57. Smashing it at nursery and back to work!

Attention seeking battles.

Sam and Robins attention seeking has become a little challenging recently. All of a sudden, they both want me at the same time. One cries, I pick him up and the other desperately wants me. It's bizarre. For example, all 3 are playing, Sam topples over and cries, so I pick him up and cuddle him, Robin sees and bursts into tears and tries to clamber onto into my lap too. They want me on their own though, so don't stop crying until I've put his brother down. It's very cute that they want me, but frustrating that I can't please them both. At the same time, if William cries and I pick him up, they don't bother! Will doesn't react when I comfort the other two either. Funny! 

Crawling

It might sound odd, but they crawl really differently. Robin crawls like a gorilla. Being bigger and stockier, he looks different, but his hands (which are huge), are slightly turned in and really slap the floor, because of this, his arms are pushed out and forwards and he moves with purpose. William almost bounces along. He is really springy in his crawl and it's really funny to watch him bouncing around. 

Playfulness. 

They have all become really playful. They were playful before they perfected their crawling, but they actively chase each other around and indicate to us that they want to chase, or be chased. They also indicate if they want you to continue with an activity. If you're bouncing them in your knee and stop, they reach up and make playful noises as if to say "don't stop".

Waving!

Will has started waving! He looked up at grandad and waved at him out of nowhere! I have been trying to encourage them for weeks, but no, it was grandads presence that brought it on! 

Smashed first week back at work. 

I have to say I am very proud of us all. The babies started nursery for 2 days a week last week and they were amazing. They behaved brilliantly and charmed the socks off everyone. Jack has also been checking on his babies and going to play with them. He has been slightly more emotional at nursery and asks to see his babies. It must be a strange feeling for him. Perhaps he feels responsible for them. Other than his emotions, he has been great at nursery. 

On their first week I hit the house hard, getting clothes and toys in order and having a general sort out and clear out. Week 2, I started work!! 

On week 1, it was a bit of a rush getting all 4 ready and out, so on week 2 I made sure we were more ready. All jobs possible done the night before, and having everybody's clothes layed out and ready in piles. It worked!! Of course it won't be smooth sailing every morning, but it felt good to be on time and prepared in the mornings without feeling rushed. 

However..... on Thursday, week 1, William started with a gooey eye. They regularly get it after colds so we just did the usual bathing and keeping it clean. His second eye started at the weekend and Robs started on Monday. I mentioned it when we arrived on Tuesday morning having walked them all down in the rain (the car is in for MOT) with their bags full of spare clothes, coats, bottles, formula, nappies, dummies, etc. They looked at me and said "they shouldn't be here if they have conjunctivitis". My heart sank into my work trainers. I was all kitted up, my van was ready and I was emotionally ready to start work. Today. In a few minutes!! For the first time in over a year!! They could obviously read my expression and told me to get them to the doctor ASAP. I managed to get them booked in for 11.15, it was just before 9 so I could at least make a small start at work. 

I felt very embarrassed turning up to start my job and telling them what was going on. They were amazing! They have 4 grown up kids and lots of grandchildren so understand through lots of experience. Thank goodness! 

I went back to nursery then walked the boys to the doctors in the rain and was told their appointment is upstairs.... and there is no lift! I had put the 2 with bad eyes into the pram so they were easily accessible, and guess what? They were fast asleep. Luckily, the staff at the surgery are incredibly helpful and managed to do a bit of a room juggle and we were able to stay downstairs and not disturb the sleeping babies. He had a look and checked the usual stuff and told me it's viral, keep cleaning them and it should be gone in a week or two. Would this be OK for nursery? I just kept thinking that they picked it up from there, so why can't they keep it there? Haha! I was also very aware of the fact that I need to work a certain amount of hours each month to be eligible for their childcare funding. James is on a time tight job, so there's no way he can take time off in the next couple of weeks. 

Anyway, there was no need to worry, because the viral version of conjunctivitis is apparently fine to stay at nursery! Bingo!

I legged it home, grabbed some food and straight back to work to squeeze in every minute I possibly could before getting back to nursery to pick them all up again! What a juggle! 

Wednesday was much smoother sailing thankfully. I made lunch in the morning so I just worked though. 

So all in all, our first 2 weeks of kids in nursery and both of us back at work has been brilliant! We made it on time each day, they were picked up on time each day. Although I am trying get there a little earlier as it's about 20 minutes to get all the days info, collect all their stuff, find Jack's shoes, coat, hat, dirty clothes, get them all in coats and hats, into the pram and carrier and back out of the door. Then I have to push them all up the hill back home. Jack likes to sit on the front of the pram so it's quite a weight to be shoving around and I've felt it in my legs this week that's for sure. It's doing me good!