tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26374537227780961682024-02-19T20:36:51.263+13:00I talk too much my mouth hurtsviv tells you to go here, eat this.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.comBlogger1752125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-85157207499503284592019-01-21T21:47:00.001+13:002019-01-21T21:47:53.029+13:00Starting daycare checklistHappy New Year!<div><div><br></div><div>It’s been a while! Today was Miss L’s first day at daycare. People keep asking me how I feel about it, if I feel anxious or sad. Not really? I was excited for her meeting new friends her age and size, getting to play with new toys in a new environment. The only things I didn’t really think about was the morning rush and how much I’d miss her cuddles during the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow I am going to feed her first thing before changing her nappies. That way, if she ever decides not to take her bottle fully like she did this morning, there’d be enough time for a second try.</div><div><br></div><div>Here’s a list of things we needed to remember to take to the daycare:</div><div><ul><li>Formula and bottle - good thing we have a few spare bottles from when we were trying to get Miss L interested in them, any of them, but she would reject each and all of them. Thank goodness we are over that stage.</li><li>Nappies - we sent a pack of them and learnt that the daycare puts the name of the baby on each one. We also get notified of every single nappy change with the time and whether it was just wet or had bowel movement. Miss L goes through so many nappies!</li><li>Change of clothes - in case of spills or poonamis, though they don’t really happen anymore. It’s more likely that she will need a change after playing outside.</li><li>Hat - Miss L came home with traces of sand stuck on the folds of her limbs and clearly had sunscreen slopped on her, so she must have been loving the outdoors today. Hopefully she’d had her hat on for long enough, she loves yanking it off.</li><li>Sleeping bag & doudou/blankie - anything to help Miss L settle down for a decent nap. She doesn’t have a security blanket but does have a soft toy that gets put in the cot with her. Now we have one at home and one at the daycare.</li><li>Book - where parents note the last meal amount and time, and the daycare teachers write all the details of Miss L’s days.</li></ul><div>Miss L came home happy and tired from a day full of activities. There were even a few scratches received from her new friends. Nothing to worry about. She’s settling just fine. Now it’s my turn to settle back at work.</div></div></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-10534717346857237262018-08-24T20:52:00.001+12:002018-08-24T20:52:05.597+12:00Things no one told me <img id="id_e8ca_915e_b20f_23db" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz4ZtJH-Kqx92FGtquzmGI0fYlnC1_CfedNWq513Cji8DLG4iKCTHKNbUAn8gy3oY_rsENEGHunX5Hna2XTUtiMTGGACF5MYxeoCyB5ORn3x90Syb6kgZnOOx5MA447UfZp5i9jskvcIU/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">This week I celebrated a little milestone of finally fitting into my favourite jeans again. It’s still tight, but it’s an achievement that I am very happy about. I had been told to be patient to get my body back postpartum. It did take nine whole months to grow the baby, after all. I was still horrified the first time I tried and failed to pull my jeans up past my thighs, though. A few more pants still to go...</font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Here are a few other things people did not tell me: </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">No one told me that pregnancy would permanently change the way my belly button looks nor the long stretches of time I would spend on the couch breastfeeding. It takes so much longer to breastfeed than I ever imagined. I was prepared for the sore arms but not the wrist pains from holding the baby for long periods of time. They did tell me about the sleepless nights but not enough of the long day times. I was surprised to feel even hungrier than when pregnant. Also that feeding off a breast is natural instinct but off a bottle is not. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">So many things no one really told me about pregnancy and parenting. Not even of baby’s amazingly kissable cheeks. I could kiss Little Miss L’s chubby cheeks all day long. </font></p> Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-38191558311229417402018-08-17T16:55:00.001+12:002018-08-17T16:55:53.978+12:00Pregnancy essentials<img id="id_d46e_c403_a620_a1fa" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlxRvRKrg8WGsgqmjTO_OvG7Q2FNxbtJEBALBY8T_UTshgFy8lPqFCYOdC3xwq8_JoKk-pI8fRU6JEVy27Fa2IE6cxsTk1tSIQuit67xdP2uBY0wjpcl0pPgZ1f9kb7S9tl-4ruMBHI5N/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>Little Miss L turned 100 days old this week. It’s a Korean tradition to celebrate this rite of passage for babies with a party, traditionally decorated with lots of rice cakes. My parents had so much fun planning the event out with lots of balloons and even a customised banner for Little Miss L! <div><br></div><div>Coincidentally it also marks the end of the fourth trimester of pregnancy and Little Miss L can no longer be called a newborn, boohoo. I mean, she’s already in size 3 nappies and taking weekly swimming lessons these days, which, by the way, she and I both really enjoy.</div><div> <div><img id="id_3533_3019_8fd5_f8af" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TdKgLz59oEm8YDKvA2Twg40J59AX67N_W6WP9ZJqRgpQtLk5UHBE0IPdLXejxOEtbN1omT8XxAM6K3uQX79IFMTyV-hHaqMVMj7n-C1zOwinuZmKRaxAzIIrsca3NoH5qfDC8ps8__Z9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>Looking back into my pregnancy before Little Miss L came along - a period that seems yonders ago - here are a few essentials that got me through those bumpy months:</div></div><div><ul><li>Dresses - so comfortable and so easy to get in and out of. The two dresses I wore the most were a LBD from Cue for chic office wear looks and a bright Gorman number (pictured) for more casual days. </li><li>ASOS maternity leggings - they may have the only maternity thing I bought apart from the hoodie my mother in law got me for Christmas. </li><li>Uniqlo stretchy jeans - they were the only pants I could fit into right up to the end of the third trimester, being super stretchy. </li><li>Lots of pillows - for around the bumps when you’re trying to sleep. Normally a back sleeper, having to sleep on the sides were so uncomfortable!</li><li>Long walks - the easiest and the cheapest way to exercise. </li></ul></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-89823438211145249852018-08-09T18:48:00.001+12:002018-08-09T18:48:23.955+12:00First swimming lessonLittle Miss L had her first swimming class this morning. It was a bit of a rush to get to the pool on time since she decided to sleep in for once. There were two other babies so the class was pretty small. Little Miss L did really well! Not quite kicking yet, but she enjoyed bobbing up and down, floating around the heated pool on her belly and back. The dives in the water and out came as a bit of a surprise for her at first, but the second time was better. Quite the little water baby!