Desert Darling

Nicole and Faith

Not sure how I feel about Nicole Kidman these days.

I used to really like her. I felt sorry for her with the whole Tom divorce thing. She came across nicely in all the interviews she did. But then I was put off by the excessive botox and that run of boring movies. Keith seems nice on The Voice. Glad they have a couple of babies now, as she doesn't seem to see much of her Scientology kids anymore.  

Anyway.

I really love this Harpers Bazaar cover

Think it has something to do with all that curly hair. And those elbow dimples!

 

Speaking of magazines.. what did everyone think of the Time cover?

I loved the provocative photo. But thought the headline seemed awfully divisive, which was a shame.  

I haven't actually read the article but have read some Dr Seears books, which all made a lot of sense to me so I can't understand what all the fuss is about.

Did I tell you Bay has weaned? Bit sad. But not as hard as I thought it would be.

Arty Marty

I bought some magnetic canvases and some finger paints and let the little artist loose.

 

It was fun, especially the part where she was chased me around the garden with painty hands. They turned out pretty well and look quite glittery in Real Life! 

I have sent one each to my Mum and The Misters Mum for Mothers Day, along with a little card from us all thanking them for being such wonderful Mums, Mother-In-Laws and Grandmothers.

daycare

My favourite emails to hit my work inbox are from Bays' Day Carers.

They often email me photos of her during the day, so I can see what she has been getting up to. It's so nice to see her happy face amongst all the safety notices and bench plans.

Here are just a few of my favourite action shots 

Smiley Kylie

Dancy Nancy

Peekaboo Sue

Crazy Daisy

Chewy Louie

We did get off to a rocky start with daycare. It took her about a week to decide she wasn't happy being left for 8hrs at a time and for the next three months she cried bitterly every time I left. It was a heart wrenching start to every morning. They assured me she would perk up shortly after I left, but it was the photos helped me believe it.

Thankfully, she has now made peace with the morning drop off. She starts clapping when we arrive and blows me kisses and waves goodbye when I leave. It makes being at work so much easier, but I still love getting little updates during the day.   

I have just signed the forms for her to transition out of the Babies Room (Geckos) and into the young Toddlers Room (Joeys) which is a bit sad because she loves her Carers in that room.. But I know she will enjoy all the new toys and play areas and more advanced activities they do with the Joeys. Quite a few of her little friends will be moving around the same time and the change is gradual so I think she'll settle in fine.  

run emmie run

I have slowly started running again.

images via wehartit

It feels good and it feels bad.

Maybe because I'm unfitter, or older, or more tired, but it's definitely is harder than it used to be!

But it does feel good to be doing something, rather than doing nothing and feeling crap about it.

modcloth

Instead of doing my assignment last night (BORING) I did some internet shopping instead (FUN)

I like Modcloth because the clothes are cute and quirky and generally pretty cheap.. most of the time I spend less than $50  on each item.. the quality can be a bit variable, but they do have customer reviews of their stock so you go into each purchase with a pretty good idea what to expect.

Here are the items which caught my eye

 

A few of these may have ended up in my basket.. hoho! Take that Budget!

I hadn't bought any new clothes in ages because I was waiting to get back at pre-baby weight.  But  at the rate I'm going my goal weight is still probably a little while away (ho hum) so I'm now thinking some fresh threads might help keep me inspired.   

 

BOO

Happy Friday 13th.

image via AshCan

Our day turned pear shaped really early.. about 12.30am when a certain little terror woke up screaming and basically didn't stop until 3.30am.. an hour and a half before we both had to get up to work anyway. Yep one of those nights. Yech. 

We're still not sure what the problem was (maybe her molars) but it was horrible to hear her in such distress and see her so inconsolable. We've unashamedly loaded her up with pharmaceuticals tonight and hoping for the best.

Good night everyone!

 

Easter with Friends

We had a wonderful long weekend. 

The Mister had some much needed time off work!

Some close friends drove up to visit us!

The weather was beautiful- not too hot for once!

Our kids had lots of fun together and did a great job of wearing one another out!

We ate lots of hot cross buns! And Easter Eggs!

And went for a day trip to the Springs!

It was great to have them stay. We used to hang out a lot when we all lived in the City together and so I have really missed these guys.  

We've known each other since High School and we've shared a lot of experiences over the years.. there are moments where it seems surreal that we now have our children in tow! Although we have a lot on common our parenting styles are vastly different and it was also interesting to see how the contrasting approaches play out. I have never thought of myself as 'strict' before.  

Their daughter Polly is almost exactly one year older than Bay and it was very entertaining watching them play together. There were moments where it was a bit like Baby Fight Club as they battled it out over toys, food and attention. But luckily kids don't seem to hold grudges and most of the time they worked it out between themselves. There was also lots of 'good sharing', cuddles, hand holding and sloppy kisses too. So cute.

Best Frenemies

It was wonderful to have them visit and a bit sad to say Goodbye.

Of course I am trying to talk them into re-locating to N-Town.

And although I don't think they are completely convinced, I think it's fair to say it isn't out of the question either... watch this space!

Photos by Lauren

Here are some professional photos I had taken of Bay when were were in Perth this January.

The lovely Lauren Waye came to see us at my Parents place.

Which is a rather special backdrop, as it's the house where I grew up.

 

 

I wish Lauren could just follow us around with her camera all the time, transforming the Everyday into the Extraordinary.

2 years

We got a babysitter and went out for dinner and a few drinks tonight

To celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary!

Even though we've been together for ages, I still have a massive crush on this man.

 

 

party animal

I think N-town must be the party capital of WA.

 

party animal via WeHeartIt

Not the kind of parties where you dress up and get a bit wild.

Not the kind of parties where you cut loose on the dance floor.

