Re-using terry flats :)

As most of our friends know, If i can make it myself, fat chance I'll buy it! I have this frugal side of me that makes me attempt just about anything if it means we can save a few $$. So this is the latest in me re-using old things to make something new...
The top is spew cloths (for want of a better term!) for Ande, and the smaller one is cloth wipes for the boys :) I had some other cloth wipes awhile ago, but made these about 3 weeks ago, and they work really well. I'm way too cheap to use disposable wipes... Gosh they cost alot!

In training!

Garrett has been getting SOOO good at helping lately... I did curse the day i brought his chair into the kitchen so he could make his own pizza for lunch, but really, it has given him such independence too... Annoying as it can be, he'll go get his own bikkies (destroying the pantry too!), and he comes in and helps with dinner and lunches too... and last night.... this:

He actually did some really well (I did have to re do some of it tho), but all in all, he did really well :D

So proud of the way he is growing up. He has been so polite lately too! Always saying thankyou... (mind you, you cant prompt him! Such a male, it has to be his own idea!)

Nawwwww... Brothers :)

Garrett is STILL smitten with Ande. Makes me wonder why I ever worried! And :p to all the people who said that he wouldn't, and that it was just novelty - that it would wear off and he'd hate him soon enough... A is just shy of 3 months - and it is still the same.

I love my little boys. I know I was worried about having a boy, and how I'd feel not having a girl... but seriously - I love having all boys. I really truly do.

I was born to be these boys mummy. They are my all... even when G pushes my buttons!

She's a bit Handy, wouldn't you say?

I have a bit of a thing for bags at the moment... Cant decide for the life of me which handbag to use - So i've been making more :D


This one I made as a handbag... Then for what ever reason I have started taking less things with me to the shops, so I made a newer smaller one ;)





Im loving these fabrics tho... Its giving me a chance to be a girly girl, and getting to sew with pretty fabrics and not get in trouble for putting the boys in pinks!

Gosh my heart breaks for him!

My poor little monkey has allergies, again! He was given the all clear a couple of months back... but apparently he isn't!

<< This is when i first noticed it. He started scratching up his arm. Gosh it must have been itchy.

He had been playing in a friends backyard, and hadnt eaten anything out of the blue... So it was baffling me what could have caused such a reaction.

Rang the GP's and got him an appointment asap (which was in an hour...)



This one was from at the GP's office, so an hour after the initial reaction.




These were from when we got home, and after he had taken medication - so 3 hours post reaction.

Poor kid. He was so itchy that he was almost scratching his skin off!

He was such a trooper!

We thought it might have been lime burn, but I decided to keep a food and behaviour diary anyway (other reasons and the fact the GP first thought it was a reaction to something ingested)...

It happened again yesterday afternoon!

I think he is reacting to processed sliced cheese... Poor thing, Its his favourite food right now!

Boo Boys, otherwise known as BOO-iants

Boo-iants, Bekky language for Giants..

Ande has his 2month check up yesterday, so here is the comparison for the boys at the same age...

Ande
Weight: 6.48kg (up 2.47kg on birth)
Length: 59.5cm (Up8.5cm on birth)
HC: 40cm (up 6cm on birth)

Garrett:
Weight: 6.995kg (Up 2.88kg on birth)
Length: 59cm (up 5cm on birth)
HC: 40.5cm (up 5cm on birth)

Ande fitted into a size 1 bonds singlet today too.... oh dear! Thanks Kerry for this singlet too :) Lucky it was the 1 and not a 000 or 00, otherwise he'd never get to wear it!

The Lee update - September '08

Part of the reason for starting this blog was to keep extended family up-to-date with the movements and goings on around here... Please remind me to do an update at least once a month! :D


So where do i begin? Lets start with the boys!


Garrett is now 2 years 4 months old... Crikey how time has flown! He loves doing 'cheers' and often says thank you when he is given something- Although this cant be prompted - he will ignore you! Last time we weighed him (last week) he was about 17/18kg. BIG boy. He is now in size 4-5tops and 3 for bottoms.




