The Bear's Den

OH MY GAAAAAAWD!

2008-08-13T09:01:00.012+09:30

3 whole months! I know, that's shocking! But in my defense, I've been really busy!!! And well, just plain going insane!

Wow...where to start? Well, I'll start from recent events.

Nathan went into hospital last week to have the lump in his neck removed, which went all smoothly, despite the fact that he thought the gown he was wearing was ORANGE after his surgery :P (see for yourself what I'm talking about lol)

We are now waiting until the 10th September for the results of what the lump was. Not overly worried about it, as the original biopsy was all clear...we'll see I guess.
He got the stitches out yesterday, which I was going to do for him, but it was a weird one. I'm guessing it's called a running stitch or something cause although the wound itself was about 3 inches long, there was just one long stitch that went back & forth about 8 times....doesn't seem to be too badly scarred, but we'll see when the swelling goes down completely. I know Nath is just glad it's out!

Ummmm...what else. Oh yeah, I've been spoiled rotten lately! Got myself a brand new car! A gorgeous Ford Territory. I've wanted one for AGES, but didn't like my chance of Nathan the Holden Nut buying me one...well he gave in! And here it is

Oh so lush! I love driving it! Particularly loving the leather interior...very comfy :)

Speaking of leather & being spoiled :P I also managed to get a new lounge!

We badly needed a new one...and I certainly didn't go for the smallest one I could find ;) Didn't even think to measure the lounge room, but it JUST fits! To the point there is not a single millimeter that could be spared :P

And because all good things come in 3's, look what I scored for our wedding anniversary that was on the 7th!

Ok...so spoiled doesn't even begin to describe me at the moment! But thinking I've done my dash for a good few years lol!

In other news....Connor has had a bit of a bad run :( Has been having seizures again, which is scaring me, because we've put his meds up & he had the worst one I've seen last Wednesday :( None since though, so hopefully the are taken care of for now!
We have also, with a heavy heart, started the process of getting him diagnosed as Intellectually Impaired, which sounds awful, and the thought of it is, but it's all to try & get him enrolled in the special school for next year, which I know is the best thing for him, but very hard as a mother to be told that your son has an intellectual impairment!
And just when he's been doing so well too :(
But now I'm looking at it as the next step in his life that is going to make things easier on him & us! Which I could really do with!

Rhiannon is cruising along well. Nothing really seems to get to this kid. She's doing fantastic at Kindy, and I'm so glad she got a spot! She can't wait for prep next year, and quietly neither can I ;)
She's also doing amazingly well at dancing! She's picked up the steps relatively well. I'm looking forward to the concert at the end of the year! They all look so cute in their little uniforms!

Oh yeah, the most exciting bit? After saying in my last post that nothing could top a holiday, I took myself away for a weekend at the Gold Coast at the beginning of July! Total BLISS! Spent too much money, drank too much vodka, and oh, got my tongue pierced :P Yep...sure did!

Yes, possibly a mid-life crisis, but I don't care :P lol

Also had the absolute privilege of meeting Kristie & the gorgeous Tara on their little trip up to Qld at the end of July! Kristie started out as a distributor waaaaaaay back when BHB was new, and is now a very dear friend! It was so lovely to meet them in person!

And the girls got on fabulously too :D

Well, this has taken me waaaaaaaaay too long to write...between phone calls & kids interrupting, I've about lost my typing mojo :P

B
xx

Change is as good as...

2008-05-03T21:38:00.005+09:30

Well no, actually! Nothing could top a holiday right now! I imagine somewhere hot & steamy! I HATE winter! Just not me...give me the sweating, stinky heat of Queensland anyday!

But...holiday is a no go at the moment, what with life & all getting in the way of that :-|, so a change it is!

I've gone from this...

to this...

All in just 3 1/2 hours too!

It's quite a bit lighter than the photo, but didn't take the pic til late this afternoon, so not great lighting! Will get Nathan to snap some of me tomorrow :D

So I'm felling all refreshed! What with the whole health scare we had recently, figured I needed to spend some time on me!

Speaking of which, all is good in the neck region of my hubby! Got the biopsy results back, and the verdict is "non specific lump" which is doctor talk for "We've got no f****** idea what's caused this massive lump on your neck, so we'll call it this special name so you think we sound smart"
Bloody knobs that they are!
I've convinced Nathan to take some 'herbal hippy shit' as he ever so affectionately puts it, and low & behold, the lump is beginning to go down! *gasp* Who would have thought!!!! :P

Other news....hmmmmmm...not much really!

Oh, I got a new washing machine! How lovely is my husband! My washing machine has been CRAP from the day we bought it. DO NOT BUY A MAYTAG MACHINE! E-V-E-R!!!!!!!!!!!!! Soooooooooooo not worth the $$$$$ you spend on them!
Anyway, back to my lovely husband! My machine has been playing up yet again, so Nathan comes home from work on Thursday & says, I'm going out.
Me - where to?
Nathan - Nowhere, but I need your car
Me - where to?
Nathan - to get you something
Me - what?
Nathan - what do you neeeeeeeeeed?
Me - a couple hundered thousand $ would be handy
Nathan - no, a washing machine!
Me - well that was my next request, but with a couple hundred thousand $ I would have been able to take care of that one on my own :P

But anyway, he comes home with a sparkly white washing machine! My dream machine no less...well anything shy of a Maytag would have been my dream machine :P
It's soooooooooooooooooooooooo nice :D
I love my husband!!!! *heart*

As a side note...I'm searching for the perfect vest! And have come to the conclusion that I need to make it myself! I've never been one to understand a vest...I mean, if you are cold, wear a jumper! But I have this growing desire to wear a vest this winter!
So like-minded-knitters, send through your favourite vest patterns! Pretty please!!!!!!!!
One wouldn't want a girl going cold this winter now would they!?!?!?!?!?!

Anyway, enough babble
I'm off to bed.

Night all.
B
xx

Hello old friend!

2008-04-19T18:45:00.002+09:30

Wow! It's been a month. Slack slack blogger am I!

In my defence, life has been slightly more than hectic here lately (yes even more hectic than my life generally is!!!!!)

Where do I start? Well, how bout I start with recent happenings & go backwards...

Nathan has a lump on his neck, that was concerning both of us, so he finally went to the doctor 3 weeks ago. Turns out it has nothing to do with the nasty tooth he has that needs to be removed, and is infact a lump growing out of his neck *gasp*

So far he has had a blood test, ultrasound & CT scan, and none of them can give us an answer of what it is. The CT scan revealed that it is coming from much deeper than first thought - straight from his muscle, and it seems it may even go right to the centre of the muscle *gasp gasp*

The good news is the head CT was clear, and his lymph nodes are all within normal size, so if it does happen to be something not so desirable, it is at least only in the primary stages!

The not so good news - cancer hasn't been ruled out completely.
We know that it's no longer just a little cyst, which was the first asumption. Because it's coming from the muscle, it is indeed a tumor, but whether it is benign or cancerous, is yet to be determined, and hopefully will be next Thursday with the fine needle biopsy. So everyone keep your fingers crossed for good results!

Connor....where do I start? He has had a few seizures of late, but that is a result of him gaining quite a bit of weight from the new diet he's on. (well, not so new now! Been at it for 6 months!)

Seems for now however, we have kind of fixed the problem! We all ended up with a vomiting bug last weekend (well, all except Nathan!) & Connor didn't eat for 4 days...I mean NOTHING...so he lost 3 kilos, which means that his meds are right again LOL! The world works in mysterious ways!
Hoping he doesn't regain it too quickly, because that will most certainly mean a med increase.

The girls....well, Rhiannon is going fantastically at Kindy & dancing. Costing us the earth, but loving both of them! I'm actually very surprised at how well she is picking up the dancing. She had little to no co-ordination before beginning, and is now one of the most focused girls in the class on a Saturday morning.
This, however, hasn't protected her from the cruel world of being a child! This morning she was paired up with a new girl in the class (normally she teams up with Kimberley, but they were seperated for some reason...Lori & I can't figure it out, they don't play up at all...but anyway) and apparently while they were dancing, said new girl decides she wants out, so she turns & tells Rhiannon "you can't dance properly" and then stomps off to the door to whinge to her mum that she doesn't want to be in there!

The teacher promptly put new girl in her place & told Rhiannon not to listen, she infact can dance very well! *gush with pride* So big fat raspberries to the new girl!!!!!!!!!!!!! :P

Ayla...well, she's very clingy of late...and as I type, is standing at my legs whinging! I'm OVER it I tell ya! I love this baby to death, but there's not a moments peace when she's awake!
Ok...so 2 hours after typing that bit about said clingy baby, she's sound asleep & I'm back!
She is very very funny most of the time though ;)
Her all time favourite thing to do is help unpack the groceries! Her eyes light up when she see's the green bags strewn across the kitchen floor! She does a little happy dance, and proceeds to unpack one item at a time. She is pretty spot on with what goes where (ie. cupboard or fridge) but this weeks shopping proved to be a little confusing for some reason! Right or wrong, she wanted the 3 pack of paper towels to fit in the door of the fridge, and fit they would not! She wasted a good 15 minutes of her night trying to get them in that door, but they just wouldn't go!
Still having what most would call 'settling issues'. She still neeeeeeeeeeds to feed to sleep, which is fine with me, but there seems to be no end in sight. I'm sure Nathan is scared to death that she will still be needing to be fed to sleep when she's 10 LOL! At least once a week he will say "we really need to teach her to put herself to sleep, the other two were well & truly by now"
Now that's something I don't do...nor like to do...compare the 3 of them. They are all sooooooooooo different!

Onto business matters (because I would say me next, but that's all I seem to do now...kids & business ;))
VERY exciting times around here for BHB! I have managed to (somehow...still a bit baffled at how this one happened) land myself a retailer in a far away land. I'm not going to reveal where it is, because I've got a competition running atm, the first person to guess correctly where (what country) our new retailer is located, will win themselves a BH Original Ring Sling! This comp started last night, and I've had HEAPS of entries so far...some of which are:
Europe
The US (neither of which are valid...needs to be specific ;))
London
Canada
Malaysia
France
ummmm...think that's the majority of what people are saying...but alas, no winner!
So if you think you know where we are headed, send me an email (bearhugbaby at optusnet dot com dot au) with the name of the country, and you'll win yourself a Sling! How easy can you get ;)

Other news...***NEW SITE***NEW SITE***NEW SITE***
I got a bit sick of there being kind of 2 different sites...the info part & the shop part, so yesterday I got busy & made it ALL ONE! And I must say, I'm very happy with how it turned out! Even tempted to pop the template up on the Cube Cart forums to see if I can make myself a $ or two :)
So, anyone still following my blog, even after the long-winded absence, let me know what you think of it!

Well...for now, I'm going to leave you with descriptions (because the pictures are still on my camera, and it's a good 10 steps between me & it) of the PJ pants that I made for the girls...I used these fantastic instructions (scroll down a bit to the Comfy Pants) to make up a pattern, and I can tell you, it is MUCH easier than I first thought to follow! Tomorrow I attempt to do the same for me, but I told Nathan I need to find a HUGE newspaper for my pattern ;P

On that note...I bid you farewell
B
xx

Must blog!!!

2008-03-22T17:31:00.002+09:30

I neeeeeeeeeed to put this into print! It's one of those things that I will think of later in life, and won't be able to remember, so I MUST put it in print :)

Rhiannon was chatting away the other day about when she grows up she wants to have 2 girls & a boy baby just like mummy! But she is going to have all 3 of them together as babies (do I see triplets in her future?)
Then she went on to tell me that the babies' daddy will be a bit shorter then her daddy & his name will be Pete!
Now, normally I wouldn't read anything into it, but what posseses a 4 year old to state the name of her future husband!?!?!?!

She went on to tell me all about her wedding she will have and described that she will have pretty glasses just like mummy & daddy had at their wedding to drink the wine from. Still baffles me that she can remember an event that took place when she was just 20 months old! And in detail! Smart girl that one!!!

In other news....hmmmmm....Connor has another appointment with the Specialist on the 1st to get the results of his hair analysis. Not sure what the plan is when the results are given, but I guess we'll see!

Ayla is a delight! She makes me want another bubba, cause I know this gorgeous stage of being a sponge of knowledge is very close to being over :( They grow up waaaaaaaaaay too fast!!!

Ok...now I know why I don't blog much, I now have a toddler grabbing my arm saying "mum mum, boo boo" (translated to I WANT MILK ;P)

Best be off
B
xx

The flip side

2008-01-03T09:34:00.000+09:30

Welcome to a new year!
Hard to believe it has come around so quickly!
My baby was born LAST year! :( She is growing up so fast!
Walking everywhere now, not a single crawl in sight! That happened really fast. There wasn't really a stage inbetween the first steps & proper walking where she crawled as well, just kinda started walking! It still makes me laugh when she walks cause she's too tiny! I'm used to my kids being big when they walk LOL

Rhiannon is going good. Having her 'moments' but on the whole is good. Her biggest problem at the moment is not listening! She drives me nuts with saying what after she is asked something, even though I know she has heard us. It is a habit, and one we are going to get her out of!
Christmas for her was a HUGE milestone! We finally got her to give her "Green Pinky" to Santa in return for her presents, which she did happily after a nice big hug. Left him out with the beer & bicky we left. She was so grown up about it all. And she hasn't asked for him once since! She has been taking longer to go to sleep at night, but is still sleeping like an angel!

Connor is going good. He is a lot calmer now days. Nathan didn't give him his vitamins one morning when I went out, and it was the worst day we've had in a loooooong time! So they must be doing something!

I think I'm coping ok with the holidays, mind you, Nathan only went back to work yesterday after nearly 2 weeks off, so haven't really had to go it alone too much.

Work wise, I have a fair bit planned for this year. Sending out information to several people who are interested in becoming retailers, so hoping to increase my stockists.

Other then that, not much else is happening. Just the regular SAHM type things! Knitting up a storm, but finding I start something & can't finish it because I get bored. SO looking for little projects that don't take long LOL

Ooopppsss...I smell a smell!

B
xx

End of year already!

2007-12-23T12:29:00.000+09:30

And Christmas already! 2007 has gone much faster then we would have liked! So much has gone on.

January saw the birth of our 3^rd gorgeous baby, Ayla Belle. She has gone from being a tiny helpless bundle, to a walking, chatting, absolute delight in the space of 11 short months! Celebrating her first Christmas is going to be so much fun!

February saw Connor starting at a new (mainstream) school within the Special Ed Unit 2 days a week, while continuing at AQ (Autism QLD) Therapy Centre the other 3 days. He seemed to settle in to the new schedule quite well.

Although we’ve had some very rough patches this year with Connor, we seem to be turning the corner somewhat with the implementation of a new diet and vitamin therapy. Still waiting for huge changes, but I guess these things take time!

Rhiannon has been a delight (most of the time) and turned the big 4 in November. Along with turning 4 came the realisation that she is able to stand her ground, and speak her mind! With parents like us, I’m not sure where that came from ;-) In an effort to try & get Rhiannon some outside stimulation, we have put her name on a waiting list for a private Kindy, but don’t like our chances of her getting a place. Looks like it’s time at home with mum for just 1 more year.

Business wise for me, all is going great guns! 2007 has been a great year for our business, my busiest yet. Lots of new things took place, as well as some improvements on old things. 2008 is shaping up to be bigger & more exciting, which no doubt, brings with it hours upon hours of hard work!

Nathan is going well at work. Plugging away & working hard, as he has always done, although we often talk about when will be a good time to take on our own business for him. We’ll see what ’08 brings.

Although the last 12 months has gone by super fast, there isn’t really any ground breaking news to report. We are all happy & healthy, so can’t really ask for much more.

To finish the year on a positive note, take a look at my new blog - Little Miss Knitalot
I'm very happy to say I have made up, tested & written my very first pattern! I LOVE my new bag, and hope everyone else will too!

Merry Christmas to all!

B
xx

OH MY GAWD!!!

2007-12-07T16:08:00.000+09:30

I'm part of the IN crowd ;)

Yep...I got an invite to Ravelry, and OMG I'm in LOVE! I don't know where to start! I'm a little overwhelmed to be honest!

