Monday, July 10, 2006
I think Mum must have said something to Dad, because this morning after Dad and I had breakfast, he went crazy cleaning up the house. After it was all ready for the new arrival, we went to the hospital to pick up Mum and Aden. Dad and I have been to visit Mum and Aden most days since Aden was born, or I have stayed home with Nanna while Dad went by himself. (I get the feeling that’s because sometimes I went around the hospital room like a little whirlwind, getting into everything that moves and making lots of noise too!) This morning, there was a few delays getting checked out of the hospital and by the time we came home around 11am I was so over tired and very unhappy. I’m sorry that I took a bit of the spotlight off Aden’s arrival at our house, but once we got home and I had a sleep, the world seemed a better place!
As Aden's older brother I feel that I am qualified to say that he looks funny! Mum said that all babies look that way, but I hope he starts to look like a little boy soon. My Mum is starting to look slim again (it looked as though she had let herself go for a while there!)
I've realised that now I have a little brother to look after, I probably won’t have time to write my blog anymore. I might again in the future once I’ve taught Aden to type but for now I've asked Mum to keep putting our photos on our website each month and some news about what we’re all doing.
Bye and thanks for reading!
As Aden's older brother I feel that I am qualified to say that he looks funny! Mum said that all babies look that way, but I hope he starts to look like a little boy soon. My Mum is starting to look slim again (it looked as though she had let herself go for a while there!)
I've realised that now I have a little brother to look after, I probably won’t have time to write my blog anymore. I might again in the future once I’ve taught Aden to type but for now I've asked Mum to keep putting our photos on our website each month and some news about what we’re all doing.
Bye and thanks for reading!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Mum went for more acupuncture needles this morning because there has still been no progress on the big lump coming out of her tummy. We went swimming in the afternoon (more jokes about the birthing pool!) and after that Mum and I went to see Dr Graeme. He examined Mum and said that if nothing happens overnight, she’d need to go into hospital tomorrow to be induced as she will then be 8 days overdue.
Mum told Dr Graeme that she’d had a few pains since around lunch time but since she didn’t feel any contractions when I was born, she wasn’t sure if these pains were contractions. Anyway, by about 7pm when I went to bed, Mum was looking very uncomfortable and having bad pains. Mum rang the hospital and they said that she should go in, because even though we live very close, Mum is a “Trial of Scar” patient since she had me by caesarean and so they need to keep an eye on her. Since Nanna was away, Dad rang Auntie Kate who came over and Mum and Dad went to the hospital around 9pm.
It was lucky they went when they did because Dad said that Mum was in a lot of pain soon after they got to the hospital and the contractions were coming 2 minutes apart. Mum had an epidural to help the pain and then things calmed down a bit for a few hours while they waited… The nurses called Dr Graeme around 1.30am, he arrived within about 10 minutes and then the hard labour began! Mum said that she will never forget the Wimbledon Women’s quarter final between Amelie Mauresmo and Anastasia Myskina because it was on TV as the labour progressed (Mauresmo won and went on to win Wimbledon.)
To cut a long story short, it turns out that lump in Mum’s tummy was a little boy, and he’s my brother! His name is Aden Lee McDonald and he was born at 2.55am on Wednesday 5 July 2006. He was a bit stubborn at the last minute and was sucked out with vacuum, but came out using his lungs! He weighed in at 3990g which is only 85g heavier than I was at birth.
Luckily Wednesday is my day at Daycare, so Dad came home about 7am to have breakfast with me and then he took me to Daycare. Dad spent the day catching up on sleep and visiting Mum and Aden.
Mum told Dr Graeme that she’d had a few pains since around lunch time but since she didn’t feel any contractions when I was born, she wasn’t sure if these pains were contractions. Anyway, by about 7pm when I went to bed, Mum was looking very uncomfortable and having bad pains. Mum rang the hospital and they said that she should go in, because even though we live very close, Mum is a “Trial of Scar” patient since she had me by caesarean and so they need to keep an eye on her. Since Nanna was away, Dad rang Auntie Kate who came over and Mum and Dad went to the hospital around 9pm.
It was lucky they went when they did because Dad said that Mum was in a lot of pain soon after they got to the hospital and the contractions were coming 2 minutes apart. Mum had an epidural to help the pain and then things calmed down a bit for a few hours while they waited… The nurses called Dr Graeme around 1.30am, he arrived within about 10 minutes and then the hard labour began! Mum said that she will never forget the Wimbledon Women’s quarter final between Amelie Mauresmo and Anastasia Myskina because it was on TV as the labour progressed (Mauresmo won and went on to win Wimbledon.)
