Our Merry Little Christmas

I am a self-confessed Christmas nut. I know many of you cringe at the sound of carols played in the stores from October, and fruit mince pies in supermarkets since April but I LOOOOVE it.

It is an extra special Christmas in our family this year for 2 reasons:

1. Little Miss Isla is here.
2. For the first time in my adult life I am not working during Christmas!

As you become an adult, and move out of home some of the magic of Christmas wears off, but having a child brings it all flooding back. 

As a child I remember sitting in the lounge with my mum and sister under the lights of the Christmas tree singing carols together, or all watching the Carols by Candlelight on TV Christmas Eve, then Christmas day being with family, eating an incredible lunch and playing all afternoon. 

By the time I was a teenager I was 'too cool' for all that daggy stuff, but now I look back on it fondly. It isn't the presents, but the traditions our family created that last a lifetime.

Now I have a child of my own I am excited to continue some of those traditions, and maybe create some of our own too. 

The tree has been up since early November (maybe late October if I'm honest...), stockings are hung, Christmas cards posted, Michael Buble's Christmas is on repeat, and Isla has been wearing Christmas ensembles for weeks now. I love having the time to sew and bake special gifts with love for friends and family. 

Our little tree

Stockings I made for us this year (Dad, Mum & Isla)

Rudy the Reindeer (pattern from Melly & Me)

It was so special taking Isla for her photo with Santa (she was the perfect model!), and watching her wonder at the lights on the tree each night.
I can't wait for the next few years when we can leave cookies for Santa and food for the reindeers, and see the look on her face the next morning when she finds them eaten!  

Sometimes it is easy to forget how special this time of year really is. If you have the chance, relax and enjoy some time with your friends and family. xx

What's in a Name {ing day}?

About a month ago we had a naming day for Isla. We aren't very religious, so the idea of a Christening wasn't right for us, but we still wanted to have a ceremony where we could celebrate the arrival of our little girl with family and friends.

What happens at a Naming ceremony I hear you ask? Well it was a question I was asked a number of times leading up to the day. I didn't realise they were still relatively uncommon...

A Naming Ceremony is a secular ceremony officiated by a Celebrant just like a civil ceremony at a wedding. We had a lot of input in the content and were able to tailor it to us, which I loved. 

Here's where my addiction to Pinterest has finally started to pay off: 
In place of a guestbook we had a canvas image of a cupcake which people could add thumbprint 'sprinkles' which now hangs proudly in the nursery.

We also had little containers of bubbles which everyone blew at the end of the service and made a silent wish for Isla. She adores bubbles, and I thought it was a nice way to include a bit of her in the day.

My Husband & I recited "Parents Promises" to Isla, things we committed to be and do for her. My Sister made a lovely speech also, but as always, my Husband stole the show with a truly beautiful letter he read out. 

He wrote it about a week after Isla was born and even now I get goosebumps when I read it. I thought I'd share it:

Dear Isla Mae,

I met you only just last week, although it was a bit confronting and awkward with the bright lights of the theatre, I heard the doctor say Hello to you first and then you cried out your first little sound in this world. It was a sound I'd waited quite a while to hear and I can tell you it was like an angel had arrived right there, it was only a moment later I cut your cord and held you for the first time.

I'm not sure what I thought I'd feel but I suppose, to be honest, I'd been told stories of how sometimes Dads don't feel a connection straight away and I was thinking maybe that'd be me - but I can tell you this: what I knew of the feeling of Love, all the love I'd ever felt for anyone or anything up until that point, I guess, was a rehearsal for the deepness and fullness of the love I felt for you that moment.

The coolest thing about this though, is that it gets better each and every moment - like when I watched you laying on your mummy's chest in the first hour or so of your life, I fell in love with her all over again when she caressed the back of your head and helped you find her breast so you could feed. It was a feeling of pride, and awe, watching you two get to know each other properly, outside of her tummy!

The funny thing is I felt like I already knew you as well - like we'd known each other for years, like I already had some kind of bond with you and I already knew what to do - how to hold you, how to change you, how to talk to you. It was like you were a part of me. I understood what people meant when they say they'd do anything for their children, they'd give anything up for them, and they’d give their lives to protect them. I felt in those first few hours I was holding you in my arms: if someone told me I had to give up every single dollar I had and every single possession I owned right then, just to be able to keep you, they'd have it in a second. No question. I realised mums & dads aren't kidding when they call their children precious...

I can stare at you for hours with probably what is a stupid look on my face. I hold you in my lap and watch in wonder and amazement at your little feet, your nose and ears, and every now again, a glimpse of your beautiful big blue eyes.  I just look at you.

