tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5269941394787896652024-02-20T18:17:07.369+11:00From the Wolf's DenJoin me on the journey as we add to the Wolf's Den.Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-14362009856574857232016-02-15T21:29:00.002+11:002016-02-15T21:29:59.666+11:00Well there you go...It's been 6 months. Where did that go? Oh yeah, soccer, school, Christmas ;)<br />
<br />
Miss K turns 6 tomorrow! and she started Prep. And lost a couple more teeth.<br />
<br />
Miss A is growing in leaps and bounds. Walking everywhere. Babbling lots. Loves her big sister.<br />
<br />
Me, busy working on some reviews for here, starting a new blog, looking forward to becoming a great auntie in June.<br />
<br />
We'll be back soon with a birthday wrap and some new reviews :)Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-22769396526960314362015-08-08T23:59:00.001+10:002015-08-10T20:35:36.935+10:00and she turned into a beautiful butterfly<p>Like that our baby is one!</p> <p>We had an awesome day and Miss A was totally spoiled.</p> <p>Mum & Dad decorated their house </p> <p align="center"><img title="DSC_0001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0001" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uUZUUcBshb4/VcYLKJcCSxI/AAAAAAAACAE/X6TjNLaXvjk/DSC_0001%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="107" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0003" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9eh_PZVR6QU/VcYLKm2c6qI/AAAAAAAACAM/2NBmUOk1pO0/DSC_0003%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0005" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0005" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7qp30DChmJc/VcYLLFkYlKI/AAAAAAAACAU/_5QUC0hojW8/DSC_0005%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"></p> <p>and there was loads of food</p> <p align="center"><img title="DSC_0088" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0088" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CU56RD_xWz4/VcYLL0MxXqI/AAAAAAAACAc/yFQVfy96dvo/DSC_0088%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0089" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0089" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3rtUjnbN8J4/VcYLMWj6bOI/AAAAAAAACAk/I7orcrQOaEE/DSC_0089%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0090" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0090" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ccXsr8jzQSE/VcYLMxemzUI/AAAAAAAACAs/lEHFy_JCrLk/DSC_0090%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"></p> <p>and cake</p> <p align="center"><img title="DSC_0010" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0010" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ir3wz2lwW1o/VcYLNTxczcI/AAAAAAAACA0/K1C-AGTYMng/DSC_0010%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0011" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0011" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Npt-6OYz95I/VcYLN6gkIZI/AAAAAAAACA8/CtBAplw5fuo/DSC_0011%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"><img title="DSC_0012" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0012" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CsdB8wJlTjg/VcYLOWCQV8I/AAAAAAAACBE/FTZNDASDPqw/DSC_0012%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0013" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0013" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--eOwbuDzpXg/VcYLO6Q5EmI/AAAAAAAACBM/cqdlR42nvqs/DSC_0013%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"><img title="DSC_0014" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0014" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q9anC4ZY86A/VcYLPd6D4eI/AAAAAAAACBU/94zr9PVcWg4/DSC_0014%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0015" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vu5s16I5oXg/VcYLQFpHtuI/AAAAAAAACBY/SKL0nvQNP9A/DSC_0015%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"> <img title="DSC_0096" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0096" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dzuhYZ2Mx8I/VcYLQnn9GiI/AAAAAAAACBk/b--0NF_O--w/DSC_0096%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160"></p> <p>and of course our gorgeous little caterpillar</p> <p align="center"><img title="IMG_8459" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8459" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pH7OLTLp00U/VcYLRHTGkEI/AAAAAAAACBs/o9rqBanAtoA/IMG_8459%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></p> <p>who was spoiled and got lots of new goodies including this</p> <p align="center"><img title="IMG_3719" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3719" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ttZVXvWi8QY/Vch-d2CPpnI/AAAAAAAACCE/_y5U0uoiH6M/IMG_3719%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></p> Now onto planning the next birthday (which is February for Miss K’s 6th!) Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-40994991640930593182015-07-29T21:08:00.001+10:002015-07-29T21:08:48.699+10:00Decorating caterpillar style<p align="center"><img title="Very Hungry Caterpillar Party ideas" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Very Hungry Caterpillar Party ideas" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gYKWDC43hp8/Vbi0Mpqfm6I/AAAAAAAAB-s/idHV24F5vKk/Untitled-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="154"></p> <p>Yes more party planning. This will be the last post about it before the actual party.</p> <p>We’re keeping it pretty simple, some balloons, some streamers, a paper lantern caterpillar and a photo caterpillar.</p> <p>Yet again <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=very+hungry+caterpillar+decorations&term_meta[]=very|autocomplete|0&term_meta[]=hungry|autocomplete|0&term_meta[]=caterpillar|autocomplete|0&term_meta[]=decorations|autocomplete|0" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> has heaps of ideas…</p> <p align="center"><img title="c97f6ac5da29dafac9eba7324f250eeb" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="c97f6ac5da29dafac9eba7324f250eeb" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tyEdT98jZUs/Vbi0NGjEIlI/AAAAAAAAB-0/mjNnRgE1ldk/c97f6ac5da29dafac9eba7324f250eeb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="150"> <img title="5b0fb18d11bdaed7a7ad4cb4409dfa3a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="5b0fb18d11bdaed7a7ad4cb4409dfa3a" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ludyIQaStI/Vbi0NuSa8SI/AAAAAAAAB-8/ysYDy6jApuU/5b0fb18d11bdaed7a7ad4cb4409dfa3a%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="226" height="150"> <img title="9ede1a288efae48ffd88ab7867a773aa" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="9ede1a288efae48ffd88ab7867a773aa" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jkTkcy-qa58/Vbi0OEpys3I/AAAAAAAAB_E/cK3JD-VLMDg/9ede1a288efae48ffd88ab7867a773aa%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="112" height="150"><img title="129e14a8c1e0d48f8280a25f45a6f5d6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="129e14a8c1e0d48f8280a25f45a6f5d6" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YaNWepkdKZ4/Vbi0OgeQm2I/AAAAAAAAB_M/6mFaoRwDGSU/129e14a8c1e0d48f8280a25f45a6f5d6%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="150"> <img title="845fbcc4a8d9ac5994c7022ca717f3cc" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="845fbcc4a8d9ac5994c7022ca717f3cc" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ufJcAa4Sll4/Vbi0PdlJsdI/AAAAAAAAB_U/id69dzipTDo/845fbcc4a8d9ac5994c7022ca717f3cc%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="100" height="150"> <img title="a61f7301c31ad091da7401882f07663d" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="a61f7301c31ad091da7401882f07663d" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dqQkpB8ys8E/Vbi0P8lQyPI/AAAAAAAAB_c/maYCng02mUw/a61f7301c31ad091da7401882f07663d%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="150"></p> That's just some of my favourites. I’ll be sharing my decorating efforts after the party ;) Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-29078357998994275672015-07-24T21:26:00.000+10:002015-07-24T21:26:17.140+10:00The Very Hungry Caterpillar ate some cake<p align="left">and mummy went a little mad trying to work out which cake she would make</p> <p align="center"><img title="Untitled-1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Untitled-1" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Rc0TaCOrQk/VbDsSJ0GvhI/AAAAAAAAB-I/mrdxznYMftQ/Untitled-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="154"></p> <p align="left">Yet again, Pinterest will be the death of me ;) so many cake options.</p> <p align="left">Do I do something fancy like these?</p> <p align="center"><img alt="The very hungry caterpillar cake and cookies http://butterheartssugar.