three

To my beautiful little princess,

I'm not sure how in the blink of an eye we went from this...

to this...

I have so many precious memories of you over the past three years.

Holding you close to me for the very first time; of all those late night feeds when there was just you and I, totally content with each others company; of seeing you crawl and walk, and now watching as you ride your bike and laugh and play.

You have really made our lives and family complete darling.  I love the way you so totally embrace the fact that you are beautiful, doesn't matter if you are covered in mud or dressed to go out, you accept it, and you know you are beautiful.  How I wish I could keep that in your heart forever.  No matter where you are, no matter what you do in life my darling, hold tight to that confidence in yourself. 

Just before you turned three, the bond between you and your dummy was finally broken.  You spent a night at Auntie Vics while Daddy and I were away at a concert.  You didn't ask for the dummy, and so Auntie Vic didn't offer it to you.  When I arrived to pick you up the next day, we threw it in the bin at her place.  Just as well, because once you were home to the familiar bedtime routine, all you wanted was your dummy.  I stayed strong and persevered and it only took a few (long) nights for you to self settle with out it.  You had relied on the dummy to comfort you for so long, that there have been lots of tears since it has been gone.  You don't ask for the dummy, but without it, you still struggle to calm yourself easily when you get upset. 

Isaac began school this year, and you have been a little lost at home with out him. You start asking about 10.00am if its time to pick the boys up from school yet.  You are learning to play on your own.  It makes me smile, watching you talk to your dolls and Teddy's as you make up pretend games with them.  I hear my own words coming form your mouth as you gently settle them or tuck them in for a nap.  Although sometimes I also hear as they are told off for doing something they shouldn't.  It is all so cute to listen too.  I must admit, I'm even starting to enjoy playing dolls with you sometimes, even dressing them can be kind of fun in small doses!  You are ticklish and have a giggle that is contagious.  You are loud. You are wary around most people, but if you decide that you like someone, then they are your friend from that point on!   You have your first 'boy friend', one of Isaac's mates called Charlie. You talk about him all the time, and call out hello to him when ever you see him.  It is so cute.  Sometimes you will walk up to me and rub my arm, or cuddle me and melt my heart with a sweet little "I love you too Mummy".  Ahhhh that's what life is all about my sweet little girl, and always know that I love you too!

Now that Isaac is bringing home readers, and immersing himself in the joys of learning to read and write, you too are wanting to be part of that.  Our bedtime story always involves me reading the story to you, and then you reading it to me.  You have started drawing and writing.  We often find your little circles drawn on any piece of paper you can find around the house.  It is a sweet little reminder of your growing presence around the place.  You are generally fairly layed back, but you often yell at your brothers to make yourself heard, and are quite often found trying to boss them around!   You love being involved in what ever I am doing, and as you get older are able to be more and more helpful. You wake up far to early, and rarely have an afternoon sleep any more.  By the time Daddy gets home, you are usually tired and cranky and spend half the time crying over not much...he calls you a tear factory!

I'm sure that being three will be such fun for you.  Will will work our way through learning to share, learning strategies to avoid the inevitable three year old melt downs and starting pre entry at kindy in last term.  Until then, I will just treasure these days we have at home together, and remember how lucky I am to be able to spend them with you. 

I love you soooooooo much Jazz

Mummy xxx




PS - sorry  about this appearing in the wrong place - the new blog editor doesnt publish when you saved the draft like the old one (ie back dated)...bit of a pain really! 

Happy 2nd Birthday

To my darling Jacinta,

One hundred and four weeks.

Twenty four months.

Two years.

Its hard to believe that you turned two today sweetie. It doesnt seem like two years since I held you in my arms for the very first time, and yet as I look at you I no longer see a baby, but a happy, determined, loving, and gorgeous little girl.


9 days



11 1/2 months

22 1/2 months

You have grown up so much over the last month.

You have your Dummy, Blanket aqnd Ethel (your doll) at sleep times, and often add your little doll, teddy, and other dolls to the collection you take to bed. I dont like you having your dummy out of bed though. You dont actually suck on it, and the dribble just runs everywhere!

