Get unplugged.

Switching off is something that my brain doesn't seem to have the skills for. It understands the concept, and it sure as hell tries... but it just cannot master the art. My body may be, but my brain is never idle. There are forever creative ideas and dreams floating around or lists and aspirations darting back and forth, I feel as though I am forever plugged in and unable to quieten the noise even if just for a little while.

"Imagine if there was no google..." I said to Nick before closing my eyes one night. "...We'd have to figure life out for ourselves". Hardly the insight of a genius, but an insight nonetheless. Sometimes I think that is just what the world needs, a global rest from the ever-ready and forever over-stimulating world of advanced modern technology. I know that at times, despite my defiance, that is what I need.

For quite some time, switching off and unplugging has been on my to-do list. Incredibly ironic, as this to-do list is one of eight stored on my phone. Perhaps I am procrastinating... Ok, so I am definitely procrastinating. I am so addicted to this high intensity way of  thinking and being that I am dreading the process of not only turning off my thoughts, but turning off my fuel for inspiration.

 But start somewhere I must, and the most logical step to take is not at the beginning, but at the end. The end of the day, when relaxation and a restful mind is needed. This is also the time of day I find myself planning posts, replying to e-mails and reading parenting articles... So a big re-shuffle of time management will need to take place.

For two nights of every week, I pledge to switch off literally and metaphorically for an hour before sleeping.  To practice the art of doing and thinking nothing...pure thoughts of white nothingness. I'm unsure how achievable this really is, but I need to give it a go.

Are there times when you feel drained by your inability to switch off? Or perhaps your lifestyle and deadlines don't allow you that time to have a free mind? Why not take the challenge and get unplugged with me!

Plenty of love, 

A cute {as a button} DIY

Buttons are the sweetest. I seem to subconsciously collect buttons in co-ordinated colours and bundle them into little jars and pile them onto display plates around the house. I didn't even realise I had a button obsession until Stella started to point out all the buttons around our house!

With my nesting in full swing and more creative juices flowing than ever before I thought I would try my hand at DIY jewellery. I sourced some earring backs and ring bases online, and began dreaming of  cute little buttons. But, rather than using buttons I already had...I wanted to make my own. So, welcome onto the DIY scene; clay!

The clay I used I found at Spotlight, and the process really was a cinch. I softened and rolled the clay onto a cutting board and then cut out small circles using a piping nozzle (I get extra points for being resourceful yes?) Then it was just a matter of punching teeny tiny holes into the circles using the flat end of a skewer so they became sweet little button shapes!

Once baked, I glued them onto the jewellery bases. And in a few hours; I had dozens of handmade button rings and earrings!  I am so excited to give them to my friends and family as little gifts and surprisingly I am still yet to have the chance to wear a pair myself!

This DIY is a fantastic idea leading up to Christmas or a month where the birthdays seem to just be rolling in. For a small price and a little time, you have very affordable and one of a kind gifts. Giving handmade really does mean so much more!



What have you been crafting lately? Have you ever tried to make your own jewellery? I am thinking of perhaps doing another batch of these sweet little buttons and may have a few left over that need homes...So keep your eyes bright and your ears tuned!
Plenty of love, 

Our Journey; Post 6

We have now entered the stage known as 'The Struggle'. Every morning, I struggle to get out of bed. Everyday, I struggle to keep up with Stella and everynight, I struggle to move from the couch and do anything creative.

These last 5 weeks ideally is the time to really just breathe and relax. My body is in agreeance, but my brain? Well, it has other ideas. I have an abundance of creative thoughts flowing at the moment, and can't seem to quieten the little voice of inspiration in my head. I have yearnings to make, write and dream stronger than ever before; perhaps my pregnancy hormones are to thank? Despite the intensity of which the creative side of my brain is working, my body is pushed to the limit. I lay achingly on the couch while dreaming of all the things I could, would and want to be doing.

