The black balloon....

Oh my God! Do yourself a favour and go and rent this movie if you haven't seen it yet!

Set in the kitsch splendour of 1980's Australian suburbia, it takes me back to my teen years! It's a glimpse inside the chaos of family with two teenage sons, one who is severely autistic. Director Elissa Down grew up with an autistic brother, so she has an amazing insight. I just loved Toni Collett's character - she is such an amazing actor!

A teacher I have taught many autistic children and this just shows a snipit of home life with an autistic child. Makes you have even more compassion for all those parents raising autistic children!

Another FANTASTIC Aussie movie!

We wish you a...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May your Christmas be filled with love and laughter!

We have wrapped those last pressies, been to church, put out the milk and cookies for Santa, the girls are tucked up in bed - dreaming of that jolly red man no doubt! Can't wait for the morning. Poppy will really "get it" this year! Can't wait to see her face light up while unwrapping the presents!

I think our family received the best gift when Lola arrived in November....such a blessing! I already have everything I need!

Tis the season!

The winner of the RAK is Magical Moments! And since so many were keen, I drew another name and Sar I will post you a small Christmas embellishment RAK - stamps, flowers,bling etc... Please email me with your addresses : melba_1@hotmail.com

These were Lola's thankyou cards...

And a Kaiser album I did for SCRAPLOOT...there is a step by step on their blog!

I have LOs to share...but I have to scan them....
We are off to show off Lola at Dh's school today. It's their last day, I'm sure his students will be very excited - I'm sure the teachers are!

Christmas is coming....

Completely bias but geeze they are CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well we have had a hectic week but I guess everyone feels like this at this time of the year! Am madly making 50+ thankyou cards for Lola's gifts, then it will be onto Christmas cards - I only had the chance to take photos of the girls today. Poppy is happy to pose now - last year she was scared of the Santa hat and refused to wear it...bit tricky with Lola being so little and floppy LOL but we'll use what we got!

What's been happening -

*scrapping for the Scraploot blog

*scrapping for Wicked Kits

* Thankyou cards

* About to whip up Christmas Cards

* Dying to get some LOs done - challenge blogs like White with One.

* Putting up a small Christmas Tree today - with renovations going on there is limited room!

* We had our playgroup Christmas party...great family day!

* My birthday yesterday - got a gorgeous vintage ring from DH - marcasite, black enamel - art deco - gorgeous, chockies, candles, lipstick, lots of cash and vouchers...spoilt!!! Had fish and chips at the beach with friends!

* Last of the Christmas shopping

Sooooooooooo here is a RAK....overflowing with Christmas papers(about 15), ribbons, stamps, felt deers etc... if you would like this to make it's way to your place leave your name and we'll pick out a random winner later this week... 'Tis the season!

Renovations...full steam ahead...

This what the back of our house use to look like...to the left was an old grotty laundry and a toilet on the right a draughty enclosed verandah - we only could use it for storage/junk room as it was dusty etc...waste of space really!

This what they did to the back half of our house - the day I went to hospital to have Lola!!!!

So we came home with a newborn and no laundry, active toddler and no backyard!!! What a mess!!!!!!!!!!But at least it was finally underway!

Well I'm excited to say that the brick work is basically all done(must get a pic) and the roof is starting tomorrow! They have been working at a cracking pace! Our builder/project manager is fantastic! All building will stop over Christmas and January and then the messiest and most exiting for me - the kitchen will be gutted and redone!!! YAY!!!!

Be back with a RAK..

All going well here although very little scrapping - due to space constraints - not lack of wanting to get back into it! Also have to get a heap of photos printed!

Lola is a DREAM baby ....I'm utterly in love with her! She just feeds so well, sleeps, and coos...so delish! She is so easy.... Poppy has been *interesting* - loving towards Lola, just sooky and whingy towards Dh and I. I'm sure she'll get over it!LOL! She had her birthday party at an indoor playcentre - she is such a cack - she ran around like a maniac for about 3 hours! All our family and friends came along and she was thoroughly spoilt!

Miss Poppy's Strawberry Shortcake theme cake....

And if this divine lil girl doesn't make you clucky....god she makes me clucky for more...or that could be the hormones talking...either way it's is wonderful! She is feeding so well and gaining weight....

**** Will be back with RAK photos...promise!****

She is three....

Well the wonderful Miss Poppy turns THREE today! My god the time just flies...

She was thoroughly spoilt with a scooter & helmet, art board and art set, large Dora doll &
Dora laptop, tea set, clothes, puzzles and books and a mini keyboard! With more to come....OMG ruined I tell ya!
We opened pressies, then went to Playgroup to share some pink cupcakes...and Poppy doesn't mind bashing out the Birthday song to herself ! She is having a party on Sunday at one of those toddler indoor centres - easy - no cooking and no cleaning up - I'm very happy with that one! And has requested Stawberry Shortcake cake - so I've gone with that theme!

