Our Here and Now

There is more coming...TODAY!

2010-04-27T09:40:00.003+10:00

So it has been nearly a month since I last posted, I do have an update coming today. Lots of new things to report....for now while I write that post, here are some more recent layouts....

{All credits can be found here}

A few more layouts

2010-03-30T12:03:00.002+11:00

I really have been scrapping up a storm lately! I find it calming and very satisfying too....

{All credits can be found here}

I {heart} Faces! Dramatic B&W

2010-03-30T10:32:00.005+11:00

This week i will be entering for the first time a 'I Heart Faces' Challenge! I absolutely love reading this blog and seeing all the stunning photographs so I though 'Why not?!'

This week is Dramatic Black and White - here is my entry!

M.I.A

2010-03-20T14:13:00.005+11:00

I will return with news and updates very soon - we are all still alive. But for now I'll leave you with some recent layouts.... (Most of these were done for challenges....I even won some prizes!)

{credits}

{credits} - $10 gift certificate won

{credits} - $5 gift certificate won

{credits}

See you all again soon!

12 in 12 and 'a' Birthday!

2010-02-28T15:53:00.006+11:00

Alternative title: Don't sew when your mad!

Here is my 12 in 12 submission for this month. A pair of refashioned yoga pants for my little Anna. This month it was 'Something in Knit' (Darn Knit!)

Doesn't she looked please! lol! (And like she loves having her hair done!)

I took this Roxy top of mine that is to small now.....

Cut it into pieces......and ended up with this!

A little happier but still looks like no one owns her!

It has a roll over top. She does actually love them. They may turn in to the bottom half a PJ set I think as I was a little flustered when I sewed them and ended up needing to make quite a few adjustments here and there. And there was some unpicking along the way. All in all though happy with the outcome.

Head over to My Favourite for more 12 in 12 submissions!

In other news, I turned 28 on Friday!

We dined on a super yummy Chinese dinner.....complete with Tinkerbell table wear. (Thanks guys..lol!)

My birthday card from my gorgeous nephew Caleb.....

Chocolate AND Caramel Mudcake!

(I kinda look pretty horrible here)

Special thanks to my Brother Daniel, my SIL Melissa, my loving children and of course the major person that was missing on the night, my Mum! (Mum is currently over in the Soloman Island for work but was definitely here in spirit!)

Valentines....

2010-02-14T20:05:00.002+11:00

{Image from here}

Happy Valentines Day!

Mission: Complete one library bag before the morning

2010-02-09T00:25:00.005+11:00

And I forgot so didn't get started until around 10pm!

Mitchell has library tomorrow. I wanted to make him a bag. Cost = nothing as I already had all the materials here.

Outer is black corduroy as well as the strap, lined with Thomas the Tank Engine. 'M' is also Thomas fabric ( but I guess the photo gives that away...lol). I also added two little blue snaps to keep it closed.

Mitchell is yet to see it so I hope he likes it!

A post for Mel!

2010-02-02T22:49:00.003+11:00

I took a few photos the other day of my GORGEOUS little nephew Caleb, here are some from the totally random shoot. (For you Mel and yes I am getting the disc for you :) lol... )

Isn't he just TOTALLY cute?!!

I tell you he has won all our hearts!

My big boy

2010-02-02T22:24:00.005+11:00

started Kindergarten on Friday!

I still can't believe he is going to be 6 in July...were does the time go?!

A day late but done!

2010-02-01T22:06:00.009+11:00

Carolyn over at My Favourite is doing a 12 in 12 and I decided to participate. January's project was 'Something for yourself'. I'm a day late posting this but better late than never hey!

So I won't keep you waiting, here is my Madison Skirt....

I'm pretty happy with the outcome and I'm going to make another in a shorter length.

You know this blogging thing is hard to keep up with!

2010-02-01T12:07:00.010+11:00

Things have been really busy around here...

1. Ashlee started year 7 on Thursday and....

2. Mitchell started Kindergarten on Friday

3. Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse......I have been diagnosed with a congenital kidney defect....lovely hey!

4. Our new year has begun with appointments - busy busy

5. Zach has had his follow up from his botox - we will need to meet with the head of anaesthesia at the SCH before his next botox round in about 4.5 months and he has also had 2 lots of casting for 4 and 5 days. Very happy with the result.

6. I have actually been sewing and crafting - as well as catching up on some TV time and enjoying having only 2 small children at home.

7. I'm going to be studying this year too because I didn't think I had enough to do - LOL!

All this will come with pictures and I need to complete my 'a photo day' posts. They kinda went out the window didn't they?! But photo's were still taken and will come I promise.

I'll leave you with these two pages I scrapped recently....

{ LOVE }

Credits: Kit - Smooch

{ 27 years young }

Credits: Free Spirit

OK, make that 3......

{ Merry Christmas 09 }

Credits: to come...

Oh....and before I forget! Rae and Dana are

doing a WHOLE month of......

Totally love this idea and will be following along! You should too!

Afternoon break

2010-01-11T13:14:00.006+11:00

This morning I have:

# Washed & hung out 3 loads of washing (with one more still on the go)
# Cleaned out the car
# Scrubbed the kids bathroom and toilet from top to bottom
# Cleaned the laundry
# Made beds and thoroughly dusted, tidied & vacuumed the kids bedrooms

# Tidied and sweep out the back

Not to bad since I got a late start and didn't begin until 11am.

I have a few more things on my list to do but right now I'm sitting here with a cold drink and hoping that the mail arrives soon!

I'm waiting for....

this...

and this....

to come (and some other patterns for the kids). The weather is hot and my wardrobe sucks and since I've made a little packed with myself to not buy any clothes for at least 3 months I'm dying to get some of these sewn and ready to wear! I've also pulled out some old clothing to do some refashioning too.

This super cute 'jumper' and this little wrap dress are also on the agenda to take a look at this afternoon.

