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Monday, June 27, 2011

My little boy's growing up...

Rylan has been taking a step or two between us when coached for a week or so now, but Sunday he took a few steps, all on his own. He certainly isn't 'walking' just yet, but its well on the way. This week has also marked the end of breastfeeding for us both. Between the biting and the diminished supply, it was time to end. I feel quite sad, but its not the end of our relationship, just a relationship that is evolving.

Here's a pic that was taken a few weeks ago when we went to Booloumba creek in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Its really beautiful there, a serene scene, great for a family picnic and great for finding lots of sticks and stones and dirt to stick in your mouth.

Friday, June 24, 2011

It's A Girl!!

A few months ago I threw a baby shower for my friend Zita who was as the title suggests having a girl. I loved planning this party, not only because I got to make crafty things and decide on a delicious menu, but because deep down, although I love my little boy, there is a little girl screaming for pink.

I based my menu around pink and white and served; pink pikelets with whipped cream and jam, mini pineapple marshmallow tarts (topped with pink marshmallow of course), heart shaped scones and orange and poppyseed cupcakes with pink white chocolate ganache. As well as this there were some yummy sandwiches and antipasto platter and of course, the cake.

The cake was two layers of chocolate and caramel mudcake (which I bought from the shop due to time constraints and having to do EVERYTHING on my own) covered and filled in vanilla butter cream and covered in pink fondant with a pink rubber duckie on top. I then piped on some of the butter cream to look like bubbles as if the duckie was in a big pink bath. It was simple, but effective and everyone loved it. It was my first attempt at making fondant from scratch, and it was successful. I have since learned a thing or two about cake decorating, and am eagerly waiting for my next opportunity to make it and decorate with it again.

For the decorations, I wanted to do some pink and white cake pops, but again, due to time and having a young baby at home, I opted for dipping pink and white marshmallows in white chocolate and sprinkling various sprinkles over them, and putting them on a lolly pop stick. Then I put a piece of polystyrene into the bottom of a bowl that was covered in pink tissue paper, so I could stick all the sticks in there so they made a centre piece for the table. I did four of these, and then poured rice into the bottom to conceal the polystyrene. They were delicious! I did leave the chocolate over the heat, which was a silly mistake, but I have learned my lesson. Next time I'll just let the residual heat from the pot melt the chocolate OFF the heat so it won't clump.

In addition to these cute centrepieces, I made some bunting out of pink & white tissue paper cut into triangle flag shapes, and stapled onto curling ribbon in 2m lengths so I could hang them separately (and so they wouldn't get too tangled). I wanted to make more, but I ran out of staples, and time, so I just went with what I had. Instead of buying a baby shower record book, I bought a cute little scrapbook and printed out pages that detailed the guests, predictions, photos of the day, the menu and games and all sorts of info about the party and the couple. Unfortunetly, I don't have any pictures of that, I am trying to get some from other guests. I also don't have any pictures of the thank you's that I made, which was basically a cut out picture of the top of a cartoon baby bottle, attached to a bag with some lollies and an origami star which I then asked people to make a wish on and put in a little jar so that my friend could take home a jar of wishes for her soon to be little girl.

Oh, and I made the cake picks & designed the invites which i'll post later in my invite blog. 

There were plenty of games, but nothing especially unique there, and overall it was a great day. The turn out was a little less than planned, but all the important people were there so that was good.

Zita has since had her baby, a gorgeous little girl named Jasmin. Congratulations Zita :)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

I am going to keep this up!

I have been wanting to start a blog for a while, and have had this one sitting in cyber space for a few months now. Deciding on a theme or what to write about has been the most difficult thing to do. I now realise that no one may ever read my blog, so I may has well just write what I am doing, and if people are interested great, if not, then who cares.

Today my partner Michael & our little boy Rylan went to Sandgate to walk along the beach & out on the pier. It was fabulous, what a beautiful day. Can't wait to go back when it's a bit quieter and let Rylan loose on the amazing playground they had there. It reminded me of the Swiss Family Robinson, a tree house of sorts - except not actually IN the trees, but amongst them. I highly recommend it.

Rylan turned 9 months old today, wow, I can't believe its been 18 months since I got pregnant, how fast it has flown. Can't wait for the next nine months.

Things to write about & post pictures of soon: Baby shower, Rylan's 1st Birthday ideas & plans, soooo much more