AcornKids!

I'm super excited - I've placed my opening order of AcornKids products, and am officially an "AcornKids dealer" now!

It's a range of products specifically for children: bath products, bath toys, crafts, books, insect repellents, sunscreen, baby care products etc. 

I can't wait to receive the products and start selling - and trying the products out myself! I know some of them already - got given some of them as gifts when Mia was a baby, the baby wash, baby lotion and massage oils are fantastic.

Have a squiz at their website here.
Comment with your email address if you'd like to receive the full catalogue and pricelist!  I will be able to post all over SA as well.

Here's just a few of their products available:

 

 

 

 

Our seaside holiday 2014

We were at the South Coast for the first week of January.  I always enjoy the sea and the beach - but this was the first time that the heat and humidity were a bit too much for me!  Not sure if pregnancy played a roll in that or whether it really was just crazy hot, and the chalet we stayed in didn't have aircon - I found myself thinking of reasons we had to go somewhere in the car, just to enjoy the aircon! ;-)

Both Wyn and I celebrated our birthdays while on holiday - it was super special that we were just the three of us together, really some special quality time. ♥

Mia got stung by bluebottles the one day on the beach, while splashing in the shallow waves with her pappa.  I felt so sorry for her!! Wyn handled it so well, rinsed her in the sea first, then we went to the resort swimming pool for a quick swim to get all the sea sand off, and then a lukewarm bath with Dettol in, gave her some pain meds, and put Burnshield on the sting to soothe it.  Within an hour she was fine, playing, chatting.  She didn't go into the sea for the rest of the holiday though, poor thing.

We were super lucky with beautiful weather - sunshine every single day.  The resort swimming pool is really nice, so we enjoyed a swim every afternoon there, sharing ice creams and cold drinks. :-)

We ate at Ramsgate's Waffle House the one day - had to wait an hour to get a table, but it was worth it, those waffles are just super delicious.  On my b'day my choice lunch was prawns and calamari at John Dory's - yum yum!

It was a nice holiday - but it's nice to be back home, no place like one's own bed!

Pregnancy Update & Name Reveal!

1.  How far along are you now? 25 weeks today!

2.  When is your due date? 29 April 2014

3.  What has been your preggy high this week? Loving her kicks, and the way Wyn can feel them too.  Awesome to have a scan today and see her again - a fine nose, and long leggies, and beautiful open hands.  Also, today's appointment was with the new gynea, dr Grassie, and she's awesome, I really really like her!  Feeling so much more at peace about the whole situation.

4.  What has been your preggy low this week? Not feeling happy about my weight gain...

5.  What is your current over-riding emotion? Content mostly, and anticipation for this lil body to arrive, and a bit anxious about getting my to-do list in order!

6.  What is on your list of things to do in the next month regarding preparation for baby?  Get authorisation number from medical aid so that I can pre-book my hospital bed and open file at maternity ward.  Order mattress from TreeHouse. Sort through all Mia's baby clothes.

7.  What is your current craving? Loving mango, oh yum!

8.  How are you feeling physically? Fat, LOL.

9.  How are you feeling emotionally? Content.

10.  How is your partner dealing with the pregnancy at this stage? Great. He painted her room, and bought her a beautiful flower night light.  He was disappointed to miss the scan appointment today.

11.  How are you feeling about the pregnancy at this point? It's going by so fast, yet at the same time I can't wait for her to arrive!

12.  How much does baby weigh/measure at the moment? 665g today. So little!

13.  How much weight have you gained to date?  Sore point.  After Xmas, holidays, my brother's wedding...  I've gained 10kgs already.  Very upset about this, and nervous about how much more I'm going to pick up.  Trying hard from this week on to make better choices (I just typed "choccies" instead of "choices" - Freudian slip much?!) And really want to try get back into a regular gym routine to tone these muscles.  Really need to slow this weight gain down now, don't want to gain more than 15kg in total, eeeek!!!

14.  What is the nursery room theme and what have you done for the nursery recently? Hubby painted her room, grey, with a pink stripe through it. (Will share pics soon, just waiting for curtains.)  We bought beautiful material, mom-in-law is going to make the curtains, should get them end of February.  Not a specific theme, want to stick to the grey and pink colour scheme, and then maybe incorporate animals - have got two bunny canvasses for the walls.

15.  What are the latest baby-related items you have bought or got given? Bought a couple of odds and ends for her room - a pink dustbin, a grey laundry basket, a pink mat, storage shelves, some bum creams. A fleece babygro for wintertime.

16.  What are you looking forward to? I must admit, as much as I can't wait to have her in my arms, I do realise I need to savour these last three months of pregnancy.

Bump piccie:

And then, big news, we shared it with family and friends and on Facebook last week - we've decided on her name!

