Babies...Chele's story

I first met Chele on Orientation Day for high school, in December 1993. She was going to be in my class in Grade 8 when we started high school the next February, and I remember singling her out to be my friend because we shared the same name :D The next time I saw her was the first day of high school in 1994. From that day on, we were best friends. We did everything together and had so many great times and laughs. We weren’t in the same class in Grade 9, but we still remained best friends.

Through the following years of high school, we were still friends but by Grade 12 we had moved on to different groups. Chele met and married Andrew in 2002, and I was there at her wedding (got a lil bit teary, too!). We remained in contact sporadically after this, then when I had met Brad, I invited Chele and Andrew over to our place to meet Brad, and also to see our new house, as it was a beautiful Queenslander and I knew Chele would love it :] I answered the door when they arrived, and there was Chele with a pregnant belly!! I was so excited for her, and a few months later was there at her Baby Shower. Not long after that, in May 2006, baby Fletcher was born. We went to Chele’s place to meet Fletcher, and in the months following we would go to each others’ places for dinner – helped by the fact that Brad and Andrew got along great also :] Chele and Andrew came to our Engagement Party, and to our wedding, and one day in the first half of 2009 we were chatting on the phone to organise to go out for dinner, when Chele told me she’d been feeling a bit sick --- because her and Andrew “are expecting”. I was so very excited!!!

Chele's due date was 28/10/09, and in May she found out she was expecting a little girl <3 In the last few months she had been wracking her brain for names and asked for a few suggestions, and me being a 'names freak', I was happy to offer a few :]

The 28/10/09 came and went, then on Saturday 31/10/09, baby Claudia-Jean Bronte was born, weighing a healthy 9lbs! She has dark hair and deep blue eyes, quite different to her blonde big brother. But she looks so very precious and I can't wait to meet her <3

Babies...Brenda's story

I had heard so much about Brenda before we met, as she is my husband Brad’s sister, and they are very close. I met Brenda after Brad and I had been together a few weeks, and we got along famously :] She is only a year older than me, and we were both at the same stage in our lives. Me, Brad, Brenda and her then boyfriend Kieran quickly became the ‘Awesome Foursome’ and we were always catching up. It got the point where Brenda and I would became closer than Brenda and Brad hehehe. In April 2007, Brad and I got engaged. Shortly after in June 2007, Brenda and Kieran got engaged. Over the next 12 months Brenda and I planned our weddings together which was wonderful. I was one of her bridesmaids and she was one of mine. I always wanted to be with a guy who had a sister who could be my friend, and I found that in Brenda :] <3 Brad and I married in May 2008, and Brenda and Kieran in August 2008.

We knew they were wanting to start a family ‘soonish’ and then in February 2009 Brenda announced her pregnancy, due on 19/10/09 :] In May, Brenda found out that she was expecting a baby boy. It was all so very exciting!! I hosted Brenda's baby shower in September which was fun. We were all sure Brenda would 'pop' early, so when her due date came and went we were all very surprised. Finally, 8 days after her due date, she was induced, and seven hours later, at 4:01am on 28/10/09, baby Fletcher William was born. He is so little at 7lb 4oz and just the most gorgeous little thing!! I can't wait to give Fletcher a cousin some day ;]

Babies...Amanda's story

I “knew of” Amanda for quite a few months before I actually met her. She was dating my cousin Andrew and he went with her to Canada when she moved there for work in late 2007. I was on Andrew’s Facebook and so saw lots of photos of Amanda and she looked like a really fun girl, and her and Andrew certainly looked very much in love, and very much suited to one another. When they moved back to Australia in 2008, they announced their engagement. I finally met Amanda at my wedding in May 2008 and found her to be so lovely. She was soon added to my Facebook :] I also got to know her a bit better at her and Andrew’s Engagement Party in June 2008. In the lead-up to her wedding in November, we chatted a lot on Facebook and became fast friends.

