Tag: mommy

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3 years and beyond

Cloning me would fix everything

One of the downsides to having two kids at once is the fact that you are one person. There are times that both children want to be on your lap and don’t want the other child to be there.  This then causes fights, pushing, scratching and you guessed it a full melt down with tears and screaming. I must admit that this is hard and upsetting as you want to cuddle both, but also spend some quality time with each child.

So how do you handle moments like this? Well I personally end up with both kids on my lap, and then it ends up changing between one and the other. This is due to the fact that one might come and go, so this gives me the ability to just have one sitting with me.  Although there are moments when I have had to say, “I am sorry, mummy is one person and she can cuddle both of you, or you can take turns”, this was not understood early on, but I think it might be know the girls are older.

Today is a prime example of the girls not wanting to share me, I had Julia on my lap and then Lillian wanted to have a cuddle as well. They were both jostling for position, and pushing the other out of the way. It is nice to feel so loved, however it makes me sad that I cannot have more quality time with each child.

When my husband is around, in the evenings and weekends, the girls are able to have more one on one time with each of us. I don’t think they want for this kind of attention, but there are times when they are both extra cuddly and demand it. There are also moments when one child is more inclined to be with me while the other is off doing other things, this is good as you can spend that time with one child, and not have the fights for your attention.  I suppose this is one of the perils of having twins and being a mother to them. It is a hard balance.

The girls have done some different things with mummy and daddy lately and I feel that this is helping them.  Here are some suggestions for dealing with being each child for one on one time:

  • When one of you pops out to run errands take one child and the other stays with the other parent/carer
  • Day care for one child so you can have time with the other child and then vice versa for the other child. My girls like to be together and separating them would be devastating for them, so we have not done this. They are extremely close.  We are hoping that with school and different interests this might change.
  • Have an interest that you and the child share, a sport/hobby.
  • If you have friends/relatives that lend a helping hand this is great, this way you can see if you can have some time with one child and switch next time.
  • Giving your child a break from their sibling is a good idea, as this helps them develop.   It is also good ideas as my girls are always together, I am sure that this causes arguments. You want a break from people so why not your children as well.
  • The time alone or away from the other child creates privacy and allows the child to be unique. As my girls are identical this is very important for me.  We are trying to foster more time like this. Although it is hard when I am on my own all week, and only have help in the evening and on the weekends.

Some websites that might be of help:

How do you manage to get one on one time with your twins? It does not need to be just twins; maybe you had kids close together and have the same issue? Send in your tips and tricks so we can all learn.

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3 years and beyond

I don’t feel like I’m winning

Why is it when you think of doing something, you then think of the other thing that you need to do? Currently I am finding it hard to juggle, I know I can, and I can do it. However mentally you seem to never really get to complete things. I have stated this before, life before kids was easy. If you wanted to do a task, you get up early and just do it. No interruptions or issues. Now I have other priorities.

Namely the first two are my girls, and then how to keep them entertained without spending a fortune. Play dough, parks, playgroup, going for walks, reading, watching films, and visiting friends come to mind. However after all this activity and action out of the house, who feels like cleaning or doing chores.  Not me!  Do you?

Today for example, the girls got up at about 7am, used to be around 8-8.30am, but daylight savings ending and the wakeup call for school has changed things.  I did think that with no school this might change, but not the case.

Activities that kept kids entertained were:

  • Played with them.
  • Watched a movie.
  • Did a puzzle.
  • Played in the backyard while I hung out some laundry.
  • Play dough fun.
  • Took pictures and video on my mobile phone – this was good to a point. Then Julia dropped my phone, I think on purpose as I wanted it back. It is unhurt, and will live to see another day. Very pleased with that.
  • Danced to music.
  • Did some gardening – the girls helped daddy and mummy plant some bulbs, cannot wait to see them in spring.
  • As the girls were dirty from gardening they had a bath.

You now see why I get tired from the entertainment, it is a big list. Do you have a list that is like mine, or are there more things on your list.

What made matters worse for the day was discovering drawing on the wall, cupboard, and fitted sheet of Lillian’s bed (on the wall was a picture of a person with four eyes and weird arms and legs, and the same type of thing on the fitted sheet). The girls managed to have pens in their room and decided they wanted art on the wall. I only discovered this when I went into tidy the room and get clothes ready for their bedtime. The pens have been removed and all offending items quarantined.

My first choice for removing pen from the wall, and cupboard was not working; however Jif Lemon Cream Cleanser was the winner. It worked a treat. The pen is all but gone and if you look closely you might see a mark or two but it is a great result.

