Love, bubs and life on our little farm

When I celebrated my bday we also celebrated Elka turning 8 months. She has been a busy girl in the last month. She loves to pull herself up to standing and to grab at anything in reach - the bookshelves and the coffee table being favourites.

She plays peek-a-boo with us- holding something up to block her view of us whilst we say "where is Elka?" and then pulling it down with a huge grin as we say "THERE'S Elka!". Its very cute and any bib or dress will do for this game.

Her crawling has gotten faster and she does more of it "properly" as in on her knees rather than commado crawling. She actually likes to crawl-sit-crawl-sit and moves along alot like this.

She is eating lots of fruit as finger food and adores munching on rice cakes. All of her meals contain rice or pasta or some carbohydrate now. She has also started eating tuna in a white sauce (made with formula). She takes a lot of bottles now and drains them rapidly. I am still breastfeeding but when she is away from me she quite happily takes formula.

She has started daycare two days a week and is thriving with it. I am amazed at the new things she comes home doing. In the last week, she now stands in the cot, claps her hands and stands up with barely any support from an inaminent object. She eats and sleeps well there and seems to be loving the company of the other babies. I am very pleased with the carers - it is a very good environment from what I have seen so far.

Elka is continuing with her swimming lessons. She now holds her breath and goes underwater, brave girl! She also kicks and paddles after toys.

She is still a good sleeper - still two day naps of 1.5 hours or so and from 7pm to 7am at night without waking. Though sometime she wakes at 6am and I can hear her chatting to her bunny toy through the baby monitor!

We haven't spotted anymore teeth yet but she seems to be teething again judging by the dirty nappies and finger sucking. Her two top ones have grown long and she now looks like alittle vampire since she is missing the front two.

She still won't say Dad - she loves to chatter about Mum and Bub and she did say Bye to Jase one morning when she was waving goodbye. She gets very excited by the ducks and chickens and feeding the horses elicts happy squeals and kicking legs and waving arms of delight.

Her favourite toys at the moment are her toy phones - she now holds them to her ear like Jase and I do! She also loves her books - she unpacks them all and sits there flipping through them for ages.

She is the happiest little bub with smiles and giggles for everyone. I love caring for her everyday and the best part of my work day is seeing her smile when she sees me come in to pick her up.

Its off to work I go...

Well maternity leave is officially over, after 9 months or so... Tomorrow I start back two days a week.

I am pretty OK with it - most people think I will be upset but I am truly looking forward to getting back into the research and having some "me" time doing something mentally challenging. I have been so stir crazy the last few weeks, in fact bored about of my brain might be a better description - I have been shopping most days just to get out of the house (hehe I have a post of some gorgeous new purchases to share by the way!). So its time. I have always known I am not the stay at home mum type.

Two days is a perfect balance - five days with Elka is lovely. Plus she loves her daycare - she needs the stimulation and company of other bubs.

So Monday/Tuesdays will be quiet on the blog front. And tomorrow the alarm is set for bright and early! My herbal teas are packed, cupcakes are made for a work morning tea that is on tomorrow and best of all - a super cute new outfit is laid out :) A cornflower blue blouse with neck scarf and a pencil skirt with a cute belt - preppy but fun and a reminder to my fellow scientists that I am back and ready to be professional. There are two grants in my name to work on, a number of papers to prepare and about five running projects ready for some hard work - bring it on!

So I have been loving having my body back - loving clothes, outfits, fashion, all of the things that had slipped away whilst I was pregnant. My pretty clothes hung unused in my walk in robe whilst I wore anything in existence that had an empire line or elastic around the waist...

But things are different now (and I dont just mean the fact that my hips are wider!) I am a mum now - suddenly tottering on high heels and wearing short skirts don't seem like the best ideas. In fact a cute strapless top the other day, turned into a flashing nightmare as Elka decided it was the perfect thing to pull down in order to climb up Mum. So it hasn't been as simple as throwing back on all my old clothes.

So I have had to consider how to stay "me" but also be a "mum". I wasn't sure quite sure what this would mean or look like.

