Food, glorious food

Well last week, when Mum & Dad were down, Mum had great success with feeding Pip. At the end of her feeds, both Pip, Mum and the surrounds were very clean.

Not so when I feed him!

We get food everywhere. It was in my hair, on the labrador and in the carpet.

But isn't he gorgeous!

Daddy's first birthday

Happy birthday Trev!

Pip has been under the weather - have you ever heard a baby that's lost his voice? It's pathetic - all tears, no sound. So the past week when Mum & Dad were down were a bit stressful, as we couldn't leave Pip alone and trust we could hear him cry for food etc. But he's on the mend now, and we celebrated by going to see Santa!

Solid Pip!

Today was a big day - we started Pip on solids. Or, as Trev put it, as solid as flakes of rice cereal in formula can be.

So we prepared his cereal (the good ol' Farex) and waited an hour after his lunchtime feed ... then introduced the food. To say he was excited is an understatement - he reached for the food and then tried to shove the spoon into his mouth. I managed to get the spoon in with a large amount of food still on there ... he closed his lips around it and then opened his mouth in wonder. I removed the spoon and he scrunched up his nose ... then frowned ... and reached for the spoon again. All in all, very successful I think!

For the rest of the day he's been celebrating with raspberries - many, many, many thereof.

*sighs*

My aunt Jose and cousin Di came to visit us on Sunday.

Pip was, of course, spoiled! Jose knitted a lovely jumper & beanie for him, and gave him a lovely olliphant! (named Ollie, of course!). Plus a cute little jumpsuit.

Pip!

This is the little munchkin at 5 months ... he's doing well don't you think?

OK - Milestones. Last Friday his first tooth came through (poor Mum & Dad - I SMS'd them at 11pm to tell them!) and then on the Saturday, he rolled over! Now he is moving all around the floor, darnit!

He's now got a second tooth through too. So he now has his 2 front teeth!

As for us, we've moved upstairs to the bedrooms up here. Pip sorta demanded that, as he grew out of the cradle and needed the cot. Last night was his first night sleeping in the cot. A bit unsettled, I had to cuddle him for a bit when he woke up, but then in the morning he was lying with his legs sticking out the side of it, the silly billy!

And for those of you who made it through the blog - put Feb 2, 2008 in your diary. It's a Saturday, and I'll be wearing a special dress and carrying flowers....

Wow, time flies when you're having fun

Or something like that!

The last couple of weeks have flown by. Patrick is now 3 months and going through a "I'm going to cry if I can't see my mum" phase which makes things interesting.

Trev's off on holidays in a few days for a month, so lots of news will be forth-coming on the home front, I'm sure!

And Mum & Dad are coming down from Brissie on Saturday - last time they saw Patrick he was just a week old, so I'm sure they'll notice the difference!

On the computer front, mine has exploded during the power fail this morning, so can I just say "arghhhhh" ?

Well yesterday was our first mothers' group, that was quite cool. Coincided with our first bus trip here in Melbourne !

Weekend was quite busy, went to Chaddy to check out the sales with Abs. Mothers' rooms there quite good on the whole - wish I'd found the Myers' change stations before we took Patrick to the one near the cinemas - although the cinema ones were clean etc, there were sound hideous kids that kept pressing the auto-opening button for the doors, so I couldn't feed him in peace. Grrr!

On the other hand, the Myer room is huge, spacious and with lots of chairs, change stations and it smelt good!

Anyhows, he's awake, so I'm off ...

G'day g'day :D


Well the Study is almost finished. The Architraves are looking fine, and soon we'll be able to set up a cot in here. Then a couple of doors, and we'll be able to mosve upstairs!

WOOHOO!!!


Photos when I can find the camera!

Well, still haven't printed out my "thankyou" cards. Have the photos printed, the art supplies, the design - just need Trev to sort out the printer again ... then I'll be cooking with gas. So to speak.

But tonight's State of Origian again - hopefully more opportunities for Patrick to practice his victory dance :D

and now he's stirring, and I can smell his bum from here - so I guess I'm off to change his nappy!

June begins

g'day g'day :D

Bit of an update - we're starting to get mobile! Last week we walked down the hill with the pram into Belgrave Main Street, but since then its been raining so I haven't gotten out while Trev's been at work. This weekend I'm hoping we'll be able to get out with Tara on the flat, so I can train her with the pram (don't really want to try her and the pram together on our hill first go!)

But I know what you really want to see is ...

Patrick John!

(Patrick cause we like the name, John for his Great-Grandfather and Grandfather)

Georgina popped in for a cuddle

Little Piglet having a snooze

Loz & Patrick

Now he enjoys his bath!

