Tuesday's Tribute: Baby Brain

My youngest child is almost 5 months old and my brain is yet to be returned to me in it's former 'thinking' state. I thought the fog had lifted. I was wrong.

It's Tuesday? Really?

I had no idea until I started reading blog updates and there were some Tuesday Tributes.. Wow.

So, thank you baby brain for leaving me in an eternally confused/surprised state!

Jumping Back on the Wagon...

The Biggest Loser Couples finale has just begun (Go Bob and Tiffany) and it's made me start thinking about  Weigh in Wednesday, which I started on the February 25th. For a few weeks I Tae Bo'd and Wii'd my butt off and then... nothing. I got sick. We went away. The girls started teething. TOGETHER. We went away again, for Easter (bring on the chocolate, right?). I got sick. Again. I just never really thought about it as things got hectic.

Now, you would think that watching the Biggest Loser would inspire me. Nope, James and I sit on the couch and eat our desert (if we're having it that night) or drink a cup of tea with a biscuit, eating away while we watch the fat people get skinny and more importantly, healthy. How embarrassing! Now, looking at them sauntering up the catwalk next to their holographic old selves, I am finally inspired to get into gear. I just need to work on the motivation part.

I often think I should do some Wii fit at 6am when Ellie gets me up. Then, the morning comes and Kahlei's woken more than the once or twice she used to (now it's more like 5 or 6. Sigh) and I am exhausted. So, I tell myself that tomorrow I will get up and do something good instead of moping around like a zombie. I never do, though. The next morning I am more tired, more grumpy and less inclined to do anything more energetic than change and feed girls.

I know I need to do this, I just find it soooo hard to get motivated and keep on track. If Bob and Jillian still did our series I might have thought about going on the Biggest Loser ;) Hehe.

So, dear readers, I am going to ask this of you; how do you get motivated?? What do you suggest for me?

Hopefully, from now on it'll just be James sitting on the couch eating his biscuits and watching this fat person getting skinny and healthy.

Just a Thought...

... I hope Ellie and Kahlei completely skip being 'teenagers'. Altogether.

More Catch ups

I've not been well this week and didn't get around to posting my weekly 365 update. James has complained, saying that it seems silly to take a photo a day and only post them weekly, so I will try my best to post them daily for my demanding lovely husband.

Day 69:What's SHE doing?

Kahlei is obsessed with watching Ellie do everything. It's so cute!

Day 70: Best Pizza EVER

Day 71: The Grass is Always Greener

Day 72: The Book Keeper

Day 73: Odd

Day 74: 20 Months Old

Day 75: Icky

Day 76: Shoe

Tuesday's Tribute: 20 Months

Tuesday's Tribute is now being hosted by Angie at Seven Clown Circus

20 months ago Ellie Kara made her entrance into the world. Or more specifically, became my world. I remember those first few minutes, laying on the operating table, waiting and willing her to cry. The relief that spread through me.

Lately, I have written a few posts referring to the speed at which both Ellie and Kahlei have grown. And this evening I have looked at 'old' photos of Ellie, marvelling at the speed at which she developed, right before my eyes.

In 20 months Ellie has gone from a helpless babe to an independent, strong-willed, funny and amazing toddler.

From a colicky, windy baby who never slept to a (practically) perfect angel who now goes to bed, falls asleep on her own and stays asleep all night. I thought that would never happen.

In 20 months Ellie has developed her own personality, revelling in the discoveries life has to offer her. Exploring her world at every opportunity and learning all she can.

From those first few rolls on her play mat, to her first steps at almost 10 months to this running, twirling, stair-climbing, jumping, dancing ray of sunlight, I have been there for all of these amazing milestones and yet I still find it amazing to look at her now and see all that she can do and realise just how much she is taking in.

20 months of cuddles and kisses with my sweet baby girl. 20 months of learning, struggling, laughing, crying - for all involved.

Who know such a small amount of time could open your eyes, mind and world to so much.

The best 20 months of my life, so full of joy and light.

Ellie, moments after she was born

Ellie today, sitting on her potty

And having a big bath (with Mummy & Kahlei)

Such a Big Girl!

Tomorrow Ellie will be 20 months old. Seriously, where has the time gone?

Yesterday, Ellie 'transitioned', if you will, from her highchair to the middle stool at the bench. As Kahlei isn't too far off eating, I decided to get Ellie used to eating somewhere other than the highchair so that it's not an issue when it's not hers anymore.

