A book give away - please share around

Hi Guys

I know its been a while in between posts but finding it hard to write a specific blog with  not long to now and so many minor issues leading up to birth but I promise I will do one before baby comes

However, this blog is about a book give away that one of my dear infertility followers won in Canada who upon receiving this book ended up being pregnant Songcather Siren at
 http://myjourneytowellness1.blogspot.com.au/

,....this exactly happened to me as well from Athena from Field of Dreams whom I won this book from and upon receiving it I had the news of my successful IVF pregnancy...

so here it is to keep this legacy and book full of baby dust to spread around the world...

Please visit the above blog address to enter the competition and spread the baby dust around

Happy Baby Shower to me!!!!

Hello my fellow bloggers...

Again I apologise for the long in between posts...life is a little chaotic at the moment and of course spare time is rare, however its going to be a lot harder to find when Baby arrives (but oh so worth it)

So you may find me posting this at 4am in the morning..yes the middle of night wake up calls when my body clock is preparing me for night feeds when baby arrives

At the moment Im juggling finishing off my last final jobs for clients for my business, have been busy attending to assisting in finalisation and attending my own baby shower, preparing for a family party dinner for my hubbys 40th in the next week and in between all the other birthdays we have in our family in Dec - February...eeek crazy but love it but oh so worth it and Im more then likely going to add another birthday to the mix in February ..and also doing my final preparations for arrival of Baby ie car seat install, pram pick up, my labour and birth overnight bag to pack

But I really want this post to be about my baby shower...you know the event all of us women who have suffered infertility struggle to attend everyone else's baby shower when we wishing it could be ours....well my time finally arrived..

I was so god dam excited about having my own baby shower I could not help but want to have a large input into the day...I mean I have had a loong time to think about my baby shower during the years of trying to conceive and attending many others in between...

I bought an online catering voucher for finger food for 40 people last year ...for nothing specific at the time bought but decided to use it for this day...

I wanted to have baby shower 6-8 weeks prior to due date however 8 weeks was just on Christmas break so just under 7 weeks to go I held it...I had it on Sunday 8th January and over invited people as hubby and I both have big families and large circle of friends but I thought I better over invite being holidays and all not everyone will be around....

Well after 45 invites sent out (eek I know I freak every time I read that number), 36 people rsvp Yes...then on the day 32 turned up....so phew it was perfect number of people....

I themed the event...had purchased a lot of the decorations on line...I went with baby pastels favouring blues and pinks...my gorgeous best friend wanted to make my cake...and I wanted a surprise so I let her do whatever she wanted...and boy was I surprised and overwhelmed by it...from a one day cake course she excelled in cake making side of things and even included gluten free cup cakes so I could eat them...I never seen anything like this cake before...

Here are some pics..take note...the beautiful Anne Geddes baby made out of icing in the flower...lurv it!!!

Check out all the individually made decorations on cup cakes by my dear friend...

Here are the thank you chocolate moulds I made which I paid someone to place them in boxes as decorations for the table..the moulds are baby booties and baby rattle...but I made the chocolates from moulds of course!!

  

 and of course the room decorations...

and my dearest mother helped in organising games for the day...we even colour themed the prizes for give aways tealight candles x 3 in blue, pink and white and body soaps in white and lemon..

we played games from babys the word (where you cant say baby or if you hear someone say it you steal other person dummy. the person with most dummies wins....I bought online these cute hard little plastic dummies on strings in blue and pink colours) , question game about how well you  know Emma, the string game where people had to try to guess how big I was by measuring via string around belly and the giving birth game...This was a crack up

The giving birth game:- I had name tags for everyone and had 3 variety of pictures on tags ie dummy, nappy and rattles so we could easily group people for this giving birth game into teams...it was race between teams to blow up a balloon,,shove it up your shirt one person at a time in team then when all are pregnant..all had to try to pop balloon and first team to pop all balloons wins...it was soo funny!!

