We did it!

Hey all! I haven't been around for a while. I've been kind of pre-occupied with our new addition to the Campbell house! Yes! He's here! And oh my god how much do we love him? I don't remember what my life was like before Angus came along. He's just so precious. I've never known love like this. It's amazing!


Here's the story. I went along on a friday to my usual antenatal check up and yet another scan to check his size. They were keeping an eye on him because of the few issues I had throughout my pregnancy. So I had my scan and all looked well. Or so I thought. The sonographer went and got the head guy to come in and double check her measurments and he noticed that my placenta had basically stopped doing it's job.So bub was 36 weeks size.He said bub had to come out asap. So I ended up consulting with the head of special obstetrics and he was fantastic. He told me I needed to be induced that night or the following. So off we went home to wait for the phone call to go back in for my induction. On the way home we thought we'd do groceries so off we went. Half way through grocery shopping we got the phone call to ask us to go back that night. So we went home and I showered and made sure I had everything in my bags. And then as we headed back to the hospital there was a rainbow. I took it as a good sign so I snapped a pic of it on my phone. Hehe. Got to the hospital about 5.45pm and they had me fill out papers and then I headed into the birthing suite. There I lay for about half an hour before someone came in and did the whole check over  and poke and prod and ten million usual questions. I had the gel inserted around 7:30 pm and then had to just lay there for a while. At this stage hubby went home because nothing would happen till the morning if it was going to work first go. It was about 10:30pm before I got taken back up to my room. I ended up in a private room too! It was great! So I had a shower and jumped into bed around 11ish and just couldn't sleep. I was so excited. I was actually very surprised because I wasn't one bit nervous. I was just so happy that it was all happening. I'd get to meet my little guy soon!! I think I finally drifted off around 12 because they said they'd some and get me at 5am so I thought I'd better at least try to get some kind of sleep. Especially seeing as how this would probably be my last night of uniterupted sleep for the rest of my life:P I didn't wake up the whole time either. At 4am I woke and had to pee, but as I got up off the bed my waters broke and I sat straight back down again and pressed the buzzer for the midwife. As soon as my waters broke I had my first contraction. Midwife came in and helped me to the bathroom where I showered and continued to gush fluid. Turns out there was a bit of meconium on the fluid but not enough to warrant and emergency ceaser. There was only a few specks. So all was ok. After my shoer they took me down to the birthing suite. I did call hubby before I went down stairs to inform him I was redy to go and he was there in warp speed time. lol. So by this time it was around 4:45am and my contrations were coming every five minutes already. Iwas dealing with them well. They were painful but not unbearable. I was hooked up to monitors and had my iv needle put in and we were all go from there. I was handling the contrations really well and I was so calm it was eary. Around 5:30am the midwife put a monitor on bubs head because they wanted to keep a closer eye on his heartrate because of the meconium thing. and by 6:30 I was seriously considering pain relief. I think it was about 6:45 when I asked for peth and so she gave me a shot of that but it didn't do anything because 15 mintues later by 7am I was ready to push. I got back up onto the bed  ( I was on a birthing ball for an hour ) and started pushing. Four pushed later at 7:13 am Angus was born. 5lb 11oz and oh so tiny. Hubby cut the cord and got the first cuddle. He was fantasic all thoughout the whole thing. So supportive. And the look on his face when he got to hold bub was the best. Such a proud dad. I ended up with two stitches internally and two externally. All in all the whole birth and labour went beautifully. The midwife couldn't believe how quickly it all went. I was amazed at myself ! I still can't believe it. I'm so happy with the whole thing. It's couldn't have gone any better. Bub was put onto my chest for skin to skin and the first thing he did was try to latch on for a feed. Amazing little man. I stayed in the hospital for two and a bit days and got to go home on the monday. We're all settling in really well and getting to kow each other. We are the happiest parents ever.

A few hours old at the hospital.

Just after we got home.



With Daddy watching the rugby.

Two weeks old

Three weeks old

Tummy time. 3 weeks.

Yesterday in his new outfit.



