My first Layouts and Work-In-Progress(WIP)

As promised, here are the layouts I did a few weeks ago at my first scrapbooking class. The theme of the class was Hat-trick - using only 3 patterned papers, 3 cardstock and 3 embellishments. I am yet to finish the third page, just need to find the right photo to go with the theme of it.


I am doing another class this Wednesday night and I can't wait. I have started buying some more tools and bits and pieces (thank you Mr VISA) and have finally gotten around to organising my photos a bit better so that I can place an order to snapfish to have some printed. Then there is no stopping me! I really need some space to be able to set it all up and leave it there, but with two toddlers who are into EVERYTHING, I don't know if I will be able too.

This is the birth record cross stitch I am working on also. I am trying to do bits and pieces when I can and making quicker progess than I thought I would. This one is for Cali.


And here is my inspiration for Christmas cards! Just another thing to add to my list of things I want to do but not necessarily have the time to do LOL .

Like finding needles in a hay stack

Thats how much time I feel like I have to blog these days. I must admit, I have never be the most diligent blogger, but I had made a promise to try and do better....oh well. Tomorrow is another day!

What have we been up to:

• We went for a quick trip to Coffs to visit the family.
• I had strep throat :(
  
• I had Cali and Oscar weighed and measured. Cali was 10kg and 76cm and Oscar 9.7kg and 78cm. Oscar is still sitting below average for his weight for his age, but no need to worry as he is healthy, active and eats like a horse .
  
• I have booked a flight to go to Sydney - ON MY OWN! I am heading down to stay with a friend for two nights and I am really looking forward to it. It will be the first time I have been away overnight since Cali and Oscar have been born. I know I will miss them like crazy, but I am sure I will enjoy it :)
• It looks like I have picked up a full days (possibly two) work along with some other work I can do from home. Meeting tomorrow to finalise the details.

New words

Cali and Oscar are coming out with new words by the day. Cali vocabulary is more advanced than Oscar still, but he is trying :) Words they are saying (well, in a fashion LOL):

• Mum/Mummy/Mumma
• Dad/Daddy/Dadda
• Nan
• Bub
• Daisy
• Hat
  
• Yummy
  
• Birdy
• Book
• Dog
• Up
• Ball
• Tickle
• Bikkie
  

They also are making a 's' sounds for shoe and sock and when we walked past shoes in Target the other day, they both started going 'ssshhhhhh'. They are understanding things we ask/tell them. Oscar most of the time ignores me, but I know he understands LOL
They love to give out kisses and will now give each other kisses which is gorgeous to see. Cali grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him into her and give out big sloppy tongue kisses. Once he has enough, he lets her know by headbutting her.......just his way of affection I guess!

Time for some 'Me' time

For the past 15 months all my thoughts, time and energy has been towards Cali and Oscar. Of course I expected this and its what I wanted, but like anyone, I sometimes crave some 'me' time. Time away to remember who I am, rather than just 'mum' and 'housewife'. I have had the occasional night out during the past 15 months, but haven't really done anything just for 'me'. I have always enjoyed craft and when I was a teenager my Nan taught me how to cross stitch which is something I have done on and off over the years. A few months ago I purchased two birth record cross stitches for Cali and Oscar, so I have made a start on them. I have also decided it is time to do something with all those photos I have been taking, so am starting to Scrapbook. I am really excited to get started as its something I have been wanting to give a go for ages. On Wednesday night I went to my first class and I'm hooked! I have booked in for three more classes already and plan on stocking up on some supplies and tools this week. There are so many pretty papers, embellishments and cards, oh how I love pretty things!

I will post some photos of what I did on Wednesday night and keep you posted on more. Maybe I should start another blog??

This week I also went out to dinner and a movie with a friend which was nice. Rod has told me I need to do it more, and I think I will. I think a big girls night is on the cards soon.

I have also picked up some bookkeeping work and this week worked Wednesday and have also some work to do from home. It is flexible which I love as it will work in well around the kids going to daycare. At the moment they will still only go one day a week, but might increase to two depending on how much work I pick up. It feel good to be putting my brain back to work and the extra money will be great (and help with my new hobby!)

