Creative storage...

We now live in a rented house. It is has some great design features and some that I wouldn't mind changing, if it belonged to me.... Brad and I love the back deck, from which we can just see the mountains, while we nibble cheese and bikkies and watch Naomi ride on her little bike.


Naomi, on the other hand, likes finding creative ways of storing all sorts of things. Just look at all the different things that can be stored in the slots of a built-in wine rack, that is very conveniently placed at 2-year old level...



A biscuit container, a plastic lid, assorted hair clips and ties, both of Mummy's house shoes (neatly placed side by side in adjoining slots). And for the record, I had to take the camera out of one of the slots to take this photo!! Every time I walk past it, I notice something different slotted in one of the boxes. A juice cup. A baby doll. Naomi's hairbrush...

And one lonely wine bottle!

Hungry sheep ...

We live in a suburban stree, but right on the edge of town. Two blocks over are the dairy cow paddocks. Naomi loves to see the cows, and we often walk along a public path, beside the fields. At the end of this path is a little acreage hobby farm - large vege patch, chicken run and, just this week, 2 new black sheep.

As we looked at the sheep, through the fence, I said "Look Naomi, the sheep are eating the grass."

She said "yes... must be hungry." Then she thought about it for a minute and said, "Sheep should have eaten more breakfast."

Which I say, on a regular basis... to the 2-year old. Not to the sheep.

Warm fluffy goodness ... and some menus!

Here is a photo of what my sweet Naomi (and her daddy) gave me for Mothers Day. Soft lambskin slippers, perfect for keeping toes warm on our timber floors.... yummmm..... They are so comfy that I got all the way to the car as we were going out for dinner with my Mum last night, still wearing the slippers -- Brad came back in the house to get me a pair of 'outside' shoes!

I have been thinking lately that my repertoire of meals seems to be getting smaller - or is it just that I am cooking less and less imaginatively?? So I am determined to start some proper menu planning, and consciously expand the range of homecooked meals that I prepare for my family. We are definitely eating at home more often (less takeaway options in a small town!), and I want everyone to enjoy variety, rather than the same few dishes each week.

So here is my first try at a menu plan...

• Monday - Winter vegetable soup, garlic toast and spring rolls
• Tuesday - Beef and burgundy casserole (new recipe to try)
• Wednesday - Chicken and mushroom risotto
• Thursday - Spaghetti carbonara
• Friday - Roast chicken and vegetables
• Saturday - Lasagna (double size, half to freeze)
• Sunday - Sausages and mash with onion gravy

For more great menu plans, check out Laura's blog at www.orgjunkie.com .

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day

I hope you are all having a wonderful, pampered, peaceful day...

What a weekend!

We had a long weekend here in Queensland, and on the Tablelands, the May long weekend is always dedicated to the Mt Garnet races and rodeo. It is about 90 minutes drive out west into the bush. Mt Garnet has a population of about 100, and about 2000 for this weekend. The rodeo, races and obligatory B & S ball brings people in from all the stations.

I love rodeo - it brings back vivid memories of childhood times spent huddled against the cold, watching the open bull riding ... or working in the Scout canteen, selling burgers to fundraise. And the music, dust and checkered shirts just make me happy - I am a country girl at heart.

This was the view of the sky over the arena, as the sun was setting behind me -- is there anything as beautiful as big sky country?

We camped the night and Naomi was thrilled to sleep in the tent.... she even slept through the music, and the mine trucks that drive through the night along the road behind the campsite!

Ryan's Baptism

Our little boy was baptised this past Sunday, in the church where we were married, Naomi baptised and my family has worshipped for 25 years. It was very special. In addition to the usual candle, the congregation gave Ryan a white shawl, to show that he is enfolded in the family of the Church, and God's love.

Unfortunately, our camera batteries were flat. Brad's sister took a lot of photos for us. But her camera has been lost on her return journey to Sydney (she was a bit distracted by her vomiting 5 year old, on a 3 hour plane flight).

So I will have to ask around friends and other family for some photos.... Until then, here is one of the boy napping, taken just a few minutes ago.

Still here!

I am still here, in case you were wondering.... I am just digging my way out from underneath a mountain of packing boxes, and dirty nappies. Boy, do little babies go through them!

We are now officially moved to a small regional town, about 1.5 hours drive from the city we were living in. And I love it! On a very busy day at the local supermarket, the check-out girl offered to have someone help me take my groceries to the car, and then a lovely man offered to push my full trolley up the steep slope to my car (I had to park in the very back of the car park). Obviously a lady with 2 small kids gets sympathy in the country. In the city, they just look sideways at you and think "Crazy lady - who brings 2 small children shopping?", then keep walking.

