Displaying Special Family Memories

I'm sure I'm not the only mum that has absolutely stunning photos of my kids saved in folders on my computer - just waiting (begging!) to be put on display.

Photos of your kids are just so precious, and I must admit I have a few more around the house of Miss M than of Little Man - so that's why I chose this gorgeous photo of him (taken about a year ago mind you), to have printed on a canvas by CanvasChamp.

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Brand Meets Blog. 

59

The First (and Second) School Visit

Last Wednesday was a very big day in our household. It was Miss M's first school visit!

The other night I took a look back through my blog archives and realised that I've documented quite a few major milestones in her life...

• The time we got rid of the dummy
• The time we moved her into a big bed
• The getting dressed everyday tantrums (this one even got a follow up and although she has improved, she still has some of the same quirks)
• Some funny stories about toilet training (and what worked for us)
• That moment I realised I was a mother of two (this one still brings a tear to my eye)
• And a bit about her journey and the time spent at our beautiful Child Care centre over the last two years (she is enrolled in the Kindergarten program they have there in case any of you were wondering).

If you have only recently started following me - I'd love for you to take a read at a couple of those stories - especially if you are experiencing one of those stages at the moment. 

And now, it's happening. SCHOOL!

She gives her school a big thumbs up!

6

The Story of the Bare Footed Ring Bearer

You might have seen on my Instagram that we recently celebrated my brother's wedding! And Miss M had a special job of being the ring bearer.

So let me tell you the story of how the bare footed ring bearer came to be...

8

All About Being One

When I was one I had just begun.

- A. A. Milne

This Little Man has been one for a month now, and he's changed so much in that short amount of time - particularly with walking and how much he is understanding what we say. Today's post is a parenting one, all about being ONE! For other parenting stories - just look for the tab along the top, or in the drop down menu.

Please keep in mind these are just my experiences, all babies are different and develop at their own pace. 

9

Teacher by Day {Rin}

Hey everyone and happy Monday! I got such an awesome response from my first Teacher by Day interview (and because I have some really exciting interviewees coming up) - I've decided that I can't possibly wait a whole month before publishing my next one.

Today's beautiful lady is one of the most special souls you'll meet on Instagram. You probably already follow her, and you may not know that she's a teacher by day. I would love for you all to meet Rin from Papered Thoughts. She's the girl who paints rocks with motivational messages and is all about spreading kindness around the world. I was so excited that she agreed to be here today! I love what she's about - and her shop is only open for 2 more weeks before she goes back to full time work PLUS study. So if you want to get your hands on her rocks or any of her other products, now is the time!

3

Threenagers Say The Funniest Things

You all probably know that I hang out quite a bit in my Facebook mother's groups and they are a wealth of knowledge, inspiration and non judgemental advice (I think I got lucky with both my groups being so lovely). We also regularly share funny things are kids are saying and doing, what milestones they're reaching, what they're eating and just supporting each other in general.

My March 2013 group has helped me out with a few blog posts in the past - Funny stories from the mouths of fussy eaters, Becoming a Threenager, and over a year ago, Funny things our two year olds say. Today we've compiled a list of all the humorous, hilarious and crazy things our threenagers say.

4

Babies Be Like {Part 2}

Today I've got another installment of "Babies be like..." thank to my fabulous Jan 2016 FB mummies group... You can read (and giggle) at part 1 here which we compiled when our babies were only 2ish months old. But these days we are in a whole new world of eating, teething, runny noses, smiles, giggles, playtime and crossing our fingers every night for a decent sleep.

5

Fat Mum Slim's ADORABLE New App!

Something exciting is happening today!

It's the release day of Fat Mum Slim's new app...

...and it's ADORABLE!

Chantelle has this way of making my day (which she's done more than once!). Like when I got a fun kit in the mail, or when I guest posted for her...or when she asked me to be one of the 50 lucky ones to test out Adorable for her!

Of course I squealed with joy!

