All Over It.

A while back we went and visited some friends of ours. We were talking about everything that we normally talk about and the topic of sleep arose.

Him: Are you getting any sleep at night?

Me: Ummm. Not much at all really. She wakes a fair bit.

Him: Really? I thought that with you being a Nanny you'd be all over it?

As a Nanny I have been known as a miracle worker when it comes to babies and their sleeping routines. My older employer used to go on and on about it, calling me the Baby Whisperer and telling the world of my talents.

I remember meeting with a mother who was at her wits end. She couldn't get her baby to sleep, and especially not in the cot. I came in and sorted it all out. The mother was amazed. As she should have been. She'd just encountered the Baby Whisperer. (Cue laughter).

So cut to now. I'm hopeless. It's such a contrast. I couldn't be less All Over It.

I've been feeling so melancholy all week waiting for tonight to roll around. The longest I've been away from Lacey has been when we went to the City for our date. It was five hours. I was with Hubby. And even then through the Comedy Act I wanted to cry because I loved her so much and missed her.

I'm coming across quite pathetic now, aren't I?

I've been hoping for a miracle so that I wouldn't have to leave her. A miracle didn't happen. I hope it all works this weekend.

I know people who have left their babies for nights before to go partying or have romantic weekends away... so it has been done before. Lacey will be okay. I will be back with her once the sun comes up.

I probably won't be blogging again until Monday. I will be staying at Ma's during the night and she lives in the dark ages (not really) and doesn't have Foxtel/Cable or Internet. Lucky all I need to do is sleep. And during the day I am just going to snuggle with my wee little one.

Have a lovely weekend everyone. xx


Print from Etsy.

Le Love.

I ♥ this blog. Just beautiful. Just love-ly.

It's perfect when you can't handle too many words, but need a little love. xx

Becoming Mum.

I hope everyone is having a lovely week. It's been beautiful and sunny here so there is definitely nothing to complain about.

Last week Paula (ahem... who is the former Miss New Zealand!) from Mom Family Child asked me to be Guest Blogger over on her blog. I was so excited. It was my first ever guest post. The topic could be about anything I liked within reason.

I thought about it for a while and then something came to mind. I whipped it up in a few minutes, but had been thinking about it for... all my life. It's titled Becoming Mum.

Head over there now and check it out.

Happy Hump Day to you all. xx

Operation: Sleep.

I ran into a friend the other day as I was putting petrol in my car. I haven't seen her in a while and she asked how everything was going.

I had a hard night the night before and looked like shit. Pure and simple. I told her that I hadn't had a good nights sleep since before I was pregnant and starting to feel it.

She has had twins plus a singleton so knows how that is.

She asked me, as we were both pumping fuel: Do you have an evil sister?

Me: Evil sister? Not so much, but I do have a sister. Two actually.

She then went on to explain when she was trying to get rid of the dummies with the twins she went out for the night and let her sister take over. It was easier for the twins to do it without Mum and Dad around.

I then got what she meant by the evil sister question.

Me: Ooooh. Evil sister. Yeah, I can do that. I've never thought of that before.

I thought about it for a bit, and then put it to the back of my mind. I needed to be part of operation. I couldn't leave my little sister to deal with it all. Could I?

I went back to Borders and re-read that book about sleeping. I worked out a plan. I was all set to go.

I went and talked to a nurse/midwife to ask what she thought I should do too. Should I be giving up breastfeeding as well? What was her advice? I didn't mention the evil sister option.

She said not to give up breastfeeding. I kinda expected that. Midwives love breastfeeding. I am happy to keep going on, as long as it doesn't hinder my operation sleep.

She asked me: Can you ship her off to Grandma's for the nights?

Me: Hmmm. Yeah. But I also have a {evil} sister that can come and stay and do it.

She was all for it: I think you really need to stay away for a few nights. Ideally, I'd say a week. This is a pretty extreme case, in my opinion. If you stay there, she will smell you, sense you and it will be just like teasing her. Staying away is the best option.

