The First Night in the New Bed

So… he slept through! I woke up three times and went to his room convinced he would be on the floor or in the living room but no.
He woke up screaming “MUMMY!” as usual. I went in as usual, as he clearly has not realised he can just step out of his bed yet.

“Wow! River’s new bed”
“No. I don’t like new bed.”

And he carried on with his usual morning routine. I would call that a result. I still would have liked to have done a bit more on saying goodbye to the old bed but it’s done. An hour later, when Summer got in it –
“NO SUMMER! IT’S MINE!”

Hopefully tonight he’ll go to bed a little easier. I said to Kike I’ll have a look for a Halloween duvet cover, I’m sure that’ll help.

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Sunday Routine

Sundays are swimming mornings for Summer. She’s too advanced for this group now after her holiday which actually isn’t the worst thing. It keeps her confidence up and gives her a chance to practise without pressure.

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The BBQ Life

Today, we had one of our BBQs. Since we moved to our house, we’ve loved having them. Kike loves to burn meat and I love having company in the safety and comfort of the garden. The kids play happily, I can chat to my friends, enforcing my music on them and there’s everything River needs to hand if it all gets too much.

This is probably one of the biggest changes to my social life since having two children.

With Summer, she kind of fitted into our life. We’d just take her everywhere with us. But with River, the garden became more appealing. Having people come to us means we can talk and enjoy time with our friends without having to worry about every last detail.

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Finding His Voice

The day went as planned. River is screaming a lot at the moment, which is a good thing but it is very loud! I think he’s finding his voice, it’s not overly fun for the rest of us but we can cope. My two very good friends came over and played with them both in the garden until I encourage the kids to retreat to the lounge. Purely selfish reasons so I could actually talk to my friends.

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Work Looming

The oncoming back to work is looming, I have to go back next week but River’s school can’t take him back till the 11th. Kike is self-employed, so taking time off is always a financial loss. My boss is incredibly understanding and has said we can negotiate some unpaid leave, which is amazing. But amazing doesn’t pay the mortgage. So, currently is a headache.

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Creating Our Own Village

They say raising children takes a village and I think they might be right. But I was raised in a village and I couldn’t wait to leave.

Now, as a parent, I’ve realised the village I need isn’t about geography, it’s about people. Not people who say they understand but the ones who actually turn up. The ones who sit with River when he’s loud, who don’t flinch when he melts down, who help him climb or eat or just be. I don’t need family who just like the pictures I post; I need family who will hold my child in their arms, even when it’s hard. I need friends who don’t just ask how we are, but who step through the door, immediately ask where he is and give me a hug when I’ve run out of steam.

That’s the village I want to build. Not built on words, but on presence. Not on sympathy from a distance, but on hands that help, voices that reassure and shoulders that share the weight.

Because the truth is, this isn’t easy. And yet, with the right people around us- the doers, not the talkers, it feels just a little lighter. And that, to me, is everything.

Excuse me while I go and put a screaming River to bed as obviously he does not like his new bed.