Wednesday 20 August 2014

Toddler Update: 18 months

Hi-ho! Where have I been? Holed up at home, with a teething toddler: 5 new teeth with a 6th one that's inevitably gonna pop up in the next few days. Winter is depressing, early starts in the dark are depressing, and general out-of-the-norm circumstances are depressing. No point dwelling on it though. A change in attitude is what I need and I choose to focus on good things to come such as:


  • holiday in September overseas
  • Zumba classes (haven't started yet, but I'm ready - just have to wait for the hubs to recover from (minor) surgery)
  • frickin' Spring around the corner, hello!? Our camellias are blooming!!

All my moaning and griping aside though, this post is just gonna be a run-down of the average day-in-the-life-of-a-mama-with-one-toddler thing, so for all those considering becoming a parent can run the other way get a grasp of what it can be like. 

Disclaimer: I'm no expert, I do what I do to survive, I'm the opposite of whatever a nurturing person is, I had an exceptionally difficult baby but strangely, I LOVE THIS GIG. Here's my take on it. 

Disclaimer no.2: I began writing this post when he was going through a momentary good patch... but here's what it's like when things are NORMAL. 


7-8am: wide window, but this is roughly when the Master has awaken from his slumber and calls for me from his room. Our monitor's sound is off but since the nursery door literally faces our door, I hear him LOUD AND CLEAR. I'm up. 

7.30 (or 8.30): cup of milk and some brekkie; toast and some cheerios (I eat what he doesn't), fruit and either yoghurt or cheese. Change out of pj's and a nappy change.

Noms

9am: this is when he normally experiences a bit of thunder-down-under. Lately, he goes and gets me a nappy if he's done a doody. I hear it's around this stage that you have a small window to potty-train them. But I'm not ready to ask every 20mins if he needs to potty and clean up after mistakes. I hear potty-training is more about the parent being ready. And I'm NOT ready. Nappies for a while longer yet!

10am: the Master has a snack (muesli bar or crackers or fruit)


10.30am: normally by this stage I've drawn on my face and we're ready to head out for the day. Today we head to the library for some Baby Time (songs), but sometimes we'll go to the mall for some shopping, sometimes the supermarket across the road, other times a little further to the museum or the city park. I normally only pack his sippy cup (water), wet wipes, a sachet (puree), a soft muesli bar, crackers and/or raisins. I have nappies and spare clothes and toys in the car, so generally it's a small bag for me. 

Not feelin' the grooves today

11am: time to think about what the heck we're gonna eat for lunch. We head to the mall since it's not far from the library and we have sushi - he loves the omelette baby rolls but today they only have a rice ball with some egg on it (close enough). Frozen yoghurt after. 

He's not eating off the table - there is gladwrap under that rice ball!

1pm: NAP TIME - he normally lets me know when he's tired by grabbing his swaddle and pacifier and then cuddling (either me or a stuffed animal). If I say the magic words ("Sleepy time?"), he will head to his room. 

Heading to the nursery for a nap

2.30pm: the Master beckons. Time for cuddles since he's just woken so we sit in front of the tv for a moment, snuggle and let him unwind in his own time. Nappy change and a cup of milk.

Watching one his fave shows, "Sheriff Callie's Wild West" - yes I know all the words to all these Disney show intro's

3pm: afternoon tea for the Master. I offer either fruit, or cheese, or maybe a biscuit if he's a little sadder than normal and refuses the first two options. 

3.30pm: either we play with his toys or I read him some stories. If he seems agitated, I take him out  side for some fresh air. 

4pm: Daddy's home!!!!!! Maui the Faux Dog is usually the first to alert us all to the fact that Daddy's home, by barking and running to the door. The Master soon follows after and waits by the door to greet "DADA!" 

4.20pm: the boys head out either for a walk or to the park. I'm left in peace for 40mins. ::happy tear::

Off for a walk - SO LONG!!! 

5pm: time to prepare dinner... normally it's Daddy in the kitchen as he is a proper foodie and I'm apparently an uncultured swine that thinks rice and kimchi make a perfectly acceptable meal. On the chance that Daddy is tired, it's me in there with my fried rice or noodles or pasta bake. I will endeavour to expand that very limited repertoire. 

5.30-6pm: time for noms.  

6.20pm: Daddy plays with the Master (either toys or books). They Tango Grandma and Granddad in Tauranga while I clean up in the kitchen.

7pm: the Master is at his most cheerful around this time, running around hyper and laughing. Time to try and calm him down with cuddles and songs. 

7.30pm: shower with either me or Daddy, brush teeth, moisturise. Begin the wrestling match that is trying to get his nakey butt clothed. 

7.40pm: kissies, sleeping bag on, in bed, strapped in, monitor on, swaddle, pacifier, hold hands, wave bye. "Goodnight monkey, Mummy love you" "BAH. BAH. mmmmmwa." (bye-bye. mwa.)

8pm: DRINK TEA, EAT CHEESE AND CRACKERS, DRINK WINE, GO ON PINTEREST, WATCH TV SHOWS!!!

10pm: BED.

Rinse and repeat. 




A.V.