TOURIST TUESDAY: SYDNEY HEAD ON PHOTO FESTIVAL 2017

At the end of May we jumped on a plane, and headed down to Sydney for a couple of days. The main reason being Justin was exhibiting in the Head On Photo Festival. (Note One) But, lets face it, it does not take much for me to go on a holiday/mini getaway.

Justin flew down earlier in the week to set up his exhibition, normally flying solo with Jarvis doesn't bother me at all...however, a few days before we were to leave Jarvis was diagnosed as having pneumonia. And I was starting to feel like something the cat spat out, so knew I was heading down the same path.

But, my baby flew like the experienced traveller he is, and travelled like a angel, on the plane and on the two trains to our Airbnb location.

Our first day in Sydney, Justin organised to go to Taronga Zoo. (Note Two) Zoos always give me mixed emotions, I love seeing the animals, but hate seeing them trapped into artificial spaces.

That night, we all caught the train to Justin's exhibition. I was so proud of Justin and his amazing work on display. Plus, it was also good to discover other artists.

The following morning, all we had time for was a scrumptious mid-morning snack, and a play in the park, and then it was time to do the reverse trip home. 

As you can tell by the portrait Justin took of me, at the train station on the way to the airport, the flu had well and truly smacked me around. Also because I was sick, I made Justin feel sorry for me and forced him to do a couples selfie, which he hates with a passion.

Holly Molly, I have never struggled on a flight so much. With high temps and a face that felt so compacted, I am surprised the airport security did not stop me and drug test me.

Lucky for me, Tamika always does the airport runs, and picked us up and transited me home and to the comfort of my bed.

Sydney, it was short and sweet, next time lets make it longer.

Note One: The Head On Photo Awards represent a global selection of the best work from emerging and established photographers across four categories; Portrait, Landscape, Mobile and Student.

Head On Photo Festival, one of the world's most prestigious photo festivals is calling for photographers to submit work to the Head On Photo Awards 2017.

Note Two: Taronga Zoo is the city zoo of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is located on the shores of Sydney Harbour in the suburb of Mosman. It was officially opened on 7 October 1916.

HOME REMEDIES, HINTS AND HACKS? WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?

At the beginning of the year, the pain in my knees and joints, had gotten so bad that walking up the two stairs from the kitchen to the lounge room seemed like an epic feat. An my back was constantly aching. So I asked google.

One of the hints that kept coming up was magnesium. To bath in it, and to take it orally. I am not a fan of baths, so I opted to take two tablets a day. Logic was "give it a go".

Did not think much about it until the last few days. I ran out of tablets two weeks ago. And, because work stuffed up my pay and didn't pay me last fortnight, I was more than a little broke. So I didn't get any more tablets.

However, tonight the pain has returned in full force. Even the veins in my legs are hugely swollen. I am missing my magnesium!

Jarvis's favourite hack is when he get a mozzie bite, which he gets hundreds of. Which he then scratches and they get infected. His favourite thing is "hot spoon". I google this hack and I use it on myself all the time, as well as Jarvis.

You boil a kettle, pour some water into a cup, heat a metal spoon by dipping it in the water, then roll the spoon over a fresh mozzie bite. It has to be fresh. Do this several times. ALWAYS, ALWAYS check the heat of the spoon on the inside of your own wrist before applying it to a child. The hotter the spoon the better. But obviously don't burn your poor child.

The bite will come up red and swollen, but then after a little bit it disappears and best of all no itch!

The pain I am in tonight has got me thinking, what are the other home remedies and hacks that other people love, and cannot live without? Share them with me? Love to hear your simple hints.

WHAT IS A DOULA?

So, what is this doula thing that so many pregnant women speak of? The word ‘doula’ — pronounced ‘doo-la’ — is a Greek word meaning ‘woman servant or caregiver’.

More recently, it refers to someone who offers emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner before, during and after childbirth.

A doula (also known as a birth attendant) believes in ‘mothering the mother’. She enables a woman and her partner to have the most satisfying birth experience possible, from pregnancy and into motherhood. This type of support allows the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience too.

A doula provides  supportive care during pregnancy, labor, and shortly after during the postpartum period.  The support comes in two forms: physical and emotional.  

The second important role of a doula is to provide childbirth education in order to empower the Mother into making the best choices for herself as well as her newborn. All of this is done in a non-judgemental, supportive way.

Basically, a doula is bring the 'village' back to childbirth and childrearing. Women, supporting women. 

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!

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. 

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.

EVERYDAY MOMENTS: WEEK FIVE (TWO WEEKS LATE)

I actually posted the first two images about ten days ago. For my everyday moments, Weeks five, I called it guitar hero. At first I thought how cute the two boys looked playing guitar, on an extremely hot and humid day.

Seconds after I posted it, I realised my error and whipped that post down.

Opps Chester's t-shirt. I would have given the game away two week too early.

For those of you who do not follow me on instagram... I am going to be a GRANDMOTHER AGAIN! Yep super excited. Baby number two is due mid August. How adorable does Chester look in his Big Brother t-shirt?

EVERYDAY MOMENTS: WEEK SIX

Tuesday morning was spent at the park out at Lota.

As I watched the three walk along holding hands, I thought of how much love I had for them.

PS... Week Five is missing, but there is a reason for that!!!

WHY JARVIS IS NOT GOING TO KINDY

Back to school has well, and truly, happened for thousands and thousands of children across Australia. With many starting  a new journey with High School, Year One, Prep and Kindy. But not Jarvis. It took me most of 2015 to feel 100% confident with my decision not to send him off to Kindy this year.

Jarvis, is a happy, confident, and very sociable child. I was at first worried that I was not allowing him access to a wider social circle. But, now the year has started, and I feel I have made the best decision for Jarvis, and for Justin and I as parents.

My belief has always been that we , as a country, over school our children. And yes, this is coming from me, who has a background in early childhood education. I could quote many studies from my thesis, backing my belief that we are pressuring our children into too much study too early and not allowing them enough time for play. However, I think the most important thing is my mother’s instinct. I honestly believe Jarvis was not ready.

He was not ready to be torn away from childhood, and pushed into formal education. I say formal, as even my doctor believes Jarvis is very advanced for his age. I believe thirteen years, (plus often add another four or more years at uni) is a really long time for children to be in formal education.

This is my belief for my child, well children. 

I am in a really privileged place to have the choice whether or not to send Jarvis to school. I am aware in some countries children do not get this choice. I also have had the luxury of more than ten years of tertiary education myself. Something which I hope Jarvis also has the choice. But for now Jarvis has one more year of being a carefree toddler/child.

EVERYDAY MOMENTS: WEEK THREE

The everyday moments.  I want to remember moments, moments that are not huge. But those little every day things, things that we forget our children doing. I want to remember, and enjoy, the magic of these moments. So, I am going to join in the 52 Project for this year concentrating on the little, the everyday, the ordinary.

Week Three

I wonder if Jarvis will always 'look after' Chester? When ever the two are together, Jarvis takes it upon himself to care for Jarvis. The constant hand holding. Or sometimes, it is more of a death/wrist grip. 

The worry that sets over Jarvis if Chester does something. In this case it was because it was because Chester went in the water too far.

But then Chester must like it, as he is always the mirror to Jarvis.