Two E's and Me (October/November)

Golden Ridge Farm
MissE's play group decided to spend the day on the farm this month.  Activities included: a barn walk where we got to feed goats, ram, sheep, cows, llamas, and deer; holding of chicks, ducklings, and bunnies; feeding a kid and lamb from a bottle; milking a cow (wow!); and MissE's favourite part of the day, riding a pony.

Come'n get it!

Bunny!

Pony ride

Eden came too!

Sydney Aquarium
Mr.H's Family Day this year was the Sydney Aquarium and Wild Life World in Darling Harbour.  MissE has been to the aquarium several times and enjoys it each time.  Her favourite are the large sting rays in the Shark Tunnel.  Funnily enough, she fell asleep on the drive home and was talking in her sleep "In the tunnel... sting ray".

Sydney Aquarium

The Reef has a calming effect on Mr.E

I see you!

Optus Penguin

Patting a snake (I'm not scared!)

Sydney Wildlife World

Wombat enjoying a nap

Playing interactive games

In the afternoon, we cooled off with a swim.  Mr.E went for his first swim and is a natural swimmer.  He spent 30 minutes kicking away and even did his first submersion at 3 months and 5 days without a tear!

This is the life! (Eden and his friend, Ally)

Eden's 1st swim

Happy Halloween

It was odd not browsing all the party shops for our not-annual-Halloween party this year but we still managed to have fun thanks to Network Canada.  They put on a Kids Halloween Party at The Argyle Hotel (in the Rocks) with hide-and-seek treats, mummy wrapping and a children's theatre show (Go Seek). Little Red Riding Hood enjoyed herself (until she saw a few monsters) and Superbaby crashed hard on one of the lounges in the midst of it all.

Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad WOOF

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPERBABY!

Mummy wrap

Exhausted from a day of fighting crime

AHH!

Little Red Riding Hood Vampire

Halloween night, we joined in on a friend's Halloween Party at her residential estate.  Run by an American ex-pat, the children decorate treat bags, show off their costumes in a costume parade and then trick-or-treat within the estate.  MissE was a bit weary of the masks but she decided getting "lots and lots" of candy outweighed  having to be near the scary creatures of the night.  There was a proclamation that "Trick-or-treating is my favourite" and a big smile on her face at the end of the night.

Decorating my bag

Costume Parade

Oo! Treats!

Trick 'o Treat!

Quick, on to the next house!

Kellyville Pets
After a long cold winter, summer is here... however this year it brought flies.  And flies that bite.  Poor Sabi is suffering from fly bite on her ears.  Luckily there is a fantastic pet store which is also a fun outing for toddlers (and daddy too).

Growl!

Here fishy, fishy!

Kid Zone
MissE has a lot of hair.  Her first hair cut was done by Gung-gung (at 18 months), her second was done after daddy had his haircut at the not-so-cheap-as-they-make-it-out-to-be Just Cuts (at 2 years old), and she's had a few home-cuts by me.  But after the last 2 home-cuts which ended in (a) crooked bangs and (b) curved bangs, so it's back to the professionals!
I've been on the lookout for an affordable child-focused hair dresser for some time (the key word is affordable, there are plenty in Sydney but I refuse to pay $37 for a child's haircut!).  Funnily enough, leave it to someone that has been in the country for 3 weeks (and in the area for 10 days) to find it!
MissE was all smiles.  She picked between 2 motorbike seats and was impressed that the buttons actually worked!  She was very good, following the directions given to her.  She even let Melanie braid her hair. She was thrilled when she was rewarded with a sticker and lollipop for being a good girl.  I was thrilled to be given a coffee (this was after being in the ER with Mr.E all night who was resting at home with daddy)!

Before

And after

"Well, Hello there Big Baby!"

Eden is 4 months.  He now weighs 17 lbs 19 oz. and is 29.5 inches long.

This month, he is working on rolling.  He has been trying very hard to roll.  He kicks and kicks until he can kick his legs over to the side and he stays on his side for a few seconds... then he rolls back onto his back.

So close!

Mr.E and Koala

"I'm going to be 3 soon" (MissE)
And apparently this means ATTITUDE!  What's she going to be like when she's 10? 13? 16?

MissE is recovering from a nasty stomach bug that had her in bed for 2 days (we had a vomit bucket).  She was a very good patient for the doctor and was even telling me what she could and couldn't have/ do: "Dr.Tong said only a little water".  "Dr.Tong said no kisses or cuddles for Eden" and her favourite one "Dr.Tong said I could have ice cream". Now unfortunately, Baby E has the same bug. See "Mr.E's Big Scare" post.

