Our weekend in Dunedin Part 1

The last time I went to Dunedin was almost two years ago on April 20th 2012 and that was for a getaway out of Auckland and out of the North Island, obviously.

This time around our trip was for a very very special occasion, Andrei's sisters wedding!
It was such a beautiful ceremony and everything was organised perfectly.
I really have to do this post in two parts as I have A LOT of pictures.

Luka was only 6weeks old when we made the trip and she was amazing the whole time!
She slept most of the time but was such an amazing little traveller, apart from the journey home but by that time we were all pretty tired and grumpy it was a full 4 days that we had!

The first day we arrived we headed to our hotel called Park Regis, we were given the master suite due to having Luka with us. It was a gorgeous room!!!
It was also used for some of the wedding photo's. you can keep an eye for a post about the wedding on Olesya's blog 'Hung Up On Makeup' .

Just two of the many silly photo's we took on the plane ride there. We were quite bored and Luka slept through the whole thing!

The lounge of our hotel room

Our room, Luka was also provided a port-a-cot

After getting settled in at the hotel we headed down to the hotels bar and I indulged in my fave beverage, Speights Apple Cider!
You can get it up in Auckland, but because it's made in Dunedin it tastes just that little bit better, more crisp and bubbly mmmmm :-)

After that Andrei, Luka and I headed out for a bite to eat and we ended up finding this cool Mexican Restaurant down a street of the main strip called Del Sol, and it is a funky place!
You have sombrero's at the table!!!

Couples selfie!

 

You can't see it properly but there is a bar in the middle of the restaurant

The place was packed and full of amazing energy, the food was pretty damn good too!

I ordered pulled pork tostadas, I can't remember what Drei ordered but I do remember trying it and it was pretty good too!

After that we went back to the hotel room, Luka woke up during our meal, so she could have a bit of play and then back for a nap then we went and saw Drei's dad, came back to the hotel again and saw Olesya one last time before her wedding the next day.

Luka was very unsettled after all the travelling we did that day and didn't go to sleep till about 12 or 1am!

No matter, we got some sleep eventually and then it was all go again at 5am and the day of the wedding :-)

I will update you on that next time...

XOXOX

Lukas Birth Story

Heading out on our way to the hospital

26.12.2013

Andrei and woke up at around 6am to make sure everything was ready for us to go into hospital for my induction.

We'd prepared our hospital bags weeks prior so it was just putting things in that we used on a daily basis. Plus I wanted to put a little makeup on and get an outfit together, it was a very exciting moment so I wanted to look my best :P

9:30am Andrei my mum and I left to Auckland hospital to prepare for my induction which I talked about here.

By around 10am my nurse came in and a gel called prostaglandin was applied to lining of my cervix and from there it was a waiting game.

The nurse who applied the prostaglandin said that my cervix had already softened and I was already a few cm's dilated so my labour was pretty much under way apart from the fact my waters hadn't broken. (I actually think I went into labour a few days before hand. Before Christmas day we saw our friends and I was laying on their driveway because the concrete was hot and back was giving me hell! Plus I had the show on Christmas)

Luka and my contractions were monitored throughout the day, in between Andrei and I would walk around the hospital and the Auckland domain next door to try and get some movement happening.

Before we knew it 6 hours had passed and nothing had progressed so it was time for another gel insertion in which I was told I was already 3cm dilated and I didn't even know!

After that my mother in law popped by and us 3 went for a walk around the hospital and a round trip around the duck pond in the domain to get some action!

I tell you I was walking up stairs, climbing trees just to get anything going!

Alas nothing did and the day had come to an end

Andrei and I were told 4 applications of the gel would be applied in a 6hour interval between each insertion. If that didn't work then my waters would need to be broken manually.

Not likely.

27.12.2013

Around 12am I woke with terrible contractions.

