USA Trip. Part 4. Kansas.

I was a tad bit excited about our 7 nights in Kansas :) And not just because this place intrigued me {to see where Dorothy lived lol} but because my big brother Spencer lives there with his wife Heidi & 3 kids, Cooper, Amelia & Imogen! With Spen being in the Australian Army, they move {a lot} and are currently doing a 3 year stint in the USA! There was so many things I was looking forward to for this week ahead..... Cousins playing together! Relaxing! Shopping! Enjoying summer! Being with family! and Seeing new places, meeting new people & experiencing new things :)

The trip from Canada to Kansas was broken into two legs.....with a pit stop in Detroit. {And good ole' me....heavily pregnant, lugging bags & strollers & a 3yr old; paced through the WHOLE length of the Detroit airport at full pace to make our next plane.....to then discover there was a monorail that could've got us there in a smidgen of the time....and with a lot less effort on my behalf haa!!} THEN.....The flight from Detroit to Kansas City was probably the most terryifing experience of my life! It was turbulent THE.WHOLE.WAY! Ella snoozed through it without a care in the world.....whilst I sweated up an anxious storm & said my final prayers & goodbyes...totally convinced this was my last day on Earth! NOT FUN!!!!

Yet.....we made it, safe n sound! And boy oh boy was I glad when that plane touched down & I was greeted by familiar faces in the airport :) 

Let me tell you....our week in Kansas was GOOD! It delivered :) 

{Ella was in all kinds of "happiness heaven".....cousins, summer, dress-ups, ice-cream....it all equalled FUN}

Spen & Co, live in the Army Base {which is basically a mini city...it was HUGE!}. And I really loved it there. Due to the nature of the place, it felt so safe & so 'neighbourly'. I instantly fell in love with the tree-lined streets, the enormity & character of the houses, the squirrels playing on the front lawn, the old yellow school buses, the drive-thru coffee shop.....everything here oozed 'American Goodness'. It felt so different from home, which was nice....that's the point of travel isn't it? To feel new feelings, to see new things, to make comparisons, to be a part of something different! Yet it also felt so familiar, with the comforts of being with family :)

{Above: Cooper & Ella}

This old Carousel museum was gold! The kids had a blast! I think they rode the thing about 6 times :) My cheeks hurt from smiling at them everytime they spun past me!

{Below: The gorgeous Miss Milly Moo}

I excitedly got to experience the magic of WALMART again here :) Kansas was AMAZING for shopping...and shopping up a storm I did :) Ella got a 'Tangled Rapunzel' dress & doll from Walmart for a tiny fraction of the price we would pay in Aus. And she hardly took the dress off all week :)

A big {Wizard Of Oz like} storm erupted one morning whilst we were out.....so we took cover in a quirky little place; "Homer's Diner" for Coffee & real apple pie. This little place ROCKED! It was full to the brim of Coca-Cola memorabilia. I felt like I was in a movie set.....with the colourful locals, and the warm lady/owner who constantly tops up your coffee cup the second it runs low & knows everyone on a first name 'buddy' basis. It was nice!

{Above: I told you...it was my kind of place!! Meant for me! lol}

Even though we were missing 'carnival time' {The Brisbane EKKA & The Ormeau Fair} we were able to experience a 'real' local country fair one Sunday morning in Kansas! It was a hot HOT day & it didn't go exactly to plan, because when we got there, we discovered it was the last day & all the rides were shut down & being packed up :( But....the kids seemed happy enough with ice-creams & balloons and watching the dog show, animal displays & turtle races....yes...you read that correctly....turtle races :) Cool!

And I was super happy with; a REAL Lemonade stand {something totally 'american' in my books!} and delicious ribs hot off the BBQ!!

We ventured through the grounds for a while...wrestling 5 kids & annoying helium balloons {picture a windy day, long string balloons, 5 kids....lots of tangles lol} It was fun though!!

Then we got to tag along to a little girl's birthday party! Ella was in BLISS....a carnival & a party all in one day!

