Afternoon break

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.....

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')

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

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......

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!

Just a quick update

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!

The last few days

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!

A lot of nothing and some updates with pics!

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.

Couldn't be bothered

....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...