My Life as a Cake

No Sugar and Assingments makes Amy go something-something

2012-02-01T08:49:00.000+10:00

You'll have to excuse the lack of presence on facebook/twitter/pinterest/blogs. I'm currently going through incredible internal turmoil.

I've given up sugar. And carbs. At the same time that I'm trying to crank out two uni assignments. Great Idea, Amy.

My husband started eating paleo about three months ago, and I can't even tell you how much weight he's lost, and strength he's gained, without seething with jealousy a bit. We've been doing paleo dinners as a family and slowly replacing the carbs in our live with basic fruit, veg and meat.

I also got into movement. I found a really rocking fitness class that I love, I've actually been enjoying getting out for runs, and my current planking record is about 37 seconds, up from about .1 second when I started. After a while, it started feeling redundant to do all that exercise while putting so much junk into my body.

So there we go. No sugar*. No carbs.

It's HARD. Some people will tell you that they did it, felt great, and never got tempted to go back to sugar again. I'm not one of those people. I'm still in the middle of detox and I can tell you, it's similar to what coming off heroin must feel like. I'm irritable. Obsessive. I think about sugar all day long. I get shaky and nauseated. I'm emotional. I'm sucking down diet soft drink at inhumane levels because if I shut my eyes, it feels like it's sugary. (And no lectures please about how diet softdrinks are unhealthy for you. One vice at a time. It's like when people give up drugs and turn to smoking. Baby steps).

And for all this hard work, I've been rewarded with a zero difference on the scales. Freaken ZERO. That news alone made me want to turn to a giant block of chocolate, or a large McDonalds chocolate shake, and drown my sorrows in sugary goodness. But I'm working on. Holding out hope that one day, it'll get better. That one day, I won't be offered a cookie and spend the next two hours thinking about it. And dreaming about it (don't laugh. I've been having dreams about eating sugary goodies). And that maybe one day, I'll see the fruits of my labor on my hips and scales.

In the meantime, I might be a little sensitive for the rest of the month. And drowning in diet soft drink (now would be a fantastic time for Coca-Cola to sponsor my blog and send me six months supply). And pinning chocolately treats on pinterest. There should be a rehab centre for this- seriously.

See you on the brightside

Check your Mayo!

2012-01-30T07:34:00.001+10:00

I had a massive sugar attack in the shopping centre over the weekend.

What's a sugar attack, you might ask? One of those moments when something you love has way, way more sugar in it than you expect. I'm new to this no sugar thing, even though it's been popular with some bloggers for ages. And I'm trying to take it slowly at first- going from eating many, many foods high in sugar to nothing is quite a shock to your system. Trust me- my poor husband had to endure a few crazy wife moments and my hands were shaking- it really scared me. Like I was withdrawing off heroin.

Anyway, I've been cutting down my sugar intake with the view to cutting it out entirely. This little journey finds me in the shopping center, picking up some more mayo. On a whim, I decide to check the sugar content in the cheapest brand.

25g in every 100g. That makes it like 1/4th sugar! Dear Gosh! If I'm going to have that much sugar, I'd like it in a cake or cookie, thank you very much. After standing around reading labels for a few minutes, I managed to pick up a brand that only includes 2.2g of sugar per every 100g. That's much, much better.

Who would have thought there would be such a difference between brands of the same product?

So there's a lesson for you- check your mayo! You could be making some small inroads to health with very small changes.

By the way, it's hard to find or take a photo of mayonnaise that's not plain boring, or questionable. So here's a photo instead of my little eater. I'd love to eat less sugar and live longer for him :)

Piquing my Pinterest: Under Stair Storage

2012-01-29T07:45:00.000+10:00

Even though I don't actually own a home, I love to pin things for that hypothetical day that I do. I've got pins for all kinds of different houses- no matter where we end up, I've got it covered.

Going through my boards this week I discovered I have a real thing for under stair storage. My dream home doesn't even HAVE stairs (I'd love a split level, flat at the front with a massive balcony at the back). I do, however, love the idea of utilising space under the stairs.

Here are some of my favourites:

Image

Playing along with:

One thing leads to another...

2012-01-28T19:02:00.000+10:00

Late last year, Brisbane had a hail storm. It's uncommon- we always get the threat of hail, but it never, EVER actually arrives. Probably something to do with the clouds warming up as they get closer to the CBD.

Anyway, it's a stormy afternoon, another report comes over with hail warning, and we ignore it. Because we are ignorant Brisbane-ites like that. I've always been a bit paranoid about hail damage and have run out to protect my car multiple times, always for no reason.

I wish I'd done it that day.

Yep, for once, the weather people were right and we had massive, massive hail. It came out of nowhere and was gone in under 10 minutes- not enough time to run out and find blankets to cover the car, even if we wanted to. Both of our cars were outdoors, and both of them suffered some serious hail damage. I even had a crack in my windscreen.

Many weeks later, I finally get around to getting my car into be repaired. It's a huge pain- for starters, I can't drive my husband's car (I've only got an automatic licence) and so I'm at home for a week. In the rain. To say I'm going loopy is an understatement. THEN they call and say that it's going to take even longer. Hooray.

Finally, ten days later, we are heading in to pick up my car. I'm more than a bit excited. It looks beautiful- and it should, with a brand new roof and repainted doors and bonnet. I hand over my $500 (insurance excess, thank goodness for insurance!) and drive away.

There's a ticking sound in my engine. And my keyless entry won't work. And my clock is gone. So, we turn around and head back. I should mention at this point that baby G has done a massive poop on the way out there, and me thinking it would only be a ten minute trip, didn't pack any supplies. It's almost coming on 5pm and anyone with a toddler will confirm that's a horrible, horrible time to be out with a hungry child.

Just to give you some context.

Anyway, we get back, track down a mechanic, who proceeds to tell me that the sound 'should just go away'. And that sometimes when they disconnect the battery, it interrupts the connection with the computer that controls the remote locking and radio etc. AND that I'll have to take it back to the dealer to be fixed. He then throws the kicker in 'When you get some spare time'.

Umm, hello? Spare time? You've just had my car FOR OVER A WEEK and now I've got to have it taken in for even more repairs? Thank goodness I don't have to pay for them, but still, that's just one headache I don't need.

In the meantime, I don't have central locking either. So I have to lock my car the old fashioned way- with a key. By reaching over and manually locking each door from the inside and then locking my door with the key. I don't think I've done this since....well, at least 7 years. It's hard to remember. I feel like I'm living in the car dark ages.

Complain, complain, complain. Just the perfect end to a overall crappy week.

Bring on Monday. Surely this week will look up for me!

I need a day

2012-01-20T17:33:00.000+10:00

So, I need a day off. Or more a day 'on'. I've got so many things on my to-do list that it's overwhelming me a bit. A major work project has to be finished in the next few days. Two uni assignments due in two weeks. Meal planning to be done. House to be cleaned in more than just a quick thirty second blitz kinda way.

I'm not overwhelmed. Not yet. It means a lot that the baby is now 'sleeping through' and I'm getting more than three hours of straight sleep per night. And introducing formula means I get to have some regular time out. I'm back at fitness classes and moving feels good. Sore, but very, very good.

I just don't want to get behind again. I feel like I spent the last half of 2011 chasing my tail, and I hate that feeling. I'm know by my productivity, my organisation, and when my husband has to be the one to remind me of things, life is at chronic level.

William is also reaching a point in life where it's not quite so much about coping but about teaching and experiencing and having fun. And I'm determined not to be so lost in all the day to day stuff that I loose this really special time before he races off to school.

I'm going to try and carve out some time in the next couple of weeks to get on top of things. Write plans and lists and generally get back to being organised again. And it'll feel so, so very good

Toilet F*** Training

2012-01-19T07:33:00.000+10:00

There are not too many things that will make me swear. But toilet training, like labour, gives you the excuse to bring out the f-bomb. Not, you know, in front of him. Because in front of him you are all giggles and smiles and 'Whoops! Accident!' and then as you are mopping up the eight puddle of pee that morning, you let it slip under your breath while he's in another room.

When I was reading about toilet training, the 'experts' said that you just wait until they are ready, and then you say goodbye to nappies, and then poof! He's toilet trained.

Even all of your friends say it too- 'Oh, she just got it one day' or 'We said goodbye to nappies and he didn't have a single accident'. You only hear the good stories. It's because the rest of us are hidden inside our stinky pee houses with our spontaneously leaky children. Pulling our hair out and eating the potty treats that are meant to be for your toddler (it's fair- he goes, he gets it, he pees on the floor, I get it...right?)

After a disastrous few attempts , we gave up for a while. A couple of months later, the baby was sleeping through the night, our routine was solid, and the weather was warm- so, perfect potty training time.

This time, he got it. Two days in and we'd had minimal accidents and two giant, stinking messes on the potty. Two days and half an hour later, he decided that peeing on the floor was funny and much, much better than the potty. Sigh. We are still trying. It's a two steps forward, one step backward kinda thing.

Advice?

1. Potty or toilet- do what works
I was a staunch 'I aint cleaning a potty' type person. I didn't (and still don't) see the difference between emptying out a nappy and emptying out a potty. Except that my toddler doesn't mind peeing in the potty, and he has trouble peeing in the toilet. Pick your battles.

2. Bribe the suckers
Even The Baby Whisperer Tracey Hogg advocates this one. At no other point in your child's life should you dangle lollies in front of them as an incentive, but dangle all you want in this case. In our house, it's Freddo Frogs. A wee or a poo gets a Freddo. As time goes on, I'll make it one day of wees and poos, but right now, Freddo Frogs are raining.

3. Don't attempt this on anything less than 5 hours sleep
Bad night with the baby? Nappy up the toddler. The last thing tired mummy brains can handle is pee on the floor and more washing.

4. Ask them every ten minutes if they need to go- and take a no as a no
My boy has the right to say no to the potty. Even if I think he needs to go. It just means he gets asked again sooner. But I don't like dragging him kicking and screaming- even if an accident happens thirty seconds after I've asked. It almost kills me, but we just start again.

5. Nudity, Nudity, Nudity
Being naked is the bomb. You don't have fiddly undies, you can whisk them on quicker, and they can watch the pee run under their feet and get what this strange water is coming out. As an added bonus, you have less wet McQueen undies to wash

and finally...

6. Find friends with potty-training toddlers and hang out with them
Everything is better with someone else. Find a friend who's currently going through the same thing, and let your kids hang out (and pee everywhere) together. At least you'll have someone to talk to while you are cleaning up.

In the time it's taken me to write this post, my little one has made water three times on the floor. It's driving me insane, and there are times I wonder what would be quite so bad about a prep student in nappies...but I'm not the first person to train a baby. And the nicer and sweeter and more fun I make it, the sooner it will be over.

On the outside, at least. Inside I'm scoffing chocolate and swearing.

Marriage-Ending Anchovies

2012-01-18T07:51:00.000+10:00

My husband and I had the biggest fight about anchovies a few days ago.

I know, I even feel dumb writing this out. Anchovies, right? For starters, they are disgusting. The only reason they are in our house is because a few months ago I picked up the wrong thing in the shopping (smack in the midst of my 'Getting less than four hours sleep a night' haze).

Anyway, we'd just gotten home from church & visiting my father in law, it had been a massive weekend for everyone, the kids were hungry and tired, some friends had dropped in to pick up Guy's cradle, and we were trying to get everybody fed and in bed pronto.

So I'm trying to finish feeding Guy, while fishing a nappy out of the dryer and grab his blanket off the clothes line, and discover where his six dummies have disappeared to, all at the same time. Because I know that the minute he stops drinking, he's going to scream his little head off until he's snug and in bed. And our toddler is running around laughing like a crazy maniac and I know it's seconds before he starts to scream as well.

That's when my husband starts look for the damned anchovies. To make a dressing for his salad. And they've disappeared from the cupboard. We are pretty sure that our toddler had them out a few days ago and my husband has chosen this moment to start turning the house upside down, looking for them.

Of course, this sends my blood boiling. In my mind, I'm trying to get the kids dealt with so that we don't have to listen to them screaming for one more second, and he's running around trying to find something to make his lunch better. And because we are tired, he's stomping around and grumbling about it too.

I won't go into details about the fight, but I will tell you that it was a reallly nice one. Involving many curt words, slamming of things, and a good ten minute time-out walk. And I know I've written this to read like the entire thing was him being selfish, but really, I was being a bit of a snappy martyr. And besides, if he wants to spin the fight his way, he can go get his own blog.

At the end of the day, the fight was about us being hungry and tired and not communicating well. It was even one of those smouldering fights that sent little spot fires all through the rest of the afternoon- don't you love those ones that start with 'AND you never help out with the washing!'.

A good fight can be really clearing for the soul. We've never been one of those couples that claims to never fight. We have small disagreements often, and big blowouts a few times a year. I think they are good for me, good for us. And although I'd never, ever admit to this- when he walks out, after the first fuming five minutes of 'Good, get out, I'll do better on my own anyway!', I start getting worried. About what he's doing. And when he's coming back. And if my raging tantrum has really ruined things. I miss him- he's my best friend, the person I want to run to and say 'Ugh, my husband is SUCH an idiot and we've had a big fight, tell me what to do'.

So here we go, a very public apology. To admit that sometimes I'm a crazy nutter who gets on a high horse and becomes touchy and sensitive about, well, pretty much everything. I pick fights.

And I have a great husband who always, always comes home (in fact, I can count the times he's left on less than one hand. And I don't think he's ever made it further than the end of the driveway). We forgive each other, forget the hurt, and start the next day fresh.

I love his anchovie-eating guts.

P.S The photo above is a really old one, taken about four months after we started dating. It's one of my favourites and it always makes me smile when I look at it.

Every Mother Needs a Daughter

2012-01-17T07:10:00.002+10:00

I had one of the most shocking, depressing conversations a few days ago. And I use the word conversation lightly, because it was more that someone was talking to me while I was trying to keep my jaw from dropping and my hands from shaking her.

I should have known the conversation was going downhill when, after complimenting me on my pretty dress, she asked "So is that a new baby or remains from the old one?".
I guess that dress, which I previously loved, is going to the back of my cupboard. You think that's insulting? Wait for the rest of it...

Her: "So, you've just got boys, right?'
Me: "Yes, just the two"
Her: "Oh, you need a girl"
(By this point, I'm a little annoyed, but I've had this conversation a million times)
Me: "You'll need to talk to my husband about that...."
Her: "No, No, you need to have a girl. Every mother needs a daughter"

She then proceeds to tell me all about how women with only sons loose their femininity. And how she knew a woman once who had three boys and, heaven forbid, used the bathroom mirror along with all the boys. She knew for certain that she'd been 'lost to the darkside' when she visited and the woman didn't have a dresser or handheld mirror.

By this point, I managed to squeak out some kind of excuse, escape to the car, and try really hard not to cry.

I'm not going to deny that sometimes I'll see a gorgeous pink dress in the store and feel a pang of loss. Or feel incredibly left out when a group of women are discussing which Disney princess costume to dress their daughter in. Or been fearful that I'll spend the rest of my life washing dirty, muddy, ruined clothes and never have someone call and say 'Hey Mum, want to waste the day shopping and getting facials?".

But past that, there is acceptance. And complete joy for what I do have- two perfect, well behaved, smart, handsome sons. Sons who make pretend with cups of tea and would happily spend hours brushing the hair of a My Little Pony figurine. Sons who love to cuddle up and fall asleep in my arms.

I've got an Aunt who has three sons and she is one of the most womanly-women in my family. She is crafty and keeps a beautiful home and takes care of herself. Her house, while filled with cars and bikes, first pretend and then real ones as her children grew, is also filled with flowers and pink. She hasn't, to any degree, sold out because she didn't have a daughter. I look at her and resent the statement so much- her life is not a giant disappointment, not even close.

And it's small minded women like the person above who will continue to put pressure on women to have the perfect pigeon pair. To continue to tell them that their lives are not complete until they have given birth to a daughter. That, at the end of the day, boys are worth less than girls, particularly in their mothers eyes.

I read a blog post a few weeks ago about 'Rules for Mothers of Sons'. It's beautiful and expressed in a way that I could never write. I'll leave you with that, and this;

My sons will never, ever be worth less to me than a daughter.

Lightweight

2012-01-16T10:06:00.000+10:00

We had baby Guy's six month immunisations last week. I expected his weight to be down a little, even by just looking at other babies born around the same time you can tell he's smaller. I wasn't too worried- he is a happy, settled, cooing baby. And it's really nice to have a baby baby for longer.

But I still wasn't expecting to come home, check his growth chart, and see that he's in the 10th percentile for his weight. The Doctor was a bit shocked when I told him that at six months, we'd only just started to introduce solids. And that he'd been exclusively breastfeed up until that point.

"It'll be okay", he said "Once you start feeding him, he'll put on weight just fine"

Now I get what he meant, but what I've been doing for the last six month is not feeding him? Mothers everywhere complain about mixed messages, but sometimes it is hard to get all the information in and make the right choice. Breast is best for the first six months- but you'll end up with an underweight baby, so formula is important for weight gain. Don't introduce solids too early, don't introduce solids too late. Wait until they have good head support and are almost sitting unsupported, start feeding as early as four months.

You'd think by now, onto my second boy, I'd have this thing downpat. But there is still the constant reading, researching, questioning and Guilt. With a capital G. Has the reason he hasn't been sleeping through because he's been starving? Will his development be delayed because of the slower growth start? Should I continue to introduce food slowly like the books suggest or launch straight into more complicated foods because he needs the calories?

I know it'll be okay. In just a few months time he'll be a rolling cherub and all these doubts and questions will be wiped from my mind, but gosh, it's hard not to feel a little bad right now.

In the meantime, if you have any great 'fattening him up' ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Mounting Climbing- are you crazy?

2012-01-09T07:12:00.000+10:00

Out of nowhere, my husband has become an outdoors'y adventure nut. I know, I didn't see it coming either. We've been trying out different things to do together and when my 25th birthday rolled around, he decided that we should have a date. A date where we go rock climbing.

This photo was taken just before we started and sums up both of our feelings pretty well. He's calm- too calm. You see, he's climbed this mountain before and is a heck of a lot fitter than I am. He's got proper (crazily expensive) shoes and a generally confident outlook about the whole thing. Me, I'm freaking out a little on the inside but also joyous to be outside, away from little people who require attention every five minutes.

I didn't make it the whole way up. After the first difficult bit of climbing, there is a rock wall that looks like a sheer face (apparently it's got good hand holds in it. I'm still skeptical). My monkey husband scaled up like it was made of velcro, but it had just been raining, the rock was slick, and when the other people there started coming down and talking about how hard it was to climb...well, I held onto my support tree for dear life and decided that it was time to get me off this freaken mountain. Like right now.

When people say that coming down is easier than going up? They LIED. It was a million times easier going up than down. Notice the guy in the red shirt above? He was trying to help me down a particularly difficult part and whacked his head on a rock doing so. He was bleeding. I still feel a little bad.

After we finally got down, and survived a mass mozzie attack, we ended up checking out some local markets, grabbing some lunch, taking a walk along the beach, and then coming home. It was a really nice day. We got to do something fun together, and something different, and in general I had a really great time.

