Amelia's favourite show at the moment is Playschool, she just loves it. Its on twice a day, and she will just sit there glued to the screen. Every time it starts she run and gets her favourite book and sits on the lounge waiting for the story time part of the show. She'll sit there turning her pages and mimicking the people on tv. It is so cute to watch! Then she'll be jumping up down singing all the songs. She seems to be learning so many different songs - none of which I've told taught her either!

She also loves to pray before dinner. She will sit there with her hands folded repeating everything Adam or I say. Annabel always pipes in with different prayer requests during prayer time. She always wants to pray for my Mum. She says "Mummy, we have to pray for Margie, and thank God for her". It is very sweet and brings tears to my eyes every time.

Annabel has had a lot of questions about heaven. Ever since Mum died she always asks me about heaven. Its usually at bed time that she thinks of these things. She wants to know why Mum didn't take certain things with her to heaven. She was very worried when she saw that I was wearing my Mum's ring, she just couldn't understand why Margie didn't want to take it with her. I told her that only Margie's spirit went to heaven, but then she asks me "well where is Margie's body, and eyes, and arms and legs?". That is a question I haven't quite answered yet. I just dont know how to, she's seems to little to me just yet to explain it all. And I dont really want to think about it much myself either. Kids are so innocent and honest. She still seems to think that heaven is a place you can just go to. She has already told me what she wants to take with her - her beloved stuffed puppy, her bed and pillow. But the first thing I tell her is that she doesn't have to worry about it, because she's not going to heaven until she is a really old lady!

It must be so hard for her to comprehend. It still is for me! But thankfully God gives you peace when you need it. That's the one thing I can honestly say that has gotten me through all this. God. When you lose someone so close to you so many things run through your mind, why, being the biggest. But God just kept telling me "Trust Me. That's all you have to do." And so I do. Its all in His hands.

On Friday I took Annabel to get her 4 year needles. I actually nearly forgot about it! For some reason I was thinking that it was 5 years and not 4. But thankfully my friends reminded and we also got a letter in the mail reminding me. So Friday morning we walked down to the doctors to have a "check up". I didn't tell Annabel exactly what she was going to have, but I did take an Easter egg along with us and told her that if she was really good during her "check up" she could eat the Easter egg.

So after arriving she became suspicious, she told me " I don't want to get a noodle like Margy, Mummy!", she always calls them noodles for some reason. She also remembers my Mum having to have a lot of them. I didn't tell her either way, I just reminded her of the reward afterwards.

So in the doctors surgery she was good. She sat on my lap very still. The doctor gave her her needle and she screamed! She cried out how much it hurt and how terrible it was. And then it was time for needle number 2 in the other arm. Boy did she carry on. But she didn't wriggle to much which I was thankful for, she just screamed and cried. Even when it was all over she was so upset she refused to take a jelly bean off the doctor. Amelia found it all very entertaining. She just sat there in her stroller staring, and was very pleased that she got a jelly bean without having to go through any trauma.

Annabel sulked for a little while after but was happy once she got her chocolate egg. I then told her she didn't have to have a needle for a long time. But then later that day I realised that a lot of people were getting the swine flu vaccine for their kids. So maybe it wont be the last.....

This past week the girls and I went down to my Dad's for 5 days to catch up with the family and so I could go to my friends wedding. Adam wasn't able to get any time off so it was just the girls and I. We flew down and it was so nice because this time Amelia had her own seat. I didn't really like the idea of paying for another seat but fortunately I found cheap tickets, and boy was it worth it! The girls were great! I didn't realise that it had been that long since I flew down last time. It has been like 8 months because the past 2 times we all drove down. So the flights went well and fast. A one hour flight sure is nice!

So once at my Dad's house we caught up with everyone. It was such a great trip down, I was busy everyday but I was still able to keep the girls in their normal routine. So everyday Amelia had her nap and they were both in bed at their usual bed time without much fussing. It was awesome! I just love routine and that feeling of being in control of my children (as most mothers do I am sure!).

