9 months

Why is it that the 9 months of your pregnancy seems to drag (it does for me as I seem to vomit my way through the months) , yet 9 months fly by when your babies are growing!!

We now have 2 crawing babies;

2 babies who like to smile and cackle at their sister;

2 babies that love their food;

2 babies that like to crawl into their big sisters room and play;

2 babies that have made our lives all the more richer with their presence!!

They are our little miracles!

Before you become parents, its hard to believe that any little being could change your life or outlooka s much as they do!! Our lives have been so enriched by our little cherubs. All 3 of them and I feel so honoured and blessed to be their mother!

Max and Lacey are so amusing and keep me well entertained and on my toes!!

Lacey has just started crawling this week, with one knee and one foot. Apparently much the same as Noel did until he walked.

Max is now standing on everything and starting to let go, so it doesn't seem long until he will walk!! Argh

Both the babies are great eaters, Max a little more fussy, but they LOVE watermelon and yogurt!

Their personalities are starting to flourish so so much, and they are much the same now as they were even in my tummy!!

We feel so lucky to be able to experience being the parents of twins, they are so amazing, the way they interact with each other, are so conscious of each other and have started to fight over toys already!! What an amazing thing to experience as a parent, and for me as their mother. To feel them growing, kicking and moving around on the inside and for the last 9 months, to see them grow, develop and fit right in to our family.
We are so lucky!

Inspired Craft Swap

Late last year, a discovered a group on facebook that was starting craft swaps. Of course, my ears pricked up and I wanted in! My first swap, I actually forgot to take photos of my creations, and I was really proud of them too!! We had teh theme of water and I used some gorgeous fabric with chocolates, fudge and blues, and made a crafting apron, 2 pot holders and a plastic bag holder. Unfortunately my item did not show up, for reasons unknows and therefore I was disappointed. (The organisers however did sent me a gorgeous handmade bracelet for compensation and I am forever grateful!)

I was somewhat reluctant to participate again, however, I could not resist!! So this is what I created for my swap partner Amy!! We had an Earth Theme, which I found quite hard, so I went with flowers and leaves, as they seemed to fit the bill for me.

I do hope Amy likes her reversible tea cosy, pot holder and slide clips!!

On Friday, when I returned home from yet another Doctors appointment for Max, a package was at my front door!!  I quickly got the kids settled inside and tore open the package!! OMG!!! How amazing is this bundle of goodies!! The bag, the zippered little pouch, the gorgeous clippies for my little princesses!! Devine!! I LOVE them and can't believe how clever Amy is!!

Sorry about the lighting but I couldn't resist a photo of my gorgeous bag, complete with fabric yoyo embellishment!!

So if you are at all crafty, and it doesn't having to be sewing, get involved, get your craft on, and make something beautiful for a stranger and receive something just as a beautiful (if not better!!) back!!

Summer weekend fun

 Its no secret that I LOVE summer!! Love the heat, love the long days, love the fruit, love the activities and love that we have more time and activities to do as a family.

After what was a very surprising and strange day of a storm in town, from Cyclone Bianca, Saturday evening was amazing. Warm and glorious, perfect for fish and chips by the beach. After working Thursday and Friday night and all day Saturday, the kids were missing me (Yay for that, sad for them) and I was welcomed by a very happy and excited recption when returning home. Needless to say, I was dying to do something as a family and when my Mum suggested a picnic dinner on the foreshore , we were quick to accept the offer.

My parents were looking after my sisters 4 kids too, so Stella was in her element with her favourite people around her, her favourite place and hot chips!! What more could a girl ask for?

Our amazing city. The view to the port

Fish and Chips, yummo!!

Having fun!!

Denbi enjoying the waterpark

Our water baby

Loving the light at this time of day!

Our weekend flew by, much to our disgust, but was filled with movie watching, snuggles on the floor with our kiddies, playing games, waterpolo (hubby, not me, I would kill someone!!) and simply lapping up the family time!!

Spreading the Love...

I know, I know how corny right?! I know that to some people it is a commercialised, money making day, and Noel and I have never celebrated it between ourselves (ok maybe the first year we were together we did but hey, I was 17!!)

 However, this year is going to be different. Noel and I have made a vow to each other to try and take time out for ourselves more often. To spend time together as a couple, as husband and wife and as best friends. It happens, life gets busy, the kids cause choas, money is tight and the romance and lust disappears from your marriage right before your very eyes!! But not us. No sir-eeee!! We are on a mission to act like our teen versions, at least once a month (ok maybe every second month but that is better than every few years). We started this mission with our date nigth last Saturday, and we hope to do it again soon!

Like I said, some people may not agree with Valentines Day and that is fine, I personally don't like it how couples who never normally show affection or share gifts, feel obliged to do it on this very day because that is supposed to be what happens. I would much rather Noel bring home flowers "Just because", or leave me a note to return home to saying "I love you", you know mushy stuff like that!!

