delight

We just got home from lunch with my hubby's side, complete with Teddy's great-uncle & great-grandma. Needless to say, excellent time had by all - especially the little boy who practically put himself to bed once arriving home.

Here is to all the families of the world. Family rocks!

hard

The fly-in-fly-out lifestyle is not for the faint hearted. Today was good & happy & lonely & sad all at once.

My husband & I had a small spat over Skype (he had just woken up grumpy, Teddy was the same so I was not in the mood for two grumps!)...these are interesting as it is the only time we talk so if it is unpleasant we tend to sit & scowl over the video feed rather than hang up. Inevitably one of us will text later to apologise...

But before our argument I had felt the absence of my love more keenly. Sundays will do that I suppose. More Papas about, families enjoying their weekend together. Once again I woke tired, Teddy teething means a night of naps...as I write he is struggling to get back to sleep. He only went to bed a couple of hours ago & thus I struggle to be optimistic about our prospects for a longer sleep tonight.

We went for a walk, played in the park, had coffee at Teddy's favourite cafe (he drank water & nibbled some gingerbread), went fruit shopping & had a wonderful meal at his grandparents house. All good & happy.

Tomorrow is a PhD day for me, five hours of productive study as the nanny plays with Teddy. Yep, tomorrow I will swallow the fog of exhaustion clouding my usually boundless happiness & work.

It isn't always sunshine & fun. Teddy's Papa is missing & it is hard. We have a goal & so I know it is worth the heartache now. Another week plus a bit & he will be back.

Lucky we aren't faint hearted!

little pleasures

Infinitely grateful today that my favourite pastime - lunch & coffee out with family - is exactly what Teddy enjoys doing too. My nearly-one-year-old could sit happy as a clam in his highchair for over an hour, chatting away whilst people watching & munching on a snack.

Teddy, you are my go-to coffee date. I heart you.

squeaking

As my father (Teddy's beloved Grampy) says: "He loves the sound of his own squeak, doesn't he?"

I think this as I listen to many squeaky squeals and sing-song babbles coming from his cot...bliss...

tradition

I sit here tonight, busy with needle & thread, stitching a colourful design that will be the centerpiece of your Santa sack.

It is tradition on my side of the family that a child receives their gifts from Santa in a sack placed at the end of the bed, & sweets in the stocking hung nearby. These presents were allowed to be opened as soon as we woke on Christmas morning. Those under the tree had to wait until our grandparents arrived, usually around 10am. The waiting was a torture I remember keenly!

Teddy, you will not be receiving sweets for Christmas - this year or ever - from us at least. But you will receive a gift from Santa in your sack placed at the end of your bed, provided you have been good of course!

Your sack will be made by me, with love. I began late this year, optimistic it will be finished and thus I sit here stitching whenever you close your wee eyes in slumber. Speaking of, I had better continue lest it be next year by the time Santy has a place to leave your gift!

Narna & Grampy

We spent the night with Teddy's Narna & Grampy last night. Teddy was adorable, giggling away with Grampy as they got into mischief on the couch. Hanging over my arm, stretching toward his Narna.

Crawling and climbing all over them as we sat on their bed, enjoying our morning coffee in the sunlight.