Well it is my intention to write a fuller piece on this, but in the meantime.
I just wanted to explain my absence!
Best wishes to any other sufferers out there!
Breadwinner and Breadmaker
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
What is the perfect age gap between siblings?
This is something I’ve thought about quite a lot. There are 2.5 years between my sister and I, and the way our birthdays fell meant we were three school years apart. I know many people who have siblings 15 - 17 months older than them and they felt it was mostly great to have a friend and a sibling in one, as well as those who felt a four year age gap or more was too much and felt they did not know their sister or brother as well.
Why is this on my mind? Well, I am very happy and proud to say I will be expecting my second baby in the autumn – and we will be celebrating my firstborn's first birthday at the end of next month. I get a lot of “you will have your hands full”, “you are brave” or “oops” type comments, which I find funny and posed my thoughts for this blog!
I only have a few birthdays before the ‘big 4-0’ and so did not want to waste any more time on the kids front. In fact, I prayed for twins with my first pregnancy and so prayed not for twins with this one! My husband and I want a total of two kids, close together in age. The fact that they will only be one school year apart – due to the Canadian school year following the calendar year – is ideal for a self employed work from home mom (and dad!).
It also means baby number two will get a whole year one on one with mum whilst baby one will be a big grown up boy heading out to kindergarten. I do feel I want to ensure one on one time with each child on a regular basis as they grow, as well as important family time and I think this is ideal.
Whilst a lot of my friends have put their changing babies bums days behind them, there are still those who have one child in the one – three years age range who are like “whooaaa! What you doing?” Then there are friends with four years olds seem to still not be able to see when the ‘right time’ for a second child would be. I’m not sure I see the problem with my little ones approx 16 months age gap, no matter what age baby one is when I have to take care of baby two – life will be busy!?
So what are the pros and cons of having two babies close in age? Here's what I think...
Pros
* Getting the messy stuff and sleepless nights all done ‘quickly’.
* Getting the childcare (very important to us) and pre-school issues behind you as quickly as possible.
* They may have more shared interests and shared activities and make entertaining them both during the school holidays easier.
* The two siblings may play well together.
* Baby one being young when baby two arrives will be like life without the other never happened and hopefully make the adjustment easier. (I have my fingers crossed on this one!)
Cons
* Life will be busy... to say the least!
* You will be elbow deep in muck, food up the walls and much more, with little or no break for a few years.
* Potentially there could be more squabbling over shared toys etc, as they will have closer interests.
As long as YOU are comfortable with the gap... that is what I see as important. Just like life pre any baby, my advice always is FILL THE FREEZER with easy meals before the new arrival, it will make things a lot easier!
For anyone out there pondering this baby number two question, my advice is to go with whatever works for you, factor in your existing family’s needs & feelings, the go for it because people will make interesting comments no matter what!
Also published at home.
Why is this on my mind? Well, I am very happy and proud to say I will be expecting my second baby in the autumn – and we will be celebrating my firstborn's first birthday at the end of next month. I get a lot of “you will have your hands full”, “you are brave” or “oops” type comments, which I find funny and posed my thoughts for this blog!
I only have a few birthdays before the ‘big 4-0’ and so did not want to waste any more time on the kids front. In fact, I prayed for twins with my first pregnancy and so prayed not for twins with this one! My husband and I want a total of two kids, close together in age. The fact that they will only be one school year apart – due to the Canadian school year following the calendar year – is ideal for a self employed work from home mom (and dad!).
It also means baby number two will get a whole year one on one with mum whilst baby one will be a big grown up boy heading out to kindergarten. I do feel I want to ensure one on one time with each child on a regular basis as they grow, as well as important family time and I think this is ideal.
Whilst a lot of my friends have put their changing babies bums days behind them, there are still those who have one child in the one – three years age range who are like “whooaaa! What you doing?” Then there are friends with four years olds seem to still not be able to see when the ‘right time’ for a second child would be. I’m not sure I see the problem with my little ones approx 16 months age gap, no matter what age baby one is when I have to take care of baby two – life will be busy!?
