Diane...

Still working on that post and I guess I have even more to add to it now with Christmas and all...but I just wanted to put a message out to Diane who left me a comment.

I am not able to contact you as there is no contact info on your profile but if you email me at nesearle (at) tpg (dot) com (au) I would be happy to give you more info.

Happy New Year everyone! (Just in case I don't get back here before then lol!)

Wondering where I am?

A couple of people have emailed me asking where I am and if everything is ok - I'm currently working on a post that I just can't seem to finish but it will come. So, short answer......we are here, we are all alive, things are not overly great right now but I'll get to that later. Just enjoying Christmas right now :)

So until than....

Looking better

This is Ashlee's lip - post incident day 1 (so about 24 hours later)

Outside - a little swelling, not looking so bad

Inside - not so great.....

She is feeling a little better but still quite sore and I guess losing weight because she can't eat much at all. Even drinking is hard!

Here we have Zachary in his Theratogs

From the front....

And from the back....AFO's and all.

This was the initial try-on. These are normally worn under the clothes. Our Physio suggested taking these photos for reference as it can get a little confusing in the beginning apparently. Wearing these 4 hours a day is like doing 50 hours a week of hands on therapy. Zach is still tolerating them at the moment, he is pretty good with most things.

Not much else going here. A little grocery shopping today, I have also been doing a few 'photo shoots' for people too. All free of course and all to get up some more practice. Live near me and want to get a free shoot with a CD of all the photos to help me get up more practice? Email me.

Here a few from my shoot with my gorgeous little nephew Caleb....

He was such a darling little boy but eventually it had to come to an end....

I also did a small Christmas photo shoot for another friend of her two sweet little boys, making them into a holiday card for her.

A close friend of mine had a stunning little 6lb baby girl on the 26th and one of my gifts to them is a newborn shoot. Lots of fun playing around and of course snuggling with sweet little newborns!

That's all for now, here a few photos of my clan to finish with.....

(Favourites of the 'out takes')

Just a quickie...

because I'm stuffed and because I haven't been around for a while.

Returned from the hospital tonight, Ashlee split her lip WIDE open. 5 stitches on the inside and 2 on the outside. It really didn't look that bad if it wasn't for the swelling but once we got to hospital and they looked on the inside of her lip I was shocked! A huge gash about 7-8cm long and about 1cm deep! My poor little girl was (and still is!) in so much pain! It brought me to tears watching her get stitched up while she squeezed my hand for dear life. This was even after a cannula, some heavy drugs and a lot of anesthetic. Thankfully the cut to the outside of her lip is only about 1cm long and is right in the middle, cosmetically the doctor thinks it will be fine. She was sent home on panadine forte and also told nothing but liquids for a week. That didn't go down to well as she was already starving by the time we left the hospital. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she heals. No school for her tomorrow.

As for Zachary, we had him at the hospital recently after he took a header head first off a retainer wall on to concrete. Thankfully he is OK but with some bruising and cuts.

Today we started his trial with the new (well about 10 years old but relatively new to Australia) Theratogs! (Also some more info here) Firstly I will say after just one day I am VERY impressed and would highly recommend them! Zach has Diplegia so is mainly effected from his waist down with some involvement of the right arm but he is definitely more effected in the right leg than the left. He toe walks, drags and turns in his right leg a lot more than his left. These theratogs had him walking in his frame quite straight minutes after having it on.

I'll go into everything more next and I have photos of him in it too. Going to check on Ashlee and head to bed for now......

Hmmm.....

I haven't totally fallen off the face of the planet - I'm still around but things have been pretty hectic here. So, what have we been up to...??

In general:

As most people know, moving house is usually a pretty big thing. And time consuming! Who out there was still unpacking boxes 3 weeks later? Moving with 2 x 2 year olds and a 5 year old that just wants to be helpful is very tiring but thankfully with a bit of help we got here and we are loving it. The house is pretty much set up, I'm now down to adding our own touches. Pictures on the wall, rugs etc. Than all that's left is sorting out some boxes still in the garage into chuck, donate and sell piles - not really looking forward to that. Really tempted to just chuck but I really can't see things that are perfectly good go to the dump! Hoarder much...??

