Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year! I can't believe how fast 2011 flew by. The Year of the Dragon is now here and I'm looking forward to it.

Today I feel a bit empty, as my love has left again for China and I won't see him for another six weeks. We have decided that we will see each other in six weeks no matter what. I will either be travelling over there without our 8 month old son (who will be 9 months old by then) for a week. Or (fingers crossed) I will be going over with Mother-in-Law and baby for [indefinite period of time]. 

I started my new 'Mums and Bubs Bootcamp' today, which was actually very draining. I know it's called 'bootcamp' and I should have realised it won't be a walk in the park. However, we did walk (and jog and run) in the park and it was tiring to say the least. I realise how unfit I actually am after only managing to complete 16 push-ups in one minute, and they were the 'girly-style' push-ups too... But it was a fun experience having all of our babies in prams with us while we exercised our jelly butts off. I am actually looking forward to going back on Wednesday.


Finally, the weather is warming up. Odd weather lately, considering it is the middle of summer! Trust it to be a steaming hot day on the first day of bootcamp.


Until next time

Lana

xxx

Cheers to China

It has been a while since I last posted, not because I've been lazy, but because I've been so busy. It's amazing how much time motherhood can take up. And don't get me started on the never-ending washing...

...But on to other issues. I think I may be moving to China next year. It isn't a complete surprise as it has been on the cards for the past few months. But now my partner is living over there and he wants me and my baby to join him next year.

 China is, according to Wikipedia (I know it's not the best source of information but it will do for now), "the most populous state in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens". That's quite intimidating. However, I do know the town that I would be moving to (if I do choose to live there) has around 500,000 citizens.

I am going to cut my post short today as I am still thinking things over and I don't have the words to express how I am feeling. If anyone out there in cyberspace is reading this post, I would love to hear your opinion of China, how you think a mother of a 6 month old baby would go living in a small town (small in Chinese standards), and what I should be researching before I go over there.

Cheers.

Garage Sale Days

I love garage sales! We put on an awesome garage sale over the weekend and made some good money, as well as meeting a lot of new neighbours and having fun. However, it wasn't fun getting up at five in the morning, although I should be used to that with my breastfeeding routine (or lack of routine). I think the most important thing for a garage sale is to advertise. I advertised in two local papers, which cost me around $30, but it was worth it as we had a large number of customers coming through. Then at the end of the day, anything that didn't sell is packed up and taken to the local charity shop. We mostly had books and clothes left over to take to charity.

Because it's Tuesday

Here is what I'm loving this week:

Chocolate Chip Cookies 

I have a very bad sweet tooth so I have been trying a few different types of choc chip cookies lately. These cookies have so many choc chips in them, they are almost evil. I bought these today and have already eaten four. Delicious but very very naughty!

Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series

I bought these books ten years ago and started reading the first three in the series. For some reason, I didn't finish reading them. Now I have reignited my passion for this series and started re-reading them. I am up to the fourth book in the series, 'Cruel and Unusual', and I am absolutely loving them. I wonder if these books were the inspiration for all of those crime shows that we have plastered on our TVs today?

Garnier Night Cream

Now that I am no longer 'in my 20s', I realise how important it is to look after my skin. While I have always used moisturiser as I have fairly dry skin, now I am also using a night cream to keep up my 'youthful appearance'. I have tried a few different brands and this one is one of my favourites. Perhaps because it's called 'Youthful Radiance', it makes me feel younger? I am a sucker for advertising!

Spring!

Spring has sprung and the weather is certainly keeping true to the season. I love spring, with budding flowers, warm days and crisp nights. I love going to the nearby park where I can walk amongst the blooming cherry blossom trees. Spring is a time for renewal and growth and also a time to re-charge my brain and body to feel happy and healthy in time for Summer.

I love leaving on a good note, so I will sign off for today with a smile.

Lana  xxx

Happy Father's Day - A First!