<div><br></div><div>Afterwards she screamed in the changing room, not sure if it was the other babies screaming that set her off or the big bag that happened to hang above her that got her worried. Maybe she was just sad to be out of the waters. Once dried and dressed she was pretty knackered in her stroller though. We even got her napping two big naps today, one in her own cot by herself! </div><div><br></div><div>Hopefully she will also sleep well during the night tonight.</div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-77365555877125265822018-08-01T20:12:00.001+12:002018-08-01T20:12:14.277+12:00Keep on moving <img id="id_e28d_9a93_a25f_e5c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTyv_i_EP8o3dhIo3mI7g5kW2cJyByuvRH4bq-hgZ3arNhliUJqyBPOWnq_gyfb0F44BEP33M9zLtLOCn7Mf63aB5-tlhWDeluRryJY8be_SeQHHMoJYGqTQyqTuoyShvDtPzp0vy3lTO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>Little Miss L is 12 weeks today but not quite three months old, which she will be next week. It’s confusing when people ask me how old my baby girl is. Maybe I should start dropping the weeks and just go with the months?<div><br></div><div>At almost three months, she is smiling a lot more, which is a joy to behold. We are having more face to face ‘conversations’, learning each other’s communication styles. Obviously, there’s a lot of gagas, burps and cries involved. Miss L loves to be moved around, too, contributing to the pedometer on our phones. Thanks sweetie for helping us exercise more. </div><div><br></div><div>I’m still trying to connect to the outside world every day. Today I met a new mum and baby who live 10 minutes from us and chatted for two hours on how we are doing with our new schedules. Hopefully it will become a regular thing. Getting out is hard sometimes when the baby doesn’t want to cooperate - like today - but so good!</div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-63759759011567876252018-07-25T22:45:00.001+12:002018-07-25T22:45:53.612+12:0011 weeks<img id="id_f020_10ac_de24_4191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2jmvMU0KZIlYjPJ8KaD9TFNPn0US7jbrtnXmOHA28kR3yK6qxMELofhVIp0CdYSLsho8TYRthyphenhyphenARESqDJ6SERt0kVeshDFXr2n0drPnmIoC2aOcptuLUtoXII12X-M7lmNpW9FmHn6xu/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>We had had family over the last week and a bit hence the lack of posts for a while. It was great to be on holiday outside of town, exploring another region with our family. <div><br></div><div>The Airbnb was in the middle of an olive grove, and each night we had a sky full of twinkling stars as I nursed the baby to sleep. Every morning we woke up to a chorus of birds. It was so lovely. <div><br></div><div>We learnt that travelling with a baby meant lot more baby stuff than ours. We forgot so many things! Miss L did well considering, but then she was pretty spoilt with so many arms to hold her, grandparents singing to her, uncle rocking her to sleep... she couldn’t have been more loved. </div></div><div><br></div><div>It was also the week that we learnt our baby could sleep 8 hours at a stretch. Though getting her to sleep in the first place was a nightmare...</div><div><br></div><div>Back home and back into a more familiar routine, little Miss L is feeling a bit calmer. She still enjoys the daily bath times with her Papa. She has almost, but not quite yet, found her thumb to suck. Maybe in another week or so. </div><div><br></div><div>Can’t believe she’ll be three months old next week!</div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-44097407328053797262018-07-05T07:18:00.001+12:002018-07-05T07:21:23.644+12:00Baby thoughts<img alt="" id="id_e167_9184_4b91_3593" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvS152VrXScRIZ7kNGgzQhxtcmtfxzMZWvWIOawsnC427hetMcioSIcEPIF4iv9aDEjA9aCgH9qTRKsaRuYrUXbwifNffmqB-shRLAFHXAcaQQI1yn2KpYTwU27owdLedemXNkUwEtt5-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;">I turned two months yesterday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">It was Papa’s birthday last week so I slept 7-8 hours at a stretch for three nights straight as my present to him. My parents were disappointed when this didn’t continue into the week. They are for special occasions! I will reconsider though, because I do love them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">We went to visit Mum’s workmates on Monday. We took a box of doughnuts with us. They wouldn’t stop looking at me and trying to get me to wake up! So I kept still and slept through it all until I got home. Maybe next time I’ll let them hold me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">I like to fall asleep on mum’s boobs. Who needs a tétine when I’ve got mum?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Bibs are fashion accessories plus they keep my neck warm. I need to spit milk curdles for my parents to put them on me though. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times;">I got a new rocking lounge chair last week. The rocking makes me fall asleep. I wish they wouldn’t stop rocking. You stop rocking I stop sleeping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Mum thinks I’m getting better at being by myself while she gets ready in the morning. It’s just that I’m getting better at marking my territory with the milk on her and her clothes. Sometimes she comes back with different clothes though so I have to spit up again. It’s hard work. </span></div>
Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-25141590861730139622018-06-28T02:37:00.001+12:002018-06-28T02:38:33.791+12:00Baby’s first doctor’s visit<img id="id_42a0_f481_cb46_825b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvbep4jNK9VLRfBPqXUOly4pUt1GEa2-qTIMAjPqKlSgsfky2COXzY9_faRh7hxyM5g4Z_DCSt93gerXu6PhZ4FqyxNAumjWUKvw3M7np4TbqJy8uKG783mdOhjLl5yDVVEK8CrMGP5n-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">In New Zealand, babies get their first series of vaccinations from six weeks of age. In France this is at eight weeks, so it must be different for different countries. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Here are a few tips for when you and your baby go to the doctor’s, probably for the first time. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana"><b>An hour before leaving the house:</b></font></p>
