I write this amidst a mess of croissant crumbs, suitcases and checklists. My life is officially upside down and we’re vacating our house today. Our flight back to the UK is but three days away and I’m looking forward to squeezing in an Australian autumn beach day or two before we emigrate home. But right now, the stress is real.
As you’ll know from my last post, I’ve been madly concerned with how this move will affect Ethan. But I can report that (as many of you wise souls pointed out) kids are in fact, completely amazing. This boy has been relegated to a futon after having his bed sold, has had toys culled and he has watched WAY more Mighty Machines than I care to admit. And I’ve never been more proud of him.
While I’m a flailing mess who’s smashing her Fitbit step target everyday by midday (pre-move I was harldy hitting it once a week!), he’s taking everything in his stride and behaving like a total angel. Even being repeatedly told “Mummy can’t play now sweetheart, It’s a veeerrryyy busy day!”. Whilst everyday I say those words I’m crippled with guilt, I feel some reassurance that on the other side of this flight, there will be copious time to run around forests together and play cars on the floor.
What I’ve been amazed by most is how loving Ethan seems to be towards me. He’s offering up so many kisses and cuddles (which I ALWAYS have time for) and constantly tells me he loves me. This is new behaviour and I’m certain that it has something to do with the bags under my eyes as well as his need for a bit of stability amidst all this uncertainty. I’ve found myself giving him more cheek kisses and longer, tighter hugs too. It’s like our little frequent reconnection admist the chaos. A mini recharge as such.
The other night he just walked into our room at 3am, climbed in next to me and gave me the biggest squeeze before snuggling right in for a few more hours of sleep. The stress has been keeping me awake a lot lately as my mind races with tasks and plays out unlikely scenarios (anyone else ever get this kind of stress insomnia?). However, it was so much easier to relax and put all those crazy uncertainties into perspective with my little boy curled up beside me. There is no better feeling, is there?
The best was definitely last night as I tucked him into bed. We did the usual bedtime routine with books and lots of cuddles, but as I switched out the light and said “Goodnight my love” he responded with “Mummy… You are the love of my life.” Cue…. An inability to stop hugging him and complete and utter heartbreak.
How is it that children just know exactly how to say things that are so cute and full of love that it actually hurts?
And how do they know to say it exactly when you need it the most?
I was speaking with a friend about this who told me that recently when she was having a hard time with sleep deprivation, her eldest daughter (two years old at the time) rubbed her arm and said “Mummy, I care about you”.
So I’m keen to see in the comments below:
Do you have any stories of those heartache moments when kids say or do something so adorable that you feel like you can’t physically cope with the cuteness?
What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard a child say?
Figured that this would be a nice way to share some sweet stories and and a chance to brighten up the day of someone reading this who’s maybe finding themselves a little low or stressed like me.
PS. I’m looking forward to writing my next post from a beautiful little mountainside cottage on the Emerald Isle (on the showered and well rested flipside of a 30 hour plane trip!).
PPS. I was sent this GIF recently and the cuteness just killed me! I’m not sure what gets me more, the kid or the hug!
Are you in flight now??!! Trying to calculate from your IG. So much courage wrapped up in that casual “when we emigrate back to the UK” statement… and so glad Ethan has been taking good care of you, lovely little man.
I think my favourite was when Silvia was about 21 months, we had been reading a mog book about a favourite toy. She gave me a big hug and said “Mama best thing,” reusing the words from the book. 💔💔
But then, I said to her “Daddy loves…” expecting her to fill in with “you” as usual. Nope, the response was “wet farts.” WTAF child.
Hope you’re all over the journey and loving your little Irish retreat 💗
Good luck with your impending move! I hope you’re all settled soon.
My daughter is two and when she proactively tells me she loves me, or lubs me to be precise, a little bit of me melts inside. It’s so rewarding after the many many tough months of new born/sleep regression/teething etc etc!
Excellent post idea for a Monday!
Too many cute things to tell, but just from yesterday my 2 year old woke up upset from his nap, didn’t Know what to do with himself so I laid him on the sofa and watched Wallace and Gromit with him, my head next to his and everytime I tried to move my head his little hand reached out and pulled it back. Sweetness. I also get told I’m pretty and the most unexpected times, but he does say he loves ice cream more than mummy so you can’t win them all!! Good luck with your flight and move x
The other day Fern (two and 3 months) said out of nowhere for the first time “I love Mummy soooooo much”. My thrilled reaction must have been so gratifying that she now says it on repeat about 60 times a day so it’s kind of lost its sparkle 😂.
Hope you have a straightforward trip and settle in quickly!
On Mothers Day, when I was giving Lyra (just turned 3) her bath at the end of the day, she asked me if I had had a nice Valentines Day 😂. Love the fact that she’s starting to show empathy.
It sounds ridiculous now, but at 11 years old i listened to the Like A Prayer album and swore that Dear Jessie would be our bedtime lullaby if I ever had a little girl.
Almost 30 years later, I’ve found myself singing it every night because little E (just turned 2) loves it. When she started joining in for a dodgy duet ‘never forget what I said, hang on your already there’ a few weeks ago, I burst into pathetic sobbing. We’ve pretty much repeated the scene every night since ❤😭❤xx
Good luck with the flight back by the way, not long now! X
Omg this is TOO MUCH 😭
Ahhh this post made me tear up a little bit. We’ve not had ‘love you’ yet…or at least not a conscious understanding of what the phrase really means but Hector is a mummy’s boy through and through with such a sensitive soul. He saves his best kisses for me and somehow always knows when anyone is in need of a hug or an arm slung around their shoulders. Thinking of you on your flight. Have a safe trip lovely girl xxx
Loved reading this Naomi, and the comments too. Sometimes it’s lovely to just focus on how amazing our little ones are, rather than moaning about the difficulties of parenting. Sounds like Ethan is being a total trooper. I’m always amazed at how well they pick up on the nuances of your mood. Safe travels xxxxxxxxxx
This has made me all emotional! They really are amazing, totally resilient and remind you that actually, as long as we have each other, everything will be OK. My little one always knows when I am sad or upset and will cuddle or hold my hand or just call my name (he’s only 18 months so hearing ‘Mummy’ repeatedly is still a complete heart wrencher!). Glad Ethan is looking after you, and wishing you lots of luck for the flight home and move! x
Hope you have had a safe flight back to the UK. Exciting times. Oh I adore how they know how to cheer you up. Being a bit older my girls constantly tell me they love me which is the cutest and Molly always draws me little pictures and stories which I adore. Alice also tells me that ‘I’m her best friend’ although I am often quickly knocked off that position by her cuddly troll so perhaps I’ll take that with a pinch of salt. Alice surprises me with her compassion so often. I was on the phone the other day to my stepdad and was talking about how my mum wasn’t feeling very well. When I got off the phone Alice turned to me and said ‘when I next go to nanny’s house I’ll give her a big cuddle to make her feel better’. So sweet xx
What a lovely post Naomi. Like Fern said it is nice to remind ourselves of all these heart melting moments which more than make up for all the struggles. Sounds like you’ve got a little sweetheart in Ethan who’ll be looking out for you. At 33 weeks pregnant I seem to have gained a new ability to hurt myself at every possible opportunity – the latest one I didn’t even think possible – placing a chair leg on your toes just as you sit down on it – the pain was excruciating and I just hobbled off and cried on the floor. Then Anna came in to stroke me and give me cuddle before passing me a cushion and a blanket – because let’s face it blankets make everything better. Then I cried just from the cuteness overload.
Hope your flight goes smoothly and you enjoy your break in Ireland xx