Babies & learning to walk

Last Sunday afternoon I came home from a rare shopping trip (on my own!) to find my husband with 3 babies! 2 of our own and in his arms his 11 week old nephew. We were looking after him to give his mum a well earned break. It was such a flashback to a few months ago to see Patrick holding a newborn and trying to settle with his own specially devised technique of rocking and bouncing...was the only thing that worked when both Ben and Heidi were babies and suffering colic.
Ben and Heidi were both enthralled in baby Hamish. Ben went looking straight away for his baby in his pile of toys and walked around nursing his baby like Daddy all afternoon until he put him to sleep in Patrick runner. Well, I suppose its the perfect size isn't it?

sshhhhh.....


Ben always does this to Heidi too, squeezes her cheeks.. Elmo does this to a baby on one of his favourite DVD's maybe he got it from there.


Heidi is not far off walking..she is so proud of herself. When she sets off she squeals and has a smile ear to ear and she speeds up when she gets closer to you and then launches herself towards you ready or not! Gorgeous to watch. Baby time is coming to an end....bitter sweet but another beautiful stage ahead. Also a bit easier with both of them walking...especially at the park and out and about.




The 3 of them playing well together... Will have to look into putting some shade into the backyard with the hot weather on its way.

1st snow

What a difference a week makes! Last week kids were splashing and running through the water park at the Botanic Gardens and this we went to the snow! Last cold blast for the year and the kids just loved it. He was getting very excited in the car seeing the first splatterings of snow "WoW...snow...white!"
Ben loved the snowman with the carrot for a nose and 2 gumnuts for eyes. Poor little hands were red raw as we didn't have any gloves for him (such bad parents we are!) So we had to have short plays with "recovery" in the cafe. Heidi looked just gorgeous in her hand-me-down Kenzo suit...wish I had one of those!
On the way home we attempted to do a little 4wd ing but it was short lived as Ben got absolutely petrified...shaking and crying in his seat saying "mummy ....hug?" with tears streaming down his face....we felt terrible...couldn't give him a hug until we backed back down the track. For the last week he has been saying ...."oh no....bumpy bumpy"...."nice smooth road!" and his favourite "muddy wheels....Ben wash ...hose....tap" I think he has forgotten all about the snow and just remembers the "bumpy track"!

Yay! Spring is here!

What an absolutely perfect weekend! The sun is out at last. What a long, long cold and wet winter. Its been great to get the rain but we are all very over it now, especially the kids. Its so lovely to get some fresh air.
Unplanned weekends always tend to be the best. Saturday started out at the Finders Keepers market, fantastic craft market, then Pat and I had a delicious and peaceful lunch at a cafe in East Melbourne. Ben and Heidi were fast asleep in the car and we managed to get a park right outside and next to our table so we could watch the kids...perfect! We actually got to talk and not gobble down our food. Then it was off to the Children's Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens...what an amazing place for kids. I would have loved this as a child....lots of hiding spots and different landscaping and most of all the water activities. The little stream which meanders through the garden is gorgeous and the kids love walking along it and sending little leaf "boats" floating down the river.
We enjoyed it so much we went back there with friends on Sunday afternoon. Ben was in heaven playing with the water fountains. Screaming and laughing in delight when the fountains sprayed up in his face. This is just the perfect activity for Ben with his love of water....of course there were major tantrums when it was time to get the shivering boy dressed.
Rounded off the weekend with fish and chips in South Melbourne....perfect!
Almost forgot! Heidi took some of her 1st steps..5! Bare feet on grass and with both of Mum and Dad watching. She looked so pleased with herself.

Love My Dad

This is where Ben and Heidi are very similar....they get so excited when Patrick gets home from work. Ben runs to the door when he hears the front door unlocking and Heidi will do this special squeal saved only for her dad when she hears his voice.Heidi will also bounce and jump on Patrick which she thinks is great fun. This is also a favourite welcome home ritual!

Washing Up

Ben just loves loves loves water. Loves anything to do with it; bath, the rain, puddles, bubbles, watering the garden, helping Patrick wash the car.... He often comes home from kinder in different clothes as he has soaked himself playing with the taps. So now he is "helping" me with the washing up....this keeps him amused for ages. He keeps asked for "more wa er"....he drops the "t" and sounds very English. When he is finished the floor is soaked and so is he but its worth it.

Children's Garden

This was my, and therefore Ben and Heidi's, first visit to the Children's Garden at the Botannical Gardens. So many of my friends had told me how wonderful it is and we weren't disappointed...will be even nicer when the warm weather finally arrives.



Concentrating...serious work.

Heidi was feeling particularly sensitive this day...wanted to be by my side all day. Ben not concerned in the slightest!


I love watching the conversation and interaction between toddlers. Here Ben is showing Lily his sore finger and asking her to kiss it better. When she doesn't he kisses it better himself. I have seen him do this often, then he asked himself "better?" then nodds and "mmmmm"..




This was Heidi's favourite time of the day...Ben was asleep minutes after getting into the car. Heidi spent the drive home squealing, playing with her feet and laughing hysterically...which made me laugh too....too cute.