tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54460426529022481712024-03-14T10:52:13.846+11:00A BUNCH OF KEYSThis is a blog about our adventures as a family; our passions; and our commitment to becoming more environmentally aware. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.comBlogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-23739775496805313892014-12-14T17:18:00.005+11:002014-12-14T18:12:47.382+11:00Lorelei's birth story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2nMFvB6wnk/VIFUksbv9CI/AAAAAAAAEAg/9XivSW22DcU/s1600/37-VickyLeon%2Bclr%2B%282%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2nMFvB6wnk/VIFUksbv9CI/AAAAAAAAEAg/9XivSW22DcU/s1600/37-VickyLeon%2Bclr%2B(2).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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A few days before Lorelei was born I started feeling a
bit unsettled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t put my finger
on exactly what was wrong but I was just really emotional and couldn’t sit
still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had this crazy urge to just
clean!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was cleaning windows and
dusting cobwebs from the ceiling in the days before she was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember I’d planned to wash everyone’s
sheets on the day I went into labour and I was really excited about that
(crazy!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met with my midwife Jacqui
on the Friday before Lorelei was born and we both thought that this
‘unsettledness’ might mean something was going to happen soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei was also engaged and really low in my
pelvis too and I was starting to feel really uncomfortable. At this stage I
wasn’t even quite 39 weeks but my babies have all chosen completely different
times of gestation to be born so it didn’t surprise me at all to get these
‘signs’ at this stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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On the Saturday night before she came I had a bit of a
cry with Chris, telling him that I wasn’t ready to have this baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried about the pain and of not
coping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried about throwing up
during labour (which, ironically, I never have for any of the other kids!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comforted me and told me that it would all
be ok, that I was always amazing giving birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sat and read in bed for a while and then Chris came to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me, being obsessed with having all things
clean, asked him if he’d cleaned the kitchen ( I just had this ‘thing’ where I
didn’t want to go into labour with the kitchen a mess – it was a huge mess when
we had Gideon because he came so unexpectantly and I didn’t want it to happen
again!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hadn’t so I made him go and clean it (yeah,
I feel kind of bad about that looking back at it now – the things my hubby puts
up with from me!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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At about 2am that night I woke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lay there for a while wondering why I felt
so wide awake all of a sudden and then I felt a pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost like an intense Braxton Hicks
but there was something a little different about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to just lie there and see what
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 10 minutes later, I had
another of the same pains and 10 minutes later, another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something was definitely happening!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an hour they continued about every 10
minutes and then from 3 onwards they started happening every 5-10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Gideon’s birth has been quite
quick (three hours) I wasn’t concerned about waking Chris or calling my
midwives yet. The pains were frequent but they weren’t intense yet and I could
get through them lying down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Just after 4, I had a pain that was a bit more
intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I realised that the
‘trickling’ feeling I was getting was possibly my hind waters breaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit of a novel experience having my
waters break before I got to the pushing stage – in four births this was the
first time it had happened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, I
had thought to put a waterproof sheet on my side of the bed still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that it was time to wake up Chris
and tell him that things were happening. He was awake pretty quickly and straight
into organisational mode – filling birth pool, getting the urn on to boil,
moving the car up the top so our midwives could fit in the driveway!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a couple more intense pains but they
seemed to slow down a bit once we were actually awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the opportunity to get some last
minute naked tummy photos – I wanted to remember the last few moments of my
last pregnancy!</div>
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About 4:30 we thought we should probably ring our
midwife, Jan and tell her what was going on – she wanted to know as soon as I
went into labour in case things moved quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We rang her and had to leave a message on her mobile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about half an hour with no call back
(very unusual for Jan who always answers middle of the night calls very
quickly!) we tried her pager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still no
response!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s ok, we’ll try Jacqui
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we did and had to leave a
message on her phone too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And still no
phone calls back again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris and I had
a little laugh about not being able to contact anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t too worried about things moving
quickly and besides which, I knew we’d be capable of doing this by ourselves in
it came to that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At about 6, we got a
frantic call from Jan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘What’s
happening?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m on my way right NOW.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently she’d left her pager in the car
and didn’t hear her phone ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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On her way Jan sent a text to Chris asking him what was
happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him to text her back
and say that it was probably nothing (contractions were not as regular now and
I was really questioning whether I should have called everyone!) Her reply: ‘So
I should slow down then?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris sent one
back saying ‘yes, don’t get pulled over!’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jan ended up arriving just after 7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was reassuring to have her here and made everything seem a lot more
real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She checked what was going on with
me, by that stage contractions had slowed quite a bit with only the occasional
intense one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids were starting to
wake up now and came into the bedroom to see what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were excited to hear that the baby would
be coming soon (although I think Esme expected it to come very soon, she’s not
the most patient person!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacqui arrived
shortly afterwards and then my Mum arrived a bit later to look after the kids (we’d
left it to a civilised time to ring her!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went downstairs to have some breakfast and to organise breakfast for
the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Once I was upright and moving the contractions started to
have a bit more ‘bite’ to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to
stop and concentrate when they came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
laboured downstairs for awhile while my Mum read a million and one books to the
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jan and Jacqui were discussing
whether they would go out to get some breakfast but in the end Jan decided that
they would stay ‘just in case’ even though I tried to convince them to go, I
still felt like there was ages to go until I had this baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jan suggested that Chris and I go upstairs by
