I'm Pissed Off

I knew this would happen and I'm trying to keep it in perspective. Boss made the announcement about the appointment to the job that I withdraw my application from today. I've got nothing against her. I'm hoping we can work well together (after she works out that I am just as efficient as the person who was doing my role while I was on leave).

I'm shit off with my boss. If it was so important to advertise the bloody job weeks after I'd had a baby why wait 7 frigging months to interview. And if you really felt that she deserved to put a late application in (close to 3 months AFTER they closed) why not re-advertise it? I'm hoping I can put this behind me. I have no regrets about withdrawing the application - I just have this anger towards my boss. If it was anyone else he would not have accepted a late application. He's known this woman for over ten years and has always raved about her (ah.. Shelley, jealousy's a curse eh :p)

While I'm on the subject of work... if one more person says to me "oh are you filling in for Shaun while he is on leave?" I'm going to bitchslap them. No, you moron, he was filling in for me while I was on maternity leave.

So yes, its great to be back at work.

Wait for it......

Big boy got home after a day and night with one of his best mates tonight. So excited to see him. He has this fake plastic poo that makes an appearance around the house from time to time. After he left yesterday afternoon I found it in my bed so I returned the favour. I'm tucking him in and Jason comes in to say goodnight and goes to bed. As he shuts the door Zak whispers to me... "wait for it... wait for it.." I knew straight away. Needless to say, the poo came flying out the door! So good to have my big boy back!

Long Day

Urgh. Got home about 7.30 from work. 12 hours away from my bubba = not a very happy mumma!

Picking up big boy and Miss Chloe tomorrow. Can't wait for big boy cuddles.

Bed calls. Welcome back to the real world Foozel!

Where the flock has the week gone????

I'm sure it was here last time I looked! So yeah, survived first day back at work. Didn't make it to my second. Came down with a nasty nasty tummy bug on Tuesday night. I've only just managed to have a proper meal tonight. It knocked me for six. How's my form, taking a sick day on my second day back. Eeeek. Back to it tomorrow though - and I'm on the late shift - hopefully its not too late and I miss seeing my bubba before he goes down for the night. If he does, I'll be waking him for some cuddles for sure!

So apart from trying to get back on my feet I've not been doing much. Spent most of yesterday in bed. Took Robbie to daycare yesterday but had to pick him up at lunch time because he spewed his bottle up. I thought for sure he had what I did but I think it may have been that he just guzzled it too quick. His group leader said that he drank the whole lot down really quick. Its not really his style. He very rarely finishes a whole bottle. He hasn't spewed since so fingers crossed thats all it was.

Caught up with some friends, Jo and Carla and their little ones today. Was good to get out and about. Still felt pretty blurgh though.

Missing my big boy - he's having a great time out at Tara with Miss Chloe. They called tonight asking for $300 to buy a new puppy. LMAO.. oh dear.. Can't wait to pick him up on Saturday.

Better go, being good and making my lunch to stop me being naughty at work!

Dazed...

Well I've survived my first day back on the job. The bubba was a superstar. He was playing happily when I left - after cracking it BIG time when I changed his nappy - must have been the things dangling from the ceiling that freaked him out. Made the obligatory phone call at about 11.30 and was told he was doing fine and had had a nap. Soaked up lots of Robbie goodness as soon as I got home.

Big boy and Chloe are out at Tara with Jason's parents for the week. Miss my big boy like crazy.

Was nice to catch up with some old workmates. Lots and lots of changes but I'm confident its all going to be good! Only 3 days at work this week to ease us into it. Even managed to stay on my food plan today at work. So glad I organised everything last night so I just had to grab and go this morning.

Managed to do some more scrapping on the weekend for the Scrapbooking4Less September cybercrop. This one is based on a sketch by Jan Agnew. Loving how this one turned out - plus it gave me a chance to use up some of those hundreds of little button brads that I just had to have about 3 years ago!

Had a big loss this week on the scales. So I've now lost 5% of my bodyweight and have passed the 5kg mark. I'm pretty stoked about that. But because it was such a big loss this week I'm kind of expecting to stay the same next week when I stand on those suckers. We'll see!

