Adjusting

The last few weeks have been big in the Penney Household.  The biggest change has been Grace starting Prep and me starting back at Uni, in a much more intense and time consuming course than last year.  We've also had Mum staying with us, which has been great, but she's gone back to Tas now - and everything changes again.

Grace has handled everything brilliantly, settling into Prep with way more enthusiasm and contentment than I could imagine or hope.  She's had 2 full-time weeks so far, and not once complained or even jokingly said she doesn't want to go.  I'm so relieved and amazed that she has done so well, it sure makes the transition 100 times easier.

~~Morning circle time at Prep~~

I've settled back into Uni ok.  I've been up at Logan Uni for the last 2 weeks, with only 1 more week of intensive lectures to go.  Then it's all online from home and also attending 6 women through their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period over the next 6 months.  I've already got 1 confirmed follow through, who is due in 3 weeks - meaning I've already attended an antenatal appointment and have to make sure I can get another 2 in before the birth!  It's very exciting though, knowing that in roughly 3 weeks I'll hopefully be getting a late night call to head into hospital and might even have the privilege of catching my very first baby!  They apparently like to throw us in the deep end - sorts out the dedicated ones from those just doing it cause they "love babies"  Attending appointments also means I have the pleasure of experiencing the wonderful wait times of the hospital, nothing like running consistently 2 hours late for a 10 minute appointment to get you frustrated! 

It did work quite well this week though, as Mum dropped me off and then headed to the Rockpools with Xav.  It was so quiet down there, so Xav got most of the place to himself.  Apparently he wasn't interested in playing with anyone else though, too enthralled in floating leaves and flowers down the sloping side.  Mum did have a little embarrassing moment with him though,  He got a splinter in his finger, but wouldn't let her near it to get it out.  He was getting tired and asking for light touches (lucky she was pre-warned about his fetish!), so she cradled him in her arms as he started to fall asleep.  A few moments passed, then he sat bolt upright and yelled "I don't want to drink milk from your booby"  Mum was mortified, as there were people around and probably wondering who the freaky Grandmother was trying to breastfeed her 3 y/o grandson - I'm fine with wet nursing, but that might be taking it all a little too far!  Hence the reason why in this photo, he was sleeping a little lower than breast height!

~~Xav having a snooze at the Rockpools with Nan~~

But, the person having the hardest time adjusting to our new routines is Xavier.  He is really missing Grace and is craving time with her.  Of a morning he's glued to her side wanting to play, and the same again come pick-up time.  They've slept together for the last 3 weeks whilst Mum was here, and supposed to have gone back into their own beds yesterday.  However, tonight I over heard Xav creep into Grace and ask if he could sleep with her, as "Mummy has Daddy to cuddle of a night, and I really like cuddling you Grace"  Being the wonderful and kind big sister that she is, she made room and welcomed him in. 

I'm really feeling sorry for Xav though, even though I know he'll adjust and be fine.  After last year being so excited about going to pre-school and barely acknowledging me as I left, to now feeling like the new kid and reluctantly letting me leave.  He has a few kids he knows, but most of his friends have started Prep this year.  He gets on so well with the older kids, and although being only 3, has always been so accepted by Grace's friends.  He keeps complaining that the 3 y/os at Pre-school are "babies" and even now spends his time trying to mix with the older kids.  I'm always told by his teachers that he is so easy to have around and always has a fun day, but he just doesn't seem to be his confidant self.  He's not unhappy, probably just re-working his place in the pack.  I think Grace & all the girls where his security blankets and now he's learning to cope without that.

Dancing is something else that's making me sad for my little boy.  All the girls (Grace, Leah and Cass) have been moved up to the next room - leaving Xav behind once again.  Last week was their first time back, and he was adamant that he's not going dancing by himself.  He really wants to participate though, and said he would if Malia or Logan came too - so now just to convince them!  He loved dancing last year and is desperate to do another concert, so I'm hoping that even if they don't come, he'll get the courage to go on his own.

I'm banking on not next week but the week after, things will start to work themselves out.  I've got uni all next week in Logan, meaning I'm away from 7.30am - 6pm every day except Wednesday.  The week after I'm home though, so Xav and I'll have lots of time together, working out a routine for us.  Last week, I was mourning Grace not being here and reluctant to plan anything as I didn't want her to miss out.  But, I've come to the realisation that this is just how life is right now, and Xav and I can have a different kind of fun together without Grace.  It's not that I don't want to do all the fun things with Xav, It's just been so long that I've had a twosome to take everywhere and it feels kinda weird and wrong with 1 missing.

First week of Prep

First week of Prep a HUGE success!!

There were tears on the first - lots from me and a few from Grace, but the rest of the week went smoothly and even better than I expected.  It was only in the last few weeks of pre-school that Grace was happy to wave goodbye without the clinging and pleading for me to stay longer, so I am amazed and proud that this week at Prep has gone so well.

We had quite the fan club attend Grace's first day (Grandma, Nanny, Duane, Me and Xav), so that in itself was enough to make the situation overwhelming.  Grace was keen to go though, getting ready nice and early and excited to meet up with her friends.  We got to the school at 8.30am, and mixed in with the other parents and children who were showing varying degrees of nervousness and excitement.  Grace was sticking close to Duane, but was happy to tag along finding her bag-cubby and unpack her lunch box and drink bottle. 

