Life on Planet Baby

Miss India starts Kindy

noreply@blogger.com (Jane) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:07:46 PST

Well today, lovely Planetarians, was an auspicious occasion on Planet Baby. It was a day which had been keenly awaited by Miss India for months, then weeks, then days and finally sleeps. And then this morning, it finally arrived - let's-start-Kindy-day! She was the first dressed, in her freshly ironed tunic and now-worn-in-after-a-week-of-wearing-nothing-else black Mary Janes. Her hat was firmly ensconced on her head from 7.30 am. Her backpack was filled with her lunch-box, drink bottle, pink (of course!) smock, library bag (the one lovely Val sent me for winning her giveaway) and spare change of clothes (all with name-tags sewed in by A Certain Mother at 11 pm last night!). Most importantly, her best friend, Tommy Dog, was packed into a little box as her guardian. She rustled up all the boys and their paraphernalia, supervising their teeth-cleaning. She was a girl on a mission!

And then The Photographer (er, moi!) was called in to mark this momentous occasion. Here's one of the pixies on the back deck with backpacks in place and broad brimmed hats on to ward off the summer sun. They loved feeling like a team, about to start the new school and daycare year. The sun was a bit glary, though.

Then we adjourned to the front door where the light was better. Here's a gorgeous little sequence of them, proudly posing.

Let's start with my Big Girl, clutching Tommy, with hat on. Doesn't the joy just radiate from her? *Sigh*.

Then with hat off, to show her navy ribbon and side part. Goodness, that transported me back many years!

Joshie then stepped up, the old pro. He'd already led the way with his Kinder photo here and Prep photo here. He knew the drill.

But more importantly, he wanted to have his two emerging front teeth recorded for posterity. So here they are, right down the bottom!

And then Sammy took his turn, after waiting ever so patiently for the big ones to finish. He was proud as punch. Goodness, he wasn't even holding his favourite friend, Spot - he was firmly stowed away in his backpack.

Here's a close-up of my Little Man, wearing his 'S' for Sam top.

Photo shoot over and the school bell beckoning, Mr PB then had the very unusual task of assisting me in loading up the Chariot and doing The Drop-Off. The chattering was non-stop all the way there.

We dropped off Joshie first as he was the old hand. After a few details were ironed out like where his locker was and where he had to put his hat, he found his mates and sat down, cross-legged on the floor, ready to start a-learning. His eyes were bright as could be. After some swift hugs and kisses, we left him to start his year.

Kindy was the next stop. As I'd been to the Parents' Evening last night, I knew the drill. We found India's locker, stowed away her bag and Tommy and then found her girlfriends who'd followed her over from their daycare. She was instantly at ease with them which made my heart swell. We then fetched her name which had been laminated and she traced over it in texta, keeping perfectly between the lines, to my amazement. She proudly stuck it on the wall and then, after a quick chat with her teacher, ventured over with her girlfriends to start on of her favourite crafty things ever - painting!

We pulled on her pink smock and she was away, already writing her name on her painting before even being asked to by the teacher! Another heart-swelling moment for A Certain Mother ☺.

And then I realised I had to stop snapping photos, kiss and cuddle her and let her go to make her own way. There weren't any tears from either of us. She was ready for it. And I knew that. With a wave, she was then immersed in her painting and we left her to it.

That left Sam alone with Mr PB and me - an almost unheard of situation. And he relished it, holding both our hands and beaming away. It was a delight just to solely focus on him for once. Upon arrival at daycare, however, we soon found that his treasured carer, "Sawy" (Sally), no longer worked there. And he was moving to the next room. Mr PB and I had sharp intakes of breath. How would he cope?

We headed out to the slide and he was away, in his absolute element! We couldn't believe it - we actually had 3 happy little pixies. And all at the same time! Kisses and cuddles over, we fairly skipped out of the place. Slowly, just ever so slowly, I can now peek over the deep trenches of motherhood ☺. And my babies are doing just fine!

And here's My Big Girl at the end of her first day of school - luminous.

Adjusting to our new normal

noreply@blogger.com (Jane) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:10:33 PST

Ah Lovelies, it's been another full and turbulent week on Planet Baby as we adjust to our *new normal* since the bombshell dropped. After 7 long weeks of school and daycare holidays, the troops are a *bit restless* (understatement of the year!). They don't start until Wednesday 15 February, if you can believe it!

