Bedtime stories

I had such a full on week last week, I felt I was barely at home.  I was out 5 nights in a row, all uni related.  Plus having to attend meetings and appointments during the day.  Toss in actual study time and it was HECTIC!

I'm trying to get as much as possible done now, so I have plenty of time for my caseload women, assignments and exam preparation.  I knew this year would be busy, but really didn't think about how 1 antenatal appointment has the potential to wipe out 4 hours on average - factoring in driving time, parking time, waiting time, appointment time etc.  Considering I have 30 antenatal appointments, 6 births and 18 postnatal visits to attend this year - that's a lot of time!  Not even taking into account I will be adding on top of that load with 2 hospital shifts per week in a few months time.

Thanks goodness I love it though, and have absolutely no reservations that this is the career I want.  It's everything plus more than I could imagine and it feels fabulous (and exhausting!) to be on my dream path!  I'm also re-motivated after getting my last essay results back - 94% HD!  Hopefully I can use the inspiration to start the next few I have due soon!

I'd had a draining day today, so spending some wind-down time putting the kids to bed was welcomed.  It's at bed-time that I get to hear all about Grace's magical days at school.  She bubbles over with excitement as she tells me all the fun and wonderful things she gets up to, and how much she absolutely loves going.  Actually, on Saturday she was a little sad and when I asked what was wrong she said she was missing school.  I'm still amazed that she has adapted and fitted in so well, she's only of the only kids to not have a day off from sickness or being too tired!  I think she'd be devastated not being able to go!!

So tonight, after stories, she told me about her favourite part of the day.  She said at rest time, all the children layed down with their pillows (they've actually all hand sewn and embroidered their own, something Grace is extremely proud of!), and Miss Pam gave each of them a "journey" crystal to hold.  They then quietly layed down and took a journey into their minds, then each child had a turn telling the class about what they'd seen.  Grace so intricately told me all about the purple bird she'd seen in "her imagination" and she was so excited that even tonight she could close her eyes and the bird was "right there!"  She's always been able to remember dreams, or describe different things she's seen - but she was so amazed that she could imagine something so clearly and be able to recall it whenever she wanted!  What a wonderful skill to enhance and develop - imagination! 

I have a little going to bed story from Xav too.  I was laying with him, answering his many questions (we are going through another one of Xav's "Why?" periods!) about "Why do we have a heart? How come it always goes and never stops? Do dogs have hearts? etc etc.  After I answered them all, he said the sweetest thing.  "Mummy, I have little boxes in my heart and the biggest one is mostly for you"  I'm not sure where he got that from, maybe he's paraphrasing me as I always tell him there is a little piece of him inside my heart always.  Xav is one of the cheekiest, wittiest and funniest kids, but it's times like this I remember how adorable and sweet he is too. 

Mixed up colours

Grace's school has a different colour and theme for every day of the school week.  They aren't restricted to just wearing that days particular coloured school top, but mostly the preppies want to be like everyone else in their class, so they are very diligent on wearing the "right" colour on the right day.  Some of the more outgoing kids wear their orange top on green day, or purple top on yellow day - just to test the waters of going against the grain.

Having a different top each day is working wonderfully with my style conscious daughter, it appeals to her sense of  fashion whilst also embracing her love of predictability and knowing what comes next.  She knows that on purple day she has seaweed, rice and seeds for morning tea, they do Italian lessons and music lessons.  She also loves green day (Friday) as they all go on a bush walk, get to cook and eat something made from rolled oats and make a booklet with their group on what they did that day.

So, a few weeks ago I made a big mistake.  I was at a Midwifery seminar until late (my excuse!) and didn't get home until around midnight.  Combined with an early morning wake up (thanks Xav for the 5am alarm!) and it's quiet understandable that I stuffed up the order.  I did actually think it was Thursday, so sent Grace to school believing it was Thursday and orange top day.  I saw the twins in Grace's class on the walk up, both wearing orange so it never occurred to me that I'd made the mistake.  It wasn't until Grace walked in the front gate and one of her friends pointed out that she was wearing the wrong colour.  I glanced around and sure enough, all the other kids (except 4 - phew!) were wearing yellow, Wednesdays colour.  Grace immediately went to tears, it's the first time she's cried since starting school (except for a few on her first day) and she clung to me, not wanting to go in.  Miss Pam offered for her to wear one of the yellow spares, but Grace was adamant she wouldn't wear anyone elses clothes.  I offered to race home and get hers, but the impact had already been, she just wanted me to stay.