Ok...must scoot & get to deciding what I'm going to knit first! Oh the possibilities!

Help us rais some money for the RCH Foundation!

2007-12-05T22:08:00.000+09:30

I know that Christmas can be a tight time money wise for many people at Christmas, and I wouldn't ask unless I knew the people of this fantastic community were such a caring bunch of people!

You may know that Bear Hug Baby has been donating $2 from each sale since March 2007, and we have helped raise quite a lot of money since then that goes directly towards the Royal Children's Hospital Working Wonders Foundation!

Now we are asking our past customers & anybody else who would like to help to dig (even just slightly) into the Christmas money tin & donate just a small amount to this fantastic cause!

You can read a little bit about our connection to the Royal Children's Hospital by visiting our Everyday Hero Link

Thank you for even taking the time to read this announcement. Every single cent helps!

Give your children an extra big cuddle tonight, and thank your lucky stars that they are not spending Christmas in hospital!
Merry Christmas
From The Bear Hug Baby Team

__________________

DIG DEEP THIS CHRISTMAS & HELP US HELP SICK KIDS!

Leave the poor bloody tree alone!

2007-11-20T15:27:00.001+09:30

I'm all for putting in a sign to display a house for sale, but don't nail it to a poor defenseless tree!!!!!!!

Oh, btw, the house across the road is for sale ;) Will be interesting to see how long it takes to sell! Maybe the psycho neighbours will be gone sooner then first thought ;) They are renting, so here's hoping that the new owners want to move in themselves :D

Off to do something productive ;)

B
xx

Happy birthday to me ;)

2007-11-18T17:45:00.001+09:30

How sad am I!?!?!?! I'm saying happy birthday to myself LOL!

Well, it's sad, but true, I'm no longer in my mid twenties! I'm officially 27! And don't feel a day over 20! Honestly, I don't feel any different today to what I did 7 years ago! Is that good or bad?!?!?!

Well, I was spoiled rotten yesterday (which was actually my b'day)! Nathan was a gem, and got me a gorgeous bunch of flowers, and booked me in for an hour long massage. LOVE that man!
Then we went shopping for some more goodies (read, wallet, bag & shoes ;)) & then out for our first dinner without the kids since our wedding :-O Yep, 2 1/2 years since our last dinner alone!

The thing that got me the most was the gorgeous card from Nathan.
On the front it read - To my wonderful wife, you're the best in the world
And on the inside - ...and I'm the luckiest!

Awwwwwww....he's such a sweetie when he wants to be...

Ok...well, that's all I've time for, cranky baby at my feet!

B
xx

Be original!

2007-11-12T08:33:00.000+09:30

I know that being 'copied' is supposed to be a compliment, but for f**** sake, GET YOUR OWN IDEAS!

How somebody can sell out and simply copy somebody else, without feeling the slightest bit of 'failure' is beyond me! I would much rather be original and not a success, then a copy cat & boom!

Ok...that's all for now! I am just sick of people knocking me off!

B - thinking happy thoughts...no, really I am!
xx

Bitter Sweet

2007-11-08T16:16:00.000+09:30

Look what 4 years can do!

It's my middle baby's 4th birthday :-O
I can't bring myself to think of the fact that my baby is gone gone gone! And baby #3 isn't far behind :(

Rhiannon is the most delightful (well most of the time ;)) little girl! She amazes me every day with how much she knows :-) She is such a clever little girl. I often forget that she is only 4, because she talks so well, I expect her to think that well to IYKWIM?!?!

She is the most loving little girl. She loves her family more then anything in the world, and expresses it often.

She is very open to change, which is quite important when one has an autistic brother! She has not once questioned why Connor is 'different' to other kids. She accepts him as he is :-)

She adores her baby sister! I thought for sure the novelty would be worn off by now, but she loves her just as much as the day she was born!

It's quite hard to believe that this time 4 years ago I was bringing home a little bundle of pink! Our world was perfect! We had a boy & a girl, and were blissfully happy!

Thank you Rhiannon for bringing so much light into our lives. You truly are an amazing little girl! Mummy & Daddy love you very much and are very very proud of the person you are becoming!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

B
xx
*gush*

Well Howdy!

2007-10-23T15:33:00.000+09:30

Every blog entry starts with how busy I am, and although yes, I am extremely busy, I'm not going to say it ;-P

The next 5 entries are going to be within the next fortnight, and they are all going to be about some POSITIVE!

Not that work isn't positive, but I just seem to be complaining about my lack of time all to much nowdays!

So here it is...my positive -

I'M GETTING AN INKA STORCH WRAP!!!!!! *INSERT HAPPY DANCE HERE*

For those that have no idea, a Storch is, from what I've heard, the ULTIMATE Babywearing Wrap!!!! I've not ventured into purchasing other babywearing products until now, so it is all very exciting!
I'm just itching to get my hands on her!
She's not new, she is preloved by a lovely Mamma on TBW, who was so lovely to sell to an Overseas unknown ;)
So roll on the day she arrives...hoping she doesn't need to stay over anywhere on the way ;)

In other positive news, I made Connor's appointment to see Dr Barry Ryan for next Monday at 11:30. He is a specialist in Nutrition, Dietary/Vitamin Therapy and Allergy Testing. We don't really need the allergy testing, as we know what he's allergic to, but his eating of late has been appalling, so we need to do something!
We visited Barry when Connor was a baby, and have had some great recommendations to go back & see him again, so off we go!

Ayla has got another tooth! YAY! And her skin is looking great after using the Teething Tissue Salts rather then the skin ones! YAY!

Rhiannon is going great guns! She LOVES that Ayla is fun to play with now, and is constantly harassing her to follow along & play! Too cute!

Ok...off to sweep the floor, and make some muffins....hmmmmm, perhaps I should make the muffins first ;)

Here's a couple of pics of my gorgeous husband wearing our delicious baby for you to ponder :D

And one of my precious little babe just for the fun of the shot ;)
It's in my new (well had it a while now) light cube outside on the trampoline! Who said it was only for work LOL!

Ok...going now :D

Feeling a little creative ;-)

2007-10-14T17:02:00.000+09:30

Well, one would think that all the sling sewing would make one non creative mumma, but oh no!
I've been a bit creative of late! And all to Rhiannon's benefit ;-)

I can't really take too much credit for this one! It was just a shirred panel from Spotlight. I got a meter of it, which is enough to make her a shirt as well, and to make Ayla a dress & shirt, but the shirring is too big for Ayla so I'll have to unpick a bit of it me thinks! Rhiannon picked out the pattern all by herself...just ask her LOL!

And this one I can take credit for ;)
Don't mind the look on her face ;-P The battery died just after I took, this one, and she was being a bit silly LOL! A cute little pair of pants and halter top. Kind of changed the top a little with the straps & bit around the bottom!
Very red & white this summer! And white really isn't a colour for my outdoor loving babe!

Oh, and these ones I made on our relaxing holiday!

Once again, the Picky Pants pattern, and using some absolutely divine 12ply Bendigo Woolen Mills Pink Opal

Well, that's about all for now. There are plenty more WIP (works in progress) but won't show until they are all done! :-)

Ciao for now
B
xx

Finally some more knitting!

2007-09-22T08:35:00.000+09:30

It's been a while! But I finished these shorties last night for Ayla. She's now getting quite a stash happening ;-)
The wool is just some 8ply that I dyed with food colouring!
Tried with the dying kit from Jolly Jumbuck, but couldn't get the colours right *blush* and not from lack of information...I just think I've got the whole food colouring thing in my head, so think I'll stick to that LOL! That and the fact I don't have the time to try and get it right!

Been CRAZY busy around here of late! The huge sale I had was nothing short of insane! I forgot how many people love to buy just because something is on sale LOL! I was completely cleaned out of stock in just 4 days of what was supposed to be a 2 week sale! So sorry to anyone who missed out...I'll be looking at having another clear out in a few months time probably....I'm a sucker for a sale myself!

In other news...new website is up and going...don't know what made me decide to change, but thought I needed to funk things up a bit! And that I did LOL!

Take a look
There's a few little things I need to sort out, because I've changed cart software. SOOOOO sick of the glitches with Zen Cart, so have gone to Cube Cart, relatively smoothly too!
Zen was just stuffing things up :( I sent out a newsletter yesterday and one of my customers got 5 copies :-O I'm sooooooooo sorry to anyone who got more then 1 newsletter, and I would email an apology, but think nobody would open it if it were another one from me LOL!
So here's my public apology SORRY!!!!!

Oh, and the new Loopy Loo Tag Blankies are up too! LOVE this lot! Rach, you are such a clever girl :-D

Ayla is still not overly fussed on starting solids! Last night was the first time she actually opened her mouth for me to put some in! The little monkey sits there with her lips clamped shut and shakes her head no! Starting to wonder if the whole baby sign thing is good LOL!

Well, I know heaps of other stuff has happened, but can't for the life of me think what!!!

Oh yeah, I've started on the journey of trying to sell my parents property! Wish me luck and then venture over to Make The Tree Change blog to take a look! And someone buy! I could really do with the commission ;-P

We are heading off on holidays to Yeppoon on the 30th, so that should be good to have a week to do NOTHING! I told Nathan I am going to knit for a week! His response was that I'm not allowed to knit on the beach, I'll look like an old granny ROFL!

OOppss...there's my cue...phone's ringing!

B
xx

I'm a BAD blogger!

2007-09-11T09:39:00.000+09:30

There...I said it! Bad bad bad!

But I've got good reason...well at least I would have if I could remember what had happened in the last 3 weeks to keep me away! *blush*
I'm such an air head lately! I can't even remember to eat breaky most mornings!

Ok...so what's been going on? HEAPS!

Our girl has graduated from that funny little clip of trying to crawl, to exploring the entire house! AND pulling herself up on everything, and even taking a few steps across the front window sill yesterday! OMG she is growing so fast!!!

We started her on solids on the weekend. First attempt was BAD! I gave her pumpkin, as advised, and BLERH she threw it up all over me :( Not just a little spit either. A full on CHUCK! :-S
So got cooking on Sunday & made some home made rice cereal (ie. brown rice & breastmilk in a blender ;)) and she was better...well no spew, but she seriously has no idea on how to eat LOL!
The other 2 were spotless when eating, cause they wanted everything they could get their mouths around, but Ayla is a little slow on the uptake ;) I know she'll get it, but in the meantime I think I'm destined to hosing off the highchair daily ROFL!

Connor is going good. He is back on the Epillum, which has had a great result. His moods are much better, all apart from this weekend just gone :-( He had a shocker! But it only seemed to be when Nathan was around :-( He went in to see his Nanna on Sunday afternoon, and Connor was VERY well behaved for me...not complaining, just can't imagine it's much fun for Nath :-(

Rhiannon is going good...she's always good. Poor kid doesn't have much choice really does she?!?!? LOL
She is fantastic with numbers that girl, but not so great with letters, so we are stepping up the letter recognition! She can count to 30, sometimes further, can count items up to about 20, sometimes not so much. She can add up if she's got something to look at (another visual learner on my hands!)
She is a WHIZZ on the computer! She's got all the games down pat, and I really need to get some more!

Me, well I've been sick :-( Had a really bad earache early last week, and my ear is still blocked up now! I have burned soooooo many candles in my ear in the past week, it's not funny! Still getting heaps of yuckkies out, but still blocked. Just wish I could hear in my left ear!

Ok...well i really need to scoot...here's a couple of pics to keep you all happy for now ;-)

Our gorgeous Beetlebums These truly are the best fitting side snap nappy I have tried! FANTASTIC & we have had HUGE dramas with chunky thighs & side snap naps!

And one of our 2 beautiful new Wild Child Dreamy Night naps! LOVE these nappies...we now have 4!!!

B
xx

Take a look...

2007-08-22T12:05:00.000+09:30

At my super clever girl!!!!!!!!!!! It's not much, but it's a start!!!

Oh, and WE HAVE A TOOTH!!!!!!!! FINALLY! She took her sweet time about it too ;) One came up and went back down, and then the other has just come through on Saturday 18/08

Ok...have to scoot.

Bxx

Minkee Co-Op!!!

2007-08-22T08:09:00.000+09:30

Well, after lusting over some gorgeous Minkee on a few websites, I've started a Co-Op in the hope that we an get a few yards ordered, and save a little on postage from the States!

The postage is RIDICULOUS to say the least on fabric from the States unless you order yards & yards!!! Even then with some of them it's crazy!

So come join - http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/fortheloveofminkee/
Membership needs to be approved.

BBL for some other info!
B
xx

Out with the old...in with the new!

2007-08-06T10:41:00.000+09:30

Well not completely out! But I've got myself a swanky new PC! Still trying to get used to the size of the screen...need to adjust the colours a little me thinks ;)

Have pretty much NO idea how to use Vista, and it is starting to get annoying...mainly cause everything I get somewhere, Ayla decides to wake up and I lose it all LOL! So really what I'm saying is I shouldn't be blogging, I should be trying to figure out this puter!

The other thing driving me nuts...all my contacts are on the other puter, and I can't figure out how to network them...mind you that is with about 20 seconds worth of trying to figure it out!
The old puter is now the kids, and they are pretty pleased with that. No more getting kicked off cause mum needs to work or get an EB fix LOL

Other news...the girls are still sick :( Poor Ayla has been hit the worst! And to top it off, she hates the Dimatapp and chucks it all up (and some) every time I try and give it to her :( Poor chicken!
Rhiannon is on the mend though. Just a little cough.

Connor is going good. Had a crap weekend though. He had a seizure on Saturday morning (first for 11 days) so we think that was the problem - headache, tired, irritable!
But Saturday night he was full of beans again and doing some amazing things! He now understands the concept of hide & seek! Him & Rhiannon were playing, but they were so funny! They both kept on hiding in the same spot - next to the TV in the loungeroom, and they were both cackling like chooks!
He aslo had some apple! Not a HUGE bite, but he had a tiny bite, tasted the juice and was ok about it! THIS IS HUUUUUUUUUGE for him!!! YAY!
THEN last night he had a couple of nibbles of the crumbed chops we had for dinner! OMG!
I actually bought the book "Special Diets for Special Kids" on Thursday from Book In Hand and amazing store in Redcliffe that stocks books on Asperger's & Autism ONLY! My goodness there is a lot of info on the spectrum! And LOVELY people running the shop!
So anyway...I got this book in the hope that we can try and make the transition to the Gluten & Casein free diet. It actually isn't going to be as hard as I thought.
He doesn't have any dairy in his diet, so the Casein isn't an issue. But he does have quite a bit of wheat and wheat products...so now the search for alternatives that he will actually eat!
I know the bakery down the road has Gluten Free Bread, so will be getting some of that today!

I'm not expecting huge things, but hoping that it helps with the recent mood swings!

Also trying reeeeeeeally hard to keep up with a dairy free diet for me...it is definitely milk at th every least that is causing Ayla's skin flare ups :-( But I'm finding it really hard to not have a coffee! I have taken to some Green Tea & Chamomile (which is odd for me, cause I never used to be able to stand it!) so hoping to ditch the coffee habit all together! Wish me luck!

Oh, and finally, anyone who has noticed I'm not on MSN it's cause I don't know my password for that account, so have got a new one...add me with BelHirning at hotmail dot com

Off to have a tea.

B
xx

Work work work

2007-07-24T11:56:00.000+09:30

and more work!
It's all I seem to do! But I do manage to squeeze some people hours in the day somehow!

Kids are going good.

Connor seems to be back on track at school which is great! He is back up to where he was developmental wise at the end of last year, which was a huge achievement then, and even more so now, because he had so many steps backwards! So super YAY from this house!

Rhiannon is, well, Rhiannon! She is the sweetest little girl I know! I find myself looking at her at least once a day thinking just how gorgeous she is and how lucky I am to have her! She can also drive me utterly nuts at times too!
At the moment she is sporting a Shrek bandaid on her temple because she bumped her head at the park on Sunday and wanted to put the bandaid on her hair, cause that's where it hurt! We compromised and put it on her temple, now I can't get it off.

Ooopppss...can see I'm going to have to baby-proof soon...Ayla has managed to get herself to one of the pot plants is thought a leaf might be tasty! Crazy babe!

