barrandgirl

What Are The Chances Of.....

2012-02-04T15:40:00.003+08:00

a PINK icecream van stopping outside your house...

...on a lazy Saturday afternoon...

...on your 2nd birthday...

....when your favourite story at the moment is this one? Good day.

Two, Candles, Cake, Birthday.

2012-02-04T12:51:00.001+08:00

These have been the conversation topics this week. It's been a big week anticipating Jem's 2nd birthday. There was lots of shrieking and high-pitched conversation about candles, cake and PINK. She woke up singing Happy Birthday to herself (complete with hip hip hoorays) and was excited for her day to begin.

We baked pink cup cakes yesterday which wasn't as much fun as licking the bowl...and subsequent hair washing.

Porridge started the theme of PINK for the day and the best attempt at eating well for the rest of the day.

This is why we love girls. It was a restoration project for Angus and mummy which involved me shifting my long held paradigm that the process of shared experiences is better than the quality of the outcome. Enamel paint and 3.5 year olds are a testing combo. We had some lovely moments of conversation while doing this every day while Jemmie napped. Love you too Mouse.

One of the presents from Grandma and Grandpa. They are my PR agents.

I'm a little bit overwhelmed at my candle moment right now.

Cup cakes in ice cream cones.

If you can't do this on your 2nd birthday there is no other time.

Happy Birthday lil' Jem. You are the sunshine in our lives. You are delightful from the moment you wake in the morning and bring melodic chatter to us all day. We are challenged by your adamant attitude toward fashion - wearing only pink and very specific footwear - and your general determination to do things your way. Yet you make us laugh out loud and smirk with admiration at who you are. Pure, pure joy.

Baby, Baby!

2012-02-02T18:17:00.002+08:00

The month of December is just a blurry and nauseas memory now as I began incubating our third! I need to confess I'm a complete fraud after publishing the Event: Advent blog we hardly managed any of it. Most activities got replaced with a rest on the couch with some ice and more ABC2 for the kids. Next year we'll do the Advent thing!

So, we are due July 22nd but will most likely get induced earlier than that. When we first found out that Angus was a boy, we threw lots of names around and ended up naming both Angus and Jemilla before either was even born! In a weak moment of feeling like I'd dominated the name conversation and decision-making I offered to Michael, "You have 100% naming rights for the third" as we never really expected to get this far down the track of family making.

So, a deal's a deal and I have not flicked through one name book or agonised over any combination of names. It's all up to him. (Yet he knows it's not worth his while to choose something I'm not fond of!)

So, I'm already 16 weeks which is great as it's close to half way. Good news.

Christmas in Albany

2012-02-02T18:00:00.000+08:00

A few random and out-of-order photos from the Christmas season. We were in Albany and it was a nice break but reminders of Cam and our childhood all over the place.

She got the glasses; she got the pout.

We stayed at a rural property out of Albany which was fab.

And had built-in entertainment for kiddies.

Christmas Day spotlighting!

Don't be fooled. She's not keen on the roadtrip...just those glasses!

Cousins

Obligatory Christmas morning PJs-with-bed-hair photos.

Boxing Day at the beach near where we were staying. It was even warm and enjoyable.

New Blog - Event: Advent

2011-11-17T03:26:00.001+08:00

Just published my new blog which is an advent calendar of activities to do with kids.

Check it out and pass it on....www.eventadvent.blogspot.com

R

Hello Rotto!

2011-10-28T22:14:00.002+08:00

We have been looking forward to going to Rottnest Island for months with our great friends, the Wheatleys, from Sydney. We scored faultless Spring weather for the 3 days and therefore all excuses regarding cycling and beach fun could be deemed null and void. We had a really great time. Good for us and good for our souls. It went a bit like this...

On the ferry just before she vomited into Daddy's cupped hands. Ewww.

Are we there yet?

Yep, we're here...at our villa in Longreach Bay.

Running the sandcastle gauntlet.

Eeeeeek....this water is cold.

Cold water = cuddles

We did a big ride and some of us did it tougher than the others.

At our destination.

Quokka and baby at our back door.

Seasons

2011-09-23T20:57:00.000+08:00

For my birthday this year Cam gave me this tree. It was already tall enough to walk underneath. It's planted out the front and we'll see it every time we come and go from our place.

He loved trees. A few years ago I realised I love some trees more than I love some people. You might know a little bit how that feels if you go to Hyde Park. Cam loved people more than trees I think.

The week of Cam's funeral this Chinese Tallow started shooting new buds of vibrant green growth. He really wanted to see it change from the state it was in the photo to the picture it is now.

For a couple of weeks after Cam's passing 'relief' was the overwhelming emotion. The only way I could describe it was that I felt like I'd had a really stressful job for the last 4 years and I'd just resigned and gone on holiday. The low-level anxiety of living with terminal illness was mostly noticeable once he was free of it.

Now, more than a month later, the emotion is just pure, undiluted sadness. He will share nothing of my life anymore. He won't make us choke with laughter at a family dinner. He won't know AB now calls himself "Supo Arro" [Super Hero] and asks "When can we go and visit Cam?". We've lost so much and it's terribly, horribly, tearily sad.

There will be a new 'normal' now. There won't be as many laughs, music or character impersonations because Cam was the king of all that. I know there'll be other things and it won't always be this hard. I can make no sense of his death but I can appreciate that there are seasons. This season is not as glorious as the autumn Chinese Tallow in years to come.

I would just love him to see it.

Angus Harrison Cam Barr's version of a 'garden wee'.

Just Us

2011-09-23T20:30:00.005+08:00

Drinking time

Afternoon tea on a string time

Pig tails!! Or as AB calls it, "Pony Hair".

Good if you can get it.

He insisted that he have these from the op shop. One dollar which kept him confined to the carpet for 3 hours one afternoon. Priceless!

Vegie Garden.

Random Cam Photos

2011-08-24T20:44:00.000+08:00

When AB was 18 months Cam was living with us for a few months. These are during that time.

Cam was SO sick the week Angus was born. This was 4 weeks later.

I could never get sick of seeing this photo

My Eulogy for Cambo

2011-08-24T19:40:00.000+08:00

It's been too hard to write anything on the blog lately. Cam went to live with Jesus last Friday at 12:38pm. We celebrated his life today at a memorial service.

Cam my brother – part man, part cowboy.

As many 12 year olds in Albany did, Cam slept with a .22 rifle beside his bed. It wasn’t a good morning for the free range rooster who crowed too early one Saturday. He flicked open his window and hit it with the first shot, returned the rifle to its position and lay back down in bed.

In reminiscence, our childhood was quite idyllic. On the farm hand raising orphaned lambs, underage driving, running through orchards, tinkering with motorbikes, Cam learnt jazz drumming on upturned Milo tins, and we had a plethora of adventurous dreams that the 80’s TV offered us. Didn’t everyone want to live with Bo and Luke Duke in Hazzard County?

His thirst for adventure began there and carried him around the world multiple times….always chasing the thrill – not of the next adventure but - of the next connection. He loved it. Finding new people to talk to, making new friendships and catching up with old ones.

