Happy Christmas Holidays

On the 5th day of Christmas

Have returned safely from Toronto, to find my family still in tact (well, relatively, but that's another story) and, most importantly, my baby willing to breastfeed. For her part, Zoe was more excited about the fact that my plane couldn't land at Coolangatta, and was diverted to Brisbane, delaying the family reunion by 5 hours, than actually seeing me. She talked about it all the way home. Bless her. George 'slept through' the night before I returned, but has not repeated that feat since. Nonetheless, it is lovely to be home and having all those night time cuddles with him. While Ewan and George bonded while I was away, and Zoe was apparently an angel, she has now completely rejected her Daddy and gone back to being Mummy's shadow.

Expressing milk on the plane and in airport toilets was one of the most unpleasant and embrassing things I've ever had to do. Not that many people knew, but I'm sure some wondered what that whirring sound was coming from behind the stall door! I was also chastised by a passenger for taking too long in the plane toilet, but I'm sure I'd only been in there for 5 minutes before he was banging on the door. I was angry then apologetic and then embarassed.

We're still madly trying to get the backyard ready for Santa's delivery on Christmas day, but are otherwise happy and healthy, if a little hot and bothered by the weather. This photo shows George being entertained by a load of coloured clothes in the front loading washing machine. Cheap baby entertainment!

Milk

I've been busy expressing and storing mik for George to drink while I'm away in Canada for five days next week. There should be enough there - I've allowed for 750ml per day, which is apparently what babies drink, according to kellymom.com, my breastfeeding bible. I'm part nervous and part excited about going, both about leaving my children and about making an appropriate contribution to the forum. I also intend on expressing milk every four hours while I'm away, so that I can continue breastfeeding when I return, assuming George will still have me!

Ewan has taken the week off to care for the kids, but George still refuses to sleep more than 2 hours at a time, and I've been doing all the night time parenting up until now, so things won't be easy. George also continues to be unsettled for several hours in the early evening, and again in the early pre-dawn morning. That said, my Dad and his wonderful partner Julie are coming for the week to help out, so at least I know there will be plenty of cuddles to go around, which along with some patience and kindness, is all that is really required.

the shed

Ewan has been toiling hard the last few weekends to dismantle and remove the huge, ugly shed from our backyard. More than 13 tonne of material was removed, with most of it recycled (shame on Ballina council tip for not crushing and reusing the concrete). We have asked santa to bring a swing set cum climbing gym, so needed the room. This has also freed up the view to the poinciana tree from the kitchen, which is currently in full and beautiful bloom. While there is still much work to do - a fence, some plants and trees, turf, paving and a smaller replacement shed - we now have a blank canvas (well, its a great big dirty hole) to work with.

We're back

Apologies for the lack of posts in the last few weeks. It got to the point where I was heeding my Mum's advice - 'if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all'. Good news is that all is now well. A dose of antibitoics sorted me out, Zoe continues to challenge us with her Jekyll and Hyde personality, and George, well, he's kind of cute, even if he still can't sleep for more than 90 minutes at a time (and that's a big sleep). He had his first immunisations a few weeks ago, that we postponed because he was sick. They're never fun, but it was a chance to have him checked and weighed. As you can probably see from the photos below, taken today, this confirmed that he is a healthy, bouncy and big boy.

Sickness

The last two weeks have been a horror for us all, with gastroenteritis and a flu knocking the kids and me all about. I spent several nights running between Zoe and George dealing with their various outputs. Urgh. This is certainly the time that tests all of your parenting skills. Being terribly sick myself hasn't helped, but I also haven't been able to stop and wallow (much as I want to!).

All this illness has meant that I could not visit baby Thomas, the new baby of Litsa and Donald (Ewan's brother), for several days after he was born 3 weeks premature on 16 October at Murwillumbah Hospital, after poor Litsa spent several days in labour.

Being up all night every night has given me plenty of time to think about an offer to participate in a cashless gambling forum in Toronto in December. This just seems an opportunity too valuable to miss, and I hope it will give me some impetus to move my PhD studies forward (at some stage!). Once I had decided to go, I agonised for weeks about whether to take some or all of the family with me, but they will all stay here. Ewan will take time off, and Dad/Pa will come up from the Central Coast with his parter, Julie (a nurse and ex-midwife) to help care for the kids. So now my mission is to pump and freeze as much breast milk as possible.

I'll try to post some pictures of our now 9 weeks old baby boy in the next few days.

