Note: This is a post from Wednesday, July 20, 2016. This was when my third child was still a baby.
The baby was sleeping through the night on some days and others waking up at 4am and screaming the place down. I did not understand what had made a sound sleeping baby suddenly become so upset. I also could not figure out why he slept all night some days and the others he would wake. The twins were sleeping through the night after they were three months old.
I firstly thought that it could be his nappy. Solved and new one put on.
Secondly thought it could be that he was hungry. No he did not want food and would rather scream at me and also to fidget, turn over and over (he loves rolling over and likes to do this every chance he gets) on my lap and not get comfortable! Yes this was very annoying.
I tried the formula again and he would not have anything to do with it. OH geez more crying (especially in my ear and so loud that you cannot hear anything afterwards) and wiggling is going to happen now. I had to cuddle him until he passed out again and to make sure he was snoring before I could make the attempt of putting him in his cot.
Could it be bad dreams?????? Who knows and at this stage, I was trying to think of anything that could be waking up our baby.
My sleepy little boy. I finally figured out why he was waking up at 4am. It was really simple actually. Read on to find out.
Fast forward to after we came home from Vivid (June Long Weekend), it was a Sunday afternoon. We came home earlier than expected from the city due to one of the twins being ill. Hubby fed the baby at about 3pm and he fell into a deep sleep and then the baby was wrapped up and put in his bed. All good.
11pm came around on the same Sunday evening. Hubby and I were watching television and I said when did we feed the baby? He thought about it. It was around 3pm. Gosh I thought. The baby has been asleep for a long time. I told hubby that I think we need to check that all is okay with Alexander and that there was nothing wrong.
He cautioned me… He said, “If you wake him it is your problem to sort out”. I told him fine as I was getting worried due to the fact that he had been asleep so long.
I carefully opened his door and heard breathing and the baby turn over. All good. However, due to the fact that it was afternoon when the baby was put down for a nap his night light was not switched on. Normally we keep it on to help Alexander not get upset if it is too dark. The twins had a night light when they were babies and we noticed that when Alexander was little he wanted the reassurance of the light.
However this could be the reason that he was waking up at 4am and being so out of sorts. He must have been half asleep and then the light woke him fully. Without the night light when he wakes even a little, he rolls over and goes back to sleep.
How simple the answer was. Turn off the night light! Ever since coming back from Vivid we have left the babies night light off and suprise, he has slept through the night.
Yep genius here…. Turn off the light and the baby will sleep! You heard it here. Sounds really obvious doesn’t it. The light woke him up.
I told my nana this and she said, really it was just a light and all you needed to do was turn it off. I said yes and she laughed and laughed at me. Yes it sounds silly and so simple but when you are so used to your routine and thinking that it is needed you just do it. You don’t question it.
Have you found there was something so simple and obvious that has made the world of difference with your kids or baby? Was it as simple as turning off the night light? Let us know.
As a mother, you don’t expect to have expensive gifts, although I would love to go on a trip around the world and be whisked away to a day spa for a holiday by myself, I know this is not going to happen. Well, it could if I magically have heaps of money. (I can live in hope, can’t I??)
In reality, some nice flowers and lunch with hubby and the kids are fine. Or even better is a gift the kids made themselves.
So if you are like me and just wish to be given some nice gifts from your loved ones this downloadable code might come in handy.
Download both versions of the Mother’s Day Code here:
Have you got your mum something special for Sunday? Are you organising breakfast in bed? A nice plant to cheer up the house or the garden? Or taking Mum out for a long and relaxing lunch? Whatever you have planned I hope you have an amazing day.
I hope the Mother’s Day Code helps you out.
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Young kids usually have only a vague sense of time. They probably know that an hour is longer than ten minutes, and a week is shorter than a month, but it’s difficult for them to gauge time’s passing.
Making a paper chain calendar can help them learn this valuable math skill.
What You Need:
Calendar
3” x 8” strips of colored construction paper
Glue
Make a Paper Chain Calendar
What You Do:
Pick a date in the future that has some meaning for your child, for example, the first day of school, the date a relative is set to come visit, a birthday, or the start date of a favorite activity, like soccer. Ideally, the date should be about a month away.
Pull out your calendar, and with your child’s help, count the number of days until the event you’ve chosen.
Give your child the construction paper strips and explain that each strip stands for one day. Together, count out the correct number of strips (one for each day until your event), then help your child make a paper chain, by gluing the end of each strip together to form a link, then adding the rest of the links to form a “chain”.
Hang your chain in your child’s room, or in a prominent place. Each day, allow her to remove one link from the chain. As the days pass, this will give her a visual picture to associate with the numbers she sees on the calendar.
Not only does this provide a concrete image for the passing of time, but it gives your child a great excuse to practice counting backwards!
A big thank you to Education.com for this creative way to help kids learn. If you have not checked out their website make sure you stop by. Education.com have excellent resources to help your kids be super clever.
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Now when the twins were babies they had trucks, dolls, teddies, cars, train sets, puzzles, books, musical instruments and so many things to play with. I made sure to give them a great choice of things to play with.
The girls had cars, trucks, and balls but did not love them as much as our little boy does. It is a new level of love for things really.
Personally, I don’t believe that things are for girls or things are for boys. Toys are toys.
You play with what you are interested in and what you like doing. Girls like playing with trucks and balls just as much as little boys do, some girls might not, but that is not to say that some boys would love to play chef or say tuck in their dolls to bed each night.
My little boy loves his teddies, he likes some dolls, he pushes around the pram the twins had as toddlers and also likes to play tea party.
However, he is mental and crazily obsessed with cars, trucks, trains, and balls. Yep, we cannot go to a shop and pass by the sports section or toys without this kid getting angry about wanting yet another ball. Honestly, if I purchased a ball every time I went to the shops the house would be overflowing.
Matchbox cars for Alexander. He loves them and carries them everywhere.
The other day I stood on the corner of the school and main road and watched trucks and cars go by with Alexander. He was so happy and excited. We looked and he ooohed and ahhhed about everything all the while pointing. He even laughed and giggled to the delight of many truck driver.
While we were truck and car spotting some kind truckies waved to us and a few even put on their lights and honked their horns. A full on show for my little boy.
We stood there for well over 20 minutes and he loved every minute of it. One driver could not contain himself when Alexander got too excited over one particular truck. Alexander was pointing and saying oohhh oohhhh ohhhh and jumping up and down while I was holding him. This made the driver laugh and I think we made his day.
As I have only had girls and this is our first boy I am not sure where this fascination with trucks and cars and of course balls comes from. Alexander has been interested in soccer and can dribble a ball on his own from when he was starting to walk, now it is much better as he is running around like a kid with a mission now.
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I have spoken to other mums of boys and they all say the same thing. All their boys love cars, trucks, trains, balls and of course anything with wheels. I’ve looked this obsession and interest up online. It seems to be all down to hormones. Boys with more testosterone seem to be more taken with cars and trucks and the same for girls who have more of this hormone. Again, it is also down to personality and what your child likes to do.
When Alexander was still crawling he would go after any pram and just try and spin the wheels. He was amazed at the whole thing, he had to spin it, had to be near it or maybe part of it. I had no idea?
It was a bit weird when it was someone else’s pram but many said they understood as they had a boy who was doing the same thing. Oh… Okay…. glad it is not weird.
The girls are not into trucks or cars. Although they love playing with them. I still make sure to purchase things that will foster their development. I am conscious that girls are not doing or continuing with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subjects. With this in mind, I make sure to showcase women and girls that are doing well in these fields and to also get toys that foster skills in these areas.