When we went to Tess' birthday party, there was a queue for Patrick cuddles. The line started where the paper is ...

Eventually, Grandpa Peverill even got a cuddle.

With his mum :D

And Rexie boy

And playing with his gym

If you really want to, click on the photos for a larger version ...

Out & About

Okely dokely.

We've only gone out about 4 times so far, and have needed the nappy change facilities twice only, but I think I'll start a rating system. 5* (*****) good, 1* (*) bad.

Room 1: Myer, Eastlands First time in a change room. Clean, great chairs to sit on to feed, microwave, handwashing facilities and toilet that will fit a pram. Also a toddler area to corral them while feeding. ****

Room 2: David Jones, The Glen Dissapointed here - thought DJ's would have great facilities. 2 rooms, one a kitchen, the other divided into 3 areas with a chair and change table in each area. The bins for nappy disposal were all full (there were 3 bins in each area) and the stench was putrid. Thank goodness I had a bottle to feed Patrick with as I was gagging while changing his nappy. Microwave & handwashing facilities (but could have done with some paper towel) and a adult / small one toilet. Pram difficult to navigate through the area. **

Homecoming

Well, we're home. Have been home now just over a week, and I'm sorry to say this is the first opportunity I've had to update the blog!


For those not yet introduced, meet Patrick.


Born on April 26 at 18:37, he was 8lb4oz (or 3.76kg) with a length of 50.5cm and head circumference of 34.5cm. We achieved our birth plan and now are introducing him to the wider world.



Trevor & Abbey were with me during my labour in hospital, and I must say the midwives at Knox Private are amazing. Mum & Dad arrived in Melbourne about 1/2 hour before he was born, so they were able to see him that first night (I hadn't even showered!). Dr Ken missed the birth by literally 5 minutes, but was there to do all Patrick's checks and stuff.


Friday saw the start of visitors, with Trev's family arriving on Friday morning, then our neighbours in the evening. More of Trev's family on the Saturday & Sunday, with the SES crew on the Sunday and my family again on the Saturday. Lots of lovely gifts, lots in blue, and some beautiful hand-made jackets, shawls, beanies and the like from family and friends.

Anyhows, its starting to get late and I'm sure he'll be wanting a feed soon - it's been just over 3 hours since his last one - so I'd best get downstairs and get sorted for our own tea. Thank goodness for all the cooking and freezing I did before he was born - tonight is shepards' pie, YUM!

Have a good one :)

kaz

Rexie boy ... at Olinda

No births yet, but a warning of a farewell

Well its Friday the 20th. I was due on the 18th, and I had a feeling I'd be more like a Anzac bub / mum.

I'm currently fighting off a cold, but am unable to take anything more than paracetamol for it ... my nose is blocked up when its not running a marathon, my throat feels like I swallowed a sheet of sandpaper and in general I just feel woozy. Then there's the heavy belly and sore back. Trev's back at work tomorrow, (or should I say today?) having beaten most of the cold with his antibiotics.

Haven't had any symptoms that there's imminent action, and the OB/GYN doesn't think I'll upset his weekend.

Oh yeah, and I'm bloody tired. Trev & I both fell asleep watching "Catalyst" this evening - doh!
But I can't go to bed quite yet, as I've just had some LemSip (checked with the OB, GP and Pharmacist it was OK) and its giving me heartburn, so just sitting upright until I finish this icy cold glass of milk.

But as we're preparing for this life to come into the world, I'm acutely aware that its time for another to leave. My beautiful dog Rex, my blue heeler who's around 141/2 was diagnosed with a large tumour last November, had surgery to remove the 1.2kg mass and went through Chemotherapy. In the last week, he's slowed right down. I think its his time, and he knows it.

He's been sleeping on our clothes, anything with our scent. He's been sleeping for easily 22+ hours / day and his tail is between his legs. But he's still a happy dog, and adores me, so until he is in obvious pain, we'll let him enjoy life. And hopefully he'll see my parents one last time.

Strangely, I'm not crying as I write or think all this - I did a lot of crying in November and the extra time we bought has allowed me to accept that my bestest friend, my Rexie, is going to move on and wait for me to come to him later.

Have a good one all.

But wait! There's more!

My two cats - Seraph and Azazael. Seraph is the black one, getting grumpy at me. Azzy's doing his best to be asleep and not get kicked out of the house.
And finally, the study again. On the left, where Trev's standing, is where his desk is. That window overlooks the road.