All this is going to have to wait until this afternoon though. Zachary's ADHC physio is going to be here in half an hour and I really should go and freshen up. A morning of cleaning really gets the sweat going!

I'll also be playing 'A Photo a Day' catch up this afternoon.....

Christmas Belated (Part 1 - Pic Heavy!)

2010-01-09T06:14:00.010+11:00

So far this year we have had nothing but good, which is great right?! We had such a hard year last year with so many bad things happening things have got to be looking up now!

I thought it was finally time to share our wonderful Christmas with everyone.....

We had 4 Christmas parties to attend this year......Firstly we had our Early Intervention Christmas Party/Farewell. You see we are no longer travelling the 1.5 hours back to Cooma for this every week. We wanted to finish the year out there and then change to somewhere closer. The problem I have found though is NOTHING COMPARES. MEIS is so unique I'm yet to find anything that even comes close and thats hard. We all loved going there and were really sad to be leaving, even though we were told we were welcome anytime.

We ate fairy bread

And cupcakes....it's best to lick the icing off and leave most of the cupcake untouched

And said our farewells

The two most influential in Zach's experiences at MEIS

The one's I didn't get photos from.... The Queanbeyan Council Christmas Party - a lovely baked dinner and some entertainment and The Westfield/Spastic Centre Christmas Party - free Santa photos, lovely food, great games and inspirational people. Although none of my children would go anywhere near Santa, so no Santa photos this year.

Then it was The Special Children's Christmas Party....

Eating and drinking

Jumping castles (and a farm yard that I swear I took photos at but can't find them!)

Plenty of entertainment from snakes and alligators (that were a big hit!)

to a junior cheer leading squad - that were very good

Zach just enjoyed wondering around....

There was a great band, lots of dancing and some other rides. Police horses and dogs, racing cars, motorbikes and of course presents from Santa. The present were a hit, Santa not so much.

There plenty of Christmas lights! Our street was a Christmas wonderland!

Our neighbours house...

and some of the others...

More Christmas coming soon....I run out of time!

A Photo a Day - January 7, 2010

2010-01-07T20:58:00.002+11:00

Another day another post!

2010-01-06T22:39:00.007+11:00

A few weeks ago I took Ashlee to the doctors as she had been run down and generally unwell for quite a long time. Doctor did what doctors do and than decided she needed a blood test - he was thinking maybe Glandular Fever.........so off went. A few days later doctors surgery called to say the results were back and he would like to see Ashlee. Back to the doctors to find that Ashlee did not in fact have glandular fever but her iron levels were very high. There is a bit that goes into these tests so here's what is normal:

Serum Ferritin: 20 - 200 ng/ml

Transferrin Saturation: 20 - 30%

Ashlee's results:

Serum Ferritin: 314 ng/ml

Transferrin Saturation: 58% - this is the big indictor

So after a discussion about her diet....no, does not eat huge amounts of red meat etc.....and wheather she takes supplements......nope......we end up back getting blood tests. This time she they are testing for Haemochromatosis.

Christmas Eve I get a phone call from our doctor, yep she has it. Today we went back in for a discussion about treatment. We have been referred to a specialist but have also been told that the only treatment for Haemochromatosis is giving blood or at Ashlee's age just simply 'blood letting' since she is to young to give blood. Just a little fact for you all - as many as 1 in 300 people have it! It is also genetic and I have since found out that my Dad has it and I think it is in Ashlee's fathers side too. Today I had a blood test. Apparently because Ashlee has it I am at least a carrier the test is to see if I have it or not. Down the track all my other children will have to be tested as well - yippee!

So just more things to add to my plate. I also had an appointment today for the results of my cervix biopsy - see I must have done something terrible in my past life! For now we wait and repeat the biopsy in 6 months time - some good news I guess.

I'll leave it at that and leave you with some sewing that I completed today......

Firstly, a car seat canopy for my SIL Melissa and gorgeous little nephew Caleb. Now I completely forgot to take a picture when they came over earlier and picked it up, I'll have to get one later on. Until then think this but in these colours....

Then I 'whipped up' (lol!) a couple of burp cloths and a dribble bib complete with a snap

And this was sitting around waiting to be finished so I thought I would do it while I was on a roll!

One T-shirt - formally Ashlee's - refashioned into a T-shirt for Zachary!

He loves it and is currently wearing it while he is sleeping in his new bed!

Just for fun! This girl makes me laugh when I need it most!

A Photo a Day - January 6, 2010

2010-01-06T20:49:00.000+11:00

A Photo a Day - January 5, 2010

2010-01-05T23:17:00.003+11:00

(Excuse the mess. The new beds are actually the first thing I have brought for thier new room. Plenty more decorating to come!)

December 14th 2009

2010-01-05T19:29:00.010+11:00

(FIRSTLY - is anyone else having trouble with Blogger? My post is all stuffed up and it's done

all its own editing - fonts and font size etc!)

This was the day Zachary we went in for his first dose of Botox. We headed up to Sydney the afternoon before and spent the night at Ronald McDonald House Randwick. Met some lovely people and heard some amazing and some sad stories. I tell you staying there really makes appreciate each day more, your children and what you have - or don't have as the case may be.

8am and Zach was admitted. Being one of the youngest he was 2nd on the list. Zach freaked out as we wheeled him in (Anna had to be held back kicking and screaming by Nanny - poor baby girl). His cries got slower and slower as he drifted off to sleep. 40 minutes later he was back and he was upset but he soon settled down and then drank a whole cup of juice and 2 sandwiches. An hour later all seemed well and we were sent home. We had decided to spend the night at RMHagain and I'm just so glad that we did. Within 30 minutes of being back there Zach was getting very lethargic and also feeling very warm. We ended up taking his temperature it found it to be 38c. I called the ward and was advised to take him back to Children's Emergency, which we did. A small walk up to the hospital only to find his temperature was now 39.9c! It took 4 hours but we managed to get it down to 37.5c and another hour later it was still the same so we were sent on our way. By morning he was still a little warm but ok. It was scary to say the least but I was glad to be heading home.

