Happy Anniversary, sweetheart

Happy Anniversary, Brad. Love you.

Even more after sleepless baby nights. xxx

Small Girl, Big Bike!

Another milestone reached in our little family. The first 'real' bicycle. Sweet Hubby and I discussed it - Naomi's birthday is nearly 5 months away, and we are planning to be away for Christmas. Her little plastic ride-on has been too small for her for a few months now. So we decided to get a new 'bike' now.

As the nearest toy store is in Cairns, over an hour's drive away, Hubby and Naomi took a trip together today, leaving Mamma and Ryan at home for a few hours. We talked about what kind to get - something that was very stable (preferably a tricycle), something with pedals that her feet can easily reach, and with pedals that are very smooth and easy to push down on. Maybe even one of those long handles, so I can push her on it while carrying Ryan.

Instead, she has a big bike, with training wheels that wobble along, pedals that her toes can barely stretch down to and that are very heavy to push along. And no handle. But it is pink, and has ribbon streamers. So Naomi loves it, and Daddy is very proud of himself for getting a bike that his little girl adores.

I very generously offered to go to the chiropractor and pick up a back brace, to help with the pain of all the hours spent bent over pushing the bike along.

Oh, and there is also no helmet. But I think that I will handle the expedition to get that. Who knows what Daddy and Naomi would come back with, if I let them loose on their own again!!

Anyone for seconds?

Remember that tiny newborn baby I introduced to you 5 months ago? Just look at him now!

This is his first 'dinner' - mmmm.... sweet potato and cauliflower, all mushed up. He devoured it! I hadn't intended starting solids until Ryan is 6 months old, but as usual I am being pressured by the medical fraternity because he is not putting on weight to match their charts. (Hello ... his parents barely reach 5'3", on a tall day!)

Anyway, rather than start comp feeding on formula, we have started solid meals a bit early. Oh, that and the fact that he was just about to take a bite out of whoever was holding him at meal times!

Ryan's Baptism

Our little boy was baptised this past Sunday, in the church where we were married, Naomi baptised and my family has worshipped for 25 years. It was very special. In addition to the usual candle, the congregation gave Ryan a white shawl, to show that he is enfolded in the family of the Church, and God's love.

Unfortunately, our camera batteries were flat. Brad's sister took a lot of photos for us. But her camera has been lost on her return journey to Sydney (she was a bit distracted by her vomiting 5 year old, on a 3 hour plane flight).

So I will have to ask around friends and other family for some photos.... Until then, here is one of the boy napping, taken just a few minutes ago.

Welcome Ryan William

Ryan William

Born - 3.10am, Monday, 23 March 2009

Weight - 8lb 10oz (3.920kgs)

Length - 50 cms

Much loved and cuddled by parents and big sister Naomi!

First steps...

So much to tell, so little time! I often go for days without blogging, because it is hard to imagine that the little happenings in my life are of any interest to anyone else out there in the Blogosphere, but today I am brimming with things, and only have while Naomi is napping to tell them!

Our little blossom took her first steps last Saturday, with Mummy and Daddy looking on very proudly. I knew it was close because she had shuffled one foot forward a couple of times in the previous days, but the sweet thing held off until her dad was at home to do the real thing. I don't know who was more pleased with themselves - Naomi or Brad! He had been betting that she walked before turning 1 - and she made it, by about 18 hours.

Sunday we had a little party for Naomi's first birthday - just another baby friend of hers from playgroup, and family. It was my first test of birthday cake making - which in my mind, I had built up to be an essential skill for "good mummy-ness"!

I was tempted by the beauty (and simplicity) of the Dolly Varden cakes - bake a cake, plain ice it, stick a doll down the middle and plaster the cake with marshmallows. Even I could manage that. But then I thought it might be best to leave that to a year when Naomi will actually remember and appreciate it ("Remember when you made that lovely fairy princess cake for me, Mummy darling?"). So, instead I made a rectangle cake and cut out a "1" shape, iced it pink and made marshmallow flowers for decoration. I must say, it looked rather good, for a complete amateur. And I am sure that the pink food colouring will wear off the grouting between the kitchen tiles, in time....

Unfortunately the photo of my masterpiece is on DH's camera, which he has taken to work today (no idea why). But I will post it when the camera returns to its rightful place in my "technology" drawer!