Life and loving

A peep into our lives at the moment..

Mila:

Talking, talking, talking. We are both loving that we can communicate a whole lot better. It means less tantrums and less guessing on my part. She also has a really good sense of humour! We were at a music class the other day and I was watching her standing behind this little boy giggling. She came running up to me bursting into laughter and said "the boy is doing pop-pops mama!" (her word for passing wind!).

Mila flying high on her 2nd Birthday

Favourite foods:  eggs, green smoothies, apples, "orgys" (oranges), toast, lamb, yogurt and bananas. I'm also giving her fish oils by Nordic Naturals, a homoeopathic remedy for a tummy upset she had and a little spirilina in her smoothies for added nutrients. I also put a pro biotic powder with her almond milk that she has at night to help with her digestion and immunity. 

Sleep: In bed by 7 - 8pm. Waking around 3am, needing a nappy change and then goes and snuggles and sleeps the rest of the night with her dad. Up between 5 and 6am.  

Toilet/nappies: Can use potty and toilet but not grasping concept of pulling down undies yet. Going to spend a solid week of proper toilet training when it warms up a bit more. Shes so ready for it as finding nappies uncomfortable.

Faves: Her pony's, playdough, pretend food and playing kitchen and cooking games, drawing circles, dancing, singing happy birthday and terrorising her little brother by trying to ride him like a pony.

Louie:

Being as cute as 4 month olds can get! Rolling over, squealing and giggling, grasping at everything and then chewing on everything he grasps. Now has two bottom teeth and one top tooth about to pop through. Still managing lots of smiles despite all of his teething discomfort. 

Lou and I

Sleep: Down at 7pm and then up for a feed every 2-3 hours. We co-sleep so its just feed and snuggle back down for sleep. I am loving our nighttime relationship. I get so much more rest sleeping with him and he gets all the benefits of night nursing and having me there as comfort. So if you were wondering.... Louie and I share a bed and my partner is currently sleeping in the spare room. This is because he needs to try and get a full nights sleep for work and we just all get more sleep this way. Not for everyone but really works for us. 

Nappies: Currently transitioning into reusable nappies and loving them! Looking forward to using them full time and saving a whole lot of money. Oh and helping the environment of course.

Faves: Breastmilk, snuggles, watching himself in the mirror and chewing on his hand like a rabid chipmunk.

Me (Mama)

Diet: Starting my mornings with warm water, lemon, a teaspoon of sole (pronounced sol-lay, its a special salted water to help with electrolyte balance) and coconut oil. So refreshing and my skin is loving it! Really up-ing my protein at the moment by eating a lot more eggs, red meat and fish. I am also trying to have a green smoothie everyday. This is my (and Milas!) favourite combo at the moment:

Banana
Coconut water
frozen berries
yogurt
honey
Micro Organics Spirilina
LSA
Spinach

George and I are both watching our sugar intake but we love a sweet treat after dinner sometimes so have been whipping up this delectable and healthy chocolate mousse:

1 banana
1 Avocado
2 tbspn raw cacao powder
1/4 cup coconut milk (more if you want a creamier texture and taste)
1 tbspn honey (or to taste)
1 tbspn male syrup
splash of vanilla extract or essence

Blend, serve with seasonal fruit and eat! So yum!

Exercise: Doing a big walk around the peninsula I live on 2-3 times a week with kids in the pram. Back to doing a daily yoga practice which is having huge benefits on my energy and overall emotional and physical wellbeing.  Also doing a bit of paddle boarding on the weekends which I hope to do a lot more of come summertime.

Yoga inspiration - Rachel Brathen

Reading: Feeding little tummies by Nicola Galloway and Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali. Cannot recommend both of these enough.

Faves: My friend just lent me her 'Breast-friend' breastfeeding pillow and it rocks! So supportive for me and bubs. My back and neck are loving me for it. I wish I'd had this from the beginning and really recommend it for new breast-feeding mums.

Also really digging a big plastic change mat I was given that sings. Especially good for squirmy toddlers that squirm and wriggle at every nappy change and need distraction. Their little bootys can roll over a farm animal picture such as a cow on the mat and it will start "moo-ing" or singing Old Mac Donald. A for Awesome!

