Date night

Grace had a social dilemma tonight.  Should she attend the "guaranteed to be awesome" bowling birthday party with Mstr Cooper or attend her schools bush dance.  After much deliberation, the thought of boot-scooting the night away with all her school friends won over.  Duane was going to stay home with Xav and watch the first game of the Suns (happening just up the road) and Grace and I were going to kick up our heels.

Except.  I got damn sick.  I've felt like I've been fighting off a cold for the last week, but then Thursday night I came down with body aches and a sore head.  Friday it turned into a full blown head cold, with sinus pain thrown in for good measure.  After the school run and pre-school drop, I came home, and changed back into my Pj's then spent the rest of the day on the couch sleeping, drinking loads of water and popping echinacea pills.

Today has been along the same lines.  I was hoping to feel better by this afternoon, but didn't so sent Duane along to the bush dance in my place.  I let Xav pick dinner, and he chose Pancakes - so that's what we had.  We cooked pancakes then ate them with Jam and maple syrup - Xav was in heaven!!!  Then he wanted to watch his birth Dvd (it's something he like watching often) so we had a cuddle a re-visited that magical time in both of our lives.  Afterwards we got into our Pj's then headed out to the ice-cream shop (Mc d's!) drive-through for a soft serve for Xav and a caramel sundae for me!  To complete the romanticness of our date, we headed up to the top of the outlook to watch the Gold Coast lights, and eat our ice-cream.  Xav loved sitting up in the front seat of the Torago, eating his ice-cream and pointing out all the familiar landmarks.  We could also see the new AFL stadium all lit up and ready for the inaugural game which was starting up soon.  I have got some photos to add in here, but that would require getting off the couch and I really can't be bothered.

**Duane has just walked in the door with a very exhausted Grace in his arms.  They apparently had a wonderful night eating, dancing and mingling.  Duane with all the yummy food and basically did a progressive dinner - loaded baked potato, soup and bread, curry, cupcakes and popcorn.  Grace had a a blast dancing with all her friends and running amok around the school in the dark.  I'm upset I missed it because of this damn cold, but there is always next year.

If I was a good blogger......

So many things have happened over the last few months, and I'm completely behind in blogging about them.

I'd come to the page and be so overwhelmed with what I hadn't blogged, I'd just close the page. 


I wanted to blog about Xavier's Autumn festival at pre-school and how excited he was to have Duane and I with him for the afternoon.  He was so proud to have us sit on the little wooden stumps eating the vegie soup and bread the class had spent the day preparing.  He had our undivided attention, as Grace was being picked up by a friend so we could spend some time with Xav. It's so lovely to see him become more confidant at pre-school, and not just be in Grace's shadow.

I also wanted to write about Grace's Autumn festival and how fantastic and wonderful that was.  Watching her with all her friends do a performance for the parents; the kids showing off their new Italian skills and singing some songs in the language.  Then spending the morning doing different Autumn themed activities with Grace who was so proud to have not only Xav and I, but Grandma, Trudy and Jasper joining for the celebration. Everyone bought a Autumn inspired dish to share for lunch, and we sat out in the playground in the sun eating all the beautiful, home-cooked food!  Grace and Grandma had made apple crumble together, which is the kids favourite and judging by the clean plate, everyone else enjoyed it too!  We ate warm curries, rice, apple pie, pumpkin scones, pumpkin soup and freshly baked bread.  It was delicious and a wonderful way to celebrate the last day of term for the Preppies.

I would have then blogged about the holidays, and how much fun it was to have Grace home again.  She did ask on the first day if she could go back to school, but that was the only glimmer of boredom!  The 3 weeks were packed with so mach fun and adventure, and I loved having my beautiful girl here every day!  We went to parks, visited friends, spent days at Dreamworld, shopped, ate out, hung around the house, did craft, had some play dates and spent some wonderful time together.  We did a big trip up to Brisbane with a group of Grace's school friends, going up on the train and visiting the Museum, GOMA and Southbank parklands.  It was a crazy busy day, with 12 children all up and 6 adults - alcohol was definitely talked about for next time we plan such a huge event!  The kids were wonderfully behaved and spent the train ride sitting in their sits talking and finger knitting - which caused a few glances and comments from fellow travellers!

