Oh My!

There is going to be a new baby tomorrow. Can't wait, I am *so* excited. Am really looking forward to some newborn cuddles. Will let out the details tomorrow!

Today I had some cuddles with five month old Kaelan. He was so light, after lugging around my nearly one year old. How funny will it be to hold 3.5-odd-kilos. Better pick her up lightly, don't want to be using too many muscles and fling her across the room! Thankfully her Mummy won't be reading this, she has other things on her mind . . . like pushing a watermelon out of a straw.

Caleb enjoyed a day playing with Riley at kindy. You know how the little devils can be very adorable sometimes? Caleb came downstairs after brushing his teeth, both arms wide open and gives me a hug 'I u Mummy' (that's what his I love you sounds like). Round to the dining table where Zali is waiting for her weet-bix, gives her a big cuddle 'bye Yaryee'. Off he toddles to the doorway, waiting for Daddy to take him to Kindy. He was very adorable. Sometimes I have to steal cuddles and kisses. When they are given freely, it is very special!

Going to make a card for the new baby now, then off for some much needed sleepies.

Ride

Monday I must have been smoking something. I decided to brave the shops with the kids. Hmpf. First shop Zali starts whingeing cause she is ready for a sleep. I strap her to me and rock her to sleep. Caleb lasts a little while, then I bribe him with a little Hot Wheels car to play with.

Turned out not too bad, didn't accomplish much, but the kids had a 'ride' each. Zali had a ride in a trolley (I know, not that exciting), and Caleb . . .

well, Caleb got to ride in the Big Red Car! How exciting! Not by the look on his face, that is for sure. As soon as it started moving, he dropped his bottom lip and had a puzzled look on his face. When I teased him about it, he would smile at me. Who knows what goes through the mind of a three year old boy in a cool red car?


Tuesday we had playgroup and we took out some leftover party food to share. Tuesday afternoon the kids drove me bonkers. Oh, and I also realised that it was photo day at kindy. I realised one hour too late. Devastated would be the best describing word.

Today Caleb enjoyed another day at Little School. Everything is going really really well. He waltzes in, excited about the day ahead. He is happy to see the teachers, happy to run over to the computer, happy to be there. He jumped on a little trampoline, threw me a wave and a 'bye Mum' and continued on his merry way. When I picked him up in the afternoon, he was sitting on his computer, next to the teacher on his computer, having a ripper time. The teachers tell me he is used to the routines now and is telling them the routine if things are going to slowly. I am very happy that he settled in quickly and is liking his Little School.

Zali and I went to playgroup around the corner this morning. It was us, Liz and Sabrina, and Shan and Paige. We had a good old gas bag, and the three girls had a nice quiet play. Ok, Zali wanted to eat anything from the garden or anything in her path, but that is all part of her learning. After our lunch, she had a big sleep in the cot - great stuff. I got to play with my scrapbooking . . . yippee!

I am working on a little album for Zali's birthday. I also have another two albums lined up ready for some attention, plus another few projects in the pipeline. I need some more hours in the day, just to devote to scrapbooking. I think that is a necessity in life.

We had some lasagne and salad for dinner tonight. What did you have?

Oops

When Caleb is out playing at a park or somewhere fun and it is time to leave . . . sometimes he gets cross and doesn't want too. I have to bargain (or bribe) him, or sometimes be a grumpy Mummy.

Today, when I put Zali back in the pram after a short play in the park, she got cross and didn't want to go back to the pram. She was having fun on a big swing, she was going to get cross and not want to leave! Oops. She won't listen to bargaining or bribing . . . yet. Lucky Caleb wanted to walk and she got the big, sitting-up-high toddler seat at the front of the pram. I think she thought she was pretty cool up there. Phew.

Not?

Busy day, but not. Very sluggish today, seemed to be doing things, but not really? Hmm, clear as mud!

Didn't make it too the markets this morning (shock, horror!) cause I had a shocking migraine and felt like I was going to throw up. Eck. I moved myself down to the couch. I had to rock Zali so not to wake the other three kids (Caleb, Campbell and Finn) who were still sleeping. It is a pretty sad picture when you need to rock a sleeping child, while quietly hovering over a giant blue nappy bucket, in between holding your pounding head. Quietly.

I am feeling much better now. Slight headache but nothing like earlier. Thanks for asking.

We had a photo shoot this afternoon with my side of the family. The kids had an early lunch and all went to bed. The idea was to make sure they were slept, fed and happy. When they woke up we gave them more food. It was a mad rush to get ready, and we raced off to meet the photographer. Rachel Richter rocks. Her lovely husband, Mark, was her helpful assistant. They make it look so easy. We were running late, and I had to wipe Zali and Caleb's faces when we arrived, and be on boogey watch for the photo shoot. Nice.

