Feeling: Miff!
A week ago I took Luke for a little outing...just him and I.
We went to I-play, it is a children's playground that has all sorts of goodies that kids love.
Luke is still a bit small for all the fun outside activities but he was quite content to sit on the play mat inside and bash all their toys.
He was also very interested in the other kids and played rather sweetly along side them. Little kids don't play with each other they play parallel to each other.
There were a few occasions where some older kids would steal his toy but he handled it all rather well and pulled his toy right back. Fortunately he is a big boy so has the strength to defend his territory. I did not have to intervene at all, I sat contently on a bean bag chair sipping my cool drink watching my baby play.
I- play costs R30.00 per child so most of the moms were quite glam. They were all dressed beautifully and were socialising with friends at the little restaurant while the I- play helpers kept an eye on their cherubs. Me, I could never allow that I do not feel comfortable with ANYONE else but my close family looking after Luke, something that I suspect will raise an eyebrow from other people but that is just me.
I had been at I - play for about 2 hours when suddenly this really pretty ohhh my goodness I WISH I looked/dressed like her...kinda mother cat walked in with her 2 little girls. Her older daughter was about 4 and the younger about 10 months. The mother plopped her gorgeous little girl down next to Luke and proceeded to boss all the I- play staff around. Get this, do this, can I have this blah blah blah. She then plonked her toned ass next to me and proceeded to tell me what a hectic morning she had had because they had already been to her older daughters school concert and still had two... not one... but two birthday parties to attend that very day.
* I can not understand people who attend multiple functions on one day, I am a say YES and commit to the 1st invite only kinda gal - I personally find it very rude to attend half a function and it grates my carrot when people cut my functions short to dash to the next.
Anyway she nattered on and on about what she was going to buy these kids and blah blah blah...I think I may have zoned out a few times. It was then that I decided that I had had enough, Luke was getting hungry so it was time to leave/escape.
As I picked up my happy boy she finally stopped talking about herself and said.. gee your son is white.
* Her daughter had dark brown hair, almost black/brown eyes and olive skin.
Yes he is, was my response, a real blue eyed boy.
She then said that I should put him in the sun so that he can get a tan.
I think I may have look at her a bit strangely at this point...a tan but my husband and I are blue eyed and have fair skins..ohhh and my son is only 11 MONTHS old!!
This did not stop her..yes, a tan... we took my baby to Sun City last weekend and she got this gorgeous tan from swimming all day.
It was at this point that I took a really good look at her little girl and yip there it was the signs of peeling on her very brown arms!
I then realised I just can not be one of "those" mothers and before I got rude I said my goodbyes and bolted out of the play center.
This is what I wanted to say to that mother:
"Are you fekking insane, have you not heard about SKIN CANCER? Are you actually advising me to tan my son? You are one stupid mother I hope you don't make your girls fit the "beautiful" mould ....lets hope your girls are never fat. I quiver to think about how you would handle that, what would you do then...diet pills?"
For once I actually kept my mouth shut because at the end of the day I love my cuddly, smooth skinned, white baby JUST THE WAY HE IS.
Much Love M xxx
Showing posts with label King Luke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label King Luke. Show all posts
November 08, 2010
October 27, 2010
Stand up and WALK!
Feeling: Weary
My patience has been rather thin with Luke this week, he is a few days shy of being 11 months old and is desperately trying to walk.
This is a fantastic milestone BUT he is very frustrated that he can't get it right and is still too nervous to just go for it.
Every time I put him down to crawl or play he ends up throwing a tantrum.
I thought they were only supposed to have brat attacks from the age of 2??
I am telling you Luke literally gives those Baby Bible Book the bird and does things his way and in his time. Great for him but not great for me.
I have no clue how to handle these situation in the correct way.
I pretend that I am in control but inside I am doubting my every move.
Luke wants to pull himself up on everything but is still very unstable so he often ends up falling backwards or forwards. He screams blue murder every time I catch him just before a spill. He does not want help...I can almost hear him saying...."Mamma I do self"!
He also WANTS to PUSH everything as well ... chairs, coffee tables, foot stools, his walking ring, if it can move he will push it.
He manages to move these objects around while tottering behind them. He happily does this with me holding his T- shirt at the back in case he falls (if you see my son in funny shaped, stretched out T- shirts this is why)
The problem comes in when he hits a wall, someones leg, a big table or a step and can't move the object that he is pushing...he tugs, pulls, puff and pants and when he can't get going again he throws another wobble!
Never mind that my back is now broken from bending over at a 90 degree angle while holding his T-shirt. He will moan until the object is moved from its 'stuck" position and he can happily carry on pushing it. This can carry on for more than an hour no jokes!
If we go shopping he does not want to sit in his pram ohh no King Luke want to push the pram......can you imagine an unstable 11 month old pushing his pram in a shopping center..do I really need to explain the problem!
As I put him in his pram he throws a brat attack. SIGH!
My angel child has been replaced by a very frustrated little boy who is trying so hard to communicate, walk and do things for himself but at this point he can't, so it is a daily battle.
Mom in one corner and Luke in another..... I have ignored the tantrums, distracted him and tried to "listen" to him as he is pretty clear about what he wants but it is hard and I often feel myself loosing it.
I am trying to breath and am looking at things from his perspective.
He is not being naughty (I don't think) but is frustrated.
This is all well and good but he can't get his own way all the time and I refuse to just give into him when I know he is going to hurt himself or someone else...So I will prevail even when strangers give me that "for the love of money and peace control you child" hairy eyeball.
Hmmmff if you can do a better job or have some handy advice by all means come and show me...as I confess I don't know what the heck I am doing, the books tell you how to deal with a 2 year olds tantrums but 11 months......???!
Much Love M x
My patience has been rather thin with Luke this week, he is a few days shy of being 11 months old and is desperately trying to walk.
This is a fantastic milestone BUT he is very frustrated that he can't get it right and is still too nervous to just go for it.
Every time I put him down to crawl or play he ends up throwing a tantrum.
I thought they were only supposed to have brat attacks from the age of 2??
I am telling you Luke literally gives those Baby Bible Book the bird and does things his way and in his time. Great for him but not great for me.
I have no clue how to handle these situation in the correct way.
I pretend that I am in control but inside I am doubting my every move.
Luke wants to pull himself up on everything but is still very unstable so he often ends up falling backwards or forwards. He screams blue murder every time I catch him just before a spill. He does not want help...I can almost hear him saying...."Mamma I do self"!
He also WANTS to PUSH everything as well ... chairs, coffee tables, foot stools, his walking ring, if it can move he will push it.
He manages to move these objects around while tottering behind them. He happily does this with me holding his T- shirt at the back in case he falls (if you see my son in funny shaped, stretched out T- shirts this is why)
The problem comes in when he hits a wall, someones leg, a big table or a step and can't move the object that he is pushing...he tugs, pulls, puff and pants and when he can't get going again he throws another wobble!
Never mind that my back is now broken from bending over at a 90 degree angle while holding his T-shirt. He will moan until the object is moved from its 'stuck" position and he can happily carry on pushing it. This can carry on for more than an hour no jokes!
If we go shopping he does not want to sit in his pram ohh no King Luke want to push the pram......can you imagine an unstable 11 month old pushing his pram in a shopping center..do I really need to explain the problem!
As I put him in his pram he throws a brat attack. SIGH!
My angel child has been replaced by a very frustrated little boy who is trying so hard to communicate, walk and do things for himself but at this point he can't, so it is a daily battle.
Mom in one corner and Luke in another..... I have ignored the tantrums, distracted him and tried to "listen" to him as he is pretty clear about what he wants but it is hard and I often feel myself loosing it.
I am trying to breath and am looking at things from his perspective.
He is not being naughty (I don't think) but is frustrated.
This is all well and good but he can't get his own way all the time and I refuse to just give into him when I know he is going to hurt himself or someone else...So I will prevail even when strangers give me that "for the love of money and peace control you child" hairy eyeball.
Hmmmff if you can do a better job or have some handy advice by all means come and show me...as I confess I don't know what the heck I am doing, the books tell you how to deal with a 2 year olds tantrums but 11 months......???!
Much Love M x
October 26, 2010
Problem Solved by an 11 month old baby.
Feeling: TOLD
What can I say Luke is Still not sleeping through and is 11 months old!
In all honesty he has never slept through but I look at the bright side of life and think it is because he is a genius and that his brain is overactive.... or so I tell myself - I dare anyone to tell me any different! (Right eye is twitching).
A few days ago I heard Luke's cry at around 4am. With a huge amount of effort I pulled myself out of my warm, fuzzy, happy dream and rose from my bed. This took me a good couple of minutes.
By the time I got to Luke's room he was screaming, so I scooped him up and cuddled him....shoo shoo shooo its okay Mamma's here...(physically not mentally but whose checking).
It was like someone had switched a light he immediately stopped screaming and gave me a toothy grin.
Hmmmm manipulation me thinks?
I took him to the window and said look my baba it is dark outside.. DARK and you need to sleep.
He looks at me, frowns, points to the roof and says ight, IGHT! This is his version of LIGHT!
Hmmmm I got told......(listen you silly woman put the light on and it wont be dark - problem solved)
I think it is quite a compelling argument.
Much Love M x
What can I say Luke is Still not sleeping through and is 11 months old!
In all honesty he has never slept through but I look at the bright side of life and think it is because he is a genius and that his brain is overactive.... or so I tell myself - I dare anyone to tell me any different! (Right eye is twitching).
A few days ago I heard Luke's cry at around 4am. With a huge amount of effort I pulled myself out of my warm, fuzzy, happy dream and rose from my bed. This took me a good couple of minutes.
By the time I got to Luke's room he was screaming, so I scooped him up and cuddled him....shoo shoo shooo its okay Mamma's here...(physically not mentally but whose checking).
It was like someone had switched a light he immediately stopped screaming and gave me a toothy grin.
Hmmmm manipulation me thinks?
I took him to the window and said look my baba it is dark outside.. DARK and you need to sleep.
He looks at me, frowns, points to the roof and says ight, IGHT! This is his version of LIGHT!
Hmmmm I got told......(listen you silly woman put the light on and it wont be dark - problem solved)
I think it is quite a compelling argument.
Much Love M x
October 11, 2010
Hell Hath No Fury Like A Mamma Scorned
Feeling: AGED!
