Just an update

Well we have another Monday visit to the Dr and it seems that I am the sick one now. My ears are infected as well as my throat and I also have bronchitis. No wonder I feel like crapola.

Grace tested negative to a UTI and she is back to 100%, so not really sure why she was hitting such high temps. The Dr thinks that maybe she was fighting off something. Xavier has another slightly infected ear, but he just needs the drops for them.

I have been struggling the last 2 days. Poor kids have just been plonked down in front of the TV with food whilst Mummy lazes on the couch. I can't remember feeling this sick for ages. I am constantly coughing, my ears feel like hot pins being poked into them, my throat is so dry and raw and my body is aching from coughing so much. I want to eat, but everything is making me feel sick when I eat. I'm on A/b's now and I am feeling slightly better now so they must be kicking in.

Duane is at school this week so he leaves at 5.30am and isn't home until 5.30pm, which makes for a very, very long day. Grace is at school today, so that has given me a break. It's so much easier just dealing with 1 child when you feel so bad.

My lovely MIL just popped in to give me some fresh fruit and a chicken and salad for tea. She can't really help me with the kids, but she tries to help out by making dinners, which I appreciate!

Anyway, back to the couch for me. I have zero energy.

Sick AGAIN!!!

Well we have had a scary day.

It started this morning with Grace coming into our bed at about 1am. She felt hot, but I wasn't really awake and so didn't think to take her temp. Well when we all woke at 5.30am she asked for a drink and she was burning hot. I took her temp and she was 38.5 so I immediately gave her some panadol. She seemed tired and had no energy, so she just layed on the couch.

After Xavier woke from his morning nap we all headed out to Westfield. We were meeting up with Duane's mum and I wanted to get some winter clothes for the kidlets. Grace seemed ok when we left but once we were inside she started crying softly and didn't look right. I took her into the chemist and he just suggested to keep giving her panadol, it was probably the remnants of her cold. We went out side to the playground thinking that this might cheer her up. She started sobbing again and looked so sad. She had gone pale and started getting really hot again. I was holding her and then she just went completely cold and covered in goose bumps. I couldn't believe that she was burning up one minute and then so icy cold the next. She then started shaking, her little teeth were even chattering. I knew then that she had another fever. I left her with Duane and went to the Medical centre in the mall to see if I could get her an appointment, but it was closed. I chatted with the pharmacist again and he told me to get Medcall to our house immediately. I called and made the appointment then we headed home.

Grace fell asleep as soon as she got into the car. I spent the whole trip with my hand on her leg and she was getting hot again. She went to bed when we got home, the poor little thing looked so sad and out of it.

When she woke I gave her another dose of panadol. She went cold again and started shaking again. Her heart beat seemed erratic and was racing. We stripped her off and layed her on the couch with a tepid face washer, trying to get her temp down. By this stage her temp was 39.9...dangerously high.

The Dr got here and I explained everything that had been happening. I told him her history of UTI and he said that's what he suspected it to be. He checked her all over, her heart was still racing and her temp had come down to 38.9. He was worried about her temp, especially since she had taken panadol and it was still high, so he waited around a bit to check it was going down. he left when it got to 38, but stressed to us how important it was to keep an eye on it. He gave us a urine jar and told us to take it to the 24hr pathology as soon as Grace would give a sample.

He also had a quick check of Xavier. He still has the cold, and the Dr confirmed that he has an external ear infection. Not as bad as his others though, so just on the external drops. He has not temp or anything, so it seems his cold is just a viral infection.

I have had an annoying cough for the last few days so I got the Dr to check my throat. He said that my threat is quite red and also that my glands are inflamed. He suggested taking panadol if it was annoying me and to use a throat gargle. I don't feel too bad, probably just a little run down.

Duane has just taken the sample through to pathology and we should know by tomorrow if it is a UTI or not. Although she has never gotten temps with one before, I am fairly certain that's what it is. If it is she will definately have to have the dye, ultrasounds and scans.

