daily grind

Back to the daily grind err routine... Corey's gone back to work today so it's just me and the boy.

The shed is virtually complete, save for the remaining permit inspection of framework and complete shed. Booked that inspection in, which should happen sometime tomorrow (Tues) morning. Downpipes have been connected to the stormwater, and Corey also used the machine to tear up the old bushes/plants that have been bugging me for ages. He also tore up the bluestone pieces of rock that were lining the garden beds. Now it feels like a clean(ish) slate and we feel a little more inspired.

home again

Well, we got home from the QLD trip on Wednesday night and it's pretty much the middle of October already. The wedding of Aaron and Zoe was interesting, somewhat of a blur ...with cold weather. We visited Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, spent lots of time with Murray and Brenda. Nana (Vicki) had a ball with Rory, and we celebrated Troy's 29th birthday with lots of yummy cake and pizza. Rory cut two teeth (1 top, 1 bottom) and charmed all.

Now we're back to normalcy - life in Hastings didn't stop (although it always feel like it should when you're on holidays). Back to the gym, back to the baby routine. Baby swimming on Thursday was fun, good to catch up with the girls from Mothers Group. The shed is nearly finished, Corey put the remaining guttering out and the downpipes now need to be connected (to something, I think!).

My 30th birthday is next week, need to get my head around that - getting organised and whatnot. Ordered the meat for the spits, now need to figure out the rest! :)

countdown to queensland

It's countdown time for the Queensland trip next week, for the wedding of Aaron & Zoe. Although you could say we've been in countdown mode since October last year, when the wedding planning [freaking out] started happening.

Rory's now 7 months old and I can't believe we're in October now. He hasn't displayed any new tricks since the last couple of weeks (rolling to the right etc) except that now he enjoys sticking his feet in his mouth.

Corey's shed has a concrete floor now, and only needs the guttering put on to be complete. Once that's done, then the final permit inspection can be carried out and hopefully have all that done and dusted.

Mum & Dad left for their Sth American trip extravaganza on Wednesday, I miss them already. 6 + weeks. I wonder how much Rory will have changed by then.

Finished the quilt, finished the sewing for mum, nearly finished the annual report (all that's needed is a proofing, cover complete, printing and binding). The ticks are getting in the boxes... Next week's task is to start packing...

roly rory

Rereading my last point - there's one thing quite clear. No sooner had I written that not much happens, Rory starts rolling! Well, rolling to the right from his belly to his back. Still babbling quite a bit and using his talent of blowing raspberries to make it quite clear when he's bored, when he's had enough of *that* food thankyou, or when he's tired.

He had a food-related tantrum today - trying to get to eat some swede (on the last day of the new-food-3-day-trial routine) which he refused to. So I mixed in some pumpkin. Wasn't having any of that. Finally ended up feeding him leftover apple/mango combination and banana and he was satisfied. I'm not surprised he's not keen on swede, we don't eat it now and I'm still not a fan of it, even as an adult. I wonder how he'll go with the parsnip?

Booked him in for swimming lessons with the rest of the mother's group yesterday, that starts on 9th Oct - the day we fly to Qld. But we'll rejoin them after we get back. Should be good, considering how much fun Rory has in the bath at the moment.

In other baby news, heard from Corey that Daniel & Kylie had their baby, a girl, this morning. No news on name or weight, but should hear more about it soon.

the week that was ... not very exciting

Not a great deal has happened over the last week. So here's a quick wrap of happenings and thoughts from the previous week and the first half of this week:

• Rory's new 'tricks' include grabbing his feet and rolling to the right (not to the left, as yet), blowing rasperries, chatting a lot when he's tired and (today) sticking his tongue out all the time. He had a checkup with the maternal health nurse - he now weighs 10.5kg!
• Progress on the shed has stopped momentarily, given Corey's workload (he barely got much of a weekend at all), but I think the concrete will be happening on Saturday, whilst I'm at a brigade shopping tour.
• Mother's Group was at our place the previous Tuesday, and at Carter's place this Monday gone, as a couple of the mums (+ babies) are going to a sleep/settling class down in Rosebud. Jake and his Mum have now moved back to Tasmania, so it'll just be the four mums-and-babies at mothers group from now on.
• In baby news: Received a thankyou card from Michelle and her bubby Kiara - thanks very much, it's quite pretty! Mark & Lisa had a baby boy - Cody, and Donna and her hubby had a little girl named Molly. Still waiting to hear from Philippa, who's baby is due any day now.
• Trying to get a few odd jobs done - finish off the brigade annual report, do some sewing for mum, finish off that "cheats" quilt... would be nice to have time to do it in more than 2-hour blocks, but considering, I'm more than lucky to be able to get Rory down for that amount of time anyway. So I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
• Gym is still going well - had a weigh-and-measure done - since I've started, I've lost 11 kg! Given Rory's weight now, I've practically lost a baby! :)