As I said earlier, I make sure to give all my children many different toys to play with that is not based on gender. I find this sad that we discriminate on toys due to sex. Colours for kids is another thing that gets me annoyed. Why can’t boys have hot pink, reds and purples too! I suppose this is another post in the whole idea of boys clothing that is not as bright and colourful as girls. I do have plans to make my own with some fun fabrics for my little boy, oh and also for the twins.
Trains are another huge favourite. Alexander loves putting as many trucks, trains and cars on the tracks.
If boys have dolls and understand how to care for people and others they are better husbands, fathers, boyfriends and just caring all round. Dolls are not just for girls. It helps both sexes.
I suppose the one thing that amazes me is the fact that the drive for cars, trucks, trains, and balls is inbuilt. My little boy loves them. He thinks they are fun. He holds my hand to make me sit on the floor with him to play trains and cars.
It is obviously something that is in his personality, maybe it due to gender, maybe it is just what he likes to do? I have no idea.
My little boy cannot tell me at the moment, and if he could I am not sure he would know why either. Basically, he just loves them. He wants to play with what makes him happy and now as a mum to a boy, I’m accommodating his wishes.
I am making sure that I stop on the highway to watch cars and trucks. We stop at railways to see trains and I have purchased many balls, matchbox cars, and a car ramp so that he can have fun at home.
We still have the toy train set that the girls had as babies and now Alexander is loving it too. When I opened up the old train set I saw that the girls had half a dozen of matchbox cars they used to play with as well. Now they are Alex’s and he is so happy.
I’ve read online that playing with trains and balls helps with spatial awarness and can also help with your child’s STEM skills in the future. It is interesting that Alex has been into this since the early days but I have made an effort to ensure that all my kids get exposed to all different toys. This I feel helps their development and learning.
Kids are kids and are still learning. Toys help them understand how things work and play is super important.
Play in all forms is good for kids, pretend play, dress ups, getting dirty in the garden, sandpit fun, exploring nature, trains, cars, trucks, balls, tea party and playing musical instruments. It is all fun and helps kids grow.
Trucks and yet more trucks to play with. Alexander loves the choice from Playgroup.
I am still amazed at how inbuilt Alexander’s drive to play with cars, trucks, trains, and balls are. He instantly had to have them. He loves them. It was not directed by me or anyone. He just loves them. It makes him happy and he is even happier when I’m on the floor playing with him and making the sounds of the cars and trains to boot.
Due to having girls and not experiencing anything boy I had no idea. He is a real rough and tumble boy, but is also super sensitive too. He loves cuddles and his teddies.
Do you have a boy? If you do were you shocked at how instantly they take to cars and trucks? What about trains? Do you find that you cannot leave a train station without watching a few trains come and go? What about watching the traffic go by? I must say watching traffic is a super cheap way to keep your kid entertained.
Do you find that you cannot leave a train station without watching a few trains come and go? What about watching the traffic go by? I must say watching traffic is a super cheap way to keep your kid entertained.
What about watching the traffic go by? I must say watching traffic is a super cheap way to keep your kid entertained.
Let us know.
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Are you wondering what to do with the kids during the Winter school holidays? Well this HUGE list that I scoured the internet for will hopefully give you some ideas.
NIDA – School Holidays Classes – In fact NIDA have classes for all states, so check out the link.
Scenic Skyway and Three Sisters. Photo: Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism. Image by David Hill.
Sydney Olympic Park have great activities for kids of all ages. Some are free and others are under $25. So that is great value. The below links are from the Sydney Olympic Park’s Website.
Taronga Zoo. There’s always plenty happening at Taronga Zoo. With over 4,000 animals to see, over 20 keeper talks and shows a day, tours, events & concerts, there’s always a new reason to visit Taronga Zoo.
Darling Harbour Quarter Playground– This is an amazing playground for kids. Make sure to pack a spare set of clothes and a towel for the kids. There is a wet area that they are drawn to and if you don’t have spare dry clothes you will suffer the whining of the child. Trust me!
Newington Armory – Discover one of Sydney’s most unique heritage precincts adjacent to the scenic Parramatta River. It is open every weekend.
Bathurst Winter Festival, From the 7 – 22 July 2018 – Staged in the beautiful, heritage CBD of Bathurst, the festival is a showcase of all that is vibrant, creative and unique in the region. Watch buildings come alive through static and interactive illumination breathing life into the historic architecture. Amuse yourself in the Winter Playground sampling the charm of the outdoor McDonald’s Bathurst Ice Rink, the giant Ferris wheel and magical two-story carousel every day of the Bathurst Winter Festival.
SEALIFE Sydney Aquarium – SEALIFE always has fun exhibitions and things to do. Keep your little ones entertained by taking them to learn more about marine life and our environment.
WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo – Visit the animals in the heart of the city. Learn more from the wonderful daily talks about snakes, Tasmanian Devils and much more.
Cockington Green Gardens– See miniature buildings within beautifully landscaped gardens. Why not stay for afternoon tea at the Parsons Nose Garden Cafe.
The National Dinosaur Museum – “Focusing on education and entertainment, the museum offers a wide variety of activities to schools and the general public. From guided tours of the museum, to birthday parties for the kids, there is sure to be something to suit your needs.”
SEMAPHORE AND FORT GLANVILLE TOURIST RAILWAY. Image from their website.
Botanic Gardens of South Australia – Find out all the fun things that the gardens are doing these school holidays. Creating crowns and masks, making fire, making glue, listen to aboriginal stories, and much more.
South Australia – Learn about all the attractions from all the regions within Adelaide and surrounds.
Drive-In Cinema at Gepps Cross. Stay in your PJ’s, bring your pillows and blankets and have fun watching a great film with the kids.
Granite Island – Take a family drive to Granite Island to see the penguins. Why not get a guided tour. Tours start at dusk every night. Costs
$12.50 Adult
$7.50 Children
$36.00 Family (2 Adults, 2 Children).
Bookings are essential.
Phone (08) 8552 7555
Adelaide Planetarium – “Come to the Planetarium these school holidays and take a journey to outer space. Travel to the moon and back this school holiday break. Adelaide Planetarium’s Night sky presentations and full dome movies offer educational entertainment for all ages.”
Sam Sunday’s Trek to the Goldfields – The Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Bookings required if more than 10. Phone: (08) 9021 8533
Light, Lenses and Luminescence – The Western Australian Museum – GeraldtonTimes: 9.30am – 4.00pm
“Discover the mysterious magic of light at the WA Museum – Geraldton during the school holidays. There is a range of fun, creative and challenging activities and workshops where you can explore what happens when light is reflected, refracted and blocked.”
Time Trekker – Dino Dig – Western Australian Museum – Perth
Time: 9.15am – 12.30pm
Weekday: kids only 8-12 years.
Weekends: Family friendly experience. Kids 6-12 years.
See website for costs.
Rottnest Island Map. Image www.rottnestfastferries.com.au
Surfing Lessons – Perth
2 Day Course – School Holidays ONLY
Our courses run Mon & Tue / Wed & Thur / Sat & Sun (great for getting dad and mum out there!)
Adventure World – Progress Drive, Bibra Lake
Little kids will love the slides, kingdom falls, pools. The whole family will enjoy the bumper boats, dragon express (rollercoaster), go carts, and the tunnel of terror.
