Some kind of normality?

I don’t know why something as small as painting my toe nails can make me feel so good. Makes me feel almost like a person again. I mean I was generally happy with my body and just LOVED being pregnant. I absolutely loved my pregnancy tummy though not loving the aftermath so much. It’s all worth it for the amazing little son we have but that doesn’t mean I have to like my new body but I’m getting there. I’m slowing getting more exercise done and getting the house more sorted so feelings of normality are coming back.

There is so much to get used to. In the beginning there was just me to worry about and please (well being a daughter and sister as well so never just me I guess always a part of a family). Then there was me as a girlfriend and as part of a couple, then as a wife and now the biggest change of all is being a mother. Looking after this completely helpless little person who looks at you with such trust and love and knowing that you’re caring for them and their future. It’s a huge but exciting change. So painting my toe nails is me taking back some normality. Crazy really how little things can make life feel more normal and in control I guess. I mean it’s about getting used to this new life  It’s an amazing life but it still takes getting used to but I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Do you ever see an apple on a pear tree?

Just wanted to share this cute picture. Well pictures really. There was a mini-me competition and John looks so much like his father it’s kind of scary. Photo on the left is John at 6 weeks and on the right is Mr Ecochick at 4 months. Funny how many children look so much like their fathers when they are born. I guess it’s like a father lion thing I mean it stops the children being eaten right?

Happy birthday mum and dad

That’s right it’s both my parents birthday’s today. Amazing really that they share the same birthday. My parents are like the ultimate Cinderella story. They met when they were 15 and basically have been inseparable ever since. They’ve now been married 36 years. Not only have they been together for over 40 years they have the perfect marriage. They have the most loving and sharing marriage it’s an inspiration to all of us. When I was growing up I always wished that I could have a marriage as amazing as my parents.  My husband and I have been together for almost 6 years and have been married for a year and a half. These have been the most amazing years of my life.

       

The sweetest sound

Last Wednesday John laughed for the first time. It is the most amazing sound. When he giggles his whole face lights up. It’s like a ray of happiness is radiating out of him. It is so much fun to try to get him to laugh. So cute, he’s still trying to learn to laugh so whenever he laughs he gets hiccups. You think that when they smile at you your heart is going to break and then they learn to do something even cuter.   

Public recycling

Public recycle bins are readily available in most cities in the world but I think it’s really terrible that there are none in the town where I live - though I have just read that there are some in Wellington central city. Go Wellington city council! I really wish that the other local city councils would put public recycle bins out. I recycle everything I can at home but hate that when I’m out there are no recycle bins to put my recyclable rubbish into. What I’ve started to do is bring my own recycling home with me to wash and put out with my own recycling. I really believe that if there were these types of bins around people would use them. According to  treehugger recycle bins with holes in them show an increase in recycling by 34%! That’s huge! This shows that make things easy for people and they will recycle. So come on New Zealand let’s get some bins out there. 

picture from keetsa.

My personal love affair with cloth

While I was “researching” cloth nappies for John I found so many different cloth baby items that I thought there must be adult cloth items that I can use to reduce our rubbish and save us money. 

Cloth make up pads

I’m a real girly girl I love make up and I love my skin care regime. I am very loyal to companies and even though they are not the cheapest on the market I will only use companies that won’t test on animals. So I’m not prepared to compromise on my make up and skin care products but I wanted to save money on other items. Since I use cleanser and toner I find using make up pads are fantastic but I figured there must be an alternative to the disposable cotton ones that I use once and throw away. Such a waste of resources and also I hate that I am adding unnecessarily to our rubbish.

I was telling Mr Ecochick that I wish I could get some kind of cloth wipes to use for make up removal when lo and behold Ecomoon added a new product to their site - that’s right washable cotton balls. I was super excited to receive my new cloth make up pads. They are beautiful and are made from organic bamboo so are super soft on my skin. I just use them and then throw them in the wash.      

I’ve been using them for a few months now and they are just a normal part of my life. I love my cloth wipes so much, I buy loads of these and give them to people as gifts. I figure they are a great simple way for people to start using cloth for themselves. So began my personal love affair with cloth. 

One reason I love being a SAHM

John playing with a new animal book

There are so many reasons I love to be at home with my little boy. The latest reason is that we are totally flexible and don’t have to ask anyone when I can do things and when I can go away. Last week Mr Ecochick had to go to the air force for a few days and so we decided to go with him. We were going to go home yesterday morning early but he had to stay an extra day so we could just stay and not have to let anyone know (well had to let my brother know so that he could feed the cats and bunny) or have to ask  anyone for permission. Then some equipment failed and so we had to stay another day. So here we are in sunny Palmerston North and guess what, I don’t have to ask  anyone if we can stay longer. 

We’re having a wonderful time staying with grandma and grandpa, so great that they can spend all this extra time with John. We also had a BBQ on the weekend so that everyone could meet the newest man in my life. Was wonderful to see so many friends and share some lovely food. John got very spoilt and got some lovely new soft toys and some fantastic new books. It’s an amazing feeling that we can just pack up and go where ever Mr Ecochick has to go for work whether it be inside New Zealand or overseas. So special to be a mobile family.