Monday, February 28, 2011

Monday Mama Moments



This weekend I attended a friends baby shower.  
As part of the usual games we were each given a little card to write on, sharing our advice for the mum to be. 
 It got me thinking.....
What do you wish someone had told you before you became a mama?

1.  You will never sleep soundly again.  But don't worry there is nothing a good cup of coffee can't fix and your body will eventually adjust to this new frame of being, allowing 20 minutes of uninterrupted sleep to feel like hours!

2.  Accept that you can not control everything.  Let go, give in, adapt.  Your child will at some stage spew over you when you have just showered and changed, burp loudly when all is quiet in church, have a tantrum in a shopping centre and sleep when you need them awake and be awake when you need them to sleep. But they will also smile when you are down, call your name when you least expect it and giggle at the strangest things!

3.  You are both learners. Do what is best for you and your baby.  Nobody, regardless of what they believe is the "PERFECT" mother.  Listen to all the advice given, and yes there will be plenty, but take only what you need.  You and your baby are learning together, it takes time, 4 years on I am still learning every day!

Really I could write forever, you learn so much in those first few years of motherhood!  But ultimately at the end of 9 months of impatiently waiting for your baby to arrive, you just want to know what your story will be.   You don't want to hear about the lack of sleep, or the spew, or the tantrums.  You just want to meet YOUR baby.  You want to count the toes that have been kicking you and stare into those eyes searching for whether they take after you or him.  So my best piece of advice is savour every moment,  breathe in that milky baby smell, cuddle that soft skin.  Your life is about to change as you know it.  Your heart will grow like you could have never dreamed possible.  This is the moment you have been waiting for, take it in and enjoy the miraculous ride!

Photobucket

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fashion Finds Friday - A little bit homemaker, a big dash of divine


Well over the past few months I have mad a lot of confessions on this blog and here comes the next one...
My name is Larissa and I am a serial offending homemaker.
I struggle to cook, cleaning really is a chore and I would much rather be shopping or blogging.
Before you throw the book at me and send me to a Martha Stewart run recovery program...you must know, I REALLY do try!  
Until I make more progress in the fore mentioned arenas 
I will attempt to at least look the part.



These aprons by Jessie Style at Layla Grayce are enough to get anyone in the homemaker spirit.  I stop by Layla Grayce at least a few times a week to do some window drooling shopping.  I am yet to find an occasion that I haven't stumbled upon a product that makes my heart flutter. But until I convince them to do international shipping I will trawl through made it and etsy to find some similarly gorgeous aprons. 

Personalised, individual, handmade aprons.
So shabby chic!

Matching Mummy and Me aprons that are wipeable!
These would be great for arts and crafts!
Love the very "grown up" modern and sophisticated fabric.


My size please!  
Love the vintage florals!

Now if only wearing the apron had magical "Mary Poppins" style powers and would help clean my house and prepare a 3 course dinner with a click of my fingers.
A girl can always dream.....

Photobucket

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Hippity, Hoppity...Easter's On It's Way


So it may only be February, but if the easter egss are in store and the hot cross buns are on the shelves, surely the Easter Bunny is on it's way?
It's never too early to start planning for Easter!
So check out these gorgeous Easter Printables!

Love the whole collection
wondering if I could use it for a different occasion
So in love with this colour pallette

Anders Ruff
Gorgeous....AGAIN!!!

Love the fresh, simple logos

Too cute and Australian

Love, Love this blue damask print!

After Christmas, Easter is my favourite holiday.  
I am looking forward to touring the blog world to view everyones divine easter parties and decor!
Photobucket

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Search, Stalk, Swoon....My top 5 covets of the week!



Now that the party is over for Master O, for another year, the coveting for gorgeous products for Little Miss A can continue.  
Here are my top 5 products I am searching for, swooning over and stalking this week!

