Lynwood Life

(i started this a week ago.. time flies when you're got a newborn at home!)

Can't believe our little one is four weeks old already! The days all blend into one.. :-) Bruce has had two weeks back at work and I had a couple of adventures last week (this week I've just been at home).

Last Monday I had an appointment at the hospital.  Because Bruce was back at work,  we took public transport - which meant two buses and a ten minute walk! And that was just too get there! Millicent was pretty good about it... she slept for most of the bus trips but didn't like waiting between times (especially as it got closer to her dinner time). 

Because we were out and about for most of the day, I had to get over my fear of breastfeeding in public - Bub's gotta eat! I gave her a quick feed in the waiting room at the hospital and then fed and changed her in the hospital gardens after my appointment (ooh, Al fresco!) We caught another bus to the uni where I fed her again (yes, she's a hungry little thing) and she slept most of the day after that.

I caught up with a couple of people at uni (most were away on holiday) and then went into town for lunch.. mm crepes. Unfortunately, my plan to head home at 3pm was scuppered by the fact that there were already two buggies on the bus (there's only enough space for two on each bus). So I had to wait for the next one.. and that wasn't for another half an hour! I didn't take the news very well - you don't tell an exhausted new mother that she can't go home and has to wait... in the rain! Needless to say, I was first on the next bus! Ah, adventures.

Last Friday Cardiff Chemistry had their staff BBQ, so I caught the bus in again (only one bus this time) and took Millicent to meet people. Of course, she was sleeping most of the time.. And eating if she wasn't sleeping! Terrie had a cwtch (a Welsh cuddle) and some of my work mates ooohed and aahhhed over her (the guys more than the girls!). Feeding her in front of my colleagues was a bit weird.. none of them thought so, but I'm definitely not used to getting my boobs out in public yet (and you have to, even with the best nursing tops). Bruce came in to town after work, so I didn't have the hassle of a bus home (and we had take away for tea because it was later than we expected). 

Unfortunately, they're the only stories I've got for this fortnight. Looking after a newborn takes more time and effort than you might expect (and yes, I know that most of you already know this)! I think she's getting a bit better at settling for sleep at night (hope I haven't jinxed things) and she seems to have more alert phases during the day. It's incredible think that she's four weeks old now.. it seems like the time has flown and dragged at the same time!

Here's the link to Millicent's photo album (photos of her, not ones she's taken): https://goo.gl/photos/DE2bwWQa15HXLU2M8

We'll add more to this as time goes on. Let us know if you want the original files (the ones on Google are smaller). 

What have you all been up to?

Lily's paediatrician appointment

We met Lily's paediatrician on Tuesday, Dr Tennakoon. He seems like a nice dude.

Long story short the EEG didn't show anything concerning. We're going to get another one done - a sleep deprived one, to closer mimic the conditions of the first seizure - which Lil thinks it's awesome because she gets to stay up until 10pm watching movies on the iPad (with headphones, so Ossie doesn't get woken up). When I wake her the next morning at 5am we'll see how much she likes it ;)

Apart from that she needs another "99.9% it's nothing, but I just want to make sure" test relating to her birthmarks, but he's said it's entirely likely we wont need to see him again.

The sort of doctor you want is the doctor you don't need to see ;)

Assuming all tests come up normal I reckon we'll just keep doing what we're doing - trying to make sure she doesn't get really exhausted over a few days, don't let her climb high up in trees, and make her wear a stackhat on the bike.  A few friends I've spoken to with medical backgrounds have said it's sometimes just a thing that happens once and never again, so hopefully that's it.

Millicent Valenna

I know I've introduced her on hangouts, but let me "formally" introduce the newest member of our family, Millicent Valenna Rogers. She was born at 00:56 on Friday 22nd July 2016, weighing 3.53kg (7lb 12).

She's named after our grandmothers:

- Millicent was B's paternal grandmother (who died when B's dad, John, was only 10 years old). 

- Valenna is a name that B invented, combining Valda (Nana Staley) and Lena (Nana Hicks) (my maternal grandmother and great grandmother - but you probably know that).

