My Life in Myrtlemania

Time passes

2006-10-12T14:56:00.000+08:00

I am back. It's been a while. Lots have happened.

Been to the OB to sort out some stuff that is TMI ... probably shouldnt even have mentioned it.

The tooth surgery is all scheduled and only a few weeks away - getting a bit anxious about that.

The coffee roasting is going well. The popper handles the job well - will post some pics one day. At the moment when I hit the picture button, nothing comes up - maybe I am missing something obvious. We upgraded the popper by installing a Tin chimney - amazing how different the roasts are now. Myrtleman has taken some ground coffee to work, to road test on his mates - be interesting the feedback.

Mytlebug2 has hit 5 months now and is still an easygoing bub. We bought him the Safety 1st Bouncin Baby Play Centre and he loves being upright. Doesnt really want to roll over onto his tummy, but then again Bug1 was never really into rolling - so maybe it's a family thing.

Myrtleman didnt get the job he applied for as they went for an internal candidate - but they gave him a great rap, and offered to help with any other application he made to the same organisation, so it doesn't get better than that.

Its a low biorythm day today

2006-09-16T20:06:00.000+08:00

Well it started out well, but now its all gone to pot - and after a good couple of days!

Oh well, shit happens.

Not really a relaxing, minimal kid contact hour day at all! You get that. Still had some good quality time with Myrtlebug2.

Hit the shops for an hour or so till my back gave out!

A busy day

2006-09-12T17:18:00.000+08:00

Well, we have gotten over the doggy drama's of last week - now just waiting on the return of his ashes, so I can take him for a walk and scatter them.

The weekend was lots of fun, we spent it roasting coffee in our popper! It was lots of fun sitting out on the balcony. I have been smelling the coffee everyday as it matures - cant wait to try an espresso with them next weekend. I would do it earlier but the Myrtleman and I should do it together.

At the moment we are trying to decide whether we can cope with him accepting a job (if its offered) that involves quite a bit of travel. How will I cope on my own with a 4 month old and a 2 yr old? I am sure I can manage, but do I want to manage. I dont want to say NO as it is a job I think he would really love, and be quite good at.

Today, I went to the oral maxillory surgeon to see about getting one of my teeth removed - it has actually broken off below the gumline and currently has a temporary repair on it - which has been there for over a year seeings I decided to have another baby. So in two months time it will finally come out. Its a bit of a pain as everytime there is a cold or something going around my sinus's (is that the right spelling, punctuation - doesnt look like it) get stuffed up and it hurts like anything. It will be good to get it out. Eventually I will get an implant, but that will be quite a few months down the track. After it comes out I have to wait about 3 months and then they do a CT scan ... if there isnt enough bone (its at the back of the jaw) then they need to do a bone graft - and then some more waiting - although he thinks he might be able to do the graft and implant at the same time. That will make it easier.

The other thing I have been checking out is a holiday for us. Options are going to NZ, or driving up the East Coast from Sydney to Brisbane, or going to Broome. Any suggestions. Have kind of disregarded NZ as I cant be bothered getting passports for everyone at the moment - me included. BUt like the other two ideas. Flights with two little uns dont really grab me though.

He left for a long walk ... RIP my friend

2006-09-07T17:27:00.000+08:00

It hasnt been a good day. Last night we found out there really wasnt anything that could be done for our dog. We could do more tests, but he is going downhill fast. We made the painful decision to have him put down.

Today I went in to the vet hospital to see him and say my last goodbye. It was so hard - he has been a wonderful friend and support to me. I got him 6.5 years ago after my first husband died from cancer. He saw me through the painful times. He met my beautiful new husband and my wonderful kids. His time had come.

It was very distressing to see how much he had deteriorated - he could hardly walk and towards the end of my visit he was getting distressed.

We are getting him cremated, and when I get his ashes I am going to take him for one last walk around the river - we used to do it every day sometimes twice, until he could no longer walk that far. I am also getting a small plaque to put in the garden.

I miss him already.

