I’m 36 weeks pregnant now – the bub and I are doing well, and I’ve been actively enjoying the ‘quiet’ of being a family of four before his arrival in a few weeks time. Since my last post, I treated myself to a 3D/4D scan for my birthday and it was an amazing experience.

I emailed the company ‘A Window To Your Womb‘ early Sunday morning, to see whether they could possibly book me in for later that day – and they could! The beauty of their service, is that they come to your house – so my sister, husband, 5yo and 3yo could watch along with me from the comfort of our home. I’d never had a 4D scan before, so it was a real treat to see the baby (at 33 weeks).

My bub was really chilled out and didn’t want to budge much, but the technician was really wonderful and took the time to get some amazing photos for us. We also received a DVD of the whole session, which is cool to watch back.

If you are looking for a mobile 3D/4D ultrasound in Sydney, I definately recommend them!

I’m going to take it easy for a few months, but will check in if there is anything cool I want to talk about It’s been important to me to take the time to enjoy the last weeks of this pregnancy, and also devote more time to my oldest two. I will be back by August if all goes to plan! xx

What do you think of Bugaboo‘s latest collaboration with Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts?

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts was established in 1987. In accordance with Andy Warhol’s will, its mission is the advancement of the visual arts. The Foundation’s objective is to foster innovative artistic expression and the creative process by encouraging and supporting cultural organizations that in turn, directly or indirectly, support artists and their work.

I love the idea of changing up your pram with a different seat cover and sun canopy. And to use such iconic art is alot of fun

The collection is available from May 2013.

The Flowers and Cars Collections include a tailored fabric set for the Bugaboo Cameleon3 ($289.00) and the Bugaboo Donkey ($289.00). The Bugaboo Sun Canopy will be available for the Bugaboo Bee ($189.00) and the Bugaboo Donkey ($189.00). The Flowers parasol retails at $99.95.

To find out more, please visit the Bugaboo website
www.instyle.bugaboo.com/au/home/

Memories on paper – you’ll never regret taking a few afternoons to photograph your kids doing what they do any other day, or take them somewhere special for the day and make some new memories

This is another great featured project by Bronwyn -

Kids WILL say the craziest things, so I love the idea for a Kid Quote Book alongside some photographs.

Once you’ve gathered up your photographs on the computer (this might be the longest part of your project!), head over to the Kikki K website and download the free photobook software. Small photobooks start from $26.95, but you can also make notepads and memory photobooks from $49.95.

I can’t wait to get started!

CREATE with Kikki K
create.kikki-k.com

What I also highly recommend is buying a maternity swimsuit or two, that you can use throughout the entire pregnancy (and beyond). Look at buying something that will grow as your body changes, and that you feel comfortable in. Whether you go with a tankini (two piece swimsuit) or a one piece, if you buy a quality maternity swimsuit you will feel like a million bucks each time you slip into the water

Aqua Maternity is an online store that specialises in maternity swimwear. With free shipping within Australia, you are going to love shopping at Aqua Maternity!

Here are my favourite one piece maternity swimsuits from Aqua Maternity –

one. Pez D’Or: Polka Dots Swimsuit AU$115.00

two. Navy Polka Dot Swimsuit AU$69.95

three. Marine Lurex Stripe Swimsuit AU$120.00

Maternity swimsuits are designed to accommodate your growing belly. Don’t regret buying a regular swimsuit in a bigger size – it will only ride up or float around you embarrassingly mid-lap…

Head on over to Aqua Maternity or bookmark it for when you’re ready to hit the pool during your next pregnancy!

Aqua Maternity
www.aquamaternity.com.au

With the weather still warm and humid for some fellow pregnant ladies like me, maternity dresses are a welcome staple in our wardrobes. They’re more than easy to pull on, and pull off. There’s no uncomfortable cutting in around the belly, and best of all they make you look cuter than you probably feel

Online store Mother & Child currently have a sale of some of their maternity dresses that I’d love to wear myself –

one. Ripe Maternity – Tencel Dress Was $114.95 Now $85.95

two. Dote – Jolie Dress In Blue Was $119.95 Now $89.00
With oversized arm holes, so it’s perfect for breastfeeding aswell

three. Ripe Maternity – Frond Tube Dress in Lime Was $79.95 Now $55.00

I do love a good pair of maternity shorts, but a maternity dress is a great go-to piece of clothing during your pregnancy

