Way too fast..

As much as I love my dad; sometimes I realise just how different we are. In so many ways. And then other days I realise how similar we are- but that's another story.

Today I read one of Kandee Johnson's blogpost's* about how fast her children are growing up; I listened to this song : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4-PDKNu71I and I have listened to it non stop for about 5 hours now.

Her post hit home for me- literally- because I am not the cleanest mum on the block. I let my laundry sit. I wash, dry, fold and stack- but I never put it away.

I am a bit crap with dishes... Rarely do they go in their place straight after they have been washed. To be honest, some knives are even developing tiny rust dots on them. (Woops).

I vacuum when I need to, which is not every day.

The bed is never made properly and in reality who can get comfortable without cocooning?...

Everytime dad comes over he picks up on something that needs to be cleaned, bless him. But over the past 15 months I have noticed that if I leave that plate there; I can read to Addi instead. If I chuck my washing in my room, we can go for a walk. If I spend 2 hours on dinner- it doesn't mean she will eat it or enjoy it any more than freakin' scrambled eggs.

I get stressed when people criticise my parenting- which is a rare thing- but it happens. I sometimes feel like asking them if it was their downstairs Addi exited... Nevertheless, I don't- because it was mine and we all know that, especially me ;)

There are so many 'small' things that DON'T NEED TO BE STRESSED ABOUT. I look back over my 20 years- the things that got my stomach into a ball of concrete, wouldn't phase me one bit now. But back then, having a teacher on your case about something so small... It was scary... Coming home 10 minutes late was enough to make me lose everything in my tummy, in the gutter. I don't know what I was so afraid of. Confrontation has never been a strong point of mine... But I think I was afraid of being kicked to the curb perhaps. Left alone. Cold... Who knows.

Now, though. I feel safe. I feel I have only one thing to lose and there is no way I can. I keep her clothed, fed, warm, happy- I am doing nothing wrong. I can't **** this up. Not in a "oh god I can't screw this up, please don't let me screw it up", but a "easy peasy- she is my favourite thing ever, and I feel everything from her point of view... So I will never not look after her properly"...

No one can take her away from me and it is the best feeling. I have never been so content... boys come and go, as do 'friends'- but she will always be my baby. I will forever love the smell of her neck in the mornings (a mix of her monkey she sleeps with, and her shampoo, and clean clothes), the uncut fingernails (want to try? be my guest), her 'general purpose' face she pulls in photos and random times in public...

What I'm trying to get at (man I ramble)... is that even though she will always be *my* baby; if I spend her childhood mopping my floor and putting dishes away STRAIGHT AWAY, she will be my age the next time I turn around.

There are so many things to do in a day- it's just all about priorities. It CAN all be done...!

On to Addi though; she is now 15 months old!! She has enough hair to put into a wee fountain on top of her head and she wears shoes... SHOES! Size 5 to be exact. She is either smiling or concentrating. Reading or talking 'on the phone*'. Eating or laughing... She is perfect.

I'm not bias(I am though) nor am I a 'meanie' for saying this but- if I see other children her age out and about, I feel so so so blessed not to have them LOL. She is always happy and even if she isn't, it's manageable. Some other littlies I have seen (more than once... more than twice) are always whiney and unhappy- and it grates me a little that they aren't content... ever.

But again, another story.

This blog post was mostly about how time goes way too fast and if you're busy putting dishes away, you will miss something. Wait till they're asleep!!

*http://kandeelandkandeeland.blogspot.com/2011/12/yesterdays-are-piling-up-too-fast.html she is a beautiful, amazing, caring, super-sweet woman and mum!
*phone= anything.

November

Lately, life has been a blur. People have entered and people have left; every time they leave they take away a piece of me. Every time someone hurts me, I'm chipped down... And I'm beginning to see that what's been left, is better than what was here before.

William Morris once said:
"History has remembered the kings and warriors, because they destroyed; art has remembered the people, because they created." And I have to admit- this is how life has been for me- not even just lately, but always.

Underneath all the rubble, I have found myself. I've found that I am all the things I think are beautiful; smiling eyes, a sense of humour, quick wit, empathetic, passionate.. List goes on.

I think of myself as beautiful- not in this way :But this way:

And quite frankly I know where I'd rather spend a night or two.