Can't wait to see some photos, but Rachel already posted a couple of photos on her blog. Check it out. http://rachelrichter.blogspot.com/

Again. She rocks. And I love my kids.

Caleb did run around like a crazy man throughout the shoot. Is it the fresh air? Whatever, least he was happy.

Sheree, David, Campbell and Finn left for Nan and Pop's place tonight, and are heading back home tomorrow. Safe driving, kisses and hugs, and thanks for coming to see us, party and smile.

We came home via Maccas for a coffee and some snacks. That turned into an early dinner.

I need to clean the kitchen and dining room and vacuum after Caleb's party, but that will wait until tomorrow. I am tired and should be in bed. Um, do I say that everyday?

There isn't a great deal to clean, but I need to tidy and re-organise our house to normal every day living. Take photos of all the party bits and pieces and presents. Pack a party food bundle to take to playgroup, there is SO much leftover food. I need to share the sugar.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend. Sleep well.

Happy Birthday Caleb!

My dearest darling little boy, you are now three years old. Three very long years, but also, they are gone so quickly. Here are some snapshots of his wonderful day.

Caleb had a Thomas the Tank Engine party! Wow! There was Thomas and trains everywhere, including little chocolate trains in everyone's take-home goodie bags.

Caleb's Nan made this wonderful 3D Thomas cake - chocolate of course! Thank you, it was a wonderful job.
We had a few turns at blowing out the candles, cause it was fun and to give others a turn at blowing them out. At one 'blow', Riley blew more of a shower (ew!) than wind! We had a good laugh.
The cake was a winner! Caleb's cool Thomas shirt was a present from Grandma. He got heaps of fantastic presents, and lots of noisey ones! Caleb scored more Thomas trains and tracks, books and bags. Zali got him a rockin' whipper snipper! He was a very lucky, loved and spoiled little boy. I think each time he opened a new present he didn't know which one to play with!
This is an action shot! The boys were having a great time on the swings. From left to right, Campbell, Finn, Caleb and Riley. We all enjoyed a few games - pass the parcel, treasure hunt, playing with toys, the swings and slide. I think everyone is very tired and will sleep well - fingers crossed!
Little Miss Zali had a pretty good day. She got this new jumper from the beautiful Mel and Brent - just cause. It was starting to cool down, so she wore it straight away.
Caleb, we love you very much. We hope you enjoyed a wonderful third birthday, and have a rockin' year to come. Tip for your future - always be good to your Mum!
Okey, bed time. Very tired - three year old's can party hard! Markets in the morning.

Phew

What a day! Caleb ran into Little School, happy to start another day. Happy to play, and happy to see his new little friends. Loving that, it only took a few days for him to feel comfortable and enjoy. Much different to last Wednesday when I had to push him in the pram and toss him out, and then walk out with us both in tears!

Zali still not well, but she had some decent rest today. I have just been wrapping presents and organising some party stuff, and writing a list of stuff to work through in the morning. Cause . . .

Caleb's birthday is tomorrow. We are having a small party with his 3 year old friends. I am thinking a few of them will be enough to whip through the house like a mini tornado. Family is coming, will be a crazy weekend. Okey, look at the time! Really need my beauty sleep (hey! no wise cracks!) to be able to get through tomorrow. Am hoping to get abbo fabbo photos, my fingers are crossed for that, and will share so you can enjoy too!

To-do

So much to do, so little time. When your child is sick, your time just vanishes. This week is going so fast (but when she cries it is forever) and I have so many boxes to tick on my to-do list before the end of Sunday. One thing at a time, keep that in mind.

Do you know what Caleb likes to do?

Jump. On/off anything at all. He loves jumping on the bed, every night we say no jumping on the bed. His bright eyes just see - wahoo, a huge soft place to jump, wahoooooooo.

Through his eyes, the world is probably one huge jumping castle. How wonderful to see such fun in simple things. We all need a bit of that.

Have you jumped lately?

sheesh

What a day. This morning we had an appointment at the Wesley Hospital for Caleb to get his new arm splint. Thankfully we arrived a little early, Zali had done something icky in her nappy. And it was a 'sick' icky. Everywhere. Coming out at her legs and right to the top near her belly. I hope you aren't eating right now. Cause I am sharing all my exciting news here!

The new splint is stronger and larger. Caleb is older and stronger and bigger and can handle a fiercer splint. It has foam for support, it has trucks, it is all pretty and clean and new. Wonder how long that will last? Will have to take a photo of it while it's looking good. Caleb wore it all day and didn't have any issues, all good. All good.

