R.I.P Grandad

R.I.P Grandad

22/04/1922 - 24/05/2010

Firstly, I just have to note that the year of birth at the top might be a guess, I'm sure he's 88 but he could be 89.

He's been in and our of hospital over the last few years with various things along with dealing with dementia.  Last week he was admitted to emergency with what looked to be kidney failure.  On Saturday while we were driving home I received a message from my mum that they had moved him to a private room and called family in to say their farewells as his kidneys had shut down and it was only a matter of time.  Mum and dad said their final goodbyes on Saturday, dad's sister was in town to visit and a long standing rift meant the 2 of them would not be in the same room at the same time.  As it was 2 days later he passed away.

It's been really tough for me today, not because I've been upset but because I haven't been.  My father didn't have a relationship with his dad which meant we also didn't have a relationship with him.  He treated my dad horrible for a lot of Dad's life.  And even recently dad supported him and his wife financially and was completely taken advantage of.  However on the flip side, my extended family, dad's step brother and half sisters along with their kids did have a relationship with him and he was a dad and grandad to them...so for them I feel upset and for them my heart aches.

I am sure that on Monday when I attend his funeral, the first ever funeral I have attended for a family I'll feel it and I'll cry and I'll be upset and I will be there for the rest of my family however they need me.

The above photo was taken at Rat_boys christening just over a year ago.

Rat_boy turns 1

Friday the 14th of May marked the 1st anniversary of Rat_boys birth....we had a lovely day spending the morning at the park with some friends and then later than afternoon just family and a couple close friends for cake and nibbles.

He was very spoilt and had a wonderful day, Rat_girl also had a lovely day as 2 people gave her 'birthday' presents also (a pet hate of mine when the other sibling gets presents also..but we won't dwell on that now).

And also to celebrate this day, Rat_boy had his last breastfeed awww, tomorrow will have been a week so pretty safe to say that chapter is closed now....but how nice to end it like that, an early morning feed on his birthday.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

His little girlfriend (not sure what the face is) she is 4 days his junior.

And Rat_girls (latest) little boyfriend, been friends since they were just babies..he's such a gentleman (don't tell his mother I said that!)

On the run and all grown up

No fear these kids

Presents...nice wrapping paper...and Rat_boy mid sneeze

Learning a new skill

Something I hadn't had a chance to post yet.

This year for Christmas Rat_girl got a fishing rod, a pink one at that, and a tackle box filled with goodies.  She has been obsessing over Concrete_mans fishing rod for ages and constantly asking when she can go fishing.  So we gave her the rod and took her fishing.

We went a few days after New Year...now let me just add I'm not big on fishing I can't even remember the last time I fished.  We weren't overly prepared, well this insn't true I had food, drinks, sunscreen pretty much everything but I forgot the chairs, the insect repellant AND we had no idea where we were actually going...then add to that it rained!

But we got through it and now we know a few things to make next time more enjoyable for everyone!

First stop, the side of the Barron Rive (i.e CROC central, thankfully didn't see any)

Waiting, waiting..got a few bites, not just mozzies, but lost them in the snags. I reckon there would be plenty fish if you had the patience....ummm we didn't!

Next stop a little further down at the beach, was a popular spot.  But due to the high tide, Rat_boy and I couldn't get down to the beach it was too dangerous to walk over the rocks.  Next time we'll come from the other beach

Finally the waiting paid off, given it was on Concrete_mans rod but she was holding it and she reeled it in, she screamed at the sight of it but was excited!

What I now know I need for next time to make it a more family friendly fun day out, firstly remember the insect repellant!!!

But I'm on the look out for a cheap 2 man tent that we can set up on the beach for Rat_boy to play around in and sleep in if he needs to, lots of sand toys, chairs and yeah something to take home any fish that are takeable (so not a word HAHA).  That way we can pull up some sand near the water, plant the rods and she can go between rod and playing and she won't get so bored.  Atleast that is the plan anyway!!

Summer Daze and Fresh cut grass

It's been so hot and humid lately that by the afternoon the kids are just feral and painful.

