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Saturday, July 23, 2011

holidays

We went for our first family holiday to Gozo.  We had a grand time!

The penthouse we had rented had a large terrace commanding a 360 seaview and you could also see the sea from the bedroom.

our penthouse

 Just outside our apartment we had the playing ground which Gregory enjoyed using whenever we went outside.


 And of course the sea was all around us and we just picked a spot we liked and dipped into it.
isn't that a cheeky look?


The only thing that wasn't to our liking: the penthouse was on the 5th floor and no lift!(still I feel it was worth the hassle).

here is the proof that 5 floors can be too many!
 And here are some other random pics from our holiday!

smiling at daddy

Gregory explaining his intent student the use of armbands

trying to stand up alone and nearly getting there

exploring Calypso Cave

sibling fun


contemplating the sea

flying the kite....well trying to!

me and my mam

Monday, July 11, 2011

Graced beyond doubt

I had decided to take a challenge and find 1000 graces that God has spoiled me with.  An effort to commune more with Him and be thankful for all I am given.

118. Beautiful, cool sea sans jellyfish
119. Family with whom I can go to the sea
120. Skype
121. love for food from our little one
122. Our big boy finding so much confidence in the sea that he started swimming alone
123. seeing a clear path to what I'd like to achieve and how to do it
124. laughter at home
125. the ability to visit my grandmother every week
126.  Gregory saying sorry out of his own accord
127.  Enjoying pizza
128. the possibility to tell plane stories to my son every day twice a day even though it become tedious
129. yoga classes once a month
130. time to do yoga and Bible reading at home

Friday, July 8, 2011

Ceklem Karozzin

Today is the first of a series of posts in toddler Summer fun.  Every Friday I am going out for some quality fun time with my 2 yr 6 month son and discover the beauty of Malta.  These posts will cover what we did and what we think about it.


"Ceklem ceklem karozzin
Minn got-toroq imserrpin
Uri l-hajja taghna l-Maltin
Ceklem ceklem karozzin
Minn got-toroq imserrpin
Uri l-hajja taghna l-Maltin"


As our first outing, I took my son on a horse drawn carriage (or as it is known locally Karozzin) ride around the capital Valletta.  The price was of Eur 35 but got it down to Eur 25.  We caught our ride near the Upper  Barakka Gardens and the driver took us for a 35 min. ride of the capital.

pic from Malta insideout
The driver stopped every now and then to tell us what we were seeing and also giving us information of any museums we passed (opening hours etc) which was very nice of him.  He also gave vent to some of his current gripes but that was ok!  The ride was very smooth and the horse very clean and well kept.  Gregory was in rapture the whole ride and didn't really wish to get down the horse at all.

It was great fun and I believe that even if I paid the full price it was worth the expense!  This has been a wonderful experience and would reccommend you the ride !

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Potty Forayes

I dreaded potty training from the day my son was born!

Some of the biggest issues hubs and I had concerned it.  So you can imagine that as the time got near I wasn't looking forward to it.  I read anything I could get my hands on, talked to other women who has gone through it, as well as attended a workshop.  However, my fear (?) of this milestone could not be dissipated.

In the end nature and instinct guided me to the best place to be- a spectator.  Yes my friends I decided to simply be a spectator that cheers and encourages and at times gives a few pushes.  So what all this ends up to?  Gregory has a potty and toilet training seat at his disposal which he can use anytime.  There are those rare moments where he asks to use it and those rarer moments where he simply goes on his own to do his business.  Most commonly I leave him running around free and when I see signs of him needing to wee or poo I tell him- looks like you need a wee come lets go to the potty/toilet.  It is occuring more often that he comes willingly and tries -though most of the time he doesn't manage to do anything.  Other times he calls a simple NO!! and that is it.

There are moments where I tell him that he has to put the nappy on if he doesn't wish to use the said potty and he complies other moments its a struggle.  Many a day he simply asks for the nappy and doesn't want to part with it even when soiled.  And so it goes, me cheering when he tries or actually does it and telling everyone else I see to cheer him on.  Sometimes giving him little pushes and reminders but mainly I just let him be.  Giving him the space and time he needs to feel confident enough to take the plunge.

It is quite a dance I tell you but I am not regretting it.  My hubs tried bribing him with toys etc but it didn't really work -it is one of the main ways it seems they get kids to use the potty bribing them with sweets, toys etc- however I admit that when we did that it didn't feel right.  After all this should come naturally to our kids right?  So where does this leave me.......it might take the whole of Summer and Winter and in the end I might need to do some real pushing to get there (especially if he is to start Kindergarten come February) but letting him choose which way he wants to go is reaping a lot of benefits.  I can see the struggle- the wish to use a toilet, yet the fear of what this would imply in his world.  I can see his swaying and so I just smile and encourage him and it is working a treat because since this started (a month ago) we have more yeses than nos and that is a big step forward :)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Nurturing the home

Young children and toddlers need to be at home.

