Saturday, September 25, 1999
Where Do Babies Come From?
The latest advance on the “where do babies come from?” front is that Kevin, after having looked at friend Mallorie’s big tummy for a long time, finally asked how the baby is going to get out! I’m delighted he asked such a logical question! Which reminds me, I may have to take a crash course in midwifery pretty soon, as her policeman husband is on a training course in Fonty at the moment and the baby is due any time but depending on the time of day he may not be able to accompany Mallorie to the hospital. Being a policeman is like being in the armed forces, they can be very strict and harsh about taking leave. She doesn’t have many friends in the region and apart from me, none who have already had babies. So I told her to ring me if she’s on her own when she goes into labour, even if it’s the middle of the night. Of course I hope Patrick can get away, but I’d be honoured to be present at the birth, it would be very exciting.
Both children are at 'maternelle' or nursery school now, four days a week, and it’s going very well for both of them. Kevin is a lot more chatty about his teacher and friends. Pauline enjoyed it all right from the start, was excited to be going and didn’t mind not being with Kevin. She loves to hang her cardigan up on her peg in the cloakroom and even though it’s only marked with her name and no picture, she can identify the letter P by herself, much to her teacher’s surprise. At lunch time on the first day she told us all about it: they held hands and stood in a big circle, they played The Little Train, she had a biscuit and some juice, there was music and the teacher was nice. I went to the first parent-teacher meeting on Saturday morning, we heard about each school day in great detail and the trips and parties planned for the year. Each day is highly structured and I think it’s a very good discipline, especially for Pauline, who is a bit of a monster at home at the moment. She’s sleeping better at night now, but still getting up at between 5 and 6 am every day, which is just too early for me! She really fights me over getting dressed and brushing teeth, finishing meals, etc. But once she’s at school she’s a little angel! Kevin will have swimming lessons with his whole class in January and I will probably be asked to go and help the children get dressed. They need one mum for every five children and the classes are big this year (24 or 25 children in each).
I’ve been doing a bit more housework with my new-found freedom, but sport is my priority. I’ve had some lovely bike rides along the canal in between rain showers. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I go for a brisk (i.e. exhausting) walk with friend Patricia and her huge dog. She has taken me to parts of the region, past fields and lakes that I’ve never seen before. Then I rush to get lunch ready and pick up the kids from school. Then have to take them back at 1 pm and pick them up again at 4 pm. Of course I walk to and from school four times a day, but take the bus with the children. By evening I’m exhausted, but am sleeping soundly!
Both children are at 'maternelle' or nursery school now, four days a week, and it’s going very well for both of them. Kevin is a lot more chatty about his teacher and friends. Pauline enjoyed it all right from the start, was excited to be going and didn’t mind not being with Kevin. She loves to hang her cardigan up on her peg in the cloakroom and even though it’s only marked with her name and no picture, she can identify the letter P by herself, much to her teacher’s surprise. At lunch time on the first day she told us all about it: they held hands and stood in a big circle, they played The Little Train, she had a biscuit and some juice, there was music and the teacher was nice. I went to the first parent-teacher meeting on Saturday morning, we heard about each school day in great detail and the trips and parties planned for the year. Each day is highly structured and I think it’s a very good discipline, especially for Pauline, who is a bit of a monster at home at the moment. She’s sleeping better at night now, but still getting up at between 5 and 6 am every day, which is just too early for me! She really fights me over getting dressed and brushing teeth, finishing meals, etc. But once she’s at school she’s a little angel! Kevin will have swimming lessons with his whole class in January and I will probably be asked to go and help the children get dressed. They need one mum for every five children and the classes are big this year (24 or 25 children in each).
I’ve been doing a bit more housework with my new-found freedom, but sport is my priority. I’ve had some lovely bike rides along the canal in between rain showers. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I go for a brisk (i.e. exhausting) walk with friend Patricia and her huge dog. She has taken me to parts of the region, past fields and lakes that I’ve never seen before. Then I rush to get lunch ready and pick up the kids from school. Then have to take them back at 1 pm and pick them up again at 4 pm. Of course I walk to and from school four times a day, but take the bus with the children. By evening I’m exhausted, but am sleeping soundly!
# posted by Antipodeesse @ 8:39 pm 
