mini meez

au revoir

2009-01-11T22:47:00.003+11:00

I realise I'm jumping on the balloon trend bandwagon, but this was too cute not to post. Image via Amanda Keeys Photography

I know it seems I only just started this blog, but... it's time to say goodbye. I'm not afraid to admit I took on more than I could chew! Between working from home on the website, writing for the mag, writing renovate + decorate and now also for the Real Living magazine blog, I just don't have the time. I'll be incorporating aspects of mini meez into renovate + decorate for the time being, before heading off into another direction focussing on home and family life a bit more. So until then, please head over here to see what I'm up to. Thanks for reading, commenting and any advice, help and tips and tricks you've offered over the past seven months. It's been fun, but it's time to move on.
Much love
Belinda x

Once upon a time, plastic toys, playstations and barbie dolls didn't exist...

2008-12-16T11:47:00.005+11:00

Little Alouette Waldorf Maple teethers, from $14, Mum & Babe

...and Santa and his elves actually made all of their toys - mostly out of wood. I'm a huge fan of wooden toys and try to buy the natural-looking over its brightly-coloured plastic second cousins as often as I can. And I'm glad to see Zak also loves his woody friends: his blocks, puzzles, wooden truck, bead weaver and push-a-long cart are in high rotation on his daily play. What I'd never really considered before though was wooden teethers. Now that Layla is chewing away merrily on her hands, Zak's hands, muslin wrap, Ooh Ahh, her squeaky toy and anything else in reach, I've been thinking about teethers. And these ones from Little Alouette would be perfect! Made by a carpenter and his wife on their property in Ohio, they're finished in organic seed oil and made from locally sourced products, particularly Ohio Maple. No harmful plastic and no falling apart, they're natural, handmade and so, so stylish. And before you worry about splinters in the mouth (ouch!), they're sanded and finished perfectly smooth. Even better, Little Alouette has a great range of wooden toys and supports the Handmade Toy Alliance (I wonder if we have one here? Hope so!). You must check out the range at their Etsy store. To buy teethers in Aus, try Mum & Babe

Broom broom. It has wheels, what more does a car need?!

Ellie the elephant

GiGi the giraffe

Teething keys for bubby

Peace out!

mini break

2008-12-08T09:00:00.000+11:00

hello lovelies,
Just a quick note to say I'm heading off to our nation's capital for the week to spend some time with my parents... translation: I have a HEAP of stuff to do and need a live-in nanny! hehe. So I'm taking a break from blogging but will be back next week. So have a lovely few days - I'm guessing what with all the Christmas shopping, meal planning, parties and end-of-work-year-stuff to sort out, you won't miss me anyway! Back soon.
Bx

super (and affordable!) storage ideas

2008-12-04T23:01:00.002+11:00

Various shades of blue, crisp white and a dash of light wood make this room serene.

Ok, so if you read last week's Take 5 magazine you'd have noticed some projects to get the look of this nursery were featured (I compiled the special and this was my first inclusion!). And if you've picked up the latest Cosmo Pregnancy, you'd also have noticed it is the boy's nursery feature. And if you are an avid reader of Real Living, you'd have seen it in there too about a year ago. Safe to say, it's a popular room for magazines. But in case you haven't seen it, here is the whole set! And some super storage ideas to steal.

Before I go on, I was not reading Cosmo Pregnancy because I'm pregnant again, but because I knew there was a pic of my kiddies and me in there babbling on about my choice of sling. Yes I paid $13-odd dollars just to see a picture I took myself and can see anytime for free. However, I used to work wtih these guys so it was nice to see the editor Franki's little baby boy and read my friend Louise's pregnancy diary. I was also pleasantly surprised to see mini meez got a mention under great blogs to check out. Not quite as pleased to see the address was wrong, but I was a subeditor in a previous life and despite being a damn good one if I do say so myself, I have made worse mistakes so they're forgiven!! (I called super-advertiser Avon's Retroactive cream "Radioactive" cream and, um, once signed off on an entire sealed section in Cosmo that got published... only to find out once it hit the stands that it had been published by us a year or two earlier. Not entirely my fault, but OOPS!)

But back to the pics, here are some great storage ideas to steal. And afterwards, some other ways to stash all the toys in a living space - stylishly.

Perfect for all those tiny toys: Lego, crayons, cars, cars and more cars. Ikea have similar (but smaller) boxes and you can so easily stencil or freehand paint the alphabet on. Or even stick flashcards on the fronts of drawers to describe the contents - kids will find it easier to pack things away if know where each thing's home is.

This I love and want to do myself: a mobile toy box. Paint the boxes, add some castors and join together loosely with a bit of rope and move it room to room. A box option is below.

Oh to have a wall of built-in storage... If you don't, try to DIY with a bookshelf and the same boxes as above. A coat of paint makes them a feature.

Oh look! The boxes again. Perfect nappy-and-cream station. Until baby gets old enough to pull everything out of course!

A drawstring bag does overtime duty as a laundry bag, library bag, overnight-at-Nan's bag, hand-me-downs storage and all those other annoying accumulations that don't look good on the shelf or aren't used that often.

A stack of cubes makes displaying the pretty, well, pretty. Try Howard's Storage World for similar. All images above by Getty Images.

Perfect for the projects above. Paint it, let the kids draw on it, cover it in chalkboard paint and turn it into a mobile craft station too! Trissa box, from $14.95, Ikea

I have one of these collapsible baskets in my living room. Holds more than you'd think! Vietnamese woven baskets, $24.95 for one large or a set of a small and medium, Little Gypsies

Huge! And lovely to look at. I'm going to grab one when I get my kitchen. NÄSUM basket with handles, $39, Ikea

I love these - very unique. You could leave as is, but they'd also look great painted a vibrant colour. Apple Tubs made from balsa wood, $9.95 (small), $19.95 (medium), $29.95 (large), Alfresco Emporium

I use mine for shopping but it looks so pretty propped against the hallstand, I often think it'd be fine staying their permanently and if so, could be put to good use as a toy depot. Plus, this one is the cheapest I've seen. French Market Bag, $19.95, Alfresco Emporium

It's a bugger finding nice ways to store everything. I have yet to see a real house that's got it totally covered. Even an interior stylist I know uses those bright plastic tubs in her living room for her daughter's toys. So do toys rule in your house? What's your secret storage device?

starting solids: purees vs baby-led weaning

2008-12-03T09:25:00.006+11:00

Goodness, time flies. Layla is six months old next week and I decided to try her on solids the other day - she keeps looking longingly at our food when we eat and has grabbed for Zak's sandwiches a few times, so that's my sign to start! I did the same with Zak and he took to it like hungry boys do to any kind of edible substance. Layla didn't quite get off to the same start - her reaction to her first mouthful was priceless, so I had to capture it on camera. Despite the dry retches, gags and horrifed faces, she kept it down and kept opening her mouth for more! The next was much better - we got smiles, no gags and she even grabbed the spoon off me and gave feeding herself a go. Too cute.

Just like we Zakky, I started on the usual organic rice cereal with tasty breast milk and I'll prob dig out the blender soon to start pureeing the carrots and pumpkin again once she's got used to thicker cereal. A bit of apple can come afterwards (always best to start on the savoury rather than the sweet) and then it's dabbling in everything else.

While this is a pretty stock standard way of introducing solids to your child, I was interested to hear from a friend of mine about a newish feeding fad called Baby-Led Weaning (or BLW). Basically this is letting your baby (from six months) feed themselves what you're eating. They're not exactly going to pick up a knife and fork and start hoeing into a steak, but they'd get it in finger-food form, suck and taste it, and when they're ready, they'll begin to bite into it and chew a little. No purees, no spoons, but lots of mess. I've never heard of this before and to be honest, I just can't imagine my little Layla sucking on a piece of meat as her first non-boob meal. Or feeding herself a carrot stick. But maybe in a month or so I can see her sucking on some melon or banana. But I think I need to introduce the first tastes the good old fashioned way first - via a mushy mix.

As always, there will be people who'll swear by it and those who pan it, so what are your thoughts? Has anyone out there has tried this? How did you go? What do you think about it vs traditional methods? Is it encouraging the child to put everything and anything in their mouths? You can find more about it here - the author of this site has also written a book on it. Would love to hear your thoughts as usual.

a family-friendly home

2008-12-01T22:35:00.003+11:00

Love this Anthropologie chair

It can be tricky decorating your home when you have kids. There are those places that are overrun by the kids and their toys, then there are those that show no signs of children at all. I'd like to think I'm somewhere inbetween. I refuse to buy licensed products and I try to keep the amount of stuff in the living room to a minimum. And those toys that are on display are usually the nice ones - classic and wooden: wooden train set, wooden blocks etc. Of course it's not always like this, but I try. I love seeing signs of a child's life in pictures of people's homes and it really bugs me that a lot of mags overstyle the rooms to remove all this. But I found this place (via Design*Sponge) had perfect balance. Grown-up rooms with a few childish pieces that don't make you want to stick your hands to the sides of your legs so you don't break anything (I STILL do this while walking through the crockery departments in DJs and Myer. I'm a real clutz). Here are two simply stylish ideas to steal for your own common living zone.

1. Give them grown-up furniture with childlike style (above) Yes the couches are white (but I bet they're easily-removable slipcovers), but this vibrant chair certainly isn't. The style fits with the rest of the room, but the pattern is bright and cheery for little people and would easily disguise their grubby little marks they'd inevitably leave on it at some stage. It can be turned around to face the other couches when visitors call by, or left as is to create a kids zone within the same room. I love, love the little wooden car and trailer!

An Ikea Lack coffee table paired with a Lack side table makes one big happy table family. Images via Design*Sponge

2. Buy a mini version of your essentials I think I'll steal this idea for my own place: their own designated space within your own. Your coffee table doesn't become their scribble desk, but a side table pushed up against it does. This way, you get to leave your table styled how you like it, while they get to unleash their creative side in your line of sight. And it doesn't look odd at all!

You can see more of this cool place right here

finally! stylish toy storage

2008-11-25T09:37:00.005+11:00

It's stylish but not quite as cheap as Kmart: DwellStudio Toy Storage Cube in Gio Aqua, $134.95 each, from Bebe

It's hard finding storage that is easy on the eyes and big enough to hold all the toys and... STUFF! that kids usually prefer all over the living room floor. Enter, DwellStudio, of course! Known for their gorgeous range of kids linen and soft toys, they've also branched out into storage (and rugs, too!). Made from heavy-duty canvas, they're a good size too as you can see in the pic with the boy and will make the pile of Lego and Barbie dolls look surprisingly chic in the corner of your lounge room! You can get them from Bebe.

The choc spots would fit right in to most people's decor scheme

An idea of the size

happy birthday zak!

2008-11-17T21:58:00.008+11:00

My birth day! November 16, 2006

To celebrate Zakky's second birthday yesterday (a few party pics here), I thought I'd share some of those baby book memories you start out doing religiously, then kind of neglect and don't even bother with for the next child (poor second and subsequent children!).

First proper smile: 2 weeks
First laugh: 4 weeks
First roll over: three months

First time sitting up: six months
First crawl: eight months
First steps unattended: 12 months

First word: Dada
First word that wasn't a parent: Shoes
Most recent word: Castle (he got a jumping castle for his birthday)
Favourite toy: Monkey, or "Ooh Ah"
Favourite book: At the moment, "Busy Dumpers"
Favourite song: Alphabet song
Favourite show: Right this minute "Trains" (Thomas the Tank Engine)
I love to... kick a ball, bowl a ball, catch a ball, hit a ball with a golf club, cricket bat, tennis racket and ocassionally the gardening fork. Basically do anything with a ball.

I know... my whole alphabet, numbers up to 30, all my colours, most shapes, animals and modes of transport, most sports, all my family and extended family member's names and who goes with who (ie, partners and children) and a few German words.

I really like... doing puzzles, reading my books, drawing 0s and 1s, being challenged and feeding the ducks at the waterfront.
At the moment I'm completely obsessed with... dump trucks and trains.

I'm really good at... giving spontaneous cuddles and kisses and remembering my manners

I don't like... bathtime (at the moment)

I love to laugh at... my little sister Layla

my swan princess

2008-11-14T11:11:00.004+11:00

Organic Swan Onesie, $US18 by Green Thread Shop

There seem to be a few select nicknames that babies get: bubs, monkey, princess. I'm afraid I'm not very original: Zak is monkey because he's so cheeky and cute. It's also his most fave toy ever, but for all the love, he refuses to call it monkey: he calls it "Ooh Ahh". And so far, Layla is Angel or Princess because, well, they seem so girlie. I was calling her Princess Layla and was a little horrified when it dawned on me we'd named her after a Star Wars character. But when I mentioned this to my Star Wars guru of a husband Steve, he assured me it's actually Princess Leia. Close, though.

Steve is of the opinion that because Zak's nickname is also his fave toy, Layla needs a two-in-one too. So Swan Princess she has become. He thought a swan was fitting for a little girl - white (which she SO is), graceful and beautiful. And if she inherits my long neck, all the more fitting! So far, not much luck in the swan toy department, but I did find this cute little organic onesie with a swan on it which I'm going to get her for Chrissy. But in a week or so because I discovered the seller is coming to Australia and will be shipping from here the week of Nov 22 which will mean it's cheaper! I'm a thrifty girl at heart...

Now I know I'm not the most original, but there must be some good nick names out there - so share away! And don't forget the story behind it!
Bx

PS: My monkey's 2nd birthday party is on Sunday. I decided on a bit of a "ball" theme (well, "round" theme) because he's completely obsessed with balls. I'll share pics on Monday.

supermum

2008-11-11T11:07:00.003+11:00

There are moments when I consider myself supermum. Like when I'm carrying two kids, a bag of groceries, talking on the phone and opening the front door. All at the same time. I also often ask the powers that be for an extra arm when I'm really all out of them. So when I saw this video of this woman who has NO arms - and is a mother to a young baby - I promptly handed my supermum badge over to her. I cannot imagine how she does it. But I'm truly impressed - proof that once again, you can do just about anything if you're determined.

did you know...?

