060/366 - 29. February 2012

Love and Laughter

Daddy and Max were having so much fun this evening in the bathroom. Max was on a real long walk before with his grandparents and was totally tired. He only wanted his bottle and then straight into the bath tub. 

No matter how tired he is... there´s no way around his daily bath. 

Good night my sweetheart... and sweet dreams! Love and kisses, mama

At the doctor´s

Lina had to get a vaccination today... her first one. At the beginning she was inspected to be completely healthy and her actual weight was checked too. Miss L. has nearly doubled her birth weight! 

When getting the injection she cuddled into mama´s shoulder and only cried a few seconds. Mama was totally relieved that she hadn´t too much pain! 

Sweet Lina... mama loves you so!

059/366 - 28. February 2012

One look is worth a thousand words

Oh how I love it when my babies look at me this way! I was only calling Lina´s name and she smiled at me like she wanted to say: Mama you are the best! Thank you sweetie!

My big boy was drinking his bottle beside us observing. He was so very tired already... couldn´t nearly keep his eyes open.

We were quickly bathing our babies then and bringing them to bed. Max fell asleep in minutes and Miss L.... while I´m writing these lines she is still crying for mama... so I will go now and breastfeed her again... and again... and again...

Good Night my lovely ones!

058/366 - 27. February 2012

Footprints

From the children´s birth on we are taking their footprints every few weeks. The papers are collected in a folder then, laminated, decorated and commented. It´s so cute to see the current growing!

When Max was a newborn or very little it was easy to do. But while growing up it became more and more challenging. Sometimes the prints were really smudged but nevertheless a sweet memory. Sometimes my boy didn´t want to cooperate :-) He was crying and wriggling around. But this was a cute memory too.

But since Max is about one and a half he likes doing the footprints. He likes the colour on his hands and feet, holding on the bench and stepping on the paper with mama´s support. Papa is taking the pics every time and Max loves looking at the in the album. 

Lovely Max... you fill my heart with joy... I love you!

When Lina was one week old we started with the prints as well. The feet were easy to do but handprints are still nearly impossible. Mama is opening the little fingers and putting the hands down. Result is a wonderful scribble. Getting properly ones is not possible until one year.

Now Miss L. starts to waving around with hands and feet and it is such an effort to get the printing. But having the colour in her hands is making her curious. She noticed that the wet colour is making a noise in her fists. Too cute!

I really love this work of art... and I adore my lovely ones!

Appreciation for their patience!

057/366 - 26. February 2012

Half-year celebration!

Three cheers for the day today! Half a year ago my little girl was a few hours young and the first birthday is only half a year away.

I will never forget the moment I took Lina on my breast - tiny and warm - for the first time. I looked at her and was at once totally in love. She was such a beautiful newborn - although a bit upset from the too quickly birth. She strained with breathing. But from the time she cuddled with mama under the blanket and felt totally warm she relaxed completely. 

During this special time I had to organize my thoughts about the fact that there are two babies now in our lifes. Max was no longer the single focus... a little babygirl is going along with us now. 

My sweet girl, you changed so much from the moment you were born. Noticeable and recognisable changes. From complete dependency to gradually independence. Sure... independence is still far but in comparison with a newborn you are a little lady yet. 

You are growing up so quickly and bring sunshine to our life every single day. Your loving, cheeky and funny nature is such a joy! Bubbling and starting to move around is your favorite activity at present.

Max and you are such loving siblings... my heart is more full of love when I see you both than I ever thought it could be!

Happy Half Birthday my little girl!

In the morning we all went for a walk. Weather is starting to become more springlike. What a pleasure! Max loves to jump on and on... until mama, papa and omi are really tired!

But hearing his laughter is the most wonderful gift. My boy... you are such a cutie!

In the afternoon omi Sonja, omi Irmi and great-grandmother came over to visit us. Was such a nice afternoon... Max had great fun being entertained. He is not reticent at all when familiy members or friends of us come to our place... implied that he has to know the persons. Otherwise he is a bit cautious at the beginning. 

