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PANDA – Million Mums in May

May 8th, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Being a mum | Little Human | Milestones - (6 Comments)

Over the past few years the birthrate in Australia has boomed and as a result there has been a surge in the number of new parents struggling with PND. I found it VERY hard to talk about my PND, and I wasn’t diagnosed until Worm was nearly 11 months old.

I’ve told my story before, but here it is again, I was a girl who had lived a very busy corporate existence, focusing solely on myself, my hubby and my work.

I was developing into a leader of my organisation, and I relished this role. When I found out I was pregnant I was equal parts elated and shit scared. Worm was certainly planned, and the timing was perfect from a career point of view, I had it all mapped out.

The reality was a little different. The day after I started my maternity leave the Farmer was offered a ‘dream role’ 600kms away, so with a 3 week old baby (who had spent most of that time in the NICU) we packed our home, our life and our dogs to relocate.

All of a sudden I was in a new area, with no family support. The Farmers job quickly turned from the ‘dream role’ that we imagined into a nightmare with him working 16 hour days and all of us struggling into our new roles.

Fast forward 10months, I now had a child who was bottle resistant, she still wasn’t sleeping well, the Farmer had lost his job (and I had given up my pre-maternity leave role just 2 weeks before) it all got too much. I remember one specific occasion driving in the car with Worm speaking to my mother on the phone (hands free of course) when I decided I needed help.

Within a matter of 30 minutes though I had convinced myself that I couldn’t admit a problem as ‘THEY’ would take my child away (yes I realise that this is very irrational thoughts, but that’s what PND and any form of depression really does – I’m actually holding back tears writing this)

If I had been aware of PANDA I could have made a simple phone call to their helpline (1300 726 306). The lovely people there would have been able to tell me that there was no way that ‘THEY” would take my daughter away, but they would have also told me the options and supported me to make the decision to seek support earlier.
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The “Million Mums in May” campaign is launching today. We are calling for all Mums to visit www.millionmums.org.au where you will be able to simply and easily send an e-postcard to their local member of government. The e-postcards will allow your local member to see that PANDA needs additional funding, and Australia families need support.   In addition, if you wish, you will be able to make a one time $1 donation to the work of PANDA. PANDA is the only dedicated national helpline that supports women with post and antenatal depression and in the past 2 years calls to the helpline have increased by 70%.

My situation is not an isolated event, many many new mums are struggling. It doesn’t take all the world to crumble down around you to make you feel like it is actually happening. The funding raised via the Million Mums in May will enable PANDA to extend the helpline to a 24/7 service. This is an exciting goal and a huge need for our community with currently 93 out of 100 struggling mums missing out on vital support.

Please have a look at the infographic below, and head over to http://millionmums.org.au to show your support. There are badges, which we encourage you to display on your twitter, instagram and facebook pages. Show your support of struggling mums.

 

p.s I did eventually seek help, when we went to sleep school with Worm I couldn’t hide it any further. The Farmer and I had spoken and we used the opportunity of sleep school to seek help. Yes my world had literally fallen down around me, and no amount of people acknowledging this & supporting me was going to help – I wanted to keep the smiley confident facade that people know me for. It took me a long time to be able to share my story, and it is still very raw (actually if I had realised how raw I might not have written this today) Please ask yourself “Am I ok?” “Is this normal” and also “Should this be normal” and also ask your friends.

I have been on a very low dose of medication for the past 10 months, and have recently weaned myself off them. I’m doing well now, because I talk about my feelings rather than just going for a run or bottling them inside.

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The Easter Discussions

March 18th, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Little Human | Milestones - (4 Comments)

Easter is nearly here!! The hot cross buns have been on our supermarket shelves since just after Christmas, but I have resisted the urge to purchase them.

As the chocolate bunnies & eggs start to hound me to purchase them I was forced to have “The Discussion” with The Farmer. This time “The Discussion” was about what we were going to allow Worm to have for an Easter treat.