To cut a long story short, it turns out that lump in Mum’s tummy was a little boy, and he’s my brother! His name is Aden Lee McDonald and he was born at 2.55am on Wednesday 5 July 2006. He was a bit stubborn at the last minute and was sucked out with vacuum, but came out using his lungs! He weighed in at 3990g which is only 85g heavier than I was at birth.
Luckily Wednesday is my day at Daycare, so Dad came home about 7am to have breakfast with me and then he took me to Daycare. Dad spent the day catching up on sleep and visiting Mum and Aden.
Friday, June 30, 2006
My Mum is still waddling around with a huge tummy. This afternoon my Dad came home from work early so that Mum could go to get acupuncture needles stuck into her (not into her tummy luckily) to try and help the big lump to come out!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
I’ve heard rumours that the big lump in my Mum’s tummy was meant to come out today but so far there’s no sign of that. Our Tuesday proceeded as normal, Mum took me swimming. Of course there were many jokes that no one wanted the swimming pool to become a birthing pool!
I had my 18 month check with the Child Health Nurse yesterday and I’m doing really well!
I had my 18 month check with the Child Health Nurse yesterday and I’m doing really well!
Friday, June 23, 2006
I’m a very chatty little boy now and I’ve got a conversation going most of the time, especially when I’ve got one of my favourite toys about – Felton or Dooper, they are both dogs. I have a few words in my repertoire now, such as dog, duck, Nanna - not to be confused with Nana (banana) and of course Mummy and Daddy. I recognise lots more words and am getting good at repeating things I hear, so mind your language around me please!
I’ve moved on from sitting and reading my books, I now bring them to Mum or Dad (or anyone who’ll sit still long enough) to have them read to me, but I often lose interest before many pages have been turned.
This afternoon, Mum and I went for another weekly checkup for Mum’s tummy with Dr Nic. He said everything seems fine and that Mum should still be in one piece when Dr Graeme gets back next week… When we got home we played in the back garden, Mum pushed me around in my toy library car, I played in the sandpit and tossed lots of sand out of it and pulled poor Simba’s tail, he is the long-suffering cat from next door. We were having a good old time and didn’t hear the doorbell ringing, it was Dad coming home from work so he came to the side gate to see what we were up to and then he joined in the fun too!
I’ve moved on from sitting and reading my books, I now bring them to Mum or Dad (or anyone who’ll sit still long enough) to have them read to me, but I often lose interest before many pages have been turned.
This afternoon, Mum and I went for another weekly checkup for Mum’s tummy with Dr Nic. He said everything seems fine and that Mum should still be in one piece when Dr Graeme gets back next week… When we got home we played in the back garden, Mum pushed me around in my toy library car, I played in the sandpit and tossed lots of sand out of it and pulled poor Simba’s tail, he is the long-suffering cat from next door. We were having a good old time and didn’t hear the doorbell ringing, it was Dad coming home from work so he came to the side gate to see what we were up to and then he joined in the fun too!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Today Mum took me to my swimming lesson as usual, its held in the Hydrotherapy pool at the St John of God hospital where I was born. Afterwards we went to the hospital cafe for a latte (spoonfuls of froth for me). Mum thought this would be good practice for when Dad and I are hanging out in the café when we come to visit Mum here soon!
This evening Yien called in to visit, she has a tummy even bigger than my Mum and she looked like she was about to explode. She said she’ll be induced on Thursday if her baby hasn’t come before then, so it looks like she’ll be having her baby before we have ours.
This evening Yien called in to visit, she has a tummy even bigger than my Mum and she looked like she was about to explode. She said she’ll be induced on Thursday if her baby hasn’t come before then, so it looks like she’ll be having her baby before we have ours.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Today Mum drove us to Kidsafe at PMH. We had an appointment to have a baby capsule fitted to the car. It needed to go behind the passenger seat, so my seat has now been moved across behind the driver. This isn’t nearly so convenient for me because I can’t see so much of the driver or what they are up to.
We went to our playgroup from 3-5pm as usual. As usual, we little ones sat nicely around a low table on our little chairs and ate our bowls of fresh fruit and then afterwards we played with all the various toys while our Mum’s chatted and talked mostly about upcoming births!
We went to our playgroup from 3-5pm as usual. As usual, we little ones sat nicely around a low table on our little chairs and ate our bowls of fresh fruit and then afterwards we played with all the various toys while our Mum’s chatted and talked mostly about upcoming births!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Tonight we went to Nanna’s house and then we walked to Wagamama’s for dinner. We requested a highchair for me, it was a special one which just hitched on the end of the long tables they have so that was quite cool. I wasn’t at all interested in the pasta meal which Mum had cooked for me and taken along, but I did really well at using my spoon to scoop mouthfuls from my Mum’s plate of rice and tasty sauce.
