Should I do it?

My Princess Adelaide becomes "miss two" on Friday.

This week, we have playcentre on Wed, a mum's coffee group on Friday and her birthday party on Saturday.

Reckon I should make 3 cakes??

I thought about this:

But decided on something that's a little more favourite to her - tigger.  That one will be for her party.


I could cheat and make a packet cake and coat it with lollies for Wednesday, make something a little more elaborate for Friday (seeing as it's with half of my good friends -hehe) and stick with Mr Tigger for Sat.


Thoughts.....?

Chocolate Marquise

There's nothing like dinner with two of your besties and YUMMO dessert to make winter seem just a little bit warmer.

If you like a bit of an indulgence, especially of the rich chocolate variety - here's a recipe worth trying when you have a wee bit of time.

I first tasted it on our wedding anniversary last year at Tonic restaurant here in Whangarei.  I fell in love! (with the food).

The best description is that it is a cross of somewhere between a mousse and a cake.  Heavier than mousse but lighter than a cake.  And VERY delicious!

Prepare the day before you want to eat it:

Chocolate Marquise

7 egg yolks
3/4 cup caster sugar
200g dark chocolate (suitable for cooking/melting)
250g butter - chopped in pieces
65g good quality cocoa powder
600ml cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (the extract is much nicer but WAY more expensive than essence)


Method:

• In a heatproof bowl - use electric beater to beat egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick (took about 4 mins)
• Place bowl over a pan of simmering water (not touching the water) and add chocolate.  Whisk until melted and combined.
• Add butter one piece at a time, and whisk until melted. (I cut it into sticks and added).
• Once butter is combined, remove from heat and fold in cocoa.
• Beat cream & vanilla in a separate bowl until soft peaks form (firmer is better).
• Fold a small amount of cream into the chocolate mix until combined.  
• Then fold in the remainder of the cream.

Pour into a lightly greased 8x22cm terrine, lined with plastic wrap (enough wrap to fold over the top).  Fold the remaining plastic over the top to cover and refrigerate overnight. 
Turn out terrine, slice and eat!

My variation:
I had no idea what a terrine was and I don't have a loaf tin - so I made this and put it into individual ramekins/dishes, (no greasing or lining either) covered with gladwrap and refrigerated.

The recipe says it makes 6 servings.  I made a half recipe (4 eggs) and it filled 6 1/2cup ramekins to the top.  You honestly wouldn't want to eat any more than that - I love chocolatey stuff and I can't eat a whole one.

Serve:
with whipped cream, cream anglaise or plain vanilla icecream.
Would also be yum to try with berry compote or berries & cream - you almost need something to counter-act the richness of it.

YUMMO!

Now, what to do with all those egg whites!

Pictures were nabbed from the web.

Things I'm Loving

A short post - after all my long ramblings about in-laws this week!

I am totally loving this -

These are my cousins kiddies.  Princess "Shae" (nicknamed for protection) was born this week - a natural breach birth. 

I love the story, and how beautiful it is - you just don't hear these things now-a-days because the pressure comes on to have a c-section.  I am so proud of my cousin for standing up for herself and insisting she wanted to give it a go.  They tried everything to turn baby but it just didn't happen.  Baby was born after 6 hours, safely and at home - with MINIMAL damage to mummy.  What a star!

Am totally looking forward to snuggies!  Aside from that, it makes me feel just a wee bit closer to delivering my own little one soon!

Enjoy your weekend!
x

Mum in Laws - Part 2

If you haven't read it already, try part one.

I feel I need to add something.  Ponder this -

You carry your baby inside you for nine months.  During this time, you feel it move, it's little kicks keep you awake all hours.  Your body carries the full brunt of the nurturing of this little life - feeding, growing, developing - putting the baby first before your own bodies needs.  Then, through one means or another - you give birth to this child.

You as parents then spend a great deal of time feeding, nurturing, loving, playing, encouraging - devoting yourself - to this little person.  You listen to them, you hear their problems and help them find solutions.  You are their number 1 fighter.  You pray for them.  You cry over them when they are sick, in pain or hurting - and you can't take it away. 

If you're a mother - you know this well.  Father's should too - though it's a little different.

You do this for twenty or so years.

One day, this little life leaves home.  If they are unattached, you are likely to still be their no. 1 back-stop and fighter when it comes to life's difficulties and tragedies.