Miss India is *itching* to start Kindy. On Wednesday we bought her uniform and my heart swelled to see my baby girl all decked out in her tunic, hat, socks and black Mary Jane shoes. The realisation that she's ready to start this next phase of her life is dawning on me ever so slowly. Her enthusiasm is truly heartwarming. She can't wait to start learning. She's already taught herself how to write her name without any prompting. I'm flummoxed. Her drawings are now so lifelike whereas it seems only yesterday they were very abstract works of art.

Here's her birthday card for Nanna. I just adore the way they get their 'b' and 'd' confused at this age! And everything has to be signed off with dozens of kisses and hugs, of course.

Here's another labour of love - she combined about 4 different sets of felt to make this one (guess who will have to do all the sorting back to their homes?!). She's also been parading about in her new school shoes for a fortnight, just to make sure they're 'worn in' for the big day.

Joshie, meanwhile, has lost that second tooth (and yes, the Tooth Fairy deposited another $2 coin in his little pillbox!) and can't wait to get back to school to see his friends and start learning again. I watch in utter astonishment as he takes himself off to read Dr Seuss books aloud. Just to himself. Because he can. And he does it so well! Yet another heart-swelling moment for A Certain Mother who discovered a love of reading at the same age. I only hope we can foster his love of reading so it brings him as much pleasure as it does me.

And he's growing up in front of my eyes, following my absolute passion for cricket. Here he is with Mr PB having a 'boys' time' at the cricket, watching the Hobart Hurricanes in action!

And Sammy, keen not to be left out, has started proclaiming how excited he is about returning to daycare to see his carer, 'Sawy', or Sally as her mother knows her! His language skills are developing apace as he wants to join in with the others. I chuckle every time I hear him talk ever so seriously about the Star Wars characters, just as his big brother does. And he's the first to appear from their bedroom, brandishing a light sabre aloft and ready for battle, notwithstanding our family rule about only aiming towards each other's feet!

He feels part of the *team* as you can see here, hands in pockets, just like the others!

He's also been very taken by dressing up as Spiderman lately, wearing his mask, cape and gloves which make spider-web-releasing sounds as well as "Kapow!" when he clenches them. He really has no idea as to what it's all about - not like Mr PB and I did when growing up in the 1970s! But he watches Joshie and that's enough to satisfy him.

So that's the pixies covered. Life has taken on a whole new rhythm for Mr PB - no early morning dashes out the door to work. He still rises early with the pixies but his days seem to start a lot slower than they normally would on weekends. It's so hard to keep yourself going when there aren't many jobs on the market at the moment. The pixies have relished having him at home and he cherishes this extra time with us.

However, we have to ensure he gets some time out for himself as well - early morning runs are helping lift his spirits. Endorphins are wonderful things, aren't they?

When all his paperwork is complete and all the day's phone calls made, lately he's been turning to tasks around the home which have been on the 'to do' list since we moved. At least he can feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of them. That's just so vital in keeping his spirits up. It's also fun working on projects together, making our own stamp on PB HQ.

As for me, it has made an enormous difference having him around to share the load in looking after the pixies and freed me up to do some chores which would have otherwise required a lot of babysitting arrangements to be made. It's also wonderful to have him witness all of life's little moments you can have with littlies - the things he misses when he's at work. We help each other with job applications and try to bolster each other's spirits.

It's hard going but we just have to trust that things will work out in the end. It's just the waiting part which is a little tedious - but only if we let it. We are trying hard to see this as a time when we can draw together as a little family unit and take comfort from each other whilst also looking out to see what opportunities may be around the corner. Wish us luck something presents itself soon!

The Tooth Fairy visits Planet Baby for the first time

noreply@blogger.com (Jane) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:36:34 PST

Ah my friends, as crazy and stressful as our life is at the moment, there are moments when everything is just simple. Plain simple. No bells and whistles. No money required. Zip, nada, nothing. They're moments we just want to tuck away in our memory banks to be stored for eternity.

We had one of those moments of blessed simplicity last night. I was cleaning Joshie's teeth, as requested (Chief-Teeth-Cleaner should be added to my CV), when suddenly he started laughing. Yep, you guessed it - my vigorous brushing had finally freed that wobbly front tooth which he'd been worrying about for weeks!

His joy was infectious. Watching his unrestrained joy was a delight.

Everyone was instantly summonsed to the bathroom to observe and congratulate. India and Sam were so supportive of Joshie, being the first pixie to lead the way in this area!

