1. i used to think croup was an ancient disease, like 'consumption' or something. now, it's a much-too-common dirty word that gets hissed through vapouriser steam in the middle of the night. how is it They can transplant hearts, hands and faces but there is no prevention/cure for common childhood croup?
(still, i'd rather croup than asthma, allergies, whooping cough or a million other things)
2. i suspected my reason for decorating our home for Christmas was so i could showcase it here, not for us to enjoy. and so - to teach myself a lesson - there will be some strict Christmas Decor Posting Guidelines!
3. i'm getting weary of the word, "vintage". you?
4. we are heading off on a 4-5 hour road trip tomorrow to the Hawkes Bay. any travelling-with-a-million-kids tips?
5. the burst of followers on this here blog has been unexpected and quite lovely, but i miss making friendships like i did when there were only 50. please introduce yourself and comment often so i can get to know you. that'd be real nice~
6. confession: i've been really struggling to enjoy the kiddos lately. i hate these phases. parents who treat their kids as inconvenient make me so mad...and i've been that parent recently. it usually comes from a self-absorbed preoccupation with slaving for my family vs. serving them. gah~
7. i still have a bunch of Christmas presents to get - and am totally stumped on most of them.
8. this time 2 years ago, i was 40 weeks +1 with Danny. but no one knew i was "overdue" because i never tell my EDD. ha
9. guess what else? the kids are all in the same room! and we are in a room by ourselves for the first time in 4 years - such a novelty to talk loud and turn lights on when we go to bed! will give you a tour soooooon.
10. lunch time...gotta go!
X
Oh Dee, can relate to so much of your post...
ReplyDelete1.croup - yep, done that with our eldest...over and over and over.... its such a horrible sound to listen to.
4. road trip... I did a 12 hour (each way.. and on my own) with my three a couple of years ago.. music, dvds and constant stops at parks were my lifesavers... we actually had a lot of fun.
6. you are not alone. i get so much inspiration from blogs like yours to parent more intentionally so its nice to know that you have those times too... and that Im not the only one
7. still have a stack of Christmas pressies to do, no idea what to get.no desire to hit the mall.
Yay for your room to yourselves!!!
1. Never had it here. Thankful. Thinking of you guys x
ReplyDelete2. Same. heh.
3. YES. Let's just go with old and crusty huh? ;)
4. Christmas carol practise?
5. HI! I think you know me a bit
6. I'm always struggling with this. Ahhhh. I just want to craft sometimes! Then I get mother guilt. Can't win.
7. Same. :( I don't like xmas stress!
8. Good tip. I may use this in the future!
9. Can't wait for a tour!
10. Same, ham sammie yes!!!
lol great post! My best road trip was the time I took a large pottle of lollies and then said things like... the next person to spot a red letter box gets a lolly! the next person to see a black horse... yeah you know the drill. Worked like a charm!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea not to tell people your EDD - clever thinking! Hope your littlest man recovers quickly.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the new people who's been lingering but not yet commenting. Something about your projects drew my attention, and then the loveliness of your family and situation kept me reading. Thanks for being an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Dee,
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog and am really enjoying reading it with my cup of tea. My little 9 month old had croup last week - quite scary isn't it. I also thought it was a long forgotten illness. Hope your wee one recovers quickly. Lisa x
Dee I really admire your honesty and your down to earth style xxx
ReplyDeleteI like making friendships with my followers and commentators too - I think I'd struggle if I got 'too' big (define too big)
Cat
1. Don't know that one, but my youngest nephew was hospitalized with whooping cough last year. Neither are any good.
ReplyDelete2. Yeah, me too.
3. Tired of the word vintage, sure. Tired of actual vintage? Never.
4. We just did 12 hours one way for Thanksgiving with 3 little ones (1.5, 3 and 8.) Books, toys, music they love (and give them a turn.) Stop periodically, and engage them. My kids were awesome when I read to them, or played games with them. When I stopped, or tried to read my own book, not so much.
5. Hi. You can learn about me here: littleredwoods.blogspot.com I am enjoying your blog.
6. Ditto. Seriously.
7. Again, ditto. I am starting to panic. Cause, I also have a small business with orders that need to be filled.
Um, I should probably go work on that. Bye!
Hey there :) Thought I should give you a couple of tips as we often do 6 hours of travelling in the car to Auckland. I think my kids are quite used it by now, but with each kid, as they grow up one thing we have noticed is the car sickness. So tip #1 don't overfeed the kiddo's, especially between the age of 18mths and 4yrs, thats when it seems to kick in.... small snacks and no milkshakes! :) Lollies is a good one, but step that one out...
ReplyDeleteTip #2 Telling stories, eye spy, rocking to music etc are good entertainers.
Tip #3 Books for the older kids, is also handy as long as they are aware they need to look at the road when they start to feel queazy.
