tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77261983601677631482024-03-19T02:36:56.992-07:00SAHD - Stay at home DadI've decided to give this whole "Stay at Home Dad" a go and see how I cope with raising our one year old son, Francis, doing the house work, exercising the dogs and keeping my (in)sanity! Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-64942677913509823082022-10-21T01:06:00.001-07:002022-10-21T01:11:18.064-07:00World Cup 2022 Payment Instructions<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXX3BPvIMpz3rIBVsSQhlbDPO5IRYrxgBJyOolJWunwzZvKcZcLpPc0Gfwo6hFTOQXfTNxMMp5r6UyNflEWVdYx68wnYwA5WdS1SxVz5rdjaLDmG6qLsAbF0bjROJsB99ySW7fmIRw_ubCTUeqla_8FS32X7H2n2ug8J2lXohyzLbVqnn50s4WHtJh4g/s812/Screenshot%202022-10-21%20204704.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="812" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXX3BPvIMpz3rIBVsSQhlbDPO5IRYrxgBJyOolJWunwzZvKcZcLpPc0Gfwo6hFTOQXfTNxMMp5r6UyNflEWVdYx68wnYwA5WdS1SxVz5rdjaLDmG6qLsAbF0bjROJsB99ySW7fmIRw_ubCTUeqla_8FS32X7H2n2ug8J2lXohyzLbVqnn50s4WHtJh4g/s320/Screenshot%202022-10-21%20204704.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><b>!!!!OVERSEAS AND USA USERS!!!!</b></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />Hi my football predicting friends. If you are not going to be visiting me anytime soon and you want to use this page to pay for your World Cup 2022 Prediction Pool entry then follow these instructions.</div><br />The cost for the World Cup 2022 Prediction Pool is $25 USD if you are paying from within USA. If you are paying from outside the USA the cost is $26.75 which is 5% + .50c fees imposed by PayPal.<br /><br />Okay, ready to start?<br /><br />Open up the following two addresses, <br /><div><br />the PayPal website :<br /><br /><a href="https://www.paypal.com/" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.com/</a><br /><br />and if necessary:</div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://graemegardengarbage.blogspot.com/2022/10/world-cup-2022-payment-instructions.html" target="_blank">https://graemegardengarbage.blogspot.com/2022/10/world-cup-2022-payment-instructions.html</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>a copy of these instructions!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="justify">Simply sign into you paypal account and click on the "Send& Request" tab, then select send and then enter my email address<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe4BrpH5vrzpOPnDsVA7lpNrzrZ21HLyv9k6f8m1Mr7mcBSZWLmr6gs5GiyNGs5FYyJjIDoHxr78usX4-zSAwJvNQdmXwccbfskvdV8eTD9kA-23bTLUWRIcOMzLG-uidMaY4aW4Baznv/s1244/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+10.08.01+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe4BrpH5vrzpOPnDsVA7lpNrzrZ21HLyv9k6f8m1Mr7mcBSZWLmr6gs5GiyNGs5FYyJjIDoHxr78usX4-zSAwJvNQdmXwccbfskvdV8eTD9kA-23bTLUWRIcOMzLG-uidMaY4aW4Baznv/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+10.08.01+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> and then enter the amount in the next screen<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71G61A4YTksOvskKuMvIpxXkUMdpTewl6GLVZxXQDp6fjEXUBQAnU6cDWStm1T6wzmfoU1unCyklyUJIytqoEuDdgtqfqXsKf99moxzLYNIcG3LsBsBbojKDfoG8ollkMvKaGSONR467NCwpAHkpGZ4Xl1k_eMXC5h3qJEstWOHekHu5bLMdr1VC1Pg/s651/payment.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="651" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71G61A4YTksOvskKuMvIpxXkUMdpTewl6GLVZxXQDp6fjEXUBQAnU6cDWStm1T6wzmfoU1unCyklyUJIytqoEuDdgtqfqXsKf99moxzLYNIcG3LsBsBbojKDfoG8ollkMvKaGSONR467NCwpAHkpGZ4Xl1k_eMXC5h3qJEstWOHekHu5bLMdr1VC1Pg/s320/payment.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div align="justify"><br /><b>Remember $25 USD from the USA, $26.75 or equivalent from overseas.</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div align="justify"><br /><b>Please make sure the payment is in US dollars. ALSO please pay any fees that Paypal may charge. This is very important.</b></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div>In case you have not played the pool before 100% of the pool money goes to the winners, <b>I don't pay for my own entry. With about 60 people playing it takes a lot of my time to collate all the results and send out updates.</b><br /><br />For transparency I always send a copy of my predictions to three other people. If you like I can send it to you... in the very unlikely chance I might win! Ha ha ha ha.<br /><br />Please make sure I get the payment by 12 Noon Friday November 18th 2022, Pacific Coast Time, USA.<br /><br /><br />Good luck and thanks for playing!<br /><br /><br />Okay, are you ready? Set, Go!!!Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-44368915689938937142021-05-06T01:10:00.002-07:002021-05-06T03:15:54.253-07:00Euro 2020 Prediction Pool Payment Instructions<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67BaewNnDGTK1hevXUsfSldvw068l5R05p8IqNgJZFhXp5e4VQrXvLtiyG8JPT1tJIzyy3TxcY6xxAX0E9LycE0xEbzEAt8utS6BHO0cGdVpjHtHR-WN0xyo05pdMwZ253L-q82EQT3LK/s326/1620286870745blob.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67BaewNnDGTK1hevXUsfSldvw068l5R05p8IqNgJZFhXp5e4VQrXvLtiyG8JPT1tJIzyy3TxcY6xxAX0E9LycE0xEbzEAt8utS6BHO0cGdVpjHtHR-WN0xyo05pdMwZ253L-q82EQT3LK/s320/1620286870745blob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><b>!!!!OVERSEAS AND USA USERS!!!!</b></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />Hi my football predicting friends. If you are not going to be visiting me anytime soon (and unless you are part of the NZ/OZ travel bubble then I doubt it ) and you want to use this page to pay for your Euro 2020 Prediction Pool entry then follow these instructions.</div><br />The cost for the Euro 2020 Prediction Pool is $20 USD if you are paying from within USA. If you are paying from outside the USA the cost is $21.08 which is 3.9% +30c fees imposed by PayPal.<br /><br />Okay, ready to start?<br /><br />Open up the following two addresses, <br /><div><br />the PayPal website :<br /><br /><a href="https://www.paypal.com/" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.com/</a><br /><br />and if necessary:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://graemegardengarbage.blogspot.com/2021/05/euro-2020-prediction-pool-payment.html">https://graemegardengarbage.blogspot.com/2021/05/euro-2020-prediction-pool-payment.html</a><br /><br /><div>a copy of these instructions!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="justify">Simply sign into you paypal account and click on the "Send& Request" tab, then select send and then enter my email address<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe4BrpH5vrzpOPnDsVA7lpNrzrZ21HLyv9k6f8m1Mr7mcBSZWLmr6gs5GiyNGs5FYyJjIDoHxr78usX4-zSAwJvNQdmXwccbfskvdV8eTD9kA-23bTLUWRIcOMzLG-uidMaY4aW4Baznv/s1244/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+10.08.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe4BrpH5vrzpOPnDsVA7lpNrzrZ21HLyv9k6f8m1Mr7mcBSZWLmr6gs5GiyNGs5FYyJjIDoHxr78usX4-zSAwJvNQdmXwccbfskvdV8eTD9kA-23bTLUWRIcOMzLG-uidMaY4aW4Baznv/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+10.08.01+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> and then enter the amount in the next screen<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7JJOe4xQDL7KM_JdOIUeUWwuEfpmptZNz1dwjKhPLhyphenhyphen4e5mpbPnNBX-GOv2lp9DX-eDs3YiF-dQk2uYxZcfbEljprDbHdnMO_gM5ojW1ILVZ5Qcwe8HKKsECl9CORV5hAmDyNXb7_P7s/s864/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+10.09.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="864" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7JJOe4xQDL7KM_JdOIUeUWwuEfpmptZNz1dwjKhPLhyphenhyphen4e5mpbPnNBX-GOv2lp9DX-eDs3YiF-dQk2uYxZcfbEljprDbHdnMO_gM5ojW1ILVZ5Qcwe8HKKsECl9CORV5hAmDyNXb7_P7s/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+10.09.13+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div align="justify"><br /><b>Remember $20 USD from the USA, $21.08 or equivalent from overseas.</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div align="justify"><br /><b>Please make sure the payment is in US dollars. ALSO please pay any fees that Paypal may charge. This is very important.</b></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div>In case you have not played the pool before 100% of the pool money goes to the winners, <b>although this year I am thinking of charging an admin fee of 1%, or just not paying for my own entry. With about 60 people playing it takes a lot of my time to collate all the results and send out updates.</b><br /><br />For transparency I always send a copy of my predictions to three other people. If you like I can send it to you... in the very unlikely chance I might win! Ha ha ha ha.<br /><br />Please make sure I get the payment by 12 Noon June 9th 2021, Pacific Coast Time, USA.<br /><br /><br />Good luck and thanks for playing!<br /><br /><br />Okay, are you ready? Set, Go!!!Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-33635107261460742842018-03-21T15:48:00.002-07:002018-03-21T16:11:47.622-07:00World Cup 2018 Prediction Pool Payment Instructions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGrFrRSqPANpVJrNMO4Sjjuc4Qz979H_Xx5bIu48AVmwjaG2LlCZpyKzCSoNprXQ9uNJlba4qbKZJSVQj6AeaD8JznhD-AgO_CZMUynRw8v9LMC31q8fw8V2XxXWrkgKw67M-yGzjsizn/s1600/russia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="333" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGrFrRSqPANpVJrNMO4Sjjuc4Qz979H_Xx5bIu48AVmwjaG2LlCZpyKzCSoNprXQ9uNJlba4qbKZJSVQj6AeaD8JznhD-AgO_CZMUynRw8v9LMC31q8fw8V2XxXWrkgKw67M-yGzjsizn/s320/russia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<b><b>!!!!OVERSEAS AND USA USERS!!!!</b></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="justify">
<br />
Hi
my football predicting friends. If you are not going to be visiting me
anytime soon and you want to use this page to pay for your World Cup 2018
Prediction Pool entry then follow these instructions.</div>
<br />
The
cost for the World Cup 2018 Prediction Pool is $25 USD if you are paying
from within USA. If you are paying from outside the USA the cost is
$26.30 which is 3.9% +30c fees imposed by PayPal.<br />
<br />
Okay, ready to start?<br />
<br />
Open up the following two addresses, <br />
<div>
<br />
the PayPal website :<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.paypal.com/" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.com/</a><br />
<br />
and if necessary:</div>
<br />
<a href="https://graemegardengarbage.blogspot.com/2018/03/world-cup-2018-prediction-pool-payment.html" target="_blank">https://graemegardengarbage.blogspot.com/2018/03/world-cup-2018-prediction-pool-payment.html</a><br />
<br />
<div>
a copy of these instructions!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Simply sign into you paypal account and click on the "Send& Request" tab, then select<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo5jHXOoHIGiZfqv5YolBOs6Tr3e3ceBnDY7YWRKJRx91leu8XZzLuh6aBtKX18DO5NRTfi6PyCrvqMsno-T6WQsqaxH_AJuzj48kqEz4hIrlR1D8nn41cxlqg53HTjr7GoxLUARXVpfm/s1600/paypal+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo5jHXOoHIGiZfqv5YolBOs6Tr3e3ceBnDY7YWRKJRx91leu8XZzLuh6aBtKX18DO5NRTfi6PyCrvqMsno-T6WQsqaxH_AJuzj48kqEz4hIrlR1D8nn41cxlqg53HTjr7GoxLUARXVpfm/s400/paypal+1.JPG" width="317" /></a></div>
and then enter my email address in the next screen:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNgF0Rn_bepxaf-I0wOMrTTspbnUlvpioMQZcXzMOI2eHqJ7O9YYdSq7G2C1fMiE3omxZRfbxx6E8C0PrzYmikHtDeWragpvoO1s_C5HNlmjjUrhQRO2lR4OMzACiXOrLDVeOSitSpqLT/s1600/paypal+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="655" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNgF0Rn_bepxaf-I0wOMrTTspbnUlvpioMQZcXzMOI2eHqJ7O9YYdSq7G2C1fMiE3omxZRfbxx6E8C0PrzYmikHtDeWragpvoO1s_C5HNlmjjUrhQRO2lR4OMzACiXOrLDVeOSitSpqLT/s400/paypal+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
Enter my email address,<br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:grayum2004@yahoo.com">grayum2004@yahoo.com</a></div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
and the amount to be paid, $25 USD from the USA, $26.30 or equivalent from overseas, and on the next screen , how you want to pay:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC-Y0s6dXy1prD6Dho71QEkX9APr9zFxiiUOmyhK8H_gZYOLcJtKkE4Z4n_c10FRM9X2HYdNkjwk7jYyD-SGbwKgjW_SSbH1wLuiCoVngQ45T3lxlQYYGR7k7-2knW0ArrKFjc3Hk7kfQ/s1600/paypal3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="497" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC-Y0s6dXy1prD6Dho71QEkX9APr9zFxiiUOmyhK8H_gZYOLcJtKkE4Z4n_c10FRM9X2HYdNkjwk7jYyD-SGbwKgjW_SSbH1wLuiCoVngQ45T3lxlQYYGR7k7-2knW0ArrKFjc3Hk7kfQ/s400/paypal3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
<b>Please make sure the payment is in US dollars. ALSO please pay any fees that Paypal may charge. This is very important.</b> </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
In case you have not played the pool before 100% of the pool money goes to the winners, <b>although this year I am thinking of charging an admin fee of 1%, or just not paying for my own entry. With about 60 people playing it takes a lot of my time to collate all the results and send out updates.</b><br />
<br />
For
transparency I always send a copy of my predictions to three other
people. If you like I can send it to you... in the very unlikely chance I
might win! Ha ha ha ha.<br />
<br />
Please make sure I get the payment by 12 Noon June 12th 2018, Pacific Coast Time, USA.<br />
<br />
<br />
Good luck and thanks for playing!<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, are you ready? Set, Go!!!Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-15165253240467560882017-07-27T02:41:00.000-07:002017-07-27T02:41:02.070-07:00July <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">July - Catch up time</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJpYcKuf8TtIEij5B4fTHUi8cciA60dwWsLRZzw-eJdflXTT1xC5dOg-Us2KIL_tnUYuhRhQS4aYiVZZd2Y_um_rO9yoLG21BW_cqnWJ_O3-KXi5wYVIQ4A6w56Zfnrxx1Md_OKs8r5_l/s1600/IMG_1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJpYcKuf8TtIEij5B4fTHUi8cciA60dwWsLRZzw-eJdflXTT1xC5dOg-Us2KIL_tnUYuhRhQS4aYiVZZd2Y_um_rO9yoLG21BW_cqnWJ_O3-KXi5wYVIQ4A6w56Zfnrxx1Md_OKs8r5_l/s320/IMG_1975.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well
been a long, long, long time since you heard from me. So much has happened
since my last blog in May, but no time to go in to it all. Pictures paint a thousand words so this blog is quite pictoral.</div>
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Anyway, The Letts
Study guide to the last few months would be….</div>
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Travel
to the UK (including an 18 hour flight) and visit with family there - AWESOME.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qRk9WqNn6pVMU3BZra1mQrBeYvasBNUP6yD-3Hlckde6vZ_C-Sj7zq-mZ6opJq-HvPAOXlNuS4dG43looXrF22aqmI0k-2zVORoqSw63d2JnxMbZsTYqHZhaQ1TRVu14iJJPb2jl8A32/s1600/IMG_2860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qRk9WqNn6pVMU3BZra1mQrBeYvasBNUP6yD-3Hlckde6vZ_C-Sj7zq-mZ6opJq-HvPAOXlNuS4dG43looXrF22aqmI0k-2zVORoqSw63d2JnxMbZsTYqHZhaQ1TRVu14iJJPb2jl8A32/s320/IMG_2860.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I've got a cousin called......"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8yeXUgg2wdOwM8aweDEXtKC0-JB0bkerJazzGCY2YX8xMh19BDQEwmJdvbR-UnaYXtC7JFes1D-OUWifupDnu8tWpt_G2PByKeadK_TSMvS_YdN9JUkMMIuSJYWz9l9g3wclL9vunYrI/s1600/IMG_2741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8yeXUgg2wdOwM8aweDEXtKC0-JB0bkerJazzGCY2YX8xMh19BDQEwmJdvbR-UnaYXtC7JFes1D-OUWifupDnu8tWpt_G2PByKeadK_TSMvS_YdN9JUkMMIuSJYWz9l9g3wclL9vunYrI/s320/IMG_2741.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lo-los!"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPqdtDLp6PLyyHGOyKIqXml-Z34MYwkqgfe11qFdDKfNMKUWwWXnrXJ1YNDnxx9-qcwh2OuCOcLVKv-JZd6wepnH0xOMozG3Ip7a62wB6Q7Gs9ObBm-ybpwfBH0DQNMGWTEV9PnTK89yx/s1600/IMG_2745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPqdtDLp6PLyyHGOyKIqXml-Z34MYwkqgfe11qFdDKfNMKUWwWXnrXJ1YNDnxx9-qcwh2OuCOcLVKv-JZd6wepnH0xOMozG3Ip7a62wB6Q7Gs9ObBm-ybpwfBH0DQNMGWTEV9PnTK89yx/s320/IMG_2745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing fetch with Cousin Alfie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfc__h9wRVa_f8xV2GzMbehSv6X1HshlB6ENDDRSmugkbrokwa8JhJ8f38yxaFZUh7It93T4v2NtHtHG2C-wxXBd9_WqNyVx4sV8HEvJ1UgIN6j8IQwHjYygt9O25yxzGme3K2RhoT_fR/s1600/IMG_2767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfc__h9wRVa_f8xV2GzMbehSv6X1HshlB6ENDDRSmugkbrokwa8JhJ8f38yxaFZUh7It93T4v2NtHtHG2C-wxXBd9_WqNyVx4sV8HEvJ1UgIN6j8IQwHjYygt9O25yxzGme3K2RhoT_fR/s320/IMG_2767.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing some chips!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5lbj1nlzDVkP3c-a-SPVuLzxwBi0d1msLvj8ru3vNDBZdfpvErFkrcRoz39mDOPTNSdBK3l1PtzwzJXM1Bs1I_w_wuKOnYlxRCj6T9sIHnvk5VEEgq_BmkPfCvQ_ChVKJJyuGmJfrX6y/s1600/IMG_2792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5lbj1nlzDVkP3c-a-SPVuLzxwBi0d1msLvj8ru3vNDBZdfpvErFkrcRoz39mDOPTNSdBK3l1PtzwzJXM1Bs1I_w_wuKOnYlxRCj6T9sIHnvk5VEEgq_BmkPfCvQ_ChVKJJyuGmJfrX6y/s320/IMG_2792.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oldest and Youngest members of several generations of Cards. Great Aunty Winn, Aunty Chrsitine.</td></tr>
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Lost
and damaged car seat on the way to UK leading to 5 hours sourcing a replacement
one at the airport - 5 hours - not so awesome.</div>
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Jet
lag with a 20 month old - shocking! Still we got to go to the beach at 8am in
the morning on two gloriously sunny days. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiz9G8ALn1ZoatHqdYu7VsbJOFKwx9m3e_-VVJJLUbD45vtpSzO3y_mKp0IXjI_Z0lHVuuQuHn5weO7SmT0MMa3yXLSH2b1LBJMDjHcWaP3WCIMfko0rMWoZ_pFqxva2Y9-5fmtxOMD2t/s1600/IMG_2422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiz9G8ALn1ZoatHqdYu7VsbJOFKwx9m3e_-VVJJLUbD45vtpSzO3y_mKp0IXjI_Z0lHVuuQuHn5weO7SmT0MMa3yXLSH2b1LBJMDjHcWaP3WCIMfko0rMWoZ_pFqxva2Y9-5fmtxOMD2t/s320/IMG_2422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tynemouth Long Sands</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqROkCWYIXv-eL8xiPU1sDZopNXQBKY_6OkASP734GPkojR_zpQVuuzLg-gRCbVNqFVXKnZSSPw4xb2i0Oauor7KqNNaFOTI4s9NVRAKPEM74TYhQjSDMZpvQSK8_2tfmdS1Q6pVBTEKUj/s1600/IMG_2429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqROkCWYIXv-eL8xiPU1sDZopNXQBKY_6OkASP734GPkojR_zpQVuuzLg-gRCbVNqFVXKnZSSPw4xb2i0Oauor7KqNNaFOTI4s9NVRAKPEM74TYhQjSDMZpvQSK8_2tfmdS1Q6pVBTEKUj/s320/IMG_2429.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've never seen the North Sea so calm.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7QYqb348kwkMazQo-cKyMy-JGPLGdP2Ze5SNTuy4lGPDGt-_cnc3OTxa5OpDJ5I48bt29tFGoCdE-7AKA_ZIkrp6DZUeSEXH5uyPEOj7OwVCs9uB-ydMvRBvDpLCVhl-LWVY_LvhUsyJ/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7QYqb348kwkMazQo-cKyMy-JGPLGdP2Ze5SNTuy4lGPDGt-_cnc3OTxa5OpDJ5I48bt29tFGoCdE-7AKA_ZIkrp6DZUeSEXH5uyPEOj7OwVCs9uB-ydMvRBvDpLCVhl-LWVY_LvhUsyJ/s320/IMG_2449.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still really cold though!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe8vLoX0jAVVG15cXFE9sDyMmlTMOMnb3Mxg3KgUZZIr3aJjORwPDoBBXXIU-A4hvAI-fP0Ie31ncgPwmdIe6wPu0B-SzPHJ0hS_B-JwrZsre4jRETBY2cuKgdRx1NK4aFhIrzheSeWDC/s1600/IMG_2493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe8vLoX0jAVVG15cXFE9sDyMmlTMOMnb3Mxg3KgUZZIr3aJjORwPDoBBXXIU-A4hvAI-fP0Ie31ncgPwmdIe6wPu0B-SzPHJ0hS_B-JwrZsre4jRETBY2cuKgdRx1NK4aFhIrzheSeWDC/s320/IMG_2493.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Took ten days to get sleep pattern
back to normal!</div>
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Francis
just fitting right in with the family – it was so awesome to see and
watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QGxLRiQ9zbB68TKkojga0lxFdeMgg0kqRHlgSAbuJZKsSC313xPAqaEX_4LUlg3rYcIwAdr5-ZzHySYIC_3AaScUB67TzvFUDudDf1tTQconiI3bDaGgBayU1Bw3jxkVLYX1X4RNCF1E/s1600/IMG_2682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QGxLRiQ9zbB68TKkojga0lxFdeMgg0kqRHlgSAbuJZKsSC313xPAqaEX_4LUlg3rYcIwAdr5-ZzHySYIC_3AaScUB67TzvFUDudDf1tTQconiI3bDaGgBayU1Bw3jxkVLYX1X4RNCF1E/s320/IMG_2682.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutie Cousins #1.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSLEivdPsTn2mxxMqd-V1Pb9ecs9AYsIKoNVdu1jH6n8UjdENyl1UpCkvcGObs_Ic7JIiEQ0GnQxDyfflTr0CfAnQeA_SxeB_Ec6WxAxzD5g8EQL7paxK3BO3FnF9HJWuN0NgoiEyzPgA/s1600/Francis+and+Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSLEivdPsTn2mxxMqd-V1Pb9ecs9AYsIKoNVdu1jH6n8UjdENyl1UpCkvcGObs_Ic7JIiEQ0GnQxDyfflTr0CfAnQeA_SxeB_Ec6WxAxzD5g8EQL7paxK3BO3FnF9HJWuN0NgoiEyzPgA/s320/Francis+and+Thomas.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutie Cousins #2.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Friends and fun on our travels</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYDX8t5OREcv8EFOKRxv7QE8qvhKZiM3w4gj4s4WuX6qi9qlfdlP55p8bNfybSpos1OOArcWBh0VJ-4s0AV72EgoUoBL_Tbe2lJIU4ABqUSLDGvxCGKvyh1hgXd6fbPU6zOd6MQnXSM6n/s1600/20170531_184532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYDX8t5OREcv8EFOKRxv7QE8qvhKZiM3w4gj4s4WuX6qi9qlfdlP55p8bNfybSpos1OOArcWBh0VJ-4s0AV72EgoUoBL_Tbe2lJIU4ABqUSLDGvxCGKvyh1hgXd6fbPU6zOd6MQnXSM6n/s320/20170531_184532.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corbridge for a much desired (i.e nagged about) English Country Pub Lunch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzeDnY6E2-rqRZ50H3Nx867x-CRvDv30s6cU3P9jv4hG2HifhUTT6RDzw8ku7M1n0u_c91MxFdXBJCXuqP3gklnxorH2TXzkGYcktvt5stXDqB0vDPZKPhbs9DRAyKuJZu4bnvcgPpvu1/s1600/IMG_2965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzeDnY6E2-rqRZ50H3Nx867x-CRvDv30s6cU3P9jv4hG2HifhUTT6RDzw8ku7M1n0u_c91MxFdXBJCXuqP3gklnxorH2TXzkGYcktvt5stXDqB0vDPZKPhbs9DRAyKuJZu4bnvcgPpvu1/s320/IMG_2965.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Betty's is that way Mammy" - York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsglT-QVUrXEbFXHyW4vKRcMXbj9eizT8ILlZiRA5_2IqEGUGLPXC_XrwM2IO4IGrIO-rUZ3H0gAg2SBDVOOe7twvhNPiFHHNqVWsYnYXr9FBUPX3xQeLSloTEvtprr5bmMgflJhBHd2Tb/s1600/IMG_2986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsglT-QVUrXEbFXHyW4vKRcMXbj9eizT8ILlZiRA5_2IqEGUGLPXC_XrwM2IO4IGrIO-rUZ3H0gAg2SBDVOOe7twvhNPiFHHNqVWsYnYXr9FBUPX3xQeLSloTEvtprr5bmMgflJhBHd2Tb/s320/IMG_2986.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harrogate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5guzKrPwPgmGqHvHocPpdfxIikS96IuWtn5WFPbaaBSFY8Jn1dHTWCe-9Ar-QIUPLTfWnGOhNSWvnhKxI1vPAL39kMsqDWKDQ4jZ9lcN9BWqQ5RF_nB3juFbwGeCdhmc1O-n35UEbKFl/s1600/IMG_2990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5guzKrPwPgmGqHvHocPpdfxIikS96IuWtn5WFPbaaBSFY8Jn1dHTWCe-9Ar-QIUPLTfWnGOhNSWvnhKxI1vPAL39kMsqDWKDQ4jZ9lcN9BWqQ5RF_nB3juFbwGeCdhmc1O-n35UEbKFl/s320/IMG_2990.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Where shall we three meet again...."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaQ7nib4whgfTwciX2Fv5aAMbcB5Cx0J-sHCilet33yoGoeuNYgwVe76DQj-so1mVU9v9tL7G49ldcZDJgVNOuwIeNLen1A5Py6aB8yVsip-e3x4AysTpYzG0fvPS3vuCPNmzFAS2Nbqp/s1600/IMG_3003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaQ7nib4whgfTwciX2Fv5aAMbcB5Cx0J-sHCilet33yoGoeuNYgwVe76DQj-so1mVU9v9tL7G49ldcZDJgVNOuwIeNLen1A5Py6aB8yVsip-e3x4AysTpYzG0fvPS3vuCPNmzFAS2Nbqp/s320/IMG_3003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not our Family home, but Strafford Upon Avon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Travel
back from the UK with another mammoth flight and another damaged car seat!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiIjKm2KjjpQbgI9y4N9oxh6XbTySvMFrYcZbQMdGoipKWx5u80kGi4dPXZ-tcj16uOq6eumTTUQpdx_hQ44YlKw4eFyFycdxT89xPLUVehS87PcpqIrYXE_MMy5pY0BwNsw-uSxQcyww/s1600/IMG_3065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiIjKm2KjjpQbgI9y4N9oxh6XbTySvMFrYcZbQMdGoipKWx5u80kGi4dPXZ-tcj16uOq6eumTTUQpdx_hQ44YlKw4eFyFycdxT89xPLUVehS87PcpqIrYXE_MMy5pY0BwNsw-uSxQcyww/s320/IMG_3065.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Moving
house!!!! The usual stressful time, but thanks to our friends Jason, Lavinia,
Shaun, Michelle, Katie and Alice for helping sooooooo much, made it so much
easier then our last move.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Unpacking
after the move… uuuuuurggghhh</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Being
in a house that feels like AND IS a proper home – priceless.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Having
my picture taken with David Gedge!!!! Swoon</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsiGib2AW60SHS-JXgJTXz6hBmOBiiYV816YeqxRvAARDUR6zbQ6E1NVprQiPIj-nI4mP3oEPRRAm6r8TFurbfhYEyWnYA7IRLftVZJvjA3l5toKp4BaxgthtLl6bttCGEeaD8jm_xbCJ/s1600/David+Gedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsiGib2AW60SHS-JXgJTXz6hBmOBiiYV816YeqxRvAARDUR6zbQ6E1NVprQiPIj-nI4mP3oEPRRAm6r8TFurbfhYEyWnYA7IRLftVZJvjA3l5toKp4BaxgthtLl6bttCGEeaD8jm_xbCJ/s320/David+Gedge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Growing up!</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Francis
is full on a bipedal animal now, and it’s so much fun to watch him “Go! Go!
