Sunday, November 08, 2009

Am going private in a new blog, let me know if you want an invite to it. Just leave a comment here with your email address or send me an email directly to my xtra or facebook address as I don't use my gmail one very often.

http://karensupsanddowns.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Woohoo!! It is the first day of spring today!!! Roll on Summer is all I have to say! :) Though it is only 4 weeks till daylight savings... Just checked and it is Sunday 27th September so not long to go now till longer lighter days! :)

So what have I been up to for the last 5 weeks or so... hmmmm nothing to exciting really. Just plodding on as usual with work, Rachel, gym (when I get there) and other normal day to day stuff. The weekends are flying by far to quickly for my liking especially when there is so much I would like to do!

I had my trip to Christchurch last week which was fantastic! Caught up with a good friend of mine Paula (now a private blogger) and also met the wonderful, lovely Margaret. Paula, always wonderful great to see you and to catch up on all the goss!! Oh I updated Lynaire on "who know whos wedding info"! LOL Margaret - was great meeting you! And thank you so, so much for the wonderful gollywog that you bought for Rachel! She loves it!



Speaking of Rachel, she is growing up so, so fast! Only 2 months till she is 3! OMG where have the last 3 years gone?? Getting asked lots now about when we are having the next one... and as much as I would LOVE another child, it's just not a doable option for us right now. Maybe in another year or so, we will be able to look at trying, then by the time I had "it", Rachel would be at school but then I would also be 40!! Which I know is not to old these days to be having children but it does scare me a wee bit being that old... but lots of time to talk these things through with Stephan :) Rachel has finally "self weaned" herself off her night bottle... her bedtime bottle (well before bed actually) is the only one she has been having for over a year but didn't really matter to us that much. Then on Sunday evening, she told me she didn't want a bottle anymore cause it hurt her mouth... and that bottles were for babies! So 2 nights without it so far, and all is going well. Her language is amazing and it is wonderful listening to her chat away and having conversations with her. I often get asked "how was your day mummy" when I walk in the door at night... another one I get "I missed you mummy" awwwwwwww
Rachel has had a bad run with the flu over the last month - with temps, runny nose, coughing etc... but hopefully she is almost over it now - still has a bit of runny nose but that's about it.

Unfortunately I now seem to have caught some of Rachel's germs, and have a nasty cough... went to work yesterday and got told I should have stayed at home. So after a rough night of lots of coughing... I decided to stay home today. So have done sweet bugger all, just sleeping, reading, surfing the net and generally just doing nothing but chilling out!

Heat pump is fantastic!!! Got our first proper bill couple of weeks ago - $100 cheaper than the month before!! $220 for 1 month so was quite happy with that bill!

Anyway, should probably make tracks now as I want to be able to have an early dinner with Rachel (rather than her eating early before I get home) and then us eating later... and the mince is still semi frozen so need to get that thawed first!

Catch ya later :)






Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Oh well another 3 weeks has gone by without me doing an update - bloody slack if you ask me! LOL I keep meaning to update at least once a week but never quite get around to it with everything else that happens in my life in the evenings!

Rachel recovered from her flu nicely and luckily (for both of us) that I did not get it - well just a little bit - no where near as bad as she had it anyway! She is also well and truely toilet trained both day and night now! Although on saying that, we did have our first accident over night - first one since wearing no nappies about 10 days ago! I did hear her calling out to me at some stage this morning, but as I had already gotten up to her a few times, I called out for her to go back to sleep so it could be partially my fault there but I certainly don't recall her saying that she needed to go toilet like she usually does if she wakes needing to go during the night. We are having issues with some very early waking and wanting to get up at some ungodly hour but she is usually pretty good at going back to bed for awhile but does not go back to sleep... so is therefore tired early on, has a big day sleep and then the cycle begins again... Have tried putting her to bed earlier, later and limiting her day sleep to 1 hr (she definitely still needs that but maybe that is just because she is so tired from waking early) but nothing has worked so far... may just have to accept that she is going to be a morning person (which I used to be) and as long as she continues to go back to bed until at least 6am then I guess I can work with that. Have got some good photos of her recently but as I am doing this update from work, I can not share them today but they were on Facebook a couple of weeks ago so most of you may have already seen them.

Am still gyming - most weeks we go twice and occasionally we do get there at the weekend too but that is a struggle most weekends as I do value my family time so much and often promise Rachel we will do something and then later remember that I should be at the gym instead! If it wasn't for my gym buddy, Marianne I would definitely be struggling BIG time to get there at all but once she gets me there, I love it!!! LOL Though, on saying that I have had a issue with my right foot which I initially thought was related to the very old sneakers I was wearing but have since got new supportive sneakers and am still having the pain etc. Mentioned it to one of the Personal Trainers last night, and she suggested seeing a Dr or physio so will add that to my list of things to do when we have some spare cash.