ourselves for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we did, it was
nice just sitting together on the bed and talking with Chris supporting me when
the contractions hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember
complaining about being bored during the gap between contractions and feeling
like I needed something to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contractions
had gone back to not being as regular and intense and I was in this weird
headspace where I wanted them to get a lot stronger and painful so I knew that
the baby would be born soon but also being a little fearful and apprehensive
about what was to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Jan would come in sporadically and see how we were going
and do some checks on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She watched me
go through some contractions and suggested that it was probably pre labour and
that I needed to do something to get it started properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing she suggested was nipple
stimulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently Chris wasn’t
aware that this could be useful and he thought the idea was quite a novel
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the words were even hallway out
of Jan’s mouth I said to her, ‘don’t tell him that’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, I was not in the mood!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jan’s other suggestion was for me to go for a
walk outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt that I was
distracted by the noise of the kids downstairs (who were playing very nicely –
but loudly! – with Mum and Jacqui).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Esme
had also been in and out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think she was feeling a bit anxious about the noises I was making and what was
happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all her bravado, she’s
actually quite tuned into our moods and emotions and is very sensitive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She insisted that she wanted to come for a
walk with us (not part of Jan’s original idea!) but eventually we convinced all
of them to go outside in the cubby with my Mum to give us a bit of peace and
quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Chris and I went downstairs and I started to walk around
the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this stage it was around
9 or a bit later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contractions ramped up
a lot now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris was filling buckets
from the urn and taking them to the pool upstairs but he kept having to stop
and support me through another contraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It got to the point where he couldn’t even get a bucket filled between
each contraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were really
intense now and I was having to vocalise during each one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made the decision to move upstairs to the
bedroom and get the bed set up for the birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jan, Jacqui and the student midwife came up too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I started on the bed, kneeling , with Chris in front to
support me during contraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
moved to standing by the side of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s when I started getting the urge to push. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stripped off my pants in preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing up just felt wrong though, my legs
were shaking and I didn’t feel like I had the strength to keep standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jan asked me where I wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that if I was going to get in the
pool now was the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had talked
previously about using the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my
other two homebirths I had a pool but didn’t end up using it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though, I love the idea of a water birth
for some reason it never felt right to me with the other two births.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought did cross my mind to get in the
pool but for some reason I thought it might slow the labour and I think there
was a fair bit of denial on my part that this baby would actually be born
sooner rather than later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said to Jan ‘you
know I can’t make decisions when I’m in labour’ – she has been with through
enough births to know how I ‘do’ them!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In her usual style, she said to me that she thought that I would birth
this baby in the same position that I had birthed my other three babies, that
once I was in that position my body would know what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was when I abandoned any attempts to get
in the water and I got up on the bed, kneeling, with Chris (as always) in front
to support me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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As soon as I was in that position, as Jan predicted, my
body just took over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a couple of
really strong urges to push and as I did, I felt the baby move down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids had come in a little earlier and now
Gideon and Esme were standing to the side with Jacqui and Jacob was standing by
the door (he was adamant that he didn’t want to come too close)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to watch the baby being born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pushing seemed to take forever to me but
in actual fact she was out pretty quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During one of the contractions, I remember this overwhelming feeling of not
being able to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually cried
and said to Chris, ‘I can’t do this’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I physically
felt like I couldn’t push the baby out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t remember saying that during any of the other kids’ births!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just all felt so intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Chris was great as usual, reassuring me
that I could do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Not long after, her head was out and her body followed
pretty quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feeling of that
little body sliding out and that sense of relief of getting her out was so
incredibly amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jan told me to reach
down and pick the baby up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feel of
her little, warm body was so powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
discovered as soon as I picked her up that she was a girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had felt that this baby was a girl during
my pregnancy and I had secretly hoped she would be, but to have her here with
us was incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel so blessed by
the arrival of our little girl and to have shared this journey with such an
amazing support team, my beautiful midwives, my husband and my mum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei’s birth would not have been the same
without them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7W8wt20CGus/VIFXDCQOe1I/AAAAAAAAECY/qLGmrA-uliA/s1600/P1000533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7W8wt20CGus/VIFXDCQOe1I/AAAAAAAAECY/qLGmrA-uliA/s1600/P1000533.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My midwives play with the kids while I labour upstairs with Chris!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCCHQ9Ddysw/VIJty5IQQfI/AAAAAAAAEC4/DILulzyecq4/s1600/DSC_5685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCCHQ9Ddysw/VIJty5IQQfI/AAAAAAAAEC4/DILulzyecq4/s1600/DSC_5685.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, supporting me through contractions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMMs0P5QCIU/VIJz3x2XvYI/AAAAAAAAEDg/0byX3uyYHJE/s1600/DSC_5693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMMs0P5QCIU/VIJz3x2XvYI/AAAAAAAAEDg/0byX3uyYHJE/s1600/DSC_5693.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting through another tough contraction!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9i0gjbAuwY/VIFWLW2EgkI/AAAAAAAAEBo/LrMO2b1LM3U/s1600/DSC_5677.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9i0gjbAuwY/VIFWLW2EgkI/AAAAAAAAEBo/LrMO2b1LM3U/s1600/DSC_5677.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of a break between contractions, they were getting more intense by this stage!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-So_y6SnY1KE/VIJzeFJ1HBI/AAAAAAAAEDI/FHcb84NtEJY/s1600/DSC_5697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-So_y6SnY1KE/VIJzeFJ1HBI/AAAAAAAAEDI/FHcb84NtEJY/s1600/DSC_5697.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esme and Gideon stand with Jacqui as they wait for the baby being born.