After {amatuer} fiddling around with my blogger blog I realised it was easier to import and start a new blog using WordPress. So come over and change your bookmark/link/google reader address to:
But please excuse the teething problems as I work out how to use wordpress and how to change things to what I want them to look like :)
Monday, November 26, 2012
No Space
I recently received notification that I have reached the size limit on my blog. As I have quite large photos uploaded, I will endeavour to make these smaller. Hopefully this doesnt result in an influx of "updated posts" on your blog readers (but I think it will) :( If that doesnt give me enough space, I will be moving from Blogger to Wordpress which has a larger limit. So please bare with me over the next week or so
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Knowing Your Roots
Earlier this month I was reading Ruth's thoughts on her familial roots. As I was reading her blog post, my first thoughts were that in our house, we had very few "reminders" of our roots and where we came from. But, as I read further, I realised that actually we do have a few things on show.
Growing up, I clearly remember 4 photographs/paintings that Mum had on the walls. Two were of the Dutch birth towns of her parents, my grandparents. Another was of Dog Rock, a dog-head shaped rock in Albany, my hometown, and where my grandparents immigrated to over 50 years ago. And lastly, a photograph of Middleton Beach, Albany, when it was covered with so much hail it looked like snow.
Also scattered throughout Mum's house were various needlepoint cross stitches that she had done, along with a few quilts. In my room, I had a needlepoint pillow made by my mum and my grandma, along with a birth sampler made by grandma.
Now to my own house ... after reflecting on the items in our house, I realised that, although we don't necessarily have items from our grandparents (as they are still in our parents houses), we are creating our own history.
We have a few items of furniture that Chris made while in school and at TAFE as part of his cabinet making apprenticeship. We use the corner cabinet to display our wedding paraphernalia: the top of our cake, a table centrepiece, table decorations and name holders, along with my tiara and Chris's cuff links.
Chris also made a buffet table, that currently has dried frangipani and lilly flowers in vases (I had these types of flowers for the wedding), and our wedding album on top, along with our large wedding photo above. Please excuse the temporary use of the cupboard as a wine rack, and the lack of perspex on the doors, these are on our "to-do list" when we have "spare money".
Chris also made the desk where I am sitting at the computer. Its large and perfect for what I need. I've been able to use it since moving to Perth and it was fantastic for spreading my study books over and completing my assignments. At the moment it looks atrocious, as I have been a little slack in filing due to being in the process of purchasing a filing cabinet (why handle something twice?).
On display is a prem container from Chris's Opa. From memory, this was given to Chris as a present (prem is the old name for Spam) and contains Canadian(?) money inside.
Another favourite item in the house is a framed photograph of Middleton Beach. As an Albanian, I grew up doing Marine-ys and driving past this view most weekends. And its something Chris and I did often while dating, and yes, we do this each time we go back to Albany :) This particular photo and frame set we found in the Fremantle Markets.
We also have a few items that Mum has made for us. Each of the kids have a birth record, which are yet to be framed (same reason as above) and also a few quilts made by mum. Chris and I also have a quilt cover and a quilt for our bed. The quilt cover was a collaboration between Mum and myself. I chose the pattern (a log cabin) and the fabrics, and Mum did the sewing. It was a gift for me when I moved out of home.
The other quilt is one she made for our wedding. The colours symbolise the various wedding anniversaries (silver, gold etc), as well as having our wedding colours of yellow and teal green. The centre of the quilt is a feature with our names around 2 linked wedding rings.
I'm sure if I thought more about the "stuff" in our house, I would be able to link them back to more of our family roots. Our family history is so important, as many of the decisions of our ancestors have shaped our lives. I think specifically of the choices of both families to immigrate to Australia, one from Holland and the other from Canada nearly 20 years ago, and the decision of those who came 50 years to start a church and school. So thanks Ruth, for posting such a thought provoking post :)
Growing up, I clearly remember 4 photographs/paintings that Mum had on the walls. Two were of the Dutch birth towns of her parents, my grandparents. Another was of Dog Rock, a dog-head shaped rock in Albany, my hometown, and where my grandparents immigrated to over 50 years ago. And lastly, a photograph of Middleton Beach, Albany, when it was covered with so much hail it looked like snow.
Also scattered throughout Mum's house were various needlepoint cross stitches that she had done, along with a few quilts. In my room, I had a needlepoint pillow made by my mum and my grandma, along with a birth sampler made by grandma.
Now to my own house ... after reflecting on the items in our house, I realised that, although we don't necessarily have items from our grandparents (as they are still in our parents houses), we are creating our own history.
