I know it should not bug me, but it does.

I usually don't about where Tara fits in the world of averages or peers. She's her own little person with her own schedule. I understand that, but I am getting antsy... anxious even, that Tara is not talking.

I wish I did not compare, but when you have kids around you all the time talking, then it happens I am afraid. And it's getting to me more and more.

Her Carer and TinySteps says she says "Hello Daddy". I am yet to hear it... I don't deny it, but I feel she is probably just making her noises and people are assigning words. That happens A LOT.

She says ME a lot. But I think that is just HER sound. A noise. Not a word. She uses it in context, but the intent is not there.

She follows instruction like no tomorrow. She understands LOTS.

When talking to someone about this yesterday they said "Oh, but she can say 'Water' and 'more' and 'up' and things, right?" and I just shook my head. Nope. She does not say any of those. She understands the word, but does not say it.

She does not mimic any sounds/words from books - like animal noises.

I thought she was perhaps saying Puppy occasionally, but I think that was my wishful thinking and projection.

She whinges and whines and grunts with pointing for asking for things and getting her point across.

She only says mummy if waking from a deep sleep and being upset.

She said Hi. That's about the most consistant and clear thing that she says.

So my question is. At what point do I get worried?

A final Goodbye

To my dearest Ladies

Oh to be young again! How wonderful it is be be to frolic through the meadows. To stop and smell the flowers, and to actually see them again! I have dreamt of it, longed for it, and prayed for it and tonight my wish was granted!

My frail body was failing me – I could no longer see, shivered as winter crept through my bones, and I was cranky with how horribly stiff I was. My legs could barely stretch in the morning and I cursed having to move. Curled up on my woolen blankie, snuggled to Miss Mika and that dreaded cat Monte, I willed the heat towards me.

Winter was a curse! Why could it not be summer all year ‘round? Summer on the farm! What a blessed time it was! How I loved that final trip! Galavanting down the main strip as Miss Mika and Master Apollo showed the way. Chasing cows, pottering in the garden – it was a magical time for me! I am glad I had that final trip. It was wonderful!

My last few years have been wonderful. It was so dreary when Jacq found me, but being the little bugger of a chap that I am – I wagged a tail, winked an eye and was saved. She saw something in me. Then she suckered that family into having me “for a little while”. Well, that Little while lasted a few years! I got a good deal, I reckon. Been a little lucky this old codger has. I got to cuddle up to a young lass every night, and got a mountain of treats! I even learnt how to sit!.

This old dog learnt a few good tricks. Best of all, I learnt about a lot of love.

So my legion of fans. I bid you all adieu from the other side. I have hung up my lead, crossed the bridge and am basking in the sun of my youth. Not a pain in my body, not a cloud in my eye. And with that, I say, Goodnight.

Mr Gilbert

Bottom's Up!

Today I got to meet Nicholas. He was born a couple of weeks ago. With a tussel of hair and a quiet disposition, he slept as his mamma, R* told me how he came into this world.

He came fast. After waters breaking, R* was pushing within 30 mins. That's when the midwife said "It's not often I can do this, but - you're having a boy! He's coming out bottom first!"

This midwife is apparently known for her breech delieveries. The universe was smiling on this labouring mamma - as he was head down at last appointment. Yet when she turned up to the Birthing Centre, the midwife who can do Breech Births is on staff, just as her baby had turned.

R* tells me how her body moved her baby into place, and worked with the contractions the way Nicholas needed them. He was out under 2 hours. R* glows telling me her story. Although it was not planned as such, her little boy Thomas was in the room as Nicholas came into the world. Thomas is a couple of weeks younger than Tara, and such a beautiful little boy.

I was with R* today to show her how to use the ring sling with a newborn. SHe was a natural! Nicholas curled up in the foetal position, chest to chest with his head listening to his mamma's heart. It was beautiful, peaceful, natural, calming. He feeds wonderfully, and now his mamma can feed in the sling (hopefully!) and have hands free to help Thomas when needed.

R* looks amazing! And says she feels so great.