First Father's Day

guinness is good...?

For some years now, I've always thought I'd like to read the biography, (diaries by, even) of Alec Guinness. For some reason he seemed to be the quinntessential English gent. So I'm reading the only "official" biography of him, by Piers Paul Read. So far, it's painted quite a picture of the knight, and quite different to what my original thoughts were. Only 2/3 of the way through and will be glad when I'm finished it... Am getting a bit put off by the subject matter, and feel incredibly sympathetic to his son and wife (dec.), and what they had to put up with.

baby's first cold

His cough, which had been persisting on and off over the last week, yesterday got noticeably and decidely worse, and now sounds a bit chesty/bronchial. Eyes watering, nose running. Up till 12 last night, checked his temperature (normalish). Corey woke up as he heard the boy's terrible coughing, stood in the doorway of R's room while I was giving him some baby panadol and scared me half to death. Grumpily told him off. When I was in bed 5 minutes later, he was dead to the world. Probably won't even remember getting up. At this point, my head had gone out in sympathy - scratchy throat, nose running, bit of a cough. Now I've got the cold as well. Corey up at 5 this morning to give him a bottle. Said he looked worse. The boy is grumpier when he coughs and his nose is streaming... clearly a bit painful, and gets whingey. Dislikes having his face wiped immensely. After his morning nap, he woke up with smile to his dad and mum and looked much better. Still has the terrible sounding cough, but nose and eyes seem to be watering a little less.

UPDATE (2/9/08): Visited the Doctor, who diagnosed Bronchiolitis, which is a common chest infection in babies, and usually starts out as a cold. Nothing can be prescribed, and the GP said we were doing the right thing by giving baby panadol and plenty of bed rest. Just need to ride it out apparently the cough can last for some weeks. Said we should be alright for mother's group today, the infectious period has probably past.

lazy saturday

This weekend we have no plans. Well, I have no plans, just good intentions. A few things - finish off a b'day quilt, do some sewing for mum, do more work on the brigade annual report, pay bills, do filing... maybe this will help me remember. Or maybe not. Corey's plans, as usually lately, have been to get more work done on the shed. As I write, he's managed to get most of the roof on, just as well as it's been spitting on and off for a while.

Nanna (Vicki) visited this morning to see Master 1/2 Year before he went for his morning sleep. We heard from Al - back from overseas this week and up for a chat. He's coming over for tea so that will be fun. He said he's bringing some photos too.

The small boy has a runny nose and seems a bit off his bottle today so have been rectifying it/supplementing it by giving him a little more to eat - need to get him to feed a bit more. As of late, it's just been 2 meals (morning, then lunch) with the usual bottles. Now I'm adding another meal - breakfast (cereal), which we tried this morning and went well. Pureed some carrot and some broccoli and froze them in the Qubies trays. Might try him on the carrot over the next few days, then maybe some broccoli.

tuesday mothers group

It's midday, the boy is asleep and I've just finished lunch (dinner leftovers). Mother's Group is on today, and I'll be leaving in about an hour. It's at Tyler's Mum's house, which conveniently is quite close to home - as is Carter's Mum's place. Taking some homemade double choc (dairy and white) biscuits which I hope will be appreciated - means there'll be less at home to tempt me!

Yesterday we visited an old high school friend, Sally and her little boy Max, who is nearly 1 and a half. Rory was very well behaved, and went for his nap without a peep. It was nice to chat with Sally about motherhood and stuff, and catch up with her since she's been interstate for many years.

