I'm not stressed.

Yesterday we had a big day, I was happy, things were slipping into place. Life seemed to be giving us a big pat on the back.
Today I got the phone call you don't want to get from your doctor when your pregnant.
Can you come in and see me today? Its urgent.
Luckily Michael heard the panic in my voice when I called him and came straight into town, he's the person to deal with in crisis. I melt down and blank out he's good at listening and getting things done.
Listening to the doctor he said abnormalities and my heart was in my throat. More blood tests, another ultrasound, hospitals. Appointments.
My very tiny baby is not having a good start to life. The umbilical cord is missing an artery. Not a huge problem in itself, it's workable. Extra care. No being overdue.
The baby has signs of Downs Syndrome, only 'soft' signs, which means not big in your face signs. I'm being sent to Brisbane to have some amniotic fluid taken and tested. But not for another 5 weeks. If were having a baby with Downs I'd like to know now so I can prepare myself, know all the details, I need details.
So for the next 5 weeks I am meant to not stress and try not to worry about it. There is still a small baby in my belly.

Can you see me not stressing or worrying about it?

big day!

Yesterday morning when I woke up we had no house to move into, had no idea if baby was ok or if there was one or two. By the time I went to bed we had a house and got to watch our little nectarine bouncing around. 

It was a good day. So here it is, this is our new house, which is beautiful, close to the beach and considerably  cheaper than the dodgy house were in now.

Yep its that new that the turf still has lines in it. Its ok your allowed to be jealous. 

Thats my new dishwasher, its smeg, I am never leaving this house. 

I don't know but I'm fairly sure this is the ensuite. I am so in love with this house. Were going to have a look next week, we haven't actually seen inside it. I don't really care I'm going to love it, I know that. 

This makes it so more real. I knew before that there was baby in there. My clothes don't fit, I shake if I don't eat every 2 hours. But actually seeing the small person in my belly moving around was totally different.  

I was smiling all day.

My Place and Yours

Every Monday I'll post a new theme for you to rack your brain with, take some photos then blog about it, when your done come back and add your link down the bottom so we can all have a sticky beak. Sounds good right?

My husband informed me last night that me pregnant and music is a bad combination. I have to agree with him, I'm worse than a teenager when I'm pregnant. For the last few weeks I have been getting more and more obsessed with this song.  

So what's your favorite song? Share your youtube video or a picture of your favorite CD.  Is there a story behind it or do you just love it? 

Polly dolly

work by mrsstano22 featuring repetto flats

This weeks polly is about where you work. I don't have a job outside our house but the small people keep me plenty busy. Even though I'm only 13 weeks pregnant my clothes are getting a little too tight and I'm down to one pair of jeans so I'm cracking out the few maternity things I have left. Something simple and comfortable, jegglings (don't hate me) comfy shirt, cute flats, hair band for the crazy pregnant hair I always seem to get, sunnies and lip gloss for school drop off and trips to the park/shops. My main job as mum is to read books, according to our smallest people, Charlie mainly, he is very pushy with what he wants. Apart from reading I spend a ridiculous amount of my day cleaning, although 99% of the time my house looks feral. Its a constant annoyance that I'm sure is gong to get worse before it gets better.
Before bed we always say love you to the moon and back, now that Jack understands the solar system he cracks out different variations, love you from Pluto to the sun and back, love you around the solar system and back.

If you'd like to play Polly Dolly head over to see Danielle here

new recipe saturday

With the school holidays upon us I am going to have two hungry boys home wanting snacks. Too stop the continual raid of the cupboards I'll be doing some baking, well we will be doing some baking. These for starters, some plain biscuits that they can go nuts with the cookie cutters, probably a cake or two. Hopefully we'll have a few friends over to share morning tea, what's school holidays without a few play dates! 

Ingredients

• 125g butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange rind
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup sultanas

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line two 24-hole, 1 1/2 tablespoon-capacity mini muffin pans with paper cases.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and orange rind until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until just combined. Stir in flour, orange juice and sultanas. Spoon into prepared pan holes.
3. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of 1 comes out clean. Stand in pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe and picture from Taste.

Just the two of us

This is my hot Friday night date.

Charlie and I have been left home alone while my big boys and their enthusiastic Daddy go camping in the freaking cold. I should have taken a photo of the stuff he was taking with him. He actually borrowed a trailer. And he complains that I pack a lot when we go away! 

So if you need me Charlie and I will be eating bad food in front of the TV (shh don't tell Michael), and going to bed early. That's what I call a good Friday night. 

My Place and Yours

Every Monday I'll post a new theme for you to rack your brain with, take some photos then blog about it, when your done come back and add your link down the bottom so we can all have a sticky beak. Sounds good right?

This week I want to see that thing that everyone comments on when they come to your house for the first time. It can be part of your house or something in your house. Mine is my voodoo knife man, everyone says something about it. My sister bought it for me for Christmas, I bought her the same one for Christmas. That's what I call good sisters.

Bob

This is Bob. 

