The Great Eight

Blended, Blessed and Barefoot

recent posts

  • Mould!

    Our beautiful Lockwood home nestled on the side of Mount Ngongotaha is bathed in glorious sunlight …. until 2.17 pm, where it plunges into dark and dampness in the winter. UGH. So because of this, we have discovered ridiculous amounts of mould. On the walls, on toys, clothes, furniture and sadly a bunch of carpet we had to rip out. 

    Welcome to our winter reality.

    By mid-afternoon, while the rest of the world is basking in the last golden rays of sunlight, we’re pulling out wool socks and checking the windows for condensation. If I had a dollar for every time I said “Is it colder inside than it is outside?” I could afford a fancy dehumidifier by now!

    I did not realise the extent of the mould until my self diagnosed ADHD kicked in and I suddenly had to declutter because the mess was touching me (IYKYK) and found it was waaaaay worse than i had thought. Then all the pieces started to fit together. The constant stream of bugs we have had, and no, I’m not talking about your average creepy-crawly. I mean those invisible, ninja-like, respiratory bugs that slither their way into your lungs and lay waste to your immune system. The ones that take down the whole family one by one and everyone recover at a snails pace. We’ve been sick on and off for weeks…months…years even. Discovering the mould made me lightbulb moment! We aren’t just full of bad luck. We are full of mould 😭

    Thankfully, our walls are Lockwood, so wiping them down, although tedious, is easily done. Unfortunately, some items were not so easily saved. BUT I do love a good cleanout and minimalising. Something that has to be done on a regular basis with 10 people in the house!  The house is starting to feel lighter, clearer, and far less sneezy. The kids have rediscovered the floor in their rooms. I’ve rediscovered that I can actually part with things I swore I’d need “one day.” And we’ve all started breathing a little easier. Literally and emotionally.

    So, to all my fellow chilly-house dwellers with mystery coughs and suspicious smells, check for mould! And if you find it, don’t panic. Put on your rubber gloves, crank some music, and go full Marie Kondo. If it doesn’t spark joy or you haven’t used it in 6 months – bin it.

    And if you need me, I’ll be in the sunniest corner of the house (up to 2:17pm), sipping a hot lemon drink and watching Aurikatariina to feel both inspired AND grateful that my house isn’t that bad.

  • UPDATE: Day 4 of the Ferber Method

    Well, it’s Day Four, have you been praying for me? Because I’m back with an update!

    I gave Travis his dinner, a bath, and then let him have a little play on the floor while I wrangled the rest of the tribe. He was very ready for bed by 6:30, but I was still finishing dinner for the big kids, so I had to stretch him out a bit longer. (Soon it will be a 5 minute process, I excitedly thought to myself)

    He wasnt happy about having to wait (my ears are still bleeding). My older boy, who is always amazing, helped me by picking Travis up and keeping him entertained… which ended with Travis scratching him in the eye. Of course. It was one of those noisy, chaotic evenings where everything feels a bit off the rails.

    Anyway, I finally got Travis into bed at 7:30. He took about 20 minutes to settle, which felt like a win… until he woke up again at 10 and just would not settle down.

    Turns out, he’d done a massive poo (always check for poos!), and I had to run around like a headless chicken trying to find a nappy because why would they ever be where I thought I left them?

    At 11:30pm, finally clean and sorted, he went back to bed… and took five minutes to settle. FIVE.

    And now, I’m in shock because he slept until *drumroll* 7.30! He slept through the night. Like, actually slept. Through. The. Night.

    Is this what hope feels like? 😴✨

    I’m here to tell you that on this glorious Day 4, this most sacred of sleep training days, my little baby who never sleeps actually slept for seven hours straight. SEVEN.

    So if you’re in the thick of it, hang in there. If my stubborn little guy can do it, there is absolutely hope for you too. 🙌💤

  • Sleep training the Ferber method

    So I finally hit that point ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! and decided it was time to tackle sleep training with my little cherub. We’re on Day 3 now! I’m trying what I is called the Ferber method (a.k.a. controlled crying and checking in while baby sounds like they’re auditioning for an opera).

    Why am I doing this? Because honestly, I realised I was doing him and the whole family a disservice by not helping him learn how to self-settle. I saw this quote while deep in a 2am Google rabbit hole last week:
    “You wouldn’t stop him learning to ride a bike just because he got frustrated, so why stop him learning to fall asleep when he’s frustrated?” and “You wouldn’t like it if you had to have someone come perform a ritual to get you back to sleep several times a night”
    …and it hit me. Hard. I’m holding my baby back from an important skill!