That's when Dr Google came into play. After researching his symptoms I came up withMalignant Hyperthermia and guess what, its in our family. My Uncle (my Mum's

brother) flat lined on the table during an operation. So it is advised that we treat him like

he has it until we get some DNA testing done. More things he doesn't need.

So that was our first experience with Botox. Even though it wasn't the Botox that cause

the problem. We head back to Sydney on the 14th for a follow up visit and some

casting - I don't know how he will take that. Other than that Zachary is doing well.

He is talking incredibly well now and is such a funny little boy. TheraTogs are working

wonders and most days he actually asks to wear them and his AFO's! I guess he can see

the benefits.

In other news.....

Zachary and Anna got toddler beds for Christmas. My brother put them together for me

recently they have just been sitting in my room because their new mattresses hadn't

arrived. Today they did! I quickly got rid of the cots and put their beds in their room.

They were so excited! I also got them new quilts and junior pillows. Today's task - finish

their quilt covers and pillowcases. That I achieved!

One new Thomas Pillowcase - fabric was an ebay purchase

One new Thomas bed and Thomas quilt cover! (Panel from Spotlight and backing is a queen

sized white sheet that I got for $7 and did both covers and pillowcase!)

One new Dora pillowcase - another ebay purchase

Lastly is the new Dora bed (minus the stickers. I'll bed putting them on when no one is

watching!) and Dora quilt cover. Again the panel is from Spotlight.

My photo for today is coming - I don't think these count. Lol!

Alive and well - really

2010-01-04T18:27:00.002+11:00

I have so much to blog about. So much has gone on in the last weeks that I've decided to split it up in to separate posts, that will be the easiest on me I think....see keep your eyes peeled for some actual blogging in the next few days!

Other things I am doing at the moment:

I have decided to do a photo a day. Sometimes things get so hectic around here that I forget the camera is even there so I'm making a point to take at least one photo everyday and post it on my blog. I have already been doing this from January 1st so I must update my blog with the pics

I'm actually sewing, crafting & scrapping again! I have a few things in progress at the moment so that is to come also.

Lastly I'm working on a blog layout. Something new and fun...check back soon.

Hope you all had a wonderful New Years!

A Photo a Day - January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T12:12:00.002+11:00

A Photo a Day - January 3, 2010

2010-01-03T08:42:00.002+11:00

A Photo a Day - January 2, 2010

2010-01-02T23:00:00.002+11:00

A Photo a Day - January 1, 2010

2010-01-01T16:00:00.006+11:00

Diane...

2009-12-30T23:59:00.002+11:00

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?

2009-12-23T12:03:00.004+11:00

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

2009-11-28T19:47:00.011+11:00

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...

2009-11-26T22:59:00.003+11:00

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.....

2009-11-12T20:51:00.004+11:00

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!

2009-11-01T08:55:00.001+11:00

Caleb ~ 5 hours old

Welcome to the world....

2009-10-31T19:39:00.004+11:00

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!

2009-10-29T22:04:00.003+11:00

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

2009-10-20T13:15:00.002+11:00

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!!

2009-10-20T12:39:00.004+11:00

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!

2009-10-15T11:48:00.004+11:00

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

2009-10-07T11:17:00.003+11:00

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....

2009-09-30T12:02:00.004+10:00

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...

2009-09-28T02:31:00.003+10:00

Credits: to come

Don't mind me...

2009-09-26T03:05:00.001+10:00

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

The Eye Clinic and Hearing Tests

2009-09-23T10:12:00.003+10:00

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

2009-09-14T12:12:00.006+10:00

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)

2009-09-10T21:45:00.007+10:00

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!

What a day (3 months) I have had! (part 1)

2009-09-10T21:16:00.005+10:00

As you know I am currently 'camping out' at Mum's place until I find a house for us. We have the usual tension that a 27 year old with 4 children would have with her Mother (and totally doting Nanny) when you are living with them 24/7. Things are very strained at the moment. I'm in desperate need of a place of our own.....I'm stick of living out of boxes and suitcases! Anyway, this is were it gets worse.....

I have been 'trying' to put an application in for a Government House - just the word Government should have told me that it wouldn't be a straight forward thing. I also was trying to gain Priority status to make things a little easier. The main reason for applying for a government house (apart from not really being able to afford the $480 - $600 a week in rent!) is the ability to do modifications to the house to make Zachary's life easier as he grows that we will not be able to do in a private rental. The main reason for trying to get Priority status is the fact that they will help me out with the cost of Private rental until a house becomes available. Government houses around here are VERY few and far between so I would definitely have to go into the private market for a considerable amount of time.

OK, moving on.....to sum it up, its has been HELL trying to apply for a house. I have been in the process since early July and every time I would head down to the offices to put forms in they would give me another list of things they needed. In total I think I filled out 4 booklet style forms, had to get 4 medical form filled out, needed to get 3 written letters of supports, had to 'prove' that I was applying for houses on my own (which I have not been as I have not been able to find ANY suitable houses in my price range), I've had 4 appointments with them and many phone calls. I also had to get a letter from my Mum stating why I couldn't stay long term with her in a 3 bedroom townhouse (there are 6 of us - 7 if my brother who actually lives here but is staying with friends so I can stay here is here) that has no yard and very little living space. I tell you, letters to state the obvious is a real waste of time! It has taking MONTHS. The last straw that nearly sent me into a crying mess was the phone call this morning to say that after all that they were not sure that I 'proved' that I was in desperate need of house! I very nearly cried. The only thing stopping me was that I was just about to walk out the door to take Ashlee to the OT - yes, I said Ashlee. More on that later. I spent most of the day stressing about how I was going to make things work and decided to give them another call after we got home from all our appointments. This is the best part - I was told on this phone call that THEY APPROVED ME! Did you feel that weight being lifted off my shoulders?! They approved me! Now, they don't actually have a house for me but I can now go searching for a house that is suitable for Zachary regardless of the cost and we can finally have a place of our own. Thank you God! My storage shed runs out at the end of the month and I was not looking forward to paying another $180 for another month. Was that all just ramble? Did you get all that? I'm very happy with the out come and VERY relieved - finally!