Toilet training is still going well, although he has to be pants free for the sensation to click and for him to actually use the potty. Jocks work the same as a nappy, and he gives us no warnings - and refuses to go. So for now - its pants free time at home while he builds up the understanding. Its hot enough here now that he is probably enjoying the nudie time anyway!


Let me see if i can get list all his words (well ones that he actually repeats and arent a one off):


*Dad (and all forms of)
*Mum (and all forms of)
*Ummmm
*Thank you
*Terah (although it doesnt always come out very clearly)
*Dog

*Door
*Keys
*Cheers
*What
*That
*This
*Yes (and all forms of)
*No (and all forms of - including 'NUP'!)

Sure there is more, but i just cant think right now. Ill update this if i do think of more.

He has also said these, but hasnt repeated them since (so could be a fluke)

"Mum, Ande's crying"
"Nissan"
"Hyundai"

One of his favourite games when we are out and about it, is pointing to car's badges and he asks "Whats that", so we tell him the make of the car. It can become very repetitive! Lots of Holdens and Toyotas around here! The time he said Nissan and hyundai, was when he pointed to their symbols on the cars, he got them right too - Daddy was most proud!

Ande is a whole 2 months old now! My how time has flown! He is so adorable. He is grinning and gurgling so much now. He is starting to even like his daddy alittle more - which is making things alot easier on me. For a long time there, Ande only wanted me - and even though that was a massive ego boost, it also made life very hard!

He isn't sleeping through yet, but G still doesnt some nights, so im not really fazed by that. He only wakes for 2 feeds, so its very easy to manage. He has been sleeping in his bassinet again (thanks once again Nanny and Poppy!), so at least for the first couple of hours of the night im getting some deeper sleep.

A is now in 00, even some 0 - and today is in a size 1 singlet! He is just like his brother, growing a the speed of light.

Ande had his 2 month shots yesterday. He coped very well. Only the standard ouch cry, and then that was it. He slept almost all of yesterday, and today he is almost back to normal - except for being alittle warm. Although its supposed to be 33 here today (In the coldest spot of our house is 27 at the moment!), so it could have something to do with that more so than the shots. Im aiming to delay giving him panadol for as long as i possibly can. There was reports not long ago that delaying giving babies panadol until after they are 12months is very beneficial - so that is what we are aiming for. Within in reason - of course! Boobs are great pain relief - so we will be going the natural route first.

I'm very much smitten with my little man. He is mummy's little boy... Makes my heart melt every time i see him!

So - Now onto Jason i suppose?!

He is still rather enjoying his job with Mark, its almost been a year now. He has been out of the sun too, which is a real blessing. He has recently found a new skin cancer tho, and some others have come back, so its off to the Dr. to get them checked again.

Still working away on his cars, although since Ande's arrival, that is on the backburner - again!

Got some more weekend work coming up hopefully - so that will keep him busy ;)

and me?

I've been coping pretty well since Ande's arrival. I guess that our bonding has gotten off to a better start than with Garrett, so that has helped matters.

I've been on a bit of self discovery lately, and been trying to improve my behaviour and thoughts in general. I found myself being alittle nasty towards the end of the pregnancy - so this is something im trying to change.

I have lost alot of weight since having Ande. Hoping to loose more too... just need to get back into exercise now that i can.

That should be it for this month - check in next month to see whats happening!

All we need is love.... love, love. Love is all we need!

Gosh i am so in love it scares me.

I am in love with my husband.
I am in love with my sons.
I am in love with my family.
I am in love with my friends.
I am in love with my life.
I am in love with myself (ahhahahah, well some days I am, and you have to be - hating yourself isnt healthy!)

Its really sad that it takes something so horribly tragic like Dani loosing Josh for me to truly grasp just how lucky i am, and then treasure every moment i have with the people and things that i love.

So what and who do you love?

other than the above, today I am in love with:

Queensland weather - How gorgeous is it to live in the sunshine state? The weather is like being on holidays every day. I open my curtains in the morning to this gorgeous earth that we are on. Blue skies, fresh cut grass - does it get any sweeter?

