Laundry reno - aka makin' a mess!

What else would you do to your laundry when you're almost 36 weeks pregnant lol - rip it out (Michael and the kids did the 'ripping out', I did the design and measurements/sourcing stuff etc)... well it kinda has to happen to put the new shelves in for the baby nappies and clothes... and well since it all needs doing now's the time - have to fix the wall to put the shelves in, have to do x to fix the wall so may as well do the next bit etc. Michael has made good progress. The washing machine is hooked up out the back right next to the (undercover) washing line so no hassles doing washing and just hang it right from the machine - no lugging baskets about haha!
This is the second 'makeover' the laundry has had since we've been here. the first one was to rip out the useless 'built in robe' that almost fell over when I pulled on it and replaced that with some useable hanging space, and drawers etc underneath - kinda ended up like this.

Anyway this time, on a mini (almost nil lol) budget, floor and wall tiles are going, old shelving is going, old cavity (behind old shelving) has been bricked up (s/hand/free bricks) and new taps (woot!) quite economically priced - and yeehar a BENCHTOP woot woot! LOL - and an 'offset' trough (using the existing one no cabinet tho) so you can actually use it while it's in the corner - to save on plumbing costs, we're just replacing the main tap with an 'arm' tap, so it will swing out into the 'new' offset trough... The plan is something like this (you'll need to click on the pic to make it bigger) - I'll try to take a better pic in better light later one. Between the laundry and adjacent hallway, all four drawers for the kids will be in easy 'reach' to dish out the clothes/they can put their own away, which was the main reason for the initial 'makeover' - so that everything can be sorted and put away in one room, except for kitchen and bathroom stuff. So kinda like a kitchen with benchtop, drawers, and underneath bench space for the dirty clothes sorters. Hanging space above on the non-benchtop side for school shirts etc as it currently exists.
Michael got one row in on the floor tiles before Brooke decided she'd help, and then Jake and then Zeke. So the kids lifted all the floor tiles of their own accord and Brooke now plans to mosaic a pot with them tomorrow. We'll have a couple of visiting children who will be keen as well so guess what the kids are doing tomorrow!
pics on the left are (far left) half the wall tiles removed, floor tiles almost done and the old taps still on - the old wall cavity bricked up. Next on the left is new taps on, all wall tiles removed. the next pics on the right are (centre right) the old floor tiles coming up and (far right) the laundry in it's current state - almost all wall tiles gone, floor tiles gone, new taps in and wall cavity bricked up. So all the junk is OUT yay and the plastering up of the walls begin tomorrow, as well as getting the tiles. Who would have thought white floor tiles would be rare?! 'til the next installment of 'let's rip out your laundry' - catch you next time!

Wassup in the garden

Just a quick update - previous garden posts here. Strawbale bed: Various lettuces going well, chilli on the plants, baby capsi coming on. All the herbs doing well. Corn growing good. Feral spuds doing well. Silverbeet making a move. Feral something-or-others coming up (likely to be melons). Marigolds coming back. Feral cucumbers doing well and flowering. Here's how the strawbale bed started...
Under the mandarine tree: feral tomatoes going nutso - plenty of flowers so we won't have to buy toms soon. New feral toms coming up as well - I find it we chuck our tom seeds in the garden wherever, new plants come up so we should have a reasonably kinda regular tom supply. Mandarine tree going well. The red toms in the pic on the left are feral ones from the seeds from the ones Mum and Dad grew, and bought some down for us last time.
Fruit tree bed down side fence: apricot, 1 plum, lime going well. Other plum (corner behind cubby) was mysteriously snapped in half while we were away... so I pruned it back, watered it up and it has new shoots on the base. It will be coming out and going in a pot/somewhere else. New plum to take it's place and Brenna's Angel Peach is going in today as well. Growing feral in that bed is melons, pumpkin, zucchini, tomato and I've scattered capsi seeds from dinner so they'll be up soon no doubt. On the fence in the pot that Dad made from a boat buoy is strawberry and oregano - no idea if this is a good bug combo, it's just what got put in the pot because we had excess oregano seedlings. Sberries further protected by the big spiderweb spanning the 'arms' of the pot.
Pots: feral toms, chives, silverbeet and a handful of herbs including lemongrass from Lara, growing well.
Triangle bed: harvested the last of most of the zucchini which are slowing down now, the tomato 'trees' remain (cherry tom plants but gee they're tall) and are loaded. Michael wants to put strawberries in there, I'd like to put taller things in there and save the strawberries for other spots - the strawberries are going in tho. Next to that bed is the mulberry which has had it's prune (it runs a muck!) - well it's had the prune that I can reach and my stomach muscles can handle at the moment so it is a nice shape for the most part and then kinda has a mowhawk on top - Michael's going to sort the mowhawk out!

