Christmas Dresses

I am so happy to have set my mind to it and now have achieved it (with quite a bit of help though).

This year I decided that I wanted to make the girls some Christmassy dresses, unlike the many ones I have seen on American blogs we just don't have the choice. Here Christmas dresses are just what I consider Church dresses, nothing Christmassy really about them. So this year I decided to try sewing myself. As you can see in the blog heading the girls have worn a Christmas dress before but it was made by my mum, I bought the material and pattern but that was as far as I could go. But this year a good friend was there to help and teach me (and do the really hard bits). I was so happy with the results, well maybe they could have been a bit smaller but that just means they will get another year from them:)

Some times its hard

Princess found out today just why she needs to wait a very long time until she is a mummy.

Princess and Sweetness were playing families which Princess always likes to play but the fad may soon be over I think. Today Princess was being the mummy but her baby Sweetness was asking too many questions and wanting her to do lots of things for her and Princess was becoming quite frustrated and I heard
"No, I don't want to be the mummy ANYmore". And then she lets out a big sigh. I had to laugh that her next statement told me that she doesn't really know much about what her Daddy has to do because she decided that she wanted to be the man.

I wonder if she thinks that this job is easier than being mummy;)

Bit of fluff

My little bit of fluff is that GH got to feel a 'kick' last night. I've been aware of kicking for the past two weeks or so but they have just got enough for hubby to have a feel.

Half way there

I can not believe how slow this pregnancy is going for me. I feel a bit like an elephant, both in being pregnant for 20 months rather than 9 and also because...well... I'm a bit on the heavy side.

My tummy is well and truly popped plus some. Now is the time where I am nervous that people will start suggesting I'm carrying twins:/

Our little Angel

Little Princess had her first Ballet concert.

















We Loved seeing her work at something and seeing it through to the end (even if she was a bit shy).

It's a girl

If you haven't already been informed or read on facebook or twitter, we are having another beautiful baby girl.

GH felt happy for two reasons 1. b/c he's having a girl 2. b/c he was right, he never really felt this baby would be a boy, not that he gets 'feelings' or anything.

I am really happy to be having another little girl, I must admit I imagined her as a her I guess because that's what we know. I can just here people say, "Do you know those Graham girls?" The Graham Girls!- sounds really lovely to my ears like a special little club, I just know that all three of them will be great friends if Princess and Sweetness are anything to go by. My only concern was that looking at the ultrasound 3d pictures Sweetness said she was scared of the baby and that she looked like a dinosaur. Luckily Princess stood up for her littlest sister and promptly told Sweetness that dinosaurs are extinct (she's so clever, i didn't know what extinct meant till I was in year 8).


So now our only problem is finding another name for this little girl- having a few of the same sex means you tend to run out of names you really love, I am hoping something will just pop out at GH and myself at some point in the next 21 weeks.

When GH saw this picture he was quite smitten as he said 'she has your nose' to me. Ahh my life in filled with such joy. GH was also right that knowing the gender does help you to bond just a little more in these early stages. I definitely find that I am a little bit more in love with her today:)

A bit of a special day

Good morning all, its a bit early for me but GH was up early for work because today he needs to be home for our scan.

It's a bit special because we get to find out a bit more about our newest family member. I know so people enjoy the surprise at the end and maybe if GH wasn't so interested to know I might too but I guess this gives us a surprise too just earlier.
So the theories atm is GH predicts a girl. Although before he left he was telling me of all the people he knows who have had two girls and then a boy.

My theory is that it could be a boy. The pregnancy hasn't been drastically different but there have been a few subtle differences.

Princess started the journey wanting a baby brother, then another sister but the other day in the car she almost had me in tears because she said summed it up so well.

Mummy: So do you want a brother today or a sister?

Princess: Mummy, I want whatever is in there (pointing to my tummy).

So little girl or little boy we are all excited to meet you soon and today we are excited to know just a little more about you.

Christmas Blogging

Well I saw on Kelly's Korner her new Christmas site and I decided to try one of my own.

Really my last nine Christmas' has been so amazing I thought I would share where I was and the special event of that year.

2000- My first year as a married woman. We were living in Bairnsdale in Victoria at the time but we travelled back to Brisbane to spend it with our families. During this time we also bought our first house.

