Fresh air and bananas!

Yesterday was a particularly tough day for me. I had a beast of a night previously with Cate and had really only had about 4 hours of non-consecutive poor quality sleep. It was also the first time I was due to spend the whole day by myself with the kids since Cate was born. Typically Cate was really unsettled and spent most of the day screaming and not wanting to be put down. Of course I couldn't tend to Max or myself whilst holding Cate, so most of the day I had her blood-curdling screams ringing in my ears.

At about 4pm my Mum (aka my hero) turned up and offered me some relief! After making sure Cate was well fed, I put Max in the pushchair and set out in the dark for a walk and some badly needed fresh air. We walked along stopping every now and then to look at some passing truck, a dog or some pretty Christmas lights. We popped into the supermarket and had a wander around and looked at all the Christmas stuff they had in. On the way out Max looked up at the sky and pointed to the moon which was so bright and a lovely crescent shape. He looked at me with those big blue eyes and said "banana"! That was the moment I had been needing all day - yes it came a lot later than I would have liked, but it made me laugh and smile and reminded me why we have babies and put ourselves through it all. Of course the great times far outweigh the bad, but in these first few difficult months with a newborn it is hard to see the wood for the trees. I am so grateful for my Mum, for Max, for fresh air and Christmas lights. And of course I am grateful for Cate - she was much more settled last night which was great. I am hoping she has turned a corner!

Exhaustion!

Well, I'm back after a very long break! Cate is here and don't I know it! She is utterly gorgeous with the most beautiful hair and skin and little nose I have ever seen. She is also utterly loud and very confused about what is day and what is night - but despite feeling tiredness like I have never ever felt before, I am sooo glad and happy she is here and part of the family. She is precious and I love being her protector and I look forward to seeing her personality show itself (and to getting a half decent nights sleep!!)

As for my amazing little man Max - he is rolling with it! He has never been jealous of Cate but he certainly is taking some time to get used to her and her lungs! He is gradually paying her more attention and is even lavishing kisses on her (as well a few gentle smacks in good measure!). He is such a good boy and to be honest I have found it hard not being able to give Max the attention I did before little Cate came along - I have been missing him but I am so glad that he has had Daddy and Grandma to play with him and make him feel extra special whilst I am busy feeding and comforting baby Cate.

Here are some pics of my little treasures.