You may already have her Little Moments app, and might be wondering what makes Adorable different? Little Moments is ideal for Photo-a-dayers to keep track of the daily prompts. There's a broad range of text and artwork for everyday things designed by a group of contributors. Adorable is specifically for pregnancy, announcements, bellies, babies, birthdays and milestones through the first five years. You can find something beautiful for almost every occasion. Of course there are pretty filters and frames. Even the logo is damn adorable.

3

Did You Know This About Me?

As well as being an early years teacher, I also have experience as a dance teacher...

Did you know??

Probably not because I haven't mentioned it on the blog before. Unless you know me in real life that is...

I started taking dance seriously during my high school and uni years, completing as many exams as I could, teaching as many classes as I could and learning as much as I could. The annual dance concerts were highlights of my teens & early twenties. I absolutely loved it and idolised my teacher. When I finished uni and started teaching, I finished up at my dance school to focus on my job, but of course the dancing didn't stop there.

There were many avenues in my job to pursue my love of dance - Wakakirri, the school musical productions, fitness with the Junior School, dancing with my own class of course, performing for Assemblies and open days, even teaching the older kids from time to time as part of their PE curriculum. I really loved it! For a couple of years I also helped out a friend at her dance school on Saturdays.

So naturally, I would love Miss M to get involved in dancing lessons too! She'll gleefully dance around the lounge room, or have a dance party in her bedroom with the radio turned up {see photos below} but is a bit reserved to try lessons just yet. "Maybe when I'm 4" she says. "Maybe I'll just go and look".

In the mean time, here are some ways we {and you} can enjoy dancing with your toddler or preschooler around the house - even if you aren't a dance teacher like me! LOL

14

An Interview with my three year old

Have you even written down a whole conversation with your child? If you're a quick typer, there'll be lots of errors as you go to try and keep up, but it's really quite hilarious! I tried it with Miss M this afternoon...we weren't doing much else! (her answers are in italics)

--------

M can I ask you some questions?
oooohhhh yes!

What's your favourite colour?
Purple

What's your favourite food?
Um I dont know. 
Have a think about it
Ravioli

What did we do today?
I don't know. Can you tell me?
*Rephrase the question* Where did we got today?
I don't know? Where? To the aquarium?
No it wasn't the aquarium.
I can't guess
It was called the Botanic Gardens.
I got confused.
And what did we do today?
We went to the Botanic Gardens.
What did we do else?
Um not much. We came home.
What did we do? What did I play? What did we play with when we got home?
I'm meant to be asking you the questions!!

What's your favourite TV show?
Ben and Holly and Peppa Pig

What's your favourite toy?
Lily and Teddy and play dough

Tell me about your brother?
I don't know what he does. Can you tell me?
Try to think of one thing you brother does.
Drinks mummy milk.

Tell me about Archer? *Our dog*
I don't know what he does.
He poos and wees and barks.
He he you're funny.
That's what he does.
"out the way" *she says to Archer*

Tell me about your dad?
I don't know what he does.
What's something daddy does with you?
Plays with me.

Tell me something mummy does with you.
Plays with me. 
What kind of things?
Plays with me. Mum plays with me.

Do you go to child care?
Yes. 
What do you do there?
I don't know. 
You're saying "I don't know" a lot.

Whats your favourite outfit?
Plain.

What's your favourite book?
I don't know.
Ah, Peter Rabbit.

Whats your favourite place to go to?
I don't know. Can you tell me?
*give examples - Play Cafe, Park, Playground, Shops
My park.

Anything else you'd like to say
*plays music on toy piano to the tune of the wheels on the bus.

--------

*Half an hour later
Mum I'm going to ask you some questions.
What did we do today?
We went to the Botanic Gardens.
*runs to me on the lap top
What are you going to ask me next?
*daddy interrupts wanting to discuss plans for the weekend. Doesn't realise I'm writing a blog post here.

Whats your favourite colour in the whole wide world?
Ah Green.

*daddy comes over - "I'll tell you something to ask her"
*whispers

Mum what kind of food did you eat... when you were a little girl?
Um, hot chips and plain pasta with cheese and cheese sandwiches.
Oh that might be yummy! What else?
Um, apples, bikkies
Oh. Bikkies that I don't like?
Um, I cant remember.

