2 weeks and counting.....

The BIG move is getting closer, they even very kindly brought it forward a week for us!!!! So this last week has been busy fixing things around the house, to make it ready to rent. Why is it that you just make do with things around the house but then fix everything that is ok for you to live with, for other people?? Like my curtains for example they have been annoying me forever as they always fall of the curtain rings and I have been meaning to fix them for I don't know how long.... did I ever do it for me? NO but it is at the top of my list to fix now! I have also been busy selling furniture that will not fit into our new tiny little house or things that haven't been used in awhile. We had a very unpractical white leather lounge a reminder of our before children days, which had to go. It sold on Monday and since then Miss E has turned our front room into her play room! TOYS everywhere.
I think she must know something is happening as we had our first proper tantrum the other day and she has been a bit funny all week, as well as not sleeping again. I am beginning to become sleep deprived.... It's either the move or maybe the terrible two's have come early!!
If anyone has any tips on things you can do to help a toddler handle a big move to a new town, I would love to hear them. PLEASE help, all advice is greatly appreciated.

Newborn Cuddles

I have just had a cuddle with my friends little newborn boy. I can't believe how fast our kiddies grow and how quickly you forget, how small they were. Miss E was in fact smaller by a pound when born, she was just over 7 pound. I know that's not small, but holding him I couldn't imagine how anyone could be any smaller. I love that newborn smell and that milk drunk look when they have a nice full tummy. I remember just spending hours watching her when she was born, sometimes with eyes propped open with match sticks... as a sleep deprived new mother. I was just in awe that we had made this little baby and couldn't take my eyes off her as I didn't want to miss a thing.

So now I am super clucky and can't wait to be able to add another addition to our family, but for now I thought I would share one of my favourite photos of Miss E. She was only a couple of months old here..... her mumma had good milk!!!  

Don't be shy at leaving comments, I love to hear from you, in fact it makes my day when I see someone has left me one... Deb xx

Update from behind the scenes.

I just thought I would give you a quick update, as I haven't been around much of late. We have had a few things happening around here lately.

Firstly a very special little girl in our family recently gained her angel wings and joined her big sister. She will be forever in our thoughts and I will especially remember her wicked little laugh and big cheeky smile.
Eskimo Proverb - "Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy"

Secondly we have made a big decision in regards to our family life, some of you may know hubby does FIFO and has been doing it for some time. It is starting to affect our little lady and she is becoming quite distressed every time he has to go back to work. One of the cute sides of it, every time she sees or hears a plane.....we live on a flight path!! She waves to the planes and yells out "Daddy work". Maybe she thinks he's a pilot.??

So we have decided to relocate to Tom Price!! We will be moving shortly from our beautiful home out here in the Swan Valley, to a mining town. Which is 15 hours north of Perth, has an average temperature in the summer of around 40 degrees. I have heard it can get up to about 45, it is over 4 hours from the nearest BEACH. Oh and who can forget the most beautiful red pindan dirt that gets into everything! NO cute little white shoes or clothes for Miss EJ for the next couple of years.

I should add this is all happening in just over 3 weeks, I have not organised a thing as we still don't have an exact start date, as we are waiting for a home to be allocated to us. Please can everyone cross everything you have available.... in the hope that we receive a refurbished home.

On the plus side we will be a full time family. Here's to hoping hubby and I don't drive each other mad as we adjust to being a full time husband and wife again... and hopefully we will finally be successful in making a little sister/brother for Miss EJ. I am feeling very positive about the move and very excited about what awaits us.

I will definately be sharing our adventure with you all as I'm sure it will be full of laughs and the odd tear or two as this city girl ups and moves her family to the bush all in the name of LOVE!!

Staying fit and healthy during pregnancy

I recently asked a good friend of mine who is a personal trainer if he would like to write a guest blog for me to offer some advice on staying fit and healthy during and after pregnancy. Unfortunately for me Andrew is based in Sydney (although perfect for anyone based in Sydney that may be looking for a personal trainer) so is a little to far for me, for a one on one session. I met Andrew on Hayman Island when we were both working there. When life was just one big holiday, one of my favourite memories I take from there is doing a boxing session with him on the front beach, below is a pic of the front beach......

image from hayman

Back to reality. Well if you are like me and unable to see Andrew on a one on one basis why not follow his blog for some fantastic reads and great tips on exercise and eating healthy.(links below) But firstly check out his guest blog below on ' Staying fit and healthy during pregnancy' and keep a look out for part two.

So, you've found out you're having a baby...CONGRATULATIONS!!
If you’re looking for ways to keep fit and healthy during pregnancy, exercise can be a key factor to keeping weight in check. But you shouldn't be too worried about gaining weight as it is healthy and necessary.

Benefits of Being Active During Pregnancy

·         More energy.

·         Stronger back muscles, which can help manage back pain and strain as your belly grows.

·         Improved posture.

·         Weight control.

·         Stress relief.

·         Improved sleep.

·         Preparation for the physical demands of labour.

