YEAH, REALLY FUNNY................

...........NOT!!!!!

Heathrow Airport......was closed, open for limited flights now, more bad weather expected.

Come on weather person, give us some good news, we're supposed to be on a plane tomorrow,

don't make me tell my kids we might not make it for Christmas.

Update - all departments

Update time -

UK TRIP - 3 sleeps left!! Cant wait and as soon as Paul is home after his private clients this morning we will be starting the packing process, which, will be quite simple up until hand luggage when it needs a bit more thought for Freddy.

Bryce is obviously easy, he will sleep and watch films, listen to music and play apps on his i touch.

We have small gifts to give Maddi (mainly activity stuff for her) on the flight, she has the in flight entertainment to use and I have looked at the films and there are a few she will enjoy so that's good, Paul has also loaded her i touch with a few films and we are getting her a few new apps to play.

We have got a small bag of new bits and bobs for Freddy, I call them 'save the day' toys! so those along with sleep, other playing, walking about, smiling at people (his speciality as he knows it gets attention!) we may just manage!

I have booked the flight so that the 14 hour one ties in with what would be our night time so he hopefully takes a chunk of that one asleep.

Anniversary - Thanks to those who left a comment, we have a nice evening.

Finding a way - I have been processing alot of info and decided the way to go for me was to work on the mind (this was brought up in comments by quite a few) I have been listening to a valuable audiobook by Dr Wayne Dyer. I love him and have a few books, podcasts etc. I will be listening to it again and hope to post the most powerful bits that have helped me, lets just say I'm learning to love me, its not about the body, it about loving me.

I have also continued with my power walking and averaging 6-7km each time I go out which is about 5-6 times a week.

Both Freddy and I enjoy this, I get my exercise and yes I am working hard (says my heart rate monitor) as every activity becomes a little harder when you have a belly and a bit of weight to carry! I also love being out in the gorgeous surroundings, fresh air and sunshine.

Freddy loves watching the trees, dogs and generally being outdoors.

I have decided on a way of eating that is a compromise between logging every calorie and g of food, trying to be 100% and at the opposite end, just eating whatever whenever so this will hopefully help me settle.

I ended up at 40 weeks pregnant having a 9.5kg gain with Freddy and would love to keep this pregnancy within 'guidelines' too so am aiming at 12kg gain at 40 weeks, this is the top end of guidelines but I personally believe a realistic goal for me this time and also a goal that makes afterwards more doable in the get back into shape department.

In saying that there will be no 'beating up' or 'failure' if this number increases :)

With regards to fitness goals, obviously nothing major planned at the moment, apart from another quick, natural and fab labour and birth! :) although I don't know I can beat 1 hour 9 minutes can I??

I will continue to walk lots but later next year I am really, no I mean really, looking forward to going for a jog!! (more like a plod!) so I am setting myself a goal for 2011 of covering 2011 km's!!

Break that down and it isn't as easy as it sounds! that's an average of 5.5km a day!! now I wont be able to walk everyday due to various reasons etc so will have to clock up more when I can and when I can start jogging again I can get through a few more.

I will be aiming for that but lets just say I'll get as close as possible, I'll log it in my sidebar so you can see how I'm going.

Christmas - Fast approaching and obviously I have a very special time coming up!

Freddy's first Christmas and hes at a gorgeous age, he will be 10 months on Christmas day.

Maddi is extremely excited and is still praying for snow whilst we are in the UK, I think she could be in for a flurry going on the forecast that is being given.

Bryce is a typical teenager, hes looking forward being with Family and his Christmas list consisted of 'Money'!! Hes saving for a APPLE.

Paul and I are really looking forward to being at home with family but also spending some quality time together.

I might get one more post in with some Wayne Dyer info before we depart but if not, have a great Christmas and New year. Spend it with those you love, stay safe.

Shar x

Happy Anniversary Bestest Husband In The World :)

Paul and I with Best Little Man Bryce getting our rings

Signing the register

LOVE YOU xxx

Hands up who loves mummy???

Here's my little guy at 9 months, where is the time going?

At the moment, apart from the normal smiles/giggles he also communicates that he likes something by either raising his hand or clapping like crazy. Cute.

Finding a way - Part 2..............

So following on from my last post, I am very grateful to those that took the time to comment with both there own experiences and also encouragement.

I didn’t want it to be a ‘poor me’ post but more so a realisation that if you keep doing what you’ve always done you will get what you always got and for me this meant a lifetime of yo-yo dieting which mentally has left me exhausted and craving some balance, physically has left me looking great/looking crap/looking great/looking crap, never just somewhere that I feel good that’s fits with me and my lifestyle and ultimately doing that to your body over and over will have a detrimental effect.

I have various Fitness related qualifications (cert 3, cert 4, pre post natal etc etc) and I would say I could train someone else, help someone else, BUT I will never do that again or re-enter the industry until I am happy I can help myself, do it for myself and be an inspiration (not just physically) to someone else.

I could easily go with what I have always done and seek help (yes even when I’m preg) BUT If I do not learn this for myself now as I said in my previous post I will be back to the same spot over and over.

The other thing is I need to do this for myself to discover me again, I am quite sad and ashamed to say I haven’t been the real me for quite a long time, a version of me, snippets of me but not 100% me.
This isn’t just attributed to weight, self image etc but I have allowed others to influence me in a way that I wouldn’t normally, not allowed myself to have the self belief to be the true me, its time to find me again, to have the belief in myself in ALL areas.

A few things that came up from you lovelies that commented –
Most of us have been there – this isn’t obviously what I want for others but it does help to know others have been there.
A few if not all of you have logged or do log - it has worked for me and I do believe it is right in some circumstances But for me right now it is controlling me and working in the opposite for me, so maybe I move to just writing my day out in a notebook, just so I’m aware of what I’m choosing but not totally consumed by calories and macro’s.
Positive thinking – I totally agree Thoughts become things. Liz, Magda and Samo mentioned this. I do believe if you look in the mirror and think ‘fat cow’ that is what you will be, if I look in the mirror and think ‘curvy, pregnant and healthy’ , even with some cellulite ;) then that’s what I will be.

So I am looking at a Action Plan , NOT a plan to follow, be restricted by, do 100% or nothing, a few guidelines to help me along this new journey that is ‘Finding The Real Shar.

I want to eat for health, energy and vitality
I want to exercise because I love it
I want to spread love everyday
I want to laugh so much it hurts :)

So looking at the wants above I will draw up my guidelines and be back soon.

Finding a way...........

I've been struggling a bit at for the last few weeks with a few things, one being the same old same old mentality with my weight, how I look, self worth etc etc.

I don’t think I have ever really revealed the depths to a lot of my issues on my blog and nor will I now, just to say I have had a life long struggle with all things image, weight, confidence etc. Most of you have seen the ‘big’pics.

When I say life long I think I remember feeling ‘chunky’ from about 10 or 11, actually I think I was told that? Anyway so maybe 25 years now, seriously WTF!!