Dont you? I remember.
Do you?
Yes.
*goes off on a tangent trying to figure out a word she was trying to say... could have been thumb, a type of biscuit?!? Who knows!

Lets get back to the interview.
What else would you like to ask me?

What was your favourite colour when you was a little girl? Green or purple?
It was purple actually.
Oh hehe! And green? But you like green anyway.
You changed what you like.
That's true.

Any more questions?
Ah, what is your favourite clothes?
Favourite clothes?
Yes? Black?
Yes I like black, and jeans, and comfy pants.

We've got time for one more question.
What kind, what did you do when you were a baby?
I probably cried, and slept and drank milk and thats all.
*puts play dough on computer screen

Don't put play dough on the computer screen.

😂

Lauren & Miss M xox

18

Kindness Stories

I was inspired this week by my friend Say Hello Jo as she's on a mission to spread more kindness around the world. She'd experienced some not so kind people of late and decided to share various kindness quotes with colourful walls backgrounds on social media. You can 'say hello' and request your own quote and favourite colour and she'll do one just for you - like she did for me here! (Keep reading for the direct link)...

Image used with permission - Thank Jo!

Kindness is something we talk about all the time with Miss M, and children at school. "That was a very kind thing to do" or in some cases "That wasn't a very kind thing to do". This book is a great one to introduce the concept and language to young children.

So I've been keeping notes of kind things that happen day to day, and today I'd like to share them with you.

• When the lady at Woolies opened a check out for you while you're jiggling a crying baby, preschooler, pram, food...

• When someone opens the door/gate for you at the child care drop off because you usually have your hands full with baby/capsule
/Miss M/keys/backpack.
• When a family member brings you no reason flowers.
• When a friend shouts you a coffee
.
• When the lady at the coffee shop gives your preschooler a freckle.
• When you and another mummy exchange a smile at the shops/park/wherever
 because in that moment you both totally understand each other.
• When a blogger friend likes, comments, shares your post.

• When your child brings you something the baby needs
.
• When your hubby comes home with a tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

• When you get something in the mail other than a bill
.
• When grandparents babysit (and send you photo updates!)
• When someone tells you that you are a good mum.
• 
When someone tells you you are doing a great job.





Visit Jo here (It's cool to be kind) to leave your own kindness quote for her to photograph on a colourful wall in Perth just for you and keep her kindness movement going.

You can also read more in my interview with Jo here if you'd like to get to know her a little better.

And just one more kindness quote to leave with you...

Just. Be. Kind.

Lauren x

8

Daddy had a week off! This is what we got up to in RAdelaide

James (my husband and Daddy to my kids) has just had a week off... Woo hoo! Little man is 12 weeks old, and boy I tell you I was ready to have his Dad home for some extra help with these two little tikes.

So what did we get up to in RAdelaide during the past week of beautiful week of Autumn weather?

Princess Park - South Terrace

Whoever invented trampolines in the ground is a genius!

Chuck Wagon - O'Connell Street

OMG - all the deliciousness! Pulled pork nachos, yummy burgers & the most amazeballs dessert ever where Nutella is always the main ingredient... Minion toy provided to entertain Miss M.
No baby change table = make emergency trip back to the car.

Shopping!

Sunday morning, Mummy stays home for baby cuddles and Daddy takes Miss M on a bike ride.
Do an ENTIRE lap of the Gepps X centre and don't buy a single thing (except for a coffee)...
Miss M visits the chickens with Nanna at her aunty's place... Mummy & daddy have chillax time! Enjoying those 5 minutes when every item of clothing in the house is clean, washed and put away!

Kindigym & More Shopping

Daddy takes Miss M to Kindigym. We go to the Parafield Gardens Rec Centre.
Then - more shopping. And the best salt & pepper squid in Adelaide from Red Chilli Elizabeth.

Ben & Holly LIVE!

Catch the train to the city because - Adventure!
Fun times had by all at the Ben & Holly show (read what I had to say about it here).

IKEA

Because IKEA is always a fun day out for the family! I love how they can play and explore with everything in the kids section - and they do great kids lunch packs.