I don't have the confidence of a woman who has succeeded and been made to feel that she has; I don't have the confidence of a mother who's ego has been boosted 20 times a day... I don't have the confidence of a gym bunny... But I have the confidence of someone who has gone through hell many times, and saved herself. I have the confidence of someone who, yes, does care what people thinks but feels that she has more important things to care about.


I don't want to spend my life trying to please people but unfortunately, it's the way I am. I don't want to be 'that girl' who's seen as weak- even though I know I'm not, and I have wasted many energies trying to prove it. I don't want to be the one who gets hurt... The one who isn't appreciated... It goes on and on. But to be honest, you know the saying "I'd rather have loved and lost than never loved at all"- it's true.

Life takes away so much, any minute of any day it can do whatever the hell it wants- we have no control. That's the risk we take, putting ourselves out there. Calling that guy, telling him we like him-heck, even writing him letters trying to hold on. Trying to mend friendships... Buying affection... Life gives you no promises. You can make friends and lose them just as easily. You can spend your life saving and then the company goes belly up. You can save it for a rainy day, and the rain can wash it away... You can wait for Mr/Mrs Right and miss Mrs/Mr Right Now....

But life gives back so much, too. It takes away but it gives back. And you have to hold on for those moments... The good days that are only good because you're comparing them to the bad...

The past 3 years of my life have been really, really rough. I'm not even going to moan about it but lets just say I've been close to the edge more than once, and my limit has been pushed beyond capacity- or so I thought...

Where the hell is 'up to here'? Most days I 'have had it up to here'- but then one more thing happens; Addi throws food at me or I run out of credit on my phone when I need it most... My chicken gets cooked in the microwave on accident... The veges burn... The gravy tastes like crap... All those things that make a bad day; bad.... But we don't just disappear! "Up to here" get's higher and higher... We carry on. We hope tomorrow will be better; and 9 times out of 10 it is.

Anyway- winning stuff.

Dad once asked me how much I'd won and I said "thousands worth" and he scoffed.

Here is a list in no particular order.

2x sets of rings (value roughly $1000NZD) from a designer in USA who I have kept in touch with since....
Gold ring from Michael Hill Jeweller

A girls night at Chateau Hotel including manicure, movies, wine, breakfast

Clothes for Addi including bibs and leg warmers etc
Doll for Addi
Nailpolish from Westfield (OPI)
Nailpolish from facebook
Mascara x3
Lipstick
Lipglosses
1x HTC Chacha phone
$500 credit to www.redballoon.co.nz
Mobile from bebabo.co.nz
wooden rattle from woodentoystore.co.nz
$400 earrings from bee jewellery
necklace from bee jewellery
2x necklace (different times) from same website as rings
magazine subscription to natural parent

mountain buggy, sleeping bag and cot from kiwifamilies.co.nz
starex toddler bed
beautifuel serum from leesscience.co.nz
dvd and vouchers from civic video

countdown voucher

customised letters and envelopes

art print

bodyshop body butter

catherine tate dvd

and last night I won a new methven showerhead plus filter to help with chlorine..

The list is way longer but my butt is sore from sitting here.

Every time I have a (very) bad day... I win something. And it's not like I sit around and wait to win something- it's because I don't expect to. It's because I get pushed past that "up to here" line. e.g. locked Addi in car... won mountain buggy. next day won bed.

Another example... I had Endo surgery 2009 and checked email a few days later, won the rings for me and mum. It's that kinda thing.

It's life for me.

And to all of you who think I don't appreciate everything that comes my way- you're wrong. I cry, I shiver, I thank whoever heard me praying the night before after my awful day.

There is more to me than this body- and to the people who have hurt me (and you know who you are) and who are reading this- you are less than who you think you are. There is nothing more to you than what is there, you are exactly who people think you are and what they call you. Looking from your toes to the tip of your head- that's it.

Whereas I, I connect to the stars, the snow, the blazing heat that comes in waves... I am a part of the ocean, the sky, the universe. And I don't care how corny it sounds- if you think it's corny then you're the one missing out.

This post was a vent, but also an exercise to see how many people agree... You aren't born with confidence; you earn it. You are born beautiful but how many people stay that way? (and I'm not talking make up, I'm talking souls)... How many of you have experiences that move you to the core... that shake your heart and lungs around until you want to be sick... I feel alone in the fact that I am more than this....