And again

I know. I've already done this once today. But i've realised that I have alot more to tell you. I have finished Angus's nursery. Oh did I tell you? His name's Angus. Not sure if i told you that or not. But there you go. I've finished his nursery. Went to Mum's one dy and spent the day sewing and made an adorable dog stuffed toy that I call Mr Bottworths because he's covered in robot fabric. It's so ute. And a Nun that visits my Mum at work all the time gave me a beautiful knitted doll that she made. It's so good. I can't believe people can do things like that. Amazing. I can't really knit. So here are some piccys.

24 weeks and counting

Went for my follow up scan on Monday. Duh. I got there and the lady behind the desk informed me that my appointment wasn't actually till Wednesday. hehehe. So home I troddled. Back on Wednesday. Which was better anyway because Hubby was able to come with me as it was a public holiday. Went in and I wasn't even nervous. First time EVER!!! She had a good look at bubs. Measured things. All looked good. Heartbeat was 160bpm. So that puts the higher heartbeat = a girl theory out the window. But unfortunately, there it was, the amniotic band. Although from what I've read and seen scans of, it looks to me more like an amniotic sheet. Well it's all ok though because bub isn't near it. He actually had his bum towards it and his legs up around his head. hehehe. So I'm off to see my GP Today and talk to him about it and they're going to keep a really close eye on it. I'm really not to worried about it. I just know it's going to be all fine. I mean, if I can't deal with this then how the hell did I get through all that other crap? Gotta be positive. Other than that bit of news, he's healthy and strong and growing well.

Just a short one!

Ok, this is just a short post. I made Angus some bibs and I'm fairly happy with how they turned out! It was really simple. I just got a pattern of the net, but you could easily make one up yourself. Or even just trace around a bib you already use! The front is just cotton whatever fabric I had and the back is an old towel. Word of warning though. If you're going to cut up a towel, be aware that it makes a HUGE mess!! But it's easy to clean up.

This is my favourite with bugs on it!

Here are the other colours

Woo Hoo it's blooooooo!!!

We found out! And we couldn't be happier! IT"S A BOY!! Wow. I cried when she told us. I couldn't have cared either way, but it's great to know and to find out he's all healthy. He's growing wonderfully. I'm amazed at his growth too. At my first scan at 18 weeks he was measuring one week behind but at my more recent scan he was measuring a day ahead! I couldn't believe it! It's wonderful. So I went out and bought my first gender specific item. Three little blue onsies with cars on them. Hehe. So cute. I do have to go back at 24 weeks for another scan because they think there was an amniotic band but they're not sure. If you don't know what this is, it's a thin piece of the amniotic sac that has broken away and is floating around in the amniotic fluid and it can wrap itself around part of bub and as he grows it can basically cut the circulation off and essentially almost amputate the part of the body. But, it is very rare and highly unlikely that that's what it is. So I'm not worried at this stage. If it's anything then it's more likely to be an amniotic sheet which does no harm to bub at all.If it was the former then it would have been picked up at an earlier scan and there were no other signs to say that it was there. Bub looks perfectly fine and healthy, plus another scan just means I get to see him again in a few weeks! So here are the pictures I got of him.

                                                      Here he is at 20 weeks and 1 day.

                                                               And here are his feet.

Morphology Scan Relief!

Hey all. I haven't been around for a bit and I only thought to do this because someone mentioned to me that I haven't posted in a while, so here it is. The latest addition.
Not much to report really. My pregnancy is going really well, finally. I'm currently 19 weeks, yay! I went to have my morphology scan done last Friday, 2nd July 2010, and I was a complete wreck going in there. But the first thing she did was piont out the heartbeat and I cried tears of relief. That was all I needed to see. She did do a few measurements and all seemed well, but bub was still a bit too small to get everything that was required. I have to go back on the 12th July for another go. She tried to see if bub was a boy or a girl but he/she had their legs crossed, so we couldn't tell. Although she did say that she couldn't see any boy bits, but she didn't want to say it was a girl because she wasn't sure. So I'm sure I'll find out ont he 12th. I hope. Although when it comes down to it, it's not really important as long as it's healthy. I'm also starting to get the nursery organised. I have the furniture but there are still a few important bits like a cot matress and change table mat that I haven't got. And I'm sure I'll get plenty of everything else further down the track.Of course I alreadty have most of the stuff I need because I got it during my first pregnancy. It's just been packed away for a while. It's nice to be able to get it out and get ready to use it finally. I'm feeling really good now too. my morning sickness is gone and I have more energy, but I am still getting tired in the early afternoons and it's now getting harder to reach my feet. Lol!! I'll post a recent picture of my roundness too, just so you can see how things are progressing. Bub seems to be growing right on shedual. And my tummy is too. hehe. Sel calls me a ball with arms and legs. Hehehe. It's so funny. I have to get him to put my socks on because it's getting too hard to do it myself.
Well that's about all I can tell you right now. I didn't get any pictures of bub the other day because I didn't have my scan done properly, but I will when I have it done on the 12th.