Miss M Goes to Preschool

Miss M has her regular day at child care - now in the Preschool room (I'm in the process of writing a blog post as to why we still send her to child care while I'm on maternity leave). Back to the Gepps X centre to get our new outdoor setting & BBQ. So much easier to look and make those choices without a preschooler running amok in the stores.

Carrickalinga & Family Time

Carrickalinga - for beautiful beach hangs. The thing about Carrickalinga is that it is purely residential - just holiday homes and people who live there permanently. No shops, no delis, no fish and chips...just homes. It has a lovely peaceful vibe and pristine beaches. Pop to Normanville or Yankalilla for your supplies.

Easter egg hunts, time with family. Appreciating those close to us and those who matter most, missing those no longer with us.

Can you tell that Easter bunny is at the beach in this painting?

--------

Then you blink and it's over and Daddy's back to work.
And the best part was when he said to me "I understand now how hard it is for you with the two kids." JUST WHAT I NEEDED TO HEAR!

How was your Easter??
Lauren xx

8

Babies be like...

Regular readers of Teacher Types will know that I often seek inspiration, stories and parenting moments from my wonderful March 2013 Mums Group on Facebook... Well I'm also part of the January 2016 group (Little Man was technically due in Jan, even though he was born on the 30th of Dec) and the lovely mummies over there have helped me to write today's post...

Image Credit - Memory Bank Photography

Our 2 month old babies can't talk yet - but this is what we think they're trying to tell us!

• Babies be like "change my dirty nappy so I can poo immediately in the clean one"
• Babies be like "I spit out the boobie but I want it!!!"
• Babies be like "mum needs a new perfume... Eau de Vomit"
• Babies be like "woman why don't you know why I'm crying"
• Babies be like "I'm going to wait to feed until I'm ridiculously tired, proceed to fall asleep on the boob and unlatch myself but then start screaming once I realise what I've done because I'm still hungry."
• Babies be like "I'm gonna play a game with you and daddy and I'm gonna cry till one of u pretends you know what's wrong".
• Babies be like "no I don't want to sleep today. Oh wait we have to do school pick up? Okay now I want to sleep"
• Babies be like "you just sat down for dinner? Time to cry!"
• Babies be like "how dare you remove your boob from my mouth, i was obviously just resting my eyes!"
• Babies be like "give me your boob mum, I need to fart"
• Babies be like "I haven't slept since the last feed and I'm yawning and rubbing my eyes but I think it's hilarious so I'll look at you and smile and laugh."
• Babies be like "I don't feel like sleeping today but let's have a melt down cos I'm over tired and need to sleep"
• Babies be like "oh you wanna leave the house?" cue projectile vomit/poo explosion
• Babies be like "You have an important meeting to get to? Here, let me help you to be late by demanding a feed RIGHT THIS SECOND!"
• Babies be like "let me scream bloody murder the whole time I'm in the car but oh wait is that our driveway, I'll just fall asleep now"
• Babies be like... "I want the dummy, I don't want the dummy! I want the dummy, I don't want the dummy!!"
• Babies be like "oh you want to sleep forever? I thought you said you wanted to sleep never!"

Hope today's post brought a smile to your face. Thanks to the January 2016 mummies!

Add your "Babies be like..." comment below!

xx

0

The Moment You Realise You're a Mother of Two

Just over a month ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy – what a little champ he is! He has an adoring big sister, a superhero daddy, and we are now a family of four. That makes me a mother of two. It’s taken a while for this new label to sink in. No longer is my daughter the centre of my world or can claim my full attention 100% of the time. No longer can I attend to her every request instantly. There’s another little person now who relies on me for absolutely everything.

