24.02.08

Well time is certainly flying! Nelson was 5 months old yesterday. He is a very happy little chap and is sleeping 12 hours at night which is just fantastic, he also has 3 sleeps during the day that go from 1 to 2 hours. I was feeling like I was getting into a big rut for a while and all I was doing was washing ans all things kids. I didn't do anything just for me. I have decided to get another dog for our family and so next week we will welcome a little girl Whippet into our familiy. All of us are very excited. And now mum has a new focus that is totally not kid related so don't feel like I am going totally mad anymore. I was seriously questioning my sanity for a short time. Nelson continues to grow like a mushroom as does Toby. I measured Toby a few days ago and he is 98.5cms tall - not bad for a 28mth old. Nelson is not quite as chubby as Toby was due to lots of vomiting but that is very normal for us now, he is still long for his age. He rolls all over the place and can sit propped up for quite some time. I think I may have an early crawler as he is already moving backwards and sidewards. We will see I guess. I asked Toby to pick up his toys yesterday and he said yes and did it!!!! Toby always says NO even if he means yes, and he isn't too bad at picking up toys but I wasn't allowed to help and he picked up all of them!! I think an alien stole my 2 yo and replaced him with a yes saying well behaved one!!! We will see what transpires today.

Once again it is nearly calving season and in 2 weeks we are back into calving -we are all getting very excited, last years babies are weaned and ready for sale so on goes the circle of life. We are hoping for 56 babies this year but there are always a couple who don't calve. Best wishes and Happy Easter to all.

08.01.08

Well Nelson is nearly 4 months old and time is just flying. He is growing well and as his brother was, is off the graph for his length and normal range for weight. I am used to the comments now. He is going well but has bad reflux and chokes after refluxing when on his back in the car seat or pram so has to sleep on his side as when on his back chokes all the time. Trust me to have a child that it is not safe to sleep on his back!! He is being assessed as to wether we go to our childrens hospital for a swallow and reflux study to check for any abnormalities before we even contemplate solids (Toby chokes very easily and we have had quite a few scares with him!) I would really like a kid that could eat normally!! We have to fly to the hospital as it is 700kms away and there is noway that I could drive it with him as I cannot even contemplate putting him in the car seat for at least an hour after a feed and I can't really sit around on the side of the road every 3 and a half hours for an hour, it would take 24 hours to get there!

We are getting into a nice routine so life is kicking along well, Toby is in love with Nelson which is great and Nelson loves his sleep which is even better.

I am getting ready to wean last years calves prior to the cows beginning calving in March, life goes on!! At least this time if we have any calving problems I don't have a big belly getting in the way so can do calvings and treatments myself again which is a great feeling!!! I am also getting ready to ride my Clydesdale mare as I got her when already pregnant so I am really looking forward being able to ride again.

23.09.07

BIRTH STORY

Nelson Riley born 23.08.07, 9lbs 15oz, 52cms at 3.35pm

Well he is finally here, only a week late but didn't it feel like forever!!!!! I went into labour exactly 7 days late by myself . By about 1pm I decided it was time to go to the hospital contractions about 7 to 10 minutes apart and lasting about 30 secs. The trip into town - about 15 minutes- had my contractions coming about 2 to 3 mintues apart and lasting about a minute!!! I arrived at the hospital and all of a sudden they were a consistant 2 minutes apart. I was checked and 8 to 9 cms dilated. Within about 6 to 8 contractions he was being born. The midwife ruptured my membranes and his head was out, then his shoulders got stuck, the pain was very strong. I had to give 5 to 6 good pushes while they were pushing down and twisting him out. I felt like I was tearing but I didn't thank god, some bruising of bits and my pelvis, but all okay. Then I heard the words the placenta isn't coming away. I was a bit worried but still coping, until the doctor tried to remove it and it began to tear. Then next few hours I don't remember all of but I was scared beyond belief. To condense it I had a condition called placenta accreta where the placenta grows into the muscle of the uterine wall. I had an emergancy GA in the delivery room and the doctors had to manually remove the placenta as I was bleeding badly. I was so I was told later 20 minutes away from a hysterectomy as they were having trouble stopping the bleeding. I had 6 bags of blood plus 14 bags of fluids and had to have my uterus packed with stuff to help stop the bleeding, this was done while I was awake and was not very comfy!! The short acting GA they gave me was a drug called Ketamine which some use as a recreational drug, it was horrible I was having really awful hallucinations and awful nightmares for a few days afterwards. I was in real danger of bleeding to death and the hospital team were fantastic as we live in a country town I was blessed to have such good people looking after me. I was totally unprepared for these turn of events as my first labour and birth were totally unremarkable. My head has taken a little while to sort out as I also had difficulties feeding my baby and it took a while for my milk to come in and then I just could not keep up with him. I had to start formula feeding him and I found it hard to get my head around that but have had to as I was finding it very hard with a 2 yo that was behaving very badly and a newborn that was never full. I am now definately on the road to recovery although still slightly anaemic but feeling great and starting to really enjoy my new bundle and still enjoying my 2 yo. I felt totally emotionally void for a few weeks but now am happy and looking forward again. I was happy with 2 children but have now been told that it would be wise to not have any more so I have 2 healthy boys and my family is complete.

