Little Starfish

First school photos

2008-06-28T11:22:00.002+09:30

Well, not school really, but these are Thomas' first official photos from childcare.

I think we'll have to order copies for the Grandparents.

And here is a slightly less formal photo taken this morning in his jammies, when he decided that he wanted to walk in Daddy's shoes.

Nothing else to show I'm afraid, it has been very busy at work, and Thomas has been teething (finally getting some molars) so we haven't been getting much sleep. So hard to get up in the middle of the night when it is freezing - I guess I'd better get used to it again! Still, I'm glad its the weekend, and nice and sunny, and I've sent my last book chapter off to the reviewers for work, so I can relax for a little while.

We had our 20 week scan, and all is very well with sprog no 2. I found out the sex of the bub, but am sworn to absolute secrecy because Warren doesn't want to know yet. I have a feeling this will be a very hard secret to keep, I'm already bursting to tell him, but will have to restrain myself. I'm now feeling lots of kicking and moving around, which is a very lovely part of pregnancy, and makes it feel much more real.

I'm getting very interested in quilting again but will have to finish off the long standing work in progress (oh dear that was over a year ago!) before I can justify buying any more fabric. Perhaps we could just have a little browse at the fabric shop this weekend though!

This little piggy...

2008-06-15T12:25:00.006+09:30

... is finally finished! After a long search I found the joints and snapped him together so he has moveable arms and legs. I have to confess there was some (ok lots of) swearing involved at certain points, they were much trickier than I thought to put in, trying to snap them together through two layers of knitting.

This means that he can sit down when he gets a bit tired. He has very odd little bowed legs, and his top looks like it has shrunk in the wash, but does have a certain rakish charm.

The back view with his tail poking through a hole in the pants.

He is from a pattern in this women's weekly craft book - I recommend it if you can find it, as it has a lot of nice things, even though the knitting patterns assume a fair amount of competence, and took a bit of figuring out.

Sun, sea, kangaroos and carrots

2008-06-06T18:43:00.002+09:30

We had a lovely time on holidays at the Gold Coast. The weather was perfect, warm but not too hot, and just right for sandcastles and paddling.

It was so nice just to put on a summer dress again and enjoy the last of the warm days. I am feeling fantastic now that the nausea of the first trimester is all over. It is great just waking up without feeling sick, and I'm grateful for it every day. I think this is week 17, but I keep losing track. I just know that I am already the size of a house.

We avoided the big theme parks, but went to Currumbin nature sanctuary which was wonderful, Thomas had a fabulous time riding on the little train, and seeing koalas, Tassie devils, wombats and lots of birds. We even got to pat and feed a mother kangaroo and her little joeys.

We had a few days in Sydney staying with my parents and, catching up with some friends and relatives. Our friend Lamorna has a great veggie garden, and Thomas was amazed to see that carrots really grow in the ground.

Here he is in a very cute jumper my mum knitted for him. Check out those pom poms!

I have been busy knitting one of the three little pigs, but have had trouble finding the plastic joints required by the pattern, so it might take a while to get it finished. At the moment it is a dismembered piggy body in a plastic bag, not quite worthy of a photo!

Now I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home, sorting out all our chaos, and perhaps some fireworks (I still can't believe Canberra still lets us set these off ourselves!). Happy long weekend everyone!

hello little elephant

2008-05-21T20:13:00.003+09:30

Just a brief post to introduce this little fellow. He has gone to a good home with a beautiful newborn boy, and I had to take a quick photo this morning. He is from this book, and is nice and quick to knit, although a bit fiddly to make up - for some reason you knit the feet separately, like little cupcakes, and then attach them to the suit!

We're off on holidays on Friday, hooray! Hoping for some nice weather.

Birthday treats

2008-05-18T10:39:00.002+09:30

Last week was my 35th birthday - scary stuff! Still I had a lovely day and was thoroughly spoiled by Warren, with gorgeous flowers, dinner and some books from my wish list. The paper cutouts is particularly inspiring, full of wonderful bold folk inspired designs in a single colour which of course are great as papercuts (must get myself a scalpel!) but could also work as screenprints or perhaps jewellery designs. The itty bitty nursery book is also gorgeous, with lots of very cute things to knit.

The Russian textiles book is a gift from my mum, mouthwatering textile designs which are quite unique and combine a kind of folk feel with eastern decoration. So much inspiration in these three books, I am just waiting for some more quiet time to curl up with them.

