07 07 07

Me and my lashes

(they're fake btw)

Well, the birthday is over and I have almost finished cleaning up after the party. I'm pleased I didn't drink enough for even the slightest headache - although some people tried to encourage me to drink a lot last night!

The party was a great success. Some of my friends pulled out at the very last minute though, and that really dampened my mood. I really missed them. BUT lots of my friends came, and they gave me some really generous gifts. I guess the secret is out - I love my photos (photo frames and photo albums) and I love my coffee (lovely tea and coffee cups!) and I love flowers (flowers and vases). I opened some of my gifts this morning; it was fun!

It was great seeing people dressed up. There was a Saturday Night Fever dude (Chris H), a family of hippies (Michele's), a very swanky Wayne in an orange floral suit. It was so much fun. When you open your door and find a friend dressed up and just cack yourself laughing, it's a good sign. Well, it's fun at least! Mum wore a dress she wore when she was pregnant with me. Emily wore a dress mum wore when she was pregnant with her. There were some very interesting outfits.

And, there was dancing at my party!!! We did the nutbush and the hustle (sort of) and danced to several numbers. It was fun.

People looked great in their 70s gear. Georgia wore genuine vintage:

And my dad is genuine vintage, wearing genuine vintage, and holding almost 1-year-old Matty (not at all vintage and in his non-vintage orange tigger suit)!
I am wearing genuine vintage too. I bleached my hair for the occasion (just kidding, it's a wig). I really enjoyed dressing up. My platforms hurt my feet though; I was running around all night playing host.

I got to catch up with my lovely friend, Susie, who I haven't seen for ages. She looks radiant.

I had a great cake. I shared some of it.

And I married a porn star. Well, at least a star! Monte was wonderful, cooking food, serving, hosting, dancing and just being great! He's having the day off today, fishing with Wayne. I'll manage the tidy up so he can take it easy. His platforms hurt his feet too. I should have taken a photo! "How do you girls do it?" he wonders, after wearing his heels all night.

Ahh. Now I can almost get back to normal. I am on holidays. I can catch up on my washing, if the weather fines up. I can prepare for Matty's birthday too. He is being so wonderful, sleeping well at night and mostly having a decent sleep in the afternoon. Sometimes he doesn't have any sleeps - that's just crazy.

Georgia loved getting ready for my party, and she had a great time at the party. The kids stayed up late but Georgia went to sleep before guests left (which is a good thing, since people stayed late!).

"Thank you for coming to my party even on such a wonderful, horrid winter night. [Thank you for the generous gifts.] I am in two minds about being thirty, but I am happy with the things I have achieved in the past thirty years. Thank you to Monte, for the party, and to Amanda, for all her help and support [and just being wonderful] and to mum and dad, especially mum, for you help in the morning. Thank you all..." excerpt from an impromptu speech (I think I nearly cried actually. It was all a bit overwhelming, and then Georgia cried because I forgot to let her blow out my candles, and we did it all over again).

And I am excited to go back to work because I found out they are putting plasmas in my classrooms :0

Recently Added Pics:

I got some photos from mum's camera. Here is a photo of me with Emily, dad and mum.

Here is a photo of my cake. It was a great cake. What I find funny about this photo is the background. There's the photo of Georgia at 12 weeks, which could be either of my children. There's the statues of mother and child (which could be me and my three kids) and the photo of Monte and me at my year 12 formal (!94!) and lastly, the beer bottle (enough said!).

Here's a pic of Emily, me and mum. I think we look hilarious (in a seriously cool way) - basically, a bunch of oxymorons.

Mum took this photo. I am opening a present from my nanny. It was a couple of ancient tea cups from her prized collection. I am SO grateful and lucky to get them. You can see by the look on my face. I think this is the nicest photo of me I have.

And here is Georgia, my angel. She is so great. She is saying the best things at present, but just when I sit down to write them down I realise I have forgotten them. Let's see: "When I am sick I like to cuddle with my daddy." "Can I please eat in the TVD room?" Classic.

The week I turn 30

My wonderful husband and me on my birthday

My birthday is looming and I am very excited. People tell me I don't look thirty. For a while I enjoy being told this, and even feel flattered - until I realise they are telling me this because they think that 30 is old! It's not old! I am young. I am at a very good spot in my life, thank you very much!

Lots of people are coming to my party. There is a lot of excited chatter about what people are wearing. Amanda is coming over on Thursday to help me do some cooking (bless her). There will be lots of kids there too! We're having a few kids treats for their part of the party. They'll be watching some dvds too.

I have organised the 70s music but want to get more Bee Gees. I love the BGs! I have already got out my collection of wooden bowls and platters. I bought some indoor ferns too. I am looking through recipes from the 70s and find some of their ideas hysterical, and others are quite cool. I get the impression that elaborate, colourful dishes were all the rage. Dips were in, as were punch, quiche, fruit kebabs and anything on a skewer and poked into innocent fruit. Pizzas were popular too. I guess there's nothing too crazy on my party menu! I have my dress. I have Georgia's outfit too. Monte has organised his outfit but I am yet to work out what the baby wears. I'll do a web search on baby clothes from the 70s. No doubt I have something useful.

