this is .... my favourite children's book

My favourite books to read when I was young were the magic faraway tree books. I loved the adventures, the honey biscuits and the people they met along the way. I used to read these books at my grandparents place along with the Noddy books which I also loved.

At the moment I love to read to my son books by authors such as Pamela Allen and Dr Suess. He's at the age where he loves the rhyme and rythym.

33!!!

I was most impressed when watching the gymnastics at the Beijing olympic games. I was so impressed I even got a bit teary when I saw a thirty three year old female vaulter in the finals. Having spent a good ten years of my life doing gymnastics I am aware of all the training and what is required to throw yourself around like that. There is no way I could imagine myself doing that now.

Good on her I say. She scored a medal too.

this is ..... how I like to spend my weekend

This weekend included many of the ways that I like to spend my weekend. We were able to have a family getaway to the inlaws family holiday house in Portarlington. We love to drive down at night so that we can wake in the morning to the bay view, birds chirping and the fresh air.
A cooked breakfast at one of the many cafes is a great way to start a weekend away followed by a trip to the local newsagents to pick up the paper. A short wander down the street to collect a few groceries before spending the rest of the morning reading, drinking tea and playing with our little boy. An afternoon nanna nap is always a good thing followed by a walk down the street or to a nearby park. We went for a lovely late arvo walk down the long pier at Swan Bay which was very pretty. Was very cold though. Usually we love to spend some time on the beach but this time we decided on taking some drives and spending time in a few cafes in between the rainy periods.

When in Melbourne I like to visit the local Farmers market, catch up with family and generally try to relax and have enjoyable family and friends time.

this is ...a work in progress

I was cleaning out my bags of bits and pieces and I found a work in progress. It has been in progress the last 15 years at least if not a few more. I found dozens of cut out triangles that I think were intended to be made into a border for a quilt. I don't think they will ever find their way to their intended purpose but as I quite like many of the prints they may find themselves used in other various loved ways. Therefore they are still a work in progress.

I happened to also fins a shirt that I was making that only needs buttons attached. Not sure if I like it or not and if it fits thats a bonus

I like ironing and swearing

This was in the UK Down syndrome 2008 calendar. There were several other shots but this one made me smile. So often the sterotype of DS includes liking music (which my son does happen to like but so so many other kids) and being happy (ditto). I have never heard oh people with DS they love to iron!! This young lady happens to like ironing (I surely don't) and swearing.

131.9 cents per litre

A friend of mine made this movie. He does tha acting, singing, music, filming, directing- the works. It makes me smile. It won a movie making prize. I think the flake film festival or something like that. I think a new one may be in the making but not 100% sure on that. He and his wife are gifted by God with loads of creativity.

Toy for a special boy

During our most recent stay at the Royal Children's Hospital we met a lovely little boy named Luke. He had the same virus as Nathan and unfortunately is still in hospital. When I got home I was thinking about him and decided to make a little toy for him to squeeze and hold.

It is a little squishee toy made from black and white stripey bamboo stockings with the scarf and heart made from felt.

I gave it to my son for a test run. He loved playing with it. He was so focussed. He just sat rubbing the legs together for so long.

Wild and Woolly

The woolly headbands look great and must be nice and warm for these chilly winter days. Unfortunately my son doesn't like to keep them on his head. He's worn two so far for short periods of time. I think the weight and bulk of them means that he is more aware that he is wearing them. Will try the others out and see how they go before going back to the stocking type.

This is....

Didn't realise that the "this is" last week was a make your own. Have since discovered this. It was a lovely Sunday and i'm glad i could share it. I must be a bit behind. Not to worry.

This is My Sunday

An impromptu family birthday party. Complete with frankfurts, party pies, chips, m&m's and cake. Five people in my husbands family celebrate their birthdays in July. Soon we will need to add an additonal table to allow room for the expanding family.

A family portrait is a traditional part of these family gatherings. It is such a joy to see my son's excitement and the sparkle in his eye when he sees the newest additon to the family. My baby niece, Jasmine Hope.

hearing aides and headbands 2

Nathan has been so good with his hearing aides. He hardly pulls the headband off and seems to enjoy wearing it. I was so concerned it would be a battle to get him to wear it and thought it would be a long process of him getting used to it.

He now has a plethora of headbands for all seasons.

Hearing Aides and Headbands

We had the first meeting with Australian hearing. Back next Monday to get the hearing aides. Nathan will get bone conductive hearing aides. No idea how we will keep the headband on his head. I've been trying in short bursts. Today was the most successful. It was difficult to find a headband that wasn't too girly with ballerina written on it. We found a couple and Grandma found a couple also. She also made some. As it is winter I have asked her to knit a headband for Nathan.

I am not looking forward to people potentially calling him a girl because he is wearing a headband. I suppose it doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things and I can always tell them it is for his hearing aides if I'm in the mood to educate. Had some strange looks from people in the shops when I said I was looking for a headband for my son until I told them what it was for.

nathan's first year

Chilling out

The rocking chair is always a good palce to chill out.

Loud and Clear

Today we are off to the hearing centre to discuss hearing devices for nathan. Feels like it is yet another thing to contend with. It is too important though to delay getting this sorted. He needs to be hearing clearly so tht his speech can develop. He is delayed in his speech anyway and doesn't need any hinderances. He is hearing and understanding some things as his signing is improving. He knows and understands over 25 words/phrases. It should be much more for his age but I stil feel proud and pleased that he knows that many.

No idea how he will keep a hearing device in place but we can only give it a go. We may have to get grommits inserted down the track but until then we'll give this a go and continue with osteopathic treatment to see if we can get some fluid draining. Given his history grommits may not be a good long term solution at his age and also we are not keen on putting him under anaesthetic unless it is crucial due to his respiratory condition.

Taking the plunge

I haven't been sure where to start so I have held off from writing a blog. I decided it was time to take the plunge and just begin. I think I have been a bit unsure of what may come out as I write but I feel it is time to be brave and just see what happens. The last few years have been turmultuous (is that a word?) to say the least. Perhaps writing will be a means of making sense of what has been going on and help me to reclaim time and space to be creative.

In order to begin I have decided to start in the present. I am sure the memories of past days will interweave with the new and fresh.

My son has been quite ill for a few weeks which lead to me staying with him in hospital for 11 nights. Often after a hospital stay it can take me a little while to reconnect with the 'outside' world, as opposed to the insular world that can exist within the confines of the hospital walls. I find it helps to brave it and get involved in community activities. This morning I attended MOPS (a group for mum's of preschoolers). It took me a little while to feel connected but thanks to some caring friends I was able to relax and not feel so isolated. It is a strange feeling to feel isolated even though you are surrounded by people. I am thankful that this feeling is not a constant but is somewhat of a coming and going. The ebb and flow??