Thankful Thursday - The Zany Edition

Deciding what to write about for today’s Thankful Thursday post was pretty much a no brainer. You see nine years ago today I became a mum of two. That’s right, today is my dear little Zany’s ninth birthday.

This was taken back in March when we were in Pemberton, Zany would wake up every morning
and the first thing she wanted to do was feed the birds that hung around. She has an amazing way with
animals and at this stage says she wants to be a vet when she grows up

Over the last week or so I have found myself staring at her wondering how it is that she is actually nine. It really does only seem like yesterday that I was calling the midwife to let her know that the baby was on the way. Not any time soon mind you but definitely on the way.

It was a Sunday morning, about ten I think. The midwife, Josie, was already at the hospital and told me to take my time. Since she was already there she would get a room and set it up for me. I had been hoping to have a water birth. Though back then the public hospital would only let the birthing pools be used for pain relief, birthing, whenever possible, was to occur out of the water.

By the time Mr Awesome and I dropped Lovely off at my parents and arrived at the hospital, dear Josie had well and truly set up my room. That woman was beyond amazing and to this day I am thankful she was there for me.

We walked to a dimly lit room with candles gently glowing and the sound of Enya wafting through. It was all so perfect.

The hospital was relatively close to the ocean with the maternity ward positioned on a floor high enough to see the sea. While I may not be able to remember whether it is the sixth or eighth floor I do remember looking out the window and out across the water and being mesmerised by what looked like shimmering diamonds.

After a relatively short labor, around four hours I guess, my beautiful little Zany was earthed and in my arms. 

Now nine years later I am still blessed to be in the presence of an amazing little person. My baby has grown into a young girl who is kind, thoughtful and caring. She so often puts the needs of others before her own. Though there is always a point where she says no more and takes what she needs as well. 

She has a fabulous sense of humour and a laugh that is infectious. A radiant smile that can instantly lift me.

Of an afternoon when I pick her up from school she will break out into a run the moment she spots me. Smile on her face and arms out wide, engulfing me the moment she is within reach. It is without a doubt one of my most favourite times of the day. A blatant reminder of how blessed I am to be a part of her life.

I can only hope the next nine years are as wonderful as the last. I am so thankful that I get to call this precious soul my girl.

Other random things I am thankful for this week

• having my first unsupervised and paid day at work
• making awesome pumpkin soup
• as I crawled into bed Wednesday night remembering I had left said pumpkin soup on the stove and not yet written this post and getting up and writing this post while eating said soup
• the kindest and supportive comments over on Rhianna Writes
• a day that was just warm enough to wear shorts, the novelty of jeans has gone
• steaming hot showers

What about you? What are you thankful for this week? Join in with a blog post or just comment below

An InLinkz Link-up

I should have known better

Remember how on Tuesday I wrote about the fact that even though Mount Foldme was slowly engulfing my kitchen table on the surface it appeared that in some ways I was feeling more together than I had ever felt? I should have known better

Yeah well it turns out if you are going to brag on the internet how awesome it is that your children are finally sleeping through the night they will immediately stop sleeping through the night and you will suddenly find yourself incredibly sleep deprived.

That's right folks sleep has become a thing of the past in this house. Well at least for me and The Little Two. The first night Teapot woke up screaming not long after midnight.  Some how I managed to squeeze myself into her single bed. Actually there was no somehow about it, I spent the entire time laying in my left side which meant I greeted the morning not just bleary eyed but also with pins and needles in my left arm. Which of course then meant I would spend the entire day worrying that I had somehow caused my blood clot to return because there was a chance that was how the original clot was caused.

Sigh. It is exhausting just dealing with my thoughts some days.

The next night Zany felt left out of the night time shenanigans so she thought she would join in. Teapot stuck to slightly after midnight for her first wake up and not two hours later Zany started to call out. The rest of the night was spent alternating between their two beds as apparently it was the night of the never ending bad dreams.

After two nights of next to no sleep facing the days suddenly seem less than appealing. Thankfully I live in a worlds where Netflix exists and suddenly having all day with no children around seems a little more appealing than it previously has. Yes that's right I miss having the kids around all day.

Sigh.

So two nights of no sleep have lead to two days of back to back episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Which I must say for someone who doesn't normally watch TV feels kind of strange.