So each afternoon while concrete_man has been away I've put a little water in the kiddies pool and let the rats play.  Rat_boy wasn't too sure about it to start with but now each after noon he goes a little nuts when he sees the pool.  It was especially great this afternoon after both had had a few tantrums and screaming fits it helped to bring normality (I use the term loosely) back to the house.

I swear just looking at the pictures cools me down, the water is so cold!

One of my favourite smells is the smell of fresh cut grass, but I believe it smells even better when you have cut that grass yourself.  I always thought that mowing the lawn was a mans job, but after the first time I mowed a lawn (4 years ago) I realised just how satisfying and relaxing it is, not to mention it's an awesome workout.  I mean I'm outside in the fresh air, I have a friendly little willy wagtail that follows me the whole time, I'm sweating it out, I'm alone with my thoughts, no one bothers me and unlike when I clean the house, the lawn stays mowed for more than 10 minutes.  I love it, I can't believe that before when I lived alone or when concrete_man was away I would pay someone to mow my lawn.

Even the 4 legged rats love it...I tried to get a shot of her rolling around on her back but she spied me!!

The only down side I guess, is the sunburn...yes yes I know, I can remember to lather my kids in sunscreen but never myself.  Oh and that fact that generally after I have mowed the first strip the dogs like to 'christen' it...!!!

Disco Party Time

In about 6 weeks time it's Rat_girls 4th Birthday OMG 4!!!!

Anyway this year we're going offsite for the birthday party, a place here does a disco every Sunday afternoon and they will incorporate birthday parties into the disco.

So now I'm looking for all things disco.  The invites are sorted, a lady I know designs photo invites all printed, laminated with a magnet on the back and delivered YAY.

The cake...she wanted a flower cake, which she will get on her actual birthday when we have the family over for coffee and cake.  But for the party I want to keep in theme so I um...welll....decided I'd make a disco ball for a cake!  I'm even going to attempt to pain the foundant with edible paint to make it metallic and shiny.

Now I don't have to do food, I don't have to do decorations so I thought I'd put some effort into party favours.  Any ideas????

1 idea I have was to either cover marshmallows in either icing or chocolate and roll in 100's&1000's, kind of like a disco ball and I might make some playdough for the kids and wrap in some squenced material.

I wasn't going to go with the disco themed cake and stuff until I saw the invite and Rat_girl went on and on and on about the disco ball.

Fairies, Orges, Sleeping Teddies and some house work

Photos from the weekend

Tinkerbell on her way to a friends Fairytale birthday party

"I'm an Orge" Baby Shrek accompanying Tinkerbell to the party

PS. Tinkerbell took these photos

Doing the housework in our best outfit!

Some sleeping teddy in blanket biscuits

Someone read my mind!

I was deciding how to pre-make Concrete_mans salads for the week..

Well I normally pre chop a lot of my vegies when I do my groceries but to have everything in the same container or something would be great so I can just pull the container out and and put into his lunch container...or he can do it himself HAHAHAHAHA

Anyway someone has just read my mind

The Life of a Super Organised Mum - pre make salads

The only thing I want to do different is I would prefer if the container was square or rectanlge, I have a phobia of round containers, they just do fit they waste space etc and my fridge doesn't have a lot of space as it is.  Hmmm unless I can incorporate it into my big tupperware fridge smart container.  Maybe I can...I wonder if I could just get little fridge baskets and put in the container to make compartments then I can keep the salad vegies serperate until I'm ready to make the salad.

Just thinking out aloud now.

Same same, usual usual

Nothing really exciting to update, but it's 730pm both kids have been in bed since 7pm everything is done and ready for tomorrow and to tell you the truth I'm not really certain what to do with myself.

Sunday wasn't all that eventful, Concrete_Man and I had a few words or was it an argument, not really sure. All because I wanted to take Rat_girl to the shops on her own, she just loves coming shopping with me but noooooooo because with Rat_boy at home Concrete_man can't work on his car. Anyway as it was Rat_boy woke from his sleep and came with us anyway. It went ok, though we did abandon the fruit and veg half way through because a certain person needed to weeeeeee, and no it wasn't me. But that is ok I can handle another quick shop run for fruit and veg, or I could just order it online and get it delivered, perhaps I do that. As a reult we had regular shepards pie tonight no sweet potato..bugger! But it was delish, packed full of hidden vegies and even a tin of baked beans for extra goodnes and fibre.

