tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57141918588987194882024-02-19T21:01:48.689+11:00Where is Bec and J?Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-9441943576485791982015-03-14T13:29:00.002+11:002015-03-14T13:29:30.422+11:00Dear Chloe
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recently read a beautiful letter and it has inspired me to pen my own as we enter the next chapter of our lives
and things inevitably change. This blog will no longer be exclusively about Chloe, it cant be... and so I thought I needed to write a letter to our beautiful first born daughter, explaining why. So here
goes…</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Chloe,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I sit here in our lounge room, listening to you helping
daddy in the garden of our new home, contemplating just how much our lives are
going to change come September. It makes me so blissfully happy, but sad as
well. You see, for the last two and a half years, you have always been the
light of my life, you have always been the thing that I race home from work to
see, to smother with love and kisses, and you have been my most favourite
person in the whole wide world. But come September, when your little brother or
sister arrives, I won’t be able to say that, because it won’t be fair on them, just
as it hasn’t been on your beautiful, understanding father. And as I type this,
I am already crying, because for now, I can’t even begin to fathom how I will
be able to do that, because so much of who I am centres around my unconditional,
unlimited, uncontrollable love for you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You, my beautiful first born daughter, you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You... were the first one who hurled me so unexpectedly into
this crazy world of motherhood. The first one who made my heart fill with so
much love I felt like it would burst from my chest. You were the first one to
hold my pinkie as I stumbled and bumbled my way through the first nappy
changes, the first breastfeeds, the first sleepless nights, and all those times
of squeezing you into so many ridiculously cute first outfits. You were the
first one whose giggle and smile, levelled me and made me hold my breath in awe
of just how beautiful you are and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how
lucky we are to have you. You, my darling daughter, are the first one who took
her first steps in front of us both because deep down, I'm sure your beautiful heart knew we both wanted to be there
for such a special milestone. You were the first one who made me cry happy
tears each time you held my face, kissed me and told me you loved me lots and
lots and lots. And you are the first to hear I love you more than 20 times a
day. You were the first one to know what my heart beat sounds like, from the inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But our baby is coming, and while you will no longer be our
only child, you’ll be the only one to know what it’s like to have my undivided
attention, the only one to know what it’s like to have their needs consistently
put first, the only one to have known the adventures of our first home and a
trip to Japan, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Maitland, even the shops as our
only child. You will be the only one to know what it was like to not have to
share their toys, their food, and their mum and dad. So whilst you will no
longer be our only child, find comfort in the fact that you will always be our
first. Our first newborn, our first infant, our first toddler, our first true love
as parents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So dear daughter, although our lives will change come September, never doubt
just how truly loved you are, know that our love for you will remain as
constant and as unchanging as the moon. That we will continue to love you to the moon and back and tell you more than 20 times a day. And even when you are no longer our only
child and no longer able to reap the benefits of all that, that means, know that
we have more than enough love for you both, because our heart now knows no
limits to the love we can give, because of you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You, our beautiful first born daughter, you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">xxx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-76945250183330895472015-01-04T15:54:00.000+11:002015-01-04T15:54:42.104+11:00Chloe's Third Christmas, eeep! Third!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, so its new years eve! And as I frantically reflect on the year past and all the things I wanted to achieve, I actually relax. This year has been a good year, nay, a GREAT year, as far as achievements go we really did knock this year out of the park. I'm so proud of our little family and all we have done and am so thankful that when I look back at our life so far I can honestly say I have no regrets. There is not one single thing I would have done differently. Everything is perfect, and just as it should be! So with that itty bit of self reflective nonsense out of the way... Lets get into it.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>STATS</u></strong><br />
Height: 87cm<br />
Weight: 13kgs<br />
Size: 2<br />
Shoe: 6.5<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknhrKkk6E0quGuEV20mQF5zN6EnlW646gVeZymf3vaZNFYbqnf2Cjw0aAehtv6tYBKdatRDeccyunXTB0JV7Boy06Hf4yJHRt528ycZywu1bmMG20OwEpqg6FE9F17nGsYqT5TZkVwc4/s1600/IMG_4847+(731x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknhrKkk6E0quGuEV20mQF5zN6EnlW646gVeZymf3vaZNFYbqnf2Cjw0aAehtv6tYBKdatRDeccyunXTB0JV7Boy06Hf4yJHRt528ycZywu1bmMG20OwEpqg6FE9F17nGsYqT5TZkVwc4/s1600/IMG_4847+(731x1024).jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a>As with the last post not much has changed on the eating and drinking front. Although it is worthy to note that meal times have significantly sped up. They are no longer drawn out affairs since Chloe now has mastered using utensils and no longer consistently asks to sit on our laps. hehe. Although during this festive season there has been a lot of the sweet treats! But this mumma isn't any bahhhhh humbug!<br />
<br />
She also drinks from a proper cup now, although we still (I think out of habit) will give her straws to drink from. As far as drinks go she far prefers Milk to anything else but we are doing our best to minimise that and encourage water instead. She tends to have a small amount of something in her cup with meals and then only when she asks for it at other times.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
Holy smokes. The kid loves to chat! You can now have pretty long conversations with her where she will string together quite a good sentence and participate in strings of dialogue with us competently. She now understands word orders and this has helped her to create more complex sentences. Because of all this, her speech is becoming much clearer which makes it easier for non-family members to understand her, or at least manage a pretty accurate guess at what she is telling them. She is also able to now more efficiently express negative statements by tacking on negative words such as 'not' and 'I no like it' to other phrases and words.<br />
<br />
She is using pronouns more regularly now, instead of saying 'Chloe do it' she will say 'My (or I) do it', instead of "mummy get it, please" she'll say "you get it, please". Her vocabulary is also increasing dramatically as well, just the other day she bumped me with her pram and said "Whoops, sorry mummy, my fault". She uses more technically specific words too. <br />
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She is also able to follow two step commands now easily; "Chloe can you go to the kitchen and get Mummy the towel?" Its made life SO much easier! "Sweetheart, stand over there against the fence and smile for mummy" Bam! "Chloe can you go to daddy and see if he'd like a coffee?"... off she toddles, she returns shortly and announces "Daddy said YES!" It's so sweet.<br />
<br />
We have also seen her empathy and affection for others improve as she is now able to ask 'are you alright?' Recently when her cousins came for a visit, the younger (Lucas) was upset as he was waiting for his turn of a toy, Chloe went up to him and offered hers. It was really heart warming.<br />
<br />
She still absolutely loves to read. We have found that she is able to 'read' some of her books now by recognising visual cues and through predictive text. Her favourites at the moment are "Room on the Broom" where she'll say the "whoosh, they were gone" part religiously and in "Where is the green sheep?" if you pause before the adjective for each sheep she will say it.... <br />
Me - "Here is the ..... <br />
Chloe - "RED!"<br />
Me - "sheep, and here is the ....<br />
Chloe - BLUE sheep!<br />
<br />
It really is impressive. She gets lots of praise for this. hehehe.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR</u></strong></div>
<br />
<em>Swimming</em><br />
Chloe is very confident and capable in the water. On our recent trip to Maitland she was diving and swimming to us in the pool of her own accord, much from the encouragement of her older cousins. She still needs a bit of a running start when swimming, in that she needs to propel herself from a step or us, but she understands how to move through the water now without floaties. She also understands that when she is out of air, she raises her head to breath. I think in a few months she'll be able to swim across the pool, which is pretty amazing! <br />
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<br />
<em>Love of Music and Dancing</em><br />
Chloe has lately really started to show a love of music and dancing again which makes me think, perhaps its time to re-enrol her in a dance class. Whenever a song comes on the tv or radio, she jumps up and wiggles her hips. She likes to twirl and most action songs will see her perform the moves. Her favourite is Justin Clark's 'dancing face'.<br />
<br />
<em>Jumping</em><br />
Chloe just loves to jump, although she's not very proficient at it. Santa got her a trampoline for Christmas and she has spent some part of the day (when we're at home) jumping in in. Whilst she will jump on her own, she much prefers holding our hands to jump. Which through the netted walls is really quite difficult. hahhaha.<br />
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<em>Riding her bike</em><br />
Now that we have space for her to ride her bike/car in our very own street, she has been doing it a lot more. There is a soft hill that she likes to push her bike up to and then ride down, it always makes her smile and giggle. She thinks she's quite clever.<br />
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<em>Walk up and down stairs</em><br />
Chloe no longer needs help on the stairs and can walk up and down without any assistance from us or a rail. Given the number of stairs she has to climb to come and go from our new house, its quite a relief.<br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>FINE MOTOR</u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
Chloes fine motor skills are pretty good, she correctly holds a pencil using a tripod grip. Thanks to her OCD teacher mother. She is also beginning to form shapes resembling letters, such as circles and E's. She is able to use scissors correctly and will follow a line drawn when cutting. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL and COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT</u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
She has started to show much more interest in playing with her friends and just loves having people over. Often asking to see her friends when we're home. But she can only cope with a small amount of interactive play, particularly when its her things being played with. hehe. She still needs much adult interaction and guidance when playing with her friends. She feels much more confident when we are nearby and will come to us when she cant resolve her own conflict. I think much of this behaviour has been learnt through the observations of others at day care and through the necessity to protect what's yours in a high traffic environment. But she is getting better each day sharing her things.<br />
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<br />
Chloe is pretty good at recounting events to us that happened earlier in the day and answer questions about who, what and where when asked. Making it easy to figure out what has happened. This recounting of events in time, has also helped with her understanding of "now", "soon", "later", "first" and "after". Chloe has always been a child of routine so she has a very strong understanding of time and order of a day. After lunch she'll often say "Bedtime now", once dinner is finished "Bathtime now". It really makes things easy.<br />
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Chloe is also developing a wicked sense of humour and just loves to make us laugh. She'll pull funny faces and say silly things then cackle and exclaim "Silly Chloe". It is delightful!<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
Chloe has had a string of really bad nights with sleep, waking multiple times overnight. We're not sure why. But like most of our battles with sleep, we are just rolling with it. We suspect it is that she is too hot, but she refuses to sleep with a fan as the fan is 'too noisy'. lol. So... we battle on.<br />
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We have also not dropped her day sleep and have adopted a 'just let her sleep' attitude, which at the moment is fine as we have ALOT of evening functions and activities going on at the moment. I think once we are back into work etc, we may look at cutting it back or out. But at this stage it doesn't seem to matter whether she has an hour or three, any sleep in the day means Chloe won't be asleep until 8 or 830 at night. It may also be that she is finding it hard to go to sleep as it is still pretty bright at 8 with the sun setting around 815 now.<br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
Chloe has been Santa MAD this year! She just loves him! Anytime we were at the shops she HAD to see him! She also loves having her friends/cousins over to her 'big house'. She LOVES running and racing because she's "very fast". She loves animals, washing up and generally 'helping', eating hot chips and lollies. She has a bit of a love / hate relationship with the modelling at the moment. She will happily pose but after 10 or so minutes will announce "all finished mummy" and walk off. She also had an aversion to bath time for a week or so but that was overcome with the bribe of ice cream. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYj6de44svsoc-vBRW06M6tZJdLZoocjKV_UShO5vOMXVXWUI0ifK5X6kBjqBaIdE09YZG2MyqL7o8-Yn4nZ80G7VqEjgVaC28x26iAaX9O5XqotDVL9nFblAwa0d6RVRhJa8_4mZ7uQ/s1600/IMG_2949+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYj6de44svsoc-vBRW06M6tZJdLZoocjKV_UShO5vOMXVXWUI0ifK5X6kBjqBaIdE09YZG2MyqL7o8-Yn4nZ80G7VqEjgVaC28x26iAaX9O5XqotDVL9nFblAwa0d6RVRhJa8_4mZ7uQ/s1600/IMG_2949+(683x1024).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><em>The House</em><br />
The house is amazing! We're so happy to be here. The space is ridiculous. I always use to wonder how people with kids could spend all day at home claiming it to be easier. I get it now. I totally get it. Chloe is so happy playing in her toy room that an hour or so will disappear and neither of us are the wiser. That would never happen in our unit. <br />
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As far as renos go we haven't done any more other than ripping up the carpet. Our dream is to pull out most of the garden and turf it in a few months, at the moment its a hodge podge of stuff and full of bugs and spiders, making it hard to let Chloe play in it unsupervised. We have a rough idea of what we want to do inside, but funds and really a clear vision are the issue at the moment. So the plan is to attack the yard first, as we know exactly what we want to do there.<br />
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Our first dual property mortgage repayment comes out of our account on the 1st. We have both already transferred that over and have set up the transfer so we are always a month ahead, but the sting of that will start to really take affect this coming month.<br />
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<em>Christmas</em><br />
We also celebrated Christmas this year as we do most years, celebrating with the Wyatts for lunch Christmas day and then making the mad dash to Maitland to celebrate with the Sciffers boxing day. As always it was a stressful affair and had us rethinking our plan for next year. The most enjoyable part of the day was watching Chloe painstakingly slowly open each of her presents over the morning and relish with each new gift and ask "Its mine?"... "Yes baby, its all yours" *sigh*<br />
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We also spent a fair chunk of time exploring (as Chloe called them) Santa lights, seeing some Christmas Carols with fireworks and dancing with Santa over and over again. I still haven't managed to get a photo with her and all her spoils..... but I just have to figure out where I can set it up given her presents include a trampoline, sandpit and giant water sprinkler ball. hehe.<br />
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All in all this year has been a great one. We have loved every minute of it and sharing it all with you. Cant wait to see what 2015 holds. Happy New Year to you all. xxx<br />
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<br />Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-90948774074649310652014-11-28T22:03:00.007+11:002014-11-30T08:11:00.383+11:00"I need it"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyy5v2C3nGYHLyFGzM9oBxTjJer5-wCmzCwMTgBBqSWnwxAj4TekmYRIBeL5ARzM0hyphenhyphenFxG8S22YMFsoQeMd9ecFVfauTAgmGN1lIzWjRwN8nuKdqucKRCZiwX7CKpeT_9nj5zbVlcEV0/s1600/IMG_1783+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyy5v2C3nGYHLyFGzM9oBxTjJer5-wCmzCwMTgBBqSWnwxAj4TekmYRIBeL5ARzM0hyphenhyphenFxG8S22YMFsoQeMd9ecFVfauTAgmGN1lIzWjRwN8nuKdqucKRCZiwX7CKpeT_9nj5zbVlcEV0/s1600/IMG_1783+(683x1024).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>Hi There Friends,<br />
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How are we all? I'm well..... and as with most blog updates, little miss is deep at rest, enjoying a nice sleep after a big morning out and about. So I thought I'd make a start on this.... yet another blog update. Here goes:<br />
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STATS:<br />
Height: 87cm<br />
Weight: 12.8kg<br />
Size: 2<br />
Shoe Size: 6.5<br />
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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Not much to report on the food and drink front. Its all pretty standard now. She'll have brekkie. lunch and dinner with us. Her plate is a mini version of ours with obvious differences like less salt, no rare meat or anything too spicy. A big change in the last months appetite has been the love of Tic Tacs. She is MAD for them. They serve as a good bribe but aren't part of the daily diet. I am thinking next month this will drop completely out of the update...... </div>
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has started stringing multiple word sentences together. Her most hilariously recent being "I need it". Whilst digging in the freezer on a particularly hot day for frozen peas at dinner time, I told her to move away that she didn't need it. To which she replied, "no mummy, I neeeeeeeeed it" This has also made shopping an interesting activity. Her other fave sentence at the moment is: "My do it" which we correct to "I will do it", which she will parrot. But Chloe has developed quite an independent streak; wanting to go down the stairs on her own, get out and into the car seat without help, even buckle herself in. Sometimes (when we have the time!) its easy to accommodate this. But other days it can be quite a strain watching her fiddle with her buckle whilst you stare at the minutes passing making you later and later for work. I try to concentrate on the fact that for each minute she spends learning, its one step closer to her doing it herself. Just think, Bec, how quickly it will be to get organised in the morning when she can tie her shoes.... just let her pull the laces for a minute, its important. *breathe in* *breathe out* and remember she gives GREAT hugs and loves us deeply!<br />
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We're also highlighly suspicious she can read certain words and our trick of spelling out certain buzz phrases like 'P.A.R.K' are quickly being figured out. Just today I was sitting with her playing with her CHLOE name puzzle with the pieces scattered and asked her to find me the C. Bam! What about the O? Bam! The E? Bam... the L? picked up the H. Yatzee! But I thought, you know what they couldn't have been all guesses. I've also recently heard her count to 18, and whilst she will run through the first counting sequence correctly, once she reaches the end, will restart at 6. Which is also her age at the moment. If you ask her! hehe.</div>
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR</u></strong></div>
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<em>Swimming</em></div>
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Lessons are going GANG BUSTERS. Its like all of a sudden she has all this confidence and belief in herself she can swim. She's jumping off the edge without hesitation, head diving into the water and doggy paddling a few strokes to reach me in the pool. With the warmer weather too, we have been spending a lot more time in the water which may attribute to it. She also has started to be more comfortable in her goggles (yipeeeeee) and I've learnt to tie her hair up as tight as possible to save it from blinding her when she goes under. All this has seen her become so confident that she will even whilst holding your hands or the edge just drop herself under and hold herself under the water til she needs to come up. She just LOVES being in the water, and we love being in it with her! <br />
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<em>Jumping</em></div>
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<em></em>Chloe's love of jumping has continued, actually its grown exponentially! Almost religiously she will ask us to hold her hands so she can jump down the stairs out of our unit. She spends at least some portion of her day trying to jump so in order to get her off the furniture we have bought a trampoline for Christmas.... but its coming from Santa, so shhhhhh. Don't tell her ;-)<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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Chloe this week has decided she doesn't need a nappy for her night sleep. Oh dear! Just the other night when we were dressing her in her PJs, she threw the pull up away and said "No, knickers!". We tried to persuade her but there was no budging! So on went the knickers and sneakily I slipped the pull up over the top whilst she was engrossed in playschool. Success, well until her pre bedtime wee, when she saw the pull up. "Mummy, no nappy please?".... how can you say no to that? So off it came, and since then we've had three no nappy nights and one with and one accident. We're letting her take the lead on what she's wearing each night. We lay out the nappy and if she objects, that's good enough for us. So for the next week, we'll keep going as is, and if more and more nights are no nappy, bye bye nappy.<br />
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We suspect Chloe may be creeping closer to dropping her day sleep. Whilst she can survive without it, it gets a bit hairy around 5-6pm that night. But if she has any sort of sleep (1-3hours) during the day, bedtime isn't happening til at least 8pm! Some nights 9pm! So its a bit of a catch 22, damned if we do, damned if we don't. At the moment we're putting her down for her day sleep around 1230-1pm, and letting her sleep as long as she wants, just not past 330pm. And then having a much more relaxed bedtime.</div>
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Chloe also seems to have monsters living with her and has taken to sleeping with the light on and likes the door open. Ever since she was a newborn we've had her room pitch black for sleeps with no sound. Now this. Its a bit baffling. With the light on it does take a little longer for her to go to sleep and she often asks if we will sit with her for a bit. Which we had been doing because she seemed quite distraught by the 'monsters'. But slowly slowly we have been moving closer to the door and now sit just in sight for about 10-15 minutes and shes out. So as always, sleep continues to be our battle...... </div>
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
Chloe's loves this month include pulling funny faces, feeding the ducks in Evatt park, painting... Her hates are pretty standard toddler ones like sharing something that's hers and she's currently playing with, or just started stopped playing with, or may want to play with soon ;-)<br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
<em>Moving House</em><br />
Oh goodness. So we move house next weekend. Cue Panic Stations! I have all this week to pack the unit and Jarratt's taking responsibility for the garage. Divide and Conquer. I have a day off from work to move and will take that Tuesday. I have also asked day care for an extra day Thursday (we missed a bunch whilst in Japan that we are owed) so am hopeful that will take a large chunk of it and then I can pack the rest whilst Chloe sleeps. Because packing with a toddler is no fun for anyone! <br />
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But in a week, we'll be spending our last night in the unit. Its sad and thrilling at the same time. Thankfully part of the stress has been alleviated as we have found a tenant for the unit. They move in on the 18th so we have almost two weeks to come back and fix things up. <br />
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I have to pinch myself that we are now dual property owners! <br />
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<em>Trip to Surfers</em><br />
Earlier this month we were gifted a 5 night stay at the Outrigger in Surfers Paradise by Uncle John. It was such a wonderful trip. It was the first holiday we've had where we didn't have a list of what we wanted to see or do. The goal of the trip was to relax, and we did just that. Our days consisted of getting up, having brekkie, hitting the beach, then the pool before a nap (for Chloe, but often us as well) then hitting the town for drinks and dinner! Bliss! We also were fortunate enough to have Caryn, A and the boys drive down and visit us for the night. It was so night to hang out and the kids had a blast playing together. Made me sad knowing it would be a while before we'd be able to afford a holiday like that again.<br />
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<em>Peppa Pig</em><br />
Last Saturday we took Chloe to see Peppa Pig live. She loves Peppa and George. I was impressed with how well behaved she was in the theatre and how she followed along with the movements to the songs. I'll definitely be looking for more performances like this to take her too.<br />
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<em>Santa</em><br />
We had braced ourselves for no Santa Photo this year, since last year we hadn't been able to get Chloe anywhere near him. And I've seen SO many screaming child photos of kids around her age with Santa. So when I took her to Roselands last Thursday I wasn't hopeful. We spent 5 minutes waiting our turn whilst another little boy and his mum had their photo. Chloe was happy watching and waving at him from behind the line. When it was our turn (thankfully no one was waiting) we took our time bridging the gap between the line and Santa's stage. I managed to get her right at the step before she darted back to the line and said 'I watch' I thought.... ok that's it, not gonna happen. Then I remember I'd come prepared, I pulled from my bag a bribe, a stamp specifically. I told her 'sit here sweetheart, show santa your stamp' and BAM, she was there. I then stood by the camera and behaved in a way that would have embarrassed Jarratt. Below is the reward. Totally worth it!<br />
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<em>Modelling / Brand Rep </em><br />
Again, nothing has come of our contract with Bambini this month, but Chloe continues to be an Instagram sensation! Since last month and our brand rep contract with Bella Style and Designs, two more labels have contacted us. Generally you have to enter competition type searches to be selected as a brand rep, we have been seeked out by both labels. Its very flattering. The first is Fox and Cradle - another label specialising in head bands. The other is a clothing label called Tumble N Dry, which is stocked in Myer. Both have sent us packages of stuff that Chloe wears and I photograph - below are some examples. I think its a great deal, Jarratt isn't as impressed.<br />
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And so ends another month, I cant believe Christmas is nearly upon us and that next time I write to you all will be from our humble new digs. Exciting times ahead. I hope you all get (as Chloe would say) what you NEED this Christmas xxx</div>
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-434501811326401752014-10-31T08:16:00.002+11:002014-10-31T08:17:26.653+11:00Where's daddys truck? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi there friends, how are we? <br />
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How is it that another month has already been and gone, sheesh! Time really is flying on by isn't it? Now, are you sitting down? Brace yourself Christmas is less than TWO MONTHS AWAY! Cue freak out! Time is running by and there is just no slowing it down. That's why I like (and hate) doing these entries, because it gives me time to stop, reflect and in some cases rethink (or panic) about things in my life. But also celebrate the achievements. So lets not dilly dally around... lets get into it. Here goes...<br />
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STATS (as of 31/10/2014)<br />
Height: 87cm<br />
Weight: 12.8kgs<br />
Size: 2<br />
Shoe Size: 6-6.5<br />
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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Her love of cinos has continued to thrive and become a little bit of an afternoon ritual of sorts. Where on days off she and I will sit after she wakes from her nap and have a cino and coffee, respectively.<br />
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Chloe's diet is pretty much on par with us now. She eats what we eat and we eat with her (530-6pm) and that works for us. She has started this neat trick of wanting to sit on our laps while we all eat together. Sometimes depending on the meal, she can. But if we need both hands she needs to wait til we're finished. Its created a cute little gimmick, where she leans in to us and says "all done?" her way of asking if she can now sit on our lap. Hehe. She will still eat brekkie and lunch at her table, and normally in front of the tv (bad parents!) but dinner is always altogether at the table. <br />
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Her diet is pretty balanced and we make an effort to ensure she's eating enough of everything. Sweets are limited to rewards for being good but are not over the top, or frequent. She was receiving chocolate for doing number 2's on the toilet during training and every now and then post poo, she'll ask for one and we will give it to her. But other than that sweets are given at our discretion.<br />
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We also made daddy a cake recently for his morning tea and Chloe took the title of beater licker in this house. Daddy was devastated. She wasn't to bothered about it all though and it made for some pretty adorable pics of her all chocolate smeared as you can see.<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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The repertoire of songs has expanded since I last posted, she continues to favour Happy Birthday for us (especially when we light a candle for a cupcake). But will also sing "twinkle twinkle" and most known nursery rhymes.<br />
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Chloes communication is also growing each day and her vocab is pretty impressive for a toddler. We encourage her to 'use her words' and will often say 'sweetheart, I don't understand' and sure enough she will repeat clearly what she wants or attack the sentence a different way. She still tricks over some sounds, the real kicker being Tr as in Tr-ee, she will say "F-ee", which makes for an interesting conversation when she's asking where daddy's *uck is? But in general its great to have her speak so well, taking the guess work a lot out and making the situation less frustrating for everyone.... instead of crying we now get like "Mummy, Chloe hungry, Chloe want fruit" SOOOOO much easier!<br />
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She also has improved in her counting and can now count to 14 (but not consistently, to 10 is very consistent). She 'reads' most of her single word board books and enjoys taking turns 'reading' with daddy. <br />
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR</u></strong></div>
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<em>Swimming</em><br />
Chloe is a fantastic swimmer, her confidence and ability in the water is impressive. Just last lessons she was 'diving' into the water. Whilst most children in her class were jumping, she was putting her hands out and going head first, which I thought was amazing. She still shows some reluctance on the platform activities where I need to hand her over to the teacher. I think its due to the lack of trust she has for the new teacher, but we'll get there. I took her to the beach this morning and she 'swam' in the shallow water, I was so proud to see her apply this learning to a new situation. As a teacher I know that shows real intelligence, and I couldn't be happier. <br />
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<em>Jumping</em><br />
Her love of jumping is driving me a little bit bonkers. Whilst she just loves it, I find it the most boring 'game' we play. I think given our more exciting news (which I'll mention in a bit) the purchase of a trampoline may be in order. hehe<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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Recently Chloe developed a preference for sleeping on the couch (hers or the big one) for her day sleep. We'd tell her it was bed time and she's ask "Here, here" and point to the couch, if it wasn't going to affect us we'd let her and then just transfer her once she was asleep. After about a week or so, she stopped asking..... it was very strange. We have no idea why she started asking? <br />
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We've also started dressing her overnight in her new summer PJs and kept her winter bedding. Which seems to be working. I always write this stuff in the blog because I know when bubba wyatt the sequel comes about I wont remember what I dressed her in when, it serves as a good method of recording. hehe. <br />
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
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This month the loves are pretty standard toddler facts. She loves the beach, being a ballerina, painting (well sticking her hands in paint and getting messy) and spending time with her friends. And hates .... um, I cant actually think of any. This month has been pretty easy going with her cooperating with hair washing, hair styling and going out! <br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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<em>Bought a house</em><br />
In more exciting news we bought a house!!!! After 3-4 months of searching we bought one!!! Whoop whoop! We are so thrilled about it. A four bedroom, 2 bathroom, brick home on 580 square metres in Peakhurst at the end of a cul de sac with a lock up garage and under house storage. We cant believe our luck. The house requires a overhaul with modernising, but unfortunately winning the house at auction saw us spend our entire renovating budget so we will be living in it for a few years before we'll be able to afford to renovate. But the house is lovely, old but well maintained. Just like the unit when we first bought it. So 35 days til we settle and we are counting them down!<br />
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<em>Toilet Training</em><br />
Chloe is a superstar with the toilet training. When we are out she will tell us she needs to go and will 'hold' it until we find a toilet. We still have the occasional accident, maybe once or twice a week, but I consider that a major achievement for our little lady. So I'm giving her a big hug when she wakes up just to remind her how fantastic she is. hehe.<br />
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<em>Modelling</em><br />
Chloe hasn't booked any work through Bambini this past month but has secured brand rep for two Australian companies who specialise in head wraps. So for the next 3-6 months we'll be sent a variety of head wraps to style and photograph on Chloe which will be used for promotional material online. Its pretty exciting. We received our first package the other day and have already taken some photos in them. <br />
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<em>First trip to the Dentist</em><br />
We took Chloe to the dentist for the first time this month, and she past with flying colours. We learnt that our teeth brushing routine is a good one and got some good advice to ensure she develops good dental practices. Whilst there she was very happy to open her mouth and even 'played dentist' on daddy, which was beyond cute!<br />
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<em>Meeting Zoe Ann</em><br />
This month we also got to meet Zoe Ann, Andrew and Lin's little girl who was so keen to come into this world she arrived almost 1 month earlier than necessary. Whilst we visited her in hospital, it wasn't til this week that we were able to see her and have a hold at her home. Chloe was absolutely smitten and talked about Zoe the whole (1 and a half hour!!!) drive home.<br />
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And so ends another month in the life and times of team Wyatt. I hope you've enjoyed your stay. We'll see you again in a few weeks.<br />
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All our love, Team Wyatt xxx<br />
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-43487426708267846462014-09-23T12:53:00.000+10:002014-09-23T13:08:02.694+10:00Everybody! Come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Why hello there, how are you? We're well.... digging this beautiful weather we've been having and even more so that its school holidays! Whoop whoop! That's right, its that time of the year again where I actually get some child free, work free, duty free, time off!!!! Cue happy dance. No, that's not nice is it? Its not that I WANT to be child free. Work free? Definitely! But time away from Chloe is painful, I feel guilty dropping her at day care when I know I'm just going to sit at home and creep onto the balcony to see what she's doing. But it gives me a chance to catch up on stuff that I cant do with her around, like write this.... So its a catch 22 you see.... I both love the time off, but feel guilty about it all in one. Ahhh, what a conundrum, bloody mummy guilt, gets you every time. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Ok, lets shake it off..... and get on with it.<br />
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<strong><u>STATS</u></strong> (as of the 15/9)<br />
Height: 86.5cm<br />
Weight: 12.2kg<br />
Size: 1-2<br />
Shoe: 5-6<br />
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU0dh1mXVmbhe0hrTQ_g4vzZux6mke40aaMLNHmEriMI0N-38k6C34Rh9WrDUHx5J8LN6yqdyy_0zAQLDRa_4B2qxa5dNo9KvoqZo5mlAqA8Y2DlPxi5MkH6rG6nlSEVHs__28flrU0w/s1600/IMG_4041+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU0dh1mXVmbhe0hrTQ_g4vzZux6mke40aaMLNHmEriMI0N-38k6C34Rh9WrDUHx5J8LN6yqdyy_0zAQLDRa_4B2qxa5dNo9KvoqZo5mlAqA8Y2DlPxi5MkH6rG6nlSEVHs__28flrU0w/s1600/IMG_4041+(1024x683).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Chloe now never sits at her table for dinner, she just sits (or stands) on one of our dining room chairs and has dinner next to us. Her breakfast and lunch occur at her table as we tend to eat those meals ourselves seated on the couch. She eats everything we do, with slight variations in the meat department, as she seems to have issues chewing and swallowing tougher pieces of meat. She LOVES anything pasta based, as well as Mexican meals and chicken skewers. There's no issues around vegetables and she'll devour corn on the cob and be eyeing yours off if you haven't 'fi-ished' before she has. Its the quick and the dead around here when she's hungry. She always devours her meals of a night time and we believe that's as we keep snacking to a minimum of an afternoon. Normally limiting it to a cino, which she loves! After her party we had some sprinkles left over from the fairy bread, one day I sprinkled them on top of her cino and since then its IMPOSSIBLE to deliver one without sprinkles. hehehe. But its a nice little activity of an afternoon, mummy has her 'offee (as she calls it) and bubbi her cino. Then off we will shoot for the afternoon activity. Its wonderful.<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Goodness gracious, Chloe is a chatterbox! Her vocab and conversational skills are off the chart. But no shock there right? She loves to engage us, her friends, everyone in discussions about this or that. We've encouraged her to retell her day after day care or to daddy/mummy on the days that they haven't spent time with her. She's very good at one word responses and in some cases stringing words together to retell an event. Just yesterday I took her to playschool and over dinner asked her to tell daddy what she'd done today... her reply 'Playschool, Tao, go, where Tao go? Abby, go, bye bye' Which was great! </div>
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She's also developed some pretty neat vocab like 'wait', 'one more' and 'everybody, come!' Its deliciously cute! She's also developed a love of singing and will sing "happy birthday" over and over again. Hilarious, she sings it most often to herself, or Nee (Renee). </div>
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As far as academics go, she can now count to 8, without help. Recognises all her colours, with black being her favourite, and most shapes. She is also able to recognise her and her friends names at day care. Its all very impressive.</div>
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR</u></strong></div>
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Chloe's confidence is OUT OF SIGHT in the water. She can now swim a few strokes to the wall and get out completely independently. Which going into summer makes me feel so much better about her water safety. She is fantastic in the lessons participating in every activity without argument, but is showing a reluctance to put her eyes in the water, but will do it. I thought it may have been a result of her hair getting longer and it running water into her eyes. So in an effort to correct it, I tied her hair back (squeeeeee! Yes! its long enough to tie now!!!!) But unfortunately that made no difference. I also trialled a pair of goggles last week during the lesson, they stayed on for about 2 minutes and were promptly ripped from her face. hahaha. So we continue to have issues there. Her favourite activity is DEFINITELY 'crocodile, crocodile' - often having us participate in this at home with her falling off the bed, the couch, the toybox, as opposed to the pool wall. It does drive us a little nuts how often we play that. hahaha. She's also developed really great water confidence, and will happily wade out into the deeper part of the pool without me. She's so very brave!</div>
