rachelcook's Minti Blog http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/ rachelcook's Minti Blog Copyright 2008 Minti en-uk I am halarious rachelcook Bubby did a lovely 10 hours last night, but silly me went to bed at 10pm so only 6.5hrs sleep and I have a cold - boo hoo oh well...at least I feel asleep for two hours this arvo...it was so funny to wake up not knowing where the hell I was - hehe on the couch, hubby had the ... Bubby did a lovely 10 hours last night, but silly me went to bed at 10pm so only 6.5hrs sleep and I have a cold - boo hoo oh well...at least I feel asleep for two hours this arvo...it was so funny to wake up not knowing where the hell I was - hehe on the couch, hubby had the radio on in the kitchen on talkback, so no wonder I fell ASLEEP to the droning sound of a guys/blokes voice - hahah...

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/716509/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/716509/ Thu, 22 May 2008 06:15:25 -0700 Wow 7 weeks + starting to sleep through rachelcook Well I guess I shouldn't say it, but I never expected bubby to give me one night of 8 hours, a quick feeding then another 5 hours. That didn't mean I didn't get horrific nights either side of the 8 and 5 hour stints, and my body going whoa! I guess when you get too much sleep the first time, ... Well I guess I shouldn't say it, but I never expected bubby to give me one night of 8 hours, a quick feeding then another 5 hours. That didn't mean I didn't get horrific nights either side of the 8 and 5 hour stints, and my body going whoa! I guess when you get too much sleep the first time, I felt like a zombie the whole day. Luckily, I expressed a full bottle and for some reason it seems like it was supposed to happen, as I have woken up (having him gone down at 8pm) at 3pm again today. A 7 hr stint. My breasts seem to handle it and kind of have adapted by themselves without me having to run to the breast pump.

Life is soo funny, I was so excited to wake up rested after sleeping 7 hours that I forgot to give Joshua the gripewater before a big feed and it ended up all over my pj's - oh well extreme rough with the smooth - it's never a dull moment in the Cook household. Little man Codi woke up from his late nap (a no no for starters), daddy had turned the TV off whilst he was sleeping (had fallen asleep to his beloved cartoon, Nascar Racers) and would have woken up to a blank signal on the screen. This time he woke up to a turned off TV and gave us the biggest, constant and loudest tantrums this planet has ever seen. A hurricane 10!!!!

I ended up losing my cool, that didn't work, so chill out time in his room (the first time) and then I gave him a shower to cool off. Man this boy of mine has some staying power. Poor mummy and daddy were trying out darn hardest, but it had been a really long time since Codi had given us a massive tantrum. I guess I am really grumpy if I get woken up from a nice sleep. And everyone knows what a late sleep in the afternoon brings, hurricanes!!! lol

I think he shocked himself more than shocking us. He really was doing that huffing and puffing after a big cry thing. Eventually we managed to settle him down with him sitting next to me giving me smiles. I do know that I need to spend some time just hanging out with him which I am sneaking in from time to time. He was happy to go off to the park with Daddy. Poor little thing :)

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/714453/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/714453/ Mon, 19 May 2008 13:21:05 -0700 What it means to be an adult? rachelcook Some life skills I have re-learnt and fleshed out recently... - Claim what you need emotionally, especially if it's worth it to you - "I NEED....." - Look after the little boy or girl inside - take responsibility to shelter your inner child, you won't then hold others or issues like the disappointment of family members letting you down get to you. ... Some life skills I have re-learnt and fleshed out recently...

- Claim what you need emotionally, especially if it's worth it to you - "I NEED....."

- Look after the little boy or girl inside - take responsibility to shelter your inner child, you won't then hold others or issues like the disappointment of family members letting you down get to you. Think about hugging yourself or something that represents you as an adult providing love to the child version of you. That way you won't need others to make you feel better or expect that they do better and live up to your expectations that may be unrealistic.

- Stay with your emotions, feel them its okay to be vunerable with yourself

- You have a choice to feeling in certain ways, you have a choice

- Finding closure is about confronting and feeling your emotions and accepting what is real and letting go of what isn't

- Stay honest about your emotions and express the truthfulness of what you feel. Mull over why you are feeling in a certain way so you can clearly voice it.