Go!” each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s learning super fast
so many things that’s it’s hard to keep track. Teaching him new words, or
hearing him trying to say them has been one of my life’s great joys, as he
reacts with such honest joy and merriment when he gets the words right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
You see
him pause, concentrate and then repeat the word you’re trying to teach him.
Most of the time it’s almost spot on, but sometimes it’s just a good solid
effort! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Surprisingly,
no “swear” words yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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We’re
pushing him hard to be a well mannered child so “please” and thank you – “ta” -
are probably the most used words in our house, maybe next to “No, Francis
Noooooooo!”, and it’s so cute watching him say please. We’re rewarded with a
winning smile as he says it – maybe because he knows he’s going to get
something he wants. Maybe he’s already manipulating us! And it’s not turned
into a pleading “pleeeeeasse?” ….. yet.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Down the Hatch.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Like
most parents (right?) I’m kinda used to eating regurgitated food from Francis
that he’s tasted and then rejected when eating our meals together. (Really?
Only me? C’mon admit it!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
In
the safety and privacy of my own home I’m quite happy to be the human garbage
can, as it’s sometimes quicker and easier then getting up and going to get a
clean up cloth from the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
However,
last week whilst checking-out at Pak’n’Sav Francis was making a fuss about
wanting some food, so I gave him some Cheerios from a little Tupperware I had
cleverly brought with me. F-bomb normally chomps them down, but I guess compared
with the wondrous bounty of our shopping trolley - (cart for you yanks, and
trundle for you Kiwis) - they were unpalatable. So he spat the partially chewed
up cereal into my hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
what would you do in my position? Shove it back in his mouth? Give it to the
check out attendant (in this case a 18 year old boy/man)? Put it in your pocket
to fester and remain there spreading onto your keys,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>small change, Swiss army knife? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put it in little tissue you happen to carry
around with you and then discard in the nearest bin? Right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
But
what happens if you have no such little tissue with you and are struck by
panic? Yep, that’s right. Down the hatch Daddy – with a smile on your face!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Play list.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Current
favourite songs for Francis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Nellie the Elephant – Toy Dolls – still holding
onto the number one spot.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Don’t be Cruel – Elvis Presley – making a fast
leap up the charts</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Bear – The Wedding Present – dizzy dancing.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Baggy Trousers – Madness</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>E Rere Taku Poi – traditional Maori song</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Hound Dog – Elvis Presley</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>My Moon My Man – Feist</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Deer Caught in the Headlights – The Wedding
Present</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The Muppet Show Theme – The Muppets</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Want<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a Chocolate – Pinky Piglet</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Numbers:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
$293
– Original offer to us from Emirates for damaged car seat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
$493
– Final offer – full replacement cost from Emirates</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
$10,560.46
– quote for a new roof – Looks like Daddy will have to DIH (Do It Himself)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-78894368537063391492017-05-16T01:26:00.003-07:002017-12-16T00:25:50.205-08:00May 2017 - Part 1<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"></span><style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">May 2017 – Part 1</b></div>
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There’s
not been a blog from me in “for ages” so time to write a quick one whilst Francis
is sleeping. Most of my recent spare time was employed in painting a friend’s
house but now that is mostly finished and winter is here we’re back to relaxing
times at home. That’s if you call preparing for an overseas trip with an eighteen
month old and moving house two days after you get back relaxing.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eye Love You</b></div>
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Francis
is growing up real fast and is leaving his “baby ways” behind. One of the saddest
ones is he no longer likes to be held in my arms as he is going to sleep. He
either just lies flat across my legs with his head on the arm of the chair or
points to his cot and asks to be put in it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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So
much to my (initial) delight, he wanted some snuggles the other day at nap time.
As he settled into my arms I told him “I love you, Francis” and was rewarded
with a big, wide open smile from him that melted my heart momentarily. He then
proceeded to sit up straight, still smiling and poked me in the eye. Yep, he’s
getting good at pointing out body parts…..</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Feng Shui and the Art of House Buying</b><br />
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After
two years of trying to buy a house and putting in bids on eight of them, we
expressed our dismay on Facebook. Our dear sister-in-law, Nellie, sent us a
Feng Shui guide to houses and we noticed that the “abundance” corner on our
rental was missing i.e. it’s the deck. We followed some suggestions to improve
that corner and installed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a bird feeder,
which the birds managed to empty in less that four hours!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_DPkFzvNhfiq4dnTR41BA5JxRC_1A3nihKbIUUKYRSbEWU6TKfC77Ujd79dkzrUK-b7QQ_Tip4WCcp0pXqhIZ4P8dDRSifrj65mOMsaiVohHIjniMt4fhbcsyP8CDWAvYb1MWxFw3Tci/s1600/IMG_4681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_DPkFzvNhfiq4dnTR41BA5JxRC_1A3nihKbIUUKYRSbEWU6TKfC77Ujd79dkzrUK-b7QQ_Tip4WCcp0pXqhIZ4P8dDRSifrj65mOMsaiVohHIjniMt4fhbcsyP8CDWAvYb1MWxFw3Tci/s320/IMG_4681.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Despite
my annoyance at the amount of bird shit on my passion fruit<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it seemed to do the trick as a week later we
managed to outbid everyone at an auction for a house we really loved! Yipee,
and thanks Nellie.</div>
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On a
side note there was one red seed the birds left on the ground and it’s
sprouting everywhere.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49RhRVh0KA69y09CrDz6Tx_z5wRXCg9rh3xPu9XFgVnAuilrjDHmVgv3jvN_L5YH1Dn9jgTcDyoC_fbsEjCtVxUgPmw1eznlzBZQzc6jWsECsqXK2dHHoqlMp7-8_MXkN0JhUAMRaFQIZ/s1600/IMG_4682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49RhRVh0KA69y09CrDz6Tx_z5wRXCg9rh3xPu9XFgVnAuilrjDHmVgv3jvN_L5YH1Dn9jgTcDyoC_fbsEjCtVxUgPmw1eznlzBZQzc6jWsECsqXK2dHHoqlMp7-8_MXkN0JhUAMRaFQIZ/s320/IMG_4682.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ticking Time Bomb?</b></div>
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Sleep
is still a very precious and hugely sought after commodity in our house. In
general Francis is only waking up once or twice a night, but then every now and
then we get the 5-6 times which utterly exhausts us all. Well, Ananda and I. When
will this end?</div>
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In a
miracle, one night in April<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francis
slept all night. We woke stunned. We’ve since tried to re-create the conditions
for this to happen but have tied ourselves in knots arguing about the magic
formulae. </div>
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Ananda
claimed it was because his nursery clock battery had stopped so it was not
ticking. I steadfastly maintained the clock was in full working order when the
miracle occurred, and claimed it was because I accidentally switched up the
thermostat to 23degC that night. </div>
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Against
my protests the clock was removed from the room, but gloatingly after a few
nights of poor sleeping it was re-installed. (And by few I probably mean about two
weeks – Ananda can be as stubborn as me!)</div>
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Finally,
victory was mine after a night of 6 wake-ups, the clock was reinstalled. It’s
stupid to gloat over a night of no-sleep huh? But such is our lives and the
small victories we must take in our battles as parents. I digress….</div>
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Similarly
disappointing was our, sorry mine,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>thermostat experiment of keeping the room at 23degC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was the sleep suit he was wearing or
what he ate for dinner, or was I wearing my lucky underpants that night? Was
Ananda?</div>
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Maybe
we’re grasping at straws. Actually, delete the “maybe”.</div>
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The
quest continues, and we’ve given up this week because on Sunday we fly to the
UK for three weeks…… so with the prospect of an eleven hour time change there
really is no point in finding the magic combination until we get back.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Building</b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Construction seems to be in his blood so here's some examples of what he's been up to....</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e57Ek_CbRjywtHZa1qxscpPSi9C1_4_XoKIf-lyVoVbM6KNTuBb0MJcMuosubadVsodwIVH5y3LysqUP3ebCCxgol88nRo4QXxpjCDKtIv6BSXGyYJ1lOj0RjW07hIs6fAuLcJ14NW2g/s1600/IMG_4609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e57Ek_CbRjywtHZa1qxscpPSi9C1_4_XoKIf-lyVoVbM6KNTuBb0MJcMuosubadVsodwIVH5y3LysqUP3ebCCxgol88nRo4QXxpjCDKtIv6BSXGyYJ1lOj0RjW07hIs6fAuLcJ14NW2g/s320/IMG_4609.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reciprocal Trojan Horse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRAkoGxeDD-rXtEL3ok6VWLzuAFGqw5TufKyjg_m3037z85GpAAGUW_WY8G2LBKjnIac_IT8Q967TqzEf5aJ7UZWBYSQ2l5sTNuNRHrfexumCSW_GW_UBF1nsHIJDv8ny9fXTyykYFp_D/s1600/IMG_4680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRAkoGxeDD-rXtEL3ok6VWLzuAFGqw5TufKyjg_m3037z85GpAAGUW_WY8G2LBKjnIac_IT8Q967TqzEf5aJ7UZWBYSQ2l5sTNuNRHrfexumCSW_GW_UBF1nsHIJDv8ny9fXTyykYFp_D/s320/IMG_4680.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Byker Wall<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWsMs49jwaW6Qi7VyrGiLnPve-oBcqJWR1YOPvz7h7rqft4kGIf15tmWXaXea62W62WshvMpxHaEoQr3uPncnPCXJJ4zAntVEdjWSs0e2dVIvpB-d74FvkUklyh4YAutb7uXLBNLbIVqr/s1600/byker+wall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWsMs49jwaW6Qi7VyrGiLnPve-oBcqJWR1YOPvz7h7rqft4kGIf15tmWXaXea62W62WshvMpxHaEoQr3uPncnPCXJJ4zAntVEdjWSs0e2dVIvpB-d74FvkUklyh4YAutb7uXLBNLbIVqr/s1600/byker+wall.jpeg" /></a></div>
The Original Byker Wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPxSwAYAB2l4jGiggGSp6dAJ1_1VLczNQkxIs8zL-RHngsNGNjX3b1dRzeYuRqZKkpLqGmC9FycGkn4ExqUD7nBsh5wp-s7lT0o4WLrasTyxkoygYHao-oSYXSS7FdVzFGqb1-rNAjd_x/s1600/IMG_4661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPxSwAYAB2l4jGiggGSp6dAJ1_1VLczNQkxIs8zL-RHngsNGNjX3b1dRzeYuRqZKkpLqGmC9FycGkn4ExqUD7nBsh5wp-s7lT0o4WLrasTyxkoygYHao-oSYXSS7FdVzFGqb1-rNAjd_x/s320/IMG_4661.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got him some Health and Safety Gear - Just in Case!</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Word Up!</b></div>
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Some
more words from the Francis’ lexxikon:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cheese – </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">one of his favourite meals - and yes I choose that word over food.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mama –</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dada – </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Go – </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">starting to join in with "Ready, steady, go!"</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baby Sign language – </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sorry</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- Stroking your forearm in a downwards motion - we use this when he pokes the dogs in the eyes</div>
<b>Water</b> - Three fingers held to your chin - Francis' version is his hand being shoved in his gob but we get his meaning<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tale of the Tape:</b></div>
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$4165 - The price per square metre of our new home</div>
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35 - The street number</div>
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18078 - km we will travel on Sunday from Hamilton to Newcastle-upon-Tyne</div>
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Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-46259070656166312842017-03-22T00:59:00.000-07:002017-03-22T01:02:07.402-07:00March 2017 - Part 3<br />
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</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">March 2017 – Part 3</b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hot Air Balloons</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o0dXod2D9saiY6AdNMtUknb7dBoNf7zp-gLmtJsyi_rfTRd0-zGuoPPHhHUtRsKwT7BqFwZV13ShSd24WZfWxpgvPdu-HwWU2MNGCfiinWRClS_TBPFavk1szwQjAM3Ch7umwcIrCkQ3/s1600/IMG_4563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o0dXod2D9saiY6AdNMtUknb7dBoNf7zp-gLmtJsyi_rfTRd0-zGuoPPHhHUtRsKwT7BqFwZV13ShSd24WZfWxpgvPdu-HwWU2MNGCfiinWRClS_TBPFavk1szwQjAM3Ch7umwcIrCkQ3/s320/IMG_4563.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCobXws9PJjPt3PH4mEtTNiu1D0VZ3ah_T1gX_E8jExaGFjkHAQ7X5708j-WWGFndnBx3CvOiFASJh_o1261TsA0UDMU2XGJicrsIO_Nro6I9_dFD7hL_AoEcEjYMzh6zSPEwZPu3M6F8c/s1600/IMG_4576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCobXws9PJjPt3PH4mEtTNiu1D0VZ3ah_T1gX_E8jExaGFjkHAQ7X5708j-WWGFndnBx3CvOiFASJh_o1261TsA0UDMU2XGJicrsIO_Nro6I9_dFD7hL_AoEcEjYMzh6zSPEwZPu3M6F8c/s320/IMG_4576.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCFcq3PTjbZpCRcDvEPBWs6kNgMWgG47L5Is_512mZYCdVyq68gUjJEUW9uDFKsXE7SkfzFb8OnpvlBQWCmrjiJkntcRa-zZ9in06UZBtqQSU3uMR54ol5gEMLikv-pYhPEDYbjFJbkOu/s1600/IMG_4571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCFcq3PTjbZpCRcDvEPBWs6kNgMWgG47L5Is_512mZYCdVyq68gUjJEUW9uDFKsXE7SkfzFb8OnpvlBQWCmrjiJkntcRa-zZ9in06UZBtqQSU3uMR54ol5gEMLikv-pYhPEDYbjFJbkOu/s320/IMG_4571.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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Francis
and I were out on the bike early on Wednesday morning to go and see all the hot
air balloons lift off in the Balloons Over Waikato festival. We liked it so much
we went back on the second morning!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hot Air Bottoms</b></div>
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Francis
and I spend quite a lot of our time out and about on the bicycle. His seat is
directly behind mine. Occasionally, there may be the sound of breaking wind
emanating from one of us- well, okay, mostly from me. This fills Francis with
delight and he makes a huge raspberry noise himself, all the while gleefully
pointing at Daddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>let me get away with any slight indiscretion!
</div>
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He’s
now turning this into performance art. Just the other day I was completing my
back and forward back stretching exercise when such a gaseous release
occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite accidentally of course.
He threw his hands up in the air and gleefully blew raspberries in his toy
corner where he was sitting with mammy, crawled over to me as fast as he could,
stood up right behind and put his face right next to my butt, then collapsed in
a dead heap on the floor. Man he’s a crack up!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Word Up!</b></div>
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Some
more words from the Francis’ lexicon:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Teeth – </b>getting pretty <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>good with this one</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trucky-trucky-truck –</b> whenever he sees
a truck or lorry. He’s pretty obsessed with these. Uncle Andrew take note.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baby Sign language – </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Food</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- imagine an Italian ham-actor in a cheesy advert bringing his thumb and
two fingers towards his lips and saying “bellissimo”.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Help - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Clenched hand on the palm of another and
then being raised.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He can’t walk but he can…….</b></div>
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<b>Slide</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzUUFzNlLyfrADyWw4f9fm8gCNk3FwoMGhLkOBFKYZAj2x1Fx5mXogE0vDwr4sVuTqIx44XfTD9oEu6UXylMA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bike and Dance</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwFKoBC6u9-FRh1myPNuMnylehod3yI3YC5ic23LwGm3Rt0Rk4-pTDHgZCptd4nHz8SpsZFqf_bTeiW1f5Y1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
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Music Credit - SilverSun Pickups : "Growing Old is Getting Old"</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Climb and Dance</b></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyoWf5XbyPoOVZtw5nr5fOoa0YmGjLdSgKjGtjAJjLh6ZOXySesZ7CzfgDU3hauNOKJf-Aea_M-Eu4_48LpFw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Music Credit - James : "Bitch"</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Build</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNuTjUiPkEXc76gq7BnNNWQERBOL1otWB7C1ZchiVo6SryvIIeWtvi34dU37H8harPwVbaH9dHOozFu5k-qyz4WiwMqVH260IJdHo57Jz8W8g3Rqmcvds0g9MFIkp2tu_Cbv78_f2SlXn/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNuTjUiPkEXc76gq7BnNNWQERBOL1otWB7C1ZchiVo6SryvIIeWtvi34dU37H8harPwVbaH9dHOozFu5k-qyz4WiwMqVH260IJdHo57Jz8W8g3Rqmcvds0g9MFIkp2tu_Cbv78_f2SlXn/s320/IMG_1931.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The latest Francis Tower....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwB0Gv7OGQa24bEuOxIRW2HRvXVC0sUen7JPmyNyKo4ZThs_B3K7zi6pm9dhCqkbPbNthjaliyt1mBvI5qFWcrriPwZDK0kOdfsB72Oq5BrqBIlNnJxmoNIR3v-6J9Qjxny1VuIf377-2/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwB0Gv7OGQa24bEuOxIRW2HRvXVC0sUen7JPmyNyKo4ZThs_B3K7zi6pm9dhCqkbPbNthjaliyt1mBvI5qFWcrriPwZDK0kOdfsB72Oq5BrqBIlNnJxmoNIR3v-6J9Qjxny1VuIf377-2/s320/IMG_1932.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the topping out ceremony.....</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d_nRfKO87CRLhacMrPQxBU0MUsB98voxViOVvqqZtPwmyAeY5N4o34EiblTx4MYPLpa3PSOISpev6xoOlhLLSrc8A-g7j_dU_M7v2DTwJaCiF0MtZ7QuZ4yaIgKJftkqMN4Xpj63MqRn/s1600/IMG_1933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d_nRfKO87CRLhacMrPQxBU0MUsB98voxViOVvqqZtPwmyAeY5N4o34EiblTx4MYPLpa3PSOISpev6xoOlhLLSrc8A-g7j_dU_M7v2DTwJaCiF0MtZ7QuZ4yaIgKJftkqMN4Xpj63MqRn/s320/IMG_1933.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... with a sample spoon from Duck Island as the spire.</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Actually he <i>can </i>walk 4 or 5 steps, he just chooses not to! Crawling is way faster.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Sleep</b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just mentioning this very quietly, so as not to jinx it, but it's getting much better. Two days ago he napped for almost four hours<b>, </b>and mostly only wakes once at night</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shhhhhhhh</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-24686921268736405782017-03-11T19:17:00.003-08:002017-03-11T19:17:12.119-08:00March 2017 - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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{page:WordSection1;</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">March 2017 – Part 2</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Playground Quest</b></div>
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Francis
and I have been making the most of the late arrival of summer and our new found
biking freedom. Hamilton has a number of “Destination” playgrounds, seven so far, and I think more planned. Five of them have been voted the best playgrounds in New
Zealand – so time to go on a quest!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are all uniquely designed with a bunch of really cool features, everything from
traditional based swings and slides, to sand digging equipment, climbing
frames, water features and play, aviaries etc. We hit up three in the first
week, all easily accessible for us on our bike. In our current order of favourites,
which I am sure will change as Francis gets older….</div>
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<i>Parana
Park :</i></div>
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Awesome
water and paddling pool and a big old Banana slide that Francis loves, coming
down head first. I’ve not been fast enough to get to the bottom of the slide to
take video but here’s some pictures. There’s also tons of good crawling frames
for him to go and climb over. Cool advantage of this park is that it’s pretty
close to Duck Island Ice Creamery for a well deserved ice cream after some
playing and to refuel Daddy’s legs for the cycle home. One downside was it was
a bit of a mosquito-fest the first morning we went, so now we always wear long
shirts and pants<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when we go there!</div>
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<i>Hamilton
Lake:</i></div>
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This
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">WOULD </i>be a real short and beautiful
cycle ride from our home, but since bikes are not allowed on the path around
the lake, the ride is much more boring along a main and busy road. So we use
the footpath, since there is no cycle lane.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A
great playground with loads of cool things to do; lots of water based
activities and dams; sand diggers, music, swings, and awesome climbing and tube
slides! Francis loves these almost as much as his Dad, as he’s not quite up to
going down them by himself. So I sacrifice my dignity, find my inner child and
“weeeeeeeeeeeeeee” down we go. Friggin’ Awesome! </div>
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<i>Hamilton
Gardens:</i></div>
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The
newest of the playgrounds and opened in Dec 2016. This is really close to where
we live and in beautiful surrounds. Actually all three of these are. This
playground is designed for slightly older kids as the climbing frames etc are a
bit more advanced than the ones at the previous two, but there’s lots of open
space for him to use his imagination, and a stage for him to explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think as Francis gets older, the order of
these three parks will be reversed.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Word Up!</b></div>
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We’re
starting to get some recognizable words from F-bomb these days, so it’s all the
more important to watch what we say in front of him. Usual expletives have been
replaced by Fudge and Fiddlesticks and of course Mother Fudge-cakes. If
anyone has any other we can use, please let me know.</div>
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Here’s
some of the words that I currently claim Francis is saying :</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blueberry – </b>a breakfast favourite he
likes to put in his mouth and then spit out as fast as he can!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Helicopter – </b>we see and hear a bunch of
these living so close to the hospital.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cain – </b>one of our dogs.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ta – </b>we had been persevering with
“thank you” for months without success. Took him about 2 minutes to pick up Ta!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Garden – </b>he’s been saying this for a
long time and is obsessed with outside – even when we have torrential rain.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oops - </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this normally accompanies the throwing of food
off the table.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">All done-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b>following on closely from the above to signal he is done eating.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Baby Sign language – </b></div>
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We’ve
been trying to teach Francis baby sign language since he was born – maybe we
were too keen in starting that early. Anyway, we’re starting to see the
following…</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Milkies </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- he makes a milking like sign to let Ananda
know he wants breast fed – or just stick his hand down her bra or lifts her
shirt up. All three convey the same meaning!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Water - </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not quite getting this one right, but watching
his stick his full fist in his mouth is always amusing!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Down – </b>one Francis invented all by
himself. Extend both index fingers, jab vigorously downwards into tray of high
chair, or push chair or wherever<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he is
restrained!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">More - </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he’s mainly uses this when reading books or
playing games with us, but trying to incorporate it into meal times as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes he doesn’t always get
the more he is requesting. Eg. Showing Francis how I pee in to the toilet
whilst he was in the bath the other day, was followed by the more sign….