But the day arrives - when they become attached, married, whatever you want to call it.  Suddenly the 'right' thing to do is stop all that - and give up what you have spent 20 years nurturing - to another person.  It certainly doesn't feel right, nor natural.

You are no longer your child's no. 1 fighter.  They no longer talk to you about everything and bring their problems and difficulties to you.  You know the challenges are there - because you're 'my-child-is-having-troubles' detecting device is well honed after 20 years.  You see it on their face, in their demeanour, in what they say - and don't say.

To be honest, I don't know how I will cope when the day arrives for me. 

I have reserved that from the moment my babies are born - they belong to God, not me.  Therefore, He alone has the right to give them - and take them away.  He then also has to take care of them.

I have also reserved that from the moment they are born - I am preparing them to leave.  Not in a selfish way - but in a way of hoping that if I spend 20 years knowing that I am preparing them to leave, hopefully when they go it will be a little less painful.

Is it any wonder that there are sometimes challenges when faced with in-laws?  It's a bit easier to understand now isn't it?

My sole desire from these posts, is that you will be inspired to see things from the other's point of view - and to aspire to a much greater relationship with those precious people you call in-laws.  You do have the ability to make your relationship better - if you want to.

Who knows, maybe it can encourage us mummies with kids at home still - to think about our response when the day arrives - and make it just a little easier.

Loving hearing your thoughts

x
Arna

Mother in Laws.....

Today, I'm going to attempt the surface on a very difficult (and large) topic.

Mum in-laws (MIL)

We often hear in society a whole lot of jokes around this topic.  Has anyone noticed that the jokes are usually ALWAYS about the husband's relationship with his mum in law (his wife's mother) - and how "terrible" she is or similar?

You don't hear much about the often difficult relationship that a wife has with her mum in law (her husband's mother).

Guys - don't stop reading.  This is valuable to you - and there are tips at the bottom for you too!

What qualifies me to talk about this topic you ask?

1. I am a wife of almost four years
2. My mother in law and I have not always seen eye to eye
3. I believe there is more to the daughter/mother in law relationship than an ongoing struggle or battle for the affections of the MIM (male in the middle), than regular offending and never really talking things out.
4. My own mother has set a good example in this area.

The family I married into.... :D

Before I go on, I must tell you what my relationship with my MIL is now.  I love her.  Almost to the degree that I love my own mother.  I have confided in her on numerous occasions, and gone to her when I couldn't even tell my own mum things.  We openly share things from our hearts, we talk about marriage, about children, about life struggles.  We see each other on the same page.  We help each other.  She is my best teacher on how to bottle/preserve/save money with meals and conventional old fashioned house-wifey things.  We have prioritised seeing each other (without the hubster) at least once a week for a few hours - and this is truly one of the highlights of my week.  She is a beautiful woman. 

Disclaimer: there are two (or more) sides to every story.  This is only my version.  My MIL has a story too - and I'm sure I have done and said many things in which she too, has had to "hold her breath" (you will later discover what I mean).


My story:
My MIL raised four children, my husband, being the oldest.  She was a protective mother (who isn't) and did an excellent job at raising children who are a real credit to her.  However, some of her parenting was done out of fear.  She feared her children all leaving her - she tried to keep them young even when they were well and truly adults in their own right.  Out of her own personal battle, she had struggled with relationships with other women - especially "strong" or what I call confident women. 

Her experience in her own marriage - was that her and her husband and their children, had most to do with her family, and very little to do with their paternal family.  She had three boys first - so the fear was only enhanced that she would "lose" her boys and have virtually nothing to do with them for their adult lives.

She got married at 32.  She had not considered that her children may marry earlier in life than this.

spot the brothers....

In the midst of the first two of her children growing older and 'leaving' home, along came me.  The first-ever girlfriend.  David (20), had an eye on me for a couple of years.


We began dating when I was 19.  It was all a bit of a whirlwind, but through a good deal of circumstances and some wise words from some close people, I was set on this man being my husband.  Everything seemed fine.  We shared dinners with his family, I got to know his grandparents etc and everything appeared to be great.

Then he proposed.

What I was absent to, was that he had not discussed this with his parents.  He grew up in a Christian home, he honoured his parents and had a good relationship with his mum.  But he did not tell them he was going to propose.

I smelt a bit of a rat upon their reaction the next day - but was none the wiser.  I also had to keep our engagement a secret for the whole day! (a very difficult task for me!!)

