Introducing the Potty

Calleigh is 18 months old today so Daddy and I have decided it's time to introduce the first step of potty training. 

Our first step is introducing the potty to Calleigh and having it in the bathroom next to our toilet. This way she can become accustomed to it and it won't be something new and exciting she wants to play with when the time comes to start step 2. 

She has also been coming to the toilet with me when I need to go and I tell her what I am doing (no more detail needs to go here as I am sure everyone who reads this will be fully aware what goes down in the bathroom). And when I am changing her nappy I use the same words to create the connection between diaper changes and the potty. 

The potty we chose was a Disney Princess Magical Sounds Potty System by Tomy. It's a 3 in 1 system which means it can be used as a potty, a trainer seat for an adult toilet and a step stool. It also has a handle which plays fun sounds when pushed. 

It's a slow process, last week whilst accompanying me to the bathroom she just ran off with the toilet roll and she still likes to use the rubber seat as a Frisbee at the moment but I'm sure with a bit of perseverance we will be moving on to step 2 shortly (the step I am most definitely not looking forward to).

Cat's Enough

As I think you all know Calleigh has got a bit of an obsession with cats. Here is her ever growing collection of cats. The large grey one is her favourite, he goes to bed with her every night. 

I am aware that the bear at the back is in fact a bear but he has a sound chip inside that meows like a cat so he gets included in her collection. 

A Walk Around the Neighbourhood

There are so many lovely places to go out here and some of them are literally on your doorstep. We live in a lovely little place called Cherry Hills (sounds so quaint doesn't it), It's a lovely community hosting two pools, tennis courts and a kids playground as well as some lovely small lakes. 

We took a walk around one sunny afternoon to take Calleigh to the park and then we walked to one of these beautiful lakes to have a sit down for 5 minutes. 

Calleigh loved watching the baby geese and was grinning like a loon the whole time. 

Outfit of the Month: May

Bambi Dress by Disney Couture

Perfect for a day of shopping! (I don't know what the tongue is all about)

She's What? Growing up?

I have some very fond memories of when Calleigh was a newborn. 

In fact, Calleigh being poorly this past week has brought a lot of them memories back to me. 

The other day she actually fell asleep in my arms. She hasn't done that since she was a mere 1 or 2 months old, when holding her head up for more than 10 seconds was the greatest achievement. These days it's how fast she can unravel the toilet roll or how many items she can take out of the cupboards (with child locks on!!) before I notice. 

Don't get me wrong it's amazing (if a little frustrating) to watch her antics and see her learning new stuff everyday. It fascinates me how she can have grown so much in just 17 months. 

But sometimes I wish we could just turn the clock back, just for an hour or so, to when she was a little baby. When she needed me for everything, when I held her in my arms for hours at a time just cuddling her (these days I'm looking if I can get her to sit still for 5 seconds). When she couldn't open doors and drawers and run around like a mad woman wearing my underwear and screaming nonsense. 

Oh wouldn't that be wonderful. 

But alas, here we are. She was sat quietly watching TV this morning so I went to get dressed, I was gone just 5 minutes and when I came back she was still sat watching TV, but every item from the kitchen cupboards was out and bits of tissue paper all over the floor, sigh.  

She is only getting older and cheekier by each passing day. 

Racing towards the infamous terrible twos. 

Cherry and Almond Scones

What you will need: 

• 3 1/4 cups self-rising flour, sifted (about 450 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 stick of butter, softened 
• 1/3 cup of superfine sugar (75 grams)
• Baking cherries, chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• A few drops of almond essence
• 3/4 cup of milk 

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees faherenheit and grease a large baking sheet. 
2. Mix together the flour and the baking powder in a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingers. 
3. Add the sugar, cherries, egg, almond essence and milk to make a soft but not sticky dough. Knead together lightly until smooth. 
4. On a floured board, roll out your dough to about 1/2 an inch thick and cut out circles using a 2 inch cutter.
5. Place each scone on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until well risen, firm and golden. Removed from the oven and leave to cool. 
6. Serve with cream and jam, viola. 

Calleigh likes them for breakfast with a little butter, yum. 

An Update on Daycare

Paul and I decided that it would be a good idea for us to introduce Calleigh into Daycare now that we are here. It gives her the chance to interact with other children and try some new activities and also gives me a day in the house alone so I can clean/tidy/blog or whatever I feel like doing. We decided on just one day a week for now as I think I would miss her too much if we did anymore.

After walking around a few of the local establishments we decided on the one that was closest to our home so she is never too far away, just in case. We signed her up for a free trial day to see how she does.

