Baby B's Nursery

As with everything else in my life I wanted our nursery to be perfect. Just like when I was planning for our wedding I had trawled through numerous websites and saved photos of nursery's that I adored and had done some research on what I wanted.

Here are my inspiration pictures:

I really like the neutral colors of this one and like the awning thing that hangs over the cot.

How cool is this Mad Hatter theme! Its a bit over the top but I'm not all that
keen on doing that much painting.

The matching yellow throughout this nursery grabbed my eye.

I LOVE the vintage feel of this nursery,
however this wouldn't really work in our 1980's neutral colored house.



This color theme was more what would fit into our current home decor.

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The green on these 2 is really cute! I the idea that it is neutral, but still colourful

Of course some of these are just over the top, but the main theme throughout all the photos was that I liked the idea that everything matched and was co-ordinated. And because we don't know what flavour baby we are having it will have to be gender neutral.

Back in November 2011 we went over to Wellington with the in-laws to look at cots etc for Baby Bs room.

Of course we ended up with a lot more than just a cot. Buying baby furniture and setting up a nursery is a lot more of a daunting task than I expected. The range of furniture out there is crazy - all offering to be the best because its 'made in NZ' or has extra draws, or 'this is the one everyone uses'.

We looked at ALL the cots and bed sets on the market - of course I was drawn to Touchwood which is one of the most expensive sets you can get in the baby shops.

But at over $899 for just the cot it just wasn't justified. There was also the Cariboo which was taken into consideration.... but again over $999.00 just for the cot!

Then of course there is the Ubabub pod cot - which is the most stylish cot I came across, but also had the most stylish price tag of $2,629! Yep that wasn't a typo!!!

We spent the day  in Wellington tramping through all the baby stores and after much decisions we settled on a Genesis Manhatten Cot. Its made in NZ, very sturdy, and wasn't a ridiculous price.

The added bonus was that it had a matching change table and set of draws - which suited my OCD very nicely....

 Then it was just a case of arranging them and decorating the nursery.............

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Porn for pregnant woman

I am probarly a bit behind in the game sharing these but heck, if they make me giggle then they are worth sharing!

DAM that got me all hot and sticky!!!!

2011 Recap

For an end of year re-cap I stole this idea from Amelia over at 'Rantings of a Basket Case' - thanks chicky!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Well we got married?! That's something I have never done before and will never do again :)
We also travelled to Vanuatu!


2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I tend not to make New Years resolutions only because I can never keep them! I have a few things planned for this year with the baby coming.
I will try and stick to our budget and still manage to put SOME money into savings so we can still enjoy a few luxury's.
I will also try and keep regular track of photos of Baby B so I can make up a scrap book (at this stage I'm thinking weekly)


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep. Kelly gave birth to their much wanted son, Cooper Jack Bicknell.


4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Mums horse, Niece, who has been in the family for over 25 years had to be put down. Her time was up-it was really sad but I did get to say goodbye so that was nice... no people though...


5. What countries did you visit?
We took our honeymoon in Vanuatu which we had mixed reviews on, really glad me and Cody got a chance to have one last trip before Baby B comes, and we got to experience so much it really was an eye opening trip!


6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More time! Just in general. It seems the days were full and the weekends even fuller! never really felt like I got much 'us' time. We were so busy!


7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
4th February 2011 - Our Wedding Day
22nd Febuary 2011 - The Christchurch earthquake which claimed 181 lifes
22nd August 2011 - The day I found out I was pregnant


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It would definitely have to be finishing my Diploma. After 4 years of distance learning I finally got my Diploma of Financial Services. I am so proud of myself for doing it and passing but am also glad it is over!


9. What was your biggest failure?
I really wanted to loose a few kgs, I did yo-yo for a bit, but once I found out I was pregnant all that went out the window.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Surprisingly I don't think I did. It must of been the first year in history!


11. What was the best thing you bought?
Jeez, I have to pick one? I think it would be our new camera. Its a Olympus SZ30 MR with 16 mega pixels and a 24x optical zoom! Its so nice having a reliable camera that actually takes really good photos.


12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Can I say the All Blacks? I think those boys did an amazing job and I am so so so proud of them for winning the Ruby World Cup. I am not usually a mega rugby fan but with the world cup on in 2011 I certainly learned a lot and actually really enjoyed going to the games. It also helped that I learned a lot of the players.


13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The guy who skippers the Rena, the cargo ship which hit the Astrolabe reef off Tauranga on 5th October 2011. Over 20,000 birds and wildlife lost their lifes due the massive oil spill. As I write this post now, the ship is still there and containers are still falling. It is an absolute disgrace and I am appalled by the whole situation!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Probably on food and travel. Ski trip burned a bit as did the Vanuatu trip. We have also been going hard trying to clear all our extra bills before baby comes.


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Well the wedding was certainly an exciting time, but there were plenty of other things in 2011 that got me excited..... The girls ski trip and getting a positive pregnancy test in August, Rugby world cup in September and October, Vanuatu in November, Christmas in Galatea in December and New Years at Lake Ferry for New Years!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Adele - "Someone like you". 2011 was really the first time I heard her and she has stuck with me. I love her unique and timeless sound.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder?
Happier - I married the love of my life and we are expecting a baby - things are AWESOME
b) Thinner or fatter?
Fatter - But I am carrying an extra person so I think that I am allowed to be :P
c) Richer or poorer?
Hard to say. We have more money coming in due to pay rises and some bills being cleared. But we are also paying extra on the ones we had left. So I would say the same.


18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Horse riding. Now that I am pregnant I am not allowed to ride at all and I didn't realise how much I would miss it. Especially now that it is getting darker later. And my poor ponies must be feeling so neglected.


