Tuesday, 26 November 2013

My Journey into motherhood

When I married the love of my life (my husband) back in 2006, it was never far from our minds that hopefully one day, we would become parents.

I had dreamed of becoming a mother even before marriage and knew there would be challenges in getting there, but nothing could have prepared us for the whirlwind of emotions that we would have to endure.

This is my story…

Our dream to become parents started in 2006. Happily married & ready to start our little family.
Time passed quickly and flicked over to 2007, then 2008,  reality started to sink in…that I was still not pregnant, after many failed pregnancy tests month after month, year after year, the tears & disappointment began to flood my heart. I became frustrated and found myself pondering the thoughts (inwardly), “Would I ever become a mother? Was motherhood really going to happen for me?
Or just a dream, that would stay a dream forever in our hearts?

It was a gut wrenching feeling having my emotions dangling by a thread as these thoughts rushed through my mind like a torrent.
So many questions & so many unanswered ones…I began to search the internet for answers.

It wasn’t long before I found an informative forum website that was a wealth of knowledge for me, from other fellow C.F women who were in the same situation as me.
This forum helped me A LOT and somewhat eased my fears that I was not alone in the challenges I faced on my journey to motherhood.

In 2009, we sort out fertility treatment…and it wasn’t long before many more options were available to us and my dream to motherhood felt alive again!

That same year…just as I was about to undergo my first IUI (intra uterine insemination), my dad suddenly passed away, leaving me devastated & in shock!
I was close to my father and needed time to grieve.
Soon after, my health took a tumble and I was back in hospital again coping with a chest infection. I decided to wait to proceed with IUI, until my health was stable again.

In August 2010, I finally started my first IUI. The fertility doctor had warned us that the first attempt might not take, so we had braced ourselves for whatever was ahead.

The first IUI did not take & so I scheduled myself in for another I.U.I the next month.
Unfortunately the second did not take either.
After many I.U.I’s, needle prodding’s & constant blood work to check for ovulation, it all became quite overwhelming. Every I.U.I I went through, felt like a cruel joke at the end of the month, like nature was laughing in my face.

Depression started to sink its teeth in me, my hopes & dreams seem to dwindle…and as every month of failed IUI’s passed, that hope started to slowly fade & diminish.

By this stage, our friends had already started their families and were happily enjoying the fruits of their success as parents. We were really happy for them, but on the other hand… I was deeply saddened that it wasn’t happening for us. I always carried a crying feeling that I could not shake, no matter how hard I tried!

At the beginning of 2011, I decided to take a break from all the fertility treatment I had endured and just relax and enjoy life with my wonderful loving husband & our cute little(fur baby- (doggie) Lilly. I also thought that perhaps it wasn’t our time to be parents just yet…so I decided to trust God in all of this.

In 2012, we moved into a rental house out at Ardmore- literally opposite the buzzing airfield!

In November 2012, I decided to try my very last IUI fertility treatment.
At the time, I didn’t think it was going to take, because all the other 4 attempts had failed!
And at this stage, I was trying to rush the last IUI because we wanted to start IVF the year after & I wasn’t getting any younger either!!! LOL

Well IVF was not meant to be…because on November 2012, I conceived our little baby boy.
I still remember taking that first pregnancy test in sheer disbelief, looking at it thinking…
”Is this really happening?!! Can I really be pregnant??!!”

I had to take 4 pregnancy tests just to be sure that day!!! They all turned out to be positives!
I remember jumping for joy & hugging my husband, feeling ecstatic and overjoyed!
My dream of becoming a mother had BECOME a reality! Lol

The next day, I rang fertility clinic and they sent for blood work to be done. The blood work came back ‘A Positive Pregnancy’ and the following week I had to repeat the process.
Again blood work came back positive! J

I had my very first ultrasound done at 6 weeks.
A healthy little embryo had nestled itself into my uterus wall, like it was cuddling the mummy in waiting.
At 8 weeks, another ultrasound was done. As we saw the monitor…a little heartbeat flickered- this little baby’s heartbeat was strong!
“Congratulations!” the doctor said. “You have a tiny little, healthy embryo in there!”
Alec & I looked at each other with such excitement and joy.

Our dream to become parents had come true! And my dream of experiencing motherhood had finally arrived after nearly 7 years of trying to conceive! J

There’s not really much to say about my pregnancy…except that it was smooth sailing, as far as pregnancies go!
No morning sickness- just the hunger pangs! Lol
My lung function remained stable throughout my pregnancy & even made me feel’ healthier’ during it.
I Did decide however, to have I.Vs towards the end of my second trimester, just to make sure I would stay healthy- post natal.

