a merry busy christmas

Well, it's been an absolute whirlwind of celebrations over the last 2 weeks - we started with dinner at Dad's on the 16th with Dad and Hev's kids and grandkids, where Spencer discovered the joy of knawing on chop bones just like his Pop-pop:

and got to play with his gorgeous cousin Satine:

Christmas Eve saw us back at Dad's with the Hall clan, where Spencer was the very lucky recipient of his first ever motorbike (wooden, no engine, a balance-bike painted up like a Triumph motorcyle - v cool!):

Christmas Day began with us hosting Tim's parents for breakfast at The Grove, followed by lunch with the Fisher clan (25 of us!) at Fi and Darren's. We all crashed Christmas night, with full stomachs hearts full of thanks for another happy Christmas!

We hope that you all had a very merry Christmas and that you look towards a happy and healthy 2010.

Here are just a few more photos from Christmas:

Spencer with his new kitchen

I love this photo of Tim and Spence from Christmas Eve - such joy!

Four generations of "Fishers"

Spencer with Papa Gerald and his new trike

happy holidays!

Alex Stillwell's 30th

Last Friday night I actually managed a night out past my usual bedtime of 9pm AND wore 3 inch heels for over 4 hours! It was all in honour of my very good friend Alex's 30th birthday. Unfortunately Tim had a work function so couldn't join me, but Caitlin and I were amongst the large number of revellers.

The big surprise of the night? Australian Idol contestant Toby Moulton's live performance in the Stillwell's conservatory! For those of you who are overseas, Toby was this year's Adelaide contestant who made it through to the final 4 before pulling out after deciding his calling was to remain a primary school teacher rather than a pop star - loved by many (predominantly of the female persuasion), Toby was an all-round nice-guy. Anyhoo, turns out that Alex was a massive fan, and so her Dad gave old Toby a call (found him in the White Pages!) the Wednesday night before the party and asked him if he'd come along and do a gig at the party! Amazingly, Toby accepted, and we were treated to his great voice and he even mingled with the fans throughout the evening!

Here's a photo just to prove he was there! (And yes, that's me squeezing myself into the same dress I wore to Mum's wedding only a month and a half ago ... boy have I grown in girth since then!).

the ti-mo goes

Tim kissed goodbye to the mo at the start of the week, with Movember officially ending. Here's a piccie of the last day of the mo (please note, it is not a trick of the eye ... his mo really didn't grow much after week 2!).

Kelly & Co's Movember team, Kocomos, did really well to raise over $2000 for the cause, so a huge thank you to all of you who kindly donated to Tim.

6 1/2 months and counting!

Here I am, at 6 1/2 months pregnant. Not a very glamorous shot, I admit - am suffering sleep deprivation thanks to Spencer's raging fevers (48 hours and counting - let's hope the doctor has the solution this afternoon!). Only 2 weeks left at work now - woohoo! Getting very excited about the impending new arrival - she's an active one, kicking a lot, so wondering if that is an indication of what kind of a child she'll be?!

creagh & kristy visit from qld

Tim's brother Creagh and his lovely wife Kristy were down from the Sunshine Coast visiting for the week. We had them over for afternoon drinks on Sunday - it was great to catch up for the first time since their wedding in Qld in July.

eating blueberries

Spencer's totally loving the summer fruits at the moment - here he is getting down to the serious business of eating blueberries (lesson learnt from this experience - best not to let him eat berries over the carpet!)

Step 1: pick a berry

 Step 2: inspect your choice

Step 3: start sucking

Step 4: look for the next berry!

movember week 2

Here's Tim, at the start of week 2 of Movember. Starting to look a little shady ...

the playroom redecoration commences

Tim has almost finished Spencer's new room, so has already started preparing the playroom - here it is ready for painting after the successful removal of the pot-belly stove. Hopefully all will be finished by December!

movember begins!

My darling hubby has decided to take part in Movember this year - here he is cleanly shaven (almost) on 1 November. Movember helps to raise awareness and funds for men's health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men.

Can't wait to see what he looks like with a mo - promise to post updates of how he progresses!

Should you wish to sponsor Tim's mo, please go to http://au.movember.com/mospace/69852/ - you can donate using credit card or Paypal account.

Go the mo!

sprinkler fun

The hot weather has well and truly arrived and we've been discovering the joys of sprinklers! I love the joy in Spencer's face in the first photo - he's such a water baby!

visit to the zoo!