19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Nothing - 2011 was a great year. Oh maybe not spend so much money on silly things...


20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Up in Galatea with Kelly, Shaun and the rest of the family. Spending 3 days on the farm. Christmas is always so much nicer when you can do it with children.


21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Um well I was already in love.....22. What was your favourite TV programme?
16 and pregnant, Teen Mom, The Walking Dead, Kendra, One Born Every Minute.
And the usual Home and Away, Neighbours, Shortland Street.


23. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
Not that I can think of.....I'm not usually one to go off and on with friends. You are either my friend or not. I have changed my opinion on a few people.....


24. What was the best book you read?
"Water for elephants" - By Sara Gruen. Bawled my eyes out!


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele. When ever I hear her sing I close my eyes and sing at the top of my lungs. Shes just one of those singers who totally hits the soul!


26. What did you want and get?
An overseas holiday for just me and Cody.


27. What did you want and not get?
A weekend in Sydney for my birthday. But being pregnant it probably would of sucked anyway! But I endeavour to do it this year.


28. What was your favourite film of this year?
Oh man, I didn't really go to the movies much. Cody falls asleep at the movies so we don't go.


29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27. I had a dinner out at The Countryman with family and close friends. My birthday was also the 12 week mark of my pregnancy so Cody announced it to everyone.


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Keeping our credit card paid off!!!


31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Only buy things that are on sale, that are comfy, versatile and not black! (I have way too much black in my wardrobe!)


32. What kept you sane?
Relaxation. If I don't get my 'me' time I go mental


33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I would have to agree with Amelia, Kate Middleton. She is just so 'girl next door' and a role model. I love her hair, her fashion sense, and just her general morals. She is my idol.


34. What political issue stirred you the most?
All of them. I am not ashamed to admit that I am a non-voter. Politics never really interest me and to be honest I cant be bothered either way.


35. Who did you miss?
My sister and niece, who live in Gisborne. Although we do see each other regulary it would be much better if we were closer. I hate being so far away and I hate it that the journey from Masterton to Gisborne is such a terrible trip.


36. Who was the best new person you met?
Alicia Oliver. The coolest chick who I meet off the weddings.co.nz forum and still regulary keep in contact with even though we are hundreds of kms apart.


37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Dont sweat the small stuff - there is always someone out there who is worse off than you!


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Now I've had the time of my life

No I never felt like this before

Yes I swear it's the truth

And I owe it all to you

'Cause I've had the time of my life

And I owe it all to you

I've been waiting for so long

Now I've finally found someone

To stand by me

We saw the writing on the wall

As we felt this magical

Fantasy

 

Now with passion in our eyes

There's no way we could disguise it

Secretly

So we take each other's hand

'Cause we seem to understand

The urgency Just remember

You're the one thing I can't get enough of

So I'll tell you something

This could be love because

 

I've had the time of my life

No I never felt this way before

Yes I swear it's the truth

And I owe it all to you

New Years at the Fezza

So this new years would have been my first sober new years in well over 10 years! Its actually quite an experience being sober and watching everyone else get rotten. The conversations were also one in a million!

A long time ago (before I was pregnant) we decided to spend New Years at Nana Buchanans batch at Lake Ferry.

Luckily it all worked out as because I was pregnant it was nice to have somewhere to relax or have a nap if the need arose.

We went out with Steph and Shep on Wednesday 28th December and had booked the batch for a whole week!

Day one was a killer hot day - I could barely breathe, I think we downed a box of juicies that first day! By the time we unpacked, set-up and had tea there was just enough time for a family outing of fishing on the beach. We didn't have bait so used the left over pork riblets from tea  - fair to say I am not surprised we didn't catch anything!

Thursday brought the forecasted rain. (which doesn't look like it is leaving us anytime soon) We knew it was coming but it still sucked! We were prepared with Monopoly and a few other board games so it was a quiet inside day. Steph Wilson came on Thursday too so we had extra company.

Friday, it was still raining but that didn't stop Cody and Sonny going out and about

Sonny was absolutely drenched when he got home but he sure looked like he enjoyed himself!

Levi however, opted for a more civilised past time - napping!

While Cody was down at the beach Shep took care of the house hold duties ( I had to take a photo as Steph wouldn't believe me that he actually did dishes!!!)

Once the rain eased up we were able to get out and about again. So we all took the quad bikes down to the beach for a bit of a family outing. I found a little race track that someone had made so the boys decided to give it a go....

And we all know what happens when boys play with toys!

Then before we knew it, it was new years eve! More mates came out to join us and although it was STILL raining it didn't bother us too much. We set up camp in the garage and just made the most of it!



For the New Year countdown we headed down to the Lake Ferry Hotel which was actually quite busy!

The next morning I woke up feeling slightly pudgy - not sure if it was a sympathy hangover or the 2L of chocolate milk I had drunken the night before! I started on mega breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns, kranksys and of course PANCAKES!

The rest of the day we spent mucking around the beach house and napping.

The boys really wanted to be out in the boat but the weather was icky and the lake was too low. So they settled for second best....

And when the rain started again, that still didn't stop them! They are a clever bunch!

I think Sonny's face says it all!!!

That afternoon it finally cleared up so I could take the puppies out for a run.

On the Monday I did my usual, went and visited the seals! This time we took Steph and Steph2. There were so many babies out and about it was really cool to see them! They were hidden in amongst the rocks - sometimes looking like they had been squashed, but they were just napping in the cracks.

This big mumma seal chased me! It was freaking scary! Being pregnant, wearing jandels and standing on slippery rocks did not help my cause one bit!

So that was my new years, pretty low key really due to me being up the duff and the rain. But we still made the most of it and I still really enjoyed my time at Lake Ferry (but I always do :) )

BRING ON 2012!