* * * * * * * * * *

So we move onto other matters.........in part 2......

Thinking of having children?!

2009-09-08T22:45:00.002+10:00

(found this post on my old blog from back in June 08 and thought I would post it here!)

Then read this and be prepared!

I found it on Angela's blog and thought it was so true, I just had to post it.

Thinking of having kids?

Do this 11 step program first!

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior. Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
10. Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out. Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store.
Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice).
If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat.
Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.
Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.
Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine-month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' and or 'daddy' repeatedly.
(Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required).
Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years.
You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice.
Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy/daddy' tape made from Lesson 10 above.
You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

And for those of you destined to have twins....do it all twice. (No its not really that bad...LOL!)

The boys would just think this is 'cool'!

2009-08-31T00:17:00.001+10:00

From here

On its way!

2009-08-30T12:38:00.003+10:00

So I've ordered the head bumper and have recieved comformation that it has been sent.....

I also ordered a bubzilla sling for hip carrying.

Zach is getting so heavy and I need a little extra help to carry him around - mainly when I just want to run into shops etc and don't want to lug the pram out. That is also sent so I should have the two of them shortly! Yippee!

Just a quick update

2009-08-28T23:27:00.002+10:00

more to come tomorrow....

Today we saw Dr Lowe. Booked in for Botox for his Abductor muscles. December 14th at this stage but Dr L said that will change as he is opening up some more places - expect it in the next month to month and a half. Watching his calf muscles at the moment and reviewing them again in a few months times, he doesn't want to do them right now. He wants him in his AFO's for at least a month before the review. Other than that everything is great and he is very happy with Zachary's progress.

The trip to Sydney was long and tiring with lots of snow traffic! Plenty of phone calls today from O/T, DADHC case worker etc. The one day when I'm really busy! We are heading into DADHC on the 9th of September to road test some wheelchairs. Appointment with The Spastic Centre to do some 'before botox' measurements and also need to meet up with our Physio to do some measurements for his wheelchair. Busy, busy and just when I thought things were going to quite down again for a bit. On top of all that we have our regular physio, our early intervention, we need to visit the audiologist (for both Zach and Anna) and Anna has appointments too! The main one being the Eye Clinic at SCH in a couple of weeks. Argh, 'life with Special Needs' is becoming a real reality now - full steam ahead.

Other news, Ashlee got through another round with Athletics. She is now competing in Wollongong on September 17th! I'm so proud her! Between her skill with netball and her brilliant athletic ability she is going to go far! I have no doubt her future will definitely involve playing or teaching some kind of sport.

Spoke to Mitchell today. Missing him like crazy! He got a 4 wheeler motor bike from (D)ExP for his birthday and he has been spending every waking minute on it apparently! It scares me a little but (D)ExP is very responsible with safety so that puts me at ease a bit.

Oh, and one last thing......we need to get one of these....

$69 from here.....Dr L is a bit concerned about Zach falling a lot. 99% of the time its his head that takes the hit - onto tile! So mainly when we are at home he must wear a 'Head Bumpa'. Super fashionable! hehehe.....

OK, not such a quick update but photos tomorrow! Fires on the side of the highway and all!

A happy linky link

2009-08-26T23:20:00.003+10:00

before I turn in....

I've just spent the last ~~10 minutes~~ OK make that 30 minutes browsing this super, wonderful, cheerful, colourful, delightful blog ::

Color Me Katie

Its wonderful....did I already say that?? Run over there and check it out! Super creative too!

********

Lovin' Meet Me at Mikes at the moment too!

Yippee!

2009-08-26T21:34:00.003+10:00

Today I had a meeting with the lovely Daniel from our local counsel. He is the coordinator of the Disability Services and in turn organises the respite care. Now I must say Zachary is not a high need demanding child at the moment (well not more than any other 2 year old!) but he some special needs that do take up a lot of time as many readers of this blog would totally understand. So I have started Zach (and Anna of course) in daycare one day a week to take some pressure off. I can go and do the exciting things like grocery shopping in complete peace (and buy way to much stuff because I have time to just browse the isles - eek!). DADHC kindly contacted the counsel to inquire about respite and that was what today was all about. They will pay for his time in daycare - more than just one day if I feel the need - you can probably understand how happy I was to hear this! Daycare is sooooo not cheap and even after the Centrelink rebate it is still costing me a pretty penny to send the three there. Without going into detail lets just say it has three figures. I was able to get a day of Preschool for Mitchell on the same day so I'm like totally kid free! Anyway it was an awful amount of paper work but its done now.

********

Mitchell has gone with (D)ExP until Sunday. I miss him already and he has only been gone for a few hours! I still have another 4 days until he is home again. I must say that I do really appreciate the break as Mitchell has been very testing lately. I can totally understand, he has been through a lot recently and it must be hard for a 5 year old to understand. First in comes these two little babies into his life. They needs turn out to be much more than we expected. Just when he feels that things may have settled down his Mummy and Daddy stop living with each other. I'm kinda glad my parents split up before I was old enough to know any different. My poor little guy, it really breaks my heart!

********

Not much else going on here at the moment. Getting ready for the trip on Friday. Just normal things.....For now I'll leave you with these.....

The last few days

2009-08-25T16:41:00.010+10:00

We had another visit with Emma and Damo for Physio. They are brilliant and Damo always has Zach in hysterics! Its so funny to watch. They make therapy so much fun for him so I'm trying to what they do at home as Zach hates doing his stretches and therapy for me. From what I hear that's not unusual though. Our main goals at the moment are to teach Zach to sit properly and to crawl properly. If he doesn't do those two things we don't hold out much hope for him ever walking. Our main therapies are stretching, ball play - where he lays over the ball, trying to get him to stand holding on to a hula-hoop (without me hanging onto him!) and we are using a 'wobble pillow' to try and get him to learn some balance (which he has none of, nil, zilch!)