Afterwards, I had a bath and then lots of playtime at Nanna’s house. Dad setup my portacot in Nanna’s spare bedroom and I stayed overnight! This was my second overnight at Nanna’s and I slept really well again (I am not sure whether Nanna did because she heard every little noise I made though the baby monitor!)
After I was settled, Mum was too tired to go out to the movies, so she and Dad hired a DVD and went home to watch it.
Afterwards, I had a bath and then lots of playtime at Nanna’s house. Dad setup my portacot in Nanna’s spare bedroom and I stayed overnight! This was my second overnight at Nanna’s and I slept really well again (I am not sure whether Nanna did because she heard every little noise I made though the baby monitor!)
After I was settled, Mum was too tired to go out to the movies, so she and Dad hired a DVD and went home to watch it.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Mum and I have been going to see Dr Graeme each month and lately each fortnight and he pokes on the outside of my Mum’s tummy and then holds a thing on it and we can all hear a regular beating sound. Today Mum and I went to see a different man, Dr Nic who did similar things to my Mum’s tummy but he even let me sit on my Mum while he was feeling her tummy – how cool is that! We’ll be seeing him again for the next few weeks because Dr Graeme is away in Prague but should be back in time to deliver my little sibling.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Even though Mum has finished at work, I’m still going to Daycare on Wednesdays so today was my Mum’s first day ever that she had me out of her hair all day! It wasn’t all relaxation and pampering for her though – she had appointments for acupuncture, the dentist and a haircut as well as plenty of shopping – mostly various things for me and my little brother or sister. It would have been so much easier for Mum if she knew whether it will be a brother or a sister – there are lots of baby clothing sales on at the moment!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
My adventure time is after lunch, but that is when Samuel sleeps so we didn't get to go out much with Josh and Samuel. Today after lunch, Mum, Dad and I went to Avalon to a nice lagoon that Josh and Samuel had enjoyed playing in yesterday. The water was very cold but that didn’t stop me sitting down fully clothed in the water and scooping away with my ‘Bob the Builder’ shovel.
Later on, we went with all the O'Briens, walked across the old wooden bridge and played at the big playground by the Mandurah foreshore. Afterwards, we all had coffee, yes me too - I like to have spoonfuls of the froth from my Mum's decaf latte!
Later on, we went with all the O'Briens, walked across the old wooden bridge and played at the big playground by the Mandurah foreshore. Afterwards, we all had coffee, yes me too - I like to have spoonfuls of the froth from my Mum's decaf latte!
Friday, June 02, 2006
Today Marta came to visit Mum and I for lunch. I wasn’t much interested in my bread and bits of ham and avocado, I wanted spoonfuls of the spicy soup that my Mum was eating. At least Mum now knows that I don’t mind spicy food!
After that, Mum put a few more things in the car before it was full to the brim and then we headed off, collected Dad from work and drove south to Mandurah for the long weekend! We were staying at Nanna’s house and the O’Briens were all coming too as well as Nanna. Michelle and Josh and Samuel arrived soon after us and we quickly became acquainted with each other’s toys.
After that, Mum put a few more things in the car before it was full to the brim and then we headed off, collected Dad from work and drove south to Mandurah for the long weekend! We were staying at Nanna’s house and the O’Briens were all coming too as well as Nanna. Michelle and Josh and Samuel arrived soon after us and we quickly became acquainted with each other’s toys.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Unfortunately for Mum and Dad it was a work day the next morning, so Dad went round to Nanna’s early to help out with my breakfast and then bring me home briefly before I went off to Daycare. Mum was happy that it was her last day at work, she’s finding it a struggle just to walk from the carpark to work!
She came to collect me a bit late after work, she was laden with flowers, a ‘Mr Mouse’ soft toy and a big card that all her work friends had written in to wish her good luck with my new brother or sister.
She came to collect me a bit late after work, she was laden with flowers, a ‘Mr Mouse’ soft toy and a big card that all her work friends had written in to wish her good luck with my new brother or sister.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
I really started walking yesterday in preparation for my Mum’s big birthday today! I think we can officially say that I am walking at 17 months!
Today is a rather significant birthday for my Mum. The celebrations have been going on since early April when we all went to spent 4 days in Sydney and met up with Granny and Grandad from New Zealand there.
Mum had a mostly relaxing day including a snooze while I slept. But then later on, she took me to Nanna's house while she went to have acupuncture for her sore back. Mum and Dad came over to Nanna's after my dinner to share in my evening ritual of bath and play before bedtime. I stayed overnight at Nanna’s house for the first time and Mum and Dad went out for a nice dinner to celebrate Mum’s birthday at Il Principe.
Today is a rather significant birthday for my Mum. The celebrations have been going on since early April when we all went to spent 4 days in Sydney and met up with Granny and Grandad from New Zealand there.