Not that my nails agree. Rock climbing and red nail polish don't go very well together.

Piquing my Pinterest- Rainbow Party

2012-01-08T08:40:00.000+10:00

Even though it's only January, I've started thinking about birthday parties already. Specifically, a 1st birthday for a special boy.

Playing around on Pinterest (as you do), I've been really attracted by things with a Rainbow theme. There's just no limit to what you can do, what things you can turn around to fit the theme. These are some of my favourite ideas so far- and could easily be changed to reflect the colour of your party theme!

Rainbow Drinks

Rainbow Games (or decoration for an entryway)

Rainbow Lolly Kebabs

Giant lolly thank you's

Rainbow Treats

Rainbow Birthday Cake

Rainbow Party Table

Sprinkle Milk Shots

Rainbow Fruit Kebabs

Love pinterest? Come play along here

Six months and still feeding

2012-01-05T07:51:00.000+10:00

In a few short days, my little baby will be six months old. And besides all the normal 'he's growing up so fast' blady blah, there is one thing that really stands out and amazes me. I'm still feeding.

My goal with both kids was six months. I do buy into that 'exclusive breastfeeding is best for the first six months' stuff and I'm motivated by the fact it's easy and cheap. With son number one, I struggled in the way that first time Mums do and even though I didn't have any serious issues, I doubted myself and ended up turning to formula around three months, and comp feeding (offering both breast & bottle). By six months, my supply had completely gone and he was completely bottle fed.

With son number two, I've been more relaxed about the whole thing. Helped by experience, and more knowledge, and even just the fact it didn't hurt so damn much, I've continued feeding all the way through.

One of the cool benefits I've noticed is that baby Guy is so much more attached to me. I calm him down quicker. He panics a little more when he's surrounded by strangers and he can't see me. While it may just be that he's different from his brother, I can't help but think it's also because I'm his food source, and of all that time we've spent together snuggling and feeding and whispering. It's been beautiful.

We are about to introduce 'real food' soon and I've also started to introduce formula. It makes me feel a little guilty- it's more to give me a break than for any other reason. My husband and I had the same day off last week, we put him into daycare, left a bottle, and went out, alone, for five hours. It was bliss.

Right now, I'm taking it one day at a time. I might continue feeding for another six months, I might introduce more and more formula and let my supply drop. It would be nice to have my body back. It would also be nice to have this relationship last for as long as possible.

Either way? I did it. I met my goal. And that feels really, really good.

A totally self-indulgent brag post

2012-01-04T07:24:00.000+10:00

I got spoilt for Christmas. As in seriously spoilt rotten. And what's the point of having a blog if you can't brag about the beautiful exciting things you get given?

When I did my annual 'All Amy Wants for Christmas' post in early December, I figured my husband would pay a small amount of attention. He normally shops as late as possible on Christmas Eve, and so my gifts come down to whatever he could find at the one store in as little time as possible. This year, he outdid himself.

He also tortured me. I'm a seeker- I like to sleuth out my presents well in advance of Christmas Day. He's figured this out, and got me really good this year- buying my gifts with cash, keeping the gifts (and the receipts!) at work until the last moment, and then wrapping them in all sorts of weird boxes so I couldn't figure out what they were.

In the end? I got my top three requests.

1. A real camera

And isn't she a beauty? It's simple to use, which is perfect because I'm not a pro and the kids don't often stay still long enough for me to figure out fancy settings. However, if I do get in the mood, there is plenty to play with.

2. A kindle

I've already devoured the three Hunger Games books on this beauty. It's so light and perfect for reading while breastfeeding- no finicky pages to turn. Also, my toddler can't loose my page and I can increase the text size when I'm tired. Perfect.

3. Earrings

Not just any earrings at that. Tiffany-freaken-earrings. Identical to the ones I put up on my wishlist. They are pearls and look perfect in my ears. They dress up (every outfit and are just casual enough to wear each and every day. I love them (and I love my Tiffany collection is growing).

I also got spoilt terribly by friends and family- a Julie Goodwin cookbook, beautiful hand cream, a clinique skin set, a pearl bracelet, delicate pink pearl earrings (I sense a pearl collection coming on here?). There were so many other things, I don't want to offend anyone by leaving out a gift, but this is all I could find when I ran around the house quickly gathering things up. If it's not here, it's already in use!

I was just so overwhelmed with so many beautiful, loving and thoughtful gifts. I am truly blessed.

52 Weeks to Simplify your Life

2012-01-03T07:10:00.000+10:00

So, I suck at web-based challenges. Take the December photo challenge, for one. I took about five images and gave up.

My friend Deb at Simplify your Life has put together a 52 week program that looks at simplifying all areas of life- from housework to finances to family. She's talking about lasting change comes from within, not just from looking at cool things on pinterest and filing them in the ever growing 'to-do' pile.

I'm positive about it so far. I wrote a few days ago about what worked for me in 2011, and about my outlook for 2012. I'm intrigued about going on a journey of self-exploration that might give me some control over my crazy life- and in doing so, meet other bloggers doing the same.

What I'm most terrified about is the week when meal planning will come up. As it always does. Everyone agrees that meal planning is the number one way to save money and avoid stress. I don't need to be told about the benefits again, I get it. What I don't get is despite knowing all of this, I can't do it! I first heard about meal planning two years ago and I'm still yet to give it a shot. Even though I know it will be good for me.

Maybe 2012 will be the year of the meal plan?

Interested? You don't have to blog. You can read all the details here and follow along each week.

Here's to a more organised, simple, calmer year!

Beach Day, Beach Day

2012-01-02T20:52:00.000+10:00

Beautiful, sunny, warm Queensland day? What else should Queenslanders do but go to the beach?

We are lucky at the moment to have friends holidaying in Caloundra. We haven't seen them much over the holidays and decided to ~~invade~~ visit them for the day. Fun in the sun was had. As it turns out, my toddler has the same general opinion about the beach that I do- its waay more fun away from the sticky water and sand and took advantage of a massive tree nearby (who thought an almost-three year old could climb so high?) Being buried in the sand is fun also, at least until the waves start to get a little close.

I've also got an adorable six month old little boy who is full of smiles, laughs and raspberries- so I couldn't help but show him off.

There's nothing quite like coming home at the end of a fun beach day, slightly burn, sandy and exhausted. Perfect summer.

New Year, Old Me

2012-01-01T16:28:00.000+10:00

I've been particularly enjoying reading everyone's New Year resolutions, goal definitions and recaps. My favourite so far has to be Sass at Life of the Bees. Meanwhile, my own post has been flying around in my head for a while. I've even sat down to write it once or twice, and nothing really came together.

Which is when I realised that, I like me right now. Just as I am.

I mean, there are things I'd like to achieve this year- like getting better about driving a manual car. Wearing makeup every day. Getting another HD at uni. Loosing at least 5kgs. Finally getting over the fear (of both the procedure and the cost) and having my teeth seen to.

But I'm already doing these things. I've already got a goal plan in place, and for the first time in ages I don't feel like New Years has to be a fresh start- it's just a reminder and continuation of a life that's pretty damn good.

How did I get here? A reminder to my future self of the ten best things I did for myself in 2011

1. Joined an exercise class twice weekly, and make it a priority for our family
2. Started wearing dresses again. I love (and look good in) dresses
3. Bought semi- decent makeup
4. Went to blog meets. New friends are FUN
5. Organised my uni notes into weekly to-do sections
6. Installed Word on my Mac
7. Got a job at a place where people love and respect me
8. Laughed at myself more
9. Started eating paleo only dinners
10. Fell in love with nailpolish

I hope that your year is as full of promise and excitement as mine is. Hang on tight, it'll be a wild ride.

Holidays

2011-12-31T09:10:00.000+10:00

In holiday mode.

Meant to warn you I'd be taking a blogging break. Didn't really get around to it. Ended up spending faaar too much time being spoilt by my husband and in turn spoiling my children. Lots of relaxing, reading The Hunger Games, catching up with family, eating body weight in chocolate. Driving for hours in the dark. Long conversations.

Catching up on laundry. Sharing even more gifts. Eating pavlova. Planning New Years Eve. Thinking about my 25th birthday. Thinking about writing my assignment. Giving the baby his first formula bottle so I could have some time out. Planning out blog posts in my head and wondering if I'll ever get them up. Trying to sort out the screw up with our family secret santa. Playing with new gifts.

Caring way too little that my son snuck three chocolates in before we stopped him. Thinking about sneaking a few chocolates in myself. Spending time sorting out & rearranging bedrooms. Tossing up whether to put the boys in a room together. Hoping I'll get more than two hours sleep in a row at some point. Reflecting on the year that was and planning for the year that will be.

Uh, Mum? There's a dinosaur on my head

2011-12-21T07:18:00.002+10:00

Wordless Wednesday with

Gift Guide: Christmas for 2 under 3

2011-12-20T08:06:00.000+10:00

With less than a week left until Christmas Day, panic starts to set in about what to buy for whom. And, if you are anything like me, you leave the hard people to the last minute. I still haven't got anything for my Dad (and I've got to get him two gifts this year, he's also in my family secret santa draw).

My boys? This year, they were easy to buy for. I've actually had their gifts stashed away for weeks. So here's what they will be opening Christmas morning, and hopefully some good gift ideas for you if you are still searching!

GIFTS FOR THE BABY (UNDER 6 MONTHS)

1. Early Learning Centre Discovery Cylinder $25

2. Tray for Bumboo Seat (which we already own) $19.95

GIFTS FOR THE TODDLER (UNDER 3 YEARS)

1. Early Learning Centre Tea Set $19.95

2. Buzz Lightyear action figurine $49.95

JOINT GIFTS

1. VeggieTales DVD $19.95

2. Early Learning Centre Wooden Car Garage $70.00

3. Mooo Name Puzzles $30.00 each approx., depending on length of name

I'm really excited. Particularly about Buzz Lightyear. This is the first year our toddler has shown interest in something, for an extended period of time. Anytime we head even close to a toy shop, he runs off and finds the Buzz Lightyear figurines and will happily play for hours. I'm so excited about giving it to him Christmas morning and watching his little face light up. Shopping for toddlers is so much more exciting than shopping for babies.

Now, if someone could just point me towards a good gift guide for hard to buy for 40 something year old men, my Christmas would be set.

500 rolls, 5 years, 4 bottoms

2011-12-19T07:39:00.003+10:00

Ever wondered what 300 rolls of toilet paper looks like?

When the guy delivered them to my house, he was really bewildered. He knocked on my door before he even started getting them out of the truck

"Ummm, I've got a delivery, a whole bunch of toilet paper?"

The look on his face said it all. He totally thought he had the wrong house, that I was about to give him a wild confused look and he'd have to figure out where the damn things actually go. It was actually kind of cool watching the surprise (and relief) on his face when I happily chirped out 'Oh my gosh, they are here!'.

A few months ago someone on twitter was mentioning a blogger giving away toilet rolls. I was intrigued, and headed over to find Naomi from Seven Cherubs celebrating her 1000th post and she'd convinced Kleenex to let her give away 1000 toilet rolls (500 to two people). I thought it was incredibly cool, entered, and then completely forgot about it.

Until my husband messaged one day and said 'Umm, honey, there's an e-mail in your inbox from some woman saying we've won 500 rolls of toilet paper?'.

I'd been forgetting to check my old blog account, and I'm so glad he stumbled in there one day (our accounts are linked) or I might have missed out! We instantly started planning all the cool, crazy things we could do with 500 rolls of toilet paper

1. Make a bed for our toddler (soft and absorbent?)

2. Use it for exercise and heavy lifting?

3. Use it as a really tall time out chair?

Seriously though, based on our current toilet-paper consumption (which is going to change when toilet training is successful), this is enough toilet paper to see us through the next 6 years. Zombie apocalypse? World wide paper shortage? We are sorted.

Without hurting anyone's feelings, this is seriously the best giveaway I've ever won. Moral of the story? You've got to be in it to win it (and you've got to frequently check your e-mails).

By the way, if you've been doing the math here, you would have realised I won 500 rolls but only got delivered 300. They are staggering the delivery out for me, because despite the epic coolness of 500 rolls at once, we just don't have the storage space.

Toy Storage- Piquing my Pinterest

2011-12-18T07:06:00.001+10:00

I'm only new to the Pinterest love. And it's a bit addictive. It's invitation only (let me know if you want in) but imagine an online cross between a giant pinboard/bookmarks list. No more saving an idea as a bookmark and then never seeing it again. I've got Pinterest!

And then there is Tina Grey Dot Me. She brings together bloggers everywhere on a Sunday to share favourite pins of the week. Or some interesting ideas. Or just pretty things they love. It's amazing what fantastic ideas I've found via her bloggers.

Now with two fast-growing boys in a townhouse, storage space is becoming an issue. It's particularly difficult in their room, where I want them to have access to toys, but be encouraged to put them away, and be able to find what they want easily. I'm also in a rental, which means I can't just build shelves onto the wall (oh what a dream).

I thought I'd share with you some pins I've found on toy storage that doesn't require permanent fixtures. Yes, most of it's Ikea. I'm a cheapskate too.

One- Two- Three- Four

One Day, We Went to Dreamworld

2011-12-16T07:38:00.000+10:00

I know you've been hanging out for a photo-heavy post about our trip to Dreamworld a few weeks ago. Sorry about the delay. Still recovering from the awesome-ness. It was a beautiful, overcast day- those days where it threatens to rain, is lovely and cool, but the sky doesn't spill a drop. It's also the weekend before school holidays and so the place was virtually empty, allowing us to ride ~~whatever we wanted~~ The Big Red Car Ride as many times as we could hack.

So, did I get everything on my list? Yes and Yes.

1. Ride the River Rapids
This is actually a photo of myself and my little bro on the Log Ride, but I forgot to take a photo on the rapids. It still counts, right?

2. Eat a giant ice-cream sundae
Although not as giant as I would have hoped, and the plastic cup let me down a little too..

3. To buy a ridiculously overpriced photo or souvenir
Check and Check

I could talk to you forever about the really nice day, but they say a photo tells a thousand words and well, I'm all out of words today.

I'm a sucker for a good blog meet (and pizza)

2011-12-15T07:20:00.000+10:00

Okay, Okay, I'll admit it. I love blog meets. The bloggers who's posts you devour each week? They are actually really cool people in real life. And I haven't come across a single axe murderer/stalker yet.

When I told my husband I was heading to yet another meet, he decided to tag along (not because of the stalker thing. Well, he TOLD me it wasn't about the stalker thing).

So, after palming off our oldest to Grandma, we head off to lunch with just the baby and a wide group of bloggers. The venue? Amici's in Soutbank. We've actually eaten there before and they didn't disapoint once again- loads of yummy pizza (I figured out I may or may not have eaten a whole pizza and a half to myself...whoops) and endless soft drink.

I spoke with the super famous Kelly from Be a Fun Mum (turns out we attend the same fitness class!), caught up with Talia's latest pregnancy gossip and stole Amy's Ikea family magazines (although I still don't understand how she gets them and I don't!). It was packed and noisy and got even louder and noiser once the rain began, and like most blog meets I didn't get to talk to half the people I'd like to, but still a great afternoon.

Have you ever considered attending a blog meet? You should. You've got nothing to loose really- we are all just a bunch of nerdy/creative types who come out of hiding every once in a while to talk, eat and have a great time.

Thanks must go to Dani for putting this all together (even though she couldn't make it) and Melissa for being the perfect host on the day.

And all the images? They were taken by Mr. Suger and are property of Hello Blogger Events. I was too busy stuffing my face to take any, obviously.

MAIL. BLOG. LOVE

2011-12-14T07:06:00.000+10:00

One of the things I adore about Christmas is mail. I love getting mail so much. Particularly packages. I even love getting those slips in the letterbox and having to go and line up for my package.

I don't usually get surprises though. When something arrives, I'm normally expecting it. Which is why when my Social Media Secret Santa package arrived, I was totally blown by the second package behind it.

Kate is a beautiful bloggy friend who's fourth son is being terribly inconvenient and forcing her to change the name of her blog. Kate and Michael + 3 doesn't ring quite so well when you have four. She ran a competition a few weeks ago to rename her blog and despite all suggestions, it was her husband who came up with the new name (which is yet to be revealed).

In compensation, she offered all entrants a small token of appreciation. I was excited and then promptly forgot about it. At the very least I was expecting a notebook, or a block of chocolate- and then this arrived.

I certainly wasn't expecting such a collection of beautiful, personalised things. The teatowel has gone straight into my kitchen, the calendar is going to my office, the ice-cube tray into my freezer, and I've booked a date with the bath bomb and a good book. I'm really just stunned by her planning and thought and kindness- particularly as she's massively pregnant with three young sons to wrangle.

Kate's blog is one to keep an eye on, particularly over the next few weeks as she reveals a brand new baby and a brand new blog.

Once again, I feel so blessed and loved by this fantastic blogging community.

My Social Media Secret Santa

2011-12-13T07:40:00.000+10:00

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about my involvement in a Social Media Secret Santa gift exchange. I shopped carefully for the perfect gift, ended up doing a really crappy wrap job (sorry Secret Santa!), sent it off in the post, and then waited.

After what felt like weeks (was only really days) this turned up in the mail:

I was so excited. I opened it right away- we are going away for Christmas and I can't take all our presents with us, and besides, how am I meant to thank the person if I don't know what's inside (that's my justification and I'm sticking to it!).

It was so beautifully wrapped, which of course put me to a bit of shame thinking about the gift I sent off. I especially loved the pink cupcake stickers, my Secret Santa even left some extras in the bottom of the bag for me (love her for that!).

There were just so many treats;

- A Smiggle freezer block (we can seriously never have too many of these)
- Several Smiggle Notepads (great for a blogger to scribble down thoughts on the run)
- A Little Men/Little Miss Christmas book, which Master almost-3 quickly claimed
- A Smiggle rubber band ball (very handy for throwing at husbands who don't put their shoes away!)
- Teeny salt & pepper plates (I've forgotten their fancy name right now)
- A cupcake recipe and;
- Two tiny little tree ornaments

I set it all out of my dining room table and was so very pleased by all the pink! Our house of three men is covered in blues and greens, so I'm a sucker for a good splash of pink everywhere. It's obvious that however picked out this gift read through my blog thought carefully about what I'd like. I'm incredibly touched.

It's been a great experience and I'm already keen to play along again next year. Of course, now I know how high the wrapping/presentation stakes are, I'll have to pick up my game a bit!

Thank you secret santa (who I hope might be still reading my blog!). I can't wait to find out who you are and thank you personally in a few weeks time.

Merry Christmas!

Mr Reindeer lost an ear in transit. Super glue fixed him right up!

All Amy Wants for Christmas is...

2011-12-12T17:11:00.000+10:00

I do a post like this every year. It's very self-centered, but mostly because I'm a hard person to buy for. Apparently. I disagree, there are lots of things I'm lusting over. So without further ado, here is the 2011 'All Amy Wants for Christmas' list.

Let's begin, shall we?

1. A Kindle Touch
If you could throw in the size 8 beach body as well, that would be great. And I'm still going to buy paper books from time to time.

