swimming

As my OB said I am NOT to swim for at least 5-6 weeks (darn stitches) I decided to book Max into the 2 week swim program. It got us up and out of the house for 10 days and he had a ball with the kids in his class. Suzanne is the BEST teacher. At one point she said to me that Max frustrates her as she expects sooo much from him as he is soooo good, but then she has to remember how young he is and that is why sometimes he just does NOT GET what she is asking him to do, ie butterfly arms, he has the kick but still does freestyle arms. I think one day he will swim butterfly very well as his kick is strong and the arms will come. This program also made me think back on the good old days when every school holidays (when I was at UNI) I would teach kids how to swim......lessons every day really make a difference...it sinks in (pardon the pun).

Here is his report

it was a great 10 days.....looking forward to when term swimming goes back

2 weeks old

and YES the Russell photo tradition in this house WILL continue with Flynn

Flynn at 2 weeks.

He loves a cuddle.

He sleeps through most of the noise that this house creates.

He is feeding very well.

He gets the hiccups at least 2-3 times a day.

He loves to be wrapped.

He will rarely take a dummy.

He can be put down awake and will go to sleep.

He has long arms, long legs and long toes with not much fat on them.

He wears 0000 size clothing.

And to share here is Max at 4 weeks in 2006..........

2009 the year in review

Our year

Max started preschool.

A year off class teaching whole school Mathematics for me.
My 7th year as AP

Darren's 7th year of business.

We bought Milly our dog.
IVF

I fell pregnant.

Gold Coast holiday.

10 years of marriage.

We lost Doreen to cancer.

Darren badly hurt his ankle.

7th annual Australian Idol party.

Family day care (gotta love dobbers)
Chris retired.
2 scrapbook and 1 photography weekend away, 2 weddings, 1 40th, plenty of fun nights out at the movies with the girls or dazzy chatting with the boys.
Flynn Frederick came into our lives and made us a family of 4.

National and International

http://www.abc.net.au/news/yearinreview/2009/

South-east Australia sweltered and sweated in its hottest heatwave in 70 years, interrupting the Australian Open and leading to massive blackouts across major cities.

Black Saturday, Melbourne bushfires, Marysville wipped off the map

Obama elected as US President.
Loosing Michael Jackson, Patrick Swazye and Heath Ledger
Swine flu hits the nation and the world
Dust storm covers NSW in orange haze and coat of dust
A mother delivers 8 babies
Kyle and Jackie taken off the air
A child thrown to her death from a bridge
Balloon boy hoax.
Global financial crisis continued
$900 cash payment
Tiger woods cheats
Another decade ends, farewell to the noughties

Dec 28 to 31

I did not leave the house until the 29th...Darren and i went to IKEA for storage. Darren continued to be my knight and shining armour...shopping cleaning and doing all that was asked of him. I enjoyed shopping at Westfield on NYE with Flynn and Max was with Darren. I forgot how many goos and gahs a small baby attracts.
I wanted a quiet NYE, bed at 10 would have been ok with me.....but Darren invited Allan and his wife over as they were visiting from Perth. We ended up with Ann, Dad and Robert over for dinner and it was a nice night. I jumped into bed at 12.30am, while Daz, Allan and Marianglea partied on until 2.30am.

happy new year to all, I can't believe the 2009 journey is over and 2010 has started. Cheers to a great year for all.

xxxxxxx

Me in 2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Taught Mathematics in an off class role, taught stage 3 and loved it. Had an IVF cycle.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I did not make any in 2008/09, but I want to make some for this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 5 good friends yes!!!! One set of twins too

4. Did anyone close to you die? We lost Doreen to cancer, she is still so sadly missed by my dad everyday.

5. What countries did you visit? the gold coast!!!!! lol just interstate travel for me

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? time to get the little jobs done. All the ironing up to date. Time at home. the drive to scrapbook again.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 6 - Egg transfer
April 17 - found out I was pregnant.
Sept- 13-19 - Gold Coast holiday
Sept 24 - Doreen passed away
December 17 - last day at BPS for awhile/Chris retired.
December 21 - gave birth with no EPIDURAL!!!!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? keeping the secret of the sex of my child.