New baby news

Great news from Erica, Noah and Maya yesterday, who have welcomed Solomon, their son and brother, into the world. We are very excited that George will have a playmate so close to his age, and that Erica and Noah have completed their beautiful family. Our best wishes to them at this lovely time.

Other new baby news is that Aunty Sheona and Uncle Ronnie are 3 months pregnant. They announced this and their recent marriage in Las Vegas to us all last week. Congratulations to them both.

On the home front, things are not quite as much fun. I have been up all night with poor George, who is having trouble with a cold. It's possible he's sicker than that, as Zoe was throwing up all night and day on Monday, and now has runny poos. The joys of motherhood.

This photo is an example of what happens when you leave your 2 year old and baby together, while hanging nappies on the line. Could have been worse than a couple of toilet rolls I guess!

Childcare

Another great program from Insight on SBS this week, that considers paid maternity leave (I'm very grateful to have that support while off with George) and the impacts of childcare. Thankfully, quality family daycare was rated quite well in comparison to long centre based care.

Click on this blog's title 'Childcare' to view the program.

Sleep

We have had some success encouraging Zoe into her own bed in her own room, although we stick to our routine of reading 3 books and staying until she falls asleep. Thankfully, she now also allows Daddy to do this, which frees me up to settle George, something that happens about every two hours, until 3am ish, at which point he becomes really unsettled and grunts and groans and moans until daylight. Sometimes, I just stay up with him at this point, depending on how 'energetic' I'm feeling, as bringing him into bed with us doesn't necessarily settle him. Ewan is a bit more distressed by his seemingly permanently uncomfortable state than I am, but I reassure him that it will - hopefully - pass. I've tried to cut back on the amount of dairy in my diet, as there is some evidence this can be a problem for some babies. I probably don't really believe this is the cause of his crying, but I guess I wanted to try to do something to help George out and relieve his pain.

The community health nurse of course ignored me when I told her what I was doing, and decided instead that the problem was the muesli that I eat. That woman! She's also advised me to string his feeds out due to his rapid weight gain (almost two kilos in five weeks). I don't believe a word of it, but didn't tell her that. I only went in the first place as there was some concern that George might have an umbilical hernia, which seems to have either improved or wasn't there in the first place - hard to tell from the way she doesn't answer my questions

Anyhow, I really only sat down to post some more photos, including one of Zoe taken by Sue, and one of George and his Pa, who visited for a week to help out with the kids.

George at 5 weeks

We were very lucky to have these photos of George taken by local photographer Sue McLeod. Sue was very patient with both George and Zoe over the two hours she was here. Our boy has been very unsettled (and unhappy) for weeks, so there was lots of stopping to pick him up for cuddles and feeds. You can check out Sue's work at www.suzephotography.com

Two weeks old

Am blogging with baby cradled in one arm, and a DVD of old cartoons running for Zoe in the corner of the computer screen...so will be brief. George is an excellent little fellow, and up until 3 nights ago he just slept all the time, waking to feed and have his nappy changed every 3-5 hours. Things have been more unsettled the last few nights, probably his first growth spurt? Not much fun for me, but it was expected, ans I have been trying to rest a little bit during the day. Zoe adores her little brother, and is very possessive, which is pretty consistent with her age (she won't share). She is also learning to be gentle ;-)

Welcome George

George Lewis Nisbet born in the water at 852am 21.08.08 3.2kg.

Not yet

For those of you wondering, there's no sign of bubba #2 arriving in the next few days. I've booked in for some acupuncture on Thursday morning, to move things along, although even then I'll only be 4 days over my due date. Zoe was two weeks late, and a couple of sessions of acupuncture seemed to really help.

Today is really the first day I've had just to chill out at home, alone, since finishing work last week. I kept Zoe home for a couple of days for some bonding time, but it turned out that she had gastro and couldn't go to day care anyway.

waiting for our baby

Nine days until my EDD, and no sign of an early arrival from our new baby. Zoe asked me to put the cot up last week, which we did, along with a clean out of her room, on one of the couple of days she was at home sick with a runny nose and sore throat (complete with husky voice). The cot has gone up in her room, alongside her bed, which I moved. I don't like my chances of getting either kid to sleep in there, given that Zoe is still with us and my plan is for bubba #2 to sleep in a bassinet in our room for the first little while. Daddy is eyeing off a new mattress for the single bed in Zoe's room, so I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in there.

Anyhow, the day after putting up the cot (and doing a bit of nesting-cleaning-baby clothes washing) Zoe raced in to her room to see if the baby had arrived. It was very cute, but I do wonder if she thinks this is all a bizarre hoax, given that this baby has been coming for such a long time.

