More Photos of Patrick

I think the photographer got a little too close too him at times so went a little cross eyed at times. But he still looks gorgeous.

Photos of My Gorgeous Boy

Mummy & Patrick

Yes a bit tired but going ok so far.

Feeding well although 2hrly but has a 4hr block at night. Been so busy and just have to slow down for Patrick as he doesn't like being pushed around from pillar to post. And with Christmas coming up its just mayhem with so much to do and organise. But we are getting there.

I took a picture on my phone of him today and he smiled such a lovely smile. Pure fluke. But sent it on to a few family members. He is starting to look a lot like Hayden now. Can only hope the personality follows too don't think I need another Mitchell as much as I dearly love Mitch, he has a killer attitude. Otherwise I'm feeling good and Sam helping with a lot of things which makes it easier.

Anyway I'd better get back to things that I need to get done before Jr wakes for next feed.

Lea
x

Announcing the Arrival of

Patrick Alexander

28th November 2008

9:50am

Weight: 9lb 7oz (4.295kg)

Length: 55cms

Head Circumference: 36.5cms

Born at FMC with the assistance of the Southern Midwifery Group Practice.

Thankyou to Julie Schiller - Midwife

and

Jane Ireland - Doula (Nurturing Births)

for their support, encouragement and belief in me and guiding me

through a natural birth drug free.

Thankyou to Carolyn my Midwife ( although wasn't able to be there for the birth) for your support, care and encouragement throughout my pregnancy and postnatally.

And for allowing me to return to the Birth Centre after the Birth.

This pregnancy, labour and birth combined with the support from both Midwives and Doula that this has been the best experience and proud of myself for such an achievement in comparison to the previous pregnancies and the intervention associated with them.

Its been rather overwhelming but wouldn't change it for the world.

Patrick about 1/2 hour old.

All wrapped up and warm - yes with a singlet on his head as I forgot

to bring the baby bag with the rush of things that morning.

Having cuddles with Oma.

Proud brothers - Hayden & Mitchell holding Patrick.

Although a bit tired and on the mend, I've been so much calmer and not stressed.

Sam has been a great help to me and is very much the proud Dad.

Got some professional photos done that should come soon too. They are of Patrick and so so cute. I will show a few on here when they arrive.

* Kerry - yes definately catch up for a cuddle*

Beyond Time!

Well my EDD has been and gone it was yesterday - 22 November.

This is my last picture that I took when I was about 38 weeks. I know I'm big but its all Baby. So you can probably understand that I am very over being pregnant and would just love to meet my little man.

Been trying to keep myself occupied with scrapping and all kinds of things like movies etc... but just not working well there either. But have finished my Secret Santa gift for a friend at Scrap with V just waiting for it to be posted soon.

DH and a friend are painting the nursery today in a mint green which will look lovely when its finished cant wait till its finished. Will take photos when its all done and the furniture is back in it. Everything is all green, yellow and pale blue. All frogs and turtles theme.

Congratulations Rochelle

To one of my great mates Congratulations for today for the arrival of your new bubs.

A sister for Lachlan.

Sophie Rochelle Bing

7lb 3oz

Born sometime this morning.

I look forward to meeting her.

I hope my bubs isn't too far away either.

Special Gift

Another friend of mine is going to have a baby next week on Tuesday so I've made her a special gift which I'll give to her today when I see her at School when she goes to pick up her son Lachie. ( her son and my son are in same year level and Joey Scouts together ).

Its got 36 huggies nappies all rolled up ( the size of the diametre of the gift is like a party sized pizza ) socks, 5 singlets, nappybags, GAIA baby bathing products the little ones there is about 5, something for mum - mango and sheabutter - handcream, moisturiser and shower gel. Choccies for the mum - gold coins, a hand knitted yellow cardigan, a little soft Russ toy reindeer that says baby's 1st xmas. Large cream towel and matching face washer and a handmade card.