Finally, some funnies from MissE:
MissE is learning feelings.  She tells us what makes her happy, sad and proud.  Which lead to this:
MissE: Conor yelled at me.
Me: You mean daddy?
MissE: No, Conor.  I'm mad at daddy.
and also this.
MissE: Daddy, are you happy with me?
Mr.H: Yes.  Are you happy with me?
MissE: No.
Mr.H: How come?
MissE: Because you yell at me sometimes.

Mr.H: MissE, are you going to get dressed?  It's 10am and you are still in your pyjamas.
MissE: Don't worry daddy, I will get dressed now.
MissE is currently learning how to put on and take off her own shirt.  It's funny, you don't realise that it's a pretty difficult thing to do!

Until next time...
and boy is MissE excited for Christmas!

Mr.E's Big Scare

The last few days have been rough in the H household:

On Sunday, MissE started to complain of a sore mouth and on Monday, she refused to eat.  I should have known she was sick when she pushed her babyccino away.  She had a long nap and said she was feeling better, however that night, she paid us a visit in our room.  Mr.H walked her back to her room, and they fell asleep until she woke up and started vomiting.  The vomiting continued into the morning earning her a vomit bucket.  She vomited on the way to her doctor, at the doctor's office and coming home from the doctor with the diagnosis of gastroenteritis.  At home, she sipped on apple juice and we set up a little bed for her in her play room.  She spent the rest of the day watching her shows and sleeping.  Soon the vomiting subsided and she was asking to try food.  We started with a very small portion of Macaroni and Cheese which she kept down, and had an early night (we lined her bed with towels just in case).  The next morning, I knew she was on the mend when she told me she was "starving" and ate 4 bowls of cereal, 2 slices of toast and 1 banana.  She is still having longer than normal naps but is back to being MissE.

On Wednesday, Mr.E started to act not his usual happy self.  After his afternoon nap, I picked him up and he started screaming... and screaming.  I could do nothing but hold him and try to rock him to sleep.  If I moved the tiniest bit, he would wake up and scream.  He had a fever that evening so I gave him some Panadol and hoped it would help him sleep.  It did for a few hours, but I spent most of the evening in his room.  On Thursday late morning, he was the same, feverish and screaming.  Any movement made him scream.  Mr.H said he looked a bit pale.  After putting some pressure on his arms, legs, back and stomach to see if he was hurt, we noticed how hard his stomach was.  I got an appointment with his doctor right away.
At his doctor, because of he is so young, he preferred us going to the hospital as a precaution.  The hospital could run tests if necessary.  So off we went to Hornsby Hospital (where he was born).  The Emergency Room nurses saw us immediately.  They gave him more Panadol and we stripped him to cool off.  We were taken to the paediatrics section and saw Dr. David Badzinga (I'm not making this up!).  He ordered an ultrasound after I told him of Mr.E's stomach.  The ultrasound found that his bowel looked a bit odd, an intussusception (the bowel folds in on itself), and we would need to go to Westmead Children's Hospital for a second opinion and possible treatment.
Meanwhile, as Dr. David spoke with the surgeon at Westmead and prepared Mr.E's necessary paperwork for the transfer, Mr.E tested low sugar and was given sucrose and would also need fluid via an IV.  Unfortunately, they had to put in a cannula.  It was very difficult as infant's veins are so small.  After both his arms and hands were poked, I burst into tears.  They were able to put the cannula in his foot.  A few minutes after his IV was flowing, Mr.E did a number 3 and suddenly, he was much happier.  He stopped crying and was happy to lie on the bed, kicking his legs and looking at the lights.  I knew he was starting to feel better!
By the time Mr.H organised friend's to look after MissE and arrived at the hospital, the ambulance had also arrived.  Mr.E was now smiling again!  He still looked very cute sitting in a baby seat strapped to a stretcher.  The ER nurses came to see him off.

On the way to Westmead Children's Hospital

The paramedics were very nice and gave him a teddy bear (knitted by Girl Scouts).  He slept on the drive to Westmead Children's Hospital.

My new bear (in the ambulance)

At Westmead, because they knew we were arriving, we were seen fairly quickly by Dr. Eleanor but had to wait some time for the surgeon to see Mr.E.  Mr.E was 75% himself, passing a few more number 2's.  He was happy to lie in the cot with his new bear.

