BirthWeek Celebrations! Scamps GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to our Birth-Week Celebrations!! I so wanted to make this an exciting event for all my readers so this week I have a great line up of Mama, Baby and Toddler giveaways, all donated generously by beautiful companies who I have worked with in the past and am still so glad to represent!

I hope you'll enjoy Birth-Week and hopefully win something for yourself or a Mama / Kiddo in your life!! 

Today, win a Mum Organiser from Scamps Boutique!

Scamps Boutique is your one stop shop for all your eco products for mum, baby and child.  We specialise in modern cloth nappies and the Manduca baby carrier.  Talk to us today about choosing the right product for you and family.

This stylish and practical design is the perfect accessory for every mum. A specially designed week to a view diary (January 2013 - December 2013) with space to write your appointments, to-do list, birthdays, anniversaries and a place for you to write your kids activities or plan your family dinners and outings.


What you'll win: One reader will win a Mum Organiser in your choice of colour that is in stock!

To win this prize pack: Visit the Scamps Boutique website and choose your favourite colour and leave a comment on this post with which you would choose! (You could definitely win this for an expecting Mama in your life). You can use Rafflecopter to gain more entries!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS: All giveaways will be open during Birth-Week and winners will be drawn the following Monday and announced in a blog post and on the Sophie Slim Facebook Page. To be eligible to win you MUST leave your email address in your blog comment (so you can be contacted) (if its not already connected to your blog-profile) and live in NEW ZEALAND. I contacted each of these companies to see if they would give you free products to help celebrate, because I love them, and because they love you (and me!).

BirthWeek Celebration! Breastmates GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to our Birth-Week Celebrations!! I so wanted to make this an exciting event for all my readers so this week I have a great line up of Mama, Baby and Toddler giveaways, all donated generously by beautiful companies who I have worked with in the past and am still so glad to represent!

I hope you'll enjoy Birth-Week and hopefully win something for yourself or a Mama / Kiddo in your life!! 

First up, win one of TWO Clip-on Cami's from Breastmates!

I did a review on these last month, they are in my maternity-must haves, such good quality singlets that clip directly onto your maternity bras (extra support, no annoying straps to stretch!) They instantly turn your bra into a tank top!

To win one of two, leave a comment on this post with which colour you would prefer (you could definitely win this for an expecting Mama in your life). You can use Rafflecopter to gain more entries!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS: All giveaways will be open during Birth-Week and winners will be drawn the following Monday and announced in a blog post and on the Sophie Slim Facebook Page. To be eligible to win you MUST leave your email address in your blog comment (so you can be contacted) (if its not already connected to your blog-profile) and live in NEW ZEALAND. I contacted each of these companies to see if they would give you free products to help celebrate, because I love them, and because they love you (and me!).

That Last Day

 I tip toed into her dark bedroom, the air was slightly cooler in here, away from the heaters.

As I approached her bed my eyes adjusted, she was lying side ways, her head face up amongst her pile of friends that sleep with her; Stripey,

Rosie, Boofle, Teddy, Cow, Tiger. All of them had been lined up at bed time for a roll call and each patted and said "na nigh" to.

I wondered if I should swivel her around so her head was on her pillow.

"Just let her be" I decided. She looked so peaceful. 

I whispered my love to her in the cool air, my only child, tonight things would change forever.

As I walked out I took another look at my sweet baby girl and my heart grew. I knew we'd be okay and I knew that even though I wasn't in labour yet, come morning time my baby girl would be a big Sister.

I stood in the hallway glad for the day we had together, one filled with snow, first time huts, endless pretend cups of tea, a constant stream of books, and a visit to MrMoos work.

Thank you God

BirthWeek Celebrations! Stuck On You GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to our Birth-Week Celebrations!! I wanted to make this an exciting event for all my readers so this week I have a great line up of Mama, Baby and Toddler giveaways, all donated generously by beautiful companies who I have worked with in the past and am still so glad to represent!