Today wasn't a bad day, I really should have and could have got more done but I chose not to. I'll try tomorrow while I have one at kindy and one at home. Really I just want to give my floors a clean it's embarassing how dirty they are. The new floor in the lounge and office hasn't been cleaned (well it's be vacuumed) since it was put down. Oh no that is a line I did it once!

Dinner and everything was ready early and on time tonight as I had a friends 15yo here entertaining the kids, she even took Rat_girl to the park for a play, which may just explain the early bed time :-) I'm not complaining.

Quick organising up date, my laundry is working fantastic! I'm even using the clothes line again as washing is caugh up and I'm generally only doing 1 smallish wash a day. I still use the dryer for towells and sheets don't like them off the line.Rat_girl put all her own clothes away today AND she had even made her own bed the last 3 mornings in a row. SWEEEET!

The kitchen, I've never seen it so clean. I've added a few cheap baskets to the utensils drawer and the kids container drawer and it's made it a little tidier. The pantry and everything else is working great. Everyone knows where everything goes. And putting the groceries away was a dream. Not to mention i didn't buy things in the shopping I didn't need.

The office is still working great, this week I'm working on the filing cabinet.

I can't wait to get some photos up, it may not be exciting for anyone else but it's exciting for me. I'm lazy and unmotivated so I kind of need to be organised, things need to be easy or else I won't do them at all.

Anyway look at that it's not not 8pm and I don't have anything else to do for the night!

Tomorrow I'm definatley going to get my hair done, or atleast try and I might try for a trip to the health nurse and just have a quick check up and chat about Rat_boy make sure all is well. Seems to be a lot of pressure mounting to get him on solids urgh I can't think of anything worse yet, but guess the time is looming.....ooooooo!!

Ok I'm off, I've waffled way too long!

The arrival of Rat_Boy 14th May 2009

Because labour with Alisha started with my waters breaking first thing in the morning, I had decided that my next labour would start in the morning also (stupid I know) so every morning when I got out of bed and nothing had happened I had resigned myself to the fact I would have to wait another WHOLE day.

As it turned out, as I'm sure you can guess, I was wrong and things went just a little bit differently.

Thursday morning 14th May 2009, I'm seriously starting to think the child will never come out, all the major 'events' had passed i.e. Alisha's Wiggles concert, purchasing of a new car that sort of thing, where I was certain I was going to go into labour just because it would be awkard. Brendan had mentioned a few days earlier to spend a day just waddling around the shops to keep active as this was what I had done with Rat_Girl and she came the next day, so on Wednesday i did that..plus I even cooked us a curry for dinner! But when i woke Thursday morning nothing was happening. So I went about my day, took Alisha to her swimming lesson and had planned a trip to a play centre so she could run around and I coudl just sit. However, the universe had other plans. While I was there I started getting a sore back and after complaining about it and saying "no, no contractions or anything just a sore back" I felt what I thought was a mild contraction and an urgent need to pee! Thankfully Alisha was already in the pool, turned out I didn't really need to pee, I had a 'show'. The half an hour at swimming felt like forever and I was still getting some mild discomfort, I wasn't able to sit I had to stand and I was getting very flushed and hot and flustered. The other parents were watching wondering if they were going to have to catch the baby right there. So I decided against the play centre and instead phoned mum to come keep me company. Brendan was working and I didn't want to drag him home unless I HAD to. Besides, I've had some false alarms before I'm sure it's nothing.

When mum arrived I had changed into comfy clothes but was anything but comfy. And just incase I had repacked my bag for hospital, checked that Alisha was all sorted for kindy the next day and that everything else was in order. I made sure to drink heaps of fluids and eat well just incase I needed the energy later. I was in a horrible mood though and my poor mum and daughter we coping the brunt of it. I did call Brendan just before lunch to tell him what was happening and that it wasn't serious yet just finish up work and I'll call you if it gets worse.

