The Big Number Three...

What a whirlwind birthday week we have had.

It started last Wednesday with a morning tea with some of the family.

Then receiving gifts in the days leading up to the big event.

We made two cakes this year. One for celebrating with more family on the weekend and the second for The Party that she had been telling everyone about for weeks on end.

Sunday saw us drive out to the Canungra Hotel and enjoy a very tasty lunch with Dad and my brothers and their families. It was a day to remember my grandmother who just passed away as it was her birthday so we wanted to spend the day with Dad to help him through one of many not so easy days. It was a lovely relaxing day. There was an area where the kids could play and run around and a guy playing a guitar. Just a perfect relaxing day. Very fitting for grandma. She would have loved it.

And then today we celebrated with a few gifts in the morning...

... and the party with her friends and her train cake.

To top it off when Daddy came home, he had arranged for the girls to have a pony ride next door with our neighbours. A twilight pony ride to boot I should add.

And then the final present from Daddy and I. The V-motion. Just like a Wii for little people. Still not sure if I've made the right choice there but the threat has already been made that if they fight, they lose it! *sigh*

Poor AJ has really had to step up and let little Miss 3 get her own way but, every now and again, I need to pull her into line because she really thinks the world revolves around her right at this point. I remember going through this with AJ too and it's draining. Very. Draining.

Hopefully it won't last long.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCHMOOEY!!!

The Replacement...

The Wee One's taggy giraffe from Ollie Rose has disappeared.

I can't believe we have lost her. She was so cute. I always tried to keep track of her movements because I was so worried about leaving her behind somewhere.

And now, with all the funeral arrangements for Grandma and being out and about each day, she has gone.

I still hold out hope that I will stumble across her somewhere. Maybe the girls have been playing with her and just put her somewhere I am yet to discover but I'm going to have to replace her.

How can I not? She's just so pretty and such a lovely keepsake.

The problem with visiting her website is now I've met Sveta and Nakita and I really want one of them (for the Wee One of course). How can taggy giraffe make the trip by herself when there is a gorgeous little babushka doll that could easily keep her company?

Just Made It...

Poor old Schmoo could almost have had me on the 2nd child syndrome thing but have come through with the goods at the last minute. Phew!

It's not that I didn't want to do it but life has been sooo busy of late that time has just got away on me. Anyway, she has finally added a couple of extra little friends to her invite list which is great because now I don't have to invite AJ's friends to make up the numbers and it's more a party for Schmoo. I was a bit worried that it would end up being a huge playdate for AJ instead.

Anyway, here it is. All's well that ends well....

Can't wait to make her cake now...

The Latest Purchase...

I have been in a bit of a buying frenzy of late. Not sure why but I think being able to go out with the Wee One now that she is more settled has something to do with it.

And possibly the fact that I no longer need to buy any breastfeeding or pregnancy clothing. 

Just getting my fix I guess.

As of last Friday I think I can safely say that I am now over said frenzy.

But before I got over it, I found these online and decided to purchase them. 

Well, actually that's a lie. I umm'd and aah'd for four days and then decided to purchase them. Now I just hope they fit.

Spoilt...

Yesterday whilst out grocery shopping I stumbled upon a pair of gorgeous flannelette pj's with none other but owls on them for a ridiculous $20! I, of course, bought them without a moment's hesitation.

I went to my first inforum-type event at AJ's school last night to discuss the direction of the school and our vision for the years ahead. I am really glad I took the time to go because, not only did I have input into where the school, that quite probably all three of my girls will attend for all of their primary years, should be heading but also learnt ALOT about the school and what it has to offer its students. 

Not to mention the yummy dinner they provided which, although was only chicken and salads, was exactly what I had been missing - nobody in my house likes salad so very rarely do I bother to make one for myself - and the fact that somebody else had prepared it made it taste all the more scrumptious. Why is that?

So, it was quite chilly here last night - okay I know Queenslanders can't literally claim Winter but let me tell you it was bloody freezing on the drive home at 10 degrees and being that I've lived here all my life I'm allowed to say I was cold, orright? - and I called the wonderful husband to open the gate so that I didn't have to get in and out of the car more than once.

Upon walking into the house - the very, very quiet house - I was greeted with a path of candles leading me up the hallway and into the bathroom where, in hotel style, I found a bubble bath at just the right temperature, some mellow music playing, a beautifully folded towel and my owl pj's hanging on a hanger, all in the glow of candlelight.

It was the perfect wind down after thrashing out ideas for near on three hours and gave my brain time to stop - that doesn't happen often, let me tell you - and just float.

Total. Peace.

And then the Wee One woke up just as I snuggled up in bed! ROFL

Not Quite ...

The Wee One is this close to crawling. 

We're up and moving...

And boy is she letting us know how frustrated she is.

See, the problem is I don't think she actually wants to crawl. She really just wants to get up and walk but, of course, it's just not an option. Well not yet anyway.

But not really that happy about it...

It really wouldn't surprise me if she just boycotts the whole crawling thing and stands up one day.

But, she's just. So. Close.

So, today* we've called it. She is, as far as we're concerned, crawling. She can get on all fours and move forward toward her desired destination. That is, of course, until she just decides to launch herself forward as a matter of urgency like she's racing for the finishing line.

And then ..... 

Defeated!

..... just totally gives up!

*I actually wrote this nearly a week ago at which point she wasn't technically crawling but, as of today, she most certainly is crawling but still throwing in the odd protest for good measure...

Coinky Dink???

Just as I came in here to post my very important last post there was a new post at one of my favourite sites.

Letting Go. 

*Sigh*

I know I have to do it.

Am thinking I should buy the illustration though as a gift to myself for reaching my goal and a fabulous reminder of the achievement that was my breastfeeding relationship with the Wee One.

It's Over. I Think...

The Wee One has called it. Our last "proper" feed together was at 3pm yesterday afternoon and she has refused feeds ever since. 

I am okay about it so far because she is refusing bottle feeds as well being that she is obviously unwell (with what I am yet to discover) with high temps all weekend. So it's not technically that she is refusing me just milk in general. I am more concerned that she has drank very little all day including water and hope that she picks up tomorrow or we'll be heading back to the doctor.

BUT because she was only having a couple of feeds as it was and then with Grandma's funeral on Friday - I didn't feed her from the early  morning feed until the following morning - my milk supply was on a rapid decline and there really isn't room for her to decide in a day or two that she might like to rekindle the relationship I'm afraid.

We've done well to get this far. I am so proud of her but mostly I am proud of myself for sticking to my guns. I have a few people who helped me and encouraged me when I needed it most and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

I'm a little bit sad though. I admit it. I thought we still had maybe another week or so to go. I thought maybe we would just continue on this happy medium for a while longer but it's not to be.

*sigh*