last weekend of the year...

Pretty quiet around here....but cooler...I have an unsettled baby....but I can type one handed...so I can blog if nothing else!

E has gone off to the beach with friends which is great as she has been asking to go and I feel terrible that I can't take her! She has been great despite being stuck home with Morganne and I...

Mum has been here some afternoons so they have a swim...
E has been practising with her flippers and snorkel...
She wants to go fishing with her dad when he gets home...Ben is currently heading north towards Dampier on the boat to avoid Cyclone Melanie which now seems to be heading out to sea (west)

I should take some more photos of Morganne but babies are hard to photograph I think...and they always look like they are frowning!!

E made a treasure map yesterday...Treasure Island she says...(click on the pic to see more details) ...She must have seen something in TV...so she wanted to go digging for treasure...but the ground was too hard...she said we really needed to go to Treasure Island...but maybe she would try at the beach!

My friend Penne is popping in to visit today also which will be nice...and now while I have a sleeping baby I may just try and make some thank you cards...I hope you have had a good weekend! Lissy

metamorphosis...

I wasn't prepared for this...I went into hospital two and a half weeks ago with a cute little four year old and a baby on the way...E still seemed so little to me...

Then suddenly my cute little four year old seems HUGE! Her hands, her feet, her head...everything! But I am now even looking at Morganne and wondering how on earth something so big was inside me..and came out!

Evangeline and Morganne are getting to know each other...

Poor E is having a bit of a boring time of it at the moment...as we are mostly just at home...but at least she can have some swims..but I will have to see if she can go off visiting for a few play days...

Morganne is going pretty well but a little unsettled at the moment...she has a bit of a cold poor thing...but at least the weather is a it cooler for a few days...She is now 17 days old!
I get quite a lot of smiles from her and she even chuckles...but of course you never get these with camera! I will be posting a lot of photos of Morganne, mainly for Ben as he is away another 4 weeks yet.

Sharon visited the other day and bought me a fabulous bag that she had made in some great red and black fabric - perfect for me! I love it and I've had several complements on it :)

Another good friend, Susan came yesterday and it was lovely to catch up with her as well...I am enjoying getting visitors as going in the car with Morganne is terrible...she screams even on a five minute trip to the shops...so anything further is too torturous to contemplate!

I am not achieving much at the moment - if I get the floor swept and some washing done I have had a good day! Babies are very time consuming!

Only a few days of the year left...can you believe it is nearly 2008....seems like yesterday it was 1999! Soon that will be ten years ago! Lissy

Happy Birthday Daddy

Blimey...35 today :)



Hope you have a good day Ben - Love Lis, Evangeline and Morganne

christmas day...and boxing day...

It was HOT here for Christmas...40.7'C....and we felt it! And then today it got to 45'C - we were the hottest city on the planet....

E did not sleep well on Christmas Eve and was awake a lot...very excited I think!She was very excited to see Father Christmas' foot prints.... We talked to Ben on the phone...And I think her favourite present is her roller skates...she had written to Santa to ask for these... and she has pretty much worn them non stop!

It seemed to take hours to get ready and leave the house to go to mum's for lunch...between feeds and organising a four year old and unwrapping presents and all!

We had a delicious roast with the air conditioning going! And plum pudding....Grandma used to make these tied in a rag and now mum makes them! And of course plenty of home made brandy butter, custard and cream! Delicious! Mum made some cute Reindeer Cupcakes for the kids...will have to get pics from my sister...We came home at about 4pm and they all went to my brother in laws family...we were invited but decided we had had a big enough day already!

The air conditioner is only working in the lounge...but better than none at all...the forecast was41'C today....we went to see Ben's family...

We went to his sister's house for lunch...Morganne screamed all the way pretty much so it was not a pleasant drive...

Ben's parents and grandma got to see Morganne for the first time....

We had no power for a couple of hours over lunch - when it peaked at 45'C at 2 pm...but it was all fine none the less...just as well lunch was cold meats and salad!

And I managed mostly to take a lot of mediocre photos of the last two day! Oh well can't be a super photographer all the time!

It was sad for us all not having Dad around as he loved the kids and family, always playing with them and he made Christmas so cheery with his great sense of humour.

So that is a quick Christmas update....Ben was on the boat but I think they ate rather a lot of yummy seafood!Anyway I hope you all had a good festive time - Lissy

Merry Christmas Daddy...

Merry Christmas Ben - we are thinking of you and wishing you were here -love always Lis, Evangeline and Morganne xxx

christmas eve...

