Two Tuesday 6

Hi and happy Tuesday! Aidan is six weeks old tomorrow, which means we can start to expect real smiles, and crying should peak – not that he really cries much. Don’t get me wrong, he knows how to kick off. It just seems to me that he’s very comfort-able, that is, easily able to be comforted.

Places we’ve been this week. Despite some serious sniffles and real feeding pain, all four of us went to the retail park on Saturday, and Sophia picked a dress for my sister’s wedding.

All four of us went to St Giles on Sunday too, although Nathan was taking the services. It was my first time getting myself and two children out of the house on my own. I reckon that as long as I shower the evening before, allowing for 20-25 minutes per person is just about doable. Nathan did a brilliant job his first Sunday back, and felt extra supported by his Godfather being there too!

I also managed Tappy Toes on my own with both children on Friday. Nathan helped get us up and out, but I drove, unpacked at the other end, did the session (half of it dancing while holding Aidan), packed up again and got us home ok. I’ve had some mastitis, I think, so in the afternoon, Nathan took Sophia on a playdate while I went to group with Aidan for some advice and sympathy!

Milestones: Nathan is officially back at work full time. Yesterday, the first full morning when it was just me and Aidan, there was a very loud kind of quiet in the house! I was feeling OK, until I saw a video of Sophia at nursery not really joining in with the others. I then doubted myself, worried that I was handling her all wrong, realised how much I missed Nathan and cried. On reflection, I’m surprised I got until 2 o’clock without crying! But I talked myself down from going and picking her up, and reminded myself that if I had the option, some days I’d like to sit at the back and be quiet as well.

Some other observations:

Since I’ve been having both children on my own more, we’ve been having more messy accidents. Nathan keeps reminding me that it’s because I’m Sophia’s safest place, so she can be more herself with me than anywhere else. I have to admit, I’m finding it hard to appreciate that in the messy moment, though. Especially as it happens mid feed, or when there’s a pan about to boil over, or I’m on the phone. Just breathe, girl, breathe.

It has occurred to me, though, that I need to remember that although she is the oldest, Sophia is still three, and not actually suddenly an adult.

A friend from St Giles knocked on the door one morning with two bunches of roses. She said, ‘I know the stream of flowers dries up after the first couple of weeks, so these are for you’. This was so very, very kind. It has surprised me with both my newborns who has turned up, either in person or through checking in. I really appreciate all those people who have reached out, even if I’ve barely been able to respond.

On a lighter note, Sophia has decided that she loves washing up! She’s now good enough that about half of what she cleans is ready for the draining board, and the other half is ready for the dishwasher. Pretty good going, I’d say!