Sunday, November 26

Why, hello there ......

I have talked about my new blog template etc and I decided to kick it off with the birth story.

My new blog is not just about the renovation (or lack thereof) of me but all about every aspect of me. I have titled it Four Kids and a Fiance and if you want to know what I had then you are going to have to go there and you may as well add it to your favourites as I won't be posting here again. Off you go, you know you're dying to see what I had ....

FOUR KIDS AND A FIANCE
Posted by Jules :: 8:13 pm :: 0 Comments:

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Wednesday, November 22

Killing Time After the Day From Hell

Okay, last post before I push out number 4.

Today started well. Was supposed to get a million and one things done so that I could chill and have a lovely relaxing night, a great sleep and wake up full of beans and all ready for labour (LMAO!!). Instead ......

Woke up, text mate who is couple of days overdue and she had just given birth an hour earlier. Shit - that means I have to see her today before I get incarcerated and we all know there would be no "post-birth" visiting. So, got up, got into it and after dropping at kids at school this was my plan:

Go to mall, buy gift for Nicki and baby
Top up power (our silly house has one of those power manager cards)
Pay registration on Blair's car
Do a final shop
Come home and have a nap while Phoebe sleeps
Zip out to Rangiora hospital to see Nicki's new baby
Get kids from school
Make up bassinet
Final bag packing
Have takeaways and chill out

Is that what fucken happened??

Of course it fucken isn't, here is what actually happened:

Dropped kids at school and Phoebe and I headed for mall.

Went into Mall and was making way around Farmers (department store) and found a little All Black jumpsuit for Nicki's new bubba and some Living Nature Manuka Honey Lip Balm for her (we all know how much labour drys out your lips). Was looking at a Nana pack of full briefs for myself for the next couple of weeks of hell and multiple changes of underwear when Phoebe asked from her pram "Mummy, Num Num?". Num num is code for dummy/pacifier. Shit. "Sorry darling, Mummy doesn't have Num Num, it is at home!". What followed was toddler language for "Wrong fucken answer bitch!!". She went rigid in her pram, face went beet red, screaming and crying started. Satan had emerged, dare I say it, for the first time in my mothering career. I had never encountered this sort of tantrum before and definitely not on this scale. People didn't look at me in sympathy, no - they looked at me like I was an overweight trailer whore of a mother who had no idea how to look after her kid. I swiftly paid up for what I had and exited the store and mall without getting power loaded, registration for car or one single grocery. Headed to the car, tried to console Phoebe as I put her in the car (ever tried pro wrestling??), was hot so had to wind windows down so whole of Christchurch could hear her screaming, to the point of dry wretching, all the way home. Out of the car and inside - still going. Put her down on floor at entrance to her bedroom and tried to find Num fucken Num. Then it escalated to the point that I had to phone Blair just so that someone else could vouch for me that she was losing the plot. She lay on the ground kicking the wall and smashing the door and squealing like Piglet on acid. I found Num Num - result?? Asleep in less than two minutes. And that's what you get for letting your hot headed toddler become overtired.

So, I thought I had better sleep too. Slept from 11am till 1.30pm. Phoebe and I got up and proceeded to head to Rangiora Maternity hospital, a 25 min drive away. Just as about to leave Mum text me to say that there were roadworks at Belfast, northern most suburb as you leave Christchurch, and that there were big delays when heading back into the city. As I drove out I saw the road works but nothing too dramatic. Traffic down from two lanes to one on that side of the road, traffic in constant flow. Got to maternity hospital and had to wait until 2.30pm for visiting hours!! Finally got in to see Nic and her wee boy. Stayed for 20mins and then thought, had better hit the road as it would take me 25mins to get to back to town and to school to pick kids up at 3.15pm at our rendevous point. I have made this deal in recent weeks that I will pick them up 100m down the road from main gate at entry to little cul de sac so that I don't have to exit the car in my severely pregnant state with toe rag toddler. They get to have a quick afterschool play and meet me at 3.10 - 3.15pm. Well, firstly got stuck behind hideous tractor plodding it's way down main road just out of Rangiora. Finally hit Belfast at 3.02pm and lo and behold, traffic was at a stand still while some hideous big yellow contraption rolled itself around over fresh tarseal. Today, you arseholes. Took another 23mins to get to school!! In that time I used my cell phone to call school office 3 times to say that I was on my way, as I knew the kids would head back there if I hadn't turned up. The barstards never answered the phone. They have a nice new automated phone system and I couldn't get hold of a human for the life of me. Just as I was a block from school, stressing immensely about the welfare of my older two, my cellphone rang and it was the school office wanting to know where I was!!