9. What was your biggest failure? I let toooo much junk into my mouth, my food craving and the hormones won. I never paid bills on time and had to them pay fines....grrrr

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? pregnancy related problems like swollen feet and sore back.

11. What was the best thing you bought? My canon 7D and my new pram!

12. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage, holiday and bills.
13. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My camera, work, our holiday
14. What song will always remind you of 2009? Life would suck without you - Kelly Clarkson. I got a feeling - Black Eyed Peas.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:(a) Happier or Sadder?(b) Thinner or Fatter?(c) Richer or Poorer? Happier, fatter and poorer

16. What do you wish you’d done more of? Spent more time scrapbooking rather than dreaming of it. Achieved more of the things i wanted to do at school. Kept up with paper work.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of? time wasting

18. How did you spend Christmas? At home with my family, it was great o have my dad with me this year. I was sooo very sore and tired though

19. Did you fall in love in 2009? We stayed in love. Married for 10years this year


20. What annoyed you? my child care was turned upside down.....sorry DOCS but fighting real crime should be your goal for 2010

21. What was your favorite TV program? Jon and Kate plus 8, Biggest Looser and the 7pm report.


22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? no

23. What was the best book you read? READ??? i don't read much more than bloglines and scrapbook magazines, Oh and a few maths texts

24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Taylor Swift

25. What did you want and get? to get pregnant, a holiday and new camera


26. What did you want and not get? the winning lotto ticket

27. What was your favorite film of this year? I liked the twilight vampire ones, i did not see many films.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 33. I went to work, took some photos and went to go for a swim as it was 35 degrees only to discover the pool was freezing as the solar was broken ...that cost me $500 to repair

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? other than winning lotto ?????

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Maternity clothes by pumpkin patch.

31. What kept you sane? my friends, me-time online

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I became a fan of team Jacob.
33. What political issue will you remember? global financial crisis.....handing out money...creating debt

34. Who did you miss? Kyle on IDOL

35. Who was the best new person you met? Max's preschool teachers

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Your times tables are important...learn them.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Wind me up. Watch me go, where she stops nobody knows"
38. What are your resolutions for 2010? ENJOY it, relax, do things for me and my kids. Cook more, stick to a routine.

Dec 21 to 27

Darren and I woke up at 6am and got ready ..... It was hard doing it at what seemed to be the opposite to last time....when child birth happened naturally and we drove to the hospital at 2am as my water broke, now I was going in to have my water broken.

Labour started slow apparently he had a tight seal and was never coming naturally. Eventually the drug was at the maximum and period pain was all I could feel. My back was very sore and once again I had another child that did not face the correct way during child birth. I was soooo uncomfortable in the bed and waiting was boring so I decided to stand as I was more comfortable. That did the trick and it all happened so quick from that point.....gravity is wonderful. I kept asking if I still had time for the epidural ....it seemed that they were just ignoring me. At one point I asked them to RIP out my spine to ease the pain and the line that Darren remembers most is when I said "WHY I have gone from ok to write off in 5 minutes?"
When they told me to hold the last push for Dr Fulcher to arrive as he was in the car park I really did not care if he was on the moon......seriously i think most of the pain is forgotten now but yes I let a few swear words fly and checked my dignity in at the door once again. i would seriously love another child but don't think i could do it again.....2 will be enough......so I need to enjoy every baby cuddle as I know this time will go quick.

I left hospital on the 24th...I love Sydney South west Private but with Christmas my stay had to be shorter than I liked, plus the HARD bed was driving me nuts. Darren picked us up at 3 and we drove to Westfields for the much wanted Santa photo. That night we had our friends over for dinner and my gorgeous husband was sooo helpful and showed that he is a whiz in the kitchen. It was nice to have one drink and relax out the back while the kids played and Flynn slept. I wrapped and got a few last things together and fell into bed in pain.
Christmas day was gorgeous but I needed pain killers to get through it. I loved the excitement on Max's face and having my dad with me. Even though I could barely move off the lounge it was a nice day. It ended with a blackout and all of us in bed by 10.30.
On Boxing day I HIT THE WALL, I was sick, sore, tired, emotional BUT every lucky my husband was helpful and ready to do whatever i asked. I spent the next 2 days sleeping and resting. Everywhere I looked there were TOYS/MESS, but my body was in no state to do anything about it.

