"My Day in Six Words" Journal for January

1st: FOOD AND LOVE SHARED FREELY HERE.

2nd: WORN OUT. PUT FOOT DOWN. PEACE.

3rd: HAPPY DAY. PLAYDATE, NAP, DINNER EATEN.

4th: NO MOTIVATION, USELESS LUMP. MOVIE NIGHT.

5th: MORNING CHURCH, LOVELY TEA, FAMILY DAY.

6th: INSOMNIA, TIRED. BABY WEARING ME OUT.

7th: LAST NERVE FRAUGHT. SLEEPY. BAD DAY.

8th: INSOMNIA FUELLED PRODUCTIVITY. HEN PARTICIPATION CANCELLED.

9th: PRODUCTIVE BUT BLAH. CRANKY BOY GRATING.

10th: INSOMNIA OVERSHADOWS. BUSY. DATE NIGHT, SMILE.

11th: EMOTIONS - FULL GAMUT. PRODUCTIVE SPELLS LIFT.

12th: INSOMNIA. GIRLS' LUNCH - JOYFUL BUT INSECURE.

13th: EXHAUSTED. SWITCHED OFF, UPSET. POOR BABY.

14th: PREPARATION HELPED BUSY DAY GO SMOOTHLY.

15th: BACK TO WORK. PREPARATION PAYS OFF.

16th: NIGHT'S SLEEP BLISS. LLL LIFT. BAKING.

17th: FOOD SHOPPING BUSYNESS. PRESSING ON. STRIVING.

18th: GIBSONS' VISIT. FOOD PREPARATION. UNINTERRUPTED READING.

19th: COMMUNION. VISITED ROBERTSONS'. HUNGER GAMES SESSION.

20th: ASLEEP. TANYA POSTPONED. UNDRESSED. HUNGER GAMES.

21st: ASLEEP. HUNGER GAMES. UNWASHED. SHOWER NEEDED.

22nd: TANYA. BT. WORK. HUNGER GAMES. CUDDLES.

23rd: ASLEEP. HUNGER GAMES. NAP. FAMILY. TIRED.

24th: TOTS GROUP. SLEEPING. TED TALKS. CHINESE.

25th: VERY BAD DAY. BABY HUGS. CRYING.

26th: STILL BAD. BABY HUGS. HUBBY HUGS.

27th: SLEEPWALKING THROUGH. BABY DELIGHTFUL THEN TANTRUMING.

28th: MORNING OUT. AUNTIE VISIT. TV SNUGGLES.

29th: DADDY MORNING. TUTORING AFTERNOON. EMAIL DECLUTTERING.

30th: SISTER CHAT. TAX DONE. TV DATE.

31st: INSOMNIAC ENERGY. BRUSHED FLOORS. DATE NIGHT.

Wednesday Weigh-in #5

ATM - The mini goal for this past week was to lose something, anything so of course I gained two pounds. Not a surprise considering the copious amounts of sweets that I ate this week. It was a no good very bad week and therefore so was my diet.

First "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone seven (189 lbs)
Second "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone even (182 lbs)

Jan.1 - 13 st 9 lbs (191 lbs)
Jan.8 - 13 st 6 lbs (188 lbs)
Jan.15 - 13 st 4 lbs (186 lbs)
Jan.22 - 13 st 5 lbs (187 lbs)
Jan.29 - 13 st 7 lbs (189 lbs)

This week's mini goal is to lose or maintain and you know survive.

Wednesday Weigh-in #4

ATM - Up and down and emotional eating, tired and eating sugars to compensate. No exercise. Unsurprisingly a gain...still disappointing though.

First "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone seven (189 lbs)
Second "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone even (182 lbs)

Jan.1 - 13 st 9 lbs (191 lbs)
Jan.8 - 13 st 6 lbs (188 lbs)
Jan.15 - 13 st 4 lbs (186 lbs)
Jan.22 - 13 st 5 lbs (187 lbs)

This week's mini goal is to lose something, anything...

Wednesday Weight-in #3

ATM - there has been no more exercise beyond walking around Ikea :) and no ket up in the chocolate consumption (I think the house is almost empty of the stuff). Mood has been very changeable with very low lows so I certainly haven't felt up to much but I was encouraged to see another loss and another mini-goal met.