Well here it is Christmas Eve....very quiet around here with just Evangeline, Morganne and I....I thought I would update for Ben who is at sea :)

E has been wrapping presents....
Getting ready for the reindeers...spreading reindeer food (oats and glitter) on the lawn....and a couple of carrots....
She has decided she will be able to hear Father Christmas' boots and will wake up (we put footprints in talcum powder on the floor)....she said she can then follow him back to his house...then she said she could call him on his mobile! And she wants to borrow a reindeer so she can fly....

And here is a couple of recent pics of Morganne at 10 days old...

And E wrote our names before the baby was born...And this is a picture of Morganne, Mummy and Evangeline from the other day...as you can see my tummy is now empty! And that is it for now for this Christmas Eve...off to play Father Christmas - Lissy

hard labour...

This is the layout I did on the evening of Tuesday 11 December whilst in labour! I was determined to get it done...Then I went to bed but there was no point really as I did not sleep and I got Ben up before midnight, called mum and we set off....dropping E with her on the way...but Morganne didn't show up until 2.09pm the next day...so it took a while!

Here are some Christmas photo pics...not to good for cards but I love them...I did send out cards but they will be late!


I hope your Christmas Countdown has gone well - I need to go and wrap the presents - Lissy

friends...

One of the best things in life is good friends...I have a very good bunch of friends...

And one of the best is Alli - not only did she bring me chocolate in hospital....lol...and take some nice pics of Morganne and I while she was there...She did some last minute Christmas shopping for me... and she came today with her family...

She helped me unpack the shopping I had braved the supermarket for this morning...and bought homemade lasagna for lunch (with left overs for tea) and several tubs of bolognese sauce for my freezer...and she helped me with stuff on my computer...

Micheal made coffee and brought me some homemade beer...and some nice looking tea...and Micheal's mum Penny did my dishes after lunch...meanwhile the boys played with E and they were having a ball...

Above and beyond the call of friendship I do think...

I had managed to feed them some rum balls and Florentines for morning tea...in the fridge from my pre baby cooking frenzy!

THANKS so much Alli and the troops! It really was appreciated - Lissy

introducing....

MORGANNE ISABELLA (pronounced Morgan)

born 12 December 2007
at 2.09 pm
weighing 7pd 8oz
and 51 cm long

Morganne means bright bea or seashore...which suited with Ben's work...and Isabella is for my dad...two of his vintage cars are Borgward Isabella...and it is also a family name from my mother in laws family which is nice...

Our little family of four... E is being fabulous and loving and helpful (so far!!)
Getting ready to leave hospital and go home...
Our first day home as a family! E took a few photos too!

And then Ben left at 4.30 am today for work and will be gone for 5 weeks...I am sad our little family only had one day together...Morganne will grow so quickly...

Ben made a fabulous tea last night...Oysters Kilpatrick, Tasmanian Salmon and Salad...delicious!

So there you have it! One week old today and going well! And I am knackered! Lissy

and the winner is.....

Ev.... so a Christmas stocking will be heading her way soon!

Our bundle of joy arrived at 2.09 pm on Wednesday December 12th, 2007....

Ev guessed 3pm on December 12th! So she was only 51 minutes out!

I shall update properly soon...today hopefully and introduce our little one week old girl properly!

Thanks so much for playing along!

Lissy

PS Ev, if you did not get my email can you email me :)

a blog hijack!!!!

hi everyone.. Alli here

just thought I would let you know that Lis had her baby today!!!!

yayyyyyyyyyyyy Lis. Congratulations!

Once I've spoken to Lis I will fill you in on all the details

hmmmm....

Nothing exciting happening today but thought I had better let you know I am still here! So someone is yet to win the stocking.....so come on, have a guess as to when you think she will appear!

E had her last swimming lesson this morning for the year so I waded up and down in the pool but no good! Nothing happening!

I have packed a bag for E as mum is taking her to the farm for a couple of days in the morning...It will be good for mum and E to get up to the farm and see my sister and the boys. They have their Christmas Concert tomorrow night!

Ben has nearly finished everything at the other house! YAY! Then it can be rented out...and I have lots of jobs for him here...lol...He heads back to work next Wednesday morning and will be gone for about 5 weeks as usual so back late January! He misses Christmas every second year. Our life style is strange to some I suppose but it is all we have ever been used to...the life of a ship's officer and his family! This is his cabin...he took these for E as I think she imagines him in a little fishing boat and asks where he sleeps!Hot and humid and stormy here today! Hopefully it might actually rain!

Wished I looked this good with a basket on my head!
Anyway stay tuned something has to happen eventually! Lissy

christmas stockings...