I started fretting straight away, wanting to cry. I think she could sense it. I thanked her for her time and her advice. She wished me the best of luck.

As I was leaving she said to me: Remember.... she won't remember this, only you will. Just remember that.

I feel sick now at the thought of leaving her, but I spoke to my sister (and roped in my Mum as well). They are dying to help me out. All my family are. My older sister has offered to pay for the lady that wrote the book to come and stay. They just want me to get some decent sleep, and fast.

So this weekend is operation sleep. I hope I can report back with success. I am not sure which route we'll take yet. I have to wrap my weary head around it all. xx

Sparkle.

I love Red Carpet fashion. So much glamour. So much glitz. So much credit owed to talented stylists. Here are my favourites..... but first makes sure when you're checking out the fashionable celebs to look at the smiling chums in the backgrounds. Funny stuff.

And if I had to wear one of the gowns myself, it would be this one. The colour and style is stunning.

Us.

I'm a member of Facebook (who isn't, right?) and these things/quizzes/questionnaires keep popping up. You copy, paste, change your answers and send on.

I visited Dooce this morning and she had shared one on her site, and encouraged others to do the same. So I will.

It's all about Hubby and I. Funnily enough, I never call him Hubby in real life. It's just a thing I do here.

What are your middle names?
Mine is Louise, Hubby's is David. Very boring, eh.

How long have you been together?
We've been together for six and a half years, married for three and a half.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We started dating straight away. Well, that's what it felt like to me. We met. Liked each other. Hung out. Happy days.

Who asked whom out?
I had this theory that if I never initiate a text conversation or come off too needy or pushy, I can't appear to eager and ruin things. I let him chase me. Well, not chase. I'm not sure Hubby chases anyone besides Lacey... but whatever my little theory was, it seemed to work.

How old are each of you?
I am 28, Hubby is 36.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
Hubby is an only child. I am one of four. Enough said?

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
We are so laid back and easy going. We don't yell at each other. We talk things out. I wouldn't say it's been hard on 'us' but this sleep deprivation business has been taxing on us as individuals.

Did you go to the same school?
Hubby went to an all boys private school. I went to a public school down South. So, no.

Are you from the same home town?
I am from a town which is considered to be in the Country, Hubby is from the City. He has lived here all his life. I lived 3 hours away from Sydney until I turned 18 and moved to the City.

Who is smarter?
Hubby. He knows everything. Or appears to know everything, until proven otherwise.

Who is the most sensitive?
Me, probably?

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
At the moment it's the very romantic food court at Westfield's if we go up there to do the grocery shopping. He grabs a crepe. I grab a sandwich.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Fiji.

Who has the craziest exes?
Pass.

Who has the worst temper?
Hubby has seen some pretty colourful language from me when I've had a phone conversation with a family member that wasn't very pretty. I might win this one.

Who does the cooking?
Hubby. Thankfully.

Who is the neat-freak?
Hubby. Thankfully. Although, he's the neat freak. I'm the Spring Clean freak.

Who is more stubborn?
Lacey.

Who hogs the bed?
Hubby. Although he would say me.

Who wakes up earlier?
Me. Always. I'm the early bird in our relationship.

Where was your first date?
It was at Hubby's place (which is now my home too) to watch State of Origin. We may have ordered pizza, or more than likely Hubby cooked. I remember he once made a cake for us too. He's so cute.

Who is more jealous?
We're not really jealous people, at all. So neither.

How long did it take to get serious?
We were pretty serious from the start. Well, about our relationship anyway. Everything else in life is a joke to us. We're always laughing.

Who eats more?
Me. I think. I remember every year we'd go on road trips up the coast which take a minimum of 8 hours. The first year we went our relationship was new and fresh, you know where you're on your best behaviour (i.e. always beautiful, never passing wind, perfect etc!). We would get up early and start driving. A few hours in and I would be STARVING. My stomach would be eating itself and I would politely ask: Are you hungry? He wouldn't be so we'd keep on driving. Meanwhile I'm too polite to mention that if I don't eat within the next five minutes I may just pass out... Eventually I would request a food stop.

