Little Oliver J has moved

Hi all.
Well, it's been a while.
Little Oliver J has had a re-do, and name change. You can now find us here.
That's http://worklifemum.wordpress.com/ for all of those who wish to add it to their little black books.

Why you ask? Well the explanation is over at Work Life Mum, but as the name change would suggest- my life has changed dramatically over the past 4 months and so it's time for a change. Don't worry, LOJ will not be closed- it's for him and I will keep it for him. But I won't be blogging from here anymore. So come over and say hey at my new address.

Thanks for all the love and support over the years. I hope this is not goodbye, please come over to my new place and share a cup of tea.

Signing off from Little Oliver J for the last time *tear*

Mama J
xx

A stop motion very short film.

A very short stop motion film, expect more of these to come.

Mama J xx

30/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

21.07.2013-28.07.2013

You sat and watched the birds. This is the first time you have ever just sat and observed. We feed them popcorn and admired the view. It was one of those magical moments.

It's funny to think that just a few weeks ago I was worried about your speech. You are communicating more every day, Daddy even heard you say 'love you'. You have a 'best mate' who you play with and wrestle with. He makes you such a happy, confident boy- which in many ways to always have been. But he also makes you content, and relaxed- which is very new and exceptionally wonderful.

Everyday you grow in leaps and bounds, as we ran down the hill at the arboretum today I felt that it was representative of your childhood going faster and faster and impossible to stop- but such a wild and wonderful ride.

I love you so much. 

Love always

Mama J 

xx 

29/52

A photo of my child, once a week, every week for 2013.

14.07.2013-20.07.2013

Somebody got a hair cut! 

In a blink of an eye you grow even more. With your new hair cut your changes all seem to come to the surface. Everyday you are less of a baby, and today you are a child.

Love Always

Mama J

xx

So, what do you do?

I've always found it completely bizarre that people define themselves by their job. Just completely bizarre.

But then don't we all define ourselves by what we do.

As most of you know, I recently entered the workforce after two years as a stay at home mum. I managed to secure myself a position as an 'Events and Publications Assistant' with a government funded think tank. Basically I spend my days assisting to plan events, taking photos at said events, editing photos, processing publications orders, and I've just started doing a few more hands on roles in publications. Just six weeks and I am absolutely in love with my job.

I'm sort of in a weird place. I am adjusting to not being Oliver's primary care giver. I still feel like I am all Mother, but I also feel like I am very dedicated to my career. I remember when the thought of having a lunch break without Oliver almost gave me a panic attack. Now we spend nine plus hours apart a day.

Now, if somebody asked me what I did I would answer that I am an Events and Publications Assistant.

But thats not the whole story. I am also a Mother, and I am proud to dedicate all of my time to being a mother, which is why this blog gets so little of my love. I am also proud to be getting paid to do something that I love. When I was a stay at home Mum I actually felt like I was working harder.

I find it so incredibly fucked up that success is generally defined by the paycheque that comes with it. Well, thats not how I define success. In fact, I don't think I could be any more successful than I am now. I have the perfect home life. Oliver is loving daycare and excelling. James and my relationship is rejuvenated. And I love my job. Nothing could actually be better.

It's all downhill from here, oh god! Although I'm sure it's not.

I guess if you do what you love, you should consider yourself a success. Even if you do it after work, you are lucky to be able to do what you love. And if you get paid for what you love, then wow, you've hit the jackpot.

So, what do you do?

It's been a year now.

On Sunday, James and I celebrated our one year anniversary.

It has been one year since our perfect DIY wedding. It's funny when these milestones come a long and you reflect on the year that has been.

This time last year we lived in an apartment in inner Sydney, we had a crawling baby, I was still studying my degree, and James and I were very much in love.

Today, we live in a beautiful house in the ACT. Our almost two year old is walking, running, and jumping. I have not only completed my degree, but I have also started my career. And James and I are very much in love.

It's funny how marriage doesn't change anything, but now that we have been married twelve months I couldn't imagine not being married.

I often think about how sad it is that in our society, in the land of the free, this human right is restricted from so many people. I hope that by our next anniversary I am at writing different words, words that prove Australia is the free country we claim it to be.

I also reflect on how much has stayed the same. I am back to where I was health wise this time last year, much to my dismay, Oliver still loves to dance, and be tickled, he still loves Panda and he is still very much a Mamas boy.

