Self

Well, I have been a little self absorbed this week. I have forgotten to blog a few things. My mind just seemed to be flitting between Zali becoming a Mad Cow and Caleb's day at hospital.

Happy Birthday Macey!

Macey turned one on Monday. Macey's Mummy told me they ate plenty of cake. That is the way it should be!

Happy Birthday Jared!

Jared turned one on Wednesday. He has cute eyes, he will be a winner with the girls!

I can't believe how fast the year has gone, unbelievable.

Thursday was a remarkable day in the Jeffrey household. Little Ben started to walk independently. What a fantastic achievement. Very happy and proud for you! Won't be any stopping you now, kiddo!

My thoughts are with Loretta and hubby. They have a big challenge ahead, but in the end Kobie will feel better. In the end. Between now and then though, my thoughts are with them all. I wish for them to get some sleep, I wish for Kobie to fill up his belly, I wish for wonderful things.

Some times we get caught up in our own little world. Which, of course, is very important. I think it is nice to also think about others. They may be going through a rough patch, they may be struggling due to a variety of reasons, maybe they are having a miserable day. Knowing that someone else is thinking of you, getting a smile, a hug, knowing someone cares . . . all beautiful things that cost us nothing. Now *that* is priceless.

Guess what? It is only four weeks until Mel and Brent's wedding! Aaarrgghh! It is coming so fast! Next week we celebrate with the Hen's and Buck's nights, will be lovely to go out and have some great company and an enjoyable evening. Between now and then I will have to work out some conversation starters that don't involve my children (you know, cause that is my entire life and the main thing I talk about!) and enjoy some 'adult time'. Cripes.

Mel had her measurements taken for her dress! Aaarrgghh! How exciting! I am going to have the first fitting for my dress next week. Eeek! Things are happening!

Baby Amy is three months old already! Cripes. Time goes so fast. Haven't seen her for a few weeks so I am guessing she is *desperate* for some Aunty Gail cuddles.

Monday I am heading over to meeting Baby Quincy! Can't wait. Better make sure I have charged batteries in the camera. She is three weeks old on Monday. Surely she has her Mummy and Daddy wrapped firmly around her tiny finger by now.

Have a lovely weekend.

P.S Hospital went well. Long day. Tiring day. Starving day. Caleb did great for a while, then got tired and hungry. Mummy got tired and hungry too. Procedure went well, waiting now for the toxin to work it's magic. Physiotherapy starts in a few weeks. Between now and the middle of December we need to go back to the RCH for a hip x-ray, a chat with the Occupational Therapist about his arm, the post-botox follow up with the paediatrician and a fitting (and taking) of his new 'boot'.

Through in a holiday at the beach, a wedding and all that hospital excitement, well, we are going to have a crazy two months.

25.10.07

I am so tired but can't bring myself to go to bed. My insides are churning. I am a little numb and that is the only thing to stop me from bawling my eyes out. I feel so conflicted inside I am making myself ill. I am gearing myself up for a very hard, emotional and long day tomorrow. However, I need to be strong and confident and happy and loving and a million other attributes tomorrow to be supportive for my son.

Until I walk away from him in theatre, and cry like a baby.

He is older this time, he understands more. He knows what he likes and doesn't like. I don't think he is going to like being couped up in a hospital all day. Especially when he cannot eat or drink. My heart feels sad that the poor little boy has to go through occasions like this. I wish I could take it all away from him.

Mad Cow?

The week has certainly had more downs than ups!

Zali has caught the hand, foot and mouth disease from Kindy. She isn't too bad, just a few dots on her hands and feet, a little blister on the front of her tongue and some dots on her legs. It sounds very awful, but now I have seen it, it ain't too bad. Thankfully they don't get sick, just dotty. It is very contagious, which is why I had to pick her up from Kindy - she blew up on Tuesday and we went to the doctor. She won't be going tomorrow either, she needs time to let it pass. That is all you can do, there isn't a treatment other than time.

My main fear is Caleb catching it. The doctor said he may have had it previously (unknown to us!) which would render him immune. Our fingers are so crossed for this the bone is nearly poking from the skin. Why? Caleb has his next round of Botox on Friday at the Royal Children's Hospital and he needs to be well. If he is sick they will not do it, as he is totally asleep with a General. It would take months to get another appointment, but at the end of the day his health and well-being out way any delay in the procedure.

He hasn't come up in any spots yet, and it has been a few days since he would have been exposed to it, which is great.