When Dr.Emir (the surgeon) came to see Mr.E, his stomach was now soft and it was not painful to touch.  After a review of his ultrasound, Dr.Emir believed he had gastroenteritis and the bowel intussusception was very minor (due to the gastroenteritis), and will right itself.  Relief!  Mr.E just needed to provide a urine sample and if it was clear, we could go home!  Mr.E has no problem wee-ing on us at home but it took some time for him to go in the hospital.  In the end, more was on me and Mr.H than in the little sample cup but it was enough to be tested and for us to be discharged.
Just past midnight, we picked up MissE (who refused to go to sleep, waiting for us) and we were finally home!
Today, he is acting more like my happy little boy (even having a little giggle) but still has a sore tummy after feeding (he's eating normally again too).  It will take a few days for the "bug" to be flushed out and he will re-visit the doctor next week for a follow-up.  Although it was a long afternoon and evening for us, we are happy that we know what was wrong and that it's not too serious.

Two E's and Me

First Giggles
Mr.E now weighs 14 lbs and 3 ounces and is 27 inches in length.

Mr.E is a very happy baby.  He smiles a lot and this month brought first giggles!  His first giggle was to being tickled on his neck, subsequent giggles have been to daddy's funny faces/sounds and raspberries.  He can also make raspberries and coo's too!

His temperament is similar to his sister's as a baby.  He is very easy-going, likes his independence and likes to face outwards to take in his surroundings.  He only fusses when he's tired or hot.  I am learning he really does not like to be hot!  It's going to be a difficult summer!

He's trying to be on the move!  He can scoot up and down on his play mat.  I often find he's done a 180 from where I left him for the night.  Silly boy!  He has rolled from his tummy to his back but not back to tummy, although he is starting to work on it.  He can lift up one shoulder and sometimes kicks his legs up enough to tip over to the side, but hasn't made a roll.  His sister was already rolling at 3 months.  I don't mind if Eden takes his time!

Look what I can do!

Unfortunately he caught his 1st cold at 11 weeks.  He had a bad blocked nose.  It was a rough few days and nights for us.  He spent two nights sleeping in his bouncer!  Such is life with a sibling in daycare!

Mr.E attended his first wedding.  He charmed his way around the room and a had a little boogie too.

Nicole & James's Wedding, Monash Country Club

The Life of a Toddler
It was another busy month for us, Mr.H has been hard at work getting our backyard ready for summer and MissE has been helping.

His and Hers drills

Due to Spring Showers, we checked out a new play centre, Kids Play Land, and it was great fun!

Bouncing castle

We also went to the Hornsby Model Engineers (model train club) monthly open, to spend the day riding miniature trains.  We met up with MissE's friends for a family day out, rolling out the picnic blankets!  The Three Musketeers (MissE, Tom and Calvin) had a blast while their siblings enjoyed the bush air.

Just give me a year and I will all over those trains too!

Right now her favourite activity at home is looking through photo albums, especially photos of her as a baby.  She doesn't remember her Big Adventure (San Francisco, London, Paris, and San Diego) at 4.5 months but she loves looking at the photos of her on the London Eye, big red bus, and in front of the Eiffel Tower.  It's given me inspiration to finally put together all the photos I have sitting in a basket!

Curiouser and Curiouser!
MissE asks a lot of questions (not just How Come? See last month's post).  She is very interested in where things come from... do you already see where I am going with this???  She picks up any object and asks where it came from, who bought it for her, if it's a present.  Now she is starting to ask where Baby E came from.  In the time I tried to form an answer to this in my head, she answers with "Mama's tummy?" or sometimes "The hospital?"  Whew!  Just a simple answer will do!

MissE's Reign of Terror
MissE is continuing to test her limits this month.  Every few days, everything and anything results in a tantrum for one whole day.  Asking her to sit down in her chair for dinner leads to not wanting her chair but another chair, once in her chair it leads to wanting to put on the buckles herself and not wanting us to help her, once buckled in it leads to refusal to wear a bib, once in her bib it leads to wanting a different colour fork, once with the fork colour of her choice it leads to complaining that her food is still too hot, once it's cooled and she's eaten, it leads to getting out of her chair and refusing washing her hands, once her hands are washed it leads to wanting to watch a "little bit of TV", once watching TV it leads to wanting to watch "my shows" which are over.  And add in "How come?" in every instance.  I'm exhausted just writing it!  The threat of The Corner seems to always hang in the balance.