Around this time last year, I married my soul mate and my best friend. I love him with my entire heart and soul. And I know I am loved and supported.

It's been a year now, and so much has changed- yet so much remains the same.

28/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

I've rekindled my love of the lensbaby, so I'll be experimenting with that for the next few weeks.

07.07.13-14.07.13

Your Daddy and I have been together for five years this weekend, and married one year today. To celebrate we packed up the car and drove down to the South Coast to visit the Mogo Zoo. We stopped at a gorgeous cafe on the way and you drank your juice in delight. You sat calmly- which is rare for you. At Mogo Zoo you ran around from animal to animal speaking there language. The obvious highlight for all involved was the chance to feed the deers. You never wanted to leave. The delight took over your entire body as you skipped from deer to deer feeding each one equally. You yelled at them if they put their head out too far and a few times it seemed as if you even tried to join them. The joy this brought you absolutely made the day. 

This week we have be dealing with your hitting. We are truly blessed to have found Andreea as your day carer. Together we are working on stopping the problem before it really starts. You are loving day care and did not fuss once this week when I dropped you off. You are such a happy boy, but you are still a toddler. You tantrum and you cry, you hit and you bite. But you listen, and you know when you are wrong. Today, you even said sorry. Your language is growing leaps and bounds everyday. You are picking up news words everyday and sometimes you just come out with the most amazing words.

Oliver, you are the pinnacle of bliss. 

I love you ever so much.

Love always, Mama J. xx

27/52

A portait of my child, once a week, every week for 2013.

We spent our Sunday afternoon dedicated to craft, a crafternoon if you will. You glued on the pom poms with delight, you dipped your paint brush in the paint and smooshed it on your page with glee, you delicately placed down each sticker and move them around until they were just right. You could crafted all afternoon and were still apprehensive to accept it was over.

Our evenings together are so precious now. Your bed time has been pushed back a little later so we get more time with you. You continue to adapt so well and for that I say thank you. You are the best person that has ever walked this earth in my eyes, and I am so glad that through all these changes you continue to be you.

I love you more each day little sir.

Love always.

Your Mama J x

26/52

Halfway through this year, my how time flies. I am still completely in love with this photography project. Every week I get to reflect on my time with Oliver, the changes he has made, the moments we have shared. What a perfect way to keep track of our child in 2013. 

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

23.06.2013-29.06.2013

We took you to the National Museum and you ran around with glee. You tooted at the cars and trains, you pushed the buttons, you turned the pages, you opened the draws, you touched different textures and you even wore headphones and got to pick the songs. You loved leading us around from exhibition to exhibition, and you waited (at first) when one of us was lagging behind. You were so well behaved and you were the best little tour guide. What a delightful day we had.

This week you have started truly adapting to our new way of life. You hit us for attention and already react before we have told you no. You are after attention- negative or positive- you just want all eyes on you all the time. That's okay, I am not letting you get away with any bad behaviour, but I am also patient with you and understanding. It was you and me mate, everyday bar a few for the last two years. And now we get merely a few hours together a day. It is a massive change and I am doing everything I can to keep you as the confident, wonderful, albeit cheeky little boy that you are. 

So much has changed in the past month, but one thing never will, my unwavering love for you.

You are wonderful my sweet and I love you with all my heart.

Love always,

your Mama J xx

Around here...

Things have been so busy around these parts, so ridiculously busy.

As most of you know I returned to full time work two weeks ago, so Oliver has gone into full time day care. Our life has flipped upside down and with less time I have found us doing more. We are enjoying every second together, we are spending more time keeping the house clean, we are cooking more, and we have stopped taking things for granted.
Honestly, I am so happy to be at work. Part of me wishes I had done it months ago. I was growing sour, growing bored. Not bored of Oliver, just the life of a stay at home mum. I am a very driven person, throughout my pregnancy and Oliver's first year of life I was still completing uni full time (from home). When that finished I found myself somewhat lost.
Well I have found myself again. That something I was looking for wasn't in a cafe, or a photography gig, or a baking tray. It was in a little building in the centre of Canberra, somewhere I could put my university degree to good use, my skills and my creativity to good use.
I actually feel like I have the best job in the world, it's perfect for me and my co-workers make the workplace such a great place to be.