One of my birth plan pain relievers was a hot shower and gym ball.
Andrei was helping massage my back and holding me up in the shower. We were in there for about 40mins, and my contractions were about 30seconds apart, before I almost collapsed from exhaustion of just being tired and being sick of the pain.

I was saying to Andrei that I simply can't do it, it felt like being stabbed and ripped open in my girly bits.
I slowly shuffled over to the nurses desk and asked for a wheat bag and put it in the microwave, the nurse watching me trying to stand and breathing from the contractions in the mean time!
I remember being told that if I couldn't talk from the contractions that meant I was ready to go, but I didn't have that problem at all. I could still hold a conversation.
Unfortunately the wheat bag didn't work, and I had to move away from my birthplan of a 'natural birth' and asked for something stronger than normal pain killers!

The nurse assisting us recommended I take a dose if pethidine which will knock me out and ease the pain.

Just before I had the dose given to me I was kneeling on the bed and suddenly I felt a trickle of water and I told the nurse in a bit of shock that I think my waters broke.

Unfortunately there was no way to tell cause it happened so quickly and I was wearing a sanitary pad. I was then given pethidine and was out like a light within in minutes.

And it only felt like minutes when I was awake again at around 4am. This time I was pushing and grunting!

I was so confused, mainly cause I was still out of it on pethidine and kept falling back to sleep between my pushing, but because I couldn't tell if I pushing out a baby or (TMI alert!) a big poo hahaha!

Don't ask me how long that went in for.

Poor Andrei had no idea what to do apart from calling the nurses in which I refused because I just wanted to sleep but also cause the pushing wasn't painful and I could still hold a conversation (well kinda, when I wasn't sleeping).

Andrei was on his last nerve when I started pushing while sleeping crouched over on the bed with my bum in the air and called the nurses in.

Poor nurses haha!

I kinda woke up and had my cervix examined again to which the nurse didn't need to prod very far to say that Lukas head was 'right there'!

In my drugged up sleepy state all I could manage to slur out was 'holy shit' and then before I knew it I was being rolled into the birthing unit and swearing in disbelief that I was about to push a baby out; apologizing to the nurses in between my cursing.

The first cuddle with my Luka :-)

It actually gets quite funny from here cause being half asleep and then being asleep while pushing I could've had Luka out in half the time!

I was in an up right on my knees position for birth which made it hard for one of my midwives to view what was going on as she wanted me to poke my butt out more or to get on my back cause every time I pushed I would push inward rather than outward which annoyed my midwife. (I feel bad now cause she has I think 3 other women to attend to that were in labour the same time as me)

She was on her last nerve and told me that if I didn't push out I would have to get on my back. I yelled NO at my midwife to laying on my back and they extended the bed more upright so I had a good grip around the top of the bed which then made it easier for me to push my butt out wards (but mainly because my back up midwife came through, she was no nonsense, and told me to push my butt out!) and then focus (we'll try to) on pushing.

Andrei was by my side the whole time keeping me awake and helping me breathe cause I obviously forgot to haha!

The times that the nurses told me to push I was already so tired and annoyed I yelled at them "I'll push soon just let me sleep!".

Then I'd yell at them saying that "errrr I'm having another contraction, faaaaaaaarrrrrkkkk!", that's when Andrei got in my face, helped me breathe and it was at that time when I forced myself awake and pushed Lukas head through until I heard that amazing little war cry.
The worst part was having to pushing when her shoulders were out but it was the most amazing feeling when my midwife pulled her out!
It felt like a waterfall and all that pressure from pregnancy was gone.

Little Luka Anya Linda Cher-Amour Monet was born at 5:56am weighing 2.475kg.

As out if it as I was, my new instincts kicked in and as soon as I was handed her I kissed her sweet little face and lips as did Drei and bonding was done :-)

Skin to skin bonding with my bubba who just loves sucking on her fingers!