I realise that I haven't written for a while - life has been pretty hectic and I must admit that I've been feeling pretty exhausted. My belly has grown infinitely in the last fortnight and I'm finding it harder to keep up with Spencer, especially at all the playgrounds we visit! After a spectacular fall at playgroup last week (me, not Spence), I nursed a swollen knee for 5 days - I then realised I'm probably too pregnant to be clambering around on play equipment, and have vowed to keep my feet firmly on the ground from now on. We also dealt with a week of hives for Spencer which resulted in some fairly sleepless nights (I guess this is good practice for having another newborn!).

Spencer and I took our first visit to the zoo together last week - it was a special Playgroup Association sponsored day, and we made the most of the cheap entry fees. We went with our good friends Haley and Luca - Haley and I worked together before we both went on maternity leave, and Luca was born a 7 weeks before Spencer, so we have hung out a lot over the last 18 months which has been great.

We managed to last 2 1/2 hours, which I was fairly impressed with given the boys' ages and the heat (mid-thirties - yay!). The boys were impeccably behaved and really got a kick out of seeing the animals. I'm glad I waited until Spence was this age before taking him, as he is so perceptive now, and this was important given how many of the exhibits were hidden amongst trees and bushes. Unfortunately the boys crashed before we made it to the petting zoo, so next time we'll be heading straight there upon arrival!



Here we are, just about to enter the gates.


Spence pointing out the monkeys...


and checking out the ducks.

5 months and counting!

5 months pregnant

Life is barelling along at a momentous pace - where is this year going? I've now hit 5 months pregnant and have "popped". Starting to feel a bit tired running around with Spencer, who's such an active toddler, but I can't help getting caught up with his enthusiasm for life. Everyday is a new day of discovery and wonder in his world - hours are spent studying grass and gravel, staring up into the trees and pointing out all the birds in our garden. I am very blessed that when he sleeps, he SLEEPS, and I no longer feel guilty about putting my feet up for an hour or so and even napping myself.

Spencer's new bedroom project has officially commenced, with Tim hard at work each weekend painting. I'm so lucky to have a husband who loves a project! Next item on my agenda is the playroom and hallway. Hopefully we'll have it all finished by Christmas, and then we'll have a month or so to rest up before the new baby arrives.

Had to post this gorgeous photo of Spencer using the washing basket as a boat and having a fabulous time in the process!

cousins

A quick note to say how glad I am that I have my dear cousin Fiona and her two little ones living so close to us. Fi and I grew up together, and I think it's so special that Spencer and baby number 2 will also be able to grow up with Fi's children Charlie and Olivia. Spencer absolutely adores his older cousin Charlie, and is fascinated and delighted by little Olivia.

I must admit, it's also fabulous to know that when it sometimes gets all too much, I can pop Spencer in the car, with both of us still in pjs, and be at Fi's within 5 minutes to decompress!

Here are a few snaps of the cousins playing together - due to major and minor illnesses over the Winter, our catch ups were, unfortunately, a bit lacking, but now that everyone's less contagious, play dates are back with a vengeance. I'm looking forward to a Summer spent in our respective backyards, paddle pools and sandpits at the ready.

This is Spencer and Charlie at their first catch up since Charlie had glandular fever. Please note all the "boy" toys. These kids love their trucks and trains!

A couple of older photos of the three cousins lounging around on the minimink, just kicking back!

mum & steve tie the knot

We celebrated mum's marriage to Steve last Saturday, 3 October, at a beautiful church service in Norwood followed by a cocktail party at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant. Mum looked absolutely divine in a dress made by Lian Khoe, our favourite local dressmaker (who, incidentally, made my wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses). It was a lovely night, and both Mum and Steve looked truly happy.

Spencer was fairly well behaved at the church service, although not overly content to sit quietly. He was mesmerised by the singing and piano playing, but I think his finest moment came when he joined me at the altar as I gave my reading - he sure loves to be the centre of attention, and even gave a royal wave as we left the pulpit!

The reception presented a rare opportunity for Tim and I to socialise with good friends without all of our respective children in tow, and it certainly made for a relaxing evening!

Congratulations Mum and Steve - may your life together be long and happy!

Mum & Steve

Mum & Caitlin pre-wedding

Tim entertaining Spencer in our garden while pre-wedding photos are snapped!

