The Pistachio Tree: February 2012

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Meet the newest member of our family...

Meet our newest family member!! I am already 19 weeks & cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy is going! It also seems a little different to last time with Isabella, this time around I had a lot of morning sickness which was totally new to me as last time I was completely fine, and I seem to be a lot less tired I guess its just because I'm used to no sleep already with a 1 year old. Our next scan is on Wednesday so we are really looking forward to hearing the heartbeat & seeing our wee little one again...more scans to come soon xxx

Discovering Hearing Loss

The day after Isabella was born we had a nurse come around to perform the Newborn Infant hearing screening and after trying numerous times & learning she did not pass the screening test in both ears our hearts sank. The nurse advised that this may be fluid in the ear & that all newborns that do not pass the screen, will be required to complete a rescreen at a later date. Upon not passing the second set of hearing test, then we would be referred to a specialist for further testing (At this point we were upset but not too worried as we were hoping it was fluid & would clear within 4 weeks)

After completing both screenings & following up with audiologist we discovered at 6 months that Isabella has a Sensorineural hearing loss which occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea), or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. We were absolutely devastated & were told this cannot be medically or surgically corrected. This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. It is often the case that parents will feel denial & we were no exception it is was very hard to accept & we were in disbelief for quite some time. As with a high percentage of hearing loss cases we do not know the cause.

After Isabella had her hearing aids & moulds fitted at 9 months it was astounding to see her reaction as went for a walk & she was able to hear the construction noise the look on her face was sheer delight & I was shocked to see her reaction it was such a wonderful feeling as a parent to witness your baby hearing clearly for the first time.

There are many challenges we have faced & I’m sure many more to come but for now our main difficulty is trying to keep hearing aids in a 12 month old. At this age everything ends up in the mouth! (Including the hearing aids) Our solution for now is lots of fantastic hats & headbands I’ve been making which seem to be working well for the moment. We are just so grateful that she can benefit from having hearing aids, and she is responding extremely well.

http://www.hear-it.org/
http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/sight/hearing_impairment.html

Dinnertime in our household....

Happiness = Spaghetti & meatballs followed by Raspberries for dessert!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Waldorf Dolls

A gift from nanny, thankyou xx..Isabella has fallen in love with her new Waldorf Snuggle Buddy & thanks so much Laura for the Tayto's (:

check out these gorgeous Waldorf Snuggle Buddies at UnderRainbows available from Esty http://www.etsy.com/shop/UnderRainbows?ref=seller_info

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Easy Peasy Chick Pea Stew...

2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 pound chopped chorizo,

1 can tomatoes, chopped or crushed

1 sliced zucchini
1 bay leaf
2 cups chicken stock
Coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound spinach, stems discarded

In a medium, heavy pot, heat the olive oil & Add the onion & garlic and cook over medium-low heat until onion is translucent, about 7 minutes.

Add the chorizo and cook until just beginning to brown and oils have been released, about 10 minutes.

add Zucchini & cook for further 5 minutes.

add Chickpeas, canned tomatoes, salt & pepper & 2 cups of chicken stock & Bay Leaves. Simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.

Just before serving stir in spinach & cook until wilted.

Serve on your favourite country loaf.

Enjoy xx

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Favourite Etsy Valentine Treasures........

SewStrangeCreations
The Place To Shop For Your Little Monsters
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewStrangeCreations

mollymoodesign Handmade brooches, jewellery, hair accessories and more

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mollymoodesign

doodlelove | paper + personality http://www.etsy.com/shop/doodlelove

Crocheted wedding and home decorations, appliques http://www.etsy.com/shop/eljuks

CirclePrints
Personalized Custom Map Engagement Wedding Print Gift http://www.etsy.com/shop/CirclePrint

tweetotshop
Baby Girl Boy Hats Booties Shoes Mary Jane Hair Flower
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tweetotshop

Monday, February 20, 2012

Isabella Maeve's First Year....

Looking Back.......
With the arrival of Isabella's First Birthday I decided to look back over the past year as it's so hard to believe that over a year ago our precious sweet baby girl Isabella Maeve came into our lives!

(the photo above was taken the night before she arrived)
I still cannot get over the size of my tummy I guess at 8pounds..10 Oz, its no surprise I was so big.
With the new addition to our little family in 2011 we had a busy year with lots of traveling to the motherlands to introduce Isabella to our families, in Australia, & Ireland. 2011 was also a challenging year as we discovered Isabella's hearing loss & at 9 months she received her first set of hearing aids, the fun part now is trying to keep them in so we have come up with new & creative ways to stop her from pulling them out & as you can imagine with a one year old everything is in the mouth! Including the hearing aids!!!
2011 Also bought us some very exciting news a new baby..yes I'm currently 19 weeks & due in July a summer baby!!!