{Our Nest} A new bird, a name thief and an elephant selfie

To say the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind is the biggest understatement since someone said Kimmy K might like a selfie or two.kim selife

We are overjoyed like a kids with wagon wheels to announce that we welcomed Charlotte into our nest. She is perfection. She eats. She sleeps. Repeat.

I do feel she is placing us into a false sense of security and in the not too distant future you are likely to find me hiding in the stationary aisle at woolies rocking back and forwards begging for a straight jacket but until that time I plan on absorbing all her newborn goodness.14

We had such an interesting long birth experience, I cannot give enough thanks to the maternity staff at the hospital that helped bring our little lady into the world. In particular, there are a few people that really deserve special thanks. There is the girl I knew from school who was full a humour and positivity. There was the girl who kept me calm and somehow instinctively knew when to talk and when to just hold my hand. There was the girl who was encouraging and patient. The girl who followed us up even after her shift finished and finally there was the doctor who believed in me and offered to give me a chance. A sincere-from-the-bottom-of-my-toes-to-the-tip-of-my-nose thank you to you all. P.S Happy Midwife Day to all the midwives out there for yesterday!midwife

In very exciting news I have discovered one very beneficial outcome that comes with delivering a baby that weighs over 4.5 kilos is that it is the bloody quickest weight loss regime ever! Literally nearly 5 kilos a gonski in less than 1 minute!

I have to admit the hubby-bird and I had this delusional romantic idea of the moment that our other birdies would meet their new little person. We were sure the birds would croon, the angels would sing and we would have a wonderful photograph of all the love. In reality, when the toddler-bird and kid-bird met their new little sister it was definitely less than a magical hallmark moment. Kid-bird walked in and spontaneously burst into tears because she wanted a brother NOT ANOTHER SIIIISSSSSTER! The toddler-bird didn’t care nearly as much. She was simply there for the hospital custard and free apple juice. When we asked if she wanted to kiss her sister we were met with a solid eye roll and a statement consisting of “She stinks weird. Maybe we should sell her back to BigW”. Such a solid family moment to remember for ever.

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They like each other now.. mostly

If you know me at all you will know that I am a complete tragic royals fan. They are just coolest and I am crushing hard. Well, this chick Kate (she’s like totes the duchess) is my unrequited best mate. We are BFF’s (but she just doesn’t quite know that yet). Anyhoo, she also had a bambino this week and it was PINK! Pink ones are the best, but admittedly I am a smidgeon biased because I am the mother to only pink dragons. BUT there is an issue in our wonderful imaginary friendship and that is that she stole my baby name. We both have new little Charlottes which is definitely going to be akws when we are at the park together sipping tea and one of us yells at our Charlotte to stop licking the slippery dip… Okay, princesses probably don’t lick stuff, I am sure she has people that do that for her and I spose probably thousands of other Strayans also have Charlottes, but you know that aren’t friends with my mate Kate. I like her, and she sent me this card with a virtual high-fiver so we have moved on and are BFFing all over the place again.

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I hope to be back on board and publishing on the blog again soon, just depends on the state of Mount Washmore in the spare room, ahem, I mean nursery and on how long the little birdie keeps me in this state of eat. Sleep. Repeat.

I do want to share that later we will be running a competition giving one very lucky nester the opportunity to win a photography session with the very talented team at No Added Cheese! This is a special competition for one very deserving mama. WATCH THIS SPACE!!

Thanks for all the well wishes you beautiful Nesters!

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{Raising Little People} When labour just doesn’t happen..

Holding your precious new bundle of love is the most incredible feeling in the world. The sense of achievement, the sense of relief, the sense of family washes over you.

Image Source: Essential Baby (Getty Images)

Image Source: Essential Baby (Getty Images)

So does it matter how your new little one gets here? Each and every delivery is incredibly different. But, what happens if your little birdie doesn’t want to come on their own accord?

Recently, there has been a tendency to diminish medically assisted birth experiences such as inductions, in favour of ‘natural’ births.

Here one woman shares her story about the fact that a less-than-ideal birth can bring a sense of loss, even if the outcome is positive.

From someone who is 2 from 2 in the induced births department I completely agree with her sentiments. Whilst I happily cuddled into my new little people I did feel a certain sense of disappointment in myself for not being able to experience spontaneous labour, but then, you realise why does it really matter?

