Hugo at 29 months.

At almost 2 1/2 years old, Hugo continues to amuse us, enchant us and challenge us every day. He is developing on all fronts, from his language skills to his interest in arts and crafts, generally more complex games and his role as a big brother. Starting pre-school next year will accelerate things even more which will be both exciting and hard to keep up with. 

A lot of people talk about the infamous 'terrible twos'. I don't think that that's how I would describe things with Hugo but it is definitely challenging at times as he tries to assert himself by doing things he either shouldn't be doing or things he actually isn't capable of doing yet. 

This week, we seem to have moved back into a bit of a 'no to everything' phase but we suspect it might have to do with teeth growing and maybe a general growth spurt. In any case, despite the trials, he continues to stand out with his incredibly placid and even nature. 

Let's hope it lasts.

Eloise at 4 months.

The months are just flying by and after what has felt like an early and long winter, the first signs of spring are here. The days are mild and sunny, while the nights are finally just warm enough not to have to use the heaters.

Eloise is growing quickly. She feels bigger but slightly finer than Hugo was. Her hands and feet are more slender than Hugo's paws. Her little face starts smiling every time we make eye contact. She is completely besotted with us and Hugo. Quite often, I'll just be busy doing something and when I turn around to look at her, I find her staring intently at me. As soon as our eyes lock, her face breaks into a big smile and often a little squeal.

She is loud, whether she is happy or disgruntled. We caught the train the other day and for the whole trip, she entertained the whole carriage with every possible sound.

Her eyes are still blue and her hair is a light brown so far. She doesn't love being on her back, much preferring to be held sitting up to look around. She still sleeps in the carrier for most naps although sometimes in the pram at the park, and at night, she calmly nurses throughout the night. We are all rested, happy and enjoying the wonderful weather again.

Spring has sprung!

On Bec.

I remember a morning about two years ago when my friend Bec was visiting me at home. Hugo was about 4 months old and as he bounced happily in his 'jolly jumper', Bec started telling me, with some shyness, about the business she was starting and hoped to grow.

Her idea was to flatten and stamp silver spoons with lovely messages and little sayings. She would then sell those at markets and online. We then discussed prices and where she might sell them and so on. Although she seemed like she was figuring it all out as we spoke, I realise now that the vision was all there and only the logistical details were still missing.

This came at a time in her life that was throwing one challenge after another at her. We later walked along the beach as she told me about the difficult relations she was having with her soon to be ex-husband, the challenges of finding her feet as a single mum, living in an unfinished house, and of course, doing it all while her family was on the other side of the world, probably worried sick about their beautiful girl.

All these challenges she faced with resilience and optimism but above all, a determination not to get dragged down into the mud. She wouldn't compromise her honesty, her integrity and her openness. After all, her 4 year old son was watching her every move and she would lead by example.

So it's in this context that 'House of Bec' was born. A fresh start, a way to sustain her little family of two, a creative outlet and a door into the flourishing creative community of Newcastle. She knew where she wanted to be so she went there, silver spoon in hand.

As her business grew, I kept watching and, and I kept feeling in awe of this pint sized bubble of energy, honesty and optimism.

The spoons themselves (and the range of jewellery that keeps expanding) are lovely objects. Using silver spoons, they have a nice weight in the hand and feel solid. The messages, with their charming hand-stamped irregularities, sing of all the loveliest and simplest things in life: love, friendship, laughter,  growth...

Then, they are lovingly photographed surrounded by fresh flowers, succulents, weathered wood, creating an experience that is so enduring and appealing to all the senses, each spoon holding the memories of its past life, the careful process it went through and the loving hands it will go to.

Now Bec has just started promoting a new project which she has been working on for months and which she told me about breathless with excitement a few weeks ago.

She is launching a monthly night shopping event which will bring together market stalls, music, art, food and more. She called it "The Impossible" to celebrate all the makers and doers who were brave enough to turn their 'impossible' dreams into a reality, starting with herself.

I have no doubt this new project will be fantastic and a beautiful addition to the thriving Newcastle market scene. Bec has made a home for herself amongst the stalls and gazebos, where people dare to dream big even if it means starting small.

When I see Bec now, a little over two years down the track and I think back about those discussions we had, I see what boundless optimism can do. I see the power of saying yes, of taking chances, of pinning your hopes on something others can't quite see yet.

It's impressive to see the road my dear friend has travelled already and I am convinced that her steely resolve not to let the shitty stuff in her life define her at that time has a lot to do with it.

Bec, if you read this, you are an inspiration and I, as always, wish you only the very best of luck with 'The Impossible'. You are doing it and no one can stop you now.

A family affair.

In my last post, I wrote, "Good news, we got into Montessori!" which my most avid reader, who also happens to be my Mum pointed out by saying, " In my mind, it's Hugo who got into Montessori, not the whole family."

My immediate reaction when reading this was to think, "That's true! Here I am being a helicopter mum, unable to separate myself from Hugo." but the more I think about it, the more I believe both statements are true. 

Of course, it's Hugo who will be starting pre-school next year, not the rest of us. From that point, Hugo will start to have more and more life experiences that do not involve me, or any of us but that doesn't mean we'll be completely cast off to the side either.

In many ways, it will be a family affair.

First of all, the fact that Hugo was offered a spot there basically guarantees that Eloise will be offered a spot when she is old enough. Siblings get a priority which means that the ordeal of waiting lists one goes through with the first child is almost entirely eliminated for the subsequent ones. In that sense, it does mean that by association, Eloise got into Montessori too. 

As for us, there is an assumption that parents will be involved with the pre-school. Yesterday, we received the enrolment forms and in there, parents are asked to tick the activities they would be happy to participate in should the need come up. The list is actually quite long and is as follows, :

- Help with excursions, 

- Family picnics at the centre, 

- Parent information nights,

- Visit to the centre for special events, 

- Observations at the centre, 

- Becoming a family helper for a morning, 

- Bringing in a pet or special object to share with the children, 

- Help with sewing or special craft activities, 

- Graduation/Christmas celebrations, 

- Contributing a skill/activity to the program (eg. play instrument, bath baby, talk about culture...)

I'm not sure that back in my pre-school days, any of this would have been expected of parents. I do remember my parents helping with some school excursions (which I looooved) but I imagine that the expectation would have been to drop off the child in the morning and come back in the evening. 

These days though, the need for at least one parent to be involved with activities is pretty inevitable. 

The surprising thing for me is that when I see that list, I actually get a little excited. I never ever thought I would be interested in doing stuff like that and that it would be an absolute chore but somehow, the opportunity to observe Hugo in that context and contribute to that experience is appealing to me. In any case, that means I am in as well!

So maybe that leaves Chris a little out in the cold while we all hang out at Montessori although he might well be the one dropping Hugo off in the mornings so Chris will know the centre and the people working there well too. 

I think it's really exciting that they want parents to play a role and for us to work together with them for the child's best outcome. In the end, even with all the activities, our role will be limited, as it should be, but I like their open door policy and the fact that they want to create wide open communication channels with us. This is the first step towards building trust, for all of us.