Confessions of a shopaholic

Having a go at digital scrapbooking:

I have taken Matty to the doctors 3 times in 6 days, just to be told that he has a virus and will get well soon. Today I was given an ointment for conjunctivitis though, which he developed today. Poor little mite. He has never been sick before, and has really been out of sorts. He still smiles and laughs occasionally, but he really is grumpy and very needing of mummy. So, I have been cuddling him a lot, and feeding him a lot, and being there for him, which cheers him up. I really enjoy looking after my family all day. It makes me feel very valued.

Today I took the kids to the shops after the doctor's. They were so well-behaved that I didn't realise that we'd been there for two hours! The length of our expedition was stated further with the total on my shopping docket. Oops! I really did think that Georgia needed more clothes, and that the size 2 Bonds sleepwear was necessary for this year, albeit way too big. And then there's all those scrapbooking things I needed, and gifts for children for next year! And then there's, well, chockie bickies which I like to enjoy with my hot chocolate at night! Hello big tum!

This brings me to another thing. Dora the Explorer. Georgie hasn't seen that much of the tv show, but she loves it nonetheless (ok - we have one of the dvds). She has the Dora jarmies and the Dora gumboots. She threw a packet of Dora undies into my trolley today. I have no restraint and spoil her rotten: "Oh, okay," I said with a sigh. Besides, they're cute. And she probably needs more undies anyway. But wait, that's not all. There's the Barbie slippers. I wanted Georgia to get some new slippers. Hers were a bit old and small. I thought some plain old slippers would do, but NO! They had to be Barbie ugg boots! It's not Georgia's fault though. It's all they had in her size. It's really hard to find plain stuff. It's also hard to find unisex clothes. So I have bought Matty some navy girls' pants. I have bought Georgia a fair amount of boy's t-shirts (they're cheaper too). I'm trying to buy generic unisex things where I can, but I do love the boyish clothes in blues with the trains on. And I love the pretty girl's clothes with butterflies.

I have been doing a little mini scrapbook of Matty's first year. I have really enjoyed it. I should have made it bigger; it was so hard choosing between all his cute photos. One thing I have discovered though is that he is simply the baby of my dreams and soon he will not be a baby but a little boy, and I can't wait! He and Georgia play so beautifully. He loves it when her friends are over - he tags along and gets such a kick out of being included! He's almost one now. In 3 weeks. I am having a family do for afternoon tea on the weekend, and a little kids' tea party on the day. I remember being slightly over myself this time last year, at 35 weeks pregnant. That is so many weeks isn't it! But wait - there's more! If I have 4 children, that'd mean I'd have been pregnant for three years of my life. Ok, that idea I just had about having 4 kids - that's gone now. Besides, I'd spend way too much money on their clothes. Jeepers.

It is hard being a working mum. It is hard because yur house suffers a lot of the time. You need to make the most of your time with your family, so housework goes by the wayside (well, mine does). I am behind in my washing. Then there's the kids - I just miss my children when we are apart. Is that normal? I feel like part of me is lost somewhere. I need them! Then there's the attitude at work. I am teaching part time, so I am not there much. I get a lot of: "Oh, you're only part time" crap. It makes my skin crawl. Firstly, dude, I already have an overtime job, where I am on call 24/7 and I am underpaid. Secondly, dude, this is the 21st century! What about women's rights? So when you say "oh, you only work part time," I'll say "Well, my paid job is actually a restful pastime at present, and I work full-time from home for free."

I'm nearly 30.

Well...

I have just finished designing my 30th birthday party invitation. I am very happy with it and I feel slightly clever. Why did I choose the seventies as a theme? I'm not really sure, except I was born in that era, obviously. I think the 70s were cool. I just love the music! Star wars came out, Led Zep was huge. I think that's pretty cool. I love the fashions of the 70s. Pretty cool. Did they even use that word back then? Cool? Now I've just got to tackle the menu. Any ideas of seventies foods?

This morning I vacuumed the house. Big deal, you may exclaim. I think it is a big deal, as it does not get done that often. When I was pregnant with Matthew, feeling very sick, I decided that I wanted to move house. TIP: if you are pregnant, don't make big decisions. Although I love this house, I don't think we had to move. For one, this house is huge, and takes a long time to clean! Secondly, moving house in the throes of morning sickness just sucks! It took me a long time to settle into this place. Luckily, I am well settled now. Anyway, the point is that I vacuumed the house and got some time to think. And it was good exercise. There's nothing like a good sweat - although I can think of more fun ways of doing it. For example, running.

