Running On Empty

I need a serious re-fuel. I’m running on empty. It sounds pretty dramatic but.. I’m spent. Today the little things just got on my nerves a little more than usual.

Cameron woke up at 5:30 insisting it was playtime. He then pooped while I was attempting to eat breakfast. Nice. The day was muggy, humid and I felt sticky and blah. Cam just whinged most of the day and every whinge wore on my patience that bit more. “That’s enough bubby” was said.. as was “Mummy needs a cup of tea and some quiet time”.

I fumbled throughout the day attempting to feel like my normal self. I tried to pretend I wasn’t over it while my minds eye wandered to a pre-baby self drinking cocktails in a pool in a bikini with no restrictions and responsibilities.

It is all okay though. There are days like this. Hell, there are moments like this in most days during motherhood. That’s life and I’ll re-fuel and be back to my usual self in no time.

But for now… I’m spent. & I’ll allow myself the mini pity party while I wait for Cameron to sleep and *fingers crossed* he stays down. Maybe I’ll do some yoga, have a long shower and paint my toe nails??… Or maybe I’ll just sleep too.

My Tot

Lately my baby has been doing less-than-baby-like things. I’m feeling increasingly like the Mum of a toddler and I’m not sure what to think of it.

Cam has started scaling furniture all the time and stand without support occassionally. He just keeps blowing me away with new words and comprehension of words.

Today we were at the park and he started pointing and saying “doh doh” and I looked to see he was showing me a dog. He’s recognised dogs recently but never vocalised.

He really makes me so proud of him. How does he get that dogs are dogs? With all their variation in breeds, sizes and colours? Things like that amaze me.

His favourite game at the moment (aside from peekaboo – sure fire winner!) is “where is the/your ___?” dog/bird/duck/cat/fish/dog/block/book/ball/elmo and you see him start searching, locate the item and bring it to me. (notice the strong animal theme? he adores animals)

He’s started sharing – including feeding us and giving dolls a drink (he has a doll named Doug that he particularly favours as well as Elmo or “Mo” as he calls him)

He claps now (last thing on the list of basics like waving, pointing, etc) but it’s sloppy and hilarious. It’s like he’s saying “whatever, see Mum, I can do it – can we move on now?”

He went through a stage just last week where he kept saying “Rachel” (quite clearly too!) after hearing his cousin say it so much and obviously realising my reaction to it but thank goodness I haven’t heard him say it in the past couple of days (I’m “Mum” thank you very much!)

It was so cute at kindergym today – he used the rings that they get them to put on the witches-hats and put them around his neck like necklaces.

Isn’t he perfect?

He really isn’t responding to signing so much recently. He’s much more interested in exploring and attempting to talk by the sounds of things.

It is so hilarious how Cameron dances – he looks so silly thrusting his hips and bending his knees with such an accomplished and excited facial expression with enthusiastic noises. He makes me laugh!

We have been borrowing library books and I’m loving having new exciting books to read with Cam. He’s still most interested in turning the pages himself and pointing at the pictures. It’s very sweet.

I am in disbelief that Cammy is almost 11 months old! I’m desperately attempting to get things rolling for his first Christmas and 1st birthday party!  There is just an enormous amount to do! More updates to come on that!

It’s no wonder I’m getting cluckier really – my baby is quickly becoming a toddler! My little tot is wow-ing me daily with his new skills and I’m just in love and loving every nano-second. Being a Mumma to this gorgeous boy is the best job in the universe <3

I Went & Did It

I did the bad thing. The thing you’re not meant to do.

Back in this post I talked about how fat ain’t cute and how I was embarking on Operation Fatty Boomsticks Sexy Mumma. Well… clearly that failed. I went bralkogging (brisk walk/jogging… yeah, I made it up) twice and Mrs Excuses promptly made a shameless return.

I continue to think things like at least I haven’t gained any more weight and white chocolate is good and exercising is for lamey mclameingtons because it’s easier than actually losing weight, stopping my sweet-tooth-binges and getting off my ass.

