Traveling Red Gone Wild Style

The other day I attempted to count how many flights Joanie and I have had together over the past 14 months....I lost count! You'd think that would make it very easy flying with a toddler now ?.....hmmmmmmmmm NO WAY!!

 

Jb had her first flight back home to Broome when she was only a few weeks old, nerves were  maxed out as Shaun and I carried our precious new bundle in a funny "peanut shell" carrier. She spent the entire flight in and out of a milk coma , making funny gurgling , ewok noises. Apart from a bumpy landing  it was a very smooth and surprisingly low maintenance flight. I felt a bit more confident and optimistic on travelling solo with Jb in the future,

 

The following flights proved to be very INTERESTING with a calm Jb , no worries TOP END all the noisy and partying came from the down stairs region . I had my first introduction to POONAMIS . It seemed for a while there that gravity affected her bowel movements and thank god most of these flights I was lucky enough to have no one sitting next to me so I didn't have to see their screwed up noses and looks of disgust.

 

Around the time of Jb's second operation in October 2014 Joanie's overly efficient system had slowed down  and I didn't have to resort to putting her in a rain coat during air time, however, she replaced the shit storms with a very wriggly, fidgety state! Jb took to taking things in and out of the plane pockets, throwing food, pulling my hair and generally being  a different kind of "pain in the ass".

 

But Joanie's busy-ness got to a new level on her recent flight to and back from Perth.  Flying to Perth for Joanie's 3 month post op review, despite requesting a seat with no one next to us the packed to the rafters meant that Joanie and I were squeezed into the VERY back seat on the left hand side next to the window with a 7 year old next to me and her grandmother next to her. The little girl was very understanding when Joanie repetitively threw her milk bottle at her head  and tried to grab things off her lap table. Space didn't allow me to have any lunch  as I couldn't juggle Jb on my lap plus a tray of food  and there was no way I was going to attempt to drink a cup of steamy coffee . I ended up falling into mum and dads arms at the Perth Airport , the 2.5 hour flight feeling like  an overnighter overseas flight.

 

Our most recent flight from Perth to Broome has to take the cake for the most awkward, un relaxing and tiring flight I've ever had. My angst started at the airport when they advised me I had to sit next to someone as again it was a packed flight. I was a little happier when another mum was put next to me with a bub similar aged to Joanie, "she will be understanding of Joanie's newly acquired skill of squealing at the top of her voice box, surely...."  I thought... unfortunately the hostie wiped the smile of my face when she moved the mum as only one baby is allowed per row due to the ratio of oxygen masks or something trivial (haha) so her 7ft husband with big knee caps was put in her place.

" I apologise in advance if she's a little noisy"  I felt the need to give him a duty of care statement straight up.

"Don't worry I'm used to it" he reassured me

"Hmmmm "

Needless to say little miss brought out her alter ego " RED GONE WILD" .
I thought I was being very pro active being equipped with two bottles of milk, 3 books, five small squishy toys  snacks and a IPAD with numerous interactive games, this ended up creating a problem in itself as she just had more things to try and throw resulting in me merging into my spirit animal an octopus to try and catch everything before being thrown at my neighbour Mr Big.

Mr big said lots of nice things like "Gee you've got your hands full" "Don't apologise, your right"

"Keeping you busy eh?"

At the end of the flight he said not to worry and that he was immune, didn't stop my face turning lobster red when the lady five rows in front passed back one of Jb's bottles.

I did feel better when disembarking the plane the hostie said for me never to apologise for my  children and if anyone ever complains to give them a evil look! She also said Joanie was happy for the flight where as her child would've been crying the whole time, which was a something I spose.

 

Cuz, Sacha props to you flying with Boris from London to Australia, what tricks do you have up your sleave? Also those hero parents who travel solo with more than one?  You deserve a bloody medal as far as I'm concerned!

 

I am feeling nervous about our longer flights to QLD coming up in March , however, i will have my husband with me which will make it MUCH EASIER! I do think Shaun and I will need a stiff drink once we get to the Goldcoast though.

