An interview with a 10.5 month old

Mama: Good morning darling, did you have a good night's sleep (knowing full well he did not!)
10.5month old: awwwahhahhha. geeeeeeee. mememememe, dadaddd

Translation: Well, I could have, because I've done it before but it's so boring now that I can stand up


Mama: Well, at least we got to have some lovely cuddles in the night
10.5 month old : hahaha ccaaa deeeee arhg, sweeeeeee

Translation: Hmmm, maybe for you, but couldn't you tell I didn't want cuddles? I thought I protested enough. I really just like standing up.


Mama: Maybe tonight we'll see if we can keep you up a bit later so that you're a bit more tired for bed-time.
10.5month old: shhh, gooooo, baaa, eggggggggg

Translation: Ah, that old chestnut. No chance. Honestly, I just like standing up. It's the getting back down thing that I can't quite master. But don't worry. Only a few more weeks and I'll be all over it. And then it will be Hamish's turn.....


Love you Lachie, you little monster
xxxx

The 15 of us

My twin mums group is awesome. We didn't get together at ante-natal classes, we didn't meet at the child health clinic, and we didn't find each other through the multiple births association. I think what makes it so fabulous is that - bizarrely - we all knew each other before our twins were born.

We have five amazing (well I think so) women and ten delightfully gorgeous babies. All of us share a special bond - having experienced the challenges of a twin pregnancy, premature deliveries, time in intensive and special care and the joy of bringing two beautiful babies into the world.

We started meeting when our babies were little. Six of our babies were born within two weeks of each other, and the other four little ones followed closely about eight weeks later (those within a week of each other).

While we were all pregnant we stayed in constant touch, following each other's journeys closely - sharing the joys, the pains, the scares, and the hospital stays both pre and post twin arrivals.

We meet every fortnight, which seems like a lot, but we enjoy it so much - and we need it too. Until recently we would meet at each other's houses, but now that quite a few are on the move, we've had to move to a park. Going out in public with 10 babies, 5 double prams, and all the associated guff (toys, playmats, bumbos, walkers, etc) is an hilarious sight. People really do stare.

It's also incredibly busy. In the whole time we've been meeting, we have only managed to get one photo with all 15 of us - and we had to get a photographer in to get it for us. We did it for ourselves for Mother's Day, and I think it's something we'll repeat every year.

We speak and email daily to give each other advice, moral support and a pick me up. It is very hard to understand just how overwhelming having twins can be and it is comforting to have the support of people who know what you are going through.

Our babies are still little (the oldest twins are 10.5 months) so they're really just starting to play together and become aware of each other. But what is so special is that they are always going to know each other and hopefully these little twinnies will be friends for a very long time.

We always joke that when they start school (they will all be in the same year) they'll be looking at the 'singleton' kids thinking they're the odd ones for not being twins.

So, to my twin mummy friends - love you ladies. Thanks for everything xxx

#25 Don't get the personalised plates

None of them are as funny or witty as you will think they are at the time you order them.
You don't want to be that guy with the arrogant / poxy / embarrassing / ridiculous / vain number plates. Truly, you don't.

First birthday party inspiration

The boys' first birthday party is such a milestone. After such a problematic pregnancy, and a loooong time in NICU at the start of their tiny lives, I feel so blessed that we've made it - not just on one piece - but thriving, enjoying, and being the happiest we've ever been in our lives.

It's not going to be a huge party - no clowns, or facepainters, or bouncy castles - but all the special people in their lives will be there surrounding them with all the love in the universe.

We're having a 'kite' party - I know the boys are too small to run around flying one, but it sums up how I feel - flying high, free, and looking to the sun :)

Here are some wonderful parties that I can't stop looking at:







[photos courtesy of the wonderful Tracy Lau and Imprintables]

9 years

radical excision of tumour
17 hour surgery
mandibular split
tracheostomy
halo
pic line
re-learning to swallow and eat
re-learning to walk

9 years ago today I had the mother of all surgeries to remove a mass that had dangerously compressed my spinal cord at the brain stem level. I could very easily have died.

Who'd have thought that my life would be so beautiful now?

But it is.

xxx

My babies are 10 months old

Darling boys - you are 10 months old today. And you are so delightful - possibly the most delightful so far.

You are so aware, and alert, and curious. You giggle and gaggle at each other. And you reach out and hold each others' hand all the time. It melts my heart.

Hame, my squishous, you are divine. Delightful. Darling. Serene. Happy. Twinkly. Cuddly. You are the happiest baby in the world, I swear it. You must be. There couldn't be another baby as calm and smiley as you are.

You're so brave too. All four of your top teeth came through in one day, and even though your gums were bleeding, you didn't make a single noise. Not one. You just toughed it out.

And you have also started eating solids in the last week. Overnight! One day you couldn't, and the next day you were fine! You love yoghurt, and mango & banana, and pea,broccoli and pear all mixed together.

You have finally hit the big 8kg!! Actually, you're 8.1kg. So exciting. We *could* turn your carseat around so you face forwards! But I think we'll wait for Lach to catch up so that you can look forwards at the same time.

You're almost crawling. So so so close. You commando crawl all over the place like a pro, and when you're up on all fours you can take a step or two forward so it won't be long before you're all over the place.

Today was mama's friend's birthday, and you sat on her lap for ages and just gave her your endless smiles until she had tears in her eyes.

You are a beautiful gentle kind soul and I adore you so much I can't put it into words.

Little Lach, my darling one. My goodness you are so so funny. You have such a gigantic personality inside that tiny little body.

You do things to make people laugh. Intentionally. You are very clever. Your favourite game is to make 'grrrr' noises, and then you wait for someone to 'grrr' back, then you do it louder, and louder, and louder, and louder, until we're all shouting and belly-laughing.

You are ON THE MOVE. You won't stay still for a second. Not even long enough to let me put your nappy on. Nope. Boring. So many other things you'd rather be doing than lying still for 30 seconds. Our nappy changing sessions have turned into 5 minute mini-battles :)

It's the same with everything. Even though you can't stand on your own yet, it's all you want to do. You have started trying really hard to pull yourself up onto things, and you flatly refuse to bend in the middle when we put you down. REFUSE. It's the same with crawling. You get up on all fours, move forward and then collapse but you don't let it deter you. You just keep on getting up and doing it again. You are the most determined person I have ever come across.

We always find you in the oddest positions in your cot. This morning, Daddy found you right up the top end, hugging your bear - upright - and asleep. You are so funny.

You have four top teeth too. And you are just looking so grown up - like a real little boy.

You are 7.95kg. A little ball of muscle. A miracle.

I love you to the end of the universe.

Darling ones, thank you for making my days joyful, colourful and love-filled.
Your mama xxx