Two weeks later, and for me, the very first time - I discovered that his parents were not happy with our relationship, let alone our impending marriage.  I thought they were going to ask us to break up.  All along they had not been happy, and they had discussed this with David on numerous occasions without my presence - and were finally telling me now they were getting desperate.

My 'new' family.....

There were reasons for this - the ones that stick out from memory are:

• David is a soft young man, very reserved and quiet
• You are a strong young woman.  (maybe too strong for him)
• David is not displaying proper discipline at home with chores and other required things
• You appear to have a problem with submitting to authority
• Are we sure that we have been led into this relationship?

Some of these are likely to be very valid reasons for their reservations.  All I could do was sit and cry.  It seemed they had seen people in times past, feel like a particular person was "the one" - only to be wrong.  In the particular example - three times. This lady had bossed around her husband(s) and told them what she was saying was right etc etc.  I was "very similar" to this particular woman, and therefore, I was put into the same box as she.

I was devastated.  I felt so misunderstood.  I felt like I had not even been given a chance because I was put in some box before they even gave me a chance.  Their observations were based on what they saw - not on my story, my life experience or any such matters.

We were allowed to stay together and work towards a resolution.

I had a long, very hard think about the whole situation.  I thought about how we had conducted our relationship, and how it would feel as a parent - not even knowing your own son was going to propose.  I felt wronged, but knew that I had a part in working it out.

I plucked up a LARGE amount of courage, and asked my MIL out for lunch.  There, through tears, I apologised.  I said sorry - mainly - for not honouring them in our relationship like we should have.  I went on to explain how I had felt when they told me they were not happy.  That I felt I was not "good enough" for them - and how painful this experience was.  We had a big talk about submission as a Christian wife - and for the first time, discovered we actually thought the same about many things.

We also (with their blessing) undertook an excellent pre-marriage course.  2 1/2 months after we were engaged, we received his parents full and total blessing to get married.  (I cried some more). We set a date, and on rolled the plans.

6/10/2007 we got married.  This was not the end of the journey.

Within our first week home, my new parents-in-law visited our home, unannounced, 4 nights.  This was usually to 'deliver mail'. 

My new husband went to borrow some tools from his dad, and came home upset - because there was an argument about finances and an investment opportunity he had briefly (and unwisely) mentioned to me at their house.  This had ended in both being hot under the collar with each other.

On another occasion, there was another argument of some sort (I can't remember what over) between them.

My MIL would agree, that of all her children Dave was the one who 'talked' to her.  He now had this new woman whom he shared EVERYTHING with, and no longer shared much of importance with his mum.  In an attempt to "communicate" with him, she had gone into territory that was ours.


What a difficult journey for a mum - to pour into their child for 20 odd years, and then have to let them completely go to some other woman.  No wonder this MIL/DIL thing is so tricky.

Being a confident (and sometimes fiesty) young lass, this "stepping into our business" really rubbed me up the wrong way.  I was hot under the collar myself and ready to step in with a piece of my mind.  But I held my breath.

Holding your breath as a daughter in law is one of the greatest and most difficult assets you can have.

I had just read a book - "The Mother in Law Dance" - and it was excellent in getting me to think about how my MIL was feeling in this whole matter.  She was learning how to be a MIL.  I was learning how to be a DIL.

I had another long, hard think.

And suddenly I realised the fears and apprehensions that my MIL was feeling in relation to us.  She was trying to hold on for dear life to her son - for fear of us not having anything much to do with her as life went on.  Based on her experiences - in my opinion, this was a fair enough response.

What did I do?

I wrote a long, detailed letter to my MIL.  I thanked her for the amazing job she did raising her son.  I told her that his qualities were a credit to her.  I honoured her for the sacrifices she had made to raise him.  I told her that he would ALWAYS be her son, and that I was not here to "STEAL" him from her (I actually said that).  I also told her that I longed to have a good relationship with her in the years to come.  I honoured her as the future grandmother of my children - and told her that I needed her help to raise them.  I made a commitment to her.

What happened?

I received a card and a note as a reply.  In it, were the short, but very powerful words "welcome to the family".

How is it now?

Now I am not saying that it has always been plain sailing since then.  But her and I do have a relationship that is unlike many other MIL/DIL relationships I know.  It is one of honour - to whom honour is owed.  She deserves honour - for who she is and has been for my husband.  And even more, now, who she is for me.

