The Ordinary Moments #2: Enjoying my son

I feel like things are difficult at the minute. I can't put my finger on it, but we have issues with the step-daughter's mum at the minute being a complete idiot, Charlie still isn't sleeping well, lots of things that need to be bought or paid for, we have lots on every single weekend up until the end of June and then of course, the stress that comes with my job. Hubby and I are shouting at each other a lot and whilst it's nothing serious, everything just feels hard.

On Saturday, I mentioned we were going to the Manx Youth Games with the step-daughter, who was competing in the Crown Green Bowling event. Whilst we were there, hubby took the photos below without me knowing and then edited them and put them in a collage for me. It's simple things like this that make me appreciate him, but also Charlie. He captured a beautiful moment for us. I was walking him around the bowling green as he was getting a bit bored. I think the picture that shows us walking hand in hand, is just beautiful. Whilst he can walk pretty well for a 14 month old, he is only just starting to walk outside and this was us practising, together. The other one is just Charlie being a cool dude wearing his cousin's sunglasses!

It just reminds me to appreciate all the little, ordinary moments.

The Ordinary Moments #1 (Week 19)

For the first time on this blog, I am joining in with Mummy Daddy Me's The Ordinary Moments.

Sometimes, it's hard to remember to enjoy those ordinary, everyday things and focus on the big things, like holidays and treats etc. But every day, especially as a parent, is special. Children are always doing funny things and making us smile.

Charlie loves swings now he's a bit older. We have one in the garden, which (unfortunately!) he can see from the patio doors. He can't yet say 'swing' but he makes a noise which sounds similar and points at it, obviously trying to say he wants to go on it.We have to shut the curtains sometimes as he gets a bit obsessed and then starts screaming if we don't take him out on it. He doesn't understand that it's peeing down and we will get drenched!

As a parent there are good days and bad days. At the moment, we are unfortunately having more of the bad days as Charlie is going through a funny phase; he won't eat his dinner and he won't go to bed or stay asleep. When we pick him up at 4pm he tends to cry on and off until he finally goes to bed at god knows what time. The last few weeks have been tense and stressful, we're running off little sleep and I feel like he doesn't enjoy being with us. I know that's not the case as he is so happy to see us at 4pm, but I just don't want him crying all the time in the evening. I really hope it's just a phase and perhaps he's getting more teeth.

However, there are of course, moments where he is his usual self, especially when he is on a swing. These moments make everything OK. So what if he is being grumpier than usual? So what if he isn't sleeping on his own? It's wonderful to have a tiny little body snuggle up close to you in the middle of the night. And I have to remember that it won't last forever. One day, he won't step foot in a park when he's older and too 'cool.'