So proud :-)

 

Unfortunately while pushing Luka, her hand was on her face which gave me a tear. Being stitched up was actually very pleasant, I was handed the laughing gas and I was gone again on a high much to mine and my midwives delight :P

Having Luka in my arms at the time took my mind away from what was happening, I couldn't get over how perfect and sweet she is.

My parents and and mother in law came as soon as Andrei let them know I was in labour and they were head over heels straight away.

How could they not, though, she's pretty gorgeous!

Two hours after having Luka I was transferred to Birthcare which helps new mothers learn to breast feed, change and bath their babies etc which I stayed from Friday till Sunday. 

It was so hard cause A: there were crying babies EVERYWHERE so I was very unsettled. Luka wasn't fazed at all B: you're partner can't stay unless you pay $100 a night for accom for them or they visit between 8am-8pm, the first night was awful we were both in tears having to leave each other and I ended up having the baby blues for 3days, crying at anything from seeing my sister and seeing Drei hold and love our baby; I was a mess full stop! And C: I was home sick and missed my home comforts.

But despite it being hard the food was amazing, the midwives on call were helpful and I learnt how to care for Luka.

But I would never, ever go there again unless I really had to.

Since then everything has been going great. We've had ups and downs and are still learning everyday.

I'm still in awe that Luka is ours and Drei can't get over her either, he's completely head over heels and she is going be such a daddy's girl!

He's fantastic with her and I have seen a new and beautiful side to him which has made me love him more as my partner and father to our baby.

I feel so blessed to have such a perfect partner and daughter that I couldn't imagine life without them.

 

Luka is now officially 2weeks old and is so good. Sometimes.

She's eating well and putting on fat, she sleeps well too; we haven't exactly been the best with safe sleeping cause she sleeps with us in the bed about 95% of the time as she's still getting used to the bassinet (I ended up putting her pram lining in there which has made her feel more secure and has added softness to the bed) but we both sleep with one eye open so we don't do anything that may harm her. It's still baby steps at the moment and were doing our best to wean her into sleeping in it.

The last few weeks have been the bomb and I wouldn't change my decision to keep her at all, she is seriously the best thing that has happened to me crappy nappies, late nights, screaming and all :-)
Plus my birthing experience was something quite different, fun and exciting and I would do it again in a heart beat.

 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the father of lights"

James 1:17

XOXOX

Possibly my last post for the year

So not long to go now before Luka's here.
I had what I thought was my final scan last Thursday and the OB caught that Luka's growth has slowed down a lot since my 29week scan, this can be quite serious I.E. a calcifying placenta in which the placenta is starting to decay before the baby's out and the baby isn't getting as much food as he/she needs.
This can harm the baby, or worst case, cause still birth.
She was measured and weighed in at 5.4pounds (2.4kg) which is much less than the 7pounder I thought she was!


Drei and I decided to go for a quick walk along the Viaduct Harbor before our last scan and monitor at Auckland Hospital on Monday morning.

The next day Andrei and I met with my midwives colleague who called Auckland Hospital (where I'm birthing) and told them that I was coming in to have baby and as well as my contractions monitored that night.
Everything seemed fine, and after 45mins of being monitored the doctor arranged with my midwife to have me induced this Thursday to be on the safe side for mine and Luka's health.
It's a really good thing that at 38weeks preggo I am technically classed as 'full term'.

I guess I feel relieved that there's a date I can accurately go by to meet our baby now, but at the same time I'm riddled with first time 'parental guilt' at having a small baby even though I've constantly eaten and been healthy throughout my pregnancy.
I kept thinking "why is this happening to my baby" and blamed myself to the point where I really hated myself for Luka being so small.
I told Andrei and my mum how I was feeling and it all came out in a big fat cry.
After having my little moment I remember my mum and mother in law saying to me after the scan that Andrei and I aren't very big people so we could just be genetically having a small baby, plus my mum and sisters had small children too.
Either way I still felt shit and have been on a constant worry and monitoring every move Luka makes which has meant sometimes I've had to wake her up to make sure she's still alive.

