Camping 101

Once you've got the basic camping gear all you really need is firewood, warm clothes and chocolate and you can survive.  This past weekend though we gathered up some extra special ingredients that made this camping trip one that none of us are likely to forget - Grandparents and Great Grandparents. We camped on air mattresses in tents in the forest with four generations of my husband's family from Baby Beth 3 months old to Pa Pa 83 years old.

It was an idea that we weren't sure could be executed - in theory it sounded wonderful and Rob's Pa is still an adventurer - but this is freezing cold conditions in the middle of the forest with no facilities sleeping 15cms off the ground. There was concerns for the warmth and comfort of our youngest and oldest campers but both ends of the spectrum breezed through and loved every minute of it.

It really was a once in a lifetime camping trip and I am thrilled that Noah got to experience it.

(Almost) the whole group gathered around the fire

Youngest and oldest campers enjoying special cuddles

Noah, Pa and Beth

Many many cups of billy tea and coffee were enjoyed around the campfire

Time for fun

Time for relaxation

Plenty of time for oohing and ahhing at babies

Having a paddle

Campfire Cake just for fun 

(idea stolen from Frog, Goose and Bear blog)

Camping food is simple but sooo yummy

The hammock is the place for lots of fun (not much relaxation)

I couldn't resist some little goodie bags to celebrate this extra special camping trip

Never underestimate the joy of the post-camping bath!!

Don't Worry Be Happy

I've been absent.  I don't know what to write.  There has been an elephant in the room.  I'm pregnant but I'm scared to write (talk) about it.  I'm not superstitious just an old fashioned worrier. Being a worrier is in fact one of the many contradictions in my personality.  I don't worry about hundreds of other things that lots of people do - BPA's, cancer from everything, numbers in my food, the latest scary research on X.Y & Z, kids falling, mysterious rashes, serious sounding coughs. I'm an 'it'll be alright kind of gal' in many many ways but when it comes to being pregnant I'm a nervous wreck.

I have every right to be - I have a very checkered history.  My first son died in utero at 26 weeks and my beautiful boy Noah was born healthy but after a very tumultuous pregnancy with multiple scares along the way.

I know this pregnancy could be perfect - logic tells me this.  My inner worrier lies awake at night thinking about what could happen.  I have unexplained blood and autoimmune 'things' that nobody is really sure about.  The Dr's are constantly guessing at what caused Banjo's death.  In the end it could have been a one off freak of nature but they're not sure so we test everything and monitor everything just in case.  It's a nightmare.

I wish for the innocence of those first 26 weeks of my first pregnancy.  I was just swanning around without a care in the world.  Ignorance really is bliss.

Today I had a scan.  I have them scheduled every 2 weeks.  My doctor is happy for me to go in earlier if I am feeling worried.  This time I lasted 8 days.

Each time I see that little heart beating I am reassured - for a couple of days I am full of confidence then the niggling doubts creep in.

I wish I could enjoy the ride but I really just want a healthy baby in my arms to make our family complete.

It shouldn't be this hard.