b2

I had the second scan done yesterday - am 19 weeks today, how time flies.

Here are the best two shots from the scan....





We also got some little snippets of vid - but I can't be bothered putting on youtube yet to get it on here... so much effort for about 4 seconds of movement!

That's all for now.

Look at Moi, Look at Moi!

Yes - I graduated from University!




The ceremony was last night at the Uni, it was an amazing feeling to be up there in the gown/hat etc walking across the stage as my name was read out.

Here it is in print... officially!



And although this is a little blurry (being so far away, zoomed, and indoors at night...) it shows me with all the 'bits' after being handed them on stage.



So, it's now official - I'm a University Graduate... FINALLY!!!!!

Apart from that, we've been busy selling houses, buying houses, buying a boat and teaching, working, changing jobs and doing Honours.

To break that down a bit...

I reported last time that the house sold - it's unconditional now and we settle in 2 months. We bought the one we wanted (here is the link again) and settle on that one on the same day as this place, move booked in for 21st July. I'm looking forward to being in it although we'll miss this place and the area and our friends here a lot, a new start will be great.

The boat....

Part of our plan in selling this place and buying another was to free up some time for Erin (being able to give up weekend work) and also some money (tied up as equity in this house) which would then enable us to buy a boat. Well, as it turned out, Dad sold his boat a couple of months ago and was looking for another, similar to what we wanted, he found a good one at a good price and we decided to go halves in it. Here she is



Erin is off doing his boat course today for his license and I'll do mine after we get back from holidays, not enough time between now and then!

We took it out on Mother's day for an afternoon cruise up Pumicestone Passage and berthed on a deserted beach on Bribie Island - here is Hayden trying to give a helping hand



Uni teaching semester ends this coming week - time does fly by. I'm in amongst a lot of marking right now and then the students hand in their final essays next Wed. I have 2 assignments to do for my Advertising subject for honours, I've been going really well in the assessment thus far, it's a good course.

Erin has changed jobs, he's now working for the water tank company that I (sort of) work for, he'll be full time as of Tue week, he resigned on Thursday from his job after over 3 years there. He'll be doing all the logistics and planning of delivery's etc, which will keep him very busy.

That's about all for now, up to date!

What happened to two months....???

Well... how time flies hey??

The past couple of months have been a bit of a blur, the weeks all seem to merge and we rush around at lightening speed in order to achieve anything. I'll try to recap some of the more memorable and mentionable events (ie: the ones we have photos of!!)

Swimming Lessons



We're still doing swimming lessons every week, Hayden is becoming very good at propelling himself across the pool. They are learning to use their arms and do their breathing with the use of kick boards. He is still in the class with Gracie who he has been with for over a year and the other girl in his class is Leilani.

Farewell Carley, Nic & Saxony

In early March we went to Brisbane for a BBQ to farewell my cousin Nic and his wife Carley and their (then) 5 month old daughter Saxony. They were leaving Brisbane to move out to Longreach which is where Nic grew up and where the rest of his family still is. We had a great day at J.C. Slaughter Falls, Hayden enjoyed some cricket and loved seeing his new cousin and all the other babies around.





Camping Trip #1

The last weekend in March we went on the first of our back-to-back camping trips. We hadn't been out camping since our post Christmas trip up to North Shore, we were keen to use all our new 'stuff'!

We arrived on Friday night and set up quickly as the light was fading, we thought our site worked really well - it was the first time our tarp had been up, and the whole tent fits underneath - yay!





We were out there with a few other families and there were lots of other children for Hayden to play with, we camped at the Charlie Moreland campsite near Kennilworth, it was lovely.

Then - onto...