Cherry coke - I found a shop at the hyperdome today that sells it, along with Dr Pepper and all other assortment of US drinks and lollies... Mmmmmm I love that shop! Too bad its stupidly overpriced! I shake my fist at Coke Australia for stopping production here!

ABC kids - 1 and 2. Its great that I can such quality entertainment on all day in the background. Its great seeing G actually start to interact with the TV, and understand jokes and such!

LCD screen cleaner - Very blessed that it works. Even after the crayon incident, Garrett has still managed to find more things to attack the TV with, and thank goodness - they have come off!

So if anyone actually reads this - tell me - What do you love?

Cheers!

Somethings really amuse me about Garrett's development.

This new stage is one of them. Garrett says "cheers" all the time... Its so funny. This morning he even 'cheer'd the tap (as Jason just filled his bottle up with water out of it). Its so cute to see that he understands what it means. Although last week he did 'cheers' with the washers in the bath as he was sucking on one and i was washing Ande with the other... He has now started to 'cheers' with food too.

Funny little lad he is.

Don't think i have mentioned his self portrait stage either... Gosh this is funny.....

He understands how to use our phones to take a photo. So he does. Only the photos are always of himself - on purpose. I have folders and folders full of these funny photos of Garrett, usually only half of his face tho, or his chest - depending on how far he has tilted the phone.

Such a funny little man. How could you not love him to bits?!

Teeth, who'd have them?

Honestly, who would?

The pregnancy with Ande really stuffed my body around. Its really amazing when you think about it. He needed calcium, i wasn't taking enough in, so it had to come from somewhere..... So it came from my teeth. So instead of him going without - my body plucks it from anywhere it can get it. The wonders of the human body and pregnancy. Only problem now is i have one really bad tooth. I've been having tooth aches since about 24weeks. Thought it was wisdom tooth pain, but its still coming. Although it isn't all the time, so i didn't think it was a cavity... Tried sensitive toothpaste, didn't do anything. I can get away without pain if i don't chew on that side - so that's what I've been doing.

My fear of dentists is really the preventer here! I just don't want to go to one, nor can we really afford to, so i just put up with it... Hmmmm wonder if that is really all that intelligent? Oh well... Its probably just one more thing to leave alone until after Christmas!

The sad thing in all of this? I brush my teeth every day. Jason doesn't, yet I'm the one that has problems! Guess it comes from having no enamel!

Road Trippin'!

What an interesting weekend that was!!

Last week was Mum's birthday, and at the start of the month, Dad organised for us to come down for a visit and surprise mum. Jason took Friday off so that we could leave in the morning instead of the night, to hopefully make it better on the kiddies.

How much longer could a trip take when you add a 2 year old and a 8week old? uhhhh about 2 hours!

It was shocking! It took us about 8 hours to get from home to Tamworth...

It was a great visit tho. I really miss my family, and i dont realise just how much until it is time to leave.

Garrett got to play with his cousins, and all the family got to meet Ande... (all bar Aunty Rachee. We miss you!!).

I hope it was a nice surprise for Mum, i only wish it could have been for longer!

Trip home was alot quicker... I sat in the back and fed Ande while he was still strapped in his car seat. Thank goodness for country highways! No one was the wiser... I had just finished a feed, when we pulled through a RBT station just outside of stanthorpe! Thankgoodness... The poor coppers would have got a little bit of an eye full otherwise! Dont worry, i was still wearing my seat beat too.

We are all home safe now, and counting down to christmas to do it all over again - well, we hope to anyway!

Photo taken by Jason :) His phone takes some good shots, eh?! The wagon in my brothers that Jason is picking up at christmas as a project car. There are some others i'll add when i can find them on the computer!

Heartbreak and loneliness...

Are there really words that come close to expressing the emotions needed when you loose a loved one? So far in my life i have been blessed to not loose anyone very close, and until yesterday I didn't even think how blessed i have been.

Yesterday a good friend lost her husband suddenly. I cant even begin to imagine the pain she is going through right now. I read a post in her blog just then that sent tears down my face instantly. She said she had slept for a couple of hours and when she woke up she had forgotten, and went to stroke his side, but he wasn't there. Oh my god what i would give to give him back to her.