These are the moments I’ve experienced, some that broke my heart and some that melted my heart, and some are just moments…

• The moment when your child walks into the hospital room to meet her baby brother and it feels like she’s grown a whole year over night.
• That moment when she cries uncontrollably because she wants to stay home with you.
• That moment when she tells you she misses you when you were in hospital.
• That moment when you realise you have mastitis on day 5 and feel like you've been hit by a bus.
• That moment when your husband says he'd like to go for a bike ride and you burst into tears because you realise he's been doing so much to take care of all three of you. 
• Those moments when both children conspire against you and cry at the same time.
• That moment when you ask what her favourite activity with her grandparent was and she says "when daddy came home". 
• That moment when the new baby sleeps peacefully in his big sisters arms.
• Those moments when she helps and brings things the baby needs for bath or nappy change time.
• That moment when you see the baby settle in his daddy’s arms.
• That moment when she sings to him 'twinkle twinkle ' and 'abc' or reads him a book.
• That moment when you collapse on the couch when both kids are asleep.
• That moment when you get to leave the house for the first time.
• Those moments when you’re able to pick up toys off the floor again as opposed to when you were heavily pregnant.
• The moments when you try your best to keep up with the dishes and washing but it never lasts long.
• The moment when you just try and make it from one feed to the next, and one day to the next...and you soak up those days before your other half goes back to work.
• The moment when you learn how to manage the capsule + pram + baby + toddler all by yourself.
• That moment when you think you’re supermum taking the kids to the park until you get attacked my mozzies and make a mad dash home.
• Those moments at 5am when you are praying that the baby’s cries don’t wake up the toddler!
• The moment when she says to the baby “I missed you when you were in mummy’s tummy”.

"It's holding one person's hand, while making room for two others (when we only have two hands); its finding time to be an 'us', and to be a 'mom' and a 'dad' and an individual too." – 

Jennifer S.White - "The hardest part of being a parent" - Huffington Post 

That moment when you realise you can do it.

xx

As featured on My Tiny Wardrobe.

www.mytinywardrobe.com.au

11

Pros, Cons + Funny Stories of Toilet Training

The other day I shared on my Facebook page that we had mastered toilet training and promised I'd write about it on the blog. It's crucial milestone in the life of a little person, a big step and another thing to tick off before baby arrives soon! Here's my pros, cons, funny stories and helpful links :)

The Pros

• You spend 'quality' time one-on-one with your child and give them your full and undivided attention (well if it's your first and only child as in our case)
• You keep up to date with your washing
• You very quickly learn the locations of all public toilets wherever you go
• No more nappy changes!
• You knew it had to be done sooner or later

The Cons

• All. The. Washing.
• Cleaning the potty 10 times a day (if you use a potty that is)
• You can't just go out whenever and wherever you like - it all depends on your child's bladder/bowel movements
• You need to make emergency departures from activities or conversations
• When you're 6 months pregnant (like me) it's quite a struggle to hold your child over a toilet and constantly bend down to help with clothes on/off...

Some funny stories from friends around the www;

• First accident on day 1 of toilet training, and she weed on Danny Dog. Was very upset by this, must wash him immediately (this is my funny story)
• Funniest thing she did was insisting on standing and cocking her leg to do a wee, just like our dog does (friend from my online mother's group)
• I caught him carrying his poo filled undies to the toilet last week, to tip it in himself... very seriously he told me "Say bye poo mummy" After hands had been washed, it was high fives all round! (another friend from online mother's group)
• On my birthday this year, Master 2 styled his hair into a very fashionable mohawk...using the poo from his undies...I realised then that he wasn't necessarily ready for toilet training. (Kyie from Kidgredients)
• We used jellybeans as an incentive to sit on the toilet for my 3 year old. He knew that if he sat on the toilet he was rewarded with a jellybean afterwards. We were out one day at the shops and a sales assistant offered him a jellybean. He looked at her, worried, and said "I need to sit on the toilet?". Poor woman didn't quite know what to make of it! (Rebecca from Seeing the Lighter Side)
• My daughter got the potty seat stuck on her head. No I'm not kidding. (Kate from ...The Online Water Cooler
• Tried transitioning our daughter to the toilet seat insert instead of potty for the first time. She was protesting so in the struggle to get her on there, I dunked her feet in the toilet bowl instead, thinking her legs were hanging down (couldn't see past the 8 month pregnant belly). Hubby doesn't say anything until she's already in the toilet... Great help. Not a successful attempt in the slightest. (Holly from Simplify Create Inspire). 
• 'I'm having a wee, mummy!' she called out cheerfully, as I ran up to her. She was sitting on the toilet, completely naked, her clothes in a little pile on the floor next to the toilet....right beside the big puddle of wee. (Karina from The Laney Files)
• I promised her an ice cream if she did a poo in the toilet. Then, she smiled excitedly and said, ‘I’m finished!’ ‘But there’s no poo,’ I said. ‘Doesn't it want to come out?’ ‘No. I want an ice cream!’ And just like that, the poo urge mysteriously disappeared. (also Karina from The Laney Files)

