Any more room in this suite?

Well I am wondering where on earth I can expand next with another 18 weeks to go haha!

22 weeks pics:

well it was a better time

Following on from this post, tonight we sang Happy Birthday and cut Brenna's cake (Zeke blew out the candle, Jake cut the cake, Brooke and Jake took off the ribbons, butterflies and dragonflies). The kids were playing sillies with Dad, we were inbetween feeling the Little Guy move and it was just generally a 'better' night... a good feeling cutting the cake. Oh and yes, we were meant to do it last night, but Zeke fell asleep then as well lol - he was trying to hard to hold his eyes open while eating dinner, and while I was wiping his face and hands with the flannel, his little lids were closing... so we did it tonight. And while singing Happy Birthday, it was more than a passing thought to think that I could have really been singing Happy Birthday to her while holding her at 12mths old... not to be of course. Glad tonight we got to 'do' things properly. xo

on Cakes

Birthday Cakes. I've kept most of the pics of cakes I've made here (sometimes the link is down, so I am slowly backing the pics up elsewhere and will replace the broken pic links here asap). I'll post a few pics below to share. Mostly I work from the Debbie Brown cake books because I like the challenge, other times the Women's Weekly cake books and other times just whatever.



I have been asked a few times what I use underneath. I used to bake the cakes from scratch, and did once make the DB suggested cake recipe but didn't find it to my liking. I found that the Betty Crocker Devils/Choc cake and Vanilla Cake mixes, are very reliable and strong enough to support a 3D Cake icing. Instead of buttercream underneath the ready-roll icing I use Betty Crocker Vanilla frosting - one because it's easy to access and two because everyone actually likes to eat it - no point making a cake that looks great but doesn't match it in taste. It also leaves more time for me to do the actual decorating.

However if the Betty Crocker cake mix isn't avail or I don't feel like using it, I just use the choc cake recipe from the old CWA women's cook book lol. I keep a few tubs of the frosting in the cupboard - great for just home made cupcakes as a treat (thanks Joanne for putting me onto it!) - it's really yummy! The bought mixes I use are gelatine-free so no prob for

vegetarian, although eggs are added so would be prob for vegan.
The colours are gel colours (again check ingredients for dietary requirements) from a cake dec shop - great choice in colours, reliable and you can do BLACK - which as those of you who have done any cake will know, is very hard to achieve with icing mix+food colour.

Then there are the simpler cakes... like the carrot cake below, and you can do frosting with rose petals (which are edible if you feel like it) - quite pretty and very simple.

Anyway, some more pics. One day I'll get around to photoshopping the background out, and it's usually late at night/early morning when I finish them so the light isn't that great... thanks to Tina (huntersmum) for photoshopping the top two for me. The rest of the pics are avail in the link in the first para. So for those embarking into the world of kid's cake decorating, I hope that info helps! Cheers, Kristy.

Brenna's Birthday... 1 Year Today since she was born.

It's been one year today since Brenna was born. I remember where we were this time last year... where it was enough effort simply to wake up each morning and breathe...

They are with us for such a short time
but our heart knows nothing of time,
only love, pure love.

Bec that is so right and such a spot on way to express it, thankyou.
We had a small morning lay-in together before getting up. I was doing quite okay intially, preparing things for this afternoon, chatting as usual to the kids and so on, quite cheery... until the oven stopped working midway through the second cake... All I wanted was to make a cake for her! At least I had the bottom layer done, I would just have to purchase a plain cake to do the top layer, and hope that on a Sunday I could find what I was looking for... Michael did his best to sus out the problem but to no avail.

So I was a little grr but still ok until later in the day I happened to go look in my antenatal folder from the Birth Centre where of course it has your pregnancy history. They had Brenna's all wrong. They didn't even have her name down while they had Brooke, Jake's and Zeke's... they had her down as 'D&C' and didn't even have her gender down - I didn't have a D&C! She was BORN, I birthed her! The way they had written things, the things they had left out - they had written Brenna off as some medical glitch. I was so angry - how dare they! - and of course then the tears came, and I think I yelled a few choice words (then apologised to my son growing inside!)... I was, at this time sitting in the car by myself so there was no one to hear me thankfully! I think this is when the mood of the day really turned.

