things bought and things made.

I've been busy. Busy working. Busy growing. Busy shopping. Busy sewing. Busy sleeping. Busy baking. Busy reading. Busy faking*.

That might explain why the posts are so few and far between. I have plenty of share though. Gently, gently goes the blogger. The first things I would like to share are the fantastic, greatest, shiniest, newest edition to our baby's room - the nappy bag!

Can I just say...there is plenty o horrid crap out there for new mums-to-be. Like, I mean, no-need-to-stick-fingers-down-throat vomit inducing. Tacky, loud, skin crawling designs. I was finding it hard to get a nappy bag I actually wouldn't be embarrassed carrying (or Ben wouldn't mind carrying for that matter)

Last week I hit the sale at Parenthood in Richmond. LUVERLY shop that one. Although damn expensive. There was 25% off nappy bags and I surprised myself by finding something I liked. It has a nice plan design on the outer fabric that does not scream 'guy' and does not scream 'girl'. The inside has more of a girly pattern, but I figure that's for me to enjoy as I rifle for ass-cream anyway.






This bag came with a change mat, bottle keep warmer, wipes box, etc.

I also found a little time to make cotton socks one more felt toy. This one was inspired by a design I saw. I don't think I have done it justice. The poor little thing has the longest legs and no arms. Go figure!



* work related. always related work.

project undies.

I bet that title got you all wondering. No, I have not had to move on up to grannies just yet. This pregnancy is being good to me in the arse department. I still have a slight crease where my leg meets my buttocks. Yay! It's not all tears and muffin tops just yet.

Nope. When I say 'undies' I really refer to 'bloomers' or 'nicker bockers'. They are cute little pants you can pop over baby's nappy in summer, teem with a little teeshirt and be done with it. I happened to find some gold at the Matilda Market on Sunday. I was there to see my good friend make a tonne of money (which she cleverly accomplished) and also had a little wander around in case something took my fancy for cotton socks.

I have to say it was hard to get something that was gender neutral. Too many baby blues and blinding pinks. I settled on this little pair of summer knickers for our bub.



They cost around $20 which is better than the normal price, but after a quick investigation I figured I could probably make my own. So I did.

I found material at Darn Cheap Fabrics in Glen Huntly. It was a 'economic crisis appropriate' $3.75 a metre. A little elastic and bob's your uncle and mary's your aunt. The pattern was a little tough to figure out (especially with pregnancy brain) and I also had the challenge of teaching myself corners on an overlocker.

Before long I had made these:





*note: next time I will go higher on the waist. Wanna make sure they get right over the nappy and sit on baby's tummy - don't make them too tight people!*

They now belong to my friend Sarah's soon to be born little girl. But I have a fever to make more, and make more I shall!!!! Cotton socks will think they've been born into a Chinese Sweat Shop the way things are going!

lovely things.

My little sister married the man of her dreams about 2 weeks ago. Of course, she was beautiful and he was the sweetest thing on earth. They looked so deliciously happy. The day was romantic and fun and special. I fully enjoyed playing the role of bridesmaid with my two other fantastic sisters!

I thought I would post a couple of pictures just to share the joy. Cograts Liz and Rob - you will live a long and happy life together!!


*Here are the happy couple with my nephew Harrison and robs niece Elizabeth*



*the three sisters. That's me in the middle*

fabric, bump and big decisions.

I know that I promised shots of my latest fabric purchase many moons ago. It's amazing what the recent election, the economic crisis and pregnancy tiredness can do to a person. I simply forgot. I was busy having to sack people, busy offering remaining staff no motivation and struggling hard to find the couple of specks left in myself. It hasn't been a good few days.

So here I sit. 31 weeks pregnant and loving every fantastic moment of it. Sure the mid afternoon napping is a little out of character, but the visible movement on my stomach (even if the bowel kind have slowed down) make it all worth while. I feel so incredibly lucky to be having a child with someone like Ben. So supportive and caring and funny. No better man to lead our child. *eek!* I'm one of those emotion pregnant women!!!!!