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7heRwNn_F2w/VI0tVunNWsI/AAAAAAAAEEg/sMV6bS1Diuc/s1600/DSC_5687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7heRwNn_F2w/VI0tVunNWsI/AAAAAAAAEEg/sMV6bS1Diuc/s1600/DSC_5687.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacqui hard at work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wWYcinouC0/VIFVqex7mnI/AAAAAAAAEBI/4cZB4z_MHRQ/s1600/DSC_5701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wWYcinouC0/VIFVqex7mnI/AAAAAAAAEBI/4cZB4z_MHRQ/s1600/DSC_5701.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Lorelei is born! Because of my position while birthing, Chris and I were the first to see her (my midwife Jan was standing behind me)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KKh5CiWH9_8/VIFV0CAv8xI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/QD5Up26SJYA/s1600/DSC_5706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KKh5CiWH9_8/VIFV0CAv8xI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/QD5Up26SJYA/s1600/DSC_5706.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking up my baby for the first time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A precious baby girl.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family of six!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All together with our support team - both my midwives and my Mum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First breastfeed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skin to skin time with Daddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy with all the kids!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pregnant with Lorelei</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now she is here!</td></tr>
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Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-56842276235341883882014-12-01T20:33:00.000+11:002014-12-06T13:40:41.413+11:00Footprint Reindeers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love making footprint reindeers with the kids at Christmas. They are so quick, easy and fun for then to make. They also serve as a lasting reminder of just how little the kids were at the time. All you need to make them is some red and brown paint, a red pom pom for the nose, some googly eyes and some cardboard. The kids do their footprint in brown paint for the reindeer's 'face' and then two handprints in red paint for the reindeer's 'antlers'. Glue the pom pom on for a nose and the googly eyes on when he is dry and that's it! Easy! It is, however, a little messy so make sure you have a bucket of soapy water nearby for the cleanup. I got the kids to write their names and the year they made them (we made these ones last year). Here's Jacob's and Esme's reindeers too...</div>
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<br />Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-61406768224771298612014-11-24T14:47:00.001+11:002014-11-24T14:55:16.964+11:00Introducing Lorelei Alynne!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, it's been awhile since I have updated this blog (start of this year - eeek! Where does the time go?!) Just thought I'd share this photo of our newest addition. Baby Lorelei was born at the start of November. I guess you can say that's what I've been doing for the past 9 months instead of blogging - gestating ;) She is just gorgeous and we love her to pieces. I'm working on her birth story at the moment so hopefully I will get that up on here soon. Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-85570379310673464492014-02-16T10:05:00.001+11:002014-02-16T10:05:47.390+11:00Another one off to school! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week we waved Esme off to school for the first time! She was super excited to go. She's been hanging out to start Prep since Jacob started school a couple of weeks ago (our kids go to Steiner school and they start Prep a bit later than regular schools). It's a little strange sending the second child off to school. For some reason it seems a little easier. And we've also felt that she's been well and truly ready for a long time! <br />
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There were no tears when we dropped her off (from her or me!) and she settled in very quickly with her friends. It helps a lot that most of her group from Kinder have continued on to Prep. The program itself is very similar to the Kinder program as well so it makes for an easy transition for all the kids. She had a great week at school and has been asking all weekend when she gets to go again!! <br />
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Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-10024062647615502592014-01-23T20:22:00.000+11:002014-01-23T20:23:23.301+11:00Some recent sewing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been busy, busy, busy, sewing lately. I'm really happy with my latest creations. Here's some pictures...</div>
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This twirl skirt with built in shorts (perfect for Esme who is always on the move!) from <a href="http://www.tiedyedivapatterns.com/">Tie Dye Diva</a><br />
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A reversible cross over dress for Esme. I used this <a href="http://www.fairytalefrocksandlollipops.com/femikidscouture-e-patterns/femikidscouture-anne-pinafore-e-pattern-a/">pattern</a> but changed it around a bit to include buttons at the shoulder. <br />
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Appliqued tops for both Gideon and Esme. I also made two pairs of Big Butt pants for Gideon - one with an owl theme and the other the very hungry catepillar - the same as the ones from this <a href="http://post./">post.</a> Gideon is almost too big for the big butt pants now which is a bit sad! <br />
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I couldn't not include some pictures of the kids showing off their new clothes! I love that they are always so excited about the things I make for them!<br />
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<br />Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-8112571053917145182014-01-08T13:22:00.001+11:002014-01-08T13:22:30.025+11:00Kombucha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Meet our Scoby! I know, it doesn't look very attractive does it?! But it's actually very healthy. Scoby stands for <span class="st">Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast and it is used to make </span><a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/kombucha-health-benefits/">Kombucha</a> which is a fermented product. We have been brewing our own Kombucha for a couple of months now. We haven't always been consistent with it but this year we are planning to put a bit more effort in and experiment with some different flavours as well. <br />
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I quite like the taste of it and happily drink a small amount of it each day. The kids seems to like it in small doses as well, which is a bonus. It tastes kind of like fizzy apple cidar with a bit of a vinegar-y kick (I think I really only like it because of that - I'm one of those strange people who love vinegar!) Chris is not so keen on it at the moment! <br />
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It is very easy to do. We were given our 'Mother' (original Scoby) by a friend and have gone from there. We generally leave it a few weeks to ferment to get it to the right 'flavour' and then start a fresh batch. A fresh batch simply means brewing up a litre of tea with 1/3 cup sugar, leaving it to cool then taking the 'baby' scoby that has formed on the top of the old scoby with a cup of the liquid and adding it the new tea. Easy! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-82439540206286898492014-01-06T11:31:00.000+11:002014-01-06T14:22:11.658+11:002013 - the year that was!I'm rather a little late writing my summary of last year (although I'm sure if you look back at the blog you will notice a similar trend in previous years!) 2013 was a very busy year for us. I knew it would be but I didn't expect it to be quite as bad as it was. I feel like I never had a moment free! It has been an amazing year though. We have had some unexpected surprises along the way that have us excited about the future. <br />
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Jacob started Class 1 this year. He started at a different campus this year and we were all a little worried about how he'd settle in. But it's all happened so smoothly. He has the most amazing teacher. She is gentle, kind and compassionate. She understands the kids she teaches so well and knows exactly what they need. She has made the transition to the new campus so easy for Jacob. We feel truly blessed that she will be Jacob's teacher for the next 5 years. When you see Jacob alongside his peers these days you would never guess that he has Autism. He made some incredible changes in 2013 (again, largely due to his teacher). You may see a boy who is a bit reluctant to join in new activities or who doesn't always join in on group games in the playground but really that is not so different from some other kids. He has his special friends in his class and is happy to play with them. We still get the meltdowns at home but I think that's just the way things go with Jacob. Hopefully, as he gets older we will be able to teach him appropriate ways to deal with these. <br />