When he and Carmel came to visit me in Kazakhstan they got stranded in a corrugated iron airport for days on end. In the 3 days they were grounded, Cam learnt Russian from the Mafia as he played cards and ate Mars Bars with them. In airports, queues at concerts, camp grounds & cafes he met people.

You met him! Did he make you feel like you were more interesting that anyone else? Did he ask you questions beyond what was polite and superficial? Did he make you feel like you could play guitar or drums or sing or anything better than him? Did he teach you stuff that he loved and now you love it too? Did he make you feel incredible and amazing?

Cam’s life legacy will most strongly be remembered by how he communicated with people. Desiring to change the shape of people’s hurts and insecurities with words - talking, teaching, blogging, writing, praising, and singing.

He was also a bit of a cowboy. Apart from his fetish for every checked shirt the op shops could offer him, he was a bit unconventional. He always had dreams in his head to live unconstrained by non-essentials like walls, beds and IKEA furniture.

New standard for being sick
Through his blog I think Cam became one of the most famous sick people. He has set a new standard for being sick. You would be a brave person to put your hand up and say you could do a better job of being terminally ill. Try reading his blog post titled “It’s so unfair” in July 2007 not long after being diagnosed. He goes on and on about all the favour and blessing in his life that he felt was without justification. He considered himself “profoundly looked after” and “completely bombarded by everything that is good” by God who he felt owed him no favour. He lists the comforts of “a warm bed, a fridge bursting with food, a warm jacket for the winter and air-conditioning for the summer” as comforts of privilege. His comfort was so unfair compared to the majority of the world’s population. Even 3 weeks ago when I reminded him of this blog he agreed again his life was ridiculously unfair in all its blessings to him.

In other blogs he questions the financial costs of keeping him alive. He lived ecologically. He was thoughtfully aware of the costs and impacts of himself in the world.

Flick through the pages of his blog when you need a dose of him. Blog posts for blood results titled “Plasma Funky Music White Boy”, for radiology regimes “I’ve got UV under my skin”, “I’ll feel a lot better tomarrow” for stem cell transplants and “Roid to Recovery” for Steroids Day. A spectacular patient with humour leaking out of every word.

Humour
Five days before he died we realised that we’d lost him neurologically. He was misfiring with thoughts and conversation and was hard to understand and he needed a wheelchair to get around. He and Ash wanted to go to Riverview Church that night and he tackled the request with the nurse

“We were hoping to go AWOL tonight so I’ll need 20 milligrams of [some drug] to take with me”
“Oh, ok. I’ll just have to check that with another nurse. I don’t usually work on this ward”
“Oh, in that case, give me 25 milligrams!”
She giggled said “I’ll check your charts anyway to see what you’re due”.
“Oh, in that case – I’ll just need 15. But I guess we’re going to church so…. make it 10!”

Funny, witty, respectful and polite to the very end. His humour was the last thing to go.

Dark days
Being chronically ill without reprieve for years on end is mostly not funny at all. Cam’s distress and torment is chronicled by himself in his public and private writings. There were multitudes of us walking beside but the effect that a looming death has over your life must be lonely and traumatic regardless of the close company. He had periods of dark desperation and deep disappointment….most significantly the breakdown of his marriage to Elizabeth. His regrets were great and he was hoping heaven would have some answers to his complicated questions. Libsy gave him and us all a decade of devotion and a demonstration of other-worldly grace.

Cam’s relationship to God was always present and often a wrestle. He was never content with simplistic pat answers. Plenty of people who endure ‘unfair’ circumstances walk away from inefficient beliefs. Cam submitted to transformation.

Gobsmacked
Who would’ve thought that Cam’s scenario would end with a story and person like Ashley? It was a gobsmacked kinda love where neither one could believe their romantic luck. I’ve told Ash I feel like she’s already completed her greatest life work at the age of 25. Cam’s fear of being alone was never realised and her hand was in his long after the end. We treasure her with us as a Harris.

At 37 he grieved the shortness of his opportunity to do more in his lifetime; to leave a greater legacy, to achieve more dreams, to write more songs, to buy more cars and to see the demise of the AFL! I think if he had been given 80 years he still would’ve been unsatisfied with corners of the earth not yet touched.

In recent times we tried to persuade his thinking to know the length and depth and breadth of his impact on people’s lives and the awesome legacy alive in our hearts. I think last Friday, just after lunchtime, it was revealed to him.

Mostly AB

2011-07-28T21:44:00.000+08:00

Making plaster hand casts in the sandpit.

First time this winter he's worn long pants and a jacket. Cam and Ash's wedding called for it! He did a great job of taking the rings up to Cam in the ceremony and we secretly hid a smartie in the ring boxes for a bit of a mid-wedding giggle.

Learning about hard boiled eggs after seeing them in a Dr Seuss story. Who knows why it took me 3 years to feed him hard boiled eggs. Easiest snack ever.

"A yoghurt for me and a yoghurt for Ratty". Notice he's set up the picture book for Ratty to read with the cheese picture front and centre. His imagination is developing nicely!!

Standing on the box on the deck in front of the kitchen sink. His current favourite place. He loves that he can be eye-to-eye with me and ask for food to be passed through the window.

Tending to Ratty's emotional needs.

This is not a set-up. He is a good sharer!!

Down on the farm riding on a bumpy 'Scrambly'. In Bob the Builder there's a character called Scrambler but, due to AB having half of MB's genes, nothing ever gets called by it's full, proper name!

Caught at it! They were have a spontaneous cuddle while watching Pingu on the computer.

Everyone who knows us will know that this picture is in our most valuable collection. Cam came out of hospital for a few hours to visit the kids on Sunday arvo. We love those boys.

Grandies Visit in June

2011-07-28T21:20:00.000+08:00

Snuggled up with Grandma. Reading. Reading. Reading.

Peacock hunting with Grandpa.

AB playing a peacock call on an iPhone game to the real, live peacock..."Hey Peacock, this is you."

Jem trying to work out this thing called a koala.

Two koalas and one Grandpa.

The Maze. Weaving our way to the tower.

We made it to the top of the tower.

Jem and Daddy trying to find their way.

This was the second time Jem had seen/experienced rain in her memory. Perth had been so, so dry. The first time she saw it was on the way to the airport to pick up the grandies. When I used the windscreen wipers she just giggled and giggled with excitement. This was the second time. We were all taking shelter in a shed and she ventured out into the downpour and stood for ages looking up to the heavens with a quizzical look.

She's happy to give anything a go. Angus on the other hand has worn shorts and T-shirts almost every day since October last year. He doesn't do 'long' without a behavioural incident.

Just watching the street. They love eachother's company and it's delightful to observe.

Crazy bath night. You want to wear beanies in the bath tonight? Sure. You want blue food colouring in the bath water? Sure. You want to wear your sox in the bath tonight? Sure. We had three nights in a row with different themes.

Boring

2011-07-08T14:07:00.000+08:00

No blogging. Our computer crashed and it's all too hard to think about. We've been busy....

Sydney grandparents visiting for a week and 2 bonus days thanks to the volcanic ash.

Cam and Ash got married last weekend. Angus and Stelli did a great job presenting them with their rings at the ceremony...with smarties hidden in the boxes!!

We've been SICK. Kids are miserable and sick as dogs. Makes for a very long week when they are too sick to leave the house. Lots of TV and eating junk. Angus didn't even eat any chips last night with our takeaway. That is about as sick as it gets.

