Mother Me

Let's Go!

2009-10-27T13:20:00.002+11:00

Photo: Izzy with her bag, exploring her world

Hello blogworld!

I have missed popping in here and reading everyones updates.

Anyhoo... A quick update: Settlement on our new home was last week - it feels so good to be able to call this place home. We have lived here since I was pregnant and always hoped the owners would sell as it was love at first sight. So, here we are nearly 2 years later!

Izzy is now 15 months old. She is an absolute little gem; she amazes us everyday as her personality blossoms and she makes this world her own. Her current 'thang' is bags. It is a total bag obsession. We do not leave the house without her pulling out one of her bags and slinging it over her shoulder.. in fact, sometimes she insists on bathing with her handbag!

Her vocab is growing.. Hello being her first word besides Mum, Dad and Ta... her first audible sentence or phrase was 'Let's Go!' last week.

Can you tell her mum is a virgo who is always on the go?!? I already had the feeling that perhaps I should slow down a little and let us smell the roses a bit (this is really hard for me to do.. I always feel like I should be 'doing' something') but little Izzy is already teaching me some life lessons and I have realised that I actually use this phrase at least 100 times a day. Scary. I am now making a concious effort to minimise the 'lets go's' and increase the 'look at thats' and 'whats this?' Enjoying the world around us.. together and slowly.

xx

Netox

2009-08-26T21:39:00.005+10:00

Hello blog! I have missed you... even if it was really only a short break.

It was like my baby turned one and my world stopped spinning for a little while.

Well actually, its not quite that dramatic. Its really much more simple - our house was burgled (awful feeling) and they stole our laptop. So, I have been pretty much internet-less for a month! It was actually quite good to have a net detox. A Netox.

So, how did I spend my 'Netox'? I read fantastic a book (the horse boy) and have started another one (Eat, Pray, Love), I cleaned out several cupboards and drawers, got a touch closer to doing some craft in my brand new art space... we bought a house (!!) and I am 2 sleeps away from hopping on a plane and jetting off to sunny Fiji with all of our best mates for a wedding...Oh and my little Izzy is now walking!

My baby turns one...

2009-07-27T21:02:00.006+10:00

One more thing....

2009-07-19T14:24:00.002+10:00

Check out this gorgeous little number by Belle & Boo! You can win it in any childrens size you chose here

Izzy's 1st Birthday Party..

2009-07-19T14:17:00.002+10:00

The munchkin is turning one tomorrow!

Yesterday we had her first ever birthday party. The weather was good to us - we took our chances and had a feast of lamb and chicken souvlaki's in the local park.

A fairy named Rainbow popped in to entertain the kids with some singing and games (yep, I am THAT mum...te he) - it worked out to be the perfect addition because little Izzy was sick with a nasty cold and as soon as the Fairy appeared she lit up and was grinning from ear to ear.

I am completely knackered so I will let some pictures tell the story and post some tonight!

Frankie Love

2009-07-19T14:12:00.002+10:00

I love to sit with a pep tea, cat on lap and Frankie in my hands while little Izzy sleeps soundly. Bliss.

You can now subscribe to the Frankie newsletter here. Filled with inspiration and lots of lovely things - free and delivered straight to your in

Porky-pines

2009-07-13T21:48:00.003+10:00

Working with children is always entertaining. The innocence, imagination and sheer rawness of their thoughts and actions is priceless.

We were walking home from the school/day care run today and the girls were all chatting about their weekend away.

H, the 4 year old declared "Daddy was telling us about the Bunyip that lives in the creek"

"Really! I used to live with a bunyip" I said. They all stopped and looked at me, wide eyed "Yep, I did. Her name was Bunyeeta Bunbottom"

H thought about this for a minute and finally exclaimed "Jess! You're telling Porcupines!" (I am assuming she has heard mum or dad say 'Porky Pies')

"No really" I said "It lived in our creek and lived off possum poo"

"Wow" Said H "Jess, Thats not a porky-pine, that's the TRUTH!!!"

Yep, that old possum poo line gets them every time!!?!?!

Sicky Sunday

2009-07-12T15:03:00.002+10:00

Yesterday I posted about one of the great discoveries of parenthood. Today I am reminded of one of the not so super additions to my new life - kiddy sickness!