Who does the laundry?
I love doing laundry. I just hate folding it up and putting it away.

Who's better with the computer?
We both can do different things. We're not that talented though. Just the basics.

Who drives when you are together?
Hubby. I drive so much for work so love to be the passenger. I feel like a bit of a celebrity

Why.

I stumbled across this site and thought I would share... because, quite frankly, if I am so near vomitting then so should you. Enjoy??

Dance Baby Dance.

The other day we were at Mum's house hanging out. We remembered that we had a CD of a song that my sister recorded a little while back, and thought it would be fun to see if Lacey liked it. Unfortunately I got my phone out after Miss Lacey had busted her best moves, but she still has it going on. Me thinks she likey. xx

Little Girl.

Print: DazeyChic

Today I had to take two of the kids from work to the doctors. Both were perfectly healthy, we just needed to grab a script. We went to the doctors that we use when we know what we want and we don't need anything figured out or diagnosed. He's expensive, but it's quick.

It works much like a deli. He has one of the number dispenser machines, the flashing numbers on the wall. No receptionist. He just sits at his desk and calls out from within the room... next. It's $70 for a 15 minute visit no matter what your age. Kids are quite often free at most surgeries, not this one.

We took a number and sat in the sterile, white waiting room. We read magazines from early last year. The kids looked at some old National Geographics reading up on Malaria. Exciting stuff.

I had given the kids a talking to in the car. Last time we visited they went a bit crazy. The doctor is a bit eccentric, a bit different. They think it's discreet to laugh and whisper in my ear when the doctor is less than a metre away. I wasn't having any of this today. They were under strict orders to not talk at all through our appointment. I would do the talking. They would do the sitting and being quiet.

I visited this particular doctor one Sunday when Lacey was 4 weeks old. I had a horrible cough, and so did Lacey. I was feeling horrid. He told me that I was so sick, because I was fat. If I was skinny like him, I would be better by now. My thoughts? Dude... See this little thing in my arms? I popped her out just 4 weeks ago. Cut me some slack. Write me a script and I'm outy. See ya.

Reality? I nodded. Agreed. Yes, I'm fat. You're right. $140 later, I had a script and I was outy. See ya.

Back to today. The appointment was over and we were ready to go. He asked: Would any of you kids like a chocolate freckle? Both the kids surprisingly said no. He looked at me. Would you like a chocolate freckle?

I shook my head and said no thank you, surprised that he was asking me after our conversation so many months ago.

He smiled and said: You know there's a little girl inside you?

I must have shot him the most perplexed look.

Little girl?

Am I pregnant? How does he know? No, I know I'm not so what is he talking about....?

Does he think I ate a little girl? No, I don't eat little girls...?

Little girl? This man is crazy. He knows I've given birth to Lacey months ago, right?

He then went to say: You need to look after that little girl inside you too. Never forget that. Look after her too.

I finally figured out what he was talking about as we left the room. He really shouldn't get all deep with me when I am surviving on such little sleep.

We stepped outside and my silent little duo curled over in laughter on the footpath right outside the front door and let out big belly fulls of laughter. They couldn't stop laughing. We all laughed and laughed.

Laughter is the best medicine. Thank you doctor. xx

Exhaustion.

The other day Lacey had a bit of a spill. One of the kids was playing with her, and scarily she fell from quite a height and her head landed on the hard stone floor.

I know kids have spills, I've seen plenty in my day. It was scary that she fell so far and especially onto such a hard surface. She cried for a while and a large bump came up straight away.

I know when it comes to head injuries that you can never be too cautious so I took her to the doctors. We had to wait a while because we didn't have an appointment. Lacey was absolutely fine. Despite it being dinner time and nearing her bedtime she was loving being in the waiting room and playing with the toys. She decided to empty my handbag onto the floor, which left me feeling quite exposed as the room full of patients looked on. As long as she was happy, I didn't mind... well until tampons started rolling all over the place. I had to draw the line, and pack it all up there.

