The sun is shining today, a beautiful 30 degrees here in Melbourne. Everybody loves a warm, sunny day; it just automatically brightens everyones outlook on life, giving us all more energy to get things done and simply live life to the fullest. Archie and Lily have the same effect on us as the sun in a way... they are so good at making us and everyone around them smile & laugh and one can't help but have fun playing with them.
Lily is 4 months now and at a wonderful stage: her smiles are infectious, the way she tilts her head in an almost shy manner, but then it quickly turns into a chuckle with her legs in the air... it's simply adorable. Her big blue eyes follow us around the house now, watching everything we do as we chat away to her telling her about this and that, with a song thrown in for good measure thanks to Archie.
Archie has been a great big brother with her; gentle and kind as we had hoped for. I can't wait for them to get a little older and play in their cubby. Today Lily rolled over for the first time and thought it was pretty good, so now she rolls every time she is on her tummy, cheeky muppet!
Since we worked out she had reflux and were able to medicate, she has been such a good bub. Maybe it's just me being a more relaxed Mum second time round, but her cries don't seem to worry me that much. Marcus smiles and rolls his eyes at me, as I just can't seem to cuddle and kiss her enough. I laugh at her preference to feed laying tummy to tummy with me sitting upright... it looks very strange but it works, so we will keep going with it, even if she hops on and off for a chat and giggle.
Marcus is home this week after more than 5 weeks away in Europe. I don't think Archie believed me on Monday when I said he would be here soon... but when he heard the front door open, he leapt off the couch running, giggling and yelling 'Daddy!' all at once... the welcome Marcus received was just gorgeous, it brought a tear to soppy Mum's eyes. Since then, they have been inseparable, playing, reading, driving together- I get the 'heave ho' when Daddy is back! All Dads seem to have that 'fun' role with their children and this is especially the case for Marcus... he tries to make up for the time they have missed being together, squashing in as many things together as they can... I know I would too if it was me. But just as they get comfy, Marcus has to head off again tomorrow to Singapore.
I am not looking forward to tomorrow, I think Archie will find it really hard to say goodbye. But he doesn't know any different, so fingers crossed he will be OK. It is not easy for any of us- Marcus is quite lonely on his own & missing many special milestones with the kids, whilst I'm going it solo which can be really hard at times. But whilst he still has a tour card and we can manage being apart, we will keep going as we do 'til we simply can't keep going anymore.
It's not for the faint hearted, but if you have a strong relationship, the distance only makes you stronger. We don't sweat over the small stuff as it is just not worth it- time together is too precious so we want it to be the best it can be full of happy times, smiles, family and BBQ's ;-)
It is harder since Lily arrived, I miss his helping hand and being able talk about the days events cuddled on the couch with a choccie and laptop! But like all families these days, we too are making sacrifices such as being apart for the chance for us to live comfortably and give our kids a chance to experience a wonderful childhood, as we did in Corowa.
There are absolutely many positives to be grateful for too, and these are the things that keep us going. It is an all or nothing scenario for us, with Marcus being away around a month each trip, then home a week or two, but when he is home, he really devotes himself to us and works his golf around our commitments, making sure he is home for the rush hour, the park and meals together.
After nearly 9 years, we don't really know any different and things seem to work pretty well for us. It is hard for some to understand our decisions, but unless one has been in the shoes of a wife or partner committed to one that travels, it is very hard for them to empathise how hard it can be. My career has been put on hold for now, but teaching is a wonderful job, in that it will always be there when I can manage to work, bring up the kids and run the house, whilst Marcus is away.
For now, we feel that if the kids can't see Marcus a lot, they need me around 24/7 and so far it works; Marcus has played such consistent golf since we made this decision. He is not so worried about us home alone and I'm not stressed to the max trying to run a house and work without support. I am grateful we are in a position to do this for now and I cherish this time I have with the kids and hope that I look back on this time as the best years of my life.
I am also grateful that I manage to get quite a bit done with my photos, Project Life, journaling and crafts whilst Marcus is away. It's mostly at night when it's a bit quiet on the couch, but it makes the time pass quicker and I love documenting our life's ups and downs. I admit that I am somewhat obsessed with Photography and Design! I just can't take enough photos! Project Life has been brilliant at combining my pictures with the little moments where Archie says something funny, to Lily's Milestones. I've even found my brother Brent flicking through the album and having a laugh! I've made it simple and more about the photos, but it so works for me... I've already ordered next years album and encourage everyone to have a go, it really is life changing and has made me appreciate the little moments in our everyday life.
It is now Tuesday and I still haven't finished this post! Archie has just left with Mum and Dad to go to Corowa for a few days, so it is eerily quiet here. I've got a list a mile long of things I want to finish, so I had better finish up at get to that dreaded book keeping... {sigh}... til next time...
