A Mother's Dance

Organic Gardening – Easy Ways To Get Started Today

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:28:00 +0000

We are well into spring and I have created my first veggie garden which I am so proud of, even if those pesky moths and caterpillars are munching up my silverbeet. And because I would like to feed those veggies (cos lettuce, carrots, silverbeet, bok choy and zucchini) to my family, I opted for the organic solution.
So here's a bit of info on how to start your own organic garden.

Growing your own herbs, vegetables, greens and fruit can be both incredibly rewarding and delicious. However, many gardeners rely on pesticides, herbicides and fungicides not to mention chemical fertilizers to help their garden grow. That’s not only unnecessary, it’s also unhealthy. All those nutritious veggies pack a much healthier punch if they’re sans harmful chemicals.

Step #1 Prepare your soil. Because your soil is the foundation of your garden, it is important to make sure it’s full of the right nutrients to feed your garden. Mix in organic material like compost or humus and consider having your soil tested. The proper soil conditions can make the difference between a sparse crop and award winning vegetables.

Step #2 Choose your crop. The second step to build an organic garden is to choose your crop. What are you going to grow in your garden? Initially, in addition to what you’re going to grow, you’ll want to decide if you want to purchase plants or start your garden from seeds. If you start early enough you can use seeds. If not, you can purchase organic plants from your local nursery.

Regardless of what you choose, seeds or plants, make sure they’re grown without chemicals.

Step #3 Organize your garden. Did you know some plants naturally protect other plants from disease and pests? It’s true. Marigolds for example, drive bugs away and if you plant them around the perimeter of your garden, they’ll help protect your herbs, greens and veggies.

Before transferring your plants into your garden, mark where you’re going to plant them. Make sure there is plenty of room between plants so they have room to grow and thrive. A tiny tomato plant can grow several feet high and several feet wide. Leave room.

Step #4 Natural pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. It’s been said that home gardeners generally use more chemicals on their gardens than farmers do. That’s a lot of chemicals! Interestingly enough, mild detergent and water protect many plants from harmful pests. Hot pepper sprays also work to fend off pests. And natural predators like frogs and ladybugs can keep your garden healthy and full.

Step #5 Maintenance. Watering and weeding are all you have in store for you until it’s time to harvest. Take care to not over water. Soil should be moist but not soaking. Weed on a regular basis to make sure your plants have all the nutrients and room in the soil they need to grow.

Organic gardening isn’t difficult when you start with a healthy foundation. Before you dive in and start a garden large enough to feed an army, choose a few plants you know your family will eat. Grow those successfully and next year you can grow a bigger garden.

I can't believe I've been gone so long!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:10:00 +0000

Wow, I have not been on here in yonks!
But don't worry, I am back now for good!
I had actually totally forgot I had this blog amongst the hundred other things I was doing, online and offline.

My boy is 22 months this month, he is so clever and independent. I love him more than ever!

I have started my own business even. I am a virtual assistant providing executive level administration and creative assistance to small businesses and solo professionals. My business, Phillipa - The Virtual Personal Assistant (http://www.thevirtualpersonalassistant) was launched on the 11th of October and so far it has been doing ok.

I am so glad to be back and blogging again about life as a stay at home mum - now turned work at home mum (WAHM) and sharing my experiences with you and providing you with some tips and strategies I use to keep things in order.

I once was lost but now I

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:35:00 +0000

Magician Shawn Farquhar with Shape of my heart

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:04:00 +0000

I think this is the coolest magic card trick ever delivered by one of the worlds best magicians, Shawn Farquhar.
Enjoy!!

Conunctivitis in babies

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:33:00 +0000

It seems like my nearly 9 month old son Ezra has gotten one illness after the other.

First it was the flu, then the spotty red rashes (I still don’t know what caused them) and now since Monday morning he’s got conjunctivitis, it's not as serious as other children I've seen though....touch wood!