One of the occupational hazards of nannying (especially kids in kinder and primary school) is the icky germs they like to bring home and give to Izzy and I.

Today hubby and Izzy are taking turns to spew... Hubby in to a bucket and Izzy all over herself, the floor and anywhere else it decides to spill.

Can't say Im thrilled with Sicky Sunday. I think its fair to say it sucks.

My little village

2009-07-11T15:13:00.008+10:00

As I head toward my little munchkins first birthday, I have found myself reflecting on some of the enormous changes that our life has undertaken in the last 12 months.

Some of the new ways of life were predictable; we knew about the sleepless nights, the joys of first smiles and first words (although the real thing has been better than we expected) but one of the pleasant and unexpected changes has been the way my little suburb has gone from being a place where my neighbours were strangers, the park a place un-explored and the local shopkeepers were people we saw once in a blue moon in an anonymous exchange...to a little village with familiar faces and new friends.

For the first 11 months of Isobels life, I had no licence to drive. I see this now as a blessing. We walked so much and apart from the odd little adventure in to town, we didnt spend much time outside of our suburb during the week. I have shopped locally on a daily basis... I now even *gasp* have my hair and waxing done at the local salon instead of the upmarket and overpriced place I used to go.

The butcher, baker, greengrocer and half our neighbours all know my name. I even nanny for a local family twice a week with Isobel and the three girls are now like her part time sisters. On my days off, we often run in to them in our village. That always makes me smile.

My mothers group all live locally and when one of them recently experienced a sad loss, I popped over to her house to deliver flowers from all of the 'local ladies'

I often hear new mums complaining of how hard it is stay at home all day with a infant who doesnt talk, that it is boring and they feel lost. I would be lying if I said there hasnt been times that I have felt a little bit like this but for the vast majority of time, this experience has really brought me back to the basics of what life is about. What it means to be a woman and have a family, a community. I feel for once in my life that I have truly found my place in this world.

Inspiration Overload

2009-07-07T21:04:00.003+10:00

This is my self-diagnosis. I am sure all bloggers go through this. You start out so enthusiastic about this new world you have discovered.

So full of inspiration. Every day brings more and more interesting and fascinating blogs. You start building your own and you hope a few people might read it. Then one day, you discover you have a few followers... a few people commenting on your posts.

A few weeks or perhaps months later and you have over 20 followers. Is it stage fright? Suddenly you dont have anything to say. Bloggers block. Or is it simply a case of inspiration overload. Too much too soon? Like a passionate love affair that fizzles after moving too quickly...

Has this happened to you before? How did you find your way back to blog love?

11 months and counting...

2009-06-25T14:49:00.003+10:00

It is so hard to believe that my little girl is turning one in less than 4 weeks!

Her 1st party will be a big one (would have prefered an intimate little number but we have big immediate families and lots of friends who would be devastated if they missed out on the little munchkins first bday!)

So, the date is set for her 'Musical party in the park' Invites will go out next week Everyone will be asked to bring their favourite musical instrument.

There are about 45 adults and 20 kids invited (I didnt realise we knew 20 kids!)

Lunch will be a sausage sizzle and some delectable delights - traditional faves for the kids like frogs in the pond, fairy bread (is there a type of healthy hundreds and thousands? because I read somewhere that they have the worst combo of colours and preservatives of any other kids food) I am going to ATTEMPT this Xylophone cake. Wish me luck, I will need lots of it as my last cake (which was meant to be a face) looked like a burns victim. Not nice.

There is a great big rotunda in the park but we will also have a little marquee set up in case the weather turns a little nasty...

Just trying to decide whether it is excessive to hire some sort of entertainer/musician to lead a fun, ad hoc musical jamming session... Isobel LOVES music and instruments and I think it would be amazing to have all our friends and family joining in (but it also reminds me a little bit of a christian camp or a hare krishna convention..... I am such a hippy at heart!)

Any ideas for me?

Tree Dwelling

2009-06-24T21:50:00.007+10:00

It's decided. We are packing up our belongings, saying 'so long, farewell' to all our friends and heading to our new home in the treetops...

Neither of us will need to work. Our days will be spent with Isobel.. playing, swimming, reading, singing and just being. Meals will be prepared with fresh organic ingrediants - nothing processed and made in a factory will pass our lips.

