Where you find your youngest son eating a tub of margarine with your hair brush, you drop about 2 litres of your experemental non-dairy pancake batter on the floor, the cleaner retires, you decide to rearrange the furniture and find all the plaster dust the cleaner missed, your youngest daughter has a reaction to dairy so you can't eat chocolate, milk, cheese, butter - or anything else yummy anymore - because you're breastfeeding, you sleep through every single alarm you set for yourself, your best intentions of getting to bed early result in getting to bed after midnight nearly every night, your back and neck go 'out' to complement your hips and pelvis which never went back 'in', the phone always rings just when you are elbow deep in nappy changing....
I have!
lucky I have a sense of humor!!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Our Anti-Itch Bath
There comes a time in every family's life when they need an anti-itch bath. Sometimes it is allergies or excema, other times chicken-pox or rashes. This is ours.
All measurements are in the time-honoured non-standard measurements of "handful" "smidge" "a bit" etc.
Place a handful of rolled oats in a face cloth (I'm going to try adding lavender tonight too, 'cause I can)
Fasten with an elastic band
Put a handful of bi-carb soda in a warm bath and a smidge (possibly half a teaspoon?) of coconut oil
Swish it all around then add the itchy child
Use the face cloth with the oats in it to scrub at the itchy bits gently
All measurements are in the time-honoured non-standard measurements of "handful" "smidge" "a bit" etc.
Place a handful of rolled oats in a face cloth (I'm going to try adding lavender tonight too, 'cause I can)
Fasten with an elastic band
Put a handful of bi-carb soda in a warm bath and a smidge (possibly half a teaspoon?) of coconut oil
Swish it all around then add the itchy child
Use the face cloth with the oats in it to scrub at the itchy bits gently
Monday, March 09, 2009
He's on fire today!
Billy, thinking Christopher was too close to Anna, said in strident tones:
"Christopher, get away from the new baby, I like my new baby, she's a sweetheart!"
"Christopher, get away from the new baby, I like my new baby, she's a sweetheart!"
Some 'tweaking' needs to happen here.
OK, this isn't working. I set myself some goals again last week and to be honest I got so run off my feet I couldn't even keep track of what I was and was not doing! Sarah the Saint retired meaning I am doing all my own cleaning again (I won't get anyone else in for a while, I want to see how I go now I am not the size of a hippo!) plus we got some new shelves so I am rearranging the house and I have been treating the kids excema and running around to the doctor and then just the usual general 'life' stuff on top of that. BUT I do feel it is important to take care of myself physically, set goals and get myself fit (or at least fitter) before I get pregnant again. So we are scaling back and making this thing fit with the rest of my life.
One goal or habit per week I am going to work on. Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely - SMART!
This week I am going to work on only eating raw fruit and vegetables between meals.
One goal or habit per week I am going to work on. Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely - SMART!
This week I am going to work on only eating raw fruit and vegetables between meals.
I think he forgot to read his script....
Setting: Erin and Billy are playing "The Good Samaritan" on the trampoline. Erin is playing the robbers, the narrator, the priest, the Levite, AND the Samaritan. Billy is playing the travelling Jew lying beaten on the ground.
Erin:.........and now along comes the Samaritan (that's me) and I stop and I look at you and I decide I will help you. change to a Samaritan style of voice Excuse me, would you like some help?
Billy - laying in a relaxed 'beaten' position: No thanks, I'm fine.
I nearly wet myself laughing
Erin:.........and now along comes the Samaritan (that's me) and I stop and I look at you and I decide I will help you. change to a Samaritan style of voice Excuse me, would you like some help?
Billy - laying in a relaxed 'beaten' position: No thanks, I'm fine.
I nearly wet myself laughing
Sunday, March 08, 2009
She's getting better!
I cut out the dairy foods on Thursday night and started applying cocnut oil to Anna's excema every nappy change on Friday night - and it is getting better! the recovery has been amazing. I suspect she may have reacted to me eating dairy as I did the same at her age (over my head though, not all over my face). Unfortunately this means I may be off dairy until she is weaned (somewhere around the 18 month mark if she's like the others) and we need to provide non-dairy options or goat milk options for Anna. I already miss chocolate, brie, icecream, CHOCOLATE MILK! But the sight of her little eyelids raw, red and swollen from the excema and her face cracked and bleeding is enough to make me happy to give it up. Plus, I have been trying to loose weight here. I now want to get some goats but the logistics of this may be interesting - it will need some thinking about. I much prefer goat milk to rice milk though!
