Cold Snap Purchases

We are in Melbourne at the moment and there has been a bit of a cold snap.
After seeing this lovely jumper on Peanut Butter and Honey - Blog the other day (and I've seen it a few times before I knew I had to have it!

Link HERE

So I did a bit of shopping around and found it for $99.95 on Fertile Mind.
With a sign up you can get 10% off!
I also bought this wrap/poncho/scarf thingy that looks perfect for breastfeeding too!

Link HERE

Now, I'm not sure how long I am still planning to feed Abi, but these two items will still be perfect after award and I can always hand them over to my sister and use them for number 2!

I have hardly bought anything for myself lately. And I hardly spend anything on maternity or breastfeeding clothes and I'm so over everything I have. It will be a nice change to have a few new nice pieces to add to my Autumn/Winter wardrobe!

And at $7 postage!!! I couldn't resist!

Dear Abigail (SEVEN months old)

Dear Abigail,

Today you have turned SEVEN(7) months old!

I can't quite believe that you are already so close to turning one.

We have had another amazing month with you, made all  the more special that daddy has been home all this month and has been able to spend lots more time with you.

You a re now rolling over this way and that with so much ease!It makes you happy!

You absolutely have your voice now too!Always chatting away, squealing and laughing (especially when we tickle you!)

You can even sit up now!But I wouldn't walk to far away as you aren't yet that stable and it's always better to stand close by.

You hair is growing!But it's still so fluffy! And you are so blonde! I was so surprised when you were born with such dark hair!

You stop strangers in the street, the bank, the post office, restaurants, cafes EVERYWHERE! Always happy to offer a cheeky smile to get such beautiful compliments!Especially on your eyes!Oh so blue!And your thighs!Oh so chubby and delicious!

Finally you have started taking to eating solids!And boy do you make a mess!(Baby Led Weaning) but it's all good fun and it still seems that your favorite is milk... From mummy and not from a bottle... But we are working on it.

You are growing more and more beautiful every day and I am falling more and more in love with you. Take care and keep on smiling.

I love you.

Your Mummy. 

Dear Abigail (SIX months old!) 

NOT a holiday

We are currently in Melbourne.
It's no holiday I can tell you...
We drove down on Monday.
Tuesday was out looking in Northcote, Fairfield, Alphington, Ivanhoe etc...
Today has been spent checking out Essendon, Strathmore, Moonee Ponds etc...

We seem to have settled on an area!

Via google Images

But now we have to actually find a house...
So far we have spotted one or two that we like.
And will head to an open for inspection or 2 on Saturday...
Wish us luck in nabbing something soon!

Anyone know what the rental market (competition)in this area is like???

most unlikely

While I was pregnant a very good friend of mine basically told me I WILL go to mothers group. And give it a go.
I didn't think it was for me. Why did I need it??? I have heaps of friends with children!(We are actually one of the last in our group/s of friends to start a family...
So I did. I went when Abi was 2 weeks and 1 day old. Damn she was small.

Target 00000 suit that my nana secretly sent after I chatted to her  about how nothing fitted!

I would have never expected that I would meet some of the most amazing, nice, supportive, fantabulous women EVER.

Women that I have much in common with, nothing in common with and a familiar bond that is positive and makes me smile.

I have especially been drawn to 4 out of a total group of 15.

Here are a few shots of out little (now big) bundles!

Abi and Conor. Conor's M&D live in our street. This photo was taken at their house at a BBQ  we had a few weeks ago.

Taken on Friday. While the babies had a 'play date' the mummy's had a wine date!That's Abi (still a little poorly. Lucy and Conor paying Madeleine 'lots' of attention!

Mothers group isn't for everyone. I'm lucky. I got a good group. For 15 excellent women that are all positive, supportive and really nice.
I know not everyone is as lucky as me... I'm also lucky to have found a few within this group that I have more in common than just our babies.