I still make these just have slowed down a bit due to my own impeding birth of my bubs. So after that its back to business as usual.

Last Minute Nesting

Well I've been a little busy today fixing the last bits of the nursery setting it up and clearing out any other boxes thats been put in there. Its all pastels green, blue, yellow and white.
Frogs and turtles looks really cool.
Still want to get a really nice cot blanket in green the satin edge ones. And will get some curtains for the room too.

Got my suitcase finally sorted out and finished so I'm living out of a suitcase as I only have so much maternity clothes.

Getting a few contractions gearing upto the real thing so just waiting for the real thing.

My Bestfriend Donna has had her little boy on Tuesday.
NAME: Matthew James
EDD: 13th Nov 2008
DOB: 4th Nov 2008
TIME: 10:14am
LENGTH: 52cms
WEIGHT: 8lbs 14 oz ( 4.02kg )
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE: 38cms

I'm so thrilled for her a lovely little boy I think he has her cheeks, nose and mouth so cute he is.

What's in a Name?

Sneak peak at last update of names.

Boys Names

Help us choose.

Getting closer

Well things aren't too far away now. Especially after yesterdays alarm bells. But all is ok. Bubs is now partly engaged and midwife thinks I'll go before my due date.
So maybe within the next two weeks.

Finished some CJ's for SWV got 2 left to do. Will probably start making something special for my secret santa from there too. As it wont matter who it is.
Things going slowly by at home just a waiting game.

I'll promise to put some photos up here when bubs is born.

5 Weeks and Counting....

Well its getting closer with only 5 weeks to go. I'm a lady of leisure now and no longer work on Mondays with Aust Post. So trying to relax at home. Picture of me approx 34weeks.

Still haven't narrowed down any names but hope to do it soon.

Tuesday was DH's and my Wedding Anniversary 8 yrs now and been together 5yrs before that. We went out for a nice dinner. DH put a lovely card on the table for me to see in the morning. So I made him a nice picture of us on our wedding day. Just trying to scrapbook again and rebuild motivation, enthusiasm and creativity which all have been lacking for some time now. This is what I made DH.

Also made something for my friend Ness just have to send it off now. Hope she likes it. Its pink and has Butterflies on it. Enjoying Off the Page things. But I like doing things in my own time at the moment as the mood takes me since being so close now till bubs arrives.

So over it!

Pregnancy that is. 6 weeks 3 days left to go. And feeling unwell. Immune system down a bit as body busy growing bubs. Bubs moving a lot still. If bubs comes around 1st nov thats fine by me that's 37 weeks then. Bring it on.

At least my boys are being good today and helping me snce not well today. Very proud of them with very little arguements.

Hope I'm well enough to do my card class on Sunday doing xmas cards.

Sorry - MIA

Sorry I've been away from my blog for so long. Lots going on and too much to explain here. But back on the right track now. I'm 33 weeks at the moment and the count down is on.

I've lost my mojo for scrapping but hopefully the Circle Journals that I have to do can inspire me back into it.

Had a card class to teach on Sunday 28th went very well. Have some xmas card classes coming up soon too. So I have a few people booking in already for that.

Have my bestfriend coming over with her family tomorrow for a few days as they moved to Mt Gambier in July. Miss them so much.

Mitch turns 4 on Thursday and having a low key birthday party for him on Sunday. Going to try and make a Lightening McQueen cake for him.

I have left my DT position at SWV as much as I miss it so much is happening right now and being pregnant and DH being away from work its been a bit much to keep up with. So I thought I'd bow out gracefully. So I'm not interested in any DT positions for awhile. Maybe once I get my routine back in order again sometime next year I might just do something like low key and maybe just Guest DT stuff. But I don't know just yet.

Been offered a scrap teaching position at a new scrap shop but have declined for obvious reasons with being pregnant but maybe later next year depending how the bubs is doing.

