to do

 

Today I prettied up my desk so I would feel inspired to plug away on my list-of-things-I-don't-want-to do-but-have-to-anyway. All I really want to do today is sit around, read the new issue of Kinfolk that just arrived in the mail, have a bath and maybe eat a croissant (or two, or three...). But there are classes to plan, playlists to make, emails to answer and laundry to do.

And that list, well it now includes things like: plan blessingway, buy a dryer, buy cloth diapers, clean stroller, book flights, buy travel insurance, figure out maternity leave and on and on... Less than two months to go, not that I'm anxious or anything.

bump: 32 weeks

We took these photos last night, when the husband was tired from work and I was tired from the constant jack hammering going on in the construction pit next door. We were both a bit grumpy, which is why I'm extra glad that I have some lovely ladies who have offered to shoot my bump over the coming weeks. Husband can have a well-deserved break from being my photographer.

To be honest, it's not quite 9am and I'm feeling grumpy again thanks to those aforementioned jack hammers waking me up nice and early this morning after a terrible night's sleep. I think I'll make myself some tea and read through my Calmbirth book. Despite my whinging, we did have a lovely weekend. The two of us drove to Bowral on Friday night to attend Calmbirth with Peter Jackson. We stayed at the sweetest B&B, where we relished having a king sized bed, a body pillow, and the kind of quiet you only get in the country.

Saturday and Sunday were spent with a group of other couples, preparing for our upcoming births. Peter's wisdom and gentle encouragement was exactly what we needed. Husband came away with a greater sense of what to expect on b-day (as Peter calls it) and the tools to be a wonderful support person. I came away feeling excited to birth our baby. Eight more weeks...

p.s. Check out Jodi's blog today to see some photos that Luisa snapped of our lunch date in Surry Hills...

bump: 30 weeks

This week marks 30 weeks of baby growing, 10(ish) weeks to go. Yesterday I had a wonderful midwife appointment. My husband was able to come with me for the first time, and we spent a bit more time asking questions and checking out the bump and the baby. Both seem to be right on track with baby appearing to be head down. I also got good news from my chiropractor later that day - my pelvis is looking better and my legs are the same length, hurrah!

This week I'm hoping to sleep lots, take it easy on my body amidst all the yoga teaching and order myself some maternity jeans. And then I should probably turn my attention back to my to-do list, which I titled 'things I don't want to do but need to anyway.' Oh yes, there's a lot to be done these next 2 months!

bump: 28 weeks

photos by Belinda 

 Being pregnant is so distracting. I'll be having a conversation with someone, or trying to read a book when I start to feel some little wriggles coming from within. Sometimes that's it, as if the baby just needs to readjust and then falls straight back to sleep. Other times the wriggles mean that a full on gymnastics routine is about to start and I can't help but be captivated. I watch my belly as it waves up and down and give the baby little pokes where I feel his/her limbs. I get the husband to feel as well and we try to guess - is it a head, a foot, a bum?

To me, the guessing and the not knowing is the magical part. It's why we haven't found out the baby's gender and why I've declined 2 out of 3 ultrasounds. In my favourite prenatal yoga book, Bountiful Beautiful Blissful, Gurmukh writes:

"The marvel of this experience is that this being who is so close to us cannot be seen. We don't have a window in, or a pouch like a kangaroo. When you can't see and touch, you have the opportunity to connect deeply on another level."

Last weekend I got together with the beautiful Belinda, who blogs at Billy and August, so she could photograph my 28 week bump (which means I'm playing catch up and am now 29 weeks). I love these photos that she captured and we already have plans to do it again. So this it, the last trimester, here we go....

weekending

 

A typically Newtown building.

Photo shoot with Belinda, stay tuned...

The view in Manly. 

Organic blueberries - a major indulgence, given the price tag. 

And here begins the 3rd trimester. Holy crap.

babies and minimalism

So far, everything we've bought, received or made for the baby fits into two small drawers. Actually that's not true; I bought a pram from gumtree and that definitely doesn't fit in a drawer. I was feeling ok about this, until I had a minor panic attack a few weeks ago when I realized that I would be holding a baby in my arms in 3 months time, and we've hardly prepared for his/her arrival.

Actually, that's not true either; it's just that my preparation has mostly involved reading what feels like every book under the sun on the topic of birth and doing lots of prenatal yoga. It's the logistical and material things that have been put on the back burner. I think perhaps what made me worry about this was looking around at other soon to be moms and seeing that they have nurseries set up, names chosen, and carseats installed.

But that's not really how the husband and I roll. We're more fly by the seat of our pants (read - disorganized), and we're also trying to keep baby things to a minimum. I truly think that those lists of what your baby needs are ridiculous. This resolve was only reinforced when I stumbled upon The Minimalist Mom. I bought her e-book immediately and finished reading it the next day, at which point I breathed an even deeper sigh of relief. Her list of must-have baby items has 6 things on it. No joke. And I nearly have all of those 6 things!