It wasn't long till Miss Pam rung the bell and the kids were all told to change from there outside shoes into their inside slippers and come inside for Morning Circle.  Once in the room, they all had to find their symbol which was in front of a cushion all layed out in a big circle in the middle of the room.  Then it was a welcome talk and straight into the morning song that gets sung every day.  Then there is a goodbye song, and the parents get kissed, cuddled and waved goodbye!  I was still wearing sunglasses at this stage, which were perfect to hide the tears that were slowly sliding down my face.  I felt bad later though, as I really wanted to have a little chat to Grace before I left, but didn't want her to see me so upset.  She was a little clingy and some tears were springing, but she was happy to sit back down and watch the story that Miss Pam had conveniently started to tell.

It was just so overwhelming and emotional, sending my little baby girl off to school and knowing that she'd be there for five whole days for about 13 years.  Unbelievable.

The rest of the week went wonderfully.  There were no more tears, just eagerness and excitement to get to school, including lots of nagging from about 7am about when we can get going! 

It's been a bit hard getting out of her what she has been doing but she's slowly revealing the mystery that is the school day.  I know they do Yoga everyday, and she's been showing us all the poses she is learning.  They also have a dry creek bed that they fill up with water 2 days a week for the kids to play in - how cool is that!.  We have been reminded to pack a rash vest and swimmers on those days so that lots of cool water fun can be had!  They are also learning Italian, and have been reading "Pinocchio" in the language.  She's talked about drawing, playing in Home corner, reading, hearing lots of stories, playing outside, singing, dancing and generally having a fantastic time.  The kids are also given the opportunity for a rest after lunch, which Grace did on the first 2 days.  I was prepared for her to be exhausted after the first few days, but having the rest meant she was fine and wide awake till 8pm!!!  She didn't sleep the last 3 days though, and although she is a lot more tired, she's not as feral as I expected. 

Seeing her in her little uniform is beyond adorable.  Although she is one of the youngest in her class (the children have to have turned 5 before starting), she is one of the tallest and definitely didn't have the problem of an over-sized uniform!  Each day is a different colour, which works wonderfully as I only have to wash the uniform once a week! 

~~Monday is Purple day~~

~~Tuesday is Red day~~

~~Wednesday is Yellow Day~~
(We took Grace's friend Sairayah to school today as her Mum had an early appointment)

~~Thursday is Orange day~~

~~Friday is Green day~~

Morning tea is provided and the kids are all involved in the preparation, which is fantastic as it means I only have to send lunch - bonus! Monday they made rice with beans,seaweed and soy sauce (big hit with Grace!), Tuesday was fresh fruit with Jalna natural yoghurt, Wednesday they made fresh bread, Thursday was carrot cake and Friday was apple crumble.  I'm salivating over it all!!

She is eating like a horse though, and after the first day requested that I put more food in please!  Seems a sandwich, snack cup of yoghurt, capsicum, cucumber and cheese is not enough lunch for my growing girl!  She's been loving everything I've packed though, so I've kept it the same and just added some watermelon and banana bread.  The lunch tins still coming home empty, but she says it's enough now.

Morning aren't even as bad as I thought they'd be.  Both kids are getting up about 6.30am, having breakfast then getting an hour or so of play time together - something Xav is really missing.  It's a big change for those 2 to not be together every day, and he is struggling a bit with it.  The first day he was quite happy, but the next few he kept saying how much he missed Grace and asking constantly if it was time to pick her up yet.  It's also made him reluctant to go to pre-school as he wants her to come with him.  He's been fine once he's there and having lots of fun, but just says in the morning "I am NOT going to school today"  He is also getting very upset when he can't see Grace if we are out.  This afternoon we were at the rock pools after school, and he got really distressed when Grace walked over to the playground and he couldn't see her.  It's sweet, but I do feel really sorry for him, however I'm determined to have lots of beautiful Mummy-son time on the days we have together.  I'm sure he'll be fine, it's just a big adjustment after having her by his side for the last 3 years.

I've worked out the time we have to leave home perfectly, 8.30am!  It's a 7min drive door-door meaning we arrive in perfect time to pack things away and go into the class room at 8.45am - I love living so close and not having any traffic!!  Pick up is similar, we leave here at about 2.35pm, ready for Miss Pam to bring out the children at 3.50pm.  There's also the option of driving straight up to the pick-up zones between 3.00pm and 3.10pm, where Miss Pam will open the door and buckle the child in and you can keep going!  This also can be done for morning drop-off - perfect for all the Mum's with new little babies, especially in this horrid heat we have had lately.

I'm just so proud of how wonderful Grace has taken to being at school.  I was unsure how she'd go as she's quite a sensitive and emotional little girl, who loves to be with Duane and I.  She's confidant though, and is adapting to the new environment and situation with absolute ease.  I'm hoping next week goes just as smoothly.

13th January

Xav found a stash of foil wrapped chocolate soccer balls that we must have had for his party last year.  He, of course, wanted one right away.  This is him sulking off after I'd told him no, he wasn't having a chocolate at 9am in the morning.  Although he was being whiny, I find this picture utterly adorable.

Finally some clear weather, which is not just a relief for us but for those affected by the big floods.  The kids spent the afternoon having running races on the freshly mowed lawn (BTW, Duane won the "mowing championship!)

