Amazing Giveaway!

Check out this GORGEOUS caravan at http://amandamakes.blogspot.com/2010/05/giveaway-caravan-of-love.html#comment-form
Isn't it just beautiful! Get in quick and comment, the giveaway comp closes 1st June!

School Interviews....

Today we had a second lot of school interviews for LM. I can't believe my baby is going to school next year!

I think today went well :) The principal was lovely, the school sounds great. It has a great vibe too. The report sent from L's kindy was fabulous to top it all off :)I think this is where we will be sending our little girl next year.... DH is very keen on this particular school, and not so much on the other we went for an interview at a few weeks ago. So he will be happy lol. They have great music/drama/arts programs, and a very nurturing attitude towards the children. One of my friends has 2 children at the school, and she has been so happy and impressed with their caring and attentive attitude, and the way in which they take care of any problems that crop up.

During the interview they had a second teacher come in to keep LM amused while I talked with the principal. And after our chat we had a tour of the school, led by 2 of the year 7 students. It was absolutely killing! They even demonstrated how safe the playground was by biffing themselves against the padded poles. We had a wonderfully in depth tour of the prep rooms, including the many and varied felt pens & the prayer table in home corner, complete with mobile phone "It is a real one, but it doesn't have a sim in it or anything, it is one of the real/fake ones like they have in the mobile shops (lol...)

The principal basically said an acceptance form will be sent out in 3 weeks, and to sign and return it. If you choose to of course! So I assume that means LM will be accepted.

This is a great relief. The other school we went for an interview at is newer, and will be prep to grade 12 which would be very convenient for drop offs/pick ups later down the track (5 year age gap and all...) but it didn't have the same good vibe this school has. Also, the women in the office where not nearly so friendly and helpful as at the other school, and basically said not to hold our breath (regards an acceptance) as they accept ABCD & E before they start accepting people from further away (a whole 10 minute drive away *le sigh*)

In a lot of ways the first school would be very good. The fee's include everything bar the school uniform (all stationary and excursion fee's etc etc) It is newer, so the school is still quite small at this stage. And we wouldn't have to worry about which school to send LM to for high school, she could just continue on through.

But this other school just feels right... there are beautiful tree's, the people in the office where so friendly and helpful in comparrison to the first school. And yes, the second school is older, but because of that they already have an exceptional range of music/art/drama programs. When I went up to put the application forms in, it was late afternoon but there where still about 3 students out the front. The principal was out there also. And apparently he doesn't leave, or go back to his office, until all of the children have been picked up according to my friend when I commented on it to her. It is also slightly closer, no traffic lights if I go the back way. And DH likes it better. His only reasoning being that the other school is in an area with a higher amount of mothers who work, and so more children who have been in full time daycare from day dot. Which he see's as a big negative (and I don't entirely disagree tbh, but I don't think that would be a huge problem at that particular school...)

Anyway, we shall wait and see. We might not have a choice of the 2 anyway, so that would make the decision easier! We just both want to see LM enjoy school, as neither of us did.... So fingers crossed the right option is what happens!

Another wonderful IM appointment :)

Yesterday I had my second meeting with our independent midwife.... it was wonderful! I love not having to go up to the hospital, I love that my wants and needs are respected, I love that she doesn't spout utter rubbish at me in relation to birth. She trusts me, and my body, to do what it is designed to do. To birth naturally, without needless intervention. At home where I feel most comfortable.

Up until last month I was also going to attend appointments up at the hospital (which I have booked into, in case of need to transfer during labour) but after my last appointment I just can't. I had YET another doctor, who I had to explain the story of my last birth to. Who carried on about induction methods, risks etc etc over and over. Who had a go at me for declining the 12 week scan. Because according to him, early scans are 100% accurate in determining due dates. Which for the record, is absolute bosh. At 12 weeks they can be out by up to a week, and at 20 weeks up to 2 weeks out. He told me that pethidine could not possibly have put LM into distress during labour, or stalled my labour. Which is also utter bullshit. And to top it off, he changed my due date, which I had calculated with my ovulation date which is the most accurate way of determining an estimate. He was useless with the doppler, couldn't find bub's heartbeat. Insisted after 5 minutes of trying, that he would need to use an ultrasound machine to determine bub was okay. When I could FEEL bub moving around like he was doing cartwheels.... I left there so angry at the doctor, at the system and mostly at myself for even going there when I knew better.

2 days later I had my first antenatal appointment with my midwife.... she was wonderful, caring, honest. She has found me a home birth friendly GP so I don't have to put up with the hospital's crap anymore. When she was checking the baby's heart beat with the doppler, she checked bub's position first, to make sure the doppler was not on there for longer than needed.

My midwife is available to me whenever I need her. If I am worried about any thing, I have her number and am encouraged to call at any time. She comes to me for all the antenatal visits, which are considerable especially towards the end. And after our dear little boy is born she will visit us every day for the first few days, then twice weekly, then weekly, and fortnightly for 6 weeks post partum.