Open every day from 10am to 5pm during the school holidays. You can purchase tickets online to avoid the queues.
Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
See the B52 Bomber and other exhibits from Darwin’s role in WWII
Open daily from 9am – 5pm
Adults $14.00. Seniors / Pensioners $10.00. Children (under 12) $7.00. Family $30.00.Students $7.50
Berry Springs Nature Park
“Whilst enjoying the pools, if you swim with goggles you can see many small native fish and other aquatic life that live in the clear pools. Wildlife is abundant.” Remember: Swim only where recommended, observe warning signs. Facilities: Picnic tables, walking tracks, Kiosk (open during high visitation periods but generally from late morning to mid afternoon)
The Park is open from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm daily.
Nightcliff Markets
Every Sunday from 6am to 2pm all year round
“Enjoy a relaxing morning, listening to some great entertainment while the kids play nearby in the playground. Sample our array of tasty foods such as curries, soups, crepes, satays, sushi, samosas, burgers, noodles.. and locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables.”
The Rock – Darwins Indoor Climbing Centre
Business Hours – Tuesday to Friday 12noon till 9pm.
Saturday & Sunday 12noon till 6pm.
Closed Mondays
Phone: (08) 8941 0747
email: helpnt@bigpond.com.au
The Rock – Darwin’s Indoor Climbing Centre. Image from Travel NT’s Website.
Indo Pacific Marine
Check out the tours that are offered.
Opened from 9am to 4pm
April to October and from November to March 9am to 1pm weekdays and 10am to 2pm weekends and public holidays. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday.
Showing the beauty of the Northern Territory marine environment. Image from Travel NT’s website.
Tours at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). Image from Museum’s website
The Phenomena Factory
“The Phenomena Factory is a free-entry interactive science centre providing hands-on education for kids of all ages. You can challenge yourself in the Perception Tunnel or test your reactions while you touch, switch, pull and crank your way around the Phenomena Factory, actively learning about science along the way.Exhibits also include Death at a Distance, Dice with Death, Sniff a Snack, and Squeeze and Serve – all from Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre in Australia. You will also find the Jaffa Machine donated by Hydro Tasmania which turns human mechanical energy into kinetic energy. Crank the handle and sustain the energy output long enough and you’ll be rewarded with a jaffa.”
Cost: FREE!
Times: Open 10am – 5pm daily
For all ages
The Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery
If you visit The Phenomena Factory the Museum is very close so why not pop in for a visit too.
Learn about the Heritage Trail, and how the railways transformed Tasmania, plus lots more!
National Automobile Museum of Tasmania
The museum is located at Cnr Willis & Cimitiere Sts, Launceston, Tasmania, 7250, Australia.
See website for costs for admission.
Open every day except Christmas Day, 9am – 5pm summer hours. Winter hours: 10am to 4pm.
Learn about more great activities for the school holidays, Zoo Doo (An African Safari just 6km from Richmond), Allport Library and fine arts, Maritime Museum of Tasmania, Museum of Old and New art has great holiday programs for kids, and Bush Kids that is a brilliant holiday program that takes kids on exciting nature-based adventures.
This is just a list of things I found online and thought looked interesting and fun. It is by no means a full list of everything in Australia.
If it was this blog post would be way longer than it already is.
I hope you have fun and some of these events make the holidays fun for all. We are on a holiday countdown in our house.
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The below post was written near the end of the Easter School holidays this year. Now we are in the winter school holidays and I am not sure that it will be much different. What about you?
Or have you been driven mental by the kids constant demands? Maybe you have found it difficult to keep kids occupied and busy while they are off school?
I don’t know about you, but I have a hate love relationship with school holidays. Yes, I know this term is usually written as a love hate relationship, but I think my way expresses more of how I feel.
The holidays are nearly over. Maybe I should be awarded a medal for survival or at the very least managing to keep people happy.
Would this award ceremony have others that have survived too? It could become a thing for parents that have lasted through countless trips to the shops, playground, park, and the millionth time watching your child’s favourite film.
Playing in parks is always a favourite thing for my kids to do. It allows them to run wild, explore and to just burn off energy that is not able to be done inside.
So what have we been up to these school holidays?
Went to the movies to see Batman LEGO Movie, Boss Baby, and Beauty and the Beast.
Spent time at parks.
Went to indoor play centres.
Watched countless movies at home.
Cooked.
Played with friends kids.
Had playdates.
Did craft.
Read books.
Went to the Easter Show.
Tried to sleep in… this really has not happened but the attempts have been made.
Also there have been many meltdowns, tantrums, and fights over the school holidays.
Kids have not been doing as they are told. Not listening to me and being downright rude and naughty.
I am actually craving some alone time.
Time that does not have yelling kids, noise or anything that might annoy me.
Time that will allow me to finally get a few things done rather than bits of everything and never get a chance to get back to it.
Don’t get me wrong, I do love the fact that holidays allow you to not be anywhere if you don’t want to.
So what do I love about school holidays?
Able to stay in your PJ’s all day.
Don’t have to make any plans.
Don’t have to pack lunches everyday.
Spending time with my lovely kids.
Seeing fun films that normally are just for kids, but since you have kids with you it is fully acceptable to watch these fun films.
Fun days out with the kids and hubby.
Things I don’t like or hate about school holidays:
No alone time.
Constantly on the go.
Never a chance to get something done for me.
Kids arguing and fighting. Although this happens when it is not school holidays, the fights seem to be amplified during holidays.
This is what it has been like when the kids have been naughty. Oh the joys of the holidays.
Wednesday the kids go back to school and Friday the baby will be in care. He is usually in care on Tuesday’s as well but this week it is a public holiday so we are all on holiday still.
I am looking forward to Friday. It will be a day that I can have some quiet time. Alone time. Time just for me. Kids will be in school, the baby will be at care, and hubby will be at work. I will be able to focus on some much needed tasks that I wish to get done.
Although I have a list of things that I wish to get completed, I most likely will be just sitting down and loving the peace and quiet of being in the house all by myself.
What do you look forward to after kids go back to school? Maybe you have not had a break due to working as well as trying to entertain kids during the school holidays.
Some plans for me:
Get my hair done
Have a hot bath and not be interrupted
Spend some time working on my blog
Catch up on some television
Finally get stuck into my screenwriting course that I have not had the chance to do
Get some exercise
And so much more
Let us know how you coped these school holidays and what you are looking forward to do once the kids are back at school?
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Do you take your baby to a playgroup? Does your baby love it?
I have attempted to take our baby boy to the playgroup that is at the twin’s school. I thought that this would be ideal. I am already at the school after dropping off the girls and while there it would be perfect for the baby to play, and it might mean I can get a drink by myself. Well I can hope can’t I.
This playgroup at the kid’s school is lovely, the organisers have toys all laid out and so many things for all different age groups to play with.
I have on several occasions we have gone and I have put the baby down so he can explore. There are so many things that would allow him to have fun and have new experiences. Although he did not enjoy his time and just was a hysterical mess; crying, screaming and grabbing for me. He just wanted mummy and cuddles. Don’t put the baby down was the message.
Baby upset. Not sure why. Could be the fact it is a new environment at playgroup.
There were a few moments where he looked like he was okay. I then told him that I was just getting my coffee and will be back soon. He must have thought I was leaving him and he sped crawled to me and tried to climb up my legs to get into my arms. Oh the poor little boy.
I explained all this to my husband and he asked, “Did you tell him what you were doing and where you were going?”