He has been part of our family for as long as James. We got him for Jack as his 'baby' when James was born and he was attached to Jack's arm for over a year, until we lost him, oops. I explained to Jack that he was lost and the next day we went and bought a new one, exactly the same, he didn't mind thankfully.

So now Jack is six were getting to the stage that he only comes out of his room when Jack's feeling unwell. He's been fed many a tea party, picnic, pushed on many swings and driven around in several different prams, he's been vomited on, had all sorts of things spilt on him, been through the wash more times than I care to imagine and yep you guessed it after quite a few years he is ripped beyond repair. Poor Bob, his overalls and his shirt are ripped, luckily he's not a girl. 

Jack today with Bob. Poor ripped Bob with a dirty nose and no torch. That thing was a killer during pillow fights, I got it in the side of the head more than I care to remember. It 'fell' off one night. 

Jack at 2yr old with brand new Bob. Already a firm favourite. 

We took a photo of baby James at 6 days old with Bob as a comparison to how big he was. Bob is seriously clean!

So I'm torn (pardon the pun) do we put Bob away for when Jacks older or let him love him to death. I'd hate for him to have to go through a sick week with no Bob. But I'd hate for him to fall apart. 

First World Problems in epic proportions, I know. 

new recipe saturday

I am actually drooling just looking at this picture. If I had any bacon/avocado/turkish bread in the house I would be eating this right now. In fact I could see this being a delicious Sunday morning breakfast. Yum. Were so boring we are having sausages chips peas and gravy. Easy but boring. 

If you'd like to make this delicious burger here is the recipe courtesy of Taste 

Ingredients 

• 1 large ripe avocado, chopped
• 1/2 small lime, juiced
• 350g Primo shortcut bacon rashers
• 4 eggs
• 4 Turkish bread rolls, split
• 1 baby cos lettuce, trimmed, leaves separated

Method

1. Place avocado in a bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Using a fork, roughly mash. Cover surface with plastic wrap.
2. Preheat a greased barbecue plate on medium-high heat. Barbecue bacon for 2 minutes each side or until just crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Crack eggs on barbecue plate and cook for 2 minutes for soft yolk or until cooked to your liking.
3. Toast or grill Turkish bread rolls until crisp. Place bases on serving plates. Spread with mashed avocado. Top with lettuce, egg and bacon. Season with pepper. Cover with roll tops. Serve.

So what are you having for dinner? Tell me it's more exciting than sausages! 

 

Shut up and drive!

Yesterday after we picked up the big boys from Kindy and school Michael suggested we go for a drive out to the river. Sure why not I said. Do I need to change my shoes? No we won't be getting out of the car.  After we packed the small people in the back of Michael's small car I grabbed us some afternoon tea and cold drinks and we were off. 

I bought some new books while op shopping and thought I'd bring them along. Even though Charlie wouldn't keep his hat on he was happy with Jack and the beanstalk.

Jack wasn't impressed with the book I picked for him. Hence the tantrum face. He didn't speak to any of us the whole time we were gone. Not my kid at all. 

James loves nature he is in his element with his Daddy. It was about the only time in the last month he hasn't been yelling or throwing tantrums.

Not getting out of the car he said, no, no need to change your brand new grey suede shoes he said. 

Like father like son. Charlie has no fear and will quite happily climb over rocks and tree stumps to get to where he wants to go. I feel that in a few years I will be on first name basis with ER nurses. 

James looks small because he is very far away, Michael's taken the boys here before and apparently last time he needed a rope to get James back up from the water's edge. So glad I don't go on these 'adventures' with them. 

Husband says to me, how bout I drop you here and you can take some action shots of me? What in these shoes? He gave me his thongs. Sensible man.

This is the action shot, I know it's good right. 

Soon we won't be able to all go in Daddy's car. I think I will most definitely be OK with that!

PUSH~Shoes

Check out my new shoes, they are so sparkly. I may wear them everyday.

This week's theme for PUSH is shoes, I love shoes but wear them out/lose them often so I tend to buy cheap nasty shoes. These babies were from Target reduced to $9. I can't really complain when they fall apart can I?

Head on over to Hello Owl to play along and see some other shoes!

Lady Love.

This is my new favourite song. I cry my eyes out every time, and it makes me feel better. Don't ask, it's the pregnant lady in me. You should watch it, you may not cry as much as I do. 

My Place and Yours

This is what my house would look like if I was single. Luckily for Michael I love him enough not to even suggest it. 

Every Monday I'll post a new theme for you to rack your brain with, take some photos then blog about it, when your done come back and add your link down the bottom so we can all have a sticky beak. Sounds good right?

So show me what you have that's pink at your place!

Do you get it?

