Merry Christmas!

Wow what a year for us here at If Only I had Chocolate.

THANK YOU to my bogging friends who all make my life even better with your comments and generous spirit.

Sarah

Puddings

Awesome - the cards are made and sent. Just need to print the family letter and send the rest tomorrow. Better late than never. Gifts are all pretty much done - just need to wrap a couple. Cooking finished. Puddings were offered to class mates rather than cards.

Brilliant - how good is that? To be honest - to good - waiting for that OH DAMN moment...

Breast Check Reminders Update

Please watch this before you read the rest of this post. (Thank you Leanne for the link).

I have been doing Breast Check Reminders for some time now. I had intentions of setting up a separate blog to allow people to receive reminders to check their breast. It is something we just cannot be complacent about. However I have since discovered there are a few other sites that already do this. It seems silly to make yet another site.

SO sign up for one of the links below to receive a friendly email to check your breast. Best to sign up to check your breast five - eight days after you have started to mensturate - or if these are irregular or if you have begun menopause check the same time each month.

Just to take this one step further can you please email two friends (JUST TWO) and ask them to sign up then ask them to email two friends to do the same. Imagine how many people we could get to be reminded to check their breast!

I will continue with my monthly checks here on this blog as well.

Don't forget men also get breast cancer - I found a link for them...

Here are the sites - go and sign yourself up for one.

Check your boobies

Breast Self Exam Reminder

Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center

UNDU Buddy Check

FOR MEN Breast Check Reminders

On a lighter note - watch this - I laughed so hard I cried.

65 Roses block finished

Do you recall the 65 Roses post?

I have finished my block! DONT panic - they are not due till mid Janurary. So start yours after Christmas and contribute to a worthy cause...

November Breast Check reminder

Yup it is that time again.

Did you check last month even with out a reminder?

Life is Beautiful

Helen at Hugs and Kisses is having a giveaway of a pattern I WANT actually make that NEED. I have had sneak peeks and have been drooling over it. Little does she know I have been waiting patiently for this moment! Shhhh don't tell her.

She has asked us to quote a quote. Do you think this baby sleep deprived fuzzed brain mother can come up with something creative? Of course she can... a good old one that struck me the day I heard it...

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” - Lin Yutang

Finished scarf!

Two posts back I told you about the Warm Women's Project.

The Little Man modeled the scarf - which will be sent the end of this week.



I am really pleased I managed to contribute to such a worthy need in this busy time. I bought the wool (I think it is alpaca) from a lady who spun and dyed it well over 15 years ago in a country town called Bothwell in Tassie's Central Highlands. I love the feel and personality of this home made wool.

65 Roses

I saw this at Curly Pops and decided I will join in.

Kathreen at Whip Up is organising a quilt block drive for Cystic Fibrosis foundation in Australia. All the details and the pattern can be downloaded from here . It is 4 5 inch blocks sewn together and one of them with an embroidery or applique supplied (or you make your own)

I know you want to join in - go on....

Helping hand...

I saw this on Clutterpunk and would really like to make at least one by the dead line. Gina explains it so well here

"There are a bunch of refugee craftswomen living and working in camps along the Thailand/Burmese border. They make and sell lovely stuff to earn a wage and support their families, and the great news is it's fair trade. But when December/January rolls around, they get cold, which can cause illness and other disruptions to their work, and therefore their income. Claire @ Warm Women wants to do something about it, and she wants people like you and me to help out by making a scarf to send along to our chilly Karen refugee friends."

Can you do one as well? Here is all you need to do (copied from Warm Women)

Take Part
Instructions & Rules

1. There are hardly any of these.

2. Register to take part by sending a quick hello email to warmwomen@hotmail.com. I will only really need your name and email address but if you have a website or blog you want included on this blog, feel free to give that info too.

3. Make a scarf.
- Design? Up to you.
- Size? Up to you (keeping cosiness in mind).
- Construction materials and method/s? You guessed it – up to you.
Be as creative as you like.

4. Send:
- Your scarf;
- Your name (sample tag coming soon);
- A photo of you and/or the scarf in progress; and
- A copy of the map (coming soon) marking your location and linking it with the destination already marked
to me (Address to send to will be provided when you register). I will put all the scarves together and send them to Thailand.

5. Scarves need to be received by me no later than TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER, 2009.

How does your garden grow?

I saw this tutorial - making fabric flowers on One Pretty Thing and had to make them!



Jo really liked my rose fabric flowers so I made these for her craft room...

Lots of love

I saw this on A Spoonful of Sugar and had to make my own.

I am digressing from my original to-make-pile. Common problem...

Bucket Hats

Now, it is getting warmer and the sun is starting to shine the Little Man needs a hat. What a great excuse to make one. I found one designed by Toni Coward from Make It Perfect.

It is a tiny winny big...



But not as big as the first!



I have bought more fabric to make another because you can never have enough bucket hats!

Yoga Socks

I have been attending postnatal yoga since the Little Man was born. I have been really enjoying it except for the cold feet.

