I am one "step" closer.

So some exciting but also terrifying things are happening for me tomorrow, tomorrow I am one step closer to starting my dream job (ever since I was 4 years old), I have wanted to be a.... TEACHERS AIDE!!! 9.30am tomorrow I need to attend a information session, a literacy and numeracy test and then finally I need to do an interview. In all honesty I am shared shitless (excuse my french). I have not sat a literacy/numeracy test let alone a interview for at least ten... Yes, 10!! years ago. My palms are sweaty and shaking, my throat is dry and I feel sick to my stomach. The course runs from the 12th May to the 17th Nov. There maybe 20 people that are interested in the course but there are only 10-12 people who get through. (fingers crossed I am one of those 12). We have to attend class one day a week, study one day and do work experience another. I am really excited to start as I've know about the Cert III in Education Support since early Feb. This course will lead to (I believe) one of the most important jobs ever!. This course can not only change my life, my families but also the lives of those future kids I get to teach. (I wish you could all see my face right now.. I'm smiling from ear to ear). As soon as I have an answer to whether I get in (or not) then I will update you all!! I really hope they only make us wait a day or two, otherwise I am going to go crazy. Wish me luck everyone!!!! Amanda <3.

time flies..

the saying "time fly's when you're having fun" is so true. especially for us this week. Our big girl has just completed her second day of Kindergarden/Pre Primary or what ever you may call it. I honestly can't believe this the has finally come! Where did the last 4 years of my life, my tiny babies life go? I don't want to blink to fast because before I know it age will be starting High school [wow! That sent shivers down my spine]. Her first day was a blur for both her and I, we were so tired. But today as soon as she got off the bus [yep she goes on the "big girl bus" on her own] she immediately started chatting my ear off about all the things she got up to today, she even told me who her new friends where. I wanted to cry!! Well good night my friends we shall speak again soon [i may even upload a few pics] ;) Amanda <3. P.S My wound on the bottom of my left foot has FINALLY healed!! [party time?!] nurses are really happy with my progress which makes me very happy. It means I can finally be fitted for proper bandages/wrapping garment. Once I have the appointment I will be taking photo's.

OUCHIES...I'VE HURT MY KNEE :( [act.1]

It was a normal night in our household we had just finished dinner, Steve was drying Hailee off from her shower when I decided I wanted to get changed into something warmer. It was Wednesday night around 7pm [27th]. I was getting changed on my bed, rolled over on to my stomach and heard the loud POP!! I also felt this sharp pain radiate down my right leg. I instantly knew that I was in trouble. Hubby was in the ensuit and said he heard it too. I sat up in my chair went and watched t.v for the next three hours it never hurt. What? I can't understand why..what's going on (I thought I may have "popped" it back into place when I sat in my chair. BUT as soon as I crawled into bed and lay down I knew everything was WRONG!. I cried on and off. Had some panadol to try get some sleep and tried to convince Steve not to go to work because I needed to go to hospital straight away. Thursday morning I woke u, I couldn't get out of bed so luckily my Mum was here to pick miss Hailee up to take her to daycare(she does every week...thanks Mum). As soon as she left I rang Steve at work and begged him once again to come home. He came home 2 hours later. I was feeling ok in the car, until I got the the hospital when I just wanted to throw up like I had been doing the night before. You can read the rest on Thursday...hehe sorry guys it's late and I'm tired. Night!! Amanda <3

now & 2013!

Hello everyone! I know there are a few of you who have been patiently awaiting this blog..(and a few who have not Lol). well I not only have one announcement now but I have 2!!!!! No #1. We have two new members to our little family!(uploading a pic tomorrow)One is called Memo (as in Nemo) and the other is named Hill. Lol. strange right, well that's what happens when you let your 3.5 year old daughter name.... her pet fish(s)!!! haha you all thought I was going to say I was pregnant didn't you ;) (sorry to disappoint). Funnily enough there a few people around here who I know are pregnant (or just had a bub)..well I wont be drinking the water that for sure. Ok second piece of news in the Richter household... Hubby and I signed up for THE BLOCK 2013!!!! We just did it last night and obviously won't hear for a while but I just had to tell someone (all who read the blog anyway). I know what you are all thinking! She is out of her mind but if you really know me it has been something I always wanted to do. But never could because of my SB and also having no one willing/stupid enough to do it with me..haha well I've roped husband into sign up with me :D. I do have a few concerns of course(comes with the territory of being born with a Spina Bifida). For one I don't drive so that could be a problem, I cant lift any heavy objects and of course the more obvious problem..me being in the chair is/can be a safety hazard but I'm just hoping they will give me a chance!! I've never been able to do something like this for myself and I think it will be great for "others" to see someone with a disability on t.v doing something they love and proving "we" disabled people can get/do things "normal able bodied people" can do! I hate negative thinking now days so I'm ending on a positive ;). I want to do THE BLOCK 2013 because I love the idea of designing, demolishing & decorating! So I'd like you all to tell me what you think! Good Idea or Bad Idea? Amanda <3.

