Now we are two

Jack is two and a bit. Here is two stars Jack looking pretty darn cute if I do say so.


We had playgroup at our house today. Jack started to get cranky about 11am - probably because he has started waking up at 6am this last week. I thought we were on the same page. Anything before 7am is considered as night time and is unacceptably early. But no, nature boy feels the advent of spring and adjusts his internal clock accordingly. Go nature boy! Yes go and watch the TV downstairs while Mama finishes her sleep.

So, anyway, back to 11am, Jack was in low-level crankypants mode and I was considering taking him upstairs for his nap. Then he climbed into his car and that was the last I heard of him. There was a reason he was being so quiet:


He looks likes he's fallen asleep in a McDonald's advertisement.

Here is a gratuitous sleep shot:


And lastly this is Jack asking to watch Yankee Doodle on the TV. If there was a contest for the cutest sayer of Yankee Doodle I would be quietly confident about taking that trophy home.

Melbourne in June 2010

Well it's been a while since we last posted. The days go so fast round here. Jack is two in just under two weeks. He is a proper little boy (just like pinocchio). Being part of a mum's group means that all the birthdays hit at the same time and this is paaaarty season. Just last weekend for instance we had two parties. It was wild. Now that Jack is starting to understand the concept of birthday parties (essentially sugary food, balloons, running around screaming and, most importantly, cake) he is pretty darn excited about having his own.

So what is happening in Jack's world? Despite my better efforts he has developed a serious obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine and watches the epic 'Calling all Engines' approximately twice a day. He likes toys with wheels on. He is a good eater but, like his father, has a penchant for sugary foods. He is still firmly attached to his chupete. He talks - a lot - he can even conjugate the odd verb.

A couple of weeks ago we had the good fortune to enjoy a day off in honour of the Queen's birthday. Also known as the only day of the year that you won't hear Aussies complain about Her Majesty being the head of state. We decided to visit Werribee Zoo, an African savannah-style open-range zoo west of Melbourne. After some lovely couple time spent arguing about how to get into the park ("That's it, we're going home"..."Fine!"), we arrived to find the car park full. Alas our brilliant idea for the public holiday was shared by many a family.


However, the park never seemed too full and we had a great time. Included in the entry fee to the park is a 45 minute safari ride. Here you see us enjoying said ride:
It seemed that the animals had conspired to stay on the right side of the bus, whereas we were obviously sitting on the left. This guy missed the conspiracy planning meeting:
All the main animal exhibits also had a themed play area for the kids so rather than Jack being confined to his stroller for the entire day he got to play. This old Jeep was set up next to the lion enclosure. There were a few wheel sharing issues with the other children and a few tears when Jack fell out the side.
We stopped for afternoon tea with scones and the obligatory babycino, or 'cino' as Jack calls it:
Just another day out with the family...
...with the rather predictable end result:

A beautiful Saturday

This Christmas Alexis and I decided to forgo the usual piles of christmassy rubbish, I mean presents, and instead we bought bikes for the family. This was a very satisfactory arrangement. November is a double present-buying extravaganza with Alexis' birthday and our anniversary. By December my creative present-buying juices are severely depleted.

Alexis has started commuting to work and yesterday we went for our first proper family bike ride along the Yarra trail. The Yarra is the river upon which Melbourne was founded.

Jack is loving the baby seat and amazingly enough managed to fall asleep during the bike ride.

Here we have stage one of falling asleep

This is stage two of falling asleep leaning slightly to one side.

And finally stage three. Note that even at stage three Jack is holding fast to his chupete (dummy).

Look who's talking

Me!



Mum and I are swotting up for my 18-month check-up/exam at the local maternal health centre. At the 12-month test I failed to meet the requisite standard for 'responds to basic instructions'. I did however pass with flying colours the 'looks at parent blankly when asked to respond to basic instructions'. Heavy weighs the social shame of that kindly meant word 'developing' instead of a confident tick from the scary old nurse.