In between shopping trips, carnivals, parties & day trips out and about. We also enjoyed quality time with family & the little things in life.....like sidewalk chalk drawing in dressups:

And an awesome garden tyre swing {horse shaped}:

And enjoying summer with afternoon snacks on the front porch, with cousins {and underwear lol}:

And, Spencer's new toy arrived while we were there :) They will be having lots of water summer fun with this new beast:

We spent one of the days cruising the amazing shops at Legends. I bought so many bargains that day :) I completely stocked up on summer baby clothes, clothes for Ella, bags & purses for me & running gear & clothing for Chris. I was shocked at how overcharged we are here in Australia. Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Converse, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, Osh Kosh, Calvin Klein & Guess....So So So much cheaper than here! So...what's a girl to do? SHOP SHOP SHOP :)

And, while at Legends, we had lunch at the most amazing place...EVER! The Dinosaur Cafe!

The most magical, animated & terrifying place....EVER :)

Ella went from super excited & in awe.....

To absolutely TERRIFIED :) Lucky she had her cousin Milly to look after her:

These photos make me melt!! Two sweet girls....loving each other!

One of the hardest thing about living on the other side of the world from both my brothers, is that our kids don't get to see each other as much as I'd like! Cousin sleepovers & hangouts are a rare thing, so when we get the chance to see each other & be together...WE DO! And on our 2nd last night in Kansas, Ella had a sleepover downstairs in Cooper's room :) Whilst Spencer & I went out to a Baseball Game....New York Yankies vs Kansas City Royals :) Another awesome experience for me....to tick off the list :)

Yes, complete with the giant finger & a pretzel :) FUN NIGHT!!!!!!!

I can't really pick just one favourite moment of our stay in Kansas, because I loved every minute there! It was the perfect balance of relaxation & busy-ness, out & about and home, rest & play....and lots of giggles & love between kids! That makes me happy!

Cooper, Ella, Imogen & Milly 2011!! Grab some Cousin Love, add some dressups & throw in a Kansas Summer & you get a sweet bunch of memories! Happy times!! And memories that I'm sure Ella has stored away in her book of life...to one day reflect on & cherish :)

Part 5 {the final part} of our trip will be posted up soon! Los Angeles....HOLLYWOOD baby!

Peace Out :)

A few sweet things making me smile today.

Yep....we're still waiting! Waiting for this little baby to grace us with his presence! And to be honest......I'm over it. Fed up. Frustrated! I keep chanting this quote in my mind: ‘When the fruit is ready, it will fall off the vine’. I know I should just relax & trust the process....he'll be here eventually! But, I'm struggling! I'm trying to savour every last minute of being pregnant....as there's a big chance that this will be the last time I'll ever carry a child inside me! And don't get me wrong.....I'm feeling VERY lucky & grateful & blessed to have made it full-term with a thriving little life.....but c'mon already.....time's up! I want to meet you my little Love!

Anyways....to keep my mind off the waiting....the wondering....the pain, I decided to focus on the GOOD! Coz there's so much good around....you just have to look a little harder sometimes! So, I've put together a little list of 'Sweet Things Making Me Smile Today':

1. The sun is shining....the sky is blue....I can already feel Summer in the air....and that's good! All good :)

2. My BIG GIRL {she can always make me smile!}. Gosh I love her!

3. My new Louis Vuitton 'nappy' bag from our New York City trip :) 

4. Finding random drawings scattered around the house....stuck to walls with stickers, carefully slipped into Mummy's bag or Daddy's iPad case, piled up on the craft table, scrunched into little pink handbags & inside scrapbooks! My girl likes to draw....and her drawings make me smile :)

{this is me on Planet Earth.....what's not to smile about that!}

5. Sitting in the baby's nursery.....imagining, planning, wondering, loving!

6. Playing with new photo Apps on my phone. This one is Colour Splash....thank you to Sarah for the tip on some good, fun apps. I used one of the photos I took at the Strawberry Farm to play with! 