I do believe being in an industry that is image focused since I was 16 has not helped and maybe even contributed, being 100kg plus and down twice brings it own issues and also competing twice has screwed with my expectations of myself mentally plus also physically had an impact.

Anyway…..to now, having lost most of Freddy weight that I gained after his birth (yeah, I know, who does that, gains after they’ve had the baby) I was sitting 3 kgs above my pre preggy weight when I fell preg again with Baby No.4.

The pregnancy started well, I was exercising and eating well then the dreaded Morning Sickness and Fatigue that comes in early pregnancy hit me and unfortunately those two things along with looking after a 4 month old baby got the better of me (for those excuse police out there and saying ‘yeah excuses’ ‘Morning sickness and tiredness shouldn't stop you’ I say WTFEver! Nicely of course J) I could only just make it through the day let alone exercise and my eating tended towards what I could stomach and that was carby type snacky stuff more often than not.

So in that 6 week period, thank god it didn’t carry on longer, I gained a ‘few’ kilos, to say I was pissed was an understatement and my whole shitty mentality around food, weight returned, looking in the mirror would set me off.

Luckily I reined it in and had a period of eating well and have been back to clocking up the KM’s, powerwalking with my bubba.
To help me focus I returned to Calorie King and logging cals in and cals out, sticking to a adequate limit to maintain pregnancy and build a healthy bubba, calorie logging works for me and the excess started to drop little by little each week BUT there was something different about the logging thing this time.

I started to feel controlled, anal and restricted and just generally it brought a huge focus to food, it was all about how much this, eat this then, don’t eat this, bad choice, good choice blah blah…..which I can’t stand anymore, its like freakin comp prep all over and last time I checked theres a belly with a baby in and no way I’m wanting to step on stage.

So in my wisdom I thought ‘you are doing well Shar, making good healthy choices, exercising, so why don’t you just eat like this but not have the analytical side of it and stop logging’

So stop logging I did, but I did jot down what I was having at each meal so I could visually see what my day looked like, fruit, veg etc.

This worked for me for a bit………feeling when I was hungry, not eating to numbers, choosing good foods, I even stopped getting on the scales everyday (yep I said everyday!) then came a day when I was tired (normal when you have 3 kids plus other stuff to do right?), hormonal (normal when your pregnant right?) and just generally having I can’t stand myself day.
I was getting dressed and caught myself in the mirror, then come all the ‘habit thoughts’ that are so programmed in that I just have no control over them, they defeat me every time.

From there its not been a great place for me.
I have been basically making shitty food choices and generally abusing myself using food, beating myself up for heading in the same direction with this pregnancy as I did with my 1st two kids and gaining in excess of 30kg, beating myself up for not being ‘normal’ (although my husband assures me there is no ‘normal’), worrying about people judging me etc etc

Then comes the want to design a plan, calorie count and be ‘in control’ (or be controlled) follow a plan, go 100% or nothing, etc etc to try and fix what I'm seeing as a big disaster in the mirror, but again this is just habits I have formed over many years and I do know this isn’t the way for me anymore.

I have done some work on my thoughts and am aware that it has nothing to do with the food and has all to do with loving myself enough to respect and honour myself.

I have a lot to work through but my main aim is to come to the understanding that food really doesn’t have a lot to do with it, I have to be content and love myself enough that I don’t use food to abuse myself if the scale doesn’t tell me the right thing.

I also do not want to have to log every calorie everyday for the rest of my life or follow a plan to get to a place and stay there on the scales, its all well and good having something that works for you, a plan, a way you do things, following the latest diet etc but are you really able to follow that for the rest of your life to stay at the place you get to?

There are times when calorie counting, planning, having someone coach me will be of use to me, for example I may want to run a ½ marathon/marathon (always been a goal of mine, I LOVE running) and knowing that I am fuelling my body adequately would be an advantage………..I may want to compete again one day (almost 100% sure I wont but never say never) and then a plan/knowing the ins and outs is essential……
but to be
- a mum,
- to function well each day,
- to be a healthy role model,
- to be a size 10-12 and look good in my clothes not skeletal

do I need to be anal?
do I need to log everything?
do I need to deprive myself of a Chai latte (insert daily treat here)?
do I need to be thinking what the next meal is because I’m hungry?
do I need to say we can’t cook to my little girl because I cannot resist having a dip and how the FU%^ do you log that?

I crave getting to a place with my ‘weight’ and how I see myself in the mirror where I don’t over analyze and I just let it be.
I over think / analyse a lot and just need to keep it simple as posted by Alicia and Nicole last week.
Eat when hungry, stay active and do exercise because I love it and look after me and my true self.

I am overweight right now (for the stage of pregnancy I’m at) there is no excuse for gaining more than recommended in pregnancy, I do want to be healthy and fit, I do want to ‘look’ good and wear my fav clothes but I just need to work out the way of getting there this time (yeah again…yawn) that is doable without pain, suffering and restriction and that is maintainable long term, because at the end of the day if its not long term, I’ll be here again over and over, year after year and that is what I am not willing to do anymore.

Lets see what happens……………………..but one things for sure, I have more important things to focus my energy on and maybe if I do things will fall into place for themselves?
Thanks for listening xx

Scan pictures & 21 days

Im now 22 weeks and 2 weeks ago we had our 20 week scan.
Bubs is doing great, measuring a bit ahead (which puts me back to the first date I had anyway).
Here's a few pictures of bubba boy.

21 DAYS TIL WE FLY TO THE UK FOR CHRISTMAS!! HELL YEAH!!

Just the way you are......

My gorgeous hubby told me the other day this song was for me...........the words really fit where i am in my life right now, that and the fact that I know 110% he means it is all I need as a pick me up when old thoughts, behaviours and doubts creep in.

I LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE TOO xxx

Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful and I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know, when I compliment her
She wont believe me
And its so, its so, sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay I say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing just the way you are

Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh, she hates it but I think its sexy
She's so beautiful I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know
Id never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I say


I love the Bruno Mars Version but this version by Boyce Avanue is pauls Fav.

Wowzers.....

I'm 20 weeks pregnant!!! where the hell did that go?

I guess looking after Freddy (8 1/2 months now) plus my 2 others, doing all the running around for Maddi's gymnastics now she has moved up to a group that trains 4 x week for a total of 14 1/2 hours per week, general wifey stuff, house stuff blah blah is not allowing me much time to breath let alone think about being pregnant!!

Its all good, pregnancy can be a long journey and you can get caught up in every little thing, but at least this way as long as I get to all the correct appts and bubs is growing well and healthy I will be at due date before I know it!!

What else has been happening? (taking a leaf out of Maryanne's book) I will list in point form -

- WE ARE GOING TO THE UK FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am (apart from the plane with a 9 1/2 month old!) we only decided maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago. Initially I was going to go with just Maddi and Freddy but luckily we are all going now which will be wonderful. I get to see all my family and meet my nephew! :) more to come on this.

