Mama To Do List

Do any other Mamas have enormous lists of things they would like to do?
Here is my current mental to do list.


Teach Sophie sign language
Go to a Mummy and Me gym class
Upcycle Sophie's old swaddles into cloth wipes
Try making my own laundry detergent
Make one of my old band t shirts into a romper for Sophie
Sew Dom a soft ball with Koalas on it (still haven't got round to that Laurie lol)
Fix the hems on about 5 dresses
Sew buttons on about 9 tops
Make a play date with about 6 different friends' babes
Make and freeze my own baby purees
Make my own soap
Try coconut oil pulling
Send a package to Steph with presents for all the kids
Send Sophie's latest bundles of don't fits to Em
Make my own deodorant
Learn to crochet
Do yoga
Learn to needle felt
Get back into learning French
Sew some curtains
Send 50 different bloody emails
Reply to 17 messages
Get photos printed
Paint my nails
Make some fruit sorbet in that Thermomix
Take 10 minutes to meditate
And the list goes on...

Does anyone else sit and say, gah, I must remember to do that!
Will I ever get round to any of them..?
Well, I suppose, chances are, if I do, I will blog about it. So stay tuned!

6 months with a Badgelet

This is Sophie at 6 months.

She is...

Funny. She makes us laugh every day.

Easy going. We know if she cries there is something wrong, otherwise she is pretty chill.

Sweet. She still likes to cuddle in to our shoulders and snuggle.

Loud. She bup-bup-bups and blows rasberries and shrieks and makes all kinds of noise. Its lovely actually.

Curious. Has her nose in everything and turns to each new noise. Wants to grab everything, taste everything and know everything.

Playful. Still likes to roll on the mat and play with her IKEA gym, but now she loves her walker play set way more.

Willful. She prefers to hold her bottle, rather than us. She doesn't want to eat her purees but she wants to smash the bowl on the high chair tray.

Teething. Poor little girl has red cheeks and swollen gums.

A pro at skyping. She skypes her Grandparents a few times a week and chats away. It is so lovely that we can see her responding to them and learning their voices.

How has time flown so fast?

Baby Brain

Baby brain

I did not believe this existed.

I admit it. I was a complete cow to my sister when she said she had baby brain.

“There is no such thing”

“I bet a man came up with that”

“Whatever”

A thousand apologies my beautiful sister.

IT DOES EXIST.

And I am sure it strikes the second your egg is fertilised.

I struggled so much at work during my pregnancy.

Then I had Sophie and it went up another level.

Now I am trying to adult and simultaneously be a petrophysicist.

I can’t even keep the days straight haha. 

Here is life with me and my baby brain. 

I literally never know what day it is. Unless its Monday. Even I know Mondays. Today I messaged someone and said Happy Wednesday. Apparently its Thursday.

I repeat the same questions to Rob again and again –

“Do you remember the time we went to the Alamo?”

10 minutes later

“hey meow, do you remember when we went to the Alamo?”

5 minutes later

“Do you remember the Alamo?"

To get into my floor at work you need to swipe a security badge (it has been that way since before I started which was 2009). Last week I stood in front of the door waiting for it to open for 5 minutes before I realised it was waiting on me.

I have forgotten to tag off with my bus card several times. Then panicked. Then tried to run after the bus.

Needed panty liners. Went into Priceline. Spent $94. Realised later I forgot to get liners. And bought the wrong shade of foundation.

Realised the foundation was the wrong colour after wearing it for a few days and wondering why my face looked different.

I literally never manage to shut the fridge door.
...although in fairness, that isn't a new thing.

Lost approximately seven cups of tea. I don’t know where they went.

 Started so many trains of thought and conversations and then completely forgotten what I was…

Wait.
What was I saying?

At the coffee store I often stand there waiting for change when I haven’t paid them. Or when I don’t need change. Or just because I am unaware of other human beings around me.

And, it appears that in true baby brain nature, I forgot to hit publish on this post. Isn;t that lovely?

She's worth it though :p 

Do you Speak Instagram?

My friend just got an Instagram account.

And me, being the instafiend I am, started going on about all the things I love about Insty.

And, it occurred to me, well, we say some weird shit on Instagram.

Grammar, proper English and punctuation be damned.

Here are some of my favorites.

All the heart eyes - as in the emoticon, eg. wow so cute, your baby is adorable, that dress is great, I am in love with whatever that is

#shelfie - a way to show off how good you are at decorating your kids room

That ____ though - eg. the _____ was great, that _____ looks good, I want to eat your _____

#fluffmail - showing off your new cloth nappies 

Amaze - like amazing, but infinitely more so

Noms - eg. that food was delish, that food looks delish, that man looks delish

#nomnomnom - see above

I need that ____ in my life - eg. I need to eat that pizza, I need to own that dress, I need to be in a hotel that looks like that

 #wearallthebabies - no, we aren't turning babies into clothes, its the baby wearing (wrapping) movement

I can't even - when something is so cute or infuriating or awesome you can't deal with it

I literally can't even - see above, but like, more so

#thestruggleisreal - used when commenting on any "first world problem"

#allthehashtags - a satirical comment to make light of the fact that you have just used a lot of hashtags, mostly so people know you aren't super serious and can laugh at yourself #justkiddingbutnotreally kind of thing

#gains - accompanied by a wanky gym selfie, or, ironically, with a large pizza or cocktail

All of the things - a general need to have all of the dresses, eat all of the food, or drink all of the wine

What are your favorite Instagram cliches?

