All partied out

31/365 (Vada)

Willows party was a bit much for poor little Vada today. She woke up this morning not quite herself...she is starting to get a bit of a runny nose and a chesty cough. She took comfort in her mummies embrace.

Willows party

31/365 (Zavia)

Our friend Willow turned one last Tuesday and her party was today. It was a flower theme and as I didn't really want to dress him as a tulip being a boy, he went as a flower farmer instead. He rocked his singlet and suspenders and we had a really lovely day helping Willow celebrate her first Year.

Angelic

30/365 (Vada)

This little face melts my heart every single day. Her eye contact is amazing, she is so curious about the world around her and the people that live in her space.

Rockin mums sunnies

30/365 (Zavia)

Zavia found my sunnies today and just had to wear them when we went outside to hang washing out. It was the first sunny day in soooo long today.

On a non-photo related note: Ben and I went out for a date night tonight...our first since Vada was born. Nanny came over to babysit much to Zavias delight. I was a little apprehensive as Vada is still very reliant on me, but we instructed Nanny to call us at the first sign of her getting upset and we would come straight home. We had a lovely night out and on our return we were both thrilled with the fact that Vada had stayed asleep and not made a peep the whole time we were gone. Zavia had gone straight to bed when he was told too. After Nanny had left we were getting ready for bed and Zavia must have heard me fluttering around because he called out to me in the softest sleepy voice. When I went into his room he was sitting on the edge of his bed and he looked up at me and asked, "Did you have a good time mummy??" to which I replied that I did have a wonderful time. He then said, "oh good" and layed back down and went straight back to sleep. We have to most lovely, polite, caring little boy.

Cheeky

29/365 (vada)

While Zavia and Ben went for a sail with Jayden this afternoon, Vada sat in her pram poking her tongue out atTara and I. I think she does it partly because it feels good rubbing back and forth against her gums and partly because she is the cheekiest girl I know. Either way, it is pretty darn cute!

Sailor man

29/365 (Zavia)

Our son prays! his prayer on the sailing boat today went something like this:

Lord Jesus, help daddy and me and Jayjen and daddy and me and Jayjen and please give us some wind, Amen.

Getting stronger

28/365 (Vada)

What can I say...she is growing up!

And because I'm not very good at just choosing one photo...here are some faces she pulled for me tonight...

My baby boy

28/365 (Zavia)

The cheeky monkey sat himself in his sisters bouncy tonight. When he moved from room to room he simply stood up with it still around his waist and sat down again where he felt so inclined.

the savage beast

27/365 (Vada)

Believe it or not, she isn't actually upset in this photo...just in attack mode. Her teeth are hurting and she is like a little grizzly bear. In amongst all of the raveging though was lots of giggles and laughter.

Best Buddies

27/365 (Zavia)

Hendrix came over tonight. These two have had a very up and down relationship, when they were younger they didn't acknowledge each other, as they grew together they became great little mates, then as they developed their own little quirks they clashed a bit, now they are just best friends and play happily while Sarah and I chat and drink coffee...now we watch our girls to see if they will be the same.

Snuggle bug

26/365 (Vada)

Wrapped in the arms of two very special ladies.

Fun at Larkwhistle Lodge

26/365 (Zavia)

Today we hung out with the Bentleys/Hortons at Larkwhistle. Zavia and Minty are secretly just a little bit in love. They followed each other around playing peak-a-boo, blowing kisses and giving vigarous hugs that landed in a few bumps and bruises. When it came time to leave, Minti got a little bit sad and Zavia talked about Minty the whole way home.

Party animal

25/365 (Vada)

We had back-to-back parties today, one housewarming party and one pot-luck dinner. I love how our lives haven't really had to change that much since having kids...they go with us everywhere and just take it in their stride...they sleep when they get the chance (like the drive between parties) and party hard when they're awake. Our kids are just genuinely happy.

A little bit posh

25/365 (Zavia)

He has started falling asleep in the car with his legs crossed. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the fact that he now wears undies or not...it's pretty cute though. I hate having to wake them when we get to our destination.

Tiny

24/365 (Vada)

I love how tiny she is in her daddys hands.

Alley rat

24/365 (Zavia)

Zavia loves a good bowl and he is pretty good at it...must be all that wii bowling he does.

playing dress ups

23/365 (Vada)

It's so fun having a real live little doll to play with. I felt like this outfit wasn't quite complete until I came across her belt and put it on her head. hehe!!