My desk will be on the other window, that currently has a lovely view of blue tarp. But, when the tarp's not there, there's the valley and the western sun. Level with the tree canopy - how lovely! Not sure if you can also see the plethora of powerpoints - 4 for me, 8 for him and near his knee are the LAN points.

More photos!

Okies. Here we have it - more photos. My apologies for the time taken to view this page :D

This is the first load of Baby Washing, drying on the line. Luckily we actually had a few good days of drying weather.



Our bedroom, with power. Look, lights! Fans! Action! The floorboards are even sanded, just waiting for the polish.
The dining room. Trev's still painting it, with his faithful hound keeping watch.Hold on, what's she eating?
The Dining Room again, from the other direction. I just love all the trees outside.
The new staircase. It's legal!!! Who would have thought I'd get excited about a staircase with a handrail?

7 days to go!

Ok.

So we're into the final countdown to EDD (Estimated Due Date).


Are we panicking yet? Strangely, no. As the date is getting closer, I'm getting calmer (hey, if I'm not ready now, *shrugs* it doesn't matter, I'll manage somehow. Tomorrow I might actually make the cot up ready for bubs. Trev's already muttering about the cot being in the road of his wardrobe, and he needs to move it out of the way to get his clothes out. I keep mentioning he'll need to get his clothes out of a night before the morning, cause he won't be able to move the cradle when the baby's in there!

On the names front, I think we're getting closer to choosing a boys' name. Well at least we have a list. We can just look at the baby when its born and compare it to the list, and see what fits. Hopefully! As for girls' names, we have plenty to choose from.

And the slow cooker that Trev bought me last year and was grumpy that I wasn't using enough I'm using almost every day. Tonight's fare was Creamy Chicken Stew, which I thought was quite yummy. There's one complete meal (with rice) and 3 other double portions currently in the freezer for when's required. Tomorrow night I was going to do Shepards' Pie, but not sure if its the weather for it. Plus the mince is still frozen!

On the renos, well we've now waited our 3 days and are starting to move furniture upstairs. Trev just needs to do the "skirts & arcs" which are the skirting boards and architraves. Oh, and hang some doors :) That might help!

Tomorrow the wardrobe for the master bedroom comes and will be installed! WOOHOOO! Finally I'll be able to move those blasted spare doonas that I've been keeping under the bed, wrapped in dry-cleaners' plastic. And the summer clothes that are in the space bag will have a home ... so excited!

More photos :)

Actually, the photos will have to be uploaded later, as Trev's turned off his puter, and that's where the photos get uploaded from ...

Night all, dream pretty.

Friday, good Friday

Well today both Trev & I are feeling sore and sorry for ourselves. Trev's sort of self-inflicted and mine I paid for ...

Yesterday was my "doctor day". So the physio who I'm sure took great delight in causing me pain. I feel today like my entire left side is bruised from the work she did. But at the same time, I can move my leg better. Then the OB who checked out everything - placenta is functioning well, the baby's growing well and there's a good solid heartbeat and enough fluid in there. Now at 3/5ths so still on track for the 18th. We also went over the birth plan and he's happy with it, and we had a jolly good discussion about pulsing cords and the like. Later in the afternoon I needed my iron shot - I'm actually wondering if the iron shots are the reason I've been feeling more active, getting up at 6 and 7 instead of 11 ....

Meanwhile, Trev was trying to kill himself with the floor sander. Wednesday we picked it up at midday, but the electrician didn't finish until 7pm ... so at from 7pm till 9pm Trev was sanding away. Ahhh, the joys of electricity! Then up bright and early to get more belts from Bunnings - we needed more of the roughest grade - and back sanding by about 7:30am. So when I finished with my doctors, I returned home to see all the marvellous work he'd done. The floors look brilliant! After we returned the sander on the way to the doctor's, he took a well-earned rest. Poor boy, he was just exhausted.

We went out for tea at the Wheelers' Hill Hotel (They had Parma week - $2 from every parma went to the Good Friday Appeal) and I had a steak salad ... even the small amount of steak there was difficult to finish. A bottle of sparkling water and a little champers (OK, I may have had a few sips and then eaten the soaked strawberries) as Trev drank a couple of glasses, and we reflected on ways to have dinner out in the future.

Then a nice tv show and bed.

Today, our muscles let us know about the work we'd done - Trev was back upstairs sanding the edges of the floors and the windowsills.

Now for some photos ...

Study - Before

Study - After

Staircases and washing lines

Wow, so much since the last post!

Sherry - to answer your question, it has a hammocky thing for newborn that then changes as the baby gets older. Plus other thingies to pour water over the baby.

