Baby, baby, baby ohhh!

So I’ve been MIA for a few weeks now. I have a good reason – a newborn baby!

The second day into my maternity leave, my waters broke. I had nothing prepared as I wasn’t expecting bub for another two and a half weeks. So while K made his way home to go to the hospital, I was waddling around at home packing mine and the baby bags. In hindsight, I should have done this beforehand when I didn’t have a million things running through my head.

Anyway – got to the hospital and sat around for a few hours and was sent home. At this stage I had only very minor contractions. K & I ate and BOOM! my contractions started. Back to the hospital and 6.5 hours later, my beautiful baby was born.

No-one warned us about the first few weeks with a new born! The lack of sleep, breastfeeding difficulties, doctor/nurse appointments, nappy changing, bathing etc. Being new to this game they call “motherhood” wasn’t as easy as I thought. But alas, I think I’m getting the hang of it (sort of)!

Enough of my ramblings and let me introduce to you my new bundle of joy baby Alexander.

Welcome to the world little man!

Baby Shower

A few weeks ago my sister S and a couple of my closest friends KT & HT organized a beautiful baby shower for me!

We played a few pregnancy/ baby games and ate and ate and ate some more. The boys (Hubby K ,RE and CC) stayed for the party and were in the background preparing the food or taking pictures.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped that day in preparing, attending and cleaning. I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and kind friends!

Another big shout out and thanks to HT, S and KT - what an amazing day!

Last chance to enter my giveaway here.

Baby talk – disposable or cloth nappies?

The last few months, I’ve been trying to decide whether to use disposable or cloth nappies once bub is born. After doing some research, talking to mothers who have used cloth or disposable and looking at my own circumstance, I have decided to go with cloth! Why why why you ask? Well first and foremost it would be for environmental reasons. Disposable nappies take years to decompose and clog landfills. Pro disposable users argue that cloth nappies have similar environmental impact. That is, using more water and energy for washing and drying cloth diapers. I disagree.

This is my tiny contribution with helping the environment and I will not be swayed! K and mums I’ve spoken to think I’m crazy and it would just be so much more convenient to use disposables, but I’m willing to give it a go. I admit we will still need and use disposable nappies on the odd occasion (e.g. if we are out). To offset the occasional use of disposables and to further reduce energy consumption I pledge to:

• Make sure full washing loads.
• Reduce water temperature when washing.
• Air dry instead of using the dryer.
• No ironing of nappies (didn’t even consider this but there is people out there who do!)

Using cloth nappies are more economical. This is secondary for me, but could be useful to families who are on a budget and the savings would definitely be a major benefit.

Have I prepared for the cloth nappy domination? YES! I bought 3 dozen nappies from Big W – currently on sale (woo hoo).

Anyway – this is just one of the few baby decisions that I have been contemplating with of late. I am not trying to write an argumentative essay or trying to persuade you to do anything. I would, however, love to hear your thoughts/experiences on this. EEEkkkk have I set myself up for 2-3 years of full time laundry?

 

Paella Feast.

Spain seems a distant memory – ok so it was only 6 months ago. During our stop in Spain, my Europe companions were on the hunt for delicious paella. We had paella at least once a day while we were in the country and NEVER did we get tired of it. Finding delectable paella was definitely a hit and miss but the experience was priceless!

My sis, S, recently organized a night at Brandy Creek Winery (Regional Victoria) for their paella feast. It was definitely a road trip but when we arrived the view was picturesque and the aroma was mouth watering. For a set price, entrée, paella, dessert and a drink was included. There were five different paella’s available, a mixture of meat, seafood and vegetables.

Good company, great food and memories of Spain – what a night!

Thanks for the pics N&LDC.

Miss J - Our dog

I don’t think I’ve mentioned the other part of our household…our dog Miss J! We got her as a gift for our engagement. Our friends plopped her on our front door one night, rang the door bell and we immediately fell in love!


Her first night with us, we were woken up at 3am by a crying pup because she didn’t want to sleep in her “mess”. So K and I spent the next hour bathing her and mopping the laundry floor…what a night!

Here are a few pictures of Miss J, isn’t she cute/big? (hehehhe)

Look at those paws!

A few months old.

Harrassing the dog next door.

A big smile for the camera!

Miss J is a cross great dane/bull mastiff and is the most placid dog you will ever meet – just make sure K or I have introduced you.

Today she had a vet appointment due for her annual shots and ongoing skin problems - always scratching to the point where she bleeds. We have been to four vets and all of them useless! So today we went to a new vet and she was absolutely wonderful. She explained what may cause the itchiness:

1. Mites

2. Food

3. Touch/Atopic

4. Allergies

So now it's a matter of elimination. Miss J has to get skin scrapings and is on special dog food. It’s going to be a slow process and could take up to 3-4 months to diagnose/ make a full recovery. Does anyone else have skin problems with their dog?

Note: Don't forget to check out my ebay items ending soon
http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=vintagefokus&_sacat=See-All-Categories