Managed to finally finish them this morning and wore them to todays session. Brilliant!

The link here - easy to make. Thank you to Whip Up who told us about the pattern.

Nice to complete something useful.

Three little penguins

Little man and I have come up with another version of "five little ducks (went out one day)"



Three little penguins
waddled away
over the snow and far away



Mother penguin went chirp chirp chirp



But only two little penguins came back



Two little penguins
went a swimming
around the icebergs and far away
Mother penguin went flap flap flap



But only one little penguin came back
One little penguin
slide away
along the ice shelf and far away
Mother Penguin went chirp flap chirp



But no little penguins came back...

September Breast Check

I have a vision - I will one day - make this a separate site/blog where people can be on a list that sends them a reminder to check their breast once a month. I want this to get big enough that it reaches a record breaking list and thus a record breaking number of women checking their breast. A simple email sent to them with simple information and links to aid them on checking themselves and doing it correctly.

But for now I will keep dreaming and thinking till I have more time and know how to do so. Any ideas/thoughts know how would be most appreciated.

Touching Base

Hi all and what a coincidence it is my 200th post - oh well it will pass quietly - don't worry - I will make up for it one day! Been a bit scared to write a post as I seem to have caused a few worry lines and grey hairs to some of my blogging friends. As you can see the little man has continued to grow - despite my attempts to keep him small and little! He has started to grab toys with both hands and attempts to suck his two fingers. He likes to chat and beams so much the whole room shines. I find him rather delicious. Not much crafting happening here just lots of baby love, family life, cooking and thus walking to cook! I will catch up one day but so much enjoying these very precious times.

August Breast Check reminder

Please don't go by this day with out checking your breast thoroughly...

Lunch

If you don't have time to craft you have time to play with food!

Gail Pan Free BOM

If any of you are watching Gail Pans Christmas free BOM... here is the last two months I have finished... woo hoo I have managed to stitch again!







Opps how did that photo get there!

July Breast Check Reminder

Very important - don't forget to check those breast

Withdrawal of application

I want to withdraw my application for the position of Super Mum.

I signed on the position of super mum because I want people to think I am so clever.

The position entailed I used cloth nappies. It requires more domestic work and regular 2 - 3 hourly changing. It requires regular and delicate balancing of waste with a baby and a dirty nappy. It can be problematic with seepage and leakage. I have been unsuccessful in maintaining the regular cleaning requirements with child number three.

The position entails the baby is pacifier free. It requires the baby to not ever be offered a pacifier. Under no circumstances - despite baby excessive feeding, excessive overflow spill and strong desire to suck. I have been unsuccessful in avoiding the use of a soothing dummy.

The position entails the house is in perfect and immaculate order. I have been unsuccessful in maintaining the house in a perfect and immaculate state.

This position entails the baby is not held or gazed at for long periods. I have been unsuccessful in avoiding the overwhelming urge to watch my baby awake or asleep.

This position entails the baby is put to sleep in its own bedding. I have been unsuccessful in avoiding the use of my bed or front carrier for calming baby and sleeping purposes.

The position entails the baby settles quickly, feeds well and sleeps long periods. It requires settling with complete ease and no crying from the baby. It requires baby to feed well at all times and strictly to a regular 3-4 hourly routine with no top ups allowed. It requires baby to sleep in between feeds for the full period with no issues. I have been unsuccessful in ensuring my baby settles quickly, feeds well and sleeps long periods.

The position entails a calm, happy and easy going mother. It requires I am to always maintain a feeling of calmness. It requires I maintain a feeling of being happy with no feeling of being overwhelmed or emotional. It requires I am easy going and find anything very easy to do. I have been unsuccessful at maintaining a calm, happy and easy going character at all times.

I want to return to my original position of Being A Real Mum. This position allows me to feel less guilty of choices I make for MY baby. This position allows me to acknowledge my real emotions and feelings so I can feel and make choices that work for me. This position is a lot less emotionally and physically demanding. This position allows me to cuddle and hold my baby for as long as I want to. This position allows me to let go of the house work so I can gaze at my baby. This position lets my baby be happier because I can meet his needs the way it works for him and I. People still think I am clever.

I hope you will accept my resignation.

Four Weeks

I cannot believe four weeks has passed since I gave birth to you. Four weeks of broken nights. Four weeks of making the most of you. Four weeks of thinking I just want things back to normal - but this is our normal and this will be our normal for a while.

You still feel so new to me. I don't feel any wiser in how to settle you. I don't feel any wiser as to what you want - many times. I have spent long times wondering what on earth do I do to stop you crying. I have spent many times crying while you cry. Moments of wondering what on earth I got myself into then you stop and look at me with those big blue eyes or you finally fall asleep...

Please dont grow up to fast and please help me a little along the way?

Three Weeks

When you think you think you got it - you slip again...

I forgot so much. I forgot what it was like to be really tired. I forgot how long it takes to do anything. I forgot how much they feed. I forgot how emotionally hard it is to get them to sleep at times. I forgot how much of an emotional journey this was going to be.

