For the love of Insta.....

I am addicted. Probably more than addicted to my daily fix of Instagram.  I love seeing those small snippets of peoples lives , all through  the view of a small lense. There is something pretty special about it.

For those of you that aren't aware or familiar with Instagram, it is an Application that you can have, for free, on a smart phone. Its similar to Facebook, just without chatting, all photo based, but with comments and following.

The best thing? The editing and cropping options that allows you to turn a seemingly average photo , into something pretty speccie! Try hard photographer or what?!

Anyway, just for a little Saturday Fun, a peek inside a few of my recent Instagram pics.

Wearing coloured jeans for the first time! VERY big for me, I wasn't too keen on them, but love them now!

The sweet view of our biggest princess, reading quietly in the reading corner.

Little performers putting on a show for me! Complete with fairy dresses and  pink microphone!

A tagging game of Polka dot counts! I love love polkadots and here are a few of my favourites

Darling boy, wanting to walk too soon!

Hmmm the thing about boy/girl twins? They share everything!! Even big sisters dance costume!

I love our family walks. And this is when Lacey desperately wanted to ride her big sisters bike instead of sitting in the pram!

Twins = Double cuddles. The best

And a clean and sparkling house , ready for a home open!

See... small snippets of everyday life.

Love it

A special bond....

Twins really are something special.

Hard work, testing and a totally different parenting experience yet so completely amazing to watch a bond grow and develop between two little people, whom have never been separated.

 

Its pretty obvious to see the differences between Max and Lacey, but they aren't just skin deep.

 

He is emotional and needy.

She is confident and independent

 

He is quite selfish ( a man right?!)

And she always thinks about and worries about him.

 

He is left handed

She is right handed

 

He is all about having fun

She is all about finding the fun

 

 

 

Lacey really is a devil at heart. She is the first to find and create mischief and I can honestly say that "LACEY" is the most used word in this house, even more than NO and SHHHHHHHH.

Lacey is too smart for her own good and when you watch her interact, you can see her little mind ticking over. Working 100 miles an hour, problem solving, watching how you did something to recreate it. Often we perceive this as being 'naughty' and at times it just is. But at others, I think we should be praising her for figuring out how to do something independently.

I really wish she wasn't so much like her Mother though! hmmmmm

 

Lacey really watches out for her 'big' brother. If she is given a biscuit, she will automatically ask for his, just to make sure he does not miss out.

If she moves her chair, she will then move his too!

If they are in bed, going to sleep, she will wait for him to be there before she settles.

Now that is love.

That is a special bond that no one in the world will ever be able to separate!

Thats twin love

xo

 

 

And a little poem that Lacey was given on a print for her birthday. It brings me to tears every.single.time.

 

I'm sch a lucky little girl

My Mummy told me so

 

Because I've got a secret

and I want you to know

 

I never have to be lonely

I always have a friend

 

We play and play

and laugh all day

Our giggles never end

 

There's something very special

about this friend of mine

 

We grew in Mummy's tummy and

we were born at the same time.

 

Mummy told me about it

We've been together from the start

 

And he is more than my best friend

He is half of my heart

 

xo

 



Toilet Training Twins

When we returned home from our Easter trip away, darling husband and I decided that it was a perfect time as any , to start toilet training our twins, Max and Lacey. We knew we had to get in before the cold weather did , and Lacey was beginning to take her nappy off all the time, probably didn't like the feel, just like Stella's didn't which prompted us that it was time!
Now I know most people with think its very early to TT, but I am a firm believer in "the sooner, the better" and seeing as though we had great results with Stella TT early, we were confident in doing the same. Well as confident as you can be , going into toilet training twins, and one boy and one girl!!
We feel that the longer you leave it, the more of a 'habit' toileting in nappies becomes, rather than the fact they don't know any different!! I think we should give our children a bit more credit and realise that they are actually alot smarter than we can ever imagine!!
We used a sticker system again, rewarding each 'success' with a "ticka" (their pronunciation of course)  and it seemed to be the motivating factor. A simple little sticker. The joys of a child's innocent mind!!
However, we did change a few things this time, the main being the use of potty's.
I have never liked the idea of potty's, I used to think , why teach them to go on something , that you then have to empty and clean each time, and then have to wean and reteach them to go on the actual toilet?!

A tired little girl, complete with a dummy , on the toilet!! ( and yes, they broke the paper holder!! Too enthusiastic with the rolling!!)