Miss L. was much more relaxed today than before when we had visitors. She didn´t cry at all! Maybe because she is a big baby now :-)

Great day with the lovliest children!

056/366 - 25. February 2012

The four of us

It´s incredible how much life is changing when you have children.

The time we were only two was really beautiful.

• we were sleeping long... I mean really long... 
• we often went out having lunch or to have a cup of coffee 
• we often visited friends - who naturally had no kids either
• we went on holiday several times a year
• we went to the cinema regularly
• I was thinking about my outfits veeery long to look as smart as possible
• I had appointments at the hairdresser´s every five to six weeks
• I went to the shopping center a few times a week to buy things I necessarily needed
• it took me weeks to buy all christmas presents
• we watched tv nearly every evening
• sometimes we spent a whole winter weekend on the couch

This all was great fun... but... somehow... I didn´t feel complete.

• now we don´t sleep long... I mean not at all
• we go out for lunch not very often because it´s not relaxing and we never go out for a coffee
• we often visit friends - who naturally have children too -  so we are talking about... children
• we go on holidays with other friends who have children, to make it a wonderful holiday for the children
• we never go to cinema
• I think about my outfits veeery long to be best dressed for breastfeeding and to hide my lovely curves ;-)
• I have appointments at the hairdresser´s every five to six months
• I go to the shopping center a few times a month to buy stuff for the children
• it took me a few orders in the internet to get all christmas presents
• we watch tv nearly every evening but mostly I cannot follow the content because I do hardly keep my eyes open or I´m writing my posts
• we never ever spend a whole weekend on the couch

I could go on and on with these examples ... 

Nevertheless to have our babies was the very best decision ever and every thought which is not including our darlings is not worth to think. 

You both made our lives complete and liveable and our future brighter! We are totally in love with you, Max and Lina!

055/366 - 24. February 2012

Love between brother and sister

It´s wonderful to see how my two babies are already playing together. Max is commenting his work and Lina is observing everything. Playing with daddy´s screwdriver is just the best.

Papa uses it for changing the batteries of the toys and so Max is trying to do the same.

Miss Lina is rolling around the floor trying to reach the toys herself. She is very sustaining and skillful then.

Daddy wasn´t at home this evening and so mama was reading the bedtime story for both darlings . We had lots of fun and it was so much delight cuddling with my loved ones. Max told me he was happy and that he loved us :-)

Then he kissed Lina good night... too cute...

Max and Lina... I just cannot believe how lucky I am to have you in my life! 

I adore you!

054/366 - 23. February 2012

A little friend called Winnie Pooh

Max got his friend from omi- I think- for his first birthday. It´s a present she brought from her London visit. It´s a mini Smarties dispenser and my boy loves it. He has great fun bending Pooh´s arm and watching the chocolate candies drop out.

Due to the fact that there are lots inside he is very generous and is distributing them gladly. For mama, daddy, omi, opi and... no... not for Lina. He knows she is only drinking milk :-)

You have such a good heart my boy... I love you very much!

In the afternoon we went to auntie Tini. Daddy had to work long and only staying at home is totally boring. So mama got a wonderful cup of coffee and the little ones were playing together. 

Lina was playing on the blanket observing the two boys. She is dabbling patiently - now and then breastfeeding and cuddling with mama. 

You are simply beautiful... there aren´t enough words to say how much I love you!

053/366 - 22. February 2012

The wooden car

One of Max´favorite toys is a car he got from his opi when he was about a few months. He lighted on it at the age of roughly one year. From this time on Max loves it so much. 

Assembling and disassembling on and on...

At first he didn´t have any idea how take apart the single pieces. He plagued the screwdriver and turned nearly red on his face because of the struggle. Learning the direction for screwing and unscrewing was hard work. But was so lovely observing him. When he had to screw he took his right hand and for unscrewing his left one. Clever boy!

The next difficulty was in putting the pieces together. This was a challenge for mama as well. It´s such a tricky thing... not easy to understand at the beginning. Even daddy had to look twice.

