The Cake Reveal

Five hours later and the sorest feet and hand and not to mention a horrible icing after taste in my mouth (disclaimer: that is no indication of icing taste...just me licking too many fingers), the cake is done. Call it my labour of love. I am so proud of myself. I am shocked that it turned out as good as it did (yes I can say it...I’m proud to say it). The only thing I am probably not happy with is the mouth but hey, it provides the general effect.

So, here it is, Lily’s very first cake for her very first birthday - Dolly. Best of all, it was made by me!



Now I just have to ‘touch wood’ nothing happens to it between now and tomorrow’s party!

More House News

Well, Council has approved the plumbing and drainage application which means we can move to the next step – FINALLY!!!

The next step involves apparently (because I can only go on what I am told) waiting for the builder to sign off on the new plans, after which we should receive the ‘formal’ contract in the mail, for which we need to obtain finance approval, upon receipt of which the plans will be submitted to the surveyor (instead of Council) for approval *gasp for breathe* - that was rather a long sentence fitting of course for a longish process. Following all that, within 21 days building should commence.

So, fingers crossed, by mid October, I can show my dear diary a picture of our slab (I am trying not to hold my breathe over it though).

12 Month Statistics

Lily had her 12 month immunisations today and sadly I couldn’t take her – I had to work. I had yesterday off so it wouldn't be right for me to have another day off - not to mention the three days I had off last week. Grandma took her. I guess there were benefits such that I didn’t have to see her in pain. The negatives were that I didn’t get to comfort her. Plus I didn’t get to go through her health check. There wasn’t anything I needed to raise in any event but still I wish I could have gone. *sigh*

Anyway, from all accounts she took the needles as best as one can. According to Byron “she was sad and she cried”.

She has hit the 10kgs mark. She now weighs 10210 grams which puts her smack bang on the 75th percentile which was where she sat at 6 months.

She is 77cms long (or tall) which puts her smack bang between the 75th and 90th percentile – super model material.

As for her head circumference it measures 47cms which puts her on the 90th percentile (she was on the 75th at 6 months).

It seems my munchkin is really growing up – she’s a big girl now.

Lily is meeting all her developmental milestones and there isn’t anything they are concerned with which is fantastic. At her 6 month check up they were concerned that one of her legs was slightly shorter then the other but that doesn’t appear to be a problem anymore.

From all accounts she is perfect.

Photos of Lily's Special Day

I thought I would share some photos of Lily on her special day.

Byron was keen to open all the presents but had to settle for just ‘helping’.

She liked the little tiny trike…but she was more fascinated with Byron ‘roaring’ lion noises at her so she would smile.

Mum gave Lily the most beautiful gift - a limited edition egg music box which says "A Grandaughter is a special treasure"

I gave Lily her bottle on the floor with a pillow and the little munchkin feel asleep…and we hadn’t even gone out to celebrate…she really does need that morning sleep.

She wanted that cake and nothing was going to get in her way. Trevor kept having to swipe her hands away just so we could get it close enough for her (or Byron) to blow out the candle. There was no putting that cake in front of her.

There wasn’t much left of the half a cup cake she did consume. The real cake will have to wait until Saturday.

A Letter to My Daughter

To my dearest daughter,

Today is your birthday, your very first birthday. Happy Birthday my darling...

I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant with you. It was around the 4th pregnancy test in as many days, but that doesn’t include the five or so that I did, in addition, just to confirm it was really true. The first person I rang to tell was my mother (your Nanna) other than your daddy or course. I was thrilled to pieces to be pregnant again after my previous miscarriage. As you grew inside me, all the while causing an array of illnesses and ailments (which I would happily take again for you) I knew you were destined to be here on this earth with me. From the moment I found out I was having a girl, I couldn’t have been happier. The thought of pretty dresses, dolls and tea sets was something I was looking forward to as a mother. But most of all, the thing I was looking forward to (or are, given your still a little young for most) is shopping trips, coffee breaks and telephone gas bags with my daughter – all of which I share with your Nanna.

You arrived 2 weeks early after an inducement courtesy of those ailments I mentioned earlier. My labour was drug free and tough (and that is putting it mildly – I’d prefer not to scare you with that one). You arrived covered in vernix and as pretty and dainty as ever. Your little hands and feet were tiny but your head – well that wasn’t so tiny. As a newborn you had the finest down of hair, the sweetest lips and the softest skin I have ever felt in my life. Life at that stage was a little up and down for you and for me. There was an array of hospital visits and medical appointments and then there were the breastfeeding dramas. Things were tough in the beginning but we got through it…we came out the other end and here we are today celebrating your first birthday.

I am amazed at how quickly this first year went. I knew it would having experienced it with Byron, but sadly that wasn’t enough preparation. I shudder at the thought of you growing up so fast. From the tiny baby I ventured home all love struck from the hospital with to the now mischievous not so tiny baby girl or soon to be toddler.

You’re a gentle, happy soul full of life. Your eyes, like your brothers, are evidence of your state of being. You are yet too young to talk, although you seem to think you can, so your big blue eyes are your windows to your soul. Your ‘real tear’ cry always gets me – your just lucky that tears come standard in your model – I’m still shocked at how easily you can generate a tear (it must be a girl thing).

