Happy glow year

Let me tell you how Paul and I met.... and subsequently nearly didn't marry...

One New years,  my friend Jodi and I were planning a trip into the city. While we were guzzling our pre drinks at home we started chatting to some guy (Paul) on the internet.  We had found out that he had been stood up for new years and was going to spend the night at home.  We felt sorry for him so decided to meet him at Southbank. We felt safe enough because there were crowds of people and if we didn't like him we could just get lost in the crowd! (I know... I was pretty evil back then)

So off we trudged through the crowds of people towards the second tree along the beach where we told Paul we would meet him. On the way I locked eyes with someone in the crowd.... I have no idea why but he seemed to stand out.  This guy poked his tongue out at me. Having a giggle I kept walking to meet the Internet guy (Paul) at the second tree. 

Waiting. Waiting.  Waiting.... Still thinking about the tongue poker.  I eventually called Paul and found out that he was waiting at the second tree from the other side of the beach.   Eventually when we meet I realised it was the same guy who poked his tongue out at me!

He seemed nice and genuine enough so we didn't lose him in the crowd. 

Paul and I became good friends for a few months when he tools me he was going to play pool with his friend Matt (name has been changed)... I had to ask him: "do you mean Matt Davies?".... yep!   It turns out that my ex had rented a room from Paul after leaving me and they were good pool buddies!  I decided then I had to cut the friendship with Paul because I didn't want any ties to Matt.

Anyway,  long story short.  Through Paul's persistence we stayed friends and subsequently became soulmates. 

Ever since... We've been glowing it up at Southbank every year. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our little family to yours.  Wishing you a stress free day full of love and special people.  Xoxo

Balls

I haven't bothered too much with decorating this year m kinda slack I know but I think it's more important to enjoy Max's first Christmas without the stress of it being perfect. 
I don't remember my first Christmas. 

Ring for santa

These bells are popping up everywhere!  Same Bell different slogan.  So far I've seen:
"Ring for sex"
"Ring for santa" and
"Ring for another drink"
I think they should at least make the bells sound different.  Imagine if you rang the santa one but the sex one was answered to!

nudie rudie!

I bath Max in the bath tub with me.  I feel way safer as I can catch him faster if he slips.  I think there will come a time when I will have to stop.... I think I've got a while yet though...

Food glorious food.

Latest trick: blowing raspberries while eating solids!

3 year =leather

What sort of wife forgets her anniversary? ... One that goes back to work while her baby keeps her up all night! ... Sorry Paul, I do love you!
On another note.... What's something leather I can buy on the way home? Lol

China

I have a decision to make.... Do I want to go to China this year with the school or spend the two weeks with Max and Paul?  I really enjoyed it last time and did say I would go back but a small bit of me feels a tiny bit guilty. 

The godfather

So my husband and Max go to lunch with Max's godfather and this is the photo I get when I get home- it's good to know someone else is okay with putting things on Max's head.  Whenever I ask Paul to help me he says that he wants nothing to do with it.  Lol.
By the way,  I'm open for suggestions. 

Confession

I have a confession... Max fell out of his rocker yesterday.  He was in there next to the bath tub while I was having a shower. One minute we were having happy screaming competitions... Then the screams started sounding different.  I looked at the rocker and he wasn't there!  He had fallen into the floor!
He is okay.  He landed on the fluffy bath mat which helped a little.  I think I ended up crying more than him from the overwhelming guilt I was feeling. 

It turns out he can wriggle his way out of the rocker... Guess who's getting strapped in from now on!

Bobbie or bottle?

We've been pretty lucky with Max.  He is happy to drink from the bottle or the Bobbie.  It makes it super easy for when I'm back at work and Paul does the night shifts...
Not sure what we will do when we are both working.  I'm hoping he will be on solids and sleeping a little more than 3 hours at a time!

Hi ho hi ho...

My first day back at work... Max will be 15 weeks old tomorrow!
Where did all that time go? !
I was a little sad to go back.... Not because I would miss Max, not because I was exhausted and not because I I was enjoying being at home but because it reminded me of how fast time can fly!  It feels like just yesterday I was leaving there to go on Maternity leave. 