So... a year later we are capable to do it blindfold. Nevertheless it´s a delight watching my boy playing with this wooden toy every single day! You are gorgeous my clever Max! I love you so!

Headdress

Mama could not withstand to buy Miss L. the cutest hairbands ever :-) She looks so lovely with them on the head. Now we name our own countless caps, bandannas, headbands and hairbands.

Hairclips are waiting for use too!

Hope you are fine with your mama dressing you in the lovliest clothes and skirts, dresses and tutus... all with suitable headdresses. A bit superficial I know but I can not help....

I´m so thankful for my little doll... becoming cuter every single moment! I adore you!

052/366 - 21. February 2012

Extended training

We continued toilet training today. So we started in the morning with sitting on the potty and putting on the new and totally cute undies - and no diaper this day! I was really proud Max was successful with his number one now and then.  So I thought there wouldn´t be a difficulty with further sessions. But it was. He wasn´t very happy being interrupted on and on while playing.

In the end he told me not to go again!

We had pee on the potty and in the undies . No matter... will try tomorrow again!

By the way: it is so cute when he is strolling through the house without a diaper. But I´m going to miss his nappy butt as well. Then all what´s babyish will be gone! Fortunately we will still need time...

I love you baby and I´m so sorry for straining you with all this growing up stuff!

Sweet Miss L. was cultivated by omi this evening. Omi was not here the last few days and we missed her. When she arrived this afternoon she spent quiet a lot of time with Max and Lina.  Both babies were very happy about that!

My princess you are such a lovely girl, I love you!

051/366 - 20. February 2012

Snow... again

Max was builing a castle out of snow with his opi today. They didn´t go for a walk in the morning because it was snowing that much and opi had to shovel. 

My boy didn´t want to take on his gloves so he felt quite cold soon. He was strolling around and was a bit bored also because he couldn´t touch anything with his naked frozen fingers. Opi was busy and sweetie had to wait. Mama tried to cheer him up with some cookies but even this worked only for minutes. 

So he decided that this was enough fresh air for today and wanted to go inside. But then he realized to leave opi and was a bit sad. I told him that opi would not stay outside, he would go to his home, to his dog and that he was fine. Max was plased with this answer and started to play.

You are so adorable my boy, so self confident, so good-hearted, so compassionate! I love you!

My lovely girl fell asleep in the sling once more. Happily Lina is able to find sleep on her own. But sometimes I just don´t want to bring her to her crib... it´s such a great feeling to hold my baby while she is relaxing. She is nestling to me, I feel her breathe on my skin and her warm cheeks... this is so wonderful! 

Princess Lina, you are caress for my heart! I love you endlessly!

050/366 - 19. February 2012

Going for visits

The time Max was about one year old we rather invited our relatives and friends to our home. It was a big challange to go anywhere else with the little curious baby. He wanted to take a look in every single drawer and cleared up the shelves containing not-baby-fit stuff. 

So more than one time I could recognize a tensed look on the owner´s faces. I was busy the whole time to protect Max against the dangerous things and to protect the sensitive stuff against Max. 

There wasn´t any time left for having a cup of coffee and a conversation. From these experiences on I decided to stay at our baby-suitable home.

But now it´s totally different to then because my boy´s behaviour is just perfect. He obeys every single request and follows every pleases. Sometimes not to believe he is only two! He never takes anything he is not allowed to or is playing wildly and making troubles... only a bit of mess with the toys :-)
Happily Lina is having this challenging age soon. So we are going to stay at home again!

Except the massive luggage we have to carry it´s no problem to go out. Sure... it´s much more fun to go somewhere he meets other children. Also due to the fact that these homes are set to a child´s visit... enough place to play and new toys. 

Today was Giulia´s 10th birthday, mama´s godchild. We stayed there the whole afternoon, playing, eating cake and having a completely relaxed sojourn. Most of the time Martin was playing cards with Giulia, her mother was holding Lina, Max was playing with the grocery store and I was relaxing. Perfect division! 

I´m so happy to have such wonderful children... never expected that they would be that gorgeous! Like I always say... just perfect!