Speaking of her, she is going good. Still waking once a night for a feed, but I actually quite like the snuggles at 2 in the morning ;-P
She is trying her hardest to crawl, and can lift up one arm when on her hands and knees and wave to us. VERY cute. I do have some footage of it, and will upload it when I get a chance! Probably when she turns 4! :-S

Nathan is going good. Busy at work as always. He made his first Ebay purchase on Saturday (well I put the bid in and went a bit higher then he wanted to go, but it meant he won ;-P) so he's all proud of himself! He got a V6 Commodore motor for $30! It had been on fire, but the joys of hubby being a mechanic are endless! It is one of his parts for his next project - another rally car! He still has his VP Commodore that he is going to rally, and is slowly building up his supplies! Driving me nuts, cause he's got a boat in the backyard that needs to be finished painting and sold! The bloody thing hasn't seen water in the 4 years we've had it! MEN! LOL

I'm going ok. Finally realising I cannot keep doing everything for the business. Am eagerly awaiting a reply about my sample I sent off for commercial manufacturing. Thinking I might have to find another company the rate we are going at!

About to send off another kit for a new distributor in Canberra! EXCITING EXCITING!

Orders are rolling in faster then I can keep up with, which is great, and I have the stock rolling pretty well atm, but the paperwork is drowning me! And don't even get me started on TAX!

Ok...well that's about my time up! Rhiannon is trying to get Ayla to crawl, and she is going backwards and getting very cranky with herself!

B
x

WOW!

2007-07-05T15:07:00.000+09:30

That's all I'll say! WOW!

You can see the rest for yourself!

ANYONE even considering getting some pics done in Brisbane, you absolutely MUST get in contact with Fiona!
Don't have a website just yet for her, but I'm sure she won't mind me popping her email addy in here ;)
fionacarson at optusnet dot com dot au

You most certainly will NOT be dissapointed!

Better go and rescue the baby from the junk mail (or should that be the junk mail from the baby LOL)

Wanted to post something insightful...

2007-07-03T09:23:00.001+09:30

but will have to settle for a pic of my beauty!

She thinks she's so clever now...and rightly so :-D She gets super cranky if I put her down on her tummy or back, because she just wants to sit up! Which is good because Rhiannon thinks she's so much more fun sitting!
She's also managed to figure out how to navigate her way around the floor by pulling with her arms. She isn't going forwards yet, but she will roll to what she wants, then use her arms to turn around in circles. Very cute!
She is also desperately trying to get up on her hands & knees. And has done a few times in the last 2 days! :-O But then comes crashing down to the floor, gives up and starts rolling LOL

Connor is having a bit of a crap time on holidays. I really think it has a lot to do with boredom, which makes me feel really bad, but I simply cannot put myself through the agony of trying to take all 3 of the kids out! I have been trying to get him to do some drawing/painting/crafty things to improve fine motor, but with Ayla not sleeping much during the day atm, it's not as easy as first thought!

And the reason Ayla isn't sleeping much? Well, her big brother is pretty much solely to blame for that! I manage to get her to sleep, pop her in her cot, only to have Connor crack up about something or other and wake her up! It can't be any fun for her either. Come 6pm she is exhausted and just cranky as! :-(

I can't wait for school to go back!

In other very exciting news, there is going to be a new spin on one of our current products! I am so excited about this! BHB is going to have an EXCLUSIVE product, and I just cannot wait!
Ok..that's all I'll say on that one ;-P

Better dash and rescue the baby princess from the big bully princess.

B
xx

I'm still here

2007-06-29T13:01:00.000+09:30

just trying to get through these 2 weeks of school holidays :-S

CRAZINESS at our house as you can all imagine!

Connor had his neuro appointment at the hospital yesterday, and the result was upping his Tegretol in the morning, which isn't going to do much I don't think, because the seizures are before he has his morning dose! But if it doesn't work, it's back on to the Epilum as well! Fingers crossed it works!
On a high...CONNOR SLEPT ALL NIGHT!

Ayla didn't though :-( The poor little mite was staaaaaaarving at 12am, and then again at 4, 5 & 6! CRAZY KID!

But she is trying to crawl! Noooooooooo...she is getting closer to getting up on her hands and knees, and this morning went backwards! And here was me thinking it would be aaaaaages before I had to baby proof! YEAH RIGHT!

Ok...so I've gotten a fair bit of fluffy mail of late, but this is the only one I've got pics of so far...some STUNNING BubbleBubs

Oh...and here's Rhiannon & best bud Holly!

Ok...best go rescue the baby from the 3 year old!

bxx

This & That

2007-06-15T21:16:00.000+09:30

My first very exciting news...WE HAVE BABY LEGS! LOL!
For those who don't know what Baby Legs are, you are missing out!!!
They are THE best invention! PERFECT for cloth nappying bubs, and bubs that are lucky enough to be worn ;)

Ayla & Rhiannon now have very cute looking legs ;-) And your bub can have them TOO! We are stocking them on our website now! YAY!

What else?!?!?! Hmmmmm...

Rhiannon decided to feed Ayla chocolate cake today, which totally freaked me out! Was vacuuming the floor, and turned around and here is little miss A with cake allllllll over her face. She was happy as a pig in mud! Not sure how much got in her mouth, but I was so worried about her because it had egg in it!
Nathan told me I need to stop worrying so much, because Ayla isn't Connor! She's her own little person, and I know he's right, but I am petrified that we are going to have to go through hell & back all over again!

Not that the trip has ended with Connor! *cries*
We had him at the doctor (yes again!) yesterday for blood tests. He's been having break-through seizures most mornings, and we think that is what's waking him up at night :-( And rather then waiting until the 28th to see an incompetent registra at the hospital, we asked for a blood test and med review from the GP. Will have the results early next week. I'm soooooo hoping that he needs an increase, and not that he needs to go back on the epilum again! Cross your fingers people!

In other news...we had a fantastic time last weekend with the lovely Fiona (see her blog to the right - not another stinky boy) taking some photos of us all in the park! I am just itching to see them! It was so much fun! Fiona, you are going to go far with your photography my girl!!!

Anyway...going to leave you all with some images of my baby. She just makes me all clucky just looking at her!

Bit boring aren't I?!?!

2007-06-04T13:08:00.000+09:30

Well, that's cause we have a new improved version of "Velcro Baby" just released!
This baby not only cries when she's put down out of eyeshot now, but also when she is sitting on your lap and you are in the seated position!

GRAVITY SUCKS IN THIS HOUSE!!!!

She is just so unsettled the poor little mite, and I don't know what it is. Her skin is still a bit red, and her bottom is too, but they are both starting to clear up, so don't think that's the problem anymore...wondering if maybe she is getting teeth?!?!?! If she is, my god I hope they aren't all this painful & sloooooooooooooow!!!

In other news...hmmmmm...OH YEAH, I'm in Mother & Baby...still haven't got my hands on a copy, cause Qld seems to be super slow at this stuff, but THANK YOU Alinta for sending this one thru

Will have to try and get to the newsagent tomorrow to see if they have a copy ;)
Already getting orders from it, so that is fab!!!

Ok...must dash...velcro baby is calling!

I've been tagged....again ;-)

2007-05-31T13:28:00.001+09:30

Thanks Ang ;-)

1. Four of my favorite jobs
I haven't had 4 jobs ROFL!
* Being a MUM! Is my MOST fav!
*Babysitting when I was at Uni
*Working for MYSELF now ;-)
*Working at the Uni at Student Services Officer.

2. Four of my favorite local places
* Any park...the kids LOVE parks!
* Bribie Island beach.
* At home...I like being home ;-)
* Now I have to say Ang's house ;-)

3. Four of my favorite foods
* Mashed potato
* Ice cream
* Creamy Lemon Chicken
* Curried Chicken

4. Four of my favorite international places
* New Caledonia (went there when I was 15, and LOVED it!)
* Would one day love to go to Ireland
* Africa
* & Paris

5. Four name's of people I am tagging
* Moa, Kristie, Nelle & Donna ;-)

RAIN, GLORIOUS RAIN!!!

2007-05-30T15:48:00.000+09:30

I just HAD to share these photos!

We've actually had a little rain in this dry dry corner of Qld in the past few days, and today was extra special! Rhiannon decided it would be fun to play in the front yard in the rain - and I must confess, it was fun! Ayla slept soundly while I snapped away at my gorgeous Rain Angel!!!!

ENJOY!

Fluff, fluff, fluff!!!

2007-05-30T11:26:00.000+09:30

Oh I could jump up and down with joy! But that would send the baby on my lap flying across the room rofl!

I got THE most divine fluffy mail today! Walked in the door after doing the horrid grocery shopping, and Rhiannon came running in with a package yelling 'fluff mail mummy'! Very cute...she's learing early ;-)

And this is what came out of the packet

How lucky are we!!!! Ummmm...I mean how lucky is Ayla ;-P

It is a luscious Wild Child Nappy It is a Hand Dyed Bamboo Velour Dreamy Night Nappy, and is soooooooooooooooooo soft! I so don't want to take it off her...just want to leave it on forever! I think it's even softer the our Berry Plush's and I love my BP's! We have a new fav nappy me thinks ;-)

It is the result of a swap for some product bags I had here, and now I feel like I've definitely gotten the better end of this deal! Might have to send Michelle a little thank you gift me thinks ;-)

Ok...off to do some sewing!

Bits & bobs!

2007-05-29T15:06:00.000+09:30

Ayla - aaaahhhh the lure of paper has hit! I remember when C & R were babe's and they first discovered the 'junk mail' that is so often lying on the floor next to my lounge! Good to see not much has changed in the past 6 years LOL!
Ayla has just now, as I type, discovered how fun it is to scrunch, chew, crinkle, feel, taste the junk mail! The germs on there are probably enough to kill a small pony, but she's tough ;-)
She is the picture of happienss atm! Lying on the floor (not on the towel, where I first put her I might add) with no nappy on, legs in the air and paper in her mouth The new Target catalogue to be precise ;-) I'm hoping she finds me a new handbag!

Which brings me to my next 'bob'! I sooooooooooo want a new handbag, but have no idea what I want or need in a hand bag! I used to be a handbag whore! Worked in a bag store and all, and LOVED LOVED LOVED bags! Then came the babies, and with the babies came the big bulky nappy bags, and little need for a handbag. Well, I'm making a stand! Although I have one of the most gorgeous Kecci nappy bags in history, I just want a me bag!
Suggestions welcome girls!!!! Preferably not $5000 either ;-)

My teeth are just killing me! Well 1 tooth in particular! It looks awful, and it is twice as sore! It has been aching for a few weeks now, and I really need to stop taking panadol and go to the dentist! But when!?!?!?!?! These sorts of things tend to take up quite a bit of time...time that doesn't exist in my life at the moment!

Which brings me to the question...why can't there be 27 or 28 hours in each day!?!?! I could sooooooooooo do with a few extra hours every day! Mind you, I'm sure I'd still be behind in everything!

And back to teeth...Connor has another loose one! :-D He's so clever!!! It's on his right side next to his 2 front bottom teeth. Still have a way to go before it comes out though I think!

Ok...well that's all I can do for now...baby needs boob! Mummy needs a drink!

B
xx

Oh the agony of the wait!!!

2007-05-25T20:36:00.000+09:30

It is just tooooooo painful, and I've only known about it for about 10 minutes!

I'm in an article with the lovely Davina from Baby Beehinds in Mother & Baby Magazine, and it doesn't hit the newsagents until Wednesday...

So anybody out there in cyber land willing to fill me in who has a subscription and has already received their copy, I will be eternally greatful for you to shed some light on my public appearance ;-)

If not...I guess I'll have to wait until Wednesday...but what if I get hit by a bus on Tuesday afternoon! I'll never know what the story was like!

Oh someone please have pitty on me!!!!!

What else would I expect

2007-05-24T11:07:00.000+09:30

No sooner do I hit the publish post button, go and sit down and feed Ayla, does Rhiannon come up to me, give me a big cuddle and say "I love you soooooooo much mummy!"
*gush*

She amazes me how often she swings...Ah the joys!

The battle

2007-05-24T10:49:00.000+09:30

with a 3 year old that is!

Whoever made up the saying 'terrible two's' obviously hadn't experienced a 3 year old at that stage!
Rhiannon was sooooooooooooooooo 'manageable' at 2! Now at 3, anyone would swear she is a 13 year old! She is so defiant one minute, and a perfect little angel the next!

Her biggest downfall - NOT LISTENING! And not that she has a hearing problem! We tell her something 500 times and she acknowledges what we say, and continues anyway!

Take, for instance, this morning Ayla was at the stage where she was starting to show the 'tired signs' and I asked Rhiannon to hop away. It went something like this:

Me: Rhiannon, hop away from Ayla please.
R: Why?
Me: Because she is getting tired, and doesn't want to play anymore.
R: Why?
Me: because she is starting to get cranky.
R: Why?
Me: Because she is tired, and now mummy is getting cranky!
R: But she loves me and wants me to play with her
Me: Yes, Ayla does love you, but right now she is getting tired and doesn't need you in her face.
R: Why?
Me (with smoke billowing from my ears): Just hop away now, or I am going to get angry with you.
R: NO...don't get angry!
Me: Well hop away from her
R: why?
Me (seeing every shade of red in the english language!): Rhiannon, I suggest you go and sit in the corner for the count of 10 or mummy is going to make you have a sleep!
R: why?
Ayla: SCREAMING at this point because she is so tired and just wants Rhiannon to go away so she can have a sleep!
Me: *pick Ayla up, try to settle, no luck, put her in her cot, still no luck, pick her up, try to feed, no luck, too cranky by now, pat her to a very sleepy looking face, put her in her cot, quick 3 second cat nap, wide awake and bushy tailed ready for another round of playing* ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH

Ok...so the saga continued until Rhiannon decided she had had enough of pushing me right to the edge, and went off happily and played with her dolls! Now Ayla is lying on the floor wide awake talking to her toys, ready for Rhiannon to play, and the evil 3 year old is nowhere to be seen!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Deep breath...count to ten....1...2...3.........

Have to go...baby is tired again *rolls eyes*

Bxx

I really shouldn't...

2007-05-11T09:15:00.000+09:30

be blogging! I've got so much work to do...STILL! It is never ending, which is fantastic business wise, but my sanity is slowly (ok...so maybe not so slowly) dissapearing!

Yesterday I managed to send off a parcel WITHOUT ANY ADDRESS! Now how I expected Oz Post to read my mind and know where to send it when they have trouble when the are addressed, is beyond me! :-S

Hopefully it will find it's way back to me eventually!

Things have been a bit tough around here of late! Poor Connor is just not happy! The poor little man has been going through a hell of a time! He is getting so frustrated with not being able to voice his needs, and he has started hitting out at his teachers & Nathan & I!
I have my suspicions that it has to have something to do with his diet...or lack there of! His sensory issues have gotten worse of late, and he is eating even less then he used to!
To the point where we are trying to change the chips he is eating to the vegie chips, and although he quite likes the flavour, and the texture isn't an issue, he is just being defiant because it is something new!

He is home from school today (which means no work for me :-( ) because he has an awful sore on the inside of his right elbow, that is looking awfully like the sores he had when he had Golden Staph! :-(
Off to the doctor this afternoon...

On other news...today is the first coldish day we've had all year! About bloody time too...it's winter next month, and we haven't been below about 27 degrees yet! :-0
Actually quite looking forward to winter this year so that Ayla can wear all her longies ;-)

Speaking of Ayla, she is going good. Had a bit of eczema coming up on her cheeks, but we seem to be almost ontop of that with some Calendula cream & tissue salts.
She's rolling everywhere now, and has mastered how to get to a toy she wants by rolling to it. Mind you, when she gets there she struggles to actually grab it, so just lies there and chats away! Very cute!

Rhiannon is going good too. Still smothering her baby sister in kisses and cuddles alllllllllllll day long! Gotta love the sisterly love now while it lasts...cause I can just hear them as teenagers "MUM, Ayla is wearing my shirt!"

Ho hum...

