Merry Christmas

This is a bit of a hurried entry, Lily is currently asleep and we are waiting for my Mum and stepdad to get here for a seafood breakfast, due to me BFing and the worry of Lily having a reaction to prawns, I have just had my breakfast, which consisted of Weet Bix!

I could hardly sleep last night, I was SO excited, I kept jumping out of bed to kiss Lily!

Lily woke at 2:30 am and fed, she was looking at the presents that were under the tree, they weren't there before she went to bed at 9:30pm.

I told her, it looks as though Father Christmas has been!

She went back to bed just after 3, I had trouble getting back to sleep, I was just so excited about our first Christmas with Lily.

She woke again at 5:30, by now I was tired, I have hardly slept all night! I fed and bathed Lily, dressed her in her pretty dress and got a few photos of Lily with some of her presents.

By this time she was quite tired so I gave her a top up feed, and rocked her off to sleep.

I am so happy with the photos so far, they are just to cute!

Today is going to be the most fabulous day! The best Christmas I could ever wish for!

I hope anyone that is reading (don't think anyone does!) has a wonderful Christmas, surrounded by those that you love.

3 Months

My goodness how can Lily be 3 months old tomorrow?! Where has the time gone.

Lily is just devine. She is the happiest little girl and rarely cries unless she has wind or is hungry, what more could I ask for? Nothing she is just perfect.

She is mostly sleeping through, last night for example she went to sleep at 9:30 and didn't wake until 5:20 this morning.

Lily is smiling and talking a lot now and has started in the past couple days having a little giggle. It is funny watching her little tongue and mouth moving around trying ever so hard to make different noises.

The stress and worry of those early weeks has subsided a lot and now for the most part I am just loving being a Mum to this incredibly sweet little girl, I really don't know how I came to be this lucky to be blessed with Lily. I am so thankful each and every day.

The prospect of our first Christmas together as a family rapidly approaching is very exciting and I am very much looking forward to it.
It also looks as though Cameron will be having between Christmas and New Years off which will be fantastic.

This will be our first extended time together as a family as Cameron had a few days off after Lily's birth, however they were spent in the SCN, not exactly quality family time.

Here is a picture from today of Lily in her little hat, she wasn't particulary impressed, and did voice that not long after this photo was taken!

A couple of pics from nappy change time

Again and Again!

Lily has also slept through the last two nights, I feel so awake and alive when she wakes in the morning.

On Saturday night, she went down at 8:15 and didn't wake until 4:00am so 7 3/4 hours.
Then last night Lily fell asleep in my arms at 7:30 and didn't wake until 5:00am this morning! 9 1/2 hours! I couldn't believe it.

So lets hope this could be the start of Lily sleeping through, and if not it was nice to get a couple nights of un-interrupted rest.

Slept Through!

Last night at 11w 5d Lily slept through the night for the first time!

I think it may have something to do with the busy day we had yesterday.

Yesterday we went out for lunch with some family that we don't see very often, because of being out, Lily doesn't sleep that well when we are out anymore, too much going on to close those little eyes! Anyway she was so perfect all day, she slept in her Great Nana's arms while we ate lunch and then she woke up and for the first time I breastfed in public. It went ok, I just put a blanket over Lily while she was feeding. She wasn't fussed in the slightest she will feed anywhere now! I find it hard to believe we had so much trouble convincing Lily that breastfeeding was a good thing!

So Lily just catnapped throughout the day, I think that made her very tired and that is the reason that she slept through. I guess time will tell if that was the reason.

Lily was so excited in the car yesterday, because of the need for Lily's car seat we took my car out to lunch. So Lily had my Mum on one side of her in the back and her Great, Great, Aunty Margaret on the other side.
She thought it was fantastic! She was such a little charmer smiling, shrieking and talking away to them both.

So I wonder what tonight will bring?

Here's a pretty picture for today, look at that gorgeous tree!

Emotional

I am feeling a little emotional today. I think it all began this morning when I hurt my back again doing a bit of gardening. I was putting pea straw around the Ornamental Pears and the Pencil Pines.

It just upsets me a little with Cameron's work situation. He is working way too many hours. He leaves home at 4:30am and doesn't get home until 8:00 -8:30pm and in that time he is working long hard days in a very physical job.

