Ariana's Baptism - Part I - The venue

When you're from an ethnic family that moves to the other side of the world, your parents tend to hold really tight onto old traditions. Things they never cared about suddenly begin to define them. Nostalgia takes hold and archaic traditions bubble to the surface. You wonder where this newfound passion for tradition comes from. All these things come to a head for a wedding. I often say that the only things I wouldn't change about my wedding is my dress and my groom. Everything else was a circus of epic proportions.

So I knew when I had my own child I would not force them to endure the torment.

I had begun to plan Ari's baptism in my head months in advance. I wanted it to be very intimate, warm and at a gorgeous venue. Everything my wedding didn't turn out to be.

I have always loved Quat Quatta and had made up my mind that it was the only venue I would consider. It suited my taste and plans for the event unlike any other. I knew that it would be my only chance in a long, long time to hold an event there and I did not relent.

Every nook and cranny is wonderful. The marble bar, the fireplaces, the furniture and the incredible grounds. The service was impeccable and the food was beautifully presented, plentiful and delicious. 

And everyone seemed to be in awe of the bathrooms with the chandeliers and matching door knobs.

I absolutely adore planning events. Trawling for little details and personal touches. I am not very detail oriented, but I seem to sweat the small stuff when I'm putting together events.  After weeks of pulling out my hair to find a date to suit various family members travels,  I was finally able to firm up a date and pay the deposit when Ariana was 6 weeks old.  I had 4 weeks to put it all together. From the guest list and invitations, to the fiddly place cards and the cake. 

But it was all worth it. Instead of sleeping when the baby slept my mind was racing all day and all night.

Ari love

Some days are even more perfect and wonderful than most. I fall in love with her even more. There's a wave of emotion that hits me. Sometimes I miss her while she's asleep and I go and stare at her in the bassinet. Sometimes I can't believe that she's mine. When she pulls off while feeding to smile at me my heart melts. Sometimes I cry from joy and hug her too tight that she cries too. Life is incredible.

Sunday was one of those perfect days.

She woke up wanting to explode and stare out the window. Tummy time is fun when you're a strong girl.

The nespresso was perfect. It hit the spot perfectly.

The sun was shining so we rugged up and hit the park after being stuck indoors all week.

I finally found a water bottle that doesn't give off a plastic taste. Highly recommend the Klean Kanteen. It even fits into my bottle holder. 

After usually being the bully at the park Monty met his match. She also almost looks just like him.

I am loving the smiles. Wearing Purebaby leggings and a Country Road top.

Starting to show interest in toys.

And I wouldn't be myself if I didn't buy ridiculously inappropriate shoes for my lifestyle. But they were on sale, okay? And they're really, really comfortable.

Swaddle 101

I am no baby expert. I don't think anyone is.  I'm lucky that Ariana is such an easy and content baby who craves a routine.

We typically run a bath at 6pm and feed by 6.30 which results in her being asleep between 7 and 7.30. Depending on how hungry she is. This then gives me the evening to read/write/clean/tidy/cook/iron and so on. All the fun stuff. Not.

I was of the opinion that Ari hated being swaddled. She broke out of every single one within minutes and had her arms up. Arms up resulted in her hitting herself in the face or worse still, kicking the blankets on her face.

About two weeks ago I learnt this new swaddling method and its changed our lives. Ari now almost sleeps through the night, with an occasional feed at 4am and has two solid 2 hour naps. I put it all down to this swaddling method. Please note that I do it tighter, but she was screaming and I was taking photos with one hand so I didn't do a very good job. But you still get the idea. She's wearing a Purebaby zip grosuit and is swaddled with a Purebaby star wrap. I adore Purebaby! 

Line up the swaddle to the top of the shoulders, around the neck. 

Fold down over the arm.

And tuck under the body. The weight of the baby will held stop the arms from waving up.

Bottom of the wrap then goes over the top of the baby.

And is then tucked under the baby again.  Virtually a double swaddle.

I have learnt that babies do not know what they like or what they want. They were tucked snuggly in the belly for 9+ months so recreating that snug feeling will make all the difference in settling them and getting some sleep. Or at least I think it has for me.

Choo choo

How does a girl resist them on sale in her size? How?