When we get bored or lonely, we will board a our helicopter and make our way to Melbourne to visit our family and friends. They are always welcome to visit us... we have a seperate tree house for guests.

I will be setting up a little Etsy store where I will sell some crafty delights that I make in my 'spare' time (when Im not relaxing in my treetop spa....)

Ahhh. A girl can dream.

PS - Hubby just pointed out that the helicopter doesnt really go with the 'natural' theme... so have to clarify that it's a wooden pedal powered helicopter...

Bottle of goodness

2009-06-21T19:19:00.007+10:00

This week has been one of those moments in time that I would just like to pop in a bottle and save. Like a special bottle of red for a rainy day.

Isobel is sleeping really well.I stopped trying to force myself to let her cry hysterically and decided to go with my instincts and a gentler approach. I started lying her on her tummy and covering her with a light doona (before now she just slept in a sleeping bag but I think having a cover helps)..gently patting her to sleep and singing. The time spent doing this is slowly decreasing and she is putting herself off to sleep. Heaven.

I have FINALLY got my license (yep, took me 14 years!) and I feel like a new woman.
Need groceries - jump in the car. Feel like going to the next suburb for coffee - jump in the car. Visit a friend - car. So simple and something everyone takes for granted. What on earth was I waiting for?

And lastly - I am loving my new Gluten free life. I already feel lighter - I am sure gluten was making me bloated and fat and I am just so excited about feeling healthier in general.

Life is good. Now all I need to do is find a way to pop some of this goodness in a bottle for future tasting!

Silly Yak

2009-06-18T21:57:00.002+10:00

Its official. I am a Silly Yak. Otherwise known as a Coeliac.

No more Gluten for me.

I think I'm actually feeling really good about this. It is quite amazing to suddenly have an answer to all of the little tummy issues I have had over the years. I am really looking forward to life without Gluten and wheat!

I must admit, I am still doing the mental list of things I can never eat again and it did cross my mind that perhaps I could just have...

One last piece of toast with real Vegemite
One last souvlaki
One last glass of milo
One last massive bowl of spag bol with REAL pasta
One last piece of home made Apple Pie (a tear has just welled in my eye....)
One last spanikopita
One last serve of morrocan chicken with cous cous and the list goes on...

But then I realised that if I have one last of everything, I may never be gluten free.

Ok - so maybe I haven't totally come to terms with it yet but I am feeling like this is a challenge I can take on AND it hasn't escaped me that all of the above items are pretty fatty and I could just replace with a nice juicy apple.

Ahhh, deinal is sweet.

Me Old China

2009-06-16T10:30:00.005+10:00

Just wanted to share one of my favourite jewellery designers with you: Lucy King. Lucy is actually a surface desinger for china crockery but as she has a passion for Vintage china, she also makes these beautiful pieces:

I LOVE what she does with the Willow China. We used to have Willow china when I was a child, so I had to have one... takes me back to dinner time with Mum and Dad in the 70's.

This is the necklace the I bought (on a silver chain though)

You can see more of Lucys work here her website has a link to her ETSY store.

Enjoy!

Blog this challenge: Kindness

2009-06-15T20:39:00.004+10:00

This weeks BLOG THIS challenge is:

If you could name one small gesture someone else has made that had a big impact on your life, what would it be?

This is going back many years ago.. but it stands out as being an act of kindness that really impacted my journey in to adulthood.

I was 18 years old and had just arrived in London from Cyprus. Alone. Work permit in hand and the sum total of 50 pounds to my name (spent my savings en-route through Greece). It was about 9pm at night and I had just called my Dad in Australia to say that I was shit scared and that I had made a mistake....I wanted to get on the next flight home! He told me to find somewhere to stay, quick smart before it got any later and call him in the morning. After realising I had nowhere near enough for a hotel room, I got on the tube (very scary in itself) to make my way to 'Tent City' which was basically a field full of army style tents that backpackers could stay in for 5 pounds a night. I was sure I had my bravest face on as I sat on that tube in a carriage full of foreign people but in hindsight I must have looked petrified.

Out of nowhere a guy of around the same age came and sat next to me and asked if I was ok.. I replied in the affirmative and he explained that I looked a little lost. I told him I had just arrived and where i was going. He told me that he had arrived there from South Africa a year ago to the day and that he was soon to return home. The conversation was pretty brief. We said our goodbyes, he wished me goodluck and I made my way to tent city...in the pouring rain.