Why does it feel like the past 6 months has been a haze of sickness and Dr's visits. I just hope that once Xaviers ears are sorted and Grace's UTI, that it - no more sickness.

Fertile wonderings

Ok, so this is probably a litle bit too much information, but I am genuinly interested in my cycles since I have been pregnant.

I have had 1 period in 3 years, it was about 14 days after that period that I fell pregnant with the gorgeous Xavier. My last period before then was at the end of Feb 2005, and that's when I fell preggars with Grace.

I've never really taken much notice of my cycles - kinda just had my period, wished for it to end then forgot about it until the next one. Well since learning about ovulation and everything to do with cycles, I am intrigued.

It was about this time post Grace's birth that I got my period for the first time, so I am curious whether this time it will be the same. I haven't had any sign of it yet, but I do think that I am ovulating right now.

A few things are making me think this. I have sharp pains on my side & my husband looks -umm how do I put this - very desirable. So I will be curious as to whether I am right or not.

*****I forgot about this post, but just wanted to add a few things. I did get my period on the 29th April. I couldn't believe it as it was completely pain free. Normally I get the tell tale dull ache, but this time nothing. Not even my moods were affected. It only lasted for 4 days too, and was very light. I hope that it stays like this, could I be so lucky??? I still think that I ovulated on the 24th and maybe my Lutual Phase is quite short because I am still breastfeeding. Ohh is it sad that I am excited about the workings of my body? I guess the problem now is contraception. I don't want to go on the pill, not a real fan of condoms so not really sure what my other options are. I know, I know I could run the risk of another little cherub, who I would love immensely but I am not sure if I want to add to our family just yet! Decisions, decisions.....I really need to look into it.

Am I crazy????

Yes I think that I am & I know that I am going to be hurting later for it.

I had gotten the kids ready for playgroup and was heading out to the car when I couldn't find the keys. I checked the usual spots - handbag, Nappy bag & under the big pile of crap on the bench. Nope no keys. Then I remembered throwing them on the front seat of the car when I came home yesterday, then I also remembered locking the car with central locking later in the day because Grace had gotten in and I hate her playing in the car. Sure enough, the keys were perched up on the seat shining right back at me.

So no playgroup for us, but I had to get out of the house so that's when I came up with the fantabulous idea (or not!)

I strapped Xavier into the toddler seat of the pram and Grace into the actual pram. I never use this pram now - It's too cumbersome and with the toddler seat it felt too top heavy. I was hoping that by having the 14kg toddler in the back and the 9kg baby in the front it would all be ok.

So I lathered us all up with sunscreen, donned our hats and headed off.

I really should have turned left, not right like I did. Turning right meant I had to push 13 kgs of kids & approx. 15kgs of pram up a very long and gradual hill. To top it all off the tyres on the pram were all flat but because the pump was in the car they just had to stay that way. It was so hard and I was absolutely exhausted by the time I reached the top.

I got to the flat bit and that was a bit easier. We were nearly at the servo where I was going to pump up the tyres when the stupid footpath started to become really hard to push on. The I literally had to put myself in between the pram as it started toppling towards a parked car. So after rectifying that, I rushed off to the servo.

The pram was so much better and easier after the tyres were nice and full. We headed over to the shops to post some letters then over to the ducky park. I parked the pram and got the kids out for a play around. Xavier had fun crawling around on the grass, Grace & I went on a hunt for things to make a collage with later. We collected some leaves, pine needles, feather and lots of other interesting stuff. We layed down on grass and chatted about what we could see. The birds flying over, the trees swaying in the breeze and the clouds rolling over.

Grace then told me that she wanted to go to the toilet to do a wee. I offered her the bird toilet and she got so excited. "Yeah, birdie toilet. Grace go bird toilet" So I took her over to a secluded spot in between some trees, wondering if she would do her first 'bush wee'
"No Grace go Grace's toilet, no wees in bird toilet", She was screaming and there was no way she was going there so we packed up and headed back over to the shops.

