New Banner and some scrapping shares

Thought it was time for a new banner. Loving these photos of Joel at the moment. He is just the best kid ever. Totally biased I know, but I'm allowed to be - I'm his mum.

Life is good at the moment. Andrew is on holidays so the three of us have been hanging out - hence the lack of updated blog - I have better things to do.

Joel is doing really well. We have hit the 10 pounds mark so that's good - he is 3 months today - cannot believe how quick it's all gone. So cliche isn't it, but it's so true.

Have been getting a little scrapbooking done at night - Andrew has been making his way through old Macgyver episodes which doesn't really interest me so scrapping it is.

Thought I'd share a couple that i've done - both of Joel of course!! Excuse the dodgy scans but the pages were a little lumpy.


Anyway, i'm off to enjoy the sunshine - 26 today. Bring it on.

Til next time

Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire

So I was watching Oprah the other day and it was about women who are changing the world. At the end of the show, Sarah McLachlan (one of my fave singers) played her song World on Fire with the video clip playing in the background. I had never seen it before and it's amazing. THe video cost her $15 to make and then the rest of the money that it would have cost her to have a professional video made, she donated to a whole heap of different things.
Too cool. Really made me realise just how much money we waste in the western world and just how even a small amount can really change someone's life in the third world.
Made me think about what I spend my money on and how I can change my spending habits and try and help others more.
What are you going to do this week to help change the world?
Till next time

Smitten

That is what my mum and dad are with Joel. They just love him to bits. I love seeing them with him and I love that he is starting to interact with them as well.

They were over today for lunch and would keep sneaking in to his room to see him. Too cute.

Here are some snaps I caught of them

Not much else that is blog worthy at the moment but life is good.

Till next time

Oh so random

I've been struggling to blog this week so here goes in totally random dot point form

• Joel is now 9 1/2 weeks old and is currently 9.2 pounds - fatty bom bah. We just love him to pieces and it's so much fun to see him starting to interact with the world around him.


• Andrew's first Fathers Day went really well. Joel bought him a West Coast Eagles guernsey (another one - apparently they wear two different ones - one for home games and one for away games). Silly me didn't get any pics of the day. Duh!


• I think I am totally addicted to Chico Babies. Seriously. I have already eaten a whole pack this week and it's taking all the willpower I can muster not to grab Joel and head down to the shop for another pack. I'm getting the sweats just thinking of them.


• I am really loving Idol this year (again). Can't wait for the proper shows to start.


• I am also loving Summer Heights High on the ABC. It's by the same dude that did We Can Be Heroes. It is oh so funny (but oh so wrong)


• Another new fav - Facebook. Come on people, get on it and start networking. It's so much fun but a total time waster - oh the things I could be doing but I am now a slave to Facebooking

That's enough fluff and randomness for one day. Again I must leave you with another Joel photo. Actually two - I couldn't decided. This is of him and his very excited and proud cousin Jessie.

Don't you just love the baby army pants - and his shirt says "My Dad Rocks." He wore it on Fathers Day.

Till next time

Scrapping Goodies and some Joel love

I am still alive. Just been so busy. Joel isn't sleeping too well during the day so I've had limited time to play on the computer. Having said that, he's been sleeping brilliantly during the night. Usually goes from about 10:30pm till 6:00am straight (although last night he wanted some tucker at 3am but that's ok). So I can't complain. He's been such a good little love.

I ordered lots of yummy scrapping goodies for my birthday and they have started to arrive. Oh so exciting to get packages in the mail. I got a couple of big paper punches from the US - a 2" square and 3" circle. Been wanting these for ages. And I also got a nice big pizza box from Scraploot - this online shop is awesome. I am still waiting on a Crop-a-dile (a GREEN one ordered from the US) and some acrylic stamps from Blue Bazaar. I am seriously excited about all this stuff and it's nice that it's coming staggered - makes my birthday go longer. Once I get everything, I'll put it all together and take a pic so I can share my birthday stash with all of you.

