Apocalypse now

Last week we awoke to a sky of orange. It turned out a dust storm had swept in from as far away as South Australia and was painting the east coast of Australia a colour of burnt henna.

I was so glad I had washed the car only two days prior.

32 weeks

Well, here I am - 32 weeks pregnant. At last we are in the home stretch. I can't say it has been the most wonderful of pregnancies. I had morning sickness up until 20 weeks and then it came back again around 28 weeks. I've been really exhausted, my body is swollen, my ankles are now cankles, and my fuse has been short. I haven't really felt like I've had the chance to enjoy being pregnant when I've felt less than ordinary. But last Friday, I woke up and felt good - my energy levels were back, and I'm less grumpy and tired. And finally I'm excited about the baby and its arrival.

We had an obstetric appointment yesterday and got to see the baby on an ultrasound that our obstetrician did in his rooms. The baby is lying posterior (it's spine against mine) and head down. The baby was blinking and looked like it was smiling. Our obstetrician told us it looked like it was going to be a good-sized baby. That, of course, is no surprise to us as we don't do small babies. I certainly remember when pregnant with Henry and Milly I was over it all by now and really struggling with the extra weight and exhaustion. So now with seven weeks to go I'm hoping this feel good mood stays with me.

Mother's Group party

I was really lucky when we moved to Newcastle to be welcomed into a fantastic mother's group. Recently we had a joint birthday celebration for the four year olds with a highlight being the cupcake tower made by Sandra (super cake baker extraordinaire).

Twice the Father's Day

Last Monday Henry came home from preschool with a Father's Day present he had helped make. It was a cardboard cup that he had painted and it was filled with some lollies and chocolates. He was so excited and proud of it that although it was meant for Father's Day on the coming Sunday he just wanted to give it to Michael straight away. Plus because he knew it contained some sweet treats he was hoping Michael would share them with him. Henry patiently waited for Michael to come home from working in Sydney. We picked up Michael from the train station and he was no sooner in the car when Henry told him all about his Father's Day present waiting for him at home, its contents and would he give some to him. As soon as we arrived home Henry raced to where he had left the present and gave it to Michael begging him to open it and share the lollies and chocolates. I only just managed to get a photo taken of the very proud Henry and his Dad with the present. For the record Michael shared his present with all of us.


When Sunday came around it was time for Father's Day again. The kids helped wrap the presents and as soon as they were wrapped they were being unwrapped again with the excitement kids get when faced with the chance of unwrapping a present - even if it's not for them.

Milly gets a big bed

For the past four months or more Miss Milly has been able to get in and out of her cot on her own and has also been waking between 2.00-4.00am unable to be resettled in her own cot. So we can all get some sleep it has just been easier to let her go back to sleep in our bed with us. Not a long term solution, but at least we are all well rested in the morning. With another baby on the way and Milly's cot antics, we decided to advance Milly to a big bed, after all she seemed to like sleeping in ours and/or Henry's so maybe this would solve her night waking.

Well she has had her big bed for just over a month now and the good news it has increased her midday nap from 1 hour 20 minutes to 2-3 hours. The bad news it hasn't really changed her night waking habits, with only three nights on record of her sleeping through the whole night in her bed. Although it is now usually around 4.00am that we hear her stampeding down the hall to join us.

Yes, we know with a new baby due in 10 weeks time that we can't let Milly keep this up, but it is hard to resist a little cherub face and warm little body snuggling up to you.