We had baby swimming lessons Monday morning at 11am, which was his first time ever swimming (besides in the bath). But I am pretty sure he had it earlier that morning, just in the one eye, so I don’t think the conjunctivitis was from the swimming pool. It may be from just bacteria getting in his eye when he wipes it with his fingers.

Although yuck and unsightly, conjunctivitis in babies isn’t serious, although it is contagious, so this morning I cancelled mothers group which I was meant to host as I didn’t want to pass it on to the other babies.

Since Monday we have just been wiping his eye with a clean warm cloth. As of this morning it’s gone to his other eye too, so this afternoon I went out and asked the chemist what I can use for it. The pharmacist said the eye droppers over the counter will irritate Ezra more than anything, and suggested we go get a prescription from the doctor to get a solution that will be more baby friendly. I wasn’t going to go to the doctor, wait 2 hours to see them and pay $65 just for conjunctivitis solution though. So the pharmacist gave me a saline solution and cotton balls and said that should work. I’ll use it tonight if need be and see how it goes; otherwise I’ll just go back to trusty ole water.

The conjunctivitis isn’t bothering him though, only when he can’t open his eyes when he wakes up!

If you want to know more about conjunctivitis, one mum on minti.com seems to have a bit of experience with it, see her post on recognising and treating conjunctivitis.

Baby Food: Cooked Fresh or Jarred/Tinned?

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:09:00 +0000

A big question when your baby comes to the age when they need solid food, about 4 months for Ezra (health nurses recommend you should start your baby on solid food at 6 months), you need to determine whether you will cook your own baby food, buy jarred baby foods, or in most cases, use both.

When I was pregnant, and before Ezra had started on solids, I always said, "no, my baby is only getting freshly cooked food, no jarred or tinned food for my baby". I didn't want all the added "extras" that are in jarred baby foods.
Besides Farex, for the first couple weeks, I was very good at being true to what I had previously said. It gets hard though, more annoying actually, peeling, chopping, cooking, pureeing, and expensive to keep cooking your own baby food. So I started giving him both, but I'd use up all the fresh food first, then if I need to, give him the jarred baby food when the fresh food ran out, or when we'd go out for the day.

Who would have ever thought that food for an 8 month old baby would be so expensive?
I have found that I go out once a week, spend almost $150 on food for the baby, and sometimes it will only just, or maybe not even make it for the whole week. And that doesn't even include formula, as I am breastfeeding.
Then I would go home and start cooking up all the fruit and vegetables, get them in ice-cube trays and small containers ready to be frozen, try to get as much done before Ezra starts crying for me again. Sometimes I would have to do half the next day.

Of course I will keep doing all this though, no matter how expensive it is, as fresh is best!
I can't wait until he is old enough to eat what we eat......McDonalds.......maybe not. Although, last night he did steal a chip (french fry) from my plate and I let him eat it.

I did come across one Australian company in WA that makes fresh, nutritious food for babies, Wholesome Baby, the food starts from $3.50 per serving. That is a bit out of my price range though, but if you want the goodness of fresh food without the super market, washing, peeling, chopping, cooking and blending, then Wholesome Baby is there for you.

Recipe: Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup (6 months +)
This is a recipe that Ezra loves and makes about 5 servings (depending on how much your baby eats)

1 sliced Onion
1 whole Broccoli - separated into florets
1/2 whole Cauliflower - separated into florets
1 cup sliced Mushrooms
2 Potatoes - diced
2 cups Water

In an electric frying pan, fry onion for 2 minutes. Add washed broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, potatoes and water. Simmer for 45 minutes on a low heat, or until potatoes are soft.
When cooked, leave to cool for about an hour, then either blend in a blender, or use a stick mixer to puree the soup.
When pureed, pour into small, baby meal size containers, cover and freeze.
Remember to write the date and contents on each container just in case you forget about them and wonder "what is that in the freezer?"

New look coming soon!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:42:00 +0000

Hey guys,

As you might have noticed already, I have changed the name and website address of my blog. Instead of being called "Diary of a stay at home mum", it is now called "A Mother's Dance".

