Ending a chapter and beginning a new one

As we near Christmas and the oh so exciting arrival of Harper I find myself filled with thoughts of excitement and apprehension.

As my Mom will quickly agree and even tease me for it I am a lover of Christmas and birthdays. I countdown, pick out gifts, plan parties and have an oh so hard time sleeping the night before. As a child I remember sneaking in the Sound of Music on tv at 2 in the morning on the Christmas Eve because I just could not sleep with all the excitement. At 29 years old nothing has changed. I still can't sleep because I am filled with thoughts of joy and anticipation for what the next morning will bring. The difference since becoming a Mommy is that I am excited for Evelyn to open her presents. I love seeing the look on her face when the houses light up at night or she meets a reindeer or visits Santa. Evelyn is just like I am sure I was. Her joy over the holidays this year is not even containable. At every turn she is yelling "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Birthday Jesus". She sings carols everywhere and even makes us do actions along with her whether it is at home or Costco Evelyn insists full on participation.

At the same time I am planning for Christmas and all the fun it brings I am also planning for the arrival of our lovely Harper. This is also exciting and joyful. I think Evelyn is just as excited for Harper to arrive as she is Santa. Yesterday at Church someone asked her who comes next week and Evelyn excitedly yelled "HARPER!". We have the nursery done, the bassinet is set up, carseat is in the van and the hospital bag is packed. We just need MorMor and Far to arrive. While I feel fully prepared with all things tangible and I truly believe we have done an amazing job preparing Evelyn for the arrival of her new sister I still feel this hit of apprehension about the changes about to happen in our family. I sometimes wonder how I will be capable of loving another child as much as I love Evelyn and I worry about postpartum depression. Depression is something that has challenged me greatly since Evelyn was born. I am hoping and praying that because I know what the ugly face of postpartum depression looks like and because I am still taking medication and even seeing a counselor on occasion that this time around my depression will not be as severe. After so many months of being sick and my body fighting against me I am hoping that the transition to having Harper in my arms will be smooth and as joyful as Christmas.

I am so incredibly excited for this chapter to close and the next to begin. God has so richly blessed my life with Mike and Evelyn that I feel incredibly blessed to get to experience being a family of 4.

Third Trimester

This is it! The end of this pregnancy is near. I am officially in the third trimester and I can see the end. This pregnancy has been more than challenging and I am thrilled to know that in just 9 short weeks all the nausea, vomiting and discomfort will be over and our little Harper will be in my arms. There was has been several times in this pregnancy where I thought it would never end so it is definitely nice to know we are on the tail end.

My doctor has decided that an induction at 38 weeks is best so that is the plan. I thought I would feel nervous about being induced but I don't at all. I had oxytocin when I was in labour with Evelyn and I know my body responds well to it and I know that there is no risk to Harper coming a little early. These feelings may change come the day but for now I am just getting ready to decorate a nursery and preparing Evelyn for her little sister.

When delivering Evelyn I used gas but no epidural. I would like to be as natural as possible this go around as well so next on the list is researching natural induction. I am meeting with an acupuncturist and we will go from there. I would be interested to hear if any of you have been induced and if so what methods were used.

As a cute little side note I think Evelyn is getting more and more excited to welcome Harper to the world. The other day she yelled at me "just go to the hospital and have the doctor take Harper out" lol

Evelyn's first email

I remember being a child and loving getting mail. Evelyn is particularly spoiled in this department as she has lots of family that live out of town. Sometimes it seems she gets postcards and packages weekly. I love that Ev excitedly runs to check the mail with me just hoping that MorMor has sent her something special. If she goes awhile without mail she will call my Mom and ask her to send something...lol

Today Evelyn got some mail but this time it was via email. I think Evelyn was going to burst with excitement to get email. She felt so grown up because only Mommies and Daddies get emails don't ya know.

Below is the email Evelyn received today from her very special friend Sophie and Ev's subsequent response.