Oh! and I actually have the 'baby' of the group. I have the youngest and also the one that seems to do everything last. She is a real 'baby' But I love her!

swimming

One of the best things that I have chosen to do with Abigail is swimming lessons.
And what has been even more special is that Abi's daddy has been FINALLY able to come with us as see what it's all about.
first time he came, I went in the pool with Abi, but second week around it was daddy's turn!

Week 4 swimming with mummy! Just been under water!

Blowing bubbles!

Weeks 5 - practicing 'hold on' with dad!

The whole group! and our fantastic instructor Barbra!

I have to say that swimming lessons is one of the best things that I have chosen to do with Abi.

And once we get to Melbourne it's the first thing for Abi that I have on the list of things to organise,

Did you/Do you/Will you do swimming lessons with your little one? 


Swimming lessons are with Aqua Babies.

poorly

I have a sick bubba on my hands :-( She has a bit of a cold and a cough.
I have to say, she has been a real trooper and in pretty good sprits considering...

Resting and having a sleepy cuddle with me (love her)

Weekend Away

This past weekend it was a long weekend in Victoria so my parents and my aunty and uncle came to Sydney and we headed up to the Hunter for a mini break.
They arrived on Friday afternoon. We picked them up from the airport and headed straight up there in a brand new Audi Q7 (thanks to the contacts my husband has!)
And we cam home on Monday afternoon.

Here is a few snaps from the weekend

Abi hanging with nana and pop

Bubble tasting at Petersons

Abi LOVED the bubble machine blowing bubbles from the ceiling

Bubbles are far more important than taking a family photo!

Sumday lunching at MUSE! YUMMO!

PErfect behaved baby at lunch!

10.30am on Monday at Tintilla... Not too early to drink wine???

Tintilla winery. A great recommendation from a work colluge!

What we actually bought home... Much more was drunk and LOTS more sent in the post..

A weekend throughly enjoyed by all.

And the sun shone the whole time too!

the next phase

We are moving.

I have mentioned a few times that my husband is currently not working... He finished at the end of February. Because after 5 years of nagging from my father, he has finally decided that now is the time to make a move and take over a part of his business and help to grow the business and progress more for himself too.
Quite obviously I do not mind in the slightest! I moved to Sydney just a little over 8 years ago. And in that time I have met my husband and we have had our little girl. But now it's time to go home.
Home to family, a business, a career, friends and oh so much more!
It's going to be tough leaving Sydney. There is no denying. I have made so many wonderful friends, but they say 'home is where the heart is' and although I adore my husband to pieces and will always want to be with him, I know I need to be 'home' and back in Melbourne.

But now the hard work begins... Finding somewhere to live. Then finding a place to live! Renting out our home in Sydney (we aren't keen to sell just yet) and then actually moving interstate. That's all the stuff I am not looking forward to at all...

So! that's the latest here!

Can you help me on where to live?
And and recommendations on interstate movers??? 

And the winner is...

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:3

Sorry guys, for some reason the max keeps changing to 100... I promise I put in 10.

The winner is: Natalie for In the Night Sky! (Have you checked out her blog?) She is slowly but surely renovating her house in Melbourne.  It looks awesome! She has great taste! 

Nat, can you email me at samanthaolson79@gmail.com with your details (address) so I can send you your gift.

Some great ideas people! 

I've even been on the steamed vegies lately too! 

Trying to mix it up a bit as it seems Avocado on toast has been relegated to breakfast as that's what Abi now seems to enjoy.

And being as healthy as possible. It's not going to be long and Abi will be easting with us and what we eat... So it's time to take action.

We are off to the Hunter Valley for the weekend!!! Really looking forward to it! 

My parents are taking a few extra days either side of the Victorian long weekend and seeing as my husband is currently not working... We thought it would be fun!

See you next week!

With some pretty interesting, awesome, exciting (and even a little sad) news...

before the rain

It was a crisp Autumn day today.
I can already feel the difference in the air.

After Abigail had a marathon 2.5 hour morning sleep we headed to the park for a little mummy and bubby time...

I didn't even get the magazine open...

Blue sky peaking through

Abi kept trying to grab the camera/phone off me.

Leaves were much more fun than her own toys!