Finally the four stockings for mum are made....such great fabric...these all have green ric rac instead of ribbon as I wanted them all the same...but think it fits nicely with the retro fabric...just need to make some felt letters to put an initial on each....I would have done whole names but Evangeline is way too long! I am still considering adding buttons....will see when the letters are on...
Evangeline was being a kangaroo this afternoon....drinking water and requesting broccoli to eat for grass!! Can't complain about that! And we went for a hop outside! Photos aren't great as she would not stop hopping....lol...But now she is telling me she is a real kangaroo and they don't have baths...lol...so I said she will have to live outside in the bush and eat real grass!! So then she changed her mind!!
OK - off to put my Baby Roo to bed - Lissy

still here....

Yes I am still here...at 40 and a half weeks....so you may still be in for a chance to win the stocking! (see post below)...it has been great to see people making comments...

I went to the doctor today and all is fine...he thinks the baby is about 3.5 kg so about 7lb 12 oz...so we shall see how close he is when it happens! I am a bit sick of waiting but not keen on intervention...and on the plus side we are getting lots of things done around here! And that is a good thing as I think things will come to a grinding halt for several weeks once our poppet does appear!

E wanted to clean her play room this morning so we cleaned up, rearranged it to add a bit of variety ( I find then she plays with other toys) and we mopped the floor...
And she has been a busy doctor today...
I have been doing the washing and cleaning...SO exciting...lol...and getting on with the stockings....maybe I will even get them finished....except for the initials on each one...I am wondering about adding some buttons to them all too...

Ben has been painting at the old house, did the food shopping for me (yay!!) and is now finishing off the dog yard...

Anyway hope your week has started well - I am actually feeling pretty good...had horrific sinus pain on the weekend which has gone so I feel human again! Lissy

christmas cards...

OK - so not much happening in the baby or Christmas stocking departments today...You can still vote to win the stocking as I am still here!!

E wanted to paint Christmas cards...she has been very industrious and made about twenty! rather cute I think....some with stamping... Some with painting...Here are some...
Then we had to write in them all!
I am trying to get on with the stockings too...I really feel like scrapping some of the great things that have been happening lately...maybe I will print out some photos...Lissy

out so far...

OK....so out of the running for winning the stocking so far are...Meegs, Sharon and Alli...sorry girls....not looking too good for Jenni as only an hour to go...Mel is in with a slight chance....with Sunday 1.30pm....but no niggles yet really...

That leaves four in the running...Gigga, Rach, Chris and Kerry...and anyone else who leaves a comment on the stocking post below!! Or on this post with time and date of this baby's arrival! So sign up now!!

I made a couple of Reindeer Purses yesterday...the ones Mel posted about...very quick and easy...one for E and one for her little friend who she went to see Santa with...
I would have loved to have gone to see Santa too but there is no way I was traipsing into the city...my friend did take some pics for me! So on with Christmas Stocking sewing today....I hope you are having a nice Sunday - Lissy

rabbit...

Here he is...the rabbit E has made for the baby...pretty amazing effort I think! E did the cutting, I stitched it up...we both turned the bits. She then did most of the stuffing...And then put on the finishing touches...including buttons and a scarf....I was going to make felt eyes etc but she wanted to draw them on!

Ben has been working on the new dog yard...it needs fencing...it is about the size of a regular backyard! I am still here and making stockings...so see post below and you could win one!

E is off with friends to take the train into town and see Father Christmas! She is VERY excited! Ben is off painting and I am having a nap as feeling very average! Lissy

up for grabs...

OK...this stocking I made today is up for grabs...it is a pretty groovy retro Christmas Stocking...about 20" or 50cm long...so a decent size...it is from the pattern on Grand Revival DesignWhat you have to do is guess when this now two days late baby is going to put in her appearance...

You need to specify a DATE and TIME...the nearest one will win!

You can only guess once... to join in just leave a comment on this post...I really do appreciate people visitng and comments so if you haven't left one before now is your chance! I will post this stocking anywhere!

The competition is open till I disappear...but you risk missing out...so it is up to you when you guess!

It's not a masterpiece...but it is petty cute, the fabrics are gorgeous and it is FREE!!....

I am making four stockings for mum...two for the girls and two for the boys for at her place for Christmas this year!

Evangeline has been busy with the scraps this afternoon making a rabbit for baby...E is cutting the bits out...I am sewing them up....she is turning and stuffing them...then I am sewing them together...so it will be pretty wonky...but looking fabulous for her first soft toy so far! I shall keep you posted on this one...we are doing more tomorrow as it is bath time and bed time here!