The tiny tooth was examined minutely by all and the Photographer (er, that would be me) summonsed to record the momentous event.

So I present the gap-toothed pixie himself! Bless his little cotton socks ☺.

Here's the tooth ensconced in a treasured little pewter boat pill box we gave him for his christening. Just the right size for something so grand!

Here's a close-up, at his request.

And the closed box, with Ratty and Mole from 'Wind in the Willows' atop.

Then followed much discussion as to how the Tooth Fairy would enter the house. All agreed the boys' chimney would work.

Joshie then placed his box very carefully just next to his pillow so the Tooth Fairy wouldn't miss it.

And then, for the first time ever, all three pixies went out like lights. They all wanted the night to pass quickly.

When morning dawned, our first-born was so delighted to discover a shiny $2 coin in his box (talk about inflation - when Mr PB and I were young, the Tooth Fairy gave us 20c a tooth)! Oh, the joy - all pixies did a lap of honour around the house!

So happiness reigned here for half an hour at least. Before the usual shenanigans started. As they are wont to do...

Now Joshie's waiting impatiently for the one next to it to fall out - my vigorous brushing tonight failed to dislodge it, much to his dismay. I think tomorrow may be the day!

Join me in writing a month's worth of letters!

noreply@blogger.com (Jane) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:40:16 PST

Today was a long but productive day on Planet Baby. Drew, Planet Baby's carpenter extraordinaire, helped Mr PB build some shelves for the playroom cupboard. We are so delighted with the result - far more organisation for all the board games, play dough, felt sets, plasticine, colouring-in books, pencils, textas, paper, craft supplies and assorted paraphernalia we have. Bring on the drawers now - then we'll be ultra organised ☺.

A Month of Letters

Today's post is short and sweet about something I suspect some of you might be interested in. After being alerted to it by gorgeous Claire at Heartmade UK, on Wednesday, I hopped aboard the 'A Month of Letters 2012' challenge at Mary's blog. Click on the button in my sidebar to be taken to the blog.

The idea is that for every day of February, you mail at least one item through the post every day. It could be a postcard, a letter, a photo, a newspaper cutting or even just a fabric swatch.

The whole idea is to bring back the joy created by sending people something tangible to remind them of you, not just an ephemeral email which can be deleted. It's not too late to join and it's free. I know Claire is doing it, too - are any of you interested?

Click here to sign up.

Mary has kindly whipped up a calendar for you to record to whom you've sent your mail for the month. Here's mine - I hope I'm not spoiling surprises here!

She's also added a sheet of participant stickers which look like stamps. Cute, don't you think? You can either cut them out and glue them onto your envelopes or print them out on adhesive paper to create your special stamps. Don't you think it sounds like fun?

My passion for writing letters

I am such a Luddite - I posted about it here. I adore writing letters and cards and much prefer them to fleeting emails, tweets or Facebook messages.

Letters can be read, re-read and re-read again. They can be cherished, carried around to allow you to feel close to the sender and even passed down through the generations. They may be tear-stained, coffee-stained or SWALK ('sealed with a loving kiss').

Not only are they fascinating recordings of the minutiae of daily life, I think the author's handwriting allows you to peek into their soul and understand more of their essence.

Handwriting delights me

Handwriting *enchants* me. I love it in all its varied forms, although the prettier the better, I must admit!

Source

Back in Grade 4 in 1980, we were taught 'cord cursive'. This had recently replaced the exquisite 'copperplate as the school standard form. I thought that a travesty as copperplate was just so much more elegant. But I had to comply with the school rules and learn the new style. It grew on me. My handwriting now is essentially the same as the style I learnt in 1980.

But when I was introduced to fountain pens when attending school in West Germany as a Rotary Exchange Student in 1989, my handwriting altered slightly. The sublime ink flowed so magically over the page, allowing my writing to develop more flourishes.

So, in the spirit of sharing and spreading my love of letter writing, I've handwritten you all a short letter today. I used my beloved silver Lamy Safari fountain pen and crisp white Croxley 'Basildon Bond' watermarked paper.

I'd be interested in your comments. Is it how you'd imagined my writing would look like? Or not at all?

I used to chide myself, thinking it looked too infantile and neat. Now I've finally accepted that it truly represents who I am.