1st Birthday/s

Friday 10 July 2009 - Cali's 1st Birthday

The day started as most mornings do in our house, chatter from the bedroom, to let us know they were awake and ready to be up. We got them up, had a bottle as usual and then let Cali open one of her presents.

Oscar joined in on the action and both were excited with the twin dolls but probably more entertained by the paper and the box! Rod had the day off, so it was nice to have a quiet morning at home together.

Cali, Oscar and I headed off to playgroup as usual for a Friday morning and celebrated there with a 'fruit cake'.

We spent a quiet afternoon at home getting things ready for the party the next day, blowing up balloons (a fantastic cheap distraction for kids btw!) and making streamers. Cali decided that turning one meant that she could now walk, and took about 5-6 steps in a row to Rod on the lounge. She had been taking a few steps and standing up but this was the most she took in a row and then just kept doing it and from then on just kept going and going and going........

After putting them to bed, Rod and I decorated the 'In The Night Garden' birthday cake along with a few drinks to celebrate surviving the first year as parents of multiples and also our marriage surviving LOL If anything, we are a much stronger couple, have a stronger bond and more love and appreciation for each other than before Cali and Oscar came along. I am grateful to have such a loving and supportive husband and he is a fantastic Daddy :)

Saturday 11th July 2009 - Oscar's 1st Birthday and the 1st Birthday Party

Saturday started the same as Friday, but this time Oscar got to open a present on his own first. He got a mega blocks truck and once again the wrapping paper was a hit!

They also got the rest of their birthday presents from us - Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle, a In The Night Garden DVD and a bag of mega blocks.




The party started as 11am and as Rod and I had most of the food prepared for the party, once Cali and Oscar went down for their morning nap, we were able to have showers and wait for the guests to arrive. Some guests arrived before they had woken, so they were greeted to a houseful of people which surprised Oscar a bit and he was a little unsettled for a while, but not Cali our 'life of the party' girl who was excited to see everyone. Cali actually vomited before the cake came out (hence the change of outfit mid party) but managed to recover to give the cake a go. It was lovely to celebrate their first birthday with family and friends that had been through this amazing year with us.

They got very spoiled - check this stash out!

So we did it, we survived the first year! We have two healthy, happy, gorgeous bubs and all the hard work has been worth every minute of it :)

WIP (Work In Progess)

Just wanted to let anyone still checking this blog, that I am working on an update of the past few months ;) Lets just say 2 toddlers are taking up alot of time now they can walk!

Happy Birthday Buddy Boy!

To my gorgeous boy Oscar,

Happy 1st Birthday little man, I love you to bits like your sister, you are two very special little people and Daddy and I are very lucky to have you both in out life.

You didn't want to join your sister on the 10th, and decided to take your time to make your arrival, but you came out finally after some persuasion, noisy and cute and not much has changed :)

You are a happy little soul with a smile that lights up your face and those around you and I can't wait to see you grow up to be a handsome man.

Love Mummy xo

Happy Birthday Chicken

To to my gorgeous girl Cali,

Happy 1st Birthday! I love you to bits baby girl and I am so grateful to have you.

It is almost exactly a year ago that you entered this world and placed on my chest, alert and staring into my eyes. Your dark hair surprised me, but the alertness didn't. I didn't get to see you much in the next 8hrs as your brother had other plans ;) But I remember looking at your the next morning in amazement that me and your Daddy had created such a beautiful baby girl.

What a year we have had and I can't wait to watch you grow into a the beautiful women I know you will be.

Love Mummy xo

A Year Ago Today

This time last year, I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Cali and Oscar. I was 37wks6days and had seen my OB that day who had performed a 'stretch and sweep' to try and induce labour. I was starting to dilate already, so this was hopefully going to help the process along. If not, I was to show up to hospital the next morning to be induced and to finally meet my babies :)

Who would have known what we had install for us during the next 36hrs! Or the next 12 months!

What a year it has been. The most happiest, loving, frustrating, exhausting, overwhelming, exciting, scary and most of all BEST year of my life.

Tomorrow is D-Day

Daycare day that is!

