Day 31 - New Beginnings

Wow... day 31! I have managed a daily blog for a month now! Over the last day or so, new trends have emerged on facebook statuses and photos and it's all because it's back to school time. Last Friday the onslaught of teacher comments began which basically told of slight dismay over holidays ending. Today there are a bunch of pics of people's kids in their brand new uniforms. I have friends with kids starting both kindergarten and high school this year. Kids were back at my school today and it has been an interesting day getting to know my class. It's funny how you get to know some, much quicker than others (I'll leave it to you, to work that one out).

Meanwhile, my photo today is of Henry's little mention in the daycare newsletter - very cute!

Day 30 - Daddy Cuddles

Here's lookin' at you, kid!

Every night after his bath, Henry enjoys some Daddy Cuddles before he goes to bed. Tonight we noticed that he is fascinated by Dale's stubbly chin. We had also noticed him grabbing at it this morning. I love this photo, because right as Dale looked down at Henry, Henry gazed up on him and I was lucky enough to snap when their eyes locked!

Day 29 - Happy Half Birthday Henry!

Happy Henry in his High Chair!

Happy Half Birthday to Henry today! Henry is exactly 6 months old today and to celebrate, he moved up in the world of baby dining today when we picked up his brand new high chair that we ordered a few weeks ago. Henry is still happily feasting away on all sorts of foods now, like vegies, chicken, yoghurt and toast! His favourite part is holding the spoon all by himself, but with this brand new white chair, not sure if we will let him do that *all* the time :P

Day 28 - Trip to the Zoo

Interestingly, our staff development day today, included a trip to the zoo. I have to say that it was one way to keep my mind off Henry, since it was our first full day apart! Dale and I dropped him off together at the daycare centre this morning (although Dale will normally be the dropper off and I will be the picker up). We left him there smiling and playing with toys.

At the zoo, I fed a white tiger some steak with tongs (we noticed it was high quality beef too!) and fed a giraffe a carrot! They are actually two of my favourite "big animals". I love giraffes eyes and their gracefulness. The thing that I like about tigers is that they have a lot of the same behaviours of regular house cats, such as hiding behind something getting ready to pounce. The also have such cute giant paddy paws!

By afternoon, Henry had woken at about 4 and although he apparently woke up with a squeal, he was all smiles by the time I arrived to pick him up.

Day 27 - My Little Matisse

Henry did his first finger painting today :-) We dropped into the daycare centre for another visit before the big day tomorrow and while we were there, he decided to dabble in some art for a while. I'm not sure if he really noticed much what he was doing, but it made some cute pics!

Day 26 - The Sources of Dale's Gardening Woes

They are really pretty majestic; the two gum trees in our garden. I'd love to know how old they are because as you can see from the photo, they are huge. To put it in perspective you should be able to see Dale barbequeing in the corner. Anyway, Dale would like them to go, but as he just said to me, "It's more than the trees - it's the whole garden!" Henry wasn't in the mood for gardening today so poor Dale was out there all by himself in the heat, but I have to say that it is looking good... One more trailer load of gum tree branches and leaf litter to go...

Day 25 - All That Glitters

Well it is only January 25th and I finally took the Christmas tree down! It could be because I am busy, a procrastinator or have had other priorities, but I am going to say that this year (sorry, last year) it was just because I liked our tree decorations so much I didn't want to take them down.

Christmas 2010 was a special one because it was Henry's first. I got Mum to make him a special bauble with his name on it and I'd like to get him a special one every year so that he has his own collection.

Interestingly, I bought an extra tree last year and I noticed on the box tonight that it has a 6 month warranty! Should I get it out for Christmas in July just to check its condition?

Day 24 - Daycare and Feasting

This is Henry after his visit to the day care centre today. Our second visit, Henry took everything in his stride. He seemed more relaxed than his first visit, played on the floor and had another cuddle with the room leader, Kirsty. I noticed there today that Henry has his own tote tray with his name on it, and a little spot for his finger paintings to go on display! All a bit cute.

