Paul and Nic's Posterous

Pure Elias

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:55:00 -0800

If I had to pick one picture that describes Elias right now it would be this one;

Fuzzy haired smiley kid.

Elias is a tonne of fun right now. He likes to make people laugh. If we laugh at something he does, he will do it again and again and again.

He smiles and flirts with people while shopping ALL THE TIME. People always ask "is he always this happy?" Yes. He is. He is adorable and I love him to bits.

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New Baby - Blondell

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:38:21 -0800

So, I picked up my birthday present today. I present you Blondell, the Breville mixer.

I am all like this at the moment;

Haven't used it yet though. Everything you seem to mix needs butter. We don't have any butter. Tomorrow's mission will be to purchase some butter.

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Holiday

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 07:41:40 -0800

This picture describes the cruise. Relaxing and awesome. No cleaning or cooking, just relaxing. Paul and I loved it. Elias loved it. Most relaxing holiday you could do with a kid. The food was so delish. An example of my eating habits on the cruise were; Breakfast; bacon, eggs, hash browns, sausages, toast, fruit, muffins and croissants... Lunch; chicken pho, roast vegetable focaccia and cookies and cream cheesecake Afternoon tea; cakes, desserts and fruit. Dinner; Bread rolls with garlic oil and butter, sesame chicken wings, lasagna, butter chicken and a warm belgium chocolate cake. My plan was to exercise by butt off in the gym while cruising but uhh... that did not happen. Clothes that I wore on the ship a week ago no longer fit. But it was worth it.

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Cruisin'

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:09:06 -0800

On Friday Paul, Elias and I will be hoping on a cruise ship for 7 nights stopping at places like Isle of Pines;

So awesome. So excited. So much to pack and organise before then. AHH!

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Fatty Boom Baa

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:13:42 -0700

I took Elias to get weighed at our local chemist today. The little fatty weighed in at 10kg!!! He also measures 75 cm in length! According to the growth charts in both height and weight he is bigger than 75% of all babies the same age as him. My little baby is turning into a big boy. My dad offered some supportive words tonight;

I'd rather too big then little. At least you can always put him on a diet.

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New Hobby

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:59:35 -0700

So my mum has gotten me into the cake decorating trend. She has been spoiling me rotten by booking me into a cake decorating classes. The below cake is the final product from the first class called "cake covering". Considering it was the first time I had touched fondant, I think I did OK.

Unfortunately the cake tasted like chicken (no seriously it did) because I used canola oil that had already been used for frying chicken. IDIOT I KNOW. One slice was eaten before it was thrown in the bin. Yesterday I decided to give the dragonfly recipe from the planetcake book a whirl.

Thankfully they do not taste like chicken. I was a bit messy with the ganache and struggled with the wings as I did not have a heart shape cutter, but all in all, I think I did OK. We are booked into another class next weekend - 2 teir cakes. If mine turns out better than this I will be happy.

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Melting Moments

Tue, 18 May 2010 01:27:06 -0700

I made these delish little biscuits the other day (recipe). I like this photo as it looks like the biscuit is speaking :D

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ANZAC long weekend

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:59:57 -0700

We will be here over the long weekend. Can't wait!

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Five Friday Faves

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:34:55 -0700

No 1. Earth day paper from AlphaMom. I am looking forward to when Elias is old enough to do craft. I am not too skilled in that area, and feel a bit lame doing kids craft just for me.

No 2. So I am very behind the times with this one but - Free art! So many cute pictures. So little printer ink.

No 3. Cupcakes. I have been a bit cupcake obsessed lately. The above are my new favourites. So cute!!

No 4. Felt animal mobile. And just felt animals in general. As previously mentioned me + craft = fail. I currently have felt sitting on my dining table for a monkey design and I just can't get started. Gah!

No 5. Monkey tattoo design! Heh. I can hear my mum freaking out now. Don't worry. I'd chicken out anyway.