Now don't get me wrong I appreciate him working so hard as this allows us to live comfortably and for me to be able to stay home with Lily, however that is not everything.

I hardly see him, we don't eat together, he hardly see's Lily, and I really don't want him to miss out on Lily growing up because he is at work.

I admire Cameron a lot for working so hard to provide for us, yet where do you draw the line?

Over Christmas he is only having Christmas Day off, one day to spend together during our first Christmas as a family. I know they have a tight contract to work to, but he is only human and can't work anymore than he already is.

Then not only that he came home last night and said that the site manager is getting lights in so they can work at night.... that was breaking point for me, that is absolutely ludicrous.

Somebody is going to get injured if they are working so many hours.

Turning A Corner

In the past week or so I feel that Lily has really turned a corner, to me she is not a newborn baby anymore.

She is increasingly interactive, and oh so close to giggling. She is getting quite loud and chatty. I am absolutely loving this stage.

However one of the biggest changes has been her reaction upon waking. Now I can go in and pick her up out of the cradle and she will happily chat and smile for 20 -30 minutes before wanting to be fed.

Prior to a week or so ago, as soon as she was awake all she wanted was to feed.

To me this really symbolises that she is growing into a baby girl and no longer in the newborn stage.

That time really passed oh so quickly, I must try to write down every single memory and recollection from that time, soon it will be lost into the realms of time.

On Tuesday night Lily and I were having a chat on the lounge, please excuse the bra, not a good look I know!

Last night I put Lily in her cot for the first time, she didn't sleep in there just had a little lay. I don't know how I am going to cope when I have to put her into her own room. This morning I put Lily in her cot to have a play and look at her mobile.

Here she is smiling one minute (not the clearest shot, she always seems to smile and move at the same time!)
And looking slightly worried by it the next...

I also just noticed Lily was wearing this little suit last Thursday, not planned that way, she has that many clothes, but this is another fave of mine.

Lily's First Christmas

Christmas this year is going to be a magical time, it is the first Christmas with gods greatest gift, our daughter Lily.

When I think back to Christmas last year, we were still TTC after losing our angel baby, it was a painful time, a time also though of hope, hope that this year we would be celebrating Christmas with our first child, what a celebration it is going to be.

I took some pictures of Lily with her Christmas hat on the other day, they are not the best quality though as they were on my phone, isn't she just adorable!

Last Tuesday Lily had her photo taken with Father Christmas. She was an absolute doll and sat there perfectly. She also had a photo taken with her spunky big cousin Cooper.
Lily wasn't looking at the camera though as there was a lady adoring her and jumping around to the side trying to get her attention, which as you can see she succeeded in, I was a little annoyed about that.

Again not the best pictures as they are photos taken of the photos, if that makes sense?I will have to scan the original photo.

While I am in this picture file on my computer, I would like to post a picture of Lily taken with her Great Nana.
My Nana has been quite sick lately, which has been of great worry to us all. Nana is very important to me, so much so that Lily was named after her. Lily Lorraine.
I am very happy with how the photo turned out, it is just gorgeous.

Magic and Milestones

Yesterday at 11weeks and 1day Lily rolled from her back to her stomach.

We were at Mums and Lily was kicking her legs with no nappy (her absolute favourite time!) she just effortlessly rolled straight onto her stomach.

Mum and I looked at each other with wide open mouthed amazement! There was no real effort on her behalf, just straight over she went. We were not expecting that at all.

I was so proud of Lily I had tears in my eyes!

Lily was also very proud of herself and layed on her stomach talking and smiling.

My goodness where has my baby gone!?

Lily was trying her hardest last night to show Dad her new trick, but it just wasn't working for her. She was getting very frustrated.

Here is Lily after she rolled over yesterday. Note the cheeky little grin.

Here is Lily at 10w 4d On Thursday night it all got a bit much for Lily and she fell asleep in her swing, so cute.
On Sunday morning we started the day with a lovely bath.
We then went Christmas shopping, which was a very stressful outing! Cameron hates shopping at the best of times and coupled with a pram, trolley and the Christmas rush, resulted in a few heated words being exchanged! Why oh why have I left my shopping to the last minute?!

By the time we got home Lily was very tired, she doesn't sleep at the shops anymore, there is just too much to look at to allow those eyes to close for anymore than 10 minutes!