Had my second mothers group today - it's a really great group of girls and I have already made a couple of friends. I look forward to getting to know them all a lot better over the next few weeks and hopefully years. Would be great if we were still in contact in a few years when our kids are all old enough to play with each other

Joel has his first lot of immunization injections on Friday - I am a little worried for him. I hate when he cries and the bottom lip goes out so i'm sure it'll be a little traumatic for both of us but we'll be alright.

Anyway, i have a circle journal that I am doing for Scrap of Faith that needs to be finished so I really should be utilising Joel's sleep time to finish that off and get some tea organised, and feed the dogs, and put the chickens away, and fold some washing. LOL the list never ends!!

I'm really going to try and update this more often

Till next time, I'll leave you with a little bit of Joel love!

It's my party

Well firstly a big congrats to Jess, Jasmine and Robyn for being the first 3 to comment. I will get a little gift organised for the three of you. I just need you to email me your postal addresses so I can post the gifts to you (servingtheson@hotmail.com)

Secondly, it's my birthday today. I have reached the ripe old age of 28. Everyday is a little bit closer to the big 30! I have had a good day so far - spent the morning with my buddy Marina at Ripe Cafe in Sassafras - mmm Lindt hot chocolates. We watched them make them and they put whole squares of chocolate in the bottom of the glass and then pour hot water and milk over the top of it. YUMMO!

Just chilling for the rest of the day.

Apart from that, not a lot happening around here. Life of a SAHM, hey!!

I'll love you and leave you - don't want to waste too much of Joel's sleep time on the computer.

But what would a blog post be without a cute photo of Joel. Here you go


Till next time

Awesome photos,funky bag and pay it forward

So the photos from Joel's photoshoot are up on Katie's photos site.(http://www.katietolandphotography.blogspot.com/) They are totally amazing and I am in love with them all. I know I am biased but damn is Joel cute or what!! Hope you don't mind me using one of the photos of your blog to show people Katie!?!?!?

Been looking on the net for a new handbag - need a slightly bigger one than what i've got to fit baby stuff in. I have a nappy bag but sometimes I don't need all the stuff in there.

Anyway, a girl from Scrap of Faith put me onto Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/) - a total amazing website where you can buy and sell handmade goods - bags, jewellery, clothes, baby things. The stuff on here is amazing. Anyways, I found me the coolest bag - I am seriously in love with it and I don't even have it yet. It's so pretty! I can't wait for it to get here.

I was checking out my mate Ange's blog the other day and she had a Pay it forward post - the first 3 people to comment won a little handmade pressie from her. I was one of the lucky 3 to win. The deal of this movement though, is to Pay it forward. So I in turn am going to give the first 3 people to post comments a little handmade love from me.

So come on people post away, the first 3 shall recieve a gift from me and then in turn must pay it forward themselves.

I'm off to do some scrapping while the little dude is sleeping

Our smiling boy

Here is the footage of Joel smiling. Please ignore my cutesy mummy voice in the video - even better turn the sound off!!!

Life goes on

So we're back from Adelaide. We got back last Wednesday - i just haven't felt like blogging until now. Adelaide was lovely. Super hard but lovely. It was really nice to see family and spend time together, remembering Nanna. Was also nice to catch up with my other grandma (dad's mum) and take some photos of her and Joel together. Joel is like her 22nd or something GREAT grandchild. That's a lot of great grandkids isn't it. Well I guess she is 93! We also had the opportunity to catch up with our buddies Cath, Mark and Amaya. Was nice to spend the afternoon with them, chatting kids!!

Not much has been happening in the last week or so. Just tried to lay low. We went to Katie's (see Katie Toland in the left coloumn) on Saturday for a photoshoot for Joel - it went really well. Apart from the fact that Joel peed on her backdrop!! But she was prepared for all sorts of accidents with a pack of Pine -O Cleen wipes!! I can't wait to see how the photos turn out.