Mum had a mostly relaxing day including a snooze while I slept. But then later on, she took me to Nanna's house while she went to have acupuncture for her sore back. Mum and Dad came over to Nanna's after my dinner to share in my evening ritual of bath and play before bedtime. I stayed overnight at Nanna’s house for the first time and Mum and Dad went out for a nice dinner to celebrate Mum’s birthday at Il Principe.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
This morning after breakfast we headed out for brunch to the Old Swan Brewery restaurant to celebrate Mum’s 40th birthday a few days early. This was so that we could get together with Kate, Alan and Claudia before they head off to Greece for a month’s holiday tomorrow. Although I’d already had my breakfast, I enjoyed plenty of sausage and mushrooms from my Dad’s plate. Afterwards, everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Mum and a waitress brought out a little strawberry dessert with 4 heart shaped candles on it. Mum blew them out and then the candles got lit again so that Claudia and I could have a turn at blowing them out too. I had a little walk outside near the water with Dad while the others watched us out the window.
I’m used to having a late morning sleep these days, but today we came home from the restaurant around noon. Luckily it was a short drive home otherwise I would have fallen asleep in the car, I had a small lunch and then we all had an early afternoon sleep.
Today Dad put up a sign on my door which says 'Max's Room' so that I feel lots more at home there now. He also fixed up my light so that now I have a dimmer switch and Mum has sewn some blockout lining for my curtains which Dad hung up so now I am really settled in!
I’m used to having a late morning sleep these days, but today we came home from the restaurant around noon. Luckily it was a short drive home otherwise I would have fallen asleep in the car, I had a small lunch and then we all had an early afternoon sleep.
Today Dad put up a sign on my door which says 'Max's Room' so that I feel lots more at home there now. He also fixed up my light so that now I have a dimmer switch and Mum has sewn some blockout lining for my curtains which Dad hung up so now I am really settled in!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Tonight’s the night that I moved to my new bedroom. Dad came home from work, I sat in my cot and he wheeled me to my new bedroom! The preparations have been going on for weeks, Mum and Dad have been moving everything from the study to the back bedroom of the house, I’ve been helping too but not always moving things in the same direction. The new study was originally an outdoor verandah, then it was built in by the previous owners as a sleepout but its still a bit chilly back there so that will now be the study and I’ve moved into the nicest room in the house – the only one with north facing windows so it gets toasty warm during the day (we’ll worry about the heat of summer later…)
Anyway, back to moving to my new room. Dad wheeled me in my cot to the hall outside the room, then Mum had to take me off to the lounge and distract me while Dad took doors off their hinges, the cot was tipped up and we could hear loud banging noises. Anyway, eventually I went to bed in my cot in my new bedroom. I was a little dismayed when I realised I didn’t have my usual dimmer light on above me, but I soon got to sleep OK.
Anyway, back to moving to my new room. Dad wheeled me in my cot to the hall outside the room, then Mum had to take me off to the lounge and distract me while Dad took doors off their hinges, the cot was tipped up and we could hear loud banging noises. Anyway, eventually I went to bed in my cot in my new bedroom. I was a little dismayed when I realised I didn’t have my usual dimmer light on above me, but I soon got to sleep OK.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Today is Mothers Day and I’ve got the best Mummy in the world! We had present opening in the big bed this morning, Dad and I bought Mum some snuggly flannelette pyjamas for the cold winter nights ahead when she’ll be up in the middle of the night breastfeeding that little brother or sister of mine!
Nanna is away in Sydney, so we celebrated without her today, but the rest of us met up at the Shenton Park Lake for a picnic lunch. Claudia and I had a great time on the playground equipment before I ate my lunch sitting on the picnic blanket. Afterwards I went for quite a stroll on the concrete path with my Mum. We’d taken my wooden trolley and I had a great time striding out with that, the only problem was the tantrum which came when Mum tried to turn it around to head me back towards the picnic. We were down my the edge of the lake and I could see ducks on the water and I was pointing and saying "d-duck"!
Nanna is away in Sydney, so we celebrated without her today, but the rest of us met up at the Shenton Park Lake for a picnic lunch. Claudia and I had a great time on the playground equipment before I ate my lunch sitting on the picnic blanket. Afterwards I went for quite a stroll on the concrete path with my Mum. We’d taken my wooden trolley and I had a great time striding out with that, the only problem was the tantrum which came when Mum tried to turn it around to head me back towards the picnic. We were down my the edge of the lake and I could see ducks on the water and I was pointing and saying "d-duck"!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Today I took 4 steps unassisted, not that I was counting or anything. And while I’m on the subject of achievements I’m also getting quite good at helping out with feeding myself too. Mum and I usually have a spoon each, more of her spoonfuls seem to make it into my mouth but I have a good time trying!
