caffeinated catchup :: {weeks 22 to 24}

Goodness me, it has been ages since I have written. Apologies my dearests but I have just been flat out!

"Watch what you say" -- Frankie is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that Frankie finds gentle music and my voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, Frankie's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It isn't hard to figure out when -- Frankie's kicks are enough of a giveaway (Frankie says hi right now and just rolled over, I'm sure! What a mover!).

Baby things are being bought left and right. Cots, prams, bedding, clothes.. the list goes on! And can I recommend your local Salvos enough?! We have picked up some great finds for no more than AU$3 each.. nearly brand new as well! Ah the joys of being thrifty when you have the foreknowledge of no work/money in the future!

Any other tips on money saving would be greatly appreciated!

And for more caffeinated fridays, please visit

caffeinated randomness :: {on top of the world}

Aw gee shucks! Lovely Under Grace & Over Coffee nominated me for this award and I just feel so priviledged that I have to share it!

Here are the Rules:

Use only one word answer the questions, pass along to six favorite bloggers, and tell 'em you did so.

1. Where is your cell phone? Handbag

2. Your hair? Short

3. Your mother? Creative

4. Your father? Softy

5. Your favorite food? Sweet

6. Your dream last night? Forgotten

7. Your favorite drink? Standard-skinny-vanilla-latte (I order it like that so it IS one word ;)

8. Your dream/goal? Heaven

9. What room are you in? Reception

10. Your hobby? Singing

11. Your fear? Alone

12. Where do you want to be in six years? Here

13. Where were you last night? Meeting

14. Something that you aren't? Energised

15. Muffins? Yesterday

16. Wish list item? This

17. Where did you grow up? Perth, WA

18. Last thing you did? Ate

19. What are you wearing? Pyjamas

20. Your TV? On

21. Your pets? Sleeping

22. Friends? Numerous

23. Your life? Changing

24. Your mood? Unenergised (is that a word?)

25. Missing someone? Always

26. Vehicle? Daewoo

27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Fireflies

29. Your favorite color? Random

30. When was the last time you laughed? Everyday

31. Last time you cried? Months

32. Your best friend(s)? Blessings

33. One place that I could go over and over? Perth

34. One person who emails you regularly? Numerous (is that a cop out?)

35. Favorite place to eat? WildThyme

And for my six favourite, over the top blogs...

• The chicka that gave me this award, Under Grace & Over Coffee
• My lovely mumma, Artshus by Violet
• Another top chicka, Critty Joy
• An inspiration to me, South East Country Wife
• My lovely "Misho" (read: Missionary) friend, Ravvy
• One of my new favourites, Joyful Adorations

And for more of this random caffeine, please visit

tuesday tummy update :: {weeks 20 & 21}

Because I have been so slack of late, I'll be giving you a 2 week update today! Also, don't forget this giveaway!

{Week 20}

Frankie is now measured from head to toe. This is because Frankie has been curled up in utero until now and is very difficult to measure. Frankie's weight is approx 300 grams and measures approx 22cm from head to toe. The part of Frankie's brain that controls the senses is developing fast.

At this time, Frankie's skin is secreting a thick white waxy substance called vernix which acts as a waterproof barrier to protect the baby’s skin during pregnancy. Vernix prevents dehydration and prevents the skin from becoming prune-like while living underwater for nine months!

Frankie is about the length of a rockmelon (cantaloupe) - hopefully not as round!!!! :)

{Week 21}

Frankie is now around 26 cm long and weighs about 400 grams – the size of a banana! Apparently, Frankie can hear when I talk and sing – so I'm guessing now’s a good time to start playing my favourite music so that Frankie develops exceptional music taste & ability! :)

Frankie is still small but is developing stores of fat deposits underneath the skin which provide warmth, protection and helps maintain body temperature. The brain is developing fast too, and needs lots of omega fats to sustain its growth. Unfortunately, this means I probably should be taking fish oil tablets.. haven't started yet!

artschus giveaway :: {february}

I just thought that I would let you in on a giveaway that Artschus by Violet is holding. You must visit & enter your name because, and I'm sure you will agree, the prize is oh-so-gorgeous. Entries close at the end of February, so click on the link below & happy entering!

February Giveaway

Stay tuned for a tummy update tomorrow!

tuesday tummy update :: {week 19}

Frankie is now the size of a mango! Frankie's tastebuds are now well developed and they can taste the sweetness of the amniotic fluid. Before they are born, babies already like sweet tastes (like mangos)!

Developing fast, Frankie's hearing is now sensitive enough to pick up sounds that are too high or too low for adults to hear. Hearing will have developed to a point where Frankie may startle to a loud noise or music. Frankie has also grown another centimeter in the last week - so now measures around 15 cm! I keep getting comments that people can't tell I'm pregnant so it would be interesting to find out just how Frankie is fitting in there!

We go to our 19 week ultrasound today where we will hopefully find out the sex... We both have our preferences but will be absolutely happy with whatever we are blessed with!

caffeinated randomness :: {love me some muppets}

Wow, I have so many random things to share today, so please bear with me! First off, the theme for CR today is to share my favourite Christmas movie of all time.

Drumroll please...

The Muppet Christmas Carol

I absolutely love this movie! I think it would make a great Christmas Eve tradition that we can all love. Because who doesn't love themselves a bit of Muppets?!

On to more randomness...

My lovely mum is having a great December giveaway at her new blog, Art Shu Shus. So if you would like to score yourself some original, hand-painted Christmas gift tags, please visit!! That link again - here.

And last, but I would say definitely not least, an update on Frankie (the temporary boy/girl name we chose to keep people guessing)!

Frankie is now 17 & 1/2 weeks old and the size of an onion. Strange because I can't stand eating onions at the moment!

According to The Bump, Frankie's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints. So there you go!

For more randomness, please visit my chicka Andrea.

book giveaway :: {a forever christmas by missy tippens}

For those of you who peruse my book blog, you will know that the lovely author, Missy Tippens, will be giving away a copy of her new book, A Forever Christmas to anyone who comments on my review. This is open to anyone in the US, Canada & Australia.

So please head over there and leave a comment.