More Joel news - he has started smiling. Not just the windy smiles but bona fide smiles! It started on Tuesday. I even managed to catch one on video which I'll try and load on to You Tube so you can see. I am such a mum, aren't I!!

And I'm hoping to get stuck back into scrapping on the weekend. Bought me a nice stash of boy papers and stuff yesterday so I am all set to go. Now I just need Joel to sleep for a good few hours in the afternoons so I can do some.

Anyway, I better go. The little dude needs a feed.

Till next time

A sad day

My nanna passed away last night in Adelaide. It was very unexpected. She had a heart attack on Tuesday morning but everyone (including the doctors, thought she would pull through - it wasn't a massive heart attack.

I am just so sad. Sad I didn't get to see her one last time. Sad she never got to meet Joel. Sad I didn't get to say goodbye.

But I am also happy - happy that my mum got to spend some time with her this week . She went over on Tuesday to be with Nanna. I am happy that my nanna has been reunited with Grandapa in heaven. I am happy that I called her a week ago and spoke for 20 mins or so. I am happy that she was around to become a great grandma (she had to great grandsons born this month - her first great grandkids.

I will really miss her. We didn't get to see her that often cause we lived in different states but now we won't see her at all

We are driving to Adelaide tomorrow afternoon - funeral will probably be on Monday.

Please keep Andrew and I in your thoughts and prayers as we attempt the drive with a 3 1/2 week old!

Speaking of which I can't go without sharing my fav pic of Joel at the moment.

Thanks guys

Joel's entrance into the world

Ok so I am going to post Joel's birth story - mainly for my benefit so I don't forget, so if you don't want the details then don't read on!! Beware, it'll be a long one.

Sunday 1st July - went to church in the morning as usual. Joked with people that we wanted this bub to come some time this week (even though we weren't due for another 10 days) as Andrew was on school holidays. We even had a curry for lunch that day - more of a joke really than a method to induce labor!

Fast forward to 2am Monday 2nd July - I made my way back to bed after one of my numerous overnight toilet breaks. As i got back in, I thought I must have wet myself but seriously doubted it as I'd just emptied my bladder. I went back to the loo and after 5-6 minutes of steady trickle, I knew that this was my waters breaking and not a severe lack of pelvic floor strength!

I went back to bed and told Andrew but assured him that it could still be a day or so before anything happens. We tried to go back to sleep!!

3:30am - i started getting what I can only describe as slight period pain and wondered whether this was the start of contractions. I realised the pain was coming and going at fairly regular 6 monute intervals and realised that I was indeed in labor. I knew that it would still be awhile so we decided to rest up and assess how things were going when we got up later.

8:30am - the contractions had started to get a little more painful now and where coming a lot closer together. I called the hospital to see what I should do and they said I could make my way in whenever I liked and they see how things were progressing.

The car trip to the hospital was interesting and exciting - it was dawning on us that we could be meeting our bub today. We started stressing about names - we were still to decide on a girls name. We got to the hospital around 10:ooam and made our way to the delivery suite where we were ushered into a tiny assessment room. A midwife came in and hooked me up to a CTG machine to assess baby's heart rate and movements. I continued to have contractions whilst hooked up to this machine and they were really starting to get painful. A doctor came in and did an examination (yowsers!!) and declared that I was only 1cm dialated. AHHHHH!! The decision was made that due to a few reasons - my high BP, bubs not behaving, my waters broken, that they would induce me but I'd have to wait till tomorrow as they were too busy today. They would keep me on the ward overnight and I'd be induced first thing the next morning.

This was not what was supposed to happen - I started getting upset, worried for the baby and still in pain, very scared. If this was what only 1cm dialated felt like, I was seriously worried about what 10 would be like.