“Hmmmmmm you’ll have to wait awhile son….”</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Banksy</b></div>
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A
rainy day activity gone awry, after I turned my back on Francis, his crayons and
his colouring book…..</div>
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It
actually looks quite good, so we’ve left it in place…. For now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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According to Ananda earlier that morning: "Only irresponsible parents who don't watch their children let that happen" QED #1.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Old dog- teaching new tricks.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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It
just dawned on me the other day that getting to stay at home with Francis is like
having a new but much more intelligent dog to teach tricks. I’ve gotten such
a kick out of teaching him how to shake hands like a proper English gent (as
opposed to the crass “high-five” his ‘Merican mom is trying to teach him). Next
week I will work on “fetch”, “down” and “roll-over and play dead”.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>
</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Injury Report</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1) PPTSD</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Playground Parent Trauma Stress Dis-order! </b>As
mentioned above, Francis likes to come down slides head first and had
successfully negotiated all the big kids slides without mishap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Hamilton lakes there’s a smaller
traditional kids playground as well and Francis came down that tiny slide
headfirst, at quite a rate of knots. Although I was standing at the bottom of it, he flew straight
off the end and landed face first in the sand between my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>QED #2.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cue much blood from front teeth meeting
bottom lip, a sand covered face and much screaming of pain –short lived. All of
this happened right in front of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a mum
and baby group and I felt so embarrassed and could almost hear them thinking
“stupid Dad what was he doing letting that happened”. I retreated to the corner
to attend to Francis’ wounds, only to further add to my embarrassment by having
to remove one of his socks to mop up the blood and clean his face since I had
no wipes or tissue with me. </div>
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<br /></div>
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F showed what a trooper he was by heading right
back to the same slide, and this time not managing to hurtle off the end. I
punched the end in delight and cried out a silent “See I told you so” to all
the other parents there… well maybe not.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2) Man vs Machine</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPthJV-FN58JpIZVtBs0-XQnsZGb3-jGz0xrUIAmXCK4cMAS2Mc1UiSNZ1J-vPoIFPjEylObmZDwXiAJkLpSMVlsu8t0HG52a1yzldeNOogcDHBNWVtw3gvHNO_tXsvdVJ4V748xhlagz2/s1600/IMG_1914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPthJV-FN58JpIZVtBs0-XQnsZGb3-jGz0xrUIAmXCK4cMAS2Mc1UiSNZ1J-vPoIFPjEylObmZDwXiAJkLpSMVlsu8t0HG52a1yzldeNOogcDHBNWVtw3gvHNO_tXsvdVJ4V748xhlagz2/s320/IMG_1914.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finger......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi911xb_7e4yj18zKhYiaxfDwjOIrdOBfAJBVe_2oqMREEauNqQkk7GJz6Cnj6tLftQZQD5dFzz9WOBEfl7lavDAcAxz0VuMfVoEknOG4fBnbzxftuv_et2_wdEYr_Xrh-tlMZr_7vlu05D/s1600/IMG_1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi911xb_7e4yj18zKhYiaxfDwjOIrdOBfAJBVe_2oqMREEauNqQkk7GJz6Cnj6tLftQZQD5dFzz9WOBEfl7lavDAcAxz0VuMfVoEknOG4fBnbzxftuv_et2_wdEYr_Xrh-tlMZr_7vlu05D/s320/IMG_1911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...plus blender.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo5GtA_wzOU6_sya-Jqlj2m-RyKQroABMnwquKgL4tYkNEiNroGWRc7z7GxPwRXC2JUJmO1IUT9hJRnqCnYqVthFRW_bJV5ZPTcihnu4aqklv9MXyFKfyDZcfNopwJyPL5eQvv08douPu/s1600/finger.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo5GtA_wzOU6_sya-Jqlj2m-RyKQroABMnwquKgL4tYkNEiNroGWRc7z7GxPwRXC2JUJmO1IUT9hJRnqCnYqVthFRW_bJV5ZPTcihnu4aqklv9MXyFKfyDZcfNopwJyPL5eQvv08douPu/s320/finger.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... equals<b>.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I lost a recent battle I had with a hand blender (maybe they should change the name as I certainly don't recommend doing that). Whist trying to dislodge a clogged tomato - "you say tomato I say instrument of torture" - my finger got a wee bit blended. Wasn't sure if I was going to vomit or pass out or both, and luckily it was a Saturday so Ananda was at home. Took about 30 minutes for the room to stop spinning before I could drive myself to Urgent care. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3) Man vs Man</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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My
first run out and practice session with an 11-a-side team I hope to play for,
resulted in a broken toe. Didn't stop me from finishing the game though.... Hard as nails me!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco4-TOJbSDhDpn0wLtMqoUL5Ke4v7axjPCo_tqGkK2fu0yUNYzD9XB0_yDEBnKTXAmDRS1KiRfWWp1D7V9Zr0WSjOgjJugepCySl1hAb5q6hNduILLhcExvazNOhy0O3uHKEnw-d19Je9/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco4-TOJbSDhDpn0wLtMqoUL5Ke4v7axjPCo_tqGkK2fu0yUNYzD9XB0_yDEBnKTXAmDRS1KiRfWWp1D7V9Zr0WSjOgjJugepCySl1hAb5q6hNduILLhcExvazNOhy0O3uHKEnw-d19Je9/s320/IMG_1915.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
Off to Urgent care again then. We're buying shares.<br />
<br />
<b>Quote of the Week</b><br />
<br />
<b>"</b>I just ate a bit of rice cake off the couch. I'm not sure if that was the bit that was stuck to his balls". Ananda during nappy free snack time.<b> </b><br />
<br />Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-20346806782063310312017-03-06T23:38:00.000-08:002017-03-06T23:38:37.328-08:00March 2017 - Part 1<style>
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</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">March 2017 – Part 1</b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sleeping or not as the case may be.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not
been able to find the time to write a blog recently, as I’ve been doing some
moonlighting for a friend whilst Francis naps. I was hoping to sit down and
write a chirpy and witty prose about nappies and other things, but feeling a
bit too tired. But we’ll soldier on and see how we do. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxEBbst_D4-02cncNqqahb6h3jEIs4bhSyq_S95ZHlWDRRiWUb6A4shVxNJVN6YWbOyiooqTxIIMcGB-MDQEvJiU5948ogKx-rnADeLp9wSbISjaeRLIw2CLE7xoKplyDYGQDQbqZuzuw/s1600/eye+0f+the+storm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxEBbst_D4-02cncNqqahb6h3jEIs4bhSyq_S95ZHlWDRRiWUb6A4shVxNJVN6YWbOyiooqTxIIMcGB-MDQEvJiU5948ogKx-rnADeLp9wSbISjaeRLIw2CLE7xoKplyDYGQDQbqZuzuw/s1600/eye+0f+the+storm.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Although
it now seems like four months ago, I think it was only last weekend when
Francis had two nights in a row where he only woke up once. We were pretty stunned.
Cue the phrase “ calm before the storm”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Since
then, for the past countless nights he’s woken about 5-6 times a night JUST
between going to bed at 8ish and 1am, as well as his usual wake ups at 5am and
then at 6:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So about 8 times a
night. I'm normally quite elegant when I return to bed so as not to wake up Ananda, but last night I was like a tree being felled in the forest. Each time I just keeled over once I got close to the bed. More by luck than planning that I never head butted Ananda or the head board!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Lack of sleep does not seem to faze Francis as he’s as bright as a button through the day, unlike his Dad, who can
barely recall conversations he’s had with people. That’s if they are real
people and I’m not just hallucinating.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Some
remedy for me would be to nap when he does, BUT I’m useless at that. So we just
soldier on. Maybe I should go out clubbing with him? Some friends have told us
about the 18 month sleep regression so maybe that’s it. Some other friends with
a 4 month old are worried their child is sleeping 10h a night. Embrace it while
it lasts, my friends, embrace it with two bear-hugging arms and cherish it.
Store it as a memory for the future when you forget what sleep is. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Walking</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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Young
Francis has started to take some tentative steps in his walking. He can do
about 4 or five steps and you can clearly see the enjoyment he takes from it.
I’m sure that’ll not last long once I get him signed up to his first morning
paper round. Do they still do that? And how much do they pay?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nappies</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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We
decided right from the get go we were going to go the re-useable nappy route,
for a whole bunch of reason such as environmental, cost, etc. Not going to go
into those two subjects right now, but if you’re contemplating going the same
route we did, then hopefully the following description will help clarify how it
all works. I know it sounds pretty simple, but when we first started looking
into it, there was a bewildering rang of types, and nomenclature to deal with,
so hopefully someone out there will find this helpful. We also found a bunch of
other good reusable tools too and wanted to pass on some of the tips as well,
that help keep Francis clean at both ends of his alimentary canal!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Types</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">There's about</span></span></span> four types of reusable nappies and we’ve tried them
all, but had most luck with the following three types:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
1) Pre-fold
– rectangular absorbent pads (ours are made from bamboo)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that are held in place by a waterproof outer
layer. We use a “Flip” outer layer and a “reusable liner” –see later
explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pads sit directly
against the babies skin. The picture below shows the inside and outside and how
it looks when put together.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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They
seem to work pretty well, but probably the type we use the least.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Pocket nappies – as above rectangular absorbent
pads that fit inside a pocket in an outer layer. This helps hold the pads in
place really well. Again we use a liner. We normally put two pads inside each
pocket. Some pocket nappies come with the pads attached to the pockets, which
can make drying a bit more arduous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this style
the absorbent pads are not in direct contact with the babies skin.
</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IUOlHwFyOkjNaY8y-hK8nE4SHdZD7E4j5pbePJ2k7s-vtHpkfnEnw57CeH-7Zzu0DlMfaEgksFdkX8S-hMCDzPdgqaA5GoyEBqL-ny4Izg8Nkm1_LH2mtJGZVFJjHQGXO70yD14B7FwH/s1600/IMG_1903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IUOlHwFyOkjNaY8y-hK8nE4SHdZD7E4j5pbePJ2k7s-vtHpkfnEnw57CeH-7Zzu0DlMfaEgksFdkX8S-hMCDzPdgqaA5GoyEBqL-ny4Izg8Nkm1_LH2mtJGZVFJjHQGXO70yD14B7FwH/s320/IMG_1903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As
you can see from the pictures, our nappies after 16 months of hard wear and
tear - (a euphemism for lots of piss and shit on them) -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are still very white and look<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as good as new – despite not using bleach on
them – see Laundry section later for details. The brands we use are Babyco that
we bought in New Zealand and Bum Genius which we got in the States. We also
used Baby Mio earlier one but found their velcro tabs were uncomfortable for
Francis.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reusable liners</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I’m not sure which one of us first stumbled
across this idea but we had started out using “Water Wipes” to clean Francis’
face after feeding etc, and also at nappy changing time. Awesome chemical free
wipes. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloJWCie14S5gJX3AQZcYuUQknd_HKYvtIlHZMllIeTmgeyNtqpltqY2hd0kFBCq1QvM-Jr7-5YQyOcABo7xzEoKk22d2ofXdU_7njXkteg6emqJrjoiSfblAVVbGWqgrGVVySfdz2cDQ5/s1600/IMG_1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloJWCie14S5gJX3AQZcYuUQknd_HKYvtIlHZMllIeTmgeyNtqpltqY2hd0kFBCq1QvM-Jr7-5YQyOcABo7xzEoKk22d2ofXdU_7njXkteg6emqJrjoiSfblAVVbGWqgrGVVySfdz2cDQ5/s320/IMG_1897.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We
discovered you could launder them many times before they fell apart. So, after
we used them on his face or butt we washed them and they became our nappy
liners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They keep on getting re-used
until a) they become too thread-bare or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>b) the poop on them is too wet and loose to simply fall off into the
toilet bowl after we change F. Hmmm did I forget to tell you not to read this
whilst eating? </div>
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<br /></div>
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I
think we only buy maybe one packet a quarter.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bum Wipes</i></div>
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With
our imagination fuelled by a friend of ours who told us she used to “re-purpose”
the little hand towels from business class travel trips as face wipes, (and by
re-purpose we mean steal), Ananda found these great soft cloths that we use on
Francis. So after we’ve detected F-bomb has dropped a S-bomb (either by smell,
sound or intuition) we grab a few of these cloths from his nappy draw and wet
them with warm tap water (if he’s lucky!) and then take them to ground zero in
a re-used ice cream tub. I also keep a dry one for drying at the end of cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once Francis is all cleaned up we spread a
little Weleda barrier cream on his cute little butt and we’re all done. The
dirty wipes get put in his nappy bucket with his dirty nappy, and hopefully not
too dirty liner.
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Face Wipes</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Same
process as above really expect we have a separate set of cloths for that –
these nice and colourful ones, that get laundered with his clothes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaZA1QuAjWT_i-wGS93CoRzh88b8S-EEuJChnAAKsBZwrTTHvcDhvlFLosEjQ39etTWoxgSYTFvjeA932KBzI7N1PGnhJqfT_K9nUNJ5grMOnZg5SfGgV2uUA0wjhy24-DRzHui7MWQRm/s1600/IMG_1905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaZA1QuAjWT_i-wGS93CoRzh88b8S-EEuJChnAAKsBZwrTTHvcDhvlFLosEjQ39etTWoxgSYTFvjeA932KBzI7N1PGnhJqfT_K9nUNJ5grMOnZg5SfGgV2uUA0wjhy24-DRzHui7MWQRm/s320/IMG_1905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Nappy Bucket</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I
guess this could conjure up visions of a cesspool of pee and poo stenching away
in the corner of the laundry, but to be honest it ain’t all that bad. The
bucket is dry – i.e the nappies are not soaked in anything, and has a tightish
fitting lid. The pads are removed from the pockets and placed in the bucket
with the liners and outer shells to await laundry day. I think we’ve only
cleaned the bucket two or three times since we had it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Laundry</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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We
do the nappy laundry every other day – we could stretch it out to three days as
he gets older and requires less changing, but for the most part we have enough
nappies (about 20 when all types are taken into consideration) to make that a
good cycle time for us.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGTgASIBqLIHpbRYFjBUgW5FOVBfGVlm0N0_Om7o4qT8MPNjZvyyK_x5KK1AbuHZladHcwivTcXPa3He84xlIN7i9IJ5-0QPjKGzR9On3pc1Hs4v4tChBdHAd1IS3SeEByakfp1RTMRpX/s1600/IMG_1906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGTgASIBqLIHpbRYFjBUgW5FOVBfGVlm0N0_Om7o4qT8MPNjZvyyK_x5KK1AbuHZladHcwivTcXPa3He84xlIN7i9IJ5-0QPjKGzR9On3pc1Hs4v4tChBdHAd1IS3SeEByakfp1RTMRpX/s320/IMG_1906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s
a basic 60C wash with a pre-wash cycle and three rinses and we use EcoStore
laundry powder. The wash takes about two hours which we do through the night,
so they are ready to be hung outside to line dry first thing in the morning. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We
did have to “strip” the nappies once in the past. Ananda had been home in the
US for an extended period of time, and the nappies started to smell a bit like
ammonia. So we did the stripping process there. Maybe it was the different
wash cycle, the different water or the different detergent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
On as side note, a few weeks ago I thought I
would have to do the stripping process as the nappies were smelling really bad
when I took them out of the washing machine one morning. I had placed most of
them in the laundry basket for hanging outside when I realized they had not
even be washed! I had forgotten to close the door to the machine properly! Phew
– well kinda - since I had to give my hands and the laundry basket a good
scrubbing!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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So,
that’s how we roll in our house. Francis has maybe had mild nappy rash twice.
First time was when we weren’t using barrier cream after washing him after a
poopy nappy, and I’m not sure if we figured out why it happened the second
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
A
guilty caveat to this is that we do put Francis in a disposable at night time –
although I’m not sure why since he doesn’t pee at night – so maybe we need to
change that……..yeah, let's mess some more with his sleep routine! LOL.</div>
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<br /></div>
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All
in all super happy with the choice we made to do this, and as the parent that
does most of the messy end of the laundry it really is not all that bad – just
practice good hygiene and wash your hands. I wash my hands after loading the
machine and BEFORE I close the door, or add the powder or press the
buttons!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering the fact that we
plan and hope to have more kids to re-use the re-useable they cost and
environmental savings will then double!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stacking</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Francis
is getting such a kick out of stacking things and I mean anything on top of
each other. It really good for his hand eye coordination and is hopefully also teaching him to place things gently on top of one another. So now when Francis goes all quite his is now doing one of three things : 1) Having a poo; 2) doing something he knows he shouldn't be; 3) stacking!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Here are some of his more note-worthy stacking achievements. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOciN0YoB1ap_IRDVZlnTxULpEouZmELr-HRMDjzAXdrhJGng37J91jMbhvr9w6-K9cBKt69WvfT0Myxj2yY35beNPWGiO4FPTbfOaVPFGSVaGuVczAoVS6Q9QdKqnvFfMBfvMlpKjYLl/s1600/IMG_1881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOciN0YoB1ap_IRDVZlnTxULpEouZmELr-HRMDjzAXdrhJGng37J91jMbhvr9w6-K9cBKt69WvfT0Myxj2yY35beNPWGiO4FPTbfOaVPFGSVaGuVczAoVS6Q9QdKqnvFfMBfvMlpKjYLl/s320/IMG_1881.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campervan stacking on a pretty un-level surface.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0w6-rjgGgoHBDbuHKWOO8_ZNro2mm7e5EKibZSFx_6763pNlAYfC8pwOKyfVGjBwbw9r6OdkBZ2IcqLkV-NnVIaASIn67kWIxIYdMwu86Rek_TG6yHu_u_ql68zAeEaP7a0kBT78g_pi/s1600/IMG_1888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0w6-rjgGgoHBDbuHKWOO8_ZNro2mm7e5EKibZSFx_6763pNlAYfC8pwOKyfVGjBwbw9r6OdkBZ2IcqLkV-NnVIaASIn67kWIxIYdMwu86Rek_TG6yHu_u_ql68zAeEaP7a0kBT78g_pi/s320/IMG_1888.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacking the cargo trucks on the train set he got for his birthday....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPapuaUPaDxZ5JdjmC6_fpnGnbwwgXP01zujPZW5qdjMwAMBQZX9SeUdRXwVM1lqYvW2U0EOmJW7gJh-xsmPFwFZgi6pM_IWS3gDkLl7FDmkjp3QT7FOiJo3Q8ZWaULDGpfJwVCPtpreXe/s1600/IMG_1892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPapuaUPaDxZ5JdjmC6_fpnGnbwwgXP01zujPZW5qdjMwAMBQZX9SeUdRXwVM1lqYvW2U0EOmJW7gJh-xsmPFwFZgi6pM_IWS3gDkLl7FDmkjp3QT7FOiJo3Q8ZWaULDGpfJwVCPtpreXe/s320/IMG_1892.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... and being embarrassed at the praise he got.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzXGSynSQUN-mogSkMfHEGSr8j4sitQcOPbcQOgt0h-tgNnPGxf91-hXWux7vJyK0WABGfy-Zu3vSZUkUIHB_icyvappi5sM2Cr56TRgNGf4DSNzGRYujKfWstWbgyhM5LrINBf2_7BVb/s1600/IMG_4550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzXGSynSQUN-mogSkMfHEGSr8j4sitQcOPbcQOgt0h-tgNnPGxf91-hXWux7vJyK0WABGfy-Zu3vSZUkUIHB_icyvappi5sM2Cr56TRgNGf4DSNzGRYujKfWstWbgyhM5LrINBf2_7BVb/s320/IMG_4550.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His forthcoming entry for the Tate...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2wlQx-QtxU25HEL5Y5CVdHcdfCtTMCY8-zyGgGWKlIyHqZEi9FSije11lj04YQR7vZ0PafzWyyNxZutrlMfJ5vJ61qsBnnRv9nS8-KDLuKNRwqhyygiteP794sxVWT8FePU6nLN0GEJD/s1600/IMG_4551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2wlQx-QtxU25HEL5Y5CVdHcdfCtTMCY8-zyGgGWKlIyHqZEi9FSije11lj04YQR7vZ0PafzWyyNxZutrlMfJ5vJ61qsBnnRv9nS8-KDLuKNRwqhyygiteP794sxVWT8FePU6nLN0GEJD/s320/IMG_4551.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and contemplating what he'll call it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStimpf8uyt5v340bPDJUuNm0ex5j892BPfWiu9HbAYcKPeXdeqQ-5God5RuAqBipLRlpQJKu3rTD9UkfvN6oXbX0ChnjvT62KvctSyg2qH4X-n2W84q7_jP6z42b-Mrw9DPnysG5zBqGs/s1600/IMG_1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStimpf8uyt5v340bPDJUuNm0ex5j892BPfWiu9HbAYcKPeXdeqQ-5God5RuAqBipLRlpQJKu3rTD9UkfvN6oXbX0ChnjvT62KvctSyg2qH4X-n2W84q7_jP6z42b-Mrw9DPnysG5zBqGs/s320/IMG_1907.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train stacking!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P0XMfRcEmYHQY928SFWaQMlPsUu3lWNgUb48PChUQB7koBQ7E8RQKLnxblJW_Tj47NMUZ46BtSaMZA1ZWDiqpdvsF35wg2w1KQhR6T3yMTHUksPRbG5fieyisJGvcLvo1-sd41SHXVcs/s1600/stacking.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P0XMfRcEmYHQY928SFWaQMlPsUu3lWNgUb48PChUQB7koBQ7E8RQKLnxblJW_Tj47NMUZ46BtSaMZA1ZWDiqpdvsF35wg2w1KQhR6T3yMTHUksPRbG5fieyisJGvcLvo1-sd41SHXVcs/s320/stacking.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shoe Illusion was one of F's first attempts and still one of hie finest!</td></tr>
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Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-34192239099623315152017-02-19T09:52:00.001-08:002017-02-19T09:52:55.767-08:00February 2017 - Part 2 - Sleep<style>
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</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 2017 – Part 2</b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sleep</b></div>
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After
Ananda returned to work in October she continued with breast-feeding
Francis<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about three times a night. It
was obviously very tiring for her to do this and go to work, where she was also
pumping through the day. So we decided to try and reduce the number of night
feeds. The plan was that I would go and settle him when he woke at all times
except for one time about 2am for an actual feed.</div>
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His
normal pattern before this plan was bed about 8:30pm, waking about 11:30pm,
again at 2am and 5am and then getting up at 6:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francis and I took to this really well to
start with. For example for his 11:30pm wake-up at first I would have to go
into his room and pick him up, offer him some water – which he always refused - and
then cuddle him back to sleep. This very quickly evolved into me going into his
room, saying “lie down Francis”, placing my hand on his back for a few seconds
and him going back to sleep. As I said we reached this point very quickly, but
then it just plateaued.</div>
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I
guess I was expecting that soon afterwards he would not even bother waking at
this point. But some nights he is up multiple times between 11:30pm and 1:30am,
just for a few minutes each time, but it still breaks his and mine sleep
cycles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be his teething –
incisors are coming in, or are we just replacing one habit with another one?</div>
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At
the same time we’ve made progress with the process of putting him to sleep. Oh my, I sound like a vet, but you know what I mean! I
used to give him his milkies, cradle him in my arms, and sing and pat him to
sleep, all in about 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I
really loved doing this!) </div>
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Then, I withdrew the patting, then the singing and
we’ve reached the point where I hold him for up to 5 minutes in my arms, then
put him down in his cot when he is still awake. I then just sit in the chair in
his room and wait until he falls asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </div>
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At times getting to this stage seemed like a Pyrrhic victory as this
process would sometimes take about 50 minutes, but we persevered and it's gotten
really good. Next step I guess is putting him down and just walking out the
room. Not quite brave enough to do that yet though.</div>
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We’ve
also transitioned almost completely to one nap a day. A three hour nap from
noon until about 3pm. Boy has this messed up my lunch schedule with him, but
we’re getting better at having an early lunch.</div>
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So,
coupling the progress in Francis settling himself to sleep from an awake state
AND the cessation of all but one night time feed, why is he still not sleeping
through the night? If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment below or
email me or Ananda. </div>
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Sometimes
I’m firmly in the camp of the “let him cry it out” side of the debate, whereas
Ananda is never in that camp, and this has led to the odd sleepy argument at
2am or whatever time it is I feel frustrated. Maybe Ananda should just take the
Trump line and say that the new sleep roll out “is going very smoothly and
working like a fine-tuned machine. Bigly!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It can be a real struggle for me sometimes dealing with such little sleep
especially since I cannot nap through the day time to catch up. And I used to
be so good at little or no sleep as my years as a research scientist and
on-call support person had seen me very practiced at staying awake for up to
36h at a time. I guess some of my argument for the crying it out solution is
that is it more psychologically damaging to Francis to have a tired, cranky
parent looking after him through the day, versus, a few nights of crying hell
for Francis? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess we’ll never know. </div>
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I
could of course be over-reacting and it could be teething……. Will we ever know?</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summer Time and the Living is Easy.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzRkL5XZuGMtz9jHISgu5i0EXTwOaS8-dDDKh2v2vnxtL_wN9-vwcKZZ79JiYCwyCN5VJ_zrmvEBFBBJ7tvSfoZl3V59H97rrL_CUkOSlfcGj9zh9d9acIqwdD6NYRiwvjg_vCcwkfmsS/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzRkL5XZuGMtz9jHISgu5i0EXTwOaS8-dDDKh2v2vnxtL_wN9-vwcKZZ79JiYCwyCN5VJ_zrmvEBFBBJ7tvSfoZl3V59H97rrL_CUkOSlfcGj9zh9d9acIqwdD6NYRiwvjg_vCcwkfmsS/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We’ve
done quite a bit of camping in our motor home in the last month or so. Francis
really loves it and exploring the world inside and outside the campervan.
