the girls

Here are some more photos of our new niece Eliza. She's so sweet. I wish I could say that I took these photos, but alas I did not (they were taken by Ed).

eliza

This is my beautiful new niece Eliza! She's tiny (5 pound, 11) but absolutely perfect. I got to have cuddles with her last night and I cant wait to see her again.

The birth happened so fast, Caroline was seeing her doctor on Tuesday afternoon for a routine appointment and he decided that Eliza needed to come out ASAP. So within two hours, the C section was done and she was here. Understandably, Ben and Caroline are totally shellshocked at how fast it all happened.

ooooh we love her already

babycakes

I've just been to the swimming pool with the kids after a 6 month break. I was finding that every trip to the pool resulted in one of the kids picking up an ear infection or cold or some other fezzy thing. I was lying in bed last night feeling extremely guilty that Pia hasn't learnt to swim yet. And with her starting school next year, I think its time she learnt. So a trip to the pool was in order. We went to MSAC on recommendation from my doctor told me that it was one of the cleanest pools around, I guess we shall see about that. Anyway the kids loved it, Luca was very scared of all the water fountains at first but was standing under them with his mouth open by the end of it.

And I have to tell a quite amazing story. Late on Sunday afternoon we were driving to dinner at Ben's house. We turned the corner out of my street and drove past a fellow blogger who was renovating her front garden. I had no idea she lived so close to me. I recognised her fence and then her, I could not believe it. I have been looking at her blog for about a year now and must have walked past that house so many times, quite amazing really.

just breathe

I went to see my gorgeous friend Jeanette today who is a few weeks away from having her first baby. Of course she looks absolutely divine as one would imagine the owner of an organic food business to be... and not carrying an extra 25kgs like I did! So naturally the conversation revolved around the usuals: labour, birthing, breastfeeding etc etc. We could have chatted all day if it werent for my little munchkins needing their sleeps. Jeanette is studying hypnobirthing and is aiming for an intervention free birth - which Im sure she will achieve. We watched a few hypnobirths on DVD and I couldn't believe my eyes. There were women just lying there breathing quietly through their contractions and even through the actual birth. The women were so relaxed and focused it was amazing and they didnt seem to be in any pain. How is this possible? If ever there is baby number three for us, I will definately be attemting a hypnobirth. This is Pia with Jeanette (poor Pia dropped a massive rock on her big toe on Sunday turning it black and now she cant walk properly).

mum to be 1:

mum to be 2:

And I had such a busy weekend organising Caroline's baby shower on Saturday. It was sooooo much fun, Pia and I went together leaving the boys at home (we love a girls day out). Being the host on the day I had to make sure that all 35 women (yes I know I nearly passed out when I got the invite list) and 10 children had food and drinks. I did all of this with a glass of bubbles in my hand - which made it much more fun and less stressful. Poor Caroline has had more stresses through this pregancy than anyone Ive ever known, so we are definately celebrating that she is 38 weeks and feeling so great. ooooooh Im so excited.

did we have too much time on our hands today?

I think you can tell the answer is Yes we had way too much time on our hands.

growing up

My house is incredibly quiet right now. I normally put Luca to bed at about 7 oclock sometimes he makes a fuss but usually he’s quite good. After Luca, its time to get Pia ready for bed which is always a big fuss. In the time that I spend in Luca’s room putting him down, Pia manages to change into a ridiculous dress and fluffy high heels and start walking around the house talking to imaginary people at the ‘party’ she believes she has just arrived at. And trying to bring her back from this zone her mind has entered is not an easy task. Anyway there are always tears involved at bathtime, but tonight, I can kick back and have a glass of wine, because Pia is having a sleepover at her friends house!! She is staying with a friend who is one of four girls so I know she is going to have a fabulous time. I keep expecting the phone to ring, but so far she is obviously having too much fun. Come to think of it, why on earth would she want to get picked up by me, she will be having the time of her life with all of those girls.

Anyway I must go and pour my wine and watch Idol…