Matty....

My Little Family..

Xx Jess

Indiana 8 weeks old already!!

Indiana's Birth Story...

I woke up on the morning of the 25th May 2010 with a few period pain symptoms, and I said to Matt before he left for work “I recon this baby is coming in the next 24-48hours”. Matt kind of just laughed.

Seeing as it was also Liberty’s 2nd birthday her Grandmamy & Grandpapa were just up the road at the local hotel. Mum arrived at about 9am and I figured these little ‘on and off’ again pains were most probably contractions. So I told mum and whilst she played with Liberty I went and properly packed my hospital bag.

The day went on as normal. Dad arrived and at about 10am. I had a ‘show’ so I called Matt (at work) just to let him know not to go too far!
- by this stage, im still not in pain, just having little twinges every 10 or so minutes -
Matt turns up at home about 5 minutes after my phone call!! Hahaha! So sweet! I told him that I still don’t think this baby is coming today. Then I feel as if there are no contractions at all. Hmm. So Matt, Mum, Dad, Liberty the birthday girl in her new birthday outfit and I all go on a walk along the lake. I walk all the way to ProKayaks and not have any contractions, Uh oh, I think to myself, I’ve just got everyone excited that there will be a baby soon and now I don’t feel anything! That didn’t last long! The contractions came back, along with the arrival of John and Sian (Liberty's god parents/Aunt/Uncle) arriving to see Liberty and help prepare for Liberty’s birthday party in the afternoon. We all eat lunch.

At about 1pm I’m having contractions about 10minutes apart and although they are still painless I can feel them!! They are more annoying than anything else.
I call the hospital at about 2pm as I feel they are getting stronger, the midwife asks me if I want to come in? “Not really” I reply as I don’t want to waste all my time at the hospital when there is a party going on at home.
Not long after the phone call to the hospital my contractions begin getting painful so Matt and I decide to leave home. Mostly cos I don’t really feel like getting laughed at by the family (oh, and John is freaking out! Haha).
So we kiss Liberty goodbye and wish her a happy birthday! My family is left to set up for her birthday party in the afternoon.

All of a sudden during the drive to the Hospital, my contractions begin HURTING! But I still don’t think that im that far into my labor as in between contractions I feel fine and Matt and I chat away! During our drive and in between contractions Matt and I laugh and confirm our Boy and Girl name that we like, oh, and work out how we are going to spell both these names…
We then arrive to the hospital entrance. I tell Matt that im feeling fine and not to drop me at Emergency, Im fine to walk from the carpark. I have a HUGE contraction in the car at the carpark – ouch!
We then get out to walk.. Im still fine between contractions but walking up the hill from the carpark takes a while as im having to stop for 3 painful contractions.

We arrive into the hospital and Im taken straight to a delivery room. Im still feeling fine between contractions and enjoy chatting away to Matt and the Midwife whilst we fill out forms. I tested positive to Group Strep B so I have to be put on IV antibiotics for the rest of the labor, but the midwife decides to check how dilated I am first. She checks, and im not sure of her answer, as now my contractions seem to be one on top of the other. She leaves the room for a second opnion.

Whilst she’s gone I feel strange, kind of like I need to poo. It then becomes impossible to hold it in… I start screaming, and POP, my waters break. Matt is doing a wonderful job, as he is the only person in the room... Not for long though, as the midwives have heard my screams! Haha! It wasn’t a poo I needed to do as I then give birth to our beautiful Daughter, Indiana , 3.35kg and 51cm!! Only 20minutes after arriving at the hospital!! No IV antibiotics were given, there was no time!!!

I did require a lot of stitches for the 2nd degree tearing I got from the fast birth. I was given gas for that!

Once Im up and showered I felt great! Not tired and not too sore either! Im on cloud nine with our beautiful little baby girl with a mop of long, thick blonde hair on her head. She is perfect.

Matt calls home, Liberty’s party is in full action, he lets everyone know that Indiana has arrived quickly and safe! Everyone is amazed that she is already born!!
Indiana spent her first 24hours in special care as her heart rate was low but then she was all ours!!! She fed well and fast from the first feed and she is adorable!!

Here are some photos of her first moments after her birth...

Me holding Indiana just moments after she was born (still looking a bit blue!)

Matt holding Indiana for the first time

Getting checked by the midwife, and also getting a little pinker!!

Look at all that blonde hair!!
i LOVE this photo!! This is Liberty in the hospital carpark, walking to meet her sister for the first time, with flowers (for mummy) and a gift for Indiana in her arms...

