work, work, work

I had my first 2 days back at work on Thursday and Friday, and on Monday morning I will have students. Argh, where did my at home mummy time go??

It was so nice to be back at work, and if I wasn't constantly thinking about Ava, then I would have had the best, most enjoyable 2 days that I think someone could have at work. I work in the best department, surrounded by the best teachers (and friends). I geniunely like a lot of people who teach at my school, and who make the place a wonderful place to be. And most of all, most of the staff at my school are damn good teachers and passionate about improving outcomes for students.

Ah, but my baby will have her first day at daycare on Monday. My husband will take her in at 11.30, and I finish work at 1.30 on a Monday, so it won't be a long day away from us for her...still it's someone else. boo hoo hoo...

My baby girl is crawling...

My baby girl is crawling. Two days ago she was just kind of shuffling around, then yesterday she was going faster, and today it's official; she's pulling herself around. This, of course, means that nothing is safe and it is time to finally fully baby proof the house...or buy a playpen.

She has also discovered how to 'dip' things she is eating. Broccoli dipped in yogurt is a favourite so far. I must try other things.

And *sigh* it's my last day at home being a full time mum. I have been into work very briefly over the last two days, just to sort out some stuff, drop off some stuff, throw out some stuff... and I am feeling slightly better about going back to work.

On the other hand, I had a 'dry run' this morning to try to get myself and Ava ready for work and daycare before 8am...I got up at 6.30 and we left the house at 9.30. It wasn't the smoothest morning, but it was by no means hectic and we were an hour and a half over. OH GOD! What have I gotten myself in for?

Alternative as mate! (said in really ocker Queensland accent)

I am a vegan (baby and daddy are not)
I use cloth pads
We are using cloth nappies
We use wet flannels instead of commercial baby wipes at home
We are breastfeeding
We are practising Elimination Communication
We are doing Baby led weaning
We (so far) have not immunized our daughter
We have our own chickens, apple, orange, mandarin and pear trees, grape and passionfruit vines

How alternative can you get?

I am really very nice and normal...sometimes. On Saturdays at least...

Meet my daughter

When I met my husband, I knew I had found my soul mate. Everything about us just meshed so well; it was love at first sight. I know it sounds terribly corny, but it's true. He was kind, funny, intelligent, talented, creative, motivated and he loved me for who I was.

But when Ava was born I knew that she was something special, someone amazing.

I think in Breaking Dawn (Stephenie Meyer, Twilight Series) Bella says that when he daughter was born it wasn't like her heart was suddenly split in two, it was like it was doubled in size, and suddenly could hold twice the ammount of love. It was exactly like that, except I am so full of love that I could just about burst most days. Could I be a tiny bit biased? Maybe....

And no, it hasn't been a bed of roses. She still wakes up twice a night for booby, and she's almost seven months old. She has been 'teething' (eating her fist/drooling/red hot gums/screaming) for what seems like three months now without a tooth in site. She can be exceptionally stubborn. She bites my nipples all the time. She can be very clingy. She kicks you in the kidneys while your sleeping.

I love her.

I have a mohawk!

I know that it's not for everyone, but I love my new hair! It is so quick and easy, takes no time to do, can be styled many different ways without much fuss and it's so BOLD...very me. I don't know what the director will think of it when I audition for The Crucible next week (Just imagine I had the plague recently) but, oh well really.

And...I have a mohawk. I feel like a punk.

On another, very different, note, Ava (my beautiful almost seven month old daughter) has done 3 poos in 3 days on the potty. Actually, I don't think I have had to wash a pooey nappy in at least a week and a half. The last poo she did in her nappy was at the creche` at the gym. I must admit, I feel pretty smug.

For the uninitiated, we are practising Elimination Communication (Natural infant hygiene, Elimination Training, EC) part time, which involves reading your babies cues, knowing when they have to eliminate, and teaching them that the potty or toilet is the place to do this. I like Elimination communication better than other labels, because it really is a two way street. There is no rewards (other than being clean and dry obviously) and no punishment, it is not "training" like you would train a dog, she is learning about this part of the world just like she is learning to eat. Ah...but more on that later. Umm, I know I should put links here, but sheesh people, google it.

But right now we need to go and prep the nappy bag...nappies, pilchers, flannels, spare outfit, cheese sticks, apple rings, water, little shoes, plastic rubbish bags...ummm, did I forget anything?