At home we can take life slowly, nurture them and teach them.  So even if I plan activities for most mornings I make sure we are home in the afternoon.  Sometimes, We'd have something planned and I would be looking forward to it (like a visit to my parents and grandmother) but my son tells me he wants to stay home.  And I do!  It is hard to take his lead at times and sometimes we can't of course but whenever possible even if it is against my deepest wishes I do because he knows what he needs.

If we really look carefully at our home, we can expand our love to it and our family by simple movements. 
  • Instead of cleaning in a single day spread it over the week so your child can help out - this is something I am starting myself just now.  It will teach responsibility, love and care
  • When cooking get them to help in peeling, washing, setting up the table.  This to will teach them on love and responsibility as well as helping each other.
  • Folding the laundry can be done with the kids helping putting them away- later you might need to go around again and fold again but your child is happy, you are telling him that you believe in him and nurturing confidence.
  • When shopping let them help putting things in the trolley, bags and at home put them out of bags and/or correct shelving
Young children need not simply know how to clear up their toys, they can help in every aspect of the house EVEN if they do not do it properly and later when the child is doing something else you do it yourself correctly.  Children do enjoy helping out and learning from the home is a blissful experience to them and you!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Good- truly good

We started going to Mass twice a week.
I am becoming involved in a coalition for better births here locally.  I am pretty excited about it and can't wait to meet up with everyone and have us all public.
Gregory is using the toilet sometimes and once in a blue moon the potty.  Most of the time he still prefers the nappy or doing it on the floor!
Maya started on solids and you can see her joy when we present her with said food rather than just plain old mama milk.
Gregory has some teeth coming out and for the past 2 weeks resumed sleeping in our bed.  A setback which I am fine with however as I know it is just a phase due to teeth and new developments.
His ventures to stop the nappy and his weaning from the breast are happening together - both according to his wishes and a few pushes from us here and there.  So the feeling of insecurity that is manifesting itself is quite appropiate and letting him snuggle up to us gives us all a good nights' sleep.
Maya is getting frustrated she can't be mobile and that means we might soon have her crawling all over the place- a nice new phase to look forward to.

It is all good.  Sometimes tiring.  Sometimes frustrating.  But it is all good!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

holidays

We went for our first family holiday to Gozo.  We had a grand time!

The penthouse we had rented had a large terrace commanding a 360 seaview and you could also see the sea from the bedroom.

our penthouse

 Just outside our apartment we had the playing ground which Gregory enjoyed using whenever we went outside.


 And of course the sea was all around us and we just picked a spot we liked and dipped into it.
isn't that a cheeky look?


The only thing that wasn't to our liking: the penthouse was on the 5th floor and no lift!(still I feel it was worth the hassle).

here is the proof that 5 floors can be too many!
 And here are some other random pics from our holiday!

smiling at daddy

Gregory explaining his intent student the use of armbands

trying to stand up alone and nearly getting there

exploring Calypso Cave

sibling fun


contemplating the sea

flying the kite....well trying to!

me and my mam

Monday, July 11, 2011

Graced beyond doubt

I had decided to take a challenge and find 1000 graces that God has spoiled me with.  An effort to commune more with Him and be thankful for all I am given.

118. Beautiful, cool sea sans jellyfish
119. Family with whom I can go to the sea
120. Skype
121. love for food from our little one
122. Our big boy finding so much confidence in the sea that he started swimming alone
123. seeing a clear path to what I'd like to achieve and how to do it
124. laughter at home
125. the ability to visit my grandmother every week
126.  Gregory saying sorry out of his own accord
127.  Enjoying pizza
128. the possibility to tell plane stories to my son every day twice a day even though it become tedious
129. yoga classes once a month
130. time to do yoga and Bible reading at home

Friday, July 8, 2011

Ceklem Karozzin

Today is the first of a series of posts in toddler Summer fun.  Every Friday I am going out for some quality fun time with my 2 yr 6 month son and discover the beauty of Malta.  These posts will cover what we did and what we think about it.


"Ceklem ceklem karozzin
Minn got-toroq imserrpin
Uri l-hajja taghna l-Maltin
Ceklem ceklem karozzin
Minn got-toroq imserrpin
Uri l-hajja taghna l-Maltin"


As our first outing, I took my son on a horse drawn carriage (or as it is known locally Karozzin) ride around the capital Valletta.  The price was of Eur 35 but got it down to Eur 25.  We caught our ride near the Upper  Barakka Gardens and the driver took us for a 35 min. ride of the capital.

pic from Malta insideout
The driver stopped every now and then to tell us what we were seeing and also giving us information of any museums we passed (opening hours etc) which was very nice of him.  He also gave vent to some of his current gripes but that was ok!  The ride was very smooth and the horse very clean and well kept.  Gregory was in rapture the whole ride and didn't really wish to get down the horse at all.