The last fortnight, I have become the queen of complaints. If my feet aren't swollen or my back isn't aching then it must be the reflux, heartburn or insomnia. Poor Nick has become accustomed to the list of niggles and can usually tell by my tone of whinge what the matter is. Although, it isn't all bad. And I have a wonderfully supportive partner to remind me this each and everyday. He reminds me of the huge challenge my body is undertaking and never lets me forget the importance of my job; being a mother and raising a toddler.

Last night, after a routine visit with the midwives we found that my blood pressure has risen slightly. Which would explain perfectly the intense headache and dizziness the last few days has brought with it. Urine tests confirmed that there are traces of protein, so we are currently on 'pre-eclampsia watch'. Nothing too alarming, just time to really try to relax and monitor what my body is telling me and being a little more aware of a headache or suddenly swollen hands.





Our baby's movements have become our nightly entertainment. She turns and moves with enough strength to jolt my hand from my stomach! I have become so aware of her sleep and awake patterns that I can predict the times she is ready to start a break-dancing session and count down to the hour in which she regularly gets the hiccups.
 
I have only a few things in my mental to-do list before we are graced with this baby's presence, mostly they revolve around intensely cleaning the house and soaking up any 'child free' time I may get. Nick and I have jokingly created a 'pre-family-of-four' bucket list and try to tick things off that we may not get the opportunity to do again for a long while. Watch an entire movie, dine out, jump in the car and go to the supermarket without packing a bag...the simple pleasure we will soon hang up for the time being.

May the next 4 weeks hurry along at the speed of light! I am so very ready to hold our baby and to no longer be struggling with the challenges of pregnancy. Although I am totally impatient, I am also jiggling with excitement at the realisation that it is only that... Only 4 weeks. And then we will be a family of four!

I am looking forward to sharing with you the very last leg of the baby race and a birth story of course!
Plenty of love, 

P.S. How amazing are our maternity shoot photos? These are a little sneakpeak, as we are yet to choose our final images. Tanya from TK's photography did such an amazing job, we are so very happy with them!

Mama needs a helping hand.

Art by Gearman Gallery

Written in every pregnancy book and talked about amongst parenting classes and midwives visits...is the topic of asking for help..."Let family and friends help you as much as they can, you'll need it".

I've always found the subject a little offensive at times. Almost insinuative that at some stage you will struggle, you will not be able to cope and you will need the help of others. Like any other slightly stubborn and driven young mama, I find that asking for help is not a phrase I am familiar with.

Yet, I have found myself in a position I have dreaded. An energetic young toddler needs me, loads and loads of washing stare at me, meals to be cooked taunt me and a house to be cleaned before me. Yet, here I am with a pregnant body that exhausts me with sleep constantly calling for me.

I am in a position where I need the help, and oh man, am I willing to take it!

Last week, a dear friend of mine spent her Saturday helping me clean my house. If you had told me 9 months ago that this would be the case I would have scoffed at you! Yet, here I was, letting her scrub the oven and wipe down the windows as she insisted. She also bought with her the hugest pumpkin I have ever seen and bags of fresh, homegrown vegetables. Instead of feeling insulted, I felt ever so grateful and lucky. 

I have learnt over the last few weeks that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it isn't admitting defeat. It is simply reaching out and accepting what is available to you, accepting the things that will make a tough time more pleasant and a struggling week a little easier. I hope that maybe one day I am in a position to do the same and to give back the help I've received, perhaps take a teeming toddler from a tired mamas hands for a few hours, or make an extra batch of lasagna for someones freezer.

After all, in this sometimes rough journey called Motherhood...Mamas need to look out for one another. 

I love this post I found recently on how to help a new mother. It gives 10 real, down-to-earth ways to help a new mama. What would you add to the list? And remember my 'rules for visiting a new mother' post? What would you change about the do's and dont's?

Did you accept help offered to you whilst pregnant or as a new mother? If you had your time over, would you have swallowed your pride and let the helping hand help?
Plenty of love, 

Links of Late

This weeks smile inducers...

* This would have to be one of the most beautiful, easily followed and inspiring DIY sites I have come across. Full of tutorials, inspiration and free printables; the Ellinee blog is one to admire on days you are dreaming big with paper and scissors in hand.

