One step closer...

Last night we attended our first ever body corporate meeting at our soon to be new place of residence. I don’t know if I mentioned it previously but our land is one of 15 lots within a ‘gated community’ (sounds so cult like huh?). Accordingly, we have a body corporate and quarterly fees (which are only small, something like $150 a quarter). We also have a committee which Trevor has volunteered for (it’s ‘bout time he showed some initiative in relation to this project – although ‘initiative’ might be the wrong word; thinking more along the lines of persuasion). We have remote entry to the complex – to keep all the baddies out! We received 2 little clickers yesterday which provided some excitement – it’s not like we have a slab yet so anything *new* related to the house provides us with some form of amusement.

Back to the meeting - boy was it an eye opening experience. By the sounds of it there may have been some previous animosity in relation to the issue of water – hopefully that gets sorted out quick smart. I was actually surprised by the type of residents who have purchased land. There are quite a few older couples – I guess I was hoping there might have been some young families (but...with the price of houses these days is it any wonder). One lovely old man, who happens to be a landscaper *wink*wink* took us on a tour of his back yard...I was trying to pick up some pointers. There is one young couple who are getting married next year and they seem lovely. They have bought the block of land next door to us. I have actually had some email communications with them previously and I can certainly see us sharing a few drinks over the coming years.

The quest for completion of the new house (or at least a slab) is well and truly on the way. I had a meeting with our builder this morning, bright and early at 7.30am. He was an interesting chap – much older then I thought he would be (or maybe that was me dreaming about hunky builders *sigh*). He seems experienced enough and was recommended by some friends so it was a lucky break to end up with him as the builder.

As expected, one does not come out of these exercises saving money – Oh no! It seems there is more money yet to spend and most of it's to do with electrical work. We also upgraded the termite protection. I’m still thinking about whether we need to upgrade the water tank. Anyway, I think today added $3,000.00 plus to the bill and we haven’t yet started building – I’m sure there will be other surprises along the way. People weren’t wrong when they said it never works out to be what you thought it would. Even so, we will be well and truly ahead (with equity) when it is all complete. We are getting so much more for our dollar then what we would have gotten having bought outright albeit with some pain and suffering along the way.

As for the slab, the infamous slab, the builder expects it to be laid within the next 3-4 weeks (they have excavating, drainage and stuff to do before then). That will be one step closer to the achievement of our dream. He wouldn’t commit on a completion month other then to say we would be in next year (Umm H-E-L-L-O! Next year is 12 months!). Once he gets started things should keep moving. I hope to have bricks and a roof by Christmas. I hope to be in by the end of March, early April.

Fixture Sport

Byron started fixture sport - Kindy Futsal (or indoor soccer).

My besty, his godmother, organised for him to join. I actually didn’t realise there was organised sport out there for littlies under 5. There is though and she found it. She swung by our place on Saturday morning and we headed out to the centre (after I packed all the stuff we would require for swimming lessons which just so happened to be half an hour after soccer finished ).

Can I just say at the outset that his cuteness factor was beyond words...especially when the teeny tiny little shin pads and big socks were added to the outfit.

The program was developed for children 3-5. There are no big soccer games just drills and activities geared towards developing ball skills and coordination. They even played ‘what’s the time Mr Wolf’ and ‘duck, duck, goose’, There was so much running around that it got to the point, towards the end of the hour, when Byron just sat on the floor and said “I can’t…I have no more energy” – bless him. There was also the time Byron picked up the ball with is hands *gasp*. Shortly after realising what he did *gasp* he started crying because, Trevor had grilled him many times the night before that he couldn't pick up the ball (and no he won't be one of 'those' parents). He got over it about 20 seconds later.

In typical Byron style his focus was a little off. He was off with the pixies a few times during the hour. I am actually hoping this will help a little with his attention span. Time will tell.

There are 8 more sessions this season (we joined mid season) which should provide sufficient time for Byron to decide if he likes it. He said he had fun and he seemed to enjoy the novelty of it all but hey when you're 4 you're bound to change your mind weekly.

Next week he should get his ‘strip’ which will have his name on the back. I can’t wait to see how he looks.

