FionaJill

Well if 4 wasn't enough.....

2011-08-21T22:24:00.000+10:00

Now I have 5! haha its all good.

Is 4 really a lot?

2010-01-11T17:58:00.002+10:00

I often have people comment on my kids. Or more to the point that I have 4. Again this afternoon while my older two had Karate another of the Karate Mums who is newly pregnant with number 3 commented on how calm I always look and that she takes her hat off to me as she has never seen me with anyone to help me. (* For the record Simon does stop on his way home from work to help at Karate if he can*).

But is 4 kids really a lot these days?

Do I really look calm to others when I am out with everyone? Because honestly I feel like a feral most of the time. Constantly keeping my children in line. Or at the very least by my side.
Evan is independent, always has been. He often doesn't think the rules apply to him so will ignore the "Don't touch" or " Come back here" words that seem to come out of my mouth like a broken record.
Glenn is a bit of a day dreamer and wanders with out a care, not realising he is being called back or is about to walk straight into a person.
Isla is a runner. My only runner. She thinks its a great game to run away at every chance. Apparently its ok as long as she squeals with delight as she takes off.
Iain, well he is a breeze at the moment. He is yet to take those first unaided steps. The others were walking... make that running by 12 months. But my dear chubba Iain is yet to take that step on his own. He is 14 months now.

But anyway back to my question is 4 really a big number these days?

I have an urge....

2010-01-10T21:38:00.001+10:00

Do you ever get a feeling that you need to do something. The need to write it down, draw it, make it...
I love to sew. That's my thing. I make stuff. I can just sit at my machine as basic as it is & make something. It might not work out as I planned but I enjoyed the time in front of the machine putting together what I could see in my head. Usually with out a pattern. Just the last few days I have made an apron & nightie for Isla. The other week I made a pouch sling, which I didn't like so then turned into a really funky layered circle skirt for Isla (Isla gets a lot of what I make).

But

There is something more. Today it struck me again. Driving home I was in awe of the clouds forming in the sky. Big fat white puffy ones. I think I want/need to take photos. I don't have the foggiest idea of how to really use my basic 5 mega pixel camera. Its almost 4 years old & has features that I really don't know how to use. But there is something in there that wants to come out. Another creative outlet. I think its photography. Scenery to be exact. The Clouds, the tress, the stunning cliff faces of the gorge as I drive along Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow. I never tier of looking out at those Cliff faces.
I love taking photos of the kids too. But what parent doesn't. I think I am getting good at it too. But I love capturing those moments when they are not looking. Simon thinks I like to take weird photos. Or more that I like the ones of the backs of people. But to me I am capturing a moment that's not posed. Its pure & honest....

I can't afford a new flashy camera so I will make do with my old 5 mega pixel camera. But I will try & learn how to make the most with it & how to use photo shop for more then resizing. I don't have time to enrol in a photography course, unless they don't mind my little kids tagging along :P.

But there is an urge & I will find a way to satisfy it.

Flats to Fitteds.....Sheets that is!

2010-01-08T21:09:00.007+10:00

So, I have 4 kids. I have 4 kids aged 7 & below. I have 2 kids who still wet the bed. 1 is only new to being dry at night as she is only 3. The other well, its not a regular occurrence but often enough.
So anyway I have 4 single beds to keep sheets on. Thats a lot of linen when accidents still happen.

Just the last few weeks we have had terrible weather for bed wetting. I have found myself short on sheets. So I thought I would turn some of the top flat sheets of my single bed sheet sets into fitted to help fill out my fitted sheet stash.

Here is how I went about it.

First of all let me say that I have not cut any of my sheets. My kids tend to not keep a top sheet on them at the moment but if they do happen to want a top sheet then I have done these so I can simply unpick my stitches and bobs your uncle the process has been reversed.

So Grab your sheet and lay it out on your single mattress. My kids have a standard hight single mattress so if your game you can skip this bit & just use the measurements I have used and hope for the best.
What you want to do is have the sheet laid out evenly as possible and then at one corner find the spot where the top of the mattress is. Now grab this corner but just the sheet and pinch it up. Hold this spot & take the sheet off the bed. Now while still holding this point bring the corner of the sheet to a point & measure along the edge of the sheet until you are at the point where you marked the top of the mattress would be.

For me this is roughly 35cm

Ok Im sure there is a less complicated way to explain that but its late & my brain doesn't work well at the best of times, remember I have 4 kids.

Now make sure you have the right sides of your sheet facing in. You now want to sew or overlock from from the edge of the sheet to the point which is the top of the mattress.

Now At this point you can either cut off the point of the sheet if you want OR you can tack it to the side as you add your elastic which is what I have done. This way I can remove it all later if I want my flat sheet back again.

So next you want to lay the sheet out so you can fold over your point (if your keeping it).

If not you still want to lay your sheet out so you can mark you elastic placement.
I have placed my elastic roughly 20cm either side of the line I stitched earlier. I think this is plenty. But you may like more.

Now what I did seems I left my corner attached was using a straight stitch sew the flap down. When you reach your elastic placement mark slip your elastic in & do a Zig ZAG stitch remembering to pull the elastic tight as you go all the way to the other end where you have marked your elastic placement to go.

Now repeat the steps for the other 3 corners & your good to go :D.

I will update this with better instructions this was a rush job :)

Hot?

2009-09-03T21:19:00.002+10:00

I am in love.

2009-04-10T22:16:00.006+10:00

A little while back I fell in love with the look of Beetlebum carriers.
You have to be mighty fast to hyena one of these babies. I am not fast enough! A few weeks back Mel from Beetlebums released a few carriers & I wanted Pepe.
Pepe sat there tempting me but I had car troubles that ended up costing five thousand dollars to fix so I just couldn't justify buying it for myself.
Then Pepe was taken down from the store & I never seen it come back up.

Now Michelle from Wildchild Nappies is a dear friend of mine. I feel extremely privileged to be able to say that. I first met Michelle in 2007 when I was first starting out with cloth nappies.
She later contacted me about doing some work for her. I am so happy that she contacted me. She is a great person. I can talk to her about anything & I know I will get a no BS answer. I respect her opinion a lot.
Recently Michelle launched her new website & new range of Wildchild products.
I was a part of getting some of these things made. I love that I get to play with these great materials & be a part of the process that turns them in Wildchild nappies.
March was a massive month for Wildchild but I don't feel I did anything super special. But Michelle being the wonderful person that she is sent me a thank you gift.

Yesterday I went to the post office to collect a mystery parcel. I knew I was expecting something from Michelle but had no idea what.
When I opened it I was grinning from ear to ear.
There was Pepe!
I am now the extremely proud new owner of a beetlebum carrier.
Pepe is so comfortable. Iain loves Pepe also. Just look at the smile on his face!

Michelle, thank you so so much! Not just for the carrier but for being my friend also.

Something new

2009-04-06T18:31:00.003+10:00

I got a labret piercing!

ETA _ I took it out.

Dedicated to Caring Kate

2009-03-27T22:10:00.000+10:00

Just saying Hi

2009-03-26T06:24:00.001+10:00

To my cyber stalker.

Who would have thought someone would find me so interesting that they would need to stalk me on the net.

So A big ol friendly Hello, how you doing? to you!

Im a Boho Mama!

2009-03-01T20:03:00.004+10:00

I finally got an afternoon to make something for myself.
Here it is. A Boho Mama Bag from http://bohomamabag.blogspot.com/

The fabric is falling leaves that I picked up from spotters some time back. I really like it.
The Denim is scrap material I have had for at least 6 years. I always knew it would come in use at some point. Its funny actually, Im pretty sure it originally came from my Mum who made pants from it. Its been around a long time.

Anyway I made a few changes, mostly I didn't do a ring strap. I just made it to the length I wanted & stitched it up. I also added some pockets to the inside.
Im super happy with it.

Smile!

2008-12-08T08:21:00.001+10:00

Yay I got one on camera!

Im a little slow....

2008-12-08T08:12:00.002+10:00

But I love this song. I know I know its pretty old, but like I said, Im a little slow LOL

Welcome to the World Iain Jasper.

2008-11-16T08:21:00.011+10:00

Well our 4th child has now joined the family. He was 1 week over his EDD. The older children have accepted him nicely in to the family and things are just great.

Here is the story of his birth.

The birth of Iain Jasper – 10/11/2008.

This labour & birth was a little different to my previous children. I went into it expecting I knew what woul dhappen & how it would all pan out. After all, my 3 older children all followed a simlar pattern. I thought I knew what to expect to some degree with this one also.

I was overdue once more & not really feeling as though anything was going to happen anytime soon. On Thursday the 6^th I had a ultrasound & midwife appointment.

The ultrasound showed a happy & healthy baby. All baby, not a lot of fluid but he was fine. The Sonographer commented on the blood flow through his cord & that it was exceptioally good. He also predicted he would be at least 8 & half pounds.

Later at the midwife appointment, I found the midwife to be alittle pushy in wanting to get things going. Asked me to return on Monday for monitoring and also a vaginal exam and to book an induction. I refused and let her know I would come in for monitoring but that would be all. I was not booking or agreeing to an induction this early into being “overdue”. She seem to think the more she said that I would agree. Instead I just laughed & said I will just go into labour on the weekend.

