Recent random photos

One of the great things about living in Newcastle is all the free family friendly/kid activities they have organised. Henry got to enjoy his first pony ride.

Playing pirates with Nanoo.

A rainy day activity. I got the kids to lay down on some paper and traced the outline of their bodies. It was then their job to paint and decorate it.

Our little grub.

Our little angel with his Dadda.

Knock knock jokes

Henry has started taking delight in telling "Knock Knock" jokes. We've managed to teach him a few, but he really still doesn't get the play on words. Instead he has come up with a few non-sensical versions of his own which centre around objects he can see at the time. An example below:

Knock, knock
Who's there?
Window
Window who?
Window light

Not to be outdone, Milly has also come up with her own non-sensical version, of course adding her rude twist.

Knock, knock
Who's there?
Pizza
Pizza who?
Pizza bum bum.

Baby no.3

WARNING: 3D BABY PHOTO BELOW - SOME PEOPLE FIND THEM A BIT FREAKY.

We have just had our 20 week ultrasound for little baby Hobson no.3. It all went very well with all body parts and organs presents and working. Up until a few days before the ultrasound we were going to find out the gender of the baby, but in the lead up I was remembering how exciting it was when Milly was born and not knowing if she would be a boy or a girl - so we decided baby no.3 would also be a surprise.

I have to have another caesarian, as it is the safest thing for for me and the baby to do given Henry and Milly where both born that way. We have tentatively booked with our obstetrician 16 November as the date of birth.

The pregnancy is going well. I had yucky all day sickness for a twice the length of time I had it with Henry and Milly, but pleased I didn't actually vomit. It was just that feeling of something rotting away in my tummy and feeling very green. My energy levels are back and now I'm just starting to struggle with a large tummy getting in the way of putting on my socks, trying to squeeze through doors with a full laundry basket on my hip, or trying to squeeze through doors when someone else is trying to come through too. My body is swelling up with all the fluid and no doubt preparing itself for another biggish baby.

Below is a 3D photo taken at the ultrasound scan. The photo shows the baby's head and one shoulder. I think it looks like a mini Grace Jones - check out those cheekbones.

Winter solstice 2009

We've just been on our annual pilgrimage to Kangaroo Valley for the winter solstice, where we converge on Emma and Dave's property and enjoy a big bonfire night, minus the wicker man. With the kids a year older they are already wise to the dangers of fire, having witnessed last year Emma and Dave almost blow themselves up when they used petrol to help get the fire started. This year there were more of us and more kids, with the adults enjoying some warming beverages and the kids enjoying the mud, toasting marshmallows, and dancing with sparklers and glow sticks.

Getting the bonfire started while the late afternoon mist settles on the valley.

Henry and Milly keeping their distance.

Waiting for their toasted marshmallows, from left to right: Henry, Allegra, Sophie, Milly, Rosie, and Joe.

Towards the end of the night Henry turned into a wild man.

Milly and her glow stick.

Professional photos

We certainly got fleeced by the PixieFoto people when we had these pictures taken. But at the end of the day, what price can you really put to such beautifully clear photos of our gorgeous children.

A short break in Coffs

We've just returned from a few days in Coffs Harbour visiting Dad and Tracey (or Grandad Bryan and Nana Trace).

Being chased by the waves at Jetty Beach.

Where else would you set up a clog barn and "pissweak" mini dutch village but in Coffs Harbour.

The "pissweak" mini dutch village, saved only by a couple of trains which kept the kids interested.

Mmm, dutch pancakes and a hot chocolate.

Busting some rock star poses at the marina.

Cuddles.

Fish and chips.

Milly's new love - Dora the Explorer. But lamby will always be No.1.

Welcome winter

The days and nights are getting cooler. The last night of autumn was chilly, so what better way to welcome winter than a fire and toasting marshmallows.

Dibber dobber

Henry has started dobbing on Milly.
"Mama, Milly just snatched from me."
"Mama, Milly's in my way."
"Mama, Milly won't share."
"Mama, look what Milly's doing."
"Mama, Milly said poo fart."