2. A Camera
It doesn't have to be this fancy, but we currently don't have anything besides our phones (in fact, I think my iPhone 4 does have a better camera than our old point & shoot). I'm not a pro photographer wanna-be, but I would like to be able to record nice memories.

3. Earrings
I love wearing earrings, I love the way they dress up an outfit so quickly- but I keep loosing/breaking them. More! More!

4. Seasons 2-4 of Gossip Girl
I bought Season One a few weeks ago in a DVD buying spree (my husband got something, so I wanted something too) and now I'm addicted. Must have further seasons.

5. Workout Gear
Shockingly, I've actually gotten into fitness. I've got decent shoes, but I'm sick of working out in too small/too long pants and wearing my husband's socks.

6. Peter Alexander Pj's

Need I explain? I can always do with more Peter in my bedroom

7. Hair Straightener

I feel unfeminine not having one of these, and it would help for those 'blah' days.

8. Dreamworld Passes for the family

We really didn't get to see enough in one day. A year pass to both worlds would give us heaps of time to look around and be something fun to do with the kids on the weekend (N.B You can get them cheaper from RACQ, if you are a member)

Not much, right? I'd also like to take this opportunity to remind my husband that I do have a birthday in January and I did give birth to a baby this year. I think that earns me some Christmas joy.

P.S Shockingly, I'm posting twice in one day. I had this scheduled for later, and then turned the pages of my diary and realised Christmas is NEXT WEEK. So I need to get this out sooner, rather than later. Not that my husband buys his gifts any earlier than Christmas Eve.

Done and Done

2011-12-12T07:57:00.001+10:00

I've just uploaded my first assignment for the term. Which is kind of exciting because it's only 8am- my wonderful kids *slept in* (anyone with a newborn will tell you they don't really sleep in, I've been awake multiple times, it was more that he was happy to go back to bed at 6am). Anyway, my kids slept in, I got an extra hour's worth of work into it and just uploaded it to the website.

Now I'm free for at least 24 hours - I always give myself a small break before I start plugging into the next assignment. Ideally I'd like to get into my blog, I've got so many exciting things to talk about! Bloggy lunches, ideas for Christmas (including my annual 'All Amy Wants for Christmas' post), photo's from when I organised my pantry- all great stuff!

In other news I also cracked 100 followers yesterday- wow. I was over the top excited at the 25 mark so you can imagine just how tickled pink I am that there are 100 people out there who are interested in what I have to say.

But since I can hear my toddler destroying his room and I've got a doctors appointment in two hours, I should get to it. Hope your Monday has started as nicely (and productively) as mine!

A Dreamy Weekend

2011-12-03T11:01:00.000+10:00

A totally spontaneous decision is seeing us skipping church to visit Dreamworld tomorrow. If you live in South-East Queensland, you've probably been a million times before and love it as much as I do. If you haven't, it's one of Australia's biggest theme parks and is, well, awesome.

I went so many times when I was younger. Less as I got older- it's less fun when you have to pay for it yourself, you know (even with discounts, it's freaken expensive. Damn tourism industry). I've got so many happy memories here though- holding a koala, riding the Giant Drop for the first (and last) time.

One of my favourite Dreamworld memories includes their antique photo-taking service. Basically, they get you all dressed up and take a photo like you have stepped back a couple of hundred years? A few years ago, my fairly serious boyfriend and I had one of these photo's taken. I even dragged it out to share with you, if you can excuse the photo of a photo.

It was strangely a turning moment in our relationship. We were serious enough to have one of 'those' photos- the photo we would show our kids and they'd giggle about how silly we looked when we were young? The photo we'd look back on and think fondly about the amazing times we had, pre kids. And if we broke up, well...that photo would just make life really awkward, wouldn't it?

Anyway, we lasted, and the photo does make us smile every time we look at it. And although I'm tempted to have another one done, I don't think we'll ever capture that same feeling in a photo.

So tomorrow, there are a few things that are on my must-do list. I want:

1. To ride the River Rapids

2. To eat a giant ice-cream sundae

3. To buy a ridiculously overpriced photo or cuddly souvenir

My husband's to-do list includes riding a roller coaster (and, I think, making ME ride a rollercoaster) and hanging out at Wiggles World with the kids all day while I do my own thing. He's pretty great like that (Dreamworld is the place where dreams come true, right?).

I'm just a little bit excited. See you on Monday, bloggerinos!

A Photo Challenge I can Handle

2011-12-02T07:54:00.000+10:00

I don't normally take part in photo challenges. Mostly because I'm not a great photo-taker at the best of times, I don't even have a real camera at the moment (we lost the battery charger to our crappy point & shoot).

But when I saw this one by Positively Presents (well, technically I joined in from the Tina Grey Dot Me blog) I thought, taking photo's on Instagram? One a day? Done. That takes minor technical skill, right?

So I'll be taking one photo a day as per the above and showing them all off here on the 30th December (or thereabouts. I'm on holidays then and might not have internet access).

Simple? Yes. Fun? Totally. Want to join in? Just start snapping photo's (doesn't have to be with Instagram, you could take real photos, if that's your thing) and get ready to upload to your blog/flickr/facebook account.

If you want to follow my photo taking journey, check me out in instagram or twitter- @mylifeasacake

Excited!

Assignment, Done?

2011-12-02T07:34:00.000+10:00

Almost half of my marks this semester will come from a group-work based assesment. Now, I had one of those semester before last, and it turned out really well. I had a great group, we worked really well together and got a fantastic result. Also, having to check in with a group regularly made me accountable, and I credit that group to helping me stay on top of my uni work- I couldn't slack off and do it all in one night at the end.

Anyway, the group assessment isn't due for another 8 or so weeks, I hadn't even begun to think about it yet, when I got an e-mail from my partner today.

'Hi. I e-mailed our co-ordinator and asked if we could be paired together, because we are both in Brisbane. I've already done most of the research and written most of the assignment, I'll e-mail it to you, but we are basically done'.

After I got over the shock that there is a person out there who actually cares about an assignment enough to have it completed 8 weeks early, I started having doubts. About how much input I'll get to have with my obviously over-acheiving partner, and how much I should fight this. I mean, of course I will take up a good chunk of the second half of the assignment (an oral presentation) and of course I'll review and edit her document heavily, but if it turns up and it's good? So tempting to just say thank you and take the great mark. All that time I save, I could plug into my other two assignments and walk out with a great grade.

I'll know more when she sends me what she's done and I'll know just how much I can contribute, but woah, what a uni dilemma.

And so it is Christmas...

2011-12-01T08:05:00.000+10:00

Growing up, December was about advent calendars. Every year I'd excitedly choose my new calendar, store it away carefully in the cupboard, and then come December 1 would be allowed that special treat every morning.

Yes, the chocolate is slightly dodgy and weird. Yes, the logic of eating chocolate for breakfast is a little flawed. But it was just such a special part of Christmas for my childhood and I couldn't wait to share with my little one.

I spent about thirty seconds picking out his advent calendar for this year (mad Cars fan), and I've had it hiding in the pantry since about late October when I walked past this beauty in the grocery store.

Then, this morning while he was eating breakfast, I bought it out and explained about how he's allowed one (just one) every morning at breakfast, and it will help us count the days before Christmas.

He seemed to get it- there was no tantrum as I put it away and we waved goodbye to it saying 'See you tomorrow!', so I'm hopeful that this will remain a lovely thing to do every morning.

Funnily enough, I've been feeling a little guilty about what we don't do for Christmas. Looking at other blogs filled with Christmas activities, I'm a little ashamed of what we do (which is very, very little). Until I read Kate's blog post about how her love of Christmas didn't come right away. How it grew and developed as her children did, and as they got into the spirit of things more and more.

I think we'll be the same. The older William gets, the more fun things like birthday's and Christmas's are. This year, I think he'll enjoy getting to see the lights. This year, I think he'll love getting to unwrap presents and see his favourite things. I think he'll love the carols and the tinsel and the Christmas movies.

What Christmas traditions did you start when your babies were young?

I was thinking about blogging tonight.

2011-11-26T20:18:00.000+10:00

So, tonight was going to be about catching up on uni work and blogging while my husband is at youth group (playing with a 44 gallon tub of molasses. BIG story to come there). I put the kids to bed over an hour ago...and five minutes later there are little footsteps padding down the staircase.

My 2.5 year old has figured out how to open his own bedroom door. So he's been taking full advantage of this new skill, coming downstairs for hugs and kisses and drinks and toys and a new nappy. Funny the first time, when I catch him halfway down the stairs and he looks at me and says 'Oh Gosh!'. Yep, kiddo, discovered.

Less funny an hour and a half and ten door-openings and downstairs-creepings later.

There are great things about kids growing up. The funny things they say, their new found independence....and then there are the not so great things. First he was released from his cot-prison, and now he can be released from his room.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a little boy to convince back into bed.

Social Media & Secret Santa

2011-11-26T08:25:00.000+10:00

Somewhere out there in the world wide internet world, there is someone stalking my blog, looking for clues and suggestions to create the perfect Secret Santa present.

I love Secret Santa's. This year, Chantelle from Fat Mum Slim put together a Social Media Secret Santa, linking together bloggers and tweeps from all over Australia (and the world). It's simple really- you get paired with another blogger (or twitter user) and you have to find a $30 gift and send by December 10.

Straightforward, right? Fun? Absoloutely. Right up until I get e-mailed with my Secret Santa details and she's really into homemade. And upcycled gifts. And she loves craft and sewing and being creative. Right there- that's when my mind went blank.

I shortly entertained the thought of trying to make something, but soon realised it would be a fail that completely stressed me out and made for a terrible gift. I was really lost until last night, when I stumbled across a website that sells really cool, environmentally friendly gifts. Among other things, I've gotten her a pencil case that's made from recycled video & cassette tapes by disadvantaged and disabled people in India.

I think (hope!) that's an awesome gift for someone who hates waste and it's as close to homemade as I can possibly get.

So that's one gift down- only another 20 or so to go. Of course, they are the difficult ones. Take my Dad, for example. I HATE buying for him- he's one of those people who are terrible to buy gifts for. I've been relying a bit on Red Balloon for him over the last few years.

What about you? Do you love or hate secret santas? Are you playing along in the Social Media Secret Santa?

Other Fish in the Sea

2011-11-24T07:50:00.000+10:00

So, you may have noticed I've been a bit quiet lately. I've been trying- sitting here, looking at my keyboard and waiting for the words to come out. I've got ideas, so many thoughts running around my head, but finding the time and/or inspiration to punch them out? Lacking.

There's a few reasons. Number one is that I've been spending more time out in the sunshine with bloggers. You know, in real life? Number two is that I'm trying out some new things- exercise classes, tv shows, recipes in the kitchen.

Number three? There's some stupid Top 25 bloggers competition going on here, and there are hundreds of mommy blogs nominated. I won't get started on my rant about the stupidity of a competition where you can nominate yourself and then sell your soul to get votes. However, it proves to me how many hundreds (thousands?) of 'Mommy Bloggers' are out there. For some really weird reason, I feel overwhelmed. Like maybe my blogging world is getting crowded. Stupid, yes? I'm still getting my thoughts together on this one.

In the meantime, be assured that I'm here. I'm just stepping back a little- reading, commenting and enjoying other people's writing. And I'll be back punching soon (probably right around my assignment due date!).

Where to begin

2011-11-23T19:38:00.000+10:00

I've got half a season of Gossip Girl to watch. A blog in serious need of updating. A uni assignment to start. The last Game of Thrones book to finish. A kitchen to clean.

Where would you begin?

When the husbands away, the wife will...fake it?

2011-11-16T08:57:00.000+10:00

My husband went away last weekend, and being left alone at home with the contents of our 2011 tax return in our bank account means for a pretty bad combination. I've also been hating on my body a bit lately- not really loving me, and feeling a bit frumpy and unattractive.

Friday morning I was reading one of my favourite blogs, and came across a beauty post about fake tanning. Now, I've never tanned before, fake, self, or professional. I'm a typical 'white' city girl in that when I do venture from my air-conditioned house or car into the sun, I just turn bright red, burn, and then peel. You'll generally find me pasty white all year long. For some reason though, maybe the boredom, the need to do something a little different, I decided to give it a shot. I figured it would be a win- either it would work and I'd have a bit of a new look, or it would fail and make a totally rocking blog post.

So I started with this (try not to zoom it, pretty sure I didn't shave my legs before this photo was taken):

The products I used, under recommendation from We Heart Life's Caitlin and also the girl at my local Pharmacy, were these:

Please note I haven't received any kind of free payment or product for this post. I just thought you'd appreciate seeing what products I went with.

Now, it's very important to exfoliate first (or so I read). Besides, it feels good and makes your skin feeling soft and lovely, so if you are already in the bathroom spoiling yourself a bit, why not? I applied mine before my shower so it was a little bit more rough on my skin and I could really give it a good working through.

After that, I jumped into the shower and washed off all the granules. Then I laid a (really old & ugly) towel down on the floor of the bathroom to catch any drips.

The self tanner is a really nice gel that just kind of smooths on. It's clear, which makes it a bit hard to see where I've already put it on, but it covers well. I started from my feet, working to my calves, thighs, stomach and so forth. I had a bit of trouble with my back (I've squirmed around in front of the mirror and it doesn't look awful, so I must have done something right) and then finally arms and face.

You've got to be a bit careful with certain areas, I paid a lot of attention to making sure my elbows, knees and heels wouldn't go funny and kind of forgot about my feet...

I sat around in the nuddy for about an hour while it dried, and then left it on overnight. I woke up with a nice brown colour that I was really happy with.

The next day, I did it all over again. The bottle says to reapply 2-3 times until you are happy with the colour, and then to apply only every few days. After Day 2 I'm pretty content with my new colour- it's browner, yes, but not quite super tanned. I thought it best I go just a little browner to start with. I think it's so natural looking that nobody has even really noticed...well, nobody's said anything, anyway (bet my husband's going to read this and go 'Oh! That's why she was fishing for all those 'How do I look' compliments').

I do feel better. I feel fitter and my clothes look better and heading into a hot Australian spring I look like I fit in. It's also say I look like I've lost a few kilo's, which is always good in my books. All in all? A positive experience.

The Blogging World isn't as big as you think

2011-11-15T08:27:00.000+10:00

When I first started out blogging, I never even entertained the thought that other bloggers would want to get to know me. I'm nothing special, with no amazing life story to share. Just me, eating chocolate, and using blogger as an escape mechanism for all the random ramblings I used to blast my husband with (isn't HE appreciative of my blogging hobby!).

The internet isn't full of crazy stalker people. Even though I'm sure they are out there, and you should be wary of those people, the blogging world is really full of people just like you, using blogs to communicate and connect. I think what life must have been like years ago, when you could just walk three doors down to find another parent to share and connect with. It's harder now. People have less time, People work. Finding 'Mum' friends just isn't that easy.

I'm really lucky to have a great community of bloggers living right near me. I'm been able to head out to various blog meets and get to know people in 'real life', and it's been fantastic. Fantastic to getting to hand out with people who are just like me, who share my interests and hobbies, but who are also beautifully new. It's so much fun to have new friends, don't you think? People who you haven't exhausted every topic of conversation with. People who challenge you to think it ways you might not have before.

I felt really lucky when the wonderful Hayley from Our Unique Journey invited me to hang out at a local park with her. She has an adorable little boy Cooper (boys rock) and my two loved running around with him. I had a fantastic time and loved getting to hang out with another mother who has my free range parenting attitude (in the photo above, Cooper had just fallen off the little rotunda we are sitting in, and bumped his head. Something my son has done countless times!).

So, interested in getting out and meeting awesome people like Hayley and I? (Now, don't all rush at once). Hello Blogger Events are having their end-of-year wrap up next month and tickets are on sale now. Why not check it out? You've got nothing to loose (except maybe $25 and an hour of your time) and all these fantastic friends to gain.

Thank you

2011-11-14T09:08:00.000+10:00

Last week I wrote about my breastfeeding journey, and how I'm struggling a little. About how I'm tired and bored and lacking the motivation to continue.

The response I got was incredible, and it really touched me to hear from so many people. Everyone was very supportive and bought my attention to a few factors I hadn't really considered- like how this is my last baby, and I'll never get to breastfeed again, so I'll regret not holding onto this time for as long as possible. And about how it's okay to not love breastfeeding all the time and treat down feelings as part of the natural ebb and flow. And reminders about how he won't be feeding like this forever, soon his feeds will get quicker and quicker, and then when he starts eating, he'll be feeding less and less.

I was also talking to a mother at daycare this week about how I'm struggling and she shared about how one of her friends sees breastfeeding as a part-time job. She refuses to let people make her feel guilty about all the time she spends on the couch.

So if you consider that, I'm working part-time (15 hours per week), studying part-time (20 hours per week), breastfeeding part-time (20 hours per week). Not to mention being a full time mother and wife. That's a lot of time, and I've shifted my thinking a little to see that what I'm doing for my son is not something out of necessity, but it's something of importance and I deserve recognition (and hell, even payment) for my efforts.

I'd just like to thank you for helping me get past this 'hump'. I really do appreciate every comment and every bit of advice, and it's renewed the love and appreciation I have for being able to do what I do.

So on behalf of my entire family, thank you.

(Oh, and yes, the sign is back to front. I could make something cool, but then I'd probably never get the post up!)

Casetagram- Love It!

2011-11-11T20:19:00.000+10:00

I'm addicted to mobile phone cases. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't believe that buying my iPhone different 'outfits' should take up a category in our budget- so this addiction goes mostly unfulfilled. I've spent many minutes standing in front of the case section in the Apple store though, dreaming about all the different pretty cases I could have.

Then someone alerted me to the most freaken amazing case in the world (I kid you not. I designed it. How much more amazing can you get?).

Have you heard yet about Casetagram? It's a service that takes your Instagram photos and turns them into an iPhone case. Because I'm a bit of a sucker for things that bloggers tell me to buy (thats another post on it's own), the minute Suger ordered one I designed mine as well, and just couldn't wait for it to arrive.

A couple of weeks later, the postman told me I had a package and I eagerly raced off to the post office- don't you love when you order stuff and then forget? It's like Christmas come early. The day my iPhone got fixed (long story. Camera broke, Amy devastated, then angry. Apple Store to the rescue, happy Amy. Maybe not so long) it also got a brand new snazzy look!

It's pretty. The photos are clear and it's got a nice matte on it so it looks like it won't scratch too easily. It's a hardcase and it holds snugly onto my phone. Even though I ordered the case for an iPhone 4, it fits my 4s- the holes for all the buttons and plugins are still spaced perfectly. All in all, excellent quality.

I love looking at my phone and seeing all those memories and parts of my life combined.

And at only $34.95 including free worldwide shipping? I say RUN! BUY! LOVE!

*NB- The grainess of the photo above is my shoddy photo-taking skills, not the case itself. It's perfect and non-grainy.

The one where I buy shoes

2011-11-10T20:45:00.000+10:00

I've bought five pairs of shoes in the last month.

For some women, this wouldn't be much of a statement. A little bit of a splurge, but really, what's another five pairs on the scheme of things?