Fh yyyuy

Yuyuuttygrtttrtfg

33 rggg fffffdtffffffffdtrteeeeeeeeer 6rerrrrrrrrrrreer

Love, Sophie

Xvbmńfgggyyhijopwwx vnnbñbvbbbbb

Asßfgghggdafgyyuoo

Gfsrrrswdqwszb bbnh bbnh. Hhftdgdf t

Love Evelyn

Total gibberish but let me tell you there was a very thrilled 3 year old in our today.

Some wise words

I recently saw this posted on my ever so lovely friend Melissa's facebook. I found it moving, inspiring and humorous. How could I not share.

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

(The girl on the picture is French model Tara Lynn)

New Adventures

Proud of this project. I think for a 3 year old Evelyn did a pretty darn good job of placing her popsicle sticks on the lines.


First day picture

We have officially ventured into the world of preschool. The first day I dropped Evelyn off I felt nervous and emotional but very excited. I am certain Evelyn was feeling all the same emotions as she trotted into class wide eyed and thrilled at the beautiful classroom. We had a little nervous moment when Evelyn noticed the hysterical child screaming for her Mommy at the craft table but with a hug and a slight bit of coaxing Evelyn joined in on the fun and seemingly loved the first day. Now, 1 month in, our girl skips into class greeting her teacher and proudly shows off whatever project they did that day when I pick her up.



These days Evelyn seems overwhelmingly busy and I just can't seem to do enough to keep her stimulated. With preschool two mornings a week and dance one morning a week Mike and I thought we had put Evelyn into enough activities to keep her happy and stimulated but it seems we were wrong so November will also bring swim lessons. I have to admit I love the time she is in classes because it means I can sit quietly and enjoy a book or a coffee or even both. It truly feels like a luxury in life to have quiet moments to myself and with Harper on the way in just 14 weeks I am going to savour my quiet moments while I can.

Long time...no blog

I have taken a much to long break from my blog. This past summer has been more than a whirlwind of events and drama. Aside from my health in this pregnancy being beyond terrible and basically forcing me to give up all activity I also figured you all wouldn't want to read one depressing, complaining, whiny post after the other. While I am still not healthy I feel much more encouraged these days. We finally have a treatment plan in place for my nausea that seems to be working and there is only 15 weeks left to this pregnancy which definitely makes me feel like there is an end in sight. Evelyn has started back up into all her activities and has begun preschool. I feel like I can take some time for myself and the things I love again.

For me to fully catch you all up on our lives the last few months would literally be way to long a post for anyone to enjoyably read so I will give you a quick little breakdown of our summer through pictures once I have my husband take the pictures off our camera...yes, I should be able to do it but Mike just does such a good job...lol

For those of you who have facebooked, emailed, called....etc. over the summer I thank you for your love and encouragement. Your prayers and well wishes mean more to our family than I could ever adequately express. The meals brought by friends and family were delicious and they really lightened our load. We so appreciate everything! We can hardly wait for Harper Grethe Roy to come into the world and meet all of you who love her so much already.

Things I LOVE Fridays...

I am more than a little excited that my favorite baby carrier has melded with one of my favorite diaper bag companies. Ergo Baby Carriers are comfy and uber versatile. They can be worn on the front, hip and back. They also have an insert that is newborn combatible so you can literally use this carrier from birth through the toddler years. I LOVED my Ergo with Evelyn and I am thinking that I just may need to splurge and treat myself to a new carrier for baby Roy number 2. Ergo has just launched a series of patterns from Petunia Pickle Bottom which are very baby chic! PPB makes the most beautiful and functional diaper bags and I think has some of the best bag patterns out there. What could be better than toting your babe in an ultra comfortable, super versatile carrier that has the most magnificient pattern on it??? This one is definitely going on the wish list.

