Lockdown Things.

Yikes. The whole of NZ is back in Level 4 lockdown, over one whole year later since our previous one.

It was only a matter of time, yet I do want to quickly note that the whole situation here is handled impeccably well. I am in full support of how quick and fast NZ jumps into keeping everyone safe. It sucks, absolutely, but it’s necessary.

I also want to acknowledge how lucky I am that for us, being in lockdown doesn’t extend beyond “it sucks”. We have a safe place to live, we have work, we are healthy, we can afford what we need. We are very, very lucky and I completely acknowledge how lockdown is a different experience for people in vulnerable circumstances.

Here’s a wee update on things at the mo in our 50sqm house:

- Both my husband and I are trying to work, while looking after our two year old and our seven month old. This is ... a lot, and I’m just very glad that we don’t have homeschooling to add into the mix too. Let’s just say that it’s near impossible to get anything done (though that’s really nothing new, for me anyway), but I’m trying not to get frustrated about that. As everyone keeps saying, these are unprecedented times. Unprecedented times, Kaitlyn!

- To, you know, make everything even more interesting, our poor two year old has croup. It sucks. And we know the likelihood of our baby catching it is high. So that sucks too. All I’ll say is that any activities which include the words “toddler time” (which we went to on the morning of the day the snap lockdown was announced) are a breeding ground for any kind of gnarly virus one can think up.

- Things we have done so far include: picking daisies, visiting the chickens, watching Shrek x1000 (yes, our two year old does now say “get OUT of my SWAMP!” I am so proud), colouring in, painting, the same Moana puzzle over and over, kinetic sand (regrets every time), walking to a stripe of grass down the road and then turning to jelly walking back up the hill, making cakes with blocks, weeding the garden, x1000 snacks per day, watching rabbits in the paddock, and grizzling.

- Things on the agenda for the next few days include: more snack eating, more Shrek watching, definitely more grizzling, and actually - probably more of everything above. Hmm and maybe getting some leaves and cutting them up and then gluing the pieces to cardboard? That’s an activity, right? And goop. Provided it’s not raining so it can go outside. It’s not happening otherwise.

- Pre-lockdown, we would got out every single day on walks, playground visits, play dates, to the library etc, and staying home was my actual nightmare. Literally. So being at home constantly was scary. It still is. But it’s becoming less scary as time goes on.

- We’re going to try an hour-on-hour-off approach to see if we each get an opportunity get more work done. We are probably very naive. But fingers crossed.

- The baby is currently on her fifth wake up of the night, when lately she’s actually been sleeping really well (for her standards anyway), so I’m feeling like croup is on the horizon. Oh the joy!

- Some quality memes that have made me laugh recently. I can’t nicely format these on my phone, so do enjoy them just being dumped here. I also have a very very fantastic friend who sends me quality reels on the daily. Her curation level is 10/10 expert.

- I’ve been meditating lately (trying for every day, but it’s more likely every second day). This is something I used to scoff at and give up on, but it’s actually helpful and something I look forward to. Perfect before going to bed. I use a guided meditation, because my brain is way too bouncy to deal with no outside structure, and I usually sit on the bathroom floor (#smallhouselife), so that’s great to fall asleep on.

- And on that note, here’s a final note! I’ve also been spitting out poetry like there’s no tomorrow. Here are two poems that I made to look pretty.