So for now, I'm repeating to myself, "reduce, reuse, recycle." Our pram is second-hand; we'll borrow a bassinet from a friend when the time comes (no crib for now); I'm buying a baby carrier from craigslist; I will do my damned hardest to cloth diaper etc. Finally, we won't be setting up a nursery because babies don't need much space and we need our spare room to remain a spare room so my mom has somewhere to sleep.

I know that our baby doesn't need much, and everything that needs to get done will. We still have 12(ish) weeks...

p.s. Photo of my friend's newborn, because that's what this is all about, right? Babies. Not stuff.

bump: 26 weeks

 

The first 3 months of my pregnancy felt like they just dragged by, but now I can hardly believe I'm already 26 weeks in. Only a couple more weeks and I'll be in my last trimester, and then a few more months and I'll be holding my baby. Crazy.

My husband and I are both starting to get pretty excited. We talk about baby names every day, and speculate on whether the bub's a boy or a girl. The baby's movements are strong and consistent, and I delight in feeling like the 2 of us are playing a game of hide and seek. Less delightful was my slip down some stairs on Friday after I got caught out in a storm. My body's feeling worse for wear, but baby's fine so that's all that matters. And husband took extra special care of me today - drawing me a bath, cleaning the house and making me dinner. It was a good Sunday.

purl bee baby blanket for my babe

Back when I first found I was pregnant, I was feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed and all I wanted to do was start a project. Something simple and rhythmic using my hands, something that would make me feel like I was indeed growing a baby, even if I didn't look/feel any different. I had seen this pattern for a super easy baby blanket floating around the internet, and it seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I first mentioned it way back in September (I also hinted about it here) as a goal of mine before 2013.

Well, I wasn't in a rush and I didn't finish it until a couple of weeks ago. For the last few months it's wandered from couch to couch, being pulled out whenever I felt like knitting a row. It's so simple that other than keeping track of the number of rows, it required no brain power at all. Just the rhythmic tap tapping of the needles. Now that it's done, it's still in the living room where I can admire the beautiful colours and enjoy the incredible softness of the baby cashmerino whenever I want.

I now have my eye on this rad Hudson's Bay inspired baby blanket, which would be oh so perfect for my Canadian winter baby!

The details: It's the super easy baby blanket from the Purl Bee. Knit in Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino, in 7 colours I chose because they remind of the sea.

bump: 23 weeks

 People, check it out... It's a bump! A real, undeniable baby bump. I think it's safe to say that I have finally "popped." And every day it starts to feel more and more real. Yesterday I received the most beautiful parcel in the mail from one of my best friends. A bag filled with organic newborn baby goodness in the cutest sailboat print. I keep taking out piece by piece, and marvelling at the smallness.

For the most part, I'm still doing well. Though, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, my body is getting sore. Despite everything I've been doing to take care of myself, I've had persistent lower back pain for the last 3 months. I think it's time to accept that this may just be how it goes for the next few months. Nevertheless, I can't complain. Apart from that, I'm healthy and happy and I think baby is too.

And speaking of babies... have you heard about Pia Jane Bijkerk's new project? A new book in the 'Made by Hand' series, all about the beautiful baby gifts she received from around the world when she gave birth to her daughter. She's launched a crowd-funding campaign to get the book self-published, which you can check out here. I can't wait to receive my copy!

my creative space: my go-to baby gift

There was such a long stretch there where I never posted anything crafty. My fabrics were in storage, my sewing machine gathered dust and I never got beyond flipping through my beloved craft books. I'm so happy to be making again - finding pockets of time here and there to make things for myself, my home, my friends, and my tiny squirmy baby.

This post is giving me some major déja vu; I've made these baby booties several times now and posted about them here and here. They're just such a perfect gift for a new baby - pretty simple to make, oh so cute, and who doesn't love baby feet wrapped in flannel?

This time I decided to be super efficient and make one pair for my husband's cousin's new baby (got that?) and one pair for my baby. The pattern is from Anna Maria Horner's book Handmade Beginnings, and all the fabric came from my scrap bin. But my favourite part? Well that was choosing the buttons of course! I love buttons, and since I'm yet to conquer my fear of sewing button holes, any project requiring buttons without the hassle of corresponding holes is right up my alley. I picked up both these pairs last time I popped into All Buttons in Newtown. That place is my favourite.

p.s. linking up here today

self-care (isn't selfish)

{via}

So far, I've had a fairly cruisy pregnancy, for which I am so grateful. Nevertheless, I don't think growing a human is easy on anyone's body and I'm recognizing the need to take care of myself more and more. 

For the last few months I've been seeing my chiropractor once or twice a week, getting a massage about once a month, going to yoga whenever I can (and not beating myself up about it when I just can't be bothered to leave the house), and taking lots of naps. I even treated myself to a blissful facial at my friend's spa. And you know what? I feel better. Not quite the emotionally stable adult I once was, but getting there. I also think that by taking care of my body, I'm setting myself up for the best possible chance of having the natural birth that I'm planning, and being a good mom to my baby.