Then in my half dazed TV induced coma a passing comment in a text message suddenly made me come alive and I flew into a flurry of activity madly making some rather dramatic changes that halfway through suddenly became a lot trickier than my not quite awake self could comprehend. Which with the dawning of a new day I am now wondering if I should actually keep going with it or not.

Sigh.

Change. So exciting yet so daunting as well.

But enough of me for now. Joining in with all the Weekend Rewinders

Thankful for cheating cakes and typing quick

It is the early hours of Thursday morning and I was just putting the finishing touches on today's post. I had actually started on Tuesday, which is something rather unusual for this last minute Lucy.

As it turns out most of what I had written onTuesday got sent to the rubbish, but it was nice thinking that I was semi organised. Of course when Blogger kindly froze without saving any of my changes I did wonder why it was I bothered with the whole organisation thing.

The joys of modern technology hey?

So here is a quick recap of what I said.

I am thankful that Teapot had a lovely birthday and enjoyed a simple day.

I am thankful that for my birthday last month I was given a cheat's cake book. Made by the awesome ladies over at The Australian Woman's Weekly I think it is a must have for every mother.

As much as I love getting my Martha on and trying my hand at creating things for the kids, I find it incredibly disappointing when I fall well short of the mark. This book however seems to be the answer to all my prayers.

This is the photo from the book that my little Teapot adamantly requested I recreate.

And this is what I created

I am beyond thankful that it worked out as well as what it did. 

Other random and quick thanks goes to

- saving my blog template when I thought I had lost it all.

- beautiful friends that stopped by to help make Teapot's day super special

- school holidays

- being able to get by on limited sleep

- this post actually saving and working and it not taking nearly as long to get out the second time round

What about you? What are you thankful for?

An InLinkz Link-up

Babies, four year olds and impending teenagers

Yesterday saw my little Teapot turn four. Which as you can imagine has sent me into a reflection overdrive. Birthdays just tend to do that I guess.

It is hard to believe that four whole years has passed since she was born.

Little Teapot, less than 12 hours old

In so many ways it does feel like it was only yesterday. Till I stop to think of all that has occurred in that time of course. Though truth be told the the main thing that I think of in that time is the fact that it also roughly equates to how long my dad has been dead for. Which feels like so much longer than four years I must say.

Not so little Teapot, four years old

I often look at her and wonder just how much of him is in her. Dad passed away when I was about three months pregnant. I am so glad that even though he never got to know her at least he got to know she was on the way.

As it stands this should be the last time that I have a four year old. As much as I may have wanted a whole tribe of children years ago, now I am happy to stop at three. In fact I am more than happy to stop at three. While I totally love having babies and loved every moment of having a baby in the house I am pretty excited to be moving on past the baby stage as well.

Turns out this mothering gig is so much more than just babies.

Lately I have found myself stating how there should be a warning that comes with babies. One that reminds you that they will not always be cute and cuddly. That one day they will grow into teenagers. A time that may very well try you more than any baby moment.

Did I mention that in ten days Lovely will become a teenager?

Joining Jess for IBOT

Moments of life

Feeling all kinds of very special on account of my shiny new iPhone that Mr Awesome surprised me with the other day I just posted the above photo to my Instagram account. It was captioned with 

Yes I know how dodgy is it putting a photo of what I wrote in. I couldn't work out how to copy and paste the already written text and after what went down the first time I wrote it I was too scared to give it another go. Plus it's Wednesday so extra photos are encouraged. 

Seriously in the space of time it took me to get that up, which really wasn't very long, the littlest two went from playing happily to intense I hate you battle grounds to best friend sisters for ever in what felt like nano seconds. All before 8 am and a full cup of coffee. 

The most crazy part of all is that since then I have not done a stitch of crochet and my coffee is now gone. 

Sigh. The fun and games of being a mum. 

That is a photo of my belly yesterday. The  resemblance to a pregnant belly concerns me no end. I do not want any more babies. Ever. Never ever. 

There is no doubt in my mind that my baby caring days are well and truly over. There is not even the slightest hint of an interest in going through the joys of a newborn. Words and feelings that I never expected to say or feel. 

All three girls where practically dream babies. Looking back on their early years I have nothing but found picture perfect memories. It is only as they have gotten older I have challenged and inadequate as a mother. And that is why I just know my baby making days are over. 