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Esme had her last year of Kinder this year. For the first time in 4 years we will not have a child at Kinder in 2014 which feels a little strange! She has loved Kinder this year. She is the real little social butterfly. She loves to play with all the other kids at Kinder and has made some beautiful friends, all of whom will continue on to school with her next year which is great! She loves to play with all the boys too, getting involved in all their rough and tumble games and getting as dirty as possible. She's very much looking forward to going to school. <br />
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Gideon has grown and changed so much in the past year. He is a real little boy now. He loves to chase after the two big kids and terrorise them (he's getting his own back now for the many times they annoyed him!) I've enjoyed having some one on one time with him this year when Esme has been at Kinder and Jacob has been at school. He seems to be growing up far more quickly than the other two did which makes me a little sad.<br />
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I continued working one day a week in 2013 and have enjoyed my little bit of time away from the kids. I will continue working one day a week next year as well, with a class that is mostly the same (which is a good thing as I've really enjoyed teaching the class I currently have). One day or work a week is perfect for me at the moment and I have no intention of increasing my hours anytime soon. I am no longer the group leader of my local ABA group. It's given me a bit of extra time and space and I have been able to manage going back on helpline once a month. I enjoyed completing some craft projects although did not have as much time as I would have liked to this year (perhaps in 2014?!)<br />
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The most exciting thing that happened in 2013 was to do with Chris' chocolate business - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/funkeychocolates?fref=ts">FunKey Chocolates.</a> He started off the year making chocolates on a small scale - mainly for family and friends. We thought it would all be too hard to get our kitchen approved by the Council to use for chocolate production. He looked into hiring out commercial kitchens but that proved too expensive and too hard to do. Towards the end of the year though we decided to just get someone out and see what we would need to do to our kitchen to get it up to 'standards'. Imagine our surprise when the health inspector told us that our kitchen had passed and that Chris was able to trade! He has since done two markets (one our school market day and one a big market in Upwey) and done quite well. Easter this year looks like it's going to be a busy time in our household. While it's been a lot of hard work especially given that Chris still has a full-time job and is making chocolates in the evenings/weekends, I'm glad that he has found something he loves to do. We're both very excited about the future of the business. <br />
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Happy New Year! I hope that 2014 brings everyone great happiness! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-90859976663818015792014-01-03T14:04:00.001+11:002014-01-03T14:05:51.991+11:00The new cubby! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, here it is! The new cubby house is finally up. The kids are loving their new space. Yesterday they were dressed and out the door to play it in well before 8am! The cubby house was a Christmas present from Santa (actually a second hand cubby house we bought on ebay). We cleaned it and stained it (still a work in progress) and it has come up great. There's still a few things we want to do on the inside but the kids are enjoying playing in it in the meantime. I got a little wooden oven and sink to go in there as well (also from ebay) which the kids love. Now to figure out what I can take out of the house and store in the cubby instead!! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holes dug and posts go in (not an easy job to dig holes here!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBm4qZdTvg4/UsYTQAT2Q8I/AAAAAAAAD5s/L68bHFGZFTo/s1600/DSC_4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBm4qZdTvg4/UsYTQAT2Q8I/AAAAAAAAD5s/L68bHFGZFTo/s320/DSC_4491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floor goes on. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating lunch in their new cubby house!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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One of the best Christmas presents yet I think! A huge thank you to our family who helped us put it up!Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-38086243508675045352014-01-03T12:19:00.000+11:002014-01-03T12:19:11.850+11:00Homemade Washing Powder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've been making our own washing powder for well over a year now (and it's probably been about that long since I've been meaning to blog about it too!) Anyway, I am finally getting around to posting the recipe. It works really well. Sometimes I find that the soap in it doesn't dissolve entirely but that is because we generally wash in cold water. The original recipe calls for borax but I prefer to use bicarb. All our family has very sensitive skin usually due to the extra 'perfumes' and added nasties in commercial washing powders so this homemade powder works really well for us. <br />
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<u><b>Homemade Washing Powder</b></u><br />
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<b>Ingredients </b><br />
2 cups grated Velvet soap (2 bars)<br />
1 cup lectric soda<br />
1/2 cup bicarb<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Method</b><br />
Grate soap finely in Thermomix (about 30 seconds on speed 8). Add in lectric soda and bicarb and buzz in Thermomix until evenly combined. Use one scoop per load (I use a scoop that is roughly 25gms) <br />
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One batch of washing powder lasts me a month. I do at least one load of washing a day. At roughly $3 per batch it works out as a much cheaper option than most commercial washing powders! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-15452823659175905202013-12-30T15:48:00.000+11:002013-12-30T15:49:31.603+11:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So...Christmas did not end up quite as we had expected this year! I ended up with a tummy bug on Christmas Eve so spent the next day at home by myself while Chris took the kids out. I was even too sick to watch the kids open their presents which I was really sad about. Luckily no one else got it and we were able to celebrate a belated Christmas the next day.<br />
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We started some new Christmas traditions this year which meant a really lovely lead up to Christmas. It started with our <a href="http://abunchofkeys.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/christmas-advent-stick.html">Advent stick </a>on
the first day of December. Every night just before bedtime we would
take it in turns to open one of the papers, light our candles and read a
story from 'The light in the lantern'. <br />
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On Christmas Eve, we went outside to sprinkle our reindeer food on the driveway (packets of oats with some glitter mixed in) and we put some food out for Santa under the Christmas tree - he got some chocolates and milk this year. The kids loved running around to sprinkle the reindeer food. <br />
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The kids were so excited to wake up on Christmas morning and find that Santa had left presents for them under the tree. Jacob was so excited to have his own set of vintage Thomas the Tank Engine books! Esme and Gideon were just excited about everything. <br />
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The most exciting thing of all was that Santa brought them a cubby. He left it on the driveway in pieces so when they went out to check if their reindeer food had been eaten they discovered it. They were literally screaming in excitement. In the lead up to Christmas Jacob had been talking about wanting Santa to bring a cubby with a red slide (we hadn't said anything to the kids about what they might be getting for Christmas). Funnily enough, that's exactly what he brought ;) Stay tuned for more photos of the cubby house being put up! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-42416874699392884762013-12-04T16:00:00.000+11:002013-12-29T20:33:18.299+11:00Christmas Advent Stick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recently
