It has been a crazy year.

Since the birth of my son, and suffering severe PND (whereby i had to do the whole thing without medical intervention) life has been hectic and something i wouldnt ever wish for anyone to go through

Firstly i had to get myself in order, gradually i am getting there - the cloud has lifted.  Secondly had to tackle my little man's severe eczma, and finally we are seeing what he really looks like without the scarring. 

Before i knew it my daughter turned 2 and is definately mummy's little helper (that's when she isnt having the terrible two's tantrums).  Given all she had to endure so early because mummy only wanted to sleep to heal, she was spoilt with all those wonderous painting and drawing things she so loves, she is my budding artist and creative one.

My little man has hit a major mile stone, he cut 4 teeth and started to commando crawl all in the same week.  (no he thinks he can walk too...but I think he has a little more co-ordination before this one is to be achieved.) We attribute this to the fact we finally have got on top of his eczma.

we often sit down at night when i get home from work and play tickle monsters. It is wonderful to see both of my children's excitement and to hear them roar with laughter. 

I cannot believe time has gone by so quickly....

In late january i signed of from work to enter my final two weeks of confinement to await the arrival of baby number two.  Baby had other ideas and as i finished up on the thursday, i knew that my baby would be born by the next week.

On Sunday 20 Jan my son Brayth entered the world in record time (for me anyway)

The midwives at the hospital nicknamed him the "Buddha - in meaning they referred to him as the peaceful one".  I had to admit my boy was exactly as described.  I thought that this was only stories i would hear from other mums after the experiences of my daughter, but yes it is true, he is so like clockwork, and so peaceful.

He is a lean mean eating machine and at 11 weeks weighed in at 7kgs, and getting bigger and heavier by the day.  Brayth is doing all those things babies are expected to do, with long gurgling chats, lots of smiles and laughter and bubbles.

He loves his sister, and Ariana loves her brother.  Infact she is the little mother, jumping to his rescue when he cries to give him a dummy, or share one of her teddies.

Best of all was when she decided to teach him the teddy bear garden song and tickle him, it was just so cute and funny.

My work is definately cut out for me now with only 17 months apart, but i figured, that i will get through those dreadful tantrums and teething and other issues early.

the only difficulty i have faced during both after pregnancies is PND.  Not something i would wish on anyone..it is a frustrating disabilty and one that many in society do not understand.   This also impacts on the ability to socialise and the way we look at our work. I can say since going through this and having two children, work pressures now are meaningless, although they still try to convince me otherwise.

anyway hopefully as time passes i will update more frequently as i grow stronger in strength and hope to get back on top of things quickly.

At least i know my children are happy, and healthy and that is what really counts

Lots has happened since Ariana turned One.

She is very clever indeed, and shows us many things each day as she builds up her skill and knowledge bases.

Ariana was introduced to toilet training last month and is beginning to adapt to this well.  A decision in line with her graduating to the 2-3year old class in day care instead of the nursery.  Now she is sneeking into the pre-kindy class and do the pre-kindy activities.  She is so eager to grow up.  

We have been going through the teething of 6 teeth (including molars) all at once, combined with those dreaded immunisaiton shots (that make the kids as grumpy as all buggery) and a touch of the miss independance, and it is a recipe for disaster.

Our house seems like a cyclone strikes every day, with the curiosity of our little miss. 

The funniest days are the ones when she gets out clothes and parades around like a little grown up miss, or hides under small sheets and pretends she is a ghost.  Often she will put clothes on her head and pretend they are hats, then out of the blue the most cutest laugh occurs and when we look there she is with her hands on her hips swaying back and forth as she laughs at herself and what she is wearing.

I often have to stop and remind myself that she is only 15 month old and still a little girl.

Now we are encouraging and educating her on our next baby due in 11 weeks now.  Bubby seems to have a very strong personality also, and when Ariana is upset over something this bubby reacts (as if to say calm down).

Interesting times are ahead of us.. 

Things have been crazy here, with working, studying and keeping missy busy .

10 days ago (wow how time flys) Ariana celebrated her 1st birthday.  She wasnt sure what was going on, but suddenly realised there were new clothes and toys.  Funny thing, when opening the presents she got more excited by the clothes than the toys.  Think i have an upcoming fashion queen on my hands.

once the excitement of paper and boxes had subsided then she realised wow, i have new blocks to build and stack and talk (babble) about. 