I am feeling a whole range of emotions about it at the moment. I know they will be fine, but still can't help feeling a little guilty about it all. I know plenty of parents have to send their kids to daycare and their are no ill effects. I know they will have fun, learn and it will be good for them and me....I guess I am in denial that they are growing up quickly and I will have to go back to work soon. I am not ready for either to be honest.

Grrrrr to snot!

I am officially over snot! This time I have it too. We got back from visiting my parents on Friday and on Saturday, Cali, Oscar and I all started getting snotty noses.....grrrrr.........It seems to be clearing today, so no trip to the GP this time.

We had a lovely week at my parents, we didn't do much which was great, caught up with a few friends and family. I had a friends 30th on the Saturday night which was a fancy dress. I went as Little Red Riding Hood. I only had a few drinks but had to get up the next morning as my parents had to work, but still had a great night out. Here are a few photos.

Little Red Riding Hood, Angelina Ballerina, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland & Rainbow Brite

My parents came back home with me last Friday and stayed for the weekend. They won't be able to come back for Cali and Oscar's first birthday, so they brought their birthday presents for them while they were here and we also had a small little celebration for them on Sunday.



Otherwise, the 'babies' are fast becoming 'toddlers' and with the toddler behaviors in toe. Tantrums, fighting over toys.....ahhh the fun! Cali is taking a few steps, lets go of things and then throws herself at things and laughs :) She thinks she is clever. She is starting the 'read' books to herself - "gada gada gada" - very cute! She is beginning to make more funny noises by the day and is just a delight as always. Oscar is on the go constantly, no wonder he keeps growing out of his clothes and eats so much.....typical boy! He loves In the Night Garden and as soon as he hear the music and the credits rolling he squeals with excitment and races to the TV. And we also have more teeth! Both have half a molar through and I can see another one coming for Cali. I can't believe they are one in a few weeks. The invitations have been sent, the cake has been decided upon, I have started buying decorations and presents, so feeling some what organised!

In my last post, I mentioned I had found a daycare centre. I ended up going and checking it out and just wasn't impressed. As they say 'first impressions count' and it didn't make a great first impression. I came home and rang another and was very lucky that they had some spaces available too. I had thought it would have been much harder to find spots, or maybe I just happened to have good timing. The second one was much better and felt much more comfortable with it and the are starting on the 1st July for one day a week. Hopefully there won't be too many tears.
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A year ago today I wrote The Count Down in On! Oh how Imiss that belly, but oh how I love what came out of it :)

Sick again :(

The last few weeks have seen two visits to the GP again. The week before last we took Cali back as she had green snot (again!), pulling her ears, watery puffy eyes and a low grade temp. She had a slight ear infection and nasal infection. The GP prescribes a ear/eye drop to use up her nose (go figure..) but it did the trick. Her nose cleared up in a matter of days and she was back to her cheeky self again :)

Last Thursday I took Oscar back as he had similar symptoms but also a real chesty cough. He was very phlegmy, so he has been put on Amoxil again, this time for two weeks. He is also doing much better not, still coughing a little during the night and early morning, so we are just keeping him as warm as possible and the vaporizer is getting a working over. He also had diarreha which he passed onto Cali :( Lots of red bums and nappy changes over the past few days.

Other than that, both are getting very steady on their feet. They are getting very good balance and can stand unaided for a few seconds and Cali the other day stood for about 10 secs by herself before sitting back down. She is also letting go of whatever she is holding onto to get to something else or letting go to move to me or Rod, so I think she might be walking before too long. Oscar is great at walking holding our hands, so he might not be too far behind his sister. They are starting to play really well together, love playing peek a boo and chasing each other around and standing and talking to each other in their cots. Its like they share a secret language sometimes through their laughter. I would love to know what they are thinking sometimes. Cali is still biting, but I don't think she understands that what she is doing is wrong just yet. I have been very stern with her a few times which has resulted in her dropping the lip and whimpering. She is very devious, traps Oscar behind the lounge in the corner and waits until he puts his fingers in her mouth! But he keeps doing it, so not sure when he will learn :) Oscar seems to be getting over the separation anxiety a bit. He isn't having a melt down everytime I leave the room. He has had some moments, but over the past few weeks the number of times has diminished greatly. I think we may have the appearance of some molars soon too, plenty of fingers in the back of the mouth and dribble action happening.