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<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Feed the baby, so the baby is content, at least while on the way to the clinic, if not during the visit </font></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Burp the baby, so the baby hopefully doesn’t spit up on the still new pram</font></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Put on a new nappy, we want to avoid having to change the baby if possible</font></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Bundle the baby up with appropriate clothes, it’s winter in NZ at the moment, so hat and blanket are essential</font></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Nappy bag, spare clothes for mummy could come in handy!</font></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Snacks and drink for mummy, you want to be as comfortable as the baby as possible!</font></li>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana"><b>Find the lifts:</b></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">First time taking the baby on the train today, so we went out of the house extra early. We needed more time to locate the lifts in the stations, which I have never used before. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana"><b>Treat yourself before the appointment:</b></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Turns out we came out way earlier than we needed to. A good thing in the end, because I got quite hungry by this time. Never leave the house without some mummy snack and drink bottle, I often forget! I took this opportunity as an excuse to try out a new café though, so all good. Got a baguette sandwich and coffee to go, the necessary fuel for the doctor’s visit ahead. Look pointedly at the barista so they will come out and open the door for you and the pram. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana"><b>At the doctor’s:</b></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">You may need to fill out some paperwork to enrol the baby into the system. First, a nurse took the baby’s measurements - weight, height, head circumference. Why are babies always asleep when they need to be stripped to be measured? Of course she cried in protest. Then, when placed back in my arms, we heard a long prooouuuuut. Followed by a warm runny sensation on my crotch and belly. We’ve got a poonami! With the leak staining my jeans and top... Great, thanks, sweetie! Lucky we picked up lunch beforehand, we are definitely going home straight afterwards. Spare clothes for the mum as well as baby in the nappy bag could be smart, especially on longer trips. I just covered the yellow blotches with my jacket today. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">The doctor checked the baby’s eyes, heartbeat, bum, and reflexes, and declared everything was normal. Good. Back to the nurse for the actual vaccines. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">There are three things administered to your baby during the six week vaccination visit. The rotavirus vaccine given orally is the one that may cause the baby a fever and maybe even some diarrhoea. Some babies spit the liquid up but our one did fine. In case of any fever in the next 24 hours, we were prescribed some Pamol, paracetamol for children, also to be given orally with a syringe. The next two vaccines are injected to each of your baby’s thighs. Avoid your mother instincts and rub the thighs afterwards, the nurse’s orders.</font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">The same three vaccines are repeated at the three months vaccine visit. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana"><b>Breastfeed before leaving:</b></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">The baby can now finally get dressed again. I asked if I could also feed the baby in the nurse’s room before leaving. The nurse took the Pamol prescription to the pharmacy next door while I nursed and calmed the baby down. Made sure the baby was carefully wrapped in case she has another episode on the way home, too. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Munching on the sandwich on the way home, we are greeted with a short hail spell. Quick, cover the pram with the rain cover, walk faster!</font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana"><b>Finally back at home: </b></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Take the soiled clothes off, gulp down a glass of water, a quick toilet break and make sure to wash your hands well, we don’t want any germs getting at the little one. Keep the baby sleeping in its pram for as long as possible, rocking it gently whenever she stirs. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">Apparently the babies get either very restless or sleepy after their vaccinations. Hopefully she will be the latter and let us sleep in peace tonight! But of course she didn’t... Instead, we had an unhappy baby who wouldn’t sleep, wanting cuddles all night, and a bit of a temperature. Eek. Thankfully she was a lot better the next morning. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana">We will be better prepared for the next vaccination visit!</font></p> Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-4445900124212100812018-06-20T15:37:00.001+12:002018-06-20T15:37:35.953+12:0010 most used French baby words<img id="id_cdcb_927_de1c_913c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2qjHodvHCwA-lH28GJdEttgP9KeJPq3UThFbz4bXw26uUlAsQ6qheBKzanZP2mUCZ7Y2WLr-Txm0xInhZ97UeeuYArbHXydkHXNsoTjgbq8HdKyfEbXchDcy44q2XA93UpZ91pBaMIOc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>Trying to raise a multilingual child requires more dedication than I first hoped. The one parent one language thing doesn’t really work when I keep forgetting words when trying to keep to just one language... but we will keep trying. <div><br></div><div>As a family though, we try to stick to French and here are ten words that frequently pop up in our conversations involving our little one, who is six weeks old today:</div><div><ol><li><b>Berceau</b> - cot/bassinet - At first we thought the baby could go straight to her own cot in her own room, until we started getting lectured on sudden unexpected death of an infant (SUDI) over and over again. So we got a bassinet custom made to sit next to our bed for our daughter’s first few months. Babies don’t like sleeping on their own beds, do they? At least, mine doesn’t, especially during the day. The nights are better, but we are still trying to get her to fall asleep on her own in her special <i>berceau</i></li><li><b>Dodo</b> - sleep - At the moment little L wakes up only once during the night from her <i>dodo </i>to feed. Most nights, anyway. It’s harder to get her to sleep longer than 4 hours, though. Hopefully soon she will be sleeping all the way through the night (<i>faire ses nuits</i>)</li><li><b>Allaiter</b> - to breastfeed - Our baby is exclusively breastfed at the moment, so it’s normally me that gets up during the night. Unless she refuses to sleep even after being breastfed, then it’s daddy’s turn to try to settle the baby</li><li><b>Bavoir </b>- bib - Lately our baby has started spitting up milk, it’s quite frustrating! We have so many <i>bavoirs</i> everywhere: by each bedside table, changing station, play station, dining table, bassinet, and of course on the actual baby!