Life gets in the way

Ahhhh...my poor neglected blog.  I can see the dust on my computer screen already!

The above image is very me.  Around 3pm I'm collapsing on a bed with either Liam or Owen or both.  We had a week of shocking jetlag after our trip to London (think two children not wanting to go to bed till 3am but then up at 7am demanding breakfast!) and now its all go go go now we are back.

I have about two and a bit months left of maternity leave before I go back to work in January.  I had to go to a doctors appointment in the city last week and it felt very weird traipsing on the Terrace with all the office workers at lunchtime with a pram and over excited near four year old that loved the noise of it all. 

I have tons to organise in terms of childcare and kindy for the boys.  We are buying another car before Xmas.  We have family moving to Perth.  There is Xmas to think of.  More renovations for the house.  I'm embarking on a diet/exercise challenge.  Rich and I get to see the Stone Roses in March next year.  Life keeps a moving...

I'll be sure to keep you updated. x

Introducing...

I'd like to introduce the new addition to our family - our son Owen Joseph Spillane.

I was so convinced I was having a girl, so was totally gobsmacked when my Obstretrician pulled him out of my tummy and said 'its a boy!'.  We couldn't have been prouder though and I just though 'two boys - brilliant!' - I'll be cleaning that toilet seat for a while yet!

It took us a while to decide to have a second baby and then we had the very happy and quick surprise when we found out I was pregnant.  I'm now at home with Liam and Owen fulltime before I go back to work in January next year and I am amazed at how the days and weeks fly by.  These boys have me on my toes, but I love the chaos of it all and wouldn't change it for anything.  I'm a very lucky mum to have beautiful, healthy boys and a gorgeous husband...

About me

Thankyou to the lovely Nat for tagging me on her blog.  I've only just managed to get around to this, so apologies for taking so long Nat, here are my answers :)

1. Go with the flow or plan, plan, plan

I am very much a planner.  I get quite anxious and panicked if I don't have a plan.  In fact I'd describe myself as a total control freak.  I wish I was more laid back like my brothers who are cruisy and don't let things upset them too much, but unfortunately I'm not wired that way.  I've just packed my hospital bag and have actually bought an aromatherapy room spritzer so I feel more 'at home' in a hospital room.  If that doesn't scream 'freak' I'm not sure what does!

2. City, beach or bush?

Definitely a beach girl.  Our house is a 2 minute drive from it.  I wish I had more time to spend there, but intend on spending a lot of time there with the kids when I am on maternity leave come next Monday.

3. Night on the town or night on the couch?

I love a night on the town but what I deem as a night on the town these days is totally different to what I was used to.  Now I love a beautiful dinner with my husband, some live music and a few cocktails.  But I also like to be tucked up in bed by 12am at the latest.  My life is more about nights on the couch these days but I actually love it and had a pretty good run of being a party girl.  I just have zero energy these days and do you know how much drinks cost in Perth?

4. High maintenance or easy going?

I'm a pretty easy going person.  I wouldn't classify myself as a high maintenance wife or friend.

5. The moment in your life that influenced you the most?

I would say travelling, meeting my husband and becoming a mother were the most important moments for me. 

6. Your greatest achievement?

Being a wife and mum.

7. If you could change one thing in the world, on a global scale it would be….?

That all children could be safe, well fed, well taken care of and loved.  I hate seeing children suffer.

8. Day dreamer or realist?

Both.

9. Your blog is mainly about?

Trying to get a balance of work and family life.

10. Edward or Jacob (sorry, I had to)

I've never gotten into it sorry!  I'm a bit behind the times like that.  If you spoke to me in five years time I would have watched it and then I'd start getting excited about it.  I leave things like this too late and then realise what all the fuss was about!

11. If you had the chance to be an actress/rock-star/singer etc – would you?

I'd love to be a singer.  That would be a dream come true, entertaining a crowd in the Royal Albert Hall in London with a fabulous band and great music.

Chill

It seems I don't know the fine art of chilling.  I think I will have to otherwise this baby will be making an appearance before its scheduled birth date of the 20th April!

Am home on a day off under doctors orders today and have been told to take it easy.

Luckily its a long weekend in Perth too.  Lots to keep me busy and occupied but will have to remember that the health of the baby and me come first.

I am so impatient for this baby to arrive.  I really just want it to be here soon, but this is a lesson I need to learn.

Have a great weekend all.


x

When it rains it pours

In the 8 years Richard and I have been together there has never been a year that has gone by where something major hasn't happened to us.  Be it moving countries, starting new jobs, hospital stays, having a baby, moving house, buying a house, the list goes on and on.