It took some time to regain composure, but once I got home, I got the liquid paper and a black pen and I fixed it. If they have a problem with that, so be it - she's our daughter, my daughter, I birthed her and since they're so keen to not count her, why should they care if I write in her details - correctly! I should add that Brenna being the only one of our Babies not born at the Birth Centre, this information would have come from KEMH direct... and I know hospitals are medically oriented but still...

So the day didn't really go as planned. One of those kinda days where you're not in the best mood yourself, the kids go a little silly and annoy each other and perhaps you don't deal with it as well as you normally might, and things just don't quite go how you planned, you know and not at all what I hoped it would be for Brenna, for us. It's okay though - in our heart is what matters.
And to be thankful for - everyone is safe here asleep, Brenna's beautiful cake is waiting for tomorrow (because Zeke fell asleep so we will sing Happy Birthday and cut and share the cake tomorrow afternoon when he is awake) and I am sure she knows every thought in my heart, and our Son in my belly is making his presence felt and I go to bed next to my Husband.
I said to the kids 'sorry today was such a grumpy day' - because I didn't mean it to be at all... Brooke shed a few tears tonight when she hugged me goodnight, and Jake wishes me "sweet dreams on Brenna's Birthday, Mummy". Zeke kept asking when was Brenna coming to see her cake...
speaking of which... some photos of her cake, and the cupcakes. more photos here of the cake, and here of the cupcakes. The pink on the cake was meant to be a little softer.

I wanted to make it more special, for Michael & I, for the kids, for Brenna. I"m annoyed with myself I got grumpy. Brenna's Birthday is one of the few things we get to do as parents for her, as well as remembering her of course, and not letting the world forget her. Hopefully tomorrow afternoon when we cut the cake and sing Happy Birthday, and the few other things, we can achieve that little bit extra 'specialness'.

I had initally thought of having a 'Brenna's Garden Party' and have close family and friends in our casual gear, doing some more work to get her garden closer to finished but in the end the choice was 'just us' this time... and then the storm came outside lol and the oven stopped working and everything wasn't really ready until about 5 or 6pm lol so in the end I think just 'us' at home was a good thing.
We baked bread rolls, Michael did sausage sizzle on the bbq, braving the cold lol (it's been really mild here lately but today was a sudden change of weather) and we had salad followed by cupcakes. Simple but good.

Thankyou to everyone who thought of us today and/or sent messages via EB, Nappycino or email... and to Brenna, who even though you aren't in our arms today, and we miss you immensely, Mummy & Daddy are still so pleased you could be with us for the time you were... loved and missed by so many...

Wanted for so long
Grown and cherished inside me,
held in our arms just once ... in our hearts forever...
Miss you Baby Girl... Brenna,
we all love you xo

First Birth Centre appt (for this Baby) today...

Ah back to the Birth Centre - and still so many familiar faces the whole time we've been there since 1999 - even the Blue group still has some of the same midwives who were about when Brooke was born there! Today was Lesley... who funnily enough was the midwife I saw a year ago tomorrow, while still pregnant with Brenna (who's Birthday is this Sunday the 21st). Filled in all paperwork, answered the q's, did the usuals.

All well with Bub, heartbeat spot on, measuring spot on, my BP spot on etc etc you get the idea and I am more than happy with that of course! Haemoglobin a little low so going on Spatone + the Elevit I am already on. Asked what we can do/know to prep ourselves if this Bub decides to arrive anywhere but the Birth Centre. Esp considering Zeke's labour was 27mins start to finish and it now takes 30-45min to reach the Birth Centre from our house - the city is getting busier and busier and Hay and Loftus were lala today even at midday!
So that was those questions answered and pretty much all on track and see you in 5 weeks. Next appt at the end of Oct... and looking forward to it!

Thankyou to Grandma for coming over to be with Zeke while Michael and I went in today - I know Zeke has a great time!

xo

Arrived at our house...