- We truly have the power to feel, what we do with that power shapes us as a human being

----

I think I have discovered how teach my sons how to be emotionally aware of themselves.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/708686/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/708686/ Mon, 12 May 2008 14:31:09 -0700 free time rachelcook I can't say it enough, a huge load has come off our shoulders with everything we are trying to achieve, having our housekeeper and midwife come every week has made a massive difference. Clay and I aren't as run down or totally and utterly exhausted now. I am more time to actually get back onto Minti. Start back on my ... I can't say it enough, a huge load has come off our shoulders with everything we are trying to achieve, having our housekeeper and midwife come every week has made a massive difference. Clay and I aren't as run down or totally and utterly exhausted now. I am more time to actually get back onto Minti. Start back on my online Apache, MySQL, PHP course, am starting to sleep better and spend more time on the important things with Codi and Joshua. Now more time with hubby...

hmmmm...when? Maybe next week I think, we'll have to have a morning together somehow..am looking forward to our Club Med trip and get back some of that Adult time - lol

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/708061/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/708061/ Sun, 11 May 2008 19:04:59 -0700 Celebrate life rachelcook Am in the mood for cherishing moments and feeling the warmth of family. My thoughts turn to those that don't have the warmth and love of a family to keep them safe. I am grateful for people who help others, especially the mothers in the world. Happy Mothers Day. Am in the mood for cherishing moments and feeling the warmth of family. My thoughts turn to those that don't have the warmth and love of a family to keep them safe. I am grateful for people who help others, especially the mothers in the world. Happy Mothers Day.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/707182/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/707182/ Sat, 10 May 2008 13:27:01 -0700 I love being a mum rachelcook I am really enjoying being a mum the second time round!!! Not that I didn't the first tine round, it's just that I am actually coherent, fully awake and not worrying so much to actually know that I am experiencing this wonderful miracle again!!! I really do have a snuggly cuddly 6 week old. It's so funny to communicate with Joshy ... I am really enjoying being a mum the second time round!!! Not that I didn't the first tine round, it's just that I am actually coherent, fully awake and not worrying so much to actually know that I am experiencing this wonderful miracle again!!!

I really do have a snuggly cuddly 6 week old. It's so funny to communicate with Joshy with body language and cooing...and then find him responding and cooing and snuggling back. It really must have been a blur with my first, Codi. But, I do remember Codes being very attached to mumma right up until 3 years old. So I must have been doing a great job - lol....Boo hoo!!! now Codes is 3 it's all 'daddy, daddy, daddy'. He is very good at making sure I am doing a good job with Joshy "mumma you hold Joshy"...no one else other than daddy is really allowed to hold Joshy!!!

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/703695/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/703695/ Tue, 06 May 2008 14:28:45 -0700 I've just switched from huggies to safeties rachelcook and I am really impressed. 100% biodegradable and cheaper than huggies, I can't believe that I can use a product that is just as good if not better than huggies!!! You also get little nappy plastic bags that also seem to be biodegradable, now if we had shopping plastic bags that were biodegradable that would be an alternative to charging ... and I am really impressed. 100% biodegradable and cheaper than huggies, I can't believe that I can use a product that is just as good if not better than huggies!!! You also get little nappy plastic bags that also seem to be biodegradable, now if we had shopping plastic bags that were biodegradable that would be an alternative to charging for non-biodegradable. Safeties was invented by a mum!!!!

I buy them at IGA (Independent Grocers).

Here is the website...SeNevens Safeties Nappy

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/701471/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/701471/ Sun, 04 May 2008 05:45:11 -0700 First session at kindy drama rachelcook A mumma + codi thing to do together is the kindy drama. Its the first kind of class that encourages communication and expression. Codi really loved it. I think its a great session to help him use his love of stories and role playing with other kids his age. He has been talking about drama to his daddy and loved ... A mumma + codi thing to do together is the kindy drama. Its the first kind of class that encourages communication and expression. Codi really loved it. I think its a great session to help him use his love of stories and role playing with other kids his age. He has been talking about drama to his daddy and loved it that I was involved with him in the acting out of the story at drama. He loved it so much that he was a little upset that he lost the sticker you get at the end. Luckily, I managed coax him to accept another sticker

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/700796/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/700796/ Sat, 03 May 2008 06:12:45 -0700 Tike the no pedal bike rachelcook Really proud of Codi, he has progress from a three wheeled trike to a bike that has no pedals that trains them balance on a bike, without first having to learn to pedal. See Clay's post about it and a picture - here - http://www.minti.com/members/claycook/blog/700492/Tike-the-Toddlers-Bike/ Really proud of Codi, he has progress from a three wheeled trike to a bike that has no pedals that trains them balance on a bike, without first having to learn to pedal.