So tired Lily was that she slept for 4 hours! Right through a visit from her Grandma and Grandpa. Here she is sleeping in her favourite position. She was wrapped when I put her down, but those arms always make their way out! The magic part of this entry, i'm not exactly sure, I just thought the title had a nice ring to it. The magic can be the overwhelming love that I feel for Lily.
Sometimes I look at her and I literally feel as though I am going to burst with love, it is the most amazing feeling.

The other night we were all sitting on the floor in the lounge, Cameron was laying down with Lily while she was playing on her playmat, I just felt this overwhelming excitement for everything we are all going to experience together, all the firsts, the milestones and adventures that together as a family we are going to share in. Such an amazing journey we have embarked upon.

To finish this entry is a picture of Lily and I having a cuddle last night.

Honours

It is not often that I receive any mail in the post that I am actually happy to receive.
It is usually just a vast array of boring everyday stuff. Bank statements, water and electricity bills, ATO correspondence, you get the drift.

Well last week (or was it the week before?) I received a letter I actually enjoyed reading.
It was from Uni, a letter inviting me to complete an honours year at the completion of my degree.
Because I have received all distinctions apparently that automatically qualifies me to complete an honours year.

So all the hard work and studying has really paid off! However that honours year will probably take me three years to complete as I will be studying part time.

In other news, Lily slept brilliantly yesterday having two lovely big 2 1/2 - 3 hour sleeps. However last night she was up every 2 1/2 hours, cheeky little miss!
So today I will be doing trying to encourage her to have a little more wake time.
It's not even like I can vacuum to wake her up, she sleeps right through it! She is like her Mum there, once she is asleep she is well and truly asleep!

I am supposed to be starting my quilting classes tomorrow. I put it off last week as I didn't want to leave Lily. It remains to be seen if I will be able to tomorrow!
Isn't it funny, I say I want to return to work, yet I can't even leave Lily for 2 hours while I am 2 minutes down the road.

Here is a pic out of my dream house file for today, or should that be dream garden?

What May Have Been

Let me begin this entry by saying that I have never been happier, I absolutely love each and every aspect of my life.

Just sometimes though I do wonder how things could of perhaps turned out differently.

Prior to meeting Cameron my plans were to finish my degree and head overseas for a couple of years.
I dreamt of living in a neighbourhood in the US similar to the one pictured below.
Living in an apartment, working for a multinational company establishing a successful career and seeing the world.

I wouldn't change my life for anything in the world, somedays though I do sit and wonder about how my life may have followed a different path had Cameron and I not got together.

Hopefully one day I will have the opportunity to travel overseas and discover the sights from a different perspective, with my family by my side. I can think of nothing better.

Immunisations

On Thursday Lily had her 8 week immunisations. They were done at our local library at the local shopping centre.

Mum came with me and I we did some food shopping before taking Lily for her injections. After the food shopping I spent about half and hour browsing through various shops, trying to put off the inevitable.

I felt terrilbe taking my baby girl in to have pain inflicted upon her. Particulary when she was so happy and cozy in her pram. Mum didn't want to come in while Lily had her injections so I went in by myself.

First she had her Rotavirus immunisation orally, she was pretty good with it, but did give me a few funny looks as if to say 'what is this Mum?'

Then came the two needles, it was awful, Lily screamed and screamed and gave me the most heart wrenching looks as if to say why did you do that Mum! It broke my heart.

We had to wait for 15 minutes incase Lily had a reaction and Lily was quite upset, and by that time due a feed so we went into a corner for me to feed her.

It had a double purpose really because not only was she due a feed but being on the breast never ceases to calm Lily if ever she is upset.

It is so nice to know that she will always relax on the breast.
Lily has been such a trooper and hasn't had any reactions at all besides a touch of diarreoah on Friday. Such a tough little cookie, after everything she went through during birth and that first week, whats a couple of needles? So proud of her.

Yesterday we had Camerons neices birthday party. Lily was so well behaved and of course much admired by all the guests, she had lots of cuddles thats for certain. She was full of charm and smiles.

lots of people commented on how content and happy she is, I am very lucky, but I must be doing something right since she is always happy.

Of course here is some photos.

These were taken on Friday, Lily was two months old on Friday.