- I have been back to exercise for a bit now and I'm loving it, I hate getting into the rut I got into when the Morning Sickness hit and glad I dragged myself out. I am a Power Walking Machine!

Another post to come on this.

- Freddy is gorgeous, nearly crawling, has a cute smile with his teeth (just 2 left to come on the bottom before we get a break), eating big boys food, still an angel in every way, here's a recent picture.

- I have finished up my GFM job as you know but also decided it was a chance to take a break from teaching group fitness, with the view I will reassess and return after bubs.

I have vowed to be true to myself from now on and only do the things in life that bring me joy, that I love etc.

I can't teach Bodyattack being pregnant (well I could and did last time but choose not to this time and now I have a bump its hard!) and this is what I love, so it seemed and appropriate time to take a break.

Having been in the industry in some way, shape or form since I was 16, I cannot tell you how cool I am with not having to go into a gym and the environment that comes with it sometimes.

I do however miss the members and delivering the experience.

- I have the most amazing husband.

- I am making headway in learning to just 'be', slowly but I am getting there. The Ah-ha moments are becoming more frequent.

- My big kids are as gorgeous as Freddy, here they are -

- HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Shar x

Out of the mouths of babes.........

...........or a 6 year old

Me and my girl walk to school every morning, I started this a way of getting extra quality time with her, Freddy gets to see lots and gets fresh air, and I get to push 21kg and powerwalk for exercise, win win.

Along with all the above benefits is the fact that my girl and I have so much fun, generally we talk about fairy's, looking at all the different fairy gardens etc plus I hear all the details of school etc.

Anyway yesterday I was cracking up as the following conversation occurred, about 3/4
of the way to school, along a quiet side street, we see a baby magpie -

Me - Oh look there's a baby magpie
Her - Where?
Me - On the grass there look *pointing*
Her - How do you know that's a baby?
Me - You see its all fluffy and grey, the colours of its feathers aren't sharp, its smaller as well
Her - Whats he doing there?
Me - Well they have to learn to survive on there own, so they leave their mummy and have to learn everything for themselves
Her - Really? That's very sad
Me - Whys that sad?
Her - Well I wouldn't want to be born in a hedge on the side of the road and have to leave you to survive on my own, poor Magpie.

Eco Tankas

You may or may not know that we stock Eco Tankas the stainless steel drinks bottle, of course I'm sure your all aware of the benefits of not drinking from Plastic and also the fact that these bottles last forever pretty much! Anyway I am nearing the time to put in a new order but need to clear out the remaining first so we know where we are at.

As a few of the blogger girlies have ordered from me previously I thought I'd place on here my remaining stock so all your health conscious peeps out there can get one from me if you need.
It s a great time to get sorted before the weather heats up and the koolers really do help keep cool water cool!

I need to clear stock so have lowered the cost from the RRP (rrp in brackets). This is what I have left to clear -

2 x Teeny Tanka 350ml with Screw in Loop Top - $ 15.00 ($17.90)
1 x Teeny Tanka 350ml with Pop up Sports lid - $15.00 ($17.90)
TEENY KOOLER - 1 x PINK - $6.00 ($7.95)
Teeny Tanka Adapter and Avent Sippy Spout - $10.00 ($14.95)

1 x Mini Tanka 600ml with Screw in Loop Top - $18.00 ($22.00)
1 x Mini Tanka 600ml with Pop up Sports Lid - $18.00 ($22.00)

1 x Supa Tanka 1.2l With Pop up Sports Lid - $23.00 ($27.50)
SUPA KOOLER - 1 x DARK BLUE - $8.00 ($10.95)

1 x Mega Tanka 2.0l with Screw in Loop Top - $29.00 ($34.75)
MEGA KOOLER - 1 x Black - $9.00 ($11.95)

If your interested, please e mail me and I can confirm postage, pretty much they all go in a $6.00 pre-paid Satchel and can get 2 of the smaller ones in one satchel, apart from the MEGA TANKA!!!! which has to go in a big satchel or I can send as a parcel a bit cheaper I believe.

Here's a picture for those that don't know what they look like -

And one with some of the koolers, colours I have are listed above -

Why not grab someone you care about who is still drinking from plastic a Chrissie pressie?

Shar x

Joining In - Nailing November

I'm jumping into November with Liz and alot of others and Nailing November

The things I will nail in November are -

- My bedtime - been getting to late, back to earlier nights to ensure I have the energy to work full time (SAHM, Wife and Housekeeper), be pregnant! and train as well as possible.

- Try really hard to work on, as Paul puts it, my 'throw my hands in the air' habit when things get hard / tough / get on top of me etc etc.

- Be confident enough to pursue my current project

- Appreciate everyday, everything I have.

Well, nothing to hard there but just need to revisit these daily to ensure I'm on top of them and you never know November could bring some great new habits!

THANKS Liz and good luck all that are nailing!! :)

Shar x

I forgot!

Thanks for the reminder Nicole, I had forgotten to post it here, I have had a mad week (thats another post) and totally forgot to blog it here!

Yes we had our gender revealing scan on Saturday gone and we are very blessed to be having another BOY!!!! So I am mum to 3 boys and 1 girl (princess!) AMAZING!!!

Here's a pic to prove it :) Looking up between the thigh bones......theres a doodle in the middle.

Why do I let flies bother me so much??

So the change in weather has come in Perth and so with that comes the flies when I'm tryingt o get on with my powerwalk each day.

I cannot explain why the bother me so much!!!! Seriously I get really pi%#ed at them.

Why do they have to land on on my lips?
Then just up my nostril, then my eyelid, then sometime if they really wanna pi%# me they land right in the corner of my eye!!!!!

Anyway, had a great walk and I suppose th epositive of the flies is my heart rate goes higher from trying to wave my arm around getting them off me and the fact im all wound up at them!
BONUS - Extra fitness and calories :)

1 sleep & getting back on track

So the results of the poll show those that commented (thanks by the way!) think I may be having a girl, or have at least guessed girl :)
I must say I do feel Im having a girl too, I can truly say I have no preference, Im glad bubs is so far fit and healthy, but I am every excited to find out as I hate surprises and am sooooo impatient.

1 sleep til we have our scan on Saturday at 9am, I am not only excited to see what the result is but also the fact that we get to see the bubs.
When Preg and its a normal preg, you get your 12 week scan which you are relived about as unless you have alot of early symptoms and even those could have disappeared by 8-9 weeks it the first time you are reassured that there is actually a baby in there and its the first time you get to see bubs.
Then the next time is 20 weeks, 8 whole weeks later!! Unless your lucky and feel bubs early, at this stage you still want the reassurance everything is ok.
Then there are no more scans, but you get the doppler each ob/midwife visit and you hear heartbeat.
Im lucky enough that Paul has a client that's a Ob's Doctor so we will get a 'extra' scan at about 30 weeks.
Also I have hired a doppler for the next month so the kids can hear bubs and bond a bit and it helps me until the movement become regular and stronger.

