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Monday 29 December 2014

79. Take the kids to Christmas Carols

79. Take the kids to Christmas Carols in the park/domain/somewhere

It is always with the best of intentions that I wanted to take the kids to a big Christmas Carols in the domain.  I reckon they would love it.  But we always miss out.  That said, we did head along to 2 separate carol events this year.  We attended the school christmas carol evening (which was adorable with the Prep's singing a song for everyone).  We also attended a lovely carols night hosted at a friends church, and it was really nice to just go and enjoy their lovely company and see the kids dancing and enjoying christmas craft activities.

Friday 12 December 2014

23. Wipe out one of our main debts (personal loan or credit card)


I am actually pretty excited about this one!  We have been working towards being debt free so we can start saving towards a house and today we payed down our final payment on our personal loan. Pretty exciting to see the back of that and to move forward.  The payments that we were making towards that will now go towards our remaining credit card debt.  I'd love to see that paid off pretty soon!  Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in regards to debt is certainly an awesome feeling.

Sunday 30 November 2014

Memphis | 30 November 14


Your birthday month has come to an end. You are a year old, and such a happy, cheeky and beautiful little boy. We ended the month with you mucking around on the couch with Daddy and the big kids. You think having your feet touched to your face is hilarious. Love ya guys cutie boy <3

Saturday 29 November 2014

Memphis | 29 November 14


Loving this park weather! More park times with Daddy while Mummy works. Today I came back to find you playing on the rocker, which you were more interested in licking than riding!

Friday 28 November 2014

Memphis | 28 November 14


Lunch time today we visited Daddy on his lunch break! You stole some goodies from his lunch break and got to check out a wallaby. You were tired and grumpy, but you enjoyed cuddles with Daddy.

Thursday 27 November 2014

Memphis | 27 November 14


Nana came to visit with Tayreese and Kirsty today! She bought you a paddle pool for your birthday, lucky boy! You had fun competing with Tay for Nana's attention!

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Memphis | 26 November 14


Leo doesn't actually like you that much. But you don't care - you persist (which is why he's not so keen)! You stalk him all over the place "yelling" at him and trying to get his attention. You are a little too rough, but you are learning.

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Memphis | 25 November 14


You love park time with Daddy, when I am working. I came to find you when I finished and you were having a great time!

Monday 24 November 2014

Memphis | 24 November 14


We visited Nana's place today. I wondered where everyone got and found that Jade had set you, Tayreese, Lexi and Zavian up on the kiddie-couch so that you could play schools! You were outta there as quick as can be!

Sunday 23 November 2014

Memphis | 23 November 14


We had a special visitor this weekend! Your great-aunty Tash, who is also one of your Godmothers, came to stay to celebrate you turning 1! You had so much fun mucking around and playing with her and as always, she spoiled you rotten!

Saturday 22 November 2014

Memphis | 22 November 14


You Naming Day/1st Birthday party was today. A very special day as our beautiful friend April officially introduced you to our family friends and named you. Memphis means enduring and beautiful. And that you most definitely are. 
You have been the most perfect addition to our family. The three of you are the perfect fit.

Friday 21 November 2014

Memphis | 21 November 14


Shower time is probably your favourite time of the day. You weren't feeling the best tonight and it was probably all of about 3 minutes in to the shower that Daddy called out and said you were asleep. This happens on a fairly regular basis!

Thursday 20 November 2014

Memphis | 20 November 14


Ahhhh the every messy studio has become a laundry room - I could almost lose you in there some days. I spend what felt like eternity down there sorting through clothes, washing, hanging, drying, folding and you spent the entire time crawling around at high speeds chasing a balloon and squealing with delight. Balloons are one of your favourite things and you will spend ages smacking them around the house! Sometimes when you are grumpy and following me around crying I will blow up a balloon and you fast forget I even exist!

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Memphis | 19 November 14


Hello new toys! Jac and Rhiannon thought of you when they found this pre-loved toy of Rhiannons. And so here it is and you LOVE it! You are learning to get on and off, as you are still not pulling yourself up, however when we pop you on it you have so much fun turning the pages and pressing the crayons so it sings and make noise. You get the giggles and will spend ages playing on it! And when you are done, you still can't get yourself off confidently, so you squeal and usually Lexi will come and get you down! I don't see you walking any time soon when you have a big sister to do it all for you!

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Memphis | 18 November 14


Weigh day! Alison came for a visit today, she is our home visiting Child Health Nurse. You have normally been indifferent to her, but today you were all chatty and excited. You haded her a block and some beads before scooting off to find your ball bopper. Weight has been an issue for you since you were born, you gain slowly and the past couple of months have been (simply put) shit in the gain department. However, a gain is a gain and you are now 6.48kg at 12 months old! For perspective, Zavian was 8.1kg and Lexi was 8.5kg when they turned 1!

Monday 17 November 2014

Memphis | 17 November 14


It is moments like these that I've been excited for since you were born. You and Zavian are starting to play. Zavian has loved you since he saw you, however until you were able to interact with him he was typically a 3 year old boy and quite "meh" about playing. But now? He loves to do things with you, like taking you down the slide when we play at the park. I think he enjoys it so much more than you do, at this point in time, but I adore that he wants to take you with him. You love him so much, you follow him around and you like to sneak in and take his cars that he is playing with, so you can join in too. I think you'll be the best of friends.

