tiny chairs are taking over my house

I can just see L all dressed up in her pretty yellow frock rocking away in here clutching a doll or some sort and sipping a pretend cup of tea. Cu-ute!

It's true. Soon, they will out-number adult-sized chairs. At the moment, we have 8: a Stokke Tripp Trapp (with another one to come soonish), two wooden Ikea ones that came with a mini table, a child-sized green suede armchair, a little wooden antique chair painted turquoise, a purple Bumbo, a black bouncer and now this little wooden rocking chair - my fave! I just need a baby-sized Cape Cod chair to match my own one and I'll be happy. Oh and maybe a tiny Eames rocker - anyone know if they exist?

But back to this little rocker. I'd just spent a few thousand at Harvey Norman on kitchen appliances when I decided to pop into a cute little baby store around the corner from it. This was the first thing I saw. I ooohed and ahhed, but decided I couldn't really hide it (as, um, I often do with some purchases. Then when the hubby finally gets around to noticing it I can say "had it for aaaaaaaaaaages". Naughty.) and told the lady so. But then she knocked off a huge chunk of the price and I practically robbed her at $60. How could I say no? Especially when you compare it the last purchase's receipt! The store is a must-see if you're on or near the central coast - it's called Blossom Bubbas (ph: 02 4367 6900) and stocks a beautiful collection of children's decor, clothing and gifts, including Oobi Baby and Lilly & Lolly as well as local crafties who've started their own lines and are just adorable like Four Little Cupcakes and Little Buddha.

And just because little baby wardrobes are too cute, here is the contents of L's. She likes to shop at Country Road, Pure Baby, Oobi Baby, Cotton On Kids and Pumpkin Patch. Well, her mum and aunties do anyway. The little yellow cardigan was made by my Nana. I "bagsed it" years before I even fell pregnant the first time with Z!

The chair has since moved into the already-overflowing-with-chairs living room because from lunchtime yesterday, this same space now looks like this:

My new kitchen - you like?

Oh yes, my kitchen cabinets, benchtop, sink and tap arrived. Fifty two boxes. The poor guys couldn't fit the truck through the gates so had to park in the street and walk alllll the way down the driveway, and then along the obstacle course of a deck into our bedroom where they're being stored until it's ready to go (hopefully a couple of weeks only). And it was HOT. So anyway, there were two young, hot sweaty men in my bedroom for a while yesterday. How horrid for me!

zakky's birthday party

Before the table was set (or rather, crammed with food). It was help yourself to balled food: mini meatballs, chicken vol au vants, dim sims, mini pizzas and pies, potato balls etc!

My little boy turned two yesterday! Can't believe it! To celebrate, we had immediate family around for a lunch of balled food. Seriously. I was debating whether or not to do a theme and to be honest, I'm really not sure if I ended up with one! I thought I'd do balls (or round things) because he pretty much is attached to a ball most of the day - kicking, bowling, batting. He's obsessed. So I thought I'd make Martha's pom poms, blow up some balloons, and make a Happy Birthday banner with sewn-together round paper discs. I bought and made all round food (or as close to round as possible), decorated his number 2 cake with round icing balls, smarties and mini M&Ms and was going to collect all 214 balls from underneath the deck for all the boys to play with but completely forgot about it. But no matter, some of Zak's gifts included a soccer ball and goal posts, a golf set, a plastic pool/sand shell with 50 plastic balls and a backpack filled with sports equipment including a football, soccer ball, velcro ball and tennis ball. So safe to say, there were enough balls to play with. And play they did! Steve and his sports-mad family put the soccer posts and ball to good use (despite its mini status) while Zak ran happily amongst them playing his own game of soccer with another ball.
So the place looks like a paper bomb hit it, but here's a little look at how it did look. Before anyone got there! Here's what I did (yet again, not the best pics - it was a rather overcast day and quite dark inside. But still, I don't know why my stupid camera takes such grainy pictures...).

Our new purple stone wall. Needs yet another coat but getting there! Pom poms were over the table; balloons hanging from the fan over the living room. I chose a blue, purple and green theme. Love those colours together.

Cutlery, napkins and favours dressed up in pretty colours and patterned paper.


My happy birthday banner. I collected a range of scrapbooking papers in shades of blue, purple and green and spray painted them onto sheets of cardboard then cut out the circles, stitched them together and stuck on individual wooden letters. I'm very impressed with myself! Ha!