RIP Angel 09.02.99 - 01.08.2007

What can I say you have taken a piece of my heart. My first baby gone! You are a legend and will never be forgotten. I was not your owner, you were my partner.

That is "Angel" my other baby when I was showing her. She retired from that 5 years ago now but I think she looks cute. And when I didn't have a big belly and we were competing in obedience. She is now retired but had to retire early due to a spinal injury.

Hello, have actually figured out how to add bits to the part of the page. Love this web site, can talk about anything with people who are going through the same thing as you.

I live on a farm and have a large menagerie of stock and pets. I think that if kids grow up with the responsibility of looking after animals it will help them to become responsable adults - well that's my theory anyway. We have about 150 cattle, 3 horses, 2 pet sheep, 1 pet ostrich, 1 dog and 3 cats. My dog was my baby before Toby, she is still spoilt but alas I don't have as much time as I used to.

I was a Veterinary Nurse and groomer for 14 years before "retiring" to be a mum. I also part own a dog training school with some friends. I have obedience trained, trialled and showed dogs for 14 years and have competed and shown horses since I was 15. I guess then that no-one is suprised about all the animals I have residing with me.

I love farming life and as my husband works shift work in town the cattle business side is all my responsibility. If all is going well it's pretty easy, if we have a calving problem or a sick animal then I have to organise Toby before tackling the other issues. Not too bad though as so far Neil is available most of the time and I have other family nearby. Toby is quite used to driving around the farm and is very patient with his mummy.

I'm thinking with bub number 2 it will be a bit harder but hopefully I can get organised enough eventually

We won't find out what we are having until the birth as I want a suprise after all that huffing and puffing. We have some names short listed but will only tell everyone when bub is born.

Congrats to everyone out there that is having their bundles, Some days are hard but we wouldn't swap them for the world!

29/05/07

Well Toby, bub and myself are husband and daddyless for 3 weeks. He is in South Australia to do a course for work for 3weeks. We have never been apart for that long in the 14 years we have been together. He has never even been away overnight since we have had Toby - it feels very wierd. Went to the Doc today to get told I'm boringly healthy and going well. So I guess thats a good thing. I have gained 3 and a half kilo in a month and have to go for my Glucose Tolerance in about 3 weeks so hopefully that all comes bak okay. Bub was pretty quiet up until the last 2 days. Now it is an absolute party animal. I have a fair amount of cattle work coming up in the next few weeks that will keep me out of mischief. We are turning the bulls in with the girls to have more cute calves in 9 months time. Hopefully they all behave. It is cold and raining here at the moment and cows don't move too well in the rain so we will see what happens.

I am getting quite a bit of round ligament pain at the moment I think bub must be having a growth spurt so hopefully that will settle down in the next little while.

