Christmas 2008

Well the Christmas celebrations are over with for another year. Its creeps up on us so quickly and then leaves with the same haste.

Christmas Eve was spent wearing out the kids to that they had a nice early night. Kinda went to plan except as I was putting Grace to bed, I fell asleep too! Oops. I had been busy making all the desserts for Christmas day and was feeling rather sick from eating all the leftover melted chocolate.

Before the kids went to bed we excitedly put out all the food and drinks for Santa and the reindeer's. Santa was given a cup of milk and biscuits, and the reindeer's had a container of oats which was put beside the dogs water bowl in case they wanted a drink too. We also left out a special key for Santa to get in seen as how we don't have a chimney.

We then all opened up one present each, a big coincidence don't you think that all the presents were new pj's! I have done this every year - it's a nice tradition and makes us all look kinda respectable come the morning. I try to get Christmassy ones but they were sold out early. Xav got a cute red pair with silky boxers to match Daddies and Grace got a pink ballerina nightie. I just recycled a new pair that I had bought ages ago.

I spent the rest of the night wrapping presents (I love doing this!) and watching the carols on Tv. Duane was beside me busily trying to put together the wooden kitchen and muttering about next year not buying anything that needed to be assembled. I only heard a few swear words and saw I mistake - so all in all success. The presents were piled high under the tree, all bright and shiny. Everything looked perfect. About 11.30pm we heard little footsteps coming down the hall, Duane bolted and intercepted sleepy Grace who he took into our bed and they both crashed out. I took a few photos, ate the bikkies, tipped out the milk and then joined them for the night.

~~Before~~

~~Before~~

~~After~~

As it happens every morning now, Duane & I were up before the kids. I snuck outside to make the Santa prints from the front gate to the front door, then scattered the reindeer food around. The chooks were out and thought that I was sprinkling food around for them, so they hastily gobbled most of it up!

Grandma and Poppy turned up at 6am, then Grace stumbled out of bed not much after. She was a little unsure why they were here so early and also what all the excited faces were for. We shuffled her outside and showed her the Santa prints, and also pointed out the mess that the reindeer's had made with the food. She was a little shocked, she kept rubbing her tired eyes and looking again - not quite sure what she was seeing. Xav woke about then so after getting him up, Grace took him outside and relayed everything we had said to him. She was starting to comprehend it all now and was excitedly saying, "Santa's been, Santa's been"





We all headed inside and her eyes nearly pooped out of her head when she saw all the presents piled up high. We turned on the carols and then Duane played Santa, handing out all the presents. The children were both extremely spoilt, but everything that they got was perfect. I had given strict instructions and also present suggestions to the in-laws, and I was glad to see that they followed them! Probably sounds horrible, but if I hadn't of, we would of ended up with a bunch of plasticky, break-in-an-instant crap. Grace got a beautiful purple and white wooden truck with horse trailer attached, pretend coffee machine, pretend kettle, pretend mixer and some little wind up toys. Xav was given a skittle set, bath alphabet, wooden truck, wooden peg/hammer thing and also the wind up toys. Xav loves the hammer/peg thing. He spent so much time banging all the pegs in and then flipping it over and starting again. At one stage he banged it so hard that the head fell of the hammer - It was all glued back on though and he went again!

Then came the unveiling of the big present - a wooden kitchen. This was a joint present for both of them, and it was a hit! They spent most of the morning pretending to make us coffees and cooking up a storm. Xav obsessively put things in one cupboard, walked away, then went running back to change it all around again. It's such a beautiful kitchen and plenty of room for them both to play. There old plastic one has been shifted outside in the cubby house. They're allowed to put water on that one, so they get out there making sloppy sand-pies and cooking them up!

The kids also got lots of other lovely presents from Santa. Toothbrushes, undies and lots of books. Grace got a set of working lights for her dolls house and also a family of wooden dolls that fit the house perfectly. From us they were given some games to share - domino's, lucky ducks, beetle and uno. Nanny bought them both the game twister and also a torch each. Both of these were a hit, especially the torches. We have played a kiddy friendly version of twisted already and they both love spinning the wheel and jumping on whatever colour come up.

