Happy Halloween

Hubby's work put on a Halloween family afternoon/evening each year. This year the kids had a ball as usual.

Here is the youngest Ship Mate, complete with scar on the cheek.

The 2 year old who kept accidentally popping balloon animals, so went back, several times, for another. Thankfully 'Pirate Pete' who was making them thought he was as cute as we think he is and didn't mind.

Pirate Pete and Matilda the Witch were quite funny and the kids were very entertained.

9 months and countless memories already

It is times like this.......that help is get through those sleepless nights, teething and all day meltdowns. Meltdowns like the one that has been going for nearly 2 days now. It's not constant, thankfully, you do allow us time to catch a breath before starting again.
I try to remember the happy, smiling baby when we have days and nights like this....

That is NOT happiness to see me. You seemed to screech even louder as you noticed the camera. I am not in the mood for a photo.

I remember having times like this with your eldest brother and thought they would never end. He would go on like this forever. 4 babies later and I know better. It still drives me bonkers, but I know it will pass. Teething has upset you greatly this past 2 months and at times nothing would help. All I could do was hold you and let you know I was here for you.

You have 4 teeth. 4 still very sharp teeth. Sometimes one of your siblings comes screeching past as you are feeding, and of course, you who cannot miss out on something going on for a second will quickly pull away. Thankfully it is very rare and only when a new tooth has come through. People often ask about breastfeeding and if I can feel the tooth once they are there. I tell them about feeling the tooth only if bubs pulls off quickly and when the tooth is first through, but after that its feeding as usual.

You adore your older siblings, unless they are taking a toy from you. OK, so it's normally just the two year old who does, and he is still learning about sharing.
They come running into our room when they hear you awake in the morning or if you have a nap. The novelty has not worn off, and I can't see it happening ever. Your 2nd oldest brother is gaining more confidence to hold you and carry you if the need arises. It makes me smile, especially if other people see and they start to panic. I have every faith and trust in your baby carrying abilities.

I have moments were I am so overwhelmed with how full my heart feels, bursting with joy and happiness as you smile and laugh with your siblings, or just those rare moments when they are all in bed and it's just you and me. Snuggling in bed just before you doze off to sleep.

Granted there is the odd occasion when you are screeching as you try to get to sleep, like last night, which your father just loves about you!! but for most of the time we fall asleep tired, but happy.

You only have to give the smallest squeal and you have your posse at your side in a flash asking if you are ok, bringing you a toy or ready to pick up and take you for a walk. This is both very cute to see, and also helpful for me, if I am in the middle of washing, dishes, cleaning, ok, let's be serious, looking at something on the Internet.



Here is a rare moment of you smiling in the car. You really don't like it, unless you are asleep, which makes the trips so much quieter. Your car seat faces the back, which does help a bit as your siblings can look at you and sing and make faces. Which entertains you for 5 minutes.
Before we know it you will be sitting amongst said siblings, going back and forth between having a great time and playing games, to bickering about who is looking out the others window, or who is too close or nearly touching them. *sigh*
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(Back now a day later)

At he moment you are not happy about getting teeth Numbers 5 and 6. I am sorry I did not even think to check your mouth for more teeth with you had been unhappy all day. Despite being through it all 4 times, I am still learning that I don't know it all, and your are more than happy to show me. You are the first baby to get teeth 5 and 6 so soon after the first 4. The other babies had several months in between. You my darling seem to be in a hurry and they are all coming our straight after each other. Which is painful for us both.

I am torn between wanting you to slow down but also excited to watch you grow and become more mobile and verbal.
You can stand against the couch and think it is quite funny. I want to push you back down and tell you to relax, no need to grow so fast, there is plenty of time. After all, I just had you yes?

You are crying again, so I will leave it there and go have lie down booby snuggles, which we both love.
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Again a day later now. I have just noticed, well Daddy noticed, you have teeth 7 and 8 coming through the bottom row. Oh dear, poor bubba. For us both I hope this passes quickly!

A Heinz 57 of a Post

Google it, I can't be bothered explaining it.

I am in a very up and down mood lately. Living in this house is driving me crazy. No the five children have nothing to do with it. Well, maybe a little.
I was hoping we would have not only sold this house but have moved out by this time of year. It is sucking the happiness out of me and I want it stopped.
My loathing for it is affecting my desire to clean it. I don't care about the house and therefore don't care to sweep, tidy or finish the myriad of teeny jobs left that when put together accumulate to a massive amount.

