Big sister and little drooler

Venotjari is really getting on well with her little brother lately. I think she has finally realised that he is not a toy to play with and that she should treat him care. She also has not shown any signs of jealousy for a long time now. She even understands, when I tell her to leave the room and keep quiet while I feed him (at least most of the time). She is also very protective of her little brother when we are out and someone wants to look at the baby in the pram. And she never tiers to tell anyone who is interested (or not), that that is her little brother Unovandu.
This morning I looked at her and she looked so much more grown up than usual. Maybe because she was quite satisfied playing by herself and not requiring any animation from us.
Unovandu has turned into a full-time drooler. He also cannot keep his fingers and hands out of his mouth. When I put his play chain in front of him, it becomes soaking wet after a short while - either because it was in his mouth or because it was lying directly in the path of the drool.

The "monster"... :-)

I am so tired and I need some sleep. Last night was hell on earth. They call them the "terrible twos", but what our wonderful daughter did last night was not terrible, it was close to evil. She woke up in the middle of the night and started crying. Efforts to calm her down were futile. So carried on and cried for over an hour. At some point the crying turned into screaming and my upsetness turned into rage. I do not know what gets into her, but I do not understand why a child would cry and scream at night for absolutely no reason at all.
It was not long until Unovandu woke up. And once he wakes up, he then has a 2-3 hour sleep-waking up interval until dawn.
So I did not get any amount of rest and I was also not very happy with Venotjari this morning. It's as if she tries to get her way, no matter what it takes. And she "ufortunately" has stamina - more than us - which ends up in us giving in first and she having way. These endless power battles with her are terribly tedious and they should end. I just wonder: when do they end and when do I get to win a battle, or maybe the war in the end...

Venotjari and Magdalena

They were inseperable when Magdalena was attending the same kindergarten as Venotjari. All Venotjari would talk about when she came home from the kindergarten or when you asked her how her day was, was Magdalena here and Magdalena there. They had a very strong friendship, which is quite unusual for children at that age. Now that Magdalena is at another kindergarten, they do not see each other that often. But when they do meet, it is as if they had never been apart. The bond between them is still obvious - they are always very happy and enthusiatic, when they see each other. And they play well together. Once they were busy for about two hours, playing peacefully and concentrated, without Magdalena's Mom or myself requiring to interfere or go between them, as usually is the case, when little kids play.

Not yet better

Venotjari is getting better and now the little one has started coughing again. I wonder when this ping-pong will end. I want to start a baby swimming course with him next week and I am really hoping that by then, the cough will be gone.

Looking at him in this picture makes me amend my comment, that the two look alike. He has his very own distinct features that are different fron those of his sister - although I couldn't really say which features those are... maybe his mouth? Anyhow, he is a charming and good-looking young man. And foremost, he looks like a little boy - he has boy-features :)
The ladies at the baby massage course, where saying that he looks like a football player (to be). Can't say I agree to that - actually wouldn't want to agree to that, because football players all look a liitle darft and stupid; as if they do not have all the brain matter which normal people have.
And I have noticed that the young man really has a wonderful and well functioning digestion. Everytime I feed him, he immediately gets rid of bodily waste afterwards. Also, when he lies on his tummy, he also farts (poops, or however one calls it). His body functions like a swiss watch and he is growing liek weed. He probably weighs 7kg by now - and that at 3,5 months. Must be the very good mommy milk of exceptional quality.

As to Venotjari: she is still having a ball at the kindergarten. Although the days that she was sick and at home were also not as stressful as I though they might turn out to be. As lomg as we are outside and taking a walk along the river, all is fine. As of next month, she will only be going to the kindergarten for 3 days a week. The other 2 days will be mommy and Unovandu days, spent walking along the river or visiting friends.
She has learnt a new song and I cannot decifer it. May be something they learnt from the new Irish exchange teacher they have in her group.
Oh, and the most important thing: she has now started asking to go to the toilet. And when she is on her potty, she makes pipi. She still has not yet let a big one drop, while on the potty, but I believe that it is only a matter of time. When I picked her up yesterday, she even said that she would like to go to the toilet when we get home. I unfortunately forgot to take to her potty, so she made a big one in her nappy. Next time I will be more observant and it will work...

A biter!