Our little family of four... (Indiana is 3 hours old here)

Kissing our babies... (Indiana gave Liberty the baby she is carrying, as a gift. Liberty gave Indiana a stuffed elephant)

Xx Jess

Introducing...

Its a GIRL!!!!!

We are excited to announce the birth our our daughter

Indiana!!!

Born on the 25th May 2010 (On her big sister's 2nd birthday!)

3.35kg, 51cm

We are thrilled with our new arrival!!
Liberty is the most caring and loving big sister! We are all feeling so happy!!

Xx Jess

Nappy Cake!

Bathtime Cake

Ingredients:

• 12 Newborn Huggies Nappies
• Plush Soft Toy Dog
• 'Turtle' Bath Thermometer
• 3 Soft Face Washers
• Cotton Towel

Nappy Cake!

Handyman Cake - For Oscar

Ingredients:

• 27 Newborn Huggies Nappies
• Black & Decker Toy Toolset
• Bright Starts Teddy Teether Pal
• 2 pairs of socks
• Fingernail Clippers
• Fingernail Scissors
• Disney Size 000 Jumpsuit
• Tommee Tippee Dummy
• Happy Baby Bottle
• Soft Cotton Wrap
• Elephant Luggage Tag

One month to go!

Exactly one month to go till the due date of baby #2!! How exciting!!

Xx Jess

Nappy Cake!

Hamish Cake

Ingredients:

• 26 newborn huggies nappies
• 'Bright Starts' elephant crinkle teether
• Fingernail Clippers
• Fingernail Scissors
• 'Nuby' Dummy
• 3 Soft Face Washers
• a pair of socks
• muslin wrap
• baby bottle
• size 000 jumpsuit

Nappy Cake!

Mini Elephant Girl Cake - Part 2

Ingredients:

• 12 Newborn Huggies Nappies
• 'Bright Starts' elephant teether pal
• fingernail scissors
• fingernail clippers
• Spoon & Fork
• a pair of socks
• cotton baby wrap

The Countdown is begining...

... well not just yet, but on thursday there will only be six weeks left till the due date of our baby #2! Some days feel long and some days seem fast, but all in all, this pregnancy seems to have flown by (im obviously having a good day today or i'd be saying the opposite!! haha!)

I cant wait to see what sex our baby will be. What he/she will look like. And the biggest thing... How will Liberty react to having a little brother or sister! She points out to every baby she see's and she LOVES her dolly's and is such a good mother to them. So Im hoping she will be thrilled with our new arrival!

Not as much preparation has gone into setting up for baby #2. I do have to chase up our carseat, rocker and playmat from a friend who is burrowing everything, so that I can wash it all and have it all installed before baby comes.

I havent bothered to buy any clothes yet. I've washed all Libby's newborn white and unisex clothes and we will go from there once he/she comes. And we seem to have everything else.

We've finally got a girls name and we think we have our boy's name so that is a relief!!!

All that we had to buy was a cradle for the baby (thanks mum & dad), as we decided not to transfer Libby into a bed before baby comes. Also a double stroller. I want somewhere to restrain Liberty and also somewhere for her to sit when she gets tired + I think she'll want to be in the stroller if the baby is, so this will save some meltdowns im hoping!

We cant wait to meet our new baby! Im ready now!! Well, in a few weeks! I'll just keep it baking for a tad longer in the meantime & spend as much quality time with Libby before it comes.

Yippie!!!

This is the stroller we bought.. the Mountain Buggy Duo! Its big, but I wanted something were the newborn is comfprtable and so is the toddler! We currently have a single BOB which I love but you cant get them in Australia - boo

Here is Liberty's bedroom! All ready to share!!!

Oh yeah, we also bought this feeding glider chair on ebay for $50 a few months ago! I didn't have one for Liberty and I said to myself 'for the next one, i want somewhere comfortable to sit'

Baby's cradle

Liberty's cot

Xx Jess

Nappy Cake!

Lion Cake

Ingredients:

• Approx 25 Newborn Huggies Nappies
• Orange Muslin Wrap
• 'Happy Baby' Bottle
• 'Bright Starts' teething crinkle toy
• fingernail clippers
• fingernail scissors
• 'Nuby' heat sensitive spoon
• 1 pair of socks
• 3 soft face washers

Nappy Cake!