Meanwhile, Henry has turned into a real hoover at home. Dinner tonight was 2 tablespoons of chicken and corn risoni, 2 and a half of broccoli, one little tree that he held in his hand and nibbled the head off, followed up with a slice of rockmelon! I hope he always thinks I am such a great cook!

Day 23 - Project Backyard

"I don't enjoy gardening but at least I can have some fun with it," said Dale of his 'garden bum' sculpture...

It was difficult, but I managed to drag Dale out into the garden today and I think we got a lot done. The garden is looking a lot more like someone owns it; we mowed, slashed back hedges and took a load of green waste to the tip (more to go still). A wet Canberra summer has meant our garden has gone a bit haywire. It was hard to get on top of after Henry was born and no sooner we get it looking good, it rains again and all the weeds come back, not to mention all the leaf litter from the huge gum trees. Anyway, until Dale figures out how we can live in a unit and still have space for dogs and cats, boats and motorbikes, I guess we have to deal with it.

Day 22 - Thai Curry

Mmm... haven't made a Thai curry for ages and tonight was a good night for it, as it had cooled down a bit this evening. I didn't go anywhere besides Woolworths today, so I thought I had better take a picture of something I had made, with what I bought! (This could be a good back up theme on a slow news day)...

In the background is a page from our Thailand holiday photo album of Dale and I on an elephant ride. She was a pretty slow old girl, so not a thrilling ride, but a good touristy thing to do on our trip in 2007... I do remember the elephant's "handler" had a message written in texta on his hat - 200 baht tip OK!

Day 21 - Another Day at the Pool

Henry relaxing with his Nanna after a swim

Henry had his second trip to the pool today and he seemed to enjoy it a bit more than last time. He still had a very cautious look on his face and we didn't really see any smiles, but he had some (serious) fun splashing about in the water a lot more this time and when I held him horizontally he even paddled his arms and legs as if he would know how to dog paddle. He'll be learning to swim in no time!

Day 20 - Look What The Cat Dragged In...

Daisy truly is a little rat... I felt very guilty this morning, because I am sure that I told her she was a pest and a nuisance the day before she disappeared overnight! A sneaky cat, Daisy often shoots out the door when she is meant to be inside (at night time basically) and she didn't come back when we went to bed last night. This has happened once or twice before and she is usually waiting on the front mat when I get up to feed Henry at 3am. Today we didn't see her til about 4pm when she stumbled out of the bushes a few minutes after I went over the road calling out to her. I finally got this pic after about 10 goes - she is expert at darting out of frame at the last second too!

Day 19 - Circle of Babies

Finally Henry is a real smiler! Poor Max on the left of Henry copped a whack from Henry's wayward fist while Lucy and Henry did a bit of hand holding... Pretty sure both were accidental!

Probably about 2 months ago when my mothers' group officially finished up, we took a group photo of all the bubs and of course Henry was the only one crying in every photo! I remember that morning, also because it was the night where both Henry and I had actually had less than two hours sleep. Anyway, since  the group still meets up every Wednesday (I'll only be able to go once more before returning to work) I thought today would be a good day to take a picture of the babies who were there today so that we could see how much the group has changed. Since not all of us are able to come every week, we often notice that the babies change very quickly. I'll look forward to any weekend or school holiday catch ups that I can make it to and I bet that there will be plenty of changes to catch up on.

Day 18 - Coffee at the War Memorial

Can you see what this picture is of?

Had coffee this afternoon at the War Memorial at their new cafe, with Peta, Sarah, Sue and Bev. It's got a great outlook with floor to ceiling glass walls, lots of space and undercover parking which I thought was pretty good. Henry kept us entertained with his laughs and funny faces (see Peta's blog here: http://petasproject3652011.blogspot.com/) and we all enjoyed a coffee and cake with a bit of a catch up. The only thing we noticed is that by 4pm, the place was very empty and the staff did start to pack up and clean up around us... the picture above is of the outdoor chairs all stacked up! Thanks to Sue for suggesting it for an interesting photo of the day.