The doctor checked everything. Her spine. Her limbs. Her little head. Her eyes. Her ears. She was happy and healthy. I just had to keep her awake for 4 hours and observe her. Easy.

I know the doctors pretty well at the surgery. I take the kids from work there and spent many days there when Lacey and Shane had whooping cough. The doctor asked how everything was going. I told her how little sleep I was getting. She kept asking questions and looking into my eyes, as if waiting for me to tear up. How are you surviving on such little sleep? How are you coping? It must be incredibly hard. Are you okay?

It is hard. I do miss sleep. I miss it like nothing else in the world. I would pay really good money for just one night of full, blissful sleep. But, as I told the doctor, I just can't think about it. Thinking about it doesn't make it any better, it just makes me feel more tired. I'm not sad about it though. Sure, I'm exhausted, and I look like crap most days, but this is my life now, and it's not forever. I tell myself all the time: This too shall pass.

I only have to look at Miss Lacey and I feel so blessed. Those little giggles, the smooches, the hugs... it's all worth it. It really is.

I had drinks with friends a few weeks ago and they were saying how exhausted Shane and I looked at Lacey's Christening. They'd never seen us look so bad. It's when I'm reminded like that, that I realise how taxing it really is. The kids at work often like to point out how dark the bags under my eyes are. Thank you kids.

I went to Borders the other day to look at another sleep advice book. I was hopeful, but it really is just the same information worded differently. It would be simpler if we were based at home all day, but we're out and about all the time. Our routine is a bit shoddy.

The things that gets to me the most is that I am struggling to shift this weight. It slowly comes off, but mostly stays the same. I joined up to Weight Watchers a few weeks back. It's cheap and easy. I have promised myself that I will keep turning up week after week no matter what, and I do. It's embarrassing to turn up and stay the same weight, or have such small losses. At least I am there though. I know that you need sleep to lose weight and be healthy. I was reading an article the other day that confirmed that for me.

We try and get Lacey to settle at night, but she won't... without a breastfeed. She will scream and yell for hours. I really mean hours. It's pretty impossible. It makes the night seem very long.

The lady that wrote the sleep book that I read at Borders also does house visits. She will stay for three nights, and tells you to get a good nights sleep (or three) while she gets your baby into a good routine. I know I wouldn't sleep well with Lacey upset in the room next door. It's very expensive, but it's something I would consider. We'll try and tweak her routine over the coming weeks to see if we can fix it ourselves. If she gets to the ripe old age of one and hasn't improved then it might be on the cards. We'll see. xx


Photo : Etsy

Choc Chip Biscotti.

I've made this recipe twice now, and I have to say it's freaking delicious! It's sooooo good, and sooooo hard to stop at one. They good news is that they'll last up to three weeks in an airtight container - if you can keep your grubby mitts off them for that long. Enjoy.

2 cup plain white flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
30 g dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla essence

Preheat oven to 160°C.

Line a tray with baking paper.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

Stir in chocolate and set aside.

Beat sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla in a large bowl with electric beaters for 2 minutes or until thick and creamy. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients. Pour in egg mixture and stir until mixture forms a dough.

Shape dough into a 20cm x 6cm log. Place onto baking paper.

Bake log in oven for 30 minute. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Reduce oven to 150°C.

Cut warm log crosswise on a slight diagonal into 1cm thick slices. Carefully place slices about 2cms apart on baking tray. Return to oven for 12 minutes until light golden brown. The centers will still be soft, but biscotti will crisp when cooled.

Serves 20.

Weight Watchers Points per serve: 1.5

It's hard to cut the slices. I haven't perfected that, yet. Let me know if you find out an easy way to do it. I need all the tips I can get. x

Playpens: Cruel or Caring?

I used to be a bit anti-playpens. I don't know why, I just thought they seemed a bit... mean.

A few weeks back Hubby's mate called and said he was packing up his daughters playpen and did we want to borrow it. Hubby said yes.

