Well blow me down - I just remembered that I had this blog! Well , I had a few reminders from Dad to get it going again - so here it is - the reincarnation if you like!
I have been lost in a deep, thick, nappy scented fog attempting to get to grips with family life with the 3 monkeys who are all keeping us very, very busy!
Anyhow - how the hell are you all!? haha
So its been a while - the last blog entry was when Alex was 6 months old - he has just turned 3!
Wow, as I typed that sentence the reality of time acceleration hit home! Dad was right about that particular theory! Well there's a first! hehe
2 and a half years have seen 2 more additions to the family , as you all know! Abby's and Zoe's arrivals have now completed the 'Rapid Family - Rapid Reduction of Funds' experiment. That's it! No more! I have been 'fixed' ...or 'broken' ....whichever way you look at it - the nuclear warhead has been disarmed.
Now that was a surreal experience - not as scary or painful as I anticipated but just weird. Although the day didn't get off to an ideal start. As soon as I walked into the day surgery , the dude who went before me was sat in a chair , post op, shaking and complaining about the pain! Great!
So from then on I was a little apprehensive!
Once they got going and I was naked and horizontal , they talked me through what they were about to do. My mind instantly translated whatever they said into ' WE ARE GOING TO RIP YOUR BALLS OFF AND FEED THEM TO YOU'!!
Maybe my brain was over reacting a bit? haha . Anyway the sensation of a needle going in , down there, is obviously nasty but as soon as the drugs kick in its more like the feeling you get when you are kicked in the spuds, a kind of dull, nauseating ache.
When they cut the tubes that feeling was amplified somewhat and then the next thing I see is smoke coming off my sack as they fused the tube ends!! It was all over in about 20 minutes apparently - felt a lot longer to me! And then the nurse helped me by 'putting away' my 'gentleman's vegetables' as I couldn't bend down to lift my pants up! All a bit funny really! haha
Neil - you are next my friend! I hope that hasn't put you off too much - hehe.
Anyway , its still hard to believe what has happened really. I often wake up and pinch myself to make sure this shit is real! Of course - I am incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful wife and 3 healthy kids. But its still crazy to think less than 4 years ago I was living a completely different life albeit a rather dull one in comparison!
So, onto a quick run down on the kids.
Alex - Mr Turbo - self proclaimed 'know-it-all' - he's pretty sharp, remembers everything ( dangerous) and is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character - absolutely obsessed by anything that has wheels, has moving parts or farm\construction related machinery. Has a love\hate relationship with Abby but just loves Zoe - so far!
Abby -Little Miss Tantrum - wow, well , where do I start! She's......different! Right off the bat we knew we were in for a roller coaster ride with Abby. Right from the first night the hospital nursery staff rejected her for being too noisy we knew we had produced something rather 'special'! haha
Roll on 2 years and Abby has become the undisputed Queen of Tantrums. The slightest actions can trigger a meltdown, such as closing a gate she just happened to be approaching or turning off the water hose , small things like that! . She may have early onset of 'Middle Child Syndrome'. Very different sense of humour to Alex - Abby is dry, calculated and mischievous with a touch of nasty about her! haha
Zoe - Zo Zo Cool - talk about saving the best until last! She has been the perfect baby - such a content happy bundle of joy! And she must have been wondering if the other 2 are really her siblings but has taken it all in her stride! A bit slow to get moving , maybe a bit too chilled. But she is always happy so nothing to worry about I don't think!
Annika has flourished into a bit of a super mum! I have no idea how she does it. I have recently been looking after the kids on my own for just half a day really - every fortnight - and its a challenge! haha
I reckon women in general are just tougher and can deal with many situations and scenarios better than us blokes. Annika has definitely taken that toughness to a new level! Shes awesome!
As far as jobs and the home situation goes - not too much has changed. I am still working up north on an Iron Ore minesite. I have recently changed my roster to 8 days on 6 days off so with my leave I only work 6 months a year. Its a good work\life balance but leaving home for work is getting harder and harder ( although I sleep very, very well at work! haha....shhh) so will hopefully find something else in 2 or 3 years - or before the kids start school.
We still live in Scarborough. Such a good spot - 15 minute walk to the beach and close to everything you need , its great! I absolutely love the Perth climate - pretty much perfect. Similar to Malta but without the humidity.
Annika has gone back to work - part time. She works 1.5 days a week at a girls private school as a specialist teacher mainly doing one on one sessions with the kids that struggle a bit. She loves it and the school love her ( of course) so Annika is happy - and relieved to discover that her brain still worked after 3 pregnancies in quick succession! haha
Of course there is lots more I could write about but I will get to some of it in the next posts!
Until then amigos....take it easy!
Catch you soon!
