Apparently she missed that memo! LoL
I just glanced up at Miss J as she sat in her highchair eating her dinner, and had to do a double take.
Okay, background!
We had pasta for dinner tonight... the tubey kind, or "penne" as I was informed by a dear, dear, (way too smart) friend of mine! ;)
So, instead of actually picking up the pasta and eating it, Miss J decided to put one tube on each index finger! Edward Scissorhands? LoL
People I grew up with used cheesels in much the same way, but we were much older! LoL I was pretty impressed to see Miss J "painting" her highchair with her pasta-fingers!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sleep Matters
***Warning, A LONG post***
What is wrong with me? What am I doing wrong?
Khaldun has been screaming since 10pm – that’s for over the last two hours! I have NO idea what is wrong with him. I’ve checked for all the usual – too hot, too cold, nappy, teething etc and nothing seems to calm him.
If I get him up out of the cot he’ll settle for a few mins after which I’ll put him back into the cot. And then the screaming starts again. If I stand there and rub his back or tummy until he has quietened, the moment I stop, the screaming starts again. If I just sit by his cot, he will not stay lying down – he’ll scream and stand up and shake the side of the crib. it’s not good enough for me to be just near him! If I lay him down and give him his toy, pull the blankets up to his shoulders and tell him firmly “It’s time for sleep” and then walk out of the room, closing the door most of the way behind me, the screaming starts before I have even exited the room. If I lay him down and give him his lion, pull the blankets up to his shoulders and not say anything at all, then leave the room closing the door most of the way behind me, same result. I don’t understand.
I’ve even tried the controlled crying technique (in the past as well as tonight)… sort of. I hate hearing him cry and can’t bear to let him cry for longer than 10 mins without me going in there to try and settle him.
I just don’t know what else to do!
I feel so helpless right now. And I know the depression does affect the way I feel about and see things. I know that it colours everything that I do, say, think about. But this rubs really raw for what I believe to be a good reason!
You see, up until Khaldun was 6 months old, he was a FANTASTIC sleeper. And stupid me contributed this to me learning my lesson from my experiences with ICE when she was a baby.
Apparently not.
When I was pregnant with Isys, I was induced a month early for various reasons – my blood pressure was sky-rocketing and Isys had actually stopped growing properly from about 32weeks, IUGR (Inter-uterine Growth Restriction) is the term I think that was applied.
So she was born at 36w3d and due to poor feeding, jaundice, and continually losing weight rather than gaining after the initial loss, we were kept in the hospital for 12 days after she was born.
Once she and I were home, we were instructed that we must keep a strict 3hourly feeding schedule. But she was soooo slow at feeding that by the time she finished a feed it was almost time to start the next feed! And it was for this reason that we kept her in the bed with us of a night time – so that I could get some semblance of sleep.
And while it served a purpose at the time, when it came apparent that it was time that she moved into her own bed (around about 1) it proved to be the worst thing we could have done. She didn’t want to sleep in her own bed. And who could blame her when she was so cosy with mum and dad?
The trouble we had getting her to go to sleep in the cot was horrendous. We endured copious amounts of rocking, patting, sitting near the cot, letting her fall asleep while feeding (then trying to transport her to the cot still asleep, did not work very often either). She never got to sleep before Midnight and the routine took over two hours before she got to sleep – on a good night! I spent many nights asleep on the floor, where I’d be laying while reaching up to pat her back and had fallen asleep out of sheer exhaustion. In fact, it got to the point where I actually put a mattress on the floor beside her cot in anticipation of this occurring!
During the day I held her a lot. Fed her to sleep and generally kept her close to me all the time (Boy was the separation anxiety intense when I first started having to put her into day care!). She never went in her cot whilst she was awake.
Back then, and even now, we did not believe in the controlled crying method of getting babies to go to sleep. I can’t bear to hear babies cry, it wrenches my heart out. I thought it was cruel to leave a baby cry it’s little lungs out for long periods of time.
But it got to the point where we just had to try it. I wasn’t getting any QUALITY sleep and life was starting take on a tinted film. We adapted the method to suit us – we never let her cry for longer than 10 minutes and once the crying escalated into distress we went straight in, whether the time limit had elapsed or not.
And Isys surprised us by accepting that we put her to bed and left the room straight away, none of the rigmarole was going to be endured. In fact she accepted this in just 2 nights!! I couldn’t believe it at the time! And all I could think of was, why didn’t we try this earlier?!?!?!
She still didn’t go to bed before midnight, but at the time we took that. I was a night owl anyway and the fact that we didn’t have to take 2hrs to get her to bed was fantastic. She still slept until late, normally 9-10am, and had her naps, so I wasn’t worried about her not getting enough sleep. Once this new routine was well and truly established (about a month later) we started putting her to bed earlier and earlier. And now she goes to bed around about 8-8:30pm most nights. And it will be earlier again once she stops having her afternoon naps.
So anyway, I told you all this because I wanted to really show you how we’ve learnt from our experiences.
When Khaldun came along, we had him in a bassinette beside our bed. He has slept in our bed twice in the last year.
Once he got too big for the bassinette – about 4months – we transitioned him to the cot in his own room, which he took to fine.
I don’t feed him to sleep. We had the whole feed, play, sleep routine down pat. I was quite able to put him in either the cot or the bassinette while he was still awake and leave the room without any hassle. I didn’t go into him straight away when he cried so he learnt to self-settle. I don’t hold him all the time, although we still enjoy PLENTY of cuddles and kisses and playtime.