First "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone seven (189 lbs)
Second "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone even (182 lbs)

Jan.1 - 13 st 9 lbs (191 lbs)
Jan.8 - 13 st 6 lbs (188 lbs)
Jan.15 - 13 st 4 lbs (186 lbs)

This week's mini goal is to lose another two pounds, a "healthy" weight-loss so "they" say and half-way to my next "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal. More Some effort may actually be required;)

Wednesday Weigh-in #2

ATM - not eating any better and still at zero exercise, not a good week - weather-wise, sleep-wise or mood-wise. I did take a slightly longer route back (through the park) to the car on my return from my podiatry appointment, big whoop! My aim for this week was to lose three pounds and woohoo! little effort and rather less chocolate (though still far more than the average bear) and I hit it with bells on (i.e. I weighed myself after I got dressed).

First "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone seven (189 lbs)
Second "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone even (182 lbs)

Jan.1 - 13 st 9 lbs (191 lbs)
Jan.8 - 13 st 6 lbs (188 lbs)

So first "ThingsIWannaDoList" goal met as well as this week's mini-goal.

Had a mile walk this morning so I've already startted off this week right and this week's mini goal is to lose another two pounds, the Christmas chocolate is almost gone and I WILL eat less and move more, here's hoping.

Wednesday Weigh-in #1

ATM - not eating very well, plenty of the good but far too much of the bad, zero exercise

First "ThingsIWannaDoList" Goal - Lose weight to reach thirteen stone seven (189 lbs)

Jan.1 - 13 st 9 lbs (191 lbs)

This week my mini-goal is to lose three pounds, which will also help me meet my first full goal - I will still be eating the Christmas chocolates ;) but I also hope to begin a better regime of walking a mile a day (for starters but also weather permitting as I'm a total wuss and today was just horrible and so didn't happen), eating less of the loverly choccy et al and just generally eating less, moving more. It will help that I'll usually weigh-in first thing Wednesdays in a born free style of dress, today's weigh-in was sponsored by half-past-ten-at-night-after-an-unhealthy-eating-day-and-a-family-dinner-out-of-almost-a-whole-Hawaiian-pizza-with-mushrooms-(yummy)-whilst--wearing-my-new-Christmas-fleecy-jim-jams-socks-and-slippers :) so setting a reasonably low bar I am hoping for a successful first week to set me off on this (not again) journey of weight-loss.

New Year, New Leaf, New(-ish) Goals...2014.Journal.Jan.1

It's January first and I'm still finishing out the many many goals and to do lists and well they are neverending and totally acheievable if I've a mind to it. If I've a mind?!

I'm tired after a few nights of less sleep and an up-and-down sorry for his-self baby with a bit of a dose. I've hardly seen my husband despite his being off and right now as I type, he is sat in the living room enjoying the new episode of Sherlock that I've been sooooo looking forward to while I am posting, sat up in bed with a snotty, tossy-turny baby failing to get over to sleep in his toddler bed next to ours (where he will no doubt finish out the night, assuming he ever starts it). Bliss, joy and thank goodness for iplayer.

So new year, new goals, new, new, new and yet nothing new under the sun and still the same old life and day-to-days and the same old body needing rejuvenated and downsized and definitely remoulded and redressed. The same wackadoodle mind and alas the same temperament despite two instances of very unusually calm me - Hubby obliterated my new (got it for Christmas) bottle of perfume and then sweet darling son who is NOT ALLOWED to play with Mummy's phone, picked it up, dropped it and well it does still work in all instances but the screen is shattered and rough (though a screen cover sorted that problem out) and doesn't allow for easy viewing of texts, emails etc. I didn't flinch even though as far as I was concerned, this was to be my phone for another two months. Hubby checked, I'm eligible for an early upgrade in ONE WEEK (he isn't until July bless him). Woo-hoo! New phone and I kept my temper!!!

Baby sleeping or should I say snoring and snorting!

We did share a lovely family meal out this evening (settled, quiet and reasonably obedient baby who ate okay and two loved up parents, mwah). Pizza and veg for the babe and myself. Thanks Mama for a great Christmas gift!

In wonderful brainwave style there will now follow a "my day in six words" and one for everyday of January thereafter (I hope):

FOOD AND LOVE SHARED FREELY HERE

Advent 2013: Part Four

*Updated since I forgot to hit publish anyway*

Tomorrow is already here and yet I haven't slept, (*and didn't until half twelve or later?) so today I plan to:

Wash and dress first thing (or at least by nine o'clock) *Nope, no power and we weren't even awake until ten to nine, got washed and dressed about eleven?

