Two is more than double one...

Before Niomi arrived someone said to me "Remember, two is more than double one". Now, generally my reaction to mathematical misnomers, is to ignore them at best or cast derision on them at worst. But 10 days in with 2 children I am beginning to see their point.

Strapped in out of harms way

I am knackered. It's official. Mummy's knackered too. That's also official. The pair of them have run us ragged.

Niomi is an explorer. I don't think there is a cupboard, drawer, shelf or such like anywhere in the house that she hasn't wanted to investigate since she moved in. And she moves fast. Turn your back and she's off. On one level we are delighted that she has such a wonderfully inquisitive mind, on another level please read above - we are knackered. And coupled with meeting all the physical, enquiring needs of a very adventurous nearly 2 year old - we've also been trying to meet her emotional needs as she comes to terms with the transition to ourselves. It's been a dynamic rollercoaster of a week but things are now starting to settle down (we hope).

Emily is taking on the role of big sister, and she's doing really well at it. She's loving Niomi being around although sometimes her expectations of a 2 year old exceed reality. We did a lot of work preparing her for this paradigm shift in her life, and that, coupled with the fact she's generally pretty lovely to be around, seems to be paying dividends so far. There's been the odd jealous moment (mainly about Mummy's attention more than anything) but that's generally been overcome by her lovely nature and making a big fuss of her too. We're really very proud of her just now. All that said though, we've still had to meet her needs as well which was a pretty much full time job anyway. So as above, we're still knackered.

We've invested (ahem - in our hand me ons and second hand style) in our garden, which has had a massive trampoline and double swing land in it. So if you're ever passing and fancy a quick bounce please pop in. I'm not sure Niomi has figured it out as that exciting yet but Emily was definitely over the moon. Thanks to Shaun/John/James, Nana and Baba, Grandma and Grandad for their various parts in turning the garden into a play park.

Anyway, as we move through week two, send us good sleep vibes and all the energy you can muster. It's 8.30 pm now and I'm already thinking about bed. If this is my last post, you'll know I've just finally run out of steam because "two is definitely more than double one."

 Niomi loves music and dancing

 Super, super excited trampoline face

 Getting to know Buddha in the garden

 Sitting still and calm for at least 10 seconds

Mummy - Daughter 2 bonding session

Hello Niomi...

Niomi - by Emily

And so last week's transition came and went. Niomi has now been with us since Friday 13th January 2017, and it certainly hasn't been unlucky for us. She is a wonderful, free-spirited and feisty young girl. She is funny and happy and can win your heart in an instance. She might not say much just now but she knows her mind, and has no trouble letting you know it. She's run us ragged over the past few days but we've had so much fun and already we can see her settling into our family life. We are truly blessed...

Welcome to the Rooke family Niomi. May we have many, many adventures together and so, so, so much fun. May the love and special times that we have together create wonderful memories that will last forever.

First meetings

Videoclip: Toe painting

 Sisters

Family

The best of times...

It was the best of times and it was indeed a tale of two cities (well, towns actually - Kirkintilloch and North Berwick). But these were no Dickensian festivities, as Christmas and New Year this year was a truly wonderful time with some wonderful, wonderful family fun. And we are left feeling truly blessed.

In all senses we were catering for many different needs at Christmas, but from 4 to 84 (well, nearly 87 actually) we all accommodated each other and spent some lovely, lovely moments throughout the period. We started with 5 on the 22nd, but this rose to 9 on Christmas Eve, before peaking at 11 on the 27th, and then a slow departure back to the 3 of us by the 29th. It was a houseful, with a bellyful of laughter and a gutful of food for good measure. We ate, drank, sang, chatted, played games and generally made merry. We even ventured out in between the worst that Storm Barbara and Conor could throw at us. And the highlight? For me it was definitely Emily throwing aside my careful 'dad-planning' of Santa's descent to the garden, and whizzing round at top speed, sprinkling reindeer dust as fast as she could caper. The magic was definitely there in those precious moments, as was a tear in my eye.

 Chloe and Emily became inseparable (thanks Chloe)

 Jenny was on guitar

 Chloe on piano with the rest on voice and sleeping beauty in the corner

 And two Santa's appeared in a cardboard sleigh

 Obligatory sprout preparation

 Eyes firmly closed for full surprise effect

 This year's fashion essential

 The 'after eight' game

The 'full Christmas' 4.5 hour marathon commenced

And then barely did we catch our breath and it was off to North Berwick for the bells and another marathon in the 5 hour steak pie making - but boy was it good :-). The Gurney's had miraculously pulled their house together from their stunning house alterations just in time to allow me to go and drink John's whisky in what is now a highly salubrious environment. And it was again a time full of people, laughter, game playing and great food. From a select 5 on New Years Eve to a raucous 14 on New Year's Day, we had fun, fun, fun all the way. Thanks again to the Gurney's.

 Welcome indeed 2017

Lovely food in a new lovely living space

And now we're ready for the off again. The planning for Niomi's arrival has begun apace and within days she will be living with us. Please keep your fingers crossed for a smooth sailing over the next fortnight, but above all we hope you have a Happy New Year. 

May 2017 see the best of times come to you all...

One very excited big sister in waiting