Day 24: Laundry... yes, you read it right!

Yes, up there with some of my favourite things is, in fact, doing the laundry! I know I am a very weird person, however I do get such delight in washing dirty clothes.

I love sorting the darks and whites, towels and sheets... and now - all of Alex's itsty bitsy baby clothes, bibs and cloths!

I love love love hanging out the clothes to dry on the line, on a lovely sunny day, with just a little wind! I must admit to being slightly OCD about this though! I do like to have the socks hung in pairs and all the undies on the same line (all facing in the same direction!)... and yes, I do like all of the clothes to be facing me - i.e. all the 'fronts' face towards the house! But no - I don't match the colour of the pegs to the colour of the clothes, as I know some people do.... I don't go that far.... (*thinks* I must take more zinc & magnesium to cure this OCD!!)

I adore the smell of clean, dry washing as you take it off the line and bring it inside. It's a small achievement in the grand scheme of things, but it's just so nice to have clean clothes, towels & bed linen!

Now folding and putting away these clean clothes - I can manage this, but its not my favourite thing in the world to do.... but, I do love to have all of my clothes right there, where I can see them, so I can decide what to wear for the day!

Ironing - well that just doesn't happen in my house. Have you seen me wearing any 'clothes that might crinkle' in a while? No, didn't think so. Ironing is just a very occasional thing for me. After working in a must-be-ironed uniform for almost 5 years, I avoid using the iron and ironing board at all costs! If Daz wants a shirt ironed, he can do it himself!

Ok, must go; Load #1 is waiting to be hung on the line and load #2 for the day is halfway through the cycle.... and Alex could wake at any moment!

Day 23: Precipitaion

I can't tell you how much I love stuff that falls from the sky - precipitation! I love rain, snow, sleet, hail and I even quite like fog (not that it falls from the sky per se!)... of ourse it's an extension of rain that I do love storms - the wind, the thunder and the lightning!

I am so grateful that the water that comes from the sky makes our land so green, helps our crops and plants grow (now plants, that's a whole different variety of appreciation - I'll get to that, one of these days!) Rain washes all the dirt and dust away and generally makes the world seem a lot clearer and more beautiful.

It is a scientific fact that rain has some kind of positive ion thingys that pull all of the negative kind of ion thingys out of the air. So, what this means is that the negativity in the air is removed.... which is why it always feels much nicer and smells so much better after the rain has fallen. I think this would be one of my favourite things about rain.

Another of my favourite things to do is to lie in bed when the rain is falling - I love the sound of rain of a tin roof (which is really iron, but who's being pedantic? (or iron-ic - haha!)). I love going to sleep with the rain falling... and I've mentioned how much I adore Sundays.... the only thing that makes Sunday better - is rain!

I have very fond memories of being a child and splashing around in the rain. I would get all dressed up in rain coat, waterproof pants, gumboots and an umbrella and go outside to splashi n all the puddles on our driveway - the deeper the better. I still love splashing in puddles - but now I'm older, I can drive my car through them, even better!

So, although I can appreciate a sunny day - I am always delighted and calmed by the sight of a rainy day!

P.S. I realise that rain & flooding is a big part of the Australian climate right now, so I must say, that although I marvel at the immense power of water - I do not love floods!

Day 20: Sleeping babies

Oh, how sweet Alex is when he's asleep.

The cupid's bow lips, softly together. The quiet sound of his breathing, quietly and steadily with an occasional deep breath or sigh. His perfect little face; skin soft and kissable. Long eyelashes resting gently upon his cheeks, how sweet! I could sit there and watch him for hours.... just don't tell anyone - I DO sit there and loose long moments in time, mesmerised by his perfection!

And then it is time to wake up.... in the morning there are coos and gaa's and lots of talking & babbling in his cot.

But, sometimes there is crying. Insistent 'pick me up or I'll die' kind of cries... and the 'mum, I neeeeeed you' cries and the 'I don't want to go to sleep' ones too. Sometimes I can resist the latter.... but often I pick him up! He's only small for such a little time.... babies can't learn bad habits - yeah right! But I guess that's my choice to make!

And then comes the fun part - the awake times.... but more about that later, I can hear a little voice calling from the cot :-)

Day 19: Being so busy I don't get to the computer days!

Oh yes, being a new mum, and a wife and a friend... cooking, cleaning and socialising all lead to there "not being enough time" to turn the computer on some days....

There's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Sometimes family time and sleep trumps blogging!

Day 14: My bed!

