Check out these ADORABLE note cards (GIVE AWAY)

I am a sucker for adorable things... especially note cards. I love writing notes - long ones, short ones, thank you ones, funny ones, meaningful ones. Its just something I love to do! And I really love having cute note cards to use.

I went on Etsy in search of some cute note cards and was thrilled to find flo3er Not only are her cards adorably handmade, but the prices are absolutely amazing. After growing all to accustomed to the "cheap" rack at Target in America, I have been shocked to find cards upwards of $8!! Sometimes that is my entire budget for a birthday gift!!

I was stoked to find these awesome cards at a really great price... even including shipping!

Flo3er agreed to send me some of her note cards free of charge to review... and the best part? Yep - she also sent me a pack to give away to one other lucky person! Aren't they too cute!?

The shipping was SO quick and they came packaged with a cute little sticker that had the perfect boutique feel.

One of the great things about flo3er is that she will even custom make cards for you! How is that for customer service? This truly is the perfect place for a mummy on a budget who doesn't want to sacrifice thoughtfulness... and adorableness. Is that a word?!

Isn't this one adorable?!

So, what do you need to do to win this super cute pack of 4 birthday tags?

You can enter up to 5 times. Be sure that you leave a separate comment for each entry as each comment will be counted as an entry!

1. First (you must do this one): Visit the flo3er shop on Etsy and comment to tell me what cards you like best.

Sample Entry: I like the Car Birthday Card for Little Boy

2. "Like" the flo3er Facebook page and comment that you did. Flo3er is new to Facebook so leave an encouraging welcome message!

Sample Entry: I liked the Flo3er Facebook page.

3. Follow this blog and comment that you do.

Sample Entry: I follow The Aussie Mommy!

4. Follow The Aussie Mommy Twitter and comment that you do.

Sample Entry: I follow The Aussie Mommy Twitter!

5. Blog about this Giveaway and send the link to your post.

Sample Entry: I blogged it!

This giveaway will close on Monday, 31 May at midnight! Winner will be announced on 1 June!

And the winner is...

The winner of the Lilacs and Lollipops HideAway Nursing Cover, chosen by random.org is...

Debi Adams said...

Hey! I also 'like' the facebook page...good stuff.

Congratulations, Debi! You have 72 hours to email me at theaussiemommy@gmail.com to claim your prize!

One-Armed Wonder

On February 8, 2010, I received a special gift... a super power emerged from deep within... I became...

A One-Armed Wonder.

Its true. All of a sudden, I developed these miraculous abilities to do day-to-day tasks with only the use of one arm.

I could feed my baby with one hand and make dinner with the other... I could type massive proposals one-handed and cuddle my baby with the other... Vaccuum while burping... Dusting while soothing... Text messaging with one hand!? (Well, I ashamedly admit I learned to do that one-handed PRIOR to having a baby) BUT, one time, I even fed my baby, blowdryed my hair, AND ate my breakfast all at once. So what does that one make me? A no-hand wonder!?

So, did I miraculously develop a super power? Or just become a mom?

As a multi-tasker to the max, I have an incredible respect for efficiency, which is why now that I've seen what I'm capable of I am stoked with my increased capacity, albeit diminshed by my new found responsibility... an adorable little man and new favourite way to spend my time!

With a salute to all my other one armed friends,

I'm So Tired That...

Early this morning I was stumbling around the bathroom. Its funny how being so exhausted can make it that difficult to find the toothpaste and get it onto the toothbrush.

Apparently, I wasn't the really tired one though because as I brushed with half-opened eyes, my sweet husband stumbled in and had the realisation - "Wow. I was so tired last night, I put my underwear on inside out!"

Now, I always fold his underwear (right side out) meticulously to put it away and yet somehow he was so tired that he managed to get them that tangled!

It gave us both a chuckle and I was reminded of one of my most tired moments since mommyhood began...

I was walking home in a comatose mode, literally 100 paces from my house when all of a sudden I stopped. Left, right, or straight!? I could NOT remember how to get home.

A body does funny things without sleep.

What's your sleepiest mommy moment?

Book Review: On Becoming Baby Wise

When my husband & I found out we were having a baby, how we would raise this child became a popular topic of conversation.

We knew a number of our friends who had read the book "On Becoming Baby Wise" by Gary Ezzo and Robert Buckham. We had a lot of respect for the way they parent and the way their children are behaved so we decided to have a go.One of the things that really stuck out to me about this book is that it strongly emphasizes the importance of the marriage part of a family. (Now, please understand I know there are circumstances where this is not possible, but I'm talking about a family where there are a married mom and dad. Sometimes we forget the importance of that relationship when we start adding kids into the mix!) This has always been significant to me, especially because I remember how important it was to my parents and how blessed I felt growing up in a house where my mommy and daddy loved and respected each other.