We have a few items of furniture that Chris made while in school and at TAFE as part of his cabinet making apprenticeship. We use the corner cabinet to display our wedding paraphernalia: the top of our cake, a table centrepiece, table decorations and name holders, along with my tiara and Chris's cuff links.
Chris also made a buffet table, that currently has dried frangipani and lilly flowers in vases (I had these types of flowers for the wedding), and our wedding album on top, along with our large wedding photo above. Please excuse the temporary use of the cupboard as a wine rack, and the lack of perspex on the doors, these are on our "to-do list" when we have "spare money".
Chris also made the desk where I am sitting at the computer. Its large and perfect for what I need. I've been able to use it since moving to Perth and it was fantastic for spreading my study books over and completing my assignments. At the moment it looks atrocious, as I have been a little slack in filing due to being in the process of purchasing a filing cabinet (why handle something twice?).
On display is a prem container from Chris's Opa. From memory, this was given to Chris as a present (prem is the old name for Spam) and contains Canadian(?) money inside.
Another favourite item in the house is a framed photograph of Middleton Beach. As an Albanian, I grew up doing Marine-ys and driving past this view most weekends. And its something Chris and I did often while dating, and yes, we do this each time we go back to Albany :) This particular photo and frame set we found in the Fremantle Markets.
We also have a few items that Mum has made for us. Each of the kids have a birth record, which are yet to be framed (same reason as above) and also a few quilts made by mum. Chris and I also have a quilt cover and a quilt for our bed. The quilt cover was a collaboration between Mum and myself. I chose the pattern (a log cabin) and the fabrics, and Mum did the sewing. It was a gift for me when I moved out of home.
The other quilt is one she made for our wedding. The colours symbolise the various wedding anniversaries (silver, gold etc), as well as having our wedding colours of yellow and teal green. The centre of the quilt is a feature with our names around 2 linked wedding rings.
I'm sure if I thought more about the "stuff" in our house, I would be able to link them back to more of our family roots. Our family history is so important, as many of the decisions of our ancestors have shaped our lives. I think specifically of the choices of both families to immigrate to Australia, one from Holland and the other from Canada nearly 20 years ago, and the decision of those who came 50 years to start a church and school. So thanks Ruth, for posting such a thought provoking post :)
Monday, November 19, 2012
Playgroup Activity
Every second Monday of the school term I take the kids to a biblical based playgroup that is aimed at 2-3 year olds. I am also one of the organisers and lead one session each term. We are currently in our third term of playgroup.
Today was the first session where Tahnee participated in more than the singing. I had finished helping Lucas with his activity when Tahnee found me and let me know she wanted a turn.
The topic was David the shepherd. The activity was to put glue on a sheep template and cover the body with cotton balls, then colour the face and feet.
After some help from me with the glue, Tahnee put the balls on herself (loosing interest after a handful of them) and did a little colouring in. I think she did a great job considering she is only 15 months old :)
Today was the first session where Tahnee participated in more than the singing. I had finished helping Lucas with his activity when Tahnee found me and let me know she wanted a turn.
The topic was David the shepherd. The activity was to put glue on a sheep template and cover the body with cotton balls, then colour the face and feet.
After some help from me with the glue, Tahnee put the balls on herself (loosing interest after a handful of them) and did a little colouring in. I think she did a great job considering she is only 15 months old :)
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Anniversary Dinners
As mentioned before, we had plans to go out for a take-away dinner with the kids for our anniversary, as well as go out without the kids to a nice restaurant. We decided to do the take away dinner on our activity anniversary day, a Thursday.
The day before our anniversary I got sick with a tummy bug. It was awful. I was so sick I was unable to look after the kids. Chris started work later to help me out, then Tahnee went back to bed and Lucas was happy in front of the TV. But when Tahnee woke up I was still unable to care for them, so my mum came around during her lunch break and Chris organised to come home from work early.
I was feeling better the next day, our anniversary, and we agreed to still go out for dinner. I opted for Subway as it wouldn't be too greasy for me. Chris and the kids had KFC. Midway through dinner Chris told me he wasn't feeling well. So we packed up and headed straight home. For that evening and the next day Chris was down with the same tummy bug I had! (and unfortunately my mum has also come down with the tummy bug too)
Saturday we had plans to go shopping for various things, and Chris said he was feeling well enough to keep our dinner plans for that night. So we dropped the kids off at mums and headed to one of our favourite restaurants, Tony Roma's. Since they don't accept reservations, its a first come, first served basis and we were told on arrival that it would a 45-60minute wait for a table. We decided to wait instead of go somewhere else. We then enjoyed a dinner of ribs for Chris and chicken for me. Due to our recent tummy bugs we forewent entrees and desserts. As I was still not 100% well from the tummy bug, we headed home pretty soon after finishing our meal.
