Nothing to do but wait

 

After a rather enlightening birthing class this weekend, Matt and I are finally realizing the magnitude of what is to come.  Oh yeah, sure, we’re really looking forward to all the baby stuff, but is there any way we can skip the birth part?  Matt would probably also like to skip the teenage years as well if that’s an option.

The hospital bag is packed. Doctors and midwives appointments are scheduled.  The cot is set up.  Decorations are on the wall.  The grandparent’s flights are booked.  Baby Schuck has been given explicit instructions not to arrive before Nana gets here on Sept 30^th.  But then again we all know how well they listen to instructions (I’m liking Matt’s preference to skip the teen years more and more.)

So, what have we been up to aside from birthing classes and midwife appointments?  Well, we’ve been eating good!  My cooking skills continue to improve.  There were strawberries for sale at the market this weekend so we bought a carton and made some strawberry pie.  Have to say, this was my best pie crust yet.  Look how yummy it was.  I’m having a hard time waiting for Matt to come home at night, I really want to go in the kitchen and eat it all by myself.

I’m also getting pretty good at homemade pizzas.  Truth is, that was sort of a matter of necessity.  I am not a big fan of the pizzas here because even if you tell them to burn the crust, it still comes out undercooked.  So, we’ve been making our own.  Thick crusts, thin crusts, honey wheat crusts.  We’re still learning, but it’s been a tasty journey.

 

We’ve also made a new friend.  This is Sir Clamington.  He’s been keeping me company this week.  I’ve been scanning the beaches, super eager to find a shell that still had both sides and really hoping one with a pearl would just magically wash onto the shore.  I’m pretty psyched just to watch my little clam blow bubbles and today he came out to say hello!  Check out the video.

I’ve had a touch of the nesting syndrome.  We found some cute Noah’s ark wall stickers to decorate the baby area and I’ve washed and folded all the clothes and linens.  I even taught myself how to knit and am making a soft fluffy baby blanket.

The due date is one month from today.  We’re still not telling our name options, so don’t ask.  Hopefully the next update will be from not just the two of us, but we three!

Until then, take care out there!

Melbourne and The Great Ocean Road

Matt and I decided to squeeze in one last vacation before the baby comes.  Melbourne was on my must-see list, so off we went.  It was only a 3 day weekend, but I think we did pretty good for only spending two days of sight-seeing. 

The trip started a bit rough.  I decided to forgo my usual pre-trip organization which includes printing maps from the airport, hotel and air confirmation numbers, etc.  Perhaps it was less of a decision than the fact that my brain doesn't seem to work as well these days.  When we went to pick up our rental car, they were none to impressed with me.  I'd forgotten to change over my account into my married name and (silly me) only brought my Australia drivers license.  I did have my marriage certificate, but seeing as the girl wasn't bright enough to open it before declaring it didn't have my name on it, I don't think she really cared.  After some convincing she let us go.  I find it funny that I had to show 4 types of identification to rent a car and the airline never asked for ID once.

So, we're in our rental car and Matt asks if I brought the GPS.  Nope, failed again.  It's now about 11pm and we see a Hilton hotel off the freeway.  Home sweet home!  Except, we miss the exit.  Turns out the exit signs downtown aren't labeled the same as the google maps on my phone.  So, a detour threw downtown and a random breathe test later we arrive at the hotel.  Only they can't find our reservation.  Turns out there are two Hiltons and we just didn't go far enough.  The desk clerk did print direction, but Melbourne just isn't easy to navigate.  We checked in to our real hotel sometime after midnight and all's well that ends well, we'd been upgraded to a suite!

Saturday was city tourism day.  There's a free tram that goes along the outer loop of City Centre.  Our first stop was the markets, naturally.  There were so many market stalls we could have spent the entire day there.  Anything you wanted, you could get: leather goods, new clothing, vintage clothing, baby goods, toys, knick knacks, you name it.  We gave up after 20 or so aisles.  We never even made it to the food or wine stalls. 

One of the coolest things about Melbourne was the cultural districts.  We knew which one we wanted to hit over any other: the Greek district.  It's not easy to get good Greek food in Australia but we couldn't have been more pleased with Stalactites.  We love a good gyro!  There were some beautiful patisseries in the greek district too, I just didn't have enough room in my poor squished belly.

Next we walked down to the shopping district.  I loved how every alley way was taken advantage of.  If an alley wasn't occupied by a sweet hidden bar then it was  packed full of cafe's and eateries.  My favorite spot was the Block Arcade.  A covered shop-filled hall with beautiful European decor.  It also had a chocolate shop and the Hopetoun Tea Room.  The tearoom was established in 1891 and had a line that went around the block.

Sunday was driving day.  No need for GPS this time, just a long windy highway.  It was a rainy day, but all was forgiven since everywhere we looked you could see a rainbow or two.  We decided to take it easy on the camera this trip, since we took 200+ pictures of waves in New Zealand.  This time we just enjoyed the drive along the coast. 

On the way home, we stopped in a surfer's village called Torquay.  Matt looked at a few surfboards, one of these days I'm going to talk him into actually buying one.  We bought the little girl the cutest souvenir, a pink and purple wetsuit.  She won't fit in it until she's closer to one but it was just too cute to pass up.

I have to say I won't miss flying again for awhile.  Planes weren't made for pregnant women.  We loved Melbourne though and I'd love to spend more time in the city some day.
Hope you enjoy the pics.

 Melbourne Pics - Picasa Web Albums