Probably the highlight for Grace was the lip gloss and nail polish that Santa has promised her. Grace had developed a terrible habit of chewing her nails down to nothing, sometime making them bleed. I promised her that Santa would bring her some polish if she stopped biting them, and it worked - she stopped! So then I had the task of traipsing everywhere looking for polish that was safe and tame enough for a 3 y/o. I ended up finding some light barely-there nude polish with a touch of glitter that was both formaldehyde and talon free. I remembered at the last minute though that Avon do a great nail polish, so I might order some of that too. Grace loved having her fingers and toes all sparkly and shiny - she's such a girly-girl! The lipgloss was just a sunscreen one, but she loves it!

Murray and Trudy then turned up for breakfast. I was given a beautiful pot filled with planted herbs - and also strict instructions to water it! Grace was given a scented baby doll, a gorgeous top & shorts set and the last 2 books that she needed to complete her, "When I'm feeling........" book set. Xav got a beautiful wooden abacus that he loves spinning the letters on.

Duane was surprised with a new 4 burner BBQ, complete with hood and wok on the side from his parents. Funny thing was it is the exact bbq that we had bought for them! Very nice and I can't wait to try it out soon. I already have my lovely early Christmas present - my gorgeous camera.

We then enjoyed a lovely breakfast of pancakes with fresh mango, pineapple and berries all piled high with ice-cream, cream and maple syrup.

After breakfast Xav had a snooze and I put the finishing touches on my contribution to the big lunch meal - desserts!

We then headed over to Amanda's house and settled in to watch the present exchange. Grace and Xav were once again spoilt. Grace was given a new Cd & book from the Truets, a card game from the Cahills and a little dolly from the Ryans. Xav was given an "In the night garden" book & t-shirt from the Truets, a toy camera from the Cahills and a ball from the Ryans.

Lunch was then layed out on the table for everyone to fill up on. There was a beautiful apricot and macadamia stuffed roast Turkey, roast chicken and perfectly roasted vegetables. It was the first year that we have had a kiddy table set up. They each ate little bites of food as they alternated between sitting nicely and running around crazily. All the adults ate way too much then retired to the deck to work up an appetite for dessert.

I had the nerve racking task of deciding on and making all the dessert. I was very nervous about as it's always the much anticipated finale to any meal. I knew that pavlova was generally a hit, and trifle is a Christmas staple so these 2 were definates. I then found a recipe for rocky road ice-cream which looked and sounded delicious.

I'd never made pavlova before and obviously didn't beat it for as long as I should have as it stayed flat and spread out all over the tray. I am a great improviser though (hubby is often scared when I say that I've "improvised"!) so I whipped up some cream, slapped it on the top with some raspberries and kiwi fruit and rolled it up like a swiss roll. Looked a bit dodgy but come serving time I topped it with more cream, bananas, kiwi fruit raspberries and chocolate. It still looked a bit bleurgh, but tasted delicious!

I also made a summer berry trifle that was laden with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, jelly soaked sponge cake, custard and cream. Very easy to make and looked great. The ice-cream cake was also really yummy and going by the fact there was not much left over, it must have been all right. I had also made about 40 little Christmas cake balls that had been dipped in chocolate and topped with white chocolate and jaffas - apparently supossed to look like Christmas puddings. Mine didn't really but tasted magnificent - huge hit!

After lazing around for another few hours, it was time to head home to have a play with all the new toys.

An unorthodox game of twister was a perfect end to a perfect Christmas day.

Christmas 2008 was filled with the 4 f's - family, friends, fun & food. Just how it should be!

3 year olds are funny creatures

Yes funny little things 3 year olds are.

Sometimes funny "Ha, Ha" and sometimes "Get out of my sight before I pack up your things and donate you to charity" funny. We get a good balance of the 2.

Here's 3 of my favourite:

#1
Guilt trip? Probably the start of many.

"So, you have air-con in your room, and there's one in the lounge. Why don't I have one in MY room? It's so hot, I can't even use a blanket"
Yes, this is straight from the 3 y/o's mouth, not sure if she really wanted the air-con or was just using it as an excuse to come into our room. I promise that her room was not hot, it was all drama.