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We haven't been to the park as much as we'd like lately, since Chloe is showing a preference of staying in. But when we do go she is very confident on all the equipment. She just loves to do 'big swings' on the swings and go down the slide on her own 'no mummy, bubbi do it'. She'll often play on the seesaw and sing the 'seesaw' song or play shopkeepers where she'll ask us what we'd like, turn to get it for us, then cheekily eat it herself. She thinks she's hysterical when she does that. </div>
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Chloe still seems to LOVE to dance, so much so I think I need to look into a new class for her. I am NOT going back to where we were with Ballet. Maybe next year? But she loves to 'spin' and do 'ballerina' where she will hold your hands, stand on one foot and point the other behind her. Its so sweet. She also loves to 'dance' to the wiggles and any other music, her dancing is more of a 'sway' with the occasional spin and bounce. If the music is more upbeat she may run around and squeal too. </div>
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Jumping has continued to be a bit of a challenge and love of little miss this past month. Despite the lack of ability she has to get off the ground independently, she knows she can do it when she holds your hands, or even better is on the bed. Eeeeeeck! We've made the decision that jumping on her own bed is not allowed, but ours is ok. The idea is that she wont get up and jump on her bed that way, when she's suppose to be asleep.</div>
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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So we have continued the no pull up for day sleeps at home and day care, and Chloe is accident free now at both for as long as I can remember. So YAY! She's also been waking in the morning with a dry pull up and taking herself to the toilet maybe an hour or so after waking. But does consistently ask to go to the toilet just before bedtime.... sometimes (hilariously) as a way of prolonging bedtime, but we're happy to oblige since its one step closer to doing away with nappies altogether! So when the weather gets warmer (maybe next school holidays) we're going to get rid of the pull up overnight too.... as long as this waking dry thing continues! She's such an overachiever!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7aPwOha2ACuF_9drvxQH26Zrv21AsFxV9vp4dRW9tJfvhRV9HdiTAxqupoY8vqXbKCqY9lBRgr5c3ZqxzBa8dUgO8Jm9hqvz0aCogkPhMZ1NkkWGGZA-XgHS7eFVBKdNCXx6fyQdptg/s1600/IMG_4947+(682x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7aPwOha2ACuF_9drvxQH26Zrv21AsFxV9vp4dRW9tJfvhRV9HdiTAxqupoY8vqXbKCqY9lBRgr5c3ZqxzBa8dUgO8Jm9hqvz0aCogkPhMZ1NkkWGGZA-XgHS7eFVBKdNCXx6fyQdptg/s1600/IMG_4947+(682x1024).jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="213" /></a>We have dropped the tights for bedtime, in exchange for socks, just seemed easier, but she's been pulling those off (or they're coming off?!) most nights. Most nights she stays under the covers, but sometimes we need to pop back in overnight because she's cold and has called out to us. A quick pull of the blankie over her normally sends her straight back to sleep when that happens, but night wakings very rarely happen now. Thank goodness.<br />
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She has had a lot of naps in the car this month on the way too or from somewhere and generally transfers well. Sleep seems to be less vital now, whilst she falls asleep in our arms at 6-630 if she skips her nap, she can survive without it and isn't loosing her marbles if she does of an afternoon/evening. Same if we are going out of an evening, we just extend her sleep, or put her down later for her day nap and then she's golden til around 830.</div>
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Last month we had the issue of Chloe wanting us to sit and pat her to sleep. We quickly had enough of that and cut it out cold turkey, we were met with a few nights of her cracking it about not sitting with her. But after a few nights she gave up. We found that following daycare she always seemed to ask, so we asked them if they patted her to sleep. They were adamant they didn't need to, that she was one of the 'good ones'. But said some children were patted off to sleep. So with that information, we just figured she had seen others getting patted and was testing the boundaries. Now, with that corrected, she has started insisting that she take herself to bed on her own now. She'll hold her hand up at us and say 'no, bubbi do' and toddle off down the hall. We follow a few minutes after and there she is in bed, when she sees us she'll giggle. We'll give her a kiss, tell her she's so clever and such a good girl, say good night and move to the door. Here's hoping this little practice continues. Fingers crossed.</div>
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
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Chloes loves this month are pretty standard for a 2 year old. With all the parties lately, she LOVES birthday parties, cake and chocolate - with all the overindulgence that's been had at the numerous celebrations. She also loves those coin operated cars you see in shops making it VERY hard and expensive - when we try to walk past one without a turn. </div>
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She also loves to pull various faces, with her most hilarious being her 'sad face'.</div>
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She continues to have her favourite people, which this month are Nee, Lei and Opa. She'll often ask to 'see lei?', want to sing happy birthday for Nee and tell everyone she's going to Opa's house. Its very sweet.</div>
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The last love this month is going to the beach, with the warmer weather creeping up, I am very much looking forward to taking her to the beach at any and every opportunity! </div>
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Her hates this month, are having her hair done (despite bribes of chocolate, bad mummy!), getting dressed and going out. Hilariously, Chloe much prefers to stay home, despite the fun activities on offer. As you can see in the video below. Thankfully hair washing and brushing is no longer an issue. YAY!</div>
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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<em>Toilet training</em></div>
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Toilet training is officially ka-put! Donezo! Chloe is trained. We haven't had accidents out in SO VERY LONG! Yipppeeeeeee! We have had the occasional accident at home, bizarrely?! Often when we're playing.... but they are rare. Day care will also have the occasional accident, but again one at most in a week. And generally the accident is a dribble, no number 2s and not soaked through. So go Chloe! She is the envy of many parents as she is still considered 'young' to be trained. But now when I look back and take into consideration the few accidents she will have, I'm SOOOO glad to have done it whilst she is 'young'. </div>
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<em>Fathers Day</em></div>
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This month we celebrated Fathers Day, but unfortunately it also fell on Chloe friends birthday and at the end of a pretty horrific 48 hour bug I caught. So we didn't really get a chance to celebrate in style for daddy dearest. Instead we had a simple morning of yummy brekkie at home and gifts of undies and coat hangers for Jarratt. But being the practical parent he is, he loved it! And I mean, it was slightly better than say, an orchid. hehehe. We spent the afternoon (post party) at Carss Park playing and drinking coffee, so whilst it was a modest celebration, it was perfect.</div>
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<em>Playschool</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVZpZzyBGMw0V2K-1yu3yD-RZzrbMbO9EA38mZz1KdoPquwokgakgHCijv2Y6bizwshpSltW4EiNhCtEBwI6GrJpVdwM1UTXt4B_40Gtp7z_d551itEfAiZuKS-HcSJ5Ie2FJe7kmOds/s1600/IMG_6805+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVZpZzyBGMw0V2K-1yu3yD-RZzrbMbO9EA38mZz1KdoPquwokgakgHCijv2Y6bizwshpSltW4EiNhCtEBwI6GrJpVdwM1UTXt4B_40Gtp7z_d551itEfAiZuKS-HcSJ5Ie2FJe7kmOds/s1600/IMG_6805+(683x1024).jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>This month, Chloe and besties Ellie and Ayla (along with Zo-zo) headed to sharkies for the Playschool concert. Just like last year we got there nice and early and got ripper front row seats! Chloe and the girls were perfect, staying behind the white line as directed and dancing to the performance of Tao and Abby Tucker. The concert included some of Chloe's favourite songs like 'twinkle twinkle', 'row row, row your boat' and 'polly put the kettle on', she stood for most of the first part, swaying and doing the movements to the songs. She was so cute! Afterwards we even got to meet Tao (squeal!) and she was rewarded for her fantastic behaviour with a Jemima Ballerina (for 26 bucks! YIKES) despite mummy trying to entice her to pick the ($2) placemat!</div>
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<em>Modelling</em></div>
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Chloe reshot her head shots for Bambini this month and was an absolute professional. Posing this way and that, and completing outfit changes no worries - given our current hate of getting dressed, I was cheerin! She hasn't booked any work in MONTHS and whilst it is disheartening, given the nature of the business, it is to be expected. We're hopeful she'll get some work with Christmas coming up, but it really is luck more than skill (which she has buckets of as you can see below) in whether or not you get a photo shoot. So keep your fingers crossed for us.</div>
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Well, that's it, all done and dusted for another month. Now to relax with a coffee and a bit of crappy tv. hehehe.<br />
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Til next time.<br />
Lots of love, Bec</div>
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<strong>1. There is no learning curve.</strong> <br />
I think last time I wrote, I mentioned a learning curve or something similar. Bullshit! There is no learning curve. Once you've mastered breastfeeding, bottle feeding whatever, they're onto solids, once you've mastered that, they're feeding themselves with a spoon, once you've mastered that, there's cutlery... and that's just feeding. And as a result you never really feel on top of things and that's ok. Once you realise you have no control, bam! You're in total control, and more importantly, you can relax! You can cope! Everything will be ok. I promise.<br />
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<strong>2. Pick your battles.</strong> <br />
Look, it will sound like I'm bragging and I'm sure it won't always be the case, but in general Chloe is a great kid! She's well behaved and on the most part will listen to and follow instructions when given. But sometimes, she wants to do things herself; sometimes she wants Uncle John / mum / dad / Nanny to get her out of the car, not you. Sometimes she wants to get a toy out that I've just packed away, sometimes she wants to walk the whole way home from day care on the fences and sometimes she wants to have a big pile of cheese half an hour before dinner or peas for breakfast. And while my knee jerk reaction is to say no, in the grand scheme of things, what does it really matter? Are these make or break things? Not really. Is she hurting herself or anyone or thing if she does this? Absolutely not. So why say no? I've learnt to save 'no' when it really matters. As a result, Chloe very rarely shouts 'no' at us. I really believe children are great imitators, so its important to give them something great to imitate. I don't believe that's someone who shouts a lot, or says no a lot is that great a role model.<br />
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<strong>3. Everyone parents differently.</strong><br />
There's a lot of differing parenting styles out there. And I've become quite aware of it this second year. I think its because Chloe is more aware. Discipline and expectations vary from family to family so when there is a difference in opinion on what's acceptable, it makes it confusing to kids. For example I expect Chloe to eat at the table when we have dinner, its hard to uphold that when there is another child running about the place. As a result I've found the times when I've had the easiest play dates, its often with like minded parents who have similar expectations of their children. I try and hold onto those that make me feel sane. Very, very tightly! Parenting is hard enough, without the added strain of difficult situations that you need to explain to a toddler. <br />
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<strong>4. Don't worry about what other people think</strong><br />
Inevitably, you are going to be judged. By your family, your friends, people on the street. Its inevitable. But don't worry about it. For a long time it ate me up, if Chloe cried or squealed for this reason or that whilst we were out, I could feel the eyes of everyone burning down on me. Judging me. I then became stressed and dealt with the situation completely differently to how I normally would. If someone made an offhanded comment about Chloe that was even slightly negative, I'd jump on them, defending her. I would feel the anxiety swell in my stomach. Now, that's all changed. Why? Because I don't care what others think. I know that sounds awful already, so get ready for this next bit.... but why do they matter? In the end, all that matters is Chloe. I just care about her - that's the way it should be!<br />
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<strong>5. Hugs heal everything!</strong><br />
Even though Chloe is a great kid, we still have our melt downs. We've adopted a strategy of first asking her if she'd like a hug. Sounds ridiculous right? But 9 times out of 10 it will work. The other 1 time we walk away from her. She's in a moment, we cant snap her out of it, she has to do that herself, and she has to do that in her own time. So we walk away and wait for her to come to us. More often than not she will continue to scream, you need to fight every urge to not run in there and console her, but how will she learn how to pick herself up if we're constantly doing it for her? After a minute or so she will slowly emerge, cheeks stained with tears and fall into your waiting arms. It breaks my heart every time! Every. Single. Time. But.... the tantrum is over. <br />
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<strong>6. It doesn't get easier. But teamwork helps.</strong> <br />
I remember being constantly told, 'don't worry, it does get easier', crap! Absolute rubbish! It doesn't get easier, the problems just change. Whether it's sleeping, eating, walking, playing, social skills, toilet training, anything at all. There's always something that's going to be causing you difficulties. Being a parent is a hard slog, it can take you to the edge of your sanity, dignity, patience levels.... and back again, but what makes it all that much easier is teamwork. I don't know what I'd do without Jarratt. He is my rock. Sometimes, when I just cant do anymore, when I'm counting down the minutes, he appears and all is well in the world again, I can breathe. I can tag out. Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOOOOOVE Chloe, more than tea time (hehehe), but parenting is a two person job. For me anyways. Sometimes I need that solo time, that time to breathe and reboot. To just be. That doesn't make me a bad person or a bad mum. Heavens no. That makes me a better mum. It's important to be able to recognise that to be the best mum I can be, I can't always be the only one carrying the parent banner. That it's ok to pass the baton every now and then and head to the bleachers to cheer from the sideline. And thank goodness for that.<br />
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<strong>7. Its an amazing ride, savour it!</strong><br />
It feels like I've blinked and she's a whole year older. That makes me incredibly proud, but also incredibly sad. It feels like this time has gone so quickly. I feel like I'll turn around before much longer and she'll be heading to school, high school, driving, dating, getting married, having kids all of her own. Honestly, it makes me panic. It makes me think. It makes me reflect. Are we making the most of this? Are we making our precious time together special? Are we doing a good job? Is she happy? And the answer to all of that is whole heartedly, yes! We ARE making the most of each and every day. Our time IS special, SHE is special. We are most definitely doing a good job. You only need to look at that little face to know she is the happiest, most loved little girl in the whole wide world! <br />
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And so ends another spiel of what I've learnt, its been nice to share with you my ramblings and get that all off my chest. Whilst this second year of parenting hasn't been the rollercoaster of the first, it has still had its ups and downs. The crazy, the crying, the cuddles. The screaming, the sacred, the scared. The minutes, the magic, the mess. It's all been part of this second year. And it's all been worth it.<br />
<br />Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-18423659599500900202014-08-01T12:46:00.001+10:002014-08-01T12:55:27.605+10:00Quick! Quick!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello you! How are you? Well I hope. Its been a busy month here at Casa de Wyatt. We've been busy hunting for houses, applying for loans, getting taxes done and eeeeeeeeck toilet training! Its all been hard, so very, very hard, but hey? Anything worth it is right? Well, lets not waste the child nap time diddle daddling around.... lets get stuck into it!<br />
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<strong><u>STATS </u></strong>(as of 1/8/2014)<br />
Height: 84.5cm <br />
Weight: 12kgs<br />
Size: 1-2<br />
Shoe: 6<br />
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcq2POUitPGetdfDg-KiRaLMYcA_gOJ4aPnMXyzPbr8q30gB2bUWs1RHE9UUtLNi9KNLaPPVbvsgIcq-t7dfRlDHvh133hTFclvmm3mhaRDfuQq8iQDw1DrDH1BoctQAp8hE9q9ZLeHaM/s1600/IMG_9882+%2528980x653%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcq2POUitPGetdfDg-KiRaLMYcA_gOJ4aPnMXyzPbr8q30gB2bUWs1RHE9UUtLNi9KNLaPPVbvsgIcq-t7dfRlDHvh133hTFclvmm3mhaRDfuQq8iQDw1DrDH1BoctQAp8hE9q9ZLeHaM/s1600/IMG_9882+%2528980x653%2529.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>In the last month, Chloe has slowly but surely spent more dinners at the table with us than at her own table. She will still use her table for lunch and brekkie, but she much prefers eating dinner in the chair next to Mummy. As a result when we are eating out we no longer request a high chair as she simply does not need it. <br />
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She's also very capable of using her own cutlery now, although has done for a while, so no longer needs any assistance with eating. She has taken a particular interest in her knife and loves to 'cut' her (and our) food up. <br />
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The other new thing that really developed out of her taking such a long time to finish dinner was having her after dinner fruit in the bath. Often she'll snack on some mandarin, or apple, whilst in her bath. She just loves it. Except when she drops a bit in the bath, and well, if that happens it's 'yucky'.<br />
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Chloe now no longer has milk in the morning or at night. Unless she asks for it. She can have it throughout the day, as a drink. We encourage water but she much prefers milk. But in the morning now we go straight to Breakfast instead of her morning milk and she has a drink with dinner and then that's it at night. Its been a relatively easier transition. She's never been a kid that's needed to nod off with her milk in her hand so it wasn't hard to just 'drop' it from the bedtime routine. So all that stress and worry I put myself through about two months ago about how it would work, turned out to be just another thing I was overthinking. hehe.<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe is a down right chatterbox. Which I imagine is no surprise to any of you, given she's my daughter. hehe. Her language has improved out of sight and we're amazed at just how much she can say and understand. And its not just us who are impressed, her teachers at Day Care often comment on how wonderfully she speaks considering she is not 2 yet. The only downfall is if she tries to tell you too much or talk too quickly her words get muddled and its difficult to understand her. But that's pretty standard for little kids. But its made living with Chloe a whole lot easier as other than being able to tell you what's bothering her or what she needs. she can easily answer routine questions such as 'What would you like for breakfast?' and 'What would you like to do?' Taking much of the guess work out of what use to be a very difficult task.<br />
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Since her communication has improved so much we decided to attack the *gasp* toilet training issue this month. She is very confident and clearly understands terms like 'wet', 'dry', 'knickers', 'pants' (aka pull ups) and 'yucky'. All the universal language we've adopted in training our little lady. The most important has been 'quick! quick!' when she announces wee, wee or poo poo - its the response we give to her to hustle to the toilet. Which has made for some very entertaining looks when we tell her whilst crossing the road to be 'quick quick', she shouts back 'wee, wee' hahahaha. But more about toilet training later.<br />
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As a result of her understanding and language, we've reached the age where we've started spelling words. Yup, we're there people! At the spelling stage! Sometimes when she's within ear shot we'll say things like "Should we go to the P-A-R-K this afternoon?" or "How much M-I-L-K has she had today?" and so on. Other words that are strictly for spelling are bike, bread (as in garlic bread), cheese and woof. Particularly if we've left him at home and don't have time to go back for him. There are words that come on and off the list depending on variables like the weather, such as painting. But generally we can still distract in the event that a spelling word is said. I'm dreading the day when distraction no longer works. eeeeeck!<br />
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR</u></strong></div>
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So, there's an activity at swimming that Chloe had been struggling with... its called a Mat Run. Basically the kids climb out of the pool (which she can do), run to the end a foam platform (which she would do) and then JUMP into the waiting arms of their parents (which she WOULD NOT do). At the final step Chloe would cautiously sit down and slide into the pool. I didn't force the issue and figured she would do it in her own time. And she has. 2 weeks ago, Chloe jumped from the platform into my arms. She was so proud of herself and the proceeding week did not blink and got straight to work. So proud of her! We also had a make up lesson on a Sunday, as she'd missed the one when I had stitches in my hand, and daddy was able to take her for the lesson. It was lovely watching them in the water together. She really had a blast with him! <br />
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In part I think the aforementioned success in the mat run is because of a real interest she has developed in jumping. Whilst she still cant get herself off the ground too well, she'll have a good crack at it when holding your hands. As well as on the walk home from Day Care, she'll walk along the brick fences and as we reach the end she'll jump off into your arms. She just loves it! <br />
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Trips to the our local park have been fairly limited since commencing toilet training as there is no toilet there. But when we do go, the swings and car wheel are a firm favourite. Whilst she still thinks their hers, she has gotten a lot better at sharing the park and crying a lot less 'mine' or 'bubbi's' when we're there. <br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
So with Toilet Training came the issue of what do we dress Chloe in for bed now? again!!!! ........ grrrrrr, yet again, another bedtime issue surrounding clothing! We ended up keeping her PJs and just subbing out the underneath onesie to a singlet and tights. As it was easier if she needed to go to the toilet once changed for bed. And she seems to be better at keeping her blanket on herself now as well as staying on her pillow during sleeps - Yippeeeeee! And it all seems to be working - So far so good. She also still wears a pull up to bed at night, but not during the day sleep. So far, in the 3 weeks of training we've had 1 day time nap accident - and I think that's because I wasn't quick enough off the mark when she woke from her sleep. However day care has not had one dry day sleep in 6 days! I've tried racking my brain to figure out what's the difference between home and school but I have no idea! I'm absolutely against giving them a pull up for her day sleep as I believe in consistency and if she can do it at home, consistently, she should be able to do it at school. So in the meantime we're pushing on! <br />
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Towards the end of last month we had a run of bad nights. With her waking multiple times. But then she sprouted all four of her eye teeth and we've gone back to the occasional waking. She has developed a bit of a habit of needing one of us to sit with her for a while in the evening til she falls asleep. Some nights we're ok and have the time and energy for it, others we don't, and its incredibly frustrating. We're hoping its just a phase and like most things will pass. Cross your fingers for us.<br />
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
Since the arrival of Lily (Ayla's Sister) and Zoe (Ellie's sister), Chloe has been baby NUTS! Always asking for Zo-Zo and Lily! She's also developed a real sweetness in role playing with woof and more recently a doll baby Nanny bought her. She also loves listening to music, talking on the phone (mobile or landlind), sorting/matching activities and reading. Any academic pursuits really. Such a smart little cookie!<br />
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On the other side of the coin, she still hates washing her hair, but there sure is less blood curdling screams about it now. Wiping her nose has improved as has brushing her hair.<br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
<em>Toilet Training</em><br />
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As mentioned earlier, we began toilet training about 3 weeks ago. I read this whiz bang, all knowing 40 page PDF about how to toilet train in three days. Everyone, and I mean everyone (!), raved about it. And if I'm honest, it was ok. The principles were good, no negative comments, positive reinforcement, yadda yadda yadda. But you know what. Its rubbish. Its all common sense. And despite all the people I know raving about it...... no child is ever toilet trained that quickly. They may have 'learnt' the basics, but once that's done they need to master it. Well, that's my opinion anyways. But we followed the guide and for almost four excruciating days we knuckled down and stayed in for the marathon effort of toilet training Chloe complete with supplies!<br />
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By the end of the first day she was telling me and up and running to the toilet, second day same thing, third day I felt like we went backwards and I became so frustrated. I committed to another day to try and get it right! And then headed out to Renee's for a safe outing on the fourth day in the afternoon. Whilst at Renee's Chloe went to the toilet twice with prompting, it was great! Off we sent her to daycare and that's where it went a little pear shaped. She had a poo accident (which we still haven't had at home, in all three weeks) and multiple wee accidents. I felt completely defeated. All that hard work. For what? So I started again, both Thursday and Friday we had accidents (2 each day) but then by Saturday we were back on track! No accidents Saturday or Sunday, at all. Monday daddy had two accidents, but I had relaxed as one was when they were at our local park and theres no toilet. Then off she went to daycare. Picked her up.... 7 accidents! 7! I was shattered..... but I've accepted that this is how it's going to be until she really gets it. So we're now into the third week and Chloe has been accident free (at home) since Wednesday (6 days). Out tends to be hit and miss. Often with her telling us just as she's about to go, or (eeeeck!) already started. But we're so proud of her and her efforts. She's done so well considering she's not even two yet! <br />
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<em>Teeth</em><br />
Chloe has sprung 4 eye teeth this last month (and a little into the previous month as well), we think that was the cause of some disruptions to her sleeping and eating last month. The last peak is all but cut through now. Which means she has just her second year molars to get then it's smooth sailing on the teething front until she's 7 or so. Have to say I'm a wee bit excited about that!!!!<br />
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<em>Modelling</em><br />
Nothing to report as far as 'work' goes, she has got her headshots booked for the 21st of August, so I should have them to share with you by next months update. Just.<br />
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Until then, all our love, Team Wyatt, xxx<br />
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-2109346893380052022014-07-01T12:25:00.000+10:002014-07-01T12:47:24.484+10:00Where's ball?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well hello there.... how are you? I'm well. A little flu-y like almost everyone in our house since Winter has decided to turn up this last week. And it is FREEEEEEEEEE-ZING! We've officially hit heater season which means Jarratt and I are at wars over the heating situation of our house.... as with every winter, I am loosing! Boo! So here I am rugged up, typing away while my fingers slowly turn a white shade of blue. Despite it being the middle of the day and him at work, I still feel incredibly guilty about running the air conditioner. Silly huh? I guess the guilt is also because I'd be running it just for me.... you see its school holidays, yippee! And its one of my days 'off'. Chloe is in care, as we still pay for the day regardless if she goes or not, so we send her. Which means each school holidays I get 4 or so delicious days of indulgence..... ha! I wish! No, no... those days are fast filled with a ridiculously long list of 'things to do without Chloe'. The blog is one.... so here I am day one of my indulgence.... typing, to you. xxx<br />
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<strong><u>STATS</u></strong> (as of the 23/6/2014)<br />
Height: 84cms<br />
Weight: 11.3kg<br />
Size: 1-2.<br />
Shoe: 6<br />
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcCj1GaYv8FAAL96n9HtbgP5Ra4U-0K-cjcnKDZ9AC2xFSH0wdfK_k2fSlZX4ngI0keEzytAq8fjBasarQwN67opwI8AC8lagOeAq1DurfKBoj0-fgdQxRnjlWnB3GnuqGkUJdVXvcio/s1600/IMG_2441+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcCj1GaYv8FAAL96n9HtbgP5Ra4U-0K-cjcnKDZ9AC2xFSH0wdfK_k2fSlZX4ngI0keEzytAq8fjBasarQwN67opwI8AC8lagOeAq1DurfKBoj0-fgdQxRnjlWnB3GnuqGkUJdVXvcio/s1600/IMG_2441+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>The high chair is NO more. Little Miss has officially graduated to her own table and chair. She continues to eat with us and the same foods as us. Then at each meal we slide out her table and chairs and position it at the end of our dining table for her. Although she can be a little fickle. Sometimes mid meal she'll want to sit on a dining chair next to mummy, which is fine. She's a toddler after all and they haven't got the best attention spans, lets be honest. But on a whole she is so happy to be out of the high chair and have her own little space. Gives her a real sense of self worth I think. She'll still use high chairs (sporadically) when we're eating out, but I think that will slowly phase out as she becomes more and more confident in normal dining chairs through practice at home.<br />
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Goodness.... Cinos! Chloe can now ask for them, and at the mere mention on them is running full steam in the direction of those delivering them. She still hasn't mastered the spoon to mouth business when the cino is more milk less froth, often spilling it all down her. Which is great fun when she no longer wants a bib on. But hey, its all part of the process in learning for her and for me. I just know now to quickly locate a straw to delay the inevitable. She is however VERY good at drinking from an open cup. We've begun a mantra of 'two hands please', as she's taken to carrying very small items in one hand as a comfort. But more on that later. So far the mantra is working. She is a fantastic listener and loves the praise she gets when we congratulate her on drinking so well.... with <em>two</em> hands!<br />
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Recently we've had a bucket load of Chloes friends (pretty much the entire swimming class) turn 2. And Chloe has well and truly indulged in cake and all things party! Like all kids she loves it! We have no problem with her eating the 'rarely' foods at parties, because well... that's what parties are about. And there's something too precious about her beautiful face smeared with cake that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
Its like this last month, she's decided she's just going to blow us away with her language. And not just us, any of those around her that care to converse. This month her day care teachers were shocked to realise she had yet turned 2, given how well she 'speaks'. Don't get me wrong she's no Shakespeare. But she is quickly moving from 'babble' to being able to clearly and effectively communicate her wants and needs. She is stringing multiple words together (including counting 1-6) and parroting at an alarming rate. Recently we had a bit of drama at home on a Saturday as I sliced my hand (and an artery! Eeeeck!) on a broken glass, requiring an urgent trip to the Emergency Room and 4 stitches. When it happened I may have bleeped out a swear word (oh shit!) and for the rest of the day, in front of many doctors at St George Hospital little miss proceeded to repeat the aforementioned phrase numerous times. So all you potty mouths (mummy included) are officially on notice! No more! Or you'll have daddy's wrath to deal with. No joke!<br />
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As a result, we think of her language getting better and people seeming to understand her more, she's come right out of her shell and is happy to play/talk/engage with people she occasionally sees. Like poor Scott and Eimhin a few weekends ago at the Henson in Marrickville. We do a fair amount of work on keeping her clued in on whose who in our circle of friends and family, by showing her pictures of our nearest and dearest where we say their names and she'll parrot them back. I think the poor thing is being conditioned by her teacher mummy in developing good habits for language development already. For so long, when teaching her a new word/name/etc - I ask her to watch my mouth, so she can see how to shape hers when she repeats the word. Now, without asking her, she will turn and look at us when we are speaking. Which is not only displaying wonderful skills in learning, but also fantastic manners.<br />
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But.... with good language use comes good assertive language. I don't want to say bossy, but golly I could. She will often give pretty specific directions to us, which can not always be at the most convenient time. "Daddy. Sit. Here" "Mummy. Come. Please". Unless its unsafe or impossible or rude (as in she hasn't said please, which we quickly prompt her to say "What do you say?") we will follow her directions. I mean if we expect her to listen to us and follow our instructions, we need to listen to her. It is a two way street. Also if we want her to be confident in herself and her voice, we need to show her that her voice is valued. Its not always easy, its not always convenient... but it really is that simple. <br />
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The other hilarious thing that has developed this month is Chloe becoming completely aware of our 'real' names. Jarratt and I have never referred to each other directly as 'mummy' and 'daddy'. If I need to ask Jarratt a question, I ask J. Same in the reverse. "J have you seen my phone?" "Bec does this need to go in the wash?" and so on.... Chloe, the clever clogs she is, has worked it out. Leading to many funny instances of her publicly calling out "Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay" in a crowded pub whilst we are having lunch. <br />
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Meanwhile, she STILL thinks <em>her</em> name is"'Bubbi" :)<br />
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR</u></strong></div>
So trips to the park have become a lot fun-er this month with little miss being able to walk almost the entire block there. She is also finding the swings much more enjoyable and with little assistance is about to climb most ladders and other equipment easily. She is still cautious going down the slide and likes to hold your hand on occasion but her confidence is definitely increasing at a exponential rate. Its fantastic to see! We're so proud of her!<br />
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Dancing continues to be a favourite pass time with her now following most of the actions to songs and generally swaying to music in the car. We have each purchased a play school CD for the car and she knows them songs verbatim now. She also loves to play a simplified version of musical statues where I sing my own made up song and then say 'stop' at which point she freezes. She just loves that game.<br />
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She's made some great developments this month in swimming. She now competently monkey monkeys along the wall. Kicks and bubbles with her 'rocket arms' and when using a kickboard. She also has begun the first steps towards 'diving', being able to 'jelly fish' along a submersed platform and then 'splatting' through a hula hoop. All independently. It really is pretty impressive stuff. Given she is the youngest in the class, with all the others turning 2 already, the teacher has rolled the class over to a 2-3 year old lesson so as we can all stay in the group together. Its so nice that she's been able to stay in the class with all her little friends.<br />
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Chloe has taken a real interest in jumping at the moment. Whilst she hasn't 'jumped' as such yet, she loves to hold your hands and bounce on her toes. We've tried showing her how to bend her knees and push off the ground, but she gets annoyed and prefers doing it her own way. Often when I try and help her, she waves her hand at me frowns and says 'no please mummy, bubbi do!' Then takes my hands, says 'jump' over and over as she bounces. The best bit is she laughs hysterically whilst doing it. So, so cute!<br />
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<u><strong>SLEEPING</strong></u> </div>
Sleeping continues to be hit and miss. Ahhhhh, the ongoing battle of sleep. I shake my fist at you! So we had a patch of about 2 weeks where we had no wake ups. Then BAM! This last week, multiple times a night. Grrrrrrr! We think it may be the change in temp with the nights being much cooler now, so we're trialling some different things. But since Chloe still really thrashes about in her sleep its hard to keep any blankets on her. We've already dressed her in a singlet, onsie and thermal PJs but still no good. Who knows. I know I report on this each month and its often sprinkled with negativity, but its just part and parcel in this parenting game for us. Meanwhile day sleeps are perfect. Often she sleeps for 3 hours, with us waking her before she sleeps past 3, as then we have problems with her going to bed at night.<br />
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Bedtime has also crept back to 730 on occasions, and once this month 930! Which was not great! But was for Jarratts mums birthday, so couldn't be avoided. Most nights though by 7, she (and us) are ready for her to go to bed. Some nights she may 'try it on', often laying in bed 'practicing' her words and having conversations with woof. If she begins to carry on for too long, or begins calling for us we've taken a firm line of late. Telling her 'that's enough, its bedtime, go to sleep'. Once again we are doing our best to be consistent and it seems to be paying off. <br />
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
Oh lordy lordy.... so a few weeks back whilst Nanny was visiting we got some Indian food from down the road. Whilst waiting for it, I innocently bought Chloe a small bouncy ball from a vending type machine for her to play with. What a mistake! The ball.... now comes everywhere! And I mean EVERYWHERE. She sleeps with it (as you can see) and well go back and check out the eating photo from earlier. See it on the table? hahaha. Its also being held in the photo coming up of her and daddy at the zoo. Hahaha. A bit of a where's Wally? game for you there. We've had to buy a few 'spares' since it is prone to going missing. We were worried when she started taking it to bed that she may (heaven forbid) choke on it .... so try as we might to have her give it to us before putting her down, she was adamant that it was coming with her. So it went. We figured we'd just creep in and pluck it out once she was asleep. Which we did until she started waking up in a panic overnight crying out 'ball!? where's ball?" After waking in the morning its the first thing she asks for, when in the car, same thing. She's taken to hiding it in her clothes, under her 'bum bum', all sorts of places and then innocently asking 'where's ball?'. I think its her favourite game!<br />
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After her ball, her little friends are her next favourite thing. Sometimes its the only way I can get her out the door! 'Chloe, do you want to see Ayla?' 'Yeh, Nee?' 'Yeah, Renee and what about Ellie?' 'Yeh! Nic?' "Of course, lets go Bubbi". She is just smitten with them. And she is so so so considerate and loving to them. She laughs, chases, plays with them in such a way that is so far advanced for her age. I don't think Chloe has ever 'parallel played' as I'm told most kids do. She will often lean in close to her friends and talk to them. Just the other day at a party, I asked Chloe if she wanted me to get her some party num num. She said yes please mummy, then turned to her friend B and said "BB, num, yeh?" B nodded and Chloe turned back to me and shouted "Mummy, BB, num, k?" So deliciously sweet. <br />