I am over it, I want to low it up. Which I can't do now as I have just blogged about it and what if the insurance company see this. I think too much.
But still, it would solve a lot of problems, and we wouldn't be out by that much as the difference between selling the land on it's own, compared to the house and land is actually not that much. That should tell you how classy the house is.

No really, I'll be fine, don't worry about me. This time tomorrow I will be splattered in paint as my happy pills kick in and I am back to being enthusiastic about getting the jobs done and selling.

I interrupt this cliff hanger of a post to add an email hubby just sent me.

A blog update once in a while would be nice dear

The cheek of the man! I told him had he waited 5 minutes there would be one. Not that he will be overly thrilled to read me harping on about the house, again!
Why yes, I am blogging about the house that sucked all life out of me and spat me out holding a paint brush in one hand and a blow torch in the other.

OK, well since you stopped by I should talk about some happy things going on, don't want to be the cause of anyone else feeling down.
Last weekend we spent the afternoon with several other families. Awesome families who accept our crazy family with love and open arms. Truthfully we have come across some families in our times that are of the children are seen and not heard school, and some make we wonder why they have children if they se them as annoyances. ut that is a whole nother post!

One of the babies there is very special to my baby. She was born 2 weeks after our babe in her loungeroom, in the same birth pool that our baby girl was. She also had the same doula that we had. The universe certainly made sure our paths crossed!
Two gorgeous freebirthed babes and their doula.


I love this photo. To me she is saying you will NOT be taking this stick from my clutches! Don't even think about it!

'Hmmm, that looks yummy, I want one too'


Look out my friend I have places to go and I am in a hurry!!

Here we have the two babes looking at my 6 year old. I wonder what they are thinking? Maybe 'Help me, she likes my pants and wants them!'
I love watching these babes together and how they interact. Sometimes they give each other a look. A look that only they seem to understand. Maybe they are talking about us parents and laughing at how crazy we are, or giving each other notes on how to cope with teething.
I look forward to watching them grow up, but not too quickly! Its flying by too soon as it is.

What else is happening in the world. Hmm, well Star Wars seems to still be playing a large part in our household. Let it go already dear children. Sadly, I think it is here to say. Hubby id have a Star Wars hiatus for awhile there between him growing up and marrying me. However now that our children are getting into Star Wars he is loving it and drives me batty along with the kids.
The other day we had left basketball and I had 20 minutes to get to the dry cleaners. I told the children I hoped me made it.
My eldest son said "How about, all the world is normal, but I am the only one who has the force. Then I could lift the car and make us go through the sky straight to the dry cleaners and we'd be there in seconds' Of course the other son was just as enthralled with this concept as he let out a sigh and said 'That would be awesome'
And for a fleeting moment I agreed.

Outta the way, baby at the wheel!

So, where have you been?

I know, it's been a few days, a week? 3 Weeks?! Wow, time flies when your computer is dying! This laptop is old, buttons are missing, it is sticky and the screen is covered in goodness knows what. Yes, children. Why anyone wants nice new things, and for them to stay nice and new, when they have children makes me laugh so hard I may wet my pants.

I also laugh when I see parents stressing over their child staying clean, not getting into anything, and heaven forbid trapsing dirt in the house!
If you like things clean, spotless, neat and to stay where it is put, think very long and hard before having children. Also, if the thought of touching wee or poo every day for the next few years wakes you dry vomit, definitely do not have children.

It would help our world if people told the truth about raising children. I am talking about divulging the not so great parts of 24/7 with a little treasure, not just all the cutsie stuff like the first word, first step, those cute sounds they make as they smile and laugh at you.
I am talking about the poo, wee, pinching, kicking, biting, poo, wee, falling over, crying, tantrums, melt downs, breaking things, hiding things like the remote and your keys, drawing on anything and everything, running up and down the hallway with your lipstick or mascara of course this last one is done after they have drawn all over themselves with lipstick or mascara. Mud, dirt and sand through the house, tipping over or squirting out all the powder, washing liquid, sugar, flour, pretty much everything in the pantry that you thought was safe until your child found a way to get it by dragging a chair across to open it, or in the case of more than one child, using team work to get into things together.

I am not saying all these 'happenings' are bad, or to focus on them. I want parents and parents to be to understand they are all a normal part of raising children. Some things can melt your heart, others make you want to gauge your eyes out with a melon baller. Try to relax and not stress too much about it when things don't go so great. Your child or children are learning. The world is new to them and they are curious.

So, for now, please excuse me while I wipe all the toothpaste off the bathroom walls, tiles and mirror.