One experience stays with me - I was shopping with a fellow mum friend and a lovely mum walked past us pushing her pram - she was wearing a little black dress and some devine black boots. She looked polished and pretty. Before I could made an admiring comment, fellow mum snorted and made some derogatory comment about how stupid her outfit was and how she was trying to not look like a mum.

I have also recently read some online comments about fashionably dressed mums being indulged women who are kept by high earning husbands and have nannies, maids etc, as though once again you clealy cant be a "real" mum and look too stylish.

Why can't mums be trendy or well dressed just because? Yes its not always easy to get dressed let alone nicely! But why should it receive criticism from other mums? I dont comment on mums who choose to wear what I define as "the comfort-above-everything mum uniform" - cropped cargo pants, t-shirt and heavy colarado style flip-flops. Each to their own in my books and some days just getting out the door in something other than Pj's is a big thing! I just wish all mums could be less judgmental on each other..

So anyways back to my style... I am revamping my wardrobe - its a lot flowier, contains some very different cuts that I have never worn before and even some colours I dont often wear. I want to push outside my comfort zone - like it or not I have changed in the year and a half since I became pregnant. I think I have matured in my taste. Now I dont want to mean mature in a boring way.. I want to mean mature in a "late 20's confident woman" way. And the fact that I am a mum shouldn't really matter (hehe providing i can still breastfeed in it - always an annoying consideration in outfit choices!)... I am looking forward to winter and work as I am planning on trying some new looks.

Oh and probably a seperate post but too find the cartoon at the top of this post, I was forced to google "yummy mummy". UUURRGGGHHH dont get me started on how much I hate that term and the pressure that comes with it. I mean a celebrity is basically required to bounce back to size 0 in 6 weeks so that she can have her magazine cover with that horrible term splashed across her picture. I might be saying that I like to wear nice clothes but I am not doing that so someone can give me a sexist label as though I need reassurance that mums and sexiness can co-exist - eerrk hate it.

hehe random thoughts and rant for the night ;)

I had a lovely birthday - the high tea was gorgeous and Elka was a little lady,sitting up eating her rice cakes and sharing in the fun.

Elka and I dressed up to go.


My actual birthday started in a fairly rushed way as we had to get Elka into her first day of daycare. But there was time for pressies - I got the GHD IV hair straigtener that I have been coveting, money, gift vouchers, beauty products (including my fave - clinque city block) and a lovely platter.

I was a brave mum and waved goodbye to Elka in the daycare nursery and walked away calmly. To my shock my little girl simply waved goodbye and went back to playing with her carer and the other bubs! Jase got a little teary and upset about leaving her but I was very strong - I had done all the preparations by visiting the centre a number of times and was comfortable with leaving Elka there. We enjoyed some shopping and coffee and cake childfree before going back after four hours or so to grab Elka. She was happily playing when we got there and the carers raved about how contented Elka had been - eating her food, drinking her bottle, sleeping well and playing. What a relief! What was even better, was that her second day - she got all excited when I was carrying her into daycare and had another great day despite being left there even longer. I am overjoyed that I can enjoy my adult time at work and not have to worry about her being upset. Even better - I am very impressed with the centre and their care, Elka was cared for so carefully and the effort put into her and her stuff blew me away considering the carers have at least another 5 babies to look after at the same time!

Elka with her "school" bag and bunny (Flopsy) on her first day


We finished my birthday with a walk in New Farm park and a lovely lunch with the yummiest lamb salad and mint frappe - perfect!
Picnicking in New Farm park enjoying the beautiful day

Photo courtesy of Zoilus.com

Today we are going to the Hyatt at Sanctuary Cove for their High Tea to celebrate my Birthday. I love pretty things and being pampered so its perfect.

I am looking forward to having my family around me, dressing up in my pretty new skirt and putting Elka in a gorgeous new dress that Mum has made her.

The sun is out and the water will be sparkling at Sanctuary Cove. I have had a gorgeous ride on my horse this morning whilst my little girl laughed and squealed watching me.

Celebrating life with cupcakes and champagne sounds pretty damn good today.

