A New Dynamic

Up until quite recently, Archie has been a baby, Dylan a toddler.  They have loved each other, cared for each other and enjoyed having a brother to spend the days with.  Dylan was the active one, bringing toys to Archie, entertaining him, looking out for him.  Archie is now well and truly mobile, comfortably cruising the furniture and crawling on his hands and knees.  He is climbing the stairs, exploring every surface and toy and causing mischief at every opportunity! 

The dynamic has changed, it is no longer a one sided show, but the boys are learning to play together.  They sit with the same toy pressing buttons or moving the characters around.  They follow each other, they giggle together playing their own little games. Archie is becoming a toddler before my very eyes.

The dynamic is always changing and it won't be long before Archie is the dominant one.  His personality is cheekier, his will stronger and I foresee all kinds of fun as they grow up together.

There are two sides to these changes though, and of course Dylan still needs his space.  He has puzzles to do, lego to build and books to read without a little brother trying to chew the pieces.  He wants to spread out and get stuck in like he used to, but Archie has other ideas and this can cause some obvious friction between them. 

 I haven't yet come up with a solution for when they are both demanding of my time, and they still nap together in the afternoons leaving me no one on one time during the days.

Mostly though, the changes are exciting to watch.  Archie is learning to play, and Dylan to share.  They are entertaining each other, growing a friendship and I have more and more moments where I can sit on the sofa with a cup of tea and just watch them smiling and playing together.  I knew that having the boys so close together with only an 18 month gap would have its advantages as well as its challenges and seeing the boys together now both are so clear.

I feel like they have the best gift ever in having a sibling to share their childhood with, a constant companion and playmate but there are times I just want to split myself in two.  Mostly though, I am finding this stage exciting as we grow alongside one another as a family.

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I Love Christmas

I love Christmas

I love the magic, the trees, the excuse to do almost anything, from wearing pyjamas all day to listening to cheesy music.  I love shopping and choosing the perfect gift for someone, I love writing cards and wrapping presents.  I love the music, the films, the books.  I love the countdown and opening a tiny little door every day.  I love our traditions, ones that have been passed down through the generations and ones we begin this year.  I love the novelty socks and jumpers, the tinsel and the fairy lights.  I love watching my children's faces.

I love coming downstairs with the boys to find that the Christmas tree has appeared in the living room, and inspecting every element of it with Dylan.  I love him telling me that he loves each bauble individually, like it is his new favourite toy.  I love the excitement every morning that the tree is still there, the lights still twinkling.  I love the red and gold, the baubles we have picked out individually or as a family, new ones joining us each year.

I love Christmas candles leaving a festive scent.  I love keeping in touch with old friends.  I love beautiful roses that brighten the house, all tied up with Christmassy ribbon.  I love eating chocolate every night once the little ones are in bed.

I love the excitement, the magic, the suspense, the build up, the big day and all the days that surround it.  I love Christmas.

Disclaimer:  I was sent some gorgeous flowers, chocolates and a teddy from the people at Prestige Flowers but don't they just look gorgeous and festive!

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A Big Camera

You may have noticed that I take photos of my boys .  .  . a lot.

While I don't pretend to know what I am doing, I love recording their childhoods and I see their beauty in each and every picture of them.  I have been relying on my trusty camera phone until now though, but this week I took the plunge and invested in a DSLR - a 'proper' camera.

I am pretty sure that I will be using it in Auto settings for quite some time, but I am really enjoying having a play around and hopefully you will see my photography improve over the coming months.  

I thought I would share some photos from the first two days with my new camera so that hopefully I can look back in a few months and see some improvements:

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