Tomorrow is a big day for Rory - he'll be 0.5 years old (the big 6 MONTHS!). He also has his 6 month vaccinations and a baby reading session at the library. He's fast growing out of his size 00 clothing, and I've just gone through his size 0 clothing and put it in the drawers. Size 00 clothing now gets relegated to the storage tubs.

Still thinking of what to do for my 30th birthday in October, and who to invite. I want it relaxed and easy going - no stress, no food for me to organise and no dishes for me to clean...

5 years

Yesterday was a small anniversary for Corey and I : 5 years since we got together. We had Thai takeaway for dinner as a small celebration and watched (because nothing else was on, including the olympics) So You Think You Can Dance.

rainy thursday

Yesterday was quite busy - a walk in the morning to the library and a quick stop at K-Mart (where it used to be the cheapest) for some S26 formula. Home - and then got organised to go to Mum and Dad's (Grandma and Grandpa's) for tea.

Rory had his third serving of Heinz pureed apple today - and while he ate it all, he still made the scrunched up faces ... probably due to the tartness of it. Tomorrow we'll try the sweet potato.

Given today's weather, it's been an all-inside day today. No walks :( I did make some choc chip biscuits which came out really nice. Vicki (Nanna) is over for dinner tonight so I'm actually expecting her to turn up fairly soon (as I write).

Rory's getting stronger at tummy time, which he's getting more tolerant of. He's now able to sit unassisted for a little while, and if he starts to lean to one side, he'll balance himself right. Not all the time, as he still manages to fall to one side and plant his face on the floor.

monday wrapup

Not much to report today, except that I picked up the Pixifoto pics today from Cranbourne... they look great, except the only problem now is that we need more walls!

Rory is enjoying eating banana, however he is a little constipated (thanks to S26). Hopefully the poo situation should be a bit better after I start him on the pureed apple tomorrow.

In other news, Corey's got most of the shed walls up on the weekend. It rained and rained today so my high hopes of getting washing dry lasted for about 20 minutes - for as long as there was blue skies today.

My session at gym was good today - they've got new staff starting there, so there's a few new faces to get to know. Still feel as though I've seen (owner) Kathryn's partner before - just not sure where I've seen him. Didn't go to WPSC, so maybe its somewhere else.

And thanks to Contours ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjRJkyL2Yb4), I now can't get this song out of my head, especially when I've been singing the regular version to Rory.

shopping. and stuff.

Yesterday's excitement was a trip to the supermarket with the small boy, buying tantalising goods of the cheaper (homebrand) variety. I deliberately didn't buy any fresh produce, figuring I'd get it at the Pearcedale Farmer's Market on Saturday.

Friday evening was spent visiting a friend of a friend's baby shower, taking the small boy along for 'show and tell' - a sort of "Here's one I've prepared earlier!" - to the 3 heavily pregnant ladies there. 2 of them are due on the same day in September: one looks absolutely ready to burst, and the other only looking like she's half done.

Today (Saturday), Kim and I went to the aforementioned farmers market with the small boy, while the bigger boy went about concreting the shed footings, with the help of workmate Nick. Arrived at the market, to be slugged $2 per person, for about 10 stalls arranged in a circle (one selling each variety of produce: ie, pasta, beef, vegetables, jams/chutneys, flowers, olive oil, eggs, potatoes, bread and cakes, etc). All the stalls (bar a couple) had exhorbitant prices on their goods, and I'm too ashamed to say how much was spent on a hummingbird cake (which better be bloody good, I can tell you!). Fair enough the produce was fresh - but charging that much? Jeez!

So, Kim and I ended our trip back in Hastings, buying fruit/veg from Hastings Fruit Supply. There's a lot to be said about quality goods for quality prices and I'll be steering clear of farmers markets for quite a while now. Grr.

In other news, Rory's been producing lovely orange poos thanks to the pumpkin he's been trialling.

busy wednesday

Yesterday was quite busy, so did not have much time to blog.

Had our last library session yesterday - they now will be monthly occurrences. Rory spends most of the time watching the other babies, mums and presenter than paying any attention to me, especially when I'm trying to sing and do hand gestures! The rest of the other Mums & bubs from Mothers Group were there - except for Jake's mum, who had prior committments. We don't see Lexie and her Mum anymore at Mother's Group (she doesn't seem to bother contacting us at all now), so I think we'll probably stop letting her know when it's on and where.