7. Imagining our little man all dressed up in all his cute little outfits :)

8. My new PRINT design :) A quote from Ella's favourite little fairy, Tinkerbell :) You can purchase this print here!

9. Ella found 10cents on our morning walk today :) She was pretty happy with that find :) I told her she can keep it & put it in her piggy bank at home.....her response "Nah, I think I'll give it to my Kindy and they can buy new toys & paint with it, coz they might be running out of money!" {that made me smile!}

10. And.....Chris & I are LOVING this song by Darren Hayes at the moment :)

Life can be frustrating {especially when you're like me & like to have everything planned out & organised}, but it can also be unpredictable, wild & full of SWEET SWEET THINGS!

Please help me keep my mind busy.....Tell me, what's making you smile today?

Week-a-Boo....{through my iPhone's lens}

I'm over 40 weeks now.....and utterly & totally "over it"! I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life....every possible part of my body is aching with exhaustion & swelling! I keep getting contractions.....but not the real ones....just trick ones, practice ones!!!

{40 weeks plus 2 days self portrait}

C'Mon Baby....time's up Buddy :) I may sound impatient {and I probably am} but I want to meet this little baby now....I want to see him & hold him & feed him & kiss him & claim him! I really REALLY want to start the next chapter! The bags are packed, the house is clean {for now}, plans are in place......we're ready :)

Ok....enough of my whining......How was your weekend?

I decided to share this week's weekend {week-a-boo} post with photos from my iPhone. It's become me new little addiction & you will regularly find me snapping away with it instead of my big DSLR camera these days {out of convenience I think}. I love love love Instagram.....and here's our weekend in photos....through my iPhone's lens:

Friday evening kicked off with Ella practicing being a BIG SISTER :) She's had Lucy for a while now.....but the new wooden high chair was a gift from Grandma & Grampy on Friday {handmade by my Uncle Martin! Cool hey!}

I think Ella will be a pretty cool big sis!

Saturday morning, Ella had her Orientation Day at her new Kindergarten for 2012! She'll be doing part-time Pre-Prep there next year & we're super excited...that we not only made a decision on where she'll attend school {who would've thought that was such a mission decision??!!!} but also because we feel like we've actually made the RIGHT decision :) Seeing her mingle & play & explore there.....I felt 100% content with our decision! Although we LOVE the daycare she is at....and has been at since she was 12months old....we think it's time to move on next year! And a curriculum-based pre-prep program is what we think will fit best with our busy little girl :)

She painted!

And set the table for a tea party!

She did an obstacle course & swung on swings. She looked at seeds & bugs through a magnifying glass and did some water play! She did crafty collages and wooden puzzles! She danced & dug in the sand! She played with the doll house, the leggo & the dot-to-dot jigsaw puzzles. She blew bubbles, built a tower & basically ROCKED OUT being almost 4......a big 'school' girl soon :)

Chris bought this little baby on Saturday...and it's cool :) It's a wireless speaker system that connects via BlueTooth. So we can pump out our tunes from the iPad's, iPhone's or Computer anywhere, anytime....at home, in the car, at the park....it's cool :) It's super loud & awesome quality! My new best friend for outside this Summer me thinks :)

How gorgeous was this sunset? Saturday evening....as we drove through the cane fields...heading to a quiet little country town's school fete. {visiting Monica's stall} Before we headed out for dinner.....joking {and wishing} that it would be the last meal before the baby was born......no luck :)

Walking into Ella's room on a Sunday morning & seeing my 2 Loves cuddled up together in books.....melts my heart!

Quiet time at home on Sunday morning....consisted of the 1st of this year's Christmas Craft...YAY!!!!! And some cookie baking :)

And then we had an afternoon browsing the shops, enjoyed an Asian lunch & getting excited that lots of Christmas Fun is already in store....

Told you my iPhone gets a camera-workout these days :) And that's not even half the amount of photos I took haaa!!

We 'SHOULD' have a baby this week! I'm off to the hospital tomorrow for a checkup & to book in an induction for the next few days.....let's hope Bub comes on his own though!!!

Wishing you all a FABULOUS week!

Recent Happenings....from turf to surf.

Today..... I am 40 weeks pregnant! Full-term!! Wow!! Yahoooo!