In other news…

I just wanted to say a big congratulations to a special friend Andee (and Logan). Congratulations on the birth of their very special and long awaited princess, Tasmin Alana. I am over the moon with delight that their star is finally here – and after a home birth too. Words can not express how proud I am of the way she got through it! I can’t wait to share the next part of her journey with her.

Just Stuff

There’s a fair been happening around here at the moment (or at least it feels like that when you have to report it all in one entry).

On Wednesday I had a follow up appointment for Lily at the hospital. Naughty me, missed the original follow up appointment for the 4th of August – hey, when they are booked over 6 months in advance you are bound to forget?! If that wasn’t bad enough, the rescheduled appointment was rescheduled again (something to do with the doctor being away). Anyway, we made it to the hospital, albeit a bit latter then expected.

There is good news!

The paediatrician has decided that Lily can come off her antibiotics for now or until such time as we get the results of her ultrasound, which is to take place on Tuesday 30th October. If the ultrasound reveals that Lily’s hydronephrosis has worsened (that is, the dilation has increased) then she is to go back on the antibiotics. If the dilation remains the same or better she gets to stay off the medication. Apparently, there is much more risk with infection in kidneys with babies less than 12 months. Now that she is older the risk is not so bad. However, in saying that, we were advised that every (note emphasis) time she gets a temperature, we are to take her straight to the GP to allow for urinary analysis (I am excited about the prospect of dicing with that good old fanny bag again!).

So, at this stage, we go off the drugs and wait for the ultrasound (which I imagine isn’t going to be as pleasant as it was when Lily was a newborn).

Moving on. We have made contact with the Builder!!!! Yippppeeeee! (can you sense my excitement).

We (or just me because Trevor has to work) are meeting with the builder ‘on site’ *he he he* on Tuesday morning to discuss everything that needs to be discussed (I suppose - because I have no idea). I was advised by the builder that it will take around 1-1 ½ hours. Oh! I’m excited that we finally have some action – super excited *dance around the house excited*. Alas, there is a down side – apparently he is running 3 weeks behind; something to do with the rain and concreters. I really hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. I’m trying not to think to much about that comment. Hopefully he can whip a few concreters out of his bum between now and next week so I can get my slab ASAP.

Hmmm, what else...

Work is really full on at the moment. There is so much to be done – lots of deadlines. My days are very busy which is great. Means home time comes around quickly. I really like my job. I work in a busy team environment with great people. All is not good with the team though. Apparently (because I’m not privy or involved) there are some issues with the team dynamics, so much so, they have called in reinforcements and we (meaning the whole team) have to attend some team building/counselling/ development day next week. Sounds fun huh? Can’t say I am looking forward to it all (especially when it really has nothing to do with me). I consider myself a team player so in thinking it will make for a better work environment, I guess (well not really - its compulsory) I'll attend (together with glee and gusto *cough* *cough*). Stay tunned for this one!

I had a day off yesterday and headed to the lovely Miss Sophie’s 3rd birthday party. It was a lovely morning for all involved. Byron was very excited at the prospect of “having a day off” to go to a party. He talked about his “day off” for days – “I’m having a day off tomorrow mummy” – Me thinking – a day off from what?! Craft, sleep, playing in the sunshine – Geezers I need a holiday just to do one of those things. I love having a weekday off with the chilblanes. I really enjoy that time. It's a step away from normalness if only for a day.

I think that’s all there is to report for now.

Oh! One more thing!

Byron is starting soccer tomorrow – my little boy is joining organised sport – kindy indoor soccer. The juvenile sporting weekends have begun. I imagine this is when my weekends of freedom (by the way, my definition of freedom is not your standard characterisation - no no – I mean it in the context of restrictions on unscheduled dealings) end for good (or at least the next 18 years).

....and that's it!

Nighty Night.

She’s walking...

A metre here and 30cms there - she is finally taking some more steps BUT only when you stand her up and say “come and get me” or “come to mummy”. She can take quite a few steps before she plops down. Miss Lily can not yet get to the standing position unaided nor does she have the guts to just go on her own without some guidance but hey...my little Lily is still so clever.