Afterwards, we went to Mum & Dad's for the weekly Weds dinner. Tried feeding Rory pumpkin for the first time - went better than our experiement with the pureed apple. At least he only upchucked a little this time. He was very entertaining at dinner, and had us all in stitches with his raspberry-blowing, which seems to be his new favourite past time.

Today's going to be quite busy too: we're off to CFA HQ in Burwood to visit work colleagues. If we have time, I might try to drop in at Region 8 HQ, but I'll see how Rory and I go.

fish

The olympics are on, and I've made an observation (or prediction) about Rory's possible future career, solely based on his bath habits and nocturnal habits:

1) His activities in the bath - kicking his legs heaps and spreading so much water around that it wets all surfaces (and people)

plus

2) His sleeping habits - for the past month (and a half, possibly), he's been waking up at 4am or 5am (our current solution: bottle, then straight back to bed)

equals

Potential superfish (olympic swimmer), since swimmers get up r-e-a-l-l-y early in the morning to practice swimming

soup and slices

Day 2 of my blogging challenge, fingers crossed I stick to it.

Mother's Group was at my house today, so we had the usual 4 mums, plus the return of Jake's mum, who'd been in QLD for the past month (with Jake, I must add). It was good to have her back. Made pumpkin soup, lemon slice and double-choc fudge brownies, which all went down well.

The babies are growing hugely, and a no longer the sleepy little blobs that they once were when Mothers Group first started. Now they're little blobs (well, the boys anyway, because they still don't move much) with their personalities beginning to shine through. And they're beginning to interact with each other as well, which is quite amusing to watch.

Corey's just come back from getting his tax done ... amazingly his group certificate was done in August (not October like last year!) so we'll have some money to [sigh] put on those credit cards.

blogwork

I've done some tidying up around here :)

Whilst tagging my posts, I realised that I've been blogging for over a year, that's a small milestone for me! Hooray!

I've also added links to blogs that I frequently read. Some of my friends from high school have blogs of their own, so it's quite nice to be able to read about what they're up to these days...

a challenge...

Feeling bah about the whole blog thing: it's been well over a month since I last made an entry, and usually, from past experience, when I get to this stage, I feel slightly petulant about the whole blogging experience, like it's a task that needs to be done. And I don't want to do it! I've never been good with keeping a diary, but I'm determined to keep this thing going.

So. I've set myself a challenge. I'm going to try and write a little each day (nothing ground breaking) to prove to myself: a) that this is worth continuing; b) that it's more than a baby diary (not my original intention, but it has become one) and c) that it's something I can feel slightly accomplished with, and it's not a nagging task in the back of my mind.

the fourth month

This week Rory turns 4 months old. We've had some real highlights so far:

• We attended a sleep clinic in Koo Wee Rup a couple of weeks ago. Though Rory slept during the night well - but haphazardly during the day - I wanted to get his sleep practices in order. And aside from falling asleep in the car and in the stroller, he's never really had to fall asleep by himself. We've always rocked him to sleep. The most sleep I could get out of him during the day was in 45 - 1 and a half hour stints. The sleep clinic worked a treat - we spent one day there (which I was sceptical of - how can you get results in one day?!) and put him to bed a couple of times, and had to resettle him once he woke up after 45 mins. The resettling was hard, but towards the end of last week and this week, I've not needed to resettle him at all. Now I'm getting one-and-a-half and 2 hour sleep stints out of him! Yesterday, he did so well I had to wake him each time after his 2-hour sleeps! As a result, the amount of bottles consumed and the amount of nappies changed has reduced. And his Dad and I can actually spend some time together, without baby!
• Today's achievement was his 4-month old vaccinations. Again, like those he had at 2 months, he had one oral and 2 injections. No crying, just a small squawk and that was it. So proud!

In other news, we've finally got the permit for hubby's shed (although have had to move the location due to stupid council laws and council fees) and the airline tickets for QLD in October have been booked. Now I need to organise the hire car, car storage (at tullamarine), book the dog into a kennel and so on...

3 months

Rory is now 3 months old. He's currently asleep in his stroller - a walk round the streets and a quick visit to the vet to pick up some dog worming tablets did the trick. He's growing, growing, growing. Now he's into size 00 clothing (usually for 6 month olds).