I would also liked to have blogged about our 5 night camping trip to beautiful Yamba.  The caravan park we stayed in was a kids paradise with a plethora of activities, even for when the weather was a little crappy.  There were 2 pools (1 with awesome kids slides), jumping pillow, 3 outdoor playgrounds and 1 inside playground.  Plus all the natural attractions surrounding like the sandy river, which was great for crab hunting and shallow water splashing.  We did have a bit of rain, especially heavy on one night that was a little annoying, but all in all it was great!  It certainly was too cold for me to brave bathers and swim, but lucky the dad's were all keen to take the kids swimming every day.  The kids certainly didn't care about the temperature, and were nagging at every opportunity to go swimming.  There were a few unfortunate events though, mainly Trudy getting a diarrhoea bug and Murray spending a night in hospital with hives.  Lets just say Trude was very thankful that she had her own private ensuite to contaminate use.  There was plenty of glen 20 sprayed around and diligence with all hand washing, which seemed to save it being passed on.

It was a great trip though, made even better by having a good group to go with.  The kids all played wonderfully, with barely any disagreements with each other.  They made friends with a little girl next door to us, and spent so much time playing with her. Her parents had a great tent set up and would invite all our kids over for movies after lunch, which gave us all a break and some quiet time!

There are so many beautiful parts around Yamba that we didn't get to explore, so a trip will definitely be planned for there again!  It would be a fantastic spot to visit in summer as there are so many wonderful water activities to do, so we might head there instead of Lennox next year.

I'd liked to have also blogged about Mothers Day - a very special day for me!  Firstly, a few days before, Xav's preschool had a Mothers day morning tea.  Xav loves the time I get to spend with him at his school, and was very proud to serve me a variety of cakes, scones and slices alongside a beautiful heart mobile that he'd made for me.  It was also so lovely to catch up with all the other Mums, and start to get to know them better, just as I did for Grace when she was the same age.  I bet Xav's 'best friend' Deklan's Mum, who told me her son is always talking about Xav, as is Xav about her son!  Xav got a new pair of runners, and he was going to be wearing them to school for the first time today.  He was so excited and told me "Deklan is going to love my shoes"  I'm just so happy that he has adjusted so well to not having Grace there, it was hard for him for a few weeks, but he loves going to school now and always just sends me off with a kiss and a wave!  He even tells me now that he doesn't want me to stay for morning circle!

~~Hand made and hand sewn byGrace for me xx~~

I would have also blogged about the beautiful present Grace so proudly presented me on Mothers Day.  She's been working very hard for weeks on making me my very own, completely Grace-made bookmark.  She'd made the felt from fleece, which is a long process.  She's then blanket stitched all around the outside herself.  I love the obvious stop and start marks on the sewing, it shows how every day she did a little bit.  It's beautiful and such a keepsake, and doing a wonderful job of being used as it was designed.  She's also made me a card which had one side written in English and then the other in Italian

"Augurissimi a le mamma bella con amore da Grace"

"Best wisshes to you beautiful Mum with love from Grace"

The other lovely present I received was a cornflower blue pair of ugg-boots, as requested!  Although they are beautiful and warm, nothing beats the handmade presents on Mothers day.  I'll certainly treasure the ones I got this year.

If I was being diligent, I would have also blogged about my first follow through birth as a student midwife.  It was amazing, beautiful, daunting and nerve-racking - all rolled into one!  It certainly was a miracle though and reinforced my commitment to being a midwife.  I've got another lady due in the middle of June, so back to sleeping with my phone close by in case the call comes in the middle of the night.  It's exciting and exhausting being so connected to the phone, being nervous that you'll miss the call and miss the birth. 

