Domestic Goddess Challenge #1

OK. I admit it. I am a slob, and very poor house keeper. To put it bluntly, I suck.

After someone very dear to me told me my house was "pretty bad" after visiting (and me having a panic attack for the last 6 weeks over it), my new resolution is to become a Domestic Goddess.

Then I thought, well, maybe there are others out there just like me. Or some who have reached that Goddess Status and could impart wisdom to those like me who are on the road to discovery.

So I have a plan. I am inviting others to jump on the Band Wagon and either do a Domestic Goddess post about something you have done, how you did it, favourite tips, skills one needs - and leave a comment with the link so I can write about it in the next post. I'll do awards at the end of the month for my favourite tips! Complete with banner to add to your blog!

I want to learn the Art of how to get my house (and life) in order. I have started by scrubbing out the fridge and tossing anything that is remotely out of date. I am following a mum tip, and putting a bowl of Bicarb in the door to help ward off smells.

I have scrubbed the food cupboard, and restacked the food. I need to learn to buy wisely. And buy more fresh.

The cutlery draw has been washed and scrubbed. Everything in it (we someone was smart enough to put some wet stuff in the draw before we went away and it was mouldy when we came back!). HOwever, I was just reminded we got two cuttlery sets for the wedding, so one is going into the draw. I will toss the rest, and only keep the teaspoons. We always need more teaspoons.

I am going to toss out anything in the utility draw that I have not used in the last 3 months. I will buy a new set of cooking utensils.

Declutter the things I have in the kitchen. Organise the cupboards.

So. Here is the start of the journey. I am going to do this. I want others to join and help me on the way!

Come on, and link some posts! (I'll be waiting eagerly!)

Not yet.

Ok.. so I am a mama to a two year old and I am so utterly blessed. And as many may know we are hoping for a second child. It's a painful journey, becoming parents. My heart goes out to anyone who has tried to fall pregnant for more than a cycle, 'cause it really does your head in. And for those trying long time - I really feel for you.

Anyways, Tara was a blessed surprise. We had not planned kids yet, but she turned up. We feel truly blessed. However, I was always told I would have trouble having kids. When she came along, I thought they must have been wrong. (They being the "experts"). But when I think back over all I did as a teen, and all I went through as a young adult, and the medical issues I've gone through, I really start to wonder if maybe Tara IS a miracle baby. I know that all babes are miracles, but having supposedly never had a pregnancy before then (who knows if I missed any) I wonder whether or not she was just a fluke.

We've been trying for a wee while, but not long by any stretch of the imagination. It's weird to chart, and try and time and watch your body to optimise when you are going to fall pregnant. I try not to think about it too much. Recently I have been wondering though, if maybe I really do have some fertility issues. The infections, the hospitalisations, the careless escapades I had... make for some scary thoughts.

And seeing so many of my mothers group blessed with their second child or second pregnancy makes me long for it all that much more.

I am sure it will come.

Honeymoon..!

Ally and I had a honeymoon. Whisked away I was for a secret affair in the Grampians in a Couples Retreat. It was spesh! Champagne and Chocolates on arrival too.

We toured some wineries, drank coffee, dodged kangaroos. We did some shopping and walks and tourist centres. The weather was lovely to boot.

The place we stayed at was a self contained cottage backing onto the national park. I watched families of kangaroos use the back as a thoroughfare!

There was a king-size four poster bed, a very deep two person spa with a window that opened into the lounge so we could watch TV too.

Lovely place! And all without the child! Tara stayed with Nanna for the time we were away. Apparently she did not wake at all through the night! wow!

It was not too traumatising for either of us I do not think!

People should go on honeymoons more often!!!

Now it is my turn!

Bah Humbug! Now I am sick!

Tara is SLOWLY on the mend. She's got a flu virus of some sort that has manifested in a very nasty way resulting in a measles-like rash all over her body. She's eaten a bit today and is drinking again, but she's sleeping it all off (with the help of some medication). She's been in agony (screaming owie over and over for 4 days) so we've helped her calm down a bit.

The corners of her mouth have split and are infected, but getting better. It's halted any persistent booby that she may have wanted 'cause she can't open her mouth to feed effectively. Poor poppet.

But she did sleep all night (great for her), but as I came down with tonsilitis, I never managed to sleep through. I repeat, bah-humbug.


In other circles, I am sending love and light to my sister.

Tara is sick, take two.

Ok, so I mentioned the other day that Tara was a bit fever-ridden. Well it got worse over night and her temp was high - she was roasting in my arms! This morning she still had not drunk much or anything, so we booked an appointment with the Dr, just in case.