We were given 2 due dates with this bub ~ October 28th came up in the most recent scans due to his size & growth & 1st of Nov was the original due date calculated on my cycle. Of course, I've been going by the 28th of October as baby's DD....coz it's sooner....and to be honest....I WANT HIM OUT!!!!!!!!!! I know it sounds petty & ungrateful....but I am well & truly over it now. I have gained 30kg+ now....every possible part of my body is swollen & full of fluid. I have Split Pelvis Disorder which causes me a world of pain during the night. My patience is almost non-existent & my frustration levels are high. I am ready....ready to meet this little baby & start the next chapter!

However.....the past few weeks have gone by quite quickly & we've been busy! I have refused to let the pain & discomfort of end-of-pregnancy stop me from LIVING life....so we've been here, there & everywhere! I've tried to squeeze in as many day trips with my girl as possible, we've been shopping almost everyday {a mixture of me trying to be organised & a craving to be out & about!} and we even squeezed in a last minute beach getaway last weekend :)

Last Friday, I wanted to do something we hadn't done before....go somewhere new! And with Ella very much into 'hands on learning' and persistent on her farm party ideas, I decided to head down to a public farm on the Gold Coast, not far from us. My Mum came along....and we had a great time being part of the farmlife for a day :)

Mum & Ella 

Milking Cows

My girl & I....on an old farm cart :)

Mum & Ella went fossicking :)

And Ella found some GOLD & treasures :) 

Whilst at the farm on Friday, Chris rung from work. Our conversation went something like this: CHRIS: "Do we have anything on this weekend, apart from Ella's dance classes on Sat morning?" Me: "Ummmm.....no not really, why?" CHRIS: "I think we should go up the coast for a few nights!" ME: "Ok!" CHRIS: "I'll book somewhere.....bye!" And just like that we were heading away....I love last minute plans :) 

Friday night we went to a charity cheese & wine night to raise money for a special yet very sick little boy, that one of Chris's business associates was hosting! It was nice! And I hope the money raised will make a difference in this amazing little boy's life! 

Saturday morning, we were up early, packing bags of clothes, swimmers & sand toys....went off to ballet....then jumped in the car & headed 1.5 hours North to Mooloolaba. 

It was a good few days away :) Are you apart of INSTAGRAM? {my new addiction} Coz, that's where I documented & put up most photos of the weekend! If you're on there, find me; clairechadwick {username}. 

We wined & dined & got sun-kissed. We stayed up late, got up early. We caught up with Chris's Pa & Ebony! We hung with friends & enjoyed the amazing surroundings of the local beaches. Australia really is a gorgeous place...and I love living here! 

Hehehehe!!! These mirrors gave us MANY laughs :) Saggy boobs, double chins, ape-long arms & stumpy legs :) 

Except this one.....made me look pregnant LOL:

No comment on the shoe-eating crocodile......oh the silly things we do :) Gosh, we had a laugh!! Happy Days! 

We went to Underwater World! Ella loved it! In fact, I think we all did :)

Bubble Girl! 

Ella, Karen & Baby Annabelle :)

I've said it before....and I'll probably say it again.....but I love being near the beach! It truly is the perfect way to revive the soul and recharge the batteries! The amazing sunrises & sunsets. The salty layer left on your skin. The sandy goodness. And the fresh crisp air.....nothing beats it in my books :)

But....we're home now....and the nesting is well & truly underway! Hopefully sooooooon, our little baby will be here!!! {send me some baby dust please!!} 

My feet are pulsating with a numbing, swollen feeling......they look almost fake.....like a blown up rubber glove. So I'm off to lay down & put them up!

Goodnight All.

A Strawberry Kind of Day!

With only a week & a half til the 1st of our 2 due dates....I'm trying to savour as many one-on-one moments with my girl, whilst she's my only child. Although my patience is thin at the moment & my body is aching with all sorts of swollen & uncomfortable twinges & my frustration levels are high.....I'm still trying to get out & about, have fun & show my girl new things!

So...today...we headed off to a Strawberry Farm that we'd never been to before.