Once girls were in bed, Julia and Lillian wanted their favourite book, “Where Is The Green Sheep, by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek.”  Julia loves to read it to you, however you have to make sure Lillian gets a turn, she is just as good as Julia, however is happy to let Julia do the reading.  It is so cute to see them both read it to you, and then say in a big happy voice, “Where is the green sheep?”

So now I have some time, I really don’t feel energized to do any of my things on the to-do list. I am sure it can wait until tomorrow.  The activities for the day have done there magic, as no noise is coming from the girls room and they looked so tired. The same could be said for mummy and daddy; l personally am looking forward to bed.

Do you find that by the time, you get time for you; you cannot be bothered with your plans? Does this annoy you? I for one, am looking forward pre-school starting again, bring on the 23rd of April.  How do you deal with entertaining your kids/child? I am sure I am not the only one that feels like this, I am winning, but there are times and days when I just feel like I have failed. Send in your comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog

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3 years and beyond Uncategorised

I don't feel like I'm winning

Why is it when you think of doing something, you then think of the other thing that you need to do? Currently I am finding it hard to juggle, I know I can, and I can do it. However mentally you seem to never really get to complete things. I have stated this before, life before kids was easy. If you wanted to do a task, you get up early and just do it. No interruptions or issues. Now I have other priorities.

Namely the first two are my girls, and then how to keep them entertained without spending a fortune. Play dough, parks, playgroup, going for walks, reading, watching films, and visiting friends come to mind. However after all this activity and action out of the house, who feels like cleaning or doing chores.  Not me!  Do you?

Today for example, the girls got up at about 7am, used to be around 8-8.30am, but daylight savings ending and the wakeup call for school has changed things.  I did think that with no school this might change, but not the case.

Activities that kept kids entertained were:

  • Played with them.
  • Watched a movie.
  • Did a puzzle.
  • Played in the backyard while I hung out some laundry.
  • Play dough fun.
  • Took pictures and video on my mobile phone – this was good to a point. Then Julia dropped my phone, I think on purpose as I wanted it back. It is unhurt, and will live to see another day. Very pleased with that.
  • Danced to music.
  • Did some gardening – the girls helped daddy and mummy plant some bulbs, cannot wait to see them in spring.
  • As the girls were dirty from gardening they had a bath.

You now see why I get tired from the entertainment, it is a big list. Do you have a list that is like mine, or are there more things on your list.

What made matters worse for the day was discovering drawing on the wall, cupboard, and fitted sheet of Lillian’s bed (on the wall was a picture of a person with four eyes and weird arms and legs, and the same type of thing on the fitted sheet). The girls managed to have pens in their room and decided they wanted art on the wall. I only discovered this when I went into tidy the room and get clothes ready for their bedtime. The pens have been removed and all offending items quarantined.

My first choice for removing pen from the wall, and cupboard was not working; however Jif Lemon Cream Cleanser was the winner. It worked a treat. The pen is all but gone and if you look closely you might see a mark or two but it is a great result.

Once girls were in bed, Julia and Lillian wanted their favourite book, “Where Is The Green Sheep, by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek.”  Julia loves to read it to you, however you have to make sure Lillian gets a turn, she is just as good as Julia, however is happy to let Julia do the reading.  It is so cute to see them both read it to you, and then say in a big happy voice, “Where is the green sheep?”

So now I have some time, I really don’t feel energized to do any of my things on the to-do list. I am sure it can wait until tomorrow.  The activities for the day have done there magic, as no noise is coming from the girls room and they looked so tired. The same could be said for mummy and daddy; l personally am looking forward to bed.

Do you find that by the time, you get time for you; you cannot be bothered with your plans? Does this annoy you? I for one, am looking forward pre-school starting again, bring on the 23rd of April.  How do you deal with entertaining your kids/child? I am sure I am not the only one that feels like this, I am winning, but there are times and days when I just feel like I have failed. Send in your comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog

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3 years and beyond

Housework and an outing

Before we went out I asked the girls to clean the living room up. This did not happen until Daddy supervised, although this quick job took nearly an hour to do. Why is it that asking kids to do tasks is so difficult? We got staring, crying, and just ignoring the situation to saying that it was all complete, when it was still a big mess.

We ended up getting the living room organised and eventually everyone was showered dressed and ready to get out of the house. All of us finally arrived at the Blackheath Wine Fair; the food looked interesting, seems like we missed the entertainment for the kids, and was looking forward to looking at local producers of wines and tasting some as well.

