oh Christmas Tree oh Christmas Tree

I'm very dangerously teetering on the edge of 'every post will be about my love for Christmas' territory over here.

Last year we had a small real Christmas tree in a pot, but that quickly died living on our balcony and under my supervision and I have to ensure that this baby lives until January 7 so wish me luck.

I spent Sunday trekking around looking for the best tree for the best price.

I cannot believe how much the price of trees can vary, from $55 - $120.

What I really want to know is how long do they take to grow, how much is a seedling and maintenance over those years? I can't imagine it working out as much of a profit.

I found this 7ft tree at my local fruit store for $70 (an extra $35 for the stand) and to make a good deal even better, they delivered it free.

We had been planning on putting the middle and right back seat down and letting Nelly room with the tree for the ride home but thankfully we didn't have to resort to that nonsense.

As all of our decorations are at my brothers farm we had to buy new ones this year so decided on a different color scheme, red green and silver as a more traditional look.

We ended up just going to Big W and buying filling the trolley up. The check out girl wasn't impressed with the amount of scanning she had to do and quipped that 'you are going to have too many decorations' but clearly she was wrong. 

I haven't found the 'right' angel for the top of the tree so this ballerina is perched on top for now, she may not be the star of the show but she can soak in the glory while she has the chance. 

She loves a good bauble, this much is evident. 

Oh Nelly, you did inherit something from me after all! Cellulite! That's my girl.

I wanted white flickering lights but apparently marriage is all about compromise so we ended up with colored lights as The Husband wanted them.

It was all worth it when I turned on the lights for the first time and his jaw literally dropped, he was like a child - it was adorable. 

This is his first real Christmas tree, ever. It makes it that much more special that he and Nelly have their first tree together.

I freaking love Christmas. How could you not?

This and That

Happy New Year and all that jargon.

I'll have a New Years Eve post for you sooner or later, fear not, but this is just a random post really.

I had our change table delivered to my in laws house as I knew that if I had it delivered to home it would be in the way, but I wasn't betting on it being this massive. I don't know how we are going to get it to Melbourne now. 

It weighs over 50kg and the box is huge so I am taking a punt that it is already assembled - none of this flat pack nonsense hopefully. 

I've been eating myself silly and loving it. 

This 'Homemade corn bread with grilled bacon, avocado and tomato salsa and sour cream' is from Hot Honey in Middle Park and is the business. 

My MIL makes this amazing bread and whilst we were waiting for guests to arrive I was busy salivating over it before she decided to just break the bread despite me saying that I would wait and feed me instead of waiting. So sweet, she knows a hungry woman when she sees one!  

Before Christmas we had our own little family shindig at Liz's house as they would be going to Adelaide for Christmas so we wouldn't get to see them. 

I had asked Liz for ideas on what to get the boys and she mentioned that the Reject Shop had a drum kit. 

I know, I can't believe she was willing to have this noise maker in the house either. 

As you can see, Thomas loved it! 

The Husband was in awe of these giant lollipops (which actually housed 20 normal size lollipops, rather than being a real lollipop) and could not wait to give it to the boys. He may have also got one for himself! 

This water gun was a great investment by me if I do say so myself. 

Look at this ridiculous cuteness. Even The Husband cannot resist an adorable belly, they are just made to be tickled. 

If there is one thing that I will not miss when we move out of the city, it’s the drama.

Every Saturday night, at minimum, there is a drunken fool to be heard yelling and smashing bottles.

I was awake with chest pains, which meant that The Husband was also awake to make sure I was okay when we heard yelling getting louder and louder. I decided to go to the balcony to investigate, only to see a group of 15 (yes, I counted) males on the road fighting.

I called for The Husband to come and have a look, when all of a sudden half the group started to back off and yelling ‘just drop it!!!’ and we could see something shiny in one of the other groups hands. 

I quickly rang the police as it became evident that it was a knife or something similar, and whilst on the phone to 000 half a dozen police cars rocked up. It would appear other people on the street and on their balconies had the same idea as me.  5 minutes later, another half a dozen screeched to a stop.

The group that had the knife and broken bottles ran for it, with the other guys hanging around to talk to police.

We hung out watching for a good half an hour and saw the other group being lead back in handcuffs and then they were put in the van.  

I'm glad that nobody got hurt, it could have ended really badly!!

I have been enjoying watching all of the different shapes that my belly is making these days, like the photo above, and I would be lying if I said I didn't have dozens of videos on my phone of my belly quivering and shaking whenever she moves. 

The other night we were driving when I felt what I believe was an elbow sticking out of my belly. 

I was laughing in hysterics by the time we pulled over and the look on The Husbands face made me laugh even harder. He kept saying not to laugh as it made my belly go tighter and the elbow stick out more, but I could not help it. I was this close to wetting my pants. 

I really do love being pregnant! 