For 9 years now I have had the same Valentine and I love him to bits.

With my birthday 2 days later and our wedding anniversary 12 days later, we tend to take Valentines day easy..

Jase popped out to grab dinner and came home with a big bunch of pink tulips for me :) Tulips are "my" flower from him - I love it.

I on the other hand went the home cooking route since I have the luxury of time this year. I made these gingerbread cookies and decorated them.. Elka helped/hindered by insisting on being held, so the majority were decorated one handed with a baby swiping at the pink icing. I think they are sweet - Jase has eaten two before breakfast so they cant be too bad!


We are off to swimming and then a nice lunch out. Today more than ever I am glad to share my life with my beloved. The Victorian fire tragedy and the heartbreaking stories of loss make me extra appreciative of my blessed life.

Happy Valentines Day!

Was most definitely time for a pamper so I left a screaming baby with Jase as soon as he got home from work last night (screaming as he walked through a doorway holding her and forgot her head was sticking out one side - good work Dad!) and headed to my salon for a loooonnng session.

It was time for a change - my hair has been a little too red in the base colour and the foils have been too light... so I have revisited the deep chocolate base with caramel lowlights. I havent had this colour since my wedding four years ago. Its fun - it brings out my eyes and is a great excuse to wear more make-up. However, if I let myself get too pale, it can look a little goth. So it pays to steer away from alot of black for the first week or so when the colour is very intense..

So we have the before...


and the after



Its pouring today and bubba and I are going stir crazy from a quiet week. When my friend cancelled on our bub play date this morning, I threw bubs in the car and we headed to DFO for some time away from the farm and some exercise wandering around the shops... I treated us to lunch and grabbed a few bargains whilst I was at it. A lovely plum top from Cue - I keep hearing that plum is going to be the big colour for winter. I love it anyway and it looks great with all my work greys and blacks. And I grabbed a lovely soft cream scarf - I am keen to start incorporating a neck scarf into some of my plainer outfits. Elka had a fantastic time people watching and has come home all giggly. How can I not shop when it makes my little girl so happy ;)

As I have previously discussed - I have to wear flat covered shoes in my job. I have been searching for a new pair of brown flats. I love my shoes to have buckles or gold embellishments and most shoes I have tried on so far have just been too plain or lacking that little bit of "character".

The other day whilst wandering the shops avoiding a hideously hot and humid day, I stumbled upon the perfect pair. I love the colour, I love the buckles, I love the studs and even better I love that they scanned cheaper than their price tag. Score!

My brother, in his "wise and tolerant" teenager stage always turned his nose up at anything made at home, usually by my mum. This included homecooked food, sewn clothes and home built items.. even our own chickens laid eggs. Everything was declared to be "homebrand" in a disdainful voice. For the rest of the family, this became a running joke and we still declare homemade things to be homebrand.

I on the other hand have always loved my mothers sewing skills, something she learnt from her mother and she always declares is nothing on Nan's immaculate sewing. I wish I could say that I have continued the tradition - well I do have Nan's sewing machine and use it.. but I use it repair horse rugs with a leather sewing needle, not quite the same! Although I did sew Elka's nursery mobile (shown in a post on here even) and am proud of it still :)

My mum has finally found some time in between running her koala rescue centre to sew Elka some clothes. I am overjoyed as my favorite clothes for Elka are the handsewn ones that were made for me as a baby. I am not a big fan of expensive baby brands and spending a fortune on clothes that get worn for about one month.. rather the lovingly homesewn clothes designed by someone I love are more special to me.

Here is the first of a number of outfits Mum is currently working on for Elka. A lovely little cherry dress - it also has a red satin and a white satin ribbon belt to dress it up. But for casual wear, I am a fan of the matching belt.

Homebrand it is but pretty cute too ;)

I was tagged by the lovely Leila (who has a lovely tidy desk!) in "Show us your blog spot".

So here it is..