Anyway, enough about bubs, onto my training and nutrition. As with Freddy's pregnancy I have bad Morning sickness and fatigue, this disappeared at about 10 -11 weeks, then I got sick with a bad cold and then cough which stuck around for 4 weeks. These two combined left me inactive and the MS had me reaching for whatever seemed to ease that which sometimes wasn't such great choices.

So my aim last week was to start with my powerwalking again and I got 3 in 2 x 4km's and 1 x 6km.
This week my aim was to clean up my nutrition a little and start to focus again on being prepared a bit more, focus on eating organic/free range and look at the different stages of preg and what bubs needs when.
Also to increase my exercise a bit more to at least 4-5 sessions per week.

I am please to report it is going well and I'm at 4 sessions, hoping to finish on 5 or maybe 6.
Nutrition is good and choices have been better although I refuse to give up my small serve of green and blacks each day and love having that with my cuppa in the evening :)
I will also not give up having a treat here and there when out with hubby, meeting friends for coffee etc.
My aim with regards to my weight is to keep my preg weight gain to the 'guidelines' like i did with Freddy but mainly this time it is to learn from my choices after bubs last time as this is when I saw some excess kilos load on for various reasons, lessons learnt.

Have a great weekend and I may pop on and reveal the colour of bubs once we have had the scan tomorrow!

Random thoughts - Question time........

1) What should one call a male ladybird?

2) Do fish ever get thirsty?

3) Do you wake up or open your eyes first?

Yes!! I'm done!..........

...........with my Group Fitness Managers job!! no maternity leave, finished! YAY!!

Never say never and I may be a GFM again one day but it will be a good 2-3 years at
a minimum and the way I am with it at the moment, I would say I wouldn't return.

Tomorrow see the kids back to school and loving routine, this suits me and Freddy just fine.
I am looking forward to getting settled back into my exercise routine, enjoying the spring weather with lots of outdoor activity and catching up with a few friends whilst my older ones are at school.

12 sleeps and we find out what sex bubs is!! So at the top I have put a poll like I did last year with Freddy.
We have Boy, Girl, Boy now, so just for fun (humour me!) what do you reckon this one will be??
If you have the time have a vote.

Shar x

A busy week, Baby No.4 & my update

So the first week of kids holidays was a busy one.

Stated with a public holiday here in WA, which was great, an extended weekend with Paul and the kids.

Since Paul has been working full-time in the city weekends have become a bit more precious and I love it when we get to Friday's.

Maddi had a day out with her friend on Tuesday which she was excited about.

Wednesday we had Bryce playing away for the 14's WAFL Development Squad (made up of all the good players from the whole district).

He has been training with them since being put through by his coach and then on Monday we found out he made the final squad that would go on to play in the carnival through the holidays.

They won and he said it was a great experience although he was a little nervous. He has a game on Sunday which Paul will get to come to so that's good.

Here's a picture I took of him before the match, they have to go dressed in dress trousers, shoes and the Subiaco FC Polo shirt, he looked very smart and old!!!!!, still my baby though, I don't think he will ever be anything else :)

Maddi started in her new group at gymnastics on Thursday, she was excited as she has been working hard to make it to the next group. So 3 and a half hours of training later she came home shattered. Training today again, 4 hours this time, she will probably walk out asleep :)

As you can see from the picture of Freddy in my last post hes getting a big boy and I cannot believe he is over 7 months now. He got his two bottom teeth at 4 1/2 months which I think is early, I can't remember my other two having teeth that early, anyway the others have just come in a steady flow and hes got 5 now, the top ones look so cute when he smiles.

As for the bubs on the way, we had a scan a couple of weeks back and all is well. Growing strong and sitting on dates just nicely.

I have booked in (as we did with Freddy) for a 3d/4d scan in 3 weeks and will find out what we are having, some might remember I hate surprises so just have to find out, I also love bonding with bubs a bit more and also getting organised.

I did initially think we may be seeing another blue bundle on the way (had a feeling from the very first scan at 7 weeks) but now both Paul and I think we are having a girl. All exciting and it doesn't matter either way.

Here's a picture, back view of head and arm up waving :)

AFM - I'm a little frazzled if I'm honest, being pregnant whilst having a young baby (plus 2 others!) is tough but luckily Freddy is an angel. I do need to focus on getting a little more sleep, but I have been finding that by the time that everything is done in the evening and the kids are in bed I like to have a bit of chill out time rather than just fall into bed, I'll have to just find a balance, sit and chill for a set period of time and then make myself get up and go to bed.

I returned to my Part Time Group Fitness Managers job on August 1st, returning on flexible work arrangements, 2 club days when Paul could have Freddy and the rest from home. When I realised how easy Freddy was I started getting a bit fidgety and wanted to get my teeth into something again but i soon realised I have come full circle with that job, its not for me anymore, its a hassle not a love.
I also found working with a baby is not for us, well not working for someone else anyway, I am now looking into doing something from home, starting my own hobby/business etc, no rush though my time with Freddy is precious and even if I do start/find something it will allow me the best of both worlds.
So I am currently working my notice and finish next Sunday !! FOR GOOD, no maternity leave, finishing up for good, it feels great.

Anyway, that's about all my news, off to read some blogs that I need to catch up on.
Shar x

My big boy!

I cannot believe Freddy is 7 months this weekend coming?

Where has that gone?

Here's a pic from a couple of weeks back

No idea.......

..............where the last few weeks have gone.

I just bumped into a friend called Barbara at the shops, whom I met when she did my classes a good few years back now, she asked how I was going and said you haven't been blogging!!

So I come on here and check when I last posted and it was the 21st August!! and even that was a short post.

I just don't know where to start to be honest, with no exaggeration, life just feels crazy day after day for me right now.
I have very sporty kids as you know and with Bryce's footy season coming to an end and them making Grand Final plus him making the district development squad and the extra training that goes with that, he has kept us busy running around getting to the right place at the right time.

Then Maddi's gymnastics Competition season hit in with 3 comps in the last month and a bit.

So add that to returning to my 20 hour part time GFM job, teaching, Baby Freddy and being pregnant..............all that makes me feel like I'm a crazy woman day after day.

Not complaining, but you can see that when I do get 30 mins to sit down blogging hasn't been high priority.

Aaaaaannnnnyway, a few things are changing over the next few weeks that should see things calm down a little. Plus I should be coming out the other side of fatigue/exhaustion and all day sickness of the first trimester. YAY!!

We have our 2nd scan next week, can't wait.
Then we will pay to have a 3d/4d one again to find out the gender, as we did with Freddy, I'll pop a poll on the top of my blog and you can all vote again, although last time I think we had about 28 said girl, 6 said boy :)

I hope to be back to blogging soon, will try and post a few videos of my sports stars and a recent pic of my big boy Freddy!