The other thing this book does is really empower the parents to be that - parents! This day in age, lots of kids tend to run their households. This book helps parents understand what it means to love and care for their children and help them develop into awesome adults.

I learned so much reading these principals and a lot of them we have incorporated into the way we care for our little boy.

One of the really controversial things about the book is that it advocates "Crying It Out." I don't really want to go there in this post because there are plenty of arguments both ways for this, but what I do want to point out is that it would be a shame to throw away all the very good tips this book has just because you don't believe in "Crying It Out."

I gained a lot of knowledge and insight into newborn sleeping patterns, how to feed, and the importance of learning MY baby and not just relying on a system or schedule.

I will say that one con for me was that while the book did encourage parents to learn their baby's cues, for me, it didn't help me know HOW to do that. While I really WANTED to get to know my baby and what he was trying to tell me, I didn't feel very equipped to do that.

In addition to a LOT of trial and error (which SEEMS against the book in theory, but really is all part of learning to be a new mommy or daddy, which the book advocates), I also found some other helpful resources in other books. Mostly, though, it has just taken time.

Of course, I'm constantly reminded that a mere three months into this parenting journey there are lots of other challenges ahead, I am really grateful for where we are at in our family. If you're looking for a good resource for your newborn or infant, I'd definitely encourage you to have a look. We are looking forward to reading more of the Babywise series to see what other tips may be offered for our little man!

Here's hoping for some more time to read,

Favourite Games at 3 Months

At the three month mark, we've established a few guaranteed-to-get-a-smile activities with our sweet boy.

The number one way, is a little game my grandpa (I call him Papa) taught me and played with me when I was little. For this reason, it makes my heart ooze with happiness every time I play it with my son and see his smiles and giggles.

I sit my baby up on the edge of my knees, facing me and sing a little song that goes like this:

El Paso, El Paso, El Paso (bounce baby softly on knees)
El Trote, Trote, Trote (bounce baby bigger on knees)
Giddyup! Giddyup! (bounce baby super fast)
Whoa! (pretend that you're stopping the horse and lean baby back just a bit)

Now, my little guy likes the first bounce and LOVES the second bounce. The third is just a bit rough for him yet and he sometimes gets a bit of a confused look on his face, but I figure we can build to that as he grows in confidence.

Another game that is similar is one my husband plays. Our son likes it almost as much as its very similar. It goes like this:

This is the way the lady rides, lady rides, lady rides. This is the way the lady rides to church on Sunday morning. (bounce baby slowly on knees)
This is the way the gentleman rides, gentleman rides, gentleman rides. This is the way the gentleman rides to church on Sunday morning (bounce baby bigger and sing faster)
This is the way the hunter rides, the hunter rides, the hunter rides. This is the way the hunter rides to church on Sunday morning. (bounce baby super big and sing faster)
This is the way the baby rides, baby rides, baby rides. This is the way the baby rides to church on Sunday morning! (bounce baby all around and sing super fast)

What games do you like to play with your little ones!?

Loving the playtime,

Mother's Day Memories

It was this time last year that our little boy made his debut into the womb.

To give a bit of history, we had spent a few months not trying to not have a baby, but as we looked at the potential timing of a little one's arrival, we decided we would need to stop "not trying" for a few months so we could time things better. My husband had been away during my prime time of the month so I figured we were in the clear and we would start being "safe" when he returned.

So, when I went overseas to work with a developing nation on a strategy to help improve their health care, I didn't take any extra health precautions. That week was a strange one. I was SO emotional. Usually I am very on it and enjoying what I do, but I found myself very sensitive and out of it. I even cried!! I was sharing a room with a friend during our stay and she secretly wondered whether I was pregnant because I was so strange.

When I returned home from my trip I was having coffee with a girlfriend. I was telling her how emotional I'd been and wondering what was wrong with me and asking for her to pray for me. Our coffee date went on and we were getting ready to leave and I had a thought - "Hey, I'm late. Do you mind if I run in and grab a pregnancy test?"

I know, I know. Stupid. But I didn't even put two and two together with the emotions.

I got home and needed to pee so even though my husband was having a meeting with some colleagues in our living room, I decided to take the test.

Of course, it was positive. What in the WORLD do you do stuck in your bathroom with guests in the living room when you find out you're pregnant!? I just stayed calm, hid everything and went and joined them. It seemed like they were lingering (they probably were, we hang out a lot and normally I LOVE having them around!) But when they weren't showing any signs of leaving, I said something really rude. I said to my husband, "I really need to speak with you privately before dinner."

They definitely got the hint and as soon as they were out the door, I showed him the test. Of course, I had purchased the cheapest one in the shop and we were both really confused at how I could be preggers so we did the only thing a naive first time pregnant couple would do - go buy a second test! It was positive too and so began our journey...

And now, a year later, I am being celebrated as a mommy by my precious boy and his daddy.

Enjoying this day oh so much,