twoninenine & ever after

Monday, May 27, 2013

recap: details - the reception

Saturday, 29th September, 2012

(Please note that I'm super nervous about sharing Sandra's work here but I don't want to watermark her gorgeousness. All the following photos are the work of Sandra Henri Photography and are not to be taken, copied, used or edited in any way without permission from Sandra. Steal them and claim them as your own and we will bust your butt evil copy-right violation people!)

bridal table

what greeted our guests at their settings (the cake pops were the bonbonniere for the kids table, made by my sister-in-law!)

sign bought from this etsy store

the delicious smelling candles from Soy Scentsations by Laina, which covered the table of family photos and made the room smell wonderful! burning one in our house takes me back to that happy day

our lovely cake was made by a friend who owns a cake company. we purchased the "love" topper from this etsy store, & the couple are Willow Tree's wedding topper...which is now on displaying in our home, along side a beautiful Willow Tree gift from my brother-in-law & sister-in-law - this couple holding a little baby!

some of the things at mine and the hubs setting! the signs i made, cutlery holders from this etsy store & "I do"/"Me Too" forks from this store. hubs had the "I Do" fork & ate his cake with it...it went missing! thankfully a few weeks later our lovely coordinator contacted me to let me know it had been found.

gifts in action!

our wine glasses, with tags from this store, & a glimpse of our seating chart (which gone blown away at one point and apparently had to be put back together! banners purchased here)

our amazing thumbprint guestbook, made by my talented maid of honour, which is waiting to be hung in our new home!

the polaroid camera, a gift from our maid of honour and her partner, was a big hit! we loved seeing the display of photos grow throughout the night, and now they are all saved in our guestbook alongside the corresponding guests!

I had such an amazing time creating and purchasing all these little details for our reception that it makes me happy to see them recorded in such a lovely way! So many items now fill our home and remind us of a wonderful evening.

Next Up: The Reception!

Miss something?

Saturday, May 25, 2013

dear baby

Written on 25th of March, 2013

Dear Little Bean!

Well, it's been a while since I wrote a letter instead of just a weekly catch up! Pretty much everyone in our world knows about you now - yesterday we shared our excitement about you on Facebook!! Boy oh boy, did our pages blow up!! Everyone is thrilled and has been expressing so much love and happiness over your news :)

We had our first midwife appointment on Wednesday, which was awesome! Our midwife, Sarah, is lovely and is going to provide us with so much support (including come out to Mama and Daddy for all future appointments! No having to fight for parking at the hospital - score!). Mama found out that due to her job she is highly likely to get a single room - second score!

But most importantly, the week before we got to see your little self up on the ultrasound screen again - this time looking like a real little baby! You were waving and jumping around, arching your back and jumping away from the ultrasound wand. It was very exciting... And emotional hearing your little heartbeat for the first time! Mama didn't even mind the blood test afterwards, she was still on a high from seeing your beautiful self.

We have started collecting things for you already - at barely 12 weeks you had already accumulated more than 12 outfits from friends and family, and Aunty Kylie and Uncle Mark have already dropped around 2 rockers, a capsule, a monitor & a present for you! Spoiled and just over 3 months in existence.

Daddy and I have been talking about names for you... We've only started on girl names so far, but we'll get to the boy's names... Just in case ;) Everyone around us thinks you are a little miss, except Aunty Kylie C, who changed her mind to boy when she saw Mama last. Even a medium lady has told Mama that she sees PINK!! I think we will all be rather surprised should you be a little boy - but what an entrance that would make!! (We will promise to apologise for thinking you are a little girl, we promise!)

Whatever your gender, we are so completely in love with you already and are so overwhelmed with how much love everyone around us has already expressed for you - this little person they are yet to meet. Love will definitely surround you when you come into this world!

Love always, Mama xxx

Thursday, May 23, 2013

going back to...12 weeks!

10.03.2013 - 16.03.2013

How far along? 12 weeks!

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a plum!

Total weight gain: Couple of kilos…not too much, probably right on what I should have!

Maternity clothes? Hells no – will be a while yet!

Stretch marks? Nope!