Do a load of dark laundry and turn over the "whites" on the radiators/airer. *No power, no heat

Read "Christmas" by Dick Bruna to Bundle. *Read this over breakfast

Write my sister's Christmas card and post it and the other "international" cards at the local post office (or send Hubby). *Nope, tomorrow/today

String both trees with lights. *Did one in part before the power returned then finished off and added to the lights after we got power, then decorated and enjoyed the pretty (at least in low level light) especially as it's in our bedroom, reflected in the mirror and visible throughout the house as it stands at the end of apartment right in the middle, Bundle's reaction after just the lights were added was wow - so worth it!

Attach one of the bed rails to the cot-bed. *Nope

Have Dad tighten/add another screw to the cot-bed. *Nope

Have Dad cut a 23" square of plywood for me. *Nope but did ask him

Have Dad cut-down my "broken" wise man for me to sand him for use. *Bless him he'd already sanded it down so it stood upright so had to explain why I'd drawn a line further up, thanks Dad for not getting annoyed about that (definitely a first)

Give Dad plans for "Lucy's learning tower." *Nope but I did build the stepstool (too high for Bundle without the support structure)

Plan outfit for Sunday's anniversary lunch. *Nope

Buy/make 40th anniversary card for in-laws. *Nope

Pack away autumn. *Nope

Put away emptied Christmas decoration boxes. *Nope but they are now gathered into the master bedroom by the wardrobes

Explain "new" sleep expectations to Bundle for nap and bedtime. *Yep, no more pushing therefore no nap was had (aside from a snooze on the breast) but with a couple of songs he was out like a light at bedtime (alas very unsettled night since - hello I am typing this after five and been up since four - after he was literally screaming, ah the joys)

Tidy nursery bed. *Yip and hurray as it was about time

Tidy books/toys and make a dedicated space for the Christmas books. *Nope

Pack away Channukkah in marked box (to be added to over the next year, think blue and white Magen David, wooden Hannukkiah set, pewter Hannukkiah and blue/white candles, dreidels and fill-able dreidels, chocolate gelt, Hannukkah cardigans). *Thought about it but didn't, keeping out my mini-Hannukkiah anyhow with the Chritsmas decs since it's cute

*Sidenotes saying I would light candles for the power cut saw Bundle head straight for where the assembled tealights/Hannukkiah had been - bless.

*Bundle put out one of the tealights with his finger, that's one way to learn Mama wasn't lying when she said it was hot

*Raging headaches caused by screaming toddlers at four in the morning are not pleasant

*Why does one stormy night lead to power cuts nationally every year? Do they somehow forget that winter is a season that happens annually and therefore not winterproof - I know first world problem or what?!

*Need to pick up the family Christmas dinner ham (that we won't actually be eating) tomorrow/today also

*Tea and buns at a (just recently finished) student's house tomorrow/today, we (Bundle my Mama and I) just fell in love with M and her Mama K, it will be lovely to see the kitchen/extension I've heard so much about and for Bundle and M to enjoy another playtime, they're so sweet together (the eight-and-a-half year gap means nothing to them). M is his sister by another mother

*Lights and decorations on our main tree tomorrow/today I hope and finishing off/tidying/dusting the other wee spaces around the house

*Getting to my actually present making i.e. knitting for Christmas would be advisable too, I have eight scarves to knit (six of which will have to at least be done by Christmas Eve though preferably before), better get motoring as there are only eighteen/nineteen days left!

*And so to bed ...(it is twenty to six after all)...

Advent 2013: Part Three

The tree is built (ugh, next year that is so the Hubby's job) but it really is too big for its table base and so needs a plywood square to provide a more stable (read Bundle-proof) base. Si I've just left it in all its evergreen (fake) goodness and haven't even added the lights. Decorating at large continues, slowly, because I'm quite out of sorts so I am.

Bundle went down for nap today in pants as per usual (for nap) and I tried to get him to settle himself a little more which led to a two hour bedtime, four toilet trips (two included poos), two wee-d on pairs of pants, his last (doesn't popper under him) vest heading into the laundry basket (must do laundry, again) along with his blankets. Mama who was waiting on him to sleep so she could shower, losing it, shouting, putting him into a nappy and back into the buggy with the instruction to stay put or else and heading for the shower (door open). Returned fifteen minutes later to a sleeping babe. Frustrating, also I'll have to wake him since he took so long to go over (even though I started early). Ugh! Yucky day but at least I'm clean.

Six Words:

Frustrated tired but clean Mama, ugh.

Sleeping, infuriating but lovable Bundle, peaceful.

