The best part

This right here is my favourite part of the holidays.
Myl is home and I get to watch my two favourites together.

Lucy adores her dada. She follows him around, gives him sweet little kisses and now calls him Mylo because that's what she hears me call him.

This is the first year he hasn't worked through the holidays and while the extra cash would be handy it's nothing compared to the joy of having him.

five years ago

I had to delve into the forgotten realm of myspace to find this photo but this was taken five years ago today when a young girl who kinda liked a young guy took a train trip to his home.

They met up, they hung out, they frolicked on the beach, they mysteriously were wearing the same colour, they caught the train back. They decided that they were more than just good friends and the rest is history.

Happy five years my love. They've been the best.

dada date

Myl and Luce had their first outing together last week.

They went to the shops.
Lucy fell asleep in the sling.
It was sweet.

I stayed home and cut out hexagons.

laksa

Source: myrecipes.com via Eloise on Pinterest

It's getting wintry here in ole Sydney town.
We have had lots of rainy days that Lucy and I spent indoors watching the rain splatter on the windows. It was actually flash flooding outside and poor Myl was drenched coming home from college but we were nice and warm!

So along with wintry weather comes wintry food.

Myl is a big fan of laksa. It's what he gets whenever we go to $6.50 thai.
Even though it's so cheap I thought I could make it cheaper at home. Here's how.

Ingredients (serves 2)
1 chicken breast
1 carrot
2 small bunches of choy sum
3 mushrooms
1/4 packet of rice noodles
1 tin coconut cream
2 cups water
1/2 tin of laksa paste

you could use other veg if you like or add bean sprouts.

Chop chicken into strips and fry in a large saucepan with cooking oil.
Chop carrot into rings. Chop mushroom into slices. Chop choy sum and leave green leaves to the side.
When chicken is brown add the carrot, mushroom and white parts of the choy sum.
When that is slightly soft add laksa paste and coconut cream. Stir till the laksa paste has mixed into everything.
Add 2 cups of water and bring to the boil.
Add the noodles and simmer for at least 5 mins or until rice noodles are cooked.
Divide into two bowls.
Rip up the choy sum leaves and sprinkle on top.

Enjoy!

no, the picture is not of the laksa I made. It looked pretty similar. I couln't find my camera and the picture I took with Myles' phone made it look like creepy death laksa so I cheated. Hope it inspires.

ten weeks old

my little girl is ten weeks old

Lucy has a toy called Crunchie. It crunches and Lucy loves it. She grabs it and eats it and stares at it. She is becoming more and more alert every day. She winks and smiles and raises her eyebrows.

She does a cute opened eye thing if you take a photo of her with the flash.

She has started to laugh. It's only happened a few times. She mostly just gurgles but a few times she has been really laughing. It's the best.

She has a bit of a sniffly nose again. It was really sniffly on Saturday night. I put her down to sleep and she sounded like a little baby pig. So I called my mum and she said to drop some saline up her nose. It worked really well and she slept for a good long while.

She is becoming much more vocal. She sings along with me and chatters away. She likes words that start with G (gee, gah etc). Her cries are getting louder. She cries when she is overstimulated and sometimes it is tricky to get her to calm down. Myl is a superman at getting her to be happy. He sings to her with his big deep voice and she is in heaven.

She is getting better at feeding (or am I getting better?) Sometimes she is very picky about the side she wants. She will make hunger signs and then wail if I give her one side so I think she isn't hungry till I try the other. It's never the same side though. She is a kook!

We went out for dumplings with my siblings on the weekend. Lucy loves her aunts and uncles. She put on a very good show of smiles and cuddles. Sometimes I think she is better behaved for other people than for me.

I love her oh so much. Looking at her makes my heart ache. Holding her makes me feel so happy. I'm loving being a mama. It is so wonderful.

to market to market

Last Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day. The kind of day that makes you forget that it is supposed to be almost winter. We had a lovely little family outing to the markets. We have been wanting to go for such a long time and this weekend the Finders Keepers Markets were in town.

We had  a lovely time looking at pretty, crafty, trendy things. I got some lovely ideas for some things to make. I'm pretty cheap and there were lots of lovely things with lovely handmade pricetags. It's nice to get inspiration but I didn't buy anything. :(
It was so so crowded at the markets. The last FKM we went to was much quieter. It made it harder to stroll through the stalls and really appreciate the craftiness but it's great that independent designers are getting so popular.