I can't remember now what I thought about whilst vacuuming. The odd incredulous shudder as I came across an old jatz under a chair comes to mind. I was thinking about moving to Tasmania, and how much I will love the life. Oh yes, I was thinking that the house we build will be smaller than this one. I'll need four or five bedrooms and a few offices. Maybe just one living area though. The kitchen will be wood. My style: country classic. I was kidding myself that I won't need to clean in Tasmania because life will be so wonderful. But that was just silly! Monte reminds me that life will not be a bed of roses over there, so to speak. I'll have to get up early to milk Molly or Daisy or whatever we call the goat and/or cow. I'm beginning to wash my dishes by hand after each meal because I don't necessarily want the negative environmental impact of a dishwasher.

Enough of that. Matthew took a step yesterday! However, he can't actually be bothered walking because he can crawl so quickly. He is always standing up though, and until he realises he's not holding on, he's quite happy about it. Georgia is dressing up as a fairy princess (called Sophie) every morning - tiara and all. I am grateful that I have such a girly little girl. She's into Barbies and all that too. It reminds me of what I was like once. It's fun.

So, what do I hope to do when I am 30? Don't ask me that. I have a huge list. I'm thinking of taking on a Master's in Education, but I'm not really sure how long I will be teaching for. I'd like to have a few more children but not before Matthew stops feeding! I don't think I'll ever get him to stop. He's practically lifting up my shirt these days. I'd really like to start a business that uses my craft skills. That way I can work in a light, airy studio, with bowls of beads, pots of paints, folds of fabrics, reels of ribbons and piles of paper surrounding me. Ah... and children playing perfectly peacefully whilst I work, looking out large windows, feeling the morning sun soak my skin.

I feel like writing poetry. It's a good time in my monthly cycle. Don't talk to me in two weeks though!

Update

I feel like I am always updating. Something is always happening around here!

Georgia is the cutest. She is looking so pretty. Her hair goes very ringletty sometimes, but she wants to brush it straight all the time. She likes putting her clips in - usually just all over her head. She's still wearing her princess skirt all the time, doing dancing. Just now we were drawing on the blackboard. She was telling stories like 'Pink Dinky Doo.' That is a favourite tv programme at present, as is 'Charlie and Lola.'

I must list some classic Georgia-isms:

• Come here Dart Onion! (d'Artagnan the dog)
• This is Dickless! (ridiculous)
• Mummy, I love you so much. I don't want you to die. I want to stay young for ever and I want you to stay young too. Let's ask God to let us stay young. "Dear God, please let mummy and me stay young for ever. Amen."
• I want to dance on the moon and touch the stars!

And today Matthew cut his seventh tooth. A bottom right Incisor. Matthew has recently had a bit of a growth spurt. Yesterday I had to put away a size 0 jumpsuit, and I imagine soon he'll be fitting into his size 1 clothes. He crawls very quickly. I am not sure if he is near walking, but he timidly walks along with the walker, and he is cruising like a pro (cruising = walking along furniture whilst clutching it). He is clapping hands and still loving the oooohs and aaaahs it gets him. Recently he has begun waving. He waved to Maxine, he waves to himself and he waves to us. Today he reached out to me from the high chair, saying a clear "cuggy." Other words that resemble real words are: Georgie, daddy, mummy, ta, dart, cat. And there is a distinct "I'm hungry so bloody well feed me!" kind of screech that makes me jump sometimes! He loves the television and he loves making 'boy noises."

Today I took my son to watch the footy. I felt so proud of him sitting in his huge pram, watching the ball and the boys so intently. He laughed. It was so cool. I felt so cool going there with my boy, and so proud to have my boy. When I found out I was having a boy, I sort of panicked, thinking "how can I be interested in boy toys?" because it is no secret that I am very feminine! Now I am interested in toy cars and so forth. I shove them in front of him, but he still prefers to play with Georgia's toys: dollshouse, tea set, barbies, dolls and pushers. I think that is so cool. My boy plays with everything and he likes dress ups too! Currently he is sporting two lovely lovelt t-shirts that mum gave me. He looks like he is swimming but he seems very happy (also waving to himself!). He suits pink too! LOL

As for me...hmmm. I am feeling a bit stressed because there are so many things I want to do but I am not sure what to choose. We are planning a 30th and a 1st birthday party, which is fun. Monte has declined my offer of him taking the kids for a few minutes so I can do some blogging, and has gone to bunnings. So I best be off.

Mothers Day

One of Monte's gifts to me was this painting he did. It is of me, pregnant with Matthew.

I had a lovely day. Monte and the children showered me with presents. A painting, a magazine (craft), a magazine subscription (scrapbooking), a pen, a bookmark, a statue of mother and child. I felt so spoilt. And all I really wanted was to be with my children and my husband on the day...

The 'trad family' Georgia, Monte, Becky and Matty

My mother's day began with coffee and presents in bed. Then we went to church. Church was very special because nanna, mum, georgia and I went up to light the Christ candle and open the Bible together. I felt overcome with emotion with the four generations together. It felt so powerful - the important women in my life doing God's work. It was a moment I will never forget, from my nanna hobbling up to the alter to Georgia smiling widely as she blew out the match.

