August 27th, 2010
Steve and I met Bubble today and it was sooo cute. I know most ultrasound babies look the same – to everyone else. But to us, its another version of Zak and Layla who pretty much looked identical. And this one will fit right in – uncoorperative (not in the right position for the scan), active (literally using my uterus as a trampoline) and stubborn (refusing to budge from its slumber despite being poked and prodded).
But we did see a calming side: it was in the “rocking chair” position, so sitting upright – not hard to do in my uterus, which is tilted. So it’s sitting up with its legs crossed and arms up in a meditative pose. Our little yoga baby. I think I even saw a few “om” speech bubbles floating around in there too… I especially like this image of that position – because it’s front on it looks like a meditating alien. heheh
Our meditating alien
In the end, we finally got what we needed and were on our way. I did think, being our third time, we’d be quite nonchalant about the whole thing, but it was as exciting and miraculous and adorable as the first time. More so even as the equipment used was a lot more modern and clearer – we could see so much more than before. And it really performed for us, jumping up and down and waving its hand… it looked like an astronaut floating through space. Minus the spacesuit. Early days yes, but I’m thinking a boy. I just feel it will be. So going by my past two records, that will mean it will be a girl – I got it wrong both times! I guess we’ll find out for good sometime next year.
Somehow, it’s the weekend again. Enjoy yours – I know I will! Thanks for visiting as usual and I’ll see you next week
x
Posted in all about me, family, kids, pregnancy | 16 Comments »
August 25th, 2010
I’m so mean with all the sneak peeks aren’t I? That’s cause I’m incapable of getting myself together to finish a project. Things always get in the way. But this is one that I finished earlier than expected – because I ran out of fabric and so it’s not as big as I’d planned. Oh well. This is what I whipped up last night. It’s a pink and green and oh-so girlie picnic blanket.
After buying the little Ikea teacup set a few weeks ago we’ve had tea parties every. single. day. I got tired of the old cot blanket we sat on so promised the kids something prettier and tea-party-worthy. So it was to the pile of fabrics I went and this is what I came up with – just in time for our proper fancy-pants dress-up tea party for Ava – her story will break your heart. I’ll share our party once we’ve had it.
In the meantime, I got to enjoy a yummy chocolate roll and some quiet reading in the sun on a much-needed child-free day. I took a little break in-between glue-gunning Christmas wreaths and attempting to wade through my stupidly full unread-mail inbox and I’m pleased to say enjoyed it so very, very much.
Posted in craft, project, sewing | 10 Comments »
August 23rd, 2010
Zak and Layla helped me draw the winners again. They’re good like that. But it was a painfully slow process this time as Zak insisted he write everyone’s names on the paper instead of me. So I had to spell them all out. You can tell he got bored towards the end when some of the letters got a little lazy and crazy… I made him stick it out and so without further ado, the people who scored the four-pack tickets to the Better Homes and Gardens LIVE event are:
Mindi
Anita Jeffree (sorry, I misspelt your surname name)
Rachel
This Refugee’s Life
Danielle
MicP
Please email your addresses to belinda@thehappyhomeblog.com and I’ll forward them on to you as soon as I receive them myself (they’re coming in the next week or so I believe). Congrats guys, I just might see you there! Bxx
Posted in giveaway | 1 Comment »
August 20th, 2010
For those of you who like this kind of thing, here is baby and I at 12 weeks. S/he (we won’t be finding out, like the other two, it’ll be a birth-day surprise!) appears to be growing quite nicely – though I should have taken this snap after dinner when my stomach is double the size (especially if I have two dinners, which I often do, and several desserts. I’ve a good appetite, I do).
We’ve nicknamed this one Bubble. It’s nicely in line with Zak’s “Paddy” and Layla’s “Pud” – all related to rice, which is what Zak was the size of when we found out we were pregnant with him. So Steve played with rice and came up with Rice Paddy, Layla became Rice Pud(ding) and this one, Rice Bubble. The kids already call it Bubble, although Zak is much more amused with the name he’ s given it – Pooper. If you ever want to trial-run a name, run it past a child. Even one as young as three will find a nice rhyme for you to ruin things. Steve mentioned he quite like Cooper. Zak – half asleep, mind you – giggled and said “No, Pooper!!!” And how appropriate it would be for a baby too!
And totally unrelated, but because I was most pleased with this purchase, are my brand new shoes. The days are warming up and so I’ve been inspired to start stocking up on summery clothes – and these scream summer to me. I’m so over being cold and am looking forward to the longer, hotter days… until I reach that stage of my pregnancy where the heat makes me melt and I curse the sun for daring to shine anywhere near me. But that’s a way off, so until then, shine away! I’m seriously considering going back and buying the ballet flats too cause they were sooooooo comfy. Wedges: $49.95, Pulp.
Have a good weekend – hope it’s sunny and shiny in your part of the world. x
PS: Please, please, please feel free to suggest a decent hairstyle for me. I think it’s time I did something with it?! It’s been THREE YEARS since I ventured inside a hairdresser’s salon (I cut it myself. Very, very irregularly) and I think I might be ready to try one again…
Posted in all about me, fashion, pregnancy | 26 Comments »
August 19th, 2010
We’re another step closer to finally finishing the kitchen. Hoo-bloody-rah! Our builder came and installed the shelves, kickboards and another wall cabinet so the incredibly large gaps between the cabinets and benchtop doesn’t look quite so ridiculous anymore. They are still high though – but that’s deliberate. Steve and I are quite tall (well he is, I’m probably only slightly above average height for a woman) and I HATE really low wall cabinets – they have a slightly claustophobic feel about them so an extra-roomy distance it was.
So here is one side whipped up to look halfway decent and tidy – I’m still playing with what I want on the shelves, but we’ll get there eventually! I am determined to replace this silver tray with a gorgeous Moroccan/Turkish battered tray – just need to find an affordable one! I’m going to attempt to attempt tiling the splashback this weekend – just your standard white subway of course. It might look a little more like a kitchen then! And it will at least make it look more complete and not quite so bare.
I’ve changed my mind so often about what I wanted: glass, stainless steel, mirrors, tiles, mosaics… but in the end, it’s the original thought: subway tiles. I wish I’d gone with my other original thought and bought the white ceramic butler sink, but there is still the chance I could swap it at another time. If we stay here long term I just might do so – and pair it with these gorgeous Ionian taps from the English Tapware Company. If I had seen them beforehand (I just discovered them this past month while writing the Real Living kitchen and bathroom spesh, in the current issue!), I’d have bought them because they are l-o-v-e-r-l-y, don’t you think? But it’s all good for now. Besides, it’s 100% better than it was originally. Here’s what we lived with for six years.
So, I’m gearing up for a weekend of tiling (possibly. I’ve been known to totally ignore my plans). Any DIYers have any things-you-wish-you-knew-about-tiling-before-starting to share? I’m all ears! You’re such a helpful bunch – you’ve already convinced me to retry the leafing – thanks for all your advice. And thanks for voting for me too. I feel oh-so loved!! Happy Thursday night! x
{First 3 images by Belinda Graham for The Happy Home; image 4 via The English Tapware Company}
Posted in before + after, house, kitchen, renovation | 17 Comments »