30/05/06

Had my last cow calve tonight, It was a bit of a tight fit and I though that I was going to have too pull it. Not easy to organise considering my husband is in another state, My in-laws are off holidaying, both my sister-in-laws are 750kms away in Perth along with my brother. My brother in law is here but was out at dinner. The logistics of trying to get a cow in at night with a little boy in bed, getting her in from a paddock with heaps of trees and lots of holes and not much help was a little daunting. It took her a little while but thank goodness It was born and mum and bub doing well. Had my dinner finally and tried to wind down. They always do it at the most inconvienient time.

02.06.07

Well I haven't had the best day. It started out okay but I can't find my oldest cat. He normally never goes anywhere too adventerous and the cats are always locked up at night,but he has been missing now for 3 days. He's 14 years old and I'm worried he's hurt or sick and can'u get home. I've been up until all hours looking for him. But no success. Even if he has died I just want to know and find him. I also discovered all my stock water had gone and found a big leak in the polypipe so had to dig that up then didn't have the right fittings to fix it. I got very frustrated I can tell you. I don't like feeling useless and I don't handle frustration well. Add a few hormones to the mix and well you can image the rest. Tomorrow is a new day.

I have dog training to go to today and I help a lady that has a really nice Border Collie that is a very nice little worker so hopefully that will cheer me up. One day when I have some more time I can get my next trialling dog. That will keep me busy and is loads of fun. Well must go and do some more cat searching.

Quick update - was getting some fittings to ix the water problem and saw the biggest Tiger Snake - wtf - it's winter I know they don't truely hibernate but goodness gracious! I'm really worried for my cats well being now as he wouldn't know what to do if he saw a snake and they have very concentrated venom at this time of year. I will still keep searching but my hope is dwindling fast.

06.06.07

Well I still haven't found my cat - still looking and getting quite exhausted as I keep waking up thinking I've heard him - am half way out of bed then realise I was dreaming. I just wish I knew either way. One of my guinea fowl chicks got killed by a falling rock near it's pen so I'm very sad about that as well, then to cap it all off my friends dad got killed in a light plane crash and it's his funeral on Saturday. I guess it can only get better from here. One good thing is the bulls are all out with their girls and moved out to the big paddocks so not much to do there for a while except for feed monitoring. More cute calves in 9 months. My bub is going well and I am organising to have the cord blood privately banked as my dad has Parkinsons Disease and they are doing some really exciting research with stem cells collect from cord blood. So we'll will bank it incase we can help dad out in the future. It's nice to be able to give him something back after all the goods years he's given us. Hubby is back in 2 and a half weeks and as this is the longest we have ever been apart I am really missing him and looking forward to him coming back.

I'm really starting to get excited about meeting my new little energy ball as I guess being second time around I have a bit more of an idea what to expect and am much more relaxed about the whole idea. I just can wait to see what bub looks like and to have the it's a boy/girl straight after being born. Not long now!!!!

09.06.07

Well went to the funeral today, and I actually went okay.Had a long chat to my friend and I feel kinda okay now.My SIL came and sat with Toby who being a good boy slept for nearly 3 hours and woke up about 10 minutes before I got home and was in a happy mood, so that was great.I don't really leave him with anyone except his dad so I didn't know how he would go.My cat still hasn't returned I clinging to the fact he may come home when his dad does - It's a long shot but here's to hoping.I have been having lots of BH not painful just uncomfortable and evey 10 minutes on Thursday.I layed down and they went thank goodness I was totally over being repeatedly squashed from the insideout.I am going to turn in early tonight I think and gets lots of sleep if this bub lets me!! and hopefully feel recharged tomorrow.

15.06.07

Well not too much happening at the moment. Last weekend I was checked up for preterm labour but luckily all calmed down and all normal. If I do a lot I get very regular BH and have to sit down and rest which is easier said than done with a 20mo and hubby still away. I nearly had a dog fight here today but got outside in time and lots of huffing but no holes which is good. I thought I was the only hormonal one but I think my SIL dog might have PMT. She's been fine for 2 weeks and now started guarding cars and sand holes she has decided are hers! I'm thinking she needs a shrink! My ribs are now starting to hurt along with my middle to upper back so I guess all the weight is starting to have an impact. I can't believe that I only have just over 13 weeks to go. Time has flown along this time and I would like to apply a handbrake but can't seem to find one:). Hope all is well for everyone else.