Now down to us:

Ashlee.....has been sick, a lot, lately. I really don't know whats up with that. Monday she had her high school orientation day but by the time she got home she was like death warmed up and has been home from school ever since. She will stay home again tomorrow just to be sure and hopefully is right for Monday. Her finger is finally de-splinted and tomorrow morning we are heading back to the OT for a final check up. All should be good as she hasn't any pain lately, a good sign that after over 5 months it is finally healed! Other than all that it is all about decorating her new room and getting ready for high school next year.

Mitchell.....is starting school in January. I can't believe my little boy is that grown up! Last Thursday and today we had his Kinder Orientation. He enjoyed it and I think he will be fine next year. Compared to the other kids he is HUGE! People do comment on his size and are surprised when I tell them that he is only 5 but never thought anything of it until I saw him with these other children. He is considerably taller than them and taking after his Dad he is pretty solid too. By solid I mean solid not fat by any means.

Zachary.....is advancing nicely. He no longer gives wearing his AFO's a second thought and they are just a normal thing for him now. Zach has decided that getting around at home is much nicer when he is pushing a little ride on 4 wheel bike with a handle than his walker so we now keep his walker for going out. His physio is really happy with this as he was getting to 'good' with his walker and not really stepping properly just dragging and sliding and relying on the walker to hold him up. With the bike he has to work a little more to stay up right and has to slow down and step properly. We are finding that he tripping on his feet a lot more now as his right foot turns further and further in. We are really trying to work on his leg with physio at the moment but we are also looking forward to botox and hoping that after December 14th and some intensive therapy for a few months following things might just be a little better for him. A wheelchair is on order at the moment but really long term we are hoping we know he won't need it. Especially with his determination and great rehab therapist Damien. He has CP himself and really gives us hope!


Anna.....well Anna as of yesterday has been officially diagnosed by our Paed with Asthma. We now carry Ventolin and a spacer EVERYWHERE as he feels she is not in the best shape at the moment but he has also put her on Singulair to take daily as a preventor. My little girl has been constantly unwell since she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia last month and is still not back to her normal self. We are going back to the see Dr Rosier again in a month for a follow up check up and take it from there. At the moment she is a bit of a mystery. Anna is also sporting a cut knee after falling twice on the same knee and also a cut and bruised cheek after a run in with the window sill in the play room. I think both of things can be put down to her vision as every time she refuses to wear her glasses we end up with some kind of fall. We see the Eye clinic again in March to reassess her for surgery.

Me.....I'm going well, a little tired from all the running around to appointments and late nights but getting there. I'm sick of these heat though! Its way to hot! Carting the kids around in this heat everyday is just making everyone tired and cranky.

Next year I will be returning to study - more on that later......

I'm going to call it a night now, its nearly 10pm and I need to be up and out the door before 8am for Ashlee's OT appointment in Belconnen. I really need some catch up sleep!

But lastly just because I can.....sweet little blue baby!

Baby Caleb

Isn't he just the cutest!

Caleb ~ 5 hours old

Welcome to the world....

Caleb Daniel

Saturday October 31st
7:11am

6lb 15oz - 48cm

My brand new little nephew was born this morning! And he is soooo darn cute! Poor little bugger has a badly bruised head from a forceps delivery though. Melissa is coping well after unfortunately a very bad birth experience, in pain and very tired but she did it and he is here!

Almost 49 hours passed from the first contraction until little Caleb's arrival. Please keep Melissa, my brother Daniel and brand new little Caleb in your thought and prayers as they recover and bond.

I'm an Auntie!

Its ON!

And I am very excited!!

My dear sweet SIL is headed to the hospital! Contractions are 2 minutes apart. Sweet little baby boy will soon be here! I'm going to be an AUNTY!

In other news....(hehehe)

* We finally have the net back on!

* We moved on Saturday
* We are LOVING it here!
* I'm HATING unpacking boxes
* ....but I'm LOVING all the space!
* And I am loving putting things away - neatly and orderly
* I'm loving decorating
* The kids are loving their new rooms - ESPECIALLY Ashlee

Things are pretty great - I even won a second prize in the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt! Second time running - last hunt I won Grand Prize. Tonight I went to the Parent Information Evening at Mitchell's soon to be school. Jerrabomberra is such a great school!

Signing off now, its late.....

More Layouts

Just a couple of recent layouts.....new post below with updates and some GREAT NEWS!



{Credits to come}

{Credits to come}

It feels like Christmas!!

After having such a horrible time over the last few weeks I think our luck has finally turned! I pick up the keys on our new house (rented.....) tomorrow! We are moving in over the weekend! I'm like a little girl on Christmas morning....really!