Here’s some pictures….</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETUn3a4DoGYnFYnQ9FWJNNOcPD8_05W21aANCYmHqZSS6RKd86OU_oP3sNho8w590SM4Uq8ThcWbqJr6Zz-x3vHc32Do_d22yJCtNLBi_Z5WjWReBR23Et8V4RnzTN9O9D0WsGOpxv7cU/s1600/IMG_1830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETUn3a4DoGYnFYnQ9FWJNNOcPD8_05W21aANCYmHqZSS6RKd86OU_oP3sNho8w590SM4Uq8ThcWbqJr6Zz-x3vHc32Do_d22yJCtNLBi_Z5WjWReBR23Et8V4RnzTN9O9D0WsGOpxv7cU/s320/IMG_1830.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Maketu reflected in the campervan windows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d8WCT6-i1kWzpRBq4TwWbNK0YdpNHHvKA616rww0snXWon5snYTgPIst9axGHiTzchdZEmzc28vHqzyqI1gfkG3QZpgEGTrphgodPd8sCsypqEMCqsKtO4LDkq7ARJMUlhzjUtRhCkx4/s1600/IMG_1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d8WCT6-i1kWzpRBq4TwWbNK0YdpNHHvKA616rww0snXWon5snYTgPIst9axGHiTzchdZEmzc28vHqzyqI1gfkG3QZpgEGTrphgodPd8sCsypqEMCqsKtO4LDkq7ARJMUlhzjUtRhCkx4/s320/IMG_1836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Cook's Beach we had our own private lagoon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDrewnc_3CoDg7kMyIkceCpmgRgSp36ItGEglcqs7QPw83SWf8aBW4sUMx9MczxHS9K4gfFb1OP9anbQEl_S0XRTveYCLdRgNBeAplAauZ-948ieKImx8p4JCmxi2sGqSE8LoxhM9r7yX/s1600/IMG_1837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDrewnc_3CoDg7kMyIkceCpmgRgSp36ItGEglcqs7QPw83SWf8aBW4sUMx9MczxHS9K4gfFb1OP9anbQEl_S0XRTveYCLdRgNBeAplAauZ-948ieKImx8p4JCmxi2sGqSE8LoxhM9r7yX/s320/IMG_1837.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to keep Francis sun safe!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OBFpy1ZvtwQZUe7KKswW4rPUPOxvO3VPdEpf0J0XaiYNMoqj5V1ecDWr3pyUImvpT5OqSE4apnc83wI1rcoZGeGtT6mcxm75ldQbeBEzhhTj-k1tnhmrJuSWnQqOlHg9O-1n48vmFyw1/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OBFpy1ZvtwQZUe7KKswW4rPUPOxvO3VPdEpf0J0XaiYNMoqj5V1ecDWr3pyUImvpT5OqSE4apnc83wI1rcoZGeGtT6mcxm75ldQbeBEzhhTj-k1tnhmrJuSWnQqOlHg9O-1n48vmFyw1/s320/IMG_1182.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves climbing in and out of the campervan...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag50MdESEfh5xhqqdMD9PXpFHcGUOiLU1lKCBctaiaEJzQXKEiC9-baYRFib05KlD8VkauhzBc8cfavuC1vG0Ngv3hBrnM_s5KqMD5ITnXv44QqyuZqyOiBJjLpvPXbIFgCjuJNOV8A7x/s1600/IMG_1278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag50MdESEfh5xhqqdMD9PXpFHcGUOiLU1lKCBctaiaEJzQXKEiC9-baYRFib05KlD8VkauhzBc8cfavuC1vG0Ngv3hBrnM_s5KqMD5ITnXv44QqyuZqyOiBJjLpvPXbIFgCjuJNOV8A7x/s320/IMG_1278.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and playing in the sand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmC3qMfcopJKRX0-keHCIv5IBZp5Vx-7q18GJKAWSt5xo14XST1VIaG3vfYB-gAClsDtEUsukAkkaQBRp9cG-rC9TYOfPOn0LXlSjsS3wcMl4HmcXEkeEIUzx25m42qwalFunwQTfSIMn/s1600/IMG_1355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmC3qMfcopJKRX0-keHCIv5IBZp5Vx-7q18GJKAWSt5xo14XST1VIaG3vfYB-gAClsDtEUsukAkkaQBRp9cG-rC9TYOfPOn0LXlSjsS3wcMl4HmcXEkeEIUzx25m42qwalFunwQTfSIMn/s320/IMG_1355.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He likes to try and escape too, when no-one is watching</td></tr>
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We also had some of my Family visit and we stayed in the campervan at National Park whilst they stayed in the hotel. Here we are at the Taranaki Falls at Tongariro National Park. Had a great time when they were here - sorry about the bad weather!</div>
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Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-89139435780332601372017-02-12T22:44:00.000-08:002017-02-12T22:53:16.020-08:00February 2017 - Part 1 Food<style>
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</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 2017 - Part 1 - Food</b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hope?</b></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>As mentioned in the last blog,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ananda and I recently went through a really
sad and testing time. In the spirit of the openness and honesty that I try to
write these blogs with, here’s what happened.
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Sometime
in October 2016 we became pregnant again. Not an IVF pregnancy but a natural
one. We were both a bit astonished since Ananda had only just started her
periods again. We were both also, VERY, VERY happy. In fact I was elated and so
excited that we were going to have a sibling for Francis and that they would be
pretty close in age too. Awesome! Ananda’s blood tests showed her hCG were more
than doubling every couple of days and she was feeling tired and a bit
nauseous. All good signs.</div>
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We
went for the first dating scan and the dates on that scan did not quite add up
to what Ananda thought they should be, and the heart beat was slower than
expected at 94 bpm. However, I read that they increase 3 beats per day so that by
the time we would go for our next scan a week later it would be much closer to
the 120bpm that was expected. </div>
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On
the third scan, in the second week in December, which should have been week 10,
we took Francis with us, and I sat with him on my knee as the scanning started.
I was so ready to see a healthy fast heartbeat. </div>
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However,
after a minute or so it became obvious to me that the technician could not find
a heart beat anymore and with that my hopes, dreams and excitement were
scuttled. Francis started to act up so I left the room and didn’t hear the rest
of the conversation between Ananda and the technician. I just sat on the chairs
outside the room, tears running down my face, trying to keep Francis happy and
amused, but not really having the heart, or the will to do it.</div>
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Ananda
came out of the room a few minutes later, upset as I was, and we stood and wept
for a while in each other’s arms before we went home. I’m not sure what Francis
made of all of this. </div>
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I
went and sat in the chair in his room and just broke down. I felt hollowed out,
as if I was only just a shell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
two miscarriages were difficult enough, but this time I really knew what we
were missing out on. All the joy and love that Francis had brought us and I was
looking forward to doing it all over again with this new baby, was gone now. Later
I even told Ananda that I really did not want to go on living anymore. </div>
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A
couple of days later Ananda started to bleed, and as it was coming up to the
time for us to fly to the USA for Christmas we were really unsure as to what to
do about our flight. We were going for dinner at our friend’s house in Auckland
before the late evening flight, and just as we were about to go to the airport
from their house, our wee little embryo came out. It was such another sad
moment, but I was glad it happened before we left, or were even on the
plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to say a little prayer
before putting it in our friend’s freezer so that we could collect it and have
a proper burial service once we got back to NZ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The picture at the top of the blog is the hibiscus plant we bought to
place in the pot where we buried our wee embryo.</div>
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The
flight was very uncomfortable for Ananda with lots of heavy bleeding, and
really sad for both of us too. As were the following days, weeks and months. I
guess that’s why I worked on the lath house with such gusto. </div>
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It
was also a real testing time for our relationship as well, as we both coped
with our grief and trying to look after Francis and make the most of Christmas
in the US. Definitely the hardest time of our ten year relationship. I was very
depressed for about two months and was not pleasant to be around. I think
Ananda was a bit more prepared for the possibility of a miscarriage than I was.
As I’ve said before sometimes I’m a headstrong, hopeless optimist in the face
of adversity, who refuses to give up. That makes for some hard falls.</div>
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Why
is this section called “Hope?” ? Well, we did get pregnant naturally which is a
real silver lining and this time we go to 10 weeks. I guess we have
to hope for a successful pregnancy in the near future again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my mind I also named the embryo Hope too,
because that's what they brought us. However, I’m not sure I could make it through another miscarriage.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Food Delivery Systems</b></div>
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Getting
food inside Francis at times is a real struggle. It’s quite easy to get food on
him, or all around him, so getting him to fully ingest has meant we’ve had to
use our imaginations, and patience. Often it’s not the food that needs changed,
more the delivery vehicle. During most meals we use the following methods…</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">By Hand</i></div>
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Pretty
obvious really. Pop the food on his tray and he pops it into his mouth with his hand.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dumpster method</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hMSHVX2fD1nNnOzWrA6mY_yQ6Sabd5krEUM9G7l7o1yj2yEddgiRw1uwxdqk-nhw2XmY6NpienUI-VTtiJiOX7WPW4PS54NMvNKP9cqbeyexLkGtAnrTS0acKgOR8cj5ya7cs2X3opdo/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hMSHVX2fD1nNnOzWrA6mY_yQ6Sabd5krEUM9G7l7o1yj2yEddgiRw1uwxdqk-nhw2XmY6NpienUI-VTtiJiOX7WPW4PS54NMvNKP9cqbeyexLkGtAnrTS0acKgOR8cj5ya7cs2X3opdo/s320/IMG_1847.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He likes to play with containers and lids, so I take advantage of that fact. Place the food on the tray with the container. Francis places food in container and then tips it up into his gob. Doesn't work so well for sticky foods!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lid method</i></div>
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A slight
variation on the dumpster method. This lid is great as it has an indentation in
the middle. A bit better for sticky food as he can get his tongue into the indentation.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Utensils</i></div>
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He’s
becoming quite good at spiking things with his fork and scooping things with his
spoon as the video shows. Some foods he will only eat if he scoops them with
something. The stand out peculiarity is eating scrambled eggs with a tortilla
chip!!! He still tries to eat soup or drink water with his fork, but he really
likes to be able to do as the adults do. Speaking of which….</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Ananda Method</i>.</div>
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Not
the most elegant and it is our means of last resort. Francis finds it super fun
though!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w87A_NRu_GmxF0DFYGFOqToWUaKQ00dvX77GG9hzovFNW12xbfpnE72G7Arc9YBm3SK-JKdTeddlT9UO_ZqAs4RBUdeSZlMzqJqX2nV_ZuF-WTKE1E1WLc_vAQ7b2cBtCrqzFGNHTYsG/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w87A_NRu_GmxF0DFYGFOqToWUaKQ00dvX77GG9hzovFNW12xbfpnE72G7Arc9YBm3SK-JKdTeddlT9UO_ZqAs4RBUdeSZlMzqJqX2nV_ZuF-WTKE1E1WLc_vAQ7b2cBtCrqzFGNHTYsG/s320/IMG_1765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Food as an Accessory.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Francis like to place food, quite deliberately, in his hair.....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQIwLdbKzsCk8vevfN3HGshtcMi3uor17Z7Wj4eklRfqJgn4rVUU_IIZ-wtRAi4CYETHuFBWT4GVBFe2CgKSSmg7LgG6W9y30yK91WjphAPyxnKuoCNtqPEoeD9sO-x3bPKUXrI0XLmyC/s1600/IMG_1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQIwLdbKzsCk8vevfN3HGshtcMi3uor17Z7Wj4eklRfqJgn4rVUU_IIZ-wtRAi4CYETHuFBWT4GVBFe2CgKSSmg7LgG6W9y30yK91WjphAPyxnKuoCNtqPEoeD9sO-x3bPKUXrI0XLmyC/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A question mark of spaghetti as he ponders life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61k2relAp00dptYnnyBv1SGRWlS2QRnb5-ZoOHuFq07l1wSjTIwrwvKI6JHLHFh6btO-UIP17rBFe1QMe8tO2uCRUwuWYeuRBONhTsbxUo1byR4cw5fENCqUob_cN4jqwdVDRkFwch5SH/s1600/IMG_1844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61k2relAp00dptYnnyBv1SGRWlS2QRnb5-ZoOHuFq07l1wSjTIwrwvKI6JHLHFh6btO-UIP17rBFe1QMe8tO2uCRUwuWYeuRBONhTsbxUo1byR4cw5fENCqUob_cN4jqwdVDRkFwch5SH/s320/IMG_1844.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grated beets to feed his roots! </td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Random things said in our House.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“If Francis can’t pick rice out of your
chest hair, then maybe it’s a bit too long”</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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I
wonder if that phrase has ever been uttered before, anywhere in the world?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Weighs and Means:</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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10.0kg
– Francis finally made it to this weight</div>
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<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-9330294939057609312017-02-01T23:32:00.000-08:002017-02-01T23:32:15.867-08:00Dec 2016 – Jan 2017<style>
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</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dec 2016 – Jan 2017</b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christmas and New Year Hiatus</b></div>
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I’m
sure you’ve not really missed my dulcet tones screeching at you from your handy
lap-top or mobile device, or dare I say it from your desk-top, but from the
middle of December to the beginning of January 2017 I was not really “SAHD” but
more of Sharing the Parenting with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my
dear wife Ananda. We travelled to San Diego to be with Ananda’s family for
Christmas, and then when we got back two of my sisters and my brother-in-law
came to visit us here in NZ. So it was only really last week that Francis and I
struck out on our “solo” journey again.</div>
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So
much has happened since my last blog – some happy, some very, very sad and
certainly too much to try and get down in one little blog. So in no particular
order…..</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Like Father like Son</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Quite
often when I see other people with their babies I am struck about how much they
look like their parents. Complete little mini-mes! However I don’t see any
resemblance between Francis and I, but when asking other parents if they see
themselves in their kids they almost always answer that they don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it must just be some parental opaqueness
that we suffer from when it comes to our own kids. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus it is with great dismay that I must
report that not just one, but TWO people have said the following……</div>
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<br /></div>
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“When
Francis is crying he really looks like Graeme”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aw man, that’s kinda bitter sweet. But do
they mean he looks like “normal” me or “crying” me? Hmmmmmmm</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Like Mother like Son</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I kept telling Ananda not to lick her plate in
front of Francis…..</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNMO-F_Kdyp3PyoCWDvnS5Erxqf_BzFv6V5Ylk-A9NmXHpUVx4w0VsNQQRSSdqUpIeyGmCXspPIJr-EzWOHGBz4ZGO5_bJVb-Oihn5IjoeFO6zgQQxTmI_zZjZ5abSe_uRPEV-7UUp52V/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNMO-F_Kdyp3PyoCWDvnS5Erxqf_BzFv6V5Ylk-A9NmXHpUVx4w0VsNQQRSSdqUpIeyGmCXspPIJr-EzWOHGBz4ZGO5_bJVb-Oihn5IjoeFO6zgQQxTmI_zZjZ5abSe_uRPEV-7UUp52V/s320/IMG_1763.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hmm something looks yummy"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj2Xc0qFyqrTXbvG9kg_4KxG1qrkq2gyjhXLc8-x4zo48JgV5ZfPTeypltco4URrRUeDNtE5LAOP1v33szle4AJcvqi_e4tGNclX2K-g-_Pe4GnBYYjhhXvRRoiqun6ZMONR9toves65F/s1600/IMG_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj2Xc0qFyqrTXbvG9kg_4KxG1qrkq2gyjhXLc8-x4zo48JgV5ZfPTeypltco4URrRUeDNtE5LAOP1v33szle4AJcvqi_e4tGNclX2K-g-_Pe4GnBYYjhhXvRRoiqun6ZMONR9toves65F/s320/IMG_1764.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Don't tell Mam"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdKtpmBR0_BsGgSmCQ42_6mhsmMYmesoX915MiWGzOtNkHMX6SqzDZ4ytp8MyJkqK-T7S6_1Suw_ZKTPsOEfIZqV_QQTWycR5gMKfdjv6YDdRLg6WDZ8nbEGNMU-8kBrOAOktNzzxRV9V/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdKtpmBR0_BsGgSmCQ42_6mhsmMYmesoX915MiWGzOtNkHMX6SqzDZ4ytp8MyJkqK-T7S6_1Suw_ZKTPsOEfIZqV_QQTWycR5gMKfdjv6YDdRLg6WDZ8nbEGNMU-8kBrOAOktNzzxRV9V/s320/IMG_1765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sluurrp"</td></tr>
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Actually,
it turns out to be an effective way of getting food into him. Put tasty morsel
in middle of plate (best if food is easily squishable to make it stick); hand
plate to Francis; et voila!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spoon Fed</b></div>
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Francis
is fast on his way to adulthood judging by the things he wants to do, like
driving the car or motorhome, or wanting to feed himself with adult cutlery
(flatware for any 'Mericans reading). It’s also an effective way of getting him
interested in food and developing new skills even if it can be a bit messy!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtZ2GWhRmC6PMMSO1W1LQqxHDDEkD-YnDJ1xGzVk4EQyYFcDeqM-_8QyLZiTNfG2rZgRh9KW2KFjJXC40CiIIuLD0EzF164XLDGHBJ3PTPECTKEIoyqbTGu9bkuLKw2lCdC2tW6sGIJEK/s1600/IMG_1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtZ2GWhRmC6PMMSO1W1LQqxHDDEkD-YnDJ1xGzVk4EQyYFcDeqM-_8QyLZiTNfG2rZgRh9KW2KFjJXC40CiIIuLD0EzF164XLDGHBJ3PTPECTKEIoyqbTGu9bkuLKw2lCdC2tW6sGIJEK/s320/IMG_1767.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You see, it's like this Dad. You just give me the yoghurt cup...."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qQoqXxhnq10xw58eIQnw79JhXDdch7207VV1siu7Xw15nLLxmUXA7KrKUsAKFL6_AF-JSh5bjtYBOfAny8-UAsarWBYJA2XC-QtRDR_3Egq76nhliaioEwAATF9wwzu4YxKOND0D9fiO/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qQoqXxhnq10xw58eIQnw79JhXDdch7207VV1siu7Xw15nLLxmUXA7KrKUsAKFL6_AF-JSh5bjtYBOfAny8-UAsarWBYJA2XC-QtRDR_3Egq76nhliaioEwAATF9wwzu4YxKOND0D9fiO/s320/IMG_1768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"..and then I can happily feed myself without making any mess."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWktfOBMpd6DbBOVy8E2nIJKXpf7_rTvW_669pgHpVmyEoJ_bfvz7sG8MrnTiHb5aE780mbMsgGLXUn_WquGHw3jn7Ums4R7l9DJdPurE8YHseP7Utr8Fs46DGZU08PsEJKUZIjFYLMkSZ/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWktfOBMpd6DbBOVy8E2nIJKXpf7_rTvW_669pgHpVmyEoJ_bfvz7sG8MrnTiHb5aE780mbMsgGLXUn_WquGHw3jn7Ums4R7l9DJdPurE8YHseP7Utr8Fs46DGZU08PsEJKUZIjFYLMkSZ/s320/IMG_1769.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I said without MAKING ANY MESS!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlGClKMabnl8QJj9TAwYCwEQZ7BM0QrFXhyDF9etgygy1EOKiZ5RIEiQQCeBnibJSpuPaJXcNFuR5DBs9_VU9mQqqjBtOFcqcDzK4ERjS_YUmb-Kb8pkOtPho6V_fVDWGS65xOoFWUVMU/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlGClKMabnl8QJj9TAwYCwEQZ7BM0QrFXhyDF9etgygy1EOKiZ5RIEiQQCeBnibJSpuPaJXcNFuR5DBs9_VU9mQqqjBtOFcqcDzK4ERjS_YUmb-Kb8pkOtPho6V_fVDWGS65xOoFWUVMU/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"See, I told you so! What mess?"</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Lath House</b></div>
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Unbeknownst
to me a rather large construction project awaited me when I got to San Diego.
