Since my last blog Zara has stepped up her game and now gets how to eat! Our son Reuben started eating at 5 months so it was interesting to see the contrast between him and her, as she only started eating properly at 8 months. However, it was another reminder of just how different your children can be and how it’s best not to compare (as hard as that can be at times).  Now that Zara has started to wean this has given me to opportunity to experiment in the kitchen, or rather follow Anabel Karmel baby food recipes online 😜 In fact, the experience has been pretty cool as the results were positive with Zara putting away all the Chicken, chickpea and tomato puree and her lentils dish that I made for her 😋 (But then again she tries to eat her shoes so can’t get carried away with thinking I’ve cooked something  tasty )

The eating has also coincided / led to another positive milestone – the introduction of longer daytime naps. 💥🎊🎉.  For the last few months Zara would sleep for a series of 30 minute naps during the day, which didn’t really leave time to get much done. But she is now sleeping for a good 2 hours at a time. This has revolutionised Papa Latte’s day as I get to clean, organise, cook and still have time for a cheeky little nap myself.

 I am now over half way through my paternity leave and time has never gone so quick. I have never had such a rewarding time than I have now. I feel so lucky and the time I get to spend with Zara and Reuben really warms me and gives me such joy. Especially at this age of their life with Zara getting more interactive and responsive and developing new skills each day and Reuben coming out with the best lines that toddlers are accustomed to coming out with. Only today he woke me up to tell me about his dream, the first time he’s recalled one. He had been dreaming of Christmas and Santa – this was probably because i used the good old “behave yourself otherwise I will tell Santa…” at bedtime.

Maybe I am not supposed to say this, but before Zara was born I wondered “Can I really feel the same way for no 2 as I do for Reuben..?”  Deep down inside I wasn’t sure how it was going to go with a second child, after having built such a strong and loving relationship with Reuben in the 2 years 9 months before Zara appeared. In the first few months after having Zara I found my self spending more time with Reuben and less with Zara (as often is the case when a second child arrives) as you almost man mark each child. However, there has been a significant difference in the way I feel for Zara since she was born and my bond with her since being on pat leave. A good friend said to me once that you don’t share your heart but your heart just gets bigger when number 2 arrives. As corny as it sounds I am starting to understand it.   These past few months have really cemented my loving feelings for Zara. It doesn’t take a lot for my heart to melt – a simple smile, stroke of my face or a crushing hold of my finger as I put her to sleep. Its not necessary the same feeling, but it is pure love that is growing on a daily basis. It has made me feel so glad that I decided to take this time off and spend with her as I know it won’t be long before I am sat behind my desk checking emails or jumping on my next conference call.

I recently read a post on Facebook which was highlighting the importance of Presence over presents and those words can not have been more true. I encourage any person to take the opportunity to spend as much time as they can with their little ones before they grow up and don’t want to any more lol 😂

For those of you that are interested the following is an example of how some of my days are;

• 07:00 – 07:30 – Zara Wakes
• 07:30 – 08:30 – Breakfast for all and on Tuesday and Thursdays either Seetal or I will drop Reuben off at Nursery
• 08:30 – 10:30 – Zara’s morning nap (usually last 90 mins to 2 hours) (This is my time to get things done as well as have a little nap if poss
• 10:30 – 13:00 – Playtime with Zara. On a Monday I take her to Hartbeeps and Wednesday is Baby Sensory) Between this time I will also give Zara some lunch
• 13:00 – 15:00 – Zara’s afternoon nap
• 15:00 – 17:00 – More playtime with Zara and pick up Reuben so the monkeys can play together and keep each other busy whilst I prepare dinner
• 17:00 – 17:30 – Zara’s dinner time
• 18:00              – Reuben’s dinner time and Zara’s bedtime (This is now where a tag team approach with Seetal to get Zara asleep without Reuben waking her. We alternate bed and dinner times so that little ones get quality time with us both.
•  19:30 – 20:00 – All kids in Bed ! Time to chill with Seets

Ok – until next time.
Thanks for reading (if you got this far)