Ella Jill.  :-)

"Ella" is a name both Wyn and I have liked, ever since we were name-searching during Mia's pregnancy.  We made a list of names a while ago, other names on the list included: Ella, Emma, Lily, Abigail, Kylie, Ava, Amy, Lisa and Lize.  After a while we narrowed it down to either Ella or Emma.  And while on holiday at the sea, we decided on Ella Jill.  :-)

Ella means "beautiful fairy", or "goddess".  :-)

Very happy and excited about her name, and it's awesome to talk about her as Ella now.  The family have all reacted very positively to her name, everyone loves it.  Yay!

xx

Mia's First Day of School

Today Mia started at her playgroup, Little Legends.  No tears from either of us! ;-)

For weeks, I have been preparing her by talking to her about school, showing her school things we've bought for her, talking about her teachers.  Even more so during the last week, so that she knew what was coming. 

Gosh, there was quite a list of supplies we had to buy for school, from crayons to puzzles to tissues to toilet paper, black bags, sunscreen, paper and glue - not to mention lunchboxes, backpack and a sunhat.  Luckily the two grannies helped lots with the shopping.

I've had mixed emotions about this day - I've been so used to Mia being home with me for more than 3 years, we're really so attached to each other.  She's definitely ready for school in terms of needing more stimulation than I can offer her at home with learning, activities and friends. It's such a big step - the beginning of her school career until she's 18 and beyond! I'm so proud of her, and I really, really hope she's having a good time!  My little sensitive soul, I hope the teachers and kids are gentle with her...

Last night I got her backpack and supplies all ready:

 

This morning I packed her lunchbox: marmite sarmies, a vienna and grapes:

 

I woke her up just after 7am, with a tray of tea, cookies, some flowers from the garden and a card for her.

 

All ready for school:

 

At school:

Such a brave lil girl, gave me a special hug and kiss and sat down at her table where her name is, and her little picture where all her things are is a rainbow. Cute!

Wish I could be a fly on the wall.
Hope it continues to be so easy to drop her off each morning!
She's going to go to school every morning Mondays - Fridays, from 8am til 12h30.

I feel quite at a loss, very strange having quiet time at home on my own!  Nala the dog kept running to the garage, looking for Mia, as though I forgot her in the car. ;-)

I'm trying to contain myself, but think I will send her teacher an sms soon and ask how it's going. ;-)

Now I have 3 months of mornings to myself to see clients, go exercise, do shopping, catch up online, etc... And then everything we've done in the last three years starts all over again with a newborn. Wow!

xx

My brother's wedding ♥

My brother got married yesterday!  I am so happy for him, they make a wonderful couple, they're so in love and so well-suited.

The wedding was at a beautiful venue between Harties and Magaliesberg, Green Leaves.  Everything was done so nicely, beautiful décor, music, delicious food, happy atmosphere - just perfect and special.

I'll let the piccies tell the rest of the story!

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my 31st birthday!

We're on holiday at the south coast, just me, Wyn and Mia and my preggy bump.  It's nice to be on holiday and to all be together, but man alive, it is so hot and humid here, and this chalet doesn't have any aircon - the wooden house is like a sauna.  I got sunburnt on Friday, and 3 days later, my skin is still sensitive and can't stand to be in the sun, oops!

Today we went for a drive to Port Edward and visited a butterfly farm, which was fun.  Then had a yummy seafood lunch.

My day started with Mia singing "Happy Birthday" to me, and opening my presents for me.  Then we had chocolate cake for breakfast! :-)

We're here for two more nights, go back home on Wednesday.  Then it's going to be a busy few days - inlaws coming to stay, my brother's wedding on Saturday, and Mia's starting school on Monday!

Festive season, holiday time and birthday celebrations have been lots of fun, but I must admit that I'm looking forward to normal routine again.

Pregnancy is going really well, really enjoying my bump, and feeling good.

Will do proper holiday update and pics once we're back home.
xx

Christmas 2013!

We enjoyed a special, quiet and relaxed Christmas with my family in Pietersburg!  Mia had such fun, she loved swimming, and loved all the attention.  She enjoyed putting out milk and cookies for Father Christmas, and woke up at 2am on Christmas morning to tell me that she's got presents from Father Christmas!  We ate way too much yummy food, of course.

Special, magical memories.
xx

Christmas Wishes

Wishing everyone who pops into my blog a blessed Christmas time! Hope the next couple of days are filled with blessings, love, and special memories.

Happy festive season!
xx

The last pics of Elf on the Shelf

 

Day 18 - The Elf was playing with Mia's jewellery box

Day 19 - Went for a pony ride

 

Day 20 - Mia grew a candy cane (post about this coming soon!) and then the Elf had his own little candy cane for Mia

 

Day 21 - Robin the Elf had a tea party with Barbie!

 

Day 22 - Got some stickers for Mia, and got some stickers stuck on himself!

 

Day 23 - The last day. Today we say goodbye to Robin the Elf, as he's not coming with us to Pietersburg for Christmas. He brought Mia a Christmas card, and a big tube of Rolo's. Goodbye Robin, it's been lots of fun!