Well yesterday the most amazing parcel arrived! I did a swap with a Lovely Lady and my part of the swap arrived... I said to the kids (we had an extra at our place at the time)... do we have afternoon tea first, or open the parcel first? Which was met with a chorus of 'open the parcel, open the parcel!' lol So first were the fabrics which were exactly the ones, thankyou and patterns, looking forward to getting sewing and thankyou for keeping aside the little bunnies and carrots fabric... so I have to share pics because the time and care that's gone into them is just too lovely...

And to the individual things for all the children, all hand made just for them... well Jake was just rapt and has been drawing in his book ever since, it's the first thing he found when he got up this morning and will be the first thing he does when he walks in the door this afternoon. The pic is to the right, it closes on itself like a book and does up with ribbon on the side and the print is awesome!

Brooke was also rapt with hers and thinks you're very clever - once she gets good at finding everything she said she'll set the timer and see how quick she can find it all - oh and she said you must know her well lol because she loves colours! It's a little 'Eye-Spy' bag with an attached list of things to 'find' in amongst the clear beads that you can see through the 'window' - very clever!

Zeke's - it took me until I read 'read me last' letter to figure out it was a take-anywhere roll up blackboard! he was stoked lol - again, it's something he's been right there with and everyone thinks it's very cool - will be great for travelling (all of them will be). Rolls up with a ribbon tie & the print is very cute - he loves snails and bugs and things. As you can see all children who were over yesterday were just busting to 'help' him have a turn ;)







Brenna's - well it's just beautiful - we'll find somewhere for the Angel to hang each year and the little hankie with the 'B', the flowers and the carrots... so much time and care in it especially the tiny tiny crotcheted edging and miniature stitching... so beautifully done... thankyou... xo

& for the new Bub - can I really put a bum in those!? ;) Two embroidered lush prefolds - they're beautifully done and I love the little duckling bobbing under the water ;) The bunnies are too cute and so many tiny little stitches... very much looking forward to putting these on the little bum towards the end of January...
You chose so perfectly for each child and it's more than I ever expected in what I thought would be a simple parcel for me of material and patterns... Thankyou again ... I know it must have taken a LOT of time and effort and I know you're flat out... I feel very lucky... we all do.
THANKYOU...

Thanks Snow-Nanna!

Lucky kids is all I can say! This week, (my) Mum was in town for work and she bought with her the 'snow books' she had been putting together for Brooke, Jake and Zeke. And here is Zeke's to show you! Different pics in each book and tailored to each kiddie. Laminated and bound which is great because Zeke was reading his while eating his Weetbix this morning - wipe clean yay! They're a hit and were the first things picked up in the morning to read and Zeke is already 'knowing' some of the pages by heart. Also, the books are on CD for the kids and Mum (Nanna) got a bit clever and put some animation on there as well!

Mum has made some of these books before, once when Brooke was about two, with her little friends and a copy for her 'best' mate at the time who she saw a lot. Also there has been a 'Broome adventures' book and I think another one - so they are popular and still well loved here.

Mum and her sister went away to the snow not long ago, and that's where the pics came from for this book, plus of course that touch of 'Nanna' that the kids love. Thanks Mum!

Brooke's Celebration at school

Just a pic of the simple cake I did for Brooke's 9th Birthday Celebration at school. Brooke made a Zucchini Spice cake from this recipe and we iced it with Betty Crocker vanilla frosting - a favourite here for on top of cakes. Brooke said she was 'over' chocolate cake so this was something different. Decorated with fresh rose petals from the garden... and not a crumb leftover once the class and teacher had all had their piece! Even the few 'I don't like zucchini' comments were silenced with a mouthful of cake!
My other cakes are here.

Ultrasound Results are IN!

WE had our 20 week ultrasound today - several thoughts and scenarios going through my mind in the leadup to it... and the first thing I wanted to see when I laid down in that ultrasound room, was just put the thing on my belly so I can see this baby moving... oh awesome... then the hearbeat... thankyou... and now we can look at the body and make sure everything is where is should be. And it is... a very wiggly little Bub measuring beautifully...

We are very excited to let everyone know that this Baby, (who you can see in profile below) is

a little...

