One!

Dear Jack,

My beautiful, funny, cheeky, non-sleeping little chicken! I don't think I'll ever be able to express all the emotions you have brought into mine & Daddy's life in this past year & in the time since we found out that you were on your way to us.

Talk about happy!!
I couldn't believe it when I saw those 2 lines on that stick. I had tested so many of those little plastic sticks over the 11 years that we had been waiting for you - I was stunned to see, finally, a second line appearing!
We couldn't keep a secret & all the Grandparents & Aunties & Uncles & friends & just everyone was so pleased to hear our news.

Talk about sad.
For one whole night we thought we had lost you before you even arrived & thinking about that night still upsets me, because I now know what we would have missed out on - a gorgeous little boy that drives us crazy!

You are now 1 & that first year of your life has flown by in the blink of an eye. Your arrival has wrought many changes in our lives - least of all lack of sleep. You are now our first thought in every decision we make & because of you we will soon be moving to our new house with a yard - just for you!

I love to see you learning & I am convinced you are a genius! You blow me away everyday with the new things that you do, it seems like I only show you a new thing once or twice & you just "get it".
You love to read books & I am so happy about that, I think & hope that books will be something that you & I will share for the rest of our lives.
You love people & are always ready with your beautiful smile to make everyone feel special. Everyone we meet comments on how gorgeous you are & it's always about your big blue eyes & curly, curly blonde hair.

So far you have a mostly happy nature, though you can certainly chuck a good tantrum when you feel it's necessary!

Chicken, we have so many more things to teach you - Daddy & I just can't wait to see what kind of person you grow into - hopefully the best of both of us!

Love, love, love,
Mummy & Daddy.

Then

At this moment last year I was in labour with the child I thought I'd never have, and in 14.5 hours I would be holding the screaming, shriveled, pink baby I thought I'd never hold.


How my life has changed!

I used to stay up all night because Jess was over & we were watching stupid TV or playing video games.

I used to get a shower everyday.

I used to get to pee without yelling out "I'll be right back - just a minute - it's ok!"

I used to watch the news - not Iggle Piggle.

I used to shop for myself.

I used to bathe alone.

I used to get drunk.

I used to read all night.

I used to sleep-in every weekend.

I used to talk to my friends more than once a month.

I used to not smell like vomit.

I used to gag at baby poop.

I used to have more topics to talk about.

I used to really, really want a baby.

Now - I couldn't be happier!!!!!

Dear

Anonymous (you know who you are),
Please take this blog entry as a heart felt apology. My slackness knows no bounds. My promises are empty. I will endeavour to do better in the future. I will employ my idle hands in blog entry making.

MAYBE!

I did have good intentions for this month - but you know other things have gotten in my way.
Jack's first birthday planning is in full swing, still a few things to organise though. Not that he will remember any of it. I will though.

Also buying a house is very time consuming - all that fantasising about where to put the furniture & whether to paint or not & OH MY GOD are we making the right decision???
Too late now - signed papers this morning.......ARGHH!

I hope Darren & Jack like toast, because that's what we'll be living on now.

Complainers!

Well just one complainer actually - Uncle Muncle!

Don't worry - I'll be back at work in 4 weeks - sure I'll have plenty of time to update then!

In short....

Camping was great, of course it rained, but it wouldn't be right if it didn't!

Visit from M.A.Y. was lovely - so nice to see the cousins playing.

Jack still loves playgroup & rhymetime at the library (when we get there).

Went to the latest Chris Isaak concert - after showing up a week early! - it was great as always & we met some lovely people.

I go back to work on the 28th of April. So I'm trying to mentally prepare for that. Not going too well.

We are going to house-sit in Sylvania in May.

I'm hoping to do some cruise organising soon.

And I'll be planning Jack's 1st birthday party. Man that came around quick. I look at him & can't believe how much he has changed since birth. He's really, really clever, just like his mother - in fact I think he's a child prodigy!(haha)

He is still pulling up on everything & everyone, but now he wants you to hold his hands (both of them) & walk with him. We are all becoming hunchbacks - particularly Poppy! Jack just hunts Poppy down & screams at him until he gets up to walk with him - poor Poppy - it's funny though!

We don't think it will be long before he's walking on his own. I really think it will happen before his birthday.

So I have more photos - as usual - again they are in no particular order...

Enjoy!

Playing cubby houses with Abbey.

Stalking Poppy...

Ready for the beach.

At playgroup with Luis.

At Jolly Jumbucks - he was tired so didn't enjoy this much!

Look at that tickle tummy!

Love Jack's expression here! This is Ethan, Natalie & Jeremy's new bubba.

Helping Daddy & Poppy put up the gate.

First time at East's Beach.

What?

Stop taking photo's & bring my breakfast woman!

Cranky Chef!

Trying to get Jack to stop eating the bread & throw it to the ducks.

Playtime with Auntie Jess in my jail cell!

Put out the king Daddy..

There's got to be some way out of here!

And now for the first time ever - video!!!!!