Camping Trip #2

Yes... suckers for punishment!! We had our Easter camping trip planned long before the previous weekend came up, so naturally we were still going to go. We were meeting friends Simone and Craig there, and we were looking forward to catching up. We left home early on Good Friday morning and were there by just after 8.30am. This time we went to Borumba Dam, near Imbil which is only just over an hour away. We had a great site, not too crowded and down near the creek end. With not much else to do, we spent time relaxing, lazing in the hammock and sitting around the fire at night. Hayden made some lovely friends from a campsite about 100 meters away which kept him busy and occupied the whole time - perfect! We perfected the art of the washing up bucket bath too... ahhh!







Then on Easter morning, the Easter Bunny miraculously managed to find our tent! Hayden was thrilled with the idea of his Lightening McQueen and Thomas the Train eggs, but given that he doesn't like chocolate, he was very happy to have some jelly lollies as substitutes.







We came home on Easter Monday and then felt like we'd never been away!

In the mean time...

Uni semester is going really well, teaching is great, I'm loving it and have some great students. I'm about to start marking my second set of essays, which isn't too terrible. I'm also doing well in my first unit of honours coursework. I'm doing a creative advertising unit which is interesting.

The other big news is that we're expecting our second bub and all is well, yay! I'm currently over 14 weeks, we've had our Nuchal scan and all is looking good. We took Hayden to 'see the baby' when we had the scan, he was so excited, but the baby wasn't doing much so I don't think it was as entertaining as he'd anticipated. We have another scan in just under 4 weeks which I think will be a lot more exciting for him.



Our trip to Paris, London and Dubai is looming closer, only 10 weeks now until we fly out - crazy!!

We've also sold the house and it goes unconditional either today or Monday, we're looking to buy one tomorrow, it goes to auction but we'd like to get it after if it does not sell. Prepared to bid though if we (I - given that E will most likely be at work) have to.

I'm also still working for H2Options which takes up any and all spare time I think I might have each week - ideally I need some time off from there, which I may have just orchestrated, although now that I'm not so exhausted it's getting a little easier to be at full pace all the time.

So... they are all my excuses!
Till next time... xx

Australia Day, Birthday and Holiday

So where did three weeks go?????

I'll go back a bit to Australia Day - we met up with some friends in the park down the road for a BBQ brekky, it was a great atmosphere down there as there was a community event starting at 10am, Rotary sposored it I think, they had a pit dug for damper, gum tree branches everywhere, tents and flags etc, it looked great. We found a table and had a quick swim before cooking. Not long into breakfast though, Hayden decided he wanted to go home, he was really tired - he'd been up late the night before as we went out to the surf club for dinner with a bunch of our neighbours. He spent all night running around with all the other kids from our street. So our morning in the park was cut short a little, Erin took Hayden home to bed and I finished brekky and packed up with James and Melissa and Dave, we all went back to our place and transferred into the pool - the beers started flowing, the Aussie music was blaring, the sun was out - perfect! We set in for the day, another friend Maria joined us and we just hung out - it was a perfect day.





Last Sunday (4th Feb) was my birthday - we started the day with Breakfast out at one of my favourite cafe's down at Moffat Beach - I don't have any shots of me yet, but here is one of Hayden!



Then we had a party in the afternoon down at La Balsa park which is at the Mooloolah rivermouth, I love it down there. It was a beautiful afternoon, we headed down there around 4pm and about 30 - 35 people joined us, we put on a barbie for everyone and the boys (and some of the girls) played cricket, the kids amused themselves, it was just a lovely relaxing afternoon surrounded by good friends.

Then, later in the week we headed to White Water World which is the newest water park on the Gold Coast, it's a sister park to Dreamworld and we'd purchased a 2 day 'world' pass for my Dad for Christmas, so we all went down to spend two days there. We hit the rides hard, well, Dad, Erin and I did - Mum's not into swimming or rides, but she had a great time playing with Hayden in Wiggle Bay which is set up for under 6's with slides and other cool water stuff. He also had a lot of fun at the Nicklodean world



There was a huge bucket on top that would fill with water and tip out over everyone - Hayden thought that was hilarious and loved to stand under it with Daddy and B'pa.