·         Faster recuperation after labour.

Here are a few guidelines to help you maintain your fitness level during pregnancy:

1.     Talk to your doctor/obstetrician first to ensure there are no medical issues (such as previous miscarriages, placenta praevia, multiple pregnancies, anaemia, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure) that can dictate what you can and can't do.

2.     Even if you are healthy and cleared by your doctor/obstetrician to exercise, you should avoid activities that could increase the risk of falls or injuries, such as contact sports, skiing, rock climbing or horse riding.

3.     Be aware that your balance (due to changes in your centre of gravity), strength and agility will be affected by your pregnancy. What was possible before pregnancy may be more challenging now. Relaxin is a hormone which loosens your joints and connective tissues during pregnancy to allow your ribs and pelvis to expand to cater for a growing baby. So, don't extend your joints past their normal range of movement.

4.     If you have been fairly active prior to your pregnancy, now is not the time to improve your fitness. Never exercise to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness as you're reprieving both yourself and your baby of oxygen. With cardiovascular exercises, keep your heart rate below 70% of your maximum heart rate. Your maximum heart rate is roughly 220 minus your age.

5.     If you have been training with a fitness professional, it is important let him/her know that you are pregnant so your program can be modified.

6.     If you are not exercising regularly, start slowly. Walking is one of the best activities you can take up. You should also practice relaxation techniques and do breathing and pelvic floor exercises.

7.     You should incorporate some light to moderate weight training (free weights, machines or use your own body weight) in your program to strengthen your muscles, which will help you carry around an extra bump for nine months.

8.     After 16 weeks, avoid lying on your back as this position decreases the blood flow to your heart and to the baby.

9.     Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise and take frequent breaks. Instead of training continuously for 40 minutes, split it into a 20-minute session in the morning and a 20-session in the afternoon/evening.

10.   Avoid exercising in the hottest part of the day, or alternatively take up swimming. Swimming and water-based exercises allow your weight to be supported and there is no jarring your joints. Take extra precaution if you live in a hot and humid environment as it is harder for to keep your body temperature down.

11.   Wear comfortable clothing and a supportive bra.

Most importantly, use common sense and listen to your body. If you feel tired, unwell or not in the mood for exercising, your body is telling you to take it easy. Nine months is a relatively short period in your life and the health of your baby is your number one priority.

Andrew's website is www.healthjigsaw.com and his blog is www.healthjigsaw.com/blog

Handmade with love

With so many birthdays fast approaching and trying to keep within my family budget. I have decided to hand make my gifts, I'm not really sure if a handmade present can compete with a store-bought present and am extremely nervous in giving a handmade present in today's society. So I decided that I would only give something that I would be happy to receive. Now I haven't sewn since school and to be honest the thought scared me as I am a bit of a perfectionist and tend to procrastinate about things if I don't think I will be able to do it. I eventually gave it a go and am actually quite excited at the results. So I thought I would share with you my latest creations.

Lamb Shanks Recipe

With this change in weather it has got me thinking about all the yummy winter dishes that I love to cook. So I thought I would share with you, one of my all time favourites. This dish has been tried and tested with many glasses of red wine by family and friends over the years. So if you are looking for something hearty to warm you up why not try this 'Lamb Shanks with tomato and rosemary' recipe by Donna Hay.

First things first though, may I suggest a good glass of red to go with this. Have you tried 'Two Hands - Gnarly Dudes' Shiraz from the Barossa Valley? be careful it can become addictive!

lamb shanks with tomato and rosemary

8 lamb shanks trimmed (ask your butcher to cut the ends for you so they fit better in your pan)
plain flour for coating
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, sliced
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 cup red wine
2 1/2 cups beef stock
400g can tomatoes, lightly crushed
1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
sea salt and cracked black pepper

Toss the lamb shanks in flour, shaking of any excess. Place half of the oil in a large, deep frying pan over high heat. Add the shanks and brown well. Remove and set aside. Add the remaining oil to the pan and cook the onions and garlic until golden. Return the shanks to the pan. Add the wine, stock, tomatoes and rosemary and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Remove the shanks and continue to simmer the sauce, uncovered for 10 minutes or until reduced and thickened. Return the shanks to the pan with the parsley, salt and pepper. Mix through and serve with mashed potatoes. Serves 4

I find sometimes I need to cook the shanks for longer than an hour. I have also cooked this recipe in my slow cooker which I found that if you add a little cornflour when you are simmering the sauce it helps. I have even cooked this recipe in my pressure cooker in just 45 minutes, but again I needed to add cornflour to the sauce.

I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as my family and I do.

Deb x

Broome Time

We have returned from Broome and I must say our little lady was the perfect flyer, even with a four and a half hour delay! We had a fantastic time and it was the perfect little getaway. We went for a friends wedding and everything about the day was just perfect. Stunning bride, handsome groom, a beautiful ceremony, the yummiest food, and great friends to celebrate with.

Congratulations Bel and Scotty.  To love, laughter and happily ever after xxx