Yesterday

Yesterday, this happened:

 My little girl just got a little bit older.

Contrary to popular opinions, I did not cry. I also did not do backflips and cartwheels on my way back to the car. It's not safe when you have a baby on your back.

Tears were flowing 2.5 hours later when I picked her up. Only because she did not get to do a painting.

Full days start next week and she's excited to go back. I may be a just a little lost without her then. She tells me she will be back soon and not to worry while she's gone. Love that girl.

It's over.

We've had a long, happy relationship but I'm breaking up with you.

source via google image

Two nights ago, as I sat at the computer my husband asked;

"Much happening?"

"I'm not on there."  A few minutes later I elaborated;

"When I say I'm not on there, I mean I'm not on there."

"You're kidding me?" 

"Nope."

He proceeded to take my temperature...

As a Stay At Home Mum, I am proficient in several languages;

Babble; "dadadad" "mummum" (Newbie), 'Non verbal'; point and grunt (The Boy) and 'Nearly 4' (The Girl) She can talk underwater, she rarely stops. However, there's only so many times I can talk about rainbows, unicorns and pink. Facebook was my daily dose of real (albeit on a screen) adult conversation and interaction. But it was getting too much and my children and my house weren't getting the best of me.

For that, I lay some blame with a certain group of women who shall remain nameless. I have become very close to these girls, even though (most of us) haven't met. I must say I miss them more than being on FB itself. It's their fault I was spending so much time on Facebook! They are full of wisdom, encouragement, advice, support and many, many laughs. They are most certainly the reason I left and the reason I shall return to Facebook. Love you girls! (and not forgetting the goats).

I know that I could never permanently remove myself from Facebook. It's just a part of (almost everyone's) life now. I know I would miss too much without it* like announcements, photos, competitions, invitations, news, shopping, updates and birthdays. Have a look at this:
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source via google

Before I left Facebook, it asked me if I was sure I wanted to go? You know, the process to leave is more involved then it is to return. They don't want you to go at all. Pictures of people I know popped up, saying they will miss me. To be honest, I doubt I'll be missed by most (with the exception of my girls) and I can guarantee a heap of people I'm "friends" with will not even notice I'm gone from their list. Upon my return I'm planning to scale back my friends list, just having gone to school with me won't cut it. You have to actually care and be a part of my life beyond the screen. Oh, but if you make me laugh you might just get to stay.

It's part of my plan to make 2012 the best yet. I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband and three beautiful children, they deserve to have a mumma and wife who gives them her best too (and doesn't waste so much time on Facebook.

I have a new love anyway.

Stay happy!

M

 *I also need Facebook to promote this here little blog!! Please, please leave a comment for me or better yet 'follow me'. I'll be back on Facebook when I'm ready.

 

The Great Toy Room Overhaul (part two)

(I'm attempting to be sneaky and post this one so it follows on from part one! I'm hoping it works, not sure how much Blogger likes me though.) {ETA- Ok so Blogger hates me, it didn't work and won't let me put my photos where I want them, and it's taking sooooo long!, grr}

The new room was a hit this morning. By 9am they'd been playing beautifully for three solid hours (only stopping for brekky) and after each game/toy/activity they put things away! (I wonder how long that will last?) Best of all there was no mention of the missing TV!!

Cuppa tea?

Having babies after breakfast

Less is better. There's more hand made, more wooden and less plastic! More imagining, role playing and togetherness. More crafting in the future.

Here's our morning:

Old friends on the shelf

 

There was building:

Exploring and hiding, changing and fishing:

and lastly, my favourite: 

We are so blessed, The three of them are just wonderful. Having sorted the room, I feel better, lighter, and inspired to get busy with my children (more than usual) and have fun together!

(I do still have to sort the left over toys and then make labels for all the tubs and boxes but today its enough)

Stay happy! xx M

The first baby we made.

