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Life update
May. 22nd, 2017 05:55 pmDespite my utmost foreboding, Pearl’s party was great. There was a break in the weather and the kids could play outside. They were captivated by some very simple party games, with the most popular probably being a Harry Potter Time Turner variant of charades.
Reflections
Jan. 5th, 2017 05:59 pmI no longer have pre-primary kids. I now have big, school age kids – Ruby is going into Grade one.
Time to stop and reflect that life is much easier. Things that I no longer have to do – for instance, going out is so much easier. They walk to the car and get in – Pearl does up her seatbelt. Ruby’s hands are not strong enough to buckle herself in but she can unbuckle the belt and also open the door from the outside though not the inside.
Time was when Pearl’s anxiety meant she could not be left in the car so every trip to the petrol station involved unstrapping them, taking them in, shepherding them back and then restrapping them. Time was when her anxiety was so intense that if I walked around the back of the car rather than the front of it where she could see me, she would freak out.
Things are certainly improving greatly and my life is much easier in many ways. Although, conversely, this just frees up time for paid work. But at least that means more money.
I have always felt that having children is a bit like being hit viciously and repeatedly in the face. This is not going to convince the childless that it is great having kids, but to me this is how it feels:
Here is your baby, she is lovely. BLAM – she can’t breathe. Now you can hug her. THWACK – she chokes on the milk, she has no suck reflex. Finally out of hospital? Then WHACK! It’s time to notice she is super floppy and take her around a series of doctors who will pooh-pooh your concerns as those of an over-anxious first time mother until BLAM! They decide it is serious and suggest it might be cerebral palsy.
WHACK! Your child fails to thrive. The doctor describes her legs as wasted. PUNCH, PUNCH, PUNCH. No one can diagnose her problems. Got that under control? Hours of physio! Because she can’t balance properly, she can’t be toilet trained! PUNCH! Your child is ‘odd’ and not doing well at school.
Parenthood is a long series of happy moments interspersed with being BEATEN at random, unanticipated moments.
I read a thoughtpiece once where a woman said that parenting was like slogging through a leech infested jungle in the rain and every now and then you come into a clearing where the sun shines down and you see butterflies. Then back to the jungle.
For me, there is a lot more of the happy periods but they are certainly interspersed with being punched in the face.
Time to stop and reflect that life is much easier. Things that I no longer have to do – for instance, going out is so much easier. They walk to the car and get in – Pearl does up her seatbelt. Ruby’s hands are not strong enough to buckle herself in but she can unbuckle the belt and also open the door from the outside though not the inside.
Time was when Pearl’s anxiety meant she could not be left in the car so every trip to the petrol station involved unstrapping them, taking them in, shepherding them back and then restrapping them. Time was when her anxiety was so intense that if I walked around the back of the car rather than the front of it where she could see me, she would freak out.
Things are certainly improving greatly and my life is much easier in many ways. Although, conversely, this just frees up time for paid work. But at least that means more money.
I have always felt that having children is a bit like being hit viciously and repeatedly in the face. This is not going to convince the childless that it is great having kids, but to me this is how it feels:
Here is your baby, she is lovely. BLAM – she can’t breathe. Now you can hug her. THWACK – she chokes on the milk, she has no suck reflex. Finally out of hospital? Then WHACK! It’s time to notice she is super floppy and take her around a series of doctors who will pooh-pooh your concerns as those of an over-anxious first time mother until BLAM! They decide it is serious and suggest it might be cerebral palsy.
WHACK! Your child fails to thrive. The doctor describes her legs as wasted. PUNCH, PUNCH, PUNCH. No one can diagnose her problems. Got that under control? Hours of physio! Because she can’t balance properly, she can’t be toilet trained! PUNCH! Your child is ‘odd’ and not doing well at school.
Parenthood is a long series of happy moments interspersed with being BEATEN at random, unanticipated moments.
I read a thoughtpiece once where a woman said that parenting was like slogging through a leech infested jungle in the rain and every now and then you come into a clearing where the sun shines down and you see butterflies. Then back to the jungle.