After we had lunch, well mummy and daddy did and the girls did not eat what I purchased for them, we made our way to the wine part of the fair. They had a $10/person entrance, this covered, a glass for tastings, the fee covered 2 tastings and you also got a bottle of water. It was then revealed to us that for every other tasting after the initial 2, you had to pay $1 each for the privilege.

I do understand that these people are in business, but to showcase your products at a fair by squeezing more money out of you is just annoying and expensive. I think that maybe having a flat fee for entry and allow people to test wines that they are interested in is the way to go. I personally think that if we liked a particular wine and it was not too expensive we probably would have bought it. To slug you with an extra cost to try the products is just rude in my opinion. I know that some people might abuse the fact that you can taste the wine at each stall, however isn’t that the business of selling wine? You have to showcase your product if you want people to buy, and this is a cost of the business that should be factored in to their marketing. So we decided it would be too expensive and a bottle of wine would probably be cheaper, so we left the wine fair.

I think we might have high expectations for events, as one that we went to for Easter Sunday with the girls was not what we expected. On Easter Sunday we went to the Everglades at Leura. It is a lovely garden and is just looking so pretty with the leaves changing colour. It was advertised that there would be an egg hunt for the kids and some other activities. When we got there the egg hunt was already under way. We were only about 10mins late and I thought that we would see it still happening; I assumed that there would be signs and people to ask. I was wrong. Could not find where we were supposed to be. So we missed it. We thought we would have lunch but there seemed to be nothing for kids to eat, not a cheese sandwich/vegemite or even a honey one at the place. So they ate a cupcake and we had to do the same thing as today, give them lunch when we got home. I was very disappointed as we paid $25 to get in and there was not much to do at all. We all had a great walk around the garden and the girls bumped into a friend from pre-school so that was nice.

Since we were in Blackheath we decided to take the kids to the park, both the girls ran around and had a great time. Lillian was pretending to put clothes on the line, and falling over all with a smile on her face. Julia was a bit out of sorts when her balloon burst in the car. It did not help when Lillian said she still had hers. Julia cheered up and not too soon after arriving she was having a ball as well.

We left the park and headed home, the girls finished a sandwich each, which was good since they had no lunch out. Then they were off for some quiet time. I was so exhausted that I had to have a lie down, then after waking I realised that I did not do something.

I had missed going to a party that I said that I would attend. I must have had a brain fail or something, as I knew about it the day or so before and today I totally forgot. I send a big sorry my friend so I hope she forgives me, and I will definitely be there for the next one.

As you can see we have had no luck with local events, and I have missed a party due to forgetfulness, how has your day/weekend been so far? Do you go to events and feel that they should have been better organised? Why is it that kid’s events don’t have proper food for kids? Send in your comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog

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3 years and beyond

Shoe Obsessed

Currently the girls have set up a shoe shop in the living room. They have raided mummy and daddy’s room to get shoes for the shop. Julia is the shop keeper (otherwise known as the server, every time I correct them they say, NO I am the Server!)  Not sure if this is just a game and shoes is the current thing to sell or if they are indeed shoe obsessed.

The girls have taken to wearing mummies shoes every time we are home for any length of time, sandals, high heels, boots you name it ends up somewhere where I cannot find it. Sometimes it ends up being daddy’s shoes, but not all that often. I seem to find one shoe and end up on the search for the second one.

Not only have they had stores for shoes, but we have a café in the house every so often. The girls have notepads/paper with a pen each and take orders of what we might like. It is not good as everything I seem to order is not available, or they just sold out. I must say that this café needs to work on its manners, as you are greeted by a server who says, “Whata want??”

I am concerned that the girls are in love with shoes, this concern stems from Lillian wanting to take a pair of my sandals to bed. Do your children have obsession, or just the fancy of the moment? I am sure it is the age that they are at. Send in your comments.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Helpful Bunny

Daddy and Lillian went to the shops, while Julia stayed with me. Some of this time with Julia was cuddling her as she was upset. Once she was happier, I was finally able to take out the vacuum cleaner out.

I wanted to get the rug clean in the living room and the entire floor. This did not happen as I had planned, as Julia decided she wanted to vacuum. She wanted to do it all by herself. So the rug was done by Julia, she also helped me wipe down the coffee tables and tidy up before her great aunt and girlfriend came for lunch.