I responded with, “I told the baby that I was just getting a coffee but I did not tell the baby we were going to playgroup? Do you think he is upset due to not being told where we were going?”
Hubby laughed at me. I thought he was asking whether I explained to the baby exactly where we were going and what we were doing. I did not, although I did tell the baby I was just getting my drink.
This got me thinking… Do you tell your baby where you are going? I try to and although I didn’t that day, I did tell the baby that I was just getting my coffee and would be straight back, although he freaked out about this as well.
Yes, I know that the baby does not know what I am saying. He cannot talk and panics when he thinks it looks like I am leaving, although I was coming back.
Maybe it was his teeth?
Maybe it was the fact he was not feeling well?
Could it be the fact that he is not feeling comfortable in the space and was scared?
I ended up leaving due to the fact that Alexander was shaking, crying and just really upset. Small steps I think is best if your baby is not liking something or finding things hard. Also if they are upset best to leave and make them feel secure, calm and comfortable.
So what I thought hubby was saying was if I just told the baby, “We are going to playgroup today” then he would have been happier? I don’t know. I don’t think so. I have been back to the same group and I think our little boy is not feeling comfortable in the space. It could be the size of the room, too many people or something that I will never be able to answer.
It could just take time for him to get used to certain situations. Have you been to places where your baby is not happy or 100% and other places they are super happy? What do you think the issue is? Have you figured it out?
What is it with the kids lately? Every morning they get up and argue. Not only are they arguing they are yelling, screaming and just being horrible.
On top of the yelling, screaming and arguing, they are ignoring anything I say and not doing what they are told. Also when I have asked them to come and sort something out, they race off in the opposite direction to play or hide in the backyard.
Are your kids being mischievous and naughty lately? Is it due to the end of school or something else?
Is this just kids being out of sorts due to the end of term?
Holidays start next week and this Friday is the last day of school. If this is what they are doing now I am fearful of the holidays.
I have told the kids that if they continue this terrible behaviour their holidays are going to be very sad and boring. I said that they can stay in their room and tidy it up and if all tidy they can play in there. This you can imagine was met with more yelling and crying!
My reaction to all of this is, what the hell is happening? What is the problem and when can I go on holiday? Why can’t I curl up and ignore people too?
I did take myself to the corner of the house and just have a big yell and scream to let out some annoyance at the stupid and silly behaviour. Aside from this a nice spa retreat alone would do me just fine!
Since this happened all again this morning I need some nice quiet alone time. I still have the noise in my head and I find that time relaxing helps me feel better. I’m telling the kids that they just need to speak nicely to each other and to calm down. I don’t want the yelling and horrible behaviour as it impacts your stress levels, how you feel and it is not good for any of us.
It is also draining to have to deal with this daily and sort it all out. I’m having the same conversations with the kids each and every day…. I am so exhausted I could go right to bed now.
Are you having the same things happen in your house?
Are your kids acting up? What do you think the issue is?
Could it be the end of term? Are they just over tired and need a break?
Could it be a full moon or something else mystical (you never know right?)
Send in your ideas so that I might know why we are having crazy days lately.
LUSH sent me a box of goodies. Check out what I received.
As you saw in the video above I received three tubs of LUSH’s New FUN soap. The kids and I call it play dough soap due to the fact that you can create creatures/creations out of it before it melts away in the bath or the shower.
Monsters and Aliens FUN – scented with spicy black pepper oil and comforting Fair Trade vanilla absolute.
Rainbow FUN – lime and grapefruit oils will help cleanse skin, while fair trade vanilla soothes and softens.
Sea Monster FUN – relaxing lavender oil and bright, citrusy lime oil.
LUSH FUN Soap – All new and so much fun! Create monsters, aliens, and even rainbows. Your kids will be begging you for a bath with this soap.
Did You Know….
“2.5% of sales from every bar of FUN is contributed to the FUNd, a LUSH initiative which supports charities in Fukushima, Japan that create safe places for children to play outside.”
This version of FUN soap lets kids create monsters, aliens and even rainbows! Yes anything is possible with this brilliantly coloured and of course amazing smelling soap.
You can use this soap in a bath or the shower. Yes how brilliant to not have to have a bath. I have used it in the shower and I love the fact that it leaves my body smelling so wonderful. It is like I have put on an exotic perfume that also manages to perfume my clothes and the baby… I have noticed that when I have picked him up afterwards he now smells like FUN soap too!
FUN Soap is a 4-in-1 bubbler
Use as a soap
Shampoo
Bubble bar
Or malleable toy
The kids had a ball and made aliens in the bath. The FUN soap even creates so many bubbles, no need to add bubble bath mixture as well. Just use FUN soap.
Taking FUN Soap away with you is hassle free. It is not going to leak from the container as it is solid. After you use a little bit of it you can put the remainder back in the tub to use later. It is perfect for that trip away.
Have you seen the new FUN soap from LUSH? We loved it before but this has gone the extra mile. The girls love the bright colours, the fact that you can make weird creatures with the soap and also that they end up smelling amazing BUT the real fabulous thing that the twins loved was the fact that the bath turned a great purple colour.
On the side of the pots you have suggestions for what you can make. This is a great visual tool for kids and to help the creative process.
The new tubs are great and if you return 5 clean full sized LUSH pots or tubes you get one fresh mask free. What a great way to recycle and also get a freebie as well.
An alien created by one of the girls. Spooky looking and surrounded by bubbles!
LUSH is one of my favourite stores and the one thing that appeals is their imagination. Making things fun for all not just kids is what makes you go back again and again.
I do have my much cherished soaps which is the Honey I Washed The Kids Soap. It is a soap that just oozes of honey, it is so creamy and I’m sure is great for my skin. I also adore Sea Vegetable Soap as it reminds me of being on the beach. It is just like you have had a dip in the ocean as it captures all the nice smells of the seaside and leaves you invigorated.
The girls are now trying to organise their next bath. They want to use the next tub of LUSH FUN so they can create more creatures and weird colours in the water. OH and I suppose get clean at the same time.
Have your kids tried LUSH’s FUN soap? What do you think of the new improved version of FUN soap? Do they love it? Or do you use it too? Let us know.
Disclaimer:LUSH sent me some goodies to try. I loved them so much that I had to tell you all about them, I love sharing great products and new things with my readers.
As a mother to twin girls and a little boy I want to ensure that all my kids are healthy and well. I’m sure if you are a parent or help care for kids that would be what you would like too. However there are times when everyone gets sick. One child might have a cold, a fever, the flu or if it was like our ongoing saga with tonsillitis it effected both kids until they were removed (the girls have been well aside from the common cold and illness since the removal of their tonsils.)
Shelley Craft, Buddy Bear, myself (Suzanne), the girls and our little boy. What fun the kids had, although the baby was teething and still is. (He cheered up once he got some Children’s Panadol to make him feel better)
When your little ones get sick you do your best to make them feel better. It could be cuddles, songs, yummy food, and favourite shows and of course some medicine to help your kids feel more like themselves and allow the body to get better, rest is best so that you can be well.
No matter how simple or common the sickness is you cannot help but worry about your children. When my kids are sick I am worried about them all the time.
Last Thursday the kids and I went to learn about Children’s Panadol (The kids were excited to meet Shelley Craft. Yes I watch The Block and therefore so do the kids) great new online resources to help parents care for sick kids and to also alleviate the anxiety that can go with sickness.