I ended up sitting in on the class for half hour, she was ok, but still looked very sad.  I know she was just upset because she felt she was doing something wrong, even when we all tried to tell her it was fine.  I waited until she was settled, then said goodbye and headed out.  Later on I got an email from Miss Pam (how cool is the instant technology, but I'd love it even more if they had school-cam!!)

Hi Kirsten

Grace was a little upset when you left, however, we talked about the wonderful things about making mistakes – how the greatest inventions may never have been thought of if we hadn’t made mistakes.  In the Moonlight room mistakes are a way of learning.  I told Grace about the mistakes I’ve made and the great things I’ve learnt from them.  Her friends all told their stories as well and were so supportive.  It really was wonderful.  She was very happy after this and settled down to create some stories with her friends.

Hope you haven’t been too worried.

Warm wishes

Pam

What a wonderful take on it!  Just another reason I'm so happy with the school, with obviously so much care and respect for the children!  Grace was happy when I picked her up and ended up having a great day.  Apparently all the "orange" topped children played together!


The weirdest part was the night before I'd actually had a dream that something similar had happened, except it involved a hat.  I'd dreamt that I'd popped in on the way back from craft to see how she was and she was crying.  One of her friends (coincidentally the same one that pointed out the wrong colour top!!) came running up to me and said Grace was sad because he hat was too small.  Strange hey!

Hectic

Today was always going to be a busy day, with no wriggle room for things not going to plan.  Stupid me should have realised that by actually making a plan, I was setting myself up for problems.

The morning started fine, although Duane and I were both a little tired from the previous nights antics.  It was a ridiculously hot night and I even resorted to using the air-con (something I'd been avoiding since the whooping $500 power bill I got last week).  I managed a nice sleep for the first half of the night, with 2 little squirts joining us in the cool comfort around 11.30pm.  What I didn't enjoy though was the crazy thunderstorm that started about midnight and sent the dogs into a barking frenzy.  They wouldn't calm down, and after getting up to them a few times I was wide awake, so headed to Grace's room and read for a few hours.  Not the best choice when I have a son who's decided 5.30am is a wonderful time to be up and insists I get out of bed the same time he does. 

The morning started off fine - all to plan!  I knew that I'd be going to a home birth meeting today, so whipped up a batch of banana, carrot and honey muffins before 6am.  Grace, as usual, got herself dressed and ready for school without me even reminding or nagging her - she is always so eager to go! Xav was his usual reluctant self, that boy would stay in his Pj's all day if I'd let him!

After dropping Grace at school, Xav and I headed to the local community hall for our double vaccination shots.  I was getting my last hep b for uni requirements and Xav was getting the one that was stuffed up last year.  I had mentioned to him last week we were getting it done, and based on his reaction I knew he wasn't impressed.  So, I did "forget" to remind him until we were safe within the walls of the hall and there was no chance of an escape.  After explaining the previous stuff up again, and once again being told how terrible it was that that happened, it was our turn.  I figured Xav would be best going first, as he knew what was going on and wasn't going to be calmed down by watching me getting stabbed before him.  I ended up having to bear hug him whilst the nurse jabbed him in the arm, and him screaming all the time.  Lucky the line up was full of tiny babies who had no idea what the older boy was screaming about!  I had a freddo frog ready for when he finished, so he sucked on that in between sobs.  Mine was next, but by the look of all the fluid running down my arm and squirting on the desk, I have my suspicions that all the vaccine went in.  The nurse did also comment that she had leaked a little, but Xav's sobbing kept us distracted.  I'm just hoping that when I have serology done next month, I've got enough antibodies and don't have to go back for more.