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Solids

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:41:23 -0700

So Elias started on solids this week. Wasn't that an anti-climax? TV, books and other parents talk solids up as if it is SO much fun. If your idea of fun is smoshy food, spit, masses of filthy clothes and out right jaw locking food refusal - you really need to get out more.

Elias post carrot smosh. He did have a bib on. He flipped it around without me noticing. P.S. Still would not trade being a mum for anything. Best. Job. Ever.

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New Family Member

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:48:01 -0700

We would like to introduce our new family member Eeeeeeeva (think Wall-E). Well, I will at least be calling her Eeeeeva. Paul, the boring family member wants to call her car. Pfft.

She is a 96 Dihatsu Charade. 1.5L, 4 Cylinder. Her and Gi Joe (or BJ Joe, whichever is more appropriate at the time) our Commodore will be a good couple. She is a warm welcome to our family.

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Five Friday Faves

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:57:29 -0700

No 1. Art of Silver Necklace. I have seen these in a few other places for at least four times the price and minimal difference in quality. Check out the other items in this etsy store - they are beyond cute.

No 2. Butter Cream Frosting. I am no chef, cook.. whatever. But this recipe makes an awesome frosting for cupcakes. I made some cupcakes for Paul to take to work for St Patricks day using this recipe. Considering this was the first time I have ever frosted cupcakes like this - they looked rad. I wish I took a picture.

No 3. Ikea Antilop Highchair cushion. Paul and I purchased the ikea highchair on the weekend after much research on my behalf. I was thinking of just buying a cushion and sticking it down the back of the highchair until I saw this pattern. Now I just have to find A. A sewing Maching. B. Someone to sew. heh. P.S. Re: highchair selection - I wanted the stokke tripp trapp before I saw this video. I'd prefer Elias not to have a cracked open skull so we decided to purchase the ikea highchair. Cheap. Hose-able. Realitively safe. Yay for research!

No 4. ABC Poster by Enna. This again - suitable for Elias's jungle themed room. And sizable. SO many times I love something then find out that it is not much bigger than a postage stamp, but this is nice and big, and would look awesome above his change table.

No 5. Mabel & Lou Tote. I purchased this yesterday for a score. I had been looking at it for a nappy bag for what... 4 months? But it was just too expensive for me to justify. Then yesterday I went in for my usual bag daydream when I realise it had been marked down by 50%. SCORE. It is so soft, has a sholder strap and handles, it is the perfect size for nappies (and all my other junk) and is super cute. The picture does not do this bag any justice. I am lovin it.

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Home Sweet Home

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:50:38 -0700

This week marks 3 years since we purchased this house. Even though a few problems have appeared since then, we still love this house as much as the day we first saw it. On our first inspection of the house, Paul and I were both like "wow, this is us". And it is. It is little. It is odd shaped. It is poorly layed out. It is falling to bits in many places. It is impractical. But we both still love it to bits. It is a house representation of us. Our dreams. Our faults. Our life. I am thankful that we have it. That we own it. That it is OURS. It is truly our home.

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Dream Dream Dream

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:26:56 -0700

If anyone has a lazy $1.5-1.7 million laying around, feel free to buy me this farm. I'd love to have a free range/organic farm. I'd hate the climate in Tasmania but at least the chook poo wouldn't smell.

The only real problem would be that chickens are birds, and I do not like birds... with all their flapping and squarking carry on. I suppose Paul can deal with the chickens. I will look after my 13 alpacas.

Don't you just want to kiss his georgous little face? :D

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Five Friday Faves.

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:10:05 -0800

No 1. DIY Coasters from Prudent Baby. They are so freaking adorable, and using tiles over wood is an interesting concept.

No 2. Bankable bookcase instructions from Knock off wood. Elias needs a storage area for toys. I am tossing up between this and the trofast storage system from ikea.

No. 3. Ethical Jewellery from Mcfarlanddesigns. This is in no way a hint to Paul (I would rather a new lounge sweetie). Just the idea behind this etc is great.

No 4. Monkey mobile from Zsazsa. Elias's room is jungle themed and one of these would look awesome over the top of his change table.