Ananda’s mother shade house in her back yard was termite infested and falling
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of some “stuff” I had to
work through due to earlier sad news, (we’ll come to that either later in this
blog or in the next one), I took to the demolishing and rebuilding with gutso. </div>
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I
really had to work with Mother Nature to set some of the uprights, but despite
being about 8 days overdue (some due to bad weather)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was under budget .</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uljLC_11xQB6p05R1hz69b0K7amma_2Yu5Yooxh7gJu6CVVdIgw0l-1SjJ4JNzvBxzVAghpHExz0HZRVC5ljN1aQbxdUvN0miPGL66mGjyGbKfvoKHNRzAA8ocfa35vvyPoARhX6GJOD/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uljLC_11xQB6p05R1hz69b0K7amma_2Yu5Yooxh7gJu6CVVdIgw0l-1SjJ4JNzvBxzVAghpHExz0HZRVC5ljN1aQbxdUvN0miPGL66mGjyGbKfvoKHNRzAA8ocfa35vvyPoARhX6GJOD/s400/IMG_1744.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The building site was quite a tricky one....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLM0NSzBRovGIcmO41YxnqLVgwJqudSgWR974BjgS_OkpHLJz-QT2dSJuBWDL-IX-VuZN5VqpXyFAZE-OMEhu5macYXVv7dlTiZbz4lIj6_BJIbRosgyAf8wBIT27xIkHuZriBfVSX6G7/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLM0NSzBRovGIcmO41YxnqLVgwJqudSgWR974BjgS_OkpHLJz-QT2dSJuBWDL-IX-VuZN5VqpXyFAZE-OMEhu5macYXVv7dlTiZbz4lIj6_BJIbRosgyAf8wBIT27xIkHuZriBfVSX6G7/s400/IMG_0481.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... where man and nature had to work together to set the posts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3Ogov9-BZKfF4DtqoPagvKD2lXX9hbD0shrFyJVIVirNwC-KRL3Blb0bbIQbItbLlLcoQsfoFR_BfTjl_S3DXKWbxE4AO4WJJv6CUzpXUO7BBGsqn9kCOIZ99fIqKIEk-U2ZX9wVBIS/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3Ogov9-BZKfF4DtqoPagvKD2lXX9hbD0shrFyJVIVirNwC-KRL3Blb0bbIQbItbLlLcoQsfoFR_BfTjl_S3DXKWbxE4AO4WJJv6CUzpXUO7BBGsqn9kCOIZ99fIqKIEk-U2ZX9wVBIS/s400/IMG_1745.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting some help from my nephews...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQOpK9kXvbZeDZvzh9K0I1FcN524vxUa6KtBqqtG0180ehlrdTxvL-rYPVCkcgbskojPoNaBjAC6_NqnAiTh9Tg8JoscHsewh2sU5k9kjb63eHlS8FZWjibtopKlVXrZGqoYVcKZAbmia/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQOpK9kXvbZeDZvzh9K0I1FcN524vxUa6KtBqqtG0180ehlrdTxvL-rYPVCkcgbskojPoNaBjAC6_NqnAiTh9Tg8JoscHsewh2sU5k9kjb63eHlS8FZWjibtopKlVXrZGqoYVcKZAbmia/s400/IMG_1748.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... who seemed to enjoy it for the most part!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL6LMBMX3c9xtfAD8PO0kRaJpy8rGJV_sqkwQTFU_NToAfGif1CeBXxYUODYRivrAQg7dNBDVGVnkOiQwqZDjY1cR4vtJ8yg6FJE7FJ1-ipkkdMCZRl8yJIYI4QOcBtEOd31LVWoWRIDs/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL6LMBMX3c9xtfAD8PO0kRaJpy8rGJV_sqkwQTFU_NToAfGif1CeBXxYUODYRivrAQg7dNBDVGVnkOiQwqZDjY1cR4vtJ8yg6FJE7FJ1-ipkkdMCZRl8yJIYI4QOcBtEOd31LVWoWRIDs/s400/IMG_0501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ananda also lent a hand when Francis was napping.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrEfEYrUUZp3FNRGcT51VITYwaOlgjyCc3FlHKerYsDtZ2C3RhiNf1zkGT7-gg4bwbWh_D5RBkCdgQMQlGTt_qVwgEBdB3CjdFqim0y0Ns_TtKfPnV66YhyVJroLbKUanyOQdvq67JZXu/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrEfEYrUUZp3FNRGcT51VITYwaOlgjyCc3FlHKerYsDtZ2C3RhiNf1zkGT7-gg4bwbWh_D5RBkCdgQMQlGTt_qVwgEBdB3CjdFqim0y0Ns_TtKfPnV66YhyVJroLbKUanyOQdvq67JZXu/s400/IMG_0500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although the "scaffolding" left something to be desired.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIDBqjKmAuvq4HsnpjmkWENYqsFgpqZ4zR8FMGYcU8j_hqOeixKrhs4QTz_dQHqpglMP_0I_YNaRfs4JI-vv1Zbo418qUC9V0B_0ubq0X0z85R7_odWO0SBQII8QKhKfXJnPH5C0nnhz3/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIDBqjKmAuvq4HsnpjmkWENYqsFgpqZ4zR8FMGYcU8j_hqOeixKrhs4QTz_dQHqpglMP_0I_YNaRfs4JI-vv1Zbo418qUC9V0B_0ubq0X0z85R7_odWO0SBQII8QKhKfXJnPH5C0nnhz3/s400/IMG_0778.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gay nailing in the final nail!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYNAByZYFDH94GF8ACzC_B_jS0hxYdulqVm5PPc6qTlm3sQocOFdmFRJR_jvnR9ZiaOrz7mRRpMJQXTmMKJ6fCmkxvSphzso4BRz8S2-XAL4xjSVsHFrpi3yK6JPzojUw8Fo9TzpM9osL/s1600/IMG_1752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYNAByZYFDH94GF8ACzC_B_jS0hxYdulqVm5PPc6qTlm3sQocOFdmFRJR_jvnR9ZiaOrz7mRRpMJQXTmMKJ6fCmkxvSphzso4BRz8S2-XAL4xjSVsHFrpi3yK6JPzojUw8Fo9TzpM9osL/s400/IMG_1752.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks really pretty with the sunshine coming through the laths.</td></tr>
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Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-56706483007692194652016-12-08T00:11:00.000-08:002016-12-08T00:15:41.709-08:00Week 8 SPACE<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 8</b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SPACE- The Final Frontier</b></div>
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Tuesday
saw us attending our last SPACE session, and since we're leaving a week earlier then everyone else, it was Francis' graduation day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7vT1vdqmBp5-i-1pv_I0o7GU7yRaJEMrTesv4xkATmPdjw4lnB-8eznnpt7YQUuXn5P2QNFY-7onyQBJWdjyiOTNjzLw8BYm7c4CnvOjSTD4gCgZrQEZC4LQAnI-UU0gRssMXmWJfaj6/s1600/graduation+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7vT1vdqmBp5-i-1pv_I0o7GU7yRaJEMrTesv4xkATmPdjw4lnB-8eznnpt7YQUuXn5P2QNFY-7onyQBJWdjyiOTNjzLw8BYm7c4CnvOjSTD4gCgZrQEZC4LQAnI-UU0gRssMXmWJfaj6/s320/graduation+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Anna Bird</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_smPC0rUeur9BiaG6-n8A0P5N5nZ-tL0dwrSXCmBVoWyOKkG7zeWUODWmMNocoiBEzmRsl-1_1GBtzuEx0VtYmfKtnEBfjA-MFjh-BlIASu-E7K62p_mJxoFkH0swQWw5cZDGyE_E11vt/s1600/graduation+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_smPC0rUeur9BiaG6-n8A0P5N5nZ-tL0dwrSXCmBVoWyOKkG7zeWUODWmMNocoiBEzmRsl-1_1GBtzuEx0VtYmfKtnEBfjA-MFjh-BlIASu-E7K62p_mJxoFkH0swQWw5cZDGyE_E11vt/s320/graduation+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit : Anna Bird</td></tr>
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It was really sad for us to be at our
last day, although there are three more special sessions we hope to attend next
year. When asked to share what had been the highlights of our SPACE experience
a couple of things stood out for us.</div>
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We’ve
really like the old fashioned sense of community that SPACE has given us. It
really is a meeting of parents and babies/toddlers all going through the same
stages at about the same time. It’s been about openly sharing our woes, and our
triumphs, and supporting each other and being supported. It’s about learning
how to interact with your child and with other children too, and to realize
that some days the things that were really getting you down or worried pale
into insignificance when compared with some of the issues other parents are
having. It’s been about meeting and making new friends and being open to
different ways of parenting and different philosophies of life with a total lack
of judgment. I think that lack of judgment really bred the air of complete
openness amongst the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been
about finding surrogate families to share with since our own are so many miles
away. It’s been about the communal spirit and the idea that it takes a village
to raise a child. It’s about letting the kids be kids and observing them in a
safe place without too much adult interference, letting them discover their own
boundaries and occasionally learn what happens when they push them too far (F
had at least one fat lip from falling over). It’s also about parents learning
that their kids are pretty robust and it’s okay for them to test their limits. It’s
about learning together and from each other. It’s about great facilitators who
bring great ideas week after week and who are also willing to leave their own
agendas at the door and let the parents decide what they want to do. </div>
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And
it’s also been about <b>lots and lots of fun!</b> Here’s some photo highlights from
recent weeks :</div>
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<b>Matchy-
Match Day :</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RC9quSxO-Kxq-lhZtoMzH4vOvugSA3gQOG7JeG7EmlHlc3ldAVAqkZSywaGSaTG_0w0TOK_BRpn9s4hCTOaM6BbIMfSHKrZArFP5rlx7bEmr9cb6WawWOO6dJceoo7S5AMLMoEmnsCJl/s1600/matchy+match+day+better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RC9quSxO-Kxq-lhZtoMzH4vOvugSA3gQOG7JeG7EmlHlc3ldAVAqkZSywaGSaTG_0w0TOK_BRpn9s4hCTOaM6BbIMfSHKrZArFP5rlx7bEmr9cb6WawWOO6dJceoo7S5AMLMoEmnsCJl/s320/matchy+match+day+better.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit : Anna Bird</td></tr>
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One
of the mums suggested the kids and parents dress the same. An easy one for us! </div>
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<b>Play
Centre Day:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr9mGmAsi50rsjYlVI93hMuIjQ0uQ9Q7tQsHJcjYDw9H0GjbyDFu5PuyYKgVvoREf5yVuat2LYJ7K6LHV0eqgkscX6YJDgmUJxcf0QrSOSW6uv4pvAF9TZGNcDB9fus22yZalXzRno_T_/s1600/play+centre+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr9mGmAsi50rsjYlVI93hMuIjQ0uQ9Q7tQsHJcjYDw9H0GjbyDFu5PuyYKgVvoREf5yVuat2LYJ7K6LHV0eqgkscX6YJDgmUJxcf0QrSOSW6uv4pvAF9TZGNcDB9fus22yZalXzRno_T_/s320/play+centre+1.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Joanne Gaylor and Dianne Newman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqhGqAY9Idb_xG2SGyme4TEkb41pqoRnIojEPxJeOzuTcSEooST0osIN0XLAC9iGQ7pue9YvN4spOO1eHVggEUV0EoJUyCaXMDeHlqpfEPOeQQIrWTbUJxU7X47RmuWnN6h7bJjDnhqyC/s1600/sweeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqhGqAY9Idb_xG2SGyme4TEkb41pqoRnIojEPxJeOzuTcSEooST0osIN0XLAC9iGQ7pue9YvN4spOO1eHVggEUV0EoJUyCaXMDeHlqpfEPOeQQIrWTbUJxU7X47RmuWnN6h7bJjDnhqyC/s320/sweeping.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit : Joanne Gaylor and Dianne Newman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCQQdK1K0mLjFaK0IrMbe4yAJwi3Qku-kL_wYX0bceLJmEr6cQGWy196uXoQnDv8neK0i8a6vO75_GvuGGAscOw51R3anAiyWUR_FuCtXwgZMK5IzcU0BqeX6p8zHs6gbILEwTDon67MC/s1600/cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCQQdK1K0mLjFaK0IrMbe4yAJwi3Qku-kL_wYX0bceLJmEr6cQGWy196uXoQnDv8neK0i8a6vO75_GvuGGAscOw51R3anAiyWUR_FuCtXwgZMK5IzcU0BqeX6p8zHs6gbILEwTDon67MC/s320/cookies.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit : Joanne Gaylor and Dianne Newman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We played with puzzles, made some gingerbread biscuits (cookies) and then cleaned up after ourselves!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Sand
Play day:</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzilAuWPqlsrPLCh4INeGr1QzUhE1UHBz4WYMcU1_HyQbkfHzW_ZqLVUASL8dwBLcC-_1ifYjsTlA_GUEyvprl72JPWWldm8csFm_RqnXXekFyuq7aogOKvj1vJYZmCJBuMlnChf3bZKsb/s1600/sand+play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzilAuWPqlsrPLCh4INeGr1QzUhE1UHBz4WYMcU1_HyQbkfHzW_ZqLVUASL8dwBLcC-_1ifYjsTlA_GUEyvprl72JPWWldm8csFm_RqnXXekFyuq7aogOKvj1vJYZmCJBuMlnChf3bZKsb/s320/sand+play.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Joanne Gaylor and Dianne Newman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgea_S0hu4ABDtwSX61sa7ZiV_8Q3lQx8PJTzyL2sZINQ2S_AMbZ8oqBDPo_2C43nEKPRSeW3zNw_eQiSPIu5ZInXSKigVczltOuuB1MmMaiOT7ckIsVZQmR8GwGeDo_rP06clWSdIMrt5V/s1600/sandpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgea_S0hu4ABDtwSX61sa7ZiV_8Q3lQx8PJTzyL2sZINQ2S_AMbZ8oqBDPo_2C43nEKPRSeW3zNw_eQiSPIu5ZInXSKigVczltOuuB1MmMaiOT7ckIsVZQmR8GwGeDo_rP06clWSdIMrt5V/s320/sandpit.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Joanne Gaylor and Dianne Newman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSsAnjKfkB9a4WJf5xPs2xM9Lzo2Pq_FKb3-SaphRwDYbsmbXp2qgV_7jjpUQ2IAKhdjSgLOo9oGh2Wn-UVom4kV2bOHtN-CeGm1mXfreznWe_dMqxWxpgRon5mmNZXZ-AKWrYCy0kS2V/s1600/sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSsAnjKfkB9a4WJf5xPs2xM9Lzo2Pq_FKb3-SaphRwDYbsmbXp2qgV_7jjpUQ2IAKhdjSgLOo9oGh2Wn-UVom4kV2bOHtN-CeGm1mXfreznWe_dMqxWxpgRon5mmNZXZ-AKWrYCy0kS2V/s320/sun.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit : Joanne Gaylor and Dianne Newman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Great weather for messing about in the sand pit! I also discovered Factor 60 sun lotion is great substitute for hair ge. </div>
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Thank
you Dianne and Jo for being great facilitators and to all the other SPACE
parents and kids. We’ve loved our time there and it was truly the thing I
looked forward to each week.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Laws of Distraction</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’ve
found the secret to getting food into Francis is to give him something to
concentrate on and have his hands fully occupied. For example, he likes to put
the lid on tubs now, so whilst he is concentrating on that you can offer food
to his mouth, and like some amazing reflex his mouth just opens up and you can
pop the tasty morsels in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The puzzles do
need to become more complex though. Anyone got a rubix cube they’re not using?</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Learning Fast</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMmhXTTcGFsnIeesb7j6R33YAfq-1OA_56H5GR_QScOpw3Y6AV6ri2o7YtbrU4EENhg0dlntxwHF6vlkOc-mtmayibqmmT1-AiGC_ePU2UILfmNFVvavzPthywscjaVUhClYkLmDpsawL/s1600/pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMmhXTTcGFsnIeesb7j6R33YAfq-1OA_56H5GR_QScOpw3Y6AV6ri2o7YtbrU4EENhg0dlntxwHF6vlkOc-mtmayibqmmT1-AiGC_ePU2UILfmNFVvavzPthywscjaVUhClYkLmDpsawL/s320/pouch.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></div>
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Francis
has become obsessed with lids this last week and putting them on and taking
them off. We started with just push on lids but then he really amazed me with
screw top lids! </div>
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<br /></div>
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For
lunch on Tuesday I assembled a few things on the table and wanted to try one of
the food pouches to see if he liked them. If he did I would buy some more for
our plane trip later this week. I put a bunch of stuff on the table and then
cursed at myself for not having hidden the shiny silver foil pouch as he became
quite obsessed with it. I could not get food into him and he rejected
everything “nutritious: i.e. not shop bought, that I had for him. Finally I
gave in and got the pouch out. </div>
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<br /></div>
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F-bomb
waved his hands up and down in glee, but when I offered the food end of the pouch
to him he was not interested. “Ah the lid” thought I, so I gave him it. He then
proceeded to put it back on the pouch…. And then screw the thing on! WTF? He
repeated this several times. Once the shock had died down I then used this to
my advantage – see "The Laws of Distraction” above - and managed to get him to eat
his nutritious food i.e. salmon! He of course had some of the pouch at the
end.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Following
that he demonstrated to me how he can now push down on the recessed button that
makes his dumper truck makes various noises. He’s learning too fast, and I must
now keep the cars keys out of reach.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
wonder if we could equate that speed of learning to an adult equivalent? Maybe
learning to do a Fast Fourier Transform AND how to tile your bathroom in the
same day perhaps?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b>Now Get Out Of That</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Within
a minute of these photo’s a four point harness for his chair was ordered! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hooray for the internet!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcBxTHI0AgkTzVl7-RwbOHOezaAc2M1kZdtTBQLnNgQ3MGqUHRZ1O0ABA9rAgrT7dypEpTEfnQVWp0gHVZVlBvNTE9DDw8xmV3-H_Mk1sSiY06NN5VQ0edNVHanRzzalMKK7NxF_IU7iE/s1600/IMG_1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcBxTHI0AgkTzVl7-RwbOHOezaAc2M1kZdtTBQLnNgQ3MGqUHRZ1O0ABA9rAgrT7dypEpTEfnQVWp0gHVZVlBvNTE9DDw8xmV3-H_Mk1sSiY06NN5VQ0edNVHanRzzalMKK7NxF_IU7iE/s320/IMG_1737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPaSl3i-HjwFprkBHEdcW71OJNAYNzxtp9NbABcdWIY5Vb29O0IvxMFK5EmbP0KOEEb9z8ueaZFJMqcrnnPJngLZ1pcluBUHL5TCoCYyqylJ6Z8J0PHRhDYdEUsISdPjpbcQ16K5E57EW/s1600/IMG_1736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPaSl3i-HjwFprkBHEdcW71OJNAYNzxtp9NbABcdWIY5Vb29O0IvxMFK5EmbP0KOEEb9z8ueaZFJMqcrnnPJngLZ1pcluBUHL5TCoCYyqylJ6Z8J0PHRhDYdEUsISdPjpbcQ16K5E57EW/s320/IMG_1736.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KWDg-hU2yWyJ4xJtl7Ih6sqtQPUPbY3vITJzSzKsKSBkL2qvDbQ31qnNQO_BTLwa6KMAexzu1A4-tT14lsBt3_F9cXjuR7BrHoIHYWAxcTWmBQqzesjQQ9jJWH5XGDZ-yGoWUAa5GuQT/s1600/harness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KWDg-hU2yWyJ4xJtl7Ih6sqtQPUPbY3vITJzSzKsKSBkL2qvDbQ31qnNQO_BTLwa6KMAexzu1A4-tT14lsBt3_F9cXjuR7BrHoIHYWAxcTWmBQqzesjQQ9jJWH5XGDZ-yGoWUAa5GuQT/s320/harness.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harnessed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Bottom Line:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
2 –
resignations of world Prime Ministers this week. One in Italy and our very own
John Keys. Something smells fishy about the JK one.</div>
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148,500
– US dollars that my old house in California is still under water by, seven
years after I sent the keys back to the bank! Housing bubbles are very scary. </div>
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<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-52822703500560359922016-12-02T00:41:00.002-08:002016-12-02T00:45:13.210-08:00Week 6 & 7 - Part 2 Short and Sweet?<style>
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</style> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 6 &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7– Part 2</b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">R-RSI</b></div>
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Reading
– Repetitive Strain Injury. I’m sure every parent with babies/toddlers has
suffered from this at some point.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don’t
mind reading and re-reading a book if it’s a good one and Francis is clearly
getting enjoyment out of them. But still there come’s a time when……..</div>
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<br /></div>
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So
my approach to this has been re-reading them in different accents. Eg. With a
French accent, or an American twang, or reverting to my native Geordie
tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the best combination
appears to be to get Ananda to try and read the books with a Geordie accent.
Here’s a wee excerpt……</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyLdOld9zhXGnEofvIRts7C5mOJqwsd0lTUHRq1IuyG--c6HXLKepn_NRYItit73jzBgemZuzPRHUG609laIQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Counts:</div>
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<br /></div>
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470,000
- what we offered for a house and was still rejected. House has now been
removed from the market.</div>
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9 - days until we leave for San Deigo.<br />
1085 - number of page view "The story of Francis" received! Thanks for reading </div>
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Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-20433294040463239392016-11-29T00:54:00.000-08:002016-11-29T00:54:37.648-08:00Week 6 & 7 - Part 1
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 6 &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7– Part 1</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nappy Free Nightmare</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We’ve
been using re-useable nappies (diapers) with Francis since he was a month old.
(Side note they had paid for themselves by 6 months!!! when compared with
disposable ones). We also use Weleda barrier cream but every now and then he
gets a tiny rash so we give him some nappy free time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I’m
sure the title of this one has given it all away already, but let me paint the
picture for you. Hope you’re not eating…….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
A
few minutes after Francis had been crawling around I saw a little wet path on
the floor so went in search of the “odor” eating spray we used to keep for our
old (sadly departed) dog. I guess I must have spent too long searching for it –
never did find it – and thus returned to the kitchen – for that was the scene
of the earlier crime – to see Sunny the dog licking his lips and nudging a nice
brown well-formed turd<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>around with his
nose. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Urgh- so gross! Not the turd part, well I guess that is kinda gross, but
the dog trying to eat it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
lot of un-digested spinach visible, and since the height of Sunny’s culinary
experiences to date<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is cat shit, then
this was probably shaping up to be a flavor-some morsel. I had obviously
arrived just in time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
After
mentally dealing with that thought, I saw that Francis has gotten a bit, erm ,
well how do you say this in polite company?, ah yes, shit all over his ankles.
Delicately picking the wee fellow up we made an incident free retreat for a
clean up!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Who me?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Wee
man is becoming very expressive with his body language since words have not
formed part of his vernacular yet..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
This
is his “You looking at me?” shrug or his “You wanna piece of this punk, huh?
Well do ya?” shrug:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI2k6_YQrKXhRPaWxOMDGSFep8zA9ptZPgLfAAB6NBgkl2VLNr4ew-o2UOCCX06V8R8tZDqnzDDVbMZlc45p2imGqTf9Z0pjHs9sJf75ZRuJet8EtQu2DLJ5paAHniFgJS5u5SPEZ1lGV/s1600/IMG_1686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI2k6_YQrKXhRPaWxOMDGSFep8zA9ptZPgLfAAB6NBgkl2VLNr4ew-o2UOCCX06V8R8tZDqnzDDVbMZlc45p2imGqTf9Z0pjHs9sJf75ZRuJet8EtQu2DLJ5paAHniFgJS5u5SPEZ1lGV/s320/IMG_1686.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
And this
next one is the expression I get when asking Francis how his dinner ended up on the
floor :</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYbUUhcc6BfKyb7gmda_YqtZaVN0KvykKDb3JgjEwOw6MRMyn0tsIh8L05M9XdjZSno19-BTu-oeCvWidHZ7NMLAFLyLx47yPElcB4jgjWLjqpynRR8IbIbsh9QCyIxz7n6L2u0mPdBF_/s1600/IMG_1687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYbUUhcc6BfKyb7gmda_YqtZaVN0KvykKDb3JgjEwOw6MRMyn0tsIh8L05M9XdjZSno19-BTu-oeCvWidHZ7NMLAFLyLx47yPElcB4jgjWLjqpynRR8IbIbsh9QCyIxz7n6L2u0mPdBF_/s320/IMG_1687.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b>Share
and Share alike</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03aAR8ExymNJB1uYmcerBRnpyXiO1dmgcntUO6hvbzMd7TbV4uYL0eKNlSXH4t0_iCG_2L_q5LiAZPdpOpEWmVgAfkP4L7jy1g0zDq-AirATC44oSw9pxOHNFT-HFQzVccFuwI76OrnvZ/s1600/IMG_1700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03aAR8ExymNJB1uYmcerBRnpyXiO1dmgcntUO6hvbzMd7TbV4uYL0eKNlSXH4t0_iCG_2L_q5LiAZPdpOpEWmVgAfkP4L7jy1g0zDq-AirATC44oSw9pxOHNFT-HFQzVccFuwI76OrnvZ/s320/IMG_1700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Yep,
that’s me looking pretty green after talking to Hugh down the white porcelain
telephone at 2:45am on Saturday morning. Well it was a blue bucket to be
precise. Francis got a vomity bug on Tuesday evening and I sat up with him and
cleaning up for him until about 3am on Wednesday. I was very meticulous in
washing my hands etc and thought I had gotten away with it. Pat on the back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Francis
was fine on Wednesday morning, but then started to have some loose BMs on
Thursday afternoon and on Friday morning (this latter one being like his young
baby poo-namis that was all over his legs and up his back). With the latter one
I did get a fair amount on myself whilst cleaning him up. Again, meticulous
handwashing and hygiene.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
However,
by about 6:30pm it became obvious to me what was going to happen, so I prepared
the spare room, got the bucket from the garage, and well just cursed my
god-damned luck. As I relinquished myself from all parenting responsibilities
for the next 16 hours, so did all of my bodily sphincters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> First non-alcohol related spew-poo-fest (if that's what you can call it) since a dodgy chicken sandwich in London in 1995.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Poor
Ananda followed not close behind, her bout of Francis vomity bug starting about
Saturday morning. Thinking of maybe trying to wear latex gloves and a mask next time. First rule of first aid: "First protect yourself".</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
dogs have so far proven immune. Maybe there’s a moral there………</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Understanding.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Although
not using words of his own Francis understands way more then he lets on. (Mental
note – I need to be very aware of this now!) As Ananda and I lay on the couch
in our unhealthy states on Saturday and Sunday, Francis brought a book over for
us to read for him. Once we read that a few times I said “why don’t you go and
fetch another one” – and lo and behold off he popped to get another one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He repeated this “trick” every time we ask
him! Awesome. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Trying
to be Francis to learn the word “beer” and “tea” and “job”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thanks.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Thanks
to everyone who read my four part “Story of Francis”. I’ve had lots of positive
feed back about it, and comments from many people who have been, or are in the
same boat as us. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Numbers
:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
3,000,000
– the number of illegal immigrants Trump has claimed voted illegally in the US
election</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
0% -
the truth involved in his statement</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
0% -
time he spent fact checking this (look on snope.com you idiot)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-13838348156758129042016-11-24T00:58:00.002-08:002016-11-24T00:58:53.104-08:00The Story of Francis - Part 4
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Story of Francis</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part Four : Labour Day</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Remember the following is written from my
perspective and my recollection.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSjA0HFf2xcVlKW6hKlc1-cMvACl1lyjzVXdICmJOIXykGH3W5CFVRSlLpyYG2GFM2FctsxURGYKK93mcjm30siMRF56q5pPgFtZWD2M3HdJBXbg2-S9i9lb8-obdAS81GB3BCgh0q1YJ/s1600/IMG_1696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSjA0HFf2xcVlKW6hKlc1-cMvACl1lyjzVXdICmJOIXykGH3W5CFVRSlLpyYG2GFM2FctsxURGYKK93mcjm30siMRF56q5pPgFtZWD2M3HdJBXbg2-S9i9lb8-obdAS81GB3BCgh0q1YJ/s320/IMG_1696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday 28<sup>th</sup> October 2015 :
00:15am</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
was already in bed reading when Ananda came into the bedroom after brushing her
teeth. She stood at the side of the bed and was just about to get in when with
a resounding “splat” her waters broke on the floor. At first we were both a bit
stunned, and then a little bit frightened and then a bit excited. “Did you
waters just break?” I asked. Stupid question really.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
As
Ananda went to the spare room to tell Gay, and to get a maternity pad, I set
about cleaning up. The waters had a slight pink tinge to them just as expected.
