If it's not spiders it's snakes!!

I’m not sure I’ll ever be totally at ease with Aussie wildlife, but just when I think I’m doing ok, something new happens that just tips me over the edge again.  When we first arrived here just over 18 months ago I was like a walking jack-in-a-box.  I was permanently on edge and jumped out of my skin at just about EVERYTHING! (Much to the amusement of many a local I am sure).  The first time I saw a blue tongued lizard (just lazing across our front door step catching some rays ……..as they do) I was a quivering wreck!!  What the hell was this giant snake looking lizard thing doing in the wild?? – Surely it should be in a cage???  Does it bite??  Oh my god, how am I going to get in house?????  You should see me now – I am even brave enough to give Abbey, Miss H’s Kindy pet blue tongue a stroke on the head.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying ‘call me Steve Irwin’ but I think I’m doing pretty well, all things considering.  That was until this evening!  Master J was out at a sleep over with his best buddy, little Miss L was tucked up in her cot and Miss H was happily watching cartoons!  With everything being so unusually chilled for 6:30 on a Friday evening, Kirsti (my lovely nanny helper) and I decided to plonk ourselves on the sofa and enjoy a nice cuppa and a chat before she headed off home.  As I’d just been to Taronga Zoo this afternoon I was telling her how brave I was, especially with the bearded lizards that just run around wild.  She told me that she had two pet ‘beardy’ lizards at home!  “Oh no” I said, “I could NEVER have those in the house – what if one escaped??”  “Ah that’s ok”, she said, “They won’t hurt you.  I had a pet baby python snake once.  It was called Grace, and it escaped out its cage into the house and we never found it!”  “WHAT!!!!!!”  I said (not quite sure what I was more shocked by – baby python snake escaping in house or the fact that it was called Grace???  Cute names and python snakes just don’t go together!!).  “If that ever happened in our house (not that we’d EVER have a pet snake) I would move into a hotel room until it was found!!!”  Kirsti, laughs hysterically.  I think she thinks I’m a bit mad – I don’t think she reaslises that I’m actually deadly serious.  Can you imagine going to bed one night and rolling over to greet a baby python snake in your bed at 3am.  NO THANK YOU!!!

'Grace" the baby python snake

Anyway the story gets WORSE!  Kirsti goes on to tell me that they when they first moved into their house they found a huge giant python snake living in it!!  “Aargh yuk I said, had the previous tenants just left their pet snake there?”  “No” she says, (laughing at me again), “it was a wild one!”  “My boyfriend had to catch it! Look here, I’ll show you a picture from my phone”.  “OH! MY! GOD!!!  Please tell that is not wild – are you serious??????  I’m so shocked – still am actually.  “Did you have to call someone to come and get it?” I ask.  “Yes” she said.  “They took it away to relocate it.  “Oh good, so at least its in the zoo now”, I say.  More hysterical laughter!!  “No, it was relocated back at Narrabeen Lake”.  “WHAT!!!!!!!”  (This time ever more genuine shock from me).  I just can’t believe that that thing is at Narrabeen Lake (and many more of them apparently).  For those of you that don’t know me – I live about 500m from Narrabeen Lake!!!!!!!  Seriously, this is the Northern Beaches not the Amazon jungle!!  I’m never going near any long grass at that lake EVER again!  I think I might even be too scared to leave little Miss L on the grass when she can sit – if I turn around for a second she could get swallowed!!

Imagine coming home to find this on your doorstep????????

'Caught' by Kirsti's boyfriend before being sent to the lake opposite MY HOUSE!

Is it just me, overreacting, or is the thought of stepping on a giant python snake the next time you go for a walk enough to make you have a near heart attack???

I think I have about as much chance of having an afternoon nap as I am of finding a unicorn at the zoo!

She can operate the ipad better than me!

Miss H is wearing a beautiful hot pink spot teeny bow, by Candy Bows Australia

Baby brain is not always a bad thing!