Got home.

Sat on couch. Blair phoned to say home early as he had to pick up his mum from hospital. Another story for another day.

Just after 5pm I started to stress a bit and decided to go get the grocery items I needed and then get some Pizza on way home for dinner. Went back to Mall. Everything was shut up other than supermarket so got some groceries and then headed to Dominos. Ordered just after 7.15pm. I didn't have any vouchers on me and they refused to give me any so 2 pizzas, garlic bread and some chicken somethings came to $37.00. As I sat in the empty store with no drivers coming and going I observed what happens when no good management structure is in place. 2 young guys and a slightly older guy pissed around severely and took over 25 mins to get my order together. All the while I developed a shocking headache and literally could have fallen asleep on the seat. Then one of younger guys who had been severely piss farting around the whole time went to cut up the first pizza of my order. By this time a welsh guy in his early 30's had entered the store. I approached counter and asked if that was my order (and as no other mug was in there, it had to be) and the older guy said, sorry it is but we got one of the pizzas wrong so will have to start again with that one. Fine, I sat back down. Then pregnancy rage took over and I approached the counter again and said "Forget it, just give me my money back". "Why, we have your other pizza being made from scratch and the other pizza, garlic bread etc are all ready?". "I refuse to sit here for another ten minutes while you remake the pizza you stuffed up while I sat here for 25mins, you are barely busy yet I have been made to wait for a long time for a stuffed up order. Meanwhile my other pizza will dry up in the warming area, along with the rest of the order. Just give me my money back and I will leave". He paid up and I drove away wanting to cry.

Got home and Blair's face dropped when I said I had nothing to eat and explained my story. He started sulking, pissed off at Pizza company but obviously pissed off at me too. I started to cry, couldn't stop, made some tea, he screwed up his face at it and then tried to get me to relax. Relax!!!! I have done nothing I needed to do and you want me to relax?? I lost the plot, he shouted back, I told him to fuck off and not to bother coming to the birth as I thought he was a fuckwit and could manage on my own and then he went to bed and went to sleep. I have spent the last 4 hours trying to sort a shitload of stuff which has included ironing, washing, packing etc and then I pulled out bassinett, which has been in our room, and it is dusty as hell in between the cane and I can smell the mustiness while I type. By all means I should be cleaning it with a toothbrush but fuck it - I need to go to bed as I am giving birth in 8 hours!!!

Posted by Jules :: 10:59 pm :: 14 Comments:

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Tuesday, November 21

Just a Quickie

Well, my oldest is 8 years old. Officially 6 years until she can legally babysit.

She was stoked with her new bike and thinks she's as cool as a cucumber now that she has a "big" bike. I spent yesterday making the icecream cake and today (post membrane sweep) has been spent making the Ginger Lemon Pie (base one pack of gingernuts crushed with about 60g softened butter and filling = one can condensed milk, 1 cup lemon juice and 1 carton whipped cream) and making Fruit Kebabs (consisting of a piece of fresh pineapple, half a fresh strawberry, one fresh red grape and with a pink marshmallow at one end and a white marshmallow at the other - all on iceblock sticks so no sharp ends). I have defrosted the mini chocolate eclairs that you buy at New World that are filled with custard and cream and topped with real Belgian chocolate. And with the Icecream Cake I hand made yesterday it will be the best little pudding party ever.

Had membrane sweep at 10.30am. Cervix ripe and favourable, 2 cm dilated but still a bit on the thick side. She could feel head which is in right central position and waters were bulging. If I don't go before hand, she estimates a delivery time of mid arvo Thurs. Let's see if I can beat Chris's 39 min labour!!

Posted by Jules :: 3:06 pm :: 7 Comments:

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Monday, November 20

Sticky Eye for the Preggy Guy

Of course, guy rhymes whereas Girl doesn't!! I have conjuctivitis and the dodgy beginnings of a chest cold. As you do!! Have never gone into labour in such a state!!