This beautiful elephant cushion was a gift from a friend, Thomas loves it too.

And finally, arriving amazingly enough on my birthday, beautifully wrapped and with a gorgeous card, were these stunning oven mitts from Lily. They are even more beautiful up close, meticulously sewn, with another lovely matching fabric for the lining. I proudly used them for the roast when Warren's dad came over for lunch yesterday, and they are a lovely addition to our kitchen. Thanks sooo much Lily!

Here is rainbow baby doll no 2. I think I now have these out of my system, but I am working on a little elephant. I do like having knitting to pick up when I collapse in front of the tv at the end of the day.

It has been a busy and sociable week for us, hosting mother's group (here is Thomas looking enchanted by a recent arrival), having friends to stay for a few days, and Warren's dad and his partner visiting. We also have a family wedding next weekend and we are off to the Gold Coast for a few days to thaw out from Canberra's chilly weather. I am so looking forward to a change of scene, I can't wait.

I also have my first meeting with my midwife tomorrow - this time round I'm going through the birth centre rather than the hospital so I think I see one midwife for the rest of the pregnancy and labour (although I still have to deliver in the hospital because I had a caesar last time). I'm hoping this time round that we might have a more natural birth, and that the baby will stay put until the due date, but we will have to wait and see.

Rainbow baby doll 1

2008-05-06T15:40:00.004+09:30

Thank you so much for all your very lovely comments on the pregnancy - we are very thrilled, although sometimes I think we must be mad to do it all again!

Here is my first attempt at a rainbow baby doll. Quite addictive to knit something that is so quick to make up - a couple of evenings (for me as a very slow knitter) rather than the usual weeks for a garment. I can definitely feel another one coming on! They would be good for a baby toy, as no small parts to come off and get swallowed - even the pompom is knitted as part of the hat, and the pattern is super easy.

Thomas quite likes it too, not that you could tell from this photo!

I also found out that I am the very, very lucky winner of Lily's blog giveaway, the most beautiful oven mitts made from Denyse Schmidt fabric. I just love them, I can't tell you how thrilled I am!

I must be on a winning streak lately, as I also won Leah's gorgeous knitted washcloth and soap a few weeks ago. Usually I never win anything (really!) so perhaps its time to get a lottery ticket! I must definitely do a giveaway myself soon too, to reciprocate all this kindness, so stay tuned.

Up the duff

2008-05-03T12:56:00.002+09:30

You have probably already guessed by now, but the reason I've been so sick for the last couple of months is that we are expecting another baby. Although if you look at the ultrasound photos from my 12 week scan yesterday, it looks more like we will have a little alien, or perhaps a seal pup. These pictures are always hard to decipher, but if you look closely you can see the alien face in frontal view and hands (or are they flippers?) on either side of its head. The little peanut was very unco-operative with the scan, jumping about all over the place and the poor techician was there forever trying to get the right angles, but it seems that everything is developing fine.

Funnily enough, we have been given exactly the same due date as for Thomas, (12 November) two years later, so there must be something special about the date both were concieved!

Anyway, luckily the all day nausea seems to be gradually subsiding, and I am feeling more human again. Thank goodness as I need all my energy to cope with Thomas, who is getting more and more adventurous and mischevious by the day.

He is also going through a sudden burst of separation anxiety, so leaving him at childcare three days a week has become an exercise in guilt. His carers reassure me that he stops crying as soon as I leave, but it still feels awful to put him through this. It would be nice to have the option not to work, but as well as preserving some of my sanity, at the moment we would really struggle without my income. I guess it's a very common dilemma, but no easier because of that.

On the creative side, I'm easing myself back into knitting with this rainbow doll pattern (a free pattern from Jean Greenhowe - not the eggs - keep scrolling down to the bottom - but check out those mini knitted cakes and sandwiches too!) which reminds me of some beautiful knitted dolls my mum made for us years ago. I'm not so keen on the super bright colours, but am experimenting with leftover scraps from the knitting I did for Thomas last year.

newborn wrap top

2008-04-26T11:30:00.003+09:30

It's the baby shower today, and I got inspired to make a top to match the little booties.

