Wednesday

Fog has settled around the house this morning.  Nicholas and Audrey are walking to school this morning in gloves and beanies.  I have a cardigan and scarf.  When Audrey and I get home the house is warm and I make Audrey a hot chocolate and myself a cup of tea.  It feels the perfect thing for reflecting a little in this space.  Earlier this week this baby, growing by the day it seems, was constantly active.  I took a heat pack to work so that I could bring some relief to my side.  I thought of her (the sonographer was so certain it would be a shock if we find otherwise) and picture her looking like her brother and sister.  Lots of dark hair.  At times it still feels strange, to imagine a family of five.  I look forward to holding her, to Nicholas and Audrey, both old enough to take this all in, meeting her for the first time.  In spite of this I am yet to make room, changes or preparations for her arrival!  We have been given a bassinet and a pram, I have washed two bags of gifted baby clothes and bought just two "pretty" sets of clothes.  The hand knitted woollens are out, ready for inspection and hand washing.

Audrey wakes on occasions through the night and calls out to her mama.  I mustn't sleep deeply because before I know it I am on my feet walking to her room.  Occasionally she has a wet bed, but more often than not she has woken and wants a cuddle.  It is something I have never denied, but I do wonder how I will manage when I throw 4 hourly feeds for a baby into the mix!

Twelve weeks until my due date, nine weeks left at work.  And so much to do.  Not only did I pick up an extra day this year, my work load doubled, care of higher duties and no back filling for my old position.  There is too much to do, with virtually no time to get it all done.  One day at a time, I tell myself.  Then the thing I look forward to most is de-cluttering at home!  My eyes are set on Audrey's room.  Little girls can accumulate SO much!

Lately Nicholas has set out his clothes and shoes for the next morning.  I am grateful that when he wakes up he is ready to get out of bed straightaway and wants his breakfast.  Yesterday he even folded his pyjamas and put them under the pillow of his unmade bed.  He is having a wonderful year at school which makes my heart glad.  His progress in maths and reading is positive and his maturity and confidence is growing.  He has settled in with a lovely group of friends, whose talk and play consists of Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Minecraft.

Audrey is enjoying surprising us with her repertoire of "big" words like 'complicated' and 'unusual', telling us she thinks she is ready for big school now.  I am looking forward to taking her to kindergarten, seeing her in her school uniform and a new school bag.  At the same time my heart breaks a little thinking of commencing a new, and big, part of her life without me.  David and I are forever conscious of how much time daily chores and commitments can steal from us.  That is why we try to make the little things, big things in their lives.

David has finished an intensive month or prac teaching.  He was fortunate to have some experience at a good school with a mix of years.  The first time taking classes from years 7-10 on his own has given him a great feel for the life of lesson plans and dealing with teenagers.  Something I don't think I could do at all!  Like me, the juggle of work, study and prac have taken their toll and we are relieved he has a 10 week break before university recommences.  We have decided we are both desperately in need of down time that includes early nights, brunch and hopefully a weekend away.  Maybe a movie or two.  But definitely rest and recovery before our routines change and we become five. :)

Right now, we settled for a celebratory dinner out with the kids. 

Wednesday

But really, photos from Sunday.  It was such a lovely, sunny May day for Mother's Day.  With so much going on in our house at present I was really just craving time to do nothing.  With a breakfast that has become routine for any special day (birthday's, Mothers/Fathers Day, Easter and Christmas).

I didn't want presents, just what Nicholas and Audrey purchased from the school P&C stall.  And then we went to Lanyon for the afternoon.  We took our own picnic blanket, bought Happy Meals for the kids.  Sitting in the sun we had coffee and scones while the kids played.  David read some of his text to prepare for an exam and I took Audrey for a walk through the out buildings. 

 

About 20 cockatoos flew overhead and Audrey spent the next little while imitating them, flying over the fields.

 

Saturday/Sunday

I never caught on to reality tv.  Big brother, My Kitchen Rules, Masterchef...

But does this count?

I am really enjoying The Great British Sewing Bee.  I am not really ambitious enough to make clothes for myself, but this is still a lot of fun to watch.  Before I found out I was pregnant I did buy a book with clothing in mind for myself and also have patterns for one skirt, a dress and a blouse that I've not yet attempted.  Maybe post-pregnancy I'll be ready!

Episode 1 (and all the others) can be found here. 

When Audrey was little I posted somewhere here that I was going to give her "Pea" as her nickname as she was quite sensitive and made me think of the Princess and the Pea.  Then I started collecting pictures, patterns and books of the Princess and the Pea.  I now have a dilemma - I have two lovely doll patterns, but don't know which one to make... I think probably the Tilda one.  I should really finish my stitchery first.

 On Friday Audrey's childcare preschool room had a Mother's Day lunch.  We had sandwiches and cupcakes.  The class sang two gorgeous songs including Catch A Falling Star.  When all the mum came into the room I could see Audrey anxiously scanning the room for me, and gave a huge smile when we made eye contact. 

Before I left she showed me (after asking if she could come with me) where they have a little play table set up for "High Tea".  Gorgeous sugar bowls and spoons, fairy plates and cups.  There is a little cookbook on a stand with petit fours and Audrey showed me her favourite ones.  I thought of the kids cubby house at home and while the kids have a kitchen and play food they don't play in there as much as I thought they would.  Yesterday I made her a table cloth (hemmed and all) and said we would set the little table up inside.  She asked for a bowl of soapy water and a cloth and she spent an hour sweeping dirt and cobwebs, washing down the stove and the food and then I brought the little table and chairs out.  She selected one of her tea sets and set it all up beautifully.  This morning I heard her go outside and went out after a while to find her in her pyjamas playing.  Porridge was had out there before the kids came inside for my "cooked" Mother's Day breakfast.  :)