This is me at 18 weeks and 1 day. But I feel like I've popped even more since then.

Phew!

Glad that's over with. Ok, as you know, I had my neucal scan. It went really well!!! I'm so relieved. I was so nervous going in there. And the sonographer was really lovely. She answered all our questions. She could see how nervous I was so the first thing she showed me was the heartbeat. There it was beating away. 148 beats per minuted. And (lets just call bub's a he for now) he was wriggling about like crazy. He even had the hicups at one stage and was jumping up and down. It was so cute. Sucking on his hands. hehehe. But everytime he was in a good position for a measurement, he'd roll over onto his side. Cheeky or what? She finally got three decent measurements. But this was after I had to go out for a walk and have something to eat and drink. I feel like I can relax and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy now. I feel so much happier. I'm getting more excited. Yay!!! Oh, and my weeks tick over on Mondays now instead of Tuesdays. So I'll be 14 weeks tomorrow!! I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl. I'm gonna shout it from the roof tops. Yay!! Unfortunately they only gave me on piccy. I'll post it here for you. It's the front veiw, so he looks like an alien. Lol!

                                           Here he/she is. Front alien veiw. This was one of the
                                                            rare monents he/she was still.

Nervousness

Ok, I don't even know if I spelt that right:P But hey.
Anyway, tomorrow is "S" day, scan day. Nervous? Hell yes. It's been on my mind for weeks. I know it's all going to be ok. I just haven't had a good run with pregnancy and scans. As you all know. I have no reason to worry. I haven't had any issues. Except for the weekend just gone. I had a bit of spotting on the toilet paper, and talk about freak! I was straight of to the doctors. He had a feel around and said it all felt normal and when I got back home I checked again and there wasn't anymore. Just old blood. Phew! And there was no cramping or pain of any kind either. I'm just a worry wort. There's no reason the pregnancy shouldn't go perfectly. I was saying to someone the other day, "you watch, all this worry and stress and I'll end up having the most normal pregnancy ever". " So normal, it'll be textbook". Let's hope so.
Well, wish me luck. I'll have piccys to post soon.

Milestone

I made it! Twelve weeks. Phew! Now I just have to get past the NT scan next Friday. For those of you not sure what an NT scan is, NT is short for Neucal Translucency. It's where they measure the fold in the back of bub's neck and use the results of a blood test etc (not exactly sure how they figure it out)  to determine the risk of downs syndrome and other chromasomal disorders. I'm not nervous about the results. I'm more just nervous about the scan itself. I just won't be able to breath a sigh of relief till I see that heartbeat on the screen. But, like I keep telling myself, there's no reason this pregnancy shouldn't go perfectly. I just keep telling myself that and it somehow puts my mind at ease. Well, for a little while. I just always have so much going through my head. So much to worry about. I really need to stop it. I haven't bought any baby stuff yet either. I'm going to wait this time. Not that I need anything, because I don't really. I still have all the stuff from my first pregnancy. There are really only a few things that I don't have. Pram, nappies, creams, lotions etc, breast pads, bla bla bla. Just little things. My Mum want's to buy my pram, and she's also making the nappies for me, so I don't have to worry about those. And the rest is easy.
I actually started looking at nursery ideas the other day too. There are some gorgeous one's out there, but also some way too over the top. I have some simple ideas. I'm not allowed to paint so hubby has volunteered to do it. Hey, who am I to argue:P He can go for it. He has to move his computer to the other end of the house to the spare room first. So we have to get a smaller computer desk. ugh. Always something. But I'm not having bub down there when he or she could be straight across the hall from us. So, out goes hubby's precious computer. He doesn't mind. It's just one of those things that has to be done. Among many others.