I have relented somewhat and she had her first piece of chocolate at Christmas this year, and subsequently she has had it a few more times, infrequently though, as she honestly changes her behaviour almost instantly after having some. My usual toddler who refuses solid food 90% of the time suddenly becomes like a crocodile attacking raw meat, or some other animal like analogy, however I describe it – it’s not a pretty sight.

She goes from quiet and happy to frantic and anxious within about 20 minutes of eating the chocolaty goodness. This sudden behaviour change has reinforced my belief that chocolate should only ever be given as a ‘sometimes food’ or ‘occasional treat’. And don’t get me started on the chocolaty fingers & sticky marks that get left around the house!

The Farmer is a choco-holic from WAY back…. He loves sweets, and I believe that chocolate ‘talks to him’ if he knows there is chocolate in the house, it’s life time is limited, I have had to resort to hiding chocolate at times if I’ve brought it for a special occasion (although in fairness he has gotten LOAD’s better over the past 10 years, and I can now have a box of chocolates in the cupboard ‘just in case’ without fear that it will be demolished)

With these 2 very different attitudes and approaches to chocolate I am worried about the upcoming Easter celebrations – hence the need for “The Discussion”

I thought I would bring up the issue prepared- rather than saying NO CHOCOLATE for Worm, I would offer suggestions for other suitable gifts. If you follow HABA toys on Facebook you will have seen their new stock being added over the past month. HABA toys are seriously beautiful, robust and great for active inquisitive children (sound familiar?)

They are made in Germany and brought into Australia by Rose and Lily. All the products are made with Non-Toxic varnishes and paints, and wood from sustainable sources, so not only are the products beautiful but they are good for the environment and good for the child too – see, my argument for not giving Worm chocolate is growing!

 I’ve spent some time drooling over the HABA toys product catalogue, and thought I would share a couple of things that have caught my eye, as perfect for Easter gifts.

HABA Easter

Pinching Carrots – The rabbit is running wild around the garden! The children plant and water their carrots, and with a bit of luck and some tactics, players can harvest their veggies before Mr Longear pinches them! A cooperative dice game, with an option for a single player (this is too old for Worm, but would be fun for an older child.

Dancing Egg Game - This game will help your child develop motor skills without even knowing it! Catch the Dancing Egg, then run around the table, with the egg in your armpit, under your chin, or between your knees. Don’t drop the egg, or the game is over!  And beware of egg thieves… An active, boisterous game for ages 5+ (check out this video -this game looks like so much fun!).

For Worm I have chosen 2 gifts -

The Scampering Rabbit - This little bunny will quiver & race- perfect for entertaining a crawling child or toddler.

HABA Rabbit
Stacking Blocks – These blocks are divine! The can be used for imaginative  play they can be stacked up using the provided stand, or used  for normal block stacking. They are compatible with all the other HABA block products, meaning that you can add to the collection each year should you wish- I’m hoping to purchase another set for Em’s birthday too!

Haba Blocks

 

All the HABA products are so beautifully made, you can get fruit & vegetables, perfect for a child’s kitchen (I also wanted these, but I think I’ll buy them for Worm’s birthday!)

You can check out the HABA products via their Facebook page, or their website. For a list of your local retailers click here.

How do you think I’ll go convincing the Farmer that we shouldn’t purchase chocolate for Worm?

What do you think about chocolate for Easter? Is there an ‘age’ restriction? Please let me know via twitter, Facebook or the comments section below.

I was not paid for this post, I simply love the look of the  HABA toys.

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12 months on – 30 by 30 update

October 19th, 2012 | Posted by Sara in 30 by 30 | Being a mum | Life | Milestones - (Comments Off)

12 months ago to the day I started blogging. It was the day of my 29th birthday and I was feeling rather blue and unrecognised. My baby girl was 12 weeks old, and my husband was working 12-15 hour days, to say I was struggling is an understatement.

I devised this list of 30 things to do before I turned 30 in an attempt to give myself something to focus on, some goals & guidelines for the year ahead. Now on the day of my 30th birthday I feel the need to update the list again.