From this...


To this....

At Three she...

• loves books and loves being read to - any book, any time!


• can count to 27
• knows most colours
• knows all the basic shapes ie circle, square...


• loves people - will chat to anyone who looks her way, completely social


• is into Yo Gabba Gabba and Dora and Playschool


• loves water and sand


• loves outdoor play, the park, swings, the backyard - collects sticks and leaves...


• is a tiny eater - far too busy for food


• is strong willed, noisy, has a great sense of humour already


• loves to sing and dance around the house all day long


• collects the mail daily and is thrilled to find those envelopes waiting for her


• is a great sleeper - still has an afternoon nap every day!


• Love creative roleplay and dress ups - loves to play "cafe" - making 'chino's for everyone!


• Has just become a big sister and is loving and gentle with Lola


• loves blowing out candles at everyone else's birthdays


• Is affectionate but also independent


• Adores her daddy


• Is a bright ray of sunshine in our lives

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY GORGEOUS GIRL!

A thank you and a late Halloween LO & Pics....

Firstly, thanks for all the lovely well wishes and comments on the arrival of Lola. She is a seriously easy bub so far...just feeds and sleeps, hardly cries at all...so sweet...so easy! We are all madly in love with her!

Forgot to load up these Halloween pics and a LO for SCRAPTIVATE....using delish Cosmo cricket papers...lots of new stock in at the shop - Perth girls get in there!!!

My Nephew had his 18th Birthday on Halloween so of course a dress up party was in order...Poppy was indeed a VERY cute witch. We went trick and treating around my sister's neighbourhood, lots of lollies handed out! It was a great party...all the "teens/young ones" were dressed up and went to a great effort...they were all well behaved. We left quite early as it was only a few days before I had Lola...

Here are some pics of Poppy and the cup cakes I decorated for Blake's b'day!

It's Poppy's 3rd birthday tomorrow, baking more cupcakes today - check in over then next couple of days as I'm going to put together a "PINK" RAK - in celebration of Poppy's special day and our new pink bundle of joy.

Hope to get some scrapping done but I had to pack everything away... Lola's things have taken over the table I use as our renovations have started and space is limited...yep they literally knocked off the back of our house the day I went to hospital - looks like a cyclone has hit our back yard! So I got home with a new born and NO laundry, a VERY active toddler and no backyard...thank god for my MIL who has been a godsend - doing ALL our washing!

We went out for an amazing lunch yesterday, T. is taking Miss P off to church this morning then we are taking her to Macca's as a treat....she has been pretty housebound this week!Hope you are having a fab weekend !

x

He's out numbered....

Lola Rose

born on the 4th - Melbourne Cup Day at 1.50pm by c-section.

Weight - 7lb, 91/2 ounces

Length - 54 cm (long for a girl)

Head - 35 cm

Eye colour dark blue

Hair - dark brown

Thanks Lisa for letting blog land know! And thanks to all those who left warm wishes for our family...it truly warms my heart!

Lola looked almost exactly like Poppy when she was born!! In those first tiring days in hospital I would wake in the night and think she was Poppy!

We woke early on the 4th and had a lovely big cooked breakfast as I would have to fast from 7am onwards. We were booked in for a 1pm C-section delivery. I really had hoped for a shot at a natural birth this time, after a stressful emergency ceasar with Poppy. But due to a few factors the safest option was a planned c-section. So we got organised and dropped Poppy off at my inlaws house...she stays there a bit so she wasn't stressed at all...I on the other hand sobbed as the car pulled out of the drive way!LOL!

We arrived at the hospital just after 11.30am, settled into my room, signed the last of the documentation, I showered and gowned up, Tony only just fitted into his outfit! And then we waited, I was wheeled down to a waiting area and the anethetist(sp?) was running late. Another couple were waiting across from us and the dad looked sooooo nervous - first timers!We missed the Melbourne cup and then things started moving. I HATE all things medical and needles freak me out but it all went pretty well...even though it didn't hurt much ,I sobbed and sobbed, mainly due to stress and nerves, during the placement of the epidural...the staff were great and Tony was amazing!!!Then my Ob walked in and all the theatre staff...everyone seemed cheery and lighthearted! They started the incision and the pulling - I HATE that part...it freaks me out...they seemed to be pulling and pulling, I thought something was wrong...was the baby stuck??? But no, after few minutes she was out and we waited for that much anticipated cry...and cry she did, so did I!The Ob. covered her genitals and asked us to guess...boy or girl? All the staff were chanting boy or girl? Tony yelled Boy, I yelled girl and then all was revealed...another princess to add to our family. Tony is well and truly out numbered now.

