The Tovington Post

Things are lovely and boring at the moment.

Nissim's creche told me that he is a good eater at creche, which makes up for the not so good eating at home (at least 2 days a week). I don't worry about him too much as he is happy and growing (so his clothes tell me) and there is no way we could force him to eat.

It is almost haircut time for him. In a matter of weeks that long pony tail will be a thing of the past and I will hopefully leave the 'are they twin girls?', 'what's her name' and 'she is so pretty' comments in the past! The big 3 years old is next month! He is booked in at a fancy pants kids hairdresser on his birthday. We have been preparing him for the hair cut for months and he is pretty excited to have short hair like Aba (and the promise of cake). However, there is potential for him to freak out. We figured that a hairdresser with play stations, flat screens and toys was probably the best way to go for a first haircut.

Tova has been eating heaps as usual. She is trying to feed herself more and more with the spoon and is having fun putting her hands into the food and hands into her mouth. She also likes to put food on one finger and then put the finger in her mouth. Clever!

Also, she has started allowing Yuval to brush her teeth with a real toothbrush and tooth paste. There is a process to it and she insists on the distractions he provides like singing and airplane sounds, but at least she is brushing her teeth!

I weighed Tova today after her bath.

She missed lunch today (was playing too much at play group and wouldn't eat for them).

HOWEVER, even without lunch...

10.1kg

Eating is going well. Not much has changed, but yes, the DVD player is GONE! Singing happens from time to time, but if I put children's music or Reggae on the ipod, Tova eats without me having to sing!

Sometimes she asks me to sing and if I don't she turns her head away from the spoon. But if I persists and be strong, I can usually get her to finish her meal without singing (I just turn the reggae up).

I have also noticed that she is now telling me if she doesn't like a particular food. In the past she would just eat anything. Now, if she doesn't like it for what ever reason, she makes it quite clear that there is no way that I will get her to eat it.

Thankfully there isn't much that she won't eat.

Everything is still pureed or mashed.

She is growing (I can tell by her clothes) and her legs look nice and chunky now!

Nissim is learning lots of crazy things from being a social being at Creche, I can't complain, he really is a good boy and learning from others is a part of life.

I got some new studio lights for my photography and am loving playing with them. I am finding it hard being tired all the time as I can't play much with my photography until kids are sleeping, which means I stay up until about 1am.. yawn.. It is worth it, because I love it..

For the past week I have been feeding Tova sans DVD player!

It has been a little bit difficult, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Also, having children's music on in the background helps. It is nice to see her appreciate music. When a song she knows the actions to comes on she does her little dance moves, she is so cute. She especially loves doing the diamond from twinkle twinkle.

The carers at her play group on Thursdays haven't used the DVD player for eating for months, I think that is why it has been so easy for me. They are such a brilliant play group!

Nissim is being his cute self, he is much easier now that he is just that bit older. He is able to communicate his needs and wants, which makes life much nicer. However he does from time to time resort to crying and fussing, which of course, drives me insane. However, he really is such a good boy.

His creche say that he not only is ready for 5 days a week of kinder next year, he NEEDS it. Wow! I was worried that 5 days would be too much, but they have reassured me that it is actually the best thing for him! He is so impressive! What a little miracle.

So, hopefully this transition from eating only when distracted is a thing of the past and also the stepping stone to independent eating, possibly even eating things that aren't pureed! I really hope so, but I am very patient about it. Little steps and one at a time!

What ever happens, I am very proud and very impressed by my two little premi babies.

Well I really don't have much to say. Which of course is lovely.

Tova is eating loads and Nissim isn't. Nissim doesn't eat dinner often and if he does it is usually only because he has convinced us to give him porridge or cereal.  He is happy and seems to be growing (according to his clothes), so I don't worry too much.

Tova had her AFO's (ankle foot orthotics) checked out this week and the AFO guy assures me that Tova's feet have grown and that we will need new AFO's in a few months. So, Tova is also growing. As she should be, she eats so much.

Tova is trying to self feed more and more, which is something to look forward to. Her food is still all pureed but with a few more lumps. Slowly, slowly.

That's all. Nice and quiet around here at the moment.