Things that make it worthwhile By Claire

1. That very first smile.. I don't care if it's wind..she looked at me, her mouth made a smile shape.... so it's a smile and it's mine forever,..wind....Pah!
2. When my girls wake up in the morning, with a sleepy stretch and a smile.

3. A sleepy cuddle just before bedtime.

4. Getting a garden daisy 'bouquet' for no reason..

5. When one of my kisses is sooo powerful it can heal a bumped head or a sore knee!

6. The antics involved in holding a tiny spider for the first time.

7. When my 7yrolds' teacher has trouble keeping things, they have drawn/made at school because my 7yrold is so proud she wants to bring them home to show me!!

8. Being treated to an odd version of Bruno Mars 'marry you' from my 2yrold while I am dressing her in the mornings!

9. When one of my girls cuddles the other, to cheer them up when they are sick or sad.

10. Little secret notes that I get from my 7yrold.

11. Optimism of a 2yrold when I'm in a shop trying on a top that's clearly too small, which I put back and 2yrold says 'Aw.... too big mummy?'

12. Their Laughter .. It's infectious ...

13. Hearing little feet running down the hall thinking they've gotten away with it!

14. A chocolate covered face saying 'it wasn't me that ate the biscuit'

15. A quiet, peaceful house after bedtime.

Anyone else have 'Things that makes it all worthwhile?'

When the Smoke Clears By Claire

I have stopped smoking at different times during my adult life and for different reasons.. Mainly for my children, during pregnancy and thereafter. I have lasted for periods of a  year and then started up again. (Never in house, in front of children,though).  I have quit since january this year and this time my reason for quitting is ME. So far it has not been too hard, but recently I have found myself really struggling.Is it the good weather? Being outside watching the girls and looking for something to do other than smoke is hard. So to distract me and to curb my eating.. I took up knitting and it seems to be working!!  In the last 2 weeks I have knitted 10 scarfs,that's not too bad as I am working from knitting learned in primary school..all them years ago!! Anyway, the recent good weather means that I can't even GIVE the scarfs away....

Has Anyone got any other easy hobbies for me please... Something a little less 1900 and a little more 2012!

To bounce or not to bounce By Claire

When my husband came home from work one fine evening 5 years ago, with a trampoline for our then 2yrold daughter, I was not a happy camper to say the least! Thankfully, Recent windy weather helped to finally put an end to my trampoline worries. 'Old Trampoline .. you lasted us 5 good years and no major injuries RIP!'.......Phew!
However, my peace of mind was short lived , I now, once again, find myself in that same scenario as 5yrs ago! Is it something to do with the recent good weather, has the sunshine effected all good sense? All I know is that, as I'm sitting here watching the girls having the time of their lives in the new trampoline, I am contemplating all that can go wrong.. Little Miss Negativity!! Of course we have all the necessary accompanying safety equipment.(These companies have it sussed.. A deal on the trampoline price but triple the cost for safety!! Which parents will pay!) Regardless of all that, we now have a new, 'safe' trampoline.. And I have a knot in my stomach and 'what ifs' going round my head like a whirlwind!! Then after-all that, I see my girls playing in the empty BOX!!

Any trampoline opinions ..yes/no?Am I being a complete worry wart?

Day 2 of new trampoline ... and they are still playing in the empty box !!

Another great blog: Dara

A friend has a blog based on her little girl also Roisin, aka Mini.  My brother is godfather to this Roisin, and the two girls are still yet to meet up but hopefully soon. 

Róisín; age 12 months, currently between jobs, has Down Syndrome.
Loves meeting people, music and carrots.

Have a read - but come back to us for more too!!!

miniandmum.blogspot.com

Bronchiolitis:Dara

For anyone whose child has been diagnosed with bronciolitis for the first time, it is a daunting diagnosis, but one apparently that shouldnt be a worry once they turn 18 months.  All of my children had a dose at some stage, but both Killian and Kate were on the older side when they first contracted it.  Kate unfortunately ended up being hospitalised for 2 nights when she was 20 months but recovered pretty quickly.  Therefore when Roisin (now 5 1/2 months) was diagnosed at the end of february I thought I was prepared and knew what to expect, what to look out for and not to worry because a dose of preventative antibiotics and some steroids would clear it in about a week.  Not so however, therefore I thought I would mention a few pointers I learned over the past month which might help some stressed parents out there deal with the unexpected.  I am not a doctor, and have no medical background whatsoever, so go to your doctor and have your little kiddie checked out but ask as many questions as you can.