Our days seem to be consumed with therapy or some kind of appointment at the moment but it hopefully will pay off in the future.

Today we were meant to be picking up Zach's AFO's but due to some funding stuff ups we now have to wait another month. Hopefully they will be ready by then. So instead of going to The Spastic Centre's Orthotics Clinic we went to Early Intervention instead. Last fortnight they had a professional photographer there and today I got to see some of the gorgeous photos he took. Next time we will pick up a disc with all the photos on it. I'll share some, they are so special.

On the way home (its an hour each way) the little ones slept leaving me with complete quite!

(And no I didn't notice until we got home that she had taken her arms out of the straps! Ahhhh)

(Zach snores too! Oh and excuse the McDonald's box - its a fortnight treat thing after EI)

Tomorrow Mitchell goes with (D)ExP until Sunday leaving me with only the twins and of course Ashlee - who is ever so helpful (no I'm not being sarcastic) - to take up to Sydney for the day to see Dr Lowe. Looking forward to seeing him and showing off the progress Zach has made since we last saw him 3 months ago! I was hoping he would have his AFO's but that's not to be.

I'm also looking into buying some new convertible booster seats for Zachary and Anna. I want the CarGo one that Big W had in their catalog but in usual Big W style they didn't get any in and are not planning to - WTF? Why have it in the catalog than!! I want that one because it is the narrowest on the market. Mitchell currently has the Maxi-Rider and although I could just buy two more of them they are not going to fit across the back seat of the car. My other option is to buy two of the Maxi-Rider AHR's and move Mitchell into one of these.....

Infa Vario Max Booster

I think that they will all fit, I'll just have to do a few measurements. The investment of over $1000 - worth it? The three other seats will be sold. Or I can get two of these....

Infa Comfy Cruiser

and not the Maxi-Riders. They are cheaper but would like to do a little research first. Anyone tried any of these?

Lastly, Ashlee sent home from school again today sick. We are heading to the doctors soon to have a good health check up and see if there is any underlying problems....

Alright, dinner time!! 'See you' all later!

What's so wrong with child labour?!

2009-08-23T19:01:00.003+10:00

hehehe.....

She's music to my heart

2009-08-23T12:53:00.002+10:00

My first born......

A lot of nothing and some updates with pics!

2009-08-22T19:34:00.008+10:00

I mentioned in a previous post that Zach fell in the bath, breaking his cute little front tooth in half...I still feel incredibly terrible about the whole thing but slightly better since we took a trip to the dentist yesterday and 'made it all better'. She checked that he hadn't pushed it in too and no thankfully he hadn't. After pulling up at the hospital - where the dentist is located - I decided to take some before shots before. You know remember the incident but its not like I'm going to forget really is it. I'm going to be looking at that darned half tooth for at least the next 3 - 4 years!

Not that you can't see it but here it is a little closer....

Really he and lucky he didn't knock it right out!

OK, that's done. I'll get an after shot soon. Nicely smoothed off, no more pain while breastfeeding! Yes, my dear sweet little boy still breastfeeds. Its not like I haven't tried to wean, Anna self weaned at 18 months. Zachary just will not give it up without a fight and right now I'm in no mood for fighting. I figure once a day (rarely twice) is OK right now, he always has a drink before bed at night. His 'booby time' as he calls it....lol.

Now onto more bad news. Zachary was supposed to be getting his AFO's this week. I was really looking forward to it, kind of. Yesterday I got a phone call from Stuart Kerr to tell me that PADP haven't sent him confirmation yet that our funding has been approved! Ahhhhh! So that means it is going to be at least another month before he will have them now. I'm calling them on Monday to inquire about it and also ask about our bath seat. I got a letter nearly 2 months ago letting me know that funding was approved and the chair would be out to us (or our O/T) shortly. It still hasn't arrived.....

Good news this time.....Zachary's speech has really taken off! I'm over the moon at how much he talks now and how much clearer he is! He now sings 'Twinkle Star', 'Old MacDonald' and 'The Tickle Song' along with some others and counts too (he gets to about 8)! We are also hearing some of the alphabet - up to about G. I'm stoked! Although Anna had no speech problems I'm also pretty impressed with her vocabulary and counting. My sweet little babies are growing up way to fast! Were did these little babies go?! (Time for a bit of reminiscing....)

I will one day, hopefully soon, do a little post about how Zach and Anna came into this world. About the 48 days we spent in NICU/SCN. The ups and the downs of their first few weeks of life. It still is hard for me write about this sometimes.

Ventilated for the first 24 hours....

Day 3 and Zach is trialed off CPAP for a few hours...

Unfortunately by that evening he was back on it.....Spending the next 5 days on CPAP before finally 'breathing easy'....

Miss Anna - day 2. Anna was never ventilated.....

Day 3....

Day 13 and I'm finally able to hold my two little bubs together....

Anna and a horrible picture of Mummy at nearly 4 weeks old....

And Zachary (with Mummy looking horrible again) at about the same time...

Oh I don't miss those days - life 24/7 in the NICU & SCN, but I miss
those days when there were so little if you know what I mean.....

* * * *

Mitchell is with Brett at the moment and will be back tomorrow. I've enjoyed the peace and quite but I miss my boy like crazy! He has started Preschool again and loves it.....

Lastly please excuse the quality of the photos and the randomness of this post in places....lol.

Think thats enough...

2009-08-17T17:21:00.001+10:00

for now.

I've done some major blog adjustments and I think I'm happy with it for now. What do you think? Should go into business shouldn't I?! Hahahaha.....

See you all later!