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Lastly, we agree each year not to do presents, but each year Chris comes home with a bunch of flowers. So this year, I decided to get him a few small things and settled on a new devotional and some chocolate from the kids. And true to form, Chris did come home with flowers for me, in the form of a potted Orchid.
The day before our anniversary I got sick with a tummy bug. It was awful. I was so sick I was unable to look after the kids. Chris started work later to help me out, then Tahnee went back to bed and Lucas was happy in front of the TV. But when Tahnee woke up I was still unable to care for them, so my mum came around during her lunch break and Chris organised to come home from work early.
I was feeling better the next day, our anniversary, and we agreed to still go out for dinner. I opted for Subway as it wouldn't be too greasy for me. Chris and the kids had KFC. Midway through dinner Chris told me he wasn't feeling well. So we packed up and headed straight home. For that evening and the next day Chris was down with the same tummy bug I had! (and unfortunately my mum has also come down with the tummy bug too)
Saturday we had plans to go shopping for various things, and Chris said he was feeling well enough to keep our dinner plans for that night. So we dropped the kids off at mums and headed to one of our favourite restaurants, Tony Roma's. Since they don't accept reservations, its a first come, first served basis and we were told on arrival that it would a 45-60minute wait for a table. We decided to wait instead of go somewhere else. We then enjoyed a dinner of ribs for Chris and chicken for me. Due to our recent tummy bugs we forewent entrees and desserts. As I was still not 100% well from the tummy bug, we headed home pretty soon after finishing our meal.
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Lastly, we agree each year not to do presents, but each year Chris comes home with a bunch of flowers. So this year, I decided to get him a few small things and settled on a new devotional and some chocolate from the kids. And true to form, Chris did come home with flowers for me, in the form of a potted Orchid.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Celebrating ...
... our 4 year wedding anniversary
* ~ * 15 NOVEMBER 2008 * ~ *
We are treating the kids to take away tonight (a rarity in this house), followed by just the 2 of us going out for dinner to a favourite restaurant on Saturday night.
Monday, November 12, 2012
TT number 2's
As I blogged a week ago, we were having a few issues with Lucas doing number 2's in his jocks {thankfully he wasn't waiting til he had a nappy on to do them}. That week we implemented a new sticker chart, for poo's only.
Since then we had no more issues with Lucas having smelly accidents, although he has the occasional wet accident, usually in the toilet as he attempts to take his shorts and jocks off. As a reward for getting a weeks worth of stickers we gave him another book.
We are so very proud of Lucas and all that he has learnt and achieved over the last 2 weeks. And he is on the way to being dry after his afternoon sleep too :)
We have also heard that our 3 year old nephew is now keen to toilet train because, after all, he is 3 and Lucas is only 2! In fact, he came to our house all day Friday and did a wee on the toilet for me {even though he was in a nappy} and then went home and did poo's on the toilet, saying that he saw Lucas do them!
Its been a big three months for Lucas. I got very annoyed one day and through his dummies out {he doesn't know they are actually still in the pantry} and aside from whinging for them the first day, he hasn't asked for them since. He has learnt how to wee and poo on the toilet. Finally, we have turned his toddler bed back around{it was facing the wall, as a cot because he wouldn't stay in bed} and most nights and afternoons he stays in bed and we haven't had to turn it around. Our little man is growing up!
Since then we had no more issues with Lucas having smelly accidents, although he has the occasional wet accident, usually in the toilet as he attempts to take his shorts and jocks off. As a reward for getting a weeks worth of stickers we gave him another book.
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| Kisses from Daddy |
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| Getting his present |
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| Explaining the search and find book |
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| Concentrating! |
We are so very proud of Lucas and all that he has learnt and achieved over the last 2 weeks. And he is on the way to being dry after his afternoon sleep too :)
We have also heard that our 3 year old nephew is now keen to toilet train because, after all, he is 3 and Lucas is only 2! In fact, he came to our house all day Friday and did a wee on the toilet for me {even though he was in a nappy} and then went home and did poo's on the toilet, saying that he saw Lucas do them!
