laurasaur

I’m so happy to be sharing that we are expecting another baby!  I’ve been really quiet on the blogging front recently – mainly due to the fact that my life has been somewhat all consumed with the dark cloud that is infertility. Every time I would go to write all I could drum up would be posts on miscarriage and how much of a depression I was struggling with and I decided I didn’t really feel I could quite express the way I was feeling appropriately, nor was I sure that I wanted my deepest thoughts and sadness out there for everyone to see forever.

I suppose because I’ve felt/been really infertile for over a year now that getting this far in the pregnancy feels just to good to be true. I also seem to be one of those lucky women who get absolutely no morning sickness or anything like that so there’s nothing to reassure me on a daily basis that there’s actually a baby inside of me. I have to admit to peeing on yet another pregnacy test as soon as we got back from France, so reassuring to see that mega dark test line appear in seconds!

Don’t get me wrong I’m beyond happy but the disbelief and nervousness that something will go wrong a bit does spoil the fun. I am totally relaxed about it and very good at not being stressed out

So that’s my news! All going well the baby will be born at my parents house in NZ. The “due date” is 27th of December, I’ll be happy if it decides to come not on Christmas day though! I still have to sort out my midwife care here in the UK as I’ve just been under the local early pregnancy unit due to my previous losses. I’ve already found a fab midwife and confirmed she can take me on for the birth in New Zealand and I can’t wait. I’m so looking forward to giving birth!

We have had amazing weather in London recently but today hail, thunder and a hearty dose of being cooped up inside (except for a short stint at crèche/yoga) were on the agenda.

Admiring my new clock for the photo wall
A bit of DIY action to make a postcard holder
Beautiful tulips on their last legs brightening this dreary day
Brocolli and bacon go together so well.. especially when cooked in garlic butter…. mmmm…
The potty has seen a surprising amount of action today! Go Reuben
Cards from Nanna for chicken pox man
Duplo……..
Pile of parcels to be sent to the best country ever
My naked kitchen helper

So thankful for my stay at home mummy life!! xx

Spring has finally arrived in London, and it’s so lovely to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin again! I’m so looking forward to long summer days in the sun… just as soon as we get rid of Reuben’s chicken pox!!!

I’ve been on a bit of a health kick recently, my sister in law stayed with us for a few weeks and her self discipline with food really motivated me to get my eating habits back into what I consider ‘healthy’. Obviously healthy means different things to different people, but what works for me is a variant of paleo or basically low carb with minimal processed foods.

Ever since Reuben was born breakfast has been a real struggle, but I’m happy to say it’s been a week and a half now and I feel like we are winning! Neither of us has had any cereal, instead opting for this delicious smoothie. I call it a green smoothie, Reuben calls it ‘cah coh’ (chocolate) or just makes his usual hamster noise.

What we blend:

Scoop or two of whey or hemp protein isolate
1/2 a frozen banana and maybe a handful of frozen blueberries
about 3 cups of spinach (we just fill the blender to the top)
Few spoonfuls of full fat greek yoghurt (how much gets in depends on how much is eaten by Reuben in the process)
Water

That smoothie must not have had any cocoa powder in it as it turns it brown (duh).

It’s so easy, quick, and the only way I have ever found to get spinach or kale into Reuben. Don’t tell anyone but sometimes we have this for lunch or afternoon tea too……..

In other news, I’m a bit upset that my husband snapped away rare pics of me and little R snuggling and playing all day today and… the card was not in the camera. Damn you ‘shoot without CF card’ setting! Damn you to hell.

I don’t think this can rightfully be called a Clafoutis as Wikipedia tells me that a Clafoutis is a baked cherry dish.

I’ve no doubt this would be delicious with cherries. The best variant I’ve made has been lemon and blueberry. Personally I think any traditional fruit combo would work here. Rum and raisin anyone?

your fruit of choice, enough to scatter over your baking dish
4 eggs
1 c sugar
1/2 c milk
1/2 c cream

1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 T lemon zest
3/4 c all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Place the berries in the bottom of an oven proof dish. I used a 24cm flan dish but you can make it in anything, your baking time will differ though.

Whisk eggs and sugar together until pale. Add milk, cream, lemon zest and juice and whisk together.
Add the flour and salt and whisk together gently.

Pour over the berries/fruit. Place in the oven and bake until the middle is golden and just bounces back when pressed, about 25 minutes.

I like this warm and still enjoy it the next day.

You can see why we only have half a layer of berries in our clafoutis….

Is sleeping in his cot with the sides off tonight. Guess I should probably stop calling him a baby soon…

In other news I’ve been majorly addicted/obsessive over Pinterest recently so 

I walked into TK Maxx on Saturday, I’ve been hunting for some decent (leather, cheap) ballet flats for flippin ages. And what did I see? These beautiful, Zara goat leather gold ballet flats that I had pinned 20 WEEKS AGO. For HALF PRICE. In MY SIZE. It’s like God was telling me that I MUST buy these shoes. And buy them I did.

Dude I love TK Maxx. So much.