I, however, have never owned so many shoes at once. My whole life, I've been a two-three pair person. One pair that I wore constantly to death, one pair of sneakers, and another pair of dressy heels. All costing about $20-$30 from some crappy cheap retailer.

I've been watching my Blog and Twitter friends raving about shoe purchases all year. And it's peaked my interest a little, seeing all those cute and pretty shoes. That tiny little 'Love shoes' light that all women have started blinking on.

Then I went shopping with Carly, Sass and BrissieGirl. They ooohed and ahhhed over shoes all day and talked me into buying a pair right there and then. Even though I didn't have anything that matched perfectly (and what do you know, I found things that worked when I got home). I loved them so much that now I can't stop.

So tonight when we were picking up shoes for my toddler (who can't seem to keep hold of a pair for more than a day before loosing/damaging/scuffing them), I had to get some for me too.

I'm proud to announce that right now, I own a jaw-dropping 15 pairs of shoes. Seven pairs of ballet flats, one pair of sneakers, two pairs of Colorado sandals, one pair of leather boots, two pairs of work heels and two pairs of wedge heels.

Thankfully my husband is pretty tolerant of my shoe collecting habit thus far. If it continues? I might be seeking a new home- anyone want to open their house to a fun loving mother of two with a rad shoe collection?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T14:52:00.000+10:00

Men in the Kitchen

Playing along with My Little Drummer Boys

Breastfeeding- Thinking about the end

2011-11-08T07:21:00.000+10:00

I'm generally a huge breastfeeding advocate. Amongst all other 'better for the baby, better for the mother' reasons, it's cheap. And easier- I don't have to worry about having enough formula or boiled water on hand, I don't have to worry about sterilising bottles- no matter where we go, the baby just needs me.

And therein lies the problem. It's been almost four months, and I'm exhausted. I've one back to work, and while on one hand I love the excuse to take a break from work and go down and cuddle, it's also time consuming. I have to adjust all of my outfits to be able to feed easily. I can't leave the baby in the care of others for more than two hours- and I'm really craving some time out.

Even the act of feeding itself is exhausting- I need more food, more sleep in order to be making up for all that energy and nutrients I'm passing onto the baby.

I've entertained the thought of switching to formula multiple times this month.

And then I feel guilty. It's for purely selfish reasons. I don't have feeding problems like so many other women do, I'm blessed in that I can breastfeed easily. My son is putting on weight and growing well. I'm not in pain. I'm just tired.

My initial goal was to feed for six months. Which is basically Christmas. Surely I can keep going until Christmas, right?

My Mirena Experience

2011-11-07T08:11:00.000+10:00

I suppose this post could also be called 'How I got out of taking the pill every.damn.day. Oh, and if you haven't figured it out yet, this is a little bit of a girls-only post. Not to say that male readers can't read it, but if words like cycles and contraception and periods freak you out, you are probably best clicking onwards- thanks for visiting. I'm writing this because when I was doing research on whether to go down the Mirena/IUD path, I found very little information out there that was from Australia. I'm hoping this helps out someone who is as confused and nervous as I was.

I suck at taking the pill. There you go. My firstborn was a (very much wanted) error in pill taking. I'm horrible at remembering to take something at the same time every day. I'm even more horrible in remembering to take it when I'm sick or on holidays. It frustrates the crap out of me. Despite all this, I believed (and still do believe) that the pill is one of the most effective forms of contraception for people who haven't started or finished their families. It's easy to start and stop, it's non-invasive, and relatively safe.

After the birth of our second son, we just didn't want to take chances with the pill anymore. If we ever do decide to go down the pregnancy/birth/baby path again, we want it very much to be on our terms. As much as I'm struggling a little with the idea our family is finished, I'm also very aware that we can't afford (as much emotionally as financially) another child. I looked at several different types of contraception and settled onto the IUD/Mirena after deciding that we were not ready for a permanent option (sterilisation), we wanted a high level of reliability (natural family planning), and I didn't want to have to take something every day (the pill), or even visit the doctor every three months (depo injections).

I started with a visit to my GP. I found at this point it was very important that I'd done my research first. Some doctors are of different opinions, but there has been some research that suggests the Mirena can cause infertility and so my GP doesn't usually recommend it to younger women (although I've had plenty of friends with doctors who prescribed it straight after the birth of their first child, and they wore it right up until they decided to conceive their second, with no problems). After convincing my GP that we were ready to accept the risks associated with the Mirena and that we didn't want more children, he wrote me a referral to a private gynaecologist.

After waiting a few weeks for the gyno appointment, it was all pretty straight forward. He again explained the risks and procedure, gave me a script for the Mirena itself, and then booked me in for an appointment in a few weeks time.

Now, just a warning. The box for the Mirena is freaken HUGE. Try not to freak out- most of it is the applicator. Oh, and keep the wrapping. I took it off to take this photo, and then had to walk in to the gyno's office with the giant box tucked under my arm- everyone in the doctors office knew exactly what I was there for!

I was nervous about the procedure. I had heard that it can be painful for some women, that some women faint- nothing too horrendous really, but still, when someone is putting a foreign object up your woo-ha, it's worrisome.

The whole procedure took less than fifteen minutes. I sat on the awkward chair with my legs in the air, he washed out my cervix with a solution, inserted the device, and boom, I was done. There was some cramping pain that lasted twenty four hours, nothing worse than standard period pain. The procedure, aside from a little mild cramping, was painless. It felt a lot like having a pap smear done- so if you can handle that, it probably is an indicator of how well you'd handle this procedure.

In all honesty, I'm a little nervous about turning into some hormone crazed angry lady (but I'll be sure to let you know if that happens) and I'm also nervous about some pain in them taking it out- but I've got five years to delay that.

And the total cost? About $350 for the private gynaecologist fees- but you might be able to claim this on your private health insurance, if you have it, or there are some public clinics who do insertion as well. The device itself? $30.00 So less than $400 for five years protection- that's pretty good in my books.

Organising- Uni

2011-11-04T08:10:00.000+10:00

This week is my first week back at uni. I've written about uni organisation before, it's taken me years to figure out how I study best and what things I need to be most successful. This is different for everyone- for me, I need to write things. The old school way, with a pen and a piece of paper. I don't mind typing it up to submit online but I find that I can't retain the information unless I've written it down first.

This means I end up with a bucketload of paper. Last semester I just had a slimpick wallet and stapled each week together- but that got messy quickly, and meant that I often had to sift through packets of papers before I found the week I wanted. It also meant all my assignment information got mingled in the wallet, making it hard to find quickly, and by the end of the semester the wallet was torn and stuffed to the brim with papers.

This semester, I'm trying out a different routine: a binder.

I've bought a basic two ring binder. In the interest of keeping things simple, I haven't even created a pretty cover and sides for it. I'd like to, but sometimes I find I get bogged down in the details and I use it as an excuse to not get on with my work- 'Oh, I want to study, but I can't possibly do anything until my study folder is pretty'.

The uni term is divided into twelve weeks, so I've got twelve divider tabs, one for each week. That way my study guide for the week is already inserted, and then I can clip any relevant articles/exercises into the folder as well. My course outline sits at the front because I reference it several times a week, and I can easily get more copies of it if I write all over it or destroy it.

I then put a plastic folder at the back for all my assignment work. I find having it all clumped together works for me because then I know I can just grab that entire folder and run. When I've finished the assignment, I'll clean it out ready for the next one. Or you know, be lazy and just buy another envelope.

I'm only studying one subject this semester so I've only got one folder, but next semester I'll have two folders- one for each subject. It even then makes it easy for archiving, at the end of the semester all I have to do is take the papers out of the binder, clip them together with a metal connector, and I can throw it in the big archive box I keep of uni papers. Nice and neat.

I love having good study tools, makes studying much, much easier, particularly with a part time job and two kids to wrangle...I can throw this in the car and know that everything I need to study is in one place, so if I get some spare time (waiting at the doctors etc) I can bring it out and do a little bit when I can.

Hot Park Mums- Skirt

2011-11-03T07:13:00.001+10:00

Hot Park Mum's is a fun new fashion challenge set out to push the boundaries of the every day "mummy wardrobe" and give three best friends Zoe, Hayley and Danielle (and others!) a reason to spice up their every day fashion choices by diving into their wardrobe {or the shops} and finding a few hidden gems along the way. Each week they will given a theme and go off and perform their very own Hot Park Mum's photo shoot returning to their blogs every Thursday to show you what they have come up with during the week.

This week's theme was skirt. Which had me panicking a little. The only skirt I owned was a maternity denim skirt with an elasticised waistband. Considering that Hot Park Mums is all about pushing the boundaries of the Mummy wardrobe and warding off frumpiness, I didn't think that posting a photo of me wearing a pregnancy stretched and worn skirt would have really fit the bill.

So I shopped. With a very, very limited budget, I picked up this little beauty for $15. The ironic thing is that this skirt also has an elasticised waistband, but a hip and funky one- so being incredibly comfortable as well as trendy. And hiding those extra 'Oh my gosh I've had no sleep this week so instead I'll eat 10kgs of chocolate' kind of days.

I've been really into colourful, pretty, feminine outfits lately. Realising that just because I live with three boys, doesn't mean I have to dress like one. I can play and chase and rough & tumble with the best of them- and look girly at the same time.

This could be the first skirt I've worn in years. I'm more of a dress or pants & jeans kind of person. Mostly because I have knees that you can see little faces in (I'm totally not kidding. I'd post a photo of my ugly knees, but that'd make me even more self-conscious. And now you are going back to the above photos and squinting at my knees, right? Damn you).

So do you own a skirt? Why not throw it on, take a couple of snaps (it doesn't have to be incredibly classy- these photos are taken with Photobooth, on my laptop, propped up on a chair in my backyard!) and share your wardrobe with us!

Missed last week's HPM Shoot on MyLifeAsACake? Check it out here

The Coldest, Windiest Hot Date Ever

2011-11-02T16:58:00.000+10:00

Earlier in the month, my wonderful mother offered to babysit both of our boys so we could go out, for the first time since our littlest arrived, alone.

We contemplated for ages on what we wanted to do. Dinner and a movie sounded too boring- that's what we'd been doing for the last twelve weeks, was driving out to get dinner and curling up in front of the TV. We wanted something different, something exciting, something active. Restrictions were that we couldn't go too far away (I'm still feeding and could only miss one scheduled feed) and my knee was giving me some serious pain so things like rock climbing were out. Don't laugh. I actually love rock climbing- it just doesn't love me back.

Anyway, after some searching I found the Riverlife website and the heap of Brisbane-based activities they have there. We choose to try the Saturday night Paddle & BBQ, and then the trepidation set in.

You see, my husband (probably like most men) is the competitive sort. I completely saw him powering at the front of the pack, leaving me behind. So, in theory, it would be a nice romantic night with the ten year old kid lagging behind with me. I'm also a tiny bit scared of water (I'm not the strongest swimmer) and in particular, the Brisbane River. At night. And you know, all those zombies that live under the water.

Anyway, Saturday night rolls around, and after leaving my Mum with instructions for every single situation, we set off. All rugged up. When we booked, we envisioned that it would be a nice spring evening. A little cool breeze, but that the water and air in general would be warm. We managed to pick a weekend when a freezing wind came rolling in and it was cold (look at the photo above- I'm wearing a jacket and can't feel my toes or fingers!).

The entire evening was really lovely. I surprised myself (and probably my husband) in being able to keep up and stay in the top 5 for the entire trip. After the first few minutes, the water wasn't such a scary place to be anymore and I got my sea (river?) legs back. It was incredibly relaxing paddling down the Brisbane River- except for the time when the CityCat didn't seem to see us and headed straight towards us. That was less than relaxing.

We were really glad afterwards that we did something different. That we got back in the car shivering and tired but with massive smiles on our faces. It's given us something to talk about, rather than a dinner which would have forced us to rehash the same old topics over and over.

Of course, it now means our next date night has a standard to live up to. I wonder what he'll have me doing next!

Halloween Grinch

2011-11-01T12:09:00.000+10:00

Last night was Halloween. Which used to be a non-event in Australia. Something we read about in Babysitters Club books and wondered what all the fuss was about. In the last few years, there's been a bit of a Halloween movement. Kids are starting to knock on doors demanding candy and dress up in all kinds of crazy and fun costumes.

Watching my facebook and twitter feeds last night, it seems like my fellow Australians are a bit decided on whether Halloween is something worth celebrating. Whether it's an 'authentic' holiday, or just a bit of fun. I don't really have much of an opinion on Halloween either way- my kids are still a bit young to ask for things like this and we keep forgetting that it's on, until some poor kids come and knock at our front door looking for treats.

This year, once again, we'd forgotten to buy anything and after an embarrassing moment with some young-ins (I'd left the porch on because I was going out later, but I can see how they would think it's a big 'Yes! Welcome trick or treaters!' sign), my husband suggested something he'd read on the internet a few days past.

When I was thinking about writing this post, I was a bit divided. This may just be the first post that I get hate mail for. I mean, what kind of dodgy people are we? On the other hand, I can see people internet-wide going 'Oh, what a GREAT idea!' .

Last night, we put this on our front porch:

Exactly as it appears. Empty. So it appears like we were generous candy-givers, but unfortunately previous kids of the neighbourhood have tapped us out and you are just too late. Meanwhile, we are blissfuly left alone and don't have to look at little disappointed faces.

Are we bad people? Maybe. Well....yes. But I do think it's a good idea if you've forgotten Halloween and the kids in your neighbourhood are a bit crazy. Next year I think I'd like to pre-prepare and actually get something. I'm not quite sure how to explain Halloween celebrations to my kids, being we are Christians who go to church each week and say Grace before dinner (some google searching required here!) but it does seem like a fun thing to get involved in.

What about you? Did you do Halloween this year?

Sigh- Monday

2011-10-31T13:43:00.000+10:00

I've got lots of things to share with you. Like how I went shopping on the weekend with some ultra-cool bloggers and how much fun it was. Or how I got my Mirena put in today (which is a bit of a girls-only post) and my experience surrounding that. Or about how I'm booking accommodation for our mini-holiday away next weekend for a friends wedding.

But I'm feeling a little gross and unmotivated. I'm about to eat a chicken pie for lunch and watch Shrek on Tv...and then maybe have a nap. See you tomorrow!

Cheat Baking

2011-10-28T08:04:00.001+10:00

When I first found this receipe from 4 Ingredients on the Brisbane Kids facebook page here, I was a little skeptical. Chocolate muffins, with only three ingredients? How good could these really be?

But being in the mood for procrastination and having a block of cheap cooking chocolate I had no other plans for, I decided to give it a go. And then I was sold.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE MUFFINS

Makes 12-15

250g block of chocolate (cooking chocolate, milk or dark)
3 eggs (beaten)
1/4 cup Self Raising/Rising flour (Gluten Free if you are coeliac)

Melt chocolate (in microwave 10 secs at a time until melted). Crack eggs into bowl with chocolate and beat well, then mix in 1/4 cup of the self raising/rising flour. Mix with a wooden spoon then spoon into patty cake papers (approx 12-15) and bake in a preheated oven for 20 mins at 180C/360F

While maybe not the most softest, most delicious muffins I've ever tasted in my life. They also have a delicate cooking time, even an extra minute can be too long, which is annoying in my interruption-prone life. They are easy though. And quick. Which is especially good, when you've got a toddler who doesn't get that the point of baking is to eat more than the batter, and likes to spoon it out quicker than you can get it in the muffin pans.

Enjoy!

Hot Park Mums- White Shirt

2011-10-27T08:37:00.001+10:00

Hot Park Mum's is a fun new fashion challenge set out to push the boundaries of the every day "mummy wardrobe" and give three best friends Zoe, Hayley and Danielle a reason to spice up their every day fashion choices by diving into their wardrobe {or the shops} and finding a few hidden gems along the way. Each week they will given a theme and go off and perform their very own Hot Park Mum's photo shoot returning to their blogs every Thursday to show you what they have come up with during the week.

And I'm totally gate crashing their game, because it sounds cool. Honestly, I feel a bit like that nerdy kid in high school who follows the cool kids around but never really makes it 'in', if you know what I mean? It's very Drew Barrymore of me.

This week was a 'White Shirt' challenge. Of which I own a few, but I always wear them under other shirts, rather than on their own. Mostly because they are see-through, and I have a Mummy belly, that I'm a little self-conscious of.

Not to be outdone, I threw on a little lipgloss, headed outside in the 30 degree heat before the rain hit (don't you love Queensland?) and snapped these shots.

There's always a great reason to stop caring for yourself as a mother. I could give you several reasons right now- as I was writing this post, one son did a major number #3, my oldest son woke up from his nap early, I realised after the photos had been taken I hadn't shaved my arms in about a week (eewww) and I couldn't work the super-cool photo uploader thingy I was going to use.

But you know? It's not about that. It's about finding small things in your wardrobe that you love, make you smile, and make you feel good about yourself. And for me today, that's my totally awesome blonde hair, my sweet pink gloss and my shiny turquoise necklace.

So why don't you play along? You can totally make me feel like less of an awkward fourth wheel. Go ahead- show off that rocking bod you've got hiding behind the computer!

Doubting

2011-10-26T08:13:00.000+10:00

I love uni, I really do. I love the way that I'm a different kind of me there- nobody cares that I'm a mother, or a wife. I'm only as good as the effort I put in. I get to use my brain and I get rewarded. I took last semester off to have my baby and was actually a little itching the whole semester, knowing that I was getting further behind in my degree and missing the interaction uni brings.

I jumped eagerly into ordering my next textbook and downloading my new course outline. I was EXCITED.

Right up until my new textbook arrived in the mail. It's big. And despite the fact it's full of large, pretty pictures (a marketing degree win) it's pretty intimidating. And for the first time, I had a 'Wow, I cannot do this' moment.

Am I insane? For doing uni part-time (six subject a year), for raising two kids, being a wife to a husband, running a house, running an office, volunteering at church? My floors haven't been mopped in I-don't-want-to-admit how long. We eat far too much takeout because grocery shopping requires meal planning (or even just figuring out what we need) which all requires time. I'm late to almost every appointment and we pay late fees on most of our bills because my brain is too full and I keep forgetting them. I'm already at maximum capacity, running at 100%, 100% of the time. Can I really do this too?

I don't want to give up uni- that sense of pride and accomplishment it gives me I just can't live without. So I'm trawling all my favourite household planning sites (thank heavens for Planning with Kids!) and trying to come up with better routines. Better time management systems. So that I can spend less time on the boring stuff, like wiping down kitchen benches, and more time on the stuff I really love.

Our first family sickness

2011-10-25T07:48:00.000+10:00

For some reason, my kids haven't been sick for ages. They must have inherited their Dad's immune system- my husband is never, ever ill. And when he does get sick? The virus that had me down for three days has him down for three hours. It's incredibly unfair.

That's why the last few days have been a bit of a shock, when all of us (except, as per usual, my husband) have been struck down with a dreaded tummy bug.

It even resulted in my first visit to the Childrens hospital. Who are lovely, I'd have to say. I've been at the emergency department of the main hospital and it wasn't the greatest experience ever- messy, crowded, full of drunk people...