We also went to the Everleigh Farmers markets which are just next to where the FKM is held.  They were really crowded too. So crowded that they ran out of bacon and egg rolls just as we got to the front of the line. We had a lovely time looking at all the tasty fresh produce and Lucy slept the whole time in her sling.

Then as if two markets were not enough, we went to the Glebe markets as well. We spent most of the time eating kebabs and milk (Lucy) but it was nice to sit in the sun and take photos. We looked at a few stalls and I bought a shirt that I am going to turn into a dress.

I love market days with my family.

baby...uhh...???

I'm suffering from a not so rare disorder. It's called baby brain.

In the space of a week I locked the keys in the car twice.

The first time I was fetching Lucy out of her car seat. I put the keys in her car seat so that they wouldn't poke into her. I got her out of her seat then locked and closed the door. (We don't have central locking so you have to manually lock the door.) This was awkward. Myl was at college and not coming home for hours and I had no phone and no keys to get inside. I checked the boot. It was open. Thank the LORD!
So, with baby in arm I reached over the back of our hatchback and grabbed the keys out of her carseat. It was a stretch.

The second time the boot was not open. I was driving and had put the keys back in the ignition while I got the sling and started to put it on. I stood up next to the car to put it on and then once on locked and closed the door. Myl was with me but had left his bag with keys inside the car as well. We were at the shops so Myl went off and got a lovely man from Kmart Tyre and Auto at Broadway to help us out. I told him it was baby brain. He smiled and said he had a two year old and so knew all about that.

My darned baby brain also caused the loss of my mobile phone and brand new mothers day kindle from the top of the car. If only things placed absent-mindedly on the top of cars would be nice and stay where they were left. I found my phone in pieces. The kindle is missing, presumed dead.

Oh babygirl. You are certainly worth the loss of brain cells. I am just constantly distracted, thinking of your cuteness.

daddys girl

I just love seeing my little sweet cheeks with her dada.

They like to look at each other and rub noses. They play and smile at each other.

Myl is just the best dada/husband. He is the biggest help and just the loveliest. He is always fetching things for me, comforting a screaming little girl, changing nappies, making food and making sure I don't go insane. I love him.

birth story (part one)

We had been waiting for our little girl a long time. My due date came and went and I was getting so eager to meet this little person who I knew was growing inside of me.

On Monday the 28th of March, my Mum and I went walking on King St Newtown. We were on a mission to get some buttons for a sweet little cardigan mum was making for the little one. There is a fantastic button shop right down the end of King St so we decided to walk down there looking at shops on the way. We thought this might be a nice way to bring on the little one. I guess we were right. I was feeling pretty pooped by the time we finished walking. We wound up at the Berkelouw book shop. I flopped down in a chair and made up my mind to stay there indefinitely.

Myles arrived and we had some ramen. The bookshop has a ramen bar. How cool is that. It felt a bit strange to be sipping noodles surrounded by books but the ramen was good. As we walked out of the shop all of a sudden I felt a strong cramp. The kind of cramp I needed to hang onto Myles to get through. It was about 6:30. I got excited. I hadn't felt anything like this before. It hurt so bad but so good at the same time. We got into the car and the cramp came back. Oh boy it hurt. On the way to Newtown that morning I had enjoyed going over the bumps, thinking they might bring our little one on but heading back every bump felt like torture. I writhed around in my seat and longed to be home already.

When we got home the contraction had ended. I got all pro active and finished packing my bag. I put in some baby clothes and a few last minute things. My excitement may have been a little premature as I had gone through a grand total of two contractions but I felt like doing something. After a little while of me prancing round the house doing labour exercises to encourage contractions and getting all maternal, we settled down to watch The Lord of The Rings - Return of the King. (as you do) I was desperately trying to not get my hopes up. I felt like something was  going to happen but had felt like that before.