Leibster Award - and making new friends!

Why I love the Liebster Award

I like to share experiences (I like to talk about myself).

I like to learn more about other bloggers (I am nosey).

I love lists (I am neurotic).
There is high potential for randomness on a post like this (I am nuts).

Nominated by a super cool Mama with a lovely wee bebe at Tales and Tea - you should totes check her out y'all.
I love following along on her Instagram and blog.

10 Facts About Me

I love the rain.

I met my husband 9 and a half years ago. In the back of my friends car.

I wanted to be a marine biologist my whole life. Until I started the degree.

I read somewhere that eating dates makes your childbirth easier. I ate dates everyday in my last trimester. And now I cannot go a day without eating them.

I once got bitten by a zebra. True story.

I have lived in 17 houses so far in life.

I have a BSc, and a MSc (Hons) but I like to spend most of my time LMAO with my BF and BFF. LOL

Badgers

I have super eclectic music taste, I love all music. Except country music.

I could never stand the taste of coffee until I got pregnant. Then I craved it. Now I have to have it daily.

That time I wrote a book. Of sorts.

Answering the questions from Faye

1 - What is your favourite book and why?

Gold and Greenstone, by Barry Crump.

It is one of the first novels I remember reading. And I can always go back and read it and enjoy it again. IT reminds me of NZ, my Dad, my childhood and just well, nice thoughts. In fact, I might go read it now.

2 - Any pets?

Not right now. Potential expat travel makes pets difficult.

But if I had a choice we would have all the animals. 

3 - What is your favorite sandwich?

Hmm.. something meaty. With salad. And mucho fresh herbs.

I couldn't say a favorite, but if I was to have one right now it would be...

Bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce, capsicum, coriander, avocado... Okay I am drooling now. Dammit.

4 - What hobbies do you have?

Um, blogging. Sewing. Vintage dresses. Playing touch rugby.

Actually, hobbies and a newborn don't really mix.

My favorite hobby.

5 - Slipper or no slippers?

Slippers. Our house is freezing!

6 - What is the best thing you have ever made?

By far, my little girl. I still can't believe we made such a bad ass baby.

Seriously. This kid.

7 - If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

PIZZA.

PIZZA.

PIZZA.

8 - What do you do to relax?

Listen to music and walk. 

9 - Name one brand that is worth a follow.

Hmm. I'm not sure.

10 - What is your one main goal in life?

I hope to make people in my life happy, and do more good than bad in this world.

11 -Why do you blog?

I started the blog when we moved to the States so that I could share our adventures with friends and family. It became a creative outlet for me, which I needed in such a corporate and scientific environment.

How it works...

(I have totally stolen this text from Faye, because I am lazy #sorrynotsorry)
  -1- Make sure you mention the lovely person that nominated you
-2- List 11 facts about yourself if you so wish
-3- Answer the questions that you were bestowed by that lovely person who nominated you

-4- Nominate some lovely bloggers for the award
-5- Create 11 questions for those love bloggers mentioned above
-6- Make sure that you let those lovely nominees know about it so that they can tag along if they want to! No pressure at all to get involved, but you are definitely worth a mention for one reason or another :)

Nominees

Amy

Jay

 Laurie

Kerrie

Tabitha

Holly

Esther

Kristina

And my questions if you would like to play along!

What is your favorite holiday period?

Tea or coffee?

If you were a cupcake, what flavour would you be?

What is your life theme song?

What is your favorite spot in the whole world?

What is one thing you have ticked off your bucket list?

Who would play you in a movie about yourself?

If you had an all-expenses-paid holiday, where would you go?

Sweet or Savoury?

Toughest thing about blogging?

What got you into blogging?

Why did I include this photo? Who knows?

3 am breastfeeding thoughts

A stream of consciousness during a night feed. Get ready for it. I think I am nuts.