But. Back to Tuesday afternoon, and he is quiet and still and lethargic. I start to worry. He doesn't eat, he is sooky, then proceeds to throw up a small piece of food (on the carpet- ew!). Fantastic, he must have something other bug. Things are ok from then on, he sleeps well through the night and wakes up this morning quite bright. He heads off to Kindy and has a decent day. His communication book detailed he was 'not his usual out-going self', as I had indicated to them.

At the moment is seems fine and has eaten afternoon tea and dinner. All promising.

Would you please cross your fingers that Caleb stays mostly well for Friday. And keep us in your thoughts as Caleb and I spend the *entire* day at the hospital. First appointment is 8.30am.

Sore

This idiot, who is supposed to be resting and taking care of her back, spent a while crouched on the ground tidying up the study. But, it is nice to have some of my stuff (crap) sorted and tidy. I picked up two 2-drawer storage cabinets in clear plastic that fit under my tables today. I will be able to fill them up during the next few days and my area will be looking spiffy!

My goal then is to organise all my scrapbooking stuff. I have let it pile up. There isn't much of one table left and it has dribbled over to the computer table. Problem is I like to look at it. Sometimes I do more looking that scrapping, it still makes me feel good though!

Just checking in. Not a great deal happening. Miss Zali has a cold and (or because of) is teething. She is suffering, sore and grumpy, not impressed with food and just miserable. It sort of comes and goes depending on if the Panadol is due. When it does come, it really comes. She is crying and letting everyone know she is in pain. Poor little thing, it must really hurt. I tried to explain to Caleb today that Zali cries because she doesn't have any other way to communicate. That was fine, he understood that Zali was sick. It wasn't a problem until he was asking for an ice cream cone for dessert and I couldn't hear him over Zali's crying. He was cross at her and said 'Shoosh!'

Caleb, Zali and I went to Quinn's third birthday party yesterday. Nice day, quite warm by the end though. Got a few photos on the camera, but you should have seen the birthday cake! It could have fed 100 people! Quinn's dad is a baker and made a *humongous* mud cake with a fondant icing and drawn-on full body rockin' Buzz Lightyear! It was a lovely morning. Riley and Oscar were there so it was all systems go. Zali had a few issues with her balance, and walking, as the grass was sloping. It was quite amusing at times, but I figured I shouldn't laugh as I didn't know many of the people (there was their family there as well).

Alright. Time to read my magazine in bed and head off to sleep. Last night Zali was awake a few times with being unwell. Hopefully tonight is better, we are used to a good nights' sleep now.

Chow!

Sheesh

Sheesh! Where did that week go? Will do a quick recap.

Been living like a bit of an invalid with my back. It is improving but I am *supposed* to be taking it easy and being gentle on it. Would someone please tell my kids?

The kids saw their great-Grandma and Grandpa on Sunday, which was nice. As well as Nannie and Pop and the family. I missed out due to my back. I will have to wait until next year.

Normal kindy and little school stuff. Zali is heaps better with kindy. It is great. I put a request in today to change her to Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Caleb gets a little itchy without her on Tuesday and I will get a few hours peace on Wednesday.

I have got a bit of new scrap stuff. I am in heaven. I have the stuff all around me so I can see it, this excites me very much. However the room is a mess. I sort of don't know where to start to organise things. Hmpf, it can wait, no rush.

Erm. Buttons had her teeth cleaned. Adrian is away for work again this week. I have had a lot of headaches (but hang on, he isn't here? he he. I can get away with comments like that cause he doesn't read this!). Yep. That basically wraps up a quiet period, hopefully things will improve more over the next few days.

In the words of Rove ..... say hi to your mother for me.

Ow!

I have injured my back. First I lifted lounge chairs (looking for Caleb's arm), vacuumed, mopped and played on the floor with Caleb. After a few days of that stuff, my back gave in. I have sprained a ligament in my lower back. It is painful. I am on Voltaren Rapid tablets, I am currently strapped up and regularly have the heat pack working its magic. The physio said not to lift anything for a week. Oh. My. Gawd. With a one year old and three year old I think I would have a better chance winning the lotto.

Mum helped me out today. Adrian flew to far north Queensland, that is how far he runs when asked for help! Joking! He had to go away for work, but the timing is *just* great. Tomorrow both cherubs are at kindy, thankfully, and I am having a total rest day. It will annoy me that I can't sit at the computer and scrapbook my day away, but I need to recover from this injury. If I don't give myself time to heal properly, the physio said it would become a recurring problem. That is a problem I do not need.

Okey, off to rest again. Maybe I should say off to try and sleep and not be woken up a trillion times with pain.

P.S. Caleb back at little school today and he was happy. He was asking when the bus would come from, roughly, 5am.

Brand New

Welcome to the world baby Quincy!

