●

I've mentioned before we're not big planners. At the beginning of 2009 our only plan was a holiday to Australia in March. But after another drawn out winter we decided it was the year to move back for good. I remember the exact moment that conclusion was reached. We were at the Tate Modern to see the Rodchenko and Popova exhibit, and I felt such a strong pang in my guts to go home I started crying. We walked outside to find London desolate and covered in the most beautiful snow.

That decision sparked the second half of the year, with me falling pregnant almost as soon as we landed. Soon after we got engaged, then married. Parts of the year have been tough. It was hard to pack up 5 years of living in a very short amount of time, and say goodbye to the people I had known in that period. It was hard to move to Sydney, where I had no friends and no job and PB worked almost 70 hours a week to support us. But that gets forgotten with all the good stuff. Being surrounded by nature, a gorgeous hubby, my family close by and a sweet little baby growing inside me. I'm even slowly meeting new people and making friends.

It was a big year, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I hope you all took something good from 2009 and have a healthy and happy year ahead.

xxx

(Image: Taken at a friends wedding in August, but I photoshopped the text!)

●

Bumpday again! 29 weeks. PB and I can't believe we get to meet our little Baby Bear in 11 weeks or so. We have a real little wriggle-worm at the moment, poking little bits of elbow, knee, hand and foot around my belly. It's such a beautiful feeling, even though we have no clue as to which bulge belongs to which body part. This afternoon we caught up with a couple of good friends who are over from London for a few months, so good to see them again! Chloe and I compared bellies, whilst the boys kept themselves entertained by telling dirty jokes. 

The ladies weren't impressed.

●

Hello! We're back from our Melbourne trip. Thought I'd post up some pics of our time away, starting with the (belated) weekly Bumpday photo. Me in the dress a 28 weeks. Hoochie-mama! And without sounding conceited, I would have to say that I'm finally glowing. Woohoo – about bloody time!

While we were there we caught up with some good friends for a balmy night out in the city. I'd always heard of The Waiters Restaurant, but never had a chance to go until now. We devoured mammoth bowls of pasta then followed them up with some cheeky granitas at Pelligrini's. I love Pelligrini's, it always makes me think of hot Melbourne summers. Although this year there was strictly no bar hopping beforehand. (I did have a sip of PB's beer though. Sssshhh...)

Being Polish my family celebrate on Christmas Eve. Once a year mum makes a traditional dish for this occasion, called Pierogi. There are lots of variations on the filling of these little dumplings, but at Christmas they are stuffed with mushrooms, cabbage and spices and served in a clear beetroot broth. Unfortunately we were too busy scoffing them to take photos, but PB did get lots of my mum making them:

There was way too much food to eat. And we had been stuffed full of our favourites in the days leading up so stomach capacity was limited. And just when we thought it was over, when we had eaten the entire contents of the fridge, out comes a roast pork:

It was amazing and I think PB's favourite. As well as taking lots of photos of my mum cooking, PB also took hundreds of Daisy Dog. Here are a few. Isn't she gorgeous? Aaah, we love Daisy Dog.

So that was Christmas this year. I'm not going to go on about it too much, as I run the risk of getting sentimental and waffling. I will say that it was a pretty special time to hang out with my parents, my husband and little Baby Bear in my belly. After being overseas for so long it was the first Christmas in ages I had a real sense of family, and I'm pretty lucky to find myself amongst these people that happen to be mine.

●

(Image: Anna Rummey)

We're off to Melbourne tomorrow to spend Christmas with my parents, eat LOTS of pierogi, chill out and be merry. Hope you all have fabulous Christmas, and avoid indigestion from over-eating. xx

●

Last Christmas:

Rugging up and going for walks at Hampstead Heath.

This Christmas:

Swimming at the beach and eating Mango Weis bars.

●

(Images: Anna Rummey)

This was our Wedding Invite and Order of Service. I drew the birds months ago when I was at my folks, just after we arrived back from London. I had no idea that I was pregnant at the time or about to get married. The invite was a bit cheeky but didn't cause too much of a stir, although I'm pretty sure my dad wrote something completely different when he translated it for our relatives in Poland. Something about our love transcending the fog. Apparently there wasn't a polish version for up the duff. He he...