1. MATCHING RUFFLE BLOOMER AND SINGLET SET

Ruffle Bum Combo - Singlet Set

All that time I spent dreaming that one day I would have a dughter to wear some frilly bum bloomers and I still haven't bought a pair!  I LOVE matching sets (hence my obsession with Gymboree, but thats another story) The last days of summer are upon us so its about time I grabbed a set like this one from Melt Designs.  Love that in one purchase I have the matching bottoms, top AND hairband!!!

2. A TUTU
(oh and could you through in the tea set!)

Little Miss A has been walking since she was 9 months old!  Not only have I been blessed by horrible sleepers but early walkers.  So now at 11 months she LOVES to dance!!!  Dancing has been a big part of my life and I get goosebumps thinking about someday watching my daughter twirl in her tutu.

3. DANCING SHOES

for my little dancer!

Every girl needs some dancing shoes and what better shoes then some "real" dancing shoes.  Bloch the maker of ballet/jazz/everything dancing wear now has baby ballet flats!  
How comfy do they look!
My size please!

4. WALL ART


So I STILL haven't finished decorating MissA's room.  By the time I finish she will no longer require a cot!
Her room has a shabby chic feel and these little carousel horses would blend in beautifully!
I am a massive bargain hunter but also a big believer in buying a few heirloom pieces that one day she can pass down to her daughter! 
(well at least thats what I will tell my husband when I tell him I want to buy this wall art!)
Just this weekend my Mother bought down with her the knitted pink dress that I wore for my first Birthday!  It is now already for Little Miss A!

5. A BIRTHDAY DRESS

Now I am on to Miss A's First Birthday which is less than a month away.
I am still undecided wether to go for the personalised 1st Birthday outfit or just a gorgeous dress?
HELP?
What do you think?

What are you coveting this week?

Photobucket

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Come Fly With Me....The Party



The Birthday Boy with a very reluctant smile for the camera!

Well we are back from Planet Party!
Reality has hit us with its full force after a wonderful weekend with family and friends!
Presents, Cake, Candles, Laughter and lots of
BUSY BOYS!!!!
Although Master O officially turned 4 on Friday in true Pigeon Pair style, we have spread the celebrations out over the weekend!
Sorry for the horrible photography but this Mummy was busy, busy, busy 
(well thats my excuse for my shocking camera skills!)

Ready to party with Little Miss A
I couldn't help myself, I had to dress them in...
Red, White and Blue

Food is ready to fly!

Flying Fours - Shortbread

Lamington Pops 
(last minute decision with the left over Birthday Cake!)
Cups - Robert Gordon - Robins Kitchen
Toppers - Anders Ruff

Cups of Clouds - Popcorn

Parachuting Potatoes
Cups of Potato Chips (like Pringles)

Pilot Pop Tops
Berry Juice Pop Tops

Captain's Cupcakes
Charterplane Cheesecakes
(mini white choc and berry cheescakes)
Jetplane Jelly
I still can't believe I found blue jelly!
Wonder Water
Bottled water for those very sweaty boys!

Candy Bar 
Smarties, Freddo's, Blue Lollipops, Marshmallows, Chocolates and
BABY WIPES!

"Thanks for making my day so sweet
Please take a bag and fill with treats
Some Yummy smarties, the marshmallows are nice
and for the sticky fingers there's some baby wipes!"
Also on the table was;
Qantas quiche- Mini Quiches
Propellor Pinwheels - Pastry Pizza Pinwheels
Sky High Salmon - Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese
Soaring Strawberries - Strawberries on fruit picks.

and of course the cake!
A runway number 4!
Master O with his cake
(after lots of running around with his plane!)


Party Favours
Wooden planes with waterpaint markers

We played pass the parcel.
Each child "won" a foam plane.
Master O's Dad and Grand Dad's helped the kids put the planes together for some backyard
plane competitions!

Master O with his plane

Collecting his plane after the race

 I found these little airplane puzzles as prizes for our games and the airplane race.
Check out the price on the packet! $1.99 for 4 puzzles!


Make a wish, my big four year old boy, 
but please don't let it be,
 to grow up any quicker than you already are.

Photobucket

Friday, February 18, 2011

Time to turn 4!