I was quite proud of the way we had managed to change the way we did things and as a result of those changes, we had a baby who was a terrific little sleeper.
Until 6 months of age.
And then it all went out the window. It’s like someone snuck in during night while I was asleep and switched babies with me!
Now, when I leave the room, most nights he cries. Fortunately after about 10-15mins of crying he will go to sleep by himself. This will normally involve me usually just lying him back down if he has been sitting up and pulling the covers up over him then leaving the room maybe once or twice.
During the night he now wakes up numerous times and will not self-settle. I am required to go in and settle him back to sleep. Usually this takes about 10secs.
And then there are the nights where he will cry for hours before finally going to sleep for the night (like tonight). He will still wake up numerous times through-out the night, which again requires me to settle him. Thankfully this happens maybe once every 7-10days. But it leaves me feeling completely helpless.
And then there are the nights where he has absolutely NO drama’s going to bed – no crying or anything, straight to sleep. But will wake up at around 3am and will proceed to scream for hours on end whether I am there with him or not. And those nights are the worst. Not only am I tired from only having a few hours sleep, but I’m desperate to try to settle him so that he doesn’t wake my daughter or husband. And not being able to settle a crying baby has to be one of the worst things a mother/father can ever go through! It’s very demoralising for me. These types of nights are occurring more and more often.
So I guess my problem is, what the hell am I doing wrong? We still employ all of the techniques with Khaldun that we have right from the start, nothing has changed there. But it just doesn’t seem to matter.
We are doing all the “right” things and we still have a baby that doesn’t sleep well. It just makes me feel totally useless as a mother.
Any advice you may have would be soooo appreciated right now
What is wrong with me? What am I doing wrong?
Khaldun has been screaming since 10pm – that’s for over the last two hours! I have NO idea what is wrong with him. I’ve checked for all the usual – too hot, too cold, nappy, teething etc and nothing seems to calm him.
If I get him up out of the cot he’ll settle for a few mins after which I’ll put him back into the cot. And then the screaming starts again. If I stand there and rub his back or tummy until he has quietened, the moment I stop, the screaming starts again. If I just sit by his cot, he will not stay lying down – he’ll scream and stand up and shake the side of the crib. it’s not good enough for me to be just near him! If I lay him down and give him his toy, pull the blankets up to his shoulders and tell him firmly “It’s time for sleep” and then walk out of the room, closing the door most of the way behind me, the screaming starts before I have even exited the room. If I lay him down and give him his lion, pull the blankets up to his shoulders and not say anything at all, then leave the room closing the door most of the way behind me, same result. I don’t understand.
I’ve even tried the controlled crying technique (in the past as well as tonight)… sort of. I hate hearing him cry and can’t bear to let him cry for longer than 10 mins without me going in there to try and settle him.
I just don’t know what else to do!
I feel so helpless right now. And I know the depression does affect the way I feel about and see things. I know that it colours everything that I do, say, think about. But this rubs really raw for what I believe to be a good reason!
You see, up until Khaldun was 6 months old, he was a FANTASTIC sleeper. And stupid me contributed this to me learning my lesson from my experiences with ICE when she was a baby.
Apparently not.
When I was pregnant with Isys, I was induced a month early for various reasons – my blood pressure was sky-rocketing and Isys had actually stopped growing properly from about 32weeks, IUGR (Inter-uterine Growth Restriction) is the term I think that was applied.
So she was born at 36w3d and due to poor feeding, jaundice, and continually losing weight rather than gaining after the initial loss, we were kept in the hospital for 12 days after she was born.
Once she and I were home, we were instructed that we must keep a strict 3hourly feeding schedule. But she was soooo slow at feeding that by the time she finished a feed it was almost time to start the next feed! And it was for this reason that we kept her in the bed with us of a night time – so that I could get some semblance of sleep.
And while it served a purpose at the time, when it came apparent that it was time that she moved into her own bed (around about 1) it proved to be the worst thing we could have done. She didn’t want to sleep in her own bed. And who could blame her when she was so cosy with mum and dad?
The trouble we had getting her to go to sleep in the cot was horrendous. We endured copious amounts of rocking, patting, sitting near the cot, letting her fall asleep while feeding (then trying to transport her to the cot still asleep, did not work very often either). She never got to sleep before Midnight and the routine took over two hours before she got to sleep – on a good night! I spent many nights asleep on the floor, where I’d be laying while reaching up to pat her back and had fallen asleep out of sheer exhaustion. In fact, it got to the point where I actually put a mattress on the floor beside her cot in anticipation of this occurring!
During the day I held her a lot. Fed her to sleep and generally kept her close to me all the time (Boy was the separation anxiety intense when I first started having to put her into day care!). She never went in her cot whilst she was awake.
Back then, and even now, we did not believe in the controlled crying method of getting babies to go to sleep. I can’t bear to hear babies cry, it wrenches my heart out. I thought it was cruel to leave a baby cry it’s little lungs out for long periods of time.
But it got to the point where we just had to try it. I wasn’t getting any QUALITY sleep and life was starting take on a tinted film. We adapted the method to suit us – we never let her cry for longer than 10 minutes and once the crying escalated into distress we went straight in, whether the time limit had elapsed or not.
And Isys surprised us by accepting that we put her to bed and left the room straight away, none of the rigmarole was going to be endured. In fact she accepted this in just 2 nights!! I couldn’t believe it at the time! And all I could think of was, why didn’t we try this earlier?!?!?!
