I just had a quick check of my photos to see if there was something I could share with you. I really must be not myself lately - I haven't taken one single photo since 17 May. I can't believe it. I was still pretty crook at that point and I don't really have full mojo back, but I am going to have to put in more effort.

I didn't even get a decent photo with Caleb and his arm casting. It didn't help that the second one was applied on a Thursday and he pulled it off Friday night. The third one was put on better - hung on until the Tuesday (after another Thursday starter) when he was jumping on bouncy castles and running around like a mad duck at the picnic for Under 8's week at little school. When he arrived home on the bus at the end of the day, the cast was hanging very low with his thumb totally hiding and his four fingers nearly covered. It was the running chasing Zali when we picked her up from kindy where the 'incident' happened.

With his arms swinging wildly and the wind rushing through his hair, he tore down the path to find his sister and . . . the cast *flew* off. It was funny to see from where I was standing and it surprised him. He stopped and picked it up out of the garden and said 'oh, my arm fell off'. Brought it up to me, turned around and tore back down the path.

The good part about the arm coming off the second and third times is that the OT didn't need to use the nasty saw to remove the casting - which Caleb totally hated. We could just go in and watch Teletubbies or The Wiggles while they made another one. Side note: he was actually supposed to have three castings, it wasn't re-applied cause we are naughty, it was re-applied to stretch his fingers and arm differently.

Now he has little hard splints that the OT made on Thursday. One is for 'rest' time, which stretches out his fingers and separates the thumb. The 'active' splint allows his fingers to be free so he can operate normally at little school and so forth, but it separates his thumb. It is to keep working on the muscles and flexibility the casting has started. Tonight when I held his hand out and looked at his fingers they were very relaxed and straight and beautiful. He made really good positive steps with the casting. Very happy.

cake

It took me a long time to shake that nasty tummy bug I picked up - not sure if it mixed with my hormones and had fun messing with me. Generally doing pretty well at the moment.

We went to Toowoomba on the weekend for a family dinner at Telfers. Huge big feed of wonderful food - always a treat! Nannie also made a baked cheesecake and upside down pear and ginger cake - both v. tasty.

Oops, my girl just woke up. She is standing at the top of the stairs calling for me - doh!

We visited Sheree, David, Campbell and Finn also. Lots of play for the kids, lots of food and nice seeing everyone. Gotta run, she is down the stairs and hanging at the gate at the study, wanting me.

Hug to you all.

Sister Chef

A week can go by really fast . . . when you spend the majority of it sick. I caught a nasty bug that has taken a big toll on me this week. Today I am feeling a little brighter, but food and I will need to re-acquaint ourselves slowly. Speaking of food . . .

Look at these amazing creation! My sister Sheree made it and I think it rocks! It was a joint birthday cake - the husband, my nephew Finn and I celebrate a birthday within two weeks of each other. Our two families got together on Saturday for a wee celebration and catch up.



A nutter with two nephews (who only have eyes for cake) Campbell and Finn.

Sheree makes great things in her kitchen. Good on her, the clever little princess. Next year I think the cake should be taller! And her challenge has been set . . . .

Mothers Day 2008

Happy Mothers Day!

We got some fresh flowers at the markets this morning. Caleb and I picked up some (ahem, made some) cake for a late morning tea. He thought it would be nice to have candles for Grandma to blow out, of course he offered his assistance. We didn't sing Happy Mothers Day, but the candles really made the moment - or was it the unexpected showers that accompanied the blowing out of the candles? Continental Apple Cake with cream cheese icing in the middle (yum!) and Apple Crumble Baked Cheesecake (yum!) went down a treat with all of us.

Casting

Caleb and I went in this morning to see a couple of friendly Occupational Therapists who made a plaster casting for Caleb's right arm. He wasn't exactly thrilled and would only cooperate if he sat on Mummy. Once it got started he settled in and would feel the wet and sticky and fluffy bits. He chose green for the protective covering and giggled when I used a wet cloth to clean off dried plaster from his ribs and under arm. The casting starts between elbow and shoulder and ends near his knuckles, with the thumb separated from the other fingers.

When we return in a week for removal and a new one, it will start mid forearm and end at fingertips - that will be a challenge and slight struggle for his little hand. The biggest challenge will be when they bring out the mini saw to remove the current casting. Caleb will be climbing the walls.