Shar x

No whingeing here, todays a good day.............

Because ..........

I woke up.
I kissed my husband goodbye as he went to do 4 clients.
I am lucky enough to lift my baby boy out of his cot and hug him.
My daughter walks into the lounge looking sleepy tired but smiling, it lights up the room.
I pop my head in on my eldest and he's snoring, precious, my big baby :)
My all day sickness kicks in already....a good sign.......grow strong baby, grow stong.
We are all together.
We are all well
We have love.

Todays a good day................Have a great weekend all

Baby No.4, Busy Weekend, Motherhood & Weekly check in.........

BABY NO.4
Thanks f0r all the comments to my last post which I revealed that we are expecting baby number 4. We are all over the moon.
I totally agree with the people that said 'congrats but your a little crazy' :)
After having an 8 and 6 year gap it will now be a year between Freddy and his Brother / Sister.
This will be a whole new experience for us but Freddy has enhanced our family (as each bubba has) so much that we decided we would love one more and this time close together, I'm too old for a big gap this time ;)
It will be great to have you along for the ride again, as I focus on a fit and healthy pregnancy again.

BUSY WEEKEND
So the weekend kicks off on a Friday night right??
So Friday night saw Maddi have an extra Gymnastic session purely to practice routines for her competition today.
TMI Alert - Unfortunately Maddi became the next victim of the sickness we have had run through us all - Me on Monday, Paul Thursday arvo, Bryce Thursday night and Maddi last night!! Basically sudden onset of feeling dodgy, get really tired, then wake up and vomit until empty, feel better, eat drink and back to normal!! SHe feels fine this morning and is adamant she competing.
This morning we have a bit of shopping & running around to do which will have to be as soon as the shops open, then we start the 'procedure' of getting ready for the competition, in particular the hair has to be a certain style and stuck in like no tomorrow with product!!
Then its off to see Maddi compete, will get some video and pics so maybe post some soon.
We then have some baking to do for the cake stall to support Bryce's footy club.

Then Sunday see us go to footy again, due to a loss a few weeks back Bryce's team are needing to do well in the last 3 games to make finals in the top 2 spots to get a week off.
So the games have been a little more tense :0

All the normal stuff to do to get ready for the week ahead then needs doing and we will be good to go for another week.

MOTHERHOOD
I'm just gonna jump in and post a small amount responding to Nicole a week or so ago and also Alicia as they both wrote some valid points and maybe I have something else to add because I'm going through it a 3rd time.

Like Nicole I had body issues after Freddy, mine was more related to what I did to myself after birth not during pregnancy but the feeling is the same, no-one can prepare you for that moment you stand in front of the mirror and see your reflection and you just don't recognise it.
Your body can totally change, things happen to your boobs, maybe stretch marks where you weren't expecting them etc etc and seeing this at a time when your mental strength isn't quite at its best due to lack of sleep, proper nutrition, worry etc can be devastating.

Like Alicia I found it a very lonely experience early on, I had visitors here for a substantial amount of time (9 weeks), they go home, Paul was at work, in a new full time position instead of being his on PT and being home throughout the day and although I was probably not as alone due to my other kids being home before and after school that time in between can feel very long and some days I found myself just wondering how long a day could feel when normally the days flew past.
Once I got a routine established and started to get back to the gym and going to classes each day I found it alot better, just like Alicia does now shes back working.

The thing is, as has been said - no-one tells it like it really is, what to really expect.
I have had 2 previously so wasn't going in blind and I have found it easier each time but every baby is different, every situation is different and although I have got a very clam and contented baby and have found him and his need relatively easy, this time for me is the first I have had no family living close by, no support network as such.

Everyone is different, how we respond to motherhood can be totally different to how we thought we would or how we are 'expected' to BUT ultimately as long as you make it through yourself, care for your baby and ask for help if you need it, really it doesn't matter if you don't do what you are 'supposed' to.

As for people giving you their two cents worth - they are always going to do that, unfortunately people think they know best but as I said everyone is different and they are not experiencing what you are experiencing, as long as you are truly happy with what you are doing you just have to get tough and say '**** um'.
In saying that there are some genuinely caring & helpful people out there that will give you suggestions or let you know what worked for them and if given in the right manner, this info can help sometimes.

WEEKLY CHECK IN
So this week has seen a loss of 0.9kg, putting my total at 11kg, which I am over the moon about and I'm nearly back a Freddy Pre preg weight. Although at some point I need another pre preg weight :) I am focused on keeping a check on excess weight gain again this time and for sure will learn from the past and not put on weight after I have had the baby this time!! :)

Exercise has been power walking and classes this week trying to still clock up my KM's.
Plan on starting training with Paul 2 x a week, we just need to work those 2 sessions in somewhere!.

Anyway, thats all for now, gymnastic hair to do!! have a great weekend.
Shar x

And the winner is..........

Nicole!! Well spotted girl!!!!

Yep that's right Nicole dropped by and read my last post and left me a comment (along with Chelle and Frankie) BUT she was also on the ball enough to notice my little gadget thingy on the right hand side, the one under Freddy's age gadget........................

I was playing a little game, 'how long for someone to see my news!!' game
It took 2 days, I thought it would take longer for someone to notice as not often do we note anything but the actual post on a blog.

have a great week all, LOVE LIFE.
Shar x

Flying visit............

Woah...... I was going to get back to blogging and its been over a week since my last post!!
Anyway I'll throw a quick update in.

Training and nutrition was good last week and I got a small drop on the scales of 0.3kg, which after a 1.6kg loss the week prior I was happy with.

This week was good although I enjoyed some extras this week as I have been ravenous, new rule of mine, listen to the old bod and respond accordingly. Hungry = eat :)

Still saw another 0.3kg loss so happy with that. As you can see on the right hand side I am sitting at 10.1kg off so far, 4.3kg to get me back to my pre preg weight, I really want to try and shift as much of this as possible in the next 4 weeks, Freddy is 6 months then and its also my birthday.

It was always my aim to be back down by the time Freddy was 6 months, for me I think 6 months is a realistic timescale to go by, not expecting to much to soon, when your still finding your feet, but not allowing it to drag out past the point where you can't really say 'Ive just had a baby' because 6 months ago isnt really JUST had a baby.

Will up my walking this week as I'm a little behind on my KM target so batter get striding!
I also hope to get into a few classes, maybe a Bodystep and a Bodycombat.

Start back to my Group Fitness Mangers position tomorrow and back to teaching classes (having given up 5 weeks ago, missed it too much but that's a whole other post!).

Bryce had a great game of footy today and they beat top of the league, they are on track to make final this year.
Maddi has her 1st of 3 gymnastics competitions starting next weekend, has an extra training session this week in preparation.
Freddy is now 5 months 1 week and is just a cutie, I love this age they are so interactive. its great to see him with the other 2, they just adore him and he adores them.