Her first birthday cake brought everyone a good giggle.  She put her hand on the cake and grabbed a handful to eat.  I would say she brought a whole new perspective to cutting the cake, why wait when you can grab and eat.  It certainly was a laugh.

She holds tea parties or plays musical instruments with her teddies, shares her toast, strawberries, biscuits or carrot sticks with them and is always very busy busy busy.  Its great to see such creative imagination.

Many times she will say tedd e bear or other such words, and as she does she realises we heard her and she goes back to babble.  I figure she is practising her words and wants to surprise us with a full sentence.  it is all very amusing to watch and listen.

Ariana has been walking now for over 4 weeks, and very independent.

She is so busy busy busy, and very chatty as she begins to sound her words.  I am sure she could talk under water given half a chance.

I have enjoyed the beautiful moments watching her watch Bananas in PJ's, Wiggles, and Play School her favourites.  She takes it all in.  She even loves the Thunderbirds, go figure.

We are getting into that beautiful time where they laugh and play games and many of her games are quite strange, but a combination of what she has learnt from the childrens shows.  So i guess, my little girl is acting more like a two year old, than a 10 month old.  She is into all the cupboards, and is like a cyclone pulling everything out.  No sooner do we tidy up than the place looks disasterous again.

Joys of being a mum

Well Ariana is on the move, and has discovered more of her own independance, and is practically walking.  Still has jelly legs after so long, but more often now she grabs us to go for walks with her. Once she realises she can do it on her own, goodness gracious keeping up will be hard as she moves pretty fast.

She is cutting 4 top teeth and the signs of two more bottom teeth are evident, today, has been like hell and back, no consoling, panadol, or gum numbing agents are working.  Shhhh..she is finally asleep, hopefully she is so exhausted that she sleeps through.

Yeah it is also semester break...so i am enjoying the extra time out.  Work is extremely hectic, and child care is almost none existant.  We are the people in the loop who cannot afford child care, yet will need occassional care as my partner commences a new working roster arrangement.

Time is flying past rather quickly. 

Work has been excessively busy, not enough hours in the day and study has been consuming any remaing waking hours - Aaron has been extremely supportive in this process whilst he plays day care daddy and works at night. 

Ariana is getting bigger by the minute, and has just reverted back to have mid night feeds again.  I figured she must be on a huge growth spurt.  She is growing up so fast, that when i see a new bub in the streets, i find it almost hard to believe she was little once.  Ariana is teaching us her sounds for something she wants or needs.  She scuttles about so fast, that there will be no catching up with her when she is fully walking (which is not far away now - by her development stages).

I think it is high time that the Day Care Dad's formed a group here in brisbane to meet up and have some fun.  If there are any Day Care Dad's in Brisbane please email me.

Well i hope you all survived an excuse for a few jokes today....

Ariana is finally cutting her first two teeth, and with it is more independant than ever.  How can someone get into so much mischief, and then look at you with a smile that melts all hearts.

Ariana turned 7 months yesterday, and life is very busy.

She is not far of mastering the art of walking.  I found it interesting watching her during her development of walking, and noticed as Adults often we become lazy with our exercise.  I found it interesting how babies just know what exercises they need to do to strengthen and develop their balance, with out us showing them.  Now she does these exercises with ease and scuttles around the furniture rather quickly

Hmm i know this is the start to her taking off faster in the future...better go an buy some skates to keep up!!! lol

Hi everyone

Since returning to work, and undertaking studies life has been a very hectic journey.

Ariana is growing in leaps and bounds, she began to show signs of walking about 6 weeks ago, and is very determined.  She is pulling herself up on walls, doors, lounges, anything that really will hold her.  She loves the fact Mum's and Dad's legs are great for climbing.

We introduced her to the sand the other day...and boy did she get down and dirty in 5 seconds flat.  Her first reaction was, hmm, then she grabbed a handful of sand put it head high, then proceeded to allow the sand to trickle from her hand.  This followed immediately by a recognition, then she proceeded to cover her feet, then she continued to play in the sand. Her inquisitiveness is amazing, like she knew already what this was without us showing her what to do.

Ariana is also learning to play a game of hide her dummy.  She will hide it somewhere and pretend she cannot find it.  Mum and Dad will turn the house upside down to try and find it often to no avail.  Then Ariana proceeds to go exactly to where she hid it, show us with her hands out stretched and then proceed to giggle her head off....Well I must say, great for such enthusiasm, but at 6 months she is becoming way to clever for us already.

Anyway hope to check in again soon, and not leave it as long.