She's one stubborn customer...

Anna is one stubborn puppy. To say this young lady has a strong will is an understatement! She will not except help when trying to work out something new. She is such a determined problem solver and nothing stops her when she puts her mind to it. She enters the zone and quietly gets on with solving the problem in front of her. This morning she tackled the straps on her buggy - head down and focused, finished and said 'all gone'! Pleased with herself, she walked around the yard with a triumphant swagger that can only be known as a Wiggle! Now I have never seen that before....

A growth spurt and a half!

Some days it seems that all I have to do is turn around and Lucy has grow a few more inches and is talking in a more grown up voice. Today has been no exception. She has chatted away today in a manner that seems completely different from yesterday. The only thing that has been the same is the frequency and the volume! I can't even put my finger on it or remember what she has said, she has just behaved in a manner beyond her years. She has been very helpful in the garden today and was cracking company this morning as we walked around the car boot sale. All I know is that I have loved every minute of my time with the calm, polite and helpful Lucy today - please let her come and stay with us again!

Sisters are doing it for themselves....

Lucy and Anna are getting on great guns, apart from tiredness induced fights. They are a mischievous pair that really do seem to enjoy each others company with a healthy undertone of competition. I do love it when we all have a bit of rough and tumble followed by much giggling. The competition can rise over the edge at times about strange things such as using a bottle for a drink. Anna wants to be a big girl and use what Lucy uses even though she is very reluctant to give up her baby bottles and Lucy got very upset at nursery the other day stating that she was not old enough for a beaker yet! Lucy then does not want to use a beaker ever again as she wants to use a big girls cup! On it will go until they decide who can drink the biggest glass of chardonnay in many years to come! Will I ever be able to fathom the female of the species?!? I have plenty of opportunity to try and work them out...

A mixed bag of goings on.....

The girls (now thankfully talking to me) have had a mixed couple of days going from quite listless, knackered and poorly at times to have a wail of a time. Sometimes I think the five day week at nursery can really get on top of them. Lucy - had a very lethargic mother's day yesterday. A few cuddles from Granny did help greatly though. Both did manage to perk up though when it came to running into the kitchen, stealing cake mix spoons and eating them on the quiet in the living room. Not quiet enough, as I managed to catch them out on camera. There was much giggling once they realised they were rumbled. Not much of a mothers day for mummy though as we spent the day and night last night caring for two little ones with temperatures and not getting much sleep. I think she loved the cards, pictures and present though that the girls had worked hard on. Lucy in particular did seem to really grasp the concept of spoiling mummy, she did not however have the energy to carry it out. Maybe next year...All this tiredness has just provided me with the most amazing parental experience of carrying both sleeping children upstairs in my arms. You could not buy that kind of feeling if you paid a million pounds. The day to day experiences of watching the girls grow up simply get better and better. Watching them draw pictures together for over twenty minutes and the sponge throwing and giggling in the bath this evening was a joy to watch.

P.S Mental note - don't let Anna be in charge of the television remote control. This morning she managed to turn it over to the Playboy channel - much to Lucy's disgust!

I have offended their delicate sensibilities!

The girls are mad at me - all three of them. My new job - will from time to time mean that I have to be away from home for a few nights once in a while. This week I was away for two nights and I missed my family terribly. This is something I am just going to have to get used to. They on the other hand are not so willing. Amy is mad at me, as I quote she did not like life as a single parent. At least I know that I contribute and am appreciated. All I can say is - think of the money my lovely! Lucy was mad at me whilst I was away and would not talk to me on the phone. I have been home for 24hrs and Anna will still not give me a hug. Child number two looks like she may bear grudges as she grows up! Anna has had a rotten week, complete with coughing and sleepless nights with her teeth. Thankfully these sleepless nights happened while I was in Oxford. To all three of you, I know you are mad at me, but I do love you and I did miss you very much.....

She's a talkative and assertive little soul...

Anna is finding her voice. Day by day she is increasing her repertoire of words and at times getting louder and definitely more assertive. Her 'NO' may yet become famous in this parts! She is mastering words from bubble to yellow and her personality is shining through. She can convey her needs and her dislike, oh boy can she convey her dislike. She can tell me she needs a cuddle and when she has had a poo - two essential parts of life. Best of all she can now tell her sister off, so it will be really interesting to watch how the sibling dynamic develops. Lucy has been top dog for so long now, but there is a new order in town. Let the battle begin.