Things were quiet here. The staff were friendly and lovely and prompt. And totally didn't dismiss my worries. I walked in half expecting a 'He's three months old. Of course he vomits' reaction. Though, this may have had something to do with the way he almost vomited on the doctor.

We sat at the hospital for a couple of hours while they monitored him and tossed back and forth about whether to send us home. Thankfully, they gave us the all clear and sent our exhausted selves back home for lots of food and rest. Well, for him. Everytime he shut his eyes, I panicked that he was going to throw up and choke on it (which he had done earlier) and so it was all I could do to lie there and listen to him breathe. Even if I managed to fall asleep, I'd jerk awake every time he moved, or coughed, or changed his breathing pattern.

Two days later, he was fine....and then my toddler started. And then I started. It's ripped through our house and we've only just come to the end.

It's a weird feeling, when you've been hiding away from the world for days and then slowly start to become part of it again. Catching up on the washing (oh, the endless piles of washing!). Eating again. Responding to phone calls and e-mails.

We are going to keep lying low for a few days, to make sure that we get enough rest and relaxation to get really better- but oh, what a weekend!

Monitored

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000+10:00

It's actually been quite weird what we've reused for baby number two. Auto-parent rocker that William lived in? Hasn't left the garage. Playgym? Used daily for both.

We didn't even buy a monitor for our first. We lived in a different house, and Will was such a loud screamer you didn't need a monitor to hear him, anywhere in the country.

Guy is quieter. I don't know if it's living in a townhouse with a noisy toddler that makes the difference, but when he cries, it's softer. Almost a 'Excuse me Mum, if you are not busy, I'm a little hungry...if you've got time'. It's only after a little bit that he ramps up, and after a few times of not hearing him until he's almost hysterical and looking at that red, tear stained face, we had to do something.

After some extensive baby monitor research I finally made a purchase (a decent brand, no frills version) and we plugged it in.

It's actually been a lot of fun. Not only useful for hearing my baby when he wakes, but also as he gurgles happily as he's drifting off to sleep. Useful for hearing when my toddler breaks into his room and tries to play. Gorgeous for hearing my toddler singing to his younger brother, or trying to calm him. Tear-educing for listening to my husband talk softly to the baby as he calms him.

It's the best $50 I've ever spent.

Making Babies

2011-10-21T08:30:00.000+10:00

I always find it fascinating the stories behind peoples' decisions to have children. Sometimes they are huge stories, filled with tears and heartache, and sometimes they are a simple 'Mummy and Daddy had too much wine one Saturday night'.

I grew up with three younger, adorable and annoying as all hell brothers. I was eight when my first brother was born, and twelve when the third brother arrived. I spent my teen years babysitting, dealing with vomit, dirty nappies, tantrums. As we both got older, they stopped pooping their pants and I moved out of home, our relationship improved dramatically, but I was so done with kids. I happily told everyone I met 'I've already had three kids, now I want to live!'.

I told my to-be husband the same thing. Right up to our wedding day, we were in agreement that we wanted children- eventually. Once we'd traveled, and bought a house, and had a respectable amount of money in the bank. Once the vivid memories of diapers and tears and dummies had faded from my mind. I thought we'd be reaching our third or even fifth wedding anniversary before we even talked about it.

Then we went on our honeymoon, and it was like a switch flicked. I wanted babies- NOW. I didn't want to be responsible and wait, I wanted to be pregnant. I wanted a family. My brand new husband was shocked, to say the least. Only the week before I was staunchly protective of our DINKY lifestyle.

I have a very clear memory of standing in New Zealand, watching people bungee jump (something I'm terrified of. Why would you leave a perfectly safe plane/bridge?). My husband turned to me and said 'If you are really serious about wanting a baby- go jump off that bridge and we will do it'.

Gosh, I looked at that bridge for what felt like hours. Battling with this strong new feeling that had overtaken me, and at the same time freezing with fear. Even after I'd said no, I thought about that offer for the rest of our trip, the words 'Okay, I'll jump' almost on my lips.

A year later, on our first wedding anniversary, we found out we were pregnant. Unplanned, but very, very wanted.

I don't regret not jumping. I have so many fond memories of that first year, when it was just the two of us. Sleeping in late, eating junk food, never cleaning the kitchen. When times are tough now and I'm up to my elbows in bills and nappies, I can still laugh thinking about those times. For some reason, being a mother at 22 was much more responsible than being a mother at 20. I was older, somehow.

Oh, and our second? I totally knew my husband was ready when he was sending home cute sms's about babies that had visited his office that day. My second son was very planned, with doctors visits and multivitamins and cycle watching.

I know some of you probably had a minor heart attack when you saw the post title and photo. Whoops. I'm very, very not pregnant. And with no plans to change that. K?

Do you leave your kids in the car?

2011-10-20T08:29:00.000+10:00

Parenting round 2 brings all kinds of challenges. Some of them I never expected. Like being confused about the proper thing to do at the fuel station.

I'm normally a staunch 'Never, ever, ever leave your kids in the car. For any reason. For any amount of time' advocate. We live in Queensland, it's hot most of the year, and that heat climbs even higher in a car and can have unspeakable consequences. When I'd go to the fuel station, no matter how many people were queued up behind me, I'd unclip my little one, take him inside, pay, and then reverse the whole process. Never mind how long it took- it was the safest option.

So the first time my car blinked empty with two, I pulled up to the fuel station (lets be honest, cursing my husband the whole way for not taking care of this for me) and got both of the kids out. We got inside, paid, and then got out again without any major disasters. Then I make the mistake of putting my newborn in the car first. The way his carseat is designed, I need both hands to lift and click it in. I'm a lightweight. Anyway, I'm doing this, keeping a keen eye on the older...and then in a blink, he's gone. Running around the car and the fuel pumps, thinking it's a great game. My heart stops beating. A car could come along any second. I catch him, finally (after a few minutes of that awful 'Should I chase him, or will he think it's fun and keep running? game').

For our next visit, I all-too-clearly remember the last time and decide to reverse the order the kids go into the car- todder first, baby second. He's in a capsule, right? He can't go anywhere? So he's sitting on the floor, tucked in next to the car, right under my feet, while I strap in my older son. All of a sudden, a car pulls up to the bowser, a little closer to my car that is comfortable. A lot closer to my baby that I'm comfortable with. He's almost invisible down there on the ground- what if someone slammed into my car? He's completely unprotected.

So a few days ago, it's raining, and once again, I need fuel. I fill up, look at the paystation- it's empty. Two staff standing there ready to serve. It's a cold day (I've got a jumper on). I make the call to run- literally- into the paystation, thank the corporation gods for paypass, and run back to the car again. Oh, the looks I got. You would have thought I was smoking weed pregnant.

So what do I choose? Getting hit by a car vs getting stuck in the car? The car getting stolen vs a robbery inside the paystation? What would I do if there was a fire? Could I get the kids out fast enough?

Final option- Buy an electric car?

Time to blog?

2011-10-19T19:22:00.000+10:00

With everything I've got going on, it seems crazy that I've got time to blog. Two in nappies (one who really shouldn't be). Part-time work. Church membership. Uni. Housekeeper. Wife.

The secret is I'm superwoman, and I can turn five hours into ten at the snap of my fingers. My house is always clean, my kids are always playing with me or educational toys, I'm always up to date with our home paperwork and my pantry is Tupperwear-d to high heavens.

So that was a lie. But over time I have learnt a few tips on keeping up with blogging, and I thought I'd share.

I come up with ideas constantly, and write them down. Anywhere. I come up with most of my ideas while I'm in the shower or driving (inconvenient!) so most of the time I plonk them in a list I've got on my phone, or I e-mail them to myself. If I've got a pen and piece of paper, that will do. If my diary is close by? I've got a list in there too. Some of my ideas make it to the blog, others stay in the back of my diary for a rainy day, others still get trashed for being too ranty or mean.

My real confession? I schedule posts. For some bloggers, this is a huge no. They write live, every day. Straight from them to you, fresh as a daisy. I've got a lot of respect for these bloggers. My posts are generally scheduled up to a week out. I like this for several reasons- one, I've got time to regret what I've written and pull it. Or remove some of the emotion from the post. When it does post up, I've forgotten that I've written it and it's like getting to read it for the first time myself. I feel like I can live my life rather than constantly feeling under pressure to get something up on my blog. I am confident that my blog is ticking away while I'm at an event having a great time- you'll hear about it soon!

Scheduling also means that I can write 6-10 posts in one sitting and then spread them out- so when I get in the mood, I write a bunch of things, often once the kids have gone to bed, my husband is occupied with Minecraft, and it's just me and a sweet beverage. I get in the flow, I bang out a row of fantastic posts (or sometimes less fantastic) and then I can relax and ignore my blog for a while if I need. Most of the time I end up blogging daily anyway, but it's nice to have the timeline removed.

A new thing I've also been trying is only posting Monday-Friday. It means I've got the whole weekend with my family, getting out there doing the things that make great blog posts. My content spreads further and I don't feel quite so stressed.

I also spend loads of time reading and commenting on other blogs. Keeping in touch with other bloggers keeps my inspiration jar full and ferments my love of blogging.

So there you go. Tips into the greatness that is My Life as a Cake. How do you blog?

Eating Out with Kids- WORD Bookstore

2011-10-18T15:08:00.000+10:00

I made a trip to the Christian bookstore the other day, and the moment I walked in the door thought 'That's right, they have a cafe and kids play area here!'. My friend Jane from Eat Out with Kids is always looking for new reviews and I thought I'd be a geeky blogger and take a few photos (discreetly. I'm still not very good at owing up to being a blog writer and just going for it).

The first thing you notice when you get to the cafe area is the large kids playground.

In the interest of full disclosure, I didn't have my big kid with me, just the baby- so I didn't get to check out the ins and outs of the playarea- but hey, it looks clean and fun.

There is undercover parking and clear and easy pram access throughout the whole store. There are smaller kids chairs in front of a Veggie-tales playing DVD and grown up seating just beyond. Again, it's clean and easy to navigate. It was empty when I first got there, but just as I was leaving a group of four or five mothers arrived with their kids. The kids were noisy and soon enough the place was filled with laughter and chatter and the rich smell of coffee- and the staff seemed to love it.

The menu doesn't seem particulary 'kid friendly' and while there are a few gluten-free baked options, I'm not sure there is all that much allergy-tolerant food. It's your typical small cafe- lots of milkshakes, coffees, cakes. If you are looking for healthy, filling food you're probably better off going somewhere else. Prices are reasonable.

Not sure about toilets/changing stations (I forgot to ask) but a big tick for highchairs.

I'd recommend WORD Bookstore at Alderley for small mothers group catchups, or even just if you need to have a cup of coffee in peace. They do take bookings, so call ahead if you want to be assured some space.

I love it there, the whole atmosphere, the ability to browse around the bookstore while my kid is entertained by the playarea. I'd left my toddler at home on purpose, because I wanted it to be a quick (painless) visit. Next time, I'll take him along.

Blogging Superstar

2011-10-17T13:29:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago I shared about our visit to Outback Jacks. I really wasn't kidding when I said I loved it, and after finding a discount voucher in a booklet we had stashed away, we really had no excuse not to visit again.

So in we traipsed today before doing our grocery shopping...and I got to have my first blog superstar moment.

I don't consider myself a 'big' blogger. I've got less than 100 followers. My stats are modest. I write about whatever whims take my fancy, rather than aiming for topics that will be popular. While I can't deny I get a thrill when people comment, I love all my posts the same. Sometimes I forget that people actually read my blog, and I'm not just here in my own little world. PR companies are not banging down my door to get reviews on their products. I'm anonymous.

Or, I was.

We were there for about ten minutes when Rob (the guy who runs the place, and runs the facebook page) came out to our table to chat. He knew all about me, and my blog, and thanked me personally for the review. He seemed genuinely excited to meet my kids in person.

And then the most amazing thing happened. My blog got me something for free. Even better, it was a free brownie. The brownies are amazing at the best of times, let alone when it's a FREE brownie. I regretted sharing it with my husband at that point (he didn't write anything, dammit!).

Blogs are changing the way businesses run. Now anybody with access to a computer can be a reviewer- I don't have any special skills, I just have my opinion. In the past, nobody cared about me and my opinion. But now? I've got a blog, and people listen to me (right? You listen?).

It's a surreal feeling, actually. Makes me feel like a bit of a real blogger. A bit of a fraud. Because at the end of the day, it's just me in front of my laptop, wearing pj's covered in breastmilk and chocolate stains, blabbing on about myself.

*Disclosure- I guess you could say I got paid in brownie for this post. Not that they asked me to write anything. And we will be going back again, free brownie or not. Because it really is an awesome, kid friendly place close to our house to eat.*

So apparently I do video now

2011-10-16T21:31:00.000+10:00

I got cake drunk and decided to follow Katie at Marriage Confessions' leads and decided to do my own video. Try and enjoy!

(oh, and thanks youtube for the flattering clip preview)

The instructions are to say these words:
Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

Hello, I'm a Twit

2011-10-15T09:45:00.000+10:00

I've gone and done it now. I've created a twitter account.

I tried twitter out a few years ago and got bored pretty quickly. It seemed kind of pointless, especially when I had facebook. Also, there was the time factor thing.

Then I went to blog meets (darn, these blog meets are turning out to be dangerous things). Most of the bloggers at the meet were keeping updated via twitter, even giving directions to one lost blogger. I felt a little out of the loop. If there's a secret club, I want in!

Really, it's just another place where I get to talk about myself. If you are on twitter and want to check me out, look me up here- mylifeasacake

See you on the darkside!

My New Blog!

2011-10-14T16:04:00.000+10:00

You may have noticed something a bit different when you visited today. Suger 'did my blog' and I've now got this amazing new layout.

Why the change?

When I first started my blog, it was just little ole me (and maybe my husband) reading it. I didn't know much about blogging, and when I named my blog I included my surname. Hmm. As my blog has gotten a little bigger, and I've visited blog meets and connected with complete strangers, I wanted to be just a little bit more anonymous. I have no plans to take my blog to massive heights, but I wanted something a little more professional looking.

Why the name 'My Life as a Cake'?
I never really identified with any of my previous blog names. When I was thinking about my blog, I slowly came to realise that I don't fit into any one category. I'm a mother. I'm a uni student. I work. I am married. I am a Christian. All of those 'parts' make up my whole cake. My husband actually came up with the name- this is me, and my life that is made up of slices.

What do I need to do?
Nothing! You can still visit using your existing bookmarks, but you might want to start using my .com address- which is mylifeasacake.com

So feel free to take my snazzy button, spread the blog love, and watch out for more incredible awesomeness yet to come. Like a twitter account. The world must be ending (or just beginning!).

Too Busy

2011-10-13T17:21:00.000+10:00

Ever had one of those days were you are so busy it gets to 5pm and you realise you haven't been to the bathroom all day? Yeah...it's one of those.

No blogging today, normal programming will resume tomorrow- here's a cute (blurry) baby photo to tide you over till then. Can't get angry at a face like that now, can you?

Do you sleep when the baby sleeps?

2011-10-12T13:03:00.000+10:00

'Sleep when the baby sleeps'

It's the number one piece of advice you are given as the mother of a newborn. The minute your kid shuts his eyes, you should shut yours. Washing, dishes, dinner be damned.

I should be taking this advice seriously. Right now, my two little ones are both in bed (presumably asleep, but you've got to be kidding if you think I'm going to open the door to check!) and they should stay there for at least another hour. My baby has decided recently that 3am is a fantastic time to get up and demand cuddles and general play, and so I'm awake roughly every two hours, all night long. I need sleep- and an afternoon nap is the perfect place to catch up.

Except I can't. They go to bed, and I want to update my blog in peace. Eat chocolate, drink tea. Do housework without a 'helper' making it take three times as long. Read another few chapters of my book. Talk to people on the phone. When I've finally done everything I want to do and I'm ready to wind down and maybe shut my eyes....boom, they are awake again.

Besides, sleep deprivation is all part of being a mother, right?

Late notice, cause I'm a terrible mother

2011-10-11T20:08:00.000+10:00

We booked in our son's baptism a few weeks ago, and I promptly forgot. Right up until my minister asked us to attend a baptism prep session, because his baptism is on Sunday. Yes, this Sunday. CRAP.

Amidst thoughts of cancelling, we've decided to be crazy and go ahead with it, and hope like crazy that enough people can come along so when he grows up and compares the photo's to his older brothers, he doesn't feel unloved.

If you are family/friends, I'm hoping to call around in the next few days and personally invite you. If I don't, then call me, get the details, and consider yourself personally invited. If you are a blog friend (the non-stalker type, please) and are interested in checking out a new church, e-mail me and I'll send you the details.

We are planning a special but small ceremony, followed by a thrown-together (think salad and sausages) lunch at a nearby park.

I can totally organise this by Sunday....totally. Poor second child syndrome strikes again.

I should be, but I'm not...

2011-10-11T13:01:00.000+10:00

Today, I should be.....

*Making the house look like somebody other than a crazy 2.5 year old and all his toys live here

*Submitting our tax returns. Which are due on the 31st of this month.

*Putting together our new budget

*Reorganising the space under our kitchen cabinet, which I wanted to do before the baby arrives (new goalpost to do it before the baby learns to crawl)

*Getting stuff ready for my return to uni in two weeks

*Putting serious attention into next month's meal plan

*E-mailing Suger back about my new blog design (exciting stuff! Stay tuned!).

*Doing my daily nerd fitness workout

*Enrolling in a correspondence based first aid course that I need for work

*Calling a repairman to get our dryer working

*Selling our unwanted baby stuff on eBay (unwanted- not the right word. It's tearing me up inside to say goodbye to all these precious pieces!).

*Cleaning out my toddlers drawers so when I ask him to pick a shirt, he doesn't choose a 00 that I then have to spend fifteen minutes convincing him he can't wear

*Ripping our DVD collection into our sweet new media centre

*Organising our family's Secret Santa collection

*Starting to write Christmas present lists

*Starting to write Christmas cards

*Starting to send out Guy's birth announcement cards (he's three and a half months old- that's not too late, right?)

*Getting started on revamping the church cookbook

But I'm not. I'm here blogging, and after that I have every intention of curling up with my book for an hour.

What are you putting off today?

How to contact your MP without sounding like a crazy person

2011-10-10T15:48:00.001+10:00

I've got a guest post for you today from the handsome man up above. I call him husband- you could call him whatever you want. I often encourage people to contact their MP's, to make a stand about issues, to let them know you care. It can be a particularly scary thing to do- and you want to make sure that the time and effort you extend in contacting them is actually put to some use.

My husband has worked for politicians at both local and state levels, and his mother has worked for federal members. I'd say he's as close to an expert as I'm going to get.

Here's what he has to say about how to contact your MP without sounding like a crazy person-

Have you ever written a letter to your local councillor or MP? How about an email? A phone call? Do you even know who your local member is?

If you answered no to any of those questions then it's time you got involved in the wonderful world of democracy. If you've ever felt strongly enough about an issue to talk about it with friends and family, then contacting your local representative could actually make a difference. For all you may dislike about politicians, they are the ones who enact the policies that you agree/disagree with and if you don't tell them what you think, you can hardly blame them for not listening.