2008-11-10T12:33:00.004+11:00

FREE! Download and print out these cute flash cards to teach your child the alphabet. Get it here (you'll need to sign up to see them - it's free)

... that the Huggies website has free downloadable alphabet cards? And playdough recipes? And craft ideas? And great games and things to do with your kids? I didn't. I found this out on the back of a Huggies box (hey, at the moment, when they're on special, my stingy side wins out over the green side). So I checked out the site, signed up and yep! There they are - here. It's not bad actually - if you're ever stuck on a rainy day, head there for some ideas if you just can't bare to read Thomas the Tank Engine for the 425th time.

And a few more. You also have the option of printing them out in black and white so the kids can colour them in - clever thinking by those Huggies people

awesome apple party!

2008-11-06T19:10:00.004+11:00

How pretty is the green pattern? All images via Swanky Tables

While looking through blogland for inspiration for Zak's second birthday, I came across this: a very cool apple themed party put on by none other than Nathalie from Imprintables - an Australian range of gorgeous invitations, stationery and party goods. I'm guessing it was for her son, but how great is it all? Very flash - it's so good, it looks magazine-styled. I have yet to decide what I'll do for Zakky's party - if anything at all as it's only immediate family with a whole three kids on top of my own - but I'm pretty sure it won't look as good as this! heh

Heaven!

Considering his invitations were these little colouring-in cards with his handiwork on it, I thought maybe a "colouring" party: we could do the big Ikea roll of paper over a table, crayons and pencils at the ready and maybe even a little cardboard cubby as I wrote about below. Can you believe the day after I wote that post, I saw another cardboard cubby in the new Inside Out. I loved what they did with it: covered it in wallpaper. This one is cheaper and rather stylish I must say. Then I think to just do away with the whole theme thing because the kids are just going to want to play with everything else other than what you set out. It's always the way! Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

Yummy toffee apples!

So have you had a themed party for your kids? Or attended one? What did you do?

this ought to keep them busy!

2008-11-04T12:10:00.006+11:00

Colouring-in fun! From Elleinterior.se

How cute is this? Perfect for a rainy day! For something similar here, try The Boxman - there are cool cardboard rockets, cubbies, puppet theatre and castle boxes the kids can colour unleash their artistic flair on and their imagination in.

Cardboard cubbies, from $37.50, The Boxman

Another one is this cute white one from Jac's Store. Love the little windows!!

Kids on Roof Cubby House, $69.95, Jac's Store

Gorgeous nursery

2008-10-31T22:40:00.003+11:00

Can't you just picture your angel sleeping on this rug? Pic: source forgotten (sorry!)

I could move into this room - if it wasn't for the cot, it could be a space for any age. I love, love the tables, and the dresser is rather similar to my own. Cute way to use Chinese lanterns - and they're dirt cheap, too - and I can't remember the last time I saw a wallpapered border. It actually looks good here!

kids do the funniest things

2008-10-28T20:41:00.005+11:00

How cute is this? That's talent!

My son is the funniest person I know. Every day I'm in stitches at something he says or does, whether it's his commentary while on the job - "biiiiig poo mummy" - or him blaming me for Layla's incredibly loud and incredibly smelly pop-offs, or the way he says "of course" instead of yes in answer to a question. I'm sure most of it is just adorable to my husband and I, being his parents and all, but this I had to share...

One of Zak's first words was "cheers" ("shoes" was his first word after mum and dad!) and he took to clinking his milk against my glass immediately after learning this word. And wouldn't rest until everyone in the room was "cheersed". Then he'd toast his toast, his ice blocks, his bananas and rice cakes - pretty much anything that went into his mouth. So ocassionally little cars too. But the other day, while Layla was having a feed, he says "cheers Layla" and clinked... my BOOB! hehe Well, I guess it IS her drink, and it's sweet that he wanted to include her!

So what's your child do that has you rolling around the floor laughing? I'd love to hear. Bx

funky boy's room

2008-10-24T09:13:00.003+11:00

cool colour combo. Pic via Keltainen Talor Annalla (A Yellow House by the Sea)

It can be tough finding pics of cool boy's rooms - it seems stylists take the easy way out when it comes to creating kids rooms and go girlie. But not this one - whether this is a real home or a styled shot, it's very cool and unique.

love this nursery

2008-10-23T07:00:00.000+11:00

Is this the cutest pic? I think it might be. Images from What We Do

A little quirky, a little bright, a little adorable. Love the mix of patterned silhouettes on the wall. Beautiful. Want to see the rest of the house? Go here

Oh look, an ACTUAL chalkboard for once! Nice to see

black and white kids room

2008-10-22T10:57:00.002+11:00

Pic from Taverne Agency

How could you go wrong with classic black and white? It's one colour combo you could never outgrow or be too manly/girlie for. Nice to see it in a kid's room ocassionally.

tiny blog hiatus

2008-10-21T15:30:00.004+11:00

So simple: a random collection of old chairs in complementary colours is a cute feature for a child's room, playroom or even living space -can't you just see a bunch of little three-year-olds chattering away with platic teacups in hand? A pretty decal finishes it off. Too cute. Image from Cox & Cox

Just a quick note to say my posts will be minimal for the next week or so. I've just started back at work after four months of maternity leave and am quickly running out of time to get the Real Living website all set to go live on November 3 (it's a special Christmas issue). And just in case it was way too easy adjusting to working life from home with two small babies, I also took on a rather large freelance job due at the same time (I like a challenge!!). I do work best under pressure, but I've got a lot going on here so I'll just be posting pretty pics on both blogs for a while, starting with this cute one of chairs. And trying really, really hard to not search google, etsy or all your fabulous blogs and websites for anything other than work-related! But keep tuning in, please, and I'll be back properly soon. xxx

welcome to... baby boy mansour's room!

2008-10-17T19:38:00.009+11:00

Oh have you ever seen a more glamourous nursing chair? This ebay score was repainted by Viv and is the best accessory to the Catherine Martin for Porter's Paints circus wallpaper. The paper pom pom is a reminder of her baby party which was held last week.

What a lucky little guy (unless of course, the ultrasound is wrong and a little girl pops out; it's happened!). Due in just a few weeks, he'll have this gorgeous room to greet him. His mum, Vivian, has been a busy bee wallpapering, painting and decorating - as heavily pregnant women do so well - and has graciously shared her work with us all. I spy lots of pretty things here. I think I'm in love with the light and I love that it's so beautifully bright, but subtly with a two-tone palette of red and white. All up, it's a perfect modern nursery for a modern little boy. And, if the ultrasound does turns out to be wrong, it's also perfect for a modern little girl. A true gender-neutral room!

Who sleeps here? Our baby boy is due November 1 and he'll be sleeping here. Can't wait for him to arrive!
What was your initial inspiration for the room? I knew I didn't want it to be a typical boys room - all blue. I fell in love with the red toadstool artwork bought from Etsy and it all flowed from there from the red wallpaper, elephant design on the cot sheets, toys and chair. The colour is scattered around the room.

The beautiful Cariboo basinette will come in handy. Not everyone loves basinettes/cradles, but I couldn't live without mine. They're smaller so the baby feels more cocooned (think of their living quarters before they're born!), they usually rock (also reminder of The Womb) and they're small enough to keep by your bed for night feeds and comfort (for you and the baby). And when you have two little ones close together (like moi!) there is no need to buy another cot - the older child can go into a bed just before the new bub outgrows their cradle.

How did you build on this inspiration? The rest of the house is light and neutral and didn't want this room to be too far different. We started by removing the heavy curtains and painted the walls of the room the same colour as used in the rest of the house. The built-in wardrobe was black and too depressing for the small space so we painted it white. The original light fitting came with the house and was awful. We replaced it with a white pendant light bought from Freedom. It looks wonderful when it's turned on - the walls sparkle! We also added a neutral rug from Ikea. So we had a simple, clean palette to build onto from there. I knew I wanted to add a bold impact in some way so the room wouldn't look too clinical. The bright circus wallpaper from Catherine Martin's range at Porters Paints is perfect for the space. And the other walls didn't have to be re-painted - the paper matched perfectly.
What's your fave piece in the room? Probably the wallpaper. It's not the first thing you see when you walk into the room but I like that it is an unexpected surprise when you turn around. I love the artwork from Etsy also. The toadstool print is by Etsy seller Ickleson and the "Too hard, too soft, just right" print is by Etsy seller Sarah Jane Studios.

The toadstool print that started the red and white theme, from Etsy seller
Ickleson

Best bargain? The toy elephant which my husband and I picked up from the markets for $5. It was the first baby purchase we made. Also, we had seen similar sleigh cots in store for upwards of $1000. We ended up paying $300 for a brand new cot made by a Melbourne furniture maker selling on eBay.
Biggest splurge? The wallpaper. The paper itself wasn't too expensive but we paid for a person to hang it professionally. I didn't trust myself to line it up correctly.

Did you know you can get a sleigh cot for just $300? Viv found one via an ebay furniture seller - a super-find!

Any handmade touches you did yourself? The antique loveseat, won on eBay, was in great condition and originally had a varnished brown mahogany frame. I felt the frame was too dark for the room so I took to it with white glossy paint. I'm so happy with the results.
How would one get this look? Avoid anything too "cutesy" that screams baby room and incorporate classic pieces which can grow with the child. The change table on top of the dresser from Snooze is removable so we can reuse the dresser afterwards. The loveseat is also a classic design which might not always live in this space but can be used in other rooms. Also add impact is some way for example, paper a wall or all walls. There are some fantastic wallpaper designs on the market. It's hard to choose between them.

The cheeky monkey (grab one from Baby's Got Style) is boss of the elephants! The cot sheet set is Nest Nursery Albi the Elephant, available from Cradle Rock. Sweeeeet

Nursery buy you can't live without? The dresser has been handy for storing all of the cute baby clothes we've bought and received as gifts. I'm trying to be organised and have the clothes sorted in order of size. We'll see how long that lasts though!
What's next for this space? This room will remain a bedroom. When the little one grows up we'll remove the change table from the dresser and replace the cot with a single bed.

Congrats, Viv, on a beautiful job. And thank you for sharing. If you want more, Vivian has been documenting her nursery makeover on her blog Ish & Chi and has such amazingly good taste, I can't help but wonder what the rest of her house is like. I feel a renovate + decorate house tour coming on... Wishing you all the best for a happy and safe delivery. We'll have to have you back for a birth story!

nursery inspiration: heavenly neutrals

2008-10-16T20:54:00.003+11:00

Am in love... VT Wonen do it again

I have a great nursery tour to show you tomorrow (am too insanely busy to post it tonight), so until then let's just take in the prettiness of this nursery, shall we? Love the wallpaper, the Eames rocker (try Matt Blatt), the Flokati (Ikea have a similar one), the cuckoo clock (get one at Cleverdicks), the wicker toy storage basket, the cushion - oh my GOD the cushion - even more stunning than these ones! Oh hell, I love it all. I wish Layla was going into her own room cause I'd totally rip this off.

EDIT: Just discovered via Vivien's blog (see her tour, above) that Hart & Heim don't stock the clocks anymore, but she was a supersleuth and found someone who does: Cleverdicks. I jumped on to have a look and ended up finally buying one myself. Oops. Have wanted one for some time, though - reminds me of the real one we had as kids from Germany. Only this one is much more stylish!

wanna be in cosmo pregnancy?

2008-10-14T21:39:00.005+11:00

Cosmo pregnancy's latest issue - out now

Of course you do! Well, the mag is looking for mums, dads and bubbies to feature on some of their pages. Do you have an absolute fave baby product of all time you can't stop raving about? Does your mini me have a can't-bear-to-be-apart-from toy? Then let other mums know all about it. Simply email your name, age, child's name, child's age, fave product and/or toy and why to Eleanor on EPendleton@acpmagazines.com.au. And don't forget to include a pic of you and bub in case they want to use. And by doing so, you'll sit side-by-side with other fabulous mums such as myself - ha! - who coincidentally is also featured in this issue (above) babbling on and on about Layla's awesome birth. Be quick - they'll be on deadline soon; it's for the November issue.

PS: Don't you think the model on the cover looks a lot like Jennifer Ramos from Made By Girl??? It's like a sneak peek at what she'd look like pregnant: all glam, gorgeous and glowy as she is not pregnant!

best of... organic clothing

2008-10-13T21:19:00.006+11:00

My absolute fave organic label is Purebaby. Layla has the print on the right in a little top. Too cute.

So we hear time and time again how good organic cotton is for the environment and better for babies skin, but why? I'm going to cheat here and let gorgeous New Zealand company Nature Baby explain it for me: "Organic cotton is grown and processed without the use of harmful chemical fertilisers and pesticides and has no finishing chemicals on it such as bleaches and fire-retardants which contain dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde. (Natural fibres are naturally fire resistant). Conventionally grown cotton is one of the most environmentally destructive crops grown in the world today, requiring huge amounts of pesticides." In fact, according to another fave label Gaia, of all the insecticides used globally, the amount used on cotton is 25%. Which is a LOT of chemicals we're wearing night and day. And when you think of how sensitive a newborn baby's skin can be, it's scary to think of what it's absorbing. So aside from all the good that can come of organic clothing for bubs, here are some other things I've discovered...
1. It's often beautifully designed - even plain leggings or onesies have some pretty detail like ruffles or ruching. Or cool environmental slogans.
2. It's not that much more expensive than normal cotton clothes (if you take away the bargain stores like Best & Less where you can pick up a suit for $3. But also have it last only a couple of washes...
3. It's super, super soft.
4. You can get it pretty much anywhere these days for bubs: Toys R Us, JK Kids, Kmart, Target and Big W all have their own lines. And each of the above points are also relevant for these lines too. In fact, Target have a four-piece set for just $25.99.
5. It's more difficult to find sizes for toddlers and older children. Most lines stop at 0 or 1. I'm guessing this is because designers feel the need to protect delicate babies skin more than older kids (or it's cheaper and cuter cause they're so small!), but I often get frustrated that the cutest things are not available in Zak's sizing (he's turning two next month). However, I have found some brands cater for the big kids such as Gaia, American Apparel and Nature Baby.