  1. Buy a house (one for us to live in this time!) – This one didnt happen – although we did move 2,500 km to Central Queensland so that sort of counts in my book!
  2. Get pregnant again - Family plans have been put on hold for now – refer to point 3
  3. Return to paid work – I started part time work when Em turned 8 months old & when The Farmers job fell through we moved to CQ & I started working full time, I am loving & hating each moment of my day. I really miss watching Worm grow, develop & play each day, but I think I am a better parent as I now appreciate the time I have with her even more
  4. Run a half marathon (eek!) DONE!
  5. Run 5kms regularly - Done – 5km is now my regular running distance & I cover it about 2-3 times per week
  6. Read 10 books just for ME (no baby books to be counted!) I have lost count, however I can list the 50 shades of gray trilogy, Run Mumma Run, Jane Austins Persuasion & many many running magazines, blogs and work literature. I’m counting this one as a success!
  7. Blog regularly I’ve had a few quiet months, but my publishing calendar shows I’ve blogged each month since I started.
  8. Have a holiday with the family- we have a had a few weekends away visiting friends – a good cost effective holiday in my book
  9. Take photos everyday (365 day project) My iPhone has become my camera, I have printed a few photos out, and shared MANY on the blog, twitter, Facebook & instagram. I’ve stopped numbering my photos with each day, I’m sure I’ve missed a few days, but I’ve made up for them with numerous photos taken on others.
  10. Share those photos with others See above
  11. Keep Emily’s baby journal & 365day book updated – can’t just rely on memories FAILURE! I still haven’t recorded anything in her book. I have been hopeless with this one. I think I have many dates & milestones recorded in my phone but no pretty book. I am working on a photo book of her first year, so I’ll try to put the milestone dates in that.
  12. Do something special for our 2nd wedding anniversary. We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary in the best way possible – we shared the day by celebrating the marriage of Stuart & Katie in the Glasshouse Mountains Queensland. Such brilliant weekend.
  13. Help someone out without being asked - I can’t list when I specifically did this, however I have made a conscious effort to pick up dropped items, help a lady at the supermarket get high items, and have offered to help cook for birthdays. I’m ticking this one off. 
  14. Join the gym –  I have been to a few gym classes, but my focus on the gym has changed, I much prefer to run, stretch & do body weight exercises at home now. So I guess this is a failure, but I’m not worried about it.
  15. Enrol Em in swimming lessons - Absolute success. Worm LOVES swimming and both the Farmer & I love taking her into the pool each week. 
  16. Try 30 new wines! Tick – living in the Clare Valley in South Australia for much of the year helped with this one
  17. Get my skin looked at for melanoma – Tick – I crossed this one off last week, I’m all clean thankfully. The few spots I was concerned about are nothing.
  18. Sew a dress for Emily - I am so proud of this one – my Mum & I have sewed 2 dresses for Worm. 1 rainbow party dress for her 1st birthday and a beautiful classic white dress for her baptism. I have fabric & patterns for a couple more dresses, but need to get the motivation to do it myself without mum holding my hand. 
  19. Swim at the beach - Tick – Worm LOVED her first beach experience & the weather was beautiful, water warm & the sun shining.
  20. Enter 30 blog competitions - I haven’t counted but I’m pretty sure I can cross this one off! I’ve been very lucky & won a few too!
  21. Make tomato sauce from our veggie garden produce - Tick – The Farmer & I made a huge double batch over 3 litres of sauce, we also pureed & dried out loads of tomatoes too. It was such a successful harvest this year.
  22. Do 30 pushups on my toes without stopping - FAILURE – This one is getting carried over to next year though
  23. Attend a Maggie Beer cooking class – Tick! I have a great photo of Worm crawling around Maggie Beers kitchen
  24. Have 30 Tech-free days over the year (so this is 2-3per month) FAILURE – I have had few tech reduced days but no full free days, I’m ok with that though. The interwebs have been a very valuable connection to the outside world for me, on the days or nights I’m struggling the most there has alway been someone online to make me feel a little less alone.
  25. Get Emily baptised - This one has missed out by 7 days. Worm will be baptised in the beautiful cathedral here on the 28th of October, we have some beautiful friends travelling from all over the country to be her god parents and I am sure the day will be beautiful.
  26. Get tested for food allergens/insensitivities – I did consult a doctor about this, but he seemed to think it unnecessary. 
  27. Plant fruit trees at the new house - as we have been renting this has been impossible, however my little lime tree growing in its pot is loving the warmer weather here in Queensland
  28. Establish a veggie garden at the new house - 2 rental properties later & 2 veggie gardens later, this current one is tiny, just a couple of pots but the concept is the same. Fresh home grown produce for the family, you can see it here.
  29. Put fresh flowers in my kitchen at least once each month - FAILURE – I have had a few lovely bunches, but now I’m working full time there doesn’t seem much point
  30. Learn more about breastfeeding & study to become a lactation consultant – unfortunately this one I’m most disappointed about. I have enrolled to study to become a ABA counsellor, however the training is not at all what I expected and my initial enthusiasm has declined. I really want to help mothers establish breastfeeding. I know how hard it can be getting all mixed messages from everyone, so I hope that I have been able to help a few people along the way. Hopefully I can get some help to complete the training soon and get my enthusiasm back so I can help more mothers.
So that’s it, my list. Reviewing the list tonight, writing about each one I am pleasantly surprised & proud at the number of goals that I can cross off. Of course I have a few to carry over for next year, and I haven’t even thought about putting together a 31 by 31 list yet, I’m not sure if I will.
Do you set yourself bucket lists? What do you do to celebrate crossing them off?  Let me know via twitter, Facebook or the comments section.