Not the kind of the parties where wake up somewhere weird

No No No. The kind of party where people get you drunk and sell you things.

Since moving here I have been to

- Tupperware party

- Party-Lite Candle party

- Chefs Toolbox party

- Thermomix party

- Nutrimetics party

- Flaschengeist party

- Body Shop party

- Lorraine Lea Linen party

You go to the Hosts' house, are provided with nibbles and drinks, given a demonstration and then if you want to make a purchase you can do so.

There is never any pressure to buy anything. But if you buy nothing you look really cheap.  And it doesn't help the Host get free stuff.

Although the sales pitch can be a bit of a drag, the parties often turn quite boozy and can be fun. I have met some lovely girls at these sort of demos.  

I always say I'm not going to buy anything. But of course I always do. 

Except in the case of the thermomix. Because they are over $2,000. 
They are all the rage here.  Everyone seems to own one. You can mince meat, churn butter, mill grains, make sorbet.. the list of amazing things the do goes on and on. I'd never even heard of a thermomix until I moved here. But now I'm starting to think I want one... Could this device really save me time, money and rescue my family from the perils of processed food? Or have I just been brainwashed?

Do you own a thermomix? Do you know someone who does? Do you want one? Am I crazy for even thinking about it?

batten down the hatches

There is some wild weather coming our way!

Right now it's just cloudy and rainy with some cold winds. We are inland so usually miss the worst of it. I've bought some candles incase we lose power later tonight when we go on red alert.

But so far I'm enjoying the cooler temperature and the change in atmosphere. Quite happy to be able to wear my boots again (of the non-work variety) and finally dress Bay in some corduroy (who doesn't love a baby in cords?) We don't get much wear out of our 'winter' clothes up here so it's a novelty.

our winter collection

It's great weather for mooching around and watching movies, which is a lovely thought because we have been super busy around here and we need an excuse to lay low.  

What we've been up to...

I've finally returned to my Gemology studies, after deferring again last year. It is part time study, but to fit it in with work and family I'm having to be ultra organised. I've just submitted my second assignment and completed my first lot of practical work.. and it feels good to be back. Once I have finished this year I am done!

Bay started walking shortly after her birthday and she's a dynamo.. she's so fast and she loves to climb.. There's been some massive stacks but she's brave. A bit too brave. We've had to do some babyproofing, mainly in the kitchen. She's doing lots of other clever things like using more and more words, a few signs, some new dance moves, playing some complicated games and just being a general cheeky chicken.

The Mister has been busiest of all.. he went into business for himself in January and has been flat out ever since. Which is awesome. The hours are long and he's been working for weeks straight without any days off.. he's booked out until the end of next month with no breaks. But it looks like this weather is going to close the roads so he will probably have tomorrow home with us! Yippee!!

please and thankyou

I have just finished writing up and addressing the Thank You cards for Bays birthday party! It's 4 weeks since her birthday, but as always it's better late than never.

Because we live far away most of our friends and family don't get to see Bay very often so I decided to do photo invites for her party, and continued the theme for the thankyou cards.

I forgot to show you the invites at the time, so here they both are:

 

 

 

 I took a LOT of pictures trying to ones where she looked happy and you could see the writing. In the end I gave up trying to get a smile for the birthday invites.. it was late in the day and she was over it..  But I knew it would be easier with a swing shot for the thankyous becuase she loves that thing.

It felt good to get all the thankyou cards sent off becuase we truly are thankful to all our friends and family for the love and support they have shown us in Bays first year. They make her and us feel very special.

My original photo thankyou notes are here.. it is crazy how much she has changed!

we were there

I am going through a cushion phase.

It's the home improvement of choice, when living in a Company Rental.

Cushions are not a big commitment. They are easy to swap. You won't get in trouble from the Housing Department for changing your cushions. And you can take them with you when you leave.

Not that we are going anywhere just yet.

These are the new cushions, on our old couch (which is actually dark green not black)

Lots and lots to choose from at My Bearded Pigeon!

It took me ages to decide which ones to get and I only meant to buy two.. but all these maps have special significance to The Mister and I so I couldn't get less than three.

USA where we went on our Honeymoon Road trip. Lots of time spent studying the map while on the road.  We traced our path on a road atlas with a highlighter, I still have it. We have agreed that it was one of our best and most fun holidays together. And also pretty special because it was on this holiday we conceived You Know Who.

UK where we lived for a while, in between travels. We were based mainly in Leeds in Yorkshire. This was a tough time in lots of ways. Sometimes it was great, sometimes a bit painful. There were a few tests of our relationships, which we didn't always pass. I think back to this period in my life quite often and can't deny that it has shaped us.

WA. Where we are living now. I like how you can see how sparse this part of the world is, especially next to the UK and US cushions. You can see how remote the town we are based in now is. This is where the first few years of our marriage has been spent, where we have set up our business and where we are raising our baby.. So even though my relationship with this town tends towards love/hate, it is where lots of important stuff is happening so will always have a special place in our history.

Other front runners were the South America cushion because that was another great holiday we had (the kind where you just quit your jobs and travel till your money runs out- we lasted nearly 6 months) Tassie was the other main contender because it was on a comping holiday there that we decided to get married.. even though the official proposal and ring came a while after that as far as I'm concerned that was the real moment of engagement. 

Sometimes you don't realise how special somewhere is until after you've left.

Do you & yours feel sentimental about a particular city..  country.. or continent?

mug shot

I had to get Bay's photo taken for her passport and the pic is making me laugh.  

She looks a bit wild... Haha! Would you let this baby into your country??

just looking

... at Vintage Showgirl Costumes.

All for sale via Simplicity is Bliss

 Feeling a bit tempted to run away and join the circus.

Anyone want to come?