I've concluded I like large cherry toms better than standard tomato, they come on quicker, ripen quicker and are a little more versatile and don't seem as prone to bugs etc maybe because they're not on the bush for so long? Still to go in is Brenna's lavender from Grandma and Grandad for Christmas, and the Rosemary from Brenna's Birthday from the C Family... still prepping that part of the garden... won't be long though! xo

Baby in Utero - By Jake - aged 6

I had to share as I thought this was rather special. A painting done in class by Jake, Baby in Utero - for the Festive Christmas season and they had some direction from the teacher, but still, I think he did a wonderful job and this one has a frame ready for it to go on the wall.

Baby In Utero - By Jake

Hmmm - 34 weeks & 6 days.

Almost 35 weeks... The Wigglebug has been doing 'the wombat' a lot of late - burrowing his way closer to the cervix I am guessing... Been a little back-achey on and off the last few days. Braxton Hicks/light contractions, a little more so today, but nothing too full on - BH for the last three weeks or so... And today, two 'sensations' a little like letdown in the breasts, but no where near as strong. Then again, the bowel is very grumpy and has been for a few weeks, so that just might be annoying the uterus and then vice versa tag team style. I think we ought to be aiming to have everything done by the 10/12th Jan as I'll be 37 weeks then (term) so theoretically he can come after that time and be 'in time' if that makes sense. He's also been measuring one or two weeks ahead of dates for the last couple of checkups, which doesn't mean much, but it's another thing to add in... So just send him 'stay well, grow strong, stay IN' vibes until then, okay?

Unless anything more happens I'm not 'worried' as such, just gets you thinking ahead. LOL I keep thinking of all the things that aren't finished yet - not that most of them 'matter' in terms of when Baby decides to come - so long as I have my boobs he'll be fine! but you know... Especially as if he's anything like his brother (Zeke who's labour was 27mins start to finish) we might not get a lot of 'notice' that he's coming when he does decide to lol... so I think I better (slowly haha) move my rear and get sorted. So I'll get the most important bits done over the next few days then I know they are done.

Hope you had a great day all!
xo

link to NC thread

Christmas comes again...

...Best wishes for the Season from Us Mob to You & Yours...

well once again it's that time of year... how fast it's come. We have seven stockings up this year, it's our second Christmas without Brenna and our first with this new Bub on the way... The first time Zeke has really 'understood' much about what's going on, and the first Christmas with Jake and Brooke (who knew last year) both already knowing about Father Christmas... Christmas for us is about Family... being appreciative for what we have and finding special things for people in our lives. It's also about those not so fortunate and who need a hand, big or small ... in that we make choices in what we do throughout the year, not just at Christmas time.

Our answer to the kids when they queried 'the Father Christmas story' is that 'Once upon a time, there was a man who made toys for all the children... and then the world grew and grew and soon there were simply too many children for the man to make toys for all of them... so he enlisted his helpers to keep the story and the magic of Father Christmas alive for the children... and we are his helpers...' That's what I honestly think so I have no problem sharing it with them. They know they are to keep the accuracy of the general story to themselves for the sake of other children, and delight in being part of helping keep the magic alive.

Michael and the Kids did one last lot of wrapping this afternoon - they really enjoy joining in wrapping things! For Brenna this year, flower seeds to scatter and an aptly named 'Angel Peach' tree to go in... the New Bub has things for him as well, and of course each of the children have things chosen specially for them... I was very proud of my guys as I asked them to do a wish list and even though Jake never gave his to me, I did find it and one of the things he hoped for was a 'needle and thread' awwwww ... that wish has been granted and the other things on their list I was very pleased with, as they recognise the consumerism that abounds in many toys... as well as knowing what will truly be something they enjoy using.