I have not posted this post for a few weeks as I have had to edit it quite a a few times.
The reason for my many, many edits is because I was totally and utterly over emotional when ever I thought about the below experience.
Even now as as I think about it now I get a knot in my stomach and feel all weepy and emotional but now that I am a tad calmer I am ready to let it all out there. I am a lady in training so I have taken out all the swear words, name calling and sarcasm..okay not really but I have toned it down just a little.
King Luke was ill a few weeks ago.....not sniffy he has a cold ill but he was really, really ill.
It all started on a Friday morning at 1am to be exact (see I am trying to be factual and not emotional) - I heard this strange sound coming from his room - yes I have supersonic mothers hearing and was almost immediately wide awake. I can do this if I hear any unusual noises coming from his room. Moms can do this, it is what makes us fabulous.
Anyway I shoot up after hearing a funny gurgle, spluttered cry - fully awake now I dash to his room - note Chris is still snoring away.
As I rush over to Luke's cot I discover that Luke is vomiting and vomiting. I call Chris who helps me clean the ENTIRE cot and I give Luke a quick bath.
He feels all hot and feverish but still manages to give me a toothy grin after each vomit session - bless his heart.
I make a make shift bed for him next to me in our room so that I can monitor him for the rest of the night. He continues to vomit every hour until 6am.
Me being a sort it out and make it better kinda Mamma had him at our doctor by 8am. I was there as their doors opened. The Doc did all that Doc stuff that Docs do and declared that Luke had Gastro. Take this for temp and that for pain and keep him hydrated.
Great simple, I can do that!
I collect all the prescribed medication and even bought him Cream Soda - I am an anti -fizzy drinks Mamma - BUT at this point I would have given him anything, all I wanted was for him to keep something down.
Fast forward, 15pm Friday afternoon Luke is STILL vomiting, I am now getting panicky. I take him back to the Doc who decides to give him an injection - not at all pleasant, these injections burn, Luke screams blue murder. The injection is supposed to stop the vomiting.....
We get home and Luke is exhausted but still puts up a good fight not to go to sleep. I take this as a positive sign that he still has fight in him. Friday night he is restless and does not sleep well at all but I feel a little bit more optimistic because he does not vomit all night.
Saturday morning.... more vomiting and now diarrhea starts. I don't know what more do....I am getting more and more worried. Luke is very irritable, has a temp, will not eat or drink anything and is becoming lethargic.
I take him back to the Doc.....3rd time, the Doc now decides to admit Luke to hospital for a drip, he is apparently dehydrating. (No sh1t Shurlock)
We arrive at the hospital after my Doc gets hold of the Pead. He gives us a referral letter and tells us to go to Ward 1.
The nurse on duty Mrs. Meany tells me that she does not know who we are or that we were coming. She is very rude and seems annoyed that we have disturbed her Saturday.
She at no point gives me her name or title. She does not greet us, she does not ask my sons name either. All she does is tell us to wait in the isolation room, which we do. Not a good start but I am still relatively calm..just a bit annoyed.
In passing she tell my husband that my son would need a drip and that I could not stay the night with him. It was said in passing. I was so stressed by this stage that I did not comprehend what she was saying but I told my husband that that is the one rule I would under NO circumstance obey. She had very poor communication skills, lacked compassion and did not show an ounce of concern for my son. I instantly disliked her and my first thought was how the heck is she a Pead Nurse?
Without discussing anything or getting me to sign the ward rules she takes my son away to put the drip in. We were not asked whether we would like to be with our son while the procedure was performed, I feel totally unsure and reluctantly let her take Luke away.
She did explain what she was doing to my son or why we could not go with him.
Needless to say I had to listen to Luke scream and scream for more that 15 minutes. I was VERY distressed and started pacing, another nurse Mrs. Dumbass who was standing around staring at me, turns around and tells me to stop worrying, they are are not killing him...the wrong thing to say at a time like that! Insensitive much, I felt the urge to B^%$ slap her.
She also said I could go into the procedure room to see what they are doing to my son.
I walk into the room and was rudely told that I was supossed not to be there- this was after I was told that I could go and see what they were doing by Mrs. Dumbass.
I asked Mrs. Meany and the other nurse Mrs. fugly if they are nearly done and why it was all taking so long?
They do NOT answer me or even look up.......! What the.....?
They had my baby on his back, he was hysterical, the tears were pouring down his little cheeks. I thought I was going to explode with rage.
My sons drip was finally inserted, they did not even try and soothe him.....they had to try both his hands to get the drip in and he had red marks on his arms where they were holding him down!
The nurse Mrs. Fugly that assisted Mrs Meany during the procedure walked up to me and said that she DID answer me when I asked if they were nearly done. She told me said hmmmmm!
Okay now my blood pressure has just gone through the roof hmmmmm is not an answer.
Can you say inappropriate, disrespectful and just plain rude?
From the time we arrived to the time we left this nurse never once greeted me and when she came into the ward to change my sons bedding she would just shove passed me. I told her straight out, You are not allowed to touch Luke again!
From the moment I walked into Ward 1 I got a very bad gut feel and did not trust these woman with my son. For the first time in my life I went totally, completely, fully with my gut. There was no way that I was leaving my son for the night with these people.
Nurse Meany had a HUGE argument with me when I refused to sign the rules form which was only given to me AFTER they had put in my sons drip. It said "No parent will be allowed under no circumstance to stay with their child at night". I am sorry but WTF???????
I told them I would not sign the form or leave my son for the night and if they tried to make me I would sit on the floor outside his room. My son is a baby he can't communicate to tell me what has happened to him during the night so I refuse to leave him with people that I don't know or trust ohhh and by the way my bill will pay your salaries so I think it is fair to say what I want goes....By the way our 1 night stay in that hole was R4000.00!
I was then threatened and was told that if that was the case I would have to sign a refusal of treatment form. Basically it was a form stating that I was refusing treatment for my son - it is a form that is used to make their lives easier so that if anything had happened to my son from that point on their asses would have been covered.
I said that I would not sign it but would take my son to another hospital where I could stay with him all night. I told them I was taking him with the drip in his arm as I was not having that procedure done again.
Mrs. Many then said that I could not leave with the drip in his arm – A BLATANT LIE – when we left on Sunday afternoon he came home with the drip in his arm! I never took my son back on Monday to have the drip taken out. I took him to another clinic as I was by this stage totally uncomfortable with that hospital and would never go back there ever again. We only got a phone call on Tuesday asking why we had not come back to have his drip taken out!
She also told me that she would not refer me to another hospital and that I would have to take my son to the emergency rooms and wait in a Que, another lie. I did not need her referral I already had a referral letter from my doctor.
As you can now imagine I had now had it with these woman and told them that I was not BUDGING.
Eventually the manager of the hospital was called I explained the situation to her and she said that I could stay in the reception foya on these horrible plastic chairs for the night, which I did. The nurses had strict instruction from me that when my son woke up they were not to touch him, they had to call me on my cell and I would cuddle him and put him back down.
My son woke up twice during the night, screaming. I was called, I calmed him down and got him back to sleep quickly, quietly and with no further trauma to him.
It amazes that in this day and age that they do not let mothers stay with their children, it is very old system, what are they trying to hide?
I heard babies crying for their parents all night, it was as far as I am concerned very cruel.
The “reason” that were given to me as to why I could not stay the night was ridiculous. Basically they said that the parents disturb the children - I think I actually laughed when they said this. No dear nurse you don't want the parents there to monitor you....I watched you lot all night eating, laughing, bumping and bashing things, taking countless smoke breaks. I heard the children crying for their parents.....!
My son only sleeps on his tummy, he does not like a dummy, he has a security blanket that he rubs or sucks when he sleeps, he will not just lie down and go to sleep he needs to be rocked.....the nurses did not at ANY point ask any of these important questions regarding my child.
He is a little person who has his very own likes and dislikes and should be treated as such. Instead he was treated as the child of the over emotional mother and was literally a number!
I was even told that I was insane and that they could not believe that I was actually sleeping in the foya. I told them that THOSE parents that I watch leave their crying babies were insane and that protecting my child was my only concern so they can think whatever they want about me.
Again I was not introduced to any of the night nurses ...would you drop your child off at creche not knowing who is looking after your child? It is crazy that no one takes the time to tell you who is looking after your child and what their titles are?
I also noticed that anyone and everyone was just allowed into the ward there was NO security what so ever during the day or night. What if someone walked in and just took my baby?
I could go on and on....it took 7 days of vomiting, diarrhea, extreme nappy rash but my son got better. I think my nerves will take a bit longer to heal.
I don't want my experience to scare you but if you are a like me unwilling to compromise with anyone when it come to what if right for your baby then before admitting your child to a hospital investigate their rules and regulations, go with your gut and protect your child.
At the end of the day no -one will love, protect or look after your child like you do.
Much Love M x
Much Love M
I have not posted this post for a few weeks as I have had to edit it quite a a few times.
The reason for my many, many edits is because I was totally and utterly over emotional when ever I thought about the below experience.
Even now as as I think about it now I get a knot in my stomach and feel all weepy and emotional but now that I am a tad calmer I am ready to let it all out there. I am a lady in training so I have taken out all the swear words, name calling and sarcasm..okay not really but I have toned it down just a little.
King Luke was ill a few weeks ago.....not sniffy he has a cold ill but he was really, really ill.
It all started on a Friday morning at 1am to be exact (see I am trying to be factual and not emotional) - I heard this strange sound coming from his room - yes I have supersonic mothers hearing and was almost immediately wide awake. I can do this if I hear any unusual noises coming from his room. Moms can do this, it is what makes us fabulous.
Anyway I shoot up after hearing a funny gurgle, spluttered cry - fully awake now I dash to his room - note Chris is still snoring away.
As I rush over to Luke's cot I discover that Luke is vomiting and vomiting. I call Chris who helps me clean the ENTIRE cot and I give Luke a quick bath.
He feels all hot and feverish but still manages to give me a toothy grin after each vomit session - bless his heart.
I make a make shift bed for him next to me in our room so that I can monitor him for the rest of the night. He continues to vomit every hour until 6am.
Me being a sort it out and make it better kinda Mamma had him at our doctor by 8am. I was there as their doors opened. The Doc did all that Doc stuff that Docs do and declared that Luke had Gastro. Take this for temp and that for pain and keep him hydrated.