Hoping we'll come out the other side soon. We want our computer back and hope all is not lost.

A Family With Pets

2011-06-10T20:01:00.000+08:00

Welcome to the family "Silver" (the brown one) and the white one could be called Whitey, Jackie or Reuban. They are 10 week old sisters. Pretty cute and equal about 2 hours of entertainment every day at the moment.

Day of The Gingerbread Man

2011-06-10T19:31:00.000+08:00

"He's not jumping out yet"

"Foxy" watching on in eager anticipation

"The dark one is a fox so that's why there are lots of teeth in his mouth" (Far Left)
"The nappy has two clips on it" (Middle)
and the one on the right is just a boring old one mummy did.

Forty

2011-05-20T22:34:00.000+08:00

May is a crazy month for us. Every year we have 8 birthdays in the family and playgroup before the 20th. We are nearly finished the celebrations for this year and it's been a goodie. This year was mine to hog as my odometer ticked over 4-0. Good times. We'll have a cake moratorium in June.

"I'n Sree"

2011-05-08T21:13:00.001+08:00

Sharing Mothers' Day with the little fella was really no problem since he was the one who first got me into this caper. He is a sweet little boy who we enjoy so much. He's great company and has a beautiful sense of gratitude oozing from his lips.

This week while we were driving...

Him: "Oh wow, tanks Mummy!".

Me: "That's ok. What are you thanking me for?"

Him: "Tanks for driving the car Mummy"

While eating dinner at night he spontaneously thanks me for cooking it. He's very thoughtful toward Jemmie and delights in helping her down stairs or eating food or patting her when she's hurt. We love seeing them care for each other. Often immediately after tormenting and torturing each other too!

He was insistent on a hedgehog cake (from Bob the Builder and Race Day - his favourite book at the moment). When I asked him where I could buy a hedgehog cake he answered "From the Hedgehog Shop".

We we show gratitude to God for all the blessings of this little one. Happy Birthday Angus our precious poppet.

With Uncle Cam and new headphones for listening to music!

The birthday theme was wheels - bike (from grandies), pram ($5 from garage sale!), suitcase (from Harrises) and wheelbarrow. He is one happy camper when he's pushing something around the world.

"Did you forget about me for a moment? Here I am!!"

Two Photos

2011-05-08T20:51:00.000+08:00

He loves his Sherrin. Got a great left foot.

She loves the camera. Got a great grin.

Us

2011-03-11T21:31:00.000+08:00

I didn't really plan to do a blog tonight but the mess in the house is immense after a day at home and I really don't want to do anything about it. Michael has gone out to a Fantasy Footy Draft night so I'm in total silence.

Well, here they are again. Total joy and total frustration in two little packages.

Angus is talking a lot about being a big boy..."When I a big boy I can do hot cookings" was probably his first independent, abstract, out-loud thought. We've never told him he can do stuff when he gets bigger...he just worked it out and thought about it in the bath one night. In the car the other day I had an Iris CD in the stacker and when it flicked over from another girl band to the first track of the Iris CD he said, "Oh Mummy, tank you for putting Carmel on. I love it." He's a very grateful kid; always saying thank you at random moments for random things you've given to him. And the other side of the behavioural coin is that today he rode his scooter to the cafe, but 20 metres short of the door he made a decision to tantrum uncontrollably for 15 minutes. Only God and him know the reason as he was desperate for a babycino but not willing to 'scoot' the last few glides. He and his scooter got home very uncomfortably under my arm while I pushed Jemmie on the trike. It was mug of tea time for Mummy when we got home. I was ANGRY.

Jemmie is playful and cunning as ever - finding every emotional button to push in her brother all day long. She started to walk this week and also managed to climb unassisted the wrong way to the top of a 7 foot high slide at the park. She is fast and determined. Unlike Angus you can't leave the room for a single moment because she'll be on the couch, armrest then table in an instant. (PS Her slide antics were supervised. Don't report me.) She also won't leave you alone for a instant. She demands attention and affection all day long. My Repetitive Game repertoire needs serious coaching.

As for me, I've had my sewing machine serviced this week and it's time to start churning out something wearable from the 10 crates of fabric I'm storing in Jemmie's bedroom at the moment. You CAN have to much fabric. Now that she's out of sizes in multiples of zero I'm happy to make her something that may last a season, not a month.

I can't believe it. No one has done the dishes yet or scrapped two dinners off the kitchen floor. OK, I'll only do it if there's a treat involved. Night.

Him

2011-03-11T20:57:00.002+08:00

Her

2011-03-11T20:52:00.000+08:00

Blessed

2011-02-16T14:39:00.000+08:00

As we did with AB, on Jemmie's first birthday we celebrated her life with a dedication or Blessing Ceremony. We are so grateful for her and out of that gratitude we say reverently and sincerely “God, help us” and “God, help her”. In the meantime we choose to moor ourselves to Christ and attempt to teach her everything we know about Him. We need others to help us do that - help her to learn patience, show her kindness, help her experience joy, teach her to love, help her to recognise goodness...and the list goes on.

God Bless You, you little scallywag.

Picture Says It All

2011-02-04T14:56:00.002+08:00

Today is The Day

2011-02-04T14:37:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday Darling Jemilla Gracie. You are the most extroverted and fiery component of our family. We love you to bits but please go easy on us in years to come.

I could write more about your spirited personality and cheeky character but you won't leave me alone for long enough. Kisses and cuddles for years to come.

We had a hospital party this morning with Cam and the family. The cake was a bit worse for wear after travelling the distance but it's a strong person that refuses chocolate even as damaged goods.

Every last mouthful was sucked down. Decorations courtesy of G-block sanitary supply room.

Jemmie flirting with a younger man.

Don't Feel Sorry For Her

2011-02-01T15:22:00.000+08:00

The brotherly cuddles are becoming more enthusiastic but she is not playing meek and mild little child. She is feisty, sharp, fast and tormenting. Her awake hours are opportunities to plan torment or execute cunning schemes against her brother. Angus has numerous words to chastise her - "cheeky monkey", "rascal", "bubzilla", "little scallywag" but can rarely use them in between cries of "No! Jemmie, stop it, No! Jemmie." They are both hilarious and have much affection for each other most of the time. No one can make her chuckle like Angus can.

Two Thousand and Eleven

2011-01-12T22:57:00.000+08:00

Just for the record I'm not really into calling it 'twenty-eleven'.

We're home from a great time in Sydney where we caught up with lots of friends, ate too much food, had the odd sleep-in thanks to generous grandparents or spouses and taught the kids to eat all their food out of some kind of packet.

So the news of the hour is that Michael found a way to leave on holidays working for the bank and return from holidays as an employee for a new organisation. Not really, the truth is that God orchestrated a miraculous set of circumstances for Michael late December and he is returning to his old job (pre GFC) as of next week. It all happened before our eyes and we are grateful beyond explanation. Look out for the guy who has had 18 months worth of job unsatisfaction and is pumped to get his teeth into something he loves.

The year that will be.

Photo Documentary of Sydney-town

2011-01-12T22:47:00.001+08:00

I just learnt to crawl but crawling is for babies. I want to walk and NOW.

