Emily Kane

Settling down....

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +1200

I can't believe it's September already - where did August go?

We have had a very exciting month. Tasha gave birth to Charlotte on the 18th of August - who would have guessed after all that hype bubs was late! Anyway none of that matters now that she's here of course and she is gorgeous. Very long at 62cm at birth and big at 10lb 8oz although more long really as she's not a chubby bub.

2 week yesterday and things are going as expected in terms of first baby syndrome. Turning the very ordered Harvey home upside down. Both Tasha and Daniel look very well and are coping extremely well - they make lovely parents.

I took off to Wanaka for 5 days for a bit of a break. Had two awesome skiing days and then sightseeing and lunching the remainder of the time. Lots of beautiful walks and gorgeous spring scenery. It really is a stunning place and I would go back in a flash.

Then who would have guessed but Michelle and Hamish decided they had had enough touring and it was time to come home! Yay for us Shelly arrived back on the 1st and we had a lovely brekky and we will follow that up with lunch today with Dad for fathers day.

Before we know it it will be Christmas and time for more holidays with eating and drinking and being merry high on the list of priorities.

Source: Settling down....

Bluuuurrrr....

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Well last week is a bit of a blur. We have been experiencing some major sleep deprivation with not feeding Em at night. I think we now have to wean her off the dummy as this should help her to self-settle - however she can cry for a long time with no dummy and that is what is keeping us up (well me really) at night. She slept through till 4pm last night but I still had to use the dummy. She didn't wake up again till 7pm though so I think it's getting better.

We had a great week for exercise as the weather was so much better. Lots of big walks in the pram and visiting different parks. I have also found a late night yoga class that fits perfectly at the Massey Y on Mon and Wed nights. I would prefer a more full on Pilates but all the yoga pilates classes seem to be on Sat mornings and that is hopeless for a mum with kids... So a hint to young budding West Auckland Pilates tutors - night classes twice a week would be great!!

Trying to catch up with friends regularly and we have had lots of opportunities with the coffee group girls recently. I will upload some photos of Lulu at one of the parties. Very cute.

Lulu has had a lovely birthday time. Lots of lovely gifts and we are very thankful to all of you.

Love K, L and Em (the home based troupe...)

Source: Bluuuurrrr....

Finer times at home....

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Sunny weather finally making everything easier. Lulu ended up with a lovely day for her birthday. We went with Nana to Soljans (a lovely restaurant on a vineyard in West Auckland), it has a fabulous wendy house and slide where she can play and we can eat. She was so well behaved that a lovely lady came up and told me what a 'beautiful' daughter I had - well I was stoked obviously!.

Afterwards we came home and had some 'Nana made' banana cake.

Emily has cut her first tooth and the second is about to break through. She has also started sleeping 'through the night' which is actually 10 - 6 (well actually 7.30 today) so both Harv and I are glad we persevered with the sleep program. The last week I haven't been feeding her at night - just settling using my hand tapping her and a dummy. It has meant her waking several times a night and all horrendously sleep deprived. So now we get the benefit of persevering and she is sleeping through - phewww.

Source: Finer times at home....

Awful Weather - July 2007

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +1200

Auckland weather had been awful and its hard enough to get two girls in the car in fine weather let alone in a howling gale of which we have had several. So we have been housebound quite a bit in the last few weeks which has driven both Lulu and I a bit crazy. Also with school holidays we haven't had the usual Mainly Music sessions so we have been enjoying our own company and dancing and singing at home.

They have been surprisingly well health wise, although Emily hasn't slept through since she's had the cold. Talking with the Plunket nurse yesterday it is time she did and I know she can do it so we are going to start a sleep plan to get that happening.

I must say sleep deprivation is ghastly. It is a form of torture and because I have Lulu in the next room I am loathe to let Emily cry it out. So I have been up at 10.30, 1am, 4am and then 6 or 7 - well stuff that no longer....

If we can't make it work I think I'm going to wean her and put her on formula just to get some sleep.

Some might think this a bit drastic but it's not just about me getting sleep its about me needing to function well the next day - I have had a few scares through lapses in concentration - Lulu ended up playing on our road - luckily it's quiet - but I had completely forgotten she was on the other side of the gate and went to change Emily's nappy.

Luckily a nice neighbour spotted her and came to get me.

I have also had some really emotional outbursts and been far too tough on Lulu especially in the bad times. So it's all about ensuring our family stays strong and sometimes you need to make those calls.

Besides this is my family and I will do whatever it takes to keep them well and happy but not at the expense of my own sanity - that's just stupid. Happy mummy happy family!!