He had a good innings - almost 13 human years. Goodbye my friend - my support. I wish you well in your next journey.

Father's day

2006-09-03T20:48:00.000+08:00

Well a pretty low key Myrtleman day today. We had a bbq with sausages and coleslaw (made in my u-beaut Tupperware chopper - turned out ok) and potato salad - now that Myrtlebug1 no longer has a egg allergy we can have that again.

Its been a busy weekend, and typical the week is upon us again. Here's hoping this week is easier than last week. Myrtlebug2 has immunisations - he has hit 4 months old now. Getting cheekier by the day.

How to have a caffeine hit ...

2006-09-01T21:20:00.000+08:00

Well, today I got out the Rocky and Sylvia and started the coffee journey.

Grinding coffee in 20 gm lots - just enough to make a double shot (with a little left over) and making minute adjustments on the grinder until we get the perfect pour! It's amazing how the flavour changed as the coffee got finer, and the pour took longer. Finally we got there - my grinder has never done such a good job before - must have been the good job I did calibrating it a few days ago.

Anyway, the grinder is now set, ready for when I actually start roasting my own. Still waiting on the beans to arrive.

I'm tired

2006-08-31T11:17:00.000+08:00

Well Myrtlebug1 has finally shaken the gastro bug, and both ends are working fine. She is also eating again after 5 days with nothing. Is a little of the thin side though.

Now I have a head cold and looks like Myrtlebug2 has it as well. This morning he was very fussy with the feeding - so I think he might have a blocked nose! I tried breast milk, expressed breast milk, formula, formula from a sippy cup, formula by syringe! Nothing worked! Finally he took a bit of breast milk, but talk about hard work ... especially when he is normally full after 7-8 mins of feeding!

Not happy! I just feel like it has been one thing after another for a good two months now! I just wish he would settle into a reasonable sleeping pattern, so that I can get a rest. At the moment it is one kid down, other awake, other kid down, first one awake and so it goes on! I am lucky to get 5 mins to myself. No doubt I have it easy compared to some - but right now misery needs company!

On the plus side I dont know if I mentioned it, but I bought a popcorn maker on the weekend - thought Myrtlebug1 would like some snacks - wasnt to be though! When I was researching it, I discovered a much more suitable use for the popcorn maker - roasting coffee! So I ordered some green beans via Coffeesnobs and am eagerly waiting for them to arrive! I have cracked out the coffee grinder (I have a Rancilio Rocky) and the coffee machine (a Rancilio Sylvia) and am looking forward to making some espresso. Have been refreshing the memory on how to use both of them at Coffeegeek. Yesterday I pulled the Rocky to bits and cleaned it out, and recalibrated the burr settings - I think it was totally out of wack, as it was on the smallest setting and I couldnt wind it back any further!

I am going to show Myrtleman how to make some coffees. Both being engineers, it is pretty sad as we will get caught up in doing some designed experiments to make the perfect coffee. Anyway, it might be a bit of fun I think. Will probably just buy some cheapo coffee to play with this weekend. And it will probably still take a while to get the roasting happening. Still gotta research some more I think.

Oh - fathers day on the weekend - better wrap his presents from the Myrtlebugs.

My stepper machine arrived a few days ago - but I have been too tired to even give it a go. I did 6 minutes the other day, but was so worn out. Woe is me! I am just a big misery guts today.

Amazing

2006-08-28T09:43:00.000+08:00

NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!

Myrtlebug2 slept for 9 hrs from 6:30pm to 3:30am .... not the best, but we are getting there. There has been much rejoicing in our house.

Yay!

Don't tell me it's Sunday already!

2006-08-27T19:36:00.000+08:00

The weekend finishes all too soon! Well, we havent done much as Myrtlebug1 picked up a touch of gastro at daycare on Friday. So we had a day of vomiting and now a few days of the other end going off! Here's hoping things improve quickly. Fortunately no-one else has picked it up. We had to cancel a few things for her, a trip to the Baby Proms and swimmng lessons.