Weetbix kid

23/365 (Zavia)

I was trying to get a photo of the crusty weetbix still on his face but he would NOT have it. When I was looking through the photos on my camera I realised that I had captured his 'double joints'...he is more and more like me everyday.

Hippibottomus

22/365 (Vada)

This is one of the first nappies Vada got and we love it. She has quite the stash now and another five coming next week (thanks to Auntie Winnie). I suppose we could say..."hello, our names are Josette and Vada, and we are MCN addicts!"

Adoration

22/365 (Zavia)

If only he knew his every move is watched.
She loves him as much as we do.

Clash!

21/365 (Vada)

It's 10:30pm!!

This is the face of a little girl who is refusing to sleep!

This is also the face of a mum who just wants to SLEEP!!!

hungry hungry hippo

21/365 (Zavia)

Zavia is such a good little eater. He can now even get himself in and out of his chair. He has also started insisting that his dinner be served inside a slice of bread. I don't mind this at all...if he wants his meatballs and totto (potato) in bread it just means he is eating that much more.

Teething faces

20/365 (Vada)

I've known for some time now that Vada is teething...not because of any grizzling but because of the constant chewing. Put anything in her reach and she will grab it and start 'mungin' away. Today was the first day of actual pain though...she pulled many of these faces. These photos were taken just after lunch and by dinner time she had one tooth broken through.

Super Sero

20/365 (Zavia)

He still can't pronounce 'h' words yet. So for the time being he is a super sero.

Bumbo

19/365 (Vada)

Vada scored herself a new bumbo seat on the weekend. She is enjoying seeing the world from an upright position, and her toys are at arms reach...she's in heaven!

Gardening - again

19/365 (Zavia)

He said he was actually making a fire...a little worrying seeings pyromania runs in my family.
(notice his little grazed knee)

Pout

18/365 (Vada)

I dont know if it's because she is teething or if she is just finding new face muscles, but Vada has been giving some great faces lately. I especially love this half grimace and half pout with these overhanging cheeks.
Love this girl!

Park

18/365 (Zavia)

Today we went to Brisbane to see Bens brother and his wife, Abe and Petra. They have a great park just around the corner from there house so we ventured down before the sunset this afternoon for Zavia to stretch his legs. Zavia scored some Ben10 sunnies that were left at the park.

Sprung!

17/365 (Vada)

I made this doll when Vada was in my tummy (I was secretly praying for a girl - terrible I know.) How happy I was when she was born and all the girly things I'd made didn't have to be sold off or given away. She has just started playing with this one. The thin arms and legs are great for her to chew on since she has a tooth or two coming.

Refusing to sleep

17/365 (Zavia)

Zavia and Ben went to our friend Orsons first birthday party today...it was a wrestle mania theme. He had so much fun but didn't want the good times to end when it came time for sleep. The noise of this party blower had stopped working so we were totally unaware of the 'goings on' in his room until I walked past and saw a shadow running around.

Telling me how she really feels

16/365 (Vada)

She's been cheeky like this since day one. With that punk hair and rude hand gestures...what have we created??

Waiting...

16/365 (Zavia)

Ben has been working late again for the last few days. Zavia and Ben usually play basketball when he gets home but instead today we watched the sunset and waited for the sound of daddies car.

Being a little sister

15/365 (Vada)

Today Vada got her first carpet burn...She is a little sister therefore this will be the first of many I'm sure. Zavia didn't mean to do it though.
I walked out of the room and heard Vada screaming and Zavia crying loudly..."sorry mummy, sorry mummy". Straight away I knew what had happened without even seeing it...Zavia had bounced Vada right out of her bouncey, her legs were still strapped in so she just hung there precariously with her face on the ground.

In other news...I'm still super sick...there is no photo for Zavia today. I feel terrible! I haven't gone a month yet and Im already missing days. I won't be too hard on myself though...I feel like S**t.

Gastro Strikes!

14/365 (Zavia & Vada)

Mum is too sick to pick up the camera today.

Hello Iggle Piggle

13/365 (Vada)

Her neck strength is growing everyday. Not long ago I would put Vada on her tummy and she would faceplant straight away and then cry until I picked her back up again...now she loves to chat to her new found friends (even if they don't talk back)

Green thumb

13/365 (Zavia)

It's Zavias job to water the new plants each morning. We bought him a special 'Zavia sized' watering can and he asks to water them all day long. I wonder how long this novelty will last. I was assured by the lady at the nursery that you can't over water these suckers so hopefully she is right.