Anyway, that's the weekly wrap up and I hope to be back sooner than next weekend.

Have a great week everyone
Shar x

Trying to get back to blogging.....

So post before last I linked to KEK’s blog and something she had written in regards to having a bloggers block. Taking on her advice, here’s Kek’s point number 1 – JUST WRITE.

I have decided its best for me to just to put all that’s been going on for me in list form –

- After having a really healthy and happy pregnancy with regards to keeping my weight gain to reasonable level (9.5kg total at 40 weeks pregnant) I had a rough time post baby with weight gain, putting on a lot in a very short space of time.

- Having tried to discover why this is and having done some soul searching, I have come to the conclusion I obviously don’t (didn’t) have enough self worth to value and look after myself.

- I did it in pregnancy because I was looking after my bubs, giving him the best start so to speak, then once he was born, it was just me again.

- Now, I am more aware of why I have been doing this and I can see this has been the case for quite a while. Not anymore, I am worth it and I do not need to do this for anyone else, only me.

- Knowing I was on a mission to be fit and healthy I jumped onto the team that are doing the BFFM challenge. It’s a 14 week challenge and it has been great to be a part of a team with like minded individuals that encourage and support you, we have our own thread to chat in and update each other.

- At the start I did see this as an opportunity to go hard and lose as much as poss in 14 weeks and although I have been doing well and got some great results so far, at about week 5 I realized this is my life style, slow and steady wins the race, this is longer term than 14 weeks so although there is an end date for the challenge, there is no end date for me and I will continue on.

- I have been embracing balance, a positive attitude and a focusing on whats important to me for 3-4 months now and it is getting easier.

- Professionally I had to make some changes to discover what it is I actually love and where it is I want to be and have come out the other side knowing who I am, what I want to do and who I want to be associated with.

- I had a spell after Freddy was born where it got a little tough to get everything together and put in the effort to eat well, train regularly etc but I did it and didn’t make excuses and we are all better off and I’m a happy mummy

- After training up to day of Labour I had a few weeks off and I have been back training consistently since Freddy was 5 weeks and I love it.

- One thing I have discovered is as time goes by and I’m around health focussed individuals, I read and communicate with others that are challenging themselves and I educate myself further I really can’t tolerate excuses……..I’m tired, I’m busy, I work, its raining etc etc, I still have understanding and compassion but there is no room for excuses, this is a whole other post but simply put....... regarding nutrition - we choose what goes in our mouth and regarding exercise / activity - I would challenge anyone who says they can’t find 20-30 minutes a day to get outdoors in the fresh air and walk.


I have updated my sidebar with my weekly stats both weight and my skinfolds, I don’t do skin folds weekly but have done a little further apart.

My other challenge on my sidebar is to cover as many KM’s (either power walking or jogging) for the second half of the year as I can, I started logging this on July 1st and will try and update as much as possible.

I think I could go on but will leave it there saying that I have had a great few months, happy and healthy family, happy and healthy Shar, yes my life feels crazy some days, baby of 5 months, two other kids, school runs, gymnastics 3 x week for Maddi, Football training and game 3 x week for Bryce, Hubby working, me teaching, training and returning to my Group Fitness Managers job on August 1st……….. I wouldn’t have it any other way and I will never make EXCUSES as they take you further away from your goals and dreams.

Have a geat weekend everyone
Shar x

I Love this........ read it, hear it and feel it..........

Believe in your heart that something wonderful is about to happen.
Love your life.
Believe in your own powers, and your own potential, and in your own innate goodness.
Wake every morning with the awe of just being alive.
Discover each day the magnificent, awesome beauty in the world.
Explore and embrace life in yourself and in everyone you see each day.
Reach within to find your own specialness.
Amaze yourself and rouse those around you to the potential of each new day.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect; this is the essence of your humanity.
Let those who love you help you.
Trust enough to be able to take.
Look with hope to the horizon of today, for today is all we truly have.
Live this day well.
Let a little sun out as well as in.
Create your own rainbows.
Be open to all your possibilities; all possibilities and Miracles.
Always believe in Miracles.

Back to Blogging (soon) and I'm proud of my hubby!

So here I am, Thanks to KEK for this great post, I will find my way back to blogging by the end of this week and will be taking on board Kek's tips.

But for a start I'm going to post about my Hubby, I'm going to big him up!!
You may or may not know Paul started as a Personal Trainer but has now developed and educated himself through the C.H.E.K practitioner levels.
Most recently returning from Melbourne with his CHEK Practitioner Level 2, making him the highest qualified CHEK practitioner in Western Australia!!
He is now working in a studio in the city which has a strong focus on CHEK philosophies, along side his boss Brady Anderson (Ex-North Melbourne Player) who is a CHEK Exercise Coach and Holistic Lifestyle Coach.
I am also a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach, I trained a while ago now and I definitely used alot of the principles during pregnancy and have recently been revisiting and incorporating into my life, its a direction I am hoping to head in professionally eventually and I believe its not enough to know your 'stuff' but you need to live it, so my first step is to get it right for myself.

Anyway, back to Paul :) I asked him for a bit more info on where he's at and what exactly he is doing and he e mailed me the following from across the lounge (all of 3 metres!! LOL)

Also he said if anyone in Perth is interested in a CHEK Assessment they can leave me a comment or e mail me.

CHEK Practitioner Level 2 Assessment and Program Design Services

Below is an overview of whats involved, they are great for truly understanding your bodies imbalances, correcting any niggling aches or pains or to increase work/home/sport performance.
CHEK Practitioners build sustainable health and performance through treating the core not the symptom.

The CHEK Assessment and program design is for anyone wanting to move without pain or dysfunction.
The CHEK assessment involves:
A 2hr session evaluating
o Static and dynamic posture
o Musculoskeletal strength and range of movement
o Core Function
o Foundation principles: Sleep, Hydration, Movement, Nutrition, Thoughts and Breathing
Analysis and individualised program design

A second 90min session to review the assessment findings and teach the program.
The assessments are completed at a private Perth city studio

Details of CHEK Practitioner Level 2
C.H.E.K Practitioner Level 2’s learn how to identify red flags as a necessary system of preventing injury through exercise. C.H.E.K Practitioner Level 2’s learn spinal bio-mechanics, neurological screening, essential orthopedic screening tests, length/tension assessments, corrective stretching, specific corrective exercise technologies, and how to refer to allied medical practitioners. Advanced level postural assessment using goniometric technology gives the C.H.E.K Practitioner Level 2 the ability to design highly specific corrective exercise programs.

The C.H.E.K Practitioner Level 2 is an invaluable addition to any medical practice treating work, sports, and recreational orthopedic injuries. They are also key contributors to the professional sports medicine and conditioning teams.


I'm so proud of Paul and his work ethic, the knowledge he now has is amazing, the continuous study and want to be the best he can be is inspirational.
Love you Paul and I am one Proud Wifey xx

End of June already, Changes and 4 Months

WOW, its been ages since I updated on here!! I cannot believe it is nearly the end of June already and this year is half way through!!

