My hero

That's my mum standing on grandad's hand and I wish I could hold her up like that because she deserves to be on a pedestal. Mum knows pretty much everything about anything that's important - like family, faith and loving others. She taught me to be a strong woman who can do anything if I work hard enough. She taught me how to work quickly and then take time to enjoy life. She taught me to be thrifty and not to keep up with the Jones. She taught me to go the extra mile, invite the stranger to dinner, to think of others before yourself. She taught me to cook tuna mornay and clean behind the toilet. She taught me integrity and love, and to value people above things. I ring her when I'm feeling down and when I'm excited, when my children are sick and when they do something hilarious, when my calling is hard and when I've learned something new. My mum is kind and generous and everyone loves her. She takes genuine interest in others and makes them feel important. She has a rosy smile and her hugs are the real deal. I feel incredibly lucky to have her as my mother. I love you mum. xxx

Mastitis

...is the enemy. Its the kind of thing that comes out of nowhere and hits you like a bus. Sunday night I went to bed early feeling a little tired and slightly emotional, but nothing out of the ordinary. Monday morning I lay in bed shivering next to Dane hoping Todd would wake up soon (he was in Sarah's bed) so that he could turn the heater on and bring me pain killers and make it all better. I can't believe a little blockage in your breast can cause your whole body, inside and out, to ache and your head to pound. The receptionist at the doctors office copped a trembling lip and then an avalanche of tears when she told me to come back in a hour to see the doctor. I was so grateful for my Todd's mum, Cyndy, who looked after Dane and Sarah so I could get some rest. I was grateful for Sarah for helping out so willingly with feeding. And I was the most grateful for penicillin for conquering the enemy. It was amazing how much better I felt only 24 hours later. Thanks Mr Florey.

I just have to tell you - I think when you have mastitis your milk tastes abit sour. Anyway, when I put Sarah on to feed towards the end of the day, she didn't drink. I urged her along, 'suck' and then she came off and said "zee uzzer one?", hoping it might be a bit sweeter. My poor baby!

As requested..

a picture of Dane. Mum thinks he looks like one of ours, whereas Sarah was definately Todd's child. I can't tell. To me he's just beautiful. Often he'll just sit on my lap craning his neck so he can look up at me with those adorable eyes. I think he'll have light eyes, but we'll see. He has chubby arms and long toes and fingers. Dane has a tongue tie, but this hasn't stopped him feeding well. It just may mean that he wont be able to stick his tongue out to lick an ice cream. Pick me up!
For mother's day Todd is building me a picket fence so I can sit out on the front porch and watch the world go by as Sarah and Dane play. He's such a good man.

Daddy's little helper with peanut butter lips.