Great simple, I can do that!
I collect all the prescribed medication and even bought him Cream Soda - I am an anti -fizzy drinks Mamma - BUT at this point I would have given him anything, all I wanted was for him to keep something down.
Fast forward, 15pm Friday afternoon Luke is STILL vomiting, I am now getting panicky. I take him back to the Doc who decides to give him an injection - not at all pleasant, these injections burn, Luke screams blue murder. The injection is supposed to stop the vomiting.....
We get home and Luke is exhausted but still puts up a good fight not to go to sleep. I take this as a positive sign that he still has fight in him. Friday night he is restless and does not sleep well at all but I feel a little bit more optimistic because he does not vomit all night.
Saturday morning.... more vomiting and now diarrhea starts. I don't know what more do....I am getting more and more worried. Luke is very irritable, has a temp, will not eat or drink anything and is becoming lethargic.
I take him back to the Doc.....3rd time, the Doc now decides to admit Luke to hospital for a drip, he is apparently dehydrating. (No sh1t Shurlock)
We arrive at the hospital after my Doc gets hold of the Pead. He gives us a referral letter and tells us to go to Ward 1.
The nurse on duty Mrs. Meany tells me that she does not know who we are or that we were coming. She is very rude and seems annoyed that we have disturbed her Saturday.
She at no point gives me her name or title. She does not greet us, she does not ask my sons name either. All she does is tell us to wait in the isolation room, which we do. Not a good start but I am still relatively calm..just a bit annoyed.
In passing she tell my husband that my son would need a drip and that I could not stay the night with him. It was said in passing. I was so stressed by this stage that I did not comprehend what she was saying but I told my husband that that is the one rule I would under NO circumstance obey. She had very poor communication skills, lacked compassion and did not show an ounce of concern for my son. I instantly disliked her and my first thought was how the heck is she a Pead Nurse?
Without discussing anything or getting me to sign the ward rules she takes my son away to put the drip in. We were not asked whether we would like to be with our son while the procedure was performed, I feel totally unsure and reluctantly let her take Luke away.
She did explain what she was doing to my son or why we could not go with him.
Needless to say I had to listen to Luke scream and scream for more that 15 minutes. I was VERY distressed and started pacing, another nurse Mrs. Dumbass who was standing around staring at me, turns around and tells me to stop worrying, they are are not killing him...the wrong thing to say at a time like that! Insensitive much, I felt the urge to B^%$ slap her.
She also said I could go into the procedure room to see what they are doing to my son.
I walk into the room and was rudely told that I was supossed not to be there- this was after I was told that I could go and see what they were doing by Mrs. Dumbass.
I asked Mrs. Meany and the other nurse Mrs. fugly if they are nearly done and why it was all taking so long?
They do NOT answer me or even look up.......! What the.....?
They had my baby on his back, he was hysterical, the tears were pouring down his little cheeks. I thought I was going to explode with rage.
My sons drip was finally inserted, they did not even try and soothe him.....they had to try both his hands to get the drip in and he had red marks on his arms where they were holding him down!
The nurse Mrs. Fugly that assisted Mrs Meany during the procedure walked up to me and said that she DID answer me when I asked if they were nearly done. She told me said hmmmmm!
Okay now my blood pressure has just gone through the roof hmmmmm is not an answer.
Can you say inappropriate, disrespectful and just plain rude?
From the time we arrived to the time we left this nurse never once greeted me and when she came into the ward to change my sons bedding she would just shove passed me. I told her straight out, You are not allowed to touch Luke again!
From the moment I walked into Ward 1 I got a very bad gut feel and did not trust these woman with my son. For the first time in my life I went totally, completely, fully with my gut. There was no way that I was leaving my son for the night with these people.
Nurse Meany had a HUGE argument with me when I refused to sign the rules form which was only given to me AFTER they had put in my sons drip. It said "No parent will be allowed under no circumstance to stay with their child at night". I am sorry but WTF???????
I told them I would not sign the form or leave my son for the night and if they tried to make me I would sit on the floor outside his room. My son is a baby he can't communicate to tell me what has happened to him during the night so I refuse to leave him with people that I don't know or trust ohhh and by the way my bill will pay your salaries so I think it is fair to say what I want goes....By the way our 1 night stay in that hole was R4000.00!
I was then threatened and was told that if that was the case I would have to sign a refusal of treatment form. Basically it was a form stating that I was refusing treatment for my son - it is a form that is used to make their lives easier so that if anything had happened to my son from that point on their asses would have been covered.
I said that I would not sign it but would take my son to another hospital where I could stay with him all night. I told them I was taking him with the drip in his arm as I was not having that procedure done again.
Mrs. Many then said that I could not leave with the drip in his arm – A BLATANT LIE – when we left on Sunday afternoon he came home with the drip in his arm! I never took my son back on Monday to have the drip taken out. I took him to another clinic as I was by this stage totally uncomfortable with that hospital and would never go back there ever again. We only got a phone call on Tuesday asking why we had not come back to have his drip taken out!
She also told me that she would not refer me to another hospital and that I would have to take my son to the emergency rooms and wait in a Que, another lie. I did not need her referral I already had a referral letter from my doctor.
As you can now imagine I had now had it with these woman and told them that I was not BUDGING.
Eventually the manager of the hospital was called I explained the situation to her and she said that I could stay in the reception foya on these horrible plastic chairs for the night, which I did. The nurses had strict instruction from me that when my son woke up they were not to touch him, they had to call me on my cell and I would cuddle him and put him back down.
My son woke up twice during the night, screaming. I was called, I calmed him down and got him back to sleep quickly, quietly and with no further trauma to him.
It amazes that in this day and age that they do not let mothers stay with their children, it is very old system, what are they trying to hide?
I heard babies crying for their parents all night, it was as far as I am concerned very cruel.
The “reason” that were given to me as to why I could not stay the night was ridiculous. Basically they said that the parents disturb the children - I think I actually laughed when they said this. No dear nurse you don't want the parents there to monitor you....I watched you lot all night eating, laughing, bumping and bashing things, taking countless smoke breaks. I heard the children crying for their parents.....!
My son only sleeps on his tummy, he does not like a dummy, he has a security blanket that he rubs or sucks when he sleeps, he will not just lie down and go to sleep he needs to be rocked.....the nurses did not at ANY point ask any of these important questions regarding my child.
He is a little person who has his very own likes and dislikes and should be treated as such. Instead he was treated as the child of the over emotional mother and was literally a number!
I was even told that I was insane and that they could not believe that I was actually sleeping in the foya. I told them that THOSE parents that I watch leave their crying babies were insane and that protecting my child was my only concern so they can think whatever they want about me.
Again I was not introduced to any of the night nurses ...would you drop your child off at creche not knowing who is looking after your child? It is crazy that no one takes the time to tell you who is looking after your child and what their titles are?
I also noticed that anyone and everyone was just allowed into the ward there was NO security what so ever during the day or night. What if someone walked in and just took my baby?
I could go on and on....it took 7 days of vomiting, diarrhea, extreme nappy rash but my son got better. I think my nerves will take a bit longer to heal.
I don't want my experience to scare you but if you are a like me unwilling to compromise with anyone when it come to what if right for your baby then before admitting your child to a hospital investigate their rules and regulations, go with your gut and protect your child.
At the end of the day no -one will love, protect or look after your child like you do.
Much Love M x
Much Love M
September 22, 2010
Waiting For Bribery and Corruption.
Feeling : Even my toes are tired!
Last night was a disaster. I started sleep training with King Luke - snigger!
Lets just say after last night I have suspended sleep training indefinitely due to the lack of interest presented by both parties. Ohh and did I mention this mother is a woes?
Even our doggy Shnookz was distressed by the entire ordeal. She also refused to sleep in her bed last night. So I had one unhappy baby and one whiny, whingey doggy both wanting my attention. Needless to say who needs to buy tickets to the zoo, just come and visit the Hall residence, it is free entertainment! I would hate to know what the neighbours think!
I got home and did all the bedtime routine stuff (as per the "Baby Bible") and Supper Nanny (Side note: I love her!) When my son started to rub his gorgeous blue now red rimmed eyes, it was time for bed, 19:00.
I took him to his cot, lay him down, kissed his little head and whispered good night my darling. I left his night light on and tiptoed out the room. It all seemed really sweet and fairytale like up to this point!
As I gently closed his bedroom door, he arched his back, kicked off his blankets and let loose. He began to ScReAm and ScReaM and SCReam.......... and so this continued for 30 minutes. (Side note: My hubby and I are noisy umm loud people so my son has a VERY big voice as well).
Wanting to make sure that he was okay I sneaked my head around the door only to discover he had vomited ALL OVER - the smell hit me right between the eyes. Curdled milk and night time porridge! He seems to be like a snake...when threatened he regurgitates his food..Good times!
His sheet was covered, the mattress was covered, the blanket was covered, his baby grow was covered, his teddy was covered and yip KL was covered.
So there I was stripping his cot thinking SCREW this! While trying to get his pukey baby grow off him without getting any on me. All I kept saying was I hate you Baby Bible and Supper STUPID Nanny...wanna see YOU try this!
I think my right eye was twitching and I had a pain in my jaw from clenching my teeth!
I then put my sobbing, red, splotching baby in the bath. After his second bath of the evening I wrapped him in a towel and gave his a weary cuddle,by this stage he was FULLY awake and all smiley. King Luke 1 - Mommy ohh who is keeping score anyway?
He kept giving me this naughty grin (he screws his nose and shows me his teeth) I tried not to smile but I did!
I have realised I am not the strong willed, totally in control.... my child will never do that kind of mother that I thought I would be! One night of sleep training (Okay mommy training - Luke is gifted) and I give up!
I am now waiting in anticipation for the day when I can bribe my child to do what I want him to do -PARENT OF THE YEAR right here me thinks!
Much Love M x
Last night was a disaster. I started sleep training with King Luke - snigger!
Lets just say after last night I have suspended sleep training indefinitely due to the lack of interest presented by both parties. Ohh and did I mention this mother is a woes?