By this time, it was around 11:30am and the contractions were getting more and more painful. I asked if there was anything I could do for the pain. The midwife suggested I have a bath as it was being used so I decided to give it a go. It was great. Although the contractions were extremely painful, I felt a lot more relaxed between them. I was in the bath for about 1 hour - 12:00pm -1:00pm. I was starting to want something more for the pain - I was so sure I would only be 2-3cm dialated by now and was really starting to get scared that I wouldn't be able to do this. I got Andrew to get a nurse as I was really hurting. The nurses were awesome. They said they'd assess me and then work out what pain relief options I had. They discovered that I was 10cm dialated already. From 1-10 in 1 hour. I was almost relieved cause I knew that the pain I was feeling was worth it. The got me out of the bath and told me it was time to have this baby. From thinking it was happening today to this was totally overwhelming and very exciting.

The nurses couldn't believe how fast it all happened. Of all the women in the delivery rooms, I went from being the one not expected to deliver that day, too the only one they thought that eventually would!!

They took me into a delivery room (around 1:00pm) and got me on the bed. I so thought I would be one of these chicks that gives birth on the floor or on a ball or something but all I wanted to do was lie down. Contractions were excruiciating now. They offered me the gas but I took two sucks and couldn't work out how to use it so I just bit down on the mouthpiece. I kepts asking the midwife how much longer she thought it would be. She just kpet saying "not long now, you're doing great!"

After about 45 mins, Andi (our midwife) told me she could see the baby's head with lots of dark hair. I couldn't believe it. I reached down a felt this little squishy head. That made me so determined to keep going. I was pushing with all my might and after 2 massive pushs, Joel arrived at 2:32pm. They put him straight on my tummy and it took me a couple of seconds to realise he was even there - i was concentrating so hard. But there he was - the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I asked Andrew if it was a boy or girl and we lifted his little leg and let out a sigh of relief. We didn't have to decide on a girls name after all. Andrew cut the cord and then Joel and I snuggled for awhile, while the placenta delivered and they checked me over. Andrew and I were both so overwhelmed and both had a little cry. We were so happy.

They checked Joel over too - he got 9 and 9 on his APGAR tests - so proud of him!!

I was in total shock - I had just given birth, drug free, intervention free and with no issues downstairs!! No stitches needed. Andrew got to have a cuddle as well and I took some piccies of them and then Joel had his first feed. It was a bizarre but beautiful feeling.

After awhile, Andrew went off to make the necessary phone calls and Joel and i spent some time alone together.

Later that day, my parents and sisters came to visit as did Andrew's parents. They were all a little shocked at his early arrival too but totally besotted with him!






Almost 3 weeks later and it's still so fresh in my mind. Some days it still doesn't feel real that I have a child. I feel like I am looking after him for awhile and expecting someone to come and get him any day now - weird huh!!

We are all still doing really well. We have been so blessed by people's generosity towards us - presents for Joel, meals for us, cards galore, flowers. We really are blessed with gorgeous friends and family.

Better wrap this up as the little dude will wake any moment for a feed and it's too hard to type one handed!
If you've got this far, congrats and thanks for letting me share my birth story. Overall a positive experience for a first timer.
Hopefully I can get some newer pics of the little man later and I shall share soon. He's changed so much already in only 3 weeks.

Till next time

Update

Well it's been nearly two weeks since I became a mum and life is good. I'm tired but blissfully happy and we are all doing really well. We've had a few long nights but in general Joel is a pretty good baby. He sleeps pretty well, feeds a lot (hungry little squirt) and seems to be enjoying life in his big new world.

Andrew is still on school holidays and once school goes back he still has 5 days of paternity leave up his sleeve. He is going to take 3 days of it in the first week and 2 days in the second, just to ease back into it all with less sleep! And then I'll be on my own. That's a little scary. Andrew has been awesome around here the last week - making me lunch, bringing me snacks, doing the dishes, getting tea organised. Will be interesting when he's not here anymore. I'm sure I'll be fine - I gave birth drug free for heaven sake, I can do this too!

Still haven't got around to writing out the whole labor/birth story yet - really need to do that before I start to forget stuff.