It hasn't been an issue at all. She is loving being next to us and is less inclined to make quite as much mess as she used to. Now that she sits with Daddy and Mummy, she requires a fork and knife, just like us. Nanna gave her some little toddler cutlery for Christmas and she is surprisingly good at manoevering a knife as well as her fork.

Another 'big' thing in the life of Ellie; yesterday she was allowed to play outside on her own for the very first time (with us watching her through the door/windows, of course). We told her she couldn't go into the yard until she was wearing her boots, as it had been raining. She only had one boot out there, so she tried on Daddy's.

They were much too big.

So, she happily pottered around on the verandah while James watched her and I put Kahlei to bed and found her other boot. I took it out to her but she didn't really seem interested, I left them together and left her to it.

Once I was inside, she realised they were there, popped them on and went out into the yard. In that moment, realising that she had done exactly what we had told her (+ having only told her once) I felt so proud!

She is in her room chatting to herself now, after waking up about 5 minutes ago. Tonight I will catch up on replying to comments and reading blogs, for now I should prepare something for her to eat.

Short Lived

Wellll. I am glad I took the photo of James's new mini 9 with my beast for Day 68's pic, as today I recieved a message saying he had bid on a laptop much like mine (actually, I am pretty sure the message said he had bid on two and was thinking about bidding on a  further two). Fortunately, he only won one of those.

Two days into the mini 9's life and he's already upgraded. Men.

Here are some pictures to remind us of this fleeting time:

Project 365 Day 62 - 68

Day 62: Clouds at Sunset

Day 63: Flame Grill

Day 64: Soccer Dog

Day 65: The Mount

Day 66: Driving Mummy (mad?)

Day 67: Chicken Tonight

Day 68: Mumma and Baby Laptop

James got a Dell mini 9 today. It is soo tiny next to my Studio 15. Haha, cute!

Tuesday's Tribute: Milestones

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

My youngest daughter is currently playing on her mat, no longer lying on her tummy with her head facing me at the end of her play mat, where I placed her less than five minutes ago, but in the middle on her back with her legs pointed towards me having a lovely chat to her hippo.

She is unaware I am watching her, filled with pride and love as she experiments with her rolling, kicking, grasping, talking and manages to wriggle her way around to where she wants to go.  Each new development thrills and excites me just as much as Ellie's did the first time around. This time, however, I am much more aware that every joy filled milestone is rushing my precious baby into tantrum-filled toddlerdom and all too soon she will be looking (and acting) more like a little kid than my baby.   Just like her sister before her.

Kahlei                              Ellie & Uncle Caleb

Milestones are bitter sweet as you relish the amazing new things your little one can do and realise they are growing up way too fast.

Easter :)

Yesterday we all got in the car after James got home from work and came to my parents house :) Ellie spent the day following me around as I packed saying "Nanna" and "Papa", she got very excited about our visit and didn't want to sleep in the car on the way - she got more than halfway before she fell asleep. AND she had her first 'kid' vomit, poor little bubba.

We've had a lovely day today, except Kahlei who's still getting over the travelling from last night. But, when she was having a good time, she was very cute... Mum bought the girls matching outfits, little lime green skirts and tights with a white shirt. Kahlei looked like a little pixi.

Caleb and Ethan looked after the girls this morning while James and I slept in, Mum was awake but stayed in bed. It was lovely :) The guys are so good with them. I still can't believe just how into being uncles they are. Ellie has such a blast with them.

James and Caleb planted some bulbs for mum in the front garden. Mum will probably manage to kill the plants, but she is very happy for the moment that they have been put in.

Caleb found a skink, which he put in a container with some dirt, grass and bugs. Hopefully, we wont be finding him in our bed tonight... as he appears to have disappeared!!

Ellie spent time outside playing soccer with Scamp, they had an awesome time while James and Caleb cooked a BBQ dinner and Ethan made a pudding. She literally wore herself out and Scamp thought Christmas had come!!

I am looking foward to tomorrow when James and I will be Easter egg shopping without Ellie, it will be lovely! James has asked the Easter Bunny for something other than chocolate this year, p.s. he likes lollies, so I suppose the 'Easter Bunny' has some thinking to do as to what exactly to get Mr. Fussy.

Project 365 Day 55 -

I have been very slack in posting my Project 365 photos, so I have been thinking that I might do a weekly post.

