The Degrees of Separation

So this week I had to leave Addi for the very first time. Yes that's right. Go out into the big, wide world for an ENTIRE DAY (well from 9 till 3 anyway) without my baby.

Our babysitter for the day was my wonderful mother-in-law Robyn aka "Nanny Rob" who more than jumped at the opportunity when we asked her a few weeks back to babysit the girls. (And yes Mum, you'll get to babysit next time, calm your farm!!)

All ready for a day with Nanny Rob

I only did this because it was an appointment we both had to go to and really couldn't bring Addi with us. Now don't think for one second I had any doubt about Nanny Rob's ability to look after our little gems! After all she raised 3 of her own, including my glorious husband. Nor did I think the girls would mind - I don't think Addi even noticed I was gone, and quite frankly I think Kali would much prefer spending the day with her favourite-person-in-the-world anyway. 

You can determine Kali's level of love by the velocity of her wagging tail upon someone's arrival. And when Nanny Rob's car pulls up out the front, you can be sure Kali's tail could whip you so hard it would look like you've been involved in some sort of kinky 50 Shades of Grey accident. 

Back to D day. I had been dreading this day for weeks - how could I leave my poor little infant ALL DAY??? How would she cope without my love, cuddles and constant annoying high-pitched chitchat? But wait... Maybe the problem was me. I got so worked up fretting about this day that it crept up on me like a sneaky leaf of coriander hiding in my Thai... Until the morning was here and I could no longer hide from it. 

Much to my surprise I handled it quite well and I give myself 83 pats on the back for keeping it together. I didn't cry nor did Dean have to pry Addi out of my motherly kung fu grip. Everyone survived! 

Also a special mention to princess Avalon & handsome Oliver who have both started BIG school this week in QLD! I wonder how your Mummies coped?! The very best of luck at school, you 'lil rock stars will smash it!! 

So congratulations to me for not having an emotional meltdown. A well done to Avie & Oliver's parents for obviously keeping it together (I only presume this as I heard no echoed sobbing coming from Brisbane or from the Gold Coast). And a massive thank you to Nanny Rob for babysitting. Hopefully Addi didn't cause you enough grief so you'll never want to do it again (that is if I'm on my death bed and can't lift my arms to hold my little cherub). 

So to all the mumma bears out there who face leaving their bubbas for the day (even an hour) or farewelling their little protégées off to big school - remember they'll be fine. They might flash their pink undies to the boys or swap their apple for a Nutella cup, but they're your little angels and you've done an amazing job.

L xx

First time mumma. First time blogger.

I'm 24, married, have a new bubba and live in the 'burbs of Newcastle. Well OK... part of that is a lie, but if we're going to be friends you'll let it go.

I have a baby. She's 13 weeks old and she is amazing. But she's also hard work. We have good days and we have bad days. And after you've had a few good days in a row, a bad one will knock you for six. 

My little poppet, Addison Lily

 

This morning for example, I was crazy tired and half asleep. Addi didn't want to sleep or have a bottle. She just wanted to scream so hard and so loud I could barely calm her down. So much so that my husband came home from walking the dog to find me with tears rolling down my face, pacing the bedroom in desperation for her to settle. 

Hubby of the year every year, Dean

And this is where my saviour, my hero if you will, comes into the story. His name is Dean and he is the best thing since sliced bread. There is no way I could do any of this without him. If I've had a bad day or night with Addi, he's there. When he notices (and he always does) that I'm getting frustrated or stressed, he'll take over. I really should buy him a 'Super Dad' t-shirt or something... crap, now I've probably ruined the only idea I'll ever have for a father's day present - suggestions anyone?

Not only did this hairy spunk pull me out of my drunken, crazy ways (well most of them anyway), he married me & had a baby with me - perhaps I should judge him a little for wanting to spend the rest of his life with a lunatic like me? *Note to self, ponder this again later*  Either way he is my rock, my best friend and I thank my lucky stars everyday that nearly 8 years ago I "raped his face" at King Street *cringe* and he became mine! (A lovely story to tell our daughter one day)

Our always hungry Kali girl

   

Early last year we rescued a 5 yr old staffy-x named Kali. At the time I didn't know whether it was such a good idea to take on a new family member when we had just found out we were pregnant, but now we couldn't imagine our lives without her. Some people might say she's spoilt and we treat her like a princess (all of which is true), but it's because she's not just our dog, she's our fur baby. Kali didn't leave my side for hours when I found out my Nan was dying and I was a sobbing mess. And follows me around the house when I'm pacing like a crazy person pleading with my infant to go to sleep. She's my fury, little shadow and I absolutely adore her. 

So where to from here? Well I'd like to say I'll try and write at least once a week, and I will try. But those close to me know I'm forgetful, lazy and to be honest, I just half-arse things sometimes. Nether the less, I welcome you on my journey of deodorant-less days, sleepless nights and the all round craziness that is my life as a new mumma bear.

L xx