049/366 - 18.February 2012

Carnival

My babies were totally cute disguised today... because carnival is in the land! The time we had no children yet we used to spend the night in town, dressed up and making party. Of course this kind of party got a bit leisurely ;-)

So we masked our sweeties and went to town. The complete city is state of Emergency... it´s called "Fasching in Villach". 

Max was dressed up as a cute, cute ladybug and our little milk-Lina had to represent a lovely calf. Fortunately they didn´t refuse! So it was easily possible to take gorgeous photos of them.

Mama wasn´t that much imaginative... just painted up the face a bit. Fortunately I´m no desperate houswife... "tired mama" would have been an idea!? 

Lina snuggled into the sling and had an extensive sleep at first. Then just looked around a bit and devoted herself to mama again. No restlessness at any time! 

Daddy was kind of chef. Very sad he doesn´t like to cook at home!

Max became tired soon. It was really loud there, lots of people - all disguised - lots of impressions. So he felt in best hands on papa´s shoulders. Our ladybug had the view over all there. 

Both children were so endlessly good... I thought it would be much more exhausting to go to carnival with a curious toddler and a peace loving baby. 

We met auntie Tini too. She was such a lovely, lovely fairy and enchanted my boy at once. He just couldn´t take his eyes of her... so couldn´t Lina... staring at her... and... smiling! Have a great party beautiful fairy!

Was such a funny, amusing and wonderful afternoon with my family! I love you all tremendously!

048/366 - 17. February 2012

Toilet training

When Max was about one and a half he liked sitting on the potty really much. We used to read the books he wanted to. From time to time we were successful and had a number one inside. Number two is a really tricky thing. Didn´t work that often!

But all of a sudden my boy decided that it was not the biggest fun to sit there and wait. Sitting is boring and reading books with mama is much more comfortable on the sofa. So the training was interrupted.

A few weeks later I tried again to move Max on the potty but... no way! He screamed and refused enormously. So I let this task rest for a while.

Now it´s once more the time to start the training. I thought it would be really nice for him to have his own zone where to go when to pee. For days there was just the potty on the floor and he still refused.

Confessed... it didn´t look inviting. So a cosy carpet, own toilet paper, some books... and sweets should make it more attractive to him! Just had the thought that he might sit more willingly with a little reward ;-) I know this is not my best idea ever but I don´t have a better one. Nevertheless... it worked!

Max was not enthusiastic right away but got used to the idea and sat down. We read the new book and he endured long. Finally he told "Bath!". 

I´m really proud he didn´t get excited and fussed around... just was uncomplaining! 

Thank you sweetheart for being so incredibly gorgeous, I love you! 

After taking the bath with his sister he strolled around in the bathroom for a while and had a deeper look at the new pee area. I think he likes it!? We will see what´s going to happen tomorrow.

My cute Miss L. was patient like she is most of the time. Rolled about the bathmat sucking her toe and watched Max while sitting on the potty.

So very lovely seeing how much she is already observing him and saving all the interesting things he is learning or already doing. I´m excited wether this will make any difference concerning her developing. 

But don´t grow up too fast little sweetie... mama is still trying to get accustomed to the fact that Max is no longer a baby!

 

Sweet darling I adore you... beautiful girl!

047/366 - 16. February 2012

Cuddly cushions

Bought wonderful personalized pillows for my babies yesterday. Discovered them in the web and liked the artistic pieces right away. I got to know to a nice woman there who creates lovely things for mamas and children. Too cute!

Just to say that this was not the only sweet stuff I found ... I´m going to buy some pink leather slippers in the spring!

Lina wants to sit a lot at present... although she is not able to sit down on her own. Miss L. is such a curious little girl... just lying is not her favorite position! So the pillow came just in time to help her to maintain. I think my lovely lady loves it! And I love her... sooooooo very much!

My little boy was so happy about his present. Normally when he goes to bed he switches on his music box at once. A little pig with a light in it. He loves this stuffed animal so much. Sometimes he turns it on and on so he can´t fall asleep very long. But no chance to take it away... then he is demanding for it immediatly.