When we moved over to Perth in 2009 we decided we just need a couple of years where things would die down a bit so we could settle finally.  Try as we might, the universe just didn't see it that way. 

We are now 7 weeks away from having our second child and I am 4 weeks away from trying to wrap up my very demanding job and leave it in the capable hands of a lovely lady I have worked with for about two years.  I'm nervous about saying goodbye to my job, its a big part of who I am, but it will be there waiting for me when I go back to work in January next year.

Its totally stressing me out and the days are filled with questions and rushing about, trying to waddle my way into the city and get back to the suburbs to pick up Liam again.  I really don't think I can do full time with two kids.  Its going to have to be part time next year.

Secondly, we are in the middle of renovating our home.  We knew it had to get done before the baby was born but what we didn't count on was ripping up tiles on our wedding anniversary, dust akin to ground zero, coughing fits and the general feeling of dust settling INTO EVERYTHING, including our skin.  Thankfully we have tradies at the house today and by Friday our house should look like something semi habitable.

Then there is the nursery to sort out, a baby capsule to fit and me wanting to clean everything in sight.  Second pregnancies are so much different from the first, there is less time to moan and grumble and generally lay about feeling tired.  You feel all those things anyway, but you just know you have to get on with it and get all the jobs done that need to get done during the week at home, at work and with your family.

I wonder how life just got so damn busy in such a short space of time and whatever free time I did have, I wonder what I used to do with it?  I couldn't be happier though, I do love the frenecity and pace of it all.  I am actually looking forward to that hospital stay, I actually think its going to be a good rest for me :)

Things I love about where I live...

Mawsons Park in Hillarys - a great big park with playground, duck pond and a huge oval for the three of us to have a kickabout.  Just a 5 min drive down the road.

Hillarys Boat Harbour.  A lovely beach to take kids with sunshades and a playground (bit of a theme here really).  You could swim across to the pub if you wanted to, but the fact that they charge around $15 for a pint of beer puts us off.  A lot easier to grab a few beers and have them at home (and cheaper).

Dome Cafe, Mullaloo.  Across the road from the beach, great brekkie and great for kids.  Bring your own pencil sharpener though as their pencils for the kids are always blunt.  But keeps them occupied while you slurp your coffee and eggs.

Our front deck.  Come on baby.  Mama needs to sit out here and enjoy a champagne soon with the candles on.

Jessabelle, the crazy dog next door.  Eats her weight in polony, sausages, chops or anything else we throw on the bbq.  The closest this family will get to a dog and that's the way I like it.

 
Mullaloo Beach.  Perfect in summer, great sunsets in Winter.  Many a relaxing moment spent here and a 3 minute drive from home.

Our lovely back garden.  Its where Liam plays golf, Rich and I moan about the state of the lawn, slippery slides are belly flopped on and bouncy castles have been erected.  Its so great to have space finally.

Farewell our little break...

How quickly did that break go?  I look forward to it all year and then it goes by in a flash.

Back to the grindstone it is tomorrow.  Liam has headed back to childcare this morning, complete with new water bottle and packed bag.  Richard and I have had a precious day off together to get some work done around the house and enjoy some nice chats.  He still has two more days off, the lucky thing!

So, will log onto my work laptop tonight and start sorting through the ridiculous amount of emails that are awaiting me.  But...I feel full refreshed and charged for 2012.

We have so many great things to look forward to this year.  I'll be finishing up work at the end of March (give or take a week either side) and then our bambino joins us on the 20th April.  Am all booked in and ready to have my c section.  I'll be a stay at home mumma for 9 months before heading back to work in January 2013.  Two little charges to take care of.  All I have to do this year is focus on being a mum, no rushing out the door or work deadlines to balance on top of the mumma duties which will be a welcome relief.

We have our trip to the UK in September, and my husband's 40th to celebrate there.  We'll also get our baby christened hopefully in London too.  And I am looking forward to sprucing our home up and getting healthy and fit.  Its going to be a bumper year.

If you've headed back to work this week, I hope its been a short week for you :)

Summer Holidays

Rich and I purposefully don't take a lot of leave through the year.  We might have the odd day off here and there and relish those public holidays, but we save it all up and take a good amount of time off at Xmas.

A week before Xmas I feel like the both of us are going to keel over from stress as the last minute rush of work deadlines, Xmas shopping, Xmas parties and catching up with people threatens to overwhelm us.  This year was no different.  I had three work deadlines due on the same day and so many things to do.

Last Thursday it was my final day at work and Rich finished on the Friday.  The Friday was day of running around, getting organsied for Xmas and Liam started to get sick.  Manage best we could, I tried to find around my day of chores making sure he was ok.