So anyway... and anyway.... anyway

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... My in laws are here for a couple of days to collect our big kids and take them back to their farm for school holidays. Love them to bits but she is driving me crazy this afternoon. When she tells a story she says "anyway" what seems like 500 bloody times! Drives me bonkers. And if I get one more guilt trip about taking Robbie to a place full of strangers I'm gonna go apeshit! And OMG she needs a volume button - so so loud... Ah yes... feels better now I've got that out. The poor Robster is right at that age where he's starting to be more aware of who is around him and not taking too kindly to strangers. Its been a couple of months since he's seen them so of course all afternoon he's been very wary of them. Hopefully tomorrow he'll be better! He's in bed now and they're all watching the footy (yawn :p).

Managed to scrap last night - a layout for Scrapbooking4Less's September cybercrop. Must say I'm pretty impressed with how it turned out.. LOL.. thats the main thing hey - as long as I like it.

Big boy is off school for two weeks now. Asked him if he made good choices at school yesterday.. his reply was "yes and I just tried to avoid as much face to face contact with Mrs Ready as possible"... gotta love it! One more term left of being a big grade fiver!

Goof Ball

Love this layout of my big boy. Title was inspired by this layout http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1482216 at Two Pease. Isn't it great when you go looking for inspiration and find something perfect!

So Proud!

Okay, so my not so finest motherhood moment today was made better by my big boy bringing home his NAPLAN results. He did great.. way above the national average in everything. So so proud. Now if we could just work out the behaviour "issews" he's having at the moment we'll all be happy little vegemites!

Sitting here tonight writing out a week's worth of food. I'm really stressing that going back to work will throw me off my Weight Watchers plan. I'm really motivated with it at the moment and don't want to lose it. So here I am with a spreadsheet in Excel (I actually got the idea off someone else in the WW forum) working out a weeks worth of food. Its not a bad idea really.. at least I can plan in advance and mix things up a little so I'm not eating the same shit everyday!

Bubbalubba must have some more teeth about to pop through. Very very unsettled tonight. I went in and gave him a cuddle and slapped some Bonjella on his gums and it seems to have done the trick. A friend suggested a tablet (I think?) and do you think I can remember the name of it?? Doh!! Ah she'll understand when I ask her again.. bloody baby brain :D

Mother of the Year

Does not go to me. Bubba had his first tumble today! We'd been out for a walk and I jumped in the shower when we got home. Sat him in the middle of the bed and a couple of minutes later heard the thump then the wahhhhhh... Oh shit. Part of his body must have knocked the bedside table - at least it wasn't his head! I know it wasn't his head because there wasn't a mark on it (thank fark!). He didn't even have tears so it must have frightened him more than anything. No bruises or scratches. Needless to say he will now sit on the carpet on the bedroom floor and play with the little boy in the mirror while mummy showers (well until he starts to crawl and move around that is).

Apart from that little snippet of excitement I've been busy cleaning up before Jason's parents arrive tomorrow. Ahhh the joys of being a stay at home mum. Pity I only have one day left!

She scrapped!

Now that I'm at the tail end of my time off work of course my mojo has returned :p.

This is my entry in the September challenge at http://www.thescrapbookinghut.ning.com/.

Used up old stash for this one.. and its an old photo.. almost 4 years old now.. my how time flies!

Lucky undies!

He's off to camp after the school holidays and part of this week's homework is to write a list of things he might need to take with him..

• Clothes
• Clean undies
• Lucky undies
• PJ's
• Togs
• Boardshorts
• Teddy bears
• Sunglasses

Wonder why he needs lucky undies? I'm glad to see the teddy bears (aka the sleep team) get a mention there too.. reminds me that he is still only 10 and not 15!

This is my last week before I go back to work *cry*. Had another visit to daycare this morning - we took Jason along with us today as he will be doing the afternoon pick ups and I wanted him to get to know the room and the "routine". Robbie had a great time there.. and thats where his good day ended. It was a tough one - not sure if its teeth or he felt unwell but he was really really high maintenance for the rest of the day. Just makes me more grateful for the last 8 months and how easy it's been.

Oh oh oh... good news - lost another 900g this week! I'm stoked! Thats 3.3kg all up so far. Happy dance :)

She's not single.

The first words that come out of his mouth when he walks through the door after school yesterday. He worked up the courage to "ask her out" and she replied with i'm not single. They're 10! How do you explain to a 10 year old that they have their whole life ahead of them and there are heaps of other fun things to enjoy rather than worry about emotional stuff so early. I did try that and the response I got was "but I'm practising so I get better at it when I'm older".

Sigh....