PS. I know that Babes in Arms has placed a preorder for the Petunia Pickle Bottom patterns and are hoping to see them in store later this summer. The owner there also let me know that you can special order a diaper bag in your carrier pattern to match! You can find Babes in Arms in Mayfair Place (just South of Chinook mall).

Things I love Fridays...

I LOVE my newly decorated bathroom!

You may remember a few weeks ago I wrote about having a tv free week here. While I did not accomplish all of the items on my to do list and being totally honest I did sneak a little tv in on the weekend I did manage to get my ensuite painted and redecorated. I am so pleased with how it turned out.

I used a Behr paint for the walls, Ikea shelf and some other random bits I already had around the house for decor. The artwork is courtesy of "Free Your Soul" the fine art project that I spoke about a few weeks back here.

Check it out!

I follow this great kids fashion blog called Baby Blackbird. It is super fun, full of uber adorable kids trends and it has been winning all sorts of great awards as of late. Most recently they were recognized for being THE BEST INSIDE TRACK ON KIDS TRENDS. Every Tuesday Baby Blackbird runs a feature called "Mini Street Style" and Ev was chosen as this weeks poster child...SO FUN! You can find our little lady here

10 on Tuesday...things that make me smile

Usually once or twice a week my coworker Julia and I hit up Starbucks for the office. The other while picking up coffees at the Starbucks in Deerfoot Meadows we were informed that the vehicle in front of us has paid for one of our coffees. The drivethru was having a pay it forward day and thus far 27 people had bought coffees for the people behind them. We were asked if we wanted to buy the coffee for the person behind us and of course said yes. We both drove away with a smile. Since then I have wondered just how many coffees were purchased that day. This story has inspired my post for today and is also #1 on the list of 10 this week.

Things that make me smile...

1. When someone I don't know buys me a coffee.

2. When Evelyn says "I love you"

3. Talking to my nephews on the phone. This one is especially touching to my heart because of Peyton's autism for a long time he didn't speak. He now tells me full stories!

4. When Mike calls me "Mrs."

5. A good visit with an old friend

6. Creating. I love the look of a newly finished project, scrapbook page or newly planted garden.

7. Listening to Evelyn sing

8. When Mike is excited about something and he gets this goofy little half smirk. Truth be told that smirk is a huge part of what made me fall for him

9. Curling up on the couch with Mike in the evening with a hot drink and a nice treat

10. The buds on my tree are finally appearing and the birds are chirping in the morning. Hallelujah spring is here!

Things I love Fridays...

We are moving Evelyn into a real "big girl" bed for her third birthday this summer. We already have the bed and dresser and finally found a reasonably priced mattress. Did you know that a twin sized mattress runs on average anywhere from $200 - $1400?? In all seriousness, who would actually buy their child a $1400 mattress? We actually found a furniture retailer closing out and got Ev and nice mattress for $150 (on sale about 65% off, HALLELUJAH!) All that being said the fun part is now beginning...the decor! I have been back and forth about whether or not we should paint her room. Mike will likely win that battle and we will save the money and buy bedding that already matches the color. If this happens I am in LOVE with this Amy Butler bedding set called Sari Blooms. Evelyn would love the colors and the girly print and I love that she could genuinely grow up with it.

Amy Butler does so much more that design bedding. She creates the most amazing prints and oh so fun patterns! She even regularly posts free patterns. If you feel so inclined you can find her website here.

Things I love Fridays...err Monday

Easter business got me distracted and I barely touched my computer over the weekend so here is my Thing I Love Friday on Monday. This is a prayer from Tina Fey's book "Bossypants" that she wrote for her daughter. It is overall many things I think about with Miss E in a much more hilarious manner than I would ever be capable of. Wouldn't you love to lunch with Tina Fey? I think she is just too funny!

Check out Tina Fey’s lovely, touching and totally true ‘prayer for a daughter.’

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her
When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.

How cute is this?!