I still haven't decided if Zoe will come to the hospital with us. I would love for her to be there, but am not sure that she won't get upset, or that I will cope with her constant demand for cuddles while in labour. The sensible option, I am sure, is to leave her here with Uncle Wonder (plan a), or even with my Dad, if he is around (plan b) or to ask Aunty Litsa or Colette to come to the hospital to collect her (plan c) before active labour starts. We shall see.

I finished work today, offically anyway, but still have a couple of things to complete - from home in my own time, before I can feel really free of it and focus on what is clearly more important.

Watch this space for more baby news.

Darwin holiday

Our family holiday with cousins Ella and Myia to visit Great Aunty Crena in Darwin for her 70th birthday party did not go to plan, as Crena was unfortunately sick and in hospital when we arrived. Thankfully, she had recovered and we were able to visit her at home before we left.

The girls loved our apartment at Fannie Bay with it's spa pool and kid friendly yard; the Mums and Dads loved the short walk to the Sailing and Yacht clubs - with their playgrounds - for sunset drinks and dinner. After four days in town, a highlight of which was a day trip on a bbq houseboat on Mary River Billabong with our cousins from Darwin and Mummulgum, and lots of crocodiles and bird life, we picked up our camper vans, split up the youngest two girls (!) and headed off to the surrounding National Parks. First stop were the waterholes of Litchfield National Park, which the girls loved, followed by a night at Douglas Daly hot springs (8 kms of corrugated road - grr - but more swimming and paddling - see first picture of Zoe) and two nights in commercial caravan parks in Kakadu. We chose this option as we only had 2WD campers, and they had child friendly pools for relaxing in in the afternoons. The campers were good because they gave the girls a sense of continuity which they would not have got from staying in different accommodation each night. While Zoe slept a lot while we were driving, which was great, to make up for the busy time we'd had in Darwin, Ella and Myia were often awake but, by all accounts, well behaved.

Highlights for Zoe were, I think, the helicopter ride that she watched Ewan, Sally and I take out of Jabiru up over the Arnhem land escarpment, and the trips there and back on the plane. We've been role playing 'airplanes' for days now, and she loves it when we pretend to get drinks from the air hostesses. She also enjoyed our visits to the rock art sites Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr, where she could run along the paths, climb the steps and play in the dirt. She thinks the paintings of one of the spirits is 'spiderman'.

cousins

Zoe and Maya fight terribly with each other when together, mostly over toys, which is particularly unpleasant for their patient and sweet natured family daycarer, Cherie. She must dread the 3 days they are in together! So it was nice to hear and see the girls giggling together at times when Maya had a sleepover on Friday night, even if it did all go pear shaped at bed time.

Zoe has been pretty challenging at daycare the last few weeks, particularly the one before last, when I went away for work to Adelaide for 4 nights, the longest that I have left her. While Daddy coped really well, with help in the mornings from Aunty Sally, there were a couple of incidents at Cherie's that were put down to my being absent. Taking her pooey nappy off and 'painting' the contents on the fence in the backyard was a low light, although in my defence (or maybe I was being defensive?) I noted that she is toilet trained, and maybe she was rebelling against being kept in her nappy for too long? There was also a biting incident, but I can explain that one away as teething problems - I copped a bite on the shoulder the previous weekend. They tell me that it is time for the two year old molars.

I'm starting to get a little bit nervous about how she'll cope with the new baby, but am trying not to use that as an excuse for the changes in behaviour we're trying to encourage (less use of the dummy and sleeping in her own bed).

Winter

This was taken a month ago, but I thought it a cute photo. While we've had the odd cool morning, the weather has been rather mild, until today, when it was maybe 18 degrees (cold for Australia). I guess we can't escape winter entirely, even in the sub tropics.

Nine more weeks until bub no. 2 arrives. And happy birthday for today, Ewan.

Parties

We have celebrated several birthdays this month, which Zoe has really enjoyed. She finds the party hats, candles and cakes very exciting, and can now sing parts of the happy birthday song. Here's a pic from of Ella's 5th birthday, and from Uncle Ken's 70th at Mummulgum, with my sisters and two cousins and our kids. We also very much enjoyed Maya Nielsen's 2nd birthday at Barkers Vale, with lots of kids, pigs, a goat, wallabies and horses to see.

Camping

We had a lovely time camping last weekend at Brooms Head, mostly due to the beautiful dry weather. We splashed out and bought a new 'family' tent for the occasion - it was nice to have room to stand inside. Zoe came down with a high fever while we were on the beach one morning, which was a bit scary, but after a few doses of paracetamol over about 18 hours she came good. She also rallied against being sick every time she saw her friend Jake, who we were away with. The two kids had a great time together, rolling around in the grass, playing in the park, running on the beach (running everywhere) and sneaking turns at each other's toys.