Sharon and Rob had a baby girl this afternoon at 3.52pm. She was 53cm long and 3.3kg. Wonderful. Third girl!

When Rob rang me with the news he sounded so happy, proud, amazed, dazed - all the feelings of a new Dad. Nice.

Dying to visit and meet Q, but I will give Sharon a few days recovery before I go bouncing in. That means I *must* go shopping for something pink and cute. Poor me, the things I have to do.

Relief

Not many of you know that we lost Caleb's Second Skin arm splint. This is made to fit his arm and he wears it for 12-16 months at least. We haven't had this one for too long, and it has been three weeks since we last saw it.

Grandma looked everywhere. She felt responsible because she took it off Caleb's arm. It always sits in their bathroom upstairs or on the change table downstairs. But it wasn't.

For three long weeks I have been hoping that it would appear. I was too scared to make a huge deal of it and tell everyone involved, I was putting it off. I felt useless and irresponsible and stupid. How could we lose such an important (expensive!) item. We thought that maybe it got caught up in rubbish and it was long gone. I had even made a rough estimate of it's replacement cost in our budget.

Today was the last day of searching. It takes a few weeks to make and Caleb has his second round of Botox injections in a few weeks . . . they wanted to see his arm splint and check out how the arm is managing. I needed to start the ball rolling to get a new splint for this appointment, Caleb also needs to be wearing it (most importantly), and lastly, the company that donated for this splint wanted to have an afternoon tea sometime in the near future. Tomorrow I was going to ring up the manufacturers to organise a new one.

Grandma and I lifted the lounge chairs and everything in between. I think I have injured or strained my back doing so! Grrr. I packed up some of the million and one toys to put into the toy cupboard and dragged them over. I was going to turn that cupboard upside down to make sure the splint wasn't in here. Caleb likes to put a lot of things in here. It is a small cupboard of which he has access and likes to monitor.

In one small dark crack, behind the books and crayons and next to the blocks sat a little, lonely, scared and cold arm splint. Thank. You. ThankYouThankYouThankYou!

Talk about a sigh of relief and a LOAD of our minds. Unbelievable. Caleb would have put it away 'somewhere safe' thinking he was being a helpful little lad. In future when *anything* goes missing, that is the first place to look.

Small side note: Grandma did look in there originally, but cause it was dark and her eyesight isn't the greatest, she didn't actually see it. I should have looked for it earlier than today, I was just scared of confirming that we had lost it.

The final word? Relief.

Project Haircut

was a success!

Friday afternoon Caleb, Zali, Mel and I headed over to Carindale. Thank you for helping Mel! Caleb still wasn't fussed on getting a haircut, but, it had to be done. Thankfully the place we went to at the beginning of the week were busy, so we dropped in to Price Cutters and could get two appointments (in approx 30 minutes).

We walked around and shopped and browsed for a bit. Caleb ran and jumped and had a ball, in this huge adventure playground other people call a shopping centre.

I was worrying so much about the haircuts, I made myself sick. Couldn't eat any lunch, the calm sit down and eat ice creams and chippies afterwards was where I could just chill and wind down and take a breath.

Back to the action. While we were standing waiting, Caleb and Zali were both starting to get bored. The kids had been driving me crazy all day and by this stage, as well as working myself into a tither, my patience was on short supply.

The hairdresser, Alex, called us in. Caleb fussed around and didn't want to get in the chair. I sat him up there, then Alex took over. He talked to him and encouraged him and then sprayed water on him. Caleb giggled. It all turned into a game when he was given the water bottle and sprayed everything in sight. All good. Alex talks constantly and is fantastic. He is just perfect to cut children's hair (prob. adults as well but that wasn't the purpose of Project Haircut), and made us all feel at ease.

However, Alex is very keen on himself! He will tell you, don't worry! I think he likes the end chair in the shop so he can perve at all the women walking past. Caleb was spraying Alex and me (and the entire shop) so said he would point out a nice lady who was walking by for Caleb to spray water on so they could have their own wet tshirt party. I said he was a bad influence. Caleb was just sitting there giggling spraying water and being sprayed.

Zali got her haircut next. She sat up high on the chair, and had the look on her face like 'what. is. going. on. here?!'

She did fabulously for her first ever haircut! She smiled and clapped and loved seeing the world reflecting in the mirror. Meet Alex, who thinks he is god's gift to women. When I asked him if he minded being in the photos, he said 'no worries, make sure you show all the girls!'

This photo shows perfectly what went on. He really did talk to Zali, he told her that she isn't the only one who can talk 'baby language' and made all sorts of odd baby sounds. As I said, he was really good with the kids. So glad to accidentally find him. He helped made Project Haircut a success and we will go back when Project Haircut II launches.