Then tonight was a candle-lit dinner for 2.  The kids love eating by the soft glow of the candle light, so every night we do it.  The highlight is blowing it out, which can only be done once dinner is finished - makes eating the meal generally fuss free too!

Such sweet sibling love xx

Grace's trip to Hospital

As I sit here at quiet time, watching Grace snipping off strands of curling ribbon and taping them on to everything, I can't believe that less than 24 hours ago, she was the sickest either of my children had ever been and I got given a lesson on how helpless you really are when this happens.

Wednesday came around and I was starting to think that she was on the mend from the continual vomiting and lethargy that had plagued her for the previous 2 days. She tends to get over vomiting bugs by the morning of day 3, so if she wasn't better by then I was going to take her to the Dr. I made her appointment for 2.20pm, so that Duane would be home from work and I wouldn't be stuck carrying Grace and dragging along Xav.

She still spent the morning laying on the couch, but by about 1pm had seemed to perk up a little, and so I asked her if she wanted something to eat. She said yes, so I rummaged through the pantry and found a milk arrowroot biscuit for her to munch on. She gobbled it straight up, which at the time seemed like a good sign. She'd also spent the morning drinking water, eating ice-chips and attempting to eat the hydralyte icy poles - but mostly refusing them.

Duane came home, we woke Xav and then headed down to the Dr surgery. My normal Dr wasn't on that day, so we got to see another that I hadn't met before. He had a good look over her: checking her eyes, ears, mouth, temp and having a feel of her tummy. He told me that she was starting to dehydrate, and although I had been doing everything right, she may need to get extra fluids as she was obviously loosing them faster that she could keep them down. I started to feel terrible that I hadn't brought her in earlier, but he reassured both Duane and I that we hadn't come too early or too late - just at the right time. He hurriedly wrote a referral to the hospital, which he later explained was because the surgery was about to have all the power switched off due to trouble with the electricals caused by the excessive rain from the previous week.

Literally moments after the referral left the printer, all the lights went off and the surgery had to close for the day.

After the examination, Duane picked Grace up again,where she promptly vomited up milk arrowroot biscuit over him, the floor, herself and the bed.

So after being given strict instructions by the Dr to head straight to Robina hospital, we quickly dropped home for a change of clothes for Duane and Grace and to grab Xav's things for an afternoon at Trude's house. I also threw in a playschool Dvd to keep him happy and his Pj's and blanket in case everything took a little longer than we thought.

Grace was still looking ok, not fantastic, but luckily she didn't vomit the whole trip. I was a little worried, but didn't really understand the enormity (to us who have never had to take the kids to hospital before) of what was happening.

I remember looking over at Grace in the back, and saying to Duane that she looks a lot better and maybe she wouldn't even need the drip. Wrong.

We parked the car, Duane put a towel on his shoulder in readiness for another vomit. She did vomit, but managed to contain it to the towel on her lap and all through her hair and on her nightie. After a quick clean up and change, we headed in to emergency. I was expecting to have to wait for ages, but by that stage she was starting to look very ill, and they put us straight into the nurse.

The nurse asked us to pop her on the scales, where she weighed in at 18.9 kgs - 2 kgs less than her normal weight. I know that she was this too, after weighing her just the other day. Duane then layed her on the bed whilst the nurse did all her checks. Grace was not responding to anything, just laying there completely still and looking absolutely shattered. The nurse tried getting her to talk, asking her what food she would really like to eat - chocolate cake maybe? Nope, she wasn't interested in anything. The nurse agreed that she was severely dehydrated, so took us through to a bed on the emergency ward.

This is when things got a little scary. We had just put her on the bed, when she started vomiting uncontrollably. This vomit was completely different from anything she had done before, and a passing Dr came straight over to look. It was a murky, green colour and smelt and looked like poo. I found out later that this was a very worrying colour as its the end of the stomach lining and the contents is part of the bowels coming up, and it can also be a sign that the bowel is obstructed.

We had a lovely Dr assigned to us, who had a quick check over Grace and then started his sentence with "You have a very sick little girl......" He then explained that they would need to get a cannula straight into her with fluids and an anti-nausea medication put in to stop the vomiting. He did her blood sugar level, which was normal (4.5) and said that when they were putting in the cannula they would take some blood to be tested.

All this time Grace was floppy and just laying on the bed, unable to even move her head. She was looking sicker and sicker, and I was desperate for them to get fluids in and hopeful that the fluid would do it's job to hydrate her. Duane and I held her hand whilst 3 Dr's and a nurse stood on the other side of her trying to get a vein. I wasn't watching, but I could tell from their faces and words that they were having a lot of trouble getting the cannula in. She was so dehydrated that her veins were not cooperating, just collapsing under the stress. It was also made harder as they had to put a larger cannula in, to be able to put high amounts of fluid through. The next day I checked her arms, and realised that they had tried on the inside of her elbow and 3 times on the top of her hand, finally getting one in on her hand.