Around lunch time I thought things felt quite regular so I decided to time my contractions (if that is what they were) and they were about 8-10mins apart and lasting about 30sec-1min. So I let it go as they were quite bearable. I pottered around and tried to relax. I talked to some friends on MSN and played on facebook. My friends were getting rather excited, me I was in complete denial still believing it was all a false alarm. It was 3:30pm when Brendan arrived home and I decided again to time my contractions, they were still lasting about the same were slightly more painful but now coming about every 5-7mins. So I told Brendan to shower and sent mum home, incase I needed her later, then I phoned the hospital and asked if I could come in just to be checked. At this stage I was just going to take Alisha with us and then go back to mums to ride things out and get my friend to pick Alisha up from there when I needed her to. So at about 4:45pm I hung up the phone to the hospital after telling them "contractions are not too painful, about 5mins apart, still bearable" I think got up to move and was hit with an earthshattering contraction, I couldn't move I couldn't breathe it was extremly intense, it honestly felt like I was ripped apart, obviously things were moving. So a quick trip to the toilet and I realised I had had a massive show. I think was hit quickly with another contraction of the same intensity! It was at that stage I said to Brendan "pack up quickly, lock the house I'll calling Fizz to come get Alisha and lets get to the hospital" I think I yelled it and I think I may have sworn. It was less than 5minutes and Alisha was on her way seriously excited and oblivisious to everything.

The trip to the hospital was painful, so hard to deal with contractions while squashed into a car. Not to mention every red light, the bumps and ALMOST being breathalised, I swear if that cop had pulled us over I would should the breathaliser machine down his throat. Thankfully when we got there there was a park out front and mum was there waiting...I don't remember calling her, I must have!

Straight upstairs to maternity, far out what a long walk when you are in paind, but now the contractions are 3mins part, possibly closer and very very very painful. My DR examined me and said straight away I was 7cm dialated and it could all unfold within the hour. By now it's just before 6pm and I start to panic that it's happening so soon. Not long ago I still didn't beleive I was in labour. And serously can this midwife stop commenting on hour big this baby feels, I swear I'll kick her if she doesn't stop. I think she go the idea because she did stop!


We moved to the birthing suite when I used the shower and hot water for pain relief but it didn't seem like very long until I needed to push. The urge was so strong. The first couple pushes felt fine but after that it all felt wrong. I started screaming and crying that I couldn't do it, it's not right it hurts, I was actually freaking out and completely losing control. When I think back it felt like something was stuck and the more I pushed the more it got stuck. I think I knew that at the time but couldn't express it. In the ended the DR examined me and some of my cervix was still in the way and also decided on the next contraction to break my water...this is when I completely lost it, I can't explain that feeling. So I opted for pethadine to calm me down (let me tell you it didn't stop the pain) according to those in the room it worked immediately. My DR decided to duck home for a quick dinner NICE! They gave me pethadine just after 730pm and I breathed through the contractions very calmly with the aid of some gas before I felt I needed to push again. This time it felt right!!!!!! I was so calm and relaxed I didn't scream just focused all my energy on getting the baby out. I could feel the baby moving and I knew that with the next push the head would be out and it was. The next contraction felt like it was never going to come as I sat there emotionally exhausted with babys head out. Finally it came and with the next push Travis Mitchell was born!! This time I knew straight away he was a boy as I was sitting and watched him come out, that was quite amazing. Unfortunately that wasn't the end of it, the injection for the placenta didn't quite work and I have to push quite hard to get it out....While I fed Travis I was fixed up, yep another tear but again no other complications.

I remember looking at him and thinking how amazing it was he looked just like his big sister and what was everyone going on about he's not that big!! Far out he looked just the same size as she was. BOY was I wrong.

Travis Mitchell
Born 14.05.09 8:28pm
4905grm 10lb13oz
58.5cm long
36cm head circ
Pretty sure this is the last birth story of mine you will be reading :-)

The arrival of Rat_Girl 13 Dec 2005

It became apparent when I booked the installation of our air-conditioners 3 days prior to my due date that this would be the day baby would arrive.