For me, there is a lot more of the happy periods but they are certainly interspersed with being punched in the face.
(no subject)
Nov. 21st, 2016 06:20 pmI was impressed by my kids this weekend. Pearl went on her first sleep over. She behaved well and did not freak out, to my impressed surprise.
I had thought Ruby would be jealous when Pearl left but she was actually heart broken. She kept hugging her and telling her how much she loved her. ‘One more hug, one more kiss.’ Of course she has no memory of not sharing the room with Pearl, except when she has been in hospital, and she was very anxious that Pearl might not come back. ‘What if our car breaks down and Baby_Elvis’ car breaks down and all the taxis break down? What would happen then?’
I had thought Ruby would be jealous when Pearl left but she was actually heart broken. She kept hugging her and telling her how much she loved her. ‘One more hug, one more kiss.’ Of course she has no memory of not sharing the room with Pearl, except when she has been in hospital, and she was very anxious that Pearl might not come back. ‘What if our car breaks down and Baby_Elvis’ car breaks down and all the taxis break down? What would happen then?’
daily life
Oct. 21st, 2016 05:03 pmMy children had an argument yesterday, sparked by the *Lord of the Rings* soundtrack – about whether Boromir’s death was the sort of thing that grown ups like or not.
Obviously they have not seen it, but have heard my retelling while listening to the soundtrack.
Pearl has a visceral fear of death. It is hard to know how to address this. Yes, death does suck and mostly we adults just ignore its inevitability.
Obviously they have not seen it, but have heard my retelling while listening to the soundtrack.
Pearl has a visceral fear of death. It is hard to know how to address this. Yes, death does suck and mostly we adults just ignore its inevitability.
1, We went to an Educated by Nature event on Saturday and the girls very much enjoyed working with tools. Pearl liked the hand drill and made a lot of holes in some soft wood. Sophia then hammered nails through. They made a sculpture of a hedgehog which impresses me.
2, The girls let me sleep in the afternoon since I felt so rotten. When I awoke I discovered they had eaten a litre of ice cream while watching *Aladdin*, but still, I got to sleep.
3, People were kind enough to come over on Sunday which was good because the girls were super boisterous and needed to run about while I talked to an adult.
2, The girls let me sleep in the afternoon since I felt so rotten. When I awoke I discovered they had eaten a litre of ice cream while watching *Aladdin*, but still, I got to sleep.
3, People were kind enough to come over on Sunday which was good because the girls were super boisterous and needed to run about while I talked to an adult.
(no subject)
Aug. 25th, 2016 08:27 pm1, I am pleased that the next *Thor* movie is being partly filmed in Australia and is apparently a coffee shop AU where Thor and Loki spend a lot of time choosing lattes together. Good, they need to talk.
2, Ruby made up a song: ‘You want me to say hello to the baby, but they baby is too young. I say hello, the baby says googoo.’ Clearly inspired by the Beatles.
3, Pearl’s NAPLAN results are not nearly as bad as the teacher had warned. I’m very pleased that she did well in reading, since this is a constant pleasure in my life.
2, Ruby made up a song: ‘You want me to say hello to the baby, but they baby is too young. I say hello, the baby says googoo.’ Clearly inspired by the Beatles.
3, Pearl’s NAPLAN results are not nearly as bad as the teacher had warned. I’m very pleased that she did well in reading, since this is a constant pleasure in my life.
1, I avoided the census fail by deciding I did not have time to do it last night and putting it off. A win for procrastination.
2, I now have all the documents necessary to do my tax. Hopefully there will be a small rebate.
3, Pearl is very much taken with the concept of sugar mice from the Milly Molly Mandy books. I was too, and on my first trip to the UK I bought one. A bit sweet for an adult but incredibly cute to look at.
2, I now have all the documents necessary to do my tax. Hopefully there will be a small rebate.
