Going to Tassie

Well tomorrow is going to be a very, very early morning. We have to leave here by 5am, so that means I will have to leave my warm comfy bed by at least 4.30am. The kids are just going to get transferred from their beds to the car in the hope that they sleep on the car ride up to the airport. I'm hoping I can continue snoozing in the car too.

I am starting to get a little nervous about the flight and how the hell am I going to keep both kids contained and happy? Grace should be fine, it's Xav the tornado that I am worried about. Maybe I can just let him run loose up and down the aisles, and let him be one of those kids that everyone talks about. Or I could just load up with food and keep shoving it in. Either way it is going to be an interesting flight, for both me and the poor unsuspecting passengers.

I am looking forward to seeing everybody and palming the kids off with Nanny for some bonding time. I've caught up with an old friend through facebook so I am hoping to catch up with her. Last time we saw each other we were both wild and living it up! It will be nice to see how having kids has changed us both and calmed us down!

Anyway, must go and spend some time with the hubby. I'm sure that he will enjoy the serenity of being home alone, but after the first night he'll be counting down for us to come home. Enjoy it I say, imagine all that time to himself, (not to mention the uninterrupted sleep!)

Happy birthday Daisy

My first "baby" turns 7 today.

Poor Daisy has had a lot to contend with over the last 7 years. She was showered with love and affection from both Duane & I. She was our pride and joy, we took her everywhere and bought her the best of everything. She had daily walks and regular trips to the park to have doggy play dates. She got new toys reguarly, and her nautiness was just laughed off and thought to be cute.

We then thought she might be getting bored, so along came Lily. They became the best of friends, playing together all the time. Lily then was treated like our 2nd child, getting the best of everything just like Daisy.


Then came along our real baby, Grace. The dogs still got plenty of attention and taken out, not as much as before Grace but we still made the effort. They did get put outside a little more than usual, I was being a normal new Mummy and not wanting a stray dog fur on my baby at all.

Grace loved playing with the dogs, but she always insists that Daisy is her dog and her favourite. She dresses Daisy up all the time, putting a handbag around her neck and laying clothes all over her back. Daisy puts up with it all, happy for any attention. They play tea parties, have birthday parties and play shops. All the time Daisy is patient and obliging of Grace's offerings.

Then along came Xavier. I have found it hard enough stetching myself between the kids, let alone the dogs. So my poor Daisy, who just wants a bit of attention has been missing out. I used to sit down beside her, cradling her beatuiful head in my lap and stroke her soft, silky ears. Now I have barely time to give her a pat as I rush past on my way to something else. I sometimes catch her looking wistfully at me, no doubt remembering the fun times we used to have.

I still love both of my dogs dearly, it's just there is only so much you can spread yourself between people. It's great now that the kids are older, they all spend so much time in the backyard playing. The kids through the balls and the dogs chase them, the kids also chase them around in the bikes.

Having the kids around hasn't been all bad for the dogs, they are loving all the leftovers and I am loving the instant vacuums. If the kids make a mess with food I just open the door and the 2 hoovers some in and all mess is gone in an instant. Perfect!

Bathroom Reno

The last few days have just been a whirl of tiles, glass mosaic's and bathroom accessories.

The tiler came out Monday night to measure everything up and quote us for the bathroom reno. The price was right so we booked him then and there.....for Monday the 15th September. As I am going to Tasmania on Sunday, it meant that I only had the rest of this week to look for tiles etc. Now, I am the type of person that likes to hunt, search and rummage to get the absolute best bargain. It horrified me to think that I might have to (*shock horror*) go into only one place to make my purchase, not the usual hundred.

The tiler told us about a place that he recommends, but it is 1/2 hour away, so I hastily looked around our area first.

I really lack any type of design/colour skills, so I was hoping that the salesperson that I happened to get had some clue.