I was very impressed that she was helping, and when Daddy and Lillian got home he saw Julia vacuuming in the living room. She was so proud of herself for helping and doing it all on her own. Now I just wish more of the floor got done, so it really needs to get done again by mummy/daddy, but more likely mummy.

Today I was very pleased that we got some one on one time with the girls. It is hard to separate them and it was good to see that they both wanted to do different things, and they were not upset with not being together. Need to work to do more of this.

Julia seems to be taking more of an active role in helping and doing things around the house. Lillian is as well, but not as much as Julia currently. I am sure it will happen with time.  Do your kids help you around the house? Is it helpful? How do you work with kids and do housework? What are your tips and tricks?

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3 years and beyond University Study

Outside v’s inside work

Why is it that as a mother you have to look after kids and still try and get the housework done? The husband gets space to do outdoors work (and other things); with a little help from the girls he basically got time to get it all done. I know both jobs are not fun and a lot of work, however it is very hard to get the house tidy with two little people wanting you to spend time with them, play with them, cuddle them and you get the idea.

I managed yesterday to get the bathroom clean, but this was only due to me putting the kids in their room for enforced quiet time. Not really quiet time, however it is time that mummy can do things without two kids under foot.  Other than the bathroom, the kitchen got a little tidier and so did the living room. Other than those rooms, not much got done.

At lunch time today we are expecting the girl’s great aunt and her girlfriend for lunch, so I am working away at finalising the house. I have tidied our room and added fresh sheets to the bed; I have put more clothes in the washing machine (need to put clothes on the line), tidied up the living room yet again, the hallway and off to do the dining room and kitchen for finishing touches.

While I am doing all this my husband is at the computer figuring out an issue with his email. I did ask that he get up and help, however his view was that he is tired from yesterday. He did do a lot of yard work and the entire front yard. Not only did he cut and prune trees and shrubs, he mowed as well. It does look great, and I can imagine that his body is a bit sore and tired.  Although I think that as his relative is coming that maybe he might help with the inside? Is this too much to ask? I really don’t think so. So I thought why not update the blog if other people are at the computer as well.

I also find it incredible that even on holidays I am the one that is mainly looking after the girls. I have told him that this weekend and Monday I need to focus on my assignment for university. I have no choice as it is due by midnight Monday evening.  So after lunch time today and family time tomorrow, he is looking after the kids.

The girls do get involved in some tasks to help, putting their shoes in their room, helping putting away groceries, they have cleaned their room although this was just them putting all their toys on the shelves,  wiping down tables however the use of the spray is way to much, putting away toys in the toy box, and some other things. I find that it is hard to get these things done, although I am trying to involve the girls so that they are learning to put things away also.

Do you have any tips or tricks for getting housework and other things done with kids? What do you do? Some ladies I spoke to said that they don’t bother if the kids are around, I do try but nothing seems to ever get completed. Why do you as a woman get criticised for not completing the inside when you had other things to care for, namely two children.   I would like on this Easter break to finally get help with cleaning the windows, and time to do some other things, maybe my sewing?  One can only hope. Send in your ideas for doing chores/housework and other tasks with kids around.

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3 years and beyond Pre-School University Study

Glad today is over

Today was a day from hell. The girls were upset at everything, and everything became a problem. It took hours to leave the house and mummy could not do anything by herself.  We did manage to make it out the door and to playgroup, and eventually to the post office. While at playgroup the girls and I saw the hat parade at the local school and they had some much needed play time.

I seriously was hoping the day would end soon, but when I was thinking this it was only 10am. Have you had days like this? I do love the kids so much but they really tested my patience today.  There has been biting, scratching, hitting, pulling of hair and you name it, it has happened here today. I am so over it, I even posted on Facebook that I needed a bex and a good lie down.

We did 3 puzzles before we even got out the door, they both wanted to make a cake and pull out many more toys. I had to put my foot down, if we were ever going to leave the house.   Julia is getting very good at puzzles and seeing where pieces fit in, very impressed.

I am also very impressed with Lillian on Tuesday this week; she sewed buttons onto material at school, very clever girl. They are both becoming so grown up.

I don’t know about you, but having two kids at the same time is a challenge with sharing yourself, yesterday Julia was spending time with daddy and then Lillian wanted to get a cuddle also. Then the fight started for space, “I was sitting there!!!!!!!” Julia was upset that she was then sharing with Lillian. This does happen quite often, one child is wanting cuddle time or one on one, and then the other wants the same. What do you do when you on your own nearly all the time?