It's an exciting day when your cousin's real-life bunny eats out of your hand.

Jemmie is harder to impress.

The Seal Show at Taronga Zoo is still a topic of conversation. We got splashed.

Cuter than a seal and just as clever.

Angus and Baapa would eat dinner every night on the deck. They would sit out there for an hour talking about all the regular occurrences - Cockatoos, Kookaburras, Qantas planes, Thunder (rumble, rumble) and Rain.

Me and my Sugar Daddy. He gives me everything I want.

New skills learnt. Ready for school in 2012 because he can sit up straight and fold his arms already.

Christmas Eve yoghurt.

Tomorrow is Jesus' birthday but Santa will bring presents.

Waiting.

Waiting. Angus: "I waiting for Jesus." I wonder if he likes biscuits too?!

Christmas Morning Glory

Two Grandies, Eight Kiddies. No more to be added to this number.

I couldn't find Angus at the end of Christmas Day. Here he is...sitting in the gravel with the dog in a helicopter/foxtail outfit chosen by himself. The Harris kooky gene is dominant.

Story time with the Professional.

First beach experience. She doesn't need anyone to kick sand in her face, she does it herself.

Boogie.

The View.

NYE.

New Years Day with a family cricket game....

...and a picnic and some kite flying when there was wind.

Twinnies.

This park was not as much fun as....

...this park.

Soon the kids will be old enough to fly to Sydney unescorted to stay with Baapa and Gamma. Joking.

Can't. Believe. My. Luck.

Can't believe my luck.

We're Leaving On A Jet Plane

2010-12-03T06:26:00.000+08:00

We are busting to get on a plane for Sydney to enjoy Christmas, good ol' friends and a brain holiday from the difficulties of our little world. This year has been the hardest we've shared yet but we are so grateful for each other and the little punks that live with us.

Angus talks constantly about going on a plane to see Baapa and Grandma and all the things he's said he'll do there are remarkable - sleep in a big bed, do wees in the big toilet, wake Baapa up and eat vegetables.

Jemilla is on the move with a frustrated shuffle/crawl so look out Angus. She's after all his toys and he knows it. She still wakes every morning between 4:10 and 4:30am and we can't change her mind about that with any technique or hoodwinked plan. So we alternate who shoves a piece of toast in her hand and pounds the neighbourhood pavement on a morning walk. We are mindful that she's coming with us on 'holidays' so our expectations are realistic. We're planning a sleep-in in 2015.

The upside of walking (and dieting) is that we've both lost 5kgs. Yay!

For Angus there are only 12 more sleeps until Sydney and for me there are only 5 more business shirts to iron. Everyone's got their own way of counting down time.

Remember Us?

2010-11-12T21:38:00.000+08:00

These a few reasons that blogging has been on hold. I could bore you with detail of illness and fatigue and emotional instability and good times and memorable occasions. Thought you could do with a few photos. A few highlights not captured in the photo documentary are;

Jemmie's sleeplessness has turned the corner...with a little bit more education from us. She is so much better for it.
The little girl has 3 new teeth and the fourth looks like it might arrive tomorrow or the next day.
We had a great night on the 10/10/10 when we hosted a 10 course degustation dinner party for 10 people. At the beginning of the night everyone was a stranger to each other but it didn't take long for frivolity to kick in. It was fab.
Angus has discovered the joys of speech. He has been reluctant until now to use his words but the house is silent no longer. One day when he was coming home after a tiring morning out he told his grandma that 'the batteries in his feet were not working'.
We got a new car so now the front passenger no longer has to have their kneecaps shattered by the glovebox every time you brake.
We are counting down the sleeps until we fly to Sydney for Christmas. Angus constantly talks about Baapa and Granma and so it will be a Christmas to remember. Bring. It. On.

He's got the cutest habit of leaning against the wall and crossing his leg over when he wants to have a casual conversation. This day he went out to the front step and informed me that he just wanted to stand there and wait for Daddy to come from the train station after work. Well, it was only 11am.

Here's Tarta and Angi (Carter and Angus). They are best buddies with at least 2 play days a week every week. They ask for each other all the time and we'd like to think that they'll be mates in 20 years time.

"Where are the two boys?" Kristie and I asked each other. Found them in Jemmie's cot.

"Clouds make rain" is his latest conversation topic.

October in Pictures

2010-11-12T20:53:00.000+08:00

Jemmie and Mummy in Kings Park

Our great friends the Wheatleys (we call them the Wheaters!) came for a week from Sydney. Poor Mike stayed eastside to work while we burned it up in Perth...Masterchef competitions, Royal Show, Cottesloe beach for fish and chips and lots of backyard hijinx. Angus was impressed with what can happen if kids choose to talk so after this week his conversation skills went ka-BOOM!

We had some hot weather in October and the pool got dusted off and filled up. Little princess needs a few kettles of boiling water to make the water an adequate temperature.

Nana Rose has done her fair share of babysitting lately. Every minute has been appreciated by all members of the family. I came home one day and caught the three of them in the backyard. They didn't know this photo was being taken.

Angus with bed hair fronting up for lunch. Don't think he gets this get-up every day. Just a little fun designed by his dad and created by his mum.

Angus got his first Sherrin and he's pretty attached to it.

Jemmie also learnt to drive. She's out of the shot but Grandma from Sydney was the victim of her devestating smile. Grandma visited for a week also. Sorry, no other photos of her this time - I was out shopping and relaxing rather than taking photos while she was here. It was bliss and just what I needed. Thanks Grandma.

Angus and Angus at the Zoo. These two fellas catch up most weeks for a play. They are real buddies. Our AB is 3 days older and a lot more comfortable with his self image - wearing my beads in public a lot recently.

I absolutely LOVE these photos. We borrowed a book from the library about a little boy who made a trap for a pesky squirrel who stole his popcorn. Angus feeds our 'free-range' birds everyday with birdseed but this day we made a trap - just like in the book. He was totally into it and excited....even though he didn't make a catch.

Dinner Time

2010-09-14T21:40:00.000+08:00

She never ceases to amaze me with her appetite. That's Jemmy's dinner on the left - a dozen frozen vegie icecubes for dinner. That's her 4th meal for the day. Angus has a more refined and measured appetite with two big spoonfuls of meat and vege after a day of eating not much since breakfast. He's still a nugget and she's still a lovely lady.

Hard Times

2010-09-14T21:31:00.000+08:00

"Hard Times" may seem like a strange title for these photos. The last coupla weeks have been dark and desperate for me. Everyone has got their their triggers and mine is a sleepless child....not sleep deprivation but lack of control over their sleep. Jemmy was once a masterpiece of sleepfullness and over the last 3 months she has declined to low lows. I felt like I devoted all my thinking space and household routines to her benefit with declining results every day and night. Sure I can write about it in a socially palatable form here but I can do a really ugly, slow-burn meltdown in the privacy of home.

So, the good news is that I feel the corner has been turned in a hairpin bend fashion. Last night I sleep trained her and the results today have been incredible. One day she struggles to settle with an hour of pacifying and the next day she smiles, grunts once and dozes off.

The photos above were taken on the weekend when I consciously made a decision to stop resenting the sling sleeping and savour it - for the last time! A re-frame from the future, occurring now.

