The Blogosphere

Today I thought I would share some blogs and blog posts that I have read recently that I loved - I hope you enjoy them too.

One of the blogs I love to read is 'Dear Spike, Love Dad" - it's a collection of letters (as the title suggests).  It's so lovely to read a blog from the Daddy perspective and boy can this dad write. This post will have you nodding in agreement and wishing you wrote it first.

I stumbled on this post via Fatmumslim (which is another blog you should absolutely check out).  It's a birth story like no other - it's beautiful and heartbreakingly sad but it is ultimately uplifting.  It will remind you what's important in life.  The author is so remarkably honest in sharing her story you will just want to give her a hug.

The whole darn blog is gorgeous so grab a cuppa and settle in.

Mila's Daydreams is one of the most unique blogs I've ever found.  This Mama from Helsinki creates 'scenes' around her sleeping daughter and photographs them.  I've been checking it out for a while and I love it.  I suspected if I shared it some people may find it all rather odd.  I guess it is - but it looks like so much fun and it is a catalogue of amazing photos for this little girl. The mum swears it all only takes a few minutes and then Mila gets on with napping in peace.

Isn't the world of blogs an amazing and inspiring place.  What's your favourite blog?

Blogtoberfest

I will not miss a day

I will not miss a day

I will not miss a day

I'll be back later to keep up my commitment of blogging every day in October - I've got something I think you'll all enjoy!!

Kids and Food

I recently read this post over at Life in a Pink Fibro - which was not only a little giggle at the absurdity of Junior Masterchef but raised the issue of getting kids to eat.

I know for a fact that this problem is not new - my mum will tell you that my sister would only eat vegemite sandwiches for years.  My dad often reminds me of words that apparently were common from my mouth 'If I'm hungry I'll eat' (Ironic now - as an adult with a weight problem and a penchant for eating come rain, hail or shine!).

We struggle here with a 2 year old that is completely disinterested in food.  If he's hungry which is rare - he will eat anything - he's not a fussy eater but quantity is our problem.

He's fit and healthy but definitely a slim kid - not skinny or scrawny just slim.  They say that a child will not starve themselves and I believe that.  Is he perhaps eating just right and it's my attitudes to food that are wrong.

When we sit at the table for a meal he is up and down off his chair a hundred times.  Even when his favourite cousins or friends are sitting eating he's still the same.

We start every day with 2 weetbix and a banana but that is really the only full meal eaten each day. I spoon feed to make sure it gets eaten.  If I leave him to his own devices 2 maybe 3 spoonfuls will make it in before he wanders off.  Lunch might be a cube of cheese, a nibble of ham and a couple of crackers. Dinner is a complete non-event.

We don't give him any 'bad' food but we do allow him to eat what's on offer at parties and even then he's not overly interested.

I don't actually get stressed about it - we have taken the approach that he will eat when he's hungry.  We offer him varied and healthy options and we wait.

Sometimes I think people are judging me for not being more forceful about it.

What are your kids eating?  How are you handling these challenges? Give me your advice?

Weekend Fun

Oh my goodness how did the weekend get here already??  Here are the pictures from last weekend.

This weekend we are watching the Grand Final (hang on isn't that what we did last weekend!!), seeing The Gruffalo theatre production, celebrating a 4th birthday and hopefully some gardening and spring cleaning.

What does the weekend have in store for you??

'Noah do it'

Can there be such a thing as too much independence??

I have always been very patient with Noah and allowed him to try everything. I never just do things for him without using at as a lesson.  I talk to him about everything that goes on in our day.  I show him how to do everything for himself. Maybe he would have been crazy independent anyway, maybe I've made a rod for my own back.  The kid is mad about doing everything for himself.  You name it - shoes on and off, unlocking the front door, putting his seat belt on, washing his own dishes, making his own breakfast, fill his own water bottle - the list goes on and on and on.

It's awesome - I'm proud of him - but all this 'doing it himself' is a slow process and sometimes I'm in a hurry.

How can I rush him when he's trying so hard to do all the things I've taught him. I can't possibly discourage this wonderful independence and ability.  I need to find a balance - a way to get him to understand that sometimes Mummy needs to help - any attempts at helping currently result in a tantrum - love those.

Bring on 3 - it's all smooth sailing from there - right???!!

The one thing he won't do is spoon feed himself and that would actually really help me out!!! (This is a story for another day)

What's happening at your house - are the kids taking charge or are you a servant to their every need?



** I am participating in Blogtoberfest over at Tinniegirl so come and check if I can actually blog every day for 31 days.

Linguistics

Don't you just find the development of language amazing.  I really wish we had some access to a second language because what a blessing for a child to learn 2 or even 3 languages at this time when their mind is so extraordinarily capable.

Noah is talking now - really talking.  I couldn't possibly record his language by number of words - he can say everything.  He can copy any word he hears although he does struggle a bit with 'F's' and words with 'L' as the second letter.  I am amazed every day at the development of his vocabulary.  He talks constantly - essentially Noah is the commentator of his own life.  "Noah saw a truck" "Noah saw/did/want (insert word here)"

It's exciting to hear words that have been around for months and months improve to be perfectly comprehensible -  'nana' has become ba-nana', 'dater' is now 'water' family and friends names have been practised and perfected.  Not all words are good - as I hit the brakes a little hard yesterday I exclaimed 'jeepers' Noah said 'oh shit' - hey at least it was used in perfect context. I chose to pretend I didn't hear.

He has some funny expressions - in particular "Noah want it" - which actually means that he doesn't want to do, eat, go whatever or wherever I'm offering.  I can't help but giggle as he yells it at me with such vehemence.

We've never shortened or cute-ified (that's a word) any words so as a result he says rhinoceros and tyrannosaurus and all kinds of words even the best of us can get tongue tied over.

Every day there are new words, life is such an adventure for him and I feel so lucky to be invited along for the ride.

What funny expressions or words do your kids use??  How about the swear words - have any snuck in? How did you handle it?