3, Pearl is very much taken with the concept of sugar mice from the Milly Molly Mandy books. I was too, and on my first trip to the UK I bought one. A bit sweet for an adult but incredibly cute to look at.
1, The girls both adored karate, and had huge grins on their faces as they did it. The class is aimed at kids and the teachers seemed very good at providing lots of positive feedback. Pearl most enjoyed kicking a bag and Ruby most enjoyed the game of dodge ball they played.
2, Ruby has been exhausted ever since she did karate but nonetheless set off to school with some enthusiasm today. PrePrimary are having a presentation on why hospitals are good. I thought she might be reluctant to go as she has well founded fears of hospitals, but instead she took my suggestion that she would be an ‘expert’ and ran with it. She knows *all* about hospitals, down to being a connoisseur of the best waiting rooms at the local children’s hospital.
3, I was finally well enough to start cleaning up the backlog in the house. For example, the things brought home at the end of last term are now put away.
2, Ruby has been exhausted ever since she did karate but nonetheless set off to school with some enthusiasm today. PrePrimary are having a presentation on why hospitals are good. I thought she might be reluctant to go as she has well founded fears of hospitals, but instead she took my suggestion that she would be an ‘expert’ and ran with it. She knows *all* about hospitals, down to being a connoisseur of the best waiting rooms at the local children’s hospital.
3, I was finally well enough to start cleaning up the backlog in the house. For example, the things brought home at the end of last term are now put away.
Our holiday plan has been abandoned. I am now well enough to drive but Ruby has succumbed to the horror illness and is lying on the couch crying.
I was wondering if anyone would be free to take Pearl for the day? She is going out of her mind with boredom, having been trapped at home with sick people every day of the holidays so far.
I was wondering if anyone would be free to take Pearl for the day? She is going out of her mind with boredom, having been trapped at home with sick people every day of the holidays so far.
1, I was amused by the game of ‘hashtag’ going on at OSH when I picked up the girls. ‘Hashtag: Hello.’ ‘Hashtag: Are you Pearl’s Mum?’ ‘Hashtag: Is Ruby going home now?’
#toocute.
2, I went to the cross country run last week. I very much enjoyed the hilarity of the junior running. The girl who lead the pre-primary pack dashed the wrong way at the last moment and came third because she had to be lifted over a fence and back onto the track. One of the pre-primary boys lost a shoe. By the time he put it back on, was comforted and trotted around the track, all the other boys had finished so they doubled back to run the last part with him.
My children, of course, both came dead last.
3, I love lying in bed listening to the rain.
#toocute.
2, I went to the cross country run last week. I very much enjoyed the hilarity of the junior running. The girl who lead the pre-primary pack dashed the wrong way at the last moment and came third because she had to be lifted over a fence and back onto the track. One of the pre-primary boys lost a shoe. By the time he put it back on, was comforted and trotted around the track, all the other boys had finished so they doubled back to run the last part with him.
My children, of course, both came dead last.
3, I love lying in bed listening to the rain.
1, Pearl liked her birthday presents. From me, a babushka nesting doll and a copy of *The Faraway Tree*. From Ruby, a small teddy bear. From my parents, a filigree horse and carriage to arrange on her shelf and a book of paper dolls to cut out. I actually chose the paper dolls, so they are of various Goddesses in amazing regalia. I totally want to play with them myself.
2, I am quite impressed with the cake I baked for her birthday. I find gluten free cooking very hit and miss. This one looks like it worked.
3, I have booked the kids into OSH at school for tomorrow. They have been registered for ages but I have not used it previously. We are lucky that there is one right at the school, so they don’t have to be transported around as some kids do.
2, I am quite impressed with the cake I baked for her birthday. I find gluten free cooking very hit and miss. This one looks like it worked.
3, I have booked the kids into OSH at school for tomorrow. They have been registered for ages but I have not used it previously. We are lucky that there is one right at the school, so they don’t have to be transported around as some kids do.
I have very little to say that is positive.