A blissful early evening walk

As Mr D is away on business this week we have hired the wonderful Kirsty (www.facebook.com/HoneyILeftTheKidsWithKirsti) to be my second pair of hands during every mum’s favorite time of day – tea-bath-bed!!  This may sound a little extravagant, as surely I can fly solo for 7 days right???  Weeeeelllll, I’ll just give you a little background shall I?? The last time Mr D went away, I managed to get a $500 parking fine and crash the car (rather badly), which resulted in me needing to drive a rental for the next 4 weeks while the repairs were done!  Ooops!!  In my defense, little L was only a few weeks old and I was sleep deprived and still had a severe case of baby brain!  So you see, Mr D figured that paying Kirsti was the cheaper option this time.  Fortunately we can look back and laugh – well, I can anyway: -

I had the worst case of baby brain during my last pregnancy and for some reason it seems to still be hanging around.  Now I have always been a little on the ditsy side, but some days I do wonder how I get from A to B.  I must be the real super-mummy!!  I am forever losing my keys and my phone – seriously at least once a week.  Mr D has now put some kind of tracking device on my phone, so every time I loose it, I have to go home and email Mr D, who then searches for where my phone is and emails me back.  It usually goes something like this “Babe, it must be under one of the kids seats this time as the GPS is showing that the phone is outside J’s school.  As it 3pm I’m guessing you must be parked there. Somewhere!!  Love you J.”  I’d have no hope if I ever decided to have an affair!! 

The other day I popped up to the local shops to get see the Butcher (to get some meat, not have an affair, just to clarify). As I was carrying little L in her car seat as well as keys, phone, wallet etc I ran out of hands, so when I got the meat I put my phone and wallet inside the brown paper bag so I had fewer things to carry.  For the next few days we searched and searched for my phone and wallet – nothing!  “You must remember when you last used them” says Mr D, “Nope – can’t remember a thing” I reply, which really is true!!  Even the phone tracker thingy was not working!  The next night Mr D opens the freezer to get out some steaks for dinner.  He opens up a brown paper bag and then all I hear is hysterical laughter!  Yep you’ve guessed it – wallet and phone!  And still in perfect working order too.

Anyway, back to Kirsti (who really is fabulous) – she arrived just in the nick of time yesterday.  Little L was about to scream for her feed, J and Miss H were starving to death (apparently) and I was feeling every so slightly frazzled!!  Once things had settled down I asked Kirsti if she minded if I went over the road to do my personal training class.  “No worries” she said “off you go”.  So off I went, all psyched up and ready to die (I’m still at that stage of unfitness).  I got there at exactly 6pm and there was no one to be seen.  “Strange I thought, I wonder if I’m early??”  So I sat down on the grass to wait when it suddenly dawned on me that it was Monday – and training was on a Wednesday!!!!!!  Oh bloody hell, how did I manage to get that wrong!!  I headed home, slightly irritated and as I got to the front door, I thought – “Rob, what are you doing??” The nanny was there, and I was OUT!!  ALONE!!  IN THE EVENING!!!  SO I promptly turned around and spent the next hour walking along the beach as the sun set.  It was the most relaxing hour I’ve had in a long time and listening to the waves crash in the semi-darkness does something wonderful to ones soul!  And all because of a simple baby brain error – so surely it can’t always be a bad thing??

Pretty in Pink

I just LOVE this pretty pink boutique hair bow.  It looks super cute on any little girl and is the perfect size (3") to suit both a toddler or an older girl.  It's such a girly bow and my Miss H gets so many comments when she wears it.  The colour match is perfect for any little girls wardrobe and it looks great with a ballet tutu too!

The bow is hand-tied with pink ribbon and is attached to an aligator clip, making it so easy to put into hair as it grips well too, so won't slide out.  It is super hardy too and will withstand any amount of mini 'attitude' :))

These bows are $5.50 each.  Please see www.facebook.com/CandyBowsAustralia for more details or email me on info@candybows.com.au if you have any questions.

7 days to break a habit

Miss H has sucked her thumb for as long as I can remember.  In fact, I’m pretty sure if you hold up her scan photo at a certain angle it would appear that she is sucking her thumb in my tummy too.  I can still remember my Granny Marge (my mum’s mummy), who was visiting us not long after Miss H was born, saying, “I have never seen a baby try so hard to suck her thumb.  If she manages to find it’s way into her mouth she deserves to have it there!”  And she did!!  Until last week when I decided enough was enough and it was time to stop!