24.06.07

Well husband is back and still no sign of the cat, I think Ijust have to come to terms with the fact he is gone forever! Toby is elated his dad is back and is very smoochy. All farm creatues are behaving for a change and life is ticking along smoothly. I have an active octypus in here I beliee and am feeling that I will be having a girl. We will see soon.

05.07.07

Well all is going well and keeping pretty quiet. Toby has moved into a big boy bed and going really well. We had a couple of rough days after a really noisy storm scared him, but he has once again settled into the go straight to bed and sleep routine, and doesn't wake up until 7 in the morning. For which I am eternally grateful. It really makes me wonder how we don't pop, room feels at a premium in here and yet if I have an 8 pound baby it had just over 5 pounds to grow!!! I really don't think it will fit. I actually have some new stretch marks which I am quite suprised about-around my belly button and just under it. I got 2 with Toby and quite small but I have about 10 small ones so far and with the amount of growth left, a few more to come I think. I have some cattle work to do next weekend, change over bulls and tag the babies, my brother in law is going to help me which is good. Being pregnant this time of year is good for missing the heat but doesn't line up with the least amount of cattle work which can be frustrating at times. Well thats all from me for now hope everyone is well. I will remove my bulk back to watching TV.

15.07.07

Well bulls are changed over and babies tagged. I felt like I hardley did anything and I was very tired and sore by night time. I kicked in the shin through the crush gate by luckily only a small calf - naughty little bugger they are exctremely accurate. My BIL helped and all I can say is thank god for that, it would have taken forever as I wasn't getting in the yards and My hubby was getting them up, BIL tagged and I loaded tagging guns and wrote down figures. Thank goodness I won't be pregnant next year. My friend babysat Toby and he just adores her, she's not afraid to get down on the floor and play like a 2 yo. I got home and Toby was like oh hi your back, We've had a great time. Haven't been able to sleep very well the last few nights as the mexican jumping bean that the doc calls a baby just goes off every time I go to bed! Yesterday was a good day as I sold my station wagon and also a horse that I have had for sale for a while and I have finally found the right home out of the blue. This guy had her mum until she died of very old age a short time ago and he is very excited to be able to have her daughter. One less ornament around the place. I'm sad she is going as she is very easy to have around and a big softy but 4 ornamental horses to feed and maintain is getting harder. I also believe in trying to do the best thing by the animal and I have checked out this guy with some very crediable referees and it sounds perfect. Well enough from me and hope everyone is well.

16.07.07

Well today has been 'interesting'. Angel developed fluid in her abdomen yesterday and I took her to the vets today and she was diagnosed as being in end stage cardiomyopathy. Due to the fact she had symptoms within 12 hours it is highly likely that within days -even on medication- that she will develope cardiac arrythmia and cardiac collapse and either die or have to be euthanased. I always was aware of the possibility due to her being a dobe and the health of some of her relies, but I still think it suxs. I don't need an excuse to cry and now this. She is happy at the moment and has been started on about 16 tablets a day and the fluid in her abdomen has reduced and she is much more comfortable and eating well and playing with her toys so I will keep popping pills down her throat and hope if she collapses I am around to help her out. I love Dobes but after loosing 2 Dobes this way I honestly don't think that my heart could cope with loosing another this way. I will always have a dog but I think my next one will be a small family dog and who knows when I will be ready. It just hurts too much even knowing for years it was a possibility. She gave me everything she had and was always willing to go along with whatever I asked of her, now it's my turn to do what is best for her.

27.07.07

I have been going well, but getting very tired. I have sold one of my horse and she went on the truck to Perth(750km) yesterday. It was sad but she is going to a fantastic home and will get lots of attention and be able to have more babies which she loves. My cat never came home so we are classing him as deceased. Angel is still going but is on 3 differernt heart tables, 2 fluid tablets, and now incontinence tablets. She has been very happy - hence the only reason I have be going down this path- but as of yesterday has started not eating some meals. Not eating is a huge thing for her as she is the equivelent of a Dobermann vacuum cleaner. She is still running around and playing but I feel that this exersize is nearly over. I can't see her waste herself to death. Monday is my D Day. I don't really feel like dealing with this at the moment but that is life and we cannot stop what is meant too be.