I attended a Christmas workshop at my childrens' school to learn how to make an Advent stick. An Advent stick is basically an Advent calendar but instead of pockets, items are wrapped in tissue paper and tied to a stick. All the items are either objects from nature or things that have been handmade (no chocolates in sight on this calendar!) Each week of Advent corresponds to a different world, as per Steiner traditions. Week 1 is the mineral world. Week 2 is the plant world. Week 3 is the animal world. Week 4 is the human world. I had such a lovely couple of evenings crafting with some beautiful women and enjoyed putting lots of love into all the handmade things for the kids. It was a little harder than I expected to tie all the items onto the stick but with the help of my (ever-suffering) husband we were able to do it. Here's some photos of what was on our Advent Stick.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdjMUxEziSg/UpxWFeN2iRI/AAAAAAAADys/I6tb-V4qLKg/s1600/DSC_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdjMUxEziSg/UpxWFeN2iRI/AAAAAAAADys/I6tb-V4qLKg/s320/DSC_4281.JPG" width="320" /><span id="goog_753929504"></span><span id="goog_753929505"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1: Beeswax candle in holder and verse about the first week of Advent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihj_wi88BLc/UpxT6WgEf-I/AAAAAAAADyY/ev1a8x46oPs/s1600/DSC_4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihj_wi88BLc/UpxT6WgEf-I/AAAAAAAADyY/ev1a8x46oPs/s320/DSC_4287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2: Shells</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmcF5Yr9-as/Up61ANHl46I/AAAAAAAADy8/XtZFLmal0ew/s1600/DSC_4292.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmcF5Yr9-as/Up61ANHl46I/AAAAAAAADy8/XtZFLmal0ew/s320/DSC_4292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3: Chalk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlw9v4SaKiY/UrVk4g6XNPI/AAAAAAAADz8/SRWjtkFpCYI/s1600/DSC_4295.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlw9v4SaKiY/UrVk4g6XNPI/AAAAAAAADz8/SRWjtkFpCYI/s320/DSC_4295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 4: Painted stones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-p8gbEYU9A/UrVk3tVPNzI/AAAAAAAADz4/Sbo9Fm8HwLk/s1600/DSC_4300.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-p8gbEYU9A/UrVk3tVPNzI/AAAAAAAADz4/Sbo9Fm8HwLk/s320/DSC_4300.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 5:Beaded Christmas ornament</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKOQ7COHTN8/UrVk3kjvwgI/AAAAAAAADz0/qKdeDmQywt4/s1600/DSC_4302.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKOQ7COHTN8/UrVk3kjvwgI/AAAAAAAADz0/qKdeDmQywt4/s320/DSC_4302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 6: Bath crystals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg_q2iSeo20/UrVlZeOc0mI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/glN87RUVUNI/s1600/DSC_4310.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg_q2iSeo20/UrVlZeOc0mI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/glN87RUVUNI/s320/DSC_4310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 7: Glass stones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZPdO-lxfIA/UrVlyY_mkuI/AAAAAAAAD0g/I498b0mBfmE/s1600/DSC_4325.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZPdO-lxfIA/UrVlyY_mkuI/AAAAAAAAD0g/I498b0mBfmE/s320/DSC_4325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8: Beeswax candle in holder and verse about the second week of Advent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpbAWm-OP90/UrVlkVVmaFI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/ILluUVEOH3c/s1600/DSC_4322.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpbAWm-OP90/UrVlkVVmaFI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/ILluUVEOH3c/s320/DSC_4322.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 9: Gumnut Christmas Ornament</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jxDZAw8XQgg/UrVr1gXtoTI/AAAAAAAAD20/6sRl_tbzu_g/s1600/DSC_4321.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jxDZAw8XQgg/UrVr1gXtoTI/AAAAAAAAD20/6sRl_tbzu_g/s320/DSC_4321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 10 : Seeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v8Qc4HIOaUM/UrVl7xwF4_I/AAAAAAAAD0o/R4E_EazPUaE/s1600/DSC_4331.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v8Qc4HIOaUM/UrVl7xwF4_I/AAAAAAAAD0o/R4E_EazPUaE/s320/DSC_4331.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 11: Handstitched Holly decoration</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIhE1QDJZmM/UrVmGcLUSCI/AAAAAAAAD0w/4oFomV6pEvU/s1600/DSC_4332.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIhE1QDJZmM/UrVmGcLUSCI/AAAAAAAAD0w/4oFomV6pEvU/s320/DSC_4332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 12: Dried Rose petals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1T8S-qw43gg/UrVma2s3CEI/AAAAAAAAD04/PTByDNG1jHc/s1600/DSC_4412.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1T8S-qw43gg/UrVma2s3CEI/AAAAAAAAD04/PTByDNG1jHc/s320/DSC_4412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 13: Felted acorn gnome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpKdvGOtL8Y/UrVmpv5H6lI/AAAAAAAAD1A/SdZywhkjyGc/s1600/DSC_4413.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpKdvGOtL8Y/UrVmpv5H6lI/AAAAAAAAD1A/SdZywhkjyGc/s320/DSC_4413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14: Bulbs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-caSRnibqxa8/UrVm6_zyAdI/AAAAAAAAD1I/f9A9mPmSDro/s1600/DSC_4414.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-caSRnibqxa8/UrVm6_zyAdI/AAAAAAAAD1I/f9A9mPmSDro/s320/DSC_4414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 15: Beeswax candle in holder and verse about the third week of Advent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGlizGYEpEI/UrVnk_HHsaI/AAAAAAAAD1o/PouGwh25YG0/s1600/DSC_4425.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGlizGYEpEI/UrVnk_HHsaI/AAAAAAAAD1o/PouGwh25YG0/s320/DSC_4425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 16: Finger knitted snail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFuYoVnJuRg/UrVnlVib-ZI/AAAAAAAAD1s/Jk93EfKQ-9I/s1600/DSC_4430.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFuYoVnJuRg/UrVnlVib-ZI/AAAAAAAAD1s/Jk93EfKQ-9I/s320/DSC_4430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 17: Feather</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuHoul_xaMg/UrVn49di6nI/AAAAAAAAD14/SJ9dmI8d78w/s1600/DSC_4435.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuHoul_xaMg/UrVn49di6nI/AAAAAAAAD14/SJ9dmI8d78w/s320/DSC_4435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 18: Origami Crane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8gLqQEW1lg/UrVoJtqHBnI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/ozLQpsG_6e0/s1600/DSC_4442.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8gLqQEW1lg/UrVoJtqHBnI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/ozLQpsG_6e0/s320/DSC_4442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 19: Sea shell turtle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0UcGt-UOTc/UrVoLXqcryI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/4Kbe5PEpq70/s1600/DSC_4443.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0UcGt-UOTc/UrVoLXqcryI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/4Kbe5PEpq70/s320/DSC_4443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 20: Coral</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ud-_svLsc08/Ur_rDxu42xI/AAAAAAAAD3w/EJedooiYJFw/s1600/DSC_4242.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ud-_svLsc08/Ur_rDxu42xI/AAAAAAAAD3w/EJedooiYJFw/s320/DSC_4242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 21: Hand stitched dove</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPfATn46MqY/Ur_kAqBJ48I/AAAAAAAAD3E/njscyu7TwfE/s1600/DSC_4446.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPfATn46MqY/Ur_kAqBJ48I/AAAAAAAAD3E/njscyu7TwfE/s320/DSC_4446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 22: Beeswax candle in holder and verse about fourth week of Advent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 23:Silk Angel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BwggtTU0Fg/Ur_lFfBM32I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/SBXk_faMdoQ/s1600/DSC_4483.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BwggtTU0Fg/Ur_lFfBM32I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/SBXk_faMdoQ/s320/DSC_4483.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 24: A verse I wrote for the kids</td></tr>
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<br />The kids had a lovely time taking it in turns to open each parcel. I'm looking forward to creating another one for them next year! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-65657503622822933322013-12-02T15:52:00.000+11:002013-12-02T15:53:08.797+11:00Handmade Christmas Ornament for 2013<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rbEsWG01tQ/UpwCk58vBKI/AAAAAAAADxo/AR66yQZ01sE/s1600/DSC_4242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rbEsWG01tQ/UpwCk58vBKI/AAAAAAAADxo/AR66yQZ01sE/s320/DSC_4242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have resolved to start a new tradition of making a new Christmas Ornament each year for our tree. I love the idea of making something special each year and hope that in years to come I will be able to look back and see all these special things I made. <br />