What a day! I knew it was going to be a memorable day, but honestly, today I have had such a beautiful day, it makes me happy to be a mummy. I'm not normally one for all that gooey lovey-dovey talk, but perhaps an exception can be made for today?

I woke up this morning and fed the baby and then fed the man. Bacon. Eggs (from our own chickens, mind you). Baked beans (always a great way to get to a man's heart... or fart - OK bad joke, but I will be the first to admit that I am corny). Toast. Pancakes. A generous dollop of tomato sauce and I had daddy grinning from ear to ear.

Then it was present time. This is what daddy got from his son for his very first Father's Day:

Rabbitoh's supporters!

Matching NRL Rabbitoh's jerseys for father and son. My partner was a bit too shy to show his face.

After presents it was over to see Pop and give him his Father's Day present (chocolates). Then back home again for a nap. I know this entry is sounding much like a diary, but I feel I need to record this moment to look back on in future years. I wonder what next year's Father's Day will bring? I know I'm looking forward to my first Mother's Day next year!

... Then comes the baby in the carriage

Marriage. Is it a religious celebration or can it be a secular celebration? 

It's a touchy issue with some people, especially when you bring kids into the picture. That is, having babies before you tie the knot. As a young girl growing up in the 80s, I saw marriage as the next logical step after finding the 'man of my dreams'. Although I'm not a 'girly-girl', I did have visions of me dutifully walking down a church aisle in a pretty white dress.

Of course, life doesn't always turn out as you plan it in your 12-year old mind. Perhaps I'm sounding quite cynical here, as I am not disappointed that I didn't 'do it the right way' and get married before popping out a baby. Life throws you unexpected surprises and you need to bee positive and take it in your stride.

As it is Tuesday, here are the things I am absolutely loving at the moment:

That's Life Magazine

I can't get enough of this little gem. I am hooked to this magazine because of the puzzles. Although they are a bit too easy to complete, that's the whole point, or else no one would be winning the prizes. While I've never actually won a prize, I still keep entering the competitions. The 'real-life' stories aren't too bad either.

Water

As I am breastfeeding, I honestly can't get enough of this pure gold. OK, so it's a necessity of life, but I had to add this one as I am constantly thirsty (and probably dehydrated half the time) but I love my water. I know you are not supposed to re-use plastic water bottles, but it's so handy to refill them throughout the day. Love it.

Vaporiser

My poor little son has a runny nose! He could barely breathe at night until my partner's sister demanded I borrow her Taav Vaporaire and leave it on all night. Result? First time since bub was born that I have had six hours of non-broken sleep. Enough said!

Isa Brown Hens

We recently bought two hens so that we could have our own 'free-range' eggs. They are two beautiful Isa Browns called Rosie (aka Whole Lotta Rosie) and Martha (my sister named her in homage to Martha Stewart). We were told they would start laying eggs in 3-4 weeks time, and would you believe it, today they started laying! One tiny little egg. I'm egg-static.

Caramel Crowns

These are my downfall. I ate four of them today with my cuppa tea. When I looked on the back of the packet at the recommended serving portion, it said one biscuit. Should I feel bad?

Now I am feeling very happy! I am a bit of a list-Nazi, but I like to be organised. 

First comes the love...

It's almost midnight and I am waiting with trepidation for my son to wake up and start demanding his milk. He is already three months old, edging closer to four months, but we still don't have a routine. I know I should have slept while he was sleeping, but I was too busy searching eBay for some lights. All we have at the moment are bare light globes and it feels too... stark.

It's funny how I'm always "too busy" to get things done around the house. Too busy to clean the bathroom. Too busy to vacuum the floors. Too busy to have a shower!

I found an interesting website www.ryanwhiteside.com. I just stumbled upon it as I was searching for some inspiration for the book I am (trying) to write. A very interesting website. Am I repeating myself? Must be baby brain.

Father's Day is coming up this weekend and today I bought a really cute present for my partner. I will post up a photo after I give him the present.

Alas, the baby beckons. Back to the breastfeeding.