The babies I have already, who while aren't babies anymore, need me more now than ever before. Especially the eldest. 

I remember when she was two, everyone warned me about how terrible it would be. I was adamant they were wrong. I was determined to buck the system and have the terrific twos. And we did. And it is with a similar attitude I want to approach the teenage years. 

I want the terrific teens just like we had the terrific twos. I know that it doesn't have to be the terrible teens any more than it had to be the terrible twos. Of course it it always easier said than done. 

But that doesn't mean it can't be done. 

Dear Me (The soon to be second time breastfeeding mum who thinks she has it all sorted)...

So you think you have this all worked out do you? 

This being a mum and breastfeeding and what not, is walk in the park is it? 

Don't understand why some people go on about it being hard work and hurting?

Living with a warm and fuzzy memory of being a breastfeeding guru on account of such a text book and perfect experience the first time around are you?

Well sorry to be the one to break it to you sweetheart but all will not be as expected and you will quickly be reminded of the fact that no two babies or breastfeeding journeys, are ever exactly the same.

Oh and yes, breastfeeding is actually a learned experience, one that each baby must learn, regardless of how much mum may think she actually knows. And on that note regardless of how much that mum does know nine times out of ten there is still more that she doesn't know.

Sure you may have managed to blitz through the whole breastfeeding thing the first time round with Lovely being a total booby fiend and suckling like there was no tomorrow the instant a nipple was anywhere near her little mouth, but that doesn't mean this next one is going to be like that. Especially since Lovely was just a natural sucker, given how much she loved her thumb and all. 

This next little baby will test and try your breastfeeding love in ways you could never imagine. Those first few days where you are still in that total new mum haze might seem blissful, enjoy them while you can, because once your milk comes in things will change in ways you never imagined. In those first few weeks months, your new little bundle of joy will enlighten you to the pain, trouble and difficulty that you have heard others speak of. The pain, trouble and difficulty, that somehow you managed to escape the first time round. (Or perhaps remove from memory? Five years is long time between drinks) 

Thankfully though due to some determination, magic cream and the wonders of time it will change and you will reinstate the belief that breastfeeding is pure bliss. The burning electricity that runs through your breast during those first few sucks will eventually start to fade. The cracks will start to heal and slowly but surely feeding your baby will be just as picturesque as it should be. Only now you will have greater compassion and understanding for the many women who don't find it as natural as the postcards make it to be.

You will slowly evolve into an experienced feeder who will be able to do all manner of activities while baby is attached. You will learn the wonders of feeding and laying down at the same time, something that somehow you never thought of the first time round. You still won't bother too much at all about expressing and putting into bottles so Dad or Big Sister can have a turn but with hindsight there will be a part of you that wishes you did. Mind you that hindsight won't kick in until well after you have finished breastfeeding and baby making.

You will also go on to feed babies for a total that exceeds seven years. Each baby staying on the boob for around two and half years. The third time round you will enter the journey more prepared than ever before. A good balance of reality and optimism in your hand. As well as magic nipple toughening cream to lessen the damage of those almost inevitable cracks.

You will also feel rather special when an Online Breastfeeding Cafe set up by the Australian Breastfeeding Association asks you to write a letter to yourself as part of a Dear Me Campaign they are running to help women who may be feeling ambivalent about breastfeeding and encourage them to share, discover and chat about breastfeeding via a supportive online forum and resource centre. They also have a wonderful Online Breastfeeding Cafe's Facebook page to help such discussion.

Love Me.

Completely and utterly unattended

The silence is almost deafening. In fact it is so silent there is a ringing in my ears. I struggle to remember the last such a stillness descended upon the house. 

image from esheep

Of course now that I stop to think how quiet it all is I find my ears barraged with a range of sounds. From cars passing in the distance, to the buzzing of the electrical appliances, not to mention the fish tank aerator, squawking birds flying past and the constant tapping of my fingers upon the keyboard.

Some how the universe managed to swing it that I found myself at home. All alone. Completely and utterly unattended. Which believe you me is completely and utterly amazing. Perhaps even beyond that.

Mr Awesome has his work Christmas party tonight. Which meant that the girls were shipped off to my mum's as I was expected invited to attend said party. All very good and well until when dropping the children off at Nan's the littlest one says my ear hurts mum. And then promptly bursts into tears.