Its been a big three months for Lucas. I got very annoyed one day and through his dummies out {he doesn't know they are actually still in the pantry} and aside from whinging for them the first day, he hasn't asked for them since. He has learnt how to wee and poo on the toilet. Finally, we have turned his toddler bed back around{it was facing the wall, as a cot because he wouldn't stay in bed} and most nights and afternoons he stays in bed and we haven't had to turn it around. Our little man is growing up!
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| What I see quite often during the day ... along with a bare bum or "nudie boy" |
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| "No photos Mum!!" |
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| Grumpy because Mum took a photo anyway |
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Breakfast with Friends
This morning we had friends of our over for a yummy, cooked breakfast. We shared the cost, with our friends bringing bacon, hashbrowns and sausages and us supplying the drinks, bread, fruit bread, 3 types of muffins, English muffins, tomatoes, eggs, fresh fruit and the fixings for eggs Benedict.
Unfortunately we took no photos of our friends or our meals. But we thoroughly enjoyed a morning of fellowship and look forward to planning another breakfast feast early next year :)
Unfortunately we took no photos of our friends or our meals. But we thoroughly enjoyed a morning of fellowship and look forward to planning another breakfast feast early next year :)
Monday, November 5, 2012
TT Day 4+
An update on Day 3, we had no accidents in the afternoon. That night (Thursday) we decided to head into town for a bit as we were feeling quite housebound. We put Lucas in a pull up and told him they were special underwear and that he still needed to tell us if he needed the toilet.
In town we kept checking with him if he needed to go. He kept saying no. After about an hour, we were close to the toilets, so we said it was time to try and do a wee. I took him to the parents room and he used the small toilet (great invention!) and did a wee without a problem.
We managed a trip to town with no accidents :)
Friday morning, Lucas had 2 minor accidents. One he forgot to pull his jocks down far enough and wee'd on them while sitting on the toilet. The other I was occupied and he did a small poo in his jocks and a tiny nugget on the ground. Again, it was understandable as I was otherwise occupied and was unable to get to him.
Saturday morning we went out again, this time to Masters. Lucas was in jocks and in the middle of the garden centre announced he needed to wee. I rushed him to the toilets only to discover he had done a poo in his jocks, EW! It was a little difficult trying to clean him up. That day I think he did a little wee in his jocks, just a minor accident.
Sunday he did yet another poo in his jocks. This time Dad had to clean it up :) Aside from that he had no wee accidents.
Monday we had playgroup in the morning, and not wanting to clean up dirty jocks, I put special big boy underwear (pull ups) on him instead. He knew that he had to tell me when he needed to wee and he did this without accident. He loves these small, children's toilets in select places. Such a great idea :)
Now that we have noticed the trend of poo-ing in his jocks we are going to continue the sticker reward chart, but this time he will only get a sticker when he poo's in the toilet. Hopefully that works and he continues to master this new skill called toilet training :)
In town we kept checking with him if he needed to go. He kept saying no. After about an hour, we were close to the toilets, so we said it was time to try and do a wee. I took him to the parents room and he used the small toilet (great invention!) and did a wee without a problem.
We managed a trip to town with no accidents :)
Friday morning, Lucas had 2 minor accidents. One he forgot to pull his jocks down far enough and wee'd on them while sitting on the toilet. The other I was occupied and he did a small poo in his jocks and a tiny nugget on the ground. Again, it was understandable as I was otherwise occupied and was unable to get to him.
Saturday morning we went out again, this time to Masters. Lucas was in jocks and in the middle of the garden centre announced he needed to wee. I rushed him to the toilets only to discover he had done a poo in his jocks, EW! It was a little difficult trying to clean him up. That day I think he did a little wee in his jocks, just a minor accident.
Sunday he did yet another poo in his jocks. This time Dad had to clean it up :) Aside from that he had no wee accidents.
Monday we had playgroup in the morning, and not wanting to clean up dirty jocks, I put special big boy underwear (pull ups) on him instead. He knew that he had to tell me when he needed to wee and he did this without accident. He loves these small, children's toilets in select places. Such a great idea :)
Now that we have noticed the trend of poo-ing in his jocks we are going to continue the sticker reward chart, but this time he will only get a sticker when he poo's in the toilet. Hopefully that works and he continues to master this new skill called toilet training :)
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Facing the Front
Last Thursday night we headed into town after being housebound for the past 3 days due to toilet training. As we were loading the kids into the car, Tahnee did a m.a.s.s.i.v.e. vomit. She is still rear facing and was already strapped in, so it was very messy trying to get her out of the seat and free of her clothes, us and the car when vomiting. The end result was her car seat needing a wash and we decided to wash both carseat covers.