She still didn’t go to bed before midnight, but at the time we took that. I was a night owl anyway and the fact that we didn’t have to take 2hrs to get her to bed was fantastic. She still slept until late, normally 9-10am, and had her naps, so I wasn’t worried about her not getting enough sleep. Once this new routine was well and truly established (about a month later) we started putting her to bed earlier and earlier. And now she goes to bed around about 8-8:30pm most nights. And it will be earlier again once she stops having her afternoon naps.
So anyway, I told you all this because I wanted to really show you how we’ve learnt from our experiences.
When Khaldun came along, we had him in a bassinette beside our bed. He has slept in our bed twice in the last year.
Once he got too big for the bassinette – about 4months – we transitioned him to the cot in his own room, which he took to fine.
I don’t feed him to sleep. We had the whole feed, play, sleep routine down pat. I was quite able to put him in either the cot or the bassinette while he was still awake and leave the room without any hassle. I didn’t go into him straight away when he cried so he learnt to self-settle. I don’t hold him all the time, although we still enjoy PLENTY of cuddles and kisses and playtime.
I was quite proud of the way we had managed to change the way we did things and as a result of those changes, we had a baby who was a terrific little sleeper.
Until 6 months of age.
And then it all went out the window. It’s like someone snuck in during night while I was asleep and switched babies with me!
Now, when I leave the room, most nights he cries. Fortunately after about 10-15mins of crying he will go to sleep by himself. This will normally involve me usually just lying him back down if he has been sitting up and pulling the covers up over him then leaving the room maybe once or twice.
During the night he now wakes up numerous times and will not self-settle. I am required to go in and settle him back to sleep. Usually this takes about 10secs.
And then there are the nights where he will cry for hours before finally going to sleep for the night (like tonight). He will still wake up numerous times through-out the night, which again requires me to settle him. Thankfully this happens maybe once every 7-10days. But it leaves me feeling completely helpless.
And then there are the nights where he has absolutely NO drama’s going to bed – no crying or anything, straight to sleep. But will wake up at around 3am and will proceed to scream for hours on end whether I am there with him or not. And those nights are the worst. Not only am I tired from only having a few hours sleep, but I’m desperate to try to settle him so that he doesn’t wake my daughter or husband. And not being able to settle a crying baby has to be one of the worst things a mother/father can ever go through! It’s very demoralising for me. These types of nights are occurring more and more often.
So I guess my problem is, what the hell am I doing wrong? We still employ all of the techniques with Khaldun that we have right from the start, nothing has changed there. But it just doesn’t seem to matter.
We are doing all the “right” things and we still have a baby that doesn’t sleep well. It just makes me feel totally useless as a mother.
Any advice you may have would be soooo appreciated right now
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Stupid FB Quizzes
If you have a FB account you will have undoubtedly completed a quiz that promised to tell you all manner of things by answering a few simple questions. From the exact day you will die, and how it will happen, to how many children you will have, the gender of said children and even their date of births. Then there are the quizzes which asks you what State you should live in, what random object represents you, you’re favourite se.x position (because a quiz can actually know your preferences right???), what celebrity we most resemble and even what mental illness we have or the type of serial killer we are like.
Now, I know most of you take these quizzes knowing that the questions and answers do not mean ANYTHING at all, that half of the time the questions do even have anything to do with the topic of the quiz. But we take them anyway, out of curiosity maybe, or for fun, from boredom, procrastination, a myriad of reasons.
I came across a quiz today. Apparently Fortune Teller Genius “knows everything” and will answer you with a “yes” or “no” to any question that you ask of him.
So, what do I do? I ask him a question. Why not? I know it’s a load of bull crap. And yet, I wasn’t prepared for his answer, even though I knew I had a 50% chance of receiving it. Logically, I knew this. I’m a smart person.
I looked at the answer and I felt a dull ache in the pit of my stomach. I also thought that maybe this answer may actually be true.
So I bet you are all wondering what I asked. Or not. But I'll share anyway.
Fortune Teller Genius
Question: Will i ever be happy?
Answer: Of course not!
Will I ever get this monkey off my back?
Now, I know most of you take these quizzes knowing that the questions and answers do not mean ANYTHING at all, that half of the time the questions do even have anything to do with the topic of the quiz. But we take them anyway, out of curiosity maybe, or for fun, from boredom, procrastination, a myriad of reasons.
I came across a quiz today. Apparently Fortune Teller Genius “knows everything” and will answer you with a “yes” or “no” to any question that you ask of him.
So, what do I do? I ask him a question. Why not? I know it’s a load of bull crap. And yet, I wasn’t prepared for his answer, even though I knew I had a 50% chance of receiving it. Logically, I knew this. I’m a smart person.
I looked at the answer and I felt a dull ache in the pit of my stomach. I also thought that maybe this answer may actually be true.
So I bet you are all wondering what I asked. Or not. But I'll share anyway.
Fortune Teller Genius
Question: Will i ever be happy?
Answer: Of course not!
Will I ever get this monkey off my back?
No More Dummy!
Well, this happened a little bit sooner then what I was planning...but things never go to plan in my house.
Last night Jaci went to sleep WITHOUT her Dummy. I was completely shocked, although we checked for around half an hour before bedtime to find the dummy, we just couldn't find it anywhere. It was so cute, she was walking around the house holding her hands up as if to say 'all gone'.