I have had quite a few happening for me and have had a few Ah-ha moments over the last few weeks.

This time I have choosen to act upon them as I have ignored before and things just come round full circle and never change.....whats the saying -
"If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got."
-- W. L. Bateman

so this has brought some changes for me, some tough decisions but ultimately I knew/know in my gut they are the right ones and will see me walking the path I want to, I am very excited.

I will get back to update about these changes soon but Freddy is calling so I'll leave you with a picture of my little man who is 4 months today!!! I am truley blessed, he is just such a calm contented baby and has brought such joy to our already amazing family.

This is Freddy with monkey (his fav toy) I had to get a pic as it was like I'd sprung him!! He was having a sleep in his pram and I'd left Monkay hanging from the hood bit, I heard him almost growling so went to see him, peeped round the corner of the pram and found him eating his tail.

In this moment.........

Do not wait to be beautiful. Be your beautiful, authentic self right now.

If the world offers up negativity and despair, surprise the world by giving back love and kindness.

Send out the energy that you wish to experience, and you are certain to experience it.

Happiness and fulfillment are alive in this moment. Allow them to flow freely and creatively through your life.

Fall in love all over again with the miracle of being. Your imagination is great and magnificent, yet it cannot hold even a fraction of the possibilities.

You'll do, say and act your best when you feel your best. Feel the limitless wonder of this very moment.

Be beautiful, alive, aware and filled with the energy of the possible. In this moment, is every dream made and fulfilled.

-- Ralph Marston

Quick catch up

11 weeks ago today I gave birth to this booootiful bubba boy..............

Yep that's right Freddy is 11 weeks old today!! So whats been happening......................

It has been a very busy 11 weeks, my mum and step dad arrived 2 days before I had Freddy and were just a god send to have here in those early days, taking and picking up from school, cooking, cleaning, washing, packed lunches, looking after baby Freddy so I could do bits for myself, playing with Maddi making up plays and shows for us to watch each evening and basically allowing me to get Freddy into a routine from the get go. I did struggle lots when they went back to the UK and I'm still missing them everyday but I have to just get on with it.

Then the kids were on Easter holidays and my In-laws were here visiting from the UK, they got caught up in the Volcanic ash issue that stopped flights so they ended up with an 9 days here on top of their 3 weeks.

So now with an empty house (well not really but you know what I mean), the kids back to school, I have been throwing myself into motherhood which I must say has been great, Freddy is an angel, seriously, I am shocked, I didn't know babies could be as contented as he is, he self settles (I implemented this from Day 1 so he knew how too) plays and interacts, has awake time, will just fall asleep anywhere, I could go on, amazing!

I do think it babies react/respond to their mums mood etc and I have been far calmer, confident etc with mothering this time so maybe that has helped.

Unfortunately I am not in a good space for myself mentally, struggling again with old habits that re-surfaced in the last 4-5 weeks, when having a house full and trying to accommodate and get into a routine seemed to get on top of me, this has seen some kilos creep on and I am quite pissed at myself. Now we are back into our initial routine that's helped but I am struggling to get myself straight, with my thoughts, with my actions etc. I'm busy working on it and feel the switch will flick soon and there will be no stopping me.

I am trying to not let it consume me as there are far more important things. I am sooooooo grateful for my precious family, Bryce continues to be Bryce, I find his energy just amazing. Maddi is infectous, a bundle of energy that never stops!! Freddy is my little man, so calm and happy and Paul is just completes me. I am one lucky chicka-dee!!!

Have a great day all xx

Blogger Buddy/Buddies Wanted

So, after my post about getting right back into it after having Freddy and setting myself my little missions, I am still pretty much in the same spot, maybe a few steps further forward as I am now back to classes and have been for 4 weeks now and have been for 2 short jogs this week.

I haven't however nutted out the nuts and bolts about specific goals, time lines etc and being a goal orientated person, that's bugging me a little.

I have had a challenging few weeks, reasons I won't go into here, which has unfortunately seen some old habits rear their ugly head again which I am very disappointed about and suffice to say I am now up a few more KG's on top of the few I had to shift after bubs.

I am now ready to step it up a notch and finally get onto establishing my routine further and making headway into the KGs.

To get back to my Pre Preggers weight I don't consider it to be a huge amount but to get to where I would sit ideally I need to lose a few more Kgs as I was sitting a little higher than I should have been when I fell. So I have a good chunk to shift and I am actually looking forward to the changes coming again.

Anyway, to my title................

I was wondering if there is anyone out there that would be interested in joining me, not necessarily in losing weight but for any goal you have, any goal you might want to set yourself, it can be over any time period, for any reason.
So a Buddying up type thing, the more the merrier.

No set dates, unless you want to add your own time scale of course or have an event/goal you are looking towards, no failure.....if you have a bad day, blog about it and use the others to help move you on and carry on.

I was thinking more to provide motivation, support etc should anyone need it along the way.
Was thinking I would set up a new blog so we could post motivation articles, quotes, thought for the day, bits and pieces like that or if you have had a bad day and want to reach out then blog about it and hopefully some kind words will come back and help keep you focused.

We could either stay on our own blogs to record our weeks activity and results or do it on the new blog. We should have our name and goals listed down the side though and update them as we go so we can all see how we are doing.

Anyway, leave me a comment if your interested or feel you would have something to contribute or wanna join in maybe as a way of having some accountability in working towards your health or fitness goals.

Shar x

Mission #1

As my blog title states.........

'I'm a mum on a mission to be Fit, Healthy & Strong both in mind & body. Jan 2010 will finally see me fulfil what I believe is my purpose in life......to be able to be a full time mum to new baby and my other two gorgeous kids. A healthy and happy mum to my healthy and happy kids.'

..............so its time to live this fully.

Ive got the full time mum bit happening now. Ive left my Group fitness Managers job and couldn't feel more relieved, I don't miss it and don't think I will start too.
I still have a few GF classes (4 at the mo) each week, which I returned back to 2 weeks ago, but am in the process of trying to decide if its my time to step away from teaching for good or maybe just a short while, but that's a whole other post!

The other part of my blog title states -
I'm a mum on a mission to be Fit, Healthy & Strong both in mind & body.

I consider I had an exceptionally healthy and happy pregnancy, I exercised to 40 weeks exactly, have an extremely easy labour, a healthy bub, limited my weight gain to the 'guidelines' only gaining 9.5kg on top of my pre-preg weight at 40 weeks pregnant.

What I need to do now is continue all my good work into the now, get my full fitness back, exercise, eat well and continue to work on the mindset I found during my pregnancy journey.

So I need to commence 'my mission', being one that likes a goal, I will be deciding on my mission and setting small goals to achieve.
Bearing in mind I have a new baby, 2 other kids, a husband and a household to run I will be making the goals very doable and realistic I am not gonna bust it all for x weeks, not achieve and end up feeling like shite, I would rather keep setting ongoing small realistic goals and make changes gradually.

