Phew, since moving in to our house (it has been just over 4 months)...I can see the Christmas spirit starting. I think all our calendars are starting to fill up, I am thinking how do I get organise to get th first big Christmas tree up for Codi...well what I need to do is, organise what needs to be given away, what we need to keep in the garage and clean out the guest/multi-purpose room so I can get the tree up. Currently, we have just cleared the garage so we can finally park the other car in (poor car was getting salt damage)...so now the multi-purpose room is full of things to clear away...and reminders to get things fixed likes bikes etc

Since I don't have much to blog about other than junk - lol...I guess I am at a stage of organising the house for Christmas, but also looking forward to the holiday season.

My next challenge is to lose 7 kilos...how do we fit everything in??? Okay, I am going to go down the the gym now...whilst Clay and Codi are at swimming.

Just a question to all, when do you get 5mins to have a cup of tea or read the paper (by yourself)????

Also, I would like to know more about what "thanksgiving' is all about, I find it lovely that all the family in the US get together for this time...I wonder why Australia doesnt celebrate it. Would love to know the history -

Anyway, Minti friends have a lovely weekend

Had a great counselling session friday as a check up. I must say a friend of mine, used the right words to describe the result I was feeling and that was "empowered"... great word. I must say finding the right counsellor that clicks and gets you was extremely helpful. I feel a sense of trust which is nice and that she is helping us with the process of saying goodbye. We can plant a little rose plant and plant underneath our babys ashes and encouraged us to find a name. I also really like the advice she gave me on talking about this event with my son, in simple terms. I did sense he knew something was up when he came to the hospital. So I will put together a light and simple story down on paper. I agree that it is good to let kids know as she said, that loss is a part of life as well as death. But in age appropriate words and concepts.

So, I do feel happy to live in the moment and not try and hurry the process. The place I am in now, is a very happy and relaxed place. I get tired like every mum/mom, but I am myself which is important.

My little man is really into laughter and humor at the moment, how wonderful.

Clay was thinking I was taking a photo of him, rather I was taking a photo of the sticky on his shirt that he forgot to take off after getting the shirt out of the shopping bag and had no idea...thank goodness I didn't let him out of the house - lol



Unbeknown to my hubby, he is busy typing away with the soft earpiece off his ipod still in his ears. lol



Link to see all Minti Foto Fridays - here

Today I am very thankful for everything I have. I am feeling great to move on. Today, my little man was full of energy and humor...he is becoming a very funny little boy...I am looking forward to the weekend and seeing my sister-in-law and her partner. I am sure Codi will love catching up with his Aunty too, we will be playing with "Chasey" - waves of the ocean...hopefully tomorrow I can squeeze an hour of gym in

This was last Christmas and the first time Codi met Santa...I am eagerly getting ready for a Christmas that I think Codi will enjoy and getting our first proper Christmas tree that will be bigger than the current one we have that stands just above Codi - lol.

I have been touched by such beautiful words of support and encouragement. I cannot say thank you enough, I cannot find the right words to describe how amazing Minti friends have been and how much strength I am getting just by connecting with my Minti friends, you are all such special human beings ... I have a pocket of heaven here!!!

Forcing myself to face life, embrace people, talk and share my feelings here on Minti and the real world, of this sad event has helped me heal and my family heal. As well as reading all the experiences shared here on Minti...All this has helped me, has helped Clay and no doubt indirectly Codi...and this support has made Clay and I heal together...so thank you.

It is so nice to know at any moment we can hop onto Minti and instantly we are amongst friends. I love the Minti family...and am so honored you all joined the site...I am getting exactly what I wished for in Minti...

Minti is touching everyone, including me, so thank you so much...

Okay everyone, I have some really really bad news. It has been a week, so most of it has past. I hope that Minti friends dont take on too much of this bad news, but Clay and I lost the baby at 16 weeks . I went in for what I thought would be a great scan, but it turned out to be a very big shock that the baby had died...I immediately was very distraught and went into shock, thankfully I had an amazing midwife in the clinic. She helped me start to grieve immediately, that hour before hospital (clinic is connected next door) felt like I grieved for a week. She stayed with me in hospital until I felt ok. Thankfully, I also realized that this event was outside my coping capabiities and immediately asked for Pastoral Care to come and talk to me (thank goodness)...so we were very sad, but I now realise I need to let my body heal. My friend has referred me to one of the top natropath's here (Natural way to better babies)...I am very thankful that I had so much support from everyone...I do feel I am starting to feel better, I get a little sad a times, but that is getting less and less.

I am very grateful for my son and hubby ....I sure I will bounce back and have a healthy baby 2 in good time. Thankfully, my midwife mentioned when I do fall pregnant again down the track, I can go in anytime and scan my tum for my sanity and seeing a heart beat.

So not the news I was expecting to blog about tonight, but just by doing this is helping a great deal...

Also I have just gone to the Lost Baby's group and posted "surreal"...am thankful this group was set up too.

Having just read this new Minti article, "The Need to Read", I have decided to make a pledge and spend 20 mins with my two year old a day, to read books to him out loud...and like kseers says in her article "Read with animation – make silly voices, act out the story, ask questions and let the story come alive.  Try playing eye spy with the pictures in the book.  Get your child to tell you what they think should happen next.  It should be a joyful experience – not a chore."

Will see how I go with my pledge

hmm, what am I thankful for today - HAVING A WONDERFUL HUSBAND. I have had three big (BIG) tantrums today and I know its because daddy is away. It is so hard to explain but when we are all together there is a tight family bond that keeps growing everyday and I am just realizing this - gees it's amazing when family nicely creeps up on you. I think Codi is now starting to really niss his dad and is holding onto many toys to replace "daddy comfort"

Very thankful he is coming home soon.

...just off Rottnest Island - (an island off the coast of Perth, 30 mins by ferry, an hour by boat)...I had been wanting to catch something big and stopped with Clay just off Thompson Bay. We had some big lines and bait and I cast off...then wham, my line was very tight, I had to follow the fish all the way up and down and around the boat. Clay was setting up his line (he is a gentlemen always getting my line set up first), so I was on my own, and I was getting very tired...luckily the salmon fish wrapped itself around the anchor chain and after 10 minutes tired itself out. Meanwhile, I am yelling back to Clay, "hon, take over" it had been a good 20/30 mins of huffing and puffing. Thank goodness Clay pulled it in...I wasn't going to try being 4 months pregnant (with Codi).

Clay, as you can imagine hurriedly grabbed his own rod and was VERY CHUFFED catching a really big salmon fish, bigger than mine (wink)

They arent very yummy tasting fish, yet everyone at Rotto (Geordie Bay) came down to have a look. The salmon fish ended up as the main ingredient in fish curry...

I must say I have islander (filipino) in my blood comes out when I fish, I always seem to catch something to get excited about...and stroke Clay's competitive side - lol

Matt is also a very keen fisher...one day we'll all have to go on a big fish