A lovely quiet day (well maybe not so quiet) but a day for all of us at home tomorrow, just taking it easy, no rush or pressure to do or be and just enjoy 'Christmas' and being home together. Maybe some gardening, maybe some brickwork LOL maybe quite a few things but a day together sounds good to me.

Between my FLYing Through the Holidays CJ (adapted) and my Life Book diary, (I got mine from David Jones in Aus) I think we've done okay in terms of organising. I should add though that I am and have been looking beyond Christmas for a while now - towards the birth of this Bub that is!
Special hello to Mum and Dad who have travelled to spend Christmas with NanNan and Family - enjoy and return home safe! Hello to Kai - stay safe in the weather and good luck with work! xo

Belly-dweller update

34 weeks & 1 day

I'll get the next lot of belly pics probably tonight but in the meantime, an update since I haven't been online much. Must remember to update my 'before birth' (to do) list. Well I won't give the update on my last midwife visit until after the next one (which is in early Jan) - not because it's negative, it's not, it's just... annoying. I wasn't particularly happy with 'how' it went and didn't really realise that until after when I was telling Michael about it. It's all good though. One of those things and I suppose even midwives can slip up in how they speak about things.
Anyway... to the Little Belly-dweller. All is well and he's doing his thing. The uterus and the bowel have constant little tongue-poking at each other which ensures a loo visit after the Braxton Hicks (BH) and BH after the loo visit haha. This has been going on for a few weeks now so the bod is well any truly slipping into prep mode. The 'pre-milk' is in and has been for a week or so, clearing out the pipes for the good stuff *wink*

We will be 35 weeks next Saturday which means a min of 2 weeks to go ('term' birth is anywhere from 37 weeks and from 37 weeks on I can birth at the Birth Centre) right up to 42 weeks which would be 7 weeks away. So as of next week, anywhere from 2-7 weeks to go haha - can't tell I've been thinking about it - just looking forward to seeing him when the time is right - warm, alive, all squishy from being born...
Michael is bricking up the old 'shelf' (fromerly a window that the previous owner turned into shelving) in the laundry to make way for the new shelving and then I can finally put the baby nappies/clothes etc away - hooray (can you tell I've been itching to do this!). Brooke and Jake have their new drawers and soon Zeke and the Baby's drawers will be up and in as well. This is pt2 of the laundry 'reno' (on a mini-budget) so we'll see how we go.

The lovely Kirrily finished my bag - I bought a single one to replace the double that was stolen a few months ago... and lo and behold what arrived in the box but a full Day Tripper... xo Kirrily you and I both know you didn't have to and you also know how much it's appreciated and I am thankful for! Beautiful work as always and I have been so glad to put the calico bag aside that I was using and actually be able to find things again in my bag! *mwah*!

I keep wondering where this Baby will decide to arrive... under a gum tree over the park/side of the road, at home, at the Birth Centre, at school LOL - I'm really looking forward to it all starting (any time after 37 weeks) because it means he will finally BE here! I know along with that comes the lack of sleep and all the rest but he is so worth it.

Links that I am finding helpful/interesting - despite having had three natural labours and births (and one induced birth) already, you can never stop learning and improving where your mind is coming from - which in turn helps it work better with your body...
Ecstatic Birth - Nature's hormonal imprint for labor
Home Birth Stories of large babies
Why Choose Natural Child Birth
Natural Pain Relief
Best Birth Positions

As well there are pics from last weekend in Lancelin to add - this one is a sneak peek and is of the 'boat' Zeke and I made to float in the little 'channel stream' on the beach... The Amby is on it's way and I'm finalising all the last few bits and pieces in terms of Baby prep... oh yes and that's right, it's nearly Christmas (can you tell my focus is beyond that! haha) so just tidying up the last bits of that. Highly recommend to you the FLYlady Christmas CJ - in using this last year I had everything except the perishables ready by 1st Dec and breezed through Christmas ...

anyhoo, in case I don't catch you before then,
Best Wishes for the Season and the Brand New Year coming... xo

The 'Before Birth' list...