    Self-settling is one of those baby life skills they need to know that sets them up long term. It means better sleep for them (and us), more predictability, and eventually, less pacing the hallway or the baby using us as a pacifier all night until it feels like our nipples have got carpet burn.

    So we came up with a plan: I took Travis next door to my mum’s house (bless her), where she kindly let us crash for a few nights while he adjusted to his new routine. She graciously endured the screaming from the other room, politely pretending to sleep. Honestly, she’s far too good to me, but I am very grateful because this way, the rest of the household could actually get some sleep while we powered through the tough part.

    Here’s What My Nights Have Looked Like So Far:

    Night #1
    Bedtime at 7pm. Took a full hour to settle (I was about 10 minutes away from stuffing tissues in my ears and rocking in the corner).
    Woke at 11pm – 40 mins to settle.
    Woke at 1:10am – 30 mins to settle.
    Then slept till 5:30am – the longest stretch of his life!
    Did he go back to sleep? Nope. Of course not. But still – a win!

    That’s when I realised… we need a day routine. Yes, I’m a mum of 8, and yes, I should know this by now, but my kids have always just kind of done their own thing. Except for my now 3-year-old who cried for the entire first year of her life and had failure to thrive. Compared to that, this baby is a walk in the park. So hats off to the parents in the thick of colic or FTT babies—you’re superheroes.

    Anyway, back on track (my brain is actual mush). I worked out a day routine that fit around the chaos of the rest of the house:

    Day #1 Plan
    Nap: 9–11am
    Nap: 2–4pm
    Dinner: 5:30
    Bath: 6
    Bed: 6:30

    Reality: LOL. He wanted to sleep WAY longer than planned and was in such a deep sleep that it actually took a long time to wake him. But he actually went to sleep much easier that night! For the first part only…….

    Night #2
    7pm bedtime – 20 minutes to settle
    Woke at 9 – 1 hour to settle
    Woke at 11 – 30 mins to settle
    Woke at 1 – fed, 30 mins to settle
    Woke at 4 – I blacked out
    Woke at 5 – I fell asleep with him on me. He woke up smiling. I woke up with a numb arm and deep regret.

    At this point, I was so close to just giving in, throwing all plans in the bin, and bringing him back into bed with us forever. But every expert and half the internet said, “Be consistent!” So here I am. Not even sure what my name is anymore. Up is down. Down is sideways. I’m held together by sheer caffeine and hope.

    Day #2
    9am nap – woke at 9:30, back to sleep at 9:45, slept till 11.
    2:15pm – no nap. I fed him, he passed out on me, and I just let him because… survival.

    Night #3
    The evening was a mess. No bath. Suddenly it’s 8:30pm.
    Fed him and put him down just before 9 – he settled in 5 minutes. FIVE.
    Texted Simon at 10: “He’s awake again 🙄”
    Slept again by 10:30
    Woke at 1 – fed
    Then slept till 7:30am.
    WHAT?! Biggest stretch yet!

    And now I’m sitting here, half-dead, after 7 months of sleep deprivation, writing this while he naps (reluctantly, of course). But I will not give up! I’ll keep going, because I know this will pay off. Eventually. Maybe. Please?

    Cross your fingers. Cross your toes. Cross your eyes if you have to.
    Pray for me.
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  • Virtual Co-Parent

    I signed a few of the kids up for Reading Eggs just to see how it would go… and they’ve been glued to it for hours! Even the 3-year-old got in on the action, though she tapped out sooner (probably because she thought snack time and hanging out with Nana was more educational). For her it was really great that she couldn’t just zoom through the levels and had to get it right before moving on to the next step. I can see her persistence and resilience already that reassures me that she will be fine in life!

    And it isn’t just Reading Eggs, it also includes Mathseeds, Reading Eggspress, and tons of games that make learning look suspiciously like screen time (which I’m totally okay with).

    Best part? One price covers up to 4 kids, so with the yearly subscription at $149.99, that’s just about $37.50 per kid or as I like to think of it: way cheaper than the last set of workbooks they used as coasters.

    It’s advertised for ages 3–13, but that isn’t the only ages that can use it, if it helps your older kids then use it, because ….

    Haha! Yes I’m feeling particularly proud of myself right now for making that meme with a generator, don’t look too hard at the hands . Anyway, moving on…. 😜

    Having all the kids engaged with Reading Eggs at their own pace lets me step in to help when needed, without juggling a million different activities at once. Reading Eggs is officially my co parent for today!