It was great fun and I believe that even if I paid the full price it was worth the expense!  This has been a wonderful experience and would reccommend you the ride !

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Potty Forayes

I dreaded potty training from the day my son was born!

Some of the biggest issues hubs and I had concerned it.  So you can imagine that as the time got near I wasn't looking forward to it.  I read anything I could get my hands on, talked to other women who has gone through it, as well as attended a workshop.  However, my fear (?) of this milestone could not be dissipated.

In the end nature and instinct guided me to the best place to be- a spectator.  Yes my friends I decided to simply be a spectator that cheers and encourages and at times gives a few pushes.  So what all this ends up to?  Gregory has a potty and toilet training seat at his disposal which he can use anytime.  There are those rare moments where he asks to use it and those rarer moments where he simply goes on his own to do his business.  Most commonly I leave him running around free and when I see signs of him needing to wee or poo I tell him- looks like you need a wee come lets go to the potty/toilet.  It is occuring more often that he comes willingly and tries -though most of the time he doesn't manage to do anything.  Other times he calls a simple NO!! and that is it.

There are moments where I tell him that he has to put the nappy on if he doesn't wish to use the said potty and he complies other moments its a struggle.  Many a day he simply asks for the nappy and doesn't want to part with it even when soiled.  And so it goes, me cheering when he tries or actually does it and telling everyone else I see to cheer him on.  Sometimes giving him little pushes and reminders but mainly I just let him be.  Giving him the space and time he needs to feel confident enough to take the plunge.

It is quite a dance I tell you but I am not regretting it.  My hubs tried bribing him with toys etc but it didn't really work -it is one of the main ways it seems they get kids to use the potty bribing them with sweets, toys etc- however I admit that when we did that it didn't feel right.  After all this should come naturally to our kids right?  So where does this leave me.......it might take the whole of Summer and Winter and in the end I might need to do some real pushing to get there (especially if he is to start Kindergarten come February) but letting him choose which way he wants to go is reaping a lot of benefits.  I can see the struggle- the wish to use a toilet, yet the fear of what this would imply in his world.  I can see his swaying and so I just smile and encourage him and it is working a treat because since this started (a month ago) we have more yeses than nos and that is a big step forward :)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Nurturing the home

Young children and toddlers need to be at home.

At home we can take life slowly, nurture them and teach them.  So even if I plan activities for most mornings I make sure we are home in the afternoon.  Sometimes, We'd have something planned and I would be looking forward to it (like a visit to my parents and grandmother) but my son tells me he wants to stay home.  And I do!  It is hard to take his lead at times and sometimes we can't of course but whenever possible even if it is against my deepest wishes I do because he knows what he needs.

If we really look carefully at our home, we can expand our love to it and our family by simple movements. 
  • Instead of cleaning in a single day spread it over the week so your child can help out - this is something I am starting myself just now.  It will teach responsibility, love and care
  • When cooking get them to help in peeling, washing, setting up the table.  This to will teach them on love and responsibility as well as helping each other.
  • Folding the laundry can be done with the kids helping putting them away- later you might need to go around again and fold again but your child is happy, you are telling him that you believe in him and nurturing confidence.
  • When shopping let them help putting things in the trolley, bags and at home put them out of bags and/or correct shelving
Young children need not simply know how to clear up their toys, they can help in every aspect of the house EVEN if they do not do it properly and later when the child is doing something else you do it yourself correctly.  Children do enjoy helping out and learning from the home is a blissful experience to them and you!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Good- truly good

We started going to Mass twice a week.
I am becoming involved in a coalition for better births here locally.  I am pretty excited about it and can't wait to meet up with everyone and have us all public.
Gregory is using the toilet sometimes and once in a blue moon the potty.  Most of the time he still prefers the nappy or doing it on the floor!
Maya started on solids and you can see her joy when we present her with said food rather than just plain old mama milk.
Gregory has some teeth coming out and for the past 2 weeks resumed sleeping in our bed.  A setback which I am fine with however as I know it is just a phase due to teeth and new developments.
His ventures to stop the nappy and his weaning from the breast are happening together - both according to his wishes and a few pushes from us here and there.  So the feeling of insecurity that is manifesting itself is quite appropiate and letting him snuggle up to us gives us all a good nights' sleep.
Maya is getting frustrated she can't be mobile and that means we might soon have her crawling all over the place- a nice new phase to look forward to.

It is all good.  Sometimes tiring.  Sometimes frustrating.  But it is all good!