Another Thing More Dangerous Than Lead

My attention was recently drawn to this link through a forum - Top 20 things that are more dangerous to children than lead paint in Mattel toys. I am constantly worrying about everything my VIPs come in contact with and battle a war everyday trying to balance my 'overbearingness' with letting them 'just be kids.' I make decisions everyday that may or may not impact them for the rest of their lives. It's frightening if you really sit down and analyse it.

So, I wanted to add my own to this list.
Mine is probably far more dangerous and life threatening than most of what is mentioned.

Mine contribution is Homemade Nemo recipe chocolate chip cookies.
They are THE best tasting chocolate chip cookies in the world!

I did use free range eggs but they came from a supermarket and weren't organic
Neither was the bucket load of sugar nor the pale, fine flour.
The slab of butter was greasy and yellow and NOT salt reduced.
I even throw in some extra salt just for good measure.
The choc chips are not even dark chocolate!!

I even made some with oreo centres, just to make sure they were jam packed with  dangerous goodness.

Do NOT let your VIPs anywhere near these. They may just poison them like lead paint!

If you'd like my secretly guarded recipe, shoot me any email. Death by chocolate chip cookies sounds like a good way to go!

3 Already

To my little men,
I have never meet two brothers that are so different.
You both amaze me, intrigue me and fill my heart with so much love. I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday but its 3 years later and I can't believe how blessed I've been.

Mans, you are such a caring, thoughtful little boy. You're sensitive to other peoples feeling and take it to heart when people are less than sensitive towards you. All your little sister has to do is stick her bottom lip out and you give her whatever she wants. You are eager to please and have the most dry, cheeky sense of humour that you make me laugh several times a day. And when you make me laugh, that sly smile spreads across your face and that shallow dimple appears on your cheek and you look up at me with a twinkle in your eye, like you have my measure.
You are sociable little boy and just about always take on the role of peace keeper. You are just as comfortable surrounded by yelling, running children as you are chilling on the couch with a book or lining up your matchbox cars in artfully designed patterns.
You are now toilet trained at home and can put together a simple puzzle. Your speech improves everyday and that helps you communicate to me exactly what you want. You love anything with wheels. Your favourite colour is orange. You love to play in the dirt but hate it when you have stuff on your hands. You like to build "castles". You are apparently going to be a "sandwich" when you grow up because "I'm going to eat it."

Linc, your zest for life is invigorating. You really like to take life by the scruff of the neck and do everything you can to achieve what you want. From dawn to dusk your energy never falters and some days I struggle to keep up. But I love it when you come to me, out of the blue, and ask for a hug. You love to play games with other kids and are very enthusiastic about making friends. In fact you are great mates with our doggie.You turn him into a puppy again, chasing a ball and running around like crazy.
You are so smart and really know how to problem solve. You see things differently and seem to be able to click things into place in your mind so things don't hold your attention for very long. You're super independent and often utter the words "I do it" despite the complexities.
You can get yourself dressed and undressed. You know your shapes and colours. You can count to 10. You love to build abstract block towers and puzzles. You love to run and would stay at the park all day if you could. The slide is your favourite. Your favourite colour is blue (but you have a soft spot for yellow too).  You want to "make water" when you grow up "for shaking".

You both love books and your favourite at the moment is Green Eggs and Ham. You are very protective of each other, and your sister. I often find myself having to divide and conquer. I miss the little babies that you were, but I'm enjoying watching you both grow into little people with individual personalities, wants and needs.

Thank-you for bringing me so much joy.
Mummy loves you so much!

Happy birthday!!

For the Love of Christmas

To say I have been looking forward to this Christmas since New Year's is no exaggeration.
New Year's Eve was the day Eva was discharged to home nursing from the Children's.

I am hungering for this Christmas. I think I need it to heal my heart.
Poor Eva spent her first Christmas in intensive care and while she'll never remember it, it's one I'll never forget for all the wrong reasons. There was a ripple effect. The boys spent Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa and while I'm glad they were surrounded by loving family, I didn't realise how much I missed spending Christmas with them until I updated their baby books and for their 2nd Christmas section it asks, "What did they eat for dinner?" I have no idea. I have no idea what they did all day, let alone what they ate.

