xxx Cousins xxx

On a blogging roll today!  Thought I would share the Santa photo we had taken today with the four cousins ... Hunter was very brave!  Have to say the David Jones photos are heaps better than the Westfield ones.

Christmas ham bag

Today's little piece of creativity! Now we just need the ham :)

Gingerbread Men

Another addition to my Christmas traditions ... making gingerbread men!  These were surprisingly simple and look oh so cute (and yummy too).  I used a medicine dropper to do the icing ... heaps easy!  Now I want to attempt one of those gingerbread houses :)

The Love You Book

During one of my recent internet shopping episodes, I came across this gorgeous book, "The Love You Book".  Written by Andrew Wynne and Emma Scott, it has the most amazing illustrations and it is a beautiful story for mummies and daddies to read to their babe! We haven't read it to Lucy yet as it is a Christmas present ... but I can't wait!  Highly recommend it!





























PS. I bought it through the website www.hardtofind.com.au

Getting Creative

It was my sister Maree's birthday the other day and as part of her present I decided to make some mismatched table napkins.  After deliberating over fabric at Spotlight, I finally chose four, and made two of each.  I think they turned out pretty well ... have actually had a request for a set from another sister!

All Wrapped Up

Here is a pic of some of the presents under the Christmas tree (well the ones that I have wrapped).  I got the fabric bows idea from Anna Spiro.  She has decorated her tree with these bows too.  Pop on over to her blog for a squiz.

Cherry Ripe Ice Cream

I have just made a tub of cherry ripe ice cream ... yummo!  I got the recipe from my sister's mother-in-law (thanks Tracy!).  You can find the recipe as well as many other scrumptious dishes at Tracy's blog ...

http://www.tracymadden.com.au/

P.S Can highly recommend the chicken balls too
P.P.S The Essential Ingredient ... Love is a fab read :)

I am loving right now ...

Downton Abbey!  Yes I know it has been out for a while but I have only just managed to get my hands on it.  It is a television series set in England in the years leading up to the first world war, and it tells the story of the Crawley family as well as all their servants.  I have seen the first two episodes and I am hooked!
Put it on your Christmas list!

This time a year ago ...

A year ago today we found out that I was pregnant!  Hard to believe how much our lives have changed since then and how much more enriched they are since Lucy's arrival.  Hard to remember life before her!

I was lucky enough to have a dream pregnancy ... I loved it!  I had no morning sickness and no bizarre cravings.  I loved watching my tummy grow, and then the feel of Lucy moving around.  Although towards the end that moving around became quite painful as L was breech.  My skin was glowing and my hair in the best condition ever :)

Here is a list of my essential pregnancy items ...

1. Bio - Oil ... I had a bottle of this in the shower and would lather it on before getting out.
2. Belly Bean Maternity Pillow ... really needed this towards the end to help get comfortable.
3. Heat pack ... helped ease the sore spots.
4. Baby Wise ... absolute must have read!
5. What To Expect App ... I downloaded this onto my phone right from the beginning of my pregnancy.      
It gives you a weekly run down on what is happening with you and bub, as well as useful tips.
6. Yoga ... I started doing antenatal yoga classes but they were soooo expensive.  I ended up finding some on itunes, so downloaded those and did yoga in my lounge room!
7. Practical Parenting magazine ... Luke's sister got me a subscription to this ... a great gift idea for expecting mums :)

Here 'Tis ...

It's December!

Happy first of December everyone! Can't wait to put the tree up today and crank up the Christmas Carols. This year I'm not going for a particular colour theme ... Just putting all the decs on :). My mum is the queen of tree decorating. She has each year's colour scheme chosen years in advance, and she has a cupboard chock full of beautiful ornaments all stored in Christmas boxes! She has decided to follow a retailer Christmas and put her tree up as soon as they were up in the shops :)

Mum's Tree 2011