#2
Admittedly this was after traipsing around the shops right in the middle of the Christmas chaos. I was shopping alone with the 2 kidlets, #1 was driving me nuts with her constant whining and demanding that she needed everything that she saw. I got sick of it and told her to stop whinging as it was driving Mummy insane.

The response, "But I wanna whinge, I like whinging" Great. Then she went on and on and on and on about how she liked whinging - whinging about whinging, perfect. Music to my ears.

And lastly after being asked if she could draw me a lovely picture at school, I was promptly told the following, "I'll draw a picture for Daddy, you can go buy one from the shops". Seems I'm not worthy of her precious scribbles. Can't wait until I am elevated to "Daddy" status, in the childrens eyes that man can do no wrong - EVER.

Update on the TT

Xav is still being a "big" boy and using the toilet for most wees and nearly all of his poos. He's not got to the stage of telling me he wants to go (although he has a few times) but I can tell mostly when he needs to go, so I pop him on the toilet and he wees. I still can't believe it every time I see my baby propped up on the toilet, doing wees. When he does do an accident he comes and tells me, so that's a good sign that he is acknowledging it.

For the last 3 days he has been in undies at home (Grace's old pink Dora ones - very feminine!) and he loves wearing them instead of his nappy. I still put him in a nappy for his day sleeps, although he didn't want me taking off his undies today so I put his nappy over the top. I just went to check on Xav in his cot and he had taken off his nappy and just laying in his undies. Very cute. I love his little bottom in undies and can't help smacking it whenever he passes by.

Over the last month Xav has had a major explosion with his talking and comprehension. He has added many words to his vocabulary and using them all in the proper context. If he gets hurt he rubs the sore spot saying "Ouch, Owies." If he gets stuck somewhere he yells out "Stuck, Stuck" Wanting us to either remove him from or one of his toys from the offending place. Lots of other words too. Up, Bubba (he calls himself this), Grandma, smack (no doubt learnt this from me as I am constantly smacking his cute bottom), top, nap-nap, duck, book, door, nose and eyes. We were driving past the school the other day when he started shouting, "School, school" I couldn't believe it.

There are plenty of other words that he has learnt, but I can't remember right now. It's not the amount of words that is blowing us away, it is is comprehension. He understands soooo much and can follow complication instructions. For example I was sitting on the toilet the other day and there was no loo paper. I asked Xav to open the cupboard and get me out a roll, and he did. I can't remember if Grace understood this much at this age, maybe she did?

On another note I have nearly completed all my Christmas shopping. I braved the shops with the kids yesterday which meant I got absolutely nothing done. They are great when we go shopping but it's so busy this time of the year and pushing a pram through the crowds is not my idea of fun. So to finish everything off I ventured out ALONE last night. It was great and I pretty much had every shop to myself as it was so quiet. I picked up the rest of the kids stuff and I think they are going to love it. I can't wait for Christmas morning to see their excited faces as they rip the wrapping paper and discover all the goodies. I've just got to get a few more stocking things and then I'm done. I swear next year I am going to start early and have all my Christmas shopping before December. I know, we all say this every year and it never happens.

I has a horrible nights sleep last night. I woke at about 1am with a really biting, aching back pain. It slowly moved around to my stomach and I was seriously thinking that I was having a phantom labour. I got up and walked around for a bit, but then my stomach lurched and everything came up. After a few talks with the porcelain bowl I was feeling better and it was all over. So not really sure what was happening, maybe something I ate? Actually now that I think about it the only thing that I ate differently from everyone else was some sugar free lollies. It was most definately them, I've reacted to the fake sugar before - same thing stomach cramps and vomiting. That'll teach me to raid the cupboard looking for something naughty and end up eating the left over cake decorating lollies! Feeling better today, although a little weak. Lucky Duane will be home soon cause the kids must be sick of their Mum lazing around not playing with them.

Probably jumping the gun BUT....

I know he is waaayyyyy too early to even be thinking about toilet training BUT when they show signs your meant to run with it right?

