It's Time...

It's 9:27 in the evening and the Skipper and I are about to head to the hospital. I went to the doctor today and was dilated 2 centimeters. She told me to report back at 10:00 so they can start monitoring my progress. The below isn't so pretty. Then again it is. We are two young people whose lives are about to change. Lover's embarking on a new adventure. Best friends starting a family. It's time...

Sprinkle Bakes: Chocolate Cupcakes with Flaming Strawberries

Watch out Skippy, I have just fallen in love with a Cupcake! Yes, please...

Chocolate Cupcakes with Flaming Strawberry

Bird on the Wall

I found this photo at Curbly.com via dwellinggawker. The post is a tutorial on how to make the table, but I just couldn't take my eyes of the bird in the background. Tell me how to make that thing. Or better yet, where can I buy it? Because we all know I will never get around to making it, nor would it turn out that great.

Ever since I started dreaming up Ava's nursery I have become obsessed with birds. Luckily it seems designers are using them everywhere these days. If I could, I would probably go over board on all things birdie. Especially on these few items...

Anthropologie - Birds-On-A-Wire Bowl

Urban Outfitters - Spinning Bird Jewlery Stand

Uncommon Goods - Mre. Terwillinger Mat

Well, I did buy stunning this necklace.

memorycollector - Aunt Robin's Birdsnest Necklace - on Etsy

sukanart - Birds 14x14 -White Linen Pillow cover - on Etsy

Keedo - Tweety Gift Pack

Chloe In Style - Felt Hairclip - Animal Bird Pink

Can't believe I stumbled on this awesome illustration today.

Awesomenator

No Mascara! What?!?

On the way to work this morning I looked in the rear view mirror and thought, wow, I really look tired. Only then did I start to actually feel tired. Thankfully that feeling went away when I got to work and started chatting away with my co-workers.

Just now, I checked myself out in the bathroom and realized I forgot to put mascara on! This may be the first time since 1994 that I have left the house without mascara! If there is one thing I do everyday it's apply mascara. I may not shower but I put on mascara. If I was placed on a deserted island and could only take 3 things, one would be mascara. I feel so naked right now. Seriously naked. No wedding ring (due to swollen fingers) and now NO MASCARA! How am I supposed to face the rest of my day?

I think I am going to fake sick and leave work. For real...

Quick somebody hand me that Chanel make-up box thingy from The Fifth Element!

Chanel make-up box thingy

Items to be Resolved in 2011

I don't think I have ever been successful with any of my New Year's Resolutions. It is not that I set goals too high to reach, it's that I have no sense of self control. Why would I want to stop smoking or drink less? And who wants to go running in the cold? I don't even think I've made it past the 12th before I've forgotten about the resolutions I wanted resolved. But 2011 is a new year and I am about to become a New Me. The New Me, mostly because of this little person growing inside of me, not because it's a new year.

Unbeknownst to her, she helped me complete one long outstanding resolution last year, smoking. The moment I found out I was pregnant, I quit. Who knew it could be so easy? My body thanked you then Ava, now it's just ready for you to come out. Me and daddy are too!!

Seeing as I about to become a New Me I think I am going to make a list of New Year's resolutions and try to actually accomplish at least some of the them this year. The New Me wants to:

• Read 24 books this year - I have never actually counted the amount of books I have read in a particular month or year. This year I will start. At least 2 books a month can't be too hard. Even with a new baby. The rule will be that the book is only counted in the month it was completed. So for January, I have one down and one to go. Just finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Amazing, even after watching the movie first. The search for the next book is on. Suggestions welcomed.

Front cover of the first edition

•  Work out - This is so cliche I know. But honestly, the good Lord blessed me with a small frame and a fast metabolism so I never really had to work out to stay thin. Now that I am older, I understand working out isn't just about being thin, it's about being healthy. And I have a feeling it's not going to back that way it was so easily. I am really looking forward to pushing Little Miss Ava around the neighborhood in hopes of getting my pre-baby body back. But, just in case that doesn't work 100% I am going to invest in a Cherished Belly. I've read lots of reviews on products like this and the women say it really works. I'll keep you posted.

•  Make fresh pasta - I've read countless recipes on how to make fresh pasta but have never stepped up to the task. Now that Skip and I have been making pesto from our herb garden, I want to try and conquer making our own pasta as well. Some of the recipes are quite daunting, but I will start out simple. Just need to purchase a nice rolling machine and a drying rack...