And as the others mentioned definately stop for a couple of breaks, and time the toilet stops around them, or pack a picnic :)
Hope your little man gets better, and I sympathise, those parenting days are hard :)
1. Croup is hideous. We have a steamer in the boys rooms when they are unwell, however last time I reluctantly rang that 0800 number they said to keep their room as cool as possible (same as ice reduces swelling).
ReplyDelete4. Up and in the car at 6.00am, leave all kiddos in PJ's. Give them a small bag of fruit or vege sticks, or snacks. Stop somewhere for brekkie and get them dressed. Then play car cricket - 1 point for cars, 4 points for motorbikes, 6 points for car+boat, trucks your out.
5. Hi I'm that RBC stalker! :) Our family blog is http://www.wardieways.blogspot.com/
6. Just been through that faze. To get out of it I made a DIY advent calendar by putting activities into an envelope with the number of sleeps till Christmas. So far we have been to the park, had lollies, made chocolate bark, put up the christmas tree. Has totally changed focus.
7. Shopping online - heart swell
Thanks for a great blog
I am also pretty new to your blog, my name is Lauren. I can agree with the whole enjoying your kids are the age and stage they're in. Sometimes it gets overwhelming between work and play... When I work I want to be with my kids, when I am with my kids I want to be working. We took a plane ride from Oregon to South Carolina 3 year old, 6 year old and 8 month old! Swore we wouldn't do it again... But my mom is there so that is probably an empty promise lol! I'm eager to hear about your family adventure!
ReplyDeletehi - i've been lurking for ages. i'm not crafty or domesticated at all, but i love your creativeness and your kids are adorable. plus i live just up the road in auckland lol :o) always good to read kiwi blogs! we've had croup with our youngest - so not fun! esp in the middle of the night. blessings, claire
ReplyDelete1. Yeah, I can't imagine the stress croup puts you gus through. Finny had a dose of it at 5 months and it completely freaked me out and we ended up in hospital ~ he's never had it since so we've been incredibly lucky on that one.
ReplyDelete2. The christmas tree is as far as I'm going. and I'll probably share it in one stinky photo ;o)
3. definately. especially when it refers to things that I would've worn circa 1995. (I'm not THAT old, thank-you!)
4. say hi to the other bay from us! I do so miss it.
5. Hi. My name is Kristin. I came and stayed at your house once... ;o)
6. amen. especially with how I've been feeling recently. It's hard enough to muster the energy to do anything productive right now, let alone surrender to their every whim. I'm afraid our new neighbours probably don't have the best impression of my mothering skills.....
7. me too.
8. I should've done that with both the boys. Only close family know with this wee worm.
9. Can't wait! I wanna see more of Ty's area... (deer = love. but you know that!)
Have a great time away! x
There are two blogs that I love for there honesty, you & Widge. I so here you on the #6 I listened to the sound of our house 'as a whole' the other day, not the most positive sounding place on earth right now. Tired, mastitis, 1 million things to do at school & kindy. I'm moaning, but that's ok....right?
ReplyDeleteI remember telling people I was due "sometime in May" with Esky, and they'd say, "but WHEN," and I'd cave with the due date. Next time (ahem), I think I'll just repeat, "SOMETIME IN [DUE MONTH]" and see if they get the message. Or better yet, the season.
ReplyDeleteA 'hi' from the Netherlands! I found your blog a few dags ago and I find it very inspiring. I'm a christian, mother of three, I love crafting, crocheting, sewing, upcycling and vintage (sorry ;-)).
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to read about home birth in New Zealand. In the Netherlands 22% of the kids are born at home, so are two of my kids. Unfortunately, this percentage is declining (in 2000 it was 35%!). Home birth is so wonderful.
Thanks for being an inspiration!
Hi Dee
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blogs, makes me feel like I am not alone in the craziness of the world that is homeschooling mother of five! All the best with your trip tomorrow, we frequently make the same trip as my Mum is down there (we are in the waikato too). We make a game called car bingo. Everyone has the same sheet with 16 pictures on it that you are likely to find along the way. The first one to find them all is the winner. Keeps them entertained at least half of the way. I pray that your little one gets better soon :)
Can't wait to see you! Will have the coffee on and baking to share once all the tiring travelling is done. We always find McDonalds in Taupo a lifesaver. Hate the food but it's dead bang in the middle of the trip, the kids love the plane and the playground, there is a change station in the disabled loo and Marcus and I can recharge with a coffee. It's because of that place you'll never find me dishing McDonalds. Safe driving. x
ReplyDeleteHey, hey,
ReplyDelete*1 i'm so glad none of my kids (had) have this.
I agree it's strange that there's no cure for it, while so many children have this kind of diseases...
*2 I love to share decorations on my blog!, but it is not the main reason why i decorate my house.
I want to have fun by doing some decoration and it will not be 'perfect' all the time.
This year i will only buy three little Christmas trees, one for each Girl, they can decorate their hearts out...as long as we have fun, i like it.
*3 i love the word 'vintage', but not if it's used for trash or stuff that isn't vintage...