With a month before they are one (:0) we have been starting to plan their party. It won't be a big one, just family and some friends, but I would still like to make it a special day. This year Oscar gets to have the party on his actual birthday. We will have a little cake for Cali on the Friday, but the party will be on the Saturday. My parents can't make it which I am a little sad about, but we will have a little celebration with them in a few weeks time when they are here. I have decided to go with a 'In the night garden' theme (ITNG). I am getting some invitations done, will try and buy some party merchandise and attempt to make a ITNG cake of some description. I have seen some figurines which will work well, and you can't go wrong with green icing as grass!

I have also found them a daycare spot for one day a week. I haven't committed to it yet, but I will go and check it all out this week and get all the details. I know they will love it, but I also feel that being at home they should be with me, so I am having some guilty feelings about it. I enrolled in a TAFE course months ago and have done next to no work for is as I just don't have the time during the day. Also tax time is almost upon me again, so family and friends tax returns will start piling up soon, not that I am complaining, the extra $$$ will be nice. So this day will allow me to get some work done without interuptions. I will be returning to work at some point next year, so the sooner they get used to day care, the easier the transition will be.


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On a different note, I have joined Weight Watchers to shift some additional weight that is hanging around after being pregnant and not much excercise or fantastic eating habits in the past year. I had success about 10 years ago on weight watchers, so I know it can work for me. Pre-pregnancy I was 65kg, about 5kgs over what I would have liked and I put on 22kgs during pregnancy, which considering I carried twins to term isn't so bad. 6.3kg of that was baby, about 3kg of placenta and I have not idea how much the fluid weighed, but there was some addittional padding that got left behind :) I know I will never have a flat stomach again, but I will settle for a waistline again! 2 weeks in and 2kgs down, so heading towards my goal of 60kgs before I am 30 in September, wish me luck!

Photos!

I posted back February in Time for another update about Cali and Oscar being part of a publication to raise money for the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation. We had the photo session back in March and we have now received the photos we purchased from the session last week. We went with a 20"x27" canvas and four 8"x10" photos. Here are the results:









We are really happy with them, they weren't cheap, but well worth the money I think.

I had a day off!

Yesterday was my first full day away from Cali and Oscar since they were born 10 1/2 months ago. My friend Emma had her baby shower, so I made the hour trip down the Tugun for the day. I left at 9am and got home at 5pm and had a lovely day hanging out with a great bunch of girls and some old school friends.

I must admit, I was hanging out to get home to my babies :) It was weird not having to think about naps, lunch, bottles and nappy changes and just sitting back having a conversation without being interrupted or a baby crawling up to me was a luxury.

I think it is something I should do more often but without any family around, it only leaves the weekends and I really like to spend time with Rod and the babies as a family. Rod enjoys spending time with them on his own, so maybe next time I could go shopping or catch a movie - something I haven't done in 14 months!

A long time between posts........

About time to catch up!

Easter was spent at my parents house which was spent catching up with friends and family and just relaxing. It was nice to go home to mum and have her do my washing :) And they loved having us and helping out with the babies. I even managed to get a few hours off here and there. Rod flew back to Brisbane on Easter Monday so we went out for lunch on our own before I took him to the airport and I also went and had my hair cut and coloured which gave me three hours to sit back and relax too. I drove back to Brisbane on my own which went surprisingly well. I only had to make one stop about half way to give Cali and Oscar lunch and get a coffee. I am now confident in doing it again and looking forward to going back next month on my own with the babies for a friends 30th. Here are a few snaps from the trip away:

























We have also had a friend staying with us who lives in the UK. He has been back in Australia sorting out his skilled migrant Visa to stay and work overseas. He has been great to have around and has been really helpful. I think Cali and Oscar will miss him when he leaves.