1. Bronchiolitis is a virus and therefore antibiotics have no effect on it, but are however prescribed sometimes to prevent a secondary bacterial infection.  If your doctor does prescribe antibiotics ask about their necessity.  I am not saying they will not be in your situation (perhaps there is already a bacterial infection present), but it is worth clarifying.  If the child is old enough, natural yoghurt or a probiotic can restore the good bacteria in the stomach.  If your child does need to use them you will need to finish the course.  I have had one doctor prescribe them only for the next to say they were unnecessary and shouldnt have been prescribed.  Its worth clarifying. 
2. The virus reaches a peak after between 3-5 days.  I did not realise this until she was on her second bout of the illness in 3 weeks and we were in A&E panicking because with whatever medicine she received she was still getting worse.  She was at day 5 of the second virus.  If your child is feeding well, has no temperature, and their breathing is not distressed, and you have already visited your doctor recently, chances are that the virus may start to ease off after this.  However, if you are at all concerned, i.e. not feeding, breathing is distressed, wheezing, or has a temperature, use your gut instinct and contact someone.  At this stage our little one had stopped feeding and the breathing was quite distressed, but all it took was for the atrovent medication to be administered through a nebuliser as opposed to the inhaler, and additional steroids.  The following day she was much improved. 
3. The cough can last for up to a month after medication, and is also worse at night.  We were told on numerous occassions by doctors that Roisins cough was probably caused by a "little mucus plug" in her throat, and that some nasal spray may help. Teething was also blamed by another.  At one stage I got quite irrate with the doctor because we had been awake every night for a week and a half following antibiotics and steroid treatment with a 4 month old baby who was coughing so much that she could not catch her breath in between coughs and the only relief was usually to put her over my shoulder and slap her back.  I often spend well over an hour sitting up with her coughing.  In all respects it was like she was choking/drowning when she was coughing!  She had her matress raised, had the nasal spray, we had a warm mist vapouriser in the room, you name it and nothing helped.  Sure a cough can last, but again, use your gut instinct.  This kind of cough was not normal, and she required further treatment.  The kind of cough that remains is a soft cough that gradually fizzles out.
4. I mentioned that she requried further treatment, and this was in the form of a nebuliser.  At first i freaked out thinking that was it - I now have a chronic asthmatic because she needed a nebuliser.  Dont worry about it.  It uses saline (salt water) which in Ireland must be prescribed by your doctor but is harmless.  Its function is to soften and break down the mucus which makes it easier to cough up and reduces the post nasal drip at night.  She found relief at night almost immediately, and i would recommend anyone who is planning to have more than one child, that if you think you may need to use one at any stage, invest in one.  In Ireland you can receive one from the HSE on loan if you have a medical card, but need to purchase your own if you dont have a medical card.  They can cost anything from €85 - €120 but are worth it for young children who may have the potential for asthma or are too young to sit up at night to clear the mucus.  Alternatively, if you do not require it immediately start asking around now instead of when you need it, someone you know may have one you can borrow, and a paediatric mask only costs about €11 which you can then use with the borrowed devise.  
5. Nasal spray also works quite well if the symptoms arent very bad and uses saline similar to the nebuliser, but the nebuliser gets the saline right into the lungs which targets to affected bronchioli. 
6. Finally - you know your child.  Doctors see children with various illnesses everyday, and hear similar symptoms to yours all the time.  I said before I am not a doctor, but I knew that my baby was not getting better, and had to push hard and fight for doctors to listen to me.  If you are worried, ask as many questions as possible and take note of the symptoms, e.g. a diary so that you can make sure the doctor is making an informed decision and you are satisfied that the diagnosis is accurate.  

I have not researched any of the above in medical journals, nor have any references, just my own experience which was a frightening month with a steep learning curve and I hope that this will at least provide some pointers for parents who may face a similar scenario. 

Recycling 2yr old Style (gonna be messy) By Claire

I try to teach the girls to be aware of the environment and recycling etc.

Egg cartons are always a favourite in my house, standing on the cartons to flatten them. My 2yr old took down the almost FULL carton of eggs and proceeded to stamp on the box to squash it eggs and all !!!!!