Even our doggy Shnookz was distressed by the entire ordeal. She also refused to sleep in her bed last night. So I had one unhappy baby and one whiny, whingey doggy both wanting my attention. Needless to say who needs to buy tickets to the zoo, just come and visit the Hall residence, it is free entertainment! I would hate to know what the neighbours think!
I got home and did all the bedtime routine stuff (as per the "Baby Bible") and Supper Nanny (Side note: I love her!) When my son started to rub his gorgeous blue now red rimmed eyes, it was time for bed, 19:00.
I took him to his cot, lay him down, kissed his little head and whispered good night my darling. I left his night light on and tiptoed out the room. It all seemed really sweet and fairytale like up to this point!
As I gently closed his bedroom door, he arched his back, kicked off his blankets and let loose. He began to ScReAm and ScReaM and SCReam.......... and so this continued for 30 minutes. (Side note: My hubby and I are noisy umm loud people so my son has a VERY big voice as well).
Wanting to make sure that he was okay I sneaked my head around the door only to discover he had vomited ALL OVER - the smell hit me right between the eyes. Curdled milk and night time porridge! He seems to be like a snake...when threatened he regurgitates his food..Good times!
His sheet was covered, the mattress was covered, the blanket was covered, his baby grow was covered, his teddy was covered and yip KL was covered.
So there I was stripping his cot thinking SCREW this! While trying to get his pukey baby grow off him without getting any on me. All I kept saying was I hate you Baby Bible and Supper STUPID Nanny...wanna see YOU try this!
I think my right eye was twitching and I had a pain in my jaw from clenching my teeth!
I then put my sobbing, red, splotching baby in the bath. After his second bath of the evening I wrapped him in a towel and gave his a weary cuddle,by this stage he was FULLY awake and all smiley. King Luke 1 - Mommy ohh who is keeping score anyway?
He kept giving me this naughty grin (he screws his nose and shows me his teeth) I tried not to smile but I did!
I have realised I am not the strong willed, totally in control.... my child will never do that kind of mother that I thought I would be! One night of sleep training (Okay mommy training - Luke is gifted) and I give up!
I am now waiting in anticipation for the day when I can bribe my child to do what I want him to do -PARENT OF THE YEAR right here me thinks!
Much Love M x
September 15, 2010
Don't poke me...I don't like it!
Feeling: Proud.
My son is just over 9 months old so it is vaccination time again. Today I had to bundled him into the car for his measles vaccination. SIGH!
I usually dislike (hate) taking him for these vaccines...it is true what they say "this is going to hurt me more than you my child"!
My heart literally aches as I watch my innocent, unsuspecting, happy, content baby gurgling away while the nurse prepares the injections. He has no clue what is going to happen and the worst part is that I can't explain to him that mamma has to allow this to happen as it is for his own good!
He gets the injections in his thighs...I say injections because there is always more than one. As the needle goes into his chubby thigh, he gets a surprised expression on his face and then the screaming and tears start. It is a dreadful sound, it is not that tantrum scream it is an OUCHIE cry! All mommies will know the difference, an ouchie cry is heartbreaking to see and hear.
Anyway today I walked into the clinic with my happy boy who flirted and smiled with everyone. He was being his usual charming self and was handing out big toothy grins to anyone watching him.
The clinic sister picked him up for a love and cuddle before doing the yukky deed...luring him into a false sense of security! NAH not really.... she was actually a really lovely lady who you could see adores babies.
I held Luke while the first needle went into his thigh...to my astonishment he did not even blink....second needle goes in... he yelps turns around and gives the nurse a filthy look and then swipes her hand away.... She smiles and walks to the other side of the room to her desk to fill out his booklet. He now totally aware of what she is all about twists his entire body around so that he can follow her every move.
Until the time we left her rooms he would not be distracted and would not take his eyes off her. By this stage were were all hysterical with laughter.
He was keeping his beady eyes on this wiley woman! Once bitten twice shy King Luke?
Much Love M
My son is just over 9 months old so it is vaccination time again. Today I had to bundled him into the car for his measles vaccination. SIGH!
I usually dislike (hate) taking him for these vaccines...it is true what they say "this is going to hurt me more than you my child"!
My heart literally aches as I watch my innocent, unsuspecting, happy, content baby gurgling away while the nurse prepares the injections. He has no clue what is going to happen and the worst part is that I can't explain to him that mamma has to allow this to happen as it is for his own good!
He gets the injections in his thighs...I say injections because there is always more than one. As the needle goes into his chubby thigh, he gets a surprised expression on his face and then the screaming and tears start. It is a dreadful sound, it is not that tantrum scream it is an OUCHIE cry! All mommies will know the difference, an ouchie cry is heartbreaking to see and hear.
Anyway today I walked into the clinic with my happy boy who flirted and smiled with everyone. He was being his usual charming self and was handing out big toothy grins to anyone watching him.
The clinic sister picked him up for a love and cuddle before doing the yukky deed...luring him into a false sense of security! NAH not really.... she was actually a really lovely lady who you could see adores babies.
I held Luke while the first needle went into his thigh...to my astonishment he did not even blink....second needle goes in... he yelps turns around and gives the nurse a filthy look and then swipes her hand away.... She smiles and walks to the other side of the room to her desk to fill out his booklet. He now totally aware of what she is all about twists his entire body around so that he can follow her every move.
Until the time we left her rooms he would not be distracted and would not take his eyes off her. By this stage were were all hysterical with laughter.
He was keeping his beady eyes on this wiley woman! Once bitten twice shy King Luke?
Much Love M
August 06, 2010
The things we do to our Kids!
Feeling: Stupid
I almost traumatised my poor child for the rest of his life before he was even born.
I know that this sounds rather dramatic but think back to your school days. Now think about that 1 poor kid who got teased from grade 1 to matric! 12 years of his sorry little life and all because his parents decided to be creative and give him an unusual name.
At 16 weeks we found out that my Chilli Bean (Luke's name for the 1st 16 weeks of my pregnancy because I ate my weight in chillis and then some) was a boy!
I was thrilled and had the baby naming book at home all ready for name choosing!
This book was pretty "modern" it had names in it like 50 Cents, Snoop Doggy and Apple ..... !
Anyway I had always loved the name Luke and had always thought that if I had a son that would be his name but now it sounded boring. In my pregnant state I decided to try and find something a little bit different, something unusual...why, why do we do this to our kids?
After going through what felt like a million names I came across the name ASH .... I must confess that I still quite like it. Anyway that night over a family dinner I decided to test the name on my toughest, most honest critics, my 2 brothers.
I looked at them and said "Hey guys what do you think of the name ASH HALL!?????"
Both my brothers immediately stopped eating and looked at me in horror. They asked me if I was serious! Now feeling a bit uncertain by the looks, I quietly replied "yes".
They then asked me to imagine the following scenario:
Luke wins an award at school or gets called to the office:
The principle says,"Will Mr. A. Hall, A Hall please come to x, y or z!"
I froze played the scenario in my head and realised I had nearly named my child Asshole!
I mean really now Mands why not just get it over with and call your kid POOPHALL!
Much Love M
I almost traumatised my poor child for the rest of his life before he was even born.
I know that this sounds rather dramatic but think back to your school days. Now think about that 1 poor kid who got teased from grade 1 to matric! 12 years of his sorry little life and all because his parents decided to be creative and give him an unusual name.
At 16 weeks we found out that my Chilli Bean (Luke's name for the 1st 16 weeks of my pregnancy because I ate my weight in chillis and then some) was a boy!
I was thrilled and had the baby naming book at home all ready for name choosing!
This book was pretty "modern" it had names in it like 50 Cents, Snoop Doggy and Apple ..... !
Anyway I had always loved the name Luke and had always thought that if I had a son that would be his name but now it sounded boring. In my pregnant state I decided to try and find something a little bit different, something unusual...why, why do we do this to our kids?
After going through what felt like a million names I came across the name ASH .... I must confess that I still quite like it. Anyway that night over a family dinner I decided to test the name on my toughest, most honest critics, my 2 brothers.
I looked at them and said "Hey guys what do you think of the name ASH HALL!?????"
Both my brothers immediately stopped eating and looked at me in horror. They asked me if I was serious! Now feeling a bit uncertain by the looks, I quietly replied "yes".
They then asked me to imagine the following scenario:
Luke wins an award at school or gets called to the office:
The principle says,"Will Mr. A. Hall, A Hall please come to x, y or z!"
I froze played the scenario in my head and realised I had nearly named my child Asshole!
I mean really now Mands why not just get it over with and call your kid POOPHALL!
Much Love M
July 28, 2010
The Day That Changed My Life
Feeling: Euphoric
I remember the day that changed my life, like it was just yesterday. It was the day that I found our that I was pregnant (Mid April 2008 - Voters day)!
2 dark blue lines like this l l and BAM life is never ever the same again.
Luke was unplanned..I mean don't get me wrong I was thrilled/scared sh1tless when I found out I was pregnant but he was not on my check list at that stage.......I had too much going on. Life was a bit overwhelming and I was desperately trying to regain my footing.
In May 2007 I had made a desperate decision to come off the pill after using it for 10 years.
It was giving me horrific migraines and eventually I could hardly function they had gotten so bad.
Chris would have to rush me to the ER once a month for a migraine injection. These headaches would start and I would do EVERY conceivable thing suggested by professionals, non professionals and google to control them, but once I had pushed through my day the migraine would come back at night with vengeance.
So there I was in the beginning of 2007, well known by the ER staff for my once a month 10pm visit for a drip from all the vomiting and a jab in the butt to get rid of the sledge hammer chopping out bits of my brain. We were all on a first name basis!
I was always attended to first even before the poor bleeding victims. I learnt early on that hospital florescent lights are torture devices that make migraines worse. So the nurses knew if they made me sit in the waiting room I would vomit on their nice, clean floors. It seems they would rather clean up blood than vomit, I knew how to get attention first. Sorry poor gun shot/car accident victims but if you snooze you loose!
I decided to go back to my gyno and told him about the headaches. He said that I needed to stop the pill as all the other avenues had been tested or tried and it was now the only solution to my problem at this point.
I called Chris who agreed and I literally never took the pill again.
Chris and I had been married for 4 years at this point and I knew I WANTED a baby. Previously when we had discussed kids we would get rather excited but we are both realists and would chicken out and say "next year".
I had been off the pill for just under a year and had only had 2 cycles in that year. I was also having a tough time emotionally...ahhh depression my ol nemesis!