Merry Christmas 2009

Before I was pregnant...really early this year I had a dream that I walked my baby in the hospital crib on a BUMPY ride down to Westfields (a block from the hospital) to get the IMPORTANT Santa photo......dreams can come true.
We made it !!!! I have my boys and my Santa shot. And NO I was in NO state to walk, Darren drove me!!!! This was taken at 4pm on Christmas Eve.....after standing in line for a painful 50 minutes!
Merry Christmas!!!!!

welcome

Flynn Frederick Howlett

Born 21/12/2009 @ 3.25pm

3.5kg / 52cm long

we loved you before we met you xxxxx

I got home from hospital at 4pm Christmas Eve after a Santa photo at Westfield.

We had our very good friends over for a nice dinner at 6pm.

I wrapped until midnight...thank goodness for Santa sacks I say!!!

needless to say I fell into bed.....very gently as I am still in a lot of pain

My buddy Max

Tonight we dropped you off at Nanna's house as tomorrow I am off to hospital to have your baby brother or sister. You broke my heart as we said goodbye as you cried and told me you loved me and missed me. You sat on the steps and cried as we waved goodbye and this made me cry too!

For almost 4 years you have been my buddy, I have spent so much time with you and loved it. You made me a mum, you have taught me so much and i love living life with you. We have shopped together, swam together, shared lots of sleep ins, played for hours together and shared so much of our lives.

Tomorrow someone NEW enters our family and I just want to let you know that I will still love you as much!!!! Dad and I will have to share our time more but having a sibling will be a good thing, I am an only child and sadly i long for a brother or sister. I love you Max, "to infinity and beyond"! thanks for a fantastic 3 years and 11 months, thanks for being a fun and happy son, and making us all laugh!!!!! Tomorrow we welcome someone new and I tell you they are so lucky to have you as their big brother.

Dec 14 to 20

I am off to hospital to have a baby tomorrow!!!!!!! but before I go here is a snap shot of our week!!!!!Monday was a busy one at school...certificates for presentation day and making sure everything was done. I was also tortured by Narelle as she made me put my fat feet into ice water and I tell you the pain was unbearable and a little bit funny.



Tuesday was Narelle's birthday and presentation day. Narelle was convinced I would be giving birth......me on the other hand just knew I wanted to make the week. A quick Christmas party with Linda and the family day care kids and we dashed off to swimming. I was up very late finishing the preschool photo DVD. For fundraising one parent puts all the years photos into a slide show and then they are sold, it is a great idea and I have loved doing it but as usual I have left it to the last minute and i am working late each night to get it done.



Wednesday started busy and ended late. Up with the birds to continue burning DVDs. I dashed into work sat through some interviews, ran down to say goodbye to the gorgeous year 6 and then zoomed off to Max's preschool concert. It was such a proud mum moment watching him sing and dance with his class. He had such a great time and he loved the fact Darren was there too. Santa came to visit and he got a book. We said our goodbyes to the gorgeous staff, I will miss his teacher Michelle so much next year. Then we drove to the camera shop and bought my gorgeous Canon 7D. We stopped off at Karen's house for a celebrational drink and Max had a swim with the kids.....take away for dinner AGAIN (healthy bread rolls and ham from the deli) as I needed to sit and PLAY with my camera. I wanted to go to KMART to buy some presents that evening but I was unable to even get shoes on. So when my battery finally charged at 10.40pm that night the only thing I had to take photos of was my fat feet.