She cried as I left and I cried a little in the car too, this was the first time I had left her with someone other than family. But they assured me she would be fine and I went on my way. 

I returned a couple of hours later and she was so happy to see me and came running over. I was told she didn't eat much but had a good day and interacted well. Although she did get upset every time someone walked past the door and it wasn't me. 

She has now been there for 3 weeks now and although she is still crying when I leave she has been getting on much better. She has started eating more there and is overall much happier throughout the day. 

Every time I go to pick her up I get a sheet telling me everything she has done on that day. When she had her nappy changed, when she napped, when and what she ate and also a short paragraph on what activities she did. 

Last weeks report made me laugh but also made me feel like Calleigh is a little bit of a grumpy old man. 

"Today I.. Sat in the shade on my rocking chair and watched the kids play when we went outside"

Oh dear...

I can't wait to see what my crazy old man gets up to this week. 

What a Week!

If you're wondering why you've not heard much from us this past week it's because both Calleigh and I have been struck down with an awful cold. 

It got Calleigh Thursday of last week, It started off as just a chesty cough but she woke up almost every hour that night crying and when morning came and we went to get her up she had red eyes, a red runny nose and was full of it. She looked so poorly bless her. At her worst she spent pretty much the whole day crying unable to calm herself. The only time she stopped was when I manged to settle her down for a nap. 

It really was a challenge for us. 

It made us realise how much we miss having family around us to help out.

I have spent the most part of the last week cleaning up snot from around the house, I cannot explain how much there was. The pillows, the carpet, the floor, the bed, her toys, the TV, there was not a place untouched that I didn't have to scrub clean. 

And as fate would have it I woke up on Friday morning feeling the worst I have felt in a long time. I literally struggled to get myself out of bed at all that day. 

The first thing I did was hobble over to Paul, dizzy and weak, and with tears in my eyes proclaimed how poorly I was and that I needed him to take the day off work to help with Calleigh. 

His response- he said "aww" and then rolled over and went back to sleep. My dear husband is many things, sympathetic not being one of them. Although I don't blame him, when he is ill I tell him to man up and get on with it. 

I sent him out to get me some supplies for the day: strong flu tablets, chicken soup and juice with added vitamin C and spent the day in bed. 

Luckily it seemed to do the trick and I am feeling much better today, just a sore throat to battle with, but nothing that will keep me bed bound. 

I have so much to catch up on now so look forward to Lot's of new posts including how Calleigh is doing at daycare and a recipe for my yummy homemade scones (which Calleigh absolutely loves).

New Nursery?

One of the most exciting and best things that I did before Calleigh was born was definitely decorating the nursery. 

Once we found out we were due to have a girl my eyes were instantly drawn to anything and everything pink and girly. 

I searched online retailers as well as in stores to find the right furniture, bedding and accessories to create a room good enough for my little princess. 

If you are expecting and looking for some great inspiration or looking to buy some beautiful items for your little ones look no further than Lollipop Lane.

They have an extensive range of colourful and beautiful nursery furniture and bedding collections to create your dream nursery. And it's not limited to nursery items either you can pick up whatever you need for your newborn from strollers to a little something for you in their Beauty for Mums section. 

You can find everything you need all in one place so look no further and check out their site, you may just find something you love. 

Bubbles!!

We just love playing with bubbles! 

Happiness is.. Being Part of a Family

Happiness is knowing that we have each other to rely on, that we will always be there for each other and Calleigh. Whenever she needs us. 

*This post was written as an entry to a Limetree contest about Family Happiness.*

Out with Nature

There are lots and lots of places out here you can enjoy the outdoors. From National and State parks to smaller Conservation Areas, all filled with nature hikes and interesting trails, places for picnics and BBQ's and wild animals and birds. 

We took a walk down one of the trails one day last week and Calleigh picked up a big stick and used it to walk with, occasionally stopping to move around the dirt and flick out big stones. It was a bit on the cold side that day though so we didn't get chance to walk far. Although we do plan to do lots more walks when the nice weather finally gets here. 

On a different, warmer day last week we were invited to a BBQ with Paul's work. Calleigh had a great time exploring more of the outdoors and proceeded in finding interesting leaves and rocks and passing them around to Paul's co-workers.

It wasn't until the next day when Paul came home from work and informed me that someone at work asked if we had checked Calleigh for Ticks when we got home as she had found one on herself that we freaked out a little bit.
We have now stocked up on bug spray, tweezers and a first aid kit, just in case!