RIVERDANCE.

Hello Everyone, The night before last Hubby and I got to see Riverdance The farewell Tour! It was absolutely amazing (to say the least). We both had to pick our jaws up off of the floor. I highly recommend you all go see it!!. Even for those who are not that into stuff like this...it will blow your socks of! The cast are incredible as well as the musicians!. Lol I do realize I am using a lot of (!) in this post but I tell you it's NEEDED!!. I had sen the ad on tv for a few weeks now and said to Steve that I would like to go as a mothers day gift i was really saying it as a joke because at the time I knew we couldn't afford tickets. BUT to my surprise he had entered a radio competition..and one! so we got free tickets!!! The only downside was it was a week night and he had to start a 5am..poor thing is so exported still (show went for 2.5hrs). I wish they would let you tape some of it because I really wanted to show you all just how AMAZING they were. Instead I will (try) to put some photos up (from our friend google) haha let's see if blogger will let me tonight... It's been playing up for me for the past two weeks :( Night all!!!! Amanda <3

I'm back!!!!

Hello Everyone.

Wow I can't believe how long it's been since I last blogged. I do apologize!!.

Alot has happened in the last few months since my fingers last touched this keyboard (oh how I have missed you). First off I am feeling much better after the "problems" I had back at the end of Nov. Yay!. We this was our first christmas with out Nan.... it was hard but we survived.

On boxing day Hailee, Steve and I moved out of my parents place and into our own rental. It's the most gorgeous house (only 3 years old) so everything is very new and modern, the most important thing.. well there are 2. 1) The place is wheelchair accessable! & 2) It only takes Hailee and I 5 minutes to walk over to road to mum's work and to the supermarket.. score right?!. The first week felt quite strange because it just didnt feel like "our home" but now it feels like we've always lived here.

Time seems like it has sped up, it honestly doesnt feel like it's been 4 months since Nan has gone. Honestly it's quite hard to step foot in Lorraine (My Auntie)and her home. As to date we have only been there 3 times. The first was to clean out her waredrope. Wow, doing something like that is so surreal!!. I never thought I would do anything like that in my life.. especially for that woman.

It's strange it doesn't feel like she has gone, I was talking to Steve the other day about it, how I imagined I would cry non stop for months but honestly I have hardly cried at all. I think it's because we have not picked up her ashes and scattered them yet (If i got a say I wouldn't want to scatter them.. I want them here with me). But I am just a grandchild, I am not her child.

Ok let's move on.

It's my birthday in a few days. I'm looking forward to finally turning 25! (yep I'm a spring chicken) all my life I wanted to be 25, people seem to respect those around them at that age, it's like your not a child but you not a oldies(hehe). I'm also not looking forward to it because I never imagined being 25 without my grandmother. It's funny how you see a person that you love more then life it's self living forever. Unfortunatly it's not true :( Another thing I've come to realize, grief is a very funny thing and is different for everyone.

Ok well that's it in a nutshell & it's time for me to catch up on everyone elses blogs. Bye!

Oh, one last note. Hailee is growing up to be a real little miss, I don't mean she has an attatude(which does come out somedays.. oh god help me when we come to the teen years lol). But I mean she has grown up so much in the last few months, she's talking better, she's taller and just really seems to know who she is and what she wants chringes.

Amanda <3

Mental Health Week 2011

Hello Everyone.

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=104.1379

9-15 October.

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental illnesses in Australia!. and anxiety are two of the most common mental illnesses in Australia and it’s important to recognise the symptoms. Educate yourself and your colleagues and friends by sharing beyondblue’s resources on anxiety and depression.

If you think you could be depressed or suffering anxiety attacks please contact the lifeline on; 13 11 14.

I myself suffer from depression and anxiety from time to time. I'm not 100% ready to delve into why I became so depressed. But I'm sure one day I will be able to let you in on my experience.

If you would like to share a part of your story please feel free to leave a comment.

Memoirs #3

Hello Everyone.

LATE TEENS EARLY 20'S: (17-22)
* some names are changed to protect privacy*

In late Oct 2005 I met a fantastic guy online...Steve. (Pillow Talk. an app on our phones). I remember we only got a few minutes to talk so we exchanged numbers straight away. I never in my life imagined he would ring me at all, but not even 10 minutes after we had finished talking online. To my shock. HE RANG!!

This guy used to live in Melourne. (funny since how I always saw Melb as my second home since I seemed to always be there for operations)

We used to talk every night after dinner, our conversations would last from 10mins to 4hrs...LOL. The second night he rang i remember he said "I need to go to toilet; here talk to my parents". "i was like wtf?...ok". So for about 5 mintues I talked to 'mum and Dad'. Yep I called them that straight out of the bat!. I hadn't even seen a picture of this guy yet lol. We always talked about getting married and have 3. Yep THREE kids together.