So I've got three stories to write so far and maybe (hopefully) one more. I started to write this one when I was 38 weeks pregnant with our 3rd baby. Needless to say I never got it finished. He is 7 months now. Yes I am very busy (so if you see me in the shopping centre you don't need to remind me of this, I'm fully aware!).

Ok so here goes: Birth Story #1

So do I start at the start or before that? Hmm, I don't know how much you already know, or want to know, but I guess bit of background won't hurt. The aforementioned wonderful and gorgeous Husband and I met in September 2006. I will keep this part short because how we met is a whole other post! So, we met in Sept '06, he asked me to move in with him about 2 weeks later. He proposed on a trip to Melbourne on NYE of that year (06-07). Our first baby was concieved by July the next year and we were married in October (2007). She was very much planned despite her showing at our wedding as a cute little 3 month bump.

October 27 2007

I had a very uncomplicated, uneventful pregnancy apart from most of the scans putting her (we didn't know she was a girl until she arrived) roughly two weeks ahead of our EDD (17th April 08). So we can fast forward several months to a couple of weeks before Easter; 11th March 2008.

That Tuesday night was our first antenatal class where we met many other new parents to be, and I made some lovely friends. The usual questions were asked and we all walked away knowing a little more than we wanted to know about our babies impending arrivals, all of us due more than a month away from that first class.

The second class was the following Tuesday, I rocked up in my PJ's and ugg boots, with a hospital band around my wrist! Earlier that day I was sure my waters had broken! Thinking back now it was about 2am when I got up to go to the loo and felt it. I called for Adrian and he kinda just grunted and rolled over! So then it was a rude awakening, get dressed, chuck some stuff in a bag (I hadn't packed yet!) and head to the hospital, all the while me yelling "It's too early, I'm not ready yet!" I was 36 weeks pregnant.

As it turns out my waters had in fact not broken but I was kept in overnight (Tuesday's antenatal class night!). Baby and I were monitored and sent home the next day. My doctor told us that we should expect to have our baby by the weekend. But also to not have it on Saturday as he had plans. PFFT!

Friday the 21st of March around 5 am my waters really did break and I knew it! I called for Adrian from the ensuite and he was there with some towels quicker than a lightning! I guess Tuesday's 'trial' helped! And how is our little girl's timing? It was the Easter weekend and my sisters and parents had planned to visit (we were living about 5 hours away from them). She was born on Good Friday with my family around to meet her, their first grandchild and niece.

But back to the actual birth. Having redressed and gained some composure, we headed again to the hospital, full of excitement and wonder. Well that was me, I'm not sure how Adrian was feeling! So we went through the usual admin and questions and were admitted to a single room. I wasn't feeling contractions or anything for a long time, so around 2 in the afternoon it was decided I should have a drip to get things moving. Being a newbie at all this labour and birthing stuff we went along with it. Doctors and nurses know your body and baby better then you do, right? All this time I was hooked up to a monitor so they could make sure bub was fine as I was still only 36 weeks... 

Enter a lovely midwife (they were all great there) at around 6pm, she comes in to check on me, she reads the chart that is printing out my contractions and says "Are you ok? These contractions are through the roof and most people are screaming for drugs by now." I was chatting to Adrian as if i was having a pedicure or something, couldn't feel much at all. She was amazed by my high pain threshold!

Things started to amp up around then and I was moved into the delivery room. Adrian followed and set the scene. Low lights and our ipod on shuffle! As I lay on the bed I felt a kind of a 'click' and then a gush of fluid flooded the bed! Now I have been told I called for every drug available then and there. However I highly doubt that, but since no one other than Adrian was in the room at the time I have to take his word for it! 


I tried the gas but just couldn't get it to work for me and remember shoving it back in Adrian's hands. I'm thinking now he should have had some! All I wanted to do was get in the shower, the gas couldn't come with me so I opted for a jab of pethadine. Once in the shower I was certainly feeling the contractions and a second midwife was with us now (the first had finished her shift). She was great at keeping me focused and breathing through them. In between them, I declared I was only going to do this for an hour. After that I had no plans, maybe just get dressed, go home and baby could just live there? 