While doing my regular etsy peruse I stumbled across these adorable personalized pillows. We are moving Evelyn into a twin bed this summer and I have been thinking of bedding and what I want to make her and I can't help but think one of these pillows would be the perfect accent on her rocking chair.

You can find olliegraphic's etsy store here

10 on Tuesday...

*8 Great Easter Activities in the City of Calgary this weekend...

*I tried to find 10 but I came a little shy...sorry!

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Easter Weekend - Free Public Swimming - Calgary Parks and Recreation

Good Friday - April 22nd

Swim times are 1:00pm - 2:30pm and 3:00pm - 4:30pm at the following facilities:

Bob Bahan
Canyon Meadows
Killarney
Renfrew
Sir Winston Churchill

Easter Sunday - April 24th

Swim times are 1:00pm - 2:30pm and 3:00pm - 4:30pm at the following facilities:

Acadia
Foothills
Glenmore
Inglewood
Shouldice
Thornhill

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Easter Eggstravaganza at the Calgary Zoo

When: Good Friday & Saturday of the Easter Weekend (April 22 & 23, 2011)
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Admission: Value added event with regular zoo admission or for pass holders Hop on down to the Calgary Zoo for an egg-stra special Easter! Games, activities and goodies plus, fabulous entertainment from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. In partnership with Calgary’s Child Magazine and Shine FM

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Spring Fever at Fort Calgary

When: Easter Sunday April 24th, 2011
Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Admission: Children under 18 get in for FREE, Regular admission ($11) applies to adults.

Enjoy fun Easter activities for the whole family: crafts, games, face painting and a treasure hunt. Come and meet Peter Rabbit and participate in the colouring contest.

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Easter Brunch at Heritage Park

When: Easter Sunday April 24th, 2011
Seatings: 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm (Reservations Required)
Cost: $25.96 + GST Adults
$12.95 + GST Children age 11 & under
Children age 2 and under free
(does not include park entrance fee)

Spend Easter Sunday at Heritage Park! Enjoy a fabulous brunch and take part in an Easter Scavenger Hunt and traditional Easter Egg Decorating at the Wainright Hotel.

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The Legendary Easter Hunt at Butterfield Acres

When: Saturday & Sunday from April 9th to April 24th, 2011
Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Admission: Children - $10.99+gst and Adults - $13.99+gst

Runs the 3 weekends before Easter, finishing with Good Friday and Saturday. All tickets must pre-purchased and they sell out quickly so don't wait too long!! Click hereto get yours!

What happens at the Legenday Easter Hunt?
Stories, planting seeds, visiting baby animals and of course an Easter Hunt. This is a really fun event for the kids.

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Hop into Spring Celebration Event

When: Friday April 22, 2011
Time: TBA
Where:Stir Crazy Family Fun Center

A jelly bean guess and coloring room will be included with admission and Face Painting and Glitter Tattoos will be available from $4.00 - $10.00.

Free & Fun Easter Activities @ Bass Pro Shops

When: April 16 to 24
Where: Bass Pro Shops in Cross Iron Mills, Balzac

Free 4x6 photo with the Easter Bunny, kids crafts and Easter egg hunt.

Times for these events vary! Check out the Bass Pro link here for more information on times and dates.

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Storybook Theatre Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

When: Friday April 15 to Saturday April 30th
Showtimes: Wednesday to Friday at 7:30pm. Saturday and Sundays at Noon and 3:30 pm
Where: Pumphouse Theatre - 2140 Pumphouse Ave SW

CHURCHES all across the city will be hosting Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. You will probably find us at Skyview Church for the Good Friday service and First Church of the Nazarene on Sunday.

Things I Love Fridays...

I love this picture
I love the man in this picture
I love how my eyes look in this picture
I love that I am happy. For a long time I wondered if I would ever be genuinely happy again and I feel like I finally am. A huge part of that is because of Mike. He is the most loving, gentle, patient, godly man and I am truly blessed to be able to spend my life with him.

