It is day 5 of my first full week at work and I am tired.  My husband and I are going to sit down over dinner tonight and nut out a new plan of attack for the week.

I recommended this to some good friends of ours a few weeks ago and it is time to implement the plan fully in our life.  Somewhere between working 40 hours a week, raising a 2 year old and training for a marathon swim we need to fit cleaning, washing, cooking, relaxing and time for fun.

When we have it all sussed if ever I will write some advice on how it all works.  The feedback from the good friends has all been positive so far so maybe this system does work - stay tuned.

1. What's your child's favourite book? Cat in the Hat
2. What's your favourite children's book? Can I get there by candel light
   
3. What is your child's favourite food? spaghetti
4. What is your favourite food? Japanese and anything with chocolate.
   
5. What is your favourite game? Sims

New people tagged - rich115, terrireid & RichardLorelee

Just watched a new TV show in Australia called The Force which is a tv show that goes behind the scenes of the police force in Western Australia.  They had a story about the response to a shark circling the Rottnest Channel Swim last year.  I competed in this swim with my team but we didn't find out about the shark until the next day.

Now that I have seen it on tv - one day after our 1st proper training session for the next swim - I am seriously considering whether it is wise to compete again.  Call me chicken but I have a really big problem with sharks.

With Al down with chicken pox, Cheesey the German visitor thought he would brave the trip to Mt Tamborine with us girls.  The drive was to be approximately an hour but it seemed like it was going to be much longer when we got in the car and the two girls weren't too happy about it.

Siena had been woken from her sleep when we all piled into the car and voiced her objections loudly, I am sure Cheesey was regretting his decision to join us.  The DVD player was turned on shortly after and it all quietened down. 

Mt Tamborine is a beautiful place but not something I would have chosen to do with the kids if I wasn't on a mission.  A few months ago we were visiting other friends (Sha & Trev) with Mia. Sha collects  Babushka dolls, Mia in a defient mood this day purposely broke one of the dolls.  I was so embarressed and upset by it.  Sha brushed it off and managed to glue it back together but it played on my mind every day.

Rich and I had visited Mt Tamborine at Christmas and went to Tamborine Mountain Distillery which sold plenty of these dolls.  I had decided that when I returned to Brisbane I would make the trek back to the mountain to buy her a new one.  I was not disappointed.  All the dolls were beautifully hand painted and some signed by their artist.  I made a selection with the help of the gentlemen who owned it after telling him my tale.  He also helped me pick out a liquor to take home for Rich and my friend had recommended the caramel vodka which I also bought and subsequently drank before my return home.

The rest of the trip was unevently but beautiful, we stopped at this look out for lunch and a rest.  It was a little scary, the photo doesn't do the steepness of the hill justice.  It was really peaceful up there and without kids it would be very easy to spend the entire afternoon just starting at the view and contemplating life.

When we arrived home I think Al was glad to have some company again, although sick with chicken pox he was happy to have people to hang out with.

We did leave him to it a little later when my friend took myself and Cheesey out to their favourite Thai Restaurant for dinner.

I have officially returned to full time work.  This is the first time since I was 5 months pregnant that I have worked full time.  To start with I am tired - that could also be part of Mia being sick and I miss my little girl.

Returning to full time has been on the cards for some time for various reasons and an opportunity arose with my current employer that I couldn't refuse.  It is a great opportunity for me, something that I can really get stuck into and possibly make a career out of but the guilt has set in.  With Mia being sick I feel like I should be at home with her rather than work. 

I am second guessing my decision but I guess that is just a mother's curse.  I am sure it will take me a little longer to settle in to the role and the full time status.  Maybe Friday afternoon drinks will help speed that along.

There is nothing worse than a sick child especially when it is your own.  Mia has picked up the flu with an ear infection which hasn't been fun for her or us.  Broken sleep, coughs, whinginess it is hard. 

She has been on antibiotics since Saturday and still no sign of improvement with any luck she will come good today.