Having said that, I think that it is important for our children to see that we do love each other, that we are good friends, that we are still as much in love now as the day we met. I know that it is a comforting and aspiring thing for me to see my parents relationship. Together since they were in Year 8, 13 years old and still going strong at 56 (sorry Mum, hehe). They are the best of friends, miss each other when apart ever so dearly, LOVE spending time together and have fought through so many battles and heartbreaking issues, and have come out the other side, stronger and more in love than ever!! That is what I want. I have the love and I want it to last, never die and never tire.

My aim is to make Valentines not only about us, but about our children. Telling them we love the,, why we love them and making it special for them too! For Noel and I , I want it to be about words, actions and the small things. Not flowers that will die, chocolates that my bottom doesn't need and teddies that collect dust.

So.. I have a few things up my sleeve for my beloved and oru cherubs, so I will keep you posted and show you after the day (to keep it a secret from DH!!)

Ok, enough of the dribbling, sorry, I have a bad tendency to do that!! hehe

 This year, aswell as sparking up some romance for my relationship, I wanted to do something for a few of my friends. Its always hard when I undertake something like this , because I have alot of gorgeous girls that I see often, with our kids and without, and its always hard to choose a few (and its even harder to complete gifts for more than a few!!) I wanted to choose a few that I though might need a little romance package. Not wanting to criticise or make them feel bad, but ones that I though might need something to add a certain spark to their relationships. A few that have just had bubs, a few that are trying to fall pregnant, and a few that I just wanted to show how much I cherish their friendship!

Unsure as to what to do this year, and ever so inspired by my absolute favourite blog Super Organised Mum, written by the lovely Jade, I have been perusing the net for ideas. Then one day last week I got an exciting email from Jade, asking whether I would be interested in road testing her new printables and downloads that she now has available on her blog!! Try them out , they are FANTASTIC!!

Umm Hello!? Do I need to answer that question?!! YES!! For Jade, anything my love, and for a crafty project, hell yes!! Once the templates landing in my inbox, my mind was ticking away, a hundred miles an hour!! Hmm what to create to do justice to Jade's amazing products, and something that won't let her down, and something that fits in with what I wanted to do for my gf's. So here is what I came up with;

Very simple brown paper bags, with a doily, and love hear attached, one of the small Valentines flags (Jade's printable to come) and some pretty ribbon on one handle.

I really wanted the bags to be a little journey for the receiver. Something to share with their beloved and something they can use together to spice things up a little :)

I made some little heart choccies, some with mini M &M's , some with small marshmellows, and I just use a Ikea heart ice tray mould. I just packaged up a little bundle, in a small plastic bag, with some ribbon and a tag saying ;

"Chocolate Heart Surprises - to be enjoyed with your loved one or ON your loved one'

I then created these small "14 days of Valentines Task Booklets" (using Jade's download). You get the cover page and small Valentines tag included, and for every day of the 14 days of Feb, I have typed out some tasks that they need to complete together. Things like

* Turn the lights out and light a candle for dinner

* Take a shower or bath together

You get the gist, I am just hoping that they actually get used!

Other ways to utilise these downloads, as Jade has on her blog, is use them to leave little notes, every day for the first 14 of Feb, to your partner, telling them thing that you love about them. How cute!

I included a small stack of heart Post it Notes, to be used for love notes. This was also one of the tasks, to leave notes around the house for your partner. I just finished of the stack with a little flag (Jade's download too!) and a heart brad, purchased from Spotlight.

A pack of cards- wrapped in some Valentines Ribbon and topped with a tag that I found HERE. there are also some cute bookmarks!! These are to be used for one of the challenges

"Take your deck of cards and play some Patience, or maybe some strip poker" ;)

A simple gift voucher, ready to be filled in by a husband or wife, for anything that they wish.

And a small booklet of Romantic Movies (thanks Facebook friends for the suggestions).

14 soppy , romantic movies for the 14 days of Valentines.

I used my spare Becky Higgins journalling cards from my Project Life kit, added a doily, some ribbon and stickers and another one of the flag tags and hey presto. Cute as a button!!

Hopefully not everyone will be wanting to hire the movies out at the same night at the Video shop, Geraldton doesn't have enough shops for that!! haha

The bags with their goodies;

I also packaged up some sweet boiled lollies, to be enjoyed whilst watching one of the movies, and add a bit of sweetness to their nights .

So there you have it, all the little goodies all completed and ready for some loving!! I do hope that my recipients use my kit. That they enjoy the company and tasks with their husbands. That it adds a bit of spark and difference to their lives, and maybe inspires them to want more romance and lust out of their marriages. Soppy aren't I!!

Maybe you could make one for your love, it doens't have to cost the earth!! I think my total packages are worth maybe $8 each, and obviously a bit of time (whilst the kids are in bed) but who can put a price on romance and gifts for your friends or lovers?

Aussie fun in the sun

Our Australia Day so far!!

