I wanted to write about my experience so far as a mama to baby Orren but am so so busy I haven't had time, so here are some more pics of my lovely baby, will hopefully talk properly soon.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
My world now
Just looking at this beautiful face all day:
Oh and changing nappies, feeding and stacks and stacks of laundry!
Monday, 20 February 2012
Pleased to introduce our new baby boy
Born on 18th February 2011 at 11.39am, he weighed 7lbs 8 oz and arrived quickly after 4 1/2 hours in labour.
Very happy, tired and sore.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Wooden trolley makeover
I had this wooden trolley that came with a set of shelves my husband and I bought years ago. It was totally unfit for purpose because it was supposed to slot in between the legs of the shelves under the bottom shelf and it was too wide. The shelves became a shoe rack and over the years the trolley has served many purposes. It now takes on a new guise as a toy box for our baby's bedroom.
You might remember these test pots of paint that I bought from B&Q to match in with our colour scheme? Well I used them to create a sort of colour wash over the bare pine wood. I am pleased with the result, it is now bright and cheery and much more appropriate for a child's bedroom. It was a bit difficult to do because I worked on it on the bedroom floor and all the getting up and down was a strain, not to mention the bump getting in the way! But I did it! What do you think?
You might remember these test pots of paint that I bought from B&Q to match in with our colour scheme? Well I used them to create a sort of colour wash over the bare pine wood. I am pleased with the result, it is now bright and cheery and much more appropriate for a child's bedroom. It was a bit difficult to do because I worked on it on the bedroom floor and all the getting up and down was a strain, not to mention the bump getting in the way! But I did it! What do you think?
Before - boring old pine
After - bright and colourful
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Valentines day treats
I presented my husband with a thoroughly crafty valentines this year after spending most of Monday baking, sewing and dipping!
I made a simple card combining felt and blanket stitch with embroidery thread. I simply cut a heart shape from a piece of red felt then stitched a blanket stitch round the edge for decoration.
I then sewed the words onto the heart using a chain stitch.
I made a simple card combining felt and blanket stitch with embroidery thread. I simply cut a heart shape from a piece of red felt then stitched a blanket stitch round the edge for decoration.
I then sewed the words onto the heart using a chain stitch.
I stuck it onto a piece of white card and sewed a running stitch round the edge of the card to add decoration. I punched holes in the card with a sharp needle before sewing to make it easier.
I had my first go at making cake pops following the instructions on A Beautiful Mess. Only I made mine far too big so couldn't put them on sticks, I discovered they were too big to my detriment when one splatted!
I then dribbled chocolate over them and added sprinkles and drizzled chocolate for decoration.
I used Betty Crocker Devils Food cake mix and Betty Crocker Chocolate fudge fondant icing.
I used up the rest of the Betty Crocker mix by making "I love you" cupcakes, iced with the chocolate fudge fondant icing.
Also dipped some marshmallows in chocolate and sprinkles. Hubby was very pleased. And I was very pleased with my huge box of chocolates, two boxed actually, and a bunch of red roses. Hope you all had a lovely, crafty valentines day.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Maternity leave days ten to fourteen
The baby's room is coming together. I spent literally hours trying to sew a ruffle for the bedroom curtain, after much swearing and two broken needles I finally made it!
Sorry for the poor quality of the photos, I took them on my little camera.
Basically I had the curtain already and I simply appliquéd some coloured fabric onto it and onto the tabs at the top. That part was really tricky actually, but I am pretty pleased with the results, although they aren't perfect, but then neither am I.
I also strung up some bunting that I made in co-ordinating fabric, I got the colour way from the Jamboree range at Mamas and Papas:
On Friday I picked up some sample paint pots from B&Q that matched in too. I have a small wooden trolley/toy box that I am going to paint with them, and maybe some picture frames too.
Hope you have all had a good weekend. Even though I am not going to work tomorrow, I still have that Sunday evening feeling. I think it is because Paul is back to work tomorrow, so I will be on my own.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
maternity leave: days seven, eight and nine
Oh dear, I am not keeping up with my maternity leave diary! Well I haven't really had anything exciting to report. On Sunday I had the ladies from my NCT group over for another afternoon tea. It was lovely chatting with other pregnant women, all due to give birth around the same time as me.
Baby has been really active the last couple of days, like crazy active, it's still not in the right position though, it's back is on my right hand side and it is much better for its back to be on my left before birth because it makes it easier during labour (apparently). I have a midwife appointment tomorrow, so it might have moved by then, we will have to wait and see. I keep feeling its foot in my side and grabbing it and saying "foot" loudly so maybe it will know what its foot is, or will recognise the word "foot" after it's been born.