Nature Baby have a massive range of cotton and merino wool and in a bigger range of sizes (often up to 4). I particularly love these T-shirts, $30 each...

and their sweet stripey singlet suits, $17.50 each

Purebaby have the bestest everything. Love this pretty romper with Carriesque corsage, $44.95...

...and leafy tee, $22

The prettiest coloured clothes are by Gaia like this shirt, $34.95...

...and these leggings, $34.95

Baybeecino has a huge organic range. This kimono style suit, $34.95, means super-easy dressing.

Ecoboo have great basics in gelato colours like these cute shorts, $12.95, from Charlipopkids

Now if Cotton On Kids and Bonds just added organic lines, I'd be set. So, any other faves out there? Please, share!

Going green(ish)

2008-10-09T20:29:00.011+11:00

Trying to get a greener footprint... Pic from Treehugger

I never thought I'd be the type of person who'd care about where her products came from, how they were made or what ingredients they include. But all of sudden, I do. As bad as it sounds, it wasn't the environment that bought this on. The completely superficial side of my newfound green love was the fact that every item of clothing I'd lust over for my babies was organic. Pretty much every organic range I've seen has a subtle palette, the prettiest prints, cool slogans and exquisite style. Obsessed with Purebaby, I read up about them and actually let the environmental awareness side of it all sink into my brain instead of just bypassing as I usually do when I'm not 100% interested in something.

The main clincher, though, was Zak. From day one poor Zakky was slapped with the sensitive skin stamp and we spent a lot of time trialing product after product to find the right ones for him and his eczmea. And still he itches and scratches like a crazy dog when it flares up, which at the moment, is often. He's awaiting allergy tests, but until he gets this done (it can take months to get in), what to do? I'm desperate to know what's causing his itch: is it something he's eating? Something he's wearing? The weather? Something in the air? WHY are there so many damn allergies and conditions with the newer generations? Things just aren't the same, are they? We have BPA in our plastic bottles, formaldehyde in our clothes, pesticides and tar in our food...

If that's not enough to worry about, it now appears I have the peanut allergy to contend with too. This was one allergy I didn't get - I'd never heard of it up until a few years ago so didn't really believe it was as bad as it's turned out to be. But then Zak ate a peanut butter sandwich and broke out in hives. Antihistamines fixed him up, but another slip-up involving him touching a peanut butter sandwich resulted in the same. Again, fixed. Then a few weeks ago, I had to call an ambulance when an innocent-looking rash resulted in his eyes closing up, face swelling and throat closing. We were at a new-baby group at the clinic when I first noticed the rash. The mother of the little boy he was playing with swears he didn't have peanut butter that day. So what was it? Is his allergy to it so bad he can break out via secondary touch (which is terrifying as the reactions can get worse with each exposure, and seem to be in Zak's case even though the actual exposure is less) Or was it the new jumper he was wearing that I hadn't washed yet?

The latest incident has made me a bit more cautious. Until it's determined exactly what his allergies are, I'm all for trying to live a little greener in the hope that may prevent some reactions. So if it means being stricter on the foods I buy and prepare, the fabrics I buy and the products I use, then so be it. I'm certainly not going to change my entire way of living in one step - and I know I won't stop buying things I love just because it's not organic or environmentally aware, but I will think a little more with the day-to-day.

Happily, this is a relatively easy thing these days: we've come a long way from when you were deemed a hippy if you even said the word "environment" or knew what organic meant. There are plenty of greener options and they're almost surprisingly prettier, softer and sometimes cheaper than their more common cousins. I thought I'd share a few bits and pieces with you in coming posts, starting today with my current faves and latest purchases. Because it's really quite easy being green when there are baby and environmentally-safe products as great as these ones...

My fave label: Purebaby muslin wrap, $16.95, Purebaby

Layla practically lives in this label, but this suit I bought as a baby-shower gift for my friend Nadine, who is due in a few weeks. The perfect gender-neutral: greys and blues for boys, birdies and lemon for girls! Side Open Grow Suit, $29.95, Purebaby

Could these be any cuter? Gaia botties, $19.95, Organic Babe

My fave nappies and wipes, Nature Babycare. Yes, they nappies are disposable, but a much better kind made partly from maize. From supermarkets

No BPA, PVC or Phthalate, but heaps of style! Zak's flash new drink bottle. Boon fluid no-spill toddler cup, $14.95, from Minieco

I also bought this fitted sheet yesterday: even prettier than Dwell, but made with organic cotton. Q Collection Junior Fitted Cot Sheet in Galileo, $49.95, from Minieco

bestest teeny tiny summer hat for teeny tiny babies

2008-10-07T12:35:00.005+11:00

Toshi's Red Stripe Sun Flap Hat, $19.95, Baby's Got Style

When my son was born, my sister sent me the cutest little outfit from London where she was living at the time. It was a onesie, socks and a hat. The little suit didn't get much wear thanks to the rapid rate at which babies grow, but the hat? It was summer so it was on all the time. I've never had so many "where did you get that?" questions from other mums! Unbeknownst to me at the time, hats with back flaps for newborns are really hard to find. There are plenty of brim hats, but they don't stay on and are always too big. Apparently, clothing designers feel that newborns don't see much sunlight in their first few months. But this is Australia, and we love our outdoors, so a hat is a must.
I was ready to dig out Zak's blue one for Layla and just handle the "boy" comments, but then I found the perfect one by Toshi. I got it in Canberra a few months ago and she's worn it pretty much every sunny day since. It's got the brim and the back flap, but it's even cleverer with a tie for around the neck so it won't slip off AND an adjustable tie at the back so you can ensure it fits around baby's head perfectly too. Plus, it's reversible so on the very odd chance your child dirties it in any way (!) you can just turn it over. Gold! I also have a vague recollection that the label said it's made from organic cotton, which at the moment is my big nerdy must, but more on that next time...
Toshi's website isn't quite up and running yet, but you can grab one from Baby's Got Style here. I'd never heard of the label before, but I've since seen them at the Reed Gift Fair and noticed they just sell hats. And beautiful ones at that. Must be a clever Australian mum behind the label who had the same trouble as all those other mums I met! The ones with little ears are cute too! If you know of any others, don't keep it a secret - share! x

everyone's talking about... paid maternity leave

2008-10-01T20:04:00.006+10:00

Wasn't sure what to illustrate this one with, so went with a recent one of my babies!

I'm a bit late on this one, but it's because I'm a bit confused as to what I feel about it as I can see both sides of the complainers: it's not enough and it's too much. I really am thrilled it's on the table, because of course it's needed! But aren't we already receiving some sort of maternity leave pay? The $5000 baby bonus spreads out to a little under 10 weeks of minimum wage - which is what mother's will be getting under the paid parental leave scheme. And if you play it smart and save up your holidays as soon as you find out you're pregnant, that could be several weeks pay - plus leave loading - on top of the baby bonus, which, by the way, is tax free. Also on the "it's too much side" is poor old small busineses. I don't have a small business, but my parents do - a childcare centre. When various parental leave models were being thrown around recently, I could imagine their horror at the thought of having to pay their staff maternity leave on top of the holiday pay they'd probably want (as I mentioned above) as well as replacement staffers they'd have to employ. Under the latest proposed scheme, they're spared the paternity payment, but still have to contribute to superannuation. Which means - guess what! - childcare fees are going to have to go up yet again to cover this extra cost. And this is just one industry. Many other small businesses are not going to be able to afford this - especially as they'll be required to pay the maternity leave upfront, and then be reimbursed by the goverment.

On the "it's not enough" side... as my father would say: if you're going to do something, do it properly. Why can't the goverment just fork out an employee's wage and super at their regular rate for a certain amount of weeks? Is it REALLY going to dent the ecomony that much? It's estimated the proposed scheme will cost the government around $540 million annually. Yes, that's a whole heap of money. And yes it'd cost even more if they paid employee's full wages. But it seems nothing when you consider our country returned a budget surplus of $27.1 billion this last financial year.

And for those saying we shouldn't have a paid maternity leave scheme because "we didn't have it back in our day", that may be true, but there must have been a time when retirees weren't paid a pension. And birthing mums didn't have access to drugs. And women couldn't vote. It's called progress! And I'm sure it they'd never have knocked it back.

So there are some conflicting thoughts there... What do you think about it all? Too much? Too little? Just right? It's quite the controversial subject online I've noticed. The thing is, there is no chance of pleasing everyone: regardless of how much or little is offered, there will be people who plod along happily, and there will be people who struggle. Just as they do now.

let's start a mummy-card trend!

2008-10-01T18:25:00.005+10:00

Aren't they beautiful? A huge thanks to Alischa at Bespoke Press for my cards. You can see the process behind them here at her blog. Image from Bespoke Press

You might recall me wondering whether people would think mother's daft by handing out "mummy cards" a while back. Well, after that post, several companies approached me for a trial run to see how they went. A big thank you to them all, but I went with Bespoke Press - a new Queensland letterpress company that designs and makes beautiful couture stationery. Bespoke Press owner and blogger Alischa had been following the trend closely in the States and was looking to include mummy cards in her range. I was the guinea pig!!

The strange thing was, I'd never really found myself in a situation before where I'd need these, but would you believe while Alischa was busy designing, pressing and inking my beautiful cards, there were two ocassions that I found myself wishing I had them in my wallet! I'd met a lovely woman in a park with three little boys who Zak had taken a shining to (or really their ball, but I'm sure he had fun playing with them too!) and whom I wouldn't have minded getting to know better (cause, really, it's a weird thing making random friends after a certain age, isn't it? You can't just walk up to them and say "love your shoes! want to be my friend?" after, say, age five).

And then a few weeks later at mother's group in the playground we were chatting to a woman wh0'd just moved up here with her young family and didn't know anyone. Her son is the same age as ours, so we invited her to join our group - such the exclusive club it is: invitation-only! Ha! Turns out though I was able to hand my card over the next time we met up and she's already put it to good use. And today I gave one to my plasterer instead of just writing down my phone number. So it's not just for other mums, because he was most certainly not a mum.

I've also given them to my friends and family cause in this day and age, if we don't have our mobiles on us or our computers at our fingertips, we're at a loss to recite a phone number or email address, right? I barely remember my own, let alone everyone elses.

So, I've got off the fence and have chosen the "great idea" side. They're also a great talking point - even if the person receiving them secretly thinks you're all weird and self-important, you bet they'll make a comment about it along the lines of "what a great idea!"

And plus, what better way to score a celebrity-baby playdate. Can't you just see Sarah Murdoch and Naomi Watts exchanging mummy cards at the beach? Just slip yours in too and you're so there!

Want some for yourself? Have a chat to Alischa at Bespoke Press - can't thank her enough for my cards; love them. Also try the fun and funky designs at Mummy Cards - they also do cards for kids (how cute!), photo cards and the director, Alison, said they're also popular for highlighting specific needs or allergies for schools and/or friend's families.

so sorry...

2008-09-22T21:47:00.003+10:00

I'm still around, but have been very neglectful of poor old Mini Meez. And more so this week I'm afraid as having some work done at home and not sure how the phone line/modem situation will go. Promise to be back in next few days!!
x

great kids rooms

2008-09-16T09:15:00.007+10:00

I love this! Perfect for (cow)boys or (cow)girls! From Taverne Agency

A little round up of cool kids rooms for all ages and sexes. Enjoy!

Quirky and cool. The painted wall silhouette is a brilliant idea. Up the cleverness again and make it chalkboard paint to keep them visually and creatively stimulated. From VT Wonen

Trees in nurseries are not new, but this is particularly beautiful. Paint on the trunk and branches then cut out a gazillion tissue-paper flowers and stick on for the see-through effect. For my next baby (!) I think I want one of these Leander hanging cradles. Pic from VT Wonen

A chandelier and mozzie net make for a romanticly girlie room. I know we're not meant to place canopies or mobiles above a baby's sleeping space but I think as long as it's so secure there is no chance of it falling and they're small enough that they won't be able to reach up and pull on it or get wrapped up in it, I don't see the problem. I think maybe we're too careful these days... From Taverne Agency
The nerd in me loves the learning aspect of a wall map; the decorator-obsessed in me loves the look of it. A win-win! From Taverne Agency.
A daybed gives tweens a hang-out spot of their own during the day and princess bed at night. From Taverne Agency

If you're going to invest in a wall of custom-made beds, might as well include extras for all those sleepovers! The inbuilt storage in each bunk is a good idea - allows the kids to give their own space their own personality. No idea where this picture came from. If you know, please let me know!

2008-09-12T20:59:00.004+10:00

Little projects to style up the little person in your life - and all their paraphernalia

Everyone's fabric print & pattern queen has recently released another book: this time focusing on prettying up the nursery, wardrobe and life of your own mini me. Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones has some beautiful ideas - playmats, nappy bags and hangers, toys, even nappy-change mats all get the Amy touch, meaning they'll not only look fantastic, they'll have the added bonus of being handmade and therefore one of a kind. Here is a taste of what's inside.

Look! A playmat with no Wiggles, Bob the Builder or any ridiculously creepy character from In The Night Garden in sight!

A nappy bag non-mums would want

So-cute kiddie clothes

A cheeky monkey bag for cheeky monkeys: great for storing toys, nappies, laundry... All pics above from Amy Butler

A few pretty projects. Pic from Amazon

You can buy the book online at Amazon if your local bookstore doesn't have it. Have a good weekend x

birth story: sarah and summer + tips for first-timers

2008-09-09T10:10:00.006+10:00

Sarah and her Summer (who was born in Winter!)