When they tried the first time, she screamed. It was the first sound she had made for ages, and so heartbreaking to hear. She had a moniter on, and as they were trying to get it in, her pulse starting going crazy. Her eyes starting rolling around and she was going in and out of consciousness. The dr's couldn't see as she was facing away from them, so I asked if she was ok. They then realised that she had gone into shock and had to take the cannula immediately out whilst they tried to bring her back. That was scary. Watching her, as she layed there looking so sick and yet so peaceful as she passed out. The Dr's explained that she had gone into shock from the pain and they tried frantically to get her to come back around. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she opened her eyes.

They they quickly tried to get the cannula in again, eventually getting it in. She was then hooked up to the Iv and started on 200ml per hour of fluid, this was to go for 4 hours. I stayed with her for 2 hours, whilst she slept. During this time she was woken as she had to go for an x-ray, she was still lethargic and not caring what was done to her. The radiologist suggested we try to get the x-ray by herself, but if she was upset, one of us could hold her, but she was so out of it that she just layed there in the room by herself whilst the x-ray was done and Duane and I watched from behind the glass.

One of the lovely Dr had explained to us that the fluids would hopefully pick her up and then they could get a better idea of what was causing the vomiting and stomach cramps. There was talk of either appendix or bowel obstruction/telescoping. We had a million questions asked as they tried to work out what was wrong. Student Dr's came and visited and did the questions again, trying to rule out everything. The x-ray didn't show anything abnormal, except a fully loaded bowel.

We were told that we would be staying until she had been given 800 mls of fluid and was showing great improvement, and to be prepared to be staying overnight. Whilst she was sleeping, I left her with Duane and headed home. The hospital was absolutely freezing, so I wanted to get some warm clothes for all of us and also some comforts for Grace: dolly, her blanket and pillow. I also wanted to be close to Trudy's house in case Xav wouldn't settle for the night, I was also worried about how he would go considering it was his very first time staying at someone else's house and his first night away from me. I needn't have bothered worrying though, he had Trude wrapped around his finger and was having a great time at his sleepover. He was fine, going to bed easily and sleeping in his own bed all night until 7am the next morning.

Anyway, I headed to subway to get dinner for Duane and I - and cookies for stress relief. I'd just got the message from Trude to say that Xav was settled and happy, and was heading back to the Robina hospital. I got a call from Duane, but the reception from the hospital is not great, and he kept breaking up. The only part of the conversation that I heard was going by ambulance to other hospital, meet us there...... and then the phone went dead. I desperately tried to call him back, but it continually went to message bank. I started crying, not sure what the hell was happening. I'd just left her and she was fine, but I was automatically thinking the worst. I knew that Robina doesn't have facilities for children, but they did have an area that children could stay overnight if nothing was serious.

I drove straight to the hospital, trying to hold back the bad thoughts. I got a park out the front (by this time it was close to 9pm) and raced up to the children's ward on the 5th floor. It was all quiet, and none of the staff knew anything about Grace coming over. One of the lovely nurses could see me, loaded up with stuff for an overnight stay and looking upset, and said she'd take me down to emergency as that is where they would be. I finally got hold of Duane and he said there was a line up of ambulances and they were waiting on the ramp for the line to clear. I was put into the waiting room, to wait for her to come in. I Still wasn't sure what was going on. Finally, she was brought into emergency and I was allowed in. Duane quickly told me that the pead over at Robina had felt a lump in her abdomen and wanted her to have an urgent ultrasound to see if it was a bowel problem. Grace was starting to look better, which was fantastic.

A sonographer was called in and we went in for her ultrasound. Everything was checked over, and nothing showed up, so the lump was put down to a large amount of poo that was stuck.

Because she was so dehydrated, her body had been searching for water and extracted it from her poo which in turn had made her constipated. She was asking for food at this stage and reaching out to Duane and I as we munched on our soggy subway, which was a fantastic sign - but unfortunately she wasn't allowed to have anything yet. She still hadn't weed since midday (10 hours later) and 800ml of Iv fluids, so we took her into the toilet to wee and get a sample. Her aim was a little off and she sprayed all over my trackies and foot, but she laughed which was worth it to hear. I swapped the bright yellow wee with the pead who had a some bright yellow jelly for Grace, fair exchange!

We had another fantastic pead, who explained to us that although they couldn't find anything wrong, he was reluctant to just say it was gastro, because of the absence of diarrhea and the amount/colour of bile in her vomit. He said that he wanted to admit her for the night and recommended that she had an enema to clear the bowels. By this stage, she was asleep so I asked if we could wait until she woke to do the enema. I knew that this would traumatise her, even more than everything that had happened previously. She didn't remember anything else, she was way too out of it. However, she was lucid now and would have definitely resisted. He agreed to that and then we were taken up to our room on the children's ward. He also picked up a heart murmur, which he said could have just been brought on by the stress or something that she has always had. Duane and I both had ones as children, so nothing really to worry about, but he advised we get it checked out anyway. He also noted that her iron stores are excellent, way above they need to be - great considering she doesn't eat red meat!

It was midnight by now and as only one parent was allowed to stay the night, Duane was sent home. He looked exhausted and as there is no way that I was leaving my little girl - he was the one nominated to go. I settled Grace in for the night, with dolly tucked in beside her and made up the sofa bed for myself. We both slept relatively well, only stirring when the nurse came in to do her obs. Grace woke about 6am, and I hopped in bed with her and we cuddled and talked about what had been happening. She was 1000 times better - talking, laughing and begging for something to eat.

