You know those 'sleep schools' where you take your baby and go and stay for a bit and they fix everything? Anyone know if they have 'fussy clothing schools'? Where you take your five-year-old and stay for a bit and they fix everything? If they don't, would someone please start one and and call me … Continue reading Help wanted
Who needs a treadmill?
When Elsie was 18 months old, we took her back to Townsville. Part of it was having the holiday we never had when she joined us 16 weeks early on the first day of our trip, and part of it was walking The Strand in a whole different state of mind. She walked along The … Continue reading Who needs a treadmill?
Enjoying the small things
Here are some of the things we've been enjoying this week: I sewed like there was no tomorrow and sent all of my stock to Melbourne. It's going to be for sale at Westfield Doncaster at the Yellow Brick Road Market Pop Up Shop from Monday 20 til Sunday 26 August. That's cool. I love it when happy … Continue reading Enjoying the small things
Happy birthday, Elsie
Another thing I like about sheep is how a ewe protects her lamb from a potential threat (like a sheepdog or approaching two-year-old); she stares at it and stamps one of her front legs. This weekend Elsie climbed into bed and lay quietly between us while we dozed. Then she whispered, ‘Do you think anyone … Continue reading Happy birthday, Elsie
I’ve been baptised
A couple of things: 1. I voted for Darren Percival. And now I feel like asking everyone I see if I can just borrow their phone for a minute so that I can vote again and again. If you’re into The Voice, you’ll know why. Last night something inside me changed when Darren Percival sang … Continue reading I’ve been baptised
From ventilators to balloons
There are things to celebrate in a child’s life. Like all parents, we celebrated babies rolling over, taking first steps, speaking first words, and using manners for the first time without being prompted. This weekend we celebrated again. Elsie blew up her first balloon. And I cried. Watching your child learn something new is like … Continue reading From ventilators to balloons
Cathartic writing
After my interview with the editor of the Country Living section of the Weekly Times, I emailed her to request that she put something in the article about me now being back to full health. I started thinking about why that was important to me and stayed at the keyboard to find out why. This is what I wrote: … Continue reading Cathartic writing
World prematurity day
Today we honour the million babies worldwide who died this year because they were born too soon, and the 12 million more who struggle to survive. November 17 is World Prematurity Day, raising awareness of the serious problem of premature birth and helping to give our smallest world citizens the healthy start they deserve. A global … Continue reading World prematurity day
Four years and three states on…
This time four years ago, I was sitting beside a cot in the Special Care Unit of a Brisbane hospital. In the cot across from Elsie was another 24-weeker, little Stephanie, with her mum, Tara. In the same room in Special Care and both housed in Ronald McDonald House, we shared very closely the ups … Continue reading Four years and three states on…
Writing by Larissa Patton 