I worked out the pattern from an old top of Thomas' with some modifications, and making it much smaller. The wraps are secured with a press stud on the outside and a button and elastic loop on the inside. I'm pleased with the result and that I used only stuff we already had, some organic cotton I'd bought ages ago, and I made some bias binding from a Japanese chirimen cloth - one of several I'd bought in Tokyo years ago and have been hoarding ever since.

The only downside is my dodgy sewing skills, so that up close the stitching on the slippery bias binding leaves a bit to be desired, especially on the back. Anyway, it definitely has that handmade touch!

Here it is all wrapped up and ready to go.

Bitty booties

2008-04-22T11:34:00.003+09:30

These are the bitty booties from Heather Bailey's pattern. They are very quick and straightforward and very tiny! At least the 0-3 month size is.

They aren't lined, so are made with just two pieces each, plus embellishments. It is hard to believe that little feet will really fit into these, but I always forget how tiny newborns are.

I think when I make these again, I might try lining them, and perhaps think about some kind of elastic closure to make sure they stay on.

Still, a good exercise for getting back into making things and turning the sewing machine back on.

Mr Sandman

2008-04-20T18:38:00.002+09:30

Just a quick post to thank everyone for your lovely comments, so nice to have all that support out there from you wonderful creative women. I am still under the weather, but I have a good friend who is having a baby very soon, so I am feeling the need to make something quick and fun - Heather Bailey's bitty booties look like they might fit the bill, I'll let you know how I get on.

We finally got around to getting a little sandpit for the backyard for Thomas, just one of those clamshell types. At the moment our sandplay is not very sophisticated, just filling a bucket or flowerpot with the shovel, but it still provides lots of amusement.

Thanks again for all your kind words and thoughts.

Still alive

2008-04-06T19:14:00.002+09:30

Sorry to have disappeared for a whole month, I have been here, but a bit unwell for a while, so I've been too tired to do much other than working and looking after Thomas. I've really been missing all my favourite blogs - I haven't forgotten you and will be back soon.

Thomas, on the other hand is bursting with energy, and learning words at a great rate. He has also become very affectionate in the last few weeks and has been showering me with very sweet kisses and cuddles.

We had a nice trip to our friends' farm yesterday afternoon, and Thomas had an up close encounter with cows.

It was great to have a change of scene, and some lovely fresh air - it is a beautiful property near Braidwood. Here is Thomas again in that cable knit I'm still squeezing him into this year.

It was great catching up with friends and sitting around the fire until it was time to take Thomas home again.

We also had a lovely visit from my parents last week. Thomas adores them, and my mum is happy to sing 'bananas in pyjamas' and 'twinkle twinkle' as many times as Thomas can say "More peese." It was so wonderful to have them here, and we miss them already.

Well that's it from me - sadly nothing creative at all to report, but I am getting interested in knitting again, must be the chill in the air.

Hopefully I'll be back again before the end of the month!

Thank you!

2008-03-08T18:25:00.003+10:30

Just a quick post to say a big thank you to everyone for your lovely comments on my jewellery experiments. They are really at an early stage, but your feedback has given me the confidence to keep going with it all. I would love to do some more enamelling one day (I put a couple of my pieces in my first blog post here), but at the moment with a toddler, hot kilns and leaded enamels seem like asking for trouble, so for now shrink plastic seems a fun and safe material to try.

But the biggest thank you goes to the wonderfully talented Leah for the beautiful hand knitted washcloth and handmade soap which arrived at my place yesterday. The washcloth is so beautiful and intricate, it would have taken me months to knit. I'm not sure I can bring myself to use it as a washcloth, I think I will just admire it for a bit longer first!

Back soon.

Experiments with shrinky dinks

2008-03-02T17:50:00.005+10:30

I have been experimenting with shrink plastic for a while, using the plastic which you can ink-jet print on, and also screen printing with gocco screens on the plain plastic and colouring in with prisma colour pencils. The pendant on the bottom left has a polymer clay frame which worked ok, but still looks a bit chunky.

My latest experiment is screenprinting on the underside of clear shrink plastic, so that the design shows through the base. I quite like this effect, like looking through glass. It seems a bit less 'plasticky'. One day I hope I might get myself organised to make some jewellery in quantities I can sell at the markets, but things have been a bit too busy here lately. I'd be very keen to get any honest feedback anyway! The next step is to get working on some screen designs.

We went to the Canberra show with Thomas last weekend, but the only photos I managed to get were of some lovely dahlias in the flower exhibition.