At the moment I am also trying to do my own template for the blog. Trying to get through the CSS and HTML codes. *Fingers crossed I can do it!*

Hopefully it's all done in a couple days at least.
So thank you for your patience!

Phillipa xx

Still half asleep

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:13:00 +0000

Last night at about 12am I heard Ezra crying. So I sat up, pulled my boob out to give him a feed and whispered to him "shoosh bubby", while patting his "bum".
He was still crying and I thought a feed might put him back to sleep, or at least stop him crying, then I realised............

Ezra was still in his cot in his room, still crying, and I was trying to console an invisible baby.
I felt like such a dork! I must have thought I was still dreaming or something, talk about baby brain. Luckily Daniel was still asleep and didn't see me! Although he has seen me do and say some silly things when I'm still half asleep.

So I actually got up, and picked Ezra up out of his cot, making sure I was really holding a baby.

Need more sleep.....

Baby with spotty rashes

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:50:00 +0000

This week has been quite a scary one for us.
My son who is just over 8 months old, Ezra, has had a flu since Saturday, as I wrote in a previous post. On Tuesday, I thought he was better, then on Wednesday morning, just before I gave him his breakfast, I noticed he had these spotty rashes on his face, neck and chest. I thought it was just heat rash, I showed my mother in law and she thought the same. So I took his clothes off and just left him in his nappy. After he had breakfast, and about an hour later when he should have been cooled off by then, the rashes were still there, and they had spread on to his stomach and back.
We still thought it was heat rash so we went ahead and hosted the church mothers group at our house that morning. We kept him in just his nappy and nothing else all day.

Fast forward>>>>>>>>>>>>

By about 5.30pm, he still had the rashes, and they were getting darker on his face. I was getting quite worried, as any mother would, so I called Princess Margaret Hospital for kids and spoke to someone about Ezra's rashes. The lady on the other end could not discern what was causing the rashes and said it be best if we took him to see a doctor within the next 72 hours. So we decided to take him into the hospital to see one that night.
After about an hours wait, the Dr. didn't give us many answers as to what would have caused it. But he said they were "blanch" rashes, which means when you press on them they go white then come back again. He said those types of rashes are not to be worried about. So he sent us on our way.

Anyway, Daniels sister Googled rashes, and found something that might have been what Ezra had, it's called Roseola, and it's not a very serious thing so that's awesome!

Ezra is fine now, the rashes lasted only two days. Just wondering, has anyone else come across this with their baby or know someone who has? I still want to know what it was, in case it happens again.

Vote for Ezra for the 2009 Bonds Baby

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:13:00 +0000

Hey All,
Can you please go to the Bonds website and vote for Ezra to be the next Bonds Baby?

Thank you in advance!!

Phillipa xx

A sick baby is not fun :(

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:53:00 +0000

Ezra has been sick with a fever for the past few days. It doesn't last the whole day though. He'll be good in the morning, then after lunch he's really bad and just wants to be held and cuddled (which is not a problem, until I need to go toilet), and then just before dinner he's good again. Then he wakes up in the middle of the night all hot and crying and wants to be cuddled again.
Also trying to feed him his solids, he only eats a little bit, or if he does eat his normal amount, he vomits it back up.

We have put him back in our bed at night as it's easier when he wakes up to give him a cuddle, and when I try to put him in his cot he cries his sad cry.

We have gotten some good out of it though. Because he always has a stuffy nose, he doesn't want his dummy anymore so he can breath through his mouth, and he falls asleep faster and easier. As soon as he's comfortable enough, he's asleep.

To help with his flu, we don't put clothes on him in the day or night. We found that when we put his clothes on he gets hot too fast and gets really bothered by it, he seems much happier wearing just his Huggies nappies all day and night. Which is easier to feed him his solids as I don't have to put a bib on him, all I need to do is wipe him down! Lol.

I give him infant panadol two to three times a day. Sometimes once in the morning, about 9am, then about 4pm, then when he wakes up in the middle of the night crying. I only give it to him if I feel he needs it though.