A stable lung function is’ key’ to a successful pregnancy & keeping a healthy balanced diet and a healthy weight up is also another key.
Being as active & fit as you can be, also help too.

On August the 8th, 2013, our long awaited, precious baby boy ADAM was born…
Aka- ‘Little Blessing’ J
Weighing 7 pounds & 12 ounces. Measuring at 51cms tall.

Adam was delivered by caesarean, due to me only dilating 7cms during my labour, though my waters broke naturally. The surgeon who delivered our little baby boy, called him ‘Perfectly Average’. Though to us, he is just perfect! J

Looking back, I don’t regret it for one minute!
I am truly loving motherhood & my husband is loving daddyhood!

Little Adam brings us so much joy. He gives us so many smiles. We truly feel very blessed!
Nothing compares in life, the happiness and contentment that our family is now three! J

I want to encourage other fellow cfers who may be thinking that they too would like to become mummies & daddies…dreams can come true!

So if that’s your dream…never give up hope!


Miracles do happen! Our Little Blessing’s living proof of that! ;)











Friday, 2 August 2013

Our Peter Rabbit Themed Nursery- A touch of loving kindness...




Hello Journey followers,

First little note to our precious little baby boy...

Alec & I have dreamt of this moment for 7 seven long years, when we will look into your cute innocent, little baby boy's eyes, with an overwhelming sense of pride. 

An amazing and beautiful love we never thought possible until that time arrives.


In awe of what the Lord has blessed us so abundantly and dearly with. 

Words will not describe, just how precious you are our sweet little baby boy, so close and dear to our hearts.What rays of sunshine this little one will bring into our lives.

Little blessing...please know, that we you will be LOVED and (right now are LOVED) so dearly. 
We will endeavour to give you the best life has to offer within our power to do so. 
May you be a blessing not just to us, your parents, though to many others as you begin your little journey into this big wide world very soon.

We love you so much! Enjoy your little Peter Rabbit nursery (little blessing),

With love, from your loving & adoring parents to be....

Mummy & Daddy xxoo



Well it has been a long time coming...hand selecting, collecting each and every single unique piece for our little Peter Rabbit nursery. 

One we will experience and we will always cherish- the journey to find creative ways to show our little baby boy when he arrives just how much his mummy & daddy love him so dearly :)

Months & months of preparation and planning have lovingly been poured into this project of love, blissfully aware of our pending little blessing, 'soon to be' carefully placed into our loving arms.


What a delight to decorate the entire room! :)


My colour palette included: 

Peppermint green, pastel baby blue, white and a hint of chocolate brown :)

The prints you see on the wall were carefully selected to create the perfect characters for a little baby boys room. 


Jeremy Fisher - (the frog) has to be one of my favourite characters, as it enhances the colour palette for this Peter Rabbit themed nursery.


The choclately teddy bear painting (in the middle of the 2 prints), was kindly and lovingly hand painted creatively by me :)


The Sleigh crib/cot and slightly French looking drawers with black handles, were lovingly sanded, primed and painted quarter rice cake white- refurbished by Alec- my hubby. 

This took him a great deal of time to complete and for that I THANK YOU HUBBY BEAR :) 

All of the furniture you see here was purchased second hand online, including the designer Ikea armchair- though the covers are new :)


The peppermint poke-a-dot throw over the Ikea armchair was brought new, to add a splash of colour to not only the room but to add a finishing touch to the arm armchair.


The touchwood change table was also purchased online second hand. Its coasters make for easy mobility when having to move from nursery to bathroom :)


The white chateau lamp was purchased at a store when on sale price. I brought this because it had vintage appeal and yet with a classical hint of elegance mixed with provincial French flair :)

This is another one of my favourite pieces that complements the nursery.

I have also added a photo of the Moses basket bassinet, our little baby boy will be in for a few months. he will be in the master bedroom with us for a while before he sleeps in his nursery.

The Moses basket bassinet is kindly on loan from my sister Renee & brother in law Matt. Thank you both :)

Unfortunately I did not get round to completing my own handmade Peter Rabbit baby mobile, as I simply did not have enough time to complete the project. 

Though it is half finished, so hopefully I can complete the mobile when baby is born.

Though, were will one simply have the time with newborn and all?? 