I ordered some Thomas the Tank engine curtain material off Ebay to make some curtains for Myrtlebug2 new room ... all these crafty activities should keep me off the streets for a while. I have some mosaic trays to complete for christmas presents, a quilt (also Thomas design) to name a few.

Myrtlebug2 attempted to roll over yesterday - got about half way there.

TGIF ...

2006-08-25T13:33:00.000+08:00

Woo hoo - I love Friday. Been very energetic today ... been out for a walk with Myrtlebug2 ... we are all less stressed now that we just go with the flow with the sleeping - the warm hands trick is working a treat. Last night he woke at 11pm, 3am and 6am so I think that is an improvement. Not as good as sleeping through, but we will get there.

Too much information coming up - He did a mega-poo this morning. Simplest thing was to just stick him in the bath.

Well - I am making lasagna this afternoon. Our grocery delivery - by the way, gotta love internet grocery shopping (the delivery man is fantastic, he even brings it all upstairs for us, if only they would put it away also!) - substituted a different jar for the bechamel sauce, so it will be interesting to see how it works out. Its for a pasta bake, and says you need to add milk, but I just want a couple of white sauce layers, so will try it without that!

Is he changing his ways?

2006-08-24T13:38:00.000+08:00

Hi ... well its 1:33pm and Myrtlebug2 has been asleep for just over an hour - this is a good sign. Normally he wakes up like clockwork. Here's hoping we have turned the corner. Last night we put him down at 7pm and he woke twice at 11:30pm and 4:30am which is better than 10:30/02:00 and 05:00. I will take it. Anything that means I get a rest. His day routine lately has been 1hr sleep and 2 hrs awake. Today I have gone with the flow and taken my mother's time honoured advice .... when the hands are warm put them down. It has worked so far, and he seems a lot happier. Worked for Myrtlebug1 when she was little (still does actually) and works for my niece. Cant go past mum's advice.

I am a bit worried Myrtlebug1 is coming down with something - she is getting the grumps up and is very tired. Nose is running like a tap. She has been in fine form today ... went outside to play on her slippy slide, and steps in dog poo! I spent half the morning with a toothbrush trying to clean them. They still smell.

The Myrtlebug2 caught me unawares and did a poo while his nappy was off. Fortunately it was all contained. At least he feels a bit better.

Have added a link to one of my fave websites Zazz. I still havent bought my first zazz yet - I am still a zazz virgin. I have come close a few times - but waiting for something really choice to spend my dollars on.

The myrtleman seems to have recovered from his malaise, after two days off work. Me - I just soldier on.

Hump day ....

2006-08-23T20:49:00.000+08:00

Well I have had a good day. Myrtleman has been home sick the past two days. Today I left him with Myrtlebug2 and went out to mothers group with Myrtlebug1. Spent a small fortunate buying some nice clothes for both of them.

Good news, Myrtlebug2 slept for 1.5 hrs this afternoon - I consider that a good sign. Whats the definition of an optimist .... Myrtle who lives in hope each night that Myrtlebug2 will sleep through the night.

Cleaning day ...

2006-08-22T14:02:00.000+08:00

Well ... this is my first Tuesday without a cleaner - so I had to do it myself. My Dyson came to the party and all the carpets are done. The bathrooms have just been knocked off also. I dont understand how a bathroom that is cleaned every week can grow mould! Well - its all gone now! There were also a few rust stains courtesy of the Myrtleman's shaving cream canister! That has been there for months - took me two seconds to remove it without too much effort!

I went and got Myrtlebug2 weighed again today. Finally he is putting on the grams! In two weeks he has gained 740g - not bad! With the sleeping I have just decided to go with the flow and let him feed and sleep whenever and for however long he likes - no point getting stressed about it - if he doesnt want to sleep, he doesnt want to.

Got a great wine special today also. We like the Devil's Lair Fifth Leg White ... normally around $20 a bottle, and I got a dozen today for $11.60 a bottle. A good time to stock up. Also got some cheap sparkling white wine - always good to have a stash in the fridge. I forgot to put one in the upstairs fridge to celebrate my cleaning efforts - who knows how long it will last.