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This year's ornament is a peace dove made from this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/162440267/peace-dove-ornament-pdf-pattern">pattern</a>. It looks relatively simple but a lot of time and love went in to making it! I'm planning on making some more to gift in different colours. Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-24268806845969870432013-12-01T21:37:00.000+11:002013-12-01T21:37:00.371+11:00Strawberry Santas (the dairy-free version!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free</i></div>
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I've seen photos of these strawberry Santas going around a lot lately. They look really great. The only problem is that the ones I've seen are made with whipped cream and Jacob can't have dairy. So we came up with our own solution - cashew nut cream! I've posted my recipe for <a href="http://abunchofkeys.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/cashew-nut-cream.html">cashew nut cream</a> before. It makes a great filling for strawberry Santas. You will need to add slightly less coconut milk to this recipe though to make these. The cashew nut cream needs to be a pipe-able consistency otherwise they will just collapse. <br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
20 strawberries<b> </b><br />
2 quantities <a href="http://abunchofkeys.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/cashew-nut-cream.html">cashew nut cream</a> (with slightly less coconut milk) <br />
a handful of black chia seeds <br />
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<b>Method</b><br />
Slice off the leafy end of the strawberry so the strawberries sit flat.<br />
Then slice off the tip to make a hat. <br />
Put your cashew nut cream into a piping bag and pipe swirls on the top of the strawberry base. Replace hat.<br />
Add a dollop of cashew nut cream to the top of the hat and down the Santa's front. <br />
Add two chia seeds to each Santa for eyes (we actually used flaxseeds as we didn't have black chia seeds!) <br />
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Enjoy! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-38949511089114804582013-10-01T14:45:00.002+10:002013-10-01T14:45:36.857+10:00Pants, pants, and more pants!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been having a bit of a pants making 'frenzy' at the moment. In the last couple of months I have made 6 pairs of pants, most of them being in the last two week!. I have a couple of friends with babies coming soon so I wanted to make some matching sets for their new additions. Anyway, here's a snapshot of what I've made... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7c1POxZlG4/UkpJwaZDiWI/AAAAAAAADvQ/y0o8l2sHTx0/s1600/DSC_4049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7c1POxZlG4/UkpJwaZDiWI/AAAAAAAADvQ/y0o8l2sHTx0/s200/DSC_4049.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some apple pants for Esme</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jdjxYZyBd8/UkpJzIo9UGI/AAAAAAAADvY/-VcbqXqw7lc/s1600/DSC_4050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jdjxYZyBd8/UkpJzIo9UGI/AAAAAAAADvY/-VcbqXqw7lc/s200/DSC_4050.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some velvety owl pants for Esme</td></tr>
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I am really loving the 'big butt pants' pattern at the moment. Pattern can be found <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2010/08/big-butt-baby-pants-sewing-pattern/">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1kAVYZJdm8/UkpKQPdO_kI/AAAAAAAADvo/aAX5qz4Ko40/s1600/DSC_4155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1kAVYZJdm8/UkpKQPdO_kI/AAAAAAAADvo/aAX5qz4Ko40/s200/DSC_4155.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">0-3 month old velvety owl pants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBZ0PrH2PIw/UkpKUCdVyUI/AAAAAAAADvw/rk1ROC9mzAI/s1600/DSC_4156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBZ0PrH2PIw/UkpKUCdVyUI/AAAAAAAADvw/rk1ROC9mzAI/s200/DSC_4156.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6-12 month old Hungry Caterpillar pants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-diVbj5LzJNI/UkpMZwP6lQI/AAAAAAAADws/touk3VdWQT8/s1600/DSC_4158.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-diVbj5LzJNI/UkpMZwP6lQI/AAAAAAAADws/touk3VdWQT8/s200/DSC_4158.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BG5coARCYU/UkpK2mO9FEI/AAAAAAAADwI/61twxuQ37Gk/s1600/DSC_4159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BG5coARCYU/UkpK2mO9FEI/AAAAAAAADwI/61twxuQ37Gk/s200/DSC_4159.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6-12 month old owl pants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZEabRDLQvI/UkpK7Fzj-MI/AAAAAAAADwQ/R3CR1XZSYsM/s1600/DSC_4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZEabRDLQvI/UkpK7Fzj-MI/AAAAAAAADwQ/R3CR1XZSYsM/s200/DSC_4161.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbaJeC7lK6w/UkpLL9Ty7jI/AAAAAAAADwc/N9FeneMyHeU/s1600/DSC_4162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbaJeC7lK6w/UkpLL9Ty7jI/AAAAAAAADwc/N9FeneMyHeU/s200/DSC_4162.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12-18 month old Hungry Caterpillar pants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4QbE97jdeg/UkpLMI7yVhI/AAAAAAAADwg/iOHht-whQT0/s1600/DSC_4163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4QbE97jdeg/UkpLMI7yVhI/AAAAAAAADwg/iOHht-whQT0/s200/DSC_4163.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view</td></tr>
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<br />I've been busy working on the matching tops this week too - I'm hoping to pop those up here too when they're finished. It's been school holidays here the last few weeks so I'm enjoying the opportunity to get a bit of sewing done without having to rush around picking up and dropping off kids! </div>
Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-81067384938738444972013-09-25T11:22:00.001+10:002013-09-29T13:08:26.624+10:00Creativity at work!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRsF7LXqfG8/UkI4gTBcsJI/AAAAAAAADpU/dEk4lDyW7lo/s1600/DSC_4142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I love watching my kids play. Especially when they are really using their imagination and creativity. It can often take a while for them to get into this sort of play. Lazy days at home on school holidays can often induce the kind of play where they can use their creativity. They can often go a day or more playing with the same things, just using their imagination to create different uses for their 'toys'. I'm sure I've written before about my dislike of cheap, generic toys so I won't bore you again. Suffice to say, I don't like that they all have the same look and feel and that they break easily. I prefer my kids to have fewer but good quality wooden toys. Or things from nature that don't cost anything! Although we are not purists in this respect - we do still own some plastic play things ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrncbVViLsA/UkI4ebGuRYI/AAAAAAAADpM/j9-a_mSHBEk/s1600/DSC_4144.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrncbVViLsA/UkI4ebGuRYI/AAAAAAAADpM/j9-a_mSHBEk/s320/DSC_4144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The play 'scene' - natural objects, plastic and wooden toys combine to make a creative space</td></tr>
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About 6 months ago I put together some baskets of things from nature which has turned out to be the best thing I ever did. We have a basket each of shells, pinecones and river stones. There is also a basket of tree blocks that my brother-in-law made. They are always out for the kids to play with and often when they set up a 'scene' for play they will include these objects. Shells become a 'beach', tree blocks and pinecones become a 'forest' and stones become a 'river'. It's amazing how they incorporate all these everyday objects into their play and I think they've become the most played with toys out of everything. I'm looking forward to adding some more things to our collection. Play clothes are next on the list (once muslin finally comes back into stock at my local fabric store!) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the play 'scene'</td></tr>