But today when I took him upstairs to bed for the nap... with his new pillow... he lay down, completely ignoring the pig and snuggling with the tractor on the cushion.

So I knew he really loves his unique present. And he is my unique babyboy... sorry... toddler boy!

I love you so much!

046/366 - 15. February 2012

En route

We had a nice walk trough the city today... just braved the weather and went out. Before we started we picked up daddy at the office. Max felt so good there, didn´t even want to leave. Perhaps because there are many, many computers, buttons, cablings... and he got chocolate from papa´s workmate.

Due to the fact that mama always wants to take every eventually needed stuff with her we took the pram for the hudge diaper bag and all the other things like tea, cookies, cars, a book, sweets and the good camera.

Miss Lina snuggled into the sling. It´s much warmer and more comfortable in mama´s arms than in the stroller. My babygirl never feels cold here, has cold hands or a cold nose! 

When being carried she falls asleep in minutes. Even if my sweetie is not that happy about being wrapped for the first moment, she calms down at once when mama starts to sing the lullabies. Hope this does not mean "please stop it than I stop to scrabble around!", ha!

My cute boy is walking so tenaciously and discovering so much when we are outside. He is strolling and looking, telling us what he observes and having so much fun and joy realizing that we smile at him.

By the way: so cute he knows already about ten different car brands. Max spots the symbol and assigns it immediatly. How he loves that game!

Sweet darling Max, you are two years and three months today! Hard to believe how much you changed since you turned two. Three months full of language development and becoming independent. Big boy... you make me so proud... every single day!

In the late afternoon we went out for dinner too.  Had a great day... so varied and relaxing!

My babies... you were delightful, not strenuous at any time! I love you!

045/366 - 14. February 2012

Happy Valentine´s Day!

Daddy brought beautiful flowers and some sweets today... he never forgets any special day and always buys presents for mama then. And the best presents ever is our children´s smiles!

Miss Lina was really tired when mama took this pic but nevertheless she is never too tired to laugh!

In the evening papa and Max played Wii together. Our boy is fascinated by technical devices in any case. So he had lots of fun doing this with daddy. Wonderful when they do such "papa-son things"!

I love you all so much! I had a great day!

044/366 - 13. February 2012

Lilli

Omi and opi have a little Yorkie called Lilli. Max and Lilli are a special team. On the one side my boy likes her very much, calls her name on and on, tries to cuddle her and likes to give her his food. On the other side he is a bit afraid or frightened because Lilli is really barking a lot. 

The problem is that she was first in our family and spoilt a lot. When we brought our newborn Max home it was not her easiest day. His sounds made her restless and his screaming anxious. But she has never done anything to him, except barking. We really take care a lot!

When she is the arms of omi or opi the bark is extremly. Then I cannot differ wether she wants to protect them or is just nervous because of the noises Max makes. Nevertheless my love even starts to cry sometimes she is too loud. 

Actually we thought he is used to the fuss but he is now reacting more then he did former. Maybe he wants to be sheltered and comforted. He is such aclever boy!

My little girl has already noticed her too. It´s so cute when she tries to pursue Lilli with her look. Then she is bending her body like a worm just to follow the dog. 

Until now she is not scared of the tumult. Unfortunately Lina tries to touch her. The problem is that Miss L. does not let loose when the fingers once clawed into something. So I hope Lilli will always be careful of Lina.

How I love my babies... it´s such a bliss to have them!

043/366 - 12. February 2012

Bedtime stories

When my Max was a little baby, Martin and me took him to bed together nearly every day. We bathed and cultivated him, had cuddle time together and then I breastfeeded him until he fell asleep during drinking. 

Today - with our increased family - Martin goes with our boy and mama with Lina after the siblings took their bath together.

It´s such a delight watching my two men doing the evening care every single day and how they became a real good team. Most of all Max enjoys the book time. He wants to decide which story to hear and then he snuggles in bed with daddy and during listening to papa´s voice he becomes calm and tired.

At present they read a book about building a tower. My boy has every word completely on his mind and shows with his hands what´s coming next. It´s too cute to see! Daddy does a perfect job... is spending so much time with him. Max adores him!

