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