Poor Thomas is recovering from an ear infection which I thought was just grumpiness for a few days. He is still a bit grumpy but getting back to normal now he's on anti-biotics.

And my last exciting news is I discovered that I'd won Leah's bloggiversary competition and will be the very proud and lucky owner of one of her beautiful knitted washcloths. I'm so thrilled - I love this blogging world.

Favourite things

2008-02-03T14:40:00.001+10:30

I was browsing in Flickr when I came across some amazing themed mosaics (here).

I was so delighted that I had to have a try putting together my own simpler collages of favourite Flickr photos using mosaic maker. I think they'll be a great source of inspiration for other creative projects.

1. Vintage Kimono Fabric, 2. vintage kimono fabrics, 3. kimono fabric, 4. Japanese Antique Pattern Fabric, 5. kimono fabric, 6. vintage kimono fabric, 7. TIRIMEN Fabric, 8. fan kimono embroidery, 9. Japanese AIZOME Fabric, 10. Embroidered iris on a silk kimono, 11. kc_blackorange1, 12. kimono5, 13. Old kimono's strings, 14. Kimono pattern 1., 15. New Fabrics Arrived Today!, 16. kimono fabric

1. Frost patterns #3, 2. Frost pattern, 3. Frost on the window of my grandparents house, 4. window frost pattern, 5. Frost patterns on the car, 6. Frost patterns, 7. frost patterns, 8. window frost, 9. frost pattern in blue, 10. Frost patterns on our kitchen window., 11. Frost Patterns, 12. frost pattern, 13. Frost Patterns, 14. January afternoon frost pattern, 15. Frost on the Windshield, 16. frost pattern day

1. Opium poppy, 2. 05.06.2004 #2, 3. Opium poppy, 4. Opium, 5. Opium Poppy, 6. Addicted to Beauty of Opium Poppy, 7. Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum), 8. Opium Poppy, 9. poppy_2, 10. The Opium Poppy -, 11. 2004 Opium Poppy Square Crop 004, 12. poppy_3, 13. Red-opium-flower-bud, 14. Papaver Somniferum (opium poppy), 15. Opium poppy, 16. Poppy

There are a few more mosaics on my flickr page

Otherwise, we have been having a busy time. Thomas has become very interested in animals, and loves to tell us what sounds animals make. Sheep say Ba, Ducks say ah ah ah, and Cows say Boo! We took him to the Australia day concert in Commonwealth park, and he was mildly amused by the Bananas in Pyjamas, but was very fascinated by some animals they had there for the kids to pat. I guess it is an amazing thing to be seeing for the first time animals you've only read about in books - and to realise that sheep really do say Ba!

This weekend we continued the animal theme and went to the zoo, which was fun but very hot, and I gave up taking photos as most of the animals were too far away. Except for the scary emus of course.

Well that's it from me for now - off to read my favourite blogs while Thomas is napping.

New Year - new internet connection - finally!

2008-01-15T21:21:00.000+10:30

Happy New Year! After several weeks of frustrating phone calls we now have a working internet connection - hooray!

We had a lovely Christmas break, soaking up the time with family - I wish we lived closer.

This is Thomas playing a piano duet on Christmas day with his cousin Manny.

And here he is in the lake at Toukley, getting used to the water. He wasn't keen at first, but relaxed pretty quickly. We will have to start the swimming lessons soon.

Thomas also took his first solo steps while we were staying at my parents' place with my mum clapping him all the way. He is now toddling about the place pretty confidently although he still reverts to crawling when the going gets tough.

I'm not sure if this little video will work. I wish I could edit out my voice on it, I sound ridiculous and very loud - I didn't realise our little digital camera was recording sound as well!

Well, that's it from me for now. Here's to 2008!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T08:47:00.000+10:30

What a busy and exciting time of year!

.

Thomas was only a couple of months old last Christmas, and didn't have a clue what was going on, but this year he is really getting into the Christmas spirit. He loves the decorations, the tree, and even the Christmas carols.

We are heading off for Christmas with family at the coast, and I know Thomas will love seeing all his relatives and being generally spoilt for a few days.

As always, I had great intentions to make lots of handmade gifts, but time got away from me, and apart from the secret blurb books all I managed to do was to make some homemade peach and apricot jam with cointreau - an adaption of Maggie Beer's lovely recipe from the Cook and the Chef - my first jam making experience, and pretty fun except when it took forever to reach setting point. Next time I'm going to buy pectin rather than just adding lemon peel.

