Houdini Baby

My baby, who really isn't a baby anymore at 20 months old, is an escape artist.

The girl can get herself wedged into and out of anything. Five point harnesses are in fact.......pointless.

Yesterday she managed to wriggle her way out of her car-seat, and fall down behind my drivers seat..........all while I was driving. I saw her trying but did not realise she had succeeded until I heard her squeal with fright behind me. I pulled over quickly and secured her again, to her disgust. I am continually dumbfounded that this girl can do these sorts of things. I'm wondering if she has the ability to dislocate her joints/limbs when I'm not looking or something.

She will not stay within her five point harnessed pram either which has made shopping a huge battle and bore. Shopping trolleys are the pits. I am now developing very buff arm muscles, one one side at least from every recent shopping trip.

So have seen a couple of products which I know I will now need to invest in for safety. One is actually called "The Houdini" and should keep all straps in place and a frustrated baby safe.

Those of you who know Miss P the 20 month old will not be overly surprised. She's certainly got a lot spunk, apparent from well before her labour began and she entered this world. Miss P has called the shots from conception. She's vivacious, gregarious and all those trendy buzz words.

But I am totally exhausted watching over her.

Her vocabulary has expanded over the lat couple of months into short sentences. The sentence of the month is ...........

"NO!!!!"

Followed quickly by "I wanna Mummy"

We have visitors coming soon. They will see such a change in this little girl. The baby, a baby no more. The baby who is now sleeping.

I am taking a breath before she wakes and the day brings more giggles, squeals, songs, climbing, hanging, swinging, and grazing on most things in the pantry.

How did I forget the energy displayed by toddlers? I'm envious...........

What a cool kid :-)

xx

For the love of Vinegar!

Yep.......................nope............I haven't lost it. That is a photo of my toilet. An extremely clean one that is too! :-)

Things are ticking along around here like clockwork. Sooooo.....nothing to blog about.

Today I write about vinegar.

I think you're either a vinegar person or not. You either love or hate salt and vinegar chips. I'm pretty sure there isn't an 'in-between'.

But I'm not writing abut vinegar for eating or drinking today (but of course what you do in your own home is totally up to you :-).

I started using vinegar for cleaning about three years ago. We needed to save money on the grocery bill and I'm always keen to avoid polluting waterways etc. So I experimented with the ratios and found my preferred formula for basic and general household cleaning.

We have saved so much money on cleaning products it is actually ridiculous. I only buy vinegar and baking soda for cleaning the house now. I must admit I always make sure I have Dettol or some viral/antibacterial spray in the cupboard for when the bugs come home from school with the kids. But other than that, nothing else.

So what can you use it for?

* Cleaning windows with news paper (good old Grannie and her handy tips!)

* Stainless steel sinks/draining boards etc

* Getting smells and bugs out of chopping boards

* Mirrors (totally brilliant esp if you use one of those nifty glass cloths as well)

* Carpet spills (doesn't bleach any coloured carpet we have lived with and we have children so carpet spills are inevitable)

* Toilet bombs!!!!! hehehehe refer to above photo. Pour a cup of white vinegar into bowl, shake in some baking soda to cover entire area. Leave to fiz and GROW, come back later and scrub or if in a hurry just flush!!!! SO COOL. Domestic science at it's best!

* Rinse aid in dishwasher (I haven't bought rinse aid for a couple of years. Vinegar makes the dishwasher and the glasses sparkle)

*General surface cleaner; benches, light switches, window sills etc (It cleans wood really well but can dry it out so wood polish is a good idea to keep your wood looking fab)

* BBQ: Just spray and walk away LOL (Oh and come back later and scrape off the gunk that it lifts off otherwise your chops next time will have a distinctive tang :-)

* Bath: spray with vinegar, shake on baking soda, wipe!

* Coffee plunger: BRILLIANT RESULT

There are probably loads more! It is good for cleaning out wounds..........but that depends how stoic your children are. I'm sure my children would never talk to me again cause it stings like CRAZY!

My recipe:

1 part Water

1 part White vinegar (more if you are ok with the smell, experiment)

1 squirt of normal dishwashing liquid ( I make sure it's biodegradable eg "Sunlight")

Couple drops of essential oil (for smell if you don't like vinegar, but I must admit, I got used to it pretty quickly so don't bother with the oil).

Mix together in a spray bottle. The detergent is there really to mask the vinegar smell and add to the degreasing abilities. I don't use the detergent when washing windows, it can leave a smeary residue. Just vinegar and newspaper does the business.

Couldn't be easier, kinder to waterways, kind to your home, kind to your family's health, sensitivities and allergies.

Oh hey, if fighting mould. I read recently that clove oil kills the spores and prevents it growing back. I guess you get it from a health store?

So be off with you now and get yourself to BIN INN to stock up on vinegar and baking soda.

xx

Making a list.......

OMG.........

I have truly found the most gorgeous place and time at my current property.