~ BOY! ~

A little boy, all of his own little self... three boys then, and two girls! The 'Three Hill Boys' lol I can wait to see what this little man looks like, and when he's about 12mths old to have a photo of the three boys together, one with blonde curly hair (Jake) fair skin & blue eyes, one with dark straight hair (Zeke) light olive skin and long dark eyelashes, blue eyes with hazel, and this little man with... who knows! And as to names... well you'll all just have to wait and see!

Brooke had her birthday celebration today and Jake and Zeke and I were in class with her. When we arrived I whispered in Brooke's ear and she made the announcement to the class - ' The Baby is a boy!' ... Looking forward to meeting you in January or February Little Man - you're already much loved...

xo

We're nearly half way there!

Well this is where we are/were as of Saturday just past - 19 weeks. This is where we will be come this Saturday... 20 weeks !... Bub must really have the penthouse suite in there because I can feel him/her moving from the lounge to the dining to the bedroom to the deck lol - kicks and wiggles from above my belly button to right down low and right and left and in between. It's awesome! By 21weeks Bub will be 27cm from head to heel!

Here we go - thanks to Jo we now have a charger! So here's a pic, 19 weeks & 2 days...

Also this Thursday (and counting) is 'the' ultrasound... I am just so so hoping for a healthy Bub. And we always say if not healthy then happy and if not happy then loved... but still... please please please... Just so keen to see this little person on the screen xo

Whoo hoo have perfected my wetbag!

Well, you know how it is when you've been thinking about things for a while and toying with different ideas on how to do something. Well I (think) I sussed it and am quite pleased. I've made two for the new Baby to come, and one spare. Before that I made one with touchtape for a swap and that's when my new idea 'came' to me!

Oh and the first one I made for the new Baby, is fabric I have had sitting there since Zeke was a Baby, from Jodie at Nappies Covered and Koala Snaps from Alex at Snaps Australia... the fabric is an adorable print, gender nuetral as well with little garden elf children on it and animals... and I liked the fabric so much I was too reluctant to make anything with it! At least not something that would be grown out of. Wet bag I can get quite some time out of as once it's done for Baby things, can be used in the car for travel for tissues/apple cores etc. So yay to me lol.

Oh and a few PP (post partum) Mamapads - just from fabric I had about, funky PUL, some... grr still can't remember what that pink fabric is called (!) and hemp/bamboo inner. Snaps to close. The pattern is the waterproof PUL side, the pink is the side goes against skin and the little squarey looking thing is one folded and snapped closed. Roughly based on two of my favourite pads as I liked the length and the foldability - definately not up to retail scratch lol but for me at home perfectly fine.

On Chopping & Freezing Veges/Meals

Where to start? Right. Well in this thread and this thread, (to name just two) there were discussions about freezing veges and what you can freeze and how etc. I thought I'd put my bits all in one spot coz I keep losing where they are when someone asks for a link

Frozen chopped etc veg get frozen in one lot and are easy to just take out what you need. Meals I usually freeze an entire meal because there's not often I only want it for one of us iykwim
however, I have smaller Rock N Serves that I freeze leftovers in, which are usually single/two person portions ie for DH for work the next day for lunch, for me late night when I get the munchies lol, or if it's DS2 and I home for lunch together in the day time.

If I use a divided large Rock N Serve (rectangle container with three divisions in it) for a meal, say spag bog or stir fry, it's easy enough to remove a portion. Another way is to 'divide' your dish with Glad Back or similar if you have it.

Most of my containers are Tupperware (because that's what I have but use what you like) and inside them from the top is sliced onion. carrot, capsi, cabbage and... can't remember what the last one is. If you have say, a container with capsi, onion next to it, sliced tomato next to that etc, and a container with your perf sliced pizza meat, then...

Dinner can be as quick as pull out some frozen pita bread, spread on your tomato sauce/paste, chuck on your frozen veg and meat, chuck on some grated cheese (that you've got frozen in the freezer coz you grated the block last week) and put in the oven... Dinner done!

