Well yesterday I had a row of quite noticeable Braxton Hicks, after really not doing very much at all. And it's just stayed 'tight' all round the bottom front of my belly since then, all night and today... with a few stray twinges here and there for added fun.
Michael did dinner and pretty much everything else, Brooke helped out a lot as did Jake and Zeke well Zeke was Zeke but he's getting there.
Anyway, spoke to the midwife, she said let's play it safe it's probably nothing, but it will give both her and I peace of mind so up to the main hospital I went, with Michael and the kids at home asleep. Nevermind how far I had to walk lol if it WAS something but anyway... got up there and long and short story of it is, no idea why it's tight like that around the front but doppler, BP, urine etc etc are all great AND I got to see our precious boy on ultrasound, running a muck in there for all he's worth and showing off to the doc how strong he is. Plenty of fluid, placenta all good, blood flow all good, measuring spot on for dates. YAY! lol I don't mind BH and prelabour post 36 weeks but not this early!
A bit odd because I went past the SCN where Zeke was for a short (precautionary) time, the Chapel (where I was relieved to find it was parent ed classes and not a service, although still odd), the stairs we climbed when we went to see the Chaplain after Brenna was born, walking the path near the Birth Centre where Brooke, Jake and Zeke were born. Sure a place of mixed things that's for certain.
Anyway so home I've trotted, a couple of unexpected happy relieved tears on the way home that our boy is all okay and I can look forward to the next 13odd weeks before he's born. And James' song came on on the way home which I took as a good sign, something positive. It also came on today on the way to Aline's BlessingWay... and Aline if you're reading (and not already in labour lol) each time I see the little green thread bracelet, I do think of you and send you all the good stuff I can muster... soon soon soon you get to meet your little one!
xo
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Jake Sleeping with The Littlest Brother
Just had to share this pic.Jake especially asks 'any kicks Mum' to which a yes brings a 'can I put my hand on your belly?'... so he did tonight, and asked could he put his head on my belly as well and as you can see... he and his Littlest Brother fell asleep... I got an awesome front landscape view but since I don't put the kiddies faces on the net, this one will have to do for here.
Grow grow grow!
Just a few pics to share on some of what's in the (new) fruit & vege garden. I missed taking pics of the flowers from the bulbs this year but not to worry. Plum - the fruit are only about 10-20c piece size at the moment but the kids are watching them keenly ... and some flowers on the tahitian lime(thankyou E & Family, gift for Brenna's Garden), a chive flower just because
I think they're 
different and one of James's roses are out, with many buds on the others (3 x standard Gold Bunny). All the seedlings planted in the straw-bale bed are doing well so I've taken a few 'before' photos and will put the 'after' or in 'progress' ones up soon. The other garden bed has gone NUTS... seriously there's so much popped up in there (ferals and planted stuff) that we really should thin it out but it seems like such a waste and some of them just won't transplant well... anyway, so that's some pics to share from today's wander round the garden between the few showers we've had today. Haven't seen any flowers on the lilli pilli as yet (bought a fruiting one) so keeping an eye on that one as well. Oh and who could forget the mulberries!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
25 weeks & 5 days
We're almost at 26 weeks - yippeee! Checkup today at the Birth Centre, all good, everything where it 'should
' be etc. Bub doing well, measuring well and running away from the doppler, heartbeat all good. Checkup must have woken him up because I got nudged and kicked and all sorts of things the second I sat back in the chair and all the way home. This is what he is up to in there at the moment 26 weeks and here's what next week holds 27 weeks including a pic of his rough size inside.
Some photos to share of the Little Man's current abode. Must be my age haha as I am feeling things a little more this time, in terms
of tiredness, sore legs and hips/pelvis. Considering my first pregnancy was over nine years ago, and three in between the first and this one, I guess I am showing my 'age' haha.