The casting was complete, Caleb asks 'Can we take this home?' Sure can matey! (It is stuck there for a week! With that question and my subsequent positive response I was a pretty cool mother.)

Back home Caleb asks if Zali can have one tomorrow? No. Can his other arm get one? No.

Fast forward to this afternoon. I don't like this anymore, please take it off? No. I think I ain't a cool mother anymore, I might be a mean one.

Other than the emotional challenges for me, a big one will be all the 'people' asking about his broken arm and looking at me in surprise . . . obviously I am a bad mother who cannot look after my child. On top of the existing looks and questions about his (always) broken/injured leg, this should be a fun few weeks of explaining to noodleheads.

Hurtie

So. Saturday night and I am exhausted. I can't hack the hard work of grocery shopping lately - really takes the stuffing out of me. I am guessing this little baby won't like the shops, much like Zali.

Bubbles has settled really well. Buttons and her have been playing - chasing each other around and wrestling and being fun. Buttons is an elderly lady in doggie years, but she is keeping up pretty well. Molly is still in a huff. She is spending a lot of time on beds upstairs, being Caleb's or ours, and keeping out of the way.

Caleb loves band-aids at the moment. When he wants one on something hurtie, he says he will wait until after his bath and have it on then, thanks. And he always remembers. Right now he has a new band-aid on his big toe - it has a scratch.

Zali is saying more words and singing parts of songs, as well as getting some more dance moves and actions. She is hip, she is funky. She is a dag.

When the two of them are having 'issewes' they each have their side (of me) to sit on. Caleb has always had the right side and Zali had to have the left, no choice. Not sure what their little minds will think of when the new baby Telfer comes along. I asked Caleb one day and he said they could go in the middle, hmm, we'll see. Today when they were having some 'issewes' I was ready to push both of them on to the floor!

Enjoy your long weekend, love them cause Daddy and Grandma are home!
Hugs.

May

I cannot believe it is May. Happy to have arrived at the best month of the year, but strewth . . . where is the year going? The chilly mornings and need for a blanket over my knees while watching Oprah - loving that.

Speaking of blankets, we are now the proud owners of a brand spanking new ensemble . . . wait for it . . . a king size bed! Wahoooooooooooooo! Packed up is the queen size wooden slat bed, goodbye, you served us well. The newie arrived on Tuesday and I am thoroughly in love. I have wanted a king size . . . for. ever. The husband hasn't totally taken it over yet, but give him time. This morning at some ungawdly hour when Caleb came in, there was plenty of room for him to snuggle in and still be comfortable for everyone. Hell, when Zali came in at a more respectable hour, there was still room for her to get some snuggles. Have I said I *love* this bed.

I have been very quiet, very unsocial and living in my own little sorry world. However, I am starting to come out of it. I think I might be emerging from this nasty business called morning sickness. I am starting to eat a better variety of food and not feel immediately nauseous. I even had a coffee yesterday! I splashed out with my final scrummy (usual) breakfast with the gorgeous Jill - who, sniff sniff, goes home on Saturday. Miss you already!

I am sure there has been an abundance of extremely thrilling events in my life, of which I cannot quite recall at this moment, so I will move on to something cute. No! Snigger. Not more about me!

This . . .


Bubbles. She is a nearly-9-week-old tiny-ball-of-cute pup who has Caleb wrapped around her tiny paw. Zali is keen when she is in the mood (if she is having a strop, this bouncing ball of happiness is *not* welcome).

Not sure if these pictures show her size appropriately, but this is a bucket. She had plenty of room. Without the fluff (or if she has a bath and resembles a drowned rat) she is a little bag of bones. When she is full grown, Bubbles will be bigger than our Tenterfield Terrier, Buttons, but she will be a small dog.

This is her today. See that butter-wouldn't-melt look? She totally knows how to work it.

Molly the cat isn't impressed. Buttons is getting used to her and will appreciate the company, but she still has the need to teach Bubbles who is boss. At the moment Bubbles thinks that is funny.

Caleb is very attentive. He carries her around, hooked up in his left arm, and she just sits, very calm like a little doll. It is great that she is friendly and loves everyone, she loves company and will follow you around. Caleb loves to feed her and look after her like a little 'baby'. He is up straight away at 5.30am (her waking time) when she cries out and races downstairs to play. They proceed to play chasey and run giggling throughout the house. Did I mention the 5.30 *AM* part? He asks 'where is my baby dog?'

Hope you are all well and happy.