So the first night my sister Jo and partner Steve came over and we ordered Indian. I just love Indian food! The girls were excited to see them, they had a play and ate, but it wasn't too long before they were bathed and in bed asleep. The following days everybody came over or I went to see them. I caught up with different friends which was lovely as I haven't seen many of my friends down there for ages. The wedding was an awesome time! I got to see all my friends from uni and it was great to catch up. It was a shame that Adam wasn't able to be there, but needless to say I still had a great time. My sister Jo baby sat the girls for me at my Dad's, so I had a night to myself which was lovely.

We had a bbq on the Sunday and on Monday I went shopping with my 2 other sisters, Kathy and Peta, and sister-in-law Richelle and niece Sarah. And of course little Hamish who is 9 months old and ever so cute! I was able to see all my friends from my mothers group on Tuesday and let the girls play with all their little friends that they hadn't seen in ages!

It was a great trip, I really enjoyed myself. It has been so long since I've had time to go and do things when I'm down there. And not only that, I was able to keep the girls in their normal routine. we had a few dramas, but nothing to bad. Amelia woke up vomiting one night but it must have been something she ate because she was fine after. But the strange thing was that she did the same thing 2 days later but in the morning. I don't know what it was, but I do know that sometimes when she coughs she seems to make herself sick. I'm not sure, but she seemed fine afterwards. It was gross, but she was fine.

So anyways, it was a great trip, much needed and refreshing! So now we are home and Annabel is at preschool and Amelia is taking a nap. So I think I will finish the housework an enjoy the lovely peace and quiet.

I think Amelia has been watching Finding Nemo way to much! Last night at 4am she was yelling out "my watch Nemo Mummy! Watch Nemo on the lounge Mummy!". She was yelling and crying out in desperation. She really wanted to get up and watch Nemo. What must have started out as a dream and talking in her sleep, turned into her waking herself and really wanting to get up and watch her favourite movie. Even though I didn't appreciate being woken up at 4am I had to laugh. I knew she loved Nemo, but I didn't realize that she wanted to get up through the night and watch it!

So I had to get up and go to her, and then of course she wanted milk as well, but I managed to coax back into going sleep. But what was the first thing she asked for this morning when she came toddling into our room, besides milk? To watch Nemo of course!

Bed shopping

Today we took the girls bed shopping. Fun! Well not really, but they weren't to terribly naughty, just at the end of the day when Annabel was tired and lost it. They had a good incentive though - MacDonald's, or as Annabel calls it "Old MacDonald's". I don't know what it is about MacDonald's but kids seem to love it. My kids seem to love the play ground the most. They hardly eat any of the food, the only thing they'll eat are the fries. And Annabel always requests a special Old MacDonalds water - just tap water in a cup with ice and a straw. She loves it! Its so funny, I never thought a kid could get so excited over water, but thats all she will drink, that or plain milk. So we journeyed around a few different stores lying on beds, pricing and so forth before we we went to MacDonald's. The girls continually tried to climb up all the bunk beds, Amelia was the worst, but the sales people didn't seem to mind, I am sure they are used to it!

So our aim is to get Amelia a bed. She is still sleeping in her cot (crib), so we really need to get her in a bed! We are thinking one with a trundle so that theres always an extra bed for any little friends that might stay over eventually. Hmmmm, we have one is mind so we'll see if that works.

So anyways, nearing the end of the day we decided to pop into Ikea (I love Ikea!), and check their beds out. Amelia had already fallen asleep in the stroller so that was good, and Annabel seemed to be ok until Adam wouldn't let her have one of those little pencil's ikea provides for you to write all your notes down. Normally we let her have one, but this time she marked a bit of furniture with one so Adam took it off her. Well, that was it! She lost it! She screamed and carried on. Mind you Ikea was packed and here was Annabel yelling and spluttering everywhere. Normally we give the "wait til we get home" threats, but this time she was not listening at all, so Adam had to drag her to the parents room and give her a smack on the bottom. It worked. She was calmer when she got back, and realized that Mum and Dad were serious. But it didn't last long. She started all over again when we wouldn't let her have an icecream. So to the car it was, this time we could clearly see that she was over tired so we chose to ignore her and get in the car as soon as possible. Meanwhile Amelia is still sleeping soundly. Thank goodness! So to the car we go, and not long after more arguing and crying Annabel was sound asleep.