Four generations: Me, Nanny, Georgia and Mum

We went to visist Maxine and Gordon after lunch. We didn't have very long but we gave her some presents and she walked around her garden with Georgia, pointing out herbs, flowers and autumn leaves whilst Georgia listened with intrigue. Gordon cuddled Matthew; he certainly adores his grandson! He seemed to be in awe of how beautiful the kids are. We gave Maxine a framed picture of them both. They looked at the picture and exclaimed: "They're our grandchildren you know. How did we get such beautiful grandchildren?"

We then had lunch at my house. Mum, dad, Uncle Fran and Nanny came along. Mum and dad supplied the food. we ate roast lamb. I loved it. It has been a long time since I ate roast lamb and it is the only meat that I have missed. I never call myself a vegetarian because I eat fish. I don't think I can cut out meat completely; I've felt so sick and tired lately. Maybe sometimes I will eat meat. I will listen to my body anyway.

Matty and Georgia watching the rain

I am a mother because God chose me to be the mother of Georgia and Matthew. He created them, grew them inside me, enabled me to birth them, feed them and watch them grow. Children are a blessing. Each child is made and chosen by God. Our mothers are chosen for us by God. Mothers are given special gifts so they can be mothers. On Mothers Day this year, I felt these things strongly. Motherhood is the biggest thing I will ever do. I love my marriage, I love my career, and I love motherhood more than the world. I love my children more than life itself and I have God to thank for that, so thank you, God.

Me and Matthew (good photo, Georgia!!)

Georgia took the above photo. She has an interest in photography already! I love this photo. Matthew and I share a wonderful bond. I love the bond between mother and son. You cannot put it into words. I love him dearly. He is the son I have dreamed of all my life.

How blessed am I!?

Happy Hands

A week ago today my son learned how to clap. It's so cute. Firstly he tentatively placed his hands together. Sometimes he forgot to unclench his fists. He would look at us to make sure we approved. Now he claps his hand on command and when we clap hands. We say "Clap Hands" and he claps. We clap and he claps too. And when I come into his room in the morning, when he is calling out for me, he sits up, gives me a huge smile and claps his hands. I tell him that he is clever, that he is my lovely boy and I give him warm cuddles and I kiss his cheek and neck. It's a nice way to start the day.

Today I dropped my kids off at childcare. I hate doing that. But they are happy there. Georgia has just graduated to the kindy room: "Seahorse Room." She is one of the big kids now. The leaders keep telling me how quickly time has gone; they remember her as a baby! They don't need to tell me how fast time has travelled over the past 3 1/2 years. I know. I have a three year old daughter. When she gets cranky she tells me she won't play with me or invite me to her party. Yesterday she told me she would cut my 'nibble' off with my nail clippers (I was feeding Matthew and she wanted to play with him). At present we are trying to educate Georgia that speaking to us like that is not okay. She gets sent to the back door. Frequently.

Georgie plays beautifully with her baby "brovvy" and I am confident to leave them playing in her room whilst Monte and I have a coffee in the morning. Matty just dotes on his big sister. She makes up songs about how much she loves him and how she wants to look after him, and how she never wants to grow up - she wants them to stay young for ever. She makes up dances and her dancing face is so pretty and graceful.

She is at such an interesting age. She dotes on her family but also gets cross with us. We explain that it's ok to be frustrated but it's not ok to be mean to other people. She feels bad when she's mean and sometimes cries because she loves us and she's sorry. She loves art and craft and being with us but she is also learning to be sneaky, and take things without us knowing. Like yogurts from the fridge and mummy's favourite notepaper (I confess I am a stationery junkie).

I would not swap this for the world. I am very happy with my work and home life. I adore my children and love watching them grow. But geez it happens fast.

Tasmania

We have just returned from a marvellous holiday down in sunny Tasmania! Firstly, we'd like to thank the Smiths for having us to stay. Pictured below is Harry, our guardianee, Milly, Georgia and Matthew. Oh, what a coincidence. I bought the same outfits for the lot of them! Oops!
How cute is that!?




Our holiday began with an early flight to Tassie. We drove straight to Port Arthur. On the way we stopped off at Eaglehawk Neck. Pictured here is Georgia commenting on the dry, white sand. You can see what a gorgeous day it was. This beach was particularly wonderful, with cliffs on either side. Let me tell you a story. Port Arthur's boundaries are natural. The only entrance on land to the area is through Eaglehawk Neck. Guards used to patrol this area. Once a convict was trying to escape, hopping along, dressed in a kangaroo skin. His plan didn't work that well, because the guards were hungry. When the prisoner noticed he was about to be shot, he made is name known, and was returned to prison, where he received 100 lashes with the catonine tails.