We had out first trip out - went well. Joel seems to like the car seat and slept happily as we drove. He didn't even wake up when we got him out of the car. Hope that continues.

And i've had a stack of photos printed up at Camera House- 15cents each!! so I am so excited about getting back into scrapbooking. It feels like ages since I've done anything.

Anyway, enough already. Will leave you with a couple of photos of my little man (and big man) total spunks!!! And my 5 things I am grateful for


1. The safe arrival of our precious bub Joel

2. An amazing hubby

3. Kind and generous family and friends

4. A 2 hour nap this afternoon

5. 15 cent prints at Camera House

He's here!!

Joel Callan Spinks arrived on Monday afternoon 2nd July - 10 days early. He must have known his dad is a school teacher on holidays at the moment.

The stats
Weight - 6 pounds 5 ounces
Length - 49 cm

We are totally besotted by this little man and are really looking forward to the coming weeks, months and years.

Just wanted to share some photos with you all. I'll be back later to share more of his entrance into the world but all is well.

Have a great week

Baby Room pics as promised

Just thought I'd share some updated baby room pics. Everything is finished in there for the time being. Now we just need a little person to go in there!

We are really happy with how it has turned out and think it's pretty cool for either a boy or a girl.

Had a nice day resting today - really want to shake this cold before it gets any worse.

Anyway, I'm off to have some tea and veg out some more.

Hope you enjoy the picng

3 posts in one day

Hope you enjoyed the two clips below - you need to watch the Nessum Dorma one first then the semi-finals one. I really love opera - bet you didn't know that about me!!

I'm still pregnant - only 3 weeks till our due date now. We had the car seat installed today. Very weird driving around in a car with a baby seat in it.

I really want to meet this little person - I am starting to have real trouble sleeping - it's getting harder and harder to find a comfortable position to lie in. And to make matters harder, I'm coming down with a cold so i'm feeling very stuffy in the head and nose. But the end is nigh! I've only got 8 days of work left so I'm really looking forward to being lazy after that for a little bit.

Things are definitely getting close. We have our last ante-natal class tonight so that should be fun. My bag is all packed for the hospital - just in case! The nursery is pretty much done - I'll take some pics tomorrow when it's a bit lighter and share them with you. It's all getting very real and also surreal all at the same time!! Is that possible?

Anyway, I'll be back with some pics to share soon.

Till next time.

Opera Paul Potts SEMIFINALS WINNER!! High qual. video/audio

He won the Semi-Final and this is his second performance. THis guy totally makes me believe that dreams really do come true.

Paul Potts (Nessun Dorma)

I was watching Sunrise last week and they spoke about a contestant on Britains Got Talent - his name is Paul Potts. I watched this clip on YouTube and it totally gives me goosebumps everytime I watch it (and yes it makes me cry too)
It's totally worth watching

Still here, Still waiting

Still pregnant. Am 34 1/2 weeks today. Only 5 weeks to go (if we have squirt on their due date)
Everything is going really well. I'm still suffering some back and pelvis pain but am not complaining. It's amazing what a heat/wheat pack can do!

There's been some exciting things happening around here. First of all we got a new car!! FINALLY! We are now a 2 car family again. It's been almost 2 years since my little red Ruby went to heaven so we've done well to last that long. The new one is a 2004 Camry Altise and we just love it. It's so quiet to drive. We are in auto heaven. We just desperately needed a reliable car for when the baby comes along.



I had my baby shower on the weekend. I had an absolute ball. My mum and sisters put it together for me and I love them so much for that. It was so nice to have my family and girlfriends around me, laughing and eating together and having a good time. Got some really nice pressies too. I was so spoilt - well I should say the baby was so spoilt!! I don't think I'll have to buy any wipes or lotions for awhile!