Well here's a piccy of my bump at three months. Hehehe. It's mostly me though. But I look like I'm six months already.
Till next time

Off we go!

Well I made it! Our first hospital appointment is on Friday this week! I'm kinda nervous. I haven't made it this far since our first pregnancy. Yay! My appointment is at 8:30 in the morning, so it's nice and early. They said I'm going to be there a while. I have to see a midwife, doctor, pathologist and sonographer. So it's going to be a morning filled with waiting. Well, I don't care. I just want a healthy baby and I'll do what ever they throw at me to get that. Oh and if you're wondering, yes, I am still feeling sick. Now it's worst in the afternoons. Ugh, I had a nap yesterday afternoon and when I woke up I felt terrible. Constant feeling of wanting to chuck up. It was awful. I've found myself finding it hard to find things to eat. The thought of most foods make me nauseaus. I've actually been making myself eat wether I want to or not. But, I'm sure it will pass. Although, being as feeling sick makes me feel that things are ok, I don't know if I do want it to pass.
Well fingers and toes are all crossed. I've a feeling this one's a keeper:) Let's hope so. I'm dreaming of pink and blue. I don't care if it's a oy or a girl. I just want a healthy bub.

Oops I did it again:)

Yep, it's true. We're officially pregnant! Again. As from past experiences, I'm not getting my hopes up just yet. But, seeing as I've been feeling sooo crappy and sick and tired and all that, it seems this might be the one. We're really praying for it, and we're not praying people. But, as most of my fb friends know, I have had rather good morning sickness. Good morning sickness you ask? Yep. Because for me, liike so many woman out there, the sicker I am, the better. My first pregnancy I was like this and that was the most viable, but my second, third and fourth, I wasn't sick at all and they all ended early. So, fingers crossed. So much so that I've actually been looking for cloth nappy patterns on the web. My gorgeous mother has offered to make them all for me. But there are so many options it's insane. So, we're going to make a few different types and see what works and what doesn't. This was, we're not wasting money on buying them and then not using them. They aren't cheap but they do end up paying for themselves. So worth it when I see how much people spend on disposibles only to be able to use them once and then just throw them out. Seems like a waste of money to me. But, that's just my opinion, don't shoot me for it.

So I'm 8 weeks this week, tomorrow actually. This is the furthest I've been since my first pregnancy so it's kind of a milestone for us. I should hopefully hear from my OB this week to go in and get my heparin injections sorted out. She also wants to see me every two weeks for scans and bloods etc. So I'm in for a fun filled next 7 months. But, I'll do whatever it takes to be able to look into the eyes of my new baby in November. Oh, did I mention, I'm due November 30th but Ob says because I have Factor 5 I can't go full term so I'll be induced at 38 weeks, which is great, unless I go into labour then which would be even better. So I'll actually be due around the 16th November. Have to clarify that with her yet. So I'm going to post a scan of my little belly blob that I had last week at 7 weeks. Mind you, it's not a very good picture because I had to take a photo of one of the scans. When I had it done and he showed me bubs, the first thing I noticed was the tiny flutter of the heart beating and I just cried. It was such a relief, because as you can well understand if you've read my previous posts, I haven't had a good experience with scans, I was so nervous. But I left with a smile on my face and I felt like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. But, it's early days, so like I said earlier, I'm not getting my hopes up too far just yet.

Here is my 7 week belly blob. And the heartbeat is good too!!

been a long time (ok, so it's only been a week or so)