A young life that ended way too soon.

I will appreciate every day more. Every second extra I get with my family I will cherish, because you never know when it could all be taken away.

I hope she knows I'm here for her whenever she needs me. I have no idea the extent of her pain, but I'm here in whatever capacity that she needs me in.

Ande Daniel - otherwise known as 'Minibum'

Every family would have nicknames for their kids... For some reason, Garrett became 'littlebum', so when Ande came along, J called him 'minibum' one day and it just stuck.

Ande Daniel was born 4th August, 2008 (2 years, 2 months to the day after his big brother!). Born by way of VBAC after 22 hours of labour. VERY hard birth. Not sure if it was because I had the c-section with Garrett, or just because it went on for so long... After 2 hours of pushing, i was passing out between contractions and he's heart rate wasn't recovering, so he was delivered with the help of vacuum extraction. His poor little noggin! It had a massive bruise and was pulled slightly out of shape from it. But he was delivered healthy and safe, and that's all that matters.

Throughout the pregnancy with Ande, I was constantly concerned that i wouldn't bond again with my child. I didn't feel as connected to Ande throughout the pregnancy like i had with Garrett. And i was concerned that my desire for a girl would trump all and i wouldn't bond like i wanted to. My mum kept telling me that it didn't matter what gender the baby was, when i had them in my arms, I wouldn't care. She was right. When Ande was placed on my belly, I was in love! Might have had something to do with the agony part being over and done with!! hahahha!

Little Ande is almost 8 weeks old now. He is mummy's little man this time. He doesnt care much for his Daddy *sniggers*... So we got one each! Maybe my bonding theory is right. Ande's bond swayed in my favour, where Garrett's swayed in Jason's...



I have had no trouble bonding with Ande. Maybe this is also what has allowed Garrett and I to become closer. The pressure is off now....

I love my little boys... precious gifts from God.

Garrett Nicholas... The boy who made me a mother...

My first born.

What a rude shock into the world of parenting ;)!

Garrett was born on Sunday 4th June, 2006 at 6.05am. Arriving by emergency c-section weighing in at 4110g (or 9lb 1oz for you old timers!).

They held him up over the curtain and my first words (and thoughts, they didn't get caught by the intelligence filter in my brain) were "Holy CRAP, he's huge!"... (thank goodness the intelligence filter kicked in before the first words could have been rude!). I honestly didn't believe that babies came out that big! All my my contact with newborns before this had been with small/average babies and my premature nephew. So with Garrett coming out at 9lb its no surprise i was caught off guard.


The pregnancy was a bit rough. I had issues with my heart and i got HUGE (that in itself should have been the indicator on his size!). But all in all, it wasn't too bad. I bonded really well with him while he was inside of me - too bad that wasn't the case after his birth.

This is Garrett at 3 weeks old. Admitted back to hospital, just 1 week after his due date with pneumonia, RSV and bronchitis. He was very sick, poor thing. On oxygen and being tube fed... Still managed to gain 500g that week, a sign of just how big he was going to become!

I think we are all taught to believe that pregnancy/birth/motherhood is always this glorious, joyous experience. Someone you'll never be frustrated with - a relationship always filled with love, and nothing but it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love Garrett with all my heart. I just never knew someone you could love so much, could send you so far around the bend you turn into a pretzel. We are constantly bumping heads. And to top it off, he has his fathers temper! YAY!



Its just sad that i didn't really bond with him until Ande was born. Its strange to think that a new addition to the family could improve our relationship so much. Maybe children have a limited bonding amount in their first couple of years... And it doesn't divide equally between the parents.... *ponders...* Jason has always been Garrett's favourite. Even as a newborn he would only really want me for feeds (if Jason could have lactated i would have been obsolete... i just looked up the spelling and got this meaning - gosh it fits well!)

Obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when a person, object, or service is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order. Obsolescence frequently occurs because a replacement has become available that is superior in one or more aspects.

Slowly but surely, my eldest and I are starting to connect more. Although I have a feeling that this relationship imbalance will stay through out his life... He is defiantly Daddy's little man!