After looking at the endless combinations, I finally settled on what I think looks ok. We are going with 200 x 300 white gloss tiles for the walls, 200 x 200 chocolate gloss tiles for the floor. There will also be a feature running through the middle using glass mosaic tiles in jade green, chocolate and latte colours. The toilet and laundry is also being tiled in the same colours. The splashback in the kitchen is going to be in 600 x 600 polished porcelain in a latte colour.

So there you go, seems I can just go to one place and get it all organised. I even managed to get a fairly large discount, which keeps me happy!

So now the next problem is handing over the management reigns to hubby whilst I am in Tassie. That scares me! Organising is not one of his strong points, I might give the tiler my mobile number just in case he needs to reconfirm anything. Or is that a little control freaky???

Oh, and on a totally different subject, I finally braved it and went for my pap smear yesterday. My Dr is a gem, warmed up her hands, warmed up the speculum, was gentle and made polite small talk the whole time. It went as well as a scratch of my cervix could, I'm just glad it's over with for another 2 years. Duane was a little jealous that I hadn't shaved my legs for ages but managed to do it for the Dr!

Just a bit of fun...

Trudy invited me to a "flower party" on Friday night. Firstly I thought it was an updated version of Tupperware, but instead of getting excited over the latest must have plastic item, we would be picking out flowers. Wrong.

A flower party has all the same elements that make women all over the world gather and be sold stuff though. There is a bunch of girls all seated in a semi-circle drinking and eating, the only difference is instead of listening to a spiel on how necessary a $70 salad spinner is (umm who would actually pay this for a salad spinner....Trudy????), we sit around and get an insight into our past and a glimpse at our future.

Yes a flower party is a very clever idea. We all take along a flower and place it into a vase. A psychic comes, picks out a flower and proceeds to tell us stuff.

I had gotten Grace to pick a flower for me. I thought that by her doing it would give my flower good vibes, she picks me one everyday. It's always a weed though, but I accept it graciously and place it in my hair. However knowing that this flower was going to be "read" I steered her towards a beautiful red hibiscus flower.

Trudy and Lauren took notes for everyone, so here is what is going on in my 'psychic' world! I'll refer to the psychic as "J"

• J said that someone was around wanting to say hello, she was very close to me and connected to my mother. She said that I had her ring. (I was wearing my grandmothers ring at the time, but she is still alive) J suggested that it may be my great-grandmother and that she protects me.


• J said that I worried about finances and not to worry as things will be ok.


• J said that I often had tummy pains, similar to period pain (I actually had been having bad pains all day), and that it was necessary to sort it out. She said that it could be a cyst, and when I am older I may have to have a hysterectomy. It wont get better until I do this (This scared me a little......but my Mum also had to have a hysterectomy young, so maybe possible)


• J said that I already have a daughter and that I will have another daughter. Its when my second daughter is 12-18 months old that I would have the hysterectomy.


• J asked if I had come from a farm or been to a farm. She said that I should be on a farm, that is my life path. I need animals around me.


• I am a spiritual and sensitive person, often experiencing deja vu


• we will be looking to buy acreage in Feb next year, not too far from where we are now.


• My husband will be in his element and he will want a tractor (I asked Duane later if he had any desire for a tractor and he said Yes, he would love one!)


• My health is good, except for tummy pains


• I have a son who will have trouble with asthma and may get eczema. He is a worrier and stresses.


• My daughter is a princess, likes to twirl around and dance. She wants lessons and will pester me for them. Something to do with the letter V, if there is a choice on places to go , choose the one with v in the name.


• I'll be pregnant around October next year and the baby will be a girl


• My work is not important to me, I don't want to be there and I don't have to yet.


