This Here is Supposed to Be a Mummy Blog
We leave in exactly one week for a 24 hour flight to Australia. I’m already trembling with fear about it (no really – did I mention that Nick has temper tantrums the size of Mexico City?) so hints and travelling tips welcome. I’ve prepared them each a brand new rucksack filled with wrapped things for them to open and play with on the plane, but any extra advice is good.
I realize that I haven’t done a long post about the twins for a while and since I’m supposed to be one of those newfangled mummy bloggers I should probably get my ass in gear, particularly as Friday last week was the three year anniversary of the positive pregnancy test that led me to my wonderful babies (yes I keep track of these things).
The twins are blinding. Yes, we have horrible tantrums (as I discussed previously), complete with throwing things, the complete inability not to be a jerk, and days when I am not 100% sure that I am going to make it out alive. But we also have a lot of fun. The twins are very aware of the other one, and I’ve found that while they sometimes act like cage fighters, they often are inseparable.
They like Ring-a-Ring-of-Roses.
They like to read books together.
They love their playhouse, which the weather was finally decent enough to play in for a while a few weeks ago.
They think plastic boxes are the business, so I am not sure why I buy toys.
And yet for all the things they love in common, like airplanes –
they are so different it is surreal. Which, I mean, of course they are because they are two different beings. But they’re dissimilar. Lemme’ ’splain.
Nora is a girly-girl. She loves pink. She loves dressing up – handbags, hats, ribbons, you name it.
She loves her baby.
She talks a mile a minute and knows all of her colors and shapes and body parts, which she likes to point out to you.
She is extremely sensitive – if you are sad (or if she perceives you are sad) then you get a cuddle. It’s not limited to being in person, either, because she can and will hug the TV, too, if someone on it is crying. She likes you to sit beside her and she will order you to do so. She’s charming and kind and throws herself at you with abandon when she wants a cuddle. She is very concerned with her brother and is known to chase him around the living room patting his back and asking if he’s ok.
She is a heart, and I love her so much you wouldn’t believe it.
People tell me that she’s beautiful and should be a child model. Yes she is expressive and gregarious and a little ham.
But the answer to child modelling is no. She is beautiful, but she is a child (actually I still think of her as my baby). This is the time in her life that should be about baby dolls, CBeebies and bath toys. It should not be about getting to appointments on time. If she asks to do modelling or acting when she’s older and can make decisions like that then we can discuss. Until then childhood is too short to live it via filofax.
(Sure, she looks like Bambi, but no one can wind up her brother with quite the finesse that she can.)
My son is a challenge, but he’s a little heart as well and I love him so much you wouldn’t believe it. He is very serious about certain things, there are ways of doing things. His shopping trolley is always absolutely loaded to the gills with toys and he’s very serious about doing it, it must be done in a specific way.
He also loves puzzles and is really good at them. They can occupy his attention for absolute ages.
He is obsessed with all things transport. Trains, cars, tractors, buses, airplanes…all of them. He will get down on the ground and inspect the motors of the wheels to understand how they work.
He also knows all of his colors, shapes and body parts. Prior to Christmas he was way ahead of Nora on the talking scale, but since then she’s caught up and overtaken him in terms of vocabulary. I’m aware that the two of them are stereotypical in some ways – she likes dolls and pink, he likes tractors and wheels. But we didn’t encourage either children one way or the other. All of the toys are in the toybox and both children are welcome to play with anything. Their preferences are their own.
Nick is cheeky on a regular basis.
They had their first taste of tarte tatin this weekend. Nora didn’t like it (neither do I). Nick, however, has found his own personal Jesus and it comes with a caramel coating.
(I love that photo.)
In short they are exhausting, exhilarating, frustrating, loving, hilarious, and perfect, as seen here in a Jack and Karen moment.
(I also love that photo.)
I love them and they love me. They also love each other.
Luck – I have it.
-S.
Wow. In some of those pictures they really look like you and Alistair. Usually (to me) they just look like themselves. Love the last two pics! How sweet. I hope they’ll be close and good friends to each other for life. Thanks for the update!