No 5. Food gawker. For those into food porn, this site is the centerfold.

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How did my kid get so cute??

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:19:19 -0800

I am guessing he must get his looks from his Mummy... hopefully he gets her brains too. I am truly blessed to have these two people in my life. Except when Nicola buys 'Fantales'.. the same day I have two wisdom teeth ripped out and can't eat solids.. cruel black hearted woman.... :p

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Lucky bastard...

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:35:24 -0800

Even when shit is getting me down and things in life start pissing me off for whatever reason... I go and look at Elias when he is asleep and it fills me with a peaceful happiness that is hard to put words to, I see Nic when she is feeding or holding him and it makes everything and anything worthwhile. The two people who give my life perspective, the ones that make me realise what is most important and what really matters. I am so very very lucky to have my family.

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Sappy

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:31:04 -0800

Paul, Elias and I have all been sick lately. Colds. IN SUMMER. Not sure what that is all about. Apart from the cold, all is going excellent. Elias is georgous as always. He can roll from his front to his back now - mainly because he hates being on his stomach for "tummy time". He also giggles alot more, which means Paul and I are constantly pouncing on him trying to get him to laugh. Under the neck and under his arms are the usual giggle spots. He wakes once at night around 3-4am, but that is fine by me. He feeds for 10-15 minutes then goes straight back to sleep. I wouldn't mind him waking up 3 times a night because then it means more cuddles with his mum. I love his cuddles. When Paul or I go into his room in the morning or after a nap he is so happy to see us. He kicks his legs, has a huge smile.. It is awesome to be someones whole world. He is my whole world. He has shown me what true happiness is. I love my family.

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Veggie Garden

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:46:51 -0800

Our veggies are in their prime at the moment. Every time I go out there, I am bringing in a lunch box full of delicious veggies.

The grape tomatoes are awesome, they have a fresh cracked pepper flavour. The roma's on the other hand are a little squishy, we will have to try a different variety next time. You could club a large seal to death with the cucumbers. They are all so heavy and HUGE! We have an albino cucumber growing at the moment... not sure what is going on there. Have not ate any on the purple beans yet. Hopefully we will have them tonight with some barramundi. Yum!