Hi all, Sorry I've been gone for a while. No excuse really. Just been lazy. I keep looking at the computer thinking, Hmmm, I should really update my blog. Well nothing  much has happened between then and now to really brag about. I did start my new job last wednesay. It's not much. I just fold and put away laundry at the old folks home down the road. It's only a few hours a week but it's money. And they pay way above award, so it's all good. Two hours out of my day four days a week isn't a stretch.
Also, I've been feeling unwell for a week or so too. Not like, getting the flu or sick unwell, but, like constantly nauseaus unwell. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking, "she's pregnant". Well that is a possibility. But, as you know if you've read my other posts, I have a history of miscarriage. So we're not saying anything to anyone. If you're on Facebook, please, ssssshhhh. I don't want to blurt this out till I'm at or even past the safety mark. And, I don't even know for sure yet if I am. I haven't tested. I just know that my period is waaaay late and I've been feeling like everything I smell makes me want to chuck up. Even sitting here I'm feeling ugh. But this is a good thing. I remember my first pregnancy I was like this, actually I don't think I was even this bad, but my three other pregnancies I wasn't sick at all. So bring it on!! Lol. The sicker the better for me when it comes to this.
On the sewing front, I did start a bag and all I have to do is sew the inside to the outside and it's done. But nooo, I've been getting myself side tracked haven't I.(By sidetracked I actually mean lazy ;) ) But I am finishing it this weekend. So I'll post a picture for you. Also, I have a request from my sister in law to make a nappy bag for her. I've been wanting to embark on that mission for some time so this is my chance. I have all the ideas in my head and I have the fabric. So it's gonna be great. I'll post piccy's of that one too when it's done. It could take a while. New designs generally do. But once I've tackled it once, after that it's easy.
Till next time.

new addition

Well, as I mentioned in my first post, I have chickens and a duck. Make that two ducks now. Yesterday I happened to pick up a beautiful Indian Runner Drake. Jemima loves him. They hit it off straight away. His name is George. Unless someone can come up with something else. I'm still on the fence about George. But I want something that goes with Jemima. He's so cute.

Here he is. He's the one standing up. Isn't he handsome?

They do everything together. We're hoping they have babies.

He's already tried to have his way with her. Lol.

The chickens are a bit put out. Especially poor little Nigella. She was Jemima's mate. They used to go everywhere together. but now there's a man on the scene, poor Nigella has her beak out of joint.

Here they go off into the distance together. Isn't young love sweet?

And the chickens follow.

Here are two of my girls. This is Mabel (at the front) and Mavis.

Mabel is the biggest and thinks she rules the roost. But in fact it's Jemima that's in charge.

This is my Charlie. He's about 10 years old now but he's as agile as ever.

I think having Toad around keeps him going.

He has three legs because when he was a pup he got run over.

Here's Frog. Would have been 11. Unfortunately, we had to get him put to sleep.

He was suffering badly with bone cancer in his fron leg and shoulder and, as we found out later, liver cancer.

Frog and Charlie grew up together. It was devastating when Frog left us.

And Charlie was a bit down for a while too.

Then this guy came along. Meet Toad.

This is him when we first got him.

 He was 10 weeks old here.

Here he is today. 7 Months now.

He's such a sook.

He's a total mummy's boy. I just love that face.

And finally we have Fish.

She's my little girl. We've been through alot together.

She's very special to me.

This was her this morning stalking the chickens and the ducks.

I don't know what she thinks she's going to do with one once she get's it.

They're all bigger that her! Lol

Part 3 - Second time lucky, or so we thought

 Well, after all the drama and tears of my first loss, my Mum suggested I go away with her. She was off the visit the rellies in Western Australia. I wasn't sure. I felt so crap and I didn't want to leave Sel. But I did need to get away just to clear my head and refresh. So off I went. All the shit with my first pregnancy went down in July and we were going away in September. That was a good gap to get my head together before I left anyway. When we got there it rained and it was cold most of the time, but we did get the occasional gorgeous day. We stayed with my Grandma. She lives a street away from the beach and it's just gorgeous there. I even got to see the sunset over the water. Just beautiful. But, the whole time I was away, I was so homesick. I cried more, and I didn't feel that fantastic either. But, things were looking up. Totally unplanned, because I didn't think I was ready just yet, I didn't get my period which was a week late. At that time it was unusual for me because I'm normally as regular as clockwork. Even after the loss I went straight back to a normal, regular cycle. So I started having suspisions. I did feel like crap. So, I avoided what I should have and waited till I got back home to do the test. It was the longest two weeks away ever. When I did get home, I did the test and low and behold, positive. We were excited but wary at the same time. But, this time it was going to be different. This was the one. We were finally going to get our little miracle. All was going well. Again, I had only slight nausea. I did the usual boods and stuff. And made my appointment for my 12 week scan. I was really tired one day, so I had a nap. When I woke, I got up to go to the toilet. Blood! No, not this time. I went straight off to the doctors. And he got me in that day for a scan. I had to sit outside in the waiting room and drink enough water though to fill my bladder. I was terrified. He asked me when I went for a scan, and I told him my 12 week scan was tomorrow. I was actually 12 weeks and three days along now. I went into the room and got up on the table. I was a mess bynow. Yep, more crying. Seems that's all I do these days. And when he put the thingy on my belly he couldn't find a heartbeat. Again. He said, "I'm sorry, bub is only 9 week size and there's no heartbeat". I mean, break it to me gently why don't you? At that stage, my neighbour had come down to be with me. As soon as she walked in the room, I think the only words that came out of my mouth were, " it wasn't supposed to happen again".  I was heartbroken again. Little did we know that we were to go through this two more times. Only the third one was at 5 weeks and the fourth one was at 8 weeks. Contrary to poplualr belief, it does not get any easier. It still kills me everytime it happens. I'm too scared to get pregnant now. All the excitement has been taken out of it for me. It's only full of stress and worry. I'm not even sure anymore if I want to do it. I don't know how I'm going to feel if I fall pregnant again. I think I'm at the stage where I'm just numb when it happens. Even when I do tell people I'm pregnant, the reaction is, "yeah, well, whatever", or "huh. Dannette's pregnant, again. We'll see". No one cares anymore. That's just what it's come down too. And when I see a pregnant woman on the street or someone with a new born I think to myself, " do have any idea how lucky you are?".  My advice to anyone that has been blessed with children or is having a baby, please don't take one moment of it for granted. It's such a privelege to be able to share your love and your life with someone that you created and nurtured.