When I slice/chop and freeze my veg, I add them to dishes as I'm cooking, the same way you'd add any other frozen veg you might buy - add it frozen, don't defrost. With the exception of cheese (which isn't a veg I know), I don't thaw the veges to use thawed ie in salad etc, they all go from freezer straight into a dish I'm cooking and you can't tell the difference.
The vegies I do like that in a bulk lot because I've bought 10kg of onions, 5kg carrots, massive bag of capsi etc so it saves money and then chopping and freezing in one go, saves time each night (only chop once a week or less) and makes dinner prep quicker, plus you can 'keep' more vegies coz they're frozen whereas that quantity fresh in the fridge would go off iykwim.

I've had luck with most vegies totally raw - capsi, broc, cauli, carrot, celery, onion, spring onion, corn kernels, cabbage, silverbeet, sprinach, bok choy, pak choy etc and prob a heap more.

For meals in glass/pyrex/oven dishes for example lasagne, I let it defrost in the fridge, put it in the oven without preheating, then turn the temp on that way dish comes to temp slowly, and because it's defrosted the meal doesn't take so long to warm/cook through. HTH A couple of extra dishes when they're on sale or such and you're set!

Ouch!

Well I thought this was a 'one off' and that it would require a day or so of going flat out to bring it on but nup... half an hour this morning and wow... just half an hour and it began to feel like the pubic bone was splitting in two! (Which the doc talked about yesterday and warned me about). Just walking from the car to the classroom was ... interesting this morning!

So I guess I'll be doing something rather unusual for me while pregnant... taking it easy! no moving furniture about or other such things that haven't been a prob before... which has really surprised me even tho I know all pregnancies are different this is a first for me... not to worry, so long as Bub is ok, that's what matters

Well update on Making Mummy Wonder...

Happy to report cervix is nice and tightly closed (hurray! ), no apparent amniotic fluid, swab taken anyway while we were there (not from cervix). Heartbeat nice and strong, belly measuring spot on and nice and soft. BP and urine all good as usual. Just told to rest and take it easy to due the sore pelvic bones and no nightfill for me this week, to prevent it getting any worse.

Apparently the bone at the very front (pubic bone) can begin to separate if the combo of the relaxin hormone and activities get together... doc thinks it might be the beginning of that so planning to do a little, then something quiet, then a little, then something quiet... So planning on sewing tonight or Baby journal (remembered that the nobbs got that when they stole my bags ) or cross stitch.

one happy belly-camper here!

Making Mummy Wonder...

This Baby seems content to make this pregnancy all his/her own - adding little bits here and there that I've never had before and of course you wonder if it's just an individual pregnancy thing or something else Anyway...

Background:
Wed/Thur/Fri were really busy, Saturday was FLAT out. I managed a Nanna nap on all the days except Sat and it showed. Headache began Sat night, so I had my salty tomato etc and water, which helped as little, plus bed early. Headache through the night so slept on and off, and headache all of Sunday - did nearly nothing Sunday except sleep, eat and wander a little. Headache almost gone this morning, although a half headcold. I've done close to nothing all day today as well to rest up. That's the background in case it's relevant.

What's Got me Wondering:
Well this morning I got that sensation like someone is pulling a 'sharp thread' from your ahem up the front of your belly. That's ok, kinda that that before. But then this afternoon (after honestly not doing much all day) my pelvic bones from inside my hips all the way down feel like someone is pulling them apart from each other and this is more noticeable when I walk/stand etc, fine when sitting. Also a little across my back. No BH or Ctx or anything but a very 'full' feeling in the belly all morning, sort of tight but not really... no ctx or BH just an overal general continual 'tightness' in the belly...this has subsided and followed by the pelvis thing. Never had this before, ever so it's kinda spun me a little.

Bub still wiggling around in there which is lovely - I just wonder why this thing and what it means iykwim.
It's not so painful that I'm in tears but it's not that nice and I wondered if anyone had any ideas what it is/experience to share?
Am booked in to see Doc tomorrow and planning to not go to work if it's still there (nightfill). It just appeared out of nowhere so hopefully disappears just as quick. Am doing nada this arvo apart from picking DH up in the car, then nada tonight as well... am reluctant to even sneeze or go for a pee! So we will see what tomorrow holds...