Well last week, the stair bloke came on the Monday night to measure up for the staircase, and on Thursday, they arrived bright and early to install it. By Thursday afternoon, we have stairs! With a handrail! Beautiful hardwood, and the dogs are confused by Trev on the stairs, as they don't squeak or even sound like they flex. Now to utilise the cupboard under the stairs again ...

Spring cleaning a room at a time, the bedroom's done (just need to bring in the cradle) and yesterday I washed all the baby clothes. Gosh they are small! And we really need a bigger line - all the baby clothes, not counting nappies, totally fill our washing line plus some. The nappies and muslin and other wraps are in the dryer... and I wiped out the cupboard with ti tree oil. Might have gone overboard with the ti tree oil, as its still very strong (doh). But we'll seal the inside of the drawers, and put some dividers in them and that should be OK then!

My hospital bag is packed, and I'm now starting to "live" out of it - my clothes are in there, and I have to pull out a clean one and replace with a freshly-washed item.

Just wondering if I'll get my first "dressing gown" this May! It'd be funny (in a good way) if I did. Dad and Mum should be down here then, so there's always a chance.

Ciao!

Well, we're almost set...

hello all :D

Well, the Blobble is quiet this arvie, I think I scared it when I scraped my belly on the corner of the bed frame. Yesterday wasn't the bestest day in the world pregnancy-wise. Went grocery shopping (oh, the joy) and then Trev & I took the dogs for a walk up at Olinda.

Once home & recovered, my back was sore (doh) and then my left leg was really weak - I had to help it move. And my pelvis has done the seperate thing I think? So last night, not much sleep until Mr Panadiene kicked in :D

Today we've been on a bit of a shopping trip - baby bath, fans and dog/cat food.

A bit weird, but we did the local loop to make it as easy as possible.
And hopefully we've found the lights for the bedroom upstairs, for on the walls. As for the rest of the lights, have you ever been shopping for lights? Its totally draining. Trying to decide on fittings when you don't really like any of the available selection and both have different tastes involves a lot of compromising. A lot.

But what do you think of our baby bath? Isn't it cute? Its a Fisher-price one :) So now we have most of the hardware - cradle, bathtub, change mat and car seat. Tomorrow is lots of washing and stuff, as I did a heap of clothes folding and putting away today. So tomorrow is ...

• washing of baby stuff
• Repacking of hospital bag
• vacuuming
• OB check-up

Stairway to ?

Today, we have no stairs. Hopefully this won't be the case next weekend!

On Saturday, it wasn't the electrician who was coming, rather, it was the stair man. We've had stairs all the while, but when the building inspector came last time, he advised that the stairs weren't up to "code" and due to the size of the renovation project, we had to upgrade them as well. Which means they won't be as steep (yay!). The new stairs will be going not only into the "slate room" but there will be an entrance into the downstairs lounge / media room.

The bloke is coming back this week to do it (he had an opening, else we'd be waiting another month) so yesterday Trev was cleaning out the cupboard. Today he's removing the old staircase and I'm finding a home for everything that was in the cupboard. Given this was the only real cupboard we had, its rather difficult finding new homes!

There's lots of swearing happening with the staircase removal, and I have a feeling our firewood pile has grown again :D The only way upstairs until the work is completed is to walk around outside (the only way I'll be going) or climbing a ladder (which Trev's been doing).

Anyhows, lunch is almost ready, which is a good thing. I've yet to reset all the clocks so we're an hour in front of ourselves.

If you want to use any spare memory your puter has, go to the

Kleenex Puppy

website and download the virtual desktop puppy - its really cute :D

G'day g'day.

This pregnancy thing is a roller-coaster ride.

Yesterday, I was exhausted. Blobble had been very, very active all the night, and I didn't get to sleep until about 7:30am yesterday morning - and then alarms went off at 8am, phone calls at 9:30, more alarms at 10am, got up at 10:30 for an 11am appointment (which was midday as the Qlders didn't tell me they were planning in Qld time). Then off to the docs for an iron injection ....

Then last night, I was snoozing by 7:30pm, up again at 8:30 sniffing out the fried rice Trev bought, and in bed again by about 10pm, and asleep (yes, asleep) by 11pm. Slept all the way through until 7:30 again when Trev left for work. And then snoozed until 8am when the alarm went off.

Today's the Oxfam Trailwalker Event. I did this with a couple of my SES team members 2 years ago - we completed in 42 hours (and OMG, the blisters!!!) There's a total fire ban today, and they've cut out 11.5km of the trail that goes around the hills - I guess that's cause of our local firebug. Every total fire ban day for the past month (thank goodness only 2, today's the 3rd) there has been a Deliberate Light on the Mountain Highway. So wish anyone you know who's doing the walk, or failing that, team 260 who I work with, luck.