Oh we got our heat pump installed a couple of weeks ago, and we are LOVING it! We have it running 24/7 - sitting on the lowest setting of 16 degrees over night and all day when we are at work, and in the evenings, it can sit between 20-23 degrees depending how cold it is etc... Love being able to finish the clothes off under it on the clothes horse rather than in the dryer! We generally use the carport clothes line during the day, then bring it in and leave it under the heat pump over night and its all fine in the mornings. Only once have I put a fully wet (straight from the machine) load straight on the clothes horse and under the heat pump and it was still dry within about 20hrs or so! With the old gas heater, if I did something like that, it would have taken at least a couple of days! Have only used the dehumidifer a couple of times since the heat pump was installed as well as there is so much less condensation through the house!

Am heading to Christchurch for a work visit at the end of August - staying for one night so aim to catch up with either my brother or some dear friends for dinner that night. Am looking forward to it, especially the night in a hotel - the thought of that luxury with no 2 year old waking me up sounds bloody bliss!!! Am hoping that Stephan will wake if Rachel needs him that one night but am sure everything will be ok. It will be my first night away from Rachel since having her!! I know some say we are crazy but we don't have big social lifes or money to spare to have nights away so there has been no need to have her stay anywhere else.

Anyway, best I get back to work - am working on a project at the moment which can be a bit boring yet over whelming too at times so thought I would take a wee break from it.

Catch ya all later :)

Friday, July 03, 2009

Another month has gone past since my last update... I started off quite well doing regular updates and now well I do it when I can.

So in the last month, I have had a chest infection, Rachel is currently recovering from "the" flu - no actual testing done but the way the Dr put it, we understood that they are no longer testing in Wellington but since then I have heard that they are so perhaps it is just the ordinary flu... but boy we have had one miserable, clingy, grumpy girl on our hands over the last 7 days! Came on very quickly on Sat morning, then at Drs on Sunday... Stephan stayed home with her Monday and Tuesday, then I have been home with her since Wednesday - working from home when I can but when one has a girl who just wants continous cuddles etc I haven't actually got much done much to my bosses disappointment. We had hoped she would be ok to face a day at creche today, then have the weekend to rest, then back to normal on Monday, however we were back at the Drs with her on Wednesday night - rattly chest/barking like a dog... so she is on redipred (a steroid) for 3 days. She had her last dose today but still not right so might call the nurse later and have a chat as we do have extra supply of it if necessary but you are not supposed to do a course longer than 3 days when they are still so little. Yesterday, it was like walking on eggshells around her - nothing I said or did was right and anything I said or did set her off in tears! We were both in tears at one stage in the afternoon!

And the bad thing is that I now think that I may be getting Rachel's germs!! Hard not to really when they cough and sneeze all over you! I mean, she is fantastic at covering her mouth etc but sometimes it just doesn't happen in time. I really hope I am not getting her bugs but it's more likely than I am! Great just what I need! NOT!!!

We have bought a heat pump too - got a great deal from LV Martins - 24mths interest free... then my eldest nephew has his own company which specialises in installing heat pumps/air conditioning units. So he is going to be doing a "perky" for us (well mates rates) but he is just so damn busy it's not funny! Though he did finally call me yesterday with a date so only 12 days to go until it is installed! We can not wait!! We are both SO OVER the portable gas heater and its fumes and the condensation problems we have!!! I can wait till we are cosy and warm all day and all night long!!!

Rachel is now fully toilet trained for day time, and has actually been dry for the last 2 weeks at night time... so just gotta be brave and take the night nappy off her but am not brave enough for that as yet! Maybe in a couple more weeks...

Still going to the gym though at times I lack the motivation to go but having a gym buddy is fantastic as she always ensures I go (when it's possible). Having a few issues with the healthy eating side of things but I am sure I will get there eventually (I HOPE)! Cutting down my carbs at lunch time has certainly made an improvement to my afternoons - am not so tired and sluggish... seem to have more energy most days which is great!

Anyway, am starting to get cramp sitting here - and Rachel will probably wake soon and there are things I wanted to get done while she was asleep...

Catch ya all later!

Monday, June 08, 2009

Sorry that I have been MIA but I am around and plodding on. Just been to tired most evenings to update here and well the weekends just fly by!

Been off work today (and last Friday) with the beginnings of a chest infection after going to the After Hrs on Sat night. The Antibiotics do seem to be working but thought I would take today off to stay home, keep warm and rest and let the AB's do their job! I think that may have been a good idea as definitely starting to feel better so fingers crossed for another good nights sleep and all will be right for work in the morning. One thing I was able to do today with being home, was to take Rachel to the Dr this afternoon (she was at creche until then) as she had spots/blisters around her hip area on both sides... turns out it some form of warts (viral maybe) so have got some wart paint to put on them once a day. Though when we were walking into the Dr's room, he did ask which one of us was he seeing as I walked in while having a coughing fit! LOL It was not our usual Dr as our one is on holiday but this guy was really good with Rachel.

