Wilder & Tamer

WILDER

~ Chocolate. I'm not a huge sweet tooth, but breastfeeding has me craving the chocolate like never before.
~ Dropping all the weight I gained while pregnant, plus and extra 4kg. Again, I have breastfeeding to thank for this.
~ Apa - because he is awesome and amazing and perfect.
~ Evil Genius - the coolest store in Berhampore, & thankfully right around the corner from me, so the perfect place to escape to when I get stir crazy.
~ Entering competitions. I don't even need to win them (although a luxury houseboat cruise of the Murray River for me and 10 friends would be lovely, thank you).

TAMER

~ Those times when I get trapped on the couch for hours with a baby who wants to feed and feed and won't be put down. Probably my least favourite time as a parent so far. Although when baby does finally go down I want to wake her after a couple of hours so I can cuddle her. Go figure.
~ Passport applications. Such a long, complicated, stressful and expensive process.
~ Skanky Sevens costumes.
~ Sore back and shoulders from holding and feeding baby.

WHAT I'M READING ~ The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell.

Wilder Wardrobe

Apa took this photo, & said "What's with the super hero pose?" I'll tell you what ~ this photo represents a successful day as a new Mama. Not only have I got the washing hung out to dry, but I've also managed to take a shower, AND wash my hair. Whoop Whoop! It's all about lowered expectations and celebrating the small victories these days. Now, to the outfit:

Cardigan ~ Vintage (Hand-me-down)

T-Shirt ~ Evil Genius

Tube top worn under T ~ Supre (Hand-me-down)

Jeans ~ City Chic

Sneakers ~ Number 1 Shoe Warehouse

Earrings ~ Artikel (Not so good for when a tiny baby is trying to nuzzle into your neck)

Watch ~ Nixon Cannon (Gift)

Ring ~ Meadowlark

And now for some of Kowhai's outfits:

Onesie ~ Hand-me-down

Booties ~ Gift

Onesie ~ Cotton On (Gift)

Cardigan ~ Gift (Hand knitted by my Aunty)

Top ~ Just Kids (Gift)

Pants ~ Hand-me-down

Socks ~ Pumpkin Patch (Gift)

Jacket ~ Hand knitted by my Mum

Onesie ~ Cotton On

Hat, leggings & socks ~ Hand-me-down

Top ~ Gift

Onesie ~ The Warehouse (Hand-me-down)

As you can see, when you have a baby you get given A LOT of clothes.

Introducing...

Kowhai Wananga Chappel
Born Friday the 13th of January, 2012
Weighing 6lb14oz

She is truly amazing. I'm planning a pregnancy post, but I spend a lot of time stuck on the couch these days with a baby attached to my boob, so that could be a while coming.

WILDER & TAMER

WILDER

~ Fresh flowers. Yes, again. I have the most amazing bunches of bright orange lilies in my house at the moment, and it makes us so happy to see them blooming away.
~ No scheduled casearean. After spending most of this pregnancy thinking I was going to be having a casearean, I found out last week that my Doctor is going to let me go full term to labour naturally. Which means a much better recovery for me after baby arrives.
~ The most wonderful Christmas and New Years. Both were lovely, relaxing holidays spent with family and good food. Perfection.
~ Good movies - Crazy, Stupid, Love & The Muppets both rate highly for me out of what I've seen in the last week.
~ Good books - I'm currently reading The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton.

TAMER

~ Waiting for baby. Now that arrival date is unknown, I go between impatient bouts of 'Get this baby out of me now I want to meet it already' and panic attacks about how much I have to do before its arrival.

Oh Christmas Trees

I LOVE putting up my Christmas Tree on the first of December, & admiring its prettiness for the rest of the month. I usually buy a couple of decorations every year to add to my collection. These pics are far from great, but this is what my tree looks like. Pretty, sparkly, with lots of snowflakes and hearts, silver and mirrors.

One of this years new acquisitions, bought at a Christmas shop in Palmerston North.

Gifts.

These little kete were table favours at a friend's wedding.

Another new decoration from the Palmerston North Christmas shop.

Tinkerbell was a gift. The beaded heart (yes, that's a heart on the right) I bought years ago.

Mirrored snowflake bought last year at Just Good Stuff, the annual Christmas craft market at Thistle Hall. The marbled ball was a gift from my sister years and years ago. I think she bought it at The Gathering.

Bought last year at a jewellery store on Cuba Street.

Star on the top, bought at Borders.

And here's the Evil Genius tree, decorated by the clever Rosie and Ben. It smells divine.

Yep, that's Stevie Wonder at the top.

Gold painted 7" records.

Do you put up a tree? Real or fake? My tradition is to put it up on December first while watching Love Actually.

Stay Wilder,

GemXXXXXX

What's in my bag ~ 2 Dec 2011

Bag ~ Hand-me-down from my friend Lisa
Jandals ~ Cos I'm breaking in a new pair of sandals & I needed these for when the blisters got too sore
Cell Phone ~ Hand-me-down from my sister
Scrapbook ~ Bought today to put baby stuff in
Inhalers ~ For to keep me breathing
Cowboy tin of band aids ~ Again because of the new sandals
Book ~ We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. I just finished this. It was brilliant, if a little terrifying.
The Best Love Songs Ever! coin purse
My Cat Likes To Hide In Boxes & The Girls of the Kapa Haka ~ Bought today with a voucher I was given at my baby shower

Wilder Wish List

It's the first of December! This is the day where I put up my christmas tree while watching Love Actually, while Apa makes fun of me for being corny. I love it.

Here's my dream christmas wish list.

NAIL POLISH

Revlon's scented nail polish in Coconut Crush.

OPI Gettin' Miss Piggy With It

SHOES

Kathryn Wilson Minty sandals in gold.

A pair of mean as high tops.

BOOKS

SMELLIES

The entire Candied Ginger range from The Body Shop. Yes please.

ART

Kris Atomic's Chronic Bitchface print.

MUSIC

CLOTHES

A kimono style summer jacket.

A pair of black skinny jeans that fit me perfectly.

OTHER

A 2012 diary.

There is thunder in our hearts tote bag.

So those are my current materialistic yearnings. What do you want to find under the tree on Christmas morning?

Stay Wilder,

GemXXXXXX