Well, Saturday I was getting the odd niggle here & there. We decided to go down to the shops & have a little wander around for christmas present idea’s for the kids.

By the time we came home I was having tightenings every 10 minutes. Nothing painful but there.

I went for a walk to the end of our road & back. We live in the mountains and the road we live on has a fairly big hill just at the start. Walking up that nearly killed me.

Once I got home there had been no real improvement on things.

Come midnight I thought I would head to bed & try to sleep.

Lying down made the tightenings more painful so by 1am, I got up again thinking things where starting to happen.

I had a show earlier in the evening so thought (from previous labours) that things are going to happen in the next 12 hours max.

But nope, getting up seems to slow things down once more. By 3 am I took some panadol & got back in bed. I did sleep, not heaps but I remember dreaming so I must have slept at some point.

Sunday I was tired and still getting tightenings every 10 minutes. Everynow then they would be 6 minutes. Just not lasting very long.

I went for another walk up my street to try & speed things along. Again it did nothing but give me sore legs.

I went on like this all day, getting more & more frustrated and tired. By late afternoon I had a cry to Simon. I don’t do well emotionally when I am tired & was getting scaredt aht being so tired would make the labour & birth more difficult as I would not be able to cope emotionally.

I called my Doula, Tracey & had a talk about were things where at and what I thought I might like to do. I decided I would call the hospital and see what they thought.

So I did this and was told it sounded like braxton hicks. But to come in when I am ready & have a check of whats happening.

So I called my Mum to come up around 9pm to stay with the kids while Simon & I went to get some postive news to help keep us sane!. When Mum arrived we decided it was better for her to take me down & Simon to stay home with the kids and sleep if he could.

We arrived at the hospital around 11pm. The midwife (Julie) checked me out & said I was 4cm but not thinning. She did a stretch & sweep and suggested going for a walk. If things had not picked up with in the hour then I should try & sleep as things wont be happenings if they didn’t pick up after the S&S.

So Mum & I walked the hospital for an hour & things did seem to pick up. But I was buggered from walking up my street earlier & really couldn’t keep walking around all night.
As soon as I sat things slowed down again. By 2 I decided that I would send mum home & try & sleep seems things are not progressing anyway.

So we went to go get my bag from her car & things picked up again. So in the end Mum stayed, slept best she could on the chair while I took some panadine & tried to sleep also.

Earlier in the evening when we first arrived Julie had said she wanted me to birth at 12 and the other lady coming could birth at 4am.

Well come 3 am I was still pregnant obviously,but I heard the other lady arrive. I listened as she laboured and went on to birth her son at 3 minutes past 4am! I later joked with Julie how spot on she got it for her. She laughed and said well you can go on have your baby at 6am.

By 5 am things seemed to be picking up so I got in the shower. While in there I felt the baby move down and actually felt like he gave me a good punch in the bum!

I sat towards the end of my shower and then took another 5 minutes once I turned it off to actually get up. I could feel the pressure and was worried if I got up I would need to push.

I got up and sat on the edge of the bed. I sat like this for about an hour I think untill I called Simon to come in. I also sent tracey a SMS to come to the hospital when she was ready too.

During the time I was waiting for Simon to arrive mum was encouarnging me to get up from the bed. But I kept saying No. I didn’t want to move. I just knew if I did I would soon be pushing and Simon had not arrived yet.

Things were getting more intense and I sent Simon a message asking how far away he was. He was in the car park.

Once he got up to delivery I felt better. Things actually easied off a little at this point I think. The kids pottered about touching things for about 10 minutes when Mum took them to go watch cartoons in the waiting room. Once they had left I was ready to stand up. I went to the toilet to pee & could feel the pressure there.

I returned to the bed, but asked to try sitting on the birth stool but it was too low for me to be comfortable so I stood leaning over the bed.

I had pressure but no real urge to push. But when I did go with the flow of the contraction I think I was putting more effort in standing then pushing. My legs were like jelly (that bloody hill!!).

Simon was massaging my back & tracey would place a calming hand between my shoulders and tell me how well I was doing. My midwife Leanne asked if it was ok if she she broke my waters as she could feel (even see) them bulging. I agreed.

After a few more contractions I was helped up onto the bed & leant over the back of it on my knees.

Again I could feel the pressure and the need to push but just no urge to push.

I even remember saying how weird it was that with the others by this point there was no stopping in between contactions and having a chat, they were on top of each other.

Leanee checked once again & im sure she was surprised I had no urge to push as he was right there. She nicked the membrains once more as she thought it was just the hind waters earlier.

Once she did this THEN I felt the need to push.

Iain Jasper came into the world with both hand up around his head. Once across his face & the other up around his ear. I felt his head born & he even had a little cry before I birthed his body.

I felt his body just as I did his head. With the others the body just followed. But Iain felt the same as his head.

So at 9.04 am Iain Finally made his entry to the world.

Simon cut the cord and went and got the kids & my Mum. Iain had his first breastfeed while the kids watched as I birthed the placenta.

Iain was weighed, coming in as my biggest at 9lb 9oz, 52 cm long and HC of 37cm (equal first in HC with my 2^nd child Glenn).

He is doing really well, slotting into the family perfectly.

I honestly feel that Iain would have been born at least an hour earlier had Simon been there. I just knew If I stood I would need to push. But I just had to wait till Simon had arrived. I couldn’t have birthed our son knowing he was only moments away.

We had to wait for Daddy!

Iain Jasper came into the world with both hand up around his head. Once across his face & the other up around his ear. I felt his head born & he even had a little cry before I birthed his body.

I felt his body just as I did his head. With the others the body just followed. But Iain felt the same as his head.

So at 9.04 am Iain Finally made his entry to the world.

Simon cut the cord and went and got the kids & my Mum. Iain had his first breastfeed while the kids watched as I birthed the placenta.

Iain was weighed, coming in as my biggest at 9lb 9oz, 52 cm long and HC of 37cm (equal first in HC with my 2^nd child Glenn).

He is doing really well, slotting into the family perfectly.

We had to wait for Daddy!

I have 2 boys and A GIRL (soon to be 3 boys)

2008-10-13T11:51:00.003+10:00

I am forever getting comments off people in the shops etc how lovely it is that I have THREE boys.
Mostly old ladies.
Now Isla has to be one of the most girly girls around. She loves her pink dresses, hats, shoes, handbags & bubba's.
She is usually dressed in at least item of pink.
She has the most girly features, how can she be mistaken as a boy? I know why.. She hasn't the longest of hair. But seriously people do you think I would dress my boy in a pink dress with butterflies on it?
Ok, first glance you see a child with short hair, you think boy. BUT before you open your mouth & make a fool of yourself, stop & take a moment to absorb the rest of what you see. A pretty little GIRL.

Plus, she has hair... I can prove it, see...

I dare say she will have very very thick hair like me. Its just taking its time to get some length but its thickening up nicely.

From 1 to 4

2008-09-21T17:44:00.005+10:00

Here are some belly shots of each of my pregnancies. I think this one will be my biggest belly.

Evan the day before he was born.

Glenn, this is obvioulsy not a photo of my belly. Sadly all the short of his birth, including the last belly shot got ruined at the hands of a incompetent photo lab.
But I did this belly cast about 4 days before he was born. Kinda shows how big I got.

Then we have Isla, this was taken a day or before she was born 12 days overdue.

Here I am at 33 weeks with my current little man.

I went shopping to day & was asked if this was my first. I think that's a great compliment given its my 4th!

Our weekend away.

2008-09-15T18:34:00.013+10:00

Friday the 12th we drove down to Canberra. Our first big family drive.
We left about 7.30 Friday morning & made our way down via the M7.
It was an ok drive. I HATE long distance drives so it was nice that this was reasonably pleasant.
We stopped twice along the way. Simon was keen to do the tourist drives etc but I really wanted to get to Canberra by lunch time. So insisted we stick to the main roads & save the detours for the way home.
We stopped at one rest stop for a toilet stop & stretch our legs & all that.

I took these photos of the kids. I really like this one of Glenn, He was looking at the little flowers in the grass.

We also made another small stop as Isla had gotten rather upset over her show coming off! Well at least thats all I could figure out was wrong with her.

Once we arrived in Canberra we checked into the motel & then made our way to Questacon. That was fun, chasing the kids around was not so fun, but The boys really enjoyed it. They got to see & touch alot of things. It was a great place for the kids as they got to touch pretty much everything in there.
There was a kiddy spot that they all enjoyed. It had a building area, a little science area with magnets which is always a hit with my kids, a little climbing thing, a water play thing. It was fun.
Then They also got to experience an earth quake & see lightening, be blasted with wind, see how fast they could throw a ball. It really was a fun afternoon.

Evan in the building Pit.

Isla in her Lab coat

Glenn doing some construction.