But we knew that Toilet training twins was going to be different and certain obstacles would be in our way that were perhaps not there before, like the fact there are 2 of them! ha
And if they both wanted to or needed to go at the same time, and it was during the day when it was just me, what would I do? Have one in our ensuite and one in the main toilet?
When they are that little and learning, when they want to do it, the opportunity has to be there!!
So we bought potty's and put them in the laundry, which is right next to our toilet and bathroom area. I am pleased we did now, as they seem to be sympathetic toileters!! Like as in, if one wants to go, the other follows and go's too!! Which is good for us too, you get them both out of the way at the same time, and it limits the amount of trips I had to make to the potty's and the amount of time I spent sitting on the floor , singing and reading books!!
Now that they are confident enough to take themselves off to the toilet, the pottys mean they can do it all themselves, especially if I am busy feeding Angus or something.
We also chose to teach Max to go sitting down. Its not the 'done' thing though, but he is too small to reach a toilet standing up, his aim would be ridiculous, and we were worried that Lacey would want to copy and vice versa. Keep it simple and teach them the same way. There is plenty of time for me to be cleaning up wee dribbles all over the loo!!

Toilet training Stella really only took a week, but I also had a week at home to focus on teaching her , and that only. Max and Lacey have really taken a bit over 3 weeks, but we have to leave the house everyday, and when I did so, I put a nappy on. I simply did not have the energy, time, etc to be cleaning up messes on the school run, at playgroup etc. It was nice to know that when we did get home, they needed to go straight away and more often than not, their nappies were dry. Yesterday marked their first trip out for about 40 mins, and they did it with total success!

As I mentioned, Lacey was the first to indicate that she was ready for learning, and she took to it so well. The first day she went a number of times and Max didn't want a bar of it! However a day at daycare, a few trips out and  some lengthy time at the park in nappies and she didn't go for another week.
It was then that big brother Max stepped up and cruised through, being so so proud of himself!
Then..... she came around. And now they encourage each other, talk to each other when going and clap for each other. So sweet.

So... here we are, with 2 little cherub, 2 weeks after their second birthday , and they are in little undies! We are so very proud of them and it was definitely alot easier than we expected.
The next task is to master the day sleeps, then eventually the nights. And it seems that everyday they are edging closer to waking up completely dry, actually they have done the past few days, so we might tackle that soon too, why wait if we are on a good thing?

Everyones experiences with Toilet Training is different. Everyone has different beliefs as to when they think is "the right" time. Everyone is ready (as a parent) a different times, and when you start, you just can't stop. And these are my opinions and my experiences, I'm not telling you they are the right way, just what worked for us! I am just a proud Mumma, bragging that her little babies have reached a milestone that seemed so distant, so difficult. And they did it with gusto, and all for a pack of $2 stickers!!
They no longer ask for stickers every time they go, and they don't get them, but even if you do have to give  your child stickers or little rewards for their successes, even for a few months, a few packs of stickers are alot cheaper than packs of nappies, and a small price to pay for a great outcome!!
If you are thinking of toilet training your child, I say go for it!!
You can do it, and more importantly, your little one can too! Take this inspiration and use it as your fuel!
To read other posts of mine about Toilet training , try HERE.
Good luck xo

Testing

Having little kiddies, at times, can be rather...................testing, to say the very least! Ohh don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my kids, as does any mother, but I am sure every Mum or parent can relate.

I have always thought myself to be a firm Mum. Well at least that is what I would hope. I don't want to be the nasty Hitler Mum, but for my children to know that what Mum says, goes, and when I am mad, then its a bad thing, hehe. I guess I just don't want to be a pushover. I want my childrent to speak nicely to me, and most importantly , others. I want them to use their manners, all the time, and there is no telling me what to do, I am the boss, and they have to know that!
Sounds easy enough? Pffft yeah right!
I have lost count the amount of times my parents have said to me over the years of growing up " When we had you girls , we weren't handed a rule book" and they were so right.
Ohh sure, there are plenty of books out there , plenty of people thinking that their way is the right way and trying to bully you into changing your opinions by reading their work, but who's to say  that what they are doing or what they are saying is right?
In my opinion, every child is different. Every child has a different personality and deals with situations in a different way, and as a Mother or Father, you know what is best for your own children.
Having said that, I also feel, especially having twins, that regardless of the differences in your children, you need to be consistant and stay that way.

Now, please don't think that I have a high opinion of my kids and the way they behave, because I don't , far from it. I hate to say it, but I think I am their own worst critic.
Where has this all come from you ask?
Why the terrible 2's of course!!
Max and Lacey are nearly 2 (next week) and boy don't we know it!!
I now know how spoilt we were with Stella, and at the time, were totally oblivious. She was quiet, calm, content and only ever needed to be told once.
She would go into a cupboard and I would say NO, and she would never do it again. True Story!! We never needed child locks on any cupboards until Max and Lacey began to crawl!
She followed routines and thrived on them.
She was a breeze to toilet train, and did so quite early, even for nights.
When we put her in a bed, at 19 months, we may  have had one or 2 nights where she would get out and come out, not up to 70 times like we have had lately .....