Busy busy

2009-08-17T11:23:00.004+10:00

I've been playing around with my blog this morning.....when I shouldn't have been! Do you like it?! Now I'm going to head off and get some house work done, fold those clothes that are sitting there calling me. Get the dishes washed (man - why can't Mum have a dish washer?! Oh right she does but I guess {she} is out of order at the moment! Hmmmm.....) I need to get some more washing done and do a general tidy up than its off to Housing for an interview. Thankfully we have no appointments today.

Had a really hard night last night. Zachary woke at nearly 1am wanting to feed - I'm desperately trying to wean him but with little success. After giving him a small feed I cut him off which turned in an all out screaming match. After a little while he had woken up Anna too and then I had all three little ones in my, settling down (and giving up I guess) at around 3am! Mummy - 1, Zachary - 0. I'm extremely tired today and just want to sit around but life moves on and I better keep up with it.

Also did I mention that Zachary fell in the bath last night and broke half of his front tooth off! So today I'm also calling a dentist to see if we can maybe get his tooth smoothed out. Its really sharp! I feel terrible for my poor little man and quite guilty but I guess these things happen. Hopefully his new bath seat will turn up soon and I'll be able strap him down. As much as he loves swimming around in the bath he also loves to stand up at the side and walk around, he just isn't stable enough for that. Oh the joys......

This is the bath seat we are waiting on

Next up is a wheelchair......bath chair, wheelchair, AFO's, Walker.....is it ever going to end?!

I {heart} my new post title font!

2009-08-17T00:55:00.003+10:00

Its after 1am and I can't sleep so here I am rambling on again....

Today was a total nothing day. In fact when I think about it I can't actually think of a single productive thing I did today! Don't get me wrong I have plenty to do - like folding the basket of washing sitting inside my bedroom door and getting that all put away. I guess I just needed the day off - that's a good enough excuse isn't it?! Oh no, I lie! I did do one productive thing today and that was completing the invitations for Mel's baby shower! Oh and I found some more things I want to try out on the net.....

Tomorrow is more house hunting, with some help this time but I'll go into that later. We are having a hell of a time trying to find a suitable house that is all one level, has at least some yard for the kids to play in and isn't some stupid amount of money! I can not see how people can afford to pay more in rent than what most people make in a week. It so ridiculous!

Anyway, The Spastic Centre called to schedule our next visit to the Orth. Clinic for the 25th of August. We pick up Zach's AFO's! Yippee! Then we will be off to see Dr Lowe on August 28th.

Look! I now have a sig....

2009-08-12T20:36:00.003+10:00

Getting pretty sophisticated here!

ETA: and I've been fiddling with my post headers too! Really should be doing something else.....

Couldn't be bothered

2009-08-11T00:19:00.005+10:00

....with a title that is.

Just been having a bit of a browse on face book and I tell you it has made me quite depressed! Even the girl that was the over weight, ignored, laughed at and teased girl (sorry to say but there was one at my school - like most schools) is married with a couple of children and smiles all around! It just makes me feel like I have failed - well, I have failed! Look where I am now. Oh, to turn back time - but I wouldn't give my children back for anything!

OK, moving on to a much happier note!

Today we had our first appointment with a private physio and it was brilliant! VERY worth the $75 a visit. They are a Physio and Rehab team that work together and Damien (Rehab) actually has CP himself. They have really given me renewed confidence and a better long term out look for Zachary. We now have some very specific stretching exercises to do with Zach while we play or read books and some great general ideas for things to use around the home that might help him.

Zach is funded through DADHC (Dept. of Aging, Disability and Home Care) for free services like Physio, O/T and a Speechie but I really felt we were being left behind. I felt that Zach had so much more potential and with more intensive therapy things might be different. DADHC just doesn't have the resources to be able to keep up with everyone so this is the next best thing. We will still be utilising DADHC's services when ever we can but in the mean time both Emma and Damien feel that Zach has excellent potential and are very keen to start working with him. To tell you I am stoked is an understatement! Hopefully for future appointments I will be able to attend without Mitchell. Sounds terrible I know but when we are at therapy it is so Zach orientated that I think Mitchell feels very left out and so he tends to play up. Anna comes but she is so used doctor visits, therapy visits etc that it is just normal for her - although she is very protective of her BIG brother Zach when we meet new people. Tomorrow we head to Cooma for our Early Intervention. I'm still attending these until we can sort something out locally.

Today was Ashlee's first day at her new school. She doesn't have to much to say about it other then it was fine. This will be her 4th school in 6 years! I'm pretty confident she went fine though. Ashlee is a very confident and happy girl and gets along with almost anyone.....

Better run, its late and Zach is crying...

No words just now....

2009-08-07T13:45:00.002+10:00

Faith

2009-07-26T18:43:00.007+10:00

Today I took the kids to church. I grew up like this, my Dad used to take us every Sunday and I did really enjoy it. The church we went to is the church I grow up in, there were some familiar faces and plenty of new ones.

The kids had a great time. Sunday School Mitchell and Creche for the twins. Mitchell even asked if we could go again tomorrow! It has been over 5 years since I went last. (D)ExP wouldn't allow it and we didn't live close enough anyway but today I decided it was time to return and see how it went. I really did feel a since of peace and comfort and wasn't at all worried about (D)ExP's reaction. He would whole heartedly be against the kids attending. I think I need this, faith and support from some lovely people.

Not much else going on. When we got home Mitchell laid in my bed and watched High 5 and rested. The Zachary and Anna went to bed, Mum and Ashlee went to the Fruit and Veg Market and I laid down on the couch with 2 Panadine to try and get rid of a lingering Migraine I have had for 3 days now. It seems to have worked, currently pain free!

Mum and Ashlee have gone to the evening service and I'm feeding, bathing and loving my other children. Off now to do a bit more of that.....

Please keep Baby Stellan in your prayers as he is not doing to well at the moment.

Lastly, here are a couple more photos of my loves.....

A new thing with Anna is hair......we turned this:

Into this:

Zachy loves his walker - and I love this face!