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/very-hungry-caterpillar-cake-and-cookies.html" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/51/ac/38/51ac38f983b7aa670f23f6fecf725bae.jpg" width="183" height="260"> <img alt="The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/84/f0/1f/84f01f83f65ec2c5c06d8e9adaee1560.jpg" width="132" height="260"> <img alt="Elaine's Sweet Life: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake with Butterfly. Made with fondant and hand painted." src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b1/f3/7c/b1f37c0bcbc96b795c74ae54a7546965.jpg" width="198" height="260"></p> <p align="left">or something simpler like these?</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake, fondant fruit around base" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c0/7a/33/c07a33234c580e11d89bab42f66f8a5a.jpg" width="196" height="260"> <img alt="A Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party - Rainbow Cake by Made With Pink, via Flickr" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/46/60/61/4660612cad330cf6b103b361e410d6c2.jpg" width="243" height="260"> <img alt="Google Image Result for http://betweenthepagesblog.typepad.com/.a/6a0120a5924ef0970b017ee74a0ae7970d-pi" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/75/99/a9/7599a9748158347255ead727995d3078.jpg" width="346" height="260"> <img alt="The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake by Relznik, patacake-parties via Flickr" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a1/52/17/a152177f905b7a12d1b0c39f24bfd573.jpg" width="195" height="260"></p> <p align="left">or something really simple like a cupcake caterpillar?</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Very Hungry Caterpillar cake! #birthday #party #cake" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0e/04/0c/0e040cb8c2b5eca532fe158691878832.jpg" width="303" height="175"> <img alt="Gives tips on how to swirl the frosting colors to resemble the colors in the book." src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ca/46/8c/ca468c59074ddc8f946b5b6ec28bfd61.jpg" width="312" height="175"></p> <p>What we’ve chosen will be a secret til the day of the party ;)</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-9576575407788891432015-07-14T23:08:00.001+10:002015-07-23T23:00:19.500+10:00A very hungry caterpillar went looking for some foodand found sooooo many ideas on Pinterest it wasn’t funny. Seriously, how many ways can you do food that is themed to the caterpillar?<br />
I’m keeping it simple, mainly cause Miss K has soccer the morning of the party and I need to make it as easy as possible!<br />
How much more simple than taking my cues from the story!!<br />
In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf – devilled eggs on a bed of lettuce leaves<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="it's me, andrea.: A "Very Hungry Caterpillar" birthday party." src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/40/32/a5/4032a5b5ddc047afc25790eaae10c001.jpg" /></div>
For Monday (one apple), Tuesday (2 pears), Wednesday (3 plums – thinking we might do grapes), Thursday (4 strawberries) and Friday (5 oranges) – a fruit platter <br />
Saturday…<br />
<ul>
<li>chocolate cake – brownies</li>
<li>ice cream cone – maybe small ice cream cones filled with something not ice cream or ice cream lollies</li>
<li>pickle – not sure about this one</li>
<li>Swiss cheese – and biscuits</li>
<li>salami – maybe some twiggy sticks</li>
<li>lollypop – mini lollipops?</li>
<li>cherry pie</li>
<li>sausage – mini savs</li>
<li>cupcakes</li>
<li>watermelon (on the fruit platter)</li>
</ul>
Sunday The Caterpillar ate through a nice green leaf – a salad<br />
The cocoon – <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/260927372137837441/" target="_blank">these</a> nutella ‘cocoons’<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt=""cocoons" for caterpillar bday- Nutella and cinnamon inside for Caleb's 1st birthday. "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" party." src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d8/f8/76/d8f8769574b4e2fa464835401c0e06f4.jpg" /></div>
A beautiful butterfly – butterfly sugar biscuits<br />
I’d like to do something like these<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="butterfly cookie favors. how can these be so perfect?" height="253" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/76/8f/15/768f15625dd6a6afdb96c86b5721b5d0.jpg" width="269" /></div>
but it will most likely be something like these<br />
<img alt="98057d377a70b9d76fa8bcc52bdbe763" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0Rv3U6iicy0F5wOsQLonnlEjhhQW3HQSa8RWaCxUeOSNuEJV6LoK05NvJOEu-jXj89QXFuetFmmdtKz4OBENYhdj8Ub4Lm5nvandnOuhtt_Cx7HBZR8vlncNPUSVp-VeMkO2Cr4aRR0/?imgmax=800" height="240" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="98057d377a70b9d76fa8bcc52bdbe763" width="168" /><br />
And somewhere in there I’ll do sandwiches. That look like this.<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="IMG_3571" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcTbyaIkLwHgPVxdbGdJ_esy8DkRdojsDkVlQ3jueWJF4apgeumVWDRBPOEinz5LvsAiZY4R-3cknli22RBVRThYbjH9vkVp_AonkOrzXNFw4vdp622dNFGqLWOHUJe62le7N3vwh1-c/?imgmax=800" height="180" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3571" width="240" /></div>
Oh and the cake, but that I’m saving for next time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG1rFS6eAmJrxfJG9vv_8BpM3KnmfOZbN8xLeazlnQjbn7xlxYbGW6pk_BflGL4LE4fz85MuATo0GWIi5cbcik04KScTwZ7cZsGWmIu4LcBKIhyphenhyphenQ4EZofuereDyVyDkXEzbhxoymHkPU/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG1rFS6eAmJrxfJG9vv_8BpM3KnmfOZbN8xLeazlnQjbn7xlxYbGW6pk_BflGL4LE4fz85MuATo0GWIi5cbcik04KScTwZ7cZsGWmIu4LcBKIhyphenhyphenQ4EZofuereDyVyDkXEzbhxoymHkPU/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You can check out my ideas on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/nightwolfsden/very-hungry-caterpiller-birthday/" target="_blank">Very Hungry Caterpillar birthday Pinterest board</a>Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-69414809064109833312015-06-28T10:00:00.000+10:002015-07-23T22:58:18.249+10:00Our very hungry caterpillar turns 1Miss A turns one in August and I thought it was high time I got to work on organising her birthday party. After many hours on Pinterest I decided on either a pink & gold theme or A Very Hungry Caterpillar. I showed a heap of pictures to Miss K to help me choose and finally we decided on A Very Hungry Caterpillar.<br />
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some ideas for invites, decorations, food and cake then after the party I’ll share our actual event.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10MYWc5L9XMqiJ7ICWtCfpiNz_bHav9nLaawKZkVbGb1uucexG03Z1vfYpPOe-FJt5cP6CaPM5VRgk1wAHEp_Pm5hdalW0fO811tLHazJk96avfsFlMPyRO3iU7XqnTIq0B-M9V3rFHI/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10MYWc5L9XMqiJ7ICWtCfpiNz_bHav9nLaawKZkVbGb1uucexG03Z1vfYpPOe-FJt5cP6CaPM5VRgk1wAHEp_Pm5hdalW0fO811tLHazJk96avfsFlMPyRO3iU7XqnTIq0B-M9V3rFHI/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Invitations can be a simple or as complex as you want. From bought invitations like these……<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/79622930/very-hungry-caterpillar-birthday" target="_blank"><img alt="invite1" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hPKcRoU-hBE/VY6h2SBK4gI/AAAAAAAAB7E/lWC2j5eljao/invite16.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="invite1" width="160" /></a> <img alt="2" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IhzWQFnWsHk/VY6h2xAo00I/AAAAAAAAB7M/N7ShGqeRaqc/22.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2" width="196" /> </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125115941/very-hungry-caterpillar-birthday" target="_blank"><img alt="3" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h5m1PYdtYPc/VY6h3zqoVSI/AAAAAAAAB7U/98lm1aYjP88/33.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="3" width="171" /></a> <a href="http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2012/03/very-hungry-caterpillar-party.html?utm_source=BP_recent" target="_blank"><img alt="4" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bYn7qhEKg_g/VY6h4jTNlQI/AAAAAAAAB7c/Hf2DmXr0k2E/43.jpg?imgmax=800" height="171" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="4" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/126207070/eric-carle-the-very-hungry-caterpillar" target="_blank"><img alt="73d54238c66ec2405f73a60bb05deb91" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bm7cowncxsY/VY6h5OSpV2I/AAAAAAAAB7k/8enHRlxQAEE/73d54238c66ec2405f73a60bb05deb913.jpg?imgmax=800" height="160" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="73d54238c66ec2405f73a60bb05deb91" width="240" /></a></div>
to handmade creations like these ……<br />