As you know, we didn't know whether we were having a little girl or a little boy (most of you guessed correctly). We couldn't quite agree on a boy's name (we'd got it down to three options), but we had Millicent's name all picked out from very early on. Lucky, hey?!

No one guessed the right date for Bub's arrival - but Daria was the closest with a guess of 21st July. Daria, is there any British chocolate or lolly that you'd like?

More than a week down the track and I think I'm finally getting the hang of breastfeeding, although I know there's a long way to go (especially if I want to go out! I couldn't feed in public yet!). 

Lissa still doesn't sleep unless she's being held, but we're going to try to do something about that this week (before B's paternity leave is up!). Thanks Damien & Cheryl for the loan of the hugabub wrap - I wouldn't have had any sleep without it! 

And I think that both Bruce and I are getting better at the little things - changing nappies (which she hates), dressing and undressing her (which she can't stand), and trying to comfort her after doing the previous things many times per day. We haven't given her a bath yet (she had one in the hospital and they said once a week was plenty). Maybe we'll try that tomorrow.

I'll add some photos to this post tomorrow - they're on the tablet (and the camera) and that isn't within easy reaching right now.

*hugz* to all, and Happy Birthday to all of you who celebrate at this time of year. ;-P

Busy, Busy with Parties

Things have been very busy here with me helping out mum while she finished her Diploma and working lots, I've been doing the school run when needed and even slowly working out school lunches (mainly just Daria's because Trin now packs her own).

Two weeks ago we had Daria's party which went really well, was really nice weather so everyone played outside. I did heaps of cooking and made her Birthday cake, and this weekend is Trin's party, so lots more baking. She's having an anime themed costume party with anime-inspired food, and the Cat Bus from My Neighbough Totoro as the cake but I'm not telling her that it's a pinata cake with lolly stars in the middle. I will post pics of it when its made, that's today's job around Dr's appointments and getting the girls from school. 

Jarrad still hasn't got an answer on what could be wrong with him, this new Dr he's seeing has been the best and most helpful so far and has tested for everything and referred him to St Vincents in Melbourne to see a specialist there (can't remember what type though) because all the tests are normal. His mum's house in Bendigo also sold so we're looking for a car, we've been borrowing cars from mum, mostly the laser but I can't drive it so it means I walk more in the mornings (Pokemon Go is amazing for that) 

We've now been in our place for 6 months and everything's working properly now, our agent went on maternity leave 3 months ago and the person filling in for her got everything sorted!! Our normal agent is back (as far as I know) and things are back to not happening but nothing major needs work and no inspections. 

I think that's all from us, I'll let mum update with what's happing there :)

Stomach bugs and headbutts

We’re all recovering from a stomach bug this week.

You may have already seen the photo: Jules bumped his head on Saturday, playing with a plastic crate we’d bought to allow us to put some of his older toys into storage ahead of his birthday. It wasn’t too bad, although it came up in a nasty bruise very quickly, and it was on top of two other head-bumps he’d given himself at preschool in the preceding week.

He was fine after a good cry, albeit a little more wary of the crate. The next morning, however, he was throwing up — a sign of potential concussion and head injury — so after a call to a nurses’ helpline we bundled him off to Sydney Children’s Hospital for a check-up.

A few hours later he got the all clear. One lymph node was up, apparently, but doctor suggested it was likely he had a bug of some kind. We kept him home from preschool on Monday to keep an eye on him.

He was back at school on Tuesday, but by then Danielle was feeling the first effects of the (now confirmed) stomach bug — we came home instead of heading to work. It hit me a few hours later, although not as badly — I’m not throwing up, just extremely queasy — and today we’re both just exhausted from the disturbed sleep and fever.

Cardiff capers

First things first, Bruce's visit with the prince. Ok, he didn't actually meet him but you can see that he got pretty close!

Apparently the day was a little bit frustrating - firstly, it was too windy for the helicopter to land so that delayed proceedings; secondly, the Gala Concert was an opera singer and B didn't enjoy it (especially as they kept stopping after each song because they expected Prince Charles to arrive... And then he didn't.. until it was almost over); thirdly, B had a school workshop to run that afternoon but since everything was delayed, they wouldn't let them onto campus until after Prince Charles had left, which meant a much later workshop and longer workday for B.