Nearly all sorted in terms of the early-days
newborn items. Which reminds me must go and update my 'Before Birth' to do list. Went through and sorted out the fabric cupboard, now just the sewing table to do in that dept. Have a pile... a rather huge pile of 'to do' projects, ones half completed and so on. Might need to begin on that soon. I am muchly looking forward to being post-Christmas and 'any time' ready to birth. At the same time noting how MUCH needs to be done before then. So you know, it will all even out. Heck it's nearly November already and nearly time to organise Jake's Birthday party! 'til next time, Cheerio!
' be etc. Bub doing well, measuring well and running away from the doppler, heartbeat all good. Checkup must have woken him up because I got nudged and kicked and all sorts of things the second I sat back in the chair and all the way home. This is what he is up to in there at the moment 26 weeks and here's what next week holds 27 weeks including a pic of his rough size inside.Some photos to share of the Little Man's current abode. Must be my age haha as I am feeling things a little more this time, in terms
of tiredness, sore legs and hips/pelvis. Considering my first pregnancy was over nine years ago, and three in between the first and this one, I guess I am showing my 'age' haha.Nearly all sorted in terms of the early-days
newborn items. Which reminds me must go and update my 'Before Birth' to do list. Went through and sorted out the fabric cupboard, now just the sewing table to do in that dept. Have a pile... a rather huge pile of 'to do' projects, ones half completed and so on. Might need to begin on that soon. I am muchly looking forward to being post-Christmas and 'any time' ready to birth. At the same time noting how MUCH needs to be done before then. So you know, it will all even out. Heck it's nearly November already and nearly time to organise Jake's Birthday party! 'til next time, Cheerio!Saturday, October 18, 2008
UK Environment Agency Report - the New and Updated one is out!
Very very pleased to announce the release of the updated UK Environment Agency report. 
The ANN media release is here. Now that the study information being used is for the most part, accurate, the outcome is clear. Reusable nappies are better for the environment than single-use nappies - as most of us have known for some time - purely on a simple maths basis it makes sense.
Of course, this makes sense when you think about it, even if you just do the simple maths. I'm off to finish reading the report! More info on the eco is available on this page at OzClothNappies, including why the original report was flawed in the first place.
The ANN media release is here. Now that the study information being used is for the most part, accurate, the outcome is clear. Reusable nappies are better for the environment than single-use nappies - as most of us have known for some time - purely on a simple maths basis it makes sense.Of course, this makes sense when you think about it, even if you just do the simple maths. I'm off to finish reading the report! More info on the eco is available on this page at OzClothNappies, including why the original report was flawed in the first place.
Dresses and seeds.
Well I haven't made this but I think it's an awesome idea and from someone who is button-hole and zipper shy, it's even better! there are two dresses so make sure you scroll down to check them both out. She's used a ladies shirt and made a little girl's dress, twice over.
Also on the gardening front, am trying a new theory.
What we did is even tho the kids sprouted ten million seeds at once, and we will be giving away a heap, what I've done (by accident I admit but it is a good idea!) is put some in semi shade, some in the full sun in pots/seed tray etc and they are now growing different rates. So we will give some away but will plant some of the smaller and taller ones, and get fruit (theoretically?) at different times. Then again... since they germinated at the same time maybe that will make the above theory totally irrelevant! haha. guess we will see!
Also on the gardening front, am trying a new theory.
What we did is even tho the kids sprouted ten million seeds at once, and we will be giving away a heap, what I've done (by accident I admit but it is a good idea!) is put some in semi shade, some in the full sun in pots/seed tray etc and they are now growing different rates. So we will give some away but will plant some of the smaller and taller ones, and get fruit (theoretically?) at different times. Then again... since they germinated at the same time maybe that will make the above theory totally irrelevant! haha. guess we will see!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Coming Home!
Well Grandma (previous post) is being released from hospital and staying with R tonight, then going home on the plane tomorrow! So very pleased and when I spoke to her last night she sounded good. Will go visit tonight as I hadn't wanted to crowd up earlier in the week and wasn't sure what other tests/procedures might have been scheduled, which is why I phoned last night :)
YAY for Grandma!!! *mwah!* xo
From all of us!