I-CAN'T-WAIT......

...to have my own space
...to have more space
...to have my children in there own rooms again
...to play in the back yard on a warm sunny day
...to sleeping in my own bed - by myself
...to see Ashlee so happy to have her things ago

I could go on......

I will miss......

...having Mum to help out
...having an adult to talk to at night in peace and quiet
...our little pussy cat - he can't come but will live with Mum until he can join us again

Ahhhh! I'm so excited! And it is a beautiful house too....

Update on us:

Anna - still not 100%. She bearly eats and has lost so much weight. Still having some diarrhea and sleeping A LOT. She is grumpy, moody and easily upset. Not her normal self. She waking up at night again and usually heading back to bed with me. We are pretty much home bound as she doesn't want to go anywhere and would rather lay on the couch all day. Please keep her in your prayers.

Zach - he is going well now. Physio today that went great. New sitting wedge to challenge his balance. AFO's are great and helping him heaps, he even has got to point where it is normal and he doesn't complain at all.

Mitchell - he did get sick but thankfully picked up after a day or so. He spent the weekend with his Dad and had a ball - you know quad bike and all.

Ashlee - she was also sick, very sick. She is such a trooper though and held out until I was home from the hospital to help Nan out. Back at school today after the holidays, I think it is a welcomed break for her. Hoping to get her splint off this week, we have an O/T appointment Friday.

Me - I'm now having physio for my coccyx, second one was today and it seems to be doing good. I'm happy I can now sit for more than 2 seconds and not be in agony! I'm tired and still not 100% (I've been fighting a head cold for nearly 3 weeks now!) but feeling a little better. I was lucky enough not to get the virus though - looks like the OCD hand washing and antibacterial hand rub paid off, even if I do need to use a whole tub of moisturiser to get them back to normal. Packing things up and getting ready to move now.

Mum is also well again. I went over the house over the weekend with Glen 20 and disinfectant. Light switches, door handles, surfaces. Even pulled the reverse cycle apart and cleaned it all thoroughly too. Toy boxes where emptied out and every Dora, Thomas, track and Lego piece was cleaned. Sheets and towels were washed with an added extra too - Canesten Antibacterial Laundry Rinse. No bugs here!

Better run, after two appointments already today I have one more to go......

It never rains, it pours part 2!

Just a quick one......

Just discharged from the hospital again after 4 days. Anna has the NoroVirus - what next?! Initially went to hospital at 2am because of croup that had left her struggling to breath. After a dose of steroids she picked up but she started vomitting before we left. The diarrhoea started soon after and we were admitted with a drip to Paediatric Isolation. Her stool sample came back positive for the NoroVirus. The Norovirus is highly contagious - worse than the Rota virus. Thankfully we picked it up very early. She still not great but doing well enough to come off the drip and return home. Zachary unfortunately picked it up to but was able to remain home thankfully! Both Ashlee and Mitchell are well for now - fingers crossed but Mum has it too.

We will be in hiding for the next few days to weeks. I'm OVER hospitals (and Anna well and truly is over being poked and prodded!) and want to give her a chance to recover fully before we venture out in public again. That means all appointments cancelled and lots of rest.

It never rains

it pours!

Last week we had Anna in hospital with Pneumonia. Oxygen Sat's sitting around 88, temperature of 39 and sleeping ALL the time is how she was when we arrived at the ER. Drip in (she was so sick that she actually fell asleep while they were putting this in!), chest x-ray, bloods taken as well as a 'snot suction' hehehe.....IV antibiotics and fluids, obs done hourly.....that is how it has been here. Thankfully we were able to pick it up early and she is on the mend. We were sent home on oral antibiotics for 5 days and Ventolin - 6 puffs every 3 hours. We have just been for a follow up visit with our GP and she is still not 100%. She now has another script to continue antibiotics for another week and is to stay on the Ventolin, same dose, until further notice. Back to GP for another check up on Monday. Please keep her in your prayers.

Zachary, he stayed with Mum for the time we were in hospital. The first time he has spent a night away from me! He did OK, Ashlee is brilliant with them and really turned into a second mother. What would I do without her?!

Also some great news! Zachary STOOD-ALL-BY-HIMSELF! He had is AFO's on and although it was only briefly he still did it! I'm so proud of him!