I originally ordered the birch cutlery but they wouldn't have got the forks in on time so I went for bamboo cutlery, plates and bowls. Plastic cups got the special treatment - wrapped up with paper.

My favours were little organza bags filled with pencils, colouring in sheets and a little book. I also attempted the Rebecca Thuss favour bags for lolly bags. I had grand plans to make EVERYONE one. But after the first, second, third attempt and a hissy fit over my sewing machine's inability to sew properly, I ended up handstitching the last two and was grateful only four children were coming. And I've just realised I hadn't even filled them when this picture was taken! They looked a little better filled out. But I do love how they look. If you have the time and energy, they're perfect for weddings and baby showers.

letterpressed calling cards

Business cards for the kiddies! Picture from Bespoke Press

I've always loved the look of letterpressed stationery - there's an old-world feel about receiving an invitation or card with etched patterns. And since my dealings with the lovely Alischa from Bespoke Press, I know why. It's a long, archaic process involving an antique printing press machine from 1893 to make something so beautiful and makes me appreciate the workmanship that goes into it even more. A few weeks ago Alisha graciously offered to make me some mummy calling cards after I blogged about the trend at Mini Meez. She sent me a few designs and I picked my fave, changed a few colours around and the result is above: beautiful and bright calling cards to exchange with potential playmates (for the kids) and their parents (for me). I received them on Wednesday and already used one on Thursday with a new mum we asked to join our mother's group (such the exclusive club it is!!!) Makes a simple and stylish way to give someone your phone number without having to dig through a car-sized bag filled with all sorts of, well, crap, with one arm with a baby on your hip and a toddler hanging off your leg to try and find a pen. Let alone something to write on.

How they arrived. I felt bad ripping the paper! Image from Bespoke Press

I just wanted to thank Alisha so much for my beautiful cards - and want to send you all over to her blog where you can not only see for yourself the step-by-step process of making my cards, but witness her own home renovation, and website to drool over gorgeous wedding packages (invites, menus, table cards) and invitations she's created for clients. The full website will launch soon, but if you're getting married, having a baby or just want to celebrate something in style, Alisha is your girl for gorgeously unique stationery. And too-pretty-to-unwrap packaging!

Did you know...?

Amy's signature style, only smaller

Amy Butler has a new book out - for the bubbies. Little Stitches for Little Ones helps you style up your baby's nursery, wardrobe and life. Love the nappy bag and playmat. More pics here

Some of the projects: toys, quilts, clothes. Pic from Amazon

my new blog

Etsy find: Lil Sock Baby Rattle, $US16, Chickabiddybaby

For some silly reason I've decided to create more work for myself! In an effort not to alienate those not interested in baby things, I've set up a new blog - Mini Meez - to talk about all things related to babies and pregnancy. I've been thinking about doing it for a while, but since I know that's all I'll want to talk about at the moment, now seemed a good time to do it! So pop on over if you want things like birth stories, labour-pain techniques, cool gifts, product reviews, nursery ideas and inspiration and just general baby/motherhood info. I'll try not to go overboard with proud parent pics and actually post some (hopefully) helpful info as well. And I'll do my best to not neglect this blog at the same time. I just might not post as regularly - not only because I'll have two blogs, but because I have two babies!!
Bx

and so it begins...

It's been a week since I've given birth to Layla (who, by the way, is still an angel and is getting more beautiful every day) and I've become all shopping obsessed again. This happened with Zak - my love for internet shopping in the weeks after he was born almost overtook my love for him. Oh ok it got nowhere close, but I did spend way too much time online when I probably should have been sleeping. And I've already started planning how I'd redecorate Zak's room to accomodate a girl and a boy when Layla eventually moves in with him. Much more challenging but much more fun, I think! Anyway, here's my new shopping list - so far. I can already cross the first two things off - they arrived this morning!

Giddy Giddy hair clip (I got it in red), $11.95, Baby's Got Style

Britt Design Ballerina Cuddle Booties, $32.95, Baby's Got Style

DwellBaby Pig Cushion, $59.95, Kidostore

Flensted Butterflies Mobile, $48, Kidostore

And now thanks (and also slight curses for making me spend more money!) to the following commenters who I snooped on, fell in love with their talent and will be buying from as soon as it's payday...