In the end it didn't take long for her to drift off to sleep, she just layed down in my arms and cuddled in close and off she went into the 'land of nod'. Today we haven't needed the dummy (even though it is still lost) and she has been quite good without it.
So we now have No More Dummy!
Last night Jaci went to sleep WITHOUT her Dummy. I was completely shocked, although we checked for around half an hour before bedtime to find the dummy, we just couldn't find it anywhere. It was so cute, she was walking around the house holding her hands up as if to say 'all gone'.
In the end it didn't take long for her to drift off to sleep, she just layed down in my arms and cuddled in close and off she went into the 'land of nod'. Today we haven't needed the dummy (even though it is still lost) and she has been quite good without it.
So we now have No More Dummy!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
About Me and My Family!
My name is Stephanie Tattam and I am married to my darling husband Lee Tattam. Together we have four children. I am 26 years old and Lee is 32 years old, we have been married for 4 years and have been together for 9 years. Our children are...Tyler Jordan Tattam, born March 16th 2001, he is 8 years old, next is Zach Ahren Tattam, born August 15th 2003, he has just turned 6 years old, then we have Bailey Amber June Tattam, born 29th November 2004, she is 4 years old, Last but not least we have Jaci Fay Tattam, born 7th January 2008, she is 20-months old.
So thats our Family
So thats our Family
OH MY GOSH!
Well, this afternoon I got the shock of my life. I had bathed Jaci and dressed her in her PJ's, and I left the bath water in the bath and then closed the bathroom door. Finished off Dinner and fed the kids, then told Bailey to have a bath. She (Bailey) came out and said she was getting in and I aked her to close the door behind her so Jaci didn't go into the bathroom.
So, I'm out in the dining room starting to clean up after dinner and then sorting some washing out, when Zach comes out and says "Jaci is in the bathtub". I immediately freaked out, I know that the older kids are okay to bath themselves but I always ask them to close the door so Jaci can't get in the bathroom. I walk into the bathroom to find my 20-month old toddler, standing in the bathtub (with water up to her ankles) in her PJ's and Slippers and playing with a Facewasher, while giggling at Bailey who is also in the bathtub.
In the end it was a change of PJ's for Jaci, Bailey got yelled at for leaving the bathroom door open and now I have learnt a lesson to never trust the 'older kids' to do something you ask them to do.Never has this happened before and now after this afternoon, hopefully it won't again.
So, I'm out in the dining room starting to clean up after dinner and then sorting some washing out, when Zach comes out and says "Jaci is in the bathtub". I immediately freaked out, I know that the older kids are okay to bath themselves but I always ask them to close the door so Jaci can't get in the bathroom. I walk into the bathroom to find my 20-month old toddler, standing in the bathtub (with water up to her ankles) in her PJ's and Slippers and playing with a Facewasher, while giggling at Bailey who is also in the bathtub.
In the end it was a change of PJ's for Jaci, Bailey got yelled at for leaving the bathroom door open and now I have learnt a lesson to never trust the 'older kids' to do something you ask them to do.Never has this happened before and now after this afternoon, hopefully it won't again.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I know she's smart, but UH OH!
She DID what.......
So, this morning I get Janaya up as usual - she was still in her cot thankfully!
Nappy change... she runs off to investigate what's changed over night as she always does, while I take her nappy to the laundry.
I was washing my hands in the main bathroom when I hear her little feet padding up the hallway. This isn't unusual, she always comes in when I'm in her bathroom! She likes to pretend to be "swishing" the water in the bath!
But this morning, she didn't come IN, she closed the gate and locked it!
Hmmmm, interesting........ I hear her running away, giggling.
This can't be good, what is she up to?
I wonder out of the bathroom, open the gate and see her disappearing around the corner...
WITH MY MOBILE PHONE! lol
She knows she's not supposed to have it, so she made sure she locked mummy "out" before racing off to play! lol
As I said, I knew she was smart, but I'm getting scared now!!! lol
So, this morning I get Janaya up as usual - she was still in her cot thankfully!
Nappy change... she runs off to investigate what's changed over night as she always does, while I take her nappy to the laundry.
I was washing my hands in the main bathroom when I hear her little feet padding up the hallway. This isn't unusual, she always comes in when I'm in her bathroom! She likes to pretend to be "swishing" the water in the bath!
But this morning, she didn't come IN, she closed the gate and locked it!
Hmmmm, interesting........ I hear her running away, giggling.
This can't be good, what is she up to?
I wonder out of the bathroom, open the gate and see her disappearing around the corner...
WITH MY MOBILE PHONE! lol
She knows she's not supposed to have it, so she made sure she locked mummy "out" before racing off to play! lol
As I said, I knew she was smart, but I'm getting scared now!!! lol
In this case it's 'He did what!'
Ben Jake and I visited my new niece this afternoon Ashley and my sister in law Naomi in hospital.
Ashley is only a week and a bit old.
While Ben was holding her she opened her mouth up wide showing us her gums. Jake went over stuck his finger in her mouth saying 'teeth' - obviously there are no teeth yet so this was his way of asking us where her teeth are. SO CUTE
Ben Jake and I visited my new niece this afternoon Ashley and my sister in law Naomi in hospital.
Ashley is only a week and a bit old.
While Ben was holding her she opened her mouth up wide showing us her gums. Jake went over stuck his finger in her mouth saying 'teeth' - obviously there are no teeth yet so this was his way of asking us where her teeth are. SO CUTE
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Rude Awakenings!