2nd day of day care wasn't quite as rough for either mother or daughter.  Still not perfect but I guess that all takes time.

After dropping my friend off to work Mia and I started to make our way to Alma Park Zoo  www.almaparkzoo.com.au.  It was a choice made knowing I needed to be close to home in case I was required for day care duty.  I must of been a little cocky from the day before as I never checked the map and the next thing I know we are 20 minutes out of our way in the opposite direction from where we should be.

We finally arrived a little after 10am, paid our entry and made our way into the zoo.  The draw card for me was that you can feed many of the animals which I knew would appeal to Mia.  The zoo was hard to navigate with the pram, most of the pathways weren't paved and the pram I had borrowed had a problem with it's front wheel.

Most of the animals were easy to see except the sun bear and the kangaroos were very friendly.  It took Mia some time to work up the courage to feed them but once she did she didn't stop until we ran out of food.

We had to make our way back to the city to do the day care pick up at 2pm and this time I wasn't blessed with an afternoon sleep.

The evening brought a new arrival to our party of 5 with Cheesey from Germany.  He had spent a year in Perth teaching German at UWA a few years ago and played baseball with my friend's husband.  His trip to Brisbane is part of a much longer Australian visit.  Unfortunately for him my friend's husband was diagnosed with chicken pox on the same night so the few days partying he was expecting fell into a heap.

Mia and my arrival meant a full house so Cheesey had to sleep in the lounge room.  Mia came running into my room the next morning saying "Mummy, there is a man in the lounge room - come and look".  She took me by the hand and led me in to peer down on poor Cheesey who I am sure wasn't expecting 2 kids and me to be staring at him whilst he was sleeping.  His holiday was never going to be the same after that.

Day 3 was a little stressful, my friend started back at work for the first time since starting her maternity leave nearly 16 months ago. Starting back at work meant the start of day care for her daughter.

Mia and I went along for the first day care drop off and emotions were high. I am still unsure as to whom is more emotional on this day - the parents or the children. I know in this situation both were not happy about the situation. Mia didn't help with crying as she wanted to stay at the day care centre.

We managed to get on the road leaving the daughter in good hands even if she was screaming the place down and my friend quietly sobbing in the drivers seat as we took her to work. It seems so simple from my side of the fence having already been there and suffered the first few days.

After briskly walking my friend to work and leaving the car in her husbands designated bay Mia and I enjoyed our first Starbucks coffee of the trip. I have been a big fan of Starbucks since I first tasted it on holidays 5 years ago.

Time for another whinge - I never realised that Brisbane was built on hills. Depending on the street you are on you either have to go up into a shop or down. The difficulty here is not many shops have lifts only stairs. Now I for one are not going to lug a pram and Mia up and down stairs all day. Most disappointing was my inability to gain access to public toilets in a food court because of the damn stairs.

I spent a few hours visiting all the adventure / snow stores looking for snow shoes for Mia without luck. Hard to believe that a state so close to the snow doesn't have a huge supply of kids shoes when I know you can easily buy them in Perth.

Lunchtime I received a call from my friend requesting a pick up of her little girl from day care. She hadn't settled all that well for the day and was now keeping the other kids awake. Mia and I picked her up and I took them both to lunch and then a little grocery shopping, both were good as gold.

Well planned sleeps bought me a couple of hours for my own nanna nap before cooking dinner for the hardworking hosts when they arrived home.

Day 2 dawned another perfect day. The original plan was to take a drive up to Mt Tamborine but more friends had arrived of my hosts so we decided to all meet at a place called Southbank.

Having just picked up their new baby seat for the bike, Al rode with Siena on the back and we took Mia on the train. She has been on a train a few times but never with me. We walked to the train station and waited some time for one to arrive. Mia seemed excited about the concept until she was actually on the train and then wanted to get off.