Am I really alone?

Parenting Tips from me about the first year... (for a competition)

DISCLAIMER:
My tips for the first year of motherhood are in no particular order, nor are they shortened or perfected to sound 'nice'- they are realistic and they are how I got through my (now 13months) daughters first year. I don't think there is one 'tip' until the very end but I feel this was a bit of a therapeutic exercise so read on if you have time!

Make a birth plan. Make a backup birth plan. Be friends with both and accept that either way; your baby will come out and it is not a race or competition about who used less drugs and who screamed the loudest.

Pack blankets, pillows and snacks for hospital. The menu sounds better than it is, the pillows are plastic covered and the blankets wont smell like you (for your baby and yourself!).

I found it would have been really lovely to come home to a warm and cosy house. Write a list (BEFORE you go in to labour!) for your significant other (or your dad, in my case) to go to your house a few hours before you and baby are due home, take some food out of the freezer, turn on the heatpump, put on a lamp or two and make it as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Honestly it's a horrible feeling getting home and having to make your home feel like... well... home!

Those lasagne's, macaroni and cheese's and spaghetti bolognese were so worth the effort of making and freezing, huh?

I spent the majority of my pregnancy stocking up for baby, as one would, but I think it would have been even better if I also bought myself some treats for the weeks after birth. My babies grandma bought me some Satsuma Body Shop Scrub and the smell immediately took me to a spa on a remote island, with no babies, no milk, no sore boobs and body, and quiet. I needed it.

During pregnancy I was given advice from many people, (some of whom were not mothers, so especially don't feel you have to listen to them!) about what towels to use, what socks not to use, what nappies were around in the 20's and how on earth was I going to do this when I left school at 16?! - I know that doesn't apply to everybody but believe me, some things people bring up are so completely irrelevant it will make you laugh when you look back. If you want to tell them to shut up, then go for it, you're allowed. I am giving you permission!

Buy the books, don't read them all unless you want to have 1000 split personalities. Wait until you are sure of your parenting style; wait until you are strong enough to not be pushed over by a writer with a degree, not a family.

Try everything/don't feel bad for not 'sticking to one thing' :
Here is a list of things I am putting under the "try everything/don't feel bad for not sticking to one thing" catagory:
Wipes: If you felt uncomfortable (or baby had a reaction to) using supermarket baby wipes, then make your own. I bought some plastic containers and kept one with warm water and olive oil beside the change table; and had a big stack of muslin wipes for #1's and wiping baby's body, and also a big stack of terry/fleece wipes - both of which are easy to find on trademe, a lot of mums work from home and make these so 'us other mums' get to use them! I stopped using these about 8 months old as my daughter's eczema calmed down and her #2's had changed- enough said!
Breast Pads: I bought some from Babycity that were fleece and waterproof. Most days they did the trick but at night I had to slide folded flannels into my bra- which isn't the nicest feeling but it does work- try it if you need to!
Nappies: I stocked up on reusable's but my daughter was born JUST after the September quake and I was 'doing it alone' and could NOT stand doing more washing than I needed to, so we didn't use these for a while. I also stocked up on disposables- so I felt less pressured to use the reusable's, knowing I *had* to get through the disposables... If that makes sense... I mean, they will grow out of newborn nappies very fast, whereas OSFA reusable's- not so fast!
Bassinet/Hammock/Cot/Your Bed/Dog's Kennel*: Do what you want. What looks cosiest, what feels right, where would you want to be if you were your baby and more importantly how close do you want your snoring angel? I planned to have bub sleep with me but bought a lovely Moses Basket just 'in case' plan A didn't work. And it didn't, I woke constantly worried about if she was smothered or not breathing, I felt we were both missing out on sleep because we both moved too much... So, she went into the pillowy beautiful basket on my bed and we were still very close for a couple of months before we woke each other with our snoring. Dog's Kennel was a joke- I know sometimes it's tempting, but don't.

As far as cleaning went, I didn't really care. It was only when people would come over and offer to help with 'dishes' and 'that over there' or.... 'go have a lie down I'll sort this room out' that I got defensive and did it in 20 minutes. Nothing worse than having someone do your dishes not to your standard ;). Eventually, I found it easy to have a mass supply of chux wipes and spray bottles of everything all lined up on my laundry shelf. I also had my clothes horse in a corner, for those times that it was too much of an effort to get dressed and go hang out my washing... Or I just couldn't be bothered putting it away.