Yesterday we had our last Mothers Group meeting at Crib Point, and now we have to work out where and when we want to meet on our own, as a playgroup. Because there were only 5 mums present (out of the usual 10), we'll meet same place, same time next week - hopefully we can decide then.


Corey is possibly working next week away at Sale on a big job, so that will prove to be an interesting week without him.

My efforts at the gym are also going well, and I'm starting to reap the rewards there.

An old friend from High School contacted me last week - she's moved back with her family to Vic from WA. She visited last Monday with her little boy - it was good to see how much she had changed, and also, how much she hadn't changed. If that makes any sense.

As the year progresses, the months are flying by.

Baby Update: Rory is nearly 11 weeks old and is a real joy. We've finally nailed down the feed-play-sleep practice without even meaning to. While he doesn't like sleeping a lot during the day (too many things to see!), he sleeps well during the night, only waking for meals and then falling asleep straight after. Touch wood. I keep saying that so I don't jinx myself!I'm getting more confident with taking him out by myself, knowing that I can handle him now that he's older and a little more manageable.

In Other News:

• Corey had his 30th recently and we had a kiwi hangi, which went very well.
• We attended our antenatal class reunion, which was good to meet up with all the other new parents and their babies and exchange war stories.
• Saw The Other Boleyn Girl and Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, the latter being a neat movies - recommend it to anyone.
• My first Mothers Day went ok, despite being incredibly tired.
• The DVD player packed it in, so we had to get a new one (boo JB HIFI for dodgy service!)

...more later (baby has awoke!)

catchup

Am at computer with baby fast asleep in babysling. Will have to make this quick before he wakes.

A few things have happened since I blogged last:

Carol had her baby: Annabel. A gorgeous little imp (tiny! compared to Rory!) with a shock of red hair. When we visited her a couple of weeks ago, I swear the blanket weighed more than she did when I held her. Beautiful - I'm looking forward to watching Rory and his cousin (or should that be un-cousin?) Annabel grow up, and share photos with Carol along the way.

Wild, woolly weather throughout Vic last week - the weekly Wednesday dinner at Mum & Dad's was an interesting experience - power was out for the evening so we ate by candlelight and sat and chatted (as well as doing the quizzes from the newspapers).

We (parents, brother, SIL, Corey, Rory & myself) went to MaQuay in Hastings for Mum's birthday on Saturday night. Rory managed to behave himself - being passed around the table to keep both him and us six entertained.

MIL arrived back from NZ the other week, she had a blast and regaled us all with her adventurous feats!

Anyway, Corey is in the midst of planning his 30th birthday - a hangi - so I'd better make something of a start on the invites.

easter and all that

Easter's here (how did that creep up so fast?), it's nearly April and Rory is now just over three weeks old. Time is flying - days go so fast and nothing's getting done except for that which concerns Rory, which is okay for me!

The last couple of days have been full of visits - first to my old workplace yesterday in Burwood East (I don't miss the drive to and from AT ALL!) where Rory was introduced to workmates - and the recently purchased babysling worked a treat. This morning we visited fire brigade friends Rob and Jo and this afternoon we visited the girls in Balnarring.

Now I'm paying bills online and am exhausted. Time for a nap.

something to talk about

"I've been dreaming
of the things
I've learnt about a boy"
(Something to Talk About - Badly Drawn Boy)

It's been a week and 2 days since Rory was born. After a long inducement, which started Monday 25th Feb, he made his entrance in the small hours on Wednesday (27th Feb) morning. Our much anticipated, long awaited son weighed in at 9lb, 6oz and entitled his mother to many stitches.

In the days that followed, we've had many phone calls, cards and parcels. We've slowly become accustomed to this individual who now rules the household. We've begun the habits of sleeping/changing/feeding shift changes. We've adopted new measures for settling and soothing. We've learnt that 3am television sucks.

Still wouldn't change it for the world, we're both utterly, utterly in love with this gorgeous little monkey. Still can't believe that he's here.

and then...

It's sunday. It's 4 days after my due date (weds, 20th feb). Nothing has happened yet. I've been booked in for induction tomorrow (mon, 25th feb) so hopefully someone will arrive tomorrow or tuesday. fingers crossed.

now see this!