She was pretty well dehydrated, but ate a little this morning. Good sign. By the time we got to the Dr she was perky, but then she cracked the sides of her lips and started screaming again. Ouch.

we FINALLY got to see a doctor who, in 10 mins gave her the once over, and told us she "has a non-specific virus" with a "non-descript rash" that "should clear up soon".

That will be $50 thanks.

I know that we went there for a bit of piece-of-mind, but that was annoying. She's been clingy and such all afternoon and tonight has not let me go. And screams owie lots. Her skin is sore to the touch - or just sensitive I guess.

She at least drank tonight. And asked for more. Big step forward. And she finally weed this afternoon - 10.5 hours after her earlier wee. I hope she wees overnight. I cannot believe I am willing her to wee in her nappy. Though I would not mind her waking me to go wees.

I just want to sleep. Or have a shoulder massage, then sleep.

Argh.

There's a bear in there, and a booby too!

Playschool was WONDERFUL this morning!

Big Ted and Little Ted wore cloth nappies.

The window had a story about a new baby sister... and they did not blur out the nappy change! Not only that, they showed BREASTFEEDING! And on top of that they had open booby shots! And quote of the day goes to Jenny's big brother who narrated the piece who said

"It must be really good because she drinks a LOT!" (or something to that effect!)

Playschool, I love you.

It's hot. Awfully hot.

To touch the little girl. Tara Kate has a temp. And in 35 plus weather, it's a terrible time to get close to 40 degree temps herself.

She's miserable. She picked up for about an hour and a half but has dive-bombed again into a whiney little being. I feel for her. She slept a good portion of the day, but had to be in contact with me much of it so we sweated together.

I just need a break. Was up all night with her, and had her all day. Ally just got home a wee while ago from fishing.... it is his turn to parent for now :) 20 mins is all I ask.

Oh, and Pizza for dinner tonight.

Knickerbocker Knickerbocker Number Nine

Loves to dance and keep in time...!

That's not what this post is about though!

We went fishing this morning. Got up, put Tara in knickers and shorts and left the house.

We did not come home until 1pm. She did not wee the whole time. She was DRY the whole time. Came home, did a huge wee on the potty, back into knickers and hung out. Had another wee on the potty later and still in knickers! She was in knickers until she went swimming in nanna's wading pool, then naked, then a nappy for the pub, and a nappy for bed.

SO basically, all day... in big girl knickers!

You could knock me down with a feather!

Ending a journey

I guess I can put this out here now. Now that it is actually happening.

Tara is weaning.

We are down to 1 feed every 2-4 days at the moment. If that. It's usually at night, and if she is inconsolable. Other times if she wakes we just sing and she goes back to sleep.

I must admit that I am feeling a touch of relief with the whole thing. As much as I adored breastfeeding in the beginning, some of my personal struggles later on made it a more difficult journey as she got older. I probably refused more than I should have, but I did offer occasionally.

I guess we will have the odd feed together for a little while yet, though who knows, she may have had her last feed.

When I think about her having her last feed ever, I cry a little. But at the same time I am so proud of the two year mark we made. Although happy about her weaning, I am also sad about loosing that part of our relationship. It's a hard thing to judge my true feelings on.

It's just another step on the road I guess. This journey ends, and another will begin.

Happy New Year - Welcome 2008

I was looking forward to doing a really special start of the year post, but instead I am feeling miserable and cranky.

Last night I thought I was pregnant. This morning my Period arrived.

It is amazing the emotions you can go through in such an amount of time. I'd thought for Days I could have been pregnant - I mean, I'd done a test and was sure I could see a line, but knew that others would not be able to see it. I was very late with my period and was clinging onto hope. Well the new year brought me just another Flo'

I'm disappointed, a little sad, a little bit in pain (physical). I guess we'll get there.

So, I thought about new years resolutions. I am not one for making them much. I usually break them. The feeble attempts to wish away my weight, get a degree, do something exciting. yada yada. This year will be simple.

*Visit a Naturopath
*Learn to be a cleaner person
*Clean the backyard
*Get Pregnant
*Have a homebirth
*Do my ABA counselling course
*Resume my CBI course
*Launch Mamaluna
*Be gentler to Tara
*Be deeper with Ally

That's all I need to focus on I think. I think that's a fair bit actually. I hope I have the strength to do it all.

So I'm going to sign off. I promise to do the Christmas blog post soon... I'll back date it so keep an eye out.

In the mean time. Happy New Year. Love to all.