I am going to doubletake every family I see with toddlers for the next few weeks in Sydney! I will keep my eyes peeled in case I really do see you (I wish!) Don’t worry about the travelling. I know that sounds frivilous to say it but really, the thing I regret the most about travelling from Oz to the UK with Amy at 18 months was that I spent so much time worrying about it before hand. Yes, it was a long journey and yes there were moments when it all fell apart, but overall it was such a rewarding adventure to take with a toddler! The only thing I would strongly recommend is stick to their routine as much as you can and whatever you do, don’t resort to a bag of fruit gums at 32,000 ft above Hong Kong in desperation! Amy bounced off her seat for about four hours after that!
You can see your face in Nora’s at the treehouse. I see glimpses of you every now and then, but whoa, that REALLY looks like you.
Australia? Oh I so hope she gives you the warmest of Down Under welcomes and that you love it here as much as I do! I should warn you that the humidity is a Biatch of the hugest proportions at the moment, at least in Sydney but it’s likely to be substantially worse up ‘tnorth in Queenslad so travel with natural fibres if you can!!
Yup. Guess which part of Oz we’re headed to :)
Isn’t QLD flooding at the moment? Like, um, quite badly?
No travelling tips from me, I’ve not travelled anywhere with my littlies.
They are beautiful Shannon. Absolutely beautiful.
I don’t give two shits what anyone wants to say about the way they’re brought up, boys and girls are DIFFERENT. There is something to be said for what they soak up culturally through osmosis, but they are fundamentally different in ways other than plumbing attachments.
We generally were amused by the tantrums from our kids growing up. They threw some doozies, but if you look for the humor it makes the tantrum easier on your own nerves. (For the Public Tantrum, just remember that anyone around you with kids of their own has been there too.)
Most of our traveling has been done by car, so I’m not sure about planes. I wish you luck, though. ;-)
It is funny how innate some of those preferences are. What amazing little people you are raising.
One word, precious! They really are!
My mother’s tried and true remedy for airplane tantrums was children’s benedryl. They now have those little melty strips that you just put on their tongues. Stock up, y0!
Love the ‘Jack and Karen’ pic. And that last one is total sweetness.
Let us know how the airplane ride goes – we are flying an 11 hr stint to Germany with our boys in the summer and I am *terrified.*
Calpol – lots and lots of it, drugs my friend is the friend of parents on planes!
Will we be able to get holiday updates or are we going to have to wait for photos on return?!
Abs x
PS, i have finally found you have a flaw – you don’t like Tarte Tatin?!
You have such beautiful children! I love all of these pictures, but one of my favorites is the one of Nora with her Daddy (right after the one of her and her baby.) That one tickled me and touched my heart!
But, will somebody tell me what the heck is “tarte tatin?” Over here in America I’ve never heard of it!
“He will get down on the ground and inspect the motors of the wheels to understand how they work.”
You just described Scott to a T.
They are gorgeous. So much so that when I see their pictures it makes me a little sad that I can’t reach out and give them a squeeze. That doesn’t mean I want to see the pictures stop-keep ‘em coming.
Great pictures!
Travelling tip: Some people are going to be annoyed with you when they see you with children at the airport. They deserve to be annoyed. Everyone else is aware that travelling with children is difficult, and it’s almost impossible to keep them entertained in a small space for so long. They will not mind the odd screaming fit, as long as there is no seat kicking. It will be fine.
I have read for many years and never commented, but the Jack and Karen picture did me IN. OMG that is frikkin’ hilarious and adorable!
Amalah.com’s Advice Smackdown has some great travel tips with toddlers today. I second everything she said. And although panic is a completely reasonable reaction…my first flight with my (singleton, admittedly) son this fall went much better than I expected, I think because I was convinced it would be so awful.
One thing I would do differently next time is pack the diaper bag so that it was easier to get things OUT of, rather than fill it to the brim with every possible distraction and then struggle with a full bag and a cramped seat. Toys the kids haven’t seen before are also a good idea.
I forgot that my son would find the plane itself remarkably interesting and new. (Window shade = hours of fun!) I forgot that almost everyone on that plane had been through the experience before (and actually this is more likely the case on the super-long flights, imo) and would sympathize more than curse. I forgot that even a long flight ends eventually, and you never have to see any of your fellow passengers again. Best wishes and safe travels!
