Mel - Yeah at a great appt! I'm with you on the appts being far apart! I'm only just going to 2 weekly now! It's good though as it means everythings all good and thats the way we want it!
In regards to the teaching stuff...just interraction in everyday things will be good enough! They really are still only so little - colours, basic counting - 1, 2, 3, animals, role playing - on the phone etc then play wise - toys like puzzles, blocks, anything stacking and organising...They also just want to be involved with what you do...Dylan loves helping set the table and putting dishes away out of the dishwasher, putting food back in the pantry...and of course anything that helps dad outside they love...Gosh there's probably lots more but thats all I can think of....
Oh...and things like doing the shopping - getting them to find the fruit/veg or name them - it's just everyday learning but much better sometimes being hands on rather than just reading a book iykwim?
I'm sure you're doing all that already and lots more without even thinking about it!
Enjoy your lunch out!
Mel, what Kris said is exactly right They are just sponges right now and pick up on everything. Ben is obsessed with knowing the name of everything in the entire world and asks "That..?" a million times a day! I just make sure I chatter all the time, explaining what I'm doing "Mummy's washing up the glasses now and next I'll do the dishes", "Mummy's putting daddy's blue shorts on the clothes line now, can you hand me a red peg?" They pick things up so quickly. Also, Ben loves to draw and has to tell us what colour he's using so that helps re-inforce his colours. He also likes to 'count' because his daddy always counts his bath toys each night. His idea of counting though is to just make a different sound each time he points to something new. Don't forget reading too, having Liv point to the sun, trees, dog etc in a book is a good way to prolong a book. Especially if you've already read it 14 times that day
Shape and colour sorting games are big in our house atm too and those wooden jigsaw puzzles. Blocks are alright - until he throws the at the poor unsuspecting dog As with Kristie, Ben loves to help around the house. He helps daddy a lot, and especially feeding the dog. Don't forget, all of that is teaching them things and they find it all fascinating.
I also give Ben a lot of choices at home, mostly to do with food. Asking him if he would prefer an apple or a peach, yoghurt or a biscuit. I think it makes him feel more valued and responsible? I don't really know but I never have a problem getting him to eat! I also try to avoid saying "No!" unless it's dangerous and urgent. If he asks for a biscuit before dinner, instead of saying no, I'll say "We're about to have dinner, you can have a biscuit or yoghurt after dinner". Most of the time it works, other times he just thinks that it means he can't have a biscuit, but he'll try for a "gogurt"
Bascially Mel, just go with your instincts. As long as you are spending time with Olivia (really spending time, not just in the same room iykwim), she'll be learning from you.
Geez, I must be bored at work today - look how long I've rambled on Sorry about that!
Gee it's been a while since I've written anythign!
I just can't find the time and motivation lately. I do keep up with what's going on though And this week has been a busy one for us.
Dis, you're lucky getting a big sleep in, we don't, well...we did I guess til 6.30, it wasn't 5am, but wowee, 6.30 sleepin!
My mum sounds like yours, she's got so much time and patience for Lil, no matter how monstrous she is!
Kris, take it easy!! You are heavily pg with two babies!! Sounds like you're getting sorted in your house.
Mel, glad to hear all is well with bub, time is flying by so fast!! Before we know it bub will be here!!
You are a good sahm!! You're teaching Olivia stuff just by being with ehr. You don't need to actually teach her at this age. She's picking up on everything that's happening around her, just immerse her in interesting things, (just things like bubbles, painting, going shopping, going to the park...not anything special!) and she will learn. Talk about what you're doing and why and it will all sink in, she's a sponge at this age....pretty much what the other girls said!
We have been busy this week, Monday it was grocery shopping and dinner at my bro's, yesterday we had my SIL and neice and nephew over, as well as a friend her bub, today it was playgroup and to mums for a while, tomorrow there's a BB meet up that I will go to (any other sydney girls want to come??), Friday it's a visit from my aunt and cousins! Woah, I haven't had a week so busy for aaaages!! It's good though since DH is working and I am keeping busy, no time to wallow in self pity when the kids grumble at the same time, or that I'm so tired! Hehe, talking about tired, I fell asleep on the lounge at mums today, LOL! She was talking to me from the kitchen, and watching Lily (who loves to demolish cupboards, and mum lets her do it at her house) and when she came back to the lounge room I was asleep with Liam on my chest! I just can't sit still, or I fall asleep.
Lily is talking so much this past week or so and she's started to put two words together, like 'car nanny?' (are we going to the car to go to nanny's?), 'bye dada', 'go car?' (are we going to the car?), 'ta dat' (ta that). We went to playgroup for the first time today too and she had an absolute ball! She ran herself ragged! She fell asleep in her carseat before I could even get Liam into the car!
Took Lily to the specialist about her ears the other day. She has glue ear pretty badly he said. He has put her on a dairy free diet to try to get rid of it, but said her thinks she will need grommets. We have to wait 3wks (or if she gets an infection) and go back to see if the diet works, if not then it's grommets.
Ok Hi to everyone else I missed, I hope everyone is going well and your bubs are being nice to you, LOL! Time to go....
Kel - Wow - sounds like a very busy week! I agree though - sometimes your better off getting out and about thatn spending too much time at home...just need to try and balance it with enough sleep though (I know easier said than done!) Sorry to hear about Lily's ears...poor little thing - at least if the diet doesn't help you know the grommets will! Great to hear she had such a fun time at playgroup though! Her words sound like they're coming along really well also!