For those of you (who are so lovely and I do big toothy grins with double thumbs up and toyota jumps for) who say “Rachel, you are a sexy Mumma, you don’t need to worry” I want to say quit enabling me (heh heh jokes) I have a BMI of oh-crap-I-can’t-believe-I’m-admitting-this 27.5 which is not in the healthy range and it all ultimately comes down to health.

So, back to what I was saying… I did the bad thing. I’ve been squeezing into old clothes or wearing daggy maternity clothing for too long. So I went and bought the size up. Yep, I admitted defeat.

We’re off tomorrow morning for our first family mini-holiday near the beach and I thought, if the weather is good, I should wear a tee and *gasp* shorts. But I can’t fit my pre-Mum shorts anymore. And not in a “ooh, these are a bit tight” way but in a “these only come up to me knees” way.

The last holiday we went on was our honeymoon almost 2 years ago and I had this smokin’ bod (lol):

& I remember feeling ‘fat’ and insecure then… 13 kgs ago.

Although I’ve bought these clothes I have decided to not focus on weight loss but just to put more emphasis on healthy living and moderation. I’m not too great at the moderation thing.

I’ve been vegetarian for over a couple of months now so I’ve been pretty good with meals but drinks and snacks have been out of whack. So it’s time for an overhaul.

I’m not making any promises. A couple of months from now I may be updating on how big my booty has grown but lets hope that I start making positive changes and I’m feeling motivated.

I’m still not motivated regarding exercise though. I don’t know, I never have been… Any tips?

Off to holiday! We’re going to some craft markets and too a special place (revealed soon just incase the BFFs BF is snooping… although I doubt he reads my blogs )

Video and paper-making tutorial to come!

Thank you for the lovely private messages and emails regarding my other post and {As Nature Intended}. I really do have the most beautiful readers and viewers!

Make our day <3:

Fun

The Father’s Day weekend went so well. Cam, Mike and I had a beautiful lazy weekend.

It was a gorgeous day on Saturday (the day before) which we spent at Noosa with Mike’s grandad and Mike’s Mum’s family. We shared the most delicious vegetarian pizza. Cameron was such a sweetheart and gave everyone cuddles. We were pleasantly surprised at how nonchalant he was about being passed around and the constant photos.

The drive was long but the sunshine and a well-behaved little munchkin (well, well-behaved for him in the car… there were a few tears) made for a lovely trip.

Sunday was less appealing weather-wise but we had a big sleep in then set off for lunch at Toscani’s and a day of shopping. We came home and snuggled up for a movie while we ate dinner and Cam fell asleep in our arms. It was perfect.

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Cameron has taken to liking his tunnel (blue one from ikea) and now crawls through it at random while we spend time in his playroom. We have been doing some montessori-inspired activities with him (cup and ball, paper scrunching and a simplified ring stacking activity) which he enjoys.

Cam also has said his first discernable word! Whilst it’s not yet in context really he said “Dadda” which made us both beam! He hasn’t stopped saying it all day He is babbling a lot more lately.

We went to the op shop recently and I got some awesome book ends and a lamp for Cam’s woodland-themed room. It’s almost finished now, I just have to make his reading corner, move his bookcase in there and finish his mobile to hang from the roof. There will be photos!

I’m also going to put Cammy-level bookcases or shelves in each of the rooms he frequents with select toys/books/activities so that he can pick and chose and everything has it’s place (montessori-inspired).

I’ve been finding the most gorgeous things for Cameron when he’s a toddler for imaginative play – particularly natural wooden items on etsy – WANT! I’ve decided on everything for his first birthday (aside from the location which I’m not 100% on yet!) and know what all the kiddies are going to get as favours! So fun!

We went to the park today after Cam’s afternoon nap after swimming. We got some smiles out of strangers as I rolled down the hill while Cam giggled like mad – so adorable!

How was your father’s (or hubby’s) father’s day???

Want to make our day? Please vote for us below. Just click then click again – no other effort needed – thank you <3!!