No scary stuff in this one (except for poor Sarah's heart-stopping few minutes after the birth. Read on for more)

"My first baby was due on the 4th of June. I think I had a lot of wishful thinking throughout my pregnancy that I would go into labour early, but six days after that date I was still waiting! I had done some sessions with a friend's mum on Lamaze-style breathing and birthing (she's had five children and is an expert!) and was also lucky enough to get some material from another friend on hypnobirthing, including some excellent reading and a great CD. I found the hypnobirthing mentality and approach to birth very helpful in relaxing me in the build up to the birth, and it helped to rearrange my thinking in terms of pain during labour and the journey of childbirth.
I had a really relaxed day with my husband Paul on the Saturday, we went shopping and it was a lovely day really! I had had a lot of very strong Braxton-Hicks contractions all throughout my pregnancy and in the last month some very strong sharp pains whenever the baby was pushing on my cervix so I had this instinct that my cervix was quite 'ripe' as they call it. However a doctors appointment two days earlier said I still wasn't that ready so I wasn't expecting anything.
After getting up from a late afternoon snooze, I was delighted to feel my waters break around 6pm. No labour started so the hospital said to have some dinner and then come in for a check up. The waters just kept on breaking, it was quite full on actually and I made quite a mess at the hospital while they monitored me for a couple of hours. So around 9pm they sent me home with some antibiotics and an apointment for a 6.30am induction. I was disappointed that I was going to be induced but just glad something was happening!
Almost as soon as we got in the car to go home I felt the Braxton-Hicks get stronger but still didn't think anything of it. We went home and I got in the shower (the waters were still breaking and I just felt so icky!) and called my Mum and best friends and told them what was going on. My best friend who had had a baby girl just two months earlier thought something was up when I had to stop talking to deal with my 'braxton hicks', as well as my Mum who started to time them when we were on the phone and I realised they were probably about five minutes apart.
I watched a DVD on my laptop in bed for a while and then called Paul to start timing these contractions. They were about three to four minutes apart and quite intense but I was using my very long hypnobreathing and was coping OK.
All I had heard during my pregnancy was stories of women who kept thinking they were in labour when they weren't so I still didn't want to believe I was anywhere near labour, just in case! But we called the hospital and after I got quite short with the midwife on the phone, they told us we had better come in. I was quite happy about this as I didn't think I could cope that well in the car (my husband had lowered our car and the suspension was terrible!) for much longer with the intensity of the contractions!
One red light later and lots of green ones and we were at the hospital again (third time that day). I was casually shown into our birthing suite, told by the midwife I was 5 cm dilated and probably in 'some form of labour' and should expect to have a baby by the next day. It was about 12.50am. I thought to myself, my goodness, I have to keep doing this til the morning and I still may not be in labour? I was struggling a little to cope with the contractions now and just lay down on my side, closed my eyes and kept breathing through them. I tried some gas but that didn't do anything and I was very happy at least that with each new contraction (a minute or so apart by now) the intensity and pain was stepping up, at least I was progressing!
I then felt the need to go to the toilet and I found the contractions so much easier to deal with sitting up. Then, all of a sudden, the pain didn't go away after the last contraction, it just kept on keeping on! I started to get very distressed and was asking the midwife what the hell was going on! She then had a bit of a peek with a torch and told me she could see the baby's head (!) and I was not allowed to stay on the toilet! I was very upset about this and started to want to give up (I think I asked for pethidine) but was ignored and moved promptly to the bed while the doctor and midwives (and Paul, who ran to the car to get the baby's clothes) hastily got gloves and lots of other things ready. I was obviously in transition. The pain was incredible! I just remember saying, 'I need to go to the toilet but I can't!' and 'I don't want to do this anymore!' Obviously the baby was ready to go and the pressure was very intense.
So I started pushing and the pain went away really (until the head was crowning, nobody told me about that!). I started to get a bit narky during the crowning part, demanding the midwife tell me exactly how many pushes I needed to get the head out (which of course was a guarantee she could not make!) and I think I really crushed Paul's hand. I just remember him feeding me iced water, incredibly thirsty work that it was. It was all a bit of a blur and I think I pushed for about five contractions and before I knew it my darling had slithered out (the cord was around the neck so they took care of that before the rest of the body came out). They put her straight on me but it was quickly evident she wasn't breathing so they whisked her away for a couple of scary minutes (when I heard them say 'Her') and things were a bit grim there, they started to call the pediatrican before I heard a little cry and we all breathed a sigh of relief! The next thing I knew I had my daughter in my arms, all squinty and scrunched up and perfect and I knew it was the best moment of my life and the bravest and most fantastic thing I had ever done. I couldn't believe it was finally over and we had a little girl!
As you can see by the pic, the look of disbelief says it all, it all happened so quickly! I am so lucky to have had a such a positive and stress-free experience, my darling Summer Shirley entered the world at 2.35am, the 10th of June 2007 about three and a half hours after I started to monitor my contractions at home in my bed! I was also so lucky that she took to breastfeeding like a duck to water and it all went very smoothly straight after the birth. It was a very relaxed time really.
I am still in awe of my body and the miracle it achieved: just half an hour later I was standing up having a shower (somewhat shakily) and then the endorphins and hormones must have kicked in because I don't think I have ever felt so wonderful in my life.
So there it is, my very positive (but still quite painful, of course) birth experience, the best thing I have ever done. Thank you for listening!"

And thank you for sharing, Sarah!
For anyone pregnant for the first time, there are two things I think any mother will tell you you're pretty much guaranteed to say during labour:
1. "I can't do this anymore!" and
2. "I need to go to the toilet"

The first one is pretty bloody obvious: you're exhausted, it's painful, new, a little scary and if you've been at it for hours, you might even be considering a DIY caesarean to "get this thing out of me" - oh, wait, maybe there are three things you'll say..!). But here's the thing: you CAN do it. Might not feel like it, but you can and basically, you have to. It can't stay in there forever. And when you do do it, you'll feel a million dollars. OK maybe not straight away, but when you think back to it, you'll be so proud. And think of the reward you get at the end.

The second for those not in the know: if you feel you need to do "number twos", you're probably ready to push. You might be trying to convince the midwife you really just need to go to the toilet, but she'll be trying to convince you to get on the bed or into a birthing position. Trust her and don't worry about the whole poop thing - s**t happens in childbirth. Literally! And noone gives a crap. Haha. Sorry about all the puns, but really, it's true!

One other thing that Sarah mentioned: you feel better on the loo. I think donut-cushiony chairs are in order for birthing suites if they are not already. Mine didn't have one, so the toilet was my throne during Zak's birth. Not the most lovely place to hang out, but contractions are more manageable while you're upright but you're still sitting down so your legs and body won't tire too quickly. Vertically is also the best way to push - gravity rules remember!

Don't forget: if you want to share your birth story, nursery or have a preg/birth/parenting question you'd love some advice on, email me at bgraham@acpmagazines.com.au. I'm not saying I have the answer for those preg/birth/parenting questions, but some blog readers might so I'm happy to ask it for you.

JK goes organic

2008-09-05T20:54:00.007+10:00

Simple, sweet, safe. The new JK Kids organic range

The latest kiddie label to jump on the organic-clothing bandwagon is JK Kids. Which is a good thing! The range is 100% free of pesticides and chemicals is good for baby's skin and the environment and is super, super soft like only organic cotton is. The newborn range is back to basics - mix and match with plain colours and simple stripes in white, blue, pink and sometimes brown. All the essentials are included - onsies, bodysuit, leggings, hats, blankies, booties and tops. And at rather reasonable prices when you compare other organic ranges.

All-in-one, $24.99

Turn-up leggings, $19.99

Envelope neck tee, $19.99

Check out the full range online or at one of their stores.

beaut baby buys

2008-08-29T20:39:00.005+10:00

Recycled paper + soy inks = eco-friendly art with a learning vibe: perfect! Animal poster, $US60, Ink + Wit

I've blogged about this before, but... I'm a bit of a nerd. I don't think I've ever bought a present for a child that didn't have some kind of educational element to it (poor children). And I think it's rubbed off: Zak is obsessed with the ABC. So much so that whenever he sees a street sign, TV show credits, magazine cover, food packaging, numberplate - you get the picture - he'll point to and yell out all the letters he knows "Aaay!" "Cee!" "Two Os" "Sssss" "Eeeee". And won't stop unless I tell him he's right. He won't go to sleep at night unless we say goodnight to his Made By Girl ABC poster as part of his goodnight room routine. And I spend a lot of my day singing the alphabet song. He's also incredibly good at making animal noises. Ask him any animal and he'll make the noise or action (oh, ok he doesn't know about elks and thinks deers are dogs, but he does know a lot). So when I saw this Ink + Wit poster, I figured I'd found his idea of heaven: a combination of animals and the ABC. Isn't it cute? Perhaps it can be part of his 2nd birthday gift arsenal... It's by talented artist and stationery designer Tara Hogan. A quick look through her site had me coveting these gorgeous letterpress invites. Zak's birthday is fast approaching - November will be here before I know it - so a party plan is not far away.

Letterpress invites, $US24 for six with envelopes, Ink+Wit

So, 'fess up time: what is your child obsessed with?
Happy weekend x

welcome to... amelia's room

2008-08-26T11:43:00.007+10:00

The welcoming committee president

Bright and cheery is the best way to describe this pretty room! And I'd say it describes little Amelia, known as Milly, too (check out her amazing adventures on her very own blog here) - she's a cutie! Her mum, Sarah, just finished her room and I asked her to share. Here's proof renters can do remarkable things with limited options!

Who sleeps here? Amelia Joan, once she moves out of Mum and Dad's bedroom in a few months. Until then, toys and the occasional visitor sleep here.
What was your initial inspiration for the room? Probably my own childhood, which was all bold colours and wooden toys. I definitely wanted to avoid anything commercial or too themed but still wanted a fun space. There is a 'nature' sub-theme happening too, seen in the garden-theme wall decals and all of the framed pictures, which contain images of birds and dragonflies. This was inspired by my slightly weird obsession with birds.

fun decals give a beige wall life and something for milly to talk to (or coo at)!

How did you build on this inspiration? The decals came first; because we rent, I had to use something on the walls that could be easily removed. At that point I planned to make green my highlight colour, but then we found the striped rug and cushions and everything just took on a life of its own. I didn't set out to have everything quite so multicoloured, but when I found the lamp and the mobile, they just worked and so I went from there. We kept the sofa covers neutral as a canvas for all the colour.

frames aren't just for photographs - go for fave cards, personalised art or anything that means something to you or your child

What's your fave piece in the room? Probably the mobile. It was such a perfect find, colour-wise, and Milly is entranced by it. I also love the practicality of the two single sofa beds, as this room also needs to be used for visitors. They can be used as a double bed when neccessary. The gorgeous patchwork comforter gets an honourable mention also!

love this idea: two single sofa beds that still create one couch but two beds (or one bigger one if they're shacked up! or just want more space!)

Best bargain? The cot - $50 on eBay. Also bought on eBay was the change table ($100) and our Bugaboo pram ($590).
Biggest splurge? The mobile - $72 from pukapuka

display fave books anywhere! a little toy can double as a bookend.

Any handmade touches you did yourself? I painted some cheap wooden frames (3 for $2 from Ikea) and framed some greeting cards I had been hoarding for years (I knew they'd be perfect for something one day!). I also made the framed letter A from scrapbooking paper.

don't waste an inch of space in small rooms - the back of the door is the perfect spot for secret storage

How would one get this look? Start with neutral walls and natural furniture and then go to town with layers of multicolour! The more colour the better, but keep it bold. Don't be afraid of mixing patterns either.

princess milly's bed chambers (and royal servants)

Nursery buy you can't live without? Cloth nappies for the change table. We bought a pack of brightly coloured ones from Big W and they don't show up stains like white change table covers. If one gets dirty, you can just whip it off and replace with another.

the perfect baby occupier: a whimsical mobile

What's next for this space? For this space, I forsee a return to a boring beige existence! We hope to buy our own house within a year, so I hope that the next space I decorate for Milly will be ours to really let loose in.

Thanks Sarah and Milly for the tour! If you have a great kids room or nursery you think others would be inspired by, I want to know about it! Please! Email at bgraham@acpmagazines.com.au

eye candy... playroom addition

2008-08-22T22:05:00.004+10:00

How cool is the chair? Picture via Made By Girl

I found this today on Jennifer Ramos' blog Made By Girl (which is jam-packed full of briliant inspirational pics and "want it now" artwork by Jen) and thought it another great example of a cool playroom. Chalkboards might be as common as The Wiggles merchandise, but are a great way to let kiddies explore their creative side. They're not the tidiest though - gravity ensures the chalk dust hits the floor, so be wary if you have carpet.

birth story: Ally Paolino*

2008-08-22T21:09:00.006+10:00

Ally and Dante getting to know each other

And I thought I was crazy starting a second blog just days after giving birth, Ally Paolino started hers (ACT-ing like a Mama) while in labour! What better way to savour the memory! It’s now her space to record all her baby’s major milestones (which, let’s face it, is just about everything they do!) Here, she shares how her son Dante, now 15 months, came into the world.
* Might contain graphic details (Am now sticking warning signs on any birth story that might be considered scary, ie, anything other than a painfree, half-hour birth with no stitches. So pretty much every birth story then!)