I am loving the total and utter love I have for him. I am loving kissing him. I am loving feeling his smooth skin. I am loving seeing him trying to smile. I am loving holding him in my arms way past him falling asleep. I am loving having him cuddled up with me in the hug a bub. I am loving him being ours...

Hi

Hi everyone... Little Man here. Just want to say Thank you very much for such nice comments to mum. Everyone of them filled her with good feelings. She is enjoying every moment with me or trying to keep the family life running smoothly.

Mum still thinks I am gorgeous so I must be doing okay despite waking mum up 2 - 3 hrly and not settling easily during the day sometimes. I have put on 400 g since birth which has impressed a lot of people.



I really like my baths now and I enjoy mum massaging me after - though I am ever so ready for a feed most waking times.



It is a hard life being me.

The little man is here...

A beautiful (hard work) labour and gentle birth at home on Wednesday night.

Just over 8 lb.

Settled and gorgeous babe.

Thank you for your kind words.

Mum relieved, besotted by the little man and taking her time to return back to the real world.

Gail Pan's BOM

If any of you are watching Gail Pans Christmas free BOM... here is this months I have finished...

Still here. SIGH. I have an appointment with the doctors this Thursday. Don't want to go. If you don't know - we are intending for this to be a home birth. We have been in the care of a fantastic Independent Midwife. I have two last ditch chances. Hope I can get into a Bowen/acupuncture/amazing woman tomorrow to do some work on me and then Wednesday morning I will do the caster oil thing (eugh).

Thank you Cam

I was so touched when I received this parcel from Cam at Curlypops. Blog land has amazed me with people who I have not meet IRL emaiing me to see if i am going well and sending lots of good thoughts my way.



A reversible bib - I just love the fabrics! It brought a tear to my eye.



A heartfelt Thank You Cam.

Still here...

Yup I am still in mummy's tummy. She is being very patient but would like to see me very soon. Send your labour vibes this way please.

WOO HOO I finished the blocks!

Yup - I finished ironing, cutting and sewing all the blocks together. I have actually achieved every thing I wanted to achieve before this baby comes. I thought I better blog this as soon (despite poor photo opportunity) as I finished because you never know what might happen...

I am at it again!

Yup blocks three to five are done.

Miss Sherri arrives from Sydney this morning to spend a few days with me. She is one of those special friends and I am so touched she is coming down to keep me company while we wait for the birth of this little man.

Packed and ready to go...

Simone and I have been swapping gifts. This swap was a flower swap and look what Simone made for me! As you can see she is all ready to go scrapping with me tonight with my girl friends. I just love this bag and the amazing work Simone has put into her.

Another new project started

I know I must be mad to start something new when I am expecting a baby in two days. But he could be another week and I need some distracting.

I started doing the blocks for Leanne's House 'Journey of a Quilter' quilt. I have been meticulously slow and accurate as possible because there is many small pieces but some how it is still not perfect - grrrr. I have altered a couple of things for those of you who are familiar with block one and two.

May Breast Check Reminder

Please don't go by this day with out checking your breast thoroughly...

New Project continues - Stage one complete!

Can you believe it but I have some how managed to finish making ALL THE BLOCKS. Now better go face the things I have failed to attend to the last few days....

New Project continues - pinwheels

All pin wheels sewn together - I have surprised myself - they have turned out better than I thought. But lets not keep the hopes up - it will all show up when the blocks are put together!

Goal - possibly achievable...

New Project - continues

'Snowball Season' by Kerry Gillespie continues - s.l.o.w.l.y

All fabric cut, marked, sewn and cut into triangle squares. To be ironed flat and sewn together to make bigger squares and rectangles.

Goal - not sure if it is achieveable now (gulp)

Just keep plodding along...

Baby Shower

I don't have any actual photos of the party as my 'official photographer' will send me the piccys soon.

Claire made these most amazing invite cards



Andrea kindly opened up her house to welcome my friends and family. She organised really fun games to play and prizes. My first two boys did not have a baby shower and having a third child it is so nice to have some fuss made over him. Andrea as well as many friends made a glorious spread of food for us to enjoy half way. Then our little man was very spoilt with gifts from everyone. I was so overwhelmed and touched at my friends and families generosity and thought they had put into these gifts. It was also nice to have some new things for this little man. We have been so lucky with friends handing over their clothes etc. we have not had to buy anything.

When people left I handed them a party bag to say thank you for coming - because I really wanted to contribute to the party and let people know how much it meant to me they came and showed their support and love for this new one to be.

Here is the bags all done up...



I put x4 jelly babies, a 'dummy' (made using a minties biscuit with a life saver and marshmallow in each side to represent a dummy) and also a bulb for them to plant. There was a note with the bulb which said 'please plant this bulb and watch it bloom just like our baby boy who will be here soon.'



From the bottom of my heart Thank you Andrea, Claire and all other secret contributors to the party organisation and to friends and family who came bearing smiles, laughter and gifts.