She's Here...

Welcome to the world Harriet Pearl McKinnon. She made her early arrival into the world on February 1st 2013 at 5:56pm weighing a slight 2.85kgs, measuring 49cms long.

I cannot believe it's been nearly 2 years since I posted about welcoming Ted into my life. He turns 2 next month and seems like he has grown SO much since arriving home from the hospital with Harriet.

My c-section went really well, it was quiet and intimate and I wasn't *too* nervous. My milk has come in and Harriet and I are bonding and feeding well. She is smaller than we had expected but is thriving nonetheless.

More photos to come!

xx

Happy Mother's Day

Here's my card, which I adore. It's from Abel and Game, my favourite card shop.

Beautiful, simple words were strung together. Abi signed her own name and drew a chocolate cake and her and Teddy too.

We are off to Doyle's at The Rocks for a family lunch including 9 adults, 3 preschoolers and Teddy too.

I hope today is special for each and every Mum out there. To the old and young, the Mum's who are expecting a wee bub soon, to the Nannas and Grandmothers. My heart goes out to anyone who might struggle through today. We lost our Nanna right before Mother's Day and the feelings were still so raw when we had to celebrate a few weeks later. Go easy today my friends.

With that, I'm off to pick outfits and sip my latte.

Happy Sunday to you all and Happy Mother's Day!

Lullabies

I was a big fan of lullabies with Abigail. I had an ipod dock in her nursery and we played lullabies to her most nights which she loved.


Rockabye Baby are instrumental lullaby renditions of rock bands. I just checked their website and some new additions have been added. I'm definately buying the Weezer, Aerosmith and Journey releases. These lullabies might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Abigail loved them and I'm hoping Edward does too.

Bullet Post Update

• James left yesterday for a quick trip to Singapore and Malaysia. He is away for 9 days, which isn't too bad. But I'm almost 8 months pregnant and having my little freakouts without him is hard. And don't worry, they are just stupid freakouts. About the baby. And the labour.

Where husband is staying in KL. The same hotel we stayed at 2 years ago when Abi was 9 months old.

• My younger sister is staying with me for a few days which is so great. I gave her a key so she can come and go as she pleases, it's nice having that extra bit of help with Abi. Considering that bending over is becoming a chore.

• My Mum is up at our holiday house in Noosa this week, on her own. The floods are close, but she isn't too worried. Neither am I. But knowing she is up there, so close to such devastation has really irked me.

• Every day I have to make decisions about the new house. My brain is on overload. I still haven't bought much for the new baby, not that I need to buy much. But I can't nest at all, when I don't know where we will be living in 8 weeks! If we aren't in the new house, it's ok. The hospital is a 5 minute drive from the apartment where we live right now, as opposed to a 30 minute drive from the new house.

• Watching the floods on the news is so sad and disturbing. Those poor people. Especially those towns that have been flooded twice. Imagine losing everything. Being emotional and hormonal right now doesn't help. I cried watching Sky News yesterday. I'm praying for mother nature to give QLD a break, very soon!

Image from Dave Hunt of AAP.

• I have this anxious feeling resting over me right now. 2011 has started and it's just been full on from the get-go. I know things WON'T settle down too much once we move into the new house, because, UM, I will have a newborn to take care of. Which is so exciting. But I have this strange feeling that things are going to be hectic for the next 8 weeks.

• And then I remind myself, I am healthy and alive and well. And in the scheme of things, that's all that matters. Life does not put things in front of you that you cannot handle.

Single Parenting again

As I type this, James is boarding his flight to Singapore.

I desperately wanted to go with him on this trip for many reasons. To finish my Christmas shopping, to stuff myself full of dumplings, catch up with old friends and most of all, to take Abigail back to her birth place.

But Singapore being strict with their medical system, restrict entry into the country for pregnant women past 28 weeks pregnancy. This is to stop tourists and locals of neighbouring Malaysia/Indonesia/Thailand who used to cross the border to give birth and receive the amazing level of medical care which is prevalent all over Singapore.

Although I am only 27 weeks, I didn't want to risk arriving in Singapore and being turned around at customs!

James travels to Singapore often and I'm sure there will be an opportunity to go next year after the baby is born. I would love to take Abi back to see some of her old friends and try the local cuisine and see the sights.

My favourite mall in Singapore is The Paragon. Designer labels everywhere, but also quirky shops and a whole level dedicated to Children's shops. The basement level is a huge foodcourt with a massive Din Tai Fung outlet. We used to eat here at least twice a week, stuffing ourselves with pork buns and dumplings.

We had a whirlwind weekend of Christmas shopping, a progress inspection at the new house and yesterday, my inlaws had their family Christmas lunch because most of my inlaws will be away on the 25th December. I envoked an early slumber last night by stuffing myself full of turkey, roast vegetables and apple sauce. The meal was delicious. I actually like that I have another 2 weeks to prepare my belly again before another big meal on Christmas Day.

Abigail was an absolute gem as we shopped all day Saturday. We spent a few hours in the new Sydney Westfields which wasn't too busy. I did get tired quite easily as I'm starting to carry a big bump and required little pit-stops every few minutes. We took her to the park in Pyrmont just before sunset so she could run around and play. I will miss that amazing park when we move to the suburbs. But our own yard with play equipment is much more fun and convenient!

Tomorrow my Mum is coming into the city to stay with me for a few nights which will be a blessing! It will help curb the lonliness and we plan to Christmas shop and enjoy this one-on-one time with eachother. I can't wait!

Single Parenting

He is there:

And I am here:

That's our apartment building in the middle of the photo.


James is in Melbourne for a conference and will be home on Thursday. Another week of single parenting. I'm still not used to it. Neither is Abigail. She knows when he is packing and knows his routine. When he is away, she becomes SUPER CLINGY to me. Like, follows me into the toilet, screams if I put a load of washing on, whinges for things she knows she isn't allowed to have, like chocolate and biscuits and chocolate, hehe.


Luckily, she still sleeps well and eats well. But I always struggle. I watch TV in bed till I fall asleep. I triple check the door locks. I don't sleep very well. It's even harder when I'm pregnant because my hormones are out of control and I cry on a whim. I've already had a big cry today.


What can I do? My husband has to travel for work. He always has, he probably always will. Next week he is off to Singapore for a week which will be harder. I have Dr's appointments and things planned. Hopefully my Mum is coming to stay with me in the city and we will hit the shops together and the Aquarium too.


I can't complain too much. I have many friends in WA and their husband's work in mines and on oil rigs. Away for 4 weeks at a time. Home for a week, then off again. And another friend of mine, her fiance is based in Melbourne in the Army but she is here in Sydney. They make it work, but it's tough on them. She said that's the life of an army wife!


Tomorrow, I will force myself to get out of the house to do something. Perhaps the park or playground. Hmmmm