Sleep: Officially started to wake at least once during the night for a bathroom break…usually between 4 and 5:30 am

Best moment this week: Seeing you jumping around on the screen! We had our 12 nuchal week scan and blood test. Nanny came with us and got a little teary, Daddy and I just couldn’t stop staring at the screen and grinning. You look like a real little baby now and you did not appreciate the man with the scan wand! Every time he move it you arched your back and jumped away from him. It took about 5 or 6 times to get your heartbeat thanks to your activity but my, oh my, was it the best sound ever :) We have also really started to tell everyone now, a lot of your 2nd cousins and great Aunts and Uncles now know too! And I told Auntie Laina while we were at lunch with Auntie Sara and Mia and well, she screamed! She was so excited :)

Miss Anything? Chocolate not making me feel sick :( Being able to eat something without Googling it first. haha

Movement: Way too early yet!

Food cravings: Not so many cravings this week! Still wanting fruit … Really enjoying peanut butter toast and beef 2 minute noodles seem to taste AMAZING right now.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nausea is getting better! Chocolate seems to make me feel ill though…boo

Gender: Will be a surprise for our first little one! Most people seem to think you are a little girl, but Auntie Kylie C change her mind this week and thinks you’re a boy, and Daddy thinks your little face might have looked more like a boy at our scan!

Symptoms: Needing to pee a lot still (probably thanks to the HEAP of water I seem to drink now, even though I drank a decent amount before), nausea occasionally and still pretty tired. Belly is definitely poking out now so I don’t think it will be secretive much longer!

Belly Button in or out? I have a very deep in! Can’t wait to see what happens!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: Happy! Seeing you jumping around this week really made your Daddy and I even more over the moon and made things seem a little bit more real…

Looking forward to: Paying off the laybys we put on over the last two weeks (glider, capsule, travel system, nappy bag and bassinette – check!) and our very first midwife appointment on Wednesday! Oh, and making the big announcement on social medias some time in the next fortnight – eep!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

going back to...10 weeks!

24.02.2013 - 02.03.2013

How far along? 10 weeks!

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a prune!

Total weight gain: Again, just guessing at a couple of kilos (most of which will have been the effects of stopping my neuro tablets). There is definitely a little belly now though, which is becoming harder to suck in!

Maternity clothes? Hells no – will be a while yet!

Stretch marks? Nope!

Sleep: Sleep has started being kinda crappy. I feel like I want to sleep all the time, but when I am sleeping I feel like I’m still awake…in that half doze type sleep instead of a really deep sleep.

Best moment this week: Starting to tell more friends…Auntie Sara came over for a visit and was so excited to find out! Your little friend Mia cried though…Auntie Kylie #2 is super excited and Daddy has told his friend Sean. Mark and Brendan have also told their partners, who were very excited as well! Also, finishing off your blackboard! Oh that blackboard has been a labour of love baby, but today Mummy got to decorate it for the first time!

Miss Anything? Some of my clothes (including pretty dresses!) have started to not fit due to my erm…enlarged chest! I miss some of them because some were my favourites…I also miss being able to eat poached eggs. Oh for the day I can have Eggs Benedict again! (poached eggs and ham…not risking it!)

Movement: Way too early yet!

Food cravings: Pineapple coated donuts…I’ve been wanting lots of fruit…And last night (9 weeks, 6 days) all I wanted to eat was a chicken schnitzel with dianne sauce. It HAD to have Dianne sauce! Luckily (or unluckily now that I know about it) the restaurant up the road from us does everything take away…And my GOODNESS that Dianne sauce was amazing…

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just nauseous in general. Nothing in particular making it happen!

Gender: Will be a surprise for our first little one! Daddy is convinced you are a little girl and loves the idea of calling you’re his raspberry (as Mummy is his strawberry…)

Symptoms: Week 9 was an EXHAUSTING week for me. It was like suddenly getting hit by the tiredness truck. Hopefully 10 and 11 prove to be better!

Belly Button in or out? I have a very deep in! Can’t wait to see what happens!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: TIRED!

Looking forward to: Getting to see you again at our Downs Syndrome test (usually between 11 and 14 weeks), meeting our midwife at our first appointment and hopefully get to hear your little heartbeat thumping away!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

recap: the new mr & mrs!