So on the eve of I was madly rushing around finalising everything. Whilst doing so I was walking down one of the supermarket isles and remember this very strange very sudden pain in my back. I decided then I needed to quickly finish my shopping just in case. I remember running into a girlfriend in the car park and saying "I'm gettig home because I'm certain this baby is coming tomorrow".

At 5:20am on Tuesday 13th December 2005 I woke up for my usual trip to the toilet, nothing unusual. Except when I got up off the toilet I realised or thought I hadn't wiped myself properly. After the 3rd attempt I realised that my waters had broken and were slowly leaking.

I calmly called out to Brendan to get out of bed grab my bag and start getting ready...he paniced to start with asking "do I need to panic yet" I replied "if I'm calm then you stay calm, if I start to panic you stay calm otherwise we're both in trouble!".

I called the hospital who asked me to come up and get checked make sure there is not infection. But first I needed to shower, have some breakfast, call mum to meet us at the hospital and dad to come out and wait for the air con guys. When i got in the shower my waters started gushing...but at this stage no conctractions.

It was almost 7am by the time we got to the hospital and some very mild non regular contractions had started on the drive in. I was examined and hardly dilated so I was giving the choice to hang around or go home for a few hours. I went to mum and dads nice and close to the hospital. Brendan went home to check on the progress.

While at mums things slowly started to pick up, slightly more painful and more regular contractions. A couple were quite strong and during 1 I managed to throw my mobile phone and smash it to pieces! Well in my defence the bloody thing wouldn't work and kept shutting off while I was trying to talk to Brendan. I remember having a few conversations with rellies and friends at mums and having contractions mid sentence.

I ventured back to the hospital after lunch, close to 2pm I think. I had dilated slightly more, things were progressing nicely but not too quickly. I was certain I would still be there till early hours of the next morning. At about 3:30 they moved me from the ward to my own room, I decided I needed to go to the toilet, I think I'd been holding it in all day (probably scared I might push the baby our by mistake!). The midwife came in to check and I told her things were fine pain was bareable.....and at the moment I was hit with a seriously painful conctraction.....the midwife said "that doesn't look so bearable, off to the birth suite". Thankfully I was the only one birthing at the time.

While int he birth suite mum and Brendan took turns with me and having breaks. I remember screaming for mum at one stage because she had ducked home and wasn't back yet, she had probably only been gone for 10mins for all I know. DR checked me about 5pm and said I'd definately not deliver until after midnight. I managed to eat dinner and watch some tv while breathing through the contractions before moving to the shower and I got Brendan to use the shower on my back for the pain. Then I moved to the bath which was just heaven, I even fell asleep though some of the contractions, I also used the gas to help me breath through, though at the time I swore it did nothing.

I was feeling quite pushy in the bath after awhile so I asked to get out, but now it's just before 9pm and DR is due to come back to check my progress. But I was fully dilated and ready to push so the midwife was on the phone calling the DR (and the student who was supposed to be watching) to get there quick. I had started pushing before the DR got there, and I was certain I was going to pull mum and Brendan's shoulders out of the socket as I use using them for leverage. Once DR got there is was all systems go, a few pushes ( a few jokes between pushes) and next thing the DR is saying baby is just about here one not so big push, baby should crown, when I say stop, relax otherwise you will tear. So I pushed and baby crowned (wow that was a strange feeling of pain and relief at the same time) then I relaxed when DR told me to and the next thing I remember was the midwfie saying "oh too late your baby is here" at 9:29pm. Baby just came out as soon as I laid back to rest...! It seemed like baby was on my chest forever before I new if it was a boy or a girl. I couldn't see a thing as my glasses had been ripped off my face...by baby! Finally we manged to check and what do you know, it was a little (or not so little) girl, Alisha Rose. I didn't even feel the injection or when I delivered my placenta in fact I'm not even sure I knew it was happening.

I did however feel when DR was repairing me, I'd had quite a tear and it wasn't pleasant..but thankfully no serious complications.

We were left alone for what seemed like and eternity in the birthsuite and Alisha fed for the whole time. Then finally they came to take her stats...

Alisha Rose
Born 13.12.05 9:29pm
4145grms 9lb2oz
53cm long
36cm head circ