Shortly into 2009 Amanda announced her pregnancy, and that she was due on 23/10/09 - four days after my SIL Brenda's due date, and five days before my friend Chele's due date! :] Andrew and Amanda were going to leave the gender of their little baby as a surprise, but at their 20 week scan they couldn't help themselves and found out they were having a baby boy! Over the next few months Amanda met up a few times at family dos and such. I was at her baby shower in September as well which was lovely. Then on Sunday 18/10/09 I got an SMS from Andrew saying Amanda was heading to hospital as her waters had broken. I anxiously awaited the birth announcement and at 10:13pm on Monday 19/10/09, little Jack Cayden was born :] I went to visit the next day and he is such a calm baby, so precious and adorable <3

What we've been up to...

Thought I'd update my blog as it's been quite some time! I guess I feel I don't have too much excitement to report on...but I can't complain, as life certainly isn't boring either :]

Last week we were on our annual camping trip to Fraser. It was fabulous, and for the first time in my memory of Fraser trips (almost every year since 1990), we had NO RAIN - every day was stunning! It was so lovely to relax with the fam, and to spend quality time with Braddles. Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up with the business that we don't realise how wonderful some quality, non-work time together is! And it's too rare! We are going to change this :] Spend as much quality and fun time together in the next 12 months as possible...before TTC and babies come along :]

Speaking of babies, there are three to be born to family and friends in October. I am so excited!! Brenda (my SIL) is due with a baby boy on 19/10, Amanda ('cousin-in-law' / my cousin's wife) is due with a baby boy on 23/10, and Chele (good friend) is due with a baby girl (she already has a little boy) on 28/10. It is all so awesome, I can't wait to meet each sweet little babe. Also, my cousin Naomi is due with a bubba in March 2010 :] Yayness! Babies galore!

Next year is the year that Brad and I will be TTC. I am excited about it but also a little anxious as I know there is a lot we want to do before babies, but there's a time limit so we can't put babies off forever. It's hard to find that balance. But I just figure that everything else can wait, but my youth will only last so long!

I have ideas about the kind of nursery I want, and it excites me :] We will have a soft purple feature wall, and on that will be this gorgeous wall decal in white, and white furniture. I just think it will look so beautiful <3

Brad and I have FINALLY finished getting the house to how we want it. We absolutely adore living here, in the bush, in our lovely house. We actually haven't done much to the house at all (except paint the roof and trim), but we have done a lot to get the yard to how we want it. We've put up fences, re-worked gardens, re-turfed, graveled etc. A lot has been done and the place just looks so stunning now...just in time for Spring :] Now that the house is done we will have free weekends and we look forward to spending all our time doing whatever we want!!

Until next time...xox

Babies...Rachel's story

I have known my eldest sister Rachel my whole life. She is 7 years older than Faff and I (and 4 years older than Rebecca), so she was always very maternal and mothering towards her younger sisters. We have always gotten along despite the large age-gap, and I have always looked up to Rachel. She met Scott when they both worked at McDonald’s in their teens, and they got together as a couple in their early 20s. Scott is fabulous, and is like a big brother to Faff and I, seeing he came into our lives when we were just 15. We always had such great times with Rachel and Scott, and still do. They married in 1998, and bought a house at Mitchelton. Faff and I would stay over constantly, as we loved spending time with Rachel and Scott. Then in November 2003, the gorgeous Ella Grace arrived. The sweetest, most beautiful, chubby and warm baby girl, and everyone was just besotted with her (and still are!!). Then in 2005 Rachel, Scott and Ella moved to Melbourne, and Cooper William joined the family in July 2006. I got to meet Cooper when he was 5 days old when we flew down to Melbourne. He looked so tiny but was in fact 9lbs 15 when he was born!! Such a gorgeous, smiley little boy. Now he is nearly 3 and has the most glorious dark brown eyes, and blonde hair. He is a cheeky little boy and says the cutest things!! Ella is now 5 1/2 and in her first year of prep. She loves wearing dresses and is a gorgeous little girl with hazel eyes and light brown hair. All the Mums at prep want their sons to marry her one day :D

