Come fly with me

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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There is so much I want to tell you about Chanbe's "big boy bed", but first of all, let me show you:


Oooooooh yeeeaaaahhhhhhh. When Hubs and Uncle Ben told me they wanted to make Chanbe a "big boy bed" 3 days after we arrived in Towsnville, I was skeptically supportive, wondering when it might be finished, and how much of a "big boy" he would be once he actually got in to it. Well, I was proven wonderfully wrong. Just over a week ago, the bed was flown in from the work area, and it has been an absolute hit. Chanbe has slept in it almost every night and day, with a few exceptions, but we are very proud of this milestone.

There are dozens of "in progress" photos that I hope to one day share with you, or better yet, let Hubs (finally) do a guest post about!!

And hopefully we'll have some baby news for you soon. I'm officially 40 weeks now (well, depending on who you ask) so, literally, any day now!

Posted by Renae at 9:53 PM Comments

Happy birthday to me!

Friday, January 18, 2013

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Today is my 30 + gst birthday. Nothing much is really going on - we had a rough night with Chanbe for some reason, so my plans to do more unpacking (no I still haven't finished!!!) have not come to fruition. I am treating myself to daytime air con which I normally don't do at home. It's making sitting on the couch somewhat more comfortable.

I am 38 weeks + 2 days pregnant, so really, any day now something could happen, although after my appointment on Wednesday, and if Chanbe is anything to go by, this baby ain't budging until absolutely necessary. And even though I'm still surrounded by damn boxes that I can't shift, I feel quite settled and at home. We still have a couple of big ticket items to purchase (mainly a dining table and chairs, and a desk for the office) but otherwise we are mainly set. I've done the ooohing and aaahing over the teeny tiny baby clothes and nappies; my hospital bag is packed, I've made extra meals that I've put in the freezer, and I feel ready for this baby.

I actually feel quite zen about the whole thing. Sure, I could focus on the messy house, the incessant itching of my arms possibly caused by cholestasis, the continuous pregnancy-related heartburn that keeps me up at night, my big fat fingers and toes, and the fact that gravity fights me every time I want to stand up, but who wants to hear all that? They are all temporary glitches that will be a thing of the past in a matter if weeks.

Right now, it's all about the air con, breakfast for lunch, ice cold water (the only drink that doesn't give me heartburn) and time with my boys. Happy birthday to me :-)

Posted by Renae at 5:28 PM Comments

First Day

Monday, January 14, 2013

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Remember this post? Remember this photo?


Here's what 4 and half years of studying medicine will do to a man:


Hubba hubba! The Doctor is IN! Today is Hubs' first day on the job. Well, actually he has a week of orientation first, but this time next week, he will be elbow deep in some kind of surgical rotation. This also means it is my first day of solo parenting in a very long time. I would have taken a photo of myself as well, but it's just too scary! Okay okay, Here's one from the other day: (Excuse the bathroom scene; up until a couple of days ago, it was the only mirror in the house!)



Woah nelly! Ha ha. Anyway, we have had a great day - we headed down to The Strand (fenced-off playground! WOO!!) and met up with one of my friends who lives up here. We haven't seen each other in about 6 years, so it was so lovely to catch up. Then Chanbe went down for a sleep at 1, as did I, and while I only woke up 20 minutes ago, he's still asleep! I can really get behind this sleeping til 4pm thing. It makes the afternoon very enjoyable indeed!

So here we are, back on line, still with boxes to empty, but getting there. It's my birthday on Friday, and Hubs is taking me to some fancy-shmancy Interns dinner. Ah, such a romantic! We also have our dear friends popping in on their way home from Brisbane to Cairns, so I'll have enough to keep me occupied. And Baloo seems like he/she is staying put for now. But what do I know! I hope to resume some type of regular blogging soon, but let's just see how we go :-)


Posted by Renae at 4:59 PM Comments

a 7 minute post

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

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I'm sitting in a shopping centre, using one of those internet stations. It reminds me of being overseas when I'd pay for a certain amount of time and have a certain number of things to do and the last few minutes would be a frantic rush to get those last few emails etc out.

We turned up to my 37 week antenatal appointment this morning, only to realise that it's actually tomorrow morning. But we already asked my Mum's cousin to baby sit Chance for the day so we could go shopping afterwards, so we thought we might as well take advantage of the child-free time. Well, the outside child-free time. The inside baby is kicking away nicely and sapping all of my energy, but we are all doing well.

We really do love the house. It's exciting to imagine what it will be like once we've finished unpacking. The flat-pack fairies visited for a bit last week and only left 1 set of drawers for us to put together which was nice.

This isn't a very exciting post, sorry. This is Hubs' last week off before he starts full time work. And he won't have holidays again until  the end of July. That is a very long time! But I'm sure it will fly by. I have given Hubs his 10 day heads up of my approaching birthday. I actually had forgotten about it!

Well I have a couple of minutes to go and need to check a few other things so I'll leave it there! Hubs is currently sorting out internet so I'm hoping my next post will be from home and will contain photos!

Posted by Renae at 10:30 AM Comments

They were right!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

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Who'da thunk it? All those people, upon hearing about our move to Townsville, who told us that it's hot up here, were right on the money! Incredible! Although it has been over 30 degrees every day, and not much under each night, we've only cranked the aircon twice, to cool Chanbe's room down - a fact that makes me feel just a little self-righteous!

