Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The meme gods... 7 Random Facts....

This old man tagged me with the 7 random facts meme. As it so subtly suggests in the name I guess it means that we have to reveal 7 facts about ourselves before passing the fun onto someone else... so here goes...

The rules are:

  • Link to the person who tagged you
  • Post the rules here
  • Share 7 random or weird facts about yourself
  • Tag 7 random people at the end of the post, linking to them
  • Leave a comment on their blog so that they know they've been tagged (not anonymously!!)
7 random facts few people know about me:
  1. I can fit my fist in my mouth
  2. I have 4 tattoo's, the first of which I got when I turned 16 and I am likely to get more in the near future
  3. I can still recite the first English and Afrikaans poems I was taught in school
  4. In primary school I played a lead role in Greece and the Sound of Music despite a disturbing inability to hold a note
  5. In my first year in the UK I played the lead in a pantomime despite having no idea what a pantomime was at the time
  6. I am very good at keeping deep dark secrets (which is a good thing since everyone tells me their dark secrets very quickly)
  7. I will be donating my eggs to a fertility clinic at the end of the year before seriously considering tying knots in my tubes or something :-)
So that means that it is up to you guys to take over now... Queenie ; Red ; Tertia ; Wendy ; Twinkies ; Wasted and finally, my friend down-under Baby Amore

Sorry everyone :-) I have so few friends so it has to be you! :-)

A

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Flying with toddlers

So I know you guys have been waiting with baited breathe for an update on how it went huh? Well here it is - may it provide insight and clarity to aid you in your frolicking adventures.

The first thing you need to do is find yourself and airline which caters to small children. If they openly acknowledge that they do, chances are they are also used to dealing with frazzled parents. In a pinch this is a godsend, especially if there aren't any hands free when you need them to be. There don't seem to be that many around who do, so don't be afraid to ask - I believe there are some who won't insure their crew to handle children at all so they're not a good bet for long haul. Qatar, Emirates and Qantas score very highly on the family friendly front so they're always a good option if they're within your price bracket.

Secondly, the rules state that children 2 years and under have to either be strapped into their own car seat/infant seat or stay on a parents lap. In flight I would say that the infant seat is a very good option as it is familiar and a handy (and comfortable) spot for baby to be set down. Unfortunately carrying them around the airport and between flights can be problematic - this makes it an unlikely option for parents of multiples unless there are several other adults on hand to help. Some of the airlines (see the above listed ones) offer Bassinet's or flight cots. We chose this option only to discover that the boys were too long for them. I have since been shown a handy way of propping a pillow in one end so that the baby can sleep raised up and I really wish I'd know about it before I flew. If your children are likely to be too tall or if you're not going to make use of the cot facility then I suggest that you avoid the bulk head. It does offer more legroom but as there are no seats in front of you to stow your bag away, you'll have to pack them overhead and it gets very impractical.

Thirdly, pack your handluggage as light as you possibly can. You don't need to take many things to entertain - the plane, people and in flight magazines took care of that and the less you have to carry the better. Also, dress them in baby grows or something similar and take spares because it means you don't have to keep track of all the pieces.

DO pack snacks and buy water, milk and juice before boarding the plane, take a small cooler bag along and keep your milk in there. Although the crew were great, there were times when they were very busy and we needed juice or similar in the way that only parents to young children recognise. Raisins, crackers, fruit and any other finger food works very well.

If you have twins and you and your partner are flying together - pack 2 smaller bags with exactly the same items, this way if you're seperated at all (we were on the second leg of one of our flights) you don't have to run back and forth looking for things.

If you're like me and you're BIG on sticking to the daily routine, try not to get too stressed out. The routine will get messed up but on a long haul flight there is also a lot of time to sleep and catch up if necessary.

If there are 2 adults, have one set their watch to local time and the other keep 'home' time - it makes it easier to figure out what schedule the kids clock is on.

Finally I would say this, when it gets fraught (as it is likely to do at some point), look around for the sympathetic eyes, there are lots of them and most of them will offer to help out if you let them. Be that holding/watching your child while you go for a pee or fetching/carrying things for you because you have child fast asleep on your lap. Ultimately they're on a flight with you but you're unlikely to see them again so don't bother yourself thinking of their needs, be selfish and think about yours and your family's!

All the best and happy flying :-)

A

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

In Loving Memory
Of

'Bones' Lombardi
Feb 1966 - Feb 2008

You will be sorely missed but never f*ing forgotten



Tuesday, February 05, 2008

The big What IF scenario!!

This is a biggie for me (and I suspect my husband, children and family) so I'm putting it out there in the hope that some of you can give me your opinions/experiences.

For a long time I have been harbouring a desire to donate my eggs. It sounds mad and the few people who I have broached the subject with (other than my very understanding hubby) have seriously poo-poo'd the idea.

A couple of weeks ago I was listening to talk radio (ugh! how middle aged of me huh?) and the topic came up and there were a few doctors from various clinics around the UK. They were saying that they're in crisis at present because there are so few donations taking place. There is some thought that the introduction of the 'Right to Know' campaign has had some affect as donors can no longer remain anonymous and so they're desperate for people to come forward.

I have sent off for the documentation and I have discussed it with my hubby and so it's just a matter of making a final decision. I suspect it isn't a pleasant experience and that it could be downright painful, but is that just a short term thing? I think it must be otherwise it wouldn't be requested in the manner that it is.

I think that the fact that I already have a family is a good thing as there is no chance that I can regret the decision later on the basis of my not being able to fall pregnant. Also, I can absolutely guarantee that we will not be trying for more - if anything we would try and adopt later once the boys are older.

So here is where you guys come in. What are your thoughts on egg donation? If you are all for it, what are your motivations? Would you benefit yourself and if so how long have you been waiting? If you are against or you have had a negative experience, please share it because I want to be entering into this with a clear idea of the pro's and cons if at all.

I look forward to hearing the opinions of my friends in the 'puter. You guys are the authority on these types of subjects so I bow to your experiences.

Cheers
A

Friday, February 01, 2008

Hello I'm back ;-)

Well rested, excited about the new year and ecstatic that we have finally conquered the constipation (secrets to follow).

Next post will cover flying with twins and what I have learnt - but only after I have caught up on all your blogs!

So much reading and so little time.

Happy New Year everyone.

A