The little man is a biter. Who would have thought. I guess that means that he will have to get used to the bottle very quickly, once he gets his first teeth. But to his defence I must say that he only bites, when he has (apparently) had enough to drink and I am convinced of the contrary - offering him some more. Maybe I should start listening to the silent and subtle hints he gives me... :)
As for the older one: still sick and quite moody for the matter.

Now Venotjari is sick..

.. when does it ever get better - if ain't one thing, its another :-)
She has fever, a bronchitis, her ears are inflamed and the throut as well. Too many things at once. But when she has taken her machine, the fever sinks and she becomes happy and active again.
To top it all up, Unovandu has got a really sore bottom and is practically crying non-stop. He doesn't want to be put down and she wants to sit on my lap. Try and explain to a sick 2 year old that she can't have your undivided attention, because her little brother needs your attention more. Quite difficult- but not unmanageable. We managed to somehow get through the day and attend to the little crises, as they happened. Tomorrow will be a very demanding day, as Michael will be working in the office and not at home like today. Two sick kids to take care of... life couldn't be better... :-) ...the good thing is that there is definately a light at the end of the tunnel and then they are really a joy to have...

3 months old today

There is hope yet...

On the way to the kindergarten this morning, Venotjari was in a giving mood and she allowed me to play my music in the car (instead of her music - which is Coldplay, Viva la vida). Usually when I am allowed to play my music, she also enthusiastically encourages me to sing along.
So today I put on OPP by Naugthy by Nature. And prompt came the "sing Mommy". So I started singing (or rather rapping) along. As always to good music, I was bobbing my head to the beat. And what do I see in the rearview mirror - Venotjari was bobbing her head too!!!
She may dance like an "otjirumbu" and have nearly no feel of rythem at all, but she can bob her head to good music... :)

Getting better and getting worse

Unovandu is on the way to good health. The fever is gone. The cough is still there though, but he is generally a happier person than he was a couple of days ago. The only downside is that the nights are not so good anymore. I need to "retrain" him to better sleeping habits again.
Venotjari is becoming an official "drama queen". She shouts and cries and throws herself on the floor as soon as something displeases her. I had the impression that things were getting better, but this last week proved me wrong - she is still in the "terrible twos" phase... full-time.

Unovandu is sick!

and has been sick now since Monday. It started with a small cough a couple of times during the day and since Wednesday he has fever and is really not feeling well. I hardly recognise my baby anymore. He is moody and cries very often. The worst part of it is that he does not smile - I miss his happy face. He should get well soon.
Crazy how close one is to tears, when your child is in some sort of pain and you cannot help him, because you do not know where he is hurting. I had to stay strong at the doctor today - was terribly close to tears (how embarassing...).
The next worst thing is that today is Friday and his doctor is only back on Monday, should we need him. I hate going to the hospital and having to deal with a doctor that you do not know and that does not know your child. I get the feeling that maybe he is not treating my child properly. So much to having faith in doctors... I don't really, am always sceptical on one I don't know. Who can ensure that he really knows what he is doing and is good at what he does... (Vaja would kill me if he read this...)

Growing up

It may be just me, but the little one seems to have made a large step forward in his development. He is now constantly saying something and he laughs (out loud) quite often - when you tickle his tummy or his side. And I also saw - today - the first indication of sitting while lying on his back (basically lifting his legs up). Seems like the start of something big...
And for me, the hay fever has officially begun - hello to itching eyes, nose, mouth, sneezing and a runny nose.... I am definately looking forward to the next 2-3 months (NOT!!)

After a hard days work under the "activity center"

Heads up

Unovandu has been able to hold up his head for quite some time now, but at the moment I can say that he has become a professional "head-up-holder". He does it so well and for such a long time before beginning to complain - sometimes he can stay on his tummy with his head up for more than half an hour.
His doctor still calls him a "schlappie", because he does not have enough strength in his arms. But I am sure that with enough tummy training, he will master that too.
And the grabbing also goes on. When he lies under his "activity center", he is fully engrossed in trying to grab the rings and concentrate on what is in front of him. He remains an easy-care baby, which of course makes life much better for me.
Venotjari is still our little, complaining, sweet princess.
They are both growing up so fast and time is going by too fast as well!!!