Sunday 16 November 2014

Memphis | 16 November 14


Today Aunty Chrissy and Alex came for a visit! So much fun because they bought CAKE and you got to smash it and eat it and roll in it and basically just indulge in a way I will probably never let you again hahah. You were very serious most of the time, taking your time to enjoy every lick of that buttercream icing. Alex decided you needed a hand and crawled on over to help you out! Could you two be any cuter!

Saturday 15 November 2014

Memphis | 15 November 14


Another cool new toy you got for your birthday, you loved discovering all the fun parts of this activity centre from Aunty Cat and Uncle Dale. You love the xylophone part and Lexi taught you how to use the rod to make lots of noise. And you have been trying to pull yourself to stand up at it (no success yet, but you will get there). This is probably one of the coolest toys you have!

Friday 14 November 2014

Memphis | 14 November 14


Beep Beep! You have a new toy! You love your new present (although you weren't impressed that I "locked" you in it hehe). You have been having a great time honking the horn and pushing all the buttons. There is a spinny thing on the back that makes lots of noise, too. Always a winner! And you have have worked out where to "post" the balls in to the door. You have been back and forward in and out of the door of the car enjoying your new little space!

Thursday 13 November 2014

Memphis | 13 November 14


One year ago, at 7:11pm after a 19 hour labour, you interrupted our midwives meal break as you were ready to meet the world. 1994g, 40cm long, 4 weeks early and induced due to IUGR, our labour and delivery was very different to what we had expected. You, also, were different. You were so much smaller, so much more fragile, and way more perfect than we could ever have imagined. You are the most content, happy and loving baby. You are full of affection, with so many cuddles and big baby kisses. You love to give high-5's and you play a mean game of peeka-boo. You have a contagious smile and the most adorable giggle. You have no desire to pull yourself up or to walk, but you crawl at lightning speed. Everyone who meets you falls in love with you, you really are such a delightful child. And that's not even Mummy bias! You're such a sweet little boy. You adore your big brother and sister, and they adore you too. I cannot believe one year has passed. It's been a huge year, with lots of ups and downs. Lots of scares but way more happy times. You have been in some ways our most challenging and stressful baby (healthwise), however you have been by far our easiest, most content.
We love you so much. Thank you for being everything we could have ever dreamed of and more xoxoxox

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Memphis | 12 November 14


It's Birthday Eve... and tomorrow you are going to be a big 1 year old. And no, Mummy isn't ready and wants you to stay her baby forever. It doesn't seem possible that a year has gone by, that you have grown from that tiny 1.9kg. I was going to take your birthday photos today after your, and I popped you in to bed and told you all about it as you laughed at me thew your toys around your cot. Naturally you then went and slept almost 4 hours instead of your usual 1-1.5 hours - photographers child syndrome, I'm telling you! 
I love you so much and in one whole year you have given our family so much more than we ever could have imagined. See you in the morning when you're one xxx

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Memphis | 11 November 14


Give a dog a boy. Give a boy a dog. You love animals. You love to follow the cat around and climb on to his bed with him. And when we are outside you enjoy crawling around with the dogs. Byron adores you and stands guard at the top of the stairs so you stay away from them. Today he kept following you around and trying to lay in your lap. And of course, he must always plant a big smooch on you <3

Monday 10 November 2014

Memphis | 10 November 14


"Why did you put me in with these guys!?" 
You love bath time - it is usually met with squeals and giggles, splashing and bubbles going everywhere. But sometimes, when you're competing with your big brother and sister you get a bit over it and give me big puppy dog eyes, pleading to get you out of there!

Sunday 9 November 2014

Memphis | 09 November 14


"Why ya interrupting my Skype time, Mum!?"
You got to see Nonna and Beepa on Skype this evening. It's a good thing we have Skype as you've only seen Nonna 3 times and Beepa twice since you were born... but like the big kids you know who they are - what they sound like and look like - thanks to modern technology. Even if you do only sit there for a short while!

Saturday 8 November 2014

Memphis | 08 November 14


I was trying to get a picture of the you harrassing the cat but neither of you would sit still. And then you did THIS face. This is your "PICK ME UP I AM SO CUTE" look. You nail it, by the way. You love to be held and cuddled. You are a snugglebutt. You give cuddles and kisses and love affection. Of all of my babies you have 100% been the most cuddly. And seriously, who could say no to that face!?!?

Friday 7 November 2014

Memphis | 07 November 14


Look at you big boy! King of the Castle (aka clam shell!) We visited Aunty Tammy's today, which is like a children's wonderland in which you will find any activity you wish to partake in! So I popped you in the sand and you happily dug around and let handfuls of sand escape through your fingers. Eventually all the big kids came to play with you, but you were far more interested in watching your hands and taking the occasional taste of the sand!