"My contractions started out rather uncomfortably, but not painful. I knew I should have tried to go back to sleep, but of course I was so excited the time had finally come that I couldn't help myself. I pottered around the lounge room trying not to wake Joe up but of course I did and he came out and kept me company for a while before heading back to bed. Nothing was going to happen straight away and one of us needed the energy!The pain started getting worse and I really felt it all in my lower back. I know I had read that this is where the pain often is located but I just wasn't expecting it to be so painful there and nowhere else! I called the hospital at around 9.30am and told them my stats - contractions for about 15-20 secs every 20 mins. I was told there was plenty of time, to go and have a bath and call them back when I couldn't speak through the contractions.Joe had gone off to work to finalise a couple of things and at about 10.30 he called me and I started crying - I just wanted him there. He came straight home to find me really struggling with the pain. I found it was so much better when he put pressure on my back during the contraction. I called the hospital at 11am and said that I was getting uncomfortable being at home. They said to come on in so off we went.
It was a busy morning in the labour suite so we were given the private hospital birthing room complete with bath - bliss! I jumped in and Joe was able to pour warm water down my back which made it a little better. I was so desperate not to sound like a groaning cow but for anyone who has been in this situation will know, you just can't help what comes out of your mouth!The midwife examined me and claimed that I was 7cm dilated (or 8 when I was contracting) and that the labour was halfway and the worst was over. I was thinking how labour wasn't all that bad (boy was I to change my mind).
I started taking some gas which made me vomit but I also could feel the benefit it was doing so kept taking more. Joe had called mum and she came to support both me and him! I felt the most effective pain relief was mum or Joe putting pressure on my back - I am sure they got RSI by the end of it!
I was really struggling now and my uterus seemed to stop contracting at 9cm - I just felt like I couldn't go on - I asked for pain relief options and was offered pethidine. “Give it to me,” I demanded (in between all the swear words!). This only helped slightly and by now I had the urge to push but they wouldn't let me. I had what was called an anterior lip which meant there was just a bit of cervix that wouldn't dilate. The Dr tried to manually do it but couldn't. By this stage I was in agony and also exhausted - I couldn‘t put any effort or focus into what I was doing, and again, asked what our options were.After another examination the Dr noticed the baby had turned in my pelvis and was incorrectly positioned - he suggested a forceps delivery (a vacuum was considered and then quashed almost immediately - I don't know why). I agreed. He then confirmed that to do this I would need to have an epidural and potentially prepare for a Caesarean - a most unlikely situation he thought. Joe was really concerned about the epidural bit and I think mum was too. All I knew was that if it was going to get my baby out sooner and safer then I wanted it. After discussing the pros and cons we agreed we would go with the forceps delivery. I breathed a sigh of relief only to find out it would take another hour or so before the theatre would be ready. I cried!
At around 8pm I was wheeled into theatre. The anesthetist struggled to find the right spot and I got about 10 local aesthetic injections all in my back trying to locate the right area - which was really scary but the effects of the drugs, and my state of mind kept everything a bit vague. I remember thinking if I could be a paralysed mum? I was shivering and trying to keep so still it really required a lot of mental focus. Luckily the local had numbed the contractions so they just felt like little constipation pain or something. About 40 minutes later the anesthetist finally says he “thinks” he knows where the spot is so will give it a go. Nothing like the sound of confidence huh? My spine started tingling (a good sign) and they were all set to go… until they got a call that a woman needed an emergency Caesar because her baby was distressed (mine wasn't) so they needed to focus on her. So I was left me waiting on the theatre table for about two hours before they all came back in. As I was drugged (and not suffering contractions or pain) the experience was quite relaxing. Poor Joe was beside himself and trying not to show this for me. I didn't realise how hard it was for him to see all of this (without the benefit of drugs!).
Back came the doctors and set up - they latched my legs into those stirrup things and… I don't know exactly what happened here - I think it may have been blood loss - but after another examination, they immediately had to go with the Caesar option and threw the forceps away. A big sheet went up and a knife went through my belly! I could feel them rummaging around. Someone described it like a handbag on your belly with someone’s hand in there rummaging through it - that is exactly what it felt like!
The good news is that at 11.47 pm on May 23, 2007, our son was born! Dante Michael came out very healthy and when I heard his little cry I was so grateful! I was still heavily sedated so not with it to fully experience the joy of hearing him. I remember they brought him up to my face straight away and I was very confused and didn't know if it was a boy or girl. Anyway - he was taken away to get cleaned up and Joe went along with them while they stitched me up. This was probably the most painful part of the operation. I just kept trying to think of my little baby. It turned out I lost a lot of blood - 2 litres in fact and this was a bit of a concern. It took 12 hours to replace the lost blood via a blood transfusion, but was so worth it. I woke up the next day a new person - I could think, talk and start to really enjoy my son!"

Thanks Ally. Also check out her other blog, Decor8 My Life where she shares all the things she loves.

eye candy: playrooms

2008-08-20T20:26:00.006+10:00

If you can't separate the sleeping and play areas, create a playful sleeping zone - love this cubby under a high bed. I had something similar as a kid - my dad built an extra high bed (like a metre from the ceiling!) and through the years the space underneath was used as a cubby, a desk area, a wardrobe and then a chill-out zone until my teenage self demanded the legs be chopped off so I could have a "normal" bed like everyone else!

When I was young, my two sisters and I shared one room and had the other as a playroom. It was awesome - when we weren't outside in our cubby house or pool or on the swings, we were in there, getting crafty or reading or playing with our toys. I really want to do the same thing for Zak and Layla, although in our limited space, they'd probably take the large room and have a sleeping corner while the rest could be a wonderland of fun and creativity. I'm already planning what I'd do - I'll do a moodboard if I ever get some time and show you - but until then, here are a few pretty playrooms to inspire.

Crisp white background lets the colourful toys and fabrics take centre stage.

I used this pic as inspiraton for Zak's chalkboard toy box, only his didn't turn out quite so lovely! Perfect double-duty storage and sitting spot.

Who doesn't love a teepee? Zak got one for his birthday last year and we often have picnics in it outside. Inside it works well as a cosy reading nook or hideaway. And how sweet is the doll's house? All picture above from Living Etc

If you don't have a room dedicated to a playspace, create one in a corner of your living room, like this homeowner has. Perfect to keep an eye on the little ones while you're, well, living! Picture by Hilary Walker

label love: cot couture

2008-08-17T22:06:00.003+10:00

Blue Damask comforter and cushion

I saw this label in the new Shop 4 Kids mag so Googled them to see if they had a site - they do. And some pretty patterns! The perfect alternative to searching high and low for cool bedding - just stick to a normal everyday plain cot sheet set and then grab one of these gorgeous comforters - and perhaps matching pillow - to pop on top for super bedroom style.

Black and yellow leaves

The little quilts are made from 100% cotton with polyester filling but are completely sewn together and come in a heap of cool prints and fab colours like black and white, hot pink, baby blue and multi. Very Dwellesque.

Vintage Scroll

If bub is under one, pop the comforter on top of the mattress instead of over them or use as a playmat on the floor or pram blankie. Another bonus: they’re reversible so if you choose two patterns, you get two blankets for the price of one, which can only be a good thing!

Modern patchwork

And the price, you ask? Quite affordable: cot-sized quilts are $135 and bassinette-sized is $90. All are handmade to order and custom-sizes are also available. Check out the range at Cot Couture

is it wrong to be thinking about christmas already?

2008-08-11T21:56:00.003+10:00

Christmas sacks, $55 each, Cocoon Couture

Cause I am. Mainly because I saw these gorgeous little Christmas sacks from Cocoon Couture. I have to get Layla a stocking of some kind anyway, so might as well splurge and get them both one of these gorgeous sacks (cause I just know a normal stocking won't be big enough for their goodies anyway!) But the one thing that I really want to get the kids for Christmas won't fit in any sized sack. I want a little climbing frame and cubby house. I'm going to get my dad to build it, only he doesn't know it yet! So what's on your wishlist for your kiddies' christmas? I never thought I'd have so much fun and satisfaction in shopping for other people!
I'm off to Canberra to visit my parents this week, so might not be around much. Have a good week!
x

cool finds for cool kids

2008-08-06T20:11:00.003+10:00

So so cute for mini chefs. It's wax coated which makes for easy cleaning (which you just KNOW you'll have to do a lot of). Elephant Apron, $39

I find it a bit of a mission to find cool linen for kids. So was quite excited to see Real Shopping is stocking the cutest two prints in a huge range of products from bath towels and cushions to bibs and aprons. And of course doona covers. The label is Nordic Designs and is apparently Sweden's top children's designer. So, having a great appreciation for Swedish design and style, you can pretty much guarantee your child cool status if you deck them - or their room - out in one of these...

Great as a library bag, nappy bag or for sleepovers. Zoo Bag, $35

Cuuute cot set includes pillow, doona cover and bonus little bag. Available in brown, pink, blue and green and also in single-bed size. Elephant Cot Doona Cover Set, $125

Cute and snuggly: Zoo Blanket Small, $63. Also comes in pink backing.

And just in case you didn't know this about Real Shopping: it's Real Living's online store stocking a range of homewares, fashion accessories and kids clothing from a huge range of designers. And the best part is: FREE DELIVERY! Gotta love that...

calendar event: jeans for genes day

2008-07-30T20:30:00.004+10:00

Swaddling for the denim lover!

Quick reminder: Friday is Jeans for Genes day so don your fave jeans and dress bub in the baby blues to support medical research into genetic diseases. Buy a badge, wrist band or dog tag or just make a donation to one of the many volunteers you'll no doubt see on the day. You can also donate money or buy merchandise such as the very cute "denimstration" T-shirts online here.

birth story: natalie walton

2008-07-30T19:58:00.006+10:00

Natalie and baby C - in two pieces at last!

It's so nice being pregnant at the same time as someone you know - you get to share stories, expectations, weird feelings, thoughts and helpful tips. When pregnant with Zak, two of my colleagues were due around the same time as was a really close friend of mine. With Layla, I knew three girls all due around the same time as me, one of them my colleague and friend Natalie Walton (who has a great blog - Daily Imprint -you must check out). When I actually went into work, Nat and I would hush hush in the corner about the weird pregnancy things and of course the delivery always seemed to come up - we'd chat about what we were planning for our respective births, which ended up being just days apart. After all our chats, I wondered how she went on the day, so annoyed her to share her story. And as you'll see, like most birth stories, in the end, all your planning and determination to do one thing or another goes out the window because really, it's doesn't matter what you want - it's all up to your baby's wants and needs.

"Your experiences in life, I'm learning, are all about expectations. And so when my labour experience when from bad to worse, I was okay with everything that came my way because I knew the most important element was that I deliver a healthy baby boy. Ultimately nothing else mattered. So what happened? What didn't happen, more like it!

I don't know if it was just wishful thinking but during the pregnancy, especially the later stages, I had a feeling that the baby was going to arrive early. Then, a day before the due date, I had a "show" - the coming away of the mucous plug that lines the cervix - and that afternoon at a GP visit the doctor informed me it was likely labour would start within the next two to three days.

Saturday I had a period-type pain all day and that night at about 9pm I had my first contraction while watching the film Bird about jazz great Charlie Parker. The contractions kept me awake pretty much the entire night and increased in intensity and frequency to the point where I decided once my husband Daniel woke and we'd had breakfast it was time to head to the hospital. However, as soon as we were getting ready to leave the contractions suddenly stopped. It was so incredibly frustrating. I didn't have one for forty-five minutes! So we decided to stay at home until they became regular again. By lunch time they were 90 seconds long and 90 seconds apart. This time we called the hospital and almost right on cue they dropped off again. The mid wife said I could come in for a check up. I said we might, but in my mind I didn't want to head to hospital too early. I'd been warned many times they would just send you back home if labour hadn't been established and I didn't want to be there any longer than I had to. Again, the contractions were at the point where I couldn't walk or talk and increasingly regular. When I returned home from the DVD store (we stocked up as figured we had a long night ahead of us) there were two messages from the hospital on my phone. They wanted me to come in for a check up.

After dinner we drove to the hospital and met a mid wife for her verdict on whether I could stay. I was given a check up and she said I was fully effaced and about 2-3cm dilated. This seemed pretty good news, especially when she said we could both stay as she expected established labour to begin soon. I was given some tablets to help me sleep and two hours later I woke with full-on established labour. The pain was intense but manageable. I had read Birth Skills by Juju Sundin and had a few strategies up my sleeve. I also had applied a TENS device - basically electronic strips that you stick to your back for drug-free pain management. You flick a switch that sends an electric pulse along your spine and sends signals to your brain which not only confuse the pain signal but release endorphins. I had worn it all day Sunday during the contractions at home.

I used visualisation strategies and verbal techniques, getting Daniel to visually walk me through our neighbourhood as I stomped my feet during the pain. Five hours later the mid wife did another check and I was only 3cm dilated. She suggested I have my waters broken as I had not slept for two nights and was physically exhausted: the baby was sitting low so I wasn't able to sit or lie down and had been on my feet for 24 hours straight. The first mid wife tried to break my waters but was unsuccessful. It isn't a pleasant procedure and it's the kind of thing you want them to get first go - luckily the second mid wife did the job.

But about fifteen minutes later I was in the most unbearable, excruciating, indescribable pain that I was howling and almost hyper ventilating. It was like my insides were being torn out of my stomach and this pain seemed non-stop for about an hour. There was little to no break in the pain. I screamed for the gas and even still, couldn't calm my breathing. Daniel then noticed that one of the wires had come out of the TENS device. Not only that - the wire was broken. He fiddled with the end and plugged it back in, suddenly I got a huge electric-type shock. It turns out the wires had been broken all along and the device hadn't been working!

After another hour or so I managed to get my breathing under control and stood in the shower with the gas. Five hours after my waters had been broken I could feel a huge pushing feeling. I yelled at Daniel to get the mid wife, sure I was going to go into the second stage of labour. I was given another examination. I had only dilated one lousy centimetre. I was shot. I had been having intense contractions for 32 hours, established labour for 10 hours and I was still only a pathetic 4cm dilated. I just wanted the baby out so asked for an epidural.

Even this was incredibly difficult. The problem was that I couldn't sit down because the baby was so low and yet I had to sit on the bed for them to administer the epidural. This was almost as painful as that first hour after my waters had been broken. But then the pain was gone and I was blissfully drowsy and able to lie down for the first time in what seemed like a week. Two hours after the drugs had been pumped into my body another check was performed. I had now dilated to 7cm. But they also noticed the baby's heart beat was dropping dramatically - from about 130 beats per minute down to 50. They did a lactic acid check and this showed the baby was in distress.