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I think it is important to let kids use their imaginations and creativity more widely and to give them the time to do so. We always seem to be rushing around and taking our kids to different activities without giving them time to just 'be'. I know for us, we are usually so busy during the school term that it takes the first week of the holidays for the kids to wind down and start playing together creatively (I seem to spend the first week of the school holidays yelling at them!) I'm looking forward to the rest of the school holidays and seeing what my kids create next! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-79514065140870396052013-08-17T12:24:00.001+10:002013-08-17T12:24:42.162+10:00New carrier!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ejPLM-s_j4A/UfxmhMlI-wI/AAAAAAAADjY/2tOR2C-aZFA/s1600/DSC_3710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ejPLM-s_j4A/UfxmhMlI-wI/AAAAAAAADjY/2tOR2C-aZFA/s320/DSC_3710.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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I'm very excited about my special new carrier (please excuse the not so great photo of me!) This is my custom made Olives and Applesauce carrier. It was made using a Girasol snow rainbow diamond weave woven wrap. With Gideon getting bigger and still wanting to be carried often, a toddler sized carrier was well overdue. The Ergo just wasn't comfortable enough for us anymore. As soon as I put it on I knew it was perfect. Gideon snuggled right in and fell asleep instantly - always a sign of a good carrier ;) It was rather a long wait to get this carrier made and cost a fair bit of money but I'm so glad I did. And it's very appropriate that it's made with a rainbow wrap seeing Gideon is my 'rainbow' baby. Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-70466915425060849202013-08-17T12:08:00.001+10:002013-08-17T12:08:20.729+10:00I made an 'eye spy' bag! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ6w7WO0VSY/UfxjbWlqztI/AAAAAAAADhw/0n-lBWl6tZ4/s1600/DSC_3880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ6w7WO0VSY/UfxjbWlqztI/AAAAAAAADhw/0n-lBWl6tZ4/s320/DSC_3880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I happened across some pictures of 'eye spy' bags on the internet many months ago. Ever since then I've been meaning to come up with a pattern to make one of my own. I finally got around to it the other day. It took a bit of experimenting (including almost finishing one before I realised that the plastic was too thick to topstitch through!) but I'm very happy with how this one has turned out. There's a layer of plastic on the front and the back so it is surface washable (very important in our house as everything seems to get grubby from little hands!) </div>
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The idea behind 'eye-spy' bags is that kids have to look in the window and move the rice around inside to find 'trinkets' which can be easy or hard depending on the size of each trinket! There's a laminated list attached to a ribbon on the bag that tells the kids what to find. I made it in the hopes that the kids would use it in the car on long trips but it didn't quite work that way. They were very interested in doing it when I first made it but then ended up losing interest before our 5 hour trip to Hotham!!</div>
Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-797792568310690642013-08-17T11:50:00.001+10:002013-08-17T11:51:02.316+10:00Anzac Biscuits<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zwwc8opbsgU/UfxjBUd4wOI/AAAAAAAADho/DgYGDxV65So/s1600/DSC_3836.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zwwc8opbsgU/UfxjBUd4wOI/AAAAAAAADho/DgYGDxV65So/s320/DSC_3836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
1 cup blanched almond flour<br />
1 cup GF rolled oats <br />
1 cup dessicated coconut<br />
1/2 cup rapadura sugar<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/4 cup coconut oil<br />
2 tbsp golden syrup<br />
1/2 tsp bicarb soda<br />
1/4 cup hot water<br />
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<b>Method</b><br />
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Line 2 trays with baking paper.<br />
In a mixing bowl combine your almond meal, coconut, rapadura, cinnamon and oats.<br />
Melt the coconut oil and golden syrup in a small saucepan.<br />
Combine the bicarb and water then add to the coconut oil and golden syrup.<br />
Add the frothy mix to your dry mix and combine it well.<br />
With wet hands, shape small balls of the dough.<br />
Place them onto the tray and press down to flatten them a little. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.<br />
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Original recipe from this <a href="http://naturalnewagemum.com/">blog</a> but I have made some alterations in my version. <br />
<br />Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-74680367829348756252013-07-31T11:40:00.000+10:002013-08-17T11:58:46.297+10:00Little owl set<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This little set was a gift for my friend's son's 1st birthday. In my usual fashion, it was a bit of a belated gift. A 'bit' belated being an understatement, it was actually over 6 months late - oops! Anyway, I'm really happy with how both the t shirt and the pants turned out in the end. That's the end of my own fabric now though, I shall have to go looking for some more cute owls! </div>
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The recipient was very happy with his little owl set and, of course, looked super cute in it! </div>
Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-42246033521773812762013-06-22T17:00:00.000+10:002013-08-17T12:48:16.544+10:00Gideon is two!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow, my little boy is TWO! How did that happen? He's still so much of a 'baby' to us mainly, I think, because he is so much littler than the other two at the same age. He is so very loved, still spending his nights sleeping with us (for the most part right on top us still like he did as a newborn!!) and still loving being worn in the sling. He still loves his milk - I don't think there's any chance of him weaning anytime soon! He likes to assert his authority around the house. Particularly with the big kids! If they're doing something they're not supposed to or something he doesn't want them to he'll scream 'noooo' and push them away. Legacy of the third child I think ;) He's talking a lot these days and telling us lots of things. I love hearing his little voice or have him chase us for 'hugs' - his favourite thing at the moment! Two is such a magical age and I'm enjoying every (mostly!) moment of seeing Gideon grow up. <br />
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Here's a few photos from his birthday...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening presents</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow, a marble tree. What do I do with that?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An impromptu 'Hungry Catepillar' cake ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing out the candles. </td></tr>
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Happy Birthday beautiful boy! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-1899564104720383252013-06-15T15:02:00.002+10:002013-06-15T15:02:51.151+10:00What to do with a jumper with a broken zip? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I bought this jumper at an op shop recently but after a couple of wears, the zipper broke. Apart from the zip though, the rest of the jumper is in good condition and I didn't want to just throw it out. My solution: upcycle it into some pants for Gideon! Remember these <a href="http://abunchofkeys.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/week-11-of-craft-project-week-upcycled.html">pants</a> I made last year? Well, that's the basic format I used to make these ones. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of the pants</td></tr>
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They're really quite simple to make, no hems or side seams to sew! I simply cut out the sleeves of the jumper, cut out the crotch and sew them together. Then (to give a bit of a roomier butt seeing Gideon is still in nappies) I add a panel in the middle and put in some elastic. Simple! A nice quick and easy project for a Saturday. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of the pants with an extra panel added</td></tr>
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Who can resist a cute photo of a nappy butt in tight pants? <br />
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Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-38250604457362979762013-06-15T12:54:00.001+10:002013-06-15T12:54:28.792+10:00The new herb garden!<div style="text-align: center;">
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I know it doesn't really look that impressive, does it? I wish we'd taken some before photos but basically this garden was an overgrown mess of rose bushes and weeds. A useless space. Seeing as we've kind of outgrown the <a href="http://abunchofkeys.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/our-new-herb-garden-in-making.html">herb garden</a> we created a few years ago, we thought we'd make this space into something usable. It's actually quite a big area. So far we've planted parsley, rosemary, oregano, lemon thyme, thyme, coriander and mint seedlings. Basil will go in once the weather is warmer. I'm planning to throw some seeds in as well so the herbs will spread across. And I might even put in some spinach and rocket for winter. I think it will be easier to maintain here as well. Because it's right next to driveway I will be able to weed it on my way inside. Now to work out some way of keeping our free-ranging chooks from digging in it! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course the kids always love to help outside! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy sweeping the dirt away...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I'm looking forward to tackling some more of the garden. We are planning on turning the slope you can see next to the herbs into a tiered vegie garden (although that will require a lot of work and a lot of digging out rocks - sorry Chris!) Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-39949864469045736522013-05-31T13:09:00.000+10:002013-06-15T13:37:46.392+10:00Jacob is seven!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year, without fail, I marvel at how quickly a year goes by. Maybe it's just because Jacob is the eldest that each time he has a birthday he seems to be getting so much older. We are learning with him and he's taken us on an amazing journey as parents! <br />