Went to hospital last Wednesday afternoon and my blood pressure was 156/106!! That is on meds 3 x a day. Midwife took BP and then left to give readings to consultant. Consultant came in with look on his face saying "you're going to be admitted", then he saw Phoebe. His face changed. He went on to inform me that if any of his students dared not admit me they would fail their course but, under the circumstances, he was going to let me go home under the proviso that I doubled my meds effective immediately and then got checked again the next day by my midwife. If my lower BP reading was above 95 I would be admitted. So, managed to keep it under 95 - just. Then on Saturday I was at Mum's and she took my blood pressure and it was 158/96. I just ignored it. I have tried to rest but nesting urges take over so dramatically!! Today is Monday and, as previously mentioned, I woke up all sticky and chesty. Feel fine now I'm into the day but am very wary. Tomorrow is Peta's 8th birthday. All she has asked is that I am here for her birthday. Hard one to deliver on considering I am off to midwife at 10.30am to have my membranes swept. She is pretty good though, she will take my BP etc but hopefully it will all still be under acceptable limits. Then, I wait and see what happens, if nothing does I am being induced at 8am on Thursday morning.

We are having a Pudding Party for Peta. Family coming over at 7pm for an icecream cake (homemade - attempting it today, fingers crossed) and other desserty delights. Takes away the hassle as pudding is always easy to dish up and get over and done with. If worst comes to worst I'll at least be here for the birthday morning. We got Peta a new bike as her other one we got when she was four is a bit small now.

Desperately scared of labour. Why - I don't really know. I have had 3 relatively easy labours. First was 4 hours long and I was induced, which was pretty hard and fast. Second was 1 hour and 10 mins long, had membranes swept the day prior. And Phoebe was 1 hour and 39 mins and I was induced. So what am I stressing about?? Fuck knows!! But something is worrying me. Maybe I am just being a big sooka bubba.

Posted by Jules :: 11:16 am :: 6 Comments:

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Wednesday, November 15

I Love Sammy

I cooked the most divine dinner last night. We have had a rather healthy couple of days, must be the fact that the Iron supplements are finally kicking in and I have more energy and am far less of a grumpy mole. I nicked the recipe from Downsize Me but I will probably go on in the future to claim it as my own!!

I got about a 400g Salmon fillet and coated the top of it with Basil Pesto. Wrapped in tin foil and put on the BBQ for about 5 mins each side, then prob another 5 mins (but only because I am a bit paranoid about things not being cooked properly when I am preggers). I cut the fillet in half and shared between Blair and I. Accompanied with a Greek Salad consisting of Lettuce, Garlic & Cumin Feta, Avocado, Black Olives, Cucumber and Truss Grown Tomatoes all topped with a dash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. That was it. Granted, it would have gone down a treat with a bloody nice glass of Sav, but we can't have everything we want!! It was fucken delicious and filling. No starches in sight, unless you count Blair's glass of beer!!

I couldn't shut up about how yummy it was. Later on we had fresh pineapple and strawberries topped with a spoon of boysenberry icecream. Okay, so the icecream wasn't anywhere near healthy but damn it was good!!

Yesterday was one of those nesting days. I did a wool wash of cardigans and blankets and hats and mittens and booties. I napisan'd the baby gowns and stretch n grows. I cleaned out the baby carseat. I even cooked Chicken Cacciatore and froze for a back up meal down the track!!!

Off to the big wig Dr at Christchurch Women's in 2 hours. Hoping all will be fine. Have been taking my medication religiously and all has been well. I stopped the low dose aspirin 2 weeks ago because you have to finish it a couple of weeks before delivering just in case you have to have surgery as the aspirin thins the blood and can make clotting a problem. The reason I was on it was to prevent the pre eclampsia. Apparently it has had rave reviews in the last couple of years as to prevention in mother's that are high risk. Seems to have worked so I can't complain.

So, will update later - maybe - as to how it went.