The fact that she willingly took the panadol offered to her was quite possibly a sign of just how much pain she was in. Mother of the year here though decided to ignore it because, well, a night out is a night out, even if it is with a bunch of people I have little to no ability to communicate with. Plus I may or may not have planned to pike early on the night anyway to enjoy some quiet time at home.

Being all organised and not rushing things, I was dropping the children off with an hour or two to spare before the party started. This meant of course by the time the party was about to start I felt obliged to check in and see how it was all going.

Stupid me.

Of course it was going terribly. 

Teapot was still moaning about her ear, while Lovely was still making attempts to escape. It was with great reluctance that I even got her there in the first place. She is currently without access to her iDevice, however felt it was only *fair* she got to take it to the sleepover. Naturally her version of fair and mine are vastly different. The device was left at home and she promised to cry blue murder about it until the situation was rectified.

Poor Lovely is in the process of learning the world does not actually spin on an axis that revolves purely around her. Unfortunately for her, and all involved, she appears instant on doing this the hard way and fighting me every inch of the way.

Sigh.

Anyways being the Mother of the Year that I am, I went on partying. Actually the party was at a bowling alley so I stuck around and had a game. I did not however enjoy an alcoholic bereave. Which was really the only real attraction of going. Instead, deciding to be just a little bit responsible and stay with soft drinks. Once I had remembered how incredibly crap I am at bowling though I decided that maybe it was best if I went and saw to the children. 

By now Teapot had been to sleep for a bit, woken up and was still going on about her sore ear. Lovely had also come to terms with the fact that sometimes I do actually get to pull rank on her and not give in. Aside from all of that the 35 week pregnant lady and the recently engaged chick were well and truly doing my head in with their constant chatter about their impending life changes. Ones that I have already been through and without being rude am not really interested in hearing about from other people I see but once a year. A three year old with a sore ear and her hormonal twelve year old sister suddenly appeared very appealing. (No I don't understand why I don't have many friends do you?)

So I get to my mother's house only to discover that Teapot's ear has had a miraculous recovery. Apparently a bath can fix anything. Oh to be three. Thanks to the panadol for finally kicking in perhaps?

After an hour of hanging with them Teapot informed that she did not want to come home with me. Lovely of course was using every inch of self restraint that she could muster not to scream out how much she would like to come home with me. Bless her. I love it when she shines out rays of hope like that.

I loved her even more when she was so accepting of me returning to the party. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing a child learn a lesson. Even if it will only be temporary before she decides to see how far she can push me once more. The never-ending dance of teenage power struggle.

Of course I had no intention of returning to the party. I am not a very good sober bob. Even there is a drink to be had then I would most certainly like to having it. How else can one tolerate the idiocy of a drunk if one is not drunk also? Plus, the temptation of a silent home is very hard to resist.

So here I sit. Alone and unattended. Basking in the glow of my screen and the silence of my ears. Cautiously waiting for the message to say it has once again all come undone. For now though as I inhale the beauty of solitude I will just enjoy me. Doing things that I like to do, that only benefit me. Like trawling round the internet and catching up on some blog reading and writing.

Things I Know that make me go FFS

Now I know that for the most part I am all airy fairy, lovey dovey, Miss peace and happiness, but of late that has not been working out so well for me. So I thought I would try something a little different today. 

image from here with thanks

I am still sharing some things I know, because Miss Cinders is one of my most favourite blogs and I just love joining in with her. However today I am sharing things I know that make me go FFS and also joining in with Dear Baby G

I know that there is a recurring theme to most of the things that make me go FFS.

Can you guess what it is?

I'll give you a hint, it is a 8 letter word, starts with c and ends with n.

No? Well here is another hint.

