Princess Brooklyn - 3y + 4m

Princess Brooklyn,

You are starting to freak me out a bit now. Could you just stop growing, learning and getting all independant on me please? I can not imagine a more enjoyable, hilarious, infuriating and perfect age. You can have conversations about most things and your view of the world is just delightfully simple.

Racial Integration and Assimilation.
Me" Brooklyn, don't say dance (daence) say dance (darnce)"
Brooklyn "But we say daence"
Me "But we are from NZ so we say darnce"
Brooklyn "Well, we are in Australia now"

The Theory of Relatively
Brooklyn "Nico is tiny. And Tyson. And Bailey. And Sam is teeny tiny"
Me "Do you know the opposite of tiny is huge?"
B "Yeah, like dad, he is huge. I am half size of his huge. "
Me "Yes, you are half his size. And I am middle sized"
B "Yeah, you are short"

Don't be Sentimental
Brooklyn "I think that truck did crash into that car"

Me "Yeah, we don't want our car to crash do we?"

B "Noooo!!"

Me "I had a car crash once when I was younger, but it was just a little one like a bump"

B "Did you? Where?"

Me "In New Zealand when I was 20"
B "Well, you don't need to worry about that when we go there to New Zealand."

Being Tactful
(Cuddles in the middle of the night during a storm, you were a little scared, I was lonely with dad away and thought we would both like it if I fell asleep there)
"I love you Princess"
"Me too Mama. But you can go to your bed now"

You started swimming lessons again, for the first time in a year, two weeks ago. You ge to go in by yourself now and I sit in the wating room behind glass. I was a bit worried that when the teacher wasn't focussed on you, you would just be splashing around not knowing that you were meant to continue doing whatever it is. I was also worried that because your friend Riley is in the class too, you would be a distraction to eachother. You were PERFECT. You held on when you were meant to, you kept kicking/ floating/ lying back while the teacher was working with the other kids. You listened and most importantly, you had a fantastic time.


Swimming lesson. Fisrt one alone



Dad has been taking you to dancing every Saturday morning because I have been working. There was an open day last week which was my first Saturday off so I got to watch which was great. None of you can star jump properly and you sound like a herd of elephants as you all do "Butterflies" across the room. The tap dance part of the lesson was Nico's favourite because it was so clunky. I can not wait til the end of year concert.

 

It is school holidays coming up so swimming and dance will be finished for a few weeks as well as Nico's group. I am looking forward to catching up with your friends as the schedule opens up.

Hey Brooklyn, guess what?

I love you

Mama

Princess Brooklyn - 3y + 3m

Dear Brooklyn

Times goes slower as you get older. Opa (My grandad) had a hypothesis that time went slower because it was a smaller proportion of your life as a whole. You have had your brother half your life now... and he has been home more than a quarter of it. You have no understanding of Nico's issues. To you, he is just a baby like everyone elses little brother/sister. You have some great philosophies of why Nico doesn't do things that you do.

On why Nico doesn't eat real food "He can't eat apple! he hasn't got enough teeth"

On teething "Look, Nico is getting more and more teeth! He will be able to eat food like me soon"

On walking: "My feet are big. Nico's feet are small. When his feet get big, he will walk like a big boy."

On talking: "Nico is a baby. Babies don't talk"

I love the innocence and I can't bring myself to explain to you that Nico may never walk or talk. I know you love him and know you , like us, will love him regardless. I just prefer to keep your idealistic view of the world where although you know about hospitals, meds and oxygen, you know nothing of illness, diability or death.

A few weeks ago, the news was on while we were having dinner. I tried to distract you but you are a sponge.

"Mama... umm... that man did kill that ladies girl. Why did that man did kill that gir?"

What do you say to a gorgeous 3 year old princess asking that question? You thank the lord she doesn't actually know what "kill" means and she is happy with the answer of "he is not a nice man, and it was very naughty so the policeman got him."

You also caught a glimpse of a lady in labour and asked why she was screaming. I explained she was having a baby and it hurts your tummy when you have a baby. This was about two months ago. A few days ago, I told you Luana had to go to the doctor because she had a sore tummy. You asked why and I said that the doctors were not sure but they were trying to help. "I know why! Maybe a liiitle baby did come out!!" and you were so excited.