If I stand on my tippy toes, I can just reach the front items on the bottom shelf of our pantry. Mum purposely puts my small cans of baked beans and spaghetti there and lately I've been carting them around the house for them to be found later in all sorts of unusual places and sometimes stacking them. This afternoon I decided that they were meant to be stacked high and got as high as 6 cans before I ran out, Mum raced off to put more cans on her shopping list to see how high I can go!
Tonight Mum and Dad took me over to Auntie Kate and Uncle Alan’s house for my dinner and then a bath with Claudia. Afterwards, I went to sleep there in my portacot and Petra looked after Claudia and I while Mum, Dad, Kate, Alan and Nanna went out for a very nice dinner at Jacksons to celebrate Auntie Kate’s 40th birthday.
If I stand on my tippy toes, I can just reach the front items on the bottom shelf of our pantry. Mum purposely puts my small cans of baked beans and spaghetti there and lately I've been carting them around the house for them to be found later in all sorts of unusual places and sometimes stacking them. This afternoon I decided that they were meant to be stacked high and got as high as 6 cans before I ran out, Mum raced off to put more cans on her shopping list to see how high I can go!
Tonight Mum and Dad took me over to Auntie Kate and Uncle Alan’s house for my dinner and then a bath with Claudia. Afterwards, I went to sleep there in my portacot and Petra looked after Claudia and I while Mum, Dad, Kate, Alan and Nanna went out for a very nice dinner at Jacksons to celebrate Auntie Kate’s 40th birthday.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
After I woke up, Dad brought me into Mum and Dad’s bed as usual for my bottle and then a bit of a snuggle and a play. Once I’ve had enough of that I head for the edge of the bed to make it known that I want to venture further, but I’m now able to get down from the bed by myself but swinging my legs around and then lowering myself down so that they touch the floor before my head does. And then I’m off to explore … followed soon after by whichever parent draws the short straw to accompany me on my rounds.
Since we came home from Sydney I’ve been making do with my morning sleep. I sleep from about 10am-12.30pm and then have lunch soon after, this frees up the afternoon for adventures! This afternoon we went to visit Genelle. She is going to have twin babies in September and she and Mum were comparing the size of their tummies.
Since we came home from Sydney I’ve been making do with my morning sleep. I sleep from about 10am-12.30pm and then have lunch soon after, this frees up the afternoon for adventures! This afternoon we went to visit Genelle. She is going to have twin babies in September and she and Mum were comparing the size of their tummies.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Mum and Dad came to check on me before they went to bed, they found that I’d been having a little fun after they’d put me to bed. I’d turned the dimmer switch on my light right up so that it was very bright in my bedroom and I’d turned the picture next to my bed almost upside down on its picture hook. It’s a very special embroidered picture that my great-granny made for my Mum when she was a little girl. And I’d pulled the change mat off the table and it was on the floor next to my cot and I was laying on my back with my arms spread wide, looking like a drunken sailor who’d had a big night! What fun!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Today was Anzac Day, which meant that Dad had an extra day at home. We spent most of it at home inside because it rained most of the day. I didn’t want to be cooped up inside all day, so when Dad went outside to get on the roof to clear the gutters, I made it very clear that I wanted out too. Mum let me play in the puddles of water, I splashed lots and got very wet and sandy, but boy was I happy! I could look up and see my Dad on the roof so I pointed at him and said “Dada” a few times!
We went to Nanna’s house for dinner and Dad took the chocolate mud cake which he made today, it smelt very nice but I just had my usual yoghurt for pudding!
We went to Nanna’s house for dinner and Dad took the chocolate mud cake which he made today, it smelt very nice but I just had my usual yoghurt for pudding!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
This evening, we met up with the O’Briens at Chelsea Pizza for dinner. Mum took my dinner along but I enjoyed olives, mushrooms and all sorts of interesting bits and pieces from Mum’s and Dad’s pizzas.
Mum finally got up the courage to put a finger back into my mouth tonight (once bitten twice shy!) and she found a couple more teeth since she last checked, I’ve now got at least 14!
Mum finally got up the courage to put a finger back into my mouth tonight (once bitten twice shy!) and she found a couple more teeth since she last checked, I’ve now got at least 14!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
After she finished at work, Mum picked me up from Daycare and when we got home Kirsty and Lottie were outside our house. They were going for a walk with Maggie the dog and had called in to see us. They came in to say hello and I thought I’d show everyone what I had learnt at Daycare today. Kirsty was talking when I decided to stand up by myself in the middle of the lounge, the first time I’ve done that without pulling myself up on something. Mum had to interrupt whatever it was that Kirsty was saying to point out my milestone. Lottie was watching carefully to see how I did it, she is only 9 months old so I have a lot to teach her!