Thursday - the last day of school for 2009. I arrived just before 8am ....a first for this year...just like the old days before kids!!!!! I quickly threw a few ideas onto paper for Alison's and my IWB presentation and chatted with the boss. It was a nice day and we had a gorgeous lunch...shame it was 40 degrees and the air con in the staff room stopped working. We played our "sneaky stealing Santa" game and had some fun. Then the sad part began...it was time for Chris to say his goodbyes. He gave us all a wonderful card with some very sweet words inside, the tears started for me when I read the nice things he said about me as a mum and max, and then I saw my gorgeous pandora charm. but what really made me cry was when he gave Jonathan a Don Bradman pack, handed down from Chris' dad...the relationship and the sentiment was just soooo sweet the tears just flooded out. We ended the day taking photos and just chatting in the HEAT and sometime before 4o'clock the 1976 Kombi left with the principal in it for the last time!!!

I was EXHAUSTED, a long school year had finally come to an end and I was 38 weeks and 6 days pregnant, it was 41 degrees and my office was still not 100% packed up. I had to get home shower and was off to see Dr Fulcher for a check up to see if I was alright to be induced. It was good news, I was booked in for Monday and the only thing that could have made me happier was if he would take me on the 18th...but no it was his day off!!!!!

I cleaned the house Friday and Max and I had a PJ day. We had a wonderful dinner at Karen's for her birthday....home just after midnight! I spent Saturday cleaning and then Sunday Darren and I finished off some Christmas shopping, That evening we had a nice dinner and then took Max to see the lights at Greenway Park. I dropped him off at Darren's mums as I had to be at the hospital at 7am the next morning....it broke my heart to say goodbye. I ironed and sorted clothes to late that night trying not to think to much about the following day.

A 7D

I GOT IT....I LOVE IT

and after 4 hours of battery charging and a long and hectic day all i had to take photos of was my tired and fat feet in my recliner!!!!! and that is WHERE I stayed to the early hours of the morning hugging my camera (my third baby) SO gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec 7 to Dec 13

I love Summer...on Monday night Darren came home early and we enjoyed a nice BBQ. It made a difference from the "I'm pregnant and tired so I can have takeaway anytime" routine.

On Tuesday night it was off to the year 6 farewell. It was an emotional one as it was the first group of children I have taught at Bonnyrigg. Some wonderful memories and it was nice to hear the captains speech and their nice words about our year in 1/2H together.

On Thursday Narelle organised a great school assembly for Chris. Diana made the most amazing cake...a model of the school and the road he travels from home, I added an orange 'matchbox' Kombi. It was beautiful once again to hear all the kids say wonderful things about Chris.
Then i attended the Preschool committee thank you dinner, it was a delicious meal and wonderful company, it has been a great year being part of the committee and I look forward to 2010.

On Saturday I was feeling very tired and over the pregnancy in general. At 3pm I went and saw the gorgeous Mel from work marry Jorge, she looked stunning. Sadly I was not up to attending the reception as my feet felt like they were going to pop and my whole body hurt.
Sunday we had a quiet catch up with Darren's aunty Kathy and Glenn, I rested with my feet up.....it seemed nothing was going to make the swelling come down. 4 more work days were ahead of me!!!!!!

Nov 30 to Dec 6

No wonder my feet are FAT and I wake up late every morning.....I am 37 weeks pregnant and not really letting much slow me down, I just move from one event to the other!


On Monday night we had our performance night at school. All the children and teachers worked hard to produce some sensational times, I had no energy left once the show ended at 7.30pm.


We went to the annual lighting of the lights at Mark and Karen's on Tuesday....all the lights looked sensational and a nice BBQ was enjoyed by all. Home late and TIRED so I had a sickie on Wednesday and enjoyed taking Max to preschool and saying thanks to his beautiful teacher that was leaving! Oh it felt good just being a mum and I soooo look forward to next year when I take him to preschool and have the day to me Oh and don't forget the baby!



On Friday night Max and I enjoyed carols night at the preschool......it was nice and relaxing and max enjoyed Santa coming. He made friends with 2 older girls and spent the night following them around calling them "friend" and lapping up all the girly attention. I loved looking out at the playground at all the kids with their glow candle sticks in darkness and it just looking like a million fireflies dancing!!!!