Mission #1 -
(Date range of Mission #1 to be decided, but probably leading up to my next Les Mills
presentation)
- Exercise regularly and consistently for mission period
- Eat a balanced diet (Organic/Free Range where possible)
- Reduce scale weight (realistic goal weight to be decided)
- Reduce Skinfolds from 7 sites (realistic goal mm to be decided)

So just a bit more descision making to be done and I'll be set for blastoff! :)

Loving reading about everyones preps and also other challenges that are happening at the moment, keep blogging all, you provide inspiration!!

Shar x

This bubba loves chillin'...........

Such a chilled out bubbs, here's Freddy chillin' on my lap and in his hammock....

Anyone got any tips?

I just thought I'd put this out there to see if anyone has any tips that can help me.

Do you have a certain way / process you go through to make decisions?

Obviously I have had to make decisions before but I can normally go with my heart, deep down you know what the right decision is but at the moment I am finding that my heart and head are clashing and that along with my life change recently are not making things black and white like I like things to be (the virgo coming out in me).

So if anyone has a process they go through - i.e writing pro's and cons etc then please let me know as I have a few decisions I need to make as my indecision is aggravating me!!

Cheers, Shar x

Doesn't time fly!!!!.........

Wow where have the last 3 weeks gone?

Freddy is 3 weeks old today, amazing where the time has gone.

We are all adapting to having an extra little person in the house and so far so good.

Freddy is such a chilled out bubs and I count myself lucky.

Of course no bubba has all day every day as good as gold and Freddy had a fidgety/cryey/upset day a few days back, which turned out to be a belly ache and then he got overtired, but a good ol' poo and he was back to his normal self :)

I have been very lucky in that my mum and dad have been here helping me with the other two kids, lunches, school runs, dinners and playing, here 'hold the baby' moments etc etc, it has been so good to have and I don't know what I would have done without them.

BUT they head back to the UK tonight and I'm already feeling super sad, just coz I know it will probably be another 2 years before we see them again.

This has been and still is a major upset for me daily and was so hard to make the decision to live here in Australia, even knowing we have a better life here. :(

Anyway, I have plenty to keep me busy and will just try and get on with it and not let my emotions out too much as Freddy will pick up on it and I don't want him feeling it.

My busy week ahead -

- Maddi has her 1st Gymnastics competition Saturday, very exciting and she looks so cute all leotarded up (not a word !!)

- Bryce has footy pre-season training started again and school camp next week

- I have a few friends to catch up with to introduce baby Freddy

- then I have to keep on top of all the wonderful cleaning, housework and washing my mumma has done for me to keep the house ship shape for the arrival of my in-laws a week on Monday, staying for 3 weeks.

- start to get everything coming together now my mum and dad aren't here to help out

- kick off my 'haven't got a name for it yet' back to fitness/shape extravaganza, name ideas welcome, leave me a comment :)

- start attending some classes to get help me back to teaching my classes im scheduled on again in 2 weeks!!!

So a few things to do alongside caring for my new bubba, kids and hubby, but hey its all in a days work right? and as you know, its what Ive been looking forward to................no-one is happier than me to finally (after 14 years) be a Full-Time Mumma and wife!!!!

Have a great weekend if I don't get back before

Shar x

You know I'm gonna be posting pics for a while so here's Freddy at 2 weeks..............

Introducing...............

Freddy George Twyman

Arrived on Thursday 25th Feb 2010 at 3.14am,

in a very quick! and natural labour.

Weighing 3.1kg / 7lb and 49cm long

Me and Freddy - 20 seconds old

Dad and Bub

Big Sister

Big Brother

Our moment

______________________________________________

What an amazing few days it has been and will continue to be.

We are all over the moon that Freddy is here safe and sound with us and of course all besotted by this little man that is just so perfect.

As you may or may not know I was only two days over but more than ready to have this bubba, I was just so keen to meet him. My last post late Wednesday night I posted I was having what I thought could be slight contractions for about 4-5 hours.

Well I went to bed and don't remember being woken by them, I did wake up to go to the toilet and realised that I hadn't felt anything significant so presumed they had gone away and I was either imagining the earlier ones or it had just stopped.

Anyway, after getting back into bed after the loo, I noticed my i phone glowing so I rolled over to see why. After rolling over I felt a distinct leaking feeling so immediately jumped out of bed to save the mattress!! then all of a sudden once upright.........GUSH, then just a flowing of my waters followed, luckily all caught by towels that Paul basically threw at my feet in a daze as he was awoken suddenly by me.

This was 2.05am, strong 'proper' contractions came immediately at only 2 minutes apart, called the Birth Centre told them the situation and they said they would call the yellow team in, I then stated I would sit it out at home as long as possible and call when I was leaving.

It took two more contractions for Paul and my mum, then me, to realise we didn't need to sit this out at home for any longer!!! Contractions were intensifying and I had a strange feeling coming on, woke Bryce to say bye, said bye to mum and in the car we were for the 20 min drive to the birth centre.

I soon started to panic a little and so did Paul, I got to the point I had to hold myself up off the seat as I couldn't sit down and wasn't really coping with the pain to well, a few red lights and a bit of excess speed later (was very careful of course and luckily the roads were empty at 2.20am in the morning) we arrived at the Birth centre.

Once in our room after 2 contractions, one in reception and one just in the corridor it wasn't long before the midwife told me the baby was on its way...........very soon. Maybe the clue was my saying 'I really need to poo'!!! and my voice and groan deepening when in contraction.

Anyway, once she 'had a look' there was a flurry of activity from her, I was down on the matting on the floor, up against the bean bag, gas and air in one hand, Paul and a flannel in the other and she indicated the babies head was crowning and I can push anytime I like!!!

WHAT!!!!! 'I want to go in the birthing pool' I kept saying and she laugh and try and explain it takes a long time to fill it and I really wont be long.

About 2 contractions later 'the stinging 'came............OMG!! that meant the head was coming out right??? right said Paul and the midwife!! 2 more and he was born!!

3.14am - 1 hour 9 mins after my water broke and contractions started. Initially I was in shock, then amazement my body and mind had coped with the intensity and pain, then happiness and then of course absolute unconditional love.

No stitches, no tears due to slowing down the pushes when told to, baby just perfect, feeding well (yep my boobs operate even after implants) I was all well and after pead checks and obs done on me and bubs regularly we were up and out of the birthing centre 12 hours later, what an amazing experience.

Baby Freddy is truly amazing, he doesn't cry, he is sleeping, having awake time and feeding well, I am under no illusion that all can change but all is good right now and its the right now we should live in.

My two other babies are besotted with him and Paul just stares at him with the same love as I feel. My Mum and step dad are all over him too of course.

Hope your all well, see you soon with more pics and updates no doubt!! :)

Shar xx