The rain has just passed over and the sun is so bright I am considering wearing my sunnies inside! The baby is having her morning nap and although the kitchen floor needs a mop, I've postponed this task as my 'story notebook' is calling me.

In my upstairs bedroom we have a stunning view of the sea, just a snippet, but I'm telling you......it's more than enough. I have turned the armchair in my room around to face the view and am now cuddled up on my new chocolate coloured blankie typing this. My neighbours are all at work so the bird song and distant rumble of traffic coming in through the windows is VERY NICE!!! (Well I do live near Auckland, it's not all about birdsong and crashing waves up here unfortunately).

If I didn't miss my South Island people so much it'd be perfect.

I'm finding the lack of hobbies that involve people a bit of a strain at the moment. I thought I was quite a private person liking my own company, but it seems even I need people!

With three kids and a busy husband's work schedule I haven't indulged in the kind of out of house activities I might have when moving to a new place. I support the PTA, but have missed several meetings being at home with the kids so am not a solid member unfortunately. I do get daily contact with the other mums dropping off and picking up their kids. I'm going to send Phoebe to the local Playcentre (she needs some serious entertaining that child!!). But I miss living in an area close to family where you can drop in to chat or help them of just simply get my 'mum at home needs adult conversation" quota for the day.

Instead I'm being patient. The kids aren't going to be little forever. I'm forcing myself to find other outlets to make myself happy. I made a list recently of the things that make me truly happy (aside from being a wife and mother). I only listed objects and activities. I wanted to see if their were things I could reintroduce into my current stage of life and still maintain my mummy duties.

What an interesting thing to do. I sadly realised that nearly all of the 'top of the list' activities had been sidelined. No wonder I have been feeling like an imposter. Im' not allowing myself a dose of my favourite stuff, except for wine that is, which came back into my life about the same time the last baby was weaned :-)

I suggest you do this...............................................the list thing, not the weaning part ;-)

Some things on my list will have to wait a just a bit longer, but I'm glad I reminded myself how much I want and need them.

So today.......I wrote several pages of notes for a children's book. It doesn't particularly matter if a child never reads it, I'm having so much fun writing in my newly found pozzie upstairs here!

I also chatted with Daddy T about a hobby I have always wanted to try, even as a kid. He supports the idea and thinks I should just go for it. Great attitude..........so I am. But I'll tell you about that later, cause I might be really bad at it. If so, I'll probably post here about that too, cause that's what I do!

So I hope you find something really satisfying to do during your day. I hope you love your job and if you don't then you need to make a list and remind yourself what it is that you REALLY would like to wake up and do each day!

xx

What's red, yellow and stinky?!..............

hee hee.........I won't eat it all

Shame Mark's away...........but this blanket and remote will keep me snug and company for the evening.

xx

Our JAFFA anniversary!!!!!!!!!

So it has arrived. I can't quite believe it but we have officially been living in Auckland for.......ONE WHOLE YEAR.

A good opportunity to think back over the year and reflect on our achievements. In some aspects it feels like I've achieved very little. Being a stay at home mum is sometimes a bit like that. Endless things to do with little to show for it. Well, on the surface. But I know, looking at my kids that we have been successful in the transition because they are happy and thriving.

Here is where this blog has been an absolute god send. During the lowest times it became my best friend and sounding board. During the highs, another means of celebration. Sounds like I'm 'Jaz no mates' but when you relocate your family to a new city it can take a while to be considered a local. We are the new kids in the playground and anything that has helped keep us in touch with our South Island friends and family has been great!

This is also my 75th post on this blog. My goal this year was to achieve some at home goals and document them throughout the year. I reread back a few posts and I think I'm on track!

So......a recap of our relocation

It all started with a little baby and a big truck.

We then camped out in our newly purchased Rangiora rental property.

A lot of goodbyes.

A new temporary lodging in Albany, North Shore, where Phoebe met "stairs" for the first time.

The northern exploring began.

A new school with a magnificent view.

Another house, Stanmore Bay, (the fourth for 2009...eeek!)

Visitors have been and gone.......

Helping us do the touristy thing.

There have been highs......

....and some lows.

Barely holding up against the humidity some days :-)

Life's been a bit of a beach really............
Lots of beaches.

New friends :-)

......and some not so welcome.

If you want to see the other 100,000,00 things we got up to you'll have to go back through this blog. I think we have travelled a huge learning curve these past 12 months. Meeting new challenges has confirmed what we do and don't want out of life for sure!

Yesterday we had a our first Sunday officially off the real estate market for a very long time. We took a Sunday drive up to Puhoi and ate MASSIVE scones at the Puhoi Cottage. Yummo!

Then off to the Puhoi cheese factory, which of course like everything else in this world is now out of bounds because of health and safety standards and regulations. But there is a great shop at which you can taste some very GOOD cheese.