Dreaming of: Doing AcroYoga classes at Urban Ashram in Ponsonby. AcroYoga combines yoga and acrobatics. You probably already do it at home if you balance your kiddies up in the air on your feet while they spread their arms and pretend to fly :) 

Inspiration: "There is no way to be a perfect mother but a million ways to be a good one"

Louie can roll

Louie rolled over today and to mine and his amazement I squealed and cried with delight. It came as a timely reminder of how blessed and lucky I am to have children. It reinforced the love and amazement I have for my offspring and there is no other feeling or love that can compare to how you feel about them. Louies simple developmental step of rolling from his back to his tummy injected excitement into me and has lifted me out of a bit of a hazy fog I have been living in.

As of late I have felt quite detached from myself, seriously exhausted and questioning a lot about my life. For those who don't know me I am still a baby myself at 24 years old. When I found out I was pregnant with my first I was a hot 21 year old with a cool job, all the freedom in the world, a gorgeous boyfriend (hes still gorgeous ;) ) and a ticket to India. I was going to live my dream of spending 3 months travelling through India and studying and practicing yoga at an ashram in Kerala. I was on my path of adventure and 'self discovery'. I feel so corny even writing that as being a mum has taught me more about myself than any travelling or adventure experience could ever do. I was in shock to see those two little pink lines take form in-front of me in that public toilet in Byron Bay. This wasn't a part of the plan! I was meant to go travelling, find myself, become awesome, get married, buy an amazing house by the sea, have an awesome job, get pregnant, read all the pregnancy books, have the all time hippy dippy natural birth, have an awesome baby, be an awesome mum, go travelling with my new little family and the rest of my awesome life would just continue from there. Well the universe had other plans. And thank god! Because I was nothing short of delusional about what life was all about and what being a mother entailed. We even thought we would take our baby travelling around the world with with us - ahhh blissful ignorance!

This is what happened instead: after the initial shock and anguish of losing out on my youth I fully embraced my pregnancy. I loved every moment of carrying my baby girl. I enjoyed watching my belly grow and feeling her move and kick inside of me. I had never felt more connected to anyone or anything in my life. I had an easy pregnancy apart from the morning sickness and could not wait for the birth experience of my daughter. Mila changed our lives forever when she came along and also changed all my perceptions of motherhood.

I never expected to feel that much love for my baby. It was completely overwhelming and I just couldn't get enough of her. I also never expected it to be so hard. The sleep deprivation, the toll on your body, the emotional rollercoaster of all the hormones, the colic, the engorged breasts and everything else that came with my new bundle. It tested my patience and my sanity. It shook up my relationship with my partner and even had me question many of friendships. Just when I thought I had my little one sussed she would tip our routine upside down with teething or some other milestone she was going through. I got through it like we all do, I survived. It wasn't long before my fertility bells started ringing and I was ready for another baby. This time I had a turbulent pregnancy despite my best efforts to practice yoga, rest and meditate. I now had a toddler to contend with which meant I hardly even got a second to embrace my new pregnancy. Energy was low, morale was low. Fortunately, I had a very empowering and quite amazing birth experience with my son followed by three blissful days of just me and him at the birthing centre. He was and still is the easiest and most content baby ever!

Raising two young ones has been very challenging and it hasn't helped that we have very little support. I got to the point about a month ago where I was bursting into tears a lot and feeling incredibly demotivated. If you think you don't have time for yourself with one wait until you have two! However, this has just been my experience and like I said it comes down to a lack of support. Feelings of yearning for my youth began to creep back in and I started to feel trapped in suburbia, in my house, in a constant cycle of no sleep, toddler tantrums, snotty noses, a lot of feeding and absolutely no time to just check in with myself. I felt claustrophobic within the walls of my own life.

Watching Louie do his little roll brought me back to my present moment. It showed me how full I can feel from the simplest of things. I cant capture my past or my age and I cant grasp for the future. All i have is right now, this breath, this moment with myself and with the people around me. I think of all the woman who would give their right arm to have children but for whatever reason can't... I am so blessed to have a body that conceives, carries and births well. Thank you body! I know that at this time of feeling that my identity is lost I must have a grateful heart and just do what the world requires of me right now - which is to be a mum. And I'm pretty good at that :)

Origami Crown

Very soon my young fiery red head will be turning the big 2! I have been trying to decide what theme, if any, I should go with. I want to do something very simple, age appropriate and inexpensive. We are going to hold her birthday party at an awesome kid friendly cafe that has a huge outdoor area with big chalkboard walls, sandpit and little gardens perfect for dreaming up fantasy fairy games. We are also  going to order a couple of platters of fruit and chocolate brownies which takes the stress out of cooking. The kids can run wild, the parents can drink good coffee, everyone is happy. Anyway, back to the theme. I'm actually going to skip the theme idea this year (sorry Mila!) and just make it a small, special fun morning filled with crafts, music and hopefully lots of laughter. Being the frugal mama I am, I've even talked my partner into singing and playing some nursery rhyme tunes on the guitar for the kiddies. Free entertainment!