Saturday, March 07, 2009
I am fairly new to facebook, and I have to admit, it doesn't grab me that much. It was good for a while, I found out what a few people are doing who I haven't caught up with for ages, but the gloss is wearing off. I tried to be all enthusiastic, even did that 25 random things about me, but it just isn't me. I prefer Blogging, far less interactive. I get to just throw my thoughts into cyberspace without having to worry about 'friends' or someone from The Past wanting to get in touch when I in fact kind of deliberately lost touch in the first place. (yes all you people who thought I was a nice person can gasp in horror now!). Anyway, this clip cracked me up!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Quick update
Erin:
wore a beenie, gloves and a rain jacket to playgroup yesterday. She's thrilled that cooler weather is here at last and spotted some snow on the mountain yesterday morning too.
Billy:
Had his first foray into the world of powertools this week and put together some shelves with Daddy. He was VERY proud and thrilled to be a part of something so important.
Christopher:
is still cutting these teeth and has awful excema all over his back. He has some stronger ointment now so we will see how that goes. He's surprisingly happy all things considered.
Anna:
has developed quite severe excema accross her whole face and starting to creep into her hair :( I was hoping she would keep her pretty dark hair but if this excema takes hold like it seems it will (it seems to be spreading by the hour at the moment) she is going to loose it all and be one unhappy little baby! I have cut out all dairy to see if that will have an effect. Greater love hath no Mummy than to give up chocolate milk, cheese and butter! It will do me good anyway. We have an appointment with the dermatologist in a week and a half to see what can be done.
The house:
is undergoing a big "re-organise" with some new shelves and me feeling pretty fantastic compared to how I felt early January! I am almost on top of the washing with all the ironing done and I just need to fold the stuff I washed today. I keep hitting that pesky wall in the evenings about 9pm. I push through, but I am not as productive as I would like to be. I have been getting to bed on time though and that's made it easier to get up in the morning - marginally!
The garden:
has a plot laid out with old railway sleepers waiting to be filled and become our first vege patch at this house! YAY!
Jess
wore a beenie, gloves and a rain jacket to playgroup yesterday. She's thrilled that cooler weather is here at last and spotted some snow on the mountain yesterday morning too.
Billy:
Had his first foray into the world of powertools this week and put together some shelves with Daddy. He was VERY proud and thrilled to be a part of something so important.
Christopher:
is still cutting these teeth and has awful excema all over his back. He has some stronger ointment now so we will see how that goes. He's surprisingly happy all things considered.
Anna:
has developed quite severe excema accross her whole face and starting to creep into her hair :( I was hoping she would keep her pretty dark hair but if this excema takes hold like it seems it will (it seems to be spreading by the hour at the moment) she is going to loose it all and be one unhappy little baby! I have cut out all dairy to see if that will have an effect. Greater love hath no Mummy than to give up chocolate milk, cheese and butter! It will do me good anyway. We have an appointment with the dermatologist in a week and a half to see what can be done.
The house:
is undergoing a big "re-organise" with some new shelves and me feeling pretty fantastic compared to how I felt early January! I am almost on top of the washing with all the ironing done and I just need to fold the stuff I washed today. I keep hitting that pesky wall in the evenings about 9pm. I push through, but I am not as productive as I would like to be. I have been getting to bed on time though and that's made it easier to get up in the morning - marginally!
The garden:
has a plot laid out with old railway sleepers waiting to be filled and become our first vege patch at this house! YAY!
Jess
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Protect your evening soundscape
That patch of time that we all know and love, just after baths when you're trying to get dinner and the kids are tired and hungry and beloved is (over)due home. If your stress levels are rising stop and listen. Odds are kids are playing/arguing loudly, the baby is fussing, tea is cooking (burning - or is that just me?) and perhaps the TV/stereo is blaring. A change is needed!
Step 1: Turn off the TV and replace it with some nice music. Some hymns or calming classical music is great, but whatever takes your fancy, as long as it is calm. I have a few CDs especially for this time in a handy spot. Pick CDs that aren't going to have loud, upbeat tracks in the middle - lullaby compilations are great. This worked for Saul (a bit anyway) and it is very worth giving it a go.