B's continued to be busy at work with Summer Schools, workshops, and random events. Whereas after a busy final week for me, I've been at home with my feet up (and occasionally answering emails to finish handover, which I'm happy to say I've done now).

The latest bumpdate is here:

We've had an interesting weekend - Saturday and Sunday nights I had itchy hands and feet, which is one of the things they say to watch out for. After speaking to someone on the phone Sunday morning, they suggested coming in for a blood test. Rather than going home, we headed in to town for lunch, shopping and to wait for results. As with many things on a Sunday, it took longer than expected and we were at home again by the time they phoned to tell me to come back in. We ended up being in the hospital from 5:30pm till 2:45am and most of that was waiting! Turns out a few of my results are off - none of them a huge worry by itself but in combination they point to a pregnancy liver issue and increased risk to bub. So, they're going to induce me.. we just have to wait for a bed. We've been back to the hospital Monday and today (to check on bub) and they'll phone tomorrow to let us know if there's a bed.

Bub is absolutely fine - good heartbeat, lots of movements and apparently "a good size" baby (which I think means on the larger side).

So, it's not how we hoped it would happen but chances are bub will miss out on being a Leo by a few days! And I'm secretly hoping that I don't end up sharing a birthday. :-)

Your turn for news! Give me something to read during the "waiting time"! 

Gordon St Gossip

So first things first - no more seizures from Lil so far. She had her EEG a little while back, and we're booked in to see the paediatrician in early August - until then there's not much we can do. We take turns sleeping on the floor of the kids' room to keep an eye on her, and we're making sure she doesn't have a few really energetic days in a row, but that's just guesswork. Still, no news is good news.

Cheryl's brother and his family are back from Malaysia for 6 months, and her sister is over from Queensland for a week during uni break, which meant Cheryl managed to work out the one afternoon where everybody was available and organised Joel to take photos. We were very lucky with the weather - there was an hour between showers, there was no strong breeze and it was nicely overcast, which all made for wonderful winter photos.

If there's a day where Dayna, Bruce, babby, Glenn, Dee and Jules will all be in Bendigo it'd be worth considering getting a shoot done. Joel's great - very patient, and not too expensive. Plus he gives you digital copies of the photos, rather than charging huge sums to get printed versions.

Here's a few favourites (he sent through 99 photos in total)

Cardiff Capers

Another busy week has flown by. I have one more week before my maternity leave starts.. not that I'm counting (5 work days!). ;-)

We've just finished our third and final antenatal class. It was a good one - lots of practical and useful tips for after the little one arrives. It's all becoming a bit more real now.. Here's the latest bumpdate, taken today:

Definitely feeling huge and with four weeks to the estimated due date I've got all the little niggles to deal with.. including feet like this:

Not the most pleasant pregnancy side-effect but at least it doesn't hurt. Photo was taken Friday night and Saturday morning (after sleeping with my feet on pillows) - I don't even think that Friday was a particularly strenuous day! 

Yesterday I washed more baby clothes. We've been doing some with each light wash (the only light stuff we have are B's shirts, so it's helped to make a full load).

Work-wise, this last week has been very busy for both of us. I headed to Aberystwyth with a team on Monday, Tuesday we ran workshops for 40 students and 8 teachers before driving back to Cardiff in the evening, Del flew down from Bangor on Wednesday morning so we could go over some handover (my maternity cover starts the Monday after I finish) and we headed to Swansea to run an evening training session, Thursday morning I was at an event in Treforest (only half an hour away), and I started sorting out my office on Friday. *phew*

Bruce was just as busy, running workshops in a Cardiff school on Monday, had a probation meeting on Tuesday, Wednesday had a sleepover group to entertain on the flight simulator, Thursday he had two science shows and workshops (and really disorganised staff/helpers), and a group of older students visited for a tour and workshop on Friday! *phew again*

Tomorrow, Prince Charles is visiting B's work, so there's all kinds of crazy security that he'll have to negotiate. But he has been invited to a gala, orchestra, choir thing (and will need to wear a suit and tie). Fancy!