• Something about studying at home and doing bookwork for extra money


• 5-6 years for midwife study

So there you have it, that is my future according to one psychic. I normally am ok with hearing stuff and just laughing it off as a bit of fun, but the hysterectomy thing has been playing on my mind a bit. It would be devastating for me. I know the bonus would be no periods, but I have really become ok with my reproductive cycle. It fascinates me now. Also I remember the ups and downs Mum went through when she had her hysterectomy, and the fact that it is surgery. That just scares the beejeevers out of me. I think I'll just take the thought of moving to a farm and change my path so it doesn't include the robbing of my female organs, thanks.

Oh and to top it all off, my 2 best friends won't be around to console me through all this. Trudy's mother-in-law is apparently moving from Canada, so Trude will be spending all her spare time either in counselling or rocking in the corner. Then Nicole is supposed to be going to Dubai to live for 2 years. Just great hey! Let's hope this women is a nutter and just conned us out of our money, I don't think I could handle having my best friend so far away, and Xav would miss his bestie Logan too.

Anyway, it's all just for fun and our amusement. I'll update if any of it comes to fruition.

Getting in early

We have enrolled the kids in school.

I know there is a few more years between now and their first day, but apparently to get the school you want, you have to enrol early. I think I have done well to hold off until now, would you believe that some kids are getting enrolled even before they are born. Crazy hey!

So hopefully, all going well the kids will be going the this school.

http://www.silkwoodsteiner.qld.edu.au/

It's completely different from mainstream schooling, but from what I have read and heard about it, it sounds excellent. I've also got a few years to keep researching, if it turns out that it is just a hippy cult, they can just go to our back-up of Gilston Primary!

I am sure that it will be fine though. There are some things about the school that I don't fully understand, but the good far outweighs the bad. I love the fact that the kids learn, through play and by doing practical things. The kids are taught using drama, music, art and dance. I love that they have a vegie garden and a big emphasis is put on appreciating nature. All religions are taught and all cultures are celebrated through festivles.

There is a no TV policy at the school and also parents are encouraged to do the same at home. I am ok with this, I am reducing the amount of Tv the kids are watching already. For the last few weeks we have been successful in cutting it back to only Playschool and the odd DVD. The Tv doesn't go on now until both kids are in bed, heck I am even taping Home and Away. I can't even remember the last time that I watched the news, I don't even miss it at all. Computers aren't taught until class 3 when the kids are around 9 years. Once again it is up to the parents if they want to introduce their children earlier or not. Grace knows about the computer, but she has only ever used it to look at pictures. I really don't see the point of the childrens computer learning games, and as much as Duane would like one, we will never get any of the Wii's, playstation, nintendo or any of the other coma inducing technology for children.


The school is in such a beautiful setting, far away from the glitz of the Gold Coast. Its a relaxing 5 minute drive from our house, avoiding all major roads and therefore traffic. The school is surrounded by beautiful Mr Nathan, with only the sounds of nature.

We drove in just as school was finishing. The school doesn't have a school uniform, the kids just wear plain t-shirts. No brands or logos are allowed on anything, which suits us as I have learnt over time how easily kids are marketed to. Hence our reason to not buy anything gimmicky merchandised products or toys.

All the kids were happy and chatting as they left the school grounds, all dressed in their plain clothing. Grace stood out a bit in the hot pink ensemble she had chosen to wear for the day.

It's a peaceful walk from the car park to the school. Past the new Prep rooms, over a bridge and up to the main part of the school. The school has been built to blend in with the environment, so nothing gaudy, just nice neutral earthy colours.

Duane took the kids to the play area whilst I filled out forms and payed the $75 enrollment fee. I also ran into an old colleague that I worked with at Jalpak Travel. Her 3 kids have all attended the school and she couldn't have spoken more highly of it.

W all felt really comfortable with the decision. Grace has been talking non-stop about her new school, haven't the heart to let her know that she has another 2 1/2 years before she actually gets to go.

Actually thats not totally true. I have also enrolled in the playgroup, so depending on when a vacancy comes up I will be fitting that in to our already busy week. Just another reason why I might take Grace out of Daycare, I am running out of days to do everything.