And his cute little chubby feet! (but not the biscuit on the carpet!)

That's my boy!

Mitchell and Scooter - birthday present!

This photo was actually taken by my talented daughter!

And this one too!

And lastly - The Girly Girl

P.S I've been 'playing' around in photoshop way to much! - these actions are all from The Pioneer Women!

Well what do you know

2009-07-25T11:45:00.004+10:00

Thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law last night I had then opportunity to sew again - and it felt great! We went out to dinner last night to this lovely little Mexican place in Manuka, the food was lovely and the company was even better. Afterwards I went home, put the three little ones to bed and headed over to Dan and Mel's.

Currently all my things - well most of them - are locked up in a storage shed, this means that I can't really do anything that I want and I have been burning to do some sewing lately. Melissa needed a fold out nappy change pad for a baby shower she was going to and I was only to happy to help out! I think it turned out great and I think I make some more of these!

I took some photos with my brothers camera and he emailed them to me but unfortunately this is the only one that my computer says is readable.........?? I'll look into it and hopefully get some more photos up for you but until then just use your imagination. It rolls up and ties closed. Jessica is having a little boy and Peter Rabbit is the favoured theme so that's what Melissa went with.

Well heading off now to tame the children that are 'playing the drums' on the side table - someone smells a bit too!

Just another day

2009-07-23T22:57:00.005+10:00

Today has been one of those days. You know the ones where you spend the entire in your PJ's and only dress the kids because they have taken their PJ's off themselves and you need to get something on them just so they won't remove their nappies. I know you have all done it!

Lately I have been SO tired! Sometimes I have days where I can barely drag myself out of bed and I'm nearly falling asleep by lunchtime. I put everything done to just stress but after seeing my doctor apparently it could be a little more serious then that. Apparently I have a very high resting heart rate (resting heart rate of at least 105!) - its been this way for years now. I tire extremely easy, I have been having chest pain for like 10 years now (but it is a lot more frequent in the last few years and even more so in the last few months), can't walk distances without running out of breath, I get facial flushing, tingling in my hands and feet, extremely cold hands and the list goes on. Apparently I can't just put all this down to stress. So, off I go for a round of blood tests and a 24 hour heart monitoring to start with. You see the doctor thinks that my symptoms may have something to do with my heart. She didn't however tell me what she suspected so silly me turned to Google doctor - I know not to google things like this but I went and did it anyway. Bad move........apparently I'm dying from heart failure or something. No really I shouldn't be laughing because this could be quite a serious matter and it is really the last I need. I'm praying that it is nothing serious.

Ah, so tomorrow is another day. Ashlee is staying with my brother and his wife tonight, Mitchell is in bed (long ago), Anna too and Zach, well he finally gave in about a 1/2 hour ago. Now I'm off to bed - late I know, but with any luck I'll have a sleep in in the morning. Zach is my usual early riser but after tonight's late night I think he'll need some sleep!

Thank you all for your lovely comments too! And lastly, just another happy snap from days gone by.

Picture Post

2009-07-23T11:16:00.005+10:00

Just a few random pictures.....

More fun at the park

Thank heavens for big sisters

An afternoon at The Spastic Centre

2009-07-23T08:58:00.003+10:00

Yesterday we had our first appointment at The Spastic Centre. It was actually for an appointment with Stuart Kerr to have casts made of Zach's legs. Zach was brilliant! Just sat on my lap, cuddled Elmo and watched. Probably thinking 'What the hell are you doing and when do these come off!'. We are having Bilateral Dynamic AFO's made and should have them in about 4 weeks.

Similar to the middle one in this picture

He is walking (and sometimes trying to run!) well with is walker but toes walks on his left foot and his right foot drags. The hinged AFO will still give him some movement but prevent the toe walking and foot dragging. I'm looking forward to getting them for him but at the same time I'm not. How will he feel about them? Is it going to be a daily struggle to get them on him or keep them on him? But I guess all we are doing is trying to help him and by all accounts at the moment he is doing really well. Apparently for a 2 year old to be walking in a walker is brilliant. I am very happy about that and it really gives me hope for the future - his future. Zach is a very determined little boy and if anybody is going to 'beat this' - he will.

We are looking into staying here in Canberra and using The Spastic Centre's services. I was planning on trying to get a house in Cooma to try and stay near Zach's current therapy but I don't think that is going to be possible. There are just no houses available at the moment. Houses in Canberra cost a small fortune but what other option do I have?!

Ashlee needs to go back to school. I still haven't organised anything. That is what today is all about. Wish me luck in finding a decent school for her. I'm actually looking at Trinity Christian School (where I went from K-7). She likes the idea - thankfully.

OK, that's it for now. House work this morning and maybe some washing if this rain lets up!

To a sweet, sweet little boy

2009-07-19T10:50:00.007+10:00

Today you are 5!

Can you believe it? Because I certainly can't! My little boy is growing up!

Hope you have a great day Mitchell!

{More to come}

In other wonderful news I finally got my Photoshop 7 back on the computer again!
I'm back in heaven again......Paint Shop Pro 9 just doesn't cut it really.
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Zach has an appointment at the Spastic Centre - Orthopedics Clinic on Wednesday too! Finally!

Time for a pick me up

2009-07-16T22:15:00.002+10:00

I came across this over at Better Than Normal and just had to share.....

Its been so long!

2009-07-14T18:46:00.013+10:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. As you may have guessed it is a bit busy around here at the moment. I spend most of time at the moment running around filling in forms, see different people and of course spending some lovely stress-free time with my children.....

It is getting a bit.....tense here sometimes. I guess that's what you get when you put a daughter that hasn't lived at home since she was 16 and now has 4 (delightfully energy filled) children of her own back in the same house with her (ever patient) Mum that is totally not used to having said children in her life 24/7! We try and give Mum/Nanny her own space but at times it does get really chaotic here!