She tells me that she plans to be as hands on or hands off as I want during the labour. However I want to be supported, is how she will be for me. If I want to be alone, she will leave the room. If I want a hand to crush, she will be there. If I want silence, I have it. If I want reassurance and words, I will have that too. There wont be anyone putting time restrictions on us. Nothing to tie me to a bed (I am having a VBAC) as she will monitor periodically with the doppler. In the birth pool if I want.

Basically, she will be there as a guide. To keep me on track if I need it, to give me support, and to reassure us that everything is perfectly normal and fine. But also to give us a heads up if things do go pear shaped. And if they do, she will come to the hospital with us as birth support. So I don't have to fight anyone. She will be there to fight for me. Because, after last time with LM, I know that when I am in labour I will have no fight in me. It is all consuming. If things go pear shaped again, and I end up with a repeat c-sect, I want to know that my placenta will be kept & that our baby's cord will not be cut until it has stopped pulsating. And I want to know that someone will help fight to keep my baby with me, and not be whisked off after the initial meet and greet. I still mourn the loss of those first precious hours with LM. They have impacted deeply. There are pictures of DH with her (C/O my wonderful parents) and I am SO glad he was there with her. But I wish I had been too.... those pictures speak a thousand words. The way she is gazing at him so calmly, getting to know his face and he hers.... I should have been there too... But because of an error of judgement (admitted by the doctor before I was discharged) I was downstairs in recovery. And when I was finally wheeled upstairs hours later, LM wasn't even in the room waiting for me. I still remember having to ask for my baby, and waiting and waiting for them to bring her in. Hearing the sound of her little bassinet being wheeled down the hallway, finally. Of not being able to get out of bed to tend to her. Of having to wait for someone to pass her to me. For days it was like that. And then finally, being able to pick her up myself and walk to calm her. And being yelled at by the nurses for doing so.... I was never so happy to get out of anywhere as I was to get out of that hospital. LM wasn't really *mine* until I walked out of there.... and that was almost a week later.

I can't wait to have a normal birth this time. I can't wait for this baby to be mine from the second he is born. I am so happy that LM and I wont be separated over that time too.... she is so excited to be becoming a big sister. I don't want her to miss a moment of that. I am looking forward to NOT having my little family having to leave me and our new little boy every rest time and every evening. I am looking forward to my own shower, and my own bed at the end of my labour. And my own cooking lol.... I need to start thinking about stocking that freezer! I am looking forward to being respected, I am looking forward to the whole journey. I can't wait to scoop my little baby up into my arms and watch him take his first breaths earthside..... Only another 15 or so weeks to go my little belly~dweller! I am relishing every roll and kick, this pregnancy is going so fast! I cannot wait to meet you, but I love this waiting too. There is such sweetness in the anticipation.... just knowing you are in there, growing stronger by the day, is enough for now. Feeling my belly swell, and feeling to roll around is enough for now. When you are ready, you will be free to pick your own birthday. No one will be rushing you, my little sweetheart. Not me, and no doctors either. So take your time, we will all be ready whenever you are.

Ok, so here is a wicked Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe..... This pregnant woman is NOT doing without sweets due to wheat causing reflux in pregnancy :P

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

2 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons of butter
3 1/2 tablespoons of cocoa (I prefer raw cacao personally... very yummy, and healthier due to higher antioxidants)
4 tablespoons of boiling water
1 cup almond meal
1/4 cup self raising gluten free flour
1/2 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 180*c and put patty papers into tray. Separate eggs - beat egg yolks with sugar and butter.
2. Sift almond meal and flour together 3 times. Add to egg and beat until well combined. Add milk and mix in thoroughly.
3. Combine water and cocoa and leave to cool.
4. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
5. Add choc mix to batter and beat in well. Fold in egg whites gently.
6. Put 1/4 of a cup of batter into patty pans - this way you'll get 12.
7. Bake for 15-18 mins or until skewer comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Good Company & Good Food

Yesterday arvo I had a visit from a dear friend of mine. We have been friends since we where babies. Our parents have remained good friends throughout all this time. And it doesn't ever matter how much time has elapsed, when we get together we talk nonstop for hours and lapse into our own silly language of personal jokes etc. Yesterday arvo/evening was no exception. Many laughs, a lot of debating about the state of the world... great soul food :) And to go with the good soul food we indulged in some good food-food too :P

Organic spelt, chocolate and walnut brownies C/O the organic farmers markets, accompanied with a giant pot of organic english breakfast tea c/o T2....

*NOM!* Awesome afternoon.....

Mmmmmm.... delicious baked beans...

