Family history through a brooch

This is my Granny. She always wears a brooch. And I mean, always. I honesty can't remember any time I have seen her without one. She has so many, I guess I have been taking them for granted (for way too long)

Today, I decided to ask her about the brooch she was wearing. I am so pleased that I did, I still giggle every time I think of this conversation:
Me: Grandma, please tell me about your brooch.
Granny: One of my boyfriends gave it to me. Can't remember which one.
Me: Dissolved in giggles, could hardly hear the rest of her story, had to ask her to repeat it.

The story is that one of her boyfriends gave it to her during the Second World War. There are two boyfriends it could have been from, both of them serving in the Australian Army in New Guinea (in the 1940's) She could remember both of their names, one of them was a chef in the Officers Army. She told me the other one courted her and waited for her for 12 years - but she married my dear Grandpa (who passed away 5 years ago)

The brooch is made out of shell, and is exquisite. The photographs do not do it justice at all. I had to use my little compact camera, not my SLR.

Next time I see Grandma, I will ask her about the brooch she is wearing that day. And I can't wait!

Cloth nappies and wipes, I love you

I am still talking about what was happening before Zoe was born. So, 8 or 9 weeks ago I was sewing up these lady bug cloth nappy wipes. I was rather excited when I found the lady bug fleece, and had to stop myself from buying dozens of metres of it!

I love my cloth nappy wipes. They are so soft. I use them instead of disposable wipes at nappy change time, with a spray bottle of water (you can also buy already made up, natural solutions, like floral water) Then I just wash them with my cloth nappies. They dry so quickly. They save me money. They are better for the environment. And no chemicals on Zoe's newborn baby bottom too.

This was my nappy change table, all set up at the end of August, and waiting for Zoe to arrive.

It was also before I got some more of my favourite cloth nappies, itti bitti d'lish's. Look at all the different colours. There are even more colours to choose from at itti bitti. For many years I have been a self confessed pink hater. But pink as a colour is starting to grow on me - lucky that, as we now have two little girls.

6 weeks ago today.....

I had a baby. I can't believe how fast these 6 weeks have gone. In that time I have only managed one posting. I have lots to talk about, and lots of things to show, even managed 20 minutes of sewing (in the whole 6 weeks!) Otherwise I have been a tad busy with our gorgeous baby, Zoe. Not to mention Abbey keeps me busy too. How do all you other bloggers do it - find the time to fit it all in?

Chris and I have been joking that we now have the A-Z of little girls (as we have Abbey and Zoe)

Lets go back 7 weeks then - I was busy sewing these bibs.

I had some Dora material left over from the pencil case I made. So the Dora bib is for Abbey, but as she is 3.5 years old, it does not get worn very often.

And here is Zoe. Fast asleep.

Introducing....

Last week we had our baby. After a rather quick (6 hours) but intense labour our newest family member arrived. I am pleased to introduce little Zoe Mai to the world. Not that she was that little, weighing 3.72kg (8.2lbs) Considering I am very short and petite, I have no idea where or how she fitted inside me. The midwives had no idea also.

Abbey is loving being the big sister (so far!) and I hope this continues. Zoe is only 4 hours old in the photo above, wearing a hat I made for her, and all wrapped up in lady bugs (of course)


How clever is my lovely friend Paige? She made this divine card for Zoe, and she also made us a mega yummy lasagna that we were eating for much of the week. Paige also made some beautiful bibs, but I forgot to take a photo of these. Thank you so much Paige!

This last photo is Zoe 10 days old. Either smiling at us, or she has wind? Who knows, it is a very cheeky smile, and the beginning of a dimple in her left cheek (like her daddy)

I am itching to get back to sewing, I am in the middle of a few projects, but I am finding it a little hard to find any spare time at the moment :)

This week I have been making....

Lots of baby bibs. These three are finished, and all for baby Patrick. Baby Patrick is little brother of Miss Darcy. They will match the applique baby singlet I made for him in July, if it still fits him - he has been busy growing.

I need to finish the others, and take some photos. I have had lots of fun making them, feels so good to be sewing again.

Look what my mum made

I think my mum is very clever, I am a little biased I guess, as she is my mum and I love her.

She knitted this gorgeous scarf for her Uncle (my Grandma's brother) as he has been sick much of this cold Melbourne winter. Grandma would have knitted him a scarf, but her arthritis is too painful for her to knit any more. It is a terrible shame, as Granny was a prolific knitter in her time.

Maybe one day, with more practice on my part, I will be able to knit other than in a straight line - I hope so!

Today is special

Today I am 37 weeks pregnant. The baby is now classed as "full term". Yay to that I say.

I am so grateful to have made it this far, as our dear daughter, Abbey, was born at 35 weeks and 3 days. It was a bit of a shock at the time, we were not ready, no hospital bag had been packed, I hadn't even finished work! She was in a hurry to meet us, being born early, and her birth was rather quick for a first timer (just under 6 hours)

The doctors said she was a good size for a 35 week premmie, weighing 2.585kg at birth. But she was still tiny. Size 00000 baby clothes were too big on her in the first few weeks. She had to stay in hospital in the Special Care Nursery for 15 days, 12 of those after I was discharged.

I am pleased to say Abbey is a completely normal 3 year old, and has suffered no ill effects for being born early.

So who knows when this next baby will arrive? Here is a 30 week scan image of our new baby, smiling at us, as he/she only knows when he/she will be born.

This time I am ready.