Photo credit belongs to MU Photography. You can find her website here

Support Mr P...

Hello All!

Last year my super fabulous nephew Peyton was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. Mr P. along with a bunch of great family and friends are participating in an autism walk on April 17th to show their love and support for him. My sister is working very hard trying to help raise funds for the Autism Society of Oregon and would very much appreciate your help.

If you are in the Oregon area they would love to have you join, come walk with Team Peyton! If you can't go walking for him donating through the website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support the fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Look at his cuters face! How can you say no...

Donations can be made here

Big Money!

It's not really "big" money per say but it is exciting none the less. I got my first cheque from "Baby Guide to Calgary" for writing/researching on the 3rd edition coming out later this year.

In case you are interested the book can be purchased at a wide variety of stores in Calgary including Chapters and bo bebe. You can also find it here

10 on Tuesday...

I am pledging to have a tv free week next week. From Monday to Sunday we will not turn the tv on. I figure this will be good for the mind, the soul and my to do list. Here are a few things I plan on accomplishing...

1. Wash windows (inside and out)

2. Read a book, maybe 2 if I am lucky

3. Clean out spare room

4. Paint and redecorate ensuite

5. Finish the piles of windows and doors I have to decorate and sell...

6. ...Open an etsy store!

7. Do something fun with Mike

8. Go to the park with Ev

9. Continue teaching Ev to ride her trike

10. Run, everyday!

Is this overachieving? Maybe...we will see.

The race continues

About a year and a half ago I took up running through Fitmom/C and C Fitness in Okotoks. This was a great activity for me. It was quite often the only quiet time in my week. For several reasons, none really worth it in the end I stopped running for about 8 months. A few weeks back Mike and I decided to do the next run club out of C and C together. Read: I forced Mike to come with me initially but now he enjoys it..lol

The first week back was 3 sets of 2 minute run, 1 minute walk. I thought I may die at the end and couldn't not possibly see myself ever accomplishing the 5k goal that was at the time only 9 weeks away. Now abut 4 weeks in we are doing 4kms! On Saturday we did 5 sets of 5 minute runs 1 minute walks. I felt like I was going to die but the distance is significantly further from where we were only a few weeks ago. The 5k Mother's Day run now seems like a goal I am capable of accomplishing and I think with some hard work I may actually do it in a decent time. The best part of the run time is that we do it as a family. Evelyn looks forward to the run in the stroller and Google is exhausted at the end which makes for quiet evenings at home from all. So far we have been running 3 times/week but I think I may throw another couple in just to build my endurance and my speed. I have never been fast but I think I could definitely be faster. My hope is to do the Mother's day race in under 40 minutes and to have hopefully lost a few more pounds in the process.

Cheer me on!

Activities in Calgary this weekend...

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

Aggie Days is running at the Calgary BMO Center. Enjoy interactive agriculture activities including cow milking, sheep shearing, farm animals, book corner, corn maze and more! There is also a free pancake breakfast served to the first 1000 people on Saturday and Sunday. You can find more details here.

DO SMELL LEARN GROW
Spruce Meadows has the Calgary Horticultural Society Garden Show. There are a tonne of fun things to see and do including planting a crafts for the little ones. I am not exactly a green thumb but I LOVE gardening. Hopefully I can make it out on Sunday and learn a few more tips and tricks. You can check out the website for the event here.
Note: Parking at Spruce Meadows is free.

Things I Love Fridays...

Prairie Girl Couture is not only a local Alberta designer but Christina also makes beautiful clothes. With a wide range of sizes (including custom orders) you are sure to find something to fit from this line. Her latest project is this ruffled trench...I just may be splurging for a new coat. I am thinking this coat in cloud would be an absolute asset to my wardrobe...love

You can follow Prairie Girl Couture on facebook here, the blog here, and the etsy store is here

Even More Awesome

How have I not heard of these books???

Have any of you read them?