What I couldn't understand about the trains in Brisbane was the the step to get on to the train was approx 3 feet (not sure exactly, hopeless with measurements) from the actual platform. Not a problem if you are travelling by yourself but when you have a pram and 2 year old with you it makes boarding very difficult. I have no idea what wheel chair bound people do or the elderly. Crazy!

I fell in love with Southbank the minute we arrived. What is there not to love, cafes, restaurants, play grounds, markets, grass areas and a man made beach. It all sits on the banks of the Brisbane River overlooking the city. It really felt like a holiday once we arrived there. Mia loved playing in the sand and water as much as I loved watching her. I did dip my toes in but the water felt like glazier water it was freezing.

It is very easy to spend the whole day here. After the beach we bought lunch from one of the many take away food outlets along the water's edge. After a leisurely lunch Mia played for a long time in one of the playgrounds before devouring icecream (blue of course) in preparation for the train trip home.

Al made some very good home made pizza for dinner. The kids went to bed very peacefully after the long day in the fresh air. The adults were not that far behind.

Day 1 being Saturday started very early for some of us and not so early for others.  The friends we are staying with have a 16 month (i think) old daughter who doesn't really believe in sleep.

She woke at 5'ish or something similar it is all a blur at that time of the morning.  I was lucky enough to continue dozing until Mia woke at nearl 9am. 

We took our sweet time getting organised for the day before heading out to walk to a nearby park approx 20 min away.  What my friend didn't tell me was that the 20 min was almost completely up hill.  Shouldn't complain too much I do need the exercise.  We met up with some friends of theirs who also have kids, one who was born on the same day as Mia, what are the chances.

The afternoon was cruisy, Al picked up his bike with the new seat for Si and took turns in taking the girls for a ride.  I forgot how much mia loves it, we haven't taken her in such a long time but it looks like we will need to dust the old bikes off again and take her riding.

Saturday night we left Al home with the kids and Ter and I hit the town.  Well as much as two girls who have kids can.  We had dinner at an awesome restaurant called Ecco, the food was amazing - I even had peas which will shock all those who know me, the wine was brilliant and the company couldn't have been better.  It has been a long time since Terri and I had some uninterrupted time together.  Before we knew it it was after midnight and we were headed home.  unsure of what time the girls would be waking the next morning we sat up till 1am drinking tea and chatting some more.

We sound old and unexciting but I loved it, it was the perfect night.

A perfect angel.  That is the best way I can describe Mia on the plane ride over.  The fear of the previous holiday had me on edge the morning of departure.  I had no idea what to expect from her once we got on the plane.

I was loaded up with bags for the plane, a carry on small suitcase with a change of clothes, portable dvd and toys for Mia, her pillow, my small handbag, a small bag with extra things I had purchased once we got to the airport and another huge bag my mum had so lovingly put together for Mia - lets not forget the booster seat.

I found out at boarding that the booster seat could not be used on board.  A note for all those people who have not travelled and think when they do they can use their car seat or booster seat, this is not the case with Qantas.  Not only do you have to get pre approval from the airline but it has to be a certain type of seat (no type of booster) is usable.  So we were a few minutes delayed as they rushed the booster under the plane.

Of course by that time the plane was full and we were sitting three rows from the back so with all of the above and a 2 year old in tow I started to make the trek down the back.  Thankfully one of the stewards from business class noticed me struggling and offered to take my things so I could focus on Mia.

When we arrived at our row I was thankful to see a little old lady with white hair sitting on the isle seat (we had middle and window) but I was quickly anxious after I sat down and explained that Mia was toilet training so I apologise in advance that if we have to go we have to go.  She kind of just grunted at me and returned to her book.

I gave Mia a lolly pop during take off to help with her ears and she didn't seem to have a problem although she did find going through the clouds a little scary.