As I am the primary care giver, it is hard to just have one child to cuddle. I don’t have days when I only have one child; it is always both of them or they are both at pre-school.  Maybe this needs to change?  I do know that they need to do things with each parent separately; the Easter Break might give us more of a chance.

I have not done what I wanted on my assignment, although I have done a little more the other day. Still have time but hate to leave things so late. Now family are coming to visit on Saturday and need to do a tidy up tomorrow, so no study during the day. Crossing fingers it happens in the evening or at least the weekend.

What have you got planned on the Easter holidays? Are you going away or having a great time at home?  Looking forward to the kids’ faces on Sunday. Have a happy Good Friday all. Now off to a well earnt rest, bed here I come!

Categories
3 years and beyond Family

The dangers of the 2nd of April

The 2nd of April according to Facebook is the day people are breaking up, sad but true.  A data analysis was conducted over the year 2010- 2011 and it found more changes to everyone’s relationship status.  “April 2nd was the year’s most extreme day in the other direction, with 11% more break-ups than new relationships.” (Facebook, 2012)

I for one don’t understand why the 2nd of April is such a dangerous time for relationships. Do you know or have an idea?

In Andrea Black’s article, “Fifteen ways to leave your lover” she wonders “How could so many April Fools jokes go awry?”  Maybe this is the answer, bad jokes. If you wish to keep your lover/partner/girlfriend/husband/wife, don’t participate in April Fools jokes.

Now it is the 3rd of April here in Australia, I have made it unscathed by this weird phenomenon. The day must have magic powers or dark forces attached to the date. Not sure exactly, just very interesting that one day has proven such a bad day for relationships.

Wonder what other days we should avoid?  Maybe this skill from Facebook can be used for good, can we find out what days we are more likely to win at lotto? Get a pay rise at work? Any other good luck and feel good things would be nice too.

Let me know if you were okay from the negatives from the 2nd of April. Hope you are all okay and still with your special someone. Send in your comments.

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3 years and beyond Pre-School

Back at school

Just wanted to let you all know that the kids are at pre-school this week. YES! I am very pleased about this.  They are better and so am I.  Now to only get some creative ideas on how to make my university assignment wonderful and HD (High distinction) material.  It is nice to finally have some time out, however now I have so many things to do, what to do first.

Today the girls went into school and there were no good bye’s, no tears and they were keen to leave me. Why cannot all drop offs be like this.

I have made head way on my assignment, did a tutorial question for class today yesterday and now need to get some order in this house, then back to the assignment I will go. My aim is to get it all completed so that I can enjoy the weekend and Easter.

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee for school for the last week before the holidays. I think you can tell I am happy about it.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond

Unstructured for social skills

Unstructured play is now a very popular term for just leaving the kids alone to play. Well they are not actually alone as you are still keeping an eye on them; however you are not participating and helping with their play/downtime.  When I was young we were left to play without parents interfering, nearly all of the time.

My girls run around the backyard and have the best time; they invent games, songs, pretend that they are someone else and just have a have a ball. When did this stop being the norm? Why is it that we are seeing articles spruiking the positives of unstructured play?

Today on the Essential Kids website, there is an article “The chance to play without interference” by Andrew Daddo. I agree with Andrew here, that we are finding this so interesting, and as he rightly points out, “Play something you shouldn’t have to plan – play is just play.”

The other day I saw another  article on Essential Kids: “Put the fun back into child’s play” by Melinda Ham. This article details a study that Professor Anita Bundy, of the University of Sydney and a team of seven academics are conducting. The experiment was conducted in 12 primary Schools in the inner west of Sydney. The academics put recycled materials, bales of hay, tyres, and plastic tubing in the playground to see how the kids interacted with these items, how it influenced play and the children’s social world.

Through this experiment children learnt how to cooperate, ask for help, join in with others and be one of the team.  I would be very interested to see more of the results from this study.

Having the children play by themselves or with playmates in the backyard, park or friends house is not a new idea. I suppose we as parents think that we need to control, look after and make sure that there are toys and things to do… if there is not the kids might get bored.

I think that a little bit of unstructured play, or just plain old creative fun helps development.  I am sure that it has helped my girls, I have had chats with Annabelle, Tananda, Grandma, Grandad, Nana, Opa and that is just some of the people they were pretending to be, just this afternoon.  The amazing stories that are concocted in the backyard are just amazing.

