Desert Darling

Gah!

So... we were in Perth for just a couple of days for a family thing.. I decide to go to Ikea because we need some stuff that you can't get in N-town and turns out there is room in the trailer after all. I'm wearing practical but unflattering clothes.. I haven't bothered with makeup.. My hair is all limp and weird thanks to the rain pouring down outside... I even thought to myself 'Jeez let's hope I don't see anyone I know'

So of course I run into an Ex Boyfriend from 10 years ago.. He comes over to say Hello looking fit and handsome. We have the most Awkward conversation ever. And as soon as I think please Em don't turn red, I feel the hot flush creeping into my face. We both make mention our marriages, our careers, our kids and ask after each other parents, casually talking life up, as you do. Inwardly I'm just cringing at how much older, fatter and frumpier I must look compared to the last time he saw me. I gracelessly wrap things up a bit sooner than is polite and make the speediest getaway possible.

Why is it always the way..? If I had to bump into him at all, why couldn't it have at least been the day before- when I was wearing a cute outfit, having a good hair day and had concealed the bags under my eyes and that pimple on my chin? Or even the day after when I had both kids with me so their cuteness would not only detract from my appearance, but help explain it?

The Mister says if I don't care about the old boyfriend, then why on Earth do I even care how I looked. I can't explain it to him because I'm not really sure myself.. I wish I didn't care. I guess it's pride? Competition? Or maybe just simple vanity? I suspect if I had been looking (feeling) better about myself I would have handled the encounter with much more poise and confidence.

The worst part is I felt so flustered by the encounter I chose the wrong colour shelving (damn you Self Serve!) but no way was I braving another trip to bloody Ikea... so I am just going to live with high gloss white instead of birch!

Anyone else hate being caught off guard? Or do you always leave the house looking respectable just in case?

Vintage mugshots via DailyMail

 

Dinner on The Hill

Every so often we head to the damn, for dinner on the hill.

I usually have to be talked into going because it seems a bit of a hassle. The thought of packing all the stuff, the drive out there, the mosquitos, having to collect firewood, getting home late and then having to do all the grimy camping dishes.. It feels like a bit of a mission when dinner at home would do.

But really... it isn't really much stuff to take and The Mister does most of the packing. It's less than a half hour drive out there. Collecting firewood is quite fun. A late night for the kids isn't a big deal when I don't have work the next day. Dishes suck no matter what you've had for dinner.

I don't know why I drag my feet because once I'm up there I'm always so so glad we came!

 

 

 

 

I'm grateful The Mister talks me into it because it's a lovely view and always a gorgeous sunset. Our simple bbq is usually delicious. Everyone enjoys the fresh air. It's nice to sit around the campfire. I always get up there and think 'We should do this more often!"

I do the same thing with going to the cinemas.. I always think of a million reasons not to go, but when I get there I love it.

I think I should start saying Yes to more things!

 

Handmade Gifts

Ivo has been given some beautiful gifts... As always, the handmade items are particularly special

My lovely Mother In Law knitted him this beautiful stretchy jumper. She saw the bright red and blue wool and guessed (correctly!) that I'd love the colour combo regardless of boy or girl.. Not that I was even pregnant at that stage, but someone was obviously keen for another grandchild- no pressure! haha

One of my close friends Mums made this little bear, it has his birthdate embroidered on the back.. She also made one for Bay when she was born, they now make a very cute pair!

She also made this personalised little vest and beanie, with his name stitched in the waistband. I can't wait for some cooler weather!

Another close friends' Mum made this gorgeous patchwork quilt for him! It's perfect for him to have a stretch and a kick on our otherwise hard and cold tile floor, and gives Bay lots to talk about, as she likes to chat about the different scenes and animals in the various patches

My Nan (Bay & Ivos' Great Grandmother) made this little doll for him, which is kinda cute!

We're lucky to have such clever people in our lives who are willing to put time and energy into making such lovely mementos..

Just a few of the handmade gifts we received for Bay here and here

Leibster Award

Liebster is a German word that means dearest, and this award is given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers who you think deserves more recognition.