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<img alt="c1dfaaa3c060816d0d600c5aea6e2728" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04VpoLEfQ4M/VY6h5kiB8-I/AAAAAAAAB7s/pj-Fv-Wt3GI/c1dfaaa3c060816d0d600c5aea6e27282.jpg?imgmax=800" height="226" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="c1dfaaa3c060816d0d600c5aea6e2728" width="240" /> <a href="http://www.lavendersbluedesigns.com/a-very-hungry-caterpillar-birthday-invitation/" target="_blank"><img alt="4b6871f0bcbd6f19e3776153a603a012" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-piEze2H5xi0/VY6h6TE3-II/AAAAAAAAB70/wAd5hcvJE5I/4b6871f0bcbd6f19e3776153a603a0123.jpg?imgmax=800" height="160" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="4b6871f0bcbd6f19e3776153a603a012" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.adventuresofaglutenfreemom.com/2010/07/jungle-junction-party-invitations-and-an-immaculate-winner/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-party-invitations0/" target="_blank"><img alt="4648dbaed76622c50dcbe46cbdf7fa4d" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K5fCJh3iF4Q/VY6h7JwmZmI/AAAAAAAAB78/n_ckiYTt1lQ/4648dbaed76622c50dcbe46cbdf7fa4d3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="4648dbaed76622c50dcbe46cbdf7fa4d" width="187" /></a> <a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/forums/party-ideas/topic/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-eric-carle-invitations.html" target="_blank"><img alt="256859e20e86d23b5f131fcc83626dec" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cWYVO9iG-M0/VY6h795HnPI/AAAAAAAAB8E/5sEDg8pF87o/256859e20e86d23b5f131fcc83626dec3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="140" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="256859e20e86d23b5f131fcc83626dec" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://blog.chictags.com/2011/03/birthday-invite-ideas-hungry.html" target="_blank"><img alt="c77a07fb51771454b1b6ccfe737894b2" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3SLbXNMOGaI/VY6h8VgywNI/AAAAAAAAB8I/Z76mr7EIbjo/c77a07fb51771454b1b6ccfe737894b23.jpg?imgmax=800" height="160" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="c77a07fb51771454b1b6ccfe737894b2" width="240" /></a> </div>
we (read me) ended up making ours. Thank goodness for my Silhouette Cameo because I would have hated doing this by hand.<br />
<img alt="Hungry-Caterpillar-invite" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nBr6Np7Zc0/VY6h85fehqI/AAAAAAAAB8U/RbbAmLLq86U/Hungry-Caterpillar-invite%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="163" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hungry-Caterpillar-invite" width="376" /><br />
The first circle reads:<br />
<blockquote>
We can hardly believe a year has passed<br />Our little caterpillar has grown so fast<br />Join us for some afternoon tea & fun<br />Anastasia is turning ONE</blockquote>
The second circle has the date, time and location while the third has the RSVP details. I’ll include a recent photo of Miss A to the final circle.Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-84311575845602663682015-06-16T14:02:00.000+10:002015-06-16T14:02:00.590+10:00What to get a 1 year old<p><em>Disclaimer – I’m not receiving anything for the products I link to. They are just ideas or products I personally own or sites I have bought from before.</em></p> <p>My goodness, that has snuck up fast! Miss A will be one in a couple of months. I’m so not ready.</p> <p>We’ll be doing lots of birthday prep sharing soon but today I wanted to share a list I’m working on that I thought might be useful for other mums of littlies – what to get a 1 year old</p> <p>We’ll be asking guests to Miss A’s party to not buy toys this year. Now don’t get me wrong – toys are awesome <strong>but</strong> we have heaps. Boxes of toys that belonged to Miss K, most of which are still in great condition. Miss K and I will be sorting them soon into toys to keep for Miss A, toys that have sentimental value, teddy bears (cause you never get rid of teddy bears lol), toys to give to the needy (cause I really want to instil this in my girls each year before birthdays and Christmas but more on that another time) and stuff that can just get chucked out. </p> <p>So what does one buy for a 1 year old that isn’t toys? With the help of the internet, mums in my birth group, friends and family, I’ve compiled this list of handy non toy suggestions for you.</p> <ul> <li>Books. Kids can never have too many books. Write a little note inside to the recipient with the month & date.</li> <li>Clothing. Check with the parents for size/season recommendations or if they have any preferences</li> <li>Vouchers. Grab a voucher parents can use to buy baby goods – things like nappies & wipes. Boring but useful.</li> <li>Memberships. If you have a zoo nearby grab a membership.</li> <li>put some money in their saving account</li> <li>A coin set (My mum has done this for Miss K – a set each year since she was born)</li> <li>A dish/cup/spoon/fork set</li> <li>a little something special for the mum & dad</li> <li>Music CDs designed for little kids</li> <li>DVDs for kids</li> <li>Something my godmother did was to buy me a charm bracelet then a charm each year</li> <li>Something personalised – towels, bowls, cups</li> <li>An IOU for babysitting/day out with the little person</li> <li>Adopt an animal on behalf of a child (eg. through <a href="https://donate.wwf.org.au/campaigns/adopt-an-endangered-animal/" target="_blank">WWF</a> – yeah I know it comes with a toy but it’s sooo cute AND a good cause)</li> <li>Have a toy made out of a special piece of baby clothing – like the onesie they came home in. Check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bearyspecialmemoriesaus" target="_blank">Beary Special Memories</a></li> <li>Something knitted or crocheted. I can recommend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBeanieBunch" target="_blank">the Beanie Bunch</a></li> <li>Pram liners or car seat liners. I can recommend <a href="http://www.maxandi.com/" target="_blank">Max & I</a></li> <li>Handmade bibs</li></ul> <p>Over to you. What non-toy gift would you give a 1 year old?</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-57943054905610564352015-03-09T22:38:00.000+11:002015-03-09T22:38:02.000+11:00I really suck at the monthly thing ;)Well girls, your mum really sucks at writing a letter to you monthly. The last letter was the end of November last year :/<br />
Quite a bit has happened since then.<br />
Kara, you continued getting ready for kindy and are really enjoying Possums. You walked in the Christmas parade with daycare. Early December was spent helping the gardener landscape our front yard. You had such a great time. The child and family centre opened and you're having lots of fun playing with your friends there and taking part in the school holiday activities.<br />
December saw you getting into cooking again, especially the Peppa Pig cookies.<br />
Of course December also meant Christmas - dinner with friends before Christmas, the daycare Christmas party and this year we went looking at the Christmas lights. And we got 2 chickens for Christmas!! Kara, you love checking every day to see if there are eggs.<br />
I got my licence in December and you were pretty excited when I took my first drive (in 20 odd years) on Christmas morning.<br />
Aggie took you to see Paddington at the movies - the first time you'd been to the cinema.<br />
The beginning of 2015 saw us all with head colds, some lasted longer than others.<br />
You both started swimming lessons. Anastasia, you took to it like a natural and Kara, you are improving so much!<br />
The night before Australia Day we went up to Launceston to watch fireworks. Kara, you loved them and talked about them all the way home. That and the wrestling by the Tas Championship Wrestling boys. Anastasia, we thought you'd go to sleep but you were more interested in watching everything and then when the fireworks started you just lay in the pram and watched in awe<br />
Kara, you started kindy in February. So far so good. You are loving it and have a great group of friends.<br />February also saw you turn 5! Where has my little baby gone :( We had a Frozen themed party. Frozen and Shopkins are your favourite things at the moment.<br />
<br />Anastasia,<br />
You are growing up so quickly. The last few months have seen you start rolling around everywhere, trying to crawl (& getting frustrated when you don't do anything - it will come soon enough), waving goodbye, getting your bottom two tooth - the next two are on the way. We celebrated your first Christmas - you really weren't all that interested in anything.<br />We had an emergency trip to the hospital with you in February as you had a temp of 40 and it wouldn't come down for the doctor. we got to the hospital and your temp went back down.<br />
You also went to your first AFL game. The Hawks played the Pies in the NAB Challenge at Aurora. Sadly the Hawks lost. You cried every time people cheered during the first half but seemed ok after many cuddles.<br />
<br />
SO hopefully the next letter I write will be a bit sooner than the last.<br />
Love to you both,<br />
MumNightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-9346452487694865892014-11-22T22:54:00.001+11:002014-11-22T22:54:56.187+11:00To our girls (October & November)<p>Ok so I suck at the monthly thing :/</p> <p>Here we are nearly at the end of November. I still can’t believe how quick the year has gone.</p> <p>Kara, can you believe you’ll be finishing Possums in a couple of weeks. Next week is your kindy orientation. Our little baby is off to school next year. We’ve been amused by your renditions of Let it go & Do you want to build a snowman, and we’re slightly sick of watching Frozen. We need to find you a new movie to watch. Things have been busy around here with lots of planning for Christmas. You’ve asked for guinea pigs, a trampoline and most recently “real chickens that lay eggs”.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5574" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5574" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3cHl60dLxxc/VHB5i4XtIfI/AAAAAAAABw4/wXxqKLGEuuI/IMG_5574%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></p> <p>Your big achievement this month – rising your bike by yourself! We went to the bike centre with daycare and you loved riding around with your friends<br>Your at the stage of being really cuddly with your sister and trying to pick her up, giving me lots of heart attack moments. The behaviour could be a bit better but it’s an attention thing when I pay more attention to your sister than you. I don’t mean to pay more attention to your sister but she’s still little and takes up much of my time. That will all change soon.</p> <p>We took you to see the ENT and he’s happy with how your ears are. All the fluid was gone by the time we got into see him but you did have some issues with wax. We do have to keep an eye on your ears and tonsils though just in case.</p> <p>Anastasia, you are growing so damn quick and picking up lots of new skills.</p> <p><img title="IMG_5601" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_5601" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kMZjLqEa-lY/VHB5jqeEuJI/AAAAAAAABxA/caGkPXTWK-Q/IMG_5601%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></p> <p>You delight in babbling away and having conversations with us. You have a gorgeous giggle and love to play This little piggy or Peek-a-boo. We haven’t bought you many new toys as you are content to play with hand me downs from your sister. You’re still a happy chucker and causing huge amounts of washing for me, especially at the moment cause you have a head cold. <br>Your latest tricks – rolling from your tummy to your back and pushing yourself around the floor on your back.</p> <p>Til next month (hopefully)</p> <p>Love Mum <br>xxoo</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-44502566237286358342014-10-06T15:09:00.001+11:002014-10-06T15:09:59.843+11:00Healthy lunches<p>This week (6th October) is Healthy Lunchbox Week. It’s about packing more healthy choices in kids lunchboxes and limiting treats and sometimes foods.<br>I love cooking and providing healthy meals for Miss K but sometimes I fall back on the easy, prepacked foods & snacks for her day care lunchbox. I do always pack at least 2 types of fruit though so yay for that lol</p> <p>Anywho, today I thought I’d share our plan for her lunchbox this week on the two days she goes and also provide some ideas and links for you, my awesome readers, to help give your kids a healthy lunchbox (or pack yourself a healthy lunch).</p> <p>So what is a healthy lunchbox? A healthy lunchbox should aim to include at least one food item from each of the <em>Australian Guide to Healthy Eating</em> food groups in your child’s lunch box every day. That is:</p> <ul> <li>Vegetables & salads <li>Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties <li>Fruit <li>Dairy <li>Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds and legumes/beans</li></ul> <p><strong>This week’s lunchboxes for Miss K:</strong></p> <p>Day 1</p> <li>2 mini egg & bacon pies (meat, eggs and grain) <li>apple (fruit) <li>banana (fruit) <li>carrot sticks (vegetables) <li>fairy dip (YIAH Beetroot dip) <li>yoghurt rice cakes (dairy, grain) <p>Day 2</p> <li>pasta salad (grain, vegetables) <li>banana muffin (grain, fruit) <li>watermelon (fruit) <li>cheese (dairy) <li>tuna & biscuits (fish, grain)</li> <p><strong>Lunchbox Ideas from around the web:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://theorganisedhousewife.com.au/lunchbox-ideas/how-to-pack-a-healthy-lunchbox/" target="_blank">The Organised Housewife How to pack a healthy lunchbox</a> <li><a href="http://www.thingsforboys.com/2011/10/yoghurt-snack-pancakes.html" target="_blank">Yoghurt Snack Pancakes</a> <li><a href="http://planningwithkids.com/tag/lunch-box/" target="_blank">Planning with Kids Lunchbox ideas</a> <li>Octavia & Vicky <a href="http://octaviaandvicky.com/recipes/ask-octavia-and-vicky-school-lunch-box-ideas" target="_blank">Lunchbox Ideas</a> <li>Road to Loving my Thermo Mixer <a href="http://www.trtlmt.com.au/search/label/lunchbox%20show%20and%20tell#.Uw0sFoVEFaQ" target="_blank">Lunchbox ideas</a> <li><a href="http://simonesthermomixessentials.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/thermomix-healthy-snacks-and-luchbox-ideas-for-kids/" target="_blank">Healthy snack & Lunchbox ideas</a> <li><a href="http://www.thewholelifemama.com/whats-good-for-the-goose/" target="_blank">Healthy lunchbox snacks</a> <li><a href="http://www.smaggle.com/2014/02/27/5-easy-and-healthy-lunchbox-ideas-for-grown-ups/" target="_blank">Lunchbox ideas for Grown ups</a></li></ul> <p>What’s your favourite go-to healthy lunchbox treats?</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-43113243307966532612014-09-27T20:32:00.001+10:002014-09-27T20:32:47.801+10:00We’re a happy team<p>at Hawthorn. We’re the mighty fighting Hawks!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cOMGpT66sBM/VCaSMEawbgI/AAAAAAAABrY/P1eTpE_Qenw/s1600-h/002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zawcp_OBIYM/VCaSNABbDLI/AAAAAAAABrg/Ws_8GTVCmmQ/002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="112" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D7YPqxgx4TE/VCaSOVInG6I/AAAAAAAABro/cUbVdP5TyKo/s1600-h/004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="004" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MO9LXinYwNY/VCaSPmNvJEI/AAAAAAAABrw/eWmdJkyPEcQ/004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="112" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uTQmqmt6nEU/VCaSQ5V41WI/AAAAAAAABr4/2RZtLp9jIGw/s1600-h/007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="007" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_4xzDo7sD_M/VCaSRjeQdvI/AAAAAAAABsA/w6MIl4TJ8hY/007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="150" /></a></p> <p>Before the game, during the game and after the game. Anastasia’s first AFL Grand Final.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c9KbhnZEG3s/VCaSSl4vlhI/AAAAAAAABsI/-LTA1JMrybM/s1600-h/10557455_10152316155390925_5153323560543135499_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="10557455_10152316155390925_5153323560543135499_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10557455_10152316155390925_5153323560543135499_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IrOo_gHd1OE/VCaSTV_uXDI/AAAAAAAABsQ/WfoCc-S-_I4/10557455_10152316155390925_5153323560543135499_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a></p> <p>Back to back Premiers!</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-8990299271132217252014-09-19T21:18:00.001+10:002014-09-19T21:18:38.210+10:00To my girls (September 2014)<p>To my gorgeous girls,</p> <p>Can you believe we’re just over a month into being a family of four? (six if you count the cats) The time has really flown!</p> <p>Kara, I’m so proud of how you have handled all the changes in our family with the arrival of your sister. I know this is a difficult time for you and it is such a big change as everything is now different. Even though most of my time is spent with your sister in these early days I’ll always have time for you. <br />I’m really looking forward to watching you grow as your role as a big sister.</p> <p><img title="K & A Sept 2014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="K & A Sept 2014" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsWRDLpELVYKU0E-oO2y6iehYQtrNz876VMHbn9YZdqaeRvtV-5OTMq323sgW3wWJ57A8c73F2WhK3lVICITO_yicrr8r62lKAAFxuCOjDqXDNX0ZAPOT9zPL54A8ilmMu44VyyQgKyY/?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></p> <p>Anastasia. Well your a month old already. You’re growing so quickly and we’ve noticed how similar yet different you are from your sister at the same age. You are such a chatty little thing and sleep so well. Let’s hope it continues.</p> <p><img title="A at 1 month" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="A at 1 month" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1R0DoZhTWwhAf2xHWzJKlwp2G07OaUY0JQEKXsVbCEaKJPtZRkTK7rWJBcXU42ZsHb711Fg45RqALMNczfyw8gC16eB0nfATebPWAXZ6za02p0rXpA1RijYJ99xAC14y4na4jKYLIys/?