Oliver has adapted well. There have been a few teething pains, and I am nervous about how it will change him. But he is happy, and he loves going to there most days. One day he was a little unwell and he didn't want me to go, but once I left he was a happy camper. Another day I didn't want to leave and I almost made him sad- but I realised what I was doing just in time. Most days he doesn't want to leave. He has a good thing there, a supportive loving carer with a beautiful son who is a good mate and a little girl who is a good friends daughter. The kids all get along well and he has learnt some fantastic dance moves.
When he is home with us he is mostly happy. He has become more demanding for our attention, good or bad, and seems to get bored a lot easier. We are just supporting him through this change and not letting him get away with too much- but realising the change he has gone through.

We have a lot of fun in our down time. We took Oliver to the cinema for the first time last weekend, and it was a blast. He sat the entire time, and it was a great film (Despicable Me 2). It was a great night out.
We visited the ER twice this week. Once because I found him in a puddle of his own sweat- which admittedly was an over reaction- but at the time it seemed so bizarre because it was very chilli over night. And the second time, last night, because he dislocated his arm. That was terrifying, all of a sudden he just lost complete control of his arm and it was just just flopping there. We were at the hospital for two hours and Oliver played the entire time. Eventually he started using his arm again, and the nurse told us we could go home. He popped it back himself whilst playing. Today, you wouldn't have a clue he had hurt himself- in fact I think he'd completely forgotten himself.

James completed a course last week. He picks Oliver up every night and their relationship is stronger than ever. He has been really getting together with this whole 50/50 parenting and housework thing. He's doing a great job and I couldn't do it without him.

So that's about us. This blog deserves more of my time, but my family deserves it more so I'm still trying to find that whole balance thing. For only two weeks in I'd say we're doing okay.

Much love 

Cassandra J xx

25/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

16.06.2013-23.06.2013

Your language has improved dramatically, you cheers us with your cup, you tell us oh well and you yell for Panda to come your way. You also respond to our words with a greater understanding and it reminds me to watch what we say around you. You understand more than we think, and it's such a wonderful thing.

• You had your first five day week at day care. There was one day this week you didn't want me to leave, and another that I didn't want to leave. But the other days you were the one who didn't want to leave daycare.
• You dislocated your shoulder, but you did not cry a peep. We only noticed because you stopped moving your arm completely. It was absolutely terrifying, and after two hours in the hospital you relocated it yourself by playing. I'm pretty sure you think we spent last night at a play centre, and you adapted so quickly to only being able to use one arm.

I miss you, and some days I feel like you are grumpy with me for not being there 24x7 like I used to be. Know that although I am not physically there, I am always there for you when you need me- I'll drop everything to be where you are.

I love you senior Joyce.

Love always,

Mama J xx

24/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

09.06.2013-16.06.2013

Your first week in daycare, my first week at work. What a dream boat you were. You slept better, you hugged tighter, and you left my sight without a care. You adapted so well, and took it in your stride. You are too busy to think about it, and although I know you miss me- and your life has been completely shaken up, I know you are happy and that's all that matters to me.

I miss you, more than I think you miss me. But we are doing okay, in fact we are doing great. Thank you for letting me follow my dreams and know that no matter what happens my biggest dream has already come true, you!

Love always,

Mama J xx

23/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

03.06.2013-09.06.2013

We all went to Questacon, and you showed us how much of a boy you have become. We left the pram at home and you spent the entire time running from exhibition to exhibition, spending extended time at a few in particular. You loved the interaction, the cause and effect, and ALL the button pushing. The final room is a large play room, and there you even launched a rocket (several times). What a day we had! Mum and Dad had a blast too. 

You're coming into your own, you're fiercely independent and some days it makes me very sad. Last week you began day care, and now that Mummy is going to be working full time you will be there 4&1/2 days a week. When I left you at daycare with a smile on your face and not a care in the world I was so SO happy for your independence. (And when I came to pick you up and you wouldn't leave my side, I was a little bit glad you noticed I was gone.) Thank you for always being you, and being so determined in your way. I hope you know that everything we do, is ultimately for you.

Love always

Mama J xx

22/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.

27.05.2013- 02.06.2013

My little artist at work. Just weeks ago we couldn't get you to stay still for more than a minute at a time, and now you lie there for as long as you please, drawing away in delight. Sometimes your goal is to put the pen in through the paper and your artwork is created by little holes. Mostly, you pick one colour and turn the whole page that colour. The other day you even said blue!