I hope you'll enjoy Birth-Week and hopefully win something for yourself or a Mama / Kiddo in your life!! 

Today, win one winter PJ set from Stuck On You!

The above PJs are the ones I picked out for Milla, super cute! Can't wait to get them!


What you'll win: One winner will be able to choose their own kiddie PJs from the newly released line of personalised clothing from Stuck On You (the PJs are in the personalised clothing category - you mix and match pants and bottoms! You can choose the colours, the fonts, text, images and sizes! 

To win this prize pack: Visit Stuck On You and leave a comment on this post with which design you would pick out to embellish your PJs with (you could definitely win this for an expecting Mama in your life, or a sweet Kiddo, it will come as a voucher-code to use on their website). You can use Rafflecopter to gain more entries!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS: All giveaways will be open during Birth-Week and winners will be drawn the following Monday and announced in a blog post and on the Sophie Slim Facebook Page. To be eligible to win you MUST leave your email address in your blog comment (so you can be contacted) (if its not already connected to your blog-profile) and live in NEW ZEALAND. I contacted each of these companies to see if they would give you free products to help celebrate, because I love them, and because they love you (and me!).

Welcome to a BirthWeek of GIVEAWAYS!!

Last year I was inspired by Dee's attitude towards labour and birth and had a conversation with MrMoo at the time about how, should we have any more kids, it was something I wanted to emulate.

I wanted an attitude of celebration, looking forward to meeting this part of our family. Before Katies birth I hung bunting, I wrote letters, I prayed and I celebrated. When I went into labour MrMoo prayed for all of us. We were so excited to meet our little girl.

While I'm getting to know her, and sorting out this whole feeding thing I wanted you to be excited too! Even though I wont be around these parts regularly (I hope I can get there eventually) I have contacted my generous blog partners and asked them if they would throw a baby shower!

That means free things for you! A whole week of them (actually, longer than that!), there will be one each week day for the next little while, all the winners will be drawn on Monday 8th July, each prize has a baby, toddler or Mama theme!

YIPEEE!!

There are lots of ways you can enter the giveaways, each one will require you to leave a blog comment, and the rest are all optional (sharing, liking things etc). Have fun and I hope you can score some goodies!

Giveaways include: Breastmates, Stuck On You, Eco Store, Scamps Boutique, Qwerky Home, All About Heidi and Big Little.

Introducing: Katie

Introducing::

Katie Anne Laughton-Mutu

Born 4.11am on Saturday, 22/06/13 | Weight: 7lb 14.5 oz
Born at home in water after a short 3 hour labour.

Everything is just as it should be. 

Homemade Chair Pads

(The purple one is extra squishy here, it was still fresh when this photo was taken)

Home made chair pads! Hoorah!

I've had these babies on my to do list for the last 3 years, ever since we inherited these free chairs from a flat-mates Church, I have internally moaned about how hard they are. For three years my butts been sore but you can't complain about free things! Instead I vowed that some day I would afford chair pads. But there's something that grinds my gears about paying $20 per cushion.

Instead, 3 years later I finally bought all of the supplies needed for these for a total of $20 and in my baby-prep-fever had them finished after a week of midday naps courtesy of the toddler.

MrMoo likes modern, simple looking things. However, colour makes me very happy. So I went with my happiness over his and chose a different colour for each chair. Heeee :)

I particularly love the long danglies under the chairs, I did them long on purpose :)

Pure happiness (and comfy bums) achieved!

Joining in with the Matariki Crafting Linky!

Morale

Its not all sweet knits and pretty bunting around these parts lately, don't be fooled.

The truth is I've been working really* hard to keep my morale up.

Ever since I declared that I would be fearless coming into this season I have been facing something-after-something trying to bring me down. Something's have pulled me so close to breaking point, but on the whole they have been manageable (if perhaps after a few hormonal tears).

I'm trying to be realistic when I say: I feel worn out but on the whole I am doing quite well!