Evan & Glenn being Blasted with tornado wind

After visiting questacon we did a very brief visit in the national library. Basically walked in, stood there & walked out. But Simon wanted to go in & have a look. But was happy with just being able to say he has been in the national library.
We then headed back to the Motel. The boys thought it was fun, we all had big long hot showers which was a real treat living on tank water & limited hot water. So we all took advantage of that!
Friday night I had a crap night sleep. I am sure I was awake for a part of every single hour of the night. I tossed & turned and woke at 6am with sore shoulders.

Saturday we made our way to the Selwyn Snowfields. I had been told by at least 3 people that it was the place to take kids. We drove to Cooma & had lunch at Macca's & then drove onto the snow. So about 3 hours once we actually got to the snowfields.
I was very disappointed. Yes there was snow but it was patchy. But kids (Evan especially) was excited to see the snow. We got out of the car & the boys needed to pee, so Simon took them over to the side of the road to pee before getting all geared up for playing. I spent a good 20 minutes getting the kids ready in snow suits a friend had lent us, Simon got ready in his bike gear, I got ready in my jeans & gum boots. I thought I would be fine like that. After all I had no intention of rolling around in the snow. I wasn't cold.
So we make our way over to the snow & Glenn tells me he needs to wee! So Simon takes Evan & Isla while Glenn & I hunt down the toilets.
Now you know those holes int he ground with a toilet seat attached you see at rural picnic area's or road side rest stops. They are gross as. They stink. After all that are just a hole filled with shit & urine!
Well picture 10 of those in a row, in a small room with big glass windows with the sun blaring in.
It was the most disgusting public toilet facilities I had ever been in. Seriously It was gross.
So I tell Glenn not to touch a thing. We struggle to get him positioned over the toilet while not touching anything. This was done by be holding him up as he was too short & holding his bits out to wee. He then tells me there isn't any!

So once again I get him geared back up & head back to Simon. Only to pass a kid (say about 3) peeing in the snow, after I had just finished telling them all (Simon mostly) that NO you can not wee in the snow & that the last thing I would want to do is play in snow some kid had pee'd in! but anyway I guess we all have different levels of parenting standards.

So we find Simon & Evan is zooming off down the hill on the toboggan (also lent to us). Poor Isla was just sitting there on Simon's lap with no expression on her face. After a little while we made our way to the bottom of the very big steep hill were Simon & the boys dug in the pile of snow & I held Isla. Isla eventually wanted to be down. So I stood there & watched. Dragged her around a little on the toboggan. Helped Glenn have a few goes down the hill.
Then the fun started....
Glenn's pants kept riding up & as a result his boots kept getting snow in them. Eventually his socks where wet though & his feet sore. So I took them off, set him up so his feet where inside his pants & said not to move. I went back to the car & got him new socks. But remember I am 33 weeks pregnant & it was a blood big hill I had to go back up.
By the time I got back to him he had his now wet inside boots back on, crying that his feet here sore.
Evan had also started. He had hit his head on a sign, got snow accidentally down the back of his jacket & well things just got worse.
Glenn's boots were wet on the inside so the new (2 layers) of socks lasted about 15 minutes before he was complaining again.
Evan kept on & on about being cold.
I was tired & uncomfortable. Remember I said I thought I would be fine in just jeans. Well as I said I wasn't cold. BUT I couldn't sit down at all. I was standing on uneven ground, walking up big hills & dragging kids around on the toboggan.
So when I got back to 2 kids crying & whinging & lost it. Said I was going back & sitting in the car blah blah blah.
But I stopped & just pretty much stood there for another 20 minutes or so until Glenn could no longer handle his wet boots & Simon said he would take Evan up & suss out the tyres that people where sliding down the hill on.
We get back to the top of the hill to find that they stop selling tickets for this tyre thing 8 minutes ago. Evan once again looses it, throws his gloves off & sulks in the snow for a few minutes while we stand there & wait for him to get up.
finally we all storm off to the car & leave.
Evan has now started that he wants to see REAL snow. That's not snow its just ice. There was no convincing this kid that that was snow, that is what snow is.

We spent about 6 hours driving that day to go to the long awaited trip to the snow. Only to spend TWO, yes 2 hours at the snow.
Im sorry but for all those who said Selwyn was great for kids. I have to disagree. It was crap. Never again will I go there or recommend it to anyone with kids.
The area for people on Ski's was fairly big & lots of snow. BUT You couldn't take the toboggan in that area.
The area off limits to Skiing was about the size of a small oval. On a steep hill. Packed with kids & adults on toboggans.
Now Im not saying people can't have their fun. But seriously, do you really thing its a fantastic idea to join 6 toboggan & all slide down a hill packed with people sideways? Sure you can jump out of the way of ONE oncoming toboggan BUT SIX sideways? You have no hope in hell.
Also to "Mr cool" who was Oh so impressive standing on his & zooming down at the speed of light. I wonder just how cool it would have felt had you collected one of the many children on your way down. I seriously believe had he, that child would have came away with nothing less then a broken limb at the very least.

So yes, my take on Selwyn Snowfields is its NOT very child/family friendly at all. Not in the slightest!

But on the plus side I did manage some nice shots. Isla is my fav for that day.

On the way back to Canberra Simon hit a kangaroo. That was exciting. The roo was ok, Simon managed to only side swap it. You can see the scuff mark on the car & the roo was sitting in a field on the side of the road & jumped away when Simon walked towards it. But obviously a stunned Roo as it then proceeded to go back across the HWY that just moments before almost claimed its life.

Simon suggested we go out for dinner when we got back. Actually go out to a restaurant not just macca's. Now in the 12 years we have been together I think that is the first time HE suggested that. So of course I snapped up the chance to eat out for real.
On recommendation of a child friendly place we head to an RSL style of place.
Get there, its packed, we have to pay to go in as we are not members. I asked to see a menus first. Nothing looks appealing to me, there is 1 vegetarian option & well the kids would get chips & nuggets for $7.50 each.

We end up at Macca's across the road.

BUT not before Isla hurts her arm being silly. She was trying to run from Simon who was holding her hand & pulls her arm. She cried & continues to cry & not use her arm while at Macca's. We decide we need to get her seen too.
We find a lovely couple who offer to drive & we follow to a chemist they know will be open, my plan was to get some kids panadol & see what happens.
The chemist tells me of a medical center open till 10 pm (its now 9pm) just a few minutes up the road. So we take her there seems we are close anyway.
She is seen too straight away but I am told to give her panadol & bring her back on Monday if its still bothering her.
She was too upset to be able to tell if she reacted when the Dr touched her arm so I guess thats the best he could do at the time.

We get back to the motel & she falls asleep at the breast (thank goodnes for boobies!) & sleeps through the night. But at one stage I rolled over & had my arm resting her sore arm & she whimpers & cries a little in her sleep. Come morning she is still guarding her arm & crying when its touched so we head for the emergency room.

She starts using her arm while we wait to be seen. Typical but we still wait. She is seen by the Nurse who pokes & prodes with no reaction from Isla. She informs me I should still see the Dr but there is at least a 2 hour wait.
I decide that we will continue on with our plans & see how she goes. Seems we are heading home today.

We leave & head for our last stop for the trip which was the National Dino Museum. That was much smaller then I was expecting so while planed to be on the road back by 2, we head home around 11.30.
The Dino place was good & the kids liked it, it was just small & all done in an hour.

Simon drove most of the way back, taking in his side roads yet still making pretty good time.
We bi pass the M7 this time & head towards Penrith via Campbell town.
we stop in Penrith for a zip around toy R us to pick up a microscope Evan had been saving his weekly pocket money to get. I then drive the rest of the way home.

Overall the weekend was a nice trip. the Snow sucked & we spent money we don't have to the sum of an amount Simon refuses to be told.

But I got some nice photos & weekend away.

Oh, Isla & her arm. All of Sunday driving home she wouldn't use it. It was her right arm & she is right handed but struggled with everything to use her left hand. If you handed her something she would take it with her left.
I thought for sure we would be back at the GP's on Monday.

Sunday night she forgot all about it & has been using it as if nothing ever happened since.
We figure yes it was very sore when she did it & after but then she was just remembering how much it hurt so wouldn't move it incase.

Just a sneak peak

2008-09-10T16:30:00.001+10:00

Had my 32 week ultrasound to check on the growth of the little man. He is coming along nicely.

As all my babies do, he was only willing to show us a little sneak peak of his beautiful looks.
Here he is with his arm up over part of his face.

Seven years strong.

2008-08-19T15:22:00.006+10:00

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary.
Each wedding anniversary we have stuck with the "traditional" gift according to the years we have been married.

When we married we had Lily's on our cake & my flowers where Lily's & Iris's.
So each year I have either made or bought something sticking to the theme of the traditional gift but kept it as something to do with or is a Lily. I have set myself quite a task that's proving to be harder to maintain as the years go on. People who I have told about my little tradition think I'm nuts. I thought I would share with you the items I have made.

1st year was paper. I made paper lily's the same (well similar) to those that cascaded down our cake. When we moved from QLD to NSW the originals got crushed. So I thought it was the perfect idea of getting those flowers back.

2nd was cotton. That year I bought fake Lily's & iris's that were made up in a medievil style of ern/vase thing.

