two out of three

Apparently the naughty child has stayed home with me today.

Usually, it's R pushing my buttons. M, just shy of turning 2 (14 days to go!) has perhaps (I say perhaps because maybe today's antics are a blip) entered the terrible twos phase.

This morning was going swimmingly. As usual, I was harrassing R to get dressed. Seriously, how hard is it when your clothes have been laid out for you? I was organised, I'd made lunch, packed R's lunchbox, put a load of washing on, got dressed, got M dressed, checked R's schoolbag. I neglected to see M push the chair up to the kitchen bench and reach for the ...

Sat down to read a book on the couch or something. Then I noticed it. A squidged up bag of red, tan, and yellow. Which was... Rory's lunch. M had emptied R's lunchbox. His staple "tomato and cheese sandwich" was ruined. Perhaps what set me off more was that we don't have any tomatoes from the garden, sadly on their way out, and now I'd have to make the sandwich all over again.

I blew up. Those kids didn't know what hit 'em. The lounge was tidied up promptly, the naughty child became quite quiet and offered apologetic hugs to anyone.

Crisis over, lunch remade, off to school. Out and about to do errands, home again and proceeded to hang out the washing. Then M decides emptying the packet of lawn seeds his father has left on the porch all over the concrete is a fantastic idea. So again, he's in trouble and made to sit by himself whilst I sweep it all up and PUT IT AWAY.

It's nearly lunchtime and M will be served that mangled lunch. If things come in threes, I dread to think what this afternoon holds in store.

What's the Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying

Twenty years ago, there was an amazing Australian stage production (nay, Arena Spectacular!) of Jesus Christ Superstar that starred John Farnham, Kate Cerberano, Jon Stevens (of Noiseworks), John Waters and even Angry Anderson. Twenty years ago, I was in Year 8 at High School, and my introduction to the world of musicals had only just begun.  I recall massive publicity about this production, even TV HITS (my teenage magazine of choice, which educated me on what was hot and what was not) had a pullout poster. Which did grace my bedroom wall for far longer than appropriate.

Twenty years ago, I asked my Aunt to copy her newly purchased Australian Cast recording of this production onto cassette for me (a common practice back then), later posting the photocopied lyrics booklet to me) and I listened to it religiously (no pun intended). I fell in love it the lyrics, the catchy composition and I adored the vocal idiosyncracies of the performers. To this day I can still sing all the lyrics verbatim.

The album hasn’t lost much over the years. Ok, there’s some twee musical stylings that scream 1990s, but I still enjoy the passionate delivery of the lyrics. John Water’s Pilate, Angry Anderson’s Herod and John Steven’s Judas portrayals were delicious. Kate Cerberano and John Farnham, I could take or leave (as I do now, with the latter), but if it was possible to fall in love with the incredulity and snarling that Mssrs Stevens and Waters delivered in their singing, I was gone.

I’m not sure if it was the start of my maturity as a song listener, but musicals were a staple in my Walkman as a teenager. Even now, I’ll hear a snippet of one (from publicity from an upcoming production) and it transports me back there and I’m walking to school, blissfully lost in the music. There’s a current tour advertised now – and if I ever had one regret, it was that I never went to that production twenty years ago. 

Twenty years later, perhaps  I can convince someone to buy me a ticket…

Skip 2

2 years since an entry. That's lazy on a large scale. Life gets in the way. Have been inspired by a fellow mum's musings to commit fingers to keyboard once again.

An update:

M is nearly 2. Words are coming thick and fast. A real little boy. Now I have 2! Adores swimming.

R is 5, has started school (in Prep and absolutely loves it). Adores Lego.

C is still in the same job as usual, but with added 'official' responsibilities and authority. He had those before, as 2nd in charge, now it's official as a director of the business. Forever touting how great '50 Shades of Grey' is. (Note: I've yet to meet another male who will admit to reading it - at all, or readily as much as C does)

I'm still plugging away at the gym, finally at a size I'm happy with. Still a Stay At Home Mum but with the added passion that comes with being the coordinator of the local toy library. Still annoyed at the constant state of mess that 3 males manage to create and be blissfully aware of until I start making noise about it.

Old friends still remain, and new friends have joined our circle. My mothers group is still chugging along although our meet ups are a bit sporadic now that 3 (of the original 4) of us have kids at school 5 days a week.

Family remains the same, with added hiccups along the way. There's been a niece added, no nephews. No big family events that I can think of.

Friends have gotten married, had babies (or are in the process of brewing them). Close friends also seem to be in a constant flux of turmoil, as soon as it settles then more dust is kicked up. It's not enjoyable watching this from the sidelines.

House is still slowly improving. The entertaining area is pretty much complete, with the paving completely redone, the pergola finished & painted and some nice outdoor furniture obtained. The herb garden thrives, as are the espaliered citrus trees (fruit on the way, yet to ripen). Front garden is gone, replaced by gravel driveway, 2 parking 'areas' and mulched native plant areas. Front fence has been replaced (yay!) with a grey colourbond fence that features a sliding (driveway) gate and pedestrian access gate. We are now a Compound.