It's policy to sit and wait 15 mins before leaving.  I'd timed it perfectly; 9am needles, leave by 9.15 and at the home birth meeting by 9.30am as it was just around the corner.  Xav and I were sitting on our uncomfortable plastic chairs waiting for the obligatory 15 mins to be over, going through the photos and videos on my Iphone (love that phone!) when Xav told me that he wanted something to eat.  I said that we had some food in the car, and I'd get it for him soon.  He said again he was hungry and came over white and clammy.  I knew instantly he was about to vomit, so immediately cupped my hands and caught the flow.  Now, considering he'd had porridge for breakfast plus the freddo as a bribe, it was a very gross mixture.  A few more heaves and I was covered up to my elbows, all over my clothes, pooling on the floor and Xav had bits all over him.  I called the RN and she came over with a bowl and some wipes.  Xav was still not looking well, so they tried to lay him down with an ice pack - which was not the easiest thing to do on such uncomfortable chairs.  He was a bit distressed from the vomiting, so didn't want anyone but me touching him.  She wanted to take his pulse, but he wasn't cooperating, so I did it and it was fine.  It took a while for him to get colour back, so we spent the next hour waiting and watching.  Finally he seemed better so we could head out, after a quick clean up in the bathroom as I tried desperately to remove the "vomit eu toilette" aroma wafting from us both.

By this time I'd well and truly missed my 9.30am meeting, but there was a similar one on at 1pm, so I planned to make that one.  Next on the agenda was a trip up to Logan uni to put in all my clinical documents.  I really couldn't be bothered taking everything up there, but the alternative was getting everything witnessed and signed by a JP, so I figured a 2 hour car trip might have been the better option.  Xav was not up to doing much after his little ordeal, so he curled up in his seat with blankie and had a sleep in the air-conditioned comfort of the car.  Once up at uni, I had to get everything photocopied so trudged up to the library.  It tuned out to be a great day to visit, as the normally sleepy campus was alive with stalls giving out lots of free things.  I scored a bunch of pens and highlighters and Xav was given some coconut juice drinks and some small packets of chips.  He loved the coconut drinks, but complained that the samboy plain chips were "too spicy", which just meant I got them all!

We got back to our house by 12.45pm, just enough time for a toilet stop and a quick drink.  Then it was straight back in the car so we could make our 1pm appointment.  I wasn't really sure what to expect for this meeting with the Homebirthers.  Part of our assessment is attending 10 hours of community experiences that pregnant or new parents would go to.  I'm extremely interested in home birth, so figured I'd include that as most of my hours.  I had nothing to be worried about, it was awesome.  I'd missed the early session that's more a support group, with lots of advice and everyone sharing their pregnancy/birth experiences.  The afternoon session was more on parenting, with one of the older Mums giving a little talk on her parenting journey and what worked or didn't work for her family.  It was lovely and casual, with the kids all paddling in the water close by or playing together with the toys.  Xav found a huge tractor to play with, so spent all his time with that.  My idol Midwife was there too, so it was lovely to get to know her better as we talked about parenting and different ways to discipline.  So many of the Mum's there were connected to Silkwood too, which just makes me feel even more content with our decision to send our kids there as it's such a community of like-minded people. 

We left there just in time to pick Grace up from school at 2.50pm.  I was excited to see her, but apparently the feeling wasn't mutual as she burst into tears as soon as she saw me.  I ran over to her, thinking something bad had happened.  Seems all is fine, she was just expecting us to do the drive by and pick up today.  We've never done that before, but I did remember she had asked if she could do it but I'd forgotten.  Seems she's too cool to have her parents pick her up already!!  There is a group of her friends that are doing it, so I've promised her tomorrow I will not get out of the car, but swing by the pick-up zone so Miss Pam can put her in!