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240" /></p> <p>Lots of love to you both, <br />Mum <br />September 2014</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-6402566109679244162014-08-22T22:25:00.001+10:002014-08-22T22:25:15.330+10:00Just some random links<p>I’ve found around the net lately and want to share with other parents.</p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alicia-bayer-/what-should-a-4-year-old-know_b_3931921.html" target="_blank">What should a 4-year-old know?</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-simon/a-poem-to-end-the-mommy-wars_b_3621434.html" target="_blank">A Poem to end the Mommy wars</a></p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-69505719531751409972014-08-18T21:40:00.001+10:002014-08-18T21:40:32.275+10:00Welcoming Miss Anastasia Madison<p>Well we’ve been home for a just over a week now so I guess I should get around to introducing our new bundle of joy and sharing her amazing (& speedy) birth story.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYXCqMV5TmshZQIkitxRHy4MIi-ijXt2fBb1bn2xjUQlkT8QytWsmSMDYAq1gOkO53d4TRT7tqS8CwIuD-JH5ea9toQxfvav-3NyBby-gI6GzEVpFnoG6B2aFvnTIfTkkeHG-Y8Zr6Rw/s1600-h/00110.jpg"><img title="001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwvLKh0nCDOsgBaOo9LVarBcXfdWJrD8cSdkH0kuRQZiuKId1HfRYQfzWiNPgVOuUzzppW4A2MbFZ_e19A05wmkNGvYTqcoSsro2GIVP633802_ooUSHDGUjLPT8NPnCnczydI3704M8/?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p>Our first photo about 30 minutes after delivery.</p> <p>So the birth story. You may remember the story of Miss K’s birth and everything I went through (if not you can <a href="http://fromthewolfsden.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/welcoming-kara-rose.html" target="_blank">read all about it</a>). This time was a totally different story.</p> <p>For a start we decided early on that we wanted to go through the <a href="http://www.birthcentre.org.au/" target="_blank">Launceston Birth Centre</a> and have a water birth, especially after reading about Glowless’ <a href="http://www.wheresmyglow.com/2013/09/waterbirth-at-KEMH-birth-centre.html#.U-wcsWOB898" target="_blank">water birth of her second</a>. Skip forward through the usually pregnancy stuff. Must mention Yay for no Gestational Diabetes this time around and WONDERFUL midwives, boo to low iron but Yay to the wonders of liquid chlorophyll. <br />On the Thursday (7/8) I’d had a few twinges and been loosing bits of plug for a day or two. I said to hubby “I think little miss will make an appearance in the next 24 hours”. Nothing overnight and most of Friday was pretty uneventful. Mum took Miss K out for the afternoon and then dropped her back home. About 45 minutes later (around 6pm), just as we were finishing tea I heard a pop and said to hubby “um, I think my waters just broke”.</p> <p>We started grabbing a few last minute things and I went to the loo and then the contractions started strong. We bundled into the car and got ready to drop Miss K off to my parents, 15 minutes away. We made it 5 minutes from home and I said to hubby “I’m not going to make it to town, lets go to the hospital”.</p> <p>We turned around and made it to the local hospital where we asked them to ring an ambulance for us. About 5 minutes later the ambulance arrived and the lovely nurses offered to look after Miss K until Mum arrived to pick her up. Hubby followed in the car and said he thought I’d give birth in the back of the ambulance as it slowed down a few times. All I remember is chatting away to the lovely woman in the ambulance all the way to town, great for keeping your mind off the contractions which were getting closer together and much more painful. </p> <p>Luckily we made it to the Birth Centre where our midwives, Anna & Becky, had the bath all ready to go. After getting inside I pretty much jumped straight in the bath. OMG that was the best feeling ever. Hubby poured warm water over my back during contractions and soon I was transitioning and so ready to push our little one out. Birthing in water is such a different feeling to birthing on a bed in a hospital. Totally different ends of the spectrum. I felt free to move into whatever position was comfortable, the midwives talked me through delivering so I’d stretch gradually and not tear (I did end up with a small tear but that was due to my impatience LOL)</p> <p>I remember saying I didn’t want to keep going at one stage and at 8pm Miss A’s head appeared with rest of her following 2 minutes later. 8lb 5oz, 53cm long and a full head of dark hair. After 20 minute of lovely cuddles with our new little girl and when her cord had stopped pulsating the cord was clamped and hubby got to cut it. He then got to have lots of snuggles with his new daughter, something he missed out on with Miss K.</p> <p>I got out of the bath and birthed the placenta and membranes on the toilet. Remember saying “they’re right it does feel like a jellyfish’' Hubby continued to cuddle Miss A then I fed her while my small tear was stitched up.</p> <p>I took a quick pic and SMSed it to my parents, in-laws, brother & sister in law while hubby messaged a few friends.</p> <p>The three of us cuddled up together in bed and just enjoyed being new parents again. Miss A slept so well but we kept waking to check her.</p> <p>Part 2 coming soon. </p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-14452759072853298552014-08-07T20:14:00.001+10:002014-08-07T20:14:51.106+10:00A letter to our littlies<p>Dear Miss K,</p> <p>Well not long to go now and you'll be a big sister. It doesn't seem that long ago we were welcoming you into the world! I’ve been reading back over all the notes I made while pregnant with you and thinking how different it all is this time around.</p> <p>Over the last couple of weeks you’ve become more cuddly and clingy. We’ve discussed what will happen when the baby comes but I think you’re still a bit worried and not really sure about it all. You keep telling me you’ll miss me, sometimes you even say you don’t want me to go but we both know you’ll be fine and have a great time staying with Aggie & Pa while I give birth. You’ve even picked out some gifts that you want to give the baby when it arrives.</p> <p>Just remember that you’ll always be Daddy & my number 1 and we wont love you any less when your baby brother/sister arrives.</p> <p>Lots of love, <br />Mum</p> <p>----</p> <p>Dear little one,</p> <p>Your estimated arrival is Saturday but I have a feeling we might see you before then. Well I really hope so anyway.</p> <p>We are all very excited to meet you and bring you into this world. Your big sister is excited but a little nervous and keep telling me what she’ll do to help me when you are born - singing you songs seems to be the favourite at the moment.</p> <p>I hope you are comfy in there but not too comfy and make an appearance soon.</p> <p>Lots of love, <br />Mum</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-5264152113810902252014-07-18T21:46:00.001+10:002014-08-07T19:11:57.968+10:00Things (& an idea)Well. There are roughly 3 weeks to go. I'm nearly 37 weeks!<br />
I haven't had my mother blessing mainly because life has been way to hectic (I'll get to that in a minute) but I’ve had a chat to mum and discussed organising a baby meet & greet after bub is born and we've had a chance to bond as a new family of four. Also means we'll have an idea of what, if anything we need lol.<br />
Anywho, on to the hectic. We had a weekend away which was lovely.<br />
When we got back we decided to rip up all the carpets in our house as we think that's what's been making us sick. OMG I was disgusted to see what was under the carpet. No wonder we haven't been well YUCK<br />
We have been taking about getting the floorboards polished for as long as we have lived here so, as you do at 8 1/2 months pregnant, I thought we might as well get it done. Which also meant getting the lounge and dining room painted first. We have been super lucky and have found a painter who came and gave us a quote one day and three days later has done the job.<br />
I've been getting very nesty (is that even a word?) as has mum, who is having a lovely time washing and ironing baby clothes for me. I've just been cleaning the house around all the pandemonium. I did say to hubby though we aren't having any more kids as it's getting way too expensive. We renovated our kitchen while I was pregnant with Miss K and this time around we renovated our bathroom (like completely stripped out the room and started from scratch), have done the floors and got some painting done. Thanks must go to my parents for all the help they have given us recently too. Love you both heaps!<br />
Onto my little idea. Well I can't claim the idea as mine. I saw it on one of my favourite blogs (<a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim</a>) and thought I really wish I'd done this for Miss K. SO. What is this idea? Writing a monthly letter to my little one on the blog. You can check out Chantelle's letters to her daughter <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/letters-to-luella/" target="_blank">here</a> <br />