The Poo Incident

Yep, I’m on of those Mum bloggers. The one’s who talk about poo.

So it was like any other nappy free time (famous story starting point?! Y/Y??) until I heard Mike’s panicked voice say “Rachel! Look!!”

I turn around to see my baby boy… on all fours… with poo down his thighs and an absurd amount of poo on the blanket that he was playing on.

Until this point I was unaware of the smell. It’s a bit like when you don’t realise you have hurt yourself until you see the blood and all of a sudden there’s so much pain… Well I turned around and my brain registered the poonami in front of me and suddenly my nostrils were assulted with stink.

The following moments are a blur of laughter, frantic wiping, yelling and running around.

I didn’t take a photo so I’ve taken the liberty of drawing a diagram for you all:

The bath was running so I took a now semi-cleaned-up Cameron into the bathroom to turn off the taps and get us both clean while I left Mike with the offending mess (I’m good like that).

But before we could enter the bath I heard Mike, even more panicked, from the room “Oh God! I dropped it”. Through fits of laughter I made it back to the room to see Michael scooping up said logs of baby poo with a CD.

“I hope you don’t want this Mariah Carey CD”. I was snorting. Yes, snorting, with laughter.

We finally made it to the bathtub and settled ourselves in for the most efficient cleaning of our lives when Cam pulled that face. Fellow Mums, you know the one. The Poo Face.

Yes.

Yes, blog readers.

He pooed in the bath. I scooped poo out of the bath with my bare hands while screaming dramatically as Cam looked super satisfied with the situation.

I am fully hoping that this is the first and last poo story I tell. Thanks for reading!

If that made you laugh, vote for us! If it didn’t make you laugh… vote for us!

How Am I Doing?

Racheous update ahoy!

I forget to update about myself when I’m doing well! I tend to only share when I’m fighting through something or when I am in the middle of a shift.

So how am I doing? Honestly? I haven’t been this great since pregnancy. I’m very content. I do not have any lingering symptoms of depression and my anxiety is more than manageable. I am always laughing and enjoying myself.

I don’t have trouble getting out of bed, or motivating myself and Cameron and I have such gorgeous days together!

I mean, it’s not that I didn’t do these things before… but I think that my focus was still on ‘getting better’ and ‘coping’ rather than just living and I don’t have to force myself to move past negativity – because it’s not there anymore.

On the ‘Operation Sexy Mumma’ front… I’m yet to lose more weight LOL! I have been good friends with white chocolate lately and ate far too much of my fair share of frosting (while making Jo Jo’s cake) and cupcakes and samosas (at the party).

It’s a process… maybe a long one

I have a few blogs waiting to be ‘finished’ and published as well as some guest posts on the horizon so watch out!

Thank you to those who have been voting for us at Top Baby Blogs! I’m on page two and am so appreciative of all of your support! You can vote daily and the link is always over on the right ————–>

P.S. We are in the midst of yet another playroom makeover Now that Cam is crawling he’s obviously interacting differently with his environment and I want his area to reflect that – too fun! We’ve got a hand/foot plaster ready to go and frame and we are on the look out for a rug. Watch this space

Commando Crawling!!

The cutest of all the tiny babies is commando crawling! & pushing with his feet! & rocking to and fro! Oh my goodness!!

Photographic evidence of the undeniable adorable-ness:

Oooh and did you check that?! Yes, two toothy pegs!!!!

Also, I’ve found THE best baby rhyme time at a somewhat-local library and I’m hoping to buy some baby sign language materials (I have a book but it is American) and become more stringent with it all.

Tomorrow we’re off to a park for some outdoor fun. We’re going to find a shady spot, put on his hat and baby sunscreen and we’re going to read and blow bubbles. I promise I’ll share some photos!

What Has Changed?

So I’ve been asked how things have changed since Cameron was born. That’s a pretty complex question. But in short – what has changed? EVERYTHING!

