Blinking

Blinking does strange things to people.  I blinked once.


I closed my eyes on Mini looking like this:

And when I opened them again, she looked like this:

I then made the mistake of doing the same thing with Sunshine.

In one blink, he went from this:

To this handsome chap:

I really must stop blinking.

Blogging at 1am

Jas woke up 45 minutes ago, disturbed by her cough.  She came into our bed for gorgeous cuddles and talked of funny dreams and happy things.  As Daddy drifted back to sleep, we spoke of her impending third birthday in hushed excitement.  Then came talk of her party.  Jas asked me who was coming and I began listing people.  When I had finished my list, she asked if her big brother would be there.  I had to say no; he would be with his mum.  Jas began to cry; not loud, exaggerated sobs but quiet, fat tears.
She didn't even want a cuddle.
I cried a bit too, heartbroken by seeing my little girl upset and being unable to do anything about it.
Not a good moment.

Eventually, I came up with the idea of giving her another birthday, this weekend, when her big brother will be able to attend.  There will be party games, music, cakes, a (very small) present and hopefully lots of fun and laughter.  Jas was pleased with this idea, excited by it.
We are both still quite awake now.  I have made Jas a bed at the foot of our own and she lies there now, propped up on her pillows, watching a film.  Happy again.  So much so that she wants to do this every night.  I've not yet told her that this is unlikely; it is too good to see her smiling again.

I love you, Jas.  So much so that I will forego a decent night's sleep just to watch your beautiful face.  I am sorry that there are some things I cannot change, but anything I can do to make you happy, I will do.  Always.

For Better, For Worse

Dear Mr. E

So, we have had a hectic few weeks full of noise, stress, financial problems, Mini arguments, and that lovely upset tummy of Sunshine's.  Oh, and not forgetting the beautiful way in which people treat us with such respect.  Life will get better, though.  I know this, because I love you, for better, for worse and forever.  That's what really matters.

J

Halloween

Today, Mini had her first experience of trick or treating, and boy, did she have fun!  The evening did not start so well as, whilst creating a beautiful autumn picture, Mini looked sad and, upon questioning, revealed that she was upset that it was Halloween and yet her friends had not come to see her.  In actuality, we were not expecting them.  Mini's Halloween party is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon but she had seen all of the pumpkins, skeletons and other assorted decorations outside and assumed that partying was imminent.

Fortunately, when faced with the opportunity to dress up as a beautiful pumpkin and walk the streets collecting chocolate, Mini managed to smile again.  There was a slight wobble when she thought that her outfit was a dress (unacceptable, to Mini) but I managed to allay her fears by pairing it with burnt orange trousers thereby turning it into a "top".

When finally outside, Mini was so "incited", as she says, and was literally hopping up and down outside people's doors.  I had to laugh, as did everyone who opened the door to this tiny toddler pumpkin with her blonde hair and Converse trainers.  She was just so cute.  Not in the least bit scary, and not caring, just having a great time, giggling away.  And every time a door was answered and she was given a treat, she would walk away grinning as though it was the last thing she had expected.  Every time, she would show me the contents of her pumpkin bucket and exclaim, "I love that lady for giving me a chocolate; lucky, lucky me," with wide-eyed wonder and heartfelt gratitude.

Yes, she was spoilt by our neighbours, but she just loved dressing up and getting involved and I am very proud of her for being brave enough to knock on doors all by herself, in the dark, with hairy spiders hanging from various places.  I couldn't have done it tonight, let alone when I was two.

Although I don't have to worry about being scared of spiders because, "I will good after you, Mummy; I am not at all scared of spiders."

(Yes, she does think it's "good after" and not "look after".  Gorgeous, isn't it?)

Mini's New Shoes