The laptop lives in the lounge room and this my current little corner where the computer sits on the white foot stool. Generally it is packed over against the wall whilst bubba is awake as the rug you can see is her play rug and is covered in toys and tunnels etc. It looks like playland and I swear I didn't move a thing but none of it made it in shot somehow! If the laptop is left out then the cords are fair game for bub to pull, swing and eat.

I like this spot as it is in front of the air con and also in front of our plasma which is currently playing Gilmore Girls Season 3 :). I can see out the large windows which look over our horse paddocks (thus checking on my horses who are always getting up to trouble) and also looks over our neighbours massive dam. So as such I have water views ;)The ducks also sit just outside the right window so I have company. Our two cats sleep on the top of the lounge behind my head (hence why there is a rug there. I often drink a warm milo with two marshmellows whilst I blog - when I have a hot drink I sit on the floor next to the laptop. I like sitting on the floor and do it alot. Handy when you have a baby too!

So here are the official rules: Show Us Your Blog Spot!
1. Once you are tagged, post a picture of where you blog. This might mean a picture of your cozy bed, or your office at work (you naughty employee, you!) Feel free to be creative, but be honest--if your desk is usually covered in Ritz crackers and love letters to Brad Pitt, then show us!
2. Feel free to tell us a little about your space, or explain certain items in more detail. Or not.
3. Link back to this post. (I want to see how far this goes!)
4. Tag five other bloggers to show their blog spots.
5. If you are tagged and do not participate, you will become allergic to cabbage.

Tag :)
1. Twice Mice
2. Livin' and Lovin'
3. Sarah-Exploring Life
4. Tanto Amore
5. Bella's Blog

I got to take Elka swimming this Saturday even though its a Daddy-Daughter thing. I had a great time and Elka was a big brave girl who went under water many times. Even though I was a wuss and had a hard time putting her under! Its just doesn't feel right to pull your babies head under the water!

She is now kicking and paddling after toys - very cute. She also pulled her shy hiding her face thing at the instructor and in doing so dunked her face into the water. I laughed and laughed.

Jase took photos and smiled proudly from the side. It was a gorgeous way to spend the morning. I don't know how I will stay away each weekend, even though it is meant to be my time off from bub.

Excitement!



Kicking away

I think I have teared up like seven times today at least. So much sad news. The fires in Victoria just break my heart. At first I was sad listening to poor people standing shocked explaining that they had nothing left besides what they were wearing. And then I couldn't believe the death toll. It truly is a massacre and my heart twists for those poor souls who burned to death, either fighting or desperately fleeing. It is all so so sad and like a bad movie. I have no words for the scum of the earth that light fires for the kicks. I have had also had to physically restrain myself from jumping out of my car at traffic lights etc to knock on peoples windows that throw lit cigarettes out car windows. I lived through the Canberra fires and only 2 months ago Jase and I extingushed a fire in a rest area started by a smoker.

Jase and I discuss endlessly our bushfire escape plans. We are more than aware of the risk in the bushy area we live. We have had fires burning uncontrolled just one hill away from us. We have 10 acres of uncleared scrub next door to us - about 15 metres from our house. It is a tinderbox of dead trees but is a rare refuge for the kangaroos, wallabys and koalas so I dont complain to council as I am scared it will be cleared flat. But it worries me.

Jase and I can never agree on leaving the property and leaving the horses in the event of an approaching fire. I want to stay and load the horses into the float and the chickens into boxes and throw them in the car. We are both unsure that if push came to shove, that we might want to stay to defend. But the dam pump is unreliable and we need power to run the house water pump - it would be close to useless to try to stay. I would never leave Jase to defend the place alone. Of course now we have Elka - leaving sooner would make sense.

One thing this disaster has reminded me - that your loved ones are important, not material things. Yes I would be sad to lose my grandmothers jewellery she left me, yes I would hate to lose the teapot my pop bought me. But what is life without Jase and Elka. Urrgh tears flow even thinking about it.