What I'm hoping to do is, starting this week, write a letter to both my kids here on the blog. Fingers crossed I'll be able to do it monthly. I may even end up sharing my monthly Project Life pages here too.Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-2487865371301025392014-06-29T20:57:00.001+10:002014-08-07T19:12:09.944+10:00Time for an updateIt’s been nearly 10 weeks since I did an update on how we’re traveling here so I thought I should…<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">still measuring on date</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">had another scan (yay)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">found out what we’re having (no I’m not sharing)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">more midwife appointments & discussing how birth centre is different to hospital birth</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">found out I have very low iron levels so on iron tablets</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">no Gestational Diabetes (YAY)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">feeling HUGE</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">did some shopping</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">started organising the kids’ shared room</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">dug out the bassinet and other baby stuff from the garage</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">washing baby stuff</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">working on pregnancy album (I‘ll be sharing it soon)</span></li>
</ul>
That’s pretty much it. Hoping to book a 3d/4d scan this week. On fortnightly visits with the midwives.Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-7898045148682256202014-06-17T19:52:00.000+10:002014-08-07T19:08:38.299+10:00What to take to hospital/Birth Center (aka your Labour Bag)When your pregnant one of things you hear is often “make sure you have your bag packed early, you know, just in case” but what does one pack in your bag (or bags as the case may be)? There are so many lists out there and the lists may seem so overwhelming! I’m 32 weeks now so am starting to put together what I’ll need/want to pack.<br />
I’ve created a couple of lists - what I found useful, what I wished I’d taken and stuff I left in my bag and never used.<br />
<b>What I found useful</b> (& must remember to pack this time)<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a couple of muslin wraps for bub</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a couple of suits for bub in at least 2 different sizes (you never know what size your baby will be). Extra clothes can b brought in to you if needed depending on how long you stay.</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">newborn nappies</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">comfy pjs</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a couple of nursing tops & some nice, loose pants/trackies for the daytime</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a couple of nursing bras.</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">maternity pads - at least 2 packs. Have more on hand at home that can be brought in if needed (& you will need them). I’ll be honest - hospital pads suck!</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">Toiletries: deodorant (for a quick freshen up), a nice body wash, hair ties, toothbrush & toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">slippers</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">Granny pants - a least a couple of pairs - NOT WHITE!</span> <span style="color: #666666;">someone suggested men's undies - more room</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">phone charger/iPad charger</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">birth plan</span> <span style="color: #666666;">& any hospital papers</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">pen, paper & a folder to keep everything in</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">old clothes for labour (even though I’ll probably end up nude again)</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a bubby bundle (blanket, onesie, singlet, nappy)</span> <span style="color: #666666;">to dress bub in after it’s born</span> </li>
</ul>
<b>What I wished I’d taken</b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://fromthewolfsden.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/diy-birthinglabour-kit.html" target="_blank">a labour/birthing kit</a></span> <span style="color: #666666;">(I did pack hair ties, a brush & water last time & will again)</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://fromthewolfsden.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/postpartum-care-kit.html" target="_blank">a post partum care kit</a></span> <span style="color: #666666;">- especially the moist toilet tissues cause toilet paper hurts</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a journal & pen</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">my own pillow</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">some lip gloss</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">some nice hand cream</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a stash of lollies</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">Lansinoh - it was a godsend when I got home</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">warm socks</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">someone suggested having a nappy bag packed for the trip home, just in case. That way you don’t have to dig through a suitcase</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">pregnancy/breastfeeding multivitamins </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">spare clothes (& bathers) for your birth partner</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">sample size products! saves taking big bottles & takes up less room.</span> </li>
</ul>
<b><span style="color: #666666;">Stuff I left in my bag</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">my laptop - never used it</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">books - didn’t really feel like reading (was too out of it from the gas)</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">TENS machine - but will pack it again just in case. no drugs this time</span> </li>
</ul>
<b>DON’T FORGET</b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">you will need to have an approved car restraint fitted in the car before you go home.</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a garbage bag and towel in case your water breaks on the way</span> </li>
</ul>
<b><i>After talking to the ladies in my birth group on FB and here’s some of the suggestions they came up with</i></b>:<br />
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">Tea! The hospital only had gross stuff </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">a plastic bag for washing </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">soft toilet paper/flushable wipes</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">toiletries for your partner if they will be there with you</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">packing a bag for siblings who may be staying with others while you have the baby</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">Katharine suggested “</span><span style="color: #666666;">I had a summer baby so I took lots if maxi dresses with me to avoid anything on the scar, they also made me feel prettier. I bought some maternity nighties from Peter Alexander (also a lovely luxury) and take a cosy dressing gown. I made a point if getting up and dressed every day too. I took high waisted undies (oh so sexy) but really they weren't overly necessary and next time around would spend some money on nice soft (and supportive) cotton briefs like bonds in cute colours. I took some king sized dark towels, washers and floor mats (took one set and Martin would take them home and bring back clean ones every couple of days). Took our own pillows and bring a vase or two for flowers. Oh and I also took my hair dryer which can be used to dry the scar if it's too sensitive as well as your hair. Oh and you cant have nail polish on and I had a lot of free time so brought a manicure set and nail polish for my toes and I was saved the hideous razor as I've had laser but you may want to 'trim' <br />Hmm have I forgotten anything? I didn't have support bands or anything but they might help, my dr said he stitched my abs back together to avoid the separation that a lot of women get. Ooh take slippers/thongs and a book to keep you awake during mid night feeding. Um and any little snackies, I was hungry when my milk came in. You may want to pack a few nice things for hubby too - it's really hectic for them too. <br />When people visited and asked if I wanted anything, my main requests were fruits a cheese platter and magazines. <br />I also found it very handy having an eye mask as hospital lights can be bright when you're trying to nap in the day, particularly as my hospital has wall to wall and floor to ceiling windows (with shades)” (I’d never thought about packing for a c-section)</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">iPod or portable CD player for music</span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;">think comfort over looking awesome - you’ve just had a baby! Guessing this would be especially important if you’ve had a c-section, cause you don’t want anything sitting on our scar.</span> </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Did I forget anything? Did you pack anything when you had children that you didn’t use? Anything you wish you’d packed?Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-21468891676003983062014-06-11T15:35:00.001+10:002014-08-07T19:16:58.343+10:00Mother Blessings - What does one do at one?I've compiled a list of ideas for those who might like to hold their own or are planning one for someone else<br />