However, there's a way to do this successfully and way to ensure your opinions are filed under "TW" for time-waster. There are a lot of weird, self-righteous, pompous, and entitled people out there, and the staff at your representative's office have highly tuned "crazy radar" to filter out anything with the slightest whiff. So the following tips should help you to reach your rep and not get blocked by the spam filter.

- Contact the right rep for your issue. First, determine if your issue is local, state or federal. Contacting your local councillor about immigration issues is a great way to get ignored. Second, find out what electorate you are actually registered in to vote (and if you're not registered to vote, shame on you). If you want your opinion to matter to your rep, then you have to be able to vote.

- If you're contacting the office in person or over the phone, do not ask if the rep is in or if you can talk to them on the spot. These are very busy people and you need to make an appointment. If you demand an appointment to discuss a general issue that doesn't need their direct involvement, you will be told to wait 1-2 months if you get one at all and you're put straight in the crazy pile.

- Consider the staff as representatives of the Councillor/MP. Ultimately, they are the deciders of what to do with your letter/email/phone call so it goes a long way by talking politely and calmly, not getting angry at them, and not treating them as a mere "secretary". Most staff are well experienced to handle local constituent matters and won't hesitate to put you in the crazy pile if you give them cause. In the end, while MP's work incredibly hard in representing their electorate, and staff do most of the legwork in investigating constituent issues and drafting responses, so play nice.

- Expect a response to take at least 4 weeks. It's a well known fact that Government operates on a different plane of existence where time moves slower than the rest of the world. If the rep has to contact a government minister or department to get an answer, add another 4 weeks. A good office should keep you up to date on the progress, but this is not a given.

- The response you receive should be equal to the amount of effort you put into making contact. If you take the lazy option of signing a petition or sending a form letter/email you will either get nothing or a form letter back, if you send a personally typed or handwritten letter you should receive a more well-considered response.

- If you don't receive a response back, particularly if you wrote a letter in, follow up with the office to see what's happening. Again, be polite with the staff as there could be any number of reasons why you haven't received a response yet, a friendly reminder call will bring it back to the top of the pile.

Kicking my ass update

2011-10-07T15:35:00.002+10:00

My baby is adorable. We look good together and I've got no better accessory than him. He has, however, done things to my body that I don't appreciate.

My body is a bit of a shock, really. With my firstborn, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within 10 days of birth. By the time I'd finished breastfeeding, I was about 5kg slimmer than before I fell pregnant. I had no stretch marks. I felt pretty darn amazing- and I stupidly expected the same from my second pregnancy.

A while ago I wrote about how I'd started a 'couch to 5k' program and I was actually pretty into it- until my knee gave out. I couldn't put my finger on why my knee was hurting so damn much, and then as I curled it up underneath me one night as I lazed on the couch, it clicked. All those years of sitting on it funny are coming back to haunt me.

So I'm avoiding jogging (or any high-impact exercise) while it heals. Taking workouts from Nerd Fitness and various iPhone apps, spending ten minutes a day breaking it down. It's been fun- and painful. Highlights like the sexy app training telling me 'You're an animal' at the end of my training session, and lowlights like not being able to walk upstairs without clutching my thighs in pain.

I'm not expecting to see results right away. Breastfeeding does crazy things to your body and I still need to eat like a pig to keep my calorie count high enough to feed us both. It's more about habits, and toning- and maybe, just maybe, reducing the amount of time my belly wobbles after I poke it.

What do you share?

2011-10-06T13:27:00.000+10:00

So I think this photo is cute, but will he when his school mates find it and spread it around?

Earlier this week, an ex-facebook friend shared an image that was completely inappropriate. Unfortunately due to the new facebook feed page, it stayed at the very top of my feed until I could get it down, and burned my eyes out of sockets every time I checked facebook. She'd gotten drunk and taken photos of herself naked, and these photo's had ended up on facebook (with her full blessing, I might add).

It's made me think a lot about what information I share on the interwebs. I'm guilty of sharing too much, particularly when I was new to the world of facebook and blogging. I'm actually going through a process right now of reading old blog posts and removing photo's that reveal more information about me then I am comfortable with, removing ancient friends on facebook (just because we knew each other fifteen years ago doesn't mean I'm comfortable with you knowing intimate details of my life now) and also generally keeping a better eye on what I do on the net.

The internet is forever. My 'friend' (a person I went to primary school almost 20 years ago) might delete her photo, but she'll never get it back. People will have copied it, saved it, sent it on, google will have cached it- you can never get it back. This kind of thing can limit you in ways you can't even imagine yet- what happens if she gets involved with a man who is rich/famous/influential? You can bet the media will find this image, and it could ruin them.

Suger wrote about the same issue a few weeks ago when several girls cried out about privacy violations when photos were released of them on the internet. STFU Parents has a whole blog, updated several times a week, with parental overshares.

Never before have we lived in such a world, where embarrassing moments are not just shared by your Mum via a telephone to several family members, but to some 500-600 people via a news feed.

Think before you post.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T12:59:00.000+10:00

Loving my perfect pram...and the perfect little boys inside.

Play along here

Ten things you didn't want to know about me

2011-10-04T16:05:00.000+10:00

Robyn at Slightly more depth than a teaspoon tagged me in her post about things you don't want to know, and I've had the page open on my desktop for a few days, thinking about it from time to time. At first I didn't think I had anything to share, and then I had almost too much to share (and strangely, most of the overshares were about poop. I'm weirder than I thought).

So here we go- ten things you just didn't want to know about me- and now you do. Sorry.

1. I check myself out in almost every reflective surface I walk past. It's a compulsion.

2. I judge people by what things they put on facebook, and spend many hours yelling at my computer screen.

3. I'm a sucker for free things. This includes glossy brocheres. I've gotten better at culling what is basically glorified junk mail over the years, but it still tears me up inside.

4. I'm also a sucker for money. Years of working for stingy bosses has taught me how to wring a buck out of any situation.

5. I (strangely) suck at budgeting. I find it boring and difficult to stick to. I've probably used ten different budget templates and have never found one that works.

6. I'm currently spending at least 10 minutes a day wearing very little and doing crunches and planks in my living room. This is a direct result of the scales being at it's highest EVER.

7. I quite frequently enjoying ruining all that good work with a cheeseburger. Mmmm....

8. I love Danielle Steel novels. Trashy, predictable, unrealistic- but I just can't get enough.

9. I enjoy the smell of alcohol on my husband's breath, and find it a ~~little~~ lot sexy

10. A few years ago I read a postsecret that said 'Sometimes, the most satisfying thing I do all day is a giant poop'. I agree with this wholeheartedly.

I'm meant to tag people, but I've run out of blogging time (damn new goal of not getting on the laptop while my sons are awake). Interested in playing along? Go for it, and paste your link in the comments below.

Back to Work

2011-10-04T15:49:00.000+10:00

Today was my very first day at work, post maternity leave. Almost my first day officially, really. I relived in the role for about twelve months before the person before me retired, and I started about four weeks before I went on mat. leave. So this is the first time it's really felt like 'my' job.

Leaving the house was easier than I expected, honestly. A few quick instructions to Mum and I was off. I only work a few hours today (joys of part-time!) so it was almost quicker than a doctors visit- in and out. Handing back over from my replacement, a few compulsory jobs, lots of 'Hello, I'm back' visits, and then it was time to head off again. A little earlier than usual, because Stormy (my new blog name for my littlest- thanks Dr Who) wouldn't take his bottle. Sitting at red lights is hard work when you know there is a little boy at home, screaming his head off for Mummy.

My head is full of things I want to do, new things to try, things to catch up on. Figuring out how I'm going to reorganize the filing system, what kinds of things to put on the walls- all the fun things that come with a new job. Not to mention the very important 'to-do' item of getting framed photos of my family for my desk.

So goodbye to free time, goodbye to long lunches with friends, quiet naptimes spent reading books, the house actually being some semblance of clean. It was nice while it lasted!

My name is Amy, and I'm a breastfeeding mother

2011-10-03T20:56:00.000+10:00

Oh. Maybe I should have warned you about the inappropriate content of the photo above. You know- the nudity. The intimacy. It's almost porn-like, isn't it?

One thing that has struck me about breastfeeding is the way it's still so secret. You still don't see many photo's of people breastfeeding- despite it being something that many mothers do for hours and hours on end. I spend more time breastfeeding than I do sleeping- shouldn't I be able to share and celebrate this time?

I've been so much more relaxed about feeding this time around. For starters, it HURT, for a lot longer, with my first. I think he was easily 10 weeks old before I stopped gritting my teeth every time I had to latch him on. It's hard to feed with people around when you get tears in your eyes and have to bite down on something to stop from crying out. Then there's also been necessity- I don't have the privilege of time anymore- so my newborn gets fed wherever my toddler is. Park, Bathroom, Mcdonalds playground- I've fed everywhere. Oh, and it's much harder to be discreet when you have a toddler who runs up to you, yanks off the blanket you've precariously balanced over your shoulder, and yells out 'Come look at the baby!'. Pure necessity and practice have gotten me over my fear.

Being a breastfeeding mother means so many things. Constantly clock watching to make sure you haven't missed a feed. Breast pads. Breast pads leaking. Milky-white marks on all your shirts, leaving you having to change your shirts several times a day (or just putting up with the mark and wearing the damn shirt all day long). Because you know, you've only got a very, very small collection of shirts that enable you to whip your breasts out on demand. Dreaming of nice lingerie. Doing a happy dance in a store when you find a bra that costs less than $50. Learning to talk at a slight louder pitch than normal to disguise the sound of your baby's gulps under the blanket. Answering the front door to complete strangers and watching their shocked expression.

I maintain that there are very few things more satisfying in this world than watching your baby grow and thrive, and know that it was all you. That your body which grew this little person inside can still grow them on the outside. It's such an empowering thing. I'm not a breastfeeding nutjob, I have used formula before and don't think it has any negative impact on babies. I won't buy into any of that crap. You can have just as special a bond with your baby by using formula, and there are some very sweet added benefits (hello Dad getting up at 2am!). I know that I'm blessed with two easy feeders both times around, and that not very many women get to have the same experience I've had.

Still, I wonder how many women would have had a better chance at success if more people were open about breastfeeding, shared stories and photo's and gave each other practical support?

Eating Out with Kids- Outback Jacks

2011-10-01T14:19:00.002+10:00

We were out and about the other day and decided to have some lunch. Sick to death of takeaway, we were looking for something nice-ish, but we've had bad dining experiences with our toddler before, so we were a bit hesitant.

A quick check of the amazing Eat out with Kids website (do you know Jane and her amazing website? If you live in Brisbane, you NEED to have this bookmarked!) revealed we were actually pretty close to a good option- Outback Jacks.

We were probably the first or second people in the door, so got to have our pick of seating. Past experiences have taught me to pick seats as humanly far away from other people as possible. The baby got put in the pram and promptly fell asleep (thank you little one!) and we got down to business. The menu options are endless. There is really so much to choose from, and it all sounds wonderful.

This is one of those resturants that don't pretend to be kid friendly, they really are. Our really amazing waitress (and we are so kicking ourselves for not getting her name) immediately grabbed pencils and a coloring in book, and pointed us towards the specially equipped kids room. She thought to have our sons meal bought out first, although as it turns out he was having so much fun in the kids room it didn't even occer to him to become impatient.

The kids room really is spectacular. There are things to climb on, a massive chalkboard, a whole wall of playstations. It was clean and tidy and the toys were in generally good condition. We felt so confident we even left him there by himself while we finished our meals, which is something we'd normally never do (and for the record, we could actually see him from where we were sitting. We are not quite that neglectful!).

The meals were of such a generous size, we didn't quite expect them the plates to come out quite so crammed full as they were.

and those onion rings? Delicious.

My sons meal (aside from being FREE, they have a kids eat free policy during school holidays and on all Tuesday/Wednesday nights) included a scoop of ice-cream, which of course made me want ice-cream, and we ordered dessert. MMMMmmmm...I had a chocolate brownie sundae which was to die for, I even meant to share it with my husband and forgot. It was way too yummy.

I'm so glad to have found a new favorite restaurant so close to home. We have to be careful though, anytime we've found a new favorite it's closed down within a year of us being there. Sorry Outjack Jacks :(

Stop Growing Up, Please

2011-09-30T08:52:00.000+10:00

My newborn is fast become a real baby- and from there, I know it's a quick skip and a jump to toddler and beyond.

He can hold his head up well. He loves tummy time and will happily stay on his stomach, looking around at the world. He started rolling about two weeks ago- waay too early! I'm very aware that there is a high chance this is our last child, so he is the last baby I'll ever have- the last time I'll have cute chubby cheeks to kiss, the last time I'll get those gummy baby smiles. I'm in no rush to have him grow up, but he's racing ahead and meeting all kinds of early milestones. I know he's eager to get into play with his older brother and Dad, you can just see the super excited gleam in his eye when they are around.

So I'm holding on super tight, when he's soft and snuggly and all mine. When his biggest smiles are reserved for me, and when he'd rather be with me than anyone else. I even love his early morning feeds- just that special time for the two of us, when the rest of the house is fast asleep. Even that's ending too quickly- he happily sleeps in until 4:30/5:00am, and while I'm appreciating the six to seven hours of solid rest, I can hardly believe that the hungry hippo I bought home from the hospital is ready to do that just yet!

So gorgeous Guy, if you want to keep night waking, if you want to keep being a little clingy- your mother is totally fine with that. Just stop that rolling over business- it's freaking me out. Love, your already clucky mother.

Entertaining toddlers in summer

2011-09-29T08:42:00.002+10:00

Even though I'm a winter person, and hate the arrival of the warmer weather, I do appreciate the extra options it gives me for toddler activities.

One warm afternoon I dragged out his water table from storage and quickly set it up with some cold water and a few random cups and toys.

The hour and and a half he played around was bliss. I was even able to drag the baby outside and he loved cooing and watching his older brother splash water around. It makes me feel good for doing an activity that has some kind of educational benefit (in addition to the 'Stop bugging your mother' bonus).

We are also able to head out to the beach near us, lunch picnics, the swimming pool in our complex. so many extra options on rainy cold winter days. Well, that's until Queensland gets into it's summer and it's so darn HOT that we have to stay inside with the air-conditioning on full blast. Ick (did I mention I hate summer?)

Second time parent guilt...or not.

2011-09-28T12:15:00.002+10:00

I had a new mother of two ask me today 'So how do you deal with the guilt of not spending as much time with your firstborn?'.

At that exact moment, we were at playgroup, I had no freaken idea where my firstborn even was. I mean, he was there, and the entire church is gated so I know he couldn't get anywhere, it wasn't entirely negligent parenting, but still.

The truth is I don't feel guilt about the reduced amount of time I'm spending with my oldest- because I don't really feel like it's reduced.

William has been into independent play since he was tiny. Even as a newborn he preferred to be put down to look at the world then stay cuddled up in my arms. He's always played well in his own room, without my intervention- and even if I try to be a good parent and play along, most of the time he gets frustrated with me and goes to sit on the other side of the room- or another room entirely! Apparently I'm rubbish at playing with cars.

I've lucked out and the baby sleeps really well, he settled into a routine quickly so he eats, has some awake time, and then sleeps for about an hour- and that's when my attention can go back to my oldest. In reverse, he sleeps for about 2-3 hours a day (please don't send me hate mail). In this time, I get to be awake with my smallest, just drinking in his gorgeous baby smiles and coos. Then there is that beautiful, beautiful time in the day when they are BOTH asleep and I get about 45 minutes to myself.

It's a great balance and I feel like my kids get equal amounts of attention and 'Mum' time. Even on the days my newborn requires me more and I border on toddler neglect, I don't feel guilty, I know that the next day we will be back to normal and we can do something special together.

And now I suppose I should stop writing this blog post and get back to him- because that's another whole bunch of guilt entirely......

DeCluttering WIN

2011-09-27T09:54:00.005+10:00

It might be overjealous, but one of the things I've been trying to do over my maternity leave is house decluttering. We decided to stay in our townhouse for another six months, which is small enough at the best of times, let alone with a growing family.

eBay has been a tremendous help, I've been selling off a bazillion things that we just don't need anymore. We've also been storing some furniture in our garage (sorry car) and making sure that what we've got in the house is actually useful and practical. There's some furniture that I love and want to save for the day we are in an actual house, but there's no place for it here.

A major thing is our cupboards. I'm a chronic 'stuffer'- why fold it neatly when it's quicker to just throw it in and shut the door quickly? There are so many cupboards full of random items, throw in haphazardly when we moved in (over twelve months ago!) and it's not making the best use of the space we have.

So I decided to start small. We've got a tiny broom closet in our kitchen, and as you can see, it wasn't being used properly. Our ironing board doesn't fit well and was taking up too much space, the vacuum cleaner had to be crammed in, and unless you got them balancing exactly the right way (or pfft, cleared the floor of the cupboard so they sat in properly) they would fall out the minute you opened the door. An ironing board crashing on your head hurts. Trust Me.

The top shelf was holding our immense collection of green bags, which, being honest, we never use when we go shopping. I just keep forgetting them. Even if I put them in the car, they don't get used. That's why we've got the plastic bag holder on the front door of the cupboard (which you can JUST see in this photo). You can also see the overflow of junk onto the top of the fridge.

This is the after. Better, no? I cleared away the green bags from the top shelf, stuffed them all into one bigger bag, and have stashed in another cupboard. The basket up there is holding all of my breastfeeding equipment- pump, bottles, new teats, cups and so on. It's a nice neat tidy place and the best thing is in six or so months once I stop feeding I'll have a spare shelf! The plastic bag holder got moved onto the inside of the door making my kitchen look neater in general, the brooms got moved from their spot beside the fridge, the floor is clean (and the dustpan lives in there now as well, which prompts me to actually use it when I sweep the floor!).

The ironing board actually ended up hanging behind our laundry door, on a $12 hook I bought from Howards Storage. It's great for keeping it neat and tidy but unfortunately the door won't close now, and it's a door we use frequently so I'm constantly wincing when I hear the 'bang' of the ironing board against the door. I need to find another place to put the board, on a door we don't use quite so frequently. I'm disappointed, it was nice having all my laundry items in the one room.

The vacumn cleaner was taken upstairs, we haven't got carpet downstairs so all I was doing was dragging the cleaner upstairs, vacumning, and then dragging it back downstairs again. It will probably live under the bed in the study, but that's currently got crap under it as well so for the moment it's just tossed in the room (baby steps!).

My next project is my completely disorganised pantry! Stay tuned.....

Technology in the Bedroom (Bow Chicka Wow?)

2011-09-26T07:52:00.002+10:00

There was this article a few weeks ago about the use of technology in the bedroom and how it's hindering intimacy and communication. It got stuck in my head and I've been thinking about it a fair bit.

We are avid users of technology in my house. We've got two PC computers, my laptop, two iPhones, an iPad. The iPad and our iPhones come to bed with us every night- they need charging, we use them as alarm clocks, and an iPhone is very, very appreciated at 3am when I'm trying to stay awake feeding the baby. It would be very easy to blame technology for getting in the way of a good relationship- but in all honesty, it doesn't.