I don't need to write much more but the portrayal of family life on barrandgirl needs a dose of uncut reality every now and then.

I Can Sit

2010-09-14T20:37:00.000+08:00

She is 7 months and sitting up a storm! We think she's drop dead gorgeous too and may have a career in modelling...read on.

All In A Day's Work

2010-09-14T20:27:00.001+08:00

Here are a few snaps of life at our place. Even the mundane can look ok in a photo.

This rocket launcher is ace. Even the little tackers can get it 10m in the air.

Fingers in ears for the whipper snipper on Sunday arvo.

He's obsessed with the concept of 'get wet'.

Swing doubling as Rusk.

He loves her.

Cubby Day

2010-08-29T03:42:00.000+08:00

Add caption

Here she is people. The cubby-warming ceremony is only days away now. We've had an extended family effort over the last few weeks to get her to this point so quickly. Juan and Cam both did double shifts yesterday. I love it when a plan comes together.

Two Strong Hearts

2010-08-19T20:37:00.000+08:00

When Jemmy was born we didn't think Cam would make it long enough to have her sit up on his knee. That's why we love these photos. Both of them are looking better than ever. He'll be teaching her about applying nail polish before she can write her name. Love them both.

Big smiles from Angus and Carter

2010-08-13T19:41:00.000+08:00

Our dear and great friends Ben and Kristie looked after Angus while we went to Ros and Mark's wedding recently. In true form, they didn't just throw him a cracker every now and then to keep him quiet, they fully set up an adventure playground at their house to ensure he was well entertained.

We love this little clip.

The Mandatory Messy Blueberry Face Shot

2010-08-11T13:42:00.000+08:00

High Tea with That One

2010-08-03T21:33:00.001+08:00

Another visit from the Sydney Grandies is coming to an end. Once again their time here has been dominated by lots of food and cuddles with grandchildren....suiting everyone involved. On Sunday afternoon we celebrated birthdays we have been absent from with a High Tea at Tranby House on the river. It was so lovely. While Angus and Mummy were "plopping" rocks into the river, the food and photo opportunity arrived. Look at our girl....she is a heart stopper.

For a long time Angus has referred to Grandma and Grandpa as "Baapa" - and we've never been sure as to who he is talking about. While looking at a family photo this weekend Grandpa pointed to himself in the photo and asked 'Who's that?' with the response "Baapa". When he then pointed to Grandma in the photo and asked the same question Angus replied "That One"! We now giggle all the time about our Sydney 'Baapa and That One'.

Toot Toot

2010-08-01T14:50:00.000+08:00

We had a fab morning at Castledare Miniature Railway this morning. The Grandies from Sydney are visiting so 'adventure' is the theme of the week. We loved it and it is such a great location to witness an ageing subculture of train geeks polishing their mini steam engines and communicating with flags and hand signals. A real life Fat Controller was also spotted. The dedicated wives were running the snack bar so we indulged in a Styrofoam cup of tea and a killer python. Loved it.

The Son We Always Had

2010-07-21T14:04:00.000+08:00

It would be a fair call to say that a lot of our photos and blogs recently (ie. the last 6 months) have been about one little missy. We still have a son and he is going great guns. His backyard efforts with the round ball are incredible for his age so we are investing in some soccer goals and will bank the rewards when he takes us to watch him play in the 2032 World Cup. Until then, we'll keep up the KitchenAid lessons in Chocolate Cake.

Just to put the record straight....obviously this blog is just the photogenic aspects of our life. There have been many days recently where the camera has been put well away. It's enough to say that little kids are hard work for every parent and I often feel the 'just trying to survive' emotion of defeat. Only saying that in case anyone reading along our life story has some kind of pedestal under us as a result of my interest in photography that makes our world look fabulous. If you do, you're invited to join me at 5am, 7am, 8am, 11am, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm most days for a more balanced perspective.

This Is Worth A Post Of It's Own

2010-06-30T09:45:00.000+08:00

Angus slept until 9am this morning!

I'm pretty sure it's the first time he's slept through to something with an 8 in it, let alone with a .59 after the 8. MB went to work at 7, I snoozed til 7.30 and Jemmy slept til 8 - so I was pacing the floors wondering if all was well behind the bedroom doors.

Apologies to all those people who are bored by parental stories about kids sleeping habits. It's really boring unless you think your next sleep-in will be in 2016.

Solid and Sloppy

2010-06-29T12:29:00.000+08:00

Who's sitting in MY chair?

Today she started on some rice cereal (can't really call it 'solids' and can't really call it 'food') and seemed to get the hang quickly enough. Angus gave her her first few spoonfuls which evoked the obvious, curious, screwed up face but soon after that she didn't mind it and finished off the whole (chinese) teacup of it. Good girl. Let the MasterChef palate training begin!!

Jemmy

2010-06-27T14:42:00.000+08:00

Here she is again...by popular demand. It seems Angus has got used to calling her Jemmy (actually it sounds more like Djummy). A few times this week I called her Milly and Angus was pretty keen to shout that name through the hallways of Inglewood so we'll see how her name develops in the household. There is trouble in paradise with the little one giving up her 12 hour nights for something with two feeds between the hours of 7 and 7. Mummy not happy or keen on that since it's been getting below zero in Perth during the night. After chatting to two experienced mums at church today they said "Yup, typical for 4.5 months" and a suggestion to start her on solids. I was going to start a few weeks ago as our Paed friend from the Children's Hospital reckons 4 months is the way to go. So we start getting serious now about solids and resettling during the night. Messy rice cereal photos coming to the blog soon!! The bottom photo is her in the only item of clothing we have ever bought her thanks to doting family and hand-me-downs. I'll make up for that in years to come, I'm sure.

Caversham Wildlife Park

2010-06-27T14:13:00.001+08:00

These photos are a few weeks old now but we had a great afternoon at Caversham Wildlife Park courtesy of Aunty Libby. It was heaps of fun and a rare outing where Angus and Mummy were adventurous partners while Daddy and Jemmy cuddled. Angus became bolder as the time went on to get close and pat the animals. He also loved the ride-on-coin-operated car at the gift shop. He is lovely. I think I'll mark the 24th of June on the calendar as the day he decided to start talking. Up until Thursday he was using single words hesitantly but that all changed this week. He started stringing words together and I counted 10 new words I hadn't heard him say before. Good boy! With it came a new confident in jumping on the couch, climbing on furniture and cooking new recipes. It was no coincidence he used the word 'lick' while we were cooking our daily batch of biscuits. His behaviour also has become slightly more compliant as he realises we can communicate with each other with words. Sometimes he gets excited and tells you a fantastically animated story with his face 10cm from my face, both hands on my shoulder and throwing his head backwards in shrieking laughter at the end of the joke. I don't need a punchline to laugh back at him.

Long Weekend

2010-06-07T21:49:00.000+08:00

I just can't help it, I have to keep posting gorgeous pic's of the little girl. She is the lowest maintenance baby I've ever heard of. She's sleeps 12 hours at night and smiles 12 hours during the day. We went to York for the weekend and Angus was captivated by the "tuc and guggie" with "bic oools" (truck and digger with big wheels). We splashed in the stream with wellington boots on and had a drive of everything with a steering wheel. Jemilla just stayed inside and smiled. The public holiday was given over to gardening before the green waste collection next week. Goodbye bamboo - we never loved you.