He came over nearly every Saturday to see me. I remember our first "meeting". Mum and I drove up to the airport...Thanks mum!. He looked at me said "hi Amanda nice to see you", then patted me on the head (oh I forgot to mention he's 6'1 LOL. It was pouring with rain, still at least he was here and he was real.

I remember another if our conversations real well. It went something like this..... he rang me and said "guess what?... I'm moving over to Tassie". I nearly fell over! Mid 2006 he moved all of his things into a house "we" had rented. I was still doing my business course and he wanted to live by himself for a while first. I did spend ever weekend there though :P after about 2 months I moved in full time. We went over to Melbourne a few times to see family and friends.

In March 31st 2007 we got engaged. Almost a 12 months later on April 19th 2008 we got married. All our family and friends were there. It was such a fantastic day!!! My in-laws were staying with us for a few days after the wedding. So we decided to go on our honeymoon the weekend AFTER our wedding. Oh wow was that place beautiful (I WILL edit this with pics).

Little did we know that the universe (I don't believe in god). had planned for us to be a bigger family staright away... hehe our first night together as man and wife was the same night I fell pregnant.

All looked great with the baby growing in my tiny little belly (I'm 4'9 and I'm confined to a chair...bub didnt have much room to grow). I I had the worst pregnancy on record I think. I was diagnosed at 16 week in the ER with Hyperemisis.

[WIKIPEDIA.ORG] HG is a severe form of morning sickness, with "unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids." HG is considered a rare complication of pregnancy but, because nausea and vomiting during pregnancy exist on a continuum, there is often not a good diagnosis between common morning sickness and hyperemesis. Estimates of the percentage of pregnant women afflicted range from 0.3% to 2.0%. I was so glad when the ER told me this... It meant I finally had a name for what was happening to me during my pregnancy, I would liturally vomit upto 50 times a day (sometimes more).

The doctors planned on giving my an C-section at around 35 weeks. But our daughter had other plans... 7 months later (11 weeks before my due date) we had a baby girl (who was very healthy!) in Nov 2008. - see "Hailee's Birth Story".

The antics of a 2.5yr old...

"what's wrong (insert name)"
"look at me I'm doing (insert activity)"
"no thank you"
"oh no this toy/person has gone"
"what on earth was that?"
"1-2-3-4-5, ready or not, I fineded you"

"what you doing?"
"come on (insert name) let's go outside"
"ry-nos-rus" -rinosarus
"hip-potn-ormous" - hippopotamus
"what you drawing there (insert name)?"
[on phone]"hello, speaking Hailee, yes, thank you, ok, bye-bye"

"don't be silly"
[making noises]" oh I scared/scary"
"shh mum be quiet I'm reading"
"wake up- I love u"
"ring Grandpa?!"  - ends up calling some random Lol
"that's great drawing mum"

"no way"
"king of castle, I a rascal"
"oops daisy fall down"
"humpety dumpety" - humpdy dumpdy
"next one"
"good girl Hay-yee"

Me:what's your name? "Hay-yee Nole Rik-tah"
"what yeah gunna do?"
"I'm/we're back"
"what's that sound?"
"Love my boyfiend Cody"

My cheeky lil' Monkey...


Ha! I know I've been so slack on this writing thing but I'm sure those of you who have a toddler realize just how busy they keep you and how much "me time" you DON'T get. Well we are now coming up to her 3rd birthday :( and I promise this time I will upload pics from her last birthday and this one :P

Hailee's Birth Story!

Hello Everyone.

It was Saturday 1st November and my mum came around to see how I was feeling, I was 28 weeks and 6 days into my pregnancy. My whole pregnancy I was sick and diagnosed with Hyperemisis Gravadarum (HG) and that day was no different!. But as I was feeling a little better during so I decided I was going to finally pack my hospital bag. Though I was scheduled to have a c-section (for medical reasons) at 35 weeks.

I had no idea what was in store for me in the next 24 hours!!. The next morning Steve (my hubby) and I were about to head to a family BBQ. Unfortunately when I got up I found that we were going to have to spot at the hospital.

At the hospital Pregnancy clinic they checked me and said that the babies head was crowning and there was no was I could have a c-section now, I had to have her naturally. Because I was still early in my pregnancy they had to get a few nurses from NICU in there asap, the NICU professor even came in.

After 20 minutes of pushing, nothing was happening so they decided they would have to find another way to help her out. 3 hours after first coming into the hospital Hailee was born! Steve rang my mum and told her, it was lucky mum was still at the family BBQ so everyone found out at once.

I didn't get to meet my little girl until a few hours later. But she was the most gorgeous, precious Little thing in the whole world!. I feel in love straight away.

Hailee 15minutes old.


Hailee Nicole R.
2nd November
1.2 kg (2.2 pound)
Sunday 3.02pm