Day 17 - Wash Day

No clever words of wisdom here, but it was a beautiful hot day outside today and I have to say that there is something strangely satisfying about getting all of Henry's nappies, all the towels and sheets out on the line in the hot sunshine.

Day 16 - Henry's First Visit to the Pool

I'm not sure about this, Dad!

After my shift at the shoe shop today we took Henry and Jenna to Tuggeranong Pool. When I got home he had only just woken from a nice long sleep (these are getting more regular!) and we left after he had had a feed.

Henry loves the bath, but the pool was quite a bit different for him! For a start there were heaps of people there and although the pools are heated, it must be much cooler than his bath ever is. The bottom lip dropped pretty much as soon as he got in and it took quite some time for him to get used to it. Eventually though he put his hand in for a bit of a splash and although I wouldn't say that he enjoyed it yet, it wasn't too stressful for him. I will definitely take him back on a weekday when the place isn't as crowded as it was today.

Day 15 - Polka Dot Hat!

Well I didn't do much interesting today to take a photo of, so I am just going to pick a cute one that I took of Henry in his new hat. Incidentally, his new hat (made for him by his Nanna, Daphne) was also his first ever item received in the mail addressed to him. It arrived on Friday. Not sure he liked it when he first tried it on... he tried to pull it off by pulling down on it :P

So today was just an ordinary day of chores like washing and taking Henry to the doctors this morning. At least the sun is back out and Henry should be seen out and about in his polka dot hat sometime soon!

Day 14 - Charity Collections Vs Garbage

Around Christmas I noticed that a large number of people must do a big spring clean at this time of year. The thing is, they continue to dump large amounts of rubbish (not sure if they class the rubbish as useful goods) on the outside of charity bins which are full. These charities then have to spend money or use their own man power on cleaning up the rubbish which suddenly becomes their responsibility. I noticed that only a little over a week ago, two guys were sorting through all the rubbish and it took them about an hour. The shot above shows what it looked like today; only one week later. Yes, the pile is just as big. Again it has all been sitting out in the rain which would probably render it all useless (if any of it was good in the first place). Shame people don't take responsibility for their own garbage. We have to look at it every time we drive past it and charities have to clean up after them.

Day 13 - Port-a-baby!

Look closely in the corner of the couch at the little white bundle...

I had my hair done for the second time since Henry was born today. Mum looked after him the first time, but this time Vanessa (hairdresser) said to just bring him along. I was a bit worried that I would delay her by having to stop and pick him up or carry him around if he got cranky, but I have to say he was a total angel. He spent the first hour or so playing with Vanessa's daughter, then had a sleep (right through the sounds of someone else's hair being blowdried and conversations taking place). When he woke, he had a bottle while the toner worked on my hair. He then happily sat on my lap while my hair was cut, blowdried and straightened. He loved looking at himself in the mirror!

Day 12 - Rain and More Rain

We had a lot of heavy rain here this morning and now that I think about it, I was a bit annoyed that I had to go out in it this morning with Henry. As usual I was wishing that we had a garage that had room for the car so that we didn't have to get wet. Small problem compared to what is happening with the floods in Queensland at the moment. Throughout the day, news updates, comments on Facebook and so on have continued to sadden me. For so many people to have died (including children) and for so many people to be missing is so devastating. Donating money to help people who have lost all of their material possessions will go a long way, but it is awful to know that there isn't anything that you can do to bring back someone's child or partner.

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

Day 11 - A Visit from Nanna Glenda

Henry and Jenna had a visit from their Nanna Glenda today and today's pic is a little happy snap that I took when they were playing together on the floor.  It was about 5pm and Henry was getting a little grizzly, leading up to his evening routine, but as usual at around this time of day, he is much happier when given a cuddle. Not long after the pic, Henry had a little meal of mashed pumpkin, a bit more of a play and then his usual bath, pjs, feed and sleep.