We had a long weekend here in Qld on the first weekend in May and a group of us went the Byron Bay for three nights. A friend was going in the ocean swim they hold each year and suggested we all head down for a long weekend away. We had a lovely weekend, the weather wasn't fantastic but we had a relaxing time. Cali and Oscar were getting over a a cold/ear infection/sore throats that required antibiotics but were pretty happy considering. They were sleeping in our room which was a bit disturbing for all of us so we all didn't sleep great while we were away and took us all a few days to catch up. On the Sunday night I started throwing up and originally I thought I had food posioning. I threw up all night until there was nothing less :( I hadn't thrown up that much in my life. I ended up feeling pretty crappy for three days, so I don't think it was food posioning now but rather some type of nasty bug. A few photos from the weekend away:


Other than that my babies are now 10 months old! How the hell did that happen?!? I had them weighed and measured after easter and Cali weighed in at 8.86kg and 70.5cm long and Oscar was 8.74kg and 73cm long. So doing really well! They are just so much fun. Lots of laughter and giggles and they are just taking so much in at the moment. It is amazing to watch. They are getting into everything. Cali is cruising everything and today actually stood unassisted for a few seconds. I think she will be close to walking by their first birthday. I have had to put chew rails on her cot as she made some serious dints and removed paint on her cot rails. Oscar is still commando crawling. He is getting up onto his knees but I think he has figured he can get just as fast on his belly :) He has just mastered pulling himself up and now won't stop. He thinks he is very clever. They love chasing and playing peek-a-boo around the toys and furniture and generally play really well together. They both love music and stop and turn to the TV whenever something catches their interest and funnily enough it is usually the same tune. They are both stated to 'dance' to the music too, they both bounce and rock to music which is very cute. Oscar has been going through a bit of seperation anxiety and can have a mini meltdown some days when I leave the room which can be very frustrating when I need to get things done. I love playing with them but some times nature calls! I try to reassure him I am not far away and at times he gets over it very quickly and other times I have to comfort him to calm him down. I hope it is only a short phase. Cali is also starting to bite, not on purpose though, and with 8 teeth now it really hurts. I have been trying to let her know it is not something she should be doing, but I will see how we go. I don't think she really understands yet. She has also started waving which is adorable. You can say to her 'wave to Daddy' and she will give him a wave. She will also wave sometimes when she sees you walk in the room. She even waved to Oscar the other day after I got him up after a nap :)

All in all, all is great! They keep me VERY busy, but I wouldn't change it for the world :)

I've been busy and on holidays.....

so for those loyal blog readers out there, sorry about my lack of blogging of late. Stay tuned for an update in the next few days......

Book Update

I've now completed 6 books! I managed two books last month which wasn't too bad.

The first was 'Twilight' which I decided to read after all the hype it attracted. It was an easy read and a great book to read before sleep as I can't read anything too heavy at night. I enjoyed it, but really can't say I totally loved it. It did make me buy the next book, so I think it managed to capture my interest enough to do that.

The second book was 'The Babymoon' by Melanie La'Brooy. I would recommend this if you are after a light hearted 'fluff' book. This book have me laughing out loud at times and cringing at others. Also brought back many pregnancy memories :) I managed to finish this in 2 days, the quickest I have read a book since Cali and Oscar arrived.


I am currently reading Faith by Lesley Pearse.

It is 1995, Scotland. The prison of Cornton Vale. Laura Brannigan is in jail for a murder she claims she didn't commit. For two years she's been battling for justice - insisting the police made a terrible mistake; pleading that she didn't kill her best friend, Jackie. With her spirits at their lowest ebb, she's resigned to her miserable fate - until, out of the blue, a letter is delivered to the prison. At the sight of the letter's handwriting, Laura's heart lurches - taking her back to a different, happier time and memory of an old love...1972 was the year Laura met Stuart and experienced her first summer of love.It was a heady time as she'd only recently been able to stop running. For Laura had always been a survivor: leaving an abusive home at fifteen and then life on her own - until she met Jackie. She and Jackie became best friends, swore they'd be sisters for ever. So what went wrong in the intervening years? And why is Stuart writing to Laura now? Does he have faith in her innocence? And can he help free Laura from prison - and her past?

