Thea - #07

After practicing my wellness skill, I went to bed and it wasn't long before I was woken up for the last time by Brendan (as a baby anyway).

I would say I'm going to miss it... but I'm not! I got up the next morning and got changed as I had a big day planned at the new Victorian-inspired gardens. But of course before that, I needed to age Brendan up...

He's even more handsome now. He's got bright green eyes and swept-across blond hair. He definitely doesn't look like me in anyway. I played with him for a little while...

...before making him breakfast and giving him some apple juice.

Once he had finished, I lifted him out of his chair and began to tell him about what I had planned for the day. However, before I could even finish, Brendan had left his clothes in a pile and was marching across the kitchen.

I chased after him and persuaded him to put his clothes back on. I turned away to put the dirty bowls in the sink but immediately turned back when I heard the door open...

Once again, I chased him and picked him up...

As I put him in the car I thought, 'today's going to be a long day...'

We hadn't even left the house yet...

20 minutes later we arrived at the gardens. Holding Brendan safely in my arms we escalated the large, stone steps and entered the garden...

The place was deserted for such a lovely day so I had no trouble finding somewhere to put Brendan down.

T : You okay baby?

He nodded enthusiastically. I stood opposite him and bent down with my hands on my knees.

T : Do you like the garden?

B : Yeah!

I giggled and ruffled his hair.

T : Good boy.

I watch him look around expectantly.

B : Mama?

For a moment I'm shocked... until I remember that I'm the mother figure in his life.

T : Yes sweetie.

B : Is it my birthday? Is that why we're here?

T ; Yes, you're 3 years old now.

B : Really?

I can't help but smile at his confusion turned joy.

T : Yeah! At some point, you'll be 9 and then you'll be 15 then you'll be as old as me!

B : Will I ever be older than you?

I kneel down on the floor next to him as he jumps of the bench to sit on the floor.

T : No sweetie, because I get older too.

B : That's good...

T : Why?

B : Because then, you'll always look after me.

T : Brendan...

I hold his chubby face in my hands

T : I'll love you nevertheless...

I pick him up and cuddle him before suggesting we go and see the water fountain. He happily agrees and we start to make our way down...

I gently place him down on the edge and remind him to be careful...

T : Do you want to play in the water Brendan?

B : Yeah...

I help him stand up and step in myself before going to lift him in too.

B : Wait!

T : What?

B : I don't know if I want to...

T ; What if I go in first and show you what to do, then you can decide.

B : Okay...

I'll be honest... I got a bit carried away with the fountain...

It was just so fun! To my surprise, Brendan decided not to go in. Instead I played with him for a while before throwing in a coin with him for good luck...

There was one more stop before we headed home which was the shop. With Brendan's help (kind of), I moved the till over to make space for a little play-area for Brendan to keep him occupied when I'm working. Because nothing says tranquility like a screaming toddler...