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 :)

"...once, twice, three times-a-crazy!.."

Ok, today I am tired. Shitty and tired. I had to get up three times during the night to pee the tiniest drop of pee. On my way to the toilet I also had to take great pleasure in negotiating my way around three amps, a guitar and a clothes horse. Not. Happy. Jan.

Needless to say, today I am less the riveted about being at work. Why lie. Who is ever riveted about being a work? I'd rather be sipping coffee somewhere, rubbing my massive belly and reading about how turbulent America is right now and how little Miss Palin will save the day. (check out her recent chat with Katie Couric - disaster!) As funny man, Pete Helliar said recently, with 72 yr old McCain in office, they are one slippy shower away from disaster!!

I've totally lost my train of thought now...um, oh yeah. Have some photos to share. A friend of ours recently had an Italian themed dinner party. They are all for dress ups these folks, so we decided to get inventive and come as something Italian. Ben scratched his head for days. Finally, at like 15 minutes before we were due to arrive for dinner, he decided to don this outfit:



*Ben dressed as one of the victims of Pompeii*

And then there was me. I needed something that was going to be comfortable and also Italian. I could have gone as a fat mamma with my belly, but instead of taking the easy option I tried for something a little more inventive. Can you guess what I am?



*Me as Melbourne's infamous Lygon Street - note the car. Belly acted as a speed hump on the night*

This weekend we had a little focus and started clearing the room (again) that would house our baby when he/she arrives. In my cleaning spree I came across a old magazine rack that Ben had. I gave it a good wash down and reinvented it as the portable house nappy bin and accessories.





I also managed to fashion my very own feeding pillow. It's very soft and sits nicely under my breast. I think bubs will like it to. Plenty of room to stretch out there!

23 weeks and counting...

Did you know that at 23 weeks a baby can blink and apparently has a predisposition for Vivaldi? It's amazing the things you learn from the internet!

I'm feeling bloody wonderful, it has to be said. The last few weeks, littered with little kicks, have been the absolute best! Ben got to feel that all important first kick and we are now immersing ourselves in the excitement of the whole event. It' so hard to believe that in a few months time we will be parents. Responsible for someone else. Waking up at 3:12 in the morning. Functioning on burnt toast and cold coffee. *bliss* i cannot wait :)

As the days roll in I have made many attempts to up-the-ante on the sewing. It's been so bloody busy here at work that when i get home I just want to roll around on the couch will elevated legs, carbs and Benny. I did however start a dress making course this week - hurrah! It's three Tuesday nights in North Melbourne at a funky little place called Thread Den. I already love it. I'm obsessed. I stayed back an extra half hour just because it made me feel warm and cosy. We are making a 60's shift dress (mine will be mat style) and I cannot get enough!

On top of that I am still working away on the baby's quilt. I might wanna hurry up with that one. I don't want to be handing it over as a wedding gift to the wee tacker. Tonight I am dedicating to the many patches still unstitched and perhaps a little TV action.

In other news, we had a very relaxing weekend at the farm. I wanted to share this photo of Maggie and Ben as they head off for their morning walk. Such a steely stare!

two dollars and a kick.

Well...my oh my...haven't we been a little absent from the blog lately? Naughty, naughty Em. Well I'm back again and absolutely buggered from work. The ups and the downs and early starts and late nights can only go on for so long before a pregnant woman with a sore back throws her mouse at the computer screen, violently kicks her ergo chair that doesn't work, and storms out never to be seen again*.

I had a moment the other day, sitting at work at 8:30pm at night. My whole vagina felt like it was going to fall out onto my $11 ballet flats. The pressure from the baby was full-on and before long I started cramping. I totally shit my daks. Not literally, just totally.

I googled. Big mistake. When you're pregnant for the first time you should have a restraining order put out on you that states you cannot walk within 200 metres of a computer with internet access. Just in case you google. Whilst it's a wonderful invention (Happy 10th B'day BTW) it can also cause serious heart palpitations. I read that apparently I was going into labour. That i could have been losing the baby. And that some positions are just best left to the drawings in the book. *sigh*

After a quick chat with a Midwife at the Sandringham Hospital I ventured home, lay down and waited to feel cotton socks move. She warned that no fetal movement could be a bad sign. Before long the little buggar gave me a good Beckham and hasn't stopped since. I love our baby...

Which is a great segue into my next story. I love our baby so much that I cant wait for it to be old enough to eat bread and then I can justify my insane love for my new bread maker. Holy cow the smell of fresh bread in the morning is enough to turn me all Martha Stewart! My friend Nat picked this little baby up at a garage sale for.....wait for it....$2. You wouldn't even get a loaf of bread for that! The irony....



I'll post a real photo when Ben brings home our camera which has been stashed at his work for the last few weeks. Might even pop one up here of my little old bump....

*the bank manager said I have to put this disclaimer in: not bloody likely.

cotton socks.

Well, I am now a good 19 weeks and 5 days pregnant. It's so wonderful and special. I have to remind myself that some people are not so lucky. Today we found out a friend lost their child at 6 months. I could not even begin to imagine the pain of something like that. I was very upset when i heard. And being in the position I am in, I think I felt it even deeper. I would be devastated if something like that happened to Ben and I.

On Friday we had our 19 week scan. I love hearing that little heart beat more than anything else in this world. And of course, we could see little Cotton Socks (this weeks name BTW). Cotton Socks had two little feet crossed over one another and a hand up next to the chest. We counted 10 toes and 10 fingers and A LOT of really scientific other things that basically mean the heart is in the right place and Cotton Socks has all the right bones. I think our baby is the cutest thing I have ever encountered on TV.

The only negative was that I have a 'low-lying placenta'. It seems Cotton Socks and his dealer are two lazy buggars who would rather get ripped into the world than venture down the dark path. I may have to have a C Section if the two of them decide to stay where they are. Keep your fingers crossed for me that this changes and I can have a natural birth.

IN other news, I get a little eDM every week from this website. It tells me all that's going on this week for little Cotton Socks. I like reading about the progress during the kaos of work. I sent the link to Ben. It contained the following drawing:



When he saw it, he emailed me back saying 'Wow. Cotton Socks is going to be a gymnast?'