3D scan of Sienna at 20 weeks  At 20 weeks Matt and I had a 3D ultrasound done of our baby. It was so exciting. We had no idea that she was a girl at the time but from the close up images of her face we could tell that she was going to look just like her daddy. We were able to take home pictures as well as a DVD of her moving around in my tummy. It was fantastic to share these with family and friends.  Being...

When I was looking to furnish my babies room, I couldn’t believe how expensive cots were. They were priced around $500 each and that was without the change table and draws . What I discovered was that buying second hand is a fantastic option. I managed to buy a cot for only $80! This was a HUGE saving. I was looking on the Bartercard site today and discovered that there three cots for sale, two prams...

I have been sick in bed for three days! Having an 8 month old baby doesn’t make it easy to stay in bed and look after yourself. Although for me I have been so lucky. My husband Matt asked the grandparents to look after Sienna over the weekend so he could take care of me and on Monday he took a day off work, he attended to her every need including the numerous times that she woke over those nights (I think...

Now that I am working three days a week, Sienna is at daycare. It was such a hard decision to make about where to take her. I came across a lovely centre 5 minutes from home that is tucked away amongst trees and away from any main roads. I don’t understand why so many daycare centres are parked on busy street corners and main roads.  In December 2003 Sophie Delezio almost lost her life when a car crashed...

Emily and I recently bought on Bartercard the book “Save our Sleep” by Tizzie Hall. It is the most fantastic book! It teaches mums about the right routine and sleeping techniques.  I was feeding Sienna every three hours as well as doing feeds in the early hours of the morning. This was getting very exhausting and each day would be different based on when she would wake up. According to the book Save our...

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers out there! This Mother’s Day was my first so it was a really special day for me and my family. Sienna obviously knows me very well as she selected a beautiful bracelet and earrings for me. She also wrote me a lovely card thanking me for taking care of her…..it amazes me how talented a 5 month can be (Thanks Matt!). A cup of tea in bed followed by lunch...

Sienna had her 4 month immunisation on Tuesday and Matt and I go the Swine Flu injection. I was quite anxious for Sienna getting her second lot of immunisations but as I sat there talking to my doctor about the Swing Flu injection Matt and I were about to get I actually started to envy Sienna. At least she didn’t know she was about to get injections…she didn’t have the heavy feeling of needle anxiety that...

Today is a sad day. Sienna is no longer in newborn nappies. I know it sounds silly but she is just growing up so quickly and as much as each step is fun and exciting I felt really sad using the last newborn nappy and putting her up to the next size. She is 4 months old now and weighs just over 5kg. She is  really starting to put on weight around the face and legs and it seems that everything is changing with...

Sienna had her first lot of immunisations yesterday. She was very happy laying on the doctors bed drinking the liquid but was quite shocked when she received a jab in the leg. The poor little thing went from smiles to squeals in 2 seconds flat. Thankfully after the initial shock she was fine. It is amazing how quickly they get over the pain we inflict on them. Quite often babies can suffer from a fever after...

Your local doctor will be able to measure, weigh and examine baby to make sure that they are healthy and thriving. But I strongly recommend taking baby to your local clinic. It is a free service where you not only weigh baby but also gain some fantastic advice from qualified midwives. It is also great on a social level. Emily and I are currently attending the free weekly information sessions and have met some...

Before Sienna was born I was really concerned about our large German Shepard, Simba. How was she going to react to a new baby and should I be worried for the safety of the baby? I decided to do some reading and gain some advice. The best advice I received was to make sure that the dog maintains its current routine. We have always taken Simba for a walk every night, so we have made an effort to continue to...

Sienna had her 10 day weight check today. She has lost more weight, which is a concern. My breast milk seems to have slowed down and she is hungry all the time. My doctor has put me on tablets to increase my milk and hopefully allow Sienna to get back to a healthy weight.  She weighed 3.21kg (7 pounds, 2 ounces) at birth but now only weighs 3.13kg. . I also developed mastitis and suffered a very bad fever ...

I had my first scare this morning as a mother. Sienna was being held by her Nana and one of her feet went completely purple! She still had her hospital tag on so we immediately cut it off thinking that it was cutting off her circulation. This made no difference and in a panick I called the maternity ward of my hospital. Unfortunately the person on the other end of the phone had nothing reassuring to share with...

Sienna Rose Harris was born earlier today, 7lb 2 ounces. Welcome to the world little one! Mum and baby are doing well and I’m sure dad is beside himself with happiness over his new bundle of joy! love love

Last night while laying down I felt the first of my contractions. It was extremely painful lower abdomen pain that stretched around to my back, bottom and down my legs. They were coming every ten minutes for about an hour and a half but the time each lasted gradually reduced from about 90 seconds down to about 30 seconds. I assume this is what they call Braxton Hicks…? It was very exciting and a little...

Today I had my three hour pamper session at Bartercard member Splash Day Spa. As I am so close to having bub everything is hurting, especially my feet and back. The session started with a dry brush and then a fantasic massage to my back and feet. I then had a pedicure, manicure and facial. I don’t think I have ever been so relaxed! It was just what the doctor ordered! I then spent the rest of the afternoon...

The girls at work just gave me the BEST gift! It is a three hour ‘Mother-to-be’ day spa voucher. I can’t wait to use it! They bought it from Bartercard member Splash Day Spa. I have booked for my second day of maternity leave. Hopefully it will help relieve some of the aches and pains.

WOW! What a day. My baby shower started with me being picked up in a car that had two flags coming out of the bonnet saying “Christie’s baby shower” and it also had purple ribbons (like a wedding car!). If anyone thought I was a hen they would have got a rude shock if they saw the size of my belly! After a few photo opportunities at McDonalds and other landmarks, we arrived at my sister’s...

Does anyone have any advice on reducing swelling? It doesn’t seem to matter what time of the day, my legs and feet are blowing up like balloons.

Tonight is our last night of our antenatal classes. We have been going for the last 4 weeks at our hospital. I have to say my husband had heard from other mates that it is a waste of time but it has been fantastic!!! Even though I am really tired by 7pm each night we have both really looked forward to each class. I haven’t done a lot of reading throughout my pregnancy so it has been great to hear from...