Here are the rules:
- List 11 random facts about yourself
- Answer the 11 questions which are given to you by your nominator
- Ask 11 new questions for all the bloggers that you nominate to win the award
- Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to win the award
- Go to each of the blogger's pages to let them know about their nomination
- Thank the blogger who nominated you by mentioning them and link back to their blog

Thanks for tagging me Lila, it is very nice to be included! I've crossed 3 items off the list as I don't actually have 11 followers.. I think everyone I know has already participated!

• I love dress up parties and always make my own costume
• I sometimes read my own tarot cards
• I have a green belt in Karate. But it's been years since I trained so not sure if it still counts.
• I hate hate hate taking antibiotics
• I don't like looking out windows at night. I'm always scared there will be somebody outside looking in. As soon as the sun goes down I close the blinds and draw the curtains
• I used to have dreadlocks
• I've got an i-pad but am missing my old lap top. Not sure if I'm just a slow learner but finding everything (posting, commenting, emailing etc) heaps harder and slower and more frustrating on this thing.
• I used to want a nose job but now if someone gave me the money I'd go on a holiday instead.
• I am a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to the environment. I say I care but many of my actions actually speak otherwise.
• I can have a stupidly bad temper
• I love going out for breakfast, it's my favourite meal of the day, I always say yes to bacon and eggs.

11 questions for nominees, from Lila

1. Were you named after someone? or did you name your children after someone?

My parents joke I was named after their cat. My middle name (Kate) is after my Aunty.
My daughters middle name is Mums maiden surname, my sons middle name is my Dads surname

2. Would you rather invest in, nice clothes, good furniture or art?

Probably art. I only enjoy clothes shopping when I'm feeling confident about my body. I don't feel very inspired to buy good furniture while living in company rental in the sticks. But art can be enjoyed no matter what!

3. Where is your dream location, holiday or home?

My dream holiday is anywhere I haven't been yet
My dream home would be somewhere in the mountains

4. What's your favourite scent?

Coconut in summer, Amber in winter

5. What's your favourite piece of clothing / jewellery?

My engagement and wedding rings.

6. What was the last song you heard?

Toffee Apples by Peter Coombes

7. What's your favourite desert?

Cheesecake, any flavour! But I hardly ever eat it.

8. What's your favourite season?

Autumn.. A welcome relief from the searing heat of summer, but you're not yet feeling cooped in by the rain.

9. Who do you most want to have a long conversation with?

My sister because we can talk about anything, no topic too big or too small.

10. What do you like most about blogging?

It reminds me to appreciate the small moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed and undocumented. I am going to do my best to blog more frequently now I'm back on maternity leave.

11. What is your oldest memory?

My Mum was heavily pregnant with sister (I must have been 2) we were outside feeding the chooks and my Mum slipped over in the mud. I remember it so vividly including what she was wearing.

Thanks again Lila!

4 of us

Ivo has been with us for 4 weeks now!

It has been great having our own little holiday house to live in while we all settled into being a family of four.

Life with a newborn and a toddler is a bit of a roller coaster... When Bay is playing happily and Ivo is sleeping soundly it feels like a piece of cake.. Then a moment later one will start crying, the other will be grizzling, the toast is burnt and it suddenly feels impossibly hard! The days cycles around between the two extremes... I feel like Super Mum one minute and a psychotic wreck the next.

It has been so fantastic having my parents around the corner.. They have been a wonderful help, and it's made the adjustment period so much easier, especially for Bay. My Mum has been such an amazing support and I vow I will do the same for my children if they go onto have children of their own. We are all really going to miss them when we go home! The Mister left for N-Town yesterday as he has to go back to work. It was really sad saying Goodbye, even though we'll be following him home in a weeks time.

Once we are back in N-Town that will be the real test- the Mister working his long hours and my parents are a million miles away. That's why I'm not rushing home, even thought is hard to be apart.