I think we are almost organised for this little one. The nursery is almost done -need to get some curtains, some cot sheets and a little lamp for feeding and then that's about it. My hospital bags are just about packed. Just a few last minute things that will need to go in once the process is underway. It's all getting a little close now. We are hoping to finish setting everything up over the long weekend so I will post some pics once it's all ready to go.

Thought it was time I shared my bump. I've included a covered and uncovered pic. Hope you aren't all disgusted by the bare skin!! It's not a huge bump but I'm happy with it.



What do you think we are having - boy or girl? I have no idea.

Anyway, Andrew just made me some tea and it smells good so I'm off to eat.

5 things I am grateful for today
1. Awesome family and friends
2. A fantastic new car
3. A hubby that cooks me tea
4. A fun baby shower
5. A night at home watching Desperate Housewives!

I promise I'll post sooner next time

Until then, stay happy

Still here

No we haven't had the baby. I have no exotic excuse as to why I haven't blogged. Just really busy and just feeling a little lazy!!
So where has that 2 weeks gone, hey? Totally flown by. What's happened? Not a whole lot.

Still pregnant - getting fatter. My belly and boobs have finally met (didn't think that was supposed to happen till I got old and grey!!) Starting to feel a little more uncomfortable but still feeling blessed. Little squirt will not stop moving which is very endearing and reassuring but can also be a little wearing! He/She seems to know when other people want to feel the movements cause as soon as someone puts a hand on my belly to feel, the moving stops. Cheeky bugger!

We went to our first ante-natal class last night which was great fun and it's all starting to feel a little real now. We have some great couples in the group with us and I'm really looking forward to getting to know them all a little better. Last night the midwife showed us what labor would be like using a plastic doll, a KNITTED uterus and a fabric pelvis. Interesting!?!? If only it were going to be as easy as it looked.

Nothing much else to report. I have finally started like doing a little bit of scrapbooking. Have done one LO which I'll post soon and working on a little case for something I'd like done at my baby shower. Will also post a pic once I've finished.

Anyway, i have a stack to do today so I better stop procrastinating and get off the computer.

5 things I am grateful for today
1. A pretty cruisy pregnancy so far
2. An understanding hubby
3. Awesome parents - i love you mum and dad
4. Awesome sisters - love you guys too (and Matt and Stu)
5. My wheat bag/heat pack - total god send for a sore back

Till next time

A new baby

No, it's not mine. My awesome friends Marina and Peter welcomed baby Samuel into the world last Friday. So proud of them. They are going to be such awesome parents and Samuel is one blessed little boy. So we're next!! Ahh. It's kind of dawning on me that I have to give birth in about 10 weeks. I am starting to feel that I am a total wuss and what have I got myself into!

Oh well, not much I can do about it now. Aside from a little fear about the birth side of things, I am just hanging to meet squirt. This little one is getting so active now and I just can't wait to meet them and see what they look like and give em lots of love, hugs and kisses.

Not much else happening in my world. May finish this blog in point form.

• Starting to get the scrapping groove back. Have been in a total rut for ages now so it feels good to be back doing some creative stuff.
• Totally loving the new Missy Higgins album. Man, this chick totally rocks. So easy to listen to.
• Work is going really well. I finish up in 8 weeks for 6 months off, so that'll be kinda weird but just another part of this journey we're on.
• We start our antenatal classes in a week and a bit so that's exciting and so close all at once. It's really happening now. Only 10 weeks to go (praying we don't go too much over the 40 weeks).
• I've had some shocker back and leg pain lately. Am off to the physio about it on Wednesday. Let's just say the heat pack is my new best friend. I'm so hoping they give me a massage, but seriously doubt it!
• Andrew is a happy man as his footy team - the West Coast Eagles, are currently undefeated and on top of the ladder. Not sure that there off field behaviour warrants the top team placing!

I think that's enough for today. Really need to take another belly shot. Might get Andrew to do that over the weekend and I'll update you all on my expanding girth (although it's really not that big)

Till next time, go out and buy the Missy Higgins album - you won't be disappointed.