Mother & Child
www.motherandchild.com.au

Cotton On Kids has always been a favourite of mine. Cheap and cheerful. The clothes last all season (and beyond) without hitting my bank balance too hard. There are quite a few cute autumn & winter coats, jumpers and accessories to keep an eye on. Here are nine of my favourites –

one. td reese quilted jacket A$39.95

two. foxy fingerless gloves A$12.95

three. savanna sweater A$29.95

four. hope hoodie A$19.95 or 2 for $30 fleece

five. payton puffer vest A$29.95

six. marcus pullover hoodie A$19.95

seven. chaplin beanie A$12.95

eight. angus sweater A$34.95

nine. fighter beanie A$12.95

The kids will be cosy and cute

Cotton On Kids
shop.cottonon.com/shop/kids

My back, for example, has been gradually bearing the brunt of an ever growing, healthy bump. After I hit the 20 week mark, it was time to look up maternity support belts. I didn’t need one for my first two pregnancies, and did need to think whether I could just tough it out – but I saw it as an investment to my own health and wellbeing.

I ordered and have worn my Baby Belly Band most (if not all, some days) waking hours. It really has made a difference in the strain and pain in my back!

It’s a bit bulky to wear under my clothes at the moment, but you can definately wear a coat or loose top over it. It almost looks like a big black belt anyway, I think the people who’ve seen me wear it in public totally understand what is going on though LOL

What I love about the Baby Belly Band is that I can use this after the baby has arrived also. It’s not claiming to shrink my belly back to pre-pregnancy size, but speaking from post-pregnancy experience, it will give me back and hip support after labour.

Due Soon have the Baby Belly Band in stock for only AU$43.95, aswell as other great pregnancy support belts and vests. I absolutely recommend that whether it’s your first pregnancy or third (or fourth), that you invest in a pregnancy support belt. Your back will thank you!

Due Soon
www.duesoon.com.au

The Personalised Children’s Books by Stuck On You are amazing – they’re jumbo sized (A4) so they’re not too small for little hands and eyes, but they’re also customised with your child’s name throughout the book (not just on the cover!).

They have 3 versions of customised books for boys and girl – an ABC activity book, ABC learning book and a Numbers activity book. Each page has something for the preschooler to do – either colour in, trace or copy. Again I love the big illustrations and customised text throughout the book, it feels like this book is written just for the child and encourages them to keep going.

The personalised Jumbo books are 54 pages and will cost you $24.95 – great value.

Stuck On You also have a range of smaller (32 pages) personalised books for $19.95.

You can check out all the personalised Jumbo books by clicking here.

Sydneysiders – it’s that time of year again! Easter Show time!

The Sydney Royal Easter Show has always been a big favourite of mine – as a kid, as an adult before kids and now as a mum. I won’t be making it this year (too much waddling, not enough sitting for me) but my parents will be taking my 5 year old to check out his favourites – the animals and the show bag pavilion.

There’s tonnes of rides and great fair food to eat or take home (dagwood dog anyone?), but there’s also free entertainment throughout the day to keep you busy.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show starts this Thursday March 21st and runs until Wednesday 3rd April 2013. It’s held at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park.

You can buy your tickets via their website, www.eastershow.com.au/tickets

Have fun!

Two things that I’m going to definately buy is a new set of cot sheets and a quilt (that will double as a play rug for tummy time and something we can cuddle under during the cooler months). I tend to like colourful and fun patterns, so coming across Ivie Baby on Etsy over the weekend immediately perked my interest. I still haven’t decided just which fitted cot sheet (or sheets!) I will order, but you’ll see why … these are just 9 of my favourites!

one. custom feather chevron triangle quilt approx $148.06 AUD

two. mint triangle crib bumper with gray piping and ties (ready to ship) approx $157.93 AUD

three. contoured changing pad cover approx $34.55 AUD

four. custom crib skirt approx $88.84 AUD

five. fitted crib sheet in citron triangles approx $54.29 AUD

six. Crib SHEET in flannel polka dots approx $39.48 AUD

seven. crib sheet in organic aqua elephants approx $49.35 AUD

eight. fitted crib sheet in taupe mustaches approx $39.48 AUD

nine. custom triangle quilt approx $148.06 AUD

I know that the prices may be a little higher than what you’d normally spend, but if you’re like me with not much to spend on other things like the cot itself, buying one or two special pieces is more affordable. Shipping to Australia is approx $30 for the first item and $5 for any items after that.

Again, you don’t have to go ‘all out’ when you’re setting up the nursery. We have a white cot & white change table, so these bright and fun cot sheets and quilts will instantly brighten up the space without having to add anything else at all!

You can browse the Ivie Baby online store at Etsy by clicking the link below
etsy.com/shop/iviebaby