What do you think about the new term unstructured play? Did you have unstructured play when you were little? Do you feel kids need more of this?  Do they have too much of teachers, parents and others telling them what to play and with? Send in your comments.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Wisdom from a chipmunk’s film

In the Alvin and chipmunks film from 2007, there is a line that sums up, how I think most mothers feel, well maybe not all the time but every now and then.

Dave said, “I have no job, no career, and my house is always a mess”.

Messy House. Oh how I wish this would be magically cleaned up!
Messy House. Oh how I wish this would be magically cleaned up!

This sums up my world and life currently, and I felt his sense of annoyance at a situation which mostly is out of your control.  By saying out of control, I mean that your life before kids was a little more organised, and you could get much more done in the time available. Now with kids, you have to be flexible, get not a lot done, factoring in other people all the time is a tiring job and no one thanks you for this role.

If motherhood was a job, I would be on target; I would have met my KPI’s. My monthly check with my manager would see that I might get a pay rise, but motherhood is nothing like the real world of work.  There are no benefits for hitting any target, no applause, no well-done you!!

No one seems to notice if you change the sheets on the bed, or clean a room, I feel that is just annoying as you go out of your way to tidy up and sort things out and the little things are never mentioned. Why cannot the husband/partner, say, “Gosh, the room looks good.” And, “Thanks, I love fresh sheets”. Maybe a hug and a kiss, or flowers from the garden, I think I am feeling under appreciated.

Just a thought; why can’t the kid’s milestones be linked with an incentive for the primary care giver, mother/father.   If the kid hits the milestone you get a gift, for example a gift card so you can go shopping, and buy something for you.  Maybe it can be an hour or so of babysitting? I know this is far-fetched and will never happen due to costs, but wouldn’t this be a nice idea?

So whenever I hear that line in the chipmunk’s film, I understand entirely how Dave feels.  Do you feel like Dave? Have you found words of wisdom in a kid’s film? If so let us know what film and the line to watch out for? Send in your comments.

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3 years and beyond Feeling Frumpy University Study

Sun, exercise and study

Today I went for a nice long walk in the sunshine. It was wonderful to be all on my own and to be finally exercising. Yesterday I did about 20 minutes on the Wii Fit and then it was a bit crazy with the fact the kids kept on pulling out toys, hard to have room to do things with the floor filling up with toys and junk.

So now mummy and daddy have had lunch and rested. The girls got a vegemite sandwich each and not much has been eaten.  I am about to do some study and work on my assignment for university, while the girls and daddy are in the backyard.

Daddy however wants to tidy and clean the backyard and the kids are more interested in building houses out of branches and leaves, and making a mess.  Off to get my cuppa tea and get started on the study. Wish me luck, hoping to not get interrupted.

What do you have planned for the day or the weekend?  Have you had time to yourself to do what you like or exercise? I must say that just going for that walk made me feel ten times better about myself.  Note to self, fit it more walking. Send your comments in.

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3 years and beyond Birth

Placenta for energy anyone?

In the news recently was a report stating that actress January Jones has eaten her own placenta, well actually via capsules not actually eaten.  Jones was saying how she did not know if it would work but was willing to give it a try. I have heard of this, most animals do this although not a lot of humans do.

The actress says that she has had so much energy and the reason behind the energy is eating well, vitamins and placenta capsulation. I personally think it all makes sense. The placenta was the life force for the baby or babies in my case.  I just don’t know if I can do the eating part, maybe if someone did the placenta capsulation I might have been oaky with it, and I did not see it or the preparation and just got the capsules.  I know I am a wuss.

After the birth as you all know you have to wait for the placenta to deliver, once mine arrived my husband was very curious about it. He told me it was massive and I really would not want to look at it, as it was weird looking. According to James it looked like a Doctor Who prop. After this I had to look, he was right, it looked like it had tentacles everywhere.

I honestly was never that type of mother or person who was going to eat her own placenta and for that matter take it to someone to make it into capsules. Maybe I should of, it does hold all the nutrients that the baby needed and your body could use after the whole experience of childbirth.  Maybe if I had done that, I would have had more energy in the first year or so. However, dealing with two babies at once would drain anyone I would have thought.

I think if it works for you, why not.  On the placenta benefits info site they list all the health benefits, maybe we need to get over the yucky idea of it and give it a go.  If there was a service at the hospital to turn the placenta into capsules and you just paid a small fee for this privilege, then I think more women might give it a go.  Personally it is the yuck factor and the issue that the placenta appears like a big disgusting blob (I do know that it is wonderful and miraculous, but not that good looking), having no contact with the yucky thing, would make sure that I would be more interested to try.