2001- Actually this year I cannot remember too well but I am guessing we spent this with our families in Brisbane and Caloundra.

2002- This year was quite magical- even though we were not with our families this was my first cold Christmas! We spent it in Brugges in Belgium. It didn't snow but it was so cold and the food was so rich and the waffles were the best I have ever tasted.

2003
We were invited by our good friends in the UK to spend Christmas with them and their family. Chanene was a wonderful cook and it was a great day.

2004- We arrived back in Australia on Christmas Eve night and had a great family Christmas with both families. What we didn't know at the time was that we were pregnant with our Princess.

2005- Princess was a bit older than 3 months this Christmas. And it was so exciting sharing Christmas with a new baby. She did great even with spending the whole day out and about with families

2006- We managed to have a Christmas in our house with a 15 month old- this year she could unwrap the presents herself and she had a great time with her new toys, so fun to watch.

2007- We were joined by Sweetness this Christmas. That was enough to make it special and the fact that we were in our new house too- with a trampoline and swing set:)
2008- Getting time off for GH was difficult and so when he was told to take holidays at Christmas we decided that it was a great time for a beach Christmas, it was so much fun.

Which leads us to 2009- Two beautiful children and a third on the way- family to spend time and feasting with. I can't wait...

*Why is it that my shampoo and conditioner are never empty at the same time- there is always more shampoo, I buy them at the same time and sometimes recklessly throw out the remaining shampoo just to keep them in-sync.

*Why is it that my dog can sniff out my girls goggles and chew them to pieces (and probably swallow quite a bit). They were brand new. So his tally now is two brand new pink goggles and one old blue pair. And the worst is that we only had one week left of swimming lessons.

*Why is it that one weekend you can have not a thing on and the next is packed full.

Enough whys for now I sound a bit whingy don't I?

Anyway this is how our past week has gone

Princess- she has had an exciting week of spending time with friends and family Monday, wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesday swimming lessons are going great- she's very happy and seems to be more water confident and Wednesday night she had her ballet dress rehearsal.

Sweetness- just as busy as her sister but add in a little two year old defiance- she really is changing so quickly.

I have also put both girls in the same room due to Princess not wanting to sleep by herself. Saturday night was their first night and it didn't go so well. They were like monkeys jumping on their beds and so excited to be with eachother. Hoping tonight will be better otherwise Sweetness goes back into her own room.

GH- working, working and did I mention working. I'm not bitter but we do miss him. Even the girls reactions towards him has been different. Children certainly need two parents around- luckily business at work should only be for another week or so.

Me- Just running around all crazy like but looking forward to December and the ending of some activities over the school holidays. On Friday we have our scan to find out about baby's gender.

Sorry no photos taken this week so it's a bit boring but I must make sure to get one of Princess in her Angel costume.

Is it because...

Is it because I am the mother of young children that I feel a strong desire to instruct people (in a public carpark) to use their "Pleases" and "Thank-yous"?

Sisters

 

Because of their personalities being so different I used to not understand why people would say they looked so much alike. In the light today their hair colour is exactly the same. Sisters are so cute.

What a week!

Well this week has been one that I am mighty glad is over. it is always hard when you have sick children. I guess the debate would be over if it is better to have both sick at the same time or if you have a rolling system where one is sick and then the other gets it once the first child is all better. Mine week was the second and I think because of that I would rather deal with two sick and whining children at once, I would have preferred to get it done quickly.

Anyway we are starting to get better and the sickly smells have started to dissipate so i look forward to the weekend.

This time of year is my favourite and now with older but not too old children I love it. Today we made our first batch of cards and tomorrow we are going to start with some decorations. I know its still November but all the shops have had decorations up for a week or two and so now we will put ours up. We will also start reading the first Christmas story before bedtime and watching Christmas movies.



I think I might also have a go at teaching Princess some Christmas carols this year- besides 'Jingle Bells'.

I hope you have a good weekend.

Beautifying

I know a lot of people that enjoy producing at the moment but I figure my body is producing at the moment and therefore our vegie garden can lay dormant. I am much more interested in beautifying. And so this weekend we beautified the girls rooms.




