Santa is scary? Is this genetics?

I noticed on Friday, while at our local mall, that Santa was due to arrive on Saturday at 1pm.  I decided it'd be something fun for Gaby, so naturally I told her about it, and she WAS excited.  I couldn't wait! She spent the rest of Friday - and Saturday morning, telling anyone who would listen "I'm seeing Santa at the Palms", "Santa is coming tomorrow/today", "I love Santa" - she even spent 10 minutes, explaining to Fluffy, that she (ie the cat) had to be a good girl, or she couldn't go to visit Santa at the Palms, it was about as adorable as it gets!

Saturday, midday - we arrive at the mall.  We line up in the line to see Santa - and are THIRD from the front.  An hour after we lined up, we finally had word that Santa was on his way - that he was outside the mall, getting out of his sleigh (which was being pulled by Clydesdale horses).  I heard the tell tale 'jingle jingle' of a bell being shaken, and then the noise in the mall indicated that Santa had arrived!  Gaby was looking around, trying to see Santa - and then she got the glimpse she'd been waiting for....

AND SHE BEGAN SCREAMING - and not in a good way!  Poor Gaby was TERRIFIED of Santa, and told me in no uncertain terms that she didn't want to sit on Santa's knee an she wanted to go home... I tried to talk her down, told her that I would sit on Santa's knee with her, but nope - it was not going to happen!  Reluctantly I stepped out of line, and asked Gaby "are you sure you want to go home?" - to which she replied "yes please Mummy, I want to leave".  The poor girl, she looked as if she'd just had the biggest scare of her life. 

As soon as we left the immediate area, she was back to her usual, happy, cheerful self.  I am not sure if it was all the noise associated with Santa's arrival, that freaked her out - or if perhaps she's inherited my irrational fear, of people dressed up in mascot type costumes.  For as long as I can remember, seeing someone dressed up in a costume, has freaked me out - particularly if I can't see their real face - I can't explain why I feel this way, but it sends shivers down my spine, and I have to do all I can to not let out some form of terrified scream...

I am going to try her with Santa again, later in the week - when there aren't as many people around, and when there isn't the same level of excitement, and noise - but I have a feeling she will be just as unwilling....

Poor kiddo!

Countdown to vacation...

Thursday morning at 8.35am, Gaby and I fly out of Christchurch - headed for Queenstown!  Terri paid for our flights, as a combined birthday/christmas present for me - luckily she got cheap flights, so it didn't cost her an arm and a leg!  I can't wait to see how Gaby is on the aeroplane this time - last time we went on one, she was about 22 months old, so not really old enough to get excited about it.  But now she's 3 - and loves aeroplanes, and I'm sure she'll have a blast!!!!

Right now I'm trying to catch up on all the washing, so we have enough changes of clothes to take away with us (and enough to come home to!), times like this I remember why after every holiday I say "right, I NEED to keep on top of laundry"...  At least with Gaby being a bit older, I don't need to take quite so many changes of clothes for her, or as many odds & ends!  I figure all I need to take for her, other than clothes, is some nappies for night time, and her wipes.  I'll put some toys & books in her carry on luggage, for the plane - but I don't think she'll be too fussed about toys while we're away.. too much else going on!

Friday & Saturday night we are staying in Wanaka (around 1 hour from Queenstown) with my Grandma, which will be great - always nice to spend time with family!  Gaby doesn't get to see her too often, so any time we get to spend with her, is special.  We'll also get to see my cousin, Stacey, while we are in Wanaka - she is newly engaged, so I have some bling to inspect!!!!!!! 

I hope Gaby behaves well - I know that people don't EXPECT her to be an angel, but I always feel somewhat guilty when we go to someones house, and she acts up.  I'm sure that it bothers *me* more than it bothers anyone else, and I'm thinking it's a normal part of being a parent. 

Kia ora! Welcome to my blog

This blog is all about me... Emma Jane Oakden, SAHM (stay at home Mum), age 26, from Christchurch (New Zealand). Eldest daughter of Vicki & Richard. Big sister to Terri. Proud Mummy to Gaby. Loving partner to Jason. Forever missing my nephew, Brodie. Cousin to many. Niece to many. Grandaughter to a couple. Quite simply, Emma.

Relieved to say that Gaby is at preschool today - her hours got cut as of last week, so rather than going 3x a week, she has been 1x a week - and I'm just not used to ALL that time with - well, with her and her almost-3-year-old attitude!!! I find I am either laughing at her constantly, or trying my very hardest not to yell at her, it's like there isn't a midway point, any balance - I am coming to learn, it is the joy (& challenge) of being a parent to a happy, healthy child. I can't complain too much that she's developing as she should be, but it would be nice if just for a couple of weeks, she could go back to being around 6 months old. Cute as heck. Funny as anything. And quiet!

As much as Gaby can frustrate me, it doesn't stop me wanting to add to our brood. We are currently 3/5 of the way through our 3rd cycle, TTC our first baby together - we are both trying to be relaxed about it, but as the months go by, that starts getting a little harder. I am now 7DPO, and did my first (most likely, of many) HPT today - and of course it was a BFN. I EXPECTED a BFN, but part of my brain was saying "well, maybe it won't be!!!". I will test again in the morning with FMU, but even then I'll only be 8DPO, so probably still too early for a BFP, if I am pregnant. I purchased a 2 pack of 'Discover' tests - they detect levels at 10-15mIU, and the pack states that that is 'as early as 4 days before your period is due'. I could be good & save the test I've allotted for tomorrow, for 10DPO, but that'd mean waiting a whole other 3 days to test! We both know that it'll happen when it's meant to, but I can't help but hope reaaallllly reallllllllly hard, that this cycle is 'when its meant to'.

I'm going to give blood today, they have a donation day at Burwood Hospital, and since I am 2 minutes down the road, with nothing to do - I figured, why the heck not! I haven't given blood in years, but it is something that I really should start doing regularly... it's such an important thing to do, and can help so many people - I particularly like that if I donate blood, I could potentially help save a newborn baby, or a new Mama. It isn't as if it is a painful process, and it doesn't take too long to do