It was on the last claim that I decided to take issue. Milly would not have just out of the blue say "poo fart", suggesting maybe Henry had in fact said the words and Milly just repeated him. Thirty minutes later Milly was in trouble for something or other which resulted in her hitting me. In our house, hitting someone is a straight to the bedroom offence for time out. Once her time was up, Michael went to get her and advised her to apologise. Down the stairs she sulked, walked up and looked at me with her big blue eyes and said, "Sorry Mummy poo fart". Michael left the room laughing, I for once was lost for words.

And one more makes three

Yes, finally we are very pleased to "officially" announce there is another baby on the way. Baby no.3 is due mid to late November. I've been feeling pretty poorly, tired and cranky. Although some people may think that is no different to me normally. We have told Henry the news and he has affectionately nicknamed the baby "Donut", which has more to do with him eating one at the time he was told and less to do with my spreading girth.

Birthday celebrations

Time does fly when you have children. Watching them grow, learn and development is a wonderful thing as a parent. It was hard to believe our little babies were turning 2 and 4. Their birthday celebrations started on Saturday with a party with family and friends, and then followed with their actual birth days. For Henry and Milly it may have seemed a little overwhelming, three days of birthday wishes and presents, but what kid doesn't like getting presents.

The Toy Story themed birthday cakes.

The party.

The next day was Sunday - Milly's actual birthday. Henry was a little put out that she was getting all the attention and presents and that he had to wait another day for his.

Milly opening presents while Henry looks on dressed in one of Milly's presents.



Jessie and Bullseye from the movie Toy Story. The kids have been obsessed with this movie for months.

Henry got quite upset that Milly didn't want to share her Toy Story presents with him and that he had to wait another day before getting his presents.

We decided to give Henry his main birthday present a day early. He really couldn't wait another day to get his Buzz Lightyear. Seeing the joy on his face was worth it.

A weekend of celebrating and a full day of playing with Buzz and Woody had taken its toll on our young man.

Finally it was Monday, Henry's birthday. The first thing he said when he woke up was "am I four now?".

More Buzz Lightyear.

Easter

What a great Easter! It started off by winning 1st prize in an Easter Egg raffle, so there was no shortage of chocolate. Nanoo and Peter had just bought a caravan and were going camping at Myall Lakes over Easter and we decided to join them for one night and borrow their tent. It would be the first time in a long time that either Michael and I had camped, and the very first time for Henry and Milly. Henry was very excited about the prospect of sleeping in a tent. Before we had even arrived at the camp site Henry had declared on the drive to Myall Lakes this was "the best holiday ever".

Korsman's Landing jetty at Myall Lakes.

Nanoo and Peter had purchased from Michael's parents this little run about. It was a lot of fun cruising the lake in this.

Having a swim and a paddle with Nanoo.

On Easter Saturday, Nanoo organised a little egg hunt.


The kids were very excited to find tiny Smarties inside their eggs. Milly was so overjoyed she shook her egg and all her Smarties fell out into the dirt. Had this been Henry there may have been tears at the loss of chocolate. As this was Milly, she displayed her usual indifference to making a mess.

There were plenty of goannas crawling about and scavenging.

"The best holiday ever" had taken it's toll - two very exhausted mooches on the drive home.

Steve and Anna Hobson came to visit and dinner on Easter Saturday.

Easter Sunday egg hunt.

March in review

We popped down to Sydney to help Johnny celebrate his birthday. Another memorable evening was had partying with Mr Logan. The kids also got to join in the festivities.

Who doesn't love sparklers?

The kids the morning after. Best we don't post any photos of the adults.

Henry being cornered by Milly and Rosie.

Henry's preschool has been running a number of fundraising events, one of which was an Easter raffle. We were very excited to win first prize.

Making pizzas.

Farmer Tiff's carrot harvest.

Picking out a birthday cake.