Ashlee has been sent home sick from a young carers camp - she was bound to get it, everyone else has. She did really enjoy her limited time there though.

Mitchell is home again from his Dad's....I missed him.....

Yesterday, we went to Thomas & Friends Live on Stage! and also The World Festival of Magic. Both were great, more on that later.....

Just a couple of things....

Firstly, on Monday we picked up our glasses....Anna and Me.

Is she just the cutest?! Excuse the messy hair but hey its the new black, right?

She loves them, most of the time and I have found they are very strong because she has already throw them on the floor a few times and bent the arm which thankfully just bent right back.

Yesterday we went and picked up these.....

Notice no pics of Zachary wearing them....that's because once we took them off yesterday afternoon he was not having a bar of them again. This morning I struggled for a while to get his foot in the right position to slip right back in the heel and when I did finally get them on him he refused to stand at all and just cried non-stop for over an hour! Tomorrow we head back to The Spastic Centre just to make sure that they are fitting properly. Knowing Zach it is just a refusal to wear them that we are going to have to work through.

Just pure stubbornness really! Oh and check out the just got up recently do!

We also need to go shoe shopping and pick him up a new pair of shoes that fit - they say go up a size with splints on right?

Just Mitchell, looks so sweet doesn't he?

Did I tell you that I have two sets of twins?!

Nah, just joking. Ashlee and her friend could almost pass for twins though don't ya think?

Lastly, I actually have some sewing in the works! Can you believe it? I had to borrow my SIL's machine as mine is packed away in storage. I'm making a hooded towel, a baby blanket, a bib and 2 burp cloths for a friends dear sweet little girl born on Monday. Welcome little Bridie! Everything is cut out and pinned up and tonight (once the kiddies are sleeping) I will just whip around them with the machine and package them up ready to send off. Photos I promise!

Currently Zach and Anna are sitting on the kitchen floor eating strawberries that Anna raided from the fridge, at least its healthy!

Just a layout...

Credits: to come

Don't mind me...

once again playing around with blog design so excuse the mess :)

The Eye Clinic and Hearing Tests

Yesterday we headed to Sydney....again but this time it was for Anna. Ashlee commented on how weird it felt to be here and not have anyone look at Zachary!

The Eye Clinic at The Sydney Children's hospital is where we headed and the news was as expected.....surgery. Thankfully though he wants to hold off until she is a little older as it makes it much easier to do. In the mean time though, glasses. All day, every day until she gets the surgery. He did say though that wearing the glasses gives her a chance (although a VERY small one) that she will not require the surgery. Keeping my fingers crossed for that one!

It was a terribly long day and we didn't get home until after 10pm. Leaving Sydney during peak hour traffic....horrible! I'm glad I don't have to do that every day! The kids travelled exceptionally well though and were very good all day which is such a bonus. Anna didn't even freak out and break down in tears when they were examining her! Double bonus!

In other news Zachary and Anna had hearing tests last week. Mainly because they never did get hearing tests at the hospital and being prem they have a higher risk. It was a total shock.....Zachary failed, just. That wasn't so much a surprise but Anna, she failed with a capital F! I have never had any concerns with her hearing but we do have to go back next week and get retested. Lets hope it was just a bad day for her and she will do better next time. If not....well then I don't know......

Better head off, need to get this script down for her glasses. How much will that cost? Also need to get caught up on all this washing and be at the doctors by 1:30pm. Did I tell you that I have a Anterior subluxation of the 3rd and 4th distal vertebrae of the Coccyx (or something like that...hehe). Basically it means that my last and second last bone of the tailbone are dislocated and have been since I had the twins. There is really no treatment short of surgery to remove the coccyx....ahhhhh! I am seeing Zach's physio as she thinks that she may be able to get some pain relief but I'm waiting to see the Orthopedic Surgeon too. It never rains it pours!

Speaking of pouring, we got caught in a huge storm on our way home last night where we had to do about 10/kph because I couldn't see a thing and my passenger side wiper decided to stop working! Still need to look at that. As I said it never rains it pours!

Also Zach gets his AFO's on September 29th! Yippee!

Running now, have a great day!

All the pretty flowers

Saturday was the opening of 'Floriade' here in Canberra. It was a beautiful day so we packed up some food, put on our walking shoes and headed over. Although not all the flowers are out yet we still had a great time...

looking...

at...

all...

the...

pretty flowers...

and some pretty decorations around the place too!