*4 a little lunchbox for each kid with deliciuos (healthy) snacks in a cute bag, little books to read, fresh babywipes, a bit of music...
*5 i will try! (i'm doing very well right now, i think ;-)....)
*6 í feel terrible to admit, but i feel like this too sometimes.
Being a 'at home mum' is a beautiful thing, but terrible heavy sometimes.
Running around between school and back home 4 times a day, to the supermarket and back...in the rain..feeling blèèèh!
*7 my stress is gone. we have celebrated 'Sinterklaas' with presents and all...and that Good Man has left the country! yay!
*8 oh my, it's to late for this advice.
With my overdue-kids (+9 days,+10 days,+11 days)
all that questions drove me crazy!
*9 enjoy! ;-)
*10 and...how did it taste ?
hug.
As a homeschooling mother of 6 I can COMPLETELY relate to your feelings of struggling to enjoy the kiddos..I find that outside distractions are at the root...BUT I AM SO SELFISH i struggle to give up those distractions, it takes time and prayer.
ReplyDeleteHave a good trip...SING LOTS OF CAROLS as you go!
We have done many road trips from Welly to the Naki, Auck, Tauranga and everywhere inbetween. Scheduled pit stops so everyone can stretch, lots of snacks/drinks, books/games and singing have seen us reach our destination fairly unscathed.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to parent more intentionally of late and am loving this new groove I have found :)
Happy travels Dee & Co.
x
1. I don't think I'd heard of croup until I started reading here... It sounds horrible! My child-health-panic-button is all to easy to push, so I'm very not envious of you...
ReplyDelete2. This makes me laugh, because I do that too sometimes! Especially with projects! However, I haven't even decorated the house this year (no point), and haven't had the energy to put much into my blog lately... Maybe a good thing? Would love to see your decos though!
3. Yeah, it's definitely well overused.
4. Nope, sorry! This has never been something that my family excelled at - in fact "If you don't stop, you can get out of the car and walk" was pretty much the tagline of our family trips away...
5. N/A x
6. Yeah, must be normal. I find that being at home makes it all too tempting to do 'me' stuff... Forgetting that there's an actual reason I'm at home in the first place! Hard to find the perfect balance sometimes...
7. Hmm, I've done barely any shopping or making... Hoping it all magically comes together at the end...
8. Great idea!! There is some confusion over my EDD anyway, so actually there's no telling when this baby may come...
9. Yay!!
x
Oh I hear you about the croup. Our Julia had it from 1 until 6 and we dreaded every winter when she would inevitably come down with croup in the middle of the night. Lot's of steam and late night hospital visits later she did eventually grow out of it, but making us grey in the process! I too kind of cringe to use the word vintage now. It's so over-used and sometimes used to describe new which I think isn't right. Have a lovely trip with your family and bump xo
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower as well! I love your crafts and you adorable family :)
ReplyDeleteI've only thrown christmas lights on my curtain rod and put my itty bitty tree up with a gold garland from the dollar store. You have me beat!
I never knew what croup was...and I think I have it right now! No bueno.
These lists on design sponge/life scoop are helpful! http://www.designsponge.com/2011/12/2011-gift-guide-for-diy-lovers.html
I really miss getting time like that with my family. We are all grown up and busy with our jobs etc. Seeing your pictures prompts me to talk to them more!
Thank you for updating regularly! I wish I could do the same :)
Alicia
You look so gorgeous! Your hair is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, would love some of those hair growing hormones! You make a gorgeous preggy picture.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter had croup for the 1st time at 3 years, and passed the same virus (but manifested differently) to our 3 month old son, who ended up in hospital. Now every year since they both have a bout. Its a gut wrenching sound in the middle of the night.
I've been feeling really preoccupied lately with working 4 days a week and trying to sew and do markets in the weekends. Been missing family time so made the decision to give up work so could also give up the guilt and be more focussed on fewer things.
Xmas shopping - must start that too!
Hmmm, yummy, thinking of all that lovely Hawkes Bay fruit from roadside stalls!
Right time to stop reading blogs and get to bed so I can get up and get more organised!
Have a great holiday.
Hi Dee. I've been following your blog for a while now (maybe 6ish months?). I live in Hawkes Bay *waves madly as you drive drive past*. Hope you have a good time here. The weather isn't stunning right now sorry. We have twice made a 16 hour trip with 3 kids (that includes the ferry ride between islands - and once done with our 6 DAY old baby). We like stopping and getting out just to look at something. Whether it's a town clock or roadside lookout, it gives us all a little fresh air and a stretch. All the best. Jo
ReplyDeleteUgh, croup. We spent Thursday night in the ER. We had the same conversation on the way home about the stupid illness. I can relate To so many things you just said.
ReplyDeleteI am relatively new here and thought I would introduce myself ;)
Fpr croup, as soon as you recognize the signs, start giving him/her pineapple juice. Evidently there is an enzyme in it that is the key. Once I started doing this with my daughter, the symptoms would soon go away - and hey, it's natural!
ReplyDelete