Bay seems to genuinely love her new brother, and is constantly smothering him with love and affection! I wasn't sure how she would take the new addition, based on how possessive she can be when I give attention to my friends kids.. But she seems to realise its different with Ivo and has accepted him as part of 'the pack' without any hint of jealousy or drama. She is proud as punch introducing him to friends and family and loves 'helping' us look after him. When other people are holding him she informs them that he is HER brother and she never seems to tire of holding, cuddling and kissing him. She declares her love or him freely and without prompting from us. She calls him "Ibo". We tell her how lucky they are as no matter what else happens in life they'll always have each other.

Ivo is a little sweetheart. Although at 4 weeks old it may still be too early to make a call, lotus a lot fussier than Bay was at this age, with prolonged periods of grizzling that no amount of breastmilk or back pats seem to sooth. We knew Bay was a happy baby, but now we really appreciate how good we had it! Ivo loves to be held, and he is a good feeder. He usually sleeps happily between 9pm-4am (touch wood!) as long as he is cuddled up with us in our bed. He has been really alert from the moment he was born and is pulling ots of funny faces, some of which are starting to look more and more like a smile..

It's quite long and detailed, but for those who're interested his birth story is here.

 

It's a boy!

His name is Ivo

Born at 2.15am on Friday 15th March

9lb 1oz and 54cm long

Everybody happy, healthy and in love

xoxoxo

bump watch

Considering it will very likely be my last, I thought it would be nice to document my bump for this pregnancy.

Although I never made weekly photos, every few weeks (or so) I remembered to stand in the same place, wearing the same outfit (or same colour at least!) to show myself getting bigger and rounder until ready to pop.

I like the way you can see not only by belly getting bigger but other little changes too..

I can see on my poor face how sick I look at 10 weeks.. and how much weight I'd lost at 14 weeks.. then obviously my apetite had returned with a vengence and by week 16 I'm starting to chub out haha! By 22 weeks I'm looking very healthy indeed!!

Things start to normalise a bit by end of the 2nd trimester.. then towards the end of the third trimester I'm starting to look a bit over it again..

I didn't bring my laptop down to Perth, silly me, so will have add the 38 (& 40?) week photos later

 

 

 

 

Little House

We have spent the last few weeks staying at my Mum and Dads house in Perth and it has been AWESOME!

So lovely spending time with my folks, who have been doing a very good job of looking after me.. Cooking for me, cleaning for me and keeping Bay entertained! It is a very busy, bustling house with lots of visitors and Bay is in her element with all the love and attention. There is always someone to play with her, lots of music, lots of games and there are new and interesting toys to play with..

Mum has kept a few of the toys from our childhood and it is so funny to see my daughter playing with them 30 years later, when I remember them so vividly like it was yesterday!

The biggest hit has been the old Fisher Price Dolls House, which Bay just loves, the same way my sister and I used to.

Did anyone else have this Dolls House?

But as lovely as it has been staying with my parents, today it's time for us to move on.

The Mister arrived earlier in the week and as expected it's starting to feel a bit cramped in my Parents spare room. So we've rented a 'holiday home' for a month- so that we have more room to spread out, so I have some privacy for when I go into labour and so we have plenty of personal space for when Baby2 comes home. We'll be in the house until mid-April when it will be time for us to all head back to N-town.

Because we are going through the public system again we figure the money we are saving on a 4 night stay in Private Hospital is well spent on a 4 week stay in a 'home away from home'

The house is just around the corner from my Parents anyway, so we'll still be seeing lots of each other. We're near the local shops and cafe strip which will be handy. It's still n my old stomping ground so lots of friends live close by. The house has a lovely deep claw bath that I can't wait to soak in. And there is a big leafy back yard complete with a cubby so think Bay will enjoy staying there for a while too.

 

 

almost ready to go

I'm happy to report that most of my jobs have been done! Good thing because we are leaving town tomorrow! (weather permitting!)

The main thing left to do is orgnise a new baby car seat for Baby2, but that can wait until we are in Perth, as we've decided The Mister will drive our car down when he comes mid-month. This means I can shop for a new car seat in Perth and then make sure it is correctly installed at kidsafewa. It will also save us having to hire a car or rely on borrowing from my Parents.. Another advantage is The Mister can bring down some extra stuff when he comes.. like the portacot and double pram..