part 2

I ended up being sent off to the hospital that day. I sat around and cried. I cried and cried so much, I didn't think it was possible to cry that much. But I did. I think I used almost every box of tissues they had. Finally after about half an hour a nurse came in and told us they didn't have a private room available. They wanted to put me in a private room because all the private rooms were three floors up from the maternity ward. Away from all the babies. So we went home. I couldn't stop crying. Everytime I thought I was ok, off I went again. That next week was to be the hardest week of my life. So that night I slept on and off all night. I think the contractions started at about 7 pm. Although, at the time, I didn't know they were contractions. I didn't know what was happening. So I kind of had an hour here and hour there when I actually did get sleep. And my dear husband didn't sleep at all because he was keeping an eye on me the make sure I was ok. All night! So the contractions slowly got more intense and by about 6 am when I had a shower, they were full on. I rang my midwife and told her what was happening. She said to get my butt straight to the hospital. So I woke up hubby, who'd just gone to sleep about two hours ago, and off we went. Off course by this time it was peak hour traffic. Ugh! I was in so much pain by this time. And I think all you gorgeous lucky ladies out there that have been in labour get what I'm saying. We were sitting there, stuck in traffic and low and behold, road works. IN PEAK HOUR!!! I think I scared the hell out of one guy who was in the car next to us. I was grunting and groaning rather loudly. When I think about that now I laugh. Poor guy. Lol. Anyway, we finally made it to the hospital. Hubby dropped me off and just as I got out of the car, major contraction. I sure attracted a crowd I tell you. Luckily, the nurse that I'd seen the previous day just happened to be arriving for work, so she got me into the car and drove me in. I was taken into a labour suite and put into one fo those attractive gowns that tie up at the back  just as hubby came racing in with my bags. Poor, sweet man. I love him so much. Then they were about to stick a drip in my arm, when, the whole thing just fizzled out. No more  contrations, nothing. Hmm, I told them ehat happened. They check out everything. Couldn't find a reason for it. So, there I was to stay for a couple of days till I either started labour again myself or they were to induce me. Two days and several pessaries later, and nothing. Four days end even more pessaries later and still nada. I had so many midwives and nurses hands up there I was starting to feel like a pez dispenser. I'd been woken so many times during the night, I don't know why I even bothered to try and sleep. But, I was never alone. Sel was beside me 24 hours a day and when he couldn't be there, my Mum was with me. I cried so much that week. But the one thing that really stood out in my mind was the fact that when I finally got to go home, it would be with empty arms. That hit me the hardest. So when nothing had happened 5 days after they started sticking me with needles, popping pessaries up there and scanning me. They decided they were going to try something new. It had only been tested a few times. But by this point I was willing to try anything to forgo having a d&c. It was a pessary type thing but made from seaweed or womething. They were $1000 a tablet. And they had to keep them in the freezer. So each time a had one, they had to defrost it first. I ended up having three courses of those. I now have the worlds most exprensive cervix. We still laugh about that one too! I'm always telling hubby , in the middle of baby dancing mind you, to be careful of my expensive cervix. Lol. It's hilarious. So, they never ended up working that well either. They put it down to the fact that the receptors in my uterus and around my cervix had "gone off duty". So it was a d&c for me. The last thin I wanted. And my GP didn't want to go there either, seeing as there was the risk of infertility. I did get to go home that night. Yay! But I had to go back in the next day. I was all gowned up again.uck. And back into bed for me. I waited all bloody day for them to come and get me. Then when they finally did, I was stuck in a room, drugged up to my eyes, which wasn't all bad, listening to some woman behind me talking to a nurse about her ceasar. I thought, great, this is what I need to hear right now. Talking about going back to her room after and having cuddle with baby and bla bla bla. Good, I'm crying again. It seems whenever someone even spoke to me that week I sarted crying. Finally a nurse came out to get me. I just wanted this to be over with now. I was so fed up and tired and just sick of crying. Of course when she came out, I was already crying. More tissues. I woke up later feeling just empty inside. And I don' mean because I just had a d&c I mean in my heart I felt empty and I had this pain in the middle of my chest that felt like something was taken away. Of course. It was. I was the worst week of my life. And one I'll never forget. Ever. That was my first missed miscarriage. Oh and I think I forgot to tell you. When they did the 20 week scan, bub was only  13 week size even thought she was still alive at 16 weeks, she was apparently very sick and hadn't grown. And they couldn't tell me if it was a boy of a girl when they did the d&c because she was too far gone. I still believe in my heart it was a little girl. I've named her Madelaine.
The story of my second loss will be tomorrow. Don't worry, it's no where near as dramatic.