Posted by Jules :: 11:30 am :: 5 Comments:

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Monday, November 13

Just Over a Week

I had a rather good weekend. Had a few full on random contractions on Friday between 4pm and 7pm. And before you query how I know this, let's remember this is the fourth child I have carried and I sure as hell know what a contraction feels like compared to Braxton Hicks. The upside of this was that I finally got a bit freaked and decided to sort my shit out and got the bag I need for my trip to hospital. I have half pie packed it even!! I bought a bassinett mattress for the bassinett we have in our room and I even got it out of the sleepout ready to make up. I have gone through a giant bag of old clothes that was to be garage saled, and found all the baby cardigans, hats and singlets. Bloody relief that I wasn't organised enough to ever have that garage sale. Now I don't really have to buy any new stuff (although I will!!).

Have made up template for my fresh start blog, which I will release in all it's glory when the fourth child arrives. I have made it a bit more general so that it not only concentrates on my extra cellular mass but also on all other aspects of me. This blog has always had the title "The Renovation of Jules" and, in it's own way, that has been what it was about. But, not really running along the vein I had intended. There was the renovation of my post baby no 3 weight, and then the renovation of my working life and then the unexpected renovation of my uterus - AGAIN!! So, quite fittingly, renovation will not be included in the new title. Suits me fine as we are building from scratch for our new home and may as well start the whole thing with a new foundation on the body/mind front as well.

Blair (my fiance for those that may not know) is going through a hell of a time with sinus and psoriasis issues at the moment. I know my slackness in the kitchen is very much to blame but he has plenty of beer in his diet that does not help at all!!!

I haven't been too bad anyway. Saturday night we had lamb chops on BBQ, curried egg salad, greek salad and mashed potato. Last night we had StirFry Beef with Hokkein Noodles and tonight we are having One Pot Basil Pesto Chicken (minus the Basil Pesto!!). Basically chicken breasts, brown rice, brocolli and carrots all cooked in a real chicken stock with a few garlics and spices thrown in for good measure. Should be lovely.

I'm actually very impressed with Blair at the moment. Seeing me in the depths of despair with depression over the last couple of weeks he did something that one only does out of pure love. He shaved off the disgusting moustache that he knows aggrevates me so much (only grows it about once a year) and right at the start of Movember as well!! Wonders will never cease.

Keep those grocery bill estimates coming in (see last post and a big thanks to Chris and Kate!!) and I can make a decision on my budgeting.

Posted by Jules :: 1:27 pm :: 3 Comments:

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Friday, November 10

How Much Is Your Grocery Bill??

I have been having a quandry of sorts lately with the whole "food budget" thing. I want to know how much you all spend on a weekly average on your groceries. If you have children, let me know if you are buying nappies, formula etc and I will do some figures and see what people are averaging. I just feel like I am maybe not budgeting enough and, as a result, getting stressed trying to meet the budget on shopping day. Inevitably I am making more trips to the supermarket when I run out of stuff and this is when sneaky things like chocolate make their way into my basket, and then into my cakehole!!

I hate housework. Have been feeling like such a lazy bitch lately. I really am not enjoying doing the frickin dishes at all!! Doesn't help that 19 month old Phoebe has to be involved in the drying process and it makes it drag out.

On a completely different note - I am going to be completely revamping this blog. I need to for the whole "new start" thing. I need a new template and new everything. I think the whole Natural Jules theme may have to go as well because, who am I fucken kidding?? I'm about as natural as a gothic on acid. Well, maybe not that extreme but I don't practise what I preach so that makes me a hypocrite and I don't like that. So, I'm going to come up with something new and vibrant that reflects who I am - a 31 year old mother of four (plus our newly acquired World Vision sponsor boy "Innocent"), who has a distorted self perception, high blood pressure and a low iron count. I actually need to do a bit of soul searching and see who I actually am. I mean, at the end of the day, someone wise has once said that you should act as you mean to be. If we followed this reasoning then all it would take to be the healthy, slim, positive being that I long to be would be acting that way. What would I be acting like if I was at a healthy weight with a healthy body inside and out, body and mind? It definitely wouldn't be shoving down two mayonnaise sandwiches for lunch. Where is the nutrition content in that meal??

As you can see, back to the old random tangenting but, hey, that's what works for me. For too long I have tried to cut out swearing and randomness but it just doesn't help my self expression. Grin and bear it or you can always go read someone else's well thought out blog instead of my turbulent affair!!!

Posted by Jules :: 1:14 pm :: 4 Comments:

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