Step 2: Focus the children. One of my favourites is to get them to get a book each and sit in a chair or on a blanket on the floor. I then set the timer for 15 minutes and they may not move from their spot until the timer goes off. When the timer goes off, they can choose to change books or keep the same one for another 15 minutes. Play dough at the table can be an option depending on tiredness and excitement levels. Wiping down cupboards, rearranging bookshelves, anything they can do independently and without arguing is good. This isn't the time for big training sessions most of the time. To start training at this time is like a concert pianist doing scales during a concert! This is when your training pays off or you see things you need to work on.
Step 3: check your own voice. "Pick that up please" can be a phrase that makes a child a special helper or makes them cry just with a change of tone and volume. We do tend to set the tones for our homes with our voices and I know just how tough this one can be. The only thing that helps for me is prayer! If you need to try a technique used by Susannah Wesley and put your apron over your head and pray!
Oh, and if you get this right every day, call me and I will come over to your house!
For more tips go to:
Step 1: Turn off the TV and replace it with some nice music. Some hymns or calming classical music is great, but whatever takes your fancy, as long as it is calm. I have a few CDs especially for this time in a handy spot. Pick CDs that aren't going to have loud, upbeat tracks in the middle - lullaby compilations are great. This worked for Saul (a bit anyway) and it is very worth giving it a go.
Step 2: Focus the children. One of my favourites is to get them to get a book each and sit in a chair or on a blanket on the floor. I then set the timer for 15 minutes and they may not move from their spot until the timer goes off. When the timer goes off, they can choose to change books or keep the same one for another 15 minutes. Play dough at the table can be an option depending on tiredness and excitement levels. Wiping down cupboards, rearranging bookshelves, anything they can do independently and without arguing is good. This isn't the time for big training sessions most of the time. To start training at this time is like a concert pianist doing scales during a concert! This is when your training pays off or you see things you need to work on.
Step 3: check your own voice. "Pick that up please" can be a phrase that makes a child a special helper or makes them cry just with a change of tone and volume. We do tend to set the tones for our homes with our voices and I know just how tough this one can be. The only thing that helps for me is prayer! If you need to try a technique used by Susannah Wesley and put your apron over your head and pray!
Oh, and if you get this right every day, call me and I will come over to your house!
For more tips go to:
Monday, March 02, 2009
Climbing back on the Wagon
Last weeks goals and how I did:
Walk to the post office three times this week..........did it
Use my exercise videos three times this week..........only managed twice
Take iron daily.........forgot once
Restrict yummy treats to Wednesday afternoon tea and Sabbath Meals...........I had a Date Night splurge as well, but other than that I did OK - except for the chocolate milk.
Snack only on raw fruit and veg.........there were a few unauthorised sandwiches to be honest!! And chocolate milk
Drink at least 1.5L per day.......I did have a few days where I didn't manage this
Do Kegel Exercises twice a day.............................did it
The major thing hampering my efforts is me not getting to bed until late (or getting to bed and then reading, talking or using the lap top until late!). Being tired makes me hungry and stops me getting up early enough or with enough energy to exercise in the morning. So next weeks goals are:
Walk to the post office three times this week
Use my exercise videos three times this week
Take iron daily
Restrict yummy treats to Wednesday afternoon tea and Sabbath Meals
Snack only on raw fruit and veg
Drink at least 1.5L per day
Do Kegel Exercises twice a day
Bed by 11:30 pm
Walk to the post office three times this week..........did it
Use my exercise videos three times this week..........only managed twice
Take iron daily.........forgot once
Restrict yummy treats to Wednesday afternoon tea and Sabbath Meals...........I had a Date Night splurge as well, but other than that I did OK - except for the chocolate milk.
Snack only on raw fruit and veg.........there were a few unauthorised sandwiches to be honest!! And chocolate milk
Drink at least 1.5L per day.......I did have a few days where I didn't manage this
Do Kegel Exercises twice a day.............................did it
The major thing hampering my efforts is me not getting to bed until late (or getting to bed and then reading, talking or using the lap top until late!). Being tired makes me hungry and stops me getting up early enough or with enough energy to exercise in the morning. So next weeks goals are:
Walk to the post office three times this week
Use my exercise videos three times this week
Take iron daily
Restrict yummy treats to Wednesday afternoon tea and Sabbath Meals
Snack only on raw fruit and veg
Drink at least 1.5L per day
Do Kegel Exercises twice a day
Bed by 11:30 pm
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