The cabin we stayed in at Port Arthur was idyllic. We looked out to this bay. Here, Georgia and Monte are investigating the creatures in the rock pools. I wish I could be bothered including all the artsy photos we have of anemones and the cliffs, and dead, white wood contrasted to the glorious blue sea and sky. Monte took a lovely photo of the scene and the sunlight peters through...no doubt it will feature on our walls soon. I loved watching these two explore together. They are so in-tune with each other, so loving and so close. They were chatting away and I was clicking away as I watched my husband and daughter.



A very lucky little girl got to sit in this helicopter, which had landed outside the hotel we ate at on our first night. All I did was take a photo (how uncharacteristic of me), and the pilot beckoned us to him. Georgia grinned and that little excursion made her day!



Here is the view at Port Arthur, showing the mill which later became the quarters for prisoners. On the third floor there was a library, containing 13000 books so the prisoners could be educated. There is a little girl in red in the foreground; you can see how imposing the ruins are. What a wonderful place! We took a guided tour, which was very informative.



We also took a boat tour around the port, looking at places like the Dead Isle, where thousands of bodies are buried, only one of whom is a woman. We also saw Point Puer - the prison for young boys. It was eerie and beautiful at the same time.



We had a picnic at Port Arthur because we were there all day. Here's mum with kids.



We met Ben and Jill at the Salamanca Markets. The markets were fun. My favourite parts were the fairy shop, where little girls and little girls at heart become awestruck by all the little nick nacks. "I'll have some fairy hairclips for Georgia and some for me... and a glittery bangle for Georgia and one for me." Georgia bought a pink glittery, fluffy wand (I restrained myself). Amelia and Georgia even got to meet SnowPea the Fairy, who told them stories, showed them her treasures, gave them fairy dust and let them make fairy wishes! The girls were thrilled, as were their onlooking mothers. My other favourite part was the scallop pies. The most delicious pie ever. Here is Georgia and Milly at Salamanca Place, where adults had a coffee and blissfully normal catch up, whilst the girls splashed around a bit too much (Uncle Ben to the rescue).



It was wonderful that Harry and I are still so close after all our times apart. Here is Harry pictured with "Jacky" (Becky too hard to say thank you very much). Isn't his smile gold? So bright and charming. Harry is a beautiful boy; so cuddly and sweet. He is so happy too. He loves his keys, and to show how much he adores our Matthew, he even gave Matty his keys!

We went to Hastings Springs and swam in the warm water. Here I am with Georgia and Matty. It was fun swimming with my babies. The last time I donned my bathers was when I was pregnant with Matthew. In the water then he would kick and turn; he loves the water still! Unfortunately our pleasant picnic was made rather hectic due to a swarm of approximately 1001 wasps. Jill, Milly and Georgia ate their lunch in the toilets because it really was so bad. But I'm glad we went.
We stayed at Southport for a night. We stayed in a cosy house and drank lots by the fire (the drinking was normal; the fire a luxury). Pictured below is the kids and dads trekking along the beach (which we could enter from the steps in our backyard), on the hunt for shells. There were lots of shells, including abalone. We even found a half-alive abalone, and it was so gross I took a photo of it before I chucked it back into the water.
On our way back to Hobart, we stopped at Geeveston, where we had lunch and a look around. There were carved people all about the place, which I thought was a bit disconcerting. Here are the children with a carved couple, which the girls named Georgia and Milly, but I thought they were George and Mildred. Apparently they are having "a typical cup of tea." We also stopped of at the miniature village in Glen Huon. I took a photo of Mr T waiting for a train. We explored the village and rang the bells of the cathedrals. Harry kept pressing the button which made the church choir sing. The kids played in the Old Shoe with the Old women and all her naughty children. We explored the back of the little old man's property, where we found some elves and fairies, as well as a partridge in a huon pine tree! I can't fit all those Kooky pictures in my blog, so I thought I'd share this photo of my boys. I think they are so handsome. I love Matty's cheeky grin and Monte's peaceful smirk.
Whilst in Tassie Matthew acquired a dummy. He was so impressed with Harry's dummies that he kept stealing them for himself. I bought him some of his own and am relieved, because settling and soothing him now, especially during teething (which is not fun at present), is much easier.

We had a day trip in Richmond. Here Georgia is standing in front of the oldest bridge in the country. We had a great day. We picnicked in the village green; looked in a cosy little teddy bear shop; strolled down to the Richmond Gaol; played with autumn leaves; had a coffee at the world class bakery; bought lollies in the old lolly shop and Georgia and I bought new sunnies. Overall a wonderful day.

On Friday we visited Gordon's cousin, Bernadette. We had lunch there with Bernadette, her daughter Judy, granddaughter Chloe (2) and cousin Marjorie, from Swan Hill, who was also holidaying there. It was very special to be welcomed by them. We had a really lovely time and we all got along very nicely. I talked at length with Marjorie about travelling to Bali, as she is about to go there again. Georgia and Chloe played beautifully. Bernadette, Judy and Marjorie could not contain their admiration of our Matthew! They thought he was the most happy and beautiful baby ever, and his presence inspired Bernadette to show me as many photos of her 12 grandchildren that she could mustre!