Imperia Italian SP150 Double Cutter Pasta Machine

Kitchen Craft Italian Collection Pasta Drying Stand

• Grow my garden - Growing up my parents always had a garden in our backyard with loads of flowers and vegetables. My grandmother as well. I want that for Ava. I want her to grow up outside helping me in the garden. I want her to walk out the back door on a summer's day and pick a handful of strawberries like I did. Or learn how to make pesto from the ingredients right there in her own backyard. Thanks to my mother in law the flower beds are in order and looking beautiful. Thanks to my dad, my herb garden is steadily growing. All Skip and I need to do is enlarge it a bit and throw in a few more veggies and fruits and I will be happy.

Not me, but sure looks like me when I was small. 80's outfit and all.

•  Print pictures - The Skipper and I have been married for a year now. Well, unless you consider the little mishap with Home Affairs then it's only been a month or two. But I won't go into that. Anyway, in God's eyes we have been married for over a year now and the only picture I have printed and framed is from my mother in law. An amazing woman, I must add. Oh, and the two I put on our refrigerator of our families. It's mostly our fault because we took the cheap package and opted out of the book and the all the photos to save money on the wedding. So I spent most of last year talking about how I am going to make a book or even just get a few framed for the hall. Blah, blah, blah. Now, Ava is almost here and still no wedding photos printed. I can't let this happen to her childhood. It can't be stored away on some computer that can only be viewed when the power is on. Seeing that power is quite an issue here in SA, that's not such a good idea. So my resolution is to make a little photo book for each month of her life. The rule is that all months must be complete before the end of February 2012. 

This one is definitely getting printed.

•  Write/See our Grandparents more - One of Skippy's grandmothers past away this year and it really made me sad that I didn't get to know her better. It was quite hard due to the language barrier and the many miles between us. Plus she hasn't been well for a long time, so visits were a bit tough. I say the many miles between us but a four hour drive isn't actually that far when compared to the 18 hour plane flight that separates us from my grandmothers. My grandmother's were such a big part of my life growing up and still are today. They are both amazing and inspiring women. It saddens me that I can't see or speak to them more often. This year I want to change that. I want to go see Skip's grandparents more often. Call and write mine more. Send them all photos. Not because it's Easter, because we love them.

Now, let's see if I can remember to resolve these resolutions.

The Girl Who Cried Baby

These days I cannot get Aesop's fable, The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf out of my head. As a refresher, here it is:

Milo Winter

THE BOY WHO CRIED 'WOLF'
There was a boy tending the sheep who would continually go up to the embankment and shout, 'Help, there's a wolf!' The farmers would all come running only to find out that what the boy said was not true. Then one day there really was a wolf but when the boy shouted, they didn't believe him and no one came to his aid. The whole flock was eaten by the wolf.
The story shows that this is how liars are rewarded: even if they tell the truth, no one believes them.
As translated by Laura Gibbs

As the end of this 40 week adventure steadily approaches, I am becoming more and more aware of my body. As if I couldn't. My belly has taken over! It has hidden my lady parts and toes from me! I can barely reach my computer or the steering wheel. I can't even sneak past people without bumping them with my bump!

With every little cramp, back pain, or abnormal bathroom rendezvous (gross, I know) I get so excited and start thinking TODAY IS THE DAY. And with my big fat mouth I cannot help but share this all with Skip. And of course, Amanda.

So my problem, and probably every pregnant woman's problem is, when can you tell if it's the real thing or you are just "crying baby"? I want to share all these emotions and pains with my husband so he feels as involved with the pregnancy as much as possible. And what if she is on her way and I ignore all those pains? But, I don't want to ruin this moment by becoming annoying and "crying baby" the next 24 or so days until she arrives.

Day Dreaming

Friday nights just aren't the same when you are pregnant. Getting dressed up is no longer fun. If I pull my hair back, my face looks fat. If I leave it down, my face looks fat. Clothes that fit last week are a bit too tight this week. And you can kiss the high heels goodbye. I always try them. They take me all the way to the front door before they are off.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade being pregnant for anything. Nor would I trade being married to be single again. Well, unless it was for one night only and I could get all dolled up and go out and hit on my hot husband (before he was my hot husband) all night. Give him the eyes across the room until one of us has the nerve to come greet the other. Oh the game playing. Fun.

But let's just say for one moment, I wasn't pregnant and the Skipper and I had one night to go out on the town and eat and drink the night away. Where would we go and what would we do? Seeing that this is Blairadise and my day dream then we would...

Get all dressed up to the nines. Me, wearing this fabulous dress from Roberto Cavalli:

Python-print one-shoulder dress

Just kidding, I couldn't even rock this dress in my day dream. But it's fabulous, no? You would find me in something more like this, from Anthro:

Work-In-Progress Dress

With these amazing sandals:

Diane von Furstenberg 'Flynn' Sandal

And of course, I would never leave home without my Tory Burch clutch:

The Skipper would be looking as handsome as always wearing this get up from Banana Republic:

Banana Republic

I am proud to say he is WAY hotter then the model they chose to sport this outfit. Maybe I should let them know...