 

Loza and a very new Jb and I before her first plane flight

In the plane first time, Dadda taking photo

3 Month Review

Miss Jb and I have been in Perth ( going back Thursday ) for her review at PMH with the surgeon . The head honcho ( non intentional pun) was very pleased with her progress and said at this stage he is optimistic that no more operations will be required . Nothing is guaranteed , however, he believes if her head continues to grow as it has been it will even out more and the overall goal of creating maximum room for the brain to grow will be achieved. We queried the bumps ( that have smoothed out considerably) either side of her forehead , he confirmed that they are internal stitches and some new bone . The stitches are dissolvable and the bones will even out with skull growth . He wasn't concerned with the scabs on her suture line again repeating previous feedback that it's perfectly normally after such movement with the skull, tropical climate of Broome and her colouring also effect the occurrence of scabbing etc. Since this meeting the other day Perth's cooler dryer climate I believe has improved jb's scar and many of the remaining scabs have disappeared. Shaun will be very impressed to see how her scar is now looking. 

Miss Red and I have stayed in Perth a little longer so I can attend some personal appointments , catch up with friends and family and give mum and dad a mini break down south whilst Jb and I keep an eye on Vonnie ( my mums mum).

Joanie and I have been fortunate enough to catch some of the Perth Fringe Festival , Joanie loved the French Giants that were incredibly beautiful and successful creating huge crowds in Perth CBD.

Joanie also has had many catch ups with fellow bubbas and GG and Ju Ju have been very kind and looked after her a few times so I could let my hair down a little 

Perth has been great as always but we can't wait to be Sherijoanie back in Broome again!

ABOUT BLOODY TIME!

Those of you who have been following my blog will know that Jb has been delayed with a few things such as tummy time and crawling. We have been lucky enough to have a wonderful physio at the Broome Hospital who has been working with us in creating exercises for her to get stronger with her upper body strength. Jb ended up getting very strong with her tummy time and core strength .
I have been told that I was also slow in supporting my neck due to also having cranio stenosis, it only makes sense doesn't it? when your head isn't perfectly round it won't be perfectly balanced? Anyway we both got there but it doesn't make us as parents any more patient. Then it was hard for me in particular to watch all the bubs around us crawling, standing and then walking  when Jb wasn't even crawling. Everyone says "Enjoy it while you can!" easier said then done when it comes to developmental milestones!

Anyway today which is Jb's 13 month birthday she crawled from one side of the house to the other( with little breaks in between where she clapped at herself) I was sooooooo beside myself with happiness ! Unfortunately Shaun wasn't at the house at the time, but I video taped it for him and showed it to him as soon as he came home! As well as crawling Jb is pulling herself up onto furniture and standing with little support so hopefully walking wont be far away either.

Now I can believe when people say " She'll get there" "Enjoy it whilst you can" " All bubs go at different paces with different things".


Jb you're the best!

Ps This post has been long time coming as I just worked out how to attach vid via iPad 

Attack of the nerves

Friday the 13th ( I choose for this to be a lucky not bad luck day) will be Jb's 3 month review.  I really hope it goes well, I think it should based on mother's gut instinct but I just pray they don't have any advice like they believe another operation will be required.

 

I will be interested on what they say regarding the suture wound itself, I'm surprised its still quite scabby. I've been advised by doctors/ pharmacists and hospital staff that due to a combination of the Broome Tropical Climate and huge stress on the skull growing/pulling it's not unusual that the suture wound would pull and small openings would appear and scab. They have all advised I continue with emollients, vitamin b creams etc which I will do. It does make me reluctant to let her go swimming in all waters such as the Town Beach Water Park or water that could possibly not be 100% clean - Probably being a bit OTT but I have become very paranoid about infections ever since she was re-admitted that time.

 

Shaun and I can see that her skull is definitely rounder in shape , the bumps either side of her forehead are still evident but becoming smaller and smaller which is awesome. The back of her head has a flat section which I'm hoping will round out due to the suture being opened. If another operation was required it would be focusing on that back section as the rest of her skull was remodelled , all except that back section.

 

It may be to early to tell at this review as if further procedures are required it wouldn't be till next year, but I'm sure they can give us an idea if its progressing as hoped.

 

Think of us at 10.40am Friday 13th.

 

Hope to catch up with our Perth Friends and Family when down!

Joanie's Scoop Pages

JB is a lovely mixture of little princess and outdoorsy adventurer, check out these photos showing her out and about over the last few months.....

Jb and Mumma about to go to our friend Ben's 1st birthday party

Jb likes to steal Dad's prized possession , his fly swatter...getting some practice on the front porch

Caught little Miss Red breaking into Dads fishing man cave, lock on door now

Dad didn't seem to mind her selection from his collection

Wearing new outfit from Poppy Chris and Lisa

On the swing at Bens Party