Come on it's nearly the end of March and we've had the meteorlogical (sp?) start of spring, where's my sunshine??? I can't believe how I never appreciated the good weather as a kid growing up in South Africa, by the end of a European winter I just want to up sticks and move back. Unfortunately Z was horrified by our visit to SA 3 years ago, I can't tell you how many photos of barbed electric fencing and 7 foot walls we've got, he won't even consider it.
Today, in between snow showers, we went to physio for our second appointment. I had the harnesses on the girls as I really didn't feel like trying to unpack/pack the buggy in the snow an I got a parking spot next to the physio building. Enya freaked out again when I put her down on the pavement with her harness on so I landed up carrying her inside. Ciara did really well on the harness (even if we had to take about 3 runs before we got across the road), now I just need to get her to hold my hand as well and we're set. I've heard some people object to harnesses on children but at this age I can't unpack my twins from the car alone unless I have some method of preventing them running off (across the road/parking lot and getting run over!!). even with the harness it's not exactly easy- I've resorted to threading my leg through the harness while I fasten/unfasten the other child from her car seat.
Physio was quieter today, Enya was easier to soothe between techniques and actually quietened down when I was doing the positions with her. Lately we've taken to playing/singing lullabys while we're changing nappies (it's the only way we can keep her still, she loves music!) and today she calmed down and listened when I sang to her during treatment (before you think I'm a mean idiot we've tried it in the past and it didn't work before). She still fights like a demon to get out of the positions but at least she hasn't been crying so pathetically this week. I would have been very satisfied with it all, if there hadn't been a slight incident at the end of the session involving another physio. We don't have an appointment next week but I will be tackling her at our next appointment as as always they didn't say anything was wrong directly but implied it indirectly instead!
24 Mar 2009
23 Mar 2009
Shoe dunking
Well we finally gave in and did it....as of yesterday we are now down to one nap per day! Today is going better than yesterday as they have so far slept 2 hours and are still quiet (yesterday only an hour nap).
We had a good weekend with a visit to the park, it so much easier when there is an adult per child. Ciara loved running aroun on the grass and the swing, Enya not so much but she liked the stream and just wanted to paddle (mean mommy didn't let her beacause although it was sunny it was also cold).
On the wet theme, the girls got their revenge for not being allowed to play in the stream by dunking Enya's lovely leather shoes in the loo. Someone (hm-hmmm Z) didn't close the bathroom door when he was finished in the bathroom and then got absorbed in his new fish tank instead of paying attention to his daughers. They took advantage of the opportunity and took the shoes for a swim. I was in the lounge reading the newspaper when I heard a suspicious splashing sound. When I went to check there was Ciara and Enya beside the loo filling the shoes up with water and then lifting them up and pouring the water out. A complete change of clothes was required as well as an earful for Z and mopping of the bathroom floor.
I've realised Z hasn't learnt how careful he has to be when looking after the girls, they are getting so mobile and are into everything you just can't trust them or let them out of your sight for more than a moment. That being said I'm not that much better as we had another poo painting session on Saturday when I was changing Enya's nappy and chatting on the phone at the same time. Ciara got hold of the dirty nappy and smeared it on the floor. It makes me very grateful that we have tile flooring!
We had a good weekend with a visit to the park, it so much easier when there is an adult per child. Ciara loved running aroun on the grass and the swing, Enya not so much but she liked the stream and just wanted to paddle (mean mommy didn't let her beacause although it was sunny it was also cold).
On the wet theme, the girls got their revenge for not being allowed to play in the stream by dunking Enya's lovely leather shoes in the loo. Someone (hm-hmmm Z) didn't close the bathroom door when he was finished in the bathroom and then got absorbed in his new fish tank instead of paying attention to his daughers. They took advantage of the opportunity and took the shoes for a swim. I was in the lounge reading the newspaper when I heard a suspicious splashing sound. When I went to check there was Ciara and Enya beside the loo filling the shoes up with water and then lifting them up and pouring the water out. A complete change of clothes was required as well as an earful for Z and mopping of the bathroom floor.