Rachel and Scott were just going to have two children – and were so very blessed with a healthy girl and boy. But soon, Rachel felt such a strong desire to have another child, but Scott was a bit reluctant. Then, on Rachel’s 34th birthday in June 2008, Scott woke her up that morning and gave her a card and a little gift. The card had a photo of baby’s feet on it, and inside was written ‘YES’, and the gift was a little pair of booties. What a wonderful present for Rachel – Scott letting her know he would like to be a father once more :] Two months later Rachel was pregnant with ‘Bean’. I thought that whatever Rachel and Scott named their new little daughter, she will always be Bean to me :]

At 1:30am on Tuesday 5/5/09, I got an SMS from Rachel saying she was heading into the hospital. At 5:00am, Mum and Dad called to say that the sweet baby girl had been born :] We visited that morning, but ‘Bean’ was still nameless! We were throwing names around but none seemed to suit her. Then later that day, before my second visit to the hospital, Rachel SMSed us, introducing us to ‘Molly Jane’. She is such a pretty and placid little girl. She makes me want to have a baby just like her!

Babies...Linda's story

I met Linda in October 2005 when Brad and I went to Sydney for her and Ian’s wedding. Linda, Ian and Brad had all gone to high school together. I only got to meet Linda briefly (as she was the bride!), but found her to be a very sweet and funny girl. Fast forward to 2008 and Ian and Linda travel to Brisbane to attend mine and Brad’s wedding in May. Again, I didn’t get to spend much time with her, as this time I was the bride :] Brad and I traveled to Sydney in August 2008 and met up with Ian and Linda for dinner at a pizza place, it was a really great night. Then a few months later we get an email informing us that Linda is 16 weeks pregnant! :] Coming up to March this year and Linda and I email quite regularly in the preparations for Stefan and Winnie’s wedding on 7/3/09. Ian and Brad are both in the bridal party, so Linda and I decide to be buddies for the day and help out the bride and groom where we can, as well as travel from the ceremony to the reception together. Linda is 32 weeks pregnant so I feel like I’m driving the streets of Sydney with some very precious cargo! Later, at the reception, I put my hand on Linda’s tummy and feel her baby kick :]

On 16/4/09, baby Jamie was born. He’s such a tiny little thing (as both his parents are!). Brad and I will go to Sydney later this year to meet the new little man, we can’t wait :]

Babies...Amelia's story

I met Melia back in 2003 when we both worked at Police HQ. I worked for a Super Intendent, and she worked within the Branch for a Senior Sergeant. One day she came into my office to do some photocopying, and she could hear the ‘Dirty Dancing’ sound track playing on my computer. She commented on what great music it was, and we started chatting. And that’s where it all started, we were great friends from then on. We would have lunch together every day and had a shared love of cheese and sauces – our favourite foods to share were hot chips with mayo and tomato sauce; nachos with the lot; and nibblies, in particular our favourite – cheddar cheese cubes with tzatziki dip (if you’ve never tried it, I suggest you do!!). Melia is four years younger than me and was new to Brisbane from Boyne Island, so I always felt kind of like a big sister type of figure. We always had a lot of fun together – I introduced her to the joys of Prince’s music, and we had a shared love of Cold Chisel and Jimmy Barnes and saw both in concert a few times. Our perfect day would be devouring nibblies and nachos to the sounds of the Best of Prince and the Best of Cold Chisel (we must do that one day!).

Melia went through a few tough times in 2004, and she moved back to Boyne Island so we lost contact for a little while. We would email and SMS occasionally throughout 2005 and 2006, then in 2007 she was back in Brisbane and had met and moved in with Ben. We met up a few times that year. Come 2008 and we are on each other’s Facebooks. I moved house to near where Melia lives and I bumped into her and Ben at the local shops in November 2008 --- with her 20 week pregnant belly!! :] We chatted and it was just like old times, and from there we were solid friends again.