B
xx

not much really

2007-05-05T21:26:00.000+09:30

Well, not much exciting going on here atm! Just sewing like a mad woman to try and keep on top of these orders! And the huge wholesale orders that seem to be worming their way in too don't really help the situation!

I have made the decision, and spoken to Nathan about it, that I am going to send some patterns & samples to commercial manufactures' and see how we go. I can't keep going like this. The poor kids don't see me if Nathan is home :-(

And when I'm not sewing, I feel guilty!

FINALLY got a chance to go and visit Ang & the girls last Thursday, which was great. But had to rush home from dropping Connor off at school, whip up a sling and post it on the way, and then when we got Connor home from school, had to make another one that needed "urgent" attention! *roll eyes*

Then on Friday we had a fabulous morning socialising at Amanda & Lincoln's house. We met Narelle & the gorgeous very talkative Lilli. Sandra & gorgeous little Isabelle, who Rhiannon thought was so much fun, and her name totally escapes me *blush* but Narelle's friend & her stunning little bubba Imogen (who had the BLUEST eye's I've ever seen! - & I thought my kids had blue eyes!)

So we have had a week of socialising really! Well 2 days...Lucky it is a long weekend so I can make up for the lack of work I have done *blush*

Ok...so I'm going to bed, because this would have to be the latest I've been up in weeks! *yawn*
I feel like an old woman LOL!

B
xx

Happy anniversary!

2007-04-28T14:16:00.000+09:30

In my playing around with the layout here, I noticed it has been an entire year since my very first blog!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BLOG! ;-)

just editing to add some pics of our trip to SeaWorld yesterday. Wish we had have gotten more, but Connor dropping Thomas in the seal pool kinda put a dampner on the entire day :-(

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

2007-04-28T13:06:00.000+09:30

Connor is being...well...Connor!
He is being so autistic today, which I know sounds awful, but it's a worse day then normal!

So far in the last 1/2 hour he has run around the back yard with no pants on, pee'd in the clam shell, thrown paper clips all over the floor, taken Rhiannon's lunch off her (twice!), screamed at the dog, bitten the dog on the nose!, sat on the dog....but I think that's about all.

Go on...everybody say it's nothing they don't go through with their normal kids...

But it's just NOT Connor! He's generally very well behaved, and his autistic traits are pretty well restricted to repetitive behaviour & language delays.

Oh, and to top things off, Nathan has gone to NSW for some stooooooooooooopid car rally with a friend. I don't begrudge him at all for it, but WHY does Connor have to pick today of all days to be a pain in the proverbial!?!?!?!

Off to finish my now cold lunch

B

Been tagged ;-)

2007-04-28T08:11:00.000+09:30

Thanks Kristie ;-)

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next three sentences in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't dig for your favourite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.
6. Tag five other people to do the same.

It may be none of the above but something else, a time when he seems receptive, relaxed and willing to look at you (no matter how fleetingly). It may even be a time that you haven't noticed before, such as sitting in the car (ride as a passenger next to him one day and watch his reactions to you), or swinging in the park.
Once you have pinpointed these times, use them as periods when you really work on showing your child that communication with people means something - that it brings its own rewards.
- Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum A practical Resource of Play Ideas for Parents and Carers - Julia Moor

Tag: Moa, Sharon, Ang, Nelle, Tracy,

Yep...we live, breathe and read autism in this house ;-)

I'm off to have a play around with my blog...want a fresh look me thinks!

Waiting...waiting...

2007-04-16T12:42:00.000+09:30

Well, I've now been waiting nearly 3 weeks for my bloody fabric order to arrive, and still NOTHING! Have called and left yet another message asking where it is, and waiting for a response!
I needed this fabric 2 weeks ago! And that was allowing an extra week for delivery! grrrrrrrrrr.

So to anyone who is waiting for their slings, SOOOOOOORRY! I have tried everything in my power to get them to you, but they are likely to be a bit longer. Hopefully not too much though!

All is good here really. Ayla is doing great. Sleeping through the night again now that I'm wrapping again.
Connor is having a bit of a crap run at the moment sleep wise, but we have put it down to the tomato sauce on toast he has been eating. He went off it for a while and had a HUGE surge forward development wise, but then started asking for it again, and has been ferral ever since :-S
So NO MORE SAUCE TOAST Connor! He was happy with Vegemite this morning, so hopefully it stays that way!
Rhiannon is going good. Grandy & Grumps (my parents) gave her a back pack full of 150 pieces of pencils/pens/glitter/paint/glue etc. for Easter, and she has spent the ENTIRE day today make gorgeous creations. There is no room left on my fridge LOL!
And I bet as soon as I get my fabric, she is going to be bored with it and not play quietly so I can sew.
But she's loving it right now, so that's the main thing!

I have been VERY spoiled over the past couple of weeks! Lucky me got a new Digital SLR camera, so I've been snapping away like made at the kids and anything that will stay still long enough for me to click LOL! LOVING it too btw!

Also got a spanky new treadmill. Nathan & I have been talking about getting one since just after A was born, so it wasn't overly surprising when he said lets go buy one! I've been doing 20 minutes every night for the past 9 days, and I'm happy to say that with that and eating healthily (well eating at all, cause normally I don't find the time, but I'm making myself!) I have lost 2 1/2 kgs! YAY for me!!!!

Other then that, not much else happening. Just waiting waiting waiting!

So now I best be off to do some book work BLAH!

Oh...yeah...my new instructions from the lovely Crystal. Here's the link -
Front & Back pages
Inside
Ok...off to have a coffee

B
xx

Much anticipated Longies!!!

2007-04-06T11:27:00.000+09:30

Well, they are DONE! Except for the cord...but that can wait til tonight ;-)

So we started with this...

Then we had this... (the flash has made them look purple :-S)

And then the action shots...

I am sooooooooo happy with these! They are divine wool from the lovely Kelly @ Dyelicious on OZeBaby and I can see them getting a real workout this winter!!!

Just quickly

2007-04-05T13:27:00.000+09:30

cause I need to get organised to go and pick Connor up...but I HAD to post a pic of Rhiannon's pants I just made. I'm actually quite impressed with them, as is Rhiannon ;-)
They are a little big, but will be perfect for winter. The size 4 was waaaay too big, so I took them in a bit, so hopefully she might get 2 winters out of them!

Ok...have to run, but will be back again soon for more of an update on the kidlets!

B
xx

I've been bitten!

2007-03-31T15:13:00.000+09:30

By the dying bug that is!!!

I decided yesterday that I would give dying some wool with food colouring a go, and OMG I am HOOKED!

I started with this...

And this was the end results...

Green/Purple

Blue/Green/Yellow

Pink/Purple

The green/yellow/blue was the first attempt, and I didn't make sure the insides were completely covered with dye, so there is going to be white through it too...but hoping it just adds to the 'look'!

My fav is the pink/purple. It is quite a bit brighter then in the photo!

Now for it to dry so I can get started knitting!!!!

Ooopppss...I've done it again!

2007-03-29T16:09:00.000+09:30

Ok....so I can't help myself! I've got the bug...sewing bug that is!

Took myself and the girls over to Spotlight today to score some bargains from their pattern sale, and came away with enough stuff for both girls to have a complete winter
wardrobe ROFL!

The pattern for long pants/shirt for Rhiannon I found some gorgeous corduroy. I'll do the pants that have contrast on them and put this stuff on the bottom

Then I've got the same mauve colour for the top of the pants.
And some gorgeous Khaki cotton crepe for a shirt. There's subtle bits of khaki in the print above.
This pattern is for Ayla (obviously ;)) and I've just got the standard pink & white for her...boring I know, and she's got a billion pink/white things, but I can't help it LOL!

And this pattern just for some around the house shorts really...the tops were a bonus ;)

And of course I can't make a SL trip without buying more nappy fabric ROFL! I have been eyeing this off for a while, and just had to get a meter of it today! Got some orange sherpa for the inside, and might have to get some black snaps me thinks!

So that's about our score. Now i need to pull my finger out and actually make it all LOL!
Pretty good for $50 though I think!

I feel so clever!

2007-03-25T17:37:00.000+09:30

Look what I did!!!!

Not a great pic, cause she's sitting in the rocker squishing it up, but I'm so proud of my effort to make her a dress! I've got plans on making a few for her for winter to wear with a skivvy under & tights.

And until the weather cools down, I've got more denim to make a show off cover! (I did have one, but Millie decided it looked tasty enough to eat!)

In the spirit of RNW...

2007-03-24T10:28:00.001+09:30

...and encouraged by Eilleen on NC, I have made a RECYCLED NAPPY!!!

Ok...so the snaps, elastic & thread are new, but the fabrics are completely recycled!

We started with an old PJ shirt

Then I raided the linen cupboard for an old towel (and yep...it sure is OLD!)

Then I stuck it all together and realised I'd stuffed up royally and put the elastic so it would be on A's butt! (DOH)
So added an inner layer of an old flanny flat nappy!

And VOILA! We have a recycled nappy! As soon as A wakes up, I'll have an action shot for you!!!

B
xx

Not so snap happy...

2007-03-24T07:22:00.000+09:30

Decided to whip up a nappy last night, and it turned out fantastic...UNTIL...Nathan decided he would do the snaps (and I wasn't overly upset about that, I've discovered muscles in my arms I didn't know existed!)
Anyway, I was so impressed with his snapping skills, that I got a bit carried away and managed to put an entire row (8) of snaps on THE WRONG SIDE!!!!!! I was sooooooooo angry! Ayla was still awake and I wanted to try it on her, but nooooooooooooooooooo, I had to stuff it up didn't I!
So this morning I un-snapped them, and popped them back on...and my mind must have been elsewhere, because I STILL put 2 on the wrong way! I tell ya, all this plastic is going to my head ROFL!

On the up side, I went Ang's last night (Sorry for invading you at your sacred you time Ang ;-)) and picked up my super super super soft Bamboo Fleece! I didn't realise it was 1.5m wide, so got 4 meters of it, so now Ayla is going to have enough nappies to do her til she turns 21 ROFL! At least we won't have an issue if she doesn't toilet train early like Rhiannon did LOL!

Hmmmm...oh, other exciting news

AYLA ROLLED OVER YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!

She's so clever!!! Went from her tummy to her back, which is backwards, but from memory Rhiannon did the same thing!
Ayla is sleeping like a little gem! At least 12 hours every night. Thought it might have been because of the massage she gets before bed, but I didn't do it the night before last, and she still slept through! *happy dance* She's so clever! :-D

Had Connor's IEP at AQ on Thursday, and he has definitely gone backwards from the end of last year. I think the combination of him not being on the supplement he was on, moving to a new house, starting a new school & getting a baby sister, has actually taken more of a toll on him then we first thought! Poor little guy! And that's the only place he feels he can 'act up' because he know's it safe IYKWIM. So we are into some intensive stuff at the moment to try and get him back on track. He was doing so well there at the end of last year. And this is his last year there, so we want to get the most out of it we can!
At Dakabin though, he is doing fantastically! Has reached one of his IEP goals already, and they are set to be achieved by September! So I'm thinking he is really loving his time there!!!

Anyway, have to scoot...crying babe!

B
xx

ETA an action shot of Ayla in one of the hemp night nappies I made her during the week! It looks HUGE on her, but fits perfectly. It's the Poochies Side Snap pattern.

Revamp

2007-03-20T09:35:00.000+09:30

Well, if dug out the couch cover pattern last night
and I'm not sure it is going to work. It does state that it is a one size for different styles of lounge, but think I'll try it with some cheap fabric first! Which means I need to got to the small fabric store near here that has SUPER cheap fabric, like $1/m! Oh what a shame LOL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

In other exciting news, today my new fabric samples should show up for my slings! If they are as good as I think they are (and I'm pretty sure they will be because it's through the company I get my pouch fabric through) I will have FINALLY found a good wholesale supplier for my sling fabric! No more running to the fabric shop to get fabric...although I do like supporting a small local business, and they do sell it to me for a reasonable price, if I am going to further business as planned this year, I need to source my fabric in wholesale lots! And at the moment the only ones I don't do that for is my ring slings! So fingers crossed, this fabric is what I think it is and it comes in the colours I want!
Depending on price too, I may even be able to DROP my prices! :-O

Well, better scoot...orders to post, orders to sew, snaps to apply ;-P

B
xx

Snap Happy!

2007-03-19T21:51:00.000+09:30

Well, I just can't get enough ROFL!

This afternoon alone, I've made a side snap cover & 2 night nappies for Ayla...I found myself looking for patterns online that required snaps while the hemp was in the dryer ROFL! Didn't actually find anything but!

So anyway...here's the 2 night nappies. I'm pretty happy with them, but only if I don't look at the inside overlocking! I soooooooooo need to get my overlocker serviced...but I know my machine man is going to go mad at me for leaving it so long between services *blush*

Anyway, here's the pics...

Ok...off to bed to hopefully get another full nights sleep! Do you think 3 nights in a row is too much to ask!?!?!

B
xx

Oh...and just quickly, a couple of pics of us on the weekend for the magazine article...which reminds me, I MUST email them off!
The last one I won't be sending...I just like it ;)

It's such an exciting life!

2007-03-19T15:48:00.000+09:30

ROFL! Yeah right!

If you count getting a new snap press delievered today exciting! Well I do, and I know heaps of other mums out there would too LOL!

So I am eagerly awaiting for my hemp to finish washing, which should be any minute now, then I'll pop it in the dryer and start cutting! I've only got enough PUL to do 2 covers, which I've done, so now it's just wait wait wait until I can snap away!
I've been looking like a mad woman for things to snap LOL!

The other really exciting thing in my life...I CAN KNIT WITH DPN's!!!!!! (double pointed needles)
This is really exciting for me because I thought it would be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too hard, but surprised myself last night with how simple the concept is! It is a little fiddly, but easy all the same!

So here's what's on the needles at the moment!

Longies for Ayla of course ;-)
This wool is from Susanne's House of Wool and is just gorgeous! It's 100% Pure Wool from NZ in a 10ply. I am so in luuuuuuuuuuurve with the way it has striped. The legs are striping too, but in single rows IYKWIM.

I'm going to try and finish these by tomorrow night. Although with all this snapping I want to do, I don't like my chances ROFL! I just want them well & truly finished by the time my wool from Kelly @ Dyelicious has sent my new custom wool...

I've also been going through my fabric stash and doing a major cull! I've sold a heap of fleece on Buyena, but have decided to keep some because I want to make Ayla some pants that will double as a cover for winter. Just basic long pants with elastic waist in 2 layers of fleece. I think I've got a pattern somewhere...lol!

How sexy will my baby's butt be!!!

Also found a pattern at the bottom of my stash for a couch cover that I bought for our old lounge, but never made because it was an odd shape...well the cover pattern is PERFECT for the lounge we got given that has an AWFUL floral print and frilly bottoms LOL!

Well that's about all I've got time for atm! Really need to get cracking on something for dinner, so I can snap my way into oblivion when the kids go to bed ROFL!

B
xx

Mayhem & Madness!

2007-03-15T13:22:00.000+09:30

That's my life most of the time...but more so then ever now! LOL

No, really everything is going great. Ayla has settled into sleeping in her cot quite well. The second night in there (Monday night) she slept right though til 6:30am!!!!!!!
The last 2 nights she's woken for a feed at around 3:30, but that's all good. I'm happy for her to kepe doing this, cause I barely wake up, and both nights I've fallen back asleep in the chair as I'm feeding, and it's a great chance to have some quiet cuddle time...bit hard with the other 2 under-foot!

I got some scrumptious wool from Susanne's House of Wool delivered today...YIPPEEEEEEE! It is orange/pink/white colour way, and I can't wait to start knitting with it! Will post pics later today.

Was also totally stoked and shocked to say the least, that I managed to score a custom slot with Dyelicious! Kellie is going to dye me up some gorgeous wool in pink & choc...but might keep this one underwraps til I have knitted it up ;-)

Had the IEP meeting with Connor's grade 1 teachers this morning, and it went well. They are so focused on getting him up to speed enough to continue at a mainstream school. It really is overwhelming at times to know how much they want him there!