You have toilet trained yourself over the past few weeks. You take yourself off to the potty whenever you need to go.

You have this little routine you follow - You pull of your pants and your 'knickies', where ever you happen to be when the urge to go presents itself. You then collect them up, take them all the way to your bedroom, throw them in the door, and then head to the potty in the bathroom. When you are finished I have to remind you to go and get them again to be put back on - you would happily continue playing with out getting dresssed again.

I still put a nappy on you for sleep times, but often when you wake you have pulled it off yourself and it is still dry. Once you are out of a cot, and can get yourself to the toilet if needed, I dont think we will need nappies during the day at all. Some days I pop your matress on the floor so you can get to the potty if you need to. So far you have stayd on there and slept well.

I sorted through all your nappies the other day and packed them away.

It was a little bitter sweet - I loved using cloth nappies, but Im so proud of you now being nappy free.

You have started drinking out of a proper cup a lot of the time now, but I often fill your sports bottle with water during the day so you can help yourself when you are thirsty.

Your language skills have exploded. You chatter away all day. You construct sentences, ask questions, and express how you are feeling. Occasionally there are bits and pieces that we dont understand, but you will usually get your message across eventually.

You love helping Mummy - especially hanging out the washing on the line. It takes twice as long with your help, as you insist on handing me every item from the basket, and telling me who it belongs to. It is very sweet that you want to help though! You are great at packing your toys away, and you like things to be in their place. You are alwasy putting the boys wii controllers away on the cupboard when they leave them on the floor, and are always picking up the remote controls and bringing them to me to put up.

You are beginning to show uncertainty of noises. You ask " noise Mummy?" about a million times a day as you hear things you are unsure of. Even things that you hear every day are questioned.

Isaac started Kindy a few weeks ago, and although you miss him on his two days away, and are baffled as to why you cannot stay at kndy as well, we have lovely days together.

We potter around the house, we have visited your great Nannas, had friends over for coffee, done some shopping - all the things that are so much easier with only one little one to wrangle! Our home days are peaceful and you sleep well with out the noise of others in the house.

You have spent a couple of nights away from home now. One at Grandmas and the other at Nannas. You slept well both times and were really good. One of your favourtite things is bath time.

Im sure if you were given half a chance you would have ten baths a day. You and Isaac splash around and giggle and chat. The only part you dont like is having to get out!

You are a sensitive little thing, and dont like being growled at. You are starting to assert yourself more now, although it is usually pretty easy to convince you to do something, even after you say NO ! If I say no to something you want, you will start yelling it at me determined to get your own way "want chocky Mummy"- lets just say going to the shops can be rather challenging if your in a mood like that! You are still a pretty good eater, although are starting to get a bit more picky. You LOVE chocolate and cakes, will only drink water and milk and are always telling me you are hungry - it usually goes something like this - "mum I hungy, pease mummy I hungy, I wan toast, mummy get it toast pease mummy" and wanting food. You are really good at using your manners. "Pease", "sank oo Mummy", "sowwy Mummy".


Your Birthday celebrations...
Your turning two was celebrated over a few days. On your actual birthday you woke up to presents to open with Mummy, Nathan & Isaac. (Daddy and Caleb were already gone, and with confirmation/cricket/footy etc after school there wasnt gong to be a time when we were all here together!)

We gave you a dolls house, with some dolls and bedroom furniture and a drawing wallet.

Auntie Vic, Georgia, Bailey & Aunite Jode came for coffee and cake in the morning, and Grandma & Grandpa arrived just in time for the cake.

It was hillarious, and SO cute, the way you held your face when the candles were lit - it was like you had never seen candles or cake in your whole life!

Auntie Jode gave you a Barbie doll and some more furniture for the dolls house, Auntie Vic gave you a dolls pram and play jewellery and Grandma & Grandpa gave you dolls house furnture as well. You also opened some lovely clothes from your Godmother Alison.

In the afternoon there was another cake with Jess, Luke, Riley, Auntie Jode, Nathan & Daddy, and another little cupcake with a candle once Caleb got home!