I change your nappy and rejoice at it's contents - after all it's very exciting to know this little person you created from nothing actually works! She is actually a living, breathing person, and you and her mummy created her with nothing but love. It's pretty cool...

Getting out of bed in the darkness, when its cold and I can't find my shoes, just to check on a sound I thought I heard - I've done that a few times before like at Copeton on a camping trip in June, I can sure do it for you my girl, that's the easy part I've learned, as tired as I am and knowing I've got a day's work only a couple of hours ahead, I do it. Do it for love.

I think to myself "I can't wait until she can focus her eyes on mine, until she can hear me coming up the driveway after work, until she runs to me with arms outstretched yelling Daddy Daddy Daddy!", and then, I look at you so peacefully laying in your wrap and I think "yeah, I CAN wait. Take your time baby girl. Everyday with you is precious - we don't need to rush, take your time. I love you Isla.

Love Daddy.

SEE?!

It was a really special day for our new little family, and one we will fondly remember for years to come.



For anyone interested:
~ Isla's letters were made by the insanely talented Ruby Roo Designs (head over and 'like' them on Facebook!)

~ Our gorgeous celebrant was Clarah Luxford, I can highly recommend her and I am already looking at dates to book her for our 10 year wedding anniversary to renew our vows.

~ The park is Schuster Park at Tallebudgera (don't tell anyone though, its one of the best kept secrets on the Gold Coast). 

Thank you for your feedback...

It's a funny thing; There really is no training for a baby, yet everyone has an opinion.

While I am very open to gentle advice from friends and family, even after 7 months it still baffles me how strangers feel very welcome to voice their opinions. 

Here's a newsflash. You aren't.

This happened to me earlier this week:

While waiting to buy bread at the bakery, I was holding Isla, who was ready for a sleep. When she's tired she sucks her thumb, she's never taken a dummy and I'm fine with that. The lady behind the counter turns to me and says "Oh, you've got a thumbsucker? That'll cause dental problems in the future". 

I didn't say a word, just stared at her. 5 loooong seconds went by until I could see the wave of embarrassment flush her face and she begun to back-pedal. Still I didn't say a word, and the lady busied herself with another customer, I was served by someone else and continued on my way.

While I showed restraint, what I wanted to say was;

"Oh! What university did you study at? I didn't realise you could do a double degree in Bread-Making and Paediatric Dentistry!". 

It doesn't matter what you do, someone will disagree. Use a dummy? It'll be hard to wean the baby off it. Let your baby suck their thumb? They'll never break the habit (or worse, she'll grow up with teeth like an old horse). Breastfeed your baby longer than someone else? You're strange. Bottle feed your baby formula from 2 weeks? You're selfish.

At the end of the day, as new mothers we are all just feeling our way through this crazy time and doing what works best for our baby. A stranger at the bakery can't judge that from a one minute encounter, nor should they feel entitled to. 

So thank you for your feedback bakery lady, I shall file it in the appropriate manner.

My Top 3 Beauty Products for New Mums

Being a new mum is tough; of course you know your life will change, but the paradigm shift is mind-numbing, you just don't get time for yourself.

Not long after Isla was born I had to run into the bank at our local shopping centre. I had no makeup on, hair unwashed, crumpled clothes and I just wanted to race in and straight back out. 

As fate would have it, I ran into a work colleague. I knew I looked like a wreck and the look on her face confirmed it. 

Before having my baby I always took pride in my appearance, and the chance encounter had jolted me back to reality. I was feeling tired, run-down and frumpy. Yes, these are all completely normal feelings after just having a baby and adapting to life on 4 hrs sleep, but I had forgotten how empowered I felt just by putting on some lipstick. 

Here are the top 3 beauty products for new mums. They helped me to feel more like my old self, and only take a sec.

1. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
    A quick spray will get rid of those oily roots, leaves your hair feeling soft and looking great. 

2. Garnier BB Cream
    It contains an SPF 15, evens tone and gives you a healthy glow. For mums on the run its the perfect alternative to a full face of makeup.

3. Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain 
    They're available in 10 great colours, and lasts for hours. The retractable chubby crayon means no sharpener is required, and its super quick to apply as your visitors are walking up the driveway!

Just a few minutes spent on myself always helps me feel human again, and I hope these items will do the same for you.

Be gentle, its my first time

I thought I'd use my first post as an introduction.

I am a 29 yo first time mum to my incredible 7 month old daughter Isla (hence the name). 
It took a while for her to come along, so I'm happy just enjoying every waking moment with her - although sometimes I need reminding in the middle of the night...

I studied Journalism and PR, which I have never used (until now).

I am an avid baker, novice sewer and diabolical mathematician. 

My aim is to use this blog to share some experiences, triumphs, disasters, tips & products I have found helpful along the way. 

Until next time