After Bernadette's, we went up to Mount Wellington. The view were obviously awesome; my little camera could hardly do them justice! The drive up there was scary; I kept fearing the heights, and once I got to the top I was tingling all over. But it was worth the trip because we saw so much of the surrounds. Georgia had a bit of a hissy fit up there; she was tired because she had been woken up to see the views. Here's Matty and me on top of the world!

On Saturday Jill and I went into town for a shopping excursion. I bought the kids some clothes and a new jacket for myself. Of course I could have waited to go shopping back home but Jill is in Hobart, not Adelaide. We had a great lunch together too. Later that day, we minded the kids and the boys got together to make this contraption which is otherwise known as the half-assed 101 (Khasakstan's finest). The actual creation gives off good heat and is perfect for drinking beer in the rain.On Sunday we went to the Botanic Gardens, despite the rain! Monte was in his domain when exploring Pete's vege patch (the dude from Gardening Australia). The gardens were very beautiful. Here is a picture of the children watching the autumn leaves falling from the beautiful golden trees.

When it rained we stopped in the Conservatory, which was very beauitful, with a lovely fountain and flowers of almost every colour. The girls found the door to the secret garden (see below). This is my favourite photo from my whole holiday.

What, home so soon? We flew home on Tuesday evening. As you can see here, the children were exhausted, and flying from Melbourne to Adelaide was actually very relaxing, as they both slept on me!

Easter 07

"Happy Easter! Have you tried these buns? They're delicious! I like chocolate too, but don't tell mum - I'm not supposed to eat that yet!"

"Is that an egg? Can I have an egg, please? I asked nicely so I can have an egg now."

For us, Easter means new life. We believe that Jesus rose from the grave.

We started our Easter with a sleep in. We woke up at 8:15am! Georgia found the eggs that the Easter bunny had left, then Monte put the buns in the oven and made some coffee. We ate breakfast out in the front yard as Georgia hunted for some Easter eggs! Then we raced to church, and managed to arrive on time (a record in our home). Church was fun. Rod, the minister, was happy to see that Matty crawled over to the front in time for the children's talk - as if he knew what was happening. I helped in Sunday School. I don't think I could teach young children at school, although I just loved it so much. I love being surrounded by lots of little ones. I feel like Ace Ventura, when he sings with all the animals all around him.

We had a picnic with Monte's family in the park near our house. It was a really lovely afternoon. I've put a range of pictures of our day, including a visit from Auntie Susie, one of my bestest friends ever.

Georgia starts the day with an Easter egg hunt. Nice new fence, daddy :)

Sister and brother share a blowy tooty party whistle thing
This is how Matty smiles at me. It melts me all over. Maxine with Georgia and Matthew on the egg hunt
"I love playing with Auntie Lori," says Georgia!

Auntie Marie gets some cuddle time with Matty

"Mummy's squeezing me again!"

Auntie Susie and Georgia happy to be cuddling, making a beaded necklace and reading stories together.

As I write this I can see a family photo that was taken at Easter last year. Georgia is smaller and younger, at just 2 1/2. My belly is big with child and I look tired. Monte is wearing his old sunnies - I am so glad he has new ones now. I think of all the things that have happened in the lst 12 months, and I wonder what will happen in the next 12. Matty will surely be walking and talking. Wow - time goes so quickly. I am really noticing how fast it is going with Matty. With Georgia, all the new milestones were so exciting, but with Matty it is all happening too quickly. It is still exciting; he is starting to wave, and form words, and cruise around on the furniture, but to me, his development is too rapid. I love it though. Oh, what's that on my shoulder? A bit of baby spew? I hope it hasn't been there for too long (bet it has!).

Happy Easter :)

Georgia

Georgia's smile lights up my day :D

So, with Matthew being so new and little, sometimes Georgia gets left out. Never by me, but by others, wanting to hear how the baby is going. So this post is dedicated to my special angel girl, my fairy girl, my "Bunny," Georgia.