I was keen to handmake something for my daughters party and while dabbling with a bit of origami today I  made this cute party hat that she can wear, though.. she most likely wont! Regardless, it is very easy to make and a funky looking piece of origami that can be tailored to each special little person and used for dolls and teddies after the party. Here is my finished product and instructions to make your own.

Materials:

• 7 pieces of 15cm x 15cm square paper. I had large pieces of coloured paper that I cut to size and then had my toddler draw all over it for her own personal touch to the crown.
• Cellotape
• Decorations of your choice (feathers, stickers or colored pencils all work well for little hands)

How:

Fold the square piece of paper in half an then in half again.

Fold both the top right and left corners to the centre.

Fold the bottom edge to the centre.

Fold the bottom edge upwards again.

Fold paper in half again along the vertical axis. Crease well and unfold again.

You now have one modular of the crown. Continue making your other modulars the same way and then join them all together. Instructions for joining are below.

Slightly open up the inside of modular as I am doing in picture below. The next modular will slip into here.

Push them nice and snug together then place a little bit of tape to hold it together in the area I am showing in the picture below. You can skip this step but I found it better to do this as the paper I use was quite thin and the pieces kept slipping out.

Keep doing this with the other modulars until you form your crown.

Now let your child go crazy with adding their decorations!

Voila! A crown fit for the queen/king of the world ;)

Love Astrid x

An unconventional poem

I had one of those days where your toddler decides to throw a tantrum whilst on the potty and then decides to throw that potty, filled with her wees... at you... yep one of them days. 

Being at my lowest of lows I decided to go for a walk and let off some steam with the little devils angels and couldn't help notice all the childless people looking Oh So bright and bushy tailed with their groomed hair and matching socks. My tired brain started to think of them as freedom... they have freedom... they are the Freedom Walkers. This poem is a warning to them and a Holla to all my mamas who can revel in my woes...

Freedom Walkers

Freedom walker ill start with number one, its suppose to begin as the moon pulls down the sun. 

You feel that tired sensation finally take sweep, 

all you want to do is lie down your weary bones.......and sleep. 

This basic human need that helps us thrive 

is when your little one really comes alive. 

They want booby and bottle all night long, no amount of rocking can calm them, 

not even a lullaby song! 

Stop your late night shenanigans and partying till dawn, 

soon you'll be plagued with endless yawns. 

So start banking up those Zzzed's and cherishing those blissful hours tucked up in bed... 

For as hard as it may seem, 

all that beauty sleep you so love will be nothing but a distant dream. 

The baby finally settles...

lying horizontally in your bed...

Leaving no room at all to rest your sleepy head. 

Theres a hand in your hair and a foot in your ear, a toe up your nose and a finger thats about to impose. 

But it's not over yet because when they finally sleep no slumber can prevail as one tiny movement from you and they scream and they wail!!

Number two.. Well, is all about poo.. 

That glorious gift you still have, 

of being able to eliminate alone, upon your enamel throne. 

No curious eyes watching as you sat, asking questions like " why mummy does mine look like this and yours looks like that..?" 

No little hands trying to help wipe your bits, no constipation from being at the end of your wits! 

No interruptions before you are done, no little person with the toilet paper on the run. 

Enjoy your sacred time little freedom walker 

before too long you'll have your own little gawker!

Number three u see is important to me

it's about eating when your HUNGRY! 

Oh freedom walker how I envy thee! 

Here's a little secret and please take note, 

When you feel the pang to eat you'll barely get the chance to sit upon your seat,

For every mother knows that each time they go to take a bite 

a little cry or "I want yours!" comes from the mouth of the little mite.

Yes, Just when you need your energy the most, 

you find yourself eating nothing but day old, cold burnt toast

A cup of tea you say? 

Sure, why not..

Just don't expect to drink any of it resembling hot.

Love Astrid x

Mud and Cookies

Just some times we had...

Every morning I take the babies out for a play 

Who needs toys when you have a concrete circle to run around on?!

Hands digging in the earth - fun and healthy!

We have a park that is abundant with oranges and grapefruit

Afternoon baking sessions

Almond and Vanilla Cookies from Petite Kitchen Journal - Moorish!

Impromptu music and dance sessions often ensue after our baking - Even my daughter who is only two gives my dance moves a funny look!