Oh yeah, and our neighbour died and we didn't learn until 2+ months later. (Note: his family knew, just not us)

And then the smiles arrived

So here I am, attempting to type with one hand, whilst supporting a hiccuping nearly-6-week-old, who is partly resting, partly grumbling, on my chest after his afternoon feed.

Yes, the latest (last?) human member of our family arrived on Saturday 14th May, claiming a birth date all to himself, not sharing his birthday with any family members, had he actually arrived on his due date (6th May). A week and a day overdue, he made his way into the world quickly, with the aid of an induction (which clearly proved that once the gates were unlocked, there was no stopping his entrance) – disproving the midwives who expected a reasonable labour length. Not he – a 3 hour labour was enough, thankyou. Quite a difference to the length of labour his elder brother needed. And quite a difference to the weight – 8 pound, 2 ounces – to that of his brother – 9 pound, 6 ounces. And, given the labour – no pain relief because it was so quick – I was glad he wasn’t bigger than his brother. I can’t imagine the pain – or the amount of tearing and subsequent stitches – that a larger baby would entail.

I had meant to blog earlier – considering I managed to do so not long after his brother arrived 3 years – but somehow time passes far too quickly and it seems I have far less time to do things, and have far less ability to do things with a 3 year old and nearly 6 week old. Today’s amazing achievement - 2 loads of washing ON THE LINE (and not just getting the machine going and then forgetting about the load afterwards until a couple of days later... oops) as well as doing the grocery shopping. Yay me!

And whilst the fanfare of his arrival is a little less subdued – no baby shower (my decision), no houseful of congratulatory floral bouquets, no spotlessly clean house on arrival home (yes, this did happen after the birth of first baby) – he is much loved already. And the last 5 weeks of erratic feeding, sleeping, nappy changing and undeterminable cries have rewarded us this week with our first little grins and smiles. Worth the wait despite our lack of sleep.

Waiting, wishing...

So, right now am wishing that this pregnancy would live up to this blog's name and 'skip to the end'. Currently, 38 weeks and feel like I'm carrying a bag of bricks.

Fortunately, unlike last pregnancy, I'm in a better mindset as to what to expect. And, not suffering high blood pressure, suspected kidney stone, pelvic soreness or a blind sense of panic.
Unfortunately, like last pregnancy, have been suffering from reflux/heartburn (much worse than last time) and lack of sleep (not helped by 3 year old).

Things different from last time - have kept much fitter, still going to gym throughout pregnancy (although tomorrow - Saturday - will probably be my last visit). Have maintained better figure - still managing to fit in size 14 clothes (and thus, maternity clothing looks slightly more welcoming), despite putting on some 20 kilos - hopefully due to internal child and water retention! Recent blood test showed iron deficiency, so taking supplements to combat that. And, another plus, breasts appear bigger so perhaps breastfeeding might actually work this time. (But I'm not going to let it do my head in if it doesn't, like last time).

And, as per last pregnancy, adopting the 'slug' pose (lying sideways on couch/bed) is still the most favourable position. I can't wait to be able to lie on my back again and get back to the gym!

Christmas and New Years

Christmas came and went. Now we're in the New Year with still more jobs about the house to do, and a crapload more toys to clean up after. And that's only one child, I don't even want to think about how bad it will be when the next one arrives!

Speaking of which, we finally told Rory about the new baby and he seems pretty unfussed and unfazed. Perhaps he's already been clued in, due to the various references dropped about the place by close family and friends. At least we have had the advantage of several friends (and his Aunt) going through the pregnancy stages and the end result of babies, so I think he has a fair idea of what's going to happen. Fat belly = baby.

The break between Christmas and New Years gave hubby the opportunity to knock over several tasks around the house - set up the new outdoor setting, install lighting under the pergola, connect piping from water tank to vegetable garden (which is thriving, as you can see from photos above). He still wants to complete the rendering of the house - and after that, redo the paving out the back. He's also built the wooden Thomas train layout tray which slides neatly under Rory's bed, as well as rebuilding the sand pit so it's much bigger and Rory's digger (his Christmas present from Gran & Pa) seats neatly in it, with plenty of space for digging.

New Years Eve was spent trying to avoid the heat - and for me, the sun (despite managing to get myself sunburnt twice in 2 weeks) - and we caught up with Corey's Aunt and cousin (and extended family) for a late lunch, and later, a quiet evening our close friend's place, munching on home made, woodfired pizzas. Home by 10 - the small boy thrown into bed. His parents fell asleep on the couch and were in bed by 11.50pm. Clearly, the most quietest of New Years evenings we've had.

Merry New Years!

Just like Dad

Just like Dad
Originally uploaded by ninevah

We're currently in the toilet training phase. Small boy always tells me he "needs something to read". Guess where he gets that from!