After the toilet spot we headed home. I was exhausted and I know that I will feel it tomorrow. Grace fell asleep in the pram, Xavier was just happy looking around munching on a cracker.

I do hate living somewhere that I can't walk from easily, it's just so hilly. When ever I take the kids for a walk I have to drive and then walk, I would love to just take them from home.

Also this is funny. Daisy and Lily (the dogs) were going nuts when I left, they wanted to come too. I heard them barking and whining for ages, and when I got home they were both in the front yard (jumped the side fence) and Daisy had her collar with her that she had gotten of the BBQ out the back. Poor things, very rarely get to go for walks now!!

2 year olds....Who'd have 'em!

Grace has been a little minx all day, especially this morning.

After an early morning wake-up (5.30am uuhhhhh, I am over early mornings), we got out of bed and I realised that the kids still had snotty noses and were coughing up a storm. So it looked like Grace wasn't going to be going to school today, dammit I really needed her to go today. Xavier has his hearing test & I highly doubt that the 2 y/o terror would sit and be quiet for the duration.

So after cancelling school, I called up Grandma to come and watch Grace for an hour or so. At about 7.30am Xavier was starting to get sleepy so I popped him into bed and he went straight off. I tried to have my breakfast in peace, Yeah fat chance with Grace peering over the bowl and stealing bits of my vita-britx. Eating my breakfast all alone is a luxury that I only get of a weekend when Duane is here to distract the kidlets.

So after about 5 minutes of annoying me, I finally give up and give her the rest of my breakfast and go to get ready. I was just getting into the shower when I hear,

"Wake up Xavier, Wake up Xavier"

I instantly knew what was happening and so I rushed into Xavier room to find Grace yelling at Xavier, but not only was she in the room she had jammed herself up beside his cot and the wall. There was not easy way of getting her out quickly without waking Xavier, It was just a grab and run. I thought that we were safe, but then I could here Xavier starting to wake. I quickly put Grace in her room and ran back to try to resettle Xavier. I spent the next 1/2 hour trying to get Xavier back to sleep, but he wouldn't go. In between this I had Grace running in and out singing and carrying on. By this stage I was rope able, I desperately needed Xavier to have a decent sleep so that he was cooperative at his hearing test.

I tried calmly telling Grace to go to the lounge, but she would just laugh or start talking and at the sound of her voice Xavier's head would pop up. It wasn't going to work and I still needed to have a shower so that we would be ready to go, so I used the box as a babysitter. Xavier was in a shocker of a mood though, he was still so tired

Anyway Grandma turned up at 8.30am and Xavier and I raced out the door, I wasn't sure what the school traffic would be like. The staff were running late, so I got the pleasure of trying to entertain a cranky, overtired baby in the 'must be quiet' waiting room. Joy, oh Joy. I gave Xavier a quick feed and he was just drifting off to sleep when the audiologist (I think that's what their called??) came over and said hi. His little head spun around to see who it was, then his eyes popped open! I was confident then that we wouldn't have any trouble with his hearing.......but.

The first test that Xavier had to do was to test he was picking up different frequencies. He was faced towards the Audiologist (AO for short), and there was a shadow box to his right. She was distracting him with toys, then randomly set off a noise over his back right shoulder to see if he would turn to it. If he turned to it a ridiculously stupid puppet would pop into the shadow box. I thought this was hilarious, there was actually somebody on the other side of the wall doing the puppets. What a job hey! The puppet lady didn't just put the animals through either, she was thoroughly animated with them. It took everything for me not to crack up every time a crazy puppet was thrusted into the box.