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Unfortunately the hates this month land squarely at hygiene issues. Washing her hair, wiping snot from her face and changing her nappy. Whilst the first two are a constant battle and filled with tears, the nappy one is not as consistently hard. We've cut back on the hair washing and only put her through the trauma twice a week. Once on Friday post swimming and once on Wednesday after day care. Which is more than adequate. But it has to be done. There's no getting around it. Sorry Chloe.<br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
<em>The Wiggles @ The Powerhouse</em><br />
In other news we've done some cool family excursions this month. One Sunday we packed a bag and headed into the city to check out the Wiggles Exhibition at the Powerhouse. It was great! We arrived early and thankfully beat a lot of the crowd. Whilst there <strike>Emma</strike> Chloe was able to wave to the Wiggle house, cut fruit salad, make roses and have tea with Dorothy, ride the big red car and steer captain feather swords ship. It was a fantastic exhibition and I HIGHLY recommend it!<br />
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<em>Taronga Zoo</em><br />
We also had Lucy, Tom and Roy visit from Hobart! And apart from just generally hanging out, we also took Chloe to the zoo! She had a blast checking out the turtles, gorillas, giraffes and seals. But slept through the remained of the zoo. So we will definitely need to return to check out the lions and tigers and bears.... oh my! hehehe. Here she is with Daddy before she nodded off.... can you spy the ball? hehehe.<br />
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<em>Modelling. </em><br />
This month we also re-signed with Bambini Talent Group for another year. It wasn't really a tough decision, Chloe has done really well with it this past year and we thought it would be fun to continue for another year. I do need to look into booking new head shots for her which should be done (fingers crossed) by her birthday. I'll keep you posted. <br />
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Anyways, I better scoot. I want to tick off a few more things off this list before the indulgence day is done! ;-)Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-70881162259241160202014-05-26T18:39:00.003+10:002014-05-26T18:44:16.981+10:00Always be my bubbi.<br />
Why hello there? How are you? We're ok... Chloe has unfortunately had an allergic reaction to what we believe is a insect bite of some description, so all is not well. She's currently asleep in our bed, 3 hours earlier in the day than normal, so clearly sick! But whilst she is resting I wanted to make the most of my 'free' time and get the blog done.....as hard as it is to get motivated! You know each month the 23rd rolls around and I sigh and groan about doing this.... but when I look back at each post, I am filled with such happiness about the amazing gift I am giving our daughter. How cool is it to have such a keepsake of your childhood? And so I drag myself through the process of writing this... organising, editing photos and videos, writing the memories down and reading aloud to Jarratt to check for any errors.... By the time it's finished, I am again filled with deep satisfaction that for at least another month, I have not thrown the towel in. I also find myself gasping at just how quickly time is flying by... as I see Chloe slowly transforming from baby to toddler to child. Its a little confronting and scary, but exciting and relieving at the same time. But no matter how old she gets and no matter how many posts I do documenting her growing up.... she will <em>always</em> be my "bubbi".<br />
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And so... without further adue... please enjoy this months effort, xxx<br />
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<strong><u>STATS</u></strong><br />
Height: 82cm<br />
Weight: 11kgs<br />
Size: 1<br />
Shoe: 6<br />
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<u><strong>EATING and DRINKING</strong></u></div>
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Chloe unfortunately has gone off her food as of late, but we have discovered there is a reason. Just two days ago I spied one eye tooth through on the top left and another bludging just below the surface (top right). She tends to go off her food when she's teething so its just a matter of time before we're back into the swing of things. She will still dive right in for some meals over others though, so she is obviously developing a taste for certain foods over others. She loves garlic bread, potato mashed with pumpkin, skewers, cheese, peas and corn. She will also eat mushrooms straight out of the bag on the walk home from the shop, but turn her nose up at them in salads or cooked and put through pasta... go figure? She'll make a beeline for the grapes in IGA but will only eat them off the vine at home. Crazy little quirks she's developing.<br />
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She's also able to say 'cut' now. Which makes for interesting dinning experiences when she wants her own knife. And not the safe baby one, the mega sharp steak knife. Just like mummy and daddy. She's also starting to get the errks on occasions about sitting in the high chair. So we're looking at options there. For the time being she is just sitting on one of the dining room chairs but she does need a bit of propping up. <br />
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Chloe still has milk first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I'm not really sure when we should start phasing that out?! I remember being told that you need to slowly wean them off their night time milk before toilet training so that's something I'm keeping in the back of my mind. But as it is she's pretty in love with her milk, saying it as soon as we get her out of bed in the morning. 'Milk mummy please'<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe's vocab is out of sight. She can say a bunch of words now and is learning words exponentially. She seems to have a new handful of words each week! But her speech is still a bit of the baby babble. So while we understand her, I'm sure others probably wouldn't. I don't think I could even rattle a list of words off succinctly, I'd surely miss a heap, so I wont. The words that we are pushing are 'Ta' and 'Please' and she is ACE at these. Having a well mannered child is obviously something we all strive for, but was an absolute firm line for Jarratt and I. Working in a school I all too often am shocked at the manners displayed by students. I do not want my daughter to grow up with a sense of entitlement and lack of gratitude! So from an early age, as you all know, once 'MORE' came around, we quickly trained her in 'More, PLEASE'. So far she'll say Ta and Please without much prompting, which makes us both very proud. I wholeheartedly think she is a good kid, but even good kids need to be taught manners.<br />
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The one word she has begun using and one we really don't like, we assume she's picked up from day care since we don't use it at home, is 'mine'. We are doing our best to explain ownership to her, for example that the car wheel at the park is not hers, its everyone's. But with those difficult 'terrible twos' fast approaching, I think its going to be an uphill battle. And whilst Chloe is a down right amazing toddler, she is still a toddler who does not have a well developed method of communication and that's where her frustration lies. She explains that she wants to car, we explain she needs to share and we expect her to listen to our request/demand, while we in the same breathe we have not listened to her. Its a difficult tightrope to walk. <br />
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Songs and singing have been a great way to teach Chloe new vocab with 'Open, Shut them' and 'Old Macdonald' being firm favourites. Practical, action songs which she can then use the language of in everyday conversation are great! She will now often sit down and open and shut her hands whilst singing the song... she then says open please mummy, when she wants something out of the toy box, or cupboard she cant open. The application of the old word in a new way is very impressive. Ok, I'll take my teacher hat off now ;-)<br />
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR SKILLS</u></strong></div>
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Chloe just loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooves her bike. Over the last month or so she has become extremely confident riding it around and hooning down hills. Yes, I said hooning. She is a dare devil flying down hills and driveways! Often Jarratt and I will take her out in the afternoon. As the weeks have rolled by she has needed us less and less. Now taking Chloe out for a ride, becomes a nice bit of down time for Jarratt and I to catch up with each other.... and its ever so handy that her bike is stored in the garage, right by the beer and cider. Two birds one stone ;-)<br />
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And whilst ballet lessons have been put on the backburner with me now working an additional day (Wednesday), Swimming has been going gang busters! Although there had been an air of anxiety for me floating around lessons.... You see, we were hitting that period of time where all her mates were going to start moving up a level as they all have turned two or are turning two shortly. Then poor Chloe would be left in the class for almost 3 months on her own..... and I was dreading it. Last year when this happened Chloe took a real step backwards in her ability and her joy for swimming all but dwindled! Thankfully, due to the other parents and I rallying together and the kindness of one of the swimming coordinators, the class is just going to be rolled over and no one will have to move! Yay! I'm so happy. It means all the developments Chloe has been making and enjoyment she gets each Friday will not be affected! <br />
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And even though ballet is not happening at the moment.... Chloe still does like to dance and wiggle at any and all opportunities. I think she gets her smooth moves from daddy ;-)<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkVxQjv91sZQEvnTckE8UpNeULr0U5rvlyFc6KoWKotzKHsgVWRMX2ghuXd146cPsglq8oY6Y2m1_sy56JRhXSt5CZ7HbPqNskXQZjhiDiYNzIDaDXnfbpu4JInUUT9370HSe9J1BPiE/s1600/IMG_5403+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkVxQjv91sZQEvnTckE8UpNeULr0U5rvlyFc6KoWKotzKHsgVWRMX2ghuXd146cPsglq8oY6Y2m1_sy56JRhXSt5CZ7HbPqNskXQZjhiDiYNzIDaDXnfbpu4JInUUT9370HSe9J1BPiE/s1600/IMG_5403+(1024x683).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>So after returning from Japan where she slept in a lot of beds and paired with the fact that she no longer sleeps in a cot at day care. We have officially converted Chloe's cot into a toddler bed.... and we have not looked back! She is so happy with the changes in her sleeping arrangements that she will even put herself to bed now. The only problem is Jarratt and I both had anxieties about her falling out of bed onto the floorboards so Jarratt installed a roll bar, which is quite difficult for her to get over. So although she will TAKE herself to bed... she can't actually get IN. So we still have to help her, despite her objections.<br />
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She has also this week started to ask for a pillow when she goes to sleep. It was one of the things we tried when she was having a run of bad nights and now something she asks for along with her blanket to be put over her.... its very sweet. All these little changes in sleeping arrangements makes me really realise how grown up she is getting and how fast time goes really go.<br />
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
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Other than her bike, her other main squeeze at the moment is 'bubba's'. Chloe just LOVES babies! If she was a grown woman I'd be saying she was clucky. She really is baby nuts! She shows real deep affection any time we visit with a baby, be it Zoe, Bailey or even brand new Lickity Split Lily. She is soft, kind, and very generous with the kisses. I think the universe is trying to tell me something...... For now, however, I'm going to carry on ignoring the universe ;-)<br />
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Trips to the park are also a firm favourite with Chloe - and an almost daily occurrence when she's home with Dad or I. She just loves our local park, with the stairs, bridge, car and 'round da round'. More recently she has become a bit of a demon on the slide. Travelling down it a breakneck speed..... when only a few weeks ago she'd want to hold your hand whilst she slid down. Its crazy how fast she learns and grows in confidence!<br />
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She really loves being independent, and this is starting to show in really cute ways like wanting to 'walk' from the bath to where we change her for bed. She continues to love driving the car, but it has to be on! As well as being creative such as painting and sticking.<br />
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The only really thing she 'hates' at the moment is mummy leaving. She's been very particular about me doing things for her at the moment over Jarratt and will often cry and say 'no daddy' and wave her hand at him when he offers to take her to the bath, brush her teeth or read a book. Its been very hard on him and understandably he gets frustrated with it. But I'm sure its a stage, and whilst it is exhausting being a bit of a single parent, I have to enjoy it, because I'm sure in a few years and the way most teenage girls are affected by hormones, she'll want nothing to do with me and instead of it being a simple 'no mummy', it'll probably be much, much worse.<br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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<em>iPad skills!</em><br />
Since coming back from Japan Chloe is insanely good at the iPad. She can navigate it, select an app and play a variety of games. Her fave (thanks Lucy Hunt) is an app by Toca Boca called Pet Café. She is so skilled at dragging, sorting, tapping, it really scares me. The only hiccup is if she hits any advertising, she hasn't figured out how to exit out of the app store and since I'm a cheap skate and don't pay for any apps, a lot of mine have advertising. <br />
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<em>Mothers Day</em><br />
For Mother's Day (and Rob's Birthday) we headed to Maitland for the weekend. Arriving Friday and leaving Sunday. It was a bit of a whirlwind and one I still haven't truly recovered from thanks to a busy weekend last as well. Its always a blast hanging out with Mum and Rob and I'm really enjoying Mum and Is new relationship, being a Nanny definitely agrees with her. And she's such a natural at it. After mummy, daddy, nanny is always Chloe's next word. She just loves her nanny. It makes me sad that they live so far away, but makes me appreciate the time we have together so much more. <br />
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<em>Teeth</em><br />
So as I mentioned two days ago I spied Chloe's top left hand eye tooth coming in, well, actually through.... the right hand side has the white tip and bump that appears just before they break through the gum. So once through that will make 14 teeth in total... with the bottom eye teeth and second year molars yet to arrive. Then we're done and dusted, as far as baby teeth go. Woohoo!<br />
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<em>Modelling</em><br />
Chloe's approaching the end of her first year modelling contract and Jarratt and I have decided to renew it. Since last post the Babies R Us baby book has been released, she's appeared again for Mother and Baby in both their magazine and website and has been made the profile pic for her agencies Facebook page. She also recently did another shoot for Big W. We arrived on set and it was very crowded, more so than usual. Chloe was given a beautiful hello kitty dress with attached pantaloons and matching hat. I put her in it and set her up in front of the camera, she smiled and posed as she always does.... but the outfit needed a lot of adjusting and after three or so goes of fiddling to her it just right. Chloe waved her hand at the photographer and said 'no', walked over to me and sat down. I tried to put her back in front of the camera and she cried, no mummy! So I said to the photographer.... I think we're done. They weren't entirely sure they got the photo and explained they would put someone else in the outfit that afternoon. I said that was fine, and I wasn't making her do anything she didn't want to do. They respected that and we headed home. It will be interesting to see if they use the photos they got of her, or another child... as it was a difficult outfit. I didn't get the date that the catalogue comes out, I'm hoping I haven't missed it. Keep your eyes peeled for me.<br />
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Until next time, xxx<br />
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<br />Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-19260136171788840082014-04-26T14:29:00.000+10:002014-04-27T16:45:51.679+10:00Turning Japanese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-35874493449506585872014-04-26T12:24:00.001+10:002014-04-26T12:24:46.063+10:00Arigatō Gozaimasu Japan.Konnichiwa Everyone!<br />
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How are you? I'm well, we've just returned from our first family overseas holiday and it was amazing! So this update is obviously going to be different from the previous format... I'm not going to outline Chloe's achievements, instead I'm just gonna lay on ya the details of our fan-tab-u-lous trip.... prepare yourself for the awesomeness....<br />
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We left Sydney late on the night of the 9th of April, our flight departed at 930pm and arrived in Tokyo at about 7am. The flight itself was pretty uneventful, we managed to secure the bassinet seat and shortly after take off Chloe fell asleep on me and once the seat belt sign was turned off we transferred her to the bassinet and that's where she remained until we began descent. A few times she woke herself as she hit the sides of the bassinet but quickly resettled back to sleep. But being 81.5cm and 10.7kgs (as of today) when the bassinet is built for a baby that is 11.8kgs and 71cm long, it was a bit squishy for her. <br />
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When we arrived, we had a few hours of queuing to complete... through customs, immigration, for our rail passes. Whilst in line, it became obvious how much attention Chloe was going to get on this trip. People were snapping photos of her left, right and centre, which was impressive considering we were in an area where the signs indicated no cameras/phones were to be used. She was pretty unaware of it and happily drew on the immigration forms as we waited. When we were done with all the lining up, we boarded an express train to Tokyo at around 9am. Once we arrived at Tokyo Station, we found our hotel (with the help of Tourist Information) easily. Despite requesting an early check in, the hotel wasn't quite ready for us, so we headed back out for some lunch of sushi, noodles and pork buns! Yum. Chloe was fantastic and dived right into the food, no hesitation! <br />
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We then returned to the hotel, checked in and headed to the Imperial Palace to explore the gardens. On the edge of the gardens we encountered our first cherry blossoms and they were A-MA-ZING! In full bloom and simply stunning! We couldn't believe our luck, we spent a few moments photographing them before continuing to Niju-bashi for a picture postcard view of the palace peeking out from behind the bridge. We were also spoiled with some diplomatic viewing as the Emperor in his horse drawn cart left the palace across the bridge. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkRkw_5WTaW5_Zg_gdLYP1Hs5OVL4wluxvC4jby9pskes7FtLU8I8NwBYUT1_tezKBmV3R2D-NeyR7YapfiIMAm3E8GBz54c6fpWT9b8gjAsD1B_S6JeQjwUk7IwrFXkJWSzKpQ-jZ10/s1600/IMG_1488+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkRkw_5WTaW5_Zg_gdLYP1Hs5OVL4wluxvC4jby9pskes7FtLU8I8NwBYUT1_tezKBmV3R2D-NeyR7YapfiIMAm3E8GBz54c6fpWT9b8gjAsD1B_S6JeQjwUk7IwrFXkJWSzKpQ-jZ10/s1600/IMG_1488+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Afterwards we made our way north to the Imperial Palace East Gardens through Ote-man gate. We spent the next few hours taking in the beauty of the gardens and buildings, as well as spending some moments beneath the beautiful cherry blossoms playing chasies and being bombarded by various groups of friendly Japanese. As dinner time approached we strolled down into Ginza to check out the neon lights and opulence - we weren't disappointed. However, exhausted from lack of sleep the night before and a massive day, I'm happy to say we all crashed out early and slept like logs that first night!</div>
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The next morning we grabbed a quick bite to eat for brekkie and made our way to Tokyo Station for our (4hour!) shinkansen to Takayama via Nagoya. Chloe was an absolute dream on the train, happily watching her iPad, eating and even catching a nap as we sampled our first bento box, zipped past Mt Fuji and took in the most beautiful scenery of all our bullet train trips. Hues of pinks from the cherry blossoms sprinkled the landscape, crystal blue water filled the rivers and water ways... it was truly magical. <br />
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Shortly after 4pm we arrived at our Takayama accommodation: Zenkoji Temple Inn. A functioning Buddhist temple that takes donations in exchange for accommodation. We were given a small apartment style room complete with a two seater couch which ingeniously Jarratt converted into a cot for our 2 night stay. <br />
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With dinner on our minds we headed straight to sanmachi-suji. The centre of the old town. This neighbourhood consists of three main streets lined with traditional houses which contain shops, restaurants, private homes, sake breweries and museums. The old charm was gorgeous! And being a pedestrian only zone Chloe was free to wander about and explore, free of parent panic. By the time we reached the outskirts of the neighbourhood we were ready for dinner. So we popped into a restaurant to try some Hida Beef, Miso Soup and Soba Noodles constructed into Sushi. Whilst the Soba left a lot to be desired, the Hida Beef was UNBELIEVEABLE! In true Japanese Style our meal was prepared for us by one of the waitresses, there was some argy-bargy at the kitchen, we suspect over who would serve us and the 'beautiful baby'. Hahaha. After our meal, we made the cold walk back to our accommodation for the night.<br />
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The next morning we made our way to Takayama-Jinya for our private English speaking (free) tour. Takayama Jinya is the only remaining prefectural office building and in addition to the offices, it also has a rice granary, beautiful garden and torture chamber. It was a beautiful (albeit cold) building to wander around and interestingly had over 200 rabbit embellishments on the beams of each room to ward off fires. Afterwards we began the mission of finding an international ATM, once we were loaded we took a stroll along the Miya-gawa and the morning market where once again Chloe became a bit of a celebrity, this time with Japanese school girls. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGliWUHbS9b9XdSA80rR13F8rkt801-hTq1qLrJpe1Hw0vPzeoPAPcLexNtR3kzZNetCItN5W15psk4D6A5fJqFksnSpJINtCp82WBcNpwijC84uVZ3o-VhLiaaxNEg7W-65tjhyphenhyphenXT6UQ/s1600/IMG_2131+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGliWUHbS9b9XdSA80rR13F8rkt801-hTq1qLrJpe1Hw0vPzeoPAPcLexNtR3kzZNetCItN5W15psk4D6A5fJqFksnSpJINtCp82WBcNpwijC84uVZ3o-VhLiaaxNEg7W-65tjhyphenhyphenXT6UQ/s1600/IMG_2131+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Once we had taken in all the market had to offer (Hida Beef buns and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarubobo">Sarubobo</a> trinkets) we made a beeline for the Karakuri museum. We'd read about their puppet show and thought it would be a real hit with Chloe... we weren't wrong. Once the puppets began their performance she was pointing and ewww-ing and ahhh-ing like it was no one's business! She was even invited to participate in one of the performances and received a gift from another. Very spesh indeed! Afterwards we walked the short distance to the Takayama Matsuri Yatakikaikan (The festival float hall). Each year one of Japan's greatest festivals takes part in Takayama, Takayama Matsuri. During the festival, a dozen decorated floats covered with carvings, puppets, dolls, coloured curtains and blinds, are paraded through the town. Which we missed.... by 2 days!!! The festival hall itself houses 4 of these floats including one dating from the 17th century. <br />
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After we finished at the hall we took a stroll back to the Sanmachi-suji district, where we sample sake and grabbed another serve of Hida Beef, this time as a type of stew with miso 'taste'. It was again, delish! We spent the rest of the afternoon chasing pigeons and exploring an old samurai house complete with secret passageways and booby trapped ceilings! That night we indulged in one last meal of delicious Hida Beef, this time as sushi and with rice. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYve6OKzMh5YViXIa9abzFKKgca-dleeIfGmrPtUiu_khFaUXV8W4kM_K4cGAdQtEirJSbVb4LEeyPMpyhtYWzXJ6WDo5uki7oDJ21xAv9iwRT1fHcfifXlsoqgVd0WaaIiB8ZC2-Kb5Y/s1600/IMG_2455+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYve6OKzMh5YViXIa9abzFKKgca-dleeIfGmrPtUiu_khFaUXV8W4kM_K4cGAdQtEirJSbVb4LEeyPMpyhtYWzXJ6WDo5uki7oDJ21xAv9iwRT1fHcfifXlsoqgVd0WaaIiB8ZC2-Kb5Y/s1600/IMG_2455+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>The next morning we sadly waved goodbye to our temple stay and boarded a bus for Kanazawa with a stop over in Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is home to over 110 gassho-sukuri buildings - stunning steeply slanted straw-roofed homes that were designed to prevent the accumulation of heavy snow in the winter. The name gassho when translated means praying, because the shape of the roofs were thought to resemble two hands clasped in prayer. The buildings are stunning and we were more than happy to spend a few hours grabbing some lunch and exploring the village including a visit to Wada Ke, a house that belonged to a wealthy silk trading family and dates back to the mid-edo period, as well as making the 15 minute walk to the observatory point to look over the whole area. By 2pm we were back on the bus and heading to Kanazawa.<br />
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Kanazawa was a true highlight of our trip. Somehow we lucked out in our accommodation, booking a geisha tea house in the picturesque district of Higashi Chaya-gai. There was also a geisha and musical parade that evening that was running straight past our accommodations doorstep. And if that wasn't lucky enough, we were blown away by the cherry blossoms which seemed more beautiful than those we had seen in Tokyo. <br />
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Our first evening in Kanazawa was spent wandering the beautiful alleyways, hunting geisha and having the most magical time along the cherry blossom lined river front in the soft light of sunset as a family. That night, once Chloe was asleep Jarratt and I watched the procession of geisha, musicians and dancers roll passed our doorstep. But the real highlight was Jarratt spotting at the very end of our street, two geishas in a second storey window serving drinks to a group of Japanese businessmen. We were like two giggy school girls, so excited by his find.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEXsIsLCBM1YV5LQlqFiwGH4BbZ_Bt_fy90s8CqUckohsxwNd1VYaLH6is0DOjh0NFOvd7g7dLDs2C5qZ5167NXw2sb9exfemlPdVcbti_7KLsyY68d5k6iiT_8LMxkxJGqMyjXhoe1M/s1600/IMG_2948+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEXsIsLCBM1YV5LQlqFiwGH4BbZ_Bt_fy90s8CqUckohsxwNd1VYaLH6is0DOjh0NFOvd7g7dLDs2C5qZ5167NXw2sb9exfemlPdVcbti_7KLsyY68d5k6iiT_8LMxkxJGqMyjXhoe1M/s1600/IMG_2948+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>The next morning, we took advantage of our location and strolled the beautiful empty streets. After brekkie we made our way to Kanazawa Castle Park and things went a little pear shaped. Just after entering the park Chloe slipped on some gravel and fell, scratching her gum and biting her lip. Despite the excessive amount of blood, the damage was minimal and with the help of a ice block the swelling was pretty much non existent. Not five minutes later, whilst playing with a little boy, bam! Over she went again.... this time doing a pretty good job grazing her forehead. At this point, we both agreed that she would not be walking any more. In the carrier she went. Before long she nodded off and we began the walk to the Nagamachi District.<br />
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Nagamachi District is an area once inhabited by samurai. It is a beautiful well preserved area filled with winding streets, tile roofed mud walls and framed by two canals. Once little miss woke, she wanted 'out' of the carrier, we were both extremely nervous as we didn't want anymore head injuries. We tried to deter her by offering to carry her, on our shoulders, in our arms.... but eventually she wanted to walk, so I took control of the pram and the bags, etc and Jarratt moved into the catching position. Which she found hilarious. We did not.<br />
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We slowly made our way up to Kenroku-en via the castle park. Kenroku is the shiny star of all Kanazawa's beauty. It is ranked number 3 among Japan's top gardens. We, however did not see the beauty as it was overrun with people. It was the Sakura festival weekend and as a result entry to the park was free. So there were people everywhere. One of the reasons the park is so renowned is because it follows the six requirements for perfection from Chinese culture... one of which is seclusion, another spaciousness... but when it was as crowded as it was on this particular day, it was anything but perfection. Pretty? Absolutely! Perfect? Hmmmm- not quite. We then headed back to the Castle Park for a cultural performance including a variety of traditional local dances, including a geisha performance. That night we popped back to our favourite restaurant for one last meal and one last stroll around the beautiful empty streets.<br />
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The next day we jumped aboard the shinkansen bound for Kyoto. It was at this point that little miss began to become a bit sick, she developed a rough cough and snotty nose. She also became quite clingy and went off her food entirely. But like the trooper she is, she battled on with mummy and daddy's help. When we arrived in Kyoto, once again we found our hotel easily, and with the help of google maps made the plan to head out to Arashiyama which is at the base of the Kyoto's western mountains. We spent some time exploring the famed bamboo grove, the atmosphere within the grove felt very surreal, almost like another world. The effect of the bamboo reaching into the sky, as if never ending was quite unlike anything we'd ever experienced.<br />
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With the afternoon quickly slipping away we were desperate to get over the bridge, across the water and up the mountain to visit the monkey park. I'd read about the park and thought Chloe would enjoy it. The park is home to almost 200 monkeys who are free to roam the grounds and (refreshingly) it is the human's who are caged up in a box. The monkey park was a ridiculous 20 minutes climb straight up! And of course too difficult for Chloe, so we took turns carrying her - although Jarratt did do the majority of it. Once at the summit the view was spectacular! And the monkey's did not disappoint either! Chloe had a blast feeding them bag after bag of apple. Squealing with delight as each monkey snatched a piece from her hand. After an hour or so we began the decent down, the cold air was beginning to set in and we were conscience of the fact that Chloe was not 100%. So we grabbed a quick dinner on the main strip and then boarded our bus for the hotel.<br />
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The next morning we made our way to the Imperial Palace for our tour of the inner palace and grounds. This tour had been booked 3 months in advance from home. Despite this fantastic planning, we had issues accessing Jarratts email from Japan, thanks to some quick thinking by Bec and a good friend back home, we were able to rectify the problem, and off we toddled. The tour itself was ok, the gardens however were spectacular. It was also cool to see where the enthronement of a new emperor (and other state ceremonies) are held. After the conclusion of our tour, with the little lady fading we decided to let her have a decent sleep in the cot back at the hotel. We also took the opportunity to do our washing and form a game plan for our remaining time in Kyoto whilst she slept.<br />
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That afternoon we took the subway and a JR into South East Kyoto to visit the Fushimi Inari-Tasha, a Shinto shrine. I'd seen gorgeous photos of these never ending red torii gates and was desperate to photograph them. The shrine is stunning and did not disappoint. It was easy to understand why it is one of Japan's most popular. After I'd pretty much filled my SD card with photos we boarded a JR train back to Kyoto station where we had some dinner - A deep fried breaded pork cutlet, in the hopes we could coax little miss into eating something more than sultanas. We were not successful. Not wanting to push her passed her limits we called it a day and headed home.<br />
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The next day, after making big plans the previous day and taking it easy for little miss to catch up on some rest, we headed out to Southern Higashiyama. On the recommendations of pretty much EVERY writer on the topic we made a beeline for Kiyomizu-Dera. A Buddhist temple which is apparently the most famous landmark of the city. We had been informed that it gets extremely crowded and it was a good idea to visit as early as possible, which with a little person who wakes religiously between 7-730, was not hard. We arrived at the temple just after 830am and luckily the place was empty. We made our way to the main hall, which was a huge veranda supported by pillars and gave a good view across Kyoto. Just past the main hall and up some flights of stairs is the Jishu-Jinja, a shrine for love. The main attraction being 2 stones set about 10m apart. The jist is if you can walk from one stone to the other with your eyes closed you will have success in love. You can have someone help you, but then the deal is you will need someone's assistance in finding your true love. A cute little gimmick.<br />
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We headed around for a look back at the main hall and were shocked at how overrun the place was now. So we snapped a quick pic and headed down the hill for the waterfall Otowa-no-taki. Its said if you drink from the waters you will be bestowed with good health and longevity. Since Chloe was asleep, she missed out. Sorry love. <br />
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We made our way down the hill, past the craziness of the vendors and stalls and took a right into Sannen-Zaka and Ninen-zaka. A lovely restored neighbourhood lined with wooden houses, traditional shops and teahouses. Although it was gorgeous, we had already been spoilt with possibly the nicest district in Kanazawa, so we were a little underwhelmed. We stumbled across lonely planet's 'single most attractive street' in Kyoto and then continued onto Maruyama Park. With most of Southern Higashiyama done, and doing well on time, we decided to walk into Northern Higashiyama and check out Nanzen-Ji. A zen temple dating from the 17th century. We checked out the massive san-mon (gate), the main hall and paid entry for the Hojo gardens. The gardens were gorgeous, exactly what you'd expect from a zen temple. Bonsai style planting, stones raked into patterns... needless to say, Jarratt thought they were pretty impressive. It also seemed to improve little miss and her spirits, she became happier and despite being sick even managed to 'cheese' for a few photos. Perhaps we have ourselves a little Zen Buddhist? Given that Nanzen-Ji is the headquarters of the Rinzai School of Zen, whose tradition emphasises insight into one's true nature through still, quiet moments of meditation. I have to admit I'm pretty stoked if she continues along this path! ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkPc6CnWGIv4E4CAVFPX6qzQ5hr2Y9F66oHA725_AG3NezqgUWkKxQ-kZ9sLeZF75XZdjBKMJPoHCdmE5M4I6Ikd-UAOztHJdgwofyl2MQ3voq3Uvbsbbn3-Nx9t40br2II-A8v5pTI8/s1600/Japan+%25281638%2529+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkPc6CnWGIv4E4CAVFPX6qzQ5hr2Y9F66oHA725_AG3NezqgUWkKxQ-kZ9sLeZF75XZdjBKMJPoHCdmE5M4I6Ikd-UAOztHJdgwofyl2MQ3voq3Uvbsbbn3-Nx9t40br2II-A8v5pTI8/s1600/Japan+%25281638%2529+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>After the temple we made the long walk across town to downtown Kyoto wandering through Ponto-cho - a traditional nightlife district and one of Kyoto's geisha districts, unfortunately we were unlucky and no geisha's were spotted. Once we reached the end of the main street we made a quick dash up to Nishiki Market as we were interested in seeing all the weird and wonderful foods Japan has to offer. Dried jelly fish, refined baby sardines, squid with quail egg and things that could not be translated for us carried along the narrow marketplace for as far as the eye could see. But with a toddler, pram and numerous bags it all proved too difficult and we made a quick exit and headed for Gion.<br />
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Gion was in parts stunning and full of old world charm and in others a mix of modern architecture and congested traffic. We wandered the beautiful streets of Shimbashi and Shinmonzen and spotted our first Geishas for the evening strolling along the canal. It was a truly heart racing sight. We then zigged when we should of zagged and ended up taking the long way round to Gion Corner on Hanami-koji. The street was bedlam with tourists everywhere, then all of a sudden from up ahead of me Jarratt screams "Bec, Cab!" - I quickly caught up to him and the cab he was next too. The cab was caught in heavy traffic, unable to move, and tucked inside were two geishas! I snapped a few photos as the cab pulled away... but Jarratt was off and running, pushing the pram containing Chloe at a breakneck speed.... 'They've pulled up.... and they're getting out!" He shouted... "Hurry!" I felt ridiculous, but Jarratts urgency and excitement spurred me on. Off we chased. Geisha hunting at its finest! We ended up following them into Gion Kobu Theatre, but lost them when they slipped inside. We then made the slow journey home where a bride (hilariously) stopped us for a photo with Chloe and we spotted one more Gorgeous Geisha through the bus door. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9ojbSacUBv-rN1lVkfVMbuWAUwM8YQ9pHevYXIwqElD38BGNJLTzvz3Oa1M4kDSlqsGpvFQM083EoNoQDHPXNtOY-QOj2xxFZ5IEwyCIGEcxDnZpPZHAvABIQQk7bvWahKjizchdOlQ/s1600/Japan+%25281729%2529+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9ojbSacUBv-rN1lVkfVMbuWAUwM8YQ9pHevYXIwqElD38BGNJLTzvz3Oa1M4kDSlqsGpvFQM083EoNoQDHPXNtOY-QOj2xxFZ5IEwyCIGEcxDnZpPZHAvABIQQk7bvWahKjizchdOlQ/s1600/Japan+%25281729%2529+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>The next day we boarded yet another shinkansen, full of Japanese business men, bound for Hiroshima. There's few places that hold a deep seeded interest for me... I mean, I want to go everywhere, but there are a handful of sights that I know will absolutely take my breathe away. The Taj was one, and the Atomic Bomb Dome is another. As morbid as it sounds, it was a highlight, obviously not in the traditional sense, but I have read/learnt so much about it that being in its presence affected me deeply.<br />
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Our first port of call after checking into our hotel was the Peace Memorial Museum as Chloe was due a sleep and we thought it the most practical option to do whilst she napped. We invested in some audio guides since the cost of entry was so little. The museum itself was enlightening. It was divided into three sections, downstairs, upstairs and a long corridor. The downstairs section spoke of the history of the city and the living conditions during the war. It also provided a 73/100 model of the Atomic Dome which was tiled with letters to various government officials from the Mayor of Hiroshima objecting nuclear weapons and asking for them all to be destroyed. Upstairs was depressing - displaying the development of even more destructive weapons since August 6th 1945 when Hiroshima was bombed. The long corridor was filled with various item salvaged from the aftermath - watches frozen at 8:15am, ragged clothes, a 3year old's rusted tricycle - there are also some confronting photos of victims. But this is Hiroshima and it was to be expected. My favourite of the whole museum was the exhibition on Sadoka. As we made our way to the exit, Chloe awoke. Well timed indeed. <br />
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We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the Peace Memorial Park. The park has over 50 memorials sprinkled throughout we focused on the major and most interesting to us. The cenotaph, Flame of Peace, Children's Peace Monument (which Chloe just adored with its bell and being surrounded by all the 'pretty' cranes), the Atomic Bomb Memorial mould, The Peace Bell, the Peace Clock and finally the Atomic Bomb Dome. We also visited the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for Atomic Bomb Victims. I found the design of the memorial hall incredibly moving... a walkway circles down into an underground hall with a centre fountain - which represents the time that the bomb was dropped. <br />
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We left the park and checked out the Hypocenter - the spot where 600m's above the atomic bomb had exploded. Its crazy to imagine while we stood there - that this was the starting point for 3000-4000 degree heat rays and blasts of wind and radiation that swept through the city. And had we been here 70odd years ago, we would have been killed instantly! That night we indulged in Hiroshima's speciality dish - okonomiyai. An omelette / noodle concoction. I score it a 7! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p2LmIcX_Pl1lMbEpG4pS3ywHqDkBweJgWuBGCsWJJXx-Dx7BRKfUWlra-2MGuolldm0AaO2nkkdd3ZJLymLz0YgkRGDirHaNTHg6P-6t3ulOP3pxGKDo7jrQuY_xTq-qkkIL6ZNTbe4/s1600/Japan+%25281987%2529+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p2LmIcX_Pl1lMbEpG4pS3ywHqDkBweJgWuBGCsWJJXx-Dx7BRKfUWlra-2MGuolldm0AaO2nkkdd3ZJLymLz0YgkRGDirHaNTHg6P-6t3ulOP3pxGKDo7jrQuY_xTq-qkkIL6ZNTbe4/s1600/Japan+%25281987%2529+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a>That night, with Chloe tucked into her pram asleep, we took a twilight stroll around the park. At night the park became totally different. It was tranquil, quiet. There was a severe lack of Japanese students asking to practice their English on us..... and we felt calm. It was lovely. We wandered along the waterfront and looking at the Atomic Bomb Dome across the still water was an eerie sight. We pulled into a café and indulged in some chocolate cake and red wine. It was very nice to have some time together. I almost forgot about Chloe sleeping in the pram beside us.<br />
