Granny & Pa

Richard's parents came to visit yesterday. Part of the reason we chose to live in Northcote was that it is easy distance from both grandparents. The most rewarding thing about moving here from London via Sydney has been to see the special relationship develop between Grandparents and our children. Help putting up a blind or a healthy food parcel are also welcome advantages to being close by.

Rich recorded some cuddle action on film.

Exercise

Winter has always been particularly physical. Things seem to run more smoothly when he gets plenty of time to 'shake it out'. This has beeen a challenge lately as its been an unusually hot summer. Whenever possible we hit the playground early before the sun gets too strong. Baxter hangs out in the sling whilst Winter struts his stuff.

He was so determined to look through these binoculars that he pulled himself up via sheer will!

Being able to walk up the slide is a newly aquired trick

Taxi

Groovy London-based Godmother Livvie is responsible for Winter's look today.

Fun

My wonderful friend Megan came to visit last week with her son
Benjiman. We went to school together and have maintained a special friendship ever since despite living in different parts of the world. Even though I am back in Melbourne Megan is sadly currently based in Brisbane. Sharing the experince of motherhood together (Benji is 2 months younger than Winter) mainly via late night phone conferences, has further strengthened our bond.

This is the second time our boys have met and the first time they have been old enough to play together. It was very satisfying to see them hit it off, laughing, jumping and tickling each other deleriously, a rewarding parenting moment.

Benji is very charming and good natured. His golden olive skin, blond hair and dark eyes make for a heart melting combination.

Winter is a little more boystrious.

Icypoles

Before Baxter was born I went to a tupperware party. After being wooed by champagne & choc brownies I felt obliged to buy something and came back with an icypole set. At $25 it felt a bit pricey at the time but now I have no regrets as they are very popular. Long hours of breastfeeding and settling require an arsenal of distraction tools for Big W.

Good for placating boys of all sizes!

Weekend

We had our first weekend in Northcote for ages this weekend. Previously we have been racing down to the beach and back to get out of the way of various tradesmen. Its lovely to get out of town and frolick at a seaside resort but I am hoping it will be an easier exercise when the boys are a bit older. It was nice to relax (sort of) in our hood and potter. Looking after a toddler and a baby feels much more achieveable when shared between two people.

Proffessional mother

This playground fulfills Winter's 2 fav pastimes at once - swinging and checking out passing trains simultaniously.

Rare shot of Winter obediently sporting a hat

Chopper

We have been up and down to Sorrento to escape various intrusions by tradesmen. The highlight of this trip was being allowed to hang out in the helicopter stationed next to the playground.

Winter's friend Tom

Fiddling

Rich and Winter at the playground afterwards

Dad

Baxter & Dad chilling

Smiley

Big smile for Grandpa

Make-up

Mum took these photos of Baxter & me a week or so ago. I had ventured out to my first playgroup with both boys and managed to put some make-up on. I was feeling good.

My boys

Nice cuddle

Smother kiss

Polar bear kiss

very gentle

Possum

Baby Winter

Winter wants to do everything the baby does

Baxter gets about 2 mins in the bath before Winter demands a 'TURN'

testing out the bassinet

this blur is Winter trying to get into the newborn bed part of the pusher

No Make-up

Normally I'd be too vain to publish these pics of me looking so wrecked! However I am willing to swallow my pride in order to show pics of the boys as we rarely find the time to get the cammera out.

At least Baxter thinks I look facinating!

aprox 3 hrs sleep (not in a row)

sibling rivalry

Baxter 2 weeks

Birth

Baxter Smallwood
Born 6.50am 19th Dec 2006

I worte my birth story about a month ago then lost it (error with blogger). It was a good story so I felt unable to post these pics till I re-wrote it. It's obviously taking me too long to get round to doing that so hopefully I will get round to it soon.

The story ends with me triumphantly catching my baby. This picture shows me sitting down on the bed straight afterwards to see him for the first time.



hello!

1st cuddle

Winter meeting his brother