Missed the gym last Thursday due to not feeling well - at that stage it was a nasty headcold and blocked sinuses. And then as it got progressively worse over the weekend, I missed Sunday morning too and don't think I will be there tomorrow either if little simple tasks make me cough... I would hate to see what a work out would do to me! LOL So will see how things go for Thursday evening.

Looking forward to Saturday morning as I have arranged to meet Rachel's former caregiver from her old creche for morning tea at a cafe and it will be a surprise for Rachel so I know she will just love seeing Lisa as she adored her and still talks about her heaps. Then on Sat afternoon, we are going to pick up an oven that we won on Trade Me this afternoon - hope it is nice and clean!! LOL - couldn't resist that bit since I realised after bidding on it that it was actually Jo selling it and we were having a joke about oven cleaning being the worst job in the entire world! Also means we can have a look at all of the hard work Jo and Jeremy have been doing on the house!

We really do need to do something about the heating in this place as it is so cold at times. I was freezing sitting here today so ended up in bed with the electric blanket on to keep warm, fell asleep and woke up just in the nick of time to get Rachel from creche and to the Drs on time!

Weight is not going down very fast but still need to make more of an effort to get back on track with the healthy eating.

Anyway, am starting to freeze again and the electric blanket is calling me... catch ya all later :)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Ooooops almost a week since my last update... boy time certainly flies by when one is busy!

So what have I been busy doing... mainly work, being a wife and mummy, and all the other stuff in the middle!

Went to the gym tonight for the first time in a week... missed last Thursday as I was still not feeling well and then just totally forgot all about it on Sunday! Oooops! But when I text my gym buddy to let her know that I had promised Rachel shopping and baking she was quite happy not to go as she was hungover and was sleeping on a friends couch! LOL Loved the workout tonight - Marianne did a circuit while I stuck to my programme, I might try the circuit with her on Thursday night as it did look like it was just a little bit of fun :-)

I tried knocking myself out on Monday morning... got to work and stopped by the kitchenette on our floor to put my salad in the fridge (under the bench) and whammed my forehead straight into the edge of the bench!! OUCH!!! My bosses boss witnessed it and we both initially laughed then I realised the pain that I was in! I completed an incident report just in case something happened later in the day... but all I have to show for it is a little bump and a headache coming and going.

I had a nice phone call from the gym on Friday afternoon to say that I had won their recent "refer a friend" competition (with Marianne joining the day after me) and that their was a cheque waiting for me to collect! That really made my day/week though most of the money is going on upcoming dentist bill but am also planning to buy myself some new sneakers and trackpants as well as taking Marianne out for lunch tomorrow to say thanks to her for joining on my recommendation.

Rachel is doing fantastically well with the toilet training... she must have been so ready for it when she started at creche last week. We have not had any accidents since Friday and she is even doing No 2's on the toilet too most days! She wakes dry each day after her nap... and is wanting to use the toilet first thing each morning! Her night nappy is still generally wet but she still has a lot "inside" :) I have already started only washing nappies every second night as there is no point in doing a load of washing for 3 nappies each day (2 at night as she can wet through if only wearing one and then one for her day nap too). Am so proud of the fact that it has happened so easily and smoothly (touch wood) and that we haven't even had to use pull ups or training pants... straight from nappies to little girl knickers!

Anyway, time for me to head to bed... still have a bit of headache and want a good nights sleep. Donating blood tomorrow so hopefully it will be a bit easier this time, this is my 3rd time and they have so many problems finding my small and very deep veins! But I want to preserver in donating blood after seeing Dad and my friend Jude needing blood transfusions and how I can help so many people.

Night all

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Have been at home today not feeling the best... starting feeling yuck yesterday afternoon but still managed to get to the gym with my buddy who kept threatening to throw her water bottle over me whenever I lost my motivation. I managed to do it but came home, had tea, did the dishes, showered and went to bed! Had a restless sleep and then when I woke this morning, I decided that I was going to stay at home as I was still feeling "blah", headachey, fluey etc... so managed to get Rachel to creche, then back home to bed until midday. But it did take me 2 hrs with the electric blanket on high to warm up enough to sleep properly! Feel better after that sleep/rest and have had a very quiet afternoon with the most energetic thing being folding some washing.

I sometimes wish I could be home more often as I eat so much better at home (i.e. no snacking etc) so just have to work out how to manage it while at work.

We seem to be making progress on Rachel's toilet training which is good news... slowly but surely and lots and lots of praise when she does it in the toilet. Though she is insisting on the fact that poo's get done in nappies... so that part may take a bit longer.

Right, time to bath madam and its taken me about an hr to do this post between getting her tea and 2 toilet stops for Rachel.