See Clay's post about it and a picture - here

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/700775/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/700775/ Sat, 03 May 2008 05:59:31 -0700 Foto Friday : my race car driver rachelcook

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/699332/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/699332/ Thu, 01 May 2008 11:31:20 -0700 Unsettled rachelcook Well, am trying a different gripewater as Joshy has been quiet unsettled from around 8 till about 12 :s It gets a little exhausting for me, and I am sure for him. He resting now, I hope he sleeps a good sleep even if it's only 3 hours.  Yesterday he was sleeping so much better with two five hour stints. Maybe ... Well, am trying a different gripewater as Joshy has been quiet unsettled from around 8 till about 12 :s

It gets a little exhausting for me, and I am sure for him. He resting now, I hope he sleeps a good sleep even if it's only 3 hours.  Yesterday he was sleeping so much better with two five hour stints. Maybe next time I give him a bath if I am not too sleepy. Must sleep now whilst I have the chance, as am taking Codes to Kindy Drama and its the first day tomorrow.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/699328/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/699328/ Thu, 01 May 2008 10:57:50 -0700 My latest article on surviving the first few weeks with your newborn rachelcook Here's my new article Breastfeeding and Bringing your newborn home. The first 1-5 weeks. - http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8762/Breastfeeding-and-Bringing-your-newborn-home-The-first-1-5-weeks-survival-guide/ Here's my new article

Breastfeeding and Bringing your newborn home. The first 1-5 weeks.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/698842/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/698842/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:16:39 -0700 Joshua thriving rachelcook Had the newborn midwife round today and could see just how big Joshua is getting in just the last two weeks. [beam beam] It was such a help to get feedback on his progress and pick up more tips on settling and easing his wind. I also got the chance to have a rest which was well deserved after a ... Had the newborn midwife round today and could see just how big Joshua is getting in just the last two weeks. [beam beam] It was such a help to get feedback on his progress and pick up more tips on settling and easing his wind. I also got the chance to have a rest which was well deserved after a very busy school holidays.

If you live in Perth and would like to know what service I used, it is called Hush Post Natal (profiled on Today Tonight)

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/698140/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/698140/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:43:28 -0700 Blogging about chocolate rachelcook After reading info on Minti about Breastfeeding and foods to avoid. Sadly for me, I've had to cut out from having my favourite food, chocolate, even thinly covered chocolate cookies. Oh well, happier newborn with less wind, is better for mum in the long run. After reading info on Minti about Breastfeeding and foods to avoid. Sadly for me, I've had to cut out from having my favourite food, chocolate, even thinly covered chocolate cookies. Oh well, happier newborn with less wind, is better for mum in the long run.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/698135/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/698135/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:26:26 -0700 My huffing and puffing newborn rachelcook It is so true each child is different...Codi (my firstborn) was a chucky baby. With Joshua being 4 weeks old I have experienced a strange phenomenon (that I have since found isnt so uncommon)... Joshua huffs and puffs, grunts and grunts, even during sleep. Poor thing must be very uncomfortable but I can't help but find it amusing all this huffing ... It is so true each child is different...Codi (my firstborn) was a chucky baby. With Joshua being 4 weeks old I have experienced a strange phenomenon (that I have since found isnt so uncommon)...

Joshua huffs and puffs, grunts and grunts, even during sleep. Poor thing must be very uncomfortable but I can't help but find it amusing all this huffing and puffing, given that Codi is really into the "Three little pigs". Josh is very animated, at one point I was really worried. I tried the gripewater, but realizing it contained ethanol, I switched ti Infacol instead which absorbs the wind instead without the alcohol. He is alot better, still getting the funny huffing and puffing...we are burping a lot more, keeping him upright - all the usual techniques...I think I will still try the other homeopathic remedy (brauer brand) and see if that also works better than the infacol...

I just found it very different to Codi, with Joshy's huffing, puffing and grunting, I feel like I am huffing, puffing and grunting with him...I give him a big big kiss and a "welldone joshy" when comes out the other end...

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/695553/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/695553/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:49:31 -0700 hubby in the good house rachelcook woke up this morning with my favourite drink (chai tea latte) courtesy of my hubby who takes Codi out to give me a break, as he is quiet loud in the morning. I crashed again from about 8-12 boy did I ever need that sleep!!!! I woke to find the backpack put away and the kitchen clean - wow its like ... woke up this morning with my favourite drink (chai tea latte) courtesy of my hubby who takes Codi out to give me a break, as he is quiet loud in the morning. I crashed again from about 8-12 boy did I ever need that sleep!!!!

I woke to find the backpack put away and the kitchen clean - wow its like I get flowers, thats what I tell him, I'd rather a clean kitchen than flowers that die after a few days, that I always forget to water!!!

I must say, hubby is very very good!!! Because I will confess, everyone (my friends) used to think that Rachel from Friends was very much like me, but actually I am a closeted "Neurotic cleaner Monica" and for him to keep up with me!!!!

He is definitely my Minti/Vibe CEO that works very hard to keep the Cook family going, so I guess that I am not working I am finding that I can get the house in order (as we have never been into house stuff when we were both working so hard...so for me its like the honeymoon period of playing house!!! I wonder how long it will last!!!
 

The good thing is I am making our house our house, considering how much we have moved around in just ten years. I think I am really motivated to do my half in making us a stable and grounded family!!!!

