Saturday in Manly

Zoo

We went to the zoo this morning. We had a great time, we saw the baby elephant and a baby seal. And of course we saw Simon's favourites - the lion, tiger and meerkats.

I'm really glad we went, I almost didn't go because we were really slow in getting out of the house. In the end the only reason we went was because I'd promised Simon and I didn't want to break my promise.

We're going back next week so we can watch the elephant grow - let us know if you want to join us.

Toilet Training

We've started toilet training. I've been avoiding posting about it here because it would mean that we were serious about training and committed to it. So now we are.

We took a photo of the first time Simon used a potty, but that would put you off your dinner so here's a more santised photo of Simon reading the briefing on the toilet.

At the moment it's one step forward two steps backwards. He does really well for a few days and then will have heaps of accidents for the next few days, but overall I think he's making progress - now most of the accidents occur as he's trying to get to the potty.

So stay posted, I'll let you know when we're up to almost no accidents. I'll also let you know if it got too frustrating and we give up for a few weeks.

Two children

Taking this photo made me think about how different it is to have two children. Why? Because we have hundreds of photos of Simon sleeping and not so many of Dan.

Overall I've been surprised at how well we've been coping since we had Dan. Simon loves Dan dearly, Dan is more in danger of being loved to death than being deliberately hurt by Simon. It also helps that Dan is great at sleeping at home and is generally a pretty settled baby (except if you're out and stationary).

That's not to say that we don't have bad days, it's pretty scary how quickly a day can oscillate between bad and good. I've realised recently that the way I cope with the bad times is to laugh at them and gloss over the problems, while I focus on the good things - so if you think from the way I talk about my boys that they're perfect - they're not - I just find it too depressing and demoralising to dwell on the bad.

So in light of that I think there are many things to be thankful and praise God for.

1. That we have two healthy boys. It is a blessing and privilege to have them.
2. That everyone is getting (some) sleep
3. It is awesome that Simon loves Dan, pray that we would be able to encourage this friendship
4. That we don't have to worry about money or housing
5. For the support network that we have in our area and the friends that we can call if we need rescuing

Dancing

Simon is now dancing to Paul Dempsey.

Update: Sleeping

Dan is now capable of going 7 to 8 hours without a feed at night but that doesn't mean he won't wakeup and cry. The fastest way to get him back to sleep is to feed him, but I'm trying to get into good habits (ones I didn't get into with Simon) and so I try to settle him without feeding but that takes at least 30mins.

So is he sleeping through the night? Kinda.

But he (and Simon) have both picked up a cold so there won't be much sleep for anyone the next few nights.

Dancing

Simon is rocking out to the Kings of Leon right now.

He don't think it's too early to rawk.