So we put up the playpen in the lounge room and filled it with toys. At first I was apprehensive with putting Lacey in there. It felt like I was putting her in some sort of kiddy jail. It felt cruel.

We hopped in (and still do) with her and played games. She loves it in there. She potters around and plays. She sings. She dances. She chatters to us.

It is sort of necessary in our home. It's small. We have lots of sharp corners. Cords. Power points. Book cases. Lots of things that little hands shouldn't be near. It's impossible to make our home kid-friendly. We just don't have the storage for it. So we use the play pen. Most of the time she is out and about exploring (out of the playpen) with us within a metre of her. But when we need to cook or clean or be kid-free for a moment we use the playpen.

What do you think? Are playpens cruel or caring?

Rain On Me.

Flickr Photo

This weekend was a huge contrast to last weekend. Last weekend was steaming hot and all we wanted to do was pass out in front of the fan. This weekend it has been super chilly and raining constantly. Last weekend I was sick as a dog, and this weekend I'm feeling much happier and healthier.

I've loved the cold weather. I wouldn't mind if it stayed like this for a while longer now. I am happy to say goodbye to Summer (shudder! I know some people will be disgusted with me for saying that).

Hubby was meant to be at a Surf Carnival all day yesterday but due to some shark sightings and bad conditions it was called off. Lucky us. It was nice to be able to spend that day with him. He gave me a beautiful card and some chocolates for Valentine's Day.

Today we headed over to Ma's for lunch and to hang out. It was fun. She did a roast. We felt spoilt.

I had a perfect weekend, and I think Lacey did too. She's been so cute. Yesterday we were playing in her room and I was lying on the floor as she explored. That's her favourite thing to do. She crawled over, laid a big smooch and me, and then went on her way. So cute. I just love her so much (but you all knew that!).

What did you get up to on the weekend?

Today We Make Out.

Did you wake up to a room full of roses and have nothing to give your loved one in return?

Did you go out last night, have a party pash, fall in love and realise you now have nothing to give your new 'soul mate'?

Do you like to send cards/flowers/love notes to yourself just to make yourself feel special?

Kate Spade has enlisted a whole heap of amazingly talented artists to create FREE (yes, you read it right) e-cards for Valentines Day. They're soooo good. So good, I may have just sent some to myself. Maybe.

Head over and spread the love. xx

Save or Splurge?

The Australian Government has been going back and forth with deciding on whether on to approve a huge stimulus package to help with the current economic environment. It was decided yesterday in the Senate that it would get the thumbs up. This means that many Australians will be given around $950 to spend. Many will put it away for a rainy day, many will pay off debts, others will blow it at the shops. Here is what I would buy if I was that 'blow it at the shops' person:

How would you spend your $950? Save or splurge?

Empty.

Image: Aquabumps

As I drove past the beach on my way home from work today it was completely empty bar one lone, and brave, board paddler.

For those who don't know, a shark attacked a surfer last night. He is okay. He almost lost an arm but his family says the operation to repair it seems to be successful. I hope he makes a full recovery.

Who knows if it was one of the sharks that Hubby saw earlier in the week. We'll never know. x

Sweet Heart.

Valentine's Day is tomorrow. To be honest, I know it seems like I am making a fuss about Valentine's Day... but we actually don't really celebrate it. We'd never go out to dinner on that night. Too many loved up couples are doing it. We don't buy presents. Just cards, sometimes. We'll have a nice dinner at home... but nothing different from any other night. Perhaps maybe just dessert when we wouldn't usually. I love sweet things so jump at the chance to bake or eat something of the chocolatey kind.

Bakerella has (yet again) come up with a great, sweet idea. These aren't chocolates. They're little cakes. And they're delicious.

I've made them before. Hubby and I were big fans. They're little balls of cake, mixed with frosting, rolled into balls and coated with chocolate. They're great with milk, dark and especially white chocolate. Melt in your mouth good. Mmm....

Bakerella is so talented that she even made the red box that the faux chocolates sit in out of... CAKE! Crazy talent. She's brilliant.


