You can have cake and eat it too!!!!!

Very quick blog tonight.

I have just finished Phoebe's birthday cake for tomorrow and wanted to put up some pics just incase the entire cake flops during the night. Caitlin and I had a ball decorating it.

As you can see, ducks are the theme for her first cake! Phoebe LOVES ducks and it only seemed right!!!

A whole year later!

A year ago today my third (and final) daughter was born.

Each of my pregnancies have been very different. The births even more so. After a long and painful first birthing experience (not that unusual for a first baby) I turned to the birthing literature provided by my midwife and local library when approaching the birth of my second daughter. It was during this time I discovered the "Dutch" philosophies behind childbirth and PAIN.

The Dutch believe in acknowledging and embracing the pain. Being aware of the reason and purpose of the pain and being able accept. In doing so women find they can tolerate the experience far better physically and emotionally. I think this attitude is fantastic and let's face it, it can only get better right?? I also read a collection of "the worst stories of birth" from around the world which terrified me, but certainly made me determined to be "in control" this time.

So when labour began spontaneously the second time around I took that pain by the horns (without drugs) and made it my friend. Baby number two arrived within a few hours and I was elated! I HAD DONE IT!!!!

The third time I was even more determined and maybe a little stubborn or arrogant. I was now considering myself to be 'not bad' at this birthing thing. But Miss baby three didn't show on her due date, nor did she want to budge TWELVE days after the due date. Oh she was healthy and busy, but with little room left in my belly her gymnastics were getting extremely uncomfortable and I was not keen on being induced. However, after a quick scan at THIRTEEN days overdue we were suddenly organising babysitters, grabbing an overnight bag and off to the public hospital for an INDUCTION.

Well they tried, no baby.

I stayed all night, no baby.

They tried again in the morning, no baby!

They poked and prodded, attached machines that went "ping", still no baby.

They announced C-section, I cringed and demanded the induction be turned up a notch and to GET ME OFF THIS BED SO I CAN LABOUR NORMALLY...................................please.

The pain of induction was out of this world and had their been any Dutch ward nurses present......WATCH OUT!

But little Miss number three came with a hiss and a roar (and that was just the noise Daddy T was making). I was elated. I HAD DONE IT AGAIN!!!

Miss three was our last baby, we have completed our family now. Both Daddy T and myself try not to employ favouritism between any of our children, but as we live through the stages of her development it is always present in our minds that we won't be doing this again until we are grandparents. Sometimes we celebrate this, but mostly it is tinged with sadness.

When I weaned Phoebe my fabulous, but modest mammaries sighed with relief, but I shed a tear. As she pulled herself up and decided to walk we cheered but watched our baby toddle away forever. Today is her official day of 'toddlerhood'. Officially she isn't referred to as a baby or infant in any health documentation. Miss P or "Be" as she has been called lately is now a toddler.

I know I should be overjoyed to be finally at the other end of the first year. It is exhausting. But most mothers would agree that it is also thrilling. The bond that "Be" and I have is worth every sleepless night and hurdle I have had to leap over in this first year.

Phoebe was happy to share her new toy for a little while......

Overjoyed to discover it made noises!

Caitlin and Molly made cupcakes for their little sister and despite lots of food colouring they all went to bed on time and are sleeping soundly :-)

Even Daddy T had a go!

Star stencils from amazing kitchen store in Warkworth came in handy........

Caitlin's cupcake for Phoebe to eat today!

We watched "Be" open a couple of small gifts today and devour a delicious vanilla cupcake with buttercream frosting. I wish I had recorded the event for you as she sounded like a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. We will be making her a birthday cake during this coming week and celebrating her birth next weekend when Daddy T's parents come to stay.

Stay tuned for yummy cake pics xx

Joys of new foods!

Miss nearly one year old (one week away!!!) has almost completed the most exhausting and challenging year of her life. The first year is incredible.