Haven't done any classes with Rrip - It either since the accident but not sure where I'm at just yet might go back later next year.

Got most of the baby's nursery ready, got baby clothes coming out my ears now. But it all looks good in there now.

Hayden still doing Joey Scouts and loving it. Mitch has started pre-entry Kindy and next term starts full kindy so will be going 2 full days a week instead of 4 half days. So that's good.

Helps me out especially when the baby comes and so I don't break up bubs sleep patterns.

Saw my good friend Kerry Murray today. Was great to catch up and see her again. Been a while.

Congratulations Kerry on your teaching spot at Scrapbook Station.

Well I feel huge and so over being pregnant so hoping the weeks fly by quickly.

And I will try to update my blog more often and I will put more sketches, layouts, cards etc... up as soon as I'm able and when the motivation has returned.

Cheers for now

Lea

It's A......................................

Boy!!!

Not that it matters as I love him just the same. But a little surprised.

So now I can paint the room and get boy stuff and start to seriously think of names.

Pink will be repressed and just have to wait and see when my sister has a baby if its a girl or boy.

Failing that I'm sure I'll get a granddaughter down the track.

But that's ok, I love my boys and they love me.

Ups and Downs

Been a lot going on of late so I'm sorry for the lack of updates.
Mitch hasn't been well as his Asthma is playing up quite a bit and have been borderline of going into hospital if things don't turn around and start improving for him. So I've had a lot of wakeful nights and him being in my room on a camp stretcher next to me so I can help him and hear him if any problems.

Hayden has had ear problems over the last week too but is coming good now.

Going for a 3D gender scan today so hopefully we will now know for sure if we are having a boy or a girl. Since the previous Sonographer was not helpful and was confusing us by telling us girl than boy - just wished she'd said she didn't know and left it at that.

Missing DH as he is away for 2 weeks at Coober Pedy for work. Mitch doesn't understand where Daddy is and wants him home and cries. They normally have breakfast together in the mornings before he goes to work. Hayden is ok about it.

Just want things back to normal again. So much going on at the one time I feel snowed under and a bit stressed.

Hopefully the next time I post will be with better news and things picking up again.

Names Short Listed

I've slowly been thinking of names so yeah coming up to the fun part.

If a Boy I like
Noah Luke
Isaac Luke
Patrick John ( or some other middle name not sure ) John is my Dad's name and Luke is my DH's middle name and his brother's first name.

OR If a Girl ( I have heaps of names but I'll put what I like most )
Annalease Rose
Lousia Rose
Alexis Rose
Claudia Michelle
Charliz Rose
Gabrielle Therese
Monique Rose
I really like to use Rose as a middle name as my mother's name is Rosemarie. None of the names have been seen by DH yet so it will be shortend.

Official Launch

Wow I'm so happy to finally have my business website up and running. Its a proper website instead of the blog but will keep the blog for specials and treat it like a newsletter.



This is my new website for Bubs & Kisses. Click the link below.
Got a few little things to iron out but at least its finally up.

I'm Back from QLD

Well I'm back from my weekend away with Mum.

Went to a Retreat in QLD although it was rather wet and windy we stayed indoors and scrapped with 23 others. Many new and old friends. It was just great to meet everyone.

I've done 3 LO's and a Double LO. I will put them up here soon.

Some of the girls there are a laugh a minute.

Although they will do another Retreat next year, I wont go next year as the new bubs will only be small. I may go the following year depends on how things are. May bring the family with me, don't know yet. Below the girls at the Retreat.

As you can see me 2nd in on the right have very much the preggo belly on me. 15 weeks on Sunday but since this is my 3rd I've popped out a lot more and I still have the bloated feeling so I still feel very much inflated. Will find out the sex of bubs in 31 days. So I look forward to that.

Pregnancy Funnies.