We had a wonderful, relaxing Xmas with our family and on Xmas night I said to Richard that I was relieved it was all over.  It was a fantastic build up, but there is something nice about the food and presents being over and done with it and getting on with the job of plain, old chilling out.

The three of us have been doing that.  Going to bed late, waking late, eating, going to the beach first thing in the morning with bed hair and clean teeth and splashing away in the ocean.  Quality time all together which in the rush of life, we sometimes lack.  Its been beautiful and we have so many more days to look forward to before 2012 kicks in.

In amongst all this relaxing, a fourth little person is making its presence felt and my tummy is starting to somersault and kick all the time.  This time next year we will have a four year old and 8 month old, and life will be totally different again. 

I am so proud of my little family.  They mean the absolute world to me and without them, I'd be lost.  The last couple of weeks have shown me how lucky I am - beautiful husband, a healthy and adorable sun, a lovely home, good job and wonderful extended family and friends.

I'm really going to make the most of this time off and reflect on lots of things that life has taught me this year.

I hope you all had a wonderful Xmas and are looking forward to 2012.  I know I am!

x

Dear Liam

Dear Liam

Yesterday you turned 3 and I can't believe where that time went!

You are such a grown up little boy now and when I look back over the year, I shake my head in disbelief of all the milestones you have reached. You are talking so well and will strike up a conversation with anyone. You talk really well for a 3 year old and dad and I understand all your little words that you make up. 'Hammerdon' 'Mr Lin' and 'Plintoon' are some of your favourite little words.

This year you have mastered toilet training (finally!), drinking from a cup, turning on the dvd player to watch Toy Story over and over, running, jumping, bouncing, dancing, shouting and sleeping in your own big boy bed. You love your room, the garden, your red car, the broom, the letterbox and my mobile phone. In fact you know how to work that phone better than I do. You Tube anyone?

You have learnt so much at Tiny Beez which is your childcare provider and you love going. You sing all your songs you have learnt and are starting to remember the words to books we read you. Your favourite carer is Abbey and the bond you both share is beautiful.

Yesterday we had a big party for you and your dad and I were so proud of you. You were spoilt with love and attention and you deserve it so much.

Next year you will have a new baby brother or sister. You are so excited about having a playmate and I know we made the right decision to have another baby. You are very interested in the pregnancy and love to kiss my bump.

Liam, we love you so much and teach us many wonderful lessons every day. It’s a pleasure to your mum and dad and we count our blessings every day we have you in our lives. Life doesn't get any better really. We are very very lucky.

We love you so, so much…

Mum and Dad xxx

Baby names

I found a great website last week with baby names which breaks them down into categories.  So if you are after a 'vintage' or 'cool celeb' or 'royal theme boy/girl' name then you can search away.

We are not finding out the sex, like we did for Liam.  I always had a feeling I was having a boy and that was confirmed when the midwife who looked after me during the pregnancy was there for the c section.  'Oh my god Jo its a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!'.  It was a beautiful moment, I'll never forget it.  We've debated quite a bit as to whether to find out the sex, but we keep coming back to the thrill of not knowing and having the surprise at the end.  What this little baby is meant to be, will be. 

I'll be honest, my heart says girl and I would be so so happy.  I think it comes from being the only girl of four and desperately wanting a sister.  But I do love being a mum to Liam, little boys are just gorgeous and I love the rough and tumble of  them.  I probably wouldn't know what to do with a girl at first!

With Liam, we decided it would be Liam for a boy or Lucy for a girl.  I still like Lucy, but there are some other names I absolutely love.  Liam wants Molly for a girl or Thomas for a boy.  Richard and I really have NOT HAD THE TIME to talk about it at all, so being that I am nearly halfway there, we might want to talk about it.

So here is my shortlist, am pretty sure my husband will vetoe pretty much all of them:

Girl
Sadie
Mabel
Lottie
Lola
Clara
Clancy
Polly
Patsy
Sophie
Florence
Martha
Harriet
Olive
Esther
Elsie

Boy
Finlay
Hugh
George
Ned
Owen
Quinn
Ronan
Rohan
Rory

I guess when I look back over my list they mostly have an English/Irish flavour.  I quite like classic names.

Oh decisions! 

Fairy Light Love

This morning I was talking to my boss about our mutual love of fairy lights.  Bunnings has them, as does Ikea and I just think they are gorgeous and really give your house that Christmas feeling when all your decorations are up.

