Finding space

I'm having one of those early morning moments - not a bad sleepless, must chew over those things we cannot change kind of moments - instead one of those precious, time stolen in the wee hours whilst the house slumbers kind of moments. In the quiet the important things seem to rise to the surface.

One of the things I have felt most anxious about lately is my wee precious girl and how she will find her feet in our soon to be expanded household. How do I help her carve out her place? To let her know that my precious, independent, creative, loving, stroppy, humour filled, sensitive, adventurous, sparkly electric, wee banshee is still just amazing and much loved in her Mama's eyes and has a firm, unwavering place in her heart. I am constantly questioning whether I'm up to it, you know, this mothering malarky? But I know this is just prebirth jitters, right? Because as a friend once told me ... just when you think it can't be possible to feel any more, the heart just expands to make room for the new love you are overwhelmed with when new bairns arrive.

Just feeling reflective that's all. It must really suck to have a Mama that can no longer get down on the floor to do puzzles - or take you for long walks and adventures. Whose dancing repetoire has shrunk considerably and no longer includes lifts and vigorous wiggling. Who no longer has a lap to sit on. Guess the escalation in tantrum throwing is justified when you look through smaller eyes. Guess she is looking forward to their arrival as much as me ... she is just sure that they should be careful not to break my belly button when they are coming out... who am I to shatter her visions of possible baby exit points?

No questions that haven't been asked by millions of mothers before me - just my question to ponder at this moment...

My Wee Gal Turns 3

The wee gal turns three today. So hard to grasp that she has been turning our world on its ear for three whole years. Last Saturday we had the birthday party complete with friends, park and requested pink horsey cake and horsey pinata. Dunc and I stayed up to midnight perfecting the cake... parental dedication at the fore when driven by guilt that possible arrival of newborn gatecrashers could rain on birthday parades. We thought we better have a 'just in case' party - before the date - in case the babies decided to appear. But we have made it to the actual day - so after a lovely morning of opening presents jetted down from the interstate fam ... we have partaken in fish and chips and a text book sponge birthday cake by Loz. Edie is confused 'What you mean I get two birthdays??'. Don't get used to used to this kind of treatment, man! So now I am just keeping my legs crossed so I don't have to commit myself to a lifetime of three birthdays on one day... because that would be a little outrageous, non? So in answer to your possible questioning ... as of now I am still firmly up the duff... although a weird old man's shuffle complete with comfy trackies and cardi are all I can muster. Aaaaaah pregnancy - so glamorous, so chic and given the veritable road map of stretch marks that almost meet my decollage - I'm guessing my agent won't be lining me up with a shoot in the Bahamas for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Such is life. I'm OK with that.

Footless

At 37 weeks, when you can no longer see your own feet ... enlist the help of others.

Autumn

The days are getting shorter and the shadows longer and a chill has returned to the air heralding that winter is lurking around the corner. Time to nest and snuggle; to bunker down and enjoy the beautiful warm sunny days and the chilly autumn nights - perfect for pyjama couch action and lap rugs. To marvel at impossibly Enid Blytonesque toad stools at local parks - that make you prod them to make sure someone hasn't just popped a ceramic folly to trick you.and to wonder at a growing belly that has seen you through to 35 weeks and will hopefully hang in there for a couple more!
... and already missing your sister as she sails back to Melbourne. More on that visit soon xx

Ah Mother's Day

I'm thinking that clearly (from the images below) I qualify for this fantastic competition over at {KID} independent. With one wee bairn almost three and two others slow cooking nicely in my personal aga oven ... I thought I would put my hat in the ring for the rather choice selection of goodies on offer.

24 Weeks - oh so relaxed at Binalong Bay34 Weeks

And as I think about the impending change in my motherhood stats ... I thought it was about time I documented my, well ... personal growth. I haven't chopped my head off for any other reason other than I know you just want the money shot ... just how does one get two in there - especially when your friendly ob tells you 'these are very fat babies'. (They are currently about 6 pounds each) - answer you s...t...r...e...c...h! Still feeling very good - and when I take Edie to swimming lessons tomorrow I will do my best impersonation of a tortoise from the Galapagas Islands- because it makes my wee girl laugh and that my friends is music to my ears.

But competitions aside ...I was really happy to be directed to the {KID}independent site - as it seems they are people after my own heart ...

"We’re basically a bunch of arty types with a love of all things handmade, vintage, sustainable, limited edition and independent. We crave products that are born from the hands of an artist, the heart of a loving mother, the mind of a talented designer, or the soul of an interesting character…
The creativity behind this blog comes from inspirational conversations among friends. We run this blog in between long nights, crazy mornings, tears + tantrums, smiles + giggles and the occasional glass of wine + kilo of chocolate."

and no joke ... Just as a put that quote in my husband came and shovelled some chocolate into my mouth ... true love!

A call to Bear Tea Arms!

Image via here

Ok people - a little invite to supprt local and fairtrade - and feel all smug when you sit down to enjoy your next cuppa. Just went to have a little peek at the lovely Tara's Blog and found this.

This is from Corinne Noyes, The founder of Madame Flavour Teas:

"This morning I make my way to Fujian province to spend a week with our green and white tea growers discovering firsthand the tradition and wonderful variety of Chinese tea.I am troubled though and writing to ask for your support.You may have heard that the Woolworths/Safeway tea buyer recently left. Their entire range will now be reviewed with a view to deleting teas not selling enough according to their corporate requirements.We have grown over 100%, but as a small business, Madame is vulnerable.On the 19th of April, I have a meeting with the new buyers to present our wonderful teas and the difference they make.Between now and then, I ask that you show your love of Madame Flavour by; no other way to put it: buying and spreading the word as you never have before.To thank you for your continued support, I am excited to invite 10 Kindred Spirits to High Tea at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne. To join me, I ask that you mail me your Madame Flavour buying and spreading the word story of 25 words or less. I will chose the winners May 30th and publish them and the High Tea date in my next newsletter.This could make all the difference in the wonderful story we have to tell when we look back 20 years from now at these early days.Thank-you for your passion and generosity in our shared adventure. I will let you know how I go.Kindest RegardsCorinne - owner and founder"

Image from Tales from the Travelling Teacosy

I know it is a little past the 19th April but it couldn't hurt to descend upon your local woolies and exercise a little consumer muscle and clock one up for the little but ethical guy, non? I love the Green Jasmine and Pear variety... ever since Eve Craft Princess brought some round for afternoon tea. More about Madame Flavour can be found here.

Nest

A happy Easter break around here is one where you finally tick things off lists. Upstairs is a list like Tetris. Big tick number one - finally finishing Edie's room so we can get her into the big girl's bed, get the bed out of the nursery to get that all set up and Edie's old cot in there and her old cupboard etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah.

I am so pleased with how her wee room has turned out. I'll walk you through the bits and pieces. The bed cost $20 from an oppie - came up a treat with the paint. The cupboard came from a second hand store and looks so much better painted. The pram in the corner was my Mum's when she was a little girl, then ours and now Edie's. My sister, who had never really sewn in her life whipped up that quilt and presented it to me at my baby shower - it is one of my favourite things. The puppets on the walls were collected in Dunc and my travels through India and Nepal - formerly known as the 'footloose and fancy free years'.

Tomorrow Dunc is back at Uni so I am going to attack the nursery and finally feel that if I went into labour tomorrow it wouldn't catch us with our pants well and truly down in the organisation department.

Got to head upstairs to check on my wee girl in her first night in her big girl's bed. Hope your Easter break was grand.