Anyway Xavier got the gist of it fairly quickly and turned some of the time. I sat holding him and willing him to turn to the noise, but he was either too distracted or just didn't hear it. After that test the AO shoved a probe thing in his ear, which he was not happy about. He had to stay still AND quiet for about 4 minutes for the reading. Good Luck! I tried to hold him down, but she still couldn't get an accurate reading so we moved onto the next test. This one was to test the pressure inside the middle ear, something about the air and the way it bounces. Xavier's right ear gave a lovely curve on the graph, but the left ear kept on giving a flat-line. She re-did it about 4 times but each time it came up flat. I thought then that something must be up. She took us back to the main room and said she wanted to go check something. When she came back she explained that there seemed to be something wrong with his left ear, could be a fluid blockage or maybe even something was perforated. She also explained that she didn't get a very accurate reading with his frequency test, but it was definitely showing that he had good hearing in 1 ear, but unsure about the other. We have to go back in 4 weeks, to redo it all. Hopefully he is over his horrible cold by then and not so damn tired!

So its back to the Pead to see what he thinks about the results and then probably off to a ENT. Gosh its all costing a fortune.....but I would pay anything for my sweet little boy!

Both kids are still sick and its been going on for way too long. I am taking them too a naturopath on Thursday and hopefully getting a magic pill, they do sell them dont they?

Duane as Duane

Today I saw Duane as himself, not being a husband or a Daddy, just being Duane.

It was actually a really special and realising moment for me. I haven't seen that side of Duane for ages.

It was the final round of the Club Champs at The Grand Golf Club and Duane was playing. I wanted to take Grace up to watch a few holes and then celebrate afterwards. Grandma was staying home to watch Xavier, so it was just going to be the girls! When we got up there they had finished, and unfortunately Duane had lost (6&5). He seemed ok about it, probably a little disappointed but ok. We went inside to the clubhouse for a coffee, and that's when I saw Duane as I used to know him. All of the members came up to offer him their commiserations and let him know how well he played considering he doesn't practice. He is such a talented and respected golfer, everybody likes him (well except those he wins the $$off!!) He is so at ease in what I find such a stuffy and boys club environment. He is just so relaxed when he is surrounded by a golf course.

It was good for me to see and remember his passion for the game. Sometimes of a Saturday I do resent him going off to play and me being at home with the kids. I had forgotten that he gets so much enjoyment from it, and although it has taken a back burner lately, golf is still such a huge part of who he is.

One of the members even shouted us all lunch and a bottle of wine, which was a lovely gesture.

Anyway, he has been trying to break the course record and he has now done that. Duane already has won the club champs twice, so even though he would of loved to win again it wasn't his main goal.

Its like I had totally forgotten who Duane is when he is not being a fantastic Daddy or beautiful husband. I have been given a reminder & I love him even more.

Xavier is 9 months

Well by the end of this month, Xavier will have spent as much time on the outside as he did on the inside!

This last month has been a tough one for Xavier. He has endured 4 painful ear infections, an allergic reaction to the A/b, an infected penis and also a persistent cold accompanied with a horrible, annoying cough. Through it all he has still been his happy, smiling adorable self, well except for the horrible days surrounding his reaction to the A/b, THEY were horrible for everyone. But once he shakes this cough, he will be back to 100%, and lets hope that he stays like that for a while!

Xavier is back to putting on weight and now weighs a healthy 9kg, not sure on his length though, might check that in the morning. He is getting more confident and I am sure he is close to taking his first steps. He walks around the furniture easily and can even walk behind objects now (his favourite is Grace's pram, but only gets a chance at this if Grace is not here!!) He is letting go and standing by himself, mostly when he is holding on to something that has him captivated and not aware what he is doing. He is a super fast crawler and can get from one end of the house to the other in a flash. He loves following me around and is often found playing in the kitchen cupboards, drawers and inside the fridge grabbing at the sauce bottle. His all time favourite thing to do is rip the drain out of the bathroom floor. Yep, he gets in there and unscrews the drain and pulls it out, leaving a gaping big hole which no doubt he is going to get stuck in one day. I try to keep something over it but he is getting smarter and know to move whatever out of the way to get to it. I can't believe how quick he is though, he can get it out in under 30 secs now.

I think that we are going to have a climber on our hands. He climbed up onto Grace's bed the other day, and then today climbed up onto the little table and chairs. Oh dear, that's when all the little falls and accidents start.