......so how will I celebrate my one year relocation anniversary?................I'll tell you later!

xx

Moving again....

Ok, so got my blog-mojo back again after a few weeks of packing, household crashing into illness, moving belongings and then unpacking.....again.

The most positive thing is heading into a weekend knowing that we will not receive any phone-calls from real estate agents and no open home to prepare for on Sunday. Fantastic!

The new house is built over FOUR levels. This means I can actually have all my furniture out, organise 'kid zones' and enjoy time at opposite ends of the house if we all feel the need. What a treat.

So here are a few photos, especially for the family down south who visited us at our last house and are intrigued to see where we have landed now.

The sun rising, looking out from my bedroom balcony.

A roomy kitchen, great for entertaining....hint.....hint. Book those flights!!!

Molly and Phoebe share a double room.

Lounge unpacked, just a few pictures to hang.

Dining room.......

Caitlin's room, which when visitors come to stay will be quickly converted to the guest room!!!

xx

Emergency Department Drama

Last night was certainly one to remember!

Yesterday, approx 3.30pm Phoebe was playing with a metal beater. ( I know, poor judgement. But all of my kids have played with kitchen utensils over the years. I'm rethinking the metal variety now, a big dose of mummy guilt later).

She slipped on the kitchen lino and preceded to plunge the beater inside her top lip producing an icky big cut.

One of those blood curdling screams and a whole lot of blood pouring from her mouth made us drop everything and rush down to the 24 hr medical centre for some advice on the gash.

A very bloody tea-towel (now in the fire) and a miserable consultation later we were instructed that stitches were needed. That meant a drive to Starship Childrens' Hospital. As they take my $20 and ACC form they mutter something under their breath informing me not to feed or offer Phoebe anything to drink as a general anesthetic will be needed to perform stitches on such a young patient. It was at this moment that I had that 'cold ball in my stomach' feeling as all the blood from my extremities rush towards it. Hospitals, stitches, anesthetic?? Eeeeek!

Back home, Mark and I quickly organised a baby sitter, threw some pizza money their way and off we went.

Traffic and a poorly designed map :-) had us arriving at the hospital at approx 5pm. Phoebe by this stage looked a bit swollen but smiling and enjoying the sudden change of plans.

5.15pm: Our initial consultation by the triage nurse resulted in her agreeing that YES a doctor need to see her, that YES general anesthetic was a real possibility, and she squeezed on some numbing cream and nifty tape across both her hands.

Unfortunately this is where time seemed to grind to a halt and at some point in the evening actually stand still. Those of you who have had to wait in an emergency department understand the priority or urgency of your ailment will determine your waiting time. I respect this because I want to know that if any of my children (or yours) are seriously ill or injured that they will become priority and receive immediate care.

6.00pm......

7.00pm.....

At this point I probably should mention my deep respect for all emergency department medical staff. I've had Phoebe here before and they are an amazing breed of human. They work extremely hard and demonstrate ooddles of care for the kids that come through Starship in droves.

When your child is ill they are your only focus, until you find yourself in a waiting room with a dozen ( or more) other parents and very upset children. The wards beyond , already chocka full with more.

8.00pm......

Over the next four hours we entertained Phoebe the best we could. She was exhausted, hungry and VERY thirsty. Considering she had just recovered from gastroenteritis, the latter really concerned me. October last year we watched her plummet into semi-conscious from dehydration and I was not prepared to go there again!

Just as I was about to inform the nurse that my toddler was literally begging for a drink and that maybe this indicated she really had waited too long. We got called in!!!!!!!!!!!

9.30pm: A listen to her lungs, check for a soft tummy, lifting her lip to view the entire cut and we were told it would heal on it's own.

................ ? ......................(stunned silence)........................ ? ...............................

You got it. A less than five minute consultation, six hours after the injury took place and we were going home WITHOUT stitches.

The crackers and water bottle quickly came out of the nappy bag, consumed by a very excited Phoebe. We whipped her into pjs and hit the motor way out of Auckland towards home.

9.50ish.baby asleep in car. Phew!

Phoebe slept the entire journey. Mark and I drove in stunned mullet silence that only an emergency department can conjure.

10.30 -11.00pm Mark and Jaz scoff sausages and bowls of lemon meringue pie before collapsing into bed.

The cut is turning ulcer white today. It was tricky to photograph because I didn't want to upset her, but I think you get the idea. It stretches up into her mouth up towards the gum.

It's Mothers' Day today. I have relaxed all day with my girls and Mark has cooked EVERYTHING!!! Phoebe is sore today, more than yesterday. The lip looks pretty grim. Turning into a large ulcer type wound. She woke this morning very weak and hungry and has been ultra-sensitive to EVERYTHING!!! But she is well and picking up as the day goes on.

On reflection Mark and I were reminded of how quickly things can change with children and how far we'd go for them despite the stress sometimes involved. I really hope all the children and parents I sat with last night got some sleep.

xx