Some Zoe news...

Zoe now has this amazing ability to swing between her completely charming persona and the one that is obstructive and obstinate. Ewan thinks that my presence brings out her less than appealing side, which might have something to do with me being absent at work for more than 40 hours a week. Or it could just be being 2. Not worth worrying about too much I think. I spend every moment I'm not working with her, or her with me, and when I take time off for the new bub, I'll definately reduce the daycare hours. That said, she seems very happy and settled at Cherie's house, which helps with the mother-guilt.

We are still bed sharing at the moment, having had a brief fling with Zoe in her own bed and Mum and Dad in theirs. I don't mind, as it's a lovely time to spend together, and as it gets colder she's finding more excuses to snuggle up closely. Just lovely.

Her speech is, I think, very good: I'm very proud of the fact that she says 'yes' rather than 'yeah', and speaks very clearly, except when she has the dreaded dummy in. We're thinking about getting rid of it, but at least it stops her grinding her teeth too badly.

Frustratingly, Zoe doesn't seem to want to wear any of the clothes that I choose for her. They're either 'too big' or 'dirty', or 'wet' or, more commonly, not the stripy pink and white pants that she adores. I went and bought a second pair yesterday, just so I had something she'd be happy in, but they're both in the dirty washing basket, so that plan hasn't gone too well. I despair at the mountain of unworn expensive and adorable clothes that her grandparents and Aunties have given her although, if I'm quick, I can very occasionally get her in some of them.

Perhaps I should find a photo to post? One was taken on our climb of Bald Rock in February with Uncle Ronnie, Aunty Sheona, Uncle Donald and Aunty Litsa. Donald and Ronnie took Zoe up in the backpack, which she hated, mostly crying and screaming all the way... and the other photo is from a cute cafe in Mallanganee, on the way to/from Tenterfield.

Now you're 2!

Here's a couple of photos from each of the parties we had to celebrate Zoe's 2nd birthday last weekend. It was all very low key, but we did blow balloons (Daddy did - Mummy was at work) and, as you can see, had party hats, recycled the next day, and candles. All the things that are fascinating about parties when you're two, apparently.

We had Jake, Jess, Duncan, Myia and Ella to a party at the House with No Steps at Alstonville the next day, although Zoe clearly wasn't herself - maybe she was sick? This is one of Zoe's typical smiles - at least the other kids know what to do! That photo doesn't seem to want to load...

In five months time Zoe will be a big sister, which means that I'm finally announcing online that I'm pregnant.

Gecko

I want to write about something funny that happened to Zoe a month ago. While changing her nappy on the bed, she spotted a gecko on the ceiling ('what's that mum?'). They're usually quite shy, and, to be honest, I don't have memories of them from Brunswick Heads when I was younger, although we have been hearing them at night since we moved here. Anyhoo, I called Ewan in to see this lovely pale creature and, in his wisdom, he thought he'd catch it and put it outside. But they're quick, jumpy buggers, and the gecko leaped across to the wall, Ewan had another go, and the gecko then landed, spead-eagled and right way up, on Zoe's bare belly where she was still lying on the bed. It was very funny, and I was very impressed with the acrobatics, so I just started laughing, then caught myself and brushed it away to the dressing table. I don't think Zoe even realised what had happened...

I'd love to post some photos here but I haven't taken many since Christmas, partly due, I think, to the poor weather we had, which resulted in the Richmond river flooding and all the fish in it dying. Particuarly hard hit were Kyogle and Coraki, which is sad for those people whose homes and possessions have been destroyed. On a selfish note, it made life at home very challenging, trying to keep a little girl who loves being outside happily occupied inside for a few weeks on end. Thankfully Santa bought a new animal puzzle for Christmas (which continues to be Zoe's favourite inside activity) and the Clarkes gave two dolls (can't go anywhere without them now, including bed) and a doll pram, so we managed. But not very inspiring for photos. I had also decided to toilet train at this time - a diddle when outside in the yard, a bit more challenging indoors. Complicating things, Daddy tore the cartilage in his knee while we were camping for the first time in 2 years. This required a ride in an ambulance, three emergency department visits, copious amounts of morphine and, eventually, surgery. So Daddy has been laid up on in bed unable to walk for the last month. Daddy is now improving, and Zoe has consequently expanded her medical vocabulary to include 'sore (knee)' and 'band aid'.