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The next morning we caught a (ridiculously overpriced) ferry to Miyajima. The small island is a Unesco World Heritage Site and is one of Japan's most visited tourist spots. Its star attraction, after the wandering deer, is the torii gate of Itsukushima-jinja, which at high tide floats on the waves. Being pretty time poor, we did a quick few snaps at the torii and began the mad dash climb to the Misen Ropeway via Momiji-dani-koen park. Chloe loved the ropeway and waving to the cars that were passing in the opposite direction. She also seemed to be back to her healthy self, pointing her finger and saying 'more please' and 'up daddy up'. It was great to see. We only managed to ride the ropeway up and straight back.... but it was totally worth it! <br />
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We then boarded a ferry from Miyajimaat lunch time, a shinkansen shortly before 2 and were in Tokyo at our hotel just before 7. It had been a looooooooong day, but with little miss having had a 2 and a bit hour sleep in the pram on the train and daddy craving tempura into Ginza we trekked. Despite our best effort to get her to sleep, Chloe joined us for dinner. Not that it bothered us in the slightest. <br />
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Our tempura fest was amazing! On a whole we had been a little disappointed with Japanese cuisine. But this redeemed all. It was delicious! Within 15 minutes we'd hoovered the whole thing and had it not been 9pm and a small toddler who was only starting to get back to her healthy self - I think we would have sat there into the early hours of the morning... stuffing our faces. Ha!<br />
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The next day, we made our way to Tsukiji Fish Market..... wow! just wow! What an experience. Visiting the worlds biggest seafood market is exactly what you'd expect. Chaotic, dangerous, exhilarating, amazing! We arrived shortly after 8, which meant we'd missed the tuna auctions by 3-4 hours! However the place was still a buzz with activity. Men whizzed passed us on handcarts and forklifts with perfect high speed precision.... and with no concern for tourists. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bwknCrSKArrakzGz3w8soTspbR8WKxcoxVcUAirLzwazQwKoQKEOIvDK9AlHwoK5I-j1ikxqkqUhyVwK9POaSO-KxzdiXdjavMrAJkmpBQY-Sla9MKWdjMRwcBlX4kQO0GtKR3COqzc/s1600/Japan+%25282253%2529+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bwknCrSKArrakzGz3w8soTspbR8WKxcoxVcUAirLzwazQwKoQKEOIvDK9AlHwoK5I-j1ikxqkqUhyVwK9POaSO-KxzdiXdjavMrAJkmpBQY-Sla9MKWdjMRwcBlX4kQO0GtKR3COqzc/s1600/Japan+%25282253%2529+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>We made our way to the Seafood Intermediate Wholesalers area and upon entry was met with a very disgruntled security guard who informed us (despite letting every other tourist past) we were not to enter until 9. Appalled I objected, he proceeded to say no. I pointed out the other tourists wandering through to which he just shrugged. I then told Jarratt I was going in. So with Chloe firmly attached to my hip.... in I walked. The security guard chased me and I essential created a distraction for Jarratt (who had the camera *wink wink*) to enter. I ended up getting booted shortly afterwards... Jarratt ever the doting father and husband felt he couldn't stay when Chloe and I weren't there.... so he followed. We ended up finding a back entrance and spent the next half an hour dodging guards and taking in the wonder of the truly gorgeous haul of sea creatures - purple octopuses, live crabs still thrashing about in bags, mini squids. By 9am we were having brekkie in a local café - sorry Jarratt that I really couldn't stomach sushi for breakfast - and started making a plan for the rest of the morning, as the fish markets had taken a lot less time to find and explore than planned.<br />
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We decided to head north to Asakusa to visit Tokyo's most visited temple, Senso-ji and sneak a peek at Tokyo Sky Tree from a distance. After a quick lunch on the run we headed back to the hotel so Chloe could have a decent sleep and be well rested for her trip to the happiest place on Earth!<br />
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Disneyland was absolutely amazing! We arrived after 3pm and took advantage of the starlight pass. We made the decision early that we'd base ourselves in toon town as that was most likely the place Chloe would enjoy the most. We were wrong, so after a decent 45 minute wait for a crappy ride and one toddler melt down, we regrouped and decided that fantasyland was where it was at. Its a small world after all, Snow White adventures, Dumbo the flying elephant, Winnie the pooh adventures, Peter pan, and so on. They were all happy to let her ride, as long as she didn't sit on our laps...... no worries. Disneyland was madness, the crowds were particularly large given it was Saturday night. (What the hell were we thinking?!?!) But thanks to an oversized popcorn waiting and queuing didnt bother Little miss at all.... as long as she was scoffing down the popcorn goodness. We ended up pulling up stumps at about 9pm and headed to the bathrooms to change her for bed, give her milk and put her in the carrier for sleep. All was seamless and by 915pm, she was out! All in all it had been an amazing day!<br />
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Our last day in Tokyo (booo!) saw us check out of our hotel and head to Shibuya for some breakfast at Starbucks whilst overlooking the madness that is Shibuya crossing AKA the scramble. Renowned as the worlds busiest intersection, people come from all directions at once with every light change. Its astonishing to watch. Once we filled our bellies we headed to Harajuku to visit Meiji-jingo, but honestly I think we were all templed out. We spent a brief, tokenistic visit and then headed out to the shopping district in hunt of Kiddyland and some Harajuku girls. We found both! The Harajuku girls were very dismissive of most asking for photos... but we were in luck, we had a beautiful little blonde thing which we only needed to point at and in they'd jump for a photo. It was hilarious. <br />
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By 2pm it was time to pack it up, pack it in and head back to the hotel to grab our bags and begin the long flight home. And despite a vicious attack by another child whilst we waited to board the flight the whole travelling home bit was uneventful. Once again she slept in the bassinet from take off until descent! Go Chloe! <br />
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Japan was amazing, it was hard at times but oh so rewarding. We are so happy and feel so blessed to have shared this wonderful trip together. Jarratt and I have always been fantastic travel buddies, but if Chloe wasn't able to enjoy it like we do, than that would have been a deal breaker for us. But thankfully she took to it like a duck to water. Illness and all. We couldn't be prouder of our little jetsetter. <br />
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Now.... where should we go next? hehehe. Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-91297115305502307602014-04-01T19:23:00.001+11:002014-04-01T19:27:54.312+11:00Ready, Steady, Wiggle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VIDD0hxHE3uLO0ILupqDQNSwNk24A2mhs6fh6iXsiiIWVfBACDkZtKy2n5x7XhtAJwKDLLUTdE39bQzE1jZFLGkG-SW1LeV0nhTshP32KVIwEUG01Okc1PMK1sPmi0Z-ghi2xXYf6fY/s1600/IMG_0023+(729x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VIDD0hxHE3uLO0ILupqDQNSwNk24A2mhs6fh6iXsiiIWVfBACDkZtKy2n5x7XhtAJwKDLLUTdE39bQzE1jZFLGkG-SW1LeV0nhTshP32KVIwEUG01Okc1PMK1sPmi0Z-ghi2xXYf6fY/s1600/IMG_0023+(729x1024).jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a>Gday Gday.<br />
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How are you? I'm well... Chloe's just toddled off to bed! So I thought I'd add the finishing touches to this update before the tasks for Japan completely take over my life!!!! So before that happens.... lets get into it.... hehe<br />
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<u><strong>STATS (31/3)</strong></u></div>
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Height - 80cm </div>
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Weight - 11.1kgs</div>
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Size: 1 (but still a little big on her, but hey... lets go with it!)</div>
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Shoe Size: 5-6</div>
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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Regardless of this 'help' we provide, it doesn't stop her spilling foods, accidentally onto the floor. And every night, without fail at the end of each dinner when she is '(fin)ished' she will exclaim 'ohhhh no' and point at the mess under her chair. Then daddy and her begin the task of cleaning the floor. I am SURE she thinks it is some kind of hilarious game they play each and every night.</div>
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She now confidently drinks from a cup, with one hand. Although it makes mummy incredibly nervous. Her favourite, BY FAR, are baby cinos. Although if we're out with her besties (Ellie and Ayla) she likes to share a smoothie or milkshake. But she smashes the baby cinos in less than 5 minutes. Thank goodness for the nepresso frother or I'd be broke! She inhales her cino that quickly that she is often left with a chocolate monobrow and a milk smeared face! It is beyond adorable!!!</div>
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Chloe just LOVES eating out. Thanks to our reviewing gig with <a href="http://littleeats.com.au/sydney/">Little Eats Sydney</a> Chloe has become quite the diner! We've developed a bit of a routine now when we are ordering, once we have been given the menu, we hand her the menu to 'order'. She will happily peruse the menu, make her 'selection', tell us and then hand the menu back to the waitress. We think it is a good way of her 'reading' and interacting positively with her world. Plus the 'reading' of the menu with each articulated pout is so darn tootin cute! </div>
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe now understands EVERYTHING. So all our potty mouth friends, you are officially on notice! Whilst she still only has a handful of clear words that others understand. To us, what she says makes sense and 9 times out of 10 we understand her babble intermitted with real vocab clear as day. </div>
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She is also starting to parrot. We encourage her to watch our mouths when giving a word and when she makes an attempt that is close we shower her with positive reinforcement, which she loves! However her favourite catch phrases continue to be 'more please', 'bye bye daddy' and 'no, mummy'. Which is both hilarious and spot on! </div>
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Her manners seem to be coming to the forefront, in the last month she now understands she must say bye bye and give kisses to people as we leave and when asking for something or after being given something she will say 'ta'. </div>
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We're very proud of our little chatter box.</div>
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR SKILLS</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has started running.... away.... at speed... and thinks its hilarious! Just in time for Japan! Ace! We had been employing a don't chase policy, which was working really well. But now she is getting so much braver that if she cant see mummy or daddy she's not bothered. at all! It use to be if she couldn't see us, she would come quickly back. Not anymore! Now if we let her out of sight for even a second she takes the opportunity to bolt. Which is very helpful in crowded shopping centres or whilst walking across driveways. Freaks me out! I'm hoping its just a stage and not something we're going to have an ongoing battle with. </div>
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Swimming has been going great guns! She really, really, really loves it! We have a beautiful little group each Friday that we meet up with for the lesson and a bit of morning tea afterwards. She is extremely confident and loves standing in the shallow water, bobbing down til the water hits her chin and then springing up. With the weather starting to get cooler and only a handful of nice days this month we have taken every chance to hit the beach. </div>
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Nicole and I were saying though that pools would be a good Thursday play date when its starts getting to wet and miserable outside. I think she's on to something there!</div>
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Up until last week Chloe had been attending Ballet each Wednesday. Unfortunately, last Wednesday I scored a casual day at work and felt that loosing 30 bucks was better than loosing 300. So off I toddled and Chloe missed out. I found out Monday that I could have the next few Wednesdays until the end of term. I umm-ed and ahh-ed about it as I REALLY love attending ballet with Chloe, Renee and Ayla. But again my practical side (AKA Jarratt) got the better of me and I snatched them up. But at her last lesson she was really starting to show some independence and knowledge of learnt skills. She was sprinkling her sunshine, attempting to touch her nose to her feet and generally waving her arms rhythmically to the music. Renee and I have enrolled the girls in Ballet for next term, but with Renee due with Baby number 2 in May, we're going to see how that plays out before we commit to it whole heartedly. I think it will be fine. It would be lovely to continue catching up with the girls weekly, but don't want to put too much pressure on Renee. We'll see.<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dBJPGMb7BtG4pLfbQoZq5ffz8cFZvWrnzaYAxJ4HUVMMaAa8Lh7VDRBmEJ_OqW_wIoQsIJtByLKSGKYXxoKI1Z-yKwuaqkfy4adcV8pPm4No1TZ1Ze3ac5Oo4ziJmU7eliv3XDIHSwI/s1600/IMG_0673+%25281024x729%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dBJPGMb7BtG4pLfbQoZq5ffz8cFZvWrnzaYAxJ4HUVMMaAa8Lh7VDRBmEJ_OqW_wIoQsIJtByLKSGKYXxoKI1Z-yKwuaqkfy4adcV8pPm4No1TZ1Ze3ac5Oo4ziJmU7eliv3XDIHSwI/s1600/IMG_0673+%25281024x729%2529.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a>So, after my last post Chloe had a week of sleeping through, no screaming! Mum introduced a soft toy companion (woof) into the cot. We had tried EVERYTHING. And I was reluctant to give her something like this to build too much of a reliance on it. But hey if it meant we didn't have to get up then great! We have since had hit and misses. Some night perfect, others not so much, but in general it seems to have gotten better. I'm not entirely sure it is as a result of woof being with her, but I'm not entirely sure it isn't either. So for now, woof sleeps with her. I actually think it may work in our favour, as we will take him to Japan and it may be good to have something familiar in her bed as we move around and she adjusts day to day.</div>
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As the nights start getting cold again, we are looking at covering her with a blanket or adding more clothes to her at bedtime. So yet another battle of bedtime is about to begin! Watch this space!</div>
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
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So Chloe has always been a fan of Charley Bear on the TV, nothing was better than Charley, nothing could snap her out of a tantrum like Charley, nothing could occupy her whilst I showered like Charley. Than BOOM! Mister Maker! Well, more particularly, the shapes! And quite frankly, I'm stoked! I don't think I could have taken watching one more rerun of Charley Bear. </div>
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Her other loves this month, surprisingly have been sharing. Chloe is more than happy to share food, toys, everything. Even after completing the kick board activity at swimming, she will pass it to the next child unprompted. She is really very sweet! Normally at this age children are more inclined to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_play">'Parallel Play'</a> but Chloe's calm, patient and friendly nature seems to mean she's advanced in her social skills instead preferring to engage in cooperative play. Such as sharing the kick board at swimming, playing throws with BFF Ayla (see below), although best friend Ellie is a little more reluctant she has not escaped Chloe and her boisterous pursuits and games either. <br />
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Hands down though her BIGGEST love this month is painting, or as she says 'aints'. Often she will come home from day care COVERED in paint. The teachers always rave about how much she loves it and she's exactly the same at home. She has worked out where we store the craft supplies and she will on occasion ask us 'aints?' and walk us into her room and point to her craft shelf. Its pretty hard to say no to that ridiculous level of cuteness! </div>
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Coming in a very close second is bubbles. We got her out a container full of assorted wands that she had got from Auntie Kehlet at Christmas and was sure she'd just lick them. But no, no, kid blew some pretty impressive bubbles for about 20 minutes. Its now a bit of a weekly, maybe even biweekly activity of heading into the garden (weather permitting) and blowing bubbles. Its even a blast for the day care kids over the back as Chloe's bubbles get caught in the breeze and travel over the fence.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0dX54q2ZAePMofHje4xY4cuECCSECbIoE18DDiaAClTCyhwgIzX0xpyOeY-az8LxwdtcDFOS5wl0NnisQrd0oSbOZCz0Sm11OwVCy2tr3BU4a3DBtEU2I4mQhaTGx4bSmeHhSHRhkGM/s1600/IMG_9483+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0dX54q2ZAePMofHje4xY4cuECCSECbIoE18DDiaAClTCyhwgIzX0xpyOeY-az8LxwdtcDFOS5wl0NnisQrd0oSbOZCz0Sm11OwVCy2tr3BU4a3DBtEU2I4mQhaTGx4bSmeHhSHRhkGM/s1600/IMG_9483+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>I so badly want to buy Chloe a dog! She just loves them!!!! Visiting the pet store at Westfields is mandatory each and every visit! And much cheaper than the zoo ;-)</div>
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But, I'm so keen on getting her a dog that I have started to save for one as I realise the kind of dog we want is going to cost a couple of thousand! But once the house is bought (hopefully later this year) it will be the FIRST thing we buy! As Chloe is definitely suffering from Puppy Love.</div>
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As far as hates go, the unfortunate dislike of water being poured over her head has reared its ugly face. We haven't forced the issue and instead only wash her hair when necessary such as after day care and swimming. And even then her little upset face breaks my heart when we do it.</div>
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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<em>Teeth</em></div>
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So just after her bottom first year molars appeared. We had a week break and then bang! The top ones started to push through. And just like the bottom ones, they are HUGE! We're hoping her mouth will give her a break of growing teeth until after Japan, but as our luck goes with teeth, I really doubt it!</div>
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<em>Modelling</em></div>
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So you may remember the smart casual job back in November/December? Well the magazine came out a week or so ago and Chloe appeared in the two shots as a double page spread. She looks just adorable in each photo which are below. I've also been told the Babies R Us book should be out soonish. So I should be able to share that image with you next update as well. </div>
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We have been debating resigning her, as her contract is up in May. After some chats between ourselves and the agent we have decided to go another year. She made more than enough to cover both last years fee and this years (discounted) fee so why not? We figure until it starts costing us more than she's making, we'll carry on. </div>
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<em>The Wiggles</em></div>
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Last Saturday we attended the Wiggles concert with bestie Ellie, Nicole and Greg. Nicole (with a little help from me) had done a BRILLIANT job of making the girls matching Emma outfits. SO good in fact that Chloe was singled out by Anthony in front of the entire auditorium in Hurstville because of how good she looked. As you can see in the photo below she really was a knock out. As far as the concert goes it was great! I think she was a bit of a stunned mullet most of the show, warming up towards the end to have a bit of a wiggle. But she did cry out a lot of 'ohhh wow!' throughout so I'm pretty sure she had a blast!</div>
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<em>Japan</em></div>
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So Japan is 8 sleeps away. I bought Chloe a new pair of closed in shoes today as her old ones are sandals and starting to get a little tight. We sat down this weekend and really nutted out what we had left to organise and looked at what we need to take. Today I grabbed a few bits a bobs and will continue to tick off our list over the next few days. I'm really excited! We've started doing some prepare Chloe for the trip stuff like Daddy taking her into the city for the day and acting as if they were on holidays. They caught the train, walked around the city, she had a sleep in the carrier, ate sushi for lunch etc. I've started the transition into the new pram for sleeps. So far she's had two sleeps, both 45 minutes, which is not ideal, but on which she can live. We've also tried her on powdered milk for the last two nights and a bunch of mornings, so far, it hasn't phased her. We figure this is a much more practical option than carrying around one litre plus of milk and trying to keep it cold. hehehehe. All in all, we're ready and very excited!!!! </div>
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I guess the next time we chat, I'll have A LOT to update you all on I'm sure. hehehe.</div>
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Til then, all our love, Team Wyatt.</div>
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-4622666916330298052014-02-26T20:03:00.000+11:002014-02-26T20:29:54.688+11:00More please!Hi there!<br />
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How are you all? I'm well, currently reclined with my feet up and another half an hour or so before I need to collect little miss from day care. Yes, that's right, I'm at home and I'm currently sans child. Chloe has been attending day care two days a week now for about 2-3 weeks and whilst the plan was for her to start going the additional day when I started working it; as luck would have it one became available (ALOT) earlier. Initially we um-ed and ah-ed about it, as she is still very young and I am not working the Wednesday until term 2, it was a case of take it now or run the risk. We decided to take it now and the hope is that I can pick up two or more days casually before the end of term to hopefully cover the day care costs. But so far that hasn't happened. School is not booking casuals this term in an attempt to save cash... so, you see, its left me with a very leisurely day come Wednesday each week. However, very guilty as well.... *sigh*<br />
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Anyways, enough of that... lets get into it!<br />
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<strong><u>STATS</u></strong></div>
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Height - 78cm (officially measured by the nurse at her check up Monday)</div>
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Weight - 10.8kg</div>
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Size - 0-1 (although last month I said 1, she isn't really filling out the size one pants yet)<br />
Shoe Size - 4-5.</div>
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<strong><u>EATING AND DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHptEUi0Wf-wvmlWsKvzMlzib_Nfc_IGxm-_Tu1BmqVKEpsyFmr2qzIqJBfTvQ5mf2NGYFO6q9ZHs1ze99NnBaPX0jIy017ZIYUujYBXejIaf9RS6fIQHuRHckCSBM1eZnCII0xIvsSo/s1600/IMG_9592+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHptEUi0Wf-wvmlWsKvzMlzib_Nfc_IGxm-_Tu1BmqVKEpsyFmr2qzIqJBfTvQ5mf2NGYFO6q9ZHs1ze99NnBaPX0jIy017ZIYUujYBXejIaf9RS6fIQHuRHckCSBM1eZnCII0xIvsSo/s1600/IMG_9592+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a>So... the bib - gone! Although when she has a baby cino, that usually requires some sort of clothing protection. But yup, the bib is NO more! Instead, at dinner time particularly, we've just been stripping her off and letting her get messy. Breakfast is normally the same as we strip her PJs off, she eats in her nappy and then we dress her.... the only meal that came be a bit of a pickle is lunch. But generally she's eating a sandwich or something equally drip-free. </div>
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Her diet continues to be inline with us - her favourite meals however are spaghetti bolognaise and ANYTHING with sour cream or cheese! She just LOVES eating skewers and she's also taken to eating chunks of fruit and veg, such as tomato and cucumber. </div>
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe's language is getting better each day. Our favourite by far though is 'more please'. After mastering 'more', it started to bother me how rude it sounded, so we added 'please'. Now it is just ridiculous how cute she is when she looks at you and says 'more please'. So sweet! She's also able to repeat familiar words when you ask her.... i.e. "Say, mum-ma". And with some consistent, sustained instruction can pick up words using mastered sounds very quickly. For example whilst in Melbourne this weekend she was able to say 'Dan' within a few hours of being taught Daniel's name... I think because it is similar sounding to 'Dada'. <br />
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However, she understands A LOT more than she can say... When asked to do something, 90% of the time, she will. Be it animal sounds, putting things away, getting a particular object from a group of things... its all very impressive. The frustration is not always understanding her... she seems very patient with us, but on occasions when the charade has been dragging on, she will get upset.<br />
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Often when we are failing to understand her she will take us by the hand, lead us and than point. She also has developed a hand gesture, where she open and shuts her hand multiple times when she wants something. Only this week have I realised I now do it as well. LOL.<br />
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<strong><u>GROSS MOTOR SKILLS</u></strong></div>
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Doing laps around our dining table has continued to be a favourite past time of Chloe's. She just loves running around, pushing her stroller around, or being pushed IN her stroller around it. It often has her in hysterics and we are often been dragged to our feet to participate in this game.</div>
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Swimming continues to be a big hit with little miss. Last week we had a sample of what is done in the level above the class she is currently in. It was great! She coped really well, considering she is the youngest in the class. It also occurred to me that before too much longer, all her friends will graduate and little miss and I will be left swimming solo for a few months again. Very sad about that indeed! But as far as her skills go, she is now able to creep along the wall (aka monkey walk), get herself out of the pool at the ladder and is learning to dive. Having sampled the next level up class, it was interesting to see how the skill level develops, gave some good tips and insights into what we can be doing in the water to help her with that transition when it eventually comes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiNVX3eXN9anoJNv0Y9LBZHek1QTaLn6GlKo6oTt94guZ0ZrIbGVUbSQMtRPTbFXuh0Qg33-MhwP2QnxW6EO7pXmyBrSgpuCggdLQdAEpHOl7S2Z9bC3c0BLvTVZHIJEC2r5Fg00yfEY/s1600/IMG_9414+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiNVX3eXN9anoJNv0Y9LBZHek1QTaLn6GlKo6oTt94guZ0ZrIbGVUbSQMtRPTbFXuh0Qg33-MhwP2QnxW6EO7pXmyBrSgpuCggdLQdAEpHOl7S2Z9bC3c0BLvTVZHIJEC2r5Fg00yfEY/s1600/IMG_9414+(683x1024).jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>This month Chloe began dancing with bestie Ayla. The two are beyond adorable! They spend most of the first 10 minutes of the lesson, chasing each other and giggling. Its all I can do when we arrive to hold Chloe as she squeals and waves about in excitement of seeing Ayla and her mum (Renee). Throughout the class, Chloe will attempt most activities well - with the exception of the final activity. Eeeck! A relay type exercise with a very fancy 'ball' that is passed from one student to another.... whilst Chloe can do the activity, its the passing to the next students that is the real issue. It often ends with me yanking the ball from her and a lot of 'mum-ma' tears. Its heart breaking! But part of the learning process I guess. On the flip side there is an activity where all the girls are required to stand and hold hands... a very difficult task for under 3s. But without blinking Ayla and Chloe will stand together and hold hands happily... and in many instances they look for each other when performing. Its really tutu sweet. LOL ;-)<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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I give up! Honestly, night sleeping has gone OUT the window. Most nights Chloe now wakes screaming. We have no idea why, we assume night mares but we have pretty much exhausted ALLLLLLLLL reasons. Excluding getting professional help, we have tried EVERYTHING! So, I've thrown the hat in and just accepted that this is what it is, until it isn't. Anyways, we cant have everything perfect can we? I mean, she goes to sleep without crying, will sleep for hours in her pram and will never wake before 6am. So.... that's something! But boy, what I wouldn't give for 8 hours uninterrupted sleep tonight!</div>
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has returned to her love of having water poured over her head during bath time. Often running on the spot as the water cascades down her face, laughing hysterically and then saying 'more please'. She also loves kissing our photos on the wall goodnight at bedtime. As well as reading to herself and her toys, dancing whenever the urge strikes her and always to the best tunes, taking selfies, painting, and dogs. Seriously, a dog could bark and it be barely audible to us and she is up on her feet pointing in the direction it came from. Loves 'woofs'. When we last visited maitland, she stood at a fence and called for stephie for about 10 minutes. I often replay the video of her at the fence to her from my phone and she screams for stephie - who is no where to be seen in the video. hahaha.<br />
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Chloe really, really, REALLY hates having a dirty nappy now. Within minutes of doing a poo, she is at my feet, pointing to her nappy and wanting it changed. Apparently this indicates she may be ready for toilet training but with Japan less than 6 weeks away - I don't want to do all this 'training' to have it affect our holiday as we are rushing to find a western toilet at a moments notice, so for now - toilet training is on the back burner!<br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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<em>Teeth</em><br />
Chloe now has both her bottom 1st year molars.... boy! did they take some time to show themselves... she was constantly shoving her hand in the back of her mouth for like 3 weeks and every now and then crying for no apparent reason. Then, wa-bammo! Teeth! And they.are.MASSIVE! I always think this each time new teeth emerge from her gums... but these ones are big! really big! But, I suppose they have to be as they are sticking around until she is 12 or so. But, yeh, BIG!</div>
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<em>Modelling</em> </div>
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So I FINALLY got Chloe's head shots done. She was a little off as she was cutting the aforementioned molars. But like a true professional once the camera was on her she was gold. The photographer (Bec) said that 1-2 is the hardest age to photograph... but that Chloe did really well. At this age, they cant really follow instructions and find it hard to stay in one place for long enough, let alone smile at the camera. So looking at the shots that will go into her portfolio, we're pretty happy! </div>
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She also got cast for the Babies R Us Baby book, out this coming March-April. The shoot was on a Thursday in Pyrmont and was a mix of baby models and those that had got the job through an opening casting online. Chloe was paired with another little boy for the shoot and was once again modelling Bonds. The shot was very difficult to get as it was hard to get both babies smiling and looking at the camera at the same time. Also Chloe being a toddler and the other being a baby that could barely stand made for a difficult composition. In the end they did get a shot of both kids, which they will edit together. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out. <br />
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<em>Darling Harbour Day Out.</em></div>
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Since the Babies R Us shoot was in Pyrmont we decided to make the most of it and have some lunch afterwards and then a play in the Darling Harbour Park as a family. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had packed Chloe's swimmers so she could splash about and have some fun. It was nice to be able to do something together, made me very thankful for my beautiful little family. </div>
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<em>Maitland (Nanny's Birthday)</em></div>
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Earlier in the month we headed to Maitland for Nanny's birthday. Which was a weekend filled with indulgent meals, laughter and once again too much drinking. </div>
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<em>Trip to Melbourne</em></div>
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The weekend just gone we flew to Melbourne to see Uncle Daniel, aka the godfather. We left Friday and had a long weekend of fun and laughter including dinner with Daniel's family, drinks in Fitzroy, chasing cats under beds, flying visits with Hobart's finest and meeting up with Pipes in St Kilda where we explored the markets and popped into the Esplanade Hotel for a drink... which made this Rockwiz fan VERY happy. The weekend disappeared far too quickly and before we knew it we were back home having Daniel withdrawals.</div>
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<em>Lunch date with Orvi</em></div>
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Also this month we FINALLY caught up with Orvilicious and his wonderful mums. Orvi is such a sweet little guy. He was more than happy to show Chloe around his crib, share his lunch with her and let her do the cleaning. The two are very good friends - it is a real shame that life is going to be very busy for the next little bit and we wont get to see them for a while. </div>
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<em>Passport, ready for Japan.</em> <br />
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Finally, our passports arrived! Chloe's first! It is such a cute and exciting thing to look at. Its hard to believe in less than 6 weeks we will be spending our first night in Japan ... in accommodation that is STILL yet to be booked! (Grrrrrr - Jarratt!) Meanwhile he did a great job in booking the rail passes, which arrived a week ago and securing a tour spot for Kyoto's Imperial Palace. So he's not all bad ;-). </div>
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And that's it. All done. All silent.... for now. hehe.</div>
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Til next time I ramble on at you all..... xxx </div>
Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-25316604720483188592014-01-24T18:23:00.001+11:002014-01-25T06:46:55.103+11:00There's ups and there's downs.I admit now, I should not be writing this post, I'm tired, annoyed and little miss is due to wake up any minute - not a great combination. We had a really rough night last night, that even our neighbours commented on it this morning. And not the ones with the adjoining wall, no, no, the ones in the unit block NEXT door! How embarrassing! It doesn't help that Jarratt has man flu either and that I feel like I'm holding down the fort whilst not feeling 100% myself. So you see... not the best mix of emotions and enthusiasm for sitting down and writing this months update. But hey, sometimes this parenting gig is like that... a rollercoaster of emotions and levels of enthusiasm. And unfortunately at this moment I'm in a dip... a low point in the track. But hold on ladies and gents, I see the track climbing ahead of me....... ;-)<br />
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And it did...the track climbed! Last night, after leaving the hall light on as we assume the last few nights Chloe has been screaming due to night mares, she slept through! Well... sort of, she yelped twice but resettled quickly and without our help. Score! So now that I'm well (sort of) rested I thought I'd attack this update.... here goes:<br />
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<strong><u>STATS</u></strong><br />
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Height - 78 or 79cm, lets say 78.5cm, ha! I'm not entirely sure as I just stuck the tape measure in the bath to check and it wasn't awfully accurate.<br />
Weight - 10.5kgs<br />
Clothing size - 1<br />
Shoe size - 4<br />
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<strong><u>EATING AND DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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Lately little miss has decided she no longer needs a bib - it was bound to happen sooner or later since she is so observant and wants to do everything we do. And well, we don't wear bibs, so why should she? We've just gone with it, unless the food she is eating is going to be super messy and she's in a good outfit or we're out. But generally its something we'd planned to phase out anyways, so we're just going to follow her lead.<br />
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Her diet continues to be in line with what we eat... we still cant manage to get her to eat any larger/tougher pieces of meat. She generally smashes mince (included the spiced Mexican kind), fish and chicken - even skewers aren't out of the question. We assume its due to the fact that she still doesn't have any molars.... but I suspect (with all the drowl lately) they are not far away.<br />
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She is pretty capable at drinking from a cup now, using one with handles makes me feel less nervous, one with straws even less again. But she does love drinking from a cup without handles and the proud smile we get at the end is just priceless! She has also taken a shine to 'cheers-ing' everyone when she drinks. Its really very sweet!<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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As far as her repertoire of words go, and keeping in mind my reluctance to overcommit due to my teacher brain, we can now confidently add bubba, up, down, shoes, yum, go, oh o (thanks Ellie, xx) and the fact that she roars when she sees a lion, as well as saying 'shhh' and putting her finger to her lip. We're pretty sure she can say 'sit', but unfortunately it comes out sounding a lot like a swear word than anything else. And she says it....ALOT!<br />
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More impressively she is starting to put her words together.... "More bubble" "S(h)it down" "Oh, o" "Yay ball" and so on. Our little chatter box is sure going to love a good chat. Prepare yourselves.<br />
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<strong><u>GETTING AROUND / GROSS MOTOR SKILLS</u></strong></div>
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I decided to make this update section more generic as she is now well and truly walking and there's not much more I can update you on there. So this will now be more of an all encompassing section on all things go. hehehe<br />
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"Doing laps" and playing chase-ies continues to be her favourite past times in regards to gross motor skills. Although walking... everywhere, is a close second. Taking the pram is no longer a necessity, in most cases its a hindrance as little miss wants to push it and alas she is too short (and slow) to do so and often ends in tears. Thankfully, the little stroller (Thanks again Auntie Laura) is able to function in most terrains and now escorts us occasionally on walks.<br />
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She also is MAD about balls and more recently has become quite capable at throwing balls and chasing them. Catching however will not be a skill mastered for a very long time I think. She also likes to kick balls as well.<br />
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In the pool she's started doing what looks like the beginnings of doggy paddle... shes kicking her legs in a breaststroke manner and doing butterfly arms. I asked her teacher about it today and she said that's generally the first 'style' of swimming babies do. Its really quite cute watching her face light up as she thrashes about and moves through the water. I'm always amazed at just how far she has come with swimming. Not too long ago she couldn't get herself out of the water, now, with her belly on the ground, she can manipulate her legs and before long is standing up at the waters edge, arms raised and cheering herself. Such a dork! hehehe<br />
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As you all know Chloe likes to dance....including cage dancing (ha!) as you can see below. But all jokes aside, of course she would LOVE to dance - she is after all, our child. So I began looking at avenues for her to explore and entertain her interest. I stumbled across <a href="http://www.littleballerinas.com.au/">Little Ballerinas</a>. They take girls from 18months. Since Chloe was is SO close to being 18 months, I did an online enrolment form and crossed my fingers and toes. Within a week or so I was contacted and said they had a spot and she starts next Wednesday morning at Oatley with her Vodafone superstar mate Ayla. Both Renee (ayla's mum) and I can NOT wait to watch our gorgeous girls bust a move on the dance floor. Should be GREAT fun! Stay tuned.<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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As you probably guessed from the opening paragraph... we haven't had the best run of night sleeps the last week or so. For some reason, unbeknown to us Chloe has been screaming in her sleep. Yes, in her sleep... when we go in she is still dead to the world, but she is squealing so loud as if someone is hurting her. We've tried everything! Changing her bedding, given her a pillow, fan, no fan, back in the bag and nothing seems to have worked.... last night (after Renee suggested it) we left the hall light on as a night light... she still squealed, but it was for about 2 seconds and went straight back to sleep without needing resettling by us. Hopefully, we've turned the corner. But who knows?! I've read about <a href="http://www.babycenter.com.au/a553861/night-terrors">night terrors</a>, and it seems to fit with what she's doing. We'll see.<br />