Is it her personality, or our parenting style at the time?

Then came the two beautiful bundles.
Gosh they are strong willed, determined and stubborn. Where they get those attributes from I will never know ?! haha
We now have child locks EVERYWHERE, I am constantly , constantly cleaning up little messes all over the house. Bath toys scattered around, toilet rolls unravelled, and just today, a large bucket of sand all over the floor (while I was in their room putting away their clothes).
They have also made the School drop off and pick up run and absolute nightmare. Lacey is that independent that she thinks she doesn't need to hold onto the pram , nor my hand for that matter, and often runs off, just for shits and giggles. Max just wants to stay at school and play with all the cool bikes and toys!
I am sure the other Mums at school look at me and shake their head, but I hope its more of a "Oh you poor thing, I totally understand" sorta look. Either way, I am loving the school holidays and don't want them to end!
But why?
Why do they do these things?
Naughty? Mischeiveous?
Because I truely believe we are harder on these 2 than we ever have been with Miss 4!
I am finding it hard to take them to certain places solo. Parks, yes. Shops with trolleys, yes ( I can put them in a trolley, give them a cooler bag of food and they are happy ) but to walk into a shop?!
No way man! They would run, touch everything and just cause havok!!
And fight!!
Fight they do alright! Like cat and dog. Biggest LOVE/HATE relationship I have ever seen.
They play beautifully together, really care about each other ( if Lacey is given something she will always ask "Maxie?!" to be reassured that he will not miss out, or she will make sure of it!) and yet they can absolutely flog each other. They tackle, sometime bite ( so bad) and have taken to smacking. But I guess if I lived, breathed , everything with my brother or sister, I would get fed up at times too.
But I want to know why?
I am hoping its just a stage. A 'fase' that will pass and they will become the delightful little cherubs that I know they can be, and are quite often.
They certainly aren't all bad, quite the opposite, and maybe its just my high standards? But they are also the most snuggly and affectionate kids, always asking for "Cuggles".
I just never want my kids to be the kids that people hate to invite somewhere!! Hate to have over and dread what they might do or what might happen!! Not that I think it will, they don't break, aren't nasty and just like to play.

Whats the right way to discipline though? Do you smack them ? ( I am not against smacking and do smack my kids, don't judge , just sayin') but they do get numerous warnings first, its not just a first reaction. Do you do time out? Do you take away privaledges or toys? Do you just ignore and hopes it goes away?
By geez, this parenting gig is hard work! There is never going to be an ideal way to deal with a situation of discipline, but I like to think I am doing an ok job with our kids.
We still get invited places, (well sometimes) so they can't be all that bad?!

I wouldn't begrudge the Terrible Twos kindly pi**ing off though!!
Oh dear Angus, I hope you are as similiar to your big sister Stella in nature as you are in looks!
Are you hearing me? Or is it just me?
Either way, watch out when you see the crazy lady with all the kids coming! She is a woman on a mission!

And some phone snaps of their antics, just for entertainments sake , of course!!
Don't let their looks fool you!

I found her here when I got up during the night to feed Angus. Every night for a week!!

Ohh sweet children of mine, you keep me entertained, thats for sure!!

Captured My Heart

Tonight I had planned to bring you a few birthday posts, one of my favourite birthday presents I received and one from Stella's 4th birthday last week. However, I loaded some photos from today, sat down to edit them, and am now speechless.

Well , as speechless as I get!

I simple love that feeling when you open a photo and you find yourself smiling instantly.

Your heart skips a beat and aches at the same time.

All because you know you have captured something wonderful.

A moment in time, and the most adorable faces one could imagine.

I captured my heart.

These precious people, (plus their brother Angus) make everyday, every terrible day, so very very worth it.

And don't they think they are special with Mummy's glasses ( or in twin language - 'gwarses')

And then nothing but their bare, beautiful faces (ok, maybe with a bit of biccie, samidge (sandwhich) and a whole lotta cheek and innocense! ( And YES, Max has a pony tail spout on top of his head, can't do for the girls and not him, thats just nasty!)

                    And then I saw this, LOVE. But it broke my heart that Lacey wasn't in focus.......

And then came this..........

                 Being a mother is hard work. Its exhausting, its tireless and there are no sick days.
                                                    But its the best job in the world!

Big Beds

After sharing a pic of Angus' room, I received a few requests for an updated post on Max and Lacey's room.

Well a few weeks before Christmas, we decided to try them out in Big beds.The decision was that spontaneous we had to go out and buy Mattresses and linen that very same day!!

Luckily we had already purchased their beds in an End of Financial Year Sale earlier on in the year ( at EOFYS time of course!) 