We texted the mid-wives and then settled down to try and get a night sleep,
knowing that the big day had started.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday 28<sup>th</sup> October 2015:
4:25am </b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
slept pretty well to be honest, and was woken up by Ananda who said the
contractions were pretty intense. I got up and I think I remember eating a very
quick breakfast before returning to Ananda. Gay was also awake at this stage
now.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
When
I went back into the bedroom Ananda was a bit upset. The maternity pad she had
worn through the night was showing some brown colouring – the dreaded meconium. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We asked Gay for her opinion and then I
took a picture and texted it to the midwife, and then called her and left a
message.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
At
this point Ananda and Gay were saying that because of the meconium, we would
now have to go to the hospital. I felt horribly shattered at this prospect, and
extremely scared, nervous and very freaked out. I spent a long time in the
bathroom. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Whilst
waiting for a reply from our midwives, I started to get the birthing pool out
and the hoses needed to fill it. “What’s the point I won’t be able to use it
now” came the reply from Ananda. I wasn’t to be so easily deterred and plus it
gave me something to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
midwife called and said, yep it looked like meconium, and that she had to offer
us the possibility of going to the hospital. I clung to that word “possibility”
as a sign of hope. She was on her way around to help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Meanwhile,
I was doing my best to comfort Ananda, and then we started going through our
hypno-birthing routine of getting her to relax and let her body take over. It
was much harder to do this time since she was already having contractions, not
like just peacefully practicing in the comfort of an armchair. Still we persevered
and tried our best.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
My
nerves were playing havoc with me, but then I remembered that in the homeopathy
kit I had read about some pillules to take to help with relaxtion and stress, and further, it even said the
father could take some too. So I looked through the kit and instructions. Aconite
was what I was after. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
quickly scanned the instructions “Dissolve 2-3 pillues under the tongue…. Give
a remedy up to every 10 minutes or so…….”. There, that was all I needed to read,
so I popped three in, and every 10 minutes or so would pop another three under
my tongue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Meanwhile
I was also giving different ones to Ananda based on what symtpoms she was
showing or describing to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example,
when she vomited I gave her some Ipecacuanha and she didn’t vomit anymore.
Actually when she vomited I was way freaked out and wondered if this was going
to be a long traumatic day. So I took some more aconite. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Ananda’s
legs started shaking un-controllably. “Is there something for this?” she asked.
I started searching through the instructions, and as I was getting towards the end if the list
I had already pretty much made up my mind that if I did not find one, I would
just say I had and give her another anti-nausea one. Power of the mind
remember. But lo and behold right at the end was one for legging trembling:
Gelsemium. “Bloody hell this kit has everything!" I thought, slipping some more
aconite under my tongue.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sarah,
one of the midwives arrived just before 5am, and we talked about the meconium
and what it meant in terms of going to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked what they would do at the hospital
that was different from what she could do for us here at home, and also what
the real dangers were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah said that
at the hospital they would constantly monitor the baby’s heartbeat which meant
Ananda would be pretty much restricted to lying in bed and not allowed in the
birthing pool even if one was free. Dangers to the baby seem to lie mainly
around a possible lung infection if the baby inhaled some meconium. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Sarah
listened to the baby’s heartbeat which was a good strong 130ish bpm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then suggested a check of the state of
dilation, which we agreed to. Anything to buy more time. But this showed Ananda
to be only 2cm dilated. A long way to go. Ananda and Gay were becoming more
resigned to having to go to the hospital.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Like
I said I was freaking out inside, this was so not what I, or we wanted, and
after another visit to the bathroom I passed by the living room and saw Sarah,
nicely relaxed in our Lazy-Boy chair, feet up and clicking away on her smart
phone. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
My blood boiled. “What the **ck is she doing on Facebook in the middle
of such a crisis?”</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m
glad I only thought this as about 20 minutes later she came into the bedroom.
“I’ve been doing some research on my phone into meconium and its dangers,” she
said. “Apparently almost 50% of women past their due date have meconium in
their waters, and in only a tiny fraction of cases does it actually lead to any
complications." I could and should have hugged her, and mentally punched the air
“YES!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday 28<sup>th</sup> October 2015:
7:00am</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Ananda
and I spent some time discussing what to do, and then at 7am we told her we
wanted to stay at home for the birth, as long as she thought there was no real
pressing medical need for us to go to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah called her colleague Sam and then they
both said they were happy for us to continue to stay at home. Yeah!</div>
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<br /></div>
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At
some point in between contractions I was making progress in getting Ananda into
a very calm state, and I too noticed a fog of calmness and serenity descending
over me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Maybe it was because we were
now back in control of the situation and had decided to stay at home. I was
starting to be nice and relaxed. Ananda was sitting on the edge of the bed with
me sat next to her. I could feel myself slouching further and further back onto
the bed and ended up lying down pretty prone, just rubbing Ananda’s back nice
and slowly. I saw the homeopathy kit and instructions, and in a lull decided to
read it again so I could be ready for the next stage of Ananda’s transition. I actually
read the instructions fully this time. “Dissolve 2-3 pillues under the tongue….
Give a remedy up to every 10 minutes or so for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">up to 4 doses</b>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Woah,
no wonder I was feeling so calm and serene, I was overdosing on Aconite. I had
taken, way, way more than that and had kept taking them once I felt the first
effects, several hours earlier. Whoopsies! I shared this little oversight with
Ananda and she did reply that she thought I was being a bit too relaxed about
the whole process!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So,
now we were back to our home birthing hypno-therapy plan. I felt so relieved
and filled with belief and my gut instinct was telling me that this was such
the right thing to do. And it wasn’t just the aconite talking.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sam,
the second midwife turned up at about 9:30am, and reassured us that only once in her
many, many years of delivering babies at home had meconium ever caused a minor
issue. </div>
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<br /></div>
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At about this time the “mucous show” was making itself known to us and
so we started filling the birthing pool, and just after 11am Ananda got into
the pool, and I hopped in there with her about thirty minutes later. Bugger it
was hot in there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In
between contractions Ananda was very relaxed and calm, and we kept going
through the hypno-birthing practices we had learnt. The relaxing music was also
playing, the aromatherapy fan was on and everything was nice and calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only we could get Gay to stop chopping
cheese in the kitchen! LOL, the only time Ananda swore in this whole process
was to tell her mom to “stop **cking chopping cheese”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(That's almost a direct quote.) Poor Gay was only trying to keep us all fed
and watered as the hours in the pool came and went, and also probably just
wanted something to do, to help. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The
midwives were monitoring the heartbeat every now and then, and keeping the
water in the pool at the correct temperature – 37 to 38 degC (98.6 to 100.4F),
as well as scooping “stuff” out of the pool.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1L9bKYgrb2LKfEyUPmN1GrK7bkOM0YssRRlPtpAePOLPSkJkm3nMJs_jqXZOdW8TcmaLZ1XuIeDlJxcX4TRb-_hjakFzk6TldFY3YoReEy5usP1KYBlZqbkl8TQpJmrBdPsfhFyIz2yu/s1600/IMG_1429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1L9bKYgrb2LKfEyUPmN1GrK7bkOM0YssRRlPtpAePOLPSkJkm3nMJs_jqXZOdW8TcmaLZ1XuIeDlJxcX4TRb-_hjakFzk6TldFY3YoReEy5usP1KYBlZqbkl8TQpJmrBdPsfhFyIz2yu/s320/IMG_1429.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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I
would get out of the pool every now and then because the heat was exhausting
me, but Ananda was really content in there, letting the water take the weight
off her body and the heat of the pool helping her through her surges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top of the babies head was visible at
about 3pm. “Almost there” the midwives said. “We’ll be done by 3:30pm” I told
myself. Foolish boy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
started the hypno-birthing script that encouraged Ananda to breathe the baby
down and out through the birthing canal. To breathe them down with love and
light, ease and grace.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
At
4:30pm with the help of the midwives I was able to encourage Ananda out of the
pool and to try squatting to let gravity help us out. For the last few hours
progress had been a bit slow, mainly because the baby kept crowning, but then
slipping back in. So, once out of the water Ananda spent the next 50 minutes squatting
in all sort of positions and rooms, sometimes with me holding her, sometimes
all by herself.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Eventually
at about quarter past five we were in the bathroom. Ananda tried squatting
against the toilet bowl, and then with one foot up on the bath tub. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday 28<sup>th</sup> October 2015:
17:20pm</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
babies head is born. From my position at the side of Ananda I can see the tiny
little head, eyes closed facing the ceiling.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baby is very greyish
looking, but that’s what we’ve been told to expect. The baby’s features
resemble my next eldest brother Leonard. The midwives encourage Ananda to give
one last big push the next time she felt a contraction.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday 28<sup>th</sup> October 2015:
17:23pm</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
As
Ananda gives one last push, the midwives help to ease the baby’s shoulder out
and they come sliding out in one easy motion – followed by the rest of the baby and
an awful lot of gloop that splattered all over the floor, which had been wisely
covered in medical pads by the midwives. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
“It’s
a boy!” Gay shouts and then switches on the lights so that we’re all stunned by
being illuminated by about 16,000W of heat lamps! This shocks the baby awake,
and he takes his first cry. (Midwife’s notes actually say “…initially
grimaced/cried then stunned!”) He, for we now know it is a he, is passed to
Ananda who grabs him and sobs and smiles the biggest smile. I’m standing behind
her as she sits down on the toilet, a massive lump in my throat and tears in my
eyes. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
had thought that at this point I would totally lose it emotionally, and
completely breakdown especially with my mother’s recent passing still very
fresh with me. I was a split second away from that, but then I just felt a wave
of joy wash over me, and that this magical moment, the long awaited birth of
our child was not a time for melancholy and “if onlys”, but a time of great joy
and peace and excitement and thankfulness.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We,
and by we I really mean Ananda and the baby that was to later to be named Francis,
had done an amazing job, of giving birth and of being born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Especially to such a big baby. To us he look like a normal sized baby, but the midwives kept saying how big he was. </span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Big he certainly was, weighing in at 9lbs 6oz with a 37cm head. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Our midwives Sarah and Sam were also super supportive and the experience was made all the better for having Gay's calm presence, love, support and joy with us at every stage.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So that’s pretty much the Story of Francis
completed, and fittingly ending on Thanksgiving Day. Of course it’s really only
the first chapter in what will be the novel of his life, figuratively speaking
of course.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Although
the whole experience was not as super calm and quiet and peaceful as the video
we had seen on line, it certainly was a far cry from the screaming, stressful
encounters you see on TV and hear about people having in hospitals. And at
birthing centres. Ananda tells me that even though her contractions were
painful (despite the pain-free experience the hypnobirthing advertises! But
that could have something to do with the massive baby size), in between them
she felt super relaxed and that the whole day passed in a blur.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
know if we are ever to be blessed with having further children, home
hypno-birthing is <b>DEFINITELY</b> the way forward.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6DYw0O1MVV6sdsLu1oSC_6VkbEbYGjhBElwTbKwtxDSiu3IoRHM5gXUXRCWQX-FzyzIhJkin3Fc9kzlXciUqHw0o5rm9ywKK5DOhecUDirQe5pfR0QANGFiWyp4RMFxGi-DCB3fs0y2h/s1600/birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6DYw0O1MVV6sdsLu1oSC_6VkbEbYGjhBElwTbKwtxDSiu3IoRHM5gXUXRCWQX-FzyzIhJkin3Fc9kzlXciUqHw0o5rm9ywKK5DOhecUDirQe5pfR0QANGFiWyp4RMFxGi-DCB3fs0y2h/s320/birth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks to everyone for reading this, and for the kind comments you have made.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-22060208037152053262016-11-23T00:02:00.002-08:002016-11-23T00:02:42.989-08:00The Story of Francis : Part 3<style>
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</style> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part Three : Pregnancy and Hypno-birthing</b>.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Although
all 40 weeks of pregnancy are very important in the development of the
embryo/fetus/baby, to us getting through the first twelve weeks were crucial.
We had made it to ten weeks the first time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Ananda
went for her hCG blood tests every two days, and we saw good doubling of values
which thankfully continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still it
seemed to take for ever to get to the ten week mark and beyond. </div>
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<br /></div>
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At
twelve weeks we went for a scan :</div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
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I
think both of us were so awestruck by this scan that we hardly spoke. Things
were looking great for us and the embryo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were so happy. It looked like we had gotten through the first
trimester and could maybe start to relax and little, and start to dream a bit
bigger.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We
planned to call our families to tell them the good news, as up to that point we
had only told Ananda's mother. Unfortunately, I got a call first from my family the next
morning. My mam back in the UK was seriously ill. She had just that day been
diagnosed with terminal late-stage gall bladder cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been told she might only have 6
months left to live. However, following a phone call with her consultant in the
UK, if appeared that she may only have a few days left if they could not clear
the blockage in her liver that was causing her liver to fail.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s
impossible to put into any coherent order the mish-mash of emotions that I went
through at this point. The day before I was so happy because of the scan and
going to be a Dad; the next I’m told my mam will either die very soon, or at
about the same time our baby is to be born. What would I do if those two
extreme life events occurred at the same time but 19,000 miles apart? Would I
be forced to choose between being there for my wife and new baby or saying
goodbye to my mam for the last time? Should I tell mam about the pregnancy or
is that too selfish?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Most
of this roller-coaster of emotions was overshadowed by the sad fact that more
than likely my Mam would never get to meet her new grandchild, and this made
Ananda and I both so sad. So very sad. She was such a great mother, grandmother
and great-grandmother. We had only just lost my Father 18 months earlier, so
this just felt like too cruel a blow to handle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo2AmQSVQD6LjNLQeB5ol-adYYSkDP4C0DCCe7LRExsmKQLRkJtsmhEBy6NLFT-PJX_BxVcWwU6ttDspr2UagX5WaNlfTsZL0ydOpFUaNFf6BXrpjaebXdVDrzixjAHNuba3qV3BXvqIa/s1600/F60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo2AmQSVQD6LjNLQeB5ol-adYYSkDP4C0DCCe7LRExsmKQLRkJtsmhEBy6NLFT-PJX_BxVcWwU6ttDspr2UagX5WaNlfTsZL0ydOpFUaNFf6BXrpjaebXdVDrzixjAHNuba3qV3BXvqIa/s320/F60.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I
took a leave of absence from work and flew to the UK the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt terrible to leave Ananda behind, it
really did. Fortunately I was able to spend a good four weeks looking after my
mam and being with our family as we tried to make her remaining time as
comfortable and loving as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mam
passed away peacefully at home in June as Ananda and I were on our way to
England to celebrate her 80<sup>th</sup> birthday.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After
returning from Mam’s funeral we started thinking and planning for the birth of
our baby. We wanted to be surprised as to its gender so when we went for scans
that was the first thing we told the nurses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMs9Je9tDcNgw_THMMk5OUqm5O2poknqJ_LIka9nksz1Sx4HjNMtV1ICpsqrREDFyerBw3jcWToj-iCB9_GtjpBrLf_ivTIQMlQ1-AzAuP2D4YTJk6o1b7VwNnkekaqMdjX9sW3M4Q9fl/s1600/IMG_3884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMs9Je9tDcNgw_THMMk5OUqm5O2poknqJ_LIka9nksz1Sx4HjNMtV1ICpsqrREDFyerBw3jcWToj-iCB9_GtjpBrLf_ivTIQMlQ1-AzAuP2D4YTJk6o1b7VwNnkekaqMdjX9sW3M4Q9fl/s320/IMG_3884.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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One
of the plus points from moving to New Zealand was that child birth was mid-wife
led and not seen as a medical issue. Conception had certainly been a medical
issue for us, but that was where we wanted the “medical” care to end, thank you
very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our cake and we wanted
to eat it. We interviewed a bunch of midwives, all of whom would be supportive of
our choices regarding the birth of our baby.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ananda
says she has always wanted to have a hypno-birthing delivery ever since she
was a teenager, and surprisingly to me that idea found fertile ground with me.
The mail brought us a book called “ Hypno Birthing – The Mongan Method” by
Marie Mongan. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
grabbed it and read it before Ananda did, and after about 14 pages I could see
why this approach to birth appealed to Ananda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ananda has been a long-time meditater (we both still meditate twice a
day), and since the premise of hypno-birthing is getting your body into a
deeply relaxed and meditative state, I thought it would be a breeze for her.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
book came with a CD with some relaxation techniques in it, each one about 10-20
minutes long. The second time we listened to it was when we were going to bed
one night. I woke up feeling so refreshed and relaxed thinking that it was the
best night sleep I had ever had – only to find out it was only 40 minutes
later. I too was hooked.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We
went to a hypno-birthing class here in Hamilton, and were given some further
guidance and techniques to use over a course of two weekends. I had a big part
to play in this role as I would be the facilitator, the voice that Ananda would
hear as I was inducing her into a deeply relaxed state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice that Ananda would hear guiding her
through the stages of labour. Quite a responsibility for me, so one that I was
going to commit to 110%.</div>
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<br /></div>
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At
some stage in the pregnancy we started considering the option of using
hypno-birthing at home and using a birthing pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We read lots of positive home-birth stories on
line and in magazines, and along with what we learned at anti-natal class and
from the Home Birth Association, this felt like the final piece in the puzzle
to make our plan complete. Our mid-wives said they preferred home births as they were more relaxing and magical.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
along with going to the anti-natal classes once a week, we were also practicing
our hypno-birthing techniques at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember at the first anti-natal class I stood alone in saying that I thought
the day of child birth would be a relaxing day. A verbal affirmation of a
mental affirmation Ananda and I were practicing every day. As I’ve said before
I’m a big believer in the power of the mind. People probably thought I was nuts
saying that – you’ll have to read Part 4 tomorrow to see if that came true!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWjIBkCULS5ammRyv-YjSKCuaxW7Ls2eighcRMVxFKNTmFUd7d6rQQBrw8ZnfDLLPNZmjBk21k8wh_wO8a2yvFVA4mJFCHKDUrThp_-2ovZKkxJZ1BC9vtm-eOFZ4U73Zuhi27MDL53XS/s1600/IMG_4085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWjIBkCULS5ammRyv-YjSKCuaxW7Ls2eighcRMVxFKNTmFUd7d6rQQBrw8ZnfDLLPNZmjBk21k8wh_wO8a2yvFVA4mJFCHKDUrThp_-2ovZKkxJZ1BC9vtm-eOFZ4U73Zuhi27MDL53XS/s320/IMG_4085.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Olga Makhotkina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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The
pregnancy was going quite smoothly now. Ananda, once the morning sickness had
passed, was doing really well. She failed the glucose test a couple of times,
but passed the more sophisticated glucose test each time. Does anyone pass the
stupid glucose test?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Because
we were IVF we did have to visit the hospital on occasion for scans. The
hospital and staff there were the epitome of why we did not want a hospital
birth in the first place. Such a culture of fear, where they always painted the
worst possible picture for us: “Oh your baby’s too big”, “Oh they may have a
kidney defect”. I know they were only trying to do their jobs.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I still
remember the shocked look on the Dr’s face when she asked us what dates we
wanted to be booked into the hospital for birth. “We’re having the baby at
home”. Cue Dr’s jaw hitting the floor.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The
final straw for me at the hospital was with Ananda almost full term. We were
told that the baby was going to be so big “about 12 pounds” that Ananda would
have to be induced and/or have a C-section. I came out of that meeting feeling
terrible and worried that Ananda would change her mind about the home birth.
“Don’t worry” she reassured me “I don’t listen to what she says anymore.” Sigh.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The cavalry arrived from California in early October in the shape of Ananda’s mom, Gay,
(note the American vernacular for mam) and our dear niece Carsyn. Carsyn and
Gay were both given jobs to do in the event that Ananda went into labour,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(note the non-American vernacular), whilst
they were here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That included how to
blow up the birthing pool, where it was going to go and how it was to be
filled. We also went through our “birthing plan”, both for at home and if we
DID have to go to the hospital. (Although dead set against it I believe that
“failing to plan is planning to fail” so we had a plan for each scenario.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Included
in the Army-like drills that I would spring on them at any time of day or
night, was the hypno-birthing relaxation techniques. At this stage I would
practice two or three times a week putting Ananda into a relaxed state. Gay and
Carsyn also joined in too, as did Sunny the Dog. It seemed to work well on
everyone, man and beast! I could see that the more we practiced the quicker and
deeper Ananda was becoming “hypnotised”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could tell from the change in her
breathing pattern, and how difficult it was to bring her out of it when
practice had finished!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
was a stickler for practicing under “exam like conditions” so that included
listening to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Peace and Quiet” CD of
music by Jeff Clarkson, and using the aromatherapy scent that Ananda had found
to be the most relaxing – rose – just like her middle name. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
With
Gay and Carsyn we also re-watched a hypno-birthing video of an actual birth
which was so calm and serene and beautiful, just so they had an idea of what to
expect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always teared up watching
this.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
To
complete our “weird-hippy-Californian” approach to our child birth we ordered a
bunch of homeopathy supplements and some tie-died t-shirts. Well maybe not. The
kit came with about 13 different vials, and a guideline telling us which pills
to use at different parts of labour.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We
were all set. My scripts and prompts for the hypno-birthing were laminated, and
everything in place. The due date came and went, and unfortunately Carsyn had
to return home. Gay remained. The hospital were more insistent that Ananda
would have to be induced if we went more than a week over our due date. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Primrose oil was taken both orally and
suppository like, acupuncture was tried, raspberry leaf tea consumed and natural prostaglandins
applied. (I let you figure out what that means!). And, as before, we waited.</div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-68466512657500536212016-11-22T00:28:00.000-08:002016-11-22T00:28:59.054-08:00The Story of Francis - Part 2
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Story of Francis.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Third Time Lucky?</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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As
the weeks and months went by, Ananda and I slowly came to terms with losing
what we had come so close to having. Research showed us that almost 30% of confirmed
pregnancies end in miscarriage. Taking into account the number of miscarriages
that happen before the woman knows she is pregnant, the doctors think the
actual percentage of miscarriages may be as high as 50%. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
In
the meantime I finally got a job as a trainee carpenter at a new school they
were building in Hamilton, and one Saturday morning came home to find Ananda
missing, but one of those pregnancy test sticks sitting unwrapped in the
bathroom with a distinct positive line on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Probably gone to the pharmacy to get another to re-test” I thought. Lo
and behold Ananda arrived home a little while later, asking “Did you see? Did
you see?” as she came through the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The second test showed positive too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Maybe
Ananda’s subconscious had been waiting for me to get a job so that we had some
stability before we got pregnant. Was that the key to the whole thing? Was it
that primal?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
On
Monday Ananda went to get her hCG levels checked, and although they confirmed
we were pregnant again, they were very low. And so we expected the worse and
again the worse came.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
After
this second short lived pregnancy, we were actually quite optimistic about
things as we had gotten pregnant naturally this time. So we kept trying, and
kept waiting. And waiting. And waiting. It’s difficult to put into words the
disappointment we had every month as Ananda’s cycles came and went.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ananda’s
inquisitive mind led her to look at research into miscarriages because one of those fertility tests along the way showed she had a mutation in a certain gene called MTHFR (which we said stood for Mother F**ker gene-
because if you had it you could be more prone to miscarriages). Another piece of the
puzzle maybe, but still no direct actions we could take to find a solution, except taking some vitamin supplements.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
My
good friend from back in California had been super helpful and supportive
and open to us as she herself had had twins through IVF. When I chatted to her
one day she mentioned a friend of hers who had had many, many cycles of IVF
before going to see a consultant at the fertility centre at Cornell University
in New York.. “You should give her a try” she said.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
with nothing to lose but $500, we sent her an email, and then sent all of our
charts and test results off to the Doctor. One morning we had a conference all with
her to discuss our infertility. It was very thorough discussion and at the end
of it Dr Khang said she would come up with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a different IVF plan for us to try. All we had to do was convince
Fertility Associates to administer it for us.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
To
be fair, despite some early unenthusiastic responses from Fertility Associates,
they did agree to the new plan we had. After all, we were private patients so
they were willing to bend their “rules” and normal “plans” to accommodate us. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
we, and again I really mean Ananda, went through a round of patches,
injections, ultra-sounds, blood tests etc. hoping that the third time would be
the charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the new plan of injections
we were seeing more follicles and things were looking good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harvest day was much less fraught for me and
my part in providing my specimen went mercifully without any hitches unlike the
first time. (We, and by this I mean me, had already put some swimmers in cold
storage ahead of time just in case!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
They
harvested 10 viable eggs this time and mixed them with my sperm. The waiting
game started again. Next morning they told us we had 5 fertilised embryos with
three of them looking really good.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Day
three arrived and we had four embryos still on the go. Two were classed as okay
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>two of which they said were graded
as high as could be. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we would
progress to day 5 and do the transfer then. There is of course a risk that
things go south on day 4, but come day 5 we still had two viable embryos. We
decided to transfer one, and freeze the other one, although I really wanted to try for twins!</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkC9E7P_up0wIl1THww747VjfIM5GFPlg1OT2PKVdy3usCifJ9GK-7oWLGgZ7T6QNBYI_aiZHLHrZftfVBw6sRE_RGyZAK_jIA-prdnoJ7_tZOx7IgTuHadv8DI0fY8FkkLeCbQZWtfxOa/s1600/Francis+cells+day+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkC9E7P_up0wIl1THww747VjfIM5GFPlg1OT2PKVdy3usCifJ9GK-7oWLGgZ7T6QNBYI_aiZHLHrZftfVBw6sRE_RGyZAK_jIA-prdnoJ7_tZOx7IgTuHadv8DI0fY8FkkLeCbQZWtfxOa/s320/Francis+cells+day+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Day 5 Blastocyst - rated 4AA - A top rating!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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The
day of transfer came and we watched again as a tiny little ball of cells was
placed in Ananda’s uterus. For the second time via IVF we were PUPO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks later the blood tests confirmed
that we were indeed pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took
this as good news, not great news, as we had been here before, and I think we
were both just super cautious. I know that I for one started to build up my
defenses to be ready for another heartbreaking miscarriage. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weeks ground past painfully slowly. Every
time Ananda and I got home from work I would search her face for signs of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bad news before being brave enough to ask her
how she was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At about week seven
or eight Ananda started complaining about feeling sick in the morning and
she was certainly very lethargic and tired.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Although
it sounds cruel to say it, I did take a certain delight in this as it was certainly
a different symptom from our first pregnancies and we both saw this as a
positive sign. Maybe, hopefully it would stick this time and we would
finally be truly pregnant.</div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-18690525415882015302016-11-20T21:32:00.000-08:002016-11-20T21:32:06.295-08:00The Story Of Francis - Part 1
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Story of Francis. </b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 1 : The First Journey</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXhSKoHSVYyBx0c5dHAIY2z9EG58j_a_x6oFaIhNo2az9-hjANO5QJq7AsS2wOWOFyKhj__EzyIyF-aW-jkpUa5hbs4xzdVsi-Tgat1UMrhWz-E6DLt34fIl7EyXvC0e619oVdb2fQfKh/s1600/Picture+124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXhSKoHSVYyBx0c5dHAIY2z9EG58j_a_x6oFaIhNo2az9-hjANO5QJq7AsS2wOWOFyKhj__EzyIyF-aW-jkpUa5hbs4xzdVsi-Tgat1UMrhWz-E6DLt34fIl7EyXvC0e619oVdb2fQfKh/s320/Picture+124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
I’ve
wanted for some time to commit to writing down the story of Francis’ home hypno-birthing
delivery, before it becomes too distant a memory. But there’s an extra back
story that played out way before his birth that I think it is important to
tell. So, I’m going to tell it.