It was such a better experience this time, they placed Lola straight on me, then checked her over - she was perfect - then she and Tony came with me to the recovery area...Last time Poppy was whisked away, I now realise that I had actally blocked out so much of her birth experience due to stress!

So all went well, breastfeeding, recovery and general emotions have all been so much easier on me. Lola is an absolute delight!She is sleeping and feeding so well! Poppy still thinks her name is charlie and tells everyone that her sister is charlie! Poppy was sick with a cold and the flu during the week so I didn't see her much and it broke my heart. But she is on the mend now and such a little helper now we are home!

So if you are still awake after all that....here are some pics!LOL!

xxxx

Wicked November kit...

Two LOs I did before I went to hospital - Wicked Kits Mermaid November...

Very shabby chic, vintagy papers Yummo!

The kit comes with a small Maya Road chippy album - I actually pulled it apart and used the hearts as embellishments on the Bond LO....

******************************************************
This is a LO I did for the latest SC Sketch feature....loved being apart of it but the pics of the LOs in the mag were tiny!!!!Loved the what the other girls came up with too! This is Poppy making gingerbread men with her cousin Darcy!

hi folks ...its the witch here...just to let you know that

our wonderful friend and creative inspiration has

delivered a beautiful girl today ..

her name LOLA ROSE CORBETT ..

mother and baby are doing well.

let me just take this opportunity to welcome

lil LOLA into the special Corbett family.

CONGRATULATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS

heres what your in for

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for..

love to all

Any day now.......

Stay tuned........

One........leave your vote

Yep...One week to go....I can't wait, although this pregnancy has flown! I'm feeling OK - he/she is very active but there isn't much room in there - it tends to ache and hurt when she/he stretches away....

We had some hideous news last week a friend's uterus ruptured, she is in an induced coma, bled for 13 hours and her baby is eight weeks early, lots more awful details that don't need to be written here... but please offer up a prayer, healing vibes - whatever works for you...

I'm very excited, a little nervous , lots of funny mixed up emotions going on...

Will I go early?

Will we have a boy or a girl?

Will the c-section go according to plan?

Will we get a redhead?(LOL)

Will I recover better this time round?

Will Poppy be OK for the week I am in hospital?

Will I cope being away from her for a week?

Will Dh dress her in semi matching clothes - jokes!

How will I ever leave the house with TWO kids to organise?(LOL)

How will Poppy see her new brother/sister? Friend or Foe?

It's all swirling around in my head!!!

Anyway....my mojo is also in full swing - new photos and new papers really get me going - like most scrappers!

So here are a couple plus I have another 3 for DT work that I'll put up later!

LOVE these dolly photos

LOVE these BG papers - now at Scraptivate...

LOVE these two crazies having fun at the Royal Show...

Finally - I have NO idea if this precious bub is a boy or a girl....

What do you think? Gender, weight, hair colour???

Leave a message with your vote!LOL!

(Poppy was 7lb3, 52 cm and mousey hair - at full term)

I'm much heavier this time!

x

Two...

Two weeks to go!!! Eeeeeekkkkk! Car seats/capsule fitted, last of the little linen washed, towels, singlets done... Saw my Ob. this week and all looks good, he doesn't need to see me next week unless something happens or I feel I really need to see him! He gave me the run down, times etc.. so it is all seeming more and more real! Had my hair coloured and cut...you know all the important things - PMSL! And am pampering my self next week - nails, pedicure, the works!

Even cleaned up the bulk of my scrap space...so the scrapping flowed!

Some new Basic Grey..

Poppy hangin' out with her "boy" cousins...she LOVES playing with them!

And Poppy checking the mail - She LOVES checking it everyday...gets all excited, never tires of it! Oh to love such simple pleasures!(need to ink the title so it stands out more!)

There are another couple of LOs to come...just putting on the final touches!

xx

Three...

Three weeks to go....and I'm counting the days! My tummy is sooooo tight, he/she is still very active but with jarring large kicks and stretches, add my swollen feet and insomnia is back...well I'll be more than happy to meet this bundle!LOL!
Everything is great really and I have bought a few new goodies for this bub..pink and blue as I have NO idea...I thought girl, then recently boy, now I'm thinking girl again? Like I said no idea, and I honestly don't mind either way!

Poppy has been really gorgeous....she is such a funny little thing...has me in stitches all day! Bought her THE cutest witches costume - my nephew is having his 18th and he was a halloween baby so he is having a costume party! Should be a blast! Although he is quite laid back - I think my sisters and I are more excited about it! Can't believe he is 18!!!

Quick LO share...

Some Guest DT work for Scaploot - I sooooooooo recommend the shop - the service from Sue, the owner - is so efficent and quick!