Pearl did enjoy most of her party at the zoo. Since the giraffe feeding was cancelled (and one of the giraffes has been put down), we fed very tame quokkas instead. Sadly, the quokkas did not seem to take to Pearl. I thought this was because of her flashing light sneakers but she attributed it to some special quokka sense of worthiness and burst into tears. It was most unfortunate that the quokkas fawned over every other child, nibbling on their shoe laces and even peeking under Ruby’s skirt but would barely come near the birthday girl.
Other things that have happened:
· Mum is back in hospital, taken their by ambulance. Her legs just gave way, which is apparently not common in spinal fusion recipients and the doctors are conducting some tests to try to determine what is up. It is always better to have the very common and easily treatable disorders, so this is not good.
· Dad continues his downward spiral and should be starting dialysis soon.
· This week the girls have three medical appointments. Next week they have two. Frankly, this is ridiculous and unsustainable.
· The builder who has built six (six!) apartments on the quarter acre block next to my parents is now complaining that the fence between them is 20mm out of line and so it needs to be moved at equal expense to both parties.
· Work continues to restructure, shed staff and is in the process of moving physical locations and all HR, IT and payroll systems. So quite a bit happening there as well.
Now, to stop dwelling on the negatives, here are some good things.
1, We live in a country with a functional health care system so the indefinite hospital stay is free as it would be for all Australians, the ambulance ride is free because of my parents are old, and the dialysis is free as it is for everyone. Frankly I can’t imagine how Americans deal with the stress of illness and worry about money at the same time.
2, Pearl is being very good about the fact that the celebrations on her actual birthday will be perfunctory, as my sister is ill and Mum will be in hospital. She is a very kind hearted child.
3, I am wearing snazzy Hogwarts socks.
Pearl did enjoy most of her party at the zoo. Since the giraffe feeding was cancelled (and one of the giraffes has been put down), we fed very tame quokkas instead. Sadly, the quokkas did not seem to take to Pearl. I thought this was because of her flashing light sneakers but she attributed it to some special quokka sense of worthiness and burst into tears. It was most unfortunate that the quokkas fawned over every other child, nibbling on their shoe laces and even peeking under Ruby’s skirt but would barely come near the birthday girl.
Other things that have happened:
· Mum is back in hospital, taken their by ambulance. Her legs just gave way, which is apparently not common in spinal fusion recipients and the doctors are conducting some tests to try to determine what is up. It is always better to have the very common and easily treatable disorders, so this is not good.
· Dad continues his downward spiral and should be starting dialysis soon.
· This week the girls have three medical appointments. Next week they have two. Frankly, this is ridiculous and unsustainable.
· The builder who has built six (six!) apartments on the quarter acre block next to my parents is now complaining that the fence between them is 20mm out of line and so it needs to be moved at equal expense to both parties.
· Work continues to restructure, shed staff and is in the process of moving physical locations and all HR, IT and payroll systems. So quite a bit happening there as well.
Now, to stop dwelling on the negatives, here are some good things.
1, We live in a country with a functional health care system so the indefinite hospital stay is free as it would be for all Australians, the ambulance ride is free because of my parents are old, and the dialysis is free as it is for everyone. Frankly I can’t imagine how Americans deal with the stress of illness and worry about money at the same time.
2, Pearl is being very good about the fact that the celebrations on her actual birthday will be perfunctory, as my sister is ill and Mum will be in hospital. She is a very kind hearted child.
3, I am wearing snazzy Hogwarts socks.
1, The girls are both being gentle with Mum, which is hard for Pearl who is both naturally affectionate, impulsive and uncoordinated.
2, Pearl’s birthday party is this weekend. We were booked to feed giraffes at the zoo but they are sick. Instead, we will be feeding kangaroos and quokkas.
3, Tomorrow is my day of the week off. Assuming Ruby’s cold gets no worse, I am going to spend some time sleeping and some time clearing the junk out of the girls room.
2, Pearl’s birthday party is this weekend. We were booked to feed giraffes at the zoo but they are sick. Instead, we will be feeding kangaroos and quokkas.
