I survived the first 1 1/2 weeks just fine!!

It is true, it worked out better then I hoped.

After the first day of madness, life got much more pleasant the rest of the week. Somehow Ned didn't have any REALLY big melt downs anymore and he shared "mum" willingly with Baby Cedric. And although living with a baby is still not as regular as the ticking of a clock, we have managed something similar to a "stretched out" routine, meaning that Ced has his milk approximately around the same time each day, which helps me to be a bit more structured and organized. Most days I actually managed to have both boys in bed sleeping/resting at the same time in the afternoon, which feels just great (supermum ambitions seem to surface again, haha) and I do have some "me"-time!! Honestly we seem to cope quite allright, not barely survive, thank you God. One big help is also that a friend of ours takes Ned for one morning a week, which is SUCH a blessing. This lady takes care of her aged mother with Alzheimers and apparently Ned had great fun pushing the buttons of "Oma's" hospital bed and move the bed aaaaaaaaaall the way up and then aaaaaall the way down and up and down and up and down.... not only Ned had fun but also Oma:o))))

But despitethe fact that we haven't had any major melt downs lately, I decided after the "black Monday melt down" of two hours length to get some helpful books on how to parent a strong willed child, and compared with some of the kids described in these books Ned is as gentle and mild as Mary's little lamb.

This week we have a visitor, a friend from our time on Doulos. She used to be Ned's fun deck teacher (and we still call her Miss Emily instead of just Emily). It is great having her around (not only because Ned loves her and she plays with him, hahaha). She said, that in the last 6months he really did mature quite a bit, which is rather relieving :o)))) Seeing him every day you don't notice changes so much. It was also interesting that he recognized her (I mean 6 months is quite a long time for a toddler). When she arrived he took her by the finger, pulled her into his "kingdom" and went straight to one particular toy box and got out "Mr. Potato Head" which was the toy he used to play with A LOT on fun deck (and which we were allowed to keep for him). It was just amazing to see the connection he made with (Miss) Emily and Mr. Potato Head :o)))

And by the way, don't underestimate the sucking-power of a new born (being 3 weeks is officially still considered new born). Babies tend to latch on whatever comes around their mouths and as it happened daddy Ben offered baby to suck on his nose, which baby happily did. Later that night daddy stood infront of the mirror and brushed his teeth when all of a sudden he saw this red spot on his nose. He came up to me and wondered aloud what it might be. I just gave him "THE" look and explained to him what happens if you let a baby latch onto your nose instead of a dummy. Slowly comprehension dawned on him: Baby gave him a hickey on his nose, hahaha!!!!