I got her some custard and juice, which she eagerly gobbled up and requested more food. The pressure was on now to get her bowels working so that an enema could be avoided. I explained to her, without trying to frighten, that she needed to poo or the Dr's were going to put some medicine up her bottom to get her to go. I slipped out to the tea room to make her a weak, milky cup of tea, in the hope that the warmness of it would be the encouragement she needed. By the time I had gotten back, there was a visitor - Pop had overcome his fear of hospitals and was in to visit bright and early at 7am!

The nurse asked once again if she could go ahead with the enema, but I was still very hopeful that food, drink and movement would get things going, so asked for another half hour. She was fine with this and said that the Dr's would be doing their rounds at about 8.00 anyway, and it could be done then.


After eating the rest of her breakfast, we decided to get her up and walking. Poppy and I each had an arm, as she was still quite wobbly. She was still very weak and went clammy a few times, but managed to walk around the corner into the play room, dragging her iv behind her. We had a little shuffle around the room and then set up at the window, waiting to see Daddy and Xav coming up the entrance. Duane had headed round to The Dews to pick Xav up, who was happily munching on porridge with sultanas and honey. Actually I should note here that Trudy spoilt him with yoghurt as dessert, which although is not an unusual after dinner treat - there were marshmallows! So now Xav is insisting that we buy marshmallows from the shop for our yoghurt!

After a while, we saw Daddy and Xav trudging up the driveway. Grace lit up as soon as she saw her little brother, she had definitely missed being away from him and was excited to tell him all about her ambulance ride. Xav was equally thrilled, although I'm sure his excitement was more directed at all the machines and buttons in the room.




Xav was getting a bit rowdy and had too much energy to be stuck in the confines of a hospital room, so Poppy took him out to the park until we knew what was happening with Grace. This was also a milestone for Xav AND Poppy, it's the first ever time that he has taken one of the children. Hopefully something that can happen again soon!

We were still on "project poop" with Grace, hoping to avoid the alternative. Finally, after much coaxing she decided that she could give it a go. She sat, and sat, and sat and sat, and sat AND then finally I heard plonk! Gosh I have never been so excited to peer into a toilet!

Just as I was wiping the remnants from her bum, there was a knock at the door and 10 Dr's all walked in. She had performed, just in the nick of time!!

So, another gorgeous (they were all HOT!) Dr went over her file and tried to work out what was wrong. He was happy with how she looked, although still a little yellow, but was still worried about the bile she was vomiting. All her tests were ok, she had some low white cells - but nothing else too worrying. The ultrasound didn't show anything bad, neither did the x-ray. She was responding well to the fluids, so the only thing they could put it down to was viral gastro, that she had become dehydrated from causing compaction of the bowel and constipation. We were told that if she stopped eating or drinking or sick again, she was to come straight back in.

The student Dr's that were doing a rotation in Pead's, came over from the Robina hospital to visit and see how she was. Both of them were amazed at how quickly she recovered and how well she looked compared to when they saw her yesterday.

We packed up our stuff and headed home, then spent the rest of the afternoon lazing around inside. After getting a bit sick of being stuck inside, we set up a bed outside on the grass and Grace and I layed there reading books whilst the boys mowed the lawn. She perked up a lot that night, and has been eating & drinking fine since.


Although in the end it was just gastro, it was still a traumatic experience for all of is. Having your child look so ill is absolutely terrifying. Seeing them lay there, all energy gone and just a shadow of the exuberant child that you know is heartbreaking. Watching them in obvious pain and being stuck with needles, and only being able to offer hugs and kisses, makes you feel so, so helpless. It sure gives you a huge dose of sympathy for parents of children that are really ill, and the poor children themself. I am just so grateful for our wonderful public health services, I could not fault anything or anyone. They were all amazing and just as eager as us to get Grace all better again.

Through all of this my Mummy radar is still beeping. I'm still wary that there is something else. It just doesn't seem right to me that the same thing has happened here and here, and it's supposedly a gastro bug that only seems to affect Grace. We've had gastro before, and usually it gets shared around, but these 3 times Grace has been the only one to be sick. Also, she only vomits - never having diarohea. The 2 peads we spoke to both agreed that this was strange, normally with gastro there is some amount of diarohea. I know that she definitely doens't eiither, she alsways calls me to wipe her bum when she poos and even if she didn't we'd see the remnants as she always forgets to flush the toilet. All the tests are clear though, so nothing else can be done. But, if it happens again - and even more so if it's soon - I'll be pushing for more answers. Maybe she is just a kid that will be prone to picking up all the bugs, maybe everyone else's immune systems are better and hers is a little low? I'm going to take her to a naturopath and see what would be good at helping avoid them as much as possible.

PAD #6

PAD #6
Originally uploaded by kirstenpenney

One my bedside table is a pile of children's books.

I keep them there for impromptu reading and cuddles during the day, quiet stories before Xav has a nap but most importantly so that I can shove them at the kids when they decide that 5.30am is a brilliant time to be awake. I get to roll over and finish of my beauty sleep and the kids get to do something educational. Win-win hey?

Anyway, the other morning I was heading in for a shower, and was hoping that the kids hadn't either killed each other or broken the house by the time I came out. It's always a surprise what you will find after having 5 minutes of unsupervised time. Granted, they are getting better now and it seems the days of coming out to find stuff smeared everywhere may just be over. Thank goodness.