Ok..well I've wrapped Louis b'day pressies so we're all ready - I wanted to do some decorating but looks like it will all have to wait until his party on Sat...I asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner and of course he said chippies...I suppose it's his choice - LOl!
Good Afternoon Ladeez,
Well I have just snuck on here when I should be painting posts for our front fence but you know when you just want to relax? LOL - I hurried thru the second coat now I am bludging while B is asleep!
Mel- Glad you midwife appt went well - I feel like you do about Olivia - am I doing all the things I could be doing with Beau? I think I am pretty good but like you say Kris, I have been busy packing and unpacking too so I feel a bit neglectful! I guess the water has taken over for us a bit in the past few weeks. Olivias gadget box sounds pretty spec! I havnt mentioned it in here for fear of sounding like a weirdo but Beau's favourite thing is the bamix! He cries and cries for it pointing at the cupboard and clicks it togehter and makes the wizzing sound! Such a bizarre boy! Its all cracked now and was $200!!! We looked for a cheap one for him on the weekend to wreck
Kris - Happy Birthday Louis!! Are you dipping into your special Xmas stash for the prezzies Kris? I hear you on not being able to find sticky tape!! Thats cute about his chippies - if we were all so easy to please huh? I remember Louis slept for the first time in a big boys bed at his Nanna's house - when was that? It was when you were PG with Dylan? Just planning ahead....
Dis - Congratulations to your mum on her patience with Ben and how much she obviously adores him - I mean she is doing it a lot too - not here and there like most Grandmas. What kind of pencils/crayons/pens/paints does he have? I want to load Beau up with some but DH freaks when we are at the shop that he isnt old enough. I think beacuse when we play with the chalkboard he eats the chalk!! I tried getting a magna doodle but they had no stock.
Kel - So glad to hear you are keeping so busy, guests are tiring but its great showing off your new man I am sure. LOL at you falling asleep at your mums, bless, must have been a really sweet sight with you and Liam on your chest. Poor Lil with her ears, hopefully her diet helps and she doesnt need the grommets. What were the specific symptoms that she had the ear problems?
Us - Doing really well, Beau seems a bit better the last two days and I spotted an upper molar all the way thru when he was giggling last night, that makes 3 now. He is obsessed with his "buckie" - bucket, atm and sitting in the sand or dirt or water! He has a really runny nose tho so I am trying to keep him out of the water and wind. He is still sleepig til 7am - a full 12 hrs but I am sure it will creep earlier and earlier. He is still showing no interest what so ever in fruit or much veg, he was so good when he was really little but now - nada - anyone have any tips?
Much love x
Thanks for the tips, sounds like I am doing things right and I'll just plod along doing much of the same. Olivia has her box up and running and was so excited to flick switches and push the buzzers!!! DH was having fun too!!! Today I got 4 new tyres for my car and it will be serviced next week. I just need to pack my hospital bags and keep the house tidy and I am basically ready!!!! I think! Olivia finishes child care at the end of next week and am looking forward to having the whole time with her. Shes sleeping a bit better...I wont say it too loud for fear of jinxing myself!! Although last night when we took her in her room, she wanted to go into her toddler bed, so we did, then when she finished her bottle, came out. So we popped her into the cot and she cried for ages!!! Will just have to keep trying, maybe put up a gate at her door. I dont know!!!
We havent got another cot, so am hoping she will get the idea by early next year when we put the new one in with her.
Jen- arent they funny about what they like to play with!! Glad beaus molar is through. Olivia has 2 eye teeth through and the bottom ones are on their way. Have fun painting!I dont have tips on how to get fruit and veg into him coz I have a garbage disposal unit, but if she doesnt eat something, then I will sometimes offer her something else thats healthy....
Kris- Happy Birthday Louis. Hope you are having a fun day and its so beautiful here today. Enjoy the weekend party.
Kel- wow your busy. No wonder you fell asleep at your mums!!!! Hows life with 2? And are you still breast feeding??? Thats cool that shes putting words together. Am glad that you have found the problem with her ears and am hoping the diet will help.
Mel- thanks for the tips!!! You sound bored at work. How long left????
Well, its almost time for me to go pick up Olivia...I got to have a nanna nap too today
Wow. I feel really neglectful now. Pip still only has a shower twice a week cause we still don't have a bathtub. And DH doesn't help in that he grabs Pip, holds him in the shower, washes him quickly and throws him out to me. All so DH can have a nice long shower by himself. He actually is more gentle when he gives the dog a shower! If I give Pip a shower it takes ages cause I let him run around the bathroom in the nuddy, then I open up the door when he's ready and then let him play i his own time.
ARGHhh.
I still can't understand a word of what he says. Sometimes I don't like him at all.
But at other times ... well, today we had class photos at childcare, can't wait to see them.
They are just sponges right now and pick up on everything. Ben is obsessed with knowing the name of everything in the entire world and asks "That..?" a million times a day! I just make sure I chatter all the time, explaining what I'm doing "Mummy's washing up the glasses now and next I'll do the dishes", "Mummy's putting daddy's blue shorts on the clothes line now, can you hand me a red peg?" They pick things up so quickly. Also, Ben loves to draw and has to tell us what colour he's using so that helps re-inforce his colours. He also likes to 'count' because his daddy always counts his bath toys each night. His idea of counting though is to just make a different sound each time he points to something new. Don't forget reading too, having Liv point to the sun, trees, dog etc in a book is a good way to prolong a book. Especially if you've already read it 14 times that day 
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