I also breastfeed him more frequently than normal. Usually he has a breastfeed every 5 - 6 hours and nothing during the night between 7pm - 6am, now I give it whenever he wants it, just to keep him happy and help him to get better faster as babies need more fluids when they are sick to keep them hydrated.

I hold him and cuddle him whenever he needs or wants me, and my day basically consists of looking after him and him only. Nothing else gets done unless I can do it while cuddling Ezra.

I am praying to God that he gets Ezra better, you can too if you like :)

Eftpos card reported lost or stolen??

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:54:00 +0000

Daniel, Ezra and I went to the Galleria this morning, and being as hi-tech as we are, we didn't have any cash for The Crepe Cafe, which does not have eftpos. So Daniel took Ezra and got us a table while I went for a walk to the nearest Westpac ATM. I put my card in, and entered my PIN, and then it said "I'm sorry, you're card has been reported lost or stolen and has been retained". What the hell!!
I didn't report it, so I didn't know what was up with that.
So we went downstairs to Westpac, waited in a super long line, which is a bit weird for a Saturday morning, and got to the counter.
I asked the teller why that would happen, and she just said go to the customer service counter and ask for a new card. When I turned around and looked behind me, the line was literally out the door, there must have been about 30 - 40 people lining up.

Card Skimming
I sort of overheard the lady next to me talking to her teller, and heard the teller say something about the card skimming that had been going on the past couple of days, and that Westpac probably already is sending her a new card. So I'm thinking that the majority of the people who were in the bank this morning were in there for the same reason as me.
I have checked my bank accounts via internet banking today and everything appears normal, no card skimmers got my card.
And now apparently McDonalds restaurants all over WA have been targeted in the eftpos scam.

All I could do was withdraw some money then and carry on with my day, because there was no way I was going to wait in another long line, I'll just have to call them on Monday and ask if they can send a new card.

An inspiring message

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0000

I was just on the blog of Dayne Gingrich and found this post by him inspiring, and something to think about.
Click the link to go to his blog, here's a little snippet...

They're Everywhere

... Glimpses of what could be if we let down, become lazy, get cocky or arrogant, and think "it'll" never happen to us. Reminders are always there... reminding us!

"Hi, my name is Divorce, and I'm just around the corner if you settle for less than you deserve."

"What's up? You've seen me here and there~ I'm Poor Health, both physical and emotional."

"Remember me? I haven't been around for awhile, but I'm coming back because you've ignored my big brother, Selfless. Yep, it's me... Mr. Selfish! Good to see you again."

"My master, Poor Health wanted me to stop by real quick and shake your hand. Just wanted you to know I'm always there if you need me. Cigarette is what I go by."

"I've noticed you've lost your smile lately~ thank goodness... I've always hated that dude! Feel free to stop by and say hi to Anger, Grudge, Hate, Jealousy, and our biggest success... Fear."

See more here

Bikini1

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:54:00 +0000

I thought I might post my program up if anyone wants to use it.

P.S. I didn't create it, it's from My Spring Day

- Y's - shoulder stabilisation
- REPS: 8-12
- Lie forward over a physio ball , so that your back is flat and your chest is off the ball (if you don't have a ball, you can use the end of a couch or bed)
- Your arms hang down under your shoulders, hands in a fist, thumbs up
- Slide your shoulder blades back and down towards your waist as you lift your arms above your head to form a capital Y, thumbs up
- Bring your arms and chest down and repeat
- T's- shoulder stabilisation
- REPS: 8-12
- Lie forward over a physio ball , so that your back is flat and your chest is off the ball (if you don't have a ball, you can use the end of a couch or bed)
- Your arms hang down under your shoulders, palms up, thumbs out to the sides
- Slide your shoulder blades together and down as you lift your arms to the side to form a capital T. Your thumbs will be pointed toward the ceiling
- Keep squeezing your shoulder blades together
- Bring your arms and chest down and repeat
- Step ups
- REPS: 15
- SETS: 2-3
- Find a step or a bench about knee height
- Step up with the right foot, ensuring the whole foot is on the bench
- Bring the left foot up to stand on top of the bench
- Step down leading with the right foot
- Repeat 15 times then complete with left foot leading
- Push up
- REPS: 15
- SETS: 2-3
- Get on your hands and toes
- Set your shoulders and lock your belly button in to activate your core
- Slowly break at the elbow and lower your body half way toward the floor
- Keep shoulders set
- Push back through the heel of your hand away from the floor, back to original position
- Focus on the pressure under your arm pit
- Straight line from ankles to hips, to shoulders, to head throughout exercise