Australian

Tomorrow is Australia Day. I don't know about you, but I am one proud Aussie!!!
Its a day when you feel like eating meat pies, lamingtons, tim tams and "put another shrimp on the barbie" ahh hello? They are prawns and they taste so much better when they AREN'T cooked on the BBQ!! Not only that but the smell of suncream, BBQ's and Aeroguard of Fly spray and the radio cranked up to Triple J's Hottest 100!!
Gone are the days that we would sit around drinking, playing games, swimming and taking bets on the winner of the countdown (and having a hellofahangover the next day!!)
Never the less we will definately be getting into the Aussie Spirit tomorrow with temporary tattoos ( an annual tradition, but they are so hard to get off!!), a BBQ brunch with family, going to the  foreshore for a mid afternoon picnic and play at the waterpark with good friends and all the while, having a husband with his ear attached to the radio or laptop listening to the Hottest 100!!



Stella, last Australia Day, down the foreshore beach!!

                              

Is there anything better?
I love the country we live in, I love that we are live so freely, are safe (most of the time), are not in a war torn country and living in fear. I love that our children get educated, that fresh drinking water comes straight out of the tap, that our cultures are so diverse, that are health care system is so fantastic and our weather is so devine!! It truely is such a great country and we are so lucky to be living here!!
Hell even Oprah loves Australia, and why shouldn't she?!

And again, in her bikinis. Can't believe how much she has grown!!

                                            


I hope your Australia Day is a good one, regardless of what you get up to, as long as you are with your loved ones, and take a moment to appreciate the lives we live, that is all that matters!

Finally, my POTD, 2 of my cherubs, saying goodbye to Dad this morning. Priceless

Too quick!!

The weekends fly by wayyyyy too quickly for my liking!! One minute I am in heaven, knowing Noel is home for a few days, next thing you know, you are saying goodbye on a Monday morning and another weekend has bitten the dust!! argh.......

This weekend was a long one for us, as Noel has every second Friday off, and its bliss! Love it!! It means I can go places, appointments , things like that, childfree, and to me that means alot!! There are so many places and appointments you just can NOT take your kids, and 2 babies make the normal things even harder. The size of the pram alone, creates more problems for a start, let alone trying to find a time when you  know that you won't have to endure the full extent of the lungs of 9 month old babies!! (Did I just say that!? 9 months in 5 days!! Eeek!!)

As great as these Fridays are, they fly by and its Saturday and then I am the one off to work. See that is the hard thing for Noel and I, the fact that for our whole relationship, I have worked for half of every weekend. There is no relaxing day and then work day. No time to get stuck into big projects and trying to cram everything into a Sunday, takes its toll on everyone, and some things just don't make the cut (which is probably why my garden beds look like an extension of my lawn, and its been on our "To do List'" for too long now!! )

So, Friday we had the house sprayed for whatever it is they spray for, you know the bugs and stuff, so we had to evacuate for a few hours. Bummer, I had just received a voucher at Spotlight and we needed somewhere to go!! What a pity ;) Then lunch and food shopping and a business meeting for me and the day was all but over. Saturday was work for me, and Noel with the kiddies, and Sunday we hung around home until the late arvo when we went to my parents for a swim, arvo tea and a few games on the Wii!!

However, this weekend did differ from the others, in the fact that we went out on a date. A proper one!! Saturday night , my Mother dearest (Thanks Mum, you are a gem!! ) came over to look after our cherubs whilst we went to a party. Hmm the party got ditched, dinner reservations made and off we went for some much needed alone time and a date night!! Dinner was yummy and a spontaneous decision to catch a movie proved to make for one amazing night with my dear husband. We saw the movie Burlesque, and if you can get to the movies, and love a good musical, do yourselves a favour and watch it !! I LOVED it, not only was there some pretty descent eye candy, but I loved the music, costumes, everything!

Our date was just what we needed, as we very rarely both go out at the same time and hardly ever have the kids babysat , infact this was the twins first time and they were asleep before we even left!! Can't wait for the next one, definately not leaving it over 12 months again!

A few things we have been doing lately;

Lacey looking like the Princess she is, for our trip to town on Friday

Our little babies standing and playing (sniff sniff) and Stella entertaining them, how sweet!

Enjoying meal time!

Creating some goodies for Valentines Day!!

The usual get up for a day at home of course, Stella thinking she is Angelina the Ballerina!!

Max hasn't been well for a few days, we don't know what is wrong with him. Extremely high temps, screaming constantly, waking up and jolting with pains and general grumpiness does not make for a happy little boy. Its so hard to see your kids sick, and its even harder to see them sad when they are usually so so happy!! We are keeping up the panadol, fluids and giving lots of cuddles, and he seems to be doing better, but boy oh boy is it hard when you are home alone and all 3 want/need your attention. Kids. Life. Nuf said!!

As I said I have been busy creating and cooking for my little Valentines goodie bags and trying to catch up on some sewing!

I hope your weekend was as good as mine, and I don't know about you, but I can't wait for Australia Day!! Aussie, Aussie Aussie!!