I have three of them and honestly I know that some days they should be bloody thankful that they live to see another day FFS

I know that seriously I wouldn't really throttle them to within an inch of their life (and some days possibly even a little further), and I shouldn't joke about it on the internets, someone could get the wrong impression FFS

I know that most of the FFSness around said children mainly revolves around the eldest. Though she manages to get me so worked up that it doesn't take much from the other two to have me screaming and pulling my hair out FFS

I know that is didn't expect the teenage years to be trouble free but I most certainly didn't expect them to be so bloody hard before they even arrived FFS

I know that I have done more deep breathing, counting and walking away in the last two weeks than I have ever done before FFS

I know that it is all hormonal and this too shall pass and all that other crap that is hard to remember when you are actually living in a daily hell because someone refuses to abide by the rules FFS

I know  though that hormonal or not there is still no excuse for me having to ask six thousand and seventy three billion times for the dishwasher to be emptied FFS. The same can be said for putting clothes away and picking up wet towels FFS

I know that rain on my washing days (is it only me who hears Alanis when they read those words?) makes me want to scream FFS very loudly. Even though it justifies me using the dryer, I know have a massive power bill to look forward to. FFS 

I know there is just no pleasing some people FFS.  The fact that I am complaining about not being able to fit *all* my towels in the dryer at once FFS is testament to that. I am sure there are many out there screaming at me but at least you have a dryer FFS. yes yes I know

I know that as much as I don't like to swear on the blog, going FFS all the way through this post has made me feel a lot better than when I was screeching like a banshee at the kids this morning FFS

And last I know that joining in with all these lovely bloggers below makes me go anything but FFS

here

here

here

here

Some late edition FFS's include the little buttons not lining up where I wanted to and then when the where as good as I could get them there were no links included FFS (all fixed now though) Of course this was after loading the image sent me to distraction and back because the silly programs didn't want to work properly FFS

Just writing

So the Mister has taken the two youngest to the pool for a swim and to burn off any excess energy that is lingering from a morning of not much. Giving me a few moments alone and unattended in the house. The house that is relatively together and not in desperate need of attention. For a change.

Photo found here

Sure the washing machine is beeping and the dishwasher waiting to be emptied and refilled, but they can all wait a little longer. The floors have been vacuumed and yesterday they were even mopped. The load in the machine is only pool towels, which signifies the washing is essentially under control. The pool towels only get washed when everything else is out the way.

All the indicators point to it being ok for me to be here.

The eldest has headed to the local shopping centre to wander around with a friend. Apparently as a twelve year old that is what you do these days.

I try to rewind my mind back to twelve but honestly it seems so long ago. So so long ago. 

I start to wonder if I ever was twelve?  Of course I must have been. It's not like I went from being eleven to being thirteen. Twelve had to have been in there.

It all seems so foggy and hazy. Such distant memories, tightly locked away, supposedly for safe keeping. I know I was twelve the first time I met the Mister. He made my heart stop and race all at once, even then. I might not have had much to do with boys at that stage but boy did I want to.

Working out the maths for how long ago I was twelve makes my mind want to explode because all I really want to do is write, not worry about what it is like having a twelve year old daughter and whether or not I am doing an ok job or not out at keeping her safe. And I must definitely do not want to work out how long ago I was twelve.Which is all totally ridiculous because I am only 35. 

I just want to write!!

Despite the quiet grumbles from my stomach I opt for spending time here rather than in the kitchen. Because that is how much I want to write. And there are no children here and there is no reason why I shouldn't just sit down and write.

It is after all day ten of Nanowrimo and I am yet spit out more than a few pages of handwritten scrawl. (Which I am certain is nothing but complete awesome because of the emotional throws I was experiencing at the time)

This year I seem to know more people than ever before giving it a go, Nanowrimo that is. It should inspire me to join their ranks and write away. Yet for some reason I am stumped. I can't seem to make the time to just sit and write. 

There just never seems to be enough hours in the day. If only day dreaming were not so time consuming. What with the desire to write, and read, or just create anything really combined with the all the other things that as a mother I am expected to do it so often feels like I never actually get anything done.

Though of course I do. It may not always be what I wanted to do, or even set out to do but things do inevitably get done. 

Much like this post. It may not be part of my Nano efforts but it is something, which is always better than nothing. Apparently. 

Things I Know About Banjo Paterson

I know that I have had this book for a very long time.

The very first thing I know today is that last night it felt a bit strange not worrying too much about not already knowing something to share for today. Since the lovely Miss Cinders has returned from her bloggy break Things I Know is now residing back with her.

I know that I loved playing host for one of my favourite linkies from one of my favourite bloggers. It seriously kinda made me feel like one of the cool kids. Though I am tipping that sharing that just made me sound like anything but a cool kid.

So what else is it I know this week?

Well I know that helping a reluctant learner with her homework requires more patience than I can perhaps find at times. I know that just because I happen to be in love with the topic by no means, means that she will also be over the moon to be researching one of this country's finest literary icons.