We all get woken up by a little angels in one way or another. Whether it's during the night and they're being a pain (as happens ever now and then!), or first thing in the morning when you just really don't want to get out from under those warm, cozy covers, it is not always easy to drag yourself out of bed and on duty...
And then there's those mornings when they wake you up in such a way that your hearts pounding out of your chest! Just like the way Janaya woke me up this morning :(
SCREAMING! I thought I'd have a heart attack with how fast my heart was racing, it was horrible, but I didn't even think about it until I raced into my daughters room, scooped her up off the floor - yes, the floor - and into my arms.
Normally she wakes up and plays and babbles and dozes until about 9ish, but she didn't wake me up like she normally would. I guess she thought it would be more fun to try and get out of bed herself!!!
And then was the thump that woke me up!
And now we're talking about moving from the cot to a toddler bed... a little sooner than I'd like, but she's a tall girl and I kind of figured she'd climb out sooner than most :( She HAD to take after her father, didn't she!!!
DH was stressing after that coz I still have my single bed from when I went into a "Big Girls Bed" and was planning on putting Janaya in that with a bed rail. But, after Janaya fell out of her cot, he was panicked that she would fall out of the bed and wants to buy a Toddler Bed. But we had decided to try the single bed first so we might be able to save that money for something else as money is always tight this time of year!
You know how I convinced him to still use the single bed? Storage! Men are so funny! The minute I mentioned that we'd have to store the cot AND the single bed, and later the cot AND the Toddler Bed, he was back on side.
And now, the next stage of my little girls life is about to begin! I can't believe it, she's growing up waaaaay too fast :(
And then there's those mornings when they wake you up in such a way that your hearts pounding out of your chest! Just like the way Janaya woke me up this morning :(
SCREAMING! I thought I'd have a heart attack with how fast my heart was racing, it was horrible, but I didn't even think about it until I raced into my daughters room, scooped her up off the floor - yes, the floor - and into my arms.
Normally she wakes up and plays and babbles and dozes until about 9ish, but she didn't wake me up like she normally would. I guess she thought it would be more fun to try and get out of bed herself!!!
And then was the thump that woke me up!
And now we're talking about moving from the cot to a toddler bed... a little sooner than I'd like, but she's a tall girl and I kind of figured she'd climb out sooner than most :( She HAD to take after her father, didn't she!!!
DH was stressing after that coz I still have my single bed from when I went into a "Big Girls Bed" and was planning on putting Janaya in that with a bed rail. But, after Janaya fell out of her cot, he was panicked that she would fall out of the bed and wants to buy a Toddler Bed. But we had decided to try the single bed first so we might be able to save that money for something else as money is always tight this time of year!
You know how I convinced him to still use the single bed? Storage! Men are so funny! The minute I mentioned that we'd have to store the cot AND the single bed, and later the cot AND the Toddler Bed, he was back on side.
And now, the next stage of my little girls life is about to begin! I can't believe it, she's growing up waaaaay too fast :(
Tuna & Sweet Potato Cakes
Photography by John Paul Urizar
Preparation Time
20 minutes
Ingredients (serves 4) - although I made about 8 cakes
- 1 medium (about 300g) orange sweet potato (kumara), peeled, coarsely chopped
- 1 x 425g can tuna chunks in brine, drained
- 2 eggs, lightly whisked
- 25g (1/4 cup) dried (packaged) breadcrumbs
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 4 crusty bread rolls
Method
1. Cook the sweet potato in a large saucepan of salted boiling water for 7-8 minutes or until tender. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Transfer to a large bowl.2. Kids' task: Use a potato masher or fork to mash the sweet potato until coarsely mashed. Add the tuna, egg and breadcrumbs, and stir until well combined. Season with pepper. Divide the tuna mixture into 8 equal portions. Use wet hands to shape portions into 8cm patties.
3. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until golden brown. Remove from heat. Divide among serving plates and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with bread rolls.
Notes & Suggestions
I added frozen pees to the mix and I imagine you could add just about any veggies you like! For some extra iron, try adding some spinach and other things like that. I forgot to use the black better in the mix, but it was still nice and my darling hubby added some over the top of his coz he's fussy! LoL
I also rolled the patty in some extra breadcrumbs to help them hold together. Could be a bit "sloppy" in the hands but once one side is good, it holds together really well.
Also, as I can't eat fat, I dry-fried them in a non-stick pan and that was fine so you can do that not a problem :)
Will free well for future meals or even snacks!
Source
This recipe was one that Chantelle told me about and so I looked it up and LOVED it!Chantelle found this recipe on taste.com.au
Good Taste - June 2005, Page 60
Recipe by Jane Charlton
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tea-time convo?
What follows is a conversation I had with my 4 year old a few weeks ago:
Isys: Mum, where’s your dad?
Me: My Dad died hunny.
Isys: Did your Mum kill him??
Me: No, my mum did not kill him.
WTH???!!!! For starters, where in the world did she even get the notion that people kill people??? And secondly why would she even think my mother was the cause of his death!!! It made me laugh!
Seriously though, no more TV for her until she is like, well 100!
Isys: Mum, where’s your dad?
Me: My Dad died hunny.
Isys: Did your Mum kill him??
Me: No, my mum did not kill him.
WTH???!!!! For starters, where in the world did she even get the notion that people kill people??? And secondly why would she even think my mother was the cause of his death!!! It made me laugh!