The contractions weren't too strong but they were coming pretty regularly. About 5-7 minutes apart. I would have one and ask, "How long was that one?" getting more and more excited each time someone said, "five minutes." They were just not very strong. Frodo and Sam were so close to getting that ring into mount doom. I was watching but was so distracted. I was thinking of all my labour exercises and breathing techniques. I was wondering if ramen was a suitable food to keep my energy levels up. I kept getting up and needing to go to the bathroom. Just as old Shelob was sticking Frodo with her pincers I got up to go and my waters broke. All over the lounge room floor. (I'll leave it at that) Something was definitely happening.

I got in the shower and stood there till the water went lukewarm. (Darn small hot water heater) I was shivering with excitement. Myl and I exchanged some meaningful looks. We would be meeting our little one soon. The gears were all in motion. We called the birth centre full of anticipation. The midwife told me to try and go to sleep and call in the morning. My contractions were not strong enough. I was pretty gutted. I wanted to go in and get this baby out. I hung up the phone and went to go back to Frodo.

Now this was the point where I am eternally grateful to have a midwife for a mother. Mum pulled me aside and checked the colour of the waters. "I think there's some meconium in there." she said. I had not really noticed the colour at all. I would have happily gone to bed and waited for who knows what. I am so thankful my mum was there.

So we called the birth centre again and I told her what we had discovered. She told us to come in straight away to get checked out. We were back in action. I was excited and apprehensive. We got the bags together and went out to the car to go in.

to be continued...

more of the babe

I just had to post this photo my sister took of my little baby girl.
She is such a good baby.

We had her first big outing today. (The official first was to her aunt and uncles house last night for dinner.) We went to church this morning and she was so well behaved. She pretty much just slept the whole way through with breaks for cute eye blinking and little smiles.

She is such a calm little girl. Feeding has been such an interesting and wonderful time. I'm getting the hang of attatching her and my body is getting stronger to cope with a little one feeding from it. She is such a hungry little girl and is getting fatter by the day. It's nice to see her growing from the food that I produce for her. Pretty special.

She doesn't much like the bath or having her nappy changed but is easily soothed by a cuddle. She is a very cuddly girl. She is never as happy as when she is lying on someones chest or being held tight.

She has met lots of her family and is getting used to some faces. She has lots of quality Granny hugs with my mum. They like each other. She likes seeing her aunts and uncles. (Especially her aunts.) She takes to anyone who will give her a cuddle really.

She really loves her dada. Myl has been reading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe to her. His deep voice puts her straight to sleep so she doesn't hear so much of the story but enjoys it anyway. I'm sure he can read it to her again. She knows his voice and looks around for it when she hears it in the room. His smell can calm her down and he has been such a trooper in changing nappies. He has changed way more than me.

I have had such a great time being a mum so far and I'm sure it's because I've got Myl and my mum here. This afternoon I had a looong nap and Mum had some granny time. There is always food around that I didn't have to cook, nappies changed, baths given and babies handed to me in the middle of the night. I feel so so blessed.

That's enough for now. There is so much to write about my little girl and being a mama. I'm sure I will have many a post for the next few weeks. Not to mention all the photos I still haven't taken off my camera.

Stay tuned for a sweet guest post tomorrow!

mama bird

I have been having a lovely little nest the past few days. Just like a mama bird preparing to lay her little baby eggs.

It sounds very serene but really it isn't.
I have been racing round the house tearing my hair out that there are so many things everywhere that don't have a home.

We have all these clothes to give to vinnies that are sitting in the hallway, a box of childrens ministry supplies with no home, a useless tv taking up cupboard space (anyone want?) and a whole lotta baby things everywhere.

I cleaned the car today. I was feeling all sprightly and energetic. For those of you I have given a lift in my car you will know this is a big job. Our car is a bit like our second house at times. My guitar lives in there as do a lot of things I have affectionately named "the detritus." All that lovely stuff came into our house and out of the car and had to have a home. I did a little angry flustered dance when this happened.

I got rid of all the rubbish from under the seats, vacumed the floor and shook out the car mats. It was so strange getting in the car and not having to watch where I put my feet. Magic.

It seems these bursts of energy are very quickly followed by exhaustion. As soon as I had finished with the car I came inside and collapsed on the lounge. I sat there for a good long while.

That is until I saw a speck of dust and an out of place bootie and off I was again to pluck some more twigs for my little nesty.