After a couple of years of having the "smooth sailing" blended family life it looks like we're about to hit the rocks. Drama drama drama...

Went scrapping last night - had a great time. Made a little album of my two boys using a Kaisercraft wooden album. Will upload piccies when I'm finished it - just cause I know you're DYING to see it.

Ok - my porridge should be done soaking now... famished - must go eat.

Parent-Teacher Interview

I should have suspected something was up a few days ago when my big boy came out with "if you have a not-so-good interview with my teacher am I still allowed to go to the Blue Light Disco?" Have never really had a bad interview with any of his teachers - with the exception of his grade 2 teacher. She was mean.. even I picked up that vibe. Anyway, it wasn't a "bad" interview. Academically he's doing great. Reading and spelling a few years above his age. Maths is great. She feels he's "coasting" along and would like to see him push himself a little. I told her I think he prefers to coast as it makes him feel like he's winning. She agreed. He's struggling a little with peer pressure at the moment. Trying to work out if he wants to be one of the "cool" kids or the sensible Student Councillor. Apparently he told the music teacher that he didn't want the badge anyway. We spent some time together alone after school and we had a chat about it all. His biggest worry was that he was going to be punished. I tried to explain to him that his teacher tells me these kind of things because she cares about him and thinks he has a really bright future ahead of him. But that she worries because lately he seems to be really easily led and she sees him as a leader rather than a follower. She told me today that if she had to pick a school captain right at this point in time (out of grade 5) then he would be her choice. She followed that up with "but I'm not sure he is able to set a good example at the moment". Of course I didn't tell him that - firstly, his little ego would probably just explode and I really don't want him to feel pressured about anything like that. So we had a good chat about it all this afternoon and he said there was so much pressure in being a Student Councillor - that he had to be good all the time and if he made one tiny mistake it was so much worse because they expected better of him. I really hope he comes through the last term ok. His teacher is keeping a really close eye on him and removing him from other kids who are likely to distract him. Mind you, I'm sure he's not always the angel and has plenty of his own distracting moments. She also said she was wondering whether she should take his Student Councillor badge off him. I really hope it doesn't come to that. I know he has really high expectations of himself and it would shatter him. Hopefully he can have next year as just a normal student to give him time to think about whether he wants to join the student council again in grade 7. I'm totally ok if he doesn't want to - in fact I'd prefer it - simply because of the extra pressure it seems to put him under. I tried to explain that he really doesn't need to act any different to how he does every single day. Just that sometimes he needed to think about the choices he makes at school. We'll see... ahhhh... it just gets harder and harder as they get older!

And since when did kids become so obsessed with the opposite sex so young??? He spoke in depth about this girl that he really likes but is too scared to ask her out yada yada yada. I just wanted to grab him and say "NO, this kind of thing doesn't happen until at least high school!!!!!" I really couldn't give him any advice. I tried gently to say why not just stay friends - you've got so many other things to think about - just have fun!

Oh and after my dismal failure with the rosti last night, I backed it up with a scrummy spinach and cheese quiche (courtesy of the latest Weight Watchers mag) tonight.

I'm off scrapping tomorrow night - can't wait!

Rosti

I failed at this tonight. It looks so yummy in the latest Weight Watchers mag. But its as if it needs something in it to hold it together. Like egg or flour! Might have to consult Chef Google. Mine just all fell apart.

Very quiet day. Robbie had his first taste of yoghurt today. It went easily down the hatch - just like everything else seems to!

Parent-teacher interview tomorrow for my big boy. I'm not expecting any surprises - hopefully that will be the case. Big boy is booked in for the second week of school holidays in vacation care. Hopefully he can stay out of trouble for a week!

Hmm.. look at the time. I really need to start hitting the sack much much earlier if I'm going to cope with this going back to work caper.

A load off..

