Across the Pacific with papoose.

 A papoose (from the Algonquian papoos, meaning "child") is an American English loanword whose present meaning is "a Native American Indian child" (regardless of tribe) or, even more generally, any child, usually used as a term of endearment, often in the context of the child's mother.

A few weeks ago my 7 week old little boy, my Mum and I boarded a 13 hr from Brisbane to Los Angeles. Before leaving I asked Boston's paediatrician if he had any tips for traveling long haul with babes. He advised me that I should book a first class ticket and an economy ticket for the baby.  LOL. But seriously, he didn't follow it up with any real advice. So.. I thought it can't be too big a drama. Thankfully my Mum came with us for reinforcement and also just because we love her.

 I knew I had to feed him on the way up and also on descent to save his little ears from hurting. Timing is everything. For any future newby Mum and babe travellers. I'd say start feeding during take-off. I started  prematurely and he was a bit over it by the time we made it to altitude. The way down is a lot trickier... especially in my case... the plane was diving down then suddenly starting shooting back up again! Needless to say my poor little boy had to over indugle and did an epic vomit. I barely survived it. I couldn't run away because I was belted in and he was strapped to me! Another tip. Take plastic bags and spare clothes for yourself! (Which thankfully I did) He takes a dummy now so hopefully we won't have a repeat incident.

A fellow passenger gave Boston an A+ for his travelling skills. (I'd like to think it was my mothering prowess) He was a little champion on his first flight. Didn't sleep though, apart from a few cat naps.. but overall was a happy camper..  Hooray!  Although he did create about 10 dirty nappies. A new personal best in 13 hours. Mum and I took two on, two off. It's best to use the disabled bathroom at the back of the plane so you don't go dropping everything into the loo like I almost did. I'm soooo lucky my Mumma was with me for my maiden voyage as a Mum! I would not give Boston an A+ for the days/nights following his first flight however. Never expect to hit the ground running with a jet setting babe!  It took about a week (felt like two) for us to figure out day from night! I had a taste of what sleep deprivation is and understand why it's used as an army torture technique.

Hello world

BNE TO LAX

Murphy's Law

Murphy's law is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong".

It's always the one time you don't throw the burp cloth over your shoulder that the bi-weekly massive vomit starts to trickle down your butt crack. It's the odd occasion when you don't place the wee wee tee pee on (a tiny cone shaped cloth that prevents little boys from weeing on you and themselves) that you receive a spray. Recently the first major poonami arrived when I was home alone and required serious back up. I used to think Murphy's Law came into play when you are running late somewhere (which is always) and get caught at every red light. Now it's taken on a whole new meaning. 

 After all the feeding, nappy changes, baths, outfit selecting and general entertainment I provided for the first 8 weeks... I was beginning to feel under appreciated as Boston was quite unresponsive. Luckily right on cue at 8 weeks he gave us a big gummy shark smile.. Yes he was awake and no it wasn't gas (for once) Now at 11 weeks I've had a few giggles.. All my songs and silly sounds are not in vain! As far as Murphy's Law goes the stakes will only rise from here. The adventure continues.

P.S - Boston just fell off the bed. I left him to go get his nose puffer in the kitchen. I cut my finger on the blender blade while retrieving the puffer from the dish rack and as I walked back into the bedroom he was crying on the floor. Lesson learnt. I feel TERRIBLE but he seems ok. Will continue to observe. Thanks again Murphy..u suck.

Amber Cherry Photography

Amber Cherry Photography

My dear friend Amber is an amazing photographer. She's captured some precious moments for me during my pregnancy and beyond! 

Babe at 2 weeks. Amber and Clint were patient beyond measure and have the midas touch when it comes to keeping babies calm and sleepy. Baby whisperers! I want them to be around at bedtime every night!

Check out her Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Cherry-Photography/114917662033204

My first month of Motherhood

Life has changed forever and for the better! Little Boston Scott Walker was born June 24th at 10:38pm.. conveniently on the day Wimbeldon started. Late night feeds in hospital were a breeze! The second State of Origin clash fell on the Wednesday with a glorious Queensland victory... and of course Krudd is back. So when I could prise my eyes off our little creation there was some good viewing on the tele.

Back to baby. He weighed 7lbs 15oz/ 3.6kg which was a lot bigger than expected! All my trips to the bakery paid off ;)  He has tons of hair.. My heartburn was well worth suffering through. I can't stop brushing it so it gets really greasy everyday. I was in complete shock for the first 24 hours of his life. I couldn't believe he was ours and that everything went smoothly. I secretly feared that because I had an easy pregnancy that my labour would be a nightmare. Thanks to a delightful dose of Pethadine and a timely epidural I had a mostly pain free 6hr labour. Although I did have to get my waters broken which sounds awful and IS awful. WORST thing EVER. Things started looking up when the anaesthetist wandered in and asked me what my plans for pain management were... "You're my plan!"  The whole experience felt surreal, it was like a dream I was waiting to wake up from. Four weeks on and I still haven't woken up, I have a sweet little boy who I love more than ANYTHING! He looked like Simba from The Lion King when they passed him up to me.. eyes wide open.. big blinks.. It was awesome. . 

I spent Sunday to Friday in hospital which was great because there was soooo much to learn. We did go to antenatal classes but I'd pretty much forgotten everything. The nurses at the Mater Mothers were incredible. Their motto "Exceptional people, Exceptional care" is an understatement. Props to the cooks too... every dessert was swimming in custard and cream. Stunning afternoon tea cakes as well. They even served scones with jam and cream for Wimbeldon! I'm glad I still brought my own snacks because there were several occasions where I became ravenous in the middle of the night.