I've realised Z hasn't learnt how careful he has to be when looking after the girls, they are getting so mobile and are into everything you just can't trust them or let them out of your sight for more than a moment. That being said I'm not that much better as we had another poo painting session on Saturday when I was changing Enya's nappy and chatting on the phone at the same time. Ciara got hold of the dirty nappy and smeared it on the floor. It makes me very grateful that we have tile flooring!
20 Mar 2009
Shoes and wagons
I now have two daughters with outdoor shoes, we gave in to the inevitable and picked up a new/old pair of shoes for Ciara as she has already outgrown her first pair. Thankfully a friend had a pair of size 23 shoes that her son wore for only a few weeks before outgrowing, which she gave to us. Enya was hysterical for the first 10 minutes of wearing "big girl" shoes, she kept lifting her feet up as though she was stepping over an obstacle, after that she was fine just fell a bit more than usual.
Apropro falling... even in the short space of time that we have been doing PT again, I have noticed an improvement in Enya's walking and posture. Her tummy is not quite as protrudent as it was in standing and her foot postioning seems to be a bit better (not quite as turned out) and she seems a bit steadier on her feet. I guess I just have to suck it up and admit that she really did need this course of physio ;0).
Today though I took the day off from treating as we had Krabbelgruppe (playgroup) this morning and this afternoon I went to the aforementioned friend for tea. The girls really enjoyed being amongst other children at the play group (mostly I think because there were new toys to play with). We practiced somersaults on a thick mat which Enya of course loved, as well rocked them in a blanket and played with hoola hoops. The best thing about Krabbelgruppe though was they have a little wagon which one child can sit in and the another child can push. Needless to say all that practice with the laundry basket came in handy, my girls loved it. Excuse the poor picture quality I only had my mobile phone with ;0)
Apropro falling... even in the short space of time that we have been doing PT again, I have noticed an improvement in Enya's walking and posture. Her tummy is not quite as protrudent as it was in standing and her foot postioning seems to be a bit better (not quite as turned out) and she seems a bit steadier on her feet. I guess I just have to suck it up and admit that she really did need this course of physio ;0).
Today though I took the day off from treating as we had Krabbelgruppe (playgroup) this morning and this afternoon I went to the aforementioned friend for tea. The girls really enjoyed being amongst other children at the play group (mostly I think because there were new toys to play with). We practiced somersaults on a thick mat which Enya of course loved, as well rocked them in a blanket and played with hoola hoops. The best thing about Krabbelgruppe though was they have a little wagon which one child can sit in and the another child can push. Needless to say all that practice with the laundry basket came in handy, my girls loved it. Excuse the poor picture quality I only had my mobile phone with ;0)
19 Mar 2009
Drawers
Well we have now lost our last semi safe room, Enya has learnt how to open the kitchen drawers! She scared herself silly the first time she managed it yesterday as she pulled the bottom drawer out over her. I just heard that cry that normally means something is wrong and when I looked over to her she was lying on the floor with the bottom drawer over her body still clasping the handle desperately. After I picke her up and pushed the drawer back in she preceeded to try 6 of the 9 drawers in that cabinet and I'm sorry to report she has the knack of it now. Thank goodness I've already sorted the dangerous stuff out of the bottom drawers into the middle drawers because of course she won't be able to reach those (HAHA!!).
Yesterday I really surprised myself by not having umpteen meltdowns, Ciara broke one of my favourite mugs by dropping it on the floor (my own fault though as I left it where she could get it), she then spread her entire lunch bowl of freshly made chicken, apricot and tomato puree all over the floor (she stole her bowl off the table while my back was turned) and the napping- not happening yesterday. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and drop to only one nap per day. Hopefully then they will have a longer nap and be more refreshed than from 2 shorter naps.