They said I needed an emergency Caesarean. My heart beat sank - I wasn't bothered about the thought of having a c-section delivery, I was just worried about the baby. I wanted him out healthily. Within minutes I was raced off to surgery, Daniel being told to grab our belongings and run after them. Once the next batch of drugs had been administered baby C was delivered within about 15 minutes. Of course, his arrival wasn't event-free either. He was blue and so they had to place him under a special light. But he responded well and once they had wrapped him, he was placed in my shivering arms (a fairly common reaction to the drugs). Unfortunately I couldn't hold him for too long as my arms were weak and shaking. I was then taken to post-op and held for longer than expected as my blood pressure was too low and I was bleeding lots.

Sooo cute: welcome little C

A long one and a half hours later I was taken up to the maternity ward where I was reunited with my son. My son - even now those words are so beautiful and so strange."

Thanks Nat - it was certainly an experience! And be sure to check out the October issue of Real Living for Natalie's pregnancy diary and cute happy snaps of her and C (I snuck a peek at the pics today). Don't forget to email me if you want to share your birth story at bgraham@acpmagazines.com.au

welcome to... layla's room

2008-07-28T11:37:00.004+10:00

Baby items on display are kept to a minimum but baby shoes are too cute to hide away!

If you've come from renovate + decorate, you're probably over this room! But in case you haven't, here is Layla's nursery end of our bedroom. While I'm waiting for pics to come from others for nursery tours, I thought I'd show you Layla's. It's changed a little since she moved in: we had to move the cradle away from the middle window because it was FREEZING against that wall, so I moved the dresser over and popped my cane chair in the corner. The window has also become a shelf for her soft-toy pressies and I had to dig Zak's mobile out of the cabin to keep her entertained. You can see what it looked before here

Who sleeps here: Layla Belle, 6 weeks, NSW Central Coast, Australia
What was your initial inspiration for the room? The fact we were bunking together - I wanted it to be anything but babyish. But I think the chalkboard artwork of my (somewhat doctored!) pregnant silhouette kind of summed up what I was thinking for the space: something grown up in a neutral, serene colour palette without forgetting that a baby will live here too.

Layla's end of our bedroom

How did you build on this inspiration? I stuck to all-white furniture and kept the baby stuff to a minimum, making sure whatever is on display is as eye-pleasing as possible and not too out of character of the room. I used hits of classic black and white in the storage boxes, fabric-covered canvases and picture wall (not shown - in our side of the room), and painted the back wall a purpley grey. I didn't know the sex of the baby either, so wanted something gender neutral that would still work after they left. That said, I'm pretty sure we'll wallpaper that wall or do something else once she's out of our room.

What's your fave piece in the room? The baby! But besides Layla, it'd be the wallpapered dresser. I love it and think it's perfect for a little girl's room (good thing she turned out to be a girl then!)

My fave piece: the wallpapered dresser

Best bargain? Hmm, everything really: the cradle was given to me by my aunty, the wardrobe is on loan from my brother-in-law, the dresser was originally Zak's and all the artwork I either made myself or bought from Etsy. I didn't spend much - saving up for a new kitchen!

Biggest splurge? Probably the contents of her wardrobe!

The new Etsy prints on the wall (and Layla in her cot!)

Any handmade touches you did yourself? Yep: I drew the chalkboard silhouette; painted and wallpapered the dresser; revamped the cot; painted the stencil on the window, customised the MDF "L" and made the artwork on her cradle.

How would one get this look? Create uniformity with white furniture but break it up with a surprise piece such as a great vintage wardrobe, cool coloured chairs or in my case, wallpapered dresser. Don't use anything commercial or too nursery-like and keep the colour palette subtle and serene. A few homemade touches create interest and make the room unique which is a nice change from catalogue-looking rooms.

I made this little black felt Bambi silhouette as black and white are the best stimulants for newborns.

Nursery buy you can't live without A musical mobile for the newbies. I'd forgotten how handy it was until I dug it out and popped it above her. She loves it.

What's next for this space? Once Layla is about six months old, she'll probably move in with Zak. I'm already planning what I want to do with a combined boy/girl room. I'll probably turn this end of the room into an office and little sitting room seeing as my office space is about to be demolished to open up the kitchen and dining area a little more.

calendar event: baby & kids market

2008-07-25T10:59:00.003+10:00

To market, to market to buy a great bargain

I think this place could be mummy heaven: bargain-priced clothes, shoes, toys, nursery furniture, prams, baby accessories... everything you could possibly need for baby and kids up to six. And it's coming to a venue near you. I'd never heard of the Baby & Kids Market until I did Stella's nursery post - her mum Michelle swears by it and by the looks of Stella's cute room, she's onto something. Anyone else been to testify? The markets sell mostly second-hand, but high-quality second-hand, baby goods from next to nothing (see pic below for proof!) to not very much (like cots for around $80, car seats for $30 and bouncers at around $15).

How often do you see a price tag with $1 on it these days?

There are also a few local businesses owner stalls selling new goods, but it's mainly pre-loved wares from a huge range of labels like Fred Bare and Pumpkin Patch to Country Road and everything inbetween. It's great for anyone setting up a nursery, after a few extra duds for their incredibly fast-growing children, stocking up on Chrissy and birthday gifts and even for those wanting to make a buck or two: you can set up your own stall (details here).

There are anything from 65 to 120 stalls at each market selling gorgeous clothes like this

Lucky Sydneysiders get to go this Sunday between 9 and 12 at the Five Dock Leisure Centre whereas I have to wait a whole other month for it to come to me. But August 31 is pencilled on my calendar - I'm so there. It'll cost you a whole $3 to enter - kids are free - and there is food, drinks and free kids entertainment all under one roof. To find out when it's coming to your town, go here for dates and venues. Enjoy, but no fighting now you hear?

things i'd forgotten about that happen after giving birth

2008-07-22T11:45:00.004+10:00

1. Your hair falls out This is so not fun for yourself, let alone everyone else in your family who has to fish out long strands from their food or have it cling to their clothes. Particularly bad when it wraps around your eyeball. Ever had this happen? Too weird.
2. You sweat - a lot I kept waking up in pools of sweat wondering if the heater was on too high, but as soon as I'd get out of bed to pick up Layla from her cradle, I'd realise the room was actually freezing. Took me a couple of days to remember your body expells all the extra water and fluids your body used during the pregnancy. What makes it even more of a joy is that it's winter so once you get up out of the warm bed covers, it's icy cold which only makes the fact your clothes are wet even worse!
3. The fun that is baby brain I don't know if I can blame all my hopelessness on baby brain, but I am really good at forgetting things, dropping things and getting things all mixed up. Could be the fatigue, could be hormonal changes, but could just be the fact I did all this before and it's only just been exasperated after giving birth!
4. Breastfeeding is a messy sport If you're not waking up soaked through from sweat, it'll be the leaking breasts that was the problem. And don't let anyone get too close to you while you're trying to get the baby to latch on cause if they're still getting the hang of it, chance are, your milk will be fountaining all over them, you, the couch and possibly the person sitting on it next to you. I found a tight singlet at nighttime under my pjs is the only way to keep the pads in place so they'll be effective.
5. Babies change their sleep routines as often as we change their nappies Just when you think they like a three-hour nap in the morning, they change to cat napping. Once you're used to that, they won't sleep at all. Finally worked out how to cope with an awake baby all day, and they'll alternate a long sleep, short sleep. Keeps you on your toes!

But it's all good. Something new I've discovered now I have two children: they don't like to synchronise their sleep times. So this basically means I don't get a real break until 7pm when they both go down for the night. But that does mean LOTS of quality time with them both! And means Tuesdays are soooo easy with one baby when Zakky visits his grandparents! So, due to all the craziness, I'll be blogging every second day here and at renovate + decorate on the off days.
So what weird and wonderful things did you discover after having a baby?
x

they're here! layla's birth announcement cards

2008-07-18T10:46:00.003+10:00

Modern + cool: Layla's birth announcements by Dizzy Wizzy Design

You might recall me posting a shortlist a little while back of birth announcements for Layla. Well, I was having trouble deciding and then receieved a lovely email from a lady named Natalie Sullivan who'd just started up a stationery design business in WA and offered to design Layla's cards. The sample she included in the email was sooo me: it had zebra print on it! If you're a regular reader of renovate + decorate you'll know by now how much I love it (I post about it ad nauseam) so of course how could I turn down her offer? Especially when she said it was Zak's rug that inspired her! I love her design - it's funky and modern and cool with just a hint of pink, and I particularly love the fact it's a postcard. What a cute idea! You can just write a message and send (or still do the traditional method and pop in an envelope).

The back (not the clearest pic, but Layla's name and birthday are in the stamp spot - cute!)

So a huge big thank you to Natalie - they're fab! You must check her out her site, Dizzy Wizzy Design, which will launch in a few months. I'll keep you posted when it does.

birth story: Danielle Russell

2008-07-15T22:39:00.007+10:00

Danielle and baby Tennyson, moments after he was born

Just days away from becoming a registered nurse, it's only natural Danielle is a fan of gory details! So, here she is sharing her own birth story to her now one-year-old son Tennyson.

"My due date was the 23rd of July 2007. My pregnancy all went really well, except for low iron, but I think a majority of women suffer from this! On Saturday the 21st my legs and feet swelled up to the size of an elephant. I spoke to my mum that day - I needed a whinge and she assured me that the baby would be on its way very soon! That night I woke up at 3.30am with some light abdominal cramping. I tried to sleep through it but I didn't really get any rest. I think the thought of the baby coming excited me so much that I couldn't sleep.

At around 8am on Sunday morning, the cramps were getting stronger and were about 5-7 mins apart. They still weren't agonising and I wasn't ready to go to the hospital just yet. I had some light bleeding but had been told to expect that. We went to the shopping centre to buy a few things we needed and Luke desperately needed a haircut. So I sat in the hairdressers waiting for him whilst worrying that my water was going to break! Luke kept on looking at me to make sure I was ok. I had moments of sitting there with my eyes shut trying not to think about my painful heavy belly. When we got home I managed to have a sleep for about an hour. I relaxed on the couch for the afternoon, breathing through contractions. At 5pm we rang the hospital and they told us to come in. They monitored baby's heart and did an internal exam. My cervix was a little sluggish and wasn't dilating. They let us go out for a while and Luke got some dinner. Whilst driving over speed bumps at Hungry Jacks (Ew) I had the worst contractions and made Luke drive back really quickly. I was feeling quite nauseus and so tired - I didn't know that it was going to be worse!

I didn't want to have pain relief but wasn't quite prepared for the pain of labour. My cervix still wasn't ready for a baby. They gave me some pethidine to help with the contractions but it didn't have a good effect. My contractions just got stronger and closer together. I jumped in and out of the shower 3 or 4 times with hot water. Luke was fantastic and put the shower on me and I probably injured his hands when I was squeezing!

By now it was 3am and I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. I was screaming for an epidural. I didn't get one and I'm so glad about that. I was in the shower when I just started to push. They made me get into the bed and felt the cervix - finally time to push!! My water didn't break until I was well into the pushing stage. Laying on my back did not help to get the baby out. My contractions slowed and I couldn't push anymore. I think I gave up for a while there. Helen, my midwife, then brought in a bar that goes across the bed. Whenever I got a contraction, Luke and her pulled me up so that I was squatting above the bed. It obviously worked, before long they could see the head. When I thought I could not push anymore they showed me the baby's head with the mirror and I got a second wind. Once the head was out, the rest was easy!

Tennyson was finally born at 5.39am on Monday the 23rd of July - his due date! They put him straight on my chest and I had plenty of blood, sweat and tears. It has got to be the most special moment of my life. I needed internal sutures and had grazes as well so oogled over my new baby boy whilst they stitched me up. Luke fell asleep in the chair holding our son. I was wide awake. I got up and had a shower, put on some clean pjs and sent everyone a photo on my mobile! I was in the nude - but that's the best way to be, skin to skin with the baby!"

Thanks Danielle for sharing! If anyone else wants to share their baby's birth story, please email me at bgraham@acpmagazines.com.au
Bx

Tag! I'm it!

2008-07-15T22:34:00.003+10:00

The lovely Chantal Butcher at Interior Dreaming and Styled Baby tagged me the other day. Sooo, here's a little bit about me...

What were you doing 10 years ago? I was 21, living at home and a newspaper journalist with aspirations to work for TIME magazine (!). In-between all serious and usually depressing police and court reporting, I'd just started dating my now-hubby Steve, spent way too much money on clothes from Portmans and make-up, and even went out occassionally. In high heels.

Five items on your to-do list today?
1. Buy a pressie for my brother-in-law Pete (kind of done - mother-in-law bought on our behalf!)
2. Buy another blind for the bedroom (still uncrossed. Stupid Freedom closed down near me for a few weeks... Grr)
3. Finish weekend project (one part is done!)
4. Sign agency agreement and send off for sale of investment property (well it's signed...)
5. Finish answering Natalie's questions for mini profile and attempt to make myself sound half intelligent. (questions answered, just not sent off. they're coming nat!)
Hmm, not a very successful to-do list was it?!

Snacks you enjoy? Chocolate, ice cream and cake. I've a sweet tooth. And lots of fillings. And more to come if I ever work up the courage to go back to the dentist who told me five years ago he'd fill the "small hole" when I returned...

What would you do if you were a billionaire? Oooh, aside from the obvious "looking after family and giving some to charity" I'd...
* Throw money at Anthropologie to open stores here in Oz - cause we need them here. And I think this would count as charity too!
* Buy holiday homes all over the world and play decorator as much as I liked.
* Buy Liverpool FC for Steve so he could play manager as much as he liked. He's already an expert (on the computer game, anyway!)

Where would you live? Am I still a billionaire? If so, I'd by an absolute beachfront home outside of the city and a helicopter to chopper me in to work! If I'm my normal poor self, I'm rather happy where I am in my rather sleepy little town on the NSW central coast - for now!

Who will I pass this on to? Not sure who's done it and who hasn't, but Natalie at Daily Imprint cause with a newborn she has HEAPS of time on her hands, and Georgia at The Musings of a Betty Homemaker cause she's a newbie blogger and was worried noone would visit her site. So go check her out!

newest baby buys

2008-07-09T20:18:00.006+10:00

Layla needed a pair of ballet shoes and another soft toy. Needed it I tell you!