Imaginitive play is your biggest pastime. you love making your toys have conversations and at bedtime I have to use Lion to talk to you. "Brrrrrrooklyn?" (Nod, giggle giggle) "Are you a bear?" (shake your head) Are you sure? Do bears have eyes? YOU have eyes!!" (giggle giggle) "Do bears have arms? YOU have arms!! You must be a bear!" (dooubled over - NO!) "No? Well, do bears have a mouth? You have a mouth! Do bears have a wet nose? YOU have a wet nose!!!" (and I lick your nose) and you're in hysterics.

Anyway

Hey Brooklyn... Guess what?
I love you.

Mama

Princess Brooklyn - 3y + 2m

Dear Princess Brooklyn

This whole month you have had your Nana Shona staying which has meant that you get an extra set of eyes to entertain. We haven't done too much exciting unfortunately, mainly due to lack of sleep and the weather not being too great. You had a few birthday parties this month. I  had to drop you at one and leave because I had to go to work. You had a great time, my favourite was Millar's bacause I got to take miniature train rides with you. I love having Brooklyn and Me time.

Nico's group is not on in the school holidays which has meant that you and I got to go to YOUR playgroup on Wednesday mornings. We made Easter baskets the first week and then had a little easter egg hunt the second week. I love watching you play with your friends, realising how much you really do play together now, rather than just along side each other. You make dolls/ figures/ animals talk to each other and will try to include everyone in the play. Games are still a bit out of your league. You understand taking turns but any other type of rule escapes you. Maybe in a few more months.

Holly comes to play here once a week or so, and you sing/chant "We are best friends, we are best friends, we are best friends" (Well, it is more like "We are bes fens" but we know what you mean) and have a great time together. You cuddle up on the couch for quiet time and watch Tinkerbell or Barbie. You have been going to daycare together on thursdays for a few months now so I think that made you even closer. You are going there for Easter today with Nana Shona and Dad, I will be there after work. We did a mini one in the front garden this morning

You have been helping me out in the kitchen a fair bit the last month or so too. Pouring, mixing, scraping. I think the only reason you like baking is to lick the bowl. Popcorn is the other favourite at the moment. Luckily we have glass lids so you can see the kernels popping and bouncing around the pot.

Just this week, we painted the hallway, dining and playroom. you got to help out in your playroom and were very good at it. You had a great time and were very proud of yourself.

Also this month I found my EFTPOS card you were "playing" with in September. In a bag of cotton wool balls under Nico's change table.

Hey Brooklyn, guess what.
I love you

Mama

Your funniest utterings this month.

"Mama... look... Dad is full of it!!"  (He was standing on a chair, leaning on the wall painting. I think you meant something ab out falling...)

"Nana, put that dirty old thing out and come and play!" (cigarette)

Driving "Mama, can I sit on your lap?" (No, you are not allowed, the policeman will get angry) "But he isn't here! He can't see me!"

After i told you to go to the toilet, which you didn't want to "Oh! Bother!!"

Princess Brooklyn - 3y + 1m

Dear Brooklyn,

You started dancing this month, at a school I mean. It has definately been the highlight of your month. Maybe even your year. You and your two little friends look so beautiful in your leotards, skirts, tights and shoes. It is a mix of ballet, jazz and tap and in June you will be putting on a mid year show for us. I can't wait!

Fairy wings not really part of it!

Your new found independence has now extended to making sandwiches. You have to do it yourself most of the time but under supervision of course. I have taught you to hold the bread flat on one hand and the knife in the other, and you are great at scooping out peanut butter... the rest of the process you are still mastering. The idea of holding the knife flat to spread the peanut butter doesn't quite register so you hold it the same position you would to cut the bread. It makes for a rather lumpy sandwich with tufts of bread missing but I am sure it tastes better than anything I make you.

Hey Brooklyn, guess what?

I love you

xx Mama xx

Brooklyn quotes of the month

"Yes Mama, I am tall ... but my head is small, it needs to get bigger so I can touch the ceiling"

"Phew, that's beda. now the hot weather won't ged in my eyes!" (as you put your sunglasses on)

Nana Shona is over staying with us again to escape the earthquakes. You make her laugh every day, but I think you filled me in on a secret she didn't expect you to talk about.

"Nana Shona can take out her teeth!!"... "They not real teeth though. They just p'etend."