Today I spent some time writing my birth plan, or as I have called it "Birth preferences" because nothing ever goes to plan. I want to have as natural a birth as possible, but at the end of the day I just want baby to come out and be healthy and for me to be healthy too. I am sure that is all any expectant mother can hope for.
Any of you write a birth plan? What did you include?
Baby has been really active the last couple of days, like crazy active, it's still not in the right position though, it's back is on my right hand side and it is much better for its back to be on my left before birth because it makes it easier during labour (apparently). I have a midwife appointment tomorrow, so it might have moved by then, we will have to wait and see. I keep feeling its foot in my side and grabbing it and saying "foot" loudly so maybe it will know what its foot is, or will recognise the word "foot" after it's been born.
Today I spent some time writing my birth plan, or as I have called it "Birth preferences" because nothing ever goes to plan. I want to have as natural a birth as possible, but at the end of the day I just want baby to come out and be healthy and for me to be healthy too. I am sure that is all any expectant mother can hope for.
Any of you write a birth plan? What did you include?
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Mori girl mama
For the stylish Mori girls out there who are about to be or already are mamas, just cos we are having or already have babies, doesn't mean we don't still love the Mori look.
'Mori girl mama' by serendipitychild
 Messenger Bag Owl and Lace o... $70.00 |  Linen and Lace Ring Sling $75.00 |  fleece stroller blanket, cri... $42.00 |
 Khaki Nursery Painting of Fl... $42.00 |  Baby Girl Shoes, Felt Baby B... $28.00 |  Forever I Do- Wedding Gown I... $450.00 |
 Ivory Lace Vest $56.00 |  Green & White Baby Bib with ... $10.00 |  Mori Girl Shawl Victorian Ca... $110.00 |
 Lace and Sparkle Pouch - wit... $30.00 |  Beautiful cotton lace and li... $12.50 |  Blank Mini Notebook made fro... $8.00 |
 Love Birds Watercolor Painti... $20.00 |  Change mat-Onesie $35.00 |  Victorian Quilt Patchwork Ap... $150.00 |
 Tree Wall Decal for Baby Nur... $79.00 |
Maternity leave: Days five and six
Spent yesterday getting the house ready for my "afternoon tea with mummy to be" (NOT a baby shower which is far to cliché and makes people feel obligated to bring gifts), including a food shop which was shockingly expensive. Can't believe a small trolley now costs what it would have cost to fill a large trolley 5 years ago. Also put together my party games, including a drawing of a giant baby with an anatomically correct umbilical cord and placenta to pin on! my pregnancy quiz which took me about 2 hours to do...I think I was really over-thinking the questions, printing off sheets for match the celebrity baby names to their celebrity parents, guess the measurement of mummy's tummy with string, preparing for guess the baby food flavour and preparing vegetables and fruit for match the vegetable to the age of the foetus (in weeks).
Today I got up early to get everything ready and made two trays of sandwiches for all the guests. My mum and sisters came over in the morning and helped me with the last few finishing touches to the house as well as finishing off icing some cupcakes that my sisters made. Friends arrived at about 1.30 then all through the afternoon friends popped in and out, we had sandwiches, cake, tea and played the games as well as me opening presents which was so sweet of my friends, and not expected at all. I was very happy to receive the Mamas and Papas Jamboree changing mat which I have been lusting after. There was an element of surrealism to the whole thing though, it felt a little bit like my birthday, only nothing was for me!
Foolishly I forgot to take any photos for the entire day, took some last minute ones of me and my family but apart from that, nothing! What an idiot!
On second thoughts the placenta looks more like a tomato.
Today I got up early to get everything ready and made two trays of sandwiches for all the guests. My mum and sisters came over in the morning and helped me with the last few finishing touches to the house as well as finishing off icing some cupcakes that my sisters made. Friends arrived at about 1.30 then all through the afternoon friends popped in and out, we had sandwiches, cake, tea and played the games as well as me opening presents which was so sweet of my friends, and not expected at all. I was very happy to receive the Mamas and Papas Jamboree changing mat which I have been lusting after. There was an element of surrealism to the whole thing though, it felt a little bit like my birthday, only nothing was for me!
Foolishly I forgot to take any photos for the entire day, took some last minute ones of me and my family but apart from that, nothing! What an idiot!
yes, my sister is holding a spider plant, it was the prize she chose for winning one of the games!
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Maternity leave: Day four
Thought I would share with you some artwork I have done for the baby's room today. Do you remember this post, of images from the Jamboree collection at Mamas and Papas, in particular theses paintings? Well I loved them so much but just couldn't justify £22 pounds a pop. So...I decided to imitate them on canvases I bought from Hobby Craft for about £5.00. Do you like? I am really pleased with them.
Today I continued the big clear out, nearly there now, made some soup for freezing so that when baby comes we have some easy nutritious meals at the ready and added a few more things to my hospital bags.
What are you up to?
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