As we continue to fight with your day time nap you continue to become your own person. You certainly are determined and you certainly know what you want. You are calming, and listening and feeling. When you hurt me, and you do, accidentally but you do, you follow me and watch me with concern and cover me in your kisses. You are learning about consequences. You are learning, always learning.

Big changes are coming our way, and I know together we will conquer them all.

I love you, my little Oliver J.

Mama J xx

Mini Moments V.2

A project to capture five perfect moments, every week, from the perspective of my child.

I love water, but I hate it when they put my head under. Well, over the weekend we went to a really big pool and some lady was teaching Daddy how to swim, and she needed me to help. I just wanted to splash around and do my own thing, so I let them know it. But then she told me that I had to teach her Dolly how to swim so I took the doll and helped it the whole lesson. I even gave it cuddles and kisses.

I know how much Mummy loves sleeping in bed with me, so when I wake up in the middle of the night I tell her she can come in with me. In fact I demand it, because I know that Daddy likes her in his bed too but she prefers mine. Sometimes Daddy even hops into bed with me, boy must he HATE sleeping alone.

I spent the day at my new friends house. As soon as I got to his house I opened up the door and let the dogs out. His Mum helps to look after me and oversee us playing. We played outside and I didn't sleep all day, well except for a little bit in the car. Mum says I am going back next week, and will start going more and more when she has to wear a suit everyday. I have so much fun I even forgot to miss her until she came to pick me up.

We went and saw a science lab. We walked up a massive track and then we explored so many experiments. I played with fish under the sea, made music, took photos of my shadows, made a tsunami for a mini city and heaps more. My favourite was this game where I put a ball on tracks and it went all the way down to the bottom. I loved it so much that when we went into the next room I ran all the way back up to play with it again. Mum and Dad were not too happy about this, but neither was I because other kids had started playing with it and I couldn't any more! But then we went into another room and Dad lost to a robot playing ice hockey about a thousand times. It was really fun.

After the science lab we went out for lunch and I got some chicken nuggets, which is a really special treat. But then I noticed on Daddy's plate he had a HUGE piece of corn so I took it off his plate. It was really hard in the middle but the edges were so yummy. I ate it the entire time until me stomach was so full, and then I even took it home in the car with me so I could eat some on the way home. It was the best day.

I'm so glad you're mine.

Today I was listening to a radio show. The host told a story of a 16 year old Cambodian boy who was brought into his psychiatric ward because he laughed hysterically when the police told him to get his feet off the seats of the train.
It turned out this young boy had killed around 600 people during the reign of Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge. He was a child soldier who killed his first victim at the age of three. His first victim was killed for the crime of wearing glasses.
In comparison to the life he had lived until that moment, having feet on a seat being a police matter just seemed hilarious to this kid. 

I am a massive believer that children should not be a product of where they are born. But sadly, they are. A child born into poverty, will more often or not live a life of poverty- especially when born into a third world country. A child born into a hate filled family are more likely to become a hate filled individual. A child born into love, will be raised with loved, and will more often than not be a child-and become an adult- filled with love.

Oliver, you were born into love.

Every day I thank you for choosing us to be your parents. I thank you for blessing us with your presence. For choosing us to be spoilt with your love, cuddles, laughter, and joy every day.

I am so thankful that you got us. A mother and father who would lay down and die for you. Parents who adore your every actions, it's our favourite thing to talk about. Parents who spend every last cent making sure you don't miss out on a thing, but are smart enough to start a trust fund for you and secure your future.
But money- psssh- so unimportant. Enough to survive, crucial, and I'm thankful we can give you that.

I am so thankful that we are here, that we can be here. I am so thankful that we live in Australia, people may dislike our government but we have the freedom to say it without fear of our lives. I am so thankful for our health, for our health system. I am so thankful for our parks, our fresh air, and our lifestyles. I am so thankful for our opportunity.

I hope you never know what it is like to seriously go without. I honestly have no idea myself. Sure, I have lived off migoreng as a uni student- preferring to spend my spare cash (allowance from the parents) on booze. But I have never really had to go without. You will never go without.

So for that, I am so glad you are mine. I mourn everyday for the children, the people, that go without. But I am so thankful that you don't have to, and I will never allow it to be.

I am so glad you are mine, and I am so glad we are yours.

Mini moments.

A project to capture five perfect moments, every week, from the perspective of my child.