I realised today that perhaps all of the trials have been causing me to be stronger, more fearless, less timid, more in control and powerful. More ready.

After each I have quickly picked myself up. Life carry's on, you know? Recovery has been quick. I like that.

I do feel strong. 

And for the last two days I haven't worn any tracksuit material (my wardrobe staple for the last month). That feels good too.

*replace this with any other descriptive

Baby Moon Bedroom

Welcome to the Baby Moon Bedroom!

At the weekend we swapped our bedrooms around and upgraded to biggest bedroom in our house! We're hoping that the extra space and distance from Millas bedroom would be suitable to house a crying newborn in the night. Our toddler is a light sleeper! (fun fact: Milla was born in this room!)

So far she's handled the change of bedrooms perfectly. As I've mentioned we put up fairy lights in the lounge that are set on a timer to be lit from 6-8am. This works perfectly, Milla wakes up and sees the light and heads towards the lounge. Eventually after a little play she will come down and see us at the other end of the hallway. Perfect! (I'm also hoping the fairy lights will create a nice atmosphere for birthing in the lounge)

With the addition of the made up basinet, newborn clothes all washed and folded in a box (currently perching inside the basinet), a Kindness Quilt, newborn - celebration bunting and brand new pillows for night time feeds, I am feeling very well set up in our bedroom for our baby moon! 

Currently::

CURRENTLY: Writing "Thank You" cards for all of the gifts our little unborn has been given so far.

PREVIOUSLY: Moved our bedrooms around this weekend. The spare room is a bomb site, but ours is relatively ready.

FINISHED: Spiritual Midwifery. What a book! Mixed feelings about it but can definitely take away some techniques and mindsets that I would like to adopt for the approaching season (and some that I would not like to)

PLANNING: A week of exciting giveaways when the baby is born. Be excited and celebrate with us! Some really awesome companies are on board and confirmed so far including Breastmates, Ecostore, All About Heidi and more! 

REALISED: In the last few weeks my love languages have completely changed. This revelation has made life make sense again! Phew!

FEELING: Pretty darn organised and at peace with everything. From here, I think its just a matter of "keeping busy" and keeping healthy.

Dear Baby Moo2

Baby Moo2's first outfit

Dearest Baby Moo2,

It's 7.30pm on Saturday the 8th of June. You are "due" in a few weeks and I'm sitting here alone, watching Finding Nemo, eating my way through a box of scorched almonds and crocheting you some bunting.

I thought it was about time I wrote you a letter. So first, an apology. I'm so sorry I haven't written sooner. Its not that I haven't wanted to, or have had nothing to say, nor are my lack of published words any reflection on how your Daddy and I are feeling.

We cannot wait to meet you!! I guess being a second child you are more of a reality already than our first. We know the amazingness already of having a child. We know how you grow inside, and when you birth how much of a complete miracle and instant love it is. We're still in awe of the whole process, but this second time around has been more of a time of connecting with you, appreciating and being content rather than frantically learning everything there is to know about growing a baby. We're much more focussed on you than the process.

Your Dad and I feel very content about you. From the moment we found out, it just all made sense. Of course you would be part of our family, how could you not be? The news of your existence just made sense. We are so excited to meet you, this little girl, who has already just fitted in with our lives so perfectly. I couldn't imagine life differently. You feel so real already.

You have been just like your big Sister so far, all of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, it all feels rather deja vu. At the same time I am so aware of how unique you are. God's been knitting you together in your quiet place inside. I love that you can spend time together before we get to meet you. I pray you would always know each other.

Hopefully you'll be arriving some time soon. The basinet has been made up, your clothes have been washed and folded, today we swapped our bedrooms around in our little home, it was hard work, but it was worth it. We're preparing a place for you.

I've been a little sick recently, so tonight is a night of rest for me, but I hope you are still getting all you need to be big and strong. Even though I am SO eager to meet you, you just take as long as you need to be as healthy as you can be. I'll do the same!