Coming pretty much up to one hour under the steady stream of hot water, I felt that primal urge to push and I wanted out of the shower! I was told by the midwife that surely I couldn't want that (or need to) just yet and to let 2 more contractions pass. No way lady, I'm out of here! She complied with my requests (and being pushed out of the way) and I was helped back on the bed. She went to check and tells me that the baby is crowning! Told ya so!!

Now times are all a blur when you're pushing a baby out of your body, so I have no recollection of how long this took! But after some pushing, some groaning and grunting we met our little baby! I did it and I have never been more proud of myself! We took about 5 minutes to even check if we were blessed with a girl or boy!


Coby Claire Black arrived at 10.41pm, weighing 7lb 7 oz, on the 21st of March 2008.

And who would have thought that 1 year, 7 months and 21 days later I would do it all again!




Here she is at one year:

At two years:

 and today at 3 years, 9 months and 23 days old:

Every day she makes me laugh! I'm so proud of the caring, inquisitive, comedic, thoughtful little girl she has become and I love her so very much.

Things I Love About You

Yes, it's been a while between posts. No I'm not sorry. Lots has been going on, nothing that interesting to divulge however. Today I'm feeling very run down tired and emotional, so I thought I'd write a post to make me feel better. Oh and yes, I have about 27 topics for blogs in my head and about 16 half written blogs but they can wait.

Things I love about you:

You have no idea how happy you make me

You have the cutest gummy smile and I see it all the time

You see the world with such wonder and amazement

You easily handle the noise and chaos in this house

The faces you pull when I'm about to put your clothes over your head

Thinking about how you came into this world makes me so proud of both of us Your two favourite sounds are the unclicking of my maternity top and the clicking of the Ergo carrier!

You are a happy, placid, easy going person

You can make me smile and forget the bad shiz going on

You are you, but you're growing too fast

You have an awesome personality

You make me laugh out loud, with you, many times a day

You know all the best dance moves

You don't talk much but you can get your message across very well

You are a copycat, it's a great way to learn

You have a beautiful caring, nature

You are always doing new things, that make me proud of you

You don't much like waking up (dont blame you) and you love sleepy snuggles

You love to help everybody, with all different things

You try and try and you don't give up

You are becoming quite a photographer (and even took that one!)

You love pink, and fairies and dinosaurs and space and dirt

You can belt out a great rendition of Paradise City

You have a fantastic imagination, I love hearing your stories

You helped me when I birthed your brother and you have a great outlook on childbirth (yes even at 3.5 yrs)

You are always so well mannered and ever so helpful

You call museli bars "musical" bars and balloons "Dabloons" no matter how often you're corrected

You can whip up some great scrambly eggs

You are more than your curls, you are brave, smart, funny and caring (among many other things)

You think you can do anything, and you can because you try

You are a wonderful, caring and fun dad to our children

You are the most amazing, helpful, loving husband

You work hard and sacrifice so much to make the four of us happy

You are my best friend

You make me laugh when I need to most

You are great company to just hang with (we should do it more often)

You have a pretty good  awesome taste in music

Together we make great babies (we should do it more often ;) )

You have faith in me when I don't have it in myself



You totally rock the 'having babies/labour' thing

You are creative and a little bit clever

You put your family before yourself all the time

You are very, very kinda funny

That is all.

M

Mandi the Brave

It's been a little over 3 weeks that I have been a mum to 3 children. Right now my children are 3 weeks & 2 days old (R), 19 months, 2 weeks and 3 days old (F) and 3 years, 3 months and 6 days old (C) to be exact. (Thanks lillypie!)

I have already taken my three beautiful children on many outings by myself. The first to swimming lessons, R was 9 days old. We have also been to Hillary's Boat Harbour, grocery shopping, our weekly music session and out for a spot of shopping (kid's art supplies) and coffee. All have been stress, tantrum and bribery (slightly) free events!