The fabric after all:



I got these two at a sale in Spotlight. They perfectly matched a more expensive material I fell in love with at Patchwork on Central Park.



I want to fashion something memorable out of these lovely minty wonders. Anyone got any suggestions??

I also thought it worthwhile to post another bump pic. After all, I want a little memory when Cotton Socks is a bit older. Here is my very visible bump the day of my sisters wedding.



I am also proud to say that we came to a decision on the pram. Thank god. it was starting to take over ALL my thoughts. Important factors for Ben and I:

- that it last
- that it be lightweight
- that it can hold a bassinet
- that it folds in one simple go
- that it be made in either Australia or New Zealand
- that it be a bargain

We choose......drum roll please.....The Mountain Buggy! Little New Zealand company makes it big! We managed to get a best price in Melbourne and find the matching bassinet on ebay for more than half the price. Pure delight! I pulled it around the living room, contemplating whether it would be weird to put Maggie in it and push her down the road. It's love at 11th sight!

a weekend at the beach...

Man, I love weekends. I love them because they don't smell like a stuffy office and cheap perfume. They never insist I plonk down on a badly designed chair for 8 hours straight writing, writing, writing. They almost never involve bullshit conversations about 'how you're feeling' 'whats on for the weekend' or 'I'd like to implement my next big idea and you're going to do all the work'. I love them because I get to spend all day and all night with Ben and Maggie. Cuddling each with ferocious intensity and planning the arrival of our little cotton socks.

On Friday Ben and I had 'date night'. Something I highly recommend. It's a night, choose which suits you best, when you are your partner spend some quality time together. And that doesn't mean sitting on the couch! Try a little dinner somewhere (find a good local cheap place) or even just head out after dinner for an ice cream. It's not really where you go, it's more about just doing it together. Actually talking about things and looking into each other's eyes for once. Sounds totally tosserish, but it can make a hard week at work seem a million miles away.

Anyway, I digress, our date night this week was in St Kilda. I have a slight fascination with St Kilda at the moment. I make Ben drive past it late at night so I can watch other people (young people generally, with cool clothes, spikey hair styles and a general bi-sexuality about them) sitting out in the warm evening, casually enjoying a cold glass of beer. I long for that. For beer in the sun. A gentle fuzziness slowly creeping over as you proceed to get tipsy. *delicious* We ended up sitting outside I'Carusi 2. Ben had an awesome rocket, pesto, capsicum and goats cheese pizza topped with prosciutto! I had some pancetta with roast tomatoes, red onion and chili. Yum, Yum! It was so lovely to sit out there chatting amid the infectious St Kilda vibe and dining on good pizza. I highly recommend it.

On Saturday we headed to the beach house in Blair Gowrie *sigh* I love that place! Mind you, we had a lot of cleaning to do so it was hardly a holiday, but it was good all the same. While Ben and his brother oiled the deck, I made delicious muesli slice with Craisins and a spicy pasta with hot sopressa and chili olives. We then sat down to watch Monsoon Wedding on DVD which I thoroughly enjoyed.

During all this commotion, I had time to visit an op shop and walk miss Maggie May. At the op shop in Rye I dropped off a big box of clothes and hand me downs. The women's club there (who were eating sandwiches and talking about their husbands) thanked me and offered me something from the store in exchange. I had a little wander and came across this:



It's the first piece of clothing that I have bought cotton socks and I didn't even pay for it! People are so nice. I like the vintage look of this onesey. I can just see Ben, Maggie, cotton socks and I down at the front beach of Blair Gowrie building sand castles and planning dinner on the balcony.

On my walk with the four legged freak we captured these shots:







Doesn't matter how big it is, when she sees a stick, she takes it.



spot the kelpie



I am also busily trying to get some sewing done. I have some new material that I jut bought. Will share it tomorrow. Right now I am busy unpicking some of the sewing for Cotton Socks blanket. *sigh* we can talk about that, another time :)

28 weeks and aching...

