Twice the Father's Day

Last Monday Henry came home from preschool with a Father's Day present he had helped make. It was a cardboard cup that he had painted and it was filled with some lollies and chocolates. He was so excited and proud of it that although it was meant for Father's Day on the coming Sunday he just wanted to give it to Michael straight away. Plus because he knew it contained some sweet treats he was hoping Michael would share them with him. Henry patiently waited for Michael to come home from working in Sydney. We picked up Michael from the train station and he was no sooner in the car when Henry told him all about his Father's Day present waiting for him at home, its contents and would he give some to him. As soon as we arrived home Henry raced to where he had left the present and gave it to Michael begging him to open it and share the lollies and chocolates. I only just managed to get a photo taken of the very proud Henry and his Dad with the present. For the record Michael shared his present with all of us.


When Sunday came around it was time for Father's Day again. The kids helped wrap the presents and as soon as they were wrapped they were being unwrapped again with the excitement kids get when faced with the chance of unwrapping a present - even if it's not for them.

Milly gets a big bed

For the past four months or more Miss Milly has been able to get in and out of her cot on her own and has also been waking between 2.00-4.00am unable to be resettled in her own cot. So we can all get some sleep it has just been easier to let her go back to sleep in our bed with us. Not a long term solution, but at least we are all well rested in the morning. With another baby on the way and Milly's cot antics, we decided to advance Milly to a big bed, after all she seemed to like sleeping in ours and/or Henry's so maybe this would solve her night waking.

Well she has had her big bed for just over a month now and the good news it has increased her midday nap from 1 hour 20 minutes to 2-3 hours. The bad news it hasn't really changed her night waking habits, with only three nights on record of her sleeping through the whole night in her bed. Although it is now usually around 4.00am that we hear her stampeding down the hall to join us.

Yes, we know with a new baby due in 10 weeks time that we can't let Milly keep this up, but it is hard to resist a little cherub face and warm little body snuggling up to you.

Doodle talk

This quote from Milly who was watching Michael take a shower:
"You have a doodle on your vagina."

And this quote from Henry who was doing a wee:
"My doodle is getting taller."

Super Milly

Wearing your undergarments on top of your clothes could only mean one thing - a super hero in the making.

Grandparents come to visit

Michael's parents have just been down to visit us. Milly is certainly her Dadda's girl, but when Grandad comes to stay Michael has to play second fiddle. The kids loved spending time with their GrandJan and Grandad and endlessly produced books for them to be read to. I'm sure it was an exhausting trip for Janet and Peter but they didn't let it show.

The grin says it all - stories with Grandad.

Not quite Harry Potter but could pass as a trainspotter - trying on Grandad's glasses.


Hot chocolates at Nobby's Beach.

The Hobsons at the foreshore.

Lunch at The Brewery.

More stories with Grandad.

More recent random pictures

Rolling out some dough to make gingerbread men.

Showing off some favourite toys.

Dadda's girl.

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.