Ciara did however surprise me as well yesterday, I left something in view yesterday on the kitchen counter (cooking implement I think) but out of her reach. She looke up saw it and pointe to it with her whole hand and then said quite clearly "Bitte" (please). I was amazed, unfortunately despite all sorts of coercion I couldn't get her to repeat it. Z has been practicing "bitte" and "danke" with them for a while but this is the first time they've repeated it and appropriately as well! Enya in the mean time is learning to count so far we have one, two, six and eight in german and in english two,three, six and eight, she only repeats the words when we say them though.
ps spell check is still not working and my D key is very iffy if you don't recognise a word try add a D and see if it makes sense then ;0)
Yesterday I really surprised myself by not having umpteen meltdowns, Ciara broke one of my favourite mugs by dropping it on the floor (my own fault though as I left it where she could get it), she then spread her entire lunch bowl of freshly made chicken, apricot and tomato puree all over the floor (she stole her bowl off the table while my back was turned) and the napping- not happening yesterday. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and drop to only one nap per day. Hopefully then they will have a longer nap and be more refreshed than from 2 shorter naps.
Ciara did however surprise me as well yesterday, I left something in view yesterday on the kitchen counter (cooking implement I think) but out of her reach. She looke up saw it and pointe to it with her whole hand and then said quite clearly "Bitte" (please). I was amazed, unfortunately despite all sorts of coercion I couldn't get her to repeat it. Z has been practicing "bitte" and "danke" with them for a while but this is the first time they've repeated it and appropriately as well! Enya in the mean time is learning to count so far we have one, two, six and eight in german and in english two,three, six and eight, she only repeats the words when we say them though.
ps spell check is still not working and my D key is very iffy if you don't recognise a word try add a D and see if it makes sense then ;0)
17 Mar 2009
Torture begins again
We had our first appointment with the physio yesterday and it was as loud as ever.The physio, Mrs W, was pleased with Enya's posture and walking ability, especially the foot positioning. I kind of got the feeling Mrs W wasn't at all worried about her, unlike the preemie follow up doctor, as she could see the improvement in Enya over the last 3 months where the doctor last saw Enya in May 2008. We are only doing one technique this time but Enya screamed the entire 30 minute session. Everytime Mrs W let her go to rest Enya would crawl across the table to me and cuddle into me crying pitifully, this is definitely NOT for the faint hearted!! However I must say after the session I noticed that Enya's tummy was not bulging as much as usual (could also be because she was still crying thereby increasing her muscle tone generally including the abominal muscles).
The sweetest thing though was after Enya was dressed again at the end of the session, she was still crying, you know that pitiful cry after they've been crying for a while where they hiccup every so often! Anyway Ciara came up to her, looking all concerned and then she put her arms around Enya and gave her a cuddle or two. Unfortunately she nearly knocked Enya off her feet which made Enya cry even harder but the thought to comfort was there, which was lovely to see. At home they mostly just steal each others toys with no worries about upsetting the other!
After the session I aske Mrs W how long she thought we would be coming this time and she said probably for about 6 weeks. I also asked how often I must treat per day (usually they say 4 times) and her answer was what I can manage and a maximum of 12 minutes per session. I think she realizied there was no way in hell I was going to manage 4 times a day, although I will try for 2 times per day! The only thing that makes me feel at all better about this, is at home although Enya still crys she only crys during the technique i.e. she stops as soon as I let her up, makes me feel less the mean mom torturing her poor defenceless little child!
The sweetest thing though was after Enya was dressed again at the end of the session, she was still crying, you know that pitiful cry after they've been crying for a while where they hiccup every so often! Anyway Ciara came up to her, looking all concerned and then she put her arms around Enya and gave her a cuddle or two. Unfortunately she nearly knocked Enya off her feet which made Enya cry even harder but the thought to comfort was there, which was lovely to see. At home they mostly just steal each others toys with no worries about upsetting the other!
After the session I aske Mrs W how long she thought we would be coming this time and she said probably for about 6 weeks. I also asked how often I must treat per day (usually they say 4 times) and her answer was what I can manage and a maximum of 12 minutes per session. I think she realizied there was no way in hell I was going to manage 4 times a day, although I will try for 2 times per day! The only thing that makes me feel at all better about this, is at home although Enya still crys she only crys during the technique i.e. she stops as soon as I let her up, makes me feel less the mean mom torturing her poor defenceless little child!