3rd year was Leather. I made leather lily's made from white leather & yellow beads. I made up 3 sets of 3, Only 2 in the photo though.

4th year was flowers. That year we went on a family holiday to cairns, so agreed that would be our gift to each other. Its the only year I haven't bought or made something "lily" But we visited the gardens we married in while in Cairns.
5th year was Wood. This year left me a little stumped so I thought out side the "lily" square a little & bought Simon a tree (wood) which is called a "lily of the valley tree" .

6th year was Iron. Again proved to be a head scratcher. I bought an Iron hanging planter basket with lily bulbs to plant inside it.

7th year is Wool or Copper. This year I have made more lily's. I found some wool felt (actual wool, not synthetic) and a copper chain & using copper clasps & copper wire I made a hanging chain of 7 lily's. The only part of this thats not wool or cooper is the little bit of cotton used to secure each bottom of the lily, under the copper clasp.

Next year is Bronze or pottery. Time to get my thinking cap on.

I love Simon as much if not more then the day we married & even more then when we met which will be 12 years in October. I truly did find my soul mate.

Evan is learner to ride a bike!

2008-08-17T15:12:00.001+10:00

Pinni's

2008-08-10T14:14:00.004+10:00

From the material posted earlier I made some Pinni dresses as part of a swap on nappycino.

First we have my stuff up, can you pick whats wrong?.......... Yep, the butterfly's are all standing on their head DOH!

Then we have some bumble bee's. I thought I ordered yellow snaps but mustn't have so used black.

Then we have the butterfly dress revisited. I did this pinni a little different as the material really does need to be ruffled a little. So instead of overlocking all the way round I overlocked as normal but left the front open. Then overlocked the two layers separately so that the front was free flowing. Added a bit of gathering at the top & I thin kit looks great! I really will need to hunt down more of the material. It really sews up nice.

I'm thinking I may make up some pinni dresses for spring, so keep an eye on my store at WahmNaps.

Dress Materials.

2008-08-06T08:58:00.005+10:00

Just a few photos of Materials I can will use to make some dresses.

Both of these would work well with Shirring, Only have enough of the white with red flowers with green & navy blue. The other is what I used with the butterfly dress. I could possibly try a pinni with what I have left.

Then I have white with Bumble bee's, Blue with bright butterflies, yellow with butterflies and blue with white poka dots & yellow with coloured poka dots. All of these would work well for a Pinni Dress.

Then I have Blue with butterflies, Pink with stars & white with stars. Again all these would work well as Pinni dresses.

I have a few solid colours I would use as the backing material or I could use two of the above & make the dress reversible.

Here is Isla in a Pinni I made for her.

Evan turns Six!

2008-08-05T12:57:00.011+10:00

Evan had his 6th Birthday on the 1st of August. It was a school day & they had their athletics carnival on. It was a crappy day & I was pretty peeved that the kids had to sit out in the cold & drizzly rain for the morning. I mean we live in the mountains, it get to 5 maybe 7 degrees max most days & these kids had to sit out in the cold, wet & wind! Needless to say, half the school is off sick this week. Gee I wonder why?
Anyway, Here a few of Evan. he isn't the most athletic of kids. But he has a go at least.

On your Mark! ( one of the only moments the sun broke out)

Now you have to go ZOOM like that!

Trying is best

We held a party for Evan on Sunday at the local hall, all his class was invited (which is about 12 kids, but some didn't make it due to being sick from Friday!) . It was a fun day & I think enjoyed by all.

Here is Isla & her little friend from Playgroup, who's big sister is in Evans Class. He is about 2 weeks older then her, they are a funny pair to watch.

Then we have my stomach, 27 weeks & counting. COming along nicely I think.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVAN!

there's a boy in there!

2008-06-06T20:39:00.005+10:00

So I had my 18 week ultrasound yesterday. We have a healthy big BOY growing inside!
All is well, so well he is a week ahead of his dates. But we'll be sticking to the 4th of November for his EDD. Remembering that this is just a estimate & he will come when he is ready!

Mates looking after Mates.

2008-05-25T18:37:00.002+10:00

Evan has some school mates over yesterday. As the last of his friends left, Evan had a sook because he wanted to go over their house. It was late so said not today, you've been playing all afternoon anyway. Then he said he wanted to go over on Sunday all the while he was sitting in the drive way chucking a tanty.

Later on I get a call, its Evans friends Mum, apparently when they got home Evans friend said to his mum, "im a bit sad" His mother asked him why? "Evan really wanted to come to our house & he was crying, that makes me sad"

So his Mum called to ask if Evan would like to come over today. So today we spent the afternoon at his mates place. It was good, I get on with his Mother really well & Evan has a ball running around with the kids!

Its taken some time but I am finally feeling like I have some friends up here in the mountains. I have my playgroup group of mums. At first I wasn't too keen to go along thinking I wouldn't get along with these women who already knew each other & had their group already happening. But I get on well with them all.
Now I am making friends with the parents of the kids Evan plays with at school.

I still think it will be a little while before my social groups venture further then my online buddies, but its a start. Also I imagine my neighbour will be glad I am making friends other then her. She is probably sick to death of me by now! LOL.

A nice day at the park.

2008-05-11T14:13:00.013+10:00

Simon in his Roller blades, LOL helps him keep up with Evan on his Bike.

Isla looking cute, as usual.

Isla wanting to use the bubbler

Trying to figure it out.

With a little help she gets it.

Big smiles from Glenn.

Glenn & Isla on the Swings.

Glenn on his Bike.

Evan sitting pretty.

Evan on his bike.

Evan & Glenn on top of the Plane.

Isla on Glenns bike.

Faires Live here

2008-05-03T08:46:00.001+10:00

Look what we have growing around our house.

Deja Vu

2008-05-03T08:25:00.005+10:00

I was looking through all the photos I have on the computer ( I really need to back them up!).
I came across one of each of the kids that made me think of a photo I already looked at.
Funny how they all make the same faces at times.

The first & last shots could almost be the same baby! Glenn is much older in his shot & its not quite the same look. Evan & Isla are doing a "What you doing?" sort of look where Glenn was being excited & silly.

RIP chookies

2008-04-12T09:23:00.002+10:00

:( Yesterday what I can only assume was a fox, took our chickens. Rainbow is missing & Blue was frightened to death.

The boys took it really well but its so sad. I was so worried of this happening. I was keeping them in a small pet pen by the front of the house so (so I thought) they would be safe from any fox that might try & get them, I didn't think a fox would come up so close to the house. During the middle of the day I might add. During the night I was bringing them inside. At first i kicked myself for not putting the "lid" on top of the pen but I know that wouldn't have made a difference to the out come.
Chickens are very easily frightened to death & this is what would have happened anyway.

If it wasn't for one being missing I would have no idea what happened. So at least I can assume a fox is the culprit.

Not sure if I want to get any more. I really like chickens & ducks & I don't want to keep providing the fox with a free meal.

Vanessa Amorosi

2008-04-07T10:22:00.002+10:00

You know, this girl has talent. She isn't someone I have really paid much attention too but I really like her new style.

I really like this song

This is another I like also

I think I will have to track down the album(s)

Amazing Women

2008-04-06T18:02:00.005+10:00

I follow a blog by a one of the most amazingly strong women I have ever encounted. I have met her once & her lovely children. She was one of the ladies who helped me on my way to using MCN.
I first met her online via BellyBelly
Her name is Tiff. She is a mother, but no ordinary mother. Her journey to motherhood was much harder then most. Her story brings me to tears no matter how often I read it. She writes in her blog with such passion & shares her story, her life so openly. I love reading her posts, I check her blog daily, sometime more frequently then that. She takes amazing photos of her children. So many children too!
I strongly encourage you to read her blog. My Three ring circus

Another Women I am currently amazed by is yet another BellyBelly member. I have not met her in real life but its one of my goals. She has no blog that I follow but I look forward to her posts on the forums we both frequent. Her name is Maz. She has 4 children. Another mother who's journey in motherhood is harder then most.
Just recently her newest addition to the family was hospitalised with death a real possibility.
He is now home with his family once more but that doesn't mean Maz can rest easy, his future life is still uncertain. Only time will tell what damage was left by the demons that put him in hospital. Maz is also a work at home mum (with 4 kids, that in itself is amazing) Her work is here
How I would or could cope with the things these two women have been through, do go through every day is beyond me.

To both these women I take my hat off to you. You truly are an inspiration.

Here chooky chooky chook chook

2008-04-03T09:52:00.007+10:00

We have some new family members.

This is Rainbow - named by Evan.

This is Blue - named by Glenn.

Shake your groove thang!

2008-03-31T11:07:00.002+10:00

Evans school held a fundraiser last week. All the kids got to dress up in "Disco" style & earn money per dance.
We actually thought Evan wouldn't want to dance so were a little more generous then we would normally have been with the amount we sponsored him for per dance. The little groover went to do complete all 30 dances! We now owe the school a heap of money LOL.

I didn't get many good photos on the day, Might have to dress him up again so I can take one of him in his Disco outfit I made. But here are some video clips from the Day.

