Cheap thrills...

I have said it before, and I will say it again... the front load washing machine has been the best investment we have made in a long time. It is worth it's (considerable) weight in gold. Not only does it wash well, take a large load, and use far less water....

the entertainment value is priceless!

But do be sure to get one with a child-proof setting for all the buttons....

Happy Birthday Ryan

A year ago today I was enjoying a 'mini break' holiday... in hospital, while gazing at our sweet newborn boy.

Happy Birthday, Ryan! I don't know where time flies to, but we love you more every day.

A car-shaped cake and plenty of presents (courtesy of grandparents!), made our little boy the happiest kid on the block. And Naomi very kindly offered to help him with all the eating and unwrapping that NEEDED to be done...

Wishlist Wednesday - Little Boys!

Our little man is growing up - we can't believe he turns 1 in March, where did that time go? Seems like just a few days ago that I was enjoying 3 days in hospital after his birth, not having to cook, clean or tidy up after Naomi! LOL!

Poor Ryan has pretty much been sleeping in the spare room, since we moved in to this house when he was 5 weeks old. We have finally decided that it is time to take the musty old double bed out, and do something to make it clear that this is a little boy's room now. So my Wishlist Wednesday is all about decorating for boys.... hope you enjoy!

Set of handpainted closet / drawer knobs by Leila's Loft

Personalised 1st birthday t-shirt by LittleOneBoutique

Tug boat lamp by AstroLathe2

Zoo animals vinyl wall decal by WowWall

Raising Boys

I am new at this boy thing. Over the past 3 years I have become an expert at dressing up like a princess, twirling, being a ballerina, adding glitter to every craft project, etc etc.... but Ryan is totally new territory for this Mamma....

Out by the sandpit yesterday, Naomi is making castles for her princess. I sit Ryan (now nearly 10 months!) beside the sandpit, and he reaches in to feel the sand in his hands for the first time. I think ... awwww... cuuuttteeee.... I don't get enough photos of stuff like this. And race inside to get the camera.

When I get back, I am greeted by this sight....

I didn't get a photo of the front view of his jumpsuit, when I eventually picked him up... suffice to say we had an early bath yesterday!!

Is it true? Are boys just naturally messier than girls??!?! His clothes are constantly dirty! Should I just get used to this?!

Sweet Dreams!

I am doing a happy dance today -- Ryan slept through from 7.30pm to 6.30am last night! That is the first time either of my children has ever achieved the 'sleeping through' goal, which I was beginning to think was just a myth!

It is totally unreasonable of me to expect that this might become a regular occurrence, or even "the norm". But I have been working towards it....

* shortening night feeds - slowly down to a 5 minute feed, quick burp and back down in the cot while he is awake.

* using a heater - because Ryan is starting to crawl, he squirms out from under the blanket and was waking up cold. A small fan heater in the corner of his room, which runs intermittently through the night has worked really well for this.

* prayer and more prayer! Actually, I have also been praying for Naomi to start to learn better sleep habits, but so far no joy there. But thank you to the Lord for His goodness!

No doubt I will be back to bleary-eyed tomorrow after getting up to Ryan several times during the night, but it sure is nice to day-dream that this might become a habit!

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!

Tea Party - Small Town style!

We have had a very busy few days - first a family dinner in The Big Smoke (mmm... night away in luxury room at affordable price... more about that later!).

Then, being a country gal, I couldn't miss the Mareeba Rodeo, which is on this weekend. I didn't get any great shots of the rodeo events, but we DID take Naomi on her first ever show ride... the spinning tea cups. She looked very serious most of the time, but when I got her to wave to Daddy as we went round, she waved and gave him a big grin! Afterwards she declared that it was fun, and has been asking me all day if she can have another ride on the Teapot Machine.

And because I am an equal opportunity Mamma, here is a shot of Ryan, laughing at his Mummy and sister spinning around in a large blue teacup.

Note to self ...

Don't turn your back on the sweet-natured baby when he is happily sitting in his bouncer. Not even to peel and chop veges for dinner.

He is likely to be 'raided' by his very cheeky 2-year old sister.

And definitely don't take photos, if you are trying to convince the 2-year old not to put mini traffic cones on her brother's head.