Bruised Noggin and the Commando

Crawling has brought about the first bruised head for Cali :( She is pulling herself up on everything, including using her brother's head as a object to assist her to stand which has resulted in a few tears on both side. Last week she was standing up against a wooden chest in the lounge room and either slipped or sat down and banged her head into the corner of it. She actually had a dint in her forehead for about 5 mins which turned into a lump and then a bruise. I know this this is the first of many to come.

Oscar has mastered the commando crawl finally. Watching his sister has seemed to have paid off. He can pull himself along pretty quickly now and between the rolling and pulling he is able to get places pretty quickly. They now race each other for the toys which is funny to watch :) Cali still wins but Oscar usually scoots in and steals if off her.

We are off to visit my parents next week and I can't wait! I might get a few hours or a whole day off!! As much as I love my babies to bits, I have only been away from them at the most 3hrs in almost 9 months and some days I would love a day to myself.

My chicken is crawling!

After a few weeks of belly flopping around the floor, Cali has finally coordinated the arms and legs to work together. Once she got it figured out, there was no stopping her. She hasn't ventured much further than the lounge room yet, but today she has started to follow me when I leave, so I think I might have a little shadow following me around all the time soon.

We did invest in a playpen on the weekend (thanks to Mr Rudd's bonus - oh and a new pram!) for when I am not going to be in the room for a while or when I need to feed Oscar. Oscar is showing no interest in crawling at the moment. He actually laughs every time Cali crawls up to him, that or whacks her over the head with whatever toy he is playing with or pulls her hair. I don't know if he is laughing because he finds her funny or whether it is because he thinks she is silly because she can now get things herself rather than waiting for everything to be brought to him - typical lazy boy!

They are so much fun at the moment and just happy, content babies. I think we are over teething for a while, thank the lord! The combined total has now hit 14. Cali has caught up to Oscar and they now have the exact same teeth - four on the top and three on the bottom. I have a lot of fun with them during the day, I am sad to think that this might be the only time I will go through all this. I am making the most of it and spend most of their up time playing with them or taking them out on some type of adventure (as we call them in our house).

Cali is a real giggly girl at the moment and a real 'mum's girl'. Every time I am on the floor with them she crawls over to me and pulls herself up for hugs. Oscar is becoming a bit sooky, which sometimes is all an act for attention. I sometimes just ignore it and he gets over it pretty quick. If I do go to him or pick him up he usually gives me a big smile as he knows he has won, cheeky bugger. The have both just started to say 'muuummm' and 'mama' in the past few days. I guess my constant chant when they said 'dada' worked ;)

Hope I don't jinx myself by saying this, but sleeping is going great in our house for the past week or so. I haven't had to get up overnight and we can pretty much guarentee they sleep 11hrs at night. We put them down around 6.30pm and have been getting up on average around 5.30am in the morning. We have managed a few 6am up times but not many.

We also got the all clear on Cali's left hip on Monday. We had an appointment with a Orthopedic pedeatrician who is happy that it is within normal range now. She will have to have another x-ray at 18months, but that is more

All in all, they are keeping me busy, especially now we have Cali on the move. Maybe I will shed those extra kg's I want to get rid off! Here's hoping.

Fun in the Sun

Today, two other twin mums Michelle and Agnes and I took our 6 babies to Wynnum Wading Pool. Let me say this wasn't the easiest task considering none of them are at walking stage, so getting us all in the water was an adventure but we did it. There were five girls - Cali, Layla, Sophia, Emma & Caitlin and Oscar was the only little boy, so he had his pick of the four other girls :)


We managed to find a shallow part that was perfect for them to sit and paddle. We also took our floaty rings and let them have a float in the deeper water which they all loved. We were in the water for over 1/2 hour until all the bubs decided they were hungry and it was lunch time. We managed to wrangle all six out, find a shady spot to set up, change, feed them and let them play while us mums packed the cars in preparation to walk them to sleep so we could have some lunch and a drink ourselves! We succeeded with getting them to sleep and enjoyed a quiet half hour or so to have lunch, a cold drink and even a coffee.



It was such a lovely day and despite the obstacles we were all glad we made the effort. We are planning on doing it again soon. And next time I will remember to apply the suncream a bit more to myself. I lathered up the babies and a bit on myself, but forgot my legs which are now resembling lobster claws :(