More next week.

Your turn!

Glamping in Glastonbury, a weekend in Wednesbury, and Chemistry with the Cubs

Hi all,

The last three weeks have simply disappeared! So here's all three bumpdates at once.

Glamping in Glastonbury

In Mid-May B & I decided to try to fit in a babymoon - a short holiday before bub arrives and changes everything. We started looking, with a few caveats - it could only be a weekend (B doesn't have much leave left for the year and we want to save that for after the little tyke arrives), somewhere close-ish (long car trips weren't that comfy for me), and obviously, not too expensive. And as the title suggests, we ended up glamping in Glastonbury.

We stayed in an ePod on the edge of a field - a little wooden building with a fridge, toaster and kettle. There was a Weber BBQ outside for cooking, and a private bathroom & toilet a short walk away. It was really relaxing to have a couple of nights semi-camping - food cooked on the fire, surrounded by greenery, listening to relaxing birdsong.. with the luxury of a real bed, blackout blinds, and access to a heated swimming pool! Divine! 

Saturday was our day for exploring (we arrived Friday and had to drive back Sunday). We started with a hike across fields to the Glastonbury Tor - apparently one of the most spiritual sites in the England. What a good place for a bumpdate:

From there we walked into town, past the Chalice Well (another spiritual site, but too expensive to look through a garden). Glastonbury is a strange town.. loads of hippy-type shops but with prices that seem above average. Bruce called them rippies (rip-off hippy shops, or shops for rich hippies). :-) After a tasty and random lunch (cream tea, chips & cheese ploughman's - all shared) we walked back out to the camp and had a swim. *phew* we certainly earnt our smores that night! For those who don't know, smores is a North American treat, we made ours by making a sandwich with chocolate digestives and marshmallows and heating it on the BBQ. :-)

All in all, it was a lovely relaxing weekend!
Some more photos here

Weekend in Wednesbury

Last weekend was British Father's Day, so Friday night we headed up to Wednesbury. We went shopping in Willenhall on Saturday, and visited Grandad on Sunday before going for a short walk around the Swan Pool.

And here is last week's bumpdate..

Chemistry with the Cubs

We've had a busy weekend this weekend! Yesterday Bruce had to keep 21 Cubs and 5 leaders occupied from 1pm-4pm. He hadn't been able to find any helpers, so I went along.

We ran three different activities - solar windmills, hydrogels (disposable nappies), and red cabbage chemistry. The first activity was engineering, the next two were chemistry (although hydrogels are a smart material and so they also fit under the materials engineering banner).

It was a super-busy day - we spent the morning collecting everything for the workshop and then the afternoon running everything (and cleaning up). As a treat, we stopped at Wagamama for dinner on the way home (mm, ramen). We ended up being out of the house for more than 12 hours, and my ankles certainly showed it (where did they go?!).

On the up side, we had some lovely weather at Swansea Bay Campus, so this week's bumpdate is from there:

Today we had our first antenatal class, it ran from 10am until 4pm. We were asked to bring along sharing food for lunch.. but apparently it isn't something that the British do. We took a tasty salad (mango, strawberries, bacon, chicken pieces, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms and a yellow pepper - using veggie "meat" of course).. and we'll probably be eating it for the rest of the week! Other contributions included crisps; crackers and hommous; shop bought flapjacks and slices; grapes and watermelon; and cold pizza. O well.

We now have some idea what to expect next month (! Time flies!!).  We've got the second (and final) class next week. It's quite an intensive course but we couldn't fit in any of the "slower" classes (that run a couple of hours each week for 5 weeks) because either B or I were away for one of the sessions! We're lucky to have found any course that we could get to!

I've got two busy weeks before I start my maternity leave - I'm off to Aberystwyth tomorrow, back Tuesday.. then with training sessions in Swansea, ChemNet events in Treforrest and an open day, I'm already looking forward to sleeping all day Saturday! Bruce also has a busy June.. but he's promised me that he has no events booked in from mid-July - in case bump decides to arrive early. :-)

Everything is going fine with bump.. lots of moving and kicking (often when I want to sleep). We still don't feel ready, but we did get a pile of baby clothes from one of my friends (she got them in the grand tradition of hand-me-downs). Once I'm on leave I'll wash everything and get the Moses basket set up and all of that kind of thing. It's really weird to think that the due date is only four weeks away!