Seriously though, no more TV for her until she is like, well 100!
An Awesome Day :)
Today has just been one of those great days. Everything seemed to work out and, even though I've been go-go-go all day (literally!), I'm not too tired or stressed or even frazzled! Well..... okay, maybe a little bit frazzled! And there was that time when I was rushing and thought I was gonna make my friend late to pick up her kids (again!) and...... well, still!
I feel great! :D
Janaya's been in a great mood all day. I got her up and we had breakfast - even I got to have breakfast! Good thing too, coz lunch was at about 3:30pm! hahahaha
The weather was crazy, so we ate at home and took our time. Then it was running errands. Nothing drastic, just a quick stop at the bank and Woollies, and a HUNT for nappy liners in about six different shops! lol But Janaya was awesome. She played and bounced in her trolley, and except for that one time that she tried to climb out and scared the life outta me coz I thought she was going to fall out (gasp!), she was an absolute angel!
In the bank I just let her run around. Is that bad? Coz she didn't think so! I was standing at the counter and she would walk away and when I "caught" her (which simply mean saying her name! lol) she'd look at me with her cheekiest grin and then come racing back to me and CRASH into my legs! hahaha
The last time she did it she got more game and almost got to the door! lol But I chased after her and she ran away squealing with excitement! :D What a great time!!! So thankful that the teller was laughing with us and not annoyed that I was holding her up! :)
Speaking of holding people up, every time I was in a check out line, I would get so caught up chatting with Janaya ("Ahhh, bwaba! Bwa? hehehe Books!") and playing with her that I wouldn't even hear the lady calling me! lol A few blushes and chuckles on my part, and some hurried apologies, and the check out ladies were joining in the fun!
I think Janaya made quite a few people smile today :)
When she tried to climb out of the trolley we were in the chemist and the woman in the line behind me HAD to tell me her life story with her boys who were frequently getting stitched up, but she was nice enough. She did say that there was a strap in the trolley but quickly said she didn't know if they were any good. I dont think she wanted to offend me :D But I have two things to say about those silly straps... one, they only work to a certain age and then they're USELESS! And two, I did strap her in, but she undid it!
Now we're in trouble! I'm waiting til it occurs to Janaya to undo her seat belt in the car!
Anyway, I was inspired to catch up with a friend of mine and it turned out to be a really good thing. I've been trying to arrange a prescription with my doctor which is normally fine but there was some phone call he had to make so it wouldn't cost a small fortune so he had to see me. And since he was due to finish really soon, could I please come straight in and he'll see me right away? Okay, so Steph? Can you watch Janaya? You're an ANGEL! I owe you the world!
Race out the door.
Get to the doctors in RECORD time.
Pant.
Gasp.
I'm here! I made it!
They recognised me right away and told me to take a seat and he'd call me through...
Nope, Jack first.
Then someone else whose name I can't remember.
Then someone else....
Meanwhile I'm freaking out coz Steph has to pick up her boys from school! So I call ANOTHER friend of mine, wake her up (she's been having a lot of trouble sleeping and has to drive to the airport tonight) to ask if she can take over so Steph could go get her kids... she's not happy, but she'll do it... and then, while I'm on the phone the doctor calls my name!
*sigh*
By this point, I'm exhausted! LoL I tell my friend not to worry coz I'll be home soon anyway, and hang up. I go in to the doctor's surgery, jump on the scales and I always do when I'm there - I dont own any, and for good reason! - and WOW! I've lost ANOTHER 4kgs! That's a total of 27kgs since February! I'm over the moon!
The appt with the doctor goes incredibly fast, I fly past accounts and sign the bulk billing slip thingy (my doctor is an ANGEL) and literlly RUN to the car!!! Race home, with Steph in my ear telling me not to worry she has plenty of time.......
I get home.... she goes to get her boys...... I make Janaya a bottle and sit in her chair in her room while she falls asleep - oh, with my spare house keys in her hand I might add coz she screamed when I tried to take them off her! *shakes head* I never give her keys to play with, but I guess there's always the exception to the rule isn't there.
When she fell asleep, her little hand opened up and I quickly grabbed the keys. She was snuggled right into me and so beautiful, I stroked her hair and rocked with her and, even though I KNEW I had to put her in her cot, I really didn't want to.
Finally, hunger pains took over and I put her down. She's still there now, snuggled under her covers and snoring happily.
Anyway, this day... wow! It's been full on and HEAPS of fun, but everything has been done in fastforward! Even sitting at the doctors, SITTING! Did you know you can sit in fastforward? Coz I do now!
So that's my crazy day in a fastforward post... hope you're not too tired after reading it! :D
Oh, and by the way? $10.99 for nappy liners? Seriously! I'm getting out the sewing machine tonight! Been too busy lately, but dammit, that's just crazy!
And yet, nothing can ruin my day...
I feel great! :D
Janaya's been in a great mood all day. I got her up and we had breakfast - even I got to have breakfast! Good thing too, coz lunch was at about 3:30pm! hahahaha
The weather was crazy, so we ate at home and took our time. Then it was running errands. Nothing drastic, just a quick stop at the bank and Woollies, and a HUNT for nappy liners in about six different shops! lol But Janaya was awesome. She played and bounced in her trolley, and except for that one time that she tried to climb out and scared the life outta me coz I thought she was going to fall out (gasp!), she was an absolute angel!