</li><li><b>Rototo</b> - burp - To help avoid so many spit ups you are meant to burp the baby after each feed but it doesn’t always work. I’d also been told that you don’t actually need to burp breastfed babies but I think it’s better than getting curdled milk all over you. There are so many contradicting information out there when it comes to looking after a newborn. L does the most amazingly loud <i>rototos</i> though!</li><li><b>Couche</b> - nappy - My husband and I take turns in changing nappies in the evening. Babies go through so many of them, don’t they? </li><li><b>Prout</b> - farting noise - Our little one likes to fart a lot of very smelly ones all throughout the day. <i>Prout prout</i>! At least it means that she’s digesting well and the gas doesn’t get trapped inside</li><li><b>Popo</b> - poo - Sometimes her farts are so loud and smelly we confuse them with her <i>popo</i>. Today she pooped so much while she was sitting on my lap that it came up her <i>couche</i> and even got some on my jeans </li><li><b>Poussette</b> - pram/stroller/buggy - Lucky the <i>poussette</i> did not get soiled as I had just gotten her out of it, just in time! A lot of people have complimented on how compact ours is, and it really is great for going on public transport and long walks</li><li><b>Bâiller</b> - to yawn - It’s so cute when L yawns! I wish she’d sleep as much as her <i>bâillements</i> but she will only be more awake as she gets older</li></ol><div>A bonus word would be <b>papa</b>! As in, ouiii, papaaaaa, can you please take the baby for a bit so I can take a (toilet) break/nap/eat/stretch? I think it’s my most favourite word of them all. </div></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-59581307908588167562018-06-14T21:11:00.001+12:002018-06-14T21:11:05.433+12:00Milk spills<img id="id_638c_c25d_afb0_6e4f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vqKW2QFYnGNoHUXwXrFY4KRLaRGlQFvtKxxR1H8-luZTDHlez_Nm5jEqJszYjEstsVY-soHxPvENtypiJjAEu6m-Ou-ng6up9xAGZWjQjMFZxK2sY9htWpxFtJUaxVAs_y86omHjNEFf/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>Milk spills down my top and milk spills down my jeans. Ah, well, no time to get changed and look pretty, it’s taken long enough as it is. Things take longer when you’ve only got one free hand, the other full with a newborn/infant who refuses to be out of mum’s arms. <div><br></div><div>Let’s go for a walk, little one! The fresh air will do us both good. Before the showers come back...</div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-70463311615399728042018-06-04T16:35:00.001+12:002018-06-07T04:04:14.017+12:00First month reflections<img id="id_b6ab_27af_df7b_bd6f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXJBWVFJ-mh70vojnB2a_4UDIOGn7COTuTA8i7kqCxuZxQKSSxPvjMc-_lOYtbgAnF7npaXkdfkYCYGcl_Hh_QToiVCQlpveuRwJ8TxLGe5LH652MkO3IkumMG1Fd7WdS3bUEpGa9AKLj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br>Less than a week after the last post, little L was born. I haven’t stopped snoring since... whenever I manage to get some sleep!<div><br></div><div>Looking back at my pregnancy, labour and early motherhood journey to date, here are some reflections:</div><div><br></div><div><b>Pregnancy</b><div>People don’t tell you that the last months of pregnancy can be a drag. I loved the second trimester, when you feel energised again after the nauseating first trimester and start seeing your bump grow. The constant reminders of a tiny being taking over your body, kicking and wriggling, was my favourite part of pregnancy. The second favourite part was the pregnancy massages. Not so much fun were the lack of sleep from leg cramps, sciatic nerve pains, and the uncomfortable side lying positions you are forced to at nights, even with all the pillows. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Labour & birth</b></div><div>Not knowing whether to expect the bloody show or water breaking first was a bit exasperating. You just have to learn as you go. For me the show came first. The contractions started after lunch and when we called the midwife that evening, we were told to wait four more hours. I don’t think I could have waited that long! When the water broke close to midnight, it came out green with meconium so we ended up having to get to the hospital earlier than expected. I was only 4 cm dilated at that stage. Then a great big clot gushed out so I was put on monitors for the rest of the birthing process. Not the birth I had imagined, with a Swiss ball and soothing music! </div><div><br></div><div>The contraction pains are one thing, but again, it’s the not knowing when they will be over that made labour hard work for me. Without the team of people you trust, like my husband who never let go of my hand (not that he could have, with me holding on to him for dear life) and the midwives whom I liked, it would have made labour much harder to go through. I was glad when finally given the okay to start pushing and get the baby out. At 2.50am, L was born, a little girl (a surprise, since I had been convinced that she would be a boy). In the end, no gas, epidural nor episiotomy was needed, so for that I am glad. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Birthcare</b></div><div>We left the hospital less than 2 hours after the birth and made our way to the post pregnancy care clinic. It was around 6.30am when I got settled and my husband had to leave (no partners are allowed unless they pay to stay). Here at Birthcare I was allowed three nights’ rest. I wish I had been better prepared. </div><div><br></div><div>The first ‘night’ by myself with the equally tired but crying newborn was scary and lonely, even with the expert hands of midwives only a call away. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had had nothing to eat since noon the day before and was exhausted from all the pushing. </span>I spent those first hours with the little bubba stiff in my arms in the dark, scared that I would drop her in my lack of sleep, energy, and experience. It was a huge shock and wish someone had warned me properly. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To future new mothers I would advise them to pay extra for private rooms where partners can stay from day 1. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Second, the after pains. I knew that stitches may be required from pushing a huge head out of a small opening. I was somewhat prepared for the belly pouch that now felt very wobbly and the fear of the first bowel movement (kiwifruit was and still is my best friend). What I didn’t expect were the pains and little burst veins along my arms and hands from having held onto my husband for hours during labour, though. </div><div><br></div><div>Third, resting was a bore. Plus our little roommate in the standard room that we shared with another mother and baby screamed all day long, so we didn’t really get much rest. We ended up going home a day earlier, after just enough time to make sure the baby was latching properly when breastfeeding, and that we were swaddling and changing nappies with more or less confidence. The first night at home was a shock for my husband, too, but for me it was a blessing to be able to share the night duties with someone else. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Postpartum </b></div><div>The first month of it, anyway. Someone told me that it’s you, the baby or the house that looks good and under control, not all three, in the early days. So far, we are managing pretty well. </div><div><br></div><div>I’m lucky that my husband is very hands on and is always trying to get me to rest while taking care of the housework and the baby during the day. I think he feels sorry he cannot contribute as much at night since we are breastfeeding exclusively for the moment. While we’ve both had to adjust to the tiny new family member, he’s probably had to change his ways more than I, so I am grateful for his support. It mustn’t be easy to come home to a crying baby and sleepless nights after a full day’s work. </div><div><br></div><div>Luckily my mother came to help us in the beginning so we didn’t have to worry about food and chores for a while. Even though she kept trying to get me to eat for two, as much as she had during pregnancy, and didn’t want me going out of the house at all. I need the fresh air and exercise though! </div><div><br></div><div>It’s crazy to realise that L turned 1 month yesterday. Time goes by so quickly and she changes daily. Though in a half zombie mode from the lack of sleep most of the time, motherhood is a blessing and I am embracing it as much as I can. </div><div><br></div><div>More posts on motherhood to come soon!</div></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-74212545610624360352018-05-03T12:19:00.001+12:002018-05-03T12:19:53.159+12:00Waiting game<div><img id="id_b107_7c3f_f737_8066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix5OL2aUQkXcA-PNNVsPyVmaxk3TXCeUSNXkUjjUBnqGTUy6vjxBGPpARjDe65Pi_5QYQWleI_kh-3NBaKXc15431CQpqDAbUY8WsLckOxVW7w9Ggm0-5XnZ7vsG6HKi798neEOTRn-3n/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>It’s been a good while since I’ve shared anything on the blog. It’s about time I started again, hopefully more regularly - as I always say. <div><br></div><div>Since Monday it’s been quiet time. Taking time off work to rest, it’s almost like a retreat within your own home. There’s been a lot of tea drinking, reading, listening to podcasts; gentle exercises, small house chores, baking sessions every other day. Going for long walks for fresh air has been really important, and as the end of the first week approaches, setting up time for human interactions during the day really really helps, too. </div><div><br></div><div>A bit of boredom is not too bad, knowing that it won’t last too much longer. Enjoying it while it lasts!</div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-4327593921983572992018-03-02T06:21:00.001+13:002018-03-02T06:22:52.140+13:00 You’re making a mess<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><img id="id_45af_747b_8565_dbda" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmxVptD2yyqx_9AJ1SIpsKJ1ZNCMQlu-6fA6cEt2IW-crnrHDSya10MYc0uHD672RLohToSk3zacfYUgqBZzPeG6EbGYOzD07-E1NJ_GxCj1X51K5g3-23pBPRjej7V177H3V6nLEtaPQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">Who needs a baby when you’re making enough mess already?</font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">Last weekend I grabbed a large jar of crushed garlic by its lid... forgetting that it was only half screwed on. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">Oh, oh. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">The contents spilt out all over our dining area. All over the chairs. All over the floor. Some on the windows. Even under the dining table top. My kind husband said, ‘You couldn’t have made more of a mess if you’d tried,’ cleaning up the specks of garlic pieces off the furniture. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">Urgh, welcome to third trimester?</font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">Yesterday I was feeling so meh at a three hour morning workshop that I almost ran to get some coffee half way through. I haven’t had real coffee since being pregnant but this was an emergency. No soy hot chocolate was going to help this time. As the caffeine buzz oozed into my veins I felt a lot better and a lot more awake. </font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">Sometimes you just need a pick-me-up. Doesn’t everyone?</font></p>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-76464117665765309012018-02-20T20:41:00.001+13:002018-02-20T20:41:44.497+13:00Hot and bothered<img id="id_c7d5_b4da_c432_5c59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXVDwZJPSbel5Ykd6of0mcBqdVPwzalxjdcQIWrt3BGa3YgldKeq8VwLzbuN_j4RrZ9nqQReJrJJnWB8HRpDzNGm23lgpGL1FvK-b9a2kySyHNiPk_Ab9n5McyM53fOcayHpmI3MzTDoZ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"><br><div>It's still very hot and humid these days in Auckland. Not helping that the cyclone Gita is passing by, blowing these heat about. </div><div><br></div><div>The first thing I want to do coming through the doors after another intense day at work is to slump down and take a nap, but that isn't so easy when there is a big and growing bump in the way. Moving in this heavy weather isn't fun especially with the extra weight and skin and fat, slowing you right down, even when you know the traffic light is going to turn green any minute now, and the train is going to close its doors in another 30 seconds, and you could make it if you quickened your steps just a bit... Sorry, I'll take the next one.</div><div><br></div><div>So instead, I scooped myself a glass full of plum ice cream to cool off with. Don't feel too hungry anyway. My stomach is squished half way up my chest these days so I feel full all the time. Then starving the next. Sometimes. Can't quite decide. </div><div><br></div><div>Dinner was leftover risotto from last night. Picked some red ripe tomatoes from our balcony pot garden, thinking I'll make some lentil salad with them tomorrow. </div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-65131242116602806822018-02-13T06:32:00.001+13:002018-02-13T06:32:50.179+13:00One year anniversary How time flies. It seems just yesterday that I wore my white dress and was surrounded by my two families and friends. Already a year has past and there’s a belly that keeps growing!