Dad came home soon after and when he took my clothes off before my bath, a large pile of sand fell out onto the bathroom floor. I’d obviously had a busy day in the sandpit at Daycare!
Dad came home soon after and when he took my clothes off before my bath, a large pile of sand fell out onto the bathroom floor. I’d obviously had a busy day in the sandpit at Daycare!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Tonight Mum and Dad went up to Perth to meet up with Rick and Michelle for dinner and to see Buddy Guy in concert. The rest of us went out for dinner to a restaurant called the Grumpy Crab. Nanna said that no one was very happy with their meal, except for me. I had an omelette which my Mum had cooked up for me before she left and I ate that down no problems at all, followed by my usual yoghurt for pudding.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Today Nanna and Kate, Alan and Claudia all arrived. I moved upstairs into my port-a-cot in the wardrobe off the big bedroom where Mum and Dad are sleeping, this will be my fifth different cot in 5 nights - what a traveller!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Dad went off to work on his bike this morning and for Mum and I it was washing day! I don’t know how long I spent underneath the clothes line while Mum hung out load after load of our wet clothes to dry – how many outfits can 3 people wear in 4 days?!
Then later in the afternoon, I waited patiently again while Mum unpegged all the dry washing and brought it inside again. I used to play with pegs while Mum was hanging clothes out, but now I tend to get them latched on to my fingers or hands and the next thing Mum knows is that I’m crying until she can find out where I’m pegged. So now I mostly just sit and crawl on the grass or stand up holding on to the clothes line. Sometimes if I'm not in the mood, I'll do the long crawl back to the house and wait by the door until Mum comes back too to let us both inside.
Mum folded most of the washing and packed it back into our suitcase because tonight we’re off to Mandurah! Dad came home from work early and fed me my dinner and bathed me and then I played while he loaded all our things into the car and we drove to Nanna’s house at Mandurah. We had the house to ourselves tonight and I slept in the cot downstairs.
Then later in the afternoon, I waited patiently again while Mum unpegged all the dry washing and brought it inside again. I used to play with pegs while Mum was hanging clothes out, but now I tend to get them latched on to my fingers or hands and the next thing Mum knows is that I’m crying until she can find out where I’m pegged. So now I mostly just sit and crawl on the grass or stand up holding on to the clothes line. Sometimes if I'm not in the mood, I'll do the long crawl back to the house and wait by the door until Mum comes back too to let us both inside.
Mum folded most of the washing and packed it back into our suitcase because tonight we’re off to Mandurah! Dad came home from work early and fed me my dinner and bathed me and then I played while he loaded all our things into the car and we drove to Nanna’s house at Mandurah. We had the house to ourselves tonight and I slept in the cot downstairs.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Mum, Dad and I all slept well in the same bedroom and didn’t disturb each other. Granny and Grandad came for breakfast in our ‘new’ room and they enjoyed watching me eat and ‘perform’ one last time. Unfortunately after breakfast it was time for them to catch a taxi to the airport for their plane trip home to New Zealand. We went downstairs to say goodbye and I waved very nicely to farewell them.
We went back upstairs and I had my morning sleep while Mum and Dad packed our bags and then it was time for our taxi to the airport too. We ate lunch in the café at the airport and then Dad held me up at the window to watch our plane while we waited to board, we saw 2 dogs (greyhounds) being loaded into it. Our flight back to Perth was a lot better in terms of my crying and there were no injuries this time, but I certainly kept Mum and Dad on their toes entertaining me with food, toys, books and a bit of crawling in the aisle when it was free. This time is was Dad’s turn to take me to the baby changing table in the toilet, he did OK and we came out smiling with a clean nappy in place!
Nanna picked us up at the airport and we went straight home for dinner and bed, it’s been a busy few days!
We went back upstairs and I had my morning sleep while Mum and Dad packed our bags and then it was time for our taxi to the airport too. We ate lunch in the café at the airport and then Dad held me up at the window to watch our plane while we waited to board, we saw 2 dogs (greyhounds) being loaded into it. Our flight back to Perth was a lot better in terms of my crying and there were no injuries this time, but I certainly kept Mum and Dad on their toes entertaining me with food, toys, books and a bit of crawling in the aisle when it was free. This time is was Dad’s turn to take me to the baby changing table in the toilet, he did OK and we came out smiling with a clean nappy in place!
Nanna picked us up at the airport and we went straight home for dinner and bed, it’s been a busy few days!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
I woke at 7am again, just like clockwork! After breakfast we decided to make use of the pool facilities and headed downstairs for a swim! Unfortunately the pool was very cold, even Dad didn’t stay in there long, so we all got into the spa and that was nice and warm. Granny didn’t come in but she watched and took photos of us in the water and it was lots of fun when Mum turned on the bubbles.