All is well with us - Ryan is still being very kind to his mamma, and sleeping very well. He is down to 1 feed through the night now, and sleeps till 7am most mornings. Of course, he feeds like a trooper all day, and is putting on nearly a pound a week -- eek! I think he is going to be a front rower - must remember to advise the Wallabies (Australia's national Rugby Union team), that he is available for selection!

Welcome Ryan William

Ryan William

Born - 3.10am, Monday, 23 March 2009

Weight - 8lb 10oz (3.920kgs)

Length - 50 cms

Much loved and cuddled by parents and big sister Naomi!

Birth Skills - a book review

I have mentioned in a previous post that I have been feeling rather apprehensive about labour and birth the second time around. I could not get past the memories of a long latent first stage that sapped my energy and my all my belief that I could actually get through the birth. It took some very strong people around me to keep me going through the 32 hours, and the disappointments of hearing how slow progress had been.

This time around, I did some serious thinking about what to do differently. I know I have to stay positive, but just had no idea how. Until a friend recommended that I read "Birth Skills" by Juju (Julia) Sundin and Sarah Murdoch. Well, I have. And I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Not only is there clear and concise information on the physiology of what your body is actually doing during the labour and delivery process, there are extremely practical strategies for coping with labour pain, staying focussed and positive. The book is based on the antenatal classes that Juju provides, in Sydney. It is the next best thing to being able to attend the classes.

The focus is on strategies for minimising the perception of pain, during the first stage of labour, and on methods for effective pushing in the second stage. Suggestions for managing pain include vocalising, using other large muscle groups (eg stamping your feet, squeezing stress balls) for distraction, visualisation, and most importantly, getting as big and as loud as the pain itself.

Juju has a website where this is all explained so much better than I am doing, here. Suffice to say that I am still nervous, but now feel calm, positive and am actually looking forward to the process (sort of!) which will bring our new bundle of joy into the world - hopefully sooner, rather than later!

Happy Valentines Day

Thank you to my mum, who babysat Naomi for us to go out to dinner on Friday night. We had a lovely evening, and when I got into Brad's car, there on the seat were these beautiful flowers and a card.

I sometimes think that there is a Beatles song for every occasion.... All you need is love.

Sounds I love...

I love..... the giggling coming from the lounge room as Brad and Naomi 'cook' dinner together with her kitchen set.

I don't love...... the smell of potatoes that have been there for too long, as I open the pantry door. Ick. Wet season can be such a pain.

If only the 'chicken and mashed potato' being prepared by my 2 favourite people was of the edible variety!

WFMW - Kids parties

As previously mentioned, Naomi just turned 2 and we had a small party for her little friends, on Sunday afternoon. Here are a few of the things that I found worked for me --

1. Don't feel obliged to invite every child they know. We invited 5 children, and it was just enough to have some fun chaos, but not so many that we were frazzled and cranky by the end.

2. Keep children's ages in a similar range. This makes planning activities, and timing, much easier. Advise parents of multiple children that activities etc will be aimed at the age group of your birthday child, so that they can make alternative arrangements or bring along appropriate toys for their other children.

3. It's not rude to set a finish time, and write it on the invitations. The finish time doesn't have to be set in concrete, but it will let everyone know that you are not having an open house all day, with meals provided! We did from 2 to 4pm, with afternoon tea party food. Everyone was aware that we weren't doing lunch or an evening meal.

4. Have age appropriate activities. We recently went to a 3-year old's party where they did 'pass the parcel'. This was a disaster. 2 - 3 year olds do NOT share well, and didn't really get the concept of only opening one layer of paper on the parcel! For Naomi's party, I got some individual little art canvases from the discount store, and each child painted their own artwork. I also pre-cooked cupcakes, and iced them, then put a bowl of assorted decorations (marshmallows, lollies, sprinkles, etc) in the middle and each child decorated their own cupcake. These individual activities worked well - minimal opportunity for arguments!

5. For the butterfly cake, I ordered a half a plain vanilla sponge slab cake from our local bakery. I then just made a paper template of the basic butterfly shape, cut it out and iced it. Much less fuss than trying to bake cakes and stick them together.

Hope these tips make your next kids party a bit less stressful! For more tips, see Rocks in my Dryer.

Perspective

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the planet (again)! But Christmas and New Year have been rather crazy, not least because Brad took these 2 weeks off, so we have had lots of family time and activities.

And I have been waiting for time to add perspective to a few things for me... I have found that most things seem a bit better, with time and perspective. We had a lovely Christmas morning, with 5 kids (Naomi and 4 of her cousins), dancing around the Christmas tree desperately waiting for their parents to have their tea and toast in hand, before gifts were distributed. I must congratulate them all on their restraint!