Melia and I went shopping for baby stuff, and she came over a few times for some nachos and punch :D Then, on 10/4/09 (Good Friday), she gave birth to her beautiful baby boy, whom she named Stone Samuel. I got to meet Stone on 12/4/09 (Easter Sunday) at the hospital – he is so tiny, and such a little dude :]

Babies...Kelly's story

I promise to post more regularly, I promise!! O:]

There will be seven babies born into my life in 2009, so I have decided to write about them in my blog. Well, not about the babies so much as the Mummies :] Two of the babies have already been born. As each baby is born, I will tell the story of their Mummy in my life.

Today is Kelly's story...

I met Kelly in 2005 at the gym I went to when I was working for QSA. I had recently had a bad breakup and I started at the gym to keep me occupied during my lunch breaks. Kell was always there having a run on the treadmill or doing some weights. She was very petite but with a fabulous figure and she was so fit – I really admired her! Add to that her sweet smile and friendly personality, and we were always chatting away :] I met Brad a few months later and Kelly was so thrilled for me. Then in 2006 I got another job and so I left that wonderful gym for another one closer to my new work. Shortly before I left, Kell had met a great guy called Steve. Kell and I kept in contact occasionally via email from then on, and then became Facebook friends. Kell moved with Steve to Mackay for work, and got engaged. Brad and I got engaged also, so Kell and I would chat on Facebook and via email about all our wedding plans. A few months after her wedding I get an email from her with ultrasound pictures!! Kell is a few years older than me, and I knew how much she wanted to be a Mum so I was so very happy for her and Steve.

On 28/2/09, baby Olivia Lucy was born into the world. She looks just like her Mummy! I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the darling little girl yet as she lives in Mackay, but I hope to one day soon :]

Catch-up

I've been a bit slack on the blog front recently. I just haven't gotten 'round to it as it's a very busy time of year for us - in our personal and work lives. I've had the intention, but not the inspiration.

I started on my mini weight loss effort just before New Years. It's more of a healthy lifestyle thing than a weight loss thing, as I only want to lose about 4-5kg. I always feel great when I eat well, and as well as the gym every morning and walking Ruby, I now do the Wii Fit every afternoon. I mostly just do yoga and a few balance games, and sometimes cardio and strength exercises instead of the gym. It's great!

Yesterday was Brad's birthday and it wasn't the best of days :[ We were going to have breakfast at the Samford Pub with his Mum, Brenda, and Kieran. We got a call yesterday morning from his Mum saying she was feeling dizzy. Brenda and Kieran (both paramedics) drove her to hospital and we met them there. We spent all morning at the hospital. Dizziness isn't such a big deal, but Brad's Mum is nearly 67, so it's more of a worry now than if she was younger. She is fine though. Brad was a bit sad he didn't get the great day he was looking forward to :[ We had a great day today instead!

I was feeling a little stressed yesterday due to Brad feeling unhappy about his day - I so wanted it to be a great day for my boy!! He works so hard, he deserved it so much. Today we had a yummy home-made brekkie, then had lunch with Brenda and Kieran at Nando's - and they brought a caramel mudcake with them for Brad for his birthday - to make up for what we'd missed yesterday - it was great! Then this arvo I went to my sister's place and all my family was there (Brad stayed home to rest up for the big work week ahead). I find when I visit my family it is a great de-stresser. Even though there's 12 adults and 2 children under the age of 5, and it is quite loud and chaotic, I find it wonderful! My family is home and will always make me feel at ease no matter what :]

Tomorrow is my gorgeous niece Ella's first day at school. I can't believe it! I am going to Rachel's in the morning as a support so she isn't too upset - she is a pregnant lady afterall, so I think she'll need a bit of support as I know she will be a bit teary hehehe. I can't wait to see my little cherub in her school uniform! xxx