And go -


I need to blog.
More.
And take dress photos.
Should I get a tripod?
How do all those bloggers get such good photos of those dresses?
I want more dresses.
I need to take more photos of Sophie in all her dresses.
I wonder if she fits that pink one yet?
I think the blue one will fit her now.
I wonder if she will dislike dresses when she is older because of this forced dress wearing?
Did I wear dresses?
Hmmm....
....
...
.
I wonder how old a baby is when you realise they are a genius?
Oh we need to start teaching her sign language.
I wonder how hard it is....
...
.
Just a couple of signs would be good. Like hungry. Or done. Or....
...
..
Maybe if we start now she will be signing whole sentences by 2.
Wow.
..
..
.....
.......
Do all mothers think they have the best looking babies?
Have they seen Sophie though?
Hmmmm....
Yep, I think she is looking more like me now.
But still heaps like Rob.
Man, he was a cute baby.
Photo.
Just one.
Send that to Grandma.
What time is it in New Zealand?
Shit I look tired.
Bugger it.
I wonder if she is done yet?
..
...
.....
Shit.
I need to do the US taxes.
What was the due date?
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Oh the car needs a service to.
"Sophie, remind me the car needs a service"
Yeah nice way to remember Sarah.
Blame the kid for not reminding you.
....
..
Bugger me its cold.
I wonder if shes done yet.
Man shes sweet.
Why is time flying so fast?
Will time only accelerate from now?
How does one slow down time?
Should I try a course in Mindfulness?
Be present. Be present. Be present.
"Sophie your mother is nuts love"
Ahhhhhhhh I'm soooo tired.
I wonder if she is done.
Be present Sarah.
Man shes cute.
Oh, its Wednesday.. Bacon and Eggs in a few hours.
Yuss.
Bacon.
Bacon.
Bacon.
.
..
....
Okay babe, all done.
"Shhhh, Shhhh, Shhhh sleep time"
Don't wake her.
Gah! Stupid creaky floorboard.
Still sleeping.
Ah.
Just, one, little, step.
Begin descent....
And. She. Is. Out.
Yuss.

 I call this move the knee-leg-sleep check (yep, it might need a better name). 

The theory is if I lay her down on my legs and she stays asleep, then its safe to put her down in the basket. 

This is of course, an attempt to avoid multiple trips back and forward when she wakes back up again.

Life Lately

Loving all the new street art in Perth and the umbrellas set up for the festival in Mount Hawthorn.

Little one in her All Blacks outfit from her Nan.

Saturday afternoon in the park with Daddy.

Sophie had her first time on a swing this week.

This dress. Am I right?

Lizzy and I at the Mount Hawthorn Festival.

Argh. It has been so damn cold in our house this week. 

That means lots of cuddles in bed.

Also, Soph's night time has digressed masively back to 5 or 6 feeds a night this week. 

Mama be tired yo.

I cannot believe how fast she is growing!

This one. She was looking much like a garden gnome this morning.

Life Lately

This week we are ALL about headbands! 

This one and the pineapple one below are from Fox and Cradle.

Crafting Mothers Day gifts.

I had feijoas! So, so yum! I haven't had them since we lived in New Zealand!

Roberto made one hell of a lamb rack.

Autumn in Perth means cool mornings and sunny afternoons.

I love it!

This sweet girl is smiling even though she is feeling all the feels with teething.

Mama and Soph cuddles.

Hehe we got this cute headband in a lucky dip set from Arch n Ollie.

Life Lately

Our new cookbook - already in love with a bunch of the recipes!

The view on Good Friday - love Perth autumn!

I ate all of this giant freckle. And it was amazing. Thus concludes the story of this chocolate.

Pensive baby is pensive.

Teething has started. But we are still learning the ins and out.

Such as, what do we do with this haha.

And she can spin it herself. So proud!

Ballin'

Bless.

I LOVE kombucha, and this is one of my current favorites.

Smoothie prep. I need those greens for all this breast feeding I am doing.

Soph is doing much better with her naps. 

But normally there is a nap every couple of days she won't settle for, so wrapping really helps. 

I want to wear her ALL the time - I love it.

Mum and bub selfie.

Mamas afternoon off! Vintage dresses, cowboy boots and champagne.

Life Lately

I love the library my Mama bought over for Sophie - this is one of my favorites. A Kiwi version of Three Little Pigs. So, so funny!

Little one passed out from a day of shopping in town. 

Her little sweetie from Live Sweet shop is keeping her company.

I love Sophie's nursery. Which is a good thing - I spend a lot of time there in the middle of the night!

I found a bunny for some Easter photos with Soph - they turned out so well for a quickie job!

One of the benefits of us being home together is being able to share meal duties and Sophie watching. It means lots of yummy healthy meals.

Sophie has started teething already - its pretty funny watching her learn to gnaw on teething rings.

I love that frangipanis are associated with tropical islands. 

Yet here in Perth they grow randomly in yards and parks!

Life Lately

I can't even. Shes just the cutest! 

And how cute is this pattern?! 

We just won this from Designer Bums - I love their nappies!

Sophie meeting babies at Mothers Group!

Our shipment from the States finally arrived, which means...

The return of zoodles!

You might laugh..

While I don't expect a two month old to learn the alphabet, she loves colorful pictures - so why not?

After getting ALL the sweet cravings during my pregnancy I now look forward to my green smoothie in the afternoon to get me through.

Sunday mornings mean hot mochas, a napping babe and a trip to the vegetable markets.

I try and take a walk with Soph each day, I love finding colorful new gems each time!

If you ever think your kid can't get any cuter, put them in a bath.