We're feeling pretty confident about the upcoming exam except for 'points to eyes, nose and mouth'. I have been known to occasionally point at my nose upon request but eyes and mouth - no idea.

We've been brushing up on my language skills. I expect I will remain resolutely silent during the test to make mum feel like she is lying but for your benefit dear reader here is my 17 month word list prepared by my loving mother:

1) Mama - used generically for all adults (male or female).

Pointing at large and random man in the street: "Mama!"

2) Papa - saved for Daddy - when he is not being called Mama.
3) Gouledigotte - yoghurt for the uninitiated
4) Cracker - often pronounced cacka
5) Shaaaa - Shoes
6) Milk - okay he doesn't say this out loud, he signs it. Basically pump your right hand like milking a cow.
7) More - the classic
8) No - said often, very politely and accompanied by side to side nodding. Used to represent yes at times.
9) O - dog
10) A - water
11) Belly - pointing to belly. He may not know his eyes from his a*hole but at least the kid knows his own belly.
12) Baby - used sometimes to refer to himself in photos and also for his collection of political teddies (Harold Holt, Tony Bear and Teddy Roosevelt).
13) Naana - from the well known fruit, the banana, but in this instance used to represent all food stuffs.

In a nutshell I am very fricken smart! I must get it from Mama, I mean Papa who became a fully qualified architect last month. Way to go Dad!

Lots of firsts

We've had a few firsts here this week. Jack started walking on Friday morning. I suspect his primary motivation in finally using his legs may be laziness. If it is I know he got that from me - I'm so proud. He wanted to get from the kitchen cupboard to his wooden walker. It was about two steps worth - not really worth the effort of getting down on his knees, crawling, and getting back up again. So he went for it - two whole steps! I was washing the dishes and almost missed the whole thing. Which made me wonder if he hasn't been walking behind my back for ages Lou and Andy style. He's a little bit wobbly and tends to launch himself at whatever he is walking towards - me generally. He looks very, very proud of himself. And I am extremely overexcited! Who knew such a simple thing could give you such a buzz.

I am baby - see me stand!

Also this week Jack started 'posting' items in the bin. I didn't realise this until I emptied the bin and found my old mobile phone nestling underneath the bin bag. I did wonder prior to that where my wooden spoon had gone but figured it would turn up sooner or later. It seems that my potato masher has also been sent for recycling. I'm not sure what other items we've lost thanks to 'Frugal Fischler'.

Jack went on a swing for the first time yesterday - loved it!



In another first, Alexis and I hired a babysitter and headed out for some couple time. As a nod in the direction of romance, I put on make-up and upgraded my usual uniform of Bonds nursing vest and K-mart pants which have-seen-better-days to proper underwear. I even shaved my legs. We went out and stuffed ourselves full of Thai food followed by substandard Argentinian ice cream. The streets were full of kids wearing their beer coats and not much else - which never ceases to amaze me when it's cold outside. Alexis said we had marked ourselves as 'old' by walking along in our sensible coats and him wearing a beanie. But I reckon I always wore a coat in winter. Crazy kids. At 10 o'clock we dutifully headed home and lay, stupidly full of food, in front of the TV until almost comatose. Alas, a full stomach and romance of the jiggy jiggy variety are sorely incompatible.

As punishment for going out without him Jack woke up every few hours throughout the night. He does have a blocked nose and conjunctivitis but still. In an unusual turn of events we did manage to get him to sleep in till 9am. Small mercies.

Misnomer baby

So the other first is that Jack has suspected conjunctivitis. Which makes nursery a bit awkward as Alexis and I must assess who has the greater need to be at work on Monday. I read somewhere that breast milk is great for clearing it up. And what do you know it works! I mean, like, in minutes:

INTERESTING FACT: Many people treat conjunctivitis by applying a small amount of breast milk to the affected eye. A particular antibody in the breast milk, called immunoglobulin A, prevents the pink eye bacteria from attaching to the mucosal surface of the eye. This limits the growth of the bacteria, helping to end the eye infection.

