It doesn't rain, it pours

Awhile back I wrote that I was having trouble finding a child care place for Ellie.

Today I was offered two places, neither at the centre of my choice.  I called the one I did want, and asked where I was on the waiting list, letting them know I'd been offered places elsewhere.  What do you know, they found me a space, starting mid next month.  So I went from zero places to three in one day. Wow.

Next month.  I know I planned to go back to work around then, but you guys, that's NEXT MONTH.  As in, I only have a month left to be a SAHM and then I'm back to work (jiggety jig). I'm feeling scared, sad, excited and above all, guilty as hell.  Ellie is so small to be putting into care, but I really feel like I need something more to keep me occupied.  Don't get me wrong, I love being a mother, but for me, I also like to use my skills and interact out in the workforce.  Besides, I feel bad spending money on things when I'm not contributing to the household and I know that I don't have the slush fund that I used to for frivolous purchases.

Although, to segue way slightly, a girl needs a little frivolity every now and then so to prove it I got these:

and also these, both en route to my hot little feet from Funkis.

Ahem, back on track, mummy guilt is the worst.  If I stay at home then I feel guilty when I'm bored or not spending enough time helping Ellie to develop with tummy time, reading to her or paying her constant attention.  If I go to work I feel guilty for letting someone else help raise my child. I keep telling myself at the end of the day, my daughter is loved and I'm being a positive role model in showing her that women can have successful careers too.  As well as saving my sanity and keeping my job skills current.  She won't remember whether I fed her with a breast or a bottle, she won't remember if she was in cloth nappies or disposable and she won't remember that I didn't spend every moment of the day with her.  What I hope she will remember is that I was a confident and intelligent woman, that I had a life outside of the house, that when she needs me I'll always make the time and that I love her so very much.

I've got one month left before back to the (part time) workforce.  I plan to enjoy every minute of it, and I'm sure I'll be asking for coping tips when the time comes.

Have you ever had a case of parental guilt?  How do you cope when it happens?

Chia pudding

A Wray Organic store recently opened close to me. Previously when I needed to get 'weird' ingredients like besan flour, amaranth or quinoa, or buy in bulk I had to make a trek to Mrs Flannery's.  Which isn't really all that far if I'm being honest, but having a healthy organic store within walking distance is a real treat for me.

I sometimes meet some of the girls from my mother's group there for a coffee date, and nine times out of ten, I'll go for a little browse around the store as well.  Last time I was there I picked up some chia seeds, cacao nibs (not cocoa!) and a couple of other goodies.

Chia is one of those great foods that's recently become super popular, and is therefore many times the price that it was when all people knew it for was making chia pets.

Chia Hello Kitty

Chia is actually a really great food.  It:

• is rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which is great since I don't eat fish
• is high in calcium, protein, fibre, iron and magnesium
• digests easily and converts to energy quickly
• absorbs over 9 times its volume in liquid, so a small amount goes a long way and helps keep you full for longer

One of my favourite ways to use chia is to make chia pudding. These little seeds go gooey when added to liquid, making a sort of gelatinous tapioca texture. As they have no taste themselves, they take on the flavour of whatever is added to them so the possibilities are endless really.  It's almost anti-climatic to call this a recipe, it's so easy.

Basic Chia Pudding
1 1/2 cups milk of your choice (I like soy, almond or for extra decadence, coconut)
1/4 cup chia seeds
vanilla essence (real vanilla bean if you feel fancy)

That's it.  Add the ingredients to a jar, and stir (or, if you trust the lid of your jar, just shake it up a little).   Make sure the chia doesn't clump. I put the mixture into the fridge to set and allow the seeds to swell for a good hour or so.  Although I'm lazy and usually just leave it in overnight.

Viola! Consume as is, or add toppings and flavouring of your choice.  Mr Fork thinks it looks like tiny eyeballs, so on the odd occasion he wants some, I add cocoa powder and extra sweetener to make it chocolate flavoured for him.