We talk through mishaps.  We can be honest with each other - without feeling judged.

In the last few years there have been apologies, and open communication about this whole experience.  They have even told me how pleased and how perfect I am for their son - and how much of a blessing I am to them.

Their 'soft' son - is actually one of the strongest, most stubborn people I know - in a quiet way. In our marriage - he has gone from being shy, quiet and reserved - to almost the opposite.  He is still an introvert by nature - but in his words "shyness is a curse" and he longs to influence people.  When you get him going - he talks more than I do.  It's not too hard to get him started.  He enjoys being up the front - when I married him, he faded into the background.

never before seen pic - I felt like he was posing to pee on my head...

Tips and random things to glean from my experience:

Guys:

1. always side with your wife
2. always stand up for your wife
3. don't bring up or even mention personal issues in front of your parents - finances/parenting etc.
4. CALL your MUM!  It is ok to do this every now and again - don't leave it up to your wife to manage your relationship with your mum.
5. Love your mother and honour her - but put boundaries in place if need be.

Ladies:

1. Truly honour your MIL for raising your husband.  Even if you don't think she did a good job - she still gave birth to the guy, whom you now love.
2. Decide you want to have a good relationship with your MIL.
3. Make an effort to let her be a critical part of your children's lives - they will love you for it (and so will she)
4. Talk to her - she is a woman - she has raised children and has had many experiences that can help you.
5. Hold your breath (refer above ^^)
6. She is not trying or meaning to offend you
7. Read good books on the matter if it's a struggle.
8. Speak with your husband if things are a bit much, and have him put the boundaries in place.

One day, I might just do a tips for mum-in-laws - but I'm not one, so don't feel qualified for that just yet.  ;-)

x

Out with the old....

In with the....... new!!!!!

Anyone need a good condition but old tv?

We've had our eye on one of these babies for a wee while.

We don't watch much tv - Princess Adelaide gets to watch Blues Clues and other such kiddie shows in the morning, but that's about the scope of tv watching in our house. 

Unless, of course, the All Blacks are playing, or there is a good movie on.

Plus all the antics of possessions not at all being our focus (or at least we try hard) and living on one income etc - long story short, we didn't feel very justified in paying over a grand for a new tv.

We need our office for the baby so it was a toss up between a lap-top or a tv.  Until we discovered our couple of year old computer can be plugged into a tv.

The hubster was due a bonus from his boss. Accountants like to do things that save them tax - so purchasing "something" rather than just giving us cash is far better.  The bonus wasn't that much - so we had settled for a 32" so to not have to pay extra money.

But on the weekend, there was a clear-out sale - and we got the exact 42" of tv we had originally wanted - for the very amount of the bonus!

Even better is when your parent's paid nearly triple what you did a couple of years ago! haha.

LOVE IT!

Things I'm Loving

Today, a wee tribute to my beautiful friend - Paisley Jade

She makes these amazing softies ^^ like Poppy here.

Princess Adelaide has had this since she was born.  She adores her.  Poppy sleeps with her every night and often gets dragged many other places.  She was around 4-5 months old in the above shot - I snuck into her room to check on her - to discover the above.  I know of many other kids who have one of these gorgeous creatures, and they all treat them with a similar affection.

This friend, is a wonderful wife, a devoted mother to four beautiful kids, an avid blogger and creative extroadinaire.  She is a youth pastor and does extra voluntary work for the church at least one day a week.  She is encouraging, compassionate, supportive and loving.  She has a great sense of humour and knows how to have laugh and have lots of fun.  She arranges meals for families in need and mum's with new babies.  She is always thinking of somebody else.

I often don't know where or how she finds the time to be so amazing.

You can inspired and encouraged by her here.

Tips for Toddlers...... and big kids

Parenting toddlers tip no. 1
If you preminisce a potentially serious accident; remedy it before it becomes an accident.

Fortunately (today) for miss almost two, falling down the front steps while strapped into her carseat did not result in serious injury.  I found her face down, on the concrete, screaming, with a big, heavy lug of a carseat on top of her.  (why on earth don't they make those things a bit lighter?)

She does have some minor cosmetic ailments, but thankfully she is not 14 and does not care much for small scratches and bruises on her nose and cheek. 

I however, did stop breathing for a moment as I discovered that what I had just seen as a potential came true.  Hopefully she doesn't get a black eye or two- otherwise I might stop breathing every time I have to go to the supermarket for the next week.