All my beautiful family, mum, sisters and sister in law, mother in law helped with dessert by making something as catering voucher was only for hot food...dessert was a hit too with everyone (wont bore you with the pics) except for these exceptional chocolate dipped strawberries ... Note Baby G stands for first initial of our surname...its not G for Girl lol...

and about the presents...well whoah...Baby G was definately spoilt...only a couple of double ups but plenty of bond suits and singlets for baby as well, muslin wraps, washers, toys, books, baby care and some special crystals to help with birth and labour etc

and to not forget the box full of washed second hand clothes from my sister who is trying to conceive her second child (her first is nearly 10) but she detached from a lot of the clothes and has given them to me...that really made my day...I know it would have been hard for her and to give them to me...meant so much

so overall my baby shower was the most amazing and wonderful experience...to have all the people who care to attend in celebrating this event ...especially when Im one of the last to have a baby...

It took me 2 days to recover afterwards but I loved every minute of it...I did do a short speech during cake cutting...I was going to prepare for it but hubby said dont worry.... I wish I did because I got a little nervous when I got up there even though I love talking... as obviously there is a huge emotion behind this pregnancy...I did hold my speech together until my mum chose the most perfect words with out revealing to everyone in the room our difficult journey in detail.."This is a special pregnancy for Emma and Im so proud of her...she will make a beautiful mum"..and I burst into tears and just hugged her...

My baby shower was like my kitchen tea/wedding day revisited ...lots of people to mingle with but make sure you take time to soak up the moment...I did..well being fully pregnant helps as you have to sit down often lol...it was a special day with special people...and wouldnt have changed it...

and by the way I only have 6 weeks to go...

I have finished my nursery but will post pics another time...I think its time for me to go back to bed now and get some more sleep

A very preggy christmas and to a wonderful new year

With christmas now behind us and with the new year so so close now...what will your new year resolutions be?

I havent really thought about it until know...Christmas and my baby shower and all the list of things I need to get done before baby arrives have been my main priority..

I worked madly up until 22nd December then spent 23rd shopping for food and 24th cooking away....

This year I think I win on the front that my belly was bigger then Santas

It was pretty awesome christmas this year where every year in the past when I wanted to be pregnant and wasnt...Christmas time of year was one of the hardest...yes I still remember those days all those preggy ladies with christmas presents to come and admiring their bellies wishing it was me...well now its my turn..Im actually the one getting all the attention...well my belly is and I do love it...but never forget...

I cant wait to be able to play the role of Santa and put out food for Santa and his reindeers...to put up a stocking for our child and presents under the tree...

I am now 32 weeks and new year approaching and I can see the home run...so back to new year resolutions what are yours?

Well to think about it now here are mine:-

1. To have a safe and healthy delivery of our child

2. To not become overwhelmed with all the new changes ahead for us ...parenthood..relax and you will find the answer

3. To ensure at some point in time next year we do have a family holiday even if short and sweet...just some time for us...

4. To continue with our planning/design/construction of our outdoor entertaining area...yes it took us a whole year to try to get a design searching for a builder who will not rip us off...but no luck...we got a bit preoccupied in 2011 and put it in the too hard basket and focused on doing things inside house preparing for baby

5. To ensure our big annual family holiday still goes ahead but postpone it until Sept/Oct School Holidays/Public Holiday..couldnt imagine trying to go away with a 6 week old at Easter


So thats all I can think of for now at this oddly time of 430am in the morning...yes pregnancy insomnia...

I am also praying my fibroid in uterus lifts so baby head becomes engaged as it appears it is blocking baby turning in position...there is still time of course but it would be nice if it wasnt left until last minute lol...but whatever will be will be...I am in excellent hands and my obstetrician will do whats best at the time

So to all my fellow bloggers...wishing you all blessings for the new year to come and hoping for more BFPS for those still on AC path and safe and healthy pregnancies for those who finally got their miracle..

