Happiness is Eva

24 Weeks (this picture was taken a week ago)

This pregnancy is flying by. And while I intended (intend to?) track and record my process with regular updates, instead they have become more sporadic.

Since my last update I have finally started prenatal yoga. And despite almost passing out — literally when I stood up too quickly — I’ve been enjoying these classes. It’s the one time in my busy week that I take the time out to really focus on my pregnancy and preparing my body to give birth. As much as it’s easier for me to be in denial about giving birth, the issue I have is that I’ve experienced giving birth naturally — I know the pain. There is no denying the pain.

Some women view natural birth as a beautiful experience, one that they embrace. But at this point, I fear it. Knowing what I know, I fear the pain. However, being as stubborn as I am, I am determined again to have a drug-free labour — one that I believe is best for my body and my baby.

Despite my fear of labour, I can’t wait to hold my baby in my arms. I often daydream — I wonder if he will look like his sister, I wonder about his characteristics and temperament and I wonder about how our lives will change. completely. again.

Slowly I’ve been collecting little baby boy clothes, imagining that soon there will be a little body to fill them.

And very slowly Eva is warming to the idea that there will be a new baby in this house. Tonight I couldn’t help but smile as Eva explained that she is a big sister and that she has a baby brother. She then gave my tummy first hugs, then kisses, and finally big splurting raspberries (which she called farts).

Poor little guy; his big sister is already teasing him. But at least she is thinking about him.

25 January

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baby 2.0

Upon requesting that Eva have her picture taken with me, she immediately posed by sticking her two fingers up her nose! Have we already reached this stage?

*Please ignore my post-beach, no make-up look.

23 January

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Shop Eva’s Closet

Well, the time has come.

As many of you know, Eva has accumulated quite a wardrobe for her tiny age. And since we found out that our second child is a boy, we have decided that it’s time to let go of some of her clothes that have been sitting in storage boxes.

Rather than selling them through eBay or Instagram, I’ve set up a Goodsie store — Happiness is Eva’s Closet — for easier shopping. All items are payable through PayPal and unfortunately due to the cost of shipping, I can only offer these items within Australia. If you are from overseas and desperately want to purchase something, please email me — happinessiseva@me.com — and I can quote you international shipping costs.

While Eva has a plethora of clothes, I’m only selling those items that are in very good to excellent condition. All prices are listed in Australian Dollars and reflect the quality, condition and brand of each piece. For those in Australia, I have a range of American brands, many of which are unavailable in Australia — Misha Lulu, Janie and Jack, Crewcuts, Baby Gap, Guess Jeans, Saltwater Sandals, Roxy, Ralph Lauren etc — as well as a number of Australian brands including Country Road, Sooki Baby, Tutu Du Monde, Bardot Jnr and Jack and Milly.

If you have any questions you can email me — happinessiseva@me.com — or contact me through Facebook. Happy Shopping!

22 January

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What Eva Wore

“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”

3/52

“I’m a Queen — not a Princess”

21 January

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52 project

Back to School

Since it’s that time of year, here is a little Back to School inspiration: So Young — Toddler Backpack, LunchBots — Stainless Steel lunchbox, Stuck on You — Art Smock, Native Shoes — Jefferson, Kikki K — Giant Pencils

And the winners of the Stuck on You giveaway are:

Congratulations Victoria and Henna! Please email me (happinessiseva@me.com) your contact details (name and email address) in order to claim your prize.

21 January

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Back to School

My Favourites.

I’m back at work in a couple of days and as much as I’ve tried to deny it, the reality is starting to settle in. Slowing my anxiety of leaving Eva in daycare is creeping back and sadly Eva must be feeling the same thing. She often yells “No kids today!” from the backseat as we drive down the road past the daycare centre.

So for the next couple of days I plan to go back to denial in Lala Land and soak up as much family time as I can.

20 January

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family

Melbourne

Eva isn’t even 3-year’s old and I’ve already lost count of how many air miles she has traveled —three overseas vacations and countless other flights. If you have been following this blog for a while you would already know that Johnny and I both love to travel. There is something so exciting and rewarding about exploring and experencing a new city, a new country or a new culture. Although Eva is still a little too young to travel to many of the places we want to visit, we still try to provide her with new experiences. And even with a new baby due in May, we have already talked about taking two separate overseas holidays — Japan and another trip to America at the end of the year. Are we crazy?!

Recently we spent a couple of weeks down in Melbourne —one of my favourite cities. And while we didn’t get to explore it like I would have loved to —at countless cafes and restaurants— we opted for some more kid friendly activities:

Luna Park:

Collingwood Children’s Farm: (a farm in the middle of the city!)

Melbourne Aquarium:

While I am no hurry for Eva to grow up, I can’t wait until she is old enough to take and enjoy trips to Siem Reap or Kyoto or New York or Paris.

17 January

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Melbourne

Don’t forget to enter the “Back to School” giveaway! There are two $25 gift vouchers from Stuck on You up for grabs — click here to enter. Good Luck!

17 January

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Growing Up

Sometimes it’s a little overwhelming to think how quickly Eva has grown, how so much has changed and how she has developed. Yet ever since she was a baby most of her personality quirks have stayed true: curious, stubborn, headstrong, determine, cheeky and giggly. It’s hard for me to imagine that in just a few short months, my long legged little girl will be turning 3!

T-Shirt: Crewcuts, Jeans: Witchery, Shoes: Seed Heritage

17 January

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What Eva Wore

Summertime

Summertime.

Growing up by the beach, these are the types of childhood memories I have of summertime in Australia: splashing on the shore line, chasing the waves back and forth, giggling in the surf.

And although I loved my childhood growing up in a small coastal town, I could never move back. I thrive in the city. I need the hustle and bustle. I need to stay busy. But every now and then it is refreshing to go back, to see the roads and the coastline and beaches that I have memorized.

Last Friday we took an unplanned trip to day trip Byron Bay, and spent the afternoon playing in the sea as the sun went down.

A little timid at first, Eva clutched my hand as she tiptoed her way to the water’s edge. And although she never let go, I had never heard such loud screams and giggles from her as she played chasey with each new set of waves.

I guess it’s only through seeing the joy and happiness of such a simple thing that it makes you realise how beautiful life can be. I just wish we took the time more often to stop and breathe it all in.