About to have a bebe

Hair Do's courtesy of A.Slade and P.Harman

So Motherhood... If you don't get your hair and make up done in the morning it most likely won't get done at all. I have never been so excited about someone burping. My burping technique must suck because I very rarely get a burp so when I do it's cause for celebration! There's a lot of room for improvement when it comes to nappy changes too. I either seem to change him during his business of just BEFORE big business. It's as though he's waiting for a clean nappy to soil. Makes sense though.. I wouldn't willingly walk into a dirty toilet cubicle..I'd hold on at all costs. I'm over whelmed at the thought of nappy changing for up to 3 years. I thought his poo smelt bad until I was changing him at the mall when another, much larger baby was being changed next to us. WOW. Not looking forward to introducing solids. I need an L plate for my pram. I've had several collisions into people and pot plants at the mall. One lady even rolled her eyes and said "That's the second time today" Let's just say.. she was a rather wide target. I made the depressing mistake of trying on one of my pre-pregnancy dresses. Too soon ..way too soon.. On a positive note my belly button has gone back to normal. I survived the first big vomit. Sure I shed a tear or two but managed well.. I caught the second big vomit with my bare hands so that was quite an achievement. I love being a new Mum! It's been the best 4 weeks of my life. I love this little kid like crazy. 

Coming home from hospital! 

xoxo

Babe Beats

I just spent about an hour making a playlist in the event I want to listen to music during labour. 19 songs, duration 1.2hours. Wishful thinking. This babe better not make me repeat it. I guess it's a work in progress....

Bunnings Baby

So my nesting instinct may have manifest itself through "home improvements" Although I've always considered myself a Janet of all trades. Recently our main shower started leaking...I thought given my current condition I should get a couple quotes. The 1st one was for $595.00.. which I thought was outrageous... the second quote almost induced labor at a whopping $895. It was time to take matters into my own hands. There are a million things I'd rather spend $895.00 on! I furiously drove to Bunnings for DIY supplies. I spent $100 on all sorts of tools and crap...I love Bunnings because you could go there in your PJ's covered in paint and food and no one would look twice. I'd watched a few Youtube videos and was now an expert in the grouting/shower sealing business. I cut away all the silicone with a stanley knife. At this point I realised I might have bitten off more than I could chew.... I took a day off.There was a big gap where I'd ripped out the existing silicone so I just blasted the hole with more silicone! Dad helped with that part...I took another day off. I re-grouted between the tiles on the floor then caulked the remaining silicone around the edges. The corner tape I bought gave a very professional finish to the job which I was pleased with. I haven't turned the shower on yet but I know if I see any leakage whatsoever I will probably want to kill myself. Just as I'd completed the shower the toilet started running.  It's best that I leave that one up to a plumber... I almost cried when I got that quote too. I think I should become a tradeswoman. 

Hello Hospital

At 37 weeks baby could arrive any day now. It's time to pack hospital bags. I was overwhelmed by the prospect of packing for such an occasion. I spend my life packing and unpacking but this is a specialised pack I've never done before. Luckily my angel friend Amber came to the rescue and wrote me lists upon lists and made it super easy to get myself together! Bag for labor, bag for me, bag for Baby and bag for Husby. If it wasn't for Amber I would have taken up all my available space with snacks because I've read that you can get hungry in hospital.. (nightmare) She assured me that my hospital stay wouldn't resemble the 40 hour famine. So here's what I've got... Yes it may seem like I'll need a semi trailer to transport it all but... average labour is 10-12 hours so I'll be needing entertainment to take my mind off things... Mum laughed when I told her this.. not sure why. I will mention, I am planning on getting an epidural so hopefully after the first half I'll be able to relax and enjoy the rest! Admittedly I did recently look up a few breathing techniques on Youtube. I've been foolishly thinking the epidural will do everything for me... it won't. 

Labour Bag

• Panadol (for partner in case I break his hand.. the hospital only gives me drugs! Hooray!)
• Socks - I got 3 for $10 at Cotton On ;)
• Rescue Remedy
• Fans (I bought a giant one from Loot) 
• Slippers/Flip flops 
• Lavender Oil
• Paw paw ointment
• Bose 
• ipad (Scrabble, Pinterest, Civilisation)
• Camera
• Medicare & Private care card
• Hair bands/ bobby pins
• Phones and chargers
• Toothbrush/paste/mouthwash.
• Power Ade, juice
• Nuts, fruit, muesli bars, barley sugar, Cobs popcorn. 
• Deodorant (Not that I will sweat at all)
• Vanessa Megan Birth Ease spray (I'd buy any product that featured the words birth and ease)

My Bag

• Make-up 
• Hair iron 
• Big warm cardigan
• 4 lounge outfits
• Robe
• Hairbrush
• Shampoo/Conditioner/ dry shampoo
• Plastic bags for laundry
• Body wash
• 3x PJ's
• Lansinoh/nipple pads
• 8x  XXL undies
• Bonds feeding singlets
• Sanitary items
• Belly Bandit http://www.bellybandit.com.au/bamboo/bamboo-nude.html
• Baby Journal
• Chai latte/hot chocolate sachets
  

Baby Bag

• Socks 
• Beanies
• 5x Onesies
• Mittens
• Singlets
• Bibs
• Dummies
• Wash Cloths
• 3x Warm wraps
• 2x Muslin wraps
• 1x warm blanket
• Take home outfit

Ready for you babe!