I wanted a baby but did not feel ready at that point, I DID however want Kids and was VERY worried because it was not normal to have 2 cycles in 1 year!
I had been to the doc who did all the fertility tests, he could find nothing wrong with me.
So think of the odds of me falling pregant on demand...I have 2 cycles a year, which means I ovulate 2 times a year....I can't follow my ovulation at all as I have no clue as to when my cycle will strike so chances of getting jiggy with it at the right time is virtually impossible...RIGHT??
SIDE NOTE: We were not actively trying to fall pregnant at this point. I just wanted to make sure that I COULD if actually tried! The control thing AGAIN!
In March 2008 I would to go to bed after dinner and would wake up at 2am feeling like I have never even eaten that day at all..I was starving!
I would tip toe out of bed to make myself Milo just to curb the hunger pains. I thought that it was due to the fact that I was gyming 5 days a week and that I was burning a lot of energy.
In the beginning of April 2008 my mom and I went our for lunch. I ordered a toasted sandwich. When it came I suddenly got this insane desire for Tobasco sauce. I poured it all over my food and even put some into my saucer and merrily dunked the bread into it. I considered stealing the Tobasco as I wanted to glug it straight out of the bottle on the way home? My mom still gave me a very quizzy look and said "and now"???
April came, we went to a 21st birthday party, I walked around like I had drunk an entire bottle of wine - I felt totally tipsy. I remember laughing and telling Chris I could party on soda water.
SIDE NOTE: I do not drink at all! Why you may ask? Anti- Depressants and Alcohol are not a great combination for me!
Later that week I went to gym and was jumping around doing my cardio when I suddenly realised that my boobies were incredibly sore...so sore in fact that I was actually holding them but still the penny did not drop.
I was sitting at moms house on voters day, mid April telling my mom how odd and bloated I felt. She look at me and said Mands you are pregnant...WHAT NOOO? I said but I could not get her words out of my head.
So that afternoon, I made Chris take me to the only 24 hour pharmacy that was open on a public holiday and bought a test. I went straight to the public loo and did the test - classy I know.
It had no lines at all...for those of you who don't know how these tests work....1 line is negative, 2 is positive and no lines --- defective.
I burst into tears and told Chris that there was something seriously wrong with me...I was defective. He just laughed and bought another test and told me to do it again.
I was feeling stubborn and was now totally over all this hormonal stuff, I did not want to think about it anymore, so I told him that I could not wee and would do it later.
So off we went.
Much later after a good few cups of Coffee I decided to give the test another go..lets just say that it was not even fully wet and it had 2 DARK lines - Positive!
I started to shake and ran out the bathroom screaming excitedly... Its positive, it is positive...my entire family were there. I ran around with a pee stick in my hand shoving it in everyones faces.
I did not break the news gently poor Chris. I ran in like a whirl wind and have been whirling ever since!
Much Love M
I remember the day that changed my life, like it was just yesterday. It was the day that I found our that I was pregnant (Mid April 2008 - Voters day)!
2 dark blue lines like this l l and BAM life is never ever the same again.
Luke was unplanned..I mean don't get me wrong I was thrilled/scared sh1tless when I found out I was pregnant but he was not on my check list at that stage.......I had too much going on. Life was a bit overwhelming and I was desperately trying to regain my footing.
In May 2007 I had made a desperate decision to come off the pill after using it for 10 years.
It was giving me horrific migraines and eventually I could hardly function they had gotten so bad.
Chris would have to rush me to the ER once a month for a migraine injection. These headaches would start and I would do EVERY conceivable thing suggested by professionals, non professionals and google to control them, but once I had pushed through my day the migraine would come back at night with vengeance.
So there I was in the beginning of 2007, well known by the ER staff for my once a month 10pm visit for a drip from all the vomiting and a jab in the butt to get rid of the sledge hammer chopping out bits of my brain. We were all on a first name basis!
I was always attended to first even before the poor bleeding victims. I learnt early on that hospital florescent lights are torture devices that make migraines worse. So the nurses knew if they made me sit in the waiting room I would vomit on their nice, clean floors. It seems they would rather clean up blood than vomit, I knew how to get attention first. Sorry poor gun shot/car accident victims but if you snooze you loose!
I decided to go back to my gyno and told him about the headaches. He said that I needed to stop the pill as all the other avenues had been tested or tried and it was now the only solution to my problem at this point.
I called Chris who agreed and I literally never took the pill again.
Chris and I had been married for 4 years at this point and I knew I WANTED a baby. Previously when we had discussed kids we would get rather excited but we are both realists and would chicken out and say "next year".
I had been off the pill for just under a year and had only had 2 cycles in that year. I was also having a tough time emotionally...ahhh depression my ol nemesis!
I wanted a baby but did not feel ready at that point, I DID however want Kids and was VERY worried because it was not normal to have 2 cycles in 1 year!
I had been to the doc who did all the fertility tests, he could find nothing wrong with me.
So think of the odds of me falling pregant on demand...I have 2 cycles a year, which means I ovulate 2 times a year....I can't follow my ovulation at all as I have no clue as to when my cycle will strike so chances of getting jiggy with it at the right time is virtually impossible...RIGHT??
SIDE NOTE: We were not actively trying to fall pregnant at this point. I just wanted to make sure that I COULD if actually tried! The control thing AGAIN!
In March 2008 I would to go to bed after dinner and would wake up at 2am feeling like I have never even eaten that day at all..I was starving!
I would tip toe out of bed to make myself Milo just to curb the hunger pains. I thought that it was due to the fact that I was gyming 5 days a week and that I was burning a lot of energy.
In the beginning of April 2008 my mom and I went our for lunch. I ordered a toasted sandwich. When it came I suddenly got this insane desire for Tobasco sauce. I poured it all over my food and even put some into my saucer and merrily dunked the bread into it. I considered stealing the Tobasco as I wanted to glug it straight out of the bottle on the way home? My mom still gave me a very quizzy look and said "and now"???
April came, we went to a 21st birthday party, I walked around like I had drunk an entire bottle of wine - I felt totally tipsy. I remember laughing and telling Chris I could party on soda water.
SIDE NOTE: I do not drink at all! Why you may ask? Anti- Depressants and Alcohol are not a great combination for me!
Later that week I went to gym and was jumping around doing my cardio when I suddenly realised that my boobies were incredibly sore...so sore in fact that I was actually holding them but still the penny did not drop.
I was sitting at moms house on voters day, mid April telling my mom how odd and bloated I felt. She look at me and said Mands you are pregnant...WHAT NOOO? I said but I could not get her words out of my head.
So that afternoon, I made Chris take me to the only 24 hour pharmacy that was open on a public holiday and bought a test. I went straight to the public loo and did the test - classy I know.
It had no lines at all...for those of you who don't know how these tests work....1 line is negative, 2 is positive and no lines --- defective.
I burst into tears and told Chris that there was something seriously wrong with me...I was defective. He just laughed and bought another test and told me to do it again.
I was feeling stubborn and was now totally over all this hormonal stuff, I did not want to think about it anymore, so I told him that I could not wee and would do it later.
So off we went.
Much later after a good few cups of Coffee I decided to give the test another go..lets just say that it was not even fully wet and it had 2 DARK lines - Positive!
I started to shake and ran out the bathroom screaming excitedly... Its positive, it is positive...my entire family were there. I ran around with a pee stick in my hand shoving it in everyones faces.
I did not break the news gently poor Chris. I ran in like a whirl wind and have been whirling ever since!
Much Love M
July 23, 2010
Belly Flop.
Feeling: Manic and guilty
This week has not been fun, my little guy got his first 2 bottom toofies and now I see that the top 2 are also almost through his gums as well.
King Luke it seems is like me, GO BIG OR GO HOME even when it comes to teething! As you can well imagine my poor little boy has not been a happy sleeper. His sleep or lack of sleep this week have been worse than usual, Chris and I feel like zombies.
My thoughts this morning...... Luke in the car - check, Luke strapped into his car seat - check, Shnookz in car- check, bottles - check, nappy bag- check, car keys- check, gym bag -check, work lunch - check, my mind - missing in action!
Last night was just bad from the start! I got Luke home at around 17:00, he was moany and tired...suicide hour! He had had dinner at Nana's and it was now bath time so I lay him on his changing mat on the table and walked to the cupboard to get out a vest.
All of a sudden I watched in horror as he pulled his head towards his feet -almost like a stomach crunch and tipped the changing mat over the edge of the table - like a seesaw. His changing mat is a couple of cm's too long for the table. This was not a problem when he was smaller but now that he is longer in length and 3 times his birth weight and can rock himself, it has become dangerous. A tough lesson learnt!
Luke using his changing mat, seesawed his way right off the changing table. He landed on the floor on his belly. It happened so quickly that by the time I jumped to catch him he had already belly flopped onto the ground. Almost like a splat!
I felt my heart leap out of my chest as the panic set in. He was not making a sound as I gently lifted him onto my lap. He was blood red and doing the silent scream thing - he had knocked out all his air, he was winded.
I did not know what to do, I literally froze. I was on my knees with him on my lap. I was trying to sound calm and controlled as I willed him to calm down and breath. When he finally got a gasp of air into his lungs he screamed blue murder and I just cried...I felt like the worst mother ever! Then he started to vomit, all over me and himself. So there we were, me kneeling on the floor cradling my son in my arms covered in vomit, crying. He was as red as beetroot and had tears streaming down his little cheeks! I am surprised that the neighbours did not call child services. I felt like turning myself into them for being so stupid!
After about 15 minuted we both managed to calm down. I took off all this clothes and checked his entire body for bruises, cuts or anything that looked even vaguely funny. I also check every bone in his body for any breakages. I checked his mouth to make sure he had not bitten himself or lost any of his hard earned teeth. To my relief all looked okay - now what about internal bleeding? How do I know if he has this? Maybe I should just take him to the hospital in case?
I gave it another 15 minutes, by this stage he was now calm and happily playing naked on the floor. He was fine, this was all thanks to those spongy puzzle pieces that I have in his room on the floor - they saved him from falling directly onto the wood - Shew!
I on the other hand was still covered in vomit, had mascara streaked all over my face and felt like the biggest failure ever.
I managed to bath Luke and he had a bit more bottle before going to bed and seemed to be okay. I on the other hand was very wobbly.