Girl Daisy Cake

Ingredients:

• 17 Huggies Infant Nappies
• 7 Huggies Newborn Nappies
• 'Bright Starts' daisy rattle
• 'Happy Baby' Bottle
• 'Tommee Tippee' dummy
• 2 pairs of socks
• a size 000 jumpsuit
• fingernail clippers
• fingernail scissors
• cotton baby wrap
• 'Nuby' heat sensitive spoon

Nappy Cake!

Mini Elephant Girl Cake

Ingredients:

• 14 Huggies Newborn Nappies
• 'Bright Starts' elephant teether toy
• Fingernail Scissors
• Fingernail Clippers
• 'Tommee Tippee' dummy

Photos

Hi Everyone!!

I have uploaded some photos to my Flickr account. See them HERE. I'm a little disapointed with myself as I wanted to take a 'photo a day' like I did in 2009, but it hasn't happened. Oh well. Instead Im going to try and upload a steady amount of images for each month in 2010. I've ordered my 'photo a day 2009' with Blurb, and its in the post! I cant wait to see it in print!!! It cost a fortune but i know it'll be worth it!

Anyway, just wanted to share! :)
Xx Jess

Happy Easter!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter!! We sure are!!
Xx Jess

Nappy Cake!

My wonderful mothers group is growing in numbers! A few of us seem to be popping out babies!! We had a little surprise babyshower for Naomi the other day and we all chipped in for this nappy cake that I made...

Kyla's Sister's Cake

Ingredients:

• Aprox 30 Huggies (newborn & infant) nappies
• target jumpsuit
• 2 pairs of socks
• Fingernail clippers
• Fingernail scissors
• a 'happy baby' bottle
• 3 'sesame street' burp cloths
• a bright stars teething toy.

Nappy Cake!

Our friends Jay and Marina added a new addition to their little family... "Matilda" was born in October 2009. Arabella is now a 'big sister'!! I made them this nappy cake...

Matilda Cake
Ingredients:

• aprox 30 nappies (newborn & infant size)
• 1 bonds singlet
• 1x 000 onsie
• manicure set
• baby bottle
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 teething fishtoy

Nappy Cake!

My friend Mithra gave birth to a beautiful baby girl 'Cailin' way back in September 2009. I made her this little cake as a gift to welcome her beautiful girl into the world...

Cailin Cake

Ingredients:

• approx 10 infant (girl) nappies
• 'bright stars' teething rattle
• manicure set
• a pair of socks
• a muslin wrap

Nappy Cake!

Yay! Another order!! The request was for a 9 week old girl who is coming to visit OZ (back in december 2009). So I packed it with things that would be useful on their trip. This sold for $50.

Girl Rattle Cake

Ingredients:

• 20 Infant Huggies Nappies
• a rattle
• Cancer Council Suncream
• Elmo Nappy Wipes
• Swisspers Qtips
• Tommee Tippee Dummy
• Johnsons Baby Cream
  

Nappy Cake!

Wohoo! My first order for 2010!! They wanted a unisex cake no pastels or yellows. I went with the gorgeous new bonds range thats out at the moment. The socks are made of bamboo fibres!!! This one sold for $100 as the outfit and socks were expensive ones...

'Grey 2 teir Unisex Cake'


Ingredients:

• 30 Newborn Huggies Nappies
• 1 'Happy Baby' Bottle
• 1 'Happy Baby' dummy
• Fingernail clippers
• Hair Brush
• Bonds (size 000) jumpsuit
• 2 pairs Bonds Organic Socks

dream home...

I found my dream home today! So I called Matt to see if he'd checked our lottery tickets, just incase we had won, and we could go buy it now!! haha! Well, we did win the lottery... $21. Hmm, I dont think $21 covers anything, in fact I think we paid more than that for the ticket! haha!
Oh well,
I wish we had enough money to buy THIS little shack on Narrabeen Lake. It doesn't have a price but I know it would be out of our league! We will just have to keep saving...
Its just so perfect!
4 Bedroom
lake front
In Narrabeen
It has a little granny flat for visitors
Oh, I love it!
Well, thats all... Just wanted to share my little find!
Xx Jess

ETA: So Matt called the realestate agent today out of curiosity of how much they want for "our dream house".... wait for it..... TWO MILLION DOLLARS!
I better continue buying lottery tickets!! haha
And my parents are trying to sell their BEAUTIFUL home/thriving business for less than that! far out, I should tell them to up their price by 200%.

help!