Uni is going well and I'm on the down hill ride to exams.  I've submitted all assignments for this semester and am just waiting anxiously for grades to come back.  I've got an exam worth 70% of the course in a little over 3 weeks, so I'm going to be head down trying to fill my brain with information about pharmacology and pathophysiology.  All exciting, but brain-draining.  I've also got another exam worth 50%, but I'm not as stressed about that one.  I had my clinical practical exam yesterday and passed easily, no actual mark though as it's just a pass/fail.  I'm still hoping to pull at least distinctions for all 3 subjects, but I've definitely not had the time to dedicate to study.  I only really have Thursday and Fridays for school work (as I have Xav the other days), but I encourage my women to roster their antenatal appointments on those days.  The appointments can take FOREVER, so sometimes the whole day is written off with waiting around and I've got no school work done!  I'm trying to lower my mark expectations though, as I don't think I can keep up the good marks with such a full on course.  Although the coursework is challenging, juggling the rest of the clinical requirement is what is hard.  I can't even imagine how next semester is going to go as I'll be adding into the mix 2 permanent shifts at the hospital EVERY week!  I'm looking forward to it though, and am confidant that it will be fine.

There so much else that has happened over the last few months, but that's the main stuff.  I miss blogging and writing about the small moments, not just the big things - so I'm going to try to get back into it.

The sweetest thing...

Tonight, my little boy said one of the sweetest things I think I've ever heard.

I was busy getting ready to go out to a Women's circle meet (a whole other blog post - amazing!).  I was rushing about; getting kids ready for bed, getting dressed, finding yoga mats and reading stories.  Xav was lingering in the hall way and reached out for me to pick him up as I passed.  He loves being carried around on my hip and getting cuddles (yep, the nearly 4 y/o - lucky he's a lightweight!), so I scooped him up and we had a big squishy cuddle.  I popped him down and was about to head on to the next job, when he whispered,

"Do you know what my heart says Mummy?"  

"No, what does it say Xavie?"  I asked.

He placed his hand on his chest and lifted it up and down, in time to the beat.

"It says Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum."  He whispered in a very earnest little voice.

I melted.  And had to scoop him up for more delicious little boy cuddles.

This little soft moment was had and over soon enough though.  He squirmed down form my arms and was was back to playing car crashes with his matchbox cars - complete with loud, raucous noise.

Easter 2011

I'm writing this in a chocolate stupor, but still managing to pop tiny little brown sugary cocoa drops into my mouth.  I feel slightly ill, but the promise I made to myself was as of tomorrow I'm having a break from all things sweet, hence the reason I'm on over load now.  Totally reasonable.

So today is the day that the cute little bunny hops in overnight to drop off some chocolatey goodness.  Easter this year was very low key and relaxed.  I normally try to do something exciting for the kids (that doesn't involve copious amounts of sugar!), but I didn't have time to make what I wanted as we only just got back from camping.  The kids woke (in our bed of course!) and Grace was immediately worried that Easter bunny had been and hadn't dropped anything off as there was nothing beside the bed.  Easter bunny is very clever though, and although there were no children IN the beds, he/she could tell that children were suppossed to be there so dropped of some treats.  Both kids were given a small lindt bunny and a egg cup and spoon.  Then it was outside for a quick hunt for some smaller eggs, followed by eating all found eggs.  It's Easter - the only day of the year where a breakfast of chocolate is allowed.

Grandma and Poppy came up and the kids gladly received MORE chocolate in the form of an elegant rabbit each.  More chocolate was consumed as I prepared a lovely breakfast of pancakes, mixed berries and vanilla yoghurt.  Yum!

The rest of the day was spent with the kids gutsing on chocolate and pottering around the house.  Then it was over to The Dews house for a pot-luck dinner.  The kids and I had cooked veggie frittata and baked hot cross buns - which both turned out really yummy!  The kids got more chocolate and spent the afternoon running around on a sugar rush!  Thank-goodness they both fell asleep in the car on the way home, so it was a nice simple transfer to bed!

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.