IT'S A GIRL!!!

So my granddaughter is already a week old! It has been a crazy roller coaster week, hence, why I have not written about this sooner.  

Last Friday and Saturday I helped Tamika, Guy and Chester move into their townhouse. Late Saturday night I was very tired and bruised, as Tamika drove me home I jokingly said "please don't have the bub tonight or tomorrow I am too tired."

Well Bub did not listen.

At 4.15am Sunday morning Tamika had her first show. She called me, and woke Guy. Then called the midwife.... Yep that was all to plan. But the next hour was not.

Tamika knew with the very first contraction something was not right, that this bub was in a hurry. She called back the midwife, who told her to call an ambulance. Guy, was like, no need I will just pack and we can drive.

Lucky Tamika followed her intuition. A with just two pushes, bub was born in the back of the ambulance in Tamika's driveway at 5.47, just over one hour and half from her first show.

It was an extremely hard birth for all of us. For me to be inside the apartment playing trains with Chester, hearing my daughter screaming for me. For Guy to see Tamika go through the birth and then begin to hemorrhage. And obviously it was the hardest for Tamika.

Tamika lost a LOT of blood and lost consciousness on the way to the hospital. The rest of the story is not mine to tell, it is Tamika's

But the drama continued for a few days... culminating in another ambulance ride Tuesday night back to the hospital for emergency surgery. (The hospital had only discharged her a couple of hours before against my better judgment).

But, now a week later I can finally say Mum and baby are good when I tell people Tamika had her baby.

Welcome to the world, Lola Ruby Lietzow-Chinn. You certainly know how to make a dramatic entrance!

TOURIST TUESDAY: TASMANIA DAY FIVE

Only a few months late, but was just going through my posts and realised I did not publish this one. 

Last days are always bittersweet for me. I miss Tamika and Chester, but most of the time I want to stay on holidays. If I could take them with me, I would be happy to travel forever.

Jarvis is such a great traveller, so the whole waking before the sun is up, packing and getting to the airport all went with such ease. It was like we blinked, and we were home.

There are a gazillion tips for travel with a toddler out there, but my top advise is children will mirror their parents. If you are a relaxed traveller, they too will learn to enjoy the adventure.  

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEK TWELVE

Last night we made plans to go to the movies today, Jarvis requested that his Avengers sarouels be sewn up. This was easy as his, and Chester's, had already been cut out in last weeks sewing session. I am not normally into licensed clothes, I have a very strong dislike for any tshirt or any item of clothing that has licensed 'stuff; on it. I find it all very blargh. But this fabric was gifted to me, and I have to concede that it looks 'okay' sewn up.

Week Twelve

As requested, one pair of Avengers sarouels. I am yet to finish Chester's but will do that this afternoon. Chester got one pair of flannel sarouels cut in last weeks cutting session. So both boys are doing well.

I also went onto Spotlight today, yeah I know who goes to work on their day off? But with 30% off all fabric I thought it was the perfect day to get Jarvis his two of his three requests for winter. He has asked for a pair of tartan sarouels to replace the ones he handed down to Chester, a bright pair of cord sarouels, and a rainbow sarouels. I knew I would have no luck with the rainbow corduroy. But he selected fabric for his next two pairs of pants. 

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEK ELEVEN

Week Eleven

Even though it is still hot here in Brisbane, I thought it was time to start working on the boys winter wardrobes.

I had a big cutting out session one night, two pairs of pants each and two pairs of flannel pjs each. Jarvis again choose which fabric for each and every pair. He is certainly developing strong notions of what he does and does not like to wear.

I love how I can cut Chester's out of the tiniest of remnants. Even though Chester is still so tiny I thought I would go up to a size two, to last him through the winter. Jarvis requested "super, super long pjs". No worries, as I thought he would get two winters out of them.

As of today I finished two pairs of pj sarouels for Jarvis. He had so much fun modelling asked to wear them today. After half an hour of sweating in them, I finally convinced him to take them off.

Chester got a pair of corduroy sarouels, and a pair of deer old man pjs, which I cut from last year's remnants of Justin's. The cords are fine, if not super long on Chester, but the pjs at size two swim on Chester, think these will have to go away until next year.

I think that is why I love the sarouels design so much. Not only for style, and comfort, but for the fact worn 'too big' they look cute, and allow extra wear out of them.

TOURIST TUESDAY: SUNSHINE COAST, PART THREE

On the Tuesday, the boys woke up early desperate to go to the beach.

Justin had booked his surfing lesson at Noosa, so Tamika drove the five of us there.

I think Justin had fun. He fell off a lot in the beginning, but eventually he got to stand and ride a few waves.

It got so hot, and windy, on the beach Tamika and I opted to swap locations while Justin finished his lesson so we wandered around to the Noosa River. We sat were the river joins the ocean. Highly recommended. The water was perfect, and there was shade for the kids to play in. Plus no wind.

None of us wanted to go home. But the lure of a nap in the air con, was just what we all needed after a full morning at the beach. The afternoon was spent down on Alex beach again.

I woke Wednesday morning and came out to these two just relaxing on the couch...such beautiful early morning light. But, it was also time to check out and head home. Only to meet up two hours later in Brisbane at the doctors surgery, both Chester and Justin had ear infections. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: SUNSHINE COAST PART TWO

Saturday and Sunday had passed in a blur of lovely relaxation. Monday arrived with a massive surprise for Jarvis!

The morning was the same as Sunday, early rise and down to the beach. When the sun got to hot it was back to the apartment pool. Justin had been given a voucher from Tamika to Dive with the Sharks for his birthday, so he had that booked for Monday lunch time.

I told Jarvis we were just going to hang around the apartment, but Tamika and Chester arrived to stay for a few nights. Also my two cousins, Jess and Sam, and two of their kids, Archie and Evie, came over. So there were four kids under five! Sorry neighbours, but they had fun. It was so good for Jarvis to have so many kids around for a few says. Plus I think Justin's body enjoyed the break.

After lunch, we introduced Tamika and Chester to the wonderful art of napping in the air con. This was followed by an afternoon at the beach. Jess and Levi, and all of the kids joined us at the beach. Bliss.

Of course we had to have fish and chips for dinner.

EVERYDAY MOMENTS: WEEK NINE

Years ago Justin bought himself a keyboard. These days it is the boys who use it for their very special LOUD concerts and dance offs. 

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEKS SEVEN AND EIGHT

Week Seven

I finished these last week before we went on holidays, however, since every day Chester came over it was so hot. I did not get around to doing a photoshoot of the boys.

Two pair of Monster Mash sarouels. Jarvis really loves monsters, plus he really loves have matching clothes to Chester. So these are a hit.

Week Eight.

After being away for the first part of the week, and then at work for the second half. I thought it would be a good week to catch up on repairs mending, and hemming curtains for my mother-in-law. A small week, of very boring sewing.

EVERYDAY MOMENTS: WEEK EIGHT

We had planned a mini getaway for ages. Justin had a surfing lesson and a dive voucher.

But after on half a day Jarvis asked if Tamika and 'his Chester" could join us. Best move ever. I got to spend so much time with all of my babies. Tamika got to relax. And Jarvis and Chester got to hang out every minute of every day.

Most afternoons were spent like this. Just lazily enjoying the beach.

EVERYDAY MOMENTS: WEEK SEVEN

Tamika was off at her antenatal appointment. Justin was working on the coast, so it was just the boys, and I, today. With no pool and horrid heat and humidity, we spend ages splashing in the little Splash and Play pool. Best $20 bucks I have spent in a long time.