Day 10 - School Mode

So today I went into school to get a few things done, but it was just one of those days where not much got done! As often happens when you go into school in your holidays you end up catching up with co workers who you haven't seen for a while, you end up chatting about various things instead of doing what you came in to do in the beginning. I have just moved into a new classroom and although I got a bit done, as you can see in the pic, there is a stack more sorting and unpacking to do. It will probably take me a while to get back into the whole work pattern again and I have to say that I haven't thought a lot about my work plans for the year. I can't say that I am in holiday mode... maybe still Henry mode :-)

Day 9 - The Business of Babies

Henry's experiments with real proper food led us to look for a high chair for him today. There's a new baby store open in Canberra so we thought it was a good chance to go and have a look there and see what they had; bit of a megastore really - I couldn't believe the huge range of necessities available! I think we now need a baby bath dam (a dam for your full size bath tub) a foldable bath for travelling, a baby seat that clips onto the side of a table (also for travelling) and all sorts of other things. Buying a high chair was almost like buying a pram (for Dale that is :P) Dale had them all out, tested and folded, all parts examined and settings investigated. Prices ranged from $150 and went up to $600 or so. Anyway, Henry tried out the chair, looked very cute in it and seemed happy. Now a couple of weeks to wait while it comes back into stock.

I only wish I had thought to get my camera out in the shop when Dale happily demonstrated a high chair for some fellow customers who couldn't quite figure out all the features of the one that we bought!

Day 8 - Book Review



I noticed this afternoon that the table beside the lounge has a llittle stack of books on it, all with a common theme - babies. I've read so much about babies in the last 6 months or so and it is true that you take what you need from people's advice and file the rest away! Anyway, this is what I think about the books on said pile:

Baby-led Weaning - I am still reading this one and I really like the ideas behind it; just trying to figure out how Henry could sit down for dinner with us when he usually goes to bed by 7.00 and we eat at 8.00. Maybe this could work better as his day sleeps get longer which they seem to be doing at the moment.

Tracey Hogg - The Baby Whisperer - I am doing her basic idea already which is called E.A.S.Y. (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You). There's a few other ideas that are interesting too. I love Henry being in a routine because I find it so easy to work out what he needs, if he does get a bit cranky.

Guide to Weaning - Have read some of this; timely as I have begun to switch Henry to some formula feeds during the day in preparation for my return to work at the end of the month. Bargain that Mum picked up for me for only $5!

Sleeping Like a Baby by Pinky MacKay - I love Pinky's ideas and theories on what I guess is attachment parenting, If I didn't plan to return to work, it would all work for me. I have also read her book called 100 Ways to Calm the Crying.

Save Our Sleep by Tizzy Hall - Highly recommended by Peta; for her it worked! (Although I don't think she followed it to the letter?) I read some of it in the first week or so after Henry was born, but it wasn't for me. Must give it back to Peta so she can pass it along to someone else!

What to Expect - The First Year - present from Mum at my baby shower which has been a great resource, although I find that I refer to it less as I trust my own instincts and feel more confident.

Day 7 - Busy Friday ends in Long Walk to Post Office



So by this afternoon I wasn't sure what I was going to post today on here, so instead of driving down to the shops I thought I would walk and look for something interesting to take a picture of! If doing this you need to be very aware, because I have to say, not much goes on between here and the post office!

Anyway, Henry fell asleep not long after we left our street, barely stiring when I stopped for pictures of plants and galahs that I spotted or when I sat down for a drink. On the way back when we were probably only 4 houses away from ours, Henry woke up and had a few tears. I leant down to talk to him and noticed the dead bug in the picture. Now I know it is a picture of a dead bug and I have no idea what kind of bug, but aren't the colours amazing?

Day 6 - Telstra Strikes Again

Apparently McDonalds have free wifi access... it might be free, but I certainly had trouble getting access earlier today when I stopped for a coffee and the hope of checking my mail and updating this blog :-) At least Dale is able to bring his work laptop home at night and we can use the mobile broadband.

A day and half now of no internet access as Bigpond takes 5 days to switch over our ADSL. The thing that frustrates me is that when the sales person came knocking on our door, we specifically asked him if the switchover would be immediate, because last time we changed ISP we were also without access for days. When I told a phone operator that today, she said that the door to door salespeople are contractors and they don't really know all the details! As far as I am concerned it's not an excuse since they are paid to represent the company.