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Sleeping in the pram is no longer an issue (as long as the pram is stationary). We've been able to swing MASSIVE sleeps in the pram of 2 plus hours.... amazing! Maybe we should put her in the pram at night - hahaha. We've also been a lot more flexible in the bedtime thing... whilst we were in Sunshine Coast recently she was going to bed as late as 930pm. And she was ok! But I stand by my decision to be vigilant on bedtime in the first year. There is so much growing going on, babies need their sleep! But now, with her being older and less precious when it comes to sleep, I'm happy to let the reigns go a little. <br />
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The other HILARIOUS sleep thing that's happened recently also occurred in the Sunshine Coast. Since it was SO hot there and Chloe no longer uses a bag, we were putting her down for her day sleeps in just a nappy. So after returning from the beach one morning, we put her to bed in just a nappy, after 20 minutes or so Jarratt asked me to get his shorts from the room in which Chloe was asleep, I crept in, saw her sleeping beautifully and crept out. After about 20 minutes I heard her.... laughing. I was a little perplexed, I went to the room and there she was in the portacot.... BUCK NAKED, laughing her little head off... so proud of what she'd done. I muffled my laugh, told her that was naughty (yes, I'm a parent that says naughty... crucify me now!), put a new nappy AND a playsuit on (wasn't falling for that again) said "nigh nigh" and walked out.... I shut the down knowing full well that that may in fact be all the sleep I get out of her..... but no, no, like the good girl she was she went back to sleep for another 2 hours.... phew!<br />
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
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GIVING KISSES!!!! Chloe FINALLY loves giving kisses..... most of the time to almost everyone.... hey! Its not perfect, but I'll take it! She also loves HER chair, having tea, cuddling soft toys like 'woof woof', talking on the phone, driving and playing Uncle Nath's harmonica. Also since the weather has been nice we've taken any and all opportunities to head to the beach. She just LOVES that!<br />
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In regards to hates.... it really is brushing her teeth unfortunately as well as not being able to do it herself. She really has developed an independent streak of "I can do it", which was quite upsetting at the most recent one of reading herself her own bedtime story *sigh*<br />
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<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
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<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
<em></em><br />
<em>Godfather Daniel's Visit</em><br />
Uncle Daniel came to visit the first week of January, he's just smitten with Chloe and she knows it! It was GREAT to see Dan and to watch him spend time with her. Its not often you see such a beautiful man so unashamedly in tune with his emotions, caring for a child. I swear it made my ovaries swell. hahaha. <br />
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<em></em><br />
<em>Daddy's Birthday</em><br />
Jarratt turned 33 this year. Wow! I hear you all say, I didn't realise he was THAT old. *wink* We celebrated with a morning play at Darook Park and a flash afternoon tea at Sorelle on Grand in Brighton Le Sands, that we also reviewed for <a href="http://littleeats.com.au/sydney/review/sorelle-on-grand/">Little Eats</a>. That night we finished the day with a dinner at Mamma Barones in Mortdale. Jarratt, never a fan of celebrating his birthday had a great day - quietly celebrating with our little family. Just the way he likes it.<br />
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<em></em><br />
<em>Christmas in Maitland</em><br />
With mum so busy through Christmas we postponed the Sciffer-Berrigan-Wyatt (?!) celebration til mid January (post ashes, pre Australian Open). It was a great 5 days spent drinking (far too much), eating and spending time together. We celebrated our Christmas lunch at Ridgeview and boy! was it a fun day! Such delicious food complete with matching wines and conversation that had us in stitches that some of us fell, or we're dragged, over laughing! We also finally managed to check out Maitland Regional Art Gallery and Café, which was lovely and even reviewed by yours truly for <a href="http://littleeats.com.au/sydney/review/cafe-seraphine/">Little Eats.</a><br />
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<em></em><br />
<em>Trip Sunshine Coast</em><br />
The weekend just gone we flew to the Sunshine Coast to visit Caryn, Adrian and the boys. Even though we had JUST seen them for Christmas, it was nice to spend time with them that wasn't rushed and timetabled. We spent most of the first day (Friday) at home, lapping up cuddles with Lucas, before getting Thomas early from daycare and heading out for dinner. Saturday saw us rise early (thanks to the time difference Chloe got up at 5am - YUCK!) and head to the beach, by 1030 the kids and adults were knackered so we ducked home for the midday sleeps and then toddled out that afternoon/evening for fish and chips by the beach. Sunday morning I did a quick family photo shoot for them before legging it to the airport for an early flight home! <br />
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All and all this month has been CHOCKERS! I thought once the silly season had passed, our lives would be less, well, silly. But looking through the calendar over the next 8 weeks and its going to be a jam packed time before we head off to Japan. Eeeeck! So excited!The accommodation (except Tokyo) is all booked including a stay in a Buddhist temple (Takayama) and geisha tea house (Kanzawa). We've also organised passports which should arrive in the next 2 weeks. Just need to read a little more on what to do, get our rail passes and start booking things as they open up like the free imperial palace tour. Cant wait!!!!! <br />
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Til next time, all our love, Team Wyatt xxx</div>
<br />Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-55852774468133410342013-12-27T16:22:00.001+11:002013-12-27T16:34:14.718+11:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love Team Wyatt. xxx<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pt_SkK1fQotuTK7Whwvk0h-WszwYZD2oGukmWk-a5P3IsYuFZHH9xzzzn2dUDI4pJyaL0s68x6kNz4GJ0MOkFzkU4H0QnemRzHoq_mRO5yMFDMMt_1pt9_bW4ZuEQ9ampD_N1B-TrO8/s1600/IMG_6055+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pt_SkK1fQotuTK7Whwvk0h-WszwYZD2oGukmWk-a5P3IsYuFZHH9xzzzn2dUDI4pJyaL0s68x6kNz4GJ0MOkFzkU4H0QnemRzHoq_mRO5yMFDMMt_1pt9_bW4ZuEQ9ampD_N1B-TrO8/s320/IMG_6055+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a>Another year, done and dusted.... yikes! I think 'time' needs to take a big old breath and slow down. It sure is in one hell of a rush lately! I can't believe 2014 is all but over. Crazy! Its been a brilliant year, full of fun and excitement with our lovely little lady. We have truly had a blast!!!!</div>
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<u>STATS</u><br />
Height - 77cm<br />
weight - 10kgs<br />
Clothing size - 1<br />
Shoe Size - 4<br />
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Ok, so I've committed to the 'next size up' but she is still borderline 0 in clothes (as they go up to 10kgs) and 3s in shoes.... But more excitedly (!) her hair is finally getting thicker and longer. Granted its still short and fine by most standards, but slowly, slowly, it seems to be thickening up. Fingers crossed.<br />
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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Eating has continued as last post, she is joining us for an early dinner and eating what we do. She does have difficulty chewing larger pieces of meat and will often let them roll around in her mouth chewing but eventually spit them out. We've found cutting the pieces finer makes it easier for her to eat. We've also been exposing her to more varied cuisine such as Indian. Last week, much to the shock of her uncle, she ate chicken korma and rice, without hesitation. She's also taken a real shine to eating whole pieces of fruit, particularly stone fruits like nectarines, plums, peaches etc. <br />
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She is very capable of drinking from a glass now independently, we've even got best mate Ellie in on it. Sure, we have the occasional spill, but very rarely. She's also started drinking poppers too, which she loves. <br />
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Perhaps the sweetest thing on the whole eating/drinking front is her offering and sharing her food with us, her friends and/or her toys. She is such a cutie patootie! It really shows us what a kind, caring soul she is. It just melts your heart watching her extend her hand full of a biscuit or cup to another. We couldn't be prouder!<br />
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<em> Some for mug, some for me.... such a sweetheart!</em></div>
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Right .... I've been reluctant to list here the words Chloe can say consistently and in context as it really has been hit and miss with some of her words.... but she most definitely has the following words under her belt.... bubble, ball, more, daddy, wow, yay, pretty and will 'woof' when she sees or hears a dog. There are a few more close to being put in that list.... but for now, I'm going to show restraint, muzzle the 'proud mumma' in me and leave it at those ones. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzpMDefWhYnlCpjQMZNMCgmgs7z4-SX6RmmlTXfSRJ5capHsqChXkyLsL6c80Z7DkAv9maGkmD_dBpE2lbWDw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>GETTING AROUND</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcydt36nCfkWJUS8RQm1dczw2T6MaNhNnciocdZFzt08IB3PbdgnfL5t3mURVq9I7nqv_d9g_K8CiCEKKPg2sRayNo_9r-Tr-2l_6vEv9e_V4QTa3luW3026Isg0Be9Rou3bG_4d7Bk0/s1600/IMG_7795+%2528732x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcydt36nCfkWJUS8RQm1dczw2T6MaNhNnciocdZFzt08IB3PbdgnfL5t3mURVq9I7nqv_d9g_K8CiCEKKPg2sRayNo_9r-Tr-2l_6vEv9e_V4QTa3luW3026Isg0Be9Rou3bG_4d7Bk0/s200/IMG_7795+%2528732x1024%2529.jpg" width="142" /></a>Like in the last update Chloe is very confident in walking and is very steady on her feet. However it is still easy for her to misjudge the depth of a stair or trip when she picks up speed running in for a cuddle or something. But in general, the falls and bumps are at a minimum now. She's so keen on walking now that often when we hit the shops the pram is used more as a trolley than a pram; as little miss prefers to walk than ride, unless she's tired, or its hot - she ain't silly, ha!<br />
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Her favourite game in getting around is still chase-ys. It has her in hysterics no matter who she plays with, be it bestie Ellie or daddy. A close second is taking her stroller for a spin. A big hit Christmas gift from Auntie Laura was a toy stroller and she.just.loves.it! She regularly has a blast burning around the unit pushing the stroller with a stuffed toy in it. Her favourite track is to do laps around the dinning room table. <br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPkFbmbKRPNTunAp6IA4vqu-DiZt1oRrM6lQyRU_C1dvtMNIg8R3iUM98d2hq1CRAp38PtFgYbYYhfd11-_YYfDiLWIi8WjOZyxBhFY70w5tYSwmK1ahyphenhyphenKmTZ7vURjkyMRiQcjOG1Hng/s1600/IMG_7719+%2528821x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPkFbmbKRPNTunAp6IA4vqu-DiZt1oRrM6lQyRU_C1dvtMNIg8R3iUM98d2hq1CRAp38PtFgYbYYhfd11-_YYfDiLWIi8WjOZyxBhFY70w5tYSwmK1ahyphenhyphenKmTZ7vURjkyMRiQcjOG1Hng/s200/IMG_7719+%2528821x1024%2529.jpg" width="160" /></a>Thanks to Nanny and the purchase of a 30 dollar shade cloth from Toys R Us, extended day sleeps in the pram are now a reality! Makes it ALOT easier for us! As Chloe is sleeping from 11-1, or there abouts now. It's great! It also means when we have functions through the day now we don't have to worry about her having a short day sleep, or dashing off, or trying for an earlier sleep. It really does take the stress out of it now. Although, recently she has worked out she can get herself upright in the pram and work hard on avoiding the sleep, which is very cheeky.... <br />
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Obviously being able to sleep in the pram is great, but it is always better for her, mum and dad that she have her day sleep at home. But the realists we are, we appreciate that, that is not always possible. But with her day sleeps at home we have started putting her down without being in a bag. It was an idea a while ago with the encroaching hot weather to get her out of the bag for the day.... So far it has been mostly successful, with the exception of one day where I heard her call out to me about 5 minutes after I'd put her down. I walked in to check on her and there she was, standing, sleeping bag in hand, outstretched to me as if saying 'you forgot to put me in this'. So I did. The next day I didn't. And she was fine. She still sleeps in her bag at night, as it is cooler in her room of a night time and she does kick about and move so a blanket is not possible. But eventually we will phase that out too.<br />
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She has also adjusted to her sleeps at day care, often having her BIGGEST sleeps there (3hours+). We have asked the staff not to let her sleep past 2pm as (thanks to my journal) we've deducted that it's on those days that she doesn't seem ready for bed at 7pm. But recently, particularly with the holiday to Hobart and the festive season, <strike>we've </strike>I've been a little less militant with bedtime and she's gone to bed (provided she's had a good day sleep) as late as 930pm (only once). That time she was pretty tired by the time we got her into bed and it required a few bum pats as I think she was OVERtired and couldn't get herself to sleep.<br />
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More recently we've had some night waking's, we suspect this is due to teeth, more specifically her molars. I can see MASSIVE bubbles in her gums at the rear of her mouth. In the past teething hasn't affected her sleep... but this time it seems to be doing a real number on her. And us! <br />
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<u><strong>LOVES and HATES</strong></u></div>
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Chloe's love of things this month is sure a diverse list ranging from the obvious like play dates with Ellie, to the bizarre like sitting on random things like her pig, fluffy toys and her bucket in the bath. Little weirdo. She also loves eating out and helping me review cafes as part of my gig as a reviewer for <a href="http://littleeats.com.au/sydney/search-result-review/?suburb_p7=South">Little Eats</a>. Finally, she loves her bike, daddy's hat, mummy's feet and swimming... well, anything outside, often bringing us her shoes and pointing to the door to indicate she's ready to go out.<br />
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Funnily enough, despite loving DADDY'S hat, she hates wearing hers...... as well as (frustratingly still!) giving kisses. Also, sharing any of her favourite things (including mummy) and more recently being dropped at day care. <br />
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<u><strong>OTHER STUFF</strong></u></div>
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<em>Trip to Hobart</em><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5B0IUhNuBm-2XmJxJKiJ3h1P_y5w5zowrIEKlpcT5BxvQJhSqPhZwtIAkUbUVqkCI58OLESJTAUNYLidmDxeaClCpKkvxWv0d7jqXfBBN971183hMTrj0LnJUN5fClYDBeS9iV-xBj4/s1600/IMG_7481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5B0IUhNuBm-2XmJxJKiJ3h1P_y5w5zowrIEKlpcT5BxvQJhSqPhZwtIAkUbUVqkCI58OLESJTAUNYLidmDxeaClCpKkvxWv0d7jqXfBBN971183hMTrj0LnJUN5fClYDBeS9iV-xBj4/s200/IMG_7481.JPG" width="200" /></a>The trip to Hobart was wonderful, so wonderful that it required its own post entitled <a href="http://whereisbecandj.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/meetinggoldenboyroy.html">#meetinggoldenboyroy</a> - you should really check it out! It also made us realise just what is possible with Chloe, how far we can push her and what we can achieve. As always she was beautiful on the plane, watching cartoons on the way there and wooing all the passengers. Then the flight back slept most of the way til she woke up screaming as her ears felt the full force of descent. But despite that one, small hiccup, it really spurred us on to get our bums into gear for Japan and since the trip we have locked in an itinerary and started booking accommodation. Go us!<br />
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<em>Modelling</em><br />
Turns out she did get the 'smart casual' gig.... hilariously! She shot two photos for Bambini (nothing to do with her agency) Studio Magazine's Autumn/Winter edition which is out in March. It was a rather interesting experience, as she wasn't featured as much as she was a prop in the scene. The shoot was an editorial piece on furniture, she will appear in a piece about nursery furniture and another on designer chairs. I'll be sure to update you all with a still when its out! Meanwhile I still need to book her in for new headshots... which hopefully I can get done in January, despite the late notice.<br />
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<em>Christmas & Boxing Day.</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbWJVXcxHW8ANgVHv9FGlq5UTxW6X6bHFaHzwPVfPN0DdD3XivDbQkWV-QuYAW-74PofuIWbsB4KsVnuHRhFhDMvDtEh0K6FF6Vj2WAkv29teeauxMkkMoJEjDG7BCj9gdtIMhilAqRA/s1600/IMG_6192+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbWJVXcxHW8ANgVHv9FGlq5UTxW6X6bHFaHzwPVfPN0DdD3XivDbQkWV-QuYAW-74PofuIWbsB4KsVnuHRhFhDMvDtEh0K6FF6Vj2WAkv29teeauxMkkMoJEjDG7BCj9gdtIMhilAqRA/s320/IMG_6192+(1024x683).jpg" width="320" /></a>This year we spent Christmas with Jarratt's family, since my mum was super busy. We have decided to head to Maitland in January and spend Christmas with Nanny and Poppy then, when they aren't as busy. So Christmas morning we woke up and spent the morning as a family, having brekkie, opening pressies and attending church. Before lunch we came home for a nap (Chloe and Daddy) before heading to the Wyatts at 1230ish. There we celebrated with Grandma and Opa, The Tandeks and The (QLD) Wyatt's indulging on seafood and Moet. That night, back at our place, Brent and Lei popped in for a quick gift exchange, some rumbles and a lot of bubble pouring fun! All in all it was a really fun, jam-packed day!<br />
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Boxing Day, being a Thursday, had to be spent with Auntie Nic and bestie Ellie. But being a public holiday, we were lucky to be joined by daddy and Uncle Greg. It was a wonderful day where the girls spent time in the backyard, playing chase-sies and generally being the beautiful little people they are. It made me feel very blessed to have such a beautiful family to share a special day (and a few flavoured ciders) with. It occurred to me watching Chloe and Ellie chasing each other and playing hide and seek just how lucky we are to be making such happy memories with them, with surely many more in the years to come. <br />
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And so ends another eventful year, next time I speak to you it will surely be 2014. <br />
So from Team Wyatt....<br />
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We hope your festive season continues to be filled with love and laughter,<br />
and that each new day brings joy, for the year that follows after. xxxBec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-7724230133113693802013-12-13T22:44:00.002+11:002013-12-13T22:44:58.989+11:00#meetinggoldenboyroy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend we spent a few fun filled days exploring Hobart. The highlight was visiting Tom, Lucy, Poppy and (of course) meeting their golden boy Roy. We also spent time exploring the water front docks, Salamanca markets and Battery Point. We took in some culture at MONA, did a mad dash up 'the mountain' and sampled some of cascade's finest. It was a jam packed time where <strike>we</strike> I took FAR too many photos.... so instead of trying to narrow it down to a few, I thought 'what the hell! Let's put them into a movie'. And Ta-Dah! Here it is below.... for your view pleasure. xxx</div>
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-17686076178339343132013-11-29T15:12:00.001+11:002013-11-29T16:07:52.803+11:00Didn't I just have her?Since returning to work in October I've started feeling a little nostalgic - I've been reflecting a lot on my time with Chloe from the last year as well as soaking up as much of my time with her as possible. I think it's all because it is slowly dawning on me just how fast she is growing up. I mean, it feels like I gave birth to her just yesterday! I have been fighting off thoughts that she is 15 months, 15 months! and that time seemed to go in the blink of an eye. Before we know it she'll be 2, 3, at school, high school, driving, getting married and having children all of her own...... ok, ok, that's a fair while away.... but still, it all seems to be passing by far too quickly. It probably doesn't help that I recently packed away her 'baby' clothes - you see, she's now in 1s and that I get to shop in an entire different section of the store for her clothes now *sob*. <br />
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Its funny too, because ironically her first 2 months of life, ok maybe the first 3 months of life, time went by sooooo slowly; as I stumbled through unpredictable days, endless feedings, nappy changes, the constant 'I've been hit by a truck' feeling bought on by sleep deprivation. But then magically as I came out of the three month fog, I saw her changing before me, she lost that creepy newborn look, she was cute, smiley, adorable. I fell in love. Hard. And as much as I try, really try to recall those early weeks, when I look back (without the help of modern technology), I can barely remember it. And that makes me sad. Really sad. And I regret that I didn't pay more attention. I feel like Chloe has materialised into a little human so rapidly. Whilst I am so happy and psyched to have such a beautiful, sweet, smart, funny, happy, healthy (I could seriously list adjectives all day, but I'll stop) little girl, I cant help but think: "wow, where has the time gone?" <br />
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I think there's part of me (deep down) that feels like I'm missing out being back at work. That same part is also filled with guilt and worry because I am spending two days away from Chloe a week. And the truth is, as much as I love, and want to keep my career alive, it kills me to be away from her. Kills me. I argue this in my head ALL the time, these two conflicting emotions make it very hard to be rational some days....<br />
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But.... logic always wins. <br />
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I have to work to generate income to allow us to live the lifestyle we have decided is important to our family - to pay for trips interstate regularly, to afford an overseas trip, to buy that house in a years time, to have chicken and chips regularly on a Saturday, to have outfits for Chloe with matching headbands (hehehe), to have that second cup of caramel latte on a play date. But more so, I have to work to satisfy my own personal ambition. An ambition that fuelled the birth of my career well before the birth of Chloe. A career that required a university degree and years of hard slog, to be realise. And one that I need to nurture because one day, when Chloe is all grown, I want to be able to inspire her - for Chloe to challenge herself, be educated, find a career that is fulfilling and that she loves and to go after her dreams.... and how can I expect this of her when I don't model it myself? <br />
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But, enough of the reflective stuff.... let's get into the goooooood stuff, the Chloe stuff. The stuff that I know you are all SO desperate to hear about.<br />
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<strong><u>STATS</u></strong></div>
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Weight: 9.5kg</div>
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Height: 74cm</div>
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Clothing size: 0-1.<br />
Shoe size: 3-4</div>
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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So dinners have continued at 5-530pm and have been a great way of introducing new foods to Chloe. She now eats much of what we do, including Tacos and octopus! There is the occasional meal she will find difficult to chew and there are times when we fed her earlier as we are having friends over or are out. But generally she's eating exactly as we are. And more recently drinking exactly as we are. Since starting day care where she drinks from a cup, Chloe has shown are real strength in her dexterity at lifting a glass to her mouth, drinking and then safely placing it back on the tray of her high chair. Often its followed by a very 'look at me, I'm so clever' smile. Sure, there are the occasional spills, but its all part of the process. But... if I'm honest, mummy still prefers she use a straw... for now. hehehe.</div>
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She has developed a real love of the finer things in life including baby cino's, sushi and cheese. We've affectionately dubbed her the 'cheese monster' as she often passionately stuffs it into her gob! </div>
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe continues to be a beautiful little chatter and her nonverbal communication is out of sight! Her oral language skills are also improving - she is starting to clearly say some words. The most common being 'no'. When we ask her if she would like something her stock standard reply is 'no'. Even if she takes the biscuit, sits down to hear the story or leads us the door to go outside after we've asked, she will still say 'no'. I'm not entirely sure where it has come from?! As I'm much more inclined to say 'uh ah' to her, over no. It is however a very firm clear 'no' - the kind I use when I taught Kinder, so I think it may be day care. But I'm not sure?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrfRIHep-DWGIZDy1nWJBEeGgRoMTkzclTmpjO-l6t8sgU7baLOHHCXic007xPySWTm7nbuNrjHiuKjWHhnWwX-PzJd_17AM6S2XBVlSAxFPbs1UKrEQ1KsBQ24FSUwVKd83oY3vFFw8/s1600/IMG_7093+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrfRIHep-DWGIZDy1nWJBEeGgRoMTkzclTmpjO-l6t8sgU7baLOHHCXic007xPySWTm7nbuNrjHiuKjWHhnWwX-PzJd_17AM6S2XBVlSAxFPbs1UKrEQ1KsBQ24FSUwVKd83oY3vFFw8/s320/IMG_7093+(768x1024).jpg" width="240" /></a>She also threw out the other day when I was leaving for work 'Shoes Dada' and picked up her shoes from by the door and walked to Jarratt. We both stood in shock. She hasn't done it since. *sigh* So at the moment its all just a little inconsistent. But we're not anywhere concerned. Her verbal communication is still great for her age. She babbles and clearly has good intonation and inflection when 'talking'. The cutest thing she does when she talks is tilts her head so her face is right in yours and then babbles. When she does this to another child its normally when that little kid seems upset and its almost like she's saying 'Are you ok? Come on, its alright!' She's such a sweet little thing.</div>
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She also clearly understands routine instructions. When I ask her to tidy up, she does it, when I ask her to put her nappy in the bin, she does it, can you start the dishwasher? Sure thing. She's such a helpful little girl, hehe.</div>
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<strong><u>GETTING AROUND</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has now been walking for about 6 months. She is super confident and has even started 'running' on occasions. She loves playing chasies with mum and dad - and now that her friends are walking they play chasies together too. It's the cutest!<br />
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She has started climbing - stairs she was already apt at and she is better at going up stairs (solo) but needs help coming down. However she is now able to climb out of the pool at swimming and onto equipment at the park. Sometimes when she's a little short for a particular piece or she needs a boost she'll do calf raises and slap the surface with her hand to indicate "hey! I need some help here". Like I said... non-verbal communication. Out. Of. Sight! </div>
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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So sleeping.... We fell into a beautiful little routine last month of having some lunch, in bed by 12, sleep for almost 3 hours, play around and go to bed at 7. Beautiful! But in the last week or so bedtime at 7 has been a bit hit and miss. We think its a combination of factors effecting the ease of bedtime for us. 1. Sleeping past 2pm is never helpful and 2. 2 hours or more during the day seems to make her too 'rested' for a 7pm bedtime. At the moment these are just hunches.... I'm going to try and keep a journal type thing to see what seems to be the issue. But at the moment we're just playing around with things to see what works. Thankfully Chloe is much more flexible with sleep stuff... she can last til 1pm if need be before having a day sleep, but will go to bed at 1030am if we need her up for a lunch time thing too. Its great! Especially with our trip to Hobart next weekend where we're just going to roll with it in regards to sleep. A BIG deal for a routine loving control freak like me! </div>
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<strong><u>LOVES and HATES</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has developed a real love for the following things bath time with mummy (particularly when she sings salt n pepper), reading to herself, sand, of any variety (!), painting, and train rides at Cousin Ben's birthday with Nanny! <br />
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She also continues to love seeing her friends and regular Thursday play dates with bestie Ellie. The two are the sweetest little things together, they take turns and share and encourage each other in ways I think is so beautiful. They are obviously two kindred spirits both enjoying smoothies together, playing in the sand and sharing numerous morning tea foods. I feel so blessed to have such a gorgeous pair of girls to spend each and every Thursday with. And whilst there has been stiff competition for Chloe's love between Ellie's parental units, I think Auntie Nic has finally edged Greg out as a firm favourite..... hehe<br />
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Meanwhile she's fallen out of love with brushing her teeth which we originally thought was because she had teeth coming through. But two weeks on, she still refuses to play the game. She has also started turning her face to give a cheek when we ask for kisses - bizarrely!? I think the last one to score a good peck from Chloe was Thomas on their last trip to Sydney. But she happily gives high fives no worries, which I can live with for the time being. But her real hates at the moment are having something taken from her and sharing mummy with other babies. But this (I know) is a developmental thing and thankfully a phase she will grow out of.<br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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<em>Modelling</em></div>
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Chloe's second Big W catalogue came out on the 7th of November. She looks so sweet in it! I'm sure they will sell a lot of the Christmas outfit as a result. hehe. I originally thought the outfit was *cough* very *cough* unflattering but in the catalogue amongst the other kids it looks gorgeous, but maybe I'm just a little bias. </div>
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We also attended the casting for Bambini Studio Magazine where she was required to wear smart casual, the shoots next Thursday and we have yet to hear anything, so its not looking good. I'm going to book her new head shots in the next month or so, as I had a look at her old ones and she looks much different now.</div>
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<em>Trip to Japan booked</em><br />
For Jarratt's 30th we went to India and Singapore, so its only fair with my 30th coming up we go somewhere overseas as well. So we discussed nice practical, easy options as we now have Chloe... New Zealand, Hawaii.... but neither made me excited. We then looked at flights to Japan, as ideally, that was the next place we wanted to visit.... and when I found flights for 1000 return pp (Chloe 10% of the flight price being under 2) my heart leapt out of my throat. After a few calculations we worked out it was possible and within 24 hours booked the flights. We are both super doper excited and I'm slowly nutting out an itinerary for the trip. We are thinking Tokyo - Kyoto - Hiroshima - Osaka - Tokyo..... OR Tokyo - Odawara - Takayama - Kyoto - Hiroshima - Toyko...... with the former being a more leisurely trip and the latter being a bit more jam-packed! Ahhh what a dilemma.... but there are worse problems to have, obviously. hehe.<br />
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And that's this month done and dusted.... I can't believe that next time we chat, Christmas will most likely have been and gone.... YIKES. Where does the time go!? Are you sure I didn't just have her?Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-69793745929315136412013-11-01T13:56:00.001+11:002013-11-01T14:42:17.400+11:00Hi Ho, Hi Ho. It's back to work I go.Hi All,<br />
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How are you? We're well, although kind of freaking out at how fast this year has gone! Its November people! November! And before you know it, it'll be Christmas. Yikes! Time really is flying by. And it seems to be going even faster now that I've gone back to work part time. Yes, you read right, mumma B has returned to the workforce. Well, the paying workforce. So I'm now Full Time Mummy, Part Time Teacher and boy is it a tricky mix. So far I'm coping, actually - I'm loving it. I feel like now I am appreciating the time I do have with Chloe more. You see, as bad as it sounds, I was starting to feel pretty resentful and missing my job and school. So now I get the best of both worlds. Jarratt is also getting to play stay at home parent one day a week, he and Chloe have a 'daddy-daughter' day every Tuesday whilst I work and both just love it! Its beautiful that they have this special time together, it has really fostered their relationship and I can see the happiness it brings J to be spending that quality alone time with her. Its just so sweet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuL9SAIDN375A9vXY6tfxH5toA1j4Ev9DaK4qtLx9j0E_oqZgGOBHc65VicCiad1j3tMc9QZXiQJcUrZ-R3RwMM8t5OsF1Wp8F9gZIQLVbAhcKDRXBNedMIcLiIvTVeSYA302Aq61dMI/s1600/IMG_4436+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuL9SAIDN375A9vXY6tfxH5toA1j4Ev9DaK4qtLx9j0E_oqZgGOBHc65VicCiad1j3tMc9QZXiQJcUrZ-R3RwMM8t5OsF1Wp8F9gZIQLVbAhcKDRXBNedMIcLiIvTVeSYA302Aq61dMI/s320/IMG_4436+(1024x683).jpg" width="320" /></a>On the Monday I work she is *gulp* in day care. This has been a REALLY hard emotional step for both J and I. Its difficult to hand your most precious thing, your child, over to someone else and trust they will do the best for them. But..... it is part of the process. Jarratt and I had always felt me staying at home indefinitely with her would not work for her, I or our family. I oscillate constantly back and forth between the arguments though, confused by my feelings of guilt and anxiety that something will happen and I wont be there to protect her... and all the sensible arguments that completely contradict those feelings. As difficult as 'letting go' is we wanted her to be exposed to different situations and people; to build her confidence; to develop her social, emotional and academic skills and most of all be happy! And whilst we were very concerned about how she would cope in this new environment, despite knowing <em>exactly</em> what happens in it, as we have been overlooking the centre from our balcony the ENTIRE time we've lived in our unit.... she absolutely breezed through it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TjNb9STBS4aGO1yqMjZXBrz5k-wKt9P4LR44n_KrDbM_wRuPY9wqa8Y0AchiNlPm_UQWszR2UKGkTWex_DDToIXfTzfj1PvxFzF70_t8BsirR-bJCzH6iAAKkox4BpNJXPh-f8AmAh0/s1600/IMG_4437+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TjNb9STBS4aGO1yqMjZXBrz5k-wKt9P4LR44n_KrDbM_wRuPY9wqa8Y0AchiNlPm_UQWszR2UKGkTWex_DDToIXfTzfj1PvxFzF70_t8BsirR-bJCzH6iAAKkox4BpNJXPh-f8AmAh0/s320/IMG_4437+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>And while she has only been to day care one day so far she did <em>really</em> well and obviously had a blast! When we picked her up she showed us around the centre, pointing out things and activities - clearly 'showing off' what she had participated in that day. She smiled, laughed and high fived all the staff and a few kids when we left and was in a wonderful mood the whole afternoon/evening. The staff were very complimentary and very happy with how she did. A few even seemed upset to hear she was only going to be there 1 day a week. hehe. They commented on how happy, friendly and outgoing she was and my heart did swell with pride when one teacher told us she really was a credit to both of us as she didn't cry or have a tantrum once, which is unheard of on the first day. The same teacher informed us that when she was playing play dough with a group of children, she backed up and gave her a hug. A hug! Our Chloe, giving hugs! I couldn't believe it! We were informed about how she'd slept, eaten, everything! We were even given a sheet of paper that outlined what she'd eater, how long she'd slept for and the time of each nappy change. As each bit of information and happy comment hit me, I could feel a little bit of anxiety melt away. Chloe was ok. No one had hurt her. She hadn't need me to protect her. She was ok. No, she was happy! I felt extremely relieved!<br />
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But, I'm a realist, it <em>was</em> the first day and everything was new and exciting. The true test will be when it occurs to her that this is a regular thing. It wont be a problem if she likes it, but if she decides its not for her - it will be a very difficult process. Jarratt and I have spoken about pulling her out if we really feel it is too traumatic for her, but at this stage.... honestly.... I don't think that will be a problem. *knock wood*<br />
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And so brings us to the mundane, boring, monthly stuff.... I had her weighed the other day at the chemist, but have yet to measure her. So.... stats-wise she's 9.2kgs<br />
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<strong><u>EATING AND DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq46Z3WCmeViBGpAs1y41lH30_itt3lLPY1Nc2cNhITKKxbzlO4z4Pn_1hbWO_Q6NwwowffByYjHFFhEnH0vsLCyNqOy4Ph4DqMZH7W7_Hr_PToKLh1hewpd7IkzfT-kFJrdkYbgo-p2A/s1600/IMG_3987+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq46Z3WCmeViBGpAs1y41lH30_itt3lLPY1Nc2cNhITKKxbzlO4z4Pn_1hbWO_Q6NwwowffByYjHFFhEnH0vsLCyNqOy4Ph4DqMZH7W7_Hr_PToKLh1hewpd7IkzfT-kFJrdkYbgo-p2A/s200/IMG_3987+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" width="133" /></a>I reached a point, not too long ago where I had had enough. I felt like I was working and cooking all afternoon.... Chloe would eat at 5, we would bath, milk, brush teeth, read a book, put her to bed, <em>then</em> we would eat. I would be shattered during dinner, Jarratt and I would sit side by side on the couch and quietly eat our meals, exhausted from the busy afternoon/evening. So one night, I made spaghetti bolognaise and we all ate together and it was lovely. Since then we have had to make slight adjustments to what we eat. Unfortunately, she hasn't quite mastered Tacos yet. hahaha. But if we do feel like Tacos we just feed her earlier that night and have tacos once she's in bed. And as she's got better at feeding herself... she now uses cutlery proficiently, including stabbing food with a fork and spoon feeding herself with some assistance, I am finding Jarratt and I have more conversation together, which is nice. The final issue around eating together is I am generally a little hungry around 8 .... but this is often sorted out with tea time, or dessert. hehehe. So clearly its not all bad. ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlcrXrAHIlEOAX2yexWbrs654XFIdykCqWQZJrQ467xWDaUNimYgOn9T_VOMM7lm0f0KuDDYXScNaU7QIiS_dUqQjao_EttJKVXWugim_xE6HIp7PvtF7zQT02_sSTOplIwBmiPxs8Ds/s1600/IMG_8681+%25281024x765%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlcrXrAHIlEOAX2yexWbrs654XFIdykCqWQZJrQ467xWDaUNimYgOn9T_VOMM7lm0f0KuDDYXScNaU7QIiS_dUqQjao_EttJKVXWugim_xE6HIp7PvtF7zQT02_sSTOplIwBmiPxs8Ds/s200/IMG_8681+%25281024x765%2529.jpg" width="149" /></a>Chloe has continued happily drinking milk from her straw sippy cup for her morning and bedtime feed. But its a bit hit and miss with volume, not that we're worried. Some nights she'll drink half or there abouts of her cup, other nights she'll smash it and we'll need to refill it. She has also taken a real shine to smoothies, often when we're out I'll now order a smoothie (made with real fruit) and ask for the excess in a small espresso cup with lid and straw. She. Just. LOVES. It! It is beyond adorable the way her face lights up when she sees it and sucks back the goodness like a little lamb. Too cute!<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe's communication skills are out of sight! She is a chatty little thing. She's not afraid to talk and ask for things. We can see the frustration beginning to form in her with our lack of understanding but its not a major issue, yet. As her chats are often combined with hand signals, which is very helpful! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my word! This book has the most amazing pop ups!!!<br />
(Chloe's WOOOO face)</td></tr>
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This months she has really mastered the conversation and language development from last month. Unfortunately though 'ba (ta)' has become a bit more of a 'give it to me' rather than 'please'. But we're working on that. In addition to those skills she now understands a lot of cues such as when daddy leaves for work we say bye then go to the balcony to wave. Most days, Jarratt hasn't even left the front door and she starts eagerly pointing to the balcony. She is also applying this practice to my farewells too. <br />
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She has developed quite a cute "WOOOOO" face and noise, kinda like she's taking a deep breathe, for when things are REALLY exciting. It is simply gorgeous!<br />