Have orders coming out my ears, as well as clearing our some instock items to make way for new stuff...I have promised myself, and all my customers, that I will be selling instock items only as of the end of March! 2 weeks to go...must get sewing...must stop knitting, and start sewing! LOL

Rhiannon is going good...as always! She is such a delight, most of the time, except for the odd 3 year old moment! ;-)

Well, better scoot...my muffin is starting to stir, and I need to get moving to get Connor from school!

B
xx

PS...Connor left his shoes on ALL day at school yesterday - HUGE achievement! Well done little man!

Almost forgot!!! And how could I!?!?!?!
EXCITING NEWS!!! I'm going to be in a feature story in the Mother & Baby mag!!! I am still in disbelief, and don't think it will sink in til it is printed and sitting in front of me, but Kylie, the writer, is doing a story on WAHM's and wants ME to be in it!!! Thanks to the lovely Michelle for passing on my details!!!

A BIG DAY!

2007-03-12T15:39:00.000+09:30

Well last night was! Our little tiny baby ended up sleeping in her cot for the first time!

We had discussed doing it this week, and I was totally reluctant to do it, but she really is too big for the bassinet now!

And I'm pleased to say the whole thing was a huuuuuuuge success! Despite the fact that I got next to no sleep cause I worried about her all night!
She went to bed at 7:30....stirred enough for me to get up to check on her @ 4am (but I had done that about 10 times by midnight without a peep!). Had her thumb in her mouth by the time I got to her end of the house, and slept til 5am...had a super quick feed and settled ti about 8am!

So.....anyone in Brissy who wants a 9 week old bassinet, let me know! We've got one to sell LOL!

I must say I was most upset about putting her in her room! She is right down the other end of the house, and this house is rather large! The other 2 went straight into their cots from day 1, but their rooms were right next to ours, so it wasn't an issue! And Ayla is my baby! She is my last, and I want to hold on to it for as long as possible...baaaaaaaaaaad I know, but I can't help it!

So...today was a bit of a different story! She has been pretty unsettled most of the day, but that's my fault for stuffing up her sleep routine this morning so that we wouldn't miss out on the Spotlight 20% off sale! I am just obsessed with buying fabric for nappies at the moment!

Drug of choice - Poocies Side Snapping Naps! LOVE EM! I had quite a few when she was a newborn, but she grew out of them within a week - I kid you not!

So now the lovely Ang has loaned me her snap press again, so I'm madly snapping away! She has 10 completely done, and I've got another 2 meters of flanellette and sherpa that I want to use before I give it back on Friday! I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally have to get me a snap press...must save...must save...must save!

Business wise - all going good...orders are coming in regularly, which is great, because it pays the bills, as well as gives me some spending money for my current nappy obsession LOL!

Speaking of which...I better get cutting if I am going to get these nappies finished!

Bxx

PS...here's our latest creation! We certainly won't lose her in the dark LMAO!

Utterly Smitten!

2007-03-05T16:11:00.000+09:30

And who wouldn't be with a face like that!
I am soooooooooo in love with this little baby! I loved both my other babies, but this time is just INSANE!
Nathan thinks I'm nuts! I spend hours on end cuddling this gorgeous creation, and even more hours wanting to cuddle her, but can't because she's asleep! ROFL!

I even love the 3am feeds! Despite the fact that I fall asleep almost every time, I just feel soooooooooooooo blessed (for want of a better word) to have such a perfect bundle all to my own - well, I share with Nathan sometimes...

Rhiannon is just as smitten! She is always asking me if Ayla is awake or asleep, because she wants to play with her! She lies down on the floor with her and plays under the play gym with her!
She is always asking if we can change her nappy - good thing we use cloth ;-)
Wants to hel bath her every night.
And is dying for her to be big enough to play outside wit her!
And here's me thinking the novelty of a baby sister would have worn off loooooong before now!
There isn't even a hint of jealousy!
i'm just hoping it carries on to the teenage years!

In other news....we celebrated Connor's 6th birthday (!) last weekend (25th)
Had a great day! Went up the coast and had a swim in the morning, then headed further up the coast to take them to Under Water World. The LOVED it!
Rhiannon got to feed the stingrays

Connor was ever so impressed with the under water tunnel, and most impressed with the Potato Cod!

He also had great fun with his cake...which was very uncreative of me this year...I totally cheated and bought a Dora cake topper!

I made the cake with a N0 Egg mix that mum gave to us ages ago that I hadn't attempted to use yet, and the cake was totally tasteless. Who would have thought that egg would add so much flavour to a cake! But he didn't eat it anyway!

In other very exciting news, Connor went SWIMMING in Grandy & Grumps (my parents) pool on the weekend! Nathan & I were so stoked! He has only ever sat on the edge and put his legs in. By Sunday, he was jumping around on the steps and letting Nathan take him for a swim up the deep end. Even had him lying on his tummy kicking his legs! HUUUUUUUGE weekend for Connor! YAY!!!

Well, I think I have covered the most important bits for now...must dash and give my bubba a cuddle because she is starting to stir - I got in trouble on the weekend, cause I don't let her cry! LOL! NO CHANCE!!!!!! I'm going to 'spoil' her rotten!!!!

B
xx

Too long yet again!

2007-02-18T16:11:00.000+09:30

Yep...I know I'm norty! No updates since our new bundle arrived!

Well, where do I start?!?!?! She is fabulous! She is a dream baby! Nope...she's not sleeping through the night, nope she doesn't entertain herself 24/7, nope she's not a bundle of smiles & grins all the time, but she is just perfect!

I am sooooooooooooo in love all over again! And still amazed that I can love 3 little people the same but so different!

Ayla is Rhiannon ALL over! It is quite scary! I look at her and am taken back in time about 3 years! Anyone who knew Rhiannon as a baby will look at this photo and see what I mean!
Scary hey!

The rest of the family is still breathing, which I guess means that I'm doing something right! Mind you, Nathan & Connor have managed to get a Golden Staph (MRSA) infection, which isn't making them sick as such, but they have come out in awful sores all over them...poor Connor is going crazy being kept at home, because he's not actually sick! Missing out on some good therapy too, which annoys me, but we are sending him back to school tomorrow before I do him some serious damage! LOL!

To be completely honest, his inscesent obsessions with small objects is driving me up the wall! He has a fetish at the moment that requires we cut little bits off of toys for him to carry around for a few hours before he loses it and cries for an hour! So we are trying to break the cycle by not obliging and saying no, but it just isn't working!
Ah the joys of being mother to an autistic kid!

Ok...really need to go and do some work! Business is going bezerk again, which is great, but it does actually require that I work...not so great LMAO!

B
xx

The birth of Ayla Belle

2007-01-16T09:49:00.000+09:30

Well while my beautiful little bundle is sleeping soundly, I am going to attempt to the ever important task of writing my birth story!

Our 3^rd little bundle of joy was due to grace us with her presence on January 1^st, 2007. I was quite certain there was no way that she was going to oblige us and be born on, or even near her due date, so I kept on joking telling people that I was due on the 1^st but aiming for the middle of Jan!

I couldn’t have been closer to the truth if I tried ;-)

This time around, my pregnancy, although uncomfortable and quite painful at times, was the most blissful of all 3! I loved knowing that I was proving my baby with a safe and healthy environment in which she could grow. Finding out that she was a pink bundle at the 19 weeks ultrasound really made things different! I bonded with her in a way that I didn’t think possible. She slowly became a real person to me after the scan, and when we had decided on a name, it was even more real (just incase the ever increasing bump under my shirt wasn’t reality enough!)

As my due date approached, I was getting excited, but to be completely honest, was quite scared of the birth. I never had this feeling with the other 2! I wasn’t scared of the pain as such, but I was ever so worried that something was going to go wrong, or it wasn’t going to go as planned!

On December 30^th we decided to try and help things along a little with the natural form of prostin, and within about an hour of doing the ‘deed’ I was having irregular contractions. They weren’t getting any more painful, nor any more regular, but we decided to call our friend who was looking after the kids, so we could be ready if something did eventuate! All the midwives, and my doctor had said that this labour would likely be a quick one, as Rhiannon’s was very fast, and to be ready to get to the hospital at the first signs of labour.

So we head up to the hospital and get hooked up to the CTG for monitoring of bub & my contractions. Apparently I was having more contractions then I could feel, which I guess was a positive thing, because my body was doing the work without me knowing!

Bubs heart rate was really high – up in the 190’s – for quite some time, and the midwives were starting to get a little concerned. I was fine, blood pressure up a little, but not too bad. I was more worried that she wasn’t settling down.

Eventually after about an hour she settled down, and had a steady baseline, so I was taken off the monitor and allowed to just rest. The contractions were by this stage, starting to slow right down.

I then had a run of 8 contractions 5 minutes apart, and thought maybe something was happening, but no.

This happened a few times, but nothing ended up coming of it.

The Obstetrician came in and examined me, and said I was a good 2cms, and she did a stretch & sweep in the hope that we would be back up there in a couple of hours in active labour.

No such luck!

So the next week was spent waiting for something to happen. All the midwives were astonished when I showed up for my check up the following Wednesday! They couldn’t believe I hadn’t given birth. Apparently they were all betting on what time I would come back on the Sunday, but it never happened, so they were all short of cash for New Year!

Was told at the appointment that if I were still in one piece on the following Monday I would then be booked in for induction.

I had had a show on the Tuesday so thought that maybe something was happening, but no!

Monday rolled around, and I was officially 1 week overdue, although the midwives somehow decided that I wasn’t due til the 4^th. The OB soon set them straight and said, that no I was indeed 1 week overdue, and I was booked in for Wednesday morning for a membrane rupture. Another stretch & sweep was done in the hope that I would free up the booking time Wednesday by going into labour sooner!

Again, not to be!

Tuesday night was awful! I was up every 2 hours going to the loo, which until now hadn’t really been an issue! I was just so anxious about Wednesday morning!

Finally the alarm went off at 6am and we got up to call the hospital to see what time they wanted me to come in. I was totally heart broken when they said they were too busy and to call back again at 8:30. That was the longest 2 & ½ hours of my life! I had waited over 9 months to meet my little girl, and that 2 & ½ hours felt longer then the entire pregnancy!

Mum was here to take care of the kids, so I went and had a shower and got ready to leave my house only to return after our family was complete!

Called the hospital again at 8:30 with the expectation that they would tell me to call back again later, but was utterly shocked when they said come on up! My heart started racing and I wanted to cry! I wasn’t ready!!!

So off we go. Stopped at the news agent and got a few magazines, and some money for the phone etc. We really were going to meet our baby!

Up at the hospital I was hooked up to the CTG again to check bub, and all was good. She was resting nicely which was good, cause she would need all her energy for the birth!

10:30 rolls around, and Sarah, the midwife, says it’s time to break my waters! I was petrified!

Before they did this the OB asked me how long I wanted to wait after the rupture before we wanted the syntocin drip. I had absolutely no idea how long ideally I should wait, but of course they couldn’t tell me. So I said we’d give it 2 hours and if nothing happened, then we would discuss it.

They were both happy with this, so the journey began! Upon examination, bub was 1/5^th engaged and I was 3cms dilated, which was a good start!

Then the ever familiar gush of fluid started! If I was scared before, I was utterly petrified now!

I was then given strict instructions to get up and not sit or lie back down until I was well & truly in active labour!

So, after changing pads about 4 times cause there was just SO much fluid, we called the cord blood collector and told her what was going on and that she would be needed in the next few hours, we ventured down to the cafeteria for a bite to eat as we waited!

BIG mistake, as we later found out!

By 11:25 I was getting anxious that nothing was happening. I had had a couple of tightenings, but definitely no contractions.

Was starting to feel deflated at the fact that I only had an hour before I had to make a decision, when the 1^st contraction hit at 11:30!

I was elated, and when they continued to come approximately every 6 minutes, and were getting more intense, I was even more excited! The fear just drained from my body and I was in labour mode, ready to meet our baby!

I pretty well lost tract of time by now, as the contractions were coming about every 2 minutes apart, but think it was some time around 1 that I wanted to get in the shower. This was PURE relief! I was so greatful for the feeling on the outside of my tummy distracting me from the pain on the inside! I was so tired, but there was no way I was stopping from putting that water on my tummy!

Nathan just sort of stood around, as I didn’t feel I needed him, but I needed to know he was there. I got him to hold the shower head at one stage, and he did so well to listen to what I was asking, despite the fact that I was saying more of it in my head then actually came out!

The contractions were coming about 1 minute apart in the shower, so he went out and called the cord blood collector again just to check where she was, and she was in the car park, so that made me a little happier!

At about 2ish I think, I decided that I needed to get out of the shower as I knew that if I stayed there for too much longer I wouldn’t be able to get out! The only restriction I had in the whole labour was that I needed to be in the room rather then the bathroom so that the cord blood could be collected. Small price to pay if it ever comes in handy I think!

As I’m walking out of the shower, I say to Sarah that I want some Maxalon because I’m feeling sick, so out she goes and gets it.

She walked in with the little cup in her hand only to see me bring our lovely lunch and half a packet of strawberries & cream lollies up all over the floor! I will NEVER get that smell out of my head, nor do I think I’ll ever be able to eat them again!

The look on Sarah’s face was classic! She just said “well I guess you’ll be wanting the injection rather then the tablets right!”

So up on the bed and Maxalon working a treat, I have a suck on the gas which was great to take the edge off the pain. Nothing like I remember with Rhiannon. I was so out of it with Rhiannon, but this time I was able to really concentrate on my breathing, which helped me realise when to suck!

By about 3 I was starting to get exhausted and just wanted it over. I just wanted to sleep! Nathan was being great, and telling me that we were meeting baby Ayla soon, and that helped.
Through each contraction before the gas I was chanting “good girl, good girl” to her and it helped.

Upon examination I was quite disappointed, which I shouldn’t have been, to learn I was only 7 cms dilated. Had I have been in a different frame of mind, and stopped and thought about it, I would have known that she was going to be in my arms within about ½ an hour at most, but I was just so tired, and needed some help.

So I asked for pethidine. I had to ask a couple of times because I think the midwife wanted to be really sure that I wanted it, but I had gone through 5 contractions more then I thought I could by saying I’ll ask for it after the next one. Really should have kept on telling myself that!!!

So the pethidine in place, and the world is all rosey again. Well apparently it looked so from Nathan’s point of view. He said that I was so stoned it wasn’t funny. The midwife kept on telling me that I was going on strike as the CTG wasn’t picking up the contractions, but on the inside I was screaming that I was still having contractions 1 minute apart and that they were tearing me in 2! I honestly don’t think the pethidine took the pain away, just the ability to voice it! Which was sooooooooo frustrating!

By about 3:20 I got the unmistakeable urge to push. I tried hard not too just in case I was imagining it, but it was there alright!

By this time we had 2 new midwives, Amanda & Karen. Karen was a nurse studying midwifery and I thank my lucky stars that she was on that day!

They just sat back and watched as each contraction took over my body and watched her head slowly coming out. When they said those sweet sweet words, we can see the head, I was instantly out of the haze of pethidine and in full on push mode! I wanted to cuddle my baby!

As her head was being born, I listened intently to Karen on when not to push. I am so glad that I was able control the urge to push and to pant through the hard parts.

As her head came out, Amanda said to Karen, just check for cord, so she did, and boy am I glad she did! The cord was tight around her neck, and had I have pushed any more I would hate to think of the outcome!

Karen felt for cord, and said to Amanda, yep it’s there. Amanda then had a feel but said she couldn’t feel it, was she sure! I’m so glad that Karen was a student that was willing to speak up to her supervisor! She very well saved our baby’s life!

Amanda then realised that she was right, and instantly set to work to cut it ready for delivery. The cord was cut and Elise (the blood collector) was called in and told. Apparently this isn’t ideal for collection as they have less of the cord to collect blood from, but we think they got enough – will hopefully know very soon!

The next thing Karen said to me was very important, and I’m so glad that I listened to her! She said that if they think bub is too big, and not in an ideal position, they would have to lie me on my back and put my knees up behind my ears in order to get her out.

I am so greatful that she warned me, as when they said I was being put on my back I knew just what to do, and wasn’t at all concerned about it!