<ol>
<li>Beading a birth necklace/bracelet </li>
<li>Reading a a special scripture, poem, reading or quote that is encouraging to new mother </li>
<li>Foot baths </li>
<li>Massage </li>
<li>Henna painting </li>
<li>Belly casts </li>
<li>Candle ceremony </li>
<li>String ceremony </li>
<li>Nursery art </li>
<li>Organising post natal help </li>
<li>Sharing positive birth stores </li>
<li>Manicures/Pedicures </li>
<li>Creating a quilt </li>
<li>Creating scrapbook pages or a photo album </li>
<li>Decorate a onesie </li>
<li>Belly dance! Great for the mum to be </li>
<li>Bake bread </li>
<li>Create a flower wreath </li>
<li>Create a memory box </li>
<li>Create a wishing tree - provide some small branches in a vase and various pretty paper leaves with ribbons. Have guests write their wish for her birth and hang the wish leaf on the tree. </li>
<li>Have each guest bring a small stone or provide stones and permanent markers. Each guest can write a word or small saying to encourage the mother through her birth, collect them in a special basket or dish. </li>
<li>Anoint the mum to be with pregnancy safe oils </li>
<li>Feed the freezer - each guest brings a frozen meal that the mama can put in her freezer </li>
<li>Create a book of Mothering wisdom </li>
<li>Create a book of wishes for baby </li>
<li>A washing station to greet guests </li>
<li>Introduction of guests </li>
<li>Create prayer flags </li>
<li>Anything that celebrates the mother-to-be, the baby and the upcoming birth </li>
<li>If there are siblings, it's always nice to do a little something for them too. </li>
</ol>
Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-11022204919687499432014-06-10T22:00:00.000+10:002014-06-10T22:18:42.617+10:00My Mother Blessing - Planning<p>There are so many ideas for Mother Blessings out there. Do a Google search and you'll see what I mean.</p> <p>I narrowed my list down to 10 things I'd really like then narrowed it down even further as I didn't want the event to go all day. </p> <p>So what did I decide on in the end?</p> <ul> <li>A welcome and introduction. </li> <li>Sharing of pregnancy/birthing/motherhood stories - only positive ones, it's a day about no negativity </li> <li>Filling in cards with wishes for the baby </li> <li>a <a href="http://fromthewolfsden.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/something-special-for-mums.html" target="_blank">Nurture basket</a> </li> <li>Bead Ceremony </li> <li>Feasting </li> <li>A Feed the freezer. </li> </ul> <p>Pinterest, as always, has been a great source of inspiration.</p> <p>From invites</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiK6nllRnhl8gtU1_JKDFcKkuGbfPz-K7piIrEizLMKkEeF_-jD7BpahEHM10M1gb6Ydy4-bISZG19B4tRCyIBd1jnXsmxEWiXzwW9DKzJV_dvtocxmwFUg13rGRSPY-k6NJBGMoufSn4/s1600-h/6e1a055453401db9e3cb486322502eb2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="6e1a055453401db9e3cb486322502eb2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="6e1a055453401db9e3cb486322502eb2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfsyM9CbEsPsDeItWdQzkRtb3xyVhXE2yZWKZo2o56tufbn8ul2fNp_9XVnr6i0aSiykM46yKGib42siQSLHUNOE9rauzwdfuZfkKvk9MsaGCCYn7NLJxQfabUfyJzAFQ1kCanwon_14/?imgmax=800" width="175" height="140" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5ruGOMfbcQshCsjwGDTVI6-wt1sPYMN96CsYPY0pTtRNvjRKBzx1CGm2yDODu4og0pchqiyy0FPZrzspklMUY6sy7HtIzM607oF1RE_rs1iFvKWT0Kldtq0j2dJ-pJ28KK-sWhWS1Ds/s1600-h/24bebf406541603cc620568d2aaea0e5%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="24bebf406541603cc620568d2aaea0e5" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="24bebf406541603cc620568d2aaea0e5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRNbmoPaqShXpLRLoIjgO35EPdaTVe9ROKYrNmTNdW0wmPpLMeG-u3QjxCETUEuDzEzFcCCio1yHUdIvCiG1ssZcVGvNwbZlDXuu3UBnj2_uXKP3Eyem904_dFnCSbOVHIISKXeUHzB0/?imgmax=800" width="190" height="140" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4joWFW5n36Z07T4SYVtWZHSZgzx1Gt83OaUf9M36fRvGtaSRzrgtwuHWRT1_tGTlOBpinkXvqW6UJ2cxt1RNnIKHgiFfdgQplKyzIhyxOBEIl8F2euIld_jcUw2srUvCoqn_atSLkYcI/s1600-h/843cd89fe5fe02b1036ffec2684ffaa0%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="843cd89fe5fe02b1036ffec2684ffaa0" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="843cd89fe5fe02b1036ffec2684ffaa0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzuk9asNDH71zf4QZKvU07QhmeyXICAW4YvutzioqGmNDiI6h8xn3jqKoYqmXWdejjTOfmTegUIDmT7OBiZzmrRzjrbsxj-MYwNAq6bSexiLcvY4L3oZmgt6Vw1qWWpC9fSTdqZnZyLw/?imgmax=800" width="140" height="140" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7ANl5GW30i8TG2scvlM0WhdkAJhWYux2GDL1iMq1iDTTvRzIfjcbabpgAt10TE8oFeZfN4W-t-Qo_CQd1afpm7r4FXdiYIhghw27zuxgZeZPLn2txfVkgvGjTwOFHvmvEHClAnPOjDQ/s1600-h/d971fb3ac83705feb349c1e09eb876c4%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="d971fb3ac83705feb349c1e09eb876c4" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="d971fb3ac83705feb349c1e09eb876c4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-rqxRz10QOcA85_5gO6r5-fEFXycCsiuFsH3BUXcZY1-SRGjJn5WeyN5wv1XJlFeBRd6JFxCKv-tSSZBCw3ZfgU1JAc_qcJNhoiMmzsMfhktxwNisUpyAvyJVNeTjlkg9bKWUCHPqUM/?imgmax=800" width="144" height="140" /></a></p> <p>to planning</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://esali9.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/planablessingway/" target="_blank"><img title="ac113082bebc715d1ef018d1d8b3f5ee" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="ac113082bebc715d1ef018d1d8b3f5ee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gtAVV45Eu7O1Ud1KDNYkxqwBhA0vl94RSFXeAH7w9wPlbf-huRufRq_JZ__XozZqPCRM0mGne6yb9K4HGH1INs6Yvn1LlUVkZvnatuw9Pfwl9XMVDHCRbkG3kaUWcapEKtjycnNJ_EI/?imgmax=800" width="93" height="140" /></a> <a href="http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/blessingway/" target="_blank"><img title="6c283ffe62de27851432df31a794e2df" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="6c283ffe62de27851432df31a794e2df" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdeuzJrS_QT6gnvABHWwH8GlE1s6Edm_lq82B8Vt2dWjQQxQt3rl0vXyGREXv7eyj91eYN91LY_EqX1148uxC4FaaboKTogYTTw0WpPgVpH1dlwj_wuxSKd3t95_7fk_loFp5SUKP6X0/?imgmax=800" width="140" height="140" /></a> <br /><a href="http://dailymom.com/expect/the-blessingway-celebrate-mom-before-the-birth/?utm_source=Daily+Mom+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5504cf96c4-Daily+Newsletter&utm_term=0_88a0ec4040-5504cf96c4-57272805" target="_blank"><img title="28a095b9feedf179cb87cac6590a97f9" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="28a095b9feedf179cb87cac6590a97f9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1BledXfna-nZBKV8zBx2JYfupzP_fWBkUg9WFnxE98lsfk9HG9BsqSFCApbGSbXpYpSdPpVHQt0OqX0_1-gqhZ0vPrUkvqFIW8AYaOgupyunenKNlgkRAFYveTYBBwsEaCEdla6EdAI/?imgmax=800" width="140" height="140" /></a> <a href="http://blessingwaybook.com/chapters/" target="_blank"><img title="375b8479eb31c73775109b975143166b" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="375b8479eb31c73775109b975143166b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSaTk0_xbO749kllJ0o4117SyL9JhvuTPUC17UP-cjuWMGKHvJsXgMFFfF5BAyrZKr5m4BuaHeKiTDFf_TI7PSTDm0eZWoq8_oY-14oS81naJg8e5x7Y3ZHjSioBZSE-6Ak84N2KNGbo/?imgmax=800" width="147" height="140" /></a></p> <p>to ideas of what to