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Birth Story - Part 2

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:57:58 -0800

I continued my shower/bed routine until about 11.30pm. When I was first breathing through the contractions I told myself I would only be in pain for 3 long breaths. By this stage I was at about 15 breaths per contraction. I started to get worried about the drive to the hospital and my ability to deal with the pain whilst sitting upright in a car seat so I tell Paul it is time to go to hospital. I was timing the contractions to be 6 minutes apart but they were probably 2 minutes apart at this stage. Paul calls the delivery suite, lets them know we are heading down then tries to get me into the car. The conversation was as follows; P: OK let’s go! N: Just wait until this contraction is over. P: OK… P: ….It’s over now, let’s go. N: Just let me rest, I am so tired and I just need to rest. This went on for about 6 contractions before Paul dragged me out of bed and had a stern talking to me – i.e. WE ARE GOING NOW – I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU SAY. The car ride was difficult. Sitting still was impossible. I was gripping onto the car handle so hard. I had Paul blast the air-conditioning on my face as this seemed to help with my breathing. I remember thinking that if I was less than 4cm dilated that I was most definitely getting an epidural as I could not take much more. We arrive at the hospital car park at midnight. I tried to make it to the hospital entrance which was about 50 meters away in between contractions but got caught halfway through. I had to stop and hold onto a street light until the contraction was over. Paul was smart enough to then drag my sorry butt inside as I would have tried to rest otherwise. I had another contraction in the lift before making it to the delivery suite at 12:15am. The midwife (Cathy) showed us to the birthing room and asked how I was feeling. My response was “pain”. Ha. She asked if I wanted some gas – I said HELL YES so she gave me the breathing apparatus and turned the gas up to 20%. Cathy hooked me up to the foetal monitor and said that the baby was moving a lot which was excellent. She initially said she wanted to monitor baby movements for 20 minutes then do an internal, but by the way I was huffing the gas, she only monitored for about 10 minutes. On doing the internal Cathy said I was about 6-8 cm dilated and that only my hind waters had broke. I remember thinking 6cm is close enough to 4cm, but figured I’d give the gas a bit more of a go. I headed into the shower in the birthing room. Paul was using one hand shower on my back while I had the other running over me. The one thing I distinctly remember about the shower is how cold the water was. I kept asking Paul to turn it up – but it was already on full hot. At some point during the shower something happened which lead to me screaming through the contractions. The pain was intense and indescribable. The contractions were on top of one another with no time to rest inbetween. I could not breathe, just scream. Luckily Cathy was nice enough to up the gas to 60%. I always wondered if I would scream during labour from pain – I am usually just silent, but this instinctive urge / force takes over. Cathy got me back into bed for some monitoring for about 20 minutes. I remember at some stage Paul saying “Umm, your only meant to use the gas when your in pain, not all the time”. My response? “I AM IN PAIN.” Ha. Cathy did another internal. I was 9-10cm but apparently a part of the cervix was blocking something? I am not sure. A few contractions later I had a bad urge to push, but as the cervix was not fully apart I was not allowed to push. Trying not to push when every part of your body wants you to push is.. impossible. There is no control over it. Every scream filled contraction I was being yelled at to BREATHE and DON’T PUSH. Cathy did another internal where I was measuring 10cm but she had to push the cervix lip back (??). I am not sure if it hurt, my whole world was just pain at this stage so my memory is fuzzy. At 1.30am Cathy does another check and calls my obstetrician, who takes 20 minutes to arrive. The contractions had eased and I was relatively normal in between each one. Cathy turned the gas down (without my knowledge) and started to get things ready. I remember feeling as though Cathy was nervous because things had gone quicker than she expected. Both Paul and I later said we both though Cathy was getting ready to deliver the baby herself and that I could have had the baby earlier if I was allowed to start pushing. When my obstetrician arrived, she says the baby’s head was nearly crowning and in a few pushes it will all be over. She then tried to take to gas tube away. I, thinking the gas was still on, heavily protested. NO. YOU. ARE. NOT. TAKING. IT. I NEED IT. NO. NO!!! Somehow they wrestled it away from me and convinced me to start to push. Every contraction I would push and grab onto something. I once grabbed the bed rail so hard I heard the plastic crack. Both my obstetrician and the midwife repositioning my legs up to help with the pushing and I remember thinking thank Christ I shaved my legs (thus confirming my vain-ness). Paul decided to look at some stage to see what was going on. I had specifically told him many times during the pregnancy he was not allowed to look. He exclaimed “OH MY GOD THERE IS HAIR AND A HEAD. IT IS NEARLY OUT” with the widest eyes I have ever seen. I remember screaming at Paul “NO I TOLD YOU NO.” Which confused the hell out of everyone else in the room. The obstetrician a short time later said that in the next push I will feel burning and then the baby will come out. About 12 pushes later, and being told one more push every time I remember saying “GET IT OUT. I AM TIRED. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH”. Yes, IT. IT was the devil child at this point. A few more pushes later my obstetrician decided I needed an episiotomy. She did an injection of local anaesthetic then cut. Apparently I nearly jumped out of the bed and Paul had to fight every urge to not punch her. The next contraction at 2:15am, the little fellas head was out, subsequent contraction the rest of him came out. My little boy Elias was born. They put him straight on my chest, Paul cut the cord and they let me hold him for about 15 minutes. Even though he was slimy, bloody, squished and alien looking I had never felt so much love for someone. He was instantly my reason for living and the love of my life. I smothered his gunky, pointy little head in kisses. While Paul was holding him I delivered the placenta (ick) and was stitched up. At 3.30am, I was walking around and showering. At 4am, a lactation consultant came in and showed me how to breastfeed him. Life was awesome. I was so high on adrenaline and other hormones that I did not sleep for 3 days.

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