So for the last few weeks Xav has been giving me lots of hints that he may be over the nappies. Taking them off - preferring to run around showing off his nudie bum all the time. Being very interested in Grace or I going to the toilet and always trying to pry our legs apart so he could see what all the fuss was about.

So Friday afternoon I asked him if he would like to go to the toilet. I took him in and perched him up there on the toilet insert - he looked so tiny, his little legs dangling in front. I went off to get him a book, thinking that we were in for a long stay to catch anything.

I came back to see his eyes all red and his forehead scrunched - it was his definate poo face! Sure enough after he had got off there was a poo in there. I screamed with excitement, so proud of my little boy. He was equally excited and kept pointing into the toilet saying, "Poo, Poo" He got to flush the toilets for his efforts and also the so exciting job of hand washing (the boy has an addiction to it!) He was also the proud bearer of a sticker for a job well done.

I really thought that it was a fluke and maybe I had just timed it perfectly. Then today I took his morning nappy off and let him run around nudie. I asked him if he wanted to go to the toilet, he nodded and looked excited so I took him in. He sat there for a bit whilst Grace and I encouraged him. Then I heard a little tinkle - He was weeing!!!! OMG that is just soooo exciting!!!

Ok, I was still thinking fluke, timing etc. Then after an hour or so I asked him if he wanted to go again, this time he said "No", but I took him anyway. After a minute or so another wee.

Gosh, I just can't believe that my little boy is doing wees AND poos in the big toilet. I know that we are a probably a far way off toilet training being he is only 17 months, but I think I'll give it a go and see what happens.

Grace started toilet training at about 22 months, and was done virtually in a week. I remember that she wanted to go to the toilet around the time that Xav was born, but it all just seemed a little difficult then so I didn't try her.

So I'm not going to get ahead of myself here, but I am still excited that he had a little success.

Guess who's getting some undies in his stocking this year????!!!!

Paparazzi Mum

I'm loving my new camera. Poor kids are getting their retina's burnt out though, constantly having a camera shoved in their faces.

Too bad. Mummy needs the memories.

Be careful what you wish for....

It's nearly 6am and I am sitting her at the computer enjoying my morning cuppa - all alone.

Both kids are still in bed, sound asleep.
Xav is in his cot and Grace snuck into my bed at about 4am.

I should be enjoying it right? I mean now that Xav has weaned he sleeps from about 7pm-6.30am (or sometimes 7am) every single night without making a peep. I should be loving the interrupted sleep and the early morning alone time that I used to crave. Sleeping all night just with the husband, not a squirmy toddler - should be bliss hey?

Well I miss it. I miss waking up to an inquisitive poke on the nose, or my face being cradled my chubby toddler hands. I miss stirring through the night and noticing that my baby was in with us, all snuggled up to either Mummy or Daddy. I miss the morning snuggles in our bed(well minus Daddy cause he gets up at 4.30am to get ready for work!). Grace would usually stagger on in from about 5am onwards, her and I then would have cuddles until Xav woke. We'd all then have groups hugs - laughing, giggling and rolling around on the bed.

This usually went on for a half hour or so, so then it was time for our morning group stretch. We'd gather at the end of our bed and line up in front of the mirror. We'd then start our morning stretching routine, the kids all watching me intently and following along.

I don't get any of that anymore. It's so quiet and alone as I wait for the kids to wake up.

Santa came early.....

Well I must have been very good this year as Santa has come nice and early and been very, very generous.

I am now the very proud owner of a fancy new camera. Not just any camera either, a Canon 400D - digital SLR.

I have the old film version and used to love playing with it. However since the introduction of point and shoot digital cameras, I haven't used it. Now I dont trust myself with a film camera, I'd waste too much money on film and processing for crappy photos. No excuse now though, well except that I am still to work out what all the buttons do!

I got it at a super bargain too. After checking it out in every single shop on the coast the cheapest I could get it for was $939, which was mates rates from Duane's cousin. I was happy with that price, but me being the tight bum that I am was hoping to get it for cheaper. I called Myer, as I had a $200 gift voucher to use there so thought that would bring the $$ down a bit. It must have been my lucky day because they only had 1 left, and it was on clearance for $745!!!!!!