Zoo

2010-06-03T18:35:00.001+08:00

About 6 months ago we got a zoo membership and it's brill. Entertaimnent galore only 10min away. Today we saw a 5 day old giraffe and Angus chased an elephant through the zoo on it's daily walk. We went with our friends Martyne and Angus (who was born 3 days after our Angus in the same hospital). Great fun.

Harris and Son

2010-05-31T13:54:00.000+08:00

Cam's just shot and edited this promo video for our family business. Looks fab, eh?

Another Day, Another Birthday

2010-05-20T07:11:00.000+08:00

Happy Day to you Michael and Daddy. You are patient, loving, fun, long-suffering, entertaining and generous...just to mention a few. As long as we've got you around we've got it pretty good. Three kisses from three admirers. XXX

Happy Birthday Rachel

2010-05-18T20:52:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday Rachel. As a mummy and wife we would all like to say we love you very much and hope you have a great birthday tomorrow (19th). Love from Mike, Angus and Jemilla

Happy Days

2010-05-08T13:28:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday my gorgeous little poppet.

We have spent 730 days together already...giggling, reading, spinning, eating, pacing, digging, jumping, "boo"-ing, painting, cuddling, driving, watching, sweeping, hiding, splashing, kicking, talking, sneezing, drinking, smearing, running, stomping, crashing, roaring, stamping, sleeping, mixing, swinging, kissing, squirting, reading, chasing, chuckling, licking, building, pressing, peddling, ...

I love every bit of you. You bring us great joy and delight. May you learn how to love others with gentleness and find goodness to share in the world around you. Lots of love my darling boy. Mummy.

Present and Correct

2010-05-08T13:09:00.000+08:00

It's Present Time!!

Totem Tennis - only to develop ball skills so as to play AFL

Only grandparents could give a 2 year old a piano accordian. Sorry neighbours.

A digger to intimidate all other diggers

The Cake

2010-05-08T13:01:00.000+08:00

A "Coco" Tractor Cake - three of his favourite things in the same sentence, in the same plate of food!

The Peeps

2010-05-08T12:57:00.000+08:00

Grandy temporarily attached one of his presents to a temporary tree in the garden. Woot! I LOVE WHEELS!

Grandy and Nana Rose

Lala in party mode

The Barr Family

2010-05-08T12:49:00.000+08:00

Look at her

2010-05-06T22:16:00.000+08:00

Around Home

2010-05-01T07:48:00.005+08:00

M has taken The Mouse on a morning of jogging (Mouse in the pram) and cycling. They were loaded up with snacks and warm layers in an attempt to keep the interest of the activities at a high. MB and Libby are training for a "Fun Run" in a few weeks time so Saturday mornings are for jogging around Lake Monger. Later on they are heading up to Kings Park for a bike ride with some other little friends. Meanwhile, back at the homestead I'm waiting for Jemilla to wake up. Never thought babies really did sleep like this and I still keep checking she's breathing and grunting as the hours tick over.

The kids are so enjoyable at the moment although Angus is turning two in a week and the beginnings of 'will assertion' are increasing by the day. Yesterday we were at home all day and at 7:30am I vowed I would not let him frustrate me but within 3 min there was some issue that was a vow-breaker. Sigh. The cute stuff still outweighs the tantrums. He will often come and put his arm around me while I'm sitting down and have a big gobble-de-goop chat with lots of love in his eyes. As soon as Jemilla starts crying he gasps and runs to her to pat her tummy or stroke her hair. She loves him and he is protective of her.

Michael has been excelling in the kitchen for the last 5 days - cooking every night from the MasterChef cookbook. This means I can sit down and watch MasterChef on tv without interruption. It's been brilliant. Such a treat. Two more nights to go before the week of culinary delight comes to an end. Its been at least 20 years since I've had 7 nights off cooking in a row.

I've been loving our garden the last couple of weeks especially. After having a little patch in the city for 2 years that someone else maintains, it's now fab to have a larger patch that we can design. We've inherited some beautiful rose standards and they are in full bloom. Had a few trips to the nursery and more to come. Mouse is helping me water the herbs and new plants. Vege patch on it's way...in time.

Jemilla is now waking up so it's time to choof.

2010-04-27T21:14:00.004+08:00

I don't seriously think our lives are that exciting to warrant a new post and more photos but I can't help myself. We are enjoying our new house and the neighbourhood. Couldn't be happier. The cubby is progressing with some assistance from Michael. Jemilla is happy and peaceful except a few grunts of discomfort every now and then - otherwise it's easy to forget she's around some days.

Just Stuff

2010-04-13T20:32:00.004+08:00

We are just ticking along as usual. Our new neighbourhood has also brought with it a new mums' group - M next door with a 6 year old and 2 year old and S across the road with an 8 month old. So Tuesdays is Eighth Ave days and we walk a few steps to meet up for a cuppa and play. There are more kids in the street but we haven't got to meet them all yet. Our next door neighbours moved in the same week as us are settling here for the long term.

Jemilla is getting more gorgeous by the day (as you can plainly see). I was getting quite exasperated last week with her need to be held all day long and not settle in her cot. I bit the bullet and stayed home most of the week for some hard core routine and dedicated sleep training. She responded brilliantly and by day 4 she was totally trained. She now sleeps long in her cot, settles herself peacefully and is bright and smiley when awake. It also means I get 3 hours in the middle of the day all to myself as they both sleep at the same time. Happy Mummy. (Not to brag but she is also sleeping 12 hours at night without a feed). Such a different experience than Angus who taught us many things at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5am to strengthen our characters. He's made up for the pain with laughter. At night he'll kiss mummy and Jemilla good night and then insist on also kissing a close by inanimate object - the washing machine, the overhead light, the fan, the newsreader on TV etc.

Dad came and hung a bunch of pictures on our walls this week so we are nearly, fully, totally moved in. Michael's cubby project in the back yard is at lock up stage with a few more hours yet of construction until we can host a cubby warming party.

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T15:27:00.004+08:00

The tradition has begun...the egg hunt on Sunday morning. Neither Angus or I had done one before so I had to clarify with Michael the details of egg hiding (ie. did they only get left at ground level or could you put them up trees?!). Our Mum's group peeps came over and the frenzy was on. In the last few days Angus has been in fine form shouting "COCO" (Chocolate) with full lung capacity at various intervals during the day and night. It's very funny but of course we don't condone shouting or Coco. Once Angus (and the other kids) got the hang of the hunt, the frenzy escalated. It was a great morning with Hot Cross Buns, Dyed eggs, Egg Cup Cakes (thanks Kristie - Mum #2 for Angus) and Bacon and Egg Tarts. Jemilla just slept and looked gorgeous.

As I'm typing this I heard more COCO shrieks in the backyard and Angus has delivered me two previously unfound eggs and a mouthful of another whole egg. How do we tackle dietary reform tomorrow?

Yesterday we had a family brunch with less Coco and more bacon!

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T15:18:00.002+08:00

..and so it goes...