My Marriage:

Mine and Michael’s relationship has only got stronger and more lovely. I mean that in the most real way I can portray. Our marriage is more beautiful than ever. We still do and say stupid things and have fun. We’re still learning how to juggle it all. We still have arguments.

But now there are more texts that say “how are my two favourite people”, more phone calls with “guess what he did”‘s, more “far out I missed you”‘s and more photo messages featuring a grinning bubba.

My Sense of Self:

Before Cameron I didn’t really know who I was. I felt disjointed and like I needed to explain myself and behave a certain way. Even in the early weeks of his life this continued but now I have a clarity that he has taught me.

More recently I feel that I know who I am in a work-in-progress kind of way and I like who I am. I like my quirks and even my flaws and I think it comes from realising what I am capable of through my journey to becoming a Mumma.

I’m still learning what that means and where I am heading but for now I have a simplistic contentment and feel like I fit in my skin well and that I am someone who can be proud of who/what/where I am today.

My Body:

I like to call it Rachel 2.0… It is a medly of large thick red/purple stretch marks and extra flab. But it is also a creator of life, maker of milk and provider of comfort.

My Home:

My house now feels like a home. I really love this house. I’ve began to appreciate the notion of Organised Chaos… Like messily folded clothing (but folded none-the-less) and neatly organised boxes that are filled with unorganised bits and pieces.

We now have a perfectly functional bed frame stored in our spare room because I prefer the mattress on the floor with Cameron sharing the bed with us (if he rolls out… there isn’t so far to fall – oh that sounds awful!)

My Day-to-Day Life:

My life is now filled with nappy changes, drool, puke, much more washing, stress, concern, crying (his and mine), tiredness, and generally more chaos and questions.

Before he blessed my life I feel like I didn’t have a purpose. I love that my life is also filled with kosses, giggles, smiles, singing silly songs, splishy splashy bath times, bubba massage, boobah, cuddles, book time, new friends, swimming lessons, dancing, and watching him blossom into the beautiful boy that he is.

Cammy – Update!

I really haven’t updated about Cameron specifically… so here I go. It’s just going to be in point form!

Cameron is now 18.5 weeks (4 months) old and:

- Loves rolling from his back to his belly
- Won’t take a dummy or bottle
- Is 66 cm long and 6.4 kilograms
- Did great at his 4 month immunisations
- Is wearing 000 clothing except for his feetie-pajamas which are 00 because of his length
- Is a fully modern cloth nappy (I use Baby Beehinds Magic-Alls BTW – amazing) and cloth wipes bub
- Is exclusively breastfed
- Loves books and his flower toy
- Giggles occassionally… mainly when you kiss his neck and nom nom nom his chest
- Shares our bed but will sleep in his cradle swing, in a wrap sling and in the car (occassionally)
- Has far too much clothing 
- Is a very sensitive boy – the tiniest of things can change his emotions instantly
- Has found his feet
- Smiles at EVERYONE… he’s so social and beautiful
- Loves Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- Loves bathtime
- Is starting swimming lessons in a couple of days
- Has got better with the car
- Does not stop moving
- Always gets the hiccups still
- Raises his eyebrows like his Mumma
- Is a huge fan of tummy time
- Still has a newborn-esque cry
- Is balding
- Has nails that grow pratically overnight
- Puts everything in his mouth
- Is not a fan of the pram
- Is beginning to recognise how things relate (i.e. smiles when he sees us get the wrap sling because he knows it means “I won!”)
- Is always drooling
- Already has lots of little ‘friends’
- Does not generally sleep well throughout the day
- Sleeps great at night with only a few wake-ups purely for a feed
- Is doing brilliantly… he’s such a delightful, clever cutie patootie.

STOP IT!

(Fun Friday post… on Saturday)

Cammy and I play this game… where I say “Stop it! Stop being so freaking cute!” then he acts all coy and grins so I say “NO! Stop it! No more cuteness! It hurts my eyes!” and again he’s all goofy and adorable… We can play that for ages (so we do)

See Exhibit A:

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day so be prepared for my first Sunny Sunday post to be mighty sunny… and possibly late.