After clearing it with the husband I sped in to pick it up! It is absolutely gorgeous, all shiny and black and full of promise of beautiful photos. It comes with 2 lenses, one everyday one and the other which is paparazzi style. I also got a bonus camera bag for it, but that will take a few weeks to get. My old lenses also fit it, so that's also a bonus.

I have had a play and taken a few good pic's already. I know that I have to learn how to use it in full manual to take advantage of how brilliant it is. Dependant on what I do next year (I find out on the 15th January yay or nay) I want to do a photography course. Grace is a perfect subject, Xav is not. She will sit there for ages, posing and playing up to the camera. Xav on the other hand has to be shot in "action" mode, the whirlwind just does not sit still.

Feeding Xav

~~Xav feeding 7 months~~

Xav being the sweet boy that he is, decided to have one last feed. He hadn't fed or woke for 3 nights, but then on the fourth night he woke at 4.30am. Duane bought him into our bed, thinking that he would just snuggle in and drift back off to sleep.

I rolled over and cuddled him close, enjoying the warmth of his soft chubby skin. He pushed me away, threw his dummy to the other end of the bed, rubbed his fingers together and started saying, "Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmmm" Which is what he always said when he wanted milk. He then started nuzzling around and trying to pull my top up.

I fed him, and we both enjoyed it.

I layed there staring at my beautiful little boy - somehow knowing that this would be our last feed. I held his little toddler hand in mine, rubbing my thumb in his palm. He rhythmically kicked his legs under the covers, his eyes getting heavy and sleepy. After he was done he went searching for his dummy, popped it in and went straight to sleep. I watched him sleep for a while, realising that my baby growing up and needing me less. But I'm ok with that.

I know that for the last 16 1/2 months he has needed me and I have been 100% there for him. He has never been left alone crying, or hungry - he was never refused a feed. Weaning has been totally on his terms. Even when I was told by the MCHN that he doesn't need to be fed overnight anymore, I still did.

From his first long feed and to his last quick drink - it has been a beautiful relationship. Not with out trying times though.

We fed through those first painful days as we both were learning, and you wanted to get lots of practice - feeding what felt like all the time.

We fed through recurrent thrush, chilblains and inverted nipples. Painfully trying to attach a
newborn to nipples that had suddenly retracted was not an easy thing. We got through it though with lots of perseverance and support.

We fed through a 3 day feeding strike at 3 months where you screamed and refused to feed every time I tried. I now have my suspicions that it was silent reflux that was causing you to strike. Once again we perservered with the trusty pump and a cup to get you to drink. I really thought that this could have been the end, I was so stressed and anxious that you were going to dehydrate and starve.

We fed everywhere and anywhere, when ever you wanted a feed you were fed. It was the simplest and easiest way to nourish and comfort you. I was there for every single feed too, never needing to express and give it to you later.

I'm so proud of your progression from ravenous newborn to a toddler that only fed once a day. You slowly cut down the feeds all of your own accord, and just knew when the time was right to finish. I kept offering, but you would just laugh and giggle then move onto the next adventure. I stopped offering and you haven't asked.

I am proud that not a drop of formula has passed either of my babies lips, and that they only had a few bottles of expressed milk on the odd occasion. I know it's not something that everyone can do, and I am grateful that I have been able to feed both of my children. The night time feeds have always been so special. Just me and a warm sleepy suckling baby, these are precious moments that I never want to forget.

Now I am just waiting for the post-breastfeeding weight loss that I have been promised! My body didn't have a chance when Grace weaned as I was 30 weeks pregnant with Xav. This is the first time in 3 years 10 months that my body has not been housing or feeding a child.

Gosh for something that I am sometimes so critical of, it really has done a magnificent job!

Shall she wear the Dior or Burberry??

Anyone that knows me, knows that I have absolutely no care for the latest fashion trends or spending crazy amounts on fancy clothes. I am much happier scouring the op-shops for a preloved piece of clothing or getting something new but only if it is a bargain. I try to never buy full priced, unless it's something that I desperately want - which is very rare. Target is probably as fancy as my wardrobe gets, and even then it's last years sale items.