We headed off to Maccas for a treat. Zali had an ice cream (dropped half of it on the highchair leg) and a few chippies. Caleb had half an ice cream, half a burger and a chocolate milkshake. They were happy, Mummy was happy. Happy that they both had haircuts, happy that it was a fun experience, happy that now I could take a breath, un-knot my stomach and start to calm down. Mel was definitely calming to have around and helpful with the kiddies, very much appreciated her!

This is the first photo, taken last Saturday, of Zali walking! She is totally loving it. She walks around as much as possible now and is really happy with her new skill. Very cute.

Monday afternoon I pushed Caleb and Zali on their trikes (my poor arms) down to the park. We met up with Ida and Macey for a play. Everyone enjoyed themselves, but do you think white trousers was a good idea?

They were pretty filthy, the bark happily left them with black feet, knees, hands, faces and everywhere in between.

I have a whale size headache and tablets don't seem to be working. Now I have shared some photos (finally) I am going to bed. My plan is to wake up headache-free. Good night.

LC

The London Club. That is where I had dinner with Mel and Sonia. We checked it out as a possible venue for Mel's hens night. It was cosy and fun. Decorated tastefully with nice staff and nice food. Driving in towards the city was pretty exciting for me, due to normally being at home with my kiddies and having quiet evenings. Mainly the lights, I loved all the pretty lights from buildings and offices and the bridge and the shimmering reflections bouncing off the river. Through to Teneriffe, I drove up and down the street to find it, and it was near the beginning of my search! It is really hard to see street numbers in the dark and when THEY AIN'T DISPLAYED!

It was a nice evening and lovely company too. Was home at 9pm - yep, and I was thinking 'man, it must be soooo late!'

The kids had a nice day at kindy, I did a little scrapping, had my Sumo Salad (wasn't overly great, won't be in a rush for another), generally a nice day. EXCEPT for Caleb throwing the biggest wobbly. He was hysterical. When we got home from kindy, he turned into a howling moaning crying snotty crying hysterical banshee. The only thing I could pin it too was a very tired boy? Nothing, absolutely nothing we did was right. I let him splurge all his emotions and frustrations for a while. The neighbours probably thought he was being murdered or something. Finally, he had the option to sit on me and calmly watch some Hi-5 or go to his room to chill out. He picked the nicer option and sat with me. He did calm down, and eventually I could get him to laugh. He went back to being normal Caleb after that and the world was a good place again. I don't think we will be inviting that 'other' Caleb back again!

Okey, off to read a few pages of my new scrapbooking magazine and then rest my weary eyes. Good night.

Eating?

Well I hope not. When I walked in the house this morning after a doctors appointment, I let the dog outside, turned around and the cat gave me a glare. We were standing in an area of tiles, you know, the easy to clean flooring? On the one lonely little mat near the door, Cat proceeded to throw up. Then ran, her work was done. Great to be home, isn't it! And why did said cat do such a nasty? Cause she ate a little lizard, her insides mustn't agree with that delicacy. Neither does mine.

However, my insides do like the cup of tea and green apple that is calling me. I think I can smell morning tea . . .

Before I toddle off and hassle the kettle, an update on our little boy.

Caleb had a hearing test yesterday at the Mater. Third attempt. Again, his right ear had blockage. The chart thing is supposed to show movement, his printout had a flat line. We moved to the puppet show. When you hear a noise, a puppet lights up and dances. We played with coloured blocks in between to get his attention away from where the puppets danced - we needed a specific reaction of looking if and when he heard something. Next step was to focus on the single ear, so a little tiny soft earpiece was inserted in the ear and we continued. The results showed that his right ear has some hearing loss. It is upsetting because it is *another* problem we now add to the list and have to 'manage'. The audiologist is recommending we get a referral to see a Ear Nose and Throat specialist and see what we can do. After the letter arrives I will head off to our GP and get that ball rolling. The long term blockage of his ear can be causing some damage to the area, and we don't want that. The positive side is that his other ear works fantastically, thus he will not have any difficulty with speech and language development. Which we know, cause lately HE-DOESN'T-SHUT-UP!

Today both little cherubs are at kindy. Nice. To make up for the 'project haircut' debacle, I will be having my Sumo Salad today for lunch. Nice. Well, I hope so after this build up!

An update on Project Haircut. Another attempt is scheduled for 1500 hours tomorrow. I am taking backup (Grandma) and Zali to have her first haircut also. I need assistance cause there *has* to be photos taken of Zali's first haircut. I am hoping that Mr-fussy-pants will be more agreeable when he sees Zali cooperating. Oh please Lord, please make her cooperate!