And a fun one for White with One....

Have a great week...the weather here is HOT HOT HOT! Yay! Bring on Summer!

x

Wicked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooooooooo very happy here....Tam and Karen from WickedPrincess Kit Club have invited me to be on their DT!!!!My god the kits are delish.... and there are a pile of AMAZING scrappers on the DT - so lots of inspiration to be found in the gallery here -

http://www.wickedprincesses.com.au/wickedstore/

Go on get over there.....

Four....

A dash of scrapping - LOVE LOVE LOVE these papers from KAISERCRAFT... I was sent some goodies to play with(tonnes actually!!!) The green is more lime IRL....so lovely!And Poppy and her Gf hanging out at the Justine Clarke concert! LOL! Mosh pit babes!

• OMG what a hectic day!!! Miss P had a day at my sister's house so T. and I could go and pick out basically ALL..yep...ALL the fittings for the renos - that were meant to have started in mid August!(bloody council!!!! GRRRRRR) Now it' s race to see whether the baby or the bulldozer comes first! eekkkk! But I'm trying not to get stressed! It has to happen, I can't make it go any faster and what will be will be....*sigh*
• We'd a had a bit of a look previously but today confirmed -Bricks for exterior, half brick and half render(sp?) to match our 1930s house, tiles for laundry, bathroom & "powderoom" - that's what they are calling a toilet with a basin and mirror these days LOL! Internal doors and french doors for the familyroom
• All kitchen appliances - MY GOD sooooo many options but settled on - new oven, stove top, rangehood, fridge, diswasher...all in stainless steel look - fingerprint safe!!! T. is eying off some hideously HUGE TV thingo...LOL
• Tomorrow's jobs - kitchen & laundry cupboards/doors, bench tops...I know what I want just have to check prices and styles! White, white, white! And paint samples - ummmmm white!The whole baths, toilets, basins ....are doing my head in but just need to see a few more options!
• We also fitted in our hospital visit to confirm our booking - luckily only a few small "gaps" cost wise - thank god for private health cover - worth every cent! Have my Ob. appointment tomorrow....I think I'm up to weekly visits now!
• Great news - our Oma is back in her own home - although very weak and still not eating much! But she is much more comfortable there! Between the family and some services for home help she seems OK for the moment!

I will have some other great news to share soon and some more LOs....

A HUGE CONGRATS TO NIC P. ON THE ARRIVAL OF HER NEW BABY BOY - DEACON!!!

X

Five....

hmmmmmm this is really for my own records....I "lost" a week somehow! LOL!

• So this should have been for last week - 5 weeks to go.
  Ob. appointment - I was meant to be going up to see my family next week, for some of mum's cooking, some rest and Poppy to be spoilt by her cousins....well my doctor said NO! If by chance I went into early labour I would have to have an emergency c-section with a doctor I didn't know or worse, as it is a 4-5 hour drive,if driving I could be in HUGE trouble...that pesky low placenta! Even with my booked c-section I have to have my blood supply on hand as there is a high risk of hemorrhage - I might need a transfusion. A little scary but I completely trust my Ob. so I'll just do what ever he says. If I show any signs of labour or bleeding I have to go straight to the hospital and the bub will have to come out straight away! I don't have a history of early labour so I'm sure it will all go to plan.


• Our Oma is recovering in hospital - all sorts of problems, heart & thyroid conditions, she is still a little confused at times and thinks she should be going home every morning! But she is chatty and has good colour although not really eating! She is receiving great care!


• My last week of work YAY! The staff collected an awesome "Baby basket" for us! Absolutely amazing generosity - two big boxes overflowing with baby goodies - wipes, lotions, toys, rattles, bibs, 15 little outfits, books...the list is endless...so spoilt!And a $100 voucher for Babyland! Woo Hoo!


• We took Poppy to her first "Perth Royal Show" - OMG we had such a fabulous family day!Poppy was soooooo well behaved! A morning of rides, showbags, hot chips, the farm animals, Pony rides, ice cream...LOVED IT ALL!!! Quite funny watching my 6ft5" Dh go on the rides with her in "Kiddy Land"

Wicked Kits!!!!!!!!!!

I was asked to have a play with a gorgeous kit from the girls at Wicked Princess Kits...check them out here....

http://wickedprincesses.blogspot.com/

I had a ball with lots of Heidi Swapp Papers, Hambly and a dash of Jenni Bowlin! Being a "cluster" freak I simply added some bits and bobs from my own stash..great way of using up all those little embellishments.I really love the papers and the colour combo..so soft and sweet yet still funky!

Here are the LOs I created!

After quite a stressful week, it felt great to create with such fun papers....go and check them out!!!

X