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
know we’re not the only couple that had trouble conceiving, but maybe if I
write it down, and someone else in our position reads it, then it might give
them some hope, or at least help them realize that although they may feel like
it, they are not alone. The whole “Story of Francis” is going to be way too
long for one blog so we’ll just stick with the first part for today, and finish up by Thursday.</div>
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Ananda
and I have been together for almost a decade now, and skipping the fact that
she was not too keen on me at the start “I’m open to the possibility of dating
you in the future” - (that’s a direct quote from the day I laid my cards on the
table for her at La Note restaurant in Berkeley) – we should just cut to the
chase. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We
had always wanted to have kids and once we had stopped using contraception we
were eagerly waiting to get pregnant. And we waited. And we waited. And we
waited.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m
not sure at what point we started to take a more scientific approach to the
whole affair, but books were bought, websites perused, diets were altered, an
accurate digital thermometer purchased. We started plotting Ananda’s morning
temperature so we could see the subtle but distinct temperature changes that
would show she was ovulating, and timed and charted <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">EVERYTHING</b> we did.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAxABmG3FZCK8BNq_pMx7TkHLsEFgAq0inZNZBUOLKe5FkJWasmxa5B93TLmJBiJv26Gs7iwQqeEZmxOSXESGeeIX9Hxm_QtbflF3tl9aoFlAsh7A1Dz_ts63uwF_8umiKOZpwAeXzjz-/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAxABmG3FZCK8BNq_pMx7TkHLsEFgAq0inZNZBUOLKe5FkJWasmxa5B93TLmJBiJv26Gs7iwQqeEZmxOSXESGeeIX9Hxm_QtbflF3tl9aoFlAsh7A1Dz_ts63uwF_8umiKOZpwAeXzjz-/s320/Slide2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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And
still we waited. And waited, and felt disappointed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
After
some time we both started going for a battery of tests, each getting more and
evolved as each previous test showed no reason for our infertility. There I
said it. Infertility.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For
a guy it’s no more complicated than “providing a specimen” which whilst the handing over of the specimen can
be embarrassing, it is something that can be done in the pleasant surrounds of your
own home, and much less invasive that the tests Ananda went through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had plenty of swimmers with good motility
and even a check on the DNA structure (as sophisticated as it gets from the
male perspective) showed all was good. (My career up to this point had involved
using large amounts of radiation which could have lead to DNA damage.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The
consensus of opinion from the teams of doctors we saw in California was that we
just fell into the category of “ unexplained fertility” which 20% of couples in
the US fall into. So clearly we weren’t alone, although it sure felt like it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One
of the hardest things to deal with as an infertile couple is the joyful
fertility of your friends and family. Yes, you do, and we certainly did, feel
over-joyed as my nieces and nephews, brothers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and in-laws, friends and colleagues became pregnant, but always at the
back of my mind was a nagging little sad part that kept saying “ why not us?”
or “can it be our turn next…. please”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
sadness was very tangible at times as more and more months passed. We even
threw all the charting etc. out of the window, and tried the “to hell with it”
approach to try and take the pressure of ourselves. And still we waited. And
waited.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We
then decided to start the process to immigrate to New Zealand, and one day at my yoga
class at work, (Stanford was very liberal!), the instructor asked us to write
down what we wanted for the future. Here is what I wrote on the first side, and
then later what I wrote on the back when I got back to my office:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LF8MQ75Dyc4fI18tdwoi78bhSu90G0bMDxNnhRWmohRR1wTyeMvBENg84Fiqc8Lti2LPcIjA4vu_5hMHO7NYR0UOPznLfiK9dCM9ga7lBQDOotrc7VPXd7RVlR6M1KXWJhcxg7t9-zyQ/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LF8MQ75Dyc4fI18tdwoi78bhSu90G0bMDxNnhRWmohRR1wTyeMvBENg84Fiqc8Lti2LPcIjA4vu_5hMHO7NYR0UOPznLfiK9dCM9ga7lBQDOotrc7VPXd7RVlR6M1KXWJhcxg7t9-zyQ/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I
still carry this in my wallet to this day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also added a similar note in a little wee notebook Ananda and I have
that we call our “Wish list”. I guess what I’m trying to illustrate is that we
really, really wanted to have kids, and it was becoming an overwhelming
wish/desire/need.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
After
travelling around New Zealand for almost 10 months and trying to get pregnant, we then started the whole
“why can’t we get pregnant” testing all over again, and again nothing really
stood out. One fertility expert suggested that Ananda undergo a full on surgical
procedure to look inside her uterus to see if she had mild endometriosis.
Clutching at straws.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Finally,
one test looked at her <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AMH</span> (anti-mullerian hormone) levels
and suggested that maybe her egg store was not as optimal as it could have
been, but again it was grasping at straws.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Once
we settled in Hamilton we talked about the dual approach of doing IVF and also
adopting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in January of 2014 we
started our first round of IVF. I say “we” above but really, as a guy there is
little we can do but to watch, help prepare the correct amounts to be injected
and be supportive as Ananda did her injections at home everyday, and then went
for blood tests almost as regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
think for the first round we counted about 30-40 injections Ananda had to do,
and probably a dozen or so blood draws, and ultra sound scans, as the fertility
doctors monitored the growth of her follicles, and counted them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
timing of the trigger injection is pretty tightly regulated by the experts so
that harvesting of the eggs is optimal and once we were given the go ahead, it
was a real tense time with deadlines to meet!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
As a
guy I have to admit the pressure and stress got to me, and although I run the
risk of public ridicule, there’s no point in telling the story if I don’t tell
the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here goes….</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
plan on the big day was for me to “collect my specimen” about 60 minutes before
the eggs were harvested. I would do this at home and then travel to the clinic,
brown paper bag in hand, with Ananda for the harvesting of the eggs. Easy
right. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Except it wasn’t. Nothing I or we could do was firing the gun for those
swimmers, and as time and time got closer to the harvest time I was in a real
bad state of body and mind. I know I am the kind of person who really freaks
out at the thought of being late to anything, so as I saw the clock ticking
down it really did not help my cause. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
In
the end I had to send Ananda ahead of me as the pressure, and I admit the
ludicrous situation I found myself in, had really messed up my normal bodily
functions. We had paid about NZD $12,000 up to this point, and I was feeling
like I was going to screw up the possible conception of our child, cos I
couldn’t do what most men can, and willingly do, at the drop of a hat. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Once
Ananda had left and I realized and accepted that I would be late for the whole
shebang, I guess I was able to relax a little (mentally at least!) and I
followed about 10 minutes behind Ananda, my brown paper bag carrying it’s
precious cargo sat beside me in the motorhome. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
They
managed to harvest nine viable eggs I think, from a possible thirteen or
fourteen follicles. We were happy with that number. The procedure requires a
mild anesthetic for Ananda so I stayed at home with her that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the waiting begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The next morning they called us to say 5 eggs
had been fertilized, so already our chances were getting slimmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the third day a decision is made on the
quality of the embryos so that transfer of the embryo will occur on day three
or day five. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
A
green light for day three is if the embryos are doing okay but may not last in
the petri dish until day five, and the uterus is considered the best place for
these eggs to continue developing instead of the petri dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day five is considered if there are at least
three good embryos on day three in the hope that at least one of them makes it
to day 5.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It
was becoming increasingly obvious to us that we were going to shoot for day
three as by that time we only had one viable embryo left, so back we headed to
the clinic and watched on screen as the wee little bag of cells was put back
into Ananda. It was quite a breathless time for me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
At
this point you are PUPO – Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise, but there is still a
lot more waiting to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A further
two weeks has to pass before any kind of blood test is done, a measure of hCG –
human chorionic gonadotropin – to see if you are pregnant and then to measure
the progress of the embryonic growth.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
And
so it was two weeks later that I was browsing for some wood in Bunnings when I
got a call from Ananda. “We’re pregnant” she said. I smiled and felt a little buzz of excitement and said I would
always remember where I was when I got that call.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Obviously
life is never that simple, or at least not for us. Levels of hCG are meant to
double every two days or so, so the viability of the pregnancy can be tracked
and kinda predicted. The first couple of test came back within the correct
range – poor Ananda was giving blood samples every two days at this point. But
then they stopped doubling as expected and the tone and message form the
fertility specialists started to become less optimistic. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
was kinda pissed at them because I’m a great believer in the power of the mind,
and I was just wanting them to try and put a bit more of a positive spin on the
numbers and not drag down Ananda’s and my enthusiasm about being pregnant. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
At
week eight they sent us to a specialist high powered ultra-sound facility. I
was clutching Ananda’s hand and secretly praying as they spread the gloop on
her belly and started moving the probe around. Pretty soon the nurse was able
to say the most magical words I have ever heard : “There’s the embryo and it’s
got a good strong heartbeat”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
felt so vindicated in my head strong belief that this was going to work for us
and that we were going to remain pregnant, that I kinda washed over the fact that
the size of the embryo at this point was about a week behind schedule. I think
I joked at the time “ That just means it will be born a week later and if you
knew how late my wife is all the time that just makes sense!” I also felt a
strong sense of “I told you so” aimed at the fertility nurses who had been
giving us the less than optimistic reports.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Still
the hCG tests kept coming back less than ideal. At week ten Ananda told me she
had started bleeding. Again, not wanting to acknowledge what all of these clues
were telling us, and grasping so firmly to the wee picture of the scan we had
and the fact that there had been a heart beat, I pretty much refused to accept
or believe what was inevitably happening to the pregnancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We scoured the internet for every article and
story of ladies who bleed at some stage in their pregnancy, and even those that
still had pretty a regular period all the way through their <b>SUCCESSFUL</b>
pregnancies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Because
of the bleeding they sent us for another scan at a different clinic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as we entered the premises I did not
like the atmosphere there, and it was not helped by the fact that the nurse
this time said it was her first day at this site and was having trouble with
the ultra-sound machinery. She spent a lot of time not very confidently trying
to find a heart beat or evidence of the embryonic sac, all the while I just sat
there my heart broken and watching silent tears fall slip down Ananda’s face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
lady went to get a more experienced colleague, and alas the scan and results was
the same. There was no heartbeat<u>.</u> Heartbreaking, and still super sad to recall that moment right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
As
we walked out of the clinic I was still in denial and talked about whether we
should go back to the original clinic as this one clearly had “incompetent
staff”. I was still desperately grasping to the hope of being pregnant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
My
view of miscarriages up to this point had really only be shaped by TV, where an
upset screaming woman is dramatically rushed into a hospital and it’s all over
very quickly and neatly. In reality it is much less dramatic, but way more
traumatic and very upsetting for both the mother and father.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
remember forcing ourselves to go to a friends house party later that weekend.
Ananda and I probably appeared really insular to everyone else as we just sat
next to each other all evenings, hearing the laughter and conversation of the
other party goers, but feeling very much isolated in our despair, powerless to
stop what was happening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Over
the course of the next few days Ananda’s bleeding got heavier and we both sat
around the house supporting each other, wiping away each other’s tears and
holding each other to give, and be, comforted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really do feel completely helpless at this
point, and I wished I could take away some of Ananda’s emotional pain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We
also discussed that fact that we wanted to try and save the embryo and hold a
proper burial ceremony. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite
obvious when the embryo finally did come out – I’m sure there is a medical term
for that but not sure what it is. We carefully wrapped it up, both of us
weeping really badly at this point, and placed a lighted candle in front of it.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We
had decided to bury it in a big plant pot and then plant a star jasmine in
there as a permanent reminder and tribute to the little embryo, and so the next
day we carried out our quiet, heart-wrenching ceremony on our back deck, along
with prayers and goodbyes and thank you for that wonderful spark I had felt
when I first saw the heart beat. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<style>
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--></style>We
were devastated. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-89946693220264024482016-11-17T23:49:00.000-08:002016-11-17T23:53:05.760-08:00Week 5 - Part 2 Flirting on Friday<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 5 – Part 2</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fish on Friday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Things
have been going pretty well this week. Good eating for the most part, but
trying to get him to settle for an afternoon nap is becoming troublesome and
frustrating for me. He loves to just lie there and pull at the hairs on your
arms for what seems like decades. Urggghhhhhhh, so frustrating.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I’ve
tried just leaving him in his cot, but he quite literally throws his toys out
the cot, and then does so figuratively as well. I go back him to try and settle
him but to no avail. But more on this later……</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Friday
was a lovely morning and I decided to go for a longer walk along the river than
normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The levels had been pretty high
recently and unfortunately for one large brown trout, it had receded before he
could swim back into the main river. So he was stranded in a pretty large
puddle. I spent some time wondering if I could catch him by some “Trout
tickling” but also realized I would fail at that. I did kinda want to catch it
and then release it back in the river. But gave up in the end. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if someone wants to go and catch some easy
fish for Friday night look at the big puddle on the South side of Cobham Drive bridge
on the West bank.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Francis the Friday Flirt</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BVGGtuygqhV_XzXqu27k8TxtkoDZ_8PPiymumjMOUahyfAB8zwPwztwEjbzoJSVM5TcEk4pQ2mcW3vANpouYPe7zZrY3cLrrc2iboFOqQHEbM9IJRNKSlhu82PTqxFgsPfyPDuxq43JS/s1600/IMG_1668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BVGGtuygqhV_XzXqu27k8TxtkoDZ_8PPiymumjMOUahyfAB8zwPwztwEjbzoJSVM5TcEk4pQ2mcW3vANpouYPe7zZrY3cLrrc2iboFOqQHEbM9IJRNKSlhu82PTqxFgsPfyPDuxq43JS/s320/IMG_1668.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We
have already noticed that in the past, when Francis encounters a young pretty
female face he goes all gooey and doe eyed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think the first time we really noticed this was in Auckland Airport
before he and his Mammy flew off to the US. We were sat near a make-up
advertising hoarding and he kept looking over and smiling and going all gooey
at the poster!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Today
he was all Francis Flirty McFlirty with the check-out girl at Pak n Sav.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a twentyish attractive woman with red
hair and he kept making eyes at her and then turning away all giggly, being shy
and coy. But then he would look back over his shoulder to make sure she was
still looking at him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
When
she was smiling back at him and trying to tough his cheek he was so adorably
google-eyed and weak-kneed. It was so funny to see him doing this repeatedly
for the 5-10 minutes it took us to check out and Laura, the check out girl, was
certainly playing her part in egging him on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Made his day I think!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we left
and I had him in his car seat he looked all distant and sad. “Ah poor broken
hearted fellow” I thought – at least till I got him home and realised he was
probably pooping at that moment! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
wonder if this encounter was why I could not get him to take an afternoon nap
today. I also wonder in the future if he will take a particular shin to
red-heads, and I wonder if that is inheritary since I had a thing for red-heads
when I was growing up. Mine was caused by Racquel Welsh. I will watch carefully
over the coming decades….</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkMub6CJX0XCsADdS1YqSxw992Tz2SOgNQoKq2csgd7CDUTGAXxFlHYi2B6oMYCQQ5Y2FfzSoU6HxYfHgAO7uU0GlXUJa-OmMAyhUvcfCW4kUbzcbfVzJ2eo2UfuMJhC5xqDN_DRpui0x/s1600/raquel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkMub6CJX0XCsADdS1YqSxw992Tz2SOgNQoKq2csgd7CDUTGAXxFlHYi2B6oMYCQQ5Y2FfzSoU6HxYfHgAO7uU0GlXUJa-OmMAyhUvcfCW4kUbzcbfVzJ2eo2UfuMJhC5xqDN_DRpui0x/s1600/raquel.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Numbers :</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
2450g
– amount of strawberries awaiting being turned into jam</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
457,000
– the offer we put in on a house – and was rejected</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
5 –
number of house we have tried to buy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
5 –
number of times we have failed</div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-48461085757389515912016-11-15T23:59:00.002-08:002016-11-15T23:59:51.282-08:00Week 5 - Part 1<style>
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</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 5 – Part 1</b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Play Centre</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjhuN3t9ApzMPX5CVw0kaiYIat3n88V_7OqgnkvY4LYAEUejPjnfq6lRNcKclVOubzeIW10krYBRlajZMZDKkQf7JhEoe5R2yrdQJFly_wMMcG_q-KfoW3adGDxlGVJ_HehlGIySqGve3/s1600/15002242_10207322842778470_5856986937099002143_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjhuN3t9ApzMPX5CVw0kaiYIat3n88V_7OqgnkvY4LYAEUejPjnfq6lRNcKclVOubzeIW10krYBRlajZMZDKkQf7JhEoe5R2yrdQJFly_wMMcG_q-KfoW3adGDxlGVJ_HehlGIySqGve3/s320/15002242_10207322842778470_5856986937099002143_o.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture Credit - Joanne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
far, this week, touch wood, has been a bit if a breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SPACE activity this week was to go and visit
a Play Centre which is the next step up from SPACE. It’s a parent led play
group which gets support from the government in terms of funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you pay a nominal fee ($45 a term I think)
and then you have to commit to being on the team once a week, and to do some
training courses.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
time commitment may seem a bit daunting, but Francis had such a great time
there that I think it would be worth it. As usual he was off and exploring as
soon as he hit the ground. I had to rescue him from outside on a number of
occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times he would come back
covered in glue and glitter and one occasion with a bloody lip – all quickly
forgotten when we started making<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ginger
bread<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cookies!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Glittering Exit</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaFwCN9GjrSa1fh3u67pXZ4HiJQcQ-PmteQVIlQ8iJ0in_a_xSNDO-nlRVPBSsFzEscivfWkyaWp4SJCAihX8nDqND4SW46JhdwqHm0WXkS2tzv_FzLmevaLbP6ADIfjaPisX2gkSfi73/s1600/IMG_1670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaFwCN9GjrSa1fh3u67pXZ4HiJQcQ-PmteQVIlQ8iJ0in_a_xSNDO-nlRVPBSsFzEscivfWkyaWp4SJCAihX8nDqND4SW46JhdwqHm0WXkS2tzv_FzLmevaLbP6ADIfjaPisX2gkSfi73/s320/IMG_1670.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ojSImwqvArzlJ7IpB_Ujnw0Qj-5exKDFvhNggIDeKsNkLuzZqETzm-BPgkJSp1sm8BBYrHbI6sES6-X5KbJzWhPtoxcZ_qr2oXD5cHru0dY2tfBK1mgP8rrPLaNJcqLLWmQ4TbfJWPOm/s1600/IMG_1671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ojSImwqvArzlJ7IpB_Ujnw0Qj-5exKDFvhNggIDeKsNkLuzZqETzm-BPgkJSp1sm8BBYrHbI6sES6-X5KbJzWhPtoxcZ_qr2oXD5cHru0dY2tfBK1mgP8rrPLaNJcqLLWmQ4TbfJWPOm/s320/IMG_1671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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We
discovered the one draw back to all that glue and glitter today when changing
his poopy nappy. No picture needed right?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Green Day</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Francis
has been doing a great job eating and eliminating . Some days he is eating so
much at dinner time I have to go and re-heat his left overs from lunchtime.
Here’s some happy eating pictures for you. He's put back on 350g in the last
week, so we’re all feeling much better!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg9BhXr0nU1ki7BhbEww2V5zKa0_JsNoG5llRjOLK9m4Jfx8_eZly612ri1yPpHnFEPCVrtZMLG1N81r8BrQHEgOdmY-D8wN9CTnVRLDsJyZrErfEsDfGzl9SvAPn_EcDMW-jVi-7EdSz/s1600/IMG_1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg9BhXr0nU1ki7BhbEww2V5zKa0_JsNoG5llRjOLK9m4Jfx8_eZly612ri1yPpHnFEPCVrtZMLG1N81r8BrQHEgOdmY-D8wN9CTnVRLDsJyZrErfEsDfGzl9SvAPn_EcDMW-jVi-7EdSz/s320/IMG_1651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PpZUPdrT681LALKB9hoIyh36J8cGV_hIAFbB2HadwMGpcDeZwKMCs13YxKxopzePXKLumPM5ACFbHczVGDkx04wxTcL7I1bBWwJPJjpH36cXWc4MzxLQADu29af_p3FnTuWFQ-noEJjk/s1600/IMG_1654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PpZUPdrT681LALKB9hoIyh36J8cGV_hIAFbB2HadwMGpcDeZwKMCs13YxKxopzePXKLumPM5ACFbHczVGDkx04wxTcL7I1bBWwJPJjpH36cXWc4MzxLQADu29af_p3FnTuWFQ-noEJjk/s320/IMG_1654.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL-x0SI1DvJISNnlEOSBvpsgp9E6FpP9-hwiUVrqOp9Z9uj4v-lbFyKdkRADSzSvqICzG9QZZfHv-aAyqrSIR2DGBm9eU19n-QpLmsHgDP2s2vcAi-4JyVPyEVNoKtYa_Zqr7nXMChKnR/s1600/IMG_1665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL-x0SI1DvJISNnlEOSBvpsgp9E6FpP9-hwiUVrqOp9Z9uj4v-lbFyKdkRADSzSvqICzG9QZZfHv-aAyqrSIR2DGBm9eU19n-QpLmsHgDP2s2vcAi-4JyVPyEVNoKtYa_Zqr7nXMChKnR/s320/IMG_1665.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different Soup, Different Day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Parenting Decisions.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
guess when it comes to raising children, there would be very few couples that
agree 100% on everything when it comes to their kid(s). My biggest bug-bear
right now is we’ve just applied for Francis’s permanent USA passport. I really
don’t want him to be a Yank, just like I don’t want him to be a Brit. He was
born in New Zealand, therefore he’s a kiwi. Many reasons for not wanting him to
be a Yank, one of the biggest is the amount of paperwork this will subject him
to. America is the only country in the world that insists its citizens living
abroad file taxes, and pay capital gains as well. He can rescind his
citizenship for free when he is 18, or we can pay several thousand dollars to
do it before then, but he’d still have to file taxes for another 7 years after
that. For a country that can’t even make it’s President-elect pay taxes, I
think that’s effed up. I took one for the team though. Hate myself for it
though with every cell in my body. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
This
week, so far in numbers :</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
28 –
days how long it took us to actually sleep in the Master bedroom at our new
house.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
106 –
the total number of days we spent sleeping in the spare bed (I was sick when we
got back from US, then we quite liked not sleeping in the same room as F, but
were too lazy to move his cot!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
1 –
goals I scored on my return to playing outfield in soccer after my back surgery
in January. It felt great to run around – I felt unleashed – out of breath, but
unleashed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
5 –
number of time we hit the post tonight</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
1 –
goals the pesky opposition scored. Arrrgghhh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
4 –
number of pre-bed time pain killers I have just taken – just in case!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
4.75
– kg the size of the free range turkey I bought today for Thanksgiving.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
65 -
$ price of said turkey.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-26305393606200522016-11-11T00:40:00.001-08:002016-11-11T00:40:55.618-08:00Week 4 - Part 2: Wednesday -Friday
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 4 – Part 2: Wednesday-Friday</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What a Difference a Day Makes</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Wednesday
dawned bright and sunny and not windy. Ananda was taking the two dogs to day
care on her way to work, so Francis and I had a nice long, unencumbered stroll
along the east side of the Waikato river today. All part of building up walking
to Duck Island Ice-creamery!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Wednesday,
was a great day with Francis. He was super happy and eating well, after a poop
in the morning, and made Tuesday afternoon a distant memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Getting Enough Iron?</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGMPsOULkt1OzrWQNRznL0PK-w1tBzWJgdT_6MbO_AF15vz8MppYQZyo6JRmlCn8aPCagUEKitXTNeMHy8LojQuS7sq-_Q6cX1Tjiyljni5d2byvvlazk5zVZ_FIA4EPrARZOZzoNcAEq/s1600/IMG_1650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGMPsOULkt1OzrWQNRznL0PK-w1tBzWJgdT_6MbO_AF15vz8MppYQZyo6JRmlCn8aPCagUEKitXTNeMHy8LojQuS7sq-_Q6cX1Tjiyljni5d2byvvlazk5zVZ_FIA4EPrARZOZzoNcAEq/s320/IMG_1650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Wednesday
also saw us embarking on a trip up to Auckland to see our friends and to go to
the Powerstation to see James – their first EVER gig in New Zealand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James’ that is, not our friends! I had
decided to dismantle Francis’ highchair to make meals up there easier to deal
with. Trying to dismantle it with Francis trying his best to help (or was it
hinder?) me was quite challenging, but managed to take out the seven bolts
without too much sweat. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
took the dismantled parts outside to keep them out of inquisitive fingers way,
and then came back inside. I saw a shiny silver bolt on the floor. Soon after
my chin hit the floor. I picked it up, had a cursory glance on the floor to see
if there were anymore then went outside to see if any were in the chair still.