Time is precious. 

Pet collector

We already have a menagerie at our house...
3 dogs,  5 chickens,  2  birds, a siamese fighting fish and a snail.  We had to get rid of the gold fish because I kept forgetting to feed them....
But no matter how much my brain says no,  I always fall in love with cute little animals and want to take them home as pets!

I've had to ban myself from looking at the dogs for adoption on the RSPCA website. 

Today my brain won... I took the photo and left the duckling at the market stall. 

Balancing

Feeding dolphins

How could the dolphin afford to buy a house? He prawned everything! 

We took mum to tangaloma this week to feed dolphins... You can find the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OcCd24wcRA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Nutty knitter

Before Maternity leave I was worried about what I was going to do with all my free time (I can hear the mothers chuckling now). I bought a ukulele some wool and crochet hooks with great plans to learn to play the uke and crochet.

One week of Maternity leave left and I finally taught myself to crochet a love heart.  That's all I will be making.  It turns out I don't have the attention span or patience to be a crocheter.

Now to learn the ukulele in a week... 

Fatso notso

Now that I'm missing a gallbladder I need to be careful about the foods I eat. It turns out... I don't know much about food. I know that takeaway is bad and vegies are good but that's where my knowledge stops. Mission: take my fat butt to a dietitian!

Subtitle this...

I thought a photo just wouldn't do these eyebrows justice-  :) Here's the video

Gallbladder episode could have been a good thing...

I’m so glad I had to get my gall bladder removed, said nobody ever…. Except me! Don’t get me wrong… waiting in emergency on our last night in Melbourne was pretty extreme and painful until they gave me the magical morphine.  After that things were peachy with rainbows and unicorns.I didn’t even know what a gallbladder was until that day. Apparently it’s what helps you digest particularly fatty foods.  Once a gallbladder is taken out, a patient should be. Little more careful with their diet…. Not as much fatty foods and way more water. Which brings me to the reason I’m a little happy it’s been taken out. I’m a bit of a slow learner…. And could sometimes be described as stubborn.  Dieting is a very tricky thing to do when there’s so much yummy unhealthy foods out there (mmmm, crunchy hot chips). It simply would not happen of my own free will.  I have been on strict healthy eating plans in the past because of my endometriosis and PCOS but ended up giving up on them when all it did was make me fatigued and hangry (hungry&angry).   I think now if I eat anything too fatty my body is going to let me know. I’m hoping it won’t be subtle but will give me a decent kick in the guts.  I don’t listen to subtle very well.So… here’s hoping for a reasonably pain free recovery but a lifestyle change that will be for the better. It’s amazing what a trip to the hospital can do to change your life.

9 hour car ride...

We spent the day driving along the great ocean road.  We would have spent approximately 9 hours in the car.  For most of you this might sound like a nightmare but it could possibly be one of the best days we've spent together. 
You see... Max sleeps really well in the car capsule. It's got something to do with the way it sits him up.  He's also happier when he's awake and in the capsule which means less crying and more sane times
(One of the reasons I spend so much time walking around shopping centres instead of going home).

Paul and I were able to spend quality time together.  Max was happy and we got to see some cool sights. 

And yes... I'm in denial about travel with him when he's a toddler.  I'm sure it will be perfect! 

2am

These blog posts are brought to you from the letter z and the 2am feed.

This is an apology of sorts... or an excuse for poor grammar and spelling.   Most of the blog posts I write are usually at night when I can't sleep... They help me get a few things off my mind.  Unfortunately what I find amusing and funny at this time of the night/ morning  might actually be quite crappy.  Anyway..  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Gambling with love

It's never too early to start a gambling addiction...
At the casino in Melbourne. 

Melbourne boobs

The cold weather in Melbourne is making Max feed less often. 
My boobs want me to move to Melbourne. 