Plus, she is just so darn cute!!!!!!!!!

I have lots of bits and pieces to talk about but little time (work stuff calling – darn mediation I need to prep for). There's Lily's health stuff, house stuff, work stuff, and well...just stuff. I'll have to come back later me thinks – probably tomorrow.

Artistic Flair

I think Byron might be a photographer! What do you think?

He definitely has some artistic flair; the way he has captured that builder’s hat. Oh and those feet...aren’t they just the cutest and the placement is *oh so* perfect (and no my eyes aren’t painted on – I'm just wearing my ‘mummy’ glasses!). Hmm....I can't say the photo of me is very flattering - I think the light is all wrong!

(Byron's photo was taken by me...)

I had a Fisher Price camera on lay-by which I was going to give him for his birthday but decided against it, because I thought he had got enough. Instead I thought I would give it to him for Christmas until I remembered the money dad had given me for Byron's birthday so against my inner voice telling me he has enough, I decided to get it anyway (I had been mulling over what to get him with his birthday money and the bank just didn't seem like any fun). I am so glad I did. He loves it - his first ever camera!

The picture quality isn't the greatest which is fine because I think it adds that childish factor to the shot – kinda like a drawing. It’s only been one afternoon so I haven’t had the best opportunity to see him in action but I really can’t wait. I can’t wait to see what he thinks is worth capturing. I can’t wait to see his take on the world; it's like looking through his eyes and that to me is so exciting!

I wonder what he will see tomorrow?!

She’s back!

Lily’s bright and breezy side has returned! I can’t believe it. I honestly thought it was gone for good, it had been so long.

We went to the doctors again today just to make sure she is on the mend because yesterday morning and the day before I had the *oh so* pleasant morning surprise of vomit! Not sure what was happening there because she seemed ok during the day (no vomit). Anyway, back on track, she is doing great although the doctor wants a urine sample checked just to make sure she doesn’t have a urinary tract infection.

Well do you think we had any luck getting a sample in time to send to the pathologist? Nope, nada, zip...nothing! Who ever said those damn ‘stick on your fanny’ collector bags make it easier lied because all we ended up with were a few drops and Huggies got the rest. Don't even ask about the time we tried and got poo instead...I guess we will try on Monday.

She was smiling, crawling around, playing and seemed so much happier today!

I am so elated to have her back!

Bad Habits

For the record, Lily is getting better. She is eating well (still no dairy) and the diarrhea is all gone *touch wood* although she is still quite ‘soft’ in that department. She is off to kindy tomorrow for her first day back in a week, which I think will be really good for her and get her back into her normal routine. I hope to restart her on dairy tomorrow (or at least one bottle).

Leaving miserableness and weight loss aside the dreaded sickness has caused something else...bad habits!

Lily is so out of routine at the moment it’s not funny. Over the course of the last week she has had a lot of cuddles, and I mean a lot...like, cuddle central at our place. Is it possible for a baby to get too many cuddles??!!!

She has become less active (which is understandable). At this rate she won't be walking until she is 16 months old!

She wants to be picked up ALL the time (note emphasis on ALL).

She won’t let me leave the room when I’m home with her or cracks up if she sees me (awwhhh she loves me most – this isn’t too bad I suppose).

She wants cuddles to sleep.

She whinges, whines and cries constantly (it’s driving me nuts).

I’m really scared that all the good habits and routines we have developed over the previous year are shot. Things such as sleep and being independent were things Lily was so proficient at and now seem to have gone flying (at full pelt) out the window. What if they don’t return? What will I do? Start over?

I know that she has been sick and during that time she has needed extra cuddles and reassurance and I needed that too (something to do with feeling like I was giving her what she needed and doing everything I could to help). However, it seems little Lily has cottoned on to all the extra attention and is gunning her little heart out for all she can get shunning any routine and schedules we have in place. At the moment, she thinks its all about her – her way or no way! Somehow me thinks that won’t work around here.

So.

Tomorrow is the day when routine and order make their way back into my house. Lily will just have to accept it – or at least that is the plan anyway...she might need extra cuddles after her first day back at kindy.