Toby-woo is almost 1!

Dear Matthew and Toby


I can't believe my littlest boy is almost 1! This last year has absolutely flown by. It feels like you've always been here Toby, even though I know it's only been 365 days. What an absolute blessing you have been.


Reflecting on the last year has made me realise how far we've all come as a family. When you were born Matt, your dad and I were new to this parenting business and quite honestly, were shocked at how much was involved in raising a baby and we both struggled with the identity shift, despite loving you so very much. The second time around, we were used to what a baby needs and had better expectations of what was to come, so I think we managed a lot better this past year, despite having two children to look after.


We can really start to see your personality shining through Toby, and the word that continues to pop up is DETERMINED. Always always are you trying to keep up with your big brother, meeting your next milestone at an incredibly quick rate, communicating in whatever way you can (pointing, screaming, lunging your whole body) to get what you want. You also laugh at the oddest things, like when you're just staring out the window of the car when we're driving, and you head butt the animals, which I think is your way of hugging them. You love being outside and walking around with a chopstick in your hand. You say heaps of words: mum, dada, Matt, Soda, woof, bird, ball, boobie, up, bath, Pepper. You watch everything that's happening, taking it all in, continuously learning. We schlep you around everywhere and despite not loving the car 100% still, you love the opportunity to do something new, even if it's just a walk down the park or the school run. You fall asleep with me every night around 7pm and we cuddle all night long. I am not wishing these days away - they are rather beautiful with you.  


Matt, you have been the most wonderful big brother and we are just so proud of you. I admit I was slightly worried given you were an only child for almost 4 years before Toby came along, but you have shown again and again how thoughtful you are, sharing (mostly) quite willingly and always running to get a nappy/wipes/anything I need when changing Toby. It has made my heart sing how much you love your little brother.


So on the eve of my baby becoming an official toddler (despite toddling for many months already), I am sad to say goodbye to the first year but I look back and smile at the year filled with joy. I am so grateful for that year in which we didn't just survive, we thrived.


Love you boys,


Mum xxx

Studying with kids

Dear Matthew and Toby

 

One of the challenges of the last month has been trying to fit in my study while ensuring you both don't miss out on mummy time. This has proven even trickier now that I'm back at work, as the days are long and more mentally exhausting. The only time when I'm able to study currently is when you are both sound asleep in bed, and only until my eyelids become heavy or the clock strikes midnight, whichever comes first. However I love it, I have no regrets about doing my Masters, it enriches me in a way I struggle to describe.

 

I want you both to know that the greatest gift you have been given (apart from your health) is the gift of time. You can choose to spend it however you wish. This is how I have chosen to spend mine - pushing myself, doing things that challenge me, that take me out of my comfort zone. I am growing, each night while I study in the dark, with a baby beside me and a pre-schooler in the next room, I am growing.

 

I keep reminding myself that even though by the end of this semester I will be almost half way through the degree, I will likely still have 3-4 years to go. This means that by the time I walk across that graduation stage, you will both be 3-4 years older, and with any luck you will have that image etched in your memory of your mum reaping the rewards of many years of hard work. Every day I say to you both 'keep practising x, your brain will grow with each practise and it will teach your body how to do it'. Matt, you already know this truth, because you'll reply 'I keep practising and I did it!' I hope to be the living testament that this holds true in life, no matter your age. You can ALWAYS learn more, your intelligence is not fixed and the more you know about the world, the better your compassion, understanding and empathy is for those who are not exactly like you. I urge you to always be learning. Even if it means you're in the dark, holding both a baby and a highlighter, pondering a theory while also mentally writing a grocery list.

 

Love you boys,

 

Mum xxx

 

 

 

 

Book week

Dear Matthew and Toby

This week has been book week at school and Matt you were so excited to dress up as Where’s Wally. You absolutely love the Where’s Wally series, and have 4 books that you constantly choose as part of your bedtime stories. You often are most interested in finding ‘funny stuff’ (funny things happening in the illustrations) than Wally – and as I’m putting Toby to sleep in the other room I often hear you pissing yourself laughing as your dad points out the ‘funny stuff’.
So luckily K-Mart had a costume that was perfect for you and off you went to school all dressed up. As your dad is on parental leave he got to watch you do parade around the school with your classmates. As you can see from the photos you were loving it, absolutely beaming being Wally!

I’m so pleased you enjoy reading,  and reading to you in bed is such a wonderful way to spend the last parts of the day. Toby you also love to read, and are absolutely captivated with an ABC animals book and a lift the flap animals book. I hope you both continue enjoy reading, it will open so many doors and expand your mind in a way no other medium could. It is such a blessing to have books and the ability to read, I hope you continue to love what they have to offer.

Love you both,

Mum xxx

Grandad's retirement party

Dear Matthew and Toby

A couple of weekends ago we celebrated your grandad's retirement from the police-force. He has been working with the force for over 43 years which is an amazing achievement.

To celebrate we all went over to Grandad and Maree's house for lunch, along with your aunty Chantel, Andrew and all your cousins. Your aunty Robyn had made him an amazing cake (see the photo below). It was a great celebration, despite Toby's face in the top photo :)

Hopefully this means we can catch up more with Grandad and Maree and it means that 5 out of 6 of your grandparents are now retired. You are both so lucky to have so many grandparents who love you and have the capacity to spend quality time with you. I so missed this when I was growing up and it makes my heart sing to think that you both will get to have special memories of them being part of your every day life.

Love you both,

Mum xxx