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Tis The Life

October 1st, 2012 | Posted by Sara in Home | Life | Milestones - (2 Comments)

Today marks the 1st of October 2012. My blog has been going for nearly 1 year now.
I’ve shared most of my triumphs & troubles through out my first year of parenthood with the interwebs.

I’ve also kept some things private, as I’m sure you’ll all understand. The past 12 months haven’t been easy but I’ve grown, survived & development into a capable mother. I still muddle through each day, but I’d like to believe I do this with a little more poise than in the beginning.

I decided a week ago that the direction I wanted to take this blog has started to change somewhat. A blog revamp was in order.

I will continue to blog about Worms growth & development, her adventures, her challenges & of course her general cuteness.

I will continue to share some of my story as a first time mother with you, however I believe that with 14 months experience now these stories are probably getting a little boring.

What I would love to do is start to share more about my passions.

I love running, eating well & staying healthy. I have battled my weight demons & I’ve blogged about some of them too.
I’m proud to say that finally after many years I’m happy with what number I see on the scale.
I’m putting more focus now on eating well.
Teaching my child the importance of clean eating, sometimes foods & water.

I want to share tips, hints & my techniques for balancing work, family & me time.

Welcome to the new ‘TisTheLife.com’

What do you think of the new blog design? Are there any suggestions or hints you would like to share? Please let me know via twitter, Facebook or the comments below.

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Cake Smash

September 25th, 2012 | Posted by Sara in Being a mum | Life | Little Human | Milestones | Wordless Wednesday - (21 Comments)

When Emily turned 1 all I really wanted was a lovely party & a cake smash photo session. I had imagined cute photos of Emily enjoying her first taste of real sugar. I knew it would be messy & I was so looking forward to it.

I had decided that we would only get once chance at getting the photos so I didn’t want to risk taking them myself, so I asked a local photographer Laura from Moments Everlasting to help out.

As the experts say though – never work with animals or small children!

On the day of the photoshoot (the week after Emily’s birthday party) the star of the show was certainly feeling un-star-like. She was miserable. She hated the feel of the sticky icing ;on her hands, and was horrified when I helped her pull the cake apart.

The only thing that generated a smile was some bubbles that thankfully Laura had handy!

The result a selection of cute, but somewhat upsetting photos.

This looks lovely…

Standing is a new trick…

Bubbles!

Oh NO!

My favourite photo – one of the only genuine smiles we got all morning!

Oh my lovely cake, what is my mother doing….

The finished collage

I’ve linked up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.