Return of the Muppets

Last Monday we traipsed on down to BNE domestic to welcome back Bek & Dion after their year at Vana in Chivhu, Zimbabwe.

We had a great time with them, their parents, Dawn, Michael, Andrew & Nic that night at dinner; and now are enjoying having them stay with us for the next two and a bit weeks.

Abeje's Latest Photo Shoot

A couple of weeks ago now, but we had these done at 19 weeks gestation.

Plenty of movement every day now - but I can still only feel Abeje from the inside. Can not wait until there's a real kick felt against my hand and I can share it with B. I thank God every day that I can experience this.

Abeje's now measuring 4 days ahead of 'dates'; however I seem to have stayed the same weight, which is making me pretty happy!

My only complaint? The shocking rib pain I've had lately. I'm under instructions to be careful and make sure it's not my gall bladder, but as far as we can all tell this is just my body adjusting to a growing baby. And apparently it's only going to get squishier!

Baby Bump

Well the belly is growing by leaps and bounds. I'm not feeling too bad now - tiredness is always there and I think Abeje has found my ribs well and truly; but life's going pretty well.

I'm now over halfway (21 weeks tomorrow) and to be honest the whole thing rather surprises me. It's been a time where I've counted down each 'milestone' as I pass it, and to have got this far never ceases to amaze me.

Had the Morphology scan a week ago, followed by my next obstetrician appointment and my first antenatal class, so I guess I should be feeling prepared by now... right? Sure, any minute now I'm going to feel like I'm totally on top of this and completely prepared to deal with labour and birth and all those fun things!

(NOT).

But in spite of my complete LACK of preparedness and my feelings of 'what the heck am I in for'; I am rather enjoying this whole stage of my life; and even though it feels and looks a bit alien, I am a bit proud of 'the bump'.

21 February - 18 weeks + 6 days

Only 19 weeks and one day to go as of today - or so they tell me.

Weddings and Weekends Away

The weekend after we got home from Melbourne, my cousin Kirsten got married. Being a late-ish wedding we decided we'd stay up at Maleny for the night and booked in to a beautiful "Anne of Green Gables" style B&B.

The wedding was beautiful, Kirsten looked stunning and apparently I didn't scrub up too bad myself.

It was lovely to catch up with the extended family once more!

My mum and I

The terrible trio (Abeje's in there somewhere!)

Melbourne Mischief

My favourite city in the whole of Australia would be Melbourne. Many MANY times have I commented that if we were to move anywhere else in Australia - it would be Melbourne.

Oh the fun I would have!

Thanks to B's birthday, and a tiny insignificant band by the name of AC/DC, we flew down for four glorious days in February. Scott & Karen also came down for a night, so whilst the boys went off to that rather loud cacophony; the girls went and gorged themselves on Italian (pregnancy rules still in effect despite the beautiful prosciutto and brie on offer!).

My sister in law is an awesome creature, and brought me down some maternity clothes; which have turned me both into a bit of a fashion icon as well as a money saver! The woman is a legend and I love her muchly.

We had so much fun over the next four days. Sure I made my husband walk from one end of the city to the other, and he got tired of me saying 'I love Melbourne' again and again and again - but it is an amazing city and I always get a small pang for it whenever we return home.

STUFF WE GOT UP TO...

Old Melbourne Gaol

Best little Cafe in Carlton (little may be a lie!)

Well, when in Melbourne... SHOP!

Placate husband with this quirky little stop-off

Dine at your favourite French patisserie

Catch your breath at Fitzroy Gardens

Say hey to Gog & Magog

Watch the trams go by

Say goodbye for another year or two...

Ahhh Melbourne, I miss you so!

Caloundra Afternoon

As the afternoon drifted on, I convinced B to head out to Caloundra to a) get out of the stifling heat and b) spend some time dipping our toes in the ocean.

It was absolutely fantastic weather when we got there, and we got to spend an hour or so just chilling out and enjoying the sunshine.

Bulcock Beach in all its glory

Stepping Stones

Harders at their finest!

Yours truly in the Sunshine State

We're off to Melbourne for a few days now, so stay tuned for more updates when we get back!

The bump

Turns out a number of people like to see 'bump' photos as well as 'face' photos. So once a month I'll do one of those bump photos (but don't hold your breath for anything of the naked stomach variety).

Here I am at 16 weeks exactly.

Days in the Country

One of my favourite spots in South East Queensland is a little nook called Numinbah Valley.