Leslie @ Onegirl
Is this the cutest little guy ever? It's called an Oobee. She says on her Etsy site: "What is an oobee, you ask? Is it a bear, a dear, a dog, a monkey? You decide, that's part of the fun. I like to think they're a little of each." I think give it antlers and it'd be a deer. This is her newest style - called "merle le well dressed oobee". Check out the skinny pants - very well-dressed indeed!

merle le well dressed oobee, onegirl

Rachel @ Grandy & Baa
I love little handmade touches to kids clothes - in fact, I just made something similar to these little shirts as gifts to a couple of friends who've just had babies (it's a baby boom!) - although nowhere near as good as these! This rhino is so cute - I'm going to get this in a bodysuit version. Love, love the fabrics.

Rosie Rhino Onesie, $US21, Grandy & Baa

Chantal @ Styled Baby
Not her own work, but Chantal alerted me to some great Etsy sellers on her cool site, Styled Baby, such as these adorable rattle toys. I think Layla will love them (although Zak will no doubt steal the ball - might have to get him one too!). Thanks also Chantal for your sweet words about Layla and for this gorgeous gift guide - some great ideas for pressies for new mums.

Carnival Bloom - Large Jingle Bell Cloth Ball, $US12, AppleBlossomBaby

Zoo Creatures Teething Rattle - Mendhi Elephant, $US6,
AppleBlossomBaby

Introducing... Layla Belle Graham

Layla Belle Graham
Born: Wednesday June 11, 2008 at 3.42pm
Weight: 3.92kg or 8lb 10
Length: 54cm

Little Pud has finally arrived! And it's a girl, so my theory was wrong! She came into the world rather swiftly on Wednesday and was very good to her mum - five hours of mildish contractions and a couple of pushes later, we got to meet her (am sooo glad I didn't go home as was offered as would have had her there! Eek!) She's a little sweetheart and so far, has been an angel baby, sleeping all the time! Zak is rather pleased he has a little playmate - poor thing has already been high-fived, kissed, headbutted and tickled! All the important things. I said next time you see me it'd be a cheesy family pic, but, well it's an almost family pic. Poor Steve was playing photographer and I didn't realise till just before we have none altogether yet. So stay tuned cause I'll no doubt bore you all to tears with updates. Oh and apologies for the lack of clothes (and info), but she kinda caught me by surprise in the shower!

A rare glimpse of her eyes!

Zakky meeting his little sister. He calls her "La la la"

My perfect pink bundle

I'm off to wake her so I can feed and change her - it sounds wrong, doesn't it? But seriously, I've seen her eyes open for a grand total of about 20 minutes each day! Back soon
Bx

still no bloody baby!!!!!!!!

Pud is obviously having a blast in there. Pic from Getty

Grrr. I'm now five days overdue. It feels like five weeks. The last few weeks have gone s-o-o-o s-l-o-w-l-y. I have put the fact I can barely move to good use by sleeping a lot - might as well while I can!
In baby-related news: Ohdeedoh will apparently feature my non-existent child's nursery/combined bedroom as their nursery tour tomorrow, so look out for that. Hopefully I won't get to see it. Only because this will mean I'll be in hospital in a whole lot of GOOD pain.

before + after: combined bedroom/nursery

Letters from Lincraft ($4 each. The "b" is a P turned upside down. I like lowercase better). The heart is from a vine in my garden. Actually, it's probably a weed...

I have carpet. I have wardrobes. I have painted walls. I have a place for the baby to sleep. And even a few pictures on the wall. I'm FINISHED this room. Well, finished for now, cause in case you haven't figured it out by now, I have serious DDD (decorating deficit disorder) and like to change my mind about things. And just change things...
Anyway, here is how it looked a few years ago after we'd moved a few windows around and before the French doors. It's rather hideous. I can't believe I put up with this for so long!

Um, not my finest decorating moment...

There are no words to describe this disaster. See the skinny grey carpet pieces? That's where the walls went - this room was divided into two when we bought it. We ripped it out immediately and took away the wood panelling and wallpaper. And then I wished the walls were still up because it would have looked sooo much better than this!

And here is how it looks now. I went very neutral - warm wood tones, beige and black and white, but the nursery end adds a little colour (I haven't changed the purple wall yet. I think I like it again) while still featuring those neutral shades. Of course it'll never stay this tidy and I'll have to add all the baby's stuff once it's born and is bombarded with stuffed toys and bits and pieces again, but for now I'm going to enjoy the tidiness!

My new wardrobes with doors AND handles on.

Close up of my side of bed. Missing from pic: phone, massive digital clock, remote, birthing book...

One day I'll replace this ancient TV with a smaller, stylish flatscreen.