We took time to smell the flowers... (in her 'princess dress')

and to spend time with each other...



And have lots of cuddles...



and run toddle around...

eat Salt n' Vinegar chips...



Got 'tattoo's'...



And just have some real good fun!

Sadly we were missing one very important member....Mitchell who was with his Dad.

I...



love...


(taken the other day)

my little...



happy family...



And the best thing we did all day?!



We laughed, enjoyed ourselves and put everything a side for the day.

What a day (3 months) I have had! (part 2)

I'm doing this in dot point because I'm lazy its easier!


* Today I had to take Ashlee to the OT. The finger she broke has been very sore so after a trip to the doctor, an x-ray then a trip back to the doctor we find it hasn't healed.....

(This is not her actual x-ray but it is very similar to her original x-ray weeks back)

The break is actually called an 'Avulsion fracture of the distal phalanx'. Basically her finger was bent back so far that the ligament pulled a chunk of bone off (a volar plate injury). The ligament is still not healed properly and the little piece of bone? Well it floating around in her hand somewhere I guess because it is not there anymore....hmmmm. So it is splinted again and we just wait. No sports, no movement. She even has to shower with it on. The splint is pretty purple to! LOL!

* Ashlee is going to Wollongong next week to compete in Athletics!

* Zachary has had his AFO's approved and we pick them up this month! Finally! We will also soon be receiving his Bath seat.

* Wednesday we went and tried out some wheelchairs! Well Zachary did. I forgot my camera, I really wish I had it. He did so well and has so much upper body strength that he mastered it in under 15 minutes. We tried out 3 different ones:

The Mini Ultra Lightweight

Great chair - fits Zach perfectly but it doesn't grow at all so we ruled this one out pretty much straight away. You have no idea until you see this chair in person how tiny it is!


The Avantgarde

This chair was the one that Zach did the best in. He mastered this one straight away and didn't want to get out! It has room to expand width wise and also can be custom made. The little wheels at the front also light up the faster you go. It comes with wheel guards in a choice of cute little designs too...lol


And lastly The Teeny Plus




After almost 2 hours this is the one we decided to go with. It grows in both width and depth and should do him to well over 6 or 7. (I did check with I can get light up wheels with this one, and yes I can....hehehe) This one will be custom made to suit Zachary. For example we will remove the wheel guards as they inhibit his ability to push himself but will add swivel arm rests so he can get in and out of the chair. Also getting handle extenders on this so he can be pushed if needed.

Now just to convince the rest of the gang that this is not a toy!

* Anna has her Eye Clinic appointment very soon. We will see what that will bring -I really have no idea.

* Mitchell is going great guns at preschool! He is also going with his Dad tomorrow. As much as he drove me up the wall today I'm not looking forward to it :( I'm going to miss him A LOT! He will be going for the weekend then back for Preschool on Monday then back to his Dad's for a few more days.

* Me, well I'm feeling totally drained and not quite understanding how I manage to function at the moment. I'm having a hard time getting any real sleep at all these last few weeks then I'm running all day the next day! Not to mention my doctor thinks I have broken my tailbone but that is another story! Just an excert from my week so far:

Monday: Mitchell was at preschool and Zach and Anna were in care for the morning. Leaving me some time to try and catch up on some washing, run some errands; housing, medicare, etc. In the afternoon we had physio for an hour then a doctors appointment.

Tuesday: We have early intervention on Tuesday. Over an hours drive there, 2 hours of group and over an hours drive back. Nothing else on these days because we really have no time.

Wednesday: Ashlee had a doctors appointment then off to spend two hours looking at wheelchairs.

Today: O/T appointment for Ashlee over the other side of town. Back to our side of town to get to the chemist and medicare as well as haircuts for the three little ones (pics to come - Mitch got spiderwebs! And it was Zach and Anna's first haircut!). Then off to two doctors appointments for the afternoon. Managed to run down and do a quick grocery shop before dinner too.

Tomorrow: X-ray of my tail bone in the morning. Need to get some paperwork witnessed and call about a dozen real estate agents. Then off to Cooma (about an hour and 20 minutes away) to drop Mitch with his Dad.

In between all this I some how find time to eat (well most of the time), shower and occasionally blog. I'm looking forward to Monday morning! Three little ones in care and the morning to myself (well no appointments yet!).

I think I have rambled enough. Time to hang these few things on the airer and go to bed and hopefully get some sleep!