the journey so far...

(Some more to still add I hope. Sorry for all the candid shots! ;)

I am really excited that in a few short weeks time our little baby boy will be welcomed into our family. This pregnancy has gone so quickly...

To me, it really isn’t long enough for all my little plans, dreams and preparations...like finishing the little projects for him. He is extremely active and once again, like with the twins, my tummy looks like a weird triangle as I usually have an elbow or knee poking out most of the time. I am cherishing these last few weeks of movement and carrying a baby, as this will be our last little child born into our family. But I also have moments of feeling anxious. How will I cope with three little people under 4, plus a newborn baby to take care of? How do you take care of newborns again?! How do you take care of a boy? Will my little girls love my baby and want to be close to him? Will I be juggling holding 4 children all the time (Already have to juggle three so i guess the answer is yes...)? How come I wasn’t born with more arms? 

Our little man will also have some complications with feeding and other challenges as we were told at our 20 week scan that he will be born with a bilateral cleft lip.  We are not certain of all the details, like if his palete is affected too, and there are other things that are sometimes common with cleft affected babies, like hearing difficulties, dental and speech issues later on in life (IF his palete is affected...) And I feel so sad that my Ava and our little boy will pass on these genes to their children and they will have to go through these things too. These moments come in waves, as I know that I am blessed to very soon become a mummy again, but I don’t think you ever stop worrying about your children, or wanting to protect them...it’s in a mother’s nature, even when everything is going perfectly. Even though it’s easy to say to someone, it will all be ok (cos I believe it really will- “all be ok” in the end), I have noticed at night in my dreams, my worries all come loose and I suddenly realise how effected I am by it all. 

Then the other day I watched this video (link down below)...and my heart melted...because love is beautiful, and people in the world show each other everyday. And when I hold my new baby in my arms, watch him relate with his sisters and they with him; snuggle him close to my skin to calm him and do my best as his mummy, my mothering instinct of defending and protecting him will kick in (every day for the following days, weeks, months and years). After all it’s my job. I’ve learnt that before. And I have lots of mummies and women around me in my life who have been and continue to be a great example raising and protecting their own little ones (or now big ones). 

And I am thankful that this past week I have been reading my Bible more...and having the thought re-enforced in my heart that I am never alone. No matter how confused or worried I feel, or how often I feel guilty about the choices I make as a mum, God is there, encouraging me to be my best and share with my children the most important things I can offer, faith, hope and love. 

Take a look at this link...I think it’s precious. 

Watch the link in this blog post

(from: Enjoying the Small Things)

The Laundry

One day...

making something simple, extra pretty!

Something I have really wanted for a long time is my own little space. Somewhere to sew or read, or blog or draw or paint a little something or be crafty or arty (and leave it there while I go about my day)...so when we moved I wanted to find somewhere in our new home where this could come true.

That place is in our guest room. 

And this old desk? Was in our shed. So I carried it upstairs and saw its potential! 

Now with its vintage contact paper bought from this beautiful etsy shop...something old has become something perfectly new (to me) and loved. I think it's beautiful!

The pretty wall decal letters are from my beautiful friend, Rachel for my Christmas present last year from little nest. They finish the space perfectly (although I'm thinking i'll change the pale 'y' and 'a'...they are removable and re-usuable too so don't fret!) 

A DIY wrapping kit

this past month has been a birthday season for us in our home. two of the gifts that we gave were little wrapping kits for two special people who love stationery nearly as much as me. i got the idea from pinterest (of course) from this lovely diy website Creature Comforts. It was just a matter of collating some pretty embellishments, making a few envelopes, printing off some free printables, organising the gift tags and BUYING fun stationary! my favourite part! and then the rest is up to them to wrap their gifts or decorating something special with these things.

the free printables i used were:
1. Birthday Calendar from The Pretty Blog
(and another option from the blog here)
2. Cute gift tags from The Pretty Blog
3. Sweet little Bird labels from World Label

These are also really cute which I found later:
-Vintage Photo Mountain Gift Tags from Fellowfellow
-Paint by numbers Valentines from My Paper Crane
-Bright gift tags from the Martha Stewart site
-And a whole heap of free DIY printables from Love VS Design! They are so cute! Check them out.

but there are so many to choose from when you just google search "free printables". get inspired & have fun wrapping presents!

First DIY in new home

My first official DIY for our home! The girl's window seat in their room! I chose this Garden District fabric in Caiman Pink and I am so pleased with the result.  The girls love it! It has already improved the feel of the room. I put a layer of wadding underneath as I didn't get rid of the fabric that was already on the seat. And just started working on the stretching and stapling of the fabric. I was very happy I bought the more expensive upholstery fabric (for many reasons, but mainly cos it was so easy to use) and the added bonus was I chose one with a geometric print, which made it so much easier to line up correctly and it was in itself a guide. I also stretched the fabric as if I was stretching a canvas...something that I was glad to have learnt at uni doing my art degree...stuff I learnt is coming in handy ;)

The photo of the fabrics are some I already have...they don't really "go" but I am going to see what I can do with them for a few little throw cushions.

I have also covered the window seat for baby's room, which I will post about later :) next project, find my sewing machine and buy block out curtains!