One month until the BIG ONE!

Mr.E is 11 months!
Mr.E now weighs 22 lbs 5 oz or 10.2 kg.  This month saw the arrival of 2 new teeth (top, front), bringing his teeth count to 4!  He also learned how to climb the stairs... and fast too.  While I didn't have to child proof or gates areas with MissE, I've had to with Eden.  He is so fast and without fail, headed for the stairs!

Eden climbing up.
He stops and waves "bye" when he sees you.

Mr.E had a hard month.  He caught MissE's cold (along with the rest of us!) and then shortly after, he started to refuse bedtime.  And I mean refuse.  He was definitely tired, yawning and rubbing his eyes, but as soon as he saw his bed he would cry... and cry... and cry.  He could cry up to 45 minutes before exhausting himself!  I may sound cruel, but my sleep bible, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, allows for up to an hour of crying.  And it worked within 2 days with my angel baby, MissE.  I used to say "controlled crying" is my middle name.  I also thought I had the nerves of steel to tolerate it but after 5 days of it, I thought I was going to lose it!  We've now re-adjusted his nap schedule to a longer 'up' period (he can play for quite awhile!) and there are much less tears.  AND... drum roll... Mr.E is happily sucking dry 2 bottles a day (in addition to breastfeeding).

What's for dinner Ma?

Down the slide at the park

Who said tea was just for girls?

I can't believe he turns ONE next month!  I think I am in denial.

MissE wearing the cheongsam from G.A.B

MissE
I dare say Naughty MissE is a thing of the past???  We haven't seen day-long stints of 'Throttling 3' behaviour in a few weeks other than a few moments here and there and this very smart remark worth a mention: MissE took a very long time to eat her dinner (meatloaf and rice) to the point where she was left eating while we were cleaning up.  I told her that she needs to eat at the same time we do.  Her response "Well, don't cook that again!"  *Sigh.  There was a tiny part of me that made me want to serve her meatloaf and rice the next day!   I love this post from a Mommy-blogger on The Dreaded Year because she nails it on what life is like with a 3 year old.

Next week, we are saying 'goodbye' to her daycare as we prepare for our upcoming visit to Pau-pau and Gung-gung.  Her teachers are crushed as am I!  As soon as we gave notice, her carers have been telling her how much they will miss her.  I have my fingers and toes-crossed that she will be able to re-enter when we get back!  Now that she is in the 'school readiness room' she is thriving.  Her carers report how she is very independent and picks up things very quickly.  However, because she is now with 4 and 5 year olds, she has quite the attitude!  And while most of her new friends don't nap, she still needs to and we have to remind her carers that she is only 3.

MissE says the darnedest things!
MissE has been making us laugh again.  Here are some of the highlights:

Daddy in stitches!
Scene: MissE brushing her teeth in our bathroom while daddy is in the bedroom putting clothes away and I am in the toilet with the door shut (sometimes it's the only place I get a few minutes peace!).
MissE: DADDY!  (Crying)  DADDY!  Come quick!  (Still crying)  DADDY!  Come wipe up before mama gets mad!  (Runs into bedroom)
Mr.H: (Who watched MissE playing around and eventually spill her water cup all over the floor, is on the floor, laughing)  What's wrong Eloise?
MissE:  Please, COME!  Daddy!  Wipe it!  QUICK!  (Still crying)
Mr.H: Do you want me to wipe it up?
MissE: PLEASE!  Come quick!  Why aren't you coming? Mama is going to be mad.  Why are you laughing at me?
Mr.H: Come let's clean it up.
MissE: QUICKLY!  THERE, too!  QUICK before she comes out!
I heard it all and was also laughing my head off.  At least I know she is listening... sometimes!

Lost in Translation (due to illness)
MissE: I'm afraid of sharks.  Are you, mama?
Me: No.  I'm afraid of clowns.
MissE: That's silly, mama!  You mean when it rains?
Me: (Silence) No, not clouds.  CLOWNS!
MissE: That's still silly.  I saw a clown at Bunnings (Australia equivalent to Home Depot) and he gave me a balloon animal.

New Playroom
Mr.H and I have re-claimed our office.  Little fingers kept getting into computer wires and well, the playroom just wasn't big enough (after I found MissE and Mr.E headbutting each other over space for their toys).  So after a few days of moving furniture around, they have a new large playroom and we are finally utilising our living room... although it still doesn't stop MissE and Mr.E from getting in each other's way but that's something MissE will have to get used to!

Play zone

TV zone

Me
Unfortunately I've spent most of this month sick.  I am usually the first one in line for the flu shot but because I am only working casually, it's fallen to the wayside... and of course I got sick, really sick.  It started with a flu then turned into bronchitis and when I thought I was feeling okay, I got a 24 hour stomach bug!  I was just given the all clear that it's nothing too serious (whooping cough or pneumonia) so that was a relief.  I am on my 3rd lot of antibiotics and these seem to be working a bit better.  So between weekly doctor visits, feeling tired constantly, my muscles aching and coughing, I've been struggling a bit... especially with Mr.E's big birthday celebrations looming... but I'll get there!

Good thing Mr.E loves fish!
Keeping busy at the doctors.

Until next month...
Preview: Eden is ONE and up, up and away we go!