I don't have much of a pregnancy update for you other than the fact that I have hit the 30 week mark.

I cannot believe that in approximately 10 weeks (could be less or more!!!) that we will be holding our baby.

It is getting almost surreal to be honest with you.

People keep asking me if I am scared, but I don't know why I would be? I am just excited. 

I feel like I have been on holidays for ages because the final week of work was spent mainly on sick leave.

It started off as a headache, then lead to a fever, aching body parts and a stiff neck and more other gross symptoms which don't need to be spelled out for those of you playing at home.

I ended up going to The Royal Women's under duress from both The Husband and my mum who were concerned of more serious viruses that come with a stiff neck and the fact that I hadn't been able to eat for days. I only went because I am pregnant and hadn't been able to eat so wanted to make sure the baby was okay.

I chose to go to The Royal Women's because it is one of our closest hospitals, and I thought it made sense.

The triage nurse was rather rude to me when we got there though:

TN: Are you pregnant?

Me: Yes, 28 weeks

TN: Are you booked to have your baby here?

Me: No, at Cabrini in Malvern. 

TN: Why are you here then? 

Me: Sorry? I thought it was okay to come here?

TN: You should have gone where you are booked. Why bother coming here?

By this stage I was flustered, feeling like I was about to faint and The Husband was losing his cool very quickly. 

There was a big sign on the window saying to make it known if you were attending the hospital with very strong flu symptoms, so I did this and then was told to sit down. 

Another pregnant lady came in, and if I thought the triage nurse was rude to me, she took it to a whole new level with this woman who ended up in tears. 

I was put on a drip as they were concerned I was dehydrated and was told to take two panadeine forte which I refused as I didn't think my headache was that bad. 

I know that they are only trying to help and I didn't want to be difficult but I felt it was extreme. 

They took my bloods and we were kept there for a few hours and then were sent home and told to come back straight away if I got worse.

The photo above was sent to my mum to calm her nerves. 

They rang my obstetrician with my blood results and he advised them that severe cases of gastro had been reported at Cabrini and that was possibly what I had. 

I spent the rest of the week pretty much on bed rest with The Husband looking after me, and I thought the end was nigh. 

I'm fine now though. The baby is fine. All good. 

Feliz Navidad. Joyeux Noel. Hristos se rodi. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates, and to those who don't, I hope you enjoyed a happy holiday regardless!

Last night whilst watching the Carols by Candle light and munching on my lamb lollipops, I turned to The Husband suddenly and started to cry into my dinner. He didn't know what to do, he didn't know what was wrong.

I tried to explain that I was just really sad that I wouldn't be with all of my family for Christmas.

Maybe it was my pregnancy hormones, I'm not sure. I also kept thinking of how good Christmas would be for us next year, so maybe it was a bit of happy tears at the same time. 

My mum is still in Perth, Cat is in Ireland, Liz and the boys are in Adelaide, Lucas is in Afghanistan, Greg is in South Africa and we wouldn't be seeing Joanna. 

I don't remember the last time that we have had Christmas in Melbourne and I didn't see my mum. 

I did get to see Geefa and Joseph though which was good!

It's comforting to know that next year Lucas will be back from Afghanistan and Cathy will have moved back to Australia - I just cannot wait.

I don't know how those who have lost family members feel on Christmas, but I imagine it to be really hard for them. If this is you, I hope you were okay and not lonely today. 

Anyway, on to brighter things.

The Christmas Tree at Dad & Bets house was looking a bit sparse on the bauble front this year.

I'm trying to decide what colour combo to do our tree in next year. I figure for our first real (full sized) tree that we should go traditional, but just what is traditional?

I nominate this as my favorite Christmas Table Setting to date.

This is last years table, and whilst it may be more Christmas-sy, I prefer this years but there is no denying that Bet doesn't mess around when it comes to decor.

See the little dice like things? They are actually vintage scrabble pieces from before they were flat.

The paper that the place cards, which contained lollies, were wrapped in was actually paper found in my Nana and Grandads house, dating back to the late 1950's - pretty awesome to be able to incorporate that with our Christmas Lunch if you ask me!

Don't worry, I've kept mine and wont be throwing it out. 

This bread was the business. It had spinach, thyme, ham and all things nice. 

I know that Bet said the little pots had to be cured (is this the right word? She had to soak them in oil, bake and repeat a few times for them to be suitable to bake the bread in). 

Here you go Joey, stop saying I don't feature you on my blog. It's your time to shine.

Christmas Lunch always includes seafood. If it didn't, perhaps I would not turn up. 

This is just a quarter of the spread. 

After gorging my self on Lobster, Bugs and Prawns I really struggled to eat the hot foods, ham, turkey and the like but did manage to jam some salads in.

