Photo Friday - week 4

Despite the weather man saying it'll rain, rain, rain, we've had some stunning days, giving me an opportunity to get out and make the most of it.

That is except when Mini Me plays up. I blame a combination of growing pains and the full moon.

 

1. Trapped: It's a gorgeous day out but do to an unsettled baby I'm trapped indoors.

2. Men being manly: The sun is shining, the BBQs are sizzling and men gather at the fire.

3. Happy baa-thday: who needs traditional candles when any old one will do.

4. Mini Me's perspective: I always wondered what Mini Me saw from her pram. Now I know and boy is my hair frizzy!

 

5. A Mini Me Minute: so many faces in such a short time.

6. It's the little things: these little minions are ready to make my coffee.

7. My perspective: and this is the perspective I have every morning after her feed, some play time on the mat.

Year of dates - Barrel of laughs at Charles Hotel

Mini Me had hardly slept and was over-tired, over-stimulated and I was over her. So it was with great pleasure that I handed her over to my mum while Hubby and I went out on our first official date from his birthday present.



Not knowing what sort of child we would have, or whether this would be the first time we'd leave her with someone else, I chose a date night that would be close to home, low key and inject some humour into our lives (in case we had forgotten the tinkling sound of laughter).

Turns out I didn't need to worry about any of those things.

But there is something nice about going to a place where you know what to expect when you step in, the beers are cold but the chicken parmas are cheesy. The Charles Hotel in North Perth has all of that.

Every Thursday the Charles hosts a comedy night that either has the building quivering with laughter, or stone cold silence.

We've been to some of the nights before and have experienced both and for $18 per person you don't mind either way. Thankfully on our date night we were laughing loud and hard. It was a great line-up and the parma and steak sandwich didn't disappoint.

Though the laughs were great, the best thing about the night was chatting to each other. Surprisingly we had lots to say that didn't revolve around Mini Me, which is my biggest fear. And thankfully Hubby put his mobile phone down for an hour to focus on me.

At the end of the night we were glad to get out, share a meal, have a laugh and get our sanity back a bit.

To top it off, we got home and Mini Me was fast asleep, the kitchen cleaned and bed was calling.

The Charles Hotel - Comedy Lounge
509 Charles Street, North Perth
Every Thursday night - doors open 7pm for 8pm start
P: 9444 1051
W: http://www.charleshotel.com.au/

Photo Friday - week 3

This week I found myself taking lots of abstract, close up shots.

It was such a sunny week in Perth you'd think I'd take lots of blue sky shots. And I ate out a lot, so food porn shots should've been all the rage.

But no I chose to zoom in and be all arty with textures and what not.

1. In Cloud 9: It was rainy outside, Mini Me was asleep and I was snuggled in my doona.

2. Food can: A quick trip to the local farmer's market and Hubby fills up on a Cuban sandwich.

3. Through the looking glass: A drink for Mini Me and a drink for me.

4. Playing with colours: another world or home?

5. Shooting hoops: Hubby relived his childhood at our local school. This one did not go in.

6. Ferny: my new fern on our outdoor table.

7. Here's looking at you kid: When lost for inspiration, the kid works alright.

Market fresh: Kyilla Farmer's Market

I love to smell fruit and vegetables.

My favourites are tomatos that seem to capture the scent of the sun or ripe mangoes that smell like a muggy summer night.

Shopping at Woolies and Coles is great because everything you need is under one roof. But the mass produced, generic fruit and veg generally lacks the smells I crave.

That's why I laughed at the looming grey clouds threatening to unleash on Saturday to visit the Kyilla Farmer's Market in North Perth.

A small bit of blue sky at the Kyilla Farmer's Market

Set up by the Kyilla Primary School with an aim to bring the community together every Saturday between 8.30am and 11.30am, the market grows each week in numbers and stalls.

Ms Z lives nearby and after the first market she said it lacked a crepe stall. Hey Presto! Next week there was a crepe stall.

The market has everything you need for a weekend shop - two fruit & veg stalls, a seafood Monger, fresh pasta, bakery (with jam donuts that are meant to be so jammy they sell out very quickly), small goods and dips seller and coffee churning away.

Have a grumbling stomach? Fixed.

There's the aforementioned crepe stall and bakery with tasty morsels testing at every stall, a paella or Spanish egg stand and what I hope is the start of a new craze in Perth, a food van.

The Cuban Sandwich Co van only sells it's signature pulled pork roll with sweet pork, peppery jalapeño aioli, crispy lettuce and crunchy roll. After a taste test, Hubby couldn't help but buy one.

Located on a park off Clievenden St, the Kyilla Farmer's Market is a nice Saturday outing, particularly for those with a need to smell their produce.

Kyilla Farmer's Market
Kyilla Park on Clieveden Street, North Perth
W: http://kyillacommunityfarmersmarket.com.au/

 

Baby boom! Gift ideas

There's been a baby boom in Perth.

I have a list on my phone of 'Preggo due dates' with 13 women on it. That is 13 people I directly know popping out a little human. That doesn't include all the women I've met since with babies.

What my own Mini Me and 13 other babies has taught me is the art of present buying for expectant first, second or fifth time parents.

So I stop reinventing the wheel, here are my never fail gifts (sorry to those about to pop out a bub, you know what you're getting):

Pregnancy gift

Being pregnant can be a dream run or nauseous nightmare for some. For those on the long nine month (but you generally find out with six months left) I put together this little Preggo Pack:

• Bio oil - maybe it's my genetics, but I think it was this oil that saved me from stretch marks
• Chocolates - because they are for any celebration
• Raspberry Leaf Tea - for drinking after 36 weeks to help bring on labour
• Necklace/jewellery/accessory - to remind the mum to be she's still a woman
• Book for dad - really depends on the type of dad. Could be a funny, mushy or with helpful tips, but something to help him connect
• Fruit/veggie to show the baby size - depending on what week you give the present, this will also help dad visualise the little growing bub

Almost new mum / baby shower gift

Aside from the gorgeous clothes and toys, I found these few items the most helpful as a new mum, and hardly anyone brought them for me:

• Nipple cream - a horrible truth about being a new mum is ALL the breast feeding. This cream was the only thing that saved my nipples
• Water bottle - I was surprised how thirsty I was and always needed water on hand
• Packet of muesli bars - I was also surprised at how hungry I was and how hard it was to eat. These are good easy snacks
• Travel pack of baby wipes - aside from nappies I used so many baby wipes. Perfect for almost any emergency
• Pre-bub massage/pedicure - a final chance to relax or pamper those feet she lost sight of months ago

New parents

While flowers, more baby clothes and champagne were all lovely gifts, the best gifts were gifts of food. Anything in the freezer packed full of healthy goodness and easy to reheat were greeted with the most enthusiasm. Yes it doesn't last forever and you can't say 'blah blah brought you that' but it will go a long way to helping a new parents sanity.

These are my little tips. I wonder what other's go to presents are for new parents...