I don't think Myles is enjoying this time of my pregnancy. Often the things I am nesting with are heavy and he is the one who has to move them. Of course once I notice they are out of place they need to be moved RIGHT AWAY! Life really does depend on it and so whatever he is doing needs to be stopped so he can help me.

I can't explain it. It's just a sense of deep inner frustration at the state of the house. There is still so much to do. I can feel myself itching to go do laundry in the middle of the night. (I actually put two loads on last night.. while it was raining.)

Let's just hope this means the little one is coming really soon! But not before I have dusted every nook and cranny of this house.

Image Credit - Nesting Bird Screensaver

baking

Myl and I love doing our groceries together. Closer to the truth is that I love doing the groceries and Myl loves carrying the bags.

Sometimes when we go shopping there are really good specials. I'm a bit of a sucker for specials. 2 for 1's, Reduced to sells. I can be convinced to buy something I wasn't going to get by the fact that it is on sale.

Myl likes it when biscuits are on sale. His favourite are monte carlo anzac biscuits. They usually have some 3 for $5 deal. He likes that.

But most times, instead of letting him indulge in his biscuity goodness I tell him, "You don't need store bought biscuits. I'll make you some."

And so we continue to shop sans biscuits and maybe with a token extra slab of butter for the biscuits I'm going to make.

Unfortunately, I don't always keep my promise. Sometimes poor Myl goes without.
BUT
Not this time. I made him some tasties. I sent him a text when he was at college and he came home to a container filled with these bad boys.

They are ginger and lime cream filled biscuits from my biscuit and macaroon Womens Weekly cookbook. They were so much fun to make.

They look like little biscuit hamburgers and most importantly Myl likes them.

we heart puffs

These are emperor puffs

This is us enjoying emperor puffs.

They are delicious balls of joy and custard from china town which is where we went on the weekend. Well.. we went to the food and wine fair in Hyde park first. We thought it would be one of those fun markets with free tastings and lovely things like that. But it wasn't. It was lots of expensive wine tastings and expensive fancy restaurant food. We are not very fancy people but rather than have our day ruined we decided to visit chinatown for some emperor puffs.

This was a good idea.

Then we decided to catch the bus home. We got to the stop and the free shuttle bus pulled up. Great, we thought. We can catch the shuttle to central and then there are more busses home. But the shuttle didn't really go to central. It went to the opposite side to the one we wanted. So we decided to take a nice bus ride around the city to see the sights, hold hands and have a nice time till we got to the stop we got on at.

But this shuttle doesn't work like that. Oh no it doesn't. We got to circular quay and the bus driver told everyone to get off. So we got off. We were very far from where we started.
Eventually we caught a bus from circular quay all the way back up george st and home. It took us about 45 mins to get to our original stop. So much for a short cut.

I got to have a nice time riding a bus with my favourite man though. Even if it made him a little late to go to the footy with his pals. AND I got a lot of preggo walking in. Not that I really want to hurry the little one on but I guess it all helps.

who is this?

Who is this cute little specimen?

It's Myles at 40 weeks. Isn't he the cutest little thing?

Ok so it's mildly creepy that I'm swooning at his cuteness and he is now a fully grown 6"4 man but...
but...

I still want to squeeze his little chubby cheeks.

I raided his family photo albums and have been imagining what our little girl could look like. There are no girls in his family so cute little puffy cheeks is all I have to go by.

the food of love

So the other day I made some tasty Valentines dinner for my lovely Myl.

Here's what I made

butter chicken
choc self-saucing pudding

love.

my funny valentine xx

He is the love of my life.

Myl is off at his first day back at college today and I miss him.
I'm gonna cook him butter chicken and chocolate pudding for dinner because I love him.

anniversary date

On one of the hottest nights of the year Myl and I went and celebrated two years of marriage in Balmain at a nice restaurant.

two years

I have been married to this amazing man for two whole years today.

There is not a day that goes by where I don't thank the Lord that we are together.

He is my best friend. I love him so much.

yes I am allowed to brag

Remember this good looking husband?

Well  he's not just a pretty face.

On Sunday he preached his first ever sermon at church.

I thought it was pretty good and I'm very proud of him.

You can listen to it here.

It's all about new year's resolutions and how the best thing we can do is to trust in God with our new year.

this is my husband

 Isn't he good looking?