Ayla had managed to get herself into a position where her shoulder was behind my pubic bone, rather then tucked under her chin like it should have been. I have since read that this can be very dangerous, and is quite a common cause of brain damage & stillbirth in perfectly healthy babies.

My first thought was of a friend whose little boy managed to do the same thing, but managed to do some major damage to his shoulder, and is now sporting limited use of his arm as a result.

So I knew it was completely up to me to get my girl out safe and sound, so I gave an almightly groan, and the biggest push I could have possibly given! Poor Nathan was utterly shocked at the fact that the midwife asked him to grab my leg and just push it up as high as he could!

That one push was all that was needed, and our girl was out! Ayla Belle joined this world at 3:48pm on January 10^th, 2007.

I think at this stage Elise was there ready to collect the blood!

Our little girl was passed up onto my chest. I noticed that she was bluer then blue and hadn’t moved a muscle, but it didn’t really register until later that she wasn’t breathing!

Amanda then politely asked (I think more to not raise any panic in me) if she could take her for a quick moment to take a look, and rushed her over to the resus trolley. All I could do was look at Nathan and say “we did it, we did it!” I was totally oblivious to the fact that I hadn’t heard her cry, but the look on Nathan’s face made me ask if everything was ok. He just kept on saying ‘it’s all fine, it’s all fine’

That very second, Amanda rushed over and hit the staff assist button above my head, and that’s when I knew something wasn’t right!

However, she had no sooner hit that button, and Ayla let out a little squeek, and there was instant relaxation in the room, and I burst into tears! I think it as then that I realised how close we had come to losing our baby!

She was given a little oxygen and then handed back to be a perfect little bundle…although, not pink like the other 2, she was still quite blue!

The moment I saw her though, I knew she was just fine!

The placenta was then delivered about 8 minutes later.

Me, on the other hand, well that’s a different story! When the cord was cut from around her neck, they think it may have been tugged a little and pulled the placenta away too quick, and I was losing blood quite rapidly!

I was feeling fine, and not the slightest bit faint, so they were happy with that for the time being. Karen was an absolute champion in massaging my tummy to help contract my uterus, but she was there for a good hour! Poor thing must have had the sorest arms that night!

Eventually they managed to stop the gushing of blood, but I was still losing quite a bit, so I wasn’t allowed to move from where I was. Still feeling fine, I was just gazing at my baby and saying to Nathan I couldn’t believe she was here!

I was then given 2 infusions of salene & syntocin to help me out, but was very lucky that I didn’t need a transfusion.

I managed to lose just over 2 litres of blood, and still remained relatively well! I was later told, had I not have been taking my iron supplements the 2 weeks prior, it would have been a MUCH different outcome!

I was ever so happy to be told that somehow I managed to not even get the slightest graze, and that everything was well & truly intact ‘down there’! I was amazed, especially because of the shoulder dystocia!

Ayla had a quick feed, and latched on wonderfully first time! She was then weighed about 2 hours after she was born, and when Nathan came back in the room with her (I was still not allowed to get up) he told me to guess how big she was. I had no idea. They midwives all said she was a good size, but they said that about the other 2, so had no idea what to expect!

When he said 10, I just said “10 what?” When he said pounds, I nearly fell off the bed! I had given birth to a 10lb baby, and managed to not tear at all! I am still astonished!!!

Our baby girl was given a perfect score of 9 & 9 on the APGARs and was 53cms long, with a head circ. of 36cms.

We were very lucky to be let out of hospital the next day, despite the blood loss I had. My blood test results showed that my iron was slightly low, but nothing to worry about, and the OB’s words were, have a steak for dinner tonight and you’ll be fine!

So all in all, the birth was apparently quite traumatic, but neither Ayla or I are proof of that! I felt amazing the next day and have continued to surprise myself! Here I am 6 days after giving birth, and I wouldn’t know it myself if I didn’t have the gorgeous little bundle sitting right next to me!

Welcome to the world Ayla Belle! Thank you for choosing me as your mummy!

And the saga continues

2007-01-03T13:16:00.000+09:30

Still hanging on!

Had a midwife apt. this morning, well it was supposed to be at 10:45...finally got in to see her at 12:15! Not her fault...I think she was glad I was the first person who hadn't abused her for making me sit for an hour & 1/2!

She was utterly amazed that I was still in one piece! Apparently the birth suite was having bets on how long it would be before I went back up on Sunday! And when she saw my chart on her desk this morning for my appointment, she was totally gobsmacked that I still hadn't given birth ROFL!

Blood pressure is up quite a bit 115/85, so have to keep a very close eye on that, and make sure I don't get any headaches etc...which I think I am starting to get one now, but wondering if that is just because she has told me to watch it LOL!

Bub is 2/5ths engaged, so she is literally 'right there' ready to go! Have had a few nigglings since Nathan went back to work, but no actual contractions, so don't know what's going on there!

Bub is still moving around heaps, so that's good. I think she's just nice and cosy where she is, and doesn't want to be exposed to this awful weather! Which reminds me, I really must pack some warmer clothes for her in the hospital bag! hmmmmmm...glad I decided to post!

Ok...well that's really me for now...strict instructions from the midwife to try the natural form of prostaglandin (ie. sex) tonight to try and get things moving! Otherwise, it's back up there Monday for my 'booking in' appointment! I think it's crazy that they make an appointment to make an appointment for induction ROFL!

B
xx

PS Moa - feel free to send your support person in my direction...with the way most 1st births go, she will have plenty of time to be alerted that labour has started for you ;-P but sweet of her to be concerned!

Still here...

2007-01-02T08:37:00.000+09:30

OK! Anyone who rings me or sms's me or emails me asking if I'm STILL here is going to get an ear full!

I'm having a baby for god's sake, not going on a holiday!

Despite the fact that I was only due yesterday there is the fact that both my other kids were overdue as well. Which means chances are, this one will be too!!!!!!!!

SO STOP CALLING ME! I WILL CALL YOU! I'M NOT GOING TO LEAVE IT TIL BUB HAS HER FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY TO TELL YOU I HAVE GIVEN BIRTH!!!!!!

Phew....ok...now I've got that off my chest, I'll fill everyone in on what's been happening!

Well, we thought Sunday would be the day we met our little munchkin, but she had other ideas! Started getting contractions about 5 minutes apart at around 10:30, so got up and watched some TV so as not to disturb Nathan.

He ended up coming out at about 11 and asked if he should call Jody (the one looking after out kids!) and I said yep...so over she comes, and the contractions still aren't regular. Anywhere from 3 to 15 minutes apart, which is really frustrating, cause we got Jody & her 10 month old buba out of bed to come over for not much really!

Ended up calling the hospital to see what they thought, and I was asked to go in, as it could all happen very quick being my 3rd and the fact that Rhiannon was born in 3 hours!

So off we trot, and get to the hospital to be monitored and to see if we are indeed going to meet our bub!
I am having contractions alright, and most of them I'm not even feeling, which was good, cause they were doing something and it wasn't painful! LOL!

There was the small problem that bubs heartrate was up around 190+ bpm and not settling. She wasn't overly active, so it was cause for slight concern! So strapped to the monitor and stuck in bed for an hour & a half didn't really help with contraction progression! She eventually calmed down, and I was taken off the monitor and allowed to try and get comfy for some sleep!

Of cours as soon as I moved, I got some regular contractions, about 5 minutes apart, for about 45 minutes. Then NOTHING!

Got some sleep, as did Nathan, in a very uncomfortable position on a tiny little couch, and woke again at about 4am with more contractions 5 minutes apart for about 1/2 an hour...then NOTHING again!

Saw an OB finally at about 7am, she did and internal, and said I was 2 cms dilated, so something was happening, and to expect to be back in a few hours. She also did a stretch & sweep, in the hope to stir things up...and away we went!

By this time mum had come down to be with the kids and to let Jody go home. We got home exhuasted, with no more contractions and mum said she'd take the kids back to her place to let us get some rest (she had had them for the previous 3 days!)

So we got about 4 hours sleep, between the occasional annoying contraction, but not enough to wake me properly or make me want to get up...

All day Sunday I was having contractions on and off, but definitely no pattern, nor any other sign that we were having a new year's eve bub! And Nathan thought being able to tell his daughter that the fireworks all around the world were just for her benefit was a great idea LOL! But not to be!

Went to bed Sunday night in the hope that maybe bub would be one of the 4% of babies born on their due date, but it wasn't to be! Not a single contraction all night, nor one all day Sunday!

The kids came back home, cause they were both asking for mummy & daddy, and still nothing!

So I have come to terms with the fact that bub is going to come when she is good and ready! Which may very well be in the next day or so...I lost my 'plug' this morning, which was quite disgusting, as I've not experienced that before, so every time I move I wonder first if I am going to have the familiar gush of fluid...but not yet!

Have spent the morning finalising things like putting some stuff in my labour bag that I had forgotten about, and writing down the phone numbers of people who need to be called! Must also organise some change for the public phone cause it's closer then walking all the way downstairs to use the mobile!

So that's me for now! Nathan is on "stand-by" today as he's gone back to work, so I'm guessing he is eagerly checking his phone every 5 minutes to make sure he hasn't missed my call! ROFL!

Hopefully I'll be back on later today to announce that I am indeed in labour and going to meet my bub!!!!

B
xx

Christmas 2006...

2006-12-27T07:33:00.000+09:30

What did it entail? VERY LITTLE I'm happy to say!

We had our very own first family Christmas with just us!

Woken at 5am by a little voice asking 'Mummy, did you put presents under the Christmas tree?' and when the reply came no, the response was 'OH MY GOODNESS, IT MUST HAVE BEEN SANTA!'
Rhiannon was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited about the whole thing!

Daddy & Connor were still sleeping, so we went and woke daddy up to tell him, but left Connor sleep... so we did Christmas morning in 2 shifts!

Rhiannon was so excited, that she was shaking as she opened her presents. Nathan thought this was so funny!

Then at about 6:45, after all the commotion of Rhiannon opening her presents died down and they had all be put together, batteries in place, and given a test run, Connor made an appearance, and it was Christmas morning all over again!

He did such a great job of opening them all! The first one he opened was the one he wanted to play with, so took a little encouragement to continue opening, and of course a little help from his little sister!

But all in all, the morning was fantastic!

Then it was onto cooking...which took all morning! My feet were killing me, and my ankles non-existant, but it was SO worth it!

The rest of the day was spent doing pretty much nothing! We went for a little drive and got an ice cream, and the kids had a snooze in the car, but there was nothing exciting or amazing happening, and that's just the way I liked it!

So our very last Christmas as a family of 4 was spent the best we could have imagined, and now we are just waiting for the 5th member of our family to make an appearence so we can begin making memories with her included!

I hope everyone else had a fantastic day and is looking forward to a new and magical 2007!

B
xx

The pain of pregnancy!

2006-12-19T09:46:00.000+09:30

Never mind the pain of childbirth! I'll take that any day over what I'm feeling at the moment!!!

No sooner had I posted that last post updating 'just incase' did I manage to slip over on the floor I had just mopped and do some major damage down there!

Ended up having to call Nathan and ask how far off being home he was, cause I simply could not get up off the floor!

He got home, and I managed to get to the chair, but not without bawling a bucket load of tears!

Went to bed early in the hope that when I woke up I would feel a little better! YEAH RIGHT!
Really should have gone straight up to the hospital when I fell, but it just wasn't convenient *rolls eyes*

Spent Tuesday at the hospital getting monitored - all good, a few mild contractions, but nothing major - and ended up seeing a physio who gave me some exercises and the recommendation of a not very sexy hip brace/belt to wear until the birth!

SOOOOOOO...went home sporting a possible cracked pelvis, but the risk of an x-ray was too much for my liking, along with the OB, and the treatment is the same as if it were just bruised!

I have since had some really painful days, but woke yesterday to a better, more free flowing - well as free flowing at a 38 week pregnant woman gets ;) - movements!
Had an ante natal check up only to be told bub is partly engaget :-0 which would be helping with the pain - putting pressure down there - she is also posterior :-0 and my BP is up, and I'm swelling like a puffer fish!!!!

A bit concerned about the whole BP issue and the swelling, so going to try and see my dr sometime this week rather then next just to put my mind at rest!

Despite all of this, I STILL don't really want bub to make an appearance just yet! Strange I know, but I just don't feel 'ready'!

So that's me for now...after the huge successes of last week, I am now closed for business and feeling quite bad about turning down customers who assume it is a-ok for them to email me and request 'just one more order'...
Is it just me, or if you read 'due to medical reasons we are closed' would you just accept this and move on, or would you pester the business in the hope that they 'changed their mind'! I guess it's a compliment to me and my products, but all the same very annoying!!!

Ok...off to do some more last minute things...they are just never ending! I wish that last minute would hurry up and be over with!!!

Oh woe is me....how pathetic!

B
xx

Just in case!

2006-12-11T15:14:00.000+09:30

Well...just posting incase I don't get back before the birth of this little bubble!

I am hoping like mad it isn't going to be too soon! Don't get me wrong, I'm ready to meet the little munchkin that has been kicking me wildly for the past 8 or so months, but I just don't have time to give birth! LOL

Business had grown 10 fold in the past couple of weeks, which is fantastic, but so not great timing!

3 new retailers to introduce this week!!!

Margaret River Hemp Company - both Margaret River & Fremantle stores - will be exclusively stocking the Bear Hug Ring Sling in Hemp/Cotton!!!

Peter Pan Baby in Griffith, NSW, also have just received a parcel full of slings for their store!

And very soon, Boutique Bubs will be stocking both our original & mesh ring slings...so very exciting!!!

There will be 2 new retailers announced in the new year as well, so even more work going on over Christmas!

We have also signed on 2 new distributors. One in Northern WA & one in Townsville (Nth Qld). They will be hopefully up and functioning in the next week or so!

And 2 more new distributors coming early in 2007!

PHEW!!!! How on earth I have managed to do all that in the past 2 weeks I have no idea! I simply refuse to give birth, because I don't have time!

I think things might be moving along a little faster then I want them to with this pregnancy though! Have had some very early labour signs today, and I'm not liking them at all!!!

I really have the urge to scrub the floors, but I am refraining, because if I do, then that's admitting defeat and giving in to going into labour! ROFL!

STOOPID I know...but that's the way it is!

Ok...so now that I have been to the Post Office between the beginning and end of this post, I will be off to tidy up this house! It is driving me nuts, and isn't even all that messy! ROFL!

B
xx

Mantra: I won't go into labour...I won't go into labour...I won't go into labour!!!

We are paying you a fortune...

2006-11-01T14:13:00.000+09:30

DO YOUR BLOODY JOB!!!!!!!!

I tell ya!!! This solicitor we have hired to sort out the buying/selling of these houses is an arrogant bitch!!!!

From day one, which was 41 days ago, she has been rude, obnoxious, incompetent, unwilling to do her tasks!!!!

The worst bit...the company she works for was recommended to us by a reputable business man, and we know that he is referring others to this company...don't get me wrong, the solicitor who owns the practice is probably fantastic, as we know several people who use him, but his staff certainly leave a lot to be desired!!!

Why is it that people who think they have a powerful position over you find it their eternal right to treat you like shit!?!?!?!?!

I will be SOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad when Monday comes and the house is officially sold and bought!!!

On a sweeter note, should have the keys to our new house Friday, so it's all systems go from there...and then one majorly busy me for the next 8 weeks to organise my life before Bubble arrives!!!!

Wish me luck!

b
xx

Morning...

2006-10-20T09:07:00.000+09:30

Feeling fat and frumpy! ROFL!

This weather is just not on! It's not even summer yet and the air con has been on sicne 8:30 this morning! That's not a good sign of what's to come!

Nathan keeps saying that I am about 10 degrees hotter then him, cause he wakes up cold every night cause the window is open. Big sook I say! Get under the covers HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

BIG sale on at the moment to try and clear all my existing stock so I don't have to move it! Going quite good at the moment...still have more I need to add, and heaps of stuff that is ready to sew, but wondering if I should leave that until we move! Not that I think I am going to be able to bet back into the grove of 'work' once we move! I'll be too busy 'playing house' and nesting!