To make it easier:
OPTION 1
- Your knees become the pivot point (feet off the floor)
- There should be a straight line from your head through your hips, all the way to your knees (no sagging bellies)

OPTION 2
- Keep your whole body in a straight line, but push-up against a wall, or on a chair or bench
- Side Plank - Basic
- REPS: 20 seconds
- Lie on your side, hips stacked on top of each other, elbow under shoulder, forearm flat on the ground, knees bent behind you
- Activate core
- Lift hips to create a straight line from head to knees, through hips
- Your forearm and the your lower leg are the only parts of your body contacting the ground
- No sagging!!

- Repeat on other side

To make it easier:
20secs is too hard, try 10 reps of 2secs each and build up.

To make it harder:
Come up to forearm and foot, instead of knee. You should have a straight line from your head to your ankles.
- Ball Wall Squat
- REPS: 20
- SETS: 3
- Place a stability ball between your lower back and a wall
- Plant your feet shoulder width apart, slightly in front of you. You want them far enough in front that when you squat down, your knees never come in front of your toes
- Inhale as you squat down, sitting toward the wall, as though you are sitting on a low stool
- Just go down a little bit at first, while you get used to the motion. Ultimately you want to reach the point where your thighs are parallel to the floor
- Exhale as you push up through your heels

To make it easier:
- Only go a short way down

To make it harder:
- Add weights, or pause for a few seconds at the bottom of the motion
- Table or bar pull up
- REPS: 8-12
- SETS: 2
- Lie underneath a sturdy table, your chest lined up with the end, legs underneath
- bend your knees, with your feet flat on the floor
- Hold onto the edge of the table, hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart
- Lift your bottom, so you have a straight line from your shoulders to your knees, maintaining this position throughout the exercise.

1-Pull your shoulder blades down and together, while your arms are straight.
2-Keep shoulder blades retracted together as you bend your arms to pull your chest towards the table.
3-Slowly straighten your arms (keeping shoulder blades together).
4- When your arms are straight, slowly allow your shoulder blades to come apart as far as possible.
5-Repeat

To make it easier:
Your bottom is the pivot point. You may need to sit on a cushion.

To make it harder:
1.Your heels become the pivot point. Maintain a straight line from your shoulders to your heels.
2.Hang from a higher bar (you may need to bend your knees). Keeping arms straight, bring shoulders down and away from your ears, shoulder blades together.

You can do this exercise in a park if you can find a low bar to use
- Plank- knees
- REPS: 30 secs
- Face down on forearms and knees, hands in fists, close to each other, elbows under shoulders
- Activate core & pelvic floor
- Straight line from head to shoulders to hips to knees- no sagging!
- Feet are off the ground
- Hold

To make it harder:
- Raise up to your toes, so you're supported on toes and forearms. Body in a straight line from your head to your ankles
- Leg curl (Floor/ ball)
- REPS: 8-12
- SETS: 2
- Lie face up, heels on the swiss ball, feet flexed (toes towards your head), shoulder blades back and down
- Squeeze glutes to elevate your hips until your shoulders, hips and ankles are in a straight line. If you don't have a ball, this will only be a few cm off the floor
- Keeping your hips up, pull the ball in with your heels (or just slide your heels toward your butt)
- Keep hips up as you straighten your legs, letting the ball roll out
- Don't drop to the floor between repetitions