Instead, I am greeted by this sweet, sweet sight. MY babies curled up on the bed, reading a story together.

Now, this book is one that we have read over and over and over again, so although Grace can't read it, she knows it off by heart. It's out of the I'm feeling...... series, which are great for kids to understand their emotions. We have had a lot of angry moments, hence the reason Grace knows it word by word. It was used A LOT in her 3rd year.

So this is my pic for the day! Over and done with by 9am.

Grace's funny things

The kids were just getting their breakfast ready. Grace had gotten out the toaster and bread, ready to make herself tomato on toast for breakfast.

The do it all themself, and the highlight is pushing down the button on the toaster. The simple way would be to put all 4 pieces of bread in the toaster at once, but to avoid hysterics over who gets to put the toast button down, they each do their own.

Xav was getting impatient with having to wait for Grace's toast to pop, and starting trying to climb up on the stool.

Grace told him to hop down, so he did. Then she turned to me and said with a sigh

"He is driving me knots"

Xav's funny things

Ok, I'm going away and the conformist in me needs to have blogs ready to go for the days that I am away.

So I'm just going to write a few things down that the kids have said, so I don't ever forget.

I'll start with Xav.

The other day he sneezed then said "Excuses, Excuses, Excuses" - Instead of excuse me.


Just then, Grace was trying to hop onto the stool beside Xav but it was stuck too far forward. Xav pulled it out for her, so Grace said "Thank you Xav"

Xav, so with out missing a beat, said "Your welcome, and lovely manners Grace"

Sweet moments

Grace had a great night sleep and after being spew free since early Monday morning, I figured she would be fine to go to school today. I told the carers that she had been sick and to call me if she was too tired or if they didn't think she was up to being there.

She was a bit teary when I left, mainly because her very best friend Cassie started there yesterday and Grace must have gotten confused when I explained that to her, as she thought she would be there today too. Luckily next year they'll be together, both going Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Xav and I had a big day planned at home. It was so hot outside, so I battened down the hatches and cranked up the de-humidifier on the air con. If I was doing housework, I was doing it in the cool comfort.

I had a list to get through. Xav trotted along beside me, doing his toddler best at helping. Folding, cleaning, vacuuming, putting clothes away and a mountain of washing. Thank goodness the last 2 days have been great drying weather and so now I have a pile of neatly stacked clothes/towels/sheets on the lounge room floor ready to be put away.

It came time for Xav's nap, and being that his room doesn't cool down to well, I put him in our room. Xav normally goes to sleep quite happily, often trotting off to put himself to bed at 12.30pm - but the last few days he's been asking that I read a few stories before sleep time.

We cuddled on the bed as I read a beautiful book that I picked up from the op-shop last week. Once the last page was turned, Xav looked over me and said ever so sweetly through innocent eyes"You are a good Mummy" To hear that said, totally unprompted, was just beautiful beyond words. We cuddled for a little longer, then he fell asleep.

Grace had a great day at school and came home all chatty and excited. They cook every day, and today they had made carrot, pineapple and apple cake, and my dear little girl had very generously asked if she could bring a slice home for me.

Duane had his very last limo job tonight (Yipee!!) so I was left to do the whole dinner, bed and bath thing. I couldn't be bothered cooking, so the kids had a little concoction that I can cook quickly. It's spaghetti pasta cooked with peas and corn, then drained and a whisked egg stirred through (the heat from the pasta cooks the egg). I then toss in a tin of tuna and some cheese. It makes a delicious, slightly creamy pasta - which the kids love!

I ditched the bath tonight and joined the kids in a big communal shower. I only stayed for a bit, as I got sick of the laughing, poking and pointing. I got dressed listening to their chatter and laughter, thinking about how special it is to have 2 children who love each other so obviously.


Come bedtime, a storm was brewing outside, flashes of lightening and startling claps of thunder filled the skies. Xav kept saying he was a little scared, with Grace calming him down and telling him it was just like fireworks.

I got the kids in the pj's and just as we were walking up the hall to put Xav to bed, Grace asked Xav if he would like to sleep in her bed, so she could look after him. Xav was thrilled and eagerly grabbed his pillow, blankie and dummy and jumped onto her bed. I tucked both of them in and picked a story to read.


After kisses and cuddles, I walked out of the room with a glance over my shoulder at my 2 sleeping children, all cuddled up together and Grace with a protective arm over her little brother. I swallowed the lump in my throat, wiped away the tears and unflipped my belly.

All the rough moments of having 2 children were wiped from my memory, however this one will be forever ingrained.

My special two

My 2 little kidlets are just being so adorable lately, my heart sometimes does little flip flops just watching the 2 of them interact together.

They are just so in love with each other, its sometimes sickening to witness. Of course the love is balanced off with plenty of fighting, but most of the time it's just a big love fest.

Our mornings start with 2 little midgets snuggled up to either side (Duane gets up at 4.30, so plenty of room my morning visitors), and a long cuddle in bed when we wake at around 7.30am. The 2 little ones spend a good half hour cuddling up to each other, planting big kisses on each other and having a tickle fest. I get a look in every now and then, only ever as an object to fight over though. Oh, and I am also apparently good for reading them 10 or so books before they want to get up and greet the morning, hence the reason we haven't been rising out into the cool winter mornings until around 8am.