Source: Awful Weather - July 2007

Single mum for 4 days - June 07

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +1200

The month started off a lot better than May as we were over the worst of the bugs although both Harv and I and Lulu have been on/off with tummy upsets.

This week Harv took off to Palmy and Wellington for a conference amongst his web developer peers. This was viewed with strong trepidation from me and luckily Lulu and Emily aren't of an age to contribute to the anxiety of impending abandonment. However although I wasn't sure how I would cope I know that many woman do it alone everyday and thought this was my opportunity to prove to myself I could too.

In saying all of the above, surprisingly enough, we were hardly by ourselves for a minute thanks to my wonderful extended family. Auntie Tash and Grandma kept us sane on Monday, Lulu was at daycare (second to last week) Tuesday/Wednesday and I had the lovely pleasure of Auntie Tash's company on Thursday as well. Not too mention seeing Grandpa a couple of times as well. It made the time fly and I think I actually got through the week without telling Lulu off unnecessarily and even getting some sleep.

So now we have next week to look forward too - Lulu's last day at Bright Eyes on Wednesday and Nana home on Thursday at 1:15pm!

The countdown is on to the sale of our home - we are going to put it on the market late Sept and hopefully sell before Christmas. Not sure if we will buy again right away or rent for a while - will have to wait and see with that one - with Roddie on the job I am sure house number 2 will fit us just as well as house number 1 did at the time of purchase.

So it's getting colder now and the days are a lot shorter however lots to look forward to including 5 days by myself at the end of August in Wanaka. Lots of mummy time and I'm so looking forward to it although I know I will miss my babies A LOT!

Also we have a big event on the horizon with the addition of a Harvey baby to the Kane immediate family - it will be so lovely for the girls to have a new cousin and I know Tash and Daniel are really looking forward to it as well.

The photos of Emily in the carseat are for Auntie Livi to show off the beautiful soft booties from her that Em is wearing - they are so cute and warm, and I haven't seen anything like them in NZ.

The photos of Riley and Em are just gorgeous - childhood innocence abound I am sure they will soon become fast friends.

Source: Single mum for 4 days - June 07

Kane family in May 2007

Tue, 29 May 2007 00:00:00 +1200

It all started with Lulu now climbing out of her cot, you never know what to expect when going in there after a naptime. Lulu has also been delving into the new dizzying heights of dressing oneself. Her first attempt surprised me as she put a top on as a skirt over her nappy. Made me think I have been dressing her in trousers far too much.

Nana left on her big Euro trip with Rog early in the month so it's been a bit testy at times especially as things started to fall apart health wise, starting with a cold.

So one bout of antibiotics later and she is much better but then contracted a tummy bug. Finally I feel she is on the up and up. Both Harv and I have felt the affects of the bugs too and Emily is still getting over a stuffy nose and raspy cough too. Luckily neither of us got the tummy bug too badly, it really just rolled over us.

Still the weather is lovely outside today - Lulu is back at daycare and Em and I are just chilling waiting for the Plunket nurse to drop by. Who knew they now come to you at home - it's very nice.

Em is fast growing out of her 3 month suits so I pulled the 3 - 6 months out on the weekend. Yay a whole new wardrobe to work with :) Lots of fun for mum.

Now we are over the worst of the bugs it's time to catch up with friends and family.

Source: Kane family in May 2007

Week 7 - 25th April 07

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +1200

It was Anzac day today and Emily had a great day at home with all the family. We didn't do much just chilled out indoors catching up on sleep and doing chores as if it were a Sunday.

Emily is now 5.1kg and still growing, she is very long and has a lovely even temperament. She slept from 9pm until 7am last night so mum is feeling very chuffed about that.

She has started going down to sleep earlier and earlier now, Friday night she went off just after 7pm so mum is interested to see when she will wake Saturday morning.

Source: Week 7 - 25th April 07

A week and a bit old

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +1300

Not much sleep happening around this place, but it does seem to improve a little each day.

Source: A week and a bit old

Back at Home

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +1300

Mummy and I returned home this morning, and it's all going well so far.
I also had my first bath, and enjoyed that too. Nice and warm, mmmmm.

Me in the bath - see Lulu in the corner trying to get a look in

Source: Back at Home

Visitors

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +1300

If you would like to pay a visit in Waitakere Hospital, please give daddy a call first. Otherwise we will be home in the weekend if you would like to visit then.

Source: Visitors

Born today!

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +1300

Emily Anne Kane, born March 7th, 2007 in Waitakere Hospital.

Source: Born today!