Don't feel like baking? Buy some cake. Buy some frosting (Betty Crocker chocolate is not too shabby). Roll some balls. Get dipping. Easy.

Fabulous and single? Loved up? Treat yourself. Treat your loved one. Just enjoy. x

Interview.

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to do an interview about my blog. I was so flattered and excited until I realised it was a phone interview and would be turned into a podcast. Then I just felt all nervous and queasy. I'm hopeless on the phone.

I thought about it for a bit and then finally mustered up the courage to jump in and do it. Do it, I did.

The situation was so typically me. Ideally I would have waited until I had someone to mind Lacey and I didn't sound like I was talking out of my nose due to having this flu. Instead I was trying to breastfeed Lacey as we were talking. She got cranky so I was walking around the house bouncing her trying to keep her quiet whilst trying to stay focused. Talk about multi-tasking.

Brenden's perfect radio voice is a huge contrast to my nasally ramble. Head over to Is It Possible To Make Money Online for a listen and them come back and pay me out about it.

Cringe. xx


P.S. Thank you for taking the time to interview me Brenden. :)

Day Nine.

I just assume that everyone has their own personal cheerleader. You know that person you can go to with the most absurd, obscure dreams and they say... Sure! You can do it! I know you can! Go forth! Achieve! Dream big!

My big sis is that person in my life. She believes in me, quite often, more than I do. She believes that I can do anything. She makes me believe I can do anything. She's that good.

I'll bake a cake and she'll take a bite. Put down the fork and exclaim... Oh. My. God. This is the best cake I have ever tasted in my whole life.

And she means it too, well, until she tries the next cake you make and then that is the best cake ever tasted in the whole wide world.

I am so grateful for my big sis, my own personal cheerleader. She truly is a beautiful light in my life. Always there. Always positive. Always cheering me on. Thank you.

*I won't mention the time I was playing netball in my early teens and about to shoot a goal. She was on the sidelines cheering me on. Go Channy Fanny! How embarrassment.

Or the times in High School when she'd want to protect me from anyone giving me a hard time (which she still does, mind you). She's only a little pocket rocket, but that never stops her. I must have come home one afternoon saddened by things said by a certain person. She was all fired up. I explained to her who it was that gave me a hard time and she said she'd take care of it. The next day I spot her giving this girl a serving... she was yelling and telling her what for. I sunk down and wanted to die, right there. She was yelling at the wrong person. Whoops.

Day Eight.

Ferocious fires have ripped through parts of Victoria leaving many people homeless, without any possessions and taking many, many lives. I have been in such shock, disbelief and sadness. I just can not fathom the heartache so many are feeling. It's just horrible. It's all over the news and on every paper. More than 170 are confirmed dead. So sad.

Australians are pitching together and raising money to help those now in need. I am hearing on the radio of small children donating all their pocket money. Businesses, families, everyone is donating. I am so grateful to live in a country with such generous people.

I am also so grateful that all my friends and family are safe. I hope that the fatalities number doesn't rise any further. Sending love to everyone in need. x

Mama did a bad, bad thing.

But.... I don't feel like cryin'.

It was brought to my attention that Leona Edmiston was having a sale. A big sale.

I tried not to venture over to her site because I'm on my shopping ban and didn't want to tempt myself. But venture I did.

I did more than venture. I clicked. I fell in love. I asked Hubby to fetch me my credit card. But you're on that shopping ban, he said.

But it's Leona. And it's on sale. It's only $65. If I wait until the end of the month they might be all gone. And I love this dress. Rebecca from Neighbours has this dress. I love when she wears it. I've loved it for ages. Oh, and there is free shipping. See, it's meant to be. Fate, I tells ya.

I think he tuned out because in no time I had my credit card in my hand typing in the numbers and he was off doing something else.

Honestly the temptations have been crazy. There are sales everywhere. In the mail this week I got a gift voucher to Myer which is burning a hole in my purse as we speak, plus a coupon to my favourite store, Country Road. I really am being tested.

I promise to be well behaved for the rest of February.

Forgive me savings, for I have... shopped. xx