I've had so much assurance from my mum, Drei and mother in law and friends too that everything will be fine and she's going to be a happy healthy baby.
They've all been nothing but amazing with helping me stay calm since finding out about the induction and I feel so safe and assured and I know I'm in the best of hands :-)

My heart melted when I was in hospital the other night; Lukas heart rate peaked quite high and Andrei came over kissed and stroked my belly and talked to her and her heart rate went back to normal. It was seriously the sweetest thing.
He's going to be an amazing daddy :-)

Yesterday we had one more monitor and one more scan to check my fluid levels in the sac. Everything is perfect but my contractions have peaked since Friday so it's definitely close to the time!

Can't wait to see our baby in her little outfit and booties and watch her dream away in the bassinet :-)

 For now I've been finishing off my nesting, our hospital bags are packed and ready and we've been enjoying our last time together as a couple before we become our own little family.

So this may be my last post for the year 2013.
When I go for my induction on Thursday it may not happen straight away and I could be in hospital for a few days depending on if and how long the artificial treatment kicks in.
But I will be writing up my experiences when I can and I can't wait to share them; also something to look forward to in the new year from me is of course Lukas intro and birth story (warning that there will be a lot of TMI, but giving birth isn't glamorous and I guess it'll give you an insight of what to expect when you go through it yourself. I've never 'sugar coated' anything in this blog and I don't plan on starting), my maternity shots and maternity style plus heaps more!

Something to look forward to, my maternity style.

You'll hear from me soon, have a safe and happy new year everyone!!!

How far along? 38weeks (9months 2weeks).

Total weight gain/loss? I've lost a kilo so I'm now 72.2kg from 73.2kg last week. I hear this very common to lose a few kgs before giving birth.

 

Maternity clothes? Yes and no, Read about that 'here'

 

Stretch marks? Still none :-)

 

Symptoms: Braxton's (Hicks) that feel like dull period pains, lower back pain, pelvic floor pain and a creaky pelvis, gas, and just this morning I had 'the show' which is the mucous plug that seals the cervix during pregnancy comes away just before labour is due to start.

Sleep: It's been fantastic surprisingly.

 

Best moment this week? This week it'll be seeing my family tomorrow for Family Day (aka Xmas) and of course meeting my little Luka baby in a few days ;-)

 

Miss anything? Nope.

 

FOTD and 'They're Real' Mascara review in the new year.

 

Movements? Slowly becoming few and far between. I'm constantly monitoring them and have even had to shake Luka around to be sure she's OK. It's perfectly safe but I hate doing it cause most of the time she's sleeping but it puts my mind at ease.

 

Food cravings? Cherries, they're in season too :D

 

Happy or moody most of the time? Anxious. nervous, excited.....hormonal. I've been feeling quite blue about my pregnancy coming to an end and also with being induced it's all just really hit me; I've held myself together so well throughout this time that I'm now realising I'm only human and there are a lot of things I can't control, plus learning how fragile human life is.

 

Exercising? Walking when I can, my gym memberships on hold.

 

Labour signs? Frequent Braxton's and lower back pain that comes and goes, but when it comes it lasts for ages. (TMI alert!!!) Increase in discharge. I have the early signs but not quite the beginning of the actual labor itself.

Baby is a: Girl!

 

Belly button in or out? In.

Looking forward to? Giving birth and meeting our beautiful baby girl in just a few short days :-)

Last weekly snap shot! 38weeks, no more counting :-)

 XOXOX

J'aime Milse

Yesterday was one ugly rainy day in Auckland and it also happened to be the day that I was to meet with a very good friend of mine who was visiting from Australia.

We both have ravenous sweet tooth's and kinda planned the day together around our stomach's and first to cross off on our 'foodie' list is this sweet boutique dessert restaurant in town called Milse (pronounced mill-sey).