EEEeeeeeek.Were we crazy? Hmmm yes!!

However a few days after Christmas we went on our annual family holiday to Horrocks and didn't want to cart 2 portacots there, and instead use the 2 sets of bunks in the 2nd bedroom for the 3 big kids (and Angus slept in his bassinet attachment on the pram).

The transfer was actually very successful and they both loved being in "Big peoples beds" and the first sleep (during the day) was perfect. The nights followed suit and it seemed like we had got out of the situation Scott free! Hmmm until we went to Horrocks and they began to play up. One night Lacey was so tired, her eyes were red and her head was hanging and she still continued to come out to us, over 40 times! Seriously!!

God know where these kids get their stubborn and determined genes from! haha I wonder?!

Anyway, a few nights of tough love, a hard bed time hour for us, but we are now back on track! Phew!

So , here is how we succesfully manage 2 littlies in the same bedroom and a small one at that, despite the Boy/Girl combo. I am not 100% happy with their room, but as with Angus' , its a work in progress and I am slowly changing things to make them work!

Their room is just down the hall from Stella's at the end of the house , so we have just had an Aircon installed as it was stifling hot in there!

The pink Birdie thing is another gorgeous clip holder and they love their Wheely Bugs!

The day we moved the cots out and the beds in!! Such excitement!

Sleeping beauties!! Their first day time sleep!

And their rooms now. I purchased the quilts at Spotlight just last week, they were 40% off, such a bargain!

I have been on the prowl for matching bed linen for them. I love polka dots, and wanted a pale blue spot and pale pink, do you think I could find some? No, so I had to make do for now!

The bookshelf in the middle holds all their precious things up high, books and the white basket is for Lacey's things and the white tin on the bottom is for Max's.

                                     A small collage for Max's prints, and hanging mobile above his bed
(The canvas was $5 at Cotton on Kids, the Owl frame was given to him for his 1st birthday, the "I love you" print was created by a clever friend and the truck was purchased at a local baby boutique sale for $5. In total it was inexpensive and yet very effective!

And Lacey's above hers (her hanging Babushka thing was broken in a "jump on the bed and grab at it" attack!!
Lacey's canvas is from Cotton On Kids aswell, the "I Love You" print by my beautiful friend, the bird picture  was a free artwork found on the internet I just printed and the Verse print was a gift for her birthday also, and its a beautiful poem about twins!

This was a small space we also use for storage with a small Expedit from Ikea. The baskets hold spare blankets, toys, and Clothes that are too big.
The hooks are great for hanging bits and pieces and the baskets hanging hold their hats. I like to have them easy to access as we use them on a daily basis ( and Max wears one day and night , seriously, he wears them to bed!!)

You can also see in the bottom corner a toy bag, they have one each at the end of their bed and at the moment they house their new Christmas gifts. I often find them sitting quietly on the floor playing!

Its a small room, but we make it work, and they love being with each other (while they sleep !!) but that doesnt mean that its ideal!!

Under their beds we have storage tubs for the clothes in the next size up, and also a basket each for their precious toys. We think its important, even though they all have a communal toy room and toys, that each child still has their own precious toys that they don't have to share!

As I said its a work in progress  but its their little abode, and I promise the house tour is coming, to those who have asked, I haven't forgotten!

Do your kids share a room?

Any tips on making it work?

There is always one!

The day we went for the annual Santa photo a few weeks back, also happened to be the day that we took the cots out of Max and Lacey's room and hadn't yet put their beds together.

What better opportunity for a quick photoshoot of my 4 cherubs , in a white room with pretty good natural light?

Hmmm perhaps the task is a little harder than it sounds, right?

There always has to be one , right?!

Max, the little boy with a big personality and lots of character..... and emotion.

Bless his cotton socks!

Another First..

A few weeks ago, I was bullied (yes bullied!! ha) into giving our little poppets their first haircut!! Lacey didn't really need one, but it never hurts to trim baby hair and she did have a bit of a long bit at the back. And Max, well he had a curly, mullet that I just LOVED, however, his Dad and Grandma, did not. So.. the decision was made to make our little baby boy, look like a big boy!!

They were both, so so good. Sat in the highchair, with their little heads poking out the top of the cape and enjoyed all the attention they were receiving!! It does help to have their Mum cut their hair, for calming purposes! And I must admit, their hair is alot better since, but I do miss Max's curls, and I hope they come back soon!

So excited!!

Sitting so still while her heffa Mum cuts the back bit off!

And Max, the big boy, loved it aswell!



Max , too busy looking around!



Sweet boy

Another first to add to the list, and another tear to wipe away for me. Sniff Sniff, my babies are growing up, and I am sure in the next few days/weeks, I will realise , just how big they really are! x