R* you beautiful birthing goddess, you!

The joys of retail therapy.

Today I went to a big ol' shopping centre for some retail therapy after my weekend on the couch. I took a risk hoping I was still not contageous with my non-disclosed bug.

Anyways, I have been searching everywhere for a pair of gumboots for Tara, and a raincoat. One, for going to the farm, but two, for going to TinySteps.

I have been to probably 50 plus stores in the last week (not to mention braving the markets on a saturday!) to find a child's raincoat that is under $30 - not pink - and in her size....

Apparently every Mary, Sue and Jane decided their Tom Dick and Harry kids needed raincoats in the last shower because NO WHERE has had them!!

Well today I got one! Granted, I had to crawl over the dark side and get a disney licensed merchandise, but I got a winnie raincoat for $20!

And gumboots that are purple funky ones for $17.

Then an pair of jeans for $28!! FOR ME!! Little Miss did not get them! whoot!!

Retail therapy is the best.

Now I need to lie down

Blegh

Gastro/tummy bugs are horrible



'nuff said

Just desserts

At what age would you expect your child to be offered cake at a wedding? Or would icecream and such be sufficient for dessert instead?

Is it rude to suggest kids have fruit salad instead? Provided they are still rocking at the party...?

7 kids invited. 1 has a non-dairy diet. Two are over two (plus the nodairy - so three), and the others are under two.

Thoughts?

Done!

The invitations are done - and ready to be stuffed into an envelope! THere are the info cards to go in yet, and I have to do them yet, but that is ok - I can do that while mum writes all the addresses on.

I have a couple of invites I need to redo, and I don't think I bought enough card - but who knows. I might have enough.

Whoot!

I have to finish getting ready for the trip home to mum's. Lots to do and plan.

We need to Get Tara some gumboots! ANd a rain coat.

I need to finish a fantastic website today ;) It is almost done _ just have to finalise the images. They are talking longer than expected. I cannot wait to launch this site though!!

Brrrrr.. it is soooooo cold! Like really really.

Questions:

If I keep my surname, can I still call myself Mrs Tatton? Even if Ally's surname is different?

If I change my name to be Kristie Kate Tatton Newsurname, would it be odd for Tara to stay as she is (Tara Kate Luke Tatton) if I then get called Mrs Newsurname?

Is it cheap to expect my guests to use their own envelope and stamp for RSVP cards?

And then there were two!

OK, so I just got word my Danish Bridesmaid will not be able to make our wedding. It is a real shame, but I understand it is a long way to come, and with a little boy and a new job I knew it would be tough. THe fact she wanted to come speaks volumes of our friendship that has spanned the years. 10 years in fact.

And I know she will understand when I say that at least now it is going to be cheaper ;). It means that the budget I had for my accessories for my girls is now only spread by two rather than three - so I can now get some things I had wanted, but could not afford when it was three of them.

It makes life a bit easier with seating arrangements and stuff too...

But I will miss having her there. It would have been so awesome if she could have stood by me.

Hand-me-downs

Can I just say how flipping cool it is to have proper decent hand me downs for tara?

We got some lovely ones from the lovely harriet/casso today. Beautiful clothes that I just love. Tara has never really had "great" hand me downs before - not like this. I feel honoured because I have a really really big thing for hand me downs. Especially funky handmedowns.




ARGH. tara has done something to my browser/computer and my text is not keeping up with my typing speed - it is lagging behind!! I use FF, does anyone know how I can fix this or where I should go to look? I don't want to show Ally just how ditzy or clutzy I really am with a computer!!

Oohhhh.. a resolution!

She obviously did not like the official complaint through PayPal (it must hurt to have somone complaining about your service - and probably risking your rating through PayPal!!)


Apparently she is sending me a new veil in the right colour!!

I just hope it arrives in the next 2 weeks. Am going to put a redirect on our mailbox I think so that anything gets sent to mum while I am down there....

BOUNCE!

excited now. I hope it bloody well matches my dress after this debarkle!