I love my bed! Well, really I should call it our bed, as I share this bed with my beautiful husband Daz! I love it for so many reasons, here are just a few:

1. I love the comfort of bed, which immediately relaxes me.
2. I love the feeling of 200 thread-count sheets on my skin (a wedding gift - SO nice!) and the doona pulled up to my chin on a cool night.
3. I love the connection between Daz and I when we are in bet at night, chatting and spooning before sleep.
4. I love that this is one of the places I feel safest in - in the whole wide world!
5. I love the conversations that I have with Daz in our little cocoon of bed, no distractions, no interference; just us and our thoughts and words - so precious.
6. I love the lying-on-top-of-the-covers cuddles we have at any time of day. but especially the ones when Daz gets home from work and we re-connect.
7. I love bringing Alex into bed with us in the morning, especially on Sunday!
8. I love breastfeeding Alex in bed when the 3 of us are home - it really is a most connected, family time for me. Even if we end up with a few little vomits on the sheets! (from Alex, of course!)
9. I used to love long lazy sleep-ins on weekends.... but I guess with a little one who likes to get up at 6.30-7am, that's a thing of the past (for now).
10. I love to starfish when I have the bed all to myself.
11. *TMI alert* I love that we conceived Alex in our bed.... I know ... too much information.... Well, how could I possibly have a list of things I love about bed and not mention the most obvious one!

Day 12: Sundays!

I love Sundays!

Like Garfield loves lasagne, I love Sunday! It is the best day of the week by far! I love the lazy sleep-ins, the quiet moments and the slower pace of the day.

Sundays have always been perfect for brunches - who could count the number of Sunday brunches I have had... Coco Lounge, the Pantry, Smoken Joe's, Mocha Jo's, Banks, Barclays, King Bean; just to name a few! I am so grateful for this mode of connection, over food and coffee.

Lately, Sundays have become family day! Like this Sunday - I got up with Alex for his first feed of the day and let hubby sleep-in while Alex & I had a little snooze on the couch! Once the snoozing was done, we made a couple of coffees and headed back up the stairs to hang out in bed with Daz, drink coffee - and for Alex, some 'booby-time'!

How many Sundays have I spent in my jarmies? a SFD (shower-free day) or a dagging around in my trackies kinda day? I love it!

Day 10: Coco Lounge

Coco Lounge in Glen Waverley is one of my favourite cafes to head out to for a brunch or lunch Once upon a time, when there were baby-free evenings and a little more spare cash - dinners aplenty there too!

Before we were married, Daz & I used to frequent Coco's on a Saturday and often a Sunday morning for brunch. Now let's be honest here, we went there in the afternoon because Coco's was the only place that still did eggs after midday, and we were people who 'liked to sleep in' back then!

It became the regular haunt for us, and our house mates... our friends and our families... (for about 4 years, truth be told)... and after we had been living there for a little while...

It was where I proposed to Daz on Feb 29th 2008 - the Ladies Day!!!

Unfortunately it was a little small for our Engagement Party, so we went to it's Greville St sister, Palate... and took our favourite staff there for the night - Brendan, Loz & Chewie! Unfortunately Rach couldn't be there :-(

Hen's night - upstairs at the Coco's bar.... you get the drift.

Since moving out of the area, we haven't really been to Coco's all that much. so, when I was meeting up with a couple of girlfriends for lunch today, Coco's was suggested and boy, it did come through with the goods again. Great atmosphere, great staff, great service, great food and the coffee... delish! And Rach was there this day - whit-woo!

It's great to know that you can count on your old faves to come through with the goods!

Day seven: My Mothers Group!

I love my Mothers Group!

I can't believe how great it is to have such a wonderful group of women as my friends! I love that they are all so different (age, race, education, parenting styles, etc) and yet we are joined in a bond over our babies who are all similar ages!

These women are so supportive, non-judgmental and open to discussions about pretty much anything 'baby'. I love that we can discuss our own opinions and ideas and see the merits in each and not need to judge each other. I think this is the bond of women who are doing something for the first time and actually feel they have no idea what they're doing most of the time!!!

I am so grateful for them; the hot chocolates & frappes, the scones and the savoury triangles, the talks and the giggles, the happy & hard times. The chats, the venting, the mums'n'bubs movies, the lunches, afternoon teas and the walks.

What an amazing bond! One which I hope will be there for a long long time - my mum still writes to her mothers group friends of the 70's!

Day five: Great Friends!

I have been lucky throughout my life to have fabulous friends. They have come from very wide and varied backgrounds and lifestyles.

Today, I am feeling very grateful to have two very great friends - Chris & Suzy!

Chris, Suzy, Daz & I alll participate in an Advanced Coaching Program, where our minds, bodies & souls are stretched! We have an "Intensive" session about once a month and there we are challenged with new tasks for the month ahead.

I love that I have chosen these 2 gorgeous women to be on this journey with Daz & I. I know that I am loved, I am a friend and that I am safe with them. I am so grateful that they are my 'safety net' and I can talk to them about absolutely anything that is going on in my life... and I mean anything!! And they will always be there for me.

I am so grateful for the support that they have given me over the past year whe have been working together. I am so excited to be embarking on a new year of "Generosity" with them.