Saturday, 29th September, 2012

adding my engagement ring ontop of my wedding band

see that wedding certificate? yep, it went on an adventure on our wedding day! after this, we stood at the back of the Chapel saying thank you to everyone as they exited the Chapel. the hubs placed the certificate on the table behind us, where the music, etc. was, then we exited and didn't grab it again in all the excitement. one would assume it would have been collected with all the other misc. items, like the music, when everyone was packing up. it wasn't! we realised when we got home the next day it wasn't amongst our things. we don't know exactly what happened to it, but we're assuming it was an uninvited guest at the wedding after ours and that the wedding after ours had candles on display...our certificate has a nicely singed corner as a reminder of its adventures! hey, at least it has a story to tell!

I just love this photo of my husband and my Pop

Next Up: Details - The Reception!

Miss something?

Friday, May 17, 2013

going back to...8 weeks!

10.02.2013 (Mummy and Daddy's dating anniversary! 8 years!) - 16.02.2013
yep, the dates jumped around a little from the last post, after we got a dating scan!

How far along? 8 weeks!

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a raspberry! (Daddy loves this!)

Total weight gain: Maybe a kilo or so…hard to judge since having been weighed anywhere but on our wonky home scales!

Maternity clothes? Hells no – will be a while yet!

Stretch marks? Nope!

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty well but back home so I tend to wake up more during the night…your Daddy is a night owl and I’m suddenly woken up much easier

Best moment this week: Having our first scan yesterday to discover we were not 7 weeks 1 day like we thought, but actually 7 weeks and 6 days, which jumped us almost a whole week ahead. It threw me off, however it puts your growth more at where you would be if I ovulated when I thought I did! (which was earlier in the month than it should have been) It was also so exciting to see your little heart beating up there on the screen for the first time and taking home your first photos, little bean!

Miss Anything? Nope, not really! Maybe not being so tired but it’s not too bad (yet!)

Movement: Way too early yet!

Food cravings: One Sunday I was SO nauseous and suddenly all I could fathom eating was a BBQ Cheese Pizza. No one else wanted any…so I bought one just for me. I couldn’t even consider eating anything else that night without wanting to hurl!

Anything making you queasy or sick: See above! Also, the smell of BBQed meat (BBQs are common in our house in summer so this one is hard)

Gender: Will be a surprise for our first little one! I always have thought I would have a boy first but since we found out about you little bean, I’ve been thinking you are a little girl. Daddy (and pretty much everyone else!) thinks so too. Your little 165bmp heart rate makes us think maybe as well! Only Nanny has said boy so far (after seeing your little picture)

Symptoms: Still tender boobs, tired and nauseous, but no actual throwing up…thank goodness! Also light cramping (which freaked Mummy out this week when it got sharp and moved into her back…hence the scan! But all is well).

Belly Button in or out? I have a very deep in! Can’t wait to see what happens!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: Excited! We started telling our family over the last few weeks, and very close friends. Mummy’s brothers and sisters all found out on Australia Day, Oupa, Auntie Leesha, Uncle Michael, Uncle Garth and Aunty Kimmy found out the next day (Aunty Meeka wasn’t home!). We told Ouma the day she came home from America and Aunty Meeka and Uncle Mark the day of cousin Garth’s 6th birthday party! Your faux Aunties, Annie and Kylie (Mummy’s bridesmaids), also know, and Daddy told his best mates, Mark and Brendan (two of our groomsmen!)

Looking forward to: Starting to use my belly stickers, working on our chalk board and recording the beginnings of your little life!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

going back to...4 weeks

18.01.2013 - 24.01.2013

How far along? 4 weeks! (approx.)

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a poppy seed!

Total weight gain: None so far!

Maternity clothes? Hells no – won't be a while yet!

Stretch marks? Nope!

Sleep: Been sleeping SO WELL, it’s been amazing. I fall asleep and stay asleep…for someone who is normally a trouble sleeper, it’s been fantastic! (we are also housesitting so that helps!)