Mila about to try and feed her brother cookie dough :/

Get Well Soon Chicken Soup

Mmmmm hot chicken soup. Nothing tickles at your childhood subconscious more than this winter favourite. Whenever Mr Sniffles comes creeping into our home I'm straight to the kitchen to cook up this cold fighting soup. So why is this ancient medicinal broth dubbed the "Jewish penicillin"? Chicken soup helps to alleviate respiratory tract inflammation and is also said to ease the flow of nasal secretions. Not only does it soothe winter ailments it is also comfort food at its finest.

My chicken soup is great for families because it's quick and easy to make and full of flavour that even the little ones will enjoy. Freestyle with this by adding your favourite veggies.

Eat up and be well!

My Get Well Soon Chicken Soup

Recipe:

2tbspn olive oil

4 boneless chicken thighs

1onion finely chopped

4 cloves of garlic finely chopped

1 Litre of good quality chicken stock

1 cup water

1 cup Risoni pasta

Zest of one lemon

Juice of two lemons

Handful of Italian parsley 

Handful of spinach roughly chopped 

1tspn grated ginger (optional)

Grated Parmesan 

Salt and pepper 

Heat oil in a large heavy based pot. On a medium heat fry onion and garlic until onion is soft. Add chicken thighs to onion and garlic and cook until chicken is sealed. Add chicken stock and water and bring to the boil. Then turn down heat to low and simmer broth until chicken is cooked. Once chicken is cooked remove from pot and set aside. Now add your Risoni to the pot. While Risoni is cooking start shredding your cooked chicken. When Risoni is soft and cooked, add the shredded chicken back to the pot along with the lemon rind, lemon juice, parsley, spinach and ginger (I add the ginger as an extra immune booster.) Season to taste. 

Serve in soup bowls with grated Parmesan on top. 

Bon Appetite! 

Winter Warmth

Words are powerful. What I may say and mean more often than not will not mean the same to you. A word I love may evoke feelings of despair or a memory you had chosen to put away in a little box, locked.  A simple word can trigger many different thoughts, feelings and memories. Like a word as simple as warmth.

Warmth is a word that has been on my mind a lot lately. As I lay here nestled in next to my baby I feel nothing but warmth. Inside and out. His milky breath warms me. His little body all wrapped up in soft cottons warms me. His presence of expansiveness and unconditional  love, warms me. 

In these cold, darker, wintery days warmth is something we seek. 

Warm fabrics and skin on skin contact

We find it under feather filled covers of the bed warming up little feet and toes with our hands.

We find it when we walk in the door with cold noses only to be kissed hello with warm lips.

We find it on the palms of our hands glowing orange as they face the crackling fire.

A warming cuppa

We find it in a hot ginger tea, the spices creating a slow burning fire in our bellies. 

Winter is a time for connection and reflection. Use this season to hunker down with the ones you love. Edge a little closer to that special someone sitting next to you, take their warmth, give them warmth. Rest in the fact that you feel introverted at this time. Tis' the season to be inside and to delve deep into oneself. 

Mamas hand, warm and protective

It is a basic human need to be warm. Give the gift of warmth to your children or a loved one or a stranger for that matter, in the form of a hot chicken soup, a pair of woolly gloves or a heartfelt I love you, I love you, I love you.

Love Astrid x

Mama Georgie Moo Moo and Lil Lou

Hey there. I am a mama. And i love my job. However, it is so much more than a job. It is a passion. Motherhood excites me and challenges me on every level of my being. My children are and always will be my greatest teachers. When I'm not up to my elbows in poop and wee I take a moment to reflect on how crazy my days are and the organization, patience and energy you have to give and invest into your family. Its these whirlwind days of raising young chicks that has inspired me to start this blog.

I want to share with you my experiences of motherhood, inspire you, nurture you, cry with you, laugh with you and hopefully offer some real raw insight into family life. Im also a yoga teacher and very drawn to healing through natural remedies and using food as your medicine. I'm endeavoring to integrate a more holistic approach into our daily lives while still sticking to a budget and being realistic about the ebbs and flows of life. Don't fret, I'm not about to go all peace, love and mung beans on you! My toddler does watch T.V and my baby does not solely wear 100% natural organic, hemp, vegan, everything free clothing..

Here i will share how I nurture my family of four living in a world that is becoming more fast paced and technologically driven by the second whilst telling us to slow down and live a pure organic lifestyle. My journey is to find the balance. Some days I will write and other days I will show through pictures and poems. Enjoy.

Love Astrid