Stay safe little one. But we're ready. We're so ready to meet you, precious.

I love you.

Mama xxx

Grateful

Last week this happened:: Cuddles on the couch with a poorly girl and her tummy big.

This week she was giving me the same treatment.

I'll be honest guys, I'm kinda over this whole getting sick thing. For the last few years I kind of feel like I've been relatively robust, a few head colds but thats been the extend of it. In the last month i've had two ear infections, some sort of gastro bug, a chesty cough / cold, and have been full term, at the end of myself and very tired. Did I say I was over it?

Today, now well again (just a little weak) I'd like to use this space to be grateful::

1) Grateful for a little girl who has Cat-Like qualities and knows when to be cuddly and patient at all the right times

2) Grateful for a husband / online grocery delivery guy who will un pack all my groceries for me

3) Online grocery orders!!

4) Thankful for a really warm house (we still haven't used our heaters yet this year!)

5) Grateful for friends who will buy us dinner (thanks Amy!)

6) To-Do lists, even though they can get me down and overwhelmed, give me purpose, productivity and accomplishment

7) Grateful for a good cup of tea. I haven't been drinking any for the last month (it inhibits iron absorbption - something I'm trying really hard to hold on to!), but just had one this morning, and boy, its good.  

8) In all of the madness and unpreparedness thinking "if my baby came today" I can rest and know that..

• We have clean towels
• The supermarket is just around the corner
• Things wont be perfect, we'll figure it out anyway

9) Loving one of Millas besties turning 2 this week. She is seriously the sweetest girl, and it is actually a blessing to know her. 

10) Dettol. Very thankful for Dettol. 

Phew, that feels better already! 

Whats in your world that you could be grateful for today? 

#thegratefulproject

May's Story

Mays Happenings: Lots of makings, lots of lists and thoughts and organising, anyone would think I'm about to have a baby or something?!

Here's what happened on Sophie Slim in May::

The Sisterhood:
Making LOVE BOMBs
The biggest round of LOVE BOMBs ever to go out!

Parenting and Preparing:
Preparing for breastfeeding
Millas Baby Book reccomendations
A fearless birth
Mothery thoughts after mothers day

Makings:
My Mamas most adorable baby knits for Baby Moo2
Crochet bear hat
Lined drawstring bag
Colourful crochet jar covers

Family Life:
A surprise birthday party for MrMoo

What a productive month! I'm feeling pretty good about May. I don't know if June will be so productive, but it'll be exciting and worth it!

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In May I have had some beautiful sponsors on my blog that I am so proud to represent! Please take some time to visit them, they make this blog possible!

Qwerky Home 

Anna Wilson-Farrell, of online gift and homeware store Qwerky Home, gets super excited about sustainably produced, fun and offbeat homewares, gifts, furniture and stationery. 

Anna is proud to stock some amazing creations from New Zealand and overseas and tries to seek out other small enterprises to support. Many of the products are made of eco-friendly materials  – some made of recycled plastic, recycled card and mdf, using sustainable natural inks and items that simply trigger that 'love it, must have it' feeling. 

Qwerky Home is seriously cool, just hop over to their easy to use website to see their huge range! I'm currently loving their chalkboard framed wall stickers

Scamps Boutique

An online ecoproduct store for mums, babies and kids have some great products that are worth checking out! 

I love their philosophy and it suits me perfectly, they have a big range of baby and toddler gear, so if you're thinking of buying Baby Moo2 a gift let me point you in the direction of their baby toys, heehee

All About Heidi

Handmade leather shoes from Australia are back on Sophie Slim, earlier this year I did a review and giveaway of them (we have the Gold Dust pair!). They've since updated their website and it is so snazzy. I am still loving these shoes, they are so easy for Milla to wear and look super sweet with most of her dresses! 

All About Heidi are expanding into NZ so you'll be seeing a lot more of them around in the near future! 

If I could choose another colour, I think after Gold Dust I'd go for the plum, you?