"My Pigeon Pair" has been a bit quiet this week....

but for very good reason....
today Master O turns 4!!!  
This time 4 years ago I became a mummy!  

This big bundle of blue made his dramatic entrance to the world and changed our lives forever.  
I may be a teacher but it is my son who has taught me lifes most valuable lessons. 
1.  There is nothing that a hug can't fix. This also applies to broken toys.  
2.  There is no use crying over spilt milk.  Even if the milk is on your freshly ironed outfit just as you are about to leave for work and came out of a baby's mouth not out of a glass. Having a baby sure puts things in perspective and teaches you patience!
3.  Sleep is overrated and can come in many forms including, sleeping with a baby on your lap while you are sitting up on the couch, on the lounge room floor during toy story 3, snuggled between 3 year old and snoring husband.  All sleep is good sleep.

4.  Embarassment is an emotion of the past.  After way too many shopping centre tantrums, loud 3 year old over shares, sharing trips to the toilet and everything that comes along with giving birth, nothing is sacred.

5. Love is ALL things.  It is deep, overwhelming, limitless and only grows with each child.

I can no longer remember what life was like before kids and quite frankly I don't want to.  
There is ALWAYS a snippet in time, however brief, in my day when they make me smile, laugh and sigh at their adorable antics.
This week Master O's Kindy teacher told me that he is such a kind boy.  
Whenever someone is upset he is the first to comfort them with a cuddle if that doesn't work he finds an appropriate toy and tries to distract them!  
The class clown, loves to dress up and has the children in hysterics.  
To him the world  is a giant obstacle course and all objects are made for tumbling over and jumping off.   
Mr sociable runs into Kindy each day and barely says goodbye yet when I pick him up in the afternoon he always runs to greet me and ask me how MY day was!  

I wonder if time will ever learn to pause for just long enough for me to savour these moments of littleness.  It seems with each birthday, the clock hand speeds up a little.  This year he will have his first birthday with "HIS" friends.  No more mummy's friends kids or children from mothers group.  He has chosen this mix of boys (he calls them his guys!) to join him for this special occasion.  I am sure I will blink and we will be discussing no alcohol allowed at parties and what time he has to be home.  
But today I will take a moment to capture in my mind his every ounce of innocence.   
For today he is 4.  
This day will never be repeated.  
Tomorrow will just have to wait.

First Birthday....under the sea..More interested in eating the icing then the cake!

2nd Birthday, the last of the curly hair!


Poor Master O spent his 3rd Birthday in a full leg cast after breaking his leg at daycare!

Can't wait to post more pics after the party on Friday, but for now I am logging off screen and logging in to life.

Photobucket

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Time

A fleeting moment in time.....he made me a Mama and now he is about to turn 4!

Master O - 4 years ago.

Master 0 - Today
(Naomi V Photography)

Playing along with wordless Wednesday at
Photobucket

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tuesday Treasury - Bean Bags


So I have a confession to make.  
As a little girl I wasn't always as sweet as sugar. 
 Occasionally (so maybe a bit more than that) I was "naughty".  
There are stories of me biting my baby brother out of jealousy (I never was one to share the spotlight!) and having a few tantrums (actress in training!) Before the days of the "naughty corner" we had the "time out bean bag" for me it was shades of pink with Holly Hobby on it!  Bean bags are a great place for children to chill out, read a book or watch a movie and boy are they stylish!  Gone are the corduroy styles of my 80's childhood and now there are beanbags to match all decor schemes blending seamlessly with your "grown up" furniture.

milkbottles

milkbottles
 What a great style for boys, especially teenagers!
This one matches the teepees at milkbottles! Would also make a great footstool!
I want this one for me!  Do you think I could get away with it?

A little birdy of course!


Wipeable!

BeastyBags
Cushions and beanbags, these look like cuddling perfection!

and just because barely a day goes by that I don't dream of Pottery Barn Kids





Sleepless nights with Little Miss A at our place at the moment thanks to the dreaded stuffy nose!
I think I may need to curl up on Master O's Bean bag for a mama nap!

Photobucket