I get so jealous of Nigella Lawson when I watch her shows, she always has fairy lights on in her house, draped through her bookshelves, kitchen and pantry!  Add to that her spotless kitchen, pastel coloured kitchen utensils and penchant for late suppers, I really want her life. 

I am googling as fast as I can to get fairy light inspiration in the lead up to Christmas.  Pity the power bill won't share my fairy light love.

Happy Monday x

Respect

A couple of Saturday's ago while Liam was having his mid afternoon snooze and Richard was doing the gardening, I took myself out to the local shopping centre to run a few errands.  I do this quite often, but its also a good opportunity to have some me time and indulge in some people watching.  My favourite thing :)

I was walking through Best and Less, when I heard the conversation. 

'Mum, when are we going home?' said the young girl, probably who I guessed was about 6 or so.

'Soon' said a tired and stressed mum.

'Can we please go home soon?  I want to go home' she said again.

'Oh jesus.  Seriously, stop being a dickhead, go on, move.  F*** me.' said the mum.

I turned around and looked at them.  The mum was a bit older than me, very well dressed and presented and her daughter looked so sad.  The woman caught my eye and shrugged her shoulders.

I shot her quite a dirty look.  Tell me, what did you achieve by speaking to your daugther like that? 

In another shop I saw an elderly lady with her daughter, who would have been my mum's age. 

'Mum, seriously, stop friggen dawdling.  You are being such a pain in the arse today' said the daughter.

Again, another crestfallen look from an elderly mum.

I got home and told Richard about my shopping trip.  It really angers me that people speak to their family members like this.  Where is the respect gone?  I understand I have only caught a snippet of conversation and there are probably one million and three things going on in their lives that I don't know about, but I would never speak to my mother, friend, child or husband like that.  Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

I took Liam through Ikea yesterday and as a near three year old, Liam will ask a million questions.  Sometimes its the same question, 50 times over.  But I try my very best to answer it.  I get a lot of funny looks from people with the conversations we have, but I have been stopped before by a random shopper to tell me my son is funny, or they have overheard our conversation and are impressed by how patient I am.  Some days I am not, but I try.

My point is?  Let's try to respect each other a bit more, for all our faults.  And take a deep breath when it all feels like its going to topple over.

x

Spring time...

We have been blessed with some beautiful weather in the last few days here in Perth.  Summer is on its way after a long, cold winter.  Winter must of been very cold as I know a lot of pregnant people due in March/April next year! 

Our garden is blooming, the grass is a luscious shade of green after being tended to by my patient husband and the sunsets from our house on the hill are breathtaking.  I've even had a few dips in the ocean!

It feels wonderful to be pregnant in spring, a new little life kicking away in my tummy (still can't feel it yet but the scans show a fiesty little babe) and a soon to be three year old in December reminding me that he needs a 'big party'!

x

Maternity clothes

Maternity Clothing Departments....words fail me.

Sorry, but I don't wear floral prints, empire waists, shirts that tie into a bow in the back, pastels, bedazzled goofy sayings across my chest (i.e. Rub My Belly for Good Luck), tents, tie-dye, head to toe corduroy, denim or velour.  I never wore them before so why would I wear them now?

I'm going to be very pregnant during a Perth summer, which is notoriously hot.  Think blowdryer on high blowing in your face every day.  I'm stuck quite frankly.  I am thinking maxi dresses, perhaps sarongs with a cool tank and funky accessories...??

I've had a look online, and found a few things here and there.  It seems that online is always cheaper and there is more of a range than what you get in Australia.

Triplets

My big news is that I am pregnant.  Not with triplets though, so don't freak out.

When we went for our first dating scan, the sonographer had to do an internal ultrasound to check I wasn't pregnant with twins.  I held my breath for a bit, but no, just the one.  Its been a bit of a joke in our family, twins run on Richard's side.

Today at work I was talking to a colleague of mine who has triplets.  We got talking about routines and all the other stuff you do when you are a parent of young children.  I was so amazed at the sheer amount of hard work he and his wife do as parents of triplets.  I just couldn't imagine having three at one time, I find it challenging being a mum of one and getting my head around having another in 6 months time. 

The universal theme that we agreed on is 'you just get on with it'.  And don't be afraid to ask for help. 

We are really excited about having another little one in our family.  Two is it for us, so I am really looking forward to completing out family unit and watching our two children grow up together.

I Don't Know How She Does It

I've just finished reading the book of the same title and really identified with it.  I certainly don't have the same income bracket or high pressure job as Kate Reddy, the main character in the book, but I did understand the frustrations of juggling work and family.
There are days where I feel I don't do my two jobs, motherhood and employee, properly.  Then some weeks it works seamlessly well.  I'm sure its a feeling shared by most working mums.  There was a sentence in the book that said women are now doing men's work, but are still expected to be the doting mother/wife/chief cook/bottle washer.  No wonder we are constantly knackered.