Once we are up the terrible twosome are still joined at the hip. Running around laughing and giggling, playing chasies up and down the hall. One usually calls out to the other, then all I hear is cheeky cackling as they rush past in a blur. Way to much energy for me, I'm more interested in wiping the sleep from my eyes and organising my morning cup of earl Grey tea.

They both have perfected the art of "egging" each other on, most of the time to do something naughty. They stifle laughs as they each encourage mischief to happen. Grace usually instigates with a "C'mon Xav, lets go stand on the table, chase the chickens, jump on Mum & Dads bed, find something really high and dangerous and launch our self off it" They are usually quiet for a bit, then I sit back and enjoy the peacefulness until my curious side takes over.

By now the 2 of them are a quivering mess, way too excited by there naughtiness to listen to any discipline. Grace will finally calm down and stop, but then little Xav pipes up with, "More, go more *Walrus?"

Apart from mischief, they do have a lot of fun playing together. They both crave being outside and the more time they spend out there, the better every ones sanity is. They love organising pretend birthday parties in the sandpit, complete with cakes, treats and presents all wrapped up. I went to the op-shop last week and bought a heap of intricate wooden bowls and stainless steel cooking utensils, which have been a huge hit. I've taken out all the plastic sandpit toys, they prefer to play with real things so all the new stuff is being well used.

They also play this cute little game at every meal. Xav pretends his fork/spoon is a person and trots it up to Grace, saying "Hello" Grace then gets her fork/spoon and stands it beside Xav's and they have long, crazy conversations. It's just adorable and I love watching their imaginations grow together.

I love watching the 2 little souls that we created enjoying each others company. I love watching their love for one another grow, and the genuine compassion they have for each other. Of course they have their moments, but most of the time if one is hurt the other is right there rubbing their "owie" and giving cuddles. That is after automatically saying "It wasn't me, I didn't hit/kick/push/hurt them" Or Xav with his instant "Sorry Walrus", even when he has done nothing wrong!

It's like watching a beautiful friendship as it develops right from the start and I get to witness every moment.

I am really enjoying both of the kids right now. We are having fantastic days, rarely scattered with trying moments. I'm not sure if I'd be jinxing myself, but can I dare say that they are both relatively "easy"? They really are, and I am finding our days run smoothly and we are all having so much fun together! Maybe I'm just getting better at this parenting gig? Or maybe I'm just in a false sense of security, and soon it will all come tumbling down? Who cares, I'm just going to keep enjoying this beautiful time of my life.

*Xav has chosen a very strange nickname to call Grace - Walrus. I have absolutely no idea where he got it from, it's not even a word that I ever remember saying to him. It all started when we were in Tas and he kept saying it all the time. I was baffled as to what he was trying to say, then finally he pointed to Grace when he said it. Since then whenever he talks about or to Grace he calls her "Walrus" and sometimes "Ace" If he calls her Ace, I ask him what the other name he calls her is and he ALWAYS says Walrus. It is very cute as he runs around looking for her saying, "Where's Walrus, Walrus is gone" It's right out of the blue, but the nickname is slowly starting to grow on me, I even find myself calling her that sometimes, and she refers to herself as "Walrus". I wonder if it will stick? Or maybe Xav is channelling my obsession with The Beatles, they have a song called "I am the Walrus"??

January 20th Photo

Just enjoying some quiet craft time. Grace was busy gluing little bits of cellophane and crete paper to cardboard, Xav was just taking the lid on and off the textas. I sat with them for a while, but then got a little too confidant and ventured off to do some cleaning. Came back to find Grace still busy gluing and Xav covered top to bottom in texta, he'd also decorated the wall and the fridge.

I really should have learnt my lesson by now!

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.

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!

Lazy Weekend

We have had a lovely, lazy weekend!

Yesterday we spent the morning at home, getting a few little things done. After the kidlets had their sleep we all headed off to the camping show.

Ever since our weekend away Duane and I have been dreaming about coastal weekends away in a camper trailer. I had found one that I thought would be perfect as it would go straight onto our exisiting trailer, so I wanted to check it out. Well it would have been perfect for just us two, so we either leave the kids at home & go away alone (as if!!) or we think of an alternative!!

We both fell in love with a fully kitted out camper trailer, it has everything!! But it also costs huge $$, so that has went to Duane's "drawer of dreams" Maybe I should explain that, my dear husband has a top drawer full of brochures of things that he has wanted over the last 10 years. He loves prize homes and I am sure that he has every house pamphlet, and even multiples of his absolute favourites! I even think that he has his all time favourite laminated, well one of the 3 copies of it is!!

So with the camper trailer dumped it looks like we are going to settle with a fancy tent! Yes, there is such thing as a fancy tent. Its a coleman with 3 rooms, double ventilated (so if the kids did sleep in we could because it would be cool enough), easy to put up, blah blah blah.....I didn't listen to the rest! It does look nice and we can get the comfy self inflating beds, with the cute little bunks for the kids. So we are going to wait until it comes on sale then start out camping adventures!!