Apologies for another mammoth post. I'll keep the next update shorter. :-)

Gordon St Gossip

A week and a bit ago I managed to come off my bike. I was riding on the road and tried to ride up onto the footpath only to discover the gap between the two which I thought was manageable was actually quite wide. The bike went into the gap, and I continued with great force into the footpath.  I was a bit battered and bruised, and indeed my left shoulder is still recovering (I'll be sleeping on my right side for a while yet I suspect)

It's messed me about, but I've continued with my passion project - building a complete set of 16th century Japanese armour. I started it as a way to improve my non-existent handyman skills, although about 800 holes later I'm possibly only improving my skills with a drill. To buy a set of armour costs around $1000 though, so slow though my progress is at least, using the scrap metal I found around the shed, it's pretty cheap.

Apart from that I've been working. One animation job has turned into 4, but hopefully once they're finished I can have a bit of a break. I did find the first one I completed up on YouTube, so if you feel the need you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SNAxpQR1fc

Cheryl has finally caught the cold that's worked it's way through the household. It doesn't mean she gets a break from ferrying the kids from place to place, it just means she feels a bit more miserable while doing so. Hopefully she'll be better soon. Her bro will be arriving back in Bendigo with his family at the end of the month, and possibly Rach as well, so it will be great to catch up with them all again.

Oscar is doing much better at school - I think he's found his group of lunchtime friends, which is good. Right now he's all about the Pokemon card game, and I think they might regularly gather in the library to discuss it. Totally not like I used to do with Magic: The Gathering.

As I mentioned on Facebook chat his swimming skills haven't been advancing like we would hope, but the Swim School have offered him (free!) one-on-one classes to get him past the block. The school is pricey, but they definitely care about their students. He had advanced okay, and then went backwards, so hopefully this will get him back on track.

Lil is doing well with her dancing, swimming and kinder. She's a cheeky little bugger. This morning I gave her a pair of socks, and she said she already had some from the night before. I asked her what she did with the extra pair, and she answered "chucked 'em in the BIN" before running off chortling to herself. With no pants on of course.

That's about it from us for the last couple of weeks.

Cardiff capers

I've had a really relaxed week - long weekend + couple of days leave = one day work week! Score!

Bruce, on the other hand, was back at work on Tuesday and then headed up to the Urdd in north Wales on Wednesday, spent a couple of days taking about engineering, and drove back Friday. Luckily he wasn't by himself - the traffic was horrendous. On the way there, they were hoping to arrive around lunch time and it ended up being closer to 3pm! Coming back was a similar story (he left just after lunch and got back around 8pm). The journey should have taken 4 hours! Poor lad, he was exhausted by the time he got home. 

Here's this week's bumpdate:

This is one of the few maternity tops I bought - I've been making the most of stretchy materials so far :-) and I've been living in the two pair of maternity jeans we bought in Abu Dhabi! Bub is kicking me regularly these days, but usually stops just before Bruce gets to feel. Heheh.. tricky little thing.

We bought more of the small things this week - grow suits & sleep suits, blankets, socks, and a musical Winnie the Pooh (cos everyone needs one of those, right?). Mum, thank you for buying us some reusable cloth wipes and some long-sleeve baby grows (we used the Cashcard - and plan on getting some more things with it too!). There are plenty of things we still need (I think) - but not really sure what... did you guys buy a receiving blanket to bring your little ones home in? 

p.s. if anyone is feeling creative in a sewing way, I'd really like a 'birdie blanket'.. ;-) fleece on one side, flannelette on the other (wasn't it Mum, Lis?) We had those things for AGES! And if anyone wants to make one, Mum can bring it over when she visits. :-) Right?

Love to all.