So we might both be going to work on Monday - keep those fingers crossed.

Top tip for readers - ask a lactating woman to help you out next time your eyes get sore. Of course she won't think you're weird. She is just waiting for the opportunity to squirt milk in your eye.

Happy Birthday Jack!

,
Retrospective of Jack is on hold while I continue with keeping on top of very important activities such as washing, cooking, bathing. In the meantime...

Jack is bathed, ready for bed and zipped into his sleeping bag. He is having a rummage through his book drawer - all the cupboards/drawers within reach of Jack are now his. As he gets taller and more mobile we are gradually relocating all dangerous/adult items higher and higher up throughout the house. The house gets gradually messier over time as we run out of high-altitude storage space for our things.

Alexis is on his way home from his Friday night treat - swim, sauna and jacuzzi. Hopefully armed with a bottle of wine and some takeaway.

We had a little tea party for Jack's birthday on Sunday. He was taking a nap when most the guests arrived and was initially somewhat perplexed as to why the living room was full of big people. He received lots of lovely toys and clothes. Thanks everyone who came to the party and everyone who posted him presents :)



He got his very first pair of shoes. I tried putting them on him on Monday for nursery but he cried until I took them off again.

Everyone talks about how fast the first year goes. I guess time always looks condensed when you're looking back. For me it feels like it's been a long year! I guess we did a lot with our round-the-world trip in the middle. I'm sure it won't seem like long before I turn around to see a strapping 16 year old in front of me and I'll wonder where my baby went.

I am back at work three days a week. After an initial few weeks of guilt settling Jack into nursery we all seem to be managing with the new set-up. Work is brilliant - if only because I get some time to myself away from Jack. It's hard being parents without family nearby. You rarely get a break. When Jack is on an even keel and you are well rested it's all good and manageable. Today for example, apart from a small meltdown in the supermarket because he was due for a nap - my fault for pushing him too far - he was so cute and smiley and he has started to throw his arms round my neck for a hug. When it's like that he's a pleasure to be with. But sometimes you're tired, Jack's tired, or teething or just whingeing for the sake of whingeing and it wears you down...then you think...WHY exactly did I think it was a good idea to have a baby???!!

All the new stages seem overwhelmingly unmanageable at the start like going back to work and putting Jack in childcare. Then suddenly you get into the swing of it and it doesn't seem any harder than anything you've done before. I'm only working three days a week which makes a massive difference. I don't have any mum-guilt about my baby spending more time with strangers than with me. And the house doesn't get too out of control in those three days.

It is a massively life-changing thing having a baby. Everyone tells you so but you can't fully comprehend it until it happens to you. So if you like things the way they are....don't have any kids! Although sometimes your hormones make the decision for you and then you just have to make the best of it.

It is cool watching him grow and learn. I love the way he watches the world so intently. The way he wants to touch and explore everything - except for the way he always wants to play with the laptop when I'm on it. That's just plain annoying. The way he is figuring out how things work. They go from small and helpless to, well still pretty small and helpless but he can do things now like help you get him undressed. When he's holding onto the bathtub he helps you out by lifting one leg then the other when you take his jeans off and then swapping his hands over when you take his top off. It's so cute!

Hope this post find everyone happy and healthy.
Kisses from Oz
xxxx

Party photos are here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=273494&id=855875421&l=6d63f3deb0

Baby Jack facts for trivia buffs:

Weight: 9400g
Height: 73.5cm
Favourite toy: Saucepans
Favourite food: Banana, Corn on the cob
First words: Banana, Hiya/Hola (whilst simultaneously holding a phone or calculator to his head)
Likes: The toilet, putting the toilet seat up and down,dropping things in the toilet, pressing all the keys on the laptop, making Indian 'woh-woh-woh' noises with his hand over his mouth, seeing how far he can throw food in the kitchen.