When Chris came home I burst into tears and told him what had happened. I was expecting him to be cross with me but he was really sweet and told me that Luke was fine and that in future I must just be more careful. This was a lesson well learnt!
Ohh and that is not the end of it, I finally ripped off my vomit stained clothes and popped everything into the washing machine. In my now bedraggled state I had forgotten my cell phone in my jacket pocked, so the poor thing was washed and even went through a spin dry! Today my cell is sitting at home drying out. I am hoping that it will work when I get home tonight but I have my doubts..SIGH!
Much Love M
This week has not been fun, my little guy got his first 2 bottom toofies and now I see that the top 2 are also almost through his gums as well.
King Luke it seems is like me, GO BIG OR GO HOME even when it comes to teething! As you can well imagine my poor little boy has not been a happy sleeper. His sleep or lack of sleep this week have been worse than usual, Chris and I feel like zombies.
My thoughts this morning...... Luke in the car - check, Luke strapped into his car seat - check, Shnookz in car- check, bottles - check, nappy bag- check, car keys- check, gym bag -check, work lunch - check, my mind - missing in action!
Last night was just bad from the start! I got Luke home at around 17:00, he was moany and tired...suicide hour! He had had dinner at Nana's and it was now bath time so I lay him on his changing mat on the table and walked to the cupboard to get out a vest.
All of a sudden I watched in horror as he pulled his head towards his feet -almost like a stomach crunch and tipped the changing mat over the edge of the table - like a seesaw. His changing mat is a couple of cm's too long for the table. This was not a problem when he was smaller but now that he is longer in length and 3 times his birth weight and can rock himself, it has become dangerous. A tough lesson learnt!
Luke using his changing mat, seesawed his way right off the changing table. He landed on the floor on his belly. It happened so quickly that by the time I jumped to catch him he had already belly flopped onto the ground. Almost like a splat!
I felt my heart leap out of my chest as the panic set in. He was not making a sound as I gently lifted him onto my lap. He was blood red and doing the silent scream thing - he had knocked out all his air, he was winded.
I did not know what to do, I literally froze. I was on my knees with him on my lap. I was trying to sound calm and controlled as I willed him to calm down and breath. When he finally got a gasp of air into his lungs he screamed blue murder and I just cried...I felt like the worst mother ever! Then he started to vomit, all over me and himself. So there we were, me kneeling on the floor cradling my son in my arms covered in vomit, crying. He was as red as beetroot and had tears streaming down his little cheeks! I am surprised that the neighbours did not call child services. I felt like turning myself into them for being so stupid!
After about 15 minuted we both managed to calm down. I took off all this clothes and checked his entire body for bruises, cuts or anything that looked even vaguely funny. I also check every bone in his body for any breakages. I checked his mouth to make sure he had not bitten himself or lost any of his hard earned teeth. To my relief all looked okay - now what about internal bleeding? How do I know if he has this? Maybe I should just take him to the hospital in case?
I gave it another 15 minutes, by this stage he was now calm and happily playing naked on the floor. He was fine, this was all thanks to those spongy puzzle pieces that I have in his room on the floor - they saved him from falling directly onto the wood - Shew!
I on the other hand was still covered in vomit, had mascara streaked all over my face and felt like the biggest failure ever.
I managed to bath Luke and he had a bit more bottle before going to bed and seemed to be okay. I on the other hand was very wobbly.
When Chris came home I burst into tears and told him what had happened. I was expecting him to be cross with me but he was really sweet and told me that Luke was fine and that in future I must just be more careful. This was a lesson well learnt!
Ohh and that is not the end of it, I finally ripped off my vomit stained clothes and popped everything into the washing machine. In my now bedraggled state I had forgotten my cell phone in my jacket pocked, so the poor thing was washed and even went through a spin dry! Today my cell is sitting at home drying out. I am hoping that it will work when I get home tonight but I have my doubts..SIGH!
Much Love M
July 08, 2010
Night Time Battles
Feeling: MANIC!
Don't get me wrong when you read this blog I love my son, I really, really do but I love sleep as well......SOB!!!
This Mamma is not a nice Mamma without 8 hours of sleep. Without it I am a dark, mean spirited, moany pain in the butt! I just can't help it, can you hear the wine in my voice......
The past 2 nights have been demanding......umm jaaa ....actually they have been pretty sh1tty.
Luke has woken up EVERY BLOODY half hour screaming blue murder! I can't understand it. I have done everything by the book...gee wizz I am really starting to dislike THAT book! Sleep training my backside.....they have obviously never encountered KING Luke.
I have now decided that he must be teething, I can't see anything...not too sure what I am actually looking for but he is rubbing his tongue over his gum all the time and is gobbing allot! I eventually out of sheer desperation tried Panado with the hopes that it will knock the dude out! NO SUCH LUCK. He is a big, strapping, strong boy and I am afraid to give him more that 1,5ml's. I am not a naturalist and have no problem taking tablets myself but I am nervous when it come to Luke and feel guilty. I listen to all the moms talk about their natural solutions and I get this tinge of shame because I am one of those people who wants to fix the problem now and the "natural" route takes too long - CONFESSION- but I am trying to change my love of modern medicine and it takes allot for me to "dope" my kid! So please don't call child services :-)
It is starting to feel like the first 3 months of Luke's life all over again and I am not a fan of our late night rendezvous!
I still remember not fondly being so utterly exhausted one night that I bought 4 rolls of Chocolate Rolos...my logic was that I needed the energy. Okay honestly it was an excuse to eat chocolate...warning emotional eating!
Any way I was patting Luke for what felt like the millionth time and while hanging over the cot I was systematically popping the Rolos in my mouth. At some point I may have blacked out because I had drooled all over him. He was splattered with a sticky brown mess but at least he was sleeping. I did not even clean him because that might wake my "angel". In the morning Chris asked me what this stuff on his baby grow was...POO I confidently replied. He knew the truth but chose to keep quiet...LOL! I just gave him the look!
Okay, I have digressed back to last night. I felt like throwing Luke in the dustbin and going back to the hospital demanding that they give me a baby that was not broken...where the hell is the off button! Funny the things that actually go through your mind in the early hours of the morning after a very long night knowing that you have to get up for work early. I was clock watching every second that I was missing out on that precious desperately needed sleep.
Fortunately he did not end up in the dustbin and woke up after very little sleep all smiley and happy.
Can't say I feel the same way today my smile is more of a grimace!
Ohh and by the way to all those mothers who smile at me and say "my baby has slept through from 6 weeks BLAH, BLAH, BLAH I dislike you right now"! LOL!
Much love M
June 30, 2010
Watch My Belly Grow!
10 Week Belly: craving chillis, so we will name baby Chilli Bean until we know if it is Blue or Pink
13 Week Belly: Chilli Bean is now fully formed.
16 Week Belly: Chilli Bean is a BOY! We shall call thee :Luke Christian Hall xLuke means bringer of light.
18 Week Belly: Pop there you are, I am now looking pregnant not fat ;-)
23 Week Belly: Luke is picking up fat.
25 Week Belly: Starting to wear maternity pant jeans.
28 Week Belly.
29 Week Belly- suffering from a pregger rash on my face, my only bad preggy symptom!
36 Week Belly - professional pictures done by Darren Maree PhotographersTel: 082 453 8947
37 Week Belly - my last tummy picture, 3 days later Luke arrived!
37 Week Belly - my last tummy picture, 3 days later Luke arrived!
Much Love M x
Update on Bad, Bad Mommy
Feeling: Like A Super Mom LOL!
Just a quick update...mission accomplished. Luke is eating MUCH better and a bigger variety of foods. I read the comments that people posted on my blog Bad,Bad Mommy and realised that none of their children were starving, living only on milk or were perfect and only liked the "good" stuff!
It seems everyone has had "food fights" with their kids...REVELATION I am not the only one! The other moms advice really help me to leap over this hurdle, yes my foot did get stuck on the top bar and I did scape my knees as I scrambled over it but I have learned from my error and am back in the race!
I stopped forcing the issue and suddenly he just started eating sooo much better. It was almost like he was sensing how I was feeling..cheeky little King. We are now going at his pace. He and I are much happier for it. He has actually cut himself down on his milk and is alllllmmooostt sleeping through the night. I still do not consider a 4am wake up call for food sleeping through but beggars can't be choosers.
I am also experimenting with foods that he does like and making different combinations with the foods that he does not want and so far so good! YIPEEE relief my boy will not live on milk and milk alone and Mommy is MUCH happier! I will not have to send a bottle with him in his lunchbox to Grade 1 instead of sandwiches.
Love M
June 18, 2010
Bad, Bad Mommy!
Feeling: Just so DOWN :-(
King Luke is a stubborn little guy, I say this in a very subdued whisper. He knows what he wants and will "fight" until he gets it. I do struggle to see this as a bad thing because I am the exactly the same, my parents keep telling me that Luke and I are 2 peas, 1 pod!
I feel like I am a bumbling, ridiculous totally unsure of myself mother, most of the time I am making up the rules as I go, I don't really have a plan!
This has so far worked and I have a baby who is totally sure of himself, he is a delight. He however does go with his own flow and has done this since birth. Trust me I have tried to get him into a routine, as soon as I think great I have done it, he changes and we being all over again!
He is one of those babies who loves everyone, he does not have a mean bone in his body. I have so often noticed this "streak" in other children but oh dear this has made him the master of getting own way. He gets what he wants by giving a smile or giggle. It is the most amazing thing that I have ever witnessed.
He will be exhausted and will fight sleep to the final second, as soon I put him in his cot he will burst out into a fit of giggles, eyes still closed and all ,and yes my heart melts. 10 minutes later he is ready for round 2. Have you ever?
When he refuses a bottle, he will sit with the teat in his mouth and smile at me allowing the milk to pour out the sides of his mouth.
Now I know that this is a tool of manipulation "GULP" there I said it manipulation and it is going to get him his own way with most people but it is causing me quite a bit of distress because I can't get him to do things that I know are good for him.
Even when I try and be firm I can't stay that way for long. How do you stay strong when he is simply delightful? One smile and all resistance crumbles!
