Co-sleeping

Depending on the way I look at it, it is both a good thing and a bad thing. Of course I am acutely aware that there are the risks of co-sleeping even at K's age, but when exhaustion takes over, you surrender.

While we were away in Singapore at my parent's place, Kayden and I shared a room. We each had separate beds, but sometimes I would find him snuggled up right next to me in the middle of the night. I hadn't gotten used to caring for a cheeky toddler without hubby's help and was naturally tired at the end of most days. So I let him. When we got back to Melbourne, my toddler became even more clingy, probably due to yet another change of environment. And then again, when we moved to our new home a couple of weeks back.

It is fair I think, not to expect him to be sleeping on his own, in an unfamiliar room now.

It has been just over 2 weeks since we have moved in. And I have started the process of weaning him off sleeping with us. I can't bear hearing his distressed cries of "Open! Open!" (his room door) as he tries to open it. He has succeeded once and tumbled out of his room right into our arms as we stood outside listening in. Just to make sure he is ok. Once we saw him putting his toy keyboard under the window, lifting the blinds and trying to climb out of the (locked) window!

So, I give in most nights (even thought I know it shouldn't), snuggle into his bed with him and help him doze off to sleep, then tip toe out of his room.  Of course it is only my own fault Des and I are both rudely awoken (despite the baby monitor being on the lowest setting) every single night by his cries.

If you have been through this, or know of someone who has, share with me your experiences! I would love to hear and learn. It's going to be a loooong journey towards sleeping on his own. One for both him and us.

The eating machine

I am amazed by the amount of food Kayden eats. I'm convinced he can't be the only one. Right? This was what happened the other day.

By 10am in the morning, he's usually already had cup of milk, a slice (or two) of bread with vegemite, maybe some grapes or fruit of some sort and a handful of biscuits. Then at 11am, he has his lunch. A full bowl of porridge, noodles or macaroni. Then, when its time for my lunch around noon, he's peckish again, and goes "Mmmmmore" at me. So I may feed him abit of my lunch, depending on what it is.

Then he goes for a nap and is up again 2 hours later, at 3pm. Ravenous.

Snack again. Somebody bought him some Chwee Kuehs. I took out the condiments,  he had it plain. He wolfed down 3. Then at 4pm, he had 2 slices of cheese. And then more bikkies. All these time while having water and juice.

I'd like to know where all the food went? How is he still able to have dinner again at 6pm later that night? And then yoghurt, and then his milk before bedtime?

Are his legs hollow? Just how much is he going to be eating when he's a growing teenager? I think we need to know. So we can start saving.

Hello? This is a library.

DO NOT be fooled by that face. That is called a look of oblivion. Around us were many pairs of dagger sharp stares looking our way. I took this photo while hiding in between 2 rows of bookshelves with this little monkey face!

The other day, I brought Kayden to a library. I thought I'd let him get oriented with the place first before we sat down for a read. Well, let's just say that reading part didn't quite happen. 

He was madly dashing around the place. I couldn't keep up. The more I tried to move forward to stop him from running around, the louder he laughs, and the faster and wilder he runs in the opposite direction, his legs kicking into the air and his arms flinging around at his sides. It looked like I was an incompetent mom who couldn't control her child. Luckily I have developed the 'thick skinned mother syndrome' where no amount of staring at me will make me feeling embarassed no more.

But still, argh!

So I decided to follow him around loosely instead. BAD move. He thought that I was playing a game of hide and seek. He peeks through the rows of shelves like that, trying to see where I am. Everytime he spots me a few rows away, he would wait until I mak eye contact, then cackle away loudly, turn away and run off again!

Just a word of advice. Yes, that's right. From me. When your child misbehaves at a library, head to the parenting section right away. Like I found myself wandering. Titles like these will pop out at you within 5 seconds flat, so you can flip through it wildly then attempt to rectify his misbehaviour asap.

But on your way home, remember to pick up books like these so you can do some desperate late night reading as your 'strong-willed child' sleeps. Maybe something for Daddy to read too.

Leave the actual baby lift the flap books for next time.

Parenting is about eating my own words

Once upon a time, I have said :

• I will never let my child throw tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants. I will STOP him.
• I will never let my child eat anything off the floor
• I will not spoil my child, and give him an alternative but the meal I have prepared for him
• My child will never have poop ride up his back like hers did!
• My child will never have screaming attacks in public

 The list can go on, I had plenty of those "I will nots". If there was a reward for paying people some good money for capturing what I said I will never do, those people would probably have a small little wad of cash in their hands by now.

Today, when I see other moms and dads in the change room cajoling a squirming baby on the change mat, I give him a knowing smile. And as that mother picks her baby from the pram and buckles her in her car seat, the pram and grocery bags still next to the car, waiting to be packed up in the boot. I am still waiting patiently while sitting in the car for a park. I have skin possibly thicker than a mule these days. I am able to comfortably ignore pairs of eyes looking at me, as I try to distract my screaming baby who is getting bored in his pram as we eat our lunch at a restaurant.

What's my point? Parenting is humbling.