So why does my daughter have a wardrobe full of designer pieces? No I'm not talking Pumpkin Patch - more like Dior, Burberry, Ralph Lauren & Christian Lacroix. Seems I could never fit in with the celebrity Mum's, but my 3 y/o daughter would have a big enough designer wardrobe to last a week or so - accounting for only being able to wear the outfit once, of course! This is all in addition to having designer hand bags in her dress up box, they were all given to me but there just not practical enough for me. I've kept a few away that I may use in the future, but the gawdy ones are now played with daily by the kids.

Our good friends the P's are the reason my daughter is decked out in the designer dud's. They keep buying her all these expensive clothes - one dress is equal to BOTH kids clothing allowance for the year!

They were away for Grace's birthday, so got her gift couriered to her, As you do!

I had a peep inside and there was also a present for Xav. All nicely wrapped up with a Peter Alexander sticker on top. Xav opened it up and out fell a gorgeous pair of Peter Alexander shortie Pj's. Nice, maybe a bit extravagant for a child's pj's - but still something functional.

Next Grace opened hers up. I should have known from the wrapping that something very special was contained inside. It was all inside a very ornate looking envelope style bag, BURBERRY embossed across the front. Inside were not 1 , but 2 gorgeous Burberry girls dresses. Each one white (why oh, why!) and trimmed with the trademark Burberry tartan. One price tag had been removed, but the 2nd one must have been overlooked, so I had a glance. $335 - HOLY CRAPOLA!!!!

So these 2 dresses are now in her wardrobe along with another white Dior dress, a yellow Dior sundress, a green & white striped Ralph Lauren dress and a blue Christian Lacroix baby dress. She has worn the baby's dress & also the yellow sundress. Tags are still left on all the other ones until I decide what to do with them. I won't deny that I have had fleeting ideas about putting them EBAY and making some $$, but I just can't do it.

Instead I am just going to let her wear them and try to keep them in as good condition as I can.

They are beautiful pieces of well made clothing, something that she can pass down to her children.

So here is a little fashion shoot we did wearing a few of the dresses:

~~Burberry~~

~~Christian Dior~~

~~Christian Dior~~

~~Burberry~~

Yipee! We have eggs!

The chicken above would have to be the skittiest around. She is so flighty - never wanting to be patted or picked up. Now this could have something to do with being chased around by an over excited toddler or boxed into corners by a very confident pre-schooler, but still with us big ones she has always been a bit of a worry wart.

So I had written her off as just the 3rd wheel in the hen house, not there for her personality, good looks or potential eeg laying abilities - maybe just to appease my desire for a chocolate animal, preferably a Labrador but I settled for the Silky.

Imagine my surprise when this crazy creature decided to bestow on us one of her beautifully fresh eggs. Would you believe that we found it right in the middle of Grace's birthday party - just as I was getting Bertha (the black one) out for a cuddle/maul from the kids I noticed a shiny white object glittering in the nesting box.


"It's an egg, Oh My and Egg, our very first one" I exclaimed excitedly before getting suspicious of everyone, for sure that someone had planted one in there. Nope, it seems that my little Silky is a clever little chook after all. She has since laid everyday since except for Tuesday. Not bad for a nervous thing, 5 eggs already!!!


I'm sure that she had performance anxiety on Tuesday. The poor thing didn't get a moments peace from me peering in on her ever second, wanting to witness the arrival of the egg. I have manage to catch her laying the last 2 days though. She just sits there, letting me pat her and no doubt wishing that I would rack off. Today I went out just as she was getting of the nest, I picked up the egg and it was still so warm. Nature is beautiful isn't it?


So we have 4 eggs in the fridge at the moment. I used one in the tuna patties the other night and it was so exciting to know that it came from our chook!


I just hope the others get a wriggle on so that we can start enjoying some free-range egg breakfasts or some homemade quiches!

Grace's 3rd Birthday Party

Well I think that I can safely say that Grace's Fairy party was successful, if her excitement is anything to go by.