Naomi got into it all, helping Daddy to distribute the presents, and with regular cries of "Another one!" when she didn't have one to rip open herself at any particular time! She has loved the little kitchen set that Santa brought her - it has been great entertainment for her, and we have been offered "Dinner ready - bacon, sausages, egg" at all times of the day. My budding little chef!

Now that I am on a break from the Family Day Care I hope to have more time for blogging and crafting... particularly as darling Brad got me a brand new Janome sewing machine for Christmas!!! It is even quiet enough that I can sew while Naomi is asleep in the next room (the old Bernina that I had was such a clanker that it would often wake her up if I tried to sew during nap times).

I have been reading along my friends' blogs, and glad that you all had a great Christmas / New Year season. My New Year's resolution has to do with some personal peace and quiet, and having 30 minutes to myself occasionally. We shall see how I go with that!

Feeling Festive

Yes, it's official - I am now feeling Festive. We put up our decorations on the weekend. It was such a lovely feeling for Naomi to be able to participate in a meaningful way - even perching on Brad's shoulders to put the star on the top of the tree.

Naomi is enjoying her Advent Calendar - which I didn't post a photo of last time, so here it is....

I also got inspired by the Christmas episode of Better Homes & Gardens and made Naomi her own Christmas stocking on the weekend. I am quietly pleased with the result, and even had a jingly bell to sew on the toe, as they suggested! The funny line of the side of the stocking in this photo is just a fold of the fabric - it is actually the right shape in real life!

Are you in the spirit yet?

My friend Kara at Eskimo Kisses and Air Hugs recently asked whether we all had our 'Jingle' on yet. Thanks, Kara! You have given me the perfect excuse to 'get Festive'! I adore Christmas ... but don't like when the shops start playing the carols in October. When we were kids, my family always had a rule that Christmas decorations and preparations started after the last person finished school for the year (in Australia we have our major 6 week school holiday break over December / January). This person was always my Dad - being a primary school principal, he worked until the last day of school, and didn't get out early for good behaviour!

So it feels a bit wrong to be doing decorating etc before early December. However, I have started trying to get things together so I am not totally "snowed under" (ha ha ha - the temperature here is scorching and humid every day!) for the Christmas rush.

I have been meaning to make a patchwork Advent calendar for the past couple of years - but it just isn't happening. So when I spotted one on a beautiful craft stall, at some local markets, I snapped it up. It has numbered pockets for each day and I love the idea of putting little trinkets and treats in each pocket, for Naomi to open. Far more personal -- and healthy -- than the commercialised chocolate-loaded 'Christmas Count Down' calendars that are in all the supermarkets.

I went to the crazy outlet shop and bought some little sheets of stickers, pretty jingle bells, and nice wooden ornaments for her to hang on the tree. Other things (like a book that was on special and a little plush toy), can be hung off the appropriate pocket the night before.

What have you done to start Christmas preparations? What is your favourite family tradition?

Who's your Mama?

Are you a 'Mummy'? 'Mum'? 'Mother'? 'Ma'? Despite having given birth and nurtured a gorgeous little girl for the past 18 months, I have been none of these. The word "Daddy" is heard from morning till bedtime. But on the subject of who I am, Naomi has been stubbornly silent.

Except for a brief and horrifying period of several weeks where she called me 'Sasha'!!! What the?? I am NOT having one of these open, new-age friend relationships with my daughter. Where is the respect? The honouring of parents? Although, it wasn't surprising as everyone else in the world calls me 'Sasha' (or Sweetie). All the daycare children that I care for call me Sasha. Thankfully, she is over that phase.

One day when playing the "Where's such-and-such person" game, I said "Where's Mummy?", and Naomi pointed to herself. The penny dropped - the words sound too similar for her to differentiate and all my saying 'mummy' was just confusing her. So instead, Brad and I have been saying 'Mama'. And guess what? Yesterday, Naomi said "Mama", and when I said (with tears in my eyes) 'Yes, blossom?" she went on chatting to me about the rocks that she had collected from the garden - completely oblivious to the moment of pure joy that she had just brought me. She has said it many times in the last 24 hours, and I may even get used to it -- but I will never stop enjoying the sound of it.

A quick house update

It's official. We will be moving out of the house we started our little family in, on 28 May. The plan to move into the next house on the same day has come completely unstuck. The vendors of our next house cannot sell to us until 4 June - a whole week later!

So it is a week in a holiday apartment, with our furniture in storage, for us. Expense we could have done without, but so be it. Also, I will be unable to have daycare children until we are set up in the new house - so nearly 2 weeks of lost income. Darn. The best laid plans of mice and men.....

But on the upside, we are spending a week in a holiday apartment!

WFMW - How close is too close??

If your kids are like mine (well, mine and our daycare kids), and allowed to watch a very limited amount of television, they will probably be desperately excited when it is on - and perhaps even cluster around the screen, to get as close as possible (because you don't want to miss a moment of the Bananas in Pyjamas!). After repeated efforts at "stay back from the TV - further, further...", I knew I needed another plan.