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right? !
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Scrappin Around

I'm so excited about the Scrap With V Retreat in Qld coming this weekend. In the last few weeks my health was up and down so I am glad I'm getting better so I can go. It will be a great relaxing time to spend with friends that I've made online. It's a shame for those that are unable to make it as its going to be an awesome time.

I've kick started my cardmaking again combined with stamping and really enjoying it again as its just relaxing. I should take more pictures of my cards. Haven't scrapped for a few months and I'm slowly getting into the mood to do it again. I plan to do a Stampin Up workshop there which will incorporate various techniques of stamping and making 3 cards and a gift box so it should be great fun.

I've been getting a lot of comments on the sketches I've put up so I'll put up some more.

Not all of them are mine only some are. Others are from friends or sketches from sites I find very inspiring and really get you out of the comfort zone to try something different. Here are 2 Layout Sketches.

And here are two Card Sketches. The good thing about sketches is they can be used for inspiration for both paper and digital scrapping.

A lot of my inspiration comes from sketches and then I usually put my own twist on it, something different. At the moment I really enjoy opals using them on chipboard and stamping onto them to make a texture imprint on them. Very Effective.

Till Next time - Lea

Catching Up!

Yay I'm 13 weeks and 2 days and so glad that morning sickness is easing off. But a jolly cold has knocked me for a six. I'm getting a little excited now and have my NTscan this Thursday. And my Gender scan on 4th July. I will be in full scale baby prep after that. Thinking of how I can do the room up to get it ready. The boys are getting excited and impatient as when I go for scans at the hospital they think I'll be taking home the baby then.

We are also getting ready for our Big Birthday 30th Bash at our place. DH and I turn 30 a month apart so thought we'd combine it. So that should be good. I hope I'm better by then. Bugger about the alcohol for me, but that's ok I'm sure I'll survive without.

Scrap with V Retreat is coming up in less than 2 weeks so I'm excited about that too. So again I hope I'm better as I hate being so sick. But maybe its the relaxation I need right now. Its in Qld so its going to be a blast. I'm doing a Stampin Up! Class there too so I am just looking forward to it all right now. Mum is coming with me this time as last time she did all the catering in Adelaide and was exhausted after it. So this time she will come and relax with me and have fun too.

Boys have been fairly good. Mitch's Asthma is starting to play up as it gets colder but is doing alright. Hayden is loving school as usual and has improved a lot with his reading. Mitch is begging to go to Kindy and can't wait. He'll start next term.

Hayden is loving Joey Scouts aswell - tomorrow they are doing a night hike around the hall so he'll like that.

Card Making Classes

I’m looking at organising a card class in early June.
I normally do on weekends to make it easier on most and also gives you more time creating.
I will let you know dates and times very soon just waiting for the location to give me the ok.

Classes vary depending what the class is about re – cards, Scrapbooking and the materials used.
First class will consist of making 3 cards and a little gift. All of which you make and take home with you.
In this class you’ll be learning a few techniques to get you started.
After the class there will be an opportunity to order any materials you’d like to start you on your way.
There will be a fee of $15 which will cover the materials used and the hire of the location.
Due to the popularity of these classes I’ve had to move location from my own home to a larger location.
I will let you know when the date is set.

Look forward to seeing you there.
And you are welcome to bring a few friends just let me know how many so I have enough seating.

Email me if you are interested in attending.
Lea

And Bubs makes 3

Few weeks ago I found out that I'm pregnant. DH & I are pretty thrilled we had been trying for a while. Would love a girl but a boy is fine too as long as either is healthy that's all that matters.

Have my first scan on Tuesday. Approx due date is 24th November.

Morning Sickness has been pretty horrible and been trying to munch on whatever I can just to get this sickness to go away. Last time with Mitch I had Hyperemesis - not very nice thing to have. And it can be very debilitating. On Tuesday I'll be 7 weeks and 2 days so hoping to see the little one and a heartbeat too.