About The-G

• name: Georgia Rebecca May
• favourite colour: pink
• favourite toys: Bella, trainset, computer, dolls house, sandpit and cubby house.
• favourite books: (depending on the day) Nemo, Bella's midsummer secret, Ferdinand, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Bare Bear (my fav)
• favourite films: Monsters Inc, Nemo, Fairies
• favourite outfit: white fairy leotard, fairy dancing skirt, anything that is a dress (she always wants to wear a dress)
• cute things she says: "Don't panic mummy," "I'll look after you honey," "I'll make you feel better mummy," "I love you more than anything in the world,"
• Cute things she has said recently: "Give me a sister mummy," "When I am bigger I'll grow wings and we can fly up to the sky and touch the clouds," "Look, fairies [dust motes]"
• Cute things she said in the past: "Oh I spilt my wee"
• Things you may not know about Georgia: she has the same birth mark on her back as me - same place, shade and all. She does not like sleeping with her toys. She makes friends as easily as breathing and she gets along with everybody. Her arsenic hour is between 4-5pm. She eats anything but has recently decided that she doesn't like corn and beans. She was conceived on Valentine's Day, 2003. Her eyes are the same colour as my nanny, Audrey Kenny (nee Matthew) and her hair is the same colour as Monte's nan, Millicent May.
• Weight: 19kg
• Height: 107.5cm
• Favourite pet: at present, it's d'art, with Benjamin close second.
• draws: flowers, fairies, mummy and daddy
• writes: in squiggles
• knows and can write the letters: G, O, M and is learning more.
• Cute habbit: dancing to any music wherever we are, looking after babies
• Annoying habbit: can't think right now but I'm sure I can list a few. Maybe her loud whine when she wants me and I'm busy. Spitting out her food she doesn't like.
• Things I don't find annoying: talking to me, cuddling and picking up her brother, thumb sucking etc

How Georgia began

Firstly, I desperately wanted to have a baby for two years before she was born. When I am clucky for a child, it hurts from the middle of my being to the ends of my hair. It burns in my blood and fires me up from the inside! I had to wait for things to happen though, like get permanency in my teaching job and get a bit older - and Monte had to be ready too.

We were blessed that she was conceived straight away, and apart from morning sickness the pregnancy was great and I felt marvellous. I had to have two amnios because I have a rare antibody. It was pretty scary seeing the needle go into my tummy where my baby was growing, but I was confident that God was protecting her. To this day she has a scar on her leg that has been there since birth; I think that it is from the first amnio, when she kicked the needle! I was very surprised when I found out we were having a girl. I always thought I'd have a boy first. I was so excited. Every woman wants a daughter, like every man wants a son. I knitted a tiny pink jumper. I keep it in my dresser.

Because of my antibodies, I was induced 3 weeks early. My labour was 3 hours and 20 minutes. I used gas for 10 minutes. I pushed twice. It hurt a lot!!! When she came out I held out my arms and gasped in awe and couldn't stop smiling. I felt euphoric (until the baby blues set in the next day!) I didn't need stitches. She was 8 pounds 1 ounce or 3.665 kg. She was red and she cried. Monte bathed her and he was nervous but she loved the bath. I often tell Georgia about the moment she was born. She loves the story!

Georgia was a very happy baby. She grew and developed very quickly, sitting at 5 1/2 months, crawling at 8 and walking at 11 months. She was talkative too. She was so confident; she went to other people so easily and was so easy a child that I we began to think that we are these natural, gifted, amazing parents! It's very healthy to affirm each other on what a good parent you are; it doesn't mean we're perfect!

We took GG to Bali in 2005, when she was 20 months old. She was very well behaved. It was hard eating out all the time because she didn't want to sit still. She loved travelling and making friends and she still talks about the crocodiles from Bali Zoo and the squirrels at the hotel.

The terrible twos weren't terrible. She has been pretty easy. If she had a tantrum it was rather quiet. These days it's different. I think 3 year olds are more demanding! She has whoppa tantrums between 4-6pm, but not too often. Chances are, you know our Georgia, and you know that she loves cuddles, stories and attention. Take the time to talk to her and you will learn a secret or two about happiness. If only adults could see things in that way.

Yes, maybe the dust motes are fairies after all.

Childcare

Matty plays happily at childcare - showcasing his gorgeous smile

My children go to childcare and sometimes I feel guilty. I do not feel guilty about working; I love my career and would never give it up, but I have made the sacrifice to cut back my working hours so I can be with my children. I feel sorry for the children who are in full-time childcare and I wonder what is the point of having children if you want someone else to look after them every day. I guess there are people who have to work, to pay the bills and all. But many people choose to have their kids in full-time care and I think that is a bit sad :(

So when I feel guilty for putting Georgie and Matty in childcare for one day a week, I am glad it is not all day, every day. Having said that, I put them in care so I can work in the morning and then have the afternoon to myself. I know I should have some rest and some 'me time,' but I miss them so much I find it hard to enjoy myself!

I had to record some things that childcare has recently said about my gorgeous baby boy. These are the same things they have said about Georgia when she was a baby not that long ago. The centre really loves our kids so I am happy that they are there, in good hands. I have heard terrible things about some childcare and family daycare centres!

Things they say about Matty-moo:

• He's the most beautiful baby (I already knew that ;])


• He's such an easy baby


• Everybody loves him


• All the children want to kiss him


• He is so friendly/happy/cuddly


• "Can I keep him"


• "Can you have more babies and bring them all here so we can look after them" (can they pay?)