Leading from the outskirts of Nerang, and down to the surrounds of Murwullimbah, the road in is one full of twists and turns, with a beautiful view up to areas like Springbrook and Binna Burra and O'Reillys all around.

When I was younger we had a number of school camps up here, and so it brings back lots of lovely memories.

If it had been a sunnier day we would have stopped off at Natural Bridge, but with the weather closing in; we took the safe option of driving straight on through (after the obligatory lunch stop at the Two Pines Cafe).

On the road again!

Looking up to Springbrook

Gorgeous scenery

That's one heck of a burger!

Beautiful flowering palm at the cafe

It was a lovely afternoon out, and if you've never been to Numinbah - you're missing out!

My Emma!

For years and years I have drooled over a particularly fancy pram called an Emmaljunga (or 'Emma' for short).

These prams are one of the best rated on the market, but also come with an elevated price tag that someone such as myself would not even consider accepting.

My friend Liz has had this brand of pram for quite a few years, and whenever I saw her at soccer with her two little boys, I would sigh wistfully at her pram and lust over its prettiness.

When B and I first started trying for a baby, I talked with Liz and it was decided that I would buy it off her when the time came.

But when 'the time came', Liz was awaiting her precious third bundle. So I gave up my dreams of an Emma and focussed on finding something else.

Well two weeks ago, Liz asked if I still wanted to buy her pram - as they were desperate to sell.

DID I EVER!!!

So Friday night I took collection of 'Emma', and it's looking very pretty (and very big) in our lounge-room.

Isn't she beautiful?

A plug

My friend Emma has an amazing sister named Kate who seems to be able to do anything and then some!

One of her many talents is pregnancy & newborn photography (as part of her company, In House Studios); and I have often seen the results of other friends sessions with Kate, and I have been looking forward to the time when B & I will get our chance to have a session.

She is also a very creative woman - and this was evidenced in the lovely little package that arrived at my house last week when I asked for her information package to be sent.

Isn't it cute?

Oh to have that artistic flair!

Nail update

Just a quick update on the nail situation.

13 weeks without picking!

Stop Press - Brad Smiles!

People often talk about your 'family of origin' and how it can affect a husband and wife relationship.

In our marriage, this can be very true when it comes to our attitude towards having our photo taken.

In my house, I was an only child to a single mum for quite a long time - so I would guestimate I've had... ooo, maybe 10 000 odd photos taken of myself (probably more) up until this point. And I learnt very quickly that not smiling when the camera comes out will make that photo shoot drag on!

B's family doesn't appear to be as 'trigger happy' as mine when it comes to cameras, and there can be much weeping and gnashing of teeth done by Mr Sasch whenever that camera comes out. As we are currently tracking pregnancy weeks, you can imagine his excitement at the proliferation of photos being taken!

There are often comments made that my husband ends up looking a bit of a grump in most of our photos - and to be honest, yes, he does - sometimes.

But after a particularly entertaining afternoon at my mothers, and with some help from my mum, my stepsister and yours truly - we actually got a few smiles this time around!

I am not giving you the satisfaction of a smile!

Why must everyone tease me?

If I grit my teeth and bear it, they may stop soon

My wife plays dirty!

Vox's Birthday

Back on Anzac Day 2007 we were given a tiny little puppy to take care of until a proper home could be found.

Needless to say we fell in love with the little guy, and so 'Vox' became part of our family.

We decided to celebrate his birthday on the 1st of February, as all we knew as to his age was that he was born in the first week of February 2007.

So happy 3rd birthday, Vox!

Good morning mum - why did you wake me?

Birthday, you say - does that mean treats (yes, it did)?

Hello ladies!

Dinner Out

The Saturday after Australia Day I was very 'itchy' to get out of the house, but with our new dishwasher being delivered at any point in the middle of the day (and naturally arriving ten minutes from the latest time they said it would arrive!), it ended up being a very lazy day.

But once B had installed the dishwasher into it's regular haunt, we decided to head out for dinner at Hogs Breath.

We've only been to Hogs Breath once or twice (and they've been for people's birthdays or social events, not of our own choosing) - but we had a great night out, and it's quite a quirky little restaurant with all the nick knacks they've got up on the walls.

Brad looking very tired after installing the dishwasher

He cheered up after a little bit

Some of the wall ornamentation

I loved this old car front

Yours Truly

It was a lovely dinner out, but I have to admit I can't wait until I can finally drink one of their delicious cocktails!