<div><br></div><div>Favourite moments of our first year together include: scuba diving by Little Barrier Island in NZ watching a school of Kingfish go past at an arm’s length from us, swimming by the sea outside one of our apartments in Montenegro, the joy of watching our baby move during the 12 week scan. <br><div><img id="id_4e19_73a6_c12f_564d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZde-VlzPYisH-BclBN6eKVvyNJ_KclPwdOPy92F_spYbkNcrfsxHjGvtYMjNDxRG33nJwsIL-5T0Te8SIr8CLhHBvbGH4notDIdzGEAqCgPqHfTCipAmtFjMvkHe6M_RfEeOsrRG_kxBc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br></div><div>A surprised me with a bouquet of beautifully fragrant flowers picking me up from work last night. He even wrote me a card that made me laugh and cry. He really is the sweetest! We went out for dinner at a boutique hotel restaurant in town and had a wonderful time together. </div></div><div><br></div><div>One down, many more to go!</div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-48056288355742202992018-02-04T11:35:00.001+13:002018-02-04T11:35:20.792+13:00Travel tip: Campervan roadtrip around New ZealandTravelling around New Zealand in a self contained camper, free to choose where to go and sleep each day, was so much fun, and a great end/start of a year.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_ae34_78e_8167_7edc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcs5F30VX13U9DAvSlQ6LIH1lrSqj3wPLyDklgA7R_TExbmlKkHFsNqq7vDRtU9aDj_gqp9TsGbaZp3DrxcN64V5iFnQQ56Unt_-WASRtry19Dsl1B3yaY0jUyJ7Pv-k2_TXE6XGeY91ZE/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Some of our <b>highlights</b> included:</div><div><ul><li>Swimming in a river then drying off in the setting sun, then being greeted by a sky full of stars at night</li><li>Another night of thunderstorms, feeling small, exposed yet safe, snuggled under the duvet in the small van</li><li>Daily walks in native bushes often overlooking the waters</li></ul><div>There were some <b>downsides</b> to travelling in a rental camper, too, of course:</div></div><div><ul><li>The ridiculously long wait times because the companies don't seem to hire more even in the high season, resulting in grumpy customers and defensive employees</li><li>High season hire means expensive rates for very old campers, slow and ear ringing loud engine noise</li></ul><div><img id="id_ead8_3d62_48c9_3a44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdvnpeWUbdnP3PCRwkoSbL5u2mVIywlgKGvdvvIfYpXIoSDFLgB_q31QEM0er-FXk2OnbDaZOea1mt1v9-mD8Fd22iBjm-nC0Ag1nIoN5DcnZsQsWc_7aj17w7SnnKt_dmyHL3LJCgWR3/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><b>Useful tips</b> when going on your own road trip in a campervan:</div></div><div><ul><li>When choosing where to park and sleep for the night, or places to dump your grey and black waters, the app Campermate was the most helpful. Up to date and honest reviews from other campers and coordinates to just set and go. Highly recommended</li><li>Real fruit ice creams or frozen yoghurts are the best treats when on a Summer road trip. Our favourite place was in Takaka township in Abel Tasman - the Wholemeal cafe on the main road. The most generous scoop of mixed berries ever. Loved it!</li><li>We only took one shower in the actual van, opting to swim in rivers and beaches, instead. We didn't smell, but definitely could have washed more. For future trips we would definitely look into biodegradable soaps for washing in rivers. Is it legal?</li><li>Not realising that the portable toilet on the van had no chemicals put into it, having been given false information at the rental place, we struggled through the growing stink towards the end of our trip. Luckily we had only done small business, but still! Make sure to have the chemical added at the start of your trip and empty often. You've been warned</li><li>Cheap camping chairs are useful for meals outside the van when the weather is gorgeous like it was for most of our trip. We didn't bother with a table, though. Our laps and a nearby rock were enough</li></ul><div><img id="id_8d30_2c75_66fb_69db" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwazkRhm0wa83B7b0UwVCe3QXpPLVfEhbaqfBckLxJkQ-zZhLmwFVAsVgtSfbyRU0Kr3AH-g6Kz4wsPXOtcELUvNhtikXJhusbNLrycslwlK8alvf3Lad3nP5SLF9zshYoRqK1b2bC_T81/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-5606369668240284322018-01-31T21:20:00.001+13:002018-01-31T21:20:31.201+13:00Recipe: Easy 3-3-3 plan peach jams<img id="id_475c_5e8_9e68_5887" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJRI5xZO_dsTvdHOkn5vW9_P3dmLUhVgmzQLWRgt7R8A7NnVNc8KobDpKsiJcah8XTVWtIuhxAbEtTYXnBzS21deRdTp3Kdb-R6wcJEN-0TgmCv8RNxoP0FiA-cy1jpilT5Z39zLZJkNW/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"><br><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Peaches are in season and they are everywhere at the moment. I love their juicy sweetness as part of my barbecue or just simply as dessert at the end of a meal.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">They are not going to last forever, though. I mean, Summer will come to an end eventually. Though it's kind of hard to believe right now, right? So, as a way to preserve a little bit of summer in jars, here's a little how to, to make them into jam.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">This is for a small batch peach jam, enough for two jars. One for now, one for later. Or, if you are more generous, one for you, and one for a friend.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">So, here we go. It's really easy. Just follow this <b>3-3-3 plan</b>. Here are the things you need:</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial"><b>Three ingredients:</b> Peaches, of course, about 6-8. Choose ones that are ripe enough to eat now but not overly ripe that they are mushy. White sugar, 1 and a half cup. Juice from half a lemon. There are no preservatives or gelatine in this recipe. No way.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial"><b>Three tools:</b> A medium sized pot. A wooden spatula. Two jam jars. Make sure the jars and their lids are sterilised by cleaning them in hot soapy water then drying them in the oven on a low temperature, about 120 degrees celsius. We want them kept quite hot until it's time to fill them up.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial"><b>Three steps:</b> Mix, heat, fill. Mix all the ingredients in the pot on medium heat. Make sure the peaches are peeled, de-stoned and cut into however big you want them. It's like the peanut butter question. Are you a crunchy or a smooth person? Do you prefer your jam smooth or with bits in it? When the sugar is all dissolved and the fruit is starting to sweat, turn the heat up, up, up. You want the peaches to boil. When it starts to bubble, turn the heat back down to medium high. Make sure you stir regularly, you don't want it to caramelise too much. You know when the jam is done when you're stirring with your wooden spoon, you can see the bottom of the pot because the jam is thick enough and doesn't fill up that path you've created straight away. This might take around twenty to thirty minutes. Finally, it's time to fill up your heated jars. Leave a little space at the top. A funnel might help, unless, if you are like my husband who tries to help and then cuts the small end of the funnel to be bigger than the lip of the jar, that's not really helping. Thanks anyway, hun. Wipe the rims and any spills, close the lids, then turn them upside down. As the jam cools, this creates a natural seal. You can eat it straight away or keep it on a cool dry shelf in the pantry for those colder months when you want to remember back to the summer memories.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">