More stuff to read when you're bored:)

Well, i did it!! I finally got around to re-opening my Etsy store. It's only taken me like, 6 months. Lazy much? I really have to get in and make more things too. I'm really wanting to open a stall at the local markets. And next year I'm hoping to participate in the Handmade Expo they have in Ipswich every year. I would have done it this year but it's this weekend so it's a bit late. Although I did recently make a new handbag, if you saw, I posted it yesterday. It's also on Etsy now too. Trying to cover my bases. I'm getting there. There's alot more opportunity these days to do something like that though. With the internet it makes things alot easier to get out there for more people to see. It's fantasic! It's really bringing out the creative in people. Wether it be in the area of computers or even more hands on stuff. It's just the best way to share.
Anyway, just to change to subject a bit. I have decided that if  I'm going to do this blog thing, then, what the hell I might as well tell you what got me started in this whole "getting creative" thing. I did say it was because I got a short hair cut, couldn't find hairclips I liked, bla bla bla. Well, it actually started way before that. In March 2008 I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. Yay! We had only been trying for 4 or 5 months so we were over the moon. We were so excited. And I actually had it confirmed the day my neice was born so it was a double wammy. All was going well. The day came to have my 13 week scan and being the age I was, I was having a neucal translucency scan. Which, for those of you who don't know, is when they measure folds in babies neck on an ultra sound and check the fluid and stuff all to check for downs syndrome. not exactly sure how they figure it out, but it has something to do with numbers from blood tests you have done a few days before the scan and then the numbers they take from the scan and bla bla. So, I was at low risk. It was great. Bub was measuring perfectly, heart was strong. It was all good. So we went home happy. Three weeks later I went to my check up with a midwife which was all going normally. She checked for heartbeat, and there it was pumping away. Bub was great, still. Yay! Mum was with me for that one so it was exciting  to have her there. Only four more weeks till we could find out if it was pink or blue. We were so excited. We'd already bought things for the nursery. I got a great cot off ebay, a change table, a basinette, and people were already giving me things. I was so happy. My bump was growing all the time. I was starting to look rounder and rounder. I was so proud to show it off. I was even wearing tops that made it really noticable. I loved being pregnant. I didn't even have bad morning sickness. I felt only slightly nauseus but it was easy to deal with. I thought, wow, this is going to be so exciting. So anyway, four weeks went by sooo slowly. But the day came. Sel took that day off because we knew we'd be waiting for some time for our turn to come. So we waited. I was totally going to pee myself if they didn't hurry up. That's the worst part. Finally my turn came. We went in, I got up on the table, she started asking all the usual questions. Ok all's good. She put the scan thingy on my belly and the first thing she said was, "Hmmmm." I said "what's wrong" and she looked at me and just said, "I'm sorry". My heart just beat faster and faster. I knew something was wrong but I didn't know how bad it actually was. She then continued on to say " there's no heartbeat." I just shook my head, "No, that's not right, check again, it was there a few weeks ago. It was fine", she did but nothing. I couldn't say anything. I was just in shock.