The little restaurant is situated in The Pavillion in Britomart and it really is a hard one to find as it located at the end of a gorgeous fairy light lit walkway between a shoe store and another restaurant.

When we first stepped in we were greeted by a lovely staff member who explained what all the delectable treats were and backed off to let us decide what we wanted which took several minutes as my friend and I wanted the whole store!

The first thing we saw as we walked into Milse!

 

Mmmmm macarons!

Were the delicious gelatos were kept

 

After minutes of gorging our eyes with all the amazing handmade, and beautifully presented desserts we finally settled that we'd get two things each.
The first picture below was what I had chosen which was (L) a strawberry, lemon and pistachio gateaux (NZD$8) and a (R) double crunchy chocolate gelato stick (NZD$7).

And this picture below was what my friend, Minna, ordered.
(L) banana, caramel and chocolate verrine (NZD$8) and (R) black forest gateaux (NZD$8)

I can happily boast that both desserts were EXQUISITE and truly art on a platter!
The gateauxs were fluffy and just 'melt in you're mouth', the gelato stick was very rich but none the less the best chocolate fix I've ever had!
I didn't get to have a taster of what Minna had as I think both of us really just wanted it all to ourselves. But as you can see, it isn't very hard to understand why.

The one and probably the only time I'll eat dessert this fancy!

Haha! Not one of my best photo's, but it caught the sheer indulgence on my face!

The kitchen where the desserts are made. all open plan so you can see how the patisserie experts work their magic!

 The restaurant isn't very big, but has a lovely intimate setting.
No booking's are required, it's simply just a 'walk in' experience but you do have the option of takeaway, and if the dessert that you're wanting isn't displayed they make it for you before you're very eyes in the kitchen above.


*Image provided by Google.
The only seating in the whole patisserie.
We came on a good day as we were the only customers!

After our little sugar fix we then browsed around the city, chatted away and the next thing to cross off my list was a new mascara.

Picture as featured on my Instagram account (shaleyabrett_)

It only seemed fitting that I buy the product that has many cosmetic addicts raving. The one and only 'They're Real' mascara from Benefit!
I've been in need of new mascara for a year, I've been using a good one from ModelCo. but it's now drying up and clumping. After all it is almost a year old...
I haven't used it just yet, I just liked the idea of getting a photo of it near my eyes, but as you can see my lashes are already quite thick and long, I just like to dramatise them that little bit more :-)

Picked it up for NZD$43, and I don't think I'll need to purchase a replacement for another year or so, I like to stretch my makeup for as long as I can.
I'll be reviewing this shortly.

Random bit of humor we came across on our travels

Our final stop at The Occidental in which I chowed down on some homemade crispy wedges with sour cream.
YUM! 

 So that was my big day out really!
If you want to find more out about Milse you can check it out 'here', in the mean time I'll leave you with those photo's that you can devour 'guilt free' with you're eyes while I happily placed those calories on my hips for you ;-)

Until next time!

XOXOX

Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar

Hi Everyone!

About a week ago I went into the city to hand around some of my C.V 's.
Unfortunately I am still unemployed.
No matter, I've been settling into unemployment quite well with all the housework and cooking I've been doing I'll be the perfect housewife!

JOKING! I am too much of a feminist for that :P But I do love a clean house and I do like to cook!

Back to story!
So As I was handing my C.V's out I recall that a new milk and cookie bar had opened up and some of my friends had paid a visit and LOVED it!
I instantly saw me having the time to blitz in the city as an opportunity to check out this milk and cookie bar cleverly named, Moustache. (I instantly thought milk moustache?)

I tell you one thing, it was not hard to find.

If you're a local in the Auckland area you'll probably already know where it is, but just in case here's a link to it's website just to be safe (MOUSTACHE).

