"Music-y"

Bean: Did you put music on Mum?
Me: Yes
Bean: Why did you put music on Mum?
Me: Because it makes me happy.  Does music make you happy honey?
Bean: No, when you cuddle me it makes me feel music-y.

Brought a smile to my face and made my day really!

Bringing Joy

Flowers from dear friends, a Crusty Demon Bean, Olive's darling little fingers (we've taken to calling Liv 'Olive'...in a way it goes with 'Bean')...and the special picture Bean drew for Liv and stuck next to her cot.  Things bringing me joy at the moment.

Bean & Bubba's Mummy

Olivia Eve was born at 1030am on Monday 18th February 2013 (her due date mind you)!
8lb 7oz
We're home, happy, healthy and besotted!

Her big sister is in love...and continuously making us laugh.  She said she will "grow down, so she can drink milk from Mum's boobas too."

Mummies are strong

 "It's a Mummy pig, so it's a strong pig."
- Bean (referring to the pig she had just asked me to draw, so she could paint it)

Perfect timing.  I just love, how after a tiring couple of days when I feel like I have no energy or patience & that my parenting has been laziness personified... the Bean comes out with this one.  I'm in love Bean.  You rock!  And now I feel strong.  Hooray!

Baby Cheeses

As Bean stuck the 'card only' stickers onto our cards today she asked me "wat dat baby's name?", referring to the Christmas stamps. "Baby Jesus" I replied...beginning to wonder what on earth I would tell her if she asked for more information.  What are my beliefs?  What are our beliefs as a family?  We aren't religious.  Even if we were...she's 2...how do you explain religion to a 2 year old?  I'm sure we don't need to have the full conversation for a while anyway, but goodness it got me thinking!  Luckily she just went on to tell me "dat baby loves cheeses" and that she "loves cheeses too".  Big laughs all round.  Phew!  Something to think about though...

The pics show what we've been up to this past week.  I'm so tired, but I'm loving every minute of this.  What have you been up to?

Beany things I don't want to forget...

- when we sat at the piano and you asked me to play Twinkle Twinkle over and over, and then you asked me to sing too.  You joined in, with the sweetest little voice and you made the diamond shape with your hands...like a diamond in the sky.

- when I started singing along to Lior in the kitchen as I cleaned up and you were playing in the loungeroom.  The second I began, you came running in, stopped, stared at me and then started to bend at the knees, bopping along.

- watching as you learn to really mimic the instructors at Tiny Tots during the songs with actions, but then break into your own freestyle, twisting and turning and jumping and shaking your maracas (they're always green, you love green and won't allow them to hand you any other colour).

- watching you meticulously paste and sprinkle glitter onto your artwork.

- your amazing patience today as you "helped" me cut up the fruit for the Christmas cakes - you handed me 300g of raisins, one by one, watching as I cut each one in half.

I am super excited about your baby brother or sister joining us in February and us evolving into a new family shape.  I can't help but feel a little sad though.  Of course we will still have these moments darling Bean, but I feel a little bit sad that a chapter will be over for us and you will have to share. 

You are 2 years and 4 months old.  You are growing up so fast it seems.  Every week, you seem much older.  I love you so much precious Bean.

Too much Peppa Pig perhaps?

Bean: "Who the Bubba's Dadda?"
Me: ...amazed that at 2, she feels the need to ask..."Your Dadda is the Bubba's Dadda too.  We're a family."
Bean: "We a family of pigs!"

Hmmm....

Cock-a-doodle-doo

When Bean wakes in the morning these days, she sings and chats to herself for about half an hour, then loudly shouts 'cock-a-doodle-doo' when she wants to get lifted out of her cot.  Warm & fuzzy mornings around here.  Have a lovely week.

Funny, but seriously, help?

Recently I was cutting up carrots in the kitchen.  Bean and I were talking about cutting up these carrots and how we were about to cut up some zucchinis.  I'm not sure how, but the subject changed to the 'Bubba in Mummy's tummy'.  Wires were crossed.  Things became confused.  Bean announced with excitement "Cut the Bubba up!".  Whatever my reaction was at the time (to be honest, I can't remember if I laughed or looked utterly shocked), but whatever I did has caused this little Bean to blurt this out WAY too often for my liking, and then look to me for a reaction.  For example: we are in a cafe and there is a toddler nearby with a doll.  Bean exclaims, grinning "Cut the Bubba up!" and looks to me for a reaction.  The only reaction I notice in this disturbing scenario is the look of shear terror on the little girl with the doll's face, as she slinks towards her mother with her baby tucked firmly under her arm.  I don't think her mother heard it...

I've tried ignoring it.  I've tried reasoning, trying to explain we cuddle Bubbas and tickle them.   Any suggestions?

Beers & pears

Bean wandered into a bottle shop today and before I got the chance to grab her hand and lead her out of there, the man working there said "I'm going to need to see some ID".  This alone would have been hilarious, but then Bean decided to answer him with "Beer, beer".  Oh dear!  Not sure whether I should be proud or embarrassed...

Next stop: fruit shop.  The woman at the checkout offers Bean an apple or banana, to which Bean replies "Pear, want a pear.".  This is one little girl who knows what she wants.

Round and round she goes

I just love handmade cards.  I put pressure on myself to make them and if for some reason I don't get time and buy one, I feel guilty.  It is a bit crazy and I should give myself a break.  Moving right along...

