A week and a half ago my little 3 year old started walking hunched over in agony and only hours later after a trip to the hospital and then another trip in the ambulance to the Childrens Hospital he was having an emergency operation on his kidney. This came totally out of the blue and only the day before I had written my previous entry saying he was doing so well! He is going very well now, but we don't know what will happen with his kidney long term. He needs more surgery, as he has a tempory stent at the moment. He was very brave throughout all of this and I think he is amazing love him so much. Here he is, playing around and making us all laugh, like he always does! As a mother I have to say this is the hardest thing to go through, and I kept wishing it was me instead of him.  I appreciate everyone who has bought one of my little bears. Thank you.

Hello!

Three years ago, my youngest son Ewan had major kidney surgery at the Royal Children's hospital here in Melbourne. He was 5 weeks old, and it was a very scary and worrying time. He still has check up's there and will continue to be monitered. Thankfully, it looks like he won't need another operation, although one of his kidneys will always be in the wrong place down in his pelvis and retaining fluid. The hospital atmosphere and the friendly staff made our stay easier. Every year we donate money for the Good Friday Appeal www.goodfridayappeal.com.au This year, I have decided to make 20 little bears and donate the sale of them to the appeal. I am selling them for $15 (plus $3.50 postage) and so hopefully I can donate $300.

Here is Mitten with one of the bears. I have decided to make them on order, and it will take one week from the order date for me to make and send them. I have set up a new paypal address and will withdraw the money and donate it as soon as I have reached my goal. So, if anyone is interested you can email me mhhicks@iprimus.com.au or just send $18.50, or $23.50 for International orders to ohsewpretty@iprimus.com.au All prices Australian $ I can make any colour you like as I have lots of wool! Thank you,
Melissa

I am so excited as I have just received the Oct/Nov issure of Crochet Today Magaine by FedEx ( FedEx deliveries are exciting in themselves-makes me feel like Bobby Bowfinger).  They ahve the monkeys I designed. I like how they are photographed, but I think they should have flown me and my middle son over, don't you?? He is such a good mini model. I haven't read the magazine yet, might take me a while with Lola and the boys keeping me very busy. I see Jenny/Sew Darn Cute has a crochet hook cozy featured too- Yah! 

 

Today is our official due date, but I have no signs of going into labour. It is a funny feeling because you count down to this day and then it is a bit of an anit climax!  I have a cold/cough at the moment so it is probably a good thing as I need to be able to breathe during labour.  I have relied on my breathing as a way of managing pain in the past, but I am trying not to think about that 'p' word at all! We all just want to hold our new family member and it is hard not to feel a bit impatient.

On a different note, these babushka bears are now at www.craftsburykids.com Cecilia who runs the shop is really lovely and was wonderful to deal with. It really does make a difference when you work with someone like that! 

I was so surprised and delighted to open the letterbox today and see a cute envelope with this picture on it



I knew straight away that it was from a special friend in Spain www.NataschaSRosenberg.com It contained pieces of fabric to make a fabric collage. I especially love the little silk screen printed cooking girl and utensils. Watch out for my collage which I plan to start tomorrow.