I know that I have really enjoyed reading about all the wonderful things that Banjo Paterson has done in his life. Some I knew already and some I had forgotten about and some were brand new.

I know it made me giggle when I read he went to China as a corespondent to cover the Boxer Rebellion but he got there too late.

I know I had forgotten that old AB is on the ten dollar note.

I know that I didn't know he used the pseudonym "B". I did however know that he penned quite a lot as "The Banjo"

I know that as a wanna be writer with an ego that likes to be stroked, I find it interesting that any writer would use a pseudonym.

I know that the book pictured above is one of my most very favourite. When I say I have had it for a very long time, I mean a really very long time. Since 1984 in fact. My grandfather gave it to me for my sixth birthday. He passed away later that year. Which makes him not spelling my name in the front of the book ok. Well that and the fact he was old and felt even older at the time and I loved him lots. Plus so few people ever get my name right anyway...

As much as I know all this (and more) about Mr Paterson, Lovely still actually needs to get her assignment out of the way. Which means I should probably get out of her way and off the computer.

The passing of Sunday

Image from here

It's  just gone eight o'clock on Sunday morning. I can hear Mr Awesome telling the little one that it is too early in the morning for that. He is refering to her scratching her sister.

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It is now nearly five o'clock Sunday afternoon. My day has been little like I envisaged, but that is not exactly surprising or new.

Nearly five o'clock Sunday afternoon is not exactly prime blogging time. At nearly five o'clock Sunday afternoon children are hungry and over tired. Dinner and bed time can not come nearly fast enough, yet they still seem like an eternity away. Many deep breaths and extreme levels of self control are needed.

Yet here I am. Trying to make myself oblivious to it all and just doing what I want for once.

After a day of constant battles that saw no ground gained or winner crowned, in any of the many fights endured, doing something that is purely and solely for my benefit or pleasure seems like the only sane thing to do. All other options seem to be exasperated. Aside from that, I am just crying out to be heard. It is more than apparent that my offspring speak not the same language as I. At least here, in my own lunch box, I feel I can be heard.

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It is now nearly quarter past six. The children have been fed and the husband serviced. Part of me is busy beating myself up about not sitting and eating with the children, but there is this other part of me that is quickly putting that part in it's place. A child that refuses to sleep at night has prevented martial activities from taking place for far too long. An opportunity presented and I had to make the most of it.

Besides, what reluctant housewife wouldn't get excited about a husband putting clean sheets on the bed?

In many ways it feels wrong even insinuating that Mr Awesome and I partake in sexual activities. It is not like I think my reader is oblivious to such things, I just don't ever feel that it is my place to discuss such things. I am only too aware that some things need not be said. There are some discussions that need not be had.You can only imagine the angst that I feel discussing the birds and the bees concept with Miss 12. Made worse only by the fact that my discomfort brings out nothing but bluntness. 

Something tells me though, that "so did you know your vagina is going to bleed for days on end every month" is possibly not the ice breaker that I should go with. I just keep telling myself that when the time is right I will magically find the right words. I am nothing if not optimistic

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It is now just gone half past six. The biggest downside to daylight savings is the delay in darkness. Not that we have daylight saving time as such, the sun just seems to set so much later. With children being up for over twelve hours, bed time just can't seem to come soon enough.

Not that I want to wish their lives away. I just want today to be over.

I am a firm believer that tomorrow is always a new day, with a fresh start. After all what easier way is there to find peace with the mistakes of today, than with the hope of what tomorrow? I want the reminder of all the things I didn't do or get done today to be washed away with the start of a brand new day. Of course even this is sometimes easier said than done.

For now though its is just past 7pm. Bed time feels closer than imminent. Those few silent moments that parents treasure most are almost within grasp and I just can not wait.

Giveaway - Nana Dot Handmade Baby Goods

Today I am super excited to introduce to you a wonderful new handmade stay at home mum venture.

Nana Dot Handmade Baby Goods

I know that it is not the most wonderful of photo and you are probably wondering exactly what they are, but there were just to many beautiful necklaces for me to choice just one to take a photo of.

Actually even choosing which photo to use once I narrowed down to just three necklaces still wasn't an easy task. Nor was taking the photos for that matter, as seen by the horrible light reflection on the table.