Picnic

Having Max and PND could be one of the best things that has happened to me.  Before baby I was a workaholic perfectionist who always put everyone's needs ahead of my own....
I've now discovered that this is not a healthy way to live.  I've been doing a couple of classes (I think I mentioned before) on how to deal with stress and anxiety and am on my way to becoming a healthier happier me. This in turn ripples to my family.  The other day I thought I would like to go for a drive and picnic instead of staying at home and doing work... so Paul Max and I set out to explore Mount tambourine.   This would never have happened before I had Max and before the classes.

I'd like to share a quote from another mum I know... She said
These ARE the 'good old days' that you're going to look back on... You might as well enjoy them. 

P.s. This is a lady Beetle that was in Paul's salad at our picnic. 

 

 

Wholy Macaroony

What's with Melbourne and all their macaroons?

Come fly with me... And a vomity baby

About to fly with Max.  To settle my anxiety I asked myself... "What's the worst that could happen? All you need is Boobs and nappies right? "
Well... My 3am mind went crazy with this... I had to get up and make sure I had everything I could possibly need.  Spare clothes for me, expressed milk, spare pacifiers...  usually it's Paul doing this.  What sort of crazy ocd person has this baby turned me into! ?

Anyway... We're off to Melbourne to see the moto gp and penguins.
Plane is boarding... wish us luck!
I can already see people watching us and probably hoping they don't get stuck near us. 

Xo

That sweet n sour baby smell...

Ever wondered where that baby smell comes from? ...  ME TOO!

I've had a few friends and strangers sniff Max expecting to smell something sweet and magical like unicorn farts.   Unfortunately they get a wiff of stale milk vomit mixed with baby sweat from his little ogre head!

I guess this is one of the problems you face when you have a reflux baby.  Don't get me wrong.  I clean him with a wipe or wet facewasher whenever I can but this isn't the same as changing him and bathing him.  If I did this everytime Max vomits he would be constantly in the bath! 

Can Max visit me in jail?

I confess... I'm a thief! 

Sometime in the last couple of weeks I have stolen a bunch of hair ties from Coles. Not intentionally of course... I had put them in the bottom of the stroller and forgot about them when I got to the checkout. 

So should I go back to Coles and pay for my goods or think of it as a gift for putting up with long cues at the checkout? 

People have been arrested for less...

I'd love to know what you've forgotten to pay for...

Handing over the reins.

Max spethe tnt the day in daycare while I did my course.  The first time I had to drop him off I was terrified! Especially after hearing horror stories  and not knowing who will be watching him...  or even if they would be watching him!  I had this vision of Max being in a corner with the other babies while the careers have smokes outside.   I was also a little worried for the carers because Max was a very sick baby and I thought he was going to give them as much hell as he'd given me in the first couple of weeks!

It has surprised me how much things can change.  From the first day he was there when I had to visit him at morning tea,  lunch and hurry back after class, to now where I mosy back at leisure and even sometimes give myself the luxury of going to the loo (mums will understand this) on the way. 

Today when I went to pick Max up he was getting a cuddle from one of the careers. It was such a comforting thing to see I didn't want to take him from her arms.  It's also amazing for me that he will be comfortable with other people looking after him. This will come in handy when I return to work. 

So.... the moral of the story: There may be bad childcares out there but I'm sure the majority are just as fantastic as the one today. 

I'm breaking up with you.

Dear Westfield.
I'm breaking up with you.

I've really enjoyed our time together over the years.  You've provided me with a cool relaxing space to zone out and let the world pass by.  For as long as I can remember my favorite thing to do would be strolling through your shopping Centre,  browsing the shops and occasionally making purchases.  The hum of the crowds would help drown out any thoughts or recently, it's helped keep my newborn sleep.  Unfortunately it's the same newborn who has helped with my decision not to visit you anymore if I can help it...  I spend enough money over the year and can't really fathom spending money on parking just so I can spend money on shops.  Since having Max things are a little more complicated.  You see babies have needs like feeding and changing Nappies.  Sick babies (with reflux) feed more and therfore need more nappy changes which pretty much takes up my 3 hours of free parking.   Last month I was at carindale I had spent $90... Not enough to get the parking validated and I don't know how long I was there for but it was $10 for me to get out of the car park! I felt as though I was being punished for genuinely shopping and enjoying the experience.   Ever since then I've hated going to carindale, I spend my time there feeling anxious that I need to get out in time.  I don't stop for a drink like I usually do and I avoid shops like they're evil time suckeres.