Visitors

Dear Brooklyn,

Nanna and Grandad arrived arrived last night. You picked them up from the airport with Dad and there was no shyness about seeing them at all.. even if it is only the 2nd time in a year (in real life, we skype all the time) you ran up and hugged them straight away.
It is an hours drive to our place from the airport and by the time you got back here, Grandad had already given you a nickname: Turbo Tonsils. Your mouth didn't stop the whole time. In fact, it still hasn't... except when you are alseep.
Today you were helping Nanna with house work and had a spray bottle of water which you believed was Spray N Wipe. Leaving Nanna in the laundry you told her you were off to do housework in the playroom. A minute or two later, Nanna must have had visions of you spraying all sorts of things, couch, walls, your brother...
I overheard her calling out "Brooklyn, just plastic stuff ay?"
Your reply? "Don't you worry about me, I am just in here, you are in the laundry" or something to that effect. Basically, it sounded like you were telling her to just focus on her own job and mind her own business. I laughed out loud.
They are also amused with your constant modesty
"You look pretty" gets the answer of "Yeah. Thanks"
"That's a great tower Brooklyn" gets "Yep, that's because I am a great builder"

I might have to see if one of them will do a guess blog here for you. I am sure they will have plenty of hilarious stories for you.

An Apology and a Thank you

Dear Brooklyn

It's been a tough 16 months for us all but we worry for you the most. 16 months is almost half of your life, and I am missing chunks of it. Living in hospital for 3 weeks before Nico's arrival, spending at least 4 hours a day at the hospital (including the travel time) visiting your brother for more than 7 months after that, and even when he finally got home, things didn't get better. Appointments and admissions, as well as the hours of screaming each day even when we were home, have all stolen your mother away from you. I used to get up at 5.30am to visit Nico and be home by the time you finished breakfast, just so that I could spend the day with you twice a week. It is not the way a usual family does things. thankfully you don't know anything else. I am sorry for not being there every moment, ferrying you around and most of all I am sorry you won't have a regular childhood. We promise to do our best to make it as close as possible

I am even writing this from a parents room in the hospital. You are at your friend Riley's place. You have told me many times you are going to marry him. When you pretend to be Cinderella and I ask you who your Prince is, you tell me Riley. I am not too sure you have made up your mind yet though, which I am glad about, as you also tell me you want to marry Kam and Max.

None of this chaos seems to have affected you too much, you don't make a fuss when we leave you at the  and you still give us cuddles,. I am not sure that you will be too happy with me by Wednesday though, so I am apologising in advance. Tomorrow Helen and Holly are picking you up from daycare and you may have to stay there the night. On Wednesday I promise, even if Nico is at the "big hosfiddle" you can come with me. Hopefully he will be at the little one though. You own that place and have all the nurses wrapped around your little finger, they have watched you grow up as well as your brother.

So THANK YOU my princess, for being the most amazing, accepting, flexible 18-35 month year old on the face of the planet. Without you, I would not have gotten through this. not only because you were so easy to offload, but because when all Nico's issues have me in a heap, you keep me smiling and sane.

And thank you to the amazing friends who have taken Brooklyn in and made this whole process easier for her (and me!!) Without you, she would have been spending countless hours in hospitals and waiting rooms, and our relationship would have truly disintegrated aws I would have been forced into telling her "sit there, be quiet, don't touch and don't move"

Princess Brooklyn: 35 months.

Inspired by Toushka I have decided that I will write to my Princess and tell her about herself. It is a little late to start but better than never

So Brooklyn this is you.

This month was your third Christmas and New Years. I was so excited because this was going to be the first one you understood. Not as excited as you though. For two months you had been telling everyone, strangers and friends alike, that Santa was bringing her a pink scooter with lights

Your Nanna Shona came to visit us for Christmas and the beginning of January. This was the third time she had met you and she was amazed at how much you had changed in a year. You are a real little person now and can have conversations about everything... even though sometimes you don't make sense.

"I just think umm, 12 oclock is, over there and presents because the lady did and driving" is an example of what might come out of your mouth when you want to be the centre of attention but haven't actually got anything to say. Another would be: "This is a cucumber, because its not a cucumber".