Tonight, I am so grateful that they were there to support me when I left Alex home with Daz for the first time in ages (to attend a Hen's Night). I was feeling very upset & teary at leaving my little man - very emotional, like I was being torn apart from him and that he wouldn't be okay. Yes, I know! It was irrational, but nevertheless, this was how I was feeling. They were both there as a shoulder to cry on and to support me 'feeling my feelings'. I love that I can express clearly with them, that they can question me generously and get to the bottom of the issue with ease.

Day four: My in-laws!

A lot gets written about the "dreaded in-laws", but I must say, in marrying Daz I really an grateful that I also chose excellent in-laws! For those of you that know D&T, they really are the parents you wish you had! I am so grateful to have them in my life. These amazing people welcomed me into their home from day dot, as a friend and eventually a family member. They blessed the union of myself to their son and have walked with us, every step of the way.

Today is just one of those days where I am reminded of how grateful I am, to have them in my family. D calls this morning to say "Hey, I'm going to the supermarket, do you want me to pick up anything for you?" "Yes, please!" and Daz lists of the dozen or so things on our shopping list! An hour later here is the shopping done for us!

D arrives with bags of groceries and a big smiling face, to embrace us - and her gorgeous grandson, our Alex! How gorgeous to see the two of them together - Alex all sleepy and blinking after a nap and snuggling into D's shoulder for a cuddle.... and then the inexplicable delight on Grandma's face as she experiences it :-) To think, such joy!

T arrives after work and has some lunch with us all... and Granddad chuffs over his little grandson! He then proceeds to help Daz set up the battery charger on his bike... Always there to lend a hand and assist with some gadget or another! Not to mention, always there with a trailer to help move something!

Ah, a lucky & grateful daughter-in-law I am!

Day three: My sister!

I am grateful to have an amazing sister who I am very close to! Fi was born almost 2 years after me - funnily enough she was a premmie too! It's quite amazing to know I have a sister and a son who are premmies (not to mention 2 nieces on Daz's side of the family as well!)

As little people and in our early adult lives, we had a rather tumultuous relationship. Just imagine a 19-year-old Alison who was very studious, half-way through a degree and quite a 'surf-brand' dresser - and in contrast 17-year-old Fi who was a goth chick, dropped out of Uni and working at Maccas! Phew there were some sparks!

Luckily this has smoothed out in time and now we are in out thirties, we are such good friends. We are closer than ever and even embarking on similar things in our lives. Obviosuly, I have just had baby Alex and Fi is due in March with their first child! This has really bought us much closer. It's also been so surprising that our pregnancies have been very similar - no morning 'sickness', just nausea, cravings for tomatoes and milo... even carrying in a similar shape! I am so grateful that Fi is looking like carrying her bubba a little longer than I did!

I think it is such a blessing to have a sister who is your friend. Someone to call on when I'm having a bad day. A yoga partner and a food/wine expert who knows how to treat her Taurean sister with great food!

I look forward to many years ahead of being 'Aunties' to each others' children - our kids who are 'cousins' running around together! Of being friends and confidantes and shoulders to cry on.... and a sounding board to toss around ideas with. I am so grateful to have this amazing relationship in my life!

Day two: My Son!

I am so very grateful to have been blessed with our beautiful son Alex. I am eternally grateful that out of all the wonderful parents around, he chose to come to us. Even though he decided that he would come some 9 weeks early as a surprise, he really makes me so very happy every day.

I marvel at his perfection; his 10 little toes and his 10 little fingers with tiny little finger- and toe-nails. I love his beautiful olive skin and his cupids bow lips. I wonder day-by-day whether those once blue eyes will stay darker blue or go hazel or brown.

I adore and delight in watching him thrive and develop before my very eyes. I know that I play a large part of his life and I am grateful to be the one who sings him nursery rhymes, coos and gurgles at him and spends hours poking my tongue out at him and playing peek-a-boo, just to see him respond.

Having at least one baby/child was one of my life's biggest dreams - and I feel honoured and blessed each day that I have been able to fulfil this desire.... with my amazing husband along for the ride!

Day one: My hubby!

I am so very grateful for the most wonderful man in the Universe being my husband. Daz makes me happy, and he makes me laugh! He loves me when I'm having good days, bad days and awful days. He is always there for me no matter what... with a smile, a word or two or just a hug when I need one. We accept each other exactly as we are, and exactly as we are not! Our love for each other is unconditional.

I love that when I met you I loved you so much I thought I would burst.... and then we moved in together and I loved you even more!!! I thought I couldn't love you any more than when we got engaged... and then came our wedding day - I felt as though my love tank had suddenly expanded and was full to the brim. And along came our son, and that tank was expanded to such a huge size that I thought it would surely explode! But, here I am replete in the love he have for each other and our little man!

I am so grateful to have met you, to have you in my life and to spend the rest of our days together.