I love the iPad, really. In the old days (pre-apple), my husband would get home from work and head straight for his computer for several hours. He wanted to check facebook, the news websites, the few blogs he reads, the websites he follows- and would get stuck in the study for ages, dinner and wife be damned. Not that he did this on purpose, but it was addictive. He needed down time after a stressful day and the computer gave him that (just like reading does it for me).

Then he got an iPhone (and later an iPad). And he could do all this checking and updating and unwinding on the train on the way home. All of a sudden, he'd walk in the door and be happy to get straight into things, because he'd already checked everything he wanted to. He was happy to wait for computer time until after dinner was done, the kids were in bed, and the chores were done. It made our life so much smoother.

Even last night, we curled up in bed with the iPad, watching the newest Dr Who episode (which, by the way, I really don't like as much as the David Tennant Dr Who). It was lovely and so much more intimate than if we'd sit down to see it on the actual TV. It's also even gotten my husband back into reading and we'll sit there at night engrossed in our own books, together but not together.

I get the purpose of the article and I agree that technology has the potential to drive people apart rather than bring them together, but so far my experience has been positive. How about you? Is technology the bane of your relationship or something that brings you closer together?

Let it snow!

2011-09-25T08:55:00.001+10:00

Or I can wish. Because the last thing that's EVER going to happen is snow in Queensland, during December. This is actually a photo from our New Zealand winter honeymoon.

Today is September 25th. You know what that means? Only 12 more weeks till Christmas.

It's time to drag out those lists people! To buy for, To bake, To cook, To wrap, To send cards to, To clean.

This year, I'm escaping half of that. We are heading down to New South Wales, the beautiful Central Coast, to spend time with my husbands mother, sister and grandparents. A big family Christmas, the first time my sister in law and grandparents will meet baby Guy. Which is all exciting- even more exciting for the fact I won't have to cook anything, my house can stay as disgustingly messy as it wants to (we won't be having guests over anyway!). My number one concern will be getting the car serviced and packing enough junk for two kids and a husband (but hey, they are boys, they don't REALLY need clean clothes, right?).

What are your plans for the silly season?

Something Real

2011-09-24T07:39:00.000+10:00

Sunday night my church hosted an 'information evening' about the human rights crisis in Sri Lanka. To say it was an interesting and powerful night was to say the very least.

I'm guilty of being a fairly ignorant westerner who has a limited knowledge of what goes on in other parts of the world. I'm continually shocked when I hear stories of government brutality, terrorist attacks, racial and religious discrimination- didn't those things stop in the sixties? Surely with all the technology and education we have today, the world wouldn't allow things like this to continue?

The whole evening made me uncomfortable. The speaker challenged me on some issues, made me question his facts with others, and then when people were invited to speak and ask questions from the audience I was challenged even more.

And I loved it. It's been such a long time since I've squirmed in my seat at church. Such a long time since people have gotten passionate and angry and there's even been a few raised voices. This is where the church belongs- giving voice to issues that are generally held in secret, allowing people to speak their opinions and beliefs and pain.

I will be encouraging my minister to give me more of this- the stuff that gets us into trouble, because this is where our faith is really challenged and tried.

The one where C25k kicks my ass

2011-09-23T14:19:00.000+10:00

This is not me running. Though I wish it was. Photo from here

I've always been the kid at the bottom of the pack. Even though I've never been overweight, I've always been terribly unfit and even in primary school, when we had to run from one side of the oval to the other, I'd always be last. Even lagging behind the fat kid. As a teen, when we had to run for a train, I'd be so out of breath by the time we got there, I could barely talk. Or I'd just miss the train entirely. Or get left behind on the station because the doors closed on me.

When I was pregnant with baby Guy, I was very aware that I'd probably have some excess weight, and that I wouldn't have pregnancy as an excuse anymore. I thought about how I wanted to control my weight, and when thinking about all my fitness goals I thought 'I want to be able to run'.

If I can run, I won't be that slow poke person at the back of the crowd anymore. I might even be able to catch my sprinting toddler once in a while. Fitness, weight loss- sure, all great things, but I'd honestly be happy if I stayed the same weight, as long as I could run.

That brings me to last night, my very first run. I'm using the Couch to 5k program, my husband used it to get fit and got some pretty amazing results. My husband gets home from work, I finish feeding the baby, throw on my shoes and get out there.

There's a lovely warmup walk, and as my feet start to hit the pavement, I'm feeling really good. I'm away from my toddlers 'It's 6pm and I've turned into a monster' tantrums, it's just me and the pumping music, the cool evening air. I'm even thinking about what I'll write in my blog about the experience (yes, I'm SUCH a blogger!).

Then the program interrupts my music, beeps, and Luke tells me to run. Luke is the name of my c25k buddy. I think his name in the app is actually Jim, but I like Luke better. Anyway, Luke says run and I start.

Thankfully on my first day Luke is nice and I've only got to run for sixty seconds, followed by a ninety second walk, for about 10 minutes. It's timed really well- just as I'm starting to think 'Oh my gosh, I can't do this anymore', Luke pops in and tells me it's okay to walk for a while. I like Luke a lot.

I had lots of thoughts in the beginning. At first I was worried about what people would think of my slightly flabby belly bouncing down the street- but you know what? At least I'm not a flabby belly in a car. Take that commuters! Then I started getting nervous about actually being able to complete the jog- but I tell myself if I can do over 48 hours of labor, I can handle 10 minutes of jogging.

Towards the end, when it really starts to burn and I'm out of breath and ready to stop, I think about how when I was in labor, transition was when I really felt like giving up, and how that just meant I was almost at my goal. How if I did keep going, it would all be quicker and I'd have my reward faster. How wanting to give up is actually a sign that I'm doing something right, and should keep going.

Then at the very end, I stopped thinking about anything at all, besides 'Oh gosh, where has all the oxygen gone??!?'.

I felt good about my run. I did almost everything Luke asked me too, except coming home at the end where he wanted me to run up the hill near my house. I told him where to go then. It's the next day, and I'm not dead tired or crazy sore, and I'm actually looking forward to getting out there and trying it again.

The program promises me that in 9 weeks or so I should be able to complete a 5k run. I think they are dreaming....but I'll let you know how I go.

What I Wore: Blog Meet Edition

2011-09-23T07:26:00.000+10:00

'What I Wore' is a bloggy game I haven't participated in before, mostly because my wardrobe consists of the same three outfits and well, that's not interesting for anyone.

Being that I dressed up for the blog meet for the first time in months, I thought that it was worth a sneaky peek!

This is a dress that I always wear over these black leggings, the dress doesn't look all that short but it tends to bunch up and would very easily show off way more underwear than I am comfortable with. I ended up teaming this outfit with my favorite black cardigan to combat the cool spring breeze and hide my honking breastfeeding breasts a little.

I went out sans earrings, which I hated, but don't have a pair that went with my outfit and didn't have time to go shopping and find some. The black necklace I've had for a very long time, it's actually three necklaces in one and I knotted it. The silver necklace is my Tiffany key necklace my husband bought me and I only take it off for sleeping and showering.

I also have to give a shoutout to my friend Nikki for this outfit, she's a regular city-night owl and I sent her about five SOS text messages to check what I was wearing wouldn't get me laughed out of town.

Thankfully, there was no laughing at my expense and I survived the evening. Just. Getting dressed up is HARD WORK, you know?

Visiting Dad

2011-09-22T08:47:00.028+10:00

One thing on my maternity leave 'to do' list was to visit my husband at work for lunch. 9 weeks in, with only 10 days to go, I finally load up the kids, pack a lunch, and start the journey into the city. I was nervous. I'm always nervous when I take both the kids out somewhere new. There's always a 50/50 chance they will be terrors and I'll regret every second. I keep trying to remind myself that there's always the option to throw them back in the car and go back home....but this time, it's harder, because on the train it's not quite such a quick relief.

Strawberries and being allowed to sit on the adult seats were enough to keep him occupied while we waited for the train to arrive. The baby slept and all was calm. Until we had to actually get on the train. The woman on the train had a bee in her bonnet and rather than helping me and the other woman at the station on board with our prams, just stood there and told us the right way to enter the train. When William freaked out and I was standing on the train with half a pram on and half a pram off, she grabbed my son, plonked him inside, and then roughly lifted the pram inside, huffing the whole time about how 'she didn't have all day'. On the train, we ended up in a carriage with two prams, two wheelchairs, and almost every seat taken. I'm blocking the central aisle, but there's nowhere else to stand...until a group of three women get on and ask me to move so they can get past. Umm, can you see there's not really anywhere to move? After managing to squeeze my pram next to the two wheelchairs and completely block the doorway, and almost run over an old lady's foot, the precious women can sit down.

Needless to say, by the time we got to the city I was frustrated and stressed. Add to that the fact the elevator was broken and I had to walk an extra long way to get to the square....

Nonetheless, we had a GREAT time. William loved the novelty of seeing Dad during the day and had a ball running around amongst a bunch of working professionals having lunch (whoops, sorry if you come to work to avoid your noisy kids!).

The faces say it all, really!

And on the way home, leaving secret love notes on his car....

Thankfully the kids fell asleep on the train on the way home and the train assistant was far more helpful, actually getting out the disability ramp for me to get my massive pram on and off- which was faster than just standing there telling me to get a move on. Cranky woman. Anyway, it was a really great day out and once again not as traumatic as I thought it might be.

So scratch that one off the list- I'm slowly getting more ready to get back to work!

Excuse the pee....

2011-09-21T08:44:00.000+10:00

Last week, I must have had a brain aneurism or something, because I decided it would be a good time to give toilet training a whirl.

My eldest has been showing 'signs' for quite a while now. I'd been putting it off, for reason related to pregnancy and stress and laziness. I'd also been trying to tell myself not to put any additional pressure on him while he's still adjusting to the new baby.

With the baby in a routine, and my toddler showing no apparent signs of psychological damage from the arrival of his new brother, I decided to give it a shot. If it worked, it would mean he was toilet trained in time for my return to work, for Christmas, and I wouldn't have to deal with two in nappies any longer.

Three days, five accidents, half a packet of treat incentives (for me mostly, when I'm about to go insane), a toddler who seems to be able to hold his pee infinitely, and no successful ANYTHING in the toilet, and I'm ready to give up.

I keep reading that boys toilet train later, and a few people I've spoken to have told me stories about how they attempted training at 2.5, gave up, and then tried again closer to 3 and boom- success. He does seem genuinely confused about what's running down his legs, and when he has an accident he doesn't come to me, he's happy as a clam in his wet/dirty pants.

Toilet training has to be the most difficult challenge I've faced as a parent. Please don't hit me, but I've been blessed with two children who are pretty adaptable to everything. Sleep training? Easy. Feeding on routine? Perfect. Dropping the dummy? No problems. Transitioning to a big bed? Loved it. Needless to say, I just wasn't prepared for this massive hurdle.

I think I'm going to wrap this up to an interesting experience and leave it for a while, maybe closer to Christmas when the weather in warmer and the baby is just a little bit older again. I'd love to hear your toilet training success (and failure) stories! Any tips to share?

What I'm Reading

2011-09-20T08:20:00.002+10:00

I don't read fantasy. I find names confusing, the geography puzzles me, the concepts bore me. I'm just not one to read about fantastical worlds.

When Guy was first born and we were stuck at home for a few weeks, my husband downloaded the new HBO series 'Game of Thrones'. We are normally a big fan of gritty HBO series, and this new one looked promising. We watched the entire first season in about four days, and then cried when we realised that the next season wasn't coming out for almost an entire year (well, I cried. Damn post-birth hormones).

Then my husband downloaded the books on his iPad, and devoured them in a few weeks. He literally couldn't put them down. Then he started harassing me to read them.

Now I'm addicted. And that's saying something for someone who hates fantasy. I still don't really enjoy it, I tend to not 'get' things when I'm meant to, and instead get confused three chapters later when it finally hits. I skip over large battle scenes almost entirely. But the series is gooooodd regardless. I can still hardly wait for the new TV series to come out, and I'm even trying to read the books slowly so hopefully by the time I finish his new one will be out (okay, okay, it's more that I barely get TIME to read, hence the slow).

So, need a new book to read? Going away for Christmas and want to really get into something? I'd recommend these.

Hello Blogger Dinner, Blogged

2011-09-19T12:06:00.000+10:00

You may or may not have noticed my very excited post a few days ago, about the upcoming Hello Blogger Dinner? Well, it happened, and it was fantastic!

Getting out of the house was not as much of a drama as I thought it would be. My gorgeous newborn son decided to feed perfectly in sync with the train timetable, so I had plenty of time to feed him, get dressed, and get down to the station. There I met up with some fantastic blogger friends and we all headed in together- some of them visitors to Brisbane, so getting to show off my ~~annoying~~ fantastic local knowledge along the way.

We started out in the cocktail bar and it was fun watching everyone arrive. I spent most of this pre-dinner time in the bathroom expressing Guy's feed (glamorous, right?). It was my first time away from the baby, his first bottle. Funnily enough I didn't feel as emotionally distraught as I did when I left my first son at home, I was just hoping I didn't have to make an emergency dash home! I was in constant communication with husband at home, almost cried when he txted to say that he'd lost one of the baby's feeds (that's three days and almost 2 hours work!) but then was able to relax entirely when he announced everything was going just fine, the baby was eating, and I could be out for another three hours at least.

The restaurant was really good. Very intimate seating, the food was to die for (the tempura vegetables and the beef were my favorites). Of course, the company was even better. Being my second blog meet I didn't feel like a complete newbie, but still got to meet some new friends. It's the weirdest thing, blog meets- you read their blogs for years, and then when you meet in person, you know so many personal details of a stranger- where do you start talking?

It was a really briliant night. The only thing that would have made it just a teensy bit better for me was being able to try one of those delicious cocktails (a mocktail just doesn't cut it). And you know, given me the courage to walk back to the train station without expecting every second person to jump me (yeah, for the $20 in my purse?).

I feel like there is so much more to tell you, but I actually had a really good sleep last night and it's re-set my mind a bit!

If you'd like to join us next time, all the details will be here: Hello Blogger Events

Do you like my new hair?

2011-09-16T20:40:00.028+10:00

I had my hair cut and colored last week. Which is pretty amazing in and of itself, because I haven't had my hair coloured since I was pregnant with William (yeah, like 3 and a bit years ago!). My fab new hairdresser Pam (since my last hairdresser went and got pregnant on me...sheesh) put these in for me- at my house.

I have to admit, I felt a bit like a superstar to have someone come to my house and do my hair. Surely that's something only the rich, or with inside connections, has done?

The last time we took our toddler to a hairdresser, he screamed so loudly I swear the entire shopping centre could hear. It was downright embarrassing. Frustrating too, because he was thrashing around so much the hairdresser wouldn't get anywhere near his ears, so I paid $20 for a haircut that was anything but. My husband and I dread taking him equally- so he ends up having really, really long hair that gets in his eyes, ears and food. I swear we only get his hair cut every six months, its' just that bad.

We've also had frustrating experiences with my husband's hair too- going to hairdressers who barely take anything off so we've got to go back again in less than two weeks time. Who has the effort or money for that?

Pam was wonderful. It was so relaxing to not have to worry about carparking, appointments, feeding the kidlets- she just came to our house and worked around whatever we needed- even down to me feeding the baby halfway through the whole thing. She had bribes for my toddler, and didn't blink an eyelid at his hijinks. She was confident with the scissors and just worked around him to give him the haircut we needed him to have!

I love my cut and highlights, but funnily enough, now I'm a little bit blonde, I'm addicted. I want to be more blonde! More! More! Not sure if I'm quite ready to go the full bleached blonde look- but the bits of brown in my hair are depressing me now. I've always loved the golden hair of my boys- maybe if I dye my hair their colour, people might start to say that we are related?

If you want to know more about my amazing new hairdresser Pam, you can check out her facebook page here.

Have Milk, Will Travel

2011-09-15T20:12:00.000+10:00

Exciting news....I'm going OUT. Out of the house- sans baby, toddler and husband. Out at NIGHT. With ADULTS. To a place where ALCOHOL is served.

I can hardly wait. Saturday night, you'll find me out with a whole bunch of other crazy bloggers, eating and drinking and having nerdy bloggy chats. Some of my favorite people are going to be there- Danielle from Hello Owl, Melissa from Suger Coat It, Talia from The Climbing Tree, Kate from Kate & Michael + 3- not to mention a big bunch of new friends to meet and love.

There so much to do between now and then. Pick an outfit. Pick another outfit. Pick yet another. Keep stocking breastmilk in the freezer so if there's an emergency I can miss two feeds. Make sure I pack my pump along for the night (although who doesn't want to start out a night on the town with B cups, and go home with double D's?). I don't even care about missing out on the yummy cocktails- I'm sure someone can make me a non-alcohol version, and I know that at least two other pregnant/breastfeeding mums' won't be drinking with me.

I'm nervous, and crazy excited!

R U Ok?

2011-09-14T19:49:00.023+10:00

In today's technologically advanced world, it's easy to hide behind your computer screen and pretend that everything's just roses. It's even more easy to come up with a nice, easy story when someone asks you how things are going. It's harder to admit that things suck, or you even really need help.

RU Okay Day is a national day of action to prevent suicide by encouraging people to connect with each other and ask the question- 'Are you okay?'. In return, it's a day where people are encouraged to be honest- it's okay to say that you are not!

There have been so many times in my life where I've been not okay. One I remember clearly is the second day after the birth of my first son- he'd been awake screaming all night long, and when he wasn't screaming he was feeding. My breasts were aching, my eyes were gritty and about to fall out of my head, and my nipples were bleeding. When the midwife walked in and I almost begged her to help me out, she just looked at me with the tiniest bit of sympathy and said 'Yeah, the second night is like that'.

I was in tears. I was ready to hand back my baby, to take it all back. I didn't WANT to do this anymore. I knew that I was going to be a crap mother, and this just proved it. There was no way I was going to be able to cope with a newborn, let alone a toddler, or a teenager.

Then my Aunt phoned from New Zealand. She was happy and cheery and told me that if I needed her, she'd jump on a plane in a heatbeat. She told me it was okay to ask for help even with stuff that seemed little and stupid- like asking for someone to do the dishes or clean out the fridge. By the time I hung up the phone, I was in tears and overwhelmed- but all of a sudden, I felt a renewed energy. I could do this. There were people around me that loved me, supported me, and wanted me to succeed.

When the midwife came back, I told her that if she didn't have me discharged by that afternoon I was taking my baby and walking out. Everything went up from that moment- because someone called me, told me they loved and supported me, and gave me an outlet to express that everything was not as wonderful as it 'should be'.

Tomorrow is R U Okay Day. I'm going to be contacting a few friends to extend the question- will you do the same?

Return to Life

2011-09-13T14:53:00.023+10:00

I can hardly believe that in two weeks time, I'll be back at work.

My maternity leave has gone by so quickly- and yet, so slowly. I feel ready, I really do- at the moment it feels like I'm on holiday and cherishing all this free time I have. I'm enjoying getting to know my newest son and spend some quality bonding time with my oldest son. It feels strange though, to know that this isn't normal life, and I'm ready to 'get back to it' and get into my new work routine.