Righto. That's it. I've had a gut full. Someone has been lying. Someone has been trying to sell this pregnancy crap as the best time of your life. The most momentous occasion that you are ever likely to experience. the time when you simply GLOW! Well, that's crap. Total utter shite. And, while we're at it, was probably concocted by the CIA as some human experiment to see how we cope with pushing a small child through a letter box.

I sit here winching in pain. I have done something unforgivable to my back. It aches. All the time. When I start work in the morning it's fine. NO probs. And then lunchtime rolls round and the sharp stabbing pains take hold. I' m not sure I can tolerate the torture any longer. I may have to bite the bullet and pay for a massage.

To top things off, last nights Anti Natal class was all about giving birth naturally. How the hell am I going to give birth to cotton socks naturally when i cant even update my blog without wanting to be high on drugs! *ow. typing not helping back*

Overall it was a very good class. Informative and a good bit entertaining. They showed us videos of American women huffing and puffing their way through. I was gob smacked to see a head peek out and bodies slip from vagina's and end up on stomachs. It gave me nervous giggles. Ben had to ssh me as my reactions were scaring some of the women in the class.

After the video the midwife passed around some cards. On each was a scenario we may find ourselves in eventually. eg 'contractions are 3 mins apart - what should you do' *skull vodka in the bath while your husband counts the shots*. When we received our card my quiet giggles turned into uncontrollable hysterics. I had to give Ben the card to read out as I had completely lost my shit. Soon it was our turn.

Midwife: 'Ben and Emily. What's your scenario?'

Ben pausing momentarily while I shake with laughter next to him.

Ben: 'Um...we've got wet knickers'

Rolling on floor with laughter

Ben: 'Can I ask?...do I have wet knickers, or does my wife?'

Now in tears.

Ben: 'Should I take them off? Her knickers, not mine I mean'

Midwife: 'Wet knickers might suggest...'

me: 'That's what got us in this mess in the first place?'

We can't even take that seriously, how will we ever be parents?? Here is a little picture of what cotton socks looks like a 28 weeks.



When we got home after the anti natal class I read a leaflet to Ben. Every time I spoke the baby gave a good kick and when I stopped, bubs stopped. We happily played that game for a good 5 minutes *smiles* - oh all right! There are some joys with this whole thing. I think if I had a better back I might even say that I love it.

getting things done.

I am proud to say that I am actually achieving things on the home front. At 27 weeks pregnant I think I am in a good place to welcome a little new born. of course there are some major things still not accomplished eg. getting the car seat safely fitted, but should the baby magically appear on our dining room table, I'd be able to pop him/her in a little bassinet and get on with finishing my sandwich (cause...ya know...that's how it happens)

One of the first things I would like to share is the kindness of my good friends George and Yael. They have offered Ben and I a loan of their beautiful, spotless cot. How good are these people? I warned Ben that if he couldnt put it together he probably shouldnt be a dad. With beads of sweat pouring down his face and fierce determination, he managed to erect our babies second bed.



You will notice a half finished blanket hanging over the edge. That's my current sewing project - fun! Here is a better picture of how it's all coming together:



We also hung up (badly) the prints that I got from Sugarloop on etsy. I love these prints. Ben's mum framed them for us for the wedding and now they belong to our little cotton socks.



I also felt overwhelmed to make our baby something cute. Felt toys are fun and so I copied some designs from a book called 'softies'.


Introducing Mr. Yellow


Introducing Blue Elf

In other news, we had our lovely friends come to visit us at the beach house recently. They brought their 2 month old baby Mae and I was hoping she would give Ben and I a good dose of reality re: crying, pooing and general baby craziness. She didn't. Instead she was perfect. Lovely, sweet and quiet. *sigh* I just hope our bubs is as good when we visit friends :)