Teaching Toddlers Colours.

Ryder and I have started 'doing' a colour a week.

Nothing too intensive but we're tying it in with his KindyRoo weekly program where they focus on a neurological theme and a colour each week.

Ryder isn't in any form of care yet. He's with me 24/7. Therefore I need to be the one exposing him to the world around him. He's not yet being exposed to the language, skills and education that a childcare would be offering.  As a stay-at-home-Mum, I need to provide these opportunities for him.

Now that we're in a bit of a groove with Ella's school drop offs and pick ups and my work schedule, I've decided to amp up his 'learning'. I want him to have the same experiences his big sister had.

Keeping in mind that he's an 18month old boy, who is non-stop and very determined. He loves books - but on his own terms. he loves to draw and listen and create - on his own terms! So I just make it up as I go, depending on his mood and interests that day. 

A few people on Instagram have asked me if I follow a particular program with teaching Ryder and the answer is No. I just tune into his interests - trucks, bugs, machinery, the moon, song, fish and birds. I talk to him a lot - explain what I can see, what I can hear, how I feel. I ask him questions and babble away along with his jibber. I reiterate colours and numbers and images where possible. And I try not 'baby down' language too much {but obviously have to make it understandable for him and repeat 'his words' for objects to show him that I understand him}.

With his colour study - I am simply exposing him to a particular colour each week and saying the word....A LOT. He has a word and an image for each 'colour' and I help him glue it into a small scrapbook. I give him a crayon, a pencil and a texta in that colour and let him go wild on the page. We then {together} explore around the house and collect a variety of things that represent that colour. I then bring them back to the table where we simply point and label. I repeat the colour name constantly - eg: "Where's the blue block Ryder? - Yes good boy you found the blue block. Mummy is holding the blue block. Do you want to hold the blue block? It is heavy isn't it? It's blue. The colour of this block is blue." etc. Drives you a little batty....haaa....but worth it :) And then I try to get him to say the colour name. Ryder likes to do things in his own time. Speech is something he understands really well and experiments with - but still doesn't demonstrate too much. 'Blue' he repeated easily. 'Orange' however, he refused to say :) But, the point is - exposing them and building that foundation understanding.

Carry on this learning as you go through your week - point out 'blue' things as you drive or at the shops, or in books etc.

Learning at this age SHOULD NOT be stressful or forced. Simply 'sneak' it into their play and their daily activities and they'll be learning without even realising it :)

And ENJOY! You're shaping a little one's view of the world and creating a great start for them.

I've made a very simple free download of the words and images I use with Ryder in his little scrapbook. CLICK HERE to download the PDF to use with your little ones.

Hope this was of some help....

Happy Friday All x

That time I paid $400 to be told I was a bad parent...

During 2009, our safe little world of parenthood and simplicity went a little haywire. It truly was a roller coaster of a year!

I returned to work around Ella's first birthday and for a while; I coped quite well with the balancing act of working on little to no sleep.

But around mid-year, I hit rock-bottom. And it wasn't just Ella's sleep {or lack of} that was killing me - it was a multitude of dramas surrounding us. But being a Mother - I wanted to FIX everything. I wanted everyone happy and I wanted a life of calm!

Around the 16month mark - I started to look for answers as to why Ella was the way she was. She wasn't sleeping, she was hardly eating, she cried {a lot}, she got sick regularly and she was basically...hard work. Being a first time parent, I insisted this needed to be urgently changed before more bad habits were created {yes, I was bombarding my brain with 'baby book information' on how babies should act at that age} On top of all this worry and chaos in our life, I was filled with guilt and angst about how Ella's world had been rocked from the other life-changing factors in our home.

I cried to Chris {many times}. He had  more of a "she's ok, it's just how she is right now, it's a stage, it'll change soon" attitude. But I just couldn't think like that. I wanted to. But I was tired and emotional and worried. Why wasn't our almost 2 year old sleeping through the night? Why was her separation anxiety soooo bad? Why does she sook ALL.THE.TIME? Why won't she eat anything that's not warm milk in a bottle? Why is she sick AGAIN?

The questions. Oh, the questions. They ate away at me.

So I seeked help. I booked us in {on a large waiting list of course} to see a 'well-known' Paediatrician on the coast. I knew the appointment was going to cost near $400. Four hundred dollars we didn't have at the time. But I was sure there was something medically wrong with her. I was sure if a professional looked at her, he'd be able to help!

Months on {by now Ella was around 18months old}.....we got the call that our name had reached a booking slot on the list. So, Chris, Ella and I headed on down to meet this 'special children's Doctor'.