"Whaaaaaaats theeeeeeeeee biggggggggggg dealllllllll abooooooooout speakkkkkkkkkkinggggggg?" Mum and Dad always try to get me to repeat their words, but it's boring. I much prefer to make animal sounds, see I can even speak whale now. Dory from Finding Nemo taught me.

I'm so good at hiding, I just disappear all the time. Sometimes, I'll be on the change table and I'll just disappear. Mum and Dad always get so confused, sometimes Mum even gets upset with Dad and says, "Daddy, you just keep losing him!" It's so funny, and all I have to do is uncover my eyes and I appear again. 

Not long ago my Babcia got me a massive bed, and it doesn't even have rails. Mum loves it, she always sleeps in it. Especially when I wake before the sun. I know how much she loves it so every time I go to bed I put my arms around her neck and pull her in with me. 

I wasn't even tired, I hadn't slept ALL day and I didn't even need to sleep but Mum and Dad put me to bed anyway. Well, as soon as I finished my bottle I got out of bed and played with my toys in my room. I tried to climb the change table, but Mum and Dad put things in my way so I couldn't get up. I got my arms in and half of my body, but nothing else would fit. I closed my eyes for a second and the next thing I remember is Daddy laughing at me and putting me into bed. 

Mum took Mia and I to the playground but before we could play she went into a massive room filled with food, jars, and lots of juice. As she was sitting down, I held Mia's hand. She doesn't really like it when I hold her hand but I like to show her she is my best friend. I was feeling really happy to be sitting next to Mia, and she must have been overwhelmed with happiness too because she turned to Mummy and said, "oh no". At that exact moment I planted a big sloppy kiss on her hand. She was so happy about it she cried tears of joy.

It's a GIVE AWAY!

Recently I decided to put my blog back onto my priority list, and to celebrate I thought I'd run a little give away. 

The prize? Your choice of one of these wooden necklaces by the Canberra label, Sancho Designs.

To be in the running simply like Little Oliver J's Facebook. To get another entry, just share the page. Everyone who likes the page before next Monday (June 3rd) is in the running to win. The winner will be generated at complete random, so it's anyones game. 

Good luck!

Mama J xx

21/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

19.05.2013-26.05.2013

We drove up to Sydney to support a beautiful friend of ours in The Greatest Shave. When we arrived you were a little bit grumpy but before long your little friend arrived and the two of you ran around the bistro in delight and you chased each other with pillows, danced together, looked at the horses together, and she even gave you a big kiss.

 (Please note that I will no longer be summarising our week in this post, as I am launching a new project on Wednesday that covers it.) 

You are as determined as ever, you do not take no for an answer. But when it is serious and I put my foot down you continue to smile, that shy little smile kids do when they know they have done something wrong. It's okay to mess up, because you are learning and I will be there to guide you. And you know this, I can see the look on your face when you are not sure. You look to me and I lead you, thank you for putting all of your trust into me.

I love you my little cheeky monkey. 

Love always,

Mama J xx

20/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013.

13.05.2013-19.05.2013

Pandora is your best friend. She started the week off a bit unwell and you didn't understand why she didn't want to play, not everyone has your resilience dear child. But after a few days the two of you were back to your normal selves and dancing around the family room.

• Mia's mummy had the week off, which meant we spent the week just you and I.
• We went to Majura Park playground several times and you even played in the helicopter on the third level.
• You decided to forget how the sleep through the night again, but soon enough we found out why.
• You put foam up your nose and we spent a fun Saturday morning in ER. You are still recovering from the experience and still thrill at blowing through you nose.
• You draw for hours, when in the past it was just seconds before you grew bored. This week we have received some beautiful drawings from you.
• You said 'dinosaur' and 'hey Dad shhh'. Your language is still technically behind but continue to communicate in so many wonderful way. My favourite is through the hug, whether it be a sad hug, or a panicked hug, or a loving hug. I never knew a hug could say so much.

Mummy's decided to go back to full time work, but only for her dream job. I have applied for a few and is very hopefully for one. I've found you the most wonderful day care lady who is ready when we are. I am not worried about leaving you as you cried when we had to leave her house, I'm just a little bit scared about the moments I'll miss but you know that everything I do is for you kid. I want you to know that jobs don't just mean money, that you can get out of bed everyday and do something that you love. If you want anything enough, Oliver, you can make it happen. And your Mummy does.

I love you little Oliver J.

Mama J x