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<strong><u>GETTING AROUND</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbbzpu2yGQ2smluFPY6Oy3r1btNJJBTw5szdEbUFPxNn2ZG8pC7cnBpX9KT1rrwp3heNIXefq_VFnEVY_9dAHoMs7Dnwn3vtJVvLJl9PAaGJNHKr_97g4E6bQwdvfWqrxNPWRjId6tPo/s1600/IMG_8449+%25281024x765%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbbzpu2yGQ2smluFPY6Oy3r1btNJJBTw5szdEbUFPxNn2ZG8pC7cnBpX9KT1rrwp3heNIXefq_VFnEVY_9dAHoMs7Dnwn3vtJVvLJl9PAaGJNHKr_97g4E6bQwdvfWqrxNPWRjId6tPo/s200/IMG_8449+%25281024x765%2529.jpg" width="141" /></a>Chloe is now a VERY capable walker. She can climb over obstacles, move objects whilst she walks and even climb stairs! Although coming down is a little bit tricky and needs mummy or daddy's help. Last month I remember I was <u>ecstatic</u> about the fact that she was mobile, but now ... Its. All. She. Wants. To. Do! The pram has now lost a fair bit of charm and 'walking' to the shops has taken on a whole new meaning ... and timeframe, lol. Thankfully though the more experienced and confident she has become the LESS likely she is to fall down. However, on the flip side, the more experienced and confident she has become the MORE likely she is to walk off. We're employing a 'don't chase' approach. So far so good. But sometimes she gets to that point where I'm like, ok, that's getting dangerous, I'm going to go get her. But hold out that minute longer and sure enough she turns and comes back.... I'm sure some people think I'm crazy but I've seen kids turn this walking away thing into a game and I am not buying into it.... yet! hehe. </div>
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Dancing continues to be a favourite past time of Chloe. Often when we're out shopping she'll bust out some moves to the music that's played throughout the store. Its HILARIOUS! She sometimes rides in the shopping trolley (the main part) in an effort to avoid the pram battle and will sway from side to side to the music. Its very sweet. She loves all music, but still prefers the music styling's of nursery rhyme jazz, icona pop and macklemore. Although, she also seems to be developing a taste for daft punk recently too! </div>
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She also seems to be attempting to jump. She'll squat down and then cry 'BA' and stand upright quickly. At first I thought it was a new dance move, but she has done it on occasions when no music is playing. I started saying 'up' and 'down' to her as she does it and she correctly moves to each word. Also when we read (or she reads to herself) her 'wheels on the bus' book, she will move the book up and down when we get to that point in the story/song. </div>
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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I honestly think we have hit the golden period of sleeping. She's sleeping through the night. Yipppeee!!! Is having one long day nap (2hours+) yet can still function on a 45 minute sleep in the pram without too much fuss. Its a good time! But it took a while to get here... And I realise that before too long we'll be toilet training and the night time sleep issues will all up and change. So we're enjoying it whilst we can.<br />
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She is also much better at sleeping in different places. She has had a very noisy sleep at Auntie Nics and Uncle Naths for Uncle Naths Birthday, a weekend of sleeps in her portacot and one day time sleep at day care. And all were successful. Woop Woop! But let's not jinx it....... ;-)<br />
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She did go through a patch of standing up in her cot. For a few nights and days every time we'd put her down to sleep she'd stand back up and cry as she couldn't lay back down. We'd go in and she'd be resting her head on the bars, clearly tired. We tried everything! Laying her back down, rocking her, firmly telling her it was bedtime, we even let her cry a little, nothing worked. So we just kept going in, laying her down and walking out, eventually, she gave up. And since then *knock wood* we've returned to the zipped into her bag, kiss and cuddle, lay down, sleep. Not entirely sure what was going on there with the standing *shrugs*<br />
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<strong><u>PLAYING </u></strong></div>
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Playing has been taken to a whole new level. Before Chloe would simply roam the house and move a toy from one place to another, occasionally she'd engage with a toy, and she was happy to play for an extended period of time if we helped her and showed her what it did. More recently she has started happily playing alone, for a really long time. Yesterday, I rang Jarratt to see how far away he was and whether Chloe and I would head to the park. He was an hour or so away. So I figured I'd take her. When I returned to the lounge room she was sitting, happily stacking the rings onto their pole. I figured, ok, when she has enough of that we'll head to the park for a bit. Almost 40 minutes later she stopped playing with them. 40 minutes! That's a lifetime to a 14 month old! </div>
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And its not just the stacking rings that she's become very capable with. She can fit the shapes correctly into the holes in her musical car. She can work on complex alphabet puzzles with some support. She has become interested in drawing and writing. She can happily fetch objects and throw balls and play games on her own. Just to name a few. But the thing that I'm really impressed with is how she never gives up. If a particular ring wont fit she will continue to try it until she gets it on. She's such a persistent little thing and I love it. I know how important that skill can be once you reach school and that she is already displaying such skill now makes me swell with pride! In addition to the sticking with it skill, she also is a pretty good tidier-upper! Definitely takes after daddy on that front. hehe. </div>
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Perhaps the best 'toy' though is the phone. She will often take the phone (after saying 'ba' of course) and hold it to her ear and talk. Its adorabubble. Unless you REALLY are talking on the phone and then its a bit of a battle of the wills. </div>
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Chloe also LOVES her play dates with friends. She has lots of lovely little people to catch up with in her week. Every Thursday we spend with Ellie and Auntie Nic, be it playing at the park or in the sand or just holding hands. We always have such fun with those two! Last Saturday Chloe had breakfast with Connor, whom she hadn't seen in forever! As his mummy now works Monday-Friday. Last week she caught up with Bella for a coffee and cruise, as well as Orvi and Vince at the VERY cool Annette Kellerman pool in Marrickville. She is very lucky to have such a wonderful circle of friends! I don't think she (or I) could live without them!</div>
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong></div>
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So the first of Chloe's Big W catalogues came out last week. The one with her as a Bonds kid. I've always desperately wanted Chloe to be a Bonds kid, so this particular modelling gig has a special something for yours truly. Next week (November 7th) her second Big W catalogue comes out and she's wearing a (not so flattering) Christmas outfit. So stay tuned, and hold on to your junk mail for that one.</div>
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She has also been pulled for an Elle Magazine Swimsuit thing, but I was asked how she was with strangers and at the time she was not good. So I said she was friendly, just not cuddly, but I think that put a nail in that gig. She also has a casting for Bambini Studio Magazine next Wednesday where she's required to wear smart casual..... which has me spinning a little!? What is smart casual for a 14 month old? haha</div>
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<em>Swimming</em></div>
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Chloe is just uncontrollably happy now at swimming! Her confidence and enjoyment from swimming has sky rocketed! She happily dives and (more importantly) goes to the teacher now! About two months ago we changed classes, the kids in the class are a little older, extremely confident and happy in the water which I (hands down) think is the reason for the change in attitude. So, as predicted last post, we have definitely turned a corner! Woop!<br />
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We have also had a few play dates to the pools recently, including one with our lovely lads Orvi and Vince at the Annette Kellerman aquatic centre. That place is AMAZING! Chloe had an absolute blast playing in the spurts of water and impressive baby pool. I'm very excited about the impending summer. You'll be able to catch me and Chlo at the beach if you need us. ;-)<br />
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<em>Reading independently</em><br />
Just recently Chloe has started to read to herself. I'll often be pottering about and all of a sudden there is quiet in our house. Not normal for someone as loud as Chloe. And I'll come into the lounge and find her quietly reading her books. There has even been occasions when she has snuck away to beside my bed side (one of her favourite spots) and flicked through my book. I just don't know how appropriate fifty shades is for a little person. But Jarratt and I are thrilled in her love of literature. We have tried to instil in her from a very young age a love of reading and books by reading to her often, taking her to the library regularly and having quality literature available for her. Clearly, all our work, is paying off! YAY!<br />
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<em>Bath Time</em><br />
So Bath Time had been Jarratts field of expertise for a while, then Chloe started doing a bolt from him as soon as he ran the bath. Recently Jarratt worked late a few days to make up the time he'd taken off to look after Chloe whilst I went back to work. So, for a few nights I was forced to do the bedtime routine on my own. The first night I started running the bath and went to get all her things ready (sippy cup, PJs, etc) and turned around and she had sat herself down on the towel ready to be changed for the bath. So I went with it and thought it was a fluke. The second night with Jarratt working late again, I got everything organised and THEN ran the bath. And sure enough Chloe wandered down the hallway 'checking' each room and space as she went, I'm sure to see if daddy was home. Then plonked herself down on the towel and waited to be changed. The third night, with Jarratt home I showed him the drill..... sure enough, as I ran the bath she came and sat beside me. Jarratt looked at me baffled. Since then I have inherited bath time and daddy does milk. It's just one of those 'why fight it?' things that we've let her win on. And whilst I'm the current flavour of the month, it could just as easily be Jarratt next week. hehe.<br />
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<em>Obsessions</em><br />
Little miss is currently bucking the trend on what a little girl should be obsessed about. At the moment we can not walk past one of those kids roundabout car things in the shops without her wanting a turn. Her love of toy cars and things with wheels has also dramatically increased. She can be a funny little thing.<br />
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We have also started calling her FOMO (Fear of missing out) as she does not want to miss out on ANYTHING. Be it using the phone, the laptop, being in control of the remote; if we're eating something, she wants a bite. <br />
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She's also taken a real shine to a few stuffed toys. Snoll (monkey), gene (brown bear) and Mug (build a bear) are all big hits and are often dragged around and snuggled into on a regular basis. My heart just melts when she picks one up and pulls it to her face whilst dropping her head to lean on it. Just melts! <br />
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She also LOVES brushing her teeth, little weirdo! Since she started sprouting a lot more teeth, we have now incorporated teeth brushing in the morning and before bed. But sometimes (and often in the bath) when she can see her tooth brush she will point at it and say 'ba' continually until she has it. <br />
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The last obsession is mummy. Chloe recently has started pushing Jarratt away when he cuddles me. We had just been laughing it off and scooping her up to join us in our hugs. But yesterday when Bella and Tina came for an impromptu visit, Bella saddled up to me for a cuddle and Chloe was not impressed. She tried desperately to sit on my lap and push Bella out of the way. I explained to her that Bella was having a cuddle and it was not her turn with mummy, but this didn't do much as she just backed herself up and sat on my lap anyways. Thankfully Bella wasn't bothered and we just all crowded into a cuddle together. But thank god we've got a bit of time to work on Chloe's sharing of mummy before bub #2 arrives. And NO, we're not trying at the moment. Its still a while away.</div>
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And so ends another update. I'll speak to you all again in about 6 or so weeks, xxxBec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-70465933736176013122013-10-05T11:37:00.000+10:002013-10-07T18:34:39.245+11:00Happy Birthday Chloe. xxx<br />
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Hi there!<br />
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How are you all? I'm well, as with all posts little miss is currently sleeping and I'm currently having one of those at home days where I'm going get stuff DONE! I've baked some berry and mango muffins for little miss, as well as steamed some zucchini for freezing, done two loads of washing and organised other bits and pieces. And its only 11am! So I thought, whilst I'm on a roll, I'd get started on this month (and a bit)'s update. So without further a due... here goes:<br />
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<strong><u>EATING and DRINKING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC2ZIdrRCy8DLtiMtpneKAIwYzhW6MCN59-wO3TT563Ae-ckfu2Ur7ArPZ5iOOAUcpFcdDsdW03VbRwEH-1qRaM0xMbmiictLjsxpmuTLwA1aYRBv5YRN_e7p5C_vvuZDtl9Oh7a2XaY/s1600/IMG_3601+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC2ZIdrRCy8DLtiMtpneKAIwYzhW6MCN59-wO3TT563Ae-ckfu2Ur7ArPZ5iOOAUcpFcdDsdW03VbRwEH-1qRaM0xMbmiictLjsxpmuTLwA1aYRBv5YRN_e7p5C_vvuZDtl9Oh7a2XaY/s320/IMG_3601+(683x1024).jpg" width="212" /></a>Not much has changed in regards to the eating situation from the last time I wrote about it. Chloe is still a super little eater. She's eating three meals a day with two snacks. Her food is now much more in line with what we eat. Although we have yet to join her for dinner at 5pm we set aside a bit of our dinner each night for her the following day and so far its working a treat. We are working to push her dinner back to 545-6pm and then have it with her. But will wait til daylight savings for that. And there are occasions when she will have more 'babyish' food, such as when we're out and about or more recently when she started cutting her teeth. But generally she eats what we eat which is great as its created less 'work' for me. She's able to confidently use a spoon and more recently a fork! To stab chunks of fruit and direct it into her mouth. Its a pretty impressive skill and we're super proud of her!</div>
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She is also drinking from not only her spout sippy cut but also a straw and .... *drum roll please* full cream milk as her morning AND night feed. *applause*<br />
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We originally introduced the whole milk feed at bedtime and had a run of really bad nights (and forgive the overshare, also a run of questionable nappies). So we returned to breast feeding her at bedtime which solved the problem. So we've inverted the system and gave her milk from a sippy cup before breakfast. Once that was firmly established and we figured out the correct cup situation. Seriously, our cupboard is now a sea of 'fallen soldiers', tried and tested cups that did not cut the mustard. But once we found one that she liked we started to give her milk as the bedtime feed as well. She now goes to sleep happily and sleeps through.</div>
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And on a more personal note, I'm proud to have made my goal of breastfeeding Chloe for one year... well, 13 months if you count the trial and error's of the last month. But I also feel sad that its come to an end. Whilst there were nights (and days) where I held back tears of frustration due to the monumental commitment breastfeeding takes. The bond and attachment I had each and every feed is unsurpassed and I've given Chloe (if you listen to all the (annoying!) health professionals) the best start in life. I wish I could say that was my main motivation in doing it, and in part it is, but more so to lessen the financial burden that comes with having a baby. I, by no means, judge anyone who chooses to bottle feed, or can't breastfeed. For me I was fortunate to not have attachment issues or milk supply issues or health issues like mastitis, although it was my BIGGEST fear for the entire year, or any of those issues. I had it relatively easy with breastfeeding... But... I DID have a child who refused the bottle and that took a major toll on me, Jarratt, our relationship and social life. But for the most part I will miss it and I did REALLY enjoy it. But in a lot of ways I'm pretty excited about having weaned Chloe onto cows milk as well. For a bunch of reasons like; I can now pass the torch to J a little more particularly in the middle of the night and early morning; I can have wine for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I want to; I get to buy new bras (yay); I can go out for extended periods of time anxiety free and take medication whenever the hell I want! But seriously, whilst I may joke about the constraints on a breastfeeding mum and how it is a huge commitment, if you choose to do it and/or are fortunate to be able to, enjoy the cuddles and connection because once they're gone the bad stuff will become a distant memory and you will miss those special moments of togetherness! </div>
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Our little chatterbox is developing a vast repertoire of words including the very popular 'bye', mum, dad, ta, yum, eh?, dog, yay and occasionally bird. Recently, much to my shock she strung two of her words together and correctly used them in context. As Jarratt was leaving for work she waved to him and said 'Bye Dada'. I nearly fell over! Truly!<br />
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She still babbles ALL the time (including on the phone) and continues to impress us with her amazing non-verbal communication from pointing to objects she wants to shaking her head to indicate no. And her list of parlour tricks has grown since we last spoke and she truly understands more than she can express. She can now in addition to correctly laying her hands on her head when asked 'where's your head?' and seeking out daddy when asked, is:<br />
- Blowing kisses<br />
- Giving kisses (SO. DARN. EXCITED.)<br />
- Giving high fives<br />
- Waving and saying bye when she leaves and when others leave<br />
- Raising her hand as in 'Where is it/they/him/her/etc?'<br />
- Retrieving an object when we say 'get *insert item here*' i.e. ball, mug, cup etc.<br />
- Coming to the bathroom when told its time to brush your <em>teeth </em>and pointing to her mouth<br />
- Tiding up when asked. <br />
We've staged a few in the vid below, but like all things kid related, they don't ever do what you want them to do when you want them to do it so it's not the best performance of the aforementioned skills, lol.<br />
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And whilst her language skills are steadily developing, her main form of communication is *sigh* squealing and dare I use the T word? .... Tantrums. This has been a great frustration for both of us. When things don't go little miss's way, she will squeal to indicate her annoyance at us and/or the situation. It is incredibly draining! We do our best to make light of the situation and encourage appropriate behaviours but she is quite stubborn, set in her ways and not afraid to voice it when she doesn't like something. I have NO idea where she gets that from. ;-)<br />
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Just recently we started to use a firm 'NO' and much to our surprise she stopped what she was doing. Since then it has become an effective method of discipline, she does try cutesie things when we say no to still get what she wants. Like the other night I told her 'no' and she smiled and stretched her arms wide whilst walking over to give me a kiss..... I took it, because I'm a sucker. But we figure the time has come to start setting boundaries. Yes she is little, yes she may not always understand us, but you need to start sometime and we think she's ready. We'll see....<br />
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<strong><u>GETTING AROUND</u></strong></div>
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She is officially walking.... EVERYWHERE. There is no fear now. Put her down and off she goes. Its great! After months of frustration at our little reluctant crawler, she is now mobile! But she still lacks a bit of confidence in new situations and around her older, more mobile friends, I think for fear of being knocked over. Sometimes she'll get excited and pick up speed and she's quite quick across the floor. More impressively, she no longer needs to pull herself up on furniture to get into a standing position to get her legs going. She can negotiate obstacles too - like ducking under our dinning room table and popping out the other end. But whilst there is much celebration about her walking independently, it does pose a new string of dilemmas. <br />
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1. She falls down. A lot. And cries. Its heart breaking. <br />
2. Going to the toilet and/or having a shower requires some serious planning.<br />
3. Dangers are everywhere! And I need to be vigilant, whilst still fostering independence, in her exploration of places around our house. You see, we have chosen, mainly due to the size of our unit, not to shut her out of anywhere. Instead we have simply removed items such as dishwashing liquid, washing machine capsules, knives, all that stuff that may kill her (lol) from her reach. However the lack of baby proofing doesn't stop her occasionally catching her fingers in the kitchen cupboards. Oh and we may need to shut the bathroom door as Chloe's new game is to take magnets off the fridge and put them in the toilet. Which whilst is giggle worthy is not fun to clean up!<br />
4. Getting her to 'come back' is becoming more and more difficult. Her confidence has steadily increased the last few weeks and she has become one cheeky monkey. We try and provide her with lots of new and varied experiences to explore and develop her skills. So when we go shopping now, we often let her 'walk' around the aisle, much to the delight of the customers as she toddles past them. But now she is SO confident she doesn't hesitate to burn around corners and out of sight any chance she gets. <br />
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She has also taken a real shine to dancing. Its. the. cutest! Whilst most kids develop a bop. Chloe prefers to sway. Or is it a shimmy? I'm not sure but her legs are planted firmly into the ground and she rocks her shoulders too and fro. I've tried time and time again to get a good video, but she always hears me chuckle and stops immediately. Her current favourites are a cd called Nursery Rhyme Jazz which is what's playing in the video below and (ashamedly) Macklemore's Thrift Shop and I love it by Icona Pop. Too funny! Please be kind in your judgement. hehehe.<br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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I've come to the realisation in the last two months that Chloe is NOT a bad sleeper, despite my continual moaning about her. Shocking I know. Although I had a batch of getting up to feed her overnight a while back. For the last few months she has gone to bed without argument, slept 11-12hours straight and been pleasant in the morning. Her daytime sleep is the same. Zipped into her bag, kiss goodnight and without complaint she is asleep and soundly sleeps for now 1.5-2.5 hours. Of course we have our bad, one off, nights where she is teething or I have a function on for Auntie Lin *wink* but generally, the kid does alright with this sleeping business. <br />
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The other night we attended uncle Dean's thirtieth. We had brought the pram and her PJs but in the deep recesses of my mind I knew I would cave and take her home for bed. But I was strong, with the help of Jarratt, and we put her to sleep in the pram in a room right under the (ridiculously noisey) stairs. And she didn't wake up. At all! I was in shock! After about an hour I found myself pacing, I had mentally prepared myself for the fact that she would for sure wake up after 45minutes (her standard pram sleep length) and I would have a bewildered, tired toddler to wrangle, get home and then coax back to sleep. But nope, she slept, the WHOLE time, til we were ready to go home at about 945pm. We then lifted her into the car seat at which point she woke and waved happily to me, drove the 10 minutes home, cuddled her into the house, zipped her into her bag then I left her to nod off..... I shut the door behind me, took a deep breathe and braced for it. The crying. But (surprisingly) nothing happened, not a peep! I then got myself ready for bed and laid staring at the roof, waiting.... waiting for the squeal, the chatter, anything that indicated taking her out and letting her sleep anywhere after 7 than in her bed had been one big mistake. But it never came, eventually I drifted off to sleep and woke suddenly to a sun drenched room. I quickly checked the clock. 730! 720 actually! As Jarratt firmly corrected me later that day. Chloe had actually slept in! I do think it was a bit of a co-inky dink. But I'll take it. I had always said once she was 1, I'd be happy to mess with her bedtime and sleeping situation a bit more. They grow so much in that first year and I didn't want to hamper her brain development by keeping her up late or asking to much of her. But now that we're here I could easily have continued making excuses but with the help of Jarratt's calm nature I'm willing to give things a go.<br />
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<strong><u>MODELLNG</u></strong><br />
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In the last month Chloe has filmed a commercial for Vodafone which has just been released and done two photo shoots for Big W catalogues out October 28th and November 7th! Its been a very exciting month.</div>
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Just before her first birthday, we attended an open casting type thing for the Vodafone Commercial. After waiting for almost 2 hours on the first day (with about 40 other kids), they finally selected Chloe to appear as one of the babies in the commercial. She was SO good on set, both friendly and happy. The crew got their shots from her quickly and were really pleased with how well she worked. They 'established' her as one of the characters and we were to return the next morning to finish filming. The commercial used babies faces and then superimposed them onto the heads of adults for a prefilmed sequence. Chloe was one of the girls heading to and dancing in the club. Whilst the perspective of the heads is a little off, making it a look a bit creepy. I think it is a fun commercial encouraging you to see the world as you haven't in a while - using your inner child. The final commercial is below for you to see. Chloe appears on the far right at about the 36 second mark, from memory, with repeat shots from there on til the end. Always on the far right. :)</div>
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The Big W catalogue was a much simpler process. Chloe was cast and sent to dimension studios in Alexandria at a set time. We arrived at our time, she was dressed in her outfit (bonds the first time, a Christmas outfit the second), they shot her for 10 minutes and that was it. It was very efficient and hard to believe she gets 100 dollars for each photo shoot. As yet the catalogues are not out, but I'll be sure to include pictures in the next post of them.</div>
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF</u></strong> </div>
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<em>Her Birthday</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuISAz4TegIrbrz7gDdG1bWoAsn52JYcc3c-O74jZC-sb1X2h0eJeHO-sHUP5spJaqunqoTV39fzKkMM8_1v0bBdAfI_er3EeFyMZ33iOuSwU_OBd0dWLz9-M-TVd6F9xoDs_OboxENOM/s1600/IMG_2399+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuISAz4TegIrbrz7gDdG1bWoAsn52JYcc3c-O74jZC-sb1X2h0eJeHO-sHUP5spJaqunqoTV39fzKkMM8_1v0bBdAfI_er3EeFyMZ33iOuSwU_OBd0dWLz9-M-TVd6F9xoDs_OboxENOM/s320/IMG_2399+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a>Jarratt managed to organise a 'day off' for Chloe's actual birthday, thanks to a generous boss. So we made the most of it by heading to Symbio wildlife park. We left just after 10 so she could have a snooze on the way, spend a few hours there and then snooze on the way back. The park, whilst fairly deserted (of both people and animals) was much more manageable than taking her to Taronga as originally planned. <br />
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At the park she was enthralled by the crocodiles, patted a koala, pointed at the meerkats and unimpressed with the tigers. Meanwhile Mummy and Daddy were absolutely bamboozled by an over zealous hungry kangaroo. We ended her special day with an attempt at cake smash. Yours truly had gone all out - making a rainbow marble cake which had been cut into the shape of a one. As much as we tried to help her with the concept, I think it was lost on her. She also took one bite of the cake, screwed up her nose and pointed to a mandarin. Glad to see we've established some healthy eating habits.... for now ;-)<br />
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Then on Sunday the 25th of August we celebrated Chloe's birthday with family and friends at Evatt Park in Lugarno. We had spent the weeks prior scouting the most appropriate location, a park with age appropriate play equipment, BBQ facilities, a toilet, ample parking, shaded seating area and that wouldn't be overrun with Sunday afternoon sport. Evatt park met all the requirements PLUS had a duck pond!!! So Jarratt headed down at 10:30am to set up camp whilst I waited at home, giving Chloe her sleep before the party started at 12. It was such a fantastic day and while I felt like I spoke to everyone and no one at the same time. I was absolutely floored by the generosity and vast number of people who love Chloe so unconditionally. She is so lucky to have so many people in her life who love her it is quite overwhelming and humbling all at once. We couldn't have been happier with how the party went and we know it was a great day for her as well! <br />
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<em>Swimming</em></div>
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Swimming continues to be a bit of a hit and miss battle. Whilst Chloe LOVES the water and is ridiculously confident, being able to dive under and hold her breath for a very long time. Until this week, although the last two lessons have been tear free may have been a fluke, she was reluctant to do any of the activities in the lessons where the teacher needed to hold her. I've done lots of extra trips to the pool in an attempt to help her but its not actually the water that she seems to be afraid of. Its the separation from mummy. But we have continued to battle on in the hope that she would outgrow it and this week we seem to have turned a corner.... But won't brag too much as I don't want to jinx it! In the interim, I just feel bad for her teacher. I'm sure Chloe gives her headaches. <br />
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<em>Special trips away and outings.</em></div>
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We've done two trips the last month and a bit. One to Maitland to visit Nanny and Poppy, as well as Great Gran. Where she experimented (reluctantly) with some finger paint and made music in the park with Daddy.<br />
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And the other to Sunshine Coast to met Chloe's new cousin Lucas. It was strange being around a newborn and seeing how much Chloe has grown. I was surprised at how soft and gentle she was with Lucas. Although she did become bored with his lack of interaction and she was much more interested in chasing around her older cousin Thomas. She also had her first taste of ice cream while we were there as well... and she LOVED it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKraDRtZbLxQl5iMH5pvHsisGtVWDebZYX06JIDmRZTnRvZzKv9dfqqe9P2dD01jIS-ef0BO-uDazaRqk_xwAHfH2XQD5kcJaymnFwV6P767IIaA2EwE_MSr-etz6CMVXFYRSCvnqZatE/s1600/IMG_7711+%25281024x765%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKraDRtZbLxQl5iMH5pvHsisGtVWDebZYX06JIDmRZTnRvZzKv9dfqqe9P2dD01jIS-ef0BO-uDazaRqk_xwAHfH2XQD5kcJaymnFwV6P767IIaA2EwE_MSr-etz6CMVXFYRSCvnqZatE/s320/IMG_7711+%25281024x765%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>We also rugged her up and took her to her first Swans game. It was a little bit of a negotiation required as she was due a sleep right at kick off. But Daddy certainly has the magic touch because in a crowd that was tens of thousands strong she had a little nap in his arms. We were also able to take her onto the field for kick to kick which was both fun and frightening as balls whizzed past her.</div>
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More recently Chloe attended her first concert. The Playschool Concert with Auntie Nic and her very good friend Ellie. We managed to score front row seats which came in very handy for being picked out to skip with one of the presenters. Yup, that's right! I'm that crazy, embarrassing mother who threw her hand up at the chance to dance with Tao. LOL</div>
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And so brings us to another month done and dusted for Team Wyatt. We hope you've enjoyed your visit, xxx</div>
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-27803105040784385372013-09-10T17:30:00.001+10:002013-09-10T17:45:40.091+10:0010 things I've learnt in my first year for parenting.We celebrated Chloe's first birthday three Fridays ago, and as I looked at her toddling around the zoo it occurred to me... she's not a baby anymore! She's one! She is one year old! One whole year since she arrived! One! And as the shock slowly wore off and I began to mentally high five J and I for keeping her alive this whole time it occurred to me that we are good parents. No, great parents! There I said it! She's happy, healthy and surrounded by a vast collection of people who love her so deeply it overwhelms me! So to celebrate our first year of being parents I thought I'd stray from my usual format and go for a '10 things I've learnt in my first year for parenting'. The learning curve for a new parent is <em>huge!</em> So hopefully you can learn from our <strike>mistakes</strike> achievements when you eventually decide to head down the baby track ..... here goes:<br />
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<strong>1. Be flexible but be fair.</strong><br />
Just when I thought I had Chloe figured out she'd up and change it on me. Whether it be sleeping, foods, toys, whatever! What necessarily was magic yesterday, may not be as exciting to her today. And within this inevitable sea of constant change, your lifesaver will be a strong buoyance device known as adaptability. You need to be incredibly flexible in this parenting gig. Which obtaining for a control freak like me has been a massive achievement this last year. And parenting books DO NOT HELP! It took me a long time to let the baby self help type literature go. So many times in this first year I have looked to 'the book' for the answers.... in the last few months, I've learnt to look to the book as a GUIDE. But being in a sea of constant change relatively alone I found it a great help initially. However as I have gained confidence in understanding Chloe's needs.... yes! Its taken me almost the whole first year to develop said confidence. I feel like I can get there without Tizzy Halls help.... Instead I turn to my dearest mummy friends and its through them that I have learnt the most amazing things! Also, be fair - on yourself! Don't beat yourself up if you make some 'mistakes' along the way, god knows I have! You will get things wrong despite trying to do everything right. Often you will think 'I could have handled that better', but don't get hung up on it. You did your best in that moment! You are a good parent! Judgement from others will follow you wherever you go on this parenting path. Whether you breastfeed or bottle feed. Give a dummy or self settle. Cloth nappies or disposables. It goes on and on. You don't need to add to the barrage by giving yourself an upper cut because you put your baby to bed at 7:15pm not 7pm. In the end you need to do what works best for you and your family. And seek advice from fellow mummy friends if you need it. Try new things when something is no longer working, don't stick with it just because it worked a few times in the hope that it will work again. And know that you can do it! Because, you can!<br />
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<strong>2. Saying thank you, goes a LONG way!</strong><br />
And its not just Chloe's constant changes that you have to deal with in the first year.... your relationship will change as well. Having Chloe has been the most amazing thing, don't get me wrong, but she <em>has</em> turned our whole world on its head! Jarratt and I are now parents, parents! And in those initial parenting months you will be tired, oh so tired, and you will become frustrated with your partner more than you ever have been, more than you ever thought was possible. But as long as you both understand that this is just a phase. It is the result of sleep deprivation and the needy small human that has turned you and your once love sick partner into snarling beasts. It does get better. And on the flipside having a child does makes you appreciate your partner in more ways than you thought possible. I can't explain the gratitude I feel when Jarratt takes Chloe to the park for an hour or so and I'm free to have an uninterrupted nap. Or when he's home of a weekend and I can have a long hot shower without the shower door ajar and a small person snacking in the high chair next to me, staring. And don't get me started on those nights where you just can NOT get up to a screaming child one more time and without asking he rolls out of bed and suddenly there is silence and you drift back into a deep sleep. And for all those things and more, if there is NOTHING else you take from this blog its to say thank you to your partner for those little things. I wish I did more, but I'm sad to admit the snarling beast got the better of me.<br />
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<strong>3. Your priorities change</strong><br />
This year my priorities have also <em>definitely</em> changed! Now my idea of a 'good night' is putting Chloe to bed before 7, ordering pizza, having a few glasses of wine and being in bed by 10pm just after tea time! And I do <u>love</u> tea time - it even has its own song in our house! No joke! And I'd much prefer to play at the beach and watch Chloe giggle as she pushes her feet through the sand than go out dancing and drinking. I'd much rather buy that ridiculously expensive baby outfit than pay for a lavish dinner at a fancy restaurant. I'm not saying I've always felt this way or that I don't enjoy the occasional nights away from my mothering gig. But generally if given the choice, I'd stay in for belly laughs and big, sloppy, open mouthed kisses against pretty much anything else. <br />
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<strong>4. Your body is not your own.</strong><br />
But probably the BIGGEST change for me has been the acceptance that my body (and my brain on occasions) is no longer my own. If you choose to breastfed (and I'm not having a go at anyone who doesn't *insert politically correct disclaimer here*) seeing boobs as anything other than nourishment for your baby will take you, and your partner unfortunately, a LONG time to adjust to. And although there are moments when you are exhausted and you are so incredibly frustrated to feel SO needed, when those little hands, lips, eyes find you and the feeling of being loved and trusted so unconditionally washes over you, the toll it has taken on your body is all but forgotten!<br />
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<strong>5. Your childless friends may not always 'get it'.</strong><br />
I have the most AMAZING collection of friends who I love dearly. But unfortunately we were the only ones on the baby boat and the further we floated down stream the more isolated I felt. In some ways it has been easier for J, as he wasn't on call like I was due to breastfeeding. And as the stay at home parent I felt Chloe was more my responsibility than his. But nonetheless he still found it difficult as we couldn't 'share' our experience with others and have the same excitement in Chloe's seemingly mind-blowing milestones as us. But I guess initiating a game of peek-a-boo or waving bye when asked or giving kisses after MONTHS of poignantly rejecting us isn't THAT impressive to others. And I'm not saying it's their fault, its not. Its not my fault either, its not anyone's fault really. Its just the way it is. Until your aboard the baby boat, you don't get it. I know I didn't. But if you are one of my 'childless' friends reading this and you do buy a ticket for the ride, I'll be waiting to welcome you aboard with you're buoyance device of adaptability and priority change manual in hand. <br />
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<strong>6. Don't Panic. Learn to laugh.</strong><br />
Easier said than done, right? I am, as you all know, a control freak. I like order and routine. I can plan for most things, however the unexpected is something you can not plan for. Falls, cuts, instant injuries - these things WILL happen and are the things that can NOT be planned for. Unfortunately bumps and bruises go with the gig. But when they happen you need not panic, you just need to dust yourself (and your child) off, wipe away the tears and get back on the horse, or bike, or puzzle.... whatever it is that you fell from. And laugh. In those times of stress and unfortunate mishaps, I sometimes force myself to have a giggle. Its therapeutic. Obviously not at minor head injuries, which we've had a 2 of this year. But at those 'whoops you slipped on your socks on the floor boards, up you hop' moments, where if I overreact, Chloe will develop such a severe fear complex of the world, the little feisty risk taker I desperately want to send to school may never see the light of day. <br />
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<strong>7. You will do ridiculous, sometimes irrational things! </strong><br />