Rather than a piece of paper, and rather than cluttering my whiteboard, this is where I'll list the items yet to buy/make/borrow, that need attending to before the New Little Boy arrives! Partly too because I'm on here often enough that I know I'll remember to check the list and it keeps me 'focused' on what needs sorting. I should probably add a 'to do' section more than anything else... hmmm

To Make:
finish the NB nappies done, OSFM nappies partly cut out, PP pads three done, nursing pads, wetbags two done, PUL nappy bucket liner/s (for 'dry-pailing') one coming in a swap, fix elastic in s/h Bumgenius one to go, boosters for the cotton nappies done, cover for the changemat that has seen better days! done (and while I'm there a new cover for the IKEA ironing board using this tutorial), finish off the current Baby cross stitch samplers...

To Borrow/Hire:
Baby bathdone, terry bath supportdone (thankyou!)

To Buy (either new/second hand/Op Shop/Swaps):
muslin wraps done , hooded bath towel/s one, 000-0 clothing (t-shirts, singlet suits, a few long pants/cardigan style jumpers, some stay-on socks have plenty of ooo, have a few 00 and a couple 0) in nuetral and gentle boy colours have Bonds winter Wondersuits JIC, size 00-0 Bonds Singlets have 000 , size 0 Wondersuits, NB & Small Thirsties covers done, NB Bummis Superbrite covers done, 4-5 medium covers done, Hand/foot casting kit, Snappis done , small Minkee covers done , pegs and two new washing basketsdone, Gaia Baby moisturiser, breastfeeding tops/singlets, new mattress for bassinet/side cardone, baby carseat done, two new (3?) maternity bras done, Bamboo prefolds/stretch bamboo prefolds - done

Questions:
- side car cosleeping/Snugglebed? done
- what things to have here in case Baby decides s/he not bothering with the Birth Centre? (answered)
- do we want to try some Bumgenius - OSFM or pocket? have some to try.
will just update this as things get finished!
oh and one day... get around to making/finishing each of the Waldorf dolls for the kiddies... have begun sorting out materials/starter kit

32 weeks and Plums

Righto. Here's the Little Man's abode at 32 weeks... more Braxton Hicks today and I think he's definately gotten a little lower. Not sure how much lower (will find out in a week or so at next check) and whether he'll bob back up again but definately lower. Some 'pre-milk' available. Cut out some small and medium soakers for nappies today - having gone on a NB sewing binge long ago and run out of motivation not long after that. Did the laundry plan up as well because I can't put nappies and clothes in the laundry until that's done and it's annoying me that it's not done so first things first 'the plan'. That's done... now just some confirmation required and will be on to that. While it's frustrating me that everything isn't 'done' yet I am milkdly surprised at myself because with all four other pregnancies everything was almost DONE by 12 weeks! And here I am 32 weeks and there are still things to be done...
The lovely N bought me a maternity top the other day and I finally got to try iton and guess who is too big to fit it - and it's a large - soory N! BUT I think it will be awesome post-Birth, nice and loose around the belly and a 'pretty' top to make you feel like you look good!

...and here are some of our plums, cut and just picked today. Okay so there were only four in total BUT that's because we were (almost) good and picked off the young fruit when we planted the trees, for less shock and better establishment. I was a bit naughty and left a few on each and *ahem* someone who should know better picked two green ones... so that left us with four plums total and yay they all made it! Planted corn and more lettuce today and took out the 'bug catching' pak choy which have more than served their (unintended) purpose. Forgot to post pics of our garden happenings the other day - check out our little garden friend here - go get dem aphids! Avagoodone!

News just to hand!

Jake disovered a zucchini in the garden (well, the plot there is kinda overrun by melon and zuc plants trying to climb over the (Jemma-proof) fenced area so it was kinda camoflagued!) He said 'it's thicker than my arm Mum!' which admittedly wouldn't be too hard but you know... anyway, pick it, go for it I said! Well at about 25cm that's not a bad effort lol and I touched the plum on the tree and it came off, skin just soft but firm... what a cool day! pics to come.