My goodness, how did I get so lucky, to be blessed with the most adorable, sweet little baby girl?
Each month on the 21st when Lily turns a month older, I take a picture of her with her big pink teddy given to her by her Nana, just to compare how she is growing. Unfortunately I don't have one from last month. I was still suffering from baby brain, and this months was taken a day late too! Maybe next month I will remember, and on the right day too...

This months effort wasn't too fantastic either!

Here is a couple of pics of Lily and I yesterday, just before we left for Lucy's party. It was SOOO good to be in heels again! Excuse the daggy photos though.

Two Months Old

My goodness I can hardly believe it, Lily is going to be two months old tomorrow! Where has the time gone.



Lily is growing into the sweetest, most adorable little girl that has ever graced the earth. (Of course I am biased but what Mum isn't)

She is becoming very chatty and smiley and is even trying to muster up a giggle! Over the past week Lily has been going in her swing, at first she was a little apprehensive but now she absolutely loves it, as do I. Lily is happy to sit in her swing while I potter about cleaning, preparing dinner etc, whereas she would get a bit grizzly just sitting in her chair. I would have to say it is one of the best investments we have made! It is lovely to be able to do things while she is awake, and usually she just drops off to sleep if she is fed and happy.

Lily enjoying her very first swing

The only problems we have been having is with wind. What a horrible thing wind is. But we seem to be getting on top of it. I am just being much more careful and ensuring that she burps after each side.

Other than that she is just precious and I can hardly believe how lucky I am!

On Saturday we went up to Mums as Cameron was helping to build their new pergola. Lily had been fed, burped and was ready to go to sleep, however she just would not drop off inside, which was surprising as Lily loves Mums house.


Everyone, being Cameron, Mum, John and my uncle (who is no shrinking violet!) were outside having lunch so I wheeled Lily outside under the shade and despite all the talking and laughing she dropped right off to sleep.

So well infact that she slept for 2 hours, through talking, welding, grinding and general building work! I am so happy as I want Lily to be able to sleep through all situations.

On Sunday we went to ponyclub to watch Camerons niece. I dressed Lily in her little horsey suit and took some pics of her with her first pony. A good look yeah? Cameron isn't so convinced! I certainly wont be pushing Lily into horses I want her to have broadened horizons and experience many other avenues than just the hobbies I am interested in.

On Tuesday Lily, Mum and I went to visit Mums friend Julia, she is just lovely and she hadn't met Lily so she was very happy to see her. Of course she thought she was just beautiful, who wouldn't!

Here is a picture of Lily all dressed ready to go out, I just love babies in knitted clothes.

Sleeping soundly in her pram at Julias, she usually sleeps better out than she does at home! Today I have to take Lily to have her 8 week immunisations *sad face* I am really not looking forward to it, poor little poppet.

Life's way of changing your plans

Isn't the path of life an amazing thing?

Last night or should I say this morning at about 2:00am as I sat on the lounge feeding Lily, I spied a photo of Cameron and I from the night we got together sitting on the bookcase.

It brought a flood of memories rushing back. One that gave me a giggle were some words from an early relationship chat we had.
I told Cameron two things, one that I didn't want children, and the other that I was going overseas to further my career and there was nothing he could do to stop me.

Well, well, well, where are we now!

I guess being with the right person makes all the difference. Prior to Cameron I had never met anybody that made me want to settle down, buy a house and have a family. As for the travelling overseas part, I do still want a career, however it will be worked around my number one focus, Lily.

I know for certain that I will definetly not be moving overseas to work, maybe for a holiday, but certainly not to move.
I for one could not be seperated from my family, in particular my Mum for any length of time, and I do not wish to move Lily away from her family either.

One thing I do know, the girl that I was at the time that I met Cameron, is now a young woman with a completely different set of goals, that I would never have imagined back then. If i'd of met me now at that time, I would not know me!

Frontyard Blitz

We spent the weekend digging out our front garden and planting new plants. It was very hard work, the ground was rock hard.

I woke on Saturday morning informing Cameron that I was going to buy 10 pencil pines to plant out the front, I just thought we could 'put them in' little did I know how much work it was going to be do dig out the garden bed and level it.

It had to be levelled as the neighbours side is higher than ours and therefore the water runs straight onto our driveway.

Now I understand why Cameron wasn't impressed, particulary as at the minute they are working about 60 hours a week, in a very physically demanding job.

