The day it finally stops raining

And we are all confined to slumping about indoors because of yucky head colds.
Blech.
On the upside (or not) there is a zillion loads of washing to do and hang out to dry.  By being inside, I can hear when the machine finishes.  (Ok, i know I am clasping at straws for the silver lining)

In other news, our Bug is now a strapping 14 month old, and is practically running everywhere.  He's also learning to feed himself with utensils instead of just sticking his chubby hand into his food.  All positive!

He has a smattering of favourite words including mum, dad, no, wow, and raaaa but mostly communicates in loud squawks.  He LOVES to be outside., so much so,  if he hears the back door open/close and if he's still on the inside, the tears that follow are of a broken-hearted little boy.

His favourite toys are on the outside - the sandpit, the grass, the gravel... you get the idea.

My baby is growing up so fast!

Already mid January?

Look at those curls.  {LOVE}

It's been a busy few weeks since we waved goodbye to the last of our Christmas visitors.    Life has swung back into its usual routine, and we continue enjoying our little piece of paradise.

New mode of transport

Liam is walking again after an injury-imposed 2 week break.  Poor little thing had a very sore foot/knee/hip (we never did find out exactly what it was, although, at least through x-rays we knew it wasn't too serious), and completely stopped all walking practice, and only crawled if absolutely necessary.  he is fully mobile and happy about it now, and spends almost all of his time tottering around on his two (very) sturdy pins.  I love watching toddlers toddle.  It's just too cute.

Crepe Myrtle in full bloom.  Back-drop of stormy sky... finally respite from the 37C heat we've been having

 The Veggie Jungle has been very productive.   We did plan & plant a *proper* Vegetable patch at the beginning of last year.  Then we cut down a falling-down pine tree in the winter, and the Veggie Jungle sprang to life.  We're going with it for now, despite the fact it has entirely choked my planned 'natives garden' - and anyway, it is producing waaaaaay more than the *proper* patch!

Feeding the birds in the afternoon - a huge hit.  We have quite a few regulars visit us now. 

And a few pics on the creative front.  I'm getting on with the star I started... though, I'm not entirely sure where I'm heading with it, and because of (or despite?) this, I've started another project.

Evie is jumping out of her skin for me to get this one done :)

Cecily Barker's Flower Fairies, by Michael Miller

"It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."
- Anne Frank

This and That

After a long(ish) hiatus, time for an update... Mostly photo, because to write about it would take waaay too long.

In December:

We got busy with Christmas crafts...

...and making Christmas presents for the lovely Carers.
(Ham Bags, incase it's not obvious)

Christmas baking was a huge hit...

The end product.  Butter cookies. Yum!

My Baby girl turned THREE

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

What's under here?

We waited and waited for the rain so the new umbrella and gumboots could finally be used!

And so far this year

The first crop of toms picked - 1.1kg and counting

Sprung! 

My third ever quilt completed and on it's way to Belgium

And my 2nd attempt at piecing a star.  I didn't even bother with photographing the first.  *Disaster!*

Christmas was wonderful.   The kids were so lucky to have both sets of Grandparents (both of whom had travelled) celebrate with us.  A Christmas Eve feast was cooked by my hubby, and MIL, and we all ate a delicious lunch on Christmas Day.

So, although it's a little late - Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy 2012!!

My 1 year old

Our 'baby' boy turned one a few short weeks ago, and was so fortunate to be celebrating with quite a few extended family members!

Bug with his favourite-st possession in the whole world, and the cake I made... from scratch!

Almost all the cousins were helping celebrate

The birthday cake on the day of his actual birthday... made from scratch, by someone else!

Happy Birthday gorgeous boy.  You are such a wonderful little person in our lives.  You are so very cheeky, happy and very affectionate.  You definitely take after your Dad in both looks and personality. We all adore you - almost as much as you adore your big sister!
We love you so very much XOXOXOX

11 Months

My gorgeous little Bug is almost one!
This year, faster than any other, has absolutely flown by.

Can it really be that this time last year, I was only weeks away from being a mum of just one (imho by far the easiest of the transitions of making 'family' - being a mum of one is nothing compared to juggling 2!), to welcoming this sunny little personality into our lives?  Was I really that huge and uncomfortable?  Was I really that concerned about how Evie would take it all?   Yep!

We've had a fairly packed year this year, and while it has gone fast, I am quite glad of it, in a way.  It hasn't been the easiest of transitions, moving back to Aus after so long away, and at times it's still a bit difficult.  But we're getting there.

Liam:
At 11 months he's a speed machine when it comes to crawling.  The kid has a gear that keeps him up to running-pace with his sister!  He is very confident cruising round the furniture, and spends more and more time on his feet, his legs are becoming his preferred mode of transport.

He was, and still is a very content little fellow, and loves giving and receiving hugs and kisses.
His cheekiness is boundless.  I don't know what more to say on this particular personality trait.  He is just very cheeky.  Hope it doesn't get him into too much trouble as he gets older!!
He has a good appetite - favourite food would have to be yoghurt - and probably meat of any kind.  Favourite game is peek a boo, and some form of weird catch/chase/tackle that he and Evie have written the rules to.   The pair of them love each others company (most of the time) and he misses her dreadfully when she's not here... Can't say the feeling is mutual, but isn't that the prerogative of the big sister?

Current Likes
Bath time
Swimming
Cruising
Food
pushing a car and brrrmmmming*
Clapping
Playing Peek a boo

Current dislikes
When Evie is not where he is
Lying down for any length of time longer than 0.2 of a nano second.  I think he'd even sleep standing up if he could!
Lumpy bits of fruit in yoghurt

* Not taught at all... must be a 'boy' thing.  Anyone care to comment?

Ahhhh Welcome to Australia

Where the air is free, clean......

Where you can breathe easy knowing that liars and thieves the minority rule the country.

Onya Jules, you done us proud.

Rain

More of This

We had a wonderful visit from the City Cousins recently, and also my lovely Sister in Law from Canberra, who shortly flies across the other side of the globe.
We had a lovely weekend, made slightly even more special by the fact that Russ and I left the kiddies in the very capable hands of the City Cousins (and their parents of course!) and WENT OUT!! TO THE RACES!!  We attended the birthday party of a friend of Russ', which was held at the twilight races.  Much fun, but sadly no winners for us.

This past week we've had some great weather, so most of our time has been spent outdoors in our garden.
Lots of pictures to follow:

Love this pic!  The last 'cold' day - spent at the park

Liam loves his 'Baby Gaol'... but Evie can still take his toys away!

Relaxing after a full day picnic-ing and playing in the park

Evie's quilt is on the back-burner while I try finish one for soon-to-be Godson, Thomas.

 Liam turned 10 months old over the weekend.  Clearly he is very confident in standing up.  He is also now a very accomplished 'waver', loves clapping hands, and is getting cheekier every day. And just look at that Belly!!

Watering the garden......

....is very thirsty Work!

Getting down and dirty in the veg patch... Tomatoes, lettuce and capsicum all planted

Over-seeing veg planting to ensure all is well.

That's us this week.  We've also started a big huge project in our front garden.  Probably won't be finished for a while, but pics'll be soon-ish!