A few toilet breaks and a few huffs and puffs from the lady sitting next to us and food arrived.  It was supposed to be chicken something but I find it is best not to look too closely at airline food.  Mia's third need to go to he toilet came just at the end of lunch before they had chance to remove our trays.  The lady next to us looked murderous at this point when I asked the stewardess to quickly remove our things.  The woman then spent so long getting herself out of the chair as she was telling me children that age shouldn't be allowed to fly that Mia partly wet herself.  This got her upset but we did manage to get to the toilet for the rest.  It is probably important to point out that I had offered the lady the window seat afte the reaction to the first toilet visit but she wasn't interested.

Mia and I hung around the end of the plane after that a little scared to return to our seats.  When asked what we were doing - I think we were getting in people's way I told the steward about the women.  She went and spoke to her and moved her to a completely different row.

It was the perfect outcome, Mia could then lay with her head on her pillow and watch her dvd, didn't hear a peep out of her for nearly 2 hours and then we were landing.  She did have some problems with her ears during landing but nothing too bad.

So all in all a perfect way to fly I even got to watch the movie and read a little of my book, not too much but a little.

 

As I sit here and watch tv, typing this entry I know I really need to get up and start packing.  We are going out tomorrow night and then we leave on Friday morning so tonight is really my only opportunity.  The issue is it seems like such a big task.  I only want to take one suitcase plus a couple of carry on bags.

I am taking the car booster seat with us as well as the camera, ipod and portable dvd player.  Then there is the decision as to what clothes to pack.  We really are going to 2 very different climates, mild warmish in QLD and snow in Victoria.  Friends have lent us some ski pants and goggles for Mia, I will hire my gear when we get there.  I did buy her a new jacket with fur around the hood and some pink ugg boots, she is going to be so cute.

I have been getting lots of phone calls from my friend in QLD that we are going to be staying with, I don't know who is more excited her or me.  It has been a very long time since we got to spend some quality time together and I can't wait to see the kids playing.

I will be updating my blog whilst I am away and hopefully posting some photos here and there.

Sleep has been a valued commodity in our house at the moment, Mia hasn't slept well since the beginning of the weekend.  It makes the days so much longer when you are sleep deprived.  I thought this stage was well and truly over.

I am wondering if this lack of sleep is a contributing factor to her recent clingyness?

Not sure what brought on the broken sleep, last week it seemed she was coming down with a cold and flu but we never really saw it develop into anything serious just a sniffle and cough here and there.

Last night we had our first sleep through since Friday and it is now a much brighter day.  Saying that though I was up very early to start work trying to get everything finalised before our big trip on Friday.

2 more sleeps.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny so we decided to try our luck at checking out the Avon Decent.  The City of Swan put on a festival at Sandalford Winery which was a great idea but could have been executed a little better.

By the time we got out the door it had started to rain a little but we were not deterred.  We tested out the new portable dvd player in the car (just bought it for the Eastern States Trip) and it worked a treat.  Not a peep out of Mia for the whole car trip.

Therer were not as many people as we were expecting but I guess that was due to weather conditions and we were notified as soon as we got there by blaring loud speakers that the first boats were due through around 12.

A number of things were put on for the kids, bouncy castles, face painting, fake tattoos, fairys, clowns and a girl on stilts doing balloon animals.  Maybe all that is what freaked Mia out (see previous post).  They also had a coffee van, 96fm on the loud speakers and a BBQ van where you could buy hot dogs, hamburgers etc.

Unfortunately the drizzle kept up and we forgot our blanket so had to use our jackets to sit on.  Mia wouldn't wear her jacket so I took the opportunity to try and keep part of me dry.

The first boats didn't end up coming through until closer to 1pm and we didn't get to see any of the power boats before we had to leave to ensure Mia got her very much needed afternoon sleep. 

We will try again next year if the weather is a little nicer.  I believe the City of Swan put this festival on every year.

 

Mia recently has started not wanting to travel far from home.  I have no idea what started it or how to fix it.  To give two examples:

1) Saturday night we went next door for a cocktail party (my sister was house sitting) and after a couple of hours we started to get Mia ready for bed.  Now keep in mind that she has been babysat by our neighbours on more than one occasion in this house and has been put to bed there at least 10 separate occasions.  For some reason that night she just wanted to go home and it took a long time to convince her to go to sleep.  She just kept repeating that she wanted to go to her home.  Finally she went to sleep out of exhaustion.

