i have learnt

Image: I am fertile by Ana Ventura

I haven't really spoken much here about being pregnant. And with only a matter of weeks to go I thought it might be time for a catch-up post.

Things I've learnt:
- Considering how terrified I was about pregnancy, I count my blessings every day at what an easy, blissful one I've had. This has taught me to start being more positive (rather than shit-scared) about the next bits.

- I've learnt that I can no longer refer to myself as a girl. "Pregnant girl" sounds all sorts of wrong. I have learnt to refer to myself as a woman. Hehehe, still sounds funny though.

- I've learnt other women with young children are out-of-their-minds excited about babies, and can barely stop themselves talking about birth, spew, poo, sleepless nights, household mess, etc etc, for hours on end, all with some type of mysterious glee in their eyes.

- I've also learnt that as soon as you mention you're pregnant, these same women can't wait until the baby arrives to talk about these topics of conversation. They jump in right away. What they don't remember / don't realise, is that I will have the rest of my life to talk about all that stuff. Right now I only have a few weeks of normal life left to talk about normal things. I just want to make the most of that.

- I have learnt that everyone wants to come and visit in these last few weeks. I'm happy to see everyone, but am absolutely exhausted by the constant stream of visitors. And am getting further and further behind in my work (that I had been hoping to have all finish by now). I'm actually considering escaping by leaving my own house for a few days, just to get a rest from all the visits.

- However, I have also learnt that everyone is SO excited for us, and have been unbelievably generous towards us. This has been amazing!

- I have learnt that pushing a full shopping trolley is one of the hardest things for an already overloaded pregnant body.

- I have learnt that being short, people can't see your giant belly behind the trolley, and very few people get out of your way or offer to help you push it up the carpark ramp.

- However, when there isn't a trolley and the belly is obvious, other women in the general public will give you the nicest smiles.

- Despite Mr You regularly referring to the baby-bump as "you big karate poo", I watched him absolutely melt when we visited the neonatal-nursery (with teeeeny weeeny babies in there) during a recent tour of the hospitals' birth centre.
While we are both very scared about how we are going to cope as parents, and how we will manage getting used to such a different lifestyle, it is clear to me he is going to love every minute of it more than anything in the world. I have learnt that this is the single most reassuring thing for me.

- Recently during a yoga class, while meditating and being prompted to try to listen to our heart beating, I realised I currently have two hearts. ♥♥

- Mr You then realised I may also have a penis. Many jokes followed.

high tea baby

A few weekends ago (yes, that's how far behind I am in blogging), I was completely surprised when my friends threw me a surprise baby-shower!

It was at a gorgeous tea-house in a nursery, and together we sat around drinking very fine tea from very pretty cups, and munching on a delicious selection of bite-sized savouries and sweets. Each of us were served munchies from our own cake stand, and tea from our own tea-pots, with embroidered linen serviettes, and small flowers on our plates.

I've been to baby showers before, and had to do things like guess with a length of string how wide the pregnant woman's girth is. It's always been awkward, and there's always been at least a slight degree of offence due to the over-generous guesses.

Well, here, at mine, there was none of that. No awkward moments whatsoever. Just very fine company, tea and nibbles. It was wonderful. AND they gave me lovely gifts!!!


You may spot some handmade treasures in there from Chunky Chooky + My Bearded Pigeon.

I felt so special. And what's more, it was all a total complete and utter surprise! Mr You, in kahootz with these sneaky friends did a stellar job of keeping the secret. So much so, that somehow (I suspect Jedi mind-tricks), he managed to get me to suggest going to that exact tea-house that afternoon, so I thought it was my idea... Which as you can imagine added to my confusion... So when we walked in and I spotted the table of my waiting friends, I assumed they were there on their own, and it was a co-incidence we were there at the same time.

EVEN when they all called out "Surprise!" I still thought they meant "Surprise, what a co-incidence we're all here at the same time", not "Surprise here's a party for you!"

But it was a party for me. And I was completely chuffed. Thanks so so much guys! :)

art 4 heart, lot 2

The first lot for the Art 4 Heart auction (raising money for the QLD Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal), wrapped up over the weekend. And I am astounded and very proud to pass on the news that together we raised $2,440!

So far...

Now it's time for Lot Number 2. Even more artists, even more lovely art, and another chance to nab yourself something wonderful for your walls this new year, all whilst helping those in need.

Go have a peepsee: Art 4 Heart.

even better than christmas

Thismorning I woke up very early; bright-eyed, perky and excited beyond control.

You see today Mr You's brother-in-law arrived to paint the walls of our bedrooms! And to a nesting pregnant woman, that's like Santa arriving at Christmas!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! :D

art 4 heart, charity art auction

As the devastation of the QLD flood continues on, stories of heartbreak still emerging, waters still making their way along rivers to more towns, and the horrid clean-up left in its wake, a whole bunch of artists have banded together to help out.

Art 4 Heart is a massive art auction, that not only gives you the opportunity to get yourself some amazing art by some amazing artists, you'll also be donating to help the flood victims at the same time. All payments go directly to the QLD Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.

The Auction starts at 10am today, that's just over an hour away! So check back soon to see the artworks on offer.

And HUGE thanks to the amazing Beth-Emily for pulling this all together over the weekend!

pizza, pasta and tiny little boots

Guess what I did last night?...

I met long-time blog friend Jacinta from One Little Acorn! Yes, met in real life! She and her Mum, Shirley, are up in my region this week taking part in Camp Creative, and as they were so close (compared to being in Melbourne, where they are from, in a whole other state!), we organised to meet up.

The three of us went out for dinner and can I just say it was so comfortable and natural.

We've only seen the very occasional, small, not too detailed pic of each other on our blogs, but we recongised each other immediately. Then spent the rest of the night chatting away as if we were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a few years. I think we probably could have lingered on chatting for a few more hours. :)

Co-incidentally, it was only a few weeks ago I sent her the prize pack from my Thanksgiving Giveaway this year.

And guess what else?! They gave me a gift!!!



Hand-knitted (by Shirley) baby booties! With the loveliest "blackberry stitch" cuffs. THEN they shouted my meal!!!! I couldn't stop them. So generous and kind they both are.

Anyway, I had a really really nice evening with them, and I'm so thrilled to finally have met Jacinta after aaaalllll these years as blog-friends.

Thanks so much you two, safe travels all the way home, looking forward to doing it again next time. .xx.

flood

I'm so overwhelmed by all the flooding in QLD. I watched too much footage today, and am now numb and hurting.

Hope you're all okay up there .xx.