Day 55: April Fool's

This is the only photo I took on the 1st of April, apparently. Don't ask me why. I have no idea.

Day 56: Containment

Day 57: Relaxing

Day 58: Daddy's Helper

Day 59: Mummy's Helper

Day 60: Done

Day 61: Kangaroo Paw

I feel like I am running out of ideas for things I can photograph on a daily basis, there are only so many shots I can take of my washing or dishwasher... If there is something you would like to suggest, I would love to hear it. Challenge me :)

Developmental Milestones

I used to put up these development lists from Raising Children for Ellie all the time, with what she was doing bolded, but I haven't done it since she was about 13 months I don't think. So, I thought it was time to update Ellie's milestones and start on Kahlei's, with a photo of them from yesterday when we were all out the front.

Kahlei:

The 4th month

By the end of this month, your baby:

… should be able to:

• on stomach, lift head up 90 degrees


• laugh out loud


• follow an object in an arc about 15 cm above the face for 180 degrees (from one side to the other)

… will probably be able to:

• hold head steady when upright


• on stomach, raise chest, supported by arms


• roll over (one way) - I never get to see it, though!!
  


• grasp a rattle held to backs or tips of fingers


• pay attention to a raisin or other very small object


• reach for an object


• squeal in delight
  

… may possibly be able to:

• keep head level with body when pulled to sitting


• turn in the direction of a voice, particularly mummy’s


• say ah goo or similar vowel consonant combinations - She is the biggest chatterbox. Especially when Ellie's around
  


• blow a raspberry (make a wet blowing sound with lips placed together and vibrating)

… may even be able to:

• bear some weight on legs when held upright


• sit without support


• object if you try to take a toy away


• turn in the direction of a voice

Ellie:

The 19th month

By the end of this month, your toddler:

… should be able to:

• use three words
  


• point to a desired object

… will probably be able to:

• ‘feed’ a doll


• use six words - Oh, yes, she is picking up words at an alarming rate at the moment! Last night I tried to teach her Rhinoserous "Rhiionon" hehe
  


• walk up steps

… may possibly be able to:

• build a tower of four cubes


• identify two pictures by pointing
  

… may even be able to:

• name six body parts - She loves doing this and has started showing us what's what on Kahlei, which Kahlei thinks is hilarious
  


• wash and dry hands

Ahh, my girls are growing up.

It's funny to look at Kahlei and know that in 15 months she will be a little person, just like Ellie is now. It never ceases to amaze me how much these little minds and bodies learn in such a short amount of time.

Kahlei's Birth Story; 4 Months on...

Kahlei is 4 months old today! I can't believe how fast time goes when you have kids.

I have mentioned a few times that I will write Kahlei's birth story at some point and have decided to mark today by sharing it.

It was dark when James and I got up on the 4th of December. I could feel the flutterings of nervous butterflies as I showered and dressed, but somehow they seemed muted; far away. Mum and Dad were here to be with Ellie, so they got up to see us off, waving bye to mum was probably the most overwhelming moment, as I panicked about what was about to happen, knowing that there was nothing I could do to stop it.

We arrived at the hospital before 6am, as requested by the anesthetist, and I was shown into my room by a midwife. She checked my bloodpressue and gave me a gown to put on before leaving us to rest and await our time...

It seemed like ages before anyone came by to get me ready to go to theatre. I tried to rest but felt too nervous and excited.

Eventually, I had my stocking put on (to help stop blod clots) and was wheeled down the halls, into the elevator and down to theatre. Along the way, James left my side to wash up and dress in scrubs. I was taken in to meet the surgical team and have my spinal block put in. The nurse stood in front of me, talking to me, trying to keep me calm and still as the anesthetist got to work sticking a needle in my back. At first it was fine, but he was unable to get it in the right place, so he tried again. And again. The more he tried the more it hurt. Eventually, I felt as if I was having my spine scraped and was having shooting pains seize my right leg.

The one thing I didn't want for this birth was to have to be put under while I had my baby. I didn't want to miss out on that moment, where all you can do is hold your breath and wait for that little cry to cause relief to wash over you. I didn't want to miss out on seeing her in those first few precious moments of her life, so when he told me he had no choice but to put me to sleep I had a single tear slip down my cheek. I should have learnt from last time  not  to think about what I didn't want (ie an induction & c-section) because that's what I do get.

I laid down, he placed the mask on my face and then... nothing.