Cooking - Herb and Garlic Croutons, roasting pumpkin & garlic for tonights soup & also some lamb stock on the boil for tomorrow nights dinner....
Reading - The Thyroid Diet http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780007211838/The-Thyroid-Diet Interesting book, and food for thought. Also reading this blog http://mollysthyroidjourney.blogspot.com/?spref=fb which has prompted the re-reading of the above book.
Crafting - Finally learnt to crochet! So crocheting granny squares for a belly~dweller blanket.
Contemplating - Going gluten free....

In our home we try to eat all organic. We also have no foods in the house containing preservatives/additives/colourings etc etc etc. They effect LM REALLY badly. Esp Barley Malt Extract (It is in SO many things... didn't realise how many until we cut it out about 8 months ago. It is also in organic foods. The processing to become BME actually produces and MSG which explains the night waking a mood swings :/) which has her waking up to 10 times a night needing to be resettled. The other stuff doesn't help in that respect either, and also makes her grumpy and emotional as all get out. It is like Jekyll and Hyde. The tantrums start, the tears start, the sleeping stops... it is alllll bad and lasts for days. So I make all our meals/snacks etc from scratch, to ensure there are no nasties in it. This has also had a positive effect on TH, he has gone from needing his asthma puffer at least 3 times a week, to needing it max 3 times a year. He needs it so little, that when he DOES need it, he can rarely find it because it has been so long since he has used it. Which would be funny if it where not for the fact he needs the thing to breathe lol...

The other night I made baked beans from scratch for the first time. Without a recipe, I just winged it. They turned out so well I thought I would share the recipe... LM loves baked beans, but the prepackaged variety REALLY doesn't agree with her. So it has been a long time since she had any. Which is very slack of me. Is there anything more simple/cheap/nutritious than a delicious bowl of baked beans?

Baked Beans

Ingredients....

2 Cans of organic tomato's, blitzed in the blender
1 Organic brown onion, finely diced
1 Can organic kidney beans
1 Can organic cannellini beans
Pinch of salt
Pinch of sweet paprika
Tsp Cumin
Tsp Sugar
Oil of choice...

Method....

1.) Brown finely diced onion in oil in your saucepan until translucent
2.) To the onion's, add the paprika and cumin and fry, stirring, for a minute or 2 (releases the delicious aroma's)
3.) Add the blitzed tomato's to the saucepan, with a little water, pinch of salt, tsp sugar (this helps break down the tomato's. Lemon juice could also be used if you don't want the added sugar) and simmer for at least 20 minutes. Not sure how long I cooked it for tbh... I cook by smell and how it looks. A very aquarian trait I am told lol...
4.) Once the tomato mix is cooked to how you like it, add the drained and rinsed beans and heat through.

I served these with potato's in their jackets, topped with grated organic cheddar. So yummy! Would be delicious with your choice of crusty bread also. My favourite is organic ciabatta (toasted under the grill, with garlic olive oil brushed over it) You could also sub whatever beans are your favourite, or whatever you have to hand :)

Enjoy!

Coconut Macaroons.....

The other night I was craving sweets, and there was nothing in the house... wheat is giving me indigestion, thanks to the belly~dweller, so I went in search of a yummy easy recipe that was wheat free and for which I had all the ingredients... and found these!

Coconut Macaroons

Preparation Time
10 minutes

Cooking Time
15 minutes

Ingredients (serves 10)
195g (3 cups) shredded coconut
4 egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 tsp salt
170g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla essence


Method
1) Preheat oven to 170°C. Line 3 large baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Spread the coconut over 2 of the trays and cook in preheated oven, tossing occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a plate.
2) Use electric beaters to whisk the egg whites and salt together in a large, clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Add the sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk for a further 2 minutes or until mixture is thick and glossy.
3) Add the vanilla essence and whisk to combine. Add the toasted coconut and use a large metal spoon to fold in until just combined.
4) Spoon tablespoonsful of mixture onto lined trays, leaving about 2cm between each. Bake in preheated oven, swapping trays halfway through cooking, for 12-15 minutes or until light golden and firm. Set aside for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container.

So very delicious! I quartered the recipe, as it was late at night and only TH and I where up. Luckily I did that, as TH fell asleep. So I had to eat the whole batch alone ;) Lovely and crispy on the outside, and chewy on the inside... just the way I like them!

I have just made a 1/2 batch for LM and I to consume, they are cooling now as I type, so I am off now to eat some more nom-ishness!

Recipe CO http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/11362/coconut%20macaroons

Craft Swap.....

Cooking - Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup

Reading - Well, flicking through the softies pattern book :P

Sewing - Nothing now :)

Contemplating - Quilt for Belly~Boy, Casting on the last bowl for B~B's felted nesting bowls.

The last few days I have been busy at my machine making some sweet little things for a craft swap. I was fortunate enough to be sewing for a little girly belly~dweller, so much fun has been had!

Sweet Tweet Mobile....

Hand Dyed Muslin....

Bib and Matching Booties...

I hope my recipient likes her items!

I received my swap the other day, I absolutely adore it.... My little guy is so spoilt, he will be extra squishy in these beautiful woolies!