In the bank I just let her run around. Is that bad? Coz she didn't think so! I was standing at the counter and she would walk away and when I "caught" her (which simply mean saying her name! lol) she'd look at me with her cheekiest grin and then come racing back to me and CRASH into my legs! hahaha
The last time she did it she got more game and almost got to the door! lol But I chased after her and she ran away squealing with excitement! :D What a great time!!! So thankful that the teller was laughing with us and not annoyed that I was holding her up! :)
Speaking of holding people up, every time I was in a check out line, I would get so caught up chatting with Janaya ("Ahhh, bwaba! Bwa? hehehe Books!") and playing with her that I wouldn't even hear the lady calling me! lol A few blushes and chuckles on my part, and some hurried apologies, and the check out ladies were joining in the fun!
I think Janaya made quite a few people smile today :)
When she tried to climb out of the trolley we were in the chemist and the woman in the line behind me HAD to tell me her life story with her boys who were frequently getting stitched up, but she was nice enough. She did say that there was a strap in the trolley but quickly said she didn't know if they were any good. I dont think she wanted to offend me :D But I have two things to say about those silly straps... one, they only work to a certain age and then they're USELESS! And two, I did strap her in, but she undid it!
Now we're in trouble! I'm waiting til it occurs to Janaya to undo her seat belt in the car!
Anyway, I was inspired to catch up with a friend of mine and it turned out to be a really good thing. I've been trying to arrange a prescription with my doctor which is normally fine but there was some phone call he had to make so it wouldn't cost a small fortune so he had to see me. And since he was due to finish really soon, could I please come straight in and he'll see me right away? Okay, so Steph? Can you watch Janaya? You're an ANGEL! I owe you the world!
Race out the door.
Get to the doctors in RECORD time.
Pant.
Gasp.
I'm here! I made it!
They recognised me right away and told me to take a seat and he'd call me through...
Nope, Jack first.
Then someone else whose name I can't remember.
Then someone else....
Meanwhile I'm freaking out coz Steph has to pick up her boys from school! So I call ANOTHER friend of mine, wake her up (she's been having a lot of trouble sleeping and has to drive to the airport tonight) to ask if she can take over so Steph could go get her kids... she's not happy, but she'll do it... and then, while I'm on the phone the doctor calls my name!
*sigh*
By this point, I'm exhausted! LoL I tell my friend not to worry coz I'll be home soon anyway, and hang up. I go in to the doctor's surgery, jump on the scales and I always do when I'm there - I dont own any, and for good reason! - and WOW! I've lost ANOTHER 4kgs! That's a total of 27kgs since February! I'm over the moon!
The appt with the doctor goes incredibly fast, I fly past accounts and sign the bulk billing slip thingy (my doctor is an ANGEL) and literlly RUN to the car!!! Race home, with Steph in my ear telling me not to worry she has plenty of time.......
I get home.... she goes to get her boys...... I make Janaya a bottle and sit in her chair in her room while she falls asleep - oh, with my spare house keys in her hand I might add coz she screamed when I tried to take them off her! *shakes head* I never give her keys to play with, but I guess there's always the exception to the rule isn't there.
When she fell asleep, her little hand opened up and I quickly grabbed the keys. She was snuggled right into me and so beautiful, I stroked her hair and rocked with her and, even though I KNEW I had to put her in her cot, I really didn't want to.
Finally, hunger pains took over and I put her down. She's still there now, snuggled under her covers and snoring happily.
Anyway, this day... wow! It's been full on and HEAPS of fun, but everything has been done in fastforward! Even sitting at the doctors, SITTING! Did you know you can sit in fastforward? Coz I do now!
So that's my crazy day in a fastforward post... hope you're not too tired after reading it! :D
Oh, and by the way? $10.99 for nappy liners? Seriously! I'm getting out the sewing machine tonight! Been too busy lately, but dammit, that's just crazy!
And yet, nothing can ruin my day...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
What ARE You Saying?????
Janaya has has a recent obsession with one particular word. I don't know if it's something she's trying to say, or maybe it's just that she likes the sound of it? Who knows! But ALL day for the last three days, it's been:
Bzzzweeeebzzzweeee bzzzweeeebzzzweeee bzzzweeebzzzweeee bzzzweeebzzzweee
That's the best way I can say it! LoL I just wish she'd tell me what it meant! And HOW she's saying it, coz I've been TRYING to repeat it coz she loves it when I repeat what she's saying, but I cant for the life of me say it! hahahahahaha
*sigh*
Oh well, as long as she's having fun!
*sigh*
Oh well, as long as she's having fun!
Hi! My Name Is............. JEN!
I'm an incredibly proud, madly in love Stay-at-home mummy of the most beautiful little girl in the world, Janaya :D She's almost 16 months old and has more personality than seems fair for someone so tiny! She's cheeky, hilarious, stubborn, sweet, loving, kind, waaaay too smart....
....and she get's it all from me! LoL Especially the cheekiness, so my husband would say :D Pretty sure he's responsible for her being stubborn, though!
My husband is David and he's wonderful and supportive, the best guy in the world. As my dad put it, he's just a genuinely nice guy with a heart of gold. There's not enough guys like him in the world.