Did you eat your placenta or have it in capsules? Did it help with energy levels, and other things?  Did you decide to not eat it and bury it under a tree in honour of the birth? My friends mum did that after her baby brother was born. What are your thoughts about the hospital providing the service for the capsules? Send in your comments.

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3 years and beyond Pre-School University Study

Little people don’t eat salad

The kids are home yet again due to being ill. I was reading them some stories; we have a series of books about dinosaurs. One of the books is Wilbur the Dinosaur who wanted to Fly, Wilbur is a triceratops, and in the book it has a blurb about this type of dinosaur. It talks about eating plants, so I told the girls that plant eaters are called herbivores.  I explained that plants are salad, and vegetables.

This then prompted Julia to tell me, “Little people don’t eat salad” and then she said “We might eat it when we are grown mummy”. I did explain that salad and vegetables are yummy, but this was not believed by the girls, they still think that little kids should not touch salads.  Now I need to expose them to more salad. Just another food that they have decided they don’t like.

Today has been a bit better than yesterday. All three of us had a Shrek A Thon, well just the first 2 films, then we did a puzzle, had some lunch (the girls picked at it and told me they were not hungry), due to no body being hungry they both went to their room for rest time.

As they share a room this rest time is more like enforced play time in their room, this gives mummy a little break, but not long enough. I managed to get some laundry done, have some lunch, watch Being Human which I love (it is based on the BBC Series, I am watching the US version), and after the show they had successfully opened the door and where free to be trouble makers again. Glad that I got to see this show by myself as it would be scary for little kids.

Yesterday it was open all the toys and make a huge mess, It was a task in itself to keep them occupied and every so often there were tears and upset due to not being well.  I managed to get their room sorted, new sheets on the bed and at least there is more floor space. However today, it seems like it is in the same situation as before I started to clean yesterday.

The girls have not eaten that much, however they did eat a big breakfast.   I was asked to get more vegemite sandwiches for lunch but the new ones that prepared were not eaten in full, but some were so not a total loss. I think it might be due to them not being well, but maybe it was due to have a big breakfast?

The girls seem to a bit better and that is good as I need to go to a board meeting at the child care centre they used to attend. If I make sure that they have their medicine and are showered and all ready for bed, then they can just go to bed once home. The centre gives them dinner while I am in the meeting so that is good for me, makes it so much easier.

This week has been a right off with housework and university study. I am aiming to get more done next week. I was able to secure an extension for my assignment but I only have an extra week.  The girls need to be at school next week and glad that they will be ready to go for the last week before school holidays.

What activities have you organised for your sick child/children? What funny things have you learnt from your kids? Monday I was told not to run inside the house. “Mary at school says don’t run inside” said Julia. This was while we were running in a circle to music. Now I am getting told, “Little people don’t eat salad”, what is next?  Send in your comments.

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School University Study

The snot fairy

The snot fairy is upon us and I wish she/he would go away. Lillian has invented the snot fairy to the great delight of mummy and daddy and now the doctor who we saw yesterday.  I suppose she thinks there is a tooth fairy, a sleep fairy who adds sleep to her eyes and makes her sleep (my invention), so why shouldn’t there be a snot fairy? The doctor was also taken with Julia saying that she wanted to be a fairy doctor when she grows up. Julia pointed out very clearly that she is not one now; she will be one when she is grown.  Not sure what the doctor thought of the kids, other than they are very creative.

It is not fun when the snot fairy strikes.
It is not fun when the snot fairy strikes.

The upshot is that Julia and I have a virus and will go eventually, and Lillian has tonsillitis. I did not expect Lillian to have this, but thought she was not looking well. So I have antibiotics for Lillian and started it last night. I was keen to make sure they were well for school today, but realised that they needed to stay home. So I have kids again today to hopefully get them better for maybe tomorrow or at the worst next week for the last week of school before Easter.

I think I might have the kids all week, which is not good when I have an assignment due soon. I need to have time to work on it and currently nothing has happened due to kids and me being ill, I will contact the lecturer to get an extension on this assignment, hopefully this will help.

Last night Lillian was tossing and turning, she was crying and upset in Julia’s bed. I took her and moved her back to her bed, and got her settled. She was sick, very tired and not able to go to sleep. She kept on hugging me, holding my hand and wanting me to stay. I wanted to stay until she was asleep, although every time she was nearly asleep she cried like there was something wrong and in pain. I raced off to get some painkillers for her and once given, she cuddled up and fell fast asleep.