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Its always sad at this time of the year. Within the space of 3 weeks, there is 4 birthdays in our family. Why is this sad? Well because I am interstate from them all (well, also in a different country to my sister at the moment toO!). I miss them at this time of the year. Birthdays are always such wonderful celebrated times in our family.

Today is my mummy's birthday. In case she doesnt want me mentioning her age, ill leave this blank, but its a very important one!

Mum, I hope you have a wonderful birthday today. Im sorry we are so far away and unable to celebrate in person with you.


You are such a great mum. I couldnt ask for a better one. I hate living so far away from you and dad! My little cubs think your a wonderful nanny too, and they cant wait to see you again!

Happy birthday mum!

Its fort building time!

Oh my goodness! My little man is growing up so quick!

Last night while i was giving the boys their baths, Jason was creating a special surprise for his little man. When Garrett got out of the bath and got dressed, he found this > in his room!

He had so much fun playing with Daddy in his first fort! Its amazing to think how quickly kids grow up, to think that he is only 2 years old, and he is already playing like this :D awwww - mummy can still remember him being lifted over the curtain after the Cesarean and saying "holy crap, he's huge!".... Time flys by so quickly, i know in no time flat he will be going to school, getting a job, getting married... *cry* Why cant time stand still so i can capture more of these moments!

Bekkity Boo returns!

With the acquisition of my grandmothers horn sewing cabinet, the sewing bug finally caught back up with me! After so long out of the game, it was actually refreshing (not demanding) to be back behind the machine again.

So far I've created new curtains for the front room. I got some gorgeous sunout denim blue jacard print fabric, and just run up some rod pockets. Makes a huge difference! Now every Tom, Dick and Hazza can't look up and see me walk through the house. Hopefully being such quality fabric, and having the backing on it will also help with the hot queensland sun through summer.

This week was Ande's turn. I did him up 8 new pocket nappies. He's been in cloth most of the time for the past 2 weeks. I had actually intended him on being a full time cloth baby from birth, but it never turned out that way... I gots lazy ;) even after i made him a full stash ready to go from birth!

So in his new collection he has rainbow minky, birds feather, MM fleece, Thomas the tank, a Mr. Happy nappy, hot rod flames (same as his big brother! Ill have to get a shot of them together with them on!) and some cute stars...

With Garrett now toliet training, the pressure for nappies has decreased. So at least i can still have some fun with it! (Having said that, Ande is in sposie now as he has a rash that needed some bepathan...)

Im really happy to be sewing again. Its a creative outlet i have really missed... Now to train the baby to sleep when the toddler does, and i'll be set!

Brothers...Buddys from the beginning.

Quite honestly, I'm loving being mummy to two boys. There is such joy in watching boys bond, even at this young age that my two are at now.

From the day that we brought Ande home (well, even earlier the day before when G met him for the first time in hospital), Garrett has been so very smitten with his baby brother. They are 2 years, 2 months apart (to the day!), and G has been playing every bit the part of big brother ever since.

Yesterday was 7 weeks since Ande was born, and nothing has changed. Garrett gives him lots of kisses, tuddles and high 5's. He also reserves his very few and far between clear words for his brother too... Like earlier today while i was doing a spot of gardening (*shock!*), Ande was in the bouncer near by and started crying... Garrett walked towards him and called out:

"Mum!" to which i replied "Yes?"

"Ande's Crying"

I couldnt help but smile. Garrett doesnt say much - well not alot that the average human would understand. But this sentence was clear as day.

It really melts my heart seeing my boys together. And to think all the worry i had during the pregnancy on how they would go together, and how i would bond with my new baby. I need not have worried. Having the two of them has changed me as a person - for the better.

I'm voting blue trumps pink... and i dont have to worry about teenage PMS!



Mothers of brothers, can i hear a 'w00t w00t'?

Testing...1...2...3

Ok, lets see how this Blogging thing goes.

I wonder if i have anything interesting to write about!

Here's my two boys. Left is Ande, my new little poppet. He is such a cutie - even when he chucks! and Garrett is on the right. He's mummy's big boy!

So this should do for testing... I promise ill write something more interesting soon!