So what are the pros and cons of having two babies close in age? Here's what I think...
Pros
* Getting the messy stuff and sleepless nights all done ‘quickly’.
* Getting the childcare (very important to us) and pre-school issues behind you as quickly as possible.
* They may have more shared interests and shared activities and make entertaining them both during the school holidays easier.
* The two siblings may play well together.
* Baby one being young when baby two arrives will be like life without the other never happened and hopefully make the adjustment easier. (I have my fingers crossed on this one!)
Cons
* Life will be busy... to say the least!
* You will be elbow deep in muck, food up the walls and much more, with little or no break for a few years.
* Potentially there could be more squabbling over shared toys etc, as they will have closer interests.
As long as YOU are comfortable with the gap... that is what I see as important. Just like life pre any baby, my advice always is FILL THE FREEZER with easy meals before the new arrival, it will make things a lot easier!
For anyone out there pondering this baby number two question, my advice is to go with whatever works for you, factor in your existing family’s needs & feelings, the go for it because people will make interesting comments no matter what!
Also published at home.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Baby 2 scan
Got to see baby 2 today - which was great apart from the morning sickness and a litre of water before 7.30am - my recommendation: sparkling mineral water, well it helped me!
Was so great looking at the wee one, just as active and hiccupy and baby 1! Uh oh - gonna be some fun times ahead as the hiccuping one gets bigger, took me the longest time to know what the feeling was last time, at least now I know.
There is something magical about technology that allows us to meet and see the beginning of life to see the heart beating, all the little limbs present etc. Whilst is is a little too soon for the gender, we think we know, we hope we're right... just watch this space!
Baby 1 came along and thought the whole thing was great and by that I mean he had so much fun playing peekaboo with the big blue curtain! :)
Looking forward to taking baby 1 swimming this afternoon, we've missed a few weeks and I feel bad for him! Can't wait to see his face when he realises where he is when we get there!
2011 is looking like a bumper year for friends and babies! Hurrah!
Was so great looking at the wee one, just as active and hiccupy and baby 1! Uh oh - gonna be some fun times ahead as the hiccuping one gets bigger, took me the longest time to know what the feeling was last time, at least now I know.
There is something magical about technology that allows us to meet and see the beginning of life to see the heart beating, all the little limbs present etc. Whilst is is a little too soon for the gender, we think we know, we hope we're right... just watch this space!
Baby 1 came along and thought the whole thing was great and by that I mean he had so much fun playing peekaboo with the big blue curtain! :)
Looking forward to taking baby 1 swimming this afternoon, we've missed a few weeks and I feel bad for him! Can't wait to see his face when he realises where he is when we get there!
2011 is looking like a bumper year for friends and babies! Hurrah!
Monday, April 11, 2011
An addition...
I am delighted to announce that in October 3 will become 4! We are expecting our second child in the fall.
Which also gives me the opportunity to apologise for the recent infrequent posts and late posting's of Where's Sophie! This has been due to morning (noon & night) sickness.
I am however grateful to have not been as sick as I was when pregnant with my first, so here is hoping now I am in the second trimester that it will pass soon!
Also so very grateful to all the well wishers. Feeling very blessed.
Which also gives me the opportunity to apologise for the recent infrequent posts and late posting's of Where's Sophie! This has been due to morning (noon & night) sickness.
I am however grateful to have not been as sick as I was when pregnant with my first, so here is hoping now I am in the second trimester that it will pass soon!
Also so very grateful to all the well wishers. Feeling very blessed.
Where's Sophie 9? Find her & win a Sophie Saver!
Week 8 - Where is Sophie hiding? Can your little one spot her and be in with a chance of winning a handy Sophie Saver?
This week's Where's Sophie Competition has a fantastic Sophie Saver up for grabs.
Send in your answers to be in with a chance!
Thanks Going Loopy!
See main competition page and past week's competitions here.
This week's Where's Sophie Competition has a fantastic Sophie Saver up for grabs.
Send in your answers to be in with a chance!
Thanks Going Loopy!
See main competition page and past week's competitions here.
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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