Shelley Craft from the Block and Dr Kimberley O’Brien who is the founder of Quirky Kid Clinic and also an expert in child development and mental health. Both Shelley Craft and Dr O’Brien spoke about how to have planning strategies to help parents deal with stress and anxiety when children get ill as it can be HUGE help for parents and children as well.
This talk was in response to a “new global survey of parents, including Australians, suggests that parents manage day to day mishaps and mistakes calmly, but still get stressed about the important things like helping their children through illness”
“71% of Australian parents fell anxious about fever/temperature and 66% feel anxious about their child’s pain”
Children’s Panadol have created the following tools to help support parents in managing their child’s health:
Buddy Bear is an interactive animated website that allows parents to entertain children when they are sick. It is a good idea to create the different files before you need them as you can save them to your device. Once you are on the site you are asked if your child is a boy/girl. Then fill in age, email and add photo and your video will be emailed to you when it is ready. Get organised and download a few so you have them ready.
While your child is watching Buddy Bear you can get the dosage of Children’s Panadol correct and not be so flustered and anxious.
Buddy Bear – The great new interactive way to keep your little one entertained while you get the medicine sorted to help your child get better. Developed and created by Children’s Panadol.
The First Five Years Book – This fabulous resource is written by child health nurses to help parents with practical tips and tricks to help them understand the ups and downs from birth to 5 years old, help you enjoy being a parent, learn about major milestones, understand activities that your baby might be doing. You can read it online or download it.
Bub Tracker App – This is a FREE App that helps new parents with advice on dosage for medicines, feeding tracker, feeding log and much more.“Parents do not sweat the small stuff, but worry more about the illness cause, recovery and prevention – especially mothers”
Children’s Panadol Bub Tracker App – Great guide for parents
I hate it when kids are sick. I wish I could make it all go away. I also hate when I get sick, yes if kids get ill, I end up sick too! Perils of motherhood.
The tools from Panadol are a HUGE help to make it a little easier on parents and also kids. I have downloaded some of buddy bear’s interactive videos in preparation for Alexander.
Dr Kimberley O’Brien has 5 tips to help manage anxiety and soothe your sick child/children:
Make a Plan. Having a plan removes second guessing yourself and the worry. Make sure that you include distraction and calming tools if medication is required.
Know your tools. Have a favourite toy/book/game to help comfort your child. A personalised DVD that the child will be happy to watch would be of great help.
Empathise. Try and see the situation from your child’s point of view and this can give you some insight into their behaviour.
Do familiar things. If you can make sure you stick to your regular family routine. This will create a sense of normality at home and allow everyone to be more relaxed.
Manage your anxiety. Call on your support network for help. You need a break if you are the only one caring for a sick child, a break will allow you to increase your quality of care and not get burnt out in the process.
“They are less concerned with diet, medication usage or what they are doing wrong – though parents of younger children worry more.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly parents of children aged 6-12 are not as ‘extremely ’anxious”
Teething and very upset. Mummy cuddles are very helpful. Photo taken in a darken room due to sleeping baby. Yes did not want to wake him.
What are your thoughts on making a plan to be ready for sick kids? Well you are not planning on having sick kids, just how to deal with it.
I love the Buddy Bearvideos and the bear is so magical to watch. You could sit for hours just being amazed at how cute and wonderful the bear is. Kids will love this as much as adults do. Give it a go, download and save some videos just in case you need them. Also check out the other online resources from Children’s Panadol.
Disclaimer: I went along to the media briefing about Children’s Panadol to learn ways parents can be less anxious and to hear about techniques that can help children when sick. I have had many times when the twins were ill, they then got me ill and now with a baby it will all happen again (Currently Alexander has a cold and is also teething. Joyousness it is not!). I think that the online resources that Children’s Panadol showcased are excellent, not only are they FREE, they are highly informative as well. Thanks to Children’s Panadol for the invite and allowing the kids and I to learn more about your online tools.
Do you have a baby? Do they have a teddy or a special toy? Did your child eventually name it? Or did you give it a name?
Alexander with Barry the Bear. Named by Daddy.
Hubby has named one of Alexander’s favourite teddies. Yes how terrible I thought!
It is not hubby’s teddy. Why would he want to name it.
I told the husband my thoughts on the matter and that it is really up to the child to name his teddy.
Hubby told me that if we kept on calling it “Teddy” he will grow up and still call the toy, “Teddy”.
So the name that has been chosen for Alexander’s teddy is: Barry the Bear! Yes the teddy is now called Barry.
The twins even race around to make sure Alexander has Barry.
The other week when Alexander went for his six month shots I made sure we had Barry with us. After the nurses gave the baby his needles he cried a little bit and was a little out of sorts. Barry the Bear fell on the floor and the girls told the nurses he needed Barry. They had no idea who Barry was, then the girls told them…. “Barry the Bear!” like they should know.
The name has been adopted by hubby, the girls and now I have been calling the teddy Barry.
Did you name your kids teddy? Or did you wait for them to name their own toy themselves? Let us know.
The other day one of the girls walked into the kitchen bawling her eyes out. She was so upset she could hardly tell me what the issue was. Once she calmed down a bit I finally learnt what the problem was.
I did initially think that she or her sister had hurt themselves and we might need to take a trip to the hospital. Thank goodness it wasn’t the case.
The kid who was extremely upset told me that she was very sad that Amy Pond and Rory had died. For those that are not aware of these names or characters, they are in Doctor Who. Yes my girls take after hubby and I with their love for the Doctor.
Amy Pond and Rory Williams, from Doctor Who. Image found on Pinterest.
I tired so hard to make her feel better but she kept on saying things about Amy and Rory like they were real people…… OH gosh… what do I do now???? She is a sensitive little bunny and these things upset her. I was like her as a child.
Yes there are moments that I get frustrated at behaviour and then realise that I am exactly the same. Do you do this too?
One thing that I did say was how about we watch the next episode to see what happens….So I will do that with her to see what happens next. From memory all works out well….but she does not know that.
Although I was shocked at her attachment and upset for the characters of Doctor Who, I had to think back to what I did when I saw this episode for the first time.
I did the same thing. Yes I cry and get very upset. I do the same thing when one doctor dies and he morphs into a new person…. I get to love and like the doctor and I don’t want them to change at all…However it does change and therefore it means more upset from me and now from one of my girls.
It got me thinking about that saying “That awkward moment when you find yourself being frustrated with your child…For behaving just like you.”
I am getting annoyed that she gets upset easily…however I have completely forgotten that I do the same thing. It is major to a child if their favourite characters die in a show or a book. It is very upsetting as an adult too.
I made sure that we had cuddles and kisses and talked about it, she felt a bit better after some nice mummy cuddles.
Have you had moments that your little ones have pushed your buttons to then realise that their behaviour is exactly like yours? Let us know what happened.
Need a unique gift for a family member? Don’t have heaps of money? Well, this great project will give you a cheap gift and your family member will cherish the present for years to come.
This gift can be for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Celebrating being a new mum/dad, or even Christmas. So don’t worry it will be perfect for any occasion.
Create your own hand and feet print canvas, great gift idea. Be prepared for a mess. It was a bunch of fun though, but the baby got the messiest. Enjoy!
Gather Your Materials
Washable Paint. If you have more than 1 child you will need different colours for each child. I purchased red, blue and white paint. I made purple paint and also pink out of these colours. I ended up having purple, pink and blue for the 3 kids to use.
Canvas (You can small sizes, large ones or enormous size canvas. It is up to you and the project you are making) I chose small square ones so that they would easily fit in the post and also on a wall.