We waited patiently in the holding room, reading Ella books and cuddling her close - like all doting parents do. Then the Doctor appeared at the door and called us in. I scooped up the bags, whilst Chris scooped up our little one and we started to head in. "No" said the Doctor abruptly. "She can walk, can't she? She doesn't need you carrying her! Put her down and let her walk in herself!" Chris obliged. And already I sensed the tension this meeting was going to bring. 

Within minutes of the appointment starting - he had already explained that we were fostering her anxiety by carrying her and holding her. He told us that we spoilt her with too much love and attention, and this was obvious from the second he met us. He told us we were setting ourselves up for failure by letting her routines dictate our days & plans. He said we were hindering her emotional development by not letting her cry to sleep and by the guilt I was feeling towards her being in care while I returned to work. He said Ella was feeding completely off of our stress. He enforced that she was 100% healthy {he didn't even touch her or examine her!} and that all of these 'issues' were our own doing. In a nutshell....he made us feel like big FAT failures. We paid our $380 {which Chris almost refused...since the appointment felt like a huge waste!} and left with our fussy, spoilt 18month old and our tails between our legs.

Back in the car, Chris said "Well that was crap. What a waste of time and money! He was a dickhead! Why did we even come?" And I just sat there crying. Feeling like a complete failure of a Mother. Blaming myself for everything.

******************

Over the next few days and weeks, as I shared our 'terrible Paediatrician appointment' story with friends and family - I started to shift my thinking. A few words of encouragement and reinforced positive comments made me realise, that actually NO, .....he was wrong with a lot of the things he dumped on us. I'm not a bad mother! In fact...EVERYTHING I do is with the best intentions. She is my world and if loving her fiercely with all of my being is ruining her - them yep, I'll accept it - I am guilty!! Coz I did love her  - physically, emotionally and spiritually. And she knew that. Actually.....All she knew was LOVE!

Maybe he was right with some of the things he said. And I took on board some of those comments. But a lot of it was garbage. And now landing on deaf ears to me. I finally let it roll off my back....

However, I still felt there was something not quite right {medically} and went to the local GP. I explained that we had taken Ella to a Paediatrician in hope to get some tests for sleep apnea or diabetes etc, and that he had refused, saying it was all emotional related, not medical.

The GP rolled his eyes. And within 30minutes we were getting a blood test done. It was a horrific but quick experience for a toddler and her Mama, but I was kind of relieved that someone had finally listened and was taking steps to help source some answers.

Sure enough, a few days later, we got the blood test results - which revealed that Ella was dangerously anemic. Her iron levels were so incredibly low. Her body was not absorbing or using iron efficiently.

A prescription of iron liquid was given and within weeks of her taking it each day - she was calmer, sleeping better, regaining an appetite, putting on weight, not getting sick all the time and overall - MUCH happier! She had more energy and was able to use it to play positively....instead of walking around whining, exhausted. It was almost like she was a different kid! Happiness and calm started to creep in. Parenting felt almost easy..... :)

The lesson here?! Follow your parental instinct! If you think something's not right - get answers. Oh, and don't pay almost $400 to be told you're a crappy parent - it does NOTHING for your confidence :)

Months on, Ella turned two.

I had read all about the 'terrible twos' and worried what 2010 would bring. Every now and then the Paediatrician's words would sneak back into my head and I worried what Ella being two would bring! But do you know what? Ella being two was all kinds of delightful. She was happy {pretty much ALL THE TIME}, she slept ok {not great....but hey, that's her!}, she ate well & she was beyond all milestones. She filled our lives with pure, unconditional love. She was easy to take out in public, she was easy to toilet train, she had a love for life and living well. To us, she was perfect! 2010 was an AWESOME year, and each proceeding year with Ella has been nothing but love-filled and beautiful. She's such a sweet, gorgeous soul.

And it almost feels like I'm writing about another child when I refer back to her as a baby because that highly-strung, needy, unsettled infant is now the most balanced and joyous child I know.

Although that Paediatrician was 'doing his job', I'd like to take Ella to him now and show him that spoiling a child with love and attention & being there for them always, isn't necessarily a bad thing! {And I wouldn't mind having my $400 back! lol}

Oh miss Ella Bella. We love you! x

******************************

And now we have 18month old Ryder. Who doesn't sleep well. Who fusses a lot and is highly-strung. He throws a mean tantrum and clings to his Mum and Dad for dear life. But do you know what? I am not the slightest bit worried! He's perfectly HIM and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Like everything in life.....this too shall pass!

