Theodora - the name

It's funny that some are having trouble with the name Theodora that we have picked out for our new bundle of joy.

Some, in our family, have suggested 'Thea' instead of 'Theo' as the shortened version. But why?

Samantha becomes 'Sam' which is a boys name, Joanne becomes 'Jo', Phyllis becomes 'Phil'... or is it because Theodora is not so common that people struggle with it?

We didn't choose it for any particular reason - just loved it and thought Theo sounded cute. It's a beautiful strong name. When she grows up, Theo can be a 'Dora', 'Theo', 'Thea' or whatever she chooses but now she is Theo.

Artist: Meister von San Vitale in Ravenna
circa 547 - mosaic - location: The Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

I have finally googled the name Theodora to find out the history. I had heard it was Greek & Byzantine, meant 'gift of the gods' and that Theodora was a Byzantine Empress.

Theodora (Greek) (c. 500 - 548) was empress of the Byzantine Empire and wife of Emperor Justinian I. Like her husband, she is a saint in the Orthodox Church. Theodora was perhaps the most influential and powerful woman in the Byzantine Empire's history.

In the writings of her life she was an actress, prostitute and dancer. Then Justinian fell violently in love with her, keeping her first as mistress then raised her to patrician rank. Through him Theodora was able immediately to acquire an unholy power and exceedingly great riches. She seemed to him the sweetest thing in the world, and like all lovers, he desired to please his charmer with every possible favour and requite her with all his wealth.

Theodora participated in Justinian's legal and spiritual reforms, and her involvement in the increase of the rights of women was substantial. Garland points several laws of Justinian who seem surprisingly favorable to women. Theodora had laws passed that closed brothels. She also expanded the rights of women in divorce and property ownership, instituted the death penalty for rape, forbade exposure of unwanted infants, gave mothers some guardianship rights over their children, and forbade the killing of a wife who committed adultery.

Read more here... she's done so much I can't write it all out!

Interestingly, Teodora, a variant, is among the top 10 most popular names for girls born in Serbia between 2003-2005.

Fabric gal

6:30am this morning : couldn't work out what to show Theo next so lay her down in my workspace and let her look at fabrics!!! Here, she has turned her head but it kept her quiet for about 10 mins (a record) looking at everything with her short-sighted baby eyes.


Last night was a horror. Theo just wouldn't settle. We all finally fell asleep in the bed but she awoke ready for a feed at midnight and I feel like I've been up since. She gets a bit of a tummy ache and wind after feeding so sometimes she can go to sleep beautifully and other times it becomes a vomiting & farting nightmare. Anyway, she is cradled in my lap as I type this and seems to be calm... fingers crossed she will go to sleep!


Update : 7:40am
Yes! She is asleep! After grumbling away through everything I tried, I forgot my Bubba Moe's sling so put that on and just sat on the computer. As you can see, she has finally caved in and gone to sleep. Yay!!!

Full time job

Today it's miserable... misty and raining, but I love it! We have had so much hot weather that I relish the change. Theo is all dolled up in her new handknitted cardigan with hoody that my Aunty Lesley made just for her.

Mum is up at the moment helping out which is great. I think Steven enjoys not having to make dinner all the time! Theo only got up 3 times in the night but decided 6am was enough of a sleep in for her so everyone up!!!

This baby stuff is really full time - I guess I never realised how much.

Theo today

Theodora doesn't like to sleep in the day - well, from 6am to midday we had her partying. Finally Steven got her to sleep by putting her in the 3 wheeler and walking round and round the verandah. She sure is a party animal!


This is how I manage to get on the computer. Theo rests on my knee with a dummy and grunts the whole time. I think she will be a talker when she grows up!

It's a baby's life

It sure does take some getting used to having a little one around the house. I can't quite jump on and off email - having Theo trying to drink milk at the same time! I guess I will get the hang of it.


Dad has been a great help too - like a duck to water - and not afraid of pooey nappies. Theo has ended up sleeping with us throughout some of the feeding sessions throughout the night. Just makes it easier!

New book to keep you busy

This new book is coming out soon and features yours truly in it...
It's been put together by Pip Lincolne of 'Meet Me At Mikes' in Melbourne.

I can't say too much til it's out but it's very very exciting! You can pre-order it here.

From Readings website:
From Melbourne’s best loved crafty store comes Meet Me at Mike’s, a cornucopia of crafty fun and inspiration. Queen of Crafters Pip Lincolne has gathered 25 of the best projects from the country’s most creative cleverbods -everything from baby yoga pants and clutch purses to hankies and softies. You can sew, knit, crochet, collage and screenprint yourself into a frenzy! Each cute and quirky project comes with easy-to-follow instructions and full-size fold out patterns. With such a fabulous range of ideas, you’ll find something to make for all your favourite pals. If you’re looking for fun and creative things to brighten up everyone’s day, have a peek inside and get crafty!