This morning (Saturday) Chris was putting the covers back on the car seat when he asked which way we were going to have Tahnee's car seat facing. The latest recommendations are to have them rear facing til at least 12 months and for our particular car seat we can legally turn them forward facing when they read 8kg. Tahnee is now over 9kg and 14.5months old. Since the car seat was out of the car we agreed to turn her forward facing. And she is loving it so far. So many "new" things to look at, all with a new view :)
This morning (Saturday) Chris was putting the covers back on the car seat when he asked which way we were going to have Tahnee's car seat facing. The latest recommendations are to have them rear facing til at least 12 months and for our particular car seat we can legally turn them forward facing when they read 8kg. Tahnee is now over 9kg and 14.5months old. Since the car seat was out of the car we agreed to turn her forward facing. And she is loving it so far. So many "new" things to look at, all with a new view :)
Friday, November 2, 2012
Best Friends
Last week I was reading this blog post and I had to agree. We too pray that our children will develop a special bond and become life-long friends.
Then last night we went into town and were sitting down for a coffee when Lucas announced to me: "Mum, Tahnee is my best friend" naww it was such a sweet thing to say :)
Then last night we went into town and were sitting down for a coffee when Lucas announced to me: "Mum, Tahnee is my best friend" naww it was such a sweet thing to say :)
Thursday, November 1, 2012
TT Day 3
The rest of Day 2's toilet training efforts went well. We had no accidents for the rest of the afternoon.
This morning, so far, we have had 1 accident, a wee on the toilet floor again. But Lucas has been wearing jocks instead of going bare bottom :)
Lucas has received another present today, this time a pack of 5 emergency vehicles which he is currently playing with. We are down to one more present left on the chart (a book), and then we need to decide if we will continue with the sticker chart and presents.
The best thing about today is that Lucas hasn't been running to the toilet every 15 minutes or so. Albeit he hasn't drunk as much today as he has the last few days, but I'm choosing to think that he is learning a bit of bladder control.
This morning, so far, we have had 1 accident, a wee on the toilet floor again. But Lucas has been wearing jocks instead of going bare bottom :)
Lucas has received another present today, this time a pack of 5 emergency vehicles which he is currently playing with. We are down to one more present left on the chart (a book), and then we need to decide if we will continue with the sticker chart and presents.
The best thing about today is that Lucas hasn't been running to the toilet every 15 minutes or so. Albeit he hasn't drunk as much today as he has the last few days, but I'm choosing to think that he is learning a bit of bladder control.
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| Its cute seeing these small jocks in the cupboard |
Messy Mealtime
Last night we had pasta back for dinner. Since turning 1 Tahnee insists on eating her food herself. However, she isn't the cleanest eater!
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| licking the plate |
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| attempting to eat the plate |
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| Food everywhere, including her hair |
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| We ♥ this little |
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Oreo Discovery
As Tahnee is our second child we have learnt from a few mistakes with made with our first child. Until last week Tahnee had not been exposed to cordial because Lucas refused to drink water after tasting cordial and we are still having issues getting him to drink less cordial and more water. However, Tahnee has now worked out how to drink from Lucas's cup so she has had her first tastes and loves it!
Tahnee has also never been exposed to special biscuits such as Oreo's. Lucas was exposed at an early age, fully due to his milk allergy. Normal sized Oreo's contain no milk products and thus he was able to enjoy a special biscuit which turned into an "everyday" biscuit.
This afternoon I gave the kids a biscuit. Lucas an Oreo and Tahnee a hundreds&thousands. I went to do something when I heard Lucas whinge and cry. After investigating I realised Tahnee had somehow grabbed hold of Lucas's Oreo and was now eating it and refusing to give it back to him!! Still not sure how a 14month old out-muscled a 2.75year old :)
Tahnee has also never been exposed to special biscuits such as Oreo's. Lucas was exposed at an early age, fully due to his milk allergy. Normal sized Oreo's contain no milk products and thus he was able to enjoy a special biscuit which turned into an "everyday" biscuit.
This afternoon I gave the kids a biscuit. Lucas an Oreo and Tahnee a hundreds&thousands. I went to do something when I heard Lucas whinge and cry. After investigating I realised Tahnee had somehow grabbed hold of Lucas's Oreo and was now eating it and refusing to give it back to him!! Still not sure how a 14month old out-muscled a 2.75year old :)
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| "I dont know how I got the Oreo Mum, honestly" |
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