Closing Down. Time for Change.

Early 2010, I started putting some 'entrepeneurial' dreams into action. I opened the virtual doors of Scissors Paper Rock Designs. What had started as a few ideas with a good friend; changed direction...and a business that was all my own started to surface. At the time, I was working 3 days a week teaching and I was not only looking for another way to bring in an extra income {while staying home part-time with 2 year old Ella} but also a way to flex my creative muscles. I've always been one to create, to design, to make. And I've always been one who likes to be in control and aim high. In March 2010, the essence of Scissors Paper Rock was brought to life. 

What started originally as a clunky self-built website, slowly evolved overtime to become a pretty good little business.

In those early days - Scissors Paper Rock was a custom invitation and eco-friendly gift provider. Yep! Have many of my readers been around long enough to remember those posts? The ones where my time was filled with paper and card and ribbon?! It was fun! I actually LOVED the process of making invitations for people's special events. It was timely but enjoyable. Over a short period of time; I built up a lovely client list and a huge portfolio of designs - from kid's parties, to weddings, to Christenings, to Beerfests!

I worked around the clock in 2010! And although I look back thinking that year must have been exhausting - I actually remember it being quite the opposite. I was on a constant-adrenalin-rush that was fueled by my urge to build my business. I was teaching 3 days a week, spending every spare second with Ella - crafting and baking and exploring. I was dancing and writing and working til crazy hours of the morning each and every night doing invitations and giftware. I loved it!

At this time Chris was also working HUGE hours starting up his own fulltime business. We were both on missions. Money was scarce, sleep was minimal, yet our goals were fierce. I also think a lot of our drive was also coming from a desire to 'fix' things and regain some normalcy after the crazy year that 2009 was!

I spent time and money trialing products, and coming up with new ideas. Some bloomed. Others not. But things kept moving on and up. I was full of hope and inspiration.

By mid-year, I had started to work out where my business was succeeding and where it was failing. Around this time, we got a new large screen iMac. I loved how clear the screen was and started using it to edit my photos, and better design my invitations. I did a daylong session with an Adobe specialist who taught me some ins and outs of design programs and later that night I mucked around with the Adobe Illustrator program and accidentally started designing wall prints. I say accidentally - because I truly started doing them one night as an experiment and then got addicted.

The direction of Scissors Paper Rock started to change.

I researched inspirational quotes and words. I sourced a local professional printer. I priced materials and options. I continued to read, learn and practice with my softwares. I then bit the bullet and opened a MadeIt store....selling my newly designed prints.

To my surprise, they sold well. Really well. I got great feedback.

So, night after night once Ella was tucked into bed, I'd design new prints, play with ideas and fulfil custom orders. Again, always fueled by this new venture - a sense of hope and a buzz of excitement. I had found a new drive that I was lacking. I was loving every moment.

Over the next 18 months, my business grew organically in size. Things were always in motion, work was always coming in, orders always going out. I was making contacts, chasing exposure deals, collecting wholesalers, paying bills. I finally got to a stage where my self-made website was no longer coping with the nature & size of my business and a better checkout system was created. Some of my prints made it into several well-known magazines and I was constantly getting asked to submit print designs for online and print magazine callouts. Although, I was still a small business - I felt quite proud of what I had created. And I still am.

And blogging? My blog was an extension of my business right from Day One. It was originally a blog that showcased party-related topics {party planners, party themes, colour inspirations etc} - it was a way for me to link in my invitation designs to what was hot and popular and current. {we're talking pre-Pinterest days here!} And every now and then; I would throw in a post that allowed me to write - really write! About anything from tea, to something 2yr old Ella had said, to what we did on the weekend. Naturally, my blog became more and more a keepsake journal about us and our life and less about other businesses and that indistry. By early 2011 my blog was known as a "Mummy Blog" more than a 'Business Blog', and I liked it like that. I was writing again - and that brought me so much happiness.

And now? Now, we're in May 2013 - Scissors Paper Rock has been a trading business for over 3 years and like all retail/design businesses it's grown and slumped, grown and slumped. I've ridden out the waves  - the waves that peaked and the white wash mush. I've changed styles and direction {several times}. I've gone through periods of working hard and pushing the boundaries to letting it sit still and stagnant. I'e sealed many postage tubes with pride and love and gratefulness and sent my designs off into the world. My business has funded little projects, helped charities and contributed to our family's life.