Advent 2013: Part Two

During morning milkies (after a second consecutive dry night) my son excitedly noticed the Merry Christmas wooden letters banner above our bed, I told him there was lots to see and I'd give him a tour. Well as if there was ever any doubt that he was my son - he greeted the partially decorated (things grouped but not set out, boxes and boxes yet to be unpacked and ne'er a tree to be seen) with a wow! He just loved it all and when I'd finished the "tour" he asked for more - joy-filled Mama morning for sure.

We enjoyed a lovely breakfast with my folks at a favourite haunt and I picked up a honey dipper which I'm planning to use as a mini-whisk (both for myself and for Bundle to practise his stirring skills in due course). Bundle was beautifully behaved as he ate and took in his surroundings (enjoying the decorated trees and chandeliers). We enjoyed our fill then had a couple of impromptu "tours" around the area on our circuitous route home and discovering (well a discovery for me anyhow) a factory outlet of a wood-burning stove company - definitely an addition to our home we would love.

Play time, stories, milkies and bed for the baby while I started laundry, finished cataloguing our Christmas books and then headed in for a rest myself (alas sleep eluded me again - fyi I was up until after three and arose at quarter past/half-eight). Bundle slept a good solid two hours and arose from his dry (vest and pants-clad) nap to resist pottying and enjoy his milkies first; he was in no rush for the potty afterwards either, he's holding it for longer and longer as he really finds his limitations, or is "forced" (read deeply encouraged) to go by a Mama who needs to drive somewhere or put him down for a sleep.

Straight up from nap, we dressed and headed off to exchange his birthday gift t-shirt so that he can actually wear it now (since it is Christmas-themed, well Santa-themed, after all). As a happy consequence of the this exchange this Mama got herself a lovely Christmassy red cardigan and bam-bam-baaaam more importantly was able to get the ba a wonderful pair of rubber-(read grip)-soled slippers, for now in red and yellow with a monkey? face and for the next size up in light blue with a dog's face and fluffy ears - yay!

I rang my Papa to have him turn on my oven (thanks Papa) and threw the tea together as soon as we got in. Bundle had a small portion of homemade thick vegetable blended soup, peas, green beans, the end of his cheesy crackers and raisins snack, cheese and meatball pizza, Hawaiian pizza and a potato waffle. Whilst the Hubby and I had the two pizzas, potato waffles, peas, green beans and mushrooms in butter.

Post-dinner my Hubs and I just glowed as we watched our wee one cavort about in his pants, sitting up at the (perfectly-Bundle-sized) coffee table to play with a puzzle and just gad about and generally entertain us. The Hubby then nipped off to a church meeting whilst I settled Bundle for the night - playtime, tidying up, pooing by himself in the potty (with only a gentle reminder to remove his pants first tee-hee), closing curtains and laying out tomorrow's clothes, stories, milkies, toilet and being sung/pushed to sleep.

About two hours later he stirred (dry and in pants for the night - his choice) to use the bathroom and feed himself back over to sleep again. We are just so proud to be your parents little one, wet or dry.

Oh as for Advent, we read Christmas books and I thought about but didn't build a tree - instead I surfed (internet only) and watched a couple of stupid programmes.

It's now almost twelve and time for bed.

*Updated to add* he wet our bed at half twelve! So after stripping him and the bed he continued the night in a nappy (dry of course). It seems to be a confidence thing, happy to hold it in a nappy but perhaps a lottle stressed about it all in pants???

Advent 2013

Enjoying a foray into celebrating Channukkah this year, it has overlapped the start of Advent and well I just wasn't ready for Advent to begin. The Jesse Tree is undecided, the decorations unmade and so I think next year will be time enough for it. We have two new nativities this year though and numerous children's Bibles and a little one who enjoys reading with a fervour unforeseen even by this reading-mad Mama so I think Advent will certainly be a time of preparation for the "big day" just without a script per say.