15 Mar 2009
Family weekend
Having not had an evening together at home this week, we decided to have a family weekend instead.
Yesteray was a bit of a failure in that regard as after doing the weekly shop, Z vanished off to the fish shop. Remember our visit to the Aquarium where I finally agreed to an aquarium at home, Z has been feverishly planning ever since. He got back a quarter of an hour before I needed to go to my Karate weekend course. After 2 hours hard training (well for it was hard for someone as out of condition as me!). I got home just in time to help get the girls fed, bathed and into bed, I then ran out to pick up some fast food for our dinner and some DVDs. Z only lasted one DVD an then was snoring up a storm. Poor thing, the girls wore him out, he said he's never known them to be so demanding.
Today was however a real family day though. The girls let us sleep in until 8am, we got them fed and back into bed by 9am, at which time we went back to bed as well (we were both wrecked). The second part of my course was at 11am and today we all went. Z and the girls met up with J's huband and daughter (Anna) while the moms went training. After J passed her yellow belt grading we all went out to our favourite cafe, Bar Celona, for lunch to celebrate. Z and I had not had time for breakfast, what with our morning nap so we went for the buffet brunch which was delicious. We both ate so much that we're skipping dinner tonight! Both I an the girls collapsed into bed when we finally got home from lunch (after 3pm!), while Z went aquarium internet surfing again ;0). We've got one more DVD which we saved for this evening so it'll be a cuddle evening on the couch tonight, the perfect end to a really good weekend.
Yesteray was a bit of a failure in that regard as after doing the weekly shop, Z vanished off to the fish shop. Remember our visit to the Aquarium where I finally agreed to an aquarium at home, Z has been feverishly planning ever since. He got back a quarter of an hour before I needed to go to my Karate weekend course. After 2 hours hard training (well for it was hard for someone as out of condition as me!). I got home just in time to help get the girls fed, bathed and into bed, I then ran out to pick up some fast food for our dinner and some DVDs. Z only lasted one DVD an then was snoring up a storm. Poor thing, the girls wore him out, he said he's never known them to be so demanding.
Today was however a real family day though. The girls let us sleep in until 8am, we got them fed and back into bed by 9am, at which time we went back to bed as well (we were both wrecked). The second part of my course was at 11am and today we all went. Z and the girls met up with J's huband and daughter (Anna) while the moms went training. After J passed her yellow belt grading we all went out to our favourite cafe, Bar Celona, for lunch to celebrate. Z and I had not had time for breakfast, what with our morning nap so we went for the buffet brunch which was delicious. We both ate so much that we're skipping dinner tonight! Both I an the girls collapsed into bed when we finally got home from lunch (after 3pm!), while Z went aquarium internet surfing again ;0). We've got one more DVD which we saved for this evening so it'll be a cuddle evening on the couch tonight, the perfect end to a really good weekend.
13 Mar 2009
Monkeys
I've been calling C and E monkeys for a while now and in a classic tale of naming and then becoming they are climbing everything right now.
I've seen Ciara lifting her leg trying to work out how to climb our bar stools, thankfully she hasn't a chance yet. They both think that climbing over the foot stool is part of their daily fitness program, Ciara is now however working on standing up on top of the stool, did I mention we have tiled floors through out our flat! Enya is not much better, she kneels on the stool.
Ciara has also grown enough that objects on the kitchen table and counters are no longer safe, everything gets pulled down, inspected and most often chewed. I need new safe spots as she can clear the window sills as well.
And lastly may I just say that the peanut butter cookies are a hit, not too hard and yummy.
I've seen Ciara lifting her leg trying to work out how to climb our bar stools, thankfully she hasn't a chance yet. They both think that climbing over the foot stool is part of their daily fitness program, Ciara is now however working on standing up on top of the stool, did I mention we have tiled floors through out our flat! Enya is not much better, she kneels on the stool.
Ciara has also grown enough that objects on the kitchen table and counters are no longer safe, everything gets pulled down, inspected and most often chewed. I need new safe spots as she can clear the window sills as well.
And lastly may I just say that the peanut butter cookies are a hit, not too hard and yummy.
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