It was perfect! You could pick your own....so an adventure we had :)

Yes....corny I know, but I dressed Ella in head to toe "Strawberry Attire"....us girls take our day trips seriously you know :))))

Shirt from KasiaBear

Skirt from Missy Melly

Hair Clip from So Sew Sweet

We trudged through mud, picked the juiciest looking berries, filled our basket & laughed at little things like caterpillar nibbles & squashed berries under toe! It was a fun hour.....just my girl & I :)

I love finding new places where we can explore & create some great memories!

And although, I LOVE these mid-week adventures with just Ella & I.....I also CAN NOT wait to have another child on hip to explore the world with! I'm super excited that we are just days away from meeting our little baby! I'm ready to embrace a new life with him.....with us.....as a family of 4. 

Ok, I'm off to eat some fresh, juicy strawberries & take Ella off to ballet!

I hope your Tuesday has been fabulous!

USA Trip. Part 1. Disneyland LA.

Two weeks ago today, Ella & I stepped off of our 10th flight in 3 weeks, back onto Australian soil. Wearing the same clothes we were wearing 2 days prior & unshowered in the past 72hours, we gathered our luggage, breezed through customs & kept our sleepy eyes WIDE OPEN looking for our Prince :) And there he was.....Chris was waiting for his 2 girls to arrive back home after a long & eventful overseas holiday!!! I didn't know if I should cry, laugh or apologize for my appearance.....but it was SWEET....Oh So Sweet to be back safely HOME....with our Number 1 Man! Seeing Ella's face as it locked eyes with Chris's & watching them embrace was the icing on the cake :) In a nutshell....we missed him! And secretly.....I think he missed us too :)

Our trip begun on August 1st :) The evening before was the first time that a little bit of "Sh*t, what am I doing?" entered my mind. The trip had been so 'last minute' & too amazing for me even to believe was true that it hadn't even sunk in til the last moment, that, I was traveling SOLO-PARENT style across the world...with a toddler....AND; HEAVILY pregnant! 

Chris dropped us off at the Brisbane International Airport. I cried! Ella {not truly knowing what we were about to embark on} skipped off with a smile & a wave. I started the journey through the airport, figuring out how I was going to make this 'carrying 2 suitcases, 2 backpacks & a stroller...as well as an oversized tummy....and keeping constant eyes on the 3yr old' was going to work! I somehow got rolling....got it sussed! We checked in, exchanged money & sat down to enjoy a chocolate milk & doughnut whilst I let it all set in. "Oh My God, I'm doing this! This is real! YIKES!!!"

{That's our plane in the background! The 1st of 10! Ella's first ever plane ride!}

We boarded...I think I prayed somewhere in there too {that we didn't crash & die...positive I know!}. And as the plane took off......Ella looked out her window & said "Wow Mummy....Look at beautiful planet Earth!!" And just like that.....I TOOK A BREATH & RELAXED!!!

3 hours later we landed in Auckland, New Zealand, where we had 4 hours to fill. We showered {why don't all airports have showers? Best.Thing.Ever!}, we browsed the shops, we ate Burger King & we jumped on a 'pay by the minute' computer to quickly shoot Chris an email to say Hi. Ella befriended another 3yr old girl....named Ellie....and they hand-in-hand, played as if they'd known each other for life! Then, at 9:30pm that night....we boarded the Flight to LOS ANGELES! 

The flight was long but easy! Ella slept for 4 hours. I slept for 3. We hit some turbulence that had me working up a sweat & quietly freaking out, but thank goodness that didn't last too long! Ella was so well behaved. She watched movies, read books, played computer games, chatted to random people on board & basically filled the time with lots of fun & joy ;o)

The next afternoon, but it was still only the 1st of Aug {hmmm....the whole time difference thing still really confuses me LOL}, we landed at LA & started the long process of customs, security & baggage retrieval. As we walked out of the LAX Airport, it hit me that we were in AMERICA.....and I was alone with a heap of responsibilities....AND.... I needed to find a particular shuttle bus amongst 4 million other buses & fast moving cars!! {This 3 days in LA was to be the only leg of the trip where I truly was doing it solo. No husband, no family, no friends, no help. JUST ELLA & I! I wasn't scared....but I knew I had to be on my game!...which is hard after only 3 hours sleep in 2 days} But then....as we scoured & scampered through the busy airport I saw someone...someone very familiar!! "Hey Ella, that man looks just like Uncle Spencer!" I say, whilst steering my way through the crowd. "Oh.My.Goodness. THAT IS UNCLE SPENCER!!" I yell as we run towards him. It took me a few hugs & him repeating himself & getting on the Shuttle Bus with us....for it to sink in....he wasn't there by co-incidence {which I had thought}, he made the trip especially from Kansas to LA to spend the 3 days with Ella & I! OMG....I truly have the most amazing family! And for that, I'm grateful!