He is desperately trying to coordinate his little hands to wave, the look of concentration as he tries is just adorable. He still loves clapping and claps at anything and everything. He has also been holding his arms out when he wants me to pick him up, I love all these little bits of love that he is starting to show.

Xavier is always chatting in his own little language. He is constantly calling out to "Dad", occasionally "Mum" and always gibbering about "Car" His latest is this cute little "Uh, uh, uh", it sounds suspiciously like what I say to Grace or the dogs if they are getting into something naughty. He seems to know when to use it to, like when he is playing with the power points or some cords that he has found. If I say it to him, he copies it back to me, gives me a cheeky grin then goes back to whatever he was up to! Cute little monster!

He loves just pottering around the house, usually following Grace or I. As long as the toilet door and bathroom door are closed he can go anywhere. He loves the Tupperware drawer and also the recycling bin, he gets everything out and bangs it around the kitchen. Also every time I open the dishwasher, he is in it in a flash! Might have to put him through a cycle one day if he gets too grubby!

Xavier had a few bouts of breast refusal this last month but is now back to loving the milk producers. He is feeding about 3 times a day, and still enjoys his overnight snack. I don't really mind though, I signed up for this parenting gig fully aware that it included waking up of a night. I usually just bring him into our bed and feed him there, sometimes he goes back to his bed (if I haven't fallen back asleep) & sometimes he spends the rest of the night cuddled up to me! Nothing better than cuddling a little baby in a wondersuit! Just scrummy!

As per above his sleeping is ok. He is a great sleeper during the day. He wakes of a morning at 6am, back to bed at about 8am -9.30am then back for a nap at about 12 -1.30pm. He then stays awake until bedtime at 6pm. I could probably stretch his 2nd sleep out to start later, but that's when Grace sleeps and I love having some kiddy free time in the middle of the day. He goes to bed so easily, just lays down with his dummy and goes off to la-la land. He does love having his blanket over his hands, he strokes the bottom sheet as he drifts off too.

~~Xavier and the stupid green singing bear~~

His favourite toys at the moment are the musical instruments (mainly bashing the crap out of the tamborine), his cars (he smashes them on the tiles and on the wall), the toy kitchen, the animal magnets and this stupidly ridiculous teddy bear with a green fur hat and fake pearls that sings "Thats what friends are for." He loves the hideous thing, and it is a sure fire way of getting him back into the lounge and still for a moment. It was a gift from Tim to Grace for her 2nd birthday, I think it's horrible but funnily enough both of the kids adore it!

~~Xavier eating cruskits with avocado~~

Food is one of Xavier's great loves. He greedily gobbles up everything that is offered to him, too scared to refuse in case this food thing stops. He loves all his vegies, fruit, cous cous, rice, pasta, sandwiches, cruskits topped with avocado, rice cakes, mince and the occasional piece of steak. I am trying to give him lots of food high in iron as when he had his blood test it came back that he was low in iron. I have also just started making savoury pancakes chock full of vegies, these are a great lunch for when we are out and about.

~~Having a bath~~

Xavier loves his bathtime. Actually I'm not really sure what goes on in there, that's Daddy's job. I do know that I send in 2 grubby kids and get 2 nice clean ones back smelling like 'Natural instinct' body wash. I can only assume that the laughing and happy noises mean that he is enjoying it! Daddy says that he has been a good boy and playing with his penis, ensuring that its getting nice and clean!

~~Xavier hanging out in the trampoline~~

I have also recently found a great use for the trampoline. When I need to do stuff out side I secure Xavier in there. He loves crawling around it and pushing his face into the netting. Saves his little knees and toes getting cut up on the concrete!

My little boy is growing so, so quickly. I just want it all to slow down. I am addicted to him and although I love seeing him learn new things, he no longer needs me as much. I can leave him for longer periods and he is ok with water and food, that upsets me. It's like he is detaching himself from absolute dependance to independance an its all happening far too quickly for my liking.

I love my little boy so much. Sometimes when I am feeding him I concentrate so hard to retain the memory, its these precious moments that I never want to forget.