Those who are not sure, Evan is the blonde boy behind the little red head girl in pink & next to the boy in the orange shirt.

A nice visit.

2008-03-09T13:16:00.005+10:00

This week just past Simons Parents drove down from Innisfail in Nth QLD to visit. Often they visit while on their annual motorcycle trip with their old fogies group (LOL). This year they have a foster child in their care so they drove down instead. They arrived on the Friday evening. It was a nice visit. We got to have a little bubba in the house again. I can't mention to much detail about the little feller but he is a great little kid. He has a great smile & just lights up when he seen the kids & also the dog. he loved the dog, thought she was very funny. Its amazing the things that amuse a 7 month old.
While here we went to the Mt Banks Picnic area (the photos from a few posts back). We went for a long walk along the trail road. Here a some photos from the walk. This is one of my favourites.

Don stopped & showed the boys many things along the way.

With Simon at work & Evan at school we spent most of the visit at home just relaxing.
They left on Thursday morning.
Here is a photo of the Kids with their grandparents.

Hopefully we can make it up their way next time.

Well well Well

2008-03-08T20:30:00.002+10:00

I'm Pregnant! Number 4 is on the way! Due at the beginning of November this year.!

My Neighbourhood.

2008-02-16T20:44:00.009+10:00

t
I have been meaning to do this for a little while now. I finally had a nice few days where I remembered to grab the camera when I went out.
Here are some photos of my neighbourhood.

This here is a Bilpin Apple. I took this photo just outside Evans School.

Here is the view from Evans school gates.

Here is the front view of Evans Class room. The entire school lines up in the mornings just in front where Isla is walking. There are 111 students in total.

Next I took some photos while on my way to Lithgow the other day. Just up the road about, hmmm say 10ks I came across a dirt road that goes down to a picnic area. I thought ah what the hell, lets go have a look.

and the other side of the hill above..

Then pan around a little to my right...

Then we have the town of Bilpin (seriously!)

So there you go, thats just some of the spectacular views I see as I drive around my neighbourhood.

Mud Mud Mud!

2008-02-04T18:44:00.000+10:00

Need I say more.......

Evans First Day at School

2008-01-31T09:07:00.000+10:00

Evans First day was today. He got ready & got excited & went off with out a second glance back.

He has 2 Buddies. Phillip & Ryan. The Cool kids. Thats has to be a good start to school being teamed up with the cool kid. Well at least I think it is.

We only got a photo with Phillip. He is one spunky looking kid I think!

Pinni dress

2008-01-23T14:53:00.000+10:00

I was lucky enough to have a good friend make Isla a little Pinni Dress. I took it as a bit of a challange to make one myself. Here it is.
Now GiGi, I know you look at this so where is this nappy!

This is the dress GiGi made. Its so well made, much better then my attempt.

Here is the dress I made. Isla has fallen head over hills for the camera, so it was hard to get a shot of her not running at the camera.

Time to say goodbye.

2008-01-23T14:44:00.000+10:00

Evan starts school next week. The 31st to be exact. Monday was his last day at preschool. It was sad. He has been going there since his 3rd birthday. So almost 2.5 years. Its one of the only places I am comfortable leaving him. He has had many friends there. He loves the teaches. But its time to say goodbye to this time in his life & move on to the next. It makes me sad to think about him growing up. I took a cake in with "Off To Big School" to have for afternoon tea. There were 2 other children who are also off to big school this year, so we sat them together to all enjoy the cake.

I love the Cat Empire!

2008-01-17T09:02:00.001+10:00

So this was Christmas.

2007-12-30T19:33:00.000+10:00

Christmas 2007. We decided to stay home this year. We now live a good 45 minutes from anyone & really the kids should be allowed to enjoy their gifts instead of sitting in the car, then not eating food they really should be enjoying, not being able to relax because they are in a house that isn't exactly "Fuller" Child safe, then falling asleep on the car trip home only to stay awake till past 11pm. So here is what we did.

Evan & Glenn woke around 6.15AM. Simon & I both sprung from the bed & beat them to the living room. I grabbed the Camera. This year i thought it would be better to just take lots of photos as Evan gets overwhelmed about the video camera & tends to chuck little hissy fits LOL.

I took this photo just after Santa left. I swear I missed catching the big guy in red by just seconds! Dam digital camera's take so long to load up when you turn them on! Oh well maybe I will get a photo next year.

Here is the boys as they came out to see Santa had been

In Simons family its the tradition to sit around with everyone opening presents one by one while every one looks on. This is something that I never grew up doing it, in my family us kids would wake at the crack of dawn & run to the lounge room shortly followed by Mum & Dave. There we would rip in to the presents yelling with each one "LOOK WHAT I GOT LOKK WHAT I GOT!!"
So to keep it fair Simon & I have compermised on some things & this is what we do. The kids can get up as early as they like & open Santa presents. Once everyone is up (just waiting on Isla at this point, remember its about 6.20am now, poor little chickee dee doesn't normally get up till about 8, at the earliest) then we sit & open the rest of the presents together. This is nice but if I had to choose I would do it myway of just ripping into it all!

Here are the Boys with their Stockings

And Showing off some of the things Santa left.

Glenn was mighty impressed with the Scooter Santa left him, it was just like the one he had asked for. I didn't get a Photo of Evan with his main Santa present. He actually got RollerBlades. He been asking for Months for a pair of skates. But it wasn't too be. He did get them & he did give them a try but just as we suspected he got frustrated with them pretty fast & actually spent more time on Glenns Scooter then anything else. Also the pair santa left has some issues with the clips not staying done up so I rang the Santa Hotline & found out that Santa lets you take presents back to Toys R Us to swap them. Isn't that great that Toys R Us will exchange presents on behalf of Santa! So Evan also got a scooter, different to Glenns though. This one is a Skate board style one with a handle that folds away so it can be a scooter or a skate board.
Of course the only problem with this is Evan will rememeber this & next year tell Santa all about his roller blades that Santa didn't do a good job making! He already asked where Santa was when he wasn't at the shops & when I asked why he said he needed to talk to him about the roller blades!

Anyway here is Glenn checking out his scooter

Once the boys had checked out their Santa stuff they wanted to crack into the other presents. So I let them wake up Isla to come join us. glenn ever so sweetly went to our bed with the ball Santa left for Isla saying "Isla, look ball. Wake up Isla look ball" . Glenn is such a sweet kid. Isla & Glenn clash alot of the time but Glenn is just so sweet. Little voice whispering "Isla Look ball!" Melts your heart..

Here she is wondering what on earth is going on.

Then sitting with Daddy untill she actually woke up so more.

Then Glenn had a Turn sitting with daddy. It was pretty cold so they all wanted to sit in his lap.

Now on to the rest of the presents! The othe thing Evan had been asking for was a Lap Top. He was over the moon about this one.

Can you see his face! "AWWWWWWWW ITS A LAPTOP!"

Glenn took on the job of handing out the presents but the poor kid was really just looking for one for him. Some how he managed to keep grabbing ones for everyone else. So I pointed out the big one for him.

It was a talking Vacuum (if only it really cleaned the floor!)

Isla is awake now. She is such a little girly girl. Loves to be looked at. Here she didn't realise I had the camera.

But then she realised & put on her happy face.

two more of the boys opening presents.

One of the things Evan got was a board game "Gottch Ya" here he is playing with Daddy.

Christmas Day was actually cold & foggy pretty much all day. I believe it hit a scorching 14 degrees! So we didn't do much out side. But Boxing day provided some much welcomed sunshine.

Where's your Hat Isla? (and your hair?? come on girl grow some hair!!)

Ahh theres your Hat.

Daddy helping Glenn with his balloon

Evan being cool

Evan blowing up his own balloons.

So that was christmas untill the batteries in the camera ran out.
The kids got really spoiled this year.
Evan got his Skate board Scooter & Lap top plus heaps of other little things. He also got a new School bag & lunch box from Grandma.

Glenn got the Scooter & the talking vacuum plus heaps of little things. He also got a mega blocks truck with cars from Grandma, which is by far his favorite thing at the moment.

Isla got a cradle for her dolls, a noisy activity table & a muscial bandwagon thing. I also bought her a "The Little Mermaid" set which has all the dolls (like barbie dolls). There is Ariel, Eric, King Triton & Ursulla. Plus a "baby Mermaid" doll but not sure of the point of that, as there isn't one in the movie. Plus Flunder & Sebastion. Hehehe I am the little mermaid fan but Isla likes her dolls so not like she wont play with them :). I bought that using part of the gift money Aunty Donna Sent. I haven't got anythign for the boys yet.

Simon got 2 pairs of Dragon pants. These are motor bike pants. They look just like jeans but have special tuff material in the area's that count. $220 a pop! He better not come off his bike & wreak em! He also got some small presents of the kids, A Shirt from Isla, A DVD from Glenn & a Dragon box from Evan.

I got a overlocker & the kids got me Season 1 of the gilmore Girls.