Another milestone ..30 weeks tomorrow

Hello to all my fellow blogger friends...
I cannot believe that tomorrow I will be officially 30 weeks with only 10 to go...Wow...
to even think I have made it this far is amazing and I feel so blessed... I am now on fortnightly visits with my obstetrician and have reconfirmation that he will now be here again not away on holidays when baby is due...another relief With a possible small complication giving birth with my fibroid as long as baby turns and it moves out of way...
so I am praying and asking for this to happen..Im so happy my obstetrician will be here to help... Im still busily finalising all my work before christmas, organising present buying for January and February birthdays so I am not running around when I am due as well as organising hubbys 40th and doing some things for my baby shower which is on 8th January so its a very busy beginning start to the year ...and this is all after christmas celebrations I love feeling baby move all the time now...its great but havent managed to capture on video yet as baby always stops when I grab my phone to record... It loves kicking me in the V area and bladder as thats where its feet are....
which sometimes I get startled shock...but I love feeling baby move as its reassurance all is good I have put on nearly 20kg but its all in my belly and boobs...however....do I dare to bare my stomach...I think I can and deserve to show you it..skin and all lol..and sorry about the bra shot..but considering the size of my bra its covering everything up ok

Cant wait until we put the nursery together...got all the furniture delivered today...felt so surreal that this furniture is going to be for a baby that I am going to have that will sleep in it...its all coming together... I took my mum to my ob appointment Monday so she got a peak at baby very quickly on the ultrasound (my ob has a machine in his room so every visit he checks my baby out) Baby is in breech but its ok he said there is still time obviously but baby face is facing down with spine at the top under my ribs and feet down so maybe its in the process of turning..ooh I hope so

and I would like to acknowledge Chon from My path to insanity & beyond and Haidee from maybe baby or the loony bin? who have both acknowledged that for us infertiles it is ok for us who have struggled with terms of falling pregnant that not every moment we have to appear to be the perfect pregnant mother to be and perfect mother when baby arrives because we wanted this so much..nothing is perfect and its ok for us to complain or have a hard time....because yes there are times when people ask how I am I dont want to complain because I have wanted this so much and I always say the positive outweigh negative and the highs exceed the lows but to not feel guilty when people ask how you are? and I finally finished my first jacket/cardigan for baby too which I will have to post a picture sooon!!!

Happy 33rd Bday to Mummy to be

Hello fellow blogging friends It seems like its been a while in between posts but maybe it hasnt..just so much happening in between I just wanted to share with you it was my 33rd Bday on Sunday...and I finally got to celebrate it being a mummy to be...and I actually got to celebrate my birthday being pregnant...nothing could be more special then this day on my bday. Here is a photo taken on my birthday night with this marvellous sunset....and I wore a matching colour dress (random)

I had an amazing weekend actually celebrating my bday with Saturday dedicated to hubby and I....we enjoyed a lunch together at my favourite location and cafe...then I had home cooked dinner made by hubby with my favourite food....spaghetti carbonara (with gluten free pasta)....yummo!!! Then Sunday I had a friends baby shower for lunch ...surprised by my favourite flowers when I arrived home courtesy of hubby...yes oriental lillies I had them in my wedding bouquet and still to this day I can always have oriental lillies the fragrance just fills the home beautifully

I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and to be surrounded by wonderful family on my birthday...we always celebrate our families birthdays on my side with a dinner etc...and I really did enjoy it Im nearly 27 weeks so few days off Trimester 3 and entering my 7 month I cant believe it...that means Im entering home run phase...Im excited but at same time dont want the pregnancy to end...I love being pregnant and as us infertile women understand I feel I appreciate every little significant moment of this pregnancy Like watching my belly bounce around when baby is kicking...embracing my larger breasts growing 2 cup sizes but in fact I would not like them all the time this size as they are heavy and hurt lol...love being able to touch my belly and rub it...not purposely in front of people but I do it in my own time and space... and in relation to my poor furry girl's recovery...her stitches came out today...two week ssince operation...cone still required on head for another week...she smells and is in need of bath but this is off limits for another week...and she is totally depressed with having to keep the cone on... in desperation of 35 degrees celsius and above temperature..we had to remove it but watch her as the poor dog was hyper ventilating... Im feeling so blessed at the moment...and hope I continue to love this journey and share with you Over and out for now xx

25 weeks and nursing already?