Decorating has begun in earnest with boxes upon boxes unloaded from the wardrobes as the little one drifted off to dream world (nap and bedtime). Our "wee room" is all but decorated (I was waiting for a vase to dry which will be filled with blue and white baubles). The hallway and doors off it are adorned. Autumn is all but packed away (only tablecloths and kitchen linens to go I believe). The nativities await the clearing off of the "old dining table" on Wednesday when Bundle's two-week birthday period ends and the cards come down and streamers and birthday signs are packed away once again. The piano is topped with seven snow globes, three snowmen, Santa's workshop scene and an orphan plastic reindeer figurine. The Christmas music book is open on the music stand. One of the winter-y pictures is displayed upon the easel. A collection of candles has gathered, as has another of lanterns, another of snowmen and another of Santas. There are soft bodied reindeer, snowmen and Santas strewn around the sofas and stockings and Santa hats will call to Bundle in the morning. The trees await "building" - a six-footer for the lounge in traditional red, green and gold and a five-footer for the bedroom in much more modern purple, pink and silver. The silver round post-modern spiral will more than likely adorn our chest-of-drawers whilst I'll borrow a bare-branch white wooden tree from my Mama to sit atop our dining room sideboard and accompany our Christmas dinner without over-powering the room (I hope). The red light-up reindeer will grace the kitchen windowsill and I've even managed to decorate Bundle's play kitchen with light-weight wooden blocks spelling out JOY on the top of the upper-cabinets. Our new "Merry Christmas" banner hangs happily over our bed and this Mama is enjoying the accompanying excitement as she anticipates the month of holiday cheer ahead.

Tomorrow the tree-building (ugh) and taking Bundle on a tour of all the decorations but first a lovely breakfast outing with my parents before they high-tail it to Australia for the holidays and then I hope to size-down a Christmas top bought for Bundle, email my sister for her birthday to allow for the time difference, exchange some ill-fitting pyjamas, buy him some non-slip slippers, waterproof his new shoes and hand-me-down boots, jaunt through the charity shops, finish decorating, tidy, clean, launder, write the few Christmas cards that Hubby has left for me to write (my family and closest friends), knit gifts and fast and enjoy being off work until January (or later). That should be the whole week, not just tomorrow though! Oh and play lots of Christmas and Channukkah music (three nights left)... and so to bed, it is stupid o'clock (almost two AM) and I'm not even in my pyjamas yet! Breakfast is at nine/half nine!

Six words:

Christmas coming, joy abounds, miracle birth.

Tired Mama, busy brain, sleep eludes.

Sleeping toddler, snoozing man, blogging lady.

Potty Training Bundle: Part Two

Well after a week or two of Mama geting little to no sleep and Bundle being harder to settle we reverted to cloth nappies at night (with no fleece liner so he would feel the wet instantly) and this now well slept Mama with a well-slept babe appreciated the lessening if the stress levels and there have been an increasing number of dry nights since the re-introduction and when asked Bundle says "no" to pee-pee in the nappy, pee-pee goes in the potty/toilet.

It's now been almost a month and the accidents are few and far between, though still an ever-present danger. He doesn't really request to go but we take me him about every hour or when we know is necessary (e.g. before going in the car or after arriving at the shops/playplace etc.). He is holding it longer and konger and testing out his limits more by resisting going occasionally (and having accidents right after which I allow although I know they are going to happen as this is how he will learn). We introduced the wearing of underpants yesterday and he loves them! He doesn't want to go in his pants or in his trousers and he is just blossoming. Given the choice the last couple of nights, he is choosing nappies at night and that is fine he is making his decision to stay there for now and I can accept that happily (for now). He sleeps and I, well I still have insomnia but I sleep too.

Six words:

Growing boy, underpants super cute, proud.

Us, proud of him and him, proud of himself.

Potty Training Bundle

He's been toileted (by us, and others mainly my Dad and MIL) since he was five months but we didn't "do EC" in its fullest capacity so with hypospadias repair a distant memory (read everything healing nicely with the passing of a week-and-a-half) and the pee stream beautifully straight...

Sidenote - I cried, I properly burst into tears at the sight of that straight stream exiting as it always should have; I held him aloft over the sink (in front of the mirror) as I used to when he was small and turned us slightly sideways to see more clearly and enjoyed that toileting experience with such emotion as my baby's op was proven successful (no small matter, one-in-ten to one-in-twenty require a follow-up op; as the surgeon described it, the repair would be more art than science). This was on Saturday (a week past on Wednesday from the op), the day before PT day, with our water cut-off for two days and counting due to a burst pipe and a trip to the in-laws' necessary in order to shower.

... I was sooooo DONE with nappies and so we started. After a later night (a wonderful concert at church) and no need to leave "the commune" (our pet name for our family farm of three houses - our's, my parents' and my sis/BIL's; we, Bundle and I, skipped the remembrance service at church - with our church hosting the town's servicemen's service I find the focus on men's sacrifice much more so than God's and whilst I greatly support the services and the freedoms which they protect(ed), I don't feel it appropriate that their roles in our country's life, past and present, should be celebrated in place of Sunday worship of God) we set to, or you know meant to, first thing.