You’re a big girl now Miss H” I told her.  “3 girls don’t suck their thumbs”. “and I’m 3!” she replied, very sure of herself.  “That’s right” I said.  “Mummy has some magic nail polish to put on your thumb so that you keep it out your mouth.  Can I put it on??????  It’ll make your nails very shiny and sparkly……”  “Ooooh I love sparkly nails mummy, can I see it?”  “Yes!   “Let’s put it on quickly.”  Oh I’m so mean, aren’t I?  Tricking the poor little munchkin.

Magic sparkly nail polish

The last few days have been quite tough as the “magic polish” is actually quite revolting (I accidentally got some on my finger and nearly gagged a few hours later when I tasted it.). We’ve gone from genuine upset ……”Muuuummmmmmyyyy, my thumb tastes yukky!  I want you to take this nail polish off!!” she sobs, to just plain outrage………. “I DON”T LIKE IT!!!!!  (stamps left foot) and “I’M NEVER GOING TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND!! EVER NEVER!!!!!”

I’ve heard it only takes 7 days to break a habit but the lady behind the counter in the pharmacy told me it would take at least 5 weeks.  I’m starting to think she might have had a point.  Poor little H is really struggling and some days all I want to do it just let her snuggle up with her favorite ‘raggy’ and have her thumby back. 

When I think about It, I’m not sure I’ve ever had the self-discipline to totally break a habit – and I have many that could really do with being stomped on!  Finishing the kid’s dinner!  Now, that’s a bad one, and probably one of the reasons I’ve never been any good at dieting!!  Sleeping on my tummy, and crossing my legs when I sit down.  Both of which are supposed to be terribly bad for your posture and my chiropractor has been telling me for years to stop doing them.  I’m sure the list is endless and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t break them.

So actually my little 3 year old is doing a FABULOUS job.  You can do it Miss H.  Big kiss from mummy x

P.S.  Anyone out there trying to break a habit?? Or have any tips for me??  I’d love to hear from you.

12WBT

In simple English – 12 week body transformation!!  Sounds great, doesn’t it?  Does it work?? – God I hope so!!

So it’s been three months now since Lexi-Rose was born and I still feel like a complete jelly baby (a rather large one at that!).  With my busy schedule and three little kids, getting to the gym is not as simple as it used to be.   AND I have a terrible weakness for chocolate!  Oh and wine!  Unless something drastic happens I am never going to loose this extra 10kg of fat that seems to want to be my best friend at the moment.  I tried doing a bit of DIY exercise and following a few iphone apps.  Remember “The Shredder??  Nothing at all seemed to be working and with summer fast approaching I’m starting to get frustrated.  I think my self-discipline could be called into question too, if I’m totally honest.

This is me before I started a 'real' fitness program

Anyway, one evening over dinner (pizza!  You see my problem?), one of my lovely girlfriends stated that she was starting the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation Program!  “What the hell is that?” I thought, slightly intrigued.  As I still don’t watch much Australian TV (I’m a BBC girl), I had no idea who ‘Michelle Bridges’ was or what she does.  For those of you in the darkness like me, she is one of the fitness trainers on “The Biggest Loser”.  A reality TV show where overweight contestants are put through a huge range of torturous activities and healthy eating plans to see who can loose the most weight and transform their lives. 

After reading a few forums and doing some google searches, it seemed that this transformation might actually work!!!  Sooo……I signed up! (after spending some time convincing Mr D that this REALLY was a miracle diet and that I REALLY needed all the help I could get!!). 

12WBT (have a look for yourself)

For the next 12 weeks I am totally in the hands of Michelle and I vow to do exactly as she says.  After all, I have to prove to Mr D that it REALLY is a miracle diet and that, NO it’s totally NOT a waste of money!!  I log on and find that there are a series of pre-diet tasks that you have to do.  I roll my eyes slightly and think to myself “honestly, who actually does these?” But I stick to my vow and off I go….

