Another Year Wrapped Up.

So here we are.. another year almost down. How on earth did that happen?! In a way, I just don't feel ready for it. We're just having a quiet one here at home this year, so it looks like a few movies, pizza and a few glasses of wine will be on the agenda. Oh, and some Mars Bar chocolate cake! 

Looking back, it was a year that was chock-a-block full of events. Amongst them, the Little Lion's first birthday, my family moving away, a wonderful new job and some new amazing friends. It's also been quite stressful at times due to Carter's constant illness, but I'm optimistic that 2011 will be a turning point, and a healthy year for him. 

I have a few goals in mind for next year that I'd like to set.. and what better time than to do them now? So, here goes...

A big thank you to all my lovely readers and fabulous blogging friends I've made. I hope your 2010 was full of love and laughter, and that 2011 will be even bigger and better for you! 

Happy New Year! All our love, The Hummingbird Family xxoo

More Questions, More Answers, More Paths to Go Down.

We took the Little Lion to the doctor today, as my instinct has been telling me that something just isn't right, and we needed to go down another path. The natropath one just doesn't seem to be working, and the food refusal was scaring me. Side note- we've been taking a different approach to his food, pureeing up some vegies and apple, and giving him a spoon to help feed himself. We make sure it's fun, and lots of praise is given. Success! One bowl of apple, and two bowls of vegies down today! Relief!

The doctor was fabulous. He listened to all the problems we've been having with Carter, about the history of food allergies on both sides of the family, and he promptly ordered blood tests to find out what allergies he may have. This is what I've been asking for for a few months now, but no other medical professional thought it would be beneficial. I've finally found someone who listens to me.

The blood test for Carter was harrowing. Thank goodness Deon was there to help hold him down. His cries broke my heart, but then it was all over and lots of hugs were given. (Even the nurse gave me a hug, I must have come across as a bit of a sook!) One week, and we'll have answers. Well, hopefully we will anyway. We'll then be referred to a Pediatrician in either Adelaide or Melbourne, and do the track to find out what our next course of action is.


Oh, and mum and dad, this one's for you. Missing you both very much xx

Polly Dolly Challenge- Happy New Year!

It all depends on how the Little Lion is feeling as to where we'll end up on New Years Eve. Ideally, I'd love to be on a houseboat with our close friends welcoming in the New Year with a bottle of champagne (or a Tequila shot!), but it may be that we'll be at our house, sitting outside and listening to some good music.

Anyhoo, as Dani requested, I'm pretending that I'm out for New Years, swanning around with fabulous people. Here's my creation...

Happy New Year! by Rhi* featuring roberto cavalli dresses

Roberto Cavalli One-shoulder silk dress
$1,125 - net-a-porter.com
Roberto cavalli dresses »

Camilla skovgaard shoes BRONZE
200 GBP - matchesfashion.com
Bronze shoes »

Bronze ruched detail clutch bag
14 GBP - debenhams.com
Bronze handbags »

Olive Green Triple Circle Enamel Organza Cord Necklace & Drop Earrings...
12 GBP - avalaya.com
Medallion jewelry »

Peacock Feather Bracelet Glitter
7 GBP - fashion-conscience.com
Glitter jewelry »

Dior 'Addict' Ultra Gloss
$27 - nordstrom.com

dELiAs > Nail Polish > Peacock
$4.50 - delias.com

Jeweled Shapes: Champagne Flutes
$4.20 - scrapyourtrip.com

Champagne Bottle with Poppers - Gold/Silver | Party Poppers, Twists &...
pinkproducts.co.uk
Jewelry »

How to Get Smokey Eye Makeup Done Right - Life123
life123.com

This Roberto Cavalli dress is divine. I love the cut, colour and one shoulder style. To accessorise it, I'd add a peacock bangle, some super high bronze Camilla heels and add highlights of aqua on my nails and eyes. Soft pink lipgloss and a bronze clutch to finish it off. Champagne is a must!

If you'd like to play along, head on over to Danimezza

Not Myself Right Now.

Sorry to all my readers out there.. after taking a few days off blogging I've been finding it hard to get back into the swing of things! I was all set to blog about the Jamie Oliver dish I made last night (Peri Peri chicken- divine!) but I feel like I haven't got my mojo back yet.

To be honest, I'm pretty stressed at the moment. Like, headache inducing, teary and anxious-churning-stomach stressed.  The Little Lion isn't 100%, is completely off food and we can't figure out why. It's going to be another trip to the doctors tomorrow...

Anyway, I hope we get some more answers soon, and once my stress levels subside I'll be back to regular programming. In the meantime, here's one of the songs that helps me relax..

Best.Present.Ever.

As the Little Lion loves to draw so much, I decided to pick him up a jumbo sized Aquadoodle mat as a gift from Santa of Christmas day. Well. This is by far the best present we have ever bought him. It stays out on the rug permanently now, as every time he gets up from a nap he races out into the lounge, flops on the mat and starts drawing.

I can now relax knowing that there won't be any paint or Texta marks on the walls and furniture!

His second favorite present? Well, I'm guessing it's the trike we bought him, otherwise it's a toss-up between the Mega Block set his Grandma and Granddad gave him, or the Wiggles keyboard from his Nan and Poppy. Or, the gorgeous book set from his Aunty Summer, or the cute talking drill from his Aunty Pan and Uncle Joe... wait. The kid is seriously spoiled. All this stuff should last him at least five years!

