First Haircut

As much as I hated to do it, Matthew needed a haircut. His hair was long, was irritating him in his neck and around his ears and it was making him perspire. I just wanted a trim, take off some of the length but keep the curls. So off we went to a nearby salon.

Matthew refused to sit in the chair, so I had to sit with him on my lap. He refused to wear the towel and cape but I distracted him enough that the stylist could put it on. He didn't like that she came near him with the scissors but luckily my sister was having her hair done as well and could help with the distractions. Then Matthew started crying, and crying and he didn't stop!

He sat still through the whole haircut but cried the entire time. I looked to see what the stylist had done so far and I was happy. When she asked me if she must "open" his ears (cut the hair away from his ears) I agreed. Then I tried my utmost to distract Matthew by looking into the mirror, looking for my sister in the salon, looking at the phone, at the people walking in the mall. Nothing stopped his tears. When I looked again, the stylist had taken off so much more than what I had asked! I told her that his hair is too short. She told me that it's not and that I was just used to seeing him with long hair. WTF!!?!? You got scissor-happy and went crazy on my boy's head! All his curls are gone! *cry*

Luckily it's only hair and it will grow back but hubby wasn't impressed with the short haircut. And I don't think Matthew did too badly for his first time. Yes he cried, but he sat still the whole time. I don't think we'll be going back to that stylist, although I like the salon. Maybe we can just ask for someone else next time.

Top row - The before pics
Middle row - Crying throughout the cut
Bottom row - Finished product (see, no more curls)

Birthday post

So we decided not to have a birthday party for Matthew but rather have a small cake and tea party on the day and take him out on the weekend. 

EDIT: 22/01/2013

So the evening was good. Matthew had fun and was spoilt rotten. He received the following as gifts:

Mommy and Daddy - play garage for all his cars and a toy motorbike
Grandpa and Grandma - 2 x shorts and 2 x sweaters
Aunty Nicole - Big dump truck with duplo blocks
Aunt S and Uncle A - 1 x Mega trains book and 1 x Barney ABC book
Aunt M and Uncle M - Big 4-wheeler 

(Must still take a pic of his gifts)

Here's some more pics of the rest of his day...

 

                 

 And another pic of the cake:

 I'm pleased with the day the turned out. Matthew seemed happy and the cake was delicious! Now for our day out on Saturday!

Letter to my 2 year old son

Dear Matthew

Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that I wished you happy birthday for the first time ever, the moment I saw you, minutes after you were born. 

Words seem to fail me now to express how much not only you've grown, but how I've grown as well. You've taught me to slow down and enjoy, to run and jump and grab the good in life, you've taught me how to kiss and cuddle and love with all your heart, and you've taught me how to laugh with all your might, that it's okay to cry and to shout your frustrations! You've shown me so much in your short 2 years with us and I can only pray that I can show and guide you all that I know and believe. It may seem like a lot of responsibility for such small shoulders but all you've done is be yourself and the rest just happened.

At 2 years old, you are such a little boy. Always running, jumping off the furniture, play fighting with Daddy. You are determined to do things yourself and your way. It can be very frustrating to deal with your temper tantrums and when you ignore me, I want to pull my hair out. But when it's time for you to sleep, you still allow me to hold you and kiss you. You love to sit on my lap when you're tired and just snuggle into the crook of my arm. And when you're in the mood, you can give me the BEST kisses and the tightest hugs. 

The last year, we went from you barely being able to walk to you running around and kicking a ball. We went from hardly understanding anything you say to you being able to tell us what you want, where it hurts and when you've potty'd (still working on you telling us before the time :)). You can tell us your name, how old you are and you can say "I love you". 

Matthew, my life has changed for the better these last 2 years. Your Daddy and I love each other so much more and we love you to infinity times infinity. That's a whole lot of love, my boy. I pray that you never lose your enthusiasm for life, that you will always play with all your might, love with all your heart and never forget your family.

I love you! Now and for always.
Mommy

24 month update

1.) How old today?

Matthew is 3 days shy of 24 months (2 years) :-)

2.) New milestones/ talents/ achievements?

His speech is improving daily. And I just love it! 

3.) Favourite toys & favourite things to do?

He loves playing with a hosepipe

Loves to walk around with some of his cars

He loves his books and will point to all the pictures and wait for you to name the object

He is loving his new tent and tunnel

He loves anything to do with motorbikes

4.) Current words?

His latest words are "come" and "go". I also just love when he says "shhhweets" and when he calls me and I ignore me, he will say "mama" about twice and then in a louder, frustrated voice say "MAMA". lol!

5.) Favourite food and snacks?

Fizzer sweets and KFC chicken pops

6.) How is toddler sleeping at night?

He starts off in his cot and ends up in our bed. He will wake between 12:00 and 02:00 and cry the entire time. But once he's got his juice and is in our bed, we all sleep again until around 07:00. Can't really complain...

7.) Day naps?

He's at creche now and they have a nap from around 11:00 till 13:00 I think. Weekends he can still have 2 naps for the day, one morning and one afternoon.

8.) How many teeth – and how are teething issues going?

16 - just waiting on those molars now

9.) Weight and length?

Last clinic visit he was 89cms at 21 months. I'm not sure of his length now but he weighs just over 12kgs now.

10.) Clothing size and shoe size?

18-24 months, 1-2 years and can still fit into some of 3-6 months clothes. He wears a size 7 shoe

11.) Recent toddler ‘highs’?

I love that he chats so much and he just LOVES talking on the phone. The kisses I'll get when I'm 'hurt'. The fact that he (and us) understands so much more and communication is just so much better!

12.) Recent toddler ‘lows’?

It looks like the 'terrible twos' have hit. Tantrums and crying are the latest craze in our household. Oh and he can ignore us so very well!

13.) What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

Communication just getting better and better, potty training (read: no more diapers!), hopefully prepping for Matt's sibling :-)

14.) How are mommy and daddy doing?

We are doing great! We just need to work on managing our stress and and not taking it out on Matthew. Otherwise, we're both coping well and share all the parenting responsibilities. 

Year 1 and 2 - likes

I've seen a few of these around and thought I'd do Matthew's. This is a lovely idea and a great way to track their likes over the years. 

AGE 1

 AGE 2

Please let me know what you think....

2nd birthday and a new tattoo

Today, it's just 4 days until my little boy turns 2 years old. He's growing like a weed and making me bankrupt with all the clothing I need to replace. :) He is developing so well and his speech is above anything I could ever hope for. (Especially considering how panicked I was a few weeks ago). He just loves water, motorbikes and balloons.

I was going to have a birthday party for him, designed (and sent out) invitations but decided against it. We're in the middle of moving (still have to find a place and need to be out at the end of January) and we're not in a space right now to have a big party. So we decided to do cake and tea on the day of his birthday (the 21st) and then take him out for the day on Saturday (26th). This has been a very hard decision for me to make because even though Matthew is so young and probably won't even remember his party, for me it's more than that. It's about celebrating his 2nd year with us, celebrating the love and joy with family and friends, and thanking everyone that has had an influence on his life this last year.

In other news, I got a new tattoo on Friday (11 January 2013). I'm getting another (hopefully) very soon, but will update on that one when I get it.

Life has had it's ups and downs for us lately and I've been super quiet on all forms of social media and with our friends. I'm trying to get my head back into a good space and I'm struggling with my weight (big surprise!). At least hubby and I are going strong, although I need to work on my insecurity issues. Together, hubby and I have discovered the reasons behind it, now just to find a way to get over it and forgive myself.