Sibling Love

~~Grace 2yrs 4 mths & Xavier 81/2 mths~~

I think that they best thing that I could have ever given Grace was Xavier, and visa-versa. They are utterly besotted with each other, well in a way that also includes the occasional 'love tap' & a friendly reminder of who's toys are who's.

Grace has accepted Xavier with ease and Xavier has fitted into our family so wonderfully. I can barely imagine life without the 2 of them now, what did I ever do with all my time!!

Anyway, I just wanted to note a few of the beautiful memories that my children have given me over the last week.

• Grace playing shops with Xavier. I spied on her as she asked him what he would like to buy and then told him how much it would be (everything is either $2 or $50 in Grace's shop!) She then pretends to take the money from him and swipe his card, meanwhile Xavier is just standing there smiling, just mesmerised by Grace's every move, having no idea what is happening. Grace hands him his purchase then sends him on his way with a pleasant "Bye!" Gee I love seeing them play together, apart from the fact that it gives me a break, it melts my heart to see them interacting.
  


• Watching them playing "chasie" up the hallway. Grace always starts this off by running up the hall then calling out to Xavier. He immediately finds her and then they both do laps up and down the hall, Grace running (sometimes crawling) and Xavier crawling after her. The giggles and laughter is just adorable, I love just listening to them.
  


• When Xavier wakes we can here him through the monitor chatting to himself. Grace always says "No Mummy, Gracie get him" (or sometime she says "I'll get him"), and then she runs up to his room yelling "Xavier, Wake up Xavier" Xavier is usually standing on the side of the cot, and they are both laughing at each other! It's super cute to see how excited Xavier gets.
• When Xavier gets upset or hurts himself, Grace goes up to him and says "Are you all right little buddy?" She then usually gives him a cuddle and a "miss" (that's what Grace calls kisses) on his sore bit. I love the tenderness she shows him and the cute little pretend grown up voice she uses, like she is sooooo much more grown up than him
  


• We were waiting at the window, getting excited because Daddy was going to be home soon. Grace turned to Xavier and grabbed both of his arms, so he was looking straight at here and listening. She then said "Xavier, My Daddy first Xavier" Well yes that is right, but now we share Daddy, Don't we Grace!

I love having the 2 kidlets, it's double the fun and double the love. I can imagine that the 2 of them will be get up to lots of mischief together, but that's all part of it!

Penis Problems...

Well Xavier just can't get through Monday without a visit to his favourite Dr. It seems some kids like parks, playgrounds but Mr X likes the routine of Monday morning visits to see Dr Drew. I am putting my foot down though, he has been doing this for the last 6 weeks and I have had enough, so that's the last time.

So what does he have this time? Said the lovely Dr
umm, well, (me apologising profusely and trying to convince her that I am not a hypochondriac), He has something on his penis
Don't worry, come as often as you need to, I love seeing your family & your gorgeous baby Said the lovely understanding (thank God she bulk bills) Dr

So after a quick check she declares Xavier has an infection on the top of his penis, right where the wees comes out....ouchie! The Dr said that it must have been stinging him when he wees, poor little boy & also told me that her son had the same thing when he was little.

Anyway I am sure that Xavier will be happy with his prescription from the good Dr. He is on strict orders to play with his penis, yep that's right my little boy hasn't been spending nearly enough time with his appendage.

You see Xavier was born with his foreskin already retracted. Normally little boys foreskins are not retracted and as they grow and play with their bits it retracts. They normally play with their penis in the bath which cleans it, but because Xavier has only just started his penis obsession he is not playing with it enough. So it seems we have to make sure that it is clean underneath, to keep away all the nasties.

He also has some cream to put on it to clear the infection, so hopefully that kicks in soon and he will be feeling better!

I can't believe how many visit this boy has had to the Dr in his short life. I just hope that we are over it all now and he is on the mend.

Snotty nose children

Before children:

I was never going to have snotty nose children. No Way.