The rest of the day is the part that was yucky. Whingeing and whining and crying and crying. At one point i had both of them sitting on me, crying their little hearts out. I think they were working off each other and needed to calm down. Caleb had a vegemite sandwich and he picked up. Nothing worked for Zali. Oh, did I mention she broke out in spots today?

The nurse at our GP's office said it is most likely a viral infection and this is getting all the toxins out and presenting as spots. Her temperature is coming down, and last night she did sleep better. We were thinking she would be on the mend. She started to pick at food, and drank some water near the end of the day. However, she cried all day for me.

The bath was the only time she didn't cry. She loves the bath, and tonight enjoyed it again. She did go to sleep ok, so fingers crossed she has a decent night and wakes up a new little princess in the morning. Puh-leeeeeeeeeeease!

Deep Breathing

That is what I have done a few times today. Just take a breath. Miss Zali is still sick. Totally. Miserable. As for the daytime, today has been worst so far.

It all started with high temperatures and no energy on Friday night. She got lots of cuddles and attention, she was very sleepy but had trouble shutting off.

Saturday wasn't too bad, until the late afternoon and high temperatures came back. She slept awful that night, I was awake for ages trying to settle her and when I did sleep it was continually broken trying to make sure she was alright, covered with blankets, comfortable, etc. I was up at the normal 5am to go to the markets after not long getting back to sleep. Zali slept in till 10.30am!

She has the sad, sick, watery type eyes. Sunday was pretty miserable, and she was very upset in the evening and would not sleep unless I was cuddling or feeding her. Again high temperatures kept her company. The night dose of Panadol was brought up, she didn't get the pain relief she needed. We spent a lot of time trying to get asleep. Two or three times during the night she woke up and cried and cried, she was in pain. She was up early this morning, and still had a high temperature.

We got to the doctors at 11.30am. Nothing. Everything checked out ok. Nothing he could put it down to. Great?!% I was worried it was another ear infection, but they are pink and healthy. He said there is a chance of a urinary tract infection, but it is hard to check on little girls. Great?!% If nature takes its course and she improves, then yippee. Otherwise I have a backup script for anti-biotics.

I am thinking that we will get little sleep tonight, and I will be filling that script. She cried and cried and tossed and turned and whinged ALL afternoon. She is totally miserable and making the rest of us this way. I feel so bad that she is not well, but when it goes on and on, it is *very* tiring and wears me down. When she tosses about in pain or misery, it takes a lot of work to keep her balanced and not flipping back onto the ground. My lower back is acheing.

Right now, I am taking a break. I need a break for my sanity. I can hear her being upset, she is with Daddy, Caleb and Grandma. She has lasted for a little while ok, but she must be getting tired and wanting Mummy again.

Tell me, when you are stressed, tired and/or miserable, are you the type to eat . . . or not? I am the type that eats, and all day I have wanted to eat. I have tried to keep a lid on it, but the constant crying from a sick little girl (and at times her mother) makes me head toward the cupboard to see what is lonely and wanting to be eaten.

If you are going to answer with 'no, i *so* can't think about food with I am stressed, tired and/or miserable' then leave now. While you still have all your limbs. I *totally* don't want to be your friend right now. (Maybe tomorrow though, so don't go too far!)

Talking about food .....

Have you seen Dippin Dots?



It is icecream! We had to try it when we were at the Crackerjack Festival at Carina in June. We tried some snickers flavour and something else. Oh yum! They melt in your mouth. It was yummy and fun to eat. If you ever see it, you should try it. They had heaps of flavours.

Better go and make my cup of tea, I think I better take this sad little girl to bed. I think it will be a long time before either of us gets to sleep.

Big hug to you . . . because I need it back.

Bit Sick

My little girl is a bit sick tonight. Still been off, I think I have said that for a few days. Today she was still miserable, sometimes would eat and sometimes not.

She has high temperature tonight and is very unsettled. She isn't upset or crying, just not sleeping and half talking to herself. She is liking company, and is tired, and wants to sleep, but isn't. I came down to get the thermometer to check the current status. Adrian is keeping her company.

Might take up some panadol to help her get to sleep and monitor that temperature. I am really tired, and need some sleep. Not sure how much I will get tonight.

Caleb went to bed very nicely tonight, very exhausted after three days of kindy for the first time ever. He was at Little School again today. Was much happier, but did get a little upset when I left this morning. His report for the day said he was the star student! He has made a friend. He slept and ate a little better. Things looking good.

Better go and give my bubby some cuddles. I bit sad she feeling yucky.

Take care.