If you don't have a ball, do it on a smooth floor, heels on a towel (or just use your socks!). If the floor is carpeted, put your heels on a magazine or manila folder to slide.
- Core Stability One
- SETS: 5
Activation of the core
- Lie on the back with knees bent
- Feet hip width apart shoulder relaxed
- Make sure spine is neutral and pelvis is level
- Keep a tiny lift through the lower back but keep the back of the ribs in contact with the floor. This is to maintain your S curve
- Stay long through the neck
- Anchor your shoulder blades
- Relax all abdominal muscles
- Maintain this curve and draw up the pelvic floor and then add a very slight flattening of the tummy below the navel (like you are zipping up a tight pair of pants)
- Focus on the sensation of drawing up and in towards your spine but do not move spine
- Use a 10% effort
- Maintain normal breathing
- Hold for 5 counts repeat 5 times
- Relax and do again
- Core Stability Two- Knee Openings
Knee openings
- Lie on back with knees bent
- Neutral spine
- Exhale to lower knee to side
- Inhale to bring knee back
- Do 8 each side
- Note: the pelvis must not move!!
- Keep chest and neck relaxed

Leg Slides
- Lie on back with knees bent
- Neutral spine
- Exhale to slide feet along floor
- Inhale to return to start
- Do 8 per side
- Do not let pelvis move during slide

Knee Folds
- Neutral spine
- Activate core
- Inhale to lift foot off floor
- Exhale to lower
- Do 8 on each leg
- Do not let hips move-place hands on hip to feel stability
- Make sure you do not flatten or arch the lower back
- Keep chest and neck relaxed

Cushion Squeeze
- Lie on back with knees bent place bal or cushion between knees
- Exhale to squeeze cushion with legs
- Keep core on and pelvic floor drawn in
- Hold for 5 seconds
- Repeat 10 times

Knee Folds 2
- As for knee folds 1 but do right leg then left leg
- Neutral spine
- Activate core
- Inhale to lift foot off floor
- Exhale to lower
- Do 8 on each leg
- Do not let hips move-place hands on hip to feel stability
- Make sure you do not flatten or arch the lower back
- Keep chest and neck relaxed
- Do 8 times total
- Core Stability Three
- As for knee folds but do right leg then left leg
- Neutral spine
- Activate core
- Inhale to lift foot off floor to 90 degrees
- Exhale to left the other foot off
- Inhale to lower one foot
- Exhale to lower other leg
- Do not let hips move-place hands on hip to feel stability
- Make sure you do not flatten or arch the lower back
- Keep chest and neck relaxed
- Do 8 times total-4 with right leading then 4 with left leading Side to Sides
- Lie on back with knees bent to 90 degrees
- Inhale to take knees to one side
- Ensure knees and feet stay together
- Exhale to draw the side abdominal muscles to bring knees to centre
- Repeat to other side
- Do ten times
Prep for Abs
- Hands behind head, elbows wide, neutral spine
- Exhale to switch core on
- Inhale to curl head and shoulders forward
- Exhale whilst holding position to flatten tummy
- Inhale to curl up further
- Exhale to lower back to floor
- Do 8 times
Prep for 100
- Arms above chest toward roof
- Neutral spine knees bent
- Exhale to curl head and shoulders forward bringing arms to side
- Inhale to return upper body back to start position
- Repeat ten times
Reverse knee folds
- Start with neutral spine knees bent to 90 degrees
- Exhale to slowly lower one heel to gently touch the floor
- Inhale to lift the foot to the start position
- Repeat on other leg
- Do 5 times each leg
- Ensure core stays on and lower back does not press into floor
- Ensure neutral spine

My Spring Day

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:48:00 +0000

My Spring Day

I have this neat website called My Spring Day, it's an Australian website that helps track your exercise and nutrition. It also has different programs you can choose from, and depending on which one you choose, they add exercises into your daily routine for you on your calendar. It also helps track if you've relaxed at all for the day and how much water and sleep you've had.