It was a nice way to recycle some of those baby food jars (yes I confess we do sometimes rely on them!)

I think they look better with their little party hats on.

Well, that's it from me - better go wrap some presents- wishing everyone a very lovely Christmas break and a safe and happy new year.

Cloth book for Thomas

2007-11-27T11:24:00.000+10:30

Sorry for the blogging break, but I have been busy, and for once actually have something crafty for show and tell. I made Thomas a cloth book with photos of us, and flaps that he can lift to see who is underneath. Thanks to Suzy for reminding me about SouleMama's cloth book for Adelaide it was very inspiring. I got some fabric sheets that you run through the inkjet printer, and the photos came out pretty well. The fabric is quite stiff, so good for this kind of thing. My book has heaps of handmade charm, aka wonky stitching and mistakes, but Thomas seems not to mind.

The text is very simple - just about who loves Thomas:

Mummy,

Daddy,

Grandma and Grandpa,

Pop;

And our cat Lucy

(actually it is not quite true that the cat loves Thomas, but he sure loves her - I'm sure one day the feeling will be reciprocated!)

I've also been busy doing a Blurb book - my copies just arrived in the mail, and I'm pretty darned happy with them. Can't show them here yet though because they are for Christmas presents.

We have just had an election here in Australia, and a change of government after almost 12 long years. We lefties here were pretty thrilled with the Labor victory. We had a few friends over and drank a lot and ate lots of veggie pizzas. A very good night indeed!

PS - thanks so much for all the concern and good wishes about the breast lump scare - I'm very glad that it is all ok.

Book love

2007-11-08T21:33:00.000+10:30

Hooray, finally sent off the first draft chapter I've been writing for work, so I can relax for a little while before the next deadline. I've been missing the blogging world (although I have been peeking a bit!) We have had various dramas here, with Thomas getting an awful tummy bug, and I had a breast cancer scare, but luckily after an anxious wait for a scan it turned out to be nothing serious.

Meanwhile Thomas has suddenly developed a huge passion for books, I think inspired by some gorgeous picture books he recieved for his birthday.

He particularly loves simple 'lift the flap' picture books, and books with detailed scenes with lots to point at. After showing no interest at all for the first year of his life, Thomas now wants story after story, and then over and over again. I have to say that it beats his other favourite entertainment which is to throw things on the floor and get mum and dad to retrieve them.

This immersion in lovely children's books has inspired me to think about making my own special books for Thomas, perhaps in cloth, or something I could print out on heavy card. I would like to make a book with pictures of his favourite people and of course our cat Lucy (whom Thomas just ADORES), maybe hidden under flaps.

I have been doing some web searching on making books, and have come across some interesting things. This is probably old news to most people but I was a bit thrilled to find this site http://www.blurb.com/ which allows you to publish your own real books (text and photos) for what seem quite reasonable prices. It would be lovely later on when Thomas starts drawing and painting to collect his artworks in a real book like that.

For making your own cloth books, this site has some quite nice appliqued and embroidered examples : http://www.makingclothbooks.com/gallery.htm.

This one has some very simple instructions, although no pictures: http://www.ehow.com/how_2077328_make-cloth-baby-book.html

Well, now I've said all this, I'd better get on and try some of these ideas out.

Back soon!

PS - While hanging around in the city, waiting for my scan I found these little pouches at our local $2 shop (Hotdollar in the Canberra Centre), they were only $2.50 each, so I decided to treat myself and got two!

Busy, Busy...

2007-10-19T19:38:00.000+09:30

Since I've started back at work, I really haven't been as productive as I'd like. Even though Thomas has settled in so well to childcare, it has been more difficult than I'd imagined for me to switch back into work mode, and I find my thoughts often wandering back to him, worrying about him or just missing him.

That cheeky smile - how could I not miss him?

My current position involves a lot of research and writing (I'm supposed to be writing a book). I've been doing the research: lots and lots of reading, but it has been a real struggle to force myself to start writing.

Anyway, since I've been procrastinating rather badly, I now have several deadlines looming and I really need to get into gear and do some work from home, as well as at my office. It is almost a relief that the adrenalin has finally kicked in, and I'm starting to panic a little - at least that should give me the motivation I need to sit down and write.