Hello!
Can anyone help me?? Im really bored of the layout of my blog.... Any suggestions on how to layout your blog differently???
Thanks!!
X

'about me' questionnaire

I saw this questionnaire on Gigi's Blog and I thought it would be fun to fill out! So if feel like it, play along and fill it out on your blog!!!
Just before we start, here is a piccie of my Liberty....1. what is your current obsession?
Well, it was Farmville on facebook but my new years resolution was to delete it as its such a time waster. I miss it though cos it was just a nice silly thing to so to 'escape'.

2. what are you wearing today?
The same thing I wear practically every day... My denim shorts and a black singlet!

3. what’s for dinner?
No idea!

4. what’s the last thing you bought?
a notebook for $5. Bargan! It was 1/2 price, on sale!

5. what are you listening to right now?
Oprah - on the TV

6. what do you think about the person who tagged you?
Uhm, no tag, just decided to do it after blog lurking!

7. if you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
Where we live now. I love it here and would love it even more if we were in a nice house!!!

8. one thing you wanna change about yourself?
Right now I shoudl be ironing not filling out a questionnaire... I seem to do this a lot! I know i'll be so much happier when the floor is vaccuumed and clothes ironed and put away, but noooo, I have to waste my time here first!

9. if you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Hawaii

10. which language do you want to learn?
None. I just want to make sure my french is still fluent

11. what’s your favourite quote?
Dont have one

12 . would you cook for me?
This question doesn't make sense

13. what is the right way to avoid people who purposefully hurt you?
'delete' them from your life I guess.

14. what are you afraid of the most?
My family getting hurt

15. who do you want to meet right now?
Someone who is a pro at toilet training! I need help! haha

16. what is your favourite color?
Today. Pink, cos Libby looks so cute in it!

17. give us 3 styling tips that work for you.
Uhm, I wish I had just one, but I dont.

18. what is your dream job?
Im living it!! being a mummy

19. what’s your favorite magazine?
I dont really have one at the moment. Maybe 'practical parenting' cos thats the only one I read at the moment

20. if you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Probably clothes for Libby (even though Im the one who needs clothes! haha)

21. what do you consider a fashion faux pas?
80's style

22. who according to you is the most over-rated writer?
i dont know

23. what brings a smile on your face instantly?
Liberty and feeling our baby #2 kicking aroung in my tummy

24. a word that you say a lot?
Im not sure, Im trying to think, but i say so much its hard to decide on one! haha

25. what kind of haircut do you prefer?
Well, i love all the hairstyles on other people but on myself, im happy at the moment with my shorter hair, its nice and easy to manage and not too heavy in a pony tail!

26. what are you going to do after this?
Get Liberty up from her daytime nap

27. what do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Winge to Matty

28. what makes you go wild?
Dickhead drivers that are speeding or texting and are putting all our lives in danger.

29. what are your favourite movies?
Erin Brocovich, How to lose a guy in 10 days, Dirty Dancing, Centre Stage and the list goes on and on, basically, I love a chick flick.

30. what inspires you?
great photographers

31. what do your friends call you most commonly?
Jess or Jessy

32. would you prefer coffee or tea?
Tea. Dont like coffee

33. which other blogs do you love visiting?
Pieces of Me
3 Little Birds
Jennifer Woodbury
and HEAPS more!

34. favorite dessert/sweet?
chocolate

35. how many tabs are turned on in your browser right now?
Just the one! I did have lots open (to fill out q33) but just shut them all, I like my PC to be 'clean' with only one thing open at once.

36. when you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I dont think i looked today! I was too busy helping Libby brush her teeth whilst I was brushing mine

37. favorite season?
Spring, cos it means winter is behind us and summer is on its way!!! & I got married in spring too.

38. one wish that you really want to see it come true?
I dont want to say, what if i jinx it?

39. what breaks your heart?
at the present time, its when Libby gets bullied

40. what's one thing you really want to do in life?
Have a baby (check)
Get Married (check)
Have another baby (nearly there)
So... I would love to buy a house if we can ever do that.

baby # 2

Yesterday I went and had my 20 week ultrasound. It was so exciting!!! Im going public for this birth, as I did with Libby. So there are no extra check ups and special care (unless needed) but I was so happy that I asked the ultrasound lady if she could please print out a photo of the baby so I could show Matty (who stayed at home to look after Libby). The lady was so nice and said in that case she'd take a 3D photo from thier new machine... HOW EXCITING!!!!

So here are a couple of photos of baby #2 both in 2D and 3D. I didn't find out the sex, just incase you were interested!!
Xx Jess