Gotta love a nice clean bathroom - but it wont be that way for long - worked up such a sweat, that I will have to have a shower. Here's hoping there is some hot water - as the weather has been so bad, I dont think there has been much sun - enough to heat the water anyway.

Have to mention that while I have been hard at it, I have also made a Cinnamon Tea Cake that is absolutely delicious.

Sunday .... the weekend is coming to an end

2006-08-20T13:31:00.000+08:00

I always hate Sunday afternoons - before you know it the day has passed and you are back into the week. Anyway we are trying to have a relaxing day. The Myrtleman went out and got some takeaway coffee and yummy vanilla slice.

Myrtlebug2 has decided extended day sleeps really arent his thing, and after nearly an hour of crying why we try to resettle, I am inclined to agree. Although he was so tired when I put him down. Not sure how to progress at the moment, so will put it in the too hard basket for now!

Another intimate moment with Mr Dyson .... cleaning up after Myrtlebug1 left crumbs all over the carpet. She has been out for swimming lessons today and had a lot of fun. There is a lot to be said for her heading out saying "Bye Mummy, bye Mummy" and then when she comes home the first thing she says is "Mummy". Joy.

I am trying to get motivated to do some regular exercise. Today dusted off the credit card and got a stepper, and some DVD's designed to help improve core strength. Here's hoping they do the trick. Maintain the motivation - thats the aim. I have been out walking the last three days, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Got to shift those pregnancy kilos .... they seem to be stuck fast at the moment. Doesnt help being a bit of a sloth. But I have to say, I have been more active this week.

It's the weekend

2006-08-19T17:23:00.000+08:00

Hooray - the weekend has arrived although today seems to have disappeared rather quickly. The Myrtlebug1 decided today while we were out shopping that it would be an idea to push the RED button in the lift. That is the one marked STOP! Just like in the movies - only it doesnt come off that well when it is you, the Myrtleman, a 2 yr old and a 3 month old.

We also splurged a bought a new compact digital camera - a Canon IXUS 60 ... well we love it. Although it comes with a crappy 16MB memory card - not much good for anything really - so searching the web for a decent priced memory card has been the rest of the day's entertainment.

Myrtlebug2 is starting to have a longer sleep during the day - mainly with a bit of coercion (is that how its spelt?) from us - anyway he is happier because of it - if only it would translate to longer between sleeps at night.

Must go .... Myrtlebug2 is hitting cactus hour ....

2006-08-18T14:22:00.000+08:00

Day 2 in Myrtlemania ...

Myrtlebug2 is asleep - after a little coaxing. He is blissfully getting a few z's. He was sick a few weeks ago and ever since then sleeping is up to pot! Waking three times a night, where he had just started sleeping through. Hopefully if I can get him sleeping during the day, he will have better night sleeps (the principle being sleep begets sleep).

I have been quite industrious today. Bought myself a new Dyson vacuum cleaner last week. I was so impressed with it, I let the cleaner go and I will do it myself. Its so easy - we have three levels in our house, and lots of carpet. This combined with a golden retriever who drops heaps of hair makes it a big job. Well, that was until Mr Dyson came along. Who would have thought vacuuming could be so satisfying.

We are actually going out for dinner tonight - second time out since the Myrtlebug2 was born.

2006-08-17T13:02:00.000+08:00

Too much to hope for ... he is awake. I suppose now he will want a feed.

2006-08-17T12:33:00.000+08:00

Discovered this site and thought I would give it a go. This is after MyrtleBug1 (my daughter) decided it would be a good idea to tip red cordial all over the carpet. So I have poured all the salt I can find in the house over it ... here is hoping it doesnt seem like a good idea to her again!

Anyway, she is having a sleep now ... at least I think she is.

Myrtlebug2 (my son) is also asleep - but threatening to wake up. At three months it is probably expecting too much of him to give me some timeout and stay down!