Bundle didn't sleep fabulously and Mama certainly didn't so I slept in while Daddy handled brekky and so PT began at about noon and we jumped in with both feet - day and night, goodbye nappies. Goodbye clothes also, as we cranked the heat and I shut us in the master bedroom/en-suite with our two potties and a box of toys, books and puzzles for some intense mama/boy bonding. Nap wasn't dry (surprising as it often is) and one little wet on the floor (stopped straight away when attention was brought to it and finished in the potty). Unsettled night as mama got little to no sleep and Bundle fought it tooth and nail (perhaps not liking his attire - no bottoms).

Day two and a trip out (clothed) to do some laundry and visit the neighbour grandparents briefly. No more sleep to be had.

Day three and a repeat of the trip above, then a trip (in the car) to visit the other grandparents (snack eaten there, dry throughout with two potty trips whilst there). No more sleep, terrible night - mama got a wet top and a lie-in which alas did little to improve her mood which needed adjusting.

Day four and a number two accident (in trousers) with his Daddy, who (thank you honey!) cleared it up too. Two hour nap, had to wake him, piddled half-way through after a wee slip. A nappy! put on for a two hour plus time of being minded at the grandparents' and removed as soon as we got home, he requested milkies twice/thrice (unheard of) extra and had a woo-hoo moment when he was left to play alone (and bottomless as he can't push down his trousers by himself - a skill we've been working on) whilst I made my tea (he'd eaten). He appeared in with me looking guilty and I followed him to seek out the present/puddle - only to find number twos in the potty!!!! Woo-hoo!!! Coudldn't get him off to sleep for about two hours! Knackered and still up (after midnight), really not sleeping well at the present time.

Here's to a better night ahead and drier times and a move from I've peed through I'm peeing to I need to pee...

#7 Weekly Weigh-in

Keeping track thrice weekly but here's the official weekly weigh-in:

#7 13 st 2 lbs (184 pounds)
#6 13 st 1 lbs (183 pounds)

From operations to mama being disastrously emotional/useless to potty training and well lots of chocolate and large portions - yet again amazed the gain was only that of a pound.

Third (Amended) Goal - to lose something!
Reward - momentary success and perhaps the ten peach loop sweets I never got around to getting myself when last I succeeded

#6 Weekly Weigh-in

Keeping track thrice weekly but here's the official weekly weigh-in:

#6 13 st 1 lbs (183 pounds)
#5 13 st 0 lbs (182 pounds)

Amazingly after another week of chocolate and not small portions I have only gone up a pound - I'd almost count it a success. Bundle came through his operation beautifully, his Mama is still recovering however.

Third (Amended) Goal - to lose something!
Reward - momentary success and perhaps the ten peach loop sweets I never got around to getting myself when last I succeeded

Day 31 - Cleaning around a catheter

Actually was fairly productive today as we "relaxed" post-operatively, Hubs allowed me a rest-in (completely awake time to myself in a somewhet zombified state following the unsettled-ness of the baby's sleep. He freaked out at eleven o'clock and we HAD TO FORCE PAIN MEDS INTO HIM; from then he slept and fed well and then had a wakeful period from 6-7am so I was basically awake.

We were awaiting the morning poo and the changing of both nappies, disentangling the catheter, keeping his hands from it, keeping it from dripping over the new nappies/changing area/Bundle himself, while actually cleaning him up and also keeping him out of the poo and away from his bandaged up genitals - why do mums have only two hands? He got there comfortably (yay) and we set to with some bickering and little "spillage" but intact.

Fast forward through a lovely visit to the in-laws' house (including seeing our wee 3yo niece) and then home for a story, milkies, (no toilet), putting his doll to bed and then going himself after prayers. Bundle stirred after forty-five minutes and then fed/slept attached until the two hour mark. A dry outer nappy in place, dolly awakened and after some playtime with Granda, his 9yo boy cuz and Nanny, I started on our dinner preparations. Midway my nostrils were assaulted, Bundle wasn't upset (yay) and poo number two (pun intended) of the day was facing me.

Nanny had gone to bed and Granda had taken my nephew home so Han Solo I prepared for battle. I worked quicker, distracted (where is your head?) and only had slight "spillage" and excessive wipe-usage as the bad points to the change.

