My poor little Jenna! At the doctors again today, this time with massively swollen glands in her neck. She's been waking up crying since Friday night, then last night she walked in the room and you could see the lump from 10 metres away! doc says it's probably viral, but we have a prescription just in case it's not getting better. On top of that, she has always had problems pooing, and we've finally gotten fed up with her suffering so much pain. We have spoken to doc about this a couple of times over the years, last time when she was 2, and he said it's a mechanical problem she should grow out of. Instead of that happening, it seems to be increasing. She is 4 1/2 now, and spends 20 minutes twice a week screaming and crying on the toilet. So we made the doctor visit worthwhile today, and have begun an investigation into this as well, to be reviewed in 2 weeks.

Jenna seems to have been down with something or other since March - all started when she fell on asphalt at kinder and scraped her face up pretty badly (she was chasing boys and caught them on their bikes!). She is a fast healer, so that healed within a week, but we went away at Easter, and came back with a little sore under her nose that grew and grew...bacteria had got in under the original scrapes, and she developed school sores (staph or strep infection)! Then she's had almost a constant cold, which has now peaked into a severe virus, followed by ear infection, followed by monster goiter-neck!

Still, the little tough nut keeps on going! I'm so amazed by her and her resilience. She still worries more about other people, about making her brother laugh, looking after her grandparents, and whenever she has even the slightest scrap of energy, she's off doing something! Whenever I hurt myself, or feel sick, I just think - if Jenna can keep going, so can I!

What a beautiful place down south in Victoria! A 5 hour trip from where we lived - something we would never have dreamed of a couple of years ago when our daughter was 2. She was the worst traveller - hated being locked up for more than 10 minutes, so a journey like this would have been a definite torture. Now, with 4 and 2 year olds, we decided to chance it. They were absolutely fantastic, with barely a complaint. Mr 2 slept only an hour each way, so we had to make sure we were able to keep him amused when awake. The fact that they don't fight and get along really well was a massive plus, as well as a well-stocked cooler bag that they could help themselves to.

The holiday itself - the best, most relaxing and reasonably stress free we have been on since the kids came along. I think it's the first time I have actually enjoyed myself with hubby in a long time. Lakes Entrance is a beautiful coastal town, with so much to do and see that is interesting for everyone. Of course, with a park across the road and an indoor pool on site, the kids would have been happy with just doing those all the time, but they had fun with the touristy stuff too - caves, seashell museum, beaches, mini golf, homestead with lake walks...

Swimming - I'm not so much a fan of swimming lessons. I don't want to pay for something I should be able to do myself. As such, I have been taking the kids swimming once a week for the last 3-4 months, and have slowly made progress. This week, swimming everyday - a massive difference in Miss 4's skills and confidence. She is a cautious girl, who doesn't do things until she can. In 6 short days, she began putting her head underwater, jumping in, trusting me enough to help her float, and even attempting to tread water and swim after jumping. We are so proud of her and can't believe what one week of full on swimming has done. Mr 2 is quite the natural, and came along well - of course, with ear infections still healing, we didn't want to put his head under too much, so didn't push him too far.

Anyway, a great holiday, but we were all happy to get home to our own beds. Mr 2 was asking about his cot every day - he loved the big bed, but was a little crazy in it unless exhausted. He likes to be contained at night! We stayed just long enough to really enjoy, and not long enough to get sick of it. A perfect place for a holiday - if you are in Victoria, Australia, or thinking of visiting, HIGHLY recommend Lakes Entrance as a great family holiday spot for families of all age groups. 

Thank goodness the ear is better - new antibiotics and eardrops helped immensly! Just in time, too - off on holidays tomorrow, and we are looking at a 5 hour drive. It's our first holiday since Feb last year, so we are all very excited. The house is a bomb at the moment with all the bags packed and a week's worth of groceries - still have to cook, don't we! (I will be needing the holiday when the holiday is over!).

Anyway, check back in a couple of weeks for photos and adventures!

My 4 year old and 2 year old decided to get ear infections in the same ear on the same day the 2nd birthday! (Saturday 6th Sept). Had both up 3 nights screaming and crying in pain. Came home from work on the Monday morning to find 2 yr old's ear 'leaking' - running to be more accurate. Got both to the doctors that afternoon, both got antibiotics, and found out the little one actually had both ears infected. antibiotics started working immediately - pain and fevers gone, 4 yr old seemed good. 2 yr old was better feeling and behaving, but his ear kept running. By Thursday, the fluid started thickening up and getting yellowy. By Saturday, even yellower and pus  at times. Got him back to the doctors today as his antibiotics ran out tonight. Now he has a different version of medicine, and eardrops. Doc says ear infections can take a while to clear - Rocco's ear is still so full of fluid that the doctor couldn't actually see his eardrum!

Poor little fella - at least he is not in pain now, and doesn't seem to be struggling to balance and hear. It's just quite gross, and he knows it - he asks for a towel for his pillow at night, as his pillow has been left with yellow and brown patches of dried fluid!

Let's hope this round of antibiotics fixes it, and that he does not become prone to ear infections!

What a busy day! I'm supposed to be on annual leave from work, but life is more hectic without it!

First half of the day was spent on kinder duty - much to my daughter's delight - for the 3rd time in 4 weeks (on top of Monday library sessions!). As well as the usual (play, morning tea set up and clean up, disinfecting furniture, keeping an eye on my 2 year old), the student teacher had me making pancakes. 45 minutes later....

Home for lunch and an attempt to get Mr 24 months to sleep - gave up on that after 10 minutes - it was already 12.30 by then! Some time to spend together was hard to find - the afternoon saw us picking up a friend's 4 year old autistic son for a therapy session at our house. Between drills with him, dinner was made.

Once he went home, my 2 ate and the 4 year old had to get ready for a special person's night at kinder, while the 2 year old had a bath and got ready for bed. Not even 1 1/2 hours after dinner - both hungry again!

Both in bed now (lucky they go to bed reasonably easily and early) - time for me! And all I keep thinking - they're not even at school yet! Once homework, sports, more friends, school events are added into the mix...I think I might pack up and move to some isolated outreach of Nepal!

All worth it for the cuddles, kisses, jokes, laughter and fun we all have - I wouldn't really have it any other way!