My fab. eco firendly daughter then proceeded to rapidly leave the crime scene and mummy spent the morning cleaning sticky, slippy eggy goo off the floor and cursing the 'tree hugging wierdy beardy do-gooders!!!'

Kiddie Comments By Claire

Me: Come On Kids
7yrold: mum we are not baby goats
                                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7yrold: Mum, if there was gravity in space would the planets and stars just keep falling forever because there is no end to space..
Me: Ummm Ah ...Well. yes i think.... ask Dad!!
                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7yrold: Mum how did the earth start and who made God?
Me: Ummm Ah ...Well.... ask Dad!!
7yrold: You always ask me to ask dad, is that because he says he knows everything?
 Me: Ummm Ah ...Well....
                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2yrold: I ceem peas
Me: Icecream???
2yrold: Oh yes, thank you mummy.
Me: I got played
                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In 2Year Old Speak 'Choose Peas' actually means 'Juice Please' .. Wish I had known that before my weekly shop!!
                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why is it that my 2yrold cannot say please or thank you to people she knows but can happily shout 'BOOBIES' in a shop full of strangers?
                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7yrold leaves a biscuit down, 2yrold robs and eats biscuit ..the following conversation occurs ..
Me to 2yrold: Where is the biscuit?
2yrold: (points to her mouth)
Me: What do you say to your sister for eating her biscuit?
2yrold: Thank You!!!
                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elderly Lady gives my 2yrold a kiss..2yrold promptly wipes her mouth and says 'Yuck Jaggy'!
                                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Family fun cork day 2 By Claire

Clocks went forward last night which never fails to confuse things no matter how prepared and of course the hour less reeks havoc on my already poor time keeping!! Today was fota island wildlife park. The weather was again perfect for outdoors. €37 for 2 adults 1 child (2yrold free). This is a great day out for the gang weather permitting. A lot of people with small kids will probably have been before as have I but I always forget something!! For future reference:1.wear comfortable walking clothes. 2. Bring a pram for any1 under 3/4 years, it is a long walk for short legs! 3. Bring a picnic cost effective no queuing, call it a picnic not a packed lunch therefor it becomes an event!!
 4.It's Ireland, so prepare for change in weather. The whole wildlife thing was a bit lost on my 2yrold though... Me: 'Oh look there's a kangaroo'  2yrold:''no mommy it's a bunny'  Me: 'Oh look there's a mara?!'  2yrold: 'no mommy it's a bunny'  And so on..you get the idea! Also, there are other parts to fota, I noticed the girls and other children getting but bored toward the end and looking for the play area, so maybe next time will try the gardens...The girls slept all the way home in the car, I also slept, not used to so much activity!!(and no, I wasn't driving!!) Highly recommend the hotel and the rates we got, swimming pool was great, friendly staff etc.  Overall a great weekend, not a normal weekend;we don't head off every weekend but this was to make a memory for the girls; with their dad working overseas there is not much opportunity for that. But this weekend we succeeded. Unfortunately, normality tomorrow back to work and didn't win the lotto even though I was sure I would!! I know I know .. Get in line!

Family fun in Cork By Claire

My husband works overseas and only gets home for two weeks irregularly, so when he's home we try to make memories for the kids! Today we did just that!Headed to Cobh, Co.Cork to Titanic museum. (No, we are not an odd family that enjoy tragic events but my 7yr old is learning about it at school, so educational box ticked too). You get a ticket on entry, like the tickets issued to passengers with a name of a passenger on the ticket and when you get 2 the end you can check the fate of your passenger! Me nd hubby died,2 girls survived!!

Reasonably priced€23.50 for 2 adults 1 child, 2yr old free.Downside was that it took only 1 hour :( So then we needed to fill rest of day, even though weather was great we took girls to an indoor play area in fota retail park great value €13.50 for 2 children for 2 hours. They loved it. Had already booked a room online  in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas, Cork, 4 star! Very good price (cheaper to book online!). Swimming pool was big hit with the gang and shopping centre 10min walk away was a big hit with me!! 2yr old was exhausted by bedtime fought a good battle against sleep tho!!7yr old wide awake reading the hotel room guide, discovered there isn't a sewing kit in the room! Overall day was a success.Tomorrow it's fota island wildlife park nd weather permitting .. picnic! Note:possibly an obvious one but .. prepare children for the outcome of the titanic OR do the tour in reverse then it's about a magical underwater boat that saves people nd brings them home!!   Don't forget one child's swimsuit when going to a hotel with a pool! My bad! Shops close by .. Phew!

