Halloween is one of those events that, for me, definitely has a 'then and now' aspect to it. Then Halloween was Barm Brack. Literally. Just barm brack and nothing else. Well maybe a few fun games in school and monkey nuts... but what with all the allergies doing the rounds now (scarier than anything Halloween … Continue reading The Icing On The… Barm Brack
I Mother
Getting The Hang Of This
I've just had a long conversation with Ranger Rob (aka, my four-year old in full method-acting character mode) and I'm losing my mind. These two things aren't necessarily linked either - Rob is just a bit-player in the drama that is my disintegrating brain. This isn't the worst it's been and I know it will come … Continue reading Getting The Hang Of This
Wheels Of Industry, Take Five
We're two weeks in with our new addition. A party of five negotiating new family dynamics and car seat arrangements. It's busy, it's messy, it's all-consuming. It's the fantastic time that is your new-life with a new-born. And so far so good-er than the first two times around. Yes, our parenting CVs read a lot … Continue reading Wheels Of Industry, Take Five
On The Brink Of Maternity Non-Leave
Well, this one won't be a July baby, that's now been settled. I'm officially overdue. Just two days, but that's more than I've gone before with one early-arrival and a bang-on-timer. Just sitting, waiting. Well, apart from the eight times I just climbed the stairs to ever so gently threaten the small girl with banishment to … Continue reading On The Brink Of Maternity Non-Leave
Size Matters More Than It Should
I'm relatively tall. Relatively. Not the tallest in my class at school, but tall enough that I caused jaws to (literally) drop while once visiting China. Or maybe it was the freckles. No, it was definitely the height. The locals would kindly shout at me in English that I was 'very, very tall' and even … Continue reading Size Matters More Than It Should
Not Built For The Heat
I'm sorry. Excuse me? Did someone order a heat wave? Cos I sure didn't. But I now find myself trapped in the body of a heavily pregnant lady literally cooking from the inside out. And back in again. A nurse whose expertise is in dermatology was on the radio yesterday talking about sun safety - … Continue reading Not Built For The Heat
Keep Smelling The Roses
Did you know that June is the month for roses? Yup. If you look out for them, you'll see them everywhere. Blooming. Showing off. Being wonderful. It's this time of year, every year, that I remind myself I must plant a rose bush - they're just so bloody gorgeous. So queue some mild self-loathing (just … Continue reading Keep Smelling The Roses
The Best Of Times, The Hardest Of Times
Well, you certainly learn something new every day! Or at the very least, read about something different on the internet most days. I just read that today is Maternal Mental Health Awareness day, which reminded me about just how important this subject is. Making babies is rollercoaster stuff. Emotionally and physically it's tough going and all … Continue reading The Best Of Times, The Hardest Of Times
This Constant, Lingering Sense of Grief
The small fella needed to renew his passport. A true sign of the times when you're not even four and you're already on your second piece of international documentation. The photos made for a fun comparison - our little man, more 'himself' now with his curly head and emerging freckles and still-little nose. Much less … Continue reading This Constant, Lingering Sense of Grief
Thinking Of Taking The Plunge
We all have a few pals in that place where they're pondering whether or not they want to have a baby. Ever. For some it's a clear-cut decision, but for others it's a real quandary. It often comes down to one core question - will I regret not having a baby in the future? It's … Continue reading Thinking Of Taking The Plunge