What once was one of my favorite past times has now become an expensive anxiety ridden venture which I'll have to give up. 

I'll miss you.
Xo

Clean as a whistle covered in dust

I love the feeling of walking into someone's home and it not being perfectly tidy.  It makes them seem all that more real to me... or really like me.  How on earth can some people have families,  careers and other interests and still keep their house tidy?!

Before Max I was not the neatest person... Since Max nothing has changed except the want for a cleaner environment.  I'm not any neater I just yearn for it.

Today we did a small spring clean.  I donated about 15 pairs of shoes which I hadn't worn on the last 3 years!  Seriously, who keeps stuff they don't use for 3 or more years!

I don't want my home to be spotless but I would love to know if you have any tips on how you keep your space tidy... or if you can't I'd like to hear that too so I know I'm not alone. 

Signing out from the cobweb covered dog haired bedroom of clutter. 

Alert alert

Paul (Max's dad)  is often checking Max when he's sleeping to make sure he's still breathing (ok ok, I do it too). It makes me wonder... How healthy is it to be this paranoid and how old will Max be when we stop?  I could imagine him at 18 with his girlfriend and us going into his room to check if he's breathing!

Seriously though... I'd like to know the stats of how often babies actuality just stop breathing. 

Working hard at not working

While my friends return to work tomorrow I can't help but to be a little jealous.  I miss my students and Co workers a fair bit... I also miss being able to work towards a goal and know what I'm doing and how to do it.  
Then I feel a little bad that I want to leave Max to go to work. 
So... My goal for the last 3 weeks of maternity leave is to try and enjoy as much Max time as possible!

Just beachy

We took Max to the beach today... It seemed to work a lot better in my head when I initially got the idea.  I thought I could sit in the shallow and let Max sit with me.  I didn't think about how cold the water would be our how windy it would be!  Never The less... We had driven all the way down so I decided to dip him in anyway for half a second.  He didn't like it very much and spent the rest of the beach trip in his capsule with uv cover while his mum had fun in the water!

By the way.  That's sand on his head. 

Giant tooth

I told him about the dentist....

Babies don't read the books

I don't think anything anyone can say would prepare you for having your first baby...
We were given so much advice that it all mushed into one big jumble.... "swaddle the bottles and air dry the baby".

I think the baby really dictates what will be happening in your house.  With Max's reflux and colic there was a time when we slept him in the car capsule because it was the only place he would sleep for more than 30 mins!

I think the best advice I've recieved since having Max was: "remember that you are doing the best you can."
It's easy to get into quite negative thinking at 4am after no sleep since 3 Days earlier... I had started to doubt my abilities as a mother... remembering that advice has made the sleepless nights so much better! 

Poopy head

My favorite memory from Max's first week is when Paul (Max's dad) was changing his nappy at the shop.  Max was able to shoot his poo past the change table onto Paul's shirt!
You would think Paul learnt from that... I'm pretty sure it's happened at least another 2 times since!

Mexican

I seem to always say yes to loyalty cards... even though the is no chance that I'll ever really use them enough to get rewarded for anything. 
Plus... I always lose them!
What do you do with loyalty cards?
Is there an app for that?

Mechanics or medicine?

What a strange concept.  We really have no idea what Max will be interested in when he's older...
His father and myself are totally different people.  Paul is a merchandise planner (nerd) who works on computers all day whereas I'm a teacher of art which is totally different.  Hopefully Max will have the best of both of us. 

Girly boy

I don't know how people can go their whole pregnancy without finding out the sex of their baby.  I am way way way way too impatient for that!
Another reason I wanted to find out what I was having was because I thought it would help me attach more to it.  At the time I was still in denial about the whole pregnancy thing and never really felt attached to the thing growing inside!