I find it really hard to comprehend that I only have about 10 weeks to go til this baby arrives...unless she decides to follow suit with the other 2 and stay in for a few more days! It is just going so fast!!! Which reminds me, I must write a reminder to do some belly castings VERY SOON!!!

Kids are cruising along great!

Connor had a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE achievement last weekend. For the first time in 5 1/2 years he actually drank out of a cup! Not one with a sipper top, but a real cup with no lid!

I of course burst into tears, and was so proud of him, and Nathan laughed at me, but I could just see the pride beaming from his face!

Went and spent the morning at Connor's therapy center yesterday and had a chat to his teacher and the other mums. It's so good to be able to exchange little stories about the kids when you know that the other mum is going to get just as excited about the achievements as you! You just don't get the same reaction from someone with 'normal' kids. They just don't understand, and I can't ever expect them to!

Rhiannon is crusing along as always! Sometimes forget that she is only 2 (well 3 in 2 1/2 weeks) and get so frustrated when she can't follow my totally non-coherent ramblings and do what I ask her that instant! Because she talks so well, I expect her to listen and understand with the same degree of ability, but she is still only 3 inside her mind, and has the though processes of a 3 year old, not the 5 year old she acts like!

Anyway, really must run and start sorting out my office to put into boxes! Still packing, very slowly! I just want to be able to move in NOW!!!!

Only 2 weeks to go! YAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOO!

B
xx

What now...

2006-10-11T15:39:00.000+09:30

Drama after drama!

If it's not the buyers of this house requesting yet another extension on the finance date, it's the fact that the tenants in the house we have bought are refusing to move!!!!!

So we sorted out the finance thing...both places are now unconditional and just waiting for November 6th to roll around!

That is of course if the tenants are gone!

The stoopid bitch has refused to leave! The real estate agent has given her her bond money back, so no way in hell is the house going to be cleaned (and this woman is far from a homeley type IYKWIM!) but she still hasn't gone!!!
She has put in writing that she will be out by November 3rd, and if she isn't me thinks some stalking may be in order *insert evil chuckle here*!

Bubble is going beserk inside my tummy which is a great relief most of the time, cause i know she's still alive, but the other part of the time it is downright painful! Have been getting cramps on and off all day today, but don't think it's anything serious, and she has been given strict instructions by her daddy to stay put until we are at least settled in the new house!!!

Speaking of which, by the time we get in there, I will only have 9 weeks to go! How crazy is that?!?!?!?!?
This pregnancy has just flown by! Probably has something to do with the fact that I only stop to sleep, and that is a very broken 7 hours or so with on average 6 toilet stops a night! SO over the toilet it isn't funny!!!

And to make things even better...morning sickness is back! Lasagna and Buritos are now off the menu thanks to 2 nights of no sleep due to being sick! Anything remotely resembling flavour is making me sick a the moment, and all I am craving is pasta salad! I would give my right leg for some pasta salad right now!
Needless to say I won't give my baby daughter growing inside of me for some pasta salad, but she better be a good girl when she's born, or it so won't be worth it *joke*

So that is a snippet of my life atm! Not too exciting...

Although I think we have abused ANZ enough over the past few weeks. We won the whole dispute over the $300 transaction that was never made by us, and we also got a refund from the *picks jaw up off the floor* for a statement we needed faxed through for our loan application because the bastards have never ever ever in the past 3 years sent us a statement!!!
Just goes to show that if you whinge and gripe and swear enough at the right people you will get what you want in the end! Well maybe not the way I was bought up, but am beginning to like the way it is panning out! ROFL!

Ok...so off to see what these kids are doing, cause they have gone awfully quiet!!!

B
xx

Some people are just DUMB!

2006-09-20T12:22:00.000+09:30

Ok...so tell me! Who signs a contract to purchase a house without knowing if they can get the money to pay for it?!?!?!

Ok..so Nathan & I might just be extra cautious, but in the interest of saving face and not looking like a complete wanker, wouldn't you at least call a mortgage broker and ask them to find out?!?!?!

Turns out the idiot who signed to buy this house is self employed, and just doesn't find it necessary to keep any paperwork for on the odd occassion that he might want to BUY A HOUSE! Needless to say, he has been turned down for the loan to buy the house!

Only good thing to come out of this is the fact that they didn't leave it until the 14th day to tell us about it, and that we may just end up getting a little more for the house anyway!

In the meantime, I am now back to keeping the house spotless and going mad at Rhiannon for being a kid and wanting to play with her toys!

Open house Saturday morning, so keep your fingers crossed everyone that someone wants to buy!!!!

B
xx

Going, going, gone.....

2006-09-18T14:50:00.000+09:30

well, we have sold our house! Signed on the dotted line at 8am Sunday morning! All went through officially yesterday when it was faxed through to both parties solicitors, so I guess we are pretty much homeless! ROFL!

We have looked at SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many houses in the past week that my head is just spinning! I am so over it! I just want to have somewhere to live within the next 45 days! And hoping we find 'the one' sooner rather then later, because we will bring settlement back on our house so we can move quicker!

So it's madness here atm as you can very well imagine! Nothing is happening when it should or how it should, my house is a huge mess from not being home long enough to clean it properly, my office looks like a bomb hit it...I am OH SO GLAD I went to InStock only for the business...I would dread to think what I would be doing right now if I hadn't!

Speaking of which, I have some more stock I've found that I need to pop up on my site, and I need to get onto a retailer about some issues too...

Best be off

wish me luck with house hunting! BLAH!!!!!!!

B
xx

Almost forgot...

2006-09-05T11:30:00.000+09:30

HAD to show you my latest work of art

The short rows have got me stumped how I stop the hole, but I will carry on with my 'Mixed Berry' one and see how I go!!!

Not bad for my first attempt at the Perfection Pants Pattern!

Bxx

...

2006-09-05T09:15:00.000+09:30

well, no real reason for this post, just thought I should update, hence the 'no title!'

Things have been crazy around here to say the least! Rhiannon & Nathan ended up getting the Chicken Pox so that put us behind yet again in selling our house!

HOWEVER we had an agent come out yesterday (who happens to be one of Nathan's customers ;-)) and he told us everything we wanted to hear about selling this place, which is good! Just have to sign the paperwork and wait for them to sell it!

Still really have my heart set on the house we had the contract on the kitchen table for, but don't want to buy through that agent! Spoke to our agent yesterday and he is happy to purchase on our behalf, which will get us the best price as well as mean we don't have to deal with the wanker!!!

Kids are good. Rhiannon has woken up every morning since last Monday and asked if she can go shopping yet and if her spots are all gone! She is such a girl!!!

Connor is oh so glad to be back at school! I think he's just glad to escape Rhiannon's constant badgering! ROFL! It is very sweet that she loves him so much, but I am dreading what she is going to be like with this baby!

Baby is good too. Moving around like mad! My SPD is playing up something severe! I am barely able to walk most afternoons. When things settle down a little I'm off for some acupuncture to try and ease it a little!
Ayla is still her name. She has discovered my ribs and thinks its a great game to stretch til she can touch them! It's funny now cause it tickles, but in the coming weeks I can see it being annoying as it was with Rhiannon when I couldn't get her feet out from under my ribs!

Anyway, as I said, no real reason for updating...just thought I should!

Now I need to go and reply to a pile of emails bigger then my inbox that are well overdue for reply!

B
xx

QLD Health Strikes again!!!

2006-08-23T10:02:00.000+09:30

Well avid readers (if there are really any of you out there ;)) I had my follow up 'urgent' ultrasound this morning to make sure Miss Bubble was behaving herself and happy and healthy, and of course she is!

The sonographer was very shocked when I said it was an OB that freaked out about the last u/s results not a midwife! Why is it that anyone in the health system assumes that anything to concern a pregnant woman is a midwives fault? In my experience they midwives have WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more info and experience in the whole pregnancy/birth process then a room full of OB's!

Makes me sooooooooooo angry, and even more inclined to accidently not make it past my front door before I start pushing this baby out!

So all is well in the land of amniotic fluid for our "Baby Ayla" as we have now called her (well Rhiannon & I have...Nathan isn't yet convinced, and Connor can't get past patting my bump and saying 'tummy' ;-)) is safe and well. Completely healthy and happy growing away in her little sac of heaven!

Poor Nath was totally gobsmacked and stressing about the whole thing, and I think the fact he had to stay at home with the kids and couldn't come with me made it even worse, so I made sure I reassured him a billion times before hand that everything was fine and I sent him a message the second I walked out of the room!

On other notes...Connor is recovering well from his Chicken Pox. Poor kid is just covered in them...
Mind you, he isn't scratching them hardly at all! Probly so used to being itchy from the eczema he's had since a baby he doesn't feel any more itchy ;-)

Rhiannon is loving the fact that she is going to be a big sister! She is practicing like mad with her slings so she can be 'just like mummy' when Baby Ayla arrives! It is oh so cute!!!

This house is well on the way to being on the market! Our line is drawn at this weekend...anything that isn't finished on it, too bad! We have a contract sitting on the kitchen table for the new house, now all we have to do is put our offer on it and sign away!!! Keep your fingers crossed everyone that this house sells quickly and for what we want it to!!!

Anyway, better dash...heaps to do, as ALWAYS!

B
xx

Will it ever end?!?!?!

2006-08-18T09:16:00.000+09:30

Connor has the chicken pox!!! Poor little thing! So that means he off school for another whole week!

Went for my antenatal apt. yetsterday, and the OB has freaked out about the scan results and is demanding that I have an urgent follow up u/s next Wednesday morning at Royal Women's Hospital!!!
I am betting my life that the fucking Redcliffe hospital is going to say that I am high risk, and will have to travel an HOUR at the least when in labour to give birth! Just to cover their sorry arses!

I HATE QLD HEALTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This state is a MESS!!!!!!!!!!

I also have a mother that is more concerned about herself and her precious boy getting the chicken pox to even consider offering to look after the kids so that Nathan can come to the scan with me!
How did I end up so normal with such a screwed up family!?!?!?!

just hi!

2006-08-11T14:50:00.000+09:30

Just a check in and a helloooooooo to anyone reading ;-)

Thought it about time I posted a pic of my stretch mark laden bump! Haven't got any new ones yet, but I think they are on their way! With the rate this bump is blooming, I am sure to get more to add to my collection ;-P

All good here...Bubble squirming away nicely! Kicked a friends bub yesterday when I picked her up and popped her on my bump! Was kinda cute. Poor Kadey didn't know what had happened!

Anyway, must run, heaps of washing to do as always! And got some funky new pink/red striped fabric for wraps that I want to start cutting up and have started a new PINK soaker for Bubble!

Ahhhhhh Pink - we are in trouble if the sonographer had it wrong ROFL!

B
xx

Crisis averted...

2006-08-09T12:19:00.000+09:30

for now!

Just got back from my Dr and he is so not concerned about it it isn't funny!

He got the report emailed straight to him after I had the scan, and makred it as 'insignificant' and no further action required!

He has given me a referral for another scan for 4 weeks time, which is good. He said there's no point sending me for one any sooner, because there will be little if any change!

I am over my bawling fit I had before! Poor Rhiannon didn't know what to do, so she just cried with me! Such a sweetie!!!

But I stand by my call on the name...so here comes the big name debate with Nathan again! And I thought we had it all sorted! YEAH RIGHT!!!!

B
xx

Weak Weak Weak!!!

2006-08-09T10:41:00.000+09:30

Ok...so I have caved, and managed to squeeze myself into my Dr at 11:50 this morning! I know he is going to tell me everything is fine and not to worry, but I think I am nearly going to have to beg and plead for another ultrasound!!!!

Wish me luck!

B
xx

CRIES.....

2006-08-09T09:58:00.000+09:30

Why can nothing in my life be simple?!?!?!?!

All I ask is that one thing go right!?!?!?!

Ok...so I am probably over-reacting, because from what I've read (although I promised myself I wouldn't) there is no reason for concern!

Went for our scan on Monday, Nath had to stay at work, but I went and my wedding anniversary pressie to him was to tell him the bub's sex!

Anyway, the scan went well...was all over in 1/2 an hour, and bub was obliging and showed us between her legs! Good girl!!!

So we are so totally excited that we have another little princess on the way!

Only to get the scans back on Monday afternoon, and they are unsealed, so I take 'em out for a squiz...as you do! Then I read the path report!

BIG mistake!!!

"A small echogenic focus was identified within the left ventricle of the heart, but no other anatomical feature of note was identified and as such this finding is hopefully of no clinical cignificance and may well just represent an echogenic chordae.

COMMENT: The study has revealed a cardiac "golfball" sign but in isolation this feature is of dubious, if any, clinical significance"

So I wasn't totally worried about it, until just now, when I did exactlly what I said I wouldn't and Googled echogenic focus and came up with the information that is is probably nothing, but is a soft marker for Downs!
On its own there is no greater risk of Downs, and as there were no other markers detected it seems to not be a problem at all, but I SOOOOOOOOOO wish I hadn't done that!!!

The little girl that is at Connor's Special Ed. Kindy that is named Allirah has Downs, and now I am just so not wanting to use that name!

So selfish and stoopid of me, but I just can't get my head past it!

My next ob appointment isn't til next Thursday, when I know they are going to tell me not to worry it is nothing, just QDI covering their ass' because they have to report everything, but I can't make it til next Thursday much less january next year without knowing what's going on!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-(

Just a quickie...

2006-07-21T12:49:00.000+09:30

before I have to get Connor from Kindy!!!

Dr's apt today went great. Bubbles heartbeat up around 160bpm, so changing mind about being a boy! Me thinks its a girl...before you all say, but that doesn't work...if the other 2 were anything to go by, it's a girl ;-)

And the big news of the day...ULTRASOUND BOOKED FOR 31ST JULY!!!!! Only 10 sleeps till we see Bubble...and hopefully get a peek between the legs ;-P

B
xx

The Big MOOOOOOOOOVE!

2006-07-15T09:12:00.000+09:30

Well, after the builder FINALLY arrived on Thursday, and after much measuring and umming and ahhing, we have decided the money spent on this reno for the baby is never going to add value to this house, so it has been decided - WE ARE BUYING A NEW HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!

So now comes the HUGE task of replacing the kitchen and bathroom, finishing painting and then selling and buying all within the next 5 months...hmmmm...who thinks I am kidding myself?!?!? ME!!!

Have had a quick look around the area, and we will do quite well out of selling and re-buying due to our incredible fortune of purchasing this house well and truly before the boom for next to nothing! YAY finally did something RIGHT! ;-)

Anyway, just wanted to update with the exciting news...how I am going to cope over the next 5 months is totally beyond me!

Off to shop for paint and all that sort of fun stuff this arvo...it's always the way, my house will finally be finished and I will have to move out!

B
xx

What is it with Trades Men!?!?!

2006-07-13T10:28:00.000+09:30

Ok...I'm now 15 & 1/2 weeks pregnant...Nathan asked the 'builder' (friend) about our renos when I was 5 weeks pregnant! This man has had 2 &1/2 months to sort this out, and we STILL don't have a price!
He is supposedly coming around tonight - why we can't be told over the phone is beyond me! - so that he can tell us how much and give us a date! To begin with it was supposed to be done by Mid August because he had to go up north...now it is going to be done mid September! I am positive this is not going to be finished by the time bub arrives!!!!

The next thing I am worried about is him coming and saying it is going to be $60,000 to do it! If it is going to be that much, we are better off by buying another house with what we want already there!!! And to buy and sell by January and have the kids settled is going to be near impossible!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Ok...vent over!

Bxx

The Name Game...

2006-07-12T09:32:00.000+09:30

Names are changing pretty much weekly atm!!! This weeks selections are

Zane
Allirah/Ellirah (A-leera)

Allirah is pretty much stuck in my mind. I love the name, love the way it sounds, and so far everyone we have told loves it too (not that I care what anyone else thinks, but anyway ;-))

Middle names on the other hand are IMPOSSIBLE!!! We want a family name (read: I want a family name) but Nathan doesn't like Zane Nathan (despite the fact that it sounds good) and I think Allirah Belle sounds good but Nathan doesn't like it, and doesn't think Belle is close to Belinda so doesn't warrant being a family name! grrrrrrrrrrr...men!!!