About an hour after I arrived, he turned up at tent city with his girlfriend and a mate and said that he had been home and realised that he couldnt just leave me without a place to stay in a place like London! I took a risk and followed them home. I ended up living in that share house (in the room that he vacated)for about 6 months. It was the beginning of 3 years overseas that shaped my life.

I will never forget the generosity of Zaine...it introduced me to the kindness of strangers when travelling.

Favourite Photo

2009-06-14T21:44:00.006+10:00

It's really simple. I love how every photo tells a story. Some short stories, some long tales. I want to know what is your favourite photo of yourself. Everyone has one. The photo they look at and smile. It reminds them of something, some time, some place. A moment in time.

So share the photo, share the story and then tag three other people. I want to see photos and stories all around the blogosphere.

I got tagged by Nellbe

This is my favourite photo. It was taken 4 days after Isobel born. I was experiencing the text book 'emotional' day and was worried because my milk hadnt come in as yet. My mum came to visit and help me through it with lots of hugs. When I was feeling better, she took all these gorgeous photos of Isobel I. I was just lost in her, wanting to swallow her up with love - not at all aware of the camera.

I tag:

Big brother, Little Sister
Mamma
Musing
Happenings of Zac and Tom

Sleeping like a baby

2009-06-13T11:32:00.005+10:00

Whoever came up with this saying is either a maniac with a sick sense of humour or a hermit who has never had children, younger siblings or any exposure to babies in general.

In saying that, I must admit that before I became a parent this quote conjured images of sweet blissful sleep. An angelic baby sleeping soundly.

This is no longer the case. I laugh when I hear this... babies are not great sleepers! Sleeping is in fact an art that most dont actually master until they are in the throws of puberty and sleeping around 16 hours a day. Babies sleep in cycles of 45 minutes and then wake screaming...who in their right mind would liken that to blissful sleep?

Isobel has always loved sleep... that is when she is wrapped in my arms or cuddled up on my chest. Leave her alone in her cot and she will cry until I scoop her up or in more recent times until she finally sends herself off to sleep.

If you had asked me 5 months ago what my thoughts were on 'control crying' I would have told you that I felt it was quite cruel to let a baby cry and something I would never engage in. Now? now I realise that Isobel needs to learn to sleep (she is now nearly one).. that it is not something that comes naturally to babies and that I, as her mother, have to help her learn this arrt. Part of this involves sometimes letting her have a little cry (for short increments of time). Sometimes I feel like I am definately doing the right thing, that the other option is to always rock her to sleep and sleep with her. Other times I feel like its really wrong and how can I turn my back on my crying bubba?

I feel better when I liken it to a mother bird gently pushing there little birdling out of the nest when she knows in her heart it is time for that birdie to learn to fly (yes, strange analogy.. I know!)

What are your thoughts on this? To cry or not to cry? This can be quite a passionate topic. I strongly believe there is no right or wrong. Every mother and baby is different and you have to do whatever gets you through!

Image: Flickr

Random acts of kindness

2009-06-10T20:57:00.004+10:00

Isobel and I got a little package in the mail yesterday. There is nothing better than recieving good old snail mail but when its a gorgeous colourful parcel and you know there's a pressie inside... well lets just say that it makes me happier than a pig in poo!

Jessi from Happenings of Zac and Tom sent me this gorgeous handmade skirt for Izzy.

Thanks Jessi - you made my day.. in fact you made my week and as you can see, little Izzy looks pretty darn cute too!

The Little Things....

2009-06-08T22:46:00.013+10:00

I'm taking part in a fun photographic challenge (that ends tomorrow evening).
If you want to join in, you can find out more here

Photographic Challenge "It's the little things".

Simple, everyday things which make your life a pleasure.
Limit of 10 images...no minimum. You don't have to be a fabulous photographer, just have fun.No words required, let your photos tell the story.

Here goes (in no particular order..)

Of course, I could go on and on and on... there are so many little things that make my life perfect. I had fun reflecting on a few and sharing them here!

Oh and by the way.. if you are wondering what the last photo is - its green friendly all purpose cleaner. It's my best friend. Clean freak, much?