</p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Arial">Ta da! Now you can all go home tonight and make your very own peach jams. Or plum jams. Or cherry jams? Just remember the three ingredients, three tools and three steps plan to make any kind of fruit jams you want. Spread on a piece of hot toasted bread, accompanied by a cup of freshly brewed coffee, mmmmm, perfect breakfast.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><img id="id_dfdc_8694_9fd6_7eec" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-j9E6eys2LgpnsMkhwj1jjnt6xNGUdYy8-oaoYYm0QuajFVaPmya0j_tq-wpYdw4AbqkCWeAu9I4B07UiuBrYn76Qv5j0lYrM8gOG2dOCDLdXoBEDgUdv1dsmfFj8FjFT18sk_xI0v9s/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Arial"><br></font></p>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-28570187608325290012018-01-28T15:36:00.001+13:002018-01-28T15:36:43.555+13:00Happy long weekend!Monday is Auckland anniversary so we are enjoying a long weekend - loving it!<div><br></div><div>On Saturday we went for a quick dip in the beach in North Shore in the afternoon then stopped by my current favourite Auckland ice cream place <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BcszA6NA1ZP/" id="id_886c_c4f4_af22_3793" target="_blank">Island Gelato at the Britomart ferry building</a> before heading home.</div><div><br></div><div>This was my outfit of the day, a dress S had made for me before she moved to London. It's gorgeous!</div><div><img id="id_a7bc_eccd_4bc9_d92a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0d63auXn64TKw6N85MYea1ZJrXOqYO5-lJGyoR0JPRhaYejJMbqqh9QChCYpV4qVoeFLyEh4EvleUEfdh8ahtHehgz-2zO4oGaHwcXrNpd1iTYb43ZvKRnXFivAmHFTWAQupoS7ZV5VG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 718px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>The hot weather being perfect for a barbecue, we started the charcoal going for Sunday lunch. Our neighbours did not agree. Apparently they thought it was too hot and too sunny and wanted us to have a bucket of water next to it, just in case. Having even brought our new deck chairs out, it was quite the mood damper. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed our meal in our common garden, with no fire mishaps. </div><div><br></div><div>Our last flatmate bids a sudden adieu this weekend, too, so from now on we are going to be just the two and a half of us! The sudden increase of space and privacy is exciting but also a little scary. I do hope we won't start filling the extra spaces with too much clutter. I'd rather have <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2018/01/best-mini-fridge-lessons/" id="id_7210_d2fc_8040_61de" target="_blank">limited fridge space</a> than have too much food go to waste!</div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-86561194194902542832018-01-22T08:06:00.001+13:002018-01-22T08:06:29.358+13:00Getting up and out<img id="id_c6be_8edf_c7_4040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFUNXnLdU0inuSg-xIhbB1CM35rvGz-WdvXuBA-3SWh6jbNOLSXcIp59yWnPGb6YiD-eq3hfEEOOfG2I04NWQOdtt87bQTaDSNZaFlsWMHXdBQUfuC4A1j5zy7AkqGB6k8NjxZhNIHE53/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><div>After days of the wet and windy, we were blessed with a hot humid weekend, forcing me to get off my butt and get out. It got sweaty quite quickly, but walks up local mounts were not too bad!<div><img id="id_c5be_74e2_420b_dde" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDri7YlKR-cKP1scyeBn1i0cMMR0URJp5L80aJjmJ_G352yPw8l93kdkEdqHDgJVhnTNWoiWhNFCaI3Zt0IFUneXm9t-tb4owd54YhK7gQ28x2uuTTv-jrgXYIzzHJlZjNJdossEgAIT8C/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>After a week of hosting and shared dinners and catching up on months and years lost over drinks, we are finally alone in our flat again. A little bit of silence after the hustle and bustle feels nice, too. </div></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-65019788459758520192018-01-15T07:48:00.001+13:002018-01-15T10:20:57.542+13:00Playing hostess<div>
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After weeks of heat and sunshine we may be facing a week of heat and rain. Boohoo. The heavy humidity isn’t much fun.<br />
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Spent the weekend catching up with friends and finishing off a long due crochet project, but also getting the house ready for two sets of back to back guests staying with us all this week. Some sweat went into getting the bathroom tiles to appear a little bit whiter and the guest room smelling a little bit less. Hopefully. </div>
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Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-55895486799073664912018-01-07T19:39:00.001+13:002018-01-07T19:39:08.078+13:00Making: Homemade dumplings<img id="id_42b2_9374_20b6_343b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xfxli51YfIE4BUhCZ-L8j6jjix-0b2sIM2j4Dxe01EL9eRuD3zEeukOrbLT3SDa_qUcJPfqyPTzXEafZLiddJ0B8aXk1FshP0KfeQMp7aIgmwZy_wFIIfQ1Sz5PiXkyDX9ZMTnVIiqnm/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><div><br></div><div>While browsing through a fancier grocery store than where we usually go to (we were on the hunt for a galette des rois, the epiphany cake having been sold out at our go-to French bakery), I spotted some dumpling sheets. </div><div><br></div><div>Why don’t we make our own dumplings for dinner tonight?</div><div><br></div><div>I’d helped make dumplings once in my life, when I was about 7 under the guidance of my grandmother and aunties. Think it may have been New Year’s. Anyway, we accepted the challenge. </div><div><br></div><div>After first baking up a storm for the week - orange cake, basic bread, galette des rois - it was finally dumpling time. </div><div><br></div><div>We minced our own pork in the Thermomix then divided it into three bowls for three different flavours: spring onions, yellow capsicum, and chives. Sauce - soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, salt, white pepper - was added, then mixed together. No leafy vegetables. These were definitely not traditional dumplings but our own original creations. </div><div><br></div><div>The work station set up was complete: three bowls of fillings, spoons, a bowl of water to close the pastry ends together, one board to eat straight away and another to be frozen, and the TV on. </div><div><br></div><div>Getting the dumplings to fantail shape was hard! But the process was quite fun. Afterwards, we pan fried our dinner half, slightly steaming them at the end. Delicious! Next time we should get some spicy oil to dip the dumplings in. We managed with just the soy sauce this time. </div><div><br></div><div>Trying new recipes, part of my new year resolutions. So far, so good. </div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-60876581057673612642018-01-02T21:08:00.001+13:002018-01-02T21:08:09.509+13:002017 was the best year, ever<img id="id_e5d9_c850_f044_676f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90GCa5659tvKkxcZHDkcxfFoOJjomW1vkDDLxSXdnLUNi9CaRBQBFQW0-nLBbGG6pXWa5dfhzEa3Xoqui8n0AfZ9ZLqqo2p3V1kMa08EW9dq07BZoLR8vARgB-6g2fR38ZXPpIJwM9_na/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">For the summer holidays this year, A and I decided to rent a campervan to travel from Christchurch in the South Island to Auckland in the North Island. We’ve been going at our own pace, stopping whenever a cool place presented</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> itself, going on walks and swims along the way. The weather has also been cooperating, raining only during the evenings and nights. So far, we’ve been very lucky.