We came home for an afternoon nap that never happened so headed out again and met a few of the girls and babes from my mothers group for coffee, got caught in the rain so rang my DH to come and get us! Lucky for us he isn't working at the moment so he was at home and at the ready to pick us up! (But more about why he isn't working soon...)

Have you entered my giveaway??? 
All I want to know is a scrummy yummy lunch option that I can have! Offer me a suggestion and win yourself some cool/cute/funky??? cookie cutters!
I'm drawing the winner tomorrow!

eat you're greens!

Moving onto solids has been a bit of a nightmare in this house...
Abi just wants milk. And not milk from a bottle... Just from her mum.

Last week we went to visit the health nurse and the Doctor and both suggested to just stop solids for a week and start again.
Today was that day to start again.

Breakfast was toast with avocado. Lunch was some Apple (she ate a whole ice cube size!)
And dinner firstly we tried some puree carrot and then I gave Abi some steamed zucchini and broccoli...

We have decided to take a look into 'baby led weaning' I still don't know a lot about it so any recommendations you can give me on books to read, websites to look up etc... would be very appreciated.

Splish Splash

I am so over this rain...
Go the F away I say.
On Friday I just had to get out. I needed some fresh air. So I donned the Baby Bjorn, popped Abi inside, grabbed an umbrella and went for a quick walk.

My feet got wet :-(
Now, I have decided to do something about that! No more wet feet for me!
Here is my Friday splurge! I haven't spent much money on myself lately, so I felt like I deserved them!

Behold my new Hunter Wellies!

Image is via Shopbop.

I am super excited! Yes, spending $125 on a pair of 'gumboots' is a little crazy... But hey! I have wanted a pair of these for as long as I can remember.

Ever spent a silly amount of money on something you seriously don't need?

Oh! And have you entered my GIVEAWAY???

little

I was sorting through some photos and stuff the other day and came across these pictures!
They were taken the night before Abi was born. I thought I had at least another week!
We thought the socks and stuff were so tiny and there was no way they would fit! For sure they were going to be too small!!! But they weren't... They were all too big. We ended up heading out and having to buy her a few things that were TINY.
I'm reminiscing. My girlfriend just had her little twinnies! A little girl Mia Kate and a little boy Arie James.
They both weigh about 2.5kg's each! TINY! (Abi was 2.8kg's) I can't wait to meet them!

Seriously???

measuring up socks on the belly!

Marquise 0000 singlet. This came down to Abi's knees! Way too big for her!

Socks, singlets, tights and mittens ready to go! 

Gosh! They grow so quickly. It's sad, but so exciting and rewarding every day.

Food + A GIVE AWAY!

When I'm onto something I'm onto it...
Take for instance when I was pregnant. Chicken schnitzel all the way! My husband must have got so sick of it! I loved it! And because I went right off the smell of meat it was one good way to make sure I was getting protein.

I'm always looking for lunch options. And good, quick, healthy and cheap options.
Last nights left overs are always quite good. But sometimes (a lot of the time) there isn't any left!
I get stuck on different things all the time. Salada's (or similar) with cheese and tomato gets a good run. But I'm over that. And at the moment it's toast with Avocado and tomato with lots of cracked pepper and a little salt.

Yes, I've been playing around with Instagram again...

Anyway... On the weekend I met up with a few other mumma's from the Vogue Forum. It was fun! Always nice to put faces to names and great to introduce our bubbas to everyone too!

I had bought these strange cute cookie cutters a few months back so I decided to take cookies.

Not sure why this one wont rotate... More Instagram tomfoolery though...

Ok. So after all that... I have a set of these little cookie cutters to give away!

What I want is: 

"Give me a good lunch option that I can have that's easy, quick, healthy(ish), cheap and YUM!" 

A tip! I don't like tinned tuna, salmon etc... 

I'll leave to comp open for a week and by random number draw (better find out how to use one!) I will pick the winner! on the 8th of March 2012

Open to Australian residents only. Sorry :-( postage is too hard otherwise.

Oh! The cookie cutters are brand new! Not my used ones!  ;-)