Nappies, nappies, nappies

12/365 (Vada)

Vada dreaming of huggies nappies...if only she new what is coming in the mail this week.

Calorie counter

12/365 (Zavia)

Ben and I are trying to be on a health kick...so today when we did the groceries it took a really long time as I checked the backs of most packets to read the ingredient lists. Its funny what kids pick up from watching their parents...Zavia had to check out whether or not this item would be a heathy choice for him or not. I decided for him that it wasn't healthy for our grocery budget and we decided on a single car.

bubble bath

11/365 (Vada)

Daddy does the best baths coz he puts the bubbles in.

Hunter

11/365 (Zavia)

We're in the process of cleaning the front of our house up. We moved in only four months ago and ever since it has looked like a shanty town. I decided that the front door needed to be made more welcoming...and with a basketball hoop sitting directly in front of the door the only thing that would achieve this is some life in the form of plants. So today we set out to find us some 'life'. We went up to Fairhill native nursery in Yandina (which hasn't changed a bit since I was a little girl), Zavia helped us pick out two nice Christmas lillipillies and made friends with this barrel of tadpoles...and yes, his hair did end up in the water.

A man needs a maid

10/365 (Vada)

yes, 'A man needs a maid' by Neil Young is the song he was singing to get her to settle. Thats probably why she has a little grimace on her face.
I love how on weekends I can get up and have a long leasurely shower without having to worry about the kids. My heart melts when I see moments like this.

The bounce back

10/365 (Zavia)

Today we all woke up feeling good. Zavia ensured us he was "all bedda noww!" So we decided to get ready and go see Toy Story three. As we were about to leave my tummy started churning and I was feeling not too crash hot...regretably I had to stay home and miss my little mans first cinema experience (apart from when he was a tiny boy who was only interested in milk.) I watched Ben put Zavias seat in the Valiant, put his shoes on, get him in the car, buckle him in, reverse out the drive way and drive away...I was sad! But then I looked down and saw a little cherub in my arms and realised how much I love having 'his & hers' kids. I also convinced myself that it is really important for Zavia and Ben to have this one on one time together...which is true but lets face it, I was just clinging to an idea that helped me feel better about not going with them. Turns out Zavia wasn't interested in Toy Story at all and told Ben that infact they would be seeing Shrek instead...also turns out that Zavia was only interested in about half of Shrek.

Daddys little girl

9/365 (Vada)

With Zavia sick and me recovering from only one hours sleep and not feeling at all well myself, Ben stayed home from work to help me out...mainly with Vada. They hung out all day together with Ben bringing her to me for feeds and thats about it. It was so nice not to have to worry about her while I tended to Zavias needs and caught up on some much needed sleep. Thanks Ben!

Sick

9/365 (Zavia)

I realise this photo is somewhat similar to his last photo...their is good reason for this...Zavia has just experienced his first ever vomiting bug. So sad! This is the only photo I felt I could take under the circumstances. The last thing you want when your feeling sick is someone in your face with a camera, so I waited until he was asleep and all the vomiting had stopped. My poor pale little boy.

Lullaby

8/365 (Vada)

Lullaby, and good night,
You're your mother's delight,
Shing angels beside
My darling abide
Soft and warm in your bed,
Close your eyes and rest your head,
Soft and warm in your bed,
Close your eyes and rest your head.

This lullaby pretty much sums it up.

Sleep

8/365 (Zavia)

I felt very sneaky going into each kids room today and snapping a shot of them sleeping. No matter how hard the day has been up to this point it all fades away when I watch them sleeping. To have them sleeping at the same time is extra special and strangely quiet.

Up up and...away!

7/365 (Vada)

My darling niece helped me out with Vadas photo today. She was enjoying a ride on the mummy jet plane so I called out for Toiya to grab my camera that was next to our bed and take a photo. It is one heavy camera for an eight year old to handle, so she did an amazing job. Vada just loves her cousins. She sometimes shys away from the camera because lets face it, it's a big black box that is not nearly as interesting as a face...but with Toiya behind the black box she looked right into the lens and we managed to get this shot on the first take.