So now we are home and the girls are watching TV. Amelia is watching her favourite movie, Finding Nemo for the 100th time. She loves that movie! I remember Annabel loving it just as much about a year ago. Its a wonder the DVD is still working! So its nice they are quiet. I think we'll try and get them to bed a little earlier tonight. I think I'll need to as well!

sound sleep

Last night was the best nights sleep I've had in a long time! Amelia didn't wake up once! I know it sounds ridiculous considering she is 2. She should have been sleeping through a long time ago. But with all the craziness over the last 7 months, we developed some bad habits as I have already mentioned. But now I am feeling back in control and ready to tackle anything.

I forgot to mention that Amelia also went backwards with her toilet training just before Christmas. But we are starting it all again, and she is picking it back up quite well. She is really proud of herself when she uses her potty, and I am actually remembering to remind her to go!

I'm also excited about getting back into my blogging. My scrap booking also needs some much needed attention and updating, so maybe that will be my project for today. Again, I love motivation!

On Tuesday all our visitors went home. It had been nearly 7 weeks that we had visitors staying with us so it feels kind of strange now that everybody has gone. We had such a great time with everyone, but we are happy being our own little family again. The last couple of days we have been working on getting the kids back into their routine, and I was actually surprised at how quickly they slipped back into it! They've been having their normal meals at the normal time, playing happily together and they have both been in bed and asleep by 7.30pm! I am stoked!

We've been trying to tackle Amelia's nightly milk cravings and it hasn't gone to bad. She woke up the first night wanting milk and I told her "no". She got upset but when I told her I was going to close her door if she didn't stop crying, she quickly rolled over and cuddled her blanket. She woke up a couple more times but didn't cry for long. She is starting to realise that now that everybody has gone, Im not going to give into her every little whim or wham through the night.
So its all going pretty well. She even took a nap today without arguing! YES! I am one happy Mummy! Annabel's at preschool today so I have a lovely quiet house. Nice.

I have also been busy sorting through the house and throwing out everything. I love throwing things out. I find it hard when I first start, but once I see how smooth and organised everything looks and feels, its a great feeling! I am also on a bit of a health kick. I am just craving healthy food and regular exercise. I feel as though the new year has just started for me and I want to get myself organised and into gear. We'll see how it goes.....

My independant husky little princess

Amelia isn't your typical little 2 year old girl with a cute squeaky voice. In fact she is quite the opposite! Mind you her voice is extremely cute but it is quite husky! She is hilarious! Her range of tones change quite often and she is very expressive. She loves being a monster, but at the same time she loves singing pretty songs. She is quite the chatacter. She has been thriving on all the attention she's been getting and is quite the performer.

She has also become very independant. She is constantly saying "My do it!" or "My help me!". It has gotten to the point where she wont let me dress her or even pick her clothes. She has to do it! But of course I dont let her. Well, sometimes I let her pick out her clothes, or at least give her a couple of options. And her attempts to dress herself, almost always end up in a frustrated tantrum as she cant work out why she cant walk properly with both legs in one leg hole of her shorts.

She has also decided that she doesn't need a nap anymore. And if she does, she needs gallons of milk to help her go to sleep! Its ridiculous! She will even wake up in the night several times and will refuse to go back to sleep unless I give her milk. What have I done! I have on my hands an independant husky little show off who is a milkaholic that refuses to sleep properly! But she is very cute and knows it! But I have to admit that my girls have not had a "normal" 6months or more. There has been so much going on and so much to deal with that it has been hard to get them back on track. I need a good month I think to get them properly sorted out. And now I am in a better frame of mind I can do it. It has been tough since Mum passed, but I am now ready to tackle this lack of routine and get some structure back into our lives! I love motivation!