Currently my sick little girls are watching play school and playing with pink play dough that I made yesterday. They are now making dinosaurs and singing along to the songs.  I have asked Lillian to draw the snot fairy as something to do, however now all other things are getting drawn other than the snot fairy. If I get a drawing I will upload to this post.

Not much you can do when the snot fairy strikes. What do you do when your kids are sick? Or you are ill? I have made sure the girls are having their vitamins, panadol, vicks and have added eucalyptus oil to their clothes to help them breathe; do you have any tips to help sick little people?

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

No school today

Not happy at all, found out after we all turned up to school that it is closed for today only. After I got up early feeling sick, had coffee (yes that is right, this week is powered by coffee, today it was my last green coffee), got everyone breakfast, packed school bags, dressed, brushed and put hair up after tears from the girls (not me).

I was told that I was called and emailed. I have checked and there appears to be no messages from the school. Must double check my contact details as they might have them wrong, don’t want to make this mistake again. The school said that they put a message on their answer machine, but why would I ring the school to get this message. I did not know there was an issue.

It did look wrong, we were the only people turning up and we were early. I managed to find a parking space easily and this is not something that can be done in the hours for school drop off. I was very pleased with myself and did not think the school was closed or anything like that, just thinking how skilful I was being early and parking right outside the school. You would think that this would be a sign that there was something wrong.

I was told that the big tree that is near the front gate dropped many branches on the fence and the front part of the school. Last Friday when this happened all kids and parents were inside, which was lucky. The school was told that it would be fixed on Monday so they decided to close for the day. However the branches were made safe and work was done either on Friday or the weekend. So today it is safe, although arrangements were made to notify students so no point changing everyone’s arrangements again.

To top it off, my throat is feeling terrible, I am not well and bed is looking better and better. Julia is a little bit of a sniffle and coughing so we managed to get a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.  Getting this doctor’s appointment was a task in itself. I rang 3 different medical centres, one I have my name down for a waiting list, and the other one said they can fit me in on Friday. Today is Monday. Why would I want to wait till Friday to see a doctor that I need to see NOW! This medical practice then told me that you need to plan to be sick. I told them, that is crazy and what do I do if I have kids that are sick? They even told me that I can come in and sit around all day. Yes, that is what I want to do, sit around a medical centre waiting room all day with 2 kids, and I might not even see a doctor.

YES, YIPPPEEEEEE!!!!!, I have an afternoon appointment further down the mountain and very pleased we managed to get this appointment; I cannot believe how difficult it is to see a doctor here.  No wonder people go to the hospital to use the emergency services, medical centres don’t give people the option, and if you are ill you cannot wait 5 days for an appointment.

Other than the fact that I am annoyed that my day is now not what I had planned, at least school is on tomorrow and the issue of the tree has been fixed. Now I think today is going to be a play day with the kids and I will work tomorrow and the next.   Just a pity that I miss this day as next week is the last week at school before Easter Holidays.

What have you done when you find out school is closed/not on for a variety of reasons? How has this affected your day? If you work I can imagine it causes chaos. I know I am not working in a paid position; however there are things that still need to get done, cleaning, organising, university work and other things.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Cleaning or study? Dilemma to fit it all in

If only I could clone myself, this way my other copies can do the cleaning and other chores while I enjoy doing things I like to do. I know this is a fantasy but it is a great idea, maybe in the future this might be so.

I am looking around at a messy house again, not feeling the best and deep down knowing that I still need to do university work as well. I think it will be a cleaning day tomorrow as I can get more done, then maybe I can sit down to do university without the thought that the house is a mess. Easter holidays are around the corner and would like to get the place sorted out before this happens.

Housework is not my lot in life; I don’t aspire to have a sparkling home, although I would like it to be neat, clean, tidy and easy to find things. Currently it is a bit of a shambles.  This is nothing that cleaning on my own will not fix. Having little people around to either mess things up or make it impossible to get anything done. It was so much easier without kids; you could power through and have no interruptions.

It is sad that you seem to never get all things done in the time allotted, or maybe I am just bad at this mum time management. When working I got all tasks completed on my to do list; now it is a whole other story.  I must say that maybe it is me procrastinating by cleaning, but I must say that both needs to be done and cleaning without kids around is preferable.

I still think if I had robots, or clones to do the work that would be a great help, I know not available currently. Do you have help at your house for the day to day, or is it just you?  This week I am going to power through the cleaning, the study and get heaps done, maybe powered by coffee. What are you going to achieve this week? Send in your comments.