Tips/thoughts

• I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but if you want to sweeten it, maple syrup or blended dates work nicely
• Delicious toppings include one or multiple of the following: coconut, cacao nibs, fresh berries, dried cranberries, nuts, cocoa powder
• An interesting flavour twist is to infuse the milk with chai before adding the seeds. Yum!
• This makes a lot of pudding, so if you don't eat it all, you can top it up with more liquid and leave the seeds to plump up further
• The pudding can keep in the fridge as long as you'd store the milk

What's your favourite go to pudding or snack?

Wrapped, with love

I wrote awhile back about carrying Ellie in her Ergo carrier, and how I'd purchased a woven wrap so that I had a little more flexibility with the way I carried her around.

I'm not going to lie, Ellie is a clingy baby. She loves to be held and I love to hold her. When we're going for a quick trip somewhere, it's much easier for me to hold her than it is for me to get out the pram when I know she'll get bored and want to be held sometime anyway. An added benefit of carrying her is that she has a lot more interaction upright than she does lying down. There is research out there that babies who are carried (as opposed to pushed in prams) learn better, bond, feel more secure and develop better language and social skills as they are used to seeing the world at a 'big person' level.

So, let's get into details. I've already talked about the Ergo. The benefits of using a woven wrap are similar and many. Sure, a buckled carrier like an Ergo is super easy to throw on, but when I know I'll be carrying for a long period, I reach for my wrap.

Didymos Indio Porrinho (Brand, Weave, Colour/Pattern)

Wrapping Pros:

• As it's just a length of material, it's very snuggly for me and Ellie and there are no stress points for possible failure. Different wrap materials have different qualities - mine is a linen/cotton blend which makes it supportive yet still soft and plenty of grip 
• There is no one way to wrap; you can experiment with different carries until you find ones that suit both you and bub. The fabric wraps around wearer and baby so you get a custom fit, every time
• It's easy to alter the way the wrap sits, so there are no digging bits or any uncomfortable places as they're so mouldable
• Because they aren't sized, you can get a great fit with any baby, from a brand new squishy, to a toddler. I didn't start using the wrap until Ellie was a few months old, but if we have another baby, I won't hesitate to wrap from newborn
• The wraps themselves have a pretty good resale value. In fact, I think it's better to buy them second hand as someone has already put all the work into breaking them in and making them as squishy and soft as possible
• It's not solely a carrier, but can also be used as a hammock, a rug, a sunshade etc
• When you back carry, little baby breaths on the back of your neck are super adorable (baby snores are even cuter)

Wrapping Cons:

• Wraps come in different sizes. The most suitable will depend on the carries you want to do and the size of the wearer. Some people like to have multiple wraps for different purposes so it could become expensive
• Depending on the size of the wrap, the weave, and the carry, you may have a lot of material over and around you and bub. This can be hot in warmer climates and weather
• There is a bit of a learning curve with a woven wrap - you can't just buckle it on and be good to go
• It's a bit of a pain in the butt wrapping when out as the ends drag on the ground until I get it all wrapped. I also look a bit vain checking myself out in shop front glass, but I'm really just checking the wrap and position
• There are many different carries which you can try. This may take some time to learn, and you need to build up your confidence, especially when trying back carries. Many people recommend practicing over a soft surface and with someone to help spot when you are learning
• They're addictive - there are so many fabrics, weaves and colours out there that you may find your collection getting out of control!

So, how do you learn to wrap?  Well, there are many people who like to babywear, and the best way to learn would be if someone experienced with woven wraps can demonstrate in person.  If that's not possible, then as my friend, the 1337 mum says, YouTube is not just for cute kitties.  There is so much knowledge out there, and so many great videos demonstrating fabulous (and safe!) wrap techniques.

So the wrapping verdict? I love it! I love that I can go about my day and have Ellie close in a comfortable and practical way. I still have so much to learn and now that I've practiced more, I feel like I need a shorter wrap (mine is a 5 but the tails are so long I think I could comfortably go to a 4 and still do the carries I want).  Here's a photo of Ellie in a rucksack carry.  Just look at that cute little face peering out!