So yes we are here. Chanbe and I flew in last Saturday morning, Hubs and Uncle Benny arrived late Sunday night, and we all rendezvoused at the house Monday morning. After a solid 4 days of working on the kombi, (actually, 2 kombis), the boys took off with the 2 cars on Saturday afternoon, but the kombi only made it to Gympie before it, for want of a better phrase, shat itself. It is a very long, drawn out story that I just can't go in to at the moment, but the bottom line is, it will arrive on the back of a tow truck around the 16th of Jan. And after that? Well, who knows!?

On a brighter note, the house is great - nice and big, enough room for everything, a great cross breeze, good outdoor areas, and a nice kitchen. The only downsides are that it doesn't have a bath or a dishwasher. But we have decided the dishwasher can live in the laundry which is just off the kitchen. (Hubs' response to that: "honey, you don't have to live in the laundry!" Har har.)

We are in flat-pack avoidance at the moment - there are 5 things to put together and we're all just hoping the flat-pack fairy visits one night this week. As well as the unpack fairy. Oh, and the "better get ready to have a baby" fairy. And a meal preparation fairy would be welcomed too...

So in short, all is well. It's hot, there is a lot of unpacking to do, and I'm not exactly full of energy, but somewhere deep down, somehow, I know it will all work out - it always does :-)

Posted by Renae at 12:36 PM Comments

Dear Me

Friday, December 28, 2012

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Dear Blogger,
I've missed you. I've been wanting to share so much with the blogging world, but due to lack of internet (other than on my mobile which is, let's face it, super annoying for anything other than a quick post) I have been unable to share my world with you. This will be ongoing for probably a few more weeks, but knowing Hubs, internet connection will be amongst the top priorities once we move.

Dear Baloo,
You remind me almost every minute (okay, at least every hour) of your presence with your kicks and tumbles in my tummy. I can't tell you how excited I am about meeting you, but don't be in a hurry to arrive, little one. We have a lovely home to prepare for you and our little family and we can't wait to give you "outside cuddles". You are already loved by so many people, and your big brother Chanbe promises to be gentle with you. There is so much I want to know about you, and I truly can't wait to look into your eyes. I'll see you soon.

Dear Chanbe,
My sweet, superstar son. You are an angel and have been so well adjusted in these crazy few weeks. You want such simple things (walk on beach? Fruit?) and have slept through almost every night, even though your routine has been out of wack. There is so much more change to come, but I know you will handle it well. Your resilience makes me a better mama, and I can't wait to see you and Baloo together.

Dear Brisbane,
You have been preparing me for the heat in Townsville. It has been a tough month of heat and humidity, but I do love you and I wonder if we will live here again some time soon. Only time will tell.

Dear Townsville,
Be kind to me when we arrive please. I will be big and you will be hot. Some summer storms will be much appreciated to cool things down and green things up. See what you can do?

Dear Me,
You're almost there, Wifey. You keep saying to yourself "once we are all together in Townsville, I can relax." That will be a reality in a matter of days. This past year has tested you in so many ways, but you have gotten through it with the love and support of family and friends. The last month in particular has thrown some extra curvy balls, but you have hit them back and made a few home runs as a bonus. You rock. Be kind to yourself and your family in the weeks and months to come. There will be time for adjusting and settling in, and as always, you will make it out the other side, stronger than ever.

Dear Hubs,
You are a saint. I love you.

Dear kombi,
Start. For the love of all human kind, please start.

Posted by Renae at 6:31 PM Comments

Gimme a break

Sunday, December 9, 2012

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Usually at this time of year I'm excited about Christmas. Usually my Christmas cards, which I usually start making in October, are completed and sent out. Usually I love reading our Christmas letter repeatedly, reminiscing over another great year. Usually I have a list of gift ideas for family and friends, many of which have been bought by now. Usually I have planned "too many" social gatherings that leave me happily exhausted at the end of each day.

Usually I'm not 33 weeks pregnant. Usually I'm not in between houses. Usually I'm not running around after my adorable 2 year old. Usually I'm not feeling like it's all too much.

I'm feeling stuck between wanting to put myself and Chanbe and Hubs first, and keeping up with family and friendship commitments. I'm sick of small talk. I want some deep conversations with friends who know me too well.

Do you know what 3 of the most stressful life events are? Moving house (check); starting a new job (check); and having a baby (check).

I don't want sympathy - that doesn't really help. Many people have said they can't imagine doing what we're doing. But we have choices and we made these choices. Somehow it doesn't make it easier.

So here it is: I'm taking this Christmas off. I will be participating in Christmas day activities, and fulfilling commitments I have already made, but there will be no Christmas card mailout this year, which I'm sad about, but if I do it, it has to be done properly otherwise there's no point. Plus, I wrote our Christmas letter and it kind of depressed me. It hasn't been a great year for us in many ways, (and one of our best in other ways!) so I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things.

So instead, I will be doing an early year mailout with a birth announcement (weeeeee!) and news of the year to come. I am finding blogging very therapeutic at the moment, so I thank you for letting me indulge in my feelings here, so I can hopefully get some perspective and notice all the wonderful things around me.

I'm already starting to look forward to Christmas a little bit...

Posted by Renae at 9:01 PM Comments

Indulgent much?

Friday, December 7, 2012

1 comments

I'm currently toddler-free, at Chermside shopping centre, new pair of Italian leather shoes in one hand, mocha chiller in the other hand, on the way to get a pedicure.

Jealous?

Posted by Renae at 4:09 PM Comments

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