Our Newest Addition!

Did that get your attention?  Ahh, how I love a play on words.  No more babies, not for the time being, but the other type of addition to a family - a pet.  We are getting ourselves a dog.   I could go on and on about how good it is for the kids to appreciate commitment, compassion for other creatures, unconditional love that only a dog can show (see those cat lovers hairs bristle!), but no, we aren't getting the dog for any of those excellent reasons.  We are getting one because I want one.  Have for years and years and years.  I love dogs.  I grew up with dogs, and I"ve been hounding Jim for about 10 years.  So meet Reggie, named by Tom.  She's a beautiful little puppy that comes to live with us next week.  Soooooo excited.  Wait here for numerous wee and poo stories and very cute photos!  I have a friend, Julia, who is due with a real baby the first week of Feb and we keep joking about having babies together.  Did I mention I was excited? Hee, hee

One for all you who don't have kids

Tonight I got the kids out of the bath and take them upstairs to put on their pyjamas, as normal.  Just at that moment my sister rang and so I sat down for a chat.  The boys were loving running around in the 'nick' and I was having a bit of a catch up.  Then I saw Angus right up at the TV and I was thinking, "I should tell him to sit back", but I left it.  Next thing I know Angus is skating around on the floorboards saying, "Whoaaaa, whooaaaaa".   I realised he has done a wee and is slipping and sliding around in his wee.  Now, most normal people would find this disgusting, I understand.  Personally, I find/found it hilarious.  It was the funniest thing I have seen in a while, and he thought it was great.  Nevertheless, hang up from my sister, pop Angus back in the bath for a quick washdown, clean up the floor before Tom stood in it (thank god for floor boards) and dress both boys ensuring I got Angus' nappy on quicksmart!  Sometimes, you've just got to have a glass of wine and laugh.  My reality is so altered these days.......as I say - go with the flow! ;-))

A Cuddle

I got a cuddle yesterday.
It was just one of those cuddles that I want to remember because I know that they won't last forever. 
It's not that unusual, I get cuddles every day from both my boys.  I think I've conditioned them.  I get cuddles round the legs, jumps on my back if I'm not ready and good ol' fashioned cuddles on the couch.  But this one was special.  Angus had just woken up and Tom was actually having a nap after a late night on New Years Eve.  So there was no vying for attention which generally happens.  I brought Angus upstairs to the couch and just sat down.  He snuggled in and just stayed there, sitting on my lap, for at least 15 mins.  It was one of those moments, that I suppose could be thought as similar to a promotion or pay rise in the workplace.  It's the feedback you don't really get day to day as a Mum, but when it comes it makes it all worth it.  This is my baby who for 9 months would never 'lay' in anyones arms.  The only way you could carry Angus was up over your shoulder.  This is fine for some of the time but is quite tiring all of the time.  Also, it's not great for bonding as you can't look into their eyes, or smile at them.  Basically in the early months of Angus' life, he didn't cuddle.  I used to be so worried about this.  Eventually we got him all worked out and things got back to being normal, but you never know what effects those early days are going to have. 

And then you get a cuddle......or whatever the equivalent might be for you and your child. 
He was warm from being in bed, face all scrunched up, still not really opening his eyes and just a dead weight on my chest.  And uncharacteristically still, and quiet.  Angus is a go-er.  He tries to keep up with his big brother constantly.  He's always on the go, so his cuddles and kisses normally are quick or when he's trying to get away from his brother because he stole a train (or whatever the toy of the moment is).  But this one was a, "Mummy, please cuddle me because that's the only place I want to be.", kind of cuddle. The best. 
Have I gone on about this enough?  I suppose this is more for me than anyone else, I just want to remember because I know that the cuddle days are shortlived.