I now set up a picnic blanket on the lounge floor, as far away from the TV as I want the kids to be. They are not allowed to go past its front edge. This is a clearly marked line, and there can be no arguments about creeping closer to the TV. My real tip is to make it a comfortable, fun place to be -- add some cushions, have their water bottles close by, and maybe even a snack, if it is the right time of day. Make sure to allow some room around behind the blanket, for dancing etc, and for those kids that lose interest in the program. Pretty soon your kids will WANT to be on the blanket (and therefore away from the screen). They can all see, there is room to stretch out and it is almost like having an inside picnic, at a regularly scheduled time!

For more great tips, go over to Rocks in My Dryer.

Tropical cool and war wounds...

You know its autum when... you can have a lazy Sunday morning in your soft fluffy warm dressing gowns without overheating! Yes, we here in Paradise think that it is getting cooler - the days are now around 28 to 30 deg C. Clear blue skies make for crisp cooler mornings (in our opinions, anyway!). Naomi is now bundled in flanelette pyjamas for overnight (mostly because I don't have a sleep bag that fits at the moment, and she hates having covers on her).

Yep, people, this is the best time of year, here in Paradise. The heat and humidity have gone (although I do miss the monsoon thunderstorms and rain). You can pretty much guarantee that the weather will be fine on any given day, and it is cool enough to make your morning cup of tea a total pleasure.

However, whilst the weather may be divine, things in the Cherished household are taken one day, and sometimes one hour at a time this week.

You may have noticed the red splodge on Naomi's nose, in the above photos? She took a tumble down the auditorium steps at my mum's graduation ceremony on Saturday afternoon. It was a glorious swan dive - right onto the metal non-skid strip that they attach at the front of stair treads. Think cheese grater effect, on very delicate skin. She had a red lump on the forehead and gravel rash from bridge of the nose right down to the top lip. Blood everywhere. Screams echoing around the auditorium. And I couldn't even muster up a tissue - not even the crumpled up type that live in the bottom of every handbag (you know you have one lurking in there somewhere!). But not me. Because I don't carry a handbag - just a gorgeous little pink princess ballerina backpack, stuffed with snacks, crayons, paper, toys and a spare nappy. I briefly flirted with the idea of sticking the clean nappy on Naomi's face, but thought the better of it when I realised it may be needed later.

So instead, I scooped up screaming child and all our paraphernalia and hobbled painfully (as I had twisted my ankle earlier that day!) the 50 metres to the nearest bathroom, to get handtowels with which to stem the bleeding.

It has left a very impressive scab down her nose. But I am having trouble with the top lip - it won't dry up and scab over, because of course the nose has started running like a tap again, causing the top lip area to be constantly covered in... well, you know what I mean.

Consequently, sleeping has been disrupted, child has been very whingey and grumpy and I have been tearing my hair out.

A nice tall glass of Motherhood, anyone??

Home Alone... well, almost!

2 evenings in a row where I find myself sitting down in front of my laptop, with Naomi asleep, Brad still out, the lamp on and music playing gently in the background... I would complain about Brad working back every night this week (he has a building to deliver tomorrow - got to love the construction industry), except that these few moments have been pure bliss. And tonight I have dinner on my lap and a glass of wine by the keyboard. Heaven!





Naomi has found getting back into the swing of our daycare kids very tiring. She still only naps for 40 minutes, around 11 am. No matter what I do I can't seem to get it any longer. So by 5 pm the poor thing is collapsing - here is the evidence of her falling asleep in the highchair, between mouthfuls of dinner. Clearly I have to work on improving my dinner table conversation, so that she is interested enough to stay awake!

For the record, she didn't even wake up when I took her out, changed her into pj's and wiped her face (which she hates). But she did wake an hour later, when her tummy figured out that it had missed half of dinner, and her bedtime nursing!

I had a 14 week old baby start in my care this week - just for 2 days each week. Boy, was that a shock to the system! But with a name like Valentino, was he ever going to be anything but a total charmer??!!?!? And yes... I am now clucky again. Which Brad is thrilled about!

As for the house -- well, anyone want to buy a cute 3-bedroom house with tropical pool?? In a lovely little estate, tucked in a valley with great views. Lol... we had an offer for exactly what we wanted, while we were away in Fiji. They emailed the contract to us and we signed. We were absolutely thrilled and couldn't wait for it to go through, so that we can buy our bigger house! And then we heard yesterday that the buyer's finance had fallen through. So we are back to square one, and I have to have the house ready for an open home inspection again this weekend. Just when I was congratulating myself on cleaning and presenting the place beautifully while we were away, and not having to keep it that way once we got back from holiday. Sigh.....