You're favourite thing to do is dance and act, and I must say: you are great. All you have to do is see something once on TV or something your friends do and you can re-enact it.  The most common little drama you put on is putting your hands over you mouth, looking into them and saying "Oh no, my toof's fallen out! I beda go pud it nexta my bed right now!" If you can dress up too, then it's even better

I would like to freeze this moment in time and keep you this age. Next month you will be 3. When I say "My daughter is 2, you still sound like my baby. When I say I have a 3 year old, I will have to admit you're growing up. Maybe you will stop our funny game of "Hey Mama, guess what? ... I love you!!!!!" Maybe when I say "Hey Brooklyn, guess what?... I love you!!!" you will no longer reply with "Awww!" and reply "ooooooooooh, Muuuu-uuummmmm!!"

I am not allowed to dress you anymore. You have to do it yourself, including choosing what to wear. Sometimes I don't agree with your choices but if you want to wear an oversized t-shirt, ballet skirt and stripy jandals (yes, you call them jandals, thank god, not thongs) to the shops, that is what you wear. The only time I make you change is if you are wearing your favourite party dress and we are going to the park. Then I have to convince you that shorts/jeans are a much better idea.

You are such a loving little creature. Your brother thinks you are the best. You can see it in his eyes. All I have to do is say "oh, here comes your sister!!" and he starts to smile. I think he knows what's going to happen and when you jump to peek over the change table and shout "Boo!" he starts to laugh. You call him Mister Man or Our Little Man and love to cuddle and kiss him. Every time you make him laugh or smile, you get so excited and announce it to us. If he is in a bad mood and won't smile or laugh, you get upset.

We got some apps for you on my iTouch last week - games, stories and number/letter practise - and you already know exactly how to unlock it, find and open the apps you want to use and get them started. Close My Eyes by Little Bella has become a favourite bedtime story.

Nanna and Grandad are on their way to visit next week, I just know they will be even more in love with you than they were 4 months ago. I can't wait and neither can you. "Aww, grandad is a funny man. He can change his shirt colour" you told me today. I have no idea what you meant but you seemed impressed.

Hey Brooklyn. Guess what? I love you
Mama

Quality time with my special girl

Now that life is a bit of a logistical nightmare, I am understanding the meaning of "Quality Time". It's not that I didn't believe in it or understand it... I just thought it was for the dad's who didn't get home from work til their child's bed time.

Now I am the Invsible Mum. My time with Brooklyn has been cut down to maybe 1/4 of what it was. Not by 1/4. To 1/4. I wrote out a mini schedule with 2 times slots per day: AM and PM and 3 activities "Work" "Nico" and "Brooklyn" for the nurses so they knew when to expect me. Work got 3 slots, Brooklyn got 3.5 (in just 3 days), Nico got 5.5 and Saturday was left blank. Seeing this on paper, although completely skewed as of course I spend time with her each day, made me incredible sad. I wanted to cry. My little girl, my amazing little girl, was going through one of the funniest ages in her lifetime, and I was missing chunks of it.

Through this little exercise, I found Thursday's has become Brooklyn's day. It is the only day I have to devote the whole day to her. Even then I miss the start of it. I go to the hospital at 6am, feed Nico at 8 and get home by 9.30am. On Wednesday night I had our day all planned to makes sure that the time we did get was all about her.. not me or the house (although we did do a few groceries but the trip was to get her some fairy wings)

We started off the day outside where she had been helping her dad move some stones. We filled buckets, ran along the side of the house and searched for snails... something either her Nana or cousin taught her...

With fairies being her latest obsession, I was ordered inside to watch The Fairies which I had recorded for her the day before. We did the Boogie Woogie Sand Dance (sha-a-ake your bo-ot-tom), helped Harmony and Rhapsody write a letter and scoffed at the flying boat.

Just in time for lunch we cooked some muffins. She shook in the ingredients, mixed it up and most importantly, licked the spoon and bowl!!! She stood on a backwards chair in front of the oven and watched in amazement as they grew and grew... it was almost, but not quite as exciting as getting to eat them. She was even allowed to have "juice" with her lunch, just like her mum. (A splash of juice in a cup of water)

After a nap we went to the shops and bought some fairy wings and playdough equipment. This resulted in a little fairy sitting at Brooklyn's table playing with playdough for the afternoon. Only after another trip to the beach in the flying boat with Harmony and Rhapsody though. With her wings and wand, obviously. It wan't until we put this on that she pointed out that she didn't have the "eyes" like the other fairies. Oh well. Thursday will come again next week!