2010-04-02T18:44:00.004+08:00

Here are the latest snaps. Jemilla is lovely and doing perfect night sleeping. Mummy thanks her very much. We need lots of help for her efforts during the days though as she won't seem to settle in her cot at all. This means holding her all day to avoid hours of wiggling, agitation and screaming. I think the next few weeks will be dedicated to some Andrea-style sleep training so that I can manage to be of sound mind.

Our new house is tops and we're loving the joys of not renting - mowing lawns, hanging art on the walls, not banning crayons in the house lest they end up on someone else's paint work and buying a kitchenaid to match the new kitchen (thanks Michael)!

Angus has never been more delightful and is a doting and caring big brother. He can also say 'tractor' and 'wheel'!

2010-03-17T13:51:00.001+08:00

Retro Photo

2010-02-26T12:54:00.004+08:00

This one was taken when she was 3 days old.

Week Three

2010-02-26T12:31:00.002+08:00

We are ticking along ok. Good nights, bad nights, but always good days with the little girl. You can hardly blame the bubba for being unsettled when it's 30 degrees at 6am in the morning. It was a hot night and a few more on the way.

Our friend "Super Nanny Sue" is here from Sydney for a week. No one should feel sorry for us with such great support around.

So, here's some more photos to quench the thirsts of all you baby lovers out there in Blogland.

A Little Update

2010-02-15T19:06:00.005+08:00

Our new little family dynamic is ticking along nicely. All helped by MB's parents staying and taking care of all cooking, AB entertainment and patisserie purchases! We feel like we have been on holidays for 2 weeks since they've been here. They go home tomorrow so the adventure starts soon.

Jemilla is a delightful baby. I'm enjoying her every moment of the day. She's a sleeper and has a very content temperament. She's rarely been unsettled and has been known to be woken after 5 hours of sleep for a feed. So far she is as low maintenance as you could hope for in a little tacker.

AB has done some great adjustment to her arrival. He's not too happy when Daddy gives her a cuddle but otherwise he's quite ok with her in the house.

MB and I are besotted with her and feel embarrasingly blessed beyond what we deserve or could've hoped for.

2010-02-06T14:06:00.000+08:00

You asked for more

2010-02-06T13:53:00.002+08:00

She's here

2010-02-04T20:15:00.004+08:00

She’s here!

Jemilla Gracie Barr born 4th February …. (weight 8lb5oz (3.770kg), length, 52cm)

As we met in Kazakhstan in 1994, we chose this Arabic name Jemilla (meaning ‘Beautiful’) as a remembrance of the place our relationship sparked. Her name also is a reminder of the deep connections Rachel made in Kazakhstan and the richness of the Middle Eastern culture - a culture of immense hospitality, friendship and family strength. These things we desire for Jemilla.

We just like the name Gracie. We also love the link between ‘Beautiful’ and concept of ‘Grace’. To us, grace embodies generosity and forgiveness growing out of a strong character. These things we also desire for her.

Rachel is well and did a fantastic job and currently enjoying some R&R at the St John of God resort at Subiaco. Our thanks to God for the safe arrival of our daughter and for Mike, Paula, Shelley and Haylie, the attending staff.

I get the feeling there will be a few more photos following.

The Final Countdown

2010-01-27T19:08:00.002+08:00

We are now in a serious countdown until we welcome Number Two into our world. Michael has just informed me that I'm moving out of the "Special Care Zone" (involving daily foot massages, extra-curricular husband help, more take away meals, increased budget for air con, etc) to "Childbearing Preparation Zone". I'm yet to discover what is involved but I've got a maximum of 7 days to find out. I think he's thinking of extra sleep, carbo loaded food and a few special outings over the weekend. I've decided a haircut, a Gold Class movie and maybe a few extra showers (can't get in and out of a bath these days!) are in order.

We will post photos and news as it happens but until then it's over and out...

New Digs

2010-01-14T18:49:00.004+08:00

The nesting mode has really been taken to the next level this week as we purchased a Perth home. Can't wait to move in a few weeks after baby arrives and start our new phase as a family in the suburbs. Here is a link to a Google map....click on the + icon to see the front of the house on Street View.

After living for 2 years in the city with all the convenience of cafes, Chinatown, parks, takeaway, shopping and walking to work (for MB) we will be sad to leave our little street. Apart from the great location and space, literally half my mother's group lives in this short street and we love having such friends so close.

The new house has good space and a great backyard for little people to exert energy in. It's also convenient to train, cycle way and bus for MB to choose his preferred mode of transport to work.

We have been well provided for and are so grateful for a home to grow up in...all 4 of us!

Cashing in the Christmas Gift

2010-01-01T19:10:00.000+08:00

New Year's Day

2010-01-01T18:57:00.003+08:00

In lieu of not really buying presents for eachother at Christmas, Michael still wanted to recognise the family in some way. So we started our new Christmas tradition of a family event every year. There are rules - everyone has to be able to participate and everyone has to 'ave a go at the activity we organise. So this year it was kite flying on the foreshore in Nedlands. Kites and food provided. Wind did the righty by us and we were up, up and away.

Picnic on the Foreshore

2010-01-01T18:51:00.004+08:00

Crustless chicken or lamb sandwiches was on the picnic menu - wrapped up in kite-shaped paper, tied up with string. 'Think of a theme and thrash' is my life motto. Mum needed a little bit extra and we found her a chocolate bar called "Perky Nana" for energy. Dad's kite flew really well - with and without the string! - so he went for a long walk to retrieve the sucker...and deserved a sitdown.

010110

2010-01-01T18:44:00.005+08:00

Some cute shots of the kiddies today. Please don't judge me for feeding Angus Burger Rings. It's genetic...he loved them!

I'm pregnant...

2009-12-28T10:50:00.001+08:00

...and here's the photos to prove it.

Holiday Fun

2009-12-28T10:38:00.003+08:00

We hit goood ol' Hyde Park for the arvo yesterday. Nice.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-26T17:55:00.002+08:00

This year has been another of great provision in our lives. Not only are we besotted with our little “mouse” but Rachel has nearly finished incubating another…due mid-February. Due to the GFC Michael was invited to move the Leighton office back to Sydney but was simultaneously, and incredibly, offered another job in Perth. Around the same time Cam’s health took more setbacks which confirmed that this is still the best place for us to live. Subsequently we sold our Sydney digs and are furiously house-hunting in WA. Cam is living with us for the time being and we are being well cared for by friends from church, mums group, playgroups and of course family.

Nana and Grandy took The Mouse out for an eve babycino.

This is the first time in my life I've put up a tree - it's the nesting thing going crazy. Had plans to make Christmas stockings for everyone but in the end ran out of steam and just got AB's finished. We filled it a life-sized baby doll which he immediately started patting and cuddling. Later on in the day he strapped her into the stroller and took her for a walk. I think he'll do ok with a sibling in 6 weeks.

The Dinner

2009-12-26T17:50:00.002+08:00

We put the kids to bed which made it easy to enjoy dinner together. Yumbo.

Christmas Day

2009-12-26T16:39:00.002+08:00

We scoffed some of Cam's coconut, banana pancakes for breakfast and then tried to teach The Mouse to open presents. He didn't really get the hang of it but he seems to love everything in the end...drums (from Grandies), easel, guitar (from Uncle Cam), Magna Doodle, cd's and lots of little bits and pieces. We had relied on hand-me-down toys and borrowing from friends until this day so new stuff is a novelty. It'll get him through 2010 at least!