Best moment this week: Having blood taken (NEVER thought I'd say that!) and confirming – you are definitely in there! Seconded by telling my parents, before we left to housesit for 10 days, and booking in with our caseload midwife – Sarah!

Miss Anything? Been able to just eat something without checking Google first to see if it’s ok! (checked out “pepperoni on pizza” before I ate it!)

Movement: Way too early yet!

Food cravings: Nothing yet

Anything making you queasy or sick: Started feeling nauseous, mostly of a night, but nothing in particular causing it!

Gender: Will be a surprise for our first little one!

Symptoms: SUPER sore boobs. I knew we were pregnant before we took a test – the day I think I ovulated I almost passed out in the shops, then about a week and a half later we had some implantation bleeding.

Belly Button in or out? I have a very deep in! Can’t wait to see what happens!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: Excited! And very much enjoying keeping our little bean our little secret…

Looking forward to: Getting that referral for our first scan!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

dear baby

Written on the 12th of February, 2013

Dear Baby,

Wow, it's been a busy time since I wrote to you last. Almost all your immediate family knows about you now! We told the W side aunties and uncles on Australia Day at Nanny and Poppy's house, trying to sneak in the news while Great Uncle Ron (who was down in Sydney fixing Nanny's bathroom) was out of the room. We went and saw your Auntie Leesha, Uncle Micheal, Auntie Kimmy and Uncle Garth the next day. Aunty Meeka and Uncle Mark weren't home so we still need to share the news with them.

Auntie Leesha was so excited when we told her she would be getting THREE new nieces and nephews towards the end of the year, instead of just the two she thought! And Auntie Kimmy and Uncle Garth were over the moon! Auntie Kimmy is growing your little cousin as we speak, and we are so excited that you guys will be about 5 weeks apart in age. She is so excited to share her last pregnancy with our first :)

Ouma came home from America on Thursday - a surprise for everyone! She'll be here now to meet you. Auntie Leesha got Ouma's reaction on video - I will definitely be sharing that with you one day...

You gave Mummy a bit of nerves on Thursday, when I had a some cramping that moved to my back. So we went to the doctor. I got a bunch of tests, but the most exciting thing was that we finally got a referral to see you for the first time!!

On Saturday, 09.02.2013, - one day before our 8 year anniversary - we got to see you and your little heartbeat flashing away on the screen. You looked like a little jelly bean, but it's crazy to think that you are OUR little jelly bean. The lady was did our scan was just lovely and assured us you had a good, strong heart beat and were measuring at 7 weeks, 6 days! The doctor had estimated us to be 7 weeks 1 day, but I had thought we were a little further than that. Not quite that far though!

So we are now classified as 8 weeks and 2 days, as I write this. I'm excited to get started on all the ways I hope to document this journey - particularly as the kind scan lady sent us home with a few pictures, since we had to wait for our scan results until today (which Daddy is picking up for me since I'm at work!). We also can't wait to slowly start telling more of our family and friends... Starting with your Great Nan, who will be so excited about you! She's going to be hoping you are a little girl, so she can finally knit something pink! But she will love you regardless...

...As we already do little bean. Can't wait to see you again soon! Until then - grow strong!

Love, Mama

Monday, May 13, 2013

dear baby

Written on 23rd of January, 2013

Dear Baby,

It's been a busy couple of days. On Monday Mama booked in with our midwife - her name is Sarah. She sounds lovely and I can't wait to meet her. Yesterday, I had to share your existence with my big boss at work... I hadn't wanted to so early but she had requested an update on my CPH and well, I couldn't really discuss it without mentioning you!!

However, that led Daddy and I to the decision to tell Nanny and Poppy about you last night. It took a few minutes for the news to click... Then Nanny cried. Hehe. It's going to be hard for them to keep your secret for a little while longer!! Soon we will tell Oupa, then a little later, Ouma and all your Aunties and Uncles. They are all going to be so excited!!

I wonder if Aunty Juzzie's scream will be louder then when she realised Mama and Daddy were engaged??

Counting down til we can see you and hear your little heartbeat...

Love Mama

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Monday, May 27, 2013

Saturday, 29th September, 2012

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Saturday, 29th September, 2012

Friday, May 17, 2013

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Monday, May 13, 2013