Food glorious food

Getting children to eat healthy stuff can be a bit of a chore, but it doesn't have to be. I remember weaning the boys from around six months and to be honest, I really don't remember much about it. It went by in a blur of messy faces and dirty floors. We did have a period where Fin would not be spoon fed anything and I had to resort to giving them noodles for lunch every day. Now though, generally they are great eaters.

They still have days where they are not that hungry, which we all do, and I have learned now that if a child doesn't want to eat, you cannot make them. Just as if someone were to keep shoving a spoon in your direction and you really didn't fancy it, no amount of plane noises or begging could make you open your month. So now I dont sweat it. They will eat when they are hungry.

The most our boys eat is either at breakfast or tea time. Lunch time is generally hit or miss depending on how many biscuits they have had at play group! Tea time is great as we always sit down, all four of us 9 times of of 10 and eat the exact same stuff. I do have to cook slight variations for example if we are having something spicy or something I know the boys really don't like, but most nights they have the same of us.

On the fruit and veg front, we don't do too badly. The boys could eat more fruit but would live on strawberries if they could. They love peas, broccoli and carrots but not too fussed about potatoes or chips. But rice...Oh my goodness rice! THEY LOVE IT! And any kind of pasta dish they will eat.

These are some of our meals that we've had recently.

• Eggfried rice, sweet potato and peas.
• Chicken curry, brown rice, naan bread and pea and broccoli mix.
• Stir fry noodles, edemame beans, broccoli and sausage.
• Banked beans, tomato, homemade wedges and ham.

• Chicken wrap, soft cheese, bread sticks and bread (lots of bread)
• Sammy sampling my green smoothie.
• Sausages, chickpea stew (the love love love this) and greens.
• Chinese pork and rice.

• Making crispy cakes.
• Pizza and nugget night!
• Eating lasagne and veggies made by uncle Darren.
• First trip to Indian restaurant. They really enjoyed it that night.

Some sillies!

• Eating tomato soup with their eyes closed! 
• Last nights chicken and veg curry.
• Sammy making sure he gets every last bit.
• Fin pretty happy with his ice lolly.
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Including all the above we are surprised that the boys really enjoy and was purely by fluke that they like them:

• Mackeral
• Prawns
• Chickpeas
• Raw spinach
• Anything Chinese
• Anything Indian
• Carrot & Coriander soup.

 We do have days where they eat nothing but biscuits and cake especially if they are at Nana's or Grans but it's not all the time. I think the more you push and push them to eat something, the more they will dig their heels in. If you are constantly saying 'come on come, eat this, eat that' they cant make up their own mind to try something. Take a more relaxed approach. 

Give them something you would like them to eat and less of what they normally eat. Eventually they may try it but it does take about 12 tastes of the same thing to actually enjoy it. Or threaten to give it to their sibling - they will soon shove what ever it is in their mouth!

Those of you that know us, know we have an allotment which we are hoping to really get the boys involved in this year. Previous years they have been a bit little to understand what its all about but Mark has big plans for them!

Hopefully they will make the connection of where they food comes from what they eat.

Im guessing in a few years time they boys may completely go off their usual food and want to eat nothing but cheerios and cheese for six months but for now I am quite happy with their diet.

So. my biggest tips to encourage your children to eat (Which I'm sure most of you know and have heard a million times over but works) is:

 Eat as a family 

Get them involved in the cooking.

 

Take them to restaurants 

And have fun with it!

xx

Gimmie a break

They say that being a parent is the best thing you will ever do it your life. Your best accomplishment and something that most women cannot wait to to be. let me tell you, who ever said that was fucking lying. Before anyone jumps to conclusion I love every tiny cell of my boys and if anyone were to harm them or even come near, trust me nothing could hold me back. But sometimes, just sometimes I want out.

When I found out I was pregnant I had ideals on what it would be like to raise my child/children. I would be a blissfully happy stay and home mum who planned lots of activities for them to do each day. I would be a patient saint. I would be baking and crafting and preparing home cooked meals for my partner to come home to every night in a spotlessly clean house. Fast forward two and a half years later and the boys are lucky if we bake once a week and Mark is lucky if his dinner is even ready. As for cleaning, if I have picked up the cheerios that landed on the rug this morning, I consider it a deep clean.

Having twins has tested every single limit of mine. I have hit my breaking point so many times I cant remember. I have done many things that I am not proud of whilst raising children. I have shouted, screamed, cried, cursed, dragged from public and probably shouted 'what the fuck is wrong with you' too many times.

But then the guilt kicks in. I forget that the boys have only been on this actual planet 27 months. I cannot expect a 2 year old to be able to understand when they cant have ice cream for breakfast and a slice of bread for dinner. If they want it, they want it. End of. I can teach them the best I can but we cant expect a 2 year old to be able to navigate their emotions and understand what it expected of them with little experience.

But just as they are learning their place in this world, I am learning my place on this world as their mother. I hope that I give them enough cuddles and kisses and reassurance every day that they feel secure and happy when going to bed every night. But also, I need the reassurance that I am doing a good job. The constant demanding wears me down, the endless picking up, the mess, the drinks spilled, the broken nights, the fighting all take their toll until I snap. I am no saint unfortunately but toddlers are little assholes! They are. But like I said before I love my children more  than anything. Maybe when they are a bit older, they will be easier. Looking back, the baby stage is so easy. The sleep, poop and eat. Brilliant. They do all that now but on a messier and louder scale.

Motherhood is definitely harder than I thought it would be. But I love it. Yes I love a break now and then. I crave silence. After a day at work on a Saturday and Sunday, my tolerance levels creep back up to normal after being completely diminished by 5pm on a Friday. But the little charge over the weekend is just enough to get me though the rest of the week. Just. That and perhaps a glass or two!

Notice anything?

As much as I love what Ive done with much two love over the past two years, I thought I should make it a bit more universal and not limited to 'two'. Don't worry, there's nothing hidden in that meaning (mum!) But just in case something does happen, its all set for the future. 

So, introducing........Much More Two Love!

I did have a bit of trouble thinking what to rename the blog, if at all. But I knew it should be kept similar to the old one but open to future developments. Then it hit me. More more more! Fits perfectly. Everyhting will be pretty much the same and you can still access all of my older post through this. It going to have a little tidy and freshen up that's all.

I hope you like it and continue to follow us! x