Dinner was had and enjoyed to the accompanying family-friendly movie, "Yours, mine and ours" and was followed up by a productive clean-up/empty dishwasher/reload it/repack baby bag/put away laundry time. As often occurs we also had an evening ablution that I didn't hesitate to handle alone.

I was better prepared and after feeding the catheter tube ends back through the inner nappy I wrapped them in a cloth nappy fleece liner, held in place with sellotape, to prevent further "spillage." Distractions were less effective and a stern tone and hand removal were the only things that prevented Bundle from removing his catheter (twice), scary stuff. Poo clean-up complete I unwrapped, reinserted and nappied him up for the night.

So he has the catheter in until mid-morning Monday and it cannot come soon enough and yet I can only pray it's long enough to allow greater healing of his "high-powered hose." In the meantime, pyjamas are the order of the day.

31 days of Cleaning House has not exactly been mastered but it was at least discussed, baby steps people!

Day 30 - Thankful for Clean

Today I was thankful for clean, or more precisely sterile as my Bundle underwent a hypospadias repair operation.

I was also thankful for the many prayers that accompanied him "under the knife;" the lovely surgeon, A Dick (I kid you not); being first then bumped only to second on the theatre list; being "farmed out" to a private hospital on the public health service, which despite the added miles of travel (getting up at half five this morning) was wonderful, friendly, aesthetically pleasing and noticeably cleaner; for warm-hearted encouraging staff nurses; for encouraging and prayerful texts and for the news that my grandfather (though struggling with low blood pressure) came through his op. last night as well.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Going in I had struggled for days with emotions but I was strong for my son beginning last night and lasting until after I left him "sleeping" on the operating table, at which point the tears flowed, I didn't even realise I'd walked up a flight of ten steps to meet my husband.

Afterwards he was somewhat distraught for the first hour, settling only while (breast)feeding and then eating and drinking - poor wee mite he has done so well today.

My dark thoughts coming in to the op. had included every variation of the worst-case scenario and thus all happiness today was magnified, it is how I have always processed information. I went in fully giving him to God and I came out blessed that God allowed us to keep him, intact. My preparations included many photographs and a voice recording of his latest jabbering and they shall be treasured regardless but how lovely to have kept "the real thing," our bonny little boy.

Now sleeping in his double nappy with catheter in place and his parents' hearts intact.

#5 Weekly Weigh-in

Keeping track thrice weekly but here's the official weekly weigh-in (actually from yesterday):

#5 13 st 0 lbs (182 pounds)
#4 13 st 0 lbs (182 pounds)

Amazingly an almost-week of overeating and indulging and lots of chocolate hasn't thrown my weight off (it went up then back down across the week). Emotional eating was/is the rule at the moment but hopefully I'll put myself back on track after Bundle's op is over him (it was this morning by the time for which this is scheduled).

Third Goal - to reach my lowest post-partum weight (12 st 8 lbs) and get back to where I was 2009/2010
Reward - add a sticker to my "star chart" for every pound lost, working toward another book buying reward and jump around the house like a mad thing.

Day 29 - Emotional

Very emotional today as I consider my baby (23 months) going under the knife in the morning. I've soent the day cleaning out my emotions (and brushing the nursry) so I am ready to be strong for my baby come the morning.

That's all I've got.

Bundle Tales #4

20-23 months

Making the car/vehicle noises as he plays.

Developing a keen interest in animals and vehicles of all sorts but especially in love with cows and tractors (good choices since we often are surrounded by one or t'other.

Saying so much more, or at least trying to and signing lots more too. Generally just communicating in all the pleasant and more frustrating ways also (real temper scream of fury).

For a time responding to the question of who I am with Dad but now beautifully sing-songing Mem, Memmy or Mummy.

Dad, Daddy, lots of words are da.
Mem, Memmy, Mummy.
Moo for cow. Baa for sheep/lamb.
Beep-beep (horn noise, noise your nose makes when pressed).
Ding-ding (bicycle bell).
Tractor or some approximation.
Ga, Ganny, Nenny. (Granda, Granny, Nanny).
Cheers and cheese having very little between them but context and not always that.
Saying his own name, which can also be eerily similar or gorgeously clear, ditto for Please.
Apple, Amen, Toast, Pat (for Postman Pat - who he adores from our many books).
Mo for more accompanied by his version of the sign.
Trying so hard and just exploding with new mimickry of words and much more "chat" at around 23m.
Betty (great-aunt and also family dog). Help. Book. Man. Bob. Car.

Running everywhere but especially to meet his Daddy at the door after work.