After the whole household had nana naps we headed for the beach for a bit of a splash. Michael had his eyes lasered 2 days before so wasn't allowed to get wet. Poor bugga. Good results from the surgery with 20/20 vision on Day 1 after the procedure with better results to come. He loves being sighted now after 20 years of -6.0 prescription contacts/glasses. Yippee.

37 Degrees

2009-12-04T15:43:00.003+08:00

It's 37C outside and so The Mouse and I are baking banana bread...of course. Blame it on my nesting phase. Now I also have to put the air con on because the oven is big enough to warm the house. The cricket is on in the background and The Mouse is yelling out "Ball" every time he hears a big hit. It seems as though we're breeding a Stuie Macgill - a cricket foodie!

And Mummy Got a Haircut

2009-11-27T20:42:00.003+08:00

While he was having a sleep today I ducked out and got a haircut...live-in grandparents are tops! I got engrossed in a magazine while he cut my hair and by the time I looked up, it was really short! He finished by saying "I figured you wanted a cut that would last you a long time once bubba arrives". Hairstylists love to figure out what you REALLY want don't they?! We went to the windy Cottelsoe Beach for icecreams after that.

The Playground

2009-11-27T20:29:00.000+08:00

Just A Cute Photo

2009-11-27T20:24:00.001+08:00

RIP

2009-11-27T20:20:00.002+08:00

Two weeks and Polly will the taken from our shelves forever. I've loved her all my life. I'm stockpiling.

Puttin' Up The Tree

2009-11-27T20:04:00.002+08:00

The grandies from Sydney are with us at the moment and so we celebrated Christmas a month early. We had a really funny incident that involved AB excitedly wacking baubles off the tree and me desperately trying to say 'no' without giggling. I couldn't manage it and in the end Angus was wacking baubles fast and hard and I was hysterically saying 'no, no, no'. A moment.

Pictures and Stories

2009-11-02T13:05:00.005+08:00

Here are a bunch of shots that characterise our last month. MB had to go to Adelaide for 'business' - lots of wineries, pubs and restaurants - so The Mouse and I entertained ourselves in this lovely city. We had a great time catching up with friends and playing in parks, eating junk food and chasing seagulls. Adelaide is great and you only realise how developers and councils have screwed up Perth's urban development over the last 50 years when you visit a place like Adelaide. Shame on them.

'The Mouse' (as he seems to get called by lots of people now) is more delightful each day. He's active but not a whirlwind and cheeky but not too naughty, just yet. He knows he's not allowed to touch the crockery or glass cupboards and he usually does ok with obeying the rules. We live in an old house so there are large gaps under the door. The other morning while I was having my shower I heard the typical KNOCK-KNOCK on the door which is one of his little traditions. I did respond by acknowledging the knock but next thing I knew a whole dinner plate had been relocated from the kitchen and slid under the door. Attention seeking with intelligence thrown in!!

He is inseparable from his "nana rug" (which she knitted) and will take it himself to the cot if you are a bit late with the day sleep routine. The Baby Whisperer is still a hero in our world 1 year later. Apart from waking up early (often before 5am) he has learnt that sleep is his friend and he wants it when he's tired. I love that woman. We've referred her to at least 10 friends and they've all had the same experience. I'm confident with the next bubba that our issues in the sleep department will be easily managed.

I'm feeling quite good at 24 weeks (3 months to go). Just starting to get the discomfort that reminds me that walking is going to be painful and hard work from here on in. Oh well. The weather is warming up so the paddle pool is ready to go. One for The Mouse and one for me.

Blogger Block

2009-11-02T12:53:00.003+08:00

The blog has been noticeably quiet of late. Lots of stuff going on and no inclination to talk! Most significantly is that Cam's health over the last 6 weeks has not been flash. He's been in hospital with a random gall bladder infection and then the following week an emergency hip replacement with a few hours' notice. It was all quite traumatic as the cancer had sneakily eaten through the bone with less than a centimetre left to hold up his body. Anyway, he immediately felt more comfortable with the replacement and was walking the next day. All this while still having chemo! Since then he's been trialling a new chemo drug that's $11,000 an injection so thanks to the government for taken care of that medical expense. He's living with us part time and with Carms and John the other part. Great to have him in the house.

Licking the Beaters

2009-11-02T12:48:00.000+08:00

Grandy's Canola Crop

2009-09-28T21:22:00.002+08:00

We've had a great weekend up at York with the grandies. We did a tad of shopping, eating, lazing, drinking, bbq-ing, sleeping and cow chasing. Noice.

Half Way Bump

2009-09-21T17:13:00.004+08:00

This is the newest member of the Barr family. We had a scan today and all anatomical features are in the right place. I'm feeling healthy and happy but the serious whinging is just around the corner as the weather gets hot and the bebe gets fat. Due 12th Feb but I am planning to get induced a few weeks earlier to give me and bebe a better chance of avoiding a difficult delivery and complications like with AB.

Happy Birthday Lala

2009-09-08T20:10:00.003+08:00

Today Stella has been in our family for 1 year. She a gorgeous, happy and content baby who can outshine both her entertaining parents. Three cheers for Carms and John who are A+ parents. Hip Hip Hooray.

He's Dreamin'

2009-09-01T12:41:00.003+08:00

This was the first year that MB has played any form of fantasy/virtual footy although there has been years of research and devotion to the sport that had prepared him well for the competition. By his own admission he made many mistakes along the way that just get chalked up to inexperience and unsure tactics. By the beginning of the finals he was keen to throw all his money in the ring and go out in a blaze of glory - aiming to win the first Prelim final and leaving the flag to the big scorers from the season. Well, somehow it happened that he snuck through each finals week with a win and pipped them all at the post to take out the Dream Team flag in his comp!! Oh geez I'm proud.

2009-08-27T18:20:00.002+08:00

Tonight the apple had to come into the bath with him - double the fun. The rest of our world is going good. Had another scan at the obstetrician this week and the lil' bubba is already big and noticeably active. My theme for this week is Don’t Be A Frump, Unveil The Bump. This just means I’ve ditched the track pants and sloppy windcheaters for tight, bump exposing attire. Say it loud, say it proud.

We got ourselves a new hobby

2009-08-19T11:31:00.000+08:00

Someone get the Windex

2009-08-08T08:02:00.000+08:00

Angus' News

2009-08-04T12:58:00.003+08:00

Barr Haka

2009-08-03T20:18:00.003+08:00

AB and I have invented our own kind of Haka. He sometimes walks into a room and starts crouching down and wobbling his tongue at me. My role is to mimic him and escalate the intensity and sound level. He knows it's funny....gosh it's funny. In this case, I was crouching down taking photos and he thought I'd started the face-off.

2009-08-03T20:10:00.000+08:00

Picnic Number 2

2009-08-03T20:03:00.003+08:00

We've had a bit of hiatus in the picnics over the wintery months but Saturday's weather was too good to stay indoors. I bought 2 massive serves of lamb cutlets and we didn't share any with AB. Yummo.