We do our bit around her and of course pass on money to help out with the bills (that I'm sure are going to be 10 times the last ones!). The kids are going a bit nuts as there is no yard here for them to just run outside but thankfully there is a park just across the road with plenty of room for running and bike riding and such. We do spend a bit of time there.

Now I guess I will give you a little run down on all the kids.....what's happening now and what's the plan for the future.....

Ashlee:

Currently on school holidays and will (sadly) start at a new school in the new term. Hopefully meet up with some more wonderful friends that she can move onto high school with.

She is enjoying some time here at Nan's but will have to come back down to earth very soon I think!

Ashlee also competed at the Athletics Carnival in Cooma recently.......out of 5 events she got 2 firsts, 2 seconds and a third! She also got third overall senior girls! {Round of Applause!} We are waiting to see if she made it to the next level now.

Mitchell:

Mitchell.....well, he's not up to much. He is taking the split in his stride but I know it is hard on him. He spent some time down with his Dad recently and although it was a nice break I missed him terribly! Even by day 2 I was yearning for my little man.....he's home now and making me smile everyday.

Mitchell loves to spend his time over at the park riding his bike and playing with the twins. They all got new balls recently and that has been a great pass time.

I am currently looking into schools for him. Can you believe he starts 'big school' next year!

Zachary:

Our sweet little Zachary......Zach is going great. As you may have guessed from previous pictures, Zachary got his walker! And its gold! He loves it and is really going well with it. Almost running around with it and kicking balls too! Unfortunately he sometimes has to fight Anna for it. I am trying to get her to understand that his walker is not a toy and he needs it to get around.

In other news, our quotes for Zach's AFO's have finally come through and we are now on the way to getting the funding - finally! We are seeing the Spastic Centre in Canberra while we are here which includes attending the orthotics clinic on the 22nd. Great, means we don't have to drive to Sydney for that! One less thing to worry about. Zach sees Dr L again in August.

Another thing the kids have all been loving is colouring in and play dough. We have discovered that Zach is left handed. This may just be or because he is affected in his right arm.

Anna:

Lastly, our little clean freak. I tell you I've NEVER seen a 2 year old like her! She loves to clean, help out and pack up. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining! It's great! Anna is a very helpful, bright and beautiful little girl. Zach's body guard too......don't look at him wrong or Anna will let you know about it.

Something new she has been doing is climbing into Zachary's cot usually when they go down for their afternoon sleep. It's cute, yes, but then they just don't sleep!

Anna can now dress herself (somewhat), put on her own shoes (usually on the right feet) but hates having anything in her hair - sadly.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alright, this post has taken me the better part of the night to get finished so I'm going to leave it there and (hopefully) see you all again soon!

Take Care!

Its done

2009-06-28T15:05:00.001+10:00

Just a short post to let you all know that I've done it.....

Things came to a head, I had to get out, so I packed up my life and my children and we are now camping at Mum's until we sort things out....

We are all ok, very tired but ok....

Oh what a day!

2009-06-18T17:36:00.003+10:00

Today we had 'the' court appearance. (D)ExP - and I can assure you that the D doesn't stand for darling! - is trying to get an AVO on me, yes that's right - ME! The judge basically laughed at him but 'has to go through due course and hear the matter out'. So we are back again in August. A REAL waste of time on every bodies behalf.

Right now I have so much support around me, it really feels great. Even having my bloggy friends leave words of support feels great. Finally I have reached out and asked for help with the local agencies and we are getting somewhere. There are also quite a few people, locals, that have come out of the woodwork with offers of help. Considering this is (D)ExP's home town, that says a lot!

I will admit I am scared. Not scared of our soon to be new life, that I am really looking to, but scared of how things will pan out with all this mess. What fight do I have ahead of me?! Is a fight even going to be needed?! Who knows. (D)ExP is so unpredictable.

Tomorrow I have absolutely no plans, and that feels great. I am looking forward to spending the day tidying up and just going nowhere. Just spending the day with the kids.

Tonight - well I'm going to get these children dinner, a bath and tuck them in bed safe and sound for tomorrow is another day. I am going to do the dishes and fold the washing that I did get hung out. I also need to start sorting things out and begin thinking about packing things up! A daunting task.

So thank you to everyone for their support. Back to life now....

Welcome to our new blog

2009-06-17T23:16:00.002+10:00

I felt it was time for a change.

I am no longer able to find time to craft.

Although I am definitely NOT saying I never will! I would love to find the time again and hopefully in the future I will but at this point in time it is just not an option.

With Zach's cerebral palsy and a few issues we are having with Anna's eyes I feel a blog that could be better put to use as more of our day to day journal of where we have been and where we are going.

Life at the moment is just so hectic.

For example; on Monday we travelled 2 hours to Bega, Tuesday we travelled 1.5 hours to Cooma, today I had a meeting at the preschool that took 4 hours and tomorrow I need to be in Bombala. I REALLY hoping that Friday I-CAN-STAY-HOME!!

My house is feeling unloved and really if I don't get to it, it will be unclean too! Ahhhhh!

Being totally open and honest, this is where we stand today:

Washing has piled up and today I nearly had a nervous break down. I'm telling you I really felt like that! By the time I got the three little ones into bed I just wanted to curl up in a corner and cry - I didn't actually do it but I'm sure it would have been VERY beneficial!

Tonight my children had sandwiches for dinner and went to bed without a bath - again Ahhhh!

I did not do the dishes tonight and don't plan to - they won't go anywhere and will still be there in the morning.

I have a load of washing that I put on to wash before I went out this morning that is still in the machine and will not get hung out until the morning - its so cold out there!!

Lastly tonight, I am soon to be - well really I am already! - a single mummy to 4. Over the next few days I will be moving. Out on my own, mixed emotions but it is definitely the best move for the children and myself.

So that's it in short for now. I hope my old readers will join me over here but would happily welcome anyone new!

. . . . . . . .

P.S Please bear with me as I style my blog too! ; ) I am also organising an update post and also a bit of history thrown in there too.