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">More than half way through our Christchurch-Auckland road trip, long hours on the road provides an ideal time to reflect on the many things that has happened this year. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Who could have imagined that I’d find someone with whom I would not be embarrassed to be around despite not showering for three days, in the tiniest of spaces? Someone so perfect for me that I could not imagine anyone else to be by my side as my partner and the father of my future child? </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">2017 began with a dream wedding. Friends and family from all over the world made their way to the end of the globe just to celebrate our special day with us. We had survived the long and the even longer distance relationship and had come out winning. Everyone looked handsome and they made the day and evening more meaningful. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The mid-year surprise honeymoon had a rocky start with a missed connection but was more awesome than I could have foreseen, thanks to my A+ husband. Escaping the NZ winter to travel around Montenegro for two weeks, staying in a mushroom shaped chalet to a tiny wooden camping cabin to a luxurious five star boutique hotel, going swimming, scuba diving, tramping and generally eating heaps... What a dream. I think perhaps all of 2017 was a dream.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">In between the major life events, everyday life also kept us pretty busy. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">We started a new hobby of scuba diving. Though on pause during the cold wintertime, we are halfway through our open water certification and can’t wait to get our advanced levels soon, so we can explore the amazing sea life in deeper depths. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Our unit is coming along nicely, with newly added homely touches here and there: a coffee table and a wine barrel TV console, both designed and handmade by A, a Thermomix to make cooking and baking easier for me. If only the indoor herbs garden will just stay alive. That’s a continuing project for 2018. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Work had its ups and downs but was almost always full on, and we’ve settled down quite comfortably in our professional settings. We are both ready to take on more responsibilities in the new year. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The new year 2018 hasn’t even begun and we already know that it will be supercharged with more work, trips, and lots and lots of nappies. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Will 2018 be better than last year? 2017 will be pretty hard to beat. It may even be impossible. But we won’t stop trying!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">As a person who always has a list of goals for herself, here are a few resolutions for the upcoming months:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">To be stronger, mentally and physically. Take time for reflections and go on daily walks. Add weekly runs by the end of the year. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">To read more. Be it fiction, non-fiction, English, French, Kindle or audiobooks.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">To use my hands more. Cook more, play the violin again, make things. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">To get out of my comfort zone. Namely, get back into driving. </span></li>
</ul><div><font color="#454545" face=".SFUIText"><span style="font-size: 22.66666603088379px;">What are your aspirations for the new year?</span></font></div></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-6382684321615291242017-12-04T08:04:00.001+13:002017-12-04T08:04:37.386+13:00First sunburnFirst sunburn of the year but I feel fine about it, because it finally feels like summer! <div><br></div><div>The sun’s out shiny and bright, almost too much. We spent the weekend at the beach, picnicking, splashing in the water then drying out on our beach towels. We had our first BBQ on the back steps of our place - everything tasting so much nicer. To top it all off we found a new real fruit ice cream place in Henderson, which I know for a fact will become my husband’s newest go-to place this summer!</div><div><br></div><div>Such an awesome two days. I woke up this morning thinking it was Sunday again, but, alas, it’s back to work, we must. Until next weekend. </div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-48190585163629940912017-11-13T08:13:00.001+13:002017-11-13T08:13:00.312+13:00Get your sunnies outSpent yesterday walking in a sleeveless top under the sun with my sunnies on, what a beautiful day it was!<div><br></div><div>Treated ourselves to homemade virgin strawberry mojitos and felt healthy with fresh salad lunches on both days. </div><div><br></div><div>Met up with old friends from Europe and chatted about our next travel dream destination - snorkelling in piscine naturelle away from the tourist crowds. Wouldn't that be nice! </div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637453722778096168.post-23204819185654416742017-10-09T06:47:00.001+13:002017-10-09T06:47:28.811+13:00Strawberries <img id="id_8c7e_2d0c_3b27_e95c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87GdKwW0yCOGMxsKgRjC_k8DYsULtli_DzrysTBTO5Z5jTIYbh-7o2lupp8msq_EPRLuPCMy7uffNVksl0bn-WYJ4CUxLh_T7CEGNiaybwJ80-5AhzIo0LtAYnFXMwIS118wrJMTEMzF4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 298px; height: auto;"><br><div><br></div><div>Husband came home early this weekend with a bag of strawberries. The first of the season! The weather must be changing for the better - we, after another heavy rain forecast for most of the country for the most of this week. </div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09074461636559979101noreply@blogger.com0