So this has put me behind in a lot of things with this morning sickness but will hopefully try to catch up when I can and feel better. Sense of smell is amazing - and sometimes nauseous.

So that's what is new around here.

Why Women are Crabby

We started to 'bud' in our blouses at 9 or 10 years old only to find that anything that came in contact with those tender, blooming buds hurt so bad it brought us to tears. So came the ridiculously uncomfortable training bra contraption that the boys in school would snap until we had calluses on our backs.
Next, we get our periods in our early to mid-teens (or sooner). Along with those budding boobs, we bloated, we cramped, we got the hormone crankies, had to wear little mattresses between our legs or insert tubular, packed cotton rods in places we didn't even know we had.
Our next little rite of passage was having sex for the first time which was about as much fun as having a ramrod push your uterus through your nostrils (IF he did it right and didn't end up with his little cart before his horse), leaving us to wonder what all the fuss was about.
Then it was off to Motherhood where we learned to live on dry crackers and water for a few months so we didn't spend the entire day leaning over Brother John . Of course, amazing creatures that we are (and we are), we learned to live with the growing little angels inside us steadily kicking our innards night and day making us wonder if we were preparing to have Rosemary's Baby.
Our once flat bellies looked like we swallowed a whole watermelon and we pee'd our pants every time we sneezed. When the big moment arrived, the dam in our blessed Nether Regions invariably burst right in the middle of the mall and we had to waddle, with our big cartoon feet, moaning in pain all the way to the ER.


Then it was huff and puff and beg to die while theOB ? says, 'Please stop screaming, Mrs. Hearmeroar . Calm down and push. 'Just one more good push' (more like 10), warranting a strong, well-deserved impulse to punch the
%$#*@*#!* hubby and doctor square in the nose for making us cram a wiggling, mushroom-headed 10 pound bowling ball through a keyhole.
After that, it was time to raise those angels only to find that when all that 'cute' wears off, the beautiful little darlings morphed into walking, jabbering, wet, gooey, snot-blowing, life-sucking little poop machines.


Then come their 'Teen Years.' Need I say more?

When the kids are almost grown, we women hit our voracious sexual prime in our early 40's - while hubby had his somewhere around his 18th birthday.
So we progress into the grand finale: 'The Menopause,' the Grandmother of all womanhood. It's either take HRT and chance cancer in those now seasoned 'buds' or the aforementioned Nether Regions, or, sweat like a hog in July, wash your sheets and pillowcases daily and bite the head off anything that moves.
Now, you ask WHY women seem to be more spiteful than men, when men get off so easy, INCLUDING the icing o n life's cake: Being able to pee in the woods without soaking their socks...
So, while I love being a woman, 'Womanhood' would make the Great Gandhi a tad crabby. You think women are the 'weaker sex?' Yeah right. Bite me.

Inspiration Sketches

Thought I might put up some inspiration Sketchs.

Some of these are from Page Maps and various other great sketches like Chris Greiser.

Wedding Layout

Layout created for Local Scrapbook Shop "Rrip It Scrapbooking"

For a class.

The photos from my sister's wedding.

Cyber Crop at Scrap with V

These two Layouts are from the Cyber Crop on this weekend at Scrap with V and these are my take one 2 Challenges. One using green and yellow and a 4 leaf clover to which I cut a green flower up. And the pink one was of a Sketch layout. My Scrapping Mojo has been on holidays for a very long time and hopefully I can get back into the groove again.

More Gorgeous Bundles

More Gorgeous Bundles walking out the door.

I just love creating these.

This one above is worth $80.

The Heat is On

With the sweltering heat in Adelaide I'll be putting my feet up and doing some scrapping.
So Come over to Scrap With V having a huge Cyber Crop going on great challenges and great fun.
Cyber Crop
Chatting, Heaps of Challenges, Fun Games, Kids Challenges, More Chatting and Great Prizes.
You'll have a ball of fun.