The next day you had a little party with your friends Sarah and Sophie (and their older sisters)a few decorations, some mini food - mini hotdogs, butterfly shaped chesse and fruit platters, mini cheesles, mini cupcakes and the birthday cake. All very cute, and a nice relaxed celebration.

It was so cute to watch with your presents once everyone left. Gorgeous girly dress ups, jewellery and a bag - you wanted to try it all on - at once and dance around the room.

Then on Sunday we had yet another cake with our family and Nanna & Pappa, Auntie Mandy, Uncle John & Rhiannon.

Nathan baked this cake all by himself and helped with the decorating. Nanna & Pappa gave you a push along roller toy, plush butterfly bag and a little angel figurine, and from Mandy, John, Jason & Rhianon you got a fairy dress and crown. You were a very lucky girl and got lots of lovely presents.

As much as it saddens me to say goodbye to the sweet baby that you have been, Im really loving watching the gorgeous little girl you are becoming, and sweeite, my heart bursts everytime you whisper "uvv you Mummy", wrap those arms around me and plant a noisy kiss on my face.

I love you so much.
Big hugs
Mummy xxxx

23 months

To my darling girl,

You are just an absolute delight at the moment. Nearly two is such a gorgeous age. You are able to understand and follow directions. You are chatting away, multiple words and short sentences, enough that we understand what you want - most of the time. You are really starting to show your little personality - you know just what you want, and what you don't. The phrase "not" which meant No, has now been replaced with the word "no" or "nope", you enquire as to where the boys or Daddy are, you come looking for us to get something and will begin to raise your voice at us if we don't listen and respond. You squeal with excitement. If we go to visit Auntie Vic, you recognise when we turn into her street, and start squealing excitedly - "Georgia, Bailey, Vic"

You are engaging in more imaginative play. You love putting baby to sleep in her cradle, covering her up, kissing her goodnight, feeding her, undressing the other dolls. You love tea parties and playing n the cubby house - as long as Mummy is out there too! You love reading books, as long as you are in control of when the pages are turned, and how long we chat about each page.

Ive started putting you in knickers each morning - you have had the occasional accident, and so far no success with anything in on potty. But you are dry for those few hours most mornings, and happy to sit on the potty. Occasionally you are even asking to go and sit on there, so we will get there in time. We even found a little pooty for your baby to sit on with you at the op shop - you love putting her on there more than sitting on the potty yourself.

I have been having a lovely time sewing lots of simple little dresses for you. Cool, comfortable, easy for toilet training and oh so cute!

You like things to be in their place. You are always picking up the remotes and bringing them to me, or sitting them back on the cabinet where they belong. You go and shut the bathroom and toilet doors when the boys leave them open all the time. The trouble is during the heat you were also insisting on shutting the bedroom doors and not letting the coolness from the air conditioner in there. I thought I was going mad, I was sure I had them open and every time I turned around they would be shut again - then I worked out my little helper had been busy!

One of your top two year old molars cut through this month, and the other is very close. When you suck your Dummy you dribble so much your shirt ends up saturated. Ive managed to clear up the dribble rash that had appeared a couple of months ago, hopefully it stays away now. I try to keep dummy only for sleep times, but unless I remember to hang your Dummy right out of reach, you manage to get your hand in the cot and pull things until you get it.

Daddy got a surfboard for Christmas, so there have been a few trips to the beach since then. You love the water, and play happily on the beach, never venturing too far away from where we are. While Daddy was giving Isaac a turn on his surf board, you had a go on Kingys. you were a little hesitant, but you layed on the board and held on to catch a little wave! When you get tired, you are happy to curl up for a while in the shade with your Dummy for a little rest. You also love going to Mandy & Johns pool for a swim.

Isaac will start kindy next week - for two days a week there will be only you and I at home. I'm really looking forward to spending some time with just the two of us. You and Isaac are playing together a lot more now - I think you will miss him terribly the days he is away.

The other day Daddy dragged the baby carrier for the bike out of the shed and took you for a ride down our road - you loved it! You had to wear Isaacs Thomas helmet because you dont have one of your own yet.

I'm starting plan for your 2nd birthday party. I think a family show on the weekend, and a girly afternoon tea party for a few of your little friends from playgroup the day after your actual birthday. I love planning parties, and the novelty of choosing girly themes/colours is still such fun!