Parenting toddlers tip no. 2:
Lengthy cuddles fix (almost) anything.  At least for my Princess Adelaide.

Parenting toddlers tip no. 3:
If the potential accident you preminisce is not dangerous and does not damage them or someone else - let them make it.

^^  This is my personal opinion - but I have seen the defects of over-cautious (what I like to call hover) parenting - and I'd much rather a secure little person who is prepared to take a risk - make a mistake, and try again.

Yes, I let her climb ladders that are way too high, with rungs far too narrow and far apart (I am a short distance away to catch assist if she needs it).  I let her eat dirt (if she really wants to) and play in the mud.  I let her pick up insects and so many other things. 

Yesterday, we played in the puddles and gutters in the pouring rain.  We did this as kids and I not once caught a cold.  (thank God for a sunny day today- to dry all the washing).

Parenting toddlers tip no. 4:
Have fun.  Cause when they have grown up, memories is all you have.  As well as hopefully some lovely well rounded adult kids and some grandkids to then 'hover' over.

They're a Nana's Obsession.....

Totally engaged - in sesame street.

Fully equipped with woolen cardi - nana

"pearl" necklace - grandma

pussy-cat hair clips - mummy

Mother's Day

Hello world of mummies and others...
How was your mother's day...?


My day was a hit on last year.  Last year, I did not get a "happy mother's day" in the morning.  In the lead up - I had gladly spent a great deal of time organising gifts for both our mums, we visited them and paid them lots of love.  That afternoon we came home, and I had a melt-down because I had been completely forgotten.

Special days are quite precious to me - but a lot of effort for the husband.

2011 mothers day was very unplanned.  The week or two leading up to it were hectic for the hubster - acting in several roles at work in their busiest time, and Saturday was spent moving house for friends all day.  So I was not expecting anything really at all.  I decided that if I expected nothing, anything would be better.  I had been trying to think of something I wanted, but totally lost for ideas.

I got to sleep in a little, with no intruder.  I got a "Happy Mummy's Day" from him, and a coffee - when I got up (this gesture actually made my day).  After church, we went out for lunch.  This was however, interrupted with an overtired Princess Adelaide who had a major meltdown and had to sit in my arms being fed french fries and sauce.  She then screamed all the way home.

But I got to snuggle her in my arms for 2 hours while she slept (because she couldn't be prised away to sleep in her bed).  Those kind of snuggles don't happen much anymore, so I lapped it up.

We then had to bustle off to visit my mum and then the hubster's mum for deliveries of fresh flowers, hand made cards (sorry forgot to snap pics) and small well thought out gifts.

After little miss was sound asleep - I even got a back massage! hehe.  The hubby spent a chunk of time cleaning up the house a bit, putting things away, getting dishes into dishwasher, putting away washing etc - to save me my usual Monday mad clean up day.

Not a glamorous day overall, but I still enjoyed it.

Things to ponder:

• 2012 Mother's Day - celebrating it for our mum's a day early - so my day is more restful

I also spent a great deal of yesterday thinking about a few special people I know - some who are doing this incredibly difficult job of mummying - alone. 
For others - their mum is gone now - so it's a bit of a sad day. 
And for others still - the ones who long to be mummies but for whatever reason/s that dream hasn't happened for them. Yet.

Kia kaha you beautiful ladies. You are all very precious <3

Things I'm Loving

#1 - the news of the month!!

Goodbye wordpress!!!!  HELLO blogger! :D

I managed to find quite an easy way to import all my old wordpress posts into here.  It's a brand new site, but if you feel the need to back track on any of my old stuff - it's all here - even under the same labels.  And your comments remain!!  (what a snazzy thing the internet is when you can be bothered investigating!!  Even if it is at 1am)

Better still - you can "follow" me!!

Wordpress is pretty boring overall, and not very useful when it comes to customising etc.  Blogger is way more user-friendly!  So I am back!

#2 - I'm also loving....

Princess Adelaide - who is somehow convinced that putting a pair of pants on your head (usually PJ pants) is a "hat" - and wearing the hat always involves dancing around.  Usually at bedtime.

Favourite song: the "move it" song from Madagascar.  Now that is a trick her daddy taught her.

She wore this particular "hat" for about 2 hours the other day.  She especially likes it when it  slides down and scrunches up her eyes.