3, Tomorrow is my day of the week off. Assuming Ruby’s cold gets no worse, I am going to spend some time sleeping and some time clearing the junk out of the girls room.
1, I got to take Ruby to OT today. Once again, Pearl behaved impeccably, reading, drawing, colouring and playing hangman.
2, We met friends at the new City of Perth library today. It is funky and has a cool children's section. Unfortunately severe-faced librarians who kept returning the cardboard castles to a precise circle.
3, The children put on an excellent paper puppet play the other day. My favourite part was when the wombat rode on the camel's back.
2, We met friends at the new City of Perth library today. It is funky and has a cool children's section. Unfortunately severe-faced librarians who kept returning the cardboard castles to a precise circle.
3, The children put on an excellent paper puppet play the other day. My favourite part was when the wombat rode on the camel's back.
1, I adored *Zootopia*. It was funny and had a beautifully realised background. I love a cop buddy/con man show and the message about prejudice was integral to the movie. I asked the girls afterwards if they knew what racism is - Pearl thought it might be when you think beautiful people are good and ugly people are bad – and we had a talk about how it was bad in the movie when all the predators were treated badly because of what a few had done.
2, I love driving my new car. Driving my old car was like driving a hairy goat. It had something horribly wrong with its innards and the power level varied enormously, from full to none. It stalled whenever it idled (ie. going around a roundabout). It cut out randomly, and the mechanics thought it would cost about $4,000 just to explore its internals enough to identify the problem. Being in the car was an exercise in terror as you never knew what would happen next. But my new car…. [makes a French mmmmmh! gesture to show excellence]. When I ask it to go, it goes. When I ask it to stop, it stops. It’s heaven.
3, Pearl is very pleased with her gorgeous new glasses. She looks as cute as a button.
2, I love driving my new car. Driving my old car was like driving a hairy goat. It had something horribly wrong with its innards and the power level varied enormously, from full to none. It stalled whenever it idled (ie. going around a roundabout). It cut out randomly, and the mechanics thought it would cost about $4,000 just to explore its internals enough to identify the problem. Being in the car was an exercise in terror as you never knew what would happen next. But my new car…. [makes a French mmmmmh! gesture to show excellence]. When I ask it to go, it goes. When I ask it to stop, it stops. It’s heaven.
3, Pearl is very pleased with her gorgeous new glasses. She looks as cute as a button.
Having reflected, I would say that this was not only my best con for ages but also the best con the girls have had. Because they are getting older, they were able to attend some panels and enjoyed at least one (the previews of forthcoming movies for kids). Ruby really enjoyed the children’s book reading. She told me ‘I clapped til my hands hurt’.
And they adored the children’s masquerade. I think next year they might be old enough to go to the proper masquerade (gasp!). Pearl went as the Wicked Witch of the West and Ruby was the cutest flying monkey ever.
And they adored the children’s masquerade. I think next year they might be old enough to go to the proper masquerade (gasp!). Pearl went as the Wicked Witch of the West and Ruby was the cutest flying monkey ever.
(no subject)
Sep. 16th, 2015 06:15 pmThank you to those who attended the kids' animal party. The following was raised:
* Cheetah - $10.90
* Panda - $11.55
* Gorilla - $16.20
And by far the most popular animal was our own, local Western Swamp Tortoise, the most endangered tortoise in the world:
* Western Swamp Tortoise - $34.85.
You can see some baby Western Swamp Tortoises hatching at the Perth Zoo website: http://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/conservation/native-species-breeding-programs/western-swamp-tortoise/
* Cheetah - $10.90
* Panda - $11.55
* Gorilla - $16.20
And by far the most popular animal was our own, local Western Swamp Tortoise, the most endangered tortoise in the world:
* Western Swamp Tortoise - $34.85.
You can see some baby Western Swamp Tortoises hatching at the Perth Zoo website: http://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/conservation/native-species-breeding-programs/western-swamp-tortoise/