After my sleep and then lunch, we had to move rooms because we couldn’t book the room with a separate bedroom for me for the last night. The room we moved to was brighter and nicer and I got to sleep in my cot next to Mum and Dad’s bed! After we’d checked out our new room, we headed out for our last afternoon of sightseeing, we walked to the Botanical Gardens and saw some very noisy and cheeky sulphur-crested cockatoos and lots of other wild birds and interesting trees. We walked to the point (called Mrs Macquarie’s Chair) and ate our afternoon tea looking out at the Harbour Bridge. We walked back through the gardens and then the busy streets, home for dinner.
I was in bed on the dot of 7 because Mum and Dad were heading out for the evening! This was the main reason for our trip, they were going to the Rolling Stones concert at Telstra Stadium which is actually an early 40th birthday present for my Mum! I know you wouldn't think she is 40, well actually she is 39! Mum and Dad caught the train to the concert and had a really good time there. The last time they visited the stadium was at the Olympic Games in 2000. They said the Rolling Stones are getting on a bit, but still played a really good live concert. They have seen the Stones before in Perth in 1995 and at Wembley Stadium in London in 1999.
After my sleep and then lunch, we had to move rooms because we couldn’t book the room with a separate bedroom for me for the last night. The room we moved to was brighter and nicer and I got to sleep in my cot next to Mum and Dad’s bed! After we’d checked out our new room, we headed out for our last afternoon of sightseeing, we walked to the Botanical Gardens and saw some very noisy and cheeky sulphur-crested cockatoos and lots of other wild birds and interesting trees. We walked to the point (called Mrs Macquarie’s Chair) and ate our afternoon tea looking out at the Harbour Bridge. We walked back through the gardens and then the busy streets, home for dinner.
I was in bed on the dot of 7 because Mum and Dad were heading out for the evening! This was the main reason for our trip, they were going to the Rolling Stones concert at Telstra Stadium which is actually an early 40th birthday present for my Mum! I know you wouldn't think she is 40, well actually she is 39! Mum and Dad caught the train to the concert and had a really good time there. The last time they visited the stadium was at the Olympic Games in 2000. They said the Rolling Stones are getting on a bit, but still played a really good live concert. They have seen the Stones before in Perth in 1995 and at Wembley Stadium in London in 1999.
Monday, April 10, 2006
I woke at 7am again and Granny and Grandad joined us for breakfast. Then Grandad went to Leichardt to visit a shop which is apparently the largest hi-fi shop in Australia. Meantime, the rest of us walked to Darling Harbour and found a playground there. It had a great swing and a small slide which I enjoyed and then we found a huge slide which was wide enough for Dad and I to slide down together, while I squealed with delight! Mum and Dad bought coffees on our way back for my morning sleep and read the papers while I slept.
Grandad returned from the hi-fi shop at lunchtime and we heard all about his adventures and Granny checked his bag to see what he’d bought, but he said its being sent directly from Germany! We all had lunch and then we opened a bag of belated presents for Christmas and my first birthday from Uncle William and Auntie Rose which was fun! I was more interested in the toys and books that Granny had brought for me, some of them are ones that my Mum played with when she was a little girl, they look really old! There was even some presents for the bump in Mum’s tummy!
After that, we walked to the Town Hall station and caught a train to Circular Quay, then a ferry across to Taronga Zoo. We went past the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House and soon we arrived at the zoo. I was particularly interested in the plain old ducks which we see everywhere, but the gorillas also caught my attention and we watched them for a while because there were about 10 in the family of various sizes, playing with each other, rolling and walking around. I even said “Dada” when I saw the big daddy gorilla, my Mum thought that was very funny! We also saw tigers, a pygmy hippo, a tapir, seals and big tall giraffes although our walk got a bit rushed towards the end because the zoo was closing at 5pm!
We caught the ferry back across the water as the sun was setting and then the train back home for dinner. I had a bath with an audience, there was standing room only in the bathroom as Mum, Dad, Granny and Grandad watched me filling and then tipping water out of my new coloured cups (one of the toys Granny brought for me) and unfortunately there were a few tears when I eventually got hoisted out of the water because I was having such fun!
Grandad returned from the hi-fi shop at lunchtime and we heard all about his adventures and Granny checked his bag to see what he’d bought, but he said its being sent directly from Germany! We all had lunch and then we opened a bag of belated presents for Christmas and my first birthday from Uncle William and Auntie Rose which was fun! I was more interested in the toys and books that Granny had brought for me, some of them are ones that my Mum played with when she was a little girl, they look really old! There was even some presents for the bump in Mum’s tummy!
