Friday 15 May 2009

Transition

Tom has gone back to work so I am now going it alone with the two little ladies. There are several goals I have to reach each day for things to go relatively smoothly, namely not letting anyone starve.

If I have managed to get milk into Dolly whilst keeping Betty happy and entertained, and lunch into Betty without Dolly losing the plot, that is a real accomplishment and I feel a real sense of achievement.

I was particularly pleased with myself yesterday when I managed to make yellow play dough for Betty, whilst breastfeeding, singing nursery rhymes, and trying to locate Betty’s felt tip pen lids that she was adamant she must have in order to stop nagging me.

One of the biggest things I have noticed since Dolly was born is that Betty is a very big girl and is doing near-on adult poos and therefore seems way too old to be wearing nappies and lying on a changing mat with her legs in the air being held in a vice like grip etc. Therefore, much to Tom’s astonishment, I have decided that this is the time to embark on the whole potty training thing. This has so far involved me taking Betty’s nappy off for a couple of afternoons here and there and telling her that if she manages to do her business in the potty I will give her a big piece of chocolate. However, on both afternoons, much to Betty’s annoyance (and my frustration) she hasn’t needed to do either a wee or a poo during the whole nappy-free time.

The funniest thing that Betty has started doing since her new sister arrived is that when I am feeding Dolly she has started mimicking me by ‘breastfeeding’ her duck comforter (whilst making slurping noises) and then winding him.

Going from one to two is a bit of a shock to the system when you are the only adult in the house and both girls are refusing to have their nap, or insisting on crying at the same time. But it is truly amazing watching Betty mothering Dolly and running to her aid when she cries, gently stroking her head, rocking her chair and asking her if she would like some raisins to make her feel better.

11 comments:

Iota said...

Oh please keep the raisins out of Betty's reach... How sweet though!

Good luck on the potty training. You're a brave woman, Elsie.

Motheratlarge said...

Lovely posting - so echoes my experiences with my two little girls. Even down to Beanie practising breastfeeding!

solveig said...

I had exactly the same thing about Freyja and nappies after Theo was born - she suddenly seemed so massive when I was changing her!

And I also decided that it was a good time to start potty training...!

S x

Metropolitan Mum said...

At least Betty has managed not to wet her pants, so that's worth a small piece of chocolate? I know, I am as tough as the batch of dough you just made.
Sounds like there is a lot of love in the Button household. So sweet!

Anonymous said...

Potty training and a new baby? Very impressive!

Louise said...

I am so impressed! I honestly don't know how you are doing it but it sounds like you are doing an amazing job (I don't make Playdough and I only have Anna to think about!). Betty is sounding as cute as ever and such a wondeful big sister.

Tara@Sticky Fingers said...

Aww, sounds like you're doing a grand job.
I just fear for hubby's sanity once he has three women in the house to contend with. Sure, they're cute and slightly tiresome now but what about when they're teenagers?
Suck up these adorable years while you can!

Perfectly Happy Mum said...

Reading your blog brings me back to just under a year ago when my second was born. Like Tara says enjoy these years while you can. It can be very tiring at times having 2 young ones on your own all day, but keeping busy and having a wrap around sling kept me sane... well sane might not be the correct word, but you know what I mean :)
Good luck and I will be reading on, I am particularly interested in the Potty training phase, as I feel I should really start thinking about it...

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Sparx said...

Wow, you truly are a mad person - amazing with it though. Potty training and a new baby. Well well well.

Beccers said...

great post, loving hearing about the double baby button household!