So there you go, my kids are enrolled in school.

Following my instincts

~~A drop of milk on Xavs chin~~

Why am I not happy to just trust my instincts and do what I know is right and Ok?

Ever since Xavier turned 1 I have been chopping and changing about what to do about his night feeds and co-sleeping. He still wakes once a night for a feed. I bring him into bed with me, feed him and he peacefully goes off to sleep.

I am ok with that. Well most of the time I am. I know that I shouldn't let it, but it is what others think that has me wondering if I should be stricter on him. Stupid hey!

It's just gets drummed into your brain that co-sleeping is wrong. Everyone has something to say about it when it's mentioned and usually it's negative. "Creating bad habits", "What about your husband" blah, blah, blah. The fact that I am still (shock, horror!) feeding him at all let alone during the night is just too much for some. Even the MCHN said that they don't need feeding of a night after 6 months. Breastfeeding is so much more than nutrition though, its comfort as well.

So after hearing & reading about that for so long it's really hard to tune it all out and stick to what I think is right. I am so confused sometimes that I am not even sure what I think is right.

So this week I have tuned it all out and worked out what is right for our family.

I am going to keep feeding Xav if he wakes of a night. I will try to give him the dummy, but if he gets upset I'll feed him. I could never leave any of my children to just cry, whether they are little or older. That to me feels so wrong. I would never leave an adult alone of a night if they were upset, why would I do that to my sweet babies?

The co-sleeping thing I will just go nightly on. If I can be bothered getting back out of bed after the feed, I'll put him back. Otherwise he can stay in with us. Duane and I are both of agreeance that this is ok. He is not bothered at all if either kid sleeps with us, I love this about him. I love that he is gentle and intuitive with them, and certainly not fussed what others think.

2 nights ago I went to bed thinking if Xav woke I would feed him and then put him back to his bed. Well he had his feed, came off and fished around for his dummy. I thought, "Get-up Kirsten, put him back into the cot". But I couldn't do it. His soft, warm body was curled into mine, his sweet milky breath tickling my cheek. The reassuring sigh as he exhaled was enough to lull me back to sleep, content and happy that he was beside me.

I am confidant with my parenting choices, knowing that everything I am doing is best for our family. I am not going to worry about what others may think, the internal conflict that I have been having can be hushed.

For now I want to parent with my heart, my babies are only little for such a short time. I want to do what feels right, and not to feel guilty for that.

Project Xavier

Xavier had his 12 month check at the clinic on Tuesday.

Everything was going along well, no troubles with development, speech etc. Then came to weighing time. Seems my little boy hasn't put on much weight over the last 6 months. Just over a kilo , which apparently isn't "enough".

He weighs a smidgen under 10 kilos, which means he has dropped down to the 25th percentile. He has always been around the 50th, so I think that's why the MCHN was a little concerned. He has gotten taller though, 79cm (75th percentile), so tall and skinny!

She has asked me to come back for "review", and to try to get him to eat more over the next 4 weeks. I politely explained what he eats and that I though he ate a very good and varied diet and that I didn't really think it was a problem. Stupid me even mentioned that he was still having a feed overnight, she thinks that he might be having too much milk and not enough food.

Look at this tummy, plenty of chub there!
Honestly I am not worried. I really think its a combination of Xav being more active and maybe because he has been sick. I'll just try and get him to eat more over the next 4 weeks, I did offer him a coke and some chocolate earlier, but he didn't' seem interested!

It's funny how differently my 2 kids have grown. Grace was a littly at 2.9kgs, stayed small for 6 months then as soon as she discovered food, took off. She now weighs nearly 16kgs (clothes on), and about 100cm tall. She is so much taller than her friends. Xav was born 3.8kgs, put on heaps of weight in the first 6 months, then not much over the last month.

I am confidant that he is getting the right amounts of food and milk, he's just an energetic little boy that is burning it off and re-distributing his weight into growing tall!