I've done all this while balancing the role of a working-mum, and then a stay-at-home-mum. I've built a business around sleepless babies as well as the usual busy-ness of life. I've continued 'working' through new pregnancies, babies, health issues, lifestyle changes, job and career moves and more.

And now, now it's time to stop. To change. To move on.

Yep, this long-winded post was a really looooong way to say this......

Scissors Paper Rock is closing down.

I feel with everything I'm trying to balance at the moment, my little business is the thing that needs to go. I have been toying with this notion since late last year, and have now, in May, decided it's time!

Writing is my passion. Designing prints and posters is something I love and have taken a lot of enjoyment from over the past 3 years. But it's time I focus on my main passions - and that is my family and my writing.

I want to savour these fleeting days of being a Mum to little ones. Time is whizzing by - and I am already mourning them being so small and delicious and dependant. I don't want my memories of being a Mama of little ones; to be a flash of me being too busy and too stressed to actually enjoy any of it. This isn't the case -  I have purposely tried to savour the little things, cherish both the bad and good times and be present in important moments. But lately - with life getting busier, and children growing up, I'm feeling like I am trying to juggle too many parts of me. 

So, something had to give!

On May 15th, the Scissors Paper Rock website will be taken offline, it's Facebook page will undergo changes and inevitably go offline {with a new one for solely my blog} AND....this blog will take on a new URL.

Yes, this blog will still exist. I will still write about my motherly ramblings and share my life and thoughts openly.....but it's time for a new name, a fresh blog space. I have carried ALL of my posts from this blog over to the new blog {I was not willing to lose 4 years of writing}, so you will notice NO difference in content or interior links. But the new blog address will mean there will be broken subscription links here and there for those who have subscribed and joined my RSS feeds......I'm trying to avoid too much disruption but of course, like any change - things break, things require difference and things need eliminating.

My new blog will have the same content but hopefully a new feel. A fresh slate to write and share and connect. I'm excited! I hope you are too!

What will I be doing now that Scissors Paper Rock no longer exists? I will be focusing on my career as an Author. I am pouring my heart and soul into my first book launch. I am also finishing 3 other manuscripts in the hope that the publishing dream continues. I want to travel to schools and libraries and children's centres as a presenting Author. I want to share my passion and my world, and my love of children's fiction. 

I want to write. Write for you, write for me, write for my family. Simply write.

I will continue to chase freelance opportunities; with my articles submissions and column contributions. I want to support my family through a life of writing. 

Yep, basically, I will be a fulltime writer. And more importantly....a fulltime Mother!

So...on that note.....keep posted for when this blog site will disappear from the blogosphere and when my new one {CLAIRE EVER AFTER} will go live. And.....use this opportunity to BUY SOME PRINTS...because on May 15th, they will no longer be available.

I will continue to make and upload free printable designs and maybe list some for sale on my blog from time to time. But Scissors Paper Rock as we know it....is coming to an end.

A huge decision on my behalf, one that I've given A LOT of thought - but one that feels right - right for me, my family and my future.

Thank you to SO MANY OF YOU who have supported my business by ordering from me, sharing my links, giving my prints as gifts and spreading the positive message that Scissors Paper Rock was! I do appreciate it, and look back over the past few years with so much happy reflection and pride!

Please stay in touch and up to date. On Facebook I have my AUTHOR PAGE and soon I will create the page for my new blog; Claire Ever After.

I hope you continue to read my words and follow my bloggy journey,.... and support my career as an Author. xx

Mwah.

Eighteen Months.

Today, Ryder is officially one and a half years old. The big 18 months!

I remember in those early days, when he was tiny and sleepy and full of newborn deliciousness, and thinking about him at one, or one and a half, or two. And how those ages just felt sooooo far down the path that I just couldn't imagine him being a walking, talking, moving toddler. The baby-stage feels so slow at the time, but so incredibly fast in hindsight. In just six short months, we'll be celebrating his second birthday. That blows my mind. Coz in so many ways - it just feels like he was born a couple of months ago.

He's now 18months old, and I have trouble grasping the fact that by the next time I blink he'll be two, then three and then off to Kindy! As they say - time flies when you're having fun!

But, right now.....he's 18months. And the right now is what I'm choosing to savour.....

Because 18 months is pretty amazing....

Ryder is everything I ever dreamed a son would be. Plus some.

He's active and busy and strong. He's fast and loud and dirty.