Reliving memories of our reception at the Botanic Gardens - nearly 3 years on!

Fi & me enjoying wearing silk without worry of children's stains!

The Swaines, the Jamiesons and the Tonkins enjoy a rare evening of socialising minus children

it's a girl!

Tim and I attended my 19 week scan on Wednesday and were very excited to find out we're having a little girl this time! As promised, I hit the Country Road sales and she is going to be decked out for next Winter!

Spencer is still pretty oblivious to the whole pregnancy thing - I bought him a little baby doll to try and explain, and he does love to cuddle it, but I think the concept that a real life baby will be invading his home in 5 months' time is still beyond him.

Meanwhile, number 2 isn't the only child who's been getting spoiled lately. Spence was the proud recipient of a sand pit AND a train set the other weekend. Both were meant to be Christmas presents, but I decided we needed new distractions at home (we? maybe me!).

Spencer enjoying the new sandpit

Camera shy? I don't think so. He loves to look at himself on the screen after I've taken any photos of him. Easy entertainment!

countdown to shopping extravaganza

So excited ... just got my CR invitation to the cardholders preview of the mid-season sale on Wednesday this week - fabulous timing as this just happens to be the same day of my next scan, when we should hopefully find out the sex of number 2! Think Tim broke out in a cold sweat when he saw the invite.

Am looking forward to knowing the sex of bubs so that I can finally start brainstorming the nursery's redecoration - have a few colour schemes in mind, but won't make the final decision 'til Wednesday. A few new children's and baby's decorating homewares stores have recently opened across the city, so I'm looking forward to investigating what's on offer.

I have also decided to get a bit crafty and sew my own sheet sets for Spencer's new room (colour scheme: red, white and grey). Am trying desperately to recall sewing lessons from year 8, and at least can remember what a bobbin is, but may need to take a quick refresher course.

spring has sprung!

Spring ... such a stunning time to be living in this gorgeous city I call home. We have now enjoyed 3 days of sunshine and >20 degrees Celcius weather, and I suddenly feel rejuvenated after what felt like a very long Winter (apologies to all Londoners, for I know you suffer a lot more than moi!).

The backyard has exploded with greenery and flowers, and amazingly seems to have defied last Summer's scorching. Spencer is now fascinated with flowers and leaves, and touched his first caterpillar the other day - unfortunately I was too slow to catch it on camera, but it was such a moment of childhood discovery and wonder. I can take no credit for the garden - Tim is truly the green thumb and I'm so thankful that he enjoys even the mundane tasks such as weeding to ensure that the garden looks as good as it does.

I have loads of plans for this Spring, including taking Spence on his first visit to the Zoo (hopefully when the new pandas arrive), getting the nursery, Spencer's new room, and the playroom decorated (thank you again Tim for all the painting you are about to do), spending lots of quality time with Spence before number 2 arrives, and hopefully taking a "babymoon" with hubby to get some quality time with him!

No new piccies of Spence today, but a few of the garden in full bloom:

4 months!

Can't quite believe it, but here I am, already 4 months pregnant again! The time has gone a lot more quickly this pregnancy - probably because I'm so busy chasing after Spence. He is certainly keeping me busy ... heavily into train sets, cars, books, mowing the lawn with his new lawnmower (bargain from K-Mart - makes a sensational noise that I suspect I'll be tiring of pretty quickly!).

We have managed to make it to work and childcare for three weeks in a row now - that's pretty much a new record! Spencer has certainly had his fair share of colds/viruses/infections this past Winter, but we're hoping with Spring will come renewed health and a dry nose!!! Here's a photo of him sans dribbling nose (a rare photo op!)

The days are a lot longer now and the weather is warming up a bit so we're spending more time exploring the back yard and nearby playgrounds. We're very lucky that we've got a lot of new playgrounds in our neighbourhood, and Spence can keep himself entertained on the slippery dips for hours.

At the playground

Eating flowers in the backyard

Playing around with the camera at home

my first entry!

Well, here it is, my first entry. I have really started this as a way to keep a diary during this very hectic time of life, and also as a way to keep family and friends up-do-date with our life. I hope that I can be fairly regular in my posting, and will endeavour to post photos along the way.

It's Father's Day here in Australia today, and we've had a lazy morning at home so far. Spencer's just enjoyed his regular traditional aussie breakfast (vegemite and toast), so I thought I'd post a photos of our happy little vegemite.