Christmas Crafts & Holiday Fun!

We've been baking up a storm, making salt-dough decorations, making Xmas cards, and going on fun outings. We've been busy bodies, I must admit I am exhausted - tomorrow we go to my folks for a couple of days, and am looking forward to vegging on the couch!

Baking:
We've done a batch up cupcakes, and 3 batches of cookies already - and counting! Mia loves rolling the dough and decorating the cookies. It does make quite a mess in the kitchen, but hey, the fun is more important!

For the Melting Moments, I've been using this recipe:
       250g butter
       4 tablespoons icing sugar
       4 tablespoons custard powder
       1.5 cups plain flour

       Cream butter and icing sugar until pale and fluffy. Add rest of ingredients slowly until all combined. Roll into balls, working quickly so mixture remains cool. Refrigerate uncooked biscuits for a few minutes so they hold their shape when cooked. (I didn't do this the last time, they still turned out fine!) With a fork, press down to flatten tops slightly.
Bake at 150 for 15-20 minutes.

Optional: Can ice biscuits once cooled.
Can decorate before baking, with vermicelli, cherries, smarties, etc.

Mia has her own small baking pan, which is so cute to use, and she rolls the cookies into her own "balls" without messing mine up. ;-)
My favourite decorated ones, are the ones that she put some red icing on, and then some raw cookie dough on top! So funny and precious!

Salt-dough decorations:
The same as last year's ones we made - see the post here.
Once again, we did them over a couple of days, first baking them, then painting them the next day, then glitter the next day, etc. Very cute and special!

Xmas cards:
There are so many ideas to be found on Pinterest, for ways to make cards with kiddies. I chose these candy cane ones, coz I love how personalised it is when it's Mia's fingerprint.  These were quite quick to do too - bargain!

Holiday Fun:
I took Mia to the movies for the first time today!  What a special mother-daughter outing, I loved it so much.  She kept calling it "going to a concert". We got popcorn, smarties and slush puppy to share, and our 3D glasses for the movie. We watched 'Frozen' - a supercute animated movie. Mia loved it! She watched the whole movie, just a couple of times asking questions or talking loudly, and at the sad part when all was quiet, she could be heard sobbing, be still my heart! We got one of the "love seats" in the movie theatre, so that we could snuggle together - perfect.  I look forward to a lifetime of movies on the big screen with my big girl! ♥
  

 

21 Week Scan! ♥

I had a wonderful scan on Wednesday. I wish I could be permanently hooked to one of those ultrasound to see baby sister whenever!

The doc did a really nice detailed scan. Measuring her brain, showing us her heart - could see the separate chambers beautifully, fluid in her kidneys, stretched out chilling on her tummy, open fingers, little feet pressing against me... So special and precious!

She weighs about 370g, which is 30g smaller than Mia was at the same scan.

I'm seeing a different doctor for my January appointment, Dr Grassie.  Hopefully I'll feel comfortable with her, and will then continue seeing her for the rest of my pregnancy, and she can handle the birth, seeing as Dr Laker is going for an op and will be unavailable in April.  I feel better about doing it this way, than only meeting the new doctor right at the end.

I'm loving the kicks, and felt hiccups for the first time this week, precious!  Wyn could feel her for the first time too.  Mia's not patient enough, she puts her hand on my tummy for a few seconds and then reckons yes, she felt the baby! ;-)

xx

Some more Elf on the Shelf antics!

Robin the Elf has been up to all sorts of fun in our house.  Mia wakes up most mornings with a, "let's see what the Elf has been up to!"

 

Day 10:  The Elf painted one of Mia's salt-dough decorations that she made!

 

 Day 11:  He picked a flower in the garden for Mia

 

Day 12: Robin the Elf decided to be part of the nativity scene!

 

Day 13: Messing with Nala's dog pellets

 

Day 14: The Elf was playing games on the tablet!

 

Day 15:  Mia was away overnight, and the Elf slept in her bed!

 

Day 16: Robin the Elf brought Mia a prezzie: a Xmas story book

 

Day 17: He was wrapping some presents, and got a lil bit wrapped up himself!

 

Liggiefees at the Jakaranda Kinderhuis

Tonight we went to look at all the Christmas lights at the Jakaranda Kinderhuis in Pretoria.  It's stunning!!  They decorated all their houses with millions of lights, so pretty and festive.  They had food stalls, we had yummy curry and rice, very delish.  I bought Mia some bunny ears that light up, but then she didn't want them on, so I wore them. ;-)

I think it's such a fantastic funds-raising initiative, and something the whole family can enjoy.  We'll definitely do this every year!  It's quite a walk, luckily we had comfy shoes on.

Highly recommend it, if you live in Gauteng!  Get more info on their website or their Facebook page.

Really put me in a festive mood! :-)

Mia Loves Dressing Up!

Yesterday, I had a fairy ballerina princess in my house!

 

Today, there's a pirate prancing around!

:-)
xx