My kids noses were going to always be pristine, not a booger in sight. They were never going to get colds either, because I would be loading them up with healthy, fresh food as well as breastfeeding them until they self weaned. This was going to guarantee that they didn't succomb to a cold as their immunity was going to be top notch. They were going to dutifully wipe their noses, and even ask to have them cleaned if there was so much as a skerrick of snot. Yes, my kids were going to take pride in their facial juices, no snail trail's for them. They certainly weren't going to be so disgusting that they wiped their faces on the couch as they were pulling themselves up on it. I was going to be a good parent and teach them that this is not "acceptable behaviour"

Fast forward:

Yeah well how's that going for you? Xavier has had a gazillion colds & our house is just one huge snot fest. Grace is great and now blows her nose, which makes life so much easier. Xavier on the other hand has spent the whole day with slimey snot all over his face. He will not let me wipe it. I have tried all day, but as soon as he knows thats what I want, his hands start flapping around and he somehow manages to transfer the snot from his nose to all over his head and face. Really nice. Yesterday was a good one, I even managed to have snot trails on both of my shoulders, from when I was carrying the delightfuls.

What's this Mummy?

What's this Mummy?

That is what I have been hearing all day for the last week. Grace has been asking me what everything is and I admit it is starting to wear a little thin. It is very cute and all but there is only so many times that I can be asked "Whats this Mummy" by a toddler doing her best school teacher impersonation. Especially when the thing she is asking about is something so ridiculously obvious, like Xavier. Oh well I am sure it is only going to get worse as all the who, where & why questions start.

We have had a lovely week, its been a nice mix of being busy and relaxing. Yesterday morning I took the kidlets for a big walk around one of the parks. I sent Grace on a scavenger hunt; collecting rocks, sticks leaves and anything else that I could think of. She loved searching and bringing all the little treasures back to me as we wandered along. Xavier just hung out in the pram, watching all the trees, birds and the dogs being walked.

After our walk we played for a bit in the park. Xavier thought that the bark was tasty, so we moved him to the dizzy whizzy! He loved it! Spinning around and giggling his head off! It's so nice to have him back to his happy and giggly self.

Once Grace was worn out of swinging (or Mummy was sick of pushing), we went and had a little fruit & cracker picnic. It was so lovely just hanging out on the grass with my kidlets, munching on bananas, apples and rice cakes.

Then today we had a visit to the library to pick up some books I had on hold. I am still fascinated with reading all about birth and have nearly exhausted the library catalogue on the subject. I just love reading about it and learning, hopefully all this will help me if I do decide to pursue my dream.

After the library we walked over to the park. As much as I tried to persuade Grace to go on the other equipment, she insisted on staying on the swing. She loves the darn thing and is happy to stay on it for ages. She's so not impressed by all the fancy parks I take her too, just as long as they have a swing!

Well just as we were leaving the park, it started raining. So we had to run back to the car which was still parked at the library. It wasn't too cold, so it was kinda fun getting all wet!

The kids went to bed when we got home & I settled myself on the couch with a book (Men at birth...good so far). Then when Duane got home and the kids had woken we headed over to visit the Pengs.

Tim gave Grace such a beautiful present, a Pandora bracelet. He has already put 3 charms on it for her; a pram (for when she was a baby), an angel (that's what she reminds him of) and a heart (becuase he loves her). Isn't that just the sweetest? He wants to buy her new ones to add to the bracelet every year. I am jealous....I have been wanting one of these bracelets for years. Yes, I will admit I did think about putting Grace's in "trust" on my wrist, but the damn thing is too small! Oh well I have put my order in for Mothers Day.

Tim absolutely adores Grace. She has always been comfortable with him. Even when she was a baby and wouldn't settle for anyone else, she would always go to sleep on Tim. She always greets him with a cuddle and a smile. He is such a great friend to our family, we all love spending time together. Althought their lifestyle is alot fancier than ours (1 of his cars is equal to our mortgage...Yeeek!!), they are so down-to-earth and such lovely people.

~~Grace & Tim at her Naming Day~~

~~Grace & Tim at Tim's brothers wedding~~