Today I am feeling emotionally and physically drained...and I have reached 25 weeks today!! For those who dont know my poor baby furry girl who is now 4 had a major operation on Tuesday ie TPLO like a knee replacement but a piece of metal plate joining two parts of her leg together in replacement of knee muscles...poor darling obviously had torn it a while ago and now has severe arthritis but dogs have high tolerance for pain so its not until its gotten really bad that something major has been done Dont get me wrong I had my vet constantly looking at it every visit as I thought she favoured this leg but vet thought nothing of it and we tried different things prior to doing the xray then xray showed it all Anyways I have a nasal infection and sore throat which has reduced my energy levels, plus heat plus needing to let my dog out of her play pen every 2hours for a wee and trying to work from home and get everything done before christmas...Im exhausted She did not eat this morning so I will be on constant watch today as I need her to eat so she can have her medication and Labradors LOVE their food and never leave anything behind so I am concerned Send me blessings that all will be ok PS THe play pen in the picture is new yes and I am going to use it for baby when they are big enough to crawl around and get into things ..dont worry I will disinfect it all prior to baby using it but at least I get two uses out of it lol

Protective instinct already

Hi my fellow blogging friends Sorry its been a while in between post...was not sure exactly what to post and have been dealing with many things work and personal whilst preparing for this baby to arrive... I cant believe my protective mother instinct which obviously kicked in as soon as I found out I was pregnant but now with a pregnant belly to show Im even worse......I even walk around holding my belly from unexpected people possibly running into me... This beautiful baby is not even born yet and I am already guarding it with my life... I feel like this penguin in this picture....

I am now 24 weeks and 4 days and less then one month and I am in trimester 3 can you believe that? It still feels surreal and that worrying if baby is ok does not go away...If i dont feel baby move for a while I start to query is baby ok in there? is your heart still beating then I get these reassuring kicks and when in doubt drink a really cold drink and sit still and you will be sure to feel it.... I even shook my belly around today to get baby to move so I knew things were ok...Hubby said dont be so mean to baby you dont like being woken up in your sleep lol well that is definatley true...I dont know how I will cope on lack of sleep as I am grumpy as hell.... I am still getting my mid morning wake up calls and am wide awake and unable to sleep so I go do some things, work from office or crochet for about an hour then Im tired again and off I go back to bed.... I will have to share with you my crocheting efforts...for my baby of course.... I already have made two gifts for two friends of mine for their babies born recently ...and one is for a dear friend overseas who has suffered immensely with infertility and loss of babies in the past and now has a premature baby born approx 10 weeks early who mind you is doing well considering being born early.... Here is one of the hats and booties I made for a 3 month old for my baby to be....

and the gift I made for my dear friend overseas....

I am enjoying all the attention a pregnant lady gets and embracing it all even the negative comments of "your so big,,sure your not having twins" Yep Im definately sure and "Id hate to have a summer baby winter so much better" well Im due end of Feb end of summer so baby is really only get a taste of it...its me being pregnant that will have to put up with stifling heat and anyways thats small sacrifice for huge gain. Id rather baby born in end of summer autumn then winter as all those colds and flus going around just something else to worry about...but it is what it is and I cant change it but people still have to comment ... I am still suffering from reflux and heart burn but hey small sacrifice for large gain but paddle pop ice creams rainbow flavour at night are my favourite to help settle my tummy... I am loving my pregnancy pilates and body pillow all helping with my hips maintaining their alignment... So I will do attempt my baby shower registry this week so I can then organise my invites for my baby shower...yes I have lots of family and best friend offered to help but I actually enjoy the organising part of it and at least I get what I want re baby shower decorations etc they came in post today as I ordered online.... and on the sideline my baby furry girl Jasper goes in for her major operation tomorrow her TPLO which is like knee reconstruction but piece of metal put in her leg...I know she is in best of hands as one of two surgeons in southern hemisphere perform these operations will be doing it and thats all they do...but Im still worried for her...I will send her good thoughts and blessings and will try not to cry when I drop her off ....Im a sook at best of times and with pregnancy hormones in place Im even worse!!!