• Ahhhh
  
• "I just want to kiss him"


• "I want one like him" (so do I. several in fact)


• He's no trouble


• He plays beautifully

Oh, the list goes on. I am so proud. I suppose that is rather obvious; I feel the glow from within whenever I am with him. Ever since he was born I have felt euphoric (and exhausted). I never dreamed that I could have another "angel baby" but here I am with another one. Georgia has been and is so easy; even those pesky three-year-old tantrums have been quite reasonable!

Last night I explained the love for my children like the pictures of the sun that kids draw. You know, the big shiny round yellow sun, surrounded by many many triabgles in red, orange and yellow, radiating light. Sometimes the sun has a smile on its face. That is how I imagine the love for my children. It fills me all up and surrounds me and guides me and is the reason why I breathe.

Just an Update

Matty's first swing!

Matthew has been doing all the normal baby things lately. He now has six teeth (luckily for me he doesn't bite when feeding!). He is also crawling around very quickly; often getting lost, or finding us when he has been left to his own devices in the playroom! As you can see he is rather cute. He smiles all the time! Last night was very unusual because he could not get to sleep and he cried a lot, until 12:30, when he must have exhausted himself. We thought it could have been the humid weather, and the fact that he'd been at childcare all day and had a lot of hugs to catch up on! His latest sounds are "Da" and "Ga" as well as "Mumumum" so I am wondering if he is learning our names...

Georgia and Matthew are best of friends

There is no doubt that Georgia and Matthew are best of friends. When driving in the car they hold hands. Georgia has been known to carry him around the house, bringing him when we need him or taking him away when we need him - whatever she feels like at the time. Matty loves her and laughs with her. Talk about stimulation.

Naigee rolling in the hay in the vege patch

Naigee is one of those cute sorts of cats who likes being around the action, albeit from the sidelines. I just thought this picture was cute.

One of the henny pennys on the loose

I don't think the chooks are that cute but I love them nonetheless. Four of our girls are laying now, and we got a big double-yolked egg today. We get 3-4 eggs a day now. Let us know if you want some! We're making our own mayonnaise and we have great quiche recipes. The eggs are delicious! This pic was taken when we let the chooks out. Except only one was brave enough to 'escape.' She spent the next twenty minutes trying to get back in. The thing I love is the noise they make whenever they see Monte!

Another typical GG and MM moment

Georgia jumping

I took this photo when we went to the local park a few weekends ago. It was really windy so Monte went and bought a kite. Georgia is really growing up, obviously. Her curls come and go and she likes wearing her hair down and in her face; she sweeps it back indignantly. She says lovely things, like, "When we grow wings we can fly up and pat the clouds;" "I love you more than anything in the world;" "You're my angel girl;" "You're my best daddy."

Georgia adores her grandma

Recently Georgia's Grandma, Maxine, celebrated her birthday! Georgia loves parties and she raved about this for a long time - before and after the occasion! You can see that Georgia and her grandma have a lovely bond. Recently GG had a holiday at grandma and poppa's. She went to playgroup and had a marvellous time. They certainly keep her busy and she just loves it.

As for me, I am finding work hard. Not the actual work hard (I love it) but the other bits that work around work. Like the children, the housework and err... me! In the pst 2 months I've had mastitis twice and tonsillitis twice! I know I should be sleeping more, but when the children are in bed I get a chance to have some ME time! A fortnight ago the kids started going to childcare all day rather than just the morning a week, so I have Thursday afternoon to myself now (spent being bored and missing my babies!).

Matty got his first lolly bag at Zoe's green party, and mummy ate the choccies but he got a finger puppet and a toy - how cool is that! Zoe is Brooke's daughter. Brooke and I have been friends for a gazillion years, since 1991! We're both ancient but it's so fantastic that our children are close in age.

It rained today (proper rain) so I sat with the children on the front porch and we watched the rain, smelt the rain and felt the rain. We sang songs and I held them tightly. You never know when an even such as this downpour will occur again. Georgia got wet playing in the rain; the pond filled up and the air smelt fresh!

7 Reasons not to rush your baby into Crawling

1. Crawling babies tend to collect ALL the dirt, pet hair and food crumbs from the floor onto their bellies, so if you have a dirty floor, watch out!
2. Crawling babies disappear without telling you where they are going.
3. Babies who crawl usually are overly curious, opening pantry cupboards and the cupboards under the sink - none of which is safe!
4. Crawling babies get trodden on, and they yell loudly
5. Crawling babies slow down the cooking process, because they have to be constantly moved from the food prep area
6. Crawling babies put even more things into their mouths (god only knows how long that mushroom has been there!)
7. A crawling baby means that the next step is not that far away, which means that they are even closer to asking for pocket money!

Matthew update: This crawling baby has two bottom teeth and some top ones on the way. He says 'dada' as well as a lot of other sounds that I never knew existed. He is eating all sorts of vegetables but is still having 4-5 milk feeds a day, so I am still pretty exhausted (but strangely euphoric).