Still charming everyone he meets, even when he's being "shy" and playing peekaboo from behind my legs or over my shoulder. The shy act never lasts long despite the situation though.

Freezing on thresholds out of "shyness" and often needing to be carried inside but quickly recovering himself and "working the room."

Growing into 12-18 month size clothes at 22 1/2 months though by no means all of them, especially still between sizes on the trousers initially but then enjoying a second growth spurt (causing much face-first tripping as the muscles seek to catch-up with the bones).

Starting to be a much neater eater and gaining a lot of ground in self-spoon-feeding and using the more fast-flowing water cups. Occasionally managing to not destroy a whole outfit for lack of three bibs (yes layering them up was necessary, still is, in order to avoid three daily changes of clothing).

Eats a wide variety of foods from eggs (omelette, quiche, dry-fried), courgettes, carrots, mushrooms, apple, orange, plum, nectarine, raisins, grapes, occasionally bananas (though they are a big no-no or for about a week a big yes-yes), peas, green beans, sweetcorn, pizza, pepperoni, smoked salmon, beef, chicken, cheese, ham, bacon, pancakes, biscuits, bread and bagels, beans (all but especially tinned with tomato sauce), lasagna, hot apple barley cereal, sausages, chips or waffles, potatoes in other forms (finally), creamed rice, cake, to fish fingers...

Happily dons his coat at the mere mention of outside.

On our fourth pair of spectacles (second design) as our head grows (a very noticeable millimetre at a time).

Sitting through whole church services with minimal disruption or noise, plays with his quiet toys/reads/enjoys his morning snack with oerhaps one trip to the loo signalled by an antsy bottom.

Showing lots of interest in other children and physically wanting to touch, tap or hug; alas not always welcomed and he seems to always choose the children that will squall the loudest over his entering their personal space.

Learning to be gentle in stroking the dogs Lucy and Betty.

Still enjoying his milkies day and night and signs milkies with great glee.

Won't really feed in public/when out as he gets too distracted, even at LLL surrounded by nursing babies/toddlers.

Still being toileted at regular intervals and very occasionally will sign to go. Most number twos are in the potty, thank goodness.

Settling into his sleep even better (welcomes the routine or it but still not keen on the cot or being left lone to sleep except in the cocoon of the buggy).

Still enjoys from 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours sleep in the afternoon and only nods off in the car on the way home from La Leche League and can now be difficult to keep asleep during the transfer inside from the car.

Goes to sleep to the sound of Mama singing or playing the piano or both but also to silence and stillness (no pushing/rocking/bouncing) and enjoys just snuggling in.

Enjoys sleeping back-to-back with Daddy.

Loves to do that wonderful toddler trick of kicking the covers off of himself in the that one graceful double leg movement.

Has been found at the bottom on the bed (usually on top but once underneath the covers) in the middle of the night.

Still loves to dance and play the bodrhan along to Galway Girl and most music.

Had his first haircut at about 21 1/2 months and went from lots of "isn't she lovely" comments to no one mistaking his gender in one fell swoop - his proper little boy haircut is so lovely that I can't believe I waited so long and yet I totally can as his little curls are all but gone, with only a kink or two remaining.

Wearing his first little suit (matching formal trousers, waistcoat, shirt and velcro tie) to church and just looking so stunning that Daddy has dressed *up* to match instead of a more casual look.

Happy chappy, smiler, my friend described him as "manically happy."

Brave (usually) about physical challenges, climbing up/down e.g. step ladder, high/low bed, chairs, stairs though can freak out over surprisingly low things, ah the queerness of folk.

Enjoys the mountainous challenge that is climbing the external steps to our home.

Very obedient, usually and we've had many "wow" comments about how he responds - a real answer to prayer because for the longest time he just ignored all instruction.

Loves to put the dirty (disposable) nappies in the bin and the wet (cloth) nappies in the nappy bin/bucket; also laundry into the hamper/washer/dryer.

Loves to tidy up his toys so much he's been known to do it unbidden; at the LLL group as I was trying to get him to leave and enjoys the satisfaction of toys in their "homes."

When asked to park his "scooter," or "truck" he does so.

He signs for prayer, bed, milkies, more, book,
We're working on (or should be) drink, help, sorry, thank you, food and "I love you."

Can take off his (non-popper) vest, wide-legged shorts, pyjama bottoms and unzipped body-warmer solo and tops with a little assistance.

Will hold your hand for a walk and stay fairly contented in the trolley on shopping trip.