Money

J and I have decided, involuntarily, to be more frugal with our money. At first it was difficult, we were so used to going out and doing/buying what we pleased. We realized how much we were spending on take out for one. We could spend $40 on a breakfast at a restaurant. 40 dollars! That's almost a 3rd of our entire grocery bill for a week! Something had to be done if we wanted to move forward with our money. Money is security right? I hate that fact but it is the truth.
We've stopped eating out. If we feel like bacon and eggs, we'll buy the ingredients and cook a feast at home. It's much more comfortable doing this with the loud one year old who doesn't like sitting at restaurants anyway.
Instead of strolling the shops when we have nothing better to do, spending money on things we don't need, we've been strolling to the park. This is saving our fuel and we're not buying unnecessary items. It's also a tonne of fun.
I'm the biggest water bottle buyer when I'm out. It's so bad for the environment and a waste of money when I can re use the trillion bottles I have rolling around my car or I can just buy a reusable one and have it forever!
These are just the major points we're fixing at the moment but if anyone has anymore tips on being frugal please share!

I am the baby wrangler

If you haven't gathered (or don't know me) my husband works away.
Yes this can be tough with an ever growing, crazy baby (toddler?) and lately when J is home we fight. We fight about who does what, who deserves more, who works harder blah blah blah.
I'm having an epiphany. Bare with me.
Does it matter whose changed the most bums, whose cleaned the most dishes, whose driven the farthest whose had the most sleepless nights?
No it does not. We are both sacrificing so much to be able to live the life we lead. I'm devoted to the child and yes, i do have to miss out on some things to put his needs before my own but I am a mother and that is my job.
J is sacrificing much much more then I, he is missing out on precious time with his son and his wife, to provide a comfortable life for us. I appreciate this more then I can say, yet I am not showing it in my actions towards James.
I am an entitled person, I hate it and am trying my best to change. I do not like entitled people and I wish I was not one. I want things I know I do not need but this is human right?
I want my husband and child to have everything their hearts desire but I also want seb to grow up knowing the value of a dollar and realize most of his wants are not needs. I want him to be the most courteous and well mannered child there is. First I need to be this way to set an example for my son.
This points me in the direction of frugal living. I'll save that for another post

sunday

i may have posted before about how i hate Sunday's.
today this wasn't the case. today was great.
My sister came up from Brisbane with our childhood friend Mel, my mum also joined us and we all headed down to a park by the beach, next to the skate park to watch a free concert (homegrown) it was in aid of national youth week.
i forgot how much i love music/live music.
I found when i became a mother i lost a lot of what was me. i didn't listen to much music when i was pregnant partly because i was sick for months and partly because i had so much else to think about, music just slipped my mind. crazy right?
Before James and Seb i would listen to my ipod all day everyday at work, go out on weekends, see bands and listen to music non stop.
I've started turning on the radio when we're sitting at home or plugging the ipod into the dock but id forgotten how much music there is out there that i had no idea about.
I do enjoy a bit of hardcore and love Bring me the horizon  even though their lyrics are a bit controversial, i found A day to remember to be the perfect balance or screamo and singing. I love the quirkiness of Panic @ the disco and actually saw them in concert when i was 17. My other all time favourite band is You me at six.
After listening to the bands today i am now downloading all the music i used to love and listen to constantly that i lost along the way. it feels good.
From now on i will not put off going to concerts because i am a wife and mother. Seb came with us today and i think he loved it just as much as i did.

I really need to start taking my camera places, sorry for the crappy quality of iphones!

'Bout time

Seb is taking steps!
wont be long now until he'll be full blown walking! I'm nervous yet excited. it's definitely bittersweet.

Let's talk about food

J has been home for what seems like ages. It's only been 6 nights but I still have another with him. That's the longest we've had since February!
Lots of food has been consumed around these parts in the last week. It has been delicious.
Delicious wedding food Saturday night (risotto balls, yum!) Sunday we went to an organic cafe, it was tasty but super expensive which put a damper on the whole meal.
I made a delicious lentil bolognese that I shall be posting a recipe for as soon as J leaves.
Bacon and eggs have also been a hit. The highlight of the food consumption definitely was San churros. It was a bit of a girly date night which I reallllyyyy needed. Jayde I know you will be reading this so thanks for inviting me!

Life lately (via iPhone pictures)

J is home and I turn into a lazy blogger

pre wedding time

best lolly table at the reception

beautiful couple

so close to walking!

my first thrift find!

I'd been obsessing over these forever, i got them half price!

Just write

I'd had enough
My ears bled from the whines
My teeth ached from the grind
When will this child let up?
I stormed into my room and closed the door.
His dad was asleep on the couch, he'll be okay for 5 minutes.
Bang went the door mamamama went the baby.
Just leave me alone I prayed
He left.
I could hear his chattering and playing, his toy box lid.
5 minutes went by.
I went to find him, I found him playing quietly in his room, it was beautiful, as soon as his ears heard my steps and his eyes caught my face, it started again.

Can I just say

Sons of anarchy! Holey crow!
I just finished all 4 seasons, probably the greatest tv series, my eyes are burning. If you haven't already been hooked, start watching, you will not be dissapointed and if you aren't a fan you should probably stop reading my blog now as there is bound to be lots of SOA talk going down.

Back to reality, Easter was a bust at our place. J had a bachelor party the night before so he was in no state to participate in fun activities. We ate McDonald's for dinner (something we never do) and went to bed early.
We ended up going out for dinner last night, I was in a horrible hormonal mood thinking everyone was judging me and cursing the baby for making us go out for dinner so early. Turns out going out to eat early is the cooollesttt!
We got awesome 'early bird' specials.
I had the poached fish with a tomato white wine sauce on a bed of creamy mash. It was a party in my mouth. J had lasagna and said it was a hearty meal. Apparently it's getting cold at night so I was super happy to be going home to snuggle up at 6:30 pm!

Oh and the reason for Seb's ickness...teeth!! He's popping them out like a boss!!

13 months

I've caught the baby fever! Does this happen to all mothers when their baby turns into a 'toddler'?
He's been sick this week though, so I have been getting some of the ol' baby cuddles. But the whining that goes with the sickness is deafening. Poor guy, but poor mama too right?
Seb can say cheese, car, mama, dada and what's that.
He's still not walking but I'm convinced he can, he'll take steps but then sit down, he's as stubborn as all hell.
I am loving this age though, he cracks me up everyday.

the weekend

The weather has been so beautiful the last week. Not too hot but the sun is shining! i love autumn.
J was home this weekend so we spent a good chunk of it outdoors.

my whole family came to play saturday and the park was lovely, Peb loved crawling around chasing the seagulls, and sucking on bottles, clearly.

Monday

I cannot get enough of this song! Might be a little lame and teeny bopper-ish of me but it so seriously catchy. This is definitely getting grooved too in my place.

The accoustic version is rad too.