Everyone arrived nice and early at 8am for a morning tea/breakfast. The bonus of having it early morning was avoiding the heat and also hopefully wearing the kids out so that they slept and I wasn't left blamed for sugar induced hyperactivity!

The theme was Fairies and Grace was pleased to see all her little friends turn up in lots of pretty tulle, ribbons and wings. Grace wore her beautiful dress that Grandma made especially for her, she looked absolutely gorgeous.

Grandma and Poppy arrived first, eager to give Grace her present that they have had stored at their house for ages. Duane & I have been nervous, expecting something loud and no doubt annoying - but we were both pleasantly surprised. Grace was given her very own set of real golf clubs, complete with a cute little bag. She's had a hit around the back yard with them, but can't wait for Dad to take her out for a real game!

The backyard was decorated with streamers and over-inflated balloons that randomly went "Pop" throughout the morning, scareing small children. The trampoline was transformed into a fairy castle, thanks to the mosquito net and hoop. The kids all had a blast playing in the jumping castle and the crazy amount of outdoor toys that we had. Little Logan spent the majority of the morning with his Daddy in the sandpit digging to China. The dress-up box was raided as children rummaged through it looking for the perfect outfit.

Pass the parcel went smoothly, adults only having to step in a few times as over excited children started unwrapping before the music stopped! Tsk, tsk!

The kids were all excited to unwrap their goodies. The girls all got bracelets and necklaces, the boys a Thomas the Tank engine and the babies a Mr Happy stuffed toy. Once the excitement of running around with their presents wore off we headed out the front to hunt for the fairies.

I had made up little cards with a picture of Grace dressed up as a fairy and instructions for where to find the next fairy. Emily helped all the kids decipher the clues and lead them in the right direction. Fairies were found in the letterbox, in the Lily bush, in the Agave, in the chook house and then the last clue led the kids to the trampoline. They all ran excitedly back into the backyard and straight to the last hiding place. Under the trampoline was a large treasure box with a note on the outside to open it up. The box was dragged to under the patio and then eagerly the lid was lifted. Inside was a pencil case with each child's name on it! They were all handed out, and each one opened to reveal the goodies inside. The girls had a toy horse, tiny teddies, necklace, gold coins, lollipop and whistle. The boys had all the same food but also a matchbox car, and the boy babies only got a book!

The kids spent the rest of the morning grazing on all the delicious homemade food. There were sausage rolls, mini quiches, mini pies, fairy bread, fruit kebabs, cupcakes, jelly cakes, jelly breakfast trifles and marshmallow truffles. All homemade but still laden with lots of hyper-producing-activity! Made for lots of running around and noise, that's for sure!

Grace was very spoilt with all her presents. She was given a craft caddy full of craft activities, stickers, spiky ball, gorgeous bikini, magic book, do-it yourself mask, make your own fairy book and craft paper.

The cake and singing Happy birthday was next on the agenda. Now I know that it doesn't look too bad in photos, but I really wasn't that happy with how the cake turned out. I had pre-made and frozen the cake the week before and started decorating it on Saturday. It was such a hot and sticky day, which certainly wasn't helpful when dealing with rolled icing. I had so much trouble getting the icing to stop sticking to the rolling pin & the bench, basically it adhered itself to everything except the cake! After wrestling with the icing to get it to the perfect pink colour, I then had the tricky task of getting it onto the cake. With lots of cursing, re-doing and touch-ups finally it was on and looking ok. Next big task was the fiddly decorations. Remembering that the heat was not helping, all the little balls rolled of and everywhere. I ended up changing the type of decorations that I used, the others were way too fiddly and I was running out of time.

Grace was thrilled with the end result, which being as it is her special day, that is the result I wanted. I may or may not let her pick her cake again next year - or I may just sway her to something a little less time-consuming!



It seems that Fairies get tired too. After the last guests had gone and the presents were all fawned over, Grace crashed on the couch for a well deserved rest. Isn't she just gorgeous!

Paint brush V's Mr X

We had a little bit of a scare with Mr X this morning.

I had set the kids outside on the little table with one of those books you paint on with water and all the colours magically appear. I figured it would be a nice easy activity for them to do without my constant supervision.

