Fairy Light Love

This morning I was talking to my boss about our mutual love of fairy lights.  Bunnings has them, as does Ikea and I just think they are gorgeous and really give your house that Christmas feeling when all your decorations are up.

I get so jealous of Nigella Lawson when I watch her shows, she always has fairy lights on in her house, draped through her bookshelves, kitchen and pantry!  Add to that her spotless kitchen, pastel coloured kitchen utensils and penchant for late suppers, I really want her life. 

I am googling as fast as I can to get fairy light inspiration in the lead up to Christmas.  Pity the power bill won't share my fairy light love.

Happy Monday x

Respect

A couple of Saturday's ago while Liam was having his mid afternoon snooze and Richard was doing the gardening, I took myself out to the local shopping centre to run a few errands.  I do this quite often, but its also a good opportunity to have some me time and indulge in some people watching.  My favourite thing :)

I was walking through Best and Less, when I heard the conversation. 

'Mum, when are we going home?' said the young girl, probably who I guessed was about 6 or so.

'Soon' said a tired and stressed mum.

'Can we please go home soon?  I want to go home' she said again.

'Oh jesus.  Seriously, stop being a dickhead, go on, move.  F*** me.' said the mum.

I turned around and looked at them.  The mum was a bit older than me, very well dressed and presented and her daughter looked so sad.  The woman caught my eye and shrugged her shoulders.

I shot her quite a dirty look.  Tell me, what did you achieve by speaking to your daugther like that? 

In another shop I saw an elderly lady with her daughter, who would have been my mum's age. 

'Mum, seriously, stop friggen dawdling.  You are being such a pain in the arse today' said the daughter.

Again, another crestfallen look from an elderly mum.

I got home and told Richard about my shopping trip.  It really angers me that people speak to their family members like this.  Where is the respect gone?  I understand I have only caught a snippet of conversation and there are probably one million and three things going on in their lives that I don't know about, but I would never speak to my mother, friend, child or husband like that.  Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

I took Liam through Ikea yesterday and as a near three year old, Liam will ask a million questions.  Sometimes its the same question, 50 times over.  But I try my very best to answer it.  I get a lot of funny looks from people with the conversations we have, but I have been stopped before by a random shopper to tell me my son is funny, or they have overheard our conversation and are impressed by how patient I am.  Some days I am not, but I try.

My point is?  Let's try to respect each other a bit more, for all our faults.  And take a deep breath when it all feels like its going to topple over.

x

Spring time...

We have been blessed with some beautiful weather in the last few days here in Perth.  Summer is on its way after a long, cold winter.  Winter must of been very cold as I know a lot of pregnant people due in March/April next year! 

Our garden is blooming, the grass is a luscious shade of green after being tended to by my patient husband and the sunsets from our house on the hill are breathtaking.  I've even had a few dips in the ocean!

It feels wonderful to be pregnant in spring, a new little life kicking away in my tummy (still can't feel it yet but the scans show a fiesty little babe) and a soon to be three year old in December reminding me that he needs a 'big party'!

x

Maternity clothes

Maternity Clothing Departments....words fail me.

Sorry, but I don't wear floral prints, empire waists, shirts that tie into a bow in the back, pastels, bedazzled goofy sayings across my chest (i.e. Rub My Belly for Good Luck), tents, tie-dye, head to toe corduroy, denim or velour.  I never wore them before so why would I wear them now?

I'm going to be very pregnant during a Perth summer, which is notoriously hot.  Think blowdryer on high blowing in your face every day.  I'm stuck quite frankly.  I am thinking maxi dresses, perhaps sarongs with a cool tank and funky accessories...??

I've had a look online, and found a few things here and there.  It seems that online is always cheaper and there is more of a range than what you get in Australia.

Triplets

My big news is that I am pregnant.  Not with triplets though, so don't freak out.

When we went for our first dating scan, the sonographer had to do an internal ultrasound to check I wasn't pregnant with twins.  I held my breath for a bit, but no, just the one.  Its been a bit of a joke in our family, twins run on Richard's side.

Today at work I was talking to a colleague of mine who has triplets.  We got talking about routines and all the other stuff you do when you are a parent of young children.  I was so amazed at the sheer amount of hard work he and his wife do as parents of triplets.  I just couldn't imagine having three at one time, I find it challenging being a mum of one and getting my head around having another in 6 months time. 

The universal theme that we agreed on is 'you just get on with it'.  And don't be afraid to ask for help. 

We are really excited about having another little one in our family.  Two is it for us, so I am really looking forward to completing out family unit and watching our two children grow up together.

I Don't Know How She Does It

I've just finished reading the book of the same title and really identified with it.  I certainly don't have the same income bracket or high pressure job as Kate Reddy, the main character in the book, but I did understand the frustrations of juggling work and family.
There are days where I feel I don't do my two jobs, motherhood and employee, properly.  Then some weeks it works seamlessly well.  I'm sure its a feeling shared by most working mums.  There was a sentence in the book that said women are now doing men's work, but are still expected to be the doting mother/wife/chief cook/bottle washer.  No wonder we are constantly knackered.

I couldn't imagine not working.  I enjoy the feeling of independence, providing financially for my family and the work that I do.  I also couldn't imagine not being a mother.  I love my son so much, but I couldn't do what I do without a very supportive husband.

Anyway, cannot wait for this movie to come out.  I've heard some bad reviews, but I'll make up my own mind.

Here is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_OrhwIidA

101 positive things to say to your kids

That's Incredible!  How Extraordinary!  Far Out! Outstanding Performance!  I can't get over it!  Great! Amazing Effort!  Unbelievable Work!  Wonderful!  Marvelous!  Phenomenal!  You've Got It!  Superb!  Cool!  Excellent!  You're Special!  Your work is out of sight!  Your projectis first rate!  You've outdone yourself!  Way To Go! Thumbs Up!  You're a good friend!  You came through! Terrific!  You tried hard! Your help counts!  You made it happen!  It coun't be better!  Fantastic work!  You're a real trooper!  Fabulous!  Bravo!  Exceptional!  You're Unique!  Awesome!  Breathtaking!  The time you put in really shows!  You're a great example for others!  Keep up the good work!  I knew you had it in you!  Dynamite!  Its everything I hoped for! You should be proud of yourself!  What an imagination!  You made the difference!  Well Done! 
You're Sensational!  Very Good!  A plus work!  Super Job!  Good for you!  Take a bow!  You figured it out!  Great answer!  You're doing a lot better! Thanks for being honest!  How artistic!  Hooray for you!  You're a Joy!  How thoughtful of you!  You're amazing! You're getting there!  What a great idea!  You deserve a hug!  Thanks for trying!  You've made great progress! You're getting better!  You're a big help!  You're neat! You've got what it takes!  You're #1!  You're a shining star!  You can be trusted!  Wow! Remarkable!  Beautiful!  I'm so proud of you!  Very impressive!  You're sharp!  You're a winner!  Hot Dog!   Spectacular word! You're so kind!  You've really grown up!  What a great listener!  Thanks for helping!  great Discovery!  You've earned my respect!  Thanks for caring!  You're A-Okay!  You're a great kid!  How original!  You're a champ!  You're a pleasure to know!  Very brave!  What a genius!  You're very talented!  You're the greatest!  You're very special!  You're super!  You on target!  I love you!