On Sunday we had a nice night at the Catholic Club carols. we met up with Karen Mc, Lyndall, Diana, Michelle and Stef from work and enjoyed the show, Mahogany performed some songs and we loved singing out GO MAUREEN and FAYE!!! It is nice to know such great talent, I hope these girls go far.

I got home at 9.30 to ENDURE more report marking...............all ready for week 8.....10 work days to go.

Nov 23 to 29

Do you know that I LOVE to "burn the candle at both ends"? Even at 35 weeks pregnant???

Why not I say! you only live once, "sleep while you're dead" (Bon Jovi).

This was the week for doing that.

Lots of preparation for my boss Chris' retirement dinner, guest book scrapped, photo slide show done, final payments made and some finishing touches. I was never in bed before 12 and on the night of the retirement I crawled in at around 1.30am with MASSIVE feet! On Friday night I marked reports to late and then shopped for most on Saturday morning. Alison came over for a swim as it was 40 degrees on Saturday afternoon. Sunday involved housework and then the ANNUAL AUST. IDOL celebrations were held, a week late as Karen was in the US the night of the real grandfinal. Tina and I came 2nd and 1st and had to dress as Smurfs, we had a great time as Papa Smurf and Smurfette. Lots of laughs nearly put me into labour, I was in some serious pain!!!! It hurt to walk to the car at midnight!!!! I crawled into bed again just after 1am!!! I needed some sleep for another busy week ahead.......yawn...!!!!!!

Nov 16 to 22

A tough week at work.....all the temperamental kids are starting to show their heads....end of the year silly season kicks in and the hallway is FULL of fun people to TALK to. We had CPR and a very late parent to keep Rel, Al and I working into Thursday night too.
On Saturday Narelle and I went on a shopping adventure for our bosses retirement. Max provided us with some entertaining moments ........!!!!! That night I decided after a HARD day shopping we would go and see NEW MOON. I was happy that we picked the new cinema in Narellan as they had reclining seats for only $5 extra and my feet were very thankful. It was a great movie and we had a nice time laughing ...thanks for interpreting the story in parts too my vampire friend. Sunday saw lots of housework, we celebrated Darren's mums birthday with yummy fish and chips and a swim after a HOT day.

PROJECT LIFE

OK I am going to commit to this...I need something to commit to next year. I PROMISE it wont be like all those OTHER unfinished projects, 2010 is going to be fun and memorable......so this is the project for me. Anyone want to join me. We can keep each other on track and as I will be on mat leave I can print your photos for my full time working friends out there.....lets DO IT.

I think it is great value.....and everything is PRE CUT and ready to GO!!!!!!!

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/projectlife/

NOTE to self.....today will go down as one of the most emotional and upsetting days in HISTORY...hormones, tears, silly thoughts.......tears welling now....and I tell you I NOW know WHY in the old days the department of ed made you leave six weeks before the birth of your child. I spent most of the day in tears.....i sobbed so much when I got home I thought I would go into labour...... and do you know what it was over ???? NOTHING really...... little tiny things that set me off from Stage 3 being upset Maths groups ended this week to just wishing I had more time to do things better .......grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

WOMEN

the emotions were running HIGH this week. I woke up all teary about work....about the things i need to wrap up, about the things going on next year and the fact that I wont be there. I started to hate the fact I wasn't going to be there in 2010 after the good year we had all had.....I then started to get upset with myself that next year was going to be one of the best years for me....a new baby and Max's last year before he starts school. I was cranky at myself that I was thinking of being at work. I just don't do REPLACEMENT WELL. I am a control freak......I have MY THINGS.....I am just weird like that and when I went back to work in 2007 it was difficult......just fitting in and getting MY THINGS back.......weird why my brain is working overtime on such silly things....all I have wanted for 2 years is coming true and I am crying like a baby over work....being sad about not being there.....WHO would have thought!!! bloody hormones even making me cry now!!!! The boss said a nice thing...."mate we came in together and we go out together, we did some good things and we learnt alot.........enjoy it until you have to come back". It still does not make it any easier.....