I kid you not there was a line that was 4metres long!
So I thought 'what the hell' and waited patiently in line, not for that long though, and ordered a chocolate chip cookie which was almost as big as my head!
And to keep with the cookie theme, I ordered a cookies & cream milkshake, yum.

The problem that I have with milkshakes, though, it that the mix always tends to stick to the roof of my mouth, I do find that it kills the 'yummy factor' I wish to experience, but I didn't find that at all with this place!

Chocolate Chip Cookie $4, Cookies & Cream Milkshake $7.50. Enjoying consuming these delicious treats, priceless. For everything else, there's MasterCard XD (sorry I just had to add that in!)

Anyway, here's a few pictures I took inside of Moustache, it's a pretty cool place!



The awesome hanging milk bottles

Everything is made in front of you!

Some of the 4meter long line!

I loved the interior design of the place, like how there were lighted up milk bottles hanging above the counter and how the menu was displayed on a chalkboard and the the cookies were (for obvious reasons) displayed in large cookie jars, and behind the counter were old milk bottles and candy jars sitting on the shelves.

The place definitely gets you're taste buds going!

Everything is also made right in front of you, which I like :-)
The staff were so friendly, despite how busy it was!

The service was amazing, I wasn't left waiting long, and above everything else the quality of the produce exceeded my expectations, I'll definitely be going back!
The only thing that was a let down was how small the place was so there was no room for more seating, there were a few seats at the front, but otherwise the place is fantastic :-)

So friends, Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar is the place to be in the City of Sails aka Auckland City. And if you haven't already been there (for those locals) get there, you wont be disappointed!

Enjoy the rest of you're weekend everyone!

XOXOX

Good food at the Occidental

So last weekend before my last interview test with Hallensteins (you can read all about it in my last post 'Makeup and new Beginnings') my boyfriend Andrei and I decided to get some breakfast at a place we have never eaten before.

The usual places we would normally go was McDonald's, Subway or little cafes around were we lived.
Instead, we went into the city and walked down one of the many little streets browsing for a place that caught our eye.

One in particular was a Belgian / German Cafe called Occidental Bar which is located on Vulcan Lane off Queen Street in Auckland City.
Prior to coming here we have been to dinner at a very similar cafe called Blankenberge Belgian Beer Cafe, and every Tuesdays they have a special on $15 1/2 Kilo steaks and a side of fries .
YUUUUUMMMYYYY!!!!

We took an instant liking to the atmosphere, very casual, spacious and nice and quite where we could talk and have some good food.
Here is what we ordered for breakfast:

Starter:

Me: Hot chocolate with a  yummy German Biscuit on the side

Andrei: Frothy hot coffee with the same cookie (that cookie was damn good!)

Breakfast:

Me: Fluffy pancake stack with maple syrup, cream, sliced bananas and mixed berries and a side of hash browns

Andrei: Occidental Big Breakfast (typical man choice haha) grilled bacon, tomato, Belgian sausage, creamy mushroom, hash browns, poached eggs and toasted grain bread.

 



Our yummy food! Sorry this photo does Andrei's meal no justice!





I can happily say that I was impressed with the quality and presentation of the food.

The pancakes were fluffy and pretty much to-die-for as you can see from the photos and both meals were very filling I also loved how my hot chocolate was presented in a beer type glass!

The service of the staff was great, especially since it was so early in the morning and we both enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant which is the same as we get at Blankenberge and a reason why we visit there often now :-)

Although I loved my pancakes I just couldn't stop staring at Andrei's breakfast platter!

And seeing as breakfast is the most important meal of the day I decided that I'll get what Andrei ordered next time we visited :D

So if you live in Auckland or ever plan on making a visit to Auckland (for my overseas readers) The Occidental is definitely the place you wanna sit down and have a good breakfast or a good beer (later in the day of course or maybe breakfast if it takes you're fancy).

I'll have more great food spot reviews around Auckland soon everyone, in the mean time I hope this doesn't make you too hungry ;-)

XOXOX