    If you’ve used it and found it helpful, (or not helpful) let me know your thoughts in the comments!

  • Breast milk advantages and the Haakaa

    Breast milk really is liquid gold. I feel so lucky that my body can create this incredible, nourishing substance not just for feeding my baby, but for so many other things, too. It’s like having a built-in first aid kit on tap!

    Recently, we had a bit of a conjunctivitis outbreak in our house (life with multiple kids — it’s bound to happen at some point!). In the past, treating it has meant ointments, eye drops, and a LOT of tears, mostly from the kids, sometimes from me. But this time, I tried something different: breast milk. Just a few drops in each eye, and not only did the symptoms clear up faster, but there were no tears. It was gentle, soothing, and best of all, instantly available and free.

    And it doesn’t stop there. Breast milk has helped us with so many little bumps along the parenting road. We’ve used it on:

    • Umbilical cord healing
    • Nappy rash
    • Eczema flare-ups
    • Cracked nipples
    • Insect bites and stings

    It’s truly amazing how versatile it is.

    The science backs it up, too. Breast milk contains immunoglobulin A, which helps protect against bacteria and viruses by coating the mucous membranes. It also has lactoferrin, which helps prevent bacterial growth by binding to iron and promoting gut health. On top of that, breast milk has natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that support healing and reduce irritation.

    It’s a reminder of just how incredible our bodies are. This isn’t just nourishment for baby but it’s healing, comfort, and connection all in one.

    If you’re looking for a super easy, hands-free pumping option with no cords or hassle, have you tried the Haakaa? I used it with babies 4, 5, and 6, and found it incredibly helpful!

    Here’s a YouTube link that does a great job explaining how to use the Haakaa breast pump . While you’re feeding on one side, you can simply attach it to the other breast to catch the letdown. It’s perfect for building up a freezer stash, or even for those surprise cases of conjunctivitis!

    They’re really affordable too, and there are a few different versions to choose from here!

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is haakaa.jpg

    If you’re on your own breastfeeding journey, I hope this offers a bit of encouragement. It’s definitely not easy! It can be tough, emotional, and far from a walk in the park. But you’ve got this, mama. Be sure to eat well, stay hydrated, and soak up those baby snuggles during the long nights. You’re doing an amazing job. 💛

  • Crochet! ❤️

    I’ve been absolutely hooked on crochet since 2015, it’s a true passion of mine! In the early days, I sold my pieces for way less than they were worth, just because I loved it so much and wanted to share my work with the world.

    If you’re thinking about starting your own crochet journey, I recently found some fantastic beginner kits on Amazon that I wish I had when I was starting out. These kits come with everything you need to dive in and honestly, even as a seasoned crocheter, I’m tempted to grab one myself!

    beginner crochet set



    And if you’re like me, you’ll quickly discover that yarn has a way of taking over your entire house. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to reorganize my stash! These tidy little storage solutions not only help keep everything in its place, but they also look great with most home decor. There are even shelf options with drawers that are super popular right now. I might need to invest in a set myself so we’re not completely overrun by wool and hooks! Craft storage drawers

    This is my current set up

    Which is working for now, but what you dont see is the giant container, 3 bags, 2 boxes worth of wool, and half completed projects just out of this shot!

    If you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are some of the cute items I’ve made over the past year 💛

    It’s been fun looking through my photos,  and hopefully, this sparked a little inspiration to get creative. Crochet has always been my go-to way to unwind and it lets me sit down and relax without feeling guilty because I’m still being productive while doing something I love.

    I am also super lucky because my good friend owns a shop full of real NZ yarn. And even dyes her own! Check her out at https://aimeeswoolshed.co.nz/

    If you’re a fellow yarn enthusiast, I’d love to hear about what you’ve been working on lately. Feel free to share in the comments 🧶

  • Babies who never sleep 😴

    Okay so, my baby is 7 months old now, and I can confidently say… he’s never slept longer than 4 hours once or twice but he wakes every 2 hours max without fail. At this point, I’m not even sure if I’m awake or just glitching in the Matrix. Reality feels like when you accidentally open your front camera. Everything’s blurry, foggy, and I regularly forget basic life things like where I put my keys, when I last had a shower, or what my other kids are called.