The pram (generously handed down to us by a friend) is an old Valco Runabout. It's a 3 wheeler, with a fully reclining seat for the newborn and the toddler seat above, rather than underneath. The Mister has pumped up the tyres, replaced a loose screw and I've washed and vacuumed it and it's come up really nice.

I was reluctant to spend big money on a brand new double pram as not sure how long we'll need it for. For quick trips to the shops I'm more likely to take baby in the sling and let Bay walk or sit in the shopping trolley. And I know it won't be long before the baby is old enough for a lightweight stroller.  But some pavement pounding is inevitable in the early days and having the toddler seat will come in handy for those stinking hot afternoons where Bay is walking slowly (or wanting to run the other way).

Here she is giving it a test run. She loves sitting so high and keeps climbing in and asking to be taken for "more rides please Mummy" Due to the wet weather we are unfortunately limited to bog laps of our back patio.

 

My other main mission complete has been to make space in Bays' room for the new Baby.

We are in a 3 bedroom house and I am keen to keep the 2nd bedroom as a spare room/office, if possible. The plan is for Baby2 to stay in our room for the first 3-6 months and once he/she is sleeping reasonably well (we can hope!) we'll move them in together. 

Bay has been sleeping happily through the night in her big bed for the last few months so the cot is all ready for the new baby to use as soon as they are ready. I'm hoping this works out, as we do more and more office work with the Business and I really want to keep the space for visitors.

Not many people seem to do the shared room thing these days which is interesting.. My Sister and I shared a room until I was 15! When my parents finally did an extention on their house and we got our own room, it felt weird to be sleeping alone and we used to have 'sleepovers' in each others rooms almost every night. I'm sure our parents were thrilled after they spent all that money making the house bigger.

Here are some snazzy shared kids rooms tha tshows it can be done!

All from Pinterest of course!

So with all this stuff crossed off my list I just have to pack our bags and get ready for our flight to Perth which will hopefully be leaving tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed.

It  is a bit of a pain having to leave town to have a baby- mainly because it means being away from The Mister for a few weeks, having to pay for accomodation while we are in Perth and the disruption to Bays routine when she will already have some pretty major change to deal with.

But on the plus side, once I'm down there it will finally be time for Resting instead of Nesting! And it will be great to be back around some helping hands. And of course I'm really excited to have some time to spend with our Perth friends and family!

 

toddler tee

Even though it's a bit cheesy, I couldn't help myself..

I've ordered Bay a "Big Sister" t-shirt to wear once Baby2 arrives.

from Dweedletees

She's become really opinionated about what she wears lately.. so I hope she likes it!
 

 

wild weather

It seems like there is crazy weather going on all around the country at the moment.

We're not missing out here in the Pilbara with Tropical Cyclone Rusty slowly making its way towards the coast.

So far it's just bought a lovely cool change to N-Town. A welcome break from the muggy 40+ degree days we'd been having into the lead up. It has been a treat to open up the windows and cool the house down with a natural breeze instead of the airconditioner!

We are quite far inland so we usually miss the most dangerous of the winds and just get dumped with lots of rain. Because of the size and the gathering strength of Rusty they are also predicting lots of gale force winds and flooding for us over the next few days.

Already this morning the winds have turned quite gusty, the sky is looking dark and the temperature has dropped to the point of even being a bit cold.

I can imagine that for those much closer to the storm it would be getting rather scary.  

I hope that everyone near the coast is well prepared for the onslaught and is keeping safe and dry! And the same of course for those experiencing extreme weather in other parts of the country.

On a more selfish level, also hoping that my flight out of here on Friday doesn't get delayed or cancelled

Made by Me

In the last few months I've started making more food from scratch.

Here are a few of my recent concoctions...

Tomato chutney.. sooo good!

Peanut butter... Just peanuts and sunflower oil! Next time I won't crush the nuts as much so it's crunchier

Natural yoghurt.. Just boiled milk and yoghurt culture, cooled to 37degrees, put into warm jars then insulated overnight so bacteria eat the lactose..