Thursday 6 November 2014

Memphis | 06 November 14


You enjoy some of the toys you've had handed down from your big brother and sister! Although it will be a while before you can actually use your legs to move this you do enjoy pressing the buttons and wiggling. Most of all you enjoy Zavian pushing you around on it, until you eventually slide off on to the floor. It's moments like these I think oh my goodness, you're a big boy now! Although most people who meet you beg to differ - today you were complimented on how well you are sitting up unaided so small! I don't think she believed me when I said you were going to be 1 next week!

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Memphis | 05 November 14


Ahhhh peace. Your 4th tooth has been coming through and you have been a whingy little sooky bum. Sure, I've milked the cuddles... but my ears are ringing a little. We had snuggles on my bed and for such a little man you take up a fair bit of room as you insist on sleeping sideways with your feet or hands touching my face. For this reason, you sleep mostly in your bed! You are such a good sleeper, usually all night (with the exception of last night... yes I heard you singing out at 1am!)... and you are just like your brother and sister with the whole bed time aerobics routine you all have down-pat.
You must always have Bunny, too. You love your Bunny, you got him for Easter and you are always rubbing the ears between your fingers or on your face.

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Memphis | 04 November 14


We got to visit with cousin Max today! You enjoyed all of his toys and ate lots of Oma's pikelets. You like other babies but are still learning how to be gentle with them, even though most of them are bigger than you! You are such a little bubba... next week you will be 1 year old, and the following week Max will be 5 months old and he is already 2kg bigger. All of your cousins & little friends are outgrowing you so fast! And you just mosey along, petite and adorable at 6.4kg! You have little stick legs and arms, a teeny waist and not much of a bum! You have a cute little full belly all the time though!

Monday 3 November 2014

Memphis | 03 November 14


You love having other kids around, but of all of our little friends Piper is your favourite. She makes you giggle and she always finds your dummy for you. Today you played her a tune on your toy piano  You two are just a wee bit cute!

Sunday 2 November 2014

Memphis | 02 November 14


You are at that age of curiosity and putting everything in your mouth (who am I kidding, you have always put everything in your mouth!). You are discovering the world around you and all of the little treasures that you can find. Leaves, grass, rocks - you like to feel them with your hands, scrunching them up and throwing them... and more often than not you go in for the inevitable taste test, because lets face it, that is the real indicator if something is worth the time to play with or not!

Saturday 1 November 2014

Memphis | 01 November 14


My little Memmy. I am amazed you are as tiny as you are, considering the amount you eat. You LOVE food, you LOVE to eat. You are generally happiest when you have food in your hand, be it to play in or chow down on. And tonight, you had your first piece of pizza! You were so impressed by your efforts (as was the cat, who lay in wait at the bottom of your high chair as you dropped bits of ham on his head). With teeth numbers 4 and 5 coming along you will be in to the steak in no time.

Saturday 20 September 2014

28. Take a family photograph on a state border

28. Take a family photograph on a state border - Completed: 14.9.14

I was hoping we'd get to do this on a far more interesting border... but when we went to Canberra in 2012 I kind of forgot to stop on the NSW/ACT border.  My bad.  Anyway... this at least has Memphis in - that one wouldn't have!  We took this on our trip down to Killarney (cheers to Hannah, official photog for the family shots!)  




Monday 15 September 2014

A trip out to Killarney

74. Take the kids back to Killarney

When Zavian was a baby we went out to Killarney and stayed in an old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere.  It was bliss.  Freezing, with crazy wind, but awesome.  I wanted to go back from the minute I left.  3 years later on the same weekend, we went back. This time Hannah and Ben joined us for a couple of nights (we had the first night there ourselves).  

I love the place as much now as I did then.  I want to live in the country.  I'd have to leave Ty to do that though, so here we stay!

When we go, we stay at Oaklea Cottages in Mill Cottage.  It's 3 bedroom farmhouse with a large living/dining area, a fully equipped kitchen (BYO food) and a nice big bathroom with a bath tub.  There's a little house yard, in the middle of a paddock off a dirt road.  I looooove it.  Although, it was a bit creepy the night we went for a drive to settle the over tired sick baby and came out to find the yard surrounded by cattle just STARING at us (including a few who had taken a liking to the taste of Ben and Hannah's car and were LICKING it).

Highlights of the trip - walking to see Queen Mary Falls, feeding the birds at the Queen Mary Falls cafe, seeing the state border and letting the kids jump back and forward between NSW and QLD, playing Nerf guns in the house yard, exploring the paddocks for old machinery, patting cows, night time card games, and relaxing in front of the fire. 

The downside?  Memphis got sick on day 2 :(

We are here!  Hi guys, we're just in the middle of nowhere!
Mill Cottage - really family friendly accommodation!
The kids were curious about the rusted bits and pieces around the farm
Nerf wars!
Watch out, guys!
Hope to replicate this picture one day!
Where we were!



The concentration involved in a game of Go Fish is intense...
Bedtime stories
Boris the X-trail is tasty!
So is Ty!
Queen Mary Falls



Right of passage!
We had a small storm roll in one of the nights.

Zavian enjoyed chopping firewood
We were staying down in that gully, just off the road you can see!  Just down by the line of trees in the middle