My passions, aside from my beautiful family, are writing, reading, scrapbooking, fitness, cooking, cleaning (I'm a bit strange like that!), my friends and, a new development, Avon! I'm a brand new consultant, just having finished my first campaign and put in my second order. I've already met some great people and had a lot of fun with friends looking at all the gorgeous products and dreaming about what we'd buy if we had more money! ;)
Did I mention that my husband is also incredibly patient? :p
That's me in a nutshell. There's plenty more to learn, but it's a journey all on it's own! I hope you'll stick around to get to know me and my wonderful, fellow Loving Mummies!
....and she get's it all from me! LoL Especially the cheekiness, so my husband would say :D Pretty sure he's responsible for her being stubborn, though!
My husband is David and he's wonderful and supportive, the best guy in the world. As my dad put it, he's just a genuinely nice guy with a heart of gold. There's not enough guys like him in the world.
My passions, aside from my beautiful family, are writing, reading, scrapbooking, fitness, cooking, cleaning (I'm a bit strange like that!), my friends and, a new development, Avon! I'm a brand new consultant, just having finished my first campaign and put in my second order. I've already met some great people and had a lot of fun with friends looking at all the gorgeous products and dreaming about what we'd buy if we had more money! ;)
Did I mention that my husband is also incredibly patient? :p
That's me in a nutshell. There's plenty more to learn, but it's a journey all on it's own! I hope you'll stick around to get to know me and my wonderful, fellow Loving Mummies!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Welcome to Loving Mummies!
Hello Mummies, Daddies, Bubbies and anyone else!
I've been wanting to write a blog lately to keep in touch with friends and family, and to share stories for our every day lives. But I just didn't know where to start or what to do! Finally, I was watching my friends little boy this morning and, during a short break where he and my little angel were off playing together (gasp!) I sat at the kitchen table and flicked through my fav mag, Practical Parenting.
Then it struck me! A blog where mum's that I know can post about their experiences and swap their ideas and inspirations! Like the magazine, but Mum's that I KNOW! How exciting, we can have our own online cuppa-of-the-month magazine! I'm always so excited to get my PP magazine, I hang out for it coz it's like sitting down with friends and having a good chat... imagine that, but with people/kids that I actually know!
I was so excited that I told my friend about it and she was really excited too! And so "Loving Mummies" was conceived... haha, excuse the pun!
Borrowing from all the magazines I've ever read, the fun bits that we all love and have a giggle about, there will be sections including: Mere Male, They Said What?!, What Works For Us, Fun Times, Hard Times, Sanity Savers and, of course, a general section where everyone can just tell us what they've been up to that day and what funny things their little one has done, whatever they want! :D
Mere Male, I dont need to explain :D They Said What?! is for those who have chatty children and the funny lil comments they come up with! lol What Works For Us is ideas we've come up with to get through those pesky chores or difficult car trips, whatever neat little trick you've come up with. Fun Times is rather self explanatory :D Hard Times.... well, tell us about any difficulties you've had in your journey, any problems you had with anything at all - bonding, feeding, sleeping, PND, delivery, conception, changing relationship from partner & lover to mummy & daddy. Anything goes!
Sanity Savers is my personal favourite! What to do on a rainy day? How to entertain a bug-infested child? How to occupy the kidlets when you're just tired and fed up? Anything you've got up your sleave, share your ideas here :D
Of course, there'll be an Getting To Know Me section, where all the authors of this blog can post about who they are, what they do, their kids, partners, pets etc. Just a little about yourself to get us started :)
Anyway, I hope you come along, have a read and tell us what's been happening! Looking forward to getting to know all my friends and their kids even better :D
I've been wanting to write a blog lately to keep in touch with friends and family, and to share stories for our every day lives. But I just didn't know where to start or what to do! Finally, I was watching my friends little boy this morning and, during a short break where he and my little angel were off playing together (gasp!) I sat at the kitchen table and flicked through my fav mag, Practical Parenting.
Then it struck me! A blog where mum's that I know can post about their experiences and swap their ideas and inspirations! Like the magazine, but Mum's that I KNOW! How exciting, we can have our own online cuppa-of-the-month magazine! I'm always so excited to get my PP magazine, I hang out for it coz it's like sitting down with friends and having a good chat... imagine that, but with people/kids that I actually know!
I was so excited that I told my friend about it and she was really excited too! And so "Loving Mummies" was conceived... haha, excuse the pun!
Borrowing from all the magazines I've ever read, the fun bits that we all love and have a giggle about, there will be sections including: Mere Male, They Said What?!, What Works For Us, Fun Times, Hard Times, Sanity Savers and, of course, a general section where everyone can just tell us what they've been up to that day and what funny things their little one has done, whatever they want! :D
Mere Male, I dont need to explain :D They Said What?! is for those who have chatty children and the funny lil comments they come up with! lol What Works For Us is ideas we've come up with to get through those pesky chores or difficult car trips, whatever neat little trick you've come up with. Fun Times is rather self explanatory :D Hard Times.... well, tell us about any difficulties you've had in your journey, any problems you had with anything at all - bonding, feeding, sleeping, PND, delivery, conception, changing relationship from partner & lover to mummy & daddy. Anything goes!
Sanity Savers is my personal favourite! What to do on a rainy day? How to entertain a bug-infested child? How to occupy the kidlets when you're just tired and fed up? Anything you've got up your sleave, share your ideas here :D
Of course, there'll be an Getting To Know Me section, where all the authors of this blog can post about who they are, what they do, their kids, partners, pets etc. Just a little about yourself to get us started :)
Anyway, I hope you come along, have a read and tell us what's been happening! Looking forward to getting to know all my friends and their kids even better :D
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