Okey, off to scrapbook a little before heading to Carindale for my salad. Have a spiffy day!

No Coffee

Adrian and Zali drove to Toowoomba Sunday lunchtime. Cause it was too big of a drive for Zali to turn around and come back, they stayed for dinner and bath and drove home at night. Arrived home safely around 8.30pm. Zali went from sleeping in the car to sleeping in the cot, all good. Caleb went from just woke up in the car to mummy lying in his bed to get him back to sleep. When I thought all was good I snuck out. Minutes later he was beside me and said 'let's go downstairs'.

Downstairs we go to watch some television. He sat clinging to me for ages. Numerous times we thought he was asleep and he would turn around and look at us. He was tired but needed some cuddles and reassurance from Mummy. Least he didn't have a huge cry, like previous times when he is away from me. It is like he suddenly realises that Mummy hasn't been there, and he lets it all out. This was a bit better, but Monday he was still tired and was pushing the boundaries. He spent more time in his room for undesirable behaviour than ever before, but about time the threats are continuously followed through. Evening bath turned manic with both of them tired and . . . well, lets move on, shall we.

Monday was a nice day though. Janene and Amy came over in the morning. Janene was looking stunning, glowing with happiness and truly loving being a Mummy. Amy had grown and was sticking her skinny little neck up. Always nice to have bubby cuddles. When they left, Caleb kept asking 'where is Amy?'

In the afternoon we met Ida and Macey down at the spaceship park. Otherwise known as the Carindale Recreation Reserve. The kids had a lovely play and feed. They were totally filthy. The bark is dirty and messy and Zali might as well have dived in and swam through it. She was covered, but having a good time. Caleb plodded around and played with some other kids. Macey crawled all over the place, investigating and chewing a few pieces of bark. After a banana snack we all went home. Ida is back at work today, first day back from maternity leave and turning up for two days a week. I won't say working, she might be doing coffee and biscuits more so! he he. Hope your first day went well Ida!

The kids went all nasty around dinner and bath time, then Zali was in bed and Caleb not long after. Thankfully we could sit in peace and watch Home and Away. I need to watch all this week because something bad is going to happen between Alf and Sally. Can't miss it!

Right now Zali is at kindy and Caleb is asleep. This is the first Tuesday for Zali, we are trying two days a week and she how she settles. Caleb and I went to his normal playgroup. There weren't many there so he was bored. On the way home we discussed going to the 'big shops' (Carindale) and having a haircut, then sitting down at Maccas for lunch. I wanted to try something from Sumo Salad. Yep, all good, he was happy. We drove past home and got some money and headed over to Carindale.

I was excited, how nice, just the two of us hanging out. Quick painless haircut, sit down and eat and watch the exciting happenings going on around. Oh maybe I would have a latte also! This is going to be a great day, I thought.

Enter Mr-I-don't-want-a-haircut-now and the tides turn. He digs his heels in and no longer wants a haircut. Did I mention he looks like a cross between Crusty the Clown and a golliwog? His curls are so long the ringlets could strangle an adult, and it is so thick and bushy. I try and persuade and bribe and threaten. He squirms and fights and kicks his feet around. The young girl stands there, with too much attitude for my liking, and says 'if he moves I could cut him or myself'. Good on you, love, you are a great help.

We move away from the dodgy little salon to some nearby seats. We sit there for what seems like forever. I told Caleb he cannot move until he gets a haircut. He can't sit on the other chair, he can't dance on the mat, he can't have his apple or walk or run or see anything. Nothing is happening until he gets a haircut. Two options: you can have a haircut, we go and sit down together and have a nice lunch or we go home and you will go straight to your room. He tried to get out of both options for a while, then I put my foot down. Make your choice. Ok, so we going home. I start walking and he starts stomping his feet and letting out a slight moan. I wait, he whinges, last chance to make a choice. Right off we go. Second tanty takes place. Holding hands we then exit the centre and ride three travelators to the car. He has mini tanty's before each one. In the car, no Wiggles playing, no talking.

Home, I take his packed lunch to his room, along with his water. Do not leave this room until I say. And I want quiet. And I walked off and watched Oprah and ate my lunch. When I checked on him he was asleep. Other than feeling stupid myself with the whole scenario, I am shatted off that I missed out on a bought lunch and coffee. It wasn't even a fantastic Oprah episode.

Nearly time to go pick up my little girl. Fingers crossed she had a better day.

I hope to post some more photos soon, I just need Adrian to stop stuffing around with his computer so I can plug in the cord to download the camera. There is an issue with my machine and the cord. My machine must have the attitude of a three year old boy, u-huh.