Chrissy 2012

Well its been way too long since I toke some time out to reflect on my life!  This year has been moving along at a crazy pace with lots of visitors (Shammy's parents, James,nic and Jude's visit and then mum.).   All very appreciated and it felt quiet and I missed the extra company after they left.

Not to forget either, a beautiful wedding and a gathering of the white family.  It was so good to see sol and Safiya meet their poppy, uncle Ady, Nathan and Jamie and Aunty Nic.  Although the trip was exhausting it was well and truly worth it and the mumbles now has a place in my heart.

The kids are full-on at the moment and there is never a dull moment.  I find some outdoor activity or a way to burn some energy makes everyone's day more peaceful.
They have just started some more swim lessons which they love and I have to give the instructor kudos for how creative she is and the way she makes swimming so fun.  It is hard to drag them away afterwards and even the promise of a treat and a visit to the choo choos only works once we have made it out of the door from the pool.  They sleep like logs afterwards and I find the session exhausting also :).
They are still enjoying day care and seem to like the group of children they are moving up with.  Just recently they have started putting Sol up with the two year olds which he seems to enjoy and it gives Sol and Safiya some time out from each other which they need, since the start of the "mine" and throwing stage.
Safiya really seems to be getting the hang of the potty these days particularly since the treat incentive was introduced.  My concern will now be where to take her that's clean when we are out.  Sol is not quite there yet but I'm sure his competitive streak will mean he won't be far behind when he finds himself the only one still in nappys.

We are all looking forward to Christmas this year with the kids loving the Christmas lights and they are starting to grasp the concept of presents and Santa.

Shammy is heading to Australia in march next year which is a trip I would loved to have join him on, but it is too expensive and exhausting to travel this distance with the kids so it will have to be left until we return to Australia in 2015.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all and lots of love xoxo
Sammy, Shammy, sol and safiya.

Happy Anniversary Shammy!!

It is hard to believe we have only been married 4 years we seem to have packed so much into that time.  (I'm not sure if its a good or a bad thing that it feels longer than this :) ).  With such an intense weekly schedule, it is easy to let time fly by without just taking time for the 2 of us.  Sharing ideas, problem solving and trying to do the best we can for Sol and Safiya as parents definitely makes for some challenging times but we always try to remain open to each other's ideas even if our stubborn streaks show through first :).  And above all still being able to laugh together makes each day that much more fun.
Shammy seems to be playing nurse aid for me a bit at the moment, I was having issues with a blocked ear and a couple of days ago I managed to strain my back so that even walking was an issue and bending down out of the question.  The kids seemed to sense my inability to be able to pick them up and hold them and proceeded to sob uncontrollably making me feel even more helpless.  I ended up consoling them by letting them crawl over my back while I lay on the ground, which had Safiya giggling away.
Thankfully I am on the road to recovery due to a sports masseust at our gym who was able to manipulate and stretch tight muscles so that I could bend again and by keeping her stretches up I am getting more mobile each day.
Our half marathon is a few weeks away now and we have one more week of intense training left, so this another reason why a quick recovery is essential.
Shammy's parents are coming to visit in May and it will be great to have them meet their grandchildren finally and show them around the area we live.  I am also really looking forward to some authentic indian food, yummy!  This will be followed by visits from James, Nic and Jude and Mum and hopefully if all goes according to plan a trip to Wales for the big event.
Sol and Safiya are doing so well and seem to really enjoy their day care once a week and the activities they get to do and the interaction with the other kids.  Safiya is now able to say "car" and has decided that everything should temporarily be called a car until she can give it another label and they both are getting much better at following questions and instructions.  Of course their greatest excitement comes when the words "shoes and socks" and "jacket" are mentioned.  Sol seems to have mastered the word "yes" and will fire this back at you when you ask a question.
I just get so excited with everything new they learn and another skill they pick up

As we headed off last sunday on a perfect winters day, the roads clear of snow and the sun shining with temperatures above 0 degrees celsius, I felt lucky to be out running a 10km again with Shammy beside me. As in previous years the hills took their toll on me but I had Shammy's orange jersey bopping in front of me as motivation. I was surprised at how well I did as I was sure that I was almost moving backwards on the last hill before the finish line. A minute behind my time 2 years ago which is not bad when this time last year just getting out for a walk a day was a challenge :).
The extra luxury of an hour out afterwards to stretch and shower at the gym and sit down for some lunch together and to return home to 2 smiling toddlers made my day.
We have signed up for the half-marathon in April so back to the training schedule again, and an early booking of a new baby sitter we have started using will be a must.

As of next week I'll also be doing another half/full day at work depending on how the kids go at day care. We have a couple of baby sitters up our sleeve now thanks to some connections from the creche at gym. The kids love Marlene and Shaesta who help out along with our regular baby sitter Aleesha.
We wanted to expose Sol and Safiya to some more children and allow them to benefit from different stimuli they provide at day care. It will also give them some time out from being with each other exclusively and I think they will enjoy it as I know how much they love the creche at the gym. This will mean I'll be working 3 days a week and occassionally 4 when I work the Saturday also. I'm hoping this will be a good balance for everyone and if it doesn't work we can always pull them out, I'm lucky to have such a flexible place to work.
Everyone by now has probably also heard that Shammy has accepted the offer of an EP fellowship in Hershey starting from June 2013 so there will be lots of change on the way with that.
Sol and Safiya are enjoying their motility and climbing proes and there daily gabble is starting to sound more word like. Its so cute when you ask for a book and they go and get it for you or head straight for the table when you say 'breakfast is ready'. Shaesta was saying that she was singing some nursery rhymes and Safiya went over and picked up the book on the shelf and opened it to the correct page. Some of the latest words are cwap, cwap when she claps her hands together and 'gook' for book.

Happy birthday Bubbas!!

Its time to reflect on the two best presents I have received;

Safiya; My little giggle pots, thanks for making mummy laugh with your infectious giggle, mischievous eyes and screeches of delight. Your latest efforts at walking started with a running tackle - taking out your brother of course :). To strangers you come across shy but quietly check out the scene and take mental notes for later use. You have a quiet determination and always surprise us with a new skill you seem to have picked up overnight. I love the way u clap with delight and smile when your favorite bedtime story begins.

Sol; my smiley, happy boy with the cute curls. You have such a gentle nature, a love of books and an inquistive mind, quietly checking out the latest object with your index finger. You are forever trailing objects around the house, one in each hand, the latest being a black and red pair of Safiya's stockings. Not to be detered when you trip over them and very protective if anyone in the family should come near your precious goodies! I love our games of chase and catch even if you don't run away very far before coming back to check if we are still near by.

Thanks for making my every day a brighter place, happy birthday to my two rays of sunshine,
love you lots
Mummy