Perks of Pregnancy

I have found that alongside the constant nausea and the endless feelings of fatigue, there are some pretty good side effects of being pregnant.

My skin is clearer than it has ever been since I was a teenager. Not that I've had massive outbreaks of acne since being a teenager - but there's always been two or three hanging around stubbornly. Since being pregnant my skin seems to be better than ever (and I don't think it's just the increase in water intake).

My hair is growing so fast. Okay, so this is mildly frustrating after a great haircut - but usually my hair is just painful. Since being pregnant it just seems to 'work' a lot more.

But I think the main 'wow' has been my nails. I have been an obsessive nail picker (and occasional biter) since childhood, even to the point that mum bribed me with a ring if I stopped picking them when I was 8. Not even that was enough to stop me. If I've had long nails, it's been because of acrylics and nothing more.

But within two weeks of finding out I was pregnant, my nails were so long and so strong. I would literally stop and stare at my nails some days, not believing they could look so good.

And yesterday was my first ever manicure. Oh my goodness - bliss! It is such a nice thought that I can go and have a manicure now, and not be wasting anybody's time.

Now I just have to learn how to paint my nails. I have (for the first time ever) bought some nail polish (in a metallic cherry red and Metallic midnight blue); and I need some tips! This is the first time I've ever tried nail polish, and I'm a bit scared of it!

But here are my nails, beautiful and long and shiny!

I think my mother owes me a ring!

Reflections of 2009 - a Montage

Rather than my usual post highlighting the highs & lows of the previous year, I've got something a bit different for 2009.

Sit back and enjoy the slideshow we did for my parents to tell them about Abeje.

My Adorable Niece...

So Z, who is four, was told during our stay with B's family that we were having a baby. During a quiet moment on Christmas Day, I thought I'd ask her what she thought about the whole thing, and if she had any thoughts about what Abeje would be like. The following conversation ensued...

Me: Z, do you think Aunty Sasch's baby is a boy or a girl?

Z: A girl

Me: Why?

Z: Because you're a girl, and girls have girl babies (interesting, considering she has a brother!).

Me: What colour eyes will the baby have?

Z: Blue, just like mine (has to be a recessive gene then, seeing my eyes are black almost, and B's are hazel).

Me: What colour hair will the baby have?

Z: Blonde, just like mine (again, recessive genes must be strong, as both of us have dark brown hair; as do both of our parents).

Me: And what should we call the baby?

Z: Carrie-Anne (she was quite firm on this point, but we don't know quite why. It's not the name of a Disney Princess and she doesn't know anyone with this name).

So there you go - Abeje as described by Miss Z. Will be interesting to see how accurate she is!

New Years Resolutions...

Do you do these? Do you think they are a waste of time? Do you have goals that try to be achieved every year, and have you been successful?

I try to make more 'life philosophy' type resolutions, so here are mine for 2010.

* Be kinder towards everyone I meet and not let my passion act like a steam roller over people's feelings and emotions.

* Be more thoughtful, encouraging and helpful towards my husband.

* Prioritise my time with God better than I have this year.

* Deliver Abeje safely and healthily in July.

* Get onto some kind of fitness plan for the year. Even if that just means using the wii fit we just bought with the Christmas money!

And my scripture of the year? Actually, it's been mine for most of this year as well - but I think it sums up what I see my role as quite well...

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8).

Blessings everyone as we start 2010 together.

Our Miracle

Well after eighteen months of tests, drugs, tears and prayers, our miracle has finally arrived.

As of Monday, I am twelve weeks pregnant and due on the 19th of July.

We have had three scans thus far (at 5.5 weeks, 7 weeks, and yesterday at 11.5 weeks) and bub is doing really well. Yesterday we even saw bub stretching and kicking!

We are so excited about what the next little while has in store for us, and it has been VERY hard to not shout it from the rooftops!

We have named our bub 'Abeje' for now, which is Nigerian and means we asked for this one.

God bless you all through 2010, and I pray that all your prayers come true this year.

Love Sasch, B & Abeje

Snapshots from Holidays

Here's a small sampling of photos showing what we got up to during the past week's holiday...

Murray having a ride on Gunsynd in Goondiwindi

Murray at 'The Dish', Parkes

Three Generations of Harders on Christmas Eve

Our Niece & Nephew on Christmas Day

My Brother in Law singing Barnesy on Singstar Christmas Afternoon

The Church at Bright

Murray checking out the view to the snowfields

Up on the Snowfields at Falls Creek/Rocky Valley

Nephew, Niece and Sister-in-law at their new property

Niece and Nephew at a friend's Winery

We hope that your Christmas season was a lovely time of joy and happiness with family, and that 2010 brings God's richest blessings into your families.

Happy New Year!!!

Home from Holidays!

Word to the wise - it is a LONG way to Wodonga from Brisbane!

We got home last night at around 7pm, and promptly crashed out. We were very fortunate as it didn't rain at all whilst we were away, and the roads were all clear from floodwaters on our journey home. We did go through some rain around Moree, and saw lots of water on either side of the road, but we made it home without any drama.

We had a lovely time away with B's family. We were soundly spoilt with Christmas presents, and it was lovely for B's parents to have both boys there at Christmas for the first time in about 13 years!

B's family is German, so we had our big 'day' on Christmas Eve night, and then journeyed over to B's brother's place for lunch with his family on Christmas Day. It was lots of fun to be with our niece and nephew as they received their presents - the wonder of Christmas through a child's eyes is very special.

We also got to see a lot of the surrounding countryside whilst we were there. Trips to Beechworth, Bright, Falls Creek, Rutherglen, Milawa and Omeo were also included, and B even got to places he'd never been before (despite living in the district for 22 years!). We sampled a lot of the gourmet produce the area is renowned for, and also came home with a supply of Brown Brothers to keep us going through the festive season.

All in all it was a lovely time away, and very special to be with all the family once more.