Toilet training continues

Nico is 2 years and 10 months today. Yesterday he spent the whole day in underpants without making a mess anywhere - I was so proud, though this was mainly because I kept on reminding him throughout the day. I thought we still had some time to go before he’d finally decide to tell me when he wanted to go.

But this afternoon, I felt a major burst of pride when he said ''Maman je veux faire pipi…’ so I showered him with hugs and compliments and displays of affection.
Then he finished his sentence ‘… outside.’

Thanks, Loki, for showing the way.

Happy Father’s day Papa

… and thanks for the chocolate!

Wendy from Mainly Music gave us mugs with a sachet of Nescafé coffee creamer and a stick of Whittaker’s Chocolate to take home and give the fathers this Sunday. So this morning as Nicolas came upstairs and his dad took him to the toilet, I placed the cup and its contents on Bas’ pillow. Bas and I both had a late night so we took an extended snooze, with Eloïse and Nico wedged between us. When we got up, Nico’s mouth looked suspiciously messy and we couldn’t find the chocolate. We did find an empty wrapper.

Friday was Rebecca’s last day with us. Rebecca is a student nanny from The Nanny Centre and used us as her guinea pigs for 2 weeks. During this fortnight, she was to observe, learn and help. The kids, Nicolas in particular, loved having her there as she spent a lot of time with them, entertaining them with cuddles and activities.

 

Finger painting. I’m just glad that my iPod has got a protective cover.

 

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Making meringues from start to finish

 

 

 

Face painting (in case you’re wondering, it’s Nemo on each cheek)

 

 

Loki learning to be still. Bit of a difficult lesson for him.

 

 

 

At Butterfly Creek.
Eloïse was Miss Popular with the butterflies, at times even having two butterflies resting on her, one on each sleeve.

We went to Kelly Tarlton’s on Saturday. Nico loved the Penguin encounter (train rides and penguins, how much better can it get?) and of course watching Nemo (all three of him) and Dory in the tropical tank. Eloïse was also fascinated by the colourful tropical fishes and kept on reaching out to touch them.

Eloïse is now rolling around and sitting pretty well, able to pick up toys and books straight into her mouth before even observing them. Her big brother was in those rare sharing moods and brought her with all his foam blocks.

This evening in the shower, Nico spontaneously and oh so generously gave Eloïse a little plastic watering can. He also gave her a boat and I felt sooo proud of him. Then I noticed a funny innocent look on his face and that he was tightly holding onto his crocodile; he had successfully (and very cunningly might I add) diverted my attention onto other toys in the hope that I wouldn’t ask him to share his prized crocodile with his little sister.

We’ve started solids - stewed apple and pear were a resounding success, however meat is taking a bit more effort. Since Eloïse needs her iron, I had to outwit her. So her lunch and dinner now consist of 5 tbs stewed apple, 1/2 tbs meat and some formula. It stinks (I hate the smell of formula), and it’s apparently tasty!

I have decided not to express this time round, so that if Eloïse needs to be fed by someone else she’ll have to contend with formula. I can’t imagine a single bottle during an evening out hurting her immune system. My dairy cow impersonation days are over!!!

Nico is becoming a little music critic. He’s got his favourites (Jack in the box, Mrs Bunny, Little Peter Rabbit, 5 Cup Cakes, 8 In The Bed being the flavour of the month) which I’ve picked up from CDs borrowed at the library. I also borrowed the Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for myself, and lo and behold this afternoon he requested Swan Lake to be played.

 

 

One of those rare shots where Papa isn’t behind the camera. Nico had his arm around Eloïse’s shoulders.

 

Nico had kicked off his Crocs and was trying to put on Papa’s boots.

Nico is 2 years and 10 months and Eloïse is 7 months and 4 days old.