I love you so much sweetie,

Mummy xxx

20 months

To my sweet little Jazzie,

Another month has passed. You are growing up so quickly now, my 'baby' has gone and has been replaced with a sweet little girl. I had forgotten what a delightful age this is. You are amazed by everything, you love to play little games, sing little songs and laugh until you give yourself hiccups - just because you can! Despite looking like a sweet girly little girl, you can more often than not you can be found playng with dump trucks or cricket bats or any other of the stereotypical boys stuff that is always laying around here.The other day you woked out how to make the little wiggles car go forwards all by yourself. You were so excited. Now you can ride around and around the table with Isaac. I think its time to get you a little ride on of your own. Toni gave us this old one of tanners, but it doesnt even have a seat...not that you seem to mind!

You are still attracted to dirt and mud, thank goodness that its finally starting to warm up, and the puddles of mud have dissapeared. The other day you and Isaac were outside alone for five minutes and this was the result. Seriously I didnt know where to start, it was right through everything.

You have started to take a real interest in the couple of dolls you have as well. You try to feed them, and wrap them up and kiss them goodnight - its very cute to watch. Im still hoping Grandpa will make you a cradle (just like I had) for Christmas so you will have a special place for your 'babies' to sleep. More and more you are beginning to engage in pretend play with Isaac. You both love being dogs, crawling around on the ground chasing each other, tounges hanging out, panting like puppies. Tea parties are a regular occurance, and you were thrilled that we had some real water in the cups the other day - one of the advantages of the spring weather finally arriving. Ive done a couple of little photo shoots of you having a tea party with some of your great Nannas tea cups, it was lots of fun.

Your language skills are developing rapidly now. There are new words being mastered, and in between all of your gabbled conversations a distinguishable word will suddenly appear and take us by suprise. You say Mummy, Daddy, puppy, up, off, moolsh (milk), cup, cack (quack), hat a;; the time.

We got to catch up with Tracy, Chloe, Mia, Carina and Damon this month. Mia and Damon were born around the same time as you, and Mummy became friends with Tracy & Carina through an online parenting forum. All of our babies were due between the 15th-29th Feb 2008. There are a group of us who are still in regular contact, and these are the two that Ive had the pleasure of getting together with in real life.

On Nathans birthday and you loved helping to blow out the candles. You loved the cake even more!

Your bedroom is finally finished. I bound your quilt, and got all the finishing touches done. Its a really pretty room, and I was thrilled to have it featured on Spearmint Baby.
You really are a sweet little girl. You are quite clingy to Daddy and I at the moment though. If we go any where you spend most of the time climbing up my legs. You want to sit up in the lounge with us, but as soon as you get up there you want to hop back down again. You follow us around the house like a shadow, and like to be right in the middle of what ever we are doing. You have discovered how to open cupboards and are always getting cups and plates out, or your toothbrush out of the bathroom or putting things in the rubbish bin. If we growl you burst into tears. If someone takes something away that you want, you yell. If we try and give you something you dont want, you will either not take it, or throw it away. You love giving us kisses and cuddles, but love the power that comes with being able to shake your head and giggle cheekily if Mummy asks for a kiss and you dont want one. You frighten easily, and are not at all brave. You have woked out how to get safely up and down the stairs at Auntie Vics place, but cant manage the two steps down from Georgias cubby house. Now that daylight savings has started Ive been trying to push your dinner and bed time later so that you can eat with us. You no longer let me feed you with a spoon - either you do it yourself, or you flat out refuse to eat it. You prefer a plate of finger foods that you can pick up and eat yourself. You will usually still let me feed you your weetbix for breakfast - you still have three most mornings. You drink mostly water, although milk is your drink of choice at the moment. You love to run away naked when I have dried you after your bath, and you still kick and carry on nearly everytime I dress you. You love shoes - yours and everyone elses, we are always looking for one of our shoes that you have slipped on and left in some strange place around the house or yard. You like to push things around on the tiles - the noisier the better.

I love you so much my baby girl.

Mummy xxxx