(They are the type that sit in the little holes in the furniture).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
There
were none in the chair, but alas there were holes for three of them. Okay, I
had one. Time to find the other two. Back inside. Crawling around on hands and
knees. Glance up at Francis and he flashed me a cheeky smile – along with a
silvery grille Mike Tyson would be proud of. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
“Aw
shit!” I manage to open his mouth and retrieve silvery bolt. He’s such a
magpie. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Now
I am sweating. Where’s bolt #3? I examine the ones I have and realize if he has
swallowed it -(please Francis tell me you didn’t swallow it)- that it’s not a
choking hazard as it has holes in it, and well, if he has and it needs to go
though his system there are no rough edges to it, to damage his alimentary
canal or exit door.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I do
more frantic searching. Under the sofa? No. Under the mat that protects the
carpets from his rejected food? No. Shelves? NO!! Table? NO!!!! Under Francis?
NOOOOO!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Now
I am getting desperate – maybe even whimpering a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francis is quite happily amused by having
someone on the ground crawling around with him. He might not be so happy if
mammy knew what we were doing!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
pick the wee fellow up and sit him on my knees facing me. I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually</i></b>
ask him if he has swallowed the third one, hoping for any kind of verbal sign. I
would probably mis-interpret anything as “YES of course! Now you have to tell mammy
and pay the price of your negligence! Ha – HA HA” . This is of course delivered
in his best evil laugh, probably whilst rubbing his hands together or stroking
a one eyed cat. Maybe my imagination was getting the better of me?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Luckily
we were sitting in his play area, where we have a blanket on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his interrogation I put him down there
so he can have a play whilst I search some more.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
“Wait
– what’s that lump under the blanket?” My heart skips a beat or jumps into my
throat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure, but it did something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
“Please
don’t be mother-XXcking Lego”. I am so frantic/filled with expectation that my
mind doesn’t even wonder if this phrase has ever been said before in the
history of mankind ….. hmmm ….. maybe by someone standing on some in the night?
I digress.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
A
big smile. The missing bolt has travelled quite far but it is now safely
grasped in my sweaty palm. I turn to look at Francis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
He
has my drill pointed at his temple Deer Hunter style.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsR-xLrRE1UkTBr3YawYa3iLSLAqqp-415ydWh6wlOsHX44rjfQEUZv9v1ohnHfP-YJG3ERqHrhOoKQ5rzEB6QwGMo5BAF-4kZJKTzgbZqrHsyO7amuFRxb4pm4zmcMs5VTG4Dkud-OoM/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsR-xLrRE1UkTBr3YawYa3iLSLAqqp-415ydWh6wlOsHX44rjfQEUZv9v1ohnHfP-YJG3ERqHrhOoKQ5rzEB6QwGMo5BAF-4kZJKTzgbZqrHsyO7amuFRxb4pm4zmcMs5VTG4Dkud-OoM/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
“Nooooooooooooooooooo………….”
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
(Editor’s
note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No children were harmed in the
making of this story, and the events portrayed may or may not be based on actual
events.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What a Difference another Day Makes.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Of
course later that night Trump was elected president. Still trying to get my
head around that one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Happy Videos</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So on that somber note here’s some fun videos
of Francis to try and put a smile back on our faces. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here's some time lapse of Francis doing his best Popeye impersonation:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxxnsKi3vvI4EDLEVjfW3fcqkYk5gAPi0Km1BdmXiFvaRF-lwLCBmN02JCgWuOooLwkbsyJz6EK6IljS1Q4Gw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And his joyful little jog when he is happy eating something!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gangsta Rap Dance</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_LD9w0Wdlkdm27sPRYdLi1J6_r3pjjwE4vZ1fWNoMl917Ah4WlOnfetGvbJ_Q0vloV30XYriqqetKnJx5ew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Especially for Nellie.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Accumulator
Station:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
1-
poops per day for the last three days – so good eating has ensued.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
59,937,338
– number of people who voted for Trump*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
60,274,974
– number of people who voted for Clinton*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
6,149,297
– number of people who voted for others*</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
*99.4%
of voting districts</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-48633579054508731262016-11-08T00:10:00.000-08:002016-11-08T00:10:58.240-08:00Week 4 - Part 1 : Failing
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection</style><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 4 – Part 1 Monday and Tuesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plunket Visit</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
In
Aotearoa, as well as health care being free, child well being is also free and
fabulous. Firstly, birth is seen as a natural occurrence and not a medical
emergency – unless of course it turns into one. Secondly there is lots of child
well-being monitoring as well from a sort of community nurse system called
Plunket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my first visit from them
as a SAHD, on Monday with mixed results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Failing</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
was a bit worried they might say something about his weight, but all growth
measures are moving along consistently with each other, although the Plunket
scales only read 9.04Kg. We reweighed him on our own scales and he was indeed
only 9kg. That means he’s lost 500g in a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is pretty alarming and makes me feel like I’m failing poor Francis
in his nutrition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, not just
feeling it, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">but,</b> unfortunately,
actually doing it as he’s lost 500g. So, yeah I’m feeling pretty shitty and sad
right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SPACE support</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
During
our sharing circle at SPACE I told everyone about our eating issues and weight
loss. The ladies were really great and supportive with lots of suggestions,
such as loading his liquid gold with peanut butter, making him some bliss balls
and just really sticking with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
took some food with me to SPACE and sat him with the other kids as they had
their snacks, in the hope some of their good eating habits would rub off on
him. He did pretty good, and was quite adept at stealing food from the other
toddlers. His favourite thing to steal and taste was marmite/vegemite cigars,
so I will have to plug my nose and make some of these for him. Hope I can do so
without gagging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some on-line
discussion later on with the ladies about which of these two obnoxious waste
products is the tastiest. Maybe I’ll go with vegemite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Francis
did eat quite well before we went to SPACE, I had made a smoothie for him and
was straining the fruit pulp out of it, when I thought I’d try to feed him some
from a spoon and lo and behold he ate it all. So he at least got some vitamin
C. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reinvigorated</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
SPACE
was truly a fillip today, so I was all reinvigorated with a new sense of food
purpose and ready for when Mr F awoke from his nap. Here’s a list of the food I
tried, one at a time, for his lunch….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Salmon
and mayonnaise</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Pe-ana</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Pita
bread</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Hummus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Cheese</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Buttered
toast</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Smoothie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Liquid
gold</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Rice
rusk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Apple</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Strawberries</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Kiwi
fruit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
As
you can tell from such a lengthy list, he was either do a Mr Creosote
impression or not eating any of it. If only it was the former <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Defeated</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Here’s
a list of the food that got rejected, pinged to the floor, thrown to the floor
:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Salmon
and mayonnaise</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Pe-ana</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Pita
bread</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Hummus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Cheese</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Buttered
toast</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Smoothie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Liquid
gold</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Apple</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Strawberries</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Kiwi
fruit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Spot
the difference? The exception to the rule was those damned rice rusks from the
forbidden drawer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Every
time he rejected something I would return it to the fridge, at which point Mr.
F would <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TOTALLY</b> lose it. Being a
logical person myself, this totally twisted my melon. How could he have such a
meltdown when I was taking away stuff he didn’t want?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
At
this stage I was really defeated and super depressed too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Partial Victory</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
we had a change of scenery and spent some time hanging out the laundry and then
swinging on his swing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right before
Ananda got home we went back inside and just for kicks decided just to try and
feed him some straight old smooth Peanut butter, from a spoon. Surprisingly to
me, he did eat a whole two tablespoons of it. That’s the American side of him
coming through!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Call the Calvary</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Ananda’s
arrival heralded two happy events: 1) A Francis poop 2) Good eating in the
evening when I was off playing football (losing again!!!!).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
And
yes in that order.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
I’m going to take this as a sign that my theory is right that a non-pooping
Francis will not eat. A happily pooped out baby will eat quite merrily. Q.E.D.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I am
also taking it as a sign that he’s not deliberately trying to piss me off by
not eating in my presence – which at time really feels like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can be quite lonely being a stay at home
parent on days like today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Today’s
Tale of the Tape</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
47.5cm
– Francis’ bonce size</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
74cm
- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How tall he is now</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
12 –
lunch foods items tried</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
11-
lunch foods rejected</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
13- lucky
number for peanut butter!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-49008997722977597472016-11-03T22:07:00.002-07:002016-11-03T22:07:49.293-07:00Week 3 - Friday: Living the Dream
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 3 – Friday : Living the Dream</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sleepless n Melville #2</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Like
most films, or getting back with exes, the sequel is never as good as the
original, and last night was no exception for us. Poor Master Card had a
terrible time between 10pm and 00:30am waking in a pitiful state on three of
four occasions during that time, and then again at 3 and 5am, or thereabouts –
(things were a bit blurry by then).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It
required some expert baby whispering from Dad to get him to sleep –(at least
that’s my side of the story, Ananda will probably say she tired him out for me)
– but we were pretty exhausted this morning. When does the Holy Grail of
Sleeping-Through-The-Night return? He used to as a young baby. Cos he’s a really
old baby right now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I actually do better on no-sleep at all, versus 30 or 40
minutes here and there, thanks to my previous education and career that
involved 24-36 hour long experiments!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Poo-ology</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Right
on cue, just as we were going out the door to go grocery shopping, Francis
decided to have a nice big poo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I
could try this as a laxative tactic for him. “Come on Mr Francis, lets go for a
ride in the car and go shopping”. Or maybe he’s just very, very, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">VERY</i></b>,
scared of my driving.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Anyway,
fitting nicely in with my theory, he had a good old snack when we got back from
shopping. A good amount of pita bread and a good amount of liquid gold before
afternoon naps. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Help the Aged?</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I do
notice that people are very helpful to me when I have Francis strapped in the
ergo. For instance today a kind lady asked if she could help me place my
groceries from the shopping cart onto the counter at Vege King. Of course she
could have been scared that Francis was going to fall out of the ergo since he
was in a near upside down position as I attempted to reach for my strawberries.
Or maybe I have too much grey hair showing and she thinks I need the help.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Living the Dream</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>This is how I envisaged my Stay At Home Dad
existence would be like everyday... </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pbGk-W8VzIeJ_LWUoY_-1PNrz6K-NSkDuHOy3zODJSZMSRkJUdmp2Y6nMoGzRvtEWOxKCXSzaMfkWvUvgQLosLsGJvYjtRxIFA60HQucadauS4XDuS_c-Lh9b1sEhCNIT9Kd4l8B0mid/s1600/IMG_1645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pbGk-W8VzIeJ_LWUoY_-1PNrz6K-NSkDuHOy3zODJSZMSRkJUdmp2Y6nMoGzRvtEWOxKCXSzaMfkWvUvgQLosLsGJvYjtRxIFA60HQucadauS4XDuS_c-Lh9b1sEhCNIT9Kd4l8B0mid/s320/IMG_1645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
may be eating Francis’ discarded lunch, but still one day out of 15 isn’t too
bad!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blogging</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Going
to start to cut back on writing a blog everyday – I think anyway, and maybe
just do it two or three times a week. Will reconsider though, if they become
too wordy, or too boring. Enjoyed writing it so far, kinda a catharsis for me
each day, and have enjoyed peoples reaction to it to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Friday's Market results:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
1–
poo </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
1 –
New Zealand’s ranking in the world as the best place to live <a href="https://nz.news.yahoo.com/top-stories/a/33103256/new-zealand-ranked-best-place-in-the-world-to-live/#page1" target="_blank">NZ Best place to live</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
4 –
number of times I had to return to re-pin up the jeans on the clothes
line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forget how windy Hamilton can be
in the spring!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
2252– number of page views in October!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-30537065000665505442016-11-03T00:46:00.000-07:002016-11-03T00:47:53.977-07:00Week 3 - Thursday Outstanding<style>
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</style> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 3 – Thursday Outstanding</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Office</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Since
the dogs were going to doggie day care, Francis and I went for a longer walk
than normal along the river path. We just went where the rhythm of the river
took us and ended up taking this picture of my old office. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bXXad4dH-9bUHXDJjWM2Fm_hyslhWmfqb1hT7SAgNgRE4ev0kBIGGAEkEsrWQJG_KtqSb-Ab4jDjzAoBYJuV_AVsqeN-Yv7QeKtgtnMbjpug2mjWvMVauM3k7vlu17FslbCfRIoF8T_Z/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bXXad4dH-9bUHXDJjWM2Fm_hyslhWmfqb1hT7SAgNgRE4ev0kBIGGAEkEsrWQJG_KtqSb-Ab4jDjzAoBYJuV_AVsqeN-Yv7QeKtgtnMbjpug2mjWvMVauM3k7vlu17FslbCfRIoF8T_Z/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It was a pretty good
view from my old office, but the constantly changing views from my new office
are way better. :-)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Food for Thought</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I’ve
been given some websites with recipes on for babies that are in the process of
weaning, so in between two sets of laundry, returning ladders I borrowed to a
friend, washing the motorhome, chipping a bunch of branches I cut down, and picking up the dogs from day care, I thought
I would have a stab at some vegetable fritters. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Before
we get to that though, I almost returned home from doggie day care with the
wrong black lab. When they brought out Cain I thought to myself, “my we are
doing really well at getting him to lose weight”, and he seemed super energetic
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the day care owner that
suggested we might have the wrong dog! Really difficult to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that’s why dogs smell each other’s
butts so they can tell who is who!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
On
that appetizing note the ingredients for the fritter was eggs, grated potato
and cheese, cumin, flour, peas and sweet-corn, mushrooms, salt and pepper, and a lot of
love and prayers that he would eat them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjRHjxFv_D1aNHj3LzzjJxhnMKGaf9qTFdWXLtraVNOPt2bIyvQDyooKcjQqGpJz5dGFc1DXxaaJGKRRpOMBrTjXab779vldM4wAfy91qb9yTwGcCryX1RrXBBwHIqbala2SvQYs2G16T/s1600/IMG_1613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjRHjxFv_D1aNHj3LzzjJxhnMKGaf9qTFdWXLtraVNOPt2bIyvQDyooKcjQqGpJz5dGFc1DXxaaJGKRRpOMBrTjXab779vldM4wAfy91qb9yTwGcCryX1RrXBBwHIqbala2SvQYs2G16T/s320/IMG_1613.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu5OY0DkUJgI6qwMtNigMIzKlzOTCXPTTz5e0mwTIYom0HHRe5VWVgHTH-pCkTe7proPHr8EIHCIrqE5hXas4MniMsmrgb1nPPOiyBPNLhiHhx6hChUdj6VlZIumW0Xm3f00Y9vTiXbrT/s1600/IMG_1614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu5OY0DkUJgI6qwMtNigMIzKlzOTCXPTTz5e0mwTIYom0HHRe5VWVgHTH-pCkTe7proPHr8EIHCIrqE5hXas4MniMsmrgb1nPPOiyBPNLhiHhx6hChUdj6VlZIumW0Xm3f00Y9vTiXbrT/s320/IMG_1614.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"And here's one I prepared earlier"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7nAKleB9zXNSKbUodOY-CVCQI6s3ZoG3jEMMcOstuLBR3uJwwvCZZxiV8SZLRYMg5TbZBN9WG0QX1mFn1NZStzzSV-ICgzu3t5zxFobRu_oRkh1S9CMIm2b99FzL_-JKvR7ynFJm76Wz/s1600/IMG_1617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7nAKleB9zXNSKbUodOY-CVCQI6s3ZoG3jEMMcOstuLBR3uJwwvCZZxiV8SZLRYMg5TbZBN9WG0QX1mFn1NZStzzSV-ICgzu3t5zxFobRu_oRkh1S9CMIm2b99FzL_-JKvR7ynFJm76Wz/s320/IMG_1617.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look Daddy I'm really enjoying it...."</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyQ95zmALg0r5PR5PhuJbyOMyJKuFEK2MrgFClDyh3NsN48pSZCv6oPoLaWOSq2d2mQKeNnc5TuCMADN4ZHUijtsz5b82CXvk_G9sM7sCLMLsoLXGGiI4LVIqxLgqqNepCYb0qHsJmNIL/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyQ95zmALg0r5PR5PhuJbyOMyJKuFEK2MrgFClDyh3NsN48pSZCv6oPoLaWOSq2d2mQKeNnc5TuCMADN4ZHUijtsz5b82CXvk_G9sM7sCLMLsoLXGGiI4LVIqxLgqqNepCYb0qHsJmNIL/s320/IMG_1616.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"...or am I?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
At
lunch time he gave them a good try, having a bit of a chew but then spitting it
out. He was doing his gangsta-rap dance of enjoyment so maybe he liked the
taste, but not the texture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breastmilk Smoothies</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Since
we’re not getting through all the liquid gold Mammy is expressing at work, I decided
to make Francis a breastmilk smoothie<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqIFmRgh9B9CnAXsmQt4ENLFn2eXt0Za2O-Vp-sEphEM0xDX7Ll0AopG1NDU2WWvewh915REGpRsCdxfNQksbGySxxONzbv0im2xt9PoCdNsrR4lA0TO4D0YLmW_bCkSEev2ZYk51ycqL/s1600/IMG_1615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqIFmRgh9B9CnAXsmQt4ENLFn2eXt0Za2O-Vp-sEphEM0xDX7Ll0AopG1NDU2WWvewh915REGpRsCdxfNQksbGySxxONzbv0im2xt9PoCdNsrR4lA0TO4D0YLmW_bCkSEev2ZYk51ycqL/s320/IMG_1615.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liquid gold, banana, frozen berries, rice powder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpwWgu6TX8hkt083gpyAphX4zWzzi3RaA9wlVqRrVn-KENKyGW3Y09MlkPeW0BoBCjIlX7rojyxv5OHOy1znFCRu7wLshyf5-spLdRT1zDWGshLNHFxEoQ3h_k0TAeTKp1PbzzJNBxL1T/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpwWgu6TX8hkt083gpyAphX4zWzzi3RaA9wlVqRrVn-KENKyGW3Y09MlkPeW0BoBCjIlX7rojyxv5OHOy1znFCRu7wLshyf5-spLdRT1zDWGshLNHFxEoQ3h_k0TAeTKp1PbzzJNBxL1T/s320/IMG_1618.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"et voila"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
And
did he like it……….. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwtletaky7SOWWvela3kqGWatsii02x1MhthxKvfgy9L0D-DvmAIGrEIcMoBnMaSKOLlzFI8WgoAjcGb6Bl4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Outstanding</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We
were aiming for an earlier bath and bedtime today so we can get back to a better
schedule. Ananda and Francis were reading whilst I ran the bath. He didn’t seem
to be quite finished with the reading so I hopped down with them and he gave me
the colours book to read. After I had read it a couple of times we said that it
was time for bath time and no more reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Francis flew into a rage, and was so energized he went from a leaning
position against me to completely standing up by himself and hands free for the
first time!!!!! This lasted about 4-5 seconds at which point he burst into giggles
of delight, along with Ananda and I. So glad we could all share this super
special moment. He then repeated it a couple of times – minus the tantrum. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Ananda
and I are hoping he will continue doing this tomorrow, as he looks so cute and
happy when he does it. However, we have seen other milestones done before – and
then not repeated for about another 6 weeks eg. first time he rolled over. Fingers crossed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Today’s
Lottery numbers for you:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
1–
poos </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
7-
number of clothes pegs to hold up a fitted sheet for a baby’s cot. Any less and
it just keeps getting blown off the line.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
7-
number of times I read “Whose nose” after Francis afternoon nap was rudely
interrupted by a nightmare I think</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
6 –
number of times we read the colours book to him</div>
Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726198360167763148.post-43005432442550949802016-11-01T21:10:00.001-07:002016-11-02T00:19:47.664-07:00Week 3 - Wednesday<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Week 3 – Wednesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sleepless in Melville</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Well
not quite the right heading as Ananda got a full 5 hours of sleep last night.
Francis slumbered happily from 8pm to midnight and then to 5am. His hardworking
Stay At Home Dad slumbered from 10:30pm to 6:00am, with one nasty interruption
for cramp at midnight. So we’re all pretty fresh today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Possible
reasons for this long sleep :</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>No afternoon nap on Tuesday afternoon ?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Earlier than normal bed time routine?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Black out curtains I put up on Tuesday – but
unlikely since it was his 2-3am wake that he skipped on, and pretty sure it was
still dark then. Best ask Ananda though!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Sleeping pills I slipped into his spinach last
night? (Best not tell Ananda)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Sleeping pills I slipped into Ananda’s pasta?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Starvation taking over?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We’ll
see how he goes tonight. But we may have to take a few days of the no afternoon
nap and see if that works. Anyone with experience know at what age they can
drop a nap?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shopping Fail</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
goal of today’s trip to the Lodge Auction rooms was to buy a house that had
been the subject of some bad press due to it being a former Methamphetamine
lab!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Right
before we left for the auction house Francis had a poo – I should have take
this as a sign. That and the torrential downpour we drove and walked through to
get there. Sometime I just need to read the signs of fate better! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So instead
I came home with two new camping chairs and some prunes for Francis. Seems like
you still need more than $520,000 to buy a P lab in Hamilton these days. We’ll
keep looking, but will probably need to dust off the tent for when my relatives
arrive in January. At least the windows in the tent are screened!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second Breakfast</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Breakfast
for Francis was quite a sorry affair, with very little eaten. We went on our
usual walk with the dogs, and when we got back I was clearing away his Weetbix
box, when I noticed he kept following me wherever I went with that box. It was
quite a circumvented route to the kitchen this morning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So I
plopped him back in his chair and he had a pretty good stab and eating a fair
amount of Weetbix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So maybe cos he’s a
kiwi he might be into that second breakfast kinda thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I’m
going to check his feet for hairiness on a daily basis, and keep my golden
wedding band away from him! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Builder’s Apprentice</b></div>
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He’s
getting quite good at the old hand eye coordination. I present exhibit A as
evidence :<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw0kYBo0NHCeYP7uh5NhM-4cABr4Wxc_F2YPKUoS00zSaWIDfgmeIxcVsoUfB9JsrHHa6YC5tt_smab7sI1xA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Equally adroit with both hands.<br />
<br />
Lies, lies and statistics</div>
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1–
poos and this equaled quite good eating. So my theory is on stronger ground
now.</div>
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$520,000
– the price the bidding got to for the house I was interested in. It still did
not sell at that price.</div>
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$70,000
– the amount it went over what we were willing to pay</div>
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54.54%
- of houses that DID NOT sell at auction today</div>
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Graemehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072094993294844541noreply@blogger.com0