So I really shouldn't be blogging or crafting for a couple of weeks (and if you see me here, tell me to get back to work!)

See you soon...

Happy 1st Birthday - twice!

2007-10-11T12:06:00.000+09:30

Thomas has just turned one, and managed to score two birthday parties. I had a busy time making the cakes.

First we had a pre-birthday party at Thomas' childcare centre.

All his Gumnut friends sat around in highchairs while we sang happy birthday many times.

Thomas didn't know what the fuss was for, but at least he enjoyed the cake!

Then we had his actual first birthday party in Sydney - a picnic in the park.

We were having such a nice time catching up with friends and family that we didn't do too well taking photos. Luckily we remembered to take a photo of the cake just before it got cut up.

Thomas wasn't very smiley, but did pretty well being passed around all afternoon.

Happy Birthday Thomas!

Long weekend

2007-10-02T16:00:00.000+09:30

It has been a busy long weekend - and a sociable one for us - we had friends over for drinks, and the next day we learnt to play poker, and all wore silly hats. Thomas sat on my lap and checked out my cards. I don't think he has a very good poker face - that must be why I kept losing. I'm glad I convinced everyone to indulge me in a game of Pictionary, I'm much better at that (if I do say so myself).

On Sunday night we went out for dinner for Warren's birthday, just the two of us, alone and unaccompanied by our little one, for the first time since his birth - two other dear friends volunteered to babysit . It went really well, and Thomas didn't even stir while we were gone.

Then we went to Floriade yesterday afternoon - its a Canberra flower show thing. I thought Thomas might appreciate the flowers.

I think he appreciated this one a little too hard.

But look at that innocent face - no it couldn't have been him.

Not the most flattering photo, but a happy one nevertheless.

The flowers were very beautiful, especially backlit by the sun.

Today I did a five minute sewing project, to cover the awful cushion of our cane garden chair. We found the chair on the street years ago, and it is quite nice to sit on outside, but it is now looking very disreputable.

I had been meaning to make a proper cushion cover, but settled for just a drawstring circle. This is the underside. It literally took less than five minutes to cut a dodgy circle and turn under and stitch a casing for the cord. Elastic would have been better if we'd had any - I'd use that next time.

And the finished cushion. Lucy gave it her stamp of approval.

.

PS Thanks so much for the lovely comments on the wedding photos, I still love looking at them. (To answer Rachel's daughter's question, I didn't wear sensible shoes - and my feet did get a little cold in the snow. Boots would have been a better idea, but white boots might have been a bit too ABBA for me!)

Happy Anniversary

2007-09-16T18:04:00.000+09:30

Its been three years since Warren and I got married. It was such a perfect blissful day, one of the happiest in my life so far.

Our family and best friends came all the way to Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains for the wedding, and even though it was spring, it began to snow just before the ceremony, which turned the landscape into a winter wonderland. Of course Warren got out his cross country skis for this photo - I just love it.

We decided to do a lot of things ourselves, so I had fun learning how to make bouquets and centrepieces, and we got up early to buy our native flowers at the markets the day before (I think I 'd love to be a florist, if it wasn't for the early morning starts!)

Warren planned out all the music, and we made the decorations together, and I iced a mini wedding cake for each guest. We were rushing to get it all done the day before, but it all came together at the last moment, and I think the handmade touches added to the special feel of the day.

Our lovely friends also helped out in so many ways - I think I had the best bridesmaids in the world, and John took the most beautiful photos for us. We walked down the aisle as Cathy and Lamorna played clarinet and flute, and Anne came all the way from London to be Warren's best 'mate'.

Although it was such a cold day, I felt completely warm, I think with love and excitement, and the warmth and generosity of all our friends and relatives who shared the day with us.

It feels like just yesterday, but also like a lifetime ago, as we have moved to Canberra, made more friends, taken on new jobs, and have become a family with the birth of Thomas. Life with a baby has taken on a whole new dimension, lots of ups and downs, but mostly ups, and I have seen a new side of Warren as he has become a wonderful caring father to our little boy.

Looking forward to many happy anniversaries to come.

A wonderful week away

2007-09-12T19:55:00.001+09:30

We have just got back from our trip to Great Keppel Island. We had a few mishaps getting there and back (the ferry to the island didn't go out when we arrived because of a storm, and then we managed to miss the first one the next day - don't ask), but once we actually got there the weather cleared and we had a fabulous time.