We would then hop into MY Rover and be on our way...

2011 Range Rover Sport HSE

I thought about this for a while. Sometimes I am quite torn between my love for the Southern US of A and good ole sunny SA. So where would I want to go on a Friday night with the love of my life? I think I'd stay right here in SA and force the Skipper to take me to Joburg. The city of dreams. Well, the city of this day dream. And in wanting to add a little tiny bit of reality to this scenario, I chose Joburg...

We'd meet up with a few friends for dinner in Sandton or Rosebank? Maybe Melrose Arch? Hell, let's go all out and eat at The Grillhouse, Sandton. During the World Cup you could have spotted Paris Hilton and Leonardo DiCaprio grubbing together with some friend. I would have freaked out. Tonight, lets say we spot Brad and Angie and give them a little wave. It is a night without kiddies, yall.

The waiter is coming back and forth to our table with bottles of Springfield Wild Yeast Chardonnay and platters of fresh oysters and Springbok carpaccio. Chicken livers for dear Skippy-poo. Then it's onto fillets cooked medium-rare to perfection and bottles of Luddite Shiraz. We would finish the evening off with Malva pudding and nice wake me up espressos.  

Then the Skipper and I will hop back into the Rover and head home to Pretoria. Where we will crawl into bed and sleep the entire night without interruptions or countless pillows stuffed between legs, behind backs, squeezed between arms, shoved anywhere that may, just may, make sleeping possible. 

Oh what a night!

Twee Duisend en Tien

2010 was a great year for me and the Skipper. Lots of great things happened to us and those we love. We are so thankful for all the many ways the Lord has blessed us and continues to bless us every day.

Here are a few honorable mentions:

• We bought our 1st house
• Della Mae turned 1
• Found out I was pregnant
• Hannu was born
• I got an awesome job
• Stacy and Chad got married
• Visited US of A and saw lots of family and friends
• Lee and Charl got married
• Lee and Charl moved to NZ
• Juan took first steps
• Bailey won State Championship in Volleyball
• Found out Amanda was pregnant with #2
• Loads of friends pregnant with #1 and #2's
• Laura had a baby
• Sammi had a baby
• Had the most amazing December together on holiday at home
• Prepared for Little Miss Ava

Here is a sneak peak of the fun you missed at Charl and Lee's wedding...

Nommer Een

Skip and I are about to start 2011 off with a huge BANG! Like a really HUGE BANG! Any day now our first baby will take Blairadise by storm. These past 8 months have flown by so quickly, if only the last 4 weeks would hurry up and also pass by. We can't wait to meet our Little Miss Ava.

It's summer here in South Africa and getting hotter every day. As am I. Larger and hotter, everyday. And I am so over being pregnant. Some women bask in the glow that is pregnancy. I've never had that "glow". At first my face broke out like a 15 year old boy. Oh and the things I would do for a nice cold lemonade. One that I didn't have to squeeze the lemons myself and add sugar, water and ice to. A nice super sized Lemonade from Chic-fil-a. On the other hand I am quite glad I am not back in the US of A. At this moment there is no way I could pull up to that window and just order a large Lemonade. With that would come a #5 super sized, please. And this tiny little, excuse me, this once tiny little behind, would be 10x larger instead of the 8x larger it is right now. I am not doing fat well.

So please Miss Ava, please grace us with your presence soon. We really can't wait to meet you.

Here is a photo of Miss Ava on Monday, 3rd Jan.
Unfortunately she was misbehaving the two times we went for her 4D photo shoot. So this will just have to do.

Yay! My first post on my blog!

Foreword

As a fore warning to anyone who will read or follow this blog, I would like to inform you that I am not a writer. Therefore, you may encounter poor grammar every now and again. With lot's of misplaced commas and run on sentences. I am not to worried about it. This is my space to share my thoughts with whomever cares enough to read them... Hence the title, Blairadise.

Over the past few months I have become absolutely obsessed with reading blogs. If I had to pin point the exact date I would say it was the 3rd of June. The day after I found out I was pregnant. Since that date I have been scouring the internet looking for pregnancy and parenting advice. Seeking out what is the best stroller, car seat, birthing method, sleep routine, etc. is best for my new arrival. Upon doing this, I have stumbled across many mommy blogs. Mommy's that have inspired me to start my very own blog.

So I have created this blog as a journal for my daughter to have when she gets older. It is for our family and friends around the world that may not get to experience all her 1st's with us. Or maybe even her 2nd's and 3rd's. Plus, keep them up to date with all the other crazy things happening in our lives.

This blog is told looking through rose colored glasses out onto the world that is know as Blairadise.