You can also calculate your BMI, ideal weight and hip to waist ratio and much much more to do with weight loss and healthy eating.

You get a 2 week free trial, after that you pay $19.50 for 1 month, or $45 for 3 months (note $AUD).

My program

I chose the Springday Bikini Program. I started on Wednesday, and so far have gone for a run for 20 minutes (which was on the Wednesday) and yesterday I done 20 minutes of pilates. Todays exercise is called Bikini1, and consists of lots of different exercises. I don't think I will be able to get through all of it though as Ezra and I have playgroup. Hopefully Ezra will have a long afternoon sleep and I may be able to get most of it done.

I weighed myself this morning, and I weigh 400grams lighter than yesterday! Must have been that pilates I done yesterday, it's so good. That was the first time I have ever done pilates. Well, hopefully the weight stays off until I weigh myself again on Thursday, that will make up for my weight gain yesterday.

My hard work for nothing!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:31:00 +0000

Well, I didn't work that hard!
I have been for two runs this week, last Thursday and yesterday, which was Thursday. I haven't pigged out or anything, but I gained 100g :(. It's not a lot, but it's not a loss, and that will count towards our "Biggest Loser" competition stats. I am quite a competitive person, and this is good so it motivates me to keep going. If it were just me, wanting to get into shape I would be so half hearted about it, it will stop in one or two weeks.

We should have started this competition 8 months earlier, I so would have won!
The day before I gave birth to Ezra I was 80kg and wearing maternity clothes, as of this morning I am 61.7kg and a size 10, almost an 8. So thats like a weight loss of nearly 19kg. I definitely would have won. But the funny thing is, I didn't do any actual exercise, nor did I watch what I ate. I do walk a lot though, I don't have a car so I push Ezra in his pram to the shops or to where ever we want to go.
It's still early days yet though, I have until December.
I keep forgetting to get Daniel to take a picture of me, as a "before" picture. But I do have one of us on Saturday night at our engagement dinner.

My baby is such a cutie!!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:05:00 +0000

OK, I just want to show off my son and post a couple of photo's of him. I love him so much!!

OK I think that's enough of my little darling for now!! Hope you think he's as cute as I do!!

Engagement dinner

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:39:00 +0000

Read about our engagement dinner here

The answer to the grumpiness

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:07:00 +0000

I have an answer to Ezra's grumpy spats. He's teething, but more than that, he's cutting 3 teeth at once!
He already has his bottom right central incisor coming through, now he has his bottom left central incisor and top right central incisor coming through. My poor baby.
It has not been a fun time for all of us, obviously.
I give him baby panadol, so far I've only given it once a day, but I have to call Daniel today to pick some more up after work. I think I'll go to using it twice a day. I have also been rubbing Bonjela on his gums once or twice a day.
He gets a bit grumpy when having solids too, I've read this article and it said to give him mushier foods instead of lumpy ones so he doesn't have to chew them, although I thought chewing the lumpy foods will help, it obviously doesn't. The article can be found on the Raising Children Network website.
I hope it will end soon though. Ezra has been getting grumpy quite often lately.

Carrie Underwood - Jesus take the wheel

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

I'm loving this song right now!

Oh, what a day!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:20:00 +0000

OK now, after that hard night Friday night, I thought Ezra would be very sleepy and asleep most of Saturday, but did that happen? NO!
He slept for half an hour from about 12pm, and then 45mins from about 4pm.
How did that happen?
And then at about 5.30pm we left to go to our engagement dinner and he was awake until 8.30pm.
I just don't understand.
I was so tired the whole day. Trying to get some sleep in so I'm not yawning and not paying attention all through dinner.
Thankfully Daniel's mum took Ezra for a walk in the pram and he fell asleep (his sleep at 4pm) and I was able to get about 10mins sleep. I just couldn't sleep for any longer. My body was tired but my mind was so awake. I was trying to force myself to sleep but it just wouldn't work.
I was all good for dinner though, awake and alert. Then when we got home we had a little karaoke party and I stayed up until 12am. Hmmm....not doing myself any favours, I know.

