A very Merry Christmas & a safe and happy new year

We had a brilliant Christmas!

We hope you did too.

We are off having a break

And hope you are too!

We will be back in the new year. Thanks for all your well wishes and support. Its been a big year!!!

Dear Abigail (FOUR months old!)

Dear Abigail,

Abi O! You are already four months old!
It was on this day 12 months ago that I found out that I was pregnant with you! The very next day daddy and I flew to Melbourne and then we announced on Christmas morning to nana, pop, and your 3 uncles and one special aunty that there was going to be a new family member next year!

You are such an amazing special little girl. You smile (nearly) all the time, you talk and even have started to giggle! (thank you for picking such a special day -my birthday- to start that!)
Yet again we have spent lots of time in Melbourne. Nana came to Sydney to look after you for two days while I went to work. Se loved every minute of it... I didn't... Leaving you was the hardest thing I have ever done. Even harder that giving birth.

We sing songs, your favorite it Ba Ba Black Sheep and you have started to like twinkle twinkle little star too.
You now sleep in your 'big bed' (the cot) for your day sleeps, but still in mummy and daddy's room in the bassinet at night... But! As soon as it's the new year and we get home from our trip to Melbourne... Your in there full time! I will really miss having you right next to me at night.

We are so excited to spend your first Christmas all together is a few more sleeps!!! But we know that next year is going to be even better!!!

Lots and love and hugs,

Your Mummy.
xoxo

mummy's helper

After seeing that my little sissy can make shortbread, I figured I would give it a go!
So for a little something to give to everyone in my mothers group I made a batch and cut out 2 different shapes. Christmas trees, bells and stars. I put them in little celo bags I had leftover from my baby shower 'lolly bags' added a little card (that I bought 30 for $1.50 from K-Mart!) and hey presto! a cute little gift to say Merry Christmas!

Abi also helped me make a Toblerone cheesecake last weekend! (Sorry forgot to take a photo, but it was YUMMY!)

32

Yes. Today I am 32. Wow! I can't believe another year has passed!
I just wanted to share my beautiful birthday present.

A stunning bangle with my daughters name stamped on it. It's by Koolaman Designs.
We just ordered it online and it came within a few days!
I love it and I am very very happy!

things and stuff

Here's a small sneak peak at Abi's room! We are making progress!

Abi's has moved to the big seat in the pram! Bye bye bassinet, my little girl is growing

Santa gave us Candy! (the wrapper is still on I promise!)

We visited cousins in Terrigal

And great nana and Geoff were there too!

We are off to Melbourne again soon on the 20th for Christmas! Can't wait!!!

Work

So last week mum looked after Abi for 2 days while I went to my work conference:
It went a little something like this...

Conference room at the Castle Hill Golf Club

Boss's new motto...

Didn't miss this... Traffic on the way home

Expressing to keep up supply and so I didn't explode!

GM's changed motto!

Lunch time - Boys will be boys...

Christmas Party Friday night (I got ready in 10 min's ok... That's why I look pretty average)

I did enjoy it. I was exhausted. Not 100% sure if I want to go back. I missed Abi too much!

She was a gem for mum and even slept more for her than for me!

Going to catch up again with my manager and GM in January/February to discuss what, when, how etc...

*** Excuse the bad photos, I was using my phone. I don't have an iphone (but I will in January!)

Santa Baby

I been a little busy this week with attending my work conference and other stuff...
But more on that later.
Today we went to QVB in Sydney and Abi met Santa!

worth crying over

I'm off to work for a conference for two days this week (Thur and Fri) and my mum is coming to look after Abi.
I will still be home at night, I couldn't bare to be away from Abi for that long! The days are going to be long enough as it is!
Because I want to keep Abi on breast milk only I have been busy expressing whenever I can. I will also have to express while I'm at the conference otherwise I run the risk of a. having exploding breasts! or b. my milk supply stopping.

The other day while emailing my sister using the Medela express freeze bags this is what happened...

What's the saying? "Don't cry over spilt milk" ??? Well this was 75 mls of expressed breast milk!
WELL WORTH CRYING OVER!

Edited at 6.45pm to add this LINK

Nappy Bag

There is so much choice out there when it comes to nappy bags.

I thought I would share mine...

Its a little pouch with a matching change mat (which is a great size!)

I carry around this in my hand bag or normally just in the bottom of the pram.

I figure all I need is a few nappies, travel wipes, cream and a change of clothes.

The change of clothes changes depending on the weather.

These bags and change mats are from a lady that sells them at the Balmain markets on a Saturday.

A few of my friends have them too and also have found this to be the best option. 

I have only ever once been caught out and not had the necessities... And that was a change of clothes... I was flying and wanted to keep the amount of stuff I had to a minimum... So I took out the change of clothes... We had a poo explosion... I frantically spent $55 on a new outfit at Seed at Melbourne Airport for Abi... I don't even like the outfit!

Do you have a full nappy bag? Or did you choose to go with something smaller? 

What works for you?

Let me entertain you

As Abi gets older, she is awake for longer streches of time. Although she is now much happier to spend time alone, I still need things to keep her entertained.
As much as we wouls all like to have beautiful wooden toys and no plastic crap stuff, it really can serve its purpose in keeping the little one entertained.

Rather than spend an absolute fortune buying everything new, I decided to trawl Ebay and try my luck...
We picked up a Bumbo (including the tray) for $28 !

We are still working on our posture and it requires a lot of practice and patience.

But one of my best finds to date was an activity gym! It's Fisher Price and retails for over $200.
I paid $10.50 Yes, thats right! Ten Dollars and Fifty Cents! It's like new! And Abi LOVES it! It's got lights, music and lots going on!

Picked up any bargains lately?

basic baker

The other day I was going to a friends for afternoon tea and a catch up with her parents who were over from the UK visiting.
I know them quite well as I stayed with them a few years ago and they were desperate to meet Abi.
I hate going anywhere empty handed and I couldn't be bothered going to the shop first that I decided I should bake!
It helped that Abi decided to have a pretty good sleep! (Well... That was until I started...)

Note: The monitor in the shot... Abi was sleeping!

She woke just in time to blow bubbles and help with the ground cinnimon

Ready to go in the oven

Out of the oven and cooling

Cut and ready to go! Not very good at cutting evenly!

raspberry walnut slice

150g butter, softened
2/3 cup icing sugar
1 3/4 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup ground walnuts
300g frozen raspberries

1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Grease 20cm x 30cm rectangular pan; line base and the long sides with baking paper, extending paper approx 5cm's over sides
2. Beat the butter and sifted icing sugar in a medium bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in sifted flour, cinnamon and nuts till mixture is crumbly.
3. Reserve 1 cup of crumble mixture. Press remaining mixture into pan; top with raspberries. Sprinkle reserved crumble mixture over the top. Bake for about 40 mins.
Cool in pan before cutting.

Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Erin and I enjoyed a few pieces that night after dinner! Delish! There was none for us to store!