It may just be wishful thinking on my part! lol

The Peter Rabbit baby mobile you see here was clearly hung with baby blue satin ribbon and little bows (tied by me) where tied to the ribbon to given the mobile that vintage look and feel- it kinda remind's me a bit of Peter Pan with the bows & satin ribbon hanging down from the ceiling too ;) 


Anyway we hope you enjoy seeing our 'Little Baby Boy Peter Rabbit Nursery'


Enjoy! Journey Followers :)







Until I blog Again...Shine 




Thursday, 4 July 2013

Our Ducky Themed Baby Party- For Our Pending Arrival :)


Hello again journey followers,


So I thought it was about time to post up some pic of our baby party/shower that happened 2 months ago in May! :) 

Sorry its been a long time coming, though with being in my third trimester...i'm finding it physically exhausting at the moment! Lol


Before I continue on...just a little update on how many weeks I am along in pregnancy :) 

I'm currently weeks 34.
Yes, its getting very close indeed & it feels like there is not a lot of time to get the last minute/few things organised in the nursery! I find when things become too fast paced for me, I end up having to bring my thoughts back to a place where I can pace myself and just focus on each day as it comes :) 
As I am writing this, a bible verse pops into my head and it reads:


Come all who are weary and I will give you rest. 



Also another verse that has been in my mind this whole week is:



Take no thought what you shall eat, what you shall drink, for there is the evil of the day.



Forgive me on where these are referenced in the bible, but I am sure if you were to look these up in a bible concordance you would find these bible verses :)



Anyway moving on...



So Our baby Party went off really well!! :) Many of our guests attended & it was so lovely to have our friends celebrate with us on this special occasion and catch up with them all :)



Some of the photos on here where taken by my sister Renee & the baby party invitation example, little gift tags wrapped around organza bags with peppermint treats for guests, were kindly created and printed by my sister Renee who has had over 10 years experience in the graphic design field :)



If you get a chance, check out her Facebook page called CINCH CREATIVE: 






I should also mention the cake, 'it's A Boy' bunting/banner, table layout and decoration were created and organised by me. 

I had so much fun creating our baby boy bunting and cake!! :) 
Though, I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of my team: Renee, Mum & my awesome, most supportive hubby in the world!! Thank you guys!! :) 



So here they are...our baby party photos! Enjoy!! :)
















Well that's it journey followers...


Until I write again...

Take care of yourselves,  
*hugs* Shine :)






Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Smiling Eyes...

Hello journey followers,


Its been quite a while since my last post...though i am happy to say I will be back on here a bit more this year! :)

Now a little poem... 

Seven years of waiting...seven years of yearning, never knowing if we would ever see our dream & miracle come true...

Drifting through our pain of tears, in silence, no one ever knew our hearts grew weary, the wanting, the hoping & the asking! 

A journey that would lead us on an emotional roller coaster. 
A journey that would bring us closer together & now the waiting is over!! 

Springtime is here! The season of blessings is here! 
And we will forever be grateful to our heavenly Father who never forgets!

His promises are true...He remembers...He hears the cries of our hearts...
and 
He never forgets! 

We are very happy to announce...that we will be expecting our little miracle in August...our very own baby boy! It has been a long time coming! Though certainly worth the wait! :)

We have waited seven years for our little bundle of joy to choose us as parents & to begin a new journey, a new chapter in our lives. 
What joy we shall have...these future memories will last a life time & we cannot wait!! :)

Until I write again...
Take care, journey followers...

Shine :)




Wednesday, 4 July 2012

Still here :)

Hello Journey followers,


My apologies for not blogging for quite awhile. 
I know I promised in my last blog I was going to show you more of my illustrations with this short story children's book I've been talking about, though because of being unwell for several months & having moved house, I have had a few distractions as you can see. Yeah life happens...so I hope you can forgive me about my absence on here


This is a short message to let you know I'm still here & will be blogging again soon.


Until then, take care,


Hugs, Shine :)







Thursday, 6 October 2011

Thoughts of the day...

Hello friends :) 


So I know I said my next post was going to be 'Part 2' of how my storybook came to be...though I came across an interesting, inspiring and refreshing quote from a well known, famous person that I felt encouraged by...




A quote from Albert Einstein...




This quote touched my heart deeply...as not everyone learns the same...and not everyone's life is the same. 
We are all unique and different in who we are. 
That's what makes us SO AWESOME! So THANK YOU Albert Einstein... even though you have passed on through...I needed to hear that! :)


--------------------------------------------------------------


Also another thought for the day: 


Clones are okay...if your going for mediocre! 
Though if you want a LIFE of adventure, fullness & happiness...one key remains: 


BE YOURSELF and BECOME something AWESOME that your CREATOR intended you to be.