Thomas was remarkably obliging, and was very happy to go for long bushwalks in the backpack. He really loved looking around, and laughed every time he managed to grasp passing leaves and flowers.

We took him to the beach, and Warren and I each took turns snorkling in the clear (but still a bit chilly) water while the other played with Thomas in the sand. He also loved hanging out in the spa, and it had the helpful effect of making him very sleepy too. I wish we had one at home.

On our last day we managed to get a babysitter for a couple of blissful hours while Thomas slept, and we went snorkling together at the coral reef at Shelving beach. The fish were quite incredible - such variety and colours, and there was some pretty coral out there. I even saw a huge turtle swimming right in front of me, but when I turned to show Warren it disappeared, and he keeps teasing me that I imagined it.

There were lots of starfish about. This one had just been washed ashore - I took it back out to the sea, and hope it might still be alive and well, doing whatever it is that starfish do.

Our room was pretty basic, but it was hard to beat the view from the porch, especially at sunset, with a glass of wine in hand, and Thomas napping peacefully inside.

I have to confess that I got no knitting done at all, because I discovered that I'd taken the wrong needles, but I wasn't too sad about that really - it was refreshing to have a complete break from the works in progress, and to soak up the natural beauty, and enjoy the family time.

My mum and dad picked us up from the airport, and Thomas basked in an evening of doting grandparents' attention and lots of cuddles and toys, and also finally got to meet my brother Steve who was staying over too.

All in all, a wonderful week indeed.

Spring in the air

2007-09-03T17:04:00.000+09:30

Spring has suddenly arrived in Canberra with glorious sunshine and a profusion of blossoms, bursting from branches in all shades of white and pink.

It reminds me of some of the beautiful iznik tiles I saw in the mosques in Turkey, as well as all the wonderful Japanese designs based on sakura cherry blossoms.

Warren has just got a new job, which is long overdue, and very exciting. We decided to take a quick holiday (with Thomas) to Great Keppel Island in Queensland for a week, to celebrate. We're leaving tomorrow and I can't wait.

This meant that I had to face buying a new swimsuit - very daunting post baby, but I managed to find one which wasn't too dreadful, and I finally got back on the sewing machine to whip up two very simple wrap around skirts to cover up out of the water.

This photo is pretty awful, because I didn't have time to take it in daylight (and couldn't face modeling them right now!)

I'll take some knitting, and hope to have lots of lovely photos to show when I get back

Birds on the wall

2007-08-20T17:03:00.000+09:30

I decided that this little wallhanging had been waiting around to be quilted for too long, and the nursery was looking very bare, so I just bound the edges and hung it up. I don't think Thomas will notice the difference, and I can always come back and quilt it later. It felt good just to take it off the to do list.

Thomas has been very cute, smiling and laughing at the birdies and saying goodnight to them (well gurgling something unintelligible, but you know..)

I think he might have made the connection to the real birdies which are visiting our backyard. This is a terrible photo, but you can see a pair of rainbow coloured birds here, they are Eastern Rosellas - common in Canberra, but strikingly beautiful.

Thomas has now learned to crawl (I blame the other babies at childcare for teaching him) and has gone straight to trying to pull himself up on anything he can get hold of, usually something unstable and dangerous, like the TV stand. Even when he finds something relatively benign, like the couch to clutch onto, he still wobbles perilously, with his legs shaking, and often forgets to hold on, so he pitches sideways and I have to be quick to catch him.

This has added a new dimension to my days at home with him, no more putting him down to play happily with some toys, now I'm always hovering around anxiously, retrieving him from forbidden areas or waiting for him to topple over. We went to check out childproof fences and gates, but they are pretty ugly and hideously expensive. I think it would be cheaper to buy some new furniture.

I can see why Margie on BigLove just leaves her babies in the playpen all day. I got quite hooked on that polygamous soapie (as Warren calls it), and am a bit forlorn now its finished.

I think I'm ready for some more knitting, so I've snapped up a pattern for this gorgeous cardigan from six and a half stitches. I love the idea of combining fabric with knitting. How cute is that cheekybeaks fabric used on this cardie?! I'm wondering if I could make the fabric panels detachable, so that they could be swapped around to give a new look and for the inevitable mess that Thomas would spill down the front. I think I'll start on the 2yr size, ready for next winter.