I'm sure many parents will agree they are just that little bit more adorable when peacefully asleep!!! (and then of course they look so cute, you get this crazy urge to wake them up. Do NOT listen to this urge! Kiss them and walk away... trust me!)

Our nightly 'tea and chocolate' ritual is a quiet time to relax together that we both simply adore. It reminds us that we are a team - we work hard for our kids, especially while they are so young, and it's ever so satisfying to also take a little down time together, just to chill and snuggle and laugh. One or both of us may be so completely exhausted it seems hardly possible to even lift that cup of tea to our lips, but just sitting side by side seems to make everything alright.