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/694661/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/694661/ Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:48:19 -0700 midnight + 3am tidying house! rachelcook Morning gals, am up for the three am feed and only just made it up hehe...bub's fed and had a cry, but wind has gone thanks to wind syrup! okay I was at it again...last night after 11pm/midnight feed I.... - packed toys away in two rooms and tidied them - groomed the dog lemonade so he looked like a dog, not ... Morning gals, am up for the three am feed and only just made it up hehe...bub's fed and had a cry, but wind has gone thanks to wind syrup! okay I was at it again...last night after 11pm/midnight feed I....

- packed toys away in two rooms and tidied them

- groomed the dog lemonade so he looked like a dog, not a sheep - lol (saved us about $100 bucks in grooming hehe)

- put a load of washing on

- played on the computer (oops thats not tidying)

and for the 3am tidying capers...

- load of washing in dryer

- load in washing machine

- sorted out a huge pile of beach towels and swim wear

- added to shopping list

- refused to empty the footy back pack thats for hubby to do as I didnt even go to the footy - lol (so he has a note to remind him hehe can you tell he hates tidying, but he is very good at doing allocated jobs lol)

- sorted out clothes

- put dishes in the right piles (thats right the dishwasher is waiting for emptying but we've been so busy with a boy each to look after, leaving it for housekeeper come monday - lol)

- put clothes away, computers plugged in to charge

- change baby, new romper on

- cut up a variety of coloured paper into small shapes and pieces on Codi's table in living room to encourage gluing coloured paper and making a collage and also scissors to practice cutting texta lines on paper

phew!

am now on Minti again and am making a milo, before going to sleep again for the 6 am feed...the good thing and lovely thing is that hubby gets me a chai and breaky from down the road when I wake up for the 9 am feed and I always wake up to a milo...oh and he did make dinner last night on the barbie, yummy!!!!

aaww its all worth it ladies my tidying bug, hubby is such a help!!!! [as I send him a compliment]

------

okay bad idea to tidying up last night :s - am totally sleep deprived ahhhh!!! No more tidying up for a couple of days

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/694306/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/694306/ Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:14:15 -0700 tidying the house, phew! rachelcook You know I have always been a good motivated house tidy uperer. So I have just finished tidying up the house (I had to do it, I have to stop the internal reminder of what needs to be tidied and organize and put away only for so long)...so all the boys including hubby are asleep and I have just realized ... You know I have always been a good motivated house tidy uperer. So I have just finished tidying up the house (I had to do it, I have to stop the internal reminder of what needs to be tidied and organize and put away only for so long)...so all the boys including hubby are asleep and I have just realized it has taken me 1-2 hours to tidy the HOUSE!!! Wow I enjoy doing it, so I never really calculated how long it takes and this time round I am amazed at all the jobs I find that need to be done...Hubby wakes up and finds a list of things that still need to be done (I have one for him on the kitchen table - lol) and he is amazed at the list. I am guessing if I wrote my list out before he wakes up it would look like this...

- sort out books in Codi's room

- putting nick nacks away in so many different cupboard

- loading and unloading the washing

- wash the dog

- tidy kitchen

- put toys away under stairs

- tidy up under stairs (couldn't move inside)

- sort out school bag

- hallway cupboard, remove items not used and put away

- tidy bathroom

- fold clothes

- put away clothes

Gees, thank goodness we have just hired a housekeeper to ease off the load and clean the hard things like the oven, bathrooms and toilets. Hats off to mums who just do all of this by themselves every day without even complaining.

Well at least the house is quiet, I am on Minti blogging with a cup of milo (hot chocolate drink)...

BTW Joshua (Baby Joshy as we must call him as stated by our gorgeous Codi) is doing really well. Am learning to manage his gassy wind and only getting an unsettled period of about 2 hours a day. Breastfeeding is going well too. Am feeling like the family unit is very happy and its been a plus with the school holidays giving us the chance to bond together as a family of four now and not three...

It's so cute when Codi copies my soothing talk to Joshy..."It's okay daddy's/mumma's here"....and adds some phrases into the mix himself...."oh poor Joshy, he is so crying"

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/693730/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/693730/ Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:55:40 -0700 "I fear NOT" rachelcook What's my funniest three year old saying? Daddy says "Codi do you need to go to the toilet?" Codi replies "No Daddy (slight pause)...I fear not..." What's my funniest three year old saying?

Daddy says "Codi do you need to go to the toilet?"

Codi replies "No Daddy (slight pause)...I fear not..."

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/686878/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/686878/ Sat, 19 Apr 2008 07:38:58 -0700 Foto Friday: The weekend before Joshua was born rachelcook This photo is of my brother Jimmy (James) and girlfriend Carla with Codi.   This photo is of my brother Jimmy (James) and girlfriend Carla with Codi.

 

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/685026/ http://www.minti.com/members/rachelcook/blog/685026/ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:13:58 -0700