Wedding, family and Zak photos are mixed with pretty illos and leftover wallpaper and fabric scraps cover a couple of canvases for a little black and white decor.

Looking towards the baby's end - there is a lot of space in-between, but I figured that would make great play space for Zak while I'm feeding! My chair was moved here again, but I think I'll put the rocking chair in once the baby arrives. It doesn't look as nice, but is much more practical!

I haven't changed anything this end. You can see close ups of this section here.

The baby's wardrobe - chock full of linen for both bubs and way too many little knitted cardigans!

View from the doorway (we don't actually have a door yet!) Should be interesting when the baby is trying to sleep and Zak decides he wants to play with it. Or pinch it or something...

Coming soon... a review of IKEA wardrobes in case you care! And most definitely a baby.

Have a great weekend

x

My new love for hats

I've had this hat for 3 years. This is the first time I've worn it! Here's why...

Yesterday I turned 31. For my birthday I got a hole in my head. In what is possibly best timing ever, I found out last week a little scab on the top of my head was a skin cancer. A plastic surgeon couldn't take it out until AUGUST so I begged my lovely doctor to do it ASAP before the baby arrived (which as we speak is still wriggling away inside me with a little over a week till due date!) cause I really didn't want to have to worry about that. I realise this tiny little basal cell carcinoma is probably the mildest form of cancer, but it is still the dreaded "C" word and hearing it had my imagination running wild, turning the little growth into a full-blown brain tumour. I even stressed! And cried! And obviously not posted on my blog, so now you know why...
I've always wanted to be a hat person - love them, but thought they looked terrible on me. Which is why I never wore one until Zak was born and I felt the need to be all responsible and set examples. Bit late though, so due to a little bald patch on my head, a stiched up hole and the fact that I NEVER want to be told I have any kind of cancer again, I'll be wearing hats everytime I'm out. Even in winter. And - warning, preachy post time - you should too. Cause even though it didn't hurt to have it removed (although it does a little now!) and I'm hardly on my death bed or anything, it could have been worse and it doesn't take much to protect the one part of your body that's most susceptible to the beaming-down sun. Not sure why I shared this, just being all nerdy and sun smart now! But look, I did take the pics in front of something related to my blog: my new wardrobes which are just monstrous. I love them - so much space. The doors are lying all over our bedroom floor cause they appear to be the most difficult part of the putting-together process. Stay tuned for pics of the room - complete! I can't wait!

I also like this one...

This one just needs hanging corks for true-blue Aussie style. Think it'll stay in the cupboard...

Onto to a cheerier topic and more pics of myself (how very narcissistic of me!), here are some photos of my ready-to-pop-belly. I have no idea what I'm having. Well, I know it'll be a baby (at least I hope it is!) but have no inkling of the sex. But I do have a theory: if you have babies close together with a gap of less than two years, chances are higher they'll be the same sex. So if my theory is correct, Zak will get a baby brother. I'm also one of those rare pregnant people who actually like hearing people's opinions on what they think I'm having, so please, have a guess - girl or boy? I'll be sure to let you know soon - next time I post a pic of myself, it'll be a cheesy family one!

Me and all the clothes I can't wear!

Bursting!

Zak's room (again!)

Zak's own art (so creative) and the wooden deer head he thinks is a dog from Hart & Heim, $29.95

I've lost count of the number of times I've posted Zak's room, but anyway... After the carpet got put in I couldn't handle the fact the wall colour didn't go with it. So stupid, I know - it was still a neutral! - but anyway I decided to repaint it white. Steve's eyes are still rolling around somewhere after rolling from his head after I told him what I planned to do. And then of course, I had to do a few new things. Nothing major, but here it is at the moment. This has to last at least six months when it will no doubt change again once Zak and the baby have to share a room!

From the doorway

The reading nook

Storage solutions. No, the flashcards don't stay put for long...

Reading nook and toy box

No more "Once upon a time". Besides the fact he could reach pretty much everything on the wall now and would pull it off, the colour didn't go so I changed it completely. A little barer, but... I might paint the Z turquoise.

Teeny tiny table and chairs. I bought a cheapie wardrobe and dressed it up a little with cotton wrapped around the doors and little pics and things pegged to it.

So, there we go. Wardrobes come tomorrow, but I have to work so won't get to start assembling them until the evening... I will be a happy girl once they're up and stocked full of clothes and I can start reclaiming the rest of my house from all the suitcases and boxes of clothes and endless coat hangers that are lying around everywhere!