Jacob's first 12 months

I thought it would be good to see how much Jacob has changed over the last 12 months. See what you think.

A trip to Victoria

To extend our time with Lewis and Ju, we decided to join them during their trip to Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road.

In a short visit we managed to pack in quite a bit. Dinner on the Restaurant Car around Melbourne, a drive along The Great Ocean Road, koala spotting (which there were many) and The Family Allen had a night and day in The Dandenong Ranges.

It was horrible for me to say goodbye to our special mates from the UK. I look at Lewis as a younger brother, and obviously a good friend, and Ju is such a lovely, kind and special friend. She was particularly great with Jacob and taught him how to blow kisses! We're still trying to get him to say Ju! It was great to have spent a week with them and wished it was longer.

Visitors from the UK

After many weeks of counting down, our friends Lewis and Ju, finally touched down in Sydney. They had already visited Brisbane and the Great Barrier Reef two weeks before but then decided to visit New Zealand before spending their last week with us.

6 months after they got married, we got to take them out in Sydney to celebrate their visit. We had a relaxing Saturday evening but then on the Sunday, a pretty busy day was planned.

Dave and Lewis climbed the Bridge whilst Ju, Jacob and I enjoyed a relaxing tour of Sydney Harbour with morning tea. We met up walking around The Rocks market. A walk up to Sydney Opera House for photo opportunities. Followed by a ferry trip over to Darling Harbour. A beer at our favourite bar there, an early evening meal and then we collected the car and returned to Newcastle.

As I said, a lot was packed into 24 hours.

We then had 2 days in Newcastle/Hunter Valley before heading to Melbourne. Monday was a nice relaxing day. Dave and I nipped out with Jacob for an appointment and left Lewis and Ju walking around Newcastle and the beaches. In the arvo, Dave dragged Lewis into the ocean and they had fun body bashing, Ju of course was enjoying the sun lying on the beach and I was at home whilst Jacob had a sleep. We then put some "shrimps on the barbie" for dinner and had another nice, relaxing evening.

Tuesday we were all up early to our trip to the Hunter Valley Vineyards. We went to several vineyards and got to try white, reds, sparklings and some ports - wow! I am very unused to drinking so much nowadays and had to have a little sleep on the return journey. Another evening meal and another barbie but no shrimps this time but snags and rissoles (sausages and burgers).

Wednesday, off to Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road and the Dandenongs (for Dave, Jacob and I).

An afternoon at Manly

To begin our weekend in Sydney, we decided an afternoon in Manly would be lovely. We had a lovely drive round Manly looking for a car parking space and then a nice walk too! Lunch was at a small restaurant and Jacob got to share Dave's fish and chips. I wisely choose prawns and pasta, so was unable to give my little one any ;o) but made up for it later on.

We found a lovely little playground for Jacob. We had a swing and a go on the see saw. Dave sat one end and Jacob and I the other. Jacob of course loved it and I was just laughing and laughing and laughing.

We rewarded ourselves with an ice cream. I now now found out that Jacob, after a few shudders, enjoys ice cream too. Like Father, like Son!

Two years in Oz

I can't believe it but Dave and I are celebrating out 2 year anniversary in Australia. We can't believe we have been here for 24 months. It's amazing how our lives have changed. We are now a family of three, Jacob has celebrated his first birthday, we've been to so many different places, including New Zealand, made so many good friends.

So we are enjoying a nice cold glass of water to celebrate, cheers!

Another cake & time with friends

The Friday following Jacob's birthday (29th Feb) we met up with the antenatal mums' group and a few other friends from Fit Mums at Smarty Pantz. Very much like Mega Mania but smaller and not too far for me to walk to.

Kate (of the Coffs Harbour trip) kindly made Jacob a wombat birthday cake. It was amazing, better than amazing, it was brilliant! She is a very kind person to have made Jacob that cake and even nicer to let us cut into the wombat's bottom and eat it! Kate of course knows Jacob's love of the Wombat Stew book, hence the cake.

Thank you all for making Jacob's birthday week so good and also thank you for his cards and presents. You are all such lovely kind people and we've been very lucky to have met you all and made friends with you. Thank you once again.