She does a few video lectures about getting motivated and not making any excuses for the fact that no diet has ever worked before.  Mmmmmm suddenly she is talking about me!!!  Maybe I had better pay attention…

Next she says to go through the kitchen cupboards and the fridge and throw out EVERYTHING that is not diet friendly.  So out goes most of the breakfast cereals, sauces, snacks etc.  Clearly I needed this kick up the backside.  The kids just think mum has lost the plot and there is much giggling going on as packets and bottles fly into the bin.  I can see Mr D guarding his beer collection – he looks a bit terrified that they might end up in the bin too!

Finally, she says to do a fitness test, measure your vital statistics, weigh yourself and then take a ‘before’ photo!  I came out in the ‘medium’ category for fitness, which I was pretty chuffed with – however I failed the ‘sit-up’ test miserably.  I am yet to find my abs, they seem to have totally disappeared (Oh dear).

Weight and measurements were horrifying!!  And don’t even ask me about the ‘before’ photo!  Remember I mentioned feeling like a jelly baby??  Well, it appears that I actually am one!!   I thought about posting my photo up here for a bit of extra motivation!!  Might still do it – if I can pluck up the courage!!

ALMOST TWO WEEKS IN:

I am still following Michelle’s daily recipes and all food is now viewed in calories, rather than taste or appeal. (I should clarify that her meal’s are actually surprising tasty but there is just no room for “a little chocolate’ any more)  I have eaten more carrots in the last 10 days than I have in my life and cottage cheese and a rumbly tummy are my new best friends.  I have also joined a personal training group, which trains on the beach opposite my house (how lovely does that sound????  Well, believe me when I say it -  the words ‘beach run’ have developed a whole new meaning for me).  Don't worry I do know know how lucky I am to have that almost on my doorstep!

This is a 'beach run'.  It involves running all the way to the sea and then back up again x3 - in between each weight and cardio section!  PURE TORTURE!

The result so far:  I have lost 2.8kg!  YAY – GO ME!!!!

To be continued…………

All about me! A brief description to get you up to scratch

All about me

Hi, I’m Robyn!  Welcome to my blog, Mrs D plus 3.  I got my nickname Mrs D or Mrs Diamonds from my surname, de Beer.  I’m often asked if I’m related to the ‘real de Beer diamond’ family, but sadly I am not!  I’ll keep the name though.

So, about me!!  I was born in sunny South African in Durban, on the Natal coast.  A really beautiful part of the world if you ever get the chance to visit.  I lived there with my parents and younger brother and sister until I was 11 years old.  Then my dad took a job secondment to London.  The move was a huge challenge for us all, but Surrey soon became our home and we loved it.  To cut a long story short, we decided to stay there and not return to live in South Africa.  We soon became British citizens and after 20 odd years living there, I really do see myself as British (with African roots of course).

I am a trained Beauty Therapist and Make-up Artist and up until early 2011 I worked at Virgin Atlantic Airways.  It was a dream job and the most amazing Company to work for.  The rumors are true – Richard Branson is awesome!  I started by working as an IFBT “Inflight Beauty Therapist” where I would give beauty treatments to first class passengers on board the aircraft.  These were some of the best years of my life.  I got to fly around the world, meeting weird, wonderful and fabulous people doing a job that I loved – but that could be a whole other story to tell!!

After I had my first baby in 2006, I decided that flying was no longer for me, so I moved into working and eventually managing Virgin’s Head Office Spa, as well as working in the spas’ in the airport first class lounges.  Another job that I truly loved.

In 2011 I handed in my notice at Virgin Atlantic (which was almost heart-breaking) as Mr D had a new fantastic job opportunity in Sydney, Australia.  So me, Mr D, Master J (then 4) and Miss H (then 18 months) packed up our lives, said goodbye to our precious family and friends and moved half way around the world to set up home in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

So that brings me to how I started this blog……..  I suddenly found myself as a stay at home mummy for the first time EVER in a new country, far away from everything familiar to me.  So I started to write…….

Since writing my last blog post (the one before this) I have taken a little "time-out' due to ummm - 'lack of time'!!  (as lame as that sounds). However I do have an excuse -  we have had the most gorgeous new addition to our family, little Miss L.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I love writing it.

Mrs D xxx