Have a great day all.

Prams and pussy cats

So today was spent looking at prams and then our final birth class.

I even "accosted" a lady who was on the way out of the store and asked her what she thought of her pram - she was pushing one of the pram's I'm considering. She loves it! And what's even weirder is that the pram she had previously was the other pram I'm considering. And loved it - until she had her second child and needed to cart them both around.

Now the first pram I was considering didn't have facility for a toddler seat - but did have the facility for a "buggy board" where the toddler would stand and hold on behind the main part of the pram. Hmmm. The accessories for the first pram included a lovely bassinett and matching baby bag too ...

The second pram has the facility to include a toddler seat over the top of the main part of the pram. And there are HEAPS of accessories (but not the matching baby bag ... ). Pricewise, this one's about $200 more, but may be better in the long run as I can purchase the toddler seat now in anticipation of a second child.

Decisions, decisions.

The good news about the house is that on Saturday the electrician is coming for the final fit (YAY!) and on Monday the built-in-wardrobe people come to measure and quote that. Then all we need to do is polish the floorboards and we're cooking with gas! (so to speak)

Mum & Dad will be staying with us when Blobble comes into the world, so they'll be upstairs. We won't move up there until the kitchen is finished (goodness knows when that will be....)

Have I mentioned my cats? On the right is my cat Azazael. He's gorgeous, and is an RSPCA rescue baby. He just cuddles up on my lap whenever I sit or lay down and purrs his little head off. There's also Seraph, who I'll put a photo up of later.

Back to the birth class ... well, I hope I'm ready. I have my bag packed, my outfit picked out (a crop top and sarong), the lollies and toiletries packed, the baby outfits chosen ... all I need now is to wait another 4 weeks. Next Wednesday (when Mum & Dad stop over on their way back from Tassie) I'll be officially at full term, and waiting nervously.

Tomorrow evening when Trev's home from work, I'll get him to cut me a piece of plastic, and I'll put that on the bed before I make it up - just in case my water breaks at night. Apparently the stain is impossible to get out of the mattress (but is that cause everyone leaves the house and the stain doesn't get treated for a period of time?). And also sort out something to sit on in the vehicle - I don't really want to soak the car seat!

Anyhows, have a great one.

Well this is our new bedroom, with undercoat. You're looking at what should be the feature wall but we've decided against that, and instead will get a huge piece of artwork when the CFA Art Show is next on.


Tara's on the left there looking at the paint colour samples we have. She's been a great help, and during the time of us (OK, Trev) doing the renos, she's really matured. She'll go upstairs and just lie on her bed, which is something she never would have done previously.

For the record, the colour on the right now adorns all our walls, and the colour on the left, the green, has been rejected as a feature wall colour. It looked too murky ...

You know, even though this baby was planned, Trev & I are freaking out. We have no idea how our lives will change.

I think this is from the 12-week scan. We have no idea if its a boy or a girl, and what we're going to name it. One thing we are doing is the 5-day hospital stay - hopefully the midwives there will teach me a lot of what I need to know. Cause after those 5 days, it'll just be me, at home, with the baby. And the 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 cockatiels and 5 chickens.

I really don't know how I'm going to handle going back to work - now I think I'll be OK, but too many peopl ehave told me not to bank on that, as the feelings change. I don't know how I feel about this baby - sometimes it makes me laugh as it moves around, other times its just something that's causing me pain. Maybe it will change when the baby has a name? When its a real person? I just don't know!

Houses, babies and dogs.

Well, I have all this time at home so I may as well journal what's happening here!

So far, I'm up to day 13 of maternity leave. It doesn't feel like it - I feel like I've only been home for a couple of days, but on the other hand it feels like forever since I've been at work.

Now all I need to do is find some photos to introduce ourselves...

That's me on the right. That was taken a couple of years ago, when Trev & I were driving to Brissie for Christmas - I actually think that was the return trip, when we stopped to have a look at the Holsworthy Sub display.


Speaking of Trev, this is he with one of our dogs, Rex. This is taken at home, and you can see the rangie in the background.

Well we have another addition to the family - Tara, our chocolate lab. She's adorable, but I'll have to wait to put up a photo of her. And, of course, there will be another addition to the family in a few weeks - Blobble!

Hopefully by then Blobble will have a name, although we haven't chosen one as yet :D

So yet to come is the house ...