Time at the park

We are really lucky in the area we live. We have the ocean at the end of the road, the Ocean Baths to swim in, the Canoe Pool for Jacob to play in, plenty of places to walk, to get a coffee and something to eat and we also have a couple of park areas for the littles to play in.

We went with Valerie and Elise one afternoon. Jacob and Elise had a great time on the swings, spinny things and the wooden train. Here's a few photos I'd taken.

Ciara's Christening

The following day, after Jacob's birthday party, we had reason to glam up for Ciara's christening. Tracey and Ant chose the church they were married in and it proved a very special time for them all. Ciara looked lovely in her dress and didn't even cry when we all got to get her wet with the holy water!!

I chose the photo of Ciara enjoying her Christening cake and teddy with Tracey looking very gorgeous and also very tanned.

I couldn't let a blog entry go on without a photo of Jacob, this one is Jacob in his Christening outfit.

Jacob's 1st birthday and party

Jacob had a great first birthday party followed by his actual birthday. We had plenty of his friends around and their parents, Karen came down especially from Queensland, a couple of Dave's work colleagues, a homemade birthday cake (well nearly, bought the sponge but Dave and I made the hedgehog!) and even party bags. It was hard work but certainly worth it. Just a shame that all his family were so far away, I'd been feeling very homesick leading up to Jacob's birthday and feel that not having family around us made it worse for me.

Jacob got loads of presents, 25 cards and even some money. We had special openings on the day of the party and then he had more cards and presents to open the following Wednesday.

I can't believe he has turned 1, it doesn't seem that long ago his was a tiny baby and couldn't do much for himself. Now he's walking, talking (well sort of) and becoming more and more independent.

Funtime

We've taken time to go out for walks and have plenty of fun time with Jacob during February. Jacob, first of all, took a fancy to an empty nappy box. He's had great fun just climbing in it, on it, moving the flaps back and forth and many other things with it. He even had Eden over and she enjoyed playing with the box too.

Dave took the time to climb into Jacob's tent. Jacob also wanted to be in the tent at the same time, always good to see Dave and Jacob having quality time together and me with the camera ;o)

We had a nice afternoon stroll along Nobbys breakwater and took time out to let Jacob have a walk and discovery. This time it was an anchor!

1st time at an inside play area

(Dave smiling & Jacob in the elephant tunnel)

Jacob was invited to Mia's 1st birthday party. Due to some horrible wet conditions it was quickly rearranged and was held at MegaMania! This turned out to be a great place to take an adventurous little boy. Jacob had a great time on the cars, the soft play area but wasn't too sure about the ball pool. Mia also had a brilliant birthday and had a beautiful cake. She also surprised Dave and I by her walking skills, she was very confident and walked loads more than Jacob has been doing.

(Mia (with wings) and her parents and cousin Molly)

Another play date

Jacob is very lucky and has many friends. One of which is Ciara, you may have noticed her a few times on the blog. Ciara came over with her parents and decided she wanted a go on Jacob's push a long walker and Jacob, always the gentleman, was happy to give her a little push (guided by Tracey).

After that it was time to spend in Jacob's pop up portacot (a small tent really). We had it out to try and get Jacob used to it so we could use it whilst we were away. Anyway, Jacob wanted his little mate in there with him and I think they both had a good time ...

What a mess!

Dave and I love it at meals times. Jacob just loves to get involved with the food and sometimes, but only sometimes, he may even eat a little too ;o)

Play date with the boys

Early in February, on a wet day, my friends from our antenatal group came round to our house with their boys. Jacob was asleep in his cot and Alfie, Elliott and Ben had a great time playing with his toys and exploring the house. Eventually, Jacob made an appearance and it was great to see his face as we came down the stairs and rounded the corner for him to see his mates to play with. After shifts in the high chair for lunch, hot drinks and cake for the mums, everyone left Jacob and I to a very quiet house. We had a great time and should suggest meeting again when the weather is horrible.

(From l/r Ben, Jacob, Elliott, Alfie & Beth)