Newspaper to cover the floor or outside area. This makes sure you don’t get too messy.
Towels – You might want to have towels set up on the floor to protect the path to the bathroom so that your very messy kids can not mess things up too much once they get in there to get clean. I do find that if my kids are head to toe covered in paint, the walls and doors get covered in it too. Therefore having a washable paint is ideal as all you have to do is to give the wall and floor a quick wipe and all is good.
Paintbrushes – We used paintbrushes to put the paint on hands and feet. You can just put your hands and feet in the paint but using the paintbrush made it a bit easier.
How To Create the Prints
Step 1: Have your paint ready to go. If you need to mix colours have it all organised before the kids get near it.
Step 2: Put the newspaper down and then lay the canvas on top.
Step 3:Make sure kids are in clothes that can get dirty and then paint a foot or a hand and press on the canvas. (You might want to figure out where each hand and foot is going to go on the canvas. You don’t want to figure it out with excited kids who are ready to paint everything and anything. Before we put anything on a canvas I spoke to the girls about where each person’s hand was going to go and we were going to save space for the baby as well.)
Step 4: Since I was making more than one canvas at the same time I did this 3 times for each person. I made one for my Mother in Law, one for my mum and also one for me!
Step 5:Once you have all the hands and prints on the canvas, it now needs to dry. It should dry well overnight and be ready to post the next day. I picked one up for my Mother in Law. It just needed some bubble wrap to protect it and it sat in the box with the other goodies for her birthday.
This is a good rainy day activity. I am sure it will keep the kids happy and having fun. Afterward, they can have a bubble bath and you get some peace and quiet after they are relaxed and tired.
Maybe after the bath put on a film for them to watch or read them a story…… I do live in hope that the kids will be super tired after activities.
Oh well, whatever you do enjoy. I hope this gives you some great ideas and a cheap gift idea to create.
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Need a unique gift for a family member? Don’t have heaps of money? Well this great project will give you a cheap gift and your family member will cherish the present for years to come.
This gift can be for birthday’s, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Celebrating being a new mum/dad, or even Christmas. So don’t worry it will be perfect for any occasion.
Create your own hand and feet print canvas, great gift idea. Be prepared for mess. It was a bunch of fun though, but the baby got the messiest. Enjoy!
Gather Your Materials
Washable Paint. If you have more than 1 child you will need different colours for each child. I purchased red, blue and white paint. I made purple paint and also pink out of these colours. I ended up having purple, pink and blue for the 3 kids to use.
Canvas (You can small sizes, large ones or enormous size canvas. It is up to you and the project you are making) I chose small square ones so that they would easily fit in the post and also on a wall.
Newspaper to cover the floor or outside area. This makes sure you don’t get too messy.
Towels – You might want to have towels set up on the floor to protect the path to the bathroom so that your very messy kids can not mess things up too much once they get in there to get clean. I do find that if my kids are head to toe covered in paint, the walls and doors get covered in it too. Therefore having a washable paint is ideal as all you have to do is to give the wall and floor a quick wipe and all is good.
Paint brushes – We used the paint brushes to put the paint on hands and feet. You can just put your hands and feet in the paint but using the paint brush made it a bit easier.
How To Create the Prints
Step 1: Have your paint ready to go. If you need to mix colours have it all organised before the kids get near it.
Step 2: Put the newspaper down and then lay the canvas on top.
Step 3:Make sure kids are in clothes that can get dirty and then paint a foot or a hand and press on the canvas. (You might want to figure out where each hand and foot is going to go on the canvas. You don’t want to figure it out with excited kids who are ready to paint everything and anything. Before we put anything on a canvas I spoke to the girls about where each persons hand was going to go and we were going to save space for the baby as well.)
Step 4: Since I was making more than one canvas at the same time I did this 3 times for each person. I made one for my Mother in Law, one for my mum and also one for me!
Step 5:Once you have all the hands and prints on the canvas, it now needs to dry. It should dry well overnight and be ready to post the next day. I packed one up for my Mother in Law. It just needed some bubble wrap to protect it and it sat in the box with the other goodies for her birthday.
This is a good rainy day activity. I am sure it will keep the kids happy and having fun. Afterwards they can have a bubble bath and you get some peace and quiet after they are relaxed and tried. Maybe after the bath put on a film for them to watch or read them a story…… I do live in hope that the kids will be super tired after activities.
Oh well, whatever you do enjoy. I hope this gives you some great ideas and a cheap gift idea to create.
Do you feel that you are racing around just to get everything done? Does it always seem like a mad rush?
Well if you can say YES to this I hear you.
I have felt like this for a while now that I am running around trying to get everything done and not really get much done at all.
Taking time for you and to enjoy your own company is great. I love the silence and peace that this gives me. When I get to do it. Image found on Pinterest.
Things that have been done:
Kids cared for
Kids taken and picked up from school
After school activities organised, paid for and driven kids to and from them
Cared for baby
Shopped for food and essentials at supermarket
Got birthday present for my mother in law
Washed clothes and now trying to fold and put them away
Cleaned kids room about million times. No point with this one as in seconds it is back to the destruction it was in before it was tidied up
Cook dinners for everyone
Pack lunches for kids
Check the mailbox for important mail (mainly checking for birthday presents to arrive, oh and a wedding anniversary gift)
Make sure that all excursions have been paid for and notes signed
I know there is more to add to this list but some things are a blur so I might have forgotten something important.
Just relax and breathe in good vibes….. and breathe out bad vibes! Image found on Pinterest
Racing around in the window of time that I have to myself never seems to get everything done. I did try and tidy up the bathroom in-between hanging clothes on the line. However I had to have the baby in the garden with me so was keeping an eye on him while doing some jobs.
When I get some time for me to just sit in silence and not race around I feel a little on edge. I think this is due to being on the go all the time and the constant activity and noise of now three kids. Sometimes it takes a while to just chill out, relax and just be.
I currently have a very sore neck and shoulders; It is rather painful. I tend to hold all my annoyance and stress in my shoulders, jaw and neck. I have tried massage, hot showers and the chiropractor. Maybe I need all three? Or a nice Queensland holiday that allows me to be on the beach, sleep in and rest might be just what is needed.
How do you try and relax?
I try and watch some of my favourtie television shows or go for a walk on my own. Yes walking all by myself without kids is great (I need to wait till a weekend to do this as hubby needs to mind the kids). I also like to take myself off to a cafe for brunch or maybe to the movies to watch a film that I have wanted to see.
The Child Development Institute has a great list to help parents manage their stress. Why not check out some ideas that might help you next time or now if you are needing some relaxation time.
Taking the time to relax is very important. It is good for your health and of course relationships.
Do you find it takes more time to relax than it used to? I truly believe due to being constantly on the go it takes the body more time to rest and de-stress. What about you?
I know it is hard but I do think we need to cut back on things and activities. I would just love to come home after school pick up and just be. I have also tried to make things a bit easier for me by doing some organising the night before. This means less stress in the morning and an easier start to the day. How do you make things easier for you when you are extremely busy?
Yep although I have my worries and annoyances, I have so many blessings that I am very grateful for. Image found on Pinterest.
I have had two days of angst! Yes I have had some stressful moments. Why do you ask?
Well, the poor little baby has had his first injuries and falls. Insert unhappy face here. Or maybe have a HUGE lie down. After Wednesday’s incident I was so drained and exhausted.