Hayden had a great time in wiggle bay - there were several slides he could come down by himself - his favourites were the purple and yellow ones.



He had fun hanging out with underwater Wags



and after all our swimming we went into Dreamworld to hit the other rides. Hayden loved the little kid rides like the merry-go-round and Dorothy's rosy tea cup ride





and after our ride on the Big Red Car he met the real Wags



who he was very excited to give a cuddle to.

After all that ride practice he graduated to a 'big boy' ride, this one had no height restrictions as the cage was fully enclosed but there was an age restriction of 2 I think, so he was fine to come on. Eirn and I were both in the carriage with him...



There we are right at the VERY top!!



He actually said he was a bit scared in that one - I don't blame him, I much prefer the tower of terror to rides that go around and around - my stomach is not what it used to be!

We mangaged to get Mum on the Tower of Terror - she didn't hate it but I don't think she'll be going on it ever again!!

So... we've packed a lot into a few short weeks, and a lot more to come. I have a new staff orientation at Uni tomorrow and lectures start next week, with my first teaching classes starting on 26/27 Feb. I'm still going to be doing some days at H2Options as well and Hayden is now in day care 4 days a week - M - Thur. We're saving up now for our trip to Paris, London and Dubai, we're going from 29 June - 15 July this year - more on that another time, I'd better get this posted!!

Signing off for now. Phew!!

Time flies when you're....

WORKING!

Correct... I got a job... hence, no blogging from me of late. I'll get to that though, I thought I'd pick up from where I left off just before Christmas...

Christmas Eve eve we went to the Carols by Candlelight down at Kings Beach, very nice and very festive, then the following day, Christmas Eve we just took it very easy, it was our third wedding anniversary, Erin did a few jumps, can't remember what else. My sister and her boyf were driving up from Bris after their lunch with Joorj's Mum. Mum and Dad were also coming around and we had a great barbie dinner. Our neighbours a few doors up always host everyone in the street for drinks on Christmas Eve so we wandered up there while Dad slept on the couch minding Hayden. We came home and put together a few of Hayden's presents and called the USA before climbing the stairs close to - or perhaps just past - midnight.

Christmas Morning - at last! I think I was the most excited out of everyone!

We didn't want Hayden coming out of his room and seeing his presents before we got down there so we got up early and shut his door, when he woke I went into him and talked about Santa visiting - he was excited and ready to go



Then we took him out to the living room where his 'Santa' presents were:





He was allowed to play with those, his kitchen and his tool bench and the things in his stocking until Cec and Joorj got up and then Mum and Dad arrived, ready to 'do' the presents.

There were so many...



and after a while Hayden was completely overwhelmed by them all. He was very content with his trains and his Lightening McQueen and Maiter cars from 'Cars' which were the biggest hits of the day.



He did take a moment out though when he opened his present from B'pa which was two cricket bat and ball sets, one plastic one for now and then a wooden 'proper' bat and some stumps for him to grow into. He picked up his bat - first time mind you - and then stood like this:



Methinks we might have a natural in the making.

After presents were done we had breakfast, the traditional pancakes for Cec and I and the traditional oysters for those so inclined. With Champers of course. We all then jumped in the pool and tested out the new pool toys before Cec and Joorj headed off and Mum and Dad went home to prepare for the Christmas Dinner. Hayden went to bed and I cooked/iced gingerbread to go with desert. Erin and I also started packing up the car for camping and getting the house cleaned up so we could leave it in 'inspection' condition whilst away.

We went to Mum and Dad's around 4pm for Chrissy dinner, the table looked wonderful and the turkey smelled fantastic. Hayden tucked into some food and then had a great cuddle with Mima and then my Grandfather, Papa.







It was a much quieter Christmas than I'm used to, but relaxing and lovely just the same. The turkey gravy was again, scrumptious!!

Boxing Day... Camping!!!