I nearly lost my cool yesterday making custard for the trifle I was preparing in honor of my mums absence. I only burnt 4 saucepan loads before mastering it and cursed trifle all the way to the lunch. 

I chose to omit the sherry that my mums recipe calls for but I still think that it tasted pretty good!

My attempt at a love heart made of jelly. Or jello for those of you reading from America.

You know that it is Trifle Season when you grab the last box of Port Wine flavour jelly from Woolworths.

Look, I know that everyone says the alcohol content evaporates during cooking but I chose to not eat the Christmas pudding anyway.

How adorable is Raina just chilling out with her new headphones in?

The adorable noodle box that my gift from Dad & Bet came in. Look how cheap Fords were going for back in the day. 

In case you were wondering what I wore today, wonder no more.

I didn't want to wear my fitted red dress, I need all the room I can get for extra eating so I trekked to the maternity store, Maternity Collective, in GPO and bought another dress from Soon Maternity - the Kara dress.

I am really annoyed though as I paid full price for it, and it is on sale on the Soon Maternity website. 

That is just not right!! What a rookie error. 

Kara Dress - Soon Maternity 

Lovisa Necklace

Witchery Sandals 

Baby Bump at 29 weeks! 

My hair is finally long enough for me to curl at home, hurrah!! I curl it into full on ringlets and then spray and brush out a little. 

As you all know by now, I am not afraid to wardrobe repeat and wore the same outfit on Saturday too. 

This dress is so comfortable. I am just annoyed that I didn't check the website as I knew that the dress that I got for the work party was on sale. gjskergiksh. Does this annoy others too??

Anyway, you will see a lot more of this dress I am sure. 

The Husband and I are not swapping gifts this year, we have enough to buy! He wants to go shopping tomorrow for stuff but I have become funny about crowds and people bumping into me and my belly so maybe I will give it a miss. I don't find the sales to be that good anyway. 

Getting Festive!

Friday night we celebrated our work Christmas Party at Number 1 Fitzroy Street.

I must admit, I was at exhaustion point. You can probably tell by my crazy eyes in all of the photos.

We had Grants funeral on Friday afternoon and I had not been sleeping much during the week due to the heat, I am just not coping well in this heat as our air conditioner is broken but The Husband came home with a little portable air con for me to use in the mean time whilst I find someone to fix it.

I wore this Celina Tank Maternity dress from Soon Maternity, and now I see that it is on sale. Always the way isn't it? Damn.

You will probably see a bit more of this dress as I plan on wearing it to death to last me the entire festive season. 

I decided to jam my feet into my Sandler wedges and it was a decision that was regretted very quickly. 

Heat + elevation = swollen feet very quickly. 

I have not painted my nails in yonks. I don't have the effort in me to maintain them but glitter polishes wear quite well so why not get in the festive mood and go red and glittery?

This is China Glaze Ruby Pumps which does not photograph as awesome as it looks on. Take my word for it. 

Roses.

Chocolates.

I keep my GHD, Parlux, Curler and other essential electrical items in the cabinet under the bathroom sink (which was probably not my brightest move) so when my sink leaked last week, guess what got ruined? Fancy that. 

Anyway, I dropped into a random salon on Friday to have a quick blow dry before the party as my hair was frizzy from the rain during the day. Half way through my blow dry the hairdresser accidentally knocked my glass off the bench, causing it to smash and glass went everywhere, including slicing my leg and left me with blood gushing every where.

So not only did I have a soaking wet dress, I also had a bleeding leg.  They gave me antiseptic wipes and band aids but for some reason it just kept on bleeding.  Definitely not a relaxing blow dry, believe me. 

As soon as I stepped outside my hair went frizzy again anyway so it was a pointless exercise.

My hair is at such an awkward length. I cannot wait for it to be long again. 

When you ask for a virgin Cosmo, you will be given cranberry juice in a nice glass.

At least it matched my dress.

The staff were fantastic at making sure I always had a full glass of water handy.

Christmas Party Clutch Essentials:

Mace, Chafing gel & Paw Paw ointment. 

Don't mind the messy room, this was taken at 1am and at 1am I am more than happy to take a photo surrounded by mess.

I'm glad I bought an actual maternity dress, the ruching is actually rather flattering and I am contemplating getting it in another print in the next size up so that I have another nice dress but I only have 11 weeks to go!!

11. 

Can you believe it?!

Hello baby. 

I drove Kitty home after the party as she is a fantastic friend, often driving me home in peak hour traffic so I don't have to battle with strangers for a seat on the tram, and I told her that I actually felt drunk.

I think I had gotten to the stage of being so overly tired that I was delirious. 

So I got home at 1am and then was up at 4:30am to drive mum to the airport, I am getting in practice of having no sleep - but I am struggling. 

What are you doing/have you done for your office Christmas party? Did anyone disgrace them selves at yours? Everyone was very well behaved at ours!