Wardrobe Nursery Reveal

One of my fears about having another baby was finding space in our three bedroom home. Larger families sometimes do 'the squash', though I think they more often move into a new and spacious place. Our best option was to convert our walk in wardrobe to a nursery for two years (or until baby is ready to bunk). 

It took a lot of culling, and moving precious hiking gear. 

It took a lot of planning and changing-of-plans.

It took some craftiness.

Here is our before:

And beautiful after!:

 

A fresh coat of paint.

A door removal and a curtain addition.

Baskets and fabric covered boxes.

A felt made mobile. 

New Schleich animal toys.

A watercolour artwork by my sister.

And if you are wondering where we put our clothes?

Against the wall in our room. Yes, this is the clothing collection of two people. Simplicity is wonderful!

A Pow Wow Party

This girl wanted bright and bold for her birthday party this year.

She loved the idea of a Pow Wow with feathers and face paint!

And she thought a Native American 'India'n celebration was most appropriate for her!

 She picked a design for a special dress (that doubled as a Fiesta outfit), 

 and we made feather/leather accessories for the whole family. 

India's Aunty made invitations and we used this site to find Native American name meanings for all the girls invited. This was so much fun!

Gift giving time.

 Food teepees that the kids helped make before the day. Just three sticks of dowel with a bunch of feathers at the apex, and various types of wool wrapped or woven just up from the base, and then a (light weight) plate balanced in the middle.

 Jelly cups, fruit arrow kebabs, corn chips, pretzels, potato gems...

...and arrow cupcakes made for easy fare (for a very pregnant mama).

The birthday girl wanted no games, so we instead made simple headdresses.

 And picked a face paint design to have done.

 

 Some of the little Indians at peace.

 And making some noise!

A very easy to decorate cake with fruit tingle icing.

And colouful layers inside.

And finally, filled take home jars. One with mini m&ms and one with beads and feather charms to make friendship pins for their 'tribe'!

So much joy for my Pocahontas Princess and very beautiful friends!

Fiesta!

We have hosted a baby shower/celebration before each of our children were born: morning mocktails; a gelati party; a candy store; and this time a Mexican fiesta! Having a baby shower as no-gifts-but-bring-a-plate, whole family celebration allows everyone to feel involved without the pressure of too much to prepare (food, babysitters, gifts etc). We love it that way! Here it is in pictures, with all the details following:

Invitation: Mexican mariachi singers (illustrated by my sister, Lauren)

Decor: Faux Papel Picado flags (made from plastic placemats!); Mexican picnic rugs; streamer backdrop (made from strips of cheap plastic tableclothes); fake flowers; succulents; and sombreros.

Costumes: I made a colorful top for Elara, a dress for India, and a long vest for me. Some bold flowers and Frida Kahlo style braids topped of the girls looks. Tim grew a very mexican mo for the occasion.

Food: Serve your own burrito or taco bowl with grilled fish, pork carnitas, chicken or cola beef and ALL the extras! Cactus cupcakes and 'embroidered' cake for dessert (made by my sister of Flame Tree Bakery).

Drinks: Watermelon agua fresca; pineapple agua fresca; margaritias and mexican beer.

Activities: A quick form to guess baby's arrival date, sex, name, weight, height and looks, and to leave a prayer or wish for baby.

Helpers: My family are always wonderful helpers at events, and this time (at 36 weeks pregnant, and feeling very sore and heavy) I could not have done it without them. Thanks Tim, Mum, Dad, Clare, Lauren and Nathan.

Seven

One year for the joy

One year for the curious

One year for the creative

 One year for the sensitive

One year for the day dreamy

One year for the compassionate 

One year for the cheeky

And that makes seven!

Seven years of a spirited girl.

Happy birthday India Eve!

Surprise Child

It began with a month of prayer for new life.
For a baby, or for a child, or for a new dream of what life could be without. Not for me, but for my dear friends.
I knew the blessings of children myself and so I pleaded for this hope for them. I reminded God of the joy of children. The pride, the happiness, the sleeplessness, the creativity, the drama, and the beauty they bring.
And I felt that something was about to change.

At the end of that month, a peace had come to my friends about their future. In that time I had also become a surrogate of change for my own family. It was undeniably our fourth (earthly) baby on the ultrasound monitor.
And I was full of fear.

Fear of starting over.
Fear of 'parenting' taking longer.
Fear of Zeb no longer being the baby.
Fear of having less time for my children.
Fear of more clothes to wash.
Fear of a messier house.
Fear of labour and afterbirth pains.
Fear of damage and wear to my body.
Fear of sleepless nights and exhaustion.
Fear of the additional years of homework, lunches and school runs.
Fear about finding a baby name.
Fear about a new baby being 'old news' in our family.
Fear about finding a nursery space in our house.
Fear of the sacrifice.
Fear of not feeling joy.
Fear of my plans and dreams being changed.

Months later, the surprise has worn off. And though I still feel these fears, with each baby kick, each heartbeat heard, and each extra centimetre added to my girth, something else is slowly growing.
Hope.

Hope that my plans and dreams will change.
Hope of a new perspective when the baby arrives.
Hope that my kids will love having another sibling to grow up with.
Hope that I will embrace each cuddle, feed, laugh, and dirty nappy as I care for this child.
Hope that my heart will expand to lavish more love than I can now.
Hope of God-sent courage, strength, and peace.

So for now I am thankful, and will rest and wait for the baby that I told God would be a blessing, and bring pride, happiness, sleeplessness, creativity, drama, beauty and joy.