I´m sure this will be one of my favorite memories... Max and daddy reading the bedtimestory!

I love you!

In the meantime mama is feeding Lina. Miss L. does heavily close her eyes while breastfeeding. She is such a curious little girl. So she is drinking until feeling not hungry any more and then she wants to go to bed.

Sometimes I lay her down in the crib, she is babbling for a while and falls asleep on her own. Sometimes she wants to cuddle, mama or daddy singing songs and dancing for a while. I kiss you my princess!

A blessing for me to realize that my children feel so great and fall asleep without tears!

042/366 - 11. February 2012

One of those saturdays....

There´s really bad weather outside. It´s indescribably cold, it´s snowing and no sunshine at all. Totally guessed right to think that my mood and daily activities depend on the temperatures outside. 

There was no motivation at all to pack up Max and Lina and go for a walk or do something not inside. So we played together, my husband Martin did the necessary shopping, omi and opi invited us for lunch and in the afternoon we had coffee and donuts. 

Winter sports run on tv the whole day. So Martin, Max and opi were watching just this.

It´s so cute seeing my boy riding his motorcycle hundreds of times up and down the living room... meanwhile eating a bit, looking at the telly, talking to Lilli -  our tiny Yorkie and bringing Lina her toys, she dumps down on and on. Max is completely busy with his doing.

Such an easement that my toddler boy is dealing with himself so well. 

At present Lina is slobbering so much... fortunately only when she is chewing her teether or finger sucking. And she is doing funny noises with her tongue and lips! So lovely my girl!

She had a very sleepy day today... slept three times and quite long then. Hope the night will be untroubled!?

I love you incredibly my darlings!

Kisses and hugs from mama

041/366 - 10. February 2012

My happy little sunshines have new rooms

It took quite a long time but now we have finished the beautification in Max´and Lina´s  rooms.

My sweet boy likes the renovation very much. We rebuilt the crib to a toddler bed, bought new curtains, a new hudge carpet, changed the wall decoration and we moved the furniture.

Because of the fact that my good boy is climbing the stairs on his own already we carried some toys from the ground floor up to his room on the first floor too. During the day he suddenly decides to go upstairs and see what´s going on over there. So we go and play on the new homly carpet fo a while. 

Usually he spends his playing time in the living room where his game paradise is. He has two shelves with lots of vehicles, puzzles, books, blocks and so on. Good for us to have a second place now to distribute the stuff. 

I think he feels so mature when he makes the decision where to go and what to do. I love him being so self-assured. I adore you honey!

My Miss L. loves her new surrounding as well. She snuggled into her carpet and announced with blethering that she feels well.

Her room is painted in a lovely rose now, she got new curtains as well and a new carpet. Her crib and changing table is still in our sleeping room because my little girl will move to her own kingdom not until springtime.

At present she is co sleeping with mama. It´s a bit exhausting sometimes but - like it was with Max - I miss it so much when it´s over. So I enjoy the time we spend snuggling together in the big bed.

I love you my girl... you are too lovely!

040/366 - 09. February 2012

Having fun with opi

Sweet Maxi, you love your opi and omi so much! In the morning you are already waiting for opi to come over because it´s naturalized. In the evening it´s up to omi to stop by. When the door bell is ringing or somebody is knocking you are calling for omi and opi at once. Out of question that anybody else could visit us!?

So this evening the grandparents came around for coffee and donuts once more. My sweet Miss L. was cuddling and kissing with omi and Max was cackling and joking with opi. He was great laughing and this is... I´m very sure... the best sound ever. Nothing beats a children´s laughter! Cute boy!

Later mama was taking Lina to bed.This is not the most simple task at present. She is very affectionate... wants to suck on and on, wants to cuddle and being carried, wants mama to sing, stroke the head and hold the little hand. I love you my little demanding darling!

I´m sure she needs this very much but mama is veeery tired too. So daddy supports us a lot and represents mama. Then he is singing, carrying and holding hand. 

Thank you daddy!