He whines, he cries, he screams and he throws a pretty good tantrum. But he also smiles a smile that lights up the whole world. He gives the best open-mouth, sloppy kisses and his giggles brighten our days, like sunshine. He wraps his arms around me each night as I carry him from the bath to his bedroom and that just may be one of my favourite parts of each and everyday! And some nights when I'm laying with him, waiting for him to succumb to sleep, he grabs my wrist and places it around his waist - showing that he still, more than ever, needs his Mama close.

The other afternoon as we were walking into Ella's school for pickup time, he pointed at a baby in a pram and said "Bab". I responded with the usual "Yes, there's a little baby!" And it was then that it hit me - he's no longer 'the baby'. He's old enough to point out other babies and state exactly what they are.

We're here - at the walking, talking, moving stage. We're well into the brunt of toddlerhood.

I've started taking Ryder to a KindyGym program once a week. It's basically a chance for him to mingle with other kids his age and develop his skills {including listening to other adults and following instructions} all whilst I'm there by his side, guiding him along.

It's such a beautiful time together. Climbing, exploring, singing, playing, imagining, dancing and learning. 

He's clumsy and fast, and a daredevil at heart. He seems to be constantly sporting an egg on the head or a bruised forehead these days. He stumbles and trips and falls. But still dives at life with an adventurous spirit and not a care in the world.

His Daddy is his whole world. Having Chris work from home is both great and challenging - as Ryder just wants to be with his Daddy all.the.time. He just wants to chill out with Chris in the office, or dragging him out to the yard, or sitting on his lap on the couch with a book and a truck.

Like most second children, his skills are amazing. He tries to be like his big sister, therefore is doing things well beyond his age. He understands well and processes information far more deeper than I think our firstborn was at this age.

Sometimes I put music on - just to watch his reaction. It doesn't really matter what song it is, he'll stop in his tracks and bust-a-move. He claps at the end of songs and requests "more more".

Eighteen months is tiring and non-stop. Some days are harder than others. Some days are just pure fun. 

Eighteen months is all about learning and challenging and growing. It's all about pushing boundaries and taking risks. Making mistakes and trying again. It's all about finding our way - creating our own groove.

Oh Rydie-Roo, we're so lucky to have you. You big scrumptious eighteen month old.

Healing.

I had my surgery last Friday. It went well. Really well actually.

My Mum looked after the kids so Chris could be with me throughout the day. Although I'm usually the one to 'stay calm and level headed' in a bad situation - he's the one who stepped up this time. He shone light on a dark experience. He shrugged most of it off, which gave me faith that everything will be ok - and it is. He had me in hysterics actually. He was like a hypo two year old. As soon as a Doc or Nurse would leave the room, he'd be pressing buttons, testing out machines, sucking back oxygen, pretending to diagnose and administer and fix. I'm forever grateful for the love he brings.

Friday night I was a little groggy and out of sorts. But by Sunday I was almost back to my 'normal' self. A little crampy and tired and bleeding - but feeling pretty good.

I think in these kind of scenarios, it's the mental and emotional healing that requires more work than the actual physical healing. In some cases - such as this - physical healing can happen on it's own. The body is an amazing thing. But the mind and heart - they require rewiring and focus to heal.

I've made an effort to acknowledge this healing process. Resting, prioritizing, enjoying, absorbing and listening - things I now am more attuned to. My life is good. My life is rich. I hope I never take that for granted. 

On and up. It's the only direction to go.

Exciting things I'm putting my focus into: my book launch {not long now!}, Chris and I are going away for 2 nights {WITHOUT KIDS} in a few weeks {yikes!} and being present each day with the time I spend with my kids...properly WITH THEM {Mama's, you know what I mean don't you?}.

What exciting things are in your life at the moment? Please share.

A special post tomorrow for my special little man. He's one and half tomorrow!! {Don't ask! I know!}

P.S. You....yes YOU....go and get your overdue Pap Smear done. NOW! Trust me, something us woman should NOT let slide!

Stills.

1. Garden exploring - he's always on the move.

2. Evidence of Autumn and an impending Winter.

3. The view from our back doors as the sun starts it's afternoon decent - and a little adventurer wanting to climb up for a better view.

4. A lone feather resting on the patio tile.

5. Burnt wrists, mending slowly, after a run-in with some freshly made soup and the blender!

6. Our Love birdy.

7. A gorgeous array of goodies sent from friends on my return from hospital.

8. Ella: "I can balance Mummy. Watch me!" - more garden exploring.

*********************************

Reconnecting with my camera again and capturing bits n pieces of us.

Joining in with The Beetleshack's Weekly Stills Project.