More Than Fabric

A mother-daughter duo Based in Gisborne, More Than Fabric are a real craft store as well as having a great online sales and social presence. Their online shop is well stocked full of fabrics, haberdashery and sales! Woop! If you're in Gisborne, they also run craft classes and groups so check them out!

More than Fabric will be around Sophie Slim for a while so head over and make yourself familiar. They'll be doing a review/giveaway later on too! Yipee!

I'm loving the blue trees print, as well as their fabric sale page! 

Onesie Bummsie

Onsie Bummsie are all about cute baby bottoms that dont quite fit in their onesies - You might have a big chubba, or a skinny malinky longy, You can make your onesies stretch even further with extenders! 

They can be washed and reused over and over and over again, saving you money on onesies and getting them to fit just right! 

You can buy the extenders in a pack or individually and they come in different sizes and colours!

Hello Lovely

Handmade jewellery from Christchurch, New Zealand. Congratulations to Simone for winning their giveaway last month! Hope you're loving your new bling!

Have you seen their new crystal bracelets? They are beautiful! Hello Lovely jewellery is unique, well made and packaged beautifully, it would make the perfect gift or as a lovely winter-treat for yourself!

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((if you're interested in having your blog or brand represented on Sophie Slim check out my advertising options)

Thanks for reading my blog this month! Its a pleasure to turn up here day after day and to see your words left for me! :)

Surprise Baby Shower

SURPRISE!! Everyone yelled at me as I stepped into the warmth last Friday night. "Oops! I've walked in on a surprise party!" I thought to myself. After taking a second I realised the guests were all still looking at me, the balloons were pink, and my future daughters name was on the wall.

I had walked into my very first surprise party, a baby shower!!

My friends (and hubby, and his friends) are all so super sneaky, spoiling my unborn daughter like that! I had friends from all areas of my life there, church, years gone by, baby play groups, plunket and antenatal groups, family and bloggy friends - it was so nice to have so many familiar faces all in one place!

We played games, ate A LOT of food and opened A LOT of adorable gifts!

Thank you to everyone who helped pull this off, it was so touching to know that my second is just as loved as my first already and you would all go to such lengths to show your love! I'm feeling very well supported and looked after.

Blessed!

In Baby Preparation

A few thoughts:

• This baby (and I) are officially "full term". I've tried so hard this time round not to think of a "due date". Very few people know my actual date, and when asked for it I usually give a different answer each time. A lot of the reason for that is because I actually can't remember it. Instead I've been thinking "some time in June" and now that its June, I kind of mentally feel like I've passed my due date. Doh. I definitely haven't yet, but its all a mental mind game.
• In the last week I have been fighting off two ear infections, a chesty coldy cough, Millas tummy bug and MrMoos manflu. But life goes on. I just wish I was feeling more stronger at this stage of my pregnancy. Instead I'm trying to focus on my mind being strong.
• We're swapping bedrooms around today and blowing up the birthpool. Following that we will be all ready to have this baby girl!
• We've put fairy lights up in our lounge on a timer for the morning so Milla will be able to find her way around the house when she wakes up in the dark. I love them, I wish they were on all the time, and now I'm quite excited to be labouring and potentially giving birth in our lounge with such pretty lighting.
• A surprise babyshower was thrown for us this weekend! Everyone pulled it off so well, I truly had no idea! I always thought I wouldn't like to have a surprise party because I love to know everything, but since everyone played their part so well I wasn't suspicious at all and LOVED IT! So much fun! Surprise parties are now officially my favourite! (more on the baby shower later)
• I ordered Spiritual Midwifery and received it yesterday, I'm already half way through (spending the afternoon "resting" in bed will allow you that luxury. Thank you MrMoo!). I'm enjoying it, if thats the term you would use? So far the biggest impact its had on me is understanding that each birth is completely different, yet each birth completely normal. 
• I'm taking time each day to be thankful and appreciate the good, its helping immensely  especially at such a hormonal, everything feels everywhere, time of my life.