'Twas a hardknock life last night

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:27:00 +0000

Do you just feel like the baddest person in the world when you let ones you love hurt them self?
Last night I was holding Ezra, decided I'd go run his bath, so I put him on our bed next to his dad who had the laptop on the bed also. I sat him up, turned away to walk out the door then heard "thump"!
Ezra had leaned over to go to his dad and had hit his head on the laptop. He let out a big scream and I quickly grabbed him and tried to console him but he was just too sore. I felt so bad! I gave him to Daniel and went to run his bath anyway and by the time I got back Ezra was laughing again. Thank God!!
But that is only the start of our hardknock night. I think he must have had a bit of a headache from his bump and that mixed with his teething made double pain!
He woke up at about 10pm, I went in and tried to put him to sleep again but he wouldn't go straight back to sleep like he normally would. Daniel and me were still awake so I bought him in our room for some cuddles and he went back to sleep. After about an hour I took him back into his bed and went to sleep myself. At 3.30am, he was up again, crying. I went in, tried to put him back to sleep, had to pick him up and then went for a little walk around the house, dancing around because I needed to go toilet. He went back to sleep, so I put him in his cot and went to the toilet, and while I was in there he started crying then screaming. So I quickly finished up, ran to his room and tried to pat him back to sleep like I normally would...to no avail.........
It was about 3.45am by then. Daniel walked in and I was starting to get angry, so I walked out of the room and went to bed while Daniel tried to put Ezra back to sleep.
A while later, Daniel walked in with Ezra as he just wasn't going back to sleep. So we decided we'd watch a movie, and during that, I gave him a feed, and he finally went to sleep. Thank you God. It was 5am by then.
Daniel and me went to sleep as well.......6am, Ezra is awake again. What the!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grrrr....I was such a grump by then. But being the good mummy that I am, I got up and played with him, while Daniel slept. Daniel even tried to tell us to be quiet, I don't think so!! I'm not being quiet so you can sleep! Ha! You can wake up too, thank you very much. (Lucky it was Saturday morning, so he didn't have work)

Baby whisperer on Sunrise talks about baby sleep

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:33:00 +0000

- Few things during early parenthood cause as much anxiety as getting a baby to sleep.

What the Baby Whisperer Sheyne says about Sleep

Sheyne says sometimes these routines don't work because of things like environment. She says there is only so much sleep baby needs over 24 hours, so if they get it all during the day they won't need it at night. Some baby's routines get back to front. It just means he needs to be woken after 40 minutes or so. This can be done by opening the curtains and talking softly and rubbing the belly.
Sheyne says it's very easy for new mums to feel their world is spinning out of control which is why it is so important to get on top of these types of routines
Also, make sure you share the burden with your partner so you can get enough sleep

Baby Patterns

Wake Up
Play Time - Cot
Feed
Play Time - Mum and Dad
Play Time - Alone
Look for Tired Signs

Share your trials or triumphs with your baby's sleeping routines...

The issue of 'co-sleeping'

Sheyne says the Home and Away episode brings up the controversial issue of "co-sleeping". Sheyne says to have your baby in your own bed if that works for you, but also be aware this can often become difficult because the new routine means the baby may rely on being with you always to sleep.
There is also the danger of rolling on top of baby, which can be very dangerous.

Sir Howard Morrisson Concert

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:10:00 +0000

SIR HOWARD MORRISON

Shared via AddThis

Yaay me!

noreply@blogger.com (PhillipaW) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:39:00 +0000

Yaay me!
I went for a run...woohoo!!
Haha. Was a good run for not quite half an hour. It seemed pretty long though, went around the block, up Field St, then Crimea, then Morley Drive, then down a side street, went to the park, Ezra had a play on the swing which he looooved, played in the sand, then ran back home.
I feel pretty good about myself right now.
OK now I just have to stretch again and jump in the shower while Ezra is playing in the lounge.
Then hopefully he'll want a nap.!