'The assignment' is in YOUR hands! Though one simple question remains...


WHAT are YOU going to DO with YOUR LIFE assignment...? That is the question... ;)



There WILL ONLY EVER BE ONE YOU


So...MAKE the MOST of it each day :)



It has been said...that we have an assignment in life...and it IS YOURS to FIND OUT! 
GO ON...I DARE YA! ;)

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'The adventure'is in the FINDING :) 


FIND your Passion, 


GRAB every moment with both hands- opportunities are everywhere! :) 


BE a friend to Someone


HELP someone in need...perhaps an elderly person...?
Sometimes, they have a wealth of knowledge...because they have LIVED LONGER than many of us...& you know what...


Grey hairs are to be celebrated!


GIVE to be a blessing and give of 'your time' to others  Family & friends might be a good place to start ;) 


And lastly...


LOVE your next door neighbour as yourself :) 
Perhaps a friendly, neighbourly wave hello won't go unnoticed...Or perhaps baking some freshly, made goodies and taking them over to introduce yourself to the neighbours...might be a GOOD way to make 'new friends'...Just a thought... :)


Though whatever you do in Your Journey...


remember...Be KIND to YOURSELF & OTHERS around you ...


As Your CREATOR LOVED YOU :) 


Also I was told of a movie- called: THE HELP which is a heart warming movie to see...so with that in mind...I will check it out when my storybook is finished.






Well my fellow followers...hope you enjoyed reading my post...next post I PROMISE will show some of my completed illustrations- in COLOUR I might add :)




Until I blog again...


Yours Faithfully...*Huggles*


Shine :)





Tuesday, 27 September 2011

Storybook...and life...hehe :)

Hello friends :)


So it's 3:16am in N.Z and...and yes- I do get the occasional 'I can't sleep syndrome' aka...insomnia! Lol 
Though I quite like being awake at this time of the night...okay I admit it...I LOVE to be a night OWL ;) 


How DO I explain my week??!...Hmmm let me see...ahhh yes...


My Week: 


Lots has happened...clinic appointment yesterday...quite happy with the clinical test results :) Yes I AM picking up my MATT and WALKING ;) Studying like a MAD hatter that's lost his fine, bone china, tea cup or...may it's the steroids I'm on- (joking about the steroids btw)!...Yes so...you can all breathe a sign of relieve! Haha!


Sweet! :D


Now that we have got past 'the basics'...onto the next few little precious moments I have planned and am awfully looking forward to accomplishing this week :)


Buying some darn right, good old fashion. board games...magnetic in fact! 
Throw in two citronella candles, a rather fluorescent green dome and some chocolates and what have you got? Have I caught your attention yet? ;)


Well i'll give you hint...Nature at it's best...sleeping under the stars...


If you guessed the answer...Yes that's right folks! We are going CAMPING this weekend!! YEEHAAAA! ;D What a treat it will be for our dear little pup Lilly...who has never experienced camping before!! :D I don'y know who is more excited...her or me??!! Haha!


This hoilday couldn't have come sooner! :) 
We have the perfect location set...though my lips are sealed as to it's whereabouts...sorry ;) And No- it's NOT the BACKYARD!! Hehe :)


Now onto other matters...


Some of you might be wondering...How my Children's Illustration dummy book- (mock up book) is going...? 


Well as best as it can be...given the 6 week time frame ;) 


So here's the goss/update: 


I now have scanned images of my illustrations, so far so good ;) Today I will be at some point...cutting down more of my text-e text...in order to get *drum roll pleeeaassee*
All 32 pages of illustration in my dummy book, before the end of this course- finishing early October this year. Ek! Lol


Here is an example- one of my Children's storybook illustrations...






Will Shine make it in the world of  Children's Fairy Tale books and get her book completed? FIND OUT in world of Children's Illustrating course: Part 2 land??!! 


Stay LOGGED IN to find OUT!! :)


To be continued... ;)




Well this is all the time I have for now...


Oh yes...and before I end off...here's some food for thought I have recently been thinking about...


"When crappy negativity is flying in all different direction towards you in life...just remember...
Your ONE STEP CLOSER to becoming the person your CREATOR INTENDED YOU TO BE...ONE step closer to a VICTORY!" :) Keep the FAITH! Yay! ;D


Until I blog again...


Yours Faithfully...
Shine *Huggles* ^-^