Retrospective of Jack - Part I

Retrospective of Jack - Part I

Jack is almost one year old – unbelievably! I’m writing a retrospective of our first year as a family for Jack to read when he’s older. It’s a bit longer than I thought it would be. And as yet unfinished. So I’m publishing it in segments.

It’s been an incredible year - veering from incredibly amazing to incredibly rubbish. Having a baby throws everything off kilter. I seem to have experienced the full spectrum of my emotions and well beyond – sometimes on a daily basis.

I’m not sure we’ve regained our balance yet.

So here we are, with a short, not-so-bald-any-more, one year old guy sharing our apartment. Our little man. When he’s tucked up in bed and I have a window of calm, a respite from the constant demands, I think about him and he makes my heart swell. I feel total unconditional love - because he can annoy the hell out of me and I can think dark, dark thoughts about being his mother – but I always come back to this place. He has taken over our lives. We will belong to him forever.

We must remember to enjoy these sweet days of dependence while he is ours too.

Let’s take a look back over the year shall we?

Birth

Man, what a trip that was! And I didn’t even get to try the drugs...

You know where that head came out of don't you?

It seems that every baby arrives on a bed of nervous anticipation. We don’t know when you will decide to put in an appearance. We don’t know how it’s going to work out.

Pushing you out into the world was, in a word, painful. Not the rest of the birth. Those surges were a picnic compared to your entry. Or exit depending on how you look at it. Feeling myself stretch open beyond the limits of my skin. Resting, then racked by waves and my body pushing, pushing you down while my mind raced, struggled, trying to rationalise what was happening to me. But how can you rationalise something so primordial?

On my knees, bent over with my hands gripping the end of the bed with all my might. I could feel you taking up all the space between my legs and the midwife pulling my leg further out to make room for you. Barely a millimetre of movement. With every surge my body pushed you down and my mind pulled you back. How could I push when it was hurting me more every time? No one chooses to hurt themselves. What sane person volunteers to put their hand in the fire?

I began to sense the panic in their voices. It was taking too long to push you out. I saw the light reflect on the blade behind me. I knew the midwife would cut me if she had to. For your sake. I remembered why I was here and suddenly I feared for you, literally wedged between two worlds. It was my responsibility to deliver you safely.

‘One more big push,’ she said. ‘You can get the baby out on the next contraction. Just one more really big push…you can do this’. I needed to hear that. With those words I waited for the surge to come, I gripped, I readied myself and when it rolled over me I pushed. So help me God I pushed. One last long low groan and suddenly…pop! The sweetest feeling of release as you slid into the world.

Your dad, hovering down the ‘business end’ helped the midwife catch you. No mean feat – you babies are slippery customers. We wanted the cord to stop pulsating before it was cut and since you had been caught from behind me as it were, the midwife put you on the floor between my legs.

I hadn’t envisioned this. In my mind I was already reclining on the bed and someone would hand me my calm baby. I looked down at you, this small, slippery, slightly blue and loudly screaming thing. With a small shock I registered your boy bits. ‘Well,’ said the midwife, ‘Go on - pick him up’.

I reached for you. I held you against me as they helped me onto the bed. Again – no mean feat with shaky post-birth legs, a short umbilical cord and your slippery little body desperately clasped against my stomach. Please don’t let me drop him!

We got onto the bed. They covered us with blankets. My whole body started to shake. The shock, apparently, of giving birth. You screamed. I looked at Alexis. He looked at me. We looked at you. You continued to scream. I asked the midwife if this was normal. She shrugged. Or at least in my memory she shrugged.

Eventually you stopped screaming and started to look at us. We said hello. Finally we meet. You were so handsome. So completely perfect. I was enthralled. The midwife helped you latch on and you breastfed for the first time. I was physically exhausted but on a huge emotional high. We did it!

The happy and tired family

***WORLD FIRST*** Plastic woman gives birth to large blanket