I wanted to write this because I think we could all use the reminder to take better care of ourselves and our bodies, pregnant or not. We seem to think that it's selfish or indulgent to have a nap, get a massage, or simply put our feet up for an hour. But it's not, we only have this one body so we may as well take care of it.

p.s. have you read the post 55 gentle ways to take care of yourself when you're busy busy busy? It's great!

bump: halfway

I was hoping to document this pregnancy week by week, but I've come to accept that it's just not going to happen. I think once a fortnight to once every 3 weeks is about as often as I can rope the husband into taking my photo. In any case, we snapped these today and I'm about 20.5 weeks along, closer to 21 weeks now. Very specific, I know!

I'm still in a funny stage of pregnancy where I feel big and people who know me want to pat my tummy, but people who don't know me seemed shocked that there's a baby in there. But oh... there is. Yesterday husband and I sat and watched my belly as the baby jumped around. It looked like s/he was doing aerobics in there and cracked us both up to no end.

I'll be posting about our Christmas and my birthday in the next couple of days, but in the meantime, I hope you're all enjoying these post holiday days x

my creative space: a baby sleep sack

Last week while my husband was away for work, I occupied all my free time with the making of this baby sleep sack. The pattern is from Handmade Beginnings by Anna Maria Horner, a book I've made so many projects from. This little sack is ace because it's lined with flannel so it's nice and cozy, and the patchwork looks pretty damn cute too. I made the patchwork front with fabric from Maze & Vale that I got at the Finders Keepers market. The fabric on the back is from Ikea, and the lining I got at Spotlight.

So, my thoughts on the project... It took forever! I actually thought I could have it done in a night, and instead, it took me a week to finish. There are a lot of steps (especially if you patchwork the front) and I found the instructions sometimes hard to follow.

If you do want to save some time, skip the patchwork front and use one piece instead. Or you can get that nifty fabric that looks like patchwork but isn't. If you do want to piece the front yourself, this tutorial is awesome. I also thought it strange that after so much work, you sew the velcro on right through all layers, leaving the seams visible from the front. Instead, I left the bottom open (you're supposed to baste it) and sewed the velcro to only the front lining. Looks much nicer. So there you go, let me know if you make one yourself!

Linking up here

a doll for a baby
baby singlets & a beanie
bibs
flannel booties
gifts for a babe

bump: 18 weeks

Dear baby,

You're 18 weeks old now, and I'm 99% sure that I can feel you move. That, or there's something very strange happening in my stomach... But no, it must be you. Even your dad has felt you. It took a few attempts, and more patience than he has, but yesterday morning while he rested his hand on my tummy and tried to coax you out, you gave him a bump. I can only describe it as simultaneously being the strangest and coolest feeling ever.

Last week we went to the south coast to visit friends. Alicia, who has a pretty good feeling for these kinds of things, thinks you're a boy too. Yesterday my mom sent a list of hilarious boys names including: Pascual, Wolgang (that's right, without the f), Adolfo, and Benito. Don't worry though - I promise we will not name you Adolfo.

I have my second midwife appointment tomorrow, which means I get to hear your little heart beating away. I hope you're doing well in there. Stay cozy and keep on cooking!

love,

your mom, mum, mommy, mummy, mumma (I wonder what you're going to call me, you canadian aussie baby you)

p.s. your dad thinks it's totally weird that I just wrote you a letter, oh well

my black apple doll and gender predictions

On Tuesday night I all of a sudden had an urge to be productive and make something. So what did I spend the next 2 hours making?

A doll.

Yup. Probably the least useful thing I could've made, and yet, it made me undeniably happy. I've said it before and I'll say it again - starting with a bunch of scraps and ending up with something pretty never ceases to amaze me. I followed this tutorial from Emily Martin of The Black Apple, and then added a cape and a mask based on this doll.

I did, of course, think about the baby growing in my belly and wonder whether this doll could be for him/her. I know you're not supposed to say this, but to be perfectly honest, I would LOVE to have a girl. All the names I like are girls names (and I can't think of any boys names!) and I'm just a pretty girly gal myself. Dolls, dress up, sewing... that's a language I speak! Both husband and I are convinced though, and have been from the start, that it's a boy. And we're not finding out; we I want the surprise :)

bump: 16 weeks

 The bump turned 16 weeks old on the weekend, and although you can see it in these photos, most peoples' response when I tell them how far along I am is: "Wow, you can't tell at all!" I'm actually looking forward to the stage where I look pregnant, and not just like I ate too much.

In other pregnancy news, this weekend we booked our doula as well as Calmbirth, a weekend birth preparation workshop. I feel really good about both decisions. There are so many choices to make surrounding pregnancy and birth (choices that many women don't seem to realize they have - though that's a topic for another post!) and it feels great to be ticking things off my list.

Yesterday was hot, and I felt it keenly. Even still, I pried husband away from the cricket to come to a friend's class at a new yoga studio, then cooled off with a dip at Clovelly. We took these shots after, until we, I, was too grumpy and hungry to continue. Ah hormones!