My Mum

The past 2 weeks have been very different for us. The girls and I are back in NSW with my beautiful Mum, and my Dad and family. My Mum has battled ovarian cancer for the past 2 and half years and now her health has declined more than ever. As hard as it to even comprehend what is going on I just want to take a moment and say how much I love my Mum. She is the strongest person I have ever known. She has never, ever complained about her cancer and even amidst all her sickness has kept all of us strong. She is a fighter, she is practical, she is so understanding and she always has time to listen. She always has a way of comforting me. Even now, when she is so sick, she still comforts me. She doesn't have to say much but her eyes say it all. She has always been strong for us and now we have to be strong for her.

Cancer is such a roller coaster ride, and I have to admit that I am really exhausted. You are never prepared - no matter what anybody says or how long they have been sick - to see someone you love go through something so horrible. But my hope remains in God.

I am so thankful though, to my wonderful husband Adam. He is such a great support and I love him and miss him so much!

The girls have been so good, despite circumstances. Its amazing though how little kids know what is going on. Before Mum was critically ill, Annabel kept nagging me constantly to go and see her. Mum was sick but it was what we were used to. I never talk to Annabel to much about Mum, because she is only little and doesn't need to be worried and anxious. But one night she woke up at 2am and insisted that I take her to the airport because she really needed to see "Margy" (my Mum). She was so upset and was crying and it took me a while to get her back to sleep. But it didn't end there, all week she nagged me, and I couldn't understand why because I already had flights booked for 2 weeks time. But then Mum began to get sicker and Annabel was more insistent. I told her that there were no seats left on the plane that day, so she said "Mum, we will just have to drive NOW!". And so we did. We left home an hour after deciding, Adam driving all of us.

I dont know how she knew, but all I know is that it must have been a God thing. I am so glad that we went when we did. So much has happened since we got here. We spend all day with Mum, and the girls are really being good for being at the hospital so long.

Its a roller coaster ride, but my Mum is riding it the best. I love my Mum, more than I could every express.

Insomniac

Amelia has been waking up so much lately. I cant even remember the last time she slept through the night. She will wake up at least once or twice through the night crying out "Mummmyyyy!" over and over. So reluctantly I get up, and all she wants is some milk. I know its a bad habit, but I really dont care at 1am. I give it to her and it usually settles her back down and I can go back to sleep.
Annabel has always been a good sleeper. Both girls were good as babies (well at least after the first couple of months!). My main goal was always to get them to sleep through the night, so I always pretty strict with feedings and nap time and so on. It was hard at first but I persevered and the results paid off. Both girls were sleeping 12hours a night by 12 weeks. Annabel continued and still sleeps well to this day. Well she did wake up occasionally if she was teething, sick, or in a strange place, but I could generally count on her to sleep through. Amelia on the other hand, was great at first, but then something changed, but I dont know what. She started waking up a lot at about 6-7 months and it has just kind of continued. I know that Im probably not helping because I give into her, but it just drives me crazy! And lately when she goes to bed she rarely wants to stay in there. Annabel always went to bed well, often asking us to put her to bed! But Amelia is a whole different ball game. Sometimes if she's really tired she'll go out well, but other times she will just yell out to us until Daddy goes in and brings her out. She knows she's getting away with something and she loves it. It might just be that we aren't as strict with Amelia as we were with Annabel. Oh Well, she cant do this forever, right?

Amelia sitting up with me when she knows she's supposed to be in bed!

Chores

Annabel has been getting bored lately and seems to be happy when she's "helping" me. She doesn't like to help me by picking her toys up, or help me by not whinging and whining, but she likes to help me with house work, that I may not necessarily what a 3 year olds help with. But I have found a few little "jobs" for her to do that she has been enjoying. She loves to fold clothes and towels and things like that, so that has been good and even though I have to refold them she really doesn't do to bad a job! Another thing I've been having her do is make her bed. She loves doing it and is so proud of it when its done. I figure that its best to start her now so that she gets used to it being apart of her morning rituals, and the more practise the better she'll be!

Annabel's first efforts at making her own bed!

Here are just a few photos of the girls playing and running around. I love our camera and Im always taking photo's whenever I can (thank you Grandma & Grandpa - John & Kaye!). I try and always keep it handy so I can just whip it out and capture the moment. I may not be the best photographer but it certainly is fun! I've always liked the idea of a journal with lots of photos to remember the moment even more.

The girls always love to put my shoes on and clomp around the house in them. Note, Amelia is not wearing pants, at least her nappy has stayed on though!

The other day the girls sat in the backyard on their towels after swimming and practised little dance moves with their arms. They were very cute. Amelia just loves to copy Annabel.

That cheeky smile again.

Adam was holding Amelia and she kept grabbing his arms and wrapping them around her. She was a real Daddy's girl that day.

Annabel cuddling Amelia in a strangling sort of loving way!