I've gone a little crazy lately shopping for cute little baby things. But how can you not when there are soooo many cool things around? Here are a few of the latest items to dent my savings account.

Lucky me, not only did my Merle Oobee arrive so well-dressed, I scored two blank cards and a lovely congrats letter from Merle's creator Leslie. I love how Etsy sellers give you little bonuses - I think it should be mandatory in stores! Oobee, $46, One Girl Designwrks

Aren't these the cutest? Little cotton ballet slippers from a French clothing label. They were only $AUS11. ELEVEN dollars. I should have bought a whole heap - would make great gifts! I don't want to wish her life away, but I can't wait until Layla grows a tiny bit more so she can wear them. The ribbon-wrapped paper envelope contains the invoice - only the French could dress up an invoice! Clara shoes in beige (also in white and pink), $11, Chateau de Sable

Where the new buys call home, with a little white suitcase, $11.95, from Baby's Got Style

Still to come: these three gorgeous Belle & Boo postcards I'm going to frame for one of the walls in Layla's nursery corner. Check out this site for cute magnets and badges as well as beautiful prints and greeting cards. The website is really cute too!

Patience Brown postcard, 1.75 pounds, Belle & Boo

Joy White postcard, 1.75pounds, Belle & Boo

Lola Freedom postcard, 1.75pounds, Belle & Boo

And also, I ordered some too-cute personalised silhouette stationery for the kids from fabulous Etsy seller Saratams. I love sending the grandparents little letters from the babies. And they love receiving them! You get to totally customise these stationery options from the colours, fonts, silhouettes to the text.

I got this colour and style with a little girl holding a balloon for extra thank yous from Layla. Folded note cards, $US24 for pack of 16 with envelopes, Saratams

I got Max and Grace silhouettes in the Pool colour (below) with Zak and Layla. Sooo cute!!! Flat note cards, $US20 for set of 16 with envelopes, Saratams

Your huge range of options

PS: Instructions on how to wallpaper a dresser like the one above can be found here

DIY mobile nappy station

2008-07-09T19:35:00.005+10:00

Portable nappy station, courtesy of Real Living

I actually PAID for a copy of Real Living yesterday! For those of you who are new to this blog and are wondering if I usually steal my copies, I don't - I work for the mag! And in handing over money in a proper shop, I scored a freebie for once: a pop-up storage box. I put it to good use as a mobile nappy station. I'm not loving getting out of my warm bed in the middle of the night for feeds, so have been feeding Layla in my bed and also changing her nappy on there too. But every time I get her out of her cradle, I have to stop at the dresser for nappies, wipes, bottom cream, cloth nappy as changemat and plastic nappy bags all the while juggling a crying, starving baby while half asleep - and it's just way too much effort for my lazy self. So I managed to cram everything I need into this little storage box and now it stays by my bed and is in easy reach at all hours of the morning. And also extra handy for cleaning her up anywhere in the house. There's even room for a few of Zak's nappies so I don't have to get up AGAIN when Steve brings him in in the morning! See, told you I was lazy! So how did you use your free storage box?
x

welcome to... stella's room

2008-07-06T13:10:00.007+10:00

I wonder who lives here! Pretty fabric letters, $12.95 each, Charbella and Distractions. You can get similar fabric-covered letters from Freedom

...and our first nursery tour! I know everyone loves peeking into other (real) baby's rooms, so I hope to make this a regular feature too.
I first saw Stella's pretty room on Essential Baby and begged her mum, Michelle, to share with Mini Meez. Aside from the oodles of style this room oozes, the best thing about it was that it was done on a very tiny budget: vintage finds, clever shopping, op-shop bargains, market scouring and a bit of elbow grease all went hand-in-hand in creating this look. So, without further ado, here it is - plus a few tips on getting a similar look yourself.

Who sleeps here: Stella Jean, 17 months, from Sydney, Australia
What was your initial inspiration for the room? "I had seen the fabric letters before Stella was born and knew that if bubs was a girl (we didn’t find out the sex) that I would be going to the store the day after I got home from hospital to buy them – which is exactly what I did! They were one of the first things in her room and they played a huge part in the overall look. I also knew right from the word go that I wanted an open, doorless robe to display gorgeous dresses and tops, all hung on lovely old little hangers. I draw a great deal of inspiration from flickr, interiors magazines and old children’s books too."

An open wardrobe (for neat people only!) creates a feature of the vibrant, pretty clothes and linens. Great bargain buys: butterfly prints, $10 for the set; light shade, $4; and all dresses from the Baby & Kids Markets

How did you build on this inspiration? "The ‘shabby chic’ nature of the letters as well as the robe and its contents basically led to everything else running along that sort of theme as well - like the knobs on the lowboy, the cushions in the cot (which are removed for bedtime of course!), etc."

Stella shows off her room and her $10 lowboy from a garage sale. Fabric cars, $10 each from the Treehouse factory outlet

What's your fave piece in the room? "Definitely the pink robe as it makes such a statement."
Biggest splurge? "The two cane baskets under the change table. These were $50 each (I know, I know!) from Ikea and I’m still agog that I spent that much. In my defence though, they hold truckloads of nappies, have screwed-on, flip-top lids and will no doubt come in handy somewhere else when there’s no longer a change table in the house."

Michelle's biggest splurge were $50 cane baskets from Ikea. Another great deal: the change table and cot cost $300 all up from Toys R Us. The magnolia print is also from Ikea.

Best bargain? "The lowboy was $25 from a garage sale. It would have been $10, but I had to give the seller $15 to deliver it because I had no way of getting it home! In terms of the smaller items, I adore the little pink wooden horse which was $5, and no piece of clothing in the robe cost more than $5 – they were all from garage sales and the Baby Markets."

Pretty cushions (that are removed at bed time) give an adult feel to a tiny bed. Embroidered cushion from Ikea, green cushion from a garage sale.

Any handmade touches you did yourself? "Hmm, does painting count?! Where the butterfly prints are now, I used to have canvasses that I did make. Everyone loved them but it bugged me that all the patterns clashed so much with her name letters, so I took them down."

How the room used to look: Michelle covered some canvases with girlie fabric but replaced them with the butterfly prints after feeling it too much with the fabric letters

How would one get this look? "Think outside the square, in terms of furniture especially. There are so many unusual pieces out there with such character that may simply need a coat of paint or new handles/knobs. Have a look at markets, garage sales, op shops and eBay. As I once read in an interiors magazine – “I don’t ‘buy’. I hunt, I rummage, I scour, I search, I find.” This completely sums up my philosophy."

BEFORE: This cute bubblegum-pink wardrobe was $75 from Vinnies. Michelle sanded it back and painted it a softer pink to be home to Stella's fashionable wardrobe

AFTER: a paler, prettier pink

Nursery buy you can't live without "Grobags, without a doubt. It’s so great popping your baby to bed knowing that he or she isn’t going to get tangled up in blankets or other linen."

This too-cute rocking horse was just $5 from the Baby and Kids Markets

What's next for this space? "In terms of how the room will grow with Stella, we’ll get rid of the lowboy at some stage (wahhh! Although maybe this will stop be buying more clothes?) and replace it with toys such as an old dolls cradle and a dollshouse. And much further down the track, we’ll probably put a desk right underneath that window – she’s got the best outlook in the house!"

A range of cute vintage finds from various garage sales, op shops and markets sit nicely in the bottom of the open wardrobe

Thanks Michelle for sharing Stella's room with us - and for introducing me to the Baby & Kids Markets. I'll do a little post on them later this week.
x

kids party ideas

2008-07-04T20:12:00.004+10:00

You can't go wrong with streamers!

Sorry, not here, but in the August issue of Real Living. I'm only posting a sneak peek cause I need you to buy it cause I need to keep my job! But, let's just say they're colourful, cheap and cheery ideas anyone can do!

Red = funky gender neutral space

We had fun at the shoot - Zak makes an appearance - and it's always great to see the published result after you've seen the time, effort and mess that goes into creating each shot!

The issue is out on stands Monday.
x

nursery inspiration: Jonas' room

2008-07-03T12:23:00.006+10:00

Little Jonas shows off his room

Talented kids furniture designer Jennifer Delonge has some lucky children. This is her son Jonas' room (nicked from her website and originally published in InStyle Home magazine). And what a cool room it is too. What's not to love? David Hicks fabric-covered chaise (I have this same fabric in blue and brown. Not sure what to do with it yet), a chalkboard boarder around the room, gorgeous Ava Chair designed by his mum (and how I first heard about Jennifer), Chinese drum stool... it's a room that will grow with the baby, which is always a good thing. Saves you $$$ on redecorating see! I'll post the rest of Jennifer's house at renovate + decorate. And, yes, I realise how stalkerish I seem with three whole posts on this woman...!!

awesome kids storage solutions I wish were available here

2008-07-02T21:43:00.013+10:00

A cosy zone perfect for adults and kids. From Cookie magazine

Sometimes I wish I lived in the States. And could afford to spend $US600 on a storage box, another $500 on a funky chair, $860 on a coffee table and $675 on a - drumroll pls - bowl. Because then I could easily re-create this very cool kid-friendly living space. Price tag aside, I love this room - the pieces are so clever: the table has pull-out storage drawers, the large bowl makes an art form out of Lego and small cars instead of a colourful mess, and the chair is just cool, albeit a little hard. A cosy cushion would top it off beautifully.

Charles Storage Table in Walnut, $US599, Jennifer Delonge

My absolute fave item in this room is the round play-and-store Charles Storage Table with the chalkboard top (above). But alas, the very clever (and stylish, check out her home on renovate + decorate and son's nursery above) Jennifer Delonge range of great kids furniture isn't available here so I'll have to admire from afar. Or possibly employ a carpenter to custom-make something similar. But this would certainly solve the common problem of storing kids stuff stylishly in adult spaces - and keep them busy in the process. I'd love one in my living room. The chalkboard lid flips over to a wood top as well so you could even use it as a coffee or side table that turns into a babysitter at the flip of the lid!

Charles Storage Table in Birch, $US599, Jennifer Delonge

PS: It's not round or quite as cool as the Charles Storage Table, but this one is available here from Adairs Kids: the chalkboard table keeps them entertained, the storage drawers keep the room tidy. Noice.

Blackboard play table, $349, Adairs Kids

Layla's birth story

2008-07-02T12:11:00.007+10:00

First mummy and me pic - excuse the lack of clothes: she was so quick I didn't get to wear my bright pink labour nighty!

This might delve into the "too much information" category and also the "all about me" one, but I thought I'd share Layla's birth story with you. Partly because I know people like hearing the gory details (or is that just me?), but mainly because I find it so bloody hilarious and have been telling anyone who'll listen anyway! I thought I might make it a regular feature so if you want to share your own - and your baby pics - fire me an email at bgraham@acpmagazines.com.au and I'll post. It never ceases to amaze me how completely different births and pregnancies can be. And how, no matter HOW the baby gets here, everyone pretty much feels the exact same way as soon as it's out into the world: exhausted, relieved and euphorically happy. So, here goes...

Six LONG days after my due date came and went, I woke up at 5.30am on June 11 to some low tummy pains. They weren't across my stomach like a normal contraction or Braxton Hicks, but "down there" so I wasn't sure if it was labour or some other weird crampy thing. They were relatively mild so I went back to sleep. Zak woke me up at 8am and I got up and did the normal nappy, play, breakfast routine at which point they started up again - about 15 minutes apart. A bit stronger, I now assumed it to be the real thing, but still worried about the fact it was so low down (and SHOOTING into my back pain which I'd had for the final few weeks of preg). I started banging my heel on the floor each time I got one and called my midwife who suggested I come in if I wanted to. At 1pm, I was being monitored in the same delivery room I'd had Zak in, eating a very yummy rice pudding and raving very George-Costanza-in-Seinfield-like about the brilliant parking space we got right outside the hospital. At around 2pm, my midwife, Terry, did the internal and told me I was 4cm and gave us the option of going home if we wanted. Not looking forward to another drive later on with more painful contractions (they are somehow worse in the car!) and a little reluctant to give up our parking spot, we decided to stay.

Steve prepared for another long night on the couch (last time I was 4cm, it still took another 10 hours before Zak arrived) and had his mobile phone seconds clock at the ready, timing contractions which had been about five minutes apart since we left home. I felt I was managing the contractions really well with my little stress balls and banging heel and was completely normal and relaxed in-between them. They were getting a little stronger each time, but were nothing compared to how I remembered them towards the end of my labour with Zak. I tried not to think about how much worse they'd get and added a new birth skill to the mix: ahh-ing on each exhale which seemed to make the pain magically disappear altogether.

Suddenly, they were two and a half minutes apart. And a bit stronger. I hopped in the shower with my h0t water bottle held to my pelvic area and the hot water running on my back (which was more painful than the contractions!) I was in there a few minutes and my waters broke. Next contraction I lost my mucus plug. I was feeling it a bit more now and so Terry ran a bath for me. Next contraction I yelled out "I'm pushing" expecting her to tell me to stop cause surely there was no way this was it? They weren't strong enough, close together enough and I wasn't exhausted enough for this to be time to push, surely? Terry asked if I could feel the head. I thought so. Next contraction she basically pushed me out of the shower and towards the bed. Steve ran around turning taps off everywhere, a second midwife appeared from nowhere and I just managed to crawl onto the bed on all fours when I took a deep breath and pushed out Layla's head. JUST her head. A screaming, hairy head. Contraction over. I was completely normal again, just with a little crying head hanging out of what felt like my bottom!!!!! A two-headed freak. I started laughing - as you would. It was the weirdest thing ever. And I can't imagine how it must have looked. You don't get that view! For about two minutes poor Layla was half in, half out crying and I started to wonder if I was ever going to get another contraction to push the rest of her out. But sure enough, it did and she slid out rather painlessly and I was back to being a one-headed freak.