{Uncle Spencer (my Brother) and Ella!}

Once we got checked in at the hotel, I could simply RELAX! In a way that I would not have been able to do if Spen wasn't there! Coz he'd organised a hire car for the next day to get us to Disneyland so we didn't have to rely on bus times, he had pre-bought our Disneyland tickets....and with him living in America, he helped me out with the whole overwhelming factor of tipping & driving on the right side & what certain foods are called on the menu etc! I could go to bed early that night & truly sleep well knowing everything was taken care of! And....seeing Chris's face of relief when I skyped him to tell him we had a 'surprise man' chauffeuring us for the whole LA leg was priceless! He knew his girls were in safe hands & that made him breathe a little easier! 

August 2nd....we slept in :) Enjoyed a breakfast out & then headed into DISNEYLAND for the rest of the day!!

WOW!!! I don't even think I have the right words for Disneyland. Nothing I can say or type on this keyboard will do it justice or truly explain how MAGICALLY AMAZING that place is!

It was a HOT day....high 30's, low 40's....but the heat was kind of nice, considering we'd just left in the middle of the Australian winter! Ella's excitement that morning was pure BLISS to watch. And as we entered the gates & walked up the street, she saw it.....THE DISNEY CASTLE! The Castle that she sees at the start of all her "Disney" movies & asks "Can we go there someday?" We were there! My girl & I! And it was COOL!!

We spent the day exploring & watching 'eagle eyed', trying to take it ALL in. Everywhere you looked, everywhere you went there was PURE MAGIC! We did quite a few rides....it was FUN;

{Alice in Wonderland's Teacup Ride}

{Roger Rabbit Ride ~ Ella spent most of the ride in sheer terror...covering her eyes. But as soon as it stopped & we got off, she said in the most excitable voice "That was AWESOME! Can we do it again!" haaaa} 

{I saw this sign during the "It's A Small World" Ride....and it stood out at me!! There sure is a BRIGHT WORLD out there WAITING....and we're here experiencing it!}

One thing Ella really wanted to do {and so did I.... heee} was meet TINKERBELL! So we braved the 1 hour wait in the hot, hot sun to have a personal one-on-one meeting with The Miss Tinkerbell in Pixie Hollow :) It was worth the wait :)

And then....the PARADE!! Hmmm, don't even get me started on the Parade!! Magic! Awesome, real MAGIC!

As we walked out of the gates that evening, I felt complete & full & HAPPY! 

And so did Ella:

{yep....that face shows pure CONTENTMENT...and EXHAUSTION after the most-amazing fun-filled day in the sun! I've waited 29years to come here....and we DID IT!! Bucket List....TICK!} {Oh...and the Minnie Mouse Toy; Ella's purchase using her $30!} She was asleep within seconds of getting in the car :) However, we had to wake her 20mins later for dinner at Applebees! OhMyGoodness....the size of the meals....and the 'cheapness' {I think I made that word up} of the meals...was SHOCKING! I enjoyed a half rack of BBQ Ribs....So So So GOOD!

We slept well that night...all snugged up in our comfy hotel beds! And at 5am, the alarm clock rung....as a flight to NEW YORK awaited us :) I will blog all about NY and the love affair I had with this city asap! But for now....I have heavy heavy eyes & a warm bed with Chris awaiting me :) {It's also good to be home!}

Thank you Spencer for being there for us & for everything you did to make my first stop in America easy & memorable! How I got so blessed with all the good people & opportunities in my life, I don't know! But I'm grateful.....very grateful! 

Night Y'All :)