Isobel - 10.5 months

2009-06-08T15:54:00.003+10:00

It's hard to believe that the dark haired little bundle of love that we brought home from hospital is only 6 weeks off turning One.

Getting to know and love you has really been like an amazing love affair - from those awkward, fumbly first weeks when we were all so tired and getting used to our new lives to the massive milestones and 'first times' - our first holiday as family, , the first time you slept through the night, said Dadda, smiled, the first time you put your arms around me and really hugged me...

You started to crawl at around 8 months old and it is a skill you have perfected beautifully. You fly from one end of the house to the other exploring your favourite little places as you go - the cupboard with all the wires, the powerpoints, Youska's cat bowl and anything that is clearly not a 'toy' or is potentially dangerous!

You have just started to really show an understanding of language. You know what Dadda, Cat and Bottle is and can say the first two. Cat was your first word.

You LOVE music. Your little face lights up when I pop on one of your CD's and you flap your arms, clap and do your little 360 degree bum shuffle move that totally cracks us up! You are a true little percussionist. Everything is a drum and has been from around 5 months old. You will tap a CD and a book together and bop along to the noise - a hairbrush and spoon, book and the remote, plastic hammer on the floorboards. Everything has rythem for you.

I love it when we cuddle. You will lie your head on my chest and lovingly pinch the skin around my neck (quite painful but I know they are your little love squeezes so I put up with it!) When I am putting you to bed, I kiss your cheeks as Im saying goodnight and you smile. That makes me so so happy.

You think your Dad is the funniest person alive. He only has to look at you and you giggle - you get that cheeky glint in your eyes and srew your nose up. You are already very similar in so many ways.

You are becoming quite a fussy little eater. You will nibble away at an Apple, storing the broken pieces in your cheeks and then spitting them out around the house.. your little trail. I dont think much food actually gets digested... you just like to chew and eject. We aren't worried as you have plenty of reserve on those incredibly gorgeous, chubby little thighs!

This is such a wonderful age... you are discovering the amazing world around you with such purpose and wonder and it is just beautiful to watch.

Why the blog block?

2009-06-05T14:40:00.004+10:00

It has been an interesting few weeks to say the least. I have felt complete Blog block and I am guessing its because my overactive mind has been madly trying to process everything that its taking in. Oh, and I also because every time I enter blogland I get lost in all the amazing blogs and reading all about the talented people out there.

Here is a snapshot of whats happening in my world:

- Isobel is about 6 weeks off turning 1! This in itself is taking up a lot of headspace! It is so hard to believe my little baby girl whom I am sure I just brought home from the hospital yesterday is actually going to be a year old. Enough said!

- I have been starting to feel like absolute crap and had pretty much convinced myself that I was dying of some rare disease (total hypochondriac at times). My trusty doctor did all the tests needed to prove that I would live to see another year and in the process discovered that I have coeliacs disease! Major discovery because I have had tummy issues my whole life. Now my whole diet must change...seeing a specialist next week. I look forward to sharing any future gluten free discoveries in my blog.

Thats about all I can be bothered posting about right now. For the time being I am glad I managed to get something in there and out of my head!

Nan & Pa

2009-06-07T14:12:00.003+10:00

Every now and then Isobel and I head to the next suburb for a night at her Nan and Pa's. This usually coincides with hubby having a night out.

I absolutely love these little nights away - they involve having dinner cooked for us, a few glasses of wine and a happy baby who has new cupboards, shelves and toys to explore!

The absolute best part of our little sleepovers is that when Izzy wakes at the crack of dawn I carry her in Nan and Pa's room and they are oh so happy to see her... I am oh so happy to promptly return to bed for a blissful, child and hubby-less sleep in.

Heaven. Thank god for Nan and Pa!

White sands

2009-06-05T21:47:00.015+10:00

Crystal clear water, cocktails, sunshine & all our bestest friends.... Fiji. The date is set.

We leave on the 27th of August. Our first Overseas hollie as a family. We spend the first week with all our mates for a wedding and then the three of us will head to Octopus Island for a week of family time. Cannot wait. I am so excited that I might just wee myself as I type!

So, I now need to just shed a few (7) kgs in 3 months. I think I can, I think I can.

And then I would like to buy something along the lines of this:

and this:

and perhaps this for the poolside bar...

All these gorgeous dresses were found here

2009-06-03T21:21:00.000+10:00