I couldn't imagine not working.  I enjoy the feeling of independence, providing financially for my family and the work that I do.  I also couldn't imagine not being a mother.  I love my son so much, but I couldn't do what I do without a very supportive husband.

Anyway, cannot wait for this movie to come out.  I've heard some bad reviews, but I'll make up my own mind.

Here is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_OrhwIidA

101 positive things to say to your kids

That's Incredible!  How Extraordinary!  Far Out! Outstanding Performance!  I can't get over it!  Great! Amazing Effort!  Unbelievable Work!  Wonderful!  Marvelous!  Phenomenal!  You've Got It!  Superb!  Cool!  Excellent!  You're Special!  Your work is out of sight!  Your projectis first rate!  You've outdone yourself!  Way To Go! Thumbs Up!  You're a good friend!  You came through! Terrific!  You tried hard! Your help counts!  You made it happen!  It coun't be better!  Fantastic work!  You're a real trooper!  Fabulous!  Bravo!  Exceptional!  You're Unique!  Awesome!  Breathtaking!  The time you put in really shows!  You're a great example for others!  Keep up the good work!  I knew you had it in you!  Dynamite!  Its everything I hoped for! You should be proud of yourself!  What an imagination!  You made the difference!  Well Done! 
You're Sensational!  Very Good!  A plus work!  Super Job!  Good for you!  Take a bow!  You figured it out!  Great answer!  You're doing a lot better! Thanks for being honest!  How artistic!  Hooray for you!  You're a Joy!  How thoughtful of you!  You're amazing! You're getting there!  What a great idea!  You deserve a hug!  Thanks for trying!  You've made great progress! You're getting better!  You're a big help!  You're neat! You've got what it takes!  You're #1!  You're a shining star!  You can be trusted!  Wow! Remarkable!  Beautiful!  I'm so proud of you!  Very impressive!  You're sharp!  You're a winner!  Hot Dog!   Spectacular word! You're so kind!  You've really grown up!  What a great listener!  Thanks for helping!  great Discovery!  You've earned my respect!  Thanks for caring!  You're A-Okay!  You're a great kid!  How original!  You're a champ!  You're a pleasure to know!  Very brave!  What a genius!  You're very talented!  You're the greatest!  You're very special!  You're super!  You on target!  I love you!

A special nook

I think its really important to have a space in your home that is just for you.  Our desk is mine.  Its where I work from home, blog, shop, Skype and chat with my friends.  I got sick of looking at the crappy state it was in and decided that I needed to go to Typo and pick up some of their cool items for our desk to look a little more tasteful.

Which part of your home is your special nook?

And breathe....

I will always need to live next to water.  Be it an ocean, stream, river or lake.  I am sure its the water bearer in me, the Aquarian. 

It was my dream to come back home after years of travel to buy a house next to the beach.  We are about a 5 minute drive from it and as soon as I turn out of our street I can see it, glistening away.

On Friday night we took Liam to a playground overlooking the beach and then decided on a whim to watch the sunset.

As I looked at my two special boys playing tag with the tide, I took a deep breath and exhaled very loudly.  I felt peace, I felt content and I felt so lucky we have this beautiful Indian Ocean in our backyard.

We are so lucky to live here in Perth.

I need to take more time to just breathe. 

Girlfriend therapy

 

I was reading an article today about Sarah Murdoch during my lunch break and how she juggles being an Executive Producer of a reality tv show, running her own production company and a mum to three small children. 

'The key to having a family and career? Goodbye social life!' she said.

I hear what Sarah is saying.  I used to have a buzzing social life.  Now?  Not so more.

Work takes up my week and after work its all about making dinner, baths, story time, dishes and packing bags for the following day.  Weekends are chores, gardening, house reno's and precious time with my boys.  Social life, or lack thereof, is way down my list of things to do.

But...what always makes me feel better, without a doubt, is seeing my girlfriends.  And one beautiful friend in paarticular, who I have known since I was 17.  On Sunday morning we had breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean and even though it was wild outside, it felt so calming enjoying a leisurely breakfast.  Chat we did, we got everything off our chests and had a great natter.

I need to make more time for those special friends in my life and I am going to make the time.  I always come away feeling better about life, and feeling supremely lucky to have gorgeous girlfriends who just get it.

Thankyou for a lovely Sunday morning Jules :)

PS.  Pictures courtesy of the Naked Fig, Swanbourne.  Awesome brekkie!