When you become a parent, you leave part of your dignity at the door. You need to. It's a must. And this past year I have done some ridiculous things.<br />
I've danced with her in the shopping aisle. And haven't cared who saw.<br />
I've read the same story over and over and over <em>and over</em> again.<br />
I’ve filled my hard drive, facebook feed and Instagram account with hundreds of photos of her.<br />
I've sung 'you are my sunshine'. Numerous times. Often in public.<br />
I've told her to say 'hi' to a complete stranger. Even though she is completing incapable of saying it.<br />
I've occasionally made 'deals' with her.<br />
I have sniffed her bum to check for poo.<br />
I've shouted 'look, dog dog' and 'birdies', numerous times in public.<br />
I've blown on her privates, just to hear her giggle.<br />
I've eaten smashed banana off her grubby little fingers. <br />
I've tapped a piece of furniture and said 'naughty furniture' when she's fallen down and hit herself on it.<br />
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<strong>8. Kids are smarter than you think.</strong><br />
Chloe is a genius! I swear it! By about 8 months she had J and I's number. She knew what she wanted and how to make us get it. And it wasn't until recently that we realised what a tricksie little minx she was and began asserting our own parental 'power'. In this parenting game you need to view your child as ... well, not the enemy, but just a very worthy adversary - you always have to be one step ahead and have a second set of eyes in the back of your head!<br />
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<strong>9. You couldn't imagine how much they annoy you!</strong><br />
Unfortunately its not all sunshine and rainbows. Kids are hard work! Fact. Sometimes Chloe will cry and be whiny and nothing I will do will help her. And I get frustrated. And as much as some parents may not admit it, it does happen. To. Everyone! Some days, as awful as it sounds, you just need to make it to bedtime. It doesn't mean you're a bad parent, its just part of the deal. And don't let anyone make you feel guilty about that! I've found that like minded parents do wonders with this. Honest, frank and true friendships that have turned up at my door, mid meltdown and made an inappropriate joke about lobbing said child off the balcony and just laughed afterwards are an amazing help! Make sure you collect these like minded people along the way in your first year. Their friendship is a true get out of jail free card when you have all but lost your smashed banana. Finding the funny may not save your soul, but it will save your sanity! <br />
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<strong>10. You couldn't imagine how much you love them! </strong><br />
It took me, I'd say, 4 months to feel the full force of love beating down on me for Chloe. Jarratt, lucky duck, felt it as soon as he held her in his arms the first time. And whether you get that initial rush or the slow overwhelming one - don't beat yourself up about it. People often ask me to describe it and its hard, I think its impossible to really understand it until you are a parent. But it is all consuming. I didn't think my love for Jarratt could be surpassed, but Chloe has made my love for him even stronger. For when I look at him with her, my heart swells to a point that I'm holding back the tears and I am awestruck at just how amazing my life is and how lucky I am. Here together we have created this beautiful thing, this wonderful little person, who is the best of both of us and has the world laid at her feet. For her I would do anything. As clichéd as it is, she is my world. When she laughs and runs for me, its like the world pauses and all I can see and feel is the love pushing deep into my heart that I feel its warmth go flying up from my stomach into my throat. I want to smother her face with kisses and hold her forever. And whilst there are things that I could do without, the wonderful things FAR outweigh the lack of sleep and crying ringing in your ears. You learn to love <em>completely! </em>You see the world with wonder and think about your values more consciously. You live purposefully. You experience and give unconditional love. Its amazing! There are so many <strike>good</strike>, <strike>great</strike>, wonderfully wonderful life altering things like hearing mama for the first time; your first REAL slobbering kiss.... actually, ALL slobbering kisses. Hugs. Cuddles. Looks of love. Which without words let you know that she loves you and thinks you are the most beautiful person in the world. That she feels safe in your arms. That there is no where else she would rather be. then here. with you. For all these reasons and more, having a child makes your heart is so full... it. just. might. burst!<br />
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And so dear friends, know this - Parenting will bring you face-to-face with yourself. It may be terrifying. It may break you. But it will also rebuild you, and you will be stronger than you ever thought possible. There will be highs that are EPIC and the lows that are crushing, but the ride.... the ride will be thrilling. During this last year I have cried harder than I ever have. I have broken down on the balcony, cried in the kitchen, sobbed in the shower. Being a mum has stretched me to my very limits. I've felt insecure at times, and confident at others. I've been an amateur and a pro. I've been exhausted and exhilarated. I’ve swelled with pride and joy, and I’ve stood in awe. At myself, at Jarratt, at my mummy friends, at Chloe. I’ve been amazed and overwhelmed, grateful and relieved. I’ve learned sacrifice. I’ve earned wrinkles. *deep breathe* I’ve. Given. Birth. This year, I've done a lot and learnt ALOT! I’ve grown up. I've become more of who I know I was meant to be.<br />
But above all else... I've had fun! I've become mum. Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-26371294333141715832013-08-07T11:45:00.002+10:002013-08-07T14:28:58.606+10:00Here comes the hot stepper!<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y7nJAHzh61QImJD5puqxjvvoYGNznjUgyg9O6HDfOJEd2yhUB9RCFUka2cvEzO_dvNCQBrPGaCaIsN3L9MTYj5akgO7MDhrli1ZSimOxr5nf8up1v7YNdulNQCor3HDA7CYF5InJJvM/s1600/IMG_7373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y7nJAHzh61QImJD5puqxjvvoYGNznjUgyg9O6HDfOJEd2yhUB9RCFUka2cvEzO_dvNCQBrPGaCaIsN3L9MTYj5akgO7MDhrli1ZSimOxr5nf8up1v7YNdulNQCor3HDA7CYF5InJJvM/s400/IMG_7373.JPG" width="266" /></a>Dear me... has it REALLY been 6 weeks since I last wrote? Wow! I had every intention of writing this post when Chloe turned 11 months exactly but she went through a bout of what I like to call 'power' or 'disco' naps... day sleeps of about 30 minutes so that didn't leave much time to update you all... but couldn't you do it when she plays? I suppose I could have, but since she is now ON THE MOVE (!) I do risk her eating chemicals, or bashing her head on furniture if I'm not 'on it' for an extended length of time, and none of us want that! Right? Plus we've been SUPER busy, what with all the trips to the aquarium and playing we've been doing! </div>
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So ... without further a due, here comes the update...<br />
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As of the 19/7/2013 her stats were:<br />
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Weight: 8.7kgs<br />
Height: 70cm<br />
Head: 45.5cms - which has plateaued and thankfully is in 'normal' range again! Phew ;-)<br />
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<strong><u>EATING</u></strong></div>
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So Little Miss is still at a nice predictable 3 meals a day with a morning and afternoon 'snack' which she is happy to feed herself .... and three milk feeds! That's right, three! In the last month we have successfully phased out the 3pm feed! Yay! We have replaced it with a little snack that bridges the gap between the afternoon nap and dinner at 5pm. So far so good! Next will be the 11am feed, but we think that will be easy in the next few weeks to drop as *knock wood* Chloe has started having a more substantial sleep in the morning again (1.5hours or there abouts), meaning that when she wakes, we could technically give her lunch straight away. Then once we're on morning and night feeds, transition to sippy cup of milk rather than boob. That's the plan anyways, but we all know how plans can be thrown out the window with these little munchins! In order to help with the milk thing, we've started giving her cows milk on her weetbix in the morning to ensure when we do attempt the transition it wont be a massive shock to the system. So far she's had diluted milk with 3 parts water, 1 part milk and we haven't seen any major side effects. We'll gradually adjust the ratios until it's all milk and then bob's your uncle.... hopefully!<br />
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Chloe is showing a lot of interest in 'cooking' her food and being just like mummy and daddy. She wants to drink from cups and our water bottles which we obviously encourage. She also wants to eat more grown up foods, hilariously falling into the family tradition of chicken and chips on the weekend. We don't think it'll be too long before she's just eating what's on our plate. But when having her 'meal', she prefers more mashed food still, rather than chunky food. </div>
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe is quite the little chatter box, as you all know. She squeals, laughs, shouts, chats and is generally a very noisy little person. And while I find it ridiculously cute when she 'talks' to us, I often find myself apologising in public for her 'loudness', particularly when she squeals to get strangers attention. Most people are very accommodating and 'talk' to her for a minute or so, which she now loves. The fear of strangers is slowly fading. Thank goodness.</div>
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We are also very confident in understanding what she wants based on the tonal sounds in her 'language'. Everything is still mostly baby talk but she is developing some recognisable sounds such as 'mum' and 'da da' which are often used correctly. But it really is the tone in her voice that tells us what she wants. 'Eh' being a particular favourite sound. This has now been paired with pointing which is great, much better than the previous crying or shouting to indicate what she wants! Sometimes she'll even look at an object and then back at us and its pretty clear what she's after. We are doing our best to encourage her language development by verbalising her wants. I.e. 'Do you want some water? Ok, Chloe, mummy will get it for you'. As well as key phrases like 'please' and 'thank you'. I realise its still early days, but her talking will creep up on us before we know it. She is already a very alert observer and mimics quite impressively all we do, it wont be long before its all we say too. So consider all of you with potty mouths on notice! Mummy included! hehe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R0fZJ_6aJdsigqKvCa9WtJTWC6F9U1pzKhFF2gjf2UbxDYRnVRasj9fxSfArk41lJCZonMWCRE-ucZCFRK8VukdU_wIpGakYfPRF2JTlkrlEZ4X6CaH43Ej0Lwo87S0oEuKiBQOCjyA/s1600/IMG_6408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R0fZJ_6aJdsigqKvCa9WtJTWC6F9U1pzKhFF2gjf2UbxDYRnVRasj9fxSfArk41lJCZonMWCRE-ucZCFRK8VukdU_wIpGakYfPRF2JTlkrlEZ4X6CaH43Ej0Lwo87S0oEuKiBQOCjyA/s200/IMG_6408.JPG" width="150" /></a>And this communication thing is really a two way street, not only are we getting better at speaking baby, but Chloe is understanding us as well. Not only can she consistently look and respond when we call her name, but also follow simple instructions such as cute parlour tricks like 'Where's your head?' to which she will lay her hands on her head as well as 'Get Daddy' when playing chase-y's. She understands when we say 'ahhh' what she has in her hand is meant for her mouth. She will give us what she has in her hands when we reach out for it and say 'Ta', but may want it back straight away and she also understands 'hi' and 'bye' and 'uh ah' (no), but may not always listen, hehe. </div>
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Chloe also is demonstrated more affection to known people such as cuddles at the aquarium with daddy and more recently smiled the instant she saw Auntie Kehlet walk in the door. She still has a very strong attachment to mummy, but with daddy now home more often is starting to show a preference for him as well. However, as hard as we try, the elusive 'kiss' still eludes us. </div>
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<strong><u>GETTING AROUND</u></strong></div>
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Look out world! Here comes the hot stepper! Chloe officially took her first steps on the 9th of July.... and then.... nothing. Not another unassisted step until about a week ago. To be fair she did have two major falls using her walker and I think that put her off. But now its all stations to walking town.... and its ALL SHE WANTS TO DO! At home she's happy to cruise along furniture and take a few wobbly steps between things, but if the gap is not deemed safe she'll shout for us and we'll hold her hand (more for confidence than anything else) and off she goes! The same when we're out, just lacking a bit of confidence in going it alone, until now she has only walked independently a handful of times when we are out but nonetheless she is very impressive. But watching herself walk on our iPhones is a major motivator....as you can see in the video.</div>
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Shortly before the return of walking, Chloe started crawling! I know! What a massive month we've had! Although, I have to admit, its some crazy, creepy, own style of crawling. Its very Gollumlike. One leg 'walks' whilst the other drags, or crawls behind her. But we'll take it! Anything is better than nothing and it sure has reduced the number of frustrated cries of a little lady stranded. She is now able to confidently crawl to a piece of furniture, pull herself up (no long just a bath time trick), cruise along the furniture and then take a few steps to mummy or daddy at the end. It does become a little haphazard, if I want to go to make a cup of tea or answer the call of nature. Gone are the days of leaving the room and returning to a baby where I left her. Hello every sharp edge, tiny pieces of fluff on the floor and safety gates! Thankfully, all jokes aside, she was pretty quick to learn how to fall onto her bum safely and that she needs to put her arms out if she falls forward, although shes not always happy about it. <br />
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzXCRawJG9gV4enauskWo8CpPsaY82ZidT9WN3mz3s6gEdNCHSw1FCKsNOu_n-juJAbtW1BH042P2FKxbLqCu_ENB3z47GF65Y6oy4JK2TbXkpnIcJZwgfHVuuLgJc0ZLcNdcLCSbql4/s1600/IMG_7071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzXCRawJG9gV4enauskWo8CpPsaY82ZidT9WN3mz3s6gEdNCHSw1FCKsNOu_n-juJAbtW1BH042P2FKxbLqCu_ENB3z47GF65Y6oy4JK2TbXkpnIcJZwgfHVuuLgJc0ZLcNdcLCSbql4/s200/IMG_7071.JPG" width="148" /></a>Sleeping, ahhh, sleeping! The ongoing battle! So Chloe's naps are now 1030am (or there abouts) and then anywhere again between 230-330pm depending on what she looks like... and how exhausted mummy's feeling. Ha! The 1030am tends to be the longer one, but not always, with the afternoon one being more of a disco nap. I can see that the morning nap will gradually get later and the afternoon one will drop off entirely. Not something I'm looking forward too. You see, Chloe's current routine is wonderful. I can be out all day without too much disruption, she'll survive on two 30 minute naps in the pram, or I can sleep her in the car to and from somewhere. However as we begin to move to one nap, my options are to a) rush home or b) have a sleep deprived toddler all afternoon. Not great choices really. But there are worse problems to have!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i05ja4oK-0aMI0YNETJX6ZARJNNANz1FdkZWGbV7Hy2_jTfPHCBsRGV-c67WxeTarNc24XkQqnVcfK_y-nMsrpx3q2hPa25SbdYPs2615L7eTYC4CmkgVdnnEY26d1OkL6roHUt0_gk/s1600/IMG_6927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i05ja4oK-0aMI0YNETJX6ZARJNNANz1FdkZWGbV7Hy2_jTfPHCBsRGV-c67WxeTarNc24XkQqnVcfK_y-nMsrpx3q2hPa25SbdYPs2615L7eTYC4CmkgVdnnEY26d1OkL6roHUt0_gk/s320/IMG_6927.JPG" width="240" /></a>She is also now *knock wood* sleeping through.. for over a month, almost two. I can count on one hand the amount of times we've had to get up to her and most of those have been because of illness or we are out of town (at Maitland for example). She sleeps roughly from 630-630. Some days she'll go to bed later, like on special occasions, some mornings she'll get up at 6. On these days we often leave her in bed and she babbles away happily to herself, only once she 'calls' for us do we go in and get her. Then if Jarratt's home, we all snuggle in our bed for the morning feed and half and hour or so of cuddles. I love it so much! Its seriously one of my favourite times! I feel like I need to pinch myself, its just so beautifully surreal! Also Chloe's bedtime routine of Bath, Book, Boob, Bed has continued successfully. Again, I can count on one hand the number of times she's cried about going to bed, most nights she just goes straight to sleep on her stomach! Bless her! At first we were worried that she wasn't comfortable, but in the last week or so despite rolling her back over, she just rolls back - so we figure that's the way she's comfortable.... the only problem is she's not all that proficient at rolling back. Ahhh sleeping, the ongoing battle! <br />
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<strong><u>PLAYING</u></strong></div>
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Playing is such a relative term. Chloe loves to play with a variety of things and in a variety of places and we're more than happy to oblige. The way she solves things like how playground equipment works or where mummy is during hide and seek is amazing! We try and make her playing stimulating and different whilst still keeping a rotation of old favourites like talking with the baby in the mirror and dancing to music! As well as perfecting skills like her pincher grip and hand eye coordination.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXtl1x1kLwIbhL26W46U0hDiAllb3bdFh-xd4EIubo3Fw8lXOhoSGlSl7dlIJ2bd9sE7QlgWh-l-5i-bSdS16ifDqhsdnDpw442VqyYrvm6Ot7V-TVUEbjGZgbocamCKf038xkBr8uA8/s1600/IMG_1866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXtl1x1kLwIbhL26W46U0hDiAllb3bdFh-xd4EIubo3Fw8lXOhoSGlSl7dlIJ2bd9sE7QlgWh-l-5i-bSdS16ifDqhsdnDpw442VqyYrvm6Ot7V-TVUEbjGZgbocamCKf038xkBr8uA8/s320/IMG_1866.JPG" width="320" /></a>Two of Chloe's favourite things to do now that she is getting older and more aware of her surroundings is to go on play dates with her friends and on regular walks to various parks. Each week I work hard to fill her calendar with little social outings, be it with friends or just as a family. Chloe gets so excited at the prospect of heading out the mere sound of the door knob as I turn it to open the front door has her in hysterics! And don't get me started for the performance that happens every time we approach our local park, let alone the swings! She swings and kicks her feet in the pram and scrunches up her face with a smile so bright it really does light up the world! During play dates she is a sweet little thing, and absolutely enthralled by other little kids. I am really proud of the way she shares her toys and even soggy biscuits. They continue to be a real highlight for both her and I in the week and I would be at a loss without my wise mummy friends. Always there to lend a hand and indulge in a coffee and macaroon. hehe</div>
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Swimming, unfortunately swimming has not been as popular of late. She reluctantly goes under water now and will often get upset at the prompts for diving in. I think it stems from the fact that all her friends have now left the class and week upon week she has been alone in the lesson. Thankfully one of her lovely friends and mother is sneakily attending our class, I hope this will help improve her enjoyment levels. If not, I am seriously considering packing it in and instead just going here and there over the warmer months and re-enrolling her when she's older. I'm giving it until I go back to work (Early October), I'll let you know how she goes. Meanwhile Daddy got to expreince his first swimming lesson about a month ago (before the reluctance set in), below is a video of them together at the pool.<br />
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As far as toys go, she has started to show a preference for what I can only call 'mummy's toys'.... my mobile, the remote, kitchen utensils. Not that its a problem, its just very amusing. The carpet will be strewn with a rainbow of colourful toys and she'd rather have the remote. Go figure!? But her favourite toys are definitely Mummy and Daddy, as well as any other willing adult participant like Auntie Lin. She loves playing a slightly altered version of hide and seek.... a bit like Marco Polo, where she'll 'walk' with Daddy, whilst mummy hides then call out 'eh?' to which I'll reply 'eh' until found. This game she finds HYSTERICAL! The other is chase-y! Basically the name explains it all.. Very occasionally, she'll have quiet moments of independent play... I relish these as it gives me a chance to step back and look at what a wonderful little kid she is and reflect on how lucky I truly am.<br />
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<strong><u>OTHER STUFF...</u></strong></div>
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In other news we've had a few exciting personal stories to report on. But before that I want to say a BIG thanks to our recent babysitters (The Godmother and Auntie Kehlet), now that Chloe is sleeping through the night we, well I have been able to head out on two occasions as my boobs weren't 'on call' and twice we've called upon the bestest of friends to help us out and (not surprisingly) they were only too happy to duck around and sit in our unit whilst Chloe slept. Thank you ladies, from the bottom of our heart.... now, whose volunteering next? hehe<br />
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<em>Daniel and Maite Visit</em></div>
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The Godfather and the future Mrs Godfather came and visited for a weekend and we had 'stacks' of fun. The weekend was filled with football, food and Chloe's very first trip to the aquarium. It was a lovely experience to share with Daniel and Maite and one that won't be forgotten any time soon. Chloe was amazed by all the fish in the tank and movement within the aquarium, but it was a very exhaustingly big day for her! As always, Daniel and Maite were beyond sweet to her and we were floored by just how much love they have for her.<br />
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<em>And finally ... Jarratt starting own business</em></div>
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Jarratt has started his own electrical business. YAY! Wired by Wyatt is officially a reality. Although, it is still early days, he seems to be doing well. It is so unbelievably nice to see him finally achieve a life long dream! I know he will be amazing and do very well! So for all your electrical needs, contact Wired by Wyatt. Or check out his website: <a href="http://www.wiredbywyatt.com.au/">www.wiredbywyatt.com.au</a> *shameless plug!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsoJu9akGNbKRaFQe0hSplZsryF6zDUaOpdvYtnTvXnSlZhxaApzwRcoIzzwP0jKSGMiVgfrp2rWVAaGmzN5GR1kA8V3MdY3MeLSEDrwumMpaLfjBcjKyZB_HQ4rFZ4mV5k4sUmsN8is/s1600/Scan13-08-07+1124.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsoJu9akGNbKRaFQe0hSplZsryF6zDUaOpdvYtnTvXnSlZhxaApzwRcoIzzwP0jKSGMiVgfrp2rWVAaGmzN5GR1kA8V3MdY3MeLSEDrwumMpaLfjBcjKyZB_HQ4rFZ4mV5k4sUmsN8is/s400/Scan13-08-07+1124.tif" width="285" /></a>And so..... in less than 3 weeks Chloe will turn one! Its banana's how fast the year has flown by. I can't believe this time last year I was dreaming of her face, her smell, her beautiful smile and now I get to experience those things every day! She is by far our greatest achievement. People stop us in the street and tell us she's gorgeous, she gives them a big smile and they comment on how happy she is, she performs a parlour trick and they say she's so clever. And she's all those things and so much, much more.<br />
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Sometimes, its easy to get hung up on the negative and not look at the positives in life and sometimes it takes a real effort to step back and see the forest for the trees. But as we approach the one year mark and exhale deeply and celebrate the fact that we managed to keep a little human alive for a whole year it occurs to me that I am happy, blissfully, ridiculously, you'd vomit if I continued to use another adverb, happy. But more than that I am extremely grateful that I have a supportive husband that loves me despite all my faults and a beautiful, happy, healthy daughter who makes all my previous errors in life melt away for in her we have really created something special. How did we ever get so lucky?</div>
Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-64654717332583140712013-06-26T22:20:00.001+10:002013-06-27T07:57:03.406+10:00Living a model life.<br />
Hi there! <o:p></o:p><br />
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How are we all? I'm well, State of Origin is on and I've been stripped of my
couch commando title and lost all rights to the remote.... it happens every
year, but hey! I get the (remote) control pretty much EVERY
other night so I won't complain. And it actually gives me a chance to catch you
all up on the comings and goings of our little world. Lucky for you Jarratt is
mad on the footy otherwise with our current social calendar I don't know where
I'd find the time to write this monthly update. But before I get into the segmented update stuff, I need to have a proud mumma moment and share with you the most recent and notable highlight in our world.<br />
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The Monday just gone (24th), Cosmo pregnancy was released and Chloe appeared in it.... TWICE! Based on the photo shoot 2ish months ago, two of her photos were selected to appear in the mag and we just could not be any proud of our little superstar. Below is one of the images from her modelling debut....<br />
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I also realised re-reading the last blog, as I do before I start each new post, its been a while since I updated you on Chlo's measurements.... So..... here goes:<br />
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Chloe has cracked 8kg, weighing in at 8.03 at her last check up. She had gone backwards in her height and was measured at 69cm, but this isn't unusual as each nurse has a different measuring technique and none are perfect... the one measurement that did have a few eyebrows raised was her whopping big head! Her head was measured as 45.5cm, meaning it had jumped a few bands since last check up. So whilst her height and weight sits pretty on its line at the 25th percentile, her head is up somewhere near the 75th. Which had me in hysterics as the nurse consulted the doctor.... I mean what can be done about a giant head really?? Maybe I should put less headbands on her... maybe that has something to do with it, hehe.<br />
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<strong><u>EATING</u></strong><o:p></o:p></div>
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So not much has changed on the food front, Chloe is still eating three meals
a day, plus snacks. Although her finger food has become more substantial – just
today she feed herself a off cut of silver side that we’d had for dinner last
night. It was pretty funny watching her chew away on it like a little puppy! Her coordination with the spoon is also improving, despite sometimes feeding herself using the wrong end, hehe. She is also confidently using her sippy cup now with the flow control on, which has helped with spillages and her being more independent in drinking. I can now leave her chloe cup beside her as she plays or on her high chair table tray and she'll pick it up and drink herself. Its wonderful to see her growing in her independence!<br />
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Her milk feeds are also becoming shorter and shorter with the 7am feed being the longest
and the 11am, 3pm and 630pm being less than 10 minutes, sometimes less than 5.
Its bananas how fast she is now with feeding! In the last post I mentioned we
were contemplating dropping the 11 or 3 feed depending which she favoured less,
but neither has been more popular than the other so for the time being we are
keeping both. I plan on phasing out day feeds by 12 months, then once that’s established
phasing out boob all together…. So there IS light at the end of the tunnel,
hehe. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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The squealing continues to be Chloe's main form of communication. She has tonal changes in the ba, pa, eh, etc sounds that indicate her intention and all are pretty amusing! She is also becoming much better at responding to and understanding questions. For example if we are at home and Jarratt leaves the room, I will ask her 'Where's Daddy? Where did he go?' and she will look in the direction he left and occasionally say 'Da da' and point.<br />
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Pointing to things is also new, she now points and I do my best to say the name of the object she is pointing to. Sometimes she makes a sound that is similar to the word I have just said, which shows a real intelligence and strength in communication. I truly believe Chloe is going to be a real little chatter box when these sounds start turning into words... I just don't know how Jarratt will live with both of us. <br />
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Her non verbal communication is also out of sight, in addition to pointing and looking in the direction of things she has started shaking her head as in she is saying 'no'. She seems to do it when she is excited or having a good time which has confused many people who are unfamiliar. It does however make for some funny videoing as you can see below.<br />
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Whilst away in Fremantle, and leaving a BBQ, Chloe raised her hand and waved, a very royal looking bye to everyone. Since then she has become more consistent in waving bye to people and the wave has become less royal and more of a mirror image replica. It is very sweet when we say to her 'say bye' and she raises her hand and waves. She is such a cutie patootie!!!<br />
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She has also become more affectionate. In the last week or so I have received my first REAL cuddles, where she'll lean her head against my chest and snuggle in. I have also seen much affection for her little friends when we are on playdates. She's never been the kid that would 'grab' another and lately I've seen her gently lean in and open her mouth as if to kiss another child, or gently stroke their face. This was very evident in her photo shoot for Cosmo a few months ago when the boy who was being photographed with her was deeply distraught, Chloe softly reached out and stroked his cheek, it ended up being the photo they used for the magazine article, which you can see below.<br />
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<strong><u>GETTING AROUND</u></strong></div>
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Little Miss STILL (FRUSTRATINGLY) shows no interest in crawling, every now and then there is a glimmer of hope as she gets in a crouching position as she reaches for something on the floor. If we encourage her with a gentle manipulation to help get her on all fours, she cries.... so we haven't pushed it. She has, however, got more confident in 'walking'. In order to save our backs we have bought her two contraptions to help and despite really enjoying the version you sit in at Toys r us, she prefers to walk with us .... or with her walker or cruise on furniture. But ... mostly with us, grrrrrrrrrrrr! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1xyWB4cSRlCeaaxq5dpvoIgOo5TfK0A2RhnKsqXNyCmelSGJdq5P2AV7XNH6koUClRmVeuE7nZ-ovVvTOMwBR_3jMq5iLOPetV9EuMXtZShpZntHLsgjiYvUF7qolmZI4jIEfVtxpfU/s1600/IMG_6137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1xyWB4cSRlCeaaxq5dpvoIgOo5TfK0A2RhnKsqXNyCmelSGJdq5P2AV7XNH6koUClRmVeuE7nZ-ovVvTOMwBR_3jMq5iLOPetV9EuMXtZShpZntHLsgjiYvUF7qolmZI4jIEfVtxpfU/s200/IMG_6137.JPG" width="150" /></a>She still doesn't have a lot of upper body strength required to pull herself up, except in the bath tub, hehe. But she has incredible balance!!! As a result she has been able to stand without support for a good 5 seconds. She has done it on a few occasions now, and more often when she's not thinking about it. I have to say thanks to a VERY clever mummy friend who taught me that it helps if she's holding something to distract her. I wish I could say that this all makes me very excited - that soon I'll have a mobile bub! But if I'm honest, whilst all this standing, walking stuff looks very promising - it is very possible that this phase could continue for a while and whilst she is not interested in crawling, I am stuck with her frustrated cries when I leave the room and she can't follow me, or when one of her playmates or toys is out of reach. I feel bad for her.... but more so, I feel bad for my back. hehe.</div>
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe started turning in her cot this month, <br />
but like most phases it has now past.</td></tr>
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Chloe is now having 2 sleeps a day ranging from 30mins (in the pram/car) to 2 hours (in her cot). Her naps happen at roughly 10am and 2pm most days and as much as I don't want to jinx it I'm happy to announce that for the last three nights, Chloe has gone to bed before 7 and slept til 7.... WITHOUT a dream feed. I had done some reading and consulted my clever mummy friends and found that it was possible for bubs her age to last the night without nightly feeds and just being 'resettled'. So we attempted a few nights of Jarratt rocking her to sleep but he could never get her into the cot once asleep and always resulted in me going in to boob feed her to sleep. I was approaching the end of my tether with the whole thing.... 10 months of broken sleep will do that to you! So we applied an approach I read about in Baby Love. Yes, it involved controlled crying, yes, we felt like terrible parents, but yes it seems to have worked! And we haven't looked back.... but, as I previously mentioned its only been 3 from 3 and while I'm hopeful, I'm a realist! </div>
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<strong><u>PLAYING</u></strong></div>
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I don't know how I've forgotten to mention this in previous blogs but Chloe LOVES bubbles and when I say love I mean, kick your feet, squeal very loud and stick your tongue out kind of love. It is one of those things I try and find time for each day, its as fun to her as a visit to the park and has me in hysterics each time I crack out the bubble wand. I FINALLY got around to filming her for you all to see. Its simply heart warming.... </div>
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Since the last monthly update, she has continued to show a love for music and often 'dances' and claps along with songs. She has also started 'clapping' as an applause like response, like we do for her. Recently we attended Rhyme Time at the library and she just loved it, often clapping at the end of each song. She even got her own library card so she can borrow new and different books to read with Daddy. She also continues to enjoy visits with her little friends and to the park, they are truly a highlight of each week for both her and I! </div>
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<strong><u>TRIP TO FREO</u></strong></div>
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Chloe was a downright super star on our trip to Fremantle for Aunty Kiki and Uncle Mark's wedding. Despite never really coming across to WA time and having 'naps' every day in her pram, she only lost it twice! She had an amazing time over the long weekend and definite highlights were visiting swan valley wineries and playing in the sand, at both the little creatures brewery and on Bathers Beach after the ceremony. We were very proud of her and her remarkable behaviour, particularly on the 5 hour plane flight there and back! She was SO good, it has us contemplating another long haul trip with her again soon..... it was only a matter of time before she got her own passport with well travelled parents like us.</div>
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And so ends another monthly update, we hope you've enjoyed reading about it as much as we've enjoyed living it.... xxx</div>
Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-77671935646972586162013-06-02T18:18:00.000+10:002013-06-02T18:18:18.957+10:00"It must be so relaxing..."Hi everyone, how are we? Chloe, Jarratt and I have just bunkered down inside as it's a bit of a drizzly day. She's currently sleeping and I thought I'd make a start on this update that has been hanging over my head like the dark grey clouds in the sky at the moment. I always worry each month as I lack the time and motivation to write the blog that the previous post may be the last... but somewhere, possibly from the depths of my stomach, I muster enough motivation to once again fill you all in on the life and times of our happy little family and it's newest member.<br />
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<strong><u>EATING</u></strong></div>
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As far as foods go she has now had lamb, bread, pineapple, cucumber, custard, pasta, butter, mandarin, watermelon, rockmelon, milk biscuits, cheese and tomato. I am also a bit less stringent with the 3 day thing. Often I offer her something just to try and if in 24 hours there is no reaction I think great! Hence I'm not so sure how comprehensive the aforementioned list is. <br />
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She is also less interested in feeding herself but more concerned with holding the spoon and dragging it through the food in her bowl. Occasionally she'll throw the spoon to the floor which will result in a large bang which amuses her, but also a large mess which, unfortunately does not amuse daddy. Yet we're powering on as we're sure eventually she'll put this skill and last months skill together and hey, presto! We'll have a self feeding child. That's the hope anyways.<br />
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<strong><u>COMMUNICATION</u></strong></div>
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Chloe is quite the little chatter box as you all know. She loves to shout and squeal to get your attention and is very rarely quiet. Since last post she has continued to experiment with sounds and says words like 'ba', 'pa' and so on. She is able to use her sounds or tone of voice to communicate quite clearly what her intention is to the point of amazing, whether it be 'look at me! how amazing am I walking with dad?' or 'I dropped that cool black thing with the buttons, you there, pick it up!' And it works both ways, she now, we believe understands us a bit better... When we praise her for good behaviour she smiles and gets all excited. Equally when we say no or 'uh-ah' she often stops what she's doing and looks at us.... unless of course she doesn't want to, then she just squeals!<br />
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She also continues to chant dad dad dad on occasions and on the 15th of May threw out her first 'ma ma'. There are no words to explain how your heart melts at the word. Since the initial time it has now become her 'cry out' sound. Needless to say, I feel slightly ripped off, Jarratt gets the cutest da da da and I get maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. The other day at home, Chloe was crawling around and positioned herself against the arm chair, and whilst looking down the hallway proceeded to 'shout' out to Jarratt which ended with a puzzling look up at me as in 'why isn't he coming?' I didn't have the heart to tell her he wasn't home, hehe. <br />
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And its not just her oral communication that has improved her body language and facial expressions have also come on leaps and bounds. She looks for objects that have been dropped or disappear. Like when Daddy or I hide, she looks in the direction that we left. She has also pointed to toys and things she'd like to have or touch. However her facial expressions are hands down the thing that we are finding most amusing! She has become a lot more .... um, shall we say, animated in her face, which is both helpful and delightful all in one. <br />
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Our favourite face that has developed, after the scrunched up 'no more' face mentioned in the last post of course, is her WOW! This is AMAZING! face. It's hilarious! If something is deemed exciting to young Chloe, she opens her eyes wide, pouts her mouth into an 'o' and makes an 'oooooooooo' sound. We think she is channelling her inner zoolander as this face kind of resembles blue steel. The really funny thing is that it's impossible not to replicate it back at her and often has J and I, as well as many friends and family, in hysterics! <br />
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Furthermore, in the last month or so, Chloe has developed a real deep belly laugh. Its the most heart warming sound ever. Once you get her started, you just don't want her to stop. She's a big fan of Mummy pulling funny faces and daddy tickling her on her belly. It truly is a beautiful sound.<br />
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Chloe continues to communicate her affection and love for us by kissing our faces but it has become a little vicious over the last month or so. She will still gently stroke our face but this is now paired with a mad grab for our ears to pull us close and has taken a real shine to poking dad in the eyes.<br /><br />She has also begun to develop an awareness of 'her people' being Mum and Dad and those that she sees regularly like Auntie Kehlet, neighbours and play date or swimming buddies. Whilst she has never been amazing with strangers and often prefers the company of some people over others. She has definitely reached the age of relationships and separation anxiety from Mum and Dad. We are doing our best to gently extend her circle of carers and by having chats with strangers like shop keepers or friendly Turkish restaurateurs to encourage her to be independent and confident in her interactions with others.<br />
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<strong><u>GETTING AROUND</u></strong></div>
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So Little Miss has still shown little to no interest in crawling, if we put her in a crawling on all fours position she will, as she has always done, cry. So we don't force the issue. Although on the 20th of May whilst left on her tummy on our living room rug she shocked the pants off me! I quickly dashed off to bathroom and when I returned I found her a few feet from where I left her and more impressively off the rug. I quickly grabbed my iPhone and filmed what I have since been told is 'commando' crawling, basically using just your arms to push around. And whilst she may have not found any gear other than reverse, we're impressed all the same!</div>