MKBJBZ&1more
YAY for Grandma!!! *mwah!* xo
From all of us!
MKBJBZ&1more
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
And how does our garden grow...
bearing in mind we're just re-establishing after having barely anything there due to redevelopments behind us (high fence, leaving not much full sun area). The 'poo man' came yesterday www.fertiliserking.com.au premium organic gardening supples with 4 chicken, 4 sheep, 2 mushroom (all 36 litre bags) for $55 delivered.
The compost that I started a year ago is looking good and has been used in the holes before planting, chicken manure for top dressing only as it's quite strong. The worms are also breeding like rabbits (worms?) and we get heaps of juice from them - sometimes we struggle to keep up with the scraps which is surprising considering the amount of f&v we go through, so they are supplemented with paper/cardboard etc scraps. All my hemp and bamboo scraps from sewing that are no good for anything else, go in the compost. So in the garden we have:
Some grown from seed, others from vege scraps, some from seedlings, some from last year self seeding, some from class projects that the kids bought home. A couple were gifts for Brenna's garden. All in various stages of growth, most of them still young. There's a lemon tree at the corner of the neighbouring fence that we're allowed to pick from and next door's locut tree is LOADED - I just need to remember to leave them a note to see if they want to swap for fresh bread or something.
I am going with intensive planting for most of the lettuce/spinach/chives etc as they will likely be picked from daily rather than left to grow to one full head of lettuce.
We're going to plant out the front as well and I am trialing a Lara-style strawbale garden bed against the shed. That's it so far. Still left to go in/find a place for and dep on season, some we have as seeds and some we're yet to source or purchase.
Rosemary, winter fruiting trees, onion, tansy, pumpkin, strawberry, lavender, cucumber, chioggia beetroot, peas stringless pioner, parsnip, corn, watermelon, basil, carrots, tomato different types) and while we won't be planting them, hopefully some chooks to add to the mix!
The cherry blossom (ornamental) has finished it's beautiful flowering and now has it's new reddy leaves, and the wisteria is in full bloom along the fence.
Also getting done this weekend done is replacing the screens (2 window and one sliding door) that have holes in with the same aluminium mesh (tougher than the usual stuff but still managed to get a hole in it), as well as weather guards for front door and the old pantry done - which once the guard is on the bottom of the door I should be able to turn into my 'cellar' as it's quite cool - mostly I want to use it for bulk purchases - jars, tins, packets etc to keep the extras unopened and the main pull-out pantry user-friendly. And the newly planted veges are getting fenced off from mostly Jemma lol who likes to bury her things in there (it does smell like poo afterall so of course that makes sense!).
The cubby now has a path to the door and Michael is cutting the last few pavers for it as I type. I am looking forward to having it all planted out. The big plum tree is going in behind the cubby - lovely flowers and fruit come spring time! And a handy climbing spot to access the lemons near the fence lol! I have more sewing to do today and swaps to post when the post office opens tomorrow (P/hol in WA)... and of course there is always plenty of other things to do... Thassit for now!
The compost that I started a year ago is looking good and has been used in the holes before planting, chicken manure for top dressing only as it's quite strong. The worms are also breeding like rabbits (worms?) and we get heaps of juice from them - sometimes we struggle to keep up with the scraps which is surprising considering the amount of f&v we go through, so they are supplemented with paper/cardboard etc scraps. All my hemp and bamboo scraps from sewing that are no good for anything else, go in the compost. So in the garden we have:
- What's in the garden so far...
Some grown from seed, others from vege scraps, some from seedlings, some from last year self seeding, some from class projects that the kids bought home. A couple were gifts for Brenna's garden. All in various stages of growth, most of them still young. There's a lemon tree at the corner of the neighbouring fence that we're allowed to pick from and next door's locut tree is LOADED - I just need to remember to leave them a note to see if they want to swap for fresh bread or something.