The Christmas before (2009) I was very pregnant with Eva, having bouts of regular contractions and generally over everything. I forgot to even take photos of the day.

The Christmas before that (2008) was our last without the boys. Baker Bob spent it in Tassie and I spent Christmas day swollen beyond all recognition and navigating a 24hr urine collection. The days prior and after were spent in Pregnancy Day Care, waiting for the time bomb that was my stomach (or precarious blood pressure) to explode and make something happen.

You would have thought that this would have dampened my enthusiasm for Christmas but it hasn't. I have always been an "I love Christmas" kind of girl but the last few have not only changed my view to that of a mother, it has also made me really understand the true essence of Christmas.

Last Christmas I watched some amazing people save my daughters life. I met people who, despite the fact we were strangers and essentially "a job", took such heartfelt care of my daughter that I wish I could remember all their names and thank them individually. And mostly I saw my daughter fight to come back to us from the brink of something I didn't, and don't, want to contemplate. I saw her emerge almost unscathed. I wondered were she got her strength from, and knew that I would not have her strength if she stayed in that dark place.

I witnessed a Christmas miracle and she lives and laughs in front of me everyday.
For that I will be eternally grateful.

A Day of Sadness

I remember the bowl of wax fruit that every child who had been in your house had tasted and subsequently left bite marks in.
I remember your strained smile when we would do something particularly obnoxious and you were trying to be patient.
I remember the colourful buttons on your organ that begged to be pressed but were off limits
I remember playing in your backyard, on the see saw and singing 'Let's Go Fly A Kite!"
I remember your hair as wild and fizzy.
I remember you telling me to 'always colour in the same direction. It's neater that way.'
I remember the smooth, shiny skin stretched over the knuckle of your missing finger, and being completely weirded out by it as a child.
I remember your high energy and sometimes brash attitude.
I remember waiting to see you on TV on Good Friday every year - always with a big cheque for the Children's.
I remember your scratchy voice.
I remember you as a wealth of knowledge.

As you grew ill, my mind would bulk at the idea that the fragile lady before me was the same vivacious lady of my youth.

Today you went to a better place. You have your body back. You are happy and pain free.
But we will miss you here.

Million Paws Walk

I spent my Sunday morning volunteering at our local Million Paws Walk at President Park Wyndham Vale.
Baker Bob took the kids for the morning and I headed down to lend my support.
Over the course of the day I helped put up 3 marques, I made course markers and then walked the 3km course to hammer them in, took some quick snaps and then throw myself into the sausage sizzle.

There seemed like there was a massive turn out. Lots of gorgeous dogs and their owners.
It was a day full of good fun and lots of money raising!

Betsy Chamberlain, who runs our local Lonely Pets Club, organised the day and I think she did a great job.

Hopefully we raised a bucket load of money to help the RSPCA and all the entrants had a fun day out with their beloved pooches.

Friday Fundraiser

Next Friday is Good Friday and (for those that live in Victoria and are not overly religious) that means the Good Friday Appeal. And it's been running for 80 years!

This year, more than any other year, I feel an intense desire to lend my support. Without this hospital (and the fast thinking emergency Dr at the Austin, who also works at RCH) we would not have Eva. I am asking everyone I know, everyone who reads this blog, everyone who has a child, to donate.

My siblings aren't buying easter eggs for the kids, they are donating the money to the appeal. My family, and friends of the family also spend Good Friday tin rattling. Slot that 20c sitting in your car console into that tin, don't ignore them.

If you call the appeal hotline, donate more than $2 and leave your address, you will receive a receipt so the donation is tax deductible. (It's a pledge so if your strapped that weekend but flushed the next donate more.)

There's a Kids Big Day Out at Ethaid Stadium with celebrities, rides and family entertainment and all proceeds go to the appeal.

You can donate online.

Buy a Good Friday Appeal product.

Have a Parma this week.

There are so many ways you can lend your support. There is no excuse. Even my kids are donating.

The Royal Children's Hospital touches so many people's lives and helps so many children. Those children need your help for just one day. Surely you can contribute.