Rucksack, tied behind with super long tails

Do you baby wear?  What's your favourite way to bond with hub?

Organic Spa Gel Mask

Before becoming a mama, I used to follow a simple skin care ritual: cleanse and moisturise with the occasional exfoliate and mask thrown in when my skin was feeling a little run down.  Makeup was for work days only, and I kept it very simple with mineral foundation, neutral mineral eye shadow and a quick slick of mascara and lipgloss. Viola!

Now that I'm a mama, all of that has fallen by the wayside.  I'm lucky if I get time to wash properly in the shower, and really it's a matter of choosing to cleanse or exfoliate my face and sometimes it's neither. Moisturiser happens when I remember, or when I happen look in the mirror and notice I'm more haggard than usual. And makeup - I think I remember how to use it!

What I'm trying to say here, is that I'm sadly in need of a little pampering, and my new lifestyle means that I also really value products that I can use for multiple purposes (hello, organic coconut oil - edible and a beauty multitasker!).

That's why I was so chuffed when I won an OrganicSpa Gel Mask. Given that this company is all about organic, natural and vegan products, it was right up my alley, claiming to replenish and brighten my dry, tired skin.

I love it when products come with the pump top. It just makes me feel like they stay fresher and it's a little more hygienic that I only touch what I'm going to use each time.

So do I love the mask? Heck yes! I had Mr Fork take over baby duties while I shut myself in the bathroom for some 'me' time.  The consistency is nice and thick so it really is a gel as promised and not a liquid (yay!). It was lightly scented in a pleasant and non overpowering way, and went on easily without tightening uncomfortably as it dried.

I applied a thin layer, left it on for 10 minutes or so while I paged through a magazine and then rinsed off, following with a layer of moisturiser. I definitely felt relaxed, moisturised, firmer and refreshed afterward so I'm going to make an extra effort to take care of my skin and give it some extra love occasionally.

Do you have any little rituals in your life that you make time for, to relax and help keep your sanity?

Review: Fess little noses

Earlier this week, Ellie woke up snuffly, sneezing, and with a slight temperature.  The poor little thing, every time she went to feed, she ended up distressed because her nose was clogged, so then she'd sneeze and I'd end up with a charming array of boogers over whatever I was wearing.  She didn't actually realise she was sick to be honest, and was her usual energetic and smiley self, but she sounded just awful and I could hear her chest getting a bit rattly.  She sounded as though she was about to get a cold, and not feeling too crash hot myself, we took a trip to the chemist in the hope of lessening symptoms before it developed into something worse for both of us.

Enter one of the pitfalls of breastfeeding: you can't take any of the good stuff when you get sick because it just passes straight through the milk. So all I got was a bottle of vitamin C tablets and advised to use FESS to try and clear out my sinus.

Ellie got pretty much the same deal. We already had children's panadol to help bring down her temperature, so we were sorted there. (Just as an aside, why is baby panadol so horribly flavoured? Disgusting artificial cherry flavour doesn't do anyone any favours). We also had a tube of Euky Bearub which is seriously awesome - this was rubbed on her chest, back, and bottom of her feet, and really did help her breathe better (and also smelled nice but I like those sort of smells...).  

Finally, the chemist recommended baby FESS to help clear out her nose.  It came in a choice of spray or drops (same price), and I chose the spray because I could use it while she was upright, and didn't require 1-2 minutes of waiting for it to work like the drops apparently did.  Both the spray and drops also came with a nasal aspirator (henceforth known as the 'snot sucker').

FESS little noses box

Here's a comparison of the baby FESS and the adult version.

Basically, what you do is spray the FESS up into each little nostril.  You then squeeze the snot sucker bulb, hold it to the entrance of the nostril, block them both, and let the air back into the snot sucker. It then does what it does best (Mr Fork said that it wasn't necessary to show pictorial results so imagination will have to be used instead).