I am going with intensive planting for most of the lettuce/spinach/chives etc as they will likely be picked from daily rather than left to grow to one full head of lettuce.
We're going to plant out the front as well and I am trialing a Lara-style strawbale garden bed against the shed. That's it so far. Still left to go in/find a place for and dep on season, some we have as seeds and some we're yet to source or purchase.
- Still to go in... (or what has to wait)
Rosemary, winter fruiting trees, onion, tansy, pumpkin, strawberry, lavender, cucumber, chioggia beetroot, peas stringless pioner, parsnip, corn, watermelon, basil, carrots, tomato different types) and while we won't be planting them, hopefully some chooks to add to the mix!
The cherry blossom (ornamental) has finished it's beautiful flowering and now has it's new reddy leaves, and the wisteria is in full bloom along the fence.
Also getting done this weekend done is replacing the screens (2 window and one sliding door) that have holes in with the same aluminium mesh (tougher than the usual stuff but still managed to get a hole in it), as well as weather guards for front door and the old pantry done - which once the guard is on the bottom of the door I should be able to turn into my 'cellar' as it's quite cool - mostly I want to use it for bulk purchases - jars, tins, packets etc to keep the extras unopened and the main pull-out pantry user-friendly. And the newly planted veges are getting fenced off from mostly Jemma lol who likes to bury her things in there (it does smell like poo afterall so of course that makes sense!).
The cubby now has a path to the door and Michael is cutting the last few pavers for it as I type. I am looking forward to having it all planted out. The big plum tree is going in behind the cubby - lovely flowers and fruit come spring time! And a handy climbing spot to access the lemons near the fence lol! I have more sewing to do today and swaps to post when the post office opens tomorrow (P/hol in WA)... and of course there is always plenty of other things to do... Thassit for now!
Grandma
Well Grandma isn't well. She had a heart attack and was flown by RFDS to Perth last night. Will be going up to see her today. Sending all our best wishes and healing vibes and good bugs your way Grandma. Love to all xo
So much to do!
Well... there is a long time yet 'til Bub arrives but at the same time not long and sooo much to do before then!!! Just put in some more seedlings this morning. Should have penned and papered while I was there but didn't so will have to return with a list haha. Fruit trees going well, and the first vege patch is going nuts - and the kids threw some stray rockmelon seeds in there so they're taking off as well. I dislike the term and practice of 'thinning' plants unless they have somewhere to go - I can't see the sense in throwing out perfectly good plants simply because you have too many. So if anyone wants tomato plants, cherry tom plants or rockmelon plants, please let me know!
Shelves yet to go up in the laundry along with the workbench. Once the shelves are up I can fit Baby's clothes up there yay and all the nappies. I think have PLENTY of newborn nappies and now just need to get to work making the next lot, probably OSFM Snappi-able I think. Front garden, kitchen reno to finish, bedrooms, spare room, bathroom, finish painting the loo (that I started painting oh... maybe 9+ years ago when pregnant with Brooke!), sort out and reorganise the back room, shelving for there. Lounge room painted and done, and shelves again (bookshelves). So LOTS to do!
Righto... off to list those plants - done and updated in the 'how does our garden grow' post. Also via Eilleen (Consumption Rebellion Blog) I was reading this link and I am keen to give Flowerpot Bread a go!
Shelves yet to go up in the laundry along with the workbench. Once the shelves are up I can fit Baby's clothes up there yay and all the nappies. I think have PLENTY of newborn nappies and now just need to get to work making the next lot, probably OSFM Snappi-able I think. Front garden, kitchen reno to finish, bedrooms, spare room, bathroom, finish painting the loo (that I started painting oh... maybe 9+ years ago when pregnant with Brooke!), sort out and reorganise the back room, shelving for there. Lounge room painted and done, and shelves again (bookshelves). So LOTS to do!
Righto... off to list those plants - done and updated in the 'how does our garden grow' post. Also via Eilleen (Consumption Rebellion Blog) I was reading this link and I am keen to give Flowerpot Bread a go!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Less Than 16 weeks to go...