Sorry honey!

Never the less it had to be done at some stage and I was sick of how the garden was looking.

So here is a before pic, I hated the hedges, and they grew like wildfire.

This is how the front garden looked on Saturday afternoon, all but 2 of the pines are now planted, as are small shrubs in front of them, I must take updated pics.

My goodness now I can see how much removing those hedges opens up the front yard, makes a huge difference! Notice the change in cars, yes Cameron changes his cars like his underwear! Mind you the ute does come in handy.

Now all they need to do is grow a bit, however hopefully by the time they are a decent size we will have moved, which brings me to my next point...

We have been in this house for 19 months, and don't get me wrong I do like our house, I've nothing to complain about it is only 9 years old, so there is nothing that really needs repairing.

It is however just a bit too small. I feel greedy saying that as it is your normal 3 bedroom home with a formal lounge, but it really is just that bit to small. I am also not all that keen on the area, however like everyone where I want to move is a little out of our price range.

We will not be able to have another child while we are in this house as the 3rd bedroom is very small and is used as our study, sewing, scrapbooking room. Not only that it has a door that leads into the garage and for that reason I would never use it as a bedroom, I just wouldn't feel safe doing so.

We are yet to discuss what age gap we would like between Lily and her sibling, I am thinking of somewhere about 3 years, which means we have a couple of years up our sleeves to move.

However I would REALLY love to build next, but I recognise there is a lot of work involved. If I am not working there are things that I would be able to do, however a lot of the work Cameron will have to do, and with him working long hours in a physically demanding job is he going to want to put that work in?

Not only that he would only be able to do work around the house on weekends which would mean it would take a while for things to get done.
If it was just us that wouldn't be a problem, but Lily will then be a toddler and perhaps we may have another baby so it is quite important that Lily would have a backyard to play in and not just a dirt/mud patch.

So this is something that we are going to have to have a good think/talk about and decide which way we go.

I guess we also need to think about where we want Lily to go to school, as I used to spend an hour and a half travelling to and from school and I do not wish Lily to have to do the same.

Heels

Today in I don't know how long, I brought my first pair of high heels! I was and am very excited.

Until about 20 weeks into my pregnancy I was wearing heels everyday, to work, shopping, out to lunch, anywhere I went, my heels I was in.

Then I was told it is not good to wear heels when pregnant so I stopped.

However I am very excited that I can now wear heels again, teamed with pretty summer skirts, can't wait.

I really miss my corporate wardrobe and getting dressed in the morning for work, so I am looking forward to trying to make my corporate wardrobe meet in the midde with my 'mummy' clothes, surely you can do both?

At least Lily is little and I won't need to be chasing her in those heels yet! That time will be here before I know it!

P.S I am making a super conscious effort to keep my blog up to date.

Patchwork Quilting

I have always been interested in Patchwork Quilting. However my sewing skills are very basic and I figured I wasn't creative enough to be any good at it.

A new quilting and sewing shop has opened up just down the road from Mums. The lady that owns and runs it is very lovely and encouraging. So much so that as of next week I will be beginning classes, she assures me it is not out of my capabilities, me, well i'm not so sure, but am very keen to give it a try.

I love the idea of making a quilt that Lily can play on, sleep with etc and even more love the idea that if the quilt is loved and cherished it can be passed on from generation to generation.

So with that in mind next Wednesday I will attend my first quilting class. I am very excited! The class runs for 2 hours from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Lily will stay with my Mum as this is when she is usually having her morning sleep. I will leave Mum a bottle of EBM and I know that she will be fine with my Mum, Lily idolises her Nana.

And of course if Lily does get upset I am literally 2 minutes down the road.

This is the 4 materials that I will be using in the class to create the quilt.

The plan, if time allows is that I will also make a quilt at home, doing the same block each week that I complete in class. This will help to cement my knowledge and also outline any areas in my learning that I need to clarify.

This is the material I will be using for the quilt at home.

Here are 3 pictures that are inspiring me today.

What I wouldn't give for a studio like this one! My study come sewing room will have to do for now!

I just love the look of this alfresco area. What better place to sit and unwind with loved ones?


I am also loving this kitchen, on one hand it looks busy and cluttered but I just love the lived in look, very warm and inviting.