MAYBE BABY? DEFINITELY!

It's high time I announced that we're having another baby.

Yes, a baby.

The hesitation in sharing this has mostly been due to the fact that I lost a baby almost exactly a year ago, and when that happens, you are usually more reticent to announce anything early. Just in case.

And I do confess that, now I am 16 weeks, each week becomes more and more exciting. And it feels like we will actually make it this time.

When we were pregnant with our first child, Madison, we didn't tell anyone until I was 19 weeks pregnant. But seeing that all those nether regions are all stretched, there is no way I could hide this baby beyond 12 weeks! I popped right out this time.

This baby is due on Madison's 3rd birthday. A few friends have asked me if something special happens at the end of August. Well, yes. Actually it's my husband's birthday. But please don't think that this is the only time we - you know - celebrate. But it does seem to be the time I am most fertile (the baby we lost was due at end of May too).

It's official! And it's feeling quite real now.

Have you been reticent to announce a pregnancy due to losing a baby in the past? Do tell.

OCD AND ME

OCD. What's that you may ask? Well, it seems I have OCD written all over my body (and house), and have been in complete denial until now...

You see, last Friday I visited my hairdresser. She hasn't been my hairdresser for long, but apart from the fact that she cuts really good hair, she and I clicked. And it was this particular visit that I realised why.

We were chatting about Christmas and my ever increasing desire to put up the Christmas tree (which you will be so proud was not put up until 30 November). She told me she hated putting up and taking down the Christmas tree, to which I responded, "Why?". After all, I thought she was like me...

Then she told me that she has a little OCD problem. OCD? Yes, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, she responded. Then she proceded to tell me her Christmas story from last year.

It was in January this year when she put down her tree. Yet afterwards she couldn't sleep. That's because she put all the baubles into the Christmas tree box. You know, loose-like. She couldn't bear to think of the baubles out of order like that. So in the middle of the night, she found all the original boxes and put the baubles back in the order in which she purchased them. You know, pink, then silver, then pink, then silver. You get the picture. As she was telling me that everything had to go back exactly the way she bought it, and then put the lights back also as she bought it, she whispered to me (so none of her staff or customers could hear over the nightclub music) "It's f@$#ing sick, is what it is".

But as I giggled nervously at her frankness, you can imagine my shock and horror to think there was actually something wrong with putting the baubles back into their original boxes (in order) and folding the wires of the lights just so it looked like it was brand new. I actually hadn't thought anything of doing just that.

And then just last week I was talking with one of my oldest and dearest friends, and during our weekly chat she stated, she might sound slightly anal for doing it, but she was going to buy boxes for her Christmas decorations this year and colour code them so she could coordinate different colours combinations in the years to come.

And I thought the idea was brilliant.

But then I thought, how come these people think that simply being organised is a sin? While I think that I am slightly anally retentive, I usually relish in my organising capabilities. (And some of my friends do too!)

This same friend then challenged me to go through my cupboards and my house to see what else I do that is slightly OCD. Then take a photo.

So then I did. And here's my list:


1. There are new matching wooden coathangers in our new wardrobes (my husband's shirts are in colour order from lightest to darkest, short-sleeves to long-sleeves).

2. Our clothes are also folded in colour order (from lightest to darkest).
3. I have an 8-week meal cycle complete with rice, pasta, roast dinner and soup nights.

4. My scrapping desk is something of an art form, but everything is in matching jars.

5. My Christmas tree has only three colours on it: blue, gold, bronze.

Okay. I don't think that anything there is TOO bad. But after some comparisons with friends, I have also discovered that...

What I do not have is:

1. Alphabetically ordered herbs and spices.
2. Tins in my pantry all facing the same way.
3. Every single article of clothing ironed before it's put away.
4. Photo albums.

So, putting all those very unorganised things aside, I think I could almost say I was a balanced person.

Aren't I?

feeling christmas a little early

I know it's October, but I am feeling the Christmas vibe right now. Inspired by my card making, it's been so much fun to create cards from scratch. And after making 20 or so cards, I was ready for a specific project.

So first job on the list was to create a Christmas card which I could duplicate for family and friends... and off I went.

And in a two-day sitting they were done. So, what next?

On Thursday, I started the Christmas shopping. Immediate family members: check. Hubby: check. Close friends: check.

Then I headed to the Myer Christmas Store and bought more baubels to go on our brand new big tree (which our eldest Kelly and I purchased just days before Christmas last year – and looked very empty last year). Needless to say I want to put it up already.

I asked a friend if it was too early to put up the tree now, and she said (ever so politely because I am sure she thinks I have gone completely nuts), it’s possible after the Christmas pageant (yes, South Aussies have one of those). So, technically I can put it up next Saturday.

But then I asked my hubby, who by the way, is MUCH too practical. He says it's way too early. His very rational reasons included the fact that Christmas would be too long a wait for our two year old... which of course is much too logical for me who just wants to do it... just because!

I am happy to wait perhaps another week or two, but I am sure I can find an excuse to put it up sooner than 1st December! Perhaps I can use the following excuses:

1. There is a lull in madness right now and to prepare for Christmas which will be REALLY busy...
2. The lounge room needs a little something extra in it, like some colour...
3. I need another creative outlet...
4. Madison is sick of playing outside (cough, cough that will NEVER happen)...
5. I need a weekend activity (like we don’t have enough of those with our built-in wardrobes needing painting, our gardening needing finishing, etc)...

I think all those excuses are way too weak. I need a really good excuse, but am failing dreadfully to come up with a real goodie.

what's in a name?

How accurate is this?

What Kym Means...

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.
You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

the simple things

I was just reading a friend's blog about The Simple Things. You know, playing with your children, reading them stories, spending time with your friends and family, and just hanging out with your partner.

The Simple Things have taken on a new meaning because, quite simply, the last few weeks have been pretty awful. In three weeks we have lost a very dear friend, a grandmother, three friends have been diagnosed with cancer, and a friend of ours lost his mum in a horrific car accident.

If I've learnt anything it's this: life can be gone in the blink of an eye, so enjoy The Simple Things.

I read a few years back that life is 5% joys, 5% sadness and 90% maintenance. And the more I ponder on that thought, the more I think it's pretty much 100% true. That means when cleaning, preparing for meals, cleaning the house and putting on your makeup - make it fun, make it enjoyable, and remember every moment.

Now I know that sounds a little bit mad, but if life is 90% maintenance, there is lots of time that could be wasted if you're not making the most of it.

For example, instead of running the bath every night, I've been showering more often with my baby boy. Is it better? You bet! I get to feel his silky skin against mine, hold him close, see his expressive face and watch the excitement as he gets water on his rosy cheeks. I get a chance to listen to his chatter, hear what excites him and laugh with his squeals of joy. All the with double bonus of getting clean.

Today, when I was hanging out the washing, my son was fascinated by the dragonfly sitting on a wet pair of jeans. Then he got down on his stomach across the garden path and watched the ants trailing back and forth. So I stopped and watched his fascination with a millipede, a slater, a ladybird. The Simple Things are pure heaven.

Life is too short to be busy working, cleaning and maintaining without pondering something greater or including something worthwhile in the monotony. And I certainly hope that I don't need another death or diagnosis to remember The Simple Things.

Enjoying the small stuff: taking in the views at Port Douglas; Llevella (who was diagnosed with breast cancer this week) with Xavier and Madison; Art (who lost his mum in a car accident) reading to Charlie and Madison after taking their bath together.