We also got a Chq from Simons parents which we used to buy new beds for the boys. They had bunk beds which had a double on the bottom. they slept together on the bottom bed. Problem was the only room in the house that the beds practically fit also happened to be the only room with no windows to outside & stupid hallogen lights that make the room really hot. So we bought 2 single beds & put them in the front room which has a fan & a heater for winter. Plus it has windows! The other room is kinda inthe middle of the house now due to the back verandah being closed in at some point.)

So thats that!

Our tank is full

2007-12-20T17:09:00.000+10:00

This is the over flow thing at the top

And this is the side bit where the water is waiting to go into the tank but its too full to take any more. I took the cap off to flush it out a bit

My little man is growing up.

2007-12-20T15:22:00.000+10:00

Well its about time for a update. Sorry its been awhile for those playing at home.

Evan had his graduation night at preschool last Friday. Its probablyt he first time I teared up a little about him going off to big school next year.

Look him, he is just so cute! The girls are gonna love him at school!

Here he is receiving his graduation certificate.

Showing it off.

Graduating Class of 2007

Glenn received a Award for Sand Construction which reads

"For Amazing construction in the sand pit and the most exportation of sand"

LOL apprently he was one of the best at moving the sand to all over the preschool! I belive it too, the amount he brings home in his shoes, socks & pockets!! He was too shy to stand up & reeceive his award so here he is with Simon.

Evan received "The Science Award"

Which reads " For his enthusiasm and interest in how things work & why"

Was funny, Miss Deb read it out & added the extra comments of "Why, But why, Why" lol somethign I hear every moment of the day. The kid has an amazing thirst for knowladge!

Isla discovered how much fun the slippery dip is LOL

I have also been busy with craft & stuff. Me & the boys have been making non breakable balls for the christmas tree.

I also got a overlocker (my christmas present) and this was my first creation.

And just to toss one more in, here is Isla in her new WildChild Christmas Paisley nappy. Not a great shot of the nappy but a cute pic none the less.

Gonna be sneaky

2007-11-28T17:39:00.000+10:00

I made this today & am going to drop it off to Trish with out her knowing.

hehehe

Been meaning to post this for days

2007-11-28T17:32:00.000+10:00

The other day I bought the boys a tennis toy, you know those ones that have a tennis ball on the end of a rope & you hit it around a pole? Anyway it was raining & Evan wanted to go & have a turn seems it was new so when there was a break in the rain we went out & stuck it in the ground. Because it was wet & was wearing sandles my foot slipped off the foot peg you stand on to push it into the ground. OMFG did it hurt! I screamed & expected to look down & see half my skin torn off. But it didn't break the skin but must of hit a vain or something because in the moment it happened to when I looked down this had popped out the side of my foot! Not a great photo but the area on foot is along the side at the top of the arch in my foot.

Now this happened on Thursday last week & this is the bruise I have. I took the photo yesterday.

Funnily enough its not actually all that painful, just looks it!

Newspaper Version

2007-11-20T14:00:00.000+10:00

This is the photo that was in the actual paper.

I was in the paper!

2007-11-20T11:22:00.000+10:00

Here is a link to a news artical me & the kids had our photo taken for.
hehehe I was in the news paper :) LOL
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22775764-5006007,00.html

Nappy Karma

2007-11-20T08:35:00.000+10:00

What goes around comes around & I was lucky enough to be on the recieving end this time.

Shannon made Isla these beautiful Longies. I love them. Thank you so Much Shannon!

FLUFFY MAIL!

2007-11-16T14:14:00.000+10:00

I got Isla Christmas Tree cover today. Maz is very talanted! Its so cute.

I also wanted to post some photos of Glenn. He is looking so grown up lately. He is now fully day & night toilet trained which means I will never need to buy a disposable nappy again!

And then we have Evan. He is off to School next year. Its gone so fast. Here he is with his best friend Oliver. Just so you know, Oliver was performing for his preschool which is why he is dressed up.

Oh & just one more of Isla. This is the Apple AIO I got for her.

How the boys sleep

2007-11-16T07:16:00.000+10:00

Evan takes after Simon in so many ways. Its funny that even in his sleep he takes after his Dad. How anyone can sllep with their head buried in the blankets is beyond me! The little one in the middle is Fatbo. The boys both have a toy "Fimbo" off the kids show the fimbles. Evan has a little one known as Bobo or Thinbo & Glenn has a bigger ome called Big Bobo or Fatbo LOL.

Music For Maz

2007-11-14T15:09:00.001+10:00

I thought this was a really cute idea for a cover for Maz's little sunshine. Im not a massive fan of Elvis nor do I know if Maz is but Sunshine will be born on the kings birthday so I thought this was appropriate. Its made using a velour finsih Malden Mills fleece (windpro I think) with a cute rabbit microfleece inner. The Music is done using my normal sewing machine (free hand at that!) and is a side snap with royal blue snaps to finish. Oh the music has an extra layer of MM fleece behind it to prevent leaks.

I hope you like!

The Fog

2007-11-08T07:34:00.000+10:00

Simon took this from the back steps at about 3 in the afternoon.

Day dreamer

2007-11-06T09:51:00.000+10:00

I was lucky enough to be able to take home one of the Wildchild Day Dreamers to try on Isla (Thank you so much Michelle). Here she is trying it out. Its a nice fit but I don't need to cross the wings over at all. I may look at trying one of the toddler sizes next simply to get the longest fit I can out of them. I like to upsize everythign LOL.

Oh & just so you can see, this is how well the Wildchild Plus fits when I fan out the boosters.

She is wearing a posum pouch wool soaker over the top & then the bonds suit & I think that looks pretty trim to me!

Happy First Birthday My little Isla.

2007-11-06T07:06:00.000+10:00

Well Isla turns 1 today. Her first year has by far gone the fastest of any of my children. It seems only yesterday that we gave birth to sucha happy, conent, bubbly, beautiful little girl. She has so much love in her little heart, she greets you with a smile every time she sees you.
We held a birthday party for her on Sunday just past, here she is in her Little Red Riding hood Dress

Here she is a little unsure in her Party Hat.

Here is her Mermaid Dolly Cake, Thank you to my Nan who always does a fantastic job on the kids first birthday cakes!

Growing up I had (still have) a Dolly called Suzie. She was my Black Mumma doll. I think every little girl should have a black dolly. So I helped Isla pick one out with her birthday money from Nanna & Grandad (Simons Parents)

She also got a new Night nappy. Its a WildChild Dreamy night PLUS. I had another of these but in the smaller size that I sold on. The Plus version is a much better fit for Isla. Very happy with it.

I will post more later, we are saving her birthday presents for today till Simon gets home from work.

We Love you Isla, Happy Birthday!

2007-10-31T10:52:00.001+10:00

Isla's first steps

2007-10-11T21:17:00.000+10:00

Me Age 5

So do you think I look anything like my Kids?

Comments on my posts

2007-10-09T12:02:00.000+10:00

LOL I only just realised people have been leaving comments on my blog! All this time I didn't know! So Thanks to those who leave a comment :).

Zigzag & Triple Zigzag

2007-10-09T08:35:00.000+10:00

A normal zig zag is unbroken goes from point A to B to C in 3 lines. Where a Triple zigzag does it in 3 small stitches so from A - - - b - - - c

Making it snappi-able

2007-10-08T23:07:00.000+10:00

If you want to avoid snaps and velcro, you can use a snappi but adding some loopy material like towelling for the snappi to grab. Add this to your outter layer of material before starting your nappy. Simply cut out the right shapes & sew it onto your nappy cut in the blue area's

You may need to fiddle with it to get the bits in the best spot as I haven't tried this before. Might give it a go tomorrow just to see how it would work.

How I make a basic fitted Nappy

2007-10-08T20:08:00.001+10:00

Hope this makes sence.

Start off with your pattern. You can make your own, or google for Free Nappy patterns. Or stretch out a nappy you have & copy the shape.

So First off cut out your material, you will need 3 layers. Something as your outter (Purple Cotton Rich fleece) something for your middle hidden layer, this helps to stablise your nappy (I have used a old bit of towel, see you can use your old towels & terry flats) & then something for your inner, the material that will be against your baby. I have used Microfleece. You could use flannel or anything you like really. I like Microfleece as it will have a stay dry effect against your baby.

Now you need to add your booster (absorbant bit) to what will be your hidden middle layer. I have used a booster that I cut out of a nappy which the elastic had gone in. I think it 2 or 3 layers of hemp. So put together your layers. You could use Flannel, terry flats, hemp, bamboo microfibre.

Using a wide ZigZag stitch go around your layers to keep them together. If you like you can also do a line down the centre but you don't have to, I think it just helps to stop it from bunching.

Once you have your booster, Lay it out on your middle layer of material. Place it so it is in the centre. Pin & sew it down again using a zigzag stitch. You may need to adjust your settings so go slow & adjust if need be. I would also recomend using a denim needle for this.

Now that you have added your booster, lay out your material & place your outter then your inner materials on top. BE SURE TO PLACE THESE RIGHT SIDE IN BUT FACING EACH OTHER. Pin your materials together & sew using a stright stitch. Start just at the side of the top & work all the way round your nappy & stop before reaching where you started. You need to leave a opening big enough to turn your nappy right side out.