After that, we walked to the Town Hall station and caught a train to Circular Quay, then a ferry across to Taronga Zoo. We went past the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House and soon we arrived at the zoo. I was particularly interested in the plain old ducks which we see everywhere, but the gorillas also caught my attention and we watched them for a while because there were about 10 in the family of various sizes, playing with each other, rolling and walking around. I even said “Dada” when I saw the big daddy gorilla, my Mum thought that was very funny! We also saw tigers, a pygmy hippo, a tapir, seals and big tall giraffes although our walk got a bit rushed towards the end because the zoo was closing at 5pm!
We caught the ferry back across the water as the sun was setting and then the train back home for dinner. I had a bath with an audience, there was standing room only in the bathroom as Mum, Dad, Granny and Grandad watched me filling and then tipping water out of my new coloured cups (one of the toys Granny brought for me) and unfortunately there were a few tears when I eventually got hoisted out of the water because I was having such fun!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
I woke at my usual time of 7am despite the 2 hour time difference and Granny and Grandad came to our room in time to watch me have my bottle of milk in Mum and Dad’s king size bed. We all had breakfast and then it was time for me to show off a few of my latest skills to Granny and Grandad who haven’t seen me since October when I only 10 months old. I’m pulling myself up to stand holding on to things like the coffee table and couch and saying Mumma and Dadda and chatting away at times with many other (indecipherable to anyone but me) words. Afterwards we went for a walk to Tumbalong Park where there was a festival celebrating the 60th anniversary of the King of Thailand’s ascension to the throne. We saw some people doing Tai Chi, watched the pretty fountains and then walked to Paddy’s Market. It was soon time for Mum and Dad to take me back for my morning sleep while Granny and Grandad spent the rest of the morning at the markets.
After lunch, it was Granny’s turn for a snooze and the rest of us went for a walk around Darling Harbour. I’m in my little fold up stroller which is a bit more dinky than my usual one at home, but great for travelling. We walked through the busy shopping centre and past the harbour where we saw some boats on the water and a submarine outside the Maritime Museum. We went back to Granny and Grandad’s room to collect Granny and then we all walked to Hyde Park in search of a playground but we didn’t find one, only the Sydney Morning Herald Photographic Exhibition. We walked home through the busy streets and Dad bought us dinner at Woolies on the way and then we went home for dinner, bath and bed.
After lunch, it was Granny’s turn for a snooze and the rest of us went for a walk around Darling Harbour. I’m in my little fold up stroller which is a bit more dinky than my usual one at home, but great for travelling. We walked through the busy shopping centre and past the harbour where we saw some boats on the water and a submarine outside the Maritime Museum. We went back to Granny and Grandad’s room to collect Granny and then we all walked to Hyde Park in search of a playground but we didn’t find one, only the Sydney Morning Herald Photographic Exhibition. We walked home through the busy streets and Dad bought us dinner at Woolies on the way and then we went home for dinner, bath and bed.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Nanna came to visit just as I was waking up from my morning sleep. We all went in her car and she took us to the airport, we’re going on a plane! I kicked up a fuss at the airport because I spied the shiny moving escalator and wanted to crawl up it but Dad kept stopping me. I’m sure a lot of passengers waiting for our flight were hoping that they wouldn’t be sitting near me! We flew on Virgin to Sydney and the first hour of the flight went very well, we had 3 seats and the row behind us was empty so I had 6 seats that I could play on. Unfortunately I was having so much fun that I slipped off the leather seat and hit my head on the floor. I took about 2 hours to be properly consoled during which time the people sitting around us were probably wishing they could move to a quieter location. Mum took me to the toilet where she lay me on the changing table which folds down over the toilet to change my nappy. I didn’t like that at all and was much happier afterwards once she held me to stand up on it so that I could see myself in the mirror and bang on it so that Dad (sitting in the back row of the plane) could hear me on the other side!
I eventually recovered from my trauma with the assistance of sandwiches, fruit, raisins, biscuits, milk and various other tempters and I was left with a graze on my forehead and upper lip to show for my adventures.
I’d mostly regained my composure by the time we landed in Sydney and had a big smile to greet my Granny and Grandad who had flown over from New Zealand to see us. We all caught a taxi to our serviced apartment called the Oaks Maestri Towers in central Sydney. Once we got there I ate my dinner and I was soon in bed in a cot in my own bedroom at 9pm.
I eventually recovered from my trauma with the assistance of sandwiches, fruit, raisins, biscuits, milk and various other tempters and I was left with a graze on my forehead and upper lip to show for my adventures.
I’d mostly regained my composure by the time we landed in Sydney and had a big smile to greet my Granny and Grandad who had flown over from New Zealand to see us. We all caught a taxi to our serviced apartment called the Oaks Maestri Towers in central Sydney. Once we got there I ate my dinner and I was soon in bed in a cot in my own bedroom at 9pm.