We spent a great four days up at Noosa North Shore, it rained for most of the time but not downpours and there were clear times so Hayden could still get out and play with all the other camp-ground kids. I haven't optimised any pix of the trip yet, I will and add them in an edit, check back!

So... we returned on the Friday, 2 days before New Years. Erin worked Sat/Sun and then Sunday night we went over to some friends for a New Years party. Good night, good fun, Happy 2007!

Tuesday 2nd Jan - I had a client meeting booked to sort out some brochures, whilst I was there, to cut a long story short - I was offered a job, part time or whatever hours I could to help them out, the phones were rining non-stop and they really needed more help. I started the next day and did Wed, Thur Fri 8am - 5pm then Mon, Tue Wed the following week, same hours, then again last week. I'll say there doing that for a few more weeks until Uni starts when I'll be teaching as well as doing my honours which I recieved official acceptance into the program on Friday.

After my client meeting on Tues 2nd Jan I was on a mission to get Hayden's new bed, we kept putting it off until we moved but hey - that may be years away at this rate so we put some Christmas money towards it and Mum and I went out to pick one that afternoon. I'd narrowed it down but saw another one I liked and it turned out to be cheaper and available the next day, Hayden was so excited to be in it...



I didn't have time thought to go out and get him a new doona cover until last Friday, I couldn't find what I have in my head, so some more searching is required but here is what I bought in the interim...



He's so happy in it, and it looks great in his room. Such a big boy now. He's almost out of Nappies all together, he's moved into the next room at Kindy, soon he'll be learning how to drive - OMG - where did my baby go??????!!!!!!!

Anyway - this is a MAMMOTH blog, but all good things must come to an end :-) We've had a great day today, we did a bbq brekky at the park with some friends and then E went to jump for work, Hayden slept early so was up when E got home and we went down to Kings beach for swims, the Ocean was amazingly warm, I took Hayden out to the first line of breakers and we rode the waves, he liked that for a while, then we went into the new oceanside pool which was fabulous, then he had an icecream and after that washed it off in the fountains, again, he had a great time. So he's had a huge day, we've had a big day and the working week starts all over again tomorrow... phew!!

Amazing photos

Wow - we just recieved back the proof of Hayden's kindy photos - this is a huge brag - but seeing as it's my blog, I think it's okay - but OMG, he looks amazing!!!

Due to copyright I'm not going to post them on here, but here is a link to the shots - it's worth checking them out!!

Christmas shopping all done, except for groceries and stuff to take camping.

Can't wait to go camping, to get away for a few days, will be fab.

Jumping

Okay - we'll see if this works - last time I tried to put a youtube file in here, the formating went haywire...



Ohhh... yay - I fixed it.... view away!

Gingerbread Man!!!

Yesterday we made another batch of Gingerbread - Hayden loves to help cut out the shapes, he gets covered in flour, most of the house does too, but it's all fun and in the end we get yummy gingerbread shapes to eat!!

Parties, parties, parties

Well it is the silly season after all!! We had two parties on Saturday. The first one was Gabriella's first birthday party. There were farm animals there and Hayden had a great time feeding the goats and sheep, and brushing them, and playing with the chickens.








Then it was off to Brisbane after his sleep for a housewarming party for some friends Craig and Simone who finally moved into their completed home just over a month ago. There were lots of other kids for Hayden to play with, he found a police car and then Craig gave him an old police cap to wear (Craig is in the force). Hayden thought he was the ant's pants!!





The cap was deemed 'too big' tho and ditched. Then the real fun began in the pool. The rain had stopped and the kids decided it was pool time. The Dad's obliged the littlies and they had a blast in the pool - I'm so proud of Hayden and how far he's come with his confidence in the water - perhaps a little too confident for his abilities at the moment - note the large boulder he's jumping off!! I have this on vid and will attempt to link my youtube posting with this....









What a great party and a huge day!!