What a gentleman!

Farm boy

A boy and his Daddy cuddle up...

Motherhood

I like this quote I found on a parenting forum today. It just about sums up parenting for me, with all its contradictions...

Motherhood brings as much joy as ever, but it still brings boredom, exhaustion and sorrow too. Nothing will ever make you as happy, or as sad, or as proud, or as tired, for nothing is quite as hard as helping a person develop their own individuality - especially while you struggle to keep your own.

Reflections on a year in Thornbury

For Babyari newcomers who might be confused, we have lived in Thornbury for a year despite the fact this blog is called Little Prince of Collingwood.
I won't change it, because as far as I'm concerned, Ari will always be the LP of Collingwood, no matter where he lives.
Now, how to sum up a year in our (not so) new digs? The short answer is that it's been great, but really bloody hard.
On the great side, our house is modern and comfy, with all the mod cons. We have lovely neighbours, a nice backyard, great food markets nearby, excellent playgrounds and my sister living nearby.
On the down side, I STILL miss our old house and our old suburb. It's hard to believe you can still have a painful pang in your heart when you pass your old street, but it still happens to me. I'm a city gal and I loved living so close to so many wonderful things. I felt part of the world, even though motherhood had put me slightly out of it.
I ran into a woman at a party recently who used to live a street away from me in Collingwood for years - she said it took her three or four years to get over her move to leafy Hawthorn. Only people who have lived in the village-like enclave in Collingwood will understand how great it is.
But...as Metallica says...time marches on. And so must we. Who knows where we will be in a year's time?

A big boy

It just dawned on me recently that Ari:
1. Doesn't need me to climb up the steps to (most) slides anymore,.
2. Is going to be needing a big boy's bed soon and will be out of his cot.
3. May drop his daytime nap any time from now.
4. Is going to be 2 years old in 3 months time.
5. Will never again wear a piece of clothing that snaps together under his bum.
6. Will need the final bit of padding taken out of his car seat.
7. Understands most of what I'm saying to him, even if he can't talk back.

Things To Do With Baby

While hunting around on the web today for stuff to do with kids in Melbourne, I stumbled up on this picture.
I think it's hilarious.
Having just returned from a frenetic trip to the Zoo today with an excitable 20-month-old, I think this image of an outing with a baby couldn't be further from reality.
Yes, it's wonderful to think you can kick back on your picnic rug and sip fine wines while your baby happily nibbles on gourmet munchies.
It's far more likely you'd be chasing your toddler around a paddock, or rescuing them from eating some sort of poisonous leaf. Ah, yes. Reality...

We're a happy family...

Ari after haircut

Things I'm loving right now...

1. Jack Black in an Elvis costume hosting the MTV Awards.
2. Love My Way on every night on Foxtel.
3. The fact that it's 8.35pm and I'm wearing a t-shirt. Bring on Spring.
4. That my friend Tom is getting married next year - Scottish wedding...hurrah!
5. That my friend Mariza is getting married tomorrow - Melbourne wedding...hurrah!

Hurry up and talk already

A friend and her son have been hanging out with Ari and I lately and I'm incredibly jealous of the little conversations they can have.
Ari can only say a few words - like Mama, Dadda, Nanna - which means that for nigh on 2 years now, I've spent most of my days talking to someone who doesn't talk back.
I can't BEGIN to tell you how frustrating that can be.
I know some of you will be reading this saying "enjoy it while you can because once they start talking, they never shut up", or something to that effect.
Well, I can hardly wait for the day when I'll say something to my son and he'll answer back.
As my dad said only today..."he crawled when he was ready, he walked when he was ready, he'll talk when he's ready". He's right, of course.