In the madness of getting our injections, I'd hastily said to Xav that I'd take him on a train ride if he let the lovely lady shove the needle in his arm.  I thought he'd forgotten, but seeing the train line on the way up was enough to jog the little elephants memory.  I managed to wrangle out of it then and there, but suggested we go once we'd picked Grace up from school.  He was fine with that arrangement.  After picking Grace up, we got Duane and then headed to the train station.  I took the kids, and Duane drove to the next stop to wait for us.  The lovely ticket man put the kids on my free, seen as how we were only going to the next stop.  Xav was beside himself with excitement and was chattering all the way. "Do you like trains Grace?  I like trains.  This is a big, long train isn't it?  It's going very fast too.  I love trains!"  t was a quick 6 minute trip, but enough to appease the children.  Duane picked us up the other end, then we did a quick trip to the mall for Nicole's birthday present for tomorrow.  Then it was home for a quick dinner, bath and the kids in bed asleep by 7pm.  I'm not going to be far away either.  My days are so busy at the moment, trying to combine everything is doable but very tough and draining.  The heat is not helping either, so I'm looking forward to it cooling down and hopefully me getting myself into a better routine with study.

Craft & babies

Today was Xav and my first day together in our new routine!  We dropped Grace at school and then headed up with some of the other Mum's to the parent craft group.  It was a stinking hot day, so instead of sewing and working on the beautiful deck, we all headed inside into the playgroup room to enjoy the glorious air-con!  Xav was a bit reluctant to leave me to start with, but after a few minutes he buddied up with one of Grace's friends younger brothers and they had a great time.  I got to sit, chat and sew in peace, whilst Xav and Bryn played with all the wonderful playgroup toys.  They set up trains, read books, played with the kitchen and zoomed all the cars around.  It was so lovely to see Xav happily mingling with someone his own age, especially since lately he thinks all 3 Y/o's are "babies". 

I love catching up with all the other Mum's, whilst getting making things for the upcoming craft fair.  Today we made 3D felt trees, which are so easy and yet look so great - I just have to get one done for home now!

Xav was very enchanted by little baby "Skyla", and asked me on the way home if we could have a baby too.  I said maybe, but he'd probably have to ask his Daddy.  He's set on it though, and asked another 5 times - even after lunch once we were home.  It was so sweet to hear my little boy ask "Can we have a baby Mum?  It would be nice to have a baby in the house"  Of course, being the curious little boy that he is, also asked how babies get inside the tummy.  A simple response about eggs and Mummies and Daddies making a decision to have a baby, was enough to keep him happy.  He did also say that he wants to see the baby being born and he reminded me that I will have to take my clothes off when that happens!!  He has always loved babies, but I was still quite surprised with how insistent he's been about us having another one! 

I'm hoping he doesn't forget to ask Duane when he gets home, I can't wait to hear his answer!  I'm thinking that as Grace, Xav and I are all keen - majority should rule!

One other promising thing that happened today, is I got to have a chat to one of the Independent Midwives and she's going to see if she can line up some home births for me to attend as a student!!!  I'd love to get experience outside of the hospital setting and in a more continued care environment - so I'm very excited!!

Anyway, I'm slowly melting - it's ridiculously hot and humid here today.  So I'm just waiting to pick Grace up and then we are heading over to her school friends house that has a pool (tip: pick the friends that have pools!!) for a swim. 

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.

Student Midwife

I can't believe that I haven't blogged about this already, but I am now officially a Student Midwife!!!

My transfer approval came through the day before the flood disaster in Brisbane, so whilst I was over the moon about getting an offer, it didn't feel right getting so excited when such a tragedy was unfolding only an hour from here.

I was excited though, and thrilled that all my hard work last year finally paid off! I'll admit though, that I have had a few moments of thinking it all might be too hard and just sticking to nursing.  But, after talking to those that have done the nursing and then Midwifery, I'm once again convinced about sticking to what I really want.

I am now finished with all the boring nursing subjects and able to really get stuck into the exciting and challenging midwifery courses.  I also get to follow the journey of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period with 30 women over the degree, 6 I have to do in the first year!  I'm nervous and excited how I'm going to fit it all in: prep drop-off, pre-school drop off, Uni, Wife, Mum, hospital shifts and being on call for births - some super organisation skills are going to have to be implemented!

There was also a little surprise on my Academic transcript when I last checked it (it seems obsessively looking at it keeps me motivated!)  An Academic Award for Excellence, it is given to everyone with a GPA over 6.00 - which equates to being in the top 5%!  So, something that I am very proud of.  Let's see if I can keep the momentum up now that the pressure of getting a good enough grade to transfer is no longer looming.