●

I wasn't going to post the wedding photos until I had them all, but we haven't had a chance to pick up the disc yet, and now it's Christmas and then it will be New Year and then something else will come up and the wedding will be old news. So I thought I'd put a few up in the meantime. These are the ones the photographer sent through as samples, so if we're pulling odd faces or looking sad or bored, please excuse us. We really weren't. (Although towards the end we did get a bit sleepy...) You can read a little bit about the day here.

We don't really have any of the reception or decorations just yet, but we do have this one of the cake, which was pretty sensational.

(Images: Sean Murray)

●

(Image: Anna Rummey)

●

(Image by Ryan Marshall)

So far in my life  I've only really had one close friend that's had a baby. But right now I have the pleasure of being pregnant at the same time as 4 of my good pals. They live in; France, Switzerland, London and Melbourne (and I don't live in any of those places!) Sometimes being so far makes me sad, but I guess with the internet it's easy to stay in touch. This morning the lovely Cass sent me this link, to photographer Ryan Marshall who did a series of pictures of his pregnant wife, Cole. The images and words are beautiful, but what really got me in the guts was his account of the birth. Here's a little excerpt: 

"Cole had become steel, she was so determined, she was owning the moment, she would find the pain threshold with each contraction and plow right thru it. She found her spot in the tub, and planted herself, and you could hear her voice change, low tones controlling the hurt. You know how you can see a person in pain, and their body language is to pull their arms in and curl, and twist, and everything goes inward, and when they say "OUCH" it's yelled out in wimpy vowels and repeated over and over and wincing. Well Cole, was holding herself up and out, and when she would say "OUCH" it was forced out from her low low belly, like she was the one digging in and reaching down and making the pain. She wasn't letting it happen to her, she was hunting it down, grabbing it by the hair and dragging it out of her body. She was a fucking warrior, and I was so in awe of her, and so proud."

You can read the rest on his blog here. Without rambling on too much, this is how I feel about the birth of our little Baby Bear. I don't want to plan too much, worry about breathing techniques and pain distractions. My plan is to do what feels right at the time, listen to my body and face those contractions head on, let them come, rise and go. Sometimes people tell me I'm nuts, brave, whatever. Sometimes I get scared when they comment too much, but reading that birth story has given me that last bit of oomph I needed to keep positive about the experience. I don't know if I'll be that strong, but I'm going to try my best. And I guess that's all I can do.

●

(Image: James Jean)

Yesterday afternoon we ventured over to Darlinghurst for a bit of city/shopping/gallery stuff. Although I love them I was starting to get frustrated at wearing my drawstring shorts every day, so a trip to American Apparel provided a couple of toob skirts and dresses. Stretch fabric – YES! Although I do believe I may look like a bit of a hoochie-mama. Ah well. While we were out we popped into Outre Gallery and both fell in love with this picture, by James Jean. Isn't it beautiful? Let's pop that one onto the imaginary wish list Mr.Santa. Thanks!

●

It's Wednesday, which can only mean one thing...

... BUMPDAY!

27 weeks today.

It was PB's first day off in ages

and I'm almost up to date with all my work,

after a massive sleep in (him, not me)

we went on an adventure to Long Reef.

And the best pie shop ever.

Ever!

I saw my first blue-bottle,

and a few crabs and a pelican

who's beak can hold more than his belly can.

●

I know, I know. This blog was meant to showcase my illustrations.

I think there are a grand total of 5 on here.

Set to start again last week, had everything laid out and then...

...the phone rang.

It was a freelance client

and I have been chained to the computer ever since.

But a girl's gotta eat right?

So here are some puppies instead.

I think they're much better than any drawing I could possibly produce anyways.

Photo by Lena Corwin.

●

I just saw these guys over at Handmade Romance. They were salvaged from the Camberwell Market in Melbourne. Aren't they awesome? I used to love getting up at the crack of dawn and going to the markets, finding treasures and then scoffing a couple of hot jam doughnuts on the way out. I'm sure I've bought a lot of crap from there, but have also found some great gems, including a brown 70's robe/cardigan thing that I will never part with. Don't think I ever found anything this cool though. Nice one!