It took several minutes to figure out what she was (sex-wise, we knew she was human) as the umbilical cord made it difficult to get her to me. I was still on all fours so she had to be passed through my legs, under my body and then I managed to turn her over to see she was a girl! It was nice being the first one to know this - Steve saw first with Zak and told me and I got to do it this time. And it was all over - quick, rather painless, drug-free and surprisingly highly amusing! I hadn't heard of that happening before although I'm sure it's pretty common. But it was a great birth - the sucky part was getting the local for the stitches I needed but even then, I put my birth skills to good use again while this time focusing on my new baby girl which is the best kind of distraction ever!

I know second babies are meant to be easier, but I still thought it'd be a lot harder work. I kind of feel like I cheated or something!

would you use... mummy calling cards?

2008-06-27T21:23:00.005+10:00

Olivia Brown Mommy Cards, $US35 for set of 50, Mommy Cards

I found these while searching for my birth announcements: mummy calling cards. Basically, they're business cards for mums with all your personal details on them to hand out to mother's groups, your kid's friend's mums etc to keep in contact and arrange playdates. I thought they were a cute idea, but do you think this is an "only in America" thing (sorry those reading from the States, we do tend to use that phrase a lot here for things we're a bit behind on!)? I think these ones in particular are rather swish and would feel rather stylish handing them over, but wondered if the person receiving it would think I so missed my career I had to make myself feel important in my mummy role too. Either way, it sure beats the 10-minute bag search for a pen and chocolate wrapper to write your phone number on... So what do you think? Is this something you'd stash in your wallet?

"L" is for Layla

2008-06-26T20:33:00.004+10:00

Layla's initial - customised by moi. You can see how here

How many kids rooms do you know of that don't have the child's name or initial featured somewhere in it? Not many, I'm guessing. It's a hugely popular trend that doesn't seem to be disappearing anytime soon. So, the trick is to try and do something a little different. So what's out there aside from wooden letters? If you want to create something yourself, you can simply customise a plain plywood letter like I did above (instructions here). Or if you'd rather someone did the hard work for you, here are a few ideas...

I love this! A gorgeous elephant wall decal with your child's name printed all over it. You get the choose the colours and it's also available in a giraffe shape. Elephant decal, $65 plus $20 for customised name, The Wall Sticker Company

Fabric-covered letters. You can get pretty versions from Freedom or try this eBay seller for this gorgeous paisley "W"

Get cursive - Empire Vintage's pretty font is priced $45 per letter and is available in white, red or black

Choose your fave fabric from 12 patterns and create your own word at Wallspace. Cost is $20 per letter

And if the wall just doesn't do it for you, go for these cute little blocks with letter decals, $8 per block, The Wall Sticker Company

you're invited to... an online baby shower

2008-06-25T20:28:00.003+10:00

Invite nicked from Hey Bubbles

How's this for a cute idea! I discovered this on Leslie's blog (good luck for the last few weeks of your preg and birth, by the way! Let us know how you go with the birth skills below!) and had to share for all the new and expecting mums out there. Basically, you sign up, get assigned a "swap" partner and have to make a little handmade gift for your partner's new or soon-to-be-new addition. It's as simple as that. I'm signing up cause who doesn't like to receive gifts?! Just have to think about what on earth to make the little cherub I'll be gifting. I'm nowhere near as creative as some people out there so don't want to disappoint! Oh, the pressure! Check out the details and register here at Hey Bubbles.

need-to-know labour skills

2008-06-24T21:12:00.004+10:00

My labour kit: not much to it, but each an incredibly useful tool. Also essential but not pictured: a shower

I was very excited - and a little stunned - to experience a nice and easy labour with Layla. I won't get into the details now (I'll share my birth story soon to kick those off), but I will share these really simple tools I used to make it a really positive, not too painful and even rather pleasant. Yes, pleasant. I was laughing, talking and completely relaxed in-between contractions. And even sometimes during them.

This time around I didn't do any classes and while I told my midwife I had been practising my breathing, the only time I actually did it was when she asked me to show her. Oh and to stay alive... I did, however, read a book. Well part of a book (I didn't get to finish it). Birth Skills by Juju Sundin with Sarah Murdoch was great. A friend of mine had taken her class and I remember her talking about some of the skills she learnt and how much sense they made. I'm not going to give the whole book away, but I will tell you the main thing I learnt from it and what should be made common knowledge: distraction helps relieve the pain. All the breathing exercises in the world won't help if you're still focused on what you're feeling. So, here's what worked for me.

* Stress balls These guys became my best friends. As soon as I felt a contraction coming, they got banged together and I stared at them like a crazy person as they came into contact with each other. By concentrating so hard on what I was doing with those, the contraction seemed to come and go mighty quickly. If I stopped (which I did just to test if this theory was working), all my attention went to my stomach and the pain overwhelmed me.

* Banging my foot Another distraction. I did this while in bed where the contractions started (I was too lazy to get up and grab the balls). They were relatively mild, but again, half asleep I managed to detract my attention away from the pain. This tool became even more essential as the contractions got stronger - I banged my heel on the floor and the stress balls together in time.

* A sports bottle of water It's important to keep yourself hydrated during labour. I remember this being a problem last time. I was threatened with a drip if I didn't keep up my fluids. This time, my handy Tupperware bottle was basically glued to my hand (when the stress balls weren't being used) and cool, refreshing water was just a squeeze away. No fussy screw-top lids to worry about (seems silly, but honestly, the easier things are when you're in labour, the better).

* A hot water bottle My saviour during the last few weeks of pregnancy and still now. I had the worst back pain ever in the last few weeks and this was the only way to relieve it. It also helped having the heat applied to my lower stomach area during a contraction. And even better paired with a hot shower running on my back pain.

* A shower Water restrictions don't apply to pregnant women. I don't think this is technically a rule, but it should be, cause a hot shower in the middle of labour is a great pain reliever and even better way to relax you. I honestly think that's why Layla came so quickly. In-between contractions I was completely normal. I just swayed under the water and chilled out, enjoying the warmth and relaxing. I was in the shower for about 10 minutes before I felt the urge to push.

* My Birth Skills book This didn't make it out of my bag, but the three big messages I got out of it certainly stayed with me the whole time. They were:
1. Keep yourself distracted: march around, stare intently at a picture, bang stress balls together, say "ahhh" really loudly, count or chant some keywords out loud - anything to take your thoughts off the contractions.
2. Externalise your breath during contractions: Deep breaths in, loud breaths out. No use trying to be quiet in labour - leave that to the Scientologists. Expelling your breath with a huge big "ahhh" sound seems to take the pain away.
3. Internalise your breath during pushing: Basically, when it comes to pushing, instead of blowing the breath out with a big ahh, you need to push it down deep into your body to push the baby out. You need to make your insides work the same way as a coffee plunger - strong internal pushes to gently move the baby out into the world.

And that's it! No CDs, no candles, no yoga balls, no aromatherapy and no massages. These might work for some, but this is what I found worked for me. But while we're sharing, what worked for you?

birth announcement time...

2008-06-23T21:32:00.004+10:00

Cute little birds, and Zak would get a mention! From Tiny Prints

I was debating about whether or not to make these myself again like I did with Zak, or take the so-called easy route and just purchase them. I say so-called easy because I have spent a few days looking online at gorgeous announcements and have discovered sooo many pretty ones I can't choose! I didn't even get past page 15 on the Etsy search site... Here are a few of my faves - I'm considering it my short list because I just don't have time to look anymore!! I would love to DIY, but I remember how long it took last time and with two babies, it could be next year before people receive them!

I love the colours in this one - not too pink! From Tiny Prints

Cute blossoms and subtle colouring. From Etsy seller Tiny Tot Greetings

A little bright - I actually love their more subtle blue and chocolate version - but the pattern, font and layout is divine. From Etsy seller Ink Obsession

So, what's your fave? And while I won't be searching myself anymore, I certainly won't ignore anyone's links to fab sites! So if you used someone great or know of a great online stationery store that sells cool announcements, please point me in the right direction. I'll post the end result once I decide and get them!
bx

nursery inspiration: dwellstudio

2008-06-21T19:10:00.014+10:00

DwellStudio Garden Print. How cute is the little bird silhouette? Stuck on the wall, it looks like it's perched on the cot! This is basic DIY - cut out the shape in pretty paper and glue to the wall!

By the looks of my blog statistics on renovate + decorate, a heap of you are Googling nursery ideas and inspiration. And a quick flick through popular baby sites like Essential Baby and Bub Hub has threads dedicated to the topic with members posting their own handiwork. Sooo, I'm going to do my best to make it a regular feature here with inspiring rooms, decor ideas and nursery tours of REAL little people's cool pads (not just magazine stylists' creative ideas). To kick it off, I thought I'd share these pics from one of my fave labels - DwellStudio. If the cot sets didn't set me back $290 each time, I'd invest in every one of them cause they're so cool. I also love their simple, stylish nurseries. I know these are styled to an inch of their lives and hardly practical in real rooms, but I do think there are a couple of ideas to steal from each of them!

DwellStudio Choc Spot Print. I love the garland hanging in place of a mobile. Not sure if it's made from paper or fabric, but I think it'd be something you could easily make yourself with either.

DwellStudio Carousel print. Another garland, but I'm sure I've seen this before - anyone recognise it?

DwellStudio Transportation print. Love how the theme carries through on the wall art and ride-on. And an Eames rocker just screams "cool". All pics above from Baby's Got Style

DwellStudio Cowboy and Cowgirl print. Pic from Luxury Labels

This combined boy/girl room I love - I'm going to do something kinda similar when my son and daughter move in together. I have so far decorated my son's room three times (and he's only 19 months old!), so another attempt in a few months won't faze me at all! I'm looking forward to it and have already started a bit of a moodboard. I'll show you my plans soon...

lovely little layla

2008-06-20T22:16:00.005+10:00

Just a few hours old

Proud parent moment: my daughter, Layla, born last Wednesday. So far she's settled in beautifully - has slept up to six hours at night and appears to be able to sleep through anything (ie, Zak slapping her on the head, screaming and laughing in her ear and playing footy/cricket/anything ball-related in front of her cradle). I'm hoping this all continues as I've done the hard yards with a non-sleeper - Zak cat-napped for half an hour only - but she showed signs of following in her brother's footsteps today, and was awake for the best part of five hours. Fingers crossed it was a one-off!!

As for Zak, I was worried he'd not take to her very well, but seems happy enough - just a bit whingy and had a very large screaming match this evening. I'm thinking the past week or so has caught up with him - late nights, me not at home, visitor after visitor, overstimulation, new person in the house. Did anyone else have this problem? How did you cope?
bx

so-simple baby gift

2008-06-20T21:40:00.004+10:00

Boy + girl versions

It's been a busy birthing month this one - a good friend of mine gave birth to her daughter on my due date, June 5 (how jealous I was!), my colleague, Nat, gave birth to her son on Monday, I popped out Layla last Wednesday and another friend from my mother's group is being induced next week. So it's gifts galore at the moment - giving and receiving. I love giving gifts - it gives me great pleasure rounding up a few little items and packaging them nicely. I also love a personal touch - something handmade whether it's a card, creative wrapping or the gift itself. This latest baby boom had me making this simple little singlets.

And I can't forget my little Layla - she gets an elephant

It cost virtually nothing (the singlet itself was a whole $3), took about an hour to do and while it might not last the distance, the baby will probably outgrow it first!! And it's so simple, anyone can do it. Just cut out a shape - a heart, a star, an animal, the initial of the child's first name - pin to the front of the singlet, shirt or onesie, and stitch around the silhouette a few millimetres from the edge.

A pretty pink newborn parcel

I paired my little singlet with a wooden letter of bub's initial and packaged it in a cute little pink suitcase from Baby's Got Style which is great for storage or as baby's first bag (a friend of mine used her little red case as a nappy bag for the first few months!)

has your baby got style?

2008-06-19T13:51:00.005+10:00

Oobi Baby's adorable baby. Pic by Sheena Cooke, courtesy Baby's Got Style

I'd like to think mine do - but then this is basically saying that I think my own style is fabulous seeing as I'm the one buying for and dressing them. And I wouldn't go that far... But I do think they're adorable so I might get all stage mum-like and enter Zak into the Baby's Got Style kids casting call for their summer advertising campaign. It's as simple as emailing a photograph. Head here to find out more:
And just in case you think your bub needs a bit of help in the fashion department, you can cheat their way to style by entering the comp to win a photoshoot with renowned children's photographer Sheena Cooke who shot the adorable picture above. The prize is worth $1000 and your child will get to wear cool clothes on loan from Baby's Got Style. All you have to do is shop at their online store this month. Details on the homepage. Good luck!
x

welcome!

2008-06-18T23:55:00.000+10:00

Isn't she sweet? A baby rattle with a difference - soft fabric (so no accidental bumps to the head) and tinkling bells inside. Lil Sock Baby Rattle, $US16, Chickabiddybaby

Welcome to my new blog! Knowing how obsessed I became with all things 'baby' after giving birth to my son Zak, 19 months ago, I had no doubt it'd be the same the second time around - which happened to be last Wednesday! While pregnant with my daughter Layla, I tried my hardest to refrain from posting too frequently about baby things on my blog, renovate + decorate. But some things slipped by! So, in an attempt to avoid boring those not interested in birth stories, cool gifts, nursery ideas, labour-pain relief and settling techniques, I figured I'd start a new blog dedicated to babies and pregnancy. I've been thinking about doing this for quite a while, but never found the time. Not sure how I'll manage two blogs with a newborn in the house and a very excitable toddler, but I'll give it a go! Let's think of this one as a mini online mag - my dream job would be to edit a kids magazine with a bit of an emphasis on interiors (real living for babies?!), so until that happens, this is my way of doing it! I'm no expert, but I think the best advice and info comes from us real mums anyway - I don't know how I would have survived pregnancy without Essential Baby! So please pop by regularly and let me know what you'd like to see on here...
Cheers
Belinda x