The snot sucker in all it's (clean) glory

I may be a little twisted but I got extraordinary amounts of satisfaction in extracting that snot. The beastlier they were, the more pride I got in 'getting' them. Mr Fork said I was disgusting and refused to admire the fruits of my labours after the first time I made him look.  At the advice from a nurse friend of mine, I also sprayed more saline into her nose after I'd extracted the snot to help thin the mucus so Ellie could get rid of it herself.

After the first day, we didn't need to use panadol anymore as her temperature was normal. She's still a bit rattly, but the Euky bearub is helping that out. The snot sucker (and spray) verdict? LOVE IT.  Honestly, every house with a baby should have one.  There is nothing more miserable than when your baby is sick, especially when there isn't anything you can really do to help them.  When they're so little they can't even blow their nose, it's heart breaking. This snot sucker device made it so Ellie could breathe and eat, and for that I'm grateful. The fact that it's so satisfying to use is just a bonus.  It's also washable, and pulls apart to make that job easier too. 

How do you cope when your child is sick? Any tips?

Everyone needs a pink elephant

First of all, let me preface this post with a few salient facts. I'm part Asian. Really, that means nothing, but its a fine explanation for a few character traits. Namely, I'm frugal (Mr Fork would call it 'cheap'). If I can reuse something I already have, or make do with something else, I will.  I like to re-purpose things - I'll often wear clothes until they're threadbare and falling apart, and when they do, I'll consider sewing them into something else. I see nothing wrong with eating leftovers for several days, or in fact, cooking in quantities so large that I'm left with days of leftovers. If I can negotiate a better price or buy something in bulk, then you can be sure I'll do it (much to Mr Fork's embarrassment).

Anyway, where am I going with this?  Well, the other day, we had a family expedition to the pet store to stock up on puppy food.  While Mr Fork was looking at the fish, I wandered the toy section and came across this wonderful toy! It's pink (which means it's obviously for a girl). It says Elli (which means it would be perfect for someone named Ellie). It's designed to amuse puppies (which means it has plenty of noises and textures - perfect for baby sensory development).  Alas.  Much like with the Justin Beaver I was overruled, as Mr Fork deemed it inappropriate to buy our daughter a dog toy, no matter how cleverly I argued the suitability.

Spoilsport.  No pink elephant for Ellie.

So tell me, do you ever find a use for items which may not have been their original purpose?

Happy year of the snake!

Hi! *waves* - yes, I'm still here.  I've just been busy with Chinese New Year celebrations, searching for child care and caring for a suddenly cranky teething baby.

Child care is really getting me down. It's very cut throat out there.  I started applying when I was pregnant, and I was told I needed a baby.  I applied when Ellie was a month old, and I was told that January was when they filled their vacancies so that was the best time. Come January/February, I'm getting asked why the heck I'm applying so late.  Just can't win!  So, it was planned I go back to work part time in April/May, but unless we can get a place, that doesn't look like it'll happen.  I'm going to be a picky mama too, and I won't take just any place - I've immediately crossed off the ones that didn't talk to Ellie when I inspected the centres, and I've crossed off the ones where the babies were left alone and/or looked bored.  I have a very short list left... and of those, there are very long waiting lists.  Some of the centres have told me I'd be lucky to get a place before her third birthday. Holy 'industry needs a shake up', Batman!

In other, more cheerful news, look what I grew! When I spread out the last lot of compost in the vegetable patch, I got a whole bunch of random things sprouting up.  I left them all to grow because who doesn't love surprises?  I suspect what I have is a whole bunch of pumpkin, some rather ragged looking tomato, a couple of grasshopper attracting eggplants (which still manage to produce a bumper crop regardless), and this glorious sunflower.  I don't know how it got there, and I'd thought it was a weed originally, but I'm so glad I left it to grow because now this lovely sunny flower looks amazing standing tall surrounded by sad looking mystery plants.

Finally speaking of surprises, the other day I won a competition on Facebook for an organic spa gel mask. Vegan, organic and FREE, what's not to love?! I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but will report back when I do.

Does anyone have any tips for getting into child care? Or tips for dealing with teething (that's a whole post on it's own....)