Babies grow HUGE amounts in their first year, which is why they also need so much food and sleep. We have made it once again through this first year of her life and I feel a big SIGH of relief coming on. My little "Be" is demanding, cheeky, vivacious...........delicious!

But I think the "third time" might have taken it's toll. I caught I glimpse of my 30 something self yesterday and am wondering how I could have made three stunning blonde creatures and look so tired myself!!! Oh no! Some 'me' time might be needed ahead!!!

Where and when did the dull tired skin appear??? The lines across my face are threatening to join up. It reminds me of that decorative finish on vintage "crackled" furniture. I am not ready to be classed as vintage yet!!!!

The pregnancy weight has almost gone, thanks to the detox!!!.........varicose veins remain unfortunately (gorgeous long flowing skirts this summer!!!!). Eyeballs are looking sleepy even though the baby now sleeps through the night. I'm thinking that maybe three babies and many sleepless night later I look years older than I am!!!

What will I do about this?

Stand beside older people as often as I can??? Bit drastic just to help you feel younger.

What I really need is about a month at an international spa.....without children. The silly thing is I would miss them terribly and probably be on the next plane home be the end of week one.

Well it's not really an option so I will just douse myself in oils to rehydrate and treat my insides like a temple. Maybe I can repair and come out glowing again!!!

Meanwhile, Miss "be" continues to experience new things everyday including foods.

Last evening was Macaroni cheese night, but as she is dairy free her pasta dish included beef minus the cheese.

As we all know in all things in life it's all about technique, which is why I took these

messy photos. We laughed.........maybe you will too. Especially those of you who know little miss personally.

Sucking it in..........

The tongue can help too............

Even the whole face is useful!

Of course I then had the dilemma of how I was going to clean it all off her. We never made it to the bathroom. lol She helped me clean the pots as well :-)

Well done "Be" for making it this far in our madhouse. Well done to Mummy and Daddy T for getting through it a third time. xx

Rainy Sunday drive

On Sunday we visited the sleepy little town of Warkworth, about a 40min drive north of us. We wandered about in the rain, had coffee and warm food in front of a fire at a riverside bar and explored the few shops which stayed open on a Sunday.

We had ventured out in the rain of course because Sunday is open home day at our house and every weekend we need to vacate the property for a few hours.

On our way up to Warkworth, approx 15min before the town I noticed a peculiar building hanging in a tree. It looked like a large wasps nest or some other very large insect!!

In fact I quickly recognised it as the "Treehouse" which the building of was covered on Television and supported by the Yellow pages. It is pretty amazing to see first hand tucked back off the main road in a Redwood forest area. We stopped and pulled in for a closer look. It appeared to be completely deserted so we didn't get a look inside.

Back home I checked it out online and found that it is not functioning as a restaurant anymore, but can be hired out for private events, weddings etc.

What a cool location for a party......up a tree!!

Check out the "Treehouse" here.

A slap in the face!

The funniest thing happened to me last night......in the middle of the night. 

12.34am to be exact.

I'm quite sure I was in the middle of a dream, one that I now can not remember except for the high pitched humming sound! Odd.

The humming continued for a short period and then stopped. It was then that I received a great slap across my right cheek.

I woke with a fright, ready to accuse Daddy T beside me of getting violent in his sleep. And it was at that precise moment that I realised what had really happened. 

My right cheek began to sting.....a little from the slap..........but an itchy lump was beginning to rise.  Mmmmmmmmmm the humming sound. 

My sleepy brain was gradually piecing the midnight puzzle together. A vampirish visitor aka "mossie" had flown in through our open bedroom window and had obviously cruised around my head before finding a juicy landing strip, aka "my face".

I was not dreaming and had very kindly given myself a good slap across the face!

Now some might say it's about time!  Others might be disappointed they missed out on the opportunity. 

All I can say is, the window will be closed later this evening.

Counting my blessings

I watched the news this evening with a sick feeling in my stomach. The Earthquake and Tsunami damage is beyond belief. It is far too easy to forget or ignore it as we go about our Saturday business here in the Treacy household. Well, even if I watched it all day, what could a NZ mum of three do for them anyway??