I'm not sure if I have distorted memories or not, but I used to love camping as a child. One year my brave mother took 5 kids on a trip around Tas in the Christmas break. We all had a blast, going to the beach, fishing & spending time together. I want to create those memories for my kids. It's also a cheap thing to do and we live so close to so many beautiful places it would be a waste not to explore them!

So I am hoping by this time next year our camping supplies are fully stocked and we have been on a few little trips already! Time will tell hey!!

~~~~~~~

I just want to note how much fun it is having the 2 kids! They are really starting to enjoy each other now and I love watching them play together. I am finding it so comfortably & easy with them now, not sure if I am just getting better at this Mummy "gig" or my kids are at a great age! Whatever it is, I love it! I dont think that I can put in words the love that I have for my precious children, I am so blessed to have them in my life. It sure makes it alot of fun!

Return of the day sleep

Ok so we went 2 days with NO day sleep from Grace! She was fine all day too, not tired at all! But today she woke up at 5am and was so tired all morning. I took her out to mothers group in the hope that she would get really tired and have a sleep when we got home. She had fun playing with Leah and Cassie, they all got on really well! She didn’t fall asleep in the car on the way home, I thought that she would. Once we got home I put Xavier to bed and then tried to get Grace to go too. It took about 30 mins but she finally went off to sleep! YEY I really don’t want to her to stop her day sleep, but I have promised myself not to get too stressed if she does!

Xavier has gone to bed the last 2 nights alot easier! I have tried a different approach. I now feed him some rice cereal at about 5pm, then he has a bath, boob at 5.30pm, then I let him have a play on the floor for about ½ hour. At about 6pm I take him to bed and just lay him down with his dummy. He usually only needs me to give him a few pats and then he goes off and stays asleep. I have also had success resettling him of a night when he wakes. Last night he woke at 12pm, so I gave him a quick feed and then he woke again at 4pm so I fed him again. He then went off to sleep in my bed until 5am when Grace woke!! Duane put him back into his bed and Grace came into me so I could sleep a little longer. Xavier just chatted and laughed to himself until we all got up at 6am! I realised then why he wouldn’t go back to sleep! He had done the biggest, smelliest poo! A yucky solids poo!! I totally forgot how horrible poo is when they start having more than milk! Yesterday Xavier had some banana and sucked on a nectarine (ate most of it!) He also had his rice cereal. He absolutely loves the food and opens his mouth wide and gobbles it all up!!

Grace and Xavier are starting to play well together now. Grace is being alot more gentle and considerate, and she seems to know when she is doing something wrong now. If I am beside her always reminding her to be gentle she is fantastic. I notice that when she gets tired or too hyped up thats when she start the pushing, hair pulling etc. But I can leave them both alone together now as long as grace is in the right mood! I love seeing them play together! Grace has also started taking toys off Xavier, but I have been encouraging her to get him another one if she takes it. She is going great with this too! Quite often she gives him back the toy or gets another one and says “here you go Xavier”

NYE 2007

Well it’s New Years Eve! And I am “partying” it up on the computer! The kids were all in bed by 6.30pm, Duane went off at 8pm and I am here by my lonesome! I actually don’t mind that I am not doing anything too exciting...its overrated!

We had a day today of just hanging out in our Pj’s and playing! The kids and I mucked around singing and carrying on! Grace can nearly sing all of “incy wincy” spider and “twinkle, twinkle” She is also really good at singing “ring a ring a rosie” Her versions area very funny though, especially Twinkle. It goes like this:

Twinkle, twinkle whittle star,
How I dummy what you are,
Up the dummy in the sky,
Twinkle, twinkle whittle star.

So yes she is still a little obsessed with talking about the dummy's! Also in her version of Incy Wincy, poor Incy gets washed out for the whole song!

Xavier also loves it when we sing, he giggles and watches our faces intently! When Xavier had his afternoon sleep I made paint for Grace. I just mixed up some cornflour, water and food dye! Worked out ok, but not too great! Grace and I had fun painting though! Once Daddy got home we all hopped on the bed for a play (I nodded off for a little bit!!) Xavier had a go in the jolly jumper, he loved it! I haven’t put him in it for ages, I will start again though! Grace & Duane had a bounce on the very wet trampoline! At about 5pm Grace, Xavier and I all had a lovely relaxing bath together! It was actually really nice. Xavier loves being in the water and splashing about. After Xavier and I got out, Duane hopped in with Grace! That was the highlight of my NYE...but I enjoyed every bit of it with my kids and hubby!

Better days

Well things are better!!
I just had a rough day last week. I think that is was a combination of Grace’s behaviour and Xavier only having cat naps all day! Grace has started pushing and hitting Xavier. It seems to happen if we stop paying attention to her. I am trying to praise her lots when she is being good (which is alot of the time) but then she will just go up to him and give him a whack! She looks at me when she does it. I have been putting her away from us and then paying lots of attention to Xavier. She usually whinges for a bit. I then tell her what she has done and that we don’t do that, and then she apologises! It’s very cute when she says “sorry Xavier”, but I have to refrain from laughing! She says it is such a sickly sweet sarcastic voice!!

I love my little boy so much! He is learning so many new things and seems to be growing up so fast! He is has been reaching out and grabbing things for a while now! I love it when he grabs my face with 2 hands....love it! He constantly plays on his tummy now. Once I put him on the ground he flips over to his tummy and stays there! He can move around on his belly, mainly going around in circles