">

a week less

Somehow I've skipped from 3-weeks-to-go to less-than-a-week-to go, according to my last entry. Feeling huge, uncomfortable and not appreciating the persistent acid reflux. Sleeping patterns entirely disrupted (yes, I'm aware that it will never be the same), with regular toilet trips to switching sleeping positions (left, then right, then left, then right) every hour or so. The acid reflux is more acute when I'm on my left side and I've found humbug lollies to be a makeshift remedy.

The midwife visit last week saw me receiving treatment for higher-than-normal blood pressure. Not only was I prescribed medication to lower it, but I had to get more blood tests, urine tests (for protein) and undertake a 24-hour urine collection. Thankfully, blood pressure has responded well to treatment. Despite this, the obstetrician at Frankston hospital wanted another visit next week (a day shy of 40 weeks) so an induction can be arranged, given that I've had high blood pressure (even though its at normal, lower pressure since the medication was started). So now it's a waiting game: will baby start the labour process itself, or will I be induced?

In other news (this time, short but sweet):
a) Catherine threw me a fantastic baby shower last Sunday, with many rellies making the effort to come along. Sadly, many of the friends invited had prior engagements. It was good to see my matron-of-honour Carol there as well.

b) Rohan and Kinga had their housewarming last Sat, which went very well. Quite nice to see the house actually looking like a house and not a work in progress/construction zone. Lots of family and friends managed to make it too.

c) Attended 5th antenatal class, this one focussed on breast feeding. Classes are all the more enjoyable now that everyone's familiar with one another.

d) We saw Juno (albeit a pirate copy) the other week. Quite a nice, quirky movie about teenage pregnancy, and very mature too.

e) The bathroom is s-l-o-w-l-y getting there, and Corey hopes to have the majority of it finished this weekend. Fingers crossed.

So that's the last couple of weeks summed up. Not so succinct, but there you go. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post in the next couple of weeks, so for the 2 (or so - now I'm optimistic!) readers that actually read this, be kind/patient! :)

hodge podge

a) This week I started maternity leave. I'm intending to use this time to get the house in order. Now, to stop procrastinating and start filing... [sigh]

b) All this hoo-ha in the news with Heath Ledger's death. Meh.I felt sadder on hearing Sir Edmund Hillary's death than I have about some acting celebrity, even if they are an Australian.

c) Watched 3 movies yesterday: No Reservations, Hairspray and Stardust. Of the three, I highly recommend Stardust - well worth adding to the dvd collection.

d) Night 2 of Antenatal classes went well, with most participants a lot more relaxed. Plus, one of the blokes, Fred (of Elfred's) brought in beautiful biccies and cakes to share.

5/4

And now for something completely different, check this out.



Have a 40th in Bendigo this weekend, so not much news for now.

Oh, and my last day of work is Monday :)

not long now

One week of work left, then I start maternity leave. Can't wait.

after the deluge

The week before Christmas - the week I was off sick recovering from the UTI or kidney stone - the building I work in was heavily affected by storm damage. Work's location - in East Burwood - was one of the worst hit. I had heard on the news (when at home) that the storm was particularly bad in Glen Waverly. So Building 4 was hit worst. Specifically, the first floor - the floor I work on. The rain apparently came down so hard it was almost black outside, and the gutters overflowed and the rain seeped through the ceiling. One workmate said it was like someone had turned the fire alarm sprinklers on inside.

Consequently, the whole floor was practically gutted - and everyone on that floor was relegated elsewhere to work. I came back to work today - all the others in my team were still on holidays and don't come back for another 2 weeks - to no desk, no computer, nothing.

Venturing over to the other building (building 8, the main building), I found a desk, and spent half the day setting up the makeshift computer. I traipsed back to the other building, where the carpet had been pulled up (all that was left was the concrete floor), and the floor devoid of furniture. The walls had been repainted, and I managed to find some boxes of my work stuff in a far corner. Thankfully I had been organised prior to taking leave, so it was easy to grab some work and head back to my makeshift desk.

Given that I only have 2 weeks before I start maternity leave, I had considered pissing off home again, but I think I'll make the best of it and tie up those loose ends.