On my way home from grocery shopping I noticed a sign outside a local church that struck a chord. One simple question; have you counted your blessings today?

As I watched the news broadcast of the injured Samoa woman attending the burial of her two young children I felt quite ill.  Her face was that of shock, numbness or some unreal pain I hope I never in this lifetime have to experience. 

I also read online that two NZ children have died in the Tsunami. An Auckland toddler washed out to sea. Once again my stomach turns............ I have one of those!!

This afternoon we braved cloudy skies to visit the beach. It was breezy, but mild and soooo nice getting some fresh air. I did for a moment stare into the ocean in awe at how beautiful but also how quickly it can become so dangerous. The girls had a fantastic time, shoes off and lots of blonde hair flying. Phoebe in particular decided the sand was marvelous and poured it all over her as only an almost one year old can. I loved watching my three little blessings today. They were particularly scrumptious. I didn't even sit behind a camera.......which as you know I normally do. So I apologise for no pics today but it was more fun playing in the sand with them.

But that news broadcast still haunts me a little.

This evening I remembered to count at least three of my blessings and at bedtime went in for three extra kisses.

xxx

A lovely week ending in National Disaster

We have had a lovely weekend here in the Treacy household. Our visitors arrived last Thursday and left yesterday. The girls had a fantastic weekend at Kelly Tarltons and Auckland Zoo and were spoilt rotten. What a lovely start to their school holidays.

Molly thoroughly enjoyed the penguins at Kelly Tarltons and we all enjoyed a beautiful warm day at the Zoo. I was really impressed with the Zoo environment. What an amazing environment they have created. Several times during the day I forgot I was in the middle of a large, busy city. The labels and images of old; 'enclosures and cages' are simply outdated here. Wandering past a range of gorgeous creatures it didn't even feel as if we were at a zoo. 

Mark was a little disappointed that the bird aviary was under renovation so we will have to visit again in summer.

Our visitors experienced the most rain we have had since moving up here, typical huh!

But we did manage to have a nice time together, sightseeing and chilling out at home.

Yesterday was a sad conclusion to their visit. Waking to a Tsunami warning was probably the the last thing they expected. I have been following the event closely online and am sad about the extent of the devastation in Samoa. Large Tsunamis like that of the 2004 Boxing Day disaster and the recent deluge in Samoa must strike so quickly, it's difficult to imagine here in the comfort of my lounge. Storms around the world are also making people's lives unbelievably horrific.

Here in New Zealand I am disgusted to see that some of us can't even take a Tsunami warning seriously. 

Children waiting for the Tsunami arrival on Midway Beach, Gisborne.........omg!!!

What were their parents doing????

Ten minutes up the road (north) from us at Orewa beach surfers waited eagerly on boards to 'ride' the coming wave, ignoring police advice. Surfers also were seen at Gisborne and New Brighten beaches.  SouthEast from us at Takapuna Beach dogs were being walked and a couple of families were filmed taking their children down to the beach for a 'coffee' (which I think probably translates as a gawk at the Tsunami).

I was annoyed with these New Zealanders! Yes, it is pretty fascinating.....I'd like to watch a small tidal surge myself, but doesn't this undermine the efforts of local civil defense and police. Doesn't this teach others that it's ok to ignore rules or guidelines just because you think the threat is minimal??? 

Personally I would get to higher ground as an example to others and because I'm one of those citizens that quite like rules. I will question and challenge some of them but am happy to be a "rules" girl

Thankfully the Tsunami threat to New Zealand was lifted within the day and a few areas simply experienced an increase of swell around coastal inlets and wharves. I'm sure those people who were rubber necking and surfing are disappointed and thinking "I told you so......". I guess they were the lucky ones. But I do know that there are some New Zealanders currently grieving family members and awaiting news from others in Samoa. 

Sadly for many Samoan families the news will be grim :-(