My baby is growning spot on for dates, BP great, baby HR 132 and I have only gained 10kgs so far so am happy about that. I have a scan in 10 days so will get an idea of size and make sure bub is head down and ready for take off. I am getting close to be over the fat pregnant thing so I am very glad time is still going fast.

08.08.07

Well I had to have my Angel euthanased last Wednesday. Not very nice, and not the best timing but at least she will not suffer and that was my main concern. I then found out on Tuesday that our aging Staffy has a heart Murmer - not the best news but different to Angel and he is likely to live happily for at least a few years, so back to tablets I go!!

I have been getting a very sore back and after playing with my 22 mo outside I get lots of BH. So when I am closer to my due date I will walk lots! Had a 34 weeks US on Monday and estimated size was 6 pound 8 - 40 week birth weight estimated at 9 and a half to 10 pounds!!!! I can only say I must be a good incubator. My doc enev seems to think I will go a bit early - hope I do is all I can say. A bit more cattle work to do on the weekend then a break so I can have this bub then back to the grind stone.

20.08.07

Well thought I'd better write something new!!! We have taken the bulls out and now it is just keep them eating until they start calving March next year. Am starting to feel a bit over being pregnant and I have no idea how my belly can keep growing for another 4 weeks!! I have had a cooking faze which is what I tend to do when nesting, but keeping up the energy to do it is hard. My feet are really dry and my heels are trying to crack whick happenend with Toby and was very painful so I am attacking them early this time. I get about 5 to 7 hours sleep at night which is good and Toby rarely wakes me so am feeling pretty good, If my pelvis wasn't so sore when sleeping I would probably get some more sleep. Never mind. I don't very often have to get up to the bathroom if I do it's once a night so that is great. Have started walking to maybe help this baby out a bit more quickly Haha, I will try anyway;)

27.08.07

Well now I have a cold, when Toby was born I had a yukky cold so am planning to keep this one in there until my nose clears. I was supposed to get the horses feet done this morning - the last time before I give birth- and we have now had an outbreak of Equine influenza so all movement of horses and people are banned, this means no farrier until it's lifted! I just hope it's soon as I don't want them to miss out as my Clydesdale goes lame if not done regularly. I have been nesting quite a bit and am periodically attacking my windows inside and out including the runners and everything, only 4 more to go!!! Everything is ready for bub now I feel like I am marking time waiting for babies birth. Am starting to get a bit impatient but want my cold to disappear first.

Pregnancy Survey
About You
Name?:	Jo
Age?:	33
Height?:	171cms
Pre-pregnancy weight?:	75kg
About The Father
Name?:	Neil
Age?:	37
Height?:	6'4
Are you still together?:	Yes
About Your Pregnancy
Is this your first pregnancy?:	No
When did you find out you were pregnant?:	5 and a half weeks
Was it planned?:	Yes
What was your first reaction?:	Yippee
Who was with you when you found out?:	Husband
Who was the first person you told?:	Parents(and all their visitors!)
How did your parents react?:	Very happy
How far along are you?:	21weeks
What was your first symptom?:	Very sore breasts & vomiting
What is your due date?:	16 September 07
Do you know the sex of the baby?:	No
If so, what is it?:
Have you picked out names?:	Have a short list
If so, what are they?:	Not Telling
How much weight have you gained?:	5kgs
Do you have stretch marks?:	No
Have you felt the baby move?:	Yes
Have you heard the heartbeat?:	Yes
About the birth
Will you keep the baby?:	Absolutely
Home or hospital birth?:	Hospital
Natural or medicated birth?:	Natural
Who will be in the delivery room with you?:	Husband
Will you breastfeed?:	With all my heart I hope so
Do you think you'll need a c-section?:	No
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?:	Probably
What's the first thing you might say to him/her?:	Hello
Would you let someone videotape the birth?:	NO WAY
Are you excited about the birth, or scared?:	Very Excited