I never had postnatal depression but whatever it was, was damn close. I cried and cried (and still do?!) about everything and remember making a sort of 'milk/egg angel' on the floor when my dinner went horribly wrong. Looking back, I think I should have had more support but then at the time I didn't want it... So, go with it. Do what feels right. If you need to cry, do it. If you need to talk to someone, then find someone. If you need a shower and baby won't sleep, take them in with you- just hold off on the Satsuma body scrub.... There is always a solution, to every problem- especially when it's to do with parenting!

When it comes down to it; my one bit of advice would be to 'just go with it'. Trust your gut, if you don't trust the writers, the grandparents, the strangers on the street, the midwives... Trust yourself and your baby. Listen to your baby and your conscience. Have empathy, not guilt or frustration... And most importantly don't ever, EVER feel pressured to do what someone else says... There are one million possibilities as to why you're crying, or why your baby is crying; but there is always a solution.

We Are One

It has almost been one whole year since you entered the world. (we are talking hours away from the big O N E, here).

I find it hard to believe and don't really know where to start.

You have taught me more than school ever did, you have given me more challenges than any job I've ever had, you have shown me the way that I never would have found otherwise.

When you were just a tiny wee dot inside me; I wrote some promises to you. I am yet to break them.

The past year has taught me many things, not only from you but from the whole world around us.

Just because people have ears, doesn't mean they listen- especially you Miss Noo! Goodness me, who do you think you are being a baby and not doing what I tell you!... ;)

Some people suck. Yep they just do. And the worst part is that there is nothing you can do about it.

You can't please everyone, all the time. also- You win some, you lose some.

Mum told me long ago that she would always be proud of me if I was being my 'best self' and being true to me. These things are possible- put your heart and soul in to everything you feel deserves it; art, music, poetry, love, FOOD! Life is so much better when you do things well, not only for yourself but your loved ones too. So when I clean your room and make your dinners- I feel like I'm being my best self and then I feel my best! S'good!

I have learnt that some people just don't make sense and that it is a waste of time trying to figure out why they don't like you or why they said that or did that.. it's just silly. if you have 100 people in a room and 20 of them like you; that is more than enough. if one person likes you that is fine too, you know what they say sweetheart; quality not quantity.

I have figured out that you like swings and they make you laugh, we go to parks a lot now.

Also, I've figured out that time doesn't change anything; PEOPLE change things. You have changed me, not time! Time does nothing but age us. And some 50 year olds are just 16 year olds with wrinkles... Hmmm...

To be honest, I have learnt a lot over the past year. I could go on and on. But mostly it comes down to people being true to themselves. It is exhausting leading a life of hatred and evil but hey, that IS truth to some people... lies are truth to about 80% of the population and it is SO FRUSTRATING trying to figure people out but let them be. One thing I will try and teach you is that you can only save yourself; the rest is up to you.

This past year has been the best year of my life; and to think that it's only the FIRST of yours... it's unfathomable. I can't believe that one tiny person can change so many lives without meaning to.

I'm no longer scared of losing anyone, My Noo, as you are all I need and want. You are my life, my world, my stars... my universe.

You have taught me pain; and it's not labour or birth, it is seeing you upset.

You have taught me gratitude; there is nothing comparable to having someone cook for you/clean the dishes while heavily pregnant. Thank You doesn't cut it.

You have taught me patience; those last weeks of us as 'one' were long and painful, but so worth it.

You have taught me to 'let go' and live by my tattoo's meaning of 'let it be'. Life has never been 'in order' or easy for me, and it won't ever be, but that's just how it is. And also, the letting go part applies to your g'damn dirty knees from crawling!!! *breathe*!!!


The word 'one' is a tricky one (haha). Since day one, we have been One. We were One for 42 weeks; and the past year we have also been One. We are always One, though we are not the same.

You are so beautiful, Addi. You light up the dark and keep everyone warm. I haven't seen smiles, like the ones you get from certain members of my family, in a very long time.

My whole life has been a series of 'bad decisions' and you broke that record.

I love you.

Mama

p.s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwOErXK5Uxc

Rambles

This time 9 months ago, I had just stepped out of the car and hobbled into the hospital. I wanted a water birth; drugfree. I craved stillness and support. I expected a baby with a shit load of dark hair.