As for me? Well, I was also extremely spoiled. I was absolutely rapt to discover my lovely husband had bought me a Pro Breville Mixer and food processor. It's inspired me to get back into creating interesting meals and do lots of baking, which is perfect as I only found out on the last day of work that I'll be teaching Year 9/10 Food next year! Eek! Summer also bought me Jamie Oliver's 30 Minutes Meals cookbook which looks amazing. I think I'll have a go at the Peri Peri Chicken tomorrow night!

Energy Depletion.

Phew. We have had two very full on days here in the Hummingbird Household, and I have a Little Lion who is pretty tuckered out. Lots of wonderful family time was had with some very special memories. I'm feeling a little burned out at the moment and a tad bit sad after saying goodbye to my parents at the airport, but I'm looking forward to our little seaside holiday early Jan.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and I'll be back with some longer posts soon! xx

Polly Dolly Challenge- Christmas Day!

I know I'm a little late this week, but better late than never I guess! I'm going to rush this as I have last minute presents to wrap, mini pavs to make and multitudes of cream to whip. Here's my Christmas Day creation...

Christmas by Rhi* featuring two tone bracelets

Designer Shoulder Bags Hobos at Bluefly
$336 - bluefly.com
Hobo handbags »

Carridee Bangle Set
$20 - amritasingh.com
Two tone bracelets »

Oliver Peoples Zaya round-frame acetate sunglasses
$375 - net-a-porter.com
Round sunglasses »

Laura Mercier Bronzing Pressed Powder Golden Bronze
$32 - sephora.com

Full Potential Lip Plump and Shine
$18 - saksfifthavenue.com

Clinique 'Self Sun' Body Airbrush Spray
$20 - nordstrom.com

FACETED GLASS TREE DECORATION
6.50 GBP - toast.co.uk

Franco Sarto Cool at Zappos.com
$89 - zappos.com

SURFSTITCH - WOMENS - DRESSES - CASUAL DRESSES - O'NEILL GARDEN OF...
$70 - surfstitch.com

RoomMates RMK1412GM Christmas Tree Quote Peel & Stick Giant Wall...
$26 - amazon.com

Riedel 4400/28 Sommeliers Wine Glass - Vintage Champagne Flute Glasses...
beveragefactory.com

Healthy food recipes,how to eat healthy
buttermilkpress.com

Sparkling Moscato | Australian Wine Store
thewineblokes.com

Gold Beaded Lighted Christmas Presents - Improvements Catalog
improvementscatalog.com

Simple seafood platter recipe - Recipes - BBC Good Food
bbcgoodfood.com

Choc Ripple Cake Recipe - Taste.com.au
taste.com.au

It's supposed to be 36 degrees here tomorrow, so I'm going for a floaty white maxi dress and some gorgeous blue espadrilles by Franco Sarto. Big oversized sunnies, bronzer, bracelets and a coral lipgloss to give a pop of colour! Christmas lunch always includes prawns, and there's nothing better than a few glasses of Moscato. Choc Ripple cake is also a staple, but I made a bit of a mistake this year... I left it 'til today to get the biscuits, and of course there were none left! Argh! So, I'm hoping that Butternut Snap cake will be just as nice.. oops!

Merry Christmas everyone! 

If you'd like to play, head on over and visit the lovely Danielle at Danimezza

 

We Heart Life.

I'm super excited today, as my first post for We Heart Life has gone up today!

 

My role over there is to write about anything to do with the Creative Arts, so I'll be doing Photography tips, Printmaking tutorials, art projects, etc! If you have anything you would like to learn, please don't hesitate to shoot me an email, or leave a comment on this post and I'll do my best to do a tutorial on it. 

Today I'm talking about how to Create a Soft Block Linoprint and I would LOVE for you to check it out! 

Happy Thursday everyone!

Wordless Wednesday- Carter.

My Little Lion, and his first haircut. Happy Wednesday everyone xx

If you'd like to play, head on over to Faith Hope and a Whole Lotta Love

Answers.

All week I've been feeling completely keyed up and super-stressy. Carter's eating habits are becoming more and more woeful each day, to the point where he refuses everything except for Rice milk and Weetbix.

I have gone through eight cartons of Rice milk alone already, and it's only Wednesday.

To top it all off, he's waking twice through the night for a bottle as obviously he's hungry from not eating through the day. His eczema is through the roof, and he's constantly displaying allergy shiners around his eyes. The poor Little Lion is having a pretty rough trot right now.

Luckily, as his situation isn't great at the moment we were squeezed into an appointment with a visiting nutritionist who specialises in toddlers and children, and who is normally booked out for months. (Thank God for family connections!) She took a sample of his blood, and we were able to see first hand on her laptop the lines that indicated the start of liver deterioration, digestive problems and large traces of antibiotics. To fix it, we were instructed to put him on a diet of vegetable broth, rice milk, pureed apples and avocado for two weeks. He also has a liquid to kick start his liver (I'm sure that's not the medical term, but ah well!) and supplements to help his digestive system. After two weeks, we can slowly start introducing one vegetable at a time.

So far he doesn't seem too fussed about the restricted diet, but he certainly hates the liquid for his liver! I've had to disguise it in pineapple juice, pop it in a syringe and get it down as quick as possible. The worst part is that he has to have it three times a day!

Fingers crossed that this is exactly what the Little Lion needs. It's breaking my heart to see him constantly unwell. 

See You Tomorrow.

Phew. Long day today. I was all set to do a long post on the Little Lion and the results of his nutritionist appointment, but it's 8pm, I'm exhausted and I just want to veg out on the couch with my cup of tea and some dark chocolate. And, the Survivor finale is on tonight. Must-see viewing for me!