Experts say to provide your toddler with choices, an example they gave was if your toddler has a tantrum over getting dressed, instead say, "Let's go upstairs and you can choose which colour shirt you are going to wear today."  And then everything is hunky dory. Hmm, what are the choices to get them upstairs?  How about this? Your choices are "Do what I ask with a side of do what I ask".

Our biggest problem is talking back.  I am scared to think about what her teen years will be like!  We are currently tackling "NO!" and "DON'T TALK TO ME!" and "LEAVE ME ALONE" with Go Directly to the Corner, Do Not Collect $200.

It is called the "Terrible Two's" for reason.  I hope it's the "Terrific Three's" for us next!  3 months to go...

** Disclaimer:
I spend a lot of time discussing the trials and tribulations of a toddler but it's only 5% of the time (although at the time it feels like 95%).  MissE is at a great age, and it's amazing seeing what they learn and retain.  She is very sweet (always says 'thank you for driving her home' or 'thank you for playing with me') and continues to say the darndest things.

Two to make you smile
ONE
One day, MissE was in the shower and she needed to go wee.  She didn't want to get out because it was cold so daddy told her it was okay to go over the drain.  A few days later, Mr.H was picking MissE up from daycare.  She was outside playing with several of the groups.
Teacher D: Eloise, do you want to go wee before you go home?
MissE: No, I just go wee in the shower.
Teacher D, Teacher A, and Teacher J could not hold their laughter.  Mr.H was a little red in the face.
TWO
MissE: I like pie pumpkin (not sure why she calls it pie pumpkin)
Me: That's good.  It's mama's favourite
MissE: It's like yum yum dim sum
Me: Huh?
MissE: You know, mama!  It tastes like a spicy don tat.

Me
I don't usually write about me, but here it goes.

When the season is upon us, where the witches bewitch
and the werewolves howl,
My mood starts to twitch
and it soon grows foul.
I miss the pumpkin spiced lattes and visits to the pumpkin patch
I miss the silly Halloween games to find costumes that match.

Next is Thanksgiving, where the table is set,
with roasted turkey and cranberry sauce,
mashed potato and pumpkin pie, don't forget!
This doesn't happen in Oz, it's really their loss.
What I miss most is time with family and old friends,
laughing our jokes and, oh! the memories it lends.

There's Christmas too with the bright lights,
photos with Santa and peppermint mochas, they are pleasin'!
The shoppers are frenzied, ready to fight,
But it's all part of the silly season.
This is Christmas number eight
without my family, but maybe next year... that would be great!

Until next month...
Sneak Preview:  Halloween is around the corner!  Here is MissE trying on a possible costume

Hip hop, hippity hop

And you don't stop!

Crafternoon

The title is deceiving.  It took me longer than just a 'crafternoon' to make these projects!

Monsters Attack Crib Set
Now that my little man, Mr.E, is here, I have been busy creating his crib set and bunting to put his 'monster room' together.

Fabric from Spoonflower.  'Monsters Attack' designed by Kiddins.

Monsters Attack bunting

Monsters Attack blanket and crib skirt
(Origami cranes mobile was also made by me)

Monsters Attack with blue strip reverse blanket

MrE's Monsters Attack patchwork play mat was made from leftover fabric.

Meet 'Dolly'
I bought this pattern for Happy Chibi Girl many moons ago, and while I easily whipped together the body, her clothes took a bit longer than MissE liked.  After much reminding by her and finally finding the perfect fabric to remind her of her trip to Paris at the ripe age of 4 months, this is the finished project.  MissE and Dolly enjoy reading books together.

My iPad is so hot right now
A good friend reminded me just how cute the iPad covers can be.

A gift for a good friend's birthday

Speaking of hot...
Spring is here after a very cold winter, so sun hats are needed for both MissE and MrE.
MissE's hat is made from one of my favourite skirts (Libertine) of my skinny past.

MrE's hat is made from gorgeous jungle fabric that I couldn't resist!

It's a Baby Boom!
These were gifts I made for 2 of my friends having babies, one for a girl and one for a boy.

You are now entering the How Come Zone...

Cue Twilight Zone music.