2) Sunday we took her to Sandalford winery to check out the festival put on by the City of Swan for the Avon Decent.  As soon as we got there again she wanted to go home and got herself into quite a state.  It was boardering on embarressing when I was holding her and she started saying she wanted her mummy.  I am sure those around us thought we had kidnapped her.

My concern is going over East on Friday I hope she doesn't do this every day.

My mum has been wanting a family day out for some time and it is unbelievably difficult to organise especially with current weather conditions and my sisters who works on Saturdays.

The plan for this past weekend was to go to one of the festivals put on for the Avon Decent.  The concern was the weather predictions for Sunday and the only available location for Saturday was 80km away.

We decided to go for a morning out to Hillarys Boat Harbour instead.  Not realising it but mum and dad have never been there before.  We have taken Mia a few times in the summer to swim at their protected beach and of course have a coffee.

We headed out in the same car which is always interesting listening to granpa's music, not having a map book we missed the turn off to the harbour and ended up having to double back.  No big deal.

We started off with a coffee at Gloria Jeans and a little treat.  Mia had the smartie cookie which she always has when we go to Gloria Jeans.  She rarely eats the actual cookie just the smarties off the top and makes a big mess with the rest.

We took some buckets and spades and headed to the sand after coffee for some serious sandcastle / moat building.  The funniest thing was getting Mia to talk grandpa into going to get water in the bucket.  Watching him jump back from the waves kept us amused for a while.

Mini Golf came next.  Now I tried this at Christmas with Mia and her two cousins (2 1/2 and 4 1/2 at the time) and it was a complete disaster but 7 months later I was prepared to try again.  We managed 5 of the 18 holes before Mia lost interest so we zoomed through a couple more and headed to the trampoulines (see photo).  I tried to jump a couple of times but had the worst feeling of motion sickness, not something I got as a kid on our trampouline.  Mia didn't jump long before needing to go to the toilet so that was the end of that.

Who can go to Hillarys without a fish and chip lunch, well me but Mia and daddy shared a serving before we headed home, this time in the right direction.

And I have to say, yeh have finally worked out how to post photos.

For those of you who have viewed my profile you will see the big family photo which is our close group of friends.  Today at 5.58pm EST we welcomed the newest addition to our clan.  Tristan Brian Dale was born to Rich and Lolly proud parents. 

Can't wait to meet him on our visit to Melbourne.

Good work guys and congratulations

Only 8 sleeps until our big trip, haven't started organising anything yet but guess I will need to start looking at packing over the weekend.  With this weather it will be hard to get those last minute things dry.  I sound like such a mum next I will be making lists.

 

We don't often visit indoor play centres, we prefer the outdoor parks or going for coffee.  But every now and then they are a great place to go on a rainy day.

There are a number of centres in Perth and one very close to where we live (approx 5 min drive) but I choose to go to one that is approx 30 minutes from us.  The main reason is that all of these centres are placed over a large area and the seating is normally to the side or behind so that it is difficult to relax and be able to see your child at the same time.  They also often have large play areas that are enclosed with drops and slides not necessarily suitable for the 2 year old age group and there is also the concern of not being able to see your child.

The centre we visit is great, there is seating all around the area and there is no enclosed section so you can see your child at all times.  It is a little cold but very relaxing and it is also quite central between us and the friend I meet there and her 3 1/2 year old son.

The kids had a great time playing on the bouncy castle and racing the cars around the racing track.  We were there for nearly 3 hours and barely saw Mia.  We did have one little toilet accident but she at least came to tell me about it straight away.  The cafe is basic but makes good coffee and cake and of course fairy bread for the kids.

Mia crashed out when we got home for a big sleep which is hardly surprising.