He is 6.5months old and is still not eating solids properly, yesterday was a classic example. He had his porridge in the morning, he does not like it at all. I have tried every brand and every mixture from runny to firm. He just messes it, smiles and plays with his bib through every tiny mouthful that I manage to give him. Then we come to lunch time, he will only eat 2 types of fruit, peaches and apples and not a lot of those either, he still will not finish even a small bottle.
Last night he vomited his veggie and beef mush all over me and himself. As I started to feed him I knew it was pointless...he gagged, blinked and shivered his way through every mouthful. In between every torturous mouthful, he would smile with lips firmly closed. I tried to persist but once he realised that I was persisting he vomited!
Ohh and lets not even discuss lumps, one lump in any kind of food and we are all covered in what ever he has eaten. I have tested him, I gave him a yummy teething biscuit, he happily sucked on it but as soon as 1 tiny bit broke off he gagged and spat it out.....now look I am all for keeping him on his bottles it does make my life easier but man can not live on milk and milk alone?
What do I do? I have tried just about every combination of food possible and there is nothing that he seems to like. It feels like it has become a big game to him.
I was told at gym today that I now need to get tough and start cutting down on his bottle...in my heart I know this but it still made my tummy churn, I actually had to blink back the tears. Being a working mom I know that I over compensate for my guilty. I am loathe to actually fight him because the time that I do spend with him is special and I don't want to be the one causing conflict and fights. I keep getting this thought "What if he doesn't Love me because I am going to have to be tougher?" GULP! I need to be his mother not playmate or friend.
I know it will be for his own good and in the end ours but I am scared. This weekend I am going to try and cut down on his milk to see if he will now eat his food. I am dreading it as Luke is not a cry baby, granted he does have a tantrum now and again but I am hoping that he will be true to form and will giggle and smile his way through the entire process.
Wish me luck!
Love M
King Luke is a stubborn little guy, I say this in a very subdued whisper. He knows what he wants and will "fight" until he gets it. I do struggle to see this as a bad thing because I am the exactly the same, my parents keep telling me that Luke and I are 2 peas, 1 pod!
I feel like I am a bumbling, ridiculous totally unsure of myself mother, most of the time I am making up the rules as I go, I don't really have a plan!
This has so far worked and I have a baby who is totally sure of himself, he is a delight. He however does go with his own flow and has done this since birth. Trust me I have tried to get him into a routine, as soon as I think great I have done it, he changes and we being all over again!
He is one of those babies who loves everyone, he does not have a mean bone in his body. I have so often noticed this "streak" in other children but oh dear this has made him the master of getting own way. He gets what he wants by giving a smile or giggle. It is the most amazing thing that I have ever witnessed.
He will be exhausted and will fight sleep to the final second, as soon I put him in his cot he will burst out into a fit of giggles, eyes still closed and all ,and yes my heart melts. 10 minutes later he is ready for round 2. Have you ever?
When he refuses a bottle, he will sit with the teat in his mouth and smile at me allowing the milk to pour out the sides of his mouth.
Now I know that this is a tool of manipulation "GULP" there I said it manipulation and it is going to get him his own way with most people but it is causing me quite a bit of distress because I can't get him to do things that I know are good for him.
Even when I try and be firm I can't stay that way for long. How do you stay strong when he is simply delightful? One smile and all resistance crumbles!
He is 6.5months old and is still not eating solids properly, yesterday was a classic example. He had his porridge in the morning, he does not like it at all. I have tried every brand and every mixture from runny to firm. He just messes it, smiles and plays with his bib through every tiny mouthful that I manage to give him. Then we come to lunch time, he will only eat 2 types of fruit, peaches and apples and not a lot of those either, he still will not finish even a small bottle.
Last night he vomited his veggie and beef mush all over me and himself. As I started to feed him I knew it was pointless...he gagged, blinked and shivered his way through every mouthful. In between every torturous mouthful, he would smile with lips firmly closed. I tried to persist but once he realised that I was persisting he vomited!
Ohh and lets not even discuss lumps, one lump in any kind of food and we are all covered in what ever he has eaten. I have tested him, I gave him a yummy teething biscuit, he happily sucked on it but as soon as 1 tiny bit broke off he gagged and spat it out.....now look I am all for keeping him on his bottles it does make my life easier but man can not live on milk and milk alone?
What do I do? I have tried just about every combination of food possible and there is nothing that he seems to like. It feels like it has become a big game to him.
I was told at gym today that I now need to get tough and start cutting down on his bottle...in my heart I know this but it still made my tummy churn, I actually had to blink back the tears. Being a working mom I know that I over compensate for my guilty. I am loathe to actually fight him because the time that I do spend with him is special and I don't want to be the one causing conflict and fights. I keep getting this thought "What if he doesn't Love me because I am going to have to be tougher?" GULP! I need to be his mother not playmate or friend.
I know it will be for his own good and in the end ours but I am scared. This weekend I am going to try and cut down on his milk to see if he will now eat his food. I am dreading it as Luke is not a cry baby, granted he does have a tantrum now and again but I am hoping that he will be true to form and will giggle and smile his way through the entire process.
Wish me luck!
Love M
June 15, 2010
How Hard Can It Be?
Feeling: Amused!
Okay so how hard can having a baby be?
This very question would pop into my head every time I would hear my friends talk about motherhood and the various challenges that they were experiencing.
It is a cabbage for the first three months right?...sleep, eat, poop, wee ....repeat.... easy peasy!
Oh my goodness... I was so,so wrong. I admit this loudly and proudly.Motherhood is one of the most hectic, life altering experiences that I have EVER had. I was blind sided by a 3kg human.
He rocked my world and even today my axis is still a little skew! I LOVE it.
The 1st week we brought Luke home it was touch and go as to whether I was actually going to make it! I have never felt so out of control or out of my depth in my entire life. I quickly realised that my baby was not a cabbage but was a living, breathing, moving, developing little person made especially by God. He already had likes and dislikes..it took me about 3 months to learn his lingo - I was a slow learner but he now has me trained!
This cry, noise, moan means this and that facial expression means that and no you can't hurt, kill or permanently damage you baby by doing x and y. I remember Chris telling me that Luke is not as fragile as he looks and that I need to take control (Just shows you how amazing my husband is, he knew more about babies than I did - he is my hero)!
I was convinced that I was not doing things right or that I was somehow hurting Luke! I felt like I was all thumbs, I was not the graceful, controlled domestic goddess/mother/wife I had envisioned.
I found it a learning curb doing even the simple task of dressing Luke, he was so squirmy. I would finally get everything together and he would wee all over me and himself, so we would have to start the process again. Lets not forget when he had a "spuit poop" all over me..beeeauuuutifuul!! I was shocked, it took me awhile to regroup after that one!
Sleep deprivation now that is an interesting topic, do you know that in many countries it is used as a form of torture....YES you heard me, Torture. Okay my first thought AGAIN, you think I would learn,how bad can it be?.. surely you sleep when you baby sleeps?..GIGGLE!
Luke used to eat every 2 hours , it would take him at least 30 minutes to finish feeding, then 30 minutes of burping, then he would either sleep or not..his choice... so where did my sleep fit in? Get the picture..!
I remember one particular evening (shudder) Luke screamed the whole night. I had my baby sense book out and was ticking off all the possible causes for his unhappiness, is he warm enough- check, is he cool enough- check, are his clothes comfortable- check, does he have any scratchy labels that I can remove- check, is his nappy clean- check, is he hungry- check, is he windy- check, is he insecure and needs to be swaddled correctly- check and so the list continued.... eventually I came to (in my foggy, slightly deranged mind) the only possible conclusion, I was just a bad, bad mother and my baby of a week old already hated me.
In the first 3 months Chris would often step in and in his usual calm, amused manner take control of a situation. He was fantastic and would often put my fears at rest and would calm the guilt that I often felt. I now know that guilt comes with the territory, it seems to be a prerequisite for motherhood!
Luke is my angel when he sleeps, adorable when he giggles, a character when he squeals for attention, a flirt when meeting someone new with his coy little smile, a heart melter when he puts out his little hands for me, beautiful when he watches my every move with his big blue eyes, cute when I undress him and see his screw on wrists and chubby thighs, amazing when he frowns in concentration when learning something new, a heart breaker when he cries, mischievous when be blows bubbles and the KING when he gets his own way hehee,all in all he is just perfect!
He is a part of me and I him, we are getting to know each other daily. I relish the the moments of true unconditional love that I feel as a mother for son!
Love M
Okay so how hard can having a baby be?
This very question would pop into my head every time I would hear my friends talk about motherhood and the various challenges that they were experiencing.
It is a cabbage for the first three months right?...sleep, eat, poop, wee ....repeat.... easy peasy!
Oh my goodness... I was so,so wrong. I admit this loudly and proudly.Motherhood is one of the most hectic, life altering experiences that I have EVER had. I was blind sided by a 3kg human.
He rocked my world and even today my axis is still a little skew! I LOVE it.
The 1st week we brought Luke home it was touch and go as to whether I was actually going to make it! I have never felt so out of control or out of my depth in my entire life. I quickly realised that my baby was not a cabbage but was a living, breathing, moving, developing little person made especially by God. He already had likes and dislikes..it took me about 3 months to learn his lingo - I was a slow learner but he now has me trained!
This cry, noise, moan means this and that facial expression means that and no you can't hurt, kill or permanently damage you baby by doing x and y. I remember Chris telling me that Luke is not as fragile as he looks and that I need to take control (Just shows you how amazing my husband is, he knew more about babies than I did - he is my hero)!
I was convinced that I was not doing things right or that I was somehow hurting Luke! I felt like I was all thumbs, I was not the graceful, controlled domestic goddess/mother/wife I had envisioned.
I found it a learning curb doing even the simple task of dressing Luke, he was so squirmy. I would finally get everything together and he would wee all over me and himself, so we would have to start the process again. Lets not forget when he had a "spuit poop" all over me..beeeauuuutifuul!! I was shocked, it took me awhile to regroup after that one!
Sleep deprivation now that is an interesting topic, do you know that in many countries it is used as a form of torture....YES you heard me, Torture. Okay my first thought AGAIN, you think I would learn,how bad can it be?.. surely you sleep when you baby sleeps?..GIGGLE!
Luke used to eat every 2 hours , it would take him at least 30 minutes to finish feeding, then 30 minutes of burping, then he would either sleep or not..his choice... so where did my sleep fit in? Get the picture..!