Essential Baby – ‘When labour just doesn’t happen’

Happy reading Nesters x

{Raising little people} Birth announcements with a difference

O’ my clucky, aching ovaries.. These are by far the cutest, most beautiful birth announcements I have EVER seen!

What a brilliant keepsake for such a special time in  your life.birth announcement

You can check out more at www.byrosenhoff.com

birth announce 3They show each specific detail of your perfect new little person.

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Just simply beautiful.

{The Nest Writes} What to pack in your hospital bag (minus nip-nips of burning volcanos of fire)

I have been having a blast writing some pieces for the wonderful BONDS Baby & Bumps Blog over the past few months.

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Here is the latest piece I have done for them, a humorous view on what essentials you will need for the labour ward!

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You can find the link here -> Bonds Bumps & Baby ‘What to Pack in your hospital bag’

I hope you enjoy it Nesters!

{Twins are twice as nice} but.. how about a little support – did you know that Multiple Birth Awareness Week is from 9-16 March?

So you fall pregnant and think how wonderful life will be with your new little mini-me.. then you go for a scan and discover not one but two heartbeats.. or even three!

Having multiples is not only a lesson in patience but tough, rewarding, difficult, funny and sometimes isolating – especially if you live in the country.

Enter the Bathurst Multiple Birth Association (BXMBA). They are a lifeline. They are new friends. They are support.

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The BXMBA is a not for profit organisation which was originally set up to help multiple birth families to network, find support and friendship while parenting twins, triplets or more!

It is a volunteer run club that is part of a greater support network of 65+ clubs nationally.

When you join the BXMBA you get: fun, support, connection with other parents/carers of multiples, playgroup, outings, information nights, parent nights out, morning teas, Christmas party, monthly meetings, newsletters and magazines.

The Facebook access (to members only) is where you can get support, ideas or just have a chat without leaving your home. Other bonuses are the fact that you have access to resources such as information on multiples from pregnancy to beyond the start of school including but not limited to books and DVD’s.

The group also runs the Bathurst Multiple Birth Association Playgroup. This playgroup is held at Bathurst Baptist Church, 188 Eglinton Road, Bathurst. They are there for a friendly chat (and to tire the kids out!) every 2nd Monday of the month during the school terms. All you need to bring is yourself, your babies and a gold coin donation ($2.00 for members and $4.00 for non-members). They will even feed you morning tea!MiniTrains Poster

If you or someone you know would like to join the BXMBA you can find them at bxmultiples@gmail.com

To celebrate Multiple Birth Awareness Week which runs from 9th – 16th March the BXBMA is hosting a free event for all families of multiples. There will be some laughs at the mini-train day which includes face painting as well! It really is a great chance to get out and meet other families of multiples around your area. Microsoft Word - multiple birth awareness week poster 3.docx

 
 

{Raising little people} This happens to about 5% of babies born in Australia, has it happened to yours?

Sometimes your baby is born and not everything is as expected. breastfeeding

It is estimated that a tongue-tie can happen to about 5% of babies born in Australia. Here is one mum’s story -> Essential Baby ‘Tongue-tie and Breastfeeding – one mum’s story’

Happy reading Nesters!

{This is life} When birth turns into a fight to survive – one Mum’s story of placenta increta

Wow. This story is amazingly scary and could happen to anyone.

Placenta increta is a life-threatening condition that can affect mothers who have scar tissue, often from previous Caesarean sections.

Considering 1 in every 3 births in Australia are c-sections shouldn’t more people be made aware of this potentially fatal problem?

Head over to Kidspot and read Michelle’s story. It is beyond scary.

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Just think, how many of your friends have had caesareans?

Not taking home your baby

Today I watched something that broke my heart. It broke into my soul and made it cry.

This is happening to approximately three million families around the world.

It happens to six families in Australia. EVERY SINGLE DAY.

We don’t talk about it. We don’t acknowledge it. We don’t know how to help.

The following video shows some very brave and strong families who have spoken about their experiences with stillbirth.

Yes, it is hard to watch. Yes, it will make you cry. Yes, it is a story that needs to be told.

A MRI birth.. What the?!

This shows a baby being born in a MRI machine! I found this so fascinating, seeing what our little people go through (as well as the mumma’s body) during the birthing process!  Our bodies are such amazing things and this woman is an absolute star for agreeing to do this.

You can watch the video on Essential baby‘s site

This photo was taken by the MRI team

This photo was taken by the MRI team