I don’t know if it comes standard in a second child but you are generally self sufficient in the ‘keeping oneself entertained department’. If your favourite person (that would be Byron) is not around then you will happily roam the house searching for the next adventure. The other day I caught you hoeing into Byron’s left over vegemite and cheese sandwich he happily left on his table which brings me to your favourite pastime – eating! You love to eat, you will eat just about anything in sight and I hate to say it but you eat more then your soon to be four year old brother. Hey, I’m not complaining it makes life so much easier when one of my children doesn’t argue with the fact food is a staple of life.

You recently discovered the tantrum and I know I won’t be saying this in a years time – but it is so adorably cute the way you wave your arms around, or hit the ground or kick your legs…it cracks me up in side every time.

This year you have discovered life and all there is on offer for someone so young. You have taken your first breath, eaten your first bite of food, smiled, laughed and clapped for the first time. This year has seen you crawl and stand up assisted. You are yet to walk but I can wait for that one!

I love the way you giggle when your feet are tickled after your shoes and socks have been removed. I love the way you bury your head to the side of your shoulder when you know you are being cheeky. I love the way you clap your hands the minute you hear the song ‘if you’re happy and you know it’. I love the way you rub the bunny ears of your little blanket along your face. I love the greeting you give me in the morning when I come and pick you up out of your cot. I love the way you insist on feeding me bits of your food unsatisfied until I take at least one ‘proper’ bite. I just love you to bits and best of all, I know you love me and for that I am grateful. I didn’t realise the power of a mother’s love until I had children. It is one of those emotions incapable of definition and expression; it is something I hope you get the opportunity to one day experience. Thanks to you and your brother, it is something I have the pleasure of knowing.

I have learned many things from you this past year and am sure that with the passing years I will learn much more. My delight of having you as my daughter is immeasurable. I have gained endless pleasure by your sheer presence in my life.

So, my dearest daughter on this your first birthday, I take this opportunity to thank you for the gifts you have provided me…the gift of happiness, love and serenity. You have a fan, a number one supporter for life and that is my promise to you on your birthday. I will be by your side for your first step, your first stumble, your first haircut and as many cuddles as you need. May you enter into your second year with as much zest and wonderment for life as you have in your first. The world is your oyster as they say – open for you to discover.

With much love (and kisses)
Mummy
xxx

Happy 1st Birthday Lily!

Here is just a quick message for my poppit. I have so much I want to say but that will have to wait until this evening. I am off to have a fun day with my little lady.

So, until this evening...

My Princess Pie
I can't believe your 1 already!!!
Love Mummy, Daddy and Byron
xxx

This time last year..

27th August 2006

I was on my way to taking Byron to a birthday party when I got a phone call from the hospital advising me, that if I agreed (and the labour ward remained quiet) I could come in that night for my induction as opposed to coming in the following morning. It goes without saying that of course I agreed (alternative; no thank you?I loved being big, puffed-up and uncomfortable).

During the course of Byron's friends birthday party, it started to dawn on me that I was going to be giving birth within the following 24 hours and I started to get a smidgen nervous. I will be honest, the thought of labour was scarier second time around then it was first time around. I have heard that this has something to do with 'knowing what you're in for'. To be truthful though, I think it had more to do with what could go wrong, meeting the baby and all the other stuff. Labour with Byron wasn't really all that bad, thanks to the epidural.

Upon returning from the party I advised Trevor that I was going to be induced (see he never came to the party cause he wasn't 'feeling well' something to do with alcohol!). We also arranged alternative accommodation for Byron. He would be staying at Grandmas and Poppys. Whilst Trevor dropped him off at his parents, I telephoned the hospital to make sure that it was still ok (ie. quiet). I was advised that it was and that I should come in after 8pm, closer to 10pm if I could.

After a few final additions to my bag, Trevor and I left the house. It was the last time I would leave the house as a mother of one. When I would return I would have two kids! Oh My God!!! I would have *gasp* kids!!!

In the hast of everything happening so quickly I never had time to eat dinner so Trevor and I made one quick stop through the McDonalds drive thru for a few cheese burgers and some chips.

We arrived at the hospital at around 9.00pm where I filled out the necessary paper work following which we were taken to the observation room. Whilst at the observation room the baby was monitored for approximately half an hour all looked good in that department. Following the examination I had another internal. It turns out I wasn't as ripe as I may have thought (not to worry now though. I guess it just meant natural labour might have taken a little longer then I would have wished making me somewhat more thankful for the induction).

Within half an hour of the internal I was having the vaginal prostaglandins (gel) again not the most pleasant thing! After the gel was inserted they monitored the baby for another half an hour. During that time I swore I was in labour my back was killing me. It was quiet intense. However, my illusions were shattered when the midwife advised they were just tightenings and would probably disappear within a few hours. Patients very rarely go into natural spontaneous labour after having the gel inserted. It merely ?ripens? and dilates the cervix enough for ones waters to be broken.

After an hour or so I was moved to the ward for the night. I was pleased to see that I had a room to myself. I was told that if all went well I would get my waters broken at approximately 6am the next morning (that didn't leave much time for sleep given it was after 11.30pm when I went to the ward). After Trevor left, I was given some Panadene for the pain (I would like to think of them as contractions), got in my PJs and went to bed (but sleep...well sleep I'm not so sure of).

And the next day...

Well, that will have to wait until tomorrow (or until I have written the next instalment which could be when she turns 2).