After ANOTHER interesting week at work and trying to hide some upsetting emotions I realised I am blessed to work with another wonderful woman...Narelle I know you pop in here, what you DID and saw and faced last week showed that you are and always will be SUPER TEACH, a term I know that makes us laugh, that you and I will only ever get. Working with you is great and I hope I get to do it for many years to come.

I then went to Max's preschool meeting on Thursday night and we chatted about so much.....we got onto the topic life and motherhood and having to do it all and how it impacts on WORK. It opened my eyes that I was not alone and I was not the only one facing the roller coaster ride of work, time, kids and career. I came home upset as Max's teacher has to move on next year BUT she is doing it for all the right reasons and although I LOVED the year she has given him and looked forward to another year of it I know all will be ok.

SO when I can have a drink to say cheers to 2009 I WILL look back fondly and be happy with all that happened. I will also give a big cheers to the year to come and be thankful, happy and REALLY enjoy all it has to bring....especially the sleep ins!!!!! (if baby no.2 is like baby no.1) - fingers crossed

photo by Janine Kaye 2008...can't wait for MORE!!!!

Nov 9 to 15

Another FULL TIME school week whizzed by with remembrance day and week 33 of pregnancy!!!!! It was my last week of teaching to my full timetable as all the big jobs ahead LOOMED. We experienced some HOT weather.

I went to a gold party and sold my old, broken, unfashionable pieces and made a great $468!!!!!

On Saturday (in 32 degree heat) Max and I ventured off to the Preschool Market day to sell our JUNK, I made around $70 and we had a nice day. Max was very well behaved and loved playing with his friends and painting. He got a great 30cm Superman with a cape for a bargain $2, it kept him happy all day. We came home for a swim and then Max went off to Nanna's and Darren and I went to see Michael Jackson's "this is it" gold class. We had a nice time spending our voucher Ann got us for Christmas. Darren was asleep 40 minutes into the movie!!! My sore and puffy feet loved relaxing after a HOT and hectic day.

Nov 2 to 8

I started the week with a sickie - Monday-i-tis and a 3.8 year old with a sore throat. The day went to quick and after a doctors visit, some housework and a coffee at my place with Alison the plan to finish Max's quilt was just a thought.

On Wednesday we had a nice dinner with Dad for his birthday. Max loved picking out pops cake. We ate Chinese food and we chatted to 9.30 it was sooo nice.

On Thursday night I PROVED (once again) that YES i can TALK. Karen (after her holiday to PARIS/LONDON) and I talked for just over 3.5 hours on the phone.....I crawled to bed at 2am ....I was soooo lucky i had a nanna nap in front of Glee that night.

Max went to Ashleigh's 4th birthday....these 2 have been in the same swimming class for 3 years and he just adored her lady bug cake.

Oct 26 to Nov 1

the week was a blur, school is catching up with me and I should stop counting down and look at wiping things off my massive list of things I need to do.
The weekend was HECTIC, we never stopped. On Saturday we went to the NEW local scrapshop with Narelle and the boys. It is a nice shop with great product. We then shopped some more, ate and then chatted as the hours ticked by toooooo quickly and before we knew it it was 3pm. A much needed catch up with out the interruptions of detention or meetings. Max was not on his BEST behaviour....he is so strong willed and when he has an audience he WORKS IT.

Home for a quick pregnant lady nap and then off to a Halloween BBQ. The kids got on the back of the fire truck and were taken to several locations to trick or treat. Max would not put all of his new Batman suit on as it was hot. He was so in awe of the whole process.....shocked that he would knock and get lollies of complete strangers......he was soooo cute and polite, thanking everyone he met. At one point he skipped down the street screaming at the top of his lungs "I love CANDY". He had a bag as his bucket was left behind......someone asked him where his fancy bucket was and we was not fussed he had a coles shopping bag as he said "I have the biggest bag here".

Home late but up early to prepare for our annual family BBQ on the Vandyke side. It was at my cousin Peter's house this year. We had wonderful weather, a shady deck and a big pool for the kids. The food was glorious and I love eating my cousins trifle, which I need to get the recipe for. Look at my two in the back of the car as I dropped my dad home........PLEASE !!!!!