Do any of you share my passion for handwritten letters? When I posted about the love letters Mr PB exchanged with me whilst he was abroad for a year in the mid-1990s, a number of you lamented that you had nothing similar to look at as so much of your communication occurred via email, texts and tweets.

I guess that's partly behind why a lot of us blog - to record moments in our life, our moods, events and discoveries we've made that would otherwise go unrecorded.

However, I am mindful that I really want to ensure my blog doesn't disappear into the ether by accident. Wouldn't that be just horrid? I think I'll investigate the whole blog-to-book idea. What a treat it would be to hold in my hand and leaf through! I've heard good things about Blurb - have any of you tried it? Or do you have any other recommendations? Do share - imagine the thrill of opening that parcel!

Painting for pleasure: my distraction therapy

noreply@blogger.com (Jane) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:32:40 PST

Ooh, where did January go? I guess it's been a flurry of activity here on Planet Baby since the bombshell dropped. People to see, meetings to attend, paperwork to receive, request and even ransack the house for (hmm, The Great Unpack is *still* underway), companies to notify, interviews to attend, file-notes to keep - yes, I can see where January went.

In the midst of this chaos and uncertainty, I am so grateful to have had the distraction of organising *my room of my own*. I have relished playing *stylist* (not a word I would ever have associated with me in my wildest dreams before I started this bloggy caper ☺). But hey, if you can't *style* your own room, then you're missing out on a lot of fun, don't you think? My 3 moodboards are nearly complete and are waiting to be hung. Here's a sneak peek just to hint at the joy they're already bringing me.

The whole process has brought me some much-needed clarity. I've realised that to be truly happy, I need to do something creative. Every day.

For some of you, that might be as obvious as needing to breathe to live.

But not for me. For the longest time, I just haven't had the quietness, that solitude my heart yearns for, to realise it. But now I have.

I've started reading Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way', a book I've coveted for years. Are any of you familiar with it? I'm only a chapter in but already I feel like she's talking to my soul. Truly. She is so incredibly insightful and inspirational. I can't wait to read more.

Reading it prompted me to get out my watercolours for the first time in about a year. I can't believe they've lain dormant in my desk for so long. But I guess last year was such a hard year as Dad's health declined that I didn't really have the heart to paint much.

But taking them out was like finding dear old friends. I loved opening up my wooden box to see them all displayed there.

I revelled in reading their names - the colours 'cerulean' and 'Prussian' always excite me!

And then I set to, fixing my paper to my desk with masking tape, choosing my brushes, fetching my water and preparing my palette.

I washed the paper with water and a hint of blue paint, letting it almost dry.

I then started with swirls of blue, white and green (quelle surprise!), letting them mingle with one another and create their little eddies of colour, pooling in spots as the paper started to crinkle under the paint's weight.

Here's more blue.

And some green.

And then I sat back and smiled. I felt alive. I had created something.

I left them to dry. Then I can pull back the masking tape to reveal beautifully straight, crisp white borders!

I don't have any formal training - only what I learnt when in the Mother Baby Unit back in 2009 under the guidance of wise Suzanne, the art therapist who helped me rediscover my creative side. I can never thank her enough for giving me that gift.

I started an online watercolour course with Alisa Burke shortly before Dad died. I haven't had time to look at the lessons - they'll wait for another day.

But for the moment, I'm content with just dabbling. It fills my heart, seeping into the gaping hole left behind by recent sad times.

It's but one of many creative outlets which appeal to me. Here are some of them:

I have almost finished Sam's cross-stitch birth sampler - all I have left to do is the writing which I haven't touched since I started blogging! I'll show you some of my handiwork one day.

I have so many plans for papercraft - making garlands of all types. My Pinterest 'Garlanding' board is bursting with ideas I want to try out!

I want to make a quilt for Sam. Friends and family made quilts when Joshua and India were born but Sam missed out. I can't wait to pour my love into making that for him.

I want to learn to crochet like so many of you crafty girls. My grandmother made me a granny quilt about 40 years ago with black edging. I want to make one with white instead like this one - the lighter look really appeals to me. Have any of you made one?

I want to make a butterfly mobile for Miss India using this fabulous tutorial - Spotlight here I come!

I want to make more of my Liberty-covered words.

I've bought some fabric doilies to try pressing onto clay à la gorgeous Tina's method - her creations always come up such a treat!

I want to make oodles of projects using silhouettes - Vana Chupp's book has been waiting patiently for me to open it for the past year.

And I have a gazillion ideas for map-related craft!