Finally had a call from work today about my job. Was starting to think they weren't even going to do me the courtesy of an interview. Long story short, I've been acting in a higher position for about 12 months. During that time boss promised to have it advertised and filled before I went on maternity leave. Finally advertises - about 3 weeks after I give birth. So I do my duty and formally apply. In about June he puts a long time friend/colleague in the role and apparently HR give him the ok for her to put in a late application. I've given it much thought and spoke to Jason and decided that if they did offer me an interview I would withdraw my application. For a couple of reasons. Firstly, I don't need the extra stress. The job pays about $40 more than my substantive role and has a car park. I'll miss the car park but not much else. Secondly, I'm not in the right headspace after being away from there for 9 months and knowing that the whole department has been restructured. To me its not worth going for the interview and stressing about it and then being overlooked for the other person. At least this way it has happened on my terms. It also lets me look into working a 4 day week instead of full time. Told my boss today how I felt about it all. That I wasn't happy that someone was allowed to put such a late application in and then have the exclusive chance to act in the position for a long period of time. Now I get to feel all smug about it. So at the moment I'm feeling pretty bloody good - I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I also mentioned the 4 day week to my boss. Didn't ask him but told him. His comment was "we'll do anything you want". Pisses me off that he's got off so lightly, he actually admitted to me that he's been stressing about this for weeks and that I've just made it so much easier for him. My reply was "well if it was so important to have it advertised all that time ago, you should have interviewed and filled it and you wouldn't be in this position". Anyway, enough of that - short story is I'm happy!

Had another visit to childcare with bubbalubba this morning. He had a great time today. It was timed perfectly between sleeps. Managed to get a couple of shots (blurry ones at that) of him playing with the toys. He's such an awesome baby.

Another Loss

This week i've said goodbye to 600g! Woohoo.

Had a lovely time yesterday on our little fathers day picnic. Pity Zakerooni wasn't with us - but he had a great time with his dad anyway.

Bit worried about Miss Chloe. She's not having a smooth ride into high school. Hopefully she weathers it ok and comes out shining on the other side.

Have decided to go back to work 4 days a week rather than 5. Assuming my boss is ok with it. Too bad if he's not really. I'm really hurt that he's done what he's done with my job. I still haven't had a call for my interview - supposed to be this Friday. Maybe I didn't even make the interview list.. baaahhaaaa.. I really hope I have because I've been looking forward to saying "thanks but no thanks".

Call from my father yesterday. He's been moved to a farm at Glen Innes. Will try and get another visit in before Christmas. Apparently its much better there - they can even play squash and tennis.

Will leave you with some piccies from our little pic-a-nic today. Think the place was called Greggers Creek - its about 3/4 of an hour north from where we live.

Robbie with his big sister, Miss Chloe.

My big boy with his dad.

Happy Fathers Day

A quiet one here. Big boy is off with his dad this weekend so its just the three of us. We're picking Miss Chloe up for a picnic lunch today - glad the weather looks nice out there.

Bubbalubba is getting a snotty nose. Hopefully it stays as a snotty nose and doesn't progress into a full blown head cold or flu. I'm not surprised he's picked it up - Jason, Zak, Chloe and I have all had various versions of a cold in the last few weeks.

Weird dream last night. I went back to work but in a different department and for some reason I had Robbie with me. He started walking.. just as if he'd been doing it all his life - looked so bizzare.

Yawn... I feel like I could sleep another 10 hours.

s. :)

Oh yay

Phone call from the Deputy Principal today. Zak has taken all of his pocket money to school ($40!!!). Not so pissed off at that as I am that he lied about it when they asked him. His arch nemesis dobbed him in. Needless to say he didn't have a very good day. Mum will now take care of his pocket money until I decide he is responsible enough to have it back.

Had every good intention of doing some scrapping tonight. Not quite sure what happened there.

Almost at the end of my second week of Weight Watchers. I struggled today with hunger. Its the first day I've actually felt that hunger.. you know the type where you start to get irritated with everything and everyone around you and you start to feel shaky. I ate plenty so not sure what was going on.

Past my bedtime - again. Picture of my gorgeous boys. Love them to bits.

Sick

I'm sick. Not sick enough to be on my death bed. But sick enough to not want to have to look after other people. I've managed to avoid it up until now - so I guess I shouldn't complain. Hopefully the little person doesn't catch it too!

Was going to have lunch with Kate Ceberano today. Out of the blue last night one of my friends messaged me to say she'd won a competition and the prize was lunch at the Stamford with Kate. Funny... since then I haven't been able to get that damn "Bedroom Eyes" song out of my head. Anyway, I was feeling crap so I bailed. She had a good time though.

Lots of retail therapy yesterday. New shoes and other things for work. Had a great time with my friend Jo and her little girl, Summer. Robbie was so well behaved for me.

Had another getting to know you session at daycare this morning. Its all so close now.. sigh. I try not to think about it too much and when I do just remind myself how awesome my big boy has turned out.

Okay.. must go to bed. Tired. Sick.. bla bla bla