Having no little ones of my own, I observe that the seem to like walking the aisles (with escort of course) and seeing what everyone is up to. both time separated and time together (parental seat juggling). Have a wonderful time!
yeah… what MsPants says…medicine!
Seriously, yes.
Such sweet darlings!
24 hours flight to Australia, are you kidding?
Our biggest adventure once was a trip to France with our two year old toddler in a car with a trailer. We had to stop every one and a half hour so that he could move and run, and take night breaks in the trailer. In the end it took us 4 days one way from Hamburg to Southern France. But sitting in an airoplane for more than an hour? Impossible. I think the only solution would have been drugs. Or staying at home and take a one hour trip to the Baltic Sea and dream of a trip to Australia 16 years later.
You have an exciting household! Your post on tantrums nearly echoed my thoughts. I’m told all the time by strangers how cute my son is and I just smile and say thanks. I’ve thought of child modelling and commercials and even went so far as to submit his picture to an agency but stopped at when I received an application. A kid should be a kid. I love how Nick has brown eyes and Nora blue. I see you in him, and Alastair in Nora. They’re too cute! Your blessed and and awsome mum.
I too have freaked out for MONTHS about travelling, and we have done 2 TWO trips from the US to AU and back again, etc…with 2 boys under 5. Yes be prepared with new toys, stickers, their favorite snacks, extra clothes for them and you, wipes, plastic bags (for soiled clothes.) Know that you will get through it, and they may surprise you…you never know. We spent a good amount of time doing laps around the plane with my 2.5 year old, he loved it and it did tire him out. They have great entertainment systems for each seat, so that may keep them entertained for some of the time. Enjoy your time here in AU, it sure is worth the trip!!
No experience with toddler travelling here- but you have the most beautiful children ever :-)
I have done the trip from Australia – UK, three times with my son. First was 19 months, then 3 and a half, then 6. My advice is this;
1. Phenergan (anti-histamine) try a small dose on them a couple of days in advance to make sure it has the right effect, ie. makes them sleepy. I did this with the full advice of a paediatrician.
2. Small dose of Calpol/paracetamol to help with any ear blocks on take-off and landing.
3. Let them run around at the stop-off airport. RUN!
4. Coloring books/lego/puzzles/books/favourite blankets/pillows/cuddly toys/ear-phones for the movies on the plane.
5. Dress them in PJ’s when you want them to sleep.
6. Expect very little sleep yourself!
To be honest, I found it easier when he was smaller than when he was 6. At 6 he did not want to sit down at all and complained of being cramped, but when he was small I had no such trouble.
Good luck, you may be surprised at how well they deal with the whole trip, but of course, I haven;t mentioned the dreadful jet-lag the other side!
Your photos are so precious! I love the one of the twins on the wooden structure (playhouse?).
And for the record? They could both be models!
oh that last photo just melts the heart!
They could be models, true. But I completely understand your POV that they’re children first!
All the photos are great, but the Jack and Karen one? Priceless.
they are adorable. I love her rosey cheeks.
I have no advice on the travel front, but I’ll be anxious to hear how it goes. I have family in Europe (sister in switzerland, father in italy) that I have refused to visit because I am TERRIFIED of taking that long of a flight with my kids. Let me know if you find the magic bullet to traveling with toddlers.
I am floored. I thought you were in my blog reader and just stopped blogging. I just found you. And OMG! You children have grown up SOOO MUCH!!! They are just beautiful! I’m so glad I found you again … I’ve always enjoyed reading you!
Yeah. Child modeling. Always a great way to encourage normal development, positive self-esteem, and healthy familial relationships. We have been graced over here in the 48 with a reality show called “Toddlers and Tiaras” which I’m sure is self-explanatory, but suffice it to say I can’t even watch it because I think I’d be obligated to call DSS. Repeatedly.
I think I’m in love with your children. :)
I don’t know if you can obtain these videos there, but if not, see if your Dad can get you one or two. It’s the ‘There Goes’ series with ‘Dave’ who acts like a dork for the kids. There’s ‘There Goes the Train’, ‘There goes a Bulldozer’ was my 2nd son’s fave. It has all those big earth moving equipment vehicles. He shows how they work and acts like a construction worker. I know Nick isn’t into TV, but I suspect that is a series he might really like.