Firstly on Tuesday I was looking after the baby. I carried him in the rocker to the living room. All was good until…. He rolled out and fell head first on the ground. Thank goodness we have a nice rug that covers the wood floor. It did still make a noise when his head collected the floor and oh did he scream. I felt horrible. The only saviour was the fact that he was so close to the ground when this rolling out of the rocker occurred and it was more of a scare than a full blown injury….You can bet I was breathing a BIG sigh of relief about this.
Now to tell about his second incident.
It happened yesterday (Wednesday). I was busy getting all the rubbish out of the house for bin night and the baby was screaming the house down. The twins were in the backyard playing. I thought if the baby can see the kids and be with them he might calm down. I took the baby and the rocker out so that he could sit with his big sisters. I told the kids to leave him in the rocker and to ask if they needed any help. I was not going to be long and was soon to join all the kids so that I can do the twins reading for school in the garden. It was still nice weather and I thought it was a lovely idea. The girls had their readers ready and were just waiting till I was ready.
I was finished and had come in and was just tidying up to come out to be with the kids. I then heard a horrible scream and yell from the baby. I raced out to see what the problem was and to make sure all was okay. I see one of the kids putting the baby in the rocker and he is covered in sand. I ask the child why her brother is covered in sand. She tells me honestly (I was pleased that she told me the truth although she did something bad. She was grown up enough to tell it the way it happened. I told her that I was pleased that she did that and that I am proud of how she dealt with the situation) that she was holding him in the sand pit and he fell and now he has sand all over him. Gosh not good!
The scene of the crime. At least it was a soft area to be.
I made sure to tell the girls that this was not good. It could have gone so wrong, and we were very lucky that the baby is okay. He did not fall on cement, or on the hard wood borders of the sandpit and other things….. gosh it could have been horrible (This is why I was so drained and fell asleep while watching TV last night). I could have spent last night at the hospital. I am very grateful this did not happen.
I got a bath organised for the baby quick smart to wash away the sand from his whole body but especially his face. My main concern was his eyes. I did not want any stray grains of sand in his eyes. In the bath I had a flannel and soaked it with water to wash the babies eyes, I did not want to wipe so much but put water in his eyes so that it got the sand out. I did my best but due to the baby not understanding he tried to open his mouth and drank some of the water (In hindsight this was rather funny but not at the time). This ended up in him coughing and me changing tactics to get the sand out from around the eyes. Let me know if you have done this also.
As you might imagine, poor Alexander was hard to settle and when he finally did settle he slept a long time. I think he was stressed out about falling into the sandpit. I was so zapped of energy due to the worry and what could have happened.
After this happened it got me thinking. If you have older kids and a new baby, what have the older kids done while they were helping look after their brother/sister? Let us know.
I know the kids were trying to help. I think they now understand how the fall could have hurt their baby brother, and how lucky we are that he is okay and his happy smiley self. Maybe this is a good lesson for the kids to learn. They need to be more careful when they are with the baby.
I will too make sure that I am more careful as no one wants to have a fall out of the rocker or the first experience with the sandpit to be such a drama.
I hope that the baby is not going to be permanently scared about sandpits and that he will like them when he is older. If he has a fear of sand this will be the reason for it.
Alexander is now eleven weeks old. Yes soon to be three months old, Oh how that has flown by already.
As anyone with a newborn knows you get up multiple times at night and feed, settle, cuddle, and of course change nappies. I also wash up bottles so that we have more for the next feeds. Lately the baby has taken to waking up at 2.30 or say 2am to want more food. I change his nappy and get him the milk and then feed him. He then falls asleep and then I put him to bed after some lovely morning cuddles.
Having snuggles with my boy.
Alexander then wakes again at 4am. He is screaming the place down so I do all the normal things, change his nappy and get more milk ready for the next feed. However it is this time that he decides that he is not hungry and just wants cuddles with mummy. I was snug and asleep in my bed before he screeched to what I thought was a hungry cry, but turned out that he just wanted cuddles. This is lovely but to wake up to give someone cuddles seems a bit annoying. I love the cuddles but I do LOVE my sleep and to wake up to then have to fall asleep again in the living room is a bit annoying to say the least.
I do try again to feed him but he pushes the bottle away and is content to just be cuddled. I fall asleep on the lounge as well as the baby. Hours pass and I finally wake to realise that I have been sleeping with my neck and body in an odd position. No wonder my body is out of sorts and everything hurts.
I sit in the living room looking around at all the things yet to be done and think about all the other things around the house that have to be done or have not been done or even thought of or even started. Gosh I’m exhausted just thinking about it all!
Why can’t I just sit and cuddle the baby?
Why do I have to get up and get stuff for people?
It is annoying that I have to leave the house but I do. Dropping kids at school and picking them up and of course all the after school activities that the girls go to. All I wanted to do was to stay in the house with my PJ’s on and just cuddle and be with Alexander.
During these early morning moments I have thought why can’t I be more in the moment? I love the cuddles, giggles and raspberries that Alex is doing but I still find myself drawn to all the other things that need my attention. Maybe this is due to having kids already? When I had the twins I had no pressure to be anywhere, I did not have kids before the twins so I could have the cuddles and just stay at home if I wished to. Now with older children it is hard to impossible to stay at home.
In the early weeks mums at the kids school commented on how it was great that I was getting out and about. It was nice to hear and I of course would have rather have stayed at home, but with kids at school I had to venture out. I suppose it was good that the kids made me go out with the baby but that quiet time just snuggling with your new baby is so nice and a pity that I have to get up to do the more boring things, like cleaning, shopping, clothes washing and more.
Also with older kids the house is much noisier than before. When the twins were babies I tried to have things super quiet when they were sleeping. I would even put notes on the front door in case of deliveries. Yes I was trying to make sure that who ever knocked on the door knew to be quiet or less noisy than they would be normally. I of course have not done the note on the front door this time, not due to not thinking about it but just due to never getting around to do it, and thinking about sleep rather than writing notes.
Did you find that due to other kids and commitments that you are not enjoying the lovely moments of the new baby as much as you would like? Let us know.
I need to just learn to switch off and to let go. I know it is hard but I need to. I think from the state of my house you would think that I have done just that, but I have been trying to tidying and sort things but it is always hard with a new baby. I get some things sorted and then have to leave it to be with the baby, then off course I don’t get back to the pile of clothes to fold and put away. Then I have to pick kids up from school, take them to after school activities and then when home do homework, dinners and more! Yes…. I think that is about it.
Letting go about now sounds good after reading all that I need to do!
Do you have some tips to just try and let go of all the things that need to be done? If you do have some great ways to let go of things that would be great to be shared also.
As per my previous post called, “Our latest Family Member”, we had to go to Nepean to have our third child. I did not want to go there due to what happened with the birth of the twins. However we had no choice.
Having birthday cuddles with our latest addition
We were finally at the hospital and due to the stress of the situation hubby parked in the car park. Yes I thought he would drop me off at emergency and go and park the car later. I asked why he did this at the time and he said, “Well, we are going to be here for a while”. Yes true but for someone that is finding it hard to walk due to constant contractions walking across a carpark to emergency to then be told to go to another building was not ideal to say the least!
Once parked hubby told me to get out of the car when I was ready. He had to wait a bit due to a contraction happening just as he opened the door. My legs were like jelly and I found it really hard to move due to the contractions making all my legs, pelvis and back go into spasms and just freeze. It was very painful, and I had to wait until they were over. So if you can imagine me walking then having to stop in the middle of the carpark every 5mins that would give you a picture of what it was like. Maybe a wheelchair from emergency might have been the way to go! This was arranged when I had the twins…. Although I think the race to get to the hospital freaked hubby out and he just lost it with the idea of a wheelchair and just wanted to get us to the hospital.