    I’ve temporarily given up work because this little sleep terrorist has decided I am his full-time emotional support human. He cries without me, but ALSO refuses to sleep. Honestly, he’s a total sweetheart during the day… a charming little con artist. But the minute bedtime hits? He transforms into a tiny, adorable gremlin powered by breastmilk and vengeance.

    I’ve tried everything. Sleep training? He laughed. Self-settling? He said, “uh uh try again” He won’t take a dummy (because apparently I am the dummy). Won’t cuddle a toy. Has zero interest in bottles at night. He’s breastfed and OBSESSED with the boob like it’s a VIP all-access pass to peace and safety. And yes, we’ve got a bedtime routine. Yes, we’ve started solids. Yes, I tried sleeping in a different room. Co-sleeper? White noise? Swaddling?Check. Every sleep YouTube guru ever? Watched. I’m basically one lavender essential oil away from performing an exorcism.

    Im thinking im going to purchase one of these Baby hand patters and let you know!


    So if you, or your cousin, or your neighbour’s dog walker have any links, suggestions, witchcraft spells, or methods that worked for your non-sleeper — drop them in the comments. Let’s help a mum out because the bank account is tired, the nipples are tired, and most importantly — I am tired. 😩

    Signed,
    A very real, very unshowered, possibly imaginary mother, just trying to remember her own name.

  • Baby #6 birth story at 40

    Before I gave birth to number 6 at 40, I was terrified. There were so many things I heard about being an older mum and having multiple births that I spent hours and hours online searching for any story to give me hope that everything would be OK. So here I am to tell the world my story so hopefully I can help another mama out that is not feeling so relaxed. Here is my birth story!

  • 🖤Partner Appreciation Post🖤

    Take a moment to read my absolute brag post about my partner, Simon. I am always bragging about this guy, The man that never shy’s away from a nappy explosion, a sink of dirty dishes, or me sobbing about the next dilemma in my life. He’s my concert buddy, an amazing father and co-parent, and certified lamp lover. Yes, lamp lover. A month into our relationship, after watching Anchorman together, Simon casually says “I love lamp” as we’re saying goodbye. IYKYK. Then, as I’m walking away, he yells out “Bye lamp!” across the driveway like it’s the most romantic Shakespearean farewell of our time. And honestly? It was. 10/10 for heart stopping, take your breath away, heartfelt ways to say I love you for the first time. Since then, it’s been a whole lot of driftwood picture frames, Spotify playlists (the new age mix tapes), and foot rubs. Back up ladies he’s mine!

    Simon is the glue that holds this wild, beautiful circus together. The head of our household, and I say that with pride. He leads the family with open ears and mind, considering everyone’s feelings. The eight kids we share (yes, EIGHT) are always top of his mind, taking them to their extra curricular activities, to the shops to spend the $2 they found, jumping on the trampoline, making towers out of Jenga blocks or cuddles on the couch. He treats every single one of them like his own, never once saying “step” unless he’s literally walking up the stairs. (Dad jokes are big in this house). He’s a manly man who chops wood and lights fires, goes hunting, catches fish, but also lets his daughters paint his nails and clip sparkly things into his hair. He cooks dinner, shares the housework, and is the best hands on parent I’ve ever heard of. He encourages me through every crazy idea or insecure moment and never lets me get away with badmouthing myself. Simon remembers the tiny, meaningful things like that time we were in the Redwoods shop, laughed at those “Mickey to tiki Tu Meke” shirts and put them on our “must get” list. Road tripped to Raglan and saw the same Mickey to tiki picture on loads of art, we were very excited!.. Fast-forward to my birthday, he made me a custom print Mickey to tiki in a frame he built from driftwood we collected on the Raglan beach trip. (Are you crying? I’m crying.)

    Every day, Simon chooses this chaotic, beautiful life with me equal parts chaos and fairy tale .. well at least 70/30 😂 This man? He’s unexpected, hilarious, heartwarming, and absolutely perfect. Love you, Simon. You are Tu Meke. 🖤 Happy anniversary month 💕

  • Red Bands!

    If you live in New Zealand or even visited New Zealand, you have most likely heard of Red Band Gumboots. I created a cute little crochet pattern for them if you would like to download the pattern you can find it here for $3.50 NZD. It took me quite a lot of trial and error to work it out so I hope others find it user friendly!

    I love creating patterns and business has been a little slow since having my baby as he loves me just a little too much so it’s rare to get hands free to create. Which is annoying that I now have the perfect model but can’t put him to use! But, for now I’ll enjoy the cuddles ❤