What worked well for us;

• We tried toilet training in the last school holidays (July) and it didn't go very well, Miss M was deeply upset when she had an accident and didn't want to wear knickers anymore - so we didn't push it and decided to wait a bit longer (best, decision, ever!)
• We knew she was ready this time, her language was developed enough and we felt like we'd done all the ground work.
• I made no plans for the week - so she had 3 days home with me and then 2 and Child Care
• On the night before we started we got rid of all nappies except one for over night, so she knew she'd get to wear her comfy knickers the next day.
• As I said, potty worked for us, Miss M's choice
• Prize box was another good trick - with some edible treats and some stickers, bubbles, stamps etc. We're in the stage now of phasing this out for at the end of an accident free day.

Some other helpful blog posts

• Are you toilet training? - Anna Partridge
• How to toilet train in 5 days - School of Mum
• Stress Free Toilet Training - Two point five kids
• Oricom Intelligent Potty Review + Tips - Six Little Hearts
• Real Mums Talk About Toilet Training (this link will direct you to other posts in this series at Childhood 101)

Care to share your funny toilet training stories?

Lauren x

9

The Getting Dressed Everyday Tantrums... {Guest Post}

Today I'm a guest blogger over at My Tiny Wardrobe, a Sydney based online kids clothing store with such a great motto "For all the places you'll go and adventures you'll have". Founder Amy is passionate about supporting other mums working from home by giving them a platform to sell their designs. 

I'm sharing our story of Miss M's getting dressed tantrums that we endure almost every single day. 

--------

Oh how I miss the days when I could buy gorgeous little matching outfits and dress my baby girl in whatever I wanted...but that was back before she had an opinion and learnt that she could protest certain items of clothing if she didn't want to wear them.

I remember it all changing around about the time she turned two - we were looking for a cute little birthday party outfit for her, and came home with a blue T-shirt (sequins on the shoulders I might add) and fluro pink shorts (from good old Target). 

For quite a few months after that, Miss M insisted on only wearing clothes she had worn before, she liked her old daggy, comfy pants and tops. Anything new was off limits - so I quickly learnt not to waste my money on expensive items but stick to cheapy stuff that didn't matter if she refused to wear it. Oh and tags MUST be cut off!

Next I tried letting her choose items at the shop to see if that would make a difference - because as all us mums know, the time when they need new clothes rolls around rather quickly. They've either been washed too many times and turn a dull grey colour, don't fit any more or are for the wrong season. I was lulled into a false sense of security spending up at Big W - but did she wear any of the things she chose? No!

These days her issues seem to have evolved that it isn't the clothing she has an issue with, but getting dressed full stop. We've tried everything; letting her choose, daddy doing it before he goes to work, breakfast first/after, and many more strategies. She procrastinates, she has to sort out her dolly, or get a specific toy, she'll try every avoidance tactic in the book. Some warm days she'll insist on wearing long sleeves, wont wear a jacket on cold days, and the other day she insisted on wearing her favourite seahorse PJ top to go out with her Nanna... It can be very stressful on mornings when we have to be out the door for work and child care by 7:30!

So my little girl isn't a fashionista, nor does she love dresses and tutus but thats ok. She'll evolve and find her own style I'm sure. I really had to make a conscious effort to let things go - and pick my battles. What really matters? Being clothed? Yes. Coordinating tops & pants? Not so much. Socks & shoes on a hot day? Not ideal but she'll learn to tell me if she gets hot.

But in the mean time I'm having a baby boy in 3 months who I can start shopping for!! I've started collecting some cute bonds zippy's!