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Sometimes things just baffle me.
When we're children our parents teach us that everyone is the same on the inside. Just because you look different on the outside doesn't mean your less of a person. Teasing other people is rude and mean. It's not a good way to make friends, other people aren't going to like you if your mean. For a while as children we all understand this. Then something happens sometime before puberty and kindness seems to go out the window.
'Kids are cruel' is a phrase I hear far to often. I think grown ups are cruel.
Even though were not on the playground any more some of us feel the need to belittle others. To make others feel small and insignificant.
What do people get out of it?
Does it make them feel better, do they sleep better at night knowing that they've upset a stranger/friend/family member/colleague?
Obviously somewhere in high school these people didn't get the memo that teasing makes you look like a fool.    

new recipe saturday

Massaman Beef Curry 

How good does that look? This was my plan for dinner tonight. Then yesterday I had a sick Jack home from school. I'm not game to make such a rich spicy dinner in case we all end up with what he's got. But if you are living in a healthy household here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 650g gravy beef or chuck steak, trimmed
• 1 cup coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons massaman curry paste
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled, cut into 3cm pieces
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cardamom pods, lightly crushed 
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate 
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce

steamed jasmine rice to serve

Method:

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef. Cook, stirring constantly, until evenly browned. Transfer to a plate. Add 2 tablespoons coconut cream to pan. Cook over medium heat for 20 seconds or until hot. Add curry paste. Cook for 1 minute or until aromatic.
2. Return beef and juices to pan. Add coconut milk, stock, peanuts, potatoes, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cardamom pods, sugar, tamarind concentrate, fish sauce and remaining coconut cream. Stir to combine.
3. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beef is tender. Serve with rice.

Recipe and picture from Taste

my place and yours

Every Monday I'll post a new theme for you to rack your brain with, take some photos then blog about it, when your done come back and add your link down the bottom so we can all have a sticky beak. Sounds good right?

Lately I seem to be talking about washing machines a lot. Exciting I know. Front loader, top loader, washing powder, washing liquid. You'd be amazed how may conversations I've had about this. I really need a hobby.

So show me your washing machine! Do you love it? Hate it? Want a different sort? 

Shower o'clock

Today is Sunday and although I normally shower before the small people get up, today I preferred to sleep. By 11am I decided I could shower while the boys were watching Alice in Wonderland. Charlie is heading towards two he'll be OK for 5 minutes right?
I had just filled my hair with shampoo when I felt a small hand grabbing my leg. Charlie had opened the door, taken his pants and nappy off and was trying to climb in. I shooed him out and after about the 10th time he did, after wetting the whole bathroom by playing peek a boo with the shower curtain.
By the time I was conditioning my hair I was thinking maybe we were on to a winner and I can sleep an extra half an hour of a morning. That was until James came to tell me there was trouble. Never a good sign. He told me there was good news and bad news. The bad news was Charlie had pooped on the floor, the good news was he had got a nappy sack from the change table and picked it all up.
Looks like I'll be getting up early for a little bit longer.

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Are we there yet?

On the way to Mackay last week Charlie was cracking it so I got in the back and tried to keep him amused with pictures of himself, it worked for a little while. Before I felt the urge to vomit and got back in the front.

I had the front screen on so he could see himself. He is pointing at himself. Funny kid.

James wanted to join in, he was in the sun so I leant him my sunnies, doesn't he look fabulous! Ha

So while we were there I wanted to take the kids to a fun park at the marina. It seemed so different and weird being there. We took Jack when he was an only child. Soon he will be the eldest of four. Its such a cool huge park I think it might be our new birthday party park. I am so easily pleased after the slim pickings in our little town.

Charlie thought this thing was hilarious he was laughing so hard I think he snorted a few times.

Augh teeth!

Big boy so pleased that he can swing by himself. 

I'm so excited to be moved already so we can do fun exciting things more often.

Ah Beach...

Pretty isn't it? My weird husband got up super early on Monday morning, walked out of our unit and on to the beach to take some sunrise photos for me.

Now I know your thinking. What unit? Beach? Well Sunday we packed the kids into the car and headed to Mackay to stay the night and spend all day Monday house hunting. Yep were heading back to civilisation! After two and a half years in Blackwater I think we've done our time and with another bambino on the way living in the same place as the hospital is such a nice thought.

Although I will be sad to leave all the beautiful friends here, and sad to be taking the boys away from their friends. I'm excited to be able to get them into little athletics, nippers, take them to the cinema, and the beach obviously. I didn't realise how much I missed the beach watching the boys run to the water, fully dressed. The smell, the breeze, the crunch under your foot.

So now all we have to do is find a house, organise removlists, find a school...I'll shut up now as my list is far too long!

Have you heard??

A few months ago I was having a little bit of a crisis. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I said at the time I was going to focus on what was in my life and hope for something to fall in my lap. Well something fell in my lap.
So to speak.
A few weeks ago I realised I was late.
Yep you know what I mean. Today I am 9 weeks pregnant. The small person in my belly is the size of a green olive.
This was not part of our 20 to do in 2011 plan.
This wasn't in our plans at all to be truthful. It took me a few weeks to get used to it and it took me a while to warm to the idea.
So by mid January next year I will be the mother of four children. I will be 27 with four children. Not exactly what my life plan was but I guess that's what the universe wished for me. We've done it before, we can definitely do it again.


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