Once we figured out where we were supposed to be (the birthing suites or rooms) the nurses/midwives knew who we were due to Katoomba Hospital ringing ahead, which saved a lot of fussing about explaining everything.
I was then asked, “Would I like some pain relief?”
My response was YES! OF COURSE I WANT DRUGS TO HELP ME
Someone then said what would I like, and I then said, what do you have????
Yes open to everything and all if it helps make the pain go away!
I was offered morphine (I was told that I needed to use the gas to get the morphine injection. I found it interesting that I was having gas to therefore get another drug. The nurse said the injection can hurt a bit, and she was right. I think someone I mentioned this too said that it is injected into the muscle and that would explain why the nurse wanted me to be on gas to have the injection. I thought it was strange, but it did help a bit) and once that worked it helped a great deal. It certainly took the edge off the pain for a bit. Hubby said that once it started working I looked very out of it. I did not care! Bring on the medicine to make it not hurt as much. I am not a fan of natural birthing that you will feel it all. Even on drugs to take the edge off it hurt, so I can only imagine how horrible it would have been without them.
During this phase of the night I was telling hubby that I did not want to do it anymore, that I just wanted to go home and not be here. I don’t want to do it. Please can we go home I said? He just looked at me and said, “It is a little late for that” I know it was but I was scared and did not want to do what I knew was coming.
Why can’t the husband or partner do the subsequent child? I have visions of saying it is your turn. I then can hold his hand while he pushes out our child. Science has given us so much and maybe it can work on this. I know that men having kids will probably never happen but why can’t the baby come out small via your belly button and grow on the outside. Maybe a good idea???? (Maybe a futuristic idea) Not sure but might save all the bother of pushing a baby out of your bits…. Let me know your thoughts.
While I was still under the trippy and nice effects of morphine they prepped me for an epidural. Although before this happened I explained my fear of having it again and not working. When having the twins I had one and felt everything but could not move my legs. I was constantly asked by the doctors, nurses and midwives with the twin birth to move my legs but could not. I told them if they wanted them moved they would have to do it. Annoying that they never listened. I was hoping that this birth would be different.
I did not know what to do. I did want the epidural but did not want a repeat of what happened last time. I know that there can be no guarantees but I thought I would give it another go and hope for the best.
The anaesthesiologist listened to my fears and what happened last time as did the midwife. I then decided without a doubt to see if it will be different this time. I was told all the horrible things that could go wrong and the chances of it happening. I was completely freaked out. I still thought it was the way to go.
I had it done and the epidural started working. It was so good that I managed to fall asleep. Yes I slept while still having contractions. Who knew that this was possible? This epidural was completely different from the twin birth, I could not feel anything, I was blissfully unaware of anything for a long time, well until it started to wear off and the baby was pressing on my hip bone and pelvis and I could not get comfortable. I asked for more drugs… however they said that I could not have more and it was time to get the baby out.
The midwife told me that due to the morphine and the position of the baby that its heart rate was dropping and I needed to get it out as soon as I could. I said that I would do my best. She mentioned that we still had time and that it was not in distress yet, but if it went on any longer it could be and then they would want to make an executive decision on how they vacate the baby from my belly. Gosh, NO!
I did not want to have a C-section or have any unnecessary things happen unless it was life threatening, and I do understand if the baby is under distress but I was so close to having it happen naturally.
I tried to push while lying on the bed and sitting up a bit, but it was no good. I could not get comfortable and it was terribly painful due to the baby’s head on my hip and pelvic bone…. Very sore indeed!
It was suggested that I be on my side with a leg up in the air and to help reposition the baby… it did not help with repositioning but it was more comfortable to push from this weird acrobatic position. Not the way I was thinking it would happen and definitely not glam but childbirth is not a glam affair.
I was told to put my chin to my chest, hold my breath while having a leg up in the air all on my side. Yes a strange visual! I then had to hold my breath while working with the contraction and these contractions this time I felt over my belly and also to in my back but now I understand what contractions actually feel like. I found it hard to do all this while holding my breath. I had a terrible time as holding my breath made me want to pass out and I could not let out a sound or a grunt due to losing the momentum to push (energy or something with the breath). The midwife wanted me to do it in lots of threes so that we could get the baby out. Oh god, I found it hard just doing one!
After holding my breath I found that I wanted to throw up and they were concerned and I had a sick bag just in case. It did not happen but I felt nauseous and also had a bit of reflux during the whole process of holding my breath to try and get baby out.
During all of this a doctor came in to see how progress was going. I think the midwife wanted the doctor to check in to make sure that we had a backup plan if baby went into distress and needed help to come out. GOSH, now the doctor was talking about forceps and other things…. I hated the salad servers last time and due to the epidural not working I felt everything…. It was like I was being killed. I did not want that ever again.
The doctor left and then the midwife and nurse were talking about cutting me. WHAT THE???? YOU ARE GOING TO DO WHAT NOW?
They said that it would help the baby come out. I said no PLEASE DON’T CUT ME. I ended up negotiating them to give me more time to get the baby out.
I did not want them to cut me. No please no!
They were very keen to give me an episiotomy but I had no idea that is what they were wanting to do. I just did not want to be hurt even more if not needed.
I was so determined to get this baby out now! Hubby said you need to get the baby out. I got angry and just pushed and pushed and pushed. I was nearly passing out due to holding my breath and my acrobatic poses but I was on a mission.
The midwife yelled, wow we see a head full of black hair! Oh gosh, really this baby is going to have darker hair? I thought it would be like the girls and be bald and blonde, but you never know right. We still did not know if it was a boy/girl that was still a surprise. I however knew once I got told the hair colour that it was a boy, I just had a feeling. Strange but true. Hubby said that it could be a girl, but I just had an inkly at this stage that it was a boy.
I kept on pushing and then baby was out and here in the world. The midwife and nurse said that they should have threatened me with the doctor and episiotomy hours ago.
Alexander and I on his birthday
I was lucky that all went well, I could do it all naturally and that I did not get cut! Yes very lucky indeed. Maybe getting angry was the magic ingredient.
In comparison to the twin birth it was much nicer. We only had the midwife a nurse and hubby and myself in the room. With the twin birth we had 2 doctors for each baby, a humidicrib for the baby and about 30 or so trainee doctors it felt. The room was packed and it was crowded. I did not have any stupid things that happened before happen this time. When was about 5cm dilated and in the birthing suite waiting to have the twins I had two doctors come in to tell me it would be great if I could wait till I was 36-38 weeks….talk about stupid! I also had nurses try to give me medicine I did not need after I had the babies and the list continues. This did not happen with the birth of our third child.
I was very upset to not be able to have our last child at Katoomba Hospital but was grateful that the experience was better and nicer than the last. I must say that pushing a person out of you is hard and tough, but the ladies that helped us for the birth of our son made it a more calmer process. So thanks so much to you all. One thing that was a bit weird was that the midwives that helped me had the same names that I had. The night before the baby was born the midwife on duty had the same first name, then there was shift change and the next midwife had my middle name. It was like I was meant to be there. Odd indeed.
What was the birth like for your second or third children? Did the process and what happened differ from your first child?
Was it more of a calmer experience with the second or third child compared to your first? Let us know.