Once this is done lay out your nappy & place marker pins where your elastic needs to start & stop. Its hard to say exactly where you should put these, use a nappy you already have to get an idea. I have marked the picture above to show where I put them. At the bottom of this pic also shows the opening you need to turn it rightside out.

Now applying the elastic. I use a 6mm braided elastic. Place the end of your elastic (I don't cut to length.) at the top of your first marker (I do the legs then the back but it doesn't really matter what way you do it). Using a zigzag stitch at about the middle width your machine does (mine is 3) tack the elastic down by doing a small (half a cm) back & forth of zigzag. Now make sure your needle is up & change your setting to the Triple Zigzag & to the widest setting ( a triple zigzag is the stitch that instead of having 3 points it has 3 points in one line so it goes - - - does that make sence?)

I place my elastic right on the outter edge of my seam allowance.

Now as you sew your elastic down you need to stretch it as you go. You will have to hold at the back as well & help pull the material as it sews. So your pulling the elastic in both directions so you need to help feed it through.

When you get to the next marker, switch back to the smaller zigzag stitch & tack down the end same as you did at the start. Cut your elastic & repeat for the other 2 sections.

Now turn your nappy rightside out.

Now you add your snaps. I place mine so there are not exposed on the inside of the nappy by putting the cap insid thepocket opening through the middle & outter layer. Snaps or velcro can be added before sewing your nappy together but I find it easier this way (for snaps anyway).

Now to close & top stitch. You can use any stitch you like for this. I find ones that allow for some stretch work best. for this nappy is just did a small zigzag.

Now you should tuck & pin your opening before you sew but I am lazy & just tuck it in as I sew.

Work your way round the nappy & when you get to where there is elastic (will have to feel for it). Stop & lift your needle & swap to a triple zigzag. Lower yyour needle & lift the presser foot, gently turn your nappy slightly so your sewing towards the middle of the nappy. lower your presser foot & slowly curve round so your parrell with the edge of your nappy but have a nice gap for the elastic. You need to have it wide enough so that your topstitch doesn't catch the elastic or seam allowance. As you sew along here you need to stretcg out the elastic as you go, just like before hold the front & back pulling it but guiding the nappy through(practice makes perfect).

Once you are back where you started your done! All thats left is to apply your snaps or velcro to the wings & the velcro to the front.

A few thing to remember. The thicker your materials the stronger the needle you will need. Denim needles work well.

You can do the same thing but make it a pocket nappy by skipping your middle layer & using a good waterproof layer as your outter (PUL, 2 layers of Polar fleece that you get from Spotlight or 1 layer of good Malden mills fleece.). Leave your opening at the top where your back elastic will go rather then the front when you first start. Feel free to email me if you don't understand what I mean. Or even make an AIO but making your otter a waterproof layer or adding it as a hidden layer.

I never had any luck sewing velcro, my machine just doesn't like it. But I belive a zigzag stitch is best for sewing it on, but your best to practice on some scraps to get it right for you & your machine.

Ballpoint needles work best for fleece materials.

There was something elae to but I can't remember...

Now I remember. You could use less layers in your booster bit & then add a lay in booster when it being worn. To make a lay in booster simply get some more of your absorbent materials & makea long rectangle, just like you did for the booster you have sewn in your nappy. I like to make them twice that length so I can fold it over & have a thinner booster for drying time but when in use its doubled over. So once you have your absorbent layers add some of your inner material (microfleece in my case) & then some of what you used as your outter. Add them so you have a top & bottom that matches your nappy & do a nice zigzag right around & there you go, a matching lay in booster.

Well anyway, there you go. Thats how I make a nappy. Was that easy enough to follow?

No more cheeky Monkeys Jumping on the bed!

2007-10-08T10:39:00.000+10:00

FLUFFY MAIL!!!!!

Kozy Designs Soaker. So cute. I will take a pic of Isla wearing them but they are being lanolised at the moment but here is the pic off the website where I got them (http://www.theenchantedpond.com )

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

2007-10-06T22:32:00.000+10:00

Well here is a blast from the past. I made this Vest back in Highschool, mmmm year 9 to be exact. It was a project for design & tech. Its made from Silk which was white & I hand painted using silk paints. The inner is taffita (think thats what its called anway).

But yes here it is, one of my first sewing creations. Actually except I am not sure where it is right at this moment (in the middle of packing to move) I do still have the first thing I ever made on a sewing machine. It was a dress for my doll. I would have been 10 or11 I think when I made it. I also have the dolls I made for my major in year 10. I did a 5 decade timeline of clothes so I had 5 dolls all that I made & each one wore clothing that I again made that was fromt eh 50's 60's 70's, 80's & 90's. I am pretty sure I gave 2 to my sister, the 70's & the 90's i think. Or maybe I never finished the 90's one. Anyway once I have them out I will post a pic of those too.

Here is the Vest. It really needs to be ironed but anyway..

When is was Finished I remember our class having to get up in front of the whole school to show our work. I was very embarrised when the headmaster held mine up & said she would expect to pay upwards of $50 for it. Mine was the only one she pulled out & made point of. So a proud moment but I was embarrised none the less.

My kids, so cute.

2007-10-03T23:34:00.000+10:00

Can you tell who's Who? Pretty easy I reakon.

Who Knew?

2007-10-03T23:19:00.000+10:00

Did you know that Bruce Willis could sing? And sing well?
Wow is all I can say. I like it!

Look at these!

2007-10-03T11:34:00.000+10:00

Ulyssses Jewel Shorties I got from buy for baby. Very cute & I got them super cheap!

Also check out Isla using the potty! at just 10.5 months she uses the potty for poos! Mind you she doesn't actually ask to go potty but I can tell when she needs to as she doesn't like to poo in her nappies. Yopu can tell what she is up too by that classic "busy" look on her face lol.

Butterfly Dress

2007-09-23T13:00:00.000+10:00

I am so proud of myself. I sat down & gave shirring a go, you know those tops/dresses you see with lots of thin rows of fine elastic which gathers the material. Well I bought this lovely material a while back & never got a chance to sit down & try it out, untill the other day. I am so impressed with how it turned out. Its so cute!

What do you think?

My Last nappy for now & my 2nd soaker attempt.

2007-09-16T13:10:00.000+10:00

I bought another Sandman Nappy. One of the bamboo ones. I love the print. Its so cute & its sparkles! Works really well too. I loved my wildchild babmboo nappy but the fit wasn't quite right. So I got a SM Bamboo. Its great. This will probably be the last nappy I buy for a while. Simon made a comment about not saving any money buy using cloth, so I think I better put myself on a nappy ban!

I also finsihed knitting my second attempt at a soaker. I made this one for little Laila. Its not nice & girly but still I like the colours. I was going to add a ribbed cuff tot he leg holes but I can't figure it out so I will just leave it as is for now. Maybe I will try that with the next one I try.

NewBorn Nappies

2007-09-14T14:19:00.000+10:00

No I am not PG.

I just wanted to try some newborn sizes. I made the white one first. I hate sewing with Bamboo Velour. Its too slippy & imo doesn't make a very neat looking nappy. Well at least no my nappy pattern anyway. The second is much better.

More Nappies

2007-09-10T19:12:00.000+10:00

I have been busy making more nappies. I have used a combo of Flannel outters & SL sherpa cotton fleece. They are all fitted with either Bamboo, Hemp, flannel for the soaker pad. Most have a full body of bamboo,. 2 or 3 have double sided terry cotton as I ran out of bamboo to use for the body. I mucked around a bit with my pattern & some are not that fantastic a fit, like the pale blue with flowers in the corner. I also missplaced the snaps on that nappy but with a well fitting cover its fine.

I also made a night nappy. It worked fantastic. BUT I made a boo boo with placing the snaps after closing the nappy up & then discovered the layers were too thick for the snaps to go on right so had to butcher the outter layer to get them on but it doesn't look to bad & I plan on doing a bit more plastic surgery to it to hide my stuff up lol. But mostly just to make sure it doesn't fall apart in the wash more then anything. I don't care about the "looks" of the nappy. I am going to make another the same.

Night Nappy

Inside of Night Nappy

The front where I butched the nappy to get the snaps on.

I have a few other projects up my sleeve but for now thats a secret.

August 28th - Something Special

2007-08-28T20:04:00.000+10:00

Today is Glenns 3rd birthday. He is growing so fast! I will add some pictures of glenns birthday after we do his cake.
Today, well tonight was also the night of a total luna eclipes. Here are some photos I took. Not the best pictures but you get the idea. The last couple are pretty good pictures though I think. If you remember I only have a standard digital camera, nothing fancy.

Isla thinks I am pretty funny!

2007-08-24T23:35:00.001+10:00

Party Party Party

2007-08-19T20:12:00.000+10:00

Today we held a combined party for the boys. Evan turned 5 on the 1st of August while Glenn will turn 3 on the 28th. We don't hold a birthday party every year for the boys & wont make them share the parties they do have. But this year they both wanted to have a party at Time To play, the local indoor play center.

They seemed to enjoy the day.

They both wanted a Mickey Mouse cake. Well actually Evan asked for a cake of them watching Mickey Mouse Club House! I don't think the cake turned out too bad!