Can you relate to our story? And tactics that have worked for you?

Lauren

This post first appeared on My Tiny Wardrobe
Not sponsored.

8

Funny Things our Two Year Olds Say | Stories from REAL Mummies

This week I once again asked my March Mummies to help me out with a blog post and share the funny things their two year old says. I must say I giggled through this whole list when I read it on Facebook. Enjoy!

"Of course Mummy!"
"Good choice" (when mum has picked out an outfit)
"Thomas' boobies" (when putting on Mum's breastpads)
"No more poos!"
"Good job Mummy"
"You're welcome Mummy"
"No facebook!"
"Bob the bugger" (aka Bob the Builder)
Mummy: "Watch out for the dog poo" Two year old: "No dog shit!"
"Come on my love"
Regardless of what she did that day, Miss 2 will always say she "went to the park" when asked.
To her toys "Hello! How was your day? Good?"
Nana points to picture: "That's a guinea pig", Miss 2: "It's a hampster actually Nana"
Can you day D? "D!" Can you say O? "O!" Can you say G? "G!" Can you say dog? "Woof!"
"No Mila's not having a shower. Mila had a shower yesterday."
"Mummy go get it. Mummy's got legs."
"My (I've) got a black daddy" (daddy has dark hair)
Mummy: "I love you". Miss 2: "I knoooooow"
Dead bug in the toilet': "Bug doing wee wees in the big toilet! Good boy bug!"
"Thank you very much, it's delish" (when food is served)
"Mum I'm 3 silly"
"What happened?" Complete with shrugged shoulders.
"No bed now mummy, cuddles then nigh nights, I'll tell you"
"Daddy up plane sky work" (Daddy works FIFO)
(Saying goodbye to house, car, playground etc) "Bye, have a lovely day"
"Birdies stop fighting, play nice"
"Pick up please darlin", "go outside darlin"
"Sorry mummy... mummy pretty!"
"C'mon!" Lleyton Hewwit style when wanting cars/people/toys to follow him.
"Nice chopping" (when daddy doing gardening)
Lewis has two dogs; Nero and Luna. He calls her "Luney" and calls Nero "Doggy". Mum tells him his name is Nero. "Ok, bye Luney, bye Doggy". No it's Nero. "Ok doggy"
"Mummy, Daddy look, there's an elephnat" (in the pantry - his excuse to get tiny teddies) 
Mum told Emma to have a big sleep for her Grandma, now every time Grandma is mentioned Emma says "have a biiiiig biiiiig looooong sleep"
Mummy: "Who made this mess?". Miss 2: "Grandma - seriously"

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Seriously, some of these need to be written in baby books or recorded to come out at 18th and 21st birthday celebrations. 

Collecting these cute little quotes reminded me of a You Tube series that I love; Convos with my two year old. If you haven't seen them you must check them out - hilarious! And now there are four seasons. 

Convos with my two year old - Season 4

Convos with my two year old - Season 3

Convos with my two year old - Season 2

Convos with my two year old - Season 1

Thanks again to the wonderful March Mummies for helping out and sharing their stories. I have one more post in this series - so stay tuned.

Lauren x

14

Ridiculous Reasons for Tantrums | Stories from REAL Mummies

I'm so thrilled to be kicking off a new series today! I am part of a wonderful online community of mums who all had babies in March 2013. It seriously is a fantastic group, very supportive, kind and friendly (which can be hard to come by within a diverse group of people online). Many of us who live in the same cities have met up in real life and have formed wonderful friendships. We've shared highs and lows, milestones and firsts, tears and tantrums...

There is so much information/advice/ideas out there on the internet - but I wanted to bring my readers a series of posts from REAL mummies who are living with two year olds here and now. I thought I'd start with a funny one...