At home!

Yay, today was the day Theo and I were allowed to go home. She is such a little doll and we are both just so in love. The phototherapy worked well and her jaundice reduced. I woke up this morning determined that 'this was it, time to go home' then watched as the sun came up and revealed our little girl looked yellow again... I couldn't stop the disappointment and tears in my eyes while the midwives reassured me not to worry just yet.


Finally, got her bloods tested and her jaundice level had dropped since yesterday so we were allowed to go - phew!


It is really nice being back. After feeding her I plonked straight into my bed and slept so well. Nelly, our dog, isn't too sure what's happening with Theo. She just wants to constantly lick her toes which is handy when she needs waking up!

Still in hospital...

Theodora 'Theo' Jean Brozovich - she is just a doll - lots of hair!!! I was the same when I was born.

Steven, proud dad with Theo.

I have ducked home quickly but still in hospital. Our gorgeous baby girl, Theo (Theodora), is having a bit of trouble with jaundice so is having phototherapy under UV lights. It has been a week tomorrow (Wed) that I have been with her in the hospital and am going stir crazy and very, very teary... It should be at least another 2 days we expect (fingers crossed).

Kara and baby Theo straight after delivery... yes, it ended up being an epidural birth but it was wonderful. Epidural in at 7pm, found out I was fully dilated not long after, then Theo born at 9.12pm with a natural delivery.

I had terrible posterier pain beforehand and couldn't do anything as I was attached to a drip and heart monitoring machine so gave up on doing it the way I'd like to 4 hours into labour.

Thanks for all your kind words. I haven't really had a chance to read them all but will soon. Of course, my website is down so no one can even email me. I have to get back to the hospital so this will all have to wait.

A beautiful baby girl

Theodora Jean Brozovich was born 9.12 Wednesday night. She weighed 3965 grams, has long black tresses already and is gorgeous. 

Kara and baby Theo will be coming home in a couple of days, with the full story and pictures. 

written by Steven for Kara

PS The business site is down for some reason but will hopefully be back up as soon as Kara can get to it.

Garage : movie review by me

Yesterday I watched 'Garage" (again) at home in the air con as it was so stifling hot. This movie really got to me and I highly recommend getting it out at your video shop if it's there.

It's a lovely irish film and a great story - it's slow paced and quite beautiful. Anyone that knows me knows I'm not into the latest blockbusters, but I feel that almost everyone would enjoy this!

***** 5 stars from me!

Plot: Tragi-comedy from the margins of contemporary Irish life. Regarded by his neighbors as a harmless misfit, eliciting idle kindness, benign tolerance and occasional abuse, Josie has spent all his adult ...( read more )life as the caretaker of a crumbling petrol station on the outskirts of a small town in the mid-west of Ireland. He is limited, lonely, yet relentlessly optimistic and, in his own peculiar way, happy. But then over the course of a summer, Josie's world shifts. A teenager, David, comes to work with him. David likes him. They open up to each other and suddenly the lonely adult is drinking cans down at the railway tracks with the local kids. He is awakened to needs in himself that have never been met. And Carmel, from the local shop, who has always been kind to him, stirs feelings within him that he struggles to name. And then one thoughtless moment unravels the threads of faltering friendship. Events spiral. Josie's life is changed, forever.

Arghhh!

Ok so its 4 days til I'm due. I am climbing the walls here!

I have just started to cut out some little dresses out of vintage fabric. I bought a pattern on etsy but it still hasn't arrived (grrr!) so I'm cutting freehand from another little dress. I will post them if they work out.

Eccentric... moi?

Thank you everyone that responded to my December Newsletter about getting a copy of Virgin Blue's 'Voyeur' magazine. I had so many offers to track down a copy for me and I did get hold of it in the end!

At first I wasn't sure about being included in the 'Eccentric Aunt' section, but seeing the beautiful layout of the magazine and the selection of gifts around my handbag - well, I'm quite pleased.

Biding my time...

I thought I'd post some Christmas photos since my trusty Imac computer has been returned to me and seems to be working fine once more - apparently it was the power supply making it cut out. Looks like Steven took both these photos (two different lunches - Christmas Day at top and Boxing Day at bottom) so he's not in them.

39 weeks pregnant today - and COUNTING...

Last night was New Years Eve and since getting this infection (ie being tired) & being at the end of the pregnancy, I thought it would be nice if Steven and I spent it quietly together. We got takeaway chinese (Canton Palace at Katoomba makes the best Szechaun Eggplant!) and sat on the deck. It was lovely and I guess our last real night together before baby makes 3.