Googlewhack :Dara

Just found out - our blog is a googlewhack!!!  Type 2moms5kids1blog into your google search bar and only one result appears!  Yeay!

Kids inhibitions! (or lack thereof) : Dara

Got Pixi fotos for Roisin taken today.  Killian as usual had no qualms about telling everyone who he was, who we were, including everyones ages, nicknames, etc,etc.  All kids smiled (thank God) and there were no tears or tantrums.  Whew! 

Speaking of inhibitions though, I thought I'd have to curl up under the table and shrivel up yesterday.  I decided to take the kids for a treat - just a quick smoothie after playschool.  One of the girls serving decided to rearrange the free newspapers and throw old ones in the bin.  Killian quite loudly told me that "that mammy just threw a newspaper in the bin".  I decided (regrettably) to explain that not every woman was necessarily a mammy.  She was quite young, but besides that, I didnt want him to go around calling everyone mammy.  After i explained that she might not have any children, he asked (again not in a whisper) "Does she have a husband?"  Before I could respond, Katie chipped in with "Does she have a daddy?".  Thank God, the questions started to get a little more obscure after that ...  Katie:  are there other daughters in the shop?  Killian:  why isnt there a dot beside the word coffee in the sign?  etc etc.  I dont think the poor girl noticed, but if you think old women are gossips, you should meet my children!!

Newbies to blogging; Claire

I'm a 30(something)year old working mum of 2 beautiful girls,my poor hubby is constantly surrounded by women!!There is a gap of 5 years between my girls.This gap was intentional 2 allow me recover my sanity after no.1;but that didnt work;my sanity,like Elvis,has well and truly left the building!!Tip:if people think ur a little nutty they expect so much less of u!There is so much that you can learn nd share nd rant about being a mom and life in general, that a blog seemed a good idea, so here we are!I know it's gonna be good coz I got Dara on board nd that, my friend,s is a recipe for fun!!I'm not expert on anything, least of all being a mum, but I do know that I succeed at 1 thing, that is loving my family, and with so much doom nd gloom out there it's nice to have a forum where u can share. So that's me I am a mum,wife,sister,daughter,friend, which also makes me a counsellor, fashion consultant,medic,taxi , bank and loved! So here goes nothing (I'm about to click save hope it works, haven't a clue what I'm doing) fingers crossed.....

Newbies to blogging! : Dara

Hi there, my name is Dara, and together with my partner in blogging Claire we hope to share some insights into our experiences as mothers, students of motherhood and life in general.  I will let Claire fill you in herself, but just to let you know we went to school together, became good friends in college, and have been inseperable since, (well, to be honest I do think she is stalking me as she and her husband purchased their first home only a mile from where we were building our house about 6 years ago!!)  Between us we have 5 wonderful kids who are also firm friends and I look forward to them all growing up, getting into mischief, and thinking their moms dont know what they are getting up to despite us probably doing 10 times worse at their age!!  

Anyway, a little about me and why this blog?  I am happily married to a wonderful man who wishes to remain nameless at the moment.  We have 3 wonderful kids, Killian (4 1/2), Kate (almost 3) and Roisin (5 months).  Claire texted me today suggesting we set up a blog and 5 hours later here we are.  Facebook and texting just doesnt give the same opportunity to share the stories, lessons, laughter etc that motherhood brings.  In the past 5 years I have been learning at a rate that surpasses any class taken in my 5 years in university and I have discovered that with children you dont really need to seek out added entertainment.  Who needs sitcoms, when your 4 year old can make you cry with laughter, who needs a medical degree when you sit glued to the internet every night researching if that sniffle is the common cold, teething or a reason to call 999, who needs alcohol to have a hangover, and who needs to visit one of the wonders of the world to be overcome with awe!  Our kids are intelligent, funny, loving, frustrating, sleep depriving, wonderful human beings who fill us with every emotion possible every day.  We are also not just moms, but employees, graduates, we have travelled, students of life, and yet every cup of coffee ends up in us sharing stories about our little clones.  Lets face it, our lives have changed since they arrived!  Why not share the love, share the experience and share the giggles!  I look forward to sharing with y'all and make sure to chip in too.  

Over to you Claire!!!