Until we meet this Little Belly-Man growing - get to see him smile, get to see him breathe and smell that wonderful previous newborn smell... get to see his eyes as they watch us intently... ahhhh *happy sigh* all the awesome moments... I wonder which date will be his Birth Day... anyone care to guess? EDD by dates is 31st Jan, and by ultrasound is 2nd Feb. I thought Brooke, Jake and Zeke were born within 2 days of their EDD but since checking out my midwife notes, turns out Brooke and Jake were, but Zeke was born at 39 weeks... interesting stuff. In a hurry for his Birthday both in dates and labour length *wink*
So a while to go/not long to go depending how you look at it... but at the same time, says she with the definate Virgo rising thing going on (!) there is SO much to do before then! Well... Michael has made a start on some of the stuff I can't/shouldn't be doing like the heavy stuff - first pregnancy I've not done what I consider to be normal things. I mentioned that over the weekend I wanted to get the curtains in the loungeroom washed, and possibly the lounge covers (yay for IKEA washables!) and clear out the mystery items underneath the lounge.
I was just hoping that Michael could take the curtains down - however, he has taken them all down, soaked and washed them. And done the same with the lounge covers. And cleared out under one lounge. The rest we did together this afternoon. So the loungeroom, since it doesn't have much else in it, is on track... apart from the lack of paint on the walls haha! I put some orange oils in with the mop water so it smells really nice in there as well as looking decent - yay! Very pleased and so awesome to have extra hands that don't mind washing and soaking.
Also Michael put in the plastic between the straw bale garden bed and the soil today, and piled in the poo - mushroom, cow and chook to be exact. Will be an interesting exercise in speed-pegging of the washing for the next few days as the straw-bale bed is near the clothes line- well, it's within sniffing distance anyway! Can't wait to put in the veges/seeds/seedlings.
Took Jake to his friend's Birthday Party today - he had been counting down the sleeps so definately looking forward to it. I think all the kids had a ball! Also, I cleared out the top and shelves of the fridge today and Jake wiped out and cleaned the bottom of it - awwwww. He told me off the other day for picking things up off the floor, insisting he would do it. When I replied that I had only picked up a stray tissue, he said it doesn't matter Mum, I'll do it! So he has been doing more, taking an 'older' approach to things (well... most of the time) and Brooke has been of course helping as well. Zeke, we're working on - he needs to do his bit too and does... sometimes. He came to me the other day and told me, while holding up his elbow, that he hurt his 'corner' (elbow) I did have to smile.
The plan tomorrow is sewing, helping out at a Festival and getting ready to help out at a workshop or two this week... Don't forget it's Reusable Nappy Week this week - have a squiz here for what events are on near you.
So a while to go/not long to go depending how you look at it... but at the same time, says she with the definate Virgo rising thing going on (!) there is SO much to do before then! Well... Michael has made a start on some of the stuff I can't/shouldn't be doing like the heavy stuff - first pregnancy I've not done what I consider to be normal things. I mentioned that over the weekend I wanted to get the curtains in the loungeroom washed, and possibly the lounge covers (yay for IKEA washables!) and clear out the mystery items underneath the lounge.
I was just hoping that Michael could take the curtains down - however, he has taken them all down, soaked and washed them. And done the same with the lounge covers. And cleared out under one lounge. The rest we did together this afternoon. So the loungeroom, since it doesn't have much else in it, is on track... apart from the lack of paint on the walls haha! I put some orange oils in with the mop water so it smells really nice in there as well as looking decent - yay! Very pleased and so awesome to have extra hands that don't mind washing and soaking.
Also Michael put in the plastic between the straw bale garden bed and the soil today, and piled in the poo - mushroom, cow and chook to be exact. Will be an interesting exercise in speed-pegging of the washing for the next few days as the straw-bale bed is near the clothes line- well, it's within sniffing distance anyway! Can't wait to put in the veges/seeds/seedlings.