I gave my Mum a card for Mother's Day, handmade, featuring some of Bean's artwork.  Just a sweet little splash of blue and green watercolour.  Mum adores it.  Then she astounded me by digging out a painting that I did when I was about the same age.  I am in awe!   It made me feel so connected, all of us, so part of something big - life.  And something small - us.  Life giving life...giving life.  To think that I am to Mum, what Bean is to me.  And I am a grown woman.  And Bean will be too one day.  It just blows my mind.  Lovely. 

Are you feeling in awe of the simple things?  I'd love to hear about them.

Sunshine and lollipops

Oh my, I am very excited!  I sent a snail mail parcel to the UK earlier this year in a swapsie with Jodi from Stuff'n'bits!  Vibeke (who by the way has a stunning blog... A Butterfly in My Hair) organised it.  Please stop by both their blogs - such wonderful spaces!

Anyway, Jodi has given Bean's Mummy her first blogging award.  Hooray, the first one!

So, I need to answer 10 questions and nominate 5 bloggers who I think deserve the award also.  Here we go...

1. Favourite colour? Green

2. Favourite number? 16

3. Favourite animal? Birds...used to be pigs...but the flying & freedom thing has won me.

4. Favourite non-alcoholic drink? Coffee
5. Do I prefer Facebook or Twitter? Facebook.  No interest in exploring Twitter.  Am in love with Pinterest.

6. What is my passion? Creating 'stuff' - crafting, cooking, playing music...planning & creating...endless possibilities...

7. Do I prefer giving or receiving? Definitely giving.

8. Favourite pattern? Floral - yikes, I really don't like the word though.  Nice florals.  Funky florals.  Cute florals.  You know...fun-Nana florals, not daggy florals...

9. Favourite day of the week? Today.  Friday.  Excellent!

10. Favourite flower? Sweet peas and peonies.  I can't decide.

My 5 Sunshine Awards, definitely in no particular order, go to...

1. Jen from Let It Go

2. Ally from Everyday Miracles

3. Kellie from 1000 Homes of Happiness

4. Jill from deux et un garcon (it has been a while - hope all is well)

5. Bron from Maxabella loves...
(Bron OMG that farm party!!!  You were very cool in my eyes before that, but now I'm just in awe)

Thanks so much Jodi and a very sunshiney Friday to all!

xxx

How good are hand-me-downs?

Just a quick link-up today with Maxabella.  We just went through 5 bags of hand-me-downs & sorted them into sizes, seasons and charity.  We are so very grateful for hand-me-downs!  Great for recycling and great for saving $$$.  Thanks cousins. xx

I love her determination

Frustrating search ends with the love giggles

So I couldn't find my keys this morning.  I searched high & low.  I phoned hubby twice (note that he is the forgetful one in this family...I was practically convinced he had taken said keys and put them somewhere random).  Eventually it occurred to me - I have an 18 month old who now walks.  Hmmmmm... "Where are Mummy's keys?"  "Carkey, carkey, carkey".  Adorable.  She didn't actually manage to lead me to them, but I did find them quite a while later inside one of her shoes.

I know many will be driven insane by used to this kind of behaviour, but it is SUCH a gem for me.  A first!  Anyone else out there in blogland with a cutesy story to tell?

Offerings for the fairies

 

Making me smile today (and every day really) is whoever thought to attach a little doorknob to this fascinating door in such an amazing tree!  We take Bean to leave flowers and acorns for the fairies and it is SO magical!  Linking up with Maxabella for 52 Weeks of Grateful.  Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend. xx

Madam says thanks

Waiting in line at the bakery in the local shopping centre, Bean decides to open her container of puffs and tip them all over the floor (those little puffed corn thingys that roll and blow about in the breeze and basically just spread right out).  A few people look and then look away. Bean proceeds to have a minor meltdown as I hop on the floor and begin picking up puffs.  It is not fun.  Everyone is ready for a nap at this point and I'm concentrating on breathing deeply to get through it and buy the bread we need for lunch.  At this precise moment, a cleaner wanders up with a dustpan and proceeds to finish up.  Thank you so much Mr Cleaner with your smiley helpful face!  He calls me Madam - totally not necessary but hey, I'll take it given the situation!  So I'm grateful for his kindness - it gives me a reason NOT to join in with the Bean and start howling.  I'm linking up with Kidspot for themed Gratefuls...yay Maxabella!

Happy Birthday

The deal is...(suggested by him a few months ago)...if I ensure there is a constant supply of these home-baked cookies...he will clean up the kitchen every single night after dinner.  What a great deal!  They are soooooo easy to make (recipe next time if anyone is keen) and he absolutely has the dodgy end of this deal.  He is a gem, my husband, and I am wishing him a very happy birthday today and a wonderful year to come. xxx

We love brightening up a day

Bean and I met her best friend and her lovely mum for coffee last week.  We had just finished up and had started the fun task of picking up the stray crackers and sultanas.  A sweet nana wandered over and said "Well, just so you know, watching your beautiful girls together this morning has certainly brightened up my day, thank you."  Gem.  

Grateful for all those cakes

I have nearly finished my first ever Christmas cake!  I just need to buy some ribbon to tie around it and it is done.  It was a long process...cutting up fruit, soaking and stirring fruit, baking, feeding the cake with rum...feeding it with MORE rum...and EVEN MORE rum!  Then there was the icing part.  Lots of fun was had and I'm feeling particularly grateful now for all the Christmas cakes my dear Nana used to make every year for all the families in our big family. 

  
Now I know what she went through (one for her and one for each of her three daughter's families) - WOW!  A massive (and expensive) task for a lady of 80.  Bless you Nana, you were a wonderful lady, for more reasons than lots of great cake.