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It's been such a huge year for him. Starting with his <a href="http://abunchofkeys.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/my-perfectly-imperfect-boy_2527.html">Autism diagnosis</a> in June last year. Since then we've started him on a GF/CF diet, biomed treatments and speech therapy. He's been doing so well on these treatments and we've seen some huge progress. He also started at a different campus for primary school with a new teacher and that has done wonders for him. He really is at the perfect school.<br />
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He constantly delights us, frustrates us and makes us laugh. The way he looks at life is unique and always amazes us (and reminds us to pay more attention to the smaller things in life). Socially he has changed a lot this past year. He loves to talk to and play with all his school friends. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob with the cupcakes he decorated on his actual birthday</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening presents - his new block crayons were the most exciting present I think. He loves to draw and create. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle cake for the party with school friends - you may recognise it as the same cake from Esme's birthday a couple of years ago ;) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Happy Birthday to our beautiful boy - thanks for letting us share this amazing whirlwind of a journey with you! Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-17782786190067866692013-05-23T11:46:00.001+10:002013-05-23T11:46:22.267+10:00When your child doesn't understand emotionsI felt compelled to write this post after the turn of events that happened in our household last Friday. While most people have been incredibly supportive and generous in their offers to help in the aftermath, there have been others who just can't understand that 'punishing' Jacob for what he did will not work. Sure we can, and do, model the correct behaviour and talk to him about how he can respond more appropriately to his emotions next time but the thing about people who have Autism is that they often do not understand emotions or else they display what society would call 'inappropriate' emotion when faced with a challenging situation. <br />
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Perhaps I should rewind a bit and explain what actually happened! Last Friday was a curriculum day and I'd planned to do something special. We were going to visit Daddy at work. Jacob was doing his usual thing of completely ignoring me when I reminded him a million times to get ready. Cue: screaming when the rest of us walked out the door when he wasn't ready. He got himself dressed eventually and came out to the car but then wouldn't get in the car. I started the car like I usually do to show him that I was serious about going and then jumped out to coerce him into his car seat. Unfortunately this time, I had put the car in reverse and left the hand brake off (so flustered was I about Jacob!) so the car started rolling backwards. I realised straight away but by then the car door, which was open, had hit the pole under the carport and I could hear the screech of the hinges being pulled apart. I managed to get back in the car and put the hand brake on but by then the door was wrecked and couldn't be shut.<br />
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Needless to say, I was so angry at Jacob. Yeah, I know. It wasn't entirely his fault but all his mucking around had caused me to not be able to concentrate properly. And so silly things happened. I tried to shut the door but couldn't. Meanwhile Esme is crying because she's upset about what's happened and Jacob is sitting there smiling and saying, 'The door can be fixed. It really can be fixed'. It.is.so.hard to stand there and keep your cool with your child when they are smiling and not remorseful at all about their actions. And I'm sorry to say, I did not keep my cool. There was a lot of shouting involved. I got told by Jacob that 'we can still go Mummy. We can go on the train instead'. It wasn't until Jacob realised that, as a consequence of what had happened we would NOT be going to Daddy's work that the meltdown happened. Jacob's meltdowns are full on. Tears. Screaming. Hitting. Kicking. Pinching. The best thing to do with him when having a meltdown is make sure he is in a safe place away from others as he is likely to really hurt someone and then ignore him until he calms down. I thought he was in a safe place this time. But then I heard a crash and turn around to see that he has put his foot through a glass window (luckily I guess that he was still wearing his gumboot). <br />
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I couldn't believe it. Not only has the car door been wrecked. Now the window too. I didn't even have any words to express my anger at this! And yet again. No reaction from Jacob. There was no guilty shock from him that you would expect from other kids. No 'I'm so sorry I did this'. Just nothing. I think he may have even said he did it because I wasn't taking him to see Daddy. And his resentment at not being able to see Daddy at work continued despite him having broken the window.<br />
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I think Jacob did calm down about half an hour after this happened. Then he was completely back to normal and happy again like what normally happens after a huge meltdown. Luckily the car door was fixed the following Monday. It only took a couple of hours and was a lot cheaper than what we'd thought it would be. The glass, however, cost us $360 to be replaced. Kind of an expensive day.<br />
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Both Chris and I were really angry at Jacob. We talked about things we could do to make him realise the consequences of his actions. Taking money out of his moneybox to pay for some of the window. Restricting some of his activities. That type of thing. But after a lot of discussion after the event (when we were both much calmer!) we realised that was just pointless. He wouldn't understand why he was being punished. He was angry. So he responded in the only way he knew how. By showing that in a physical way. What we need to do is teach him alternative way of coping with an emotional overload. It's not a quick fix solution but something that we will work towards together. <br />
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I really think that the hardest thing about raising a child with autism is the emotional side. It's so hard not to feel frustrated that your child is not responding in a socially appropriate way to particular emotions. It's hard not to feel frustrated that your child doesn't feel remorse for doing something wrong. It's hard not to hear your child say 'sorry' for something they've done. Often just the simple act of 'I'm sorry Mummy' or seeing your child realise that they've done something wrong can make you feel less angry with them. But we don't get that with Jacob. We just need to understand that he is wired differently to others. And that's ok too. I hope this post has helped those people in our life understand him a little better. Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5446042652902248171.post-89893641188659106132013-05-23T10:44:00.001+10:002013-05-23T10:44:47.132+10:00Chocolate Chip Biscuits<i>Dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, no refined sugar*</i><br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
2 1/2 cups blanched almond flour<br />
1/2 tsp sea salt<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 cup oil<br />
1/2 cup agave nectar<br />
1 tbsp vanilla extract<br />
1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate*<br />
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<b>Method</b><br />
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.<br />
In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, salt and baking soda.<br />
In a medium bowl, whisk together the grapeseed oil, agave nectar, and vanilla extract.<br />
Stir the wet ingredients into the almond flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chocolate, then place the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes.<br />
Spoon a heaped tablespoon onto the tray and press down firmly with your hand to flatten.<br />
Cook for about 20 minutes or until slightly golden. Leave to cool before serving.<br />
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*These biscuits will be sugar-free if using vegan chocolate like the <a href="http://www.veganonline.com.au/chocolate-sweets/chocolate/loving-earth-dark-chocolate">Loving Earth</a> brand or my hubby's own raw chocolate. <br />
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This recipe is from Elana's Amsterdam's 'Gluten-Free Almond Flour cookbook'. Check out her <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/">blog</a> too - there's lots of other recipes suitable for those with allergies. Narellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09802789112351468333noreply@blogger.com1