So Good Luck - Lissy

concert...

This morning was the end of year concert at school...In the practice session E was busy bopping away! They were wearing some pretty groovy hats they had made in class! They had real bells on them! Very cute!

E's class did two songs...and E was one of the few who sang!They have made some great ornaments this year....a fabric covered foam ball and a painted ceramic ornament!
My sister is down from the farm for a day...she was hoping to see a baby but the baby is not yet obliging....Ike and E had fun playing as always...
I had thought I might get something creative done today but not so far! Hope you have nice things planned for the weekend! Lissy

lego...

I tried to play Lego with E yesterday but didn't last long sitting on the floor...so then Ben played with her when he got home! We really need to get lot more blocks so she can build some stuff...Ben is off to Denmark for training again in April so we will hopefully get some then...
I didn't do any sewing yesterday.....I decided to do some sorting in my studio instead....so I have been going through old photos and memorabilia and putting it away in a more organised way than shoe boxes....but I need to get some more storage boxes from Ikea...but it is a lot more organised now any way....


I put a load of photos in E's playroom for her to use for her "scrapping" that I had printed out in the last four years and not used! And I found some of her old baby photos too that might do something with when I get a chance...


We are off to the school end of year assembly this morning! YAY! Just hope I don't go into labour there...lol...so I shall be back later with photos - Lissy

birthday album...

In my attempt to have this baby soon, I have been completing all sorts of projects...yesterday I finished E's 4th birthday album....
I constructed the album a month or so ago at the Hyden Retreat...it was based on Sharon's "House Album" class...but looks nothing like it....lol...so on Tuesday I printed off all the photos and made a few acetate pages to add variety ( thanks to Alli) and then yesterday I proceeded to put it all together. It really did not take all that long in the end. If you click on the image you shoudl be able to see it larger....

I cannot for the life of me remember what papers I used...when I do I shall edit this post! They are really nice!It is a great album as there are no scraps! Sharon bound hers but I just used rings. E took it to school for news today!

We are happy in this house that it is MANGO SEASON...Ben, E and I all love mangoes....hopefully my father in law will be sending some down from Broome soon! We would all eat several everyday if we could!

Ben has been busy painting and such at the old house in the mornings and fixing retic and pool heating here in the afternoons! He is only home for about 10 more days so I hope this baby does not hang on too long! E and I are nearly over our coughs and colds...maybe she is waiting for that!

Onto another project this afternoon...Christmas Stockings I think.....

I am now hoping not to have the baby until tomorrow afternoon...lol...E has the end of year assembly at school tomorrow morning so I would love to go! I hope your week is ending well - Lissy

the big 4-0....

40 weeks that is... not years! I looked a bit pained in this pic but I am fine really...just waiting! The baby is obviously quite happy where she is!I tried laps around the supermarket today! No results as yet!

I have all E's birthday album photos printed so will try and do that this afternoon....plus make some muffins...

Hope you are havign a good day - Lissy

guess what...

I am still here and no signs of an arrival just yet! So looks like I will have that 40 weeks photo tomorrow!

Here is E's pic she drew this morning....and she wrote "dear baby" on it she tells me! It is a picture of the baby!

Not much else to report...unpacking and putting up a few more Christmas decorations around the place...ironing and washing...exciting stuff...and wondering whether to start some big project...surely if I do I will not get it done and have to go off to have this baby...off for a nap and then I shall see! Maybe E's birthday album...Lissy

what a weekend....

I am STILL here.....39 1/2 weeks.....and what a weekend....

We had a party yesterday to go to...and that was fun....then while I was having my rest, E and Ben had a ride...all good until the crash....not sure what she did but this is the result....OUCH! Fortunately it is a bad graze and nothing worse...

So then she had her leg bandaged up....as it was December 1st mum came over and we decorated the tree....E was quite happy after some panadol and her leg bandaged...and quite got into the decorating...I only helped a little as I figured it didn't matter where everything went and she had fun! It was a coincidence she had a green dress on as she wouldn't let anything touch her leg yesterday so when she put on her Santa hat it all looked very festive!Another party to day for another little friend...here is E and me...And this is E saying "Hello Baby" this morning...very cute...and then she wrapped a present for the baby....And I have been making Rum balls this weekend and Florentines...hoping that if I am in the middle of something plans may change...but not so far...

I loved Mel's Reindeer Food idea so I have whipped some up for E's friends at school....perfect idea! Think I will make some more for our mum's group Christmas party in a couple of weeks! I love to make things special and magical for Christmas....I just cut out stars for mine... And that is it for this weekend...enough fun and drama I think! Lissy