* Achieving family balance...sounds simple yes? But in reality, it can be incredibly challenging to balance your energies into children, a partner, yourself and a house. I love this post from Healthy Child Healthy World, giving 5 ways to achieve family balance.

* Do you love vintage fashion and collectibles? Visit 'Dress Me Retro' on Facebook and say Hi to the lovely Alison. She collects all things vintage and sells them from her humble little local business. 

* A sweet mama, Gretchen has shared her birth wishes she wrote prior to the birth of her first-born daughter. She is now expecting her second baby three weeks after we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of ours! Read her beautiful birth wishes here.

* I never before considered 'time-out' to be a harmful or negative discipline technique... but this article had me pondering my old beliefs and considering changing my tactics. I love the way it highlights that childrens behaviour is a valid symptom of feelings. What do you think?

* A rugged up baby in winter warms any mamas heart. Sweet Monster have a super sweet new range of winter warmers for your little monster, have a look at the new range; Abominable.

* Welcome to the world another beautiful bouncing baby! I can't wait to hear Amelias birth story and find out this sweet little mans name.


Until next week!

People Watching and Intention Parenting

Source

Today I observed a mother parenting. Not unusual as I must admit I am a little bit of a 'people watcher' at the best of times, and even more curious and intrigued when it comes to watching people parent.

What is unusual, is what I saw. I watched a young mother parent with intention and deliberation. I watched a mother who was aware of her child's emotions at every single moment; making her more able to control and predict his behaviour. I watched a mother be sensitive to her sons feelings while teaching him from right and wrong...while giving him an example of how to share, or an explained and valid reason why not to throw popcorn. I watched a mother guide and lead her child through play. I watched the trusting attachment she had with her son enable her to diffuse tantrums and redirect attention to positive behaviours.

I didn't see this mother, that some in our society may consider passive, run off her feet. I didn't see her pandering to her childs needs with desperation and indulgence. I didn't see her chanting meditation mantras whilst barefoot, I didn't see her chewing her 'vegan and organic only' food before transferring to his mouth.

I also didn't see a spoiled son. I didn't see an oversensitive child who was unable to cope with unpredictable social situations. I didn't see a child who was submissive with his peers or intimidated by authority. I didn't see a disobedient, self-centred, out of control toddler. I saw a toddler act within his developmental stage, I saw a toddler play with enthusiasm and excitement...at times struggling to share and at times frustrated. However, able to understand his own emotions that were validated and not dismissed by his mother.

I observed a young mother parent with intention and deliberation. Then I came home and read this article and was speechless with its accuracy. The notion that all 'passive and submissive' parents who entertain the idea of attachment parenting are raising a generation of disrespectful and violent youth shocks me, and all the things I observed whilst doing a spot of people watching proved to me, that this isn't the case.

The mother I was watching parented her child with love and passion, yet she wasn't exclusively an attachment parent or an exclusively authoritative parent. She was just a parent, mothering with intention and deliberation. I looked at her sensitivity and awareness in awe, I felt inspired by her.

So, you know what really gets me? The critics who say this mother is to blame for 'the trouble with kids today', or the critics who call her an 'alternative parent'. Whether you believe in the attachment theory or not, shouldn't we all be aiming to parent with intention and deliberation?

I don't know about you, but mothers like the one I watched today... truly inspire me. 

Plenty of love, 

A nesting DIY

A DIY I have been meaning to share with you for quite some time now is our baby mobile. This mobile has been the product of my nesting efforts. A sweet little mobile for baby to gaze at when laying in her bassinet, or probably more so for me to gaze at when watching over her!



The process? I made the birds from saltdough and pierced them with a skewer before baking. Once cooked and cooled I gave them a few coats of acrylic paint and threaded through some natural coloured thread, I then tied them to a wreath I had picked up at a market some time ago.

How easy is that? It didn't take hours or intense concentration and the effect is simple and beautiful.




Did you get the urge to craft when in your nesting prime?
Plenty of love,