I hear "How Come?" so many times a day, my tally lost count.  This is an example of a typical conversation between me and MissE:
Me:        MissE, can you please put your toys away so we can go to the park?
MissE:   How come?
Me:        When we finish playing with our toys, we put our toys away. Then we can go to the park.
MissE:    How come?
Me:         I've already answered your question.  Do you want to go to the park?
MissE:    What question? Can we go to the park?
Me:         You asked "how come" we need to put your toys away.  I told you before we go to the park, we need to put our toys away.
MissE:    How come?
Me:         *Silence*
MissE:    How come mama? HOW come?  HOW COME?
Me:         How come? (Yes, I stooped to the level of a 2 year old)
MissE:    IT IS!
As you can see the outcome is, MissE: 1   Mama: 0
Maybe I should write a follow-up to Adam Mansbach book!


Apparently being 2 is about pushing mama and daddy's boundaries... and us setting boundaries!


MissE seems to have adjusted to our new family.

• She is now staying in her room in the night!  Okay, I confess, we cheated and turned the handle around.  I set my alarm for 5 minutes before her Okay to Wake clock will turn green and unlock the door very quietly so she is free to leave her room.  I know it sounds cruel, but when I am already sleep deprived with a newborn and the toddler often wakes up the newborn in the middle of the night, it's absolutely not!  It's also helped her sleep pattern, now that she isn't up in the middle of the night, she is back to sleeping longer, waking up at 7.30-8am.
• Potty training is back on track... and dare I say it, TICK!  (And we didn't cheat with this one!)   MissE is now doing her #1's and #2's on the toilet.  She is now wearing undies to daycare too (gotta love the teachers at daycare who urged us to toilet train her!).  She loves the attention of doing the "right thing" and of course her treat of a small piece of candy and eventually a larger present (she is filling in a chart).  She especially likes not smelling "stinky" (she used to tell us all the time "I don't want to smell it!")  Now if only mama and daddy are brave enough to go out for longer than 1 hour with her in undies...

MissE continues to make us laugh with her antics.  She is rather cheeky.  After having a number 2 accident while Cousin M was visiting, she was holding Cousin M's hand and telling her about her accident.
Cousin M:   It's okay, sometimes we have accidents.
MissE:         And sometimes it's stinky.
Mama:        Sometimes?  Try all the time!
Yi-mah, daddy and mama erupt in giggles.


On a recent trip to Bunnings with daddy, Mr.H wanted to look at the plants, but she refused to leave the table and chair where she was having a drink of water.  MissE then said, "Daddy, you go on.  I will watch you.  You can do it, you can go by yourself and be very brave".  Or when I return from the potty, she often tells me that I am a "good girl, mama.  I'm very proud of you".  She also calls us "sweetheart" now.

She loves her baby brother so much.  She is a little "mom", she turns on his toys for him and gives him a pacifier when he cries.  And when I am feeding MrE, she feeds her baby (although, as you can see from the photo we are trying to teach her that bottle feeding is okay too).

Mr.E is TWO months

Mr.E now weighs 13lbs 2 oz and is 27 inches in length.


What a big month it's been!  Mr.E had his 6 week check-up/ immunisations, and a "male"-related appointment (I won't say any more so not to open a can of worms!) in the same week.  He was very brave during both appointments but the pain got the better of him at home.  He's allowed!


He's so much more alert, constantly looking around at his environment.  He is Mr.Independent and loves lying on his play-mat, trying to grab (and often does) his toys (his toys often land on his head though).


He's also treated us to his first smiles.  First, on the 22 July at me!  Then to his big sister on 27 July.  I have a feeling most of his smiles with be for his big sister!

It's Spring, FINALLY!

It's been a few years since we have experienced an Australian Winter, and of course it happened to be the coldest in many years.  July was the coldest and wettest in 65 years!  So at the first sign of Spring, we packed our beach bag to enjoy the sunshine at the beach.  MissE had a fantastic time playing in the sand and getting as wet as possible, without actually swimming, in the water.  MrE enjoyed the ocean air, watching the seagulls and kicking his feet in the sand.

September 4th was Father's Day in Australia (I'm not sure why it's a different date to the US?)

Mr.E, Handsome like daddy

Fairyland
MissE recently attended a birthday party at Fairyland.  What a fairy-tastic time she had!  MissE is not a girly-girl so her fairy "look" was "fairy gansta".

Balloon animals

The party started in the Fairy Garden.  Princess Belle, the hostess with the mostess, made balloon animals for all the little fairies and little kings.  The party then moved to the super secret Fairyland location for story time, dancing and lunch then ended with cake in the Fairy Garden.

Hopped up on Fairy Dust

This party had me thinking, what a profitable business it could be... one day when I win the lottery!


She is looking forward to her own birthday party in a few months.  She has already told me what cake she wants so now it's up to me (and secret squirrel business for now).


Until next month...