I got 31 hours of labour, pethidine, epidural and gas. I had little to no support apart from my midwife who's middle name I didn't know. I didn't make a sound apart from telling the beeping machine to SHUT UP; I didn't want to embarass myself or be humiliated in front of the one person who was so good at doing that to me. Once was enough that day.

You came, still and staring. Hot and wet, not moving but all arms and legs. No hair, dark eyes but not mine or anyone else's in the room. You took your time to breathe and I did the same. You were so clean... Not covered in anything but love.

It has been 9 months. You are 9 months old. That is 3/4 of 1 year. Which means I really have to get your birthday party organised. I'm not a '3pm sunday afternoon, best dressed, cake and cream' type mum... I couldn't think of anything worse. We'll see how it goes but I will be attempting to make the week one to remember for us both.

You have shaped me, Addi Faith. I was never lost in life- just never found. You found me, we found each other and I can SO so so wait for you to find everything in life... Your feet, your voice (hmmm bits of it, you've found most of it!), your talents, your love, your way...

The past few nights have been torture and hearing you that upset has been the worst part. Knowing I can't 'fix it' is what tears me apart. It's what unites us all as mothers- apart from those who dump their babies with other people when they 'need a break'. Real mothers don't get breaks, single, married or whatever you all are.

You are the best person in my life, Miss Noo. You give me faith that things might be 'okay' for once in my life. For 'once' people are proud of me. For once, I have a reason to wake up. For once I want to do the god damn dishes and vacuum the floors. It's not about impressing you or anyone, it's that I want you to grow up with a real mum not a half-ass one. I had a real mum and although the situation is different, we both put our babies before us.

I'm good at rambling and not so good at making sense but by god I love you. I love your fuzzy grandma hair, your bobbing strawberry ("Oh she's been in the wars!" "Yeah, in my womb.." hah), your monkey toes, your dozy smiles from the back when I say "WE'RE HOME!"... Your farts, your giggles, your big sloppy kisses... Everything.

I love you unconditionally Addi, for the rest of for ever.

In One Year..

In one year I have: (in no particular order!)

lost my sanity.

left the teens behind.

grown a baby to fullterm.

had a natural birth.

put on weight.

moved house.

experienced 2 massive earthquakes (one 4 days prior to Addi's birth, and one when she was 5 months old).

grown 3 cms.

gone up a shoe size.

fallen in love.

let go of old loves.

been loved.

learnt what love is.

learnt that babies don't know how to 'shhh','please wait 20 seconds','relax','keep still','stop kicking me'(in utero and out),'please don't, that hurts'...

learnt that the gag reflex doesn't exist if you hold your breath.

tried foods I never thought of before e.g. coco pop sandwich, coco pop milkshake, biscuit milkshake, cake and rice pudding, cheeseburger dipped in curry.... (may I add these were tried and tested in the late stages of pregnancy).

packed more bags than I ever thought possible.

stopped caring what people think of me.

started caring what people think of my parenting.

realised those who didn't support me then; now admire me.

noticed those who 'admire' me, don't know how to do more than say it.

fallen for words.

cried the hottest tears.

laughed so hard I can't breathe- at small things.

felt the worst pain in the world- & no, not childbirth.

spent too long thinking and not enough writing.

lost 'friends'.

made better friends.

laboured alone.

begged.

pleaded.

wailed.

given up....

quit.

started again.

realised what I deserve, want and need.

tried to get perfect photos of myself and my baby...and realised every photo of us is perfect.

missed who people were, even only 5 years ago.

made opportunities.

thought too long about people who don't think about me.

regained my sanity, + some.

Ramble of the day, over. Now onto Addi-

Those 2 teeth are so gorgeous and she loves having them brushed. She loves pasta bolognese and most foods minus lamb or anything strong tasting. She says mum mum mum mum whenever she feels like it and has started to sit up on her own for longer periods of time.

She tried a bit of easter egg (marshmellow) the other day and was a bit 'huh' about it... t'was all squishy, marm!

Anyway. bed time.

Listen without interrupting.
Speak without accusing.
Give without sparing.
Pray without ceasing.
Answer without arguing.
Share without pretending.
Enjoy without complaint.
Trust without wavering.
Forgive without punishing.
Promise without forgetting.