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Even more impressive, in the last two weeks or so, she has started 'walking' using Daddy or I as support. Unfortunately, for our backs mostly, it is all she wants to do! Her balance and coordination is out of sight and for all intensive purposes looks very promising for her to walk alone in the next few months or so.... I assume?! But as with everything in this baby caper, I'm not <em>really</em> sure. Just last night (1/6) she stood without holding me or leaning on anything for a good 3-4 seconds before tipping slightly and being caught by mummy. She is growing in confidence each day in reaching for things whilst walking by letting go of one of our hands and in some cases all together and balancing against our legs. Its all very, VERY exciting and slightly nerve-racking as you look around at all the sharp edges and unfriendly baby surroundings. </div>
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<strong><u>SLEEPING</u></strong></div>
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<strong><u>PLAYING</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has become a very alert observer and a keen little risk taker, add to this a longer awake time, she is now a lot of fun to play with! Since last post we have altered the 'where's mummy?' for a 'where's Chloe?' Which is a blast... particularly when she doesn't understand the concept of the 'hiding' instead raising say a cup or a toy above her head and quickly bringing it down over her face. <br />
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She has improved in her coordination and can 'throw' or 'roll' the ball back and forth with daddy as well as use her 'pincher' movement to pick up very small objects. As well as remember what certain toys are built for and do such as chewing on Sophie, shaking a rattle, or even more complicated ones like triggering her talking dog to sing by pressing the button in its foot and lifting the flag on her letter box to make the music play. She has shown a real enjoyment for familiar songs and rhymes to the point now that if we sing 'clap your hands' to her she more often than not will clap along.... and sometimes clap spontaneously, even when we don't sing the song ;-) <br />
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She can also pass things from hand to hand and understands swapsies and 'ta' when paying with others. Which is great given all the play dates and such that she attends now. I'm on a whole happy with how she 'shares' and takes turns with other kids, as well as how she will assert herself if necessary. Its in these situations that I really see her personality and marvel at the cute, out going little kid she is. I still really enjoy my catch ups with these little boys and girls and their beautiful mummies. I feel really lucky to have them all in my life to share this amazing experience with. <br />
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Our visits to the park have become more consistent, each day that we're home we've developed a bit of a routine of going and getting the things for dinner at the local shops... Chloe's now a bit of a superstar down in Penshurst and squeals with excitement each time we walk into IGA ... and then visiting the park on the way home. She's a BIG fan of the swing and slippery dip. She has become more and more confident in using both pieces of play equipment and just recently began leaning forward without any assistance to gather momentum to slide down the slippery dip on her own. And its not just at the park that she's developing this confidence, but also at swimming... She has now done a handful of unassisted underwater swims and will hold onto the wall, keeping her head above water for as long as mummy can stand... it does make me incredibly anxious that her little arms will give way and she'll go straight under. But it's these regular outings and our play dates that make our days so enjoyable.</div>
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The real annoyance is on rainy days, like today, when we're stuck inside... but even then, we find ways to have fun... as you can see in the video below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwUtRL2fj-D77iU_Vp5LE1y27UyVs_--GhmBKhO5lPG0tIP9PljWgGLNuMoNPkmMSJCEp6SP_hzFLFTYDemyg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<strong><u>TEETHING AND OTHER 'BAD' THINGS</u></strong></div>
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Teething has continued to be the blanket reason to explain away a lot of crazy behaviour... Restless nights, irritability, fussy eating, just to name a few. But since the last post we have only one more of the pesky things popping through the gum (bottom left central incisor) and whilst it did threaten for a while it only appeared to cut through on the 15th of May. Meanwhile the top front teeth and teeth either side of the bottom central incisors look ominous! </div>
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Chloe also, thankfully, avoided a bout of hand, foot and mouth that swept through Sydney. Despite playing pretty much on top of, and in the mouth of, one of her little friends at a play date. As well as it taking down one of her bestest mates at swimming. But that's about where the good luck with illness stops as she has managed to contract an ear infection. Which is just perfect timing considering we are boarding a plane this Thursday for the long haul flight to Perth. But... what can you do?! I took her to the doctor last Wednesday who assured me it should clear up in 48 hours, so if she isn't any better by tomorrow, I'll be going back for some antibiotics... normally I'd let her body do its job... but 5 hours on a plane with a sick baby is not my idea of fun! </div>
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She also, earlier in the month had a minor head injury... whilst at a work lunch catch up thing and posing for a photo with another little girl. She fell backwards onto a window frame before I could catch her... the window frame turned out to be steel and thanks to some quick thinking by my friends, we had ice on her and whisked her away to a local medical centre to be looked over by one of the doctors. The doctor was very helpful and saw us even though we weren't patients at the clinic. She took a look at the bump and said Chloe would need to be monitored closely for the next 4 hours but that I could do that at home. She also assured me that Chloe was fine, meanwhile I was a blubbering mess!!! It was the first time that I honestly felt a wave of being a bad parent... how could I have put her in that position so close to the window? Why didn't I stay closer? How come I didn't move faster? What if she has brain damage from this? Needless to say I ran away with the thinking a little and made Jarratt come home immediately to give Chloe the once over... He took one look at her and deducted that she was fine! </div>
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The day of the big fall, I also received a call from a lady at Cosmo Pregnancy to tell me Chloe had been cast in their upcoming June edition of the annual baby checklist. After being referred by a friend and submitting some photos of Chloe on the Friday she had been cast for the shoot the following Wednesday. She was, in a nutshell, a natural. She spent about and hour and a half on set and didn't cry once... she had outfit changes and posed like a pro! Off the back of this I submitted her for a few modelling agencies, three in total. All three came back saying they'd sign her. In the end we went with Bambini, which one good friend referred to as the 'ford modelling agency for babies'. Tuesday, just gone she had her portfolio shoot and despite the ear infection did quite well. Its a bit of a gamble with whether she'll get work or not. Only time will tell.</div>
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<strong><u>OUTINGS</u></strong></div>
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There have been a few memorable outings recently. The first significant one would have to be my first mother's day which we celebrated with an eating extravagance at Penshurst Deli and Como Hotel. It was a great day where I was showered with love and gifts that have yet to be enjoyed. The other two significant events we have celebrated were Auntie Kehlet's final 20-something birthday over delicious ribs at Hurricane's in Brighton and a trip to Maitland for Poppy's birthday as well as a stop over to see Great Grandma at Cave's beach. </div>
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All in all its been a busy month as always. But the most tiring thing about the last month or so has been the emotional toll the title of 'SAHM' is taking on me. And for those that can't be bothered looking up that acronym the first word is Stay and the last is Mum :) </div>
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What I mean is, I've started to feel resentful towards the constant statements like 'It must be so relaxing!', 'what DO you do all day?' and 'I'd love to be a stay at home parent'. I know most of these comments are not intended with malice, nor am I trying to make any of you feel bad if you have possibly said any of the aforementioned comments, its just something that is starting to take its toll on me. I think its because not a lot of my close friends have kids and understand the amount of work that goes into what I do. Sometimes I'm not sure Jarratt even understands. And for the most part whilst I love my 'job' it realistically is unpaid, has long hours, comes with minimal support as well as no training and to many is not considered a 'job' - let alone work! And I can't be angry or even annoyed at these statements because, if I'm honest, I use to think the exact same thing. But now 9 months on, I find it hard to get any time to myself and have sort of 'lost' a lot of what made me, well... me! I'm no longer able to dash off to do this or that... this or that now requires ridiculous amounts of planning from a well scheduled nap, a potential feed in the car or scouting a more appropriate location since little miss is not a fan of being covered whilst feeding, educated guesses on appetite and toy preference and the list goes on and on. I feel bad admitting this, let alone publishing it on the inter webs. I don't resent spending all my time with Chloe or being a stay at home mum, please understand what I resent it is the lack of appreciation and understanding I get for what I do. I admit it has got easier in a lot of ways, but in some ways it's got a lot harder! I guess what I'm saying is if you have read this and enjoyed it, please let me know, it took a large part of my 'day off' to write ;-)</div>
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Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-27229806054365508892013-04-22T10:22:00.004+10:002013-04-22T19:51:41.613+10:00Where did the time go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And here we are again... Another month and a bit down and I look back, shake my head and think 'where did the time go?' once more! It has been a busy few weeks since I last wrote, just looking at the calendar earlier today I struggled to find a day where we just sat at home and did nothing.... I counted 3, 3! In almost 2 months! That's bananas! But, if I'm honest, I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
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Ok, let me look over my iPhone notes and let's get this update ball rolling....<br />
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<u><strong>EATING</strong></u></div>
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Chloe has continued to be a little superstar eater, munching away morning, noon and night. She has also developed clear preferences for what she likes and does not like and isn't afraid to make it clear when its the latter. She is, after all, my daughter. hehe. She has now, in addition to the previous foods mentioned, tried broccoli, peach, mango, banana, avocado, yoghurt (plain and strawberry), asparagus and her new favs cauliflower and chicken with carrots. That's right Little Miss is no longer a vegetarian! Although she had some pretty serious objections to avocado, as you can clearly see in the video. Too funny! But other than 'pushing' herself away from unfavourable foods she doesn't kick up too much of a stink. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give it to me! I can do it!</td></tr>
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She has also shown a real eagerness in 'doing it herself', often reaching for the spoon and putting it in her mouth. She is developing great hand eye coordination, but still doesn't have the dexterity to 'feed' herself. Nevertheless, this hasn't stopped her munching away on a rusk or piece of cut apple every now and then.<br />
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She's also, after months of fighting the bottle, skipped the 'Sippy cup' stage and is now drinking from a cup!!! Whilst she occasionally has a spill out the side of her mouth, be it accidental or on purpose, she is getting better each day and like grabbing at the spoon is so keen to do it herself she often lunges at the cup when she sees it. <br />
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Meanwhile breastfeeding had become super doper fast! She is now feeding less than 5 minutes both sides and turns her head away when done. Although night feedings take longer, sometimes 10 minutes both sides, as I think as she is tired. But it is now actually a fulfilling experience, after months of hard word, we are a very efficient team and I find it quite enjoyable. Its funny though that its taken me this long to 'enjoy' it, and before long we'll begin weening her off... ahhh well. <br />
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<u><strong>COMMUNICATION</strong></u></div>
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At about 7 months Chloe said her first word!!!! She had been babbling pretty closely to dadada but then on the 5th of April, clear as day, she just kept repeating over and over again 'dad dad dad'. We are so proud!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8yAnZLFroFuASn7NFabyoKSpNNJChpi8OpGsduWP6t3mxU48EznD73M1SfU2uq_u-akr_zE3ATdmJ9CA8rgR_WTSIvlwc2yqgRChtLWKezJjdm-cL2qb7RBXv6z7c3jU4gEg6UXiib8/s1600/IMG_3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8yAnZLFroFuASn7NFabyoKSpNNJChpi8OpGsduWP6t3mxU48EznD73M1SfU2uq_u-akr_zE3ATdmJ9CA8rgR_WTSIvlwc2yqgRChtLWKezJjdm-cL2qb7RBXv6z7c3jU4gEg6UXiib8/s200/IMG_3965.JPG" width="150" /></a>She also has developed a funny face when she's trying to tell you she no longer wants to do a particular activity, be it eating, wiping her face, playing a certain game basically she scrunches up her nose and snorts. Its pretty cute! We love that her 'signals' are now a lot clearer. And despite ALL our positive reinforcement... the squealing has continued. haha<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisses for Mummy.</td></tr>
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She is also communicating by way of love now, by reaching out and gently stroking our faces or grabbing our face and open mouth kissing us. And this is not limited to us either, with Chloe now taking a real (although vain) shine to the 'beautiful baby in the mirror'. After her excited squeals of seeing herself in the mirror from the last time I wrote, it has slowly developed into a real love affair with our mirror needing to be wiped down after each visit. It is too cute though and definitely worth the occasional spray and wipe.<br />
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Also as she becomes more and more alert and aware of her surroundings, pair this with her clearer communication skills, she now points or looks directly at/for an object that she wants. This has made for some very fun games such as where's mummy? She is very clever our Chloe, reaching for objects or looking in the direction that they have disappeared to. Sometimes she is so determined to reach an object she almost doubles over on herself, whilst sitting, and reaches outstretched so far that we think for sure she is going to fall over. We definitely have one determined little lady!!! <br />
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<u><strong>SITTING and STANDING</strong></u></div>
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Shortly after the last post, Chloe began sitting unsupported. She now prefers to be seated upright, often arching her back when on the floor to indicate she'd like to be sat upright. Her posture is incredible with many people commenting on how she'll be a ballerina. She also very quickly figured out she could put out a hand to balance herself if necessary to prevent a fall, which is great as I can now sit at a greater distance then in the 'TIMBER" catching position. Hehehe. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFaiKGuO9GfRdWH1hnL-R6lz9kgB8jWZUsCuuYxHJTWX4SRZ70Z_081gTvXC92BYkpPAa9-l0Ruw7wMXzFrWb22STq4z5oxHH5du-wIeNGK2W9bS-kUcIAVFZ8f8dEUrCc2Xamusg75I/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFaiKGuO9GfRdWH1hnL-R6lz9kgB8jWZUsCuuYxHJTWX4SRZ70Z_081gTvXC92BYkpPAa9-l0Ruw7wMXzFrWb22STq4z5oxHH5du-wIeNGK2W9bS-kUcIAVFZ8f8dEUrCc2Xamusg75I/s200/IMG_0465.JPG" width="200" /></a>She still loves to stand with the help of Mummy and Daddy (or the TV cabinet) and is getting much stronger needing less and less help in staying upright and just using us for balance. She still shows no interest in crawling and when put on her tummy will very quickly roll over or cry. She has begun rocking as if she will scoot around on her bottom, but we suspect she may just skip the crawling stage (like the Sippy cup) and get straight up and walk around. <br />
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<u><strong>SLEEPING</strong></u></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Story time!</td></tr>
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I was a little reluctant to fill this update section in, as I surely jinxed myself with the last update about how wonderful a sleeper Chloe was. And whilst she continues to go down during the day more often than not without a protest and has slowly come around to falling asleep in the pram sans cry, although still for no longer than 40 minutes, she has started an annoying phase of night waking's! And despite the various trial and error approaches we've taken to the night time sleeping thing, we just cant seem to get her back to sleeping through. I think (after 2-3 weeks though) I've just accepted that this is what she is going to do for a while and take comfort in the fact that she'll only wake once, maybe twice a night and at least its not every hour like some bubs!<br />
She is however, showing a strong preference for Mummy to put her to bed and whilst we try Daddy taking her (when he's home), we have not been overly successful yet. So for the time being, we are going to stick to what works and keeps us all sane. <br />
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And while daddy may be missing out on the putting Chloe to bed business, he most certainly has the best job all day! The bedtime story! Our bedtime routine now incorporates a book after the feed, that's right, little miss is no longer fed to sleep, and she just about jumps out of her skin when she sees the book. She is THAT keen for her story that Jarratt has to hide the book until we are sure she is finished the feed. It is truly a beautiful daddy-daughter moment each day that they share. My heart is flooded with love each night watching them together. Its just so magical! <br />
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<u><strong>SWIMMING</strong></u></div>
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Little Miss is now about 6 or 7 lessons into the swimming thing and boy is she loving it! Now as we enter the pool she starts kicking her legs about and squeals with excitement. She also, as of lesson 2, started going under water, making us so proud. She is so cute, when she hears the underwater cues she dives her head, closes her eyes in a squint and pouts her mouth like she's eaten something sour. I wish I could get a photo of it! </div>
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Recently, we had a make up lesson (as she missed one due to a cold) with a different teacher and the teacher was so impressed with her that she felt Chloe could be put under the water alone and allowed to float to me at the surface. Whilst I was a little reluctant, I agreed, and like most tasks that I think are far too difficult she once again surprised me and proved me wrong. She was dived under the water by the teacher and sure enough floated up into my waiting arms. <br />
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<u><strong>TEETHING</strong></u><br />
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We finally have a tooth! After months of suspecting odd behaviour as teething, on the 25th of March, whilst happily playing in the backyard as a family, Chloe was opening her mouth wide and giggling, Jarratt peered inside and proclaimed 'There's a tooth!' And sure enough within a few days, the bruising gum subsided and out popped a little white peak. And whilst we still have just the one, we can see more floating just below the surface, I'm sure the next update will have more teeth to report on!<br />
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<u><strong>OUTINGS</strong></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnmbPqa3oucsxhsOO58HgWWfhhdfyc1uHG_gfK1zv4G1uiBUQYU4wj89avUYE60rbHFLrn-0MNEyEWcPm2XSCRacP7ZV-Zy3Ef9X4GNIyP_n7SSYRj216HCPpdJNn_2NUA0_sJIn6650/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnmbPqa3oucsxhsOO58HgWWfhhdfyc1uHG_gfK1zv4G1uiBUQYU4wj89avUYE60rbHFLrn-0MNEyEWcPm2XSCRacP7ZV-Zy3Ef9X4GNIyP_n7SSYRj216HCPpdJNn_2NUA0_sJIn6650/s200/IMG_3826.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy-5kRe5AAsGUWIwsTMbBRHYqWuBo-Uh4kV5idv7d26Wnz4nKZwBsOZqPvFqJOKlv_aIKileo6UPzqkwdmvZwqi3D_vI_W7hkGxhP6nV_-Apw6GDvpUTSw9N4Ahfjip7mDRgxsl89o2I/s1600/IMG_4131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy-5kRe5AAsGUWIwsTMbBRHYqWuBo-Uh4kV5idv7d26Wnz4nKZwBsOZqPvFqJOKlv_aIKileo6UPzqkwdmvZwqi3D_vI_W7hkGxhP6nV_-Apw6GDvpUTSw9N4Ahfjip7mDRgxsl89o2I/s320/IMG_4131.JPG" width="229" /></a>Chloe has continued to be a social butterfly. Heading out and about to our regular play dates but also regular trips to the park where she has developed a fondness for the swings and slippery dip. At first she was a little unsure of both but now when placed in the swing will kick her feet in an attempt to gain momentum and rocking her self at the top of the slippery dip to get herself going!<br />
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And... Chloe now travels to her outings, in her forward facing car seat!!! She seems much happier now that she can see Mum and Dad in the car and while I was a little worried that now she could see us she wouldn't fall asleep in the car... I was VERY wrong! <br />
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She has also attended many functions such as Auntie Lin's Hens as well as her wedding, mummy's birthday, uncle John's 70th, her first saints game (!) and more importantly the first of her very own big days... her Christening! On the 14th of April at 12:15, little miss was christened at St. Declan's Church in Penshurst. Followed by a reception at Penshurst RSL, much to the disgust of many 'good' Catholics. She looked stunning in my altered wedding dress and was so good during the whole ceremony despite being due a feed and a sleep. She was only a little upset by being laid back to have the water tipped over her head, as she is not a big fan of the 'laying like a baby' position, now that she's a big girl and can sit up! We felt so blessed to have so many friends and family share in her special day and were floored by how loved our little lady is!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All aboard Uncle John's cruise to celebrate his 70th on Sydney Harbour!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh732sYzffci1q8ChzJX7WS2rwQz_b4yJNMtH8SYauMfyIpY0_qTMJbDLsRkUdkp_a_TEpNH82cSHJhzu9p3TnRng98WtGgiezHMqDNi14lUeU7z8hsKGhf9VI6SA_Z-HD92KKsS7jiGvc/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh732sYzffci1q8ChzJX7WS2rwQz_b4yJNMtH8SYauMfyIpY0_qTMJbDLsRkUdkp_a_TEpNH82cSHJhzu9p3TnRng98WtGgiezHMqDNi14lUeU7z8hsKGhf9VI6SA_Z-HD92KKsS7jiGvc/s640/IMG_4274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little dragon at her first Saints Game!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM_mZkhEw5gw9VdgDD3GmzJEE9b6tEsMxK-AsC6xbT53hL7J5ifHYoWmXJISWBbRRbQ4hU66GqdM115LJmYQjTXFlBYFxspLzqjSIkgGTX_T1sHzI_K3qApHNua7SBn7Upfcbde7gcls/s1600/DSC00956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM_mZkhEw5gw9VdgDD3GmzJEE9b6tEsMxK-AsC6xbT53hL7J5ifHYoWmXJISWBbRRbQ4hU66GqdM115LJmYQjTXFlBYFxspLzqjSIkgGTX_T1sHzI_K3qApHNua7SBn7Upfcbde7gcls/s640/DSC00956.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe at her Christening, with her wonderful godparents Laura and Daniel. (14.4.2013)</td></tr>
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</a>And so ends another update, I hope you enjoyed it! Til next time, All our love, The Wyatts.Bec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5714191858898719488.post-22085178546473891782013-02-26T15:14:00.001+11:002013-02-26T16:18:22.681+11:006 months? Seriously?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi Everyone...</div>
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How are we all? I'm well, Chloe is currently sleeping and I thought I'd take the time to update you all on what is happening in our world. <br />
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Can you believe she is 6 months already? Where does the time go? I remember when we brought her home from the hospital and she was so tiny and fresh and new. I remember looking at her and thinking that 6 months felt a lifetime away! But now as I look at her sleeping sweetly I can't believe its here already... It makes me feel ridiculously proud of Jarratt and I that we've 'survived' hehe. But also sad, because I feel like I should of been paying more attention. I guess that's whats great about this blog, I'm able to look back over the entries and photos and reflect on how much she and I have changed and learnt as we continue this beautiful mother-daughter dance! <br />
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Since I last wrote, as always, a lot has happened. We have celebrated lots with weddings, birthdays and Chloe's numerous achievements. But lets start where we always do... with Chloe... the most important thing. <br />
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<strong><u>STARTING SOLIDS</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WOEXeyJvCvJDGoHeGc1s4R9FM8LAptwXBppMHp0xtpe6FWUgzk6Hi4YLBjuX_fw9MoY5awrZSRvdwIPN2eKGix5I0BlVEMWk5ZUxF8RQ9_l_3vj3WAPmBChYmVODSKdJXIohSCxLN8c/s1600/IMG_2095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WOEXeyJvCvJDGoHeGc1s4R9FM8LAptwXBppMHp0xtpe6FWUgzk6Hi4YLBjuX_fw9MoY5awrZSRvdwIPN2eKGix5I0BlVEMWk5ZUxF8RQ9_l_3vj3WAPmBChYmVODSKdJXIohSCxLN8c/s640/IMG_2095.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cwyXe70wtqUf5Tddl6uHdcl3fZC0ZkpCVCG9qA7hWJrdr-W5n10Q_pNQZSkMEa7lpBN7ES5Sx1eJ0aXUNWFSzVTelI9wevm53Zoc-T64vEla-j_Pa0wvqL3KL5rq91n75KB1wDFtqKQ/s1600/IMG_2092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cwyXe70wtqUf5Tddl6uHdcl3fZC0ZkpCVCG9qA7hWJrdr-W5n10Q_pNQZSkMEa7lpBN7ES5Sx1eJ0aXUNWFSzVTelI9wevm53Zoc-T64vEla-j_Pa0wvqL3KL5rq91n75KB1wDFtqKQ/s200/IMG_2092.jpg" width="140" /></a>Chloe's most significant achievement to date has been her eating! Chloe started solids just before she was 5 months old and took to it like a duck to water. Since she started eating, just over a month ago, she has eaten rice cereal, carrot, apple, pear, potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, broccoli and by far her favourite, zucchini! Carrot and potato took a little convincing, but generally shes a great little eater.... But with each new food comes the new food face which cracks me up! But after a few mouthfuls she comes around to the taste and starts lunging at the spoon. And unlike the bottle, shes not fussy who gives it to her, sometimes she even cracks up at the efforts of certain Aunties who try desperately to get the spoon in her mouth as she slowly slumps forward. Also since starting solids Little Miss has managed to put on a whole kilo in a month, which still puts her between the 25th and 50th percentile for weight. So that's great and her weight and height is tracking well, as she now weighs 6.9kg and is 68cm long, which puts her on the 75th percentile for height now.</div>
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<strong><u>CHATTING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecZGhPI8p7PUnLWus2iptHLulCaKTPcy2FO4k9V1-MKWqfv9SLpMFzGT4-6i7_HF6fnYxogZ6VsTDrcW0JmJfoafz97bS5PAusO9lD2_8Fffxpz4tdW8iz9-EEyjR04PLhVirGZV3eOA/s1600/IMG_2861+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecZGhPI8p7PUnLWus2iptHLulCaKTPcy2FO4k9V1-MKWqfv9SLpMFzGT4-6i7_HF6fnYxogZ6VsTDrcW0JmJfoafz97bS5PAusO9lD2_8Fffxpz4tdW8iz9-EEyjR04PLhVirGZV3eOA/s400/IMG_2861+%25283%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a>Chloe loves a chat, bit like her mother really, hehe. As I mentioned in the last update she has carried on with the squealing, much to daddy's dismay - she still squeals to get your attention, but also now to let you know she's having a blast. Sometimes she is so loud, I'm sure the neighbours will bust down our door at any second to check I'm not hurting her. Recently one neighbour asked how she was going, I said "Yeah, she's great, she's just very loud" to which he replied, "I know, I've heard her!" .... Whoops!<br />
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But her experimenting with sounds is very cute and often has me in hysterics watching her 'communicate' with us. I use to marvel at these mothers who could hear the tinest sound from their child and act accordingly to their need, as if they were magicians or even better mind readers. But now, thankfully, I speak a bit of baby, which makes living with a 6 month old much easier. If she makes a certain sound I can quickly decipher what she needs whether it be a toy, she wants to be picked up, receive some acknowledgment of what she is doing or if something is causing her discomfort.... I just cant believe its taken me 6 months to learn her language!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEw3eQtqTkjcwWSMkwrXpcypgVctLEArg91Lq0tK1zHs5QFactvSHiFIqoGpKeOLRbKr-3ea97eDtj-cIHlPNjDhO8hOz7Mq-Xgk_MGsL_n8h5frQm0gt_OJl9M54ZqOSj5B3Os-U2YA/s1600/IMG_3001+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><strong><u>SITTING and STANDING</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has begun sitting, although a little wobbly, unsupported. She still prefers to sit between mine or daddy's legs so she can balance herself by placing her hand on us. Sometimes, when she's distracted by a toy she forgets what she's doing and can sit unsupported for even longer. But we're getting there... More preferably she enjoys holding our hands and standing, often squealing to get our attention so we can see just how clever she is!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WpvTuQE1VbLSRhJN71F5b5wLwz9cwf4Ez5eX4P3geTzU8E-M6gGKww9a2xPsrQ04qU2chQ09uR8iIMRNLkusmMfeIvU_2xuMJOQwFRsv1ZR6Cp2BsAOOMVImzXqTg7XGtEjJwBu12jc/s1600/IMG_2476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WpvTuQE1VbLSRhJN71F5b5wLwz9cwf4Ez5eX4P3geTzU8E-M6gGKww9a2xPsrQ04qU2chQ09uR8iIMRNLkusmMfeIvU_2xuMJOQwFRsv1ZR6Cp2BsAOOMVImzXqTg7XGtEjJwBu12jc/s200/IMG_2476.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><u>GRABBING AND PASSING</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has really fantastic fine motor skills, she is really wonderful at grabbing at objects and concentrating hard when she passes them between her hands. She loves to shake rattles and almost has convulsive fits of excitement when you hold a toy just out of reach and lower it into her grasp! This obviously is followed closely, as you probably guessed, by squealing... Its pretty cute! <br />
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<strong><u>SWIMMING AND BATH TIME</u></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2oA6T7YriplmbP5_HtJ7YO7F75tWFfGFDU6LoARWoJYedyXeluraUGChBvFYf5tdblOHYhKJksVBxR0JMkEdMTGEvspkKCmx2l3c9_QFMYZYuhjBCOyLMlb2ZutvmWlDREIf4NCkt1w/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2oA6T7YriplmbP5_HtJ7YO7F75tWFfGFDU6LoARWoJYedyXeluraUGChBvFYf5tdblOHYhKJksVBxR0JMkEdMTGEvspkKCmx2l3c9_QFMYZYuhjBCOyLMlb2ZutvmWlDREIf4NCkt1w/s320/photo+%25282%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a>Recently Chloe and I started swimming lessons. I was a little apprehensive to start with, although having a few dips in family pools, she always seemed to be nervous and took a while to warm to the idea. But Jarratt and I were determined to make her a water baby! So last Wednesday (20/2) off we went to the pool for our 9am lesson. The lessons commenced and Chloe was a koala, clinging to me nervously, any time I tried to get her involved in the activities she panicked. About 10 minutes into the 30 minute lesson I decided to just do the activities with her. Instead of holding her out in front of me, away from my body, and bouncing her. I just held her in a cuddle and bounced with her... much more enjoyable for both of us. </div>
At the end of the lesson the teacher said she had done really well not to scream or cry and that the reason she was probably clinging to me was because she was cold.... the pools heater had malfunctioned overnight and it was 4-6 degrees cooler than normal. She also gave me some homework to complete as part of bath time. So home I strolled with Chloe and that night, like the good student I am, we started our homework. Below is the video.... too cute for words! <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4_5h6wt4eHSGD-EX0eh2ZTutR7zR3fzUGxSING1d2j8o8DHO0l8KFBL1MNyUVepqi6U_BRG4fy3vUHVBQOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<strong><u>SLEEPING and NIGHT WAKING</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MksmsdCDUjWwyhOoItEgC897y5zCrMotT-yn1ROVJQ0W69nR5TKBzTr1S6X8MZNcW9YvathmsXF1ERdbLoNO97i_vDsES5P38aeF12Yg9y9OMPodwjGPOBlDwo3v7DuptLQATySLwGI/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MksmsdCDUjWwyhOoItEgC897y5zCrMotT-yn1ROVJQ0W69nR5TKBzTr1S6X8MZNcW9YvathmsXF1ERdbLoNO97i_vDsES5P38aeF12Yg9y9OMPodwjGPOBlDwo3v7DuptLQATySLwGI/s200/IMG_2968.jpg" width="200" /></a>Chloe has officially dropped her afternoon nap! She now has only 2 sleeps each day, ranging from 1-2hours, which is great! Don't get me wrong sometimes she'll only sleep for 45minutes, which is frustrating! But now that we have dropped the afternoon nap, there are no arguments, at all! WINNING! But in true Chloe Style now that I've said it out loud, committed it to words, she'll have a wobbly next daytime sleep! Hahaha.</div>
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She also never protests at bedtime now, there. I've said it. And if you were paying attention and reading closely the aforementioned paragraph, you know what that means ;-) But Chloe is a superstar at bedtime now, I simply change her nappy whilst singing and then zip her into her ergo bag and its nigh nighs, she'll yawn and turn her head to her 'comfy' side. I leave the room, tears free and smile that she has finally accepted that the cot is the place for sleep.... its all really wonderful now!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtK-N068s6olgg5vPT52p1aPW1gTFDOVxu3op3c4arf1MSxXhBB4xvZixRjzrYhKyuYljBUeX4OscJ-Qj4fqnWWaLgVtQWzEEmlHnCcbZe9b8UFUTPtskCFnS_VOIn1_CIKacB6961nY/s1600/IMG_3025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtK-N068s6olgg5vPT52p1aPW1gTFDOVxu3op3c4arf1MSxXhBB4xvZixRjzrYhKyuYljBUeX4OscJ-Qj4fqnWWaLgVtQWzEEmlHnCcbZe9b8UFUTPtskCFnS_VOIn1_CIKacB6961nY/s320/IMG_3025.jpg" width="320" /></a>We still have issues around sleeps in the pram, I suspect that is due to the fact that Chloe likes to sleep arms splayed out to her sides and she cant do that in the pram. And whilst we've made leaps and bounds in daytime sleeps we've had some issues with her waking at night, at first we thought it was because she was hungry, so we introduced solids, we had 4 good nights then, BAM awake again, we then deducted that she was cold, so an extra blanket, we get another good few nights of sleeping through, and BAM, awake again over night. It really is a game of trial and error though, keep your fingers crossed for us.</div>
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<strong><u>ROLLING OVER</u></strong></div>
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This has been the most amusing achievement to date. Poor Chloe has never been a fan of tummy time, but since its a 'must' for development we've battled to do some daily. Over time she has got much more inclined to be put in this position, but still prefers to be on her back. Whilst at Auntie Nic's and Uncle Naths place we put her down on her tummy and quite quickly and to the surprise to all present she very slowly, safely and calmly rolled over. We all applauded her effort much to her amusement... now, whenever put on her tummy, if she'd prefer to be on her back, she just rolls over. We're so proud of our little problem solver! Ha!</div>
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<strong><u>SELF DISCOVERY</u></strong></div>
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Chloe has always been a little curious creature, watching her cousins run about, studying each toy with true concentration and gently touching things like peoples faces, hair and so on. So whilst folding washing one day, I put her in front of the mirror in her bumbo to let her look at her self, what unfolded was the funniest thing I've ever seen... but like the bath time thing, a picture tells a thousand words... so here is a video of what unfolded.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMFwAk6AYoDQbW8t26ae2TMY4A7Hj5X5EMYngnakHWerZecv30TdefVTaeMOENJF8ojp_6x6llPAL_Fnu-' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<strong><u>BOTTLE REFUSAL</u></strong></div>
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Unfortunately, Chloe has once more decided her and the bottle are not friends. Which is making life very difficult with weddings, hens and birthdays coming up. This week I have been expressing what I can (10-20mls) and trying to give it to her before her 11am feed. At first she would throw herself backwards in protest, screaming blue murder, but today she just played with the teat, chewing on it and swallowing some milk... I figure I have a month or so before the next wedding and will endeavour to make them friends again! Again... cross those fingers xxx<br />
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<strong><u>GETTING OUT AND ABOUT</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-KCFYqPVZQIbv7U93UUx6B6uDW7e-lWx_ntNwso3W0yf0kMtI7oOpuxeqekelLY4Wh5PzP6P4Wezllvvf6P7XcZA3qrkoH7QygQwpHv9nPJj02q9ybh1pY8cnY0ZTjz8EkNci_Vwo6M/s1600/IMG_2813+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-KCFYqPVZQIbv7U93UUx6B6uDW7e-lWx_ntNwso3W0yf0kMtI7oOpuxeqekelLY4Wh5PzP6P4Wezllvvf6P7XcZA3qrkoH7QygQwpHv9nPJj02q9ybh1pY8cnY0ZTjz8EkNci_Vwo6M/s200/IMG_2813+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>Little Miss LOVES getting out and about... so much so that I fill our weeks with activities from swimming to play dates. By far play dates are my favourite thing to do. As great as my best friends here in Sydney are its so nice to meet up with my 'mum' friends and see their bubs. Its refreshing to safely vent frustrations to women who 'get it'. I can at times feel a little lost being alone in this Mum thing without any of my besties having babies themselves, despite them being ridiculously understanding, its hard to really get into any deep conversation about things knowing that they have no point of reference. </div>
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So these play dates, whilst great for Chloe are also very therapeutic for mummy! Its also wonderful to see these little people regularly and how they change from week to week. As well as what other mums see in Chloe and marvel at, things I had taken for granted. It gives me a bit of perspective and I leave them feeling refreshed and revitalised.... I hope they know how much I appreciate them and their friendship, xxx<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwf-49YSW1zMhMP0hnCAQoiGGTfxzTA0cLrjbSR7Kh6PnSsjtMd_fVzS7VZ1HjpcuFPcsA9WZg8df5DzN-_M12kkgVhTWs1kqquPtZT6Qu-xwQF7a7UWzueQTFMYDB73VUaIuC4dkBFY/s1600/IMG_2873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwf-49YSW1zMhMP0hnCAQoiGGTfxzTA0cLrjbSR7Kh6PnSsjtMd_fVzS7VZ1HjpcuFPcsA9WZg8df5DzN-_M12kkgVhTWs1kqquPtZT6Qu-xwQF7a7UWzueQTFMYDB73VUaIuC4dkBFY/s640/IMG_2873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In addition to getting out and about locally, we have also travelled further afield and been to Brisbane again for Cousin Thomas' second birthday. The plane thing always looms foreboding over our heads on the trip. We try to do our best to plan the flights so that Chloe will sleep but also so we get the most out of our weekend away! This worked beautifully on the way up with Chloe sleeping most of the way, on the way back not so much. But as a whole she was a wonderful guest at Uncle Adrian's and Auntie Caryn's house and we had a great time hanging out together! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSoXb3lVm-ZbjFtDSaNhLk655it8cr4XwjMOL2t7HLWa9-5X37HK2DgLn5HAmZV3Lwwif_AnIDqbF47RjuriEK8giyK90A1rgOUFuGx4uuO2O-C8ij96Dv_hRxldv7-xaeLRlF-VTCFs/s1600/IMG_9190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSoXb3lVm-ZbjFtDSaNhLk655it8cr4XwjMOL2t7HLWa9-5X37HK2DgLn5HAmZV3Lwwif_AnIDqbF47RjuriEK8giyK90A1rgOUFuGx4uuO2O-C8ij96Dv_hRxldv7-xaeLRlF-VTCFs/s400/IMG_9190.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVywwh9jN98KrofGtiWsOhwkwErW0EpYdwL4rKw2d7iG06zsSS8aZCDmieSAuhdV9F24XIXzCI3rkEecwAylKVFmPYedYbmVo40_eDCpPO0IsiRQsquFAN59IJqaf7r7kPz64IGPuAS8g/s1600/IMG_9165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVywwh9jN98KrofGtiWsOhwkwErW0EpYdwL4rKw2d7iG06zsSS8aZCDmieSAuhdV9F24XIXzCI3rkEecwAylKVFmPYedYbmVo40_eDCpPO0IsiRQsquFAN59IJqaf7r7kPz64IGPuAS8g/s320/IMG_9165.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8Gbzh9O_mVK0CONXZfZ93XB8JPR542wgtyY954vu9mvLDS0d0u4aYSMe9-gY3LFBxDr4474WH-B2Ll1JwvtMWt9JLdKfdq3PcmUc_2_zeGQTIdt0fZDeayuj2PZFerXr4t6bmHTevhQ/s1600/IMG_9124+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8Gbzh9O_mVK0CONXZfZ93XB8JPR542wgtyY954vu9mvLDS0d0u4aYSMe9-gY3LFBxDr4474WH-B2Ll1JwvtMWt9JLdKfdq3PcmUc_2_zeGQTIdt0fZDeayuj2PZFerXr4t6bmHTevhQ/s320/IMG_9124+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In other news, Jarratt and I got dressed up and attended our best friends Wedding at the end of January. Nic and Nath tied the knot at Cronulla on the 27th and we felt so privileged to not only be part of their day but also, on my part, to have been asked to do a reading. It was a fantastic night and one that will not be forgotten for a long, long time.<br />
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But how are you Bec? I hear .... well, not many people ask. Lets face it, you're all here for Chloe. lol. But for those of you interested, I'm.... honestly? Tired! Despite my vow to sleep more, I've done that once. With everything that's going on, Chloes love of outings, how fun she is to play with now, the fact that she's eating food which I'm making myself and other commitments, there's not much time left in the day for seep. Add to that Jarratt now being busy on the weekend I'm often left feeling like a 'single parent'. <br />
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But when she shoots me a gummy smile, my heart melts and the distant memory of sleep seems like a very good problem to have! Hehe.<br />
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Til next time,<br />
All my love, MummyBec and Jarratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981021987950126691noreply@blogger.com0