Bit of A Bad Run

It never rains but pours. From a Miscarriage in January to a family friend getting shot to Mitch not well. Hoping things get better now.

Anyway on the Job Hunt at the moment. So hopefully something good comes along soon.

Really looking forward to the Scrap with V Retreat I so need a holiday.
Anyway I'll be back doing my blog again. And hopefully things settle down again so I can put up more scrap layouts.
Hope to put up more Off the Page stuff too.

Cheers

Lea

Neglecting my blog

Sorry to those that normally read my blog. So many things have been happening. Had a friend of the family that was shot. So its been a bit difficult to deal with. I myself thought I'd be ok. But now and then it really hits me.

I hope to be a lot better from now on.

Lots has been happening at Scrap with V so be sure to have a look.
All the new DT's have been selected so come and meet them. Lots of new and exciting things will hopefully happen soon too there that will make it a pretty happening Scrapping place to be.

Chat soon.

Lea

New Kits coming to SWV.

Here are some of my upcoming Kits for Scrapwith V. I have really enjoyed making these ones.

Scrapbook Design Team Positions Vacant

Many changes are happening here at SWV and so we are looking for Design Team Members to join our team. All current DT members will remain DT until announcement is made on 23rd February. We’re looking for Design Team Members until 31st December 2008. So if you are interested keep reading….. The DT spots will last for 10 months and the term will commence on 24th February 2007. During your term you’ll be sent DT kits to Design Page Layouts with full colour instructions for the online shop. Also you may be required to do additional things as they come up. You will have your work featured in the online shop in the class kits section. You will be required to be active on the Scrap with V Forum and Gallery and participate in Cyber Crops. You will receive DT discount on anything you purchase from the shop during your time as a DT member. Still interested? So what do you need to do: Firstly email me with "DT Application" in the subject area. In the email let us know a little bit about you. Why you like scrapbooking, why you'd like to be a designer with Scrap with V, a little about your style, list some of your favourite products and attach a few of your layouts. Closing date is 15th February 2008. An announcement will be made on 23rd February of the New DT’s. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Ness
Scrap with V

Sorry!

Things have been a bit harroring of late and did not have a good week. We sad news of my own and then hearing about Heath Ledger just broke my heart even more.

I respected you so much, your work and movies were just the tip of the iceberg for you. My heart goes out to your family, Michelle, Matilda and your close friends. I'll miss your smile and seeing your face. You left too young and I would do anything to bring you back. You've left such an impressionable impact on the hollywood community that so many spoke highly of you. I am really sad to hear you've left but know that Australia couldn't be more proud about you for your accomplishments. You wowed us all. We'll think of you always and know that the same light you have now shines in your daughter. RIP Health you can sleep now. mwah xxx

Been watching his tribute on TV and watched "A Knight's Tale " I saw "The Patriot" last week sometime. He has a beautiful smile that melts your heart but his passing has brought my heart sorrow.

With 2 sad news this week has been a bit much for me so I've backed off a lot of things.

So I am sorry I haven't updated my blog for a while.

As I grieve with my own issues of the week I'll try to get through it and become the bubbly self again in time.

SIL Baby photos

Mum (Kelly) and Baby (Peter)

MIA

Sorry I've been away and either me not well or my boys not well. Been a vicious cycle there.

Been busy with Bubs & Kisses too.

And I am looking at improving my health too this year and have already started to lose some weight. I want to be able to be more active with the kids and just be able to look better with a new healthy lifestyle. Going through website called Spark people which is great.

Hoping to TTC no.3 sometime this year so I want to be in a healthier frame of mind for that too.

Looking at getting back into some more scrapping as I haven't done much due to being ill.

My Sister in Law Kelly had a baby boy today.

At 12:59pm today

Peter Malcolm

6lbs 13oz

48cms

Both mum and bubs are doing well.

Hope to get some photos tomorrow when we go to visit.

I plan to come back here more often to blog again.

Stay tuned.

XX