rainy days off

It's been raining here. A lot.
Every day.

I love rainbows and grass growing.
I also love dry laundry.

Anyway.

When it rains on Saturdays we like to go skulk around in shopping centres.
Lucy loves escalators and big posters of faces.
She rides the first and kisses the second.

Have you seen those little merry-go-round rides in the shops.
You know the ones that "are broken" and "don't spin around?"
The ones that we "never have two dollars for?"

Lucy likes to play on these and has been quite content to sit in the wiggles big red hovercraft and pretend to spin round and round.
That was until she was sitting there having the time of her life and some other kids came up with parents who obviously love them more than we love Lucy and put two dollars in.
There was a spare seat. Lucy was in it.

Her face said,
"IT MOVES?!?!?!"



















Now she wants the ride all the time.
*facepalm*

rest

i don't think the little one has ever napped this long... ever.

It all started three weeks ago when she had a bit of a sniffle.
I decided that after weeks of mostly unsuccessful day napping I would just lie down with Lucy in my bed and see how she napped.
Armed with a good book I sat in bed with my little snotty girl in my arms.
And... a dummy.
I'm not all anti dummy or anything. It's just that Lucy had never shown any interest in one before. And oh had I tried!
At about six months old after near perfect sleeping patterns, she went on a bit of a bender (But that's another story.) and try as I might I could not get her to take a dummy.
But now, on that wondrous day, my little girl slept in my arms with the dummy in her mouth for two hours.
The next day she was exhausted and fell asleep out walking in the Ergo. I came home, sat on the couch and there she slept (dummy less) for another two.
Since then, pretty much every afternoon you can find the two of us snuggled up in bed napping the afternoon away.
She just lies down and falls asleep! It's a revelation.

This week we're clocking up three hour beauties.
I read, I crochet, I nap too.
I guess I could slip away but on a rainy afternoon it's so nice to stay all warm and cozy.
And between you and me, I think that Lucy wouldn't sleep quite as well if I weren't there.

For those reading this and lamenting that their baby does not nap quite as well.
I HEAR YOU!
We have survived on 30ish minute day naps for such a long time.
I'm not sure what the change is. I don't think it's particularly anything I have done. Maybe this little girl is just getting older and changing her patterns.
She might change back any day now.

But my oh my am I filled with joy when I see this giggly happy well rested little one.

vivid

Last year when we went to vivid we imagined taking our 14 month old the next year.
2011 saw a little girl slightly impressed at some flashy colours and falling asleep in the stroller.

2012 saw this...*

1. Sweet little beanie that wasn't really needed. Unusually warm evening despite the rain.

2. A lit up hopscotch. Lucy didn't really get the idea of lining up and waiting your turn. She just wanted to stand on the light. 

3. Igloo made out of bottles and a poser.

4. There was a wind chime inside this and Lucy was entranced. People were entranced by Lucy. She had quite a crowd.

5. A shreikingwithlaughter little girl running through the lights.

She HOWLED the place down when it was time to leave. It was great to be able to share in Lucys excitement and take her somewhere fun. 

*please excuse the terrible quality iPhone photos.

lovely links

Here are some things I have found in the last week.

This marriage proposal had me weeping.

This blog and water bottle chandelier.

This encouragement to read the bible daily. Won't you join us?

Something that shocked my core.

A timely reminder.

Listening to this song

and this song.