These necklaces are made from BPA free, food grade silicon beads. Which makes them a-ok for your baby to be putting in their mouth (as babies want to do). Making them not only incredibly fashionable but incredibly useful when you are out and about with a teething baby that you would prefer not to drop their teething toys on the ground. 

Yes more dodgy photos of far from dodgy necklaces.
Necklaces that are great for mothers of teething babies to be wearing I might add. Though just between you and me I think they are far to funky to be purely teething necklaces. 

But wait there is more.

I know this may look a little like a bracelet it is not. It is however a sensory necklace for a little person on the autism spectrum. Again though my terrible photography does not quite do it justice. Oh and if you were wondering bracelets can be ordered.

All the necklaces are knotted on a nylon cord with a breakaway clasp used. The necklaces are designed to be worn by mum and as with all teething products should be closely supervised. Care and cleaning of the necklaces is as easy as washing in warm soapy water.

But wait there is still even more!

Nana Dot Handmade Baby Goods is more than just silicone beads. There are also burp clothes, bibs, bandana bibs (great for teething dribble), taggies and even more to come. Though if you want to see those little beauties you will have to head on over to the Nana Dot Handmade Baby Goods Facebook page and check it out yourself. 

What I do have for you though, is the ability to win your very own necklace. Or if you were feeling generous a necklace that you could pass on to a new mum. They do make super cool presents after all.

All you have to do to enter is like the Nana Dot Handmade Baby Goods and click a few buttons on the rafflecopter entry below. Nana Dot is still super new to the land of Facebook so it would be great to give her some loving.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Joining in IBOT   fun with Essentially Jess

Oh and for those that like disclaimers, Nana Dot is very good friend of mine who has decided to try a home based business in the hope she won't have to return to traditional employment and instead be able to stay at home and enjoy more time with her three beautiful children. She asked me if I would be interested in hosting a giveaway in a bid to gain her some exposure and help her venture grow. (Just quietly I was tickled pink that she thought I had the ability to help expose her - because that is not some you get asked everyday - Can you help expose me?) Needless to say no payment was sought or given, just lots of love spreading.

Stopping to be thankful

When I first started to blog regularly with the idea of one day being a top notch blogger the only way I could get readers was if I joined a link up.  Almost religiously for twelve months or more I am sure, I would write a Thankful Thursday post. One of my favourite bloggers, Kate, would host a link up and I just loved to join in.  Writing a post about being thankful each week was only too easy and fitted quite well with the theme, if you will of A Parenting Life.

Only times changed and Kate grew and decided that hosting Thankful Thursday each week was no longer what she wanted to do. She kindly passed the link up on to another super cool blogger and went on with being awesome. For some reason though joining in for me no longer had such an appeal and being thankful on a Thursday seemed to just pass me by.

Actually being thankful on any day seemed to just pass me by. 

Which is kind of a shame because there was something really beautiful about consciously thinking each week about what I was thankful for. It helped me keep a sunny perspective when black clouds wanted to rain on my parade.

It feels like there has been a lot of rain of late. Well at least in a metaphorical sense. Every post of late feels like it has a poor woe is me sign attached to it. Not intentionally of course, apparently that is just the way the cookie has crumbled. 

Well no more I say. 

In fact rain, rain go away is what I say. (Again only metaphorically because I would actually love a good real rain to swing by and relieve some of this stifling heat)

So without further ado here are some of the things that I am a little bit thankful for of late.

I am thankful that this little guy has taken to dropping by my front garden

I am thankful that his little friend has as well, though she is a tad more camera shy,

I am thankful that my bag did not fall off the back of my car when I drove off from the shops today.

My bag sat here for a good couple of km's
before I discovered it's whereabouts

I am super thankful that a kind lady went out of her way to follow me down the road so she could let me know about said bag still sitting at the back of my car.

I am thankful that even after a long day at work Mr Awesome still has time and energy to not just talk to the girls when he gets home but to actually be there as well. You know like really be there in the moment listening and engaging with them.

I am thankful that these little beauties

passed by yesterday and deposited some much longed for rain. I will be even more thankful if they could return on a daily basis sooner rather than later.

I am thankful that Teapot slept this afternoon, allowing me to not only write this post but just gather my thoughts as a whole.

What are you thankful for today?