Also, this Little Boy is moving down... feels like he's been 'burrowing' of sorts for the last week or so - or like someone has a hand on the top of my belly and gently pushing him down - it makes walking quite interesting! He's been head down now for a few weeks and stayed there - no more bum up so far and hiccups are always alternating between my right hip/left hip/centre... At my last midwife check he was 5/5ths above the brim but when I go next time I won't be surprised if he's part-way engaged. I can also fit an entire hand-span+ between my boobs and top of my belly which is sort of another indicator - didn't have this happen until much later in pregnancy but then I still have 8 weeks to go and with everything so 'full' on the belly front the only way left for him to go (grow) is up! LOL. Have the occassional Braxton Hicks and they're a good feeling... although so long as the real thing holds off until at least late January. Must be nearly time for another belly pic methinks...

Brooke had her excursion today to Landsdale Farm School and Jake his to Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm. Zeke fell asleep on the way home and I could have slept when I got home, only I've been reading about births (mostly home births even tho we're at a Birth Centre I see so many similarities) and now feel all inspired to ready our place - not to birth in neccesarily (who knows, Bub will decide that one!) but to have it ready to bring our Baby home to... I gotta get moving! it's frustrating me though because there's a lot of things I can't do... however... let one not be deterred! *insert royal trumpet blowing* I'll do what can do then huh!

In this quest for Simplicity...

Many of us, or many people I spend time with, talk about simplifying their lives - in several ways. Of not getting caught up in the ever-escalating consumerism, of not becoming someone who has 'one of everything' or a million of something that they really don't need... of not always being so busy that there's never time to observe, reflect, and even just think - you know, feel the breeze on your face, the sun on your skin, the joy in watching things grow.

The thing is... many of us begin this quest already in the middle of a very un-simple life. Different it would be had we started off with this simple aim in mind, or began that way as children.

The way our towns and cities are set up - there's very little that's within walking or biking distance. Our main 'travel' every day is for school - yet that time is well worth it when I consider the schooling our children receive... for that schooling is nothing that mainstream schooling can offer. We really have to work hard to 'make' things come back within that walking or riding distance... it can be done of course, it's just a challenging beginning when you work out that most stuff you actually can't walk or ride to as you'd prefer (hence my wish for a Christiania bike - then all I'd need to drive for on a regular would be school).

The way our families are set up and spread out - there's a minimum travel distance to see any of them really. Which is not to say you want to live in each other's back pocket - certainly not - but the option of walking down the road to Nanna's would be nice... not just for us but for the kids.

The way our houses are set up - electricity/gas is required... having just put solar in, we're getting there and planning rainwater tanks soon - but there's still this endless list of 'bills' that come in that seemingly there's not much to do about them. We keep the internet because the library is a good drive, and not always convenient to our needs in terms of opening times (yet to find one that's open at 1.15am when I have a question about fruit trees)... we keep the internet in order to simplify our lives so we don't have to go to (drive to) the post office to queue up and pay the bills... we keep the internet to reduce spending on phones to speak with our loved ones who live a long way away... we keep the internet to send photos of events and happenings and really, to make connections with people who we otherwise wouldn't meet - because of how 'our' societies are so spread out - Eilleens consumption blog for example... I'd never have 'met' her nor anyone on Nappycino - who some are now in-real-life friends, and who I've learnt so much from and provide me with answers on living simply, or healthier, or making my own things... We keep the net to order products that simply aren't available locally due to ... well whatever - organic toys, bamboo fabrics and the like.

So I guess we just simplfy as much as we can... grow our f&v, support the local f&v when we can't grow our own, maybe chooks and definately solar and rainwater and keep an eye on our consumption and consumerism, be watchful in what our children are exposed to and 'pay the cost' of daily travel to ensure a whole education for them, not just an academic one... and ultimately aim for our dream of a services-self sufficient block, where the neighbours are a few minutes walk away and perhaps people we know who share similar aims... so that we can work smarter not harder to make it possible for each of our families. Ya think?