I awoke like they do in the movies. Everything was blurry and a far off female voice was calling my name over and over. I was uncomfortable, my throat hurt. I tried to open my eyes, the woman calling my name was nothing more than a haze fussing by my side. I thought I was dreaming and as I do when I am uncomfortable in bed, I tried to roll onto my side. Suddenly my stomache burned, a pain like nothing I had felt before made me freeze. I was confused. Scared. I had no idea what was going on. Honestly, I can only remember those first few moments and then I must have fallen back into a drugged sleep. All I know is that I had no idea I had just had a baby. I didn't think to ask if she was okay, that point makes me upset whenever I think about it. My first thought should have been of the baby girl I had just had, I should have asked about her the instant my eyes opened.

I was wheeled back to my room; where my husband and newest daughter had been waiting for some time. Apparently, I had remained in recovery for 2 hours. Kahlei was laid in my arms and the first thing I saw was her bright red hair. She appeared to have marks on her head from forceps, but I couldn't understand why they would need to use them for a c-section. I fed her, all the while feeling like I was in a dream scene, I was groggy and unable to keep my eyes open. I would be talking and partway through a sentence would drop off. I could feel it happening but was helpless to stop it.

My pain was much worse than it had been with Ellie. I later found out that a different doctor actually performed the operation and it sounds like she was only learning and was maybe a tad rough. I kept pressing my pain medication button and falling asleep. Luckily, I managed to be awake when Ellie arrived to meet her new sister and didn't miss out on her giving her a beautiful kiss.

Frustrated by my inability to stay awake, I talked to a midwife who came in and discovered that my using the pain meds was causing me to relapse into the cloud which surrounded me. Of course, now that I look back it makes sence but at the time it didn't cross my mind once. I was disappointed I hadn't thought to say something sooner and ended up missing practically the whole first day of Kahlei's life, not just the first two hours.

But, in the end I had a perfect, beautiful baby girl who was healthy. What more could a Mummy want?

Positive Thinking

I used to be one of those teenagers, you know the ones I mean. All bleak, negative and wearing black (well, in my defence; black is slimming). I was on anti-depressants and in the later years, was extremely anti-social. My thought processes were extremely negative, I had no confidence or belief in myself. These thought processes directly effected every aspect of my life.

I decided to come off my medication and address my thought processes. Changing the way I saw and thought about myself was tough. It took a whole lot of will power, effort and an excess of positive thinking. Every flash of negativity had to be chased away by a blinding ray of positivity. At times it felt a bit like having a peppy cheer squad contained within my head. While that sounds like a whole-lotta-fun, it wasn't really. I don't do peppy.

Obviously, once I was no longer plagued with continueous negitivity I was able to scale back on the deliberate positivity and just... think, I suppose.

I have been thinking about taking a day a week to write a post dedicated purely to being positive, not because I am feeling negative per se, but because I am often too busy to just take the time to focus on the good stuff. Especially right now;

I have an ear infection. In both ears. Right now I can't hear out of one ear and the other feels all sore and swollen.
I have a teething baby. And a teething toddler. Ellie's had a majorly tough day today, for hours this morning she lay on the lounge without moving, something she never does. Poor little thing.
James is grumpy, sore and tired because he's on these bp meds and we seem to be no closer to having any sort of answer.
I sit down to read my bi-monthly magazine, in one of those amazing quiet moments that simply don't last long enough and read things like "Living close to extended family can be immensely helpful..." Of course, I know this. Even though I don't live near my family, I know how much difference it makes to me when we are visiting, it really helps me recharge, which I don't get to do otherwise. I don't want to sit down in my quiet time and read something I know. Moving is practically the one thing I really want that I just can't have. Okay, maybe not, that might be a tad melodramatic. There are other things I can't have, either. Like the 20 million dollars we didn't win in lotto for example...

So, at a time when I am sick, the girls are demanding and under the weather themselves and I have nobody I can call to give me a bit of a break to have a rest, recoup and then get back into the trenches, I am feeling it is vitally important to take the time to concentrate on positivity. Just to help keep me sane!!

These past few days, when the girls have slept, I have done some digi scrapping, which helps me feel positive, as it's something I love to do and it gives me time to reflect on the moment in the photos. Being creative helps me relax.

Credits:

Jumping & Outside: Puddles of Play
The Princess: Waiting for you by Majula

What do you do that brings your focus to positivity? Let me know!!