do</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjMPZyBsFaycglX-dIEEm1ayi_0iiKxFa_StSR8s0e6Ktgd4U8-MkUmE52o-FslrON3T9rYVTeBOQFuaFBgV7W2rROBBiglo0Mx8QxaZmO9MoNwWl5_owr4eRyF4iPMRJSTwWZyk5tm4/s1600-h/1127a6452cbd35900cdd56430b94d4c7%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1127a6452cbd35900cdd56430b94d4c7" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1127a6452cbd35900cdd56430b94d4c7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDEJa8Jyt2Bi4hwAVeF_AG3vZ1jbX7JUGR4RoHeONzWjLkLGsjbEqz1Vu6N0tnzjePgJS9qE6OcC6EiUe7PXUelgL28mAWS8QbQ4vVLl7bj91-JND4zUhZd53FQ1ghOgGtfPG8xaH97Q/?imgmax=800" width="189" height="140" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XLU15Bq1okVF0ZYCQ898ThYWQdSE328iU-kjLx-zpjhDyCxu4lUdbUGj6xf8Pe7CiuDfH1d7w-hsW12_dERBHOeMi3rjUHE2LEtVbz5AkvteNfSE889Fm-1-YGiv9i6bESliIe4VmMk/s1600-h/3bf63b3dca8a96bdbbbb6a9ffefcdadc%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="3bf63b3dca8a96bdbbbb6a9ffefcdadc" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="3bf63b3dca8a96bdbbbb6a9ffefcdadc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6ucdaYKhRPEFfuDW5mDLovoxwRcYJ-eBvfAx-Sy7KMsgc8ODzYkYYQXigaTpkULNrvIjUilFgQeoqRHhgVp7InZI7l-5Uf_nnUkYDCwkKzH9QjBwLMCJscBqB-HTWhTwjb_cYPAQb-I/?imgmax=800" width="105" height="140" /></a>  <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhassDtf1O0x1wodW7_RddjaCrcAPE1EccyAypnhdZhLeeUZxZsp3BEpFNWDukNjvloCmMfDrabBViIDAPZwihrKeN93H6LuUcjMlsMB4c0lhhtzJM4Ag1aDuuJv5XTT-1X0QUV_wRO1Xw/s1600-h/ccb3da5720ad6d4e58aebd338908e9b14.jpg"><img title="ccb3da5720ad6d4e58aebd338908e9b1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="ccb3da5720ad6d4e58aebd338908e9b1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydxVBGKa4a3beipoI7C841nPjg9zhpduQoVh3E5VatIabieFEpD9RoFUWSjCtA0mu3OZ6z5Tlg5qzmbkofIQjCwnoD4PlzuX3MkBnvq7DITFmIN7ZGs2Vicl8eUVJxhlUKWwYV9RJI2I/?imgmax=800" width="93" height="140" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQBh7BdKT3y_28o-i3LqsZxbryfewyhj46ZORJz7fYlqTyZIhickXs3DEUWXjrQ6h-pWEF8gNRpcnTiGQ0UOA1NLz7msWZSkjs-3gLLfeCnM7XFokgwlgRln7Bxk8QK8bbNKPUBYjxe0/s1600-h/175c97d67337f80214bcd557ab36e41d%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="175c97d67337f80214bcd557ab36e41d" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="175c97d67337f80214bcd557ab36e41d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_3yBz1ltBvXTnKQ0ALqk308jFQ1rvqhiZ4GHx4H0BrX7Ak2dwxGiRpVh-4fvnvPDh4ljO4CZ4cL7iceRjJYSIc8aDlEyTq3iZtBjIpyxl9bKEXcAviXzOUTSEUif5bYyVBeb-sMPSlc/?imgmax=800" width="187" height="140" /></a> </p> <p>to gifts to give attendees</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpqTpK4OwXKZf4Bnkbs2brs5Qg7pdnRWVjt2DmLxBLf3jhmDZ3aQZAunI3h3StRAN3rW-J6Nb6FBVyhzSvfthHjZ9-a-jjteThUrHJkk2clASUSX-XyGctDaf2DX2t1gRcn3tswQj8Vs/s1600-h/P6090268%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6090268" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P6090268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCi5InUtPYy6Fuzlq_5uCjoaS1Nkea1Ciqo7INHFXF4EGEdzaWvgiY36CiT3fBuZ6_JKm0dNNmKi5_oQCxyBfZJJEWC3nvxRqe7QmXcf61TVbsZOxKKhOad2DsqtILREbf4wv4JXODTk/?imgmax=800" width="105" height="140" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5IsJBk4ZhyphenhyphencjozH4fbtdvwt_0MSdRcrfXlpj86xLWkexFFks6okNCHVYJpJtMvlznm7D5THzwmDKzLUNjVNgatkFjOl0zHZDd745CP7yJBdDKTZUtPpPjyP1HFZmYPeL1hKY5hPo7ZY/s1600-h/30997e8646601fb7b667cadbea990596%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="30997e8646601fb7b667cadbea990596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="30997e8646601fb7b667cadbea990596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm-O-KWZHBkrxPRiqxwzKQTozM6HEnjmoRWoPzDl7bQaDP9ZFDMpM-H5sKk6eLR790j76WPGdppYaB_FieASzrr9wtDpw2YQr-3A60CYixu6rJElcfq-wcr-vvl6xsMkI075YkB4vrqY/?imgmax=800" width="93" height="140" /></a></p> <p>You can check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/nightwolfsden/mother-blessing-ideas/" target="_blank">Mother Blessing Pinterest board</a> for more ideas</p> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-59509177652732849932014-06-02T15:17:00.001+10:002014-08-07T19:12:53.928+10:00ChangesIt’s amazing how much birth & hospital stays have changed since the 1970s<br />
<a href="http://www.bubhub.com.au/hubbub-blog/pregnancy-birth-1970s/" title="http://www.bubhub.com.au/hubbub-blog/pregnancy-birth-1970s/">http://www.bubhub.com.au/hubbub-blog/pregnancy-birth-1970s/</a>Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-38575445903692746412014-05-19T22:41:00.000+10:002014-08-07T19:08:56.247+10:00Postpartum care kitSo now you're ready to give birth because you have your birthing/labour kit ready, what about after the birth? That's what the Postpartum Care Kit is all about.<br />
Things you might like to include:<br />
<ul>
<li>some lactation cookies - there are heaps of recipes out there </li>
<li>lactation tea </li>
<li>Perineum Spray - take a empty spray bottle and fill it to the top with witch hazel. Then add about 40 drops of essential oils. Do some research into which oils are ok or ask a qualified aromatherapist </li>
<li>a nipple cream. </li>
<li>DIY Witch Hazel Pads - buy a box of maxi/maternity pads, take your prepped perineum spray and spray the pad with the mixture. Make sure it is nice and damp then wrap the pad up in aluminium foil and throw it in the freezer. </li>
<li>at least one good quality nursing bra. Try and get fitted before you give birth BUT allow for some expansion of the boobs once your milk comes in. </li>
<li>Epsom salts - great for a relieving bath when you get home (or if you are lucky enough to have access to a bath) </li>
<li>at least 2-3 packs of maternity pads, maybe more </li>
<li>nursing pads because you will leak </li>
<li>moist toilet tissues - not scented. much kinder on your lady parts</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #4a371c;">Have I forgotten anything?</span>Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-9037251433630905972014-05-13T10:49:00.001+10:002014-08-07T19:09:16.584+10:00Maternity FashionI’ve just put up a post on my other blog - Nightwolf’s Den about <a href="http://nightwolfsden.com/2014/05/13/fashion-beauty-and-grooming/" target="_blank">winter maternity fashion</a>. Would love for you to check it out :DNightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-63688770952217303932014-04-27T20:00:00.000+10:002014-04-27T20:00:01.797+10:00Something special for mums<p>One of the suggestions I found while looking for things to do at a Mother Blessing was the idea of a Nurture basket. A nature basket is full of goodies just for mum (& maybe the occasional thing for bub)! <br />How awesome is that idea? I know most, if not all, new mums would love it!</p> <p>Following is a list of ideas for a Nurture Basket. Thanks to the fellow Bub Hub birth group mum's for some of these ideas.</p> <ul> <li>a journal and nice black pen </li> <li>restaurant gift certificates </li> <li>books </li> <li>CD of lullabies</li> <li>massage gift certificate </li> <li>bath and lotion items - think bubble bath, hand cream, face masks, body lotion</li> <li>chocolate </li> <li>bathrobe  </li> <li>pyjamas</li> <li>nipple soothing cream </li> <li>cleaning voucher (or a IOU for an hours cleaning or laundry) </li> <li>scented candles </li> <li>A voucher for new underwear </li> <li>A subscription to a parenting magazine </li> <li>A beauty voucher for a manicure, pedicure or facial </li> <li>A voucher for a hair cut and colour </li> <li>A potted plant in a fancy pot </li> <li>A filter water bottle </li> <li>A Gift Subscription to The Australian Breastfeeding Association (or your countries equivalent) </li> <li>CD of relaxation tunes </li> <li>snacks for labour </li> <li>keepsake box </li> <li>a baby book </li> <li>note cards, envelopes (& stamps) - great for sending thank you’s </li> <li>slippers </li> <li>a good eye mask </li> <li>luscious lip balm </li> <li><a href="http://fromthewolfsden.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/diy-birthinglabour-kit.html" target="_blank">a labour kit</a> </li> </ul> Nightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526994139478789665.post-39201400132848590962014-04-24T16:04:00.001+10:002014-08-07T19:13:28.687+10:00DIY Birthing/Labour KitOne of the things I keep seeing around to pack in your hospital/birth centre bag is a birthing/labour kit. I'll be doing a separate post on the hospital bag and what I found I did and didn't use last time (& what I wished I'd had in my bag) but today I'm focusing on just the labour kit - something specifically for mum (& her support person) for use during labour.<br />
There are some cute ones out there you could buy but why not make your own (or maybe make one for a friend who's pregnant!)<br />
You will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>a cute bag or box to put it all in </li>
<li>snack foods - barley sugars, muesli bars, fruit roll ups </li>
<li>notepad & pen </li>
<li>lip gloss </li>
<li>hair ties and/or headband</li>
<li>mints </li>
<li>something to drink (bottled water/Gatorade) </li>
<li>face wipes </li>
<li>a hair brush </li>
<li>a heating/cool bag </li>
<li>some nice massage oil </li>
<li>some warm socks and/or thongs (not the type you put your bum in)</li>
</ul>
I'm sure there are heaps of other things you could add. Have I forgotten anything that you needed/wanted during labour?<br />
Look out for another post soon on making up a Postpartum care kitNightwolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14222497173428132600noreply@blogger.com0