Most ridiculous (and hilarious) reasons for having a tantrum

• She no longer want this peanut butter sandwich she asked for
• Mum took away his melted easter egg
• He took my own shoes off 
• These shorts don't have pockets!
• Mum won't let him wear shoes to bed
• Because she pulled her pant legs up and now knees were cold
• Mum won't let her take her pillowcase/sunscreen/pyjamas/spoon to child care
• "I don't want that yoghurt! Oh wait yes I do!"
• She wanted a bandaid (mum gave her one 5 minutes earlier)
• Her arms were cold because she took her jacket off
• Her hat was covering her eyes because she pulled it down
• Mum won't let her ride the dog like a horse
• Mum won't let him leave the house with shoes on the wrong feet
• He want to eat margarine straight from the tub with a fork
• He want to put underwear on the dog
• A pea doesn't fit up his nose and stay there long enough to run around the room
• When the TV kept turning off but HE was the one with the remote pushing the on/off button
• Mum was wearing a dressing gown
• Because shoes don't go on your hands 
• She wanted her milk cup - which was in her hand.
• Because mum told him to take his Nanna's heels off
• Because he couldn't use mum's "eye brush" (mascara)
• Because he couldn't wear mum's "boo boo jocks" (bra)
• Getting dressed
• Coming inside from outside play time
• Mum ate the last bite of her own cereal
• No you can't wear socks in the bath
• We're taking the ute and not the car
• Because chocolate chip cookies have chocolate chips in them
• Because the cat scratched him when he tried to use it as a pillow
• The banana wont go back in the peel
• Broken bananas don't go back together
• Mummy was holding Daddy's hand
• When ANYTHING goes in the microwave

Basically, a two year old reserves the right to change their mind in a split second and a tantrum shall occur if they do not get what they want IMMEDIATELY if not sooner.

Hope you were giggling through this list. If you have something to add please comment below! I'd love to keep the list going.

Thanks again to my wonderful March Mummies who inspired this post. The next instalment in the series are the mummy's tips for handling these tantrums!

Lauren :)

PS if you were wondering - yes one of those tantrums listed above was Miss M. For some strange reason she hates it when I wear a dressing gown or jacket. I think it's because she prefers to be cool than warm - maybe she thinks I must feel the same as her! Two year olds don't understand that other people have thoughts and feelings different to their own. 

Linking up with Jess for IBOT

13

That Moment When...

I had a moment the other day when I picked up my little one from child care, and just felt like writing about it. Then it made me think about other moments I've experienced as a parent and just wanted to capture them in words.

That moment when you pick up your child from child care and she looks at you like she can't believe it's you. Like she was so immersed in what she was playing that she forgot about you for a little while. And then she gives you a real hug, wrapping those little arms all the way around you.


That moment when the staff tell you she had a great day. She's visited the toddler room for almost the whole day, played nicely with other children and was just generally happy. That moment when you feel like the staff really care for and adore your child when you hear them speak about her. That moment when your heart swells and you are just so damn proud of her, even though she still cries a bit when you drop her off in the mornings.


That moment when you feel that you made the right choice for her care, even though child care was not part of your original plan, but due to circumstances beyond your control, this was what needed to happen.


That moment when she tells you she is a 'big girl' and doesn't need to be carried like usual but wants to walk from her child care room to the car with her back pack on.


That moment when you leave a play date with a friend at a toddler pool feeling at ease and happy, not stressed because your toddler (hardly) pushed any other children.


That moment when you're at the shops and take a quick break to grab a coffee and lunch for the two of you - she sits on a big chair, looks around, eats her lunch, chats away and you feel like your baby has grown into a young lady right before your eyes.


That moment of amazing sharing when she invites another child to join her on one of those little car rides at the shops (she had to have the drivers seat mind you and this little man had to sit in the back seat). If you know my child in the real world you'll know that this was a HUGE step! :)


That moment when she counts to 5! After weeks of 1 2 3 4 6 8 10, she finally remembered to say 5.


That moment when your toddler holds a bunny rabbit for the first time and your heart melts.


That moment when she carries around her dolly 'Lily' with such care as if she really is a real baby.


That moment when your toddler falls asleep (and goes back to sleeping through) after a few rough weeks of sleep refusal and night wakings.


So this pretty much sums up the last few months of my parenting life. Things are looking up!


Lauren :)


I'd love to read the moments you are experiencing at the moment...please share below starting your sentence with "That moment when..."

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