I remember one particular evening (shudder) Luke screamed the whole night. I had my baby sense book out and was ticking off all the possible causes for his unhappiness, is he warm enough- check, is he cool enough- check, are his clothes comfortable- check, does he have any scratchy labels that I can remove- check, is his nappy clean- check, is he hungry- check, is he windy- check, is he insecure and needs to be swaddled correctly- check and so the list continued.... eventually I came to (in my foggy, slightly deranged mind) the only possible conclusion, I was just a bad, bad mother and my baby of a week old already hated me.
In the first 3 months Chris would often step in and in his usual calm, amused manner take control of a situation. He was fantastic and would often put my fears at rest and would calm the guilt that I often felt. I now know that guilt comes with the territory, it seems to be a prerequisite for motherhood!
Luke is my angel when he sleeps, adorable when he giggles, a character when he squeals for attention, a flirt when meeting someone new with his coy little smile, a heart melter when he puts out his little hands for me, beautiful when he watches my every move with his big blue eyes, cute when I undress him and see his screw on wrists and chubby thighs, amazing when he frowns in concentration when learning something new, a heart breaker when he cries, mischievous when be blows bubbles and the KING when he gets his own way hehee,all in all he is just perfect!
He is a part of me and I him, we are getting to know each other daily. I relish the the moments of true unconditional love that I feel as a mother for son!
Love M
A Rod For My Back
Feeling: irritated!
Why do people keep telling me that I am making a rod for my back when it come to my son King Luke ?...Yes KING. He is the ruler of my heart. I have not asked anyone else to do what I do and it is really starting to grate my carrot!
I hold him alot, I run to him even when he just whimpers, I will never, ever leave him to cry, I rock him to sleep, stroke his chubby cheeks or pat his nappy when he is tired. I hug him, kiss him, talk to him and play with him as much as I can. I am very protective over him and only like certain, trusted people to hold him. He still has his 1am bottle and I am fine with that and no I will not give him water instead! He is hungry and glugs down his milk in 15min without opening his eyes - rather cute!
He is spoilt I admit it, but he is a very happy,smiley,content baby because he knows he is loved. He rules and I run and it is just an absolute pleasure for me to do anything and everything for him especially while he will let me. So I take full advantage and will continue to do so for the rest of his life, that is just the way it is and will forever be. He comes first.
When older people hear that my mom looks after him every day while I am at work they get a frown and ask my mom in a terrified whisper "How do you cope?' Like my mom says whats to cope with? My mom says it is a privilege to look after Luke and I know in my heart that when I am a granny one day I would love to do the same for my grandchildren! My moms spoils Luke as much as I do, in all honestly what else are Granny's for?
When people hear this they give us a very disdainful look... maybe it is because they feel guilty that they are not doing it for their own grandchildren? I don't know?
I once watched a program on brain development in babies and it is a proven fact that those babies who were touched, held and loved had bigger brains with better connections than those who were not held, touched or loved. These baby's were living in an orphanage and were only given the basics to survive. The difference in brain development was huge and could clearly be seen in their brain scans..quite amazing!
So if anyone criticise me and my mom about how much we spoil Luke my new answer is:
"I am developing my sons brain cells!"
Love M
Why do people keep telling me that I am making a rod for my back when it come to my son King Luke ?...Yes KING. He is the ruler of my heart. I have not asked anyone else to do what I do and it is really starting to grate my carrot!
I hold him alot, I run to him even when he just whimpers, I will never, ever leave him to cry, I rock him to sleep, stroke his chubby cheeks or pat his nappy when he is tired. I hug him, kiss him, talk to him and play with him as much as I can. I am very protective over him and only like certain, trusted people to hold him. He still has his 1am bottle and I am fine with that and no I will not give him water instead! He is hungry and glugs down his milk in 15min without opening his eyes - rather cute!
He is spoilt I admit it, but he is a very happy,smiley,content baby because he knows he is loved. He rules and I run and it is just an absolute pleasure for me to do anything and everything for him especially while he will let me. So I take full advantage and will continue to do so for the rest of his life, that is just the way it is and will forever be. He comes first.
When older people hear that my mom looks after him every day while I am at work they get a frown and ask my mom in a terrified whisper "How do you cope?' Like my mom says whats to cope with? My mom says it is a privilege to look after Luke and I know in my heart that when I am a granny one day I would love to do the same for my grandchildren! My moms spoils Luke as much as I do, in all honestly what else are Granny's for?
When people hear this they give us a very disdainful look... maybe it is because they feel guilty that they are not doing it for their own grandchildren? I don't know?
I once watched a program on brain development in babies and it is a proven fact that those babies who were touched, held and loved had bigger brains with better connections than those who were not held, touched or loved. These baby's were living in an orphanage and were only given the basics to survive. The difference in brain development was huge and could clearly be seen in their brain scans..quite amazing!
So if anyone criticise me and my mom about how much we spoil Luke my new answer is:
"I am developing my sons brain cells!"
Love M
June 03, 2010
ME a Mother WOW!
Feeling: Nostalgic
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
My Son Luke Christian Hall was born on Sunday 29Th of November 2009 at 04:35am. He was a hefty 3.12Kg and was 3 weeks early. It is most incredible, life changing moment that I have ever experienced, NOTHING can compare.
I still can't quite believe that I am a mother - the best role ever. I look at Luke and find it mind blowing that he is actually here and is mine. It is a little scary as well, I am responsible for this little life.. Wow Breath!
Luke's actual "due" date was the 16Th of December. My Gyno had booked me to have my Caesar on the 9Th December but as the old saying goes... children have minds of their own.
I went to work on the 27Th of November and even managed to do a hectic 1.5 hour gym workout in the afternoon- yaaay go me.
On the 28Th of November I had a busy day. Chris was playing cricket so I decided to get all the girly things out the way - I had my hair highlighted, my nails done and even managed a bikini wax (OUCH)(WAX MUCH???)..smooth like a babies....Umm Yip!
Chris then met me at my parents house for dinner..we had a big rib braai, YUM. We finally got home at 21:00. As I settled down to watch some TV I started to feel sick...tummy cramping sick. I waddled to the bathroom and saw the first signs of labour - PANIC!
I was sitting on the toilet wondering if this was really it or maybe it was that HUGE rich dinner that I had eaten - Note to self... never eat rich food the last month of pregnancy in case of early labour!
I calmly called Chris and asked him to throw me my Baby Bible through the door - when in doubt read!
I went straight to the page that said "First Signs Of Labour" OMW terrifying stuff in there! I started to feel a tinge of panic, THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN. I had not even gone to any anti-natal classes because I WAS HAVING A CAESAR!
Chris by this stage was anxiously standing outside the bathroom door - Babes I think I am in labour I said. His first response was call your mom. I really didn't want to bother her especially if this was not really it.
After a few more convincing cramps I called mom and told her what was going on..she started to giggle and said "MY LOVE YOU ARE IN LABOUR!"
I told Chris and gave him strict instructions on what I still needed packed. I then decided I needed to put some make-up on and YIP the contractions really HIT! OMW screw looking decent I threw my make-up in my bag and dragged Chris to the car.
On the way to the hospital we collected my mom and dad. As part of my birth plan I wanted my mom to witness the birth of her first grandchild. My dad being a Maree wanted to take his car so we transferred cars and my dad started to drive. My contractions at this stage were 3 minutes apart. I was sitting sideways in the car and was loosing my sense of humour. My dad was driving sooo slowly..when I told him to hurry up he calmly replied that he had precious cargo in the back GRRRRR I was going to precious cargo him in a minute!!! My mom and Chris were all giggly and telling me to breath - what the....! All the stupid breathing did was make me feel light headed.
When we finally arrived at the hospital this nurse came with a wheel chair...nope I don't need it I replied and proceeded to RUN up two flights of stair - the lifts were too slow. I pushed the labour ward "panic button" and told the nurse who I was and to let me in. They took me to the labour "torture" room and gave me the one of those bottom hanger outter gowns - all dignity from this point on was to be lost.
The nurse did an internal that was really,really sore I wanted to crawl off the bed backwards. She told me I was 3cm dilated. Okay so where is the Gyno I replied..we still have to call him was her response. As luck would have it my lovely Gyno was on holiday - good timing Luke!
They then put a heart rate monitor on my 37 week belly to check that my Luke was okay - relief - his heart rate was strong! I spend the next 4 hours vomiting, sitting on the toilet and lying on the bed in every position imaginable there was no doctor in sight. At one point the nurse told me that not one of the stand in doctors were answering their phones and that she could deliver my baby if need be - I burst into tears OMW no DRUGS???! Okay, I change my mind I don't want to do this lets go home!
My waters had now broken (it was so not like the movies, just a cupful..where was the big splash?).I was getting increasingly aggressive and everyone was tip toeing around me.
Eventually at 4am the stand in anesthetist arrived, I was so relieved, it was love at first sight. The stand in Gyno also arrived - he strolled in chewing gum! His first response was agggg you can carry on pushing! My response was - ....EDITED FOR SENSITIVE READERS (R18).....- not very polite!
I was finally wheeled into theate and got my spinal block - Heaven - w
arm, fuzzy, pain free heaven! I could not believe how easy and painless it was! They lay me down on this little table and started cutting ,I felt a tug - the Gyno then said OMW this is a big boy - pass me the forceps! He then slid my 3.12Kg son onto my lap at 4:35am. Luke let out a tiny cry and proceeded to wee all over me!
My mom was screaming, laughing and crying the entire time.Chris could not wipe smile off his face. He hugged and kissed me and whispered that he loved me and that I did good - poor guy!
Luke was immediately brought to me, I felt so overwhelmed I just sobbed. "Hello my son nice to meet you, I am your mommy, the voice you have heard for the past few months!" I whispered as I stroked his crinkled little face. He was blue and needed an oxygen top up, he had a cone head from being in the birth canal but 10 fingers, 10 toes and a frown - perfection!
Every uncomfortable, embarrassing, painful, scary moment disappeared and I realised that I had witnessed a true miracle and that God had blessed me and Chris with Luke -Bringer of light - this is what his name means.
I love him now and forever. He is a symbol of Chris and my love and our commitment to each other. I would do it all over in a heart beat just for you my son!
Psalm 139:
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Much Love M x
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