Butter.. Just churned cream.. So much better than margarine

Sorbet.. fruit, ice and ground raw sugar. yum.

Also been making- my own stock, my own tomato sauce, curry pastes and mincing my own meat.. to name a few!  

All with the help of my thermomix! I did a lot of soul searching before buying one as they are super expensive and I didn't want to spend the money if I wasn't going to use it a lot. I'm not really into gadgets but a few of the women from work have them and they were constantly impressing me with all the goodies they were whipping up with such apparent ease.

Then just after I got paid my bonus at work, one came up for sale second hand (which hardly ever happens) and it was a such a good price so I snapped it up! Since then I've made a real effort to learn how to use all the different functions and it has been fantastic, I use it almost every day.

And not only making basics but it has been really handy for whipping up healthy dinners after a long day at work. Because the time and temperatures and stirring speeds are so easily controlled (gotta love those Germans) it means it is quite hard to stuff things up.

Precious time saved chopping, grating, dicing, adjusting temperatures, stirring over a stove and doing the resultant pile of dishes is instead spent doing nice things with Bay after we'd been apart all day.. much nicer than trying to shoo her away while I burn something on the stovetop. haha 

But don't worry! I'm not going to turn into someone who takes photos of every meal I eat.. Or try and talk everyone into buying the most expensive kitchen gadget ever.. BUT am just a little bit pleased with myself as someone who has always considered cooking a big fat chore who is now actually enjoying trying new dishes and has also seriously reduced the amount of jars and pre-packaged crap in our pantry. It is a nice feeling knowing exactly what you are feeding yourself and your family.

 

To Do

I have less than 2 weeks in town now before we head to the city to wait for Baby 2.

Here's how that list is looking.

 

I feel like I have been FLAT OUT sorting, washing, folding, cleaning and re-arranging.. so surprising that there aren't more items crossed off.

This nesting is quite tiring and I'm feeling a bit run down today, but determined to persevere with my jobs!

I am lucky enough to have the house to myself so going to head to the video shop, get  something light and trashy to watch while I sort through the 4 big boxes of Bays' clothes. It seems a bit ridiculous to me that she even has that many clothes.. and we need to make room for Baby2, so it's time to downsize.

I'm rather sentimental about her clothes, and find it hard to be ruthless (hence the four massive storage boxes). Obviously if Baby2 is another a girl I'll have an excuse to keep lots of them.. but plan to have them already organsised into a boxes for Giveaway incase it's a boy.

Then I think maybe cleaning out the medicine box is another good job that can be done in front of TV.. This is much better than being at work :)

last day!

Here I am looking tired and over it yesterday morning, 35 weeks along and mustering up the energy for my last day of work! (paid work that is)

My work mates sent me on my way with a lovely hamper full of teeny tiny little clothes and nappies and a beautiful card. Very sweet of them.

It felt pretty good to walk out of there! I can't deny it, being pregnant and working full time with a toddler has been a really tough slog.

I have 2 weeks left in town, to finally start getting organised (I haven't done or bought a single thing in preparation for Baby2) so I have a bit of catching up to do..  

Bay and I will head to Perth at the start of March which is nearly 3 weeks before my due date (N-town does not have the hospital facilities for delivering babies so pregnant women encouraged to leave town early) The Mister will join us mid month and hopefully we won't have to wait too long after that to meet Baby2. 

I'm particularly looking forward to the next 2 weeks around home.. I am cheekily keeping Bay in daycare 3 days per week for both weeks so I can have some extra time and space to do all those things that I have completely neglected- resting, exercising, focusing on Baby2, savouring the pregnancy- and of course get the house organised for a smooth return in mid-April.

Time for a list I think!

 

two

It was Bays second birthday on Monday!

Hard to believe that she was born born two years ago.

Feels like just yesterday and a lifetime ago.

We kept it very low key just a breakfast at a kid-friendly local cafe with a few of her playmates. A kind friend made her some gorgeous little cupcakes and the kids chased each other around the grass.

 

Our lives are sweeter with you in it.

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

xoxoxoxoxo