#3 -

Lemonade scones, with jam and cream.  YUM!

#4 -

This little guy measures 30 weeks and he's supposed to be 25.  Little miss measured 5 weeks behind.  How ironic this baby growing thing is.  Here's hoping he's not going to be massive!

#5 -

The various ways a necklace can be worn.  Or stretched.

#6 -

Outfits that she's been waiting nearly 2 years to wear.  A friend gave me these tights and pink top not long after Princess Adelaide was born.  I discovered them the other day - she looks pretty cute I reckon!

Have a great weekend everyone!
x

Happy dance....!

It's not everyday that you visit the optometrist for your "regular" check up.  (I haven't been for 4 years - supposed to go 2 yearly).

It's not everyday that your optometrist tells you - that your eyes have actually IMPROVED. Again.  (Last time they had also improved slightly).



I've gone from needing a mild-med strength pair of glasses for close up work - to virtually not needing glasses at all.

In his words, "I think you see incredibly well - I wouldn't even give you a pair of glasses for the prescription you would need - the smallest possible."

Not a bad feat for the God who mastered the meningitis 6 weeks ago - with one of the major side effects being vision trouble.  Up until a week ago I was having vision problems.  Got someone to pray for me on Sunday - and wallah - Tuesday comes and I'm better than I was before!

My eyes also look perfect for someone who was so sick only a few weeks ago.  There are special post-meningitis checks.

I love how He works - here I am, desperately wanting my very badly short sighted husband to be healed from his blindness - all the while getting healed of my own. haha!

[caption id="attachment_337" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Happy Dance!!!!"][/caption]

The funniest thing about it is - I actually like wearing my glasses on occasion!!  Oh well, will only be very 'special' occasions now....  you'll know it's a bad day if you see them on my face.

x

Pregnancy 101 - #1

You know how it is - starting from early Monday am (or Sunday late pm if it's real bad), you long for Friday to arrive.  Living out the days, passing the time with whatever routines your week is filled with - as well as the additional extras.

Friday finally arrives, and the weekend seems to disappear in a blur of catching up with husband/wife, extended family, doing chores, outings because daddy's home, Sunday morn church, Sunday night too if you're extra committed, Friday night too if you're totally crazy (as we are) ;-).  Trying to squeeze in a bit of time for each other and then comes whatever else that is thrown in the mix.

That takes us right back to Monday morning.

I for anyone, am not an expert at dealing with life's mundane routines.  So, I am trying - to enjoy the moments.  Things like this:

Monday = clean house/do washing day

Tuesday = grocery shopping/toy library/visit Nana (my Mum) day

Wednesday = playcentre/free afternoon day

Thursday = visit Oma (my grandmother)/visit Grandma (my MIL) day

Friday = alternate coffee group/free day - usually with some form of visiting

Saturday = daddy's home day/date night/visit his grandparents/everything else

Sunday = church day/sometimes free afternoon

Not to mention the numerous frequent night activities/practices/meetings that are attended by either of us.

Sometimes I am a shocker for longing for the years with the "little people" to go by.  I look forward to getting back to some form of paid employment, and then on to having teenagers who are more independent - but I'm sure they still require a great deal of time.  I look forward to it one day being "just the two of us" again.

Maybe that is the price I pay for having children while I'm young.   I think it's more to do with the things that are in our hearts for the future.  The hubster and I have big dreams - and we find a struggle often goes on between living for our dreams and parenting.  I have come to realise there is a fine line, and if it is not walked wisely - family will always pay the price.  That is not a price he or I am willing to pay.

Anyway, the point is - if I slow down just a bit - then my Monday (house clean day) can become a treasure.  Not because of the chores, but because of all the bits in between.  The seconds, the minutes and the hours that I can fill in with fun - and make special memories.

Confession: I have NOT been enjoying this pregnancy.  I have been longing for it to be over so I can "have my body back" and enjoy my little prince.  I AM ONLY 25 WEEKS!



Then I realised, I only have around 15 weeks left before life is going to change FOREVER - again.  My sidekick and I only have a short time left before we become a three - and I'm sure sometimes it will feel like three is really a crowd.

So, I'm back at the beginning again.  I'm not a clucky sort, I don't enjoy being pregnant.  I do enjoy thinking about my baby and feeling him move.  That's about where it ends.  BUT, I'm going to try hard to enjoy the last 15 weeks!

Stay tuned. x