A Flying Visit from Family

Last weekend was a very special one for our family.

We had a visit from my sister (Aunty Janelle) and one of her sons (cousin Benny). They flew in from Brisbane on Friday morning, and flew out again on Sunday night.

The main purpose of their visit was to meet baby Lucinda.

Lucinda enjoying a cuddle with big cousin Benny

Lucinda smiling at Aunty Janelle

But we managed to squeeze in a lot more than just that!

Shopping (at Westfield Doncaster, DFO South Wharf, Parenthood and Harbour Town), Sabbath school, a play and picnic at Hay's Paddock adventure playground, dinner out in North Carlton, lunch at Southgate, browsing the Arts Centre market, riding a tram (twice), playing in the snow (man-made), a brisk walk through the CBD ... and lots of games and chats.

Grace was very excited to have Benny visit, and enjoyed lots of running around and playing games with him. I enjoyed how well she slept at night after all the extra activity!

Grace and Benny watching a DVD together

Melbourne put on some beautiful, warm (17 degrees) and sunny weather on both days, which meant we could enjoy a lot of time outdoors.

Grace playing at Hay's Paddock

Charlotte enjoying her picnic afternoon tea

Aunty Janelle staying warm in the sun

It is a long time since we went out to a restaurant for dinner on Saturday night, but we chose a family friendly pizza and pasta place, and it all went quite smoothly. Rainbow ice cream for entree and pasta scattered over the floor is par for the course, but everyone was happy and we were in like company.

On Sunday it was great to be in the city and experience a truly Melbourne day. We learnt that it is best to catch the City Circle tram from the other side of the road at busy times (in order to actually get on it), and that walking back through the city is actually quicker than the tram anyway!

Enjoying lunch by the Yarra at Southgate

Benny playing in the snow at Harbour Town

We had a fun and memorable weekend, and were sorry to see our visitors leave.

Janelle did mention making a weekend in Melbourne with one of her kids an annual event, and I really hope she does. We're looking forward to the next one already!

A Reading Nook

I was browsing Pinterest (as you do!) for playroom ideas when I first saw photographs of various reading corners set up for children.

They varied widely, but most included shelves where books could be displayed and chosen by the cover rather than the spine.

The next time I was in Ikea, I purchased two little shelves, and they were finally installed on Monday. I raced out and got a little rug and beanbag, and there is now a reading nook in Charlotte's room.

Grace and Charlotte didn't waste any time in trying it out.

It's not actually in a corner, just tucked in a vacant spot between the furniture. But hopefully it is comfortable enough to keep them interested in reading frequently.

One thing I have noticed. They are much better at putting books back on this sort of shelf than the other ones!

Big Sister Little Sister

Grace adores her new baby sister.

This time around, she is old enough to really enjoy helping to change her nappy, bath her, get her dressed, and play with her.

Lucinda responds well to Grace, and gives her some of her biggest smiles.

I still need to keep a close eye on them, because Grace's love can be a little rough. But it is lovely to see the bond they already share.

A Stitch in Time (Just)

Warning: This post contains photographs that are a little bit graphic, medical documentary style. If you don't like watching RPA, maybe don't proceed!

Last Thursday, 12th June I underwent surgery to remove the skin cancer I have previously mentioned.

The operation took about an hour and a half, and left me with approximately 40 staples in my head.

It was pretty sore, but while I was in hospital they gave me regular Endone, which helped me have a lot more rest than I have been used to!

I came home mid-afternoon on Friday. Here are some photos of what I looked like when I arrived.

The surgeon likes to keep the wounds uncovered, and I was a bit concerned about how the girls would react. But with careful preparation, they were untroubled. In fact, Grace commented at dinner on Sunday that the tomato sauce on the sausage rolls looked like Mummy's head!

Today was the first review with the surgeon, and I am very pleased to say, the tumour was completely excised. Hooray!

I am also very pleased to say I have an awesome surgeon. Dr David Chong, in case you're wondering. The tumour measured 30mm x 30 mm in size, and he managed to not only remove it all, but do it really neatly too.

The surgery involved cutting out the tumour, and going as deep as stripping the periosteum from my skull in that area. Dr Chong then made a very large flap by cutting around towards my ear and essentially removing my scalp, scoring it, then stretching it back on to cover up the hole. When he told me all that, I was amazed it isn't more painful!

I'm allowed to have wash my hair now, so fairly gingerly did so in the shower tonight. Several large chunks of hair came out, but I wasn't too surprised by that. Having had a baby recently, a bit of that was always going to happen anyway!

Here's a photo of what it looks like tonight (the staples keep going into the hair quite a way) ...

and the view from the front.

As you can see, most of it is hidden in my hair so the long term cosmetic damage should be fairly minimal.

You may notice there is an increasing amount of swelling around the bridge of my nose, but it isn't too bad and there's no bruising. Altogether, I'm very happy with how it has all gone.

I owe a very big thank you to my husband and friends Dianne, Lydia and Wayne, Nevila and others who looked after the girls while I was in hospital and when I first came home.

There's still quite a bit of recovery to go. I have some staples removed on Thursday, and then more the following Monday. I'm supposed to be resting a lot to help it heal and to reduce the swelling. Not to mention the throbbing!

What I find the scariest part of this whole experience is how the tumour managed to grow so big (they are apprently like icebergs, with the major part hidden beneath the surface) with my GP still diagnosing it incorrectly. That won't be happening to me again!

Smile

Can you look at this photo without smiling?

I didn't think so!

Charlotte is a very happy little soul. She is blessed with a cheerful temperament, and brings joy to everyone she encounters.

I'm often good at keeping my emotions on the inside. Even the pleasant ones. Charlotte reminds me that a smile is worth sharing. That it can really brighten the day. And that it is often infectious.

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." 

- Mother Teresa

Telling it Straight

Grace comes up to me while I'm sitting watching TV. She has a plain skin-toned bandaid unwrapped in her hand.

Me:  "Do you need me to put that on for you, sweetie?"

Grace:  "No Mummy, it's for you."

Me:  "Oh! Where should I put it?"

Grace:  "It's for your tummy, Mummy."

I lift up my t-shirt and point randomly to a spot on my abdomen.

Me:  "Shall I put it here?"

Grace shakes her head, and points to a particularly vivid patch of stretch marks.

Grace:  "No Mummy. Here, where the crinkles are."