Odd sock day

Today is odd sock day. 
because anyone can have an odd day, is a light-hearted approach to reminding people that anyone, at any time, can have an odd day.

Read this part in the voice from CSI Svu:

"According to mental healthorganisation GROW: The stigma associated with mental illness is incredibly isolating. Attitudes cause people to disengage from their communities and deny symptoms or illness which then impacts on their decisions to seek help...

This is my story. "

(This is super difficult).  

  I had been on anti anxiety (depressant) tablets for 3 years to help with sleep... When I first was prescribed these I was certain I didn't need anti depressants because I hardly felt super sad and never wanted to harm myself. I'm so glad I did because my sleep had gone from 3 hours a night (from not being able to switch off my mind) to at least 7 hours.  

Since Max was born we had a terrible time with his colic and reflux. He wouldn't stay asleep for more than 30 mins. I went to a bunch of child Health nurses who seemed to tell me everything I was doing wrong. When one had berated me for an hour and told me to just let Max cry I had a mini breakdown in her office. She then told me I had PND and had to go straight to the hospital because she didn't think I could look after max... excuse my language but BULLSHIT! Anyway, it might have been the best thing to happen because I then went to my doctor who sent me to a psychologist who told me about some awesome classes for PND. And for the record: She also told me I was coping very well for what I had been through.  

I've been gong to these classes for post natal depression... learning a lot about anxiety and self talk.  When I first went I thought I shouldn't be there because again I never had thoughts to harm Max or myself. I thought that all the other mums there had it way worse. Since then I've become aware that there are many variations of depression and anxiety which people can experience... You don't have to be on the extreme end of the scale to want to get help.  

In my case it was just a massive sock (shock) from being a workaholic teacher and uni tutor to all of a sudden having a sick baby and no clue how to help him. 

  I'm hoping by sharing this more people will either gethelp or at least change their views on mental illness. Without the negative views of mental illness maybe more people would get help.

broom broom

Am I the only one that forgets to strap the car seat in properly sometimes? 

I remember to strap Max in but forget to loop the  seatbelt  thing around the capsule. 

What's in a name...

Want to know why we called him Max? ... There's a few reasons:

1. I'm a teacher... That rules out about 400 names. 

2. I wanted something reasonably normal because as a teacher I know I find it tricky remembering the strange names.  It's always nice when people refer to you by your name instead of "you".

3. Max is easy to spell so hopefully he will be the first one in preschool to be able to write his name.

4. Paul liked the name because of Maxwell smart. 

5. I liked the name because it was a character from my favorite book as a child.  WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.  The boy in this book got into mischief a lot like I did and had an incredible imagination. .. Which is why I think as a child I related so well to this book. 

6. It could be lengthened if he wanted to be called Maxwell. 

Loyalty programs... are they worth it?

What do you do with all your membership cards? If I put mine in my wallet I'd be carrying an extra kilo! (This is a sauce container at the local Mexican restaurant).  Managed to have a good night though... Max slept through my outing with my friends which made it super easy!

Bbq

Weare at a family bnq with the in-laws. .. I was thinking twice about taking this shot because they might think I'm a weirdo. .. Then I thought. .. stuff it.  I am a weirdo!  :) 

What's a pirate's favorite letter?

Arrrrrr

Happy talk like a pirate day.   This is my old pet bird Charlie pretending to be a parrot.

Tea

Thiswould have to be one of my favorites. .. The look on his face is priceless!   It's easy to miss all the cute expressions when you're really only focusing on ssettling and feediI'm glad i started this blog. it helps me reflect on the good little things. 

Cheers

I've been so careful with what I've been eating since Max was diagnosed with reflux.  One thing my doctor said to try for sleep was if I drank one or two Bailes at night. It's not on my allowed list but I'm not going to argue with the doc!

His number 1 fan

Theweather is starting to get hot. .. Max is already a bad sweater when he feeds!  If anyone has tips for surviving summer with a baby please let me know!   I'm so glad that Paul and I installed air con instead of giving eachother Christmas presents!