Wrong.

They were going around their business relatively happy, only the occasional squabble when Xav tried to interefer with Grace's creative juices. I was sitting at the outdoor table, enjoying the last of my morning tea.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Xav walking towards me, then he let out the most horrific, bllod curdling scream. I ran straight to him, scooped him up - trying to work out what had happened.

I scanned his face, immediately noticing the brightred flow of blood flooding from one of his nostils. I immediately walked inside and grabbed some tissues to try to clear his face and work out where the bleeding was coming from. It just kept running and running, soaking instantly through 2 tissues. I grabbed a washed and wet it, hoping that the bleeding would stop. I was unsure what to do, and still not completley sure what had cause it. I quickly glanced outside and noticed right where Xav had been standing there was a long, skinny paint brush. I'm guess he shoved it right up his nose, but I'm still not completely sure.

After about 10 minutes the bleeding slowed down, after another 30 it had nearly stopped altogether. I've been trying to call 13 health, but there line is constantly engaged. He seemed ok afterwards, but I'll give the Dr's a call anyway just in case.

Why do I think that this child is going to do many terrifying things like this?

I think he has weaned

I think my sweet little boy has weaned.

He hasn't fed for 54 hours, not through lack of me trying though. His last feed was at 3am on the 30th November. He has slept right through from 7pm - 6am last night and the night before. The first morning I took him into Grace's bed (she was asleep in mine) and tried to get him to feed. He just pushed me away and laughed. It was a little like deja vu, Grace did exactly the same thing when she weaned. I tried a few different ways but each time he just shook his head, totally not interested. He did however show displeasure at me putting the boobies away, seems that even though they are no good for milk now, it's still fun to poke, squeeze and laugh at them.

Once again last night he slept all the way through. I woke at 5.30am, my stomach dropped again realising that my little boy was not curled up beside me. He woke at 6.15, then I bought him into the lounge and tried to get him to feed. Nope, same reaction - laugh, poke and then he climbed down. I had my camera ready, hoping that he would have one last feed for good luck and I would be able to capture it on film, but he had made up his mind.

So it seems my milk making career has come to a grinding halt. I've had 3 years of the beautiful breastfeeding hormones, getting my daily fix of the feeding drug. I'm feeling not too bad at the moment, but no doubt my hormones will be sending me into a crying, weeping mess as they come crashing down.

~~Our very first feed~~

I'm just not ready yet. The end of breastfeeding to me is the end of the the pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding journey. It's like I now have to face that my baby is no longer a baby. He is now a toddler that can make big decisions, like how he wants to gain his nutrition.

~~Our last before bed feed 21-11-08~~

I knew that the time was coming and I had been mentally preparing myself for it, the reality of it actually happening is much, much harder though. I also know that I should be happy that he is sleeping all night, but I'm not. I loved having a little early morning bed buddy - nothing better than warm, delicious baby cuddles. I know that I have wished for a long time that I got to wake of a morning on my terms. I dreamt about waking before the kids and coming out and enjoying a nice cup of tea all alone. I guess you should really be careful for what you wish for, cause I have that now and it's not all it's cracked up to be. I treasure the memories now of waking beside a sleepy baby, a dribble milk escaping from his lips.

I just hope that every now and then he still to come in early for a snuggle.

Movember

Duane decided that it might be amusing to once again participate in Movember.

Last year he went the Mo and the little bit of fluff on his chin, looked like crap and I told him that daily. This year he also went the Mo AND the stupid handle bar things that hung down the side.

It took him nearly the whole month to grow it, grooming it and trying to make the ridiculous thing look presentable. I whinged about it every single day, hoping that would be enough to make him shave it off. He tried bribing me, giving me a list of things that he would like and then the Mo would go. Well I wasn't being held to ransom by an ugly piece of facial hair, so I tried my best to just ignore it.

Finally it has gone. I'm all for the charity aspect of it, but facial hair on my clean cut husband is just creepy. I'm loving having my fresh-faced husband back, the Mo really doesn't suit him

And just when I thought our house would be a "Mo free zone", the kids decided to join in the fun. However, I find theirs just cute!