To add to the emotion. Elka went into daycare today for some familarisation. I was with her the whole time, watching. But it was so hard. The carers were great, the babies sweet and the room good. But its a ratio of one to four. I am used to Elka having one to one. I cant even bear the thought of my little one being fourth on someones list. I was a little internally crazy for a few minutes - watching her sitting in a swing whilst other babies were being tended to. My mind raced - what if she chokes and no one notices, what if she finds something she shouldn't and swallows it, what if, what if.. The feeling of leaving your baby alone in the big bad world is not a something I like.

But it wasn't all bad. Elka loved charming the carers, playing with the babies, having new toys and watching everyone going about their business. I can see that she will enjoy the variety. And I need to go back to work - my mind is crying out for the challenge..

To top it off, I am a work widow again. The nights do get lonely at the farm. Sometimes I will Elka to wake up so I can hug her and feel her warmth. The disadvantage to her being a dream sleeper. Spech has pulled another shoe off. I felt pretty flat this afternoon.

But I must remember - my beautiful home is standing, my family are safe and well and I am looking forward to a better day tomorrow. I have so much.

I did.. we not only ended up hitting DFO but also headed down the coast and visited Harbour Town too. Was a fun day hanging out with Elka and my mum, except that is for the moment when the bloody underside of the 4WD decided to drop down on the motorway when I was doing 100kms an hour!!! You can imagine the noise that made. I was also wearing a short skirt and high heels which wasn't optimal attire for crawling around under the front a car..

but all is well that ends well (we pulled the metal guard off that had come adrift and I went bolt shopping this morning so that we can put it back on again - permantantly this time!). Elka was a little angel despite us being out for nearly 12 hours (we went through with late night shopping and dinner) and I got some lovely bargains and still have cash left in my wallet for more shopping. Notably absent from my purchases are the ballet flats that I actually needed - I did find some suitable but they lacked the little finishes I like - I am a sucker for a cute buckle or a bow etc and these just had a twist of leather.. so I will keep searching :)

Witchery gray woollen dress with belt and front pleat
SO elegant on - a lady in the store saw me try it on and came over to comment. Perfect for the freezing air conditioning in the labs at work - will be cute for auturm with my black long boots..




Witchery singlet, Forever New skirt
love the colours :)


Tony Bianco heels - really comfy and pretty hot!



So I was right in predicting that Forever New and Witchery were my most likely spots for purchases! And even better - that whole stash gave me change out of $100. I love my outlet shopping ;)

So I have been watching a lot of Gossip Girl recently. I love the fashions (who wouldnt!). Check out the Live Journal in my favourite links- its worth a look! And Blair's hairstyles reminded me just how much I love my scarf. Of course I have more than one scarf but "my" scarf was bought in the markets in Florence, Italy when we backpacked around Europe a few years ago.. and I love the memory as much as I love the colour of the scarf - its quite Pucci.

So I dug it out to wear today and its making me happy :)


Now its not very Blair on me - its much more LC from The Hills. Its hard to channel NY sophistication in a humid Queensland summer looking after a baby (for example I just got a poo leak on my top LOL!). However I am looking forward to work as I love the challenge of cute work outfits and I have stocked my wardrobe with some devine blouses and some sharp new trousers and a lovely pencil skirt with high belt. So I may get some Gossip Girl prep back into my outfits soon..

In the meanwhile, I need new ballet flats for work (OHS requires covered shoes with minimal heels - such a drag!, so its off to DFO tomorrow for me - stay tuned! I am feeling the itch to grab some pretty new tops too - I have my eye on Forever New and Witchery :)

Tonight my extra clever hubby is being awarded the Vice Chancellors award at Griffith Uni for his excellent work and for topping his Policy Analysis Course (the proper name escapes me!)

Add to that, he launched his 25 Million dollar research strategy for the Government today and managed to successfully get the news to cover it in a good length report (like 4 minutes!). I am proud wife :)

Of course I am not sitting at home cooking and vacumming the floors humbled and awed - I am doing said jobs planning my next career moves ;) Oh yes we have been bitterly competitive since we met ten years ago in Undergraduate Science (and I kicked his ass in marks by the end hehehe)

However, I have a lot of chasing to do - Jase is generally pegged by most of his co-workers to be Most Likely to be running most of the State Government in a few years time LOL..