You don't realise how many times per day you think "I'll just google that" until you have no google! I guess it was a good excuse to stop for a coffee and a caramel slice at McCafe in Tuggeranong. Surprisingly it has water views which are quite nice, so I guess I can forgive them for their shoddy wifi :)



Day 5 - Henry's Shopping Expedition



It's lucky that Henry likes shopping! If he wasn't so great in the stroller I never would have gotten all of the Christmas shopping done last month! He really just seems to enjoy the bright lights, the constantly changing scenery and flirting with old ladies and shop assistants who make comments about his lovely blue eyes! He loves to hand out a few cheeky smiles and I often notice people walking past will give him a little grin back! I took this pic in the lift at Westfields today. If I call out to Henry or tilt the pram back he tilts his head back and often gives a little smile.

Day 4 - Sleep Comes at Last

Henry has been a bit of a daytime insomniac the last couple of days. After refusing to have a morning sleep  before we went out for coffee with Sarah, Peta (and Ava and Olivia) this morning, I thought he would be crabby and overtired all day, but sleep seems to have peacefully come to him now we are home. This is one of my favourite sights in the world - no matter how much I love Henry, I also love it when he is asleep!

Day 3 - Wedding Anniversary

I just commented to Dale that my rings look a bit scuffed up in this picture since it is so close up and he suggested that they were actually just well worn.  I have always wanted to have them engraved with our wedding date and engagement date in each ring, so I will have to make sure they get a bit of a polish whenever we get that done.

We were married two years ago today and as with most people, a lot can happen in two years. Obviously the biggest change for us is having Henry now. I also took a couple of pics of Dale and Henry together today on the couch; Dale on the computer and Henry with his latest toy (the tv remote). Already I find that it can be hard to stick to one picture for the day.

In the background of this pic, you can see the fabric of the dress Dale gave me as an anniversary present. I will probably wear that to David and Dani's engagement party which is next month. It's a gorgeous dress with a black sash and it has netting under the skirt, which reminds me of those puffy dresses that Betty Draper wears in Mad Men, although it is shorter.

Happy Anniversary Dale! xxx

Day 2 - Sunday Selling Shoes

Every second Sunday I work in a shoe shop... just in case I get bored and don't have anything else to do! Today was a pretty quiet day in retail land... I think everyone is at Myer's sales, if they are shopping at all. Here are some things I have learnt from working in a shoe shop:

1. There are two kinds of people; those who love shoes and those that wear the same pair every day until they wear out
2. People love to tell you about bunions and other such delightful matters, knee surgery and how they can't wear high heels anymore
3. If you find a good pair of shoes, get them in 3 colours
4. Many women leave the box behind at the store as a way of hiding new shoe purchases from their husband
5. People usually dislike the suggestion that maybe they need the next size up (shoe sizes are not standardised in Australia)
6. Some people don't know their own shoe size
7. A lot of customers think the display shoe must be stretched, when in fact almost everyone has one foot a little bigger than the other
8. Size 7 is the average sized foot
9. Your feet sweat a couple of tablespoons a day! That's an extremely good reason to own many pairs and to rotate - I never wear the same shoes 2 days in a row
10. It's perfectly reasonable to buy the shoes before the outfit

Day 1 - Happy New Year!

Well here it is, the first day of 2011! After such an amazing year last year, I am wondering what this year will bring. Already we know that there will be a family wedding (my brother David and his fiance Dani) and Henry will have his first birthday! I will be returning to work, Dale is planning on racing his bike and who knows what else will take place.

Today was an absolute stinker, heatwise, at 37 degrees, so we spent the day at home. And so, my picture today is of our house. Instead of taking a photo from the front of the house, I went up to our gazebo to take my snap, showing the back of our house in Canberra and the mountains (Brindabellas?) off in the distance. Although our Gazebo is a lovely spot again (after a lot of hard work weeding, mowing and cleaning up) we spent most of the day indoors avoiding the heat. Looks like Summer has finally made an appearance :-)