I'm really lucky in that I only work 12 hours a week- one morning where my mother takes my boys to playgroup, and they run around while I work, and then the other two days they attend a marvelous daycare center that is located in the same building as my office- I mean, how much luckier than that can you get?

In all honesty I'm not really ready to put Guy into daycare. I still feel like he's a little young, and I'm worried it'll wreck his routine that I worked oh-so-hard to get into...but this job is ideal, and as the boys grow older I'll be able to shift and adapt my working life to suit their needs, and it's more than worth the small sacrifice now. I'm also able to continue nursing him during my work week, by just putting a 'Be Back in 10' note on the door, running downstairs, feeding, and then running back. Easy!

There's so much on my plate before I go back though. I want to put a little more time and effort into creating some new home routines (meal plan, anyone?) so that life runs smoother. I'm also starting back at uni in early November (only one course, so easing back in slowly!) and that's going to take up a fair chunk of my time as well. Our tax is also sitting there waiting to be done, and a whole bunch of other appointments and arrangements I should clean up while I've got this spare time.

I'm blessed to have that longed after work/life balance, and I can't wait to get back into my job (my job that I love!)- but I'll always remember with joy these sweet weeks at home, spending oodles of time with my sons and having the grandest of times.

What Motherhood Really Looks Like

2011-09-12T10:11:00.000+10:00

Pardon my Pj's. It's 10am and only one of us are dressed- and even then, that's because he peed himself, not because I actually wanted to.

Last night was epic. We went out to dinner with some lovely friends, which was wonderful, but meant for a somewhat later night than usual. Then my toddler woke up screaming blue murder around 1am- and didn't go back to sleep again until somewhere around 4am. That's what you get, darling husband, when you feed him a cream bun for dinner. My newborn joined the party around 3.30am- so all three of us awake together. What wonderful bonding time.

All in all I'm guessing I got about 3-4 hours of interrupted sleep- not enough for this tired Mumma.

But none the less, a new week begins. Washing to be done, floors to be mopped, phone calls to be made. Welcome to the real life of a mother- only glamorous sometimes.

A little perspective

2011-09-11T13:52:00.004+10:00

So I had a post all in my head, composed yesterday while I was grumbling about getting both kids in the car, the pram dismantled and in the boot, the groceries shoved into whatever available space I can find. The problem with having a Getz (my completely impractical car that I can't bring myself to give up) is that space is at a premium- the kids, pram and shopping have to go in following a very precise procedure- any deviation from this procedure just doesn't work. You just can't 'throw' stuff into my car.

I was so disgruntled I even timed how long it took me to get everything in the car- from arriving at the vehicle to me sitting strapped into the drivers seat, ready to go (for the record, it was a little over 3.5 minutes- evidence above). The reverse (getting the kids OUT of the car) takes just as long, but normally doesn't involve over-tired, hungry little people, so it's a little easier.

I got a real whack of a wakeup call though when I read Violets post. 'The Quiet Life of Violet' is a new blog I discovered on BlogDay, following links suggested by other bloggers. I love the layout of her blog, her writing style, her adorable little boy. Today, she wrote about how long it takes her to get in and out of the car- with her one leg.

Needless to say, I've got nothing to complain about. Nothing at all. I'm taking a little more time today to appreciate how much mobility I've got- I can run after my toddler when he gets away from me. I can quickly run my newborn to the bathroom when he does an epic poop. I can even take a simple step outside and breathe in the sunshine.

Yep, a little perspective does me good.

Electricity Ouchie..

2011-09-10T19:10:00.000+10:00

Our latest electricity bill turned up in the mail today and well, it hurts.

I know that in general electricity prices have been going up, and people have been complaining about it for ages now, but in all honesty, I haven't really felt the sting yet. Our bills have always been fairly reasonable and always pretty much the same- slightly higher in summer thanks to the blasting of airconditioning to keep us cool in the hot Queensland air.

Today's bill was a little over double what we normally pay. I had a small heart attack when I opened the bill and saw that huge figure in the top corner. So what have we been spending it on?

*Keeping our bedroom at a perfectly warm temperature for our newborn. Heater on to warm the room, ceiling fan on to regulate and distribute the heat.

*Keeping the airconditioner on in the living room- again, to keep our living room a perfect temperature for our newborn. Thankfully he's a little older now and this isn't quite so important anymore.

*Constantly keeping a light on for all those 2am feeds, so I don't fall down the stairs. We can probably start turning off all the lights now, thankfully little G has started sleeping through till about 4.30am, and it's light enough for me to see at that point.

*Keeping my husband's computer on constantly, so I can access his video files from the lounge room. Time to stop being lazy and turn his PC on and off as needed.

Some other things we are going to get better about is turning things off at the power point when they are not being used for a long time- like the washing machine/dryer and the toaster. Things like this a real wakeup call to show how much we consume without even realising!

Now just to wait for our gas bill and feel the pain of all those scorching hot showers to ward the late-pregnancy pains away. Seriously, there should be a relaxation on fees for pregnant women- something to petition the state government for during the election maybe?

The Red Woman

2011-09-09T10:50:00.001+10:00

Disclosure: This is one post my male readers might want to skip over. It talks about girly stuff. I won't be offended if you click over instead to this very manly video. If you continue- well, at least I warned you first.

So, my period returned today. Almost 8 weeks post-partum.

I'm a little shocked. In fact, I kind of cried "What, already?' involuntarily in the bathroom and was very grateful that I discovered it at home. With my first, it didn't return until about a month after I finished nursing- so seven months, making it basically 16 or so months that I didn't have anything. It was nice.

It just doesn't seem fair that I'm taking contraception, I'm feeding a baby and having to deal with cramps and violent mood swings (oh, and I ate all the chocolate that was left in the house. Situation must be rectified immediately).

It also means that, shockingly, I'm fertile again. We could have another baby, right now. Not that it's something I'm even considering, because that would mean giving birth right when my newborn turns one- and that's a kind of crazy I just don't think I could deal with. Even so, it's another reminder that this is our last baby- yes, just because I could have a baby doesn't mean I'm going to. Ever. It's a bit of a weird feeling, actually- actively choosing to not be pregnant again.

When I spoke to my GP about it, he mentioned permanent options, and I backed away hurriedly. I'm only 24, and my husband is only 27...it just seems to young to make such a final decision. I mean, it makes sense- if we are certain. And I'm not certain that I am- you know, certain. My head screams no- the dealing with pregnancy and your older children, the giving up work, the emotional strain, the cost...but then there's all the downsides as well. The never again holding a positive pregnancy test and feeling all the hope and love and excitement in that moment. Never again planning and wishing and preparing for the arrival of your little one. The complete upside down of your life in those first few crazy weeks.

I've been blessed with two beautiful children, and I know that deep down, I'm perfectly content with that. I never even thought that I'd entertain the idea of a third baby, or that it would be such a weird feeling. There is this shadow of doubt in my mind- and yet, I feel so complete with two.

Is it time?

2011-09-08T09:55:00.000+10:00

Used with permission

Spring is here! And with all the other spring cleaning jobs on your list, have you considered it's time to update your family's fire protection insurance?

If you are wondering what I'm talking about, it's those little white things on your ceilings- your smoke alarms. Now I admit, despite being a property manager whose job it was to impress onto people the importance of not disabling your alarms, I would often come home from work to a smoke alarm that was hanging open, battery out, and think 'Crap...I really must get around to replacing that'.

You might have heard about the horrific housefire in Brisbane a few weeks ago, where a family of 11 died, and they are not sure there were working smoke alarms in the house.

Then, earlier this week, a friend of mine woke to hear their alarms blaring and their dryer alight- that's it in the picture above.

I get it now- Smoke alarms save lives. In a very, very, real way.

A battery costs a very minimal amount, and are so easy to replace. I don't know what I was so lazy about it- there's no excuse. All of my alarms are currently charged and working. Another thing I'm planning to do this weekend with my family is our fire evacuation plan. Whenever we did them at school, I thought it was kind of stupid- isn't the plan just to get out of the house the safest, quickest way possible?

Then I had kids, and it all got so much more serious. Would he grab the kids, or would I? Does he focus on getting the kids out while I call the fire brigade? What is worth saving, and who runs to grab it? What would we do if we had to evacuate from the top floor of our townhouse? If we got separated, where would we meet? At the letterbox, or the green space at the end of our mini-street?

Don't leave this off your spring cleaning list, like it's been left off mine for so many years.

Dude, have you seen my kid?

2011-09-07T14:20:00.001+10:00

We went out the the Teddy Bears Picnic today, a giant event at a local park. There were destined to be hundreds of kids, parents and stuffed bears there, and even though I forgot his hat and sunscreen (still not used to this heat just yet- what happened to winter?) I remembered to invest in 'Crap I've lost my kid' insurance.

Turns out I'm not very good at wrangling two. It's hard- and my toddler is incredibly fast- and has this very, VERY annoying habit of short cutting under or over things that I have to go around. Like yesterday when we were out grocery shopping and he ran away to visit the puppy (you know, those plastic guide dogs that you put money in?). I could see him almost the whole time, but I was stuck on the other side of the registers. Thankfully, he ran back again, but I could just see it happening- him running the other way, into the shopping complex, and being completely gone by the time I got around to him (and by the way, in this situation, what do you do with the groceries in the trolley? Just run out of the store with them and be chased down by security? Unload them in the middle of the aisle and really loose your toddler? Leave the trolley with your newborn inside and cross your fingers nobody in Coles wants a free baby gift with purchase?)

Anyway, for years I've heard about people who wrote their phone numbers on the arms of their kids, and I've always thought it a good idea- I've just never had to do it until now. Going out to a wide open space with potential hundreds of people, I thought it was a good day to give it a shot. At two and a half, he can't yet say his name, or his Mummy's name (how damn inconsiderate that there had to be some 99 other women there called Mummy!), and I doubt he'd do anything other than hold a strangers hand and cry.

I actually had a hard time bringing the pen to his arm, firstly because my mother HATES ink on skin and growing up I'd get a good whopping if I ever came home with body parts drawn on, it's ingrained in me now (still expecting my mother to come over any minute and tell me off- lol!). Secondly because I don't want to teach him that's what we do with pens, heaven forbid he starts stealing pens and drawing on himself (and probably his brother).

What I didn't expect was how relaxed it made me feel. When we were out, if he got a little lost for a second- it's okay. I figured I'd either find him, or he'd find me, or my phone would ring. I was so much more relaxed about taking my eyes off him, about letting him run around and do fun things with all the other kids.

Maybe I need to make this a permanent tattoo....'Hi, my name is William, and my mum is easily distracted. Please adopt me and feed me cheese'.

Being grateful

2011-09-06T07:33:00.000+10:00

Image from here

As a parent, some days are harder than others. Some days, I'd pay large sums of money to have someone take my children for just an hour, so I can shower in peace. Some days, I secretly wish my husband would start lactating so that I could have a break from breastfeeding. Some days, it's hard not to wish my children away.

I know others feel the same thing. Facebook is flowing with comments like 'Would anyone like two active, messy children' or 'I'm sick and tired of being a mother' or even 'Pregnancy sucks and I can't wait until it's over'.

I also know that there are others who would trade anything to be in my position. One in six Australian couples suffer from infertility problems.

When we were trying to conceive our second son, I got a very, very small glimpse into that life. We stopped using protection, I'd been taking multivitamins and gotten the go-ahead from our GP. I waited anxiously all month to see if we'd been successful- and then in the bathroom one morning, a negative test. It was only our first month, and yet I'd had so much hope and expectation. I'd started dreaming of our June baby, what plans we'd have to make surrounding that. And then it was all dashed in one moment. I can hardly imagine what that feels like, enduring that feeling for months on end- years even.

So the next time my newborn won't settle, the next time my toddler paints the dining room table with yoghurt, the next time I haven't had time to shower for three days- I'm going to take a moment and remember all those women who want to be mothers, who would make great mothers, who might never get an opportunity to experience what I have. To remember that there are couples out there paying thousands of dollars to be a parent, and I got it for free.

Fathers Day Craft FAIL

2011-09-05T09:36:00.005+10:00

So this fathers day, I was determined to do something a little different. I've got two kids now, one of them getting rapidly older, and I felt like it was time to do something 'typically fathers day'.

The Be a Fun Mum blog featured some great Fathers Day Craft Ideas and I got excited, thinking they looked simple and easy and maybe even fun. Now, obviously I'm just that sleep deprived I forgot that craft and I have never, ever had a positive relationship before. No matter. Confidently I bought the required items from my local craft store- after getting heaps of great advice from them. Again, I should have been tipped off that maybe craft and I shouldn't have a relationship when the sales assistant had to remind me to use kid safe, non-toxic paints, not the really high quality, oil based stuff I already have. Mm....thanks.

Anyway, Friday morning, the sun is shining, the children have just both been fed, and I wrangle them outside with a cheery 'Let's make something for Dad, Granddad and Afi!'. I carefully pour out the paint, set out a test sheet, then the three canvases, and my toddler is watching with keen interest....right up until I invite him to stick his hand in the paint.

Cue massive tantrum. That child DOES NOT want to touch the paint. He runs away. I drag him back. He runs away again. Eventually I get the result I want by basically smooshing his hand onto the paint plate, shoving it onto all three canvases and then racing him to the kitchen sink to wash it off, as he's screaming and cleary unhappy. Phew.

Now it's time for child 2.

I always expected getting the baby's hand print would be difficult- he's only seven weeks old! Nonetheless, I wish I'd thought a bit more about the best way to hold him before I picked him up and got paint all of his hand- and his shirt- and his mouth- and his hair- and me. I shudder to think of what child services would have done if they'd walked in at just this moment- paint covered newborn infant, screaming his lungs out, while his mother holds him ~~between her knees~~ on an awkward angle, trying to get a stupid blue handprint.

This was the semi-end result. I ended up writing each child's name, age, and then a fathers day message down the bottom- which I didn't take a photo of because I did it late Saturday night (nothing like leaving it to the last minute!). As I was doing it, I felt a bit like a mother completing her child's homework for him- but my son's obviously have the same aptitude for craft that I do, and I just didn't want to go through all that again!

So, home made fathers day gifts. Made with love. And tears. And tantrums. And some harsh words. And an epic paint mess.

Next year, I think they'll just be getting a 'Best Father/Grandfather' mug.

Happy Fathers Day

2011-09-04T06:08:00.006+10:00

To my wonderful husband;

Words can truly not describe what it's been like to watch you as a father. I'm constantly amazed at the way you've grown, the way you always put our family first, the way you interact with them.

I was so surprised at the way you've jumped into fatherhood with all hands and feet- not shying away from horrific nappies, tired toddler tantrums, epic newborn vomits. You have so much more patience with our boys than I will ever have- it's you who stands there and shushs our tiny babies when they won't settle. It's you who is happy to chase after our toddler with a ball- again and again and again and again.

I even love the way our two sons are almost exact copies of you- right down to our firstborn's golden hair and our newborn's perfect dimple. Watching you laugh and play with William is like looking into a time warp- he is exactly the little boy I can imagine you being. You are his favorite person in the entire world, and already I know our smallest boy is looking at you both, waiting to get in on the fun.

You've been so incredibly supportive through everything- through all the crazy times, the difficult times, the sleep deprived times. You've taught me to relax, to not sweat the small stuff, to live in the moment. There is so many things you could complain about- the way there is never anything prepared for dinner, that you never get to enjoy any time by yourself, and yet you continue to do these things and serve our family with nothing but a smile and a loving word for everyone.

Our sons will do well to grow and follow in your footsteps- you are an amazing father and an incredible role model.

Happy Fathers Day, to the man who deserves it the most.

The Baby & Toddler Show

2011-09-03T17:17:00.000+10:00

Today I checked out the Baby & Toddler Show in Brisbane. I'm not normally one for babies & children's exhibits, I figure that they are full of people and honestly the last place I feel like navigating a pram around. This time though, I was attracted by the glossy brochures, the fact that they charged a $20 door price and free tickets were scarce to come by (unlike other baby expo's), so I was hoping that a) they'd have some quality stuff there and b) it wouldn't too crowded.

The deal was sealed when I scored a free ticket thanks to Babies R Us and boom- my friend Shari (who blogs here) and I packed the kids in the car and headed out for the morning.

My tiny son was screaming for a feed from the moment we got there, so I was barely even in the door before I asked for directions to the nearest feeding room.

The website had bragged about the all essentials stocked feeding and changing rooms, even going so far as to call the feeding room 'relaxing'. I was skeptical- I've heard this claim before, and honestly, most feeding rooms seem to have been designed by a man- a childless man. I was pleasantly shocked here though- the room was actually quiet (when my baby stopped screaming, that is!). There was oodles of room to navigate a pram, a gorgeous pink pillow on a really comfy leather armchair, and it felt really discreet. I wasn't blocked off from the world, but the spacing meant you couldn't really see other mothers feeding. It actually was a little bit of a nice place to take some time out (or, in my case, prepare to begin!).

They even had a massive water cooler, some free samples, and clean microwaves. In the twenty or so minutes I was there feeding, two cleaners came in to check the bins, wipe over the bench tops, and generally check all was well- I was pretty impressed with that.

Another well thought out decision was to separate the feeding and changing rooms. It meant you had less people traipsing through as you were trying to feed, less yucky smells- I liked this. The changing rooms were also really well done- heaps of pram room, free nappies, free wipes, even a antibacterial hand spray that was so hard to leave behind.

I know I'm ranting a bit about the feeding/change facilities, but I'm often so unhappy with them when we go out to different places, it's actually kind of shocking to have somewhere nice and pretty and clean and well thought out. Big tick here (oh- and I wanted to bring that chair home!).

I don't have many photos' of the expo itself because I was faar too busy chasing a toddler (it's weird looking out for a little person dressed in pink!), chatting to different exhibitors, collecting freebies and even stalking other mothers out for details on where they got specific accessories. The exhibits were generally well spaced out and not too busy- although it did start to get packed around midday, just as we were leaving. I didn't expect to be able to get my pram around, but it was fairly easy.

On a side note, there were so many people there with City Selects, just reinforced to me that I'd made a good decision there!

I was a bit disappointed that some of my favorite brand names were missing, and that there didn't seem to be too many really great offers on sale. One product I was considering purchasing, and if there had been a great saving I might have made an impulse buy, but for only a $4 discount (off a $70 product) it was worth it for me to go home and do a search through all the different brands and types online.

The freebies were pretty fun, I'm a big sucker for a glossy brochure and some reading material.

Overall summary? It was a fun morning out and not as chaotic as I would have thought. I'd say not worth it for the $20 door price though- I understand that the venue hire is expensive but the price didn't even include a goody bag full of free samples (which I kind of expected). I'll be interested to see who signs up next year, a few more of my favorite brands and some better discounted deals would have me back for sure!

If you want to check it out, they are open all day tomorrow and they have a pretty cool facebook app you can download, which is handy for getting around and making sure you see everything you want to see.

*This is a non-sponsored post, I didn't receive anything for writing this review*