I'm going to keep you in suspense. I have to step away and leave this alone for a bit. But I promise I will finish it tomorrow.

A whole new design

Well it took me all day yesterday and most of this morning, but, I finally finished it! A new handbag design. It's nothing spectacular, but it was fiddly. I like it alot. I'm actually thinking I might up scale it and make a nappy bag. Hmmmm. Tell me what you think! It is priced at $40 because of the amount of work involved. So without further delay, here it is............

I put it on the dress makers maniquin so you get some kind of scale. But the actual measurements are, 33 cm long, 24 cm high and 7 1/2 cm wide. It has one pocket inside for phone, keys or whatever.

This is the shabby flower detail I added for interest.

This is the interior and the pocket. The stripes aren't actually this bright it's just the photo that makes it look that way. They are alot more subdued.

New makings for today.

 Here are a few more things I have recently made. All of these are for sale so I will put pricing with them.

Meet Zombie Ted. He tries to be scary, but he's really no good at it. $20

These guys are hairclip hangers. They each come with two hair clips.But you can never have too many as far as I'm concerned. They each have a little ring on the back to hang them up with. $16.50

These are the cutest little girls aprons. There is green with ladybugs all over it. Blue with flowers and polka dot on the reverse and the pink one has Hello Kitty on it with a gorgeous floral reverse. Each on has an elasticised neck and waist band and the waist is velcro'd around.  They'll fit from ages 4 or 5 up. $25 each

This is a wrist pin holder. It has a funky black and white pattern with red stitching. It velcros up on the wrist. $9.50

Some of my makings

This is one I did for my nephew's room. I also did one with my niece's name on it but unfortunately I haven't got a picture of it. I'll work on getting one up for you.

This is one I did recently for my neighbour. She loves roosters. This was my first attempt. She loves it, so I'm assuming it was a success. Unfortunately the photo does it not justice. It's all washed out at the bottom.

This is the type of stuff I normally do. This was an engagement present for friends of mine.

This is one of the first pastel on canvas drawing I did. As you can see from the previous one, I've improved a bit over the years.

Hit the ground running

Hi and wish me luck!!!

Seeing as this is my first ever blog and I don't know what I'm doing and I'm not quite sure how to drive this thing, I thought I'd start off my introducing myself.

My name is Dannette, but my friends call me Nette. I'm 35 (almost 36). I'm very happily married to the most wonderful man, his name is Sel. We have two dogs. Charlie is the 10 year old, three legged blue healer cross. Then there's Toad. He's  a 6 month old, giant bounding doofus Irish wolf hound cross. Then I have one cat call Fish, she's my baby. We also have four chickens, Mabel, Mavis, Nigella and Cecily and one gorgeous Indian runner duck called Jemima. We moved out to Fernvale about 5 or so months ago and it's the best thing we ever did. We just love it here.

In my spare time I like to draw. Mostly pastels on canvas and mostly flowers. I love flowers. But more recently I have branched out to animals. Kind of cartoonish type stuff. I'll post some pictures so you can see what I mean. I also like to sew. A skill I so appreciativaly picked up from my Mother. I make handbags, stuffed toys and other bits and bobs.

It all started with hairclips though. It was about a year ago I got all my hair cut off. The type of style the is great for cute hairclips. But I couldn't find any I liked in the stores. So I thought, Aha! I'll make my own. And it went from there. So here I am today. Doing something I never thought I'd do. But, why not try new things. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?

I do hope this gave to some insight to me. And I hope you visit often because I'll be posting fequently. I'll also be working on some new projects, so come and check them out!!! Most of the stuff will be for sale so when I post pictures I'll have the prices with them.

Till next time

Love and hugs

Nette