Elaine

Sad news

After having a wonderful family day on Sunday with Elaine, she passed away in hospital on Monday. She'd had a turn late Sunday evening and was taken to hospital with very low blood pressure. They were unable to fix the problem and she died with all of her family around her. Arnold is lost but the pancreatic cancer was incurable and Elaine said she didn't want to end up a vegetable.
Mum is so pleased we got to see her and that she was looking well. She even gave Mum an orchid as a birthday present and a handmade card. Lovely memories.Many photos taken and some by Clive so I'll post them when I can.

Cardiff Capers

Firstly, a bumpdate (taken just now).

This week I've had the joy of swollen ankles at the end of the day (where did my ankle bones go?! 😱). Bump is getting biggest and heavier - I sound like an bear when I roll over in bed or get up off the couch.. and there's still two months to go!

Work is still busy - I worked the last two weekends. The first was a conference in Fareham (3 hour drive). The conference was at a spa hotel and I made the most of it. :-)  I arrived on the Friday evening, just in time for dinner and drinks (non-alcoholic ones for me). Saturday morning we were all woken abruptly by the fire alarm - imagine a constant loud blaring at about 6:45am! Not a good way to wake up. But since I was up so early, I went for a swim (ooh, weightless bump!) and booked in for a massage. Got to make the most of the venue! ;-) After my massage, I set up and delivered my two workshops and, after packing up, that was my official work done. Although I did go to some of the conference talks because they sounded interesting (and were). Saturday evening was the fancy-dress disco - the theme was The Letter T. Can you guess what I went as? (note: that's non-alcoholic champagne, Mum, and a roll of cardboard as my 'ciggy').

The conference finished on Sunday - I spent the first session getting a pedicure (I struggle to reach my toes now.. and if I look straight down, I can't even see them!), and listened to a couple of talks before driving back to Cardiff. *phew*

Last weekend I headed up to Newcastle for another conference (flew there in an hour, got the train back and it took about 5 hours!). This was the RSC Outreach conference and all I had to do was take part and to help facilitate a table discussion or two. Easy. The conference dinner was in the Centre for Life (a science centre) and we got to play with the exhibits. Good fun! 

Centre for Life, Newcastle

Playing with perspective

Music creator

I also managed to find some time before the conference for a look around Newcastle - the Castle Keep was interesting and had some great views from the top (loads of stairs tho! And I didn't even have my fitbit!).

Views from the top of the Castle Keep

I'm glad that it's finally the weekend and I don't have to work! And it's a long weekend at that. Yay! We might go to the movies sometime but otherwise I'm enjoying not having to do anything! 

Lisa, you and your family haven't guessed bub's birth date etc. Neither have you Damien - have a go (there'll be a prize.. of some sort):   http://bit.ly/mini-family  

Hopefully we'll catch up with you all online soon.

Church St Chatter

Hi to Dayna and Bruce. How are things going? I think about you often but don't catch up on line very much. I hope you are feeling OK Dayna. Probably getting to the feeling enormous stage. Enjoy. Baby is where you know and is happy. No broken nights sleep yet so make the most of the chance to sleep.
Good work Damien and Cheryl for organising Trinity and Daria's birthday gift from the family. I'm sure they will benefit from the lessons. All Oz kids need to know how to swim.
Night without dancing tonight. Unusual for a Friday. Home alone to watch TV and do some felt flower making.
This morning Clive borrowed my mower to do Nana's lawns and drive, The rain and warm weather means plenty of growth. We called at the op shop to drop off some more from the caravan then got fish and chips for lunch  to share with Nana. I'm sure she enjoyed the company.He has taken the mower to do his place now. Nana's is at Denise's for Pete to check out.
Yesterday Denise and I went to three op shops and the Marketplace. She is making the most of being able to drive again after seven weeks. Doing well and the surgeon said it will take three months for the swelling to go down in the leg. Denise and Pete have bought a caravan so looking for melamine dinnerware (light) and curtains to separate the bed from the lounge.
I phoned Arnold earlier in the week. He said Elaine appeared to have recovered from the brain trauma. They were keeping her in hospital for observation while continuing the radiation of the brain to try to stop the tumours.Hope it has continued OK and that no news is good news.
Love to all. Haven't booked the flight to Sydney as yet as the cheap fares had gone. Maybe they'll come back?? Planning July 27th to August 2nd and will book next month regardless,