From the author of the #1 International Bestseller "The Book of Awesome" and the award-winning, multimillion-hit website 1000awesomethings.com comes... EVEN MORE of the little things that make us smile every day! Neil Pasricha is back with a collection of hundreds more awesome things that deserve celebration including: Coming back to your own bed after a long trip Sneaking cheaper candy into the movie theater Stepping on dry crunchy leaves on the sidewalk Letting go of the gas pump perfectly so you end on a round number When a baby falls asleep on you Finally peeing after holding it forever Pulling a weed and getting all the roots with it Seeing old people holding hands When your pet notices you're in a bad mood and comes to see you When your windshield wipers match the beat of the song you're listening to The smooth feeling on your teeth after you get your braces off When the hiccups stop Driving from a rough road onto a smooth one Puppy breath When the houseguest leaves When the person you're meeting is even later than you are Getting the keys to your first apartment There's even space for you to write your very own Awesome Things in the back. Because couldn't we all use (even more) AWESOME!? (taken from chapters.indigo.ca)

What is your awesome?

My latest is when Evelyn gets up in the morning, gets me up and then goes back to bed so I can come wake her up.

Feed Your Soul...the free art project

Simple click on the images found here to download them into a PDF then print off and frame...how fun!

The above are some of my personal faves from the site...I am thinking I will print them off and put them up in my ensuite bathroom. Will post pics when this latest project gets accomplished.

Hello Martha

On the weekend we had some friends over for supper. I was super impressed with how my organic Hutterite chicken came out. Just in case you were wondering those are turnips and carrots in the bottom of the roaster. I did the chicken with red wine (Merlot), lemon, rosemary, garlic, onion and salt and pepper.

It was delish if I do say so myself.

10 on Tuesday...for all the pregnant girls out there!

This post is dedicated to all my friends who are due, overdue, or about to have a baby in the very near future...10 old wives tales to induce labour...

1. Cod liver oil
There are reports of castor oil being used to bring on labour as far back as the Egyptians, though how it works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative, and when it stimulates the gut it also stimulates the uterus and so "kick starts" labour.

2. Blowing Up Balloons
The build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.

3. Eating Pineapple
Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help to soften the cervix

4. Spicy Food
Spicy food is often suggested as a means of bringing on labour. There are no scientific theories relating to this, but it may be that it stimulates the gut and bowel and so encourages the uterus to get going by that means.

5. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves putting very small needles into specific points of the body. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, this stimulates the energy within the body to restore balance and boost healing.

6. Red Raspberry Leaf
Raspberry leaf can be taken as a tea or in tablet form.

7. Walking
Being upright gets the forces of gravity working for you, encouraging the baby to move down onto the cervix.

8. Sex
Sex is thought to work in three ways: first the movement may help to stimulate the uterus into action; secondly, sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, the 'contraction' hormone; thirdly, semen contains a high concentration of prostaglandins which help to soften the womb.

9. Fancy Underwear
Wear your best underwear (Murphy's law will ensure that your waters break in them).

10. Jump On A Trampoline
This is my personal favorite as it is what I attribute to my water breaking. We have a small one in our playroom that any of you are more than welcome to come and use. :)

All of the above are simply wives tales and not exactly guaranteed to work but I would appreciate it if all my preggers friends out there would utilize all of the above methods until their babies are born so that I have some new little ones to snuggle and love on!

Things I Love Fridays...

Sarah Richardson: Interior designer, television hostess and textile goddess created this amazing nursery for her new design show "Sarah 101". I am ever impressed by Sarah's ability to mix fabrics and make the most basic of pieces look beautiful, fresh and modern while always still having a bit of a classic vibe. I mean seriously, this nursery was inspired by a paisley wallpaper that they put on the ceiling! Sarah, if you ever read this...would you please come decorate my home!

Anyone wanting to check out more of Sarah Richardson's amazing work check out her website here.