Which was much appreciated by the Princess because she has promised to try her hardest to keep it that way.





Sweetness was less impressed but it certainly made it easier last night as my Gorgeous Husband had to clean up quite a bit of sick up. With her nice clean room there was no toys etc harmed in the process.

In the afternoon it was time to pull out the old flower, (although we could recycle some) and re-plant my old favourites- roses and lavender. I think it is ever so rewarding growing your own fruit and vegetables but for me give me roses and lavender and I'm a very happy girl.

Sunday morning we attempted to get a few photos of me and the girls but the chances of us all looking at the same time were not good as well as smiling- no chance. Nevermind I can still see my little beauties.

A little bit of Friday

A quiet morning of looking after our regular visitor and trying to incorporate some learning into our craft activity.
Today it is the Letter D- It was meant to be a D for duck but when I had already cut out the letters I found that I couldn't find my feathers. I still think they look cute, but not quite like ducks:)

Princess remembered what letter it was- the other two needed more reminding although the guesses did rhyme- it was either V or B (close enough I guess).




This is another cubby- its the castle- isn't my hubby clever putting it together.






Now I need to get ready for ballet class. Princess is really loving these classes which is so lovely. And she just looks so cute in her leotard and skirt.

Tracking the bump

Well today I am 14 weeks pregnant and I thought I would like to record what is happening to me and my body at this stage.

*I am officially in my 2nd trimester

*I am not so sick in the afternoons and nights now ( although I still like to rest around these times and am punctual about eating to ward this off)

* I managed to make my first Wednesday night Bible Study in a while which means I am not so exhausted - I still get the odd night where I am in bed at 7.30pm with the girls but I don't nana nap so I don't feel too guilty about that.

*I have a big tummy- in the right outfit you can see that it is a baby bump and not just a bit too much of Sunday lunches

*I mostly wear dresses because in the first trimester I really didn't enjoy anything touching my stomach. The only time not I wear pants or skirts is when I have a doctor's appointment.

* I haven't found myself craving any type of food. With Princess it was apple juice and turkey and cranberry sandwiches, with Sweetness it was Bacon. I didn't have a huge appetite at the start but I seem to be enjoying food once more.

*I have had feral moods with this pregnancy. I don't remember feeling quite so emotional with the first two but I didn't have two other children to look after then either.

*I don't think about this pregnancy 1/4 as much as my first or 1/2 much as my second, only when I feel sick or tired or maybe a little sorry for myself. Which is why I wanted to record this info.

*I am happy to be pregnant but unlike my first two I'm not too interested in just enjoying the pregnancy- I would really like baby to be here. I would just like to feel a little more normal and be able to have a jump on the trampoline with the girls again.

26 weeks to go!

I wish this was what I looked like.

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old

I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she pretty

Truly the angels best

Boy I'm so happy

we have been Heaven blessed

I can't believe what God has done

Through us He's given life to one

Isn't she lovely, made from love


My Sweet,

You have been such a blessing to our family, you have brought so much joy and fun. You're so lovely and full of life.

You make me laugh when you stick your bottom lip out as far as can be when you decide your not going to cooperate. And the way you do that odd tongue sucking face when you are tired is something I will never forget about, even when you (Lord willing) have babies of your own.

Now that you are are two year old you have started to display to us that maybe you are not always going to be our compliant little one, we see that spark in your eyes when you are thinking about obeying, we see that hint of a smile on your lips when you copy your sister even though you know your going to get into trouble, we see that temptation to run in the opposite direction when we call you to us. We will never let you know now when you are little, but inside we are smiling. Smiling over the fact that you are displaying your own will, which God has given you. It reveals that you are thinking about your decisions (sometimes good, sometimes bad) but we like that you are thinking because one day you will have to make these decision on your own which makes us pleased that there is a rebellious streak in you.We hope that you will rebel against youth culture, that you will rebel against your friends when they are heading down the wrong path, that you will rebel when some scientist in school tells you that Creationism is just a myth.

My sweet, we pray that you will continue to grow and learn and love. We hope that you will love your new role as a 'big sister' and that you will continue to love your position as 'little sister'.

We love you so much and feel so blessed to have you as a part of our lives.