Took Jake to his friend's Birthday Party today - he had been counting down the sleeps so definately looking forward to it. I think all the kids had a ball! Also, I cleared out the top and shelves of the fridge today and Jake wiped out and cleaned the bottom of it - awwwww. He told me off the other day for picking things up off the floor, insisting he would do it. When I replied that I had only picked up a stray tissue, he said it doesn't matter Mum, I'll do it! So he has been doing more, taking an 'older' approach to things (well... most of the time) and Brooke has been of course helping as well. Zeke, we're working on - he needs to do his bit too and does... sometimes. He came to me the other day and told me, while holding up his elbow, that he hurt his 'corner' (elbow) I did have to smile.
The plan tomorrow is sewing, helping out at a Festival and getting ready to help out at a workshop or two this week... Don't forget it's Reusable Nappy Week this week - have a squiz here for what events are on near you.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
update on the food gardening with pics.
Righto. Well... updating from the 'What's in the garden/yet to come list' post, the garden received two more fru
it trees today, namely an apricot and a plum (to pollinate the other plum). I'll put the full names down shortly in case anyone is curious. In order to put those in (a very abandoned garden bed lol) the soil needed turning over, okay the sand and it also needed all the cooch removed (grumble mumble cooch) and the assorted non-gardening items that seem to find their way outside - lids, spoons, a Lego block or two etc. Also the soil level in that bed needed to drop considerably so that we could fit the fruit trees + the compost/poo and then mulch without it being higher than the actual 'wall' of the bed so the water and sand wouldn't do a runner.
Here's a pic, hard to tell exactly what you're looking at so I'll try a better one later. The large fence you can see in the background behind the old boundary one is the reason why our old vege bed just wan't gonna keep working - you can see the cubby is there now and we're working on that garden as well.
I did help de-cooch or is it 'couch' and do a little bit of dirt moving but nothing major. We found the old (still busy) ants nests as well ;) which I don't mind coz they keep any termites in check round this area - another bonus of not being quick on the 'kill it if it crawls' nasty sprays. (NB for how this bed is doing 2 years later click here)
Now, for some
weeks I'd been thinking about a straw-bale gar
den bed, initially from Len's Garden site, then from The Crone's garden that I had the pleasure of visiting last week, and then school has done an edible garden as well (Steiner school) and one of those beds is a straw bale bed. So it was gonna happen. I had it in my mind how and the opportunity presented to get hold of the bales. It also meant somewhere for the excess sand from the beds for the fruit trees, to go.
it trees today, namely an apricot and a plum (to pollinate the other plum). I'll put the full names down shortly in case anyone is curious. In order to put those in (a very abandoned garden bed lol) the soil needed turning over, okay the sand and it also needed all the cooch removed (grumble mumble cooch) and the assorted non-gardening items that seem to find their way outside - lids, spoons, a Lego block or two etc. Also the soil level in that bed needed to drop considerably so that we could fit the fruit trees + the compost/poo and then mulch without it being higher than the actual 'wall' of the bed so the water and sand wouldn't do a runner.Here's a pic, hard to tell exactly what you're looking at so I'll try a better one later. The large fence you can see in the background behind the old boundary one is the reason why our old vege bed just wan't gonna keep working - you can see the cubby is there now and we're working on that garden as well.
I did help de-cooch or is it 'couch' and do a little bit of dirt moving but nothing major. We found the old (still busy) ants nests as well ;) which I don't mind coz they keep any termites in check round this area - another bonus of not being quick on the 'kill it if it crawls' nasty sprays. (NB for how this bed is doing 2 years later click here)
Now, for some
weeks I'd been thinking about a straw-bale gar
den bed, initially from Len's Garden site, then from The Crone's garden that I had the pleasure of visiting last week, and then school has done an edible garden as well (Steiner school) and one of those beds is a straw bale bed. So it was gonna happen. I had it in my mind how and the opportunity presented to get hold of the bales. It also meant somewhere for the excess sand from the beds for the fruit trees, to go.
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