I get a lot of comments from passers by and the most common comment is "Gee, you're brave". This is second to, "Don't you have your hands full!". But back to the 'brave' comment, I don't get it. Really, I don't understand. Do people think that my husband and I would choose to have three children and then declare that I will never again leave the house with them?

So I looked this up:

Brave
[breyv]  adjective, brav·er, brav·est, noun, verb, braved, brav·ing.

–adjective

1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

2. making a fine appearance.

3. Archaic . excellent; fine; admirable.

–noun

4. a brave person.

5. a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.

6. Obsolete . a. a bully.

b. a boast or challenge.

–verb (used with object)

7. to meet or face courageously: to brave misfortunes.

8. to defy; challenge; dare.

 

 

When hearing people say that I'm brave for taking 3 children out I think "pfft, no I'm not", but since finding this meaning I have come to like the term. I know people say it with the first meaning in mind, but I quite like the second two.

 

I am more than happy to take my children out in public, they are well mannered, well behaved and gorgeous!! Come to think of it, they are actually better behaved when we are out! Why wouldn't I want to show them off?

This is brave, if you ask me:



That's it for now, have a day full of laughs. xox M

A quick one!

Morning!

Well we really have been busy around the house and I'm not just saying that. We welcomed baby Reilly Patrick into the world at home in water, on the 4/6/11. By far, one of the 6 best events to happen in my lifetime!

In the week leading up to his arrival I began to write the story of my first born and I only got halfway through. My head is too fuzzy to finish it today. But hopefully I will get it completed soon. I think my next few blogs will be a bit more about me and those 6 happy events!

So here's a sneak peek! A few photos to finish my short 'n sweet update with:

Have a day full of happy!

I'm still here!!

Hello once again

I have been meaning to get back and write some more for a long time. But to be honest blogging is not a priority in my life at the moment! We have soo much going on. I know its easy to say "I've been busy", well I have and I haven't... some days are lazy some aren't. I'm enjoying my time with my children while I still have one for each arm and one leg for each to sit on. Though baby 3 is taking up a fair bit of my lap!!

Just a quick rundown of the last couple of months:
Househunting and viewings

Holidays in Kota Kinabalu

Family birthdays

House buying
Catching up with friends
Trying to keep a household in order
Meetings with midwives
Packing up once again!

There's probably more thats happened but thats all I can think of right now. So here are our last couple of months in pictures.... Until I write again.. Which will most likey be after we move and all about the prep for this new baby!

Kota Kinabalu - Shangri La Resort's own beach

Hello there Mumma!



beach bum baby!







Hanging out feeding babies





Tea Parties



32 weeks and 4 days



I did manange some sewing earlier in the month




Fun with Aunty Nays





Hugs for Aunty Jodi







Our new house!

Oh and finally the answer to my guessing game!

All this and about 36 sultanas were all found under the cushions of my couch!

If I don't laugh...

I might just cry.

I now know why it takes me all day to do the housework or more so, why it is never finished. I can't leave my two monkeys alone for more than 30 seconds. When I do; things like this happen:

It was an almost full tub, big sis styling his hair!

Or this:
 

It was my clean sewing room, (and that was 4 separate playdoh colours she has there).

 And I must mention, Tinkerbell is occupying the big one and the small one is sleeping while I post this! It seems if I leave them to go do something (housework) then I come back to find a bigger mess to clean up! I'm sure 60% of my day is just cleaning up after them and the other 40% is made up of changing and feeding them!

I honestly love the 'Stay at home mum' gig but it is by far the most challening (yet rewarding) role I have ever had! If anyone has tips on balancing child rearing with housework let me know!

And to end this on a positive note how could you not love these faces?



I am still catching up after our little Rock Star Party for Adrian's birthday yesterday, got lots of photos of that to share soon. Now back to the washing! Bye for now...