So the name debate carries on!
I will call my daughter Allirah however, despite what he says :-P

Toodles
Bxx

Is a 30 hour day unreasonable???

2006-07-12T09:12:00.000+09:30

Well is it?!?!?! I soooooooooo need a few extra hours...mind you, I can barely keep my eyes open beyond 7:30pm most nights, so the extra 6 hours would be useless!

There is simply not enough hours in the day! And Connor being on holidays for the past 2 weeks hasn't helped! He went back to school on Monday & Tuesday but has a student free day today...so back to the battle of trying to keep him occupied and stimulated for a day!
Rhiannon is easy! Give her some paint/pencils/glue/sissors/anything crafty and she is happy for hours! Connor won't sit still for 30 seconds, so there is no chance of crat happening!!!

Oh how am I going to do it with 3 bubs?!?!?!?

I have so much on the go at the moment! In between the regular rush of orders that I madly try and get done the instant they come in so there is not a huge backlog, I am trying to sort out my Jeans for Genes day promo...which I have all the stuff here, but August 4th is approaching SO quick...as well as that, there is Breastfeeding Week that I normally promote somehow, and last year was a huge sale, but this year me thinks I don't have time for that...so maybe a gift for each order...hmmmmm...suggestions anyone?!?!?!
Then there is the whole being pregnant thing. I have been feeling movements since about 12 weeks, but now only feel them at night time when I sit down and stop for more then 2 seconds! Then poor bubble just goes crazy! And last night I was awake most of the night because Connor was kicking me like crazy (really need to find a solution to his sleep problems before Bubble makes a grand enterance!) and that woke Bubble up so then I was lying there basking in the glory of feeling a human life inside of me! So I am totally exhausted, and it is not even 10am yet!!!
Then there is the renos! Money is not an issue, but the builder is! He has taken so long to get back to us, still waiting on a definite quote (note to self, send Nathan 5000 sms's until he calls the builder again) but he wants it done within the next 4 weeks because he has to be in Townsville by mid August! ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I mean, tis great that it will be done so soon, but we are still waiting on the bank (surprise surprise) to put the money in our account, which means that the builder may have to wait for payment until after the job is done! grrrrrrrrrr...banks!!!

Speaking of banks - ANZ YOU SUCK! - how dare you let somebody withdraw $317.77 in HONG KONG and tell US that it is going to take up to 12 weeks to find out if we get it back!!! (another note to self, right letter to Banking Ombudsman to try and speed things up)!

Pregnancy wise, all is good...feeling movements as stated above and off for our big scan in 3 weeks time! I can't wait...I am dying to buy things, but can't get into it because I want to buy either pink or blue! You watch, we'll find out the sex, and I'll still buy lemon ;-)

Anyway, I really must scoot, because Connor is on his 3rd snack size chips for the morning - NOT GOOD!!!

Toodles
Bxx

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too long!

2006-06-17T14:38:00.000+09:30

I can't believe how long it has been since I have blogged! I have thought about it every other day, but just haven't gotten around to doing it!

So...where are we at? I have no idea!!!

My world has been in a bit of a spin of late. Orders coming out my ears, kids running around in circles, food going into me like a garbage disposal, that horrid sick feeling 24/7 that just won't leave me alone for long enough to get anything done....ahhhhhhhhhhhhh they joys!!!

But seriously, everything is pretty good around here ;-)

Have my first midwife appt. next Friday, which I MUST remember...it's a bugger that it is on a Friday at 1:45 when I am supposed to pick Connor up from Kindy at 2pm, but Nathan will just have to do it!

The kids are going great. I can't believe I didn't post Connor's HUGE milestone!!!

He has lost 2 teeth!!!!!!! The first one was on June 3rd and second one was on June 7th. He swallowed the first one, never to bee seen again (no way in hell am I wading through his poop to find it!) but the second one I have in my possession, so I'm all happy now!
He thinks its pretty funny to have a big gap in his teeth, and like most kids when they loose their teeth, can't keep his tounge or finger out of it! Makes me shine from the inside out that he is doing something 'normal'!

Rhiannon is being a typical 2 year old. Getting into everything she shouldn't...like eating almost a packet of Tim Tams this morning when I was in the shower! :-0
The worst bit is, they aren't mine! Have friends down for the weekend for Rally of Qld, and they bought them yesterday...so now I have to buy a packet of Tim Tams that I can't eat, because this baby just doesn't like them, and forces me to spend the next hour with my head in the toilet bowl!

Baby #3 is cruising along just fine...I think...haven't been back to the dr since the first one when he said I was pregnant, so I'm just assuming my baby doesn't have 3 heads or that there is only 1 in there :-0 Guess I'll find that out next week! ;-)
I figure I'm still feeling blah, so I'm still pregnant! Good theory for someone who avoids dr's at all costs hey ;-)

Business is booming...which is good and bad. Great because this is what I want from it...bad because I have to do the work! :-S I know I know...I shouldn't have that attitude, but when motivation is lacking, heartburn is knocking and exhaustion is setting in, there is just no amount of $$$ that will motivate me to work...guess it really is a business for the love from this end ;-)

Anyway, on that note, I better scoot, because no doubt Miss R is into something she shouldn't be....it's awfully quiet in this house at the moment!!!

Bxx

I see the light...

2006-05-02T12:59:00.000+09:30

and man is it bright and shocking!!!

Reason for my headache? I'm up the duff!!!!!!!!

Ok...get up off the floor now and wipe the dumbfound grin off your face!

I know how it happened, but certainly didn't expect it to! I mean, birh control is supposed to be just that, a way of controlling birth, and in our case it was in the from of not getting pregnant so we didn't have to consider birth!

Well, baby #3 had other ideas, didn't it!!! So bubble is inside cooking away at a nice steady pace, and is now just on 5 weeks old (well 5+1 if you ask my doctor to put it technically!)

I find it really hard to get my head around the fact that this is my 4th pregnancy! I mean, I'm 25 and have been pregnant 4 times!!!!

The scariest bit, and yes I am trying to keep this thought out of my head, is that I am due right around the time that the baby we lost was due! I know when I get past June 3rd, I'll be ok, cause that's when we lost it, but until then, I am taking nothing for granted!

We haven't told family yet...Nathan is telling his parents this week sometime (you know men, hopeless at giving a direct answer as to when to drop the bombshell!) and we are telling my parents on Friday night when we drop the kids off for them to look after them for the weekend!

I know they are all going to be totally shocked! They all knew that we were having no more...well that we were planning on having no more! But I guess it's out of our hands right...we were meant to have this baby and so beit!

I am very excited about 1 thing inparticular - I GET TO WEAR A BABY AGAIN!!!! My babywearing days with Rhiannon have been limited because she is just soooooo independant now *sniff sniff* and wants to walk everywhere, so I am really looking forward to having a tiny little bundle in a sling for noone to see :-D

So this will be me for the next 8 months or so! Looking that glamerous too I might add ;-)

Bxx

How does one lose a digital camera?

2006-04-23T15:16:00.000+09:30

Well....ask my husband that one :-S

Have searched high and low, but no luck! Had to borrow a friends to take some pics of the new pouches...but I either NEED to find it or I NEED a new one!

Nice excuse for a new one me thinks ;-)

On the mouse front, we have had 2 successes so far! One in my office here and the other one in the middle of our hallway this morning much to Rhiannon's delight! She has not stopped telling everyone she see's that the mouse said to her "squeak squeak, hello Rhiannon" I kid you not. This child of mine thinks that the mouse spoke to her! Perhaps she got a hold of the ratsak that killed it :-S

Connor's new Eddy arrived on Friday, but the little monkey had hidden the old Eddy in a tree at kindy! So we now have 2 Eddy's! But the old one has been surrendered to the linen cupboard in the hope that the new one will take his place, but he's not overly keen on this idea, so we are hoping that he just gives up on the whole Eddy thing all together!!!

I have had THE WORST headache since 2:34am Saturday morning. I have never had a headache so bad before. My entire head feels like it is going to explode! I can't move it forward or back cause the pressure is just yuck!

Off to the Dr on Wednesday, so will ask what he thinks!!!

On that note, I will sign off and try and get some work done, but the sewing machine isn't exactly the most quiet of tools to be working with!

B
xx

Best Mum in the world!!!

2006-04-19T10:50:00.000+09:30

Well maybe ;-)

Now let me tell you the story of "Eddy"

When Connor was born, my cousin sent down some great pressies for him. In this parcel there was an Eden Toys Elephant that had a red blanket sticking out of his back. We looked at it and chucked it on the pile of stuffed toys we had been given!

Fast forward 2 months, and Connor was hospitalised for having seizures. The impending 2 week stay at RCH was preceeded with a mad rush to get some things together to take to the hospital. In this mad rush, Nathan grabbed "Eddy" and chucked him in the bag because he was on top of the pile of toys, and we needed something to entertain this tiny 9 week old baby other then my boobs ;-).

This is where the long loving relationship was formed between Connor & Eddy! Eddy had not left Connor's side since that first day at RCH!

Until last week! Shock horror, we had lost Eddy :-( Now most would say that 5 years without loosing him is a great stretch, and I tend to agree, but there is no explaining to Connor that Eddy is gone! He just doesn't understand it :-(

Now I have been searching for a "backup" Eddy for the past 5 years, because I knew the day would come that we would need it! However, I had no luck...until today! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I updated my "want it now" ad on Ebay, and what do ya know, I purchased a brand spanking Eddy just moments ago!

Now, take a look at Eddy here and you will realise why he was just chucked on top of the pile! Not much to write home to mum about, but Connor seems to think so!

So everyone keep your fingers crossed that Connor will love the "New Eddy" as much as the old!!!

B
xx

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

2006-04-11T08:40:00.000+09:30

THERE WAS A MOUSE IN OUR BEDROOM LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

And I HATE mice!!!!

The little bugger was climbing up the curtains! I just freaked, and didn't sleep a wink! So now we have 7, yes seven, mouse traps under our bed...the little monster probably won't go back in our room, but I've got my bases covered...and I'm sleeping tonight!

Disgusting, ferral, horrible little rodent! I don't hate anything as much as I hate mice!!!! YUCK!!!!!!!!

Said to Nathan this morning, I hate cats slightly less then mice so perhaps we should borrow someone's cat. Then I rethought my statement, and decided I am going to train Millie (our chocolate Labrador) to hunt mice! But she's a bit slow our Millie...she's only 18 months old, and still the biggest puppy you have ever seen!

So...today is going to be a loooooooooooooooooooong day coz I have had no sleep!!!!

Wish me luck in catching the mouse!

B
xx

Husbands....

2006-04-10T07:47:00.000+09:30

Well mine has really shone through this time! ROFL!

We went and bought a new entertainment cabinet on Saturday. I said to DH quite a few times that we needed to measure the loungeroom as well as the TV to make sure it fit!

Sure enough, DH says, nah, don't worry about it!

We get up to the place we buy all our furniture from (a great little wholesale with dirt cheap prices on Aust. made products) and we find the one we love! Great! Hand over the $500 and off we go!

Get home, only to realise that it isn't going to fit in the corner that we had the TV in!

But....it gets better...yup, the TV wouldn't fit in the hole!

I said, ok, where's the receipt, I'll call him and ask if we can take it back and swap it.

Nah, don't do that, I'll make it fit!

I'm not going to bore you with all the details, all I will say is the day ended with the TV fitting in the hole!
And how did we maage this you ask - ANGLE GRINDER! Not to the brand new cabinet we just bought - I would have killed him if he'd done that - but to the bloody television! Here Nathan is out on the front verandah with the angle grinder to the bottom of the telly to make it fit in the hole!

I am still shaking my head. But what started out as something funny to him, ended up down right annoying because he had to take it back outside about 10 times to take enough off of it. I must admit though, it does look great...looks like the cabinet was made around the telly; but don't dare tell Nathan I said that ;-)

B
xx

Oh will it ever stop!?!?!

2006-04-09T20:43:00.000+09:30

Sneezing that is! My head feels like it is going to explode!

And I have sewing coming out of my ears!

Boy, is my head in a bad way ;-)

Not the best of weekends! Friday we found out that Nathan's aunty has a brain tumor. The woman is in her 30's! It has just devestated the entire family, and sent Nathan's Great Grandmother (84) into a terrible state. The poor woman had a heart attach & stroke less then 12 months ago, and now this!!!

Apparenly it is the 'best type of tumor' to have, but all the same, she has a tumor! She is scheduled for surgery in August. A long way away I know, but that's the only time the specialist can do it!

I just feel so much for her kids. They are 6 & 8...the same age that my brother and I were when we found out our father had a brain tumor. Unfortunatley he wasn't as lucky as Nathan's Aunty and his was cancerous. He passed away when I was 7 and it is still hard at times.

Donna's outlook is good though. It is the size of a golf ball (holly shit!) but after the op, they seem to think the only major dramas will be loss of hearing in her left ear, and possibly some facial paralysis. Not great, but a far sight better then a lot of people!

So the next 4 months are going to be tough going for the family, but I know she can get through this! Donna has never been a quitter, and I know she won't be now!!!

Needless to say the exciting news with the whole phone call, was put on hold, and will hopefully be made tomorrow! Poor Nath had other things to worry about on Friday :-(

B
xx

Sparkly & New!

2006-04-06T14:12:00.000+09:30

Well, I successfully ran over my mobile phone on Tuesday!
Didn't realise I had run over it until yesterday afternoon, and realised the bump when i reversed out of the Post Office was infact my phone, that my darling son had decided to turf out the window when I ran into the Post Office! grrrrrrrrrrr.

BUT I now have a nice sparkly new HOT PINK Motorolla phone! NOICE!!!!!!

So I am going to spend the next few hours aimlessly trying to figure out how to use the new fandangle phone instead of sewing which I really should be doing ;-)

Oh, and as a side note...Nathan was making that all important phone call today, so I will go and call him and see how he went ;-)

B
xx

Lost motivation alright!

2006-04-05T08:32:00.000+09:30

And started throwing up! argh!!!

At about 4pm yesterday the kids and I ventured down to the post office for the second time (normal daily happenings) and on the way down there i was feeling just blaaaaaah!
So we get home and it hits! And it kept on hitting until about 1:30 this morning, and now I still feel blaaaaaaaaaah!

And NO I'm not pregnant!!!! That is the last thing I have time for at the moment!

And of course just when I get sick I have a huge rush of orders....

ah well, off to do some sewing!

B
xx

grrrrrrr

2006-04-04T14:51:00.000+09:30

just when I get some time to upload some new pics and products to my site, the bloody server is down!

And I bet by the time it comes back up, I'll have lost the motivation to do it...

ah well, off to have a coffee!

B
xx

Will I ever learn?!?!

2006-04-04T10:34:00.000+09:30

Ok...silly me shouldn't have stayed up all night playing around with this blog! *bangs head on wall*
Now I'm super tired and have workd coming out of my ears!

On a good note, my US distributor got her kit today and is super excited. She got her first sale while walking home from the post office after picking up her new kit! ROFL!
Here's hoping that the sales keep rolling in from her.

Ok...off to make an important phone call that I need to make, but am so damn nervous...will fill you in later ;-)

B
xx

Hmmmm....looks good!

2006-04-03T22:13:00.000+09:30

Well, that was a lot less painful then I thought it would be!

And I might add, it looks kinda spiffy! ;-)

Off to get some much needed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's!

Night.

B
xx

In the beginning...

2006-04-03T21:53:00.000+09:30

Ok...so I have been wondering for a while what the big thrill was that everyone associated with a blog, so I have taken the plunge!
So here I am!!!
*twiddles thumbs* ;-)

No, seriously, I think this will be a good opportunity to get my thoughts down, ad to put some pressure on myself to get the things done that I know I NEED to, but just don't get around to...

Like loosing weight for instance. I've only got 5 kilos left to lose, but just can't shake it. The fact that I eat chocolate every other day and live on coffee and air doesn't really help my cause, but hey! A girl can dream!

So off I toddle to contimplate completely changing this blog to look somewhat how I want it, but everyone knows it will be changed within the week, as I am the master of change! ;-)

B
xx