Both Evan & Glenn got to make their mark on the Birthday Wall. Can you pick out their balloons?

The Party. More kids attended but some wanted to stay with their parents in the other room.

A new love

2007-08-17T20:39:00.000+10:00

I love the Cat Empire as previously expressed in a earlier post. I have recently discovered the band Jackson Jacksons. Harry out of the Cat Empire is in Jackson Jacksons also. The music is similar. So I now like this band as well. Apprently he is also a member of yet another band but I am having trouble finding some samples of the music.
Here is a taste of some of the songs Jackson Jacksons The fire is on the Bird Album.

Enjoy.

Just a warning on this last video clip. The very end is a little off. So stop it before the end if your likely to be offended.

New Hair

2007-08-09T19:30:00.000+10:00

For years I have said I am going to dye my hair Black with red streaks. Well I finally did it. The red isn't as intense as I wanted but we'll fix that next time.

Longies from Nanna

2007-08-06T18:39:00.001+10:00

I asked my MIL to knitt Isla some longies using the Shonnon pattern off NC. We used a bigger wool then 8ply so they look a bit heavy but they fit so thats all that matters. I need to lanolise them & they will be the perfect night time covers or long trips in the car. Seems the wool is so thick, there is no way mositure will get through these suckers!

My first AIO

2007-08-06T11:52:00.000+10:00

I made this last night. Its got a hidden layer of MM fleece with a extra bit in the wet zone. Then 2 layers of hemp with 3 layers of Microbibre. Then I have a snap in booster of 4 layers of hemp. It worked really well! I am very pleased & am going to make 2 more.

More Knitting & a Dreamy Night

2007-08-01T08:58:00.000+10:00

Well I sat & tackled a soaker. It turned out rather large for some reason. I think because of the wool I used as I did follow a pattern. But ah its not bad for a newbie at knitting.

I also got fluffy mail! A Wildchild Dreamy Night Nappy. Oh so soft Bamboo Velour. Its just yummy! Isla fell asleep the first time wearing it so its a good sign!

My first Knitted creation

2007-07-23T15:05:00.000+10:00

Well I sat & I knitted & knitted & knitted LOL. It started out as Leg warmers but I would never wear them so I started to decrease the stitches & made a beanie! Would probably fit a newborn & I don't have one of those at the moment so its on Isla's dolly. Not to bad I thinks for my first go at Knitting :)

Bilby on the brain

2007-07-16T17:54:00.000+10:00

Today I made a pocket nappy for GiGi. She sent me some MM fleece & I made her a nappy with it. With a bilby of course.

Happy Birthday to me.

2007-07-16T09:56:00.001+10:00

Today is my 27th Birthday. Simon got me this lovelly Mermaid from one of my favourite shops in Kuranda "New to You". Its one of the nicest presents he has gotten me in ages. I wonder if he realised how much it looks like this picture I have on the computer.

The boys got me wool & knitting needles, well actually I got me those things but from the kids LOL.

Family

2007-07-13T15:32:00.001+10:00

This is one of the only photos of us all together!

Think I will stick to sewing....

2007-07-13T14:54:00.000+10:00

I thought I would try to knitt. Its harder then I thought. Well the method is easy enough but my hands just don't want to do it LOL. i'll keep trying though.

I have been working with Felt to make pics to put on things I make. I made a pair of flongies for Gigi. I am also working on a nappy for her.

I also made a jumper which I will give to my sister for Rebecca. Felt is great to work with.

Much better then knitting!

Latest

2007-07-04T19:16:00.000+10:00

Isla can pull her self up to her feet! She is so proud of her new trick..

These are the latest pants I have made. I made the ones with Josh, for my Nephew who turns 4 soon. I told my sister all about then & she told a friend who liked the sound of them. So today while we had a black out & I was bord I whipped the ones up for Bryson. Pretty cool! I love the little fishy! I stuffed up the Bryson pants by making it so the name was on the front of one leg & the fish was on the back of the other, but I was tricky & cut the fish leg off then turned it around so it was facing the right way then sewed it back on LOL!

Introducing Erin

2007-07-02T08:54:00.001+10:00

Now I have to say, She looks just like her older sister Claire. But I can also see her brother Jay. But most of all her Mum Kerrie.

What do you think? Here are her siblings..

Cats

2007-06-23T19:23:00.000+10:00

I love this

Breastfeeding Jumper

2007-06-18T18:34:00.000+10:00

I am sick of have to either take off or bundle up a heap of clothing in order to breast feed so I made this. I bought the jumper & altered it, this one is for a friend who is about to have her 3rd bubba. But now all I need to do is undo the snaps & pull aside the jumper to get to my boob!

Another dress

2007-06-17T21:12:00.000+10:00

Bought this about 4 months ago from Best n less for $20. Again its nice but I just don't wear it.

Size 12, no marks as new. Nappy or nappy cuts of PUL or anything really.

To Swap

2007-06-17T18:18:00.000+10:00

Fresh Mums Breastfeeding/maternity dress. Red Size 14.

I bought this new off ebay about 6 months ago, I have worn it out once. I really like it but I just don't wear dresses. Its taged as a size 14 but personally I found it tight under the bust (I'm a 12 D) The built in self bra is made so you pull it up to reveal the breast for feeding. I found it was rather tight across the top of the breast when it was pulled up so I altered it so that the 2 layers are separated & then added a elastic so the top layer still sits snug under the breast but your not having to pull the main/thicker elastc up, as that is the tight bit. The alteration job isn't that great as I only had a dodgy sewing machine at the time but it serves its purpose & isn't seen so not a big deal.

I'd be keen to swap for a nappy that isn't too old that would fit a 9kg plus bub, I don't mind what as I am keen to try out anything.

I thought this was pretty cool

2007-06-17T18:17:00.001+10:00

More longies & soaker

2007-06-13T21:01:00.000+10:00

All from that 1 jumper! With these I used the neck & below as a soaker. The neck has a fair bit of stretch so while I have not tried them on Isla yet they should fit with out a need for elastic in the waist(neck) line. With the longies, I used the sleeves of the jumper & added a cuff of Microfleece to thread the elastic as I was going to loose to much in the rise if I folded the wool over to get that pocket for the waist. Not a bad outcome for a $6 jumper!

I am going to attempt to make some booties from the scraps. Willl post a pic if it works.

Longies

2007-06-12T20:28:00.003+10:00

Well the jumper below is now this...

Bumjumper/longies Help

2007-06-12T13:27:00.000+10:00

Help please......

Finished

2007-06-11T16:36:00.001+10:00

Ok, i have finsihed the dress. I added a zip up the back & made a little head scarf. Isla is so cute!

Evan & Glenn

2007-06-11T13:59:00.001+10:00

I made a dress!

2007-06-11T12:35:00.001+10:00

my landlord gave me a bag of material. In it was a length of material from Target. It must be so old, I have never known target to sell material. But it was from Target with a 99c tag. Anyway I thought it was a nice enough pattern so I got to cutting & this is what I ended up with. I didn't use a pattern so it needs some adjusting but not bad I reakon!

Islalala

2007-06-10T17:27:00.000+10:00

Bumjumper

2007-06-10T16:00:00.000+10:00

I made Isla a bumjumper today. Whats a bumjumper you ask?

A bumjumper is a MCN cover made from old wooly jumpers. So basically I cut up a jumper & turned it into a nappy cover. Only problem is, for them to be effective then need to be at least 80% wool (so I am told) But I have no idea what the blend of this one would be. It was a handme down in amoungst the kids stuff that I have never put on them so I figure I would cut it up. But anyway here is the lovely Isla modeling her new bumjumper :)

Favourite Photos

2007-06-09T20:46:00.001+10:00

I thought I would add a few of my favourite photos that I have on the computer. Of course they are mostly of my family. There not in order of what I like most though.

First up is a picture of me & Simon outside the vet surgery I worked at in Nth QLD. I like this photo as its one of the few nice photos of us together. Look at my tiny body lol. Obviously before I had kids!

Next is a wedding photo. I have others that I like better then this one but not on the computer. One of my favourite things about this photo is my teeth. I know that must sound vein but I had weird teeth untill I had braces put on when I was 18. I had them on for 2 yrs & was so happy to have the perfect smile for my wedding day.

Then we have Evan. This is the photo of Evan coming home.

I'll come back & add more later. Isla has woken....

Isla is just so dam cute!

2007-06-06T21:24:00.001+10:00

Isla has cut 2 teeth. She is crawling on all 4 now, not just army crawling, she can sit for a little bit unaided but usually finds something that she wants & then falls back or too the side. But has mastered sitting